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Tips to caring for someone with dementia including positive activities

Help Elderly Relatives Feel Better at Home

11/17Leave a Comment

How to Make Elderly Relatives Feel Better at Home

the-elderly

It is difficult to accept the reality of our parents and grandparents getting old. But believe it or not, it does happen and the responsibility falls on us to take care of them as they once took care of us.

As the roles are reversed, we have to be very mindful of our elders’ deteriorating physical and mental health.

It becomes necessary to ensure that their diet is followed, they take their medicines on time, the house is safe for them, and their social and personal life remains somewhat intact. Fortunately, with commitment, compassion, drive, and our love for them, we can take many measures and arrange for daily aids to make them feel better at home.

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Let’s discover some of these methods:

1. Remove Booby-Traps from the house:
As we age, our bones become weaker and our skin gets more susceptible to burns. So, the first thing we need to do with elderly people in house is to make it safe and sound. For instance, we might want to provide them a room at the ground floor so they don’t have to brave the steps every hour of the day. We must make doors easy to open for arthritis patients by installing levers. We must either change floors that are slippery, or ensure that they are well-cushioned with rugs and mats, without slippery throw rugs. Finally, remove obstacles from their path, especially pointed corners and low steps on the floors.

2. Lights:
A well-lit house will prevent the elders from fumbling for things, trying to find things and losing their footing during the process. You can make it even better by installing sensory lights so that they won’t even have to look for the light switch on the wall.

3. Have things delivered at the doorsteps:
Most elders (fathers especially) love to get their hands on newspaper first thing in the morning, or there are times when they run out of medicines and cannot make it to the drug store. Make sure to hire services who can make deliveries at the doorstep on time.

4. Social Life:
Elders need a social life as much as younger folks because old age and isolation can create deep feelings of loneliness. Elders have spent a good part of their life working, taking care of children, attending events and dividing their time among many other activities but with old age a television ends up being their best companion.

senior-exercise
seniors-together

There are many community events that allow seniors to mix together. There are also healthy exercises like a biking event that can keep them involved and happy.

Other activities can be arranged for seniors as well; baking, knitting, gardening etc. Social groups and tea parties help to keep their heart lighter and their spirits high.

 

5. Get Them a Pet:
If the elders are living alone at home then make sure to get them a low-maintenance pet. Living with pets comes with many benefits and seniors would love to have one living with them.

Most of us think of old age as a sad part of our life but it doesn’t have to be. It is just one more phase of our life and with people around us to take care of us, with activities to keep us involved and enough money to keep us properly fed and clothed, old age is like a vacation with no deadline.

Author: Andy Caton is a blogger and marketer for Patient Handling. When he’s not working, he’s spending time doing literature, film photography, and cinema. He’s also into fitness and is excited because his wife is pregnant with their second baby.

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Filed Under: Activities, Care Tips, Healthy Aging

Sleeping Kitty The Perfect Gift for those with Alzheimer’s

11/06Leave a Comment

Sleeping Kitty the Perfect Gift

for loved ones with Alzheimer’s

Mom lived with me in the later stages of her Alzheimer’s. Finding entertainment to keep her busy during those months was often difficult. It sounds like an unusual complaint. But it isn’t always easy to occupy someone with Alzheimer’s.

Mom loved painting, but would only use one color and would cry when she colored outside the lines. Mom loved Solitaire. A great singles game you might think. Wrong! On the occasion that she didn’t win, she would be furious.

In later Stages, some memories are held for seconds so  you never know what will scare, frighten, dismay, aggravate or simply bore someone with Alzheimer’s.

If you’ve read a few of my articles, you know that Mom would watch Bob Barker 24/7 and talk about him as though he was family. He was one of the last folks she recognized “on-sight.”

Mom always loved baby dolls. While most men like a favorite cat or dog or other pet. Mom would sit her dolls side by side and tuck them in each night. She could spend hours, straightening their clothes, covering and uncovering each one many times..

 Folks with Alzheimer’s love to have something to do. Actually, they may become quite bored and grouchy if they don’t have an assigned activity. The person with dementia can’t always remember nor be able to do the activities of their past.

