Home Health Dallas provides elder care and senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Home Safety Checklist in Dallas - LIsten to our offer for seniors in Dallas concerned about home safety hazards.

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Safety for Dallas Elderly and Family Caregivers - Avoiding Assault

Unfortunately, the elderly are sometimes victims of robbery and other violent crimes. The number of crimes committed against older people is rising sharply, with assaults against the elderly doubling in the past eight years. Here are some helpful tips to guide you if you are ever facing a potentially dangerous situation.

How you can avoid danger

1. Trust yourself. Paying close attention to your instincts is crucial. Your senses can pick up on danger so always listen to yourself.

2. Be aware of your surroundings. It is never a good idea to leave the front door open, your valuables in the car, your purse on top of your office desk, or to flaunt your valuable jewelry. These actions can provide temptation and opportunity for offenders.

3. Pay attention to the people around you. It is important to pay attention to this advice so you will listen to your instincts and also be aware of what is happening around you. You can often sense what someone’s intentions are by the way they are looking at you.

4. Act confident and focused. Just like you can sense someone else’s feelings, they can sense yours. What a predators looks for are people who are meek, mild, weak, unfocused, and distracted.  Try to present yourself in an assertive manner. When walking down the street, make eye contact with people who look at you. Give out signals to the would-be offender that you are in charge and aware that they are there.

 How to Defend Yourself

1. Have an escape plan. Know the layout of your surroundings .In the senior’s home, know where the power switch is, and know your way in the dark. This can give you an advantage over intruders

2. Train your body. Get in shape. Being healthy is important, and could make a big difference in your ability to protect yourself.

3. React quickly to danger. The time in which you react is critical to how you are able to come through without being hurt.  

Hopefully you will never be put in this situation, but it is always good to be prepared and be cautious.

Home Health Dallas provides elder care and senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Home Safety Checklist in Dallas - LIsten to our offer for seniors in Dallas concerned about home safety hazards.

Click here to listen…

This week our focus is on “Safety in the Home”. Home Instead Senior Care has put together this helpful list, so that all caregivers can check the senior’s home to make sure that it is safe for everyone. Also, make a note of the fantastic “special offer” we have going currently. All you have to do is submit your e-mail address and Home Instead Senior Care will provide a 15 minute home safety check, free of charge! There are no strings attached, and we promise you won’t be receiving a bunch of spam mail. This is a service that we are more than happy to provide to show you just how much you are valued by us.
Things to check when doing a home safety inspection:

· Keep the entrance well lit, and the railing is secure. Make sure that visitors are visible and the lock is in working order.

· Keep the living area uncluttered, rugs safe for movement, and electric cords safely attached.

· Check in the kitchen to make sure the faucets, stove burners, and oven is working.

· In the bedroom, make sure the nightstand is available for personal items.

· Bathrooms should have safety mats in the tub and fixtures in working condition.

These and many other safety features will be evaluated in your home, at your leisure, if you sign up today!

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas provides non medical, in-home senior care for Dallas Seniors and Elders choosing to live at home instead of Assisted Living or Nursing Home facilities.  Call us for in-home care help at 972-239-3934.

Keeping your elder’s home in Dallas - Carbon Monoxide Safety

With the cold weather fast approaching, it is important to remember to keep our senior’s safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. Being exposed to unhealthy amounts of carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Symptoms are sleepiness, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The following ways to prevent overexposure to carbon monoxide:

• Get heating systems inspected
• Make sure the chimney is properly vented
• Do not heat a home with a gas oven or clothes dryer
• Use exhaust fans while cooking
• Do not leave cars running in the garage

Carbon monoxide detectors can alert you and your clients to abnormal levels of carbon monoxide gas. If a carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds, and you and the senior are experiencing flu-like symptoms, immediately ventilate the home by opening the doors and windows. Shut off fuel-operated appliances and heating systems and leave. Then call the fire department as quickly as possible.

Remember, one can never be too protective when it comes to safety!

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas provides in-home Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Memory Loss Care to Dallas Seniors and Elders choosing to live at home instead of Assisted Living or Nursing Home facilities.  Call us for in-home care help at 972-239-3934.

Home Instead Senior CAREGivers know the value of patience and helping Alzheimer’s clients do what they can on their own.  This often involves maintaining a regular routine, and using a series of easily understood cues and prompts.  The Home Instead Senior Care approach is to encourage ongoing communication between CAREGiver and client – for instance, emphasizing short, simple sentences; regular eye contact; and appropriate body language.

