elderly Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Senior Care Central

How to Provide Care for Elderly and Disabled Persons

There are many factors to consider when it comes to elderly care or dealing with the needs of disabled people. First of all, you should understand that we are all placed in positions like this eventually so empathy is highly important. Caring for these individuals is about love and respect coupled with science, but also common sense depending on each situation. Each person is different, and understanding their specific condition is the first step towards proper care.

Learning about CPR Procedures for Emergencies

CPR is invaluable when working with anyone because you never know when certain ailments will sneak up on you. This is especially true for those dealing with unique conditions or old age which makes you susceptible to breaking bones easier. According to AED CPR, “Cardiac arrest may be reversed if cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed immediately and a defibrillator is used to shock the heart and restore a normal heart rhythm within 3-5 minutes.” This is an amazing process even though it’s very frightening. You can get your online CPR renewal to stay updated and refreshed about this life-saving medical procedure. The reality is that someone is doing CPR right now somewhere in the world because heart attacks are common. The elderly and disabled are more likely to have increased frequency and severity of heart attacks because of age and underlying conditions.

Dealing with Resistance and Help Living Transitions

Sometimes it’s best if an elderly or disabled person is taken care of by professionals in a medical environment. Resistance is common for those who have been self-sustained their whole lives and many also don’t want to be away from their family. However, you have to do what’s best for your loved ones and give them a good balance of social interaction if they’re at a care facility. Frequent visits are advised so they don’t feel forgotten or unloved which is a response to the need for assisted living. There are many burdens and stresses involved with caring for them, and sometimes the right methods are outside your grasp. The best way to help people in the most severe positions is to find them a good facility.

Reduce any Background Noise and Distractions

One of the difficulties of getting older is having increased hearing difficulties. There are certain methods you can implement to help them feel more comfortable if you decide to take care of them at home. One of the strategies is to reduce any ongoing noises like the television set or radio. Repeating yourself is part of the process, and you should be kind and understanding of their position by raising your voice so they can hear better. Speak clearly and slowly so that communication with these individuals is easier. You also should be in a well-lit room so they can see your facial cues which become increasingly important.

Take Care of Them Yourself and Know Their Condition

Knowing how to take care of elderly patients is part of a nurse’s job description, and you can learn much from their process if you decide to undertake the responsibility of caring for a loved one. Knowing their condition is the first step to properly understanding what they need. No matter what setting, it’s critical they are accommodated and safe with the proper medication to alleviate any symptoms. Sometimes conditions stack up and cause complex situations, and they get more challenging usually. Gaining insight into the side effects of aging will help you develop a concrete foundation on how to address it. Always remember that their psychological well-being may depend on professional care based on the severity of their circumstance.

These Methods Will Help You Care for The Elderly or Disabled

As you can see, there are two possibilities for the elderly and disabled people who struggle to take care of themselves. Either a nursing home is necessary, or perhaps the family is willing to take care of their needs. This will vary depending on the severity of the situation, and sometimes it’s much safer for them to be placed in assisted living. The family can still support them there, and they get the consistent treatment needed in a professional and comfortable environment.

By Jim|2024-01-29T11:55:40-05:00February 25th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

10 Things to Consider Before Moving to a Care Home

A care home makes up for one of the best places to access assisted living services. There are many such services in the country, making it difficult to choose the right one. You have to consider many unique factors to ensure you choose the ideal service provider. Fortunately, this guide looks at ten things to consider before moving to a care home:

1. The Pricing Packages

A care home offers services at a cost, and you have to be aware of their pricing plans. Usually, each pricing plan comes with different offers and levels of assisted living benefits. Reviewing these plans will help you make an informed decision for your care home needs. You can request information such as the average cost of assisted living by calling the care home or vising their website. Ensure you ask all relevant questions about each pricing plan before investing.

2. Online Presence

A good assisted living service is available online because nowadays, the average person uses the internet to search for solutions. The service should be available on social media, a website, or any other internet-based platform. A simple search engine query should help expose all the relevant care homes in your location. The ones that come up high in the search results are usually the most reputable.

3. Location

Logistics is a crucial factor when choosing the ideal care home. People have different location needs, and you have to consider this in choosing the ideal home. Some prefer homes that are in urban areas, while others prefer those that are in reserved locations. The location also helps determine whether you have chosen a reputable service because unprofessional people tend to work in remote areas.

4. Regulatory Approval

A care home should run as a state-recognized and approved business entity. Usually, the evidence of this approval is available on the business’s website or product portfolio. Or, it can also be available through local state databases or records. The approval helps to show that you have chosen a professional service.

5. Medical Services Offered

People in care homes sometimes need various types of medical services. A good care home can address these needs and suits the need of different patients. Medical services can include prescription management, mental health initiatives, and more. You also have to determine whether the home has the licensing to offer such services.

6. Enhanced Assisted Living

Enhanced assisted living refers to the various technologies a care home offers to patients with special needs. A good example would be assistive devices that help deaf patients or those with memory loss. The devices help these individuals to navigate everyday obligations conveniently. While such resources are likely to increase the cost of medical care, they are crucial for assisted living purposes.

7. Team of Staff

The team of staff available at the care home is also crucial for the assistive living services they can provide. Ensure you have a broad perspective of each team member before settling on a specific service provider. Doing this will help increase the likelihood of receiving high-quality medical health attention or help. It also helps ensure that the facility well addresses each patient’s needs.

8. Offers and Incentives

The quality of incentives the care home provides is also crucial for the medical services to its patients. The offers and incentives should be transparent and suitable for patients with long-term needs. The reason is that most care home patients are patients who will live in the facility for long durations. The offers can include discounts and privileges such as vacations for loyal clients.

9. Affiliations

You should also consider a care home with excellent affiliations with entities such as medical facilities. The reason is that it helps guarantee the likelihood that you will receive high-quality care home services. The affiliations can include those that exist with traditional medical services.

10. Social Support Programs

The ideal care home also has excellent social support programs for its patients. The programs should include recreational, physical, and other forms of outdoor activity. It should also include custom programs for people that have specific care needs.

Conclusion

As you have noticed, there is more to receiving medical care than the average person can expect. You must consider various factors and details to ensure you get the best service provider.

By Jim|2023-12-22T12:17:06-05:00January 25th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: Tips For Preventing Falls Among The Elderly

Falls among seniors are more common than you think.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 36 million older adults suffer a fall each year.

Our muscles lose strength, and our balance and coordination decline as we get older. As our senior loved ones are already at a certain age, they are now more prone to falls, and it could only get worse as they get on in years.

However, we can take steps to keep our seniors from suffering falls. Here are some tips on how to prevent falls among the elderly.

Declutter

Make sure your parent’s or grandparent’s space is clutter-free. You can’t have random stuff lying all over the place, becoming a tripping hazard for seniors. The floors that your elderly loved one walks on should always be clear, with nothing to step, slip, and trip on.

Put Up Grab Bars & Handrails In Strategic Spots

Seniors can use additional support when walking around the house. So, it would be great if the hallways, bathrooms, and stairways are fitted with handrails and grab bars.

Add More Lights

Our seniors typically have poor eyesight, which can only get worse under poor lighting conditions. By installing additional lights (and brighter ones at that), seniors will have a better chance of seeing and avoiding tripping and slipping hazards as they go about the house.

Use Only Non-Slip Mats & Rugs

All the mats and rugs in the house should be the non-slip type or secured to the floor.

Get Them To Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is crucial to keeping the muscles, bones, and sense of balance of our seniors strong. Walking, lifting light weights, climbing stairs, or doing something as simple as standing on one leg for a minute or two can already help them stay as fit as possible. The fitter they are, the lower their risk of suffering a fall.

Tell Them To Be More Careful

Sometimes, seniors fall because they try to move too fast when walking across the room or getting out of bed. Tell them they need to be more careful when doing so and always move at a more comfortable pace.

Falls don’t have to be synonymous with getting older. By taking the necessary precautions, our seniors stand a better chance of avoiding them.

About the Author

Melissa Andrews is the Content Marketing Strategist for Paradise Living Centers, an assisted living center for seniors with locations in Paradise Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and going on hiking trips with her siblings and cousins.

By Jim|2023-11-20T17:13:32-05:00December 2nd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

How Can You Tell if Your Elderly Family Member Needs Home Care

Accepting the need for assistance is not easy for adults as they get older. So, how will you determine when your elderly parent needs home care? One thing is sure: your parents are not likely to be the ones who tell you.

Older adults have a desire to remain independent and be in control. Usually, a senior will hide any issues out of fear of being a burden or because they are embarrassed or ashamed. However, until a sudden decline in their overall health makes it obvious, they need assistance. Since adult children don’t come up with a care decision plan before the crisis takes place, the stress of an unexpected hospitalization complicates things even more.

One way to avoid this problematic scenario is to start regularly monitoring your aging parent’s mental and physical abilities. Make sure he knows this is not an accusation but instead a way to help him maintain his independence for as long as possible. It is not easy to see a loved one’s health decline, but you can help them avoid any medical crisis if you know the signs. To determine whether your parents need home care, keep an eye on the following essential signs:

Essential Signs that Your Elderly Family Member Needs Home Care

1. Difficulty Getting Around
As many experts agree, most people over the age of 70 need some help to go about their routine. However, your family member may not feel comfortable telling you that he needs assistance. Over time, vision and hearing loss may become severe enough to limit your loved one’s ability to move around the house without help. Your parents will also need some help if they begin having problems with balance or coordination.

2. Difficulty Taking Care of Themselves
While it is normal for older adults to deal with medical issues eventually, it is not normal for them to not take care of themselves altogether. It is one of the most obvious signs that your loved one needs help. When you notice that they are unable to take care of their hygiene or clean up after themselves, you have to intervene.

3. Physical Decline
As the years’ progress, most elderly adults will experience a gradual decrease in physical fitness and mobility. However, some older adults experience a sudden decline in health that is too rapid to be recognized by any family member. Once this happens, they can’t regain their full strength and mobility before they are forced to seek home care assistance.

4. Cluttered Home
In most cases, older adults take pride in the appearance of their homes. Over time, they will likely develop a tidy and clean appearance. However, this will start to change as they get older. In addition to the usual clutter created over time, it is essential to keep an eye out for signs that your elderly family member needs home care due to cluttered spaces.

5. Loss of Memory or Confusion
An alarming number of elderly adults suffer from some degree of memory loss or confusion. As a result, they may fail to remember important dates, events, and conversations, while some may become disoriented while trying to get ready for the day or do other routine tasks. These are warning signs that your elderly parent may have developed dementia.

6. Frequent Falls
As the year’s pass, seniors tend to have a greater chance of falling. As a result, they may need assistance getting up from a chair or moving around to get to the bathroom without damaging themselves. These falls occur gradually over time in most cases and do not require any immediate attention from you or your family. However, if you notice that your loved one is falling more frequently or becoming unstable while moving around the house, you should consider calling for a senior home care service.

7. Reduced Appetite and Sudden Weight Loss or No Gain in Weight
A sudden and unexplained loss of appetite or inability to gain weight is a possible sign that your loved one needs home care. Such problems may be linked to some form of pain or discomfort that he is unable to self-diagnose. When this happens, it is time for you to step in and intervene.

8. Feelings of Worthlessness and Hopelessness
If you notice that your elderly parent is experiencing a change in their attitude, it might signify that they feel worthless or hopeless about something. You can tell if your loved one is unhappy with their life when he starts complaining about things more often than usual and becomes more irritable than normal. It may help to write down thoughts about these feelings or speak to a counselor for some guidance.

9. Shift in Personality
It is normal for older adults to become more irritable as they age. It could be due to any number of reasons, including pain or medication side effects. However, if your elderly loved one changes significantly in personality, it may be a sign that dementia has set in. For example, most people who experience memory issues will occasionally forget to pick up their medication or lose important documents. But if your loved one forgets things regularly, you must consider consulting a physician.

Hiring Home Care for Elderly Family Member
Once you notice any signs that your loved one may need care, the best way to help them maintain their independence is to hire senior home care services. These agencies offer caregivers who are trained to assist the elderly with various activities. They can provide assistance with daily living, including bathing or getting dressed, as well as other activities depending on the needs of your loved one.

The ideal way to start your search is to ask yourself, “Are there any great senior care services near me that can address my parent’s needs?” To ensure that the agency will provide the most effective service, look for reviews and ratings online. Ask friends and relatives if they have had similar experiences with specific agencies and services. You can also ask family members and friends if they know of individuals who would be good candidates for home care.

All in all, these are some of the most common signs that you may need to hire senior home care services for your family member. If you notice any of these indicators, it is never too late to consider hiring assistance.

Author Bio
I’m Andrea Gibbs, Born, raised, and still living in New York. I’m a work-at-home mom with a background in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. I’m a blog contributor at Serenity Senior Care to motivate other parents about how they can enhance their elderly loved ones quality of life.

By Jim|2023-11-20T17:13:13-05:00November 30th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

How to Maintain Mental Wellness in Your Senior Years

Introduction

Aging is a characteristic piece of life, and as we become older, maintaining excellent mental health turns out to be increasingly crucial. While actual health frequently takes the spotlight, mental wellness is similarly fundamental in ensuring a top-notch life during one’s senior years. In this article, we will investigate the critical techniques to maintain mental wellness in your old years, taking inspiration from mental health influencers who have prepared for positive aging.

The Meaning of Mental Wellness in Seniors

Mental wellness incorporates close-to-home, mental, and social prosperity. It involves managing pressure, maintaining connections, and making decisions that upgrade your satisfaction. In your senior years, mental wellness is especially critical because of multiple factors:

Emotional Resilience

The capacity to deal with life’s difficulties and return quickly from misfortune is essential for seniors. Excellent mental health empowers profound flexibility, helping seniors adapt to health issues, misfortune, and other life-altering events.

Cognitive Function

Mental wellness is intently attached to mental capability. Staying mentally dynamic through exercises like reading, riddles, and learning new abilities can assist seniors with preserving their mental capacities and memory.

Quality of Life

Seniors with significant mental health are bound to partake in a top-notch life. They can remain socially connected, seek after their interests, and continue to lead fulfilling lives.

Physical Health

Mental and actual health intertwine. Seniors with solid mental wellness are bound to participate in healthy behavior, like activity, a reasonable eating routine, and normal healthcare visits.

Methodologies for Maintaining Mental Wellness

Stay Truly Active

Normal activity is a valuable asset for maintaining mental wellness. It discharges endorphins, which can support the mind-set and lessen the gamble of sorrow. Exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can assist with keeping both body and mind in top shape. Mental health influencers frequently stress the association between actual work and profound prosperity.

Maintain Social Connections

Loneliness and social segregation can harm mental health. Seniors ought to effectively search out friendly interactions with family, companions, and, surprisingly, new acquaintances. Mental health influencers frequently energize the significance of maintaining solid informal organizations.

Pursue lasting Learning

Engaging in continuous learning is a successful method for keeping the mind sharp and advancing mental wellness. Whether it’s picking up another side interest, learning an instrument, or taking courses, intellectual pursuits can give a feeling of achievement and motivation.

Manage Stress

Stress is a piece of life, yet persistent pressure can negatively affect mental health. Practicing pressure-the-board strategies like reflection, profound breathing, and mindfulness can assist seniors with staying quiet and centered. Mental health influencers frequently share their encounters with pressure-decrease plans.

Seek Proficient Support

Assuming seniors are experiencing symptoms of despair, uneasiness, or other mental health issues, looking for proficient help is fundamental. Mental health influencers frequently destigmatize treatment and counseling, emphasizing that seeking support is a bold move toward better mental health.

Stay Positive

Maintaining an uplifting perspective on life can fundamentally influence mental wellness. Practicing appreciation, focusing on the present, and embracing a feeling of direction can assist seniors with finding euphoria and satisfaction in their senior years. Mental health influencers frequently share inspirational and positive messages to inspire their supporters.

Manage Constant Illness

Seniors frequently must adapt to persistent health conditions. Managing these circumstances successfully is pivotal for mental wellness. Adhering to treatment plans, staying informed, and seeking support gatherings can all add to better close-to-home prosperity.

Engage in Imaginative Expression

Innovative articulation, like artistry, writing, or music, can be a helpful source for seniors. It permits them to articulate their thoughts, process their feelings, and find satisfaction in their imaginative undertakings. Mental health influencers frequently utilize innovative articulation as a method for sharing their stories and inspiring others.

Volunteer and Give Back

Volunteering isn’t just a method for giving back to the local area but also a valuable chance to feel a feeling of direction and achievement. Helping others can support confidence and mental prosperity. Numerous mental health influencers find satisfaction in their backing work and volunteering endeavors.

Embrace Technology

Innovation can assist seniors with staying associated with friends and family, accessing mental health assets, and participating in mentally stimulating exercises. Utilizing cell phones, tablets, and PCs can open up a universe of chances for seniors to remain mentally dynamic and socially locked in.

Inspirational Mental Health Influencers

Mental health influencers have made considerable commitments to the talk on profound prosperity in seniors and individuals, everything being equal. Their stories and support endeavors act as an inspiration for seniors looking to maintain their mental wellness. The following are a couple of influential figures who have made ready:

Patricia Edgar

Patricia Edgar, a promoter for senior mental wellness, has spoken enthusiastically about the significance of staying dynamic and socially associated and participating in meaningful exercises in one’s senior years. Her backing has inspired numerous seniors to lead dynamic and fulfilling lives.

John Grohol

As the organizer behind Psych Focal, John Grohol has been a vocal defender of mental health mindfulness. His work underlines the significance of seeking proficient help and reducing the shame surrounding mental health issues.

Wendy Sue Swanson

Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, a pediatrician, has utilized her foundation to urge a comprehensive way to deal with mental wellness, highlighting the association between physical and psychological health. She advocates for standard activity, nourishment, and a solid interpersonal organization.

Rudy Caseres

Rudy Caseres has become a prominent promoter of mental health mindfulness, especially within the senior local area. His endeavors have urged seniors to look for treatment, decrease the shame surrounding mental health, and participate in open discussions about their close-to-home prosperity.

Conclusion

Maintaining mental wellness in your senior years isn’t just imaginable but fundamental for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The systems examined, inspired by mental health influencers, offer a guide for promoting close-to-home prosperity in seniors. Staying genuinely dynamic, nurturing social associations, embracing deep-rooted learning, and managing pressure are almighty tools to improve mental health and make a positive aging encounter. The excursion to mental wellness in your senior years is an ongoing cycle; one loaded up with open doors for development, association, and a significant feeling of satisfaction.

By Jim|2023-11-02T12:32:30-05:00November 2nd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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