Rhode Island

Tips to Help Seniors with Poor Vision

Poor vision affects almost every senior. As we age, our vision becomes worse. This can often lead to falls and other injuries in the home. To make sure seniors with poor vision are safe while they are in their home, the following list provides some tips and ideas that would be beneficial for seniors.

1.    Make sure all rooms are well lit.

2.    Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.

3.    Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.

4.    Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.

5.    Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.

6.    Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.

7.    Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.

8.    Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.

Source: http://seniorliving.about.com/od/visionproblems/a/low_vision.htm

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Wandering Alzheimer’s Patients

It is very common for a patient with Alzheimer’s to wander off. This could be for many reasons, including the search for something or someone familiar. To ensure the safety of loved ones, there are some things that can be done to help control wandering. The following list provides some useful information for any caregiver of a wandering Alzheimer’s patient.

1. Some patients may wander to escape something that is causing them stress and anxiety. This could be too many conversations or a lot of noises. Try to minimize conversations and reduce background noises as much as possible.

2. In many cases, Alzheimer’s patients will wander it an attempt to relive the past. This is especially true for those who had a strict schedule for many years.

3. Wandering can also be triggered by certain medications.

4. To prevent wandering, address triggers, such as offering food and water, encouraging physical activities. Providing a family photo can also help reduce wandering.

5. Use visual cues to help the patient notice where they are. This can be done by putting photos on doors and walls to identify objects and areas of the home.

6. Try to keep them active and involved. The more interested a patient is in something, the less apt they are to wander off.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Seniors Find the Right Medicine

Most seniors are on multiple prescribed medications, and in many cases, these may not be the right medications for their condition. Aside from taking a medication that is prescribed by a doctor, some seniors are trying alternatives, which can include natural remedies and alternative medicine. The following list contains some more information on finding the right medicine.

1. Tibetan medicine breaks things up into categories. It states that there are 404 diseases that are further classified by 101 diseases, those of which are classified by cause.

2. Finding the right medicine can involve many factors, including age, diagnoses, dosages and side effects that may cause other health problems.

3. Patients who have the same disease will respond differently to treatments. This is why it is important to treat each individual, not the disease over all. This means that many seniors with the same conditions may be on different medications and treatment plans based on the individual person and how they respond to a particular medication.

4. There is no one form of healing. Each senior has a different body make-up. This will affect how certain medications will affect the patient. Trying to find the right medication may take time. It will also involve the patient trying different medications until one is found that does the job.

Source:  Ultra Wellness Center

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Walking Reduces Stress in Seniors

Seniors often experience high levels of stress and tension. To battle this, many seniors are now taking short walks during the day. This can help reduce tension and also provide a means of physical exercise. The list below contains some useful information on walking for seniors.

1. Walking can reduce stress and tension. Short walks can have positive effects on the mind and body.

2. If you feel stress building, try taking a short, but brisk walk. If you cannot fit in a walk, do some simple stretches to move your body around. This will also help to reduce stress.

3. Do not look at walking as though it is an exercise. Take it as time to be alone and clear your mind while reaping the benefits of a physical exercise.

4. Focus on the surrounding and breathe calmly. Sights, sounds and smells can make seniors relax and reduce tension.

5. Bring along a friend for the walk. This is a great way to socialize while getting some exercise. Walking partners can make the walk seem very short and enjoyable. The same goes for pets. Take the dog for a walk each day. The pet will benefit, and so will you!

Source: AARP

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Caregiving Men

Men are usually not the first people to volunteer to take on the role of a caretaker. There are many issues that are involved with this role and some men are very reluctant to perform some of the necessary tasks. When this happens, their spouse may not receive the care they need. It is important for men who are caregivers to be able to openly discuss their situation and know that it is ok to be in this role. Below are some additional points about being a male caregiver.

1. Most men who become a caregiver will take a different approach than a female. Men are more apt to take on executive or long-distance tasks, such as dealing with the insurance companies or making appointments.

