Rhode Island

Senior shower and bathroom safety is a topic that many family members and caregivers are concerned with. Keeping seniors safe when they are living at home can be a difficult task. However, by using some of the tips that are provided below, seniors will be able to use the bathroom and shower safely. These tips will provide a sense of relief for many caregivers.

1. Caregivers should be aware of any physical restrictions that the senior may have. This could affect their ability to shower on their own. If there is concern, these seniors may need assistance while in the bathroom

2. All bathrooms that are used by seniors should have safety equipment installed. This does not mean the entire room must be remodeled. Installing safety bars and non-slip mats could help protect seniors in the shower.

3. Some seniors could benefit from having a telephone placed in the bathroom. If the senior owns a cordless phone, taking it into the bathroom when they shower is a good idea. This way they will be able to call for help if they fall.

4. Many seniors do not have a lot of physical strength. This could prevent them from doing simple tasks while showering. Using a shower chair could help keep the senior safe while showering.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1764390_17.html

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 Winter Weather Driving

When the winter comes, many seniors will be on the road. Some seniors will try to avoid driving in bad weather, but others refuse to let the weather put a damper on their independence. The following tips will help seniors make sure their winter weather travel will be safe. Checking the vehicle properly will help keep seniors safe while they are driving.

1.    Always take care of the vehicle. The tires and all fluids should be checked regularly throughout the winter months. Cold temperatures could turn a simple break-down into a life-threatening situation.

2.    Make sure the antifreeze mixture in the car is correct. This will keep the cooling system running properly.

3.    Check all belts, hoses and other moving parts under the hood. Seniors should have a trusted mechanic go over the entire car before the cold weather strikes so there is plenty of time to make necessary repairs.

4.    Check that the battery is in good condition. Cold temperatures can make a battery lose the charge.

5.    Take care of health. Make sure all eyeglass prescriptions are up to date. Seniors should always try to travel with another person so if something does happen, they are not alone. Seniors should also preplan their travel route and get updates on road conditions and traffic before leaving home.

Source: Nebraska TV

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.

The effects of poverty can be devastating for many seniors. These are usually individuals who have worked their whole lives, preparing for retirement. Unfortunately, when this time came, these seniors were forced to live on a limited income. This can often result in poverty and financial instability and insecurity. There are many reasons for senior poverty, but it can be prevented by taking the right actions. Below is some information that can be beneficial to seniors.

1. More seniors are experiencing poverty because they are living longer. In addition, many 401(k) plans are now being replaced by company pensions. The Social security benefits are diminishing and medical costs are rising. These all contribute to senior poverty.

2. Credit card debt, medical expenses and financial losses can cause a senior to experience financial insecurity.

3. The recession has taken a toll on seniors who are already living on limited income. This has led to reduced incomes, a decline in consumer wealth and increased poverty.

4. One way senior can prevent poverty is to battle credit card debt. This can be a challenge, especially for seniors who do not have the option of taking a long time to pay down debt. However, it is possible to negotiate better terms and seek credit counseling.

Source: Updatefrom.com

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.

Medications and Seniors

It is very common for seniors to have various medications that need to be taken throughout the day. When seniors miss doses or use the medication incorrectly, this could lead to serious health problems in the future. Seniors who are taking different medications should always know what the consequences are if they do not comply with the orders from the doctor. The list below contains additional information on medication adherence.

1. Adherence refers to properly taking a medication, including taking the right dose at the right time.

2. When seniors do not follow medication orders, there are many consequences that could have a negative effect on overall health.

3. Non-adherence includes not filling a prescription, skipping doses, stopping the medication before recommended, taking more of a medication than is prescribed, taking the medication at the wrong time, taking medication with foods or other medications that are prohibited, taking medication that is expired and using medical devises the wrong way.

4. To help patients with managing their medications, patients should be educated on the benefits of the medication as well as the consequences associated with not taking it properly.

5. Making medication regimens simpler can help patients keep track of their medications, making sure they are taken correctly.

6. Seniors should have a daily routine for medications and keep a checklist. An alarm can also be useful when taking multiple prescriptions throughout the day.

Source: Updatefrom.com

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.

Fewer Seniors Breaking Hips

Breaking a hip can be one of the worst things that can happen to a senior. When an older person breaks a hip, they will often need a lot of time to recover. Even so, they may never have the mobility they once had. The good news is that hip fractures are on the decline. There is no reason for this, but many studies have shown that there is a decreased amount of patients with hip fractures.

1. When a senior breaks a hip, they have a one in four chance of spending a year or more in a nursing home after the injury. The break will also cause serious threats to mobility, possibly preventing the patient from walking.

2. There is no explanation on why the rate of hip fractures is dropping, but it is doing so in large numbers. Hip fractures are much more common among older women, but the decline in the cases of fractures has reduced in men over 85 and women over 75.

3. Some believe this is because older people are healthier and much more functional, which can help prevent falls. Older people are also developing stronger bones that have helped prevent hip fractures.

Source: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/hip-fractures-good-news-wrapped-in-a-mystery/

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 Protect Against Skin Cancer

Protecting seniors from skin cancer is a major issue. Many seniors have other health problems, so the last thing they need is a diagnosis of skin cancer. To help seniors protect themselves from the damaging rays of the sun, there are some useful tips provided below. Keeping seniors safe and healthy throughout the summer can be done with a few simple steps.

1. Try to avoid exposure to the sun between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. This is when the UV rays are the strongest.

2. Always use a sunscreen on all areas of the body that will be exposed to the sun.

3. Seniors should wear light and airy clothing that will protect their skin from the sun. This can be difficult during the heat of the summer, but seniors need to keep their arms and legs covered as much as possible.

4. Wear a hat when in direct sunlight. This will help to protect the face, neck, head and ears.

5. Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays can be beneficial.

6. During the midday hours, seniors should try to stay in the shade as much as possible if they will be outside for any length of time.

Source: CDC.gov

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.

Senior Driving Safety

It is very common for seniors to continue driving. Many of these seniors lead an active lifestyle, so they are always out and about. Being active is a great way to maintain health, but seniors do need to take precautions when driving in bad weather. Many seniors will get tense and nervous when the weather is poor. To help battle this, the list below offers some great driving safety tips.

1.    Make sure to allow enough time to reach the destination. If the weather is bad and the visibility is poor, seniors should try to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier than they normally would.

2.    Always maintain the vehicle. Making sure the car is in good condition is one way to make sure seniors stay safe while driving in poor weather conditions.

3.    When buying a newer car, consider options that will increase safety, such as all-wheel drive and traction control.

4.    Be sure to keep an emergency kit in the car. These kits can help seniors who have car trouble during bad weather. Most kits will have blankets that will help seniors stay warm and comfortable until help arrives.

5.    Always drive with the headlights on.

6.    Stay in the middle lane on the highway. Most roads are built higher in the middle, allowing water to runoff to the other lanes.

7.    Avoid pools of water. There could be potholes beneath.

Source: Senior Living

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.

Information on Alzheimer’s

Much research is being done on Alzheimer’s disease. This disease affects thousands of seniors. Some researchers feel that we may not be doing enough to push research along. Finding a cure for this disabling disease is the ultimate goal. This is the most common form of dementia in older adults. The list below contains some additional information on how researchers hope to solve the puzzle of Alzheimer’s

1.    More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.

2.    As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.

3.    Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.

4.    Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.

5.    Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.

6.    Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.

7.    Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.

Source:  Consumer Healthday

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.

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.