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The Importance of Health and Nutrition as you Age

Nutrition is know to interact with the process of aging in many ways. Nutrition problems of the older population are increased due to susceptibility to chronic disease, decreased organ function which may affect digestion and absorption, metabolism, and excretion of nutrients. Eighty percent of people over 65 suffer from at least one chronic disease and nutrition is an important factor on there prevention and recuperation from the disease.

Caloric needs change with aging due to a greater percentage of body fat and lower percentage of lean muscle. Decreased activity can cause further decreases in calories. The challenge is to meet the same nutrient needs as when younger but consuming fewer calories. The answer to this is to choose nutrient dense foods. Protein needs are not thought to change for the elderly, although protein requirements may vary due to restrictions or disease.

Reducing the overall fat content in the diet of an elderly person is reasonable , it is eating no more than 30% of daily calories from fat is desirable. Carbohydrate intake should comprise 60% of the calories. Emphasis should be placed on complex carbohydrate. Glucose tolerance decreases with age and lower refined carb intake puts less stress on your body. Dietary fiber intake is also recommended , and with adequate fluid intake you can achieve normal bowel function. Fiber is also thought to reduce inflammation of the intestines. Veggies, fruits , grain products, cereals, seeds, legumes, and nuts are all good sources of dietary fiber.

Water is the most important and serves many essential functions. Adequate water intake reduced stress on the function of kidneys, which kidney function tends to decline with aging. Consumption of 5-8 glasses of water every day can be beneficial. Aging people do not realize that they are thirsty and can easily become dehydrate and water intake should automatically occur and should not wait till you feel thirsty. It is important that diets planned for the elderly have proper fluid intake.

As the body ages food may not seem as appetizing or smell as appealing due to loss of smell and taste. If an elderly person is told to cut down on salt or sugar food may not be as good to them any more because they need extras for taste. Loss of vision may impair cooking with aging . An elderly person may not know how to read food prices, nutrition labels or may forget how to cook or have fear to cook. These losses are not usually complete but may affect ones ability to eat healthy.

The need for electrolytes, sodium, and potassium can be altered in the elderly when drugs are used to control certain diseases such as hypertension or heart disease and diet should be modified to fit those needs. The fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body and usually it is thought that the elderly are at lower risk of fat soluble vitamin deficiencies. There is a risk of vitamin A toxicity and vitamin D defiecenicy due to low intake of dairy products. Of all the minerals iron and calcium intakes have been reported to be low in many elderly. Eating a wide selection of foods, including calcium rich foods and low fat diary products is the best advice.

Nutritional assessments are often done by health care providers because it can help determine is symptoms a patient has is a nutritional deficiency. Overall for any age group, selecting foods from a wide variety which can be eaten and enjoyed is what is important.

Safety Issues Involved With Elderly Care

Opting for elderly care at home entails various safety considerations on your part to ensure that you are not posing any threat to their health and safety. Due to the lack of coordination and reduced sensitivity to their environment, elderly individuals also lack the capacity to assess the features on their environment on whether it poses hazard on them. Hence, the responsibility lies mainly on the caregiver to constantly keep an eye on them.

About Safety Issues

When talking about safety issues involved in elderly care, it does not refer to the incapacity or inefficiency on the part of the elderly care provider. Instead, it focuses on the reduced capacity of aging individuals to performing daily chores or activities independent of any help. Therefore, providing assistance on whatever task an elderly individual needs to accomplish is extremely important not just to ensure that the task is accomplished but that they do it without harming themselves in the process.

Aside from the safety features within your house, you also need to consider their physical ability to do such activities. For instance, an aging person could be in danger of falling or sliding off when trying to walk towards an object or through a door. Hence, you need to guide them safely through that. These are just some of the most basic safety concerns involved with elderly care.

Safety on Medications

Most elderly individuals with in-home care take medications for certain health conditions that they are experiencing. Therefore, medication safety is another major concern when it comes to elderly home health care. Here are some tips to avoid complication involved with medications that an aging person must take during home care:

Verify with your doctor when taking vitamins or other supplements along with other medications that the doctor has issued for your elder parents. This will help avoid possible complications.

Take the medication as prescribed by your doctor to get maximum results. If possible, avoid missing doses.

If you cannot afford a particular medication, be truthful to your doctor. They can suggest generic brands that will help produce the same results with less the financial burden.

