Rhode Island

Many people will be traveling for the holidays. While this can be an exciting time of year, some seniors may become overwhelmed at the thought of having to travel. To make this easier, the following list contains some travel tips for seniors who will be traveling over the holidays. These tips will ensure safety and will help seniors have an enjoyable trip.

1.    Always plan as far ahead as possible. This will help get better prices on airfare, hotels and other expenses. In addition, be sure to ask for senior discounts. If possible, travel during the week. The rates are much lower.

2.    Some seniors will prefer to drive to their destination, even if it will be a long trip. Try adding to the overall experience by taking a plane, bus or train instead of driving Allow a little extra time so you can enjoy your own mini vacation. No matter how you will be traveling, make sure to stand often and stretch. This will help reduce swelling in the legs.

3.    If going to another country, avoid looking like a tourist. Be sure to become familiar with the language. Study a map while in your hotel room so you will know where you are going ahead of time.

4.     Be sure to get travel insurance. This will be beneficial to seniors.

5.    Make sure to bring all medications. In addition, pack a first aid kit. Keeping medications with this kit is a good idea so everything is in one place.

Helium.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.

How Seniors Can Remain at Home

It is now possible for seniors who need a caregiver to remain in their home much longer. This is due to new technology that allows caregivers to monitor the senior while they are at home. Though this is an expensive system, it is becoming very popular. More seniors are trying new devices that will allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes as they age.

1. Monitoring patients at home through use of video is a great way for caregivers to keep an eye on patients, especially those who have a chronic illness.

2. The system uses various cameras that are set up in the home. The caregiver can remotely control each camera to view all activity in the home.

3. By using the computer system, caregivers can communicate with patients. They can “join” them for dinner or just have a way to talk about things even when the caregiver cannot physically be present.

4. Telecaregiving does take privacy into consideration and no cameras are installed in bedrooms or bathrooms. However, if a patient is in either of these unmonitored areas for an extended period of time, the caregiver will call the home to make sure the patient is okay.

5. This is an expensive service, but it is beneficial and allows seniors to remain living at home and not have to have an individual providing care for them all day. The telecaregiver can still ensure health and safety from afar.

Source: FierceMobileHealthCare.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.

Monetary Costs of Physical Inactivity for Seniors

When seniors think about the effects of an inactive lifestyle, one of the repercussions is not usually the monetary costs, after all, physical fitness costs money, right, so shouldn’t they be saving? In reality, lack of activity can lead to greater instances of injuries and illnesses which are associated with millions of dollars of medical costs per year.

• Seniors who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from acute diseases and chronic illnesses which are associated with high medical costs in the country

• Seniors are more likely to injure themselves when they are physical unstable and weak because they do not remain physically active. Hospital care is covered by provincial healthcare, but often seniors need supplemental services like physical therapy during the recovery process

• There may be costs associated with family caregiving when a senior suffers from a health issue or an injury when someone is no longer able to maintain a full-time job and takes on costs of care

Source: Home Care Etobicoke

Senior Information on Ibuprofen

Aches and pains are a common complaint of most seniors. To deal with this pain, seniors take ibuprofen. Instead of taking pills to battle pain, there are some natural ways to obtain relief. Below is a list that contains some common foods and spices that have been shown to have the similar pain relieving effects as ibuprofen.

1. Any food that acts as an anti-inflammatory can be referred to as Nature’s Ibuprofen. These include many spices and herbs that are typically found in a healthy diet.

2. Organic berries offer many benefits. They can fight inflammation, but they also have anti-oxidant powers. These berries also include high amounts of fiber, which is important in any senior diet.

3. Some seniors do not like to add spices to their foods. However, there are certain spices that can offer great benefits. Seniors should consider using oregano, garlic and turmeric when preparing a meal.

4. Green tea also offers some anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Foods that contain rosemary and ginger will help seniors with an inflammatory disease.

