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Tag: Seniors and Health Issues

Explore the Benefits of 24-Hour Home Care When Vision Diminishes

Posted on by Craig Bass
24-Hour Home Care in Mascotte FL
24-Hour Home Care in Mascotte FL

While eye exams are recommended each year, not every older American goes for one. Around a quarter of older adults believe that if they can see clearly there’s no need to see an eye doctor for a routine exam.

Due to finances, seven out of ten older adults skip an annual eye exam. Ten percent have never been to an eye health professional, yet half of the older adults in this study said they fear vision loss.

Your dad was one of the older adults who felt his vision was fine and skipped yearly exams. Like others, he realized the importance when it was too late to protect his vision. He has glaucoma, but because he wasn’t diagnosed early, he’s now legally blind and cannot be left alone.

You work full-time, and it’s getting harder to manage your workload when your dad asks for help all day and night. Have you considered 24-hour home care and its benefits?

Caregivers Work in Shifts

With 24-hour home care, caregivers work in shifts to cover the entire 24 hours. Your dad may have three caregivers working eight-hour shifts or four caregivers working six-hour shifts. He’s never alone.

While a caregiver is with him, he has someone to cook meals and prepare snacks. If there’s housework to be done, the caregiver can help him. With around-the-clock care aides, your dad has a driver for his appointments with eye doctors, clinics, and dentists. If he has errands to run his caregiver can help him.

Caregivers also help with laundry. They can make your dad’s bed, change his sheets and towels, and put things away when the laundry is dry. If your dad needs help reminding him to take medications or to put in eye drops, his caregiver is there.

In the middle of the night, your dad often wakes up and needs the bathroom. He can’t find his way as easily as he used to, but his overnight caregiver can help him get to the toilet and walk him back to bed when he’s ready.

He’s Never Alone

Your dad’s nervous about being alone in his home when he can’t see. With a caregiver there all day and all night, he’s never by himself. He’s supported when he needs it, which ensures he’s able to maintain his independence.

Hire caregivers for your dad. It’s easy to make the arrangements for 24-hour home care. Gather a list of questions you, your dad, and your immediate family have. Call an agency and ask to talk to a specialist in home care. You’ll go over the questions, learn more about how the services work, and find out about the pricing. Call now.

Sources:
https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/MBGH/4f7f512a-e946-4060-9575-b27c65545cb8/UploadedImages/Eye_Health_TK/2018_American_Eye-Q_Results_1_23_19.pdf

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

Boosting Stroke Recovery Through Nutritious Food

Posted on by Craig Bass
In-Home Care in Clermont FL
In-Home Care in Clermont FL

Keeping a careful watch on your parent’s health is essential as they age. In-home care may be a good option if you worry about your elderly loved one having a stroke but can’t be there for them every day. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you have an additional pair of eyes on your aging loved one. A senior’s health may be monitored more closely with in-home care, and a speedy recovery after a stroke is also possible.

Several things affect how often strokes happen in older people. The most likely reason might be that the longer we live, the more long-term health problems we get. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart and blood vessel problems, and high cholesterol can make a person more likely to have a stroke. But some parts of an older person’s lifestyle can also make them more likely to have a stroke. For example, a bad diet can worsen the above health problems and, when combined with not getting enough exercise, can cause weight gain. Many older people find it very hard to exercise, making them more likely to stay in one place all day. This is why it can be so crucial to have in-home care providers help your elderly loved one eat well.

Seniors who eat well while recovering from a stroke can control their weight, blood pressure, and the chance of having another stroke by a large amount. Family caregivers should talk to their loved one’s doctors about what foods to include in their meal plans and what foods to avoid. Here are four healthy food choices to improve recovery for people who have had a stroke:

Add in Spinach Salads

Spinach in the diet can help improve movement after a stroke, making it easier for seniors to do many things independently. When an older person eats spinach and other leafy green vegetables high in antioxidants, the blood flow to the cerebral cortex is less likely to get blocked. This helps improve muscle strength and cognitive skills like attention span and short-term memory.

