A recent study led by Johns Hopkins and Utah State University researchers suggests that a particularly close relationship with caregivers may give people with Alzheimer’s disease a marked edge over those without one.  The benefits appear to result in retaining mind and brain function over time.

The research focused on how caregivers affect the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease.  Most other studies have looked at the well-being of caregivers.  Of the 167 pairs of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers studied, patients with close spouses declined the slowest overall.

Knowing that you make such an important difference in the life of your loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease is good for all family members to know.  However, caring for an elderly loved one can be stressful. Please make an effort to get a break once in a while.  Can you call a trusted family member or friend to sit with your husband?

Why not consider professional respite care.  Home Instead Senior Care employs CAREGivers who can serve as a helper to family caregivers who need even a few hours a week away from home.  Many CAREGivers are trained to work with seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Why not call today?

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Phoenix seniors are aware of the benefits of exercise, but for many reasons, seniors find that they just can’t get themselves started. Here are a few of the common reasons that seniors avoid exercise, and ways that they can get over the hurdles and introduce physical activity into their lives.

• Seniors are afraid that they’re just too old – in reality, a fit 70 year old can be stronger and in better health than a senior who is sedentary

• Seniors are afraid that they might injure themselves – while this can be a reality, seniors need to choose activities that are well-suited to their physical abilities; and if they are concerned can talk to a doctor and a fitness expert who has experience working with seniors

• They are afraid it will harm their health – while overexertion can have negative health repercussions, seniors who pay close attention to the signs and symptoms generated from their bodies and know when to take it easy will likely avoid the risks

• They get bored – seniors should choose activities that they enjoy – this can be through trial and error – but generally, any physical activity is beneficial. By varying their routine and sticking with the exercises they enjoy, they will be more likely to keep it up.

For more information on senior exercise and safety concerns click here.

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness

2. MedicineNet

Image SOurce: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

As the adult daughter of an 80-year-old widowed father, I have read that one of the biggest risks to a senior’s safety is falls.  What causes them and how can I help protect my dad?

Inner ear disorders – often called vestibular disorders – are a common cause of dizziness in older adults, which can lead to imbalance and place seniors at a higher risk for falls, according to a recent study.

An estimated 35 percent of U.S. adults age 40 and older have vestibular dysfunction and it only gets worse with aging, according to a report in the May 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Yuri Agrawal, M.D., and colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 5,086 adults who participated in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Participants completed a balance questionnaire, which determined history of dizziness and falls, and underwent in-person balance testing that involved standing on different surfaces under varying conditions (for instance, with their eyes closed).

As determined by these tests, the overall prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in the U.S. population aged 40 and older from 2001 through 2004 was 35.4 percent. “Odds of vestibular dysfunction increased significantly with age, were 40.3 percent lower in individuals with more than a high school education and were 70 percent higher among people with diabetes mellitus,” the authors wrote.

Individuals with vestibular dysfunction were more likely to report having dizziness and a history of falls. The 26.8 percent of participants who had symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, including dizziness, had an eight-fold increase in the odds of falling.

Encourage your father to get a complete physical examination and make sure that he asks about ear and hearing issues or balance problems that he might be experiencing.  If he is having hearing issues, ask him to take you or someone else along on his appointment.

If you feel your dad is unsafe at home, having a caregiver/companion with him, even a few hours a day, could help put you both at ease.  Contact Home Instead Senior Care for more information.

Source: Home Instead Senior Care

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

While it may seem to some seniors that fighting stress is a losing battle, you might be surprised to learn that simple stress relief methods require seniors to do no more than make friends and be their usual personable selves with friends and family alike. By forming a trustworthy and reliable support network of the important people in their lives, seniors gain a sense of belonging, have an increased sense of self-worth, and develop feelings of security which can help fend off feelings of stress.

It can take some effort for seniors to form and maintain their support network, but through these activities as well seniors fight stress by staying connected and preventing feelings of loneliness. When forming a support network, seniors shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to new people who they would like to befriend, but at the same time, shouldn’t waste their time with people who add more, unnecessary stress to their lives.

Once they have a trusted network of people, seniors should stay in touch with friends and family on a regular basis by phone, email or snail mail, which includes returning messages from others who are reaching out. In order for friends and family to be there for seniors in times of stress, they need to offer the same support in reciprocation, which includes taking the time to listen, being happy for friends accomplishments, and showing loved ones how much they are appreciated.

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic

2. The American Institute of Stress

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Elder care emergencies can happen at anytime day or night. Unfortunately, senior care issues and medical emergencies just don’t operate on a standard 9-5 schedule. So what do you do if your elderly relative requires care assistance outside of regular business hours?

Many Phoenix senior home care providers offer live-in senior care, which ensures there is a caregiver available to address a senior’s every need 24/7. Others, like Home Instead Senior Care, guarantee that a caregiver is available on call when a senior needs them 24 hours per day. If you believe that the level of care required by a senior loved one requires the availability of 24 hour elder care, make sure you do your research and ask the right questions when selecting a senior caregiving agency. Look at the rates closely, as some may charge a much greater cost for caregivers who work outside of normal business hours; and if your choice is to hire a live-in caregiver, ensure that background and reference checks are completed so you have a greater guarantee that they are trustworthy.

Obtaining 24 hour care for a senior is a big decision, so don’t take it lightly! Involve your elder in the decision process as appropriate, and be thorough!

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

2. ForElderCare.com

Image Source: www.homeinstead.com

Q – My mom is in her 70’s and lives in an Assisted Living Community in Phoenix, I live about 30 minutes away and since she lives alone I worry about what could happen if she were to have an accident in her apartment. Is there anything I can buy that will help her to maintain her independence?

