The importance of warmth, patience, and ongoing emotional memory   Dementia is an inclusive term for a number of conditions which can affect the brain and body. It can manifest in one of ten different forms. The most common (and generally known) form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease, from which more than 5 million Americans suffer. Alzheimer's also has the perception of exclusively being an “old person's disease,” when in reality, one does not need to be elderly to suffer from it. Five percent of the overall number of sufferers are affected by the early onset of dementia.   The skills for caring for a loved one affected by this condition are something many more of us will have to learn in the coming years. [...]

Patience and methodical communication can help deal with hearing loss   Hearing loss is a common part of aging. Approximately one in three people between 65 and 74 years of age and almost half of seniors older than 75 suffer from impaired hearing.   Communicating with a loved one with hearing losscan be difficult and frustrating for both parties involved. Though there are devices available to help an individual hear, it is important for both the senior and those in their inner circle to learn and develop strategies that make communicating easier and more effective. Here are some tips for starting this process:   The first step in communicating with a senior who has hearing loss is getting their attention   If you’re attempting to [...]

The financial benefits of in-home care   Anyone who’s needed healthcare since the passage of the Affordable Care Act can attest to the fact that it remains expensive. Increasing hospital and pharmaceutical fees have caused insurers to increase their rates by 105% since the bill was initiated. Because taxpayer dollars offset premium costs for those who can’t afford insurance, the rocketing costs of healthcare affect us all.   As we grow older, especially in circumstances where extensive care is necessary, hospital costs can be financially crippling – even with insurance. In these cases, in-home care can provide significant financial relief for individuals, insurance companies, and the country as whole. How home healthcare is saving more than just lives   A study published by the American [...]

Seniors with sleep problems: Bringing your body in line with your needs   For most of us, sleep tends to become a little more elusive with each lap of the Earth around the sun. But the notion that we should simply accept sleep problems as a natural part of the aging process is only partially true. While hormonal changes make us more prone to insomnia, they shouldn’t deter a good night’s rest.   According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), “Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night.” Unfortunately, seniors commonly experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or falling back asleep after waking prematurely. How to fight off age-related insomnia   The causes of senior [...]

Finding the right option for your loved one   Someone you love is in need of care and you’ve decided to obtain it for him or her in the home. Decision made, right? Actually, there is a new set of important questions left to answer. What are the types of in-home care? Which one do I need? How do I find the right company for my loved one? Will they be safe?   There are many different reasons someone needs help at home, ranging from assistance with daily activities like cooking meals to help with medical treatment. It might not seem like it, but these types of care require different types of caregivers. 1. Non-certified aides and companions   Also known as personal care givers [...]

Get active for health and happiness It’s not just you – inactivity naturally increases with age. In fact, by age 75, approximately one in three men and one in two women engage in absolutely no physical activity. This can be equally as frustrating for a senior as it is for their caregiver, especially if you’re a long-distance caregiver.   Even those who were active in their earlier lives fall out of the habit – but there are ways to be an active senior. It ultimately begins with a personal decision to make the effort. It can also take some creativity by a caregiver to engage their loved one in fun and unique ways to get exercise despite any physical limitations.   Take small steps that [...]

The tell-tale signs of endocarditis   At approximately 29,000 cases each year (according to The International Heart Institute of Montana), endocarditis, generally speaking, is a discriminant disease, primarily affecting those presenting with certain conditions. While the general risk might be low, the risks factors are a little more common – and the aging population may be more susceptible to the condition.   Endocarditis, as the name suggests, is the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, known as the endocardium. The malady is typically caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be related to fungi and other microbiological invaders.   The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute cites four conditions that contribute to an increased risk of endocarditis.   Congenital heart defects [...]