After a stroke, my mom lost her ability to speak. At first when she came home from a stay in a Dallas hospital, the family was uncertain of how to communicate with her. As her primary caregiver, I felt it awkward being in a room with her all of a sudden, because it felt like she wasn’t there, so I would provide for her care and then go about my own business until there was something I needed to do for her again. Then one day it dawned on me; my mom might no longer be able to communicate with me…but the same person she had always been was still in there somewhere, and I was acting like she no longer existed.
We may no longer have been able to hold a conversation before, but I would talk to my mom even if she couldn’t answer; walking her through things I was doing, or even telling her about the things that her grandchildren who no longer lived in Dallas had been up to. I could see that she could still hear me, because her face would light up, in particular when I would update her on the life of a family member. My mom might no longer be able to talk to me about what she’s feeling; but she’s still in there, and she’s still her, regardless of whether or not her personality is able to come out.
In the summer months, it’s difficult for seniors to stay cool and comfortable. A study featuring seniors over the age of 65 in four U.S. cities reveals that although 90 percent of the respondents/seniors were aware there was a heat warning, only about half of the them paid heed or did anything about it. They thought the warnings were targeting the much “older” American.
To make sure that your senior loved one remains safe and healthy during the hot summer months, we give you some important tips to follow:
When it’s too hot to go outside for activities, take a nap or read a book. Just stay out of the hot outdoors.
Keep the window blinds pulled down. Keep the house tightly closed for higher energy efficiency.
Make sure water is available in every room throughout the home. We suggest having a glass filled with water for quick access.
Dress in cool, lighter color and light weight clothing.
Instruct them to stay inside and out the hot sun during the hottest times of the day.
Traveling Abroad and Avoiding Pickpockets, Scammers, and Thieves As A Senior Citizen
When traveling overseas as a senior citizen, the experience is often a thrill, getting away from the norms of life back home and seeing ancient structures and a different culture in action. While traveling can be exciting and a thrill, senior tourists need to be careful abroad, never throwing their inhibitions aside just because they are on vacation.
1. All eyes on deck—From purses, wallets, to over the shoulder bags, seniors should always have a hand on their valuables. Crowded streets and tourist sites are breeding grounds of pickpockets. Consider a bag that zips shut completely so that no one else’s hand besides your own enters your bag.
2. Scammers love tourists—Being a tourist, seniors can become the target of scams. Usually if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t trust everyone you meet. Always keep your guard up and go with your instinct on whether someone is genuine or not.
3. Think about joining a guided tour—While scammers target tourists, sometimes tours with a local guide are less susceptible to thieves or con artists. By having a set itinerary and a guide, seniors never have to appear like they don’t know where they are going. Someone else is guiding so that pickpocket can’t take advantage of a lost senior tourist.
People who develop skin cancer and detect it in the early stages have a very high success rate for treatment. It is important to take steps to protect the skin from the sun to reduce the chances of skin cancer. However, is seniors notice any developing spots on their skin, they should have them looked at by a doctor to see if they may be cancer. Some additional tips and information on skin cancer and sun safety are provided below.
1. Always use a sunscreen when outside. Even on cloudy days, the rays of the sun can do damage to the sensitive skin of the elderly.
2. Wear protective clothing that will help protect the skin. Light and airy clothes can cover arms and legs but still allow seniors to remain cool.
3. If any spots or abnormal bumps appear on the skin, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Older seniors cannot take any chances, so as soon as something out of the ordinary is notices, they should have it checked out.
4. There is no need for blood work, x-rays or other tests to find possible skin cancer. It just takes your eyes, so make sure to check and watch for anything that may indicate skin cancer.
5. If skin cancer does develop, effective treatment is available, especially if the cancer is caught in the early stages.
Men who are over the age of 60 may start to experience major changes that can have an effect on their sexual performance and drive. This is very common. There are many reasons for these changes, some of which are health conditions. Other things simply happen as they body ages. The list below provides some interesting information for senior men on changes they may encounter and why.
1. The decrease in testosterone will usually stabilize around the age of 60. Some men may opt for replacement therapy to keep their levels up if they are experiencing many problems as a result of low levels.
2. High blood pressure can affect sexual health in senior men. If blood does not flow freely through the body, men will have difficulty achieving erections.
3. Diabetes also plays a large role in the sex life of a senior male. Diabetes is known to cause impotence. Men who have diabetes are also at a high risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction.
4. Pain can impair a sex life. If men have arthritis or other conditions that cause physical pain, there will be changes regarding sexual relations.
5. Incontinence is a common condition. Many men who have this problem may actually have a fear of having sex because they cannot control their bladder.
Senior citizens have a right to feel independence, regardless of age or disability. Modern technology has changed the lives of human beings for many years, and continues to expand to our benefit. With the most innovative minds researching worldwide, including Intel and Accenture, Nana Technology is the way of the future. This technology can change the way senior citizens live on a daily basis, creating a carefree piece of mind for their friends and families, and instilling dignity in the individual.
