In Home Care Blog

Many seniors neglect the value of exercise in their lives, but a regular exercise routine can help any senior to maintain an optimal quality of life. Exercise promotes bone health and strength, improves mood and helps to fight off chronic disease. Exercise classes or walking groups can also be social activities, which can help seniors who live alone from becoming too isolated in their daily lives. Weight control, increased ability to sleep and less chances of suffering a heart attack or a stroke are among other benefits of exercise for seniors.

Many seniors wonder what the best exercise routine for them should be. That depends primarily on whatever it is that the individual seniors enjoy doing. Some may love to golf while others like to take walks around their neighborhoods. Gardening is another way for seniors to incorporate a healthy amount of exercise into their lives. Many seniors love to dance, and most community senior centers offer dance classes to area residents.

Before beginning an exercise programs, seniors should consult with their physicians. Physical and occupational therapists can assist seniors with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and arthritis to overcome limitations to a regular exercise program.

Depression can be a serious problem for those 65 years of age and over. Decreased independence, the loss of a spouse and coping with illness are all factors that can contribute to depression in senior citizens. The isolation that many seniors are living in is another key factor in depression. Seniors often don’t seek treatment for depression and may feel that it is simply a normal part of the aging process. In fact, it’s estimated that only about 10 percent of them speak with their physicians about how they are feeling. However, depression does not have to be a major factor in aging, though seniors who are suffering from it may not know what resources might be available to them that would aid them in successfully combating it.

The person who is most often likely to notice signs of depression in senior citizens is the caregiver who goes to the senior’s home on a regular basis. Caregivers can encourage seniors to join support groups if they are facing specific illnesses. Quite often, the best thing that a caregiver can do is to simply listen to the patient and maintain an upbeat, positive and supportive attitude.

Seniors are in particular danger of becoming socially isolated, particularly if a spouse or partner has passed on and they are living alone. Joining a support group can be a good way for seniors to connect with others who are going through the same types of issues with illnesses and physical conditions.

Finding a support group may be difficult for seniors to do on their own because they don’t know how or where to look for one. If you’re trying to help an elderly loved one locate a support group to be active in, you should start with the senior’s primary care physician. He or she can provide references to local support groups appropriate for your loved one. Support groups exist for differing diseases and physical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, various forms of cancer and dealing with the loss of a spouse or partner.

Support groups can play an important role in the lives of senior citizens by keeping them connected to others. The feelings of isolation that many seniors experience can be alleviated by participation in a support group, particularly when the group is specific to the individual issues that the senior is facing in his or her life.

While the hope is that chemotherapy will cure or at least stop the spread of cancer, the experience is less than pleasant – especially for the elderly.

A caregiver’s role in helping a senior who is receiving chemotherapy is very important and may include a variety of tasks, from driving the patient to and from the appointments, to keeping them company during the treatments, and to helping them get comfortable at home.
Once home, make sure the senior follows the doctor’s advice on easing nausea, and also how often to eat and which foods to avoid.
Watch for changes in the patient. Report any infections, skin discoloring and fevers to the doctor.
Personal hygiene is also important for chemotherapy patients. Yours may need help with bathing and brushing teeth.

Be sensitive to hair loss. Offer words of comfort and possible solutions, such as a new scarf or wig.
Some may be on other medications and will need to be reminded what to take and when.
Caregivers may also help by running errands, such as filling prescriptions and doing the grocery shopping.
Above all, let the senior you’re caring for know he is not alone and you are there to help.

Is your elderly loved one safe? There comes a time when senior members of your family can no longer manage their daily chores the way they once did. Add vision loss to this and daily tasks can become not only difficult, but also dangerous. Is the burner on the stove all the way off, is this my am or pm medication, and who is that at the door?
Those with vision loss begin to need assistance with tasks previously taken for granted. Everything from obtaining nutritious meals to managing personal hygiene can become daunting. You want to know your loved ones are safe, even when you cannot get there to check on them. You want them to be bathed, well fed, and happy. You want them to have a comfortable living environment and know that they are safe.

At 24Hr Home Care, we can provide your loved one with the assistance he or she needs. We can help with laundry, bathing, and dishes as well as provide companionship and security. Caring for a loved one with vision loss is a challenge. Let our knowledgeable, compassionate staff help you, as well as those you love have peace of mind.

If you are caring for a senior with a broken or artificial hip, then you are more than acquainted with the challenges and obstacles that this condition can present. The most important thing to remember when dealing with a senior who experiences limited mobility due to a hip condition is that day to day activities must be modified to accommodate their condition. For example, seniors who make the daily trek up and down stairs may need to be moved to a single-level residence, or have a new bedroom made up in a downstairs room.

