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Understanding the Risk Factors for Pneumonia

Senior Care Bronx NY

Senior Care Bronx NYAs a family caregiver one of the most important care efforts that you put forth for your senior parent is understanding the health risks that your aging parent faces so that you can take the proper step to reduce those risks and keep them healthier as they age in place. During the fall and winter season you know that the risk for cold and flu is elevated, but for a senior adult, the risk goes further. Approximately 2 million people each year, the majority of them elderly adults, develop pneumonia. This often comes as a result of other infections and illnesses, such as the flu or a cold. This condition develops rapidly and can result in death if not handled properly. By understanding the risk factors you can help your parent reduce the chances that they will experience this serious lung infection.

Some of the risk factors for pneumonia include:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes
• Experiencing a recent cold
• Experiencing a recent flu
• History of laryngitis
• Health complications or challenges that make it difficult for your parent to swallow, this can include dementia, a stroke, or Parkinson’s disease
• Presence of an existing lung problem or infection, such as COPD
• Cerebral palsy
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Liver cirrhosis
• Recently spending time in a treatment facility with many other people, such as a hospitalization due to a recent illness or infection
• Recently having undergone surgery
• Recently suffering an injury or other trauma
• Weakened or suppressed immune system such as due to certain medications and treatments, illnesses, HIV, or other autoimmune conditions

Talk to your senior parent’s doctor about your aging loved one’s health and if there are any specific issues that might increase their risk of pneumonia. This allows the doctor to give you recommendations for how you can better protect your parent from this illness and its potentially devastating consequences. This is especially important if they have recently suffered an illness or extended stay in the hospital or a treatment facility and have been showing symptoms that concern you, such as high fever or cough that has not gotten better.

If you are concerned about your senior parent’s health, especially during the fall and winter seasons, starting senior care for them might be the ideal solution. A senior home care services provider can offer your aging parent a highly personalized set of services tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, beliefs, and lifestyle. Through this customized approach to care, support, encouragement, and assistance this care provider can help your parent manage their condition, get through their recovery in the most effective way possible, stay healthier and safer, and avoid future infections and illnesses.

When it comes to helping your parent manage their risk factors for pneumonia, this senior care provider can help your parent understand their risks, take proper steps to reduce these risks, and make choices that will support a healthier, more resilient body. With a continued care relationship, your parent can enjoy a lifestyle that is more active, engaged, and independent for a healthier, happier, and higher quality of life.

Source: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-causes-and-risk.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Bronx NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

Bathroom Safety Checklist for Seniors Dealing with Parkinson’s Disease

Home Care Services Brooklyn NY

Home Care Services Brooklyn NYAs a family caregiver for an elderly adult who is dealing with Parkinson’s disease, you know the importance of safety. This progressive condition can cause a wide variety of symptoms that interfere with your parent’s functioning and can put them at risk of injuries, including loss of balance, impaired gait, freezing, tremors, rigidity, weakness, and more. Going through their home and identifying potential risks and dangers enables you to make meaningful modifications that allow your parent to age in place safely, comfortably, and healthily as they progress through this disease. One area where this is particularly important is the bathroom.

Use this safety checklist to ensure that your parent’s bathroom is as safe as possible your loved one with PD:

• Ensure there are secure grab bars installed throughout the space to give your parent strong and reliable assistance if they have difficulty walking or become dizzy.
• Add an elevated seat to the toilet to reduce the distance that your parent will have to sit down and stand up, reducing the risk of falls.
• If possible, add seating near the sink to allow your parent to sit down during tasks such as shaving, brushing their hair, or brushing their teeth.
• Add a textured mat or stickers to the bottom of the tub to increase grip and friction and reduce the chances of falls.
• Place a shower bench or chair in the tub to allow your parent to sit during their shower to reduce the chances that they will get dizzy and fall, and to limit the need to stretch, reach, bend, or lift their feet while bathing.
• Ensure there is plenty of lighting to make seeing in all areas of the bathroom, including a closed shower, easy and effective.
• Remove potentially dangerous items such as straight razors and sharp scissors that could cause injury to an adult with tremors or range of motion issues.