Some of these new technologies include the following:
Smart Telephones – catering to those with memory issues, this phone includes imagery photo identification when the phone rings, details about previous conversations with the caller, and relationship status
Pill Dispensers – Medication management is essential, especially for seniors. Digital pill boxes that can alert when pills need to be taken, reports when pills are missed, and can even call a nurse or caregiver if no pill is taken within 90 minutes, can be lifesaving technology.
Walkers – can be accessed by remote control to avoid falls, and can sense obstacles in its way. The walker can detect balance, weight distribution, and signs when an individual is at risk of falling.
Computer Programs to help cognition – online card games that are similar to solitaire, to record progress in memory and can even tell if cognition is being lost on a gradual basis.
Online Medicine Cabinet – Mirror is a computer screen that has recognition software inside of it. It can automatically refill a prescription, personally greet the individual who is using it, and gives different pill warnings and their side effects. It will come with a blood pressure detector that will phone a doctor if required.
Pendants – seniors wear these pendants around their neck, which has a button that can be pressed in case of emergency.
Tracking systems – Designed for people suffering from Alzheimer’s, this system tracks mental health, social systems, and ensures that wandering and getting lost is not an option.
Balance Booster – almost like computers on your shoes, these balance indicators will send vibrations to the individual walking, warning them about balance, gait, and indications of a falling risk.
Mailbox Alerts – Knowing when mail is placed in a mailbox can save a senior anxiety of checking the mail several times a day.
It is important for seniors to take precautions in the sun and protect their skin from being burnt. By using some of the sunscreens that are listed below, seniors will be able to safely enjoy the summer days in the sun. All seniors should take steps to stay safe and protect their skin from the rays of the sun.
1. Up & Up Sport Continuous SPF 30 is one of the best sunscreens available. This is applied by a spray, so seniors can easily use the product. It is available at Target.
2. Sport Continuous SPF 50 from Walgreens is another great choice. This is also a spray and is affordable. This will protect seniors from ultraviolet rays.
3. Banana Boat Sport Performance Continuous SPF 30 is commonly used by seniors who spend a lot of time outside.
4. Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF 50 will cost a little more, but it is a trusted brand.
5. Seniors should always protect themselves from the sun. Not only will this protect them from burning, but it will also reduce the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
Home Health Senior Care Dallas – Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934
Annual health screenings can help men prevent the onset of some serious medical conditions. It is important for men to go to the doctor for these screenings even if they have no other medical problems at the time. The list below contains some of the screenings that should be performed and how often they should be done.
1. The visit will allow the doctor to screen for possible diseases. It will also enable the physician to be able to assess the possible risks of future medical problems.
2. At the visit, doctors will encourage men to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes a proper diet and exercise.
3. These visits will help patients monitor blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol. If these things are not monitored, they could present some serious problems in the future.
4. Men over the age of 65 should have an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.
5. If the level of cholesterol is normal at a visit, it should be checked again every three to five years.
6. Men should also have a colon cancer screening every year. A colonoscopy should be done every ten years. If there is a history of colon cancer in the family or if the patient is at risk, the colonoscopy may be performed more often.
As more and more seniors make the decision to stay in their homes, family members become concerned about home hazards. Many times, seniors do not see certain things as being a hazard. The list below contains information about common household hazards and how these can be removed to ensure the safety of the senior.
1. The bathroom is the most common place for an injury to occur. Seniors should have safety bars installed. Some seniors may benefit from a seated chair that can be placed in the tub to avoid falls while showering. Install a hand held shower head so that showering can be done while sitting.
2. Remove all scatter rugs. These can cause the senior to fall and injure themselves.
3. Make sure that there is plenty of good lighting in the home. Many seniors have vision problems and seeing in the dark is very difficult. Also install night-lights in hallways and bathrooms.
4. If there are stairs in the home, make sure they have railings. Some seniors have extreme difficulty going up and down stairs, so they may benefit from a chair lift.
5. Safety railings on the side of the bed can help prevent seniors from rolling out of bed and receiving an injury.
6. Make sure there is minimal clutter and that the furniture arrangements allow for easy movement through the house.
Can You Prevent Your Mom from Having an Accident Unattended?
As a geriatric care specialist, I often receive questions from my clients; seniors and their families, about what would happen if their loved one had an accident in the home when no one was around. Family members worry that their senior, living alone, might have an accident or fall and remain unattended and without help for hours until someone discovers that something just isn’t right. My recommendation to these individuals is to invest in a Personal Emergency Response System, because while accidents may happen in even the safest home, at least with such a technology someone can be notified once an incident occurs, providing the senior the help they need in response.
Personal Emergency Response Systems allow seniors to press a button once they’ve had a fall or accident to contact a monitoring service that notifies a family member or emergency response. These services can also help remind seniors to take their medication and allow them to communicate directly with someone when an emergency occurs. While I do provide my clients with a number of tips that may help them reduce the likelihood of accidents in the home, unfortunately, they still can happen, but by taking advantage of today’s technology there is an added element of safety so if something does occur, the senior’s needs can be attended to.
