Out of nowhere a pesky leg night cramp wakes your mom or dad up from a deep night’s sleep. The pain can be so intense your parent may awaken in tears or screaming. Thrashing in bed between the blankets, they attempt to shake off this pain. However, each movement seems to make the cramping more intense. The tossing and turning…
There are many commercials on television stating how rewarding it is to be a professional caregiver. Many senior citizens are in need of in home care services but not necessarily full time and also not for medical reasons. However, our communities have changed over the decades and many families are separated by distance, leaving an independent mother or father miles…
Have you ever asked your mother or father what they would like to do only to receive an answer like, “I don’t know.” You begin rattling off a list of ideas, and you either get no response or a negative response. You suggest a walk and they tell you their arthritis is acting up. Maybe you recommend having a picnic…
Your mom or dad may think a glass of wine or a bottle of beer every night is ‘ok.’ However, one glass or bottle can easily become two, three or more. If your parent is spending too much time alone each day, the desire to drink may even be more of an issue. Issues with Alcohol Abuse It is important…
As seniors age, their friendship circles may grow smaller and smaller due to aging, death or relocation. Your mom or dad may be feeling left out and lonely after many years of having a spouse and many friends and acquaintances who filled the hours of their days. However, making new friends is more difficult as they spend more time alone…
If you or your parent assumes that the only warning signs of a heart attack or cardiovascular disease are pain in the left arm and the feeling of an elephant on your chest, you may be surprised to learn that you don’t know all of the warning signs of heart disease. Research indicates there is not one clearly defined symptom…
Service dogs are not only great companions but provide rewarding benefits to many seniors. Many people believe service dogs are only for the seeing- and hearing-impaired, but research and practical experience have proven that those with dementia or Alzheimer’s are also having success with service dogs as well. With 5.3 million Americans suffering from limited cognition, four-legged creatures are being…
If your mother is a senior citizen age 50 or older, she may be at risk for osteoporosis. Home health care professionals suggest that you and your mom may want to educate yourselves on this disease as well as learn about some of the many ways to reduce the risks associated with osteoporosis. Statistically, 20 percent of all older women…
It’s hard to come to terms with a hearing loss. For most older adults like your mother or father, the loss comes gradually. Often they are not aware why they cannot hear. Although that may seem silly to you, if your parent gradually loses hearing and slowly accepts the loss of sound, this becomes their normal state. Over time, they…
Your mom or dad may appear to be in tip-top shape. However, it’s the little nuances that make you wonder if a little home care may go a long way to enhance their life and add a little vim and vigor to their step. If your parent has been living alone for a while, possibly after the loss of a…
