What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.
1.) How should this outbreak be handled?
2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?
Please comment below with your opinions!
Image Source:
-New York Times
Q – My elderly mother is in her mid-80’s, and has been in and out of the hospital over the past few years. We’re never sure what to pack for her to make her comfortable while she’s there; what would you recommend?
A – If your mother has a history of medical issues that have kept her in and out of the hospital, it’s recommended that you keep a hospital bag on hand with the items she would need, so when a medical emergency occurs you don’t need to stress over the small details – like whether or not your remembered her toothbrush. Pack a hospital bag and include the following items:
• Clothing – loose fitting, comfortable clothing or pajamas, which allow hospital staff easy access to medical monitors or intravenous lines are recommended
• Documentation – copies of important documentation should be on hand. Including insurance cards, living wills, medicine and contact lists. Keep a pen and paper on hand to record questions for doctors, or information provided by medical staff.
• Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrush, comb/brush, and other non heavily-perfumed items are necessities.
• Entertainment – bring books, magazines, knitting, and if allowed under hospital policy a laptop in order to help the senior pass the time.
• Other necessities – hearing aids and eye glasses should be packed if needed; along with mementos from home (photos etc), a prepaid phone card and a small amount of cash.
Sources:
3. MedicineNet
4. Inventor Spot Beth Hodgson
Image: ehow.com
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.
With the growth of the senior care industry in Phoenix and with many seniors requiring some form of in-home care or assisted living services, it comes as no surprise that almost everyday there seem to be new developments that surround the eldercare business. The best developments in Phoenix senior services are those that improve the lives of seniors and ease the stress of caregivers caring for their elderly family members.
1. In-home monitoring systems – Big Brother style monitoring systems allow family members and eldercare professionals to monitor the safety of a senior living independently through motion detectors, cameras, and vital monitoring.
2. Safety gadgets – electronic alert devices and personal alarms allow seniors to call for help when they’re in danger. Many come equipped with GPS for locating.
3. Transportation services – many communities offer free transportation for seniors over a certain age, so they can get around independently.
4. Exercise information and resources – it’s no longer believed that exercise is bad for seniors joints or their hearts when completed safely. Many gyms offer programs that cater to the older demographic.
5. Luxury goods – personal care products, like canes and walkers no longer have a sterile medical feel. Seniors can purchase items that fit their style and personality.
6. Elderlaw – with the number of baby boomers approaching their senior years, Elderlaw is addressing more needs of the elderly with legislation.
7. Gadgets – technologies cater to senior living, can improve their lifestyle and increase independence.
8. Resources for family caregivers – support groups, information sources and other resources are available to help family caregivers learn about senior care and connect with one another.
9. Peer care – caregiving agencies may have older adults on staff to provide care to their peers that might better relate to senior issues, offer companionship and increase a care recipients comfort level.
10. In-home Care – non-medical senior care is widely available through agencies like Home Instead Senior Care, to allow seniors to maintain their independence at home with the assistance they require.
Sources:
1. Eldercare ABC Blog
2. Franchise Prospector
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.
Often seniors who are not feeling physically well, will not voice their concerns because they do not want to feel like they are complaining for no reason, or placing additional burden upon their family or professional caregivers. When a senior has a stroke, it can be difficult for a caregiver to identify, since the majority of the symptoms require that the senior tell someone what they are experiencing. But, by paying close attention to the symptoms that a senior is exhibiting and asking the right questions, a Phoenix senior caregiver can help to identify a stroke and get them needed medical treatment.
Signs of a Stroke:
• Numbness – a feeling of numbness might appear along one side of the body, in the face, arms or legs. Caregivers should pry further if a senior seems to be exhibiting perpetual signs that they have limbs that are asleep.
• Poor communication – trouble speaking, confusion about situations or lack of understanding are signs of a stroke that caregivers might be able to identify without relying on senior’s accounts.
• Vision changes – problems with sight or blurred vision might indicate a stroke. Apparent visual disorientation may alert a caregiver of a senior stroke.
