RetirementHomes.com - retirement

The Best - and Worst - Ways Caregivers Can Take Care of Themselves

aadmin — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:16:23 +0000

Caring for an elder takes time, patience, and a lot of energy. While people want to do best by their loved ones, it’s essential that there is also a support system in place for those doing the caring. The majority of caregivers have their own lives, families, worries, and jobs. Trying to do it all yourself will only lead to burn out, and compromise your ability to provide good care. The benefits of creating a support network are numerous, and not only is it good for the caregiver, but for those ailing as well.

Support Networks for Elderly Caregivers

Most communities have a wide variety of support programs in place to assist caregivers. In addition to friends, family members, and community groups, it can give immeasurable amounts of relief to those taking on the primary job. Some places to find support include:

Local hospitals and senior service organizations: Many communities have programs that provide meals, rides to appointments or shopping, and additional caregiver services.
Health care: Check coverage to find out if the person you care for is qualified for any additional assistance, like in-home nursing, occupational or physical therapy, or a social worker.
Community groups: Many churches, due-paying community groups, and other non-profits have assistance programs in place. These services can range from phone check-ins to home visits and transportation.
Personal services: Hired aides will come into the home to assist with basic daily living tasks. Consider finding help with cleaning, bathing, feeding, and laundry.
Adult daycare: Retirement communities and senior programs often have adult day programs. These centers can give you a much-needed break while offering enrichment activities and social opportunities.
Friends and family: Make a list of weekly caregiving needs you fulfill. Pull trusted friends and family members aside and ask if they’re willing to help. If they are, find tasks that they are both comfortable with and good at. Don’t hesitate to call on others if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Most organizations that involve working with the elderly population are more than happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction. Get to know what’s available in your community by making some calls.

6 Benefits of Having an Elderly Caregiver Support Network

The ability to do your best: Caring for the elderly can get overwhelming and exhausting. By calling on your support network, you’ll be able to rejuvenate and de-stress, and continue to give the best care possible.

A more organized approach: By creating a support network, you’ve already started to identify the needs of your elderly loved one. It gives you the fuel to organize care, put consistent weekly routines in place, and make things work more functionally. This takes a lot of excess time and energy out of the process.

Financial relief: Many people overlook free or reduced-cost services in the community. They also don’t look at medical coverage thoroughly enough. If you’re paying for everything out of pocket, a support network can give some much-needed financial relief.

Emotional support: Handling issues solo encourage feelings of isolation and loneliness. Having others to simply talk to can boost your own morale and overall well-being, and help you feel validated for all that you do.

Enrichment: You are not the only one who will benefit from a support network. The elderly thrive with additional social interaction, contact with a variety of people and personalities, and programs that boost their physical, mental, and social health.

Personal time: Everyone needs time to do the things they love. Enlisting the help of your support network lets you engage with your family and hobbies, and relax.

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Caregiving

Family and Personal Care

Avoid This Dangerous Killer: Winter Dehydration

aadmin — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 20:54:53 +0000

Signs and Symptoms of Winter Dehydration

Dehydration is often seen as an issue that comes up during the hotter months of the year. It's when you're exerting yourself physically on a hot day that you become dehydrated most often, isn't it? The thing is, dehydration can occur at any time of the year no matter what the temperature might be. This means that you could suffer from dehydration during the winter as well. In fact, dehydration may be even more dangerous during the winter.

Why is Dehydration More Dangerous During the Winter?

When you become dehydrated during the summer, it's often much easier to tell. Simply sweating tells a lot of people that they need to hydrate. During the winter, sweat will evaporate much faster, which means that people often don't remember to hydrate. Then there's the fact that cold weather causes your blood vessels to constrict, which in turn results in blood being sent to your body's core. This process ends up tricking your body into thinking that you are hydrated even if you're not. Last but not least, dry air can cause dehydration as well. When it's particularly cold and dry out, you may see your breath as you exhale. What's actually happening is that you are losing water vapor with your breath.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Dehydration?

