Sometimes We All Take A Spill

Are You Sure You Or Your Loved Ones Are Safe In Their Home Alone?

Each year, one-third of the population 65 years and older experiences at least one fall, and half of those seniors fall repeatedly.

An older adult is treated in a hospital emergency room for a fall  every 18 seconds, and every 35  minutes an older adult dies as a  result of a fall-related injury. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.

Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities leading to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

People who fall frequently should be enrolled in an emergency signaling system. Protective equipment such as knee and elbow pads can help prevent injuries.

Life Style Changes

Life style changes can help prevent  falls:

• stay in when it is rainy or icy
• have regular vision screening check-ups for correct eyeglasses
• use separate reading glasses and other regular glasses if bifocals make it difficult to see the floor
• be cautious when walking on wet floors and remove all hazards such as loose rugs and electrical cords in pathways
• wear good foot support
• be aware that new shoes are slippery and crepe-soled shoes can cause the toe to catch
• have foot pain corrected
• keep toenails trimmed and feet healthy for good balance
• review medications, which may have side effects, with the doctor
• limit alcohol consumption, especially when taken with medications

Tip:  Leave a blanket, pillow, and phone on the floor out of the way of  foot traffic. In case of a fall, the person in your care can stay warm and call for help.

If the Person in Your Care Falls

A good way to tell if a part of the body has been injured in a fall is to compare it with an uninjured part. For example, compare the injured leg with the uninjured leg. Do they look and feel the same? Do they move the same way?

When you suspect a broken bone, follow these steps:

• If the person cannot move or use the injured limb, keep it from moving. Do not straighten a deformed arm or leg. Splint an injury in the position you find it.
• Support the injured part above and below the site of the injury by using folded towels, blankets, pillows, or magazines.
• If the person is face down, roll him over with the “log rolling” technique. If you have no one to help you and the not victim is breathing adequately, leave the person in the same position.
• If the person does not complain of neck pain but is feeling sick to the stomach, turn the person on one side.
• If the person complains of neck pain, keep his neck steady by putting a few pillows on either side of his head. Keep the head flat.
• Place a piece of cloth on the injury site and apply ice over the cloth.
• Keep the person warm with a blanket and make the person as comfortable as possible.
• Call 911.

If You Fall

How you react after a fall can cause more injuries than the fall itself. If you try to  get up too quickly or in the wrong position, you may make an injury worse. Relax, take several deep breaths and determine if you are hurt. If you believe you are injured, do not attempt to get up. Instead, call 911 or get help from a  family member.

But if you do not feel dizzy, are not in pain and feel strong enough to get up, follow these steps:

1. Roll over on to your hands and knees.
2. Crawl to a steady chair.
3. Put your strongest leg under you so that your foot is on the floor.
4. Stand up using your arms on the chair for support.
5. Sit on the chair until you feel comfortable to walk.

Be sure to let your health care provider know about your fall.  A physical or occupational therapist can teach you and the person in your care the best techniques for getting up from the fl oor after a fall. (Check local programs in your community on fall-prevention classes.)

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.

Sources: CDC,  Adapted from The Comfort of Home: Caregiver Series, © 2012 CareTrust Publications. www.comfortofhome.com

photo credit: storyvillegirl

What Should You Do About Senior Alcohol Abuse

It may be quite surprising to you to realize that your elderly mother or another senior in your life has come to abuse alcohol.  After all, none of us plan to become alcoholics when we grow up and many of us take great pains to avoid the devastation of this disease.

However, if you find yourself wondering if Mom or Dad is drinking too much, know that you are not alone.  Research shows that alcoholism among seniors is a silent epidemic on the rise, one study reporting that 17% of those over 65 abuse alcohol.[1]

The reasons the elderly may abuse alcohol vary but often include depression and the loneliness many seniors face at an age when they may have outlived their spouses and close friends.

Retirement can also have an impact, increasing a senior’s sense of isolation and lack of purpose in life.  Often, seniors who abuse alcohol are unable to adjust to changes in their lives due to aging and turn to alcohol to combat feelings of sadness and grief.

It is important to talk to the senior in your life regarding the dangers of drinking too much alcohol.  An honest, open line of communication regarding their happiness and mental state is key.  If you suspect your elderly loved one is battling loneliness and isolation, talk to them about things they can do that interest them.

Many seniors lead happy active lifestyles after retirement, and even after the loss of a beloved spouse.  Some travel, others volunteer, join garden and book clubs or participate in other activities.  For those who cannot be that active, having a Comfort Keeper® spend time with your senior may help combat some of the loneliness that can lead to alcohol abuse.

Also, discuss the dangers that alcohol consumption may pose for the elderly. During the normal aging process, liver and kidney function may decline, metabolic rates can change, and blood flow may slow – all of which can cause negative effects on the body’s ability to process alcohol.

Sometimes, just a drink or two can cause seniors to become lightheaded or even drunk, causing falls and other accidents. In fact, some early warning signs your elderly loved one may be  consuming too much alcohol are frequent falls and injuries.

Alcohol use may intensify illnesses that seniors have, such as low blood pressure, diabetes and depression.  Some medicine is weakened when combined with alcohol, which can cause dire complications regarding life-sustaining medications.  Mixing any amount of alcohol with some medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, can cause adverse effects, furthering the risk of additional illness or injury.

Knowing these facts may help seniors decide to limit their intake of alcoholic beverages or not drink them at all. During your talks, share the statistics of seniors who abuse alcohol.  Let them know they are not alone and there are help groups designed for their ages that offer support as well as a successful road to recovery and the happiness they deserve in 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.

