Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Interview Questions Dr. Devere

Q: Dr. Devere, you are a doctor in Austin who specializes in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Neurology.  May we ask you some questions about health care that we are often asked and have often heard answered poorly by others?
A: Yes, you may.

Q: Regarding Trends in Health of the Elderly: In addition to good nutrition, a multi-vitamin, and proper hygiene, what are some additional tips that Senior citizens can use to stay healthy throughout the year?

A: To maintain Brain Health, it is important to exercise physically and keep your brain active by reading, gardening, games and socialization.  Be sure you don’t have untreated high cholesterol, high blood pressure or early diabetes.

Q: Regarding Symptoms and Diagnosis: One of the most commonly asked questions that our readers ask is, “What are the symptoms of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s?”  We want to ask a greater question: What at-home, non-professional tools can we use to recognize symptoms of numerous elder related illness, disease, and disorder?  How will we separate true health issues from basic age-related decline?

A: If caregivers or friends recognize that a person’s memory is abnormal and especially if it interferes with Basic Daily activity, which is not normal,  they should be evaluated by a physician.  Not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s.  Most conditions causing memory loss are treatable, including Alzheimer’s

Q: Regarding Later-life Housing: The statistics say that a fraction of people pass away suddenly/unexpectedly; it is far more likely that we will all have a normal, healthy decline.  This means that people will likely spend their waning years at home or in some form of skilled nursing or assisted living institution.  AARP tells that people have a preference to stay in their homes; not a surprise to anyone, but as living one one’s own becomes increasingly difficult, what steps can they take to age in place successfully?

A: People with physical and/or cognitive abnormalities will likely need help from their spouses or family.  Help with basic home Activities and meds can be obtained by hiring aides through Home Care and Companionship Service Agencies.  Assisted Living facilities with or without a spouse are available.  Nursing Homes really should be a last resort if the above considerations fail.

Q: Thank you Dr. Devere.  May our readers continue to ask questions of you?
A: Yes, Absolutely.  They can reach me at 1200 Lakeway Dr # 8, Lakeway, TX 78734 and (512) 261-7909

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

At Home Instead Senior Care, we know that loss of the senses, like taste and smell is a traumatizing experience that many older adults face. A seasoned nurse from an Ear, Nose and Throat practice explains to us another problem that can occur as the senses decline; confusion between taste and smell.

In our practice, we treat a large number of seniors who are complaining about an inability to taste. While sometimes taste buds do change as part of the natural process of aging, this is most often not where the problem stems from. When we try to explain to our patients that the problem actually derives from their nose, it’s not uncommon to receive looks or distrust. Really, we’re not crazy, but we do understand how it can be difficult to accept when people naturally assume that problems with taste must begin with the tongue and taste buds.

While many different problems with the nose can cause challenges with taste and the interpretation of flavor, the best way to illustrate the connection between smell and taste is to use the common cold analogy. Anyone who’s had a stuffy nose knows that any food or drink consumed tastes different than what they’re used to, but since the taste buds aren’t truly at play, what it really comes down to is flavor instead. Taste and smell are very closely linked, and when we eat certain foods, we process both the odor of the food with our nose and taste on our tongue; and unconsciously roll them together and interpret them as one sense. So naturally, when scent is compromised because of a cold or other nasal complication, the flavor appears different than what we’re used to.

So, while you may walk into a doctor’s office, believing you have a problem with taste; whether you belong to the elder or younger generation, keep an open mind, understanding that taste and flavor are not one and the same and that problems with the nose can actually alter the interpretation of flavor.

Sources: http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.loss.phtml
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_can%27t_you_taste_anything_with_your_nose_plugged
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2590232

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

The senses of taste and smell are so closely linked, that the loss of one can directly impact the other. It’s no secret in the elder care industry that some changes of these senses occur as a part of the natural process of aging, since taste buds diminish with age and there is a degeneration of the nerves that control smell. However, it’s not just aging alone that results in a more drastic inability to perceive smells or tastes; other health factors can further influence the decline of the senses.

