Most adult children over the age of 45 will become caregivers for their parents, but only half can name any medications their parents take, a new survey shows.
Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead Senior Care, says “The majority of caregivers we work with have done no advance planning,” a company that provides non-medical care services. “It is not important until it’s urgent. So much stress and uncertainty down the road can be prevented.”
The survey of 600 adults ages 45 to 65, conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network, also found:
•31% don’t know how many medications their parents take.
•34% don’t know whether their parents have a safe deposit box or where the key is.
•36% don’t know where their parents’ financial information is located.
Lack of planning can lead to serious complications when decisions need to be made quickly, says palliative care nurse practitioner Mimi Mahon, an associate professor at George Mason University in Virginia. “It’s vitally important to plan ahead and have these conversations with parents, or families can act out of fear and make mistakes when emergencies arise.”
Home Instead Senior Care encourages family caregivers to be an advocate for your parents’ health care. It all starts with having conversations and putting plans in place.
Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga knows the stress that our public home care system is under and we can provide the professional care that our aging seniors need. Please call 905- 276-2273.
Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga and Etobicoke has designed a Senior Emergency Card and will be distributing them at their presentation with tips and suggestions on handling this emergency.
Come join us on June 28, 2001 at 7pm at:
VILLAGE OF HUMBER HEIGHTS
2245 Lawrence Avenue West
Toronto [Etobicoke], ON
M9P 3W3
RSVP Home Instead Senior Care, Etobicoke at 416-239-2200.
Book early to guarantee your seat. Light refreshments will be provided.
How medication problems can hurt older adults
Seniors and family caregivers should look for warning signs that would indicate a problem with a medication. “When there is a change in medication, you should watch for changes in behaviour,” said Pronica Janikowski, Professional Development Coordinator of the Canadian Society of Consultant Pharmacists. “The person may be confused or dizzy and this can lead to a fall. Sometimes changes in medication can also make them drowsy, so if they are suddenly sleeping all the time or experiencing a change in appetite, it could be a sign to watch for.”
Medication-related problems can cause, aggravate or contribute to common and costly geriatric problems including:
Confusion
Delirium/hallucinations
Depression
Dizziness
Falls
Incontinence
Insomnia
Loss of coordination
Malnutrition/dehydration
Memory loss
Psychiatric problems
In the lives of seniors, these issues can then lead to decreased quality of life, emergency room and doctor visits and hospitalizations, hip fractures, loss of independence and even death.
For more information about how a Home Instead CAREGiverSM can keep seniors safe at home, visit www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com and contact your local Home Instead Senior Care® office. To find a Home Instead Senior Care office near you, visit www.homeinstead.com.
Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga knows the stress that our public home care system is under and we can provide the professional care that our aging seniors need. Please call 905- 276-2273.
When seniors make the decision to relocate and find a new home, they may face some challenges. These seniors, regardless of their age, must be prepared for what will be involved. A move can be a serious change and can have many effects on seniors, including increased stress levels. The following list provides some tips on how to prepare for finding a new home.
1. If the senior needs assistance with things, such as lawn care, shoveling and maintenance, they should look into moving to a community for those over 55. Many times, these communities will offer services that can be a great help.
2. Seniors should do research on the area they are moving to. Make sure that there is a low crime rate and that there are other seniors in the area.
3. Choose a home that will meet your needs. If the goal is to downsize, make sure that you will still be able to bring what you need. Downsizing is one way to reduce a lot of the workload involved with owning a home. It also makes it easier for seniors to move around the home and stay organized.
4. If seniors may require some assistance with daily tasks, such as cleaning, shopping and laundry, it may be beneficial to move close to a friend or family member.
Every senior should have a family doctor, regardless of their current health issues. The benefit to having a family doctor is that this doctor can handle all types of medical issues. When a senior has a specific medical condition, they may also seek the help of a specialist, but they still should have a family doctor in place. The following list contains some useful information on family doctors for seniors
1. Family doctors can diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. They can also refer patients to a specialist when needed.
2. Even is a senior does not have any medical needs at this time, family doctors practice preventative medicine. This means that things can be done to protect a senior from developing a medical condition in the future.
3. When looking for a family doctor, seniors should talk to other seniors. This is a great way to find a family doctor that deals with senior health on a regular basis.
4. When choosing a doctor, make sure they accept the form of insurance carried by the senior. Also check the office hours to see that the doctor is available during times the senior would be able to make appointments. Seniors should also find out what hospital the family doctor deals with in case there is ever the need for a hospital admission.
There are some things in life where age does not matter. Dating is actually one of them. Many seniors who have lost their spouse will begin dating again. In fact, online dating has become very popular among the senior population. This is a great way for seniors to get out and meet new people with similar interests. Online dating is not just for the young. Seniors can greatly benefit from finding a companion online. The following list contains some tips and information on online dating for seniors.
1. There are special dating sites that are designed strictly for use by seniors. These can be found by performing an internet search for senior dating sites.
2. More and more seniors are becoming comfortable using a computer. This will open new doors as many seniors are becoming involved in the online dating world.
3. Seniors should take caution when meeting someone in person. It is advised that seniors spend some time communicating through emails and phone conversations before meeting.
4. Be aware that many people will try to take advantage of seniors. Do not believe everything that is on an online dating service. It is very easy to falsify photos and personal information.
5. Online dating is one of the best ways for seniors to come in contact with new people. These services allow seniors the chance to search for a partner within a specific age group and with similar interests.
Home Care Mississauga cares for a number of older adults who are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. This disease affects millions of seniors and can cause serious problems, not only for the patient, but for those around them as well. For many loved ones, it may be hard to understand the disease and what is happening. It is important for all caregivers, family and friends to understand what could possibly happen when Alzheimer’s is present. Below is a list of the ways Alzheimer’s can affect the life of the individual diagnosed.
1. Mental abilities are impaired. The individual will begin to forget things and may start to communicate differently. Their ability to make decisions will be affected and simple, daily tasks will become every difficult or even forgotten. Alzheimer’s causes memory loss and can also affect how the person speaks and communicates with others.
2. Moods and emotions will change. Many times, the patient will seem uninterested and can lose interest in things that they used to love. Some people will become more withdrawn and will not interact in conversations. Alzheimer’s does not cause the patient to stop feeling. They will still experience moods, including joy, anger, sadness and love. However, these moods may not coincide with current events.
3. The way the person reacts to their environment will begin to change in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. They will begin to repeat words and actions, may appear restless and can have physical outbursts.
4. Mobility and coordination can be affected which will lead to a decline in physical health. Daily tasks will be affected and the person may not remember how to eat, bathe or do other daily tasks.
Home Care Mississaugahelps seniors remain active and independent in their own homes.
Heart health is essential in older adulthood, especially as risk factors increase. The best way that seniors can arm themselves against problems is to make positive lifestyle changes, arm themselves with knowledge, and understand the risk factors. With these steps, while the risks of heart disease and stroke cannot be eliminated, it does give seniors a better fighting chance!
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian seniors can improve their heart health with 10 simple tips. Seniors can implement these concepts into their lifestyle on their own or with the health of a senior care provider:
1. Cut down on eating out – whether it’s snacks or meals, avoid eating out and fast-food and prepare meals at home. Pack a lunch when away from home for work or other activities
2. Check nutrition – when shopping for groceries, always read the nutritional information to make smart decisions that will benefit your heart health
3. Understand family history – know if heart problems, heart attacks, heart disease or strokes are in your family history because that automatically increases risk factors
4. Measure your waist – while many step on the scale, few actually take their measurements. The waist is most important because those with a larger circumference are prone to high blood pressure, cholesterol and other issues that can affect the heart
5. Know the risk factors – understanding the risk factors for heart disease and stroke can help seniors to make healthy lifestyle choices. Likewise, knowing the signs and symptoms to detect the onset of these issues can help catch heart problems early
The Grey Bruce Heart Health Program in Ontario is one designed to help prevent heart disease in older Canadians and promote a healthy lifestyle that specifically benefits the heart. For those who don’t know how to get started on their own, this program has a number of focus areas and events and works in partnership with the community in the Owen Sound area and provides resources to all Ontarians such as:
• Walking programs that get seniors walking in ways that are enjoyable and incorporate socialization
• Awareness about the effects and risks of heart disease in women
• Information about healthy heart foods with an emphasis upon lean, low-fat diets rich in nutrients
• Affordable, nutritious food programs that help give low-income seniors access to healthy heart foods
• Community gardening programs which promote physical activity allow seniors to grow their own produce and socialize
• Recognition of those seniors in the local community who have adopted healthy heart lifestyles
• Campaigns to prevent the initiation of more smoke-free public places, plus resources to help seniors quit smoking!
Home Care Mississauga helps seniors and elders with doctor visits if your family member cannot be there with you.
Despite encouragement that exercise can improve their health, many seniors are still reluctant to believe that there will be noticeable changes that will truly make a difference in their lives. According to a new Canadian study, however, many seniors might be prepared to change their tune because a non-sedentary lifestyle can improve artery health, providing for a healthier heart.
The recent study evaluated the heart health of older adults in two groups – one that walked regularly according to a prescribed regiment; and the other that avoided any semblance of exercise. After a mere three month period, it was demonstrated that the active group improved arterial stiffness in their heart by as much as 15% to 20%.
So seniors, lace up your walking shoes, but make sure that you talk to your doctor and get a clean bill of health for any new exercise routine before you begin!
Home care Mississauga cares for aging seniors and the elderly and we know that the heart is an essential part of the human body, and for many seniors it’s a cause of grief as it presents health issues as they age, often due to genetics or lifestyle. While gene elements cannot be reversed, risk factors can be reduced with positive lifestyle changes such as:
1. Eating well – well-rounded nutrition with daily recommended values from every good group
2. Supplemental vitamins – to boost nutritional intake, vitamin supplements can be used. Those with proven benefits to the heart include Omega 3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10. The former lowers blood pressure, helps ensure a regular heart rhythm, and prevents plaque build up in the arteries
3. Keeping weight under control – diet, exercise and an overall focus on positive health can help seniors control their weight, and in turn, keep their heart in optimal health
While all of the above have proven positive effects to seniors in preventing heart issues, it’s important that they speak to their doctor before changing their diet, beginning an exercise program, or starting use of vitamin supplements.
