Posts Tagged ‘Senior Health’
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
 Incontinence simply means loss of bladder control and it is a common condition that many who care for the elderly must deal with. It is more of a symptom and not a disease and is caused by a wide range of conditions and disorders including pelvic surgery, injuries, certain medications, and just basic degenerative changes that occur with aging.
Elderly with incontinence can experience both physical and emotional uneasiness. These are many things that can be done to treat and manage the condition. The first step in treatment is to see your doctor to find the cause and establish a treatment plan.
The following are some additional tips to help you, the caregiver, deal with some of the challenges associated with incontinence:
- Make the bathroom easy to find by using night lights in the bedrooms and hallways.
- Many elderly have accidents because they are unable to make to the bathroom in time; consider purchasing a bedside commode. This can be used in the bathroom over the regular toilet or it can be used bedside at night.
- Keep pathways through the home safe and clear; rearrange furniture and remove clutter; make sure throw rugs have a non-slip backing on them.
- Encourage the use of a walker or can to increase mobility.
- Get a waterproof bed sheet to help protect your mattress from night time accidents.
- Provide chairs with sturdy arms so that it reduces the strain of getting up; straining to get in or out of a chair can put pressure on the bladder.
- Make sure the elder is allowed enough time in the bathroom to completely empty the bladder.
- Remove wet clothing immediately after an accident and rinse out to cut down on odor; if the wet item cannot be rinsed right away, store in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- Have a schedule for toileting needs; start with every 2 hours and progress from there.
- Consider a raised toilet seat and handrails beside the toilet to make toileting more comfortable. A raised seat helps an elder get up and the handrails help to steady.
It only takes time and a little patience to work through the symptoms of incontinence.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, home care provider, Home Health, incontinence, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health, staying social
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Monday, October 11th, 2010
 For many elderly, the idea of living alone can be scary, especially if it is the first time. Some elderly haven’t ever living alone and have oftentimes relied on others to do things like the household budget. Other are having problems with health issues and one fall could be scary, or even life-threatening.
It doesn’t take a whole lot to insure that your elderly relative or friend is safe.
Use the following as a check-list:
- Lighting is important to insure that those with problems seeing can motor through the home easier. Nightlights are a great way to light up the floor.
- Consider moving their bedroom downstairs; stairs can be hard to maneuver if the elderly has mobility problems like arthritis. If stairs just can’t be avoided, insure that the handrails are sturdy and useable.
- Test all smoke alarms on a regular basis
- In the bathroom, use non-slip mats and grab bars for ease of getting in and out of the shower; a shower chair could also be considered.
- Insure that all electrical cords are out of the way safely. This could be a trip hazard.
- Consider putting a timer on small appliances; the elderly can forget to turn things off and these timers could save their life in the long run.
- Have an emergency escape route planned so that in the event the normal route is unable to reached, that they can get in and out of the house safely.
- Help make a list of emergency numbers and have them posted by a phone. This list should include doctors, hospital and nearby family and friends.
Planning ahead for a possible emergency eliminates a rush in the event of one and could save a life or lives.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, Independence, maintaining independence, safety, senior citizens, Senior Health
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010
 Richard Ow, an 80 year old gentleman, lives in the North Beach Hotel. He has been a resident there for the past 40 years. He earns less than $24,000 a year from his pension as a former postal worker. He retired 20 years ago. By what the federal government says, this man is not poor; but by San Francisco’s calculations, this elderly Chinatown man is living in poverty.
Mr. Ow considers himself fortunate; some of his friends are earning less than $800 a month from Social Security. The average check in San Francisco is $11, 319 annually which is a mere $500 above the federal poverty line.
Elderly residents are increasing in numbers to line up for the food banks and free meals. And, in the same breath, the federal government doesn’t consider them poor enough to qualify for many of the federal assistance programs.
For example, the federal government considers a single person earning $10, 830 or less a year as living in poverty; however, there are many seniors that earn as much as double that figure and still living in impoverished conditions.
A recent report by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development showed that 61% of San Francisco residents ages 65 and over earn less than $27,282 annually which is the bare minimum that a senior needs to cover necessary costs of living.
To help bridge the gap in costs, seniors will end up skipping meals or cutting pills in half to make them last longer. The economic recession has added to the problems of homelessness among senior citizens. In San Francisco, the number of food stamp, or SNAP, cases have grown by 55% in the past 17 months and the San Francisco Food Bank has seen a 25% increase in their case load over the past 12 months.
Based on an article located here; please visit for more information
Tags: bay area, California, elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, food pantry, food services, Health, Health care, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, pension, san francisco, senior citizens, Senior Health, social security, soup kitchen
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010
 The flu puts the elderly and those with chronic diseases at risk for problems associated. Those 84 and older are at the greatest risk, age 74 and older, the second highest, and children age 4 and under is the third highest risk.