During the later stages of Alzheimer’s entertainment can be a blessing. During Mom’s later stage she lived in a Group Home with 9 other ladies. After dinner they headed to the living room where each had their very own recliner.

Shortly after the ladies settled in their chairs, baskets filled with laundered towels were brought to the room. You never saw such a scramble as those ladies scrambled to get towels. They loved folding towels. It was something they remembered how to do.  Each woman glowed with pride as she offered her folded towels to be stacked away for tomorrow.

I’m excited to share the new toys I’ve found this year. They are the most lovable things I’ve seen. Perfect for someone with Alzheimer’s looking for something to hold and hug. Last year we had the lovable, realistic babies and I’m just as excited about these pets. I think your loved one will totally love them!

These realistic cats and dogs appear to breathe. They look like real puppies and kitties cuddling in their beds. I hope you have a loved one who adores them like I do!

SLEEPING KITTYS, CAT, PUPPIES AND DOGS

 Breathing Puppy Dog Plush Breathing KItty Cat Perfect Petzzz Orange Tabby SainSmart Jr. Electronic Robot Sleeping Cat Meow Kitten

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Filed Under: Activities, Holidays Tagged With: Holdiay Gifts, Perfect Gift, Sleeping Kitty

Slips and falls by Seniors – How to prevent them

08/17Leave a Comment

 

Slips and falls by seniors – how to prevent them 

Slips and falls can happen at any age, and getting injured or breaking a bone can have severe side effects down the road. This is particularly true when we’re talking about seniors. Throughout the healing process, a person’s fractures limit motion and in some circumstances the patient may require surgery. Wearing a cast at 60 years old can be particularly unpleasant; not to mention dangerous to the health. Since seniors have brittle bones, even after the cast is removed the leg or hand is not completely recovered. Following a fracture, most seniors experience osteoporosis or arthritis for the rest of their lives. Preventing slips and falls is the best thing that we can do for our aging parents. It is fundamental to keep them informed, especially in tough weather conditions.

happy seniors

Walkers and canes for increased stability

Walkers and canes can prove to be extremely useful for seniors. These will help them have more stability when walking in bad weather conditions. Going out on heavy rain or having to surpass mountains of snow in the winter can be tough. Canes are excellent aids; they’re easy to keep around, sturdy and particularly useful. Walkers on the other hand, are much more suitable for seniors with severe physical disabilities such as Parkinson’s disease, paralysis or MS (multiple sclerosis).

 Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Super Light Rollator

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Proper footwear

In harsh weather conditions seniors should wear rubber boots to make sure their feet are kept warm and dry. The bottom of the boot should be made of a sturdy material for added traction. This way slips and falls are severely prevented when walking. Through rain and snow it gets extremely unsafe for older people to walk without support or proper footwear. Make sure to inform them about the importance of quality shoes before heading out.

Prevent falls by making an appointment with your physician

Start a fall prevention plan and consult with your doctor about measures you can take to stay safe. Make a detailed list with all medications on your regimen and take it with you. Your physician will review it and then tell you everything there is to know about interactions and side effects that could affect your well being and falling risks. To keep slips and falls at bay, a doctor might consider taking some off the list – such as antidepressants and sedatives that make you feel dizzy or anxious.

In case you’ve experienced falls before, you need to inform your doctor. Tell them when was the last time you’ve suffered an injury and where. Such details might help the doctor figure out a fall-prevention strategy. Get an ear and eye exam, and be prepared to talk about hearing and vision aids to improve mobility.

exercise for seniors

 

Keep moving

The more you exercise the better the chances you have to prevent falls. Get your doctor’s approval first and consider mild activities to keep the joints flexible. Water workouts and walking ideal; these exercises are slow but detailed, and don’t trigger any sort of physical pain. By improving flexibility, balance, coordination and strength, you’ll have more stability in your legs and body when you’re out on the street.

