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POST ID: 1694

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https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/how-and-when-to-evaluate-a-senior-loved-ones-driving-ability/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Most seniors in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> would prefer to keep driving indefinitely because it's a key factor in maintaining their independence. When a senior can no longer drive to the places he/she needs to get to each day, it significantly limits their ability for self-care. While it's usually true that seniors don't have as many commitments that require driving around, it's also true that giving up driving represents a major limitation to their freedom and self-reliance. Part of <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a>&nbsp;involves assessing whether it's still safe for your senior loved one to continue driving. Seniors are more at risk for declining driving skills than any other age group, in part due to changes in their health, slowed reflexes, and the effects of multiple medications. In this article, we'll discuss when it might be time to evaluate your senior's driving skills, and how that should be done when it happens.
</p><h2>Changes that affect a senior's driving skills</h2><p>
There are quite a few things that can impact a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/safe-driving-older-adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior's ability to drive well</a>, so there's no danger to themselves or others. Here are some of the most common reasons that a senior's driving skills might diminish with aging:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>vision problems</strong> - some seniors experience a reduction in the effectiveness of their vision and fail to make that known to anyone. If vision is blurry or otherwise compromised, it can be very difficult to drive safely around the community.</li>
 	<li><strong>arthritis issues</strong> - when a person is bothered by arthritis, it can be difficult to turn the neck or head quickly to observe traffic conditions. It could also impact a person's ability to turn the steering wheel quickly or to instantly apply the brakes so as to avoid a traffic accident.</li>
 	<li><strong>hearing issues</strong>&nbsp;- anyone who has experienced a loss of hearing might not hear horns from other vehicles, or dangerous sounds emanating from the vehicle they're driving. This could lead to a serious accident on the roadways, and it could even prove fatal.</li>
 	<li><strong>multiple medications</strong> - sometimes taking multiple medications can cause interactions between two or more of them, and that could impact the driving skills of a senior. Even a single medication might make a driver feel drowsy, which can significantly impact the driving and safety skills of a senior driver.</li>
 	<li><strong>reduced response time from reflexes</strong>&nbsp;- it's no secret that a senior's reflexes aren't generally as sharp as they were during youth, and that makes it more difficult to quickly react to dangerous traffic conditions. It's also possible that a senior might be experiencing a loss of feeling in the toes or fingers, and that too could have a big impact on their ability to quickly make driving changes when needed.</li>
 	<li><strong>medical conditions</strong> - some seniors suffer from diseases such as Parkinson's, which can cause shaking or trembling in the extremities. If this happens while driving, it can cause a major degradation of the senior's ability to drive safely.</li>
</ul><h2>When to evaluate senior driving skills</h2><p>
There is no specific age at which a senior should have their driving skills re-tested, because everyone ages differently and everyone will experience a loss of driving skills at a different age. However, there are some signs that can be observed that would tell you it's time to have your senior loved one's driving capabilities re-assessed. One of these signs would be when you notice there are some unexplained dents in their vehicle, especially those that they don't remember incurring. If your loved one gets two or more traffic tickets in the space of a year, that could mean they simply aren't driving as effectively as they once did. When your senior acquires a new medical condition, this could be a factor that degrades their driving skills, so this would be a good time to evaluate them again. You might also hear comments from friends or neighbors about 'reckless' or unsafe driving from your loved one, and this is another red flag that indicates it might be time for an evaluation.
</p><h2>How to evaluate senior driving skills</h2><p>
It's very easy to have someone's driving skills checked out by an occupational therapist, a rehab specialist, or a professional driving instructor. There are also online driving assessments that can evaluate your senior's skills, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/older-drivers/driving-safely-while-aging-gracefully#self-assessment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this one</a>&nbsp;from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You might want to enroll your loved one in a driver safety course, and these are offered in every community of every state in the country. The AAA organization makes an online course available called the&nbsp;<a href="https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/senior-driver-safety-mobility/aaa-roadwise-driver/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Roadwise Driver Course</a> that can help a senior adjust to whatever age-related changes have taken place to impact their driving ability. Then too, it's a good idea to take into account any feedback you receive from friends and neighbors about your senior's driving and find some tactful way of helping your loved one improve their skills so as to drive more safely.</p>

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POST ID: 1691

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/tips-and-tricks-for-a-joyous-holiday-season-with-your-senior-loved-one/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>The holiday season can be depressing for some seniors, especially those who have lost their partners. At that time of year, it's normal to recall all the happy memories from when both partners were healthy and enjoying life. Sometimes it probably seems that nothing can make your senior loved one happy during one of the most joyous times of the year, but there are some things you can do to help your senior appreciate the holidays a lot more. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pontotoc and elsewhere</a> in the U.S., there are always some activities you can do with your senior to involve them and help them appreciate the season more.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;doesn't always simply mean taking care of your senior's daily needs - sometimes it's nice to do something out of the ordinary with them, and there's no better time for special activities than during the holidays. In this article, we'll explore some of the most appealing possibilities that will encourage your senior to participate and get in on the fun.
</p><h2>Avoid creating obstacles</h2><p>
Around the holidays, your house can undergo some significant changes, mostly because space has to be created for decorating and adding new seasonal displays around the home. Make sure none of these create new obstacles that your senior loved one would have to navigate around because unfamiliar objects in the normal pathways through the house can be problematic for seniors. Changes to the routine are not always recognized, and that can lead to some mishaps and confusion. This is especially true if you're hosting a dinner or a party, because there will also be more people in the house, and they will also contribute to the confusion for a senior. Keep things as close to normal as possible, and try not to introduce new objects in the home where your senior would normally be navigating.
</p><h2>Bring back the memories</h2><p>
Most seniors enjoy&nbsp;<a href="https://corewoodcare.com/the-holiday-season-is-a-joyous-time-for-most-to-share-the-delights-of-family-life-and-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recalling 'the good old days'</a> when times were happier, they were younger and healthier. To really get your senior loved one into the swing of the holidays, have a session or two where you invite them to recall those happier times, perhaps by scrolling through an old photo album, or some family photos. Be careful about this one though - while it can certainly recall much happier times, it can also make your senior somewhat sad, recalling the times when their spouse was still alive and life seemed more wonderful. If the trip down Memory Lane seems to be depressing them, quickly switch to an alternative activity that would involve them physically.
</p><h2>Include your senior in holiday activities</h2><p>
Even if your loved one has some disability, they can always contribute in some way to the holiday preparations. There are all kinds of special holiday dishes and treats that need to be prepared, and seniors can help with this activity. Decorating the house might be an activity that your senior would enjoy, or perhaps just helping with place settings at the dinner table. Wrapping Christmas presents, cleaning the house, watching television specials, baking Christmas treats, and singing along with the group are some other ways to involve your senior parent. Anything that draws them into the proceedings and makes them feel as though they're a part of the holiday festivities will probably bring a smile to their faces.
</p><h2>Be a little more accommodating</h2><p>
Some seniors experience memory loss as they age, or develop other physical limitations on what they can do and how they can enjoy a special occasion. Don't just exclude them because you think they lack the capability to do something - go the extra mile to accommodate whatever kind of limitation they might have, and make sure they aren't left out as a result. If your senior has a problem remembering certain things, take the time to refresh their memory, so you can both recall particularly pleasant events from the past. The holidays are all about giving to others, so give your senior the gift of extra understanding during the season, and they will probably appreciate the entire experience a whole lot more.
</p><h2>Don't forget their medications</h2><p>
With everything that goes on during holiday preparations, it's really easy to overlook something as small as your senior loved one's medication schedule. However missing these treatments can be problematic for your senior, and it may cause some disruption to their health stability. Make a point of ensuring that your parent's medication schedule stays on track because missing some of them can cause serious changes to their health, their outlook, and their attitude. If your senior is prone to depression-like behavior around the holidays, make sure they aren't allowed to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, because that will only deepen depression. By remembering the needs of your senior loved one through the holidays, there will be a much better chance they will enjoy the season and even add to everyone else's appreciation of the season.</p>

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POST ID: 1665

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/family-caregiving-can-be-stressful-but-its-also-a-great-time-to-gather-memories/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>National Family Caregivers Month will run from November 1st through the 30th this year in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Everett and elsewhere</a>, and it's a great time to recognize and honor the major contributions made by family caregivers all around the country. There have never been more people aged 65 and above in this country, and that means a great many more caregivers are needed than ever before. Most seniors prefer living at home, in the house that they spent much of their adulthood in, and which has become very comfortable for them.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals are well aware of this preference to live at home, and that's why so many professionals are needed to provide ongoing care for the aged. In this article, we'll discuss how useful family caregiving can be as a time for creating and preserving priceless memories involving our seniors.
</p><h2>Flip side of the coin</h2><p>
Probably a fairly typical representation of a family caregiver is someone who is constantly distressed, and having difficulty managing an unruly or uncooperative senior family member, often someone troubled with dementia. However, several studies have been conducted to find out just how stressful family caregiving is to those closest to the process. <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/10/16/235384054/family-caregiving-can-be-stressful-rewarding-and-life-affirming" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Several studies</a> have concluded that the majority of people involved with family caregiving live longer lives than those not connected in any way with caregiving. None of these studies have delved into the question of why this might be true, but presumably, it's because the caregiver feels more involved and connected with family members, as opposed to having little or no involvement. This isn't to say that it's a gratifying activity that everyone should take up to prolong their lives - it just points out that the stereotype of a harried and frustrated caretaker is not always accurate.
</p><h2>The positive aspect of caregiving</h2><p>
To be sure, certain situations might resemble a nightmare in the area of caregiving. Some seniors are troubled with dementia and that skews their behavior in some unexpected and often undesirable ways. They can be cross and irritable, argumentative, and even violent when they perceive something that bothers them. However, it must be remembered that these are not universal experiences, and in fact, they're not even a majority experience. Many caregivers feel rewarded and empowered about giving back something to parents who have nurtured and guided them through life. These caregivers feel happy to be able to repay parents who were there for them throughout childhood, their teen years, and often into early adulthood. For these caregivers, it's the perfect way to even the scales after having enjoyed great caretaking from parents in their youth.
</p><h2>How needy is your senior loved one?</h2><p>
The kind of caregiving experience you have will depend in large part on the overall health of your senior loved one. A senior afflicted with dementia will be facing a long and inevitable decline, and as their cognitive faculties become impaired, they are less likely to appreciate your care - and they may even exhibit hostility toward you. However, studies have shown that this is only the case in about 10% of all caregiving situations, so the vast majority of caregivers won't be facing that kind of animosity or resentment. Instead, most elderly patients can express their appreciation for the care they're being given, and when the senior is also a family member, it can serve to make them closer. In many cases, caregiving can result in a very positive and rewarding experience for both patient and caregiver.
</p><h2>Making memories together</h2><p>
If you're not caring for a contentious elderly person with dementia, it's entirely possible that this caregiving period of your life can be used to repair or enhance a relationship with an elderly loved one. If your senior is a dementia patient, it's a little more likely that many of your recollections about caregiving will be tinged with sadness, as you recognize the deterioration happening with your relative. Even so, try to hang on to the most positive aspects of that time, because it is likely the final phase of their long life. For caregivers managing more or less healthy seniors, this can be a priceless time of building last memories together before your relative passes on. Caregiving can include a lot more than just home care - you can arrange any kind of activity that is compatible with your senior's health and attitude. You can have regular walks around the park together, you can arrange occasional special meals, and you can attend shows, movies, and concerts. Any of the things that make life more enjoyable can be undertaken together with your senior loved one, and you'll have made some precious memories that can be recalled forever after.</p>

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POST ID: 1668

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/caring-for-our-veterans-with-compassion-and-respect/

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On November 11th of this year, we will celebrate Veterans Day in <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stanwood and elsewhere</a> around the country. The purpose of the day is to honor and give thanks to veterans of military service who made the sacrifice to serve their country for several years of their lives. Without all those men and women who served, our country would probably not be one of the global leaders, and we would not enjoy our status as one of the most successful countries on the planet. It is therefore only fitting that our <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a> professionals join in with everyone else to show these veterans how much we appreciate their service to the country and their patriotism, both now and in the past. Here are some ways we can <a href="https://www.veteransunited.com/network/honoring-those-who-served-11-ways-to-celebrate-veterans-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">show compassion and respect</a> to our valiant military heroes.
<h2>Free or discounted meals</h2>
If you happen to be a restaurant owner or someone in the food and beverage service industry, you can show veterans that you appreciate them by offering free or discounted meals on Veterans Day. This isn't anything earth-shattering, but even small acts of respect and compassion can touch an individual in many ways. Some veterans fall through the cracks of the system and often sustain emotional issues that they can't overcome on their own. This can lead them to a life of homelessness out on the streets of your city. For unfortunates like these, a night of warm shelter and a hot meal can be the highlight of their week or maybe even a whole month. Be on the lookout for veterans at this time of year, and try to find some way like this to show them how much you appreciate their contributions.
<h2>Visit a veterans' facility</h2>
This is a great time of year to pay homage to veterans by visiting a veterans organization to pay your respects. There are numerous organizations like the American Legion that cater to veterans and help them synchronize their lives with the rest of society. Some veterans who are exposed to combat duty become emotionally scarred due to the intensity of experiences they are obliged to live through. They see and feel things that humans ought not to be exposed to, and these can be visions that stay with them forever. So many veterans are troubled with PTSD and other emotional issues as a result of their service that they find it hard to blend back into normal society after their service years. Many of these individuals cling to veterans' services because they're the only thing that they can relate to after being traumatized. The least we can do is spend some time with them and let them know how much we respect what they've all done for us.
<h2>Contribute to a veterans' charity</h2>
There are numerous charities and helpful organizations whose sole interest is to support and care for veterans who are having difficulty returning to civilian life. By contributing to one or more of these organizations, you can help troubled veterans return to the mainstream and conquer their emotional issues. You can be sure that your donation will be put to good use, because most of these organizations are run by veterans, and have only the best interests of their brothers and sisters at heart. However, if you'd like to be sure about your donation helping a veteran, you can ask the organization for information on how all the contributions are used, and where the money goes.
<h2>Ask a veteran to speak to your community</h2>
While it's true that some veterans prefer not to discuss their time of service, the majority are perfectly willing to relate some of their experiences to others in the community. If you're planning any kind of Veterans Day event, you may want to seek out a veteran to give a talk about what it was like for them during their service years. School classrooms are also ideal for inviting veteran speakers to come in and provide a glimpse of military life to the young people in class. Of course, the content of the discussion would have to be age-appropriate for the level of education that the classroom might be at.
<h2>Take a moment of silence</h2>
In many places across the country, an unofficial Moment of Silence takes place on Veterans Day, at 11:11 in the morning. This would be a great time to privately express to veterans of the past and present just what their sacrifice means to you personally. For most people, this is just a two-minute period of heartfelt appreciation for what military personnel are obliged to live through - all on our behalf. Keep in mind that these unselfish individuals have sacrificed three or more years of their lives to maintain our freedoms, our peacetime prosperity, and our entire way of life.

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POST ID: 1646

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/unusual-signs-that-your-loved-one-may-be-depressed/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a> in this country, October will be designated as National Depression Awareness and Education Month. Throughout the month, participants will be trying to increase awareness of depression and educate others about the dangers and problems associated with depression. Sometimes the first person to notice some of the strange signs accompanying depression will be the senior's regular caregiver since <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a>&nbsp;often involves being around a patient for several hours each day. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most prominent signs that indicate a senior may be suffering from depression.
</p><h2>More intense feelings</h2><p>
Depression often causes people to exhibit strong mood shifts and behaviors that they wouldn't ordinarily have displayed before the depression. Depression can cause intense feelings of panic, tension, nervousness or anxiety, grief, irritability, or sadness. Typically, depressed women will experience more sadness, while men display intense feelings of anger, irritability, and aggressiveness. When a person is depressed for a while, it can cause their behaviors to change significantly. For instance, someone who is normally an attentive, mild-mannered driver might exhibit signs of road rage and aggression on the road.
</p><h2>Pessimism about life</h2><p>
When an individual becomes chronically depressed, you might observe significant&nbsp;<a href="https://psychcentral.com/depression/hidden-signs-of-depression#forcing-a-smile" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">changes in their overall mood</a>, as well as their outlook on life. People who are depressed tend to have a much darker view of the world and their place in it. By contrast, those who are not depressed tend to feel more optimistic about life and what they can achieve. Pessimism about life is a natural consequence of depression, and scientists have found this to be so prevalent that they've invented a new term for it - depressed realism. Those who have depressed realism are more likely to be extremely practical about situations they encounter and do not view such events through rose-colored glasses, as more optimistic people might.
</p><h2>Increased alcohol consumption</h2><p>
It happens quite often that depressed individuals will turn to alcohol to forget about their dark view of the world. It is known that consuming alcohol triggers the release of more endorphins (the 'feel good' hormone) and that helps depressed individuals cope with the increasingly dark views they have. If you're a caregiver for a senior loved one, you may notice them increasing their alcohol intake or drinking more often than they used to. These are subtle but very indicative signs of someone struggling with depression. Studies have shown that increased alcohol intake is one of the surest signs of depression - it's considered to be the number one indicator of depression in an individual.
</p><h2>Changes in eating habits</h2><p>
It's very common for depressed people to have a sudden change in dietary habits and interests. Many times, increasing depression will cause a release of additional cortisol into the body, and this will deepen the stress felt by the individual. Quite often, depressed people will experience a loss of appetite, because foods no longer taste good to them. In other cases, depressed individuals might crave more food, because they're unconsciously seeking foods containing more serotonin, sometimes referred to as the happiness hormone. As a caregiver, you should encourage your charge to eat more fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains, while avoiding processed foods and those high in sugar content. Consuming high-sugar foods may produce a temporary good feeling, but when that wears off, depression will come roaring back.
</p><h2>Irregular sleeping habits</h2><p>
It's very common to observe someone who is depressed having sudden changes to their sleeping habits, either sleeping much more or much less than before. Sometimes the depressed person will complain about having no energy or about how tired they are. These are sure signs that they're not getting the sleep they need and that something is keeping them awake. Extensive research has found a direct correlation between depression and getting inadequate sleep. Depression can cause a person to have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or rising from the bed each morning. When your senior loved one develops bags under their eyes, or exhibits other signs of interrupted sleep, you should investigate the situation to determine whether or not depression may be involved.
</p><h2>Toxic positivity</h2><p>
This phrase was coined when it was found that many depressed people wear a forced smile on their face so as to cover up their ongoing battle with depression. Someone who seems overly cheerful for no apparent reason may be masking their real feelings, and internalizing all the stress and doubt they're feeling. It's easy to see why this could deteriorate into a toxic situation that would be extremely harmful to the person. When you see signs of seemingly artificial cheerfulness, it could very well be a sign that the person is covering up their real feelings. However, they won't be able to maintain that facade forever, so watch closely for peeks at their true feelings. If you suspect depression, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your family doctor so the condition gets treated.</p>

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POST ID: 1643

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/do-you-have-plans-for-long-term-care-heres-what-you-should-consider/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Valley and elsewhere</a> in the U.S., people will be observing Long Term Care Planning Month throughout the month of October. The idea behind this observance is to expose caretakers and patients to the actual facts and figures regarding long-term care. It can be a shock to the system when learning about such costs, so it's better to learn about them all early, so there will be time to plan for how to handle long-term care. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals can participate in this month-long observation with important information about the cost of professional in-home care. In this article, we'll be considering some of the most important points to have in mind when planning for long-term health care.
</p><h2>Planning for long-term care</h2><p>
It has been said that the very best time to think about long-term care is well before you expect to actually need it. The sooner you get started with long-term planning, the better off you'll be, because that will position you to be prepared for the time when it actually comes. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the&nbsp;<a href="https://companionsforseniors.com/2018/12/important-consider-long-term-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">three most important things</a>&nbsp;to consider in the area of long-term planning are:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>Finances - I</strong>t's a good idea to start budgeting right away for long-term care, and it's just as important to begin researching what kind of assistance and support are offered by state and federal programs.</li>
 	<li><strong>Health - C</strong>onsidering a senior's current state of health is an important factor in determining the form that long-term care will take. It's always a great idea to encourage your senior loved one to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet, so as to discourage the onset of any kind of crippling disease in the future.</li>
 	<li><strong>Housing - T</strong>he condition of the home, as well as the patient's overall health, must be taken into consideration when evaluating the best housing arrangement to be made. Sometimes it will be possible to modify a household to accommodate an invalid senior, while other cases dictate that the senior may have to live under constant observation at an assisted living facility.</li>
</ul><h2>Options for long-term care</h2><p>
The point of long-term health care is to provide a senior with whatever assistance they may need in order to perform daily activities such as eating, dressing, bathing, navigating around the home, and sometimes just providing companionship. The services provided to a senior patient will depend on just which option is selected for long-term care. In any case, planning for long-term care should include some serious consideration about where the senior will reside and exactly what level of assistance they may need.
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>Home health care - </strong>in this situation, a senior would live at home and some level of assistance would be provided by a skilled medical professional such as a nurse. Sometimes the nurse would live at the same residence, and in other cases, he/she would simply visit at pre-determined intervals to provide medical services. This might include physical rehabilitation, medication assistance, prescribing various exercises, or helping the patient manage their diet.</li>
 	<li><strong>Non-medical home care - </strong>the senior patient would remain at home in this scenario as well. At pre-determined times such as daily, every other day, weekly,&nbsp; or some other arrangement, a trained caregiver would visit to assist with dressing, grooming, meal preparation, housekeeping, and transporting the senior to doctor appointments or grocery store trips.</li>
 	<li><strong>Nursing home - </strong>when a senior is placed in a nursing home, it's because they require constant observation and a great deal of help with daily activities. This is most often the case when a senior has some underlying health issue that requires continual monitoring and medical assistance. Sometimes patients with dementia are best suited for nursing homes so that they can be watched constantly and not be a danger to themselves or others.</li>
 	<li><strong>Assisted living - </strong>most assisted living facilities will provide all the basic services needed by an elderly patient, and they also offer an attractive, residential setting for patients. All a patient's needs can be met at these kinds of facilities, including transportation services, selection of health care providers, and any support services offered within the community.</li>
</ul><p>
While there's no question that the vast majority of seniors would prefer to age in place in the home they've lived in for years, sometimes adequate care can simply not be provided at home. In many households, both parents are working so there's no one left at home to keep an eye on a senior loved one. When a senior requires more attention than can be given by relatives, it may be necessary to consider nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
</p><h2>Paying for long-term care</h2><p>
No matter which option is chosen for long-term care, it's going to cost you and it's probably even going to be fairly expensive. Part of long-term planning will consist of determining which services a senior will need from the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs. You should consider purchasing long-term care insurance since this will help cover the cost of in-home care and make it more affordable. Long-term care insurance covers a great many services that a senior living at home might need and want. It's a good idea to begin researching what kind of services are available through community and state and federal programs that might help defray the cost of long-term health care.</p>