Seeing as how it can be difficult to know whether you're dehydrated during the winter months, it's important to keep an eye on possible signs and symptoms of dehydration. The following are signs and symptoms that you are dehydrated:

You are thirsty.
Your mouth is dry and sticky.
You are not urinating as frequently as normal.
You are suffering from dizziness or light-headedness.
You are constipated.
You are sleepier or more tired than usual.
Your urine is thick and dark. If you are properly hydrated, then your urine should be clear.
Your skin is dry.
You have a headache.

These are all signs that you need to hydrate. There are also more severe symptoms that are associated with severe dehydration, which is a medical emergency. These symptoms include:

Extreme thirst
Extreme irritability and confusion
Extremely dry mouth and skin
Sunken eyes
Low blood pressure
Fever
Delirium
Rapid heartbeat
Rapid breathing

How to Treat Dehydration During the Winter

Anyone that exhibits symptoms of severe dehydration should be taken to the emergency room. However, milder symptoms can easily be treated. The following are a few ways to treat mild dehydration:

Drink water - The best way to treat dehydration is to re-hydrate using water. Make sure not to drink too quickly. In addition to drinking water, you can also drink decaffeinated teas, juices, sports drinks that contain electrolytes.
Avoid certain fluids - Avoid drinking alcohol, soda, liquids that contain caffeine (which will only dehydrate you more) and sugar (which causes you to urinate more).
Keep hydrating - If you've become dehydrated, you'll need to re-hydrate for the next 24 hours by drinking plenty of fluids - it can take a few days to replace all the lost fluids.
Eat certain foods - Some foods have high water content. Fruits such as watermelon, oranges, grapefruit and cantaloupe have high water content. Vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, celery and zucchini all have high water content as well.

To avoid becoming dehydrated during the winter, make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids even if you don't think that you are thirsty. Men should drink around 13 cups of water a day, while women should drink around 9 cups a day. And, of course, keep an eye on possible dehydration symptoms, especially during the winter months.

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How to use pet therapy correctly with seniors

aadmin — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 09:12:29 +0000

Have you considered purchasing a pet for an elderly loved one, but thought it might be too much for him/her to handle? The truth is that this added responsibility may be just what he/she needs. Recent studies have shown that pet ownership offers a wide range of benefits for the elderly. Below is a look at some of the top ways your loved one could benefit from introducing a pet into his/her life.

Provide Companionship One of the most prevalent benefits of having pets is that they offer companionship. Common pets, such as dogs and cats, attach to people very quickly. This every day companionship can help to fight loneliness and depression, especially in elderly people. Pets can also boost a person’s overall mood and serve as a protector for seniors that live alone.

Minimize Stress There is no need to worry about overburdening your loved one by giving him/her a pet. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Pets can actually help to reduce stress. Just playing with or petting a dog or cat for several minutes can lower a person’s stress rate almost instantly. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of several serious health conditions, such as heart attacks, and it can help to lower a person’s blood pressure. The benefit of introducing a pet into the home will far outweigh any extra work it takes to care for the pet.

Gives Purpose Everyone needs to feel like he/she has a purpose in life. This is a serious issue for many seniors because they may not be physically able to complete many of the tasks they deem important. In addition, their children are all grown up and there is no need to care for them on a daily basis.

This can leave many seniors feeling like they are not needed. The introduction of a pet into their life can give them purpose again. Best of all, most pets only require minimal care.

Increase Activity Level If you are concerned that your loved one is not getting enough exercise or socializing enough, a pet may just do the trick. Caring for some types of pets, like a dog, requires consistent training, regular visits to the veterinarian, and daily walks. This will force your loved one to remain active on a daily basis in order to care for his/her pet properly. By taking the dog to the vets or the local dog park, he/she will also meet other people in the area and have the opportunity to socialize with other pet owners. It is important to talk to your elderly loved one before introducing a pet into his/her home.

This will ensure that you select a pet that he/she will enjoy. You also need to be sure that your loved one is physically capable of caring for the pet, or that you have people willing to step in and help. If you are not sure if a pet is right for your loved one, many assisted living facilities and senior service agencies offer pet therapy opportunities. This will give you the chance to see how your elderly loved one responds to being around a pet before you commit to purchasing one.

