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Why Diabetic Seniors Need to Take Another Look at How They Are Managing Blood Sugar Levels

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senior care research

Doctors are rethinking the treatment and management of diabetes in seniors and the dangers low blood sugar levels can cause.

The most up-to-date guidelines from the Endocrine Society regarding the elderly and diabetes are surprising, to say the least: lower blood sugar isn’t always best. And for individuals who have been maintaining a regimen of finger pricks, insulin injections, and careful monitoring of food consumed, this alteration may be rather hard to swallow.

Known as de-intensification, geriatricians are now commonly using the approach with older adults that the advantages to be achieved by striving for meticulous blood sugar control are not outweighing the health risks inherent with aging and illness. When A1c and glucose levels are kept at very low levels within the elderly, for instance, it could possibly result in an increased occurrence of hypoglycemia and even kidney failure.

With up to one out of three older adults currently diagnosed with diabetes, these new recommendations are poised to have a staggering influence on the treatment and management of the disease for seniors, requiring a shift in mindset for many.

And not unexpectedly, many older diabetics are unwilling to welcome this change. In one patient’s words to Dr. Pei Chen, a geriatrician in the geriatric clinic at the University of California, San Francisco, “I’ve been doing this for 25 years. You don’t need to tell me what to do. I can handle it.”

The latest guidelines recommend an increase in A1c from 7 to 7.5% for seniors who are in good health; and up to 8 – 8.5% for all those with dementia, multiple chronic illnesses, or poor health. It is critical to note, however, that suggestions are extremely individualized centered on a variety of factors, and that at no time should high blood sugar be ignored in the elderly.

Responsive Home Care can help seniors stick to doctors’ guidelines to control diabetes and a number of other conditions with professional, customized, in-home care services for seniors. Just a few of the countless ways we are able to help include:

  • Grocery shopping to guarantee the senior has a good amount of healthy food choices easily accessible
  • Meal planning and preparation in adherence to your prescribed dietary plans
  • Accompaniment to medical appointments, tests, and procedures
  • Encouragement to engage in physician-approved exercise programs
  • Medication reminders to ensure prescriptions are taken in the correct time as well as in the appropriate dose
  • And more!

Contact  Responsive Home Care, the home health services Hollywood, FL leaders, at 954-486-6440 to inquire about an in-home assessment and access a healthier lifestyle for a loved one you adore.

Fort Lauderdale Home Care Tips: Are You Caring or Controlling?

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Fort Lauderdale Home Care TipsFeeling safe, protected and cared for is so wonderful. Mothers and fathers thrive on ensuring their children are enveloped in the comfort of knowing their needs will be satisfied, providing the safety net that allows them the self-confidence to explore the world around them. However there comes a stage in all children’s lives when the yearning for freedom exceeds the benefit of protection, and they have to discover what it means to stumble, fall and get up again on their own.

These protective instincts typically trigger once more for adult children towards senior moms and dads. We would like to decrease risks for them, to ensure that they’re safe from harm. Yet at the same time, it’s all too easy to fall into a pattern of overprotectiveness if we’re not really careful, which can lead to feelings of anger and resentment on the part of the elderly parents.

As stated by professor of human development and family studies at Pennsylvania State University Steven Zarit, “One of the scariest things to people as they age is that they don’t feel in control anymore. So if you tell your dad not to go out and shovel snow, you assume that he’ll listen. It’s the sensible thing. But his response will be to go out and shovel away … It’s a way of holding on to a life that seems to be slipping back.”

Research recently explored the effect of stubbornness in older adults’ relationships with their adult children. Although the elders were less inclined to rate themselves as appearing stubborn, their younger loved ones more often observed stubbornness being an issue. The important thing for adult children is in understanding their senior parents’ basis for digging in their heels to hold onto their independence and autonomy, and to stay away from quarrelling and producing a mindset of defensiveness. Clear, open and truthful communication among both parties can go a long way towards smoothing the waters and making certain every person is listened to and fully understood.