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POST ID: 1625

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/why-sepsis-can-be-so-problematic-to-the-older-generation/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> around the United States, September has been designated as Sepsis Awareness Month. It will be a time for calling attention to the dangers of sepsis for seniors especially, and for planning fund-raisers that will help to fund ongoing research into the disease. Sepsis is a relatively widespread bacterial infection that is frequently accompanied by low blood pressure and can become a real danger. A severe bout of sepsis at an early age can come back in later years to cause cognitive problems that can be quite problematic. Research has shown that the long-term effects of a sepsis infection can eventually be calamitous, requiring full-time <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a>&nbsp;or assisted living.
</p><h2>Prevalence of Sepsis</h2><p>
Researchers have estimated that there are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livescience.com/8831-sepsis-long-term-impact-older-adults-study-finds.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">20,000 new cases</a> of cognitive impairment managed each year, and these are directly attributable to the effects of sepsis. Most older Americans who contract sepsis will be obliged to experience years of physical and cognitive impairment, and may even have to be placed in a nursing home to receive full-time care. If the patient remains at home, it can get to be a huge burden on family caretakers, or professionals who provide care, either part-time or full-time. The ironic part of all this is that it's usually the body's own immune system that causes the greatest damage, incorrectly judging an infection to be more severe than it is. The infection gets attacked by the immune system, and then the immunity reaction continues by attacking other, healthy tissue as well, including the vital organs of the body on some occasions.
</p><h2>Why sepsis is so problematic for seniors</h2><p>
When someone experiences a sepsis infection, it's very likely that the infection will be accompanied by low blood pressure, sometimes even dangerously low blood pressure. This can actually cause significant brain damage that will lead to cognitive impairment at a later age. Many dementia patients suffered sepsis bouts in earlier years, and the damage caused at that time has led to dementia as a senior. It frequently happens that sepsis patients have bouts of delirium. Since the inflammation and infection of sepsis can also attack the muscles of the body, physical therapy becomes a critical part of post-sepsis care. If this physical therapy gets ignored, it's entirely possible that severe physical constraints will develop later in senior life. The best prevention for a sepsis infection is to ensure that your senior loved one receives regular flu and pneumonia vaccines so that infection doesn't have a chance to take hold.
</p><h2>Risk factors for sepsis</h2><p>
Because it can have such devastating effects on a senior, you should understand the risk factors for contracting sepsis, and take precautions accordingly with your senior loved one. Anyone who has a compromised or weakened immune system is at greater risk of contracting sepsis, as is anyone who actually does get some kind of infection. People who have undergone surgeries or who have been forced into an extended hospital stay are also at greater risk for contracting sepsis. Part of the danger of a hospital stay includes having catheters, IVs, or feeding tubes inserted into the body, and this increases the possibility of infection. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and lung or kidney disease also make a person more prone to contracting sepsis, because the immune system is always in operation.
</p><h2>Treatment of sepsis</h2><p>
Of course, the best treatment for sepsis is prevention. Since the greatest risk of contracting sepsis originates from an infection, all precautions should be taken to avoid having your senior get any kind of infection. When an infection does occur, it needs to be treated immediately so it doesn't have the opportunity to progress and worsen. All wounds should be cared for properly and immediately, so as to lessen the chances of an infection. And as already mentioned, it's a good idea to have your senior inoculated against whatever strain of flu or pneumonia is making the rounds this year.

Apart from precautions that can be taken, once a patient has been diagnosed with sepsis, there are several medications that can be taken to lessen the severity of symptoms. Antibiotics are one possibility because they attack the infection and try to get it under control. Vasopressors or anti-hypotensive agents, will work to raise the blood pressure of someone who has dangerously low readings. In some cases, IV fluids are used to help accomplish the same thing. When treatment is administered early and aggressively, the chances of surviving a bout with sepsis are much greater. On the other hand, when a senior is afflicted by a severe case of sepsis, it will generally require treatment in an intensive care unit, and constant monitoring will be necessary so as to avoid problems.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1630

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/extra-precautions-to-take-when-your-loved-one-has-alzheimers-disease/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> this September, people all around the globe will be observing World Alzheimer's Month to call attention to this deadly disease. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, and it impacts around 6% of those individuals over the age of 65 in the United States. It is characterized by a gradual, progressive loss of cognitive faculties, generally resulting in an invalid status for the victim. In the later stages of the disease, almost constant care is necessary for the afflicted person. As yet, there is no known cure for the disease, so a great deal of research is still ongoing with the hope of finding a cure. For the most part,&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a>&nbsp;for an Alzheimer's patient consists of helping the patient do all those activities that the disease has made difficult or impossible. In this article, we'll discuss some of the precautions you should be taking when caring for your senior loved one if they have Alzheimer's.
</p><h2>Home Safety</h2><p>
Home safety becomes very important when at least one member of the household is troubled by Alzheimer's disease. If there are staircases within the home, there should be at least one handrail in place to help a senior navigate the stairs safely. Unused electrical outlets should be plugged so that electrical accidents can't happen. Hazards around the house, including small rugs, should be removed so they don't present an obstacle that could trigger an accident. Any area of the home where your senior might visit should be well-lit, so there's no problem with seeing everything. Household cleaning products should be safely locked away in a storage area or cupboard so they can't be accessed. Taking some precautions like this will help to avoid any nasty occurrences that might take place.
</p><h2>Wandering</h2><p>
People afflicted with Alzheimer's have a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/wandering_(1)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tendency to wander</a> because the disease causes them to lose familiarity with faces and places. Alzheimer's generates confusion in the mind of a person and throws off their normal sense of direction. There are numerous strategies that can be used to limit the amount of wandering your loved one might engage in. One good idea is to engage them in meaningful activities whenever possible, so as to reduce the opportunity for wandering.&nbsp; You should avoid going to really busy areas that could intensify the disorientation felt by a patient. Car keys should be kept secure somewhere that the patient cannot access, so they aren't tempted to take a spontaneous drive somewhere. If you observe your loved one acting disoriented, do your best to comfort and reassure them until the feeling passes.
</p><h2>Taking Medications</h2><p>
It's fairly obvious that there is considerable inherent danger involved if a senior bothered by Alzheimer's is allowed to take their own medications. In the beginning stages of the disease, this may not be such a big issue, but as the disease progresses, the danger increases. If a senior becomes confused about which medication to take, how often, or what time of day - the consequences can be serious. For that reason, it's best to supervise the taking of all medications for safety's sake. For greater safety, you should learn about all the effects of each medication taken by your loved one, including any side effects. You should also educate yourself about the potential effects of the interaction of drugs, especially if the wrong dosage should be taken.
</p><h2>Abuse</h2><p>
People bothered by Alzheimer's can be easy targets for abuse. This makes it important to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse, because your loved one may not be able to express what has happened to them. Look for any unexplained bruises around the body, and be alert to sudden changes in behavior. Some of these may include an abrupt withdrawal from activities, a change in their alertness, or the sudden onset of depression. If your loved one resides in some kind of assisted living facility, be on the lookout for any signs of neglect or abuse. If anyone else in your family is providing care for your loved one, be alert to the possibility of that same kind of neglect or abuse.
</p><h2>Emergency Precautions</h2><p>
There are all kinds of emergencies that could happen, so it would be literally impossible to have a backup plan that covers them all. However, it is a good idea to plan for predictable emergencies like weather events. If your geographic area should be hit by a tornado, hurricane, flood, volcanic eruption, wildfire, or any other kind of emergency like this, it will create a great deal of confusion. The last thing you want is for an already confused person to become even more disoriented by the events attending a natural disaster or extreme weather event. Have plans for how to react to such events, and make sure to include caring for your senior loved one. This could make all the difference between a relatively harmless emergency, and one that triggers a disaster in your household.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1591

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/understanding-immunization-options-for-your-senior-loved-one/

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Another reason vaccines should be taken seriously is that they are the single best method for protecting yourself and your loved ones against preventable diseases. That's because vaccines are capable of creating protective antibodies that help to fight off infections. Anyone who gets vaccinated will be protecting themselves and preventing the spread of diseases to others in the same community. If someone is too weak or unable to be vaccinated against a specific disease, it will at least help that the people around him/her are vaccinated, so they don't pass anything on to the senior loved one.

One more good reason for maintaining recommended vaccinations is that some diseases prevented by vaccines can have serious complications, and can also trigger illnesses later on. In situations like this, a vaccine protects you against the disease as well as any future complications or consequences that might be triggered by it. Some prime examples of this are seasonal influenza, Hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus. Keep in mind that any vaccines you receive nowadays will be 100% safe, because the CDC and other health organizations are constantly monitoring the effectiveness and safety of any vaccine in use.

Even though a vaccine may carry certain side effects, these will almost always be relatively mild, consisting of redness and swelling, itchiness, tenderness at the immunization site, fever, or possibly fatigue. These side effects will generally subside within a couple of days without having to take any action. The last reason for taking vaccines is that they may actually be required by your school or workplace, or if you intend to travel. All students, military personnel, and those who live in rehab or care centers are required to be vaccinated against diseases that might circulate in a closed community. Healthcare workers are also required to be vaccinated, so they don't pass on any diseases unintentionally.
</p><h2>Which vaccinations should a senior have?</h2><p>
All seniors should be vaccinated against those diseases that have a presence in the community, or in any nearby region. To keep abreast of which vaccines are being issued in your region, you can contact the CDC to find out which ones are important to have. While this changes from year to year and even seasonally, there are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.org/articles/recommended-vaccines-immunizations-for-seniors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">some other vaccinations</a>&nbsp;that should be received at any time. Here are some of the most important vaccinations for seniors to receive:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>pneumococcal vaccine</strong>&nbsp;- pneumococcal disease can cause all kinds of problems for a senior, including pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, blood infections, and middle-ear infections. Studies have shown that 3/4 of all adults inoculated with pneumococcal vaccine are fully protected against any of those complications, and there are two different vaccines that could be taken.</li>
 	<li><strong>TDAP vaccination</strong>&nbsp;- TDAP stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, which is more commonly known as whooping cough. These are all bacterial diseases that can actually be life-threatening, so your senior loved one needs protection against them. Most people get their first TDAP vaccination in their teen or pre-teen years, and then it becomes necessary to receive a booster shot every 10 years.</li>
 	<li><strong>shingles vaccine</strong> - shingles are a very painful rash that can be extremely uncomfortable for a senior, and can actually dominate their lifestyle if not treated. It will still be possible to get shingles if you do get the vaccination, but the chances of contracting the disease are much lower if you get vaccinated against it.</li>
 	<li><strong>influenza vaccine</strong>&nbsp;- you might think that the flu is not serious enough to get annual vaccinations against it, but keep in mind that many seniors are obliged to undertake hospital stays with the disease, and it can even prove fatal in some cases. Given that the vast majority (upwards of 75%) of individuals who do get the flu are seniors, it's just plain good sense to have your senior loved one protected against it.</li>
</ul>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1589

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/lets-talk-about-gastroparesis/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Gastroparesis is a condition that can degrade the effectiveness of the nerves and muscles in your stomach, thus inhibiting the normal digestive process. Typically, there will be strong muscular contractions that serve to advance food on its way through the digestive tract and on into the lower intestine. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a>, someone troubled with gastroparesis lacks these strong stomach muscle contractions, so food tends to sit in a certain area and does not get eliminated as it should. Because gastroparesis interferes with the normal digestive process, a person afflicted by it may have frequent bouts of nausea or vomiting, as well as abdominal pain. The disease can also wreak havoc with blood sugar levels and your normal nutrition.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals can help suffering patients by encouraging dietary changes, or by ensuring that the senior patient takes their prescribed medications. In this article, we'll discuss some of the causes, symptoms, and treatments available for individuals suffering from gastroparesis.
</p><h2>Causes of gastroparesis</h2><p>
It can be very difficult to pin down exactly what causes a situation that leads to gastroparesis, but one of the main causes occurs when the vagus nerve in the stomach becomes damaged somehow. This nerve runs the entire length of the stomach and helps to stimulate the contractions that take place to move food along and continue the digestive process. The vagus nerve also signals muscles in your stomach to make these contractions and push processed food toward the small intestine.

When this nerve becomes damaged, it can't send those signals to the stomach muscles, so food tends to sit in place. The vagus nerve and many of its supporting tributary nerves can be damaged by diseases like diabetes. It's also possible for the vagus nerve to be damaged whenever you have stomach surgery or small intestine surgery since this is a very delicate nerve that can easily be disrupted by external factors.
</p><h2>Symptoms of gastroparesis</h2><p>
There are quite a few symptoms associated with gastroparesis, most of which could easily be misinterpreted as being standalone symptoms or symptoms associated with some other disease. However, when you have a number of these symptoms at the same time, it becomes more likely that gastroparesis is the culprit, especially if you notice that your bowels have not been eliminating food according to your normal schedule. Some of the most obvious symptoms of gastroparesis are nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss and malnutrition, and quite often severe abdominal pain.

Many people suffering from gastroparesis have a feeling of fullness after eating very little because their system is still full of undigested food. Some of the vomiting that a gastroparesis victim might exhibit is often attributable to undigested food being expelled by a different method. Because food tends to sit in your system for quite a while, it's very possible to have acid reflux and abdominal bloating quite frequently. Many people who are bothered by gastroparesis also have significant changes in the level of their blood sugar, and steps have to be taken to manage the change in blood sugar levels.
</p><h2>Treatment options</h2><p>
There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355792" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">several treatments</a> available to patients suffering from gastroparesis, and many of them don't involve any major effort on the part of the patient. For instance, one of the best things you can do to handle gastroparesis is to make certain dietary changes that will improve the digestive functionality of your system. It's important that adequate nutrition is maintained, but it's entirely possible that gastroparesis can be completely managed by eating foods that stimulate good digestion and avoiding those which tend to bog it down. Dietary changes could involve eating smaller meals more often, eating cooked fruits and vegetables, eating low-fat foods, and getting regular exercise, especially after eating. Exercise can help stimulate the digestive process, and when coupled with drinking lots of water every day, this will have a wonderful effect on the digestive system.

Another method of treating gastroparesis is the one that most people turn to more than anything else, and that's using specific types of medication. There are medications available which do stimulate the stomach muscles to jumpstart the digestive process and get things back on a normal basis. Some of the medications most often prescribed to deal with gastroparesis include erythromycin and metoclopramide. A newer and more experimental drug called domperidone is now also available and has demonstrated some level of effectiveness in treating gastroparesis. A patient troubled by nausea and vomiting might need to take diphenhydramine or ondansetron, and for extreme cases, prochlorperazine is also a very effective medication.

In situations where dietary change and medication don't relieve your symptoms, it may be necessary to adopt a surgical solution to the problem. This, of course, would have to be discussed with your doctor, and in the meantime, it may be necessary to have a feeding tube placed in your small intestine. This will help relieve pressure from gastric contents internally and can reduce much of the discomfort felt by the patient. A gastric bypass kind of surgery is also possible, but this is reserved for extreme cases where some part of the stomach is just not functioning at all anymore and needs to be removed from the digestive system.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1573

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/therapeutic-recreation-can-help-keep-you-fit-and-chase-away-boredom/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>June is National Migraine Awareness Month, which means now is a great time to think about things that help to avoid any personal triggers you may have for migraines. Many migraine sufferers in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> around the country keep diaries of their daily life, so as to learn about what those triggers might be, so they can be sidestepped. At the same time, you can involve yourself in some forms of therapeutic recreation that will make each day interesting, and which will also have the very desirable effect of keeping you fit.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals might have some ideas on which forms of therapeutic exercise you might be capable of, and together you can plan for a number of these activities to continue your active and engaged lifestyle.
</p><h2>What is therapeutic recreation?</h2><p>
If you haven't encountered the term before, therapeutic recreation is an approach that involves participants in activities that improve mood and help them move better after being involved in an accident, having surgery, or recovering from an illness. These activities are generally designed around things that the patient enjoys doing already, and at the same time, they contribute to better mental health, better physical well-being, and a more stable emotional state. The primary goal of therapeutic recreation is to help an individual socialize in their immediate setting and to reduce the occurrence of depression or anxiety. It accomplishes the twin goals of relieving boredom and improving fitness levels as an attending circumstance.
</p><h2>Types of therapeutic recreation</h2><p>
While many forms of therapeutic recreation do actually involve games or low-level competition, the concept is not just about playing games. Another aim of this approach is to help a senior retain their independence by maintaining good health and mental alertness. The main qualifier that should be considered when planning any kind of therapeutic recreation, is that it should be an activity that the participants want to do anyway. If it's something that doesn't appeal to them for some reason, you'll probably find that participation is only lukewarm at best. The more engaged a participant is, the more they'll get out of the process. Here are some possibilities for events you might stage:
</p><ul>
 	<li>group exercise classes</li>
 	<li>dancing classes and events</li>
 	<li>participation in appropriate sporting events</li>
 	<li>community outings, such as a visit to a mall or a town park</li>
 	<li>cooking classes, where everyone has their own assignment</li>
 	<li>creating artwork through drawing, painting, chalk, or other media</li>
</ul><h2>Benefits of recreational therapy</h2><p>
Studies have been conducted in the area of recreational therapy, and it has been found that there really are some considerable benefits that accrue to participants. One study conducted in 2018 found that after six months of being involved in a recreational therapy program, participants experienced all the following benefits:
</p><ul>
 	<li>reduced incidence of obesity or being overweight</li>
 	<li>lower level of anxiety or stress</li>
 	<li>elevated level of cardiovascular fitness</li>
 	<li>noticeable improvement in bone health</li>
 	<li>much improved self-image</li>
</ul><p>
A study conducted in the same year using exclusively discharged military personnel also found some very positive benefits from a program of recreational therapy. A lower level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most obvious improvement, but there were others discovered as well. Stress, anxiety, and depression were all much lower in the service personnel who participated in the therapy program, as compared to discharged military personnel who did not participate in the program. Six months after the start of the program, it was found that all the positive gains had been fully retained in the program participants, meaning that results are at least long-lasting. Discovering that long-term results could be achieved for suffering military people provides a very revealing look at potential treatment options.
</p><h2>Who can benefit from recreational therapy?</h2><p>
According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, practically anyone and everyone can gain something positive from being involved in a therapeutic recreation program. This includes younger children, teenagers, adults, seniors, and anyone who might have a temporary or permanent disability. Just participating will tend to immediately relieve the boredom of everyday life, providing you with a chance to socialize with others, and to exercise mental and physical capabilities. Given that activities are always tailored to the fitness levels of the participants, no one should be excluded on the basis of physical capabilities.