• Poor motor skills – problems walking, dizziness or loss of balance that appears out of nowhere can tell a caregiver their senior needs medical assistance.
• Headache – sudden, severe headache
Sources:
1. American Heart Association
2. National Stroke Association
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.
Grants for seniors in Phoenix are available from the Federal Government and foundations that provide financial assistance for seniors relating to housing, education and more. There are Federal Grants for seniors that cover a number of areas like housing, volunteerism, nutrition and housing.
Popular Federal Grants for Seniors Include:
• Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities provides funds to provide transportation to elderly persons in areas public transportation services are not available, or when they are inappropriate due to a senior’s physical or mental condition.
• The Foster Grandparent Program encourages seniors to volunteer in their communities, specifically with special needs children, through funding which is available for seniors 60 and older who have limited incomes.
• Mortgage Insurance-Rental Housing for the Elderly - this grant insures mortgage lenders against loss, to increase the number of quality and affordable rental properties available for seniors.
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program encourages community service by seniors 55 and older by offering reimbursement
• Nutrition Services Incentive Program works with the Department of Agriculture to provide nutritious foods to senior meal delivery programs and other nutritional-focused organizations.
To apply for senior grants provided by the Federal Government or foundations, Phoenix seniors must write a proposal, demonstrating the benefits that they would receive, or be able to dispense to others were they to become an approved recipient of the grant.
Sources:
1. LovetoKnow
2. Foundation Center
Image: www.heartlandconnection.com
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 Phoenix, a moderate to vigorous exercise program can be safe for seniors of all ages who exercise caution and gather knowledge about safe exercise methods so that the physical activity generates improvement to their health rather than create complications. Before beginning any exercise program, seniors should consider the following exercise tips.
1. Clear it with a doctor – before beginning any exercise program, a doctor can ensure that physical activity will be beneficial to a senior’s health
2. Start easy – if you’re a senior who doesn’t normally exercise regularly, start with light exercise and work yourself up to more vigorous activities
3. Consider your options – would you prefer to exercise at a gym or outside? What options are available close to home? Which options are best considering the climate where you live?
4. Choose safe gear – ensure that you have shoes with proper support, and clothing that is easy to put on and is comfortable to wear during exercise
5. Forget “no pain, no gain” – when you’re young you might want to feel the burn, avoid activities that cause you pain during, or extreme discomfort later; know your limits.
6. Pay attention to your body – if you begin experiencing new health issues or symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, severe shortness of breath, extreme weight loss, infections, or severe muscle or joint pain, consult a doctor and avoid further activity without medical approval
7. Set goals – short and long term goals will get you to where you want to be
8. Have a buddy – exercise with a friend or a senior care professional to make the physical activity more enjoyable
Sources:
1. SeniorLiving.about
2. Healthy Ontario/ Health Day News
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.
According to a report by US News and World Report, many common ailments and changes that we naturally affiliate with the aging process, are not in fact normal for everyone and many common aging myths don’t hold as much truth as we like to assume.
1. Extra weight cuts your life short – studies show that carrying a few extra pounds (up to 30lbs) in you senior years may not result in a shortened lifespan after all, provided you are not obese with a BMI over 30. At age 75 an extra 30 lbs can actually be protective of the immune system, staving off other illnesses; proving that carrying a little extra weight isn’t always bad, as we’ve been taught to think.
2. Everyone must prepare for senility – we’ve all heard the expression “old and senile” when discussing older adulthood, but senility doesn’t happen to everyone contrary to the stereotype. Some cognitive decline may occur, but it typically doesn’t compromise a senior’s ability to live independently.
3. Phoenix Seniors Shouldn’t Exercise – the belief is that seniors won’t have the energy to exercise, or that it can be harmful. However, seniors who exercise have a lower occurrence of heart problems, and less fatigue.
4. All hearing loss requires a hearing aid – only 35% of seniors require hearing aids; although many seniors do experience some form of hearing loss, many maintain perfect hearing into their later years.
