Craig Bass, Author at Golden Heart Clermont

Top Reasons Why Senior Citizens May Need 24-Hour Home Care

Posted on September 10, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

24-Hour Home Care in Okahumpka FL

There are many senior citizens that need 24-hour home care. If you are a family caregiver, but you aren’t sure whether your elderly loved one needs around-the-clock senior care services, here are a few reasons to consider. If you believe your elderly loved one connects with these, 24-hour home care services may be the best fit for your senior.

Brain Function Issues

Unfortunately, many elderly people have brain function issues. These can range from memory loss to decreased focus to the inability to form complete thoughts. If your elderly loved one is having any brain function issues, they could be impacting their life in negative ways. If this is the case, it might be best to get 24-hour home care services for your elderly loved one. The home care providers can be there to help your elderly loved one all day and night.

Severe Emotional Issues

There are many elderly people who start experiencing severe emotional issues. These issues might include depression, irritability, and many other negative emotions. If these emotions are taking over your elderly loved one’s life, it might be best to hire elderly care providers to stay with them. These providers can help your elderly loved one to feel less alone and happier, too.

Chronic Pain

There are many health conditions that can lead to chronic pain. Some of these conditions include arthritis, disc herniations, and much more. If your elderly loved one is in chronic pain, they may not be able to take a bath safely. They may not be able to do household chores either. If this is the case, your elderly loved one probably needs someone to stay with them day and night. 24-hour home care providers can be there for your elderly loved one all the time.

Loneliness

Many elderly people get lonely as they get older. Your elderly loved one might not see their family members or friends often. That can make their loneliness even worse. If this is happening, it is important to make sure your elderly loved one has people around that can make them feel better. Hiring senior care providers during the day and night can help with this.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there are many physical, emotional, and mental health issues that often affect the elderly. If your elderly loved one is dealing with any of the above-mentioned issues, they may need 24-hour home care services. If you have other concerns about the care that your elderly loved one needs, make sure to talk to the elder care agency. They can give you more information on what 24-hour services they can provide for your elderly loved one.

Sources
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-home-health-care

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Okahumpka, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

How to Choose the Right Personal Care at Home Services After Your Dad’s Fall

Posted on August 30, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Personal Care at Home in Howey-in-the-Hills FL

Your dad fell, which isn’t uncommon. Older adults tend to fall more often due to the side effects of prescription medications, loss of muscle strength, joint pain due to arthritis, and worsening eyesight. When an older adult falls, arm, hip, pelvis, and wrist fractures are the most common injuries.

Use this checklist to find the proper personal care at home services for your dad. You can still help out as much as possible, but you don’t have to stop working or use up vacation time to help him out while he heals.

What Are His Injuries?

The level of care depends on your dad’s injuries. Hip fractures are one of the most severe injuries in the elderly. Studies show that a hip fracture can increase the risk of death within a year. A fractured femur often declines mobility within the same year the leg bone is broken.

The best way to keep this from happening is by making sure your dad has the care and support he needs as he heals. He needs to listen to his doctor, take calcium supplements if recommended, and eat foods that help with bone and muscle strength. He needs to keep up with his physical therapy sessions and exercise as much as is recommended, even if uncomfortable.

Caregivers can help him keep up with his physical therapy exercises and appointments. They’ll encourage him to get out of bed and walk around.

How Often Is He Supposed to Exercise?

After a bone fracture, your dad may need crutches, a cane, or a walker. This will change as he builds up muscle. Make sure he is doing what his doctor recommends. If his goal is to go for a daily walk once the cast is off, he needs to get up and walk around.

Someone needs to keep him motivated with daily exercise. A caregiver is a good choice for daily exercise. His caregiver can join him on walks and encourage him to walk farther every day.

Ask a Home Care Specialist About a Home Evaluation

Personal care at home provides your dad with the help he needs for as long as he requires caregivers. Call a specialist to make the arrangements. During that call, ask about home evaluations.

Almost 60 percent of all falls in the elderly occur in one of two areas: the bathroom or the bedroom. Reduce your dad’s risk of additional falls by learning more about the best ways to heighten safety in these areas. A specialist in personal care at home can help you schedule a home evaluation and arrange caregivers to help your dad while he heals.