Recreational therapists have been trained to help their charges overcome various physical and psychological impairments through repetitive actions and incremental progress toward specific goals. Professional therapists have a good understanding of the specific actions that are most useful during rehabilitation, and whatever works for an individual is likely to be incorporated into the program. Programs like these do not create world-class athletes - but they aren't meant to. They are simply used to help someone avoid becoming withdrawn and bored with life, to participate in activities with others and socialize, and to maintain mobility by exercising the body regularly.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1571

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/often-over-looked-july-4th-activities-perfect-for-any-age/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the country, events and activities have been planned for the month of June, which is&nbsp;Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. The goal of all these events will be to help raise national awareness of the seriousness of mental health, and maintaining brain health through active mental involvement.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals understand the importance of staying mentally active so that the brain is used frequently and stays active and engaged. That's why caretakers will often seek the participation of their charges in such activities as solving crossword puzzles, reading books, and even playing board games that require thought and strategy, e.g. chess, checkers, etc. In this article, we'll be considering some of the 4th of July activities that get overlooked, but which might be appropriate for seniors and other family members to celebrate the holiday.
</p><h2>Accommodating seniors</h2><p>
Depending on the general health and fitness level of your senior loved one, he/she may not be able to participate in some of the more active events you'd like to plan. Care must be taken for instance, if you plan something like a cookout with family and friends, and the day turns out to be extremely warm and humid. Such weather can be problematic for some seniors who are not often exposed to it, so they may need to be kept protected and out of the sun for long periods of time. Baseball games or other active events like a volleyball game, might not be possible for seniors to participate in, so make your plans accordingly. Make sure to have cool refreshments on hand if you do plan an outdoor event, even a passive one like watching a parade. Seniors can quickly become dehydrated, and develop health issues.
</p><h2>Outdoor activities</h2><p>
Here are some activities that you might not immediately think of, but which will be great ways to celebrate the birth of our nation:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>group walk or bike ride</strong>&nbsp;- have your whole group take a walk around the town park or your neighborhood, to enjoy the sunshine and get some exercise as well. If everyone has a bicycle, the activity can be converted into a group bike ride.</li>
 	<li><strong>backyard picnic</strong>&nbsp;- families don't seem to picnic as often as in the past, but if you can manage the logistics of it, this is still a very enjoyable activity for an entire family.</li>
 	<li><strong>family campout</strong> - take the whole family to a local state park or other campground, where you can spend a night in a cabin and have a greater appreciation of the natural world. This can provide you with tons of other opportunities for exciting events in the natural setting.</li>
 	<li><strong>beach day</strong> - arrange for a whole day at a nearby beach where everyone can enjoy swimming and other water activities, and those less active can soak up some sun on a lawn chair in the sand.</li>
 	<li><strong>have a Pickleball tournament</strong> - since the COVID-19 pandemic, a great many seniors have become interested in this relatively new sport, and youngsters love it as well. Stage a whole tournament with your family and friends, so everyone can get in on the fun.</li>
</ul><h2>Indoor activities</h2><p>
Of course, there's always the possibility that it might rain on the 4th of July, and you'll want to have some activities planned for indoors, just in case. Here are some possibilities that everyone in your family can enjoy:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>have a movie marathon</strong> - you can plan to show patriotic movies, which Hollywood has churned out by the score, or just plain popular movies that have universal appeal. For instance, you might want to show all three of the 'Hobbit' movies or all three of the 'Lord of the Rings' movies.</li>
 	<li><strong>dance party</strong>&nbsp;- get together a mix of popular music that might appeal to all different age groups, and have a music festival/dance party right in your own living room. The more participants you have, the more fun everyone will have.</li>
 	<li><strong>indoor picnic</strong>&nbsp;- when was the last time you planned an indoor picnic? The sheer novelty of the event should be appealing enough that all your friends and family will want to participate.</li>
 	<li><strong>scavenger hunt</strong> - these activities are always fun for everyone because all parties have to become involved in order to find the items listed on the scavenger hunt roster. This can be fun for all ages, and will undoubtedly lead to a good deal of unofficial collusion and partnerships.</li>
 	<li><strong>make homemade ice cream</strong> - while this can take a while, the end result will be enough to reward anyone who becomes involved in the process. Youngsters may not even be aware that ice cream can be produced in this way, and seniors may recall this method of production from their youth.</li>
</ul><h2>Be safe and have fun</h2><p>
It may require a little extra attention to ensure that seniors safely participate in any of the events described above, but they will definitely have a lot more fun if they're involved and not just observing. When planning any family event to celebrate the holiday, take a few minutes to think of any possible accidents or things that could go wrong, and take steps to prevent them. That will allow everyone in your group to have a great time, and to properly observe the whole point of the holiday, which is to recognize the birth of our nation.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1555

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/living-with-migraines-tips-to-cope/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Given that the month of June is National Migraine Awareness Month, now would seem to be an appropriate time to consider some ways to cope with these headaches. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marysville and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., there are approximately 38 million people troubled by these ultra-strong headaches, with the majority of victims being female. If you happen to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a>&nbsp;professional, and your charge is bothered by migraines, it would be very helpful for you to know some of the best ways to help manage them. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most effective ways of coping with migraines, so you or your patient can minimize the frequency and severity of them when they strike.
</p><h2>Learn about migraine triggers</h2><p>
Migraines are generally triggered by specific events, and these triggers are different for everyone who suffers from migraine headaches. This being the case, treatment must also be tailored to the individual, because what works for one patient may be completely ineffective for another. The New York Headache Center tells us that only about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/migraine.html?cmp=KNC-DSO-COR-Health-Pain-NonBrand-Phrase-29896-Bing-HEALTH-ConditionsTreatments-ConditionsTreatments-MigraineRelief-Phrase-NonBrand&amp;&amp;msclkid=3381343fbb6814d5894a5061f8328961&amp;utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Health-Pain-NonBrand-Phrase&amp;utm_term=migraine%20relief&amp;utm_content=ConditionsTreatments-MigraineRelief&amp;gclid=3381343fbb6814d5894a5061f8328961&amp;gclsrc=3p.ds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">25% of all migraine patients</a>&nbsp;actually receive the kind of treatment that will work on their specific type of migraine. It usually requires some amount of trial and error before the right treatment can be hit upon. The best way to zero in on your personal triggers is to keep a running diary in which you record the kinds of foods you eat, the activities you've been doing, specific smells you're exposed to, sleeping habits, and any changes in the weather. Over a period of time, you should notice a correlation between one or more of these events and the onset of a migraine. Once you have an understanding of your triggers, it will be much easier to develop a program of treatment. You can also stave off future migraine attacks by avoiding those triggers that seem to cause the majority of your migraines.
</p><h2>Educate yourself on treatments</h2><p>
These days, there are many different kinds of treatment available for migraine sufferers. The most obvious of course, would be various types of medication. While ordinary headache pills generally will not relieve the pain of a migraine, there are some medications that are much more effective in combating the symptoms. Some over-the-counter migraine medications can be effective, and there are also some prescription medications such as sumatriptan that are successful in treating migraines. In the case of sumatriptan, it constricts blood vessels and blocks pain signals that would ordinarily be sent to the brain, thus preventing the patient from feeling the worst symptoms. Some ergotamine-based drugs can be quite effective when taken with coffee, to prevent the expansion of blood vessels in the brain, thereby bypassing the worst effects of a migraine. There are some more exotic forms of treatment available now as well, and these will be discussed below.
</p><h2>Use preventive therapies</h2><p>
The best approach to dealing with migraines is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Some medications are often prescribed by doctors because they're good at managing high blood pressure, seizures, or depression. These kinds of medication must be taken daily, rather than just when you feel an attack coming on, or when a headache is already in progress. The idea is that by taking them regularly, migraines can be prevented entirely, or at least for the most part. There is now a relatively new form of treatment available, called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies. The net effect of this kind of medication is that it can block the protein that causes brain inflammation and often triggers migraines in patients. This medication must be administered as an injection once each month and has proven to be effective on both chronic migraines and episodic migraines. About 20% of patients getting these injections have their migraines eliminated completely, while the medication is partially successful for practically all other migraine patients.
</p><h2>Consider unusual options</h2><p>
You might be surprised to learn that yoga can be effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. A major study conducted by the&nbsp;<em>Headache</em> magazine found that the frequency and intensity of migraines were decreased for many patients who regularly practiced yoga. There are also a number of herbs and supplements that can make a big difference in how often and how intense your migraines will be. Vitamin B2 for instance, has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering the frequency of migraine attacks. Another study focused on taking magnesium regularly and this accounted for a 40% reduction in the number of attacks suffered by migraine patients. More exotic options such as cognitive-behavioral therapy have also produced noteworthy good results in reducing the number and intensity of attacks. This approach is successful because it addresses lifestyle changes like sleeping habits, stressful incidents, and mood changes that may be triggers for migraines. One more modern form of treatment is electrical nerve stimulation. This treatment targets the trigeminal nerve, which is the principal nerve involved when a migraine is in progress. The actual stimulation is delivered by an electrode placed on the patient's forehead for about 20 minutes each day to prevent migraines. Clearly, there are a number of treatments for migraines that can be tried. However, the real trick is to find which one works best for your circumstances and helps you avoid debilitating migraine episodes.</p>

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POST ID: 1552

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/common-advice-when-caring-for-alzheimers-patients/

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In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arlington and elsewhere</a> around the country, people will be observing Alzheimer's And Brain Awareness Month throughout the month of June, and that makes this a great time to consider some helpful tips for caring for these patients. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals often have patients suffering from some stage of Alzheimer's, and that requires some special care. Alzheimer's is a disease that can affect both memory and behavior, often leaving the afflicted person disoriented, confused, and sometimes with difficulty in speaking or swallowing. At any given time, there are approximately <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers/alzheimers-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">6.5 million people</a> in this country who are affected by the disease - and that means their caregivers are also affected by it. In this article, we'll discuss some common helpful tips for providing the best care for Alzheimer's patients.
<h2>Common Advice for Alzheimer's Care</h2>
Here are some of the most useful and helpful tips for those who provide care to Alzheimer's patients.
<h3>Establish a nutritious diet</h3>
Often times when caring for an Alzheimer's patient, they will demonstrate a lack of interest in eating. That makes it especially important that you provide nutritious meals, to keep them as healthy as possible. This will help to slow down the progress of the disease and keep them better prepared to resist its ravages. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, and whole grains. You should try and minimize the servings of red meat, fried foods, sugary foods, and cheese.
<h3>Learn all about the disease</h3>
The more you can learn about Alzheimer's and how it's affecting your patient or loved one, the better equipped you'll be to deal with their symptoms and behaviors. It should help you to communicate more effectively with them, and it should also allow you to deal with whatever changes in behavior they are exhibiting. There are many online resources available to learn more about the disease, and if you go with your patient to doctor appointments, you'll have the opportunity to find out even more from their doctor.
<h3>Setup a solid routine</h3>
Routine can be extremely important to an Alzheimer's patient, partly because they often experience short-term memory loss. When you establish a repetitive, consistent routine, it helps to overcome this memory loss to some degree. Your daily routine should be the same every day, starting with dressing, washing up, having meals, doing any kind of housework, taking medications, and even incorporating some time for exercise. If there are activities especially favored by your patient, for instance, listening to music or watching TV, these should be included at the same time every day. This gives your patient a sense of security and consistency.
<h3>Keep the patient mentally and physically active</h3>
Physical activity strengthens the muscles of the body, including the heart, and it also helps to slow down the progress of the disease. It will usually also improve your patient's mood since exercise causes the release of 'feel good' hormones called endorphins into the system. Staying mentally active is just as important because regular mental activity also acts to inhibit the progress of the disease. Try to interest your patient in such activities as solving puzzles, reading books, or playing games that require thought. You should also let them do as much as safely possible for themselves, such as self-grooming, dressing, bathing, etc.
<h3>Don't overlook hygiene</h3>
Hygiene is important from a self-esteem standpoint, and it will help your patient feel good about themselves if they can maintain good hygiene by themselves. It may seem like a small thing, but when a person can wash up, brush their hair, brush their teeth, and dress appropriately, it gives them a sense of independence, and that will generally improve their mood. It's important that you have them invested in their own care, so they don't feel like a complete invalid.
<h3>Create a safe environment</h3>
Alzheimer's patients are especially prone to slips and falls, so it becomes extremely necessary to safeguard them against this. Take steps in the home to reduce hazards that might cause slips and falls. There are also lots of ways you can make the home safer for them, like installing hand grips in hallways and in the shower and bathroom. Remove any small rugs that might easily slide along the floor and cause a slip. Make sure cabinet doors are latched and electrical outlets are covered somehow.
<h3>Watch out for sundowning</h3>
Sundowning is a behavior that causes the Alzheimer's patient to become more restless and irritable in the late afternoon or evening hours. You might find your loved one or patient wandering aimlessly around the house at that time. Much of this behavior can be limited by avoiding naps and by physical exertion that tends to tire out your patient. Having a consistent bedtime will also serve to reduce the likelihood of sundowning.
<h3>Don't let yourself get burned out</h3>
If you run yourself ragged trying to nurse an Alzheimer's patient, it won't do either of you any good. It can be extremely draining, attending to the needs of an Alzheimer's patient, and you may not even be aware of just how exhausting it is until you collapse in a state of burnout. Try to rotate care among other relatives, or take advantage of respite care that gives you a break now and then. That should keep you better prepared to manage their care on a daily basis.
<h3>Be as patient as possible</h3>
Don't get frustrated or impatient when your Alzheimer's loved one is unable to do things as quickly as someone else might. They might also have difficulty understanding what you're trying to convey to them, so don't get irritated when that happens. Keep in mind that they might already be feeling embarrassed about their condition, and this might manifest itself in a display of irritation or anger. Always give them a little extra time to accomplish the next task, and be understanding if they are unable to complete the task.

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POST ID: 1528

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/with-summer-approaching-senior-citizens-should-watch-their-time-in-the-sun/

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In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> around the country, summer is fast approaching, and that means there will be opportunities for all kinds of outdoor activities like cookouts, gardening, picnics, trips to the beach, and even walks around town. All these things can be very healthy activities since they include some amount of exercise, and it's always good to get some exposure to the sun, which is a source of Vitamin D for humans. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, some thought and care should be given at the same time to prevent excessive exposure and the development of skin cancer. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care professionals </a>may be aware that there are five million cases of skin cancer treated every year in the US, but they are aware that their charges need to be protected when outdoors for longer than 15 minutes. With more people living longer lives these days, it becomes even more important to be aware of the potential for seniors to be afflicted with skin cancer.
<h2>Recommendations from the CDC</h2>
The Centers for Disease Control tell us that less than half of all <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/articles/older-adults-protect-skin-sun.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">seniors who go outside</a> for at least an hour take the time to protect their skin against the rays of the sun. Yet, seniors are by far the largest age group affected by skin cancer, and that necessitates treatment in the range of $8 billion annually. In fact, the number of skin cancer cases sustained by the elderly is more than all other age groups combined each year, and that's a big reason for the huge amount of money spent on treatment. The CDC recommends that protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays be made part of a daily routine when an active senior plans to spend significant time outside. Here are some of the precautions that should be taken when you take your senior loved one outside for an activity:
<ul>
 	<li>make sure to use sunscreen rated at 30 SPF or greater</li>
 	<li>wear a wide-brimmed hat that prevents sun rays from impacting the face and neck</li>
 	<li>try to remain in the shade as much as possible</li>
 	<li>women should wear dresses or slacks that are floor-length to protect their legs and ankles</li>
 	<li>both men and women should wear long-sleeved shirts to protect the arms</li>
</ul>
While some of these precautions may not be comfortable in extremely warm weather, they are certainly better able to deflect harmful ultraviolet rays and protect against skin cancer. Each time a senior will be outdoors for more than an hour, these precautions should be taken so as to ensure that there's no chance of contracting skin cancer.
<h2>Facts about skin cancer</h2>
Most people are not aware that your skin can be harmed by the sun's ultraviolet rays in as little as 15 minutes outside, especially on days that feature brilliant sunshine. Keep in mind that it isn't really the temperature that is most harmful to the skin, but it's the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and these are present at any temperature. Even on days that are cool and cloudy, the ultraviolet rays find their way through to the earth's surface to burn unprotected skin. If you're planning an outdoor activity with a senior loved one, make sure they have adequate protection, even when it's not particularly sunny outdoors.

There are several risk factors that make a person more prone to developing skin cancer, advanced age is one of them. You'll need to be doubly vigilant with your elderly loved one if they have any other risk factors. Some of these include blonde hair and blue eyes, having certain kinds of moles, light-colored natural skin, skin that easily burns or is prone to freckles, and a family history of skin cancer. If any of these are true in the case of a loved one, it will be necessary to take even greater precautions when outdoors.
<h2>Signs of developing skin cancer</h2>
As with any form of cancer, the sooner skin cancer can be identified, the better the chances that the afflicted person will be able to recover from it after treatment. Treatment is always far more effective if administered in the early stages of the disease, rather than after it has had a long time to develop and possibly spread. Here are some of the most noticeable signs that skin cancer may be developing:
<ul>
 	<li>a significant change in your skin, such as a new mole</li>
 	<li>a skin sore that will not heal</li>
 	<li>moles or spots on the skin that are larger than the size of a pea</li>
 	<li>jagged or irregular edges on a skin mole</li>
 	<li>noticeable changes to an existing mole that have occurred within the past couple of months</li>
 	<li>uneven coloration in an existing mole</li>
</ul>
Keep in mind that not all skin cancers look the same, so they cannot be identified according to a uniform formula. If you see anything suspicious, particularly if it exhibits some of the characteristics described above, make sure to have your senior loved one checked by a reputable physician.

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POST ID: 1531

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/recognizing-sacrifices-made-this-memorial-day/

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Since the founding of this country after the Revolutionary War, well over one million men and women have died protecting our freedoms and our way of life. We still have military personnel involved in areas around the world like Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, as well as other hotspots that flare up to grab the attention of the world. It is possible at any time for these volunteers to be involved in combat and to lose their lives in some kind of military action. All service personnel these days are volunteers because no military draft or conscription is in place. That means all military people are willing to make that ultimate sacrifice, should it be necessary in the interest of safeguarding the ideals of the United States.
</p><h2>How we can recognize the sacrifices of past heroes</h2><p>
We can <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/499231-how-to-remember-our-heroes-on-memorial-day-lets-make-them-proud/">honor the heroes</a> of the past in several ways, and those who continue to give their lives in modern conflicts. On the surface level, it only takes a few minutes to place flowers around the grave of a departed service person, to say a brief prayer for them, or to attend a Memorial Day parade that honors them. But there's a deeper way we can recognize the sacrifices made by all those past heroes. Remember that they all gave their lives so that future generations like us could enjoy the economic prosperity and the outstanding way of life that we have now.

Given the reason that so many service personnel of the past and present have made that ultimate sacrifice, it seems appropriate that we should all do anything we can to continue the work they did and help make America even greater. There are lots of little things we can all do that can make this country even better. That means setting aside petty differences between us and focusing on the ways that we are all similar, and the ideals that we all hold so dear. Everyone can become involved in community activities that strengthen the fabric of society. Even seniors can volunteer to help younger people through difficult times or to simply be a companion when friendship and a kind word might be needed.

As small as these acts may seem, all of them can have a huge cumulative effect and can make America stronger. This is exactly what our fallen heroes of the past would want from us all - to build on the way of life that they helped to establish for us. This Memorial Day, take a moment to remember and honor what all those past heroes did to make America great - and think of some small act you can do to build on the way of life they secured for us.</p>

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POST ID: 1508

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/how-to-know-if-stress-is-affecting-your-senior-loved-one/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;in the US, people will be acknowledging Stress Awareness Month in April, and since April is typically the month where springtime makes an appearance, this can represent a new beginning for the senior as well, at least in regard to managing stress.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals are generally well aware of how stress can impact the lives of their senior charges, and can then take steps to manage and reduce this stress level. There are almost always some easily observable signs that will tell whether a senior is being impacted by stress, so just paying close attention will tip you off. Once you've identified that a senior is stressed about something, an appropriate response can be made before the stress level begins to impact the senior's health. Here are some of the signs you should look for.
</p><h2>Changes in appetite</h2><p>
When a senior individual has had a history of good appetite and then suddenly exhibits behavior where they're picking at food, the culprit might be excessive stress. It's very possible for someone to have a stress level high enough that it literally takes away all enjoyment even of basic activities like eating. Obviously, a <a href="https://www.seasons.com/stress-affecting-elderly-loved-one/2492133/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">change in appetite</a> could be attributable to other sources as well, for instance, illnesses or medical conditions. But if a senior loved one does suddenly exhibit a significant change in their eating behavior, it's definitely worth investigating further, so as to find out what the source of the stress is.
</p><h2>Rapid mood swings</h2><p>
If your senior loved one is generally happy and cheerful, then suddenly undergoes a change of behavior where they appear depressed, it's very possible that they're coping with some kind of stress. You might find that your elderly loved one becomes angry much easier, or you may even discover them crying when they think no one's around. If you should observe hostile or confrontational behavior in an elderly person, don't just write it off as them being stubborn or cantankerous. It could well be a sign that they are suffering from excessive stress, and are simply acting out as a result. If you find this to be true in your home, take some time to consider any recent developments which might be causing excessive stress for your elderly loved one.
</p><h2>Difficulty sleeping</h2><p>
Sometimes elderly people who are suffering from excessive stress will have trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night. A change in sleeping patterns could have other causes than stress, but once again it's always worth further investigation to try to find out the source of the change in behavior. If the change in sleeping habits occurs at a time when some new stressful element has entered the senior person's life, it's entirely possible that this new behavior is totally stress-related. This is even more likely to be true when the senior hasn't had any prior difficulties with falling asleep or sleeping through the night. It is true that most seniors don't need as much sleep as younger people do, and that they don't need as much sleep as they did when they were younger. However, when you notice a very sudden change in sleeping behaviors as opposed to a gradual one, there's a very good chance that this change in behavior is directly attributable to stress.
</p><h2>Sudden isolation</h2><p>
A great many people in their later years prefer to be alone and to withdraw somewhat from society. However, if your elderly loved one was always very active and had a rich social life, and suddenly begins to isolate themselves from society, it might very well be that they have become excessively stressed and simply can't cope with it. If something significant has changed recently in the life of your senior loved one, like the death of a close friend or family member, there's a good chance that their sudden isolation could be stress-related.

It's fairly well known that when an elderly person has a strong social support network, they will be able to cope with the uncertainties of life much better. It's also true that when a senior has a strong social support network, they typically are subject to far fewer negative events in their lives. This is often because of the beneficial aid and advice they get from their support network members.&nbsp; Obviously, it's simply not possible to avoid all stressors and all negative events. But having a strong support network of friends can definitely buffer a lot of the negativity involved with such events so that a senior can continue their normal daily lives without becoming withdrawn.
</p><h2>Behavioral changes</h2><p>
When you observe dramatically different behavior in an elderly loved one and this behavior occurs on a fairly sudden basis, it's entirely possible that it's stress-related. As an example, you might find that a senior who has historically been very frugal with their money might suddenly begin to spend indiscriminately and extravagantly. You might also find that a senior who used to be excellent at remembering information such as names and places suddenly can't remember a lot of them. This could be due to an increased stress level. When elderly people are preoccupied with bad news or negative events, it can interfere with memory functions and cause them to forget important names and places. This is because they're just not able to take the time and effort required to remember all those important names and places.