• Nasal Problems – simple nasal obstructions like colds, allergies, and irritants from cigarette smoke and pollutants can cause loss of smell and in turn attribute to loss of taste. More serious nasal complications like sinusitis (sinus infections) or nasal polyps (small non-cancerous growths in the nasal passage) can also results in temporary loss of the senses
• Medications – some prescription medications like certain antibiotics, blood pressure treatments and chemotherapy can dull the senses
• Surgery or Head Trauma – temporary loss of scent or taste may occur due to blocking scar tissue, or permanent damage can be the result if nerves are severed or missing
• Dental problems – tooth decay, gum infections, or sores can cause the loss of taste sense
• Diseases – in rare cases, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s can result in loss of senses

While seniors may enjoy not being able to smell offending odors or taste unpleasant foods, loss or decline of the senses needs to be taken seriously because it can result in nutritional problems and poor overall health. Older adults should consult with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to obtain a proper diagnosis. A medical professional may use scratch and sniff methods or taste tests to evaluate the decline that has occurred, and if necessary may use an endoscope, CAT scan or X-ray to get a closer look at the throat and sinus passages. 

In many cases, treatment to reverse the affects of sense loss rely only upon simple lifestyle changes or minor medical procedures, and with proper advice and attention it can greatly improve the quality of life for an older adult. 

Home Instead caregivers are on hand to help you prepare meals that are tasty and nutritious for your loved one.

Sources: http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.loss.phtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/loss-of-taste-and-smell/AN01198

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

In addition to assistive devices which can better enable struggling seniors to hear, others can help them by using simple communication methods to increase not only hearing, but comprehension.  Here are some tips to ensure communication in a way that benefits a struggling senior:

-  Converse in a quiet environment (no background noises from traffic, music, television, or others engaged in conversation)
-  When speaking with a senior, always ensure you lower the pitch of your voice, since high frequency sounds are the first ones to go ( a condition referred to as presbycusis)
-  Speak slowly, and remain conscious of the pace since seniors can’t process information and listen as fast as younger people
-  Ensure that the older adult is actively engaged and able to hear what you are saying, even by stopping to confirm information
-  Maintain eye contact and make use of non-verbal signals so that your body language supplements your speech
-  Keep in mind that shouting or raising your voice is not usually beneficial for seniors with hearing loss
-  Make sure your speech is clear and your words are enunciated
-  Ensure there is appropriate lighting in the environment  and  attempt to eliminate drastic changes in lighting to aid with vision
-  Provide seniors with written materials and text that are easy to read, with large print
-  Be aware it is easier for seniors to interpret visual cues during the day, when exposed to natural light

When hearing loss occurs, it becomes a family affair. If someone you know is nervous about assistive devices, go with them to consult with an audiologist and help with the decision, and do everything you can through communication to increase their overall quality of life as it relates to hearing.

Source:
 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/info_sheets/hearing_loss/index.htm

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

For many common types of hearing loss that are caused by the aging process, there is no cure. But for the one third of seniors aged 60 and over who have problems with hearing, it isn’t all bad news. Since hearing loss cannot be reversed, the elder services industry focuses upon encouraging seniors to use assistive devices that can increase their level of hearing and improve their quality of life.

When it comes to living with hearing loss, it’s about management, and there are a number of devices available on the market today to help seniors and their families do just that. Seniors do not have to back down from activities and social situations that they once enjoyed, instead they can make use of hearing technology under the advice of an audiologist, to learn what would be most suitable for their needs. Hearing aids are the most common, and come with a variety of different features; however, their most basic purpose is to improve the volume of sound and enable them to hear specific pitches they might be missing. Seniors might also benefit from buying amplifiers for their phones, or visual indicators that tell them when someone has rung their doorbell. Elders with hearing loss can also make use of functions that simple technology already has to offer; instead of turning up the volume on their TV, they can turn on the closed captions.