So what exactly is the best way to care for our elderly family members without trying to control them? A large dosage of patience, respect and empathy can go far. Putting yourself within the older adult’s shoes and knowing the desire for autonomy lets adult children step back, as opposed to stepping in. Give the additional time an older adult needs to accomplish a task, rather than doing it for the individual. Consistently look for opportunities to show the senior you appreciate his or her suggestions and guidance. For further tips on delivering Fort Lauderdale home care that doesn’t cross the line, contact Responsive Home Care.

THE PASSION FOR CARING FOR SENIORS EXTENDS TO PETS AS WELL!

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Senior Care Fort Lauderdale FL

Senior Care Fort Lauderdale FL

Misty with her husband Keelan, and their senior dog Daisy Mae

For staff members of Responsive Home Care, caring for seniors in our community isn’t just a career, it’s our passion. For some of us, that extends into the animal kingdom as well.

Our HR Manager Misty began with Responsive in January, but her entrance into the world of home health started many years earlier when her grandmother needed care. She describes it as the most challenging and the most rewarding time of her life – working a full-time job in HR and caring for her grandmother every evening and weekend. And years after her grandmother passed, she is still tending to the elderly – this time at home, and with senior rescue animals.

Pictured here is Misty with her husband Keelan, and their newly adopted senior dog Daisy Mae. Twelve year old Daisy was abandoned when her previous owners moved away! She survived in the backyard of the also-abandoned home, and was kept alive by a kind neighbor throwing scraps of food to her over a shared fence. A local rescue group, Good Karma Pet Rescue, stepped in and rescued Daisy and got her on the road to recovery and adoption. Daisy isn’t the couple’s first senior rescue; she joins Gheeg the cat who was adopted three years ago at age 16, and two other rescue kitties.

Good Karma and other local pet rescues are overflowing with loving animals of all ages; please consider adopting a new furry family member today! There are also local rescue groups that specialize in specific breeds of dogs and cats – search for specific breeds of pets on sites like http://www.adoptapet.com/ or https://www.petfinder.com/. Safe a life and adopt a rescue animal today!

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care 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.

What You Need to Know About Communicating with Senior Adults

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Senior Care Fort Lauderdale FL

Communicating with senior adults has to be done in a much different manner than it is with any other age group. The reason for this is because of the physical, psychological, and emotional changes that occur as we age. Having an senior care aid has helped many seniors because this professional can work as a communicator between the elder and others. The more they work with the senior, the more they will know how to communicate with them.

Whether your loved one has hearing loss, a cognitive impairment, or other disability that makes it difficult to communicate, these tips will make it much easier for you to communicate with them.  

  1. Speak slower. When speaking at a slower pace, the senior will be able to absorb and comprehend the conversation or question being asked.
  1. Do not rush them. Older adults may take an extra minute comprehending what was being said to them and another minute to respond. Give them time to answer you. If they are taking a considerably long time responding, repeat the exact same question slower.
  1. Lean forward. When the senior is talking, lean forward. This will show that you are interested in what they have to say. Also, maintain eye contact as a way to show respect.
  1. Use the right tone. The pitch of your voice can make a huge difference in how well they are able to understand you. Keeping the tone of your voice low will make it much easier to understand you.
  1. Touch the senior. While speaking, it is perfectly acceptable to touch the senior on the arm or wrap your arms around them in a hug. This is an excellent way to show your love and appreciation for them.

Acknowledging Hearing Loss 

One of the biggest reasons for difficulties in communicating with senior adults is hearing loss. However, it may not be clear at first that this is the condition that is holding your loved one back from engaging in a conversation.

Watch for these symptoms of a hearing impairment.

  • They turn up the TV or radio at an extremely high volume.
  • They find it difficult to hear the person on the other end of a phone call.
  • They are unable to follow a conversation when 2 or more people are talking.
  • The senior complains constantly that others mumble when talking.
  • Background noise makes it difficult for the senior to listen.
  • They find it challenging to hear women or children talking.

If any of these symptoms are recognized, have your loved one talk to their doctor about it as soon as possible.

Source:  https://app.msf.gov.sg/portals/0/Summary/publication/Resource_Materials_Communication_with_Elderly_English.pdf

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care in Plantation, FL or the surrounding areas to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Health. Call today 954-486-6440.