Senior Health: How Common is Anemia in Older Women?

Posted in Anemia, Senior Health |

September 9, 2021

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Senior Health: Anemia is a health condition where red cell counts are too low.

It can affect your immunities and heart health. The red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs, so anemia has to be addressed. Senior Health is important to keep an eye on if you suspect anemia.

 

Senior Care in Elba NJ: Anemia

Senior Care in Elba NJ: Anemia

 

Your mom’s been diagnosed with anemia.

Assuming she’s past menopause, it is an unexpected diagnosis. If she’s still in the midst of menopause, it isn’t as unusual.

If she is anemic, know that upwards of 4 out of 10 older adults do have anemia. Her doctor will walk her through the things that need to be done to address her anemia.

 

What causes anemia in older women?

Blood loss during your period is one cause, and that’s why doctors will want to know if she’s through menopause. If she has, it can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and malnutrition. Sometimes, the cause is never discovered. Her doctor will want to rule out underlying health issues first.

 

What Are the Signs of Anemia?

Your mom may not even realize she’s anemic. The common signs include:

  • Feeling tired.
  • Pale skin.
  • A fast heart rate.
  • Having a headache.
  • Finding it hard to catch your breath.

As many other things can cause that to happen, she may not even think of it as being anemia.

Most of the time, anemia is diagnosed during a routine blood test. If your mom’s iron levels are low, her doctor will want to run a complete blood panel to check her red cell counts. Once that happens, she’ll likely be asked if she’s had a colonoscopy to look for signs of bleeding that could be causing low iron levels.

How is Anemia Treated?

Her treatment will depend on how severe the anemia is. Expect your mom to start taking prescription iron supplements. When she does, they may increase her risk of constipation and make her feel nauseous for a couple of hours after taking them.

If it’s severe, your mom may need to go in for iron infusions. She’ll need someone with her on those days as common side effects include dizziness, low blood pressure, and nausea. She shouldn’t drive herself.

Her doctor may recommend changing her diet to include iron-rich foods like beef, brown rice, eggs, kidney beans, lamb, oysters, shrimp, and tofu. If she struggles with meal prep, hire a senior home care aide to do it for her. She may find she appreciates having someone eat with her, too.

Arrange services by talking to a senior home care specialist. You’ll discuss prices and services, making it easy to schedule care that’s affordable and meets your mom’s needs.

 

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

 

Sources:

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1001/p1565.html

Constipation: Best Natural Treatments for Constipation

Posted in Constipation, Senior Health |

August 31, 2021

| by

Constipation: Unfortunately, many people suffer from constipation.

This is a condition that can cause someone a lot of pain and discomfort. Many people who have constipation will experience stomach cramps, bloating, painful bowel movements, and other health issues.

Many people who are constipated will try taking medications to treat the problem. However, many of these medications can cause various other side effects. For most people, it isn’t worth it to take anything for their constipation. If you are trying to help your elderly loved one with constipation, there are many natural treatments they can try. You can even get them companion care at home. The home care providers can help your elderly loved one commit to these natural treatments.

 

Constipation

Constipation

 

Eating Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds can be natural laxatives when taken in the right amount. The reason for this is because flaxseeds help digest food in the stomach. If your elderly loved one wants a way to relieve this condition, without the side effects from laxative medications, have them take 1 tsp. Of flaxseeds before bed. They should mix these with a bottle of water. It is best to have the flaxseeds sit in the water for a few hours in the fridge. If your elderly loved one does this, they should have some relief when they get up in the morning.

Eating Fennel

Fennel is a herb that encourages smooth muscle movements throughout the digestive system. If your elderly loved one needs relief from constipation, adding fennel to their diet can help a great deal. To receive the most benefits from fennel, your elderly loved one should eat dry-roasted fennel seeds with a glass of warm water. In addition, when you or a senior care provider makes your loved one pasta or soup, these seeds can be added to those meals.