Source:
 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/info_sheets/hearing_loss/index.htm

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

“Turn that music down or you’ll damage your hearing!” is a statement of warning that we’ve all voiced to a teenage or heard ourselves during our youth. While usually uttered in frustration when the speaker can’t seem to hear themselves think, you might be surprised to learn that this isn’t just a mindless threat; it does hold some truth. Talk about empowerment for parents everywhere! Hearing loss isn’t only found in senior citizens, and it can occur outside of the natural process of aging due to noise related damage. Learn more about Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) by reading on and learning just what others want to know in these frequently asked questions.

Q1 – How does noise cause hearing loss?
A1 – When certain sounds are heard at unusually high levels, or that are loud and last a long time sensitive structures in the inner ear called hair cells are damaged and can never grow back; resulting in NIHL.

Q2 – Can NIHL only affect teenagers?
A2 – While there is a stigma that teenagers listen to loud music that can damage their hearing, NIHL can occur is people of any age, including the elderly. Seniors may find NIHL more dramatically affects their hearing loss if they are already suffering from age related changes.

Q3 – How loud does a sound need to be to result in NIHL?
A3 – Sounds are measured in decibels; normal noises may range between 40-80 decibels, but any noise over 85 could result in NIHL if there is prolonged or repeated exposure.

Q4 – Is there anything, besides loud music, that can cause NIHL?
A4 – Any noise above 85 decibels has the potential to cause NIHL; prolonged exposure to sounds of a woodworking shop or extremely loud traffic noises could cause hearing loss. One loud impulse sound, like an explosion can also result in NIHL.

Q5 – What are the symptoms of NIHL?
A5 – Damage from one loud sound can cause immediate symptoms, or prolonged exposure to a loud noise can result in gradual development. People suffering from NIHL may find that sounds become distorted, muffled, or may have problems understanding speech. Others, may experience no symptoms at all, and will discover the damage through a hearing test.

Q6 – Can NIHL be prevented?
A6 – While it’s impossible to avoid exposure to loud noises completely, especially when an unexpected one occurs (like an explosion) basic precautions can be taken, like wearing ear plugs when in an especially noisy environment.

Q7 – How can NIHL be treated?
A7 – Since there is no way for the damage hair cells to re-grow,  treatment methods relate to improve the hearing of affected individuals using hearing aids and assistive listening devices.

Source: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Hearing loss impacts about 28 million people in the United States alone, and will touch the lives of nearly one third of people seniors over the age of 60. Seniors are often reluctant to seek help for the aging related changes they’re experiencing, so it often falls to loved ones, like family members, elder care professionals or friends to spot when an older adult is having challenges hearing and to encourage them to seek medical attention which may be beneficial. Some of the signs and symptoms of hearing loss may seem obvious, but it’s important to identify them and acknowledge their significance. These characteristics include:

• Misunderstanding what people say
• Asking people to repeat statements they’ve made in conversation
• Strained conversation over the phone
• Thinking or stating that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
• Turning up the TV or radio very loudly

Other factors that may indicate hearing loss may be harder to detect, but can be surefire signs that a senior is in the earlier stages of losing their hearing. Be aware if a senior demonstrates any of the following symptoms:

• Increased difficulty hearing when there is background noise present
• An inability to pick up on environmental sounds, like birds chirping
• Attempting to read lips, by watching the speakers face during conversations
• Pretending to understand by agreeing, head nodding or laughing. Due to lack of comprehension, these cues might be used at an irrelevant time
• The senior removes his/herself physically from conversations that are too difficult to follow

As the hearing loss progresses and worsens, the above signs do become increasingly more obvious. Depending upon the type of hearing loss the senior is experiencing; including conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, they may only demonstrate a few of the above signs. However, it is important for families, friends and other associates to be aware of the potential indicators early on, so that any serious health problems may be ruled out by a doctor, and appropriate treatment can be administered to make the senior’s day to day life more comfortable.

http://www.stronghealth.com/services/Audiology/hearing/symptomshearingloss.cfm

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

I didn’t become a full-time caregiver for my mom until she was in her 80’s, but I’ve always considered myself a hands-on daughter. Some might call me interfering, but I just want what’s best for my mom, and I do everything I can to make sure her health is a top priority. I make sure I’m well educated about common illnesses and ailments that impact seniors, and I stumbled across an article that stated that 90% of seniors over the age of 65 suffer from cataracts.