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Family and Personal Care

The biggest warning signs for elder abuse

aadmin — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 08:50:06 +0000

Unfortunately, elder abuse isn't a minor problem. Studies have shown that over two million elder Americans are victims of elder abuse, while for every case of abuse reported, as many as five go unreported. As a caregiver for elder adults, nothing can be as disheartening than the suspicion that someone is the victim of abuse. But understanding - and recognizing - the signs of abuse can keep it from becoming an ongoing problem. While such abuse can take many forms, it can usually be classified under these categories: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and neglect.

Physical

The use of physical force that results in injury, pain or impairment is a broad definition of physical abuse. Like abuse in general, it can take many forms, including hitting, shoving, slapping, shaking, kicking, pinching and burning. Signs of physical abuse include:

Injuries with no easily explainable cause that are incompatible with the victim's medical history, such as cuts, lacerations, bruises, welts and discoloration.
Injuries that appear to have been caused by cigarettes, caustics, or friction from ropes, chains or other objects.
Injuries in areas covered by clothing.
A combination of new and old injuries.
Denial of an injured state.

Sexual

Sadly, this form of abuse happens in older adults. Signs of it include genital or anal infections, difficulty while walking or sitting, or bruising of the inner thighs.

Psychological

This type of abuse can be harder to detect than others, in part because it can be part of other aging, medical, mental or physical problems. But it can be detected by observing the actions of others, including family members. Are threats being made to an elderly parent? Or, perhaps someone speaks poorly of the person on a consistent basis, or ignores him or her and their needs. The victim, meanwhile, may seem depressed or withdrawn, or unwilling to talk openly and freely.

Financial

Financial abuse is not an insignificant problem, as studies have shown that 12 percent of all elderly abuse is of this kind. It can be defined as improper or illegal use of an elder's assets, and it can entail:

Social security or pension checks cashed without permission.
Coercing or deceiving the elder into parting with money or property.
Diverting guardianship assets.
A family member who is not willing to pay for an elder's basic needs when money is available.
A warning sign could involve a family member who persistently seeks financial control while being financially stressed themselves. Or, also if bank statements are no longer coming to the victim's home.

Neglect

Neglect can take many forms, including not providing food, medicines, hygiene, or even personal safety. Signs of neglect include:

Neglected bedsores, skin conditions or rashes.
Untreated injuries or other medical issues.
Hunger, malnutrition or dehydration.
Poor hygiene
Lack of clean clothing and bedding.
Poor skin condition
An excessively dirty environment than may smell of feces or urine.

It's important to know the most common types of elder abuse and the forms they take. It's also important to note that people who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia are at a greater risk of abuse and neglect. As a caregiver, understanding the signs and facts of elder abuse can help stop and prevent it.

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What Did You Say? How to Listen For the Signs...That It's Time For A Hearing Aid

aadmin — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 20:21:17 +0000

Roughly a third of all elderly people between the ages of 65 and 74 have some degree of hearing loss. In addition, almost half of those over the age of 75 have trouble hearing. Difficulty hearing can cause a variety of problems for an older person, including making it harder for them to understand and comply with a doctor's orders. They may also have trouble responding to doorbells and hearing alarms in their home. Interacting with friends and family may also be a significant source of frustration.

The first question a senior citizen will have to answer is: Do I have trouble hearing?

Signs that this may be the case include:

They have trouble hearing when using a telephone.
They have trouble hearing when there is noise in the background.
They are not able to follow a conversation if more than one person is talking at the same time.
They often misunderstand what others are saying and respond in an inappropriate way.
They may turn the volume on their television or radio to excessively high levels.

Solutions for Elderly People with Hearing Loss  If an individual is suffering from hearing loss, they should seek the help of a professional. One professional who can help is an otolaryngologist. This doctor’s specialty is the diagnosis of hearing problems. An otolaryngologist and can provide options for treating hearing problems. An audiologist is another type of doctor who may be able to help. Audiologists are trained to identify different types of hearing loss as well as the degree to which hearing has been lost. Audiologists may be able to fit a hearing aid.

About Hearing Aids These are electronic devices worn behind the ear. They amplify sounds. To find the hearing aid that works best for a particular patient, it will be necessary to try multiple devices. An audiologist can provide help in this area. They will also be able to help an elderly person adjust to the fact that sounds are different with a hearing aid.