Drinking Lemon Juice

Research shows the citric acid from lemon juice can help encourage movement in the digestive tract. In addition, lemon juice is known to get toxins out of the colon, which helps to prevent constipation in the first place. If your elderly loved one would like to follow through with this tip, you should have them drink a glass of water with lemon juice in it. They should drink lemon water every morning. If needed, you can get your loved one companion care at home. The companion care providers can make the lemon water for your loved one, so it is ready when they get up.

Constipation: Conclusion

Has your elderly loved one been suffering from constipation? If so, there are many ways they can naturally relieve their constipation. The tips mentioned above are all helpful with this issue.

 

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

 

Sources
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment
https://www.healthline.com/health/6-natural-remedies-constipation

Senior Care Tips: Ways That You Can Help Your Elderly Loved One Stop Hoarding?

Posted in Senior Care, Senior Care Tips |

August 6, 2021

| by

Senior Care Tips: When you go to your elderly loved one’s house, what do you see?

Does it seem like your elderly loved one has their belongings on every surface of their home? Does your elderly loved one keep all old newspapers? Maybe, your elderly loved one has hundreds of books they never read. These are just a couple of things that many senior citizens hoard. However, it could be anything else, as well. Hoarding is often a sign of depression, dementia, or loneliness. Learn more about it today with these senior care tips, so you can start helping your elderly loved one.

 

Senior Care Tips: Hoarding

Senior Care Tips: Hoarding

Talk About Safety

One of the ways that you can help your elderly loved one to stop hoarding is to talk to them about safety. Many senior citizens don’t realize the dangers of having so much in their house. Some of these dangers include:

  • Fire safety
  • Tripping

These are the most common safety issues with hoarding. If you talk to your elderly loved one about these dangers, hopefully, they will see that having so much in their house could be a huge problem.

After having this talk, if your elderly loved one is willing to let go of some belongings, you or an elder care provider can help them sort through things.

Getting Extra Help

If it seems like your elderly loved one is hoarding, you should talk to them. They may not be purposefully keeping everything. There could be many reasons why your elderly loved one doesn’t get rid of things. Some of these things include:

  • Hurting too much to pick things up
  • Feeling overwhelmed with all their belongings
  • Needing help doing household chores
  • Needing help sorting through items to decide what to keep and what to get rid of

If these things are happening, hopefully, you or an elder care provider can help your elderly loved one. All it would take is for someone to help your elderly loved one work through each section of their house.

Regular Cleaning

Once you can help your elderly loved one get their hoarding under control, regular cleaning is important. If you or an elder care provider can help your elderly loved one clean their home at least once a week, hopefully, it won’t get that messy or cluttered anymore.

If you go to your elderly loved one’s house and clutter keeps accumulating, be sure to talk to them again before it gets too bad. Find out what is happening again and see what your elderly loved one might need help with. The senior care tips above can help you with this.

 

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

Sources

https://www.oprah.com/home/how-to-overcome-hoarding/all

Caregiver Tips: Once in a While, It’s Nice to Get a Break from Caring for an Aging Parent, and That’s Where Senior Care Comes into Play

Posted in Break From Caregiving, Caregiver Tips |

July 23, 2021

| by

Caregiver Tips: Millions of people act as family caregivers in the United States each year.

They look after elderly parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, and aunts or uncles, and sometimes even close friends. Even though they want to do this, it is done out of an act of love, it is still necessary to get a break from the caregiving responsibilities. Senior care is a wonderful option to consider when you need some time off, even if it’s just a few hours each week. See below for some caregiver tips to help you get some respite time.

Keep in mind that everyone needs time off. We need weekends, holidays, vacations, and an opportunity to rest our bodies, our minds, and feel renewed.

Senior care is a wonderful option that allows family caregivers, friends, and others who support aging loved ones to have time off, either to exercise, to simply relax, to get a better night’s sleep, or to not have to worry every day about rushing over to this senior’s house before or after work or in the gaps in a quickly narrowing schedule.

