Spring cleaning is an annual ritual that many perform—some more enthusiastically than others—to clear out the winter debris and achieve a more comfortable environment for everyone in our households. But performing spring cleaning and annual home maintenance tasks isn’t only good for our homes. According to medical science, it’s actually good for our mental and physical health too. In fact, increasing numbers of people have begun to view spring cleaning as an act of self-care because of its benefits to mind and body health. This year, don’t skip this ritual; luxuriate in its healthful benefits, and enhance your living space with improved maintenance at the same time.

Spring Cleaning Benefits Your Mental and Physical Health

Ever walk into a cluttered room and feel tense or suddenly stressed? A messy home can induce stress. Cleaning your home can “uplift your mood,” as reported by Cleveland Clinic. Performing cleaning tasks has a lot in common with exercise. As we move to perform chores like mopping or window washing, our bodies act as if we’re exercising and release feel-good endorphins that don’t just soothe our muscles—they also flood the brain with ‘feel-good’ relief. It’s why so many people who exercise religiously report less chronic stress. As you’re cleaning, you can reward your brain with ‘less worrying.’ In this way, cleaning lets you practice mindfulness, which can relieve anxiety or depression symptoms.

Moving is exercising—and that’s good for many aspects of your physical health. Many cleaning tasks are very nearly cardio in nature. Scrubbing your kitchen and dining room floors may leave you just as sweaty and well-exercised as a session of low-impact aerobics. Cleaning can also help you burn calories. For instance, you can burn more than 100 calories with just a half-hour of vacuuming. Finally, removing dust, mold, and other allergens during your spring cleaning ritual can benefit your immune system as these pollutants make you feel miserable by causing allergy systems to erupt.

Make Your Spring Cleaning / Home Maintenance Plan

The ideal thing about a spring cleaning ritual is that it encompasses the whole house—not just one or two rooms. While it may take you an entire week or weekend to complete your annual spring clean and maintenance tasks, you’ll enjoy a thoroughly cleaned home once your chores are complete, allowing you to address only routine cleaning and maintenance tasks during the hot season ahead. Use the following checklist and guide to ensure you target all necessary tasks during your big spring clean.

All-Room Spring Cleaning List

Each room may require many of the same repetitive tasks, so we’ll outline them for you here:

Check Smoke Detectors

It’s a wise idea to check your smoke detectors each season to ensure that each one is in proper working condition—but definitely inspect them during your spring clean. Keep batteries on hand so that you can easily change them when you need to.

Dust Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

Did you know that dust doesn’t just trigger allergic responses? It can actually harbor viruses that you can contract when breathing in dust. When dusting these features, it’s a good idea to wear a dust mask.

Remove Cobwebs

Search and remove cobwebs from ceiling corners, above cabinets, and windows.

Clean Windows

A thorough spring clean means cleaning your indoor and outdoor glass panes as well as window sills and tracks that can become caked with dust and debris.

Disinfect Commonly Touched Features

Whether you use a commercial cleaner or make your own eco-friendly DIY cleaning solution, it’s vital to disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet pulls to reduce germ spread—especially in light of new viruses like Covid-19.

Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen

Is anything more wonderful than a spotless kitchen? Grab your rubber gloves and cleaning rags because you’re about to find out!

Microwave

Whether you use your microwave to reheat or cook food or defrost foods like raw meat, you need to clean it routinely to eliminate dangerous pathogens like E.coli that could be present. If you prefer not to rely on commercial cleaners, grab a lemon and slice it into a microwavable bowl filled halfway with water. Heat the bowl in the microwave for about four minutes. You’ll find that any hard-to-remove food gunk wipes cleanly away with ease. Don’t forget to clean the outside of the appliance too—especially the handle and touch screen.

Refrigerator

Remove all items from your refrigerator so you can thoroughly clean its trays and shelves. Take extra care with lunch meat and vegetable compartments—these are known to harbor the most germs in this appliance. Remember to clean the fridge coils, freezer vents, and ice maker, and change the water filter.

Freezer

Empty and defrost your freezer, and scour its interior. Most manufacturers suggest defrosting your freezer on an annual basis.

Clean the Stove and Oven

Use a paste made with vinegar and baking soda to clean your stovetop and oven for a cheap and effective DIY way. Slather the paste on the surfaces inside the oven and the stovetop, and allow it to sit for a few hours—or overnight if you can. Then, use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away the paste—and with it, the grime.

