It’s holiday time once again, which means it is also the perfect time for a “holiday reality check.” If you haven’t seen your elderly loved ones in a while, now is a good time to examine how your senior loved ones are doing and take the necessary steps in keeping seniors safe. With frenzied lifestyles or long distances separating families for a lot of the year, subtle (or not-so-subtle) indicators can very easily be overlooked. Keep a lookout for the following indications that additional care could be required, and bear in mind that looking for warning signs is not for the purposes of judgment or critique; it’s a check for wellness, well-being and safety.

Physical appearance: An unusually disheveled appearance of a senior loved one may be discovered during a holiday visit. Failing to stay up with daily hygiene routines such … Read More »

As outlined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 12 million adults are currently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it’s expected that another 12 million may be living with the disease without even knowing it. It’s also worth noting that COPD typically occurs in middle age, with smoking as the biggest risk factor. Consistent exposure to dusts and chemicals also presents a high risk factor.

If someone you love has been diagnosed with COPD, living healthier can make a difference in symptom severity. As a matter of fact, eating a healthier diet can make those with COPD feel better, enhance the level of energy needed for breathing, and fight off chest infections.

These tips can help with better management of COPD symptoms:

Don’t skip breakfast. For those with COPD, breathing burns ten times as many calories than in … Read More »

If you’re providing care for a loved one who struggles with COPD, you certainly are aware that outdoor air pollutants can exacerbate symptoms. However, did you realize that bad air quality in the home can also be concerning? Cleaning the air in the senior’s home can help everyone breathe more easily and be more comfortable.

The tips below from our California senior care experts can help:

No Smoking! Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke in your loved one’s home. If there is a fireplace in the person’s home, be aware that it can also be a source of irritation for those with COPD.
Reduce Chemical Exposure. Household chemicals such as paint and cleaning products can aggravate COPD symptoms, so decrease the use of toxic chemicals and keep lids on cleaning products when not being used. There are also healthier cleaning choices like … Read More »

Impacting as many as one out of every ten older adults, and even more prevalent in those who smoke, suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, or whose skin is more fragile, bed sores (also known as pressure sores or pressure injuries) are not just extremely painful – they can quickly progress to infections that can spread to the bloodstream and even become life-threatening.

For those with limited mobility or who are bed- or wheelchair-bound, and those who care for them, the battle against bed sores can seem endless. Resulting from a lack of blood flow when remaining in one position for too long, it’s imperative for those caring for a senior loved one to educate themselves about pressure sore prevention. Try some of these tips to help protect your loved one’s vulnerable skin from these dangerous sores:

Frequent Position Changes

Hourly if … Read More »

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, as many as 80% of those diagnosed with MS struggle with multiple sclerosis fatigue. And on warmer days, MS-related fatigue can be even worse, aggravated by heat and humidity. The encouraging news, however, is that there are steps that can be taken to combat multiple sclerosis fatigue and increase energy levels. Try these tips:

Nutrition

Try to get the most nutritional benefit from meals at breakfast and lunchtime.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Focus on whole foods like fruits and vegetables, and stay away from simple carbohydrates.
Foods high in iron, such as fish, eggs, fortified cereals and beans, can help fight fatigue.

Exercise

Implement and stick to a routine exercise program.
Avoid the heat, try a cooling vest, and limit activities during hotter weather or do activities that cool the body, such as swimming.

Ask for Help

Expend energy on … Read More »

It’s a well-known fact: the vast majority of seniors dream of aging in place over an eventual move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Who wouldn’t want to remain in the comfort of their own home throughout aging? Aging at home allows seniors an unparalleled sense of safety and security, in the home and community that are familiar. In order for this dream to become a reality, however, additional assistance at home might become necessary. Professional home care agencies, like Hired Hands Homecare, provide affordable solutions.

Here are 10 ways that home care truly makes a difference in a senior’s life:

Generally, in-home care leads to a higher satisfaction with life.
Professional home care allows dignity, independence and comfort for a senior.
Home care promotes healing. Studies have shown that patients heal more quickly at home versus in a hospital or nursing … Read More »

Sometimes, being diagnosed after struggling with debilitating symptoms can be a relief. Now, the condition has a name, and there’s a plan to treat it! This is certainly true with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If your senior loved one has been struggling through symptoms such as chronic coughing, wheezing, and fatigue, receiving a diagnosis of COPD could be the first step needed to improve her quality of life.

Here’s what you can expect from the doctor in determining if COPD is the culprit:

Assessment of the senior’s health and environment, to include smoking, exposure to pollutants, symptoms, and family health history
Testing such as spirometry (breathing into a machine to check lung functioning), x-rays and blood work
Creation of a treatment plan

COPD symptoms can vary from person to person, and as a result, treatment plans can differ as well. Here are some of … Read More »

Taking a leisurely afternoon stroll in the park, the feel of your toes in the sand at the beach, dancing to your favorite song. The one thing these happy moments all have in common is that they require strong, healthy feet. One of the top concerns for diabetics, aside from managing the disease itself, is the damage that diabetes can cause to the feet. Because of the potential for nerve damage, restricted blood flow, and a weakened immune system, wounds, particularly on the feet, can be difficult to heal.

To stay a step ahead of diabetes-related foot problems, try these tips courtesy of the American Diabetes Association:

Keep your diabetes in check: Stay on top of your diabetes care overall with your health care team, keeping your blood glucose in the appropriate range.
Check your feet daily: Set aside time each day to … Read More »