Those living with Alzheimer’s may be at a loss when it comes to hope. Since there is no known cure for the disease, aging adults rely on new information from studies on the disease. It’s been found that brain activity benefits those with Alzheimer’s by delaying it’s progression. Research shows the more brain activity an aging senior has, the slower new symptoms will appear.
1. Even though an increase in brain function can help delay additional symptoms of dementia from appearing, the downfall is that once the symptoms do appear, they will progress rapidly.
2. Brain exercises can benefit those with dementia and Alzheimer’s for a period of time. However, there will come a point where no amount of brain activity can battle the deterioration occurring in the brain because of the disease.
3. This may not sound like good news, but in fact it is. Many Alzheimer’s patients would rather suffer a rapid decline over a short period of time instead of a slow and steady decline over many years.
4. By increasing brain function and activity, those with Alzheimer’s and dementia could be able to enjoy more time with their cognitive abilities intact.
Diabetes affects Canadians young and old, and while there are no definite causes for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, there are contributing risk factors. Most common of these risk factors are heredity, poor diet, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. You must consult a doctor if any of the following symptoms persist:
• Frequent need to urinate
• Excessive thirst
• Constant feelings of hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• Unusual irritability
• Blurred vision
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes relate to an insulin deficiency; with Type 1 diabetes, insufficient insulin is produced by the body; while Type 2 diabetes occurs when the insulin produced is not as efficient at moving the sugar out of the bloodstream. The order of treatment method used may vary with diabetes type, it typically includes following a strict diet, getting regular exercise, losing weight, and monitoring blood sugar levels.
When diabetic diets fail to improve the disease, medical professionals may turn to insulin treatment in order to help manage the symptoms of diabetes, and control blood sugar levels; since there is no cure for diabetes.
Seniors control their diabetes by regulating their diet. However, some seniors have severe cases of diabetes that require insulin injections. These seniors have to be extremely careful when it comes to ingesting sugar. Halloween is known to be a time for sweet treats, treats that could tempt seniors. It is important for all diabetic seniors to find the will power during Halloween to avoid these temptations.
1. Instead of eating candy and other foods with high amounts of sugar, seniors with diabetes should find foods with a sugar substitute. This will provide them with the sweet taste they are craving without the negative effects of ingesting sugar.
2. Many refined foods contain high amounts of sugar. Most seniors believe that eating fruit is a way to satisfy a sweet craving. However, there are some fruits that diabetic seniors should always avoid. These include bananas, plums, strawberries, papaya, oranges and grapefruit. These fruits contain high amounts of sugar.
3. Many vegetables will also have large amounts of sugar. Seniors should avoid beets, peas, beans, carrots and anything with high amounts of starch.
4. Be careful when drinking certain beverages. Soda, tea and coffee should be avoided by seniors who have diabetes.
Men and women over the age of 50 require a Vitamin D supplement due to the body getting older. In addition to Canada’s Food Guide, everyone over the age of 50 should take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 µg (400 IU). Vitamin D and calcium are important for bone strength and to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in older adults.
As we age, our ability to produce vitamin D through sun skin exposure is reduced. Therefore, it is recommended all adults over the age of 50 take a daily vitamin D supplement.
Why do we need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D maintains bone health. The major role of vitamin D is the maintenance of serum calcium and phosphate concentrations within the normal range (IOM, 1997). Improved muscle strength, reduced fracture rates, and reduced rates of falling have been associated with higher levels of vitamin D in the body. Another role of Vitamin D plays in the prevention of some cancers and offer a protective effect against certain autoimmune diseases.
The major sources of vitamin D are fortified foods. In Canada, cow’s milk and margarine must be fortified with vitamin D. Goat’s milk, fortified plant based beverages (ex. fortified soy beverages), and some calcium-fortified orange juices are permitted to be fortified with vitamin D. Cheese and yogurt can be made with vitamin D-fortified milk, however, the final product does not contain as much vitamin D as fluid milk alone. The only natural sources of vitamin D in the Canadian food supply are fatty fish and egg yolks.
When our elderly loved ones choose to age at home rather than moving to an assisted living facility, families are left with the extra burden of caring for their loved one. The adult children, having their own family responsibilities, look to Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga. Family members seeking help ask what the benefits are when hiring a senior caregiver to help aging parents at home.