CAREGivers are even trained to help clients with Alzheimer’s disease when these individuals are moved to nursing facilities or to Alzheimer’s special-care units.  A CAREGiver helps add structure to an Alzheimer’s resident’s day and helps minimize the time this individual will spend alone.  More importantly, a CAREGiver’s presence can help reduce wandering and creates a safer environment for the person.  In addition, CAREGivers recognize when clients have had too much stimulation and may be about to have what we refer to as “catastrophic reactions.”  They can then adjust their approaches to help calm and reassure these clients.

Home Health Dallas - (972) 239-3934

High Blood Pressure Is on the Rise for Dallas Elders

More Americans than ever are being treated for high blood pressure, researchers from the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute say. The major factor in this dramatic increase in Americans with high blood pressure appears to be obesity, they said.

“Additional efforts are needed to prevent hypertension from developing in the first place, with primary emphasis on prevention of obesity,” said lead researcher Paul Sorlie, chief of the Epidemiology Branch in the institute’s Division of Prevention and Population Sciences. “For those who have hypertension, additional efforts are needed to diagnose, treat and effectively control hypertension to reduce the adverse outcomes associated with hypertension.”

HealthDay reports researchers found that, from 1994 to 2004, the percentage of Americans with high blood pressure increased from 50.3 percent to 55.5 percent. The number of people with prehypertension increased from 32.3 percent to 36.1 percent.

During the study period, 72 percent of those with high blood pressure knew they had it, and 61 percent were being treated. However, only 35 percent had their blood pressure under control, researchers found.

Sorlie said it’s essential that people are aware of their blood pressure, and that those with high blood pressure work to get it under control.

DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & HOME HEALTH IN DALLAS - Home Instead Senior Care - (972) 239-3934.

HOME HEALTH DALLAS & MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: ALZHEIMER’S CARE

As a registered nurse, I have a great deal of first hand experience when it comes to Alzheimer’s care. While I currently work in a medical practice, early in my career I actually provided in home medical care for senior citizens, suffering from various ailments, including Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Fortunately, the education and training I received while going through the Nursing program prepared me for the affects of the disease and the changes that an individual undergoes as it progresses; I know that having this information enabled me to be more compassionate to my patients and provide more effective care.

Unfortunately, not all caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients receive the same benefit since many are family members caring for their loved ones who are often overwhelmed with their responsibilities, and learn about the disease through experience dealing with their relative.

When I meet with caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients at my current practice, I do what I can to point them towards resources that will help educate them about the disease, and pass on some useful tips that I learned through my own experience in the field.

Visit in a day to read our tips for Alzheimer’s Care in Dallas.

Dallas Home Instead Senior Care - (972) 239-3934.

Survey Shows Disparities between Beliefs and Behavior in Pursuing Alzheimer’s Diagnosis in Dallas

Despite overwhelming support for early Alzheimer’s disease screening and detection in Dallas, a new survey reveals there are striking differences between intentions and actual behavior. The findings are the result of an online survey, “Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Attitudes, Perceptions, and Knowledge,” of 1,040 adults age 55 and over.

Nearly 95 percent of the respondents agreed that they would encourage a loved one to seek early diagnosis upon suspecting signs of Alzheimer’s disease. However, of the 34 percent who previously thought a loved one had the disease, only about one-quarter prompted that person to be screened and less than 40 percent encouraged initiating a conversation with his or her doctor.

The survey also found that more than 90 percent of adults age 55 and older are unable to identify the difference between early disease symptoms, late disease symptoms and symptoms unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease, despite the fact that 78 percent believe they could recognize signs of the disease in themselves or a loved one.

The online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Disease Screening Discussion Group (ADSDG).

“Last year the Alzheimer’s Disease Screening Discussion Group encouraged seniors to become more familiar with the first signs of Alzheimer’s in order to facilitate earlier screening and diagnosis,” said Dr. Richard Stefanacci, founding executive director, Geriatric Health Program, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, survey co-chair and member of the ADSDG. “This new survey shows us that close friends and relatives are not encouraging their loved ones to take action, and perhaps that’s because they’re not confident in their ability to identify Alzheimer’s symptoms. The unfortunate result is that many patients may not get diagnosed until the disease is in its later stages.”

