Rhode Island

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.

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.

Helping Seniors De-clutter their Lives with a Caregiver

Caregivers play such an essential role for seniors, and they can make a big difference in a senior’s well-being. This critical role is why caregivers need to be careful when helping seniors make their homes safe and clutter free. For many seniors stuff represents memories and control; not just the objects the rest of the world might see them as. Caregivers can help seniors get their homes clutter-free for safety, and also help them separate memories from the objects.

1. Start small – instead of getting frustrated about a senior’s unwillingness to let go of certain items; praise and be happy for some small purges. Even if all you’ve managed to do is go through old mail cluttering the kitchen counter, it’s a victory that should be rewarded!

2. Take baby steps – like starting small, taking baby steps can allow seniors to see how they feel when a few things have been given away. If they have too large of a collection of old clothing, donate just a few pieces. After a few weeks have past, find out how the senior feels. They’re likely to discover that the parting wasn’t as bad as they thought

3. Let them take control – the accumulation of clutter can be about control; whether it’s controlling memories of the past they feel they’ve lost, or simply remaining in control of certain aspects of their life at a time when there’s so much change. Allow them to decide how to get rid of things and which items to start with first. If they refuse overtime, tell them that if they don’t take control then you or someone else will have to

Home Instead Senior Care

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.

How Seniors Can Get Organized

Organizational skills are needed by everyone. When a senior is organized, their daily life is much more structured. This allows for less stress and anxiety that many seniors experience when they have to take care of things. Being organized can also be responsible for increasing mood and keeping seniors happy. Below is a list that contains some tips for seniors on organization.

1. There is no one way to be organized. People have different needs, so they will need to find an organizational system that works best for them.

2. Make use of organizational products. Written lists on paper are easy to lose, so try a dry erase board on the fridge to remember certain things.

3. Becoming organized is a process. It will not happen in one day. Begin by setting priorities and always know what things must be taken care of before others.

4. After finding a system that works, the challenge is maintaining it. Many seniors will go through the planning steps but often fall short when maintaining their organizational system.

5. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family members can offer some great ideas that will help seniors get organized and save time and money.

Source: NAPO

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 Information on Living Longer

Living longer is the goal for many healthy seniors. As long as someone is healthy and happy, the desire to live a long life is present. The good news is that more and more seniors are achieving this. The life expectancy has increased around the world and seniors are living longer than ever. The key to this is living healthy. Below is a list of facts regarding the increased life expectancies.

1. Improving living conditions can help lengthen life. If seniors live in a clean and safe environment, they are more apt to be healthier.

2. The improvement in general health is largely due to public health efforts that aim to prevent disease and improve the living conditions of seniors.

3. There has been a drastic increase in life expectancies over the past 170 years. In fact, the life span has increased at an astounding rate of 2.5 years each decade. This is equivalent to 6 hours each day.

4. As people age, their chances of death increase. However, if an individual were to reach the age of 110, their chances of death do not increase anymore. Instead, it holds steady at a 50% chance.

5. As people begin to live longer, it causes changes in the way younger adults think. If they believe they will live a long life, they should begin to take care of themselves better. This is the hope for the younger generations. It is important to remain as fit, healthy and active as possible, no matter what your age is.

Source:  http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2010/03/aging.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

Rhode Island Senior Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

When seniors shop and prepare their own meals at home, they need to be aware of safety issues. If foods are not stored properly, they could go bad. Also, when preparing raw foods, seniors need to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to prevent any cross-contamination, which could cause serious illness. The following list contains some great food safety tips for seniors.

1. Always wash your hands often when cooking and handling any raw foods. Make sure to wash before, during and after preparation. This will reduce the risks of cross-contamination and will help ensure food is being prepared safely.

2. After shopping, be sure to store foods separately. Never keep raw and cooked foods stored together. When preparing meals, do not use the same cutting board or knife on meats and poultry on breads and vegetables.

3. Always make sure that foods are cooked to the proper temperature. Undercooked foods can pose a health threat to seniors. Consuming raw and undercooked foods, such as meats and eggs, could increase the chances of illness.

4. When buying perishable foods, make sure they are put away quickly. Never leave perishable foods on the counter. Place them in the refrigerator as soon as you return home to make sure they do not spoil.

Source: eatright.org

Image: organic.kysu.edu

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.

