Dehydration in Seniors As summer temperatures and humidity soar, warm weather has the ability to increase the risk of dehydration. Not enough fluids can pose a serious health problem for anyone, but older adults are at particular risk. Why Seniors Are at Risk There are a few reasons why older adults are more susceptible to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. With age, our body’s ability to conserve water is reduced. This can make it more difficult to adapt to things like fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, the sense of thirst diminishes with age. By the time someone actually feels thirsty, essential fluids could already be extremely low. Certain medical conditions and medications can affect a senior’s ability to retain fluids. Individuals with dementia may forget to eat and drink, and in more advanced stages may have difficulty swallowing. Drugs like diuretics, antihistamines, laxatives, antipsychotics and corticosteroids can cause frequent urination that depletes water and electrolytes. Furthermore,…
The Information You Need to Know Before a Senior’s Next Doctor Visit On any given day, a doctor typically has about 20 patients to see – in addition to phone calls, paperwork, and other administrative duties. It leaves precious little time spent with each individual, which is why it’s crucial to maximize that time and ensure you clearly understand the outcome of each visit. At Amy’s Helping Hands, our care professionals provide transportation and accompaniment for seniors to medical appointments, and suggest the following strategy: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. With such a time crunch, your doctor may tend to relay information to you quickly, and it’s up to you to hit the pause button to make sure you clearly understand everything that’s being said and to speak up with any questions you may have, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant you may think they are. And, plan ahead for those questions. It can be hard to process everything being shared with you in the few minutes spent with the doctor. Preparing a list of questions in advance…
Related Paranoia in Seniors: How to Understand and Respond “I’m telling you, there’s a dog inside my closet! I hear it growling the whole night long. We’ve got to find its owner!” Listening to a senior family member express anxiety such as this that you know to be untrue is unsettling – however, not unusual. Your first impulse may well be to try to rationalize with the individual with a reply such as, “Nonsense! There’s not a chance a dog could possibly have gotten into your closet!” However, for several different reasons, this could be the least reliable technique to take care of irrational ideas and conduct in the senior population. Alternatively, at Amy’s Helping Hands, we recommend the following techniques in order to help bring back a sense of calm and wellbeing: 1. First off, schedule a physical with the senior’s physician. It’s essential to discover any cognitive impairment in order to make certain she or he receives proper treatment if required. There also may be prescription medication side-effects taking place.…
Windsor In-Home Care Offers Suggestion to Help with Parkinson’s Care from a Distance The days of extended families living together on neighboring plots of land are, sadly, a thing of the past in many cases. With loved ones spread further apart, it’s hard to provide the caring, hands-on support that older family members need, particularly when a chronic condition – such as Parkinson’s disease – adds to the concerns. The Michael J. Fox Foundation provides these tips on helping loved ones with Parkinson’s from afar: Get organized. Keep notes and details about medications, treatments, emergency contacts, and other aspects of your loved one’s care needs. Stay in touch. Make a point to touch base with a daily call, email, text, or Skype, depending on which option is easiest and preferred by your loved one. Check in with your loved one’s primary caregiver too, who may be feeling burdened by the stress of providing care. Arrange for help. Coordinate delivery of meals, assistance with yard work, or a professional home caregiver, such as Amy’s Helping Hands, to help…
Secrets to Happiness Despite Chronic Pain or Illness Have you ever gotten out of bed and figured, “It’s probably going to be one of those days!” Perhaps your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater decided to quit working, and the dog chewed up one of your favorite shoes overnight. Then consider if each day were “one of those days!” For an individual living with a chronic disease (and that’s the majority of the senior population), daily struggles and challenges are often a given. Nonetheless, there are plenty of steps that older adults can take to find and maintain a life of joy, even in the face of chronic pain or illness. For example: Follow passions. Finding purpose and meaning in each and every day is essential – and achievable. Many older adults find satisfaction in aiding and encouraging other people. Others thrive on being life-long learners. For some people it could mean recording the past for the following generation. Brainstorm ideas until you arrive at one that ignites passion, and then make it a reality.…
UTI's in the Elderly Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly Urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren't just a nuisance in the elderly—they can cause serious health problems. A UTI happens when bacteria in the urethra, bladder or kidneys multiplies in the urine. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, which could permanently damage these vital organs and even lead to kidney failure. These common infections are also a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream. Seniors Are Prone to UTIs The population most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. Older individuals are more vulnerable for many reasons, including their overall susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system. Elderly men and women also experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder and pelvic floor, which can lead to increased urine retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder) and incontinence. These things all contribute to infection. Typical Symptoms…
