Understanding Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elderly Care in Hartford AL |

September 3, 2020

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Incontinence can be confusing and upsetting, so much so that your elderly family member may not even want to talk about what’s going on for a while. Having open and loving conversations about what’s happening and what might be causing it is vital. It’s also important to be able to talk with your elderly family member’s doctor about what she’s experiencing

 

Elderly Care in Hartford AL: Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Elderly Care in Hartford AL: Causes of Urinary Incontinence

 

A Weak or Damaged Bladder

Physical problems with your senior’s bladder or urinary tract can lead directly to urinary incontinence problems. The muscles in the bladder and urethra help to contain the urine until your senior is ready to void her bladder. When those muscles aren’t working as well as they should, leaks can occur when your senior is least expecting them to happen. Infections or bladder stones can also cause incontinence and damage the bladder.

 

Other Health Conditions

So many other health issues, like having had children, or health issues requiring surgery can weaken areas around your senior’s bladder. That can cause her to have some problems with incontinence. Medications that your senior takes to manage those other health issues have to be processed through her liver, kidneys, and bladder. That can mean side effects that affect her bladder, even if the medication is for something else entirely.

 

Dietary Causes

You’ve probably heard a million times that what your senior eats affects everything about her health. It really is true, especially if your elderly family member tends to eat a lot of spicy foods or drinks carbonated beverages. Both can be irritating to the bladder. Caffeine, sugar, and other foods and drinks can also be an irritant. Your senior’s particular dietary triggers might be different than the norm. Keeping a food diary can help you to start to notice specific triggers.

 

Too Much Stress

Stress is always a problem for the entire body. It can definitely make incontinence worse, though. And if your senior is worried or stressed about incontinence, that becomes a vicious cycle that keeps making itself worse over time. It helps if your elderly family member learns to remain calm about the things that are beyond her control.
Your senior’s medical team can help you to narrow down what’s causing her incontinence. There may be solutions ranging from medical options to products that help her. It’s also a good idea to consider bringing in elder care providers. They’ve got experience helping seniors with complicated and embarrassing situations.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

 

Four Ways to Organize Yourself as a Caregiver

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elder Care in Hartford AL |

August 5, 2020

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There’s the organization of things and then there’s the organization of yourself, your thoughts, and the facts you’re responsible for. The latter is most important when you’re a caregiver because you’re dealing with a lot of those particular items. Keeping yourself organized isn’t as difficult as it might seem at first.

 

Elder Care in Hartford AL: Ways to Organize Yourself

Elder Care in Hartford AL: Ways to Organize Yourself

 

Consider a Planner or Calendar

Even if you’ve never been much of a planner lover before, now might be the time to try to find the right one for you. Planners are portable and they offer you a chance to collect a lot of data that would otherwise get lost or would be spread out over a variety of other places. You think you’ll remember everything as a caregiver, but that’s often not the case, especially as you get busier.

 

Make Lists Whenever Possible

Lists do a lot more to organize you and your thoughts than you might expect. When you take the time to write out a list, that gives you a chance to think through what is going on, what has to happen, and what happens next. Your lists don’t have to be perfect, but they can help you to make sense of everything that’s going on. It’s also a lot easier to delegate tasks once you have a list. For example, you can hand a list to elderly care providers without having to think through everything a second time. This saves you and everyone around you a lot of time.

 

Copy Important Documents and Store Them Securely

Important documents are sometimes difficult to find when you need them most and yet you don’t want to lose them, either. One solution is to either make copies and then store the originals in a safe or some other secure location. Another option is to digitize those documents and then save the file names as the type of document it is. You can store the documents on your phone or in your online cloud account for easy access wherever and whenever you might need them.

 

Talk to Your Senior

It’s also really important to talk to your senior when you’re thinking about making organizational changes. There may be some aspects of your current system or the one you’re thinking about moving to that your elderly family member might enjoy offering input about. Keeping your elderly family member involved as much as you can is really important, even if it doesn’t seem crucial to you.

