Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

This Sunday, November 1st marks the end of Daylight Savings Time for most of the country. We “fall back” and turn back the clock an hour—thus getting an extra hour of sleep time. Sounds like a wonderful windfall, right? For many older adults, the transition to shorter periods of daylight and longer periods of darkness may throw off our equilibrium for a few days. But for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, the time change can exacerbate “sundowning” symptoms, including irritability, restlessness, agitation, and confusion that begins or worsens as the daylight fades. It is not yet understood why sundowning (also known as “late day confusion”) and other sleep disturbances happen to Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers. Some studies indicate as many as 20 percent of people with dementia will experience “increased confusion, anxiety and agitation beginning late in the day, while others may experience changes in their sleep schedule and restlessness during the night,” according to the Alz...

There is nothing too good for your senior loved one. We understand…and we agree! From excellent senior care services to professional and qualified caregivers – your senior should have it all. We also believe in making safety a top priority, especially when your senior is aging in the comfort of their own home. There are […] The post How To Help Seniors Lower Their Fall Risks appeared first on Home Care Assistance Carmel . from Home Care Assistance Carmel https://ift.tt/389jcpZ via IFTTT

Individuals diagnosed with a progressive lung disease, such as COPD, have had to stay especially   watchful since the COVID-19 pandemic started, because they are likely at both a higher risk for contracting the virus along with developing more severe complications as a result. A newly released research study published by the European Respiratory Journal reported that COPD patients were more likely to be admitted to the ICU, require ventilator care, and succumb to the virus than those without the disease. And while the CDC provides strategies for all of us in order to prevent getting the illness, such as regular handwashing, social distancing, and staying home as much as possible, one recommendation is especially a challenge for someone with breathing difficulties: wearing a face covering. The American Lung Association advises that individuals diagnosed with COPD try a number of different kinds of coverings to discover one that’s most comfortable, and wear the mask around the hou...

The pandemic has been difficult – to say the least – and especially so for seniors. The one good thing that has come from the COVID-19 crisis is that it has opened the conversation about aging in place. More and more adults nearing retirement are reconsidering where and how they want to live and looking to home care to help them stay at home for as long as possible. The conversation is also happening within our Government who are now shifting the focus to home as the first solution for keeping seniors safe and healthy. Most Canadians prefer to age in place Our oldest baby boomers are turning 75 this year and the number of Canadians aged 85+ will more than triple in the next three decades. Aging in place is no longer just what the majority of Canadians want – it’s necessary due to the number of people who will require long-term care in the coming years. How the Canadian Government is making home care a priority The Speech from the Throne highlighted the importance of improving sen...

Older adults are fragile and that is often accompanied by a decline in mobility. This makes them more vulnerable to medical emergencies such as a fall or sudden illness. As these health crises are unexpected and the elderly cannot always take prompt action, you need to be prepared. This will result in saving a lot of crucial moments and getting on-time care for the older adult. We have curated pointers that will give you an insight on how to carefully prepare for the eldercare emergencies and ensure the wellbeing of your elderly.   Doctor on Call  As you begin preparing for the eldercare emergencies, you must assemble a list of doctors and home nursing services that will be available 24×7 to provide emergency facilities. The list will come handy and will result in taking quick action. Samvedna Senior Care offers doctor visits at home for senior citizens in times of emergency. The team of skilled doctors is available round the clock to provide special assistance. The...

Our values are constantly evolving with age. Upon arriving at a milestone, many of us question life and its meaning. Every time we do this, we are reevaluating what is referred to as sense of purpose . Your sense of purpose is dependent on your values and it will most likely change many times throughout your life. The things that define you one day may longer seem relevant the next. Typically, it’s a major life event – the death of a loved one, a tough breakup, or a drastic change in career – that will trigger the need for evaluation and make you question the meaning of your life. Now we can add COVID-19 to this list of triggers. During this time of pandemic, many older adults in particular are having a tough time envisioning their “new normal,” according to Kaiser Health News . This is made more challenging still if they’re grieving the loss of a loved one to the disease or feeling isolated due to social distancing safety practices. Unfortunately for many seniors, time is not on the...

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder and most patients require long term care. Caring for a loved one with Dementia is costly, demanding and taxing. It is a prolonged stressful responsibility and can have a significant impact on the overall health of the caregivers leading to caregiver burnout.  A caregiver goes through a personal journey of struggles to accept the situation and then deal with the emotional and physical stress of looking after the loved one. It is important to provide good support to the carer to help reduce the burden of care. A caregiver needs to be enabled with information and techniques to manage a person with Dementia.  Watching a previously capable parent/spouse becoming increasingly dependent is not easy and demands on the caregiver can be burdensome, leaving them feeling emotionally as well as physically drained. Most caregivers tend to ignore the early signs of early caregiver stress, such as fatigue and irritability, which leaves them vulnera...