Nearly one-third of those surveyed were unaware there are Alzheimer’s disease medications currently available, and about 85 percent of those who are aware do not understand how treatment works.

Read full article on Beliefs and Behavior in Pursuing Alzheimer’s Diagnosis.

ALZHEIMER’S CARE AND SUPPORT

A family caregiver, Leslie, who is a single mother caring for a young daughter as well as her 91 year old grandmother living in Dallas, has begun spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s disease after a scary situation occurred with her own grandmother, who has been suffering from the disease for a number of years.

Leslie discusses how she determined that further assistance would be required in order to safely and effectively care for her ailing loved one, “Because my grandmother is at my Dallas home alone during the day, I come home over my lunch hour to check on her.

Grandmother has been living with me for three years, but still thinks she is visiting. At first, she was quite independent and resisted any kind of help, saying she could do everything on her one. One day I discovered that she had gone into the back yard, locked the door behind her and spent the afternoon sitting in the sun.

The temperature reached 100 degrees that day, and Grandmother had not eaten or drank anything all day. This made me realize that for her safety and well-being, she shouldn’t be alone anymore.” So, after this occurred, Leslie sought help from a professional, non-medical care organization to look after her grandmother during the hours when she was at work or occupied with her daughter.

For me, this was a wakeup call; I had been caring part time for my own elderly mother, who was only in the early stages of Alzheimer’s for a number of months. Not only did Leslie’s situation remind me that I wasn’t alone, but I knew that I needed to further educate myself about the disease and seek support.

I found a local support group for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, where on a regular basis they reminded us that we aren’t alone; that in fact, 80% of caregivers of Alzheimer’s are family members. This group has provided me an outlet to talk about the challenges and stresses of dealing with a relative who suffers from Alzheimer’s, and I know now that I really don’t have to go it alone.

Home Instead Senior Care - (972) 239-3934.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care in Dallas

There are 4.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, and many of these individuals require care 24/7 due to the progression of the disease; care is most often provided by a family caregiver, usually an adult child or spouse.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be physically demanding and emotionally trying since the individual’s personality may change drastically, or they may become physically or verbally abusive to those around them.

Tips for Caregivers

1. Be prepared & learn about the disease – read about the disease and its affects so you are prepared for how it may progress

2. Exercise patience – remember not to take their behavior personally, they’re not trying to make your frustrated or angry; it’s a direct result of the disease

3. Avoid correcting – if they are confused about a person or situation, avoid correcting them to limit frustration; instead, ask simple questions about their statements and involve them in conversation

4. Encourage independence – while your care recipient may not be capable of doing everything self sufficiently, you can prompt them to begin tasks on their own but with you available to step in should they need assistance

5. Seek support – you don’t have to do it alone, have family friends, or a caregiving organization step in to give you a break. Also consider joining a support group for caregivers of individuals with dementia/Alzheimer’s as it can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through

6. Use resources – there are professionals who can assist you with the legal factors of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s; such as making senior care decisions, learning about elder law issues and Power of Attorney, asset management and creating a will

7. Get professional assistance – having a professional caregiver assist with everyday tasks, can give you the chance to spend more quality time with your loved one

8. Eliminate distractions – too much aural and visual stimulation can be overwhelming to someone with Alzheimer’s, try to maintain a quiet, comfortable environment whenever possible

9. Know how to communicate – speak slowly and clearly and control your pitch and tone

10. Use positive body language – individuals with Alzheimer’s are sensitive to physical signs; try not to demonstrate tension in your body to avoid causing anxiety

LEARNING ABOUT DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN DALLAS - Home Instead Senior Care - (972) 239-3934.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is more than just memory lapses, which we all experience from time to time, it is caused by actual changes in brain function which can dramatically alter memory, personality and behavior. Dementia is not always permanent and can be reversed; causes can include vitamin deficiencies, poor nutrition, reactions to medication, or thyroid problems. However, if dementia is a result of mini strokes or Alzheimer’s disease, the affects are permanent.

Characteristics of Dementia

• Repetition of questions
• Disorientation, even when in familiar surroundings
• Decline in personal hygiene or nutrition
• Poor sense of time
• Inability to recognize known people

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s results from the death of numerous brain cells due to a deterioration to the nerve cells in the brain from a build up of plaques and tangles. Doctors have been unable to determine why this occurs, and unfortunately, no cure has been discovered to date.