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Conditions & Treatments

Treating Chafes & Bedsores

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Constant exposure to urine, a higher temperature inside the brief, and remaining in one position for a long time may quickly lead to skin irritation.

Symptoms of irritation

symptoms of irritation

  • burning sensation
  • itching
  • stinging sensation
  • feeling of tense skin
  • redness
  • exfoliation

 

In the case of people with limited mobility, and those who are bedridden (especially the people using briefs), the skin should be under constant observation, because its irritation may lead to dangerous chafes and bedsores.

Chafe Bedsore
Chafes develop when something (for example artificial materials) rubs against the skin, or when the folds of skin stick to each other for a long time causing an unpleasant skin condition. Raised temperature, moisture (urine, sweat), and blocked air supply make chafe development quicker. It is skin damage preceded by redness – it is an effect of prolonged pressure on the skin causing skin tissue ischemia. It can affect all the layers of the skin – from the epidermis to the hypodermis, and even down to the bone in the final stage of development.

What to keep in mind?

  • Proper skin care and following the basic rules of hygiene are absolutely crucial when looking after an ill or disabled person.
  • Using absorbent products that are vapor permeable allows the skin to breathe, what diminishes the risk of skin irritation.
  • It is worth to wear breathable underwear and put on clothing made of natural materials which ensure air circulation and reduce the risk of skin irritation.
  • Do not belittle the presence of any signs of irritation – they can soon turn into painful skin conditions which are difficult to cure.

 

Employing bedsore preventive treatment is crucial in the case of people who use absorbent products to manage their urinary/fecal incontinence – it is really important if the person is bedridden. Skincare and observation of its condition play a crucial role.

Learn more about bedsore preventive treatment here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBKnAHDUqc

Provided by Seni, maker of skincare and incontinence products.

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Housing Tips

Tips Help Individuals Adjust Emotionally To A Senior Living Community

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Experts Recommend Family Approach.

Sometimes it takes a crowd to help a loved one adjust emotionally to a senior living community. The whole family should be involved, stressing familiarity and continuation of hobbies as keys to a smooth transition. Remember that senior community doesn’t mean nursing home; seniors can live full and happy lives in new surroundings.

To foster success, the transition should begin before a move, according to experts.

“Preplanning for the future is so important. Talking with your loved one before he or she needs to move is key,” says Christine Hall-Werner, Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Franke Tobey Jones, a continuing care retirement community in Tacoma, Washington. “Ease in with the conversation as your loved one may not be receptive at first. Try to visit a few communities together. Once your loved one visits a community, he or she may find that it’s a lot nicer than imagined.”

Deciding To Move

First of all, how should families deal with the whole issue of deciding when it is time for a loved one to relocate to a senior living community? Without proper goals and planning, the issue can lead to family squabbles.

According to Hall-Werner, families should be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to late-life decisions.

The best time to decide when loved ones should move into assisted living is when they don’t need to. Being proactive gives you time to tour communities, talk over options and understand the wishes of loved ones. There may even be waiting lists, so getting on one or two waiting lists ahead of time helps. Most waiting lists have refundable deposits.

“Being reactive means you’re probably dealing with a crisis,” Hall-Werner says. “Maybe your loved one has fallen and broken a hip, is not doing medications correctly, is getting lost, not keeping up on hygiene or not doing laundry. At this point, you probably need to make the move fairly quickly and don’t have time to tour several communities.”

Finding The Right Fit

Even though most assisted living communities offer similar services, every senior living community has its own personality. It’s best to tour at least two or three communities to see them in person, taste their food, see their apartments and compare prices, she says.

Important Selection Factors?

When evaluating a senior living community, families should consider:

  • Price;
  • How many meals are included;
  • Whether housekeeping is included;
  • How far an apartment is from the dining commons;
  • Whether the community allows pets;
  • Whether the community offers activities;
  • Whether the community offers the next level of care.

Privacy, Privacy, Privacy

Privacy is a concern for many older adults contemplating a relocation. Hall-Werner says you should find out what privacy means to your loved one, then communicate and be specific with community staff members about your parents’ expectations.

“Privacy and dignity are of the utmost importance to most people, and we do everything we can to honor that privacy in our community,” she says. “When you tour the various communities, ask about privacy and see how the staff answers. Each assisted living resident should have a lock on his or her door, and should be allowed to lock the door at any time.”

Pointers To Help Loved Ones Adjust Emotionally

Hall-Werner says many residential communities offer the Resident Ambassadors program. The program assigns a resident buddy to each new occupant. Find out if the senior living community your loved one wants to move to offers the Resident Ambassador program. It may ease fears of being alone and not knowing how to get around campus.

