Happy and funny senior couple playing hulahoop in park
Do you remember that feeling as a child when the school bell rang, indicating the end of arithmetic and the start of the best part of the day: recess? There was a tremendous sensation of freedom dashing out onto the playground, leaving behind the pressure of school work for a quick period of unstructured play. Read more
Learn the warning signs of dementia in this article by the Ft. Lauderdale home care experts.
As soon as the door swings open and your senior loved one wraps you in a warm hug, through the joyous holiday dinner and each timeless family custom, possibilities abound for not simply high quality time together, but also to assess how your parent is truly doing and if any red flags are detected. Read more
Exercise is one of the most important things anyone can do for their health, energy levels, and safety. When you’re talking about seniors living at home, it may not seem as important as it once did, but it’s actually one of the most important things people can do, regardless of their age.
In fact, even seniors who have had heart attacks are often encouraged by their doctor to get exercise daily. Of course, it’s absolutely crucial that an elderly person consult his or her primary care physician to make sure exercise is warranted and safe.
There are numerous reasons why exercise is so beneficial and there are plenty of ways to get adequate exercise for people of all ages. When seniors exercise regularly, it can help improve their strength and agility, balance, and ultimately their safety.
It only takes 15 minutes per day.
A lot of people in the United States and around the world have a tendency to assume if they don’t get at least an hour’s worth of exercise in every day, it’s not really going to make a difference. In truth, 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day is enough to help strengthen the heart and keep the body in relatively good physical condition.
Of course, a senior who is only able to do 15 minutes of light exercise is not going to be maintaining their muscle mass each passing year.
There are many activities to enjoy.
Exercising can be done by simply increasing the pace of walking, doing water aerobics, taking part in yoga that is specifically designed for seniors, and much, much more. If a senior enjoys certain activities that get them moving, they should be encouraged to do them.
Sometimes, though, they may need physical support. This is where a home health care aide can be beneficial to keep them safe while taking part in these activities.
It helps to strengthen legs.
While a person in their 70s or 80s is not likely to add muscle mass through any amount of exercise, it can help prevent muscle loss from continuing, or at least slow it down tremendously. This can help them maintain better balance and keep them safe or within the comfort of their home.
Far too many family members see exercise as being a hazard rather than a benefit. They may discourage exercise and activities for their aging parents or other loved ones, but the best thing to do is encourage the hiring of a home health care aide who can assist the senior in these exercises and activities and keep them safer within the comfort of their home.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Lauderhill FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
Having a difficult time sleeping isn’t fun for anyone, but if it’s happening to your elder loved one, it can affect you, too. As her family caregiver, it’s important to get to the bottom of your loved one’s insomnia issues so you can help her resolve them.
Short-term Insomnia Causes
Shorter-term insomnia might include a temporary patch of sleepless nights for your elder loved one. It also might be used to describe intermittent problems with sleep that your loved one is having. Some of the causes of short-term insomnia can include changes to your elder loved one’s medication, environmental issues such as noise, or even stress. Sometimes the smallest changes can make it difficult for your loved one to sleep properly. Short-term insomnia might cause your loved one to have an unpredictable sleep schedule, which can ultimately make the situation more difficult.
Long-term Insomnia Causes
Long-term insomnia is a much more invasive type of insomnia. This is a form of insomnia in which your loved one consistently has a difficult time sleeping. Some of the reasons for this can include depression, anxiety, and even chronic issues with pain. Health issues can even cause your loved one to have difficulty sleeping well. Breathing problems, acid reflux, and dementia can all contribute to insomnia. If your loved one has been having sleeping issues for a longer period of time, she might be reluctant to try to solve the problem because it feels like it’s always been there.
What You Can Do for Your Elder Loved One
The first step in managing your elder loved one’s insomnia is to talk with her doctor. Medication is not always the best step to take in the beginning, but your loved one’s doctor has other solutions in his bag that he can try first. If you’re not already using a sleep schedule including regular bedtimes and wakeup times with your loved one, now might be the time to start. A sleep diary can also help you and your loved one’s doctor to figure out the more subtle contributing factors to your loved one’s sleep issues.
Work with your loved one’s entire care team, including other family members and her elder care providers, to stick to whatever plan works to help her get the sleep that she needs.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Deerfield Beach FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
Our kidneys are an important component of our bodies for a number of reasons, including the fact that they cleanse the body of harmful toxins by releasing them through our urine. When the kidneys are unable to perform their regular tasks due to kidney failure, it could lead to severe consequences, including death.
