Are Smartphones to Blame When Elderly Can’t Sleep?

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

December 6, 2019

| by

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

| by

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.

Could Senior Care Be the Answer for Your Senior’s Independence?

Posted in Caregiver in Geneva AL, Homecare in Geneva AL |

November 7, 2019

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Something your senior might not realize is that having help from home care providers can allow her to be more independent, rather than more dependent. It’s difficult for her to see that at first because she’s accepting help from someone else. But once she sees how that one shift can make a difference, she may be on board.

 

Homecare in Geneva AL: Your Senior’s Independence

Homecare in Geneva AL: Your Senior’s Independence

 

She Only Has So Much Energy

Some of the activities that are part of your elderly family member’s normal task list might be ones that she used to be able to take care of with no problem. As she ages, though, she’s only got so much energy to devote to those tasks. She may also have other ways she wants to spend her energy, even if those draining tasks aren’t really negotiable. Having someone else to help with the more difficult tasks really helps.

 

Her Mobility May Change Quickly

Mobility issues may not have been a problem for your senior in the past but that can change a lot more quickly than either of you might realize. That can have a huge impact on her ability to continue to do certain things, like taking care of household tasks. Leaving those tasks to elderly care providers means that your senior doesn’t have to challenge her mobility as much as she has been trying to in the past.

 

She Really Doesn’t Want to Feel Like She’s a Burden

One big reason your senior might be striving to be as independent as possible, even when she’s struggling, is that she doesn’t want to feel like she’s a burden to you and to other family members. It’s really difficult to go from living an independent life to suddenly needing a lot more help. Your elderly family member may be still getting a handle on how she can accept more help gracefully at times.

 

Lots of Tasks Might not Be Worth it Anymore

Your senior might have been willing to do things like vacuum every day to keep up with pet hair, but maybe that task doesn’t feel worth the energy expenditure any longer. It’s not that the task doesn’t still need doing, especially if she has breathing issues, but it might mean that she needs some more help making sure that task is handled.

Talk to your elderly family member about what she needs help doing and what tasks she’s willing to hand over to elderly care providers. It might help to explain to her how having some extra assistance can ensure that she’s able to do more of what she truly wants to do on her own.

 

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

Four Ways to Keep an Eye on Your Senior’s Mental Health

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

October 23, 2019

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Several different aspects of your senior’s life can help you to stay on top of how she’s doing overall. Her mental health is just one aspect to watch and there are little signs that can give you an idea of whether there might be more happening.

 

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Your Senior’s Mental Health

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Your Senior’s Mental Health

 

Her Environment Can Tell You a Lot

Your senior’s immediate environment could include her home, her favorite room in the house, or her car. All of these spots can give you a quick overview of how she might be doing mentally and emotionally. This is especially the case if her home has always been clean and tidy and now is the exact opposite. At the very least, your senior’s home can be a sign that you need to look into other aspects of her life.

 

Her Appearance Can Be a Clue

Besides your senior’s environment, her own personal appearance might have gradually undergone a change as well. Just as with her home, a formerly immaculate appearance might be more disheveled lately. Or your senior might just not seem as put together as she used to be. If she used to wear makeup or get her hair done regularly, that might not be happening now. Look for little signs that might indicate she’s having trouble.

 

What and How She’s Eating Matters

Nutrition is a cornerstone of health for your senior. If the foods that she’s eating are low in nutritional value, then she’s going to exhibit that in some way. She may be losing weight or otherwise less healthy in some way than she used to be. Take a quick look in your senior’s pantry and her refrigerator. The foods that she has on hand can give you a good overview of what she might be eating.

 

Social Isolation Is a Bad Sign

Something else to pay attention to is whether or not your senior is still being as social as she has been. Withdrawing from others can be a sign that your elderly family member is having a little more difficulty with certain aspects of her life than she did have. If she’s not talking about friends the same way that she used to, that might be because she’s not seeing them or talking to them as often. There might be reasons for that change.

All of these signs could be indications that your elderly family member needs a little more help than she has needed in the past. Hiring home care providers can help her to manage the day-to-day tasks that need to be handled. You might also want to talk to her doctor about the long-term impacts these situations might have on her mental health.

 

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

What Can Your Senior Do to Stay Safe and Active?

Posted in Elderly Care in Ozark AL, Home Care Services in Ozark AL |

October 9, 2019

| by

Keeping your elderly family member both active and safe is part of what you want to accomplish as a caregiver. There are some factors to consider that can make that task a lot easier for both of you.

 

Home Care Services in Ozark AL: Stay Safe and Active

Home Care Services in Ozark AL: Stay Safe and Active

 

Stand Slowly and Carefully

Anytime that your senior has been sitting or even lying down it’s a good idea for her to take her time getting up. Just trying to jump up and take off can leave her off balance and might lead to a fall. It’s a much better idea for her to slowly slide to the edge of the seat and carefully stand. If she needs any assistive devices, she should use those.

