Discover Peace of Mind™
Though the rewards of exercise are universal, considerable evidence links increased benefits to seniors and aging adults. Here are several ways to help make exercise manageable when finding the motivation is tough.
Reviewing our most popular blog posts, the topic of Sundowner’s Syndrome always tops the list. This post covers a similar condition – seasonal affective disorder. Like Sundowner’s Syndrome, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is conditional. While Sundowner’s occurs during a specific time of day, SAD occurs at a certain time of the year, usually in the winter.
As the busy holiday season approaches, so does the flu season. This makes now a great time for an annual flu shot – before your schedule fills up and before the flu has the opportunity to attack. After getting the vaccination, it takes two weeks to start protecting you, so it’s wise to act before the flu season fully kicks in.
Health care workers, more than the general public, face many workplace risk factors for substance abuse disorders. Among these factors are access, stress, lack of education and attitude.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than one in three seniors over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year. Nearly 1.6 million of these injured seniors require an emergency room visit and approximately 5,000 of these falls are fatal. The NIH also asserts falls are the largest cause of hospital admissions, fracture and loss of vitality or independence for seniors. The loss of balance that accompanies age is a key reason for these unwanted falls and their resulting injuries. Here are 5 senior home care tips to help improve your balance, and quality of life.
Winter is, indeed, a wonderful time for many of us. Children and skiers love the snow and everyone enjoys the holidays. For some, however, the cold weather brings more bad news than good. The elderly, in particular, are extremely wary at this time of year and for good reason. Ice, snow, colds and seniors do not mix.
As adults age their hearts start to wear out. One of the complications they can suffer is congestive heart failure. While most people develop this slowly over time it can happen suddenly without warning. There is no cure, only management of this chronic long term heart failure. Often heart failure is caused by other problems such as coronary heart disease, infections, and cardiomyopathy.
When people begin to age and become unable to take care of themselves, it can take over and quickly become depression. The rate of elderly people in the United States is growing rapidly making healthcare for senior citizens one of the highest medical costs. Depression and seniors is not a good mix, and it can cause a lot of other problems all over their body and can even cause premature death.
At Seniors Home Care we empower our caregivers and staff by providing ongoing training programs. This information is also helpful to family caregivers who may have noticed a loved one's weight loss.
Summer, and Summer heat waves pose a very real danger to the elderly. Normally, our body controls and regulates elevated temperature by allowing heat loss through the skin and by evaporation.
John, age 85, is receiving home care after a recent fall and fracture of the hip. Over the last year since his wifes death, he has experienced a large weight loss. Johns doctor feels that the weigh loss contributed towards his fall and something needs to be done. John admits to not having the appetite he used to when his wife was alive, "She used to make me a snack every night before bed. I always knew that she cared."
It never ceases to prove out the frailty of some elders!! Start listening to your parents, co-workers, neighbors, or friends any time they relay a story regarding an elder that is hospitalized.
As spring makes its slow crawl into our lives, I start to think about those warm days to come. I am reminded of a conversation I normally have with my grandmother about drinking water and staying hydrated.
I have previously blogged on Heart Disease and it's prevalence in the elderly. As a Registered Nurse working in the private duty home health care field, I too often see seniors who suffer from the effects of heart attacks, strokes and other heart related conditions.
"All I Heard Was Congestive Heart Failure. What Does That Mean? Is She Going To Die? "
"He Is Trying to Explain It -But It is Like The Doctor Is Speaking Another Language."…
As a nurse who primarily cares for the elderly, these are common reactions I hear.
The ability of the elderly to manage their medications is often a concern to the family. These concerns of the family often become a point of contention between themselves and the elder. At what point does the family step in?
November is American Diabetes month so it seems appropriate to discuss appropriate food choices for those with diabetes.
Proper nutrition is important for all people but is especially critical for those with diabetes. As a professional in a home care company, I see many clients with diabetes levels that are out of control. When a Seniors Home Care nurse does an assessment and identifies a client with diabetes, they always talk about the persons diet. Lowering or limiting certain foods can make a dramatic change in a persons attitude and overall mood.
My name is Lydia and I am a nurse at Seniors Home Care. I find great joy in helping to create a plan of care that is most appropriate and customized for each client. I also make sure each client receives the best possible care. This is achieved through constant communication with caregivers, clients, client families (when appropriate) and other professionals in the community. Lets face it, situations change and communication is key. I would like to talk a little bit about having a safe winter.
When I talk with families about caring for the elderly and safety in the home, falls and fractures seem to always come up. Our senior clients tell us they are terrified they are going to fall and their children are equally worried as well. Proper fall prevention strategies should always be included in a home safety evaluation. For a complete home care checklist, please contact us.
I'm concerned that my mother/father has not bathed lately? How can I tell?
For the answer to this one, I went to a nurse here at Seniors Home Care, Alice Endy. Alice says that this question comes up frequently. Family members are concerned with the hygiene of their loved one, but sometimes feel uncomfortable asking the question.
Have you taken a walk lately. The weather in St. Louis this time of year is perfect for a walk around the block or if you are more ambitious, a hike on your favorite trails. Last week I saw a whole hillside covered in quartz.
I came across this article today from the Los Angeles Times today reporting on a study published by the Journal of Neurology. This study is interesting because it not only points out the benefits to your physical body but also memory and congnitive improvements.
The average, relatively healthy senior takes 4-5 prescription medications and 2 over-the-counter medications per day.
Those seniors with more complex conditions may take 12-15 medications daily.
"All I Heard Was Congestive Heart Failure. What Does That Mean? Is She Going To Die? "
"He Is Trying to Explain It -But It is Like The Doctor Is Speaking Another Language."…
As a nurse who primarily cares for the elderly, these are common reactions I hear.