Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

A change of season often leads to cough and cold among older adults. The low immunity level becomes a common reason behind this seasonal flu. If unattended or prolonged, it can lead to pneumonia among the elderly. Some of the preliminary signs of pneumonia in older people include a tired and rundown look with warm and clammy skin. You may also notice them shaking and complaining of feeling too cold. Let’s give an insight into what is pneumonia and its early signs. What is Pneumonia? It is an inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or other organisms. This inflammation causes an outpour of fluids in the infected parts of the lungs. It can affect either one or both the lungs. Early Signs of Pneumonia Some of the first signs of pneumonia that you need to watch out include Cough: If the cough does not clear up, then it can be a sign of pneumonia. In some cases, it can lead to a build-up of mucus in the lungs. Besides, this cough can be greenish, yellowish or e...

Caring for an elderly loved one is an overwhelming job and if one is far away from them during this Covid-19 outbreak it can add enormous pressure to the already prevailing stressors. As the number of people with Covid-19 increases, we all are aware that older adults are especially vulnerable and quarantining comes with a cost. Finding options to provide support to elders at this time is of utmost importance especially if they are living alone. As Senior Care Specialists at Samvedna, we understand that social distancing can be hard for the elderly. Due to travel restrictions and lockdown in place we have switched our operations to remote support using the help of technology. With our proactive planning and setting up of remote connectivity in elderly homes we are able to continue to support elderly families for their logistic and emotional needs and help them deal with the ongoing health crisis. Since 18th March, 2020 our team has been working remotely and despite not being able to...

Many senior citizens will experience vision problems at some point. There are so many different types of vision problems they could experience, as well. If you are helping with an elderly loved one, it is important to keep out for some of the most common vision problems. If your elderly loved one does have a vision problem, this could increase their risk of falling, which could cause them to become injured. Presbyopia One of the common vision problems elderly adults experience is called presbyopia. This is farsightedness that is caused due to age. If your elderly loved one has headaches or eyestrain after reading, can’t read smaller print, or needs bright lights to read something, they could have this condition. If your loved one experiences these symptoms, have them see their eye doctor. Eyeglasses could correct presbyopia. Having Floaters Your elderly loved one might experience floaters, as well. These are often due to aging, as well. While they aren’t necessarily dangerous to...

As many of  our readers  know,  Amada Senior Care  seeks  to  enrich the lives   of our clients, their families, our staff, and the communities  we serve. Our company launched with tha t  mission in mind, and our mission continues in this time of global pandemic.   So, what does “enriching lives” look like while having to socially distance to help contain  the  spread of COVID-19? Amada franchise owners have come up with dozens of ways to continue supporting clients, caregivers and healthcare partners through this challenging time. Here are just a few examples of Amada offices taking action to meet the special needs that have arisen:   Amada Northern Colorado  in Fort Collins started a “write a senior” campaign to help residents of senior living communities and members of the community deal with the emotional effects of social distancing. Pen pals of all ages are being matched with the idea that they will help each ...

As countries are affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we know the elderly population is the most susceptible group. Indian government has declared 21 days of lockdown to control the pandemic, but how will people, especially the older generation cope this? The idea of social-isolation has impacted the lives of our senior citizens especially those who are living alone. For these individuals, their only social contact is outside the home, e.g., at day care centers, places of worship or community centers. Many are reliable on the support of home based services offered by different organizations to support their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. The lockdown situation could impact their wellbeing resulting in loneliness and anxiety. It is essential that we think about how we can support the wellbeing of those who are most vulnerable. Here are few ways to help our elderly population during this time : Teach them social media tools : This is the best time to learn s...

