In the United States alone, it’s estimated that there are 5.5 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 15 million people providing care to a family member with Alzheimer’s. Of those caregivers, about 60 percent are women. Many of these women also have jobs outside of the home and children to take care of. Simply put, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is stressful and it can take a toll on overall health, wellness and finances. As the population ages, the percentage of the population with Alzheimer’s disease – and the percentage of necessary caregivers – is likely to increase, at least until a cure is found. …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Every year one in three older Americans fall. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for people aged 65+, resulting in hip fractures, broken bones, head injuries and fear. Once an older person falls, it can be difficult for them to regain their confidence and remain active. That is why preventing falls from occurring in the first place is so very important. The good news is that falls can be prevented in two ways: 1: Addressing physical conditions and ailments that can cause falls 2: Fall-proofing the home Here are five things that you can address to help prevent a loved one from falling: 1. …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Calcium is one of the two most important nutrients for strong bones and teeth (vitamin D is the other). Calcium also ensures that muscles, cells and nerves work properly. Unfortunately, calcium levels become depleted as we age for the following reasons: As we eat less we take in less dietary calcium. Seniors may have poor appetite in general or illnesses which decrease appetite. The efficiency with which the kidneys can retain calcium decreases and that leads to increased calcium loss in the urine. That is why calcium intake recommendations are higher for seniors. Women aged 51 and older should have 1,200 mg of calcium each day. Men aged 50 to 70 years of age should …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Aging adults can gain countless benefits from the addition of emu oil to their Tracy at-home care routines. This nutrient-dense oil is capable of combating many of the unpleasant changes that occur in the skin, hair and joints as people age. The following are just some of the many benefits associated with emu oil. Alleviate Chronic Joint Inflammation Applied topically to the skin, emu oil can relieve joint inflammation. In fact, some studies have compared the anti-inflammatory effects of a single topical application of emu oil to the pain relieving benefits provided by 3,000 milligrams of ibuprofen. Best of all, this oil does not prompt the side effects that are common among prescription-strength arthritis medications …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Due to the nature of the tasks involved, the job of being a family caregiver can take its toll and result in stress. Fortunately for Tracy home care providers, April is right around the corner and serves as a reminder of Stress Awareness Month. The purpose of Stress Awareness Month is to highlight the need for caregivers to also take time to care for themselves while looking after their loved ones. Spotting Signs of Stress Caregivers sometimes hide or minimize stress in an effort to avoid it. Stress tends to become progressively worse with increased or sustained anxiety and poses increased health risks to both you and your senior loved one. In some cases, high …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Three-dimensional printers have been one of the top technological breakthroughs in recent years. However, scientists are now taking that technology to the next level and printing human skins cells through a process called bioprinting. Read on to learn what this means for medical and Tracy hourly home care professionals. How Does It Work? Bioprinting works much like regular 3D printing, only with living cells. These cells are taken from patients in a hospital and mixed with collagen to create a unique type of ink. It is loaded into the bio-printer, which uses advanced laser technology to lay a drop of cells. Since the cells are alive, they interact with each other and grow into more tissue. …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Seniors often have thin skin that can easily become dry or damaged during everyday tasks. Using the right skin care products can help Tracy live-in caregivers protect their senior loved ones’ skin from harmful pollutants. Here are some beneficial skin care products that allow seniors to maintain youthful, healthy skin. Sunscreen When choosing skin care products for seniors, the most important thing to consider is whether the product contains sunscreen. A minimum SPF of 15 or greater is recommended anytime your loved one ventures outdoors, no matter his or her age. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist sunscreen is an ideal option for seniors. The sunscreen is easy to apply, is non-greasy, and you can find it …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Plastic surgery is no longer just for celebrities or middle-aged adults. In fact, seniors are one of the fastest growing demographics of plastic surgery patrons. Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that most seniors who have plastic surgery choose to get face-lifts or cosmetic eyelid surgeries. If you’re a Tracy in-home caregiver and your elderly loved one is considering plastic surgery, you should know the benefits and disadvantages of these medical procedures. Boosts Senior Self-Esteem Advances in health means that seniors are living longer than ever, and many seniors are finding that they still do not feel old when they are in their 60s or 70s. Seniors who are asked about …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]Maintaining and strengthening manual dexterity is really important for seniors to keep up with things around the house. Without strong motor skills, seniors may have trouble with housekeeping, running errands, and even self-care. To help your loved one strengthen his or her fine motor skills, Tracy 24 hour care providers can recommend the following manual dexterity exercises. Cutting Provide your senior loved one with a pair of blunt or safety scissors and challenge him or her to practice cutting objects with different textures. Different thicknesses of paper, play dough, material, and aluminum foil can increase or decrease the intensity of this exercise. Make shapes out of dotted lines on a piece of paper and have …
View Full Article [shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5187241"]For many seniors, foot pain can be a recurring challenge. If your elderly loved one finds that foot problems like bunions or flat feet are interfering with his or her daily routine, there are steps your loved one can take to alleviate some of his or her discomfort. Read on for more ways that elderly care experts at Home Care Assistance of suggest seniors can use to eliminate foot pain. Shoe Inserts Specifically designed to help reduce stress on the muscles in the feet, shoe inserts are an easy and inexpensive way to help your senior loved one reduce his or her foot pain. As most inserts can be easily removed and replaced, a single …
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