Our Rhode Island Caregivers enable seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Seniors should know about food safety. A foodborne illness can severely affect seniors. Since many seniors have a weak immune system, food safety is very important. The following list contains facts and tips for seniors on food safety issues. It is important to take all possible precautions to avoid becoming ill due to a food problem.

1. Older individuals, newborns and pregnant women are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses. This is because they usually have a weaker immune system than a healthy young adult. People in these groups need to be very careful of the foods they ingest.

2. To protect yourself from becoming ill from a food, make sure that all food is stored properly.

3. When cooking food, make sure that the food has reached the proper temperature. This can be done by inserting a thermometer into the food as it is being prepared. This is very important when cooking meat and poultry.

4. When preparing food, be sure to wash your hands often. This will help prevent cross-contamination. This is important when coming in contact with raw fish, meat and poultry.

5. Some foods are more prone to carrying bacteria. This is common in chicken and some red meat. Try to avoid preparing or eating these foods, especially if they are undercooked.

Source: eatright.org

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.

Rhode Island Home Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Diabetes is a common disease among seniors. Many seniors are affected with Type 1 diabetes. This type requires the patient to inject insulin daily. Since the pancreas no longer produces insulin, patients must provide the body with the correct amount of insulin each day. Monitoring daily blood sugar levels is very important for patients with this type of diabetes. Below is a list that contains some facts about Type 1 diabetes.

1. Those with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. Without insulin, the patient will not survive. It is important to find out exactly how much insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels.

2. The onset of Type 1 happens rapidly. The warning signs of the development of type 1 diabetes include increased blood sugar levels, increased urination and thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and fatigue. If any of these symptoms are noticed, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

3. It is important to test blood sugar levels regularly. These levels allow patients to monitor their diabetes and can tell them how much insulin they need to control the levels. It is best to test before meals, a few hours after meals and before bedtime.

4. A regular diet is important, but so is the time meals are eaten. Many diabetics have to eat at the same time every day to keep their blood sugar levels under control.

5. A healthy life style will help the battle with Type 1 diabetes. Work with doctors to find a regime that works best and stick to it. Once your diabetes is under control, you will lead a normal life.

Source: diabetes.about.com

Image: diabetic-forum.net

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.

Each year more seniors are diagnosed with high blood pressure. This can lead to other health issues if it is not immediately addressed. There are many symptoms that can signify that high blood pressure has caused other problems. The following list contains some important facts that Home Care Rhode Island thinks all seniors should know about high blood pressure.

1. High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It can also cause kidney damage, blindness and heart disease.

2. The symptoms of high blood pressure can be different for each person. Some seniors will never experience any symptoms. Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.

3. If the heart has been affected, the following symptoms may be present: chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizzy spells.

4. If the kidneys are affected by high blood pressure, patients may experience frequent urination, urinary tract infections, pain in the lower abdomen, increased glucose and protein in the urine or blood.

5. Should high blood pressure affect your eyes, you will experience loss of vision, blurred vision, headaches or double vision.

6. Malignant hypertension is caused by the rapid onset of high blood pressure and may cause shortness of breath, severe headaches, nausea, chest pain, confusion or seizures.

7. Talk to your doctor if any symptoms are present. Then work on a solution to lower your blood pressure, either by diet changes, medications, exercise or a combination of all three.

Source: hearthealthyonline.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

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.

Driving is one of those topics that can be very touchy in older adulthood. Changes in perception and health issues can at times change the way that seniors drive and many families feel that they should take away the keys, but in turn removing that crucial sense of independence. Aging boomers are changing the shape of older adulthood, and driving is falling into this category as well. More seniors than ever are on the road, and accident rates have
actually declined.

• As baby boomers age, there are more older drivers on the road

• Older drivers today seem to keep their licenses longer and are more comfortable traveling longer distances

• The number of fatal crashes involving older adults have declined, which has been a focus since seniors with health conditions, and that are physically more fragile can mean an accident has much more severe effects

• Older adults rarely pose a risk to other drivers on the road; when crashes do occur, often the only risk they pose is to themselves

• Today’s older adults are better recognizing their impairments, such as limited mobility and how that might impact their ability to drive. They adjust their driving habits accordingly

Via: ScienceDaily

Image Source: sxc.hu

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.