Starting home care services for your elderly loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them as they progress through Parkinson’s disease. As their family caregiver you want what is best for your parent and to know that they are getting all of the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need on a regular basis to manage their challenges and limitations, address their symptoms, and promote the quality of life that you know they deserve. An in-home senior care services provider can help you to achieve this goal. Through a highly personalized set of services and a customized schedule, this home care provider ensures that you remain at the forefront of your parent’s care while also giving them everything that they need to maintain their independence and activity level, and enjoy better health and safety throughout their later years.

When it comes to keeping your elderly parent safe in their bathroom, this care provider can offer valuable assistance that not only protects your parent, but that can ease the stress and emotional strain often associated with these potentially sensitive care tasks. This gives your parent better mental and emotional health and can also ease your stress as you are able to step back from these possibly difficult tasks and instead focus your energy and attention on other needs.

Source:  https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-well/safety-at-home

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Brooklyn NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

New to Caregiving? Then You Will Need These Tips

Caregiver Manhattan NY

Caregiver Manhattan NYUnless you have ever cared for an aging parent, it can be challenging to know what your responsibilities will be. Every situation is different, but most family caregivers will feel overwhelmed over their endless list of duties. The best thing you can do is be prepared for what is to come.

The following information will help you do just that.

Feelings to Expect

Family caregivers often have a number of unexpected emotions that may arise. Some of these feelings include:

Anger: One possible emotion is anger towards either the person you are caring for or the world in general. You may also feel resentful towards family members and friends who do not have your amount of responsibilities.

Anxiety: Knowing that your loved one's health is deteriorating could cause feelings of anxiety and worry. You may also feel worried over whether or not you will be able to handle the caregiving responsibilities.

Guilt: Wanting to do more for an elderly loved one could cause feelings of guilt. Wanting to do a better job of caring for the elder by having more patience, etc could also cause feelings of guilt.

Healthy Tips for New Caregivers

In order to care for someone else, you need to have a healthy mind and body. Here are some ways to keep yourself feeling and looking great, while fulfilling your caregiving responsibilities.

Find a way to relax. Learning to de-stress is extremely important in order to continue enjoying your caregiving role. Reading, meditation, exercising, or yoga are all excellent ways to relieve stress from your life.

Ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed, then taking a break may be exactly what you need. Respite care will let you do that by having an experienced elder care provider take over for you, while you get a much-need break.

Socialize. Being a caregiver can cause you to feel isolated, which could lead to depression or burnout. To prevent this from happening, it is important that you continue interacting with friends and family through coffee dates, doing an activity you love, or by talking on the phone. Support groups may also help you become friends with people who understand your situation.

Take care of your health. Your health is just as important as that of your elderly parent. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and drinking, and get plenty of rest in order to keep your body working its best.

Being a caregiver can be a challenging job, but knowing this information should better prepare you for the future.

Source: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/caregiving/caregiving-support-and-help.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Manhattan NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

What Are the Best Ways to Help Keep Your Elderly Loved One in the Driver's Seat?

Elderly Care Long Island NY

Elderly Care Long Island NYOften elderly loved ones are intimidated and defensive about any type of conversation that could lead to having their car keys taken away. Once you understand that the fear is mostly about losing independence, it's easier to make an effort to help your loved one keep driving if she's able to do so.

Get an All Clear from Her Doctor

For starters, you need to make sure that your elderly loved one is medically able to keep driving. Medications and health conditions can certainly contribute to retiring early from the driver's seat, so it's important to make sure that your loved one is physically able to keep driving. Talk to her doctor about your concerns and get his point of view on her overall health and fitness.

Start an Exercise Plan

Driving is much more about physical ability than many people realize. Your loved one has to be strong enough to manage the wheel and flexible enough to be able to move the way she needs to in order to operate the car and to see around her. If she has range of motion issues or is lacking physical strength, those are just a few ways that she can work her way out of driving. With her doctor's blessing, start an exercise plan with your loved one. Focus on her weaknesses to turn those into strengths.

Work Her Brain, Too

Your loved one's mental abilities are just as important as her physical ones because there are a lot of decisions and calculations to make while driving. Start doing brain boosting activities together, such as puzzles, games, and other activities that help improve mental sharpness.

Keep Her Car in Tip Top Shape

Your loved one can be the best driver ever and if her car isn't in the best shape, she can still wind up with problems on the road. Make sure that her car is taken care of so that it can take care of her when she is out driving.

