Senior Health

Discover the facts behind these four common urinary incontinence myths.

Urinary incontinence can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing topic of conversation for those who are impacted by it. The stigma behind incontinence often contributes to either a lack of factual information, or a belief in some common misunderstandings and myths. The following are some incontinence untruths, and the facts to go with them:

Myth: Urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging.
Truth: Although growing older does increase our risk for incontinence, many older adults are able to maintain normal bladder functioning, so it should certainly never be regarded as an inevitable part of the aging process.

Myth: There’s no treatment for urinary incontinence in seniors.
Truth: In many cases, this is simply not true. There are ways that urinary incontinence can be treated with success.

Myth: Drinking as little water as possible will … Read More »

Learn three causes of incontinence and what you can do to help.

Incontinence is a distressing and sensitive concern, especially for older adults. It can cause a wide range of difficulties, from skin sores to isolation for those who are uncomfortable leaving the home in case of an “accident.” Yet although incontinence impacts as many as 25 million Americans, the affliction rarely gets the attention and discussion it needs. With a lack of communication and information shared about senior incontinence, many older adults and those who love them feel as though they need to simply accept and live with it.

However, senior incontinence is not unavoidable as we grow older. While many seniors do find that their bladder may be “weak,” resulting in leaks at times, sometimes the concern has a simple solution.

Below are some incontinence causes that can be … Read More »

Be sure to ask these questions when hiring a caregiver to ensure senior safety.

Let’s be honest; inviting an individual who is basically a stranger into a senior loved one’s home to help with care needs can be nerve-wracking. The top priority is ensuring senior safety for your loved one, of course, but determining whether a caregiver meets that criteria isn’t easy.

At Hired Hands Homecare, the provider of the most trusted San Rafael home care and senior care in the surrounding areas, we understand that finding an appropriate and trustworthy caregiver that you and the senior you love will feel comfortable with is not a decision to be taken lightly. To help in your care journey, we’ve compiled the following questions you can ask to make sure you’re hiring just the right person.

Are your agency’s caregivers employees of the … Read More »

Ensure senior safety by learning about these 3 types of elder abuse.

Even though abusing an older adult is something that would never cross the mind of most people, it’s a tragically frequent situation in the U.S. Elder abuse can arise in many variations, from physical to emotional, and it impacts the most frail and vulnerable among us.

Given that elder abuse is in many cases a voiceless problem, it’s imperative for families and friends of seniors to be familiar with the symptoms and signs of elder abuse to protect older loved ones. Our home care team have gathered together several of the warning signs that may suggest elder abuse.

Physical Abuse:

Evidence of injury such as bruises, scars, or welts, especially if they are noted symmetrically on both sides of the body
Sprains or broken bones
Drug overdoses or regularly missed medications
Cracked or … Read More »

Understanding the impacts of a stroke can help caregivers create the most appropriate plan of care.

A stroke is a difficult experience to encounter, and no two individuals are impacted in the same way. While some stroke survivors will have few, if any, lingering effects post-stroke, for many, a stroke will be a life-altering event that results in weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one or both sides of the body. The impacts of a stroke can be evident in the individual’s coordination and balance, as well as result in changes in behavior and judgment.

Comprehending why a stroke survivor is acting a certain way or experiencing particular symptoms can often help caregivers create the most appropriate plan of care. Below are just a few ways that having a stroke might impact a person’s brain and level of functionality.

A stroke in … Read More »

Help ensure a safe, comfortable home environment for a stroke survivor.

May is designated as Stroke Awareness Month. Were you aware that stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in adults worldwide? When someone you love suffers a stroke, many aspects of life are impacted. Although we can never really be fully prepared for a stroke and the difficulties that arise with after stroke care, it is possible to ensure a safe, comfortable home environment for the stroke survivor to recover. Below are several stroke care tips to make the home more accessible for someone who has experienced a stroke, as shared by the National Stroke Association:

Prevent Falls by Removing Clutter: Be sure pathways to rooms are clear of any clutter and that electrical cords are all safely moved out of the way. Remove loose rugs and … Read More »

Hired Hands Homecare of Napa can help make sure that your loved one’s home is safe and sound for stroke recovery.

Surviving and going through recovery after a stroke is both an emotionally and physically challenging experience, and the only thing you wish to do is to get back to your regular life. But, given that around 2/3rds of stroke survivors usually have some type of disability, according to the National Stroke Association, in-home safety modifications may be needed to make post-stroke life easier and safer.

The encouraging news is that there are some basic measures that can make the home safer and more accessible for stroke recovery. Below are several post-stroke home alteration guidelines from Hired Hands Homecare:

Fall Prevention:

Approximately 40% of stroke survivors suffer serious falls within a year after their strokes. These suggestions can help protect against trips … Read More »

It’s crucial to be able to discern stroke warning signs.

Stroke, according to the National Stroke Association, is listed as the fifth top cause of death in the U.S., with approximately 800,000 individuals suffering from a stroke each year. This suggests that every 40 seconds a person somewhere in the U.S. has a stroke. And every four minutes someone dies as a result of a stroke.

If you are helping an elder or chronically ailing friend or family member who is at an elevated risk for stroke, it’s crucial to ensure that you are in a position to discern stroke warning signs. The quicker you get professional help, the better the chance that your loved one will live through the stroke. Warning signs of a stroke typically include sudden onset of:

Weakness or numbness in the arm, leg, or face – especially … Read More »

Hired Hands Homecare’s Napa senior living experts share information on the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease affects one out of 100 people above the age of 60, plus the U.S. sees around 60,000 new cases every year, reports the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Because April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, the home care experts at Hired Hands Homecare want to help raise understanding of the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s, as finding help early is crucial.

A proper diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease requires a battery of tests to rule out other conditions that often mimic Parkinson’s symptoms. However, early diagnosis and treatment might help patients boost their overall condition and experience a greater total wellbeing over time.

Here are warning signs and initial symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:

Moderate tremors – usually the symptom causing visitors to seek medical assistance.
Difficulty getting out of a … Read More »