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Tips for Managing Anxiety in Dementia
Posted by Scott Cantin in Dementia, Senior Health | 0 comments
One of the toughest things to deal with as a caregiver in a nursing home is to give the proper care for the elderly suffering dementia. This cognitive disorder is something not to take lightly as it can make things complicated especially if one is not sensitive to the special needs of these elderly patients.
How to Live Well – A Guide for the Elderly
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Aging is a big issue for a lot of people and it poses quite a bit of a heartbreak, especially if they can’t be as energetic as they used to. This is because the elderly, on average, are the most sedentary age group as they spend more time sitting around or lying down. This is not a good sign, especially if you are trying to keep them healthy.
Why Shouldn’t Elders Live Alone
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” This quote is taken from the popular Disney movie Lilo & Stitch where it highlights the importance of family. As a caregiver, you have seen families come and go at the home where you work at and most of the time these are painful to watch as these families either have decided or are forced to leave their loved ones there. But taking things in retrospect, this may be good for the elderly because growing old alone is not very healthy.
How to Creatively Spend Easter with Seniors
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Easter marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter’s grip and it also symbolizes new beginnings and renewal.
So why don’t you take this chance to plan new and exciting things to kick start the year for your seniors? It doesn’t have to be the traditional egg hunt, but it could also take form in other activities that anyone can enjoy and is also doable without too much effort.
There’s Fun under the Sun for Seniors This Summer
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Summer has always been seen as the youth’s season. From lounging in the beaches, getting a tan or simply having an ice cream cone. But senior citizen can have summer fun too! All they need are the right activities to engage themselves in. Here are a few activities that caregivers may want to suggest to their seniors.
Reduce Risk of Dementia by Taking Care of your Heart
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
When we think about dementia, we only consider it as a degenerative disease commonly suffered by seniors. However, the more research is being done to further widen our understanding of such diseases, the more we discover that they are not limited to old age. In fact, our brain and our heart may have a closer relationship than we had first imagined them to be.
One of these researches involves a recent finding in London that dementia can develop if someone does not take good care of their heart. According to Dr. Simon Ridley, the head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, “what’s good for the heart is good of the brain” and the research has made links that damaged blood vessels in the brain plays a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping Seniors Happy and Healthy During Summer: A To-Do List
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Summer is once again upon us and we all know what summer brings. Aside from cold drinks, ice cream and several opportunities to kick back and relax, summer’s also known of its unforgivable heat waves. This can prove to be dangerous for senior citizens if caregivers will not take the necessary precautions for them.
Here are a few things to one should place in their care-giving check-list.
Drink A Lot Of Fluids
Like everybody else, seniors are susceptible to dehydration however their risk serves at a higher level because they don’t have the capacity to conserve water unlike others. Much more is that the elderly usually do not feel thirsty and have difficulty in adjusting to sudden changes in temperature. Aside from keeping a lot of fluids in tow, caregivers can also opt to have sweat replacement beverages, specifically those rich in salt and potassium to make up for the loss of water in the body. As much as possible avoid caffeinated or carbonated drinks as these will only make you dehydrated even more.
Be Cool Always
Taking away its figurative sense, this is mostly true in a literal sense. Summer will always have heat waves in tow and often not keeping cool can contribute to a shorter lifespan, specifically to the elderly who are suffering from chronic medical conditions. However this can be remedied by installing air-conditioner inside the home or, if there is none installed, take them to cool places such as the mall or the library. Not only will it be helpful for them, but it could serve as a way to give them fresh air and surroundings and as a way to bond with them. Aside from cooler surroundings and taking fluids, wearing the appropriate summer attire will greatly help you cope with the summer heat waves.
Sunscreen Is Your Best Friend
Summer is fun however it won’t be fun if the heat gets to you. Before going out, always make it a habit to put on sunscreen especially on your senior as it will help protect them from the harmful rays of the sun.
Be Watchful And Call For The Right Help
As much as we would want to take the time to enjoy the sights and sounds that summer can offer, it is also the season where it can be a threat to your senior’s health and so it is best to keep everyone informed like fellow caregivers, friends, and/or relatives especially if you are going somewhere or will be doing any outdoor activities. This would also include having a list of emergency contacts in case something does happen while you are outside. This will make the situation easier to tackle and handle and could ultimately save a life.
Consult The Physician In Terms of Medications
Believe it or not, there are times that medications will behave or react differently when it comes to changes in the weather. This is more susceptible if your home is not air-conditioned as some drugs are heat-sensitive which may either lead them to have low effectivity or increased action depending on its pharmaceutical properties.
Grilled And Fried Food Increases Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Reveals
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Fast foods is one of the greatest comfort foods man has ever created in this century. From burgers to grilled cheese one could simply not deny the gastronomic pleasures these quick eats can bring to someone. However, recent studies show that these quick eats can be harmful for us as we grow older. If burnt food may result into cancer, processed food may increase risk to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Reality in Caregiving at Home
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Caregivers are seen as one of the modern day heroes. There has been many articles written on how difficult their life could be in exchange for high paychecks where their time for their family, friends and themselves are spent mostly with their elderly patients in homes. However, some of these caregivers are closer to home and are not trained in the strenuous life. In fact, they did not ask for the job, the job came to them.
Take Eva Bonilla’s circumstance for example. After a fire that took away her parents home, possessions and her mother, she was faced with the decision to take care of her 85-year old father, Jesse Sandoval. A World War II veteran and hero whose local neighborhood park was named him after, and who did not want his children to take care of him but the experience proved humbling for the family until Sandoval’s death in 2010. Eva Bonilla and Jesse Sandoval’s situation is just one of the many families out there who have to face the decision that home care can sometimes be the only option for them. However, this would require more complex care.
What Caregivers Should Know To Give The Elderly Their Maximum Nutrition
Posted by Scott Cantin in Senior Health | 0 comments
Nutritional needs change as one grows older and elderly patients are in need of a specific nutritional value that is not quite the same as with younger patients and infants. And it is because of their specific set of needs that caregivers should always keep a look out for as they may differ from patient to patient.
