For many Dallas seniors, accepting help means admitting that they no longer have the ability to live independently or care for themselves, and this can be a hard thing to get over. If you’ve begun to notice someone you love struggling, and their health or safety is at risk, it might be the right time to try and convince them that help is to their benefit. Here are 7 ways you can try to gently convince your senior it’s time for help around the home:

1. Remember change is difficult for everyone – their resistance might be frustrating, but think about how you would feel in the same situation

2. Give him/her time to come around – introduce changes slowly, but don’t force them. Eventually, the changes if for your senior’s benefit will be more accepted, once they get past denying they need help

3. Keep on trying – if you try to introduce a change and it’s not accepted, wait and try again. Sometimes even 15 minutes can make a world of difference

4. Keep them involved in decisions – let your senior know he/she does have a say in making decisions about care. However, do try and be persuasive about introducing care options

5. Offer a trial period – if they are resistant, persuade your senior to give your suggestion a try. A trial period with a home caregiver or with you helping around the house may help them to realize how much it can ease their burden

6. Present it as help for them – when suggesting you help them out or hire a caregiver, don’t present it as a result of their limitations, tell them it’s to have someone available to clean up around the house so they don’t feel obligated, or to help with moving of heavy objects

7. Know when to stop pushing – remember, that despite your concerns, your senior is still someone who is capable and allowed to make their own decisions. If you have tried the above to no avail, no when to stop pushing otherwise you might risk your relationship

Via: National Caregiver’s Library

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Q – I find that my mom seems to be a little bit depressed in more recent years. It seems like she’s just barely surviving, and not taking any enjoyment out of the activities that she does. What can I do to encourage her to find happiness?

A – Getting older can be hard, there are a lot of changes and a great deal of uncertainty which can leave seniors feel like they’re just making it through emotionally. Here are 6 ways to help seniors get through the day with happiness:

1. Encourage physical activity – exercise releases hormones which can help stave off depression. Instead of sitting around at home during a visit with a senior, go out for a walk or pick another activity that’s well suited to the senior’s physical capabilities.

2. Create social situations – the best way to boost senior morale and prevent loneliness is to get them involved in social situations. Invite your senior to a party or encourage them to join a social activity.

3.  Help maintain a healthy diet – studies have proven that a well-balanced diet can prevent depression, so keep your senior’s fridge well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. Offer support – if your efforts just don’t seem to boost your senior’s morale or they continue to struggle with elderly depression, make sure they know you are willing to listen to anything on their mind. If they aren’t comfortable talking with a friend or family member, encourage them to speak with a counselor or join a support group for seniors.

5. Encourage their hobbies – while some seniors may withdraw from activities they enjoy, encourage your senior to keep them up or find some new things that interest him/her.

6. Improve the living space – if your senior spends a lot of time in his/her home, even if it’s in an assisted living facility, personalize the space to help them feel comfortable. Photos, décor in their favorite colors and other personal comforts will help seniors feel like they belong there!

Sources:

1. Senior Journal: Kara Gavin
2. Everyday Health

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Many seniors live in fear that when they reach older adulthood they will be subjected to chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer or heart attack. Although it’s not possible to change genetic influences, these individuals can take control over their health by adopting healthy habits. Here are 4 ways that Dallas seniors can prevent chronic illness:

1. No smoking – the participants in a study who had the least instances of cancer, diabetes, heart attack and other health problems in older adulthood never smoked during their lives
2. Active lifestyle – the healthiest older adults have always lead relatively active lives, engaging in exercise or sports for 3.5 hours or more on a weekly basis
3. Healthy eating – seniors at least risk for cancer, diabetes and heart attack limited their intake of red meat, and stuck to lean proteins and ate lots of fruits and vegetables and have always had this routine
4. Controlled body weight – those least at risk for critical and chronic illnesses have always watched their weight, maintaining a Body Mass Index of 30 or under during their lives

Although these steps do not guarantee that seniors won’t fall ill later in life, studies have shown that individuals with these healthy habits have a great reduced risk!

Via: Mercury News

Home Instead 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.

September is prostate cancer awareness month, and it’s not just about recognizing and detecting the crippling disease in Dallas seniors, it’s also about learning how to cope with it should it happen to you. Here are some tips for coping with prostate cancer:

1. Embrace knowledge – knowledge really is power, so research the disease, the symptoms, and the treatment options so you know exactly what to expect from it. At a time when you might feel hopeless, this can help you regain a sense of power over the situation
2. Accept support – you don’t have to do it alone; accept support from family and friends to the degree that you’re comfortable with and form a united front against the disease. You can even join a support group for other seniors with similar struggles
3. Recognize your partner’s struggles – even if you have the disease, your partner is suffering almost as much at the time of diagnosis. Don’t shut her out; try to get through it together
4. Don’t let it affect your masculinity – many men fear prostate cancer because it can mean loss of sexual function. Not all options lead to this, so do your research so you can make an informed decision. Also know that whatever happens, you aren’t less of a man, and no one who loves you would ever think that!
5. Be honest – don’t hold back; recognize your physical symptoms and share them with your doctor. Also don’t hesitate to let him/her know if you want a second opinion form another Dallas doctor, or if you’re uncomfortable with a treatment option
6. Keep pushing forward – no matter what happens, don’t accept defeat. Keep things going, never stop looking for knowledge, and never allow anyone else to make decisions for you as long as you’re able