I started here at Sunrise of Fleet in 2015 as a Care Manager in the Memory Care Neighbourhood. It was my absolute dream role. I have cared for older people living with dementia since 1988 and my passion for the condition enabled me to be the best I could in this important role. I loved every aspect of caring for residents in a beautiful home with a fabulous team of carers. I soon progressed to Senior Care Manager and Med Tech. I’ve always enjoyed the activities side of things and how they can make a difference to residents’ lives. As a Care Manager, my day used to begin with personal care and nutrition, but the rest of the day needed to be filled with stimulation and love. I have always cared for every part of residents’ daily needs and during every shift, I almost always sang to them and played games with them. When the opportunity to become Activities and Volunteers Coordinator at Sunrise, I didn’t give it a second thought. I felt that this was a natural progression for me after f...

Dementia care calls for both empathy and creativity to manage a variety of complex behaviors and effects, which is especially true when dealing with incontinence , something that is exceedingly common in Alzheimer’s as well as other types of dementia. Below are tried-and-true strategies that are usually effective in minimizing the impact of incontinence and preventing an escalation of emotions in an individual with Alzheimer’s disease : Choose your words carefully. As opposed to describing incontinence products as “diapers,” for instance, call them “briefs” or “pull-up underwear.” Nonetheless, take the cue from your loved one; if she or he prefers to make use of the term “diapers” and seems confident with that, then follow along. Get rid of regular underwear from the older adult’s dresser. In order to avoid frustration or resistance to wearing incontinence products, ensure those are the sole option in his or her wardrobe. Try various products . With different brands, sizes, and a...

This blog is written by our clinical psychologist Meenakshi Chopra , MSc, MPhil. With the rise in the numbers of people affected by the Coronavirus, there has been an increase in anxiety in people globally. WHO and public health authorities around the world are acting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, it is still continuing to affect the mental health of people all over the world leading to stress, anxiety, panic, OCD and other mood related problems. Two reasons can be identified for the rising stress and anxiety in this situation. First, there is an ambiguity in our understanding of coronavirus, its course and treatment. Research is still going on to understand its nature and possible treatment measures. Uncertainty about the illness and its management is one of the primary reasons which is generating fear in people. Second, there are a lot of rumours floating around on social media. News media are also instrumental in sensationalizing news rather than focusing on facts. ...

Unfortunately, inflammation is something that takes over the lives of many people. The majority of elderly adults deal with some form of an inflammatory condition. In many instances, this is something like arthritis. Those who live with inflammation find that it affects them almost every single day and causes them extreme pain. If your elderly loved one needs to fight off inflammation, there are some ways that you and their senior care providers can help them to do this. Eating Right One of the ways to help your elderly loved one fight inflammation is by making sure they are eating right. While they can have a sugary snack every once in a while, it is important to realize that these snacks can cause inflammation. Other foods that may cause inflammation are fried foods, red meat, processed foods, margarine, and pop. Some foods that will fight inflammation include tart cherries, fatty fish, broccoli, berries, nuts, leafy greens, and tomatoes. Start your loved one on a better diet today...

As information about coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop, no doubt you’re wondering what else you should do to protect yourself or a senior loved one.  You may  also  find yourself ha ving  certain concerns  if you or a senior family member are residing in an independent or assisted living community or other long-term care residence.   Amada Senior Care continues to closely monitor the  COVID-19  situation, as  always  follow ing   the most current  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and  World Health Organization (WHO)   guidelines .   T hi s  extends to Amada caregivers, who  are trained on how to reduce the risk of infectious diseases . T h eir  training is continually updated and emphasized.   W hile the outbreak of th e coronavirus  poses health risks for everyone, seniors – particularly those in their 70s and up  –   are particularly vulnerable. ...

Taking care of your aging parents can be challenging. For so many years, they took care of you and protected you, and now the tables are turned, and you’re doing the same for them. But it can be hard to ask them to give up their car keys, change their financial habits, move into assisted living, or accept help from an in-home caregiver. Many seniors want to maintain their independence and may feel that you are trying to take that away, even if you’re just looking out for their best interests. When it comes to having difficult conversation with your aging parents: Be patient. Realize that it can take time to get them on board and to get all of the right services in place. Change can be hard to accept, so give them a chance to think things over and figure out how they will adjust. Make changes slowly to ease transitions, and take their input into consideration. Start early. It’s best to start talking to your parents about senior care before they need it. Bring up discussions as nat...

