Posts Tagged ‘Independence’
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
 It is difficult to take care of a senior citizen when he or she has many different needs and on the other hand, it is difficult to be an elder person when age brings with it a lot of dependence on another person. But the demands of the caregiver and the one needing care can create situations in which abuse is more likely to occur. Stress can get great for both at this time.
Many of those who are nonprofessionals such as spouses and adult children, find taking care of the elderly, satisfying; however the responsibilities that can come with deteriorating health can be stressful. That stress that results from being burned out for example can lead to mental and physical abuse.
Among caregivers, risk factors for elder abuse are inability to cope with the stress, depression, lack of support from other caregivers, the ideation that taking care of the elderly carries heavy burden, and substance abuse.
Even those that give care in institutional settings can experience this kind of stress levels that lead to abuse. Even nursing home staff may be prone to elder abuse if they do not have the proper training, have many responsibilities, are not suited to care giving, or work under poor conditions.
Several factors concerning the elderly, while they do not excuse the abuse, might have influence over whether they are at greater risk for abuse. These factors include the degree of an elder’s illness or dementia, social isolation (the caregiver and the elder are alone together a lot), whether the elder had been an abusive parent previously, a history of domestic violence in the home, and the elder’s own tendency toward verbal or physical aggression.
In many cases, elder abuse is not intentional. Caregivers are often pushed beyond their capabilities or psychological means and may not intend to yell at, strike out, or ignore the needs of the elderly in their care.
If you suspect elder abuse, do not hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
Check back on Thursday, October 7, 2010 for the 4th installment in the series on elder abuse
Tags: Dementia, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, Health, Health care, Home Care, home care provider, Home Health, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health, staying social
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
 At first, you might not see the signs of elder abuse; it may look like a case of dementia or just simply an age factor and caregivers may explain it like that. In fact, many of the signs of elder abuse DO resemble those of dementia but that doesn’t mean that they should be dismissed.
Warning signs of elder abuse include frequent arguments and tension between the caregiver and the elderly person and personality and behavior changes. If you suspect elder abuse but are not quite sure, look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Unexplained physical injury such as bruises, welts or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two sides of the body
- Broken bones, sprains or dislocations
- Drug overdose report or failure to take medications regularly
- Broken eyeglasses
- Rope marks on wrists or other signs of restraint
- Caregivers refusal to allow elder to be seen alone
In addition to the signs you can see, there are also signs that you cannot see such as those relation to emotional, sexual, or neglect. Those signs include:
- Threatening or controlling behavior that you witness
- Behavior that mimics dementia such as rocking or mumbling
- Bruises on or around breasts or genitals
- Unexplained genital infections
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn, stained, or bloody under garmets
- Unusual weight loss or signs of improper eating
- Bed sores
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Personal hygiene being neglected
- Clothing not appropriate for weather
- Desertion of elder such as the mall, restaurant, or some other public place
- Significant withdrawals from the elder’s account
- Sudden change in the elder’s financial status
- Missing items from the elder’s household
- Changes in wills or power o attorney
- Name additions to elder’s signature card
- Unpaid bills even though there is money enough to pay for them
These signs are not all inclusive; however, they do present themselves the most.
Among all forms of abuse, there is yet another: Healthcare abuse and fraud. One would not think that their doctor’s office was trying to fraud them, but it happens more often that one would think. Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Duplicate billing for the same service or device
- Evidence of over-medication or under medication
- Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full
- Problems with the care facility such as poorly trained or insufficient staff, crowding, or inadequate responses to questions about care
If you suspect elder abuse, do not hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
Check back on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 for more on elder abuse
Tags: Abuse, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, Health care, Home Care, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health, social services
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
 Many men experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their life. A large percentage of these men are age 55 and over. Sadly, only a small percentage talks with their doctor about this problem.
Impotence can happen at any age, however, most men feel that it is an age-related problem and that it is normal to have an simply do not talk to their physician. And let’s face it, it’s a personal matter and embarrassing to some, so men just avoid the subject all together for the most part. In a survey of men age 60 or over, 61% reported being sexually active, and nearly half derived as much if not more benefit from their sex lives as they did in their 40s (About.com: Health Topics A-Z, 2010).
