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

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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

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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/

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.

July is UV Safety Month- Help Your Senior Loved-One Stay Protected!

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

July 2, 2019

| by

July and the rest of the summer months pose significant risks from excessive sun exposure. This is why UV safety month is a great time to refresh your knowledge about the dangers of things like sunburn and the possibility of skin cancer from excessive solar radiation.

 

Home Care in Elba AL: July is UV Safety Month

Home Care in Elba AL: July is UV Safety Month

 

The purpose of UV safety month is to focus on providing information related to staying safe while exposed to the sun.

Senior care is also especially important when considering UV safety, as the elderly tend to be much more susceptible to health problems. This is especially true if older people are fair skinned or taking certain medications that can exacerbate the effects of UV radiation. Decreased immunity that is associated with the elderly and infirm also puts certain individuals at a higher risk of damage from the sun.

How to protect aging skin?

One important tip is to stay in shaded areas as much as realistically possible during the middle of the day. From about noon to 4 or 5 pm is when the sun will be strongest in most areas, so the skin can burn quickly and the elderly can get dehydrated and stressed from intense heat and sunlight.

There are a number of skin care products that also give protection. Most doctors recommend that any kind of sunscreen or lotion should be SPF 15 or greater and should be reapplied every few hours as the protection starts to break down.

Clothing such as hats or long sleeves can make a big difference when someone will be outdoors for extended periods of time. Ideally, most exposed skin should be covered in order to minimize the possibility of burning, especially around areas such as the head, neck, and back.

Sunglasses can protect against cataracts and other harmful effects of UV rays entering the eyes consistently. Many sunglasses now are specifically designed to block UV rays and protect much of the face and forehead. Unfortunately, exposure to the sun and UV rays is believed to be one of the main reasons seniors begin to lose their vision.

 

Aftercare

After someone has been exposed to the sun, it can be helpful to take some precautionary measures even if no noticeable burns are visible. Remember that sunburn may not appear until several hours later or even the next day. Aloe Vera and other related products can moisturize and heal the skin after intense sun exposure. Water and sports drinks can help maintain hydration, while alcohol should be avoided immediately after sun exposure to prevent further dehydration. If someone is actually sunburned, a cold towel or over the counter pain relievers can be used to minimize the symptoms and discomfort. In cases where an elderly person seems to be severely burned or in a lot of pain, they may require a visit to an emergency room to prevent further health complications. A home care service provider can help you with this, by taking them to the doctor if you are unable.

 

Remember to be safe and have fun

While sun exposure can really be harmful, by following just some of the basic rules outlined above, your time outdoors can be enjoyable and worry-free. As long as you are making an attempt to be safe, remember to relax and make the most of the beautiful summer weather.

 

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

Source

Precheck.com

 

Can Exercise Keep Your Parents Behind the Wheel?

Posted in Elderly Care in Headland AL, Homecare in Headland AL |

June 19, 2019

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You see it in the media. An elderly person who probably shouldn’t have been driving gets into a horrible crash. Taking away a parent’s keys is hard, but thoughts of them causing or being in a serious crash should be more alarming.

 

Elderly Care in Headland AL: Senior Exercise For Driving

Elderly Care in Headland AL: Senior Exercise For Driving

 

There are five main reasons for seniors to give up driving. Worsening eyesight is one of those reasons. Being hearing impaired, impaired cognitive skills, joint pain, and muscle weakness are others. Experts think that daily exercise could help with the joint pain and muscle weakness and increase the amount of time your parent is able to drive.

 

What Exercises Are Best?

When you’re behind the wheel, there are certain things you need to be able to do. You have to turn the head, neck, and even upper torso to fully check blind spots. Gripping a steering wheel and holding it steady is critical to stay in a lane or to prevent a crash in inclement weather. Arm, wrist, and finger strength are important for vehicle control. Quickly moving the foot from the brake to the gas pedal is also necessary to brake on time.

In a standard transmission, your parent also needs arm and shoulder strength for shifting and using the parking brake. If your mom or dad has lost flexibility and muscle strength, exercises need to focus on the arms, back, neck, legs, ankles, wrists, and fingers.

The best exercise program is one that mixes exercise routines. Your mom or dad want to get 150 minutes of exercise or more each week. This breaks down to at least 30 minutes per day during the work week. Mixing up the exercises ensures that every muscle gets a workout.

Have your parent take a brisk walk three days a week, work with free weights one day a week, and join a Yoga class one day a week. Other good exercises to mix in for variety are swimming, bicycling, and working out on an elliptical machine.

 

Is It Time to Arrange Transportation Services?

While exercise can help your parent stay limber, depreciating vision may keep your mom or dad from driving. Alzheimer’s disease also affects the ability to safely drive. When your parent simply cannot drive anymore, you’ll need to drive them to appointments and area businesses.

Sometimes, these trips interfere with work schedules and personal responsibilities. If that happens, caregivers can help. Hire caregivers to keep your parents company, drive them to appointments, and run errands with them. Call a home care agency to discuss pricing.

 

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

Elderly Care Can Still Be Affordable on a Tight Budget

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

June 4, 2019

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Even when elderly care has become a necessity for your senior parent, affording them can seem impossible on a tight budget. However, the cost of not taking steps to ensure their safety at home can be devastating. Once you determine that elderly care is necessary for your parent, you will probably find that it’s more affordable than you think.

 

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Elderly Care Budget

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Elderly Care Budget

 

Try these tips for fitting elderly care into your parent’s budget:

 

Pinpoint How Much Help is Needed

Your parents probably don’t need elderly care services 24 hours a day. Go over typical daily routines and see where your parents feel they need help. Once you have that list compiled, gather the family and see who can cover certain times or days during the week and weekend.

If cooking meals is the issue, see who has time in the morning, afternoon, and evening to cook the meal and maybe even stay and eat with your parents. Fill in as much as you can and see what’s left. Those blank spots are the times when you’d need to hire caregivers.

 

Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses

Once you know how often caregivers are needed, you can start working on the budget. See if it’s possible to trim your parents’ expenses. If they’re paying $120 for cable television and internet, but they only watch movies and shows on a streaming service, they’re wasting money on cable television. Get quotes for the monthly cost of only having internet service.

There are other areas where saving money is often easier than imagined. If your parents have cellphones and a landline, see if that landline is really necessary. If they haven’t called and asked their local utilities if there are any senior discounts, they should. They should also look for senior discounts on car and homeowner’s insurance and heating fuel.

Your mom buys new books regularly. Why not borrow them from the local library? She doesn’t even have to go to the library if she has an e-reader. She can borrow them online and have them sent directly to her device.

 

Call the Agency on Aging

Call your mom and dad’s local Agency on Aging. You’ll learn more about your options and any possible grants or programs that can help make elderly care an affordable option for your parents. There are programs out there that may be able to help.

 

Talk to a Home Care Agency

You also need to talk to a home care agency. When you’ve had a discussion regarding your parents’ needs, you may find elderly care services are more affordable than imagined. Pick up the phone and call an expert today.

 

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.