“At Franke Tobey Jones, we have three or four Resident Ambassadors for each of our buildings — Cottages, Garden Apartments, Tobey Jones Building and Assisted Living — and every new resident is assigned one Resident Ambassador in their building,” she says. “Our Resident Ambassadors really enjoy the job, and our new residents are always appreciative of their friendship and help. I see our Resident Ambassadors touring new residents around campus, having meals with them in the dining room, coming by their apartment to pick them up for exercise or an outing. It’s really wonderful.”

Hall-Werner says families should ask the senior living community staff what type of activities and programs they offer to new residents to help them adjust. Fear of being alone and moving away from friends you have known all your life is a very real emotion.

Items from home will help many people find their comfort zone.

“Take furniture, photos, knickknacks and other things that bring your loved one pleasure and comfort to the new community to make their apartment or room home,” she said. “They should be surrounded by many of the items that bring them joy or comfort.”

New Adventure

Talk to your mother or father about trying to be open-minded about moving into a senior living community. Stress
that it is a new adventure that can be fun.

“There are typically so many social activities, it’s hard to be bored,” she says. “I’ve had many residents tell me they moved into our senior living community kicking and screaming and within weeks found themselves loving it here. Most say it’s the best decision they ever made. Once they give up the housework, gardening, grocery shopping and cooking, they have a whole new lease on life and can just have fun.”

How Can Adult Children Help?

The biggest role for adult children is to be supportive, Hall-Werner says. It’s hard to move out of a home you’ve lived in for 40 years. It’s hard to part with all the memories that reside in the family home, and it’s hard to leave your neighbors.

“Adult children should try to help with the process of sorting through decades of stuff and figuring out where it should all go,” she says.

Hall-Werner says families should arrange for their parents to continue hobbies and activities in their new home. Familiarity is one of the keys to a successful transition.

“Often times we’ll already have a group of residents that get together to knit or quilt or read or sing or walk or garden or go to the symphony,” she says. “But if we don’t, several times I’ve seen a new resident start a new group, including bridge, bunco or painting. There are typically other residents that want to join in the fun. We also run a Senior Center about a mile from our senior living community, and it has lots of activities happening too. If we don’t have exactly what the resident is interested in, often times the Senior Center will, and we provide transportation there. We had a resident move in a couple years ago that has played viola all her life. There are no groups to play with in here, but I’ve seen her entertaining with her viola at happy hours, resident socials and parties.”

Visit Your Parents

She says adult children should be willing to participate in activities with their parents at their new home.

“It’s time for the adult children to stop being caregivers and become kids again,” she says. “Let the community take care of your loved one, and you just go and enjoy activities and/or meals with your loved ones.”

What Else Helps People Transition And Adjust?

She says the family should hire a company to help parents pack, move, unpack and set up the new apartment. Without organization, the home could end up in chaos.

“A moving company can help sort through everything, and then take extra items to the Goodwill, friends, recycling center or dump,” Hall-Werner says.

She says families should be realistic about what the kids can do in the transition process. Often times the “kids” are in their late 50s and 60s and are not able to pack, lift boxes, unpack and move furniture. Let the experts do this.

How Should A Family Deal With Financial Strain?

The financial implications of a senior living community burden many families. Adult children should assure their parents they will be okay without help from their parents.

“Normally adult children are set, meaning they don’t need their parents’ money or their parents’ home or belongings,” she says. “Adult children should emphasize to their parents that they should plan for themselves…not plan for the adult children. Their parents have worked hard for their money and should be able to use all of it for themselves…not to save for their family members.”

Riding High After 50

You want your loved one to thrive in his or her new environment. By taking common-sense steps, families can have confidence their loved one will live an active and healthy life in a new home.

Upside of Downsizing helps 50 plus-year-olds gain freedom by downsizing, which leads to a happy and healthy life balance. Contact: info@upsideofdownsizing.com

Mary Spann

Mary Spann is the founder and president of Upside of Downsizing®. In addition to her 26 years in construction, interior design, and home staging, Mary also holds college degrees in Social Work and Psychology, making her uniquely qualified to assist with the downsizing process, and helping 50 plus-year-olds achieve a happy and healthy life balance. Mary learned the key components of construction and interior design at an early age. Her father was a prominent custom home builder in Minnesota and Texas, and her mother was a successful interior designer and a principal broker.