Reassess as Needed

As your loved one's family caregiver, it's your responsibility to revisit the conversation about driving if it seems that something has changed. Engage your loved one in open, honest discussions about her driving abilities and let her know she can come to you with her own concerns.

Make sure you let your loved one know that your biggest concern is her health and safety. This doesn't have to be a control issue if you don't make it one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Long Island NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

How to Care for Your Physical Health as a Family Caregiver

Home Health Care Hicksville NY

Home Health Care Hicksville NYYour physical health is vital to making sure that you can keep going as a family caregiver. If you're ignoring your own health, it's time for you to make some changes.

Pay Attention to Your Health Needs

Your body can let you know when something is wrong, but are you paying attention? Many times family caregivers are so worried about their elderly loved one's health that they manage to ignore their own. Take some time and really pay attention to how you're feeling. If it's been a while since you've been to see your own doctor, make an appointment today.

Exercise Regularly, Even for a Few Minutes
While you're at your doctor's office, check to make sure that it's okay for you to start an exercise program. Even if you only exercise for a few minutes every day, that's enough for your body to start experiencing benefits. Try starting out with something super easy, like walking around the block. Then you can work up to other exercise and longer periods of exercise as your health allows.

Set Health Goals for Yourself

It's important for you to have health goals of your own. These goals should be ones that are attainable for you and yet give you a bit of a challenge. You might want to cut back on processed foods, for example, or add more servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day. Whatever your goals are, remind yourself of them often and keep yourself accountable. That way you can ensure that you're more likely to meet those goals.

Manage Your Stress with Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques can do a lot to help you manage the daily stress you can experience from all aspects of your life. You might want to start meditating, add prayer to every day, or even take up yoga. All of these different techniques can teach you ways to manage your stress. Explore all the different options to find the ones that appeal to you the most.

Work with your loved one's senior home health care providers to set up a schedule that allows you to take care of yourself as well as your elderly loved one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Hicksville NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

Tips for Involving a Senior with Alzheimer’s Disease in Laundry Tasks

Homecare Little Neck NY

Homecare Little Neck NYBeing a family caregiver for an elderly adult who is going through Alzheimer’s disease can be an extremely challenging journey. You are faced with the reality that your parent’s needs and care can and will change, and that sometimes these changes will be unexpected and sudden. As you are managing these needs and trying to prepare yourself for the future of their changes, you must focus your attention on keeping your parent healthy and safe, and creating the highest quality of life possible for your senior. Part of this is helping them to maintain their independence.

Even if your loved one is struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, the concept of independence and autonomy are important. Feeling as though they still have control over their lives and can express themselves is vital to guarding their mental and emotional health and supporting ongoing cognitive functioning. This means that even as they progress through the disease your parent can hold on to more of their abilities and stay active and engaged in the world around them. One of the ways that you can do this is by keeping them involved in the basic everyday tasks around their home.

Use these tips to help involve a senior with Alzheimer’s disease in their laundry tasks:

• Sorting. Sorting and organizing are activities that seniors dealing with dementia often respond very well to. Gather up the laundry from around the house and encourage them to help you sort it into different loads. This can be as simple as dividing up colors, whites, and darks and then you can go further in dividing the loads by fabric or other specifications.

• Adding the detergent. Go through the process of starting the washer and then have your parent add the detergent. While you are doing this you can talk about the purpose of the detergent or encourage them to share memories that come up when thinking about doing laundry. This will keep their mind active and strengthen their memory skills.

• Print out picture instructions. If your elderly loved one is not far in the progression of the disease they might be able to handle the vast majority, if not all, of washing their own laundry. They might not, however, remember how to do it. This can result in confusion and frustration. Print out picture instructions that you can place near the washer and dryer so that your parent can follow them. Do this simply by going through the entire process of washing a load of laundry and taking a picture of each step. Remember that something like “turn on the washer” or “set the load” can be vague and confusing for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease. Help them by breaking down these steps further and providing any necessary information to help them handle each step effectively.