Toaster

Wipe down your toaster’s exterior, including the cord, and don’t forget to empty and clean the crumb tray.

Small Appliances

Disinfect the handles or controls of all small appliances you use routinely, such as your coffee maker, mixer, and can opener.

Clean Out Cabinets

Empty your cabinets so that you can quickly scour each shelf. Before returning food items to cabinets, check their expiration dates and toss anything that’s expired.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Bedrooms

A thorough cleaning can leave bedrooms feeling like the personal sanctuary spaces they’re meant to be. Use these tips to transform your bedrooms into oasis-like retreats:

Bedding and Pillows

Wash all your bedding—comforters and duvets as well as sheets and pillowcases. Pillows can harbor harmful bacteria even when adorned with clean pillowcases, so if they’ve been in use for more than a year, consider replacing them each spring. While it’s crucial to wash certain bedding items like sheets and pillowcases weekly, you can generally wash quilts and comforters every two to four weeks to reduce the presence of germs.

Rotate Mattress

Turn your mattress over to protect it from premature damage, and rotate it to help prevent wear in the same places.

Organize Drawers and Closets

Spring is a great time to organize your wardrobe. If you haven’t worn certain garments in over a year, consider donating or upcycling them.

Disinfect Toys

If you’re cleaning children’s bedrooms, be sure to disinfect all toys with hard surfaces to reduce germ spread.

Tips to Spring Clean the Bathroom

Aside from basic bathroom cleaning tasks you do on a routine basis, like cleaning the toilet, tub, sink, and floor, you’ll want to tackle these chores each spring:

Wash Shower Curtain

Wash your shower curtain, and if you have a shower liner, replace it with a fresh one.

Wash or Replace Floor Mats

Floor mats can harbor icky bathroom germs. You’ll want to wash them routinely, but spring is a great time to replace them if needed.

Declutter Storage Features

Organize your bathroom’s cabinets and drawers—discard old or expired toiletries, cosmetics, and medications. Check with your local pharmacy about how to dispose of prescription medications.

Update Your First Aid Kit

Assess your first aid kit, and be sure it has fresh supplies. Include gauze, bandages, antibiotic cream, and over-the-counter pain relievers so that you’ll always have them on hand in an emergency.

Wash the Walls

While most of us are used to washing shower walls, bathroom germs can technically attach themselves to any room walls. Because bathrooms are notorious for germ build-up, it’s a good idea to wash all of the walls and doors of each bathroom in your home.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Other Areas of Your Home

Don’t neglect rooms like your home office, laundry room, living room, and family room during your spring cleaning ritual. Add these tasks to your spring to-do list:

Rugs and Carpeting

A thorough vacuuming makes your rugs and carpets look and smell fresh. However, consider inviting professionals to your home to steam clean your carpets for a deep, penetrating clean—especially if you live with pets. Many carpet manufacturers suggest steam cleaning your rugs every 12 to 18 months.

Clean Upholstery

While you can have your upholstery professionally cleaned, there are many commercially available upholstery cleaners and DIY solutions you can employ.

Pest Prevention

Spring is the perfect time to assess your home for any cracks or problem areas that could be inviting to pests. Fix leaks, and seal holes and cracks to keep rodents and insects outside. If your area is prone to pests, consider hiring a pest control professional to spray around your home’s foundation to deter pests like ants from entering.

Outdoor Spring Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

It can feel delightful to get outside on a warm, sunny spring day after spending so long indoors during the cold season. You might even enjoy performing the following outdoor tasks:

Make Time for an Inspection

Rough winter weather can take a toll on exterior home features. Take time to inspect the roof, siding, fencing, deck, patio, and structures like gazebos and pergolas. If you spot damage, you’ll need to make the repairs—ideally before the heavy spring rains—or hire a professional contractor to address the issues.

Clean Gutters

Winter winds may have blown considerable debris like lingering autumn leaves and twigs into your gutters. To ensure your gutters can dispel those spring rains, be sure to clean them thoroughly and make sure they’re in good repair.

Clean Outdoor Features

To ensure you’re ready to enjoy the warm season ahead, clean your outdoor features, like the patio furniture and your barbecue grill.