 

Wear the Right Shoes

The right shoes, particularly ones that fit properly, are vital for keeping her safe and allowing her to stay as active as she wants to be. Ideally, your senior’s shoes should have a non-slip sole and they should be comfortable. Make sure they’re neither too tight nor too loose as well.

 

Get Her Eyes Checked

If your elderly family member isn’t seeing well, it’s a lot more difficult for her to avoid obstacles, of course. That directly impacts her safety, but both of you might overlook how it impedes her ability to stay active, too. Encourage your senior to get her eyes checked regularly to ensure that her vision is corrected, if necessary.

 

Get Plenty of Quality Sleep

Sleep deprivation can be a big impediment in terms of both safety and activity for your senior. If she’s getting plenty of sleep, that’s going to help her to have the rest she needs in order to be more active. As she’s more active, that helps her to sleep well, so it’s a cycle you want to encourage.

 

Make Sure Her Medications Are Still Working for Her

It’s a good idea for your elderly family member to talk to her doctor regularly about her medications and how well they’re working for her. Over time, medications may start to affect her differently or they may interact with each other. Adjusting dosages or the medications themselves can help quite a bit.

 

Cut Back or Eliminate Alcohol

Some medications might cause worse side effects for your senior if she drinks alcohol. Some of those side effects could contribute to concerns about safety. Cutting back or eliminating alcohol completely might be the way to go.

It’s a good idea to help your senior to spend her time and her energy wisely. When she’s got help from elder care providers, they can handle the heavy-duty tasks and allow her to focus on staying as safe as possible while doing what she enjoys.

 

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.

Tips on Caring for a Senior Who Has Arthritis

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

September 18, 2019

| by

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/

Tips for Handling End-Stage Cancer in Your Parent

Posted in Caregivers in Dothan AL, Senior Care in Dothan AL |

September 3, 2019

| by

Handling and dealing with end-stage cancer in your parent can be one of the toughest things you ever do. However, there are some tips for handling this stage of cancer if you need them. While cancer will never get easier to deal with, especially in a loved one, it is with great hope that these tips can guide you in handling it better.

 

Senior Care in Dothan AL: Handling End-Stage Cancer

Senior Care in Dothan AL: Handling End-Stage Cancer

 

Acknowledge Dying and Death

Many people will ignore the words dying and death when they have a parent with end-stage cancer. The problem is, with end-stage cancer, this is what is happening. It can be one of the toughest things you ever have to deal with. However, ignoring the truth that is right in front of you, will make grieving all that much more difficult.

 

Expressing Your Emotions is Helpful

When your parent has end-stage cancer, it is helpful to express your emotions. The positive memories and sad emotions, too, should all be expressed. You may want to act like everything is going to be alright for your parent, but the truth must be put in motion. Your parent knows what is happening, they can feel it physically and emotionally. They don’t expect you to hide from your emotions, no matter what you are feeling.

 

Be Present

While it may be scary and frightening to watch your parent with end-stage cancer, being present in their last years, months, or days is crucial. Show them you love them and you care about them. When it comes to caregivers, family really does matter at all times.

 

Create Positive Conversations

While everything may seem depressing when your parent has end-stage cancer, it can be helpful to create positive conversations. Most of the time the talk may be about symptoms your parent is experiencing, doctor’s appointments, home care provider help, and other things like that. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. You can increase the positivity in your parent’s last years, months, or days.

 

Listen to Messages Your Parent Has

In the final days, your parent may have messages they want to give to you or others. It is important for their peace of mind and yours that you listen to these messages and convey them appropriately.

 

Get Legal Documents in Order

It will make things easier when your parent passes away if you get legal documents in order ahead of time. Yes, it may be tough to think about doing this, but it is going to save you a lot of stress later on.

If your parent has end-stage cancer, this can be tough. As a family caregiver, you may be having a difficult time coping with it all. However, it is with the hope that these tips find you well. They may be able to help you handle your parent’s end-stage cancer and the entire situation better, as well.

 

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

 

Sources
Cancer.gov
Nia.nih.gov

 

Four Tips for When Your Senior Doesn’t Want to Talk about the Future

Posted in Home Care in Dothan AL, Home Health Care in Dothan AL |

August 22, 2019

| by

Lots of aging adults aren’t super excited to talk about what is going to happen in the future. If you’re running into that problem with your senior, you might want to try some of these ideas.

 

Home Health Care in Dothan AL: Senior Care Discussions

Home Health Care in Dothan AL: Senior Care Discussions

 

It Doesn’t All Have to Be Solved Right Now

From your point of view as your senior’s caregiver, you might want to hash out everything right now and figure out where your senior stands on every issue. But you really don’t have to. It doesn’t all have to be solved right now, believe it or not. You can give your senior some of the time that she needs in order to share with you how she’s feeling and what she wants.

 

Your Senior Might Have Reasons to Be Reluctant

Your senior’s future might not look all that rosy from her perspective at the moment. Health changes and other issues can make thinking about and even talking about the future really unpleasant for her. She can’t afford to put off these conversations forever, but you also don’t have to force her to talk when she isn’t quite ready. Try to remember that she might have reasons to feel uncomfortable about these talks.