Erectile dysfunction in elderly men is more of a side effect with disease than age. Older men are more likely to have conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure than younger men. Sometimes, these conditions and/or some of their treatments (medications, etc) are in fact to blame for impotence.
There are in fact, many physical and psychological reasons that can cause brief periods of impotence; this should be considered as normal as getting a cold. To be honest, getting a cold could be a common reason that could cause temporary impotence. Most men do experience this from time to time in their life. Persistent problems should be discussed with a physician, particularly since it is treatable. It may also be a symptom of another type of problem. When in doubt, speak with your doctor (About.com: Health Topics A-Z, 2010).
Works Cited
(2010). Retrieved October 3, 2010, from About.com: Health Topics A-Z: http://adam.about.com/reports/000015_1.htm
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, Home Health, impotence, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, non medical care, quality of life, senior citizens, Senior Health, Spending quality time, staying social
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
 Having to face the fact of your parent getting older is hard; however, financial and health concerns need to be put in order so that, in the event of something unexpected, that you are prepared, legally.
- Hire a lawyer who specializes in elder law estate planning, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and guardianship matters. Have the attorney meet with you and your elderly parent (or the elderly or disabled person you will be taking care of) so that the purpose of power of attorney can be explained and also to inform him or her of their options.
- Gather the important papers—property records, bank/investment statements, medical records, tax records, marriage/divorce records, birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license, insurance policies, and any other legal paperwork that is still active; be prepared to review all of this information with the attorney.
- Make decisions as to what must be prepared besides the power of attorney. If there is not a will in place, one should be written while your charge is still able to understand and make decisions.
- Have the attorney prepare a durable power of attorney. This consists of financial power of attorney as well as a health care power of attorney. This will require your elderly parent’s signature. It must be signed in the presence of two or more witnesses (depending on the state of residence) and a notary public. As the designated representative, you will not have to sign the form.
- File the executed power of attorney and all accompanying paperwork, with the court clerk’s office, if required. Be aware that some states make it mandatory to do so. Keep a copy of all paperwork filed for your records. You may be required to present this paper whenever you conduct business on your elderly/disabled parent’s behalf.
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, financial stability, Health, Health care, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health, Service Providers, Spending quality time
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Thursday, September 30th, 2010
It is said that one out of every 5 Americans over the age of 65 has been the target in one way or another of a scam involving money. Stealing money from senior citizens, or conning them out of money, amounts to billions of dollars each year with that number on the rise. For every case of scamming that is reported, it is said that four more go unreported. And alarmingly enough, more than half of those reported cases of frauds or scams, family members or care givers are the offender.
There are now organizations in place in an effort to help catch the offenders. Once such organization is called Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation project and it was created by the Investor Protection Trust. Investor Protection Trust joined forces with several organizations to create this project. These organizations include such organizations as The American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Area Health Education Center Organization and the National Association of Geriatric Education Centers, just to name a few. A short brochure on this project is available at www.investorprotection.org.
Essentially, frauding or scamming the elderly is a form of abuse. An elder abuse project was tested in Texas where several cases of this kind of abuse went to trial and resulted in convictions. Among those convicted was a lawyer who was sentenced to 99 years in the state prison for a supposed investment opportunity that snagged mostly the elderly in his scheme.
The more of our senior citizen population that is swindled out of their money, the bigger burden they will be to the government who will have to help see to their care.
Information obtained from http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_16065238
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, financial stability, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, socializing, staying social
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Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
 For many years, dogs have been trained to aid the blind. Now, in more recent years, animals are being trained for other medicinal purposes such as for those with seizures and the elderly.
Therapy animals are specifically chosen to visit nursing homes, senior centers, day care centers, hospitals, prisons, and children’s homes in hopes of bringing physical and emotional comfort to people. Oftentimes, these animals are just your everyday ordinary animal who has an owner who is willing and able to volunteer their time with their pet to those in need of some sort of comfort. Ideally, for an animal to be considered for an activity such as this, the animal should be sociable, gentle, friendly, not afraid, and has the ability to get along with anyone.