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Aging

How Older Baby Boomers Want to Live

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

We’ve all read that the aging boomers want to stay at home as long as possible, and that stills hold true. However, LeadingAge, a non-profit global organization whose mission is to be the trusted voice for aging adults, has found some interesting data about the segment and where they would like to be when and if a physical or cognitive disability should occur.

LeadingAge, through NORC, conducted a survey of older baby boomers to gather insights into how they think about their quality of life if they become physically disabled or cognitively impaired and need long-term services and supports. LTSS includes services that help a person get through a normal day, things like getting out of bed, bathing, eating, toileting, moving around, etc.

They surveyed older boomers to imagine they had a physical or cognitive impairment and needed help. Then we posed questions like: What would be important to them? Where would they want to live? Who would they be comfortable receiving help from?

Asked what would be important if they were in a position of needing help with daily activities, being safe was ranked the most important consideration, higher even than being around family or friends.

The study found that 40% said they would want to live somewhere other than their current home or apartment if they had a physical disability that required them to need help with daily activities. Most earlier studies and surveys report that the majority (76% or more) of adults say they want to stay in their own home. These earlier studies do not target older baby boomers and they do not ask for separate responses depending on whether the impairment is physical or cognitive.

Survey Responses

If help with basic daily living activities is needed, on a scale of 1-10 (10 is most important), how important is it to do the following:

  • Be safe – 9.5
  • Be around family – 8.9
  • Have access to the outdoors – 8.8
  • Be around friends – 8.7
  • Be physically active – 8.6
  • Live in your own home – 8.5
  • Get out on a daily basis – 7.9
  • Have meaningful social activities – 7.8
  • Live in your current community – 7.7
  • Practice my religion – 7.5
  • Make a difference – 6.9
  • Travel – 6.6
  • Work – 5.1

 

The findings touch lightly on the differences among the older boomers who responded based on income, sex, and age. In the coming months, LeadingAge will be reporting on the findings in more detail and further analyzing their implications for this important aspect of being ready for an aging America.

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How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy
Healthy Living

How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy

by Victor Marchione
written by Victor Marchione

Pet therapy is one of the long used treatments for taking control over a range of health problems, depression and mood disorders particularly. But just how effective could it be to renew your health? Mental health challenges, namely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), end of life trauma, and Alzheimer’s disease have been proven to be coped with using pet therapy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also marked the use of animals to reduce the feeling of loneliness, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy

Pet therapy can be given in another form, which is called animal-assisted therapy, with a view to treat and care for those who spend most of their time alone or in a nursing institution. One of the key advantages of animal-assisted therapy is that it takes your mood and energy levels to a different level, which is very useful for anyone recovering from an illness. How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy

Pet therapy is not just restricted to dogs and cats, it could be any animal that’s worth including.

Reliability on Animal-Assisted Therapy for Health Improvement

While pet therapy is long praised for showing significant improvement in health, there are some scientific studies to support the treatment.

144 participants from Italy were exposed to canary bird, a plant, and neither. They were provided with specific instructions to care for what they were exposed to for a period of 3 months. After completion of the stipulated period of time, those who cared for the canary scored well in psychological symptom testing compared to those who cared for a plant and neither of them.

Another study, which proves why dogs and cats are deployed in US shelters each year (every 13 seconds) according to Humane Society, is supportive of the effectiveness of pet therapy. US veterans struggling with trust rebuilding, PTSD, and dementia showed great signs of improvement by having a dog as a pet around. Clinical psychologist, Dr. Tracy Stecker explained how dogs mimic the buddy system practiced in military. As a result, the US veteran patients were able to exhibit larger volume of social behaviors and positive signs of cognition.

What are the Health Benefits of Owning a Pet?

Well, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to the benefits of pet-assisted therapy, not just related to health. However, if you have a senior or sick family member at home, here are some of the boons of owning a pet.

  • Increase in physical activity

  • Boosted motor skills and improved balance

  • Sense of security and companionship

  • Improvement in socialization

  • Reduced isolation, grief, and anxiety

  • Good self-control

  • Decreased dependency on medications

  • Low risk of heart attack and stroke

  • Great focus and attention

  • Enhanced social skills

How can Pets Improve your Mental Health?

As pets are good at producing a positive and highly interactive environment, they can be great channels for benefiting your mental health. Especially, seniors going through a trauma, dementia, substance abuse, depression, autism, and other mental illnesses can ensure significant improvement.