5. Seniors are cranky – while some seniors may experience personality changes due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, or may experience bouts of depression due to their declining health, research proves that our personalities don’t change after age 30. The cranky {city} seniors you know have probably always been that way.
Sources:
1 US News & World Report
Image: azagingconf.com
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-home senior care, like that provided by Home Instead Senior Care, is non-medical skilled care to assist seniors with Activities of Daily Living and other responsibilities which they struggle with when living independently in their own homes. However, non-medical senior care is not the only type of in-home care available to help seniors remain at home, but by understanding the different service levels of in-home care, seniors and their families can make informed choices when hiring a caregiver to ensure that their elder care needs are met.
Non-Medical Senior Care
• Senior needs assistance with running errands, getting to appointments, cooking, light-cleaning and other Activities of Daily Living which could be completed by a senior helper
• Senior could benefit from the companionship of a caregiver
• Senior needs helps with bathing, dressing, grooming or has Alzheimer’s and needs someone present for safety
Home Health Care
• Senior requires more in-depth medical care, such as administration of medications, changing of bandages, monitoring of vital signs and more
• Senior could benefit from medical supervision by a caregiver who is a registered nurse, or visits from a doctor
Hospice Care
• In-home medical care that focuses upon keeping chronically ill seniors comfortable or providing treatment at home.
• Senior requires medical professionals to administer treatment, monitor their health or instruct family caregivers on how to provide proper eldercare at the hospice level
Sources:
1. The Gilbert Guide:
2. American Cancer Society
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.
Q – Are more natural forms of treatment available for common senior ailments? If so, are they safe practices for seniors and what are the impacts upon their health?
A – Complementary and Alternative Medicine refers to non-medicinal treatments that either supplement traditional medical care or replace it entirely and can include use of vitamins, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and use of herbal and natural remedies for treatment and prevention of illness. While it is not recommended that seniors forgo receiving assessment and care from a traditional medical doctor through use of Alternative Medicine (which by definition, uses natural methods in lieu of traditional doctor care), Complementary Medicine is becoming better embraced by even the medical profession. Integrated therapy combines both traditional medical practices with more natural or holistic methods to give seniors the optimal benefits. Acupuncture or massage may be used to alleviate the affects of cancer or medical cancer treatment methods, while garlic might be used to help treat heart disease. Any seniors interested in using Complementary and Alternative Medicine should first discuss the impacts it could have upon their health with a medical doctor, and maintain communication during the course of any holistic treatments.
The National Institutes of Health, Senior Health branch is completing research about Complementary and Alternative Medicine and publishing its findings so that seniors can make smart, informed decisions about their medical choices.
Sources:
1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2. NIH Senior Health
3. Senior Journal
4. Eldercare ABC Blog
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.
80% of baby boomers would like to remain living independently in their homes as they age; and for the boomer generation, like others in the senior demographic, having to move into a nursing home would be one of their greatest fears come true. Fortunately for the boomers and future generations of older adults, aging in place is becoming a more probable reality for the vast majority of them; not only because of the information and resources available to professional and family caregivers, but also because of the technological developments in home care technology that will provide for their safety and help them maintain the independence they crave in old age.
Today there are devices available in home care technology that allows medical professionals and caregivers to monitor senior health and safety remotely. Medical emergencies can be promptly detected through the constant measurement of vital signs, and caregivers are alerted to changes in behavior that could indicate a problem with their senior, including a fall. Home care technology has also provided senior safety devices that increase independence in the home through automatic medication dispensing, lifts and mobility devices and more. Home care technology will also improve home hospice care and senior care in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, by improving independence in seniors, increasing the level of health monitoring, and minimizing the need for constant supervision by a live medical professional.
As a result of the developments in home care technology, many boomers will be able to live in the comfort and security in their own homes; maintaining the independence they long for with the help of medical devices that assist with senior care.
Sources:
1. Eldercare ABC Blog
2. Home Care Technology Association of America
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.