Get help

Bad weather conditions make seniors feel isolated. Most of them won’t even have the courage to go out because they are too afraid they will slip or fall. A great solution is to ask for assistance. A caregiver can walk you to the drug store on bad weather, but he will also inform you about the importance of proper clothes and footwear to prevent falls. Those who cannot afford to hire a professional caregiver for their loved one should be caregivers themselves. Make time for your parents and be there for them when they need you.

happy seniors

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that seniors need extra supplementation to help strengthen their bones, hearts and metabolism. Bad weather conditions make the body feel weak; many seniors have arthritis or osteoporosis, which are physical conditions that affect their walking and overall mobility. In this case, supplements can help. However, make sure to get informed first. Consult with a nutritionist or doctor and settle on the best mix of vitamins to keep your senior parent living healthy.

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com!

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Filed Under: Care Tips, Healthy Aging Tagged With: Exercise and Seniors, Slips and Falls, Slips and Falls for Seniors

What are Biggest Changes for Assisted Living?

05/1511 Comments

What are biggest changes for assisted living in the future?

Our Guest Post today shares some of the changes for Nursing Homes in the future. What will these changes mean for the caregiver or for those who are dependent on assisted living.

The healthcare industry has changed massively in the last few years. And now it appears that changes for assisted living are in the future. Not only has it needed to survive the recent recession, it has also had to accommodate huge advancements in medicine and technology. People are living longer and this means more of a drain on their finances and more demand for care in their home or assisted living. The industry is still advancing, which means significant changes will soon begin to materialize:Assisted-Living-News

The decline of the nursing home

There has been a steady decline in nursing homes over the past five years and this trend is set to continue. People no longer want to see their elderly parents in a nursing facility when they can happily live independently, or in an assisted living style accommodation.

The fact that older people are now more mobile and healthy has also contributed to this shift in housing needs. There are even facilities appearing which cater for those who have memory problems and may be better suited to living in an environment that reflects their memory.

Technology

Technology is advancing quickly and this is emphasized in the arrival of personal care robots. As these devices become more advanced and more affordable they will become a common sight in many older people’s homes. They can provide assistance for all their living requirements allowing them to retain their independence for much longer.

Multi-generational housing

It is becoming increasingly common and accepted that parents will move in with their children. Finances will be pooled to ensure the accommodation is either expanded or a new property is purchased to accommodate everyone comfortably. This allows the parents to maintain their independence whilst having a source of help nearby.

Assisted-Living-Caregivers

New builds

As the world continues to recover from the recession many older people have realized that they wish or need to continue working. Even if they have mobility issues this can be possible provided there is a dedicated increase in the number of properties designed and built with senior citizens in mind. Small, neighborhood type accommodations can house many senior citizens and remain in the town, allowing them to stroll into the shops and continue working if they wish to.

Communal housing

The emphasis on many new builds is to provide a space where any senior citizen can live independently but also have the convenience of amenities on their doorstep. Communal or co-operative housing provides this in the form of large communal gardens, club rooms and even sports facilities. There are also regular shared meals and the opportunity for all residents to have a say in community decisions.

Traditional senior housing

The traditional model of senior housing is continuing but with additional benefits. These are the features that you often find in co-operative housing; this is to ensure that existing tenants remain with them and they are able to attract new ones in what is becoming an increasingly competitive market place. Some of the housing facilities are offering themed properties to make specific genre’s feel at home.

Go green

Environmental issues are relevant to older people as well as the younger generation. New houses are now being built which use solar panels, rain water and eco-friendly lighting. They are generally slightly more expensive than the other options although the running costs may be cheaper in the long term. But then again, before considering moving to an eco-friendly assisted living facility, caregivers should make sure that their aging parent or relative is a good fit in that environment. Many seniors love to stay outside and enjoy nature; but there are those that prefer to stay inside. For them you must look for nursing homes that feature engaging activities to keep them happy and fulfilled.

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Many people simply wish to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of healthcare professionals which are required to offer in home care. The healthcare industry is literally booming and will continue to do so as the number of older people staying alive increases. This can actually be the cheapest option for many seniors who have no significant medical issues. Don’t forget about advanced technology. There are all sorts of gadgets available meant to help caregivers keep an eye on their loved ones from a distance.

