Guest Blog: Why Seniors Should Consider a Memory Foam Mattress
As we age our bodies begin to change sleeping patterns which result in abnormal sleep cycles. These changes impact our ability to fall asleep as well as increase the number of sleep disruptions we experience at night.
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and mental health issues can increase sleep deprivation as higher levels of stress and anxiety can cause fear and worry that are often associated with the inability to sleep.
To promote better sleep, it is important to create an environment conducive to sleep. This may include black out curtains, temperature regulation and a fan, light music or white noise machine. Additionally, one of the most beneficial ways to improve senior sleep is to consider a memory foam mattress.
Here are five reasons why seniors should consider a memory foam mattress.
Relieves joint pressure
As we age our joints begin to show wear from decades of activity. For some people this may mean replacement or alignment surgery. However, for most having a mattress that helps to provide support to your body’s joints. Without proper support, your joint pain can worsen. Memory foam mattresses align to your body’s shape and provide exceptional contoured alignment for your joints.
Helps to align the spine
Your spine helps provide support for the rest of your body. With poor spinal alignment you are prone to poor posture, less strength and overall protection, as well as a high potential for muscle and joint pain. With traditional mattresses as they age the mattress begins to form a pocket in the center of the mattress, essentially swallowing you as you sleep. This not only provides inconsistent support for your spine, but also makes it more difficult to get out of bed. A memory foam mattress won’t sag in the middle and forms to fit your body while also providing your spine natural support.
Provides edge support
Falls are one of the biggest risks for seniors. So, it is important that while you sleep you are not at risk of falling out of the bed. Edge support is how a mattress helps to prevent you from falling off the edge of your bed and onto the floor. Poor edge support makes it more difficult to get in and out of bed, while strong or stiff edge support will almost propel you from the bed if you get too close. Due to the form-fitting support of a memory foam mattress it applies the perfect edge support that allows seniors to get in and out of the bed without struggle, as well as keeps you well positioned to avoid falls.
Conducive to sleep
We all buy mattresses in hopes that it will help us improve our sleep. Memory foam mattresses are designed to provide the support and protection that aligns to the way you sleep. A traditional mattress that is too soft will sag and not provide adequate support while a hard mattress is too stiff for a lot of people to sleep without disruption. Memory foam mattresses work with your body to provide the perfect level of comfort which is conducive to promoting a quality night of sleep.
Memory foam mattresses are designed with support in mind to promote good sleep habits. For seniors, memory foam mattresses help to provide support for your joints while keeping the spine aligned and ensuring safe movement while asleep.
Guest Blog: Home Improvements to Benefit Senior Living
According to the Administration on Aging (AOA), simple home repairs, improvements, and modifications can help seniors move around their home more easily and avoid accidents such as slips and falls. Some of the easier home improvement projects that seniors can undertake with the help of home care aides to improve their lifestyle include:
Replace High Pile Rugs
Unlike low pile rugs, high pile rugs have longer threads that give them a luxuriant and aesthetically appealing look. However, high pile rugs tend to impede the movement of seniors who rely on walkers or walking canes and even worse, can increase the risk of trips and falls, which in turn increases the risk of injuries. In fact, data from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)( http://www.aaos.org/Research/ ) shows that 90% of hip fractures in seniors are caused by falling. Moreover, 50% of patients with hip fractures remain dependent on a walker or cane, whereas 20% die within one year of falling. With this in mind, seniors could enlist the help of their senior care aides to replace high pile rugs with low pile rugs.
Installing Handrails and Grab Bars
Seniors can easily trip and fall when using the stairs or even the bathroom. Fortunately, installing handrails and grab bars can reduce this risk significantly. Inside the bathroom, grab bars should be installed on the walls. On the other hand, appropriate handrails should be installed along walls or suitable surfaces that run parallel to staircases.
Improve Mobility inside the Bathroom
Seniors can enlist the help of home care aides to install slip-resistant rugs on slippery floors such as the bathroom floor. This is in addition to installing a curb less shower to reduce the risk of falling while attempting to get inside the shower area. Remember, the elderly may have difficulties accessing bathroom areas that are elevated even slightly.
Replace Doorknobs with Lever Handles
A common problem that seniors face, especially those suffering from diseases that affect body joints such as arthritis, is turning doorknobs. Luckily, this problem can be resolved by replacing doorknobs with lever handles. Doing so would also improve safety because an elderly person would easily be able to open doors and escape in the event of an emergency such as a fire outbreak.
Replace Traditional Light Switches with Touch or Rocker Switches
Another problem that some seniors face is turning on/off traditional light switches. Seniors generally experience vision and mobility problems, meaning it becomes increasingly difficult for them to locate and turn on/off toggle switches. Nevertheless, seniors can resolve this issue with the help of home care aides by replacing the problematic switches with touch or rocker switches.
Lighting
Poor lighting can cause accidents such as falls with injury. Additionally, elderly may also injure their arms and hands while reaching for items stored inside poorly lit kitchen cabinets and drawers. An effective way of resolving these issues is by installing recessed lighting to illuminate kitchen workspaces and cabinets. Furthermore, it is wise to install suitable lighting to illuminate corridors, verandas, and outdoor walkway. This will make it easier for the elderly to move around or access whatever they need with relative ease, especially at night.