However, while limited mobility is indeed an unfortunate symptom of this condition, it is extremely important that seniors with hip problems stay active under the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist. While a broken hip can cause discomfort during movement, it is important to work towards improved mobility through daily low-impact exercises. Your physician or therapist will create an appropriate activity plan, and it is important that care providers ensure that these daily exercises are completed. While seniors with hip problems may grow somewhat depressed and wish to stay sedentary, it is important to always look towards a brighter future, and to stay active in a healthy and supervised fashion.

Strokes can have a profound impact on the life of a senior who has had one. Strokes can affect motor control and can cause loss of mobility or paralysis. They can affect speech and language. Memory and other cognitive functions may also be affected. The amount of care needed depends on the severity of the stroke.

Daily tasks can become challenging. Basic chores like bathing, preparing meals, or using the restroom may be difficult, and help may be needed to get through the day. This can be a tough adjustment for someone who is used to being independent and active. A stroke comes unexpectedly, and it can be shocking and discouraging to be suddenly in a position of being dependent on others. It is also hard to watch a loved one go through a stroke and become dependent on others.

Since the amount of care needed for each person can vary, it’s important to have care tailored to an individual’s own particular needs. Some services that could be required are personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, or transportation. When looking for someone to care for a senior post-stroke it’s essential to have a caregiver who is understanding, respectful, and trustworthy.

Parkinson’s disease is thought to be a neurological disorder that happens to seniors in their 70s and 80s, however, it can begin as early as their 50s or 60s. Since this is a progressive disorder, the person will need more care as time goes by, and the senior will be able to do even less than he had before the onset of the disease.

Most people know that tremors are associated with Parkinson’s but the disease can and will eventually affect the way the person talks, walks, moves and even swallows. Parkinson’s is much more serious than simply having shakes that are out of control.

Caring for those with Parkinson’s can be a challenge for the caregiver. If you are caring for a parent with stiff limbs due to Parkinson’s, an occupational therapist and a physical therapist can help your parent overcome problems so that he can function in a daily environment.

Reducing caffeine can lesson tremors and that would include coffee, tea and certain foods. If the hand has severe tremors, your parent can try to hold his elbow against the body tightly to get better control.

Parkinson’s can be exhausting so it is important for you to have things that your parent needs right where he sits all day. Swallowing can be helped by using a lot of liquids and soft foods for the diet. To prevent choking, it is good to encourage small bites and small sips while drinking.

An in-home caregiver, also called an in-home health aide, is an easier and cheaper alternative to a nursing facility or professional care center, and is more reliable and more convenient than having an unprepared family member provide care. It allows the patient to remain in a familiar, comfortable environment.

In-home caregivers do not necessarily have specialized training in medicine, but they are usually supervised by a nurse or other healthcare or social services professional. Caregivers usually help with basic domestic functions like cooking, cleaning, taking care of pets and children, and transportation assistance. They may also help with personal activities like dressing, bathing, and toileting.

Patients often need assistance with medications. In-home caregivers can be trained by a nurse or other professional on how to dose and administer medications properly. Basic first-aide and CPR training is also part of a caregiver’s standard repertoire.

It is important to keep in mind the limitations of an in-home caregiver. Remember, they are not nurses. If the patient requires medicine via injection or IV treatment, or if they require vital monitoring, then an in-home caregiver is probably not sufficient for their needs. In most circumstances caregivers are still an economical method of care.

Maintaining senior independence is an important part of ensuring a high quality of life. In-home care services have grown in popularity, because they are capable of matching services to the needs of seniors without harming their independence. If the individual needs help with cleaning, cooking or transportation, these can be provided in a way that ensures senior safety without harming the life-affirming dignity gained through independence.

Caring for seniors with heart disease requires special attention be paid to health monitoring, diet, medications and medication. 24hr in-home care can accomplish this. Those with heart disease have special nutrition needs, and ensuring these needs are met will prolong independence and reduce the risk of emergency situations. Exercise is also a vital component of care, and caregivers often play the role of motivator to ensure exercise needs are being met. Blood pressure monitoring and medication reminders help individuals comply with doctor orders and stay healthy.

Customized care makes it possible for seniors to live as independently as possible without sacrificing their health or cutting corners on the daily routine. All caregivers are certified in CPR, and an emergency response system provides added protection against falls and the adverse events associated with heart disease.