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com!

Filed Under: Care Tips, Healthy Aging, Nursing Homes Tagged With: assisted living, Housing for elderly, Nursing Homes closing, Rise in Home Care

New Assistive Technology Devices

05/102 Comments

Voice Assistant Technology for Alzheimer’s Support 

Assistive-TechnologyAssistive Technology devices are becoming more available than ever. Technology continues to evolve and further assist those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

More capable than ever of understanding natural, spoken language, digital “personal assistants” can provide support to seniors and caregivers by proffering daily reminders, responding quickly to crises and communicating a wealth of valuable information.

The records of daily requests are also a convenient way for family members to monitor their loved one’s basic activities and mindset.

The Arrival of Digital Assistants
“Smart” software like Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa are voice-search enabled and always connected to the Internet.

More than just fancy search engines, digital assistants use artificial machine intelligence in new ways to analyze data from all your online activities. By gathering information from your previous commands, your prior search queries, and the vast constellation of personal data shared across different Internet-enabled devices and platforms, they pick up on behavior patterns and preferences in order to simulate the human decision making process.

To build a more comprehensive, immersive customer experience around the capabilities of the digital assistant, stand-alone units have entered the market as well. Amazon’s Alexa controls the “Echo” product: a cylindrical device with seven speakers that gives users hands-free access to all connected devices in the home. Once it’s turned on, the Echo is ready to respond to any simple verbal trigger.

Helping Those Who Need It Most
The intuitive capabilities of Alexa and the Echo device can be a major convenience for caregivers, saving them a lot of trouble across the board. Interacting with the Echo through voice provides immediate results without any button-pressing. Questions like, “Alexa, what time does the movie theater close?” or, “what is the address of the nearest pharmacy?” will be answered right away.

These digital assistants work with an ever-increasing array of Internet-enabled tools tools, making turning off your lights and changing the temperature easier and more convenient when you’re busy. This website and other resources can help you find out which devices pair with the Amazon Echo – and this list is expanding all the time. Home automation compatibility also opens the doors for these assistants to integrate with “smart” security systems, which can greatly help if an individual is still living alone or if their caretaker is away.

Assisting Alzheimer’s Patients
For aging individuals with Alzheimer’s, the reminder capabilities that a digital assistant can provide help keep daily life on track. The simple verbal functionality doesn’t require users to learn difficult technology or use a keyboard. A digital assistant can even be a source of entertainment; providing news, playing music or even telling jokes.

Most importantly, family members outside of the home can track the real-time interactions technology-elderlywith the virtual assistant to ensure that their beloved senior is doing well and interacting normally with the device. A senior can send his or her caregiver a text or email through the digital assistant, ask for shopping items, receive medication reminders, and call for help during a medical emergency. In a crisis, the reassurance that Amazon’s Echo will respond to the request, “Alexa, call 911!” is crucial. As a combination microphone system and speaker, Amazon’s Echo is ideal for individuals with Alzheimer’s and those who provide their care.

Assistance Online and Off

Alzheimer’s disease impacts everyone in the family, and Alexa can take some of the communication burden off of families and caretakers’ shoulders. As the science of artificial intelligence continues to develop, more capabilities will be available to assist seniors and their caretakers with many basic aspects of daily monitoring and care.

The unique capabilities of virtual assistants provide life-changing help for families, caretakers and senior citizens with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Reminders, to-do lists, music, conversation, communication and emergency assistance are all just a voice request away when senior citizens have a digital assistant at their beck and call.

Author: Beth Kelly is a technology and security blogger, who primarily covers topics pertaining to healthcare tech, energy efficiency, and home security. You can follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88

Amazon EchoAmazon EchoVoice Remote for Amazon EchoVoice Remote for Amazon EchoAmazon TapAmazon Tap

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Filed Under: Activities, Care Tips Tagged With: Amazon Echo, Assistive technology devices, Assistive Technology for Disablities, List of Assistive Technology

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