Growing older comes with its unique set of challenges. Changes to cognitive and physical capabilities as well as social opportunities lead some seniors down a dark path of isolation, impairment and depression. Despite the issues elderly face, caregivers can create an environment that helps seniors surmount everyday obstacles. 1. Dementia Cognitive decline occurs as people age. Dementia is a common…
Consumer Affairs reports that up to 80 percent of falls in the home occur inside a bathroom. Even more startling is that one in three people over age 65 fall every year. Hospital emergency rooms are inundated annually with 200,000 Americans who are injured at home due to bathroom-related mishaps. The bathroom can be a slippery, steamy and outright dangerous…
Is your mother okay? Here are 4 tips to make sure you understand her physical and mental condition when you are together: Watch Your Mother. How is she walking? Is she moving slower than the last time you saw her? How does she look? Is she clean and groomed? We don’t mean that she has to be dressed like June…
Seniors recovering from surgery require extra emotional and physical support. Given their susceptible state, aging individuals who are released from a hospital stay should be monitored closely—especially when they are left unaccompanied at home. Fortunately, even when alone, recuperating seniors can receive the attention they require to heal. From modifying the home environment to installing smart technology to hiring professional…
In general, senior citizens are less distracted while behind the wheel than younger adults. In fact, more senior citizens wear their seat belts (as drivers and passengers), drive slower and in better weather condition, and do not drive after drinking. With all of those good driving habits, one would think that accidents among with senior citizens would be rare, but…
Perhaps you volunteer at a nursing facility, where seniors in varying conditions appreciate a smile and a few minutes of pleasant conversations. Or, you may have an elderly neighbor you haven’t gotten around to knowing just yet. You might even serve meals to the elderly in their homes when they are unable to venture out to grocery shop or cook….
Accumulating stockpiles of useless junk is a hoarder’s habit—and a family’s nightmare. When an elderly loved one is on the road to hoarding, handling the disaster takes sensitivity and skill. Concerned family members should make efforts to compassionately resolve the hoarding dilemma. Enlisting the help of home health care services can help you deal with this issue. Why do some…
The home is a sanctuary—but when clutter fills the rooms and glass table corners dangerously project outward, the home can be dangerous for seniors. The homes of older people require modifications to ensure they are safe and habitable. As people grow older, they become increasingly susceptible to falls and injuries. In fact, every year, at least one in three seniors…
Seniors stepping into their golden years are likely to experience mild memory loss, which is a normal aspect of the aging process. Forgetfulness that is due to aging can be improved when family caregivers intervene and help their parents make lifestyle changes. What is mild memory loss? Absentmindedness in the elderly is normal. Over time, the brain rejects memories that…
Aging is a normal part of life. Yet, growing old can carry lingering fears for many seniors. A gradual decline in health, loss of independence and facing the inability to manage one’s activities of daily living are all reasonable qualms experienced by people as they advance into their golden years. Seniors beset with worries like these are likely to refuse…
