Elder care, south shore MA

A recent study conducted for the National Institute of Aging found that about 22 percent of elderly Americans age 71 and older – about 5.4 million people – are already experiencing some degree of decline in their mental facilities.

The problem may not be severe enough to prevent taking care of their daily activities, but it can cause mild difficulty in completing those activities or in making complicated decisions. On a more personal perspective, this could mean elders are going through subtle changes that make them more susceptible to accidents. Safety at home is a top priority for elders and there are many simple safety steps that will reduce the risk of accidents.

Here are safety tips to make aging in place easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Fall Prevention Safety

• Remove obstacles in the house that could cause tripping – everything from small floor rugs to objects on the floor like an oversized vase or magazine stand.
• Install handrails and lights on staircases, with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Install shower and tub grab bars in the bathroom, around the toilet and the tub.
• Place no-slip mats on the shower floor and bathtub.
• Paint doorsills with a different, highlighting color to avoid tripping.
• Put on hip pads if you’re at high risk for falls.
• Make home lighting brighter, but prevent glare.
• Have vision checked often and regularly.
• Ask the doctor to review medications regularly.
• Start exercising regularly, especially tai chi or yoga to increase flexibility and strengthen muscles and joints.
• If you can’t stand comfortably, exercise in a chair

If you would like more information about Community Home Care services please call 617-462-9384 or email communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com. We provide a vast array of services to seniors in Massachusetts including Home Health Aides, 24 Hour Care, Transportation, Respite Care and Alzheimer’s Care.

home health care south shore, MA

sundowners and sleep: “tips for finding balance” as noted in the 12/3/13 article from “A Place for Mom”.

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.

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Animal Therapy

…how animal therapy helps dementia patients by Madeline Vann, MPH for Everyday Health

“Even people with Alzheimer’s recognize a dog and they see that the dog is someone new in their environment. I think they see it as someone with whom they can interact without any worry,” explains Mara M. Baun, DNSc, a coordinator of the PhD in nursing program at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at the Houston School of Nursing.

Baun has been researching the benefits of therapy animals for over a decade. In one of her studies, she and her team compared degrees of social interaction of adults in an Alzheimer’s unit with and without the presence of a dog.

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