The Bedroom

If the  person in your  care  spends lots  of time in the  bedroom, make it comfortable, convenient and  safe.

Good lighting makes a room cheerful, makes getting around easier and  reduces the  risk of falls  and medication errors. If the  room  doesn’t get much natural daylight, install sturdy floor lamps (position them in a corner where they won’t be knocked over),  wall-mounted lamps or lamps that attach firmly  to the  bed frame. Avoid table lamps that can  tip  over, break and  cause fires.  Most  light bulbs get hot,  so use  light fixtures that shield the  bulb  from  fingers. Night lights in the  bedroom, in the  hallway just outside the  bedroom, and  in the nearest bathroom are  also  important. For  daytime naps, use  light-blocking blinds. Keep  blind cords  looped  up or knotted to avoid  tripping hazards.

Make  sure the  bed is comfortable, according to the  person’s preference. Keep  heaters clean  and  clear of furnishings, drapes and  bedding. Sleep  is enhanced when the  room is slightly cooler (about 65° F). Fresh air  is important. Crack open  windows in nice weather and  air  the  room frequently.

A bedside table should be sturdy, large enough to accommodate whatever the  person needs, and  at a comfortable height and  distance from the  bed. Always keep  a flashlight within easy reach. Unless the  person in your  care is bedridden, encourage him  or her to sit in a comfortable chair—not the bed—when watching TV or listening to the  radio. To avoid insomnia, the  bed should only be used for sleeping—not eating, working or watching TV. That same comfortable, sturdy chair is also helpful when dressing, and  can be used as a balance or support aid in transferring or moving around the room.

A portable commode is helpful for a person with limited mobility. The  portable commode (with  the  pail removed) can  be used over the  toilet seat and  as a shower seat.

The  mattress should be firm,  a comfortable height—about 22″ is good—and placed securely against a wall.  If the  bed has  wheels, lock them. If blocks  are  used to raise its  height, make sure they are  secure.

Bed guard rails may  be helpful when getting in and  out  of bed,  but may add  to the risk  of falls  if the person attempts to climb  over them. Consult with a physical therapist about the  best  way  to use  them—if at all—for  the  person in your  care. A bed cane may  be a safer alternative; it has a wooden base  that fits between the mattress and box spring and a grab bar above.

If the  person in your  care  is frequently up at night, place  an alarm mat beside the  bed,  use an  infrared sensor beam to sound an  alarm when he crosses the  beam, or attach a motion sensor to clothing. For  those who wander, lower  the bed height by removing casters, box springs, or legs; place  the  dresser at the  end  of the  bed.  If necessary, install a monitor to listen to activity in the  room.

Also consider adding:

• A fish tank, to provide entertainment and  relaxation
• A bulletin board with pictures of family and  friends hung where it can  be easily seen
• A calender and  an  easy-to-read alarm clock to keep  the  person oriented to date and  time

Outdoor Areas

Safe  outdoor areas are  important, especially for those who are  frail  but  still mobile. Safety features include:

• Ramps instead of steps
• Sturdy railings on decks  and  porches
• Alarmed or locked  outside doors
• Good lighting, to illuminate walkway hazards
• Nonslip step surfaces in good repair
• Stair handrails
• Step edges  marked with reflective paint
• A hedge or fence  around the  yard, and  sturdy fencing around dangerous areas like  pools or streams

A periodic safety check  identifies items that need  attention and  can  be a reminder of safety behaviors you need  to follow:

• Remove  power  tools  after use.
• Keep  steps and  sidewalks clear and free  from  toys,  tools,  ice and  snow.
• Keep  the  yard free  of sharp objects.
• Keep  lawn in good repair.
• Keep  clotheslines strung high  so no one walks into  them.
• Keep  gas  and  charcoal grills clean; use  with caution.

Doors, Windows, and Steps

Because a person with Alzheimer’s may  try  to leave  the  house on his  own:

• Install an  electric eye device  that rings when someone goes out.
• Install a lock close to the  floor, where it is less  noticeable.
• Cover  the  door knob  to make it difficult to grasp and  open.
• Use decals to hide  or disguise the  door.
• Lock sliding doors.
• Install window guards.
• Consider installing a keypad lock that requires the  user to enter a code to open  the  door.

Your local Area  Agency  on Aging provides home  safety resources. Check with local police  to find out  if they manage a Senior Locks  Program, which installs deadbolt locks and  other security devices for homeowners 55 and  older who meet federal income  guidelines.