&nbsp;</p>

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POST ID: 1505

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/why-would-my-elderly-loved-one-need-occupational-therapy/

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In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a> around the country, many people will be observing Occupational Therapy Month in April to increase national awareness of the need for this service, as well as for the professionals who provide the service. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals are aware that occupational therapy helps seniors recover or maintain the skills necessary to accomplish daily activities and enjoy a higher quality of life. When a senior is limited by their range of motion or mobility, it can take away many of their favorite activities, and leave them more sedentary. Occupational therapists perform a very necessary role in determining the current capabilities of a senior and then developing a program of therapeutic exercises for them. Caregivers can then assist the senior in scheduling and continuing this program, to be more mobile and more active. Here are some reasons why your elderly loved one might need occupational therapy.
<h2>Help with vision loss</h2>
Seniors who suffer from vision problems such as glaucoma, can benefit by working with an occupational therapist who can recommend activities that encourage visual awareness, help the senior to detect patterns, and to reinforce skills related to perception. The occupational therapist might recommend some modifications to the home setting in this regard, using more lighting, using magnifiers when reading, or possibly even color-coded ID tags. The therapist might also recommend the removal of clutter that could cause trips and falls, color-coding and labeling medication, or putting neon tape on stairways to reduce the possibility of trips and falls.
<h2>Assisting caregivers</h2>
Occupational therapists have been trained to evaluate the effectiveness of a caregiver and to help lighten their workload if that should be necessary. With regard to a primary caregiver, the therapist seeks to ensure that the caregiver maintains a lifestyle that meets the patient's needs without jeopardizing their own needs. They encourage caregivers to express their feelings, which often include frustration, stress, and anger. They also recommend coping strategies and try their best to encourage healthy lifestyle habits such as therapy, hobbies, and regular exercise. Occupational therapists also have access to the latest information on research in this area, and they can pass that along to caregivers so that they'll be able to make better decisions in managing their patients.
<h2>Overcoming everyday challenges</h2>
Occupational therapists make use of rehabilitation techniques, as well as exercise and education, to help make it easier for patients to do daily tasks. In this way, activities such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and going to the bathroom can be made much easier for the patient. The therapist is also aware of range of motion exercises that can help a patient become more active and less restricted in what they can do. By focusing on what a patient can do instead of what limits them, the occupational therapist will help their charges to accomplish all kinds of daily activities safely, all of which will be based on their current capabilities. Patients can sharpen their motor skills and their fine skills by doing such activities as arts and crafts, puzzles, and even reading a magazine. Therapists will generally recommend other activities that tend to increase strength and improve the dexterity and flexibility of patients.
<h2>Support for memory loss</h2>
In the early stages of memory loss, occupational therapy can be very important. Therapists will generally try to assess the cognitive ability of a patient first, and then try to adjust and address behavioral or personality changes through behavioral modification. Patients who are going through dementia can have their strengths and weaknesses measured, and exercises or activities can be developed which will help to overcome these shortcomings. There is no cure for dementia, but it is still possible to improve the quality of life for a patient by addressing areas that need work through adaptation and compensation.

An occupational therapist can demonstrate to a dementia patient how certain prompts such as lists can aid with recalling important things. One area where the therapist can be especially helpful is in replacing repetitive, non-productive behaviors with tasks that are much more engaging for the senior. For example, if the senior used to enjoy doing the daily crossword puzzle from a newspaper, the therapist might provide them with simpler puzzles that can be figured out.

For seniors who tend to wander or become disoriented, stop signs can be placed on front doors or fence gates. Seniors suffering from personality changes might sometimes react negatively toward their caregivers, and this kind of behavior can be responded to by teaching caregivers methods for coping with this kind of behavior. Another good example of how a therapist might make things easier for a forgetful senior is to limit their clothing selection to appropriate seasonal wear, so the senior isn't overcome by numerous choices.

There are many ways that an occupational therapist can help an elderly loved one cope with the loss of mobility, flexibility, and even cognitive skills. During Occupational Awareness Month, we should all express our appreciation for this important function, and do our best to help them help our senior loved ones.

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POST ID: 1491

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/fall-reduction-may-also-lead-to-a-reduction-in-brain-injuries/

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You might not think much about sustaining brain injuries, but they certainly do happen often enough, and when they do, the results can be bad, terrible, or even catastrophic. Since March 2023 is Brain Injury Awareness Month, now is a great time to consider how to reduce the possibility of taking a fall that might cause a significant brain injury. Seniors in <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> are especially prone to falls, and they will generally sustain more injuries from those falls as well. Being less athletic and able to protect themselves in a fall, plus having bones that are naturally more brittle, make seniors more vulnerable to fall injuries than other groups of people. One aspect of <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a> involves making the home setting safer against the potential for slips, falls, and possible brain injuries that may result.
<h2>The role of balance in falls</h2>
There are quite a few things that can affect your balance, and when any of these impact you, you may not be able to control your body's positioning. For example, medications can sometimes actually interfere with your sense of balance. Low blood pressure medications can cause a person to feel dizzy, and if you notice this when taking that type of medicine, alert your doctor so an alternative can be recommended. There are also a number of balance disorders that can affect you, and these can throw off your natural sense of good balance. Generally, these will originate from problems in the inner ear, because that's where your sense of balance is situated. Some of the most common balance disorders are the following:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Labyrinthitis</strong> - an infection or inflammation causing dizziness and disorientation</li>
 	<li><strong>Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo</strong> - this condition causes you to have a brief feeling of vertigo whenever you move your head. It can happen simply by looking up, or by rolling over in bed.</li>
 	<li><strong>Vertigo</strong> - this condition creates the sensation that everything around you is spinning, which makes it extremely disorienting.</li>
 	<li><strong>Meniere's Disease</strong> - this disorder is one of the primary causes of vertigo, often accompanied by intermittent hearing loss, which is sensed as a ringing sound in your ears or an unusual feeling of fullness.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Seniors are at greater risk for falls</h2>
Older adults will generally have a fall because they have tripped on something around the home, and this can be avoided by making sure that miscellaneous objects are tucked away safely out of the traffic pattern. Falls are by far the most <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/preventing-falls" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">common source of injury</a> visits to emergency rooms around the country, and this is especially true in the case of older adults. Falls will cause more fractures, more wounds, and more brain injuries than any other single cause. Falls are also the primary cause of injury-related deaths in individuals aged 65 and older. From these facts, it should be apparent that falls are potentially the most dangerous source of all kinds of injuries, especially in seniors. That's why all steps possible should be taken to limit the possibility of having an older individual trip and fall on something around the home.
<h2>Reducing the risk of falls at home</h2>
Everyone is at an increased risk of falling as they age, mostly because of changes in balance and vision, and due to some physical and medical conditions. Most people will generally lose bone density as well during the aging process, so there's a much greater risk of breaking bones during a fall. Some steps should be taken to lower the risk of falls around the home, including:
<ul>
 	<li>have hearing and vision checked on a regular basis</li>
 	<li>understand the side effects of any medications you're taking, because some can result in the loss of coordination and balance</li>
 	<li>limit the amount of alcohol that is consumed on a regular basis</li>
 	<li>wear low-heel shoes that have rubber soles and which fit properly, so your feet are well supported. You should avoid wearing loose-fitting slippers because they promote the possibility of tripping and falling</li>
 	<li>be extra careful on sidewalks that are either wet, snowy, or icy</li>
 	<li>exercise regularly so that you can maintain flexibility and keep your bones as strong as possible.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Preventing falls around the house</h2>
It will definitely be worth your while to take some extra steps to prevent the risk of falling as you get older. If you're the caretaker for a senior living in your household, you should take some of these same steps, so as to prevent the possibility of a severe injury from a fall. Here are some of the best preventive measures you can take around the home to avoid potentially catastrophic falls:
<ul>
 	<li>make sure lighting is adequate in the home</li>
 	<li>use non-slip mats in showers and bathtubs</li>
 	<li>have handlebars installed next to bathtubs, toilets, and showers</li>
 	<li>use lighting and handrails on all staircases in the home</li>
 	<li>make sure electrical cords are stowed away securely, and not on the floor in heavy traffic areas</li>
 	<li>minimize clutter around the household, especially in walking areas</li>
 	<li>maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, so that any seniors don't get dizzy from extreme heat or cold</li>
 	<li>make sure that items you use frequently are within easy reach, so it won't be necessary to use a step stool to reach them.</li>
</ul>
Taking these few simple steps can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a dangerous slip and fall for seniors.

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POST ID: 1485

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/take-these-important-steps-today-to-help-save-your-vision/

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The month of March is Save Your Vision Awareness Month, which makes now a great time to start considering how essential your vision is to almost every daily activity you do. Your vision also allows you to see all the breathtaking beauty there is in <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Valley and elsewhere</a> all around the globe. Your sight is a precious gift that should not be taken for granted, and we all need to take some steps to help preserve our vision, so we never lose the privilege of being able to enjoy all the wonders of our world. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals often provide care for seniors whose vision is failing, and they would be the first to tell you that the gift of sight is something that should be protected at all costs.
<h2>Get regular eye exams</h2>
Most people as they age have fewer activities on their schedule, which means the bulk of their time will be consumed by vision-centered activities. That being the case, your sight will be just as crucial in your later years as it is when you're younger, so the first thing you should do to help protect your vision is to see an eye specialist once a year. If any physical changes are taking place, for instance, the development of cataracts, the doctor will spot it and can recommend some appropriate action. If your vision is weakening as a consequence of aging, your doctor can recommend a change to your glasses that will keep you seeing things properly. This may be the single most important step you can take to preserve your vision.
<h2>Manage your weight</h2>
If you allow your weight to continually rise as you age, you'll be at a greater risk of developing medical conditions like diabetes and some other types of systemic disorders, any of which might cause you to lose your vision entirely. Regardless of your age, you can still get your weight under control by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. Researchers at the University of Melbourne in Australia have discovered that a person who loses a significant amount of weight has the potential of reversing eye damage that might be caused by obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Additional research has conclusively shown that active individuals have a 73% lower risk of eventually developing glaucoma than individuals who are mostly sedentary. These are clear indications that being active and managing your weight can be very beneficial to healthy vision.
<h2>Eat vision-healthy foods</h2>
It might seem a little far-fetched to say that you can eat your way to healthy vision, but there is definitely a grain of truth in that statement. For instance, there's an old saying that eating lots of carrots will be beneficial for your vision. That old saying is true, but carrots aren't the only thing that can <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320626#4.-Wear-sunglasses-when-outside" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contribute to better vision</a>. If your diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly things like dark, leafy greens, the antioxidants they contain can help to avoid the development of cataracts. Grapes are another food that helps protect the retina of your eye against oxidative stress, which can be quite damaging. Other foods that contribute to better eye health are fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, all of which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
<h2>Rest your eyes regularly</h2>
Anyone who works at a computer all day is at risk of developing eye fatigue by the end of a long workday, especially if they don't blink as often as they should. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 20-20-20 rule recommended by the National Eye Institute. This calls for you to look at something else 20 feet in front of you for at least 20 seconds after you have been staring at your computer screen for 20 minutes. Research has projected that more than 50% of the world's people will be short-sighted by the year 2050 if the current trend persists of spending so much time using electronic devices. Another good way of resting your eyes is to spend significant amounts of time outdoors, rather than spending so much time on activities that require close-up focusing. And of course, it goes without saying that whenever you're engaged in any activity that could possibly result in an accident to your eyes, you should wear protective eye gear until the job is completely finished.
<h2>Wear sunglasses</h2>
The most important thing that sunglasses do for you is to protect your eyes against the harsh ultraviolet rays given off by the sun. There's no question that most people are concerned about their eyes when they're out in the sun, but the fact is that only about 31% actually protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses outdoors. When you choose a pair of sunglasses, your number one concern should be safety rather than style. Try to find a pair of sunglasses that block nearly 100% of ultraviolet radiation. Anytime you're outdoors enjoying a swim, taking a hike, or just cheering on your local baseball team, make sure that your eyes are fully protected against the sun by wearing sunglasses.

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POST ID: 1468

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/what-to-expect-from-cardiac-rehabilitation/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>The week from February 13th to 19th has been designated as National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, and this will be a time for focusing on the role of cardiac rehabilitation in conjunction with all the potential negative impacts of heart disease. In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the country, a number of groups will be drawing attention to this vital function within the field of healthcare.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals who provide care for heart patients have a good understanding of how cardiac rehabilitation can help someone recover from the devastating effects of some kind of serious heart disease. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most important aspects of cardiac rehabilitation, and how they can be used to help seniors recover from heart problems.
</p><h2>What exactly is cardiac rehabilitation?</h2><p>
This is a medical service whose sole focus is on reducing any risk of complications for people with known heart conditions. It usually includes educating the patient about a healthy diet, informing them about techniques for stress management, and guiding them through a number of exercises aimed at rebuilding their strength. Cardiac rehabilitation is generally administered by qualified medical personnel, and these professionals are well-trained in the practice of helping patients recover from heart surgery, or from some kind of major heart issue that may have required hospitalization.

The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to prevent any further issues from occurring and to improve the patient's quality of life and overall health. It should thus minimize the chances of a return to the hospital for the same kind of heart-related issues. Rehabilitation generally takes place in a hospital rehab center or in a clinic specially set up for such services. A number of different healthcare professionals are usually involved in rehabilitation, including nutritionists, exercise specialists, nurses, and supervisory doctors.
</p><h2>What happens during rehabilitation?</h2><p>
All&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cardiac-rehabilitation#getting-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cardiac rehabilitation programs</a> are set up to take place in a clinic or a hospital rehabilitation center and will require the supervision of a number of healthcare professionals. There are three basic components to cardiac rehabilitation, including each of the following:
</p><ul>
 	<li><strong>Counseling</strong>&nbsp;- counseling helps to reduce stress levels in patients, which is important because stress can have a major impact on a person's heart health.</li>
 	<li><strong>Healthful living education</strong> - this kind of training includes managing a number of risk factors, eliminating bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and consuming a well-balanced diet.</li>
 	<li><strong>Exercise training</strong>&nbsp;- physical activity is great for the entire cardiovascular system, and it's extremely important for helping to maintain a strong and healthy heart. Exercise specialists are generally brought in to match appropriate exercises with a patient's given physical condition, so they can benefit from the process without straining the limits of their physical capabilities.</li>
</ul><p>
Typically, a cardiac rehabilitation program will last about three months, and will generally include between 30 and 40 supervised sessions. Each of these sessions might be quite different, depending on the availability of healthcare personnel, and the patient's physical capabilities and needs. Throughout the entire rehabilitation course, some kind of healthcare professional will always be monitoring the vital signs in a patient, and checking for any major changes and symptoms. Anyone in such a program will have their heart rate and blood pressure checked frequently, and it may also be necessary to take electrocardiogram readings throughout the process.
</p><h2>Typical cardiac rehabilitation sessions</h2><p>
If you're wondering what to expect in a typical cardiac rehabilitation session, you can expect it to go something like this. At your first session, a program will be designed that takes into account your medical history, as well as the results of a physical examination or test. A fitness test or heart-imaging scan may also provide information necessary for the development of your personal rehabilitation program. Using all available patient information, a structured exercise plan will then be formulated, and it will begin with light activities, while gradually increasing the intensity over a period of time.

A typical session might involve using a stationary bike, walking or jogging on a treadmill, or possibly using a rowing machine. The goal of any exercise program will be to increase the fitness level of a patient and to slowly improve heart health. While exercising, healthcare professionals will be monitoring your vital signs, and a team of other professionals will be on hand if any other kind of support is necessary. Most sessions will also include some time when the patient gets educated about various aspects of healthy living following their surgery or other treatment for heart issues.

This education may entail mental health counseling, guidance on nutrition and diet, and techniques for dealing with stress. Managing stress is considered to be extremely important for recovering patients, because stress can have a direct impact on heart health, and can make rehabilitation very difficult if not properly managed. In some cases, friends and family members are allowed to participate in the cardiac rehabilitation process, generally to whatever extent healthcare personnel feels is appropriate.</p>

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POST ID: 1465

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/building-self-esteem-for-better-health/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>There is a direct connection between self-esteem and enjoying good health. Much research has been done to confirm this, and since self-esteem can be a very fragile commodity at times, knowledgeable people understand that it's something that should be carefully nurtured. In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> in the country, people assess themselves in comparison with others and generate an idea of themselves based on their appearance and their public persona. The way you see yourself can have an enormous impact on the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the paths that you follow. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care&nbsp;</a>professionals understand that their charges need to have positive self-esteem in order to maintain a good sense of well-being and mental health. In this article, we'll discuss some ways that seniors can improve their self-esteem, and enjoy improved health at the same time.
</p><h2>Reconsider self-judgments</h2><p>
Most of us have critical thoughts about ourselves that are unnecessary and harmful, and for that reason, it's a good practice to get into the habit of positively reframing those judgments. Take any given negative thought and transform it into something that's more neutral or even positive. For instance, you might be self-critical about having asked stupid questions in a group session with others. This can be transformed into more positive thinking, such as the fact that you asked a lot of questions and are far more knowledgeable than you were before. Rather than thinking that you have huge thighs, think about what strong, powerful legs you have. This is a good practice to get into, and it can have an enormous impact on your self-esteem.
</p><h2>Self-compassion</h2><p>
Everyone understands how important it is to show kindness and empathy toward others, but they might not have the same understanding about themselves. Practicing self-compassion can be extremely important for your own self-esteem and your overall health. Part of it includes the recognition that many other people are experiencing the same kind of struggles and hardships that you are, in your life journey. It's a good idea to get into the habit of talking to yourself in the same kind and gentle manner that you would to a loved one or a friend because you are certainly worthy of that same kind of compassion and consideration.
</p><h2>Prioritize physical activity</h2><p>
One of the biggest impacts on self-esteem can be a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/how-to-build-self-esteem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">regular program of exercise</a>. Research has shown that including a regular program of exercise in your daily routine, it can help you feel much stronger physically and mentally. Exercise also releases the body's feel-good hormones, endorphins, into the bloodstream and these can make you feel very good about yourself. This is one of the best reasons for including regular exercise in your lifestyle.
</p><h2>Enforcing boundaries</h2><p>
You are perfectly within your rights to establish boundaries so that people understand how you would like them to behave around you. You should also make it clear how you will respond if those boundaries are ignored or violated. As an example, you can set aside at least one evening of each week as personal time that you will use for anything that appeals to you at the time. You have every right to expect that this request will be honored by others, and you'll feel stronger for having set those boundaries and made people understand how you feel.
</p><h2>Recognize negative thinking</h2><p>
We all have an inner critic inside us that periodically makes its presence known, often in the form of negative thoughts. If you try to ignore these negative thoughts, that will generally cause them to persist and possibly even expand. It's better to recognize those negative thoughts for exactly what they are, i.e., direct messages from the critic inside yourself. After you've practiced identifying these negative thoughts and their source, it should help you to differentiate between critical thoughts and the actual state of being in those same situations.
</p><h2>Body neutrality</h2><p>
One of the best pieces of advice you might get for building up your self-confidence is to learn to accept your body just as it is. This can upgrade you to the point where you can enjoy body neutrality. This is important in itself because it prevents focusing on an overly negative outlook, and it's just as important to avoid an overly positive outlook. Instead, practice accepting your body just the way it is and having respect for yourself. There are a number of things you can do to help yourself along the path toward body neutrality.

One thing is that you can participate in exercises or recreational activities that don't really focus on bringing about body changes but just allow you to have fun while participating. You may want to disassociate yourself from social media accounts that arouse strong feelings in you about your body. Another good practice is to get into the habit of identifying body functions in a neutral manner, such as 'my brain is reading this article' or 'my legs are carrying me out for a coffee refill'. The big significance of body neutrality is that it will prevent you from getting too high or too low about your personal appearance, and will allow you to stay on an even keel, thus improving self-esteem and your overall health.</p>

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POST ID: 1369

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/sugar-consumption-and-the-older-adult/

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A great many studies have been conducted in this area, and all have found a direct correlation between high sugar intake and an increased likelihood of inflammation. While there is a great deal of variability in how sugar intake impacts people, a consistent theme shows that high sugar intake leads to chronic inflammation more often than not. When chronic inflammation develops in a senior individual, it can significantly increase the potential for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other joint diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even some forms of cancer.
</p><h2>High sugar intake and diabetes</h2><p>
When a person ingests too much sugar, it can literally overwhelm the body's natural processes and cause serious problems. Whenever you consume anything sugary, your body responds by producing insulin, which tells all body parts to absorb this sugar for energy. If insufficient insulin gets produced, or the insulin is not used efficiently, much of that sugar remains in the bloodstream, and that's where all the problems come in. When this sugar level builds up in your bloodstream, it will generally lead to heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and a whole host of other undesirable health conditions.
</p><h2>Obesity</h2><p>
When a senior - or anyone else for that matter - continues to ingest excessive quantities of sugar over a prolonged period of time, it can quickly lead to obesity. It has been estimated that if obesity continues at the same pace, all American adults will either be overweight or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.longevityadvice.com/sugar-and-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">obese by the year 2048</a>. This is a staggering statistic. Can you even imagine an entire nation of overweight, unhealthy adults? Obesity is closely tied to the development of diabetes, and in fact, the two go hand-in-hand quite often. Your senior loved one may not have decades left to become obese, but they can certainly be well on their way if allowed to consume excess quantities of sugary foods. The health issues described above should make it clear that even seniors must manage their diets carefully, and favor fruits, vegetables, and fibrous foods over those loaded with unhealthy sugars.</p>

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POST ID: 1366

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/quality-of-life-is-a-top-priority-for-our-senior-loved-ones/

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January of 2023 has been designated as International Quality Of Life Month, and that makes now a great time to begin considering how we can all contribute to making life a little more enjoyable for our senior loved ones. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> in the US, there will be events and activities organized for that purpose, and to show our seniors how important they really are to us. Life doesn't stop at age 40 or 50, and seniors are entitled to have a certain amount of joy and happiness in their lives, just as everyone else is. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals who help provide ongoing care and companionship for seniors, understand all this and do their best every day to help make life a little more enjoyable for their charges. In this article, we'll discuss some useful ways that we can all help senior loved ones appreciate their golden years, and bring more value to them.
<h2>Provide a sense of purpose<strong> </strong></h2>
One of the most important things to understand about seniors is that the way we perceive seniors has a direct effect on how they see themselves, and if we consider them valueless, that's exactly how they will see themselves. That makes it critical for people to provide a <a href="https://bethesdahealth.org/blog/2019/06/19/7-ways-to-improve-quality-of-life-for-seniors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sense of purpose</a> for seniors because a huge body of research has shown that when seniors feel they still have a purpose in life, they can be much healthier overall. This is especially true in the emotional and cognitive aspects because they tend to avoid strokes and heart attacks, they're more active, and they're more socially engaged. Anyone who lacks a purpose in life may become depressed and think of themselves as useless, and seniors are no exception to the rule.
<h2>Find value in daily activities</h2>
Most seniors have spent most of their lives having a self-perception that stems from things they accomplish every day. By continuing this on into their senior years, you can help your senior loved ones maintain a level of self-perception because they'll feel they're being useful to the family and to the world at large. These activities don't need to be anything special, because there is certainly plenty of value to be found in meal preparation, babysitting a youngster, weeding the garden, washing dishes, or just doing some simple household cleaning tasks. Anything that a senior is able to do physically, they should be given a chance to accomplish on their own, without adult family members interfering to do it instead.
<h2>Help seniors to be socially active</h2>
Numerous studies have been conducted to prove that being more socially involved contributes significantly to a senior's well-being, both physically and mentally. Any senior who is completely withdrawn and has no social interaction is far more likely to become isolated and depressed, and will often disengage mentally as well as physically. Family connections are great, but they probably don't occur on a regular basis, since most families don't typically gather without an occasion or event in mind. Social connections can be vital in this regard, so any way that you can help your senior loved one make social connections in the community - possibly a regular senior meeting or community groups - would help immensely.
<h2>Volunteering for senior service</h2>
There are literally tons of community service programs in need of seniors who can regularly devote time and effort to helping others in need of assistance. One simple way to find some of these programs would be to browse through the National &amp; Community Service website, to find programs in your area in need of volunteers. Some of these initiatives involve having seniors serve as mentors or role models to younger people, providing assistance to physically challenged individuals, or simply providing companionship to people who are considered shut-ins. When your senior becomes involved in a program that helps others, it will almost always give them a better sense of self-worth, and it will give them a sense of purpose.
<h2>Help them stay physically active</h2>
This is just as important as maintaining a level of mental activity, and it can be a major factor in keeping good overall health for a senior. When a senior is able to stay physically active, it makes a world of difference to their health, and it also helps to stave off loneliness and depression. Exercise releases more endorphins into the system, and since these are the body's 'feel good' hormones, exercise can make your senior feel much better about themselves and their place in life. Our senior loved ones still have a lot to offer the world, and with just a little bit of effort on our part, we can help draw that out of them. Everyone should have the chance to show what they can do and to feel like they're part of the grand scheme of life.

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POST ID: 1350

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/these-simple-steps-can-help-you-stay-healthier-this-winter/

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December 6th through the 12th marks National Influenza Vaccination Week, and that makes now a great time to get your flu shot in order to stave off a potentially harmful encounter with influenza. Seniors are not exempt from the flu, and should likewise get their flu shots so they can stay protected during the typical flu season. In addition, National Handwashing Awareness Week runs from December 5th through the 11th, and that makes this time of year good for calling more attention to the importance of personal hygiene and sanitation.

In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> around the country, people will be taking time to call awareness to both these critical health needs, so as to help everyone get through the colder months of the year. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals know how winter weather can bring on a number of undesirable health issues, and that's why they make a point of keeping a close eye on their senior charges. Staying healthy throughout the winter is a matter of following some simple precautions that will help you avoid any kind of medical issues during the cold season.
<h2>Preparing the home</h2>
Even if you or your senior loved one don't get out much during the winter, there's no guarantee that you'll <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">enjoy good health</a> throughout the winter, because you can still become ill if your home isn't prepared for the season. To ensure that you're ready for winter's worst, make sure that your home has appropriate weatherstripping around doors and windows, and have a furnace tune-up performed, so you're sure it's ready for the season. The worst-case scenario might be having your furnace go belly-up on you during a really cold period of weather. Also, make sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors because both of these can prevent devastating situations from occurring in your household.
<h2>Emergency readiness</h2>
Probably the worst thing that could happen to your home during the wintertime is to have a prolonged power outage. Make sure you have an alternate heating source available to get you through a time of no power, for instance by using space heaters around the house to heat individual rooms. Keep an emergency kit on hand that is stocked with all the necessities you might need for a brief emergency, e.g. flashlights, a First Aid kit, sand or cat litter for icy surfaces, and bandages in case someone becomes injured. Make sure any generators you have in use are situated at least 20 feet away from the home and make sure you have plenty of fuel for the generator, in case it becomes necessary to use it on an extended basis. Always have a phone number handy for your doctor's office or the local hospital, just in case something drastic occurs.
<h2>Traveling tips</h2>
You should avoid all travel when bad weather is forecast for any areas you'll be driving through because you won't want to get caught in a snowstorm or in whiteout conditions that make driving hazardous. If you do get caught in bad weather, there are some important steps you should take to keep safe. Get anything you might need from the trunk, and keep it in the passenger area where it's more accessible. Wrap up your entire body in a blanket, so as to preserve body warmth as long as possible.

Stay awake and keep moving as much as possible. Even if you are confined to your vehicle, keep your arms, hands, and legs in motion as much as possible, because this will help to ward off the effects of cold air and possibly help to avoid frostbite as well. Run your car for 10 or 15 minutes each hour, providing enough heat to keep passengers warm, without draining all the gas quickly from your vehicle. Also, make sure that snowdrifts are not blocking the exhaust pipe because that can cause carbon monoxide to back up into the passenger area.
<h2>Outdoor safety and health tips</h2>
It's always best to dress in layers during winter weather, so whenever you and your senior loved one are out and about, make sure that you're both wearing several layers to insulate you. Mittens, scarves, and hats are important gear to protect against the cold - remember that your senior parent is a bit more vulnerable to cold than you might be, and they will require more protection.

If any snow or ice has formed on your sidewalks or driveways, be sure to sprinkle sand or cat litter on these patches, so no one slips and falls. If your parent were to fall outside, the consequences could be serious for their health. When you're involved in any outdoor activities or tasks, it's advisable to work slowly and to take regular breaks, because you're not always aware of how your body's energy level is being depleted by cold weather.

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POST ID: 1347

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/depression-and-celebrations-why-the-holiday-season-gets-us-down/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a><p>&nbsp;professionals get the chance to observe it every year - around holiday time, some of their charges become noticeably depressed and tend to withdraw into themselves. This is a very common occurrence in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pontotoc and elsewhere</a> in the US because the feelings and experiences of seniors have points of commonality throughout the country. There are good reasons why the holiday season tends to be one of the saddest and most depressing of the year for elderly individuals, and that's why greater empathy and compassion should be extended to them during this time. Below, we've identified some of the main reasons that seniors are negatively impacted by the holidays when everyone else seems to be in a joyous and celebratory mood.
</p><h2>Why seniors get depressed</h2><p>
Seniors for the most part have more reason than younger people do to be depressed during the holidays. Having lived much longer, it's likely that they have experienced or are experiencing health issues that tend to affect their mood and cause them to wish for happier days. They might also have recently lost a spouse, a family member, or possibly even a beloved pet, and that's always a major cause of sadness. Some seniors never recover their joyful spirit after being separated from a longtime partner or spouse.

In some cases, a senior might become preoccupied with the fact of their mortality, especially if they're suffering from some chronic type of disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or some kind of cardio issue. They might be acutely aware that they're nearing the end of their lives, and this can be a frightening prospect to consider. All these things can combine to make them feel lonely, isolated, and in some situations, unloved. Younger people don't usually have any of these issues confronting them and are more or less free to enjoy all the celebrations and good feelings of the season.
</p><h2>Signs of depression</h2><p>
It should be fairly easy to spot&nbsp;<a href="https://metrohealthinc.com/2016/12/19/seniors-and-the-holiday-blues/#:~:text=Why%20Holiday%20Depression%20Occurs%20in%20Seniors%20Seniors%20may,or%20dementia%2C%20that%20makes%20the%20holidays%20less%20enjoyable." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">signs of depression</a> in a senior, and when you do observe some of these signs, you should take the time to engage with your senior loved one, so they feel part of the season and can enjoy it a little more. A continued unexplained sadness is the first sign you should look for, and when you see this, try and draw the senior out about the situation. Sometimes talking about it can help alleviate those feelings. There could be a sudden lack of interest in participating in social events or in getting together with friends.

Frequent bouts of crying, sudden difficulty with sleeping, or a noticeable increase in their anxiety level might be other signs that a senior is undergoing holiday depression. You might also observe a lack of motivation or interest, even in doing things they might normally like to do. Everything can take on a slightly different meaning and appeal during the holidays, and even favored activities can lose their luster. Finally, a loss of interest in eating or an observable weight loss can be additional signs that your senior loved one is going through difficult holiday times, and is bothered by something they perceive as a major problem.
</p><h2>What you can do to help</h2><p>
When you recognize that your senior loved one is going through holiday depression, there are a number of ways you can help them get through the difficult times. If one thing doesn't work, you should try something else until you hit on a solution that seems to work. Start by trying to get them more active and to do some exercise - perhaps taking a walk with you. Remember that exercise releases more endorphins, the body's 'feel good' hormones, into the system and this alone could brighten your loved one's mood.

Another thing you can do is try to get them involved in some kind of volunteering activity, for instance doing some work at a local soup kitchen. Seeing others who are worse off than themselves might help a senior realize there are still some things they can appreciate because others have even less than they do. Just getting involved in seasonal activities helps to make a person feel more engaged and more a part of the season. If you're having any kind of family celebration, try to involve your senior in the cooking, the decorating, or any of the other preparations that will help them feel like they're needed.

Take your loved one for a ride around the area to see some of the holiday lights and decorations, and this could have an uplifting effect that will brighten their mood for the season. Try to encourage your senior parent to share their feelings, because talking about any issue will often help to alleviate it and make it seem less significant. Share your own feelings with them and that might encourage them to open up and tell you what's troubling them. Anything you can do to draw them out and make them feel like they're loved and needed during the holidays will go a long way toward lifting your senior's spirits and improving their mood.</p>

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POST ID: 1329

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/epilepsy-after-a-stroke-what-you-need-to-know/

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The more damaged the brain becomes, the more electrical activity will be disrupted, which means the more frequent the seizures will be. It's also likely that with an increased frequency of seizures, the severity of those seizures might also be elevated. That means it's very important to have your senior loved one diagnosed so that proper treatment can occur and any damage can be minimized.

There are several different types of strokes that a person can have, including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes generally occur when there's bleeding going on either around the brain or within it. Ischemic strokes generally occur when a blood clot has formed in the brain, or when there is some type of restricted blood flow to the brain. It's much more likely that a person who has undergone a hemorrhagic stroke will also have an epileptic seizure following that stroke. It's also far more likely that a senior will have an epileptic seizure when the stroke is quite severe, or when it takes place within the brain's cerebral cortex.
</p><h2>Likelihood of seizures following a stroke</h2><p>
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/seizure-after-stroke#how-to-help-someone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">risk of having a seizure</a>&nbsp;after a stroke will always be at its highest in the first month after enduring the stroke. According to the National Stroke Association, people are much more likely to have an acute seizure within one day of having suffered a severe stroke, a hemorrhagic stroke, or one that is associated with the cerebral cortex.

Roughly 5% of all people who suffer a stroke will also have a seizure within the first few weeks after the stroke. A massive study conducted in 2018 discovered that nearly one out of 10 people who suffered a stroke also experienced a follow-up seizure within a month after the stroke. It's also possible for a person who has suffered a stroke to have chronic or recurring seizures. This is likely to be at least the beginning of epilepsy, and it will call for continued treatment so that the frequency of seizures is minimized and so the symptoms are less severe than they would otherwise be.
</p><h2>How to tell if your senior is having a seizure</h2><p>
There are actually more than 40 different types of seizures, and the symptoms that a victim will suffer vary, depending on exactly which type of seizure it is. By far, the most common seizure type is the generalized seizure, and it's also the one that is most dramatic in appearance. Here are the symptoms you might notice from someone experiencing a generalized seizure:
</p><ul>
 	<li>loss of consciousness or awareness</li>
 	<li>uncontrollable shaking</li>
 	<li>tingling sensations</li>
 	<li>muscle spasms</li>
 	<li>loss of muscle control</li>
 	<li>confusion or disorientation</li>
 	<li>significantly altered emotions</li>
 	<li>loss of bladder control</li>
 	<li>changes in perception regarding how things feel, taste, sound, look, or smell.</li>
</ul><p>
If you observe one or more of these symptoms in your senior loved one, it's best that you get them to a doctor as soon as possible, so that any damage which occurs can be minimized.
</p><h2>How to help someone having a seizure</h2><p>
If you observe your senior loved one having a seizure, there are some things you can do to help them, so as to minimize any damage that occurs. First of all, place them on their side so as to prevent choking or vomiting. It's also a good idea to put something soft under their head so that no further injury will occur to the brain. If there's anything tight around their neck, it should be loosened, and anything in their mouth should be removed.

If there are any sharp or solid objects nearby, these should be removed so your parent doesn't bump into them. Pay close attention to whatever symptoms occur and how long they last. This will be important information to give emergency personnel, so they can administer appropriate treatment. And it goes without saying, don't leave the senior person until you're sure that the seizure is completely finished. If you should happen to observe a long, drawn-out seizure where the person doesn't regain consciousness, consider it a life-threatening emergency, and do whatever it takes to get immediate medical assistance.</p>

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POST ID: 1326

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/why-veterans-day-seems-so-important-to-our-senior-loved-ones/

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Losing a loved one is traumatic in any case, but to have one die in the course of military action - usually at a young age - just seems to have a greater impact on a person. If your surviving senior loved one seems to attach special significance to this holiday, it may be because they lost someone dear to them while they were serving their country. Each year at this time, they will be reminded of that loss and of the many things they loved about their partner.
</p><h2>A Reminder of Happier Times</h2><p>
If your senior had a life partner who was in military service and has since passed on, each new Veterans Day will be a reminder of the happy existence they once had together. Even if it wasn't an idyllic existence, the passage of time makes it seem so, and your loved one will probably only remember the good times, not the bad ones. It will therefore be very important for your senior loved one to hold on to the holiday each time it comes around because that's a way of reconnecting with the past, and with the happy life they once led with their partner.

Even if your parent is fairly happy with their current life, it won't be the same as what they once had with a much-loved spouse, and those times will always seem special. In fact, this might be a good time for you to reminisce with your parent about those times, by browsing through old photographs and keepsakes. Any memorabilia you've accumulated over the years might help bring back all those happy and fulfilling memories.
</p><h2>Bridging The Generations</h2><p>
Veterans Day is actually a great way of bridging the events of the past with current events and even looking out into the future. When young people of today honor the veterans of the past, some of whom actually died serving their country, it has a way of bringing us all together. It shows us that there is a common bond between us all and that we have the same values about life, even though we can be vastly different people and can have widely different ages.

Your senior parent may not exactly be thinking about bridging the generation gap, but chances are they will at least be aware that Veterans Day is a time when all family members and people of all ages can unite in honoring those who served. It is a major commitment to sacrifice several years of your life to serve your country, so no one does this lightly. Your parent may be recognizing that we are all able to enjoy the kind of lifestyle we have because of those who fought to preserve this way of life in the past.
</p><h2>Children And The Future</h2><p>
While your elderly loved one is thinking about how their veteran partner served the U.S. in the past, they might also be thinking about how it has paved the way for youngsters of today to continue the family line and to keep alive family tradition. If there are any youngsters in your household, they will be living reminders of hope for the future, and how that is only possible because of the sacrifices made by veterans in the past. The importance of Veterans Day itself may literally be traceable to the fact that veterans have been the backbone of this country since its inception, and that they will continue to make our way of life viable well into the future.</p>

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POST ID: 1306

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/plan-now-for-your-later-years/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>October is the month where both National Critical Illness Awareness Month is set to take place, as well as Long Term Care Planning Month. Both of these initiatives involve planning for the future and establishing a plan of caring for seniors. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a>, activities will be occurring to raise awareness of critical illnesses and dealing with them, as well as considering options available for long-term care for seniors.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals throughout the country will be part of this long-term care planning, since they already account for a considerable percentage of senior care for many families. Continue reading below to find out more about how to plan for the later years of your family's beloved senior members.

For all the years of our youth, it's hard to consider ourselves in a situation where we're living in our golden years, possibly even requiring assistance with regular day-to-day activities. However, most Americans are living much longer these days, and that being the case, it becomes far more likely that some kind of long-term care will eventually be necessary. That's one of the best reasons for planning for that type of long-term right now.

Long-term care includes any type of personal care which is given over a prolonged period of time, and which usually includes assistance with all those activities associated with daily life. Some of those activities will include dressing, bathing, feeding, taking medications, driving around town, and possibly just providing companionship. All these services can be delivered right in the home by a senior home care professional, by an adult child of the senior, or by employees at an assisted care facility.
</p><h2>Factors to think about right now</h2><p>
If you have a senior person living with you, it's definitely important that you start thinking immediately about&nbsp;<a href="https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/seniors/planning-your-later-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">long-term care</a>, and coming to some clear decisions on how this will be provided. For instance, in the event that your senior loved one becomes unable to make good decisions for themselves, who will make those decisions on their behalf? This can be extremely important, especially as it regards medical situations because it's very possible that at some point in time, your senior parent or loved one will not be able to make such decisions for themself.

Another thing to think about is how the burden of senior care can be eased among family members. Will you be able to rotate care among adult children, or will it be necessary to arrange for in-home professional care from skilled caretakers? This will be even more important if the adult children are working at the same time as they're trying to provide care for a senior loved one.

That's one of the things that makes this such a difficult decision. This is the ideal time to start thinking about long-term options that might be available for your senior loved ones. If this kind of consideration is put off indefinitely, it is almost certain to come as a sudden shock when care becomes necessary for your senior loved one, and at that time it will be much more difficult to arrange for care because it has to be done quickly. By planning for it ahead of time, you will be much further ahead of the game, and you'll already have some idea of how to manage the situation when it does occur.
</p><h2>Long-term care options</h2><p>
In order to choose the best kind of care for your senior loved one's needs, you may have to consult with some external sources as well as your family members. There are a number of Agencies on Aging that are able to provide information on many of the services available for the elderly in your area. These kinds of services can include in-home care, meal delivery, legal help, and all kinds of nursing services. You might also want to enlist the aid of social workers who can help to coordinate home care services for your senior loved one.

Another aspect of planning for the future should involve end-of-life planning. Distasteful as this process is to most of us, it's one of the most natural things in the world, and we should plan for it accordingly. When you don't have any clear plan for this, it can be very difficult when the end comes and it must be considered all at once. At this time, decisions will generally be made on the spot and with a great deal more stress attached, and this brings in the possibility that mistakes might be made.

It's much more beneficial to plan for end-of-life preparations now, so as to be prepared for it when the time comes. Your senior loved one should have a will or an estate plan, regardless of how many assets they intend to leave behind. It's the only sure way to have your end-of-life wishes carried out, and this will be the case whether you actually pass on or if you become incapacitated in some way.&nbsp;It's best to engage the services of an estate planning attorney so that the appropriate documents can be drafted and so the estate plan can be based on your actual wishes.</p>

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POST ID: 1303

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/why-older-adults-need-to-be-drug-savvy/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month occurs throughout all of October, and the purpose of establishing this month of awareness is to increase public consciousness regarding the dangers of prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter drugs when either is abused. In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the country, a number of older people become confused about the dosage or frequency of taking their medications and make mistakes that can affect their health.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals help to monitor this situation, understanding that taking medications can be crucial to the ongoing health of a senior person. It's also possible for a senior to misunderstand the side effects, the interactions between drugs, and whether or not they've already taken that particular medication during the day. For all these reasons, it's very important for seniors to be as drug savvy as possible.
</p><h2>Widespread substance use among seniors</h2><p>
Generally speaking, illicit drug use tends to decline in the years after young adulthood, but that's not true among adults age 65 and older. According to information from a recent survey, there are nearly one million adults aged 65 and older who have a substance use disorder (SUD), with many of these having reached a fairly critical point. While the total number of SUD patients admitted to treatment facilities for a 20-year period starting in 2000 had several fluctuations, there's no doubt the percentage of older adults was constantly on the increase. During this time frame, the percentage of older adults with a SUD problem increased from 3.4 to 7%. This should point up how serious the issue is among seniors, and why it bears constant monitoring and remediation.
</p><h2>Impact of drugs on seniors</h2><p>
Natural aging can definitely lead to social and physical changes with increased susceptibility to the misuse of drugs and other substances. Very little research has been done about the impact of drugs and alcohol on aging brains, although it is known that seniors metabolize substances much more slowly, and their brains are definitely more sensitive to drugs. Older adults are also a great deal more likely to undergo mood disorders, memory issues, and problems with bodily organs like the lungs and heart.

Drug use can exacerbate these conditions, worsening the negative health consequences of any kind of substance usage. It's also possible that the effects of many types of drugs can result in accidents, various types of falls, and vehicle crashes. Many of these are due to drug effects such as reduced coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. These kinds of injuries can be a much greater risk to seniors than they are for younger adults, and they will always require a noticeably longer period of recovery time.
</p><h2>Prescription medication</h2><p>
A natural part of the aging process is when seniors develop chronic health conditions, and that means older citizens are more frequently prescribed medications than other age groups. This exposes them to a much higher rate of potentially addictive medications. A study conducted among 3,000 adults between the ages of 57 and 85 showed that there was a frequent propensity to mix prescription medications, dietary supplements, and drugs of the non-prescription variety.

More than 80% of all participants had made use of at least one daily prescription medication, and as many as 50% of these were taking at least five supplements or medications. That means that at least one out of every 25 persons in this age group was vulnerable to a major interaction between the drugs they were taking. There are also a number of risks possible from the accidental misuse of prescription drugs, and this has the potential to worsen any kind of mental health issues the senior might already have.

A study conducted in 2019 on patients over the age of 50 found that more than 25% of the participants who misused prescription opioids had suicidal thoughts or tendencies. This was compared to 2% of that same population which did not use any kind of prescription opioids at all. This clearly points up the need for very careful screening before such medications are prescribed for seniors.
</p><h2>Treatment of substance use disorders in seniors</h2><p>
A good many medications and therapies have shown great success in treating substance use disorders among seniors. Research shows that older patients have much better results when they are exposed to longer periods of care. Ideally, these will include diagnosis and management of chronic issues the senior is facing, as well as developing social networks, improving medical service access, better case management, and better staff training for caretakers.