• Folding. Folding laundry is a simple and repetitive task that can be soothing for a senior dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Bring the dry laundry somewhere where your parent can sit down and fold the laundry with them. This is a great opportunity for you to talk and engage, further stimulating their mind.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Little Neck NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

Positive Thinking Month

Home Care Nassau County NY

Home Care Nassau County NYOctober is Positive Attitude month. Finding the history of this obscure national event is a little bit of a challenge, but whoever designated it certainly had their priorities in place. People have the choice to go through life with a positive attitude or a defeatist philosophy. Is it really a choice? Waking up happy with an attitude of gratitude is surely a boon to wandering through life looking for the next catastrophe. But, just as in the characters of Winnie The Pooh, there are those that live life as an Eeyore, filled with pessimism and gloom, and those who emulate Tigger, T—I—double G—er, and overflow with optimism and exuberance. So why is it that happiness is sometimes fleeting and sadness a formidable foe?

The truth is, people do have a choice—every day. The other truth is, life has its challenges and sometimes turning that frown upside down is more trouble than it’s worth. For those who are feeling the effects of aging and their children who are looking after them, there are bound to be days when Eeyore raises his head and whines. So here, then, are some suggestions, both for the elderly parent and the child, to help Tigger emerge the victor.

Take a Walk
Nature and physical exercise are two of the greatest elixirs for mental sludge. One lets the senses touch upon the immense beauty, sounds and smells that surround us, while the other increases both heart rate and those all-important mood stabilizers, the endorphins. In addition, the camaraderie established when doing it together helps build unity and reduces the feeling of isolation that is prominent among the aging population.

Comedy
When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with an incurable illness, did he pine away his remaining time on earth feeling sorry for himself? No! He decided to laugh. In fact, for 30 days he did nothing but watch comedy shows, read comic books and tell jokes. When, after 30 days, he went to the doctors for a check-up, the incurable disease was gone. While laughter may not be the cure for all ills, it certainly can distill worry or fear into joy and peace. So, when the blues start to creep in on parent or child, watch a movie together, read a book, tell each other jokes—do something that makes everybody laugh.

Take a Break
While unity and social exchange have their place, spending time alone is also an important part of living a balanced life and staying positive. This is where home care providers can help when it’s clear that the family caregiver needs a break or the parent requires more companionship and care than the family can provide. In-home senior care providers assist with the activities of daily living, including dressing and bathing, meal preparation and light housekeeping. Above and beyond this service, they provide loved ones with that all-important companionship that helps them remember their inner Tigger.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Nassau County NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

Should Moving into a New Home be a Part of Your Plans for Your Parent’s Long Term Care?

Caregiver Massapequa NY

Caregiver Massapequa NY

Taking on the role of being a family caregiver for your elderly loved one means making decisions every day that will influence the care that you give to your parent in the future. Some of these decisions will be minor and only affect the immediate future, such as that day or the next few days. Some, however, will be far more impactful and could influence your ability to care for your senior effectively years into the future. When making these decisions it is important that you do them carefully to ensure that you are making the choices that are right for you, for your parent, and for every other member of your family.

One decision that you might be considering as a part of your parent’s long term care is whether you might need to transition your family into a new home in order to give your parent the attentive level of care that they need and deserve.

Some things to keep in mind when considering whether moving your family into a new home should be a part of your parent’s long term care plan include:

• Proximity to your loved one’s home. Is your motivation for moving your family into a new home to bring you close to your aging loved one’s current home so that you are able to be there with them more often? If this is your motivation, consider whether it might be more logical to transition your parent into a home that is closer to your current home rather than moving your entire family. When making this decision, evaluate issues such as the area where you currently live, where your parent currently lives, the affordability of the areas, availability of housing, school districts, quality of healthcare, and other issues that might also influence your care.

• Future care style. Consider the type of care that your parent might need in the future. If they are open to the possibility of a home care provider becoming a part of their life in the next few weeks or months, you may be able to maintain a distance caregiver relationship and still feel confident that your parent is getting all of the care that they need, at least for a time. This can give you more time to find a home that your family loves, for your children to finish up their school year, for you or your partner to get a transfer to a new position, or handle other decisions that need to be in place before moving.