As the weather warms up, allergen levels rise. Everything from tree pollen to weeds to mold can make eyes start itching and noses start running. Plus, there is the coughing, sneezing, and sinus congestion. Allergy season can be miserable without the right strategies in place. Start preparing now to help keep symptoms at bay. Replace Your Air Filter Use an air filter in your HVAC system such as a HEPA filter that is designed to reduce common allergens and remove dust particles from the air. You may want to consider an air purifier as well. These devices can help limit the effects of any pollen or mold that you may have brought inside with you, or that are pulled in from the outdoor air. Stay on Top of Cleaning As more allergens begin popping up, you may want to ramp up your cleaning efforts. Dust and vacuum more often, especially if you or others have been going in and out a lot. Wipe down surfaces that you touch frequently to keep pollen from spreading. Track Pollen Counts Pay a...

As the world is embracing itself to fight against coronavirus, it is getting vital to talk and know about it. With more cases getting reported every day, it is essential to know about this disease, ways to prepare and not panic. As the symptoms of coronavirus are similar to that of common flu and cold, anyone coughing, getting fever or cold is getting panicky. However, this is not the right approach. The symptoms of many diseases and infections are similar. If you or your dear one is having any such sign, it is essential to talk about it. The coronavirus is a type of virus that is impacting the respiratory tracts of human beings. The outbreak, which started in China, is spreading across countries. New cases are getting reported every day, a few are turning fatal too. The virus is a matter of concern and taking preventive measures is the way forward. India’s sheer size raises much alarm. The density of population in India is 428 people on each square kilometre while that of China is 1...

Coronavirus is perhaps the scariest for boomers and senior citizens, as they face the highest chance of severe illness. How is COVID-19 going to impact the senior care industry going forward? Here are 5 predictions... Read more from Senior Directory Articles & Info https://ift.tt/2Qp0kJJ via IFTTT

Life expectancy has improved by leaps and bounds over the last few decades. With an aging population, there’s an enormous need for senior care services. And in general, that means there’s more support for seniors and elderly adults living at home than ever before. However, accessing those services is sometimes complicated without a little assistance, especially when it involves accessing government programs. That’s one of the many things that social services for elderly people can do, but the complete list is actually much longer. What do Social Workers do for Elderly Adults? Many people think of social workers as being responsible for defending vulnerable kids. But social workers are trained to help all kinds of people, including the elderly. And social workers for seniors are specially tasked with improving the lives of older adults. That includes a wide range of concerns related to aging. One of the most important things a geriatric social worker does is stay apprised of local s...

Official statement from Amada Senior Care At this point, COVID-19 has already had a significant impact on many our lives. From closed down schools to sold out home essentials, we’re all feeling its effects in some shape or form. Since the elderly are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, we want to ensure our clients, their families, and our staff that we are closely monitoring this situation and are taking every precaution necessary to help prevent the spread of this virus. The health and safety of our clients, communities and caregivers will always be a top priority at Amada Senior Care. Amada Senior Care caregivers are trained on how to reduce the risk of infectious diseases. This training is something we continually stress in order to ensure its implementation. As we have always done, we strongly encourage staff and caregivers to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to prevent the spread of this illness. Hand washi...

If you’re feeling somewhat discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you are in good company. Providing home   care for aging parents is  one of  the most complex roles we can  fill : highly worthwhile on the one hand, while simultaneously frustrating and ever-evolving, regularly leading to caregiver emotions or feelings of uncertainty about whether we’re up to the challenge of  providing the most effective care.    It is no surprise that so many family caregivers grapple with some or all of these kinds of caregiver emotions or feelings:   Guilt:  Perhaps you may feel as if you’re not doing as much as you should in order to help your loved one, that you’re self-centered for seeking time away to yourself, or that you  are unable to provide  the assistance your loved one needs.   Helplessness:  There are some circumstances when you  may feel unequipped   to  solve the issues your parent is enco...