Clean Trash Cans

It’s a dirty job, but using a hose and disinfectant can make cleaning your trash cans a quick and relatively painless task.

Test Lighting and Water Features

Ensure that your lighting features are functioning properly this spring. Test your water features like your pool, fountains, and irrigation systems to ensure they’re in proper working order, too.

Weed Prevention

While you can use pre-emergent sprays to prevent weed growth, you can also employ more eco-friendly solutions, like spreading fresh mulch or merely removing any weeds that pop up.

Junk Removal

If junk and debris have accumulated in your back yard over the winter, remove it as part of your spring clean—rent a roll-off, take loads to the dump in your pickup truck, or hire a service that specializes in junk removal.

Lawn Care

Spring is the ideal time to perform many important lawn care tasks, like aeration and overseeding. These two tasks alone can help you achieve a lush lawn, even if you choose not to apply fertilizer.

Make It Pretty

While addressing your outdoor setting, you may find that paint touch-ups are needed for porch railings or fencing, as well as other features like metal patio furniture or shutters. Spring is also an excellent time to address damage to hardscape features like walkways, driveways, and curbs.

Once you’ve completed your spring cleaning tasks, you’ll be ready to put up your patio umbrella and start to plan your warm-season gardening and landscaping projects. While you may find that many of the tasks outlined here are no problem for do-it-yourselfers, you may need to rely on professional contractors to address some issues, like roof damage or asphalt patching. And with your spring cleaning ritual complete, don’t be surprised if you feel a bit rejuvenated in mind and body!

Originally posted on Porch.com

The post Guest Blog: Spring Cleaning and Home Maintenance appeared first on Senior Care Central.

While there’s no 100% absolute way to ensure your elderly parent or loved one doesn’t fall,
there are things that can be done to help minimize the risk. I’ll give you a quick checklist of
five steps to a safer home for a senior. Likewise, click here for some alternative ways to
steer clear of falls.

1. Furniture, accessories, and narrow pathways:
Is there furniture crowding a room or creating narrow pathways? Are there inessential
items or decorations all over the house? None of us like to throw things away and we all
know seniors love to keep antiques and knick-knacks, but sometimes they can pose a
hazard to elderly home safety. That old rug underneath the coffee table can trip you easier
than you think. Make sure there is nothing impeding easy travel throughout the house. A
straight path is the easiest path so there should be no navigating around corners or edges.

2. Doorsills and steps:
Now, these two sound like obvious culprits, but you’d be surprised how often they’re
underestimated. A quick remedy is to paint doorsills a different color or buy reflective tape
for the edge as a reminder that they’re there. This goes for the edge of stairs as well.
Confirm that there’s no loose carpeting, unstable wood, or erosion of any kind on steps or
doorsills. Also, make sure any area with a step or uneven surface is very well lit.

3. Lighting:
This one is perhaps the easiest of all. Double-check that all areas of the house are well lit,
with bulbs at least 60 watts or higher in each socket. Remove all exposed cords and make
sure any lamp or light-switch is within easy reach. If the lamp closest to a favorite reading
chair is hard to reach while sitting, move it closer. Also, check that there is no risk of any
lamp falling or being tripped over. Again, lamps should remain within reach, but still out of
the way.

4. Telephones:
Keep a telephone, within easy reach, in each room. This prevents your elderly loved one
from feeling compelled to rush to a ringing phone. Not only can getting up too quickly cause
light-headedness or dizziness, but it can also cause an elderly person to lose focus on their
surroundings and mistakenly fall in an easily preventable situation.

5. Bathrooms:
Bathroom floors and shower tubs can get slippery, we know this. To combat slipping,
guarantee there are either bars affixed to the wall or a counter to grip while getting up and
down off the toilet and in and out of the shower. Also, purchase adhesive grip-tape for the
tub bottom and again, provide adequate lighting throughout the bathroom. Shower rugs
can also slip so place double-sided tape on the bottom of the rug to impede the rug’s
movement.

If you are worried about a loved one, these are very easy and painless steps to minimize the
risk of in-home falls. As mentioned before, however, there is no 100% way to prevent accidents so medical alert systems provide a great backup. Not only do they give you peace
of mind when you’re not around your loved one, but they make the wearer feel safe as well.

Jacob Edward is the manager of Senior Planning in Phoenix Arizona. Senior Planning is geared towards helping
seniors and the disabled with finding and arranging types of care, as well as applying for state and federal
benefits.

The post Guest Post: Keeping Seniors Safe at Home appeared first on Senior Care Central.

If you feel stuck in a rut from years of bad habits that leave you feeling sluggish and overweight, it’s never too late to change your course to a healthy and happier lifestyle. First, you have to commit to leaving your old ways in the dust and forging a new path with habits that benefit your health instead of harming it. If you’re ready to start this new journey, Senior Care Central presents the following roadmap you can follow.

Eat Whole Foods

If you own a sports car and put the wrong kind of fuel in its tank, it won’t run very well. The same is true for your body. Eating calorie-heavy processed foods full of saturated fat may taste good, but it slows your digestion and worsens some health conditions, like IBD. You can alleviate the symptoms of IBD (which include fatigue and abdominal cramping) by seeing your doctor for medication and a course of antibiotics. In addition, you can prevent future flare-ups by taking peppermint oil supplements when symptoms start and committing to eating fiber-rich whole foods.

Whole foods give you the nutrition you need for optimal energy and to keep your body running smoothly. Following this meal plan is simple. Eat food that nature made instead of processed food made in laboratories. Fill your plate with organic fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs, wild-caught seafood, meat from pasture-raised animals and natural dairy products. Choose whole-grain bread, brown rice and buckwheat pancakes. A quick online search can give you plenty of recipes to try out at home.

Get Moving Every Day

Your sports car won’t run as designed if it sits unused in your garage for months at a time. Likewise, your body functions best when you get moving with some exercise every day. Studies show regular exercise improves your balance and decreases your chances of falling by 23%. It also fills you with endorphins that leave you feeling energetic and lively! Commit to 30 minutes a day of activities that won’t cause overexertion but get your heart pumping and your breath flowing. Ideas include:

• Brisk walks
• Strength training
• Yoga
• Water aerobics
• Pilates
• Swimming

Avoid exercises that could cause injury, like running, bench presses, rock climbing and high-intensity interval activities.

Stay Social

That sports car of yours loves being seen out in public. Research shows that staying socially active in your retirement years leads to an overall positive mood and increases self-confidence. It can also decrease your risk of developing dementia and help ward off cardiovascular disease when compared to seniors who isolate themselves. To meet others, volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about, start a new hobby, join a church or synagogue, or take up a social sport, such as golf or tennis.

Sleep Soundly

You may have noticed you get sleepy earlier in the evening and tend to rise before the sun comes up. These changes are normal and won’t harm you as long as you get the recommended seven to eight hours of sound sleep a night. Your body needs the rest to recharge you mentally and physically. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, consult with your doctor to find a solution.

You can make the most of your retirement years by ditching your old bad habits for a healthier path. These proactive changes can leave you feeling energized and ready to take a friend out on the road for a spin in your sporty car.

The post Guest Blog: How To Transition to a Healthier Path in Your Retirement Years appeared first on Senior Care Central.

When you’re a caregiver for a senior citizen, you know how critical it is to find chairs, beds, and couches that are comfortable for your patients. Choosing the right mattress is especially crucial for the elderly. People in the 65+ age range often suffer from chronic pain related to sore, tender muscles, arthritis, and old injuries that have worsened as the years have passed.

A poor mattress can make even a teenager wake up feeling sore and tired, but for seniors, the effects of a poor mattress can cause debilitating pain and worsen inflammation. Senior citizens need a supportive mattress that cradles sensitive areas that are prone to soreness and stiffness, such as the hips, neck, shoulders, and the lower back. It’s also a good idea to choose a mattress with a comfortable top that cushions the heels and elbows, which will lessen inflammation and irritation.

There are tons of different mattress materials, thicknesses, and designs to choose from, but how do you know which one is going to give your senior patients a comfortable night’s rest? Below, we’ve broken down the different types of mattresses and how they can help seniors sleep well and wake up free from discomfort and pain.

What types of mattresses are the most comfortable for seniors?

When searching for a good mattress for an older individual, manufacturers won’t advertise that it’s the best for senior citizens. What you’ll need to do is look for certain traits and design features that will most likely work for an elderly sleeper.

Typically, seniors need a bed that will retain minimal body heat and will sleep cool. Beds that minimize and isolate movement or motion transfer, and are quiet are usually the best choices for seniors, too. You’ll also want to purchase a bed that is supportive and won’t sag or compress too much. Mattresses that are too soft don’t support spinal alignment and can cause someone to wake up in the morning with a sore back and hips.

Most importantly, a mattress for senior citizens needs to support arthritic joints. As people age, the cartilage that naturally cushions and supports the joints wears away, so seniors need a little more support from their beds than a younger individual.

Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Gel memory foam mattresses are some of the most popular choices for seniors. Gel memory foam is denser and more supportive than traditional memory foam, offering a slightly firmer bed that does an excellent job of supporting the joints and the spine. In mattress lingo, gel memory foam is also referred to as Tempur foam. Gel memory foam mattresses are also cooler than a regular memory foam mattress. Loom and Leaf is one of the more popular gel memory foam mattresses this year.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is a mattress favorite, and it’s been around for decades. First used by NASA, memory foam is a high-quality material that offers superior comfort and cushioning. While memory foams aren’t typically as supportive as a gel memory foam mattress, some models are firmer than others.

Memory foam mattresses cradle and cushion the body, so elbows and heels aren’t resting on a surface that can cause skin irritation. Seniors who are side sleepers can most benefit from a traditional memory foam mattress. Memory foam cradles the shoulder joint and allows it to rest comfortably while keeping the shoulder disk in proper alignment.

However, if a person has never slept on a memory foam mattress, the new bed may take some getting used to. Memory foam beds have a particular and distinct feel to them. Also, be sure to check the bed’s cool rating. Memory foam beds tend to run hot. Nectar memory foam beds are some of the highest rated bed-in-a-box mattresses.

All-natural Latex Foam

A natural, latex foam mattress is an excellent alternative to memory foam mattresses for older sleepers. Latex is a springier material than either gel or memory foam. Latex doesn’t cradle the body, so for sleepers who switch positions a lot, a latex mattress can be ideal. However, all natural latex mattresses are sometimes too soft for people with severe arthritis. A high-quality all natural latex foam mattress for seniors is the Santa Cruz Natural Mattress.

What about innerspring mattresses?

Innerspring mattresses don’t always offer enough consistent support for seniors who need cushioning for aching joints. But adding a pillowtop to an otherwise decent innerspring mattress can offer enough softness and support for senior citizens. Boxtop and pillowtop mattresses are suitable for sleepers who are light or medium weight. But these mattresses won’t provide enough support or last very long for heavier sleepers.

Can you choose a mattress that uses different types of materials?

It’s possible to find a mattress that uses different technologies. For example, manufacturers who specialize in innerspring mattresses often have products that use a top layer of natural latex foam, or memory foam for added support and comfort. If you’re worried that your senior patients won’t be able to get used to a full memory foam mattress, an innerspring memory-foam hybrid can be a good compromise.

As always, it’s essential to thoroughly research different mattress types, product ratings, and what’s going to work best for an individual patient.

The post Guest Blog: How to Choose the Right Mattress for Seniors appeared first on Senior Care Central.

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Eldercare homes are all about the care and comfort of senior citizens. The best ones, like Whittier, assisted living offers physical and mental treatment to their elder residents, which is always lacking in other places.

Regardless, there are some things you should know before you consider visiting or living in assisted living facilities (ALFs). Here are five things that these facilities should never give you:

1) False promises

Most older people have a certain set of the idea when it comes to assisted living. They expect warm bedding, lavish meals, a luxurious atmosphere, expert doctors on call at any time of the day, 24/7 security services, along with so many other benefits. But in reality, ALFs can provide nothing more than regular nursing homes do.

The fact is that assisted living homes are not here to make false promises. They put down everything in writing, so you know what to expect from the place before moving in. Look for an ALF that has all its promises documented with legal documents.

2) Flowers and chocolates on your birthday

We all like flowers and chocolates on our birthdays, who doesn’t! But residents of ALFs don’t receive these things as often as they might like because it’s simply not practical. It does happen now and then, but nothing more than that.

ALFs provide basic amenities like food, water, electricity, clothes, etc., but they do not spend money on frivolous things like providing flowers and chocolates on your birthday. So if you are looking for a place that cares for the tiny details, ALFs might not be the best choice.

3) Luxurious furnishings throughout

Another misconception about assisted living homes is that they provide residents with luxurious furniture throughout the facility. But nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just not possible to have luxury furniture in all parts of an assisted living home. Some places might have it, but that’s just because their owners are very generous.

You should know that older people find it challenging to move around, so having luxury furniture everywhere in an ALF makes no sense. Leave expensive things like designer chairs, couches, etc., at home or buy them for yourself if you need them. ALFs provide basic amenities, and you must get the things you think are essential.

4) A daily visit from a doctor or nurse

When you check into an assisted living facility, one of the most significant benefits is round-the-clock security with trained staff members who can help whenever they are needed. But this does not mean that there will be a full-time medic on duty.

ALFs employ doctors who come in on a weekly or monthly basis, depending on their availability and the requirement of residents. So make sure to find out how often a doctor will visit before finalizing any place for yourself. If it isn’t made clear, ask questions till you get all of the answers.

5) 24-hour internet connection

The idea of ‘wired town’ cannot be implemented in ALFs because it’s simply not possible to do so. Some places might have a wifi facility, but it won’t work throughout the day; there will be certain timings when it works and times when it doesn’t.

Even if you get a place where the wifi does work, then you should know that there is no guarantee that everyone in your family will be able to use it at all times. So before you decide for yourself, make sure to ask these questions: What time of the day will I be able to use the internet? Will my children also be able to access the net? Will I be able to use it after 8 pm?

Wrapping Up!

The only important thing is that you should check every facility and promise through legal documentation. DO NOT take any verbal promises for granted; there might be a miscommunication that can cost you your money and peace of mind.

If you think about it, there’s no way that a care facility can be perfect all the time because they’re dealing with older adults who cannot always do things by themselves. Like we mentioned above, your loved one will probably never become a completely different person due to the aging process. However, even if they do, there’s still bound to be problems when it comes to them doing what they’re told (i.e., not eating when it’s time for dinner).

I’m not saying that every facility out there provides atrocious care – most of them do try their best to make life comfortable for their residents – but keep in mind that humans are only human. Mistakes will be made, accidents will happen, and sometimes they’ll be forced to cut corners when they can’t afford something – it’s just the way life is, so don’t expect perfection.

The post Guest Blog: 5 Things You Should Never Expect From Assisted Living Facilities appeared first on Senior Care Central.

Many people are looking for ways to save money these days, especially for senior living and care. Many seniors live on a fixed income that may not cover all their expenses at home or assisted living facilities. This article will provide you with some helpful tips to help you save money while also giving your loved one the best possible care.

Stay Informed about the Costs of Senior Living and Care

By staying informed, you can help to save money. For example, if your loved one is considering a care facility or an assisted living community, be sure that they have researched costs. If possible, try to get as many competing bids as possible before deciding where your loved one will live. This way, you will find the best care and living situation at a price that fits your budget.

Keep Track of All Essential Expenses Related to Senior Living and Care

A critical element of saving money is keeping track of all expenses related to senior housing services, such as meals, hygiene products, or other needs. For example, it might be helpful to create an excel spreadsheet with columns where essential items can be tracked so that there are no surprises when bills come in each month. Include sections for medicine since many seniors need prescriptions regularly. They may also have high costs attached depending on what medications your loved one requires for their health.

Do Not Overlook Small Necessities that are Often Forgotten about When Budgeting for Senior Care Expenses

Often, there might be small things like a magazine subscription or basic cable television service. Most seniors will not consider including them when budgeting their monthly expenses because they do not see them as necessary. However, these costs can add up over time, and you want your loved ones to have everything they need at an affordable price.

Supplement with Home-Delivered Meals and Other Services that can Help to Save Money on Senior Living Costs

Consider home-delivered meals or help with daily activities like bathing, cooking, and cleaning. These types of services might be too expensive for you. But if your loved one already has these items included in their monthly expenses, or they will pay extra. You can help them save money by having a local service come to the house instead of taking your loved one out for food each day. This way, they will not have additional transportation costs attached, which could cut into their budget. If possible, try looking around locally since it may cost less than other options depending on where you live geographically.

Find Additional Savings Opportunities by Volunteering at a Local Senior Living Facility

One way to save money is to find ways where you can help for free. One option might be to volunteer at local senior living facilities each week or month in exchange for helping the staff complete their daily tasks, such as cleaning rooms, organizing supplies in storage closets, or assisting with administrative work like filing paperwork. Thus, they may allow you access to amenities that would need an additional fee if paying customers were using them. This could include swimming pools, hot tubs, or other entertainment options that residents enjoy during some of their downtimes.

Ask About Additional Senior Living and Care Options to Save Money on Expenses

Another way of finding additional savings opportunities is to ask about senior living options beyond what your loved one currently has in their current budget. For example, if they are paying for meals but do not need them. Why? Because they have friends or family that come over every day that provide food, you could inquire with the staff at the facility about moving into a private room instead. Thus, your loved one can save money by having more space without needing another person sharing it with them all the time. Alternatively, if an assisted living environment is too expensive, your loved one needs help because of chronic pain or difficulty moving around. Then you could ask about having a private nurse come by to assist them instead of hiring someone on staff at the facility.

Make Sure Your Loved One is Receiving All Senior Care Benefits Which Are Available to Them

Even if they have already moved into senior living services. For instance, you can consult with an estate planning law firm in Los Angeles for assistance. Additional benefits may include property tax exemptions, energy assistance programs, and financial planning services available through local government agencies. This could help your loved ones save money on their monthly expenses, even if it’s not something that they need at the moment. You may take advantage of these benefits for them by helping with paperwork or verifying eligibility requirements before filing a claim form so that there are no delays in receiving assistance when needed later down the road.

Final Thought

One of the best ways to save money as a caregiver is by being proactive and continuing to look around. Whether asking new questions about their senior living options, check with local government agencies for additional financial relief programs. There are always more opportunities out there waiting to be discovered to allow them to live comfortably without breaking the bank.

The post Guest Blog: Money-Saving Tips for Senior Living and Care appeared first on Senior Care Central.

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It is human nature that we try to do everything possible to slow the aging process. We take vitamins and supplements, get plastic surgery, slather our bodies in lotions and potions, all so that we don’t appear the age we are. In addition, we change our diets and work out, doing almost anything to defy nature. And while we may look great on the outside, there are some things that we cannot control that may be happening on the inside. Continue reading to discover more about dementia and some of the common symptoms, and different descriptions and names of dementia based on symptoms.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella of illnesses and symptoms with a lot of medical conditions under it that affect older adults. A wide range of medical conditions cause symptoms such as memory loss, problem-solving, cognitive abilities, and other issues that drive the quality of life to deteriorate. A lot of times, before a diagnosis of dementia, older adults are thought of as senile.

The cause of dementia is damaged brain cells that mess with the brain cells’ ability to communicate. The lack of communication causes those affected to act differently than usual.

Dementia is a progressive illness which means that the symptoms start slowly and gradually get worse. Dementia also involves several diseases that are diagnosed based on what part of the brain cells are damaged. Some of those symptoms include:

• Short term memory loss
• Confusion
• Trouble communicating
• Inability to understand certain communications
• Unable to perform certain tasks
• Repetition
• Loss of interest

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia, representing 60-80% of all dementia cases. The average age for patients with Alzheimer’s is 65 years old. Diagnosis before this age is considered early onset. It usually starts with memory loss and progresses into more confusion and failure to thrive as a progressive disease. Patients typically live with Alzheimer’s Disease for 4-8 years after diagnosis but can also live up to 20 years.

There are no cures for Alzheimer’s Disease, but medication and surgery can slow the progression.

The part of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s Disease is the learning part. Patients may suffer from disorientation, mood and behavior changes, confusion about dates and times. They may also become distrustful of family members.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia happens due to reduced blood flow to the brain, especially from a stroke or heart attack. It can be sudden or gradual. Vascular dementia affects memory, thinking, and reasoning. Some of the early symptoms of vascular dementia are slow thought, judgment, depression, and having trouble understanding information. Some signs may go unnoticed, but high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking raise an aging individual’s risk of dementia.

• In addition to the above, some other symptoms of vascular dementia are:
• Difficulty deciding what to do next
• Restlessness and agitation
• Unsteady gait
• Sudden or frequent urge to urinate
• Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

Lewy Bodies

Lewy Bodies Dementia (LBD) is very similar to Alzheimer’s Disease. However, it progresses more quickly than other types of dementia. Although there are no cures for LBD, there is medication to help with symptoms. The overlap in symptoms between LBD and Parkinson’s makes them hard to diagnose and distinguish. A symptom not common in the other types of dementia are:

• Sleep disturbances
• Visual hallucinations
• Delusions
• Problems with interpreting visual information

Another difference seen more common in LBD is a disruption of the autonomic nervous system. This disruption causes the patient’s blood pressure to drop, making them dizzy, fall more frequently, and suffer urinary incontinence.

Parkinson’s Disease

Tremors, muscular rigidity mark Parkinson’s Disease, and slow movements, and reduced facial expressions. It is a progressive disease of the nervous system associated with the degeneration of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Genes and environmental factors may play a role in the development of Parkinson’s Disease. Some of the signs of Parkinson’s Disease are:

Shaking limbs – usually hands or fingers

• Speech changes
• Writing changes
• Impaired posture and balance
• Rigid muscles

As you have read, regardless of how well we take care of ourselves, there are some things that happen in life that cannot be controlled. Dementia is an umbrella of illnesses with symptoms that are similar but have different effects. Four types of dementia and their symptoms are above.

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Commonly known as shingles, herpes zoster is the reactivation of the varicella virus that causes chicken pox. Older persons may be infected with this latent virus after initial exposure to it in the form of chicken pox. The virus then lays dormant in the neurons until it is reactivated, often due to immunosuppression, when it appears in the form of painful vesicles or blisters along the sensory nerves. This reactivation tends to occur once in a lifetime, with repeat attacks occurring about 5% of the time (Flossos & Kostakou, 2006). Herpes zoster occurs in both men and women equally, with no specific ethnic variations, but is more common in the elderly.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing shingles are age over 55 years, stress, and a suppressed immune system. For many older women particularly, emotional or psychological stress can trigger recurrence.

Warning Signs

Signs and symptoms of herpes zoster include painful lesions that erupt on the sensory nerve path, usually beginning on the chest or face. They may appear as initially as a rash, looking much like chicken pox, often wrapping around the chest area in a band-like cluster. These weepy vesicles get pustular and crusty over several days, with healing occurring in 2-5 weeks (Kennedy-Malone et al., 2004; NINDS, 2013).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually made by viewing the appearance of the lesions and a history of onset. A scraping will confirm some type of herpes virus. The most common complaint of those with herpes zoster is the painful blisters that usually subside in 3–5 weeks (NINDS, 2013). Postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of herpes zoster, may last 6–12 months after the lesions disappear and may involve the dermatome, thermal sensory deficits, allodynia (the perception of pain where pain should not be), and/or severe sensory loss, all of which can be very distressing for the patient (Flossos & Kostakou, 2006).

Prevention

Zostavax, a vaccine for shingles, has become available, and it is recommended for all persons age 60 or older who have already had the chicken pox. A person can still get shingles even after having the vaccine, but the symptoms and complications would be less severe. The vaccine has also been approved for persons age 50 – 59, and research has shown that receiving the vaccine significantly decreases the rate of shingles in the population (NINDS, 2013; PubMed Health 2012).

Treatment

Antiviral medications (such as Acyclovir) are used to treat shingles, but must be given within 48 hours of the eruption of the lesions. Topical ointments may help with pain and itching. Pain medications, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol), are appropriate for pain management in older adults. If a fever is present, rest and drinking plenty of fluids is suggested. Persons with pain that lasts past 6 weeks after the skin lesions are gone and that is described as sharp, burning, or constant require re-evaluation by a physician. Postherpetic neuralgia may be a long-term complication lasting years (PubMed Health, 2012).

The person should be advised to seek medical attention as soon as he or she suspects shingles, in order to receive the best results from Acyclovir. The virus will run its course, but the person is contagious while vesicles are weepy. Persons should not have direct contact (even clothing) with pregnant women, people who have not had chicken pox, other elderly persons, or those with suppressed immune systems. The older person with shingles may experience concerns with pain management and feel a sense of isolation, particularly if they live alone. Arranging for a family member or friend who does not have a high risk of infection to check on the older person at home is advisable.

Adapted from Mauk, K. L., Hanson, P., & Hain, D. (2014). Review of the management of common illnesses, diseases, or health conditions. In K. L. Mauk’s (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Used with permission.

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