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/
https://reference.medscape.com/slideshow/falls-in-the-elderly-6012395#8

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home Howey-In-The-Hills, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Best Salads for Senior Citizens

Posted on August 9, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

We all know that salad is healthy and good for people to eat. However, many people don’t eat salad. They either think that salad isn’t that tasty or they may get bored with eating a basic salad. The good news is there are many types of salads that are good for people. These salads are also a change from the basic salad.

If you are a family caregiver for your elderly loved one, these are some of the salads that should be added to their meal plan.

Seafood Salad

One of the best salads for senior citizens is seafood salad. You can add many things to this type of salad including:

Tuna
Salmon
Crabmeat
Shrimp

Seafood has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids in it. Research shows that these are great for heart health and better overall health, as well. In addition, seafood is known to help prevent emotional and mental health issues.

Fruit Salad

If your elderly loved one isn’t eating enough fruit, making them a fruit salad could help. Many people love fruit salad. Some of the things that can be added to this type of salad include:

Apples
Oranges
Grapes
Strawberries
Bananas

Research shows that fruit helps to improve the immune system, heart health, skin health, blood glucose levels, and overall health. If needed, you or a senior care provider could make fruit salad for your elderly loved one every week.

Potato Salad

Your elderly loved one may also enjoy potato salad. Potatoes have potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, and vitamin C in them. Not only is potato salad healthy, but it is very delicious, too. There are many different potato salad recipes that you or senior care providers can find for your elderly loved one.

Kale Salad

Many people will use iceberg lettuce for their salads. However, that type of lettuce doesn’t have much or any nutritional value. If your elderly loved one usually uses iceberg lettuce, have them replace it with kale. There are so many great health benefits from eating kale. It helps your elderly loved one get the daily nutrients they need. It boost muscle strength, prevents illness, and much more.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, everyone knows that salad is healthy. However, some people get bored with the basic salad. The good news is there are many other types of salad that are healthy and delicious. Hopefully, your elderly loved one will enjoy one or more of the salads above. If not, your or a senior care provider can look up other salad recipes for your elderly loved one to try.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sample-menus-healthy-eating-older-adults

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Webster, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Can Home Care Help End Isolation and Loneliness?

Posted on July 28, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Home Care in Groveland FL

Too many older adults retire and find their social circle shrinking. As friends move to new countries or states for a lower cost of living or move closer to their grandchildren, your parents need to expand their social circle to add new friends.

The problem is that it’s not always easy to find new friends if you don’t leave the house often. Have you looked into the benefits of home care when it comes to avoiding loneliness and isolation?

Their Home Care Aide Can Check In

You live hours away, making it hard to stop in and check on your parents after a storm, during a power outage, or in a heatwave. You worry that the air conditioning isn’t working or that the power outage has your parents without power as their well pump isn’t running. They’re isolated, and it worries you.

A home care aide can stop in and make sure they’re okay. Suppose they need to go somewhere else until power is restored or their air conditioning is fixed. In that case, the caregiver can arrange an area hotel or evacuation center and let you know.

Your Parents Have Someone to Shop With

Your parents may not like to drive, but they can have their home care aide take them to stores. If they have a hard time reading the smaller print on a price label or nutrition label, they have an aide to help out. Caregivers can carry your parents’ purchases, bring bags into the house back at home, and put items away.

Rainy Day Activities Provide Stimulation

When it’s raining, your parents may become bored or restless. They can’t go outside to their garden. They need to get an umbrella and raincoat if they go for a walk, but they don’t love wet feet and pants. Instead, they stay inside and struggle to find things to keep them busy.

Caregivers can join them for games or movie afternoons. They can help your parents with hobbies or get them to help bake cookies or make a loaf of bread. If they want to go out and tour a museum, caregivers can escort them, too.

They Engage in Meaningful Conversations

With a caregiver stopping by each week or every day, your parents have someone to talk to. Socialization increases, which is vital for their mental and emotional well-being. You arrange how often they need companionship services, and you’re welcome to increase the number of hours or days.