There’s a lot that goes into being organized that isn’t necessarily about where things are placed. Organizing the important information you’re managing may be the most important part of feeling like you have a handle on what’s going on.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Liver Health – Foods that Harm and Foods that Heal

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Home Health Care in Hartford AL |

December 19, 2019

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There are many kinds of liver diseases that can affect older adults, including hepatitis viruses.
Liver disease can be a serious problem that can lead to complications, including death. Liver health is extremely important since the liver performs a lot of vital functions, including breaking down toxins, making proteins and cholesterol, and storing nutrients. One way to help your aging relative to manage liver disease is through the foods they eat. Certain foods can improve liver health, but others can cause harm.

 

Home Health Care in Hartford AL: Liver Health

Home Health Care in Hartford AL: Liver Health

 

Healthy Food for Liver Disease

 

Oatmeal
Fiber is important to keep the liver performing at its best. Oatmeal contains a great deal of fiber. It has also been associated with helping people to lose weight, especially belly fat, which can improve liver health.

 

Coffee
If your older relative likes to start the day with a hot cup of coffee, there’s good news! Coffee is considered one of the healthiest beverages for the liver. Research indicates it reduces the risk of cirrhosis and may even protect against liver cancer.

 

Blueberries
Blueberries contain polyphenols. Polyphenols have been linked to protecting the liver from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Try adding a serving of blueberries to your older family member’s diet about three to four times per week.

 

Foods That Can Harm the Liver

 

Fatty Foods
Foods that contain a lot of saturated fat can harm the liver because they make it work harder. As time goes on, fatty foods can cause inflammation in the liver, which can then cause scarring. Scarring of the liver is known as cirrhosis.

 

Sugar
One of the jobs of the liver is to convert sugar into fat. When your aging relative eats too much sugar, the liver has to work harder. In addition, the excess fat made by the liver tends to hang around the liver, causing fatty liver disease.

 

Salt

Although the body needs some salt, many people eat more than they need. A diet high in salt has been associated with fibrosis, which is the beginning of scarring in the liver. Avoiding pre-packaged foods, using herbs and spices instead of salt, and eating fresh vegetables instead of canned are all good ways to cut back on salt in your aging relative’s diet.

Elder care can help your aging relative to eat a diet that supports the health of their liver. Elder care providers can assist with planning meals and going grocery shopping with the older adult. An elder care provider can even make your loved one’s meals and clean up the kitchen afterward.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/

https://www.healthline.com/

https://www.livestrong.com/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

Are Smartphones to Blame When Elderly Can’t Sleep?

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Home Care in Hartford AL |

December 6, 2019

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Does your aging relative often seem tired during the day? Do they complain of not sleeping well at night? If so, they’re not alone. Researchers recently published a report indicating that more Americans than ever are having difficulty sleeping at night.

 

Home Care in Hartford AL: Are Smartphones to Blame?

Home Care in Hartford AL: Are Smartphones to Blame?

 

Smartphones May Be a Factor in Poor Sleep

According to a study published in the journal Sleep Health, the number of people who have difficulty falling asleep and of those who cannot stay asleep is rising. The study used data from around 165,000 adult people in the United States that was collected between 2013 and 2017. According to the data:

  • The number of people having trouble getting to sleep is up 1.4 percent.
  • The number of people who have trouble staying asleep is up 2.7 percent.

 

Those numbers might seem small. However, they equate to around 5 million more people are having trouble sleeping. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to some serious health problems, including heart disease.

The researchers don’t know exactly what is responsible for the rise in poor sleep. One possible culprit is smartphones and other devices. The blue light emitted from their screens affects melatonin levels. Usually, melatonin is released starting a few hours before bed. Melatonin levels are highest in the middle of the night, which should keep your aging relative asleep. However, if your aging relative is using their smartphone or tablet close to bedtime to read, use social media, or play games, the brain may not release as much melatonin, which could account for their sleep problems.