Is it Getting Hotter or What!

How Are You Beating The Summer Heat?

Dehydration and heat stroke are common heat-related diseases that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating isn’t enough and a person’s body temperature rises rapidly.

Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. When both the temperature and humidity are high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Old age, youth (age 0–4), obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn and prescription drug and alcohol use are other risk factors for heat-related illness.

Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. When the body is unable to control its temperature,

it rises rapidly and sweating mechanisms fail. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10–15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Heat exhaustion is less severe, more common, and occurs when the body becomes severely dehydrated. If left untreated, it leads to heat stroke.

Signs of Heat Stroke

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

These are signs of a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call 911 while you begin cooling the person:

• Get him to a shady area.
• Cool him rapidly, however you can: Immerse him in a cool tub of water or shower; spray him with cool water from a garden hose; sponge him with cool water; or, if the humidity is low, wrap him in a cool, wet sheet and fan him vigorously.
• Monitor body temperature; continue cooling efforts until body temperature drops to 101–102°F.
• If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the ER for further instructions.
• If he is conscious and able to swallow, give cool water or other nonalcoholic, decaffeinated beverages.

Stay Hydrated, Stay Safe

• Drink: Drinking plenty of water is key to staying healthy in the heat.  During hot weather, drink more liquid than your thirst indicates. Increase fluid intake, regardless of activity level. Avoid drinks containing alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they actually cause you to lose more fluid. If a doctor limits fluid intake, make sure to ask how much to drink when it is hot.
• Keep drinks cool, not cold, which causes stomach cramps.
• Wear loose clothing which helps air to circulate around your skin, allowing sweat to evaporate and cool your body.
• Stay out of the sun.
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: Sunburned skin hampers your body’s ability to cool off.

Know the symptoms: Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps and irritability. If you notice any of these symptoms, take a break and drink water.

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.

Owning a pet can be fun and rewarding for people of all ages.  Who does not appreciate the joyous greeting your dog displays when you return home for the day, tail wagging furiously – that sparkle in his eyes just for you?  Or, how about snuggling with your soft, sweet cat, her gentle purr tickling your ears?  Their antics are sure to bring a smile to your face no matter what is going on around you, and the love they have for you is certain to lift your heart on even your worst day.

Aside from the warm and fuzzy feelings pets provide, it is becoming widely known that owning a pet can be beneficial to a person’s health and overall well-being, especially for the elderly.  Extensive research has shown that seniors who own pets may have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, shortened hospital stays, increased socialization, and may be less susceptible to bouts of depression.  Walking a dog encourages exercise, and caring for any animal fosters the caregiving side of a person, fulfilling our natural nurturing instincts.  Many assisted living facilities are now allowing visits by dogs because the interaction with the elderly can be therapeutic in lifting their spirits and brightening their days, reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness.

Diane Pomerance, PhD, is a renowned pet expert who has published seven books on various topics of owning pets.  She believes the most important thing owning a pet offers people of any age is loyal companionship.  This can be important for seniors who have lived long enough to survive the loss of beloved family and friends.  Not only do pets provide comfort during times of grief, but caring for a pet gives a person a reason to get up every day and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness.  Loneliness can be prevalent in the lives of seniors, and pets are able to fill that gap by being needed, offering unwavering love and steadfast support to their owners.

Pets are rewarding, but they also require proper attention and care.  If the senior in your life decides to become a pet owner, it is important to help determine the best pet by using the physical capabilities of your loved one as a critical guideline.  Owning fish can offer the same feelings of calmness, stress relief and other benefits discussed above, but cleaning and maintaining a fish tank may require assistance not readily available.  Cats are somewhat easy, as the attention they require is minimal compared to dogs that may need to be walked daily.  For the elderly choosing dogs, Dr. Pomerance recommends animals that are a bit older themselves and already well-trained, instead of puppies.  She is also an advocate of the elderly rescuing appropriate animals from shelters, believing these angels are saving a life and enriching their own.

If your elderly loved one seems a bit lonely or in need of something that provides a sense of purpose, consider helping choose a pet.  Pet owners will tell you that nothing compares to the unconditional love that pets freely give, forging a unique bond that transcends the barriers human-to-human contact can present.  Pets do not care what we look like, if we are having a bad hair day, or if we wake up on the wrong side of the bed.  No need to keep up with the Joneses, either, for we can be exactly who we are with our pets…and they will love us anyway.

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:

Pomerance, Diane (2011).  http://www.animalcompanionsandtheirpeople.com/.

Pomerance, Diane.  Pets bring healing to baby boomers. Retrieved on 3/10/11from http://ezinearticles.com/?Pets-Bring-Healing-To-Baby-Boomers&id=1018198.

Pomerance, Diane (2011). Best dogs for older people. Retrieved on 3/10/11 from  http://animalcompanionsandtheirpeople.com/wordpress2/.

The Delta Society (2011).  Healthy reasons to have a pet. Retrieved on 3/9/11 from http://www.detlasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=380.

Senior-Site.  The healing power of pets.  Retrieved on 3/8/11 from http://seniors-site.com/petsm/needpets.html.

Fitzgerald, Faith H., MD  (1986).  National Institutes of Health. The therapeutic value of pets. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1306544/.

Hart, Lynette A.  The role of pets in enhancing human well-being:  effects for older people. Retrieved on 3/8/11 from www.deltasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=319.

photo credit: sleepyneko