Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease
March 30, 2010
Found this great video about the mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease Credit: Stacy Jannis, William Dempsey, and Rebekah Fredenburg, Jannis Productions
‘Grandparents’ scam targets seniors
March 26, 2010
Here is a video talking about the latest scam on seniors called the ‘Grandparents’ scam
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Another video about the scam
Tips for Seniors starting an Exercise Regime
March 24, 2010
we found these great tips from www.agingcare.com
TIPS FOR SENIORS STARTING AN EXERCISE REGIMEN:
Get clearance first – Before you begin, have a check-up and talk with your doctor or
healthcare practitioner about any special conditions you might have.
If something hurts, stop doing it — If you have a persistent pain when you exercise,
take a break. If you are sick, you should go easy or skip a few days. When you
resume, start slowly again.
Know that there are some warning signs that mean you
should stop what you are doing and consult a doctor:
· Chest pain or pressure
· Breathing trouble or excessive shortness of breath
· Persistent or sharp muscle or joint pain.
· Nausea
· Unusual balance difficulty
· Severe illness
Start Slowly – Start with 10 minutes a couple times a day if you can. Go slow and be
consistent.
Be Comfortable – Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing, supportive shoes and
layers so that you can adjust as your body temperature rises.
Keep It Easy – Moderation is key, don’t overexert yourself.
Breathe – Remember to breathe consistently throughout your exercise.
Hydrate – Drink plenty of water before, during and after your activity.
Warm Up & Cool Down – Always ease your body into and out of exercise.
Walk slowly or stretch for at least 5 minutes.
Build Up – Gradually increase the time and intensity of your activity. It will become
easier as you exercise consistently.
Mix It Up – Vary the type of activity you do. Try a new sport or take a tai chi or yoga
class for variation. Doing new things will help you remain interested.
Make It Fun – Get active with friends, listen to music or take up an active hobby to. Keep it fun and interesting.
The tips are for information only and not intended to be medical advice. PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR.
My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
March 16, 2010
Here is a question we received around Alzheimer’s disease:
My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease. How do we deal with her yelling and screaming?
We always advise a doctor’s visit to be sure her prescriptions are still working for her as they should. Sometimes a slight adjustment in medications can make a world of difference. Often an elderly person might be dehydrated or have a UTI that will increase dementia symptoms.
You might ask the nurse at Care For Life to come in to do a comprehensive assessment of your mother and the home environment. Your mother might be experiencing too much stimulation through television or unsettling family interactions. There might be too many different faces everyday for her to feel safe.
When she gets upset and starts yelling, if possible to do so safely, to back away from the situation at hand. Lower your voice. Speak calmly. Try to redirect activity to something less stressful.
Remember your mother has no control over her Alzheimer’s Disease. You need to gain knowledge about the disease and engage with your mother’s medical professionals for her benefit and your peace of mind.
Is it normal to be angry a lot when living with your elderly mother?
March 12, 2010
Got this question from an individual about living with their elderly mother.
Is it normal to be angry a lot when living with your elderly mother?
Anger can take many forms. If you are frustrated and feeling overwhelmed, that is one thing. If you are angry and lashing out verbally or physically then you are on dangerous ground. Get help managing your stress and handling your anger appropriately. Don’t try to “go it alone”.
As our parents age, we might be in denial to all the changes we see in them. It is hard to accept that the person in front of you has regressed to behaviors that closely resemble unruly children. It is important to acknowledge your role reversal status. Unless you accept the likelihood that you will receive the brunt of your parents’ outbursts, negativity and unacceptable behaviors as the primary caregiver, you will suffer even more emotionally.
It might be helpful to make an effort to satisfy the demands of your parents, but know you will have to set boundaries for what you will accept. If your parents have always been angry, it is easier to understand their anger now at losing their independence. If your parents are suffering any degree of dementia, the best thing you can do for them is to assure that they see medical professionals (such as neurologists and geriatricians) who can properly diagnose dementia and prescribe medicines that will help with behavioral issues.
Start getting help today. Talk to an eldercare advisor at Care For Life who will listen to your needs and make every effort to provide resources to help you. It is always wise to participate in a support group with persons in similar situations. Call 2-1-1 for community resources also.
How do you deal with an employer who is pushing you to make the choice between work and caring for an elderly loved one
March 11, 2010
How do you deal with an employer who is pushing you to make the choice between work and caring for an elderly loved one?
Before you resign your job or end your career, call Care For Life (843-852-9090) for a free telephone consultation with an eldercare advisor who will help you decide what to do about the care of your aging parents at home. She might refer you to community-based resources that will, depending upon the circumstances, help pay for homecare for aged adults.
Some companies engage Care For Life for its Share The Care program. With Share The Care, the employer recognizes that employees might be experiencing great difficulty in continuing high performance at work while worried about an aging loved one at home. You can suggest that your employer get in touch with Care For Life to learn more about this wonderful employee benefit.
Preventing Falls, Fractures and Broken Bones in Elders
March 10, 2010
Found this information from agingcare.com
Preventing Falls, Fractures and Broken Bones in Elders
Falls, fractures and hip replacements are common problems in elderly people, due to bone loss, bone fragility and osteoporosis. Did You Know?
* More than 90 percent of hip fractures are associated with osteoporosis.
* Nine out of 10 hip fractures in older Americans are the result of a fall.
* Elderly individuals who have a hip fracture are 5 to 20 percent more likely to die in the first year following that injury than others in this age group.
* For those living independently before a hip fracture, 15 to 25 percent will still be in long-term care institutions a year after their fracture.
Falls are serious at any age, and breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as a person ages. Many of us know someone who has fallen and broken a bone. While healing, the fracture limits the person’s activities and sometimes requires surgery.
Often, the person wears a heavy cast to support the broken bone and needs physical therapy to resume normal activities. People are often unaware of the frequent link between a broken bone and osteoporosis. It is known as a silent disease because it progresses without symptoms, osteoporosis involves the gradual loss of bone tissue or bone density and results in bones so fragile they break under the slightest strain. Consequently, falls are especially dangerous for people who are unaware that they have low bone density. If the patient and the doctor fail to connect the broken bone to osteoporosis, the chance to make a diagnosis with a bone density test and begin a prevention or treatment program is lost. Bone loss continues, and other bones may break.
Even though bones do not break after every fall, the person who has fallen and broken a bone nearly always becomes fearful of falling again. As a result, she or he may limit activities for the sake of “safety.” Among Americans age 65 and older, fall-related injuries are the leading cause of accidental death.
What is Elder Law
March 9, 2010
Elder law refers to several areas of elder law and estate planning legal practices as they relate to the elderly. Because older people are faced with difficult, end-of-life decisions involving retirement, estate planning, and long-term care, elder law focuses on wills, trusts, tax issues, Social Security benefits, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, nursing-home care, in-home care, powers of attorney, medical directives, and other legal matters of particular concern to them such as elder abuse law. Please call Care For Life for an attorney referral in the Charleston Tri-County area. 843-852-9090