Nutritional drinks for seniors, elderly & Alzheimer’s | Problems and Side Effects
June 3, 2010
Interesting article about Nutritional drinks for seniors from www.agingcare.com.
Nutritional drinks for seniors, elderly & Alzheimer’s | Problems and Side Effects.
My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance
April 9, 2010
Here is a recent questions we received about Alzheimer’s care.
My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance. Does Medicare pay for care at home?
Currently, Medicare does not pay for personal care at home. Alzheimer’s is a very debilitating and frightening disease. Family members suffer with its frustrating affects while trying to give loving care. Our caregivers receive additional training in caring for the Alzheimer’s client. Getting the right information on the best resources is a major part of the what we do for you.
five things cause older adults to fail at home part 1
April 6, 2010
The following is Part I in our series on what five things cause older adults to fail at home. When families know the signs of decline in their loved one, they can take steps to solve problems well before they become a crisis of care.
Mom is 85 years old. She likes living in her own home, the same home she has lived in for 50 years. You live miles away or work full time and can’t visit as often as you would like. And, when you do visit, you wonder how she is really doing on her own. She loves living at home, and you want her to be able to stay there. She has told you of her wish to live there as long as possible, but you have doubts because you see signs of decline. What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
There are five things that can cause elderly people to fail. These are nutrition, medicine, hygiene, unaddressed medical problems, and safety issues. Our caregivers help the elderly remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper Nutrition.
- Nearly half of older Americans do not get enough sound nutrition or enough fluids in their daily diet.
- Reasons may include physical disabilities, isolation, poverty, mental impairment or not having good nutritional habits.
- Meal Preparation and grocery shopping might now be impossible or they have no interest in doing either activity.
- Health problems caused by poor nutrition are anemia, constipation or other intestinal issues, dehydration, weakness, lethargy or loss of mental sharpness.
- Many who live alone miss the socialization of dining with others and would just rather not eat at all.
What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
Care For Life caregivers will help with grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking & socialization in the Charleston SC and surrounding areas.
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
When you are considering a move to assisted living
December 17, 2009
Here are some items when considering a move to assisted living:
•Start the conversation about options for parents’ with them and siblings long before a move is necessitated by medical condition or cognitive impairment. Decide:
•Will parent be able to live on her own with assistance by family or paid caregiver?
•What adaptations are recommended in the parent’s home in order for them to remain there? Or,
•Can the parent live with an adult child? Personalities are huge consideration.
•Is a residential community the best option?
When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert
December 4, 2009
Ran across a great article from AARP on Elder Care. Click here to read the Elder care article.
Geriatrician. What does the word mean?
December 2, 2009
A question we get about Geriatrician.
You suggested that my mother see a geriatrician. What does the word mean?
Geriatrician: A doctor who has additional training in the care of aged adults.
Essential Eldercare Links
October 31, 2009
We found these great links for Essential Eldercare Links from www.Bestassistedliving.com.
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