Preventing Accidental Poisoning and Other Injuries During the Christmas Season

Posted in Elder Care in Abbeville AL, Home Care in Abbeville AL, Senior Care in Abbeville AL |

December 4, 2018

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Christmas is a joyous time to celebrate with your loved ones, but it can also have many hidden challenges and dangers.
This is particularly true for an elderly adult who may be coping with challenges and limitations such as cognitive functioning decline. As a family caregiver, it is important to be aware of the risks your senior might face during this time, including accidental poisoning and other injuries. Taking steps to prevent these dangers allows your parent to enjoy the holiday season in a safe and healthy way.

 

Home Care in Abbeville AL: Preventing Accidental Poisoning

Home Care in Abbeville AL: Preventing Accidental Poisoning

 

Use these tips to prevent accidental poisoning and other injuries during the Christmas season:

 

-Keep food safety in mind during all aspects of the holiday season. Remember even when the weather is cold, foodborne infection and illness is a hazard. Keep food at safe temperatures, make sure leftovers sent with family are kept well-chilled, and discard any leftovers not properly maintained

 

-Avoid having poisonous plants in the home. Poinsettias, holly, and other seasonal plants can be extremely dangerous. This is very important if your parent struggles with cognitive functioning decline and may get confused and consume these items

 

-Do not decorate with artificial candy or food. Your parent or children might get confused and try to eat them, which can lead to choking.

 

-Avoid air fresheners that look like hard candy. This can lead to poisoning if consumed

Make sure to keep up with your senior’s medication reminders during holiday celebrations. This is especially important if their doctor gave them extra medication to have around during celebrations or for when you are traveling. Make sure your parent is taking only the amount they should when they should.

 

-Do not leave alcohol easily accessible.

 

Caring for an elderly adult who is living with cognitive functioning decline can be extremely challenging. Fortunately, elder care can help. An elderly home care services provider can step in to care for your aging parent in personalized ways designed not just to help them cope with these changes, but also to encourage their highest quality of life.

Not only will this help your parent stay healthier and safer throughout their later years, but it will also reduce your stress and enable you to maintain better well-being throughout this care experience. Due to the completely customizable nature of the care, you can feel confident even when your parent’s needs increase, so will their care.

 

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

 

Sources:

https://www.poison.org/

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Is Your Mom at Risk?

Posted in Cancer, Senior Care in Abbeville AL, Senior Health |

September 19, 2017

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Senior Care in Abbeville AL: September Is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Senior Care in Abbeville AL: September Is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to brush up on information about ovarian cancer. It’s also a good time to think about your aging mom and whether ovarian cancer might be a concern for her.

 

Ovarian Cancer Starts in the Ovaries

A woman’s ovaries are located on either side of her uterus and are responsible for producing eggs. They also secrete the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Ovarian cancer starts in an ovary but may spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often not discovered until it has already spread. As a result, ovarian cancer is frequently fatal. However, when ovarian cancer is found before it spreads beyond the ovary, treatment is usually more effective.

 

Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer…

Ovarian cancer typically strikes after a woman has reached menopause, making your mom’s age a risk factor.

 

-Other risk factors include-

-Family History: If your mom’s mother had ovarian cancer, or if she has a sister or daughter who had ovarian cancer, she is at a greater risk.

-Genetics: Some women have a certain gene change that puts them at the highest risk of developing ovarian cancer. This gene change is often present in people with a family history of cancer.

-Age of Menstruation: If your mom began to menstruate before she was 12 years old or stopped menstruating before age 52, her risk may be higher.

-Pregnancy: Women who have never been pregnant have a higher risk.

-Hormone Replacement Therapy: If your mom used estrogen replacement therapy for menopause symptoms, her risks are elevated. This is particularly true if she was on hormone replacement therapy for an extended period of time or was taking high doses.

-Smoking.

-Use of an Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control.

-Having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

 

If your mom has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, hiring a senior care provider to assist with her care can be a great help to both your mom and your family.  Senior care providers will come to your mom’s house to help her with things that may be too difficult for her to do on her own because of the illness.  For example, a senior care provider can help her move safely around the house, helping her to get to the bathroom and other areas of the house.  Senior care providers can also cook for your mom, perform light house cleaning tasks, and assist her with personal care, like bathing and dressing.

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

 

Sources
http://ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/am-i-at-risk
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/basics/definition/con-20028096
http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/guide/ovarian-cancer-what-increases-your-risk
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/basics/risk-factors/con-20028096