Via: Prostate Cancer Institute

Bio-Medicine

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Planning your summer vacation or road trip that you’ve been looking forward to all year, only to discover that you local Dallas car rental agency won’t give you a car because of your age. It may sound like an issue most teenagers encounter, and while this is true, believe it or not, seniors face the same problems which can easily ruin a vacation. But don’t give up, because it is possible to pull it off; here’s how to rent a car after age 70:

1. Ask about age maximums – many rental car companies, or individual rental franchises in certain cities may very with their age limits. While some may not allow seniors over 70 to rent a car due to the potential cost of insurance following an accident, others may put no restrictions on maximum driving age
2. Check your insurance – check with your existing insurance policy and see if it will cover a rental car if you’re driving away from your Dallas home. Using existing insurance or purchasing new insurance may allow you to rent a car from a company that otherwise has age limitations
3. Start at home – if you determine that it’s cheaper to rent a car from a local Dallas agency, get your car at home and make it a longer road trip to your destination if the savings are worthwhile!
4. Pick up the phone – while looking at car rental agencies online might be a great way to get costs, companies don’t always post maximum age limitations online. Pick up the phone, and don’t be modest about your age. Tell them you’re a senior and find out if there are any restrictions or special steps that will need to be taken to rent a car at your age

Via: About

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It doesn’t matter what people tell you, no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to successfully accomplish your goals. Success it what you make of it, it means setting goals and striving to attain them no matter how big or how little you may perceive them. No matter what success means to you, you can find it in 10 simple steps:

1) Think positive – visualize yourself accomplishing whatever it is that you want to achieve with success. Avoid negative thoughts and negative people
2) Set your goals – be specific about your goals, whatever they may be. Set a date and stick to it, for example, tell yourself “next month I am going to start volunteering in the community”
3) Stick to your goals – if you set a goal, find a way to make it happen. Don’t make excuses or let fear hold you back. Without follow through goals don’t mean anything!
4) Embrace new wisdom – you’re never too old to learn something new, and you can never think that you know everything. Take a class, whether it’s at a Dallas college, or to learn a new hobby from a craft store or other place that will teach you about your new interest
5) Be persistent – not all goals can be accomplished immediately, but if you keep your eye on your goals and work through any trials and tribulations, you’ll get there
6) Make decisions wisely – get all the information you need an analyze decisions before you follow through
7) Invest in your future – if you have a goal, it’s okay to filter your time and money into achieving it. Don’t feel guilty or let anyone stand in your way!
Communicate – talk to others about your goals, ask them to be open and honest and give them the same in return
9) Be different – don’t set goals just because someone’s told you there’s certain things you should achieve in older adulthood, do what’s right for you!
10) Admit when you’re wrong – it’s okay to make mistakes, just make sure you admit it when you’re wrong

Sources:

1. About.com

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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) is the latest superbug which has been responsible for the spread of viruses amongst Dallas hospitals, nursing homes and other places where people get together and spread their germs. Seniors, especially those who have other illnesses, have naturally weaker immune systems and they are more likely to contract viruses and illnesses from this resistant bacteria.

1) Wash Your Hands –wash your hands often and ensure that that you know proper techniques to make sure that that bacteria is killed. Use hot water and soap and ensure that they scrub for 30 minutes.
2) There no such thing as washing too much –wash your hands before and after you do just about everything! When you go to the bathroom, before and after meals, anytime you touch objects in a very public place, if you sneeze or cough, and especially when around others who are ill
3) Use hand sanitizer if there’s no sink access – if seniors or caregivers don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will disinfect and help to kill bacteria like MRSA
4) Try not to touch anything in public restrooms – it may sound extreme, but you don’t know if others using the public restroom might have been sick when they touched doorknobs, doors and faucets in the washroom without washing their hands first. Use a paper towel when opening doors and wash your hands before you leave
5) Clean surfaces in your house – frequently clean doorknobs, faucets and other surfaces where you and others in the home frequently use their hands which can also spread bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners or those designed to combat MRSA can be effective!
6) Keep cuts clean – it’s important for cuts to be cleaned and bandaged so that MRSA can’t enter the wound
7) Use caution when treating someone else’s wound – avoid touching bandages or an open wound directly when helping someone else. Wear gloves and wash your hands after
Don’t share personal items – MRSA can be spread by sharing clothes, towels, tweezers, nail clippers, cosmetics and more
9) Don’t overuse antibiotics – using antibiotics for a virus can help increase MRSA’s resistance; always follow doctor’s instructions
10) See a doctor – if wounds aren’t healing well, seek medical attention

Sources:

1. MedLeague

2. How to Do Things

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It’s not uncommon for Dallas seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia to experience something called sundowning – increased confusion, anxiety and other symptoms of the diseases that appear or worsen in the evening hours only, when seniors can also become restless and get themselves into trouble when wandering around the home unsupervised. Sundowning can be challenging and even downright scary for caregivers who just aren’t sure how to appropriately care for their loved one at night.