2. Men are only half as likely to perform hands on tasks when they are a caregiver.

3. The men who do help with daily tasks, such as dressing and showering may be reluctant to discuss their role. It seems as though they are slightly embarrassed about having to be the caregiver.

4. Many of these men will suffer from depression and feelings of inadequacy when they are a caregiver. This is actually quite normal. They have a hard time talking about their role with others because of how they feel it will make them look.

Source: AARP

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Seniors and Kitchen Safety

With the increasing number of seniors living on their own, kitchen safety is a huge concern for family members and caregivers. Here are some simple things that can be done to help a senior make sure their food is not expired and how to keep their kitchen free of clutter. The list below offers some tips for seniors on how to have a safe kitchen.

1. Seniors need to learn that they do not have to buy in bulk. Buying too much food leads to a lot of wasted money as well as rotting food in the kitchen.

2. Look for anything that has expired and throw it away. This includes canned goods, as well as frozen foods.

3. Many seniors are so used to feeding large families that they have difficulty buying for just themselves and a spouse. Caregivers may need to take some time to shop with seniors to show them how to buy in small amounts.

4. The kitchen is often the place for clutter. Seniors will often leave mail and many other things on the kitchen table. This can create a fire hazard and can also affect the cleanliness of the kitchen as a whole.

Source: Caregivers Home

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Men and Aging

Aging can be a depressing occurrence for many people. However, fewer men suffer from depression than women. Many men who are over the age of 65 are still very active and healthy. Retirement does not mean that life is over. For many men, it means it has just begun. A positive outlook can help men remain healthy and keep them from becoming isolated as they continue to age. More information about male aging is provided in the list below.

1. Most old men are in good to excellent health. This is true despite the fact that older men are diagnosed with at least one chronic illness.

2. Physical health in men is affected by their health behaviors when they were yo9unger men.

3. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is one thing that is not often done for men, especially when it comes to medical research.

4. The older men become, the higher their chances are of developing poor health, social isolation and less social support.

5. Successful aging is a result of positive thinking. Men who refuse to become isolated will remain younger and healthier.

6. Men who have a lot of variety in their life are more apt to stay active, healthy and happy.

7. Fewer older men suffer from depression than women.

Source: Men’s Health

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Life Expectancy of Seniors on the Rise

With the increase in life expectancy, more seniors are living longer lives. In addition to a lengthier life, seniors are also a lot healthier than they were years ago. This is primarily due to better health care and increased public awareness. The list below contains some facts about the increase in senior life expectancy.

1. Medical intervention and awareness are responsible for a large portion of the reason seniors are living longer.

2. Over the past 170 years, life expectancy has increased at a rate of 2.5 years each decade. This is equal to gaining 6 hours of life each day!

3. Most individuals who were born in 2000 or later will reach the age of 100.

4. Since people are living longer, it may be time to make some changes to lifestyles. A proposal would be to have younger people work fewer hours. This would allow them to work longer as they age instead of entering retirement and then living for another 30 or 40 years.

5. Seniors are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This should include a well-rounded diet, daily exercise and social involvement.

Source: Duke News

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923

Seniors Should Ask Questions About Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be managed. Many seniors will manage their diabetes by altering diets, taking medications or having shots of insulin. No matter what type of diabetes a senior has, it is important for them to know what questions to ask. Below is a list of facts that can help seniors understand and manage their diabetes.

1. Asking the right questions can provide seniors with the right information to better enable them to manage the disease.

2. Seniors are urged to discuss all of their symptoms. While they may seem harmless, some symptoms could indicate other health problems.

3. Seniors who have diabetes will receive treatment for these symptoms, not the cause of the disease. This is why it is important for all seniors to know and recognize any new symptoms.

4. There are many questions in regards to the cause of diabetes, however, at this time; the answer consists of a very long list. There are so many factors that are involved and each person can have the disease because of different reasons.

5. Diabetes is manageable, so seniors must take the right steps to make sure they are receiving the correct treatment for their type of the disease. This includes asking questions about treatment options.

Source: Ultra Wellness Center

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.