• The size of the home. Is your motivation for moving your family into a new home so that you will have the space for your parent to transition into living with you to receive better care? This might be a way to help you to give your parent the most of your time, effort, and energy as they are dealing with their personal challenges and limitations. Moving into a new home might ensure that you have the space that your parent needs to be comfortable and the rest of your family to maintain their privacy and comfort as well.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Massapequa NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

How Seniors Can Learn to Use a Computer Like a Pro

Senior Care Jamaica NY

Senior Care Jamaica NY

We are living in a technology-driven world where everyone could benefit from knowing how to use a computer. However, since older adults did not grow up with these contraptions, they may not be as enthusiastic to learn how to use a computer like the younger generations are. In fact, they may downright refuse to learn. They may resist learning because it looks too difficult or because they think they are too old to learn a new skill.

Whatever their reason, these ideas will encourage your loved one to want to become more familiar with computers. They may be more willing to learn if they have the support and encouragement from a family member or senior care provider.

Computer Learning Tips for Older Adults

Do you think your seniorloved one is ready to learn? Then here are some simple tips to get them started.

Enroll in a class. Many community and senior centers offer computer classes for elderly adults. These classes can teach your loved one basic skills that will help them navigate through a computer much quickly. SeniorNet.org is a website that provides seniors with the information they need to find a computer learning center in the elder’s area.

Read about it. For those elders who love to read, this may be the best way for them to learn. There are hundreds of how-to books available on the topic that will break down how to accomplish this new skill in simple steps.

Try an AARP workshop. AARP Tek Workshops are free learning workshops that will help the senior learn how to use tables, smartphones, and other forms of technology. They are available in most cities, which can be found on their website at AARPTEK.org.

Check out college courses. Some colleges have a program known as Lifelong Learning Institutes. This is a list of noncredit courses available to seniors and may include technology courses. Search the website of nearby colleges or give them a call to discover whether or not this is a program they are affiliated with.

Watch an instructional video. If your loved one has some basic skills on how to use a computer, but would like to expand their knowledge, they may want to watch an instructional video. A large amount of online services and videos are available online to help your loved one get the information they need.

Technology is no longer an option, but requirement in order to keep up with today’s rapidly moving world. These tips will help your loved one gain the knowledge they need to conquer this new skill.

Sources: https://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/helping-seniors-learn-new-technology/
https://seniornet.org/

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Jamaica NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.

Is It the Flu or a Cold?

Elder Care Bronx NY

Elder Care Bronx NY

The fall season brings many wonderful opportunities for you as a family caregiver, but it also ushers in cold and flu season. During this time of year your elderly loved one is at particular risk of contracting an illness or infection, including both of these common ailments. It is important to remember that elder adults have immune systems that are not as effective as those of younger adults so they are more susceptible to developing illness and infection. This means that a condition that you might experience as mild may develop into something very serious for your elder parent, possibly even leading to pneumonia.

One of the most important distinctions that you can make as a caregiver is the difference between a cold and the flu. While they can sometimes be easily confused, knowing the difference between them can help you to make the right decisions to help your parent get the care, treatment, and support that they need in order to minimize the negative consequences of the condition and recover as quickly as possible.

Some things to keep in mind when determining if your elder parent is dealing with a cold or the flu include:

• Both conditions are caused by viruses, meaning that they are not impacted by antibiotics.
• Colds tend to be less severe than flu, and are likely to have a shorter duration.
• While those with a common cold might experience mild body aches or headache, those who are suffering from the flu are likely to experience more intense versions of these symptoms.
• The flu tends to cause chills and cold sweats.
• A common cold is more likely to cause a stuffy or runny nose.
• The fatigue associated with the flu tends to be much more pronounced and longer lasting than that of a common cold.

Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to tell the difference between these two conditions. If you are concerned about your loved one’s health or think that their symptoms are too serious, get in touch with their doctor so that they can get the appropriate evaluation, diagnosis, and course of treatment to help them recover effectively.

Elder care can be an ideal solution for helping your aging parent stay healthier and have a more enjoyable, fulfilling quality of life as they age. An elderly home care services provider can create a personalized approach to care, assistance, support, and encouragement tailored to their individual needs, challenges, limitations, and goals so that your loved one can stay healthier, stronger, and more engaged in the world around them. When it comes to preventing cold, flu, and other infections and illnesses, this elder care provider can help them to create and maintain an aggressive germ control approach that can help them prevent contracting these germs whether they are at home or out and about. Through this simple process, as well as eating a healthier diet, getting enough rest, and staying active, your parent can avoid issues that put their health and wellbeing at serious risk.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Bronx NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.