Mental disorder patients commonly struggle with being open about their symptoms to doctors, friends and family because they lack the feeling of being safe and considering someone trustworthy. Pet therapy fills out that lack besides helping to boost self-confidence, enhance communication abilities, and reduce stress.

Should You Own a Pet?

In order to make a decision as to whether or not you should own a pet, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

  • Are you healthy enough to care for a pet?

  • Do you suffer from any pet related allergies?

  • Do you really need a pet therapy?

  • Does the animal possess a good temperament?

  • How healthy is the pet?

  • Have you cared for a pet earlier?

  • Is the pet at the right age?

  • Is there a need to own two or more pets?

It’s always better to consult your pet therapist before coming to a decision, so that you do justice to your health and the people around.

How Does Senior Living Get Impacted With Pet Therapy?

“Dogs – and other pets – live very much in the here and now. They don’t worry about tomorrow. And tomorrow can be very scary for an older person. By having an animal with that sense of now, it tends to rub off on people,” said psychotherapist Dr. Jay P. Granat.

When you connect the life of seniors with animal assistance, there is a broad scope of health offerings a person can enjoy whether living in a nursing home or by ownself. There can be no argument on how capable pet therapy is to boost social interaction and physical activity which play a vital role in the overall well-being of seniors.

Apart from improving mental health, cognitive abilities and symptoms of other ailments, owning a pet can open up opportunities for companionship and love which seniors are otherwise deprived of. Not to forget, adopting a pet also brings in crucial benefits for the animal where they get loved and cared for by their owners unlike in shelters.

Now, the only concern about pet therapy, especially in a healthcare setting, is safety and sanitation. If you are of the same opinion, this fact should change it: there has been no report of infection due to animal-assisted therapy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention till date. Note that a majority of hospitals and other healthcare facilities ensure that the animals are vaccinated, cleaned, trained and well-behaved for pet therapy by following some strict rules.

How Good are Pets in the Bedroom?

If you are not a fan of sharing your bed with an animal, Mayo Clinic’s survey where 41 percent of patients find it useful to sleep with their pet should make you interested. This also downplays the thought of sleep experts that sharing your bedroom with an animal can trouble your sleep. Some patients have even confessed they felt relaxed and had a sense of security in the presence of their pet. However, it is expected of you to wash your sheets regularly.

How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy

How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy How Seniors Benefit from Pet Therapy

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The Greatest Fears in Grief
Caregiving

Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

How to Talk About Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-in Caregiver and What to Look Out For

When you’re a live-in caregiver, your No. 1 priority should be the health, safety and well-being of the person you’re caring for. Given the rising tide of prescription drug and alcohol abuse among today’s seniors, that entails knowing the signs of drug and alcohol abuse—and being able to talk about a potential problem with drugs or alcohol when you have suspicions. Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

Substance Abuse and the Elderly

Substance abuse by elderly Americans—particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs—is “an invisible epidemic,” a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration warned in 1998.
By a recent estimate, more than half of older adults (ages 65 and older) drink alcohol, and of these seniors, roughly one in five drinks to excess at unsafe levels, according to a CBS News report in 2015.

Prescription drug abuse, too, is cause for concern, as evidenced by the fact that a vast majority (87 percent) of older Americans take at least one prescription drug on a regular basis, according to a 2005 report by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Among elderly people who seek medical attention, the rate of prescription drug abuse is reportedly between 13 and 15 percent. (The actual rate of drug abuse is likely much higher, given that many instances of abuse go unreported.)

Signs of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – What to Look for

The signs of alcoholism and/or drug abuse in older Americans can be harder to miss—hence the term “invisible epidemic.” For example, a reliable sign of a substance use disorder (SUD) is having problems at work, but many older Americans are retired and no longer working. They may therefore not manifest this more obvious warning sign of a drug or alcohol problem. Sometimes, too, the symptoms of a SUD can masquerade as merely the natural symptoms of aging.

Live-in caregivers, by virtue of dwelling in close proximity to their elderly clients, are uniquely positioned to catch the signs of a potential SUD, however. In this sense, they are first responders on the frontlines of catching a substance abuse problem before it’s too late. Below are signs to look for if drugs or alcohol may be a source of concern: Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

  • Drinking alone and often
  • Ritualized drinking (for example, needing a drink at a certain hour of the day and becoming frustrated, irritable or belligerent when that’s not possible)
  • Drinking in spite of label warnings on prescription drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs
  • Slurred speech, the smell of liquor on one’s breath and/or signs of intoxication
  • Changes in mood (seeming down, anxious or depressed or more prone to sudden outbursts)
  • Memory problems
  • Unexplained burns, bruises, falls or other injuries
  • Other worsening health problems—or, chronic health complaints that seem to have no physical cause
  • A loss of interest in hobbies that once brought pleasure
  • A history of alcohol abuse or a recent life-changing event such as the loss of a spouse or retirement (coupled with one or more of the above signs)