 

Evening Activities Senior Care Can Do with Older Adults

The National Sleep Foundation recommends shutting off devices in the hours before bedtime to improve sleep. So, what activities should older adults do before bedtime to keep them from getting bored and also improve sleep? There are plenty of things a senior care provider can do with your older family member near bedtime, like these activities:

  • A senior care provider and older adult can work on a jigsaw puzzle together.
  • Your aging relative’s senior care provider can read to them from a book, newspaper, or magazine.
  • Senior care providers can turn on soothing music and listen with the older adult.
  • Your aging relative and a senior care provider can look through photo albums together and reminisce about the past.

These are just a couple of activities that a senior care provider can do with your loved one. There are many other activities they can do together. If there’s a quiet activity your older family member likes to do, a senior care provider can assist them to engage in the activity during the evening hours.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/

What Can You Do Right Now for Stress Relief?

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elder Care in Hartford AL |

November 22, 2019

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Managing stress is a big part of being a caregiver. If you weren’t already an expert, you’re going to become one over time.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Stress Relief

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Stress Relief

 

Take a Moment and Breathe

You can take a second and check your breathing no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Just stop a minute and focus on your breathing. If you can leave the room and close your eyes, that’s even better. But if you can’t, just focus on keeping your breathing slow and even. In a few minutes, you’ll feel better able to cope.

 

Go Walk or Run it Off

If you can, go for a quick walk or run. This helps you to burn off the excess energy that anxiety likes to dump into your system. You can even find that your brain starts to clear a little bit. Part of this is because you’re getting your blood flowing a little bit better, but part of it has to do with chemicals. Your brain and your body release endorphins and other happy chemicals into your bloodstream when you move, so it helps more than you realize.

 

Eat Something Nutritious and Tasty

When did you eat last and what was it? If you can’t remember what you ate or you know that you ate something that was low in nutritive value, it’s time to change that. Go eat something that’s at least a little bit nutritious and that’s tasty. You want it to be delicious so that you’ll keep eating it and you want nutritive value so you’re giving your body what it really needs.

 

Reach out to Friends or Family

Take a quick second and reach out to friends and family. Let them know you’re having a bad day, even if you’re not comfortable fully sharing why or what’s going on. They may be able to offer you more comfort than you realize, just because you took the time to reach out. This doesn’t have to take long, either. A quick text message can help.

 

Line up Home Care Services Now

You’re stressed right now and you probably realize that you need more help. Stop what you’re doing and go line up help from home care services now, while you’re thinking about it. You might forget to do it later, but taking this step when you’re in need helps ensure it gets done.

Put together a toolbox you can dip into when you feel stress rising. You don’t have to make it complicated, but the solutions inside should be helpful for you.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Tips on Caring for a Senior Who Has Arthritis

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elder Care in Hartford AL |

September 18, 2019

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According to the CDC, between 2013 to 2015, 54.4 million U.S. adults, had been told they had some form of arthritis. Caring for a senior who has arthritis can be tough. However, whether you are a family caregiver or home caregiver, there are some great tips for senior care, when it comes to helping someone who has arthritis.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Senior Who Has Arthritis

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Senior Who Has Arthritis

 

#1 – Applying Heat or Cold

One of the things that might help you to care for a senior who has arthritis is to have them apply heat or cold to the area that is hurting. It depends on where the pain is coming from and how badly it is hurting, whether heat or cold will help better. Hot baths, heating pads, heated rice packs, frozen water bottles, and ice packs are all great ways to apply heat or cold.

 

#2 – Exercise

Many people avoid having seniors exercise. They believe it will make the pain worse. However, if you find the right exercise, it can actually benefit the person with arthritis. Before choosing certain exercises, though, your parent or the person you are caring for should have their doctor’s permission to exercise. Joint movement can help to reduce stiffness which can increase comfortability. It can also protect swollen joints, reduce fatigue, and improve overall movement, too. According to NCBI, without any exercise, joints are likely to deteriorate.