It's possible for providers to confuse SUD symptoms with natural age-related or other chronic health conditions. With more research, it will be possible to develop a better screening method for older adults who may have SUD issues. It will also be necessary to develop more programs that take into account medical and psychiatric conditions. Generally speaking, seniors who are involved in any of these treatment programs respond fairly well to the care they are given. This makes it clear that more seniors need to be included in such programs, and more programs need to be developed that can help seniors with SUD issues.</p>

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POST ID: 1285

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/what-every-senior-should-know-about-thyroid-cancer-and-aging/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Since September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, it seems fitting that people in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the U.S. take a few moments to become more aware of the relationship between aging and thyroid cancer.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals generally have the opportunity at some point to provide care for elderly patients afflicted with thyroid cancer, so they know first-hand what the symptoms are like, and how they impact a person. Here are some things that every senior should know about aging and thyroid cancer, so you can be better prepared for the possibility, and react to it in the most positive way possible.
</p><h2>The thyroid gland</h2><p>
The thyroid gland itself is a rather small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, and it's responsible for several things, such as your metabolism, body temperature, and growth and development. Your thyroid produces hormones that help regulate these functions, so if it's over-producing or under-producing, you can see what a big impact it could have on your life.

It is estimated that as many as 28 million Americans are suffering from thyroid disease at any one time, but since the symptoms are not always obvious, not all cases ever get reported. Very often, the symptoms associated with thyroid disease are assumed to be some other ailment, and the thyroid never gets suspected. When the thyroid produces too many hormones, the patient might feel anxiety, muscle weakness, arrhythmias, or osteoporosis. When too little hormone is produced, a patient might feel excessive fatigue, weight gain, constipation, or dizziness.

None of these symptoms immediately point to the thyroid, and that's why it often gets overlooked as the culprit - unless your doctor discovers it during testing. Then too, sometimes the thyroid gland produces lumps, especially in older individuals, and these too usually cannot be detected without a neck exam. The majority of these lumps are benign, but there are also some that are cancerous and must be treated promptly.
</p><h2>What you need to know</h2><p>
The chances of developing lumps on your thyroid increase dramatically as you age, especially if you're female. There's no need to panic if you have lumps on your thyroid since only about <a href="https://bethesdahealth.org/blog/2015/08/31/what-seniors-should-know-about-their-thyroid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">6% prove to be cancerous</a>. However, it's worth taking note that half of all women over the age of 50 have lumps on their thyroid, and that number increases to 90% when women reach the age of 70.

What this means is that most women will develop lumps on their thyroid by the time they reach the age of 70, so at the very least, they can expect to incur some of the symptoms associated with either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. And the prudent thing to do would be to have your lumps checked to be sure they're not malignant because that will carry much worse side effects than an overactive or underactive gland.

During the past 15 years, the number of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer rose from 18,000 to 65,000, so there seems to be a much higher incidence of cancer developing in aging citizens. Experts attribute this to better diagnostic methods, not the fact that something is causing a higher incidence of thyroid cancer. At any rate, if detected early enough, thyroid cancer is very treatable, and the survival rate for patients is relatively high.
</p><h2>What can you do to maintain a healthy thyroid?</h2><p>
There are actually quite a few things you can do yourself to maintain a healthy thyroid gland, and avoid all the symptoms and ailments described above. First of all, it would be a mistake to dismiss those symptoms as signs of aging, and when you do observe some of them, you should report them to your doctor, so they can be checked out. If your doctor doesn't routinely check your thyroid during a health exam, you need to request that it be done, so you can be sure nothing negative is developing.

You can also do your own examination at home to see if any lumps have developed. Stand before a mirror and have a glass of water ready for drinking. As you swallow the water, keep your eyes fixed on the area just below the Adam's apple, and watch for lumps that move up and down with the swallowing movement. If you are already taking some kind of thyroid medication, don't alter the routine - take the same medication, at the same time, and in the same way every day.

Finally, if you should discover any of the symptoms referenced above, or if you find lumps in your throat - don't panic! Even if you do have cancer, remember that it's one of the most treatable types of cancer there is. Surgeries on the thyroid are generally very successful at removing cancerous tumors, and you'll be back to normal in no time.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1282

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/recognizing-the-person-behind-the-alzheimers-mask/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>For 2022, September has been designated World Alzheimer's Month and September 22nd will be recognized as World Alzheimer's Day, so in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> around the country, a number of events will be staged to bring greater awareness to this disease and efforts at finding a cure.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals are well acquainted with the symptoms and behaviors exhibited by people who have Alzheimer's, especially since a great deal of extra care is generally required for these individuals, especially in the later stages of the disease. It can be difficult at times to recognize the person behind the Alzheimer's mask, given that the disease can alter behaviors so fundamentally.
</p><h2>Personality changes caused by Alzheimer's</h2><p>
Because the disease causes brain cells to die, it can have a huge impact on how a person behaves, and it can even seem like they have a completely different personality. Those dying brain cells can never be restored, which means that the patient will never get better - they can only get worse once the disease has gripped them. They might have some better or more lucid days at times, then at other times, they could be much worse. Some of the <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-personality-and-behavior-changes-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">personality changes&nbsp;</a>you might notice in an Alzheimer's patient are the following:
</p><ul>
 	<li>hitting you or others, or exhibiting very aggressive behavior</li>
 	<li>misunderstanding what they see or hear</li>
 	<li>getting angry, upset, or distraught much more easily</li>
 	<li>pacing or walking around nervously</li>
 	<li>imagining things or situations that are just not there</li>
 	<li>wandering away from home aimlessly</li>
 	<li>hiding things or believing that others are hiding things from them</li>
 	<li>exhibiting depression or losing interest in many of the things they used to love doing</li>
 	<li>showing uncharacteristic sexual behavior</li>
</ul><h2>Other factors that affect the Alzheimer's patient</h2><p>
In addition to the disease itself causing personality differences, there is any number of other factors that can trigger odd behaviors from an Alzheimer's patient. For instance, they could be going through some unusual feelings that are affecting them, such as sadness, fear, confusion, or stress. New medications could be affecting the way a patient behaves, or they may not be getting adequate sleep at night.

Even physical issues, such as deteriorating vision or hearing, persistent constipation, hunger, or thirst, can all contribute to negative behavior on the part of a patient. At various stages of the disease, a patient might become confused by noise in the household, by pets that are very active, and even by mirrors that make them see more people than are actually present. All these behaviors can also make it difficult to see the patient behind the Alzheimer's mask, and you can even lose sight of the person altogether.
</p><h2>How to look past the mask and see the patient</h2><p>
Obviously, it's not fair to treat a patient as though they are this collection of bad behaviors and odd personality disorders. Especially if the person is a senior loved one, you should make an effort to see beyond the mask and recognize the person underneath. In order to do this, you'll have to make a big effort to ignore those personality changes and strange behaviors and keep sight of the fact that this is someone you love and care for. When dealing with your elderly loved one, make a point of keeping things simple, so they don't get overly confused or anxious.

Establish a regular routine that will make them comfortable, and give them something they can rely on from one day to the next. Make sure to reassure the patient, and let them know you'll always be there to help them, whenever your assistance may be necessary. Try to focus more on their feelings, their thoughts, and their actions, so they know you are there for them. One thing you should not do is become embroiled in arguments or disagreements with them because they probably won't have the ability to see things with the same clarity you have - so you have no chance of winning the argument anyway.

If you do become frustrated with your senior loved one, don't let it show. It's much better to take a few deep breaths, get control of your emotions, and then reassess the situation. If necessary, go outside or at least leave the room so you can gather yourself and prevent any further deterioration of the situation. Try to inject some humor into the situation, to lighten things up and defuse any issues which may arise.

If your senior happens to be a frequent pacer, make sure they have a safe place to do their walking, because that's a relief mechanism for them. One tactic that is especially effective is to ask the patient for help in accomplishing some task, whether you actually need help or not. If they feel needed, sometimes that's all it takes to help an Alzheimer's patient settle down and forget all about some supposed grievance or problem.</p>

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POST ID: 1264

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/any-age-can-benefit-from-death-planning/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>August 8th has been designated as 'Dying to Know Day' around the world, so in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the globe, people will be considering and engaging in conversations about how to approach death and die in a manner consistent with their wishes. The initiative began in Australia by a group known as the Groundswell Project, and they were hoping to de-stigmatize the whole issue of death, so it could be dealt with logically and meaningfully.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals can help you begin planning for your eventual passing by discussing your wishes about death, and coordinating your plans so they can bear fruit.
</p><h2>Avoid the hallway huddle</h2><p>
If you were to ask almost any healthcare worker about the problems typically encountered by families who suffer the loss of a loved one, the most popular answer might be having surviving family members&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rd.com/list/how-prepare-for-death/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">huddle up in the hallway</a>&nbsp;to discuss their loved one's wishes. When these are not clearly outlined in some official document, it remains a point of contention that could be debated endlessly among them all. The truth is, most people put a lot more thought into planning a family vacation than they do for end-of-life issues. All this can be avoided by making your wishes known in a document that all can refer to, so there are no misunderstandings and no arguments that result.
</p><h2>Estate Planning</h2><p>
If you are leading a simple life that does not include significant assets, it will be an easy matter to prepare a legal will just by using one of the many online tools available. However, if you have somehow acquired a catalog of assets during your lifetime, it will probably be advisable to bring in a lawyer who can ensure that those assets are distributed to people according to your wishes. If you don't prepare a legal will, all those assets will be distributed by the courts, regardless of what you may have intended. You may also need to designate how young children of yours should be cared for, and perhaps set up trusts for under-age family members. All this should be done while you are still in good health and of sound mind, because you never know what might happen tomorrow to change all that.
</p><h2>Funeral Planning</h2><p>
Pre-planning for your funeral can relieve much of the burden from your family members, and it can avoid a whole flurry of calls and arrangements that need to be made in a hurry. This can all be arranged with the funeral home long in advance, right down to who will do the readings, who will talk, what kind of flowers should be used, and what kind of clothes you'll wear in repose. Your family will probably already be emotionally distraught, and having to go through all the details of coordinating a funeral will only add to their distress. It just makes good sense to handle all that ahead of time, so the funeral itself can proceed much more smoothly, and so the family can mourn without all that added stress.
</p><h2>Clear up any debts</h2><p>
You don't want to leave behind a bunch of unpaid credit card balances, or other outstanding debts that family members will have to absorb. You may still be paying on an auto loan or a home equity line of credit, or any number of other debts. If you aren't sure about all your debts, have a credit report run to identify them all. If possible, begin paying these off so you don't leave behind a real financial burden on your loved ones. Even if you don't have time to pay them all off, it will be very useful to have compiled this list, because it will be needed by your survivors.
</p><h2>Designate a Healthcare Proxy</h2><p>
It's a major decision to figure out who should speak for you when you are unable to do so yourself. Your healthcare proxy will make significant decisions about funeral arrangements, life-sustaining options, surgeries, and other medical treatments. Think about the qualities you want your proxy to have before actually choosing one. Don't make the mistake of just choosing a family member whom you happen to be close to - that person may not have the kind of composure or clear-headedness to make critical decisions on your behalf.

If there is no one you can think of to fill this role, you will still have some options available to you. Many people opt for someone outside the family, perhaps a trusted lifelong friend or acquaintance. If you have no one like that, you can still fill out a proxy form, which lists all your wishes explicitly, and which will be regarded as a de facto proxy. It's not a good idea to choose your doctor, and in fact, some states do not allow this. Your healthcare proxy must be someone who is well-acquainted with your wishes and has the courage and confidence to stand up for them.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1262

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/planning-a-rich-legacy-to-help-keep-your-memory-alive/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>August has been designated as 'What will be your legacy?' month, and it's worthwhile to take a few minutes to consider this. In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Valley and elsewhere</a>, seniors should take some time to think about how they will be remembered by loved ones and those whom they have touched in their lives. It's never too late to turn things around and leave a lasting memory of yourself that will be honored and cherished. That's why <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a> professionals are glad to work with you to examine what is most important to you and work with you to leave a lasting memory that fits your life and personality. Here are some things you can do to ensure you leave behind a rich legacy of warm memories.
</p><h2>How most people want to be remembered</h2><p>
A recent report jointly prepared by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave showed that most people preferred to be remembered for the quality time they spent with loved ones. An impressive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevevernon/2019/02/19/how-do-you-want-to-be-remembered/?sh=571b9eaf277f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">69% of survey participants</a>&nbsp;identified this as their number one hope for their legacy, and these statistics held true regardless of age, economic status, or ethnic background. In terms of what they passed on to heirs, the four big things were:
</p><ul>
 	<li>personal possessions holding either sentimental value or real-world value</li>
 	<li>real estate and financial assets</li>
 	<li>directions for late-life care, and distribution of worldly assets</li>
 	<li>life lessons and values learned over a period of years</li>
</ul><p>
When survey participants were pressed to name which of the above was most important, nearly 60% identified life lessons and values. Surprisingly, not even 20% of the individuals participating in the survey had prepared a will or considered designating a power of attorney. From this, it can be seen that the vast majority of senior citizens do not contemplate end-of-life arrangements until actually confronted with their mortality.
</p><h2>Give some serious thought to your legacy</h2><p>
Your first step should be to sit down and think about the difference between who you want to be and who you actually are today. This will require some brutal self-honesty, but it's the only way to derive meaning from the exercise. If you fall far short of being the person you aspire to be, you have some work to do in order to improve the way you'll be remembered. If you've been in the habit of simply reacting to events around you, and not intentionally pursuing specific goals, you probably are leading a somewhat aimless life. If you don't have goals in mind, there is no hope of achieving them. The purpose of this exercise is to get you to be more mindful about the choices you make, the things you do, and the way you interact with people and events occurring in your life.
</p><h2>Develop a plan</h2><p>
Closing the gap between who you are and who you want to be will not happen by itself - you must create a plan that will lessen that gap and eventually make the two situations one. Your plan should include living a life that makes you happy, but also one that really makes a difference in the world, and that you can look at with pride. The famous educator, Jessie Potter, once said &ldquo;If you always do what you&rsquo;ve always done, you always get what you&rsquo;ve always gotten.&rdquo; In other words, to achieve different results than you've had in the past, you have to change your attitude and your approach. There are many positive ways you&nbsp; could possibly be remembered, including the following:
</p><ul>
 	<li>loving and dedicated spouse</li>
 	<li>selfless and beloved leader</li>
 	<li>positive&nbsp;role model</li>
 	<li>thoughtful, caring neighbor</li>
 	<li>happy, fulfilled individual</li>
 	<li>dedicated, loving parent</li>
 	<li>trusted, reliable friend</li>
 	<li>proud citizen of the country</li>
 	<li>valuable, preferred worker</li>
 	<li>caring, devoted family member</li>
</ul><p>
You would have to be someone quite special to be able to tick off all these possibilities, but it's not necessary that you achieve them all. Just focus on the one which most appeals to you, and which is achievable. That will be your goal. Then you can start tailoring your actions so as to achieve that kind of legacy.
</p><h2>Is the world a better place because of you?</h2><p>
You don't have to make a contribution that will change the world in order to leave behind something really meaningful. All you have to do is strive to be someone who made a positive difference in the lives you touched while you lived. Maybe that means being a kinder, gentler person who genuinely cares for family and friends. Maybe it means being a faithful, devoted spouse right up to the end. And maybe it just means being the kind of person you always wanted to be.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1249

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/are-you-the-bologna-of-the-sandwich-generation/

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If you're not familiar with the term 'sandwich generation', it refers to that large group of people who are sandwiched in between caring for adult parents, and their grown or almost fully grown children. It's very easy to become the bologna of this generation when you get squeezed in between these two groups of people competing for your attention. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a>, many adults are obliged to cope with taking care of their senior loved ones, as well as providing care for their almost grown children, or even children who have become adults and are on their own. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals can be acutely aware of the sandwich generation scenario because they experience the exact same thing in their own households.
<h2>Understanding the sandwich generation</h2>
It is estimated that <a href="https://www.seniorliving.org/caregiving/sandwich-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nearly 50% of adults</a> in their 40's and 50's are simultaneously providing care and support for parents aged 65 and above, while also offering support for grown or nearly grown children of their own. Typically, those included in the sandwich generation tend to fall into one of three categories of support. The first of these is considered the traditional sandwich generation, in that they provide financial assistance and parenting for both age groups, above and below them.

The second group is considered to be the 'club sandwich generation', and in addition to supporting aging parents and adult children, they sometimes are also called upon to provide care for grandchildren. The 'open-faced sandwich generation' consists of that group of individuals who participate in non-professional caregiving for loved ones, and this usually includes about 25% of the overall sandwich generation.

The problem for anyone who is included in any of these three basic groupings is that inevitably, it takes a huge toll on your emotions as well as your finance. Being under that kind of stress for a prolonged period can literally make anyone feel like they're the bologna being squeezed thin between two irrepressible layers of bread.
<h2>Stressors the sandwich generation must deal with</h2>
As you might have guessed, the numbers associated with the sandwich generation are constantly growing, and that means a great many more people are being subjected to this kind of financial and emotional distress. You might be surprised to learn that in the majority of cases, it isn't the senior parents who are the greatest source of this stress, but the adult children of parents who are being squeezed.

It has been estimated that somewhere around 30% of adults between the ages of 25 and 34 have returned home while attending college. This, of course, places a significant burden on the parents being sandwiched, because they must also support their elderly loved ones and their own home lives as well. Caring for an elderly loved one can be extremely stressful, given the fact that there are likely to be major medical bills, helping with their daily routines, monitoring their actions around the home, and even legal issues that pop up.

With the demands of providing support and care for so many others besides themselves, sandwiched parents often experience total burnout and feelings of depression. It's also sometimes difficult to extend the right amount of time to keeping your marriage healthy and viable, and it becomes difficult to juggle home life, hobbies, and relationships. With these adults being pulled in so many different directions each day, it's easy to see how some psychological issues could develop.
<h2>Ways to manage sandwich generation stress</h2>
Some sandwiched parents are so busy attending to the needs of others, that they neglect themselves, and this can become a dangerous situation. That's why it is quite necessary to relieve some of the stress involved with being a sandwich generation parent. You can help your adult children with advice on getting jobs and on setting up their own households.

You may want to simplify logistics by moving your elderly parents into your home, so caregiving can be easier. For your own peace of mind, you may want to set your parent up with Medic Alert, so they can be monitored around the clock. Whomever you provide financial assistance to, you should establish a set amount of money that you can contribute each month, and don't exceed that figure.

It will be essential for you to maintain open lines of communication with all those people who depend on you, so everyone can have the same expectations, and no one gets unreasonable. Enroll your loved ones in an identity theft protection service, so they won't get scammed or preyed upon by criminal-minded individuals. Be advised that if you're contributing to your parents' medical payments, this could be a deduction for you on your own income filing. You should also know that adults attending higher education institutions are eligible for tax breaks as well, so this could relieve some of your financial burden.

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POST ID: 1246

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/innovative-ways-for-the-elderly-to-celebrate-this-july-4th/

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Everyone loves to celebrate the 4th of July, and seniors are no exception. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> around the U.S., most seniors will take a day to remember how our nation became an independent one, and how it then became one of the great nations of the world. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> personnel can increase the enjoyment level for seniors by planning some special activities on that day, so it can be even more meaningful. If you haven't already got some ideas in mind, here are a few that you might want to consider for your personal celebration.
<h2>Prepare 4th of July desserts</h2>
As long as your senior is in generally good health and doesn't make a habit of going overboard on sweets, this can be a very fun activity for the 4th. For instance, you could make cookies and decorate them with red, white, and blue frosting, or you could make cupcakes and stick tiny flags in each one. If the whole family will be there, you can make a full-sized cake, and decorate it with some appropriate holiday themes. You might even want to get a bit daring and create a brand new recipe and decorate it with frosting that includes the flag colors.
<h2>Create some paper flags</h2>
Creating your own flags is a great way to <a href="https://www.homecareassistancefolsom.com/fourth-of-july-activities-for-the-elderly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">celebrate the day</a>, and it will give your senior a project that will keep them busy for a while. Most seniors love to feel useful, and that their contribution really matters, so you can involve them with this project and they'll have a chance to feel really good about themselves. It's also good for their hand-eye coordination and their self-confidence. Once you've created your holiday flags, you can find a spot to hang them up where they can be seen by everyone who visits, and your senior will have a chance to proudly proclaim their participation in their creation.
<h2>Host a cookout</h2>
Cooking outdoors on the 4th of July is as traditional as a Christmas tree on Christmas. If your senior loved one doesn't get outdoors much, this is the perfect time to get them out on the patio for a while, so they can take in the fresh air and all the sights and sounds of the neighborhood. If the family will be stopping by, that will give your senior a chance to be the center of attention, and he/she will probably appreciate that. Be sure to include some foods that your senior actually likes, so they'll be able to appreciate the day much better.
<h2>Watch the fireworks</h2>
As long as your senior won't get over-tired by staying up til dark to watch the fireworks, this can be tremendous fun for him/her. Everyone loves to watch the explosions in the summer sky and all the brightly colored sparkles that shimmer and surge in the sky. You might want to bring along a blanket to keep your loved one warm, in the event that it gets a little chilly wherever you are. You might even be one of the lucky ones who can catch a good show just by sitting on their deck in the backyard. If this is the case, it should be very easy for you to set up your senior so they can appreciate all the action from the comfort of their own home.
<h2>Go to a parade</h2>
Many towns and communities plan a 4th of July parade, and these can be very enjoyable events. You might see some local celebrities and some holiday queens, but there should also be marching bands, performers, and maybe even fire department equipment. Parades don't happen every day, so this may be one of the few times of the year that your senior has a legitimate chance to attend one. If you're really feeling frisky, you and your senior can volunteer to help decorate one of the floats that will be appearing in the parade, and this will give your charge a sense of purpose. Even if your loved one doesn't particularly care for crowds, you may be able to watch from your front porch.
<h2>Decorate your house</h2>
There are all kinds of ways you decorate your house and show your patriotism, so why not think up a few of these ideas and put them into practice? You may want to post flags or other symbols around the house to remind you of the significance of the day, or you may want to turn the clock back and actually dress up in patriotic garb. This could be a very special event for your senior, and if you assist them, that could make it all the more special. There are endless ways you could choose to celebrate the holiday with your senior, and all it takes is a little planning to make someone very happy on that day.