Knowing as much about this condition is the first step in helping your elderly parent get the help they need. If they live alone, you may want to consider hiring an elderly care provider to watch over them each day and contact their doctor immediately if they fear there is a problem with their kidneys.
Here is some information to help you and their caregiver navigate through how to care for someone with this condition.
Risk Factors
The first thing that can be done to understand kidney failure is to understand where the illness can come from. Here are several of the most common risk factors.
History of diabetes
Family history of kidney problems
Coping with high blood pressure
Overusing medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen
The Difference Between the Two Types of Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure occurs when there is a sudden change to the function of the kidney. Some of the possible reasons behind getting this type of kidney failure are:
Bladder problems
Kidney stones or calcified materials, causing a blockage to the kidneys
Kidney infections
Damage to the blood vessels that lead to the kidneys
Protein or blood in the urine
Swelling of the extremities
Abnormal Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test
Increased urge to urinate, which may also be extremely painful
Chronic kidney failure may be present if the elder experiences any of the following symptoms.
Frequent fatigue
Shortness of breath
Excessive need to urinate at night, yet secretes very little urine
Rashes on the skin as a result of impurities in the body that are building up with no way to escape
Increased thirst
Trouble managing their diabetes or high blood pressure
Acute kidney failure can usually heal on its own, but severe chronic kidney failure may result in the need for a kidney transplant.
Prevention
If you are concerned that your elderly loved one may develop this illness, try the following tips to prevent kidney failure from happening to them.
Eat the right foods. There are certain foods that are more difficult for the kidneys to manage. Talk to a dietician or the elder’s doctor to determine what foods will help your loved one with their condition.
Exercise. Regular exercise will prevent a wide range of chronic illnesses from occurring. In turn, the elder will be at a lower risk of kidney failure.
Manage other chronic health problems. By properly treating and taking care of current health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, your loved one may be able to prevent issues with their kidneys.
Source: http://www.eldercarelink.com/Other-Resources/Health/kidney-failure-in-the-elderly.htm
If you or an aging loved one are considering Hollywood, FL home health care services or care throughout the surrounding areas for provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
February 7 is Bean Day. As a family caregiver this is the ideal opportunity for you to explore the ways that adding more beans into your aging parent’s diet can improve their health and support a higher quality of life as they age in place. With a huge variety of styles and virtually endless options for preparations, beans make an ideal component of nearly any healthy eating approach.
Some of the health benefits of beans include:
• Low fat. Beans are naturally extremely low in fat. This is ideal for those who are looking for ways to cut down the pounds or protect their heart health. It is important to keep in mind that they are only low fat when prepared without additional ingredients such as oils, lard, or cheese.
• High in fiber. Dietary fiber is one of the most important nutrients that your aging parent needs daily, but one that many people do not get enough of on a regular basis. Getting enough fiber is essential for proper digestion, helping to lower and manage blood cholesterol. Fiber also promotes a feeling of fullness, which helps to reduce how much they eat and control cravings.
• High in protein. Protein aids in the building and repair of tissues throughout the body, wound healing, and the production of sustainable energy. Most doctors recommend that people turn their focus toward more plant-based proteins rather than always reaching for animal sources, which are higher in fat, calories, and cholesterol. Beans are an ideal source of protein, offering the same amount of protein in half a cup as in one ounce of fish, chicken, or meat.
• Packed with nutrients. Unlike animal sources of protein, beans contain a wide variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, folate, and potassium. These are critical for the body to function properly, but are often missing from the diet. Simply supplementing the diet with extra beans helps your aging parent to get these nutrients.
Starting home care services for your elderly loved one is an exceptional way to help them achieve and maintain a healthier diet as they age in place. Through a personalized approach to care, support, and assistance, this in-home senior care services provider can help your elderly loved one understand any dietary guidelines that they have, support them in designing a diet that will help them to keep their body healthy, assist them with tasks such as grocery shopping and meal preparation, and then integrate these concepts into their normal care routine so that they can continue to live the lifestyle that is right for them.
This can not only help them to keep their body at its best and ward off health complications and issues, but can also promote better mental and emotional health as they maintain a greater sense of independence and control over their life.