Benefits of Getting a Hearing Aid Now

The longer the patient waits, the harder it will be for their brain to adjust to a hearing aid. This is because wearing a hearing aid involves relearning certain sounds. Starting as soon as possible gives the patient’s brain more time to adapt.
When people start using hearing aids, it can improve their quality of life, according to the national Council on Aging. They will have a greater sense of independence as well as improved mental health.
Hearing loss has been tied to dementia. Seniors who do not have their hearing loss treated face a considerably higher risk of developing the condition. While the reasons for this are not known, it is thought that auditory deprivation is a cause.

Hearing aids do not cure hearing loss but they do enable communication and thus can make an elderly person's life better. It is essential that the diagnosis and treatment of hearing problems not be postponed.

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10 Tips for Preventing Falls In The Elderly

aadmin — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 19:43:23 +0000

Falling is dangerous for anyone, especially seniors. Bones become more brittle as people age and a fall can be seriously debilitating for a senior citizen. Broken hips, arms and legs mend at a slower rate as the body ages. Head injuries can be fatal.

The Center for Disease Control is "taking a stand" on helping seniors prevent falls with programs for seniors and care givers. The program is called STEADI, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries.

You can take action to prevent falling and enjoy an active life as a senior with a few precautions.

Exercise

STEADI recommends Tai Chi, Yoga and other exercise programs for maintaining and improving legs and core muscle strength. Many senior living communities offer classes in these exercises along with aerobics. Walking, swimming, golf, tennis, bowling and other sports are also highly recommended for seniors.

The objective is to stay in good condition, improve strength, coordination and balance. People want to stay independent as long as possible and enjoy their activities.

Eyes and hearing check-ups

Get an annual eye check-up and make sure you have glasses if needed. Be careful on stairs if you wear bifocal or multi-focal lenses. You want to see any obstacles that might be in your way. Hearing checks are also important so you can hear warnings that someone may call out to you.

Stairway safety

It's easy to trip on steps if you can't see them. Stairways should have railings and handholds. Steps should be lighted, especially at night.

Special non-slip stair treads can be added to hard surface and carpeted stairways for better traction.

Grab bars are helpful

Install grab bars in bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens and other areas. They prevent falls.

Showers without borders or curbs are elements of Universal Design that makes bathrooms easily accessible to everyone. Bathroom and kitchen flooring and mats should be non-slip and kept dry.

Avoid heights

Keep items you need on low shelves and cabinets so that a chair or step ladder is not needed to reach them. This applies to food, dishes, medications and other items used on a daily basis.

Walkway safety

Outdoor pathways and walkways should be free of debris, hoses, wheelbarrows and other gardening equipment. A person may forget to put away outdoor equipment and trip over a hose or bump into the lawn mower.

An uneven pathway with cracks or broken flagstone can be dangerous. Walkways should be dry when possible and free of snow and ice during the winter.

Indoor safety

Keep all electrical cords out of the way and against walls. Unplug and remove a cord on a heating pad or other small appliance that has been used temporarily and may be in a pathway.

Rooms should be well lighted.

Carpeting and floor coverings

Carpeting should be tight and tacked down at seams and doorways to avoid tripping.

Area rugs and throw rugs should adhere to the floor. It is also easy to trip over a raised doormat. Hard surface flooring should be the non-slip variety in all rooms where it is used.

Shoes

Wear comfortable shoes with good support in place of flip-flops and high heels. If you wear slippers, use the type that have tread on the soles instead of a smooth surface.

Medication reviews

You should review any previous falls and your medications with doctors. Several prescribed medications may have side effects that cause dizziness and other problems. You should talk to your doctor about your risk of falling.

The National Institute of Health advises seniors to take these preventive measures so they do not have to fear falling.

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Family and Personal Care

The 5 Worst Eye Problems For Seniors

aadmin — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 18:30:28 +0000

With the elderly, there is a fine line between the normal deterioration of vision and eye problems of a more serious nature. Knowing and understanding which eye conditions older individuals are at risk of developing will help to reduce their chances of getting them. Here are five common eye problems in the elderly your senior should watch out for:

Glaucoma: Abrupt and severe pain in your eyes and seeing halos can be signs of glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye condition caused by elevated levels of fluid pressure in the eyes, which can potentially damage the fragile fibers of the optic nerve. This damage is irreversible and can even lead to blindness.

Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration, otherwise known as age-related macular degeneration, is the main cause of blindness in the elderly. Dry and wet are the two types of AMD that affect seniors. Dry AMD affects almost 90-percent of older people, and it occurs when the macula blood vessels thin over time. Wet AMD is when irregular blood vessel growths drain fluid and blood in the eyes, which in turn will cause loss of vision and even blindness.

Dry Eyes: This eye condition happens when tear glands can't make enough quality tears. Dry eyes is a very uncomfortable condition that causes burning, redness and itching. In extreme cases, loss of vision can occur. A humidifier put in the home or special eye drops could stimulate real tears. In more serious cases of dry eyes, prescription drops or surgery may be necessary.

Cataracts: Cataracts cause clouding in a person's eye lens. This occurs when there is a breakdown of crucial proteins that's main purpose are to help keep their lens clear. Cataracts are often found in people over 45. This is often the age when the lenses begin to have trouble changing shape to focus vision for far-sighted and close objects.

Blurred Vision: Problems seeing in dim light conditions and declined color intensity are symptoms the elderly need to watch out for. Surgery is the only way to cure blurred vision, but it's only suggested when cataracts impair a person’s ability to do every day activities or if there is a lot of pain.

These are the most common and damaging eye problems that affect the elderly. Make sure your elderly loved one visits their eye care professional on a regular basis, and notify their doctor if they experience any vision changes. Taking these preventive measures could save your senior's eyesight.

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7 Tips for Communicating with Someone with Dementia

aadmin — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 14:02:32 +0000

Dementia is a progressive illness that can affect an individual's ability to remember a conversation, fact or name of family members or friends. This can be frustrating not only for the person with the illness, but for people around them. They could be having a conversation and forget what they were talking about by losing train of thought or have difficulty in organizing words logically. When communicating with someone who has dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, there are several ways to help improve conversation.

1. Use familiar words and speak clearly and slowly. This allows time for a response and to comprehend what is being said.

2. Be patient and supportive. You need to let the person know that you understand what they are saying and show that you care about what it is they are talking about.

3. Give encouragement to keep trying to say what is on their mind. Sometimes the person with dementia will get frustrated or stop talking, but with a little encouragement they may continue what they were talking about or start up a new conversation.

4. Give time to respond. Avoid any kind of interruption. If the person with dementia has trouble organizing their thoughts then let them know that you are there to listen. Don't interrupt when they are speaking and allow them to say what is on their mind and when there is a pause let them know you want to hear what they have to say.

5. Give simple choices. Always avoid anything that may be too complicated such as a large menu of choices. Go to a familiar restaurant and ask them what they want, and suggest their favorite dish. Otherwise they may feel frustrated because they can't remember what certain foods taste like or what certain things are.

6. Avoid correcting the person with dementia. This is not encouraging them to keep talking when you correct what they say, or correct the facts they are talking about. This will help prevent arguing, as well.

7. Limit distractions around you as much as possible. Sometimes this can be very difficult, but if it is hard to hold a conversation then ask them to point out what they are referring to or write it down or even use gesturing. This allows for a wider range of communication to happen.

These seven tips will help improve the conversation you will have with a family member or friend that has dementia. It can be frustrating for everyone involved, but with a little patience and encouragement to keep a conversation going, communication will become a little easier.

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How to care for yourself when you're a caregiver

aadmin — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:50:41 +0000

Unquestionably, the only person who would ever tell you that care giving is an easy job is someone that has never had to do it themselves. For the person needing care, the loss of independence coupled with increasing physical and perhaps mental frailty can be exceptionally harrowing. Although care is usually given with love, it can - on occasion - be received with some measure of resentment, especially if it means a reversal of the parent/child roles that you have been used to fulfilling.

Even on a good day, with a cordial relationship based on love and respect, looking after a senior member of the family can lead to increased stress levels, and eventually care giver burnout. When your focus is someone else's needs, your own can sometimes fade into the background, and it's surprisingly easy to lose sight of the situation getting out of control until it's too late.