Keeping Your Home Safe

Most elderly individuals insist to obtain the same level of freedom and mobility that they are used to. Therefore, when this case happens to your parents during home care, you need to assess the level of safety within your home. Be open and flexible in your approach such that you do not cause any real threat to the elderly individual’s safety within the house.

One important thing you need to establish if you want to ensure their safety is your firmness in your decision when it comes to designing the safety features of the house. If you feel that you need to change the design of the stairs or re-arrange tables inside the house, then do it firmly. Place rugs in strategic places that will help avoid the possibility of elder persons slipping from them. Provide switch to lights in accessible spots so that elderly people can easily turn them on when entering a dim room. The shower area or toilet is another important area of the house that must be considered closely when it comes to coming up with safety designs. Accidents often happen in the shower room especially when elderly individuals go there unassisted.

Transportation Safety

Transportation is another concern regarding safety for elderly care. Most aging individuals are incapable of walking unassisted, or without using any walking or transporting devices. When your elderly parents go outside the house, you need to have proper transportation devices for them. Several types of wheelchairs or walkers are available in the market that cater to the transportation needs of elderly individuals, whether they are totally incapable of walking or can walk but needs some form of assistance.

Properly choosing the device to use not only provides utmost convenience for the elderly person but also avoid slipping or falling off.

Click HERE for the 5 WAYS to keep your loved one safe at home.

5 Steps To Staying Mentally Sharp And Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

If you want to stay sharp and in control of your life well into your golden years, there are proactive methods to achieving the mental alertness you need. More and more research is pointing to the fact that physical activity and lifestyle choices have more to do with preventing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia – once thought to be a normal part of aging – than pure genetics. So if you had a parent, grandparent or sibling with AD it doesn’t mean you have to follow the same path.

Statistics gathered from extensive research do point toward a higher risk of developing AD if you had a close relative with AD – as much as 50%, but that has less to do with genes and more to do with following their lifestyle patterns. If for example, your parents were smokers who rarely exercised, you may have developed some of the same destructive habits.

What can you do to break the cycle and prevent AD? Take action and take control today. Even if you are in your 60s or 70s you can reverse some of the damage done to your brain through poor diet, inactivity, or damaging lifestyle choices. Scientists have discovered very recently that the brain has the ability to repair cells and neurotransmitters and improve cognitive function and memory.

It’s Not Too Late to Make A Difference: Start the 5 Steps Today

  1. Eat Right. It seems so simple, yet too many people just don’t get enough of the mind preserving antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables. A well-balanced diet, free of diary products and using low fat sources of protein will protect both heart and mind.
  2. Supplement where necessary. Many diets lack the nutrients proven to promote brain health. These include sources of essential fatty acids found in fish and specific herbs and minerals that can enhance cognitive function.
  3. Exercise. Originally it was thought that exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain cells. This is still true, but a report prepared for the National Institutes of Health states that exercise can also stimulate the production growth factors, which are molecules produced by the body to repair and maintain nerves.
  4. Lower Your Cholesterol. Many people with early dementia or AD symptoms may have actually experienced small strokes that damaged the brain’s neurotransmitters. By keeping cholesterol levels in check, the arteries are free and clear of plaque that can cause stroke.
  5. Do your Mental Exercises. Keeping up with current events, working puzzles each day, learning and memorizing new information all work to keeping a mind strong and alert. It is normal for people to sometimes forget a name or date, but the more practice recalling such information the greater the brain’s ability to do this throughout old age. In the case of mental challenges, the more you do the more you can push back the clock on cognitive decline.

Five easy steps, when you think about it, can do much to make aging an event to celebrate instead of dread. With age there comes experience and wisdom, and we should all do whatever is within our power to be able to pass that on to the next generation.

The Top 4 Safety Issues Involved With Elderly Care

Opting for elderly care at home entails various safety considerations on your part to ensure that you are not posing any threat to their health and safety. Due to the lack of coordination and reduced sensitivity to their environment, elderly individuals also lack the capacity to assess the features on their environment on whether it poses hazard on them. Hence, the responsibility lies mainly on the caregiver to constantly keep an eye on them.

About Safety Issues

When talking about safety issues involved in elderly care, it does not refer to the incapacity or inefficiency on the part of the elderly care provider. Instead, it focuses on the reduced capacity of aging individuals to performing daily chores or activities independent of any help. Therefore, providing assistance on whatever task an elderly individual needs to accomplish is extremely important not just to ensure that the task is accomplished but that they do it without harming themselves in the process.