 

Home Health Care in Hartford AL: Break from Caring

Home Health Care in Hartford AL: Break from Caring

 

What is the best senior care option available for these family caregivers?

That would be in-home care. A home care aide is a person who can step in and support an aging person in the comfort of their home. Aging in place, as it is referred to, is the most preferred option among elderly men and women who may need some type of assistance.

 

Why might a senior need support?

There could be any number of reasons, including, but not limited to, chronic health issues. As people get older, there is an increased likelihood they may face certain health challenges.

Whether it’s fighting cancer, dealing with Parkinson’s disease, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, or even the loss of strength due to the natural process of aging, seniors may need help with even the most basic tasks of everyday life, either ongoing or temporarily.

This type of help might include assistance getting out of bed. It might include help getting into and out of the shower. The senior might need assistance getting dressed, preparing a meal, or even just getting to a doctor’s appointment once a week or several times a month.

 

Caregiver Tips: When a senior needs significant care throughout the week, the family will need help, too.

The more support and assistance an aging person needs during the week, the more pressure this places on the family caregiver. When that happens, that family member is going to need help, otherwise, they run an increasing risk of burning out, getting frustrated, and wanting to give up.

Yet, that loved one isn’t going to give up on this senior, so before he or she reaches their breaking point, turn to senior care.

Through a home care agency, an individual can hire an aide for just a couple of hours at a time. That could be the nice break a family member needs once a week. But, they also might realize that senior care can help them for more than just once-a-week visits. Use the caregiver tips above to ensure good caregiver health.

 

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.

Senior Health: What is Causing Your Elderly Loved One’s Sleep Issues?

Posted in Senior Health, Sleep Care |

July 13, 2021

| by

Senior Health: Has your elderly loved one mentioned that they can’t fall asleep easily at night?

Maybe they lay in bed thinking about a bunch of things. Your elderly loved one might be experiencing sleep issues after they fall asleep, too. These issues might include a range of problems. You should learn about the things that commonly cause sleep issues in the elderly. This would be a great place to start in helping your loved one sleep better for good senior health.

 

Senior Care in Daleville AL: Senior Care

Senior Care in Daleville AL: Senior Care

Medication Side Effects

There are many medications that elderly people often need to take. Some elderly people are on 5 or more medications. There more medications your elderly loved one is taking – prescribed and over the counter – increase the chances of them having sleep issues. If your elderly loved one’s sleep issues are moderate to severe and they believe medications are the problem, this should be discussed with their doctor. It is important for you and home care providers to remind your loved one to never stop taking medications with the approval of their doctor.

Sleep Apnea

Another reason for sleep issues in the elderly is sleep apnea. Your elderly loved one may not think they have sleep apnea because they didn’t have it when they were younger. However, people’s bodies change as they get older. This is a condition that can develop over time. If your elderly loved one snores a lot or has trouble sleeping, you may want to see if their doctor will perform a sleep study. This is the way that sleep apnea gets diagnosed. If sleep apnea is the problem, your elderly loved one might be prescribed a CPAP machine to help them sleep better.

Nocturia

Many elderly people experience nocturia. This is when they have to get up in the night to go pee. If you or a senior care provider notices that your loved one is constantly getting up at night to use the bathroom, this could be the problem. If they only get up at night to pee every once in a while, this isn’t likely the cause. However, you should still schedule your elderly loved one an appointment to discuss this with their doctor. There are different treatments for nocturia. If your elderly loved one has this condition, once the proper treatment is found, they should be able to sleep better at night.

Senior Health: Conclusion

These are some of the things that commonly cause sleep issues in the elderly. Not being able to sleep well can affect people in many ways. Just think about the times when you don’t get enough sleep. It is important to help your elderly loved ones find the reason for their sleep issues, so the proper solutions can be implemented and she will enjoy better senior health.

