Views on how to treat the chronically ill are shifting based on the exorbitant costs of hospital care and a greater emphasis upon the family’s role in caregiving. According to a recent study, published in the Commonwealth Fund journal Health Affairs 82% of the chronically ill patients surveyed admitted to going without care recommended by medical institutions, simply because of the high costs involved. Many chronic illnesses, however, can be managed at home by family or professional caregivers at a portion of the cost; since these expenses only relate to in-home medical treatments, and assisting the senior with Activities of Daily Living they are much less expensive than at a skilled facility.

Management of chronic illnesses, including the administration of medications and other treatments, can be taught to family caregivers by a medical professional from a hospice program, who, if necessary, can stop by during the course of the illness to assess and monitor any changes in condition and make recommendations with regards to treatment methods. By keeping a senior who is chronically ill at home, instead of in a community care setting like a hospital or nursing home, seniors’ health care costs can be drastically reduced; while their comfort in the care of family allows them to battle their illness in the presence of those they love, without any unnecessary expense.

Sources:

1. Chronic Illness – Family Caregiving

2. The Washington Post (Steven Reinberg)

Image:  SeniorJournal.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.

It’s always best to keep your doctor apprised of any changes in your health habits.  Your physician can let you know whether your appetite is normal or the sign of a health issue.  Here’s a study, though, that might interest you.

According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, consuming fewer calories leads to a longer, healthier life.

After studying monkeys who have lived most of their lives on a restricted diet, scientists found that a nutritious but reduced-calorie diet blunts aging and significantly delays the onset of such age-related disorders as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and brain atrophy.

“We have been able to show that caloric restriction can slow the aging process in a primate species,” says Richard Weindruch, a professor of medicine in the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health who leads the National Institute on Aging-funded study. “We observed that caloric restriction reduced the risk of developing an age-related disease by a factor of three and increased survival.”

Eating alone certainly is not enjoyable.  Why not check into a senior center in your area where you could join others your age for a nutritious meal and companionship.  Or consider contacting a caregiving and companionship company such as Home Instead Senior Care.  The company’s CAREGivers, who are screened, trained, bonded and insured, not only can serve as dining companions, but they can help you prepare tasty meals as well.  Regardless of what you decide, make sure that you are getting nutritious meals each day.

For more about the study, log on to http://www.news.wisc.edu/16889

Image: 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.

Thinking about increasing your strength after 80 In order to improve your functional abilities when it comes to day-to-day living? Great idea, but when giving this a try don’t expect that you’re going to increase your muscle mass, because according to a recent study that just won’t be the case.

After putting women over 80 through a series of resistance training programs, MRIs were taken to establish the effects upon the muscular system and no change was apparent. That’s not to say, however, that resistance training won’t have its benefits, because it will in fact help seniors to increase their overall strength which can help them with their daily living; from carrying groceries, to getting out of bed, or picking up a young grandchild. With a little bit of effort, it is possible to improve strength overall, senior just shouldn’t expect any massive changes to their muscle tone or mass in the process.

Sources:

1. Health Discovery Canada

Image Source: news.bbc.co.uk

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.

At approximately $174,000, the average lifetime cost for senior Alzheimer’s care, the disease can take a toll on the finances of seniors and their families. There are two major aspects of Alzheimer’s and finances that seniors and their families need to consider; advance financial planning, to prepare for a stage when the senior may be unable to be involved in their own financial decisions; and understanding the costs associated with Alzheimer’s care.

Elderly costs for Alzheimer’s care do vary dependent upon the progression of the disease; but can average around $18,000 per year for early Alzheimer’s care, $30,000 for a senior with moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms and $36,000 during the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 75% of the costs incurred are due to Alzheimer’s care required in the home, while the other 25% of average Alzheimer’s costs relate directly to health care. Since costs of Alzheimer’s care are so significant, often seniors are unable to support the costs self-sufficiently, and family caregivers may become responsible for medical and care costs.

Seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s, may also become physically and mentally unable to manage their finances self-sufficiently, so during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease it’s important for seniors to establish a living will, appoint a Power of Attorney, and ensure that all bills and financial documents are consolidated.

With appropriate planning and consideration of the costs implications of Alzheimer’s, seniors and their families can put greater emphasis upon health over finance.

Sources:

1. Alzheimer’s Association

2. About.com

Image Source: jupiterimages.com

Did you know that as we age we begin to lose muscle mass in the form of skeletal muscle? It’s called Sarcopenia and it can effect the way that we’re able to function as we get older, because it reduces our overall strength, and in turn our ability to perform day-to-day tasks are compromised, from getting out of bed, to taking a walk, or carrying groceries from the car to the house. Rapid weight loss without exercise can also make the progression of Sarcopenia take place much more rapidly, so if seniors want to remain active and healthy into older adulthood, and then they need to take some measures to ensure that they don’t continue to lose muscle.

Exercise is the answer to preventing Sarcopenia, but seniors need to engage in specific activities in order to increase strength. Resistance exercises are probably the most important way to built muscles, which includes lifting weights or using a resistance band to build strength, balance, and lower blood pressure.  Resistance training is even more important for post-menopausal women because it can increase bone density. Cardiovascular exercise is also great for the functioning of the cardiovascular system as well as your muscles and bones. It can include walking, jogging or taking a fitness class to improve overall health. Stretching is another important exercise for seniors to improve flexibility and generally reduce the degeneration of muscles with Sarcopenia. Basic stretches can be used, or seniors can work their way up to doing yoga a few days a week.

The changes of aging don’t need to be accepted; so if your or someone you love is beginning to struggle with balance and the strength of everyday tasks, then it’s time to start exercising to improve your heath.

Sources:

1. Suite101

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.

Blood pressure is a common issue that touches one in three Americans and it’s not something that should be taken lightly, because primary hypertension can kill. A diet that’s too high in sodium can not only cause blood pressure to raise sky high, it can also exasperate the symptoms at put those with hypertension at risk. Sodium is hidden in many foods that [location] seniors may not even be aware of; so when attempting to reduce the sodium in a diet, seniors can abide by the following diet plan:

• Avoid using much salt when cooking, or when putting it on food at the table

• Avoid foods that are high in salt – when purchasing chips, crackers or other items which tend to be salty, look for products that say “low sodium on the package”

• Choose fresh or frozen foods instead of canned goods which may have high sodium levels for preservation

• Always read the nutrition information about foods before purchase

• Use other seasonings instead of salt in order to add flavor to food. Herbs, spices, lemon, juice and garlic can be tasty seasonings to use during food preparation.

Sources:

1. Suite101

2. Heart and Stoke Foundation

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.

Poor nutrition can lead to many problems for older adults. If you live away from your aging mom and dad,  you might not know whether they are eating properly. Here are some signs to look for.

1. Loss of appetite
2. Little to no interest in eating out
3. Depression
4. Sudden weight fluctuation
5. Expired or spoiled food in the refrigerator
6. Unhealthy looking skin tone
7. Lethargy
8. Cognitive problems
9. More than three medications
10. A recent illness

For more information, log on to Foods for Seniors.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.