Isolation and loneliness do not have to keep your parents from aging at home. Talk to a home care expert about companionship services. With caregivers available to visit as often as your parents want, you enjoy peace of mind knowing your parents get to stay in their home without risking their safety. Call a home care agency to get started.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Groveland, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Don’t Head Outside Without Considering These Skincare Tips

Posted on July 6, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Elderly Care in Clermont FL

July is one of the hottest months of the year. It’s also a sunny month, a good time to stop and think of the damage UV rays are causing. That’s one of the reasons why July was named UV Safety Awareness Month. Before you head outside with your parents, remember these skincare tips.

Apply Sunscreen Before Going Outside

Your mom and dad are joining you at the beach for a picnic. They’ve just showered, and you plan to leave once they’re dressed. If the beach is a five-minute walk away, you want to apply sunscreen right now. It needs about 15 minutes to absorb into the skin and offer protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen isn’t a once-a-day item. Your parents need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. If they go in the water or sweat profusely, your parents must reapply sunscreen as soon as they dry off.

You Can Still Burn in the Shade

While the shade offers some protection from the sun, it doesn’t block the UV rays that reflect off leaves, the ground, and other items in the area. You still need to consider sun safety when you’re in the shade. Sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat are all ways to protect the skin wherever you are.

Invest in Sun Protection Clothing

When it’s hot outside, wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt isn’t appealing. You’ll get too hot. If you get loose, thin cotton clothing, the sun’s rays may get through the fabric. Look into clothing that is woven in such a way that it blocks UVA and UVB rays.

Coolibar, Solbari, and Solumbra are clothing lines that offer 50 SPF. Unlike sunscreen, there’s no reapplying any protective coating. The type of fabric and the weave are the reasons the clothing blocks UVA and UVB rays.

Drink Plenty of Water

While water won’t keep the sun’s rays from damaging your skin, it is important to make sure there’s enough water within the body. If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin may become dull and dry. Make sure you’re drinking the water your cells need to stay plump and healthy.

Do you live too far away to check on your mom and dad each day? If you aren’t close by or are busy with your job and household responsibilities, you can still make sure your parents have the help they need. Talk to an elder care agency about services like housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation.

Elder care providers keep your parents comfortable and safe without stripping them of their independence. Call a local agency and ask to talk to a specialist in elder care services.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Clermont, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Three Ways Senior Care May Support Your Mother as She Battles Pneumonia

Posted on June 24, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Senior Care in Mascotte FL

If your mother is recovering following a hospital stay due to pneumonia, that doesn’t mean she is completely free and clear of this bacteria or virus. It may still be in her, which is why her doctor likely recommended she get help at home, rest plenty, and not overdo it. If she overdoes it, if she pushes herself to hard, that could give the pneumonia a chance to reestablish itself, and then things could be even more difficult for not just recovery, but survival, should she land back in the hospital.

Senior care is one of the best options for elderly men and women who are trying to recover from pneumonia, like your mother. There are several ways senior care makes a world of difference for aging men and women.

First, a senior care provider can help keep your mother from overdoing things.

As mentioned, if a person has been battling pneumonia and continues to clean the house, run errands, take people to different places, tries to do too many things, they can relapse. Their body can only do so much.

By resting, an elderly person is allowing their immune system to focus exclusively on the bacteria or virus that has caused the pneumonia. If they push themselves to hard, their body’s limited resources are going to be drawn away from their primary defense system. That is going to give the virus or bacteria a chance to regain strength, and a relapse can be much more difficult to combat because that virus or bacteria could become resilient to the antibiotics that we used the first time around.
A senior care provider can take care of the housekeeping, assist with meal preparation, running errands, and so much more that would help your mother just rest.

Second, they can encourage her to follow doctor’s orders.

Some people have difficulty following their doctor’s orders. Senior care understands not only the challenges people face in following doctor’s orders, especially if they don’t want to rest, but also the importance of doing so.
While your mother may not listen to you about such things, even though you are completely right, she will be far more likely to listen to a trained, experienced professional when it comes to topics like this. That can make a world of difference in helping her adhere to those instructions.

Third, senior care can provide companionship.