It wasn’t long after Coronavirus became a global scourge that a disturbing new revelation surfaced: Elderly individuals are at a heightened risk of contracting the illness and succumbing to the same.   As such, governments and health organizations have unequivocally cautioned this segment of the populace to minimize contact with not just younger demographics, but peers as well. The result is that seniors now find themselves more isolated than ever. As much as it is for the greater good, social isolation has only made life much more difficult for the elderly. It’s left them lonelier and, for those who’re already dealing with other age-related challenges, in potentially unsafe environments. Does that sound familiar? If you have an older relative — or are a senior citizen yourself — this situation presents quite a tricky dilemma. How can you make life easier and safer for your loved one without putting them at risk? Or how do you ensure your needs are attended to in an age of soc...

Exploring new living arrangements for yourself or aging loved one can be a bit overwhelming. You want what's best — which means you're likely searching high and low to discover the best possible fit. You're likely going to run into various types of senior care options, housing, and living situations that you may not fully understand. We're going to help you on this difficult journey, guiding you through the differences between independent living and assisted living. Senior living arrangements can be quite diverse, but it all lives on a spectrum. As the name implies, independent living gives seniors freedom and flexibility in their everyday lives — while assisted living offers additional support and assistive services that help seniors with daily tasks. Let's dive deeper. Living Areas When looking around for the ideal space for your loved one, you'll want to make sure it offers the right amount of freedom or support to ensure safe and comfortable living. Fi...

If you stay away from your parents, taking care of them, and monitoring their health isn’t always feasible. The thought of not being able to provide your parents with good care might torment you and make you feel guilty of not being there for them especially in these COVID times. The good thing is that now there are senior care packages which can help you take care of your parents. There are several care packages available that ensure the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the elderly while you are living far away from them. Here’s how to choose the best elder care package for your parents.  Opt for a Health Package  It’s prudent to monitor the health of your elderly to avert the possible risk of the onset of any illness. Therefore, you need a health package that takes into consideration all the factors and illnesses that can affect the elderly during these times. Samvedna Care’s health package is carefully planned to provide home care services for the elderly ...

One of the most important reasons for raising awareness about breast cancer is that the disease affects too many women. Notes the Susan G. Komen Foundation : “Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (or about 13 percent) lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. This means for every 8 women in the U.S., one will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.” Even though breast cancer affects women of all ages, the disease is most common among older women. Men can also get breast cancer, however they account for only a few of the reported cases. Among first responders and others still suffering from 9/11-related illnesses are a group of men diagnosed with breast cancer believed to be linked to the toxins from Ground Zero. What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells form in the breast. Although these cancerous cells start by growing and invading healthy cells in the breast, they can eventually make their way to other areas of the body by enter...

Leading Senior Care Franchise Grows Midwest Footprint; Expands Presence in Chicagoland Area Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today the launch of its third territory in the state of Illinois with the opening of its newest location in Naperville. Located at 3060 Ogden Ave., Suite 102, Always Best Care of Naperville is owned and operated by new franchisee Raghu Sarup, and will provide award-winning senior care services to Naperville and the surrounding areas of Aurora, Warrenville and Lisle. “Raghu exudes the passion, hard work and dedication that we look for in all of our franchisees,” said Jake Brown, President & CEO of Always Best Care. “He’s enjoyed a thriving, longstanding career in information technology and is now in the position to own an Always Best Care franchise business. We’re thrilled to be part of Raghu’s transition into the senior care sector and know his past community involvement ...

Family caregivers providing COPD care for a senior loved one know that outdoor air pollution can exacerbate symptoms. Yet, did you know that dry or compromised air quality inside the house can also magnify COPD symptoms? Family caregivers often wonder, is a humidifier good for COPD? Are there certain cleaning products I should avoid? Learn how to breathe easier with these tips: Heaven at Home Senior Care’s experts in home and dementia care in Denton and surrounding areas suggest these additional COPD care strategies: A Humidifier is Good for COPD. Dry air can make COPD symptoms even worse, as can air that is too moist. Aim for a level of around 40% humidity in the home for a senior with COPD. Prohibit Indoor Smoking. Don’t ever smoke or allow others to smoke in the home of a person with COPD. If the home contains a fireplace or wood stove, realize that it may also be a source of aggravation for the individual with COPD. Avoid Chemical Exposure. Chemicals in the household, like...

We know that when families celebrate holidays with older loved ones, care needs that might have gone unnoticed before suddenly become glaringly apparent. As a result, online searches for care spike after most major holidays. Home care agencies that are not easily found in search results by those in need of help can miss out on qualified leads with an ... Read More The post What Home Care Agencies Should Do Now to Prepare for Post-Holiday Spikes in Online Senior Care Searches appeared first on Corecubed . from Blog | Corecubed https://ift.tt/33PPOCe via IFTTT

We’re encouraged every fall to get our flu shot and getting vaccinated is more important than ever during this pandemic year. People 65 years and older are among those at high risk for flu complications ; the stark fact is that this demographic accounts for more hospitalizations and deaths from flu and COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the flu vaccine won’t protect you or a senior loved one against coronavirus, it has these other important benefits , notes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: A flu shot help keep you and your family healthy, thus helping reduce the strain on our healthcare system and keeping hospital beds and other medical resources available for people with coronavirus. With two dangerous viruses going around at once, it’s time for us to protect our communities by getting the vaccine we already have: the flu vaccine. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated in September or October, but a flu shot anytime during th...