 

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

 

Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/

Elderly Care: Four Ways Your Parents Benefit From Elderly Care

Posted in Elderly Care, Home Care |

June 30, 2021

| by

Elderly Care: If you hear the term “elderly care,” what comes to mind?

Someone who cleans and cooks for your parents? That’s part of it, but it’s just a small part. Check out these ways elderly care providers can help your mom and dad retain independence while they age at home.

 

Elderly Care in Eufaula AL

Elderly Care in Eufaula AL

 

Organization

Your parents have a hard time putting things where they go. You’ve cleaned their house and gotten it organized, but your parents don’t like using a stool and can’t reach some of the shelves where smaller appliances are stored.

When they need something, they pull it out and leave it lying around. The vacuum is out in the middle of the hall. While walking through at night, your mom stubs her toe and trips. With a caregiver’s help, items go back where they belong. Plus, the caregiver can handle chores like vacuuming and getting the toaster or waffle maker to make breakfast.

Late Night Loneliness

What if an older adult is a night owl? Home care aides are often willing to work a late shift. Your dad isn’t tired until 11 p.m., but he hates being alone. You leave after making his dinner, and he’s not happy. He wants someone around at night until he’s sleepy.

That’s part of companionship services. He’ll have a caregiver with him for socialization. His caregiver can put on a movie and watch it with him or get some board games out to play. When he’s ready for bed, the caregiver can remind him to take medications and tidy up before leaving.

Safe Transportation

Your mom’s reaction times are significantly slower than they used to be. Her doctor’s advised it’s a good time to give up driving. She’s not happy, but she’ll be okay if she has someone to drive her around.

While you and your brother are at work, you can hire caregivers to drive your mom to stores, restaurants, friends’ houses, and medical offices. The elderly care provider can take your mom to her appointments, eliminating your need to take off multiple days from work for your mom’s dental and doctor’s visits.

Reading the Fine Print

Your mom and dad can’t read fine print without magnifying glasses. It’s becoming a problem at home as they struggle to read the instructions on medicine bottles. In a store, they cannot read the ingredient list on packaged foods.

Have you considered hiring caregivers to bring them to stores? Their caregiver can go over the nutrition facts with them and ensure they’re picking foods that match their dietary needs. At home, the caregiver can read the instructions on medicine bottles.

What do you do next? Start by calling or filling out a form to get more information on elderly care. An elderly care expert will walk you through the prices for home care, available services, and tips for keeping your parent independent while aging at home.

 

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

Caregiving: You Moved In to Help Out, But It’s Not Going Well. Now What?

Posted in Caregiver Tips, Caregiving |

June 9, 2021

| by

Caregiving: Family caregivers often look at the benefits of moving in with their parents.

Almost half of all family caregivers live with the person they’re caring for. Does that make caregiving the best choice?

 

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Caregiving

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Caregiving

 

Granted, it’s easier to provide the care if you’re under the same roof.

Plus, older family members’ houses are often paid off, while family caregivers pay a mortgage or rent. If you didn’t have those living expenses, you could cut back on your work hours.

You commit and sell your house. You move in with your parents to help out. A month later, everyone is miserable. You worry that you’ve made a colossal mistake. What do you do when moving in with your parents just isn’t going well?

 

Discuss and Resolve the Conflicts

You’re all adults. It’s time to sit down and discuss where the conflicts are and how to resolve them. Your dad is upset that he doesn’t have the bathroom to himself. He found your teen daughter’s make-up on the counter. You’ll have to remind her to put things back when she’s done.

Your mom is annoyed that you’ve taken over her kitchen. Work with her to make sure she doesn’t feel left out. She’s used to cooking dinner, but now you’re doing it. Let her help. Give her tasks you know she can handle and cook together.

 

Does Your Parent Have Alzheimer’s or Another Form of Dementia?

