By Diana Rodriguez

Heart disease is a major threat to senior health – in fact, 84 percent of people age 65 years and older die from heart disease.  Though heart disease risks increase with age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older.  The right lifestyle habits and a heart-healthy diet can help protect you.

What exactly is heart disease?  It’s a term given to a group of different health conditions that affect the heart.  In the United States, the most common form of heart disease is called coronary artery disease (CAD).  CAD is often responsible for serious cardiovascular events like a heart attack, heart failure, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat, also call arrhythmia.

know the symptoms of heart disease

The warning signs of heart disease often don’t appear until you’re having a heart attack.  Symptoms of an emergency or impending heart attack may include:

   * Feeling faint

   * Weakness or a sensation of light-headedness

   * Having a hard time catching your breath

   * Feeling nauseous or vomiting

   * Feeling very full or having indigestion

   * Pain in the chest or an uncomfortable pressure in the chest

   * Unusual pains in the back, shoulders, or neck

   * Sweating

   * An irregular heartbeat

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR HEART DISEASE RISKS

Many health conditions can contribute to heart disease and increase your risk of having a heart attack.  Heart disease treatment and heart attack prevention requires that you treat all other contributing health problems and keep them under control.  To treat heart disease you should:

Lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels

Keep diabetes under control

Take medication to treat angina (chest pain)

There are medications that can help treat the various aspects of heart disease.  To manage chest pain, nitrates, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers may be recommended.  Your doctor may also suggest taking a daily aspirin to help reduce the risk of a heart attack.

7 STEPS TO HEART DISEASE PREVENTION

You can keep your heart healthy no matter how old you are, but it does take effort – possibly even changes in your everyday habits, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and increasing your activity level.  Here’s how to get started:

   * Get enough exercise.  This means at least 30 minutes of exercise almost

     every day of the week                      

   * Quit smoking.  If you do smoke, it’s time to quit.

   * Eat a heart-healthy diet.  Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables while

     limiting saturated fats, salt, and foods containing cholesterol, like fatty

  meats

* Watch your numbers.  Get regular check-ups to monitor health conditions

  that affect the heart, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, 

  and diabetes, and make sure they’re under control with medication

* Reduce your alcohol intake.  Excess alcohol consumption can worsen health

     conditions that contribute to heart disease, like blood pressure,

  arrhythmias, and high cholesterol levels

   * Minimize stress in your life.  Stress can compound many heart disease risks

  that seniors already face, steering you toward an unhealthy lifestyle. 

  Find healthy outlets to relieve stress and lower your heart disease risk

* Watch your weight.  Too many pounds can add up to increased heart disease

  risk.  To help prevent heart disease, maintain a healthy body weight for

  your size

Working with your doctor can help keep health problems under control.  It’s never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle and getting your heart disease risks in check.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE is a family owned and operated health care agency.  Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment to help determine the best care for your loved one.  We offer a wide range of services customized to meet each client’s needs.  communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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By: Marlo Sollitto

“Mom won’t eat.  She’s down to 85 pounds.”

“Dad refuses to cook.  He’s withering away to skin and bones.”

Getting seniors to eat a balanced diet can be challenging.  In fact, getting seniors to eat anything at all is a problem many caregivers face.

There are many reasons why elderly people don’t eat properly, including a reduction in sense of smell and taste that worsens with age, side effects from medication that affect the senses, problems with chewing or a lack of motivation to cook when dining alone.

One way to help ensure your loved one is eating is to make sure there are plenty of ready-to-eat meals and snacks on hand at all times.  Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, recommends stocking up on these quick and healthy foods:

Sodium-free cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium.  And because it’s a soft consistency, it is easily chewed and swallowed.

Canned fruit.  Canned fruits can be every bit as good for you as fresh ones.  Avoid fruits in heavy syrup because they are higher in sugar and calories.  Healthier choices include fruit canned in its own juice or in sugar-free syrup.

Unsalted nuts.  Nuts promote heart health because they lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood.  Walnuts, almonds, pecans and macadamia nuts are all good choices.

Yogurt.  It provides nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, and it also has probiotics, the “good” bacteria of the digestive tract which provide a broad range of health benefits.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a super-healthy whole grain.  It is high in fiber, inexpensive, and can be made into a meal.