Signs that the frustrations of losing some of your own freedoms, relationships and indeed privacy to care for someone else are getting too much shouldn't be overlooked. If you notice that you're constantly physically and emotionally wrung out, or worse still entertaining thoughts of hurting yourself or the person you're caring for, it's time to find ways to take breaks to alleviate the strain.

Make sure you're sleeping properly. It can be difficult to get decent rest if you're having to get up every few hours to check on someone or give medication. However, napping when the person you're caring for is also asleep during the day might help you top up too.
Cook proper meals where possible. Relying on snacks and quick meals from the chiller cabinet instead of preparing food from scratch may be essential to stay on top of care duties at times, but where you can, cook meals in bulk to stock up the freezer.
Talk to others. You may feel that none of your family and friends understand your position, or even that they've forgotten or abandoned you. The sad truth is that unless they've experienced a similar care situation, they may not be able to empathize to the degree that you need. Message boards and online support groups can be a lifeline where simple solidarity accompanies offers of practical solutions.
Take advantage of respite care. Progressive conditions such as dementia, especially where challenging or even violent behavior can accompany physical decline inevitably reach a point where not only can you not do it alone any longer, but you may have to consider full-time residential care so that your senior can establish a routine that will be comforting and reassuring to them. Even if you haven't yet reached this stage, making sure you can step away from the care situation from time to time is essential to your well being.
Don't beat yourself up. You're not required to feel "up" and positive all the time, and nor are you obliged not to feel like screaming with frustration. Caring is tough, and it will get on top of you at times. Don't blame yourself for the bad days.

The most important thing of all to accept is that if you're the caregiver of an elderly parent or in-law, then you are unlikely to be in the first flush of youth yourself. Pay close attention to your own physical and mental health, especially if you have a family history of classic middle-age disorders such as high blood pressure or arthritis, and don't ignore warning signs that all is not well. After all, you can't provide care if you need care yourself.

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Family and Personal Care

How to encourage obese seniors to lose weight

aadmin — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:52:34 +0000

Sometimes the elderly can be set in their ways, and getting them to workout and eat healthy may seem like a hassle. As much of a hassle as it may seem, nothing is too much trouble when it comes to prolonging the life of a loved one. Here's some tips on how to encourage someone advanced in years to lose weight.

Be Encouraging

If you have an obese elderly person in your life don't nag, or make them feel ashamed of their weight. You can encourage them to lose weight by metaphorically being a cheerleader, and not a coach.

Ask them what they think is the best way to get back in shape. Don't push what you think is right onto them.

If the elderly person doesn't have a plan you could encourage them to buy healthy food, go walking, and not to eat out as much. Don't tell them that's what they have to do in order to lose weight, encourage them to do those things.

Be Active In Their Life

You could go with them to the grocery store, or even cook a healthy meal once a week for your loved one. Be on their team, and not just a bystander.

Some elderly people may not be active online, but you can print out healthy food recipes. Make sure its something you know they would like to eat. You could also research online if there's walking groups, or exercise classes for the elderly in the area. If there isn't, you could walk with them once a week.

Healthy Incentives

Another way to encourage an obese elderly family member to lose weight is by treating them when a milestone is met. A milestone could be anything from them not eating fast food for a month, to them losing five pounds.

Taking them out to eat is a bad way to celebrate. Instead do something that doesn't involve food. You could treat them to a movie, a manicure, take them to a sports game, or even buy them flowers.

Be Supportive

It's also important to know that if you're trying to help an obese elderly person lose weight, don't make all the conversations about diet and exercise. When you talk to them make sure to ask how they are doing, and what's going on in their life.

If every conversation is about losing weight, that person may start to feel pressure and back away from you. Be supportive of their life, not just their healthy lifestyle.

Be Positive

If they need to vent, listen and don't judge. If they stumble along the way, pick them back up. Never use judgmental language, or criticize them for messing up.

If the elderly person has a misstep with their diet, use encouraging language. Ask them if there's something you could do to help them get back on track. Remind them of what they have accomplished in order to help them get past the set back.

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