In order to ease some of the stress that caregivers might face, here are 10 ways that they can cope with sundowning:

• Seniors should be checked out by their Dallas doctor to ensure that sundowning isn’t a result of another disease or illness
• Caregivers need to make sure that they’re flexible in their approach to dealing with their senior, especially at night
• Caregivers should ensure that seniors don’t consume caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening, otherwise restlessness can be worse
• Lighting in the home should be appropriate for the time of day, and there should be minimal glare and shadows so seniors don’t become more anxious by lack of visibility
• Caregivers and family should try to make seniors feel safe and secure by speaking soothingly despite their frustrations
• During the evening hours caregivers should make sure the senior’s needs are always met – that they’re not hungry, thirsty etc
• Naps should be avoided during the day to ensure seniors can sleep at night
• Soothing music can be played in the evening to promote relaxation, or other activities that help seniors unwind can be tried
• Stimulating and physical activities during the day can help seniors sleep better at night
• Caregivers and family members must always remember that seniors with Alzheimer’s aren’t behaving that way on purpose

Sources:

1. New York Times
2. Health Central

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Incontinence is a personal problem, and while you might feel you need to explain yourself to your co-workers at your Dallas workplace, it’s not necessarily something that you need to make public. However, keeping this personal issue private can be a challenge, as your co-workers might begin to notice you dashing off to the restroom in the middle of an important meeting or phone call, or notice the more unpleasant factors of urinary incontinence like odor or wetness.

To help keep urinary incontinence to yourself at the office, here are 10 tips that all Dallas seniors can benefit from when trying to figure out how to cope with urinary incontinence at work:

1) Get the right pads – menstrual pads are not designed the same as pads for incontinence, get some good quality absorbent pads that can also help to control odor. These will come in handy during a long, important meeting when you can’t escape to the bathroom
2) Practice odor prevention – some incontinence products release a pleasant odor when in contact with fluid, or you can buy sprays to help control the effects of incontinence
3) Use a tampon – for women, tampons also put pressure on the urethra which can also help to control leaks that come with incontinence
4) Watch what you drink – despite the need to remain hydrated, during a long meeting, avoid drinking too much water or coffee, otherwise you’ll have a full bladder and might leak when you stand
5) Consider your wardrobe – choosing darker colored suits for the office will help to mask the presence of fluid
6) Do kegels – to strengthen bladder muscles, regularly contract the muscles you’d use to stop the flow of urine
7) Train your bladder – try to slowly increase the time between bathroom visits until you can go between 3-4 hours between trips
Use a pessary – most common to help bladder weakness after pregnancy, a pessary can help to control incontinence
9) Use deep breathing – when you feel the urge to go, practice deep breathing for 5 minutes until the need passes.
10)  Tighten the pelvic muscles – when you’re going to laugh or cough, tighten the pelvic muscles to prevent leakage

Sources:

1. Web MD
2. Wikipedia

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I’m a caregiver in Dallas and one of the major reasons that families turn to me, is because they recognize that maybe their loved ones driving skills just aren’t what they used to be, and they worry that something serious could happen when they get behind the wheel of a car. This is something that I see regularly with the senior care recipients that I work with, and I am more than happy to step in and transport them on their errands or to appointments as needed. Many senses decline as we get older, and seniors and their families need to recognize what a serious impact this can have when these older adults get behind the wheel.

Caregivers and families, recognize when your senior’s senses are changing and when it might be time to step in before getting behind the wheel of a car puts your loved ones at risk.

• Sensing behind the wheel changes, with regards to vision and hearing. 85% to 90% of safe driving relies upon the eyes and the eyes change in a number of ways, including diminished light entering the eyes, declining focus, increased sensitivity to glare, difficulty perceiving color, diminished depth perception and narrowed peripheral vision. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, and it can affect a driver’s ability to take in their surroundings
• Deciding – once the senses take in information, the brain needs to process what to do with it. In older adults, it takes longer to process information, which can decrease the reaction time needed to respond to situations on the road
• Reacting – this can be affected by a few things. While seniors might know that they need to respond, their level of physical fitness or mobility or their medications might inhibit them from physically responding when behind the wheel of a car

Sources:

1. AAASeniors

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Home Instead 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.