A – Fortunately, with new technologies on the market catering directly to this issue, seniors are able to find independence and safety together. Personal Emergency Response Systems are an easy solution for seniors like your mother, who live alone but risk no one discovering if they have an accident or medical emergency. With Personal Emergency Response Systems, if a senior has an accident or injury in the home, he or she can press a button which notifies the monitoring company that they are need of assistance. Upon activation of the device, the senior monitoring company contacts help, but way of medical assistance or by calling a contact name left by the senior. Additional features are available with these technologies that remind seniors when it’s time to take their prescriptions, or allow seniors to speak directly to an individual when an incident occurs. Consider your mother’s needs and choose a Personal Emergency Response System that provides the features that will allow her to maintain her independence, but helps you feel comfortable knowing she’s safe.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Senior depression is an unfortunate reality of getting older for many seniors. After witnessing many drastic changes and tragedies throughout the later years of their lives, it’s no surprise that seniors may struggle with their morale. However, that doesn’t mean that we as friends, family members, and caregivers of seniors have to stand by idly and let a senior suffer with depression in silence; we can step in and help boost their morale by making a positive impact on their lifestyle.

4 Ways to Boost Senior Morale:

1) Encourage physical activity – exercise releases hormones which can help stave off depression. Instead of sitting around at home during a visit with a senior, go out for a walk or pick another activity that’s well suited to the senior’s physical capabilities.

2) Create social situations – the best way to boost senior morale and prevent loneliness is to get them involved in social situations. Invite your senior to a party or encourage them to join a social activity.

3) Help maintain a healthy diet – studies have proven that a well-balanced diet can prevent depression, so keep your senior’s fridge well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.

4) Offer support – if your efforts just don’t seem to boost your senior’s morale or they continue to struggle with elderly depression, make sure they know you are willing to listen to anything on their mind. If they aren’t comfortable talking with a friend or family member, encourage them to speak with a counselor or join a support group for seniors.

A great solution for family members of elderly loved ones living in an Assisted Living facility - hire a caregiver companion to help your senior loved one accomplish one or all four of the above suggestions.

Sources:

1. Senior Journal: Kara Gavin

2. Everyday Health

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q.    My 86-year-old mother lives alone in the house where I grew up. We are considering moving her to an assisted living facility so that I would not have to worry about her safety all the time.  But I’ve heard a lot about technologies that can help seniors stay safely at home.  What’s the latest out there?

New products seem to be emerging all the time to help seniors age in place and to give family caregivers peace of mind.  Assistive Technology Services recently announced an expanded line of products to assist older adults living alone.

Those include:

•    Voice activated products to assist those with mobility or vision difficulties.
•    Motion activated products to assist those with mobility issues.
•    Talking products that also assist those with mobility or vision issues.
•    Medical Alert systems to help provide a means of calling for help in the event of an emergency if a senior is alone.

For instance, the fall guard alert system alerts the caregiver if the senior rises from a bed or chair.  Wireless movement and sound monitors help keep track of movements.

Seniors can also use technology to monitor their health in ways that were unheard of years ago.  According to the Home Care Technology Association of America, remote patient monitoring or telehealth is an all-inclusive term that encompasses a number of high-tech applications that involve providing care for patients remotely.  The applications can range from monitoring a person’s heart rate while working out on a treadmill in a fitness club to transmitting a patient’s telemetry reading to a nurse over the Internet.

Remote patient monitoring systems can be used to collect and transmit the physiological data of patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension and congestive heart failure.

In spite of all the advances in technology, nothing can replace the human touch.  That’s why a professional caregiver could provide you with the eyes and ears that can help ensure your loved one continues to be safe.  For instance, CAREGivers from Home Instead Senior Care offer a variety of companionship and non-medical services to keep seniors secure and comfortable at home.

Source: Home Instead Senior care

Image Source: Eldergadget.com

More information on Elderly Safety at home

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Stroke Symptoms May Be Subtle in Women

Q.    My 82-year-old mother has a history of stroke in her family.  Since she lives alone I worry about her.  What are the symptoms of stroke?

You may be familiar with the traditional stroke symptoms: numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble talking, loss of vision or coordination problems.  However, women may be susceptible to less common symptoms based on recent study results, according to Lynda Lisabeth, Ph.D., MPH, researcher in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Health System.

“The non-traditional symptom that stood out was altered mental status, meaning confusion, disorientation or a loss of consciousness,” she noted.  Symptoms such as sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg are a warning sign of what’s happening in the body during a stroke, which is a loss of blood supply to the brain because of a blocked or ruptured artery.

While larger scale studies focusing on stroke in women are warranted, the gender differences U-M researchers identified may contribute to delay in treatment for women and could signal a need to change public health campaigns, Lisabeth says.

Researchers examined the cases of 461 men and women and classified their symptoms as either traditional or non-traditional.  Altered mental status was the most common non-traditional symptom and it was more likely to be reported in women, the study showed. Researchers do not know why women’s symptoms were different.

But the differences in symptoms may have consequences if slow recognition of stroke signs causes a delay in treatment, the researcher says.   “The only treatment that is currently FDA approved in the United States for stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), or what we call a clot-busting drug,” Lisabeth says.  “To administer tPA, people with stroke have to get to the hospital within three hours of symptom onset.”

If you’re worried that your mother is at risk, please ask her to see her doctor.  Then, why not arrange for a caregiving companion to assist her at home and serve as a second set of eyes for you.  For instance, Home Instead Senior Care hires CAREGivers to make sure seniors are safe and comfortable in their homes.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Image Source: pro.corbis.com