Snack on Salmon All Year Long

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish are essential for improving cardiovascular health and lowering the risk of another stroke in older persons. At least three meals of salmon each week may reduce blood pressure and lipid levels, slowing the accumulation of fatty deposits that cause blocked arteries.

Start the Day With Blueberries

The consumption of this fruit helps mitigate the brain damage that strokes cause in older people. Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which protect brain cells. Reducing cell loss may quickly improve memory and movement, easing the everyday lives of seniors and their family caregivers. Add blueberries to other meals, such as fruit salads and smoothies, for added variety.

Put Avocados on Toast or Salad

The avocado’s soluble fiber modulates the body’s usage of carbohydrates and reduces the blood cholesterol levels of elderly stroke survivors. Avocados include heart-healthy fiber, monounsaturated fat, minerals, and vitamins. In addition, the magnesium in avocados helps facilitate the metabolism of fats and carbs from other meals.

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

How To Help Seniors With Incontinence

Posted on by Craig Bass
In-Home Care in Yalaha FL
In-Home Care in Yalaha FL

When was the last time you discussed incontinence with your family or friends? The majority of us avoid talking about it, even though incontinence affects more than half of seniors and many younger individuals as well. Ignoring the issue may have unintended implications, including depression, falls, social isolation, and other neglected health concerns.

Many parents won’t want to admit to their children that there is a problem. It can be uncomfortable for them to talk to their grown children about this, and who can blame them? If you think there may be a problem that your senior is not comfortable sharing with you, it’s time to think about alternative help like in-home care providers. There are many benefits of in-home care, including meal preparation, light housekeeping, mobility assistance, medication reminders and help with personal care tasks that can be embarrassing, like incontinence.

If you’re still unsure if incontinence is a problem, there are a few things you can do to try to help your senior parent. You may also have luck finding out what other caregivers have done in this situation. However, here is a good place to start.

Know Where To Start

Bringing up incontinence can be uncomfortable, so you should know how to bring up this topic. To begin, note that if your mother or father has incontinence unexpectedly, they should see their physician. Prostate difficulties, urinary tract infections, and weak pelvic floor muscles are all possible reasons. Certain kinds of incontinence may be treated medically or via physical therapy.

However, even cognitively fit seniors often conceal incontinence. To encourage your family members to speak up, you may attempt to normalize the situation by addressing your own troubles or bringing up others who have discussed incontinence.

How To Help Your Parent

There are tons of products that can help the elderly with incontinence, but you should be aware that using the term diaper is inappropriate and can make seniors feel worse. You can use the term briefs or undergarments to make your parent feel more comfortable. Additionally, you may assist your parent by modifying their attire, surroundings, and routine.

Make sure there is a very clear path to the bathroom and keep a regular eating and drinking routine. When a senior’s body is used to liquids at a certain time, they may also use the bathroom around the same time every day, which means you can stay prepared to help them go.

If you are going out, always be prepared with a small tote that has a change of clothes and other products your senior may need during the day. This will help them feel like they can continue to go around and do activities without having to worry about anything.

Help them make better outfit choices. Slacks with an elastic waistband may be easily pulled down, allowing your loved one to use the restroom more quickly and perhaps avoiding an accident. Additionally, if you are required to assist your loved one with housekeeping, easy-off clothing makes it easier to undress and redress them.

Lastly, try being empathetic about the situation. Loss of control of physiological functions is one of the most distressing health problems, so handle the situation with care and subtlety to help alleviate your loved one’s concern. You may also discover that it helps alleviate your own tension.

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

Top Things to Know About Cataracts in Senior Citizens

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care Assistance in Clermont FL
Home Care Assistance in Clermont FL

There are numerous vision issues that senior citizens face. One of the common issues is cataracts. Is this something that you have been worrying about with your elderly loved one? If so, there are some things that you may want or need to know about cataracts in senior citizens. Once you know more about this health condition, you can do better at helping your elderly loved one to get treatment for it if they have it or prevent it if they don’t have it yet.