While you can certainly be there for your mother and she might have visitors, senior care can not only offer companionship, but observe her health and, if they are a licensed medical professional, relay critical information to her doctor for proper monitoring.

While you might not know what to look for that may indicate problems arising, an experienced medical professional, like a home health care aide, could. Time is of the essence, especially when basing medical challenges like pneumonia so if this senior care provider notices certain symptoms or signs that may indicate a problem, she can help your mother take action sooner, which can make all the difference in overcoming pneumonia, finally.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Mascotte, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Tips for Helping Your Elderly Loved One Get the Best Incontinence Products

Posted on June 9, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Caregivers in Minneola FL

Unfortunately, there are many elderly people who experience incontinence. If this is something that your elderly loved one has to deal with, they may have to learn to deal with it. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t have some help. Many people who struggle with this issue find that having the best incontinence products can help them to feel better about themselves. Keep reading here for tips on helping your elderly loved one find the best incontinence products.

Choosing a Style

There are different styles of incontinence products that your elderly loved one can choose from. Some examples include briefs and pads. The different styles all have various sizes, as well. Your elderly loved one can even choose the absorbency that they need. For example, if your elderly loved one’s incontinence isn’t severe, they may not have to worry about finding the most absorbent products. However, if your elderly loved one does have severe incontinence, they may need products that will be fully absorbent. Helping your elderly loved one to choose the right style can ensure they are as comfortable as they can be in these products.

Having More Control

It can be extremely difficult to live with incontinence. If this is something that your elderly loved one deals with, it is important to know that they want to have some control over what is going on with their body. By choosing the right products, your elderly loved one can feel less worried that they will have a visible accident in public. Being able to hide their incontinence from other people can help them to feel more confident and less ashamed of their condition.

Having Convenient Products

Another tip that can help when your elderly loved one is choosing incontinence products is that they need convenience. The products that are chosen for your elderly loved one should fit them well. They need to hold in any leakage. In addition, many elderly people want to make sure the incontinence products they use will be quick to put on. If the products take too long for your elderly loved one to change, they may avoid going into public places. Isolation can be prevented by helping your elderly loved one to choose the best products for their situation.

Conclusion

These are some of the tips for helping your elderly loved one to get the best incontinence products. There are many elderly people who struggle with this health issue. It is important for your and caregivers to help ensure your elderly loved one that they aren’t alone with this issue. It is also important for them to know that you are there to help them find the products that are going to work best for them.

Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003973.htm

If you or an aging loved one is considering caregivers in Minneola, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

How Can You Tell That it’s Time for Your Senior to Have a Companion to Help Her?

Posted on May 26, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Elder Care in Center Hill FL

If your elderly family member has always been independent, it might be tough to pinpoint when she’s at a stage when she truly does need some extra help. You might have to ask her specific questions or start noticing some smaller clues to help you to open up a conversation with her about what’s going on.

Her Home Is Becoming Cluttered or Dirty

A dirty or cluttered home is one that isn’t very safe for your elderly family member. There can be a great many tripping hazards and it might not be hygienic for her. With help from someone else, your elderly family member’s home can be much safer for her on multiple levels.

She’s Not Eating Regular Meals

Getting the right nutrition is key to your senior maintaining her health. If she’s not eating healthy meals or if you can’t tell what she’s eating or when, she may need more help. Hiring elder care providers to assist with all things related to meals, groceries, and helping your senior to eat can be hugely helpful.

Your Senior Isn’t Doing Her Laundry

On the surface, laundry doesn’t seem like a big issue. But if your elderly family member isn’t keeping up with laundry, that can lead to other problems. She might just keep wearing the same clothes for days on end or she might be spending a lot of money buying fresh clothes to avoid having to wash the clothes she has.

She’s Having Trouble Driving

Has your senior had accidents in her car? If so, it might not be safe for her to keep driving. That doesn’t mean that she will willingly hand over the keys to her car, however. You may need to make sure that she has another option in place well before she agrees to stop driving herself.

She’s Avoiding Other People

Many aging adults start to avoid other people when they start to need a lot more help. This can happen because your senior is embarrassed or because she feels as if she can’t keep up the façade around other people. Your senior may not have seen close friends or even family in person for quite a while. This can lead to loneliness and isolation, and it doesn’t have to be that way for her.