Tips for Talking About Drug or Alcohol Abuse

If you suspect drug or alcohol abuse is at play based on the above signs, talking about your concerns may be the next step (depending on the circumstances). When you broach your concerns regarding drug or alcohol abuse, the following guidelines may help:

  • Talk with the person when they are not drinking or under the influence. If the person is intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or another drug, he or she will be less likely to hear you or more prone to defensiveness.
  • Emphasize your love and concern. Someone with an addiction problem is more likely to listen to your concerns when on the receiving end of a loving attempt to connect. This is not the time for barking orders or flushing pills or liquor down the toilet or sink dispenser. Instead, stay positive, by noting the qualities you admire in the person, the memories you’re grateful for, and the positive core values he or she has modeled for you (such as the love of family or the importance of faith). These core values can also be a way to reinforce the positive motivation(s) someone with a potential SUD might have for getting treatment. For example, if you know family is important to him or her, spending quality time with grandchildren may be a good incentive to enter drug or alcohol treatment.
  • Be gentle but direct about your concerns. In a great number of instances, just because a client is elderly does not mean he or she is not able to understand you, or needs to be babied or sheltered from the truth. Matter-of-factly and as non-judgmentally and non-confrontationally as possible, mention the behaviors you’re noticing that are causing you concern and why.
  • Avoid the terms “drug addict” and “alcoholic.” Because these terms can be stigmatizing, they can perpetuate people’s sense of shame and/or denial, thereby pushing them further away from receiving help. Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

 

By Linda Williams
Linda Williams is the Executive Director of Beach House Center for Recovery. She is also a seasoned clinician with specialization in addiction and trauma.
For additional information please visit The National Council on Seniors Drug & Alcohol Rehab: https://rehabnet.com/

Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver

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Mid section of senior man with folded hands at nursing home
Aging

How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

After a certain age, some level of decline should be expected year after year. In our forties and fifties, this decline is incremental. It happens slowly, and while it can affect our physical and mental performance, most of us are still able to live our lives comfortably. But in our sixties and beyond, decline begins to speed up. Eventually, seniors reach a point of functional decline. This is the point where elderly care is required for seniors to live comfortably and safely.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to spot functional decline. While decline accelerates in seniors, it still happens gradually enough that functional decline can go unnoticed. As a result, seniors who require elderly care in some form — either from family caregivers, in-home elderly care professionals, or facility living — end up without the support they need. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

So how can you spot signs of functional decline in elderly adults?

Learn the Signs of Functional Decline

To determine whether or not your loved one may need elderly care or another senior service, you need to know the signs of functional decline. Keep in mind that functional decline relates to physical and cognitive function, so you need to be aware of the signs of decline for both.

Signs of Physical Decline

  • Limited mobility
  • Change in posture/gait
  • Frailty/lack of strength
  • Poor coordination
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Limited stamina
  • Exhaustion
  • Poor balance
  • Pain/soreness
  • Signs of injury

Signs of Cognitive Decline

  • Memory problems
  • Mixed-up words
  • Confusion
  • Aggression
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Inexplicable behavior
  • Poor self-care
  • Poor housekeeping
  • Change in financial habits

Monitor Your Loved One for Signs

People sometimes miss signs of decline because they don’t know what to look for. But more often, people miss them because they aren’t really looking. Decline happens gradually enough that family members fail to recognize the point where elderly care may be necessary. To help prevent this from happening, family members should be making a conscious effort to monitor their elderly loved ones and track changes in their functional abilities. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors
One strategy is to take stock of the things your loved one has difficulty with over the course of a typical week or month. You can do this mentally, or you might consider taking private notes. This will allow you to compare how your loved one is functioning now compared to the past. Gradual changes become much more stark if you can compare how well they’re doing now to six months or a year ago.

You may also wish to have conversations with family members. Sometimes, individual family members each notice different signs of decline, but nobody notices all of them. Conversations with your loved one will also give you a better sense of the areas where they feel they’re having the most trouble. These conversations can also give insight into signs of decline that occur in private.