Hiring an in home caregiver gives seniors the option of remaining in their own homes, and maintaining a level of independence they might not otherwise have if they were to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Home caregivers for seniors can also change the lives of family caregivers, who can find themselves devoting their lives and their time to care for a loved one. Family caregivers don’t need to give up their responsibilities, but with the help of a Home Instead Senior CAREGiver, they get time off they need. Our CAREGivers allow aging adults maintain their chosen lifestyle, schedule and routines rather than have their world turned upside down just because they’re getting older.
Hiring a senior caregiver to help a loved one at home is about providing them the independence they deserve and allowing them to age with dignity while maintaining the way of life that they’ve chosen for themselves. Giving it all up would be too grave a loss, but with the option of home care, it doesn’t have to come to that for seniors.
Making sure seniors are receiving the necessary care and services they need on a daily basis is an important part of caring for a senior. All seniors need to be safe and healthy, and this is a primary responsibility of a care coordinator. A care coordinator will make sure that all services are in place and that the senior is receiving what they need to function daily. Below is a list of some of the things a care coordinator will handle.
1. The gathering of information from all healthcare providers. This means collecting important medical information from each doctor that treats the senior.
2. The care coordinator must be able to effectively assess the home environment as well as the needs of the person receiving care.
3. Coordinators must be able to find private services and resources that will meet the needs of the senior.
4. There must always be ongoing communication between all of the parties involved. This includes the individual receiving care, the caregivers, doctors and family members. It is important to keep all those involved up to date.
5. The care coordinator should also be able to assess daily situations to make sure the senior is in fact receiving all of the services they need to function. If there is something that changes with the senior’s health, changes to the type of care and services they receive may be required.
Being a caregiver is a lot of work, but it also includes a lot of worrying. Many seniors will fall and injure themselves while in the bathroom. This is a major concern for all caregivers. To help keep seniors safe while they are in the bathroom, the following list offers some suggestions. These tips include minor changes that can be made to help seniors stay safe.
1. Caregivers should be aware of any physical restrictions that the senior may have. This could affect their ability to shower on their own. If there is concern, these seniors may need assistance while in the bathroom
2. All bathrooms that are used by seniors should have safety equipment installed. This does not mean the entire room must be remodeled. Installing safety bars and non-slip mats could help protect seniors in the shower.
3. Some seniors could benefit from having a telephone placed in the bathroom. If the senior owns a cordless phone, taking it into the bathroom when they shower is a good idea. This way they will be able to call for help if they fall.
4. Many seniors do not have a lot of physical strength. This could prevent them from doing simple tasks while showering. Using a shower chair could help keep the senior safe while showering.
When the winter weather arrives, many seniors may feel increased stress when they have to drive. The list below can help seniors prepare for this by making sure their vehicle is ready to handle the winter months ahead. These tips can be beneficial and will help seniors have a safe winter on the road.
1. Always take care of the vehicle. The tires and all fluids should be checked regularly throughout the winter months. Cold temperatures could turn a simple break-down into a life-threatening situation.
2. Make sure the antifreeze mixture in the car is correct. This will keep the cooling system running properly.
3. Check all belts, hoses and other moving parts under the hood. Seniors should have a trusted mechanic go over the entire car before the cold weather strikes so there is plenty of time to make necessary repairs.
4. Check that the battery is in good condition. Cold temperatures can make a battery lose the charge.
5. Take care of health. Make sure all eyeglass prescriptions are up to date. Seniors should always try to travel with another person so if something does happen, they are not alone. Seniors should also preplan their travel route and get updates on road conditions and traffic before leaving home.
Communication is one of the major problems faced by those with dementia. Seniors with this condition may have lost part of their memory and ability to communicate like they did in the past. This can be a difficult situation for all involved. Learning how to communicate with seniors with dementia is very important. The list below contains some useful tips that help communication issues improve.
1. Dealing with a person who has dementia can be frustrating, but it is important to always remain calm and never show anger or impatience.
2. Try to communicate in an area with very little distraction. There should be minimal amounts of background noises and low levels of activity.
3. Be very specific when speaking. If possible, only use short sentences. If you are asking a question, be sure to only ask one thing at a time.
4. Pay attention to the response from the senior. Watch for confusion or understanding. When speaking, try to position yourself at eye level.
5. Allow seniors time to process what was said. Dementia will cause seniors to have a delay in their reactions, so be sure to allow them enough time when communicating.
6. Since memory loss is an issue, always talk about things in the here and now. Trying to communicate past events will not be beneficial because the senior has very little memory.