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1226

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/what-to-expect-after-your-cancer-treatments-are-finished/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>June is National Cancer Survivor Month, and there are approximately 17 million such survivors in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marysville and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. Congratulations to all these determined individuals, who have made it through all the treatments and all the therapy, to come out on the other side much healthier. The question now becomes - what do I do next? Many people who have undergone long, drawn-out treatments have virtually given up their regular daily routines, and after cancer treatment, they are faced with the issue of re-establishing a meaningful life that has value to themselves and others.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals often assist these survivors and help them get back on track so they can once again enjoy a significant quality of life.
</p><h2>Stand up on your own</h2><p>
During the weeks and months of your cancer treatment, you undoubtedly had a whole team of caregivers in your corner, cheering you on and providing all the support you needed to get from one week to the next. When you've completed treatment and you've been declared cancer-free, you'll suddenly lose all that day-to-day support and guidance. It's not like they disappear off the face of the earth, but their role in your life will be vastly diminished, and you'll have to stand up and do more on your own.

Professional caregivers are obliged to work with patients who are working their way through cancer therapy, and those individuals will be a higher priority for them. Yes, they'll still be there for you when you need them, but the daily help and guidance just won't be there anymore. Having made it to this point, it now falls to you to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-survivor/art-20044015" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">do whatever is necessary</a> to maintain your good health and to restore some semblance of order to your life. You've been given a great gift - the gift of Life - and you should to make the most of it.
</p><h2>Lingering side effects</h2><p>
Many people experience lingering side effects in the aftermath of cancer treatment. This could be in the form of lesions that have formed, you may have developed a sleep disorder, you may have lost a significant amount of weight, or it may just be that you haven't been exercising and you are grossly out of condition. You can expect at least some type of side effect that may linger for quite a while, and in some cases, you may even have a permanent result from treatment. For instance, some people who undergo radiation to the head and neck area, do not recover their sense of taste, and most foods continue to taste the same.

When you do develop lingering side effects, keep in mind that your treatment center can probably help you recover from this. They will be well aware of the possible side effects of treatment, and they have a number of different programs which can help you cope and eventually recover from whatever it is you're experiencing. You can hope for the best after cancer treatment, and maybe you won't have any lingering conditions afterward, but the likelihood is that you will. After all, your body has been bombarded for weeks and months with either radiation treatments or chemotherapy, or both.
</p><h2>Strengthen your social network</h2><p>
While it's important for you to stand up on your own and seek to re-establish your life, you don't have to do it alone. You undoubtedly formed a team of support persons who helped you throughout your ordeal, whether that be family, friends, or medical personnel. Accept their friendly support when it's offered, because that will smooth the path toward rehabilitation. Get in touch with your golf buddies, so you can gradually ease back into an active lifestyle. Have a big Cancer Free dinner and invite all your friends and relatives, and let them know you're still counting on them as you transition back to a more normal life.
</p><h2>Healthy diet and weight</h2><p>
Expect to maintain a healthy diet and weight following your cancer therapy. That (and exercise) will be one of the best things you can do for yourself following treatment. It will keep you on solid ground, and allow you to maintain good health for the foreseeable future. If you've lost a significant amount of weight during treatment, you may need to discuss with your doctor the safest approach to re-gaining at least some of that weight. You may be experiencing continuing nausea after treatment, and your doctor can help you manage that as well.

You should also discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking some nutritional supplements that will help build your body back up. It's never a good idea to just start consuming every supplement on the market because many of them won't do you any good. Follow your doctor's advice, and you should be able to expect a happy and healthy lifestyle for some years to come.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1224

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/specialist-in-dementia-care-what-you-need-to-know/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>June is both Dementia Care Professional Month and Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, so there couldn't be a better time to stop and pay tribute to those professionals who devote themselves to care that can be very challenging. In&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arlington and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the country, activities will be held which are intended to raise people's awareness of the work that needs to be done in researching Alzheimer's and dementia in general. At the same time, it's a great time to recognize those who have given so much of themselves to help patients who are struggling with these dread diseases.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals are frequently tasked with giving care to dementia patients, and they would be the first to tell you that it is a difficult but rewarding career path. If you're interested in becoming a dementia care specialist, here's what you should know.
</p><h2>What exactly is dementia?</h2><p>
Dementia is a cognitive disorder that can trigger a whole slew of neurological symptoms. For instance, with Alzheimer's disease, there are several stages involved, and each one gets progressively worse. During stages 1 and 2, it's difficult to actually diagnose Alzheimer's because the symptoms displayed are very mild, and they could be associated with the normal aging process. A person might start to forget little things, or struggle to find the right word to use in a conversation.

By the time a patient reaches stage 3 and 4, symptoms are more noticeable and more definitely attributable to Alzheimer's. Patients usually have trouble with their short-term memories, and they sometimes have great difficulty keeping things organized. When a patient reaches stage 6 or 7, they are usually totally dependent on their caretakers, and they suffer frequent bouts of anxiety and confusion. It's very important that you understand what dementia is if you are considering it as a specialty.
</p><h2>Dementia training</h2><p>
There is a wide variety of training materials and courses available to you when you're seeking a good academic background in the field. If you're already working at a care facility, you should discuss the possibility of having your employer pay for your training, so that you can be more valuable to the company. There are also tons of online courses you can take advantage of to gain the background knowledge you need to embark on a specialty in dementia. Because it is such a huge concern in this country and around the world, a great many resources have been devoted to it, and you should research these and take advantage of them.
</p><h2>Jobs in dementia care</h2><p>
Even within the narrow field of dementia care, there are quite a few different jobs available that you might be interested in. For instance, you may become a person who is charged with visiting patients in their homes and helping them live independently for as long as they can. You could become a Registered Nurse who specializes in dementia care and have the majority of your workload filled with dementia patients. You might also want to become a caretaker who works in a homecare setting and provides care for several dementia patients at the same time.

All these can be very rewarding opportunities because while you're providing care, you'll also be building relationships with patients. If you're really ambitious, you can work toward becoming a Specialist Dementia Nurse, and that will require at least two years of work experience with dementia patients while you are also working toward earning your Master's Degree. As you learn, you'll need to acquire the skills to manage all kinds of behavior, and how to make patient assessments. If you're like most dementia specialists, the deeper you go, the more rewarding it will become.
</p><h2>Conflict strategies</h2><p>
If you decide to become a dementia care specialist, you will inevitably run into some situations where you'll have to deal with some unruly behavior from your patients. During your training, you will learn some coping skills that will help to defuse such situations and to handle whatever conflict has arisen appropriately. However, all the training that you might acquire won't be nearly as valuable as developing the right mindset for dealing with dementia patients. You have to keep in mind at all times that your patients are not acting out of any kind of malice or vindictiveness - they are simply victims of a horrible disease that has altered their behavior.

One of the most successful strategies for dealing with outbreaks of violence or aggressiveness is to try and get your patient to participate in an activity you know they love. If listening to 'The Songs of Your Life' on the radio calms them down, keep that in your back pocket as a solution to any type of challenging situation. Try to be compassionate at all times, and remember that you aren't the victim in this scenario - your patient is.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1208

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/allergy-season-is-here-how-to-mitigate-the-effects/

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From May 1st thru May 31st, there will be an entire month dedicated to National Asthma and Allergy Awareness. Almost everyone knows someone personally who has been affected by at least one of these issues and is probably still battling the effects of it. With the advent of springtime, all the little irritants that get spread around by the wind will begin bothering allergy-sufferers, and those who have asthma are likely to be reaching for their inhalers more often. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> around the country, let's demonstrate our awareness of what people must endure when the spring season arrives each year. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals have learned some methods and strategies for dealing with asthma and allergies, and you could help provide some of that same relief to your senior loved ones by following some of the tips below.
<h2>Hand-in-hand</h2>
You may not have realized this before, but asthma and allergies are actually <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/allergies-and-asthma/art-20047458" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">closely related</a>, and that's why you'll often find one in the same place that you find the other. The very same triggers that produce symptoms of hay fever, i.e. dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, will also cause the onset of an asthma episode. Whenever your immune system thinks that it has identified an invader, for instance, some pollen, it attacks and attempts to eliminate the invader. Whatever the allergen might be, your body's antibodies will bind to it in an effort to neutralize it.

This is what produces all the traditional symptoms of hay fever, e.g. runny nose, red eyes, scratchiness, etc. When these symptoms spill over into the lungs and airways, they produce asthma symptoms and may require immediate treatment. For the most part, these two maladies are treated separately, although there are some medications that tackle both at the same time. For instance, you can treat both conditions with Leukotriene modifiers, you can use anti-immunoglobulin therapy, or you can take allergy shots.

Treating your asthma or allergies will depend on exactly how severe your symptoms are, and how much irritation you can tolerate. However, it's always best to gain an understanding of what your personal triggers are, so you can avoid these and prevent the onset of another episode. In fact, this is one of the best approaches to handling your asthma or allergies. You may need to work with your family doctor to learn exactly which triggers are the most potent in your own case, and then avoid exposure to those triggers whatever they may be.
<h2>Reducing effects of asthma and allergies</h2>
As mentioned above, one of the best things you can do for yourself to mitigate the effects of these two medical conditions is to learn what triggers them both in your case, and then avoid those triggers. For some people, a powerful trigger is tobacco smoke or smoke from a fireplace, so if these are your triggers, simply avoid them as much as possible and you'll probably stay symptom-free for much longer. Some chemicals will also do the trick, so if you're in this category, find out which chemicals bother you and steer clear of them.

When building or undergoing home renovation projects, you should be aware that such situations are natural for producing more airborne contaminants such as wood chips, chemicals, and moisture which promote mold and mildew. Care should be taken to use asthma and allergy-friendly products and to make sure afflicted people avoid the construction areas as much as possible. Be wary of using wall-to-wall carpeting, since this can be a haven for bugs, mites, and all kinds of other unwanted household guests.

Make sure your home has good ventilation, so water isn't allowed to accumulate in places and form molds or mildew. If you have humidity control in your home, try to keep it no higher than 50%, since that would be the most comfortable level for people bothered by asthma or allergies. Keep alert to signs of water accumulation, and make sure that all chemicals are safely stored in an attic, basement, or outside storage area, well away from household members who have respiratory issues.

Even your landscaping has to be considered, especially since many of the airborne allergens encountered by household members come directly from plants in the yard. Many kinds of grasses and trees are highly allergenic, so you should do some research to find out which ones will be most compatible with the kinds of medical conditions your family members have. To discourage pollen from invading your home, you can plant female plants, which are non-pollinating. You can also avoid planting trees like maple, birch, and oak for the same reason.

A little research and planning of household surroundings and furnishings can go a long way toward making your family members more comfortable, and of enjoying more consistently good health.

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POST ID: 1205

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/remembering-military-nurses-this-memorial-day/

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Memorial Day isn't the only day worthy of celebration in May - just ask any nurse. On May 6th, we'll have National Nurses Day, from May 6th - 12th we'll observe National Nurses Week, and from May 8th - 14th we'll also celebrate Skilled Nursing Care Week. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Branch and elsewhere</a> in the U.S., many people will be paying homage and recognizing the contributions made by the many skilled nurses in the medical profession. While most <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">senior home care</a> professionals lack the medical training to be nurses, they can certainly join in with the rest of the country to honor all the nurses we rely upon so much for their medical expertise and caring.
<h2>History of helping</h2>
It's only natural that military nurses be honored along with the millions of soldiers who have fought and died for their country since nurses have always been right at the sides of soldiers. Ever since Revolutionary War times, nurses have provided aid and comfort to the wounded, mended their injuries, and encouraged them to get back on their feet. Of course, there was no official Nurses Corp in Revolutionary days, but by the time of the Civil War, women like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton were well on their way to establishing such an organization.

The U.S. Army Nurse Corp was formed in 1901, and nurses have been <a href="http://nurseadvisormagazine.com/tn-exclusive/remembering-our-nurses-on-memorial-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">part of every battle</a> since then. The Navy Nurse Corp was established in 1908, and the tremendous contribution of nurses was recognized by the Military. When World War I rolled around, there were a full 60,000 women associated with the Military, and they were kept busy starting in 1917 when the U.S. entered the war on the side of the Allies. During World War II, nurses finally received the same rank as other soldiers, thus becoming their equals. It was in 1947 that the Air Force finally established its own Nursing Corp, to join the other branches of service.

There are tons of stories about the bravery of nurses as well as their dedication to healing, which have emerged from the annals of American military actions after the Civil War. Although not generally participating in front-line combat situations, the nursing corps of the Service branches are never far behind the front lines, ready to provide whatever medical services are required. Nurses served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, although their numbers in Vietnam were kept to no more than 7,000 since medical facilities were under constant fire as South Vietnam (and their American aids) began losing the war.
<h2>Nurses in modern times</h2>
Following the Vietnam War, nurses also participated in the Panama War, the invasion of Grenada, the Gulf War, and the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having now become a mainstay of the American Military, they are considered essential personnel when it comes to transporting patients, tending to wounded soldiers, and comforting those who have been badly wounded. Nurses have become much appreciated and respected members of the Military Services, and there are few professions where participants are more fully appreciated.

With no world conflict requiring the presence of military nurses, the primary role of nurses in the military these days is providing care for Veterans, particularly those who have been bothered by PTSD and other emotional disturbances. Sometimes it is very difficult for soldiers to merge back in with society after having been exposed to the harsh realities of combat and extreme violence. Military nurses can be crucial in providing the care needed by these individuals to re-join the world of the living to become productive members of society again.

Veterans Affairs nurses are often the most dedicated of all to their profession. After seeing the kind of emotional damage that frequently occurs to soldiers in combat, it takes all the training and knowledge a nurse has to help a wounded soldier recover full physical and emotional functionality. VA nurses also give service in nursing homes for veterans, in home-based primary care situations, and in outpatient centers. In such settings, nurses will tend to physical wounds, help with physical therapy, enhance ex-soldier morale, and treat post-war trauma as appropriate.
<h2>Remember our nurses</h2>
There's no question that nurses associated with the Military provide a very valuable and very necessary service to military members. Most of the time, their efforts go unnoticed and are largely unappreciated. For a one-week window in May, all that can change, and nurses can be featured members of our society, as we recognize everything they do for us. When May rolls around this year, don't forget to somehow honor the wonderful nurses who have given so much in contribution to the wars and military actions our country has been involved with. No one is more worthy of admiration and respect than the nurses who support the front-line troops fighting for our way of life.

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POST ID: 1174

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/understanding-the-pros-and-cons-of-alcohol-usage-in-later-life/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Alcohol Awareness Month occurs in April, and that means it's appropriate at this time to reach out to everyone you know about alcoholism, and about recovering from the abuse of it. It is a disease like many others, but any real cure depends on the user actually wanting to be cured, and making an effort to break the destructive cycle of drinking and sobering up. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., many people will be getting the word out that alcoholism can be treated effectively, and that more people need to understand the disease so they can support those afflicted by it.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals who must deal with alcohol usage in their patients must also have an understanding of the disease, so they can better cope with the manifestations that generally accompany excessive alcohol usage.
</p><h2>Pros of alcohol usage</h2><p>
It's not all doom-and-gloom with&nbsp;<a href="https://healthresearchfunding.org/8-pros-and-cons-of-alcohol-consumption/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">alcohol consumption</a>. In fact, there are several benefits to consuming alcohol later in life, provided that consumption isn't excessive and isn't constant. Drinking alcohol has been found to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, in part because it increases the level of good cholesterol in the body. It can also increase sensitivity to insulin and promote faster blood clotting. You might be surprised to learn that drinking alcohol regularly also tends to boost the immune system.

Healthcare experts have found that a non-smoking individual might enjoy 60% fewer colds than someone who doesn't drink at all. This is especially true of people who enjoy drinking red wine, and the reason that is so effective is because red wine is typically loaded with anti-oxidants that provide support for your immune system. Believe it or not, just having two alcoholic beverages per day is enough to reduce the formation and development of gallstones by as much as 33%. By extension, that means there's also a reduction in bile duct blockages, inflamed organs, and even the development of malignant tissue.

Perhaps the best benefit which can accrue to someone who regularly consumes alcoholic beverages is the fact that it may reduce the likelihood of developing dementia. Research that has been ongoing for more than 40 years now tells us that people who drink moderately are 23% less likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's than individuals who don't drink at all. Scientists believe that regular alcohol consumption somehow leaves brain cells in a healthier state, and makes them more capable of handling stress.
</p><h2>Cons of alcohol usage</h2><p>
There is great potential for various negative impacts of alcohol consumption, in large part because it can be extremely addictive to people. It's very easy for someone to begin abusing alcohol and be completely unaware of it because the body begins to adapt to consumption levels. The more alcohol you drink, the more is necessary to get the same kind of euphoric feeling. This addictive quality is one of the biggest drawbacks to alcohol consumption.

Another problem with alcohol abuse is that it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Your liver actually helps to filter alcohol out of the bloodstream as part of its daily function, but it can only filter out so much at a time. If it's constantly processing consumed alcohol, it can begin to form scar tissue or cirrhosis on the organ itself. Once cirrhosis of the liver occurs, the only real cure for it is a liver transplant.

Another huge drawback to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is the fact that it can change your whole decision-making process. Because people's inhibitions are generally reduced, there is a greater likelihood of violence and anger being associated with regular consumption. Most people don't get to a really detrimental stage when they're only drinking light to moderate amounts of alcohol, but heavy drinking can bring into play all kinds of negative decision-making.

One last major drawback to alcohol consumption is that it can limit your ability to react to circumstances around you. A good example is driving in traffic, and since alcohol is a depressant, your reactions while driving will be slowed by drinking. It can also make you feel drowsy, and that could be another serious problem while driving.
</p><h2>The best approach</h2><p>
From the above, it can be seen that the best approach to alcohol is to either drink lightly or moderately. Anyone who regularly consumes an excessive amount of alcohol will be subject to all the cons described above, and that can quickly become a factor in degrading your quality of life. It's not safe for your health or your daily routine for you to be consuming large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis. As with most things in life, if you can stick to a moderate level of consumption, you'll be much better off, and you'll stay healthier for a longer period of time.</p>

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POST ID: 1171

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/planning-for-parkinsons-disease-the-early-stages/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month, which means in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hernando and elsewhere</a> around the country, it will be time to contribute to ongoing research aimed at eradicating this dread disease. Even if you can't make a contribution, you can learn about the disease and its causes, and try to make others more aware of the early signs of the disease.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a>&nbsp;professionals often have the opportunity to provide care for Parkinson's patients, and their status will depend on how far advanced the disease has gotten. When symptoms are first becoming obvious, that's the best time to begin planning for Parkinson's disease, because it really is a life-changing event, for both the patient and all loved ones.
</p><h2>Early-stage Parkinson's</h2><p>
Typically, the observable symptoms in someone who has early-stage Parkinson's are relatively mild, although they can be quite diverse. Everyone is affected differently by the disease, so it may cause forgetfulness, tremors in the hands, significant mood swings, changes in personality, depression, dementia, or arthritis. In most cases, whichever of these symptoms a patient has will gradually worsen over time and may become quite severe. However, this will generally not be the case in an early stage of the disease.

Stage One of Parkinson's Disease is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms are usually so mild that they can't be distinguished from normal motions and behaviors. When symptoms do appear, it's usually on one side of the body, and they aren't severe. There could be a very mild form of tremors, often in one hand or the other, and one particular leg may feel more awkward than the other. It's also possible for one side of the face to be affected, such that the patient's expression is affected.

Stage Two of Parkinson's progresses to showing symptoms on both sides of the body, as opposed to the one-sided characteristics of Stage One. In most cases, Stage Two does not make an appearance until several months or years have passed with the patient remaining in Stage One Parkinson's. Some of the most prominent symptoms of Stage Two Parkinson's include the following:
</p><ul>
 	<li>loss of facial expression on both sides of the face</li>
 	<li>reduction of the frequency of blinking</li>
 	<li>soft or monotone speaking voice</li>
 	<li>speech abnormalities, occurring more frequently</li>
 	<li>slurred speech</li>
 	<li>stiffness in the joints</li>
 	<li>hunched over posture</li>
 	<li>slow approach to daily activities</li>
 	<li>fading volume of speech after initial loudness</li>
</ul><p>
At this point, a patient is generally still able to manage daily living conditions, although some assistance is helpful.
</p><h2>Planning for Parkinson's</h2><p>
A patient will generally be in either Stage One or Stage Two of Parkinson's Disease for a period involving several months or several years. This allows time for planning for the inevitable worsening symptoms that will eventually show up, and degrade the quality of life of the patient. One of the biggest impacts for both patient and caregiver is the initial diagnosis of Parkinson's because it can be a huge shock to the system, and obviously, it will have a major impact on both their lives from that point forward.

During Stage Two of the disease, it first becomes necessary for a caregiver to provide more assistance to the patient, even if it's just to help with the increasing slowness of activity. Caregivers also are sometimes obliged to remind their patients to keep up with physical exercises and with vocal exercises that help to maintain speech quality. It will often be necessary for the caregiver to begin managing medications, so as to ensure that the patient is always taking the appropriate prescriptions on time.

One of the most important planning requirements with Parkinson's involves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-daily-activities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">conserving energy</a>&nbsp;for the patient. Since they will tend to become run-down much easier than in the past, it's necessary to plan activities so that energy can be conserved for the most meaningful tasks and activities. Keeping in mind that Parkinson's will affect literally every aspect of a patient's life, planning should embrace all those daily actions. Planning for daily dressing should include providing a chair for the patient to sit in while dressing, so they can keep their balance better.

Bathing should have a hand-held hose for showering or bathing, and there should be a chair available for the patient to sit in during the process. Trips to the bathroom can be made easier by placing a bedside commode near the patient, within easy reach. When planning for personal hygiene and grooming, a chair should be available during all grooming activities. Eating and drinking actions should never be rushed but should be approached meaningfully and slowly. The patient should be provided with a plate that has a lip around the perimeter, so foods won't fall off the plate, and cannot easily be knocked off either.

