Are You Aware of Diabetes Warning Signs?

Diabetes is not an uncommon health condition in the senior population, and while most seniors have heard of it and have some understanding of what it is; but few are actually aware of the warning signs. This can lead to lack of treatment when it’s necessary, and then more serious health complications can arise. Make sure you’re aware of the warning signs whether you’re a senior yourself, or whether your care for one as a professional or family caregiver.

1. More frequent urination – if suddenly there’s a more frequent need to urinate with no evident changes in drinking patterns or diet, this can indicate diabetes as the kidneys attempt to dilute the glucose

2. Weight loss – it’s not a apparent in Type 2 diabetes though even gradual weight loss with no obvious cause can be reason for concern

3. Fatigue or physical weakness – it’s not uncommon for seniors with diabetes to become more fatigued or have feelings of physical weakness. Often they attribute this to aging and don’t seek additional help, but these are not symptoms that should just be accepted

4. Extreme thirst – diabetes can cause seniors to feel constantly thirsty. Drinking more frequently is common, but even then thirst can be unquenchable

5. Tingling and Numbness – high levels of glucose, when left untreated can wreak havoc with the nervous system resulting in numbness or tingling in the limbs

6. Skin imperfections – frequent bruises that fail to go away, rashes, itching and dry skin can also appear

Via: about.com http://diabetes.about.com/od/symptomsdiagnosis/p/Symptoms.htm

Buying gifts for the holidays can be overwhelming, especially when you have no idea what to buy. Elderly family members may be difficult to buy for. Below is a list of 10 things that make great gifts for that elderly loved one. Make sure they get something they can use. Most seniors have no room for things that they will never use, so you want to make sure your gift is practical.

1. If the senior lives alone, a Medical Emergency Notification System is a great gift to ensure their safety.

2. Cell Phones with Easy to see and use buttons.

3. If the senior is a pet owner, a pre-paid walking service or grooming is a great gift.

4. Gift certificates to the barber or hairdresser, especially if they will come to their home.

5. Pre-pay a season of lawn mowing and landscaping.

6. Wall clocks with a large face so they are easy to see.

7. If the senior is hearing impaired, a flashing light doorbell or telephone will be of great use.

8. Universal TV Remotes with large buttons.

9. Lap tables can be handy to eat on and can also provide a place for small items, such as remotes and eyeglasses.

10. Clothing with zippers or large zipper pulls.

Source: associatedcontent

Image Source: sxc.hu

In many cultures, it’s common for aging parents to move in with their children to be taken care of; in a kind of cyclical way that allows children to return the favor by providing a life for their parents, just as their parents did for them during childhood. But until recently, many cultures did not embrace this trend, and suddenly this is a trend that is growing. Today, approximately 43% of adult caregivers in Denver and across the United States live with an older parent or relative; and in the past two years, this is a trend that has increased by approximately 60%.

Although President Obama and Joe Biden both have older generations of family members living in their homes, American families that are choosing to move their seniors into their homes are certainly not doing it just to follow in their footsteps. So why is it that multigenerational homes are a growing trend?

• Families are sharing in caregiving duties and looking out for each other. Whether it’s because a senior in the family needs assistance, because a grandparent is providing care for grandchildren, or because the family is anticipating future needs, families are more focused than ever on providing for each other
• When seniors experience loss or struggle with the emotional effects of a devastating diagnosis, they can use the support of their family so that they don’t become isolated
• The economy is affecting seniors and their families, making it hard to cover basic costs of living. By coming together, seniors and families can share the financial burden of living to ensure that all of their needs are met

Via: Home Instead Senior Care https://www.homeinstead.com/Lists/doclistlib/Attachments/257/Too_Close_For_Comfort_Booklet.pdf

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

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I have worked for a substantial number of years as a home caregiver for Denver seniors. I always try to encourage my care recipients to remain physically active, regardless of their health or level of ability; we come up with physical activities that will work for them. However, I do find that when I suggest physical activity to seniors who have lead sedentary lives into older adulthood or even during the bulk of their lives, I am met with reluctance. Seniors are fearful that by exercising they will cause more harm to their health, or their activities will result in an injury; so they try to remain as inactive as possible. Realistically, seniors who are physically active have improved health and prevent the likelihood of an injury through included flexibility; so I don’t take no for an answer. I always come up with a physical activity that a senior feels comfortable with, and we start off slowly, increasing their endurance over time, and we never do an activity against the advice of a doctor.

For other caregivers who also care for Denver seniors that are reluctant to exercise, here are some safety tips that might help boost their confidence in the benefits and safety of physical activity. As I already mentioned, start slowly; even going out for a short walk a couple of times a week is a good place to start. We also make a point to warm up with some basic stretches, and cool down at the end of the exercise to reduce injury and the likelihood of overexertion. I always encourage my care recipients to let me know if they are experiencing any pain or discomfort as a result of an activity, because it’s important never to allow them to push themselves too hard. I also found it’s of utmost importance to make sure that a senior drinks plenty of fluids during and after the physical activity, and that they don’t eat a big meal too closely to workout time!