6. No matter what the medical condition is, if seniors are taking ibuprofen daily to battle aches and pains, they should consider including these foods and spices in their daily diets.

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.

End of Life decisions for Seniors

There are many decisions that need to be made as people continue to grow older. Seniors are placed in a position where they need to plan for medical care. They also are gaining support from many who believe individuals have the right to decide if they want to be kept alive during a medical treatment. Terminally ill seniors should have this choice. The following list contains some information on this topic.

1. 84% of Americans believe seniors should have a choice whether they live or die when they have a terminal illness.

2. 22% of nurses and doctors feel that everything should be done in order to keep the senior alive, despite their wishes.

3. Seniors should put their wishes in writing. This is one way to make sure that doctors are aware of what the senior wants if they are unable to make decisions at any time during treatment.

4. Many Americans believe family members should have a say in the end of life decisions that pertain to a loved one.

5. In most cases, older women are more apt to discuss these wishes with family members. It is important for all seniors to express their desire about what should happen to them during the course of treatment for a terminal illness.

Source: Pew Social Trends

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.

We’d all like to age gracefully, accepting the process of aging while still having the ability to hang onto some aspects of youth, like health. With these 5 tips, your body and mind will reward you for treating it right and you’ll be well on your way:

1. Pick heart healthy foods – choose foods with strong anti-inflammatory affects that can help improve the health of your heart like fruits and vegetables, garlic, olive oil and fish. Steer clear of foods that can block the arteries like fried items or ones drenched in saturated fats

2. Drink water regularly – stay hydrated, it will help you to keep your energy level up, and help with the digestive process. Water can also help fend off hunger and prevent bad breath

3. Don’t forget your vagus – the vagus is a nerve that updates your brain about what’s happening with the rest of your body. A vagus that’s not kept healthy can result in issues with immunity and that can lead to viruses and illnesses. Try meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises to keep the vagus healthy!

4. Take Asprin – one terrific thing you can do for your health barely takes any effort at all. Pop an Asprin daily with half a glass of warm water and help lower inflammation throughout the body and prevent colon cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.

5. Use mind maps – it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out when you have a goal in front of you. Instead of making a limited To Do List, use a mind map. Put your goal in the middle of a  piece of paper and draw lines branching out from it with other ideas about how you can reach that goal. This method allows you to be more open-minded

Via: Real Age

Image: jupiterimages.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.

There are a number of myths that surround the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) that make the illness even more frightening for Rhode Island seniors and their families. Here are some of the Swine Flu myths explained so you have an increased understanding of what this illness is and how it can be treated:

1. Since the H1N1 virus derives in pigs, it can come from pork – Swine Flu cannot be transmitted from eating pork, although it does often occur in those who are in contact with infected living livestock. The current outbreak, however, is coming primarily from human-to-human transmission

2. Symptoms of Swine Flu different from the seasonal flu – the symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to the seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue

3. There is no effective treatment for Swine Flu – Tamiflu and Relenza are medications that have been used to effectively treat H1N1

4. There aren’t enough flu drugs to treat the pandemic – the federal government has in fact stockpiled enough flu drugs to treat 50 million Americans with Swine Flu, and some states actually have additional stock

5. The 1970’s Swine Flu shot offers protection today – as diseases adapt and change, it becomes more unlikely that a previous vaccination will offer prevention for the H1N1 virus of today

6. Flu drugs can prevent the Swine Flu – it’s not recommended that the flu drugs used to treat the swine flu are taken for prevention. There is however, a vaccine under development

7. Seniors are most at risk – healthy seniors actually are not believed to be the demographic most at risk for the Swine Flu. The vaccine that will be available will first be offered to individuals aged 25 to 65 as they are most at risk

8. The spread of Swine Flu can’t be stopped – it’s not yet known how contagious Swine Flu is, however, like any illness, the spread of it can be prevented through frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and disinfecting surfaces that might carry germs

Via: Loyola Medicine

Image: jazdb2b.wordpress.com