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.

photo credit: icefront

Stress is a common factor in life. Children experience stress from school, new social situations and simply growing up. Adults feel the stress of working, paying bills, raising kids and maintaining households. Seniors also feel stress even though some may have retired, raised their children and paid off their homes. Certain amounts of stress are a part of life for people of all ages.

For seniors, sometimes stress has the potential to be especially overwhelming. This type of tension in older adults has unique contributing factors, such as the loss of an elderly spouse and friends they have outlived. Living alone can increase the sense of isolation. Sometimes the simple tasks of everyday life can cause stress in those who experience physical and / or medical limitations. The effects of stress can sometimes exacerbate health conditions from which some seniors suffer, causing additional worry.

Stress can present itself in various ways. Here are five of the most common ways to detect if a loved one’s stress is cause for concern:

• Changes in eating habits such as over eating or loss of appetite can be caused by overwhelming stress.
• Mood swings due to stress may present in increased irritability, general sadness or depression.
• Memory issues may arise in the form of increased forgetfulness of names, places or other things that normally come natural to seniors. Lack of concentration may become a problem. Some seniors may exercise poor judgment such as excessive spending when they are already on a limited budget.
• Physical signs of stress can include body aches and pains, or increased episodes of illness. Changes in sleeping patterns – either trouble falling asleep or interrupted nighttime sleep – can signal significant stress.
• Seniors experiencing overwhelming stress often isolate themselves from others, refusing to socialize or participate in activities they used to enjoy.

Family caregivers of seniors should be cognizant of stress as it relates to their loved ones. Knowing the signs and detecting them early on can help seniors learn to recognize stress factors and to take steps to alleviate the effects stress can cause. Activities such as yoga, walking and other physical exercises designed for seniors are great tension relievers. Many seniors enjoy the benefits of Tai Chi classes geared to their physical abilities. The Mayo Clinic supports this gentle form of martial arts not only as a way to relieve stress but also as an activity that helps other health-related conditions.

Some seniors are unable to participate in physical activities, but there are other ways to reduce stress. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting a good night’s sleep can keep stress at bay. Joining a non-physical group activity, such as a bridge club or volunteering, offers socialization and a chance to clear the mind of daily responsibilities. There are also local agencies that can help with tasks that might cause undue stress for seniors. Respite care organizations can help with housework or grocery shopping. Religious organizations often have groups who can assist seniors with yard work or other strenuous tasks around the home.

The fact that stress is a fact of life does not mean that overwhelming stress is a burden seniors have to shoulder all alone. With help, seniors can combat stress and its negative effects. Spend time helping seniors determine what burdens they face. Help them plan ways suited to their lifestyles that are not only fun but that can minimize the pressures stress can cause. By doing so, the quality of life seniors experience can increase, further paving the way for them to lead independent lives within the comfort of their own homes.

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.

References

Love to Know Senior Citizens. Stress and seniors. Retrieved on March 9, 2012 from http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/Stress_and_Seniors.

Mayo Clinic (2009). Tai chi: Discover the many possible health benefits. Retrieved on March 9, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087.

Bolyn, Michelle (2010). Livestrong.com. 10 symptoms of stress. Retrieved on March 9, 2012 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/144336-10-symptoms-stress/.

photo credit: jzlomek

Drug Abuse Rising Among Seniors

Drug abuse in the senior population is on the rise. Shocking? Yes. After all, no one thinks of grandma, grandpa and drug abuse in the same thought. However, research conducted in 2010 shows that approximately 4.3 million older adults used illegal drugs within the previous year. Further, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), the agency that monitors the utilization of medications and illicit drugs reporting in emergency rooms across the nation, reported the two most common prescription drugs that are abused are benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan) and opiates (such as oxycodone (Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), morphine, and methadone). The abuse ranges from dependence on solely one drug to several combinations. (1)

When exploring this topic, it is important to note the difference between the misuse of drugs versus the abuse of drugs. Misuse is unintentional, usually the result of inadvertent mixing of multiple medicines some seniors take for various medical conditions that occur as they age. If patients and doctors do not communicate and pay strict attention to multiple drugs prescribed to a senior, that senior can suffer adverse reactions when those drugs are mixed. Abuse, on the other hand, is intentional and can involve not only prescription painkillers and other drugs, but also those of nonprescription variety.

In both instances, it is important to recognize the signs a senior may exhibit when either misusing or abusing drugs. Symptoms can include: loss of appetite, memory loss, increased incidents of falling, losing balance, fluctuations in blood pressure, disruption of sleep patterns, anxiety, depression, lethargy, weakness, confusion and increased agitation. Detecting the signs in older adults may be challenging, as some of the symptoms are prevalent in seniors due to medical conditions or simply aging in general.