Peanut butter.  Peanut butter has more than 30 vitamins and minerals, and it has no cholesterol or trans fat.

Canned soup.  It’s a meal in minutes, but look for the low-sodium variety.

Frozen vegetables.  Frozen vegetables yield high nutrient concentrations, a longer self-life than fresh vegetables, require little preparation and are available year-round.

Community Home Care provides complete in-home care for seniors designed to meet  individual needs. For more information contact us at communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or call us at 781-569-4970.  Visit our website at www.communityhomecarema.com.

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What causes sundown syndrome and what you can do

By:  Laurie Udesky

Sundown syndrome is a term that describes the onset of confusion and agitation that generally affects people with dementia or cognitive impairment and usually strikes around sunset.  Many people, though, use the term to loosely describe increased agitation and confusion that can occur anytime but may be more noticeable in the late afternoon or early evening.

Although researchers equate sundown syndrome with dementia, people without dementia sometimes develop delirious and agitated behavior in the hospital as a reaction to pain, medical procedures, or infection.

What might cause someone to have sundown syndrome?

There is an association between sundown syndrome and changes in the internal biological clock among people with dementia.  The internal clock – governed by the circadian rhythms – controls sleeping and waking, is connected to how active we are at different times of the day, and influences changes in the body that regulate behavior.  Studies suggest that the biological clock shifts in people with dementia, and that shift may make some people with dementia more prone to sundown syndrome.

If someone is susceptible to sundown syndrome, researchers theorize that hunger, a drop in blood pressure after a meal (which temporarily takes oxygen away from the brain), or changes in glucose levels in the blood from eating in people with diabetes may bring on agitation and confusion.  Other physiological influences include whether someone is able to hear or see well.

If someone is confused and has vision problems, it may affect how he sees things around him as day shifts into twilight.  “We had a classic sundowning situation with a patient with macular degeneration (an eye disease that causes loss of central vision).  He was calling the police repeatedly and said that there were robbers in his house,” says John E. Morley, a professor of geriatrics at the St. Louis University School of Medicine.  A visit to the man’s home revealed what was triggering the calls.  “He had slats in the blinds on his window, and at sunset, sunlight came through and created stick figures that he thought were robbers coming into his house,” he adds.

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By: Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born

Eating well is important at any age, but even more necessary for seniors because nutritional needs change as we age.  Adequate nutrition is necessary for health, vitality and quality of life.  Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons many seniors are not eating as well as they should, which can lead to poor nutrition or malnutrition, easily being mistaken as a disease or illness.

How Do Our Bodies Change As We Age?

There are many reasons our bodies change as we get older, including physiological, perceptual and general age related conditions – such as gastrointestinal or dental conditions.  These changes all influence the performance of our body as a whole, which in turn, influences our eating, nutritional intake and overall health.

Physiological Changes –

One reason nutritional needs change is due to physiological changes that occur later in life.  Energy expenditure general decreases with advancing age because of a decrease I basal metabolic rate and physical activity, thus decreasing our caloric needs.  Our bodies also begin to experience a decrease in kidney function, re-distribution of composition and changes in our nervous system.

Perceptual Changes –

Perceptual changes later in life can also influence our nutrition, such as changes in hearing, taste, smell and vision.  One of the most common complaints is in regards to the diminished taste in food.  As taste buds decrease, so does our taste for salty and sweet – often times making food taste more bitter or sour.  Diminished or loss of hearing also affects our nutrition and food experience.  The difficulty and frustration from the inability to hold a conversation with our eating partner out at a restaurant or at a social function can limit one’s food experience.  And the loss of smell can also have a huge impact on the types of food one chooses to eat as there is a loss of satisfaction that can lead to poor food choices.

Other Aging-Related Changes –

Other changes in body function may impact nutritional intake, such as dentition, or the makeup of a set of teeth (including how many, their arrangement and their condition).  The loss of teeth and/or ill-fitting dentures can lead to avoidance of hard and sticky foods.  Gastrointestinal changes such as chronic gastritis, delayed stomach emptying, constipation and gas may lead to avoiding healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables – the food categories that should be more emphasized rather than eliminated.  These factors alone my contribute to why 3.7 million seniors are malnourished and shed light o the importance of educating caregivers and aging seniors as to specific dietary need options, as well as, catered senior diets and nutritional needs.

Senior Citizens, Malnutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies

Malnutrition is seen in varying degrees in the elderly, along with varying vitamin deficiencies.  Malnutrition is due to under nutrition, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.  Most physicians do not see frank malnutrition anymore, such as scurvy: but more milder malnutrition symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss/gain, general malaise or lack of overall interest and wellness.  Common nutrient deficiencies of dietary origin include inadequate intake of vitamin A, B, C, D, E, folic acid and niacin.  Malnutrition may also be the result of some socioeconomic risk factors such as the following:

Loss of a spouse or family member

Lack of interest in cooking or eating alone

Fear of personal safety (which affects their ability to go grocery shopping)

Financial concerns

Institutionalization or hospitalizations (that do not ensure adequate nutrition)

Clearly nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in older persons.  This is why preventative medicine and focusing on good eating habits is crucial.  It is recommended to follow a preventative health maintenance nutritional program, such as the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans”, 2010 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which describes two eating plans.

The USDA food patterns

The DASH Eating Plan

The USDA food patters suggests that people 50 and older choose healthy foods every day from the following:

Fruits – 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cups

Vegetables – 2 to 3 ½ cups

Grains – 5 to 10 ounces

Protein foods – 5 to 7 ounces

Dairy foods – 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk

Oils – 5 to 8 teaspoons

Solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) – keep the amount of SoFAS small

The Importance of Preventative Health

Ensuring adequate nutrition and proper intake of vitamins and minerals will help keep our aging population feeling more vital and ultimately more healthy, thus using prevention rather than intervention.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE, providing the best care on the South Shore

Contact us at communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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By Diana Rodriguez

Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a slew of medical conditions or poor quality of life.  Getting

older involves change, both negative and positive, but you can enjoy aging if you understand what’s going on with your body and take steps to maintain your health.  Many different things happen to your body as you age.  Your skin, bones, and even brain may start to behave differently.  Don’t let the changes that come with old age catch you by surprise.

Here are some of the common ones:

YOUR BONES.  Bones can become thinner and more brittle in old age, especially in women, sometimes resulting in the fragile bone condition called osteoporosis.  Thinning bones and decreasing bone mass can put you at risk for falls that can easily result in broken bones.  Be sure to talk with your physician about what you can do to prevent osteoporosis and falls.

YOUR HEART.  While a healthy diet and regular exercise can keep your heart healthy, it may become slightly enlarged, your heart rate may lower, and the walls of the heart may thicken.

YOUR BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.  Getting older can cause changes in your reflexes and even your senses.  While dementia is not a normal consequence of old age, it is common for people to experience some slight forgetfulness as they get older.  Cells in the brain and nerves can be damaged by the formation of plaques and tangles, abnormalities that could eventually lead to dementia.

YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.  As you age, your digestive tract becomes more firm and rigid, and doesn’t contract as often.  This change can lead to problems such as constipation, stomach pain, and feelings of nausea; a better diet can help.

YOUR SENSES.  You may notice that your vision and hearing aren’t quite as sharp as they once were.  You may start to lose your sense of taste – flavors may not seem as distinct to you.  Your senses of smell and touch may also weaken.  Your body is taking longer to react and needs more to stimulat e  it.

YOUR TEETH.  The tough enamel that protects your teeth from decay can start to wear away over the years, leaving you susceptible to cavities.  Gum disease is also a concern for older adults.  Good dental hygiene can protect our teeth and gums.  Dry mouth, which is a common side effect of many medications that seniors take, may also be a problem.

YOUR SKIN.  With old age, your skin loses its elasticity and may start to sag and wrinkle.  However, the more you protected your skin from sun damage and smoking when you were younger, the better your skin will look as you get older.  Start protecting your skin now to prevent further damage, as well as skin cancer.

YOUR SEX LIFE.  After menopause, when menstruation stops, many women experience physical changes like a loss of vaginal lubrication.  Men may experience erectile dysfunction.  Fortunately, both problems can be easily treated.

Many bodily changes are a natural part of aging, but they don’t have to slow you down.  What’s more, there’s a lot you can do to protect your body and keep it as healthy as possible.

Here are some healthy aging tips that are good advice at any stage of life:

Stay physically active with regular exercise.

Stay socially active with friends and family and within your community.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet – dump the junk food in favor of fiber-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating.

Don’t neglect yourself: Regular check-ups with your doctor, dentist, and optometrist are even more important now.

Take all medications as directed by your doctor.

Limit alcohol consumption and cut out smoking

Get the sleep that your body needs.

Finally, taking care of your physical self is vital, but it’s important that you tend to your emotional health as well.  Reap the rewards of your long life, and enjoy each and every day.  Now is the time to savor good health and Happiness.

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By Chris Iliades, MD

Geriatricians are specialists in senior health, trained in caring for an aging body.  Their knowledge can help keep you happy and healthy throughout your golden years.

As the baby boomer generation enters its senior years, one in five Americans will be over 65.  In fact, seniors over age 85 are the fastest-growing segment of the population.  If you or any of your loved ones are over 65, being treated by a geriatrician can make all the difference.  Geriatricians are primary care doctors who have had additional training in the health care needs of older people.

Seniors have many special medical needs, from addressing the natural aging that goes on within the body to managing multiple medical problems and ensuring social support.  Geriatricians have a deeper understanding of how these issues might affect a senior’s ability to function day to day and how the conditions should be treated.

How a Geriatrician Can Benefit Your Life

Geriatricians are trained to recognize how illness in an elderly person is different from illness in a younger person.  They know the importance of maintaining independent living and social support as well as of using a holistic approach that emphasizes healthy aging and preventive care.

Here’s a look at how a geriatrician approaches some of the more serious senior health issues:

FRAILTY.  Frailty is an inevitable part of aging, but it may affect an elderly person’s ability to function independently at different times and in different ways, such as making them more susceptible to falls and needing more supervision and assistance.  A geriatrician can help anticipate problems and put a care plan in place.

MULTIPLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Many seniors manage multiple medical conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and neurological conditions.  A geriatrician has special training in how these conditions interact in seniors.

MENTAL DECLINE. Some loss of cognitive ability is an inevitable part of aging, but certain symptoms may indicate common conditions such as depression or ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.  Geriatricians are trained to know the difference between the signs of normal aging and those of more serious illness.  They can also provide the appropriate treatment for the condition.

CAREGIVING ADVICE. Being a caregiver for someone with senior health issues can be confusing, stressful, and exhausting.  Seniors may need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, or eating.  A geriatrician can help with finding the right outside assistance and support from professions such as a care manager of a home aide.

Your Healthy-Aging Geriatric Team

Because seniors have complicated health issues, one of the most important services a geriatric specialist provides is to coordinate care.  Multiple problems often require a team approach.  A geriatric specialist’s team may include:

A geriatric nurse

A social worker

Physical and occupational therapists

A registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator

A pharmacist

A geriatric psychiatrist

Finding A Geriatrician

According to the American Geriatric Society, there are only about 9,000 certified geriatricians in the United States.  As a result, locating a geriatrician who is taking on new patients can sometimes be difficult, as there is such a growing need. 

If you think seeing a geriatrician would benefit you or a loved one, ask your current primary care doctor to help with a referral.

Community Home Care is a family owned and operated health care agency.  Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment to help determine the best care for you or your loved one.  We offer a wide range of services customized to meet each  individual’s specific needs.

communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com  or 781-569-4970

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By Mario Sollitto

Myths about the flu are everywhere.  Here are some common myths, as well as facts about the flu:

Flu Myth #1:  Getting a flu vaccine can give you the flu.

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, there is no way that the flu vaccine can give you the flu because injected flu vaccines only contain dead virus, and a dead virus can’t infect you. People mistake the side effects of the vaccine for flu.  While side effects to the vaccine these days tend to be a sore arm, in the past, side effects often felt like mild symptoms of the flu.  Also, flu season coincides  with a time of year when bugs causing colds and other respiratory illnesses are in the air.  It is possible to get the vaccine and then, within a few days, get sick with an unrelated cold virus.

Flu Myth #2:  There is no treatment for the flu:

Two antiviral drugs are highly effective against the flu: Tamiflu, in pill form, and Relenza, which is inhaled.  Neither one cures the flu.  But they can reduce the amount of time you’re sick by one or two days and make you less contagious to others.  It is best to take the drugs within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms.

Flu Myth #3:  Antibiotics can fight the flu:

Antibiotics only fight bacterial infections.  Flu is a virus, not bacteria.  So antibiotics have no effect on any kind of flu.

Flu Myth #4:  If you get the flu, you can’t get it again during that flu season.

You can get the flu more than once a year.  Flu infection can happen from more than one strain of virus.  There’s usually Type A and Type B influenza in circulation and both can cause the flu.  It’s possible that you could get infected with one type and then the other.

Flu Myth #5:  If you  are young and healthy, you don’t need to worry about getting the vaccine.

The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old get the flu vaccine.  Healthy adults are susceptible to the flu as anyone else.  If you have an elderly parent at home, your failure to get yourself vaccinated could endanger them.

Flu Myth #6:  Cold weather causes the flu.

Going outside in the winter hatless does not increase your risk of flu.  Some people think there is a connection because flu season coincides with colder months, but there isn’t.  Flu season is the same throughout the whole country: even in warm climates like Florida.  Flu season has to do with the natural cycle of the virus.

Flu Myth #7:  If you haven’t gotten a flu shot by November, there’s no point in getting vaccinated.

The flu often doesn’t hit its peak until February or sometimes as late as March.  So no matter the month, if you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, go get it.  You could spare yourself and your family a lot of misery.

How to prevent spreading the flu

The flu is contagious.  That means it spreads from person to person, often through the air.  You can pass on the infection before you feel sick.  You are contagious for several days after you get sick.  You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes, or if you touch something the virus is on, like a phone or doorknob.

To maintain your own health, the person who you care for and other family members, here are some tips:

Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person, or handle used tissues or laundry.

Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash.  Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

Talk with your health care provider about taking antiviral medication to prevent you from getting the flu.

Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, doorknobs, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.

Do not share eating utensils, dishes or cups with a sick person.  These items do not need to be cleaned separately, buy they should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Wash linens by using a household  laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting.  Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself.

Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

‘

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By Diana Rodriques

Getting enough sleep is important for everyone, but it’s especially vital for seniors. Follow these steps to a better night’s rest.

Many seniors deal with a number of health problems related to aging – one in particular is not getting enough healthy sleep. It’s not the advancing of age per se that keeps seniors from a good night’s rest, but various sleep disorders or sleep disturbances that often come with age. As we get older, our sleep patterns change and, for starters, seniors do not spend as much time in deep sleep as younger people do. Common symptoms of sleep disorders are:

• Having trouble falling asleep
• Waking up very early in the morning
• Inability to tell night from day
• Frequent waking at night

WHAT’S KEEPING YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?

Many seniors have problems sleeping because of health conditions – as well as their associated symptoms and medications. Some common senior health issues that can prevent you from getting healthy sleep include:

• Side effects of prescription medications
• Chronic pain, often from health conditions like arthritis
• Depression
• Alcohol consumption
• Not getting enough exercise
• Snoring
• Alzheimer’s disease or a neurological problem
• Caffeine consumption
• Frequent urination during the night

BIOLOGICAL ISSUES THAT CAN CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEMS

It’s also possible that biological changes in seniors contribute to sleep disorders. One theory is that seniors produce and release less of the hormone melatonin that helps people sleep.

Another problem is a shifting circadian rhythm, which synchronizes various functions of the body, including sleep. This shift makes older people more tired earlier in the evening, so they go to bed earlier and get up a lot earlier, too.

Many seniors also have problems with insomnia, which is often linked to an underlying medical or psychological problem. Not getting healthy sleep can impact a senior’s overall health and wellness, and even impair cognitive functioning.

TIPS TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP

Seniors don’t need as much sleep as younger people do, no more than seven to eight hours of sleep. But that sleep often comes broken up throughout the day rather in one big stretch at night. Here are some suggestions to battle sleep disorders and get a full night of restful, healthy sleep:

• GET TREATMENT FOR ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS. If you’re experiencing depression, painful arthritis, or bladder problems that force you to get up and go to the bathroom frequently at night, seek medical attention to get these conditions under control.
• DON’T JUST LIE IN BED. Try to go to sleep at bedtime, but if you’re still awake after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Do something quiet and relaxing – read, listen to music, or take a hot shower or bath.
• MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES. Adjustments may include eliminating caffeine and not eating a huge meal or a big snack before bedtime. It’s also important for you to exercise each day – make it early in the day rather than in the late afternoon or evening, and definitely not before bedtime.
• GET INTO A GOOD SLEEP ROUTINE. Set a regular time to wake up each morning and go to bed each night to retrain your body for healthy sleep. Try skipping afternoon naps. And other than intimacy, think of your bedroom as just a place for sleeping and rest.

Don’t accept fatigue and poor sleep as part of getting older. Try these tips for healthy sleep, and talk to your doctor if you still can’t find a way to sleep through the night.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE is a family owned and operated health care agency. Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment to help determine the best care for you or a

loved one. communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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The Council on Aging offers these warning signs that your elderly relative needs help:

1. Poor eating habits resulting in a decrease in weight, no appetite or missed meals.
2. Neglected hygiene: wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth.
3. Neglected home that is not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up.
4. Inappropriate behavior by acting loud, quiet, paranoid or making phone calls at all hours.
5. Change in relationship patterns that friends or neighbors have noticed.
6. Burns or injuries resulting from weakness, forgetfulness or misuse of alcohol or meds.
7. Decreased participation in activities such as attending the senior center, book club or church.
8. Scorched pots and pans, showing forgetfulness for dinner cooking on the stove.
9. Unopened mail, newspaper piles and missed appointments.

• Mishandled finances such as losing money, paying bills twice or hiding money.

If you notice any of these signs when you visit your parents or grandparents, it is time to decide as a family the best plan of care.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE, a family owned and operated homecare agency, can provide a no cost/no obligation home visit and family meeting to help determine the best care for your loved one. We offer a wide range of services customized to meet each client’s needs.

communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

The post 10 Warning Signs Your Family Member Needs Help appeared first on Community Home Care.

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By Jeff Anderson (A Place for Mom)

1. SNOW, COLD and ICE – The most obvious perils of winter are from the weather itself:

FALLS: Slips on ice are a major risk for seniors in winter, so it’s important to wear shoes with appropriate traction.

DRIVING: Snow and ice can present major dangers on the road. Seniors should avoid driving when road conditions are at their worst due to snow and ice, and those who do drive should be prepared for the conditions. Drive slowly. Make sure snow-tires are installed when appropriate, and keep blankets and food in the car should the vehicle be stranded or disabled.

HYPOTHERMIA and FROSTBITE: Cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite. According to Centers for Disease Control, more than half of hypothermia deaths are among seniors. Older adults who do venture outside in cold weather should make sure to dress warmly. Among some vulnerable seniors, hypothermia can even occur indoors if the air temperature in the home isn’t warm enough, so seniors should keep their thermostats above 65 degrees, and seek assistance if they lose heating in an emergency.

2. SOCIAL ISOLATION

The very hazards that we outlined above can lead to seniors becoming socially isolated. If our older loved one has been spending a lot of time alone at home due to inclement weather, try to visit and spend extra time there. You can also arrange transportation to the local senior center, your loved one’s place of worship and to other places where opportunities to socialize are available.

3. FLUE SEASON

With winter comes the flu, which seniors are especially susceptible to developing because of weakened immune systems. The flu causes a significant number of fatalities among seniors each year, and it can also lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia. Seniors should make every reasonable effort to get vaccinated early in the flu season.

4. SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) or “THE WINTERTIME BLUES”

Many people experience a decrease in mood and energy during the winter, which is caused by decreased daytime light in winter. This phenomenon is known as “seasonal affective disorder” or “SAD”. Those who live in northern states (where daytime is shorter) are at highest risk. Open curtains and blinds during winter to let natural lighting in. Light therapy, using full-spectrum lights available at many box stores, can also be used to prevent or alleviate the wintertime blues. Seniors experiencing depression should talk to their doctors.

5. DECREASED DAYLIGHT, DEMENTIA and SUNDOWNING

Seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia sometimes experience sundowners syndrome, which manifests itself as increased memory loss, confusion, agitation, and even anger during the evening hours. Sundowning is often exacerbated during the low-light conditions of winter, because the season’s low light can disrupt our body’s internal day/night clock(known as circadian rhythms).

COMMUNITY HOME CARE, a family owned and operated homecare agency, can provide a no cost/no obligation home visit and family meeting to help determine if your loved one requires in-home care. We offer a full range of services including transportation customized to meet each individual’s needs.

communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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