Already having informed myself about the symptoms, I knew right away what the problem was when my mom began complaining of hazy eyesight and trouble processing glare. My mom had already been seeing an eye doctor and wore glasses, but it still took some convincing to get her there in order to rule out cataracts, because she has always worried about “being a bother”.  The eye doctor put her through a series of tests to diagnose glaucoma, and once it was confirmed gave her a new eyeglass prescription to assist with her vision. He also recommended that she use a magnifying glass when trying to read, especially small print.

Unfortunately, there is no medication available to prevent the development of cataracts, it was eventually recommended that my mom get surgery to correct the problem and enhance her vision. She was nervous about the procedure, but it turned out to be pretty straightforward, only taking 30 minutes while she was awake; using only numbing eye drops for sedation while they dissolved the lens and replaced it with an artificial one. Because there were no stitches, she didn’t need to wear an eye patch and found the recovery was surprisingly quick and easy.

I know that when I initially told my mom I thought she had cataracts, she was apprehensive about having another medical issue to contend with; however, she quickly discovered that with the right attention, it was an issue that was easy to manage.

If your loved one needs any assistance with transportation to and from appointments please contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office.
Sources: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cataracts/article_em.htm
               http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/cataracts.html

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Various eye tests allow eye doctors to not only identify when a senior has glaucoma, but also allows them to track the progress of the eye disease to prescribe the best treatment methods.

Measuring Intraocular Pressure

Glaucoma occurs when there is a build up of aqueous fluid in the eye, which creates excessive levels of intraocular pressure (IOP). A normal level is around 20 mmHg; any pressure above this can cause serious damage to the optic nerve, resulting in loss of peripheral vision and even blindness. A totometer allows eye doctors to track the IOP of a senior’s eye, by placing it right against the surface of the eyeball. Of course, numbing eye drops are used before the procedure begins. Not only can this be used to diagnose glaucoma, it can also be used to determine if treatment techniques, like eye drops to reduce pressure, are working effectively.

Eyesight and Vision Tests

Visual field testing is the main test used to monitor loss of eyesight and peripheral vision. The patient is asked to look into a machine, and press a button every time a blinking light is visible. By tracking what the patient was able to see, any eye doctor can learn where blind spots are occurring, or if their peripheral vision has been impacted.

Tracking Damage

Since the optic nerve can be damaged as a result of glaucoma, it’s important that professionals monitor how the disease is progressing and determine if treatment methods, like eye drops or surgeries, are working effectively. Various imaging techniques allow eye doctors to assess damage to the optic nerve, and an ultrasound biomicroscopy allows them to map the flow of aqueous fluid in the eye.

Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Tests directed to detect and monitor glaucoma allow eye doctors to monitor the progression of the disease and determine what treatment available would best slow the effects and damage being caused as the result of the disease.

As aqueous pressure builds up in the eyes, it can cause serious damage to the optic nerve which can initially result in a loss of peripheral vision, and finally complete loss of eyesight. A standard eyesight test, called a visual field test helps analyze vision loss that has already occurred. An eye doctor will have the patient look into a machine, and press a button every time a flashing light is visible; which identifies blind spots and loss of peripheral vision.

Since it is intraocular pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve, eye drops and surgeries available as treatment attempt to reduce the aqueous fluid that causes the build up, there are tests to monitor the aqueous fluid and IOP. A totometer measures the pressure of the eye from the surface and an ultrasound biomicroscopy maps the flow of aqueous fluid.

Seniors need to be proactive and take the health of their eyes seriously, because with appropriate treatment, glaucoma is an eye disease that can be managed.

Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm