Senior Health

Related Paranoia in Seniors: How to Understand and Respond “I’m telling you, there’s a dog inside my closet! I hear it growling the whole night long. We’ve got to find its owner!” Listening to a senior family member express anxiety such as this that you know to be untrue is unsettling – however, not unusual. Your first impulse may well be to try to rationalize with the individual with a reply such as, “Nonsense! There’s not a chance a dog could possibly have gotten into your closet!” However, for several different reasons, this could be the least reliable technique to take care of irrational ideas and conduct in the senior population. Alternatively, at Amy’s Helping Hands, we recommend the following techniques in order to help bring back a sense of calm and wellbeing: 1. First off, schedule a physical with the senior’s physician. It’s essential to discover any cognitive impairment in order to make certain she or he receives proper treatment if required. There also may be prescription medication side-effects taking place.…

Windsor In-Home Care Offers Suggestion to Help with Parkinson’s Care from a Distance The days of extended families living together on neighboring plots of land are, sadly, a thing of the past in many cases. With loved ones spread further apart, it’s hard to provide the caring, hands-on support that older family members need, particularly when a chronic condition – such as Parkinson’s disease – adds to the concerns. The Michael J. Fox Foundation provides these tips on helping loved ones with Parkinson’s from afar: Get organized. Keep notes and details about medications, treatments, emergency contacts, and other aspects of your loved one’s care needs. Stay in touch. Make a point to touch base with a daily call, email, text, or Skype, depending on which option is easiest and preferred by your loved one. Check in with your loved one’s primary caregiver too, who may be feeling burdened by the stress of providing care. Arrange for help. Coordinate delivery of meals, assistance with yard work, or a professional home caregiver, such as Amy’s Helping Hands, to help…

Secrets to Happiness Despite Chronic Pain or Illness Have you ever gotten out of bed and figured, “It’s probably going to be one of those days!” Perhaps your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater decided to quit working, and the dog chewed up one of your favorite shoes overnight. Then consider if each day were “one of those days!” For an individual living with a chronic disease (and that’s the majority of the senior population), daily struggles and challenges are often a given.    Nonetheless, there are plenty of steps that older adults can take to find and maintain a life of joy, even in the face of chronic pain or illness. For example:   Follow passions. Finding purpose and meaning in each and every day is essential – and achievable. Many older adults find satisfaction in aiding and encouraging other people. Others thrive on being life-long learners. For some people it could mean recording the past for the following generation. Brainstorm ideas until you arrive at one that ignites passion, and then make it a reality.…

UTI's in the Elderly Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly Urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren't just a nuisance in the elderly—they can cause serious health problems. A UTI happens when bacteria in the urethra, bladder or kidneys multiplies in the urine. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, which could permanently damage these vital organs and even lead to kidney failure. These common infections are also a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream. Seniors Are Prone to UTIs The population most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. Older individuals are more vulnerable for many reasons, including their overall susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system. Elderly men and women also experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder and pelvic floor, which can lead to increased urine retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder) and incontinence. These things all contribute to infection. Typical Symptoms…

Have Great Posture As You Age Having good posture minimizes stress on your back by keeping your muscles and bones in their natural positions as well as making your movements more fluid and efficient. Poor posture, on the other hand, can create a variety of health problems. It can impede breathing, blood circulation, digestion, organ functions and overall alertness. Slouching creates 10 to 15 times extra pressure on the spinal cord. It can generate neck pain, headaches and limited joint movement. Problems may even result in the legs and feet. Here are 8 helpful tips to keep you standing tall at any age. Open up Now that many of us spend our days hunched in front of a computer, “it's very important for us to be able to stretch and open up and improve our range of motion,” says Jonathan F. Bean, MD, MS, MPH, an assistant professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Easy exercises To stay limber, try to get up for a couple minutes every half hour and stretch,…

Hearing Loss in Seniors Hearing loss is a disability that frequently goes unnoticed. It is the most common sensory impairment in adults over the age of 65, affecting more than 30% of Canadians in this age group. Hearing loss is serious: not only does it affect the physical sense of hearing, it affects overall well-being. Because of the communication difficulties it creates, hearing loss can lead to withdrawal from family, friends and social situations.