Should you determine that your loved one is suffering from functional decline, you may wish to explore elderly care options. If you are considering in-home elderly care, we invite you to contact your local Visiting Angels. Th care coordinators at our local offices will be happy to provide guidance about coping with decline, speak with you about your care options, and schedule your loved one for a free, in-home elderly care assessment. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

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5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors
Exercise & Fitness

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Staying active in your older years isn’t always easy, but choosing the right activity can make all the difference. When you’re able to enjoy the time you spend keeping active, it’s much easier to keep up a regular fitness routine. It’s also important to find a low-stress, senior-friendly activity: one where your risk of strain or injury is lowered.

At Visiting Angels, our home care providers have been helping seniors for nearly twenty years. Below, we’ve collected five of the best exercises for seniors. All of these activities offer light or moderate exercise, a low risk of strain and injury, can be easily worked into seniors’ weekly routines, and are an enjoyable way to stay active during retirement. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

Ping Pong

Among the elderly, ping pong is becoming an increasingly popular sport — and with good reason. Ping pong is fantastic exercise for seniors, offering a range of physical and mental benefits. Ping pong can increase strength, is a boon to hand-eye coordination, and has positive benefits on cognitive performance. In fact, some dementia care programs now include ping pong as an alternative form of therapy.

Swimming

Swimming is one of the best exercises for seniors, exercising all parts of the body with minimal risk of injury. Water ensures minimal stress on seniors’ joints and bodies, making swimming a great activity, even for those with knee or back issues. Of course, seniors should always be aware of pool safety. Take precautions to avoid slips around pool decks and make sure to never swim alone.

Golfing

Golf is a fantastic way for seniors to stay physically active. Golf’s leisurely and meditative pace makes it a great way to get in light exercise and relax. Even better, as an outdoor game that take’s place in green space, it’s a fantastic way for seniors to get fresh air and connect with nature. And as a communal game, it’s a great way for seniors to maintain and build relationships.

Gardening

Speaking of ways for seniors to connect with nature, no activity accomplishes the job quite like gardening. While some seniors think of maintaining their garden as a chore, for many others, the time outdoors is the perfect time for quiet contemplation and a refreshing way to disconnect from everyday stresses and worries. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

Dancing

Dance classes for seniors are a great way for seniors to mingle with friends, perform light-to-moderate cardio, and learn new steps for the dance floor. Most dance classes follow a regular schedule, meaning seniors develop a regular routine for exercise. As with golf, dance classes are a superb social activity for seniors, offering a way to forge the kinds of relationships that have been tied to positive physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors
Looking for help staying active? The home care providers from your local Visiting Angels can help you or a person you love live a more active and healthy lifestyle. Contact your local office for a no-cost care consultation today.

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

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Time to take pills
Health Tips

Tips To Avoid Self-Medication In Old People

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

According to research concluded, it was found that 68.6% of the elderly had at least are involved with self-medication. The term self-medication is described as human behavior in which individuals treat health problems and severe illness without consulting or taking advice from doctors or healthcare professionals.

A person takes non-prescribed medicines or services which are often term as over the counter (OTC) without consulting or visiting a doctor. It also refers to the people who take dietary supplements for fast results without a prescription.

Self-medication can be extremely harmful as we only look for the on-time recovery, but the effects can be too harsh in the long run. Obviously, the relief isn’t permanent, and it only heals for the time being; taking medicines, drugs, and aging supplements from pharmacists will have damaging effects on your health.

Some people are also looking for cost-effective methods, but the savings worth nothing as you are putting yourself on the stake, and later you will have to spend more.

As far as older people are concerned, they already are on the verge of death, they are weak, and their body isn’t able to fight the harmful effects that these medicines could cause, and by taking the medications which are not prescribed by the doctor will make them more vulnerable.

One thing has been observed that older people doing self-medication are mostly relying on old prescriptions, taking friends’ advice, or the most found, using the internet for instant remedies and cures. Yes, you can research and make alterations in your life accordingly, but doctors and health care professionals are meant for this job.

You must have heard or read this that the work suits in the hands of the one skilled to do it. It is crystal clear that if someone else does it, he’s sure to make a mess.

Why Is Self-Medication Prevalent In Older People?

Self-medication means that you are ignoring the consultation of doctors and getting things done in traditional ways with suggestions and pieces of advice, reading blogs, and taking older prescriptions, which are likely not to work anymore.

Self-medication is a habit, a habit that can have appalling consequences sooner or later. Older people are more immune to viruses, and that is why they have a high altitude of getting a fever, cold, cough, body aches, etc.

Instead of going to the doctor or health care professional and getting the right prescribed medicines, older people are more likely to rely upon self-medication and take medications that relieve them from the pain for the time being.