Many scientists and doctors alike believe that the mind-body connection is closely related. For example, those individuals who feel isolated (as many elderly do) have a tendency to give up on life. Also, people who are sick are more likely to heal and get well if they are happy and comfortable. This is where animal therapy comes in. There are many advantages of this type of non-conventional therapy, ranging from physical to emotional.
Therapy animals have been known to:
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Increase physical motivation
- Decrease pain
- Encourage speech
- Make patients more receptive to medical treatment and eating
- Generally increase a patient’s will to live
Therapy animals affect people of all ages in a positive way. The animals bring a myriad of emotional and physical benefits to those in hospitals, nursing homes, and other places. These animals are reported to save many lives and also provide love, kindness, and comfort in the finals hours of life for many individuals.
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly volunteering, financial stability, Home Care, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, quality of life, senior citizens, socializing, staying social
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
 As people get older, body systems do not seem to work as well as they did at a younger age. This makes it important to take care of ourselves the best we can; diet, exercise, and rest will all help to keep our bodies working well. Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how well we take care of ourselves, illness and disease can take hold of us. In the elderly, it seems that heart problems are prevalent.
Here are a few tips to help keep your heart in tip-top shape:
- Loose weight~Your heart will not have to work as hard to send blood to all parts of a slimmer body.
- Avoid hard exercise~This puts a sudden pumping demand on your heart.
- Engage in mild exercise~Walking or joining a doctor approved cardiac rehab program could help strengthen your heart.
- Wear loose clothing~Wear clothing that encourages good blood flow in the legs; tight socks or hose with tight tops could slow blood flow to your legs thus causing clots.
- Avoid extreme temperatures~The body works harder to keep the body temperature normal when you are too hot or too cold.
- Avoid colds/flus~Try to stay away from those who are sick; also ask your doctor about yearly flu shots and the pneumonia shot.
- Limit alcohol~Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you (though it should be avoided altogether) as alcohol weakens the heart; heart failure could improve if alcohol is eliminated.
- Get plenty of rest~Your body needs 8 hours of sleep a day.
- Drink plenty of water~8 (8oz) glasses per day is recommended.
- Keep legs elevated when sitting~This will help to increase circulation. Having your legs hanging down for extended periods of time can cause the blood to pool in your lower extremities thus putting you at risk for blood clots.
- Most importantly, LISTEN to your body and on days you feel well, do more and on days you feel sick, do less.
Tags: congestive heart failure, diet, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, exercise, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Heart disease, heart failure, Home Health, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, non medical care, quality of life, senior citizens, Senior Health
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Monday, September 27th, 2010
 There are many easy projects that can be found for the elderly to do; however, it’s important to remember not to have a lengthy project to complete but to have one that can be completed in a relatively short time period.
Use your imagination! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Make a collage. Have the individual look through magazines to see what pictures catch their attention or see what pictures can describe them. Also look for things that the person likes or possibly has a touching memory for them (for example, for me, fall images—leaves, pumpkins, etc. always give me a warm feeling). Cut out the pictures and glue them all to a piece of poster board. Use a glitter pen to decorate (mark their name at the top, etc.). Also using foam cut-outs (available at any craft store such as Michaels, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, and even Wal-Mart) to help decorate would be fun and many of the foam cut-outs are now self-adhesive. This is to be a sure hit! Allow them to assist as much as possible.
- Make some greeting cards. Left over craft items (beads, cut-outs, etc.), card stock, colored markers and glue is all they need to create a card for any occasion!
- Make some sugar cookies and decorate them! Not only is this fun but they get to eat what they created. Pass the milk…
These are just a few ideas. Motor skills and abilities might be impaired but with a little help, the possibilities are endless!
Tags: dexterity, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, elderly volunteering, Independence, maintaining independence, motor skills, quality of life, senior citizens, socializing, staying social
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Sunday, September 26th, 2010
 Many senior citizens are faced with a lot of free time on their hands; they are retired and suddenly, have nothing to do (or what they feel is nothing to do) for all those hours that used to be dedicated to a career.
One important thing a senior citizen must remember to do is keep their body and mind active. There are many activities and social events that can help them to do just that.
Going out to explore is a great way to get some exercise and take a look at the world around you. Have you ever wanted to go hiking but just didn’t want to do it alone? Post a message at your local senior center to get the ball rolling. You can see many wonderful sites this way such as the leaves turning in the fall, animals in their habitat, or the sun rise or set just to name a few. And it’s always much safer with a partner.
Those if hiking isn’t quite what you were thinking, there are always more laid back activities such as fishing. If you are up for a bit more than just merely whiling the day away waiting for a nibble, check out your local Fish and Game department for upcoming fishing events such as competitions.
If outdoor activities are not possible due to health problems or limitations, then indoor activities are right up your alley. There are loads of card and board games that require socializing with others; this can benefit your mental and memory skills. Many senior centers and assisted living communities have a regular Bingo night and if there isn’t one, start one! You are likely to find many like-minded individuals who are willing to play a game that fits any physical or mental ability.
Other indoor activities can include crafts such as painting, needlework, and beading, even writing or drawing. Reading books, magazines, or articles can help keep you informed and your mind active. The computer is a plethora of information on different creative topics from finding patterns to crochet to reading about the local news and anything and everything in between. Doing a simple web search can lead you to clubs and organizations in your area so that you can meet others with your interests.
Social gatherings are another way to help keep you active and also help to not feel so lonely. Everyone needs socialization. Your local community center or even church can supply you with information. Taking classes, participating in daytrips or tour groups can get out you out of the house and meeting others.
You have some free time now and it’s your Golden Years; take advantage of it!
Tags: day trips, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, staying social
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Friday, September 24th, 2010
 There is a continually rising number of elderly becoming at risk for malnourished or undernourished. Not receiving the proper nutrition can lead to health issues and thus can further lead to a loss of elderly independence. It is estimated that a third of the elderly population is at risk for malnutrition because they are not eating healthy, well-balanced diets.
These people could be your neighbors, your aunts or uncles, your grandparents or your parents. It is common for family and friends to not know how well an elderly person is eating. It is not something talked about often enough and it’s something that the elderly are not really aware of either.
There is a variety of reasons that lead to unhealthy eating for the elderly population. For some elderly, it’s a financial issue. They choose to buy medications needed over nutritious food. For others, it might be dentures that don’t fit, causing a chewing problem or that medication causes a bizarre taste, making food taste strange. Or it could possibly be that depression, loneliness, or illness has simply caused a loss of appetite.
Many times, these elderly citizens may not want to impose upon family members or care givers, so they simply ignore the problem or they might not even recognize that it’s a problem at all.
There are different agencies such as Senior Centers or Meals-on-Wheels that offer a hot meal during the week at a location or their home. These meals include protein, fruits, and vegetables. These meals can help senior citizens meet their daily nutritional requirements. Another organization, Angel Food Ministries, offers a meal plan for senior citizens. These meals are pre-packpaged and pre-measured. They are ordered monthly from a location such as church and are picked up within a few weeks from the same location. These meals are diabetic safe and are microwaveable. The meal package can be paid for a variety of ways including EBT (electronic benefits transfer).
Many organizations offer not only meals to senior citizens but also seminars on diet, nutrition, and healthy eating. These organizations also can offer many different services such as help grocery shopping, finding local resources (such as the SNAP program which is formerly known as food stamps), and other nutrition programs (such as local distribution of USDA foods.
It is important to remember that nutrition is an important part of a senior citizen’s daily life; good nutrition helps maintain health and well-being.
For information on the Angel Food Ministries food program, please visit http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
Tags: delivery services, diet, elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly care, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, food services, Health, Health care, Independence, maintaining independence, Nutrition, senior citizens, Senior Health
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