 

What Needs to Be Done Right Now?

What has to be addressed right at this moment? There may be some topics that are more urgent than others. If so, those are the ones you need to focus on now and let the others wait. For instance, your senior might need help with cooking because she’s not eating as well as she should be. Having a conversation with her about hiring elderly care providers to take over the cooking takes priority over conversations that aren’t as pressing.

 

Look at What She Doesn’t Want

Your senior may tell you often that she doesn’t know what she wants, so that might not be the way to approach the rest of this topic with her. Have you asked her what she doesn’t want? Sometimes narrowing down what she doesn’t want can give both of you a lot more information than you think it can. From there, she might start to feel a little more open about the whole conversation.

These topics are going to be ones that you’ll revisit with your senior over time. It’s definitely best to get as much information now as you possibly can, but it’s not always an easy conversation to have with your senior.

 

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

Don’t Head Out on a Road Trip With Your Parents Before Considering These Factors

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

August 7, 2019

| by

Summer’s here and you want to go on a vacation. You like getting your parents out of the home. It’s a good time for them to bond with your kids. You also gain the benefit of getting to spend quality time with your parents.

 

Home Health Care in Eufaula AL: Senior Vacation

Home Health Care in Eufaula AL: Senior Vacation

 

The ideal vacation is what you hope for, but it’s not always the reality. Before you head out on a road trip, make sure you consider these factors.

 

How Long Can Your Parents Really Travel?

Wherever you’re heading, you need to make sure you’re not making your parents sit for too long. If your mom has arthritis in the knees or hips, sitting for hours in a car may be hard. You’ll need to stop every hour or so and allow her to get out and walk around for 10 or 15 minutes.

If your dad has issues with swelling or gout and is supposed to put his feet up, a long car ride may not be a great idea. He’ll need a way to recline and keep the swelling in his ankles and toes to a minimum.

 

What Are the Family’s Interests?

Your parents love history museums while your teens love arcades and beaches. You’re going to need a middle ground if you want everyone to be happy. Look for cities that offer a mix of activities. For example, if you head to a coastal city like Portland, Maine, there are beaches, but you also have museums, historic homes, and coastal walking trails.

If your parents want time to relax on the beach and your kids want amusement parks, a setting like Myrtle Beach, San Diego, or New York City may work well. While you’re deciding, make sure you’re picking a location that isn’t too far away. You don’t want to be on the road for days in order to reach your destination, so you’d have to fly or find somewhere closer.

 

Is It Time to Leave Your Parents Behind?

While you may dislike omitting anyone from travel plans, it could be time to plan a family vacation without your mom and dad. You could plan short day trips with them and a longer vacation with your kids.

While you’re away, home care services can take over and help your parents. Caregivers can take your parent’s shopping and can cook and serve meals. They can help with housework and provide companionship. Call a home care agency to discuss services and pricing in your parents’ town or city.

 

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

Four Osteoporosis Myths You Need Busted

Posted in Elder Care in Daleville AL, Home Care Services in Daleville AL |

July 18, 2019

| by

Osteoporosis is a condition that lots of people have heard about, but few people know much about. They know it has something to do with bones, but the details are a little murky. Busting these osteoporosis myths can help your senior to get the treatment that she needs now in order to avoid a fracture or other complications from osteoporosis.

 

Home Care Services in Daleville AL: Four Osteoporosis Myths

Home Care Services in Daleville AL: Four Osteoporosis Myths

 

Only Women Get Osteoporosis

Lots of people believe that only women get osteoporosis. But the truth is that anyone can develop this bone-weakening disease. There are a lot of factors that go into developing osteoporosis, so it’s important to talk to your senior’s doctor about those risk factors and how they apply to your senior. Gender is not a protection from developing this health condition.

 

Osteoporosis Is Nothing to Worry About

Osteoporosis is a health issue that lots of people have heard about but may not actually know much about. The big details to know are that the condition softens your senior’s bones, causing them to become weaker. If she falls or even bumps into something too hard, that means she’s much more likely to fracture those bones. Big bones are just as vulnerable as smaller bones and a fracture could mean surgery or a long hospital stay.

 

Osteoporosis Has Lots of Warning Signs

There aren’t a lot of warning signs with osteoporosis unless your senior has already broken a few bones or she’s been diligent about having her bone density tested. People with a family history of osteoporosis are much more likely to develop it themselves. Also, having had a limited diet for many years can cause a weakening in the bones. The best thing to do is to have bone density tests done so your senior knows what she’s up against.

 

Osteoporosis Is Rare

The causes of osteoporosis are definitely not rare, and neither is osteoporosis itself. There are a lot of people at risk of developing osteoporosis and they’re a variety of ages. Your senior is more likely to start showing symptoms now, but she may have been developing osteoporosis for years before now.

It’s really important that your senior pays attention to fall prevention if she’s at risk of developing osteoporosis. Elder care providers can help you both to spot potential issues in her home. They can also take over tasks that have become difficult for her so that she doesn’t put herself at risk of falling.

 

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