Personality changes are expected in Alzheimer’s, and it also makes it very difficult to handle. Your mom flies into a rage accusing you of stealing her shoes. After tearing the house apart, you find her shoes in her pajama drawer. She hid them there, but she won’t remember.

When dementia causes paranoid or delusional behaviors, your parent won’t be the same. It would help if you had a backup plan in place. If you find your usually sweet mom is impossible to handle when the rage begins, you may want to hire professional caregivers to help you care for her.

 

Take Breaks When You Can

Everyone needs space for an arrangement like this to work. If your parents need constant assistance, you can still have time alone. Talk to a home care specialist and ask about respite care services.

Respite care is an important part of home care where caregivers go to their client’s home to provide breaks. Your parents have the help they need while you take your kids to the beach. You could use caregivers to have a day off to go shopping with your sister.

Caregivers are the best way to have the breaks you need. You’ll return to your parents’ house refreshed and ready for the next caregiving task on the list.

 

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

Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/content/

Dehydration: Top Tips to Help Prevent Dehydration in the Elderly

Posted in Dehydration, Senior Health |

May 20, 2021

| by

Dehydration: One of the main causes of elderly hospital visits during the summer is dehydration.

When caring for your elderly loved ones, it is important to make sure they stay hydrated. This does not mean they have to be drinking water all throughout the day. While water is a great choice, your elderly loved one can also eat things that have high water content. This includes peppers, watermelon, and other foods. Keep reading here to find out some of the top tips to help your elderly loved one prevent dehydration this summer.

 

Senior Care in Enterprise AL: DehydrationSenior Care in Enterprise AL: Dehydration

Senior Care in Enterprise AL: Dehydration

 

Always Have Water On-Hand

One of the ways that your elderly loved one can stay hydrated is to always have water on hand. The best way for them to do this is to have a water bottle they can fill up wherever they go. You can get them one of those water bottles that stay cold for a long time. If your elderly loved one doesn’t like their water cold, you can get them a normal water bottle. You and their senior care providers can give reminders to keep the water bottle full.

 

Lime or Lemon

Does your elderly loved one get tired of drinking plain water? Maybe they don’t really like drinking water in the first place. One of the things your elderly loved one can do is to add lime or lemon to their water. This can add some flavor. You could also get your elderly loved one a water bottle that has a fruit-infusion tube in it. Then, your elderly loved one can put blueberries or other fruit in the bottle. This can make their water taste even better and help to keep them from dehydration.

 

Hunger and Water

Does your elderly loved done eat every time they feel hungry? Did you know that sometimes, when a person feels hungry, they aren’t actually hungry? They are thirsty. If your elderly loved one is feeling hungry, but they have already eaten their previous meal, they should try drinking a bottle of water instead. This could fulfill their hunger and help them stay hydrated at the same time.

 

Tracking Water

Does your elderly loved one have a difficult time staying hydrated? Maybe they forget to drink water or can’t remember how much they drank. If this is the case, there are a couple of things that can be done. You can get your elderly loved one a 64-ounce water bottle that has numbers on the side. This way, they can fill it with the water they need throughout the day and drink it often. You or senior care providers can also make a note of how much water your elderly loved one is drinking. If they aren’t drinking enough, you can encourage them to drink more water to ward off dehydration.

 

Conclusion

These are some of the top things that can help to prevent dehydration in your elderly loved one. Hopefully, with these tips, your elderly loved one can stay hydrated and feel better this summer.

 

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

 

Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html

Foot Care: Four Ways for Your Senior to Take Care of Her Feet

Posted in Foot Care, Senior Health |

May 5, 2021

| by

Your senior’s foot care health is a lot more important to her overall health than she might realize.

Often medical problems start out in the feet, so it’s vital to pay attention to these hardworking parts of the body. Here are a few ideas that can help your elderly family member to take the best care possible of her feet.

