The Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia You Need to Know About
Understanding the link between hearing loss and dementia is crucial to know the steps you can take to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Are you finding the need to turn the TV up louder for someone you love? Speaking more loudly? Repeating things the person missed hearing the first time? Hearing loss in older adults is not uncommon. But new scientific studies are pointing to a startling link between hearing loss and dementia.
How Hearing and Cognitive Functioning Are Linked
There are a number of hypotheses scientists are exploring to explain the connection between hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia:
The brain’s memory and thinking ability are affected when it has to work harder to strain to hear and to fill in the gaps when communication is missed.
An older brain shrinks more rapidly because of hearing … Read More »
We Love Mere so Very!
The Hired Hands Homecare team is very excited to celebrate Ms. Mere V. as our most recent Caregiver of the Month!
We have had the pleasure of working with Mere for a little over a year now. She is a highly skilled Caregiver and is actively working as a member of both our Hospice and Demetia specialty teams. Mere provides extremely compassionate care for our clients and is always reliable- both of which make her an excellent Caregiver. She is professional, always willing to help, and is a great reporter- assuring that the entire care team is updated about her clients after each shift. All of us here at Hired Hands appreciate Mere and her dedication to providing great care for our clients and the families we assist.
What do you have to say for yourself Mere?
“It is a privilege and honor for me to … Read More »
Understanding Cultural Competence in the Context of LGBTQ+ Senior Care
The highest quality LGBTQ+ senior care begins with understanding and implementing cultural competence practices.
As we strive to create compassionate and supportive environments for seniors, the concept of cultural competence takes center stage, particularly when addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in their later years. In the context of LGBTQ+ senior care, embracing cultural competence is essential to ensure that each person receives the respect and understanding they deserve as they navigate the intricacies of aging.
What Is Cultural Competence?
At its core, cultural competence refers to the ability of individuals or organizations to effectively interact with people from different cultures. It involves understanding, respecting, and responding to the needs and preferences of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the context of LGBTQ+ seniors, cultural competence extends beyond a general understanding of aging to encompass the unique challenges, … Read More »
Navigating the Unique Challenges of Older Adults in the LGBTQ+ Community
Older adults in the LGBTQ+ community face a number of hurdles that we all need to understand.
When it comes to growing older, the experiences of seniors are as diverse as the colors of the rainbow. Within this spectrum, older adults in the LGBTQ+ community often face unique challenges that warrant our attention and understanding. As a leading home care provider in Novato and the surrounding areas, we know that fostering inclusivity is crucial for providing support to all members of our community. It begins by understanding some of the hurdles specific to the LGBTQ+ population that need to be overcome.
Isolation and Social Stigma:
One of the key challenges confronting LGBTQ+ seniors is the potential for isolation and the enduring social stigma that has persisted throughout their lives. Many individuals from this community grew up in an … Read More »
Feeling Overloaded With Caring for a Loved One? These Tips Can Help!
If you’re feeling overloaded with caring for a loved one, we have three simple steps you can take to ease the strain.
If today’s to-dos seem like a lot more than you are able to possibly squeeze into 24 short hours, you are not alone! Family caregivers frequently are feeling overloaded with caring for a loved one and the daily required tasks: Personal care and hygiene. Planning and preparing meals. Medical appointments. Planning activities that are purposeful and enjoyable for the older adult. Shopping and other errands. Housework and laundry. And all of this is on top of meeting the requirements of your own spouse, children, household, and if there is any time left over, yourself!
We invite you to hit the pause button for just a minute, take a deep breath, and put into action these tried-and-true … Read More »
Take These Steps to Avoid Overmedication and Adverse Medication Reactions in Seniors
Taking too much or too little of a medication or taking it the wrong way can lead to adverse medication reactions in seniors.
The days of “take two aspirin and call me in the morning” have morphed into “take two of these…and two of these…and maybe one of those, too!” Nearly forty percent of seniors are taking at least five different prescription medications each day – not to mention vitamins, supplements, and OTC meds. It is easy to understand why overmedication and adverse medication reactions in seniors are extremely common.
Take these actions to avoid medication problems for someone you love:
Make a list, and check it twice. Create a list of every one of the medications – both over-the-counter and prescription – that the person is currently taking. Share the list with all of their healthcare providers, and … Read More »
Watch for These Early Signs of Mobility Problems in Older Adults
All family caregivers need to know the early signs of mobility problems in older adults in order to prevent falls or other serious injuries.
Benjamin Franklin certainly had it right: An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure. When it comes to noticing and addressing the early signs of mobility problems in older adults, prevention is a must. Falls in seniors lead to 3 million emergency room visits, 300,000 hip fractures, and 32,000 deaths every year, according to research by the CDC.
Preempt a tragedy by keeping an eye out for these warning signs of increasing mobility issues in older loved ones:
Experiencing dizziness. Dizziness and issues with balance can develop from a variety of contributing factors that ultimately cause problems with mobility. It’s important to discover why these issues are taking place and address them … Read More »
The Final Stage of Alzheimer’s: What to Expect
Being prepared for the final stage of Alzheimer’s is key to continuing to help make life as meaningful as possible for someone you love.
The journey through Alzheimer’s disease can be compared to navigating a winding road that spans years, riddled with intermittent stops, starts, unexpected twists, and a plethora of unknowns. As the dedicated caregiver for an individual grappling with dementia, having foresight about what to expect around the next bend is paramount. This knowledge empowers you to not only be well-prepared but also to administer the most fitting and compassionate level of care in the final stage of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s, being a highly individualized experience, manifests uniquely in each person. Yet there are certain commonalities at every stage of the disease. When an individual transitions into the last stage, discernible challenges emerge, including struggles with eating … Read More »
The Most Important Vitamins for Older Adults
With all of the options on store shelves, which are the most important vitamins for older adults?
Minerals, vitamins, and supplements – oh my! Nearly three in four older adults are taking them; but are they really needed as we get older? After all, a balanced and healthy diet offers older adults essential nutrients. But there are specific areas of deficiency that may make a case for the addition of a supplement. Make sure to talk with the doctor before making any changes, but with their recommendation or approval, consider the following important vitamins for older adults:
Calcium
Aging bones are susceptible to breaks and fractures when calcium intake is inadequate. This is especially true for post-menopausal women, with a full 50% of those over age 50 breaking a bone because of osteoporosis. However, men are also in … Read More »
Seven Years with Lilia!
All of us at Hired Hands Homecare are proud to salute Lilia C as our latest Caregiver of the Month!
We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Lilia for over SEVEN years now. During that time, this is actually her THIRD time being awarded as our Caregiver of the Month, and she truly deserves it! Lilia is a highly skilled Caregiver and is active on both of our Dementia and Hospice specialty teams. Lilia is one of our most requested Caregivers by clients as a favorite. Lilia has really raised the bar when it comes to providing care outstanding for our clients. She is dependable, joyful, attentive, and is always willing to help. Everyone at Hired Hands is grateful to have Lilia on our team, as she is an absolute pleasure to work with!
Hey Lilia… what do you have to … Read More »