Getting Regular Eye Exams

All elderly people should get regular eye exams. With so many vision issues that often present themselves in the elderly, it is important that each senior citizen is seeing their eye doctor regularly. With most vision problems, catching them early on gives more of a chance for successful treatment options. If your elderly loved one does have cataracts, they may need glasses. Even if they already have glasses, they may need an altered prescription. In addition, if there is a diagnosis of cataracts, your elderly loved one may need home care assistance providers to help them out with various tasks throughout the day.

Light Issues

Senior citizens or anyone else that has cataracts will experience lighting issues. For example, people who have this health condition often need to have non-glare lights in their house. There are many different places where you or a home care provider can pick up these types of lights. Many of the local home improvement stores have these light options. If needed, you or a home care assistance provider may also need to adjust the blinds or shades on the windows in your elderly loved one’s house to reduce their sensitivity to light.

Better Eye Care Outdoors

Another issue that your elderly loved one may have to deal with is their eyesight outdoors. Unfortunately, for people who have cataracts, the sunlight can affect their vision. This is especially true on days when the sun is glaring. It is very important that you or a home care assistance provider picks up anti-glare, UV protection sunglasses for your elderly loved one. If they won’t remember to wear these glasses, make sure one of you reminds them to wear the glasses whenever they will be headed outside on sunny days.

Conclusion

These are some of the things that you may want or need to know about cataracts in senior citizens. Now that you are aware of this health condition, you can do better at helping your elderly loved one to get treatment for this issue.

Sources
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts

 

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

Is It COVID, a Cold, the Flu, or Something Else?

Posted on by Craig Bass
24-Hour Home Care in Webster FL
24-Hour Home Care in Webster FL

Your dad is sick. He’s feverish, coughing, and so very tired. How can you tell if he has the flu, a bad cold, or COVID-19? What if it’s something else? Check out the differences between them.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Each?

Determining if it’s the cold, the flu, or COVID-19 can be tricky as symptoms vary from one person to another. For many people, COVID-19 causes a loss of taste or smell. That can help you determine if your dad could have COVID.

While the flu and COVID can cause fevers, coughing, and lethargy, the flu is not likely to impact taste and smell. Your dad’s body may ache with the flu, especially the joints.

A cold is often less severe than the flu or COVID. A runny nose and cough are common symptoms. Depending on whether it’s a head cold or a chest cold, the congestion will be noticeable in different body areas. A head cold will have your sinuses congested and may cause a headache and sinus pain, while a chest cold may have more of a cough and congestion when you take a deep breath.

Your dad may have a virus that doctors don’t feel is any of them. He could be experiencing allergies to things in the air or in foods he’s eaten.

What Do You Do If You Suspect Your Dad is Seriously Ill?

What if your dad seems to be having difficulty eating and drinking enough? He’s struggling to stay awake. His fever is high, and it’s worrying you.

Call his doctor if you have any concerns. He may need to go to the office and get tested to determine if it’s the flu, COVID-19, or a cold. Some viruses don’t fit into any of those categories, and you’ll learn what to do to help your dad recover.

If your dad’s doctor recommends he goes to the hospital, ask about home care services. With a balance of caregivers and home health nurses, he may be able to avoid a stay in the hospital. It never hurts to ask and see what his doctor thinks.

When your dad is sick, make sure he’s supported with the care services he needs. With 24-hour home care services, your dad has someone awake and ready to help. If he wakes at 2 a.m. and needs a drink, his caregiver is there.

Make arrangements for 24-hour home care services today. Pick up the phone, call and talk to a specialist, and schedule the care he needs until he’s feeling better.

Your dad’s fine, but you’re not. If you’re sick, don’t spread your virus to him. Let caregivers provide 24-hour respite care services until you’re healthy again.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Webster, 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 by Craig Bass
Caregivers in Minneola FL
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.