 

Elderly Care in Abbeville AL: Foot Care

Elderly Care in Abbeville AL: Foot Care

 

Avoid Walking Around with Bare Feet

Walking around barefoot might be your senior’s preference, but as she gets older it’s a bad idea. First, being barefoot can be a tripping hazard. It’s also important for your senior to realize that her feet are changing as she ages. They don’t have the same thickness of padding that they used to have, so walking around barefoot can create pain that she could avoid simply by wearing shoes and keeping ahead of her foot care needs.

 

Inspect Feet Daily

Make sure that your senior is washing and drying her feet daily. This is also a great time for her to carefully inspect her feet for any signs of trouble. Sores that she didn’t realize were there, peeling skin, or color changes can all be a sign of something bigger going on. Also, as your senior touches her feet, it’s important for her to notice if she feels that touch on her foot or not. Neuropathy, numbness, and other issues mean that there’s more happening with her health.

 

Watch How Toenails Are Trimmed

Toenails can be a big problem for your senior if she isn’t careful. Cutting toenails in a curve around the edge of her toe can contribute very quickly to painful ingrown toenails that can quickly become infected. The best way to trim toenails is to cut them straight across and carefully file any rough edges.

 

Foot Care: Talk to Her Doctor Right Away about Foot Pain

If your elderly family member is experiencing any changes to her feet, injuries, or foot pain at all, she needs to mention it to her doctor. Getting her doctor’s take on what is happening can help her to spot big issues well before they become severe. Injuries that your senior is convinced she can still walk on may be far more serious than she realizes.

Some aging adults find that it’s a lot more difficult to care for their feet as they grow older than it used to be. Elder care providers can help with foot care and other personal care tasks that help your senior to continue to be as safe and as healthy as possible.

 

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

Alzheimer’s Disease Tips for Family Caregivers

Posted in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Care Tips |

April 14, 2021

| by

If your elderly loved one gets diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, your mind might be a whirlwind of thoughts.

Your heart might be a crazy mixture of emotions. This disease can take a huge toll on you, your elderly loved one, and on anyone else that is involved with your loved one. With this being said, there are some Alzheimer’s disease tips for family caregivers. These tips can help you provide better care for your elderly loved ones and their disease.

 

Home Care Services in Ozark AL: Alzheimer’s Disease Tips

Home Care Services in Ozark AL: Alzheimer’s Disease Tips

Organization and Simplicity

The first way to help your elderly loved one if they have Alzheimer’s disease is to organize and simplify things in their home. This disease is going to affect your elderly loved one’s memory. The messier the belongings are in your loved one’s home, the more difficult things will be in their memory. It is important that everything they have is in its place. If there are things they don’t need, either store these away or get rid of them. Keeping things simple is going to help your elderly loved one not to get so overwhelmed. After you have their house organized and more simple, you and home care providers can help to keep it that way.

 

Planning Nutrition and Meals

It is also important that you and home care providers help your elderly loved one with planning nutrition and meals. Once your elderly loved one’s disease advances, they are going to need more and more help with this. They aren’t going to remember which foods are healthiest for them and which ones aren’t. They aren’t going to remember how to cook or what ingredients are needed for certain recipes. This is where you and home care providers can help out. By taking over these things, you can make things easier on your elderly loved one.

Companionship is Necessary

It is important that your elderly loved one has companions around as much as possible. If you and home care providers can take turns coming around, this can keep your elderly loved one socialized. The conversations and activities that you do with your elderly loved one can keep their brain sharper. This can help to slow down the progression of symptoms with their disease. In addition, having someone around can help to ensure your elderly loved one’s safety. This companionship can help to prevent wandering, as well.

 

Conclusion

These are some of the Alzheimer’s disease care tips for family caregivers. If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with this disease, don’t hesitate to reach out for any help that you need. You can get help from home care providers, doctors, support groups, and other places, as well. With the help you get and with these tips, hopefully, you can provide better care for your elderly loved one.

 

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

 

Sources

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/getting-help-alzheimers-caregiving

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving-caring-yourself