A minor issue that could be quickly resolved earlier with doctor’s assistance will lead to something that will become terrible in the long run and challenging to diagnose or treat.

The reasons as to why older people are more prevalent are that they mostly get the attitude of carelessness and laziness. They try to save money by taking cheap and injurious measures instead of subsequent medication.

Tips To Avoid Self-Medication In Older People

There are several tips and ways to stop and avoid self-medication. Remember that determination leads to productivity and desired results, and the first step always lies in your hands.

Here are the seven most useful and functional tips to avoid self-medication. Have a look!

1. Listening To The Perspective Of Care Takers

There are around 423,200 home service agencies in the United States, with 1,976,692 employees working with different SOPs. So, the perspective of caretakers matters the most. They provide health care assistance to most of the older people in different states.

Caretakers also urge that self-medication is harmful and should be wholly suppressed. Their beliefs are not any different than ours. The home health care providers follow strict rules and principles for medication and counsel older people to unfollow this practice.

2. Know The Relationship Between Addiction & Self-Medication

Older people are found to be more addicted to certain things because of the practices that have been carried for a long time. Self-medication has become an addiction to tens of thousands of aged people around the world. Effective strategies are needed to prevent addiction by avoiding self-medication and bad habits.

3. Saying ‘No’ To Non-Prescribed Medicines

Nowadays, more people are inclined towards the internet. Checking for remedies and buying medicines, just like gadgets, is common in people of old age.

But the fact is real that thousands of online pharmacies and self-medication articles are unauthentic and fake, and taking medicines from them can put you in a position where you have to spend hundreds of dollars later for getting back to normal, which will still be uncertain.

Non-Prescribed medicines could be of great danger to your health because it might be out-of-date, expired, diluted, or fake. These cautions are not a matter of concern for the sellers, as they are just trying to sell the most number of products by putting fancy descriptions and fake reviews. All they are trying to do is just manipulating and mocking the buyers.

4. Setting Medical Assistance At A Priority

Setting priorities play a pivotal part in human’s life. Older people are often neglected when it comes to getting medical assistance at a priority. Older people tend to be lazier, and in mere oblivion, the weaknesses also lead to unforeseen circumstances.

A doctor’s work can never be done by anyone else, nor can it be done on your own. Older people are not admitting the reality and instead try to get the situation handled themselves. Setting up medical assistance will prevent unwanted happenings.

Instead of taking matters in your own hands, you should acquire for doctor’s help by getting the appointment, meeting in person, diagnosing the illness, and living a healthier life.

The doctor’s guidance as to what medicine will be a perfect solution for you, its dosage, the amount of it to be taken in, the possible side effects, or any harmful interactions is essential. All of this may be told upon the prescription after proper screenings.

5. Create Awareness

Awareness has always been a more significant element in change and for a better society. Public perception is essential, but it can only be impacted if people realize its importance. Older adults are weak and in an instability mode, so to create awareness and to educate them about it is the duty of those associated with them.

‘The first step towards change is awareness, and the second is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Brandon

The community develops when there are awareness and know-how of things. Self-medication is like a slow poison that acts slowly but gradually affects you. Awareness campaigns should be held to educate people regarding the dreadful impact of self-medication and how it puts you in emerging danger.

Virtual awareness campaigns can also do the part. Advertisements on the internet, television broadcasting, and billboards can create high awareness by highlighting the adverse effects of self-medication.

6. Understand The Role Of Drug Control Authority

There are thousands of online consultants and pharmacies operating without getting proper licensing and are not being monitored for security protocols and checks and balances. Older people being at home use the internet and try to get immediate solutions to their problems and often get in contact with the fake and manipulative sellers online. They aren’t familiar with the safety regulations imposed by these authorities for consumer protection.

Drug Control Authorities should keep a proper eye on as many of the fake sellers as they could. Registrations should be done, adequate issuance of licensing must be done, and monitoring of the products.

People are advised to buy research papers online but not to go online for consultation and medical prescriptions instead of consulting doctors for better and satisfying results.

7. Look For Reliable Pharmacists

Tens of thousands of pharmacies and online consultation services are fooling people. Taking online consultation is not as easy as buying essay help UK online. Pharmacists must be educated on the possible consequences of selling non-prescribed medicines and violating consumer protection regulations.

Even if you are taking an online consultation, make sure they are qualified and have a proper and updated license. Also, make sure that they pay attention to details and show a kind attitude. Lack of attention from your pharmacist increases the possibility of medical errors.