At the first signs of Parkinson's, and after the shock of diagnosis wears off, that is the right time to begin planning for the long road ahead. Your loved one should be made as comfortable and capable as is safely possible, and some pre-planning can make everything happen more smoothly.</p>

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POST ID: 1157

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/the-very-real-risk-of-accidental-poisoning-in-the-elderly/

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The week of March 20th thru the 26th in 2022 will be a week-long time for raising awareness about poisoning and how it can impact people. In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a>, the focus for the week will be on preventing the possibility of accidental poisoning in the elderly and in all people. Given that the effects of poisoning can be extremely severe and dangerous, this is a serious issue that should be given appropriate attention during National Poison Prevention Week and beyond. Here are some ways that accidental poisoning might occur, and how good senior home care can help to prevent them.
<h2>Risk of poisoning for the elderly</h2>
About 90% of all poisonings occur in the home, generally in the areas of the bathroom, the kitchen, or one of the bedrooms. Elderly persons are particularly susceptible to being poisoned because they are frequently left alone for long periods of time without any kind of monitoring. If they do have some kind of accident with regard to poison, they may not realize it so they can call for help. This will generally be due to ignorance of the situation, or to feelings of shame about having done something they feel is not smart.

As a general rule, people who get older will generally be seeing doctors more frequently and will require more medications. Most people over the age of 65 are obliged to take at least five different prescriptions every day, supplemented by over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements. All these medications are necessary to maintain your elderly loved one's health, but every time a new medication is added to the list, there's a greater risk for mistakes.

Every year there are more than 700,000 visits necessary to the emergency room to deal with side effects and interactions caused by drugs and accidental poisonings. Older adults are twice as likely to visit the ER for problems related to medications and poisons. They are also seven times more likely to require a hospital visit after such incidents.
<h2>Other poisoning risks</h2>
Medications aren't the only possibility for accidental poisonings with elderly people. Household cleaners, sprays, and chemicals can all have powerfully negative impacts on a person exposed to them. Poison can actually be anything ingested by a person in the wrong way or in the wrong amount. Some poisons are even extremely harmful just by coming into contact with your skin or your eyes, while others can be toxic if swallowed or breathed in. Poison comes in various forms such as solids like pain pills, liquids such as bleach or household cleaners, spray cleaners, and gases such as carbon monoxide. All four of these forms must be closely monitored in the household, and seniors should be given a clear understanding of the dangers associated with them.
<h2>Keeping seniors safe from poisoning</h2>
If you have an elderly loved one living at home, it's very important to ensure their safety by taking extra precautions with regard to agents that could potentially poison them. All medicines should be kept in locked cabinets, or at least out of the reach of your elderly loved ones. Medications should be stored in their original containers with proper labeling, and prescription medication should never be shared. If you're concerned about possible drug interactions, you can call the Poison Helpline to check on them.

It's a good idea to keep the phone number for the Poison Control Center handy by the phone in case of an emergency. A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in each room of your house so that gas can be detected at its earliest presence. You should make sure that all your fireplaces, furnaces, and wood-burning stoves are functioning properly throughout the year, and that they present no potential for danger.

All household products and medicines should be stored in a different place than you keep food supplies. Whenever your elderly loved one takes medications, be sure that the lights are on, that they're wearing their glasses, and that they pay attention to labels before taking pills. If your loved one has a problem with being forgetful, it's a good idea to establish some alarms for medication reminders. It's also good practice to use a pillbox or pill separator so that daily doses of medications can be adhered to.

Make sure to only use household products according to the instructions. If you mix these products, it's very possible for dangerous gases to be emitted. Finally, keep a current list of all medications being taken by your elderly loved one. This includes prescription medications, OTC medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Make sure you have this list handy whenever you take your senior to a doctor or when going to the pharmacy. Obviously, you won't be able to prevent every single possibility of poisoning with your loved one. However, if you observe some of the precautions identified above, you should be able to eliminate most threats to the health and welfare of your elderly loved one.

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POST ID: 1154

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/how-poor-sleep-quality-affects-the-elderly/

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>National Sleep Awareness Week is from March 13-March 19 in 2022, and during that week in&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Valley and elsewhere</a>&nbsp;around the U.S., it will be a time for reminding people you know about the importance of good sleeping habits.&nbsp;<a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals have long understood the connection between a good night's sleep and good performance the next day. After a good night's sleep, it's much more likely that a senior will wake up refreshed and better able to deal with whatever new experiences and old routines the coming day has to offer. If you ever doubted this, here are some ways that poor sleep quality may be affecting your elderly loved ones.
</p><h2>Causes negative feelings about aging</h2><p>
A recent study had as its premise an interest in finding out how sleep quality affected the outlook of participants. Nearly 5,000 people aged 50 and over were included in this study, to obtain as broad as possible a survey of their comments on sleep. All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire with queries about negative changes to their energy, independence, motivation, activities, and memory. The same questionnaire was completed by study participants two different times, with those instances being a full year apart. After the study was completed and researchers had a chance to analyze all gathered data, it was clear that the people who gave the worst rating to their sleep quality felt that they were aging badly.
</p><h2>Physical impacts</h2><p>
There can be some legitimate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/poor-sleep-may-cause-you-to-feel-older-than-you-are-heres-why" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">effects on your health</a> when you have poor sleep quality. During the sleep cycle, everyone goes through four different stages, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM), which are distinguished as stages N1, N2, and N3. The different stages of sleep are vital for the restoration and recovery from illness, for consolidating and storing memories, carrying out bodily repairs, and regulating emotions. Also during the various stages of sleep, a number of different hormones are secreted and regulated. Growth hormone is issued during slow-wave sleep, or the N3 stage. This hormone has a huge responsibility of repairing blood vessels and is crucial because any tears in the blood vessels can cause plaque to build up. When plaque accumulates, the chances of a heart attack or a stroke are increased significantly.
</p><h2>Cognitive impacts</h2><p>
Scientists have discovered that poor sleep can make thinking much more difficult for everyone, especially elderly individuals. The scientific reason for this is that poor sleep tends to lower the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex of the brain and the amygdala. These areas of the brain are responsible for processing relevant information and controlling impulses. People who are deprived of sleep will have lapses in attention, make poor choices, have difficulty regulating negative impulses, and will more frequently engage in unethical behavior. Taken collectively, people who don't get enough sleep are simply not as well equipped to process information.
</p><h2>Immediate effects of being sleep deprived</h2><p>
Whenever an elderly person sleeps much less than normal, a whole slew of immediate effects can be brought into play. Most people after a poor night of sleep will become much more anxious, irritable, and in some cases more depressed. Your mood can be interpreted as anxiety or depression after having had a poor night's sleep. Then too, you'll be much more likely to feel sleepy the next day, and it can actually cause you to fall asleep at various points throughout the day, for a few seconds or a few minutes.

This can be extremely dangerous if you are driving, and it can be inconvenient if you happen to be in a meeting. Anything that does not require being physically active might be a time where you doze off unexpectedly. Being sleep-deprived will also generally result in considerable fatigue the next day, with a lack of both mental and physical energy.
</p><h2>How aging changes sleep patterns</h2><p>
As a rule of thumb, it has been determined that sleep time will diminish by an average of 30 minutes each decade, beginning at mid-life. In addition to getting less sleep, the amount of time spent in REM sleep diminishes, and the whole architecture of your sleep pattern changes somewhat as you age. Your inner circadian rhythms will change, and this is important because the circadian rhythm affects almost all bodily processes. It's regulated by distinct parts of the brain, by exposure to daylight, and by specific hormones. For many elderly individuals, circadian rhythm changes such that they become sleepy earlier in the day and wake up at an earlier time.

Many scientific experts believe the circadian rhythm weakens as you age so that there is not as clear a signal in organizing bodily processes. This causes a great many individuals to be out of sync with their rhythm, and to have a less fulfilling night of sleep. So it is normal for elderly people to sleep less deeply and for a shorter period of time, but it's also true that some sleep problems can be related to a physical or mental health problem. That means you should never assume when your elderly loved one complains of poor sleep that it's just a matter of getting old. Take care to check for the presence of any physical or mental issues which might be contributing to that poor night's sleep.</p>

POST COMPLETE

POST ID: 1131

URL:
https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/a-well-trained-staff-makes-for-better-care-for-our-dementia-patients/

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It is estimated that one out of every 10 male Americans will develop dementia if they live past the age of 55, and that figure jumps to 1 in 6 for women. In Hernando and elsewhere throughout the U.S., it becomes essential to have these individuals cared for by senior home care professionals who understand the needs of dementia patients. There is no doubt that the better trained a staff is, the better care they can provide for dementia patients. Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Staff Education Week is February 14-21, and that is just the motivation needed for home care providers to get their staff members up to speed with dementia education and training. Here are some ways that this extra training can be put to best use in dealing with dementia patients.
<h2>Providing respite to family members</h2>
Quite often, family members are obliged to provide most of the care for their senior loved ones with dementia. This can be an exhausting prospect because it requires near-constant monitoring and oversight. As a result, family members can reach the point where they become burned out very quickly. There are both emotional pressures and physical pressures which constantly add to the stress that a caregiver must tolerate and overcome.

When there's no one else to share the burden of care, children of senior dementia patients can come under extraordinary stress. Most of these individuals have family obligations of their own, as well as work requirements that they must satisfy as well. When you add all this up, it can become overwhelming for anyone, so professional home caregivers can really provide useful assistance. By delivering professional home care to dementia patients, they can relieve much of the burden from family caregivers, providing respite and an opportunity for downtime to recharge their batteries.
<h2>Response to disorientation</h2>
There are many times when a dementia patient will become somewhat disoriented and believe they are in another place or another time. Trying to properly reorient the patient can do a lot more harm than good, and it might even lead to an argument. At the very least, it will probably upset the patient unnecessarily. A trained professional will understand that in such cases it's better to allow the patient to remain in that perceived reality rather than trying to reorient them to the actual situation. As long as the person is not in distress of any kind, it's much easier and more agreeable to all concerned, if they are simply allowed to continue on in the state of reality as they see it.
<h2>Supporting clients in challenging situations</h2>
It can be a tremendous benefit to dementia patients and their families to have caregivers who have been properly trained and can understand dementia. This will allow them to appreciate how a client can change over time, and how to engage and support the patient through all the various stages of dementia. Someone who has been educated about dealing with dementia will have gone through a number of different scenarios so they can learn how to handle all those different situations when they pop up.

It also makes the caregiver aware that any incidents of impoliteness or disagreeable behavior should not be taken personally by the caregiver but instead should be understood as a by-product of the disease overtaking them. This is another situation where it's better to roll with the punches rather than attempt any kind of intervention where you set the patient straight. This wouldn't do any good, and it certainly won't change their behavior, so you're much better off to understand where their behavior is coming from, and allow it to pass.
<h2>Therapeutic fibbing</h2>
This is a term that some caregivers apply to situations where they're obliged to ignore the truth of a situation, and simply go along with the understanding that a dementia patient has. One home caregiver was accused by her patient of stealing the patient's bacon at breakfast time. Rather than trying to deny it or point out the reality of the situation, the caregiver simply apologized and offered to make more bacon for the patient. That approach completely resolved the situation without any further rancor, and it allowed for a peaceful atmosphere to develop for the rest of the day.

That might not have been the case if the caregiver took a contentious approach to responding, and wanted to insist on her innocence. Therapeutic fibbing is the practice of using 'little white lies to prevent the onset of a crisis or some kind of contentious behavior on the part of a dementia patient. There is no harm done by these therapeutic fibs, and it allows for a much more harmonious household, and a much more settled dementia patient.

Any individual who is not trained in handling this kind of behavior from dementia patients probably wouldn't be aware of these idiosyncrasies, and as a result, would probably have a much more difficult time managing the dementia patient.

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In <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford and elsewhere</a> around the country, it's always a worthy objective to help our seniors enjoy the best possible quality of life, and that means allowing them to have a full and independent existence, to whatever extent is possible. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> professionals do this on a regular basis, and the rest of us can pay extra attention to that fact throughout February, which has been designated National Senior Independence Month. By the same token, the third Friday in February is designated as National Caregivers Day, and that's a great time to appreciate all the hard work and dedication offered by home caregivers all around our country. Here are some ways we can all help our senior loved ones live more independently, and appreciate a fulfilling lifestyle.
<h2>Support their independence</h2>
There are more than 40 million people in this country above the age of 65, and that means there are far more accommodations and services than have ever been available before, for an aging population. Supermarkets have battery-powered carts for disabled and elderly persons, geriatric products are available on mail-order service, and meal delivery can be arranged.

Many other services are also available to the elderly, and your senior loved one may not be aware of all the things that can help them maintain an independent lifestyle. You can help them by <a href="https://www.tendercarehh.com/7-ways-to-help-elderly-loved-ones-age-independently/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">providing information and access</a> to some of these opportunities. Have them try out the grocery store shopping cart, introduce them to the meal delivery service, or start a subscription to online catalogs that carry products for seniors.
<h2>Avoid coddling them</h2>
Most people instinctively want to do everything possible to help their aging loved ones. While this comes from a good place, too much of it can drift into the area of coddling, and that has to be avoided if your senior loved one is to maintain an independent lifestyle. What you should use as a guideline when interacting with seniors is this: if they can safely do it themselves, allow them to do so. For situations where they can't do something on their own safely, offer some help.
<h2>Listen to their concerns</h2>
One of the best ways you can help you're senior loved one age independently is to pay close attention to any frustrations or concerns they voice. Often overlooked as a supportive measure, this can be one of the most important to your parents. Very often, these kinds of concerns can be resolved fairly easily just by listening closely and reacting. As an example, your loved one may have difficulty going up and down the stairs. Without you having a conversation with them about it, you wouldn't realize it's necessary to take some kind of action to avoid all that stairway traffic.
<h2>Let your senior loved one dictate the pace</h2>
Anyone who has ever raised children should be aware of the fact that children achieve an independent mindset at their own pace. In the case of your senior loved one, you should consider all the cues and signs they issue, in order to know what they need from you as time goes by. This will be different in all cases, and there's no real rule of thumb you can apply to the situation. By closely monitoring the signs used by your senior loved one, you can identify what they need from you in order to maintain a reasonably independent lifestyle.
<h2>Modify their environment as necessary</h2>
If your loved one requires a modified living environment, you can do this with the tools contained in an ordinary household toolbox, and some easily obtainable accessories. Doing this for your senior can allow them to live independently for a longer period of time. Some of the things you might need to tackle in order to prolong their independent lifestyle include:
<ul>
 	<li>replace breakable china and glassware with plastic dishware that cannot be broken</li>
 	<li>have the kitchen and pantry shelves lowered so that your senior loved one won't have to reach too high</li>
 	<li>install a rail inside the shower and next to the toilet to help with mobility issues</li>
 	<li>remove tripping hazards and area rugs that might promote slipping</li>
 	<li>use stools and chairs to hold objects like shoe bins, knitting bags, and magazines, so your loved one won't have to reach down and bend over.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Provide telephone access</h2>
One of the things that are scariest to a senior citizen living independently is being able to reach out for assistance when it's needed. You can provide access to telephone service, and make sure your cellphone number is included on their phone. It's also a good idea to subscribe to an emergency assistance service, so they only have to press a button if help is needed, and so someone can be speeding to their location right away.
<h2>Find an independent living community</h2>
In years past, it was often necessary for a senior loved one to go from their own home directly into a nursing home when they could no longer fend for themselves. Nowadays, senior living communities have sprung up all over the country, and these can provide an excellent transition when your loved one simply can't manage the big house and property they've lived in for years. You can help them prolong the independent lifestyle they've come to love by helping them find an independent living community, and to take up residence there.

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Personal care services in the home provide assistance with daily tasks for individuals who are unable to perform them independently. These services can include help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, as well as assistance with medication management and mobility.

Personal care services in the home are becoming increasingly popular as more people prefer to age in place and stay in their own homes for as long as possible. This type of care also allows individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, while receiving the support they need to live safely and comfortably.

There are a variety of personal care services available, depending on the needs of the individual. Some services may include:
</p><ul>
 	<li>Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming</li>
 	<li>Help with toileting and incontinence care</li>
 	<li>Assistance with mobility and transfers</li>
 	<li>Medication management</li>
 	<li>Meal preparation and feeding assistance</li>
 	<li>Light housekeeping and laundry</li>
 	<li>Monitoring of vital signs and overall health status</li>
 	<li>Companionship and socialization</li>
</ul><p>
Personal care services can be provided by a trained and licensed home health aide, or by a family member or friend. Some services may be covered by Medicare or Medicaid, while others may be paid for out of pocket.

When choosing a personal care service provider, it's important to consider factors such as the individual's specific needs, the provider's qualifications and experience, and their availability. It is also important to have a clear understanding of the cost and payment options for the services.

Overall, personal care services in the home provide a valuable support system for individuals who need assistance with daily tasks. They allow individuals to age in place and maintain their independence and dignity, while receiving the support they need to live safely and comfortably.

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You may not have heard of this annual observance, but on January 23rd this coming year, citizens of <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Valley and elsewhere</a> in the country will observe Measure Your Feet Day. While this day may not rank up there with some of the more urgent national observances, it can certainly be important to someone who has been forced to wear improperly fitting footwear for any length of time. This can be uncomfortable and even painful, and it can completely squelch your interest in doing any kind of walking or staying active. <a href="https://safeandsoundhomecare.com/in-home-caregivers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senior home care</a> providers understand that seniors are reluctant to engage in any kind of physical activity unless they have comfortable fitting shoes and are able to walk normally, being free of pain and discomfort.
<h2>Measure your feet</h2>
The size of your feet always changes as you grow older, so it's a good idea to have your feet measured before you go shopping for new shoes. In addition to that, your feet will become slightly larger throughout the day as they swell from usage, so the best time to measure your feet is later in the day. That's also the best time to go shopping for new shoes because when you try on any pair of new shoes, you'll want to be trying them on when your feet are at their largest. This will ensure that you don't purchase a pair of shoes that end up being too small to accommodate the daily swelling which occurs.
<h2>When fitting on shoes</h2>
Most people have one foot that is larger than the other. That means you should always try shoes on at least by trying the larger of your two feet, so you're sure that both feet can be accommodated. If you don't know which of the feet is larger, then you should just try on shoes and make sure that both feet feel comfortable inside the shoes. It's a good idea to basically ignore the size which is stamped on any pair of shoes, and just go by how they feel on your feet.

There is a good deal of variance in actual sizes from one manufacturer to another, so you really can't rely on the stated size of any shoes in a store. You're much better off relying on how they feel on your feet, and whether or not they're comfortable. You should be sure that there is somewhere between 3/8 of an inch and 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the end of the shoe when you stand up.

This should give you enough room to be comfortable, without the shoe being too loose or clumsy. You should never purchase shoes that feel a little tight, and then expect them to stretch out with usage. If anything, what will happen is that your feet will stretch out, and the shoes will become even tighter on your feet.
<h2>Purchasing the right type of shoes</h2>
There are a few <a href="https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/10_tips_for_a_good_shoe_fit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">things you should look out for</a> when purchasing shoes for your senior loved one. First of all, the shoes should always be either flat-heeled or low-heeled, so they don't contribute to any kind of imbalance. Your parent will need a stable platform to walk on, and high-heeled shoes simply don't accommodate that. It's also best if you purchase shoes that don't have laces because these are much harder for a senior person to put on.

If you can find a good pair of shoes that have Velcro fasteners, or which can just be slipped on easily, these will probably be much more comfortable and accommodating for your elderly loved one. It's also a good idea to find a pair of shoes that have a good grip on the soles because this will help to prevent a number of slips and falls.

Any shoe which has a smooth sole will not be nearly as good at providing traction, and might easily promote slipping on slick surfaces. One more thing to look for when purchasing shoes for your elderly loved one is that they should have a high backing, because shoes with a high back will provide more support around the ankle area, and that will lead to greater stability when walking or standing.
<h2>To ensure a good fit</h2>
Have your loved one take a short tour of the store, and walk around for a while in any shoes which you're thinking of purchasing. This will make it obvious whether or not the shoe feels comfortable when walking. The upper part of any shoes you purchase should be made of soft, flexible material which accommodates the shape of the foot.

If the shoes are made of leather, that might reduce the frequency of irritations with the skin. Thick soles will help cushion the feet when walking on hard surfaces and will help to absorb the shock of impact with the ground. If you can find a pair of shoes that have all these characteristics, it will go a long way toward preventing slips and falls, and ensuring that your elderly loved one has a comfortable fit with their new shoes, so they can enjoy wearing them for a long time.

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<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>Home care, which is also known as &ldquo;In-home care&rdquo;, refers to a range of services that are provided in a person&rsquo;s home to help them with the activities of daily living. These services can include things like personal care, such as bathing and dressing, as well as homemaking tasks like cooking and cleaning. In-home care is typically provided by trained caregivers who are not licensed healthcare professionals.

One of the primary benefits of in-home care is that it allows individuals to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, rather than having to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. This can be especially beneficial for older adults, who may have mobility issues or chronic health conditions that make it difficult for them to leave their homes. Additionally, in-home care can be a more cost-effective option than other forms of long-term care, as it often costs less than nursing home care.

Another benefit of in-home care is that it can be customized to meet the specific needs of the individual. Caregivers can provide a wide range of services, from basic assistance with daily tasks like cooking and cleaning to more specialized care in some cases. They can also provide companionship and emotional support, which can be especially beneficial for individuals who are isolated or have dementia. Caregivers can also assist with scheduling appointments, running errands, and coordinating with healthcare providers.

When looking for in-home care, there are a few things to consider. One of the most important things is to find a reputable agency with individual caregivers who have been properly trained and vetted. You should check to make sure that the agency checks references and make sure that the caregivers are bonded and insured.

Another important factor to consider is the cost of in-home care. The cost can vary depending on the type and frequency of services provided, as well as the location. Some individuals may be able to pay for in-home care out of pocket, while others may be eligible for financial assistance through programs like long-term care insurance or Medicaid.

In conclusion, in-home care can be a valuable option for older adults and individuals who need assistance with the activities of daily living. It allows them to stay in their own homes, and it can be customized to meet their specific needs. However, it is important to find a reputable agency or caregiver to ensure that the individual receives the best possible care.

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