 

#3 – Losing Weight

If your parent or the person you are caring for is a bit overweight, helping them to lose weight can help to reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Excess weight puts additional pressure on the joints which leads to more pain. When it comes to senior care, having them exercise and helping them to eat right, can greatly improve the symptoms associated with arthritis.

 

#4 – Helpful Devices

There are some devices that can help with senior care when it comes to arthritis. Some help with buttoning shirts, others help with pulling up zippers, and still, others can extend that person’s reach. These devices reduce the stress that is put on their joints. You may want to get these devices for the senior you are caring for.

 

#5 – Changing Lifestyle Habits

Another tip is to have the senior in your life change their lifestyle habits. It might be helpful for them to do multiple activities in one day, with rests in between, instead of going out multiple days for activities. In addition, your parent or the person you are caring for could start asking for help more often for certain things. A handicapped parking sticker may help for someone with a more severe form of arthritis.

 

#6 – Getting a Home Caregiver

If the senior you are caring for has a severe form of arthritis, it may be time to get them a home caregiver. The home caregiver can help them with daily activities and other things that need to be done.

Using these tips on caring for a senior who has arthritis can help to reduce their pain and discomfort.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

 

Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Simple Holiday Celebrations for Seniors with Dementia

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Dementia, Senior Health |

December 24, 2018

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The winter holidays are filled with laughter, music, delicious smells and festivities for young and old. However, for many elderly adults with dementia, it can mean confusion, anxiety, and stress. If your aging loved one has dementia, you may not be clear on what to do to help them enjoy the holidays. Many family caregivers struggle with this exact dilemma this time of year, and unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer. It all depends on your elderly loved one and your unique situation.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Dementia and Holidays

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Dementia and Holidays

 

Plan Ahead for Holiday Celebrations

Torn between your desire to recreate special holiday memories and knowing that anything out of the routine is often a trigger, how can you know what to do to help your elderly loved one? First, evaluate your aging loved one’s abilities and reactions in past situations. Then, try to avoid any known triggers as you make holiday plans. You can also use family members, friends, and senior care providers to assist you with your elderly relative around the holidays.

 

Simple is Best for Seniors with Dementia

As you make plans for the holidays, you may be feeling stressed about getting everything done and creating a fun-filled celebration for your aging loved one. However, simple events are best for those with dementia because too much stimulation can lead to anxiety, worry, and irritability. You can bring holiday cheer to their lives without introducing hardships for yourself and them. Incorporate meaningful holiday traditions into their existing routines for the best results.

 

Here are a few ideas for creating simple holiday celebrations for seniors with dementia:

-Encourage your aging loved one to sign holiday cards and send them out. As they receive cards, from others, display them where they can be seen.

-Don’t go overboard with holiday decorations. Instead, choose a few beloved pieces and put them around the home to evoke fond memories without changing too much of the atmosphere.

-Invite favorite smells of the holidays with scented wax or diffusers for aromatherapy. Popular holiday scents include cloves, cinnamon, gingerbread, sugar cookie, and apple spice.

-Bake holiday cookies using your aging loved one’s favorite recipe and perhaps make a plate to share with their senior care provider or a familiar neighbor.

-Invite grandchildren to visit and do a simple holiday craft together. Most seniors like to interact with young children and will enjoy interacting together.

-Plan a small holiday gathering with a few close family members and the senior care provider. Hold it during the time of day when your elderly relative is usually at their best. Keep it short and simple, with plenty of holiday cheer.

-Host a holiday sing-a-long with a few good friends or family members. Many seniors with dementia like to listen to music and sing songs that are special to them.

 

No matter what you do to bring the holiday spirit to your aging loved one’s life, you can’t do it alone. Ask family members, senior care providers and friends for help in creating simple and effective holiday celebrations for your aging relative with dementia.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.