When approaching a senior regarding a potential drug problem, it is important to determine the type of use in question. If misuse is suspected, the matter may be simply resolved by implicit coordination with the senior’s care providers to ensure multiple medications prescribed are safe to take together. Seniors in this instance may not even be aware they are misusing their medications. Monitoring the times these medications are taken can also be crucial to avoid accidental overdoses.

If abuse is suspected, the resolution can be a bit more challenging. Those who abuse drugs are clever at hiding it. Some seniors who abuse drugs may be doing so to alleviate physical pain. Others may use drugs to mask the emotional pain of losing a spouse and to combat general feelings of loneliness and isolation living alone can cause. Determining abuse in these cases might require stealthy measures, such as snooping through a loved one’s medicine cabinet, dropping in unannounced for visits or even alerting the senior’s doctor of the potential problem.

In the event of discovering a loved one is abusing drugs, one should not feel alone. With senior drug use on the rise, communities across the nation are rising to combat this growing problem. There are local, state and federal programs designed with seniors in mind to help them overcome these problems. Religious organizations also offer counseling services for families facing drug abuse. with proper help, there is success. It does not just take a village to raise a child – the village continues to care for its own as the child grows into adulthood and beyond. With helping hands, seniors can overcome these obstacles and achieve happy, healthy lifestyles throughout their golden years.

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.

References

(1)May, Luella. NaturalNews.com (2010). Statistics show drug abuse in seniors is rising. Retrieved on March 8, 2012, from http://www.naturalnews.com/028858_seniors_drug_abuse.html

photo credit: Purple Penning

Preparing to Care for Aging Loved Ones

There are many joys families experience within the relationships they have with senior relatives. Grandma and Grandpa are often able to tell the best tales of times past. The memories they impart during family get-togethers, along with valuable family history seniors recount, become the ties that bind many families together. Our elder ancestors are the very roots that strengthen each relative’s sense of place, comfort and knowledge of how they came to be in this world.

Along with the joys seniors bring to our lives come hard decisions that may eventually need to be made regarding their ability to live alone. Some seniors suffer mental or physical limitations that make it difficult for them to safely care for themselves. In these instances, family members find themselves in the position of deciding who can provide the best care for their loved ones. Typically, this decision-making process – from recognition to solution – can take approximately a year and a half. Usually a female family member such as a daughter or granddaughter is the one who makes the final decision of care.  In families where there is no daughter, this role often falls on the shoulders of the oldest son’s wife (the daughter-in-law).

There are two types of caregiving scenarios to consider – choosing a willing family member to provide care or hiring a home care company to deliver caregiving services for seniors. Deciding to become a family caregiver can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Family caregivers often find their relationships with their senior loved ones enriched and satisfying beyond words. It feels good to give the gift of time. Even so, becoming a family caregiver can have a negative impact in some ways, as well. Many family caregivers experience financial difficulties by either having to miss work to care for their loved one or by supporting two households. Family caregivers also become susceptible to suffering depression due to the physical and emotional impact caregiving for a family member can have. Careful consideration of all parties involved should be taken before a family member takes on a caregiving role.

An alternative to family caregiving is to hire a professional and experienced agency to provide care and support. Comfort Keepers^® is one such home care agency that focuses on  serving the senior population. Comfort Keepers perform duties ranging from occasional housekeeping to daily companionship for seniors who need close monitoring.

Comfort Keepers is an expert in helping families make these crucial decisions. As a leader in the home care industry, the company has devised a list of critical questions for families to ask when interviewing caregiving companies. That list can be found here: http://www.comfortkeepers.com/information-center/news-and-highlights/in-home-care-for-mom-and-dad. Choosing a company that best fits a loved one’s needs and facilitates a safe environment for a senior in his or her own home is essential for success.

Comfort Keepers conducted extensive research among families and other home care resources to determine the best way to broach caregiving with a senior loved one. Simply initiating the topic can cause tension and unease. This decision can inspire guilt for the person making the decision as well as resentment from the senior who needs care. Visit http://www.comfortkeepers.com/family-education-center/starting-the-conversation to find ideas that help families understand the core issues surrounding caregiving. This article also gives helpful insight as to how to discuss the matter without hurting feelings or making a senior feel uncomfortable.

In any event, deciding a loved one needs additional care can be a daunting experience. Deciding who can best care for a senior loved one is a very important decision. The end result should make everyone happy and provide peace of mind for all involved.

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.

photo credit: fairfaxcounty