The most desirable living arrangements for elderly family and friends are their own homes where everything is familiar and treasured. However, the aging process tends to chip away at their ability to remain independent and safe on their own. At some point, it becomes necessary to help your loved ones with their daily routine all the time.

Caring for an elderly person can be an overwhelming responsibility. It need not be so. Home care aides can step in and help with tasks like bathing, house cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and running errands. Volunteers among friends and neighbors can help up to a certain extent.

When this support network is not enough, home health care aides from a licensed agency can be contracted to provide these services as needed or on a full time basis. Home health care aides vetted by the agency will have some form of training and will most likely be certified to provide home care. They will provide direct care in the homes of elderly clients under the supervision of a nurse or social worker.

In-home caregivers can assist the elderly with most nonmedical issues including ambulation, personal care and companionship. Not only will they be helping your loved ones to stay in their homes, their presence will also give you respite and peace of mind.

Living with diabetes can be a challenge, especially for seniors. Planning for healthy meals that fit in with necessary guidelines, cooking the meals, managing medications and tracking blood sugar levels can sometimes be too much for seniors to handle.

Assisting With Meals

One of the biggest challenges of keeping diabetes under control is following a prescribed meal program. This usually requires the ability to plan out healthy meals and keep track of complex details such as carbohydrate counting. Many seniors find themselves relying on packaged foods as self-care becomes more challenging, but these meals often aren’t appropriate for people with diabetes because they typically contain added sugar and have too many calories.

In addition to meal planning, having a person available who can track how much was eaten and provide gentle advice and suggestions for moderation helps, especially for people who might be forgetful.

Medication Management

Another crucial piece for seniors with diabetes is medication management, especially for those who require insulin shots. Help administering shots, setting up medication planners and helping to remind can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping diabetes under control.

Tracking Blood Sugars

Using a blood glucose meter correctly and logging blood sugars can be difficult. Assistance with this task will help seniors to keep better track and better control.

Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking condition not only for the 5.4 million Americans diagnosed with it but for their caregivers as well. Even in the early stages, elderly Alzheimer’s patients will need constant assistance and supervision to ensure their safety.

Primary caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients often suffer from burnout, especially those without a support network who can share the tasks once in a while. Dementia is difficult deal with, more so when the patient is a loved one.

Getting outside help from volunteers or paid home health care aides is a must when faced with the care and safety of an Alzheimer’s patient. A reputable home health care provider will be able to line up trained home care assistants to monitor your loved one and ensure their safety while living in their own home. In the process, they will provide assistance with personal care and medication reminders.

It has been said that the best plan of care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s is to provide them with constant reminders of life before the disease. Home care aides can be coached to provide this companionship.

Having a home health care aide around to assist in caring for an elderly loved one will help you endure the devastating changes wrought by Alzheimer’s disease.

There are actually a variety of devices available that can help you or a loved one suffering from arthritis. There are mechanisms that can help pull zippers and button shirts, and others to help open jars or extend one’s reach. You should ask your doctor about the possibility of using one of these devices and where you can get them.

Did you know that losing weight can actually help relieve the pain associated with certain types of arthritis? Excess weight puts more pressure on joints, causing more pain. It’s just one more reason that exercise helps arthritis patients, not only does it keep the joints active and flexible, but it helps to control weight.

While some patients think that exercising could exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis, it’s actually quite the opposite. Depending on the specific type of arthritis you or your loved one has, exercise can help with the pain and stiffness over time. You or your loved one should consult a doctor first before beginning any exercise routine.

Some patients who suffer from arthritis find relief by applying either hot or cold compresses,or both. Taking a warm bath, using a heating pad or blanket, or a warm pack can all help to relax the muscles. If your loved one suffers from stiffness in the morning, applying a heating pad before getting out of bed can help. Cold can help to numb the painful area. Use an ice pack around swollen joints for 15 minutes at a time, and alternate with a warm compress for relief.

With new advances in technology, it’s safer than ever for aging loved ones to remain at home longer than ever before. It’s important to discuss these options with your loved one and determine what is right for your family. While some seniors may prefer the comfort of a home environment, it’s important to not let them get too isolated from social interaction.

Another option for family members worried about elderly loved ones is installing a camera or utilizing a webcam. This allows loved ones to monitor seniors and be assured that they are functioning well. Installing a camera is an especially good option for loved ones who live far away.

Another popular electronic device to help seniors is an emergency button worn around the neck and pressed if there I a health or other emergency. The device connects to a live operator who will assess the situation and call for the appropriate help.