The flu symptoms in the elderly may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue (can last 2-3 weeks)
- Extreme exhaustion
- General aches and pains
- Chest discomfort, cough (can become severe)
- Sore throat (not always)
- Runny or stuffy nose (not always)
Although more common in children, the elderly can also suffer from symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with the flu; however, these symptoms tend to be more common with the swine flu.
Complications of flu in the elderly may include:
- Pneumonia
- Dehydration
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and heart disease (Congestive Heart Failure)
It’s important to see your doctor immediate if you have any of these flu complications. The sooner you start medical treatment, the faster it can work to treat the more serious symptoms.
The best way to prevent the season flu is to get a flu vaccine annually. Getting a season flu shot helps reduce the risk of being hospitalized due to serious complications, however, the season flu viruses change each year, so the elderly need to get a new flu shot each fall. Flu shots can be obtained at your doctor’s office, drug stores, and various other locations.
The American Lung Association offers an online flu shot. Please visit here and enter your zip code and a date and you will receive information about flu shot clinics in your area.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, flu, flu vaccine, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Home Care, Home Health, Medicine, Senior Health, Vaccine
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Friday, October 8th, 2010
The incidence of elder abuse can be reduced, but it will take more time and effort that we are making right now. Preventing elder abuse means doing three things:
- Listening
- Intervening
- Educating
If you are a caregiver and overwhelmed by the demands of caring for the elderly there are a few things you can do as well to prevent an abuse of elder incidence:
- Request help when you need it so you can take a break
- Find an adult day care program
- Stay healthy
- Seek out therapy for depression
- Find an elder caregiver support group
- Seek help for drug and alcohol abuse
 Remember, elder abuse hotlines offer help for caregivers as well. Call a help line if you think that there is a possibility that you could cross that line and commit elder abuse.
As a concerned family member or friend, you can also help by:
- Watching for warning signs and if you suspect abuse report it
- Keep watch on the elder’s medications; does the amount in the container match up with the date of the prescription?
- Watch for possible financial abuse; ask if you could scan the bank accounts and credit card statements for possible unauthorized transactions
- Call and visit as often as you can
- Offer to stay with the elder so that the caregiver can take a break
If you are an elder, there are ways you can protect yourself against elder abuse. Here are some ideas:
- Make sure your financial and legal affairs are in order. If they aren’t, seek professional help to get them in order, with a trusted friend or relative if necessary.
- Keep in touch with family and friends and avoid isolation.
If you are unhappy with the care you’re receiving, whether it’s in your own home or in a care facility, speak up. Tell someone you know and trust and ask that person to report the abuse, neglect or substandard care to your state’s APS (Adult Protective Services) office, or make the call yourself.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
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, Home Care, Home Health, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health
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Thursday, October 7th, 2010
 Are you an elder who feels you are being abused, neglected, or exploited? Then tell at least one other person that you trust—your doctor, a close friend, or a family member. Other people care and can help you.
There are thousands of reports of elder abuse recorded by authorities every year; the majority of those reported are proven true. This number is only the tip of the iceberg; according to data from different states, for every case of elder abuse reported, there are about a dozen more that go unreported. There is a great need for people to report suspected abuse.
In every state, physical, sexual, and financial abuses that target elders violate laws against assault, rape, theft, and other offenses are punishable as crimes. With some variation among states, certain types of emotional elder abuse and neglect are subject to criminal prosecution, depending on the perpetrators’ conduct and intent and the consequences for the victim.
States do differ on who is required to report suspected elder abuse (there is no federal standard), though the categories of mandatory reporters are expanding. Typically, medical personnel, nursing home workers, police officers, emergency personnel, public officials, social workers, counselors, and clergy are listed as mandatory reporters. That responsibility is spreading to financial institutions and other people that work with senior citizens.
While it is important for elders to seek help from abuse, either by calling a local agency or by telling a doctor or trusted friend, many seniors don’t report the abuse they face even if they are able to. Many fear retaliation from the abuser, while others believe that if they turn in their abuser, no one else will take care of them. When the caregivers are their children, they may be ashamed that their children are behaving this way or they blame themselves or they just may not want their children to get in trouble with the law.
Please note that the first agency a report of elder abuse goes to in most states in Adult Protective Services (APS). Its role is to investigate the claim, intervene and offer services and advice. Calling the local police department is also a way to get into contact with APS.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
Check back on Friday, October 8, 2010 for the final installment in this series
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Home Care, senior citizens, Senior Health
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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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