Written by, Celeste Bowen, RN, BSN
If your childhood memories do not include radios that broadcast from a box or TV’s that only produced pictures in black, white or some varied shade of gray, your consciousness likely bloomed in an era after Walter Cronkite was an evening ritual. The members of that pivotal generation not only lived a different lifestyle but experienced it with eyes and ears tuned to an entirely different way of thinking. (more…)
They are easily woken by the slightest noise, and cannot fall back asleep. Frequent trips to the bathroom, and long naps during the day can keep them awake as well. Although naps feel great and are a great way to deal with boredom, they interfere with a good nights sleep.
Poor sleep patterns can lead to health problems in the elderly. Seniors that do not sleep well are more likely to get sick, be exhausted, be grumpy, have memory problems and experience a flare up of chronic health problems. (more…)
When we get older our eating habits change and we sometimes lose our appetite. This can lead to under-nutrition and too much weight loss.
Luckily there are ways to help. Check out this Prezi below on appetite loss and learn about the three most successful strategies to get your loved one’s eating habits back on track:
New studies show that seniors are struggling more than ever with multiple medication usage. MedCo Health Solutions and Kelton Research surveyed over a 1,000 people at age 65 and older, and discovered that more than half (51 percent) took at least five different prescription drugs regularly. Even worse, one out of four took between 10 to 19 pills each day!
No one can really answer why this number is so high, but the shocking news doesn’t stop there. The survey also reported that 57 percent of the group (three out of five seniors), forgot to take their medications completely.
Researchers learned that the more medications a senior took, the more likely they they forgot their doses. For example, 63% reported they forgot their doses if they took five or more medications, compared to the 51% who took less pills.
Managing medications is tough for everyone, and it’s especially hard the more pills you take. The Kelton Research report also revealed 34% (more than one-third) of seniors that took 5 or prescriptions, didn’t feel they educated enough on the side effects of their medicine.
Thirty-five percent couldn’t even name all the medications they took. Don’t fall under this category and take control of your health, or your loved one’s health by reading the following tips:
* Eleven Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Medication
* Four Quick Tips for Buying Your Medication Online
* Tips on Becoming an Empowered Patient
* Four Great Places To Research Your Medication
Hopefully managing your medication will be easier after reading these suggestions. Remember, it’s always helpful to set up medication reminders, whether it’s by alarm, text-message, or more, the solutions are out there and we are always here to help.
Are you wondering what to ask or look for before you hire someone for home healthcare? We have prepared a thorough list to help you feel more at ease with your research.
1. Is the agency licensed and accredited?
They should be licensed by the state. Check with your state Department of Health and with organizations like Joint Commission. It is an independent nonprofit that accredits and certifies nearly 15,000 health-care organizations and programs in the US.
2. How established is the agency?
Research them on Medicare’s Home Health Care Compare . Here you can compare different home-care agencies on a variety of things like, the number of patients they have, success ratings with treatment, and more.
3. What kind of background checks does the agency do?
Ask specifically what their background checks cover. Ask about any criminal activity besides elder and child abuse, and if they check aides temporarily working for their home health care.
4. What are the specifics of this agency’s service?
Learn about the procedures a provider goes through to handle emergencies. Ask about the availability of caregivers. Do they send the same person each day to take care of the same patient? Consistency is essential to good care, and a lot of agencies don’t always send the same aide to the same patient.
5. Who are their references and how can I check them out?
Call their refrences. Find out if they demonstrated good judgment and had a gentle approach. Ask whether they really were conscientious about carrying out all of their responsibilities. Check with the agency’s other clients to find out about their customer satisfaction.
6. What do you think of your provider?
It is crucial to know if you will like your home health-care aide. Is it someone who you feel you trust and respect? Could you have a good working relationship with them? (more…)
Are you a senior getting ready to go on a much deserved vacation? Whether you are cruising the Caribbean, playing your best hand in Vegas, or going on a safari in South Africa, knowing the four P’s of senior travel is essential to every senior trip:
Pre-Planning
Leave spur of the moment and impulsive traveling to the younger generation. Seniors should pre-plan all lengthy travel.
-Learn about the climate, language and culture of your chosen destination.
-Find out where the local medical facilities are located.
-Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
-If you are disabled and need oxygen, wheelchair or guide-dog accommodations, make them in advance, with both the airline and the hotel in which you are staying. (more…)
What does aging in place mean? It means that thanks to advances in both medicine and technology, it is now possible for elderly to remain in their own homes while securing the necessary health care services. fIn fact, according to SeniorResource.com, more than 70 percent of seniors currently grow old in the same residence where they celebrated their 65th birthday.
Aging in place is very important for a variety of reasons. First, moving is a stressful event, one that can be even more harrowing for someone with health issues. Second, many independent living and assisted care facilities are quite expensive, and Medicare and Medicaid often cover only a portion of the bill. And third, many communities for seniors are located far from friends and family members, making the move a lonely and upsetting endeavor. (more…)
Many years ago, when my grandmother was driving my brother and sister home from school, she ran smack-dab into (and through) our local 7-Eleven. In attempt to back out of her parking space, she pushed down on the gas pedal. The only problem was that the car was not in reverse! Luckily, the only thing that sustained eternal damage was my grandmother’s pride. As the years rolled by, my grandpa died and my grandma maintained her independence through her driver’s license. At 89 years old, they took it away from her and she was never quite the same. (more…)
As we grow older, we learn to take special precautions when exercising, because we realize that our bodies age right along with us. Here are a few exercise tips that every senior should live by:
-Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that is weather appropriate.
-Choose a safe place to exercise; one that provides a smooth, flat surface in a well-lighted, public area.
-Exercise with a companion. This makes exercising safer, more enjoyable and will keep you committed to your program.
-Take longer to warm up and cool down. Slowly stretch before and after every workout for at least for 10 to 15 minutes.
-Start at a slow pace and work your way up. Exercising for too long and at too high an intensity before your body is conditioned for it, may lead to injury.
-Drink plenty of water both before, during and after your workout. Heat-related illnesses are often related to decreased fluid intake.
Exercise has many benefits at any age. It helps increase your energy, keeps you firm and toned, alleviates depression and allows you to get a more restful sleep. It can also help prevent many types of illnesses, like diabetes and osteoporosis. If you want some help with staying on track, visit the Wellness section of BestSitePicks for some extra assistance.
Remember, check with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough before beginning any type of exercise program. Also use your journal on your RememberItNow! account so you can track your health and see improvements. You will notice and see the difference in how you feel over time.
Bathing is an intimate activity which can cause difficulty for many caregivers and their loved ones as in this case example. A woman who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease becomes agitated and starts to strike at her husband when he tries to help her take a shower. The husband is ashamed and saddened that his wife has become abusive. During fifty years of marriage their relationship has had few sharp words and physical violence has never been present. The husband hesitates to tell his wife’s doctor, believing he is somehow at fault. (more…)