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness
2. Family Doctor

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – My dad is an 87 year old living by himself with the help of a caregiver in Denver. With time on his hands, he’s been thinking about taking a class from one of the local colleges. However, he doesn’t drive and he has limited mobility, so he doesn’t think that this is something that he would be able to do. Are there options to take classes from home?

A – Many colleges do now offer distance education classes; some may use more old-fashioned methods, allowing students to submit coursework by mail, with lecture notes or videos being sent to them to watch at home. However, most college programs that are offered in distance form, require that seniors have access to a home computer and internet, which allows them to login and dictates times for lectures, discussions, and requires that coursework be submitted by email or uploaded to a website. If home learning isn’t something that would work for your father, you can also speak with his caregiver about dropping him off at his classes, and even helping him into his classes. He might not want to draw attention to himself by requiring assistance, but many colleges do offer programs for seniors just like him, looking to improve their education and knowledge later in life.

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Suite101
3. North East Texas Community College

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – What are the benefits of scrapbooking for seniors?

A – Scrapbooking is a great activity for seniors, and one that home caregivers can do with their care recipients as a fun activity. Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve cherished family memories in a creative way; seniors can go through their family photographs to choose the moments they want to remember through their scrapbook and by doing this with a family caregiver, they have the opportunity to share their memories and experiences with someone who was not involved.

Scrapbooking is also a great project that provides creative stimulation to seniors in addition to allowing them to relive their memories. Using colorful papers, pens for writing about the memories in captions, and additional images, seniors can make their scrapbook pages all go with a theme of the pictures. For example, they may choose to design a page with pictures from a family beach vacation in colors that would be found in the ocean, and additional graphics with starfish or sand.

Between the trip down memory lane that comes from scrapbooking, and the creative aspect, scrapbooking is one of the most popular activities for Denver seniors today!

Sources:

1. Ezine Articles

2. Scrapbook, Scrapbook

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

For some of us, it may seem like a “no brainer” that an elderly loved one needs some help in order to remain living the lifestyle that they’ve chosen; whether it’s a physical or mental need that is making living independently a dangerous thing. However, for many seniors, accepting help signifies a loss of independence and closes the door on an important part of their lives, so when making a suggestion regarding senior care, we as family members need to be gentle and ensure we’re sensitive to the needs and wants of a senior. In order to ensure that you’re taking the best approach when talking a senior into accepting help, consider using the following techniques.

• Make sure you know how a senior feels about care options – would they like to be in a nursing home or assisted living facility; or would they rather remain living at home?

• When talking to a senior about the limitations that are resulting in your senior care suggestions, be sensitive and make sure that you do emphasize their positive qualities

• Make sure seniors understand you’re looking out for their health and safety, because you don’t want to lose such an important person in the lives of you and your family

• Don’t make any decisions without talking to them first (unless the senior is otherwise unable to be involved); simply make your suggestions gently

Sources:

1. Senior Journal

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – My dad was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms he’s exhibiting today are minimal, but I know that things won’t stay that way forever. As a family we’ve decided that the best thing for him is for me to care for him in his own home, but what can I expect and how can I deal with the emotional affects of being a family caregiver for a senior with Alzheimer’s?

A – People often underestimate just how difficult it can be for families of seniors who have received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Often the affects upon them can be even more grave than for the seniors who are actually experiencing the changes, because you witness someone you love changing before your eyes; transforming into someone that you might not even recognize. As a caregiver, you will deal with these affects, and will be under a great deal of stress that comes with the responsibilities of providing physical care. You need to make sure that while taking care of your loved one, that you take the time to take care of yourself as well. Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s so you know what to expect, don’t be afraid of getting help from a home care agency for respite care when you need to escape, and join a support group for family caregivers like you so you can talk about what you’re dealing with emotionally. Becoming a family caregiver for a senior with Alzheimer’s is both the best and the hardest thing you’re likely to do in your life.

Sources:

1. Health and Age

2. ProQuest

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

For Denver seniors who are able to live independently at home, even with the help of a home caregiver, their home can be a major source of pride. With many seniors moving into assisted living facilities or nursing homes, and other older adults believing that they may follow the same fate, seniors love it when they’re able to say that they live at home. Encouraging seniors to take pride in their homes is a great way to distract from the physical decline that comes with aging, and helps them better accept any help provided by a professional home caregiver.

Seniors should be encouraged to take pride in their homes by placing their own personal decorating touch in the home. Flower arranging is a great way for seniors to keep their home décor lively and fresh, while allowing them to exercise some creativity. Denver caregivers should consider flower arranging as a fun activity for them to participate in together. Flower arranging can be done with either fresh flowers or silk ones, and can really enhance a senior’s perception of their home!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Associated Content

Image Source: www.poststat.net

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

I struggled with the idea of getting in home help for my aging father for a number of years. For the