What are the Perils of Self-Medication? Getting It Concluded

Self-medication is dangerous and is not advisable to anyone, especially older adults, because they have a weak immune system. If you consume medicines without having a legit prescription, a lot of problems such as medical complications, over-dosage, and poisoning may occur. I have accumulated all the potential perils that self-medication can cause:

  1. You will be addicted to it.
  2. It will cause long term side effects.
  3. Your body condition may get relapsed.
  4. It can also cause instantaneous on-spot death.
  5. It will damage other healthy organs of your body.

 

Sickness and body-aches happen rarely, and for that, taking your own invented or friend’s prescribed medicine or doing remedy you read about on social media may heal you for the time being. Still, in the longer run, it will not be beneficial. Besides, it will make you more receptive to new diseases and illnesses.

Visiting doctor and implementing on the doctor’s prescription will save you from happening hazardous and keep you healthy and wealthy.

Author Bio

Claudia Jeffrey is currently working as Content Strategist at Crowd Writer, a credible platform to get on-time delivery of essay help UK. She has gained a credible reputation with her outstanding write-ups on the health and well-being of elders. She likes to share her views and opinions through writing.

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Managing Diabetes in Older Adults
Conditions & Treatments

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults as a Caregiver

If you provide care for an older family member, there’s a good chance you need to help them manage diabetes or their risk of becoming diabetic. More than 29 million Americans are diabetics, and another 86 million are at risk of developing diabetes due to high blood sugar. Diabetes is especially common in older adults – more than a quarter of American seniors are currently managing diabetes. Managing Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life EasierDiabetes in Older Adults
The good news for caregivers is that by educating yourself on diabetes, you can play an active role in managing your loved one’s blood sugar and their risk of a diabetic episode. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Start with Self-Education

The first thing to do when caring for a diabetic parent is to teach yourself all that you can about your parent’s condition. While your parent may be used to caring for their diabetes, you may find there’s a steep learning curve to helping them manage this condition.
Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for those who care for older adults with diabetes. Start by speaking with your loved one’s physician, who will be able to talk you through their specific diabetes concerns. After that, you’ll be able to find practically everything you need to know online. We suggest starting with the American Diabetes Association, who offer a number of invaluable resources for those learning about diabetes. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Blood Sugar Tests & Medications

If your family member is managing diabetes, they are likely testing their blood sugar one or more times each day. But old age can make testing blood sugar difficult, or can trigger memory difficulties that cause seniors to forget to test their sugar levels. Because of this, you may be called on to assist your loved one with blood sugar testing.
Once again, we recommend speaking with your loved one’s doctor first. Your loved one’s personal physician should be familiar with the type of blood testing equipment your loved one uses and will be able to give you tips on how to test and record blood sugar levels.
Medications are commonly used to manage diabetes in older adults. Some seniors with diabetes are prescribed oral medications, while others use injectable insulin. As a caregiver, you should know which medications your loved one takes, what dosages they are prescribed, and what their medication schedule is. If they require assistance with their medications, your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist can instruct you in how you can help. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle

Managing diabetes in older adults ultimately comes down to lifestyle. Seniors with diabetes need to treat their bodies right to keep blood glucose within a healthy range. You can help an elderly loved one manage their diabetes by assisting and encouraging them in healthy lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle choices that help manage diabetes in older adults include:

  • Monitoring for low or high blood glucose levels. This not only includes regular blood sugar testing, but also monitoring your loved one for the symptoms of unhealthy blood sugar fluctuations.
  • Healthy diet. Your loved one’s diet will have the biggest impact on his or her blood sugar levels. You can help by planning and preparing healthy, balanced meals and ensuring they have healthy food options around them.
  • Regular Exercise. Light aerobic exercise can help control diabetes in older adults. Encourage your loved one to garden, talk walks, or participate in aquatic fitness classes.
  • Check Feet Regularly. Feet are the most vulnerable areas for a diabetic infection. But older adults with mobility and flexibility issues can find it hard to check their feet properly. You can assist your loved one by checking their feet for them each day, or as often as possible.

Of course, managing diabetes in older adults can be difficult, especially on your own. If you’re concerned that your loved one needs additional care and monitoring, ask other family members if they can help.
Alternatively, you can hire a care professional. Home nurses can help manage diabetes in older adults by assisting with medications and blood sugar monitoring. If your loved one doesn’t need assistance with medications or blood sugar testing, you might a consider a non-medical home care provider, who can help with meal planning, meal preparation, encouraging exercise, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

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