Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

As surprising as it may sound, substance abuse among the elderly, particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, is a fast-growing health problem in India. With a rise in the ageing population and changing demographics, the proportion of elderly substance users is gradually increasing. Due to insufficient knowledge and limited awareness of the issue, substance abuse in the elderly often goes unnoticed. This is made worse by the fact that the symptoms of substance abuse and addiction are often similar to other common medical conditions such as dementia, diabetes and depression.  Identification of Addiction in Elderly Fortunately, with Samvedna’s elder care family counselling services, caregivers can understand how to identify substance abuse and addiction in older adults. Even though addiction can be difficult to recognize in this demographic, it is important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of addiction displayed by the elderly. Some of the signs of addiction includ...

Fifty years ago, the average life expectancy in the United States was 65. Today, the life expectancy is over 75 for men and even higher for women, and the fastest growing group in the United States is persons over the age of 85. By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be more than 1 million people in the United States reaching the age of 100. With longer life expectancy comes the need to plan not only for retirement, but for possible long-term health care. “Americans are living longer and the consequence is more people needing long term care,” Jessie Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance said. When many people think about preparing for future healthcare, they automatically think of nursing homes or assisted-living facilities, but those options aren’t always the best or even the most popular choice. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), 1.8 million individuals live in nursing homes. In comparison, the...

It is natural to be worried about our ageing parents. Whether we live in another country or live with them in the same house, emergency preparedness for seniors is a must. At our parent’s age, there is an overall decline in their physical and mental vitality. Unfortunately, this makes them more vulnerable to medical emergencies such as getting hurt unexpectedly or experiencing sudden illness. One of our biggest fears is not being able to take action in a time when our parents need us the most. This is why availing of emergency services for the elderly is the best way to ensure that our parents receive timely care. Keeping this urgency in mind, Samvedna Care has specially designed their services to cater to medical emergencies in the elderly to make certain that seniors are provided with the best on-time care.  What constitutes an emergency for elderly? First and foremost, it is important for you as well as your ageing parents to understand some of the common medical emergenc...

Grieving is never an easy process. Coping with the loss of a loved one is always difficult and heartbreaking. It is especially hard for the elderly when they need to cope with the pain of bereavement in their old age. For a senior citizen the loss of a spouse who was a partner, companion, and friend, could be devastating. Even if the actual passing away is after a long period of illness, the emptiness is unfathomable and in most cases unbearable. Though children try to provide solace, the person feels isolated. They start wearing the cloak of their sorrow and emptiness descends like a dark shadow. At such times, availing counselling services for seniors may help them cope better with the loss. It is important to provide them with the time and space to grieve. The grieving process may be emotionally draining for both the person and the caregiver. Grieving people cry easily and may have trouble sleeping. They often lose their appetite, have concentration issues, and may be unable to ...

February’s “season of love,” marked by Valentine’s Day last Sunday, is a time of year many of us look forward to. For aging seniors whose spouse passed away during their elder years; however, this month can bring moments of grief over a “lost valentine.” Bill felt grief, sorrow, numbness, shock, fear, guilt, anger, and other frightening emotions when his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth, died unexpectedly after a short illness. Months later, he found he still had trouble sleeping and not much of an appetite. He found that he couldn’t keep up with household chores without Elizabeth’s helping hands. The initial heartbreak of losing his life partner became a progressive depression as he realized his life would never be the same without her. Missing a Spouse Felled by COVID-19 Also grappling with the realization of spending their golden years alone is the large segment of seniors whose spouse died during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 8 in 10 deaths have been among people 65 and older , report...

2020 was a year like none other. Covid-19 ensured that the world went through unprecedented uncertainty. Life, as we knew it changed forever as humanity tried to cope with the new normal. It was a new virus that spread through contact or coughing and sneezing. Entire countries went into prolonged periods of lockdown and the way we lived, worked and did business had an overnight paradigm shift. One year later, the vaccine has arrived and is being administered in an orderly manner. Life is slowly limping back to normal but it is safer to maintain a careful approach and observe precautions till the virus is completely eradicated. Senior citizens are always at a higher risk of complications and death. They must continue to remain safe and observe the safety protocol as before. Seniors are always more vulnerable because age weakens their immune systems and it is worsened by frailty or chronic illnesses like diabetes, lung, or heart disease. They need to be aware of emergency elderly care...

If you think you or someone you know may be eligible for Veteran’s Benefits to pay for home care, visit this locations list to contact an Amada Senior Care advisor near you. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total number of Americans over the age of 65 was about 54 million as of July 2019. Of that population, more than 12 million consisted of war veterans, their surviving spouses or both. They make up a segment of Americans who may be eligible to receive a VA Pension, such as the Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit. Receiving the pension ultimately depends on income, assets and long-term healthcare needs, but due to the rising occurrence of long-term care, statistics show that 60 to 80 percent of this population will qualify for pension benefits at some point. The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension is a part of the VA Improved Pension, which has three tiers. There is the Basic Pension , which begins at age 65. The second tier is the Housebound Pension , which is for those wh...

In recognition of American Heart Month, Amada Senior Care would like to offer a few tips for keeping your heart healthy so that you can reap the benefits healthy aging. “The more you do in middle age to prepare yourself for successful aging, the better,” said Sharon Brangman, a geriatrician at SUNY Upstate Medical University and former president of the American Geriatrics Society. “Whether it be physically, mentally, or socially, seniors have the power to take responsibility for their health and change it for the better.” Ditch Unhealthy Habits It’s never too late to kick a bad habit to the curb ­– especially if it’s a dangerous one like smoking. Studies show that even in seniors who have been smoking for decades, health improvements begin within hours of quitting. Replacing cigarettes with a healthy snack or a new activity will help you avoid temptation and quit for good. Follow a Nutritious Diet A healthy diet is one of the best tools for preventing or managing the symptoms of ...

Samvedna Senior Care recently hosted a Dementia Support Group meeting for caregivers. Dr. Vijaykumar Harbishettar, Psychiatrist, Advisor, Samvedna Senior Care explained the importance of correct diagnosis of Dementia, prior to starting any treatment.  The early diagnostic evaluation of patients with dementia-like symptoms is essential to identify patients with cognitive decline who may actually have underlying conditions that can be treated and reversed. Dementia is a collective term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive deterioration, including a decline in memory functioning, difficulties with orientation, judgement and planning. Symptoms of Dementia are best understood by ‘ABC changes’ in functioning, i.e., A – Changes in Activities of Daily Living and B – Behavioral and Psychological changes and C – Cognitive changes. Making a diagnosis and providing treatment requires a lot of skill and often involves a multidisciplinary team. In a clinical setting to diagnose...