Aside from the safety features within your house, you also need to consider their physical ability to do such activities. For instance, an aging person could be in danger of falling or sliding off when trying to walk towards an object or through a door. Hence, you need to guide them safely through that. These are just some of the most basic safety concerns involved with elderly care.

Safety on Medications

Most elderly individuals with in-home care take medications for certain health conditions that they are experiencing. Therefore, medication safety is another major concern when it comes to elderly home health care. Here are some tips to avoid complication involved with medications that an aging person must take during home care:

Verify with your doctor when taking vitamins or other supplements along with other medications that the doctor has issued for your elder parents. This will help avoid possible complications.

Take the medication as prescribed by your doctor to get maximum results. If possible, avoid missing doses.

If you cannot afford a particular medication, be truthful to your doctor. They can suggest generic brands that will help produce the same results with less the financial burden.

Keeping Your Home Safe

Most elderly individuals insist to obtain the same level of freedom and mobility that they are used to. Therefore, when this case happens to your parents during home care, you need to assess the level of safety within your home. Be open and flexible in your approach such that you do not cause any real threat to the elderly individual’s safety within the house.

One important thing you need to establish if you want to ensure their safety is your firmness in your decision when it comes to designing the safety features of the house. If you feel that you need to change the design of the stairs or re-arrange tables inside the house, then do it firmly. Place rugs in strategic places that will help avoid the possibility of elder persons slipping from them. Provide switch to lights in accessible spots so that elderly people can easily turn them on when entering a dim room. The shower area or toilet is another important area of the house that must be considered closely when it comes to coming up with safety designs. Accidents often happen in the shower room especially when elderly individuals go there unassisted.

Transportation Safety

Transportation is another concern regarding safety for elderly care. Most aging individuals are incapable of walking unassisted, or without using any walking or transporting devices. When your elderly parents go outside the house, you need to have proper transportation devices for them. Several types of wheelchairs or walkers are available in the market that cater to the transportation needs of elderly individuals, whether they are totally incapable of walking or can walk but needs some form of assistance.

Properly choosing the device to use not only provides utmost convenience for the elderly person but also avoid slipping or falling off.

Click HERE to learn about our FREE 100 Point Home Safety Assessment. 

Who can you trust when it comes to home care

As people grow old, their siblings main concern is to provide them with home care assistance in their Golden years. It is better safe than sorry. The bottom line is that you are entrusting your loved one to a complete stranger. Therefore, it would be worth the money spent in checking applicant’s background.

1. What Is Home Care?

Home care pertains to services that are not medically related. It helps individuals, mostly the elderly, in going through a healthy lifestyle each day. Home care service became well liked mainly due to the fact that the elderly do not need to go to a hospice or house for the elderly to be taken care of. They can just remain at home where they are comfortable and be given services there. As people grow old, home errands like cleaning the house, buying groceries, cooking dishes, opening or carrying something heavy becomes harder. Also, personal grooming like taking a bath, dressing up, even getting up from bed or stairs could be difficult. Now, due to those home care service providers, there are people trained and monitored by agencies to give those types of services. As a rule, people who provide home care should be ready to perform their duty 24 hours each day. Depending on the arrangements, home care providers can work by shift, hourly, living-in or can be called when needed.

2. Types Of Home Care:

Homemaker

This service includes preparing meals, minor house cleaning, laundry, buying food and household needs and other chores at home.

Personal Care

Service totally focused on the daily activities of a client like taking a bath, getting dressed, use of toilet, eating and grooming.

Companionship

This means that the home care provider is just somebody to talk to when needed. For example, the elderly is usually left at home when everybody is at work or in school. A home care provider is hired as a talking buddy. Depending on the arrangements, the service can be over the phone, a daily visit, or a stay-in companion.

Home Health Care Service

This service is performed by professionals that can provide help like nursing, psychiatric care, social work, health aides at home, respiratory therapy, speech development or occupational or physical therapy.

Respite Care

A volunteer trained in home care or professional lives in with the elderly or client. This is a comprehensive care giving service. Any help needed by the client will be provided by the home care provider.

3. Selection Tips:

Money matters

If money is an issue, agencies that provide home services are much expensive compared to individual providers. The advantage of an agency-based though is that they are professionally schooled and trained for the job. Individuals do not provide this assurance unless they present related proof of their professional training as a home care provider.

Easy To Deal With

Home care providers that are agency based have a much more systematic way and processes in dealing with clients. Payment is professionally processed and in case the provider is sick, an agency can give a replacement. Also if a problem comes up regarding the service provider, there is an agency wherein you can file a complaint; whereas for individual home care providers, you have no other person to report to if he or she falters. In case you decided to choose an individual provider instead, here are some things to do to assure that your loved one will be safe and given a good service.

– Know the person

– Perform a thorough interview

– Have clear expectations

– Explain clearly what you expect

– Discuss Costs Immediately

– Ask for personal information

5 WAYS To Keep Your Elderly Parent Safe at Home.

Seeing changes in an elderly parent age can be a difficult, and even alarming, experience. Perhaps dad’s bills are piling up, and he’s neglecting things he once took pride in. Maybe mom’s forgetfulness is starting to look like a precursor to something more serious. Suddenly, the roles you and your parent have always played are reversed. You’re the caregiver, and you aren’t sure what to do. In these situations, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed. If you haven’t already done so, you may be wondering if it’s time to consider home care services. If you’re currently receiving help from a paid caregiver, you may be asking yourself if it’s enough.

Read more

SLEEP AWARENESS MONTH: FOR SENIORS

HOW TO IMPROVE SENIOR SLEEP PATTERNS

Sleep deprivation and other sleep issues can impact senior health significantly. Learn how to improve sleep patterns for seniors. An average of 71/2 to 9 hours of sleep each night is considered healthy for most adults. Seniors are often unable to sleep this much due to a variety of sleep-related problems. During sleep awareness month, learn what can be done to help seniors establish healthy sleep patterns.

*Sleep Awareness Month is sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation.

Unfortunately, changes in sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. Many seniors have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. In some cases, the challenge is due to a sleeping disorder or the side effect of a medication. However, sleep disturbance in the aging is often just the result of reduced REM sleep. In other words, seniors tend to be lighter sleepers. They wake up more often due to noise, aches, movement, the need to use the bathroom, etc.

SLEEP TIPS FOR THE SENIORS

To make the most out of sleep, seniors can use these simple tips:

1. Be Mindful Stress, worry, and negative thought patterns can disrupt sleep—even if seniors try to “think positively” right before bed. Since sleep deprivation affects mental health and vice versa, it is important to encourage seniors to develop a healthy response to stress at all hours.

2. Exercise Regularly Physical activity can help the body sleep. Regular exercise also offers health benefits that positively impact sleep, like lower blood pressure, stress relief, and improved breathing.

3. Form a Bedtime Routine Many habits can influence sleep for better or for worse. Lying in bed during the day can disrupt sleep patterns. Watching television or screen time on the phone at night can also delay sleep. Encourage seniors to establish a bedtime routine that includes doing something quiet and relaxing for an hour.

4. Eat and Drink for Better Sleep Sometimes seniors drink alcohol before bed because it makes them sleepy. However, alcohol tends to wake people up in the middle of the night and reduce REM sleep cycles. Food does the same. Seniors should avoid eating food or drinking alcohol for 2-3 hours before bedtime. (Better Health While Aging)

For more information about our programs and services, go to : http://www.instagram.com/wayshomecare, and also http://www.facebook.com/wayshomehealth

You can also print our newsletter here: WAYSHomeCareSleepAwarenessApril2018

 

WAYS: FIND THE RIGHT CAREGIVER FOR YOUR ELDERLY PARENT

Entrusting Your Aging Parent to Someone Else’s Care is a Big Decision

How do you know who the right caregiver is? There are a few steps you can take to help make your selection confidently. 57% of seniors over age 70 do not find it very easy to live alone. Many need assistance with some daily tasks. If your parent is one of them and plans to age in place, it’s time to hire a caregiver. There are several steps to take to ensure your loved one receives the best care.

First Steps to Take When Hiring a Caregiver

1. Understand Your Loved One’s Needs The first thing you need to know is the kind of care your parent needs, and how often. Home care caregivers offer assistance with non-medical activities like bathing, cooking, transportation, or companionship. Create a list of specific activities your parent needs help with.

2. Assess Your Financial Options and Resources Your finances may affect your caregiver options. Work out a budget for caregiving. Many nonprofit and governmental programs offer financial assistance for the care of the elderly as well.

3. Choose an Agency Many families use a home care agency because of the added security, accountability, and convenience. Consider factors such as how long the agency has been in business, their procedures for documenting and monitoring care, and how they train and hire caregivers.

4. Compile Your Requirements The final step to take before beginning your caregiver search is compiling your requirements. If possible, create a list together with your your loved one who will be receiving care. Include preferences about the caregiver’s gender, age, availability, and more. Mark non-negotiables, like that the caregiver speak a particular language, or have a driver’s license. Use this list to screen potential private caregivers or give it to the agency you select.

For more information on ways to seek the BEST Caregiver, read our article https://wayshomecare.com/find-the-right-caregiver-for-your-elderly-parent. Your next step is to call us at: 424-702-5222, and [email protected].

About WAYS

We are so excited to announcement that WAYS Home Care & Health Agency, LLC (WAYS) is a community-based service that provides important assistance to supplement the efforts of family caregivers, friends, neighbors, and in some cases, home health aides. Our services assist our clients and allow them to remain safe and independent in their own homes.

Our Caregivers are available for as few as four hours per visit or up to as many as 24-hours a day. And they can help with a wide range of activities including companionship, meal planning, preparation and clean-up, light housekeeping, laundry, errands, shopping as well as transportation to and from appointments and events. WAYS can also assist with personal care needs and provide medication and exercise reminders.

Please follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/wayshomehealth and Instagram http://www.instagram.com/wayshomecare.

WAYS TIPS FOR SENIORS DURING SLEEP AWARENESS MONTH

Sleep Awareness Month: How to Improve Senior Sleep Patterns

Sleep deprivation and other sleep issues can impact senior health significantly. Learn how to improve sleep patterns for seniors.

An average of 71/2 to 9 hours of sleep each night is considered healthy for most adults. Seniors are often unable to sleep this much due to a variety of sleep-related problems. During sleep awareness month, learn what can be done to help seniors establish healthy sleep patterns.

Sleep disturbance in the aging is often just the result of reduced REM sleep. In other words, seniors tend to be lighter sleepers.

How Aging Affects Sleep

Unfortunately, changes in sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. Many seniors have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. In some cases, the challenge is due to a sleeping disorder or the side effect of a medication. However, sleep disturbance in the aging is often just the result of reduced REM sleep. In other words, seniors tend to be lighter sleepers. They wake up more often due to noise, aches, movement, the need to use the bathroom, etc.

For more information about healthy tips for senior sleeping, read our WAYSMarchNewltr2018 today.

About WAYS
WAYS Home Care & Health Agency, LLC (WAYS) is a community-based service that provides important assistance to supplement the efforts of family caregivers, friends, neighbors, and in some cases, home health aides. Our services assist our clients and allow them to remain safe and independent in their own homes.
Our Caregivers are available for as few as four hours per visit or up to as many as 24-hours a day. And they can help with a wide range of activities including companionship, meal planning, preparation and clean-up, light housekeeping, laundry, errands, shopping as well as transportation to and from appointments and events. WAYS Home Care & Health Agency, LLC can also assist with personal care needs and provide medication and exercise reminders. 

Ask for an In-Home Assessment by calling 424-702-5222. You can also reach us at www.wayshomecare.com, and [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram: @wayshomecare, and Facebook: @wayshomehealth.

February Is American Heart Health Month

Welcome back WAYS Home Care & Health Followers.

Amongst celebrating Black History Month, Valentines, and even watching the Super Bowl, February is also American Heart Month. In this month’s newsletter, WAYS discusses matters of the “heart” amongst our seniors.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, especially among seniors, it is important for caregivers to know the facts. 17.3 million deaths each year are caused by heart disease. Seniors are especially prone to cardiovascular complications.

In 1964, more than half of American deaths were the result of cardiovascular disease. Although this percentage has decreased, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Every February is designated as American Heart Month by the federal government to encourage individuals to learn about, prevent, and address heart problems. Since seniors are especially at risk, it is important that caregivers understand heart disease states The American Heart Association.

Types of Heart Health Problems

There are a wide variety of heart health problems. Cardiovascular disease is a term used to broadly describe the plethora of problems that can impair the cardiovascular system. Specific cardiac issues include, but are not limited to:

• Diabetes • Hypertension • High Cholesterol • Cardiomyopathy • Arrhythmia • Valve Problems • Pericarditis • Stroke • Heart Attack • Heart Failure

While some of these conditions are manageable, others can be fatal if they are not handled properly. It is vital for seniors and caregivers to learn the signs of heart problems.

Find out more information about this month topic in our newsletter. Please follow us on Instagram @wayshomecare, and Facebook @wayshomehealth.

WAYSHeartHealthNewsletter2018