This can be particularly important if you are encouraging your loved one to eat a healthier diet based on recommendations by their doctor that are based on specific health issues that they are facing.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/beans-health-benefits_n_1792504.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Sunrise FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
For many senior adults, visits to the emergency room are more frequent as they get older. Changes in their physical and cognitive functioning, increased fall risk, higher instance of physical health concerns, and lower immune systems can all contribute to older adults visiting the emergency room more frequently than they might have when they were younger.
This frequency, however, does not make these situations any less serious. Whether your senior loved one visits the emergency room less than once a year or several times a year, as their family caregiver it is essential that you are there for them to help ensure that they get the most benefit out of the care that they receive, and that they continue to receive this benefit even after they are discharged.
One of the most important elements of this is asking the right questions before your parent leaves the emergency room. By asking these questions you can get the information that you need to structure your care approach and keep your parent on the right track toward recovery and management of their health and well-being.
Some questions that you should ask before your senior parent leaves the emergency room include:
• What is their diagnosis?
• What types of treatments did they receive while they were in the emergency room?
• What is the prognosis for this particular issue?
• What types of prescriptions did they receive?
• What are the instructions for these prescriptions?
• What are the potential side effects for these prescriptions and how can they handle them effectively?
• What type of care will they need after returning home?
• What changes do they need to make to their lifestyle because of this issue?
• What should you look for to determine if they need to return to the emergency room?
• When and with whom should they follow up after discharge?
Considering bringing a notebook with you and taking notes about the answers to these questions. This will allow you to reference these notes later if you have any questions or unsure of what needs to be done.
If your senior loved one has recently spent time in the emergency room, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior home care for them. Regardless of the issue that brought them to the hospital, the time after they return home can be integral in protecting the future of their health and well-being. This is the time when hospital readmission becomes an issue and your loved one will also need to focus on recovering from the illness, injury, or other concern that had them seeking emergency medical attention.
The highly personalized services of an in-home senior care provider can ensure that they get the care, support, assistance, and other services that they need to manage their individual needs and challenges, prevent readmission, and maintain the quality of life and lifestyle that is right for them.
If your parent is at risk of needing additional care or the medical team has given you specific instructions as to what to look for in ensuring that they are recovering properly, this care provider can be especially beneficial. Being with your parent ensures that they are able to detect changes or issues that might be concerning so that they can alert you and your parent can get the continued care that they need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Hollywood, FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Contact us today 954-486-6440.
When you find out that your elderly parent is suffering from Parkinson’s disease you are put at the beginning of a journey that will present a wide variety of challenges and demands for your aging parent and for you as their family caregiver.
This is a progressive disease, which means that the symptoms that your senior loved one faces will change, increase, and intensify over time. Though your parent’s medical team can give you an idea as to how your parent’s condition will progress and what you might expect moving forward, there is no real way of knowing everything that they will face or the true path that their disease will take. This makes it essential that you do as much as you can to prepare for the journey early so that both of you are prepared for what will come.
Making care decisions early in your parent’s experience is about taking advantage of their awareness and cognitive functioning at the beginning of the disease and using it to ensure that they make the plans and preparations that are right for them.
It is important to be aware that changes in cognitive functioning, memory loss, and even dementia are potential symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This means that they are able to evaluate the progression of the disease ahead of them, express their thoughts, beliefs, and wishes, and make plans that will give them confidence that they will get the care that they need and give you peace of mind that you will be able to make the decisions that are right for your loved one when the time comes.
There are many issues that you will need to consider when making care decisions at the beginning of your parent’s experience with Parkinson’s disease. Some of these include:
• Their feelings regarding artificial resuscitation
• Their feelings regarding life support
• Their feelings regarding hospice care
• Their thoughts on additional care options, such as hiring an elderly home care provider to be with your aging parent to fulfill their needs and help them manage their symptoms
• Their wishes regarding aging in place or transitioning into living in the home with you and the rest of your family
• Legal considerations, such as power of attorney, health directives, wills, and other arrangements to ensure that they get the care they need and that their estate is managed properly
• Their perspectives on their final arrangements and how they want them to be carried out when the end of their life comes
It can be extremely challenging and emotionally difficult thinking of these issues and discussing them with your parent, but it is vital that you confront them and handle these conversations courageously, honestly, and thoroughly. Consider sitting down with their doctor as well as a therapist if your parent is having difficulty coming to terms with these issues or does not feel that they have enough information to make the decisions that are truly right for them. This can give both of you more confidence and help you to feel more prepared as you continue on in this new chapter.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Coral Springs FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
Weight-bearing exercise is one of the most important elements of physical activity. Regularly participating in this type of exercise helps to support a healthier body and mind in several ways, including strengthening the bones, improving muscle and joint strength, and increasing cognitive function.