If you’re noticing inconsistencies with your senior’s behaviors, home, or hygiene, it might be time to hire elder care providers to offer companionship and help where needed.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Center Hill, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

What Does Healthy Sleep Hygiene Look Like for Your Senior?

Posted on May 10, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Fixing your senior’s sleep hygiene might sound complicated, and it can be. But if she takes a look at a few key areas, she may be able to spot what’s interfering with a good night’s sleep.

Having a Sleep Schedule

Most parents know how important a regular sleep schedule is for kids, but adults need a strong sleep schedule, too. Your aging family member might be having more difficulty with sleep issues if she’s got a haphazard sleep schedule. Setting a bedtime and a wakeup time that are consistent is a good first step.

Incorporating the Right Exercise at the Right Time

Home Care in Minneola FL

Exercise, or simply increasing her normal physical activity, can be a huge help if your senior is having sleep issues. Moving more burns off excess energy and helps your senior to be able to rest when she’s ready to go to bed for the night. Always talk to her doctor before planning any changes to her activity levels to make sure that it’s okay.

Having a Solid Daily Routine

Routines work for people. Your senior’s brain and body know what’s “next” on the schedule, and that helps to give her day the flow that she needs to ease into wakefulness in the morning, go about her daily activities, and then ease into sleep at night. If your senior has a random routine, that might be making it more difficult for her body to fully rest and get the sleep she needs.

Avoiding Stimulants and Anything Else that Interrupts Sleep

Lots of different dietary and other substances can interfere with sleep. If your senior smokes, nicotine might be causing her to have sleep trouble. Eating too late in the day means that her body is expending energy on digestion, making sleep more difficult. Too much caffeine, water, or spicy foods late in the day can have a similar impact.

Talking to Her Doctor about Other Possible Solutions

If your elderly family member has ironed out some of the difficulties in her sleep hygiene and is still having trouble sleeping, she should talk to her doctor. There may be other factors at work that her doctor can help her to address.

When your elderly family member is making big changes to how her day flows, she may find it difficult to keep up with everything. Bringing in home care providers to help your senior with the tasks of daily living can help her stay on a regular routine, which leads to better sleep.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Minneola, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Recovering from a Stroke Could Mean Elder Care Needs to Be Discussed for Mom

Posted on April 22, 2021August 10, 2023 by Craig Bass

Elderly Care in Webster NY

If your elderly mother has recently suffered a stroke, you may have a lot of questions ahead of you. Depending on the severity of the stroke, she may still be able to return home. If there is a possibility that she can go home, she will need help. If you are thinking of being that primary caregiver, if you have never done this type of work before, consider elder care.

That doesn’t mean you have to step back and not offer care to her at all. However, the primary support she receives should come from an experienced elder care provider.

There are far too many potential mistakes families could make when supporting somebody following a stroke. For example, that senior’s doctor may advise them to exercise and work with a physical therapist to regain mobility.

You probably already understand this is going to be a long and difficult road to recovery. But what if your mother is feeling tired, is weeping, is frustrated, and doesn’t want to do it one day? What if she claims how tired she is?

What if you look at her and immediately know she is exhausted? Are you going to tell her it’s okay to not work with that physical therapist? Or an occupational therapist?

Would you give her the opportunity to take a day off, to rest … just one day? That may seem reasonable. That may seem rational. It may even seem like a loving response. But, if the doctor has told her she needs to work with this physical therapist on a very rigid and regular schedule, skipping one day could set her back by days, weeks, or even months.

Sometimes, your mother may not want to hear from you, either.

That’s the incredibly difficult part of it all. You want what’s best for her and even if you try to push her a little bit more, to encourage her to continue with those exercises and routines, even when they are a little painful or uncomfortable, as long as they are safe, she may push back.

When you have experienced, professional elder care in your corner, it can make a world of difference. This is something you should discuss with your mother as soon as possible.

Even if she is still in the hospital, sit down and talk to her about the prospect of elder care services. The more you know about elder care options, the more likely you can both make a decision she will be happy with and that will help her best recover from this stroke.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Webster, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.