Some of the easier home improvement projects that seniors can complete with the help of senior care aides include installing handrails and grab bars, replacing high pile rugs with low pile ones, installing recessed lighting, replacing door knobs with lever handles, as well as replacing traditional toggle switches with touch or rocker switches. If you find yourself needing reliable in-home senior care, providers like Seniors Helping Seniors (http://www.seniorcarebrentwoodca.com/ ) are always there to help.
Guest Blog: Tips for Caregivers Helping Seniors with Anxiety
Taking care of seniors with anxiety requires special attention and understanding. As a caregiver, providing the necessary support and creating a nurturing environment for seniors to manage their stress effectively is essential. This article offers practical tips for caregivers to help seniors cope with anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
Understanding Anxiety in Seniors:
Various factors contribute to anxiety in seniors, including health issues, life transitions, loss, loneliness, and cognitive changes. Understanding these causes can help caregivers identify potential triggers and provide appropriate support. Anxiety in seniors may manifest through physical symptoms (e.g., restlessness, fatigue) or emotional signs (e.g., excessive worry, irritability). Recognizing these signs enables caregivers to intervene and provide appropriate assistance. Empathy and effective communication create a safe space for seniors to express their concerns. Caregivers should listen attentively, validate their emotions, and show understanding to build trust and facilitate open dialogue.
Creating a Calm and Supportive Environment:
A. Establishing a routine and predictable schedule:
Seniors benefit from a consistent routine that provides structure and reduces uncertainty, which can contribute to anxiety. Caregivers should create a schedule that incorporates regular activities, meals, and relaxation time.
B. Providing a safe and comfortable living space:
A peaceful and relaxing environment is essential for seniors with anxiety. Caregivers should ensure that the living area is organized, clutter-free, and offers security.
C. Reducing environmental stressors and promoting relaxation techniques:
Caregivers can minimize ecological stressors, such as excessive noise or bright lights, and encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle music to help seniors relax and alleviate anxiety.
Active Listening and Emotional Support
Caregivers should actively listen to seniors, paying attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. Showing empathy and understanding validates their feelings, fosters trust, and encourages open communication. It is crucial to create a safe space for seniors to share their anxieties and worries. Caregivers should encourage them to express their emotions and actively engage in supportive conversations. Seniors often seek reassurance during anxious moments. Caregivers can provide validation, empathy, and gentle reminders of their strengths and abilities to help alleviate their anxiety.
Encouraging Social Engagement and Support
Physical activity has proven benefits for mental health. Caregivers should encourage seniors to engage in exercises suitable for their abilities, such as walking, gentle stretching, or chair exercises. Regular physical activity releases endorphins, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being.
A balanced diet is essential for controlling anxiety. According to carers, seniors should have access to nourishing meals that contain a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Additionally, caregivers should encourage seniors to stay hydrated as dehydration can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Promoting adequate sleep and relaxation techniques. Sufficient sleep is essential for seniors’ mental health. Caregivers should help establish a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation, such as avoiding stimulating activities before bed and creating a comfortable sleep environment. Additionally, caregivers can teach seniors relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or listening to soothing music to help them unwind and reduce anxiety.
Providing Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies
Seniors can quiet their brains and lessen worry by engaging in deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Seniors can be assisted in using these strategies by their carers, who can also gently remind them to do so when their anxiety levels are at their highest.
Seniors can question negative beliefs and reframe them more positively and realistically by using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. Seniors can receive caregiving support by being encouraged to recognize destructive thinking patterns and swap them out for more powerful and positive ones.
Seniors can benefit from the problem-solving and stress management skills that carers can teach them to deal with worry. Seniors can be given the tools they need to take control of their anxiety and discover practical coping mechanisms by being encouraged to recognize stressors, break difficulties down into manageable stages, and investigate viable solutions.
Seeking Professional Help and Support
Caregivers caring for seniors need to recognize when elderly may require professional intervention for their anxiety. If anxiety significantly interferes with daily life, causes distress, or persists despite other efforts, caregivers should encourage seniors to seek help from mental health professionals.
Self-Care for Caregivers
To effectively help elderly patients who are experiencing anxiety, carers must put their health first. Maintaining physical and mental health requires engaging in self-care practices, including exercise, relaxation methods, and hobbies, and asking for help from other carers or support groups.
Connecting with other carers who have gone through similar things may be a great support system. Insights may be shared, help can be sought, and carers can feel more at ease knowing they are not making this trip alone.
Caregivers should recognize and manage their stress levels by implementing stress-management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or engaging in enjoyable activities. Allocating time for personal well-being helps caregivers recharge and approach their caregiving responsibilities with renewed energy and compassion.
Conclusion
Ongoing support and understanding are crucial in helping seniors manage anxiety. Caregivers can create a nurturing environment that fosters seniors’ mental well-being by being attentive, patient, and compassionate. Elders’ life can be significantly improved by carers’ efforts, who play a crucial role in helping elders who are experiencing anxiety. Carers may help seniors who suffer from pressure by using these suggestions and techniques to show compassion and improve their general well-being.