As a family caregiver it is important not just to encourage your loved one to participate in this type of exercise, but to find the forms of this exercise that are right for them. Start by talking to their doctor to discuss any challenges or limitations that they might have that could prevent them from doing certain exercises. This can help them to identify activities that might not be safe for them, as well as those that would be safe and beneficial for them.
Some of the weight-bearing exercises that might be good for your senior include:
• Ankle and wrist weights. Normal daily activities can be turned into weight-bearing exercise simply by the addition of ankle or wrist weights. Available in a variety of sizes and very light weights, these are comfortable padded cuffs that you can add to your parent’s wrists and ankles to add resistance to activities such as walking or climbing stairs.
• Use their own bodyweight. Your parent does not necessarily need any equipment to get the benefits of resistance training. They can use their own bodyweight to add resistance and get the benefits of weight-training. Squats, leg lifts, and lunges are all simple and approachable exercises that use your parent’s bodyweight to work their muscles, joints, and bones.
• Lift throughout the home. Encourage your parent to lift weight by using basic objects around the house. For example, lift bags of groceries a few times when carrying them inside, or do a few reps with a basket full of clothes while doing the laundry.
Starting senior homecare for your elderly loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your caregiver journey. The highly personalized services of a senior homecare services provider are specifically designed not just with your parent’s challenges and limitations in mind, but also their personality, thoughts, beliefs, and goals. This means that they can live the lifestyle that they desire and deserve while also staying safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy. As a family caregiver this can give you greater confidence knowing that they are getting everything that they need both when you are able to be with them and when you are not.
When it comes to helping your parent stay more active, this care provider can encourage them to find activities that they enjoy, support them in staying consistent with those activities, and providing assistance to handle the activities safely and comfortably. When it comes to finding exercises that are good for your parent, including weight-bearing exercise, this care provider can evaluate your loved one’s individual preferences and challenges, and help them to understand the guidelines and suggestions given to them by their doctor so that your loved one can make the most out of their exercise.
Source: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/960559/5-reasons-women-should-do-weight-bearing-exercise
If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Fort Lauderdale FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
Someone with rheumatoid arthritis often suffers from debilitating pain in different joints and muscles in the body, particularly in their hands. The pain can become so intense that even picking up a pen can be difficult. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis can especially benefit from having an elderly care provider assist them at home with all of the tasks that have become too difficult for them to do.
If your elderly loved one is looking for some relief from their RA pain, hand exercises may be exactly what they need to do. The following exercises will keep the hands strong and pain-free.
Folding fingers. Bring all of the fingers together in a loose fist. Then, open the hand slowly, repeating this exercise a few times. The best time to try this activity is when the hands are warm during a shower or with a warm, damp washcloth placed over the hand.
Walking fingers. A kitchen or hand towel should be placed on a table in order to do this exercise. The hand should then be lightly cupped, with the fingertips and thumb supporting the entire hand. The elder can “walk” their fingertips and thumb towards them, trying to lift the towel into their palm. Once they are able to get as much of the towel in their hand as possible, they should try to gently squeeze it.
Thumb to base of fingers. Keeping the thumb strong is important because most hand motions require the use of the thumb. For this exercise, the elder should try to touch the base of the little finger with the thumb. This can help strengthen the grasp for your loved one, making it easier for them to pick up certain objects.
Spread fingers. It is important that the elder is able to spread their fingers apart for a number of hand motions, such as putting on gloves. To do this, spread the fingers apart in a slow and gentle manner. Once the hand is flat, the senior can also exercise the thumb by separating it from the other fingers.
Finger pinches. Pinch the thumb to the tip of each finger in order to make doing daily activities easier, like tying shoelaces. The most important fingers that should be “pinched” by the thumb are the index finger, long finger, and side of index finger.
These exercises are very simple and can be done with elderly adults of various physical abilities. Talk to the elder’s doctor for more tips on helping your loved one relieve their rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/rheumatoid-arthritis/hand-exercises-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Lauderhill FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
One minute your aging parent could be reading a book or watching TV, and the next they could be clenching their chest as a major heart attack takes over their body. This is usually how heart attacks work. Without any noticeable symptoms, it is very difficult to detect when one is about to hit.
While obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, and stress could cause a heart attack, they are not the only triggers. Here are a few possible triggers to watch for when it comes to your elderly loved one.
Asthma. People who have persistent asthma that requires an inhaler or other medication or 60 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who do not have asthma. Adults who were diagnosed with asthma later in life have an even bigger chance of getting a heart attack.
Migraines with aura. Migraines with aura are severe headaches that are usually partnered up with visual symptoms, like flashing lights or blind spots. This form of headache is actually the second-strongest heart attack or stroke trigger.
Not getting the flu vaccine. Not only can the flu vaccine keep your loved one healthy, but it can also decrease and elder’s chances of getting a heart attack by about 50 percent. Getting an annual flu shot can protect stained both the flu and heart attacks.
Having a weak grip. When giving a handshake does the elder have a weak grip? If they do, then they could be at risk for a heart attack.
Easily angered. Another possible trigger is anger. If they have a short temper, they are at a higher risk for a heart disease.
Traumatic experiences. No matter how small or large the elder’s traumatic experience was, it is enough to put stress on their heart. A study by the American Heart Association discovered that people who lost a loved one or suffered from another upsetting experience have a. 70 percent higher chance of developing a heart attack.
Eating too late. Eating a late dinner is another trigger to developing a heart attack. Those who eat within two hours of going to bed are three times more likely to develop high blood pressure overnight. This type of blood pressure, which is known as “non-dipper hypertension,” includes the risk of cardiovascular problems, which includes heart attacks.
Frequent use of common pain relievers. Common pain relievers, like ibuprofen and Tylenol, can cause an increase in heart problems.
If your loved one lives alone, you may want to consider hiring an elder care provider to take care of them. This professional caregiver can help the elder with tasks around the home, as well as reminding them to take their medication and driving them to and from doctor appointments. An elder care provider can monitor your loved one’s health to ensure they are safe and healthy.
Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2015/heart-attack-triggers.html?intcmp=AE-HEAL-HEA-COND-SPOT2
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Pembroke Pines FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
The bones become increasingly brittle as seniors age. Weakened bones occur for a number of reasons, one being the fact that many older adults lack the amount of calcium and vitamin D their bodies need to keep their bones healthy. If your loved one lived by themselves, they may need help and encouragement from caregivers or home care providers in order to make healthy choices for their body.
Tips for Healthy Bones
Increase Vitamin D Intake
Vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium in order to keep them healthy and strong. Adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should receive 600 international units per day, while adults over the age of 71 should have about 800 international units. Vitamin D can be found in egg yolks, fortified cereals and milk, tuna, sardines, and sunlight.
Eat Plenty of Calcium
Getting plenty of calcium each day will protect the body from osteoporosis and other disease that could affect the bone density. Adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should have about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, while adults over the age of 71 should have 1,200 milligrams. Calcium can be found in dairy products, almonds, kale, broccoli, and soy products.
Exercise More
By getting plenty of exercise per day, the bones will become stronger and will reduce the risk of bone loss. Weight bearing exercises are low-impact exercises that will keep the elder healthy without over exerting themselves. Walking, climbing stairs, jogging, and walking will help keep their bones strong.
Refrain from Using Substances
Alcohol and tobacco use can actually cause the process of losing bone mass to speed up. To prevent this from happening, avoid using these substances. If they must drink, men should have no more this two drinks and women should only have one drink.
Pay Attention to Their Recent Health History
Has your loved one been hospitalized for a hip fracture or broken bone? If so, they could be suffering from bone loss. Talk to their doctor to get tips in how to salvage their bone density and strengthen it for a healthy future.
Lose Extra Pounds
If your loved one is overweight, they could be putting more stress on their bones and joints. Encourage your loved one to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty of rest in order to lose. Any extra weight their body is holding on to.
Bone health becomes even more important with age. Help your loved one keep their bones healthy and strong for years to come by following these tips.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Deerfield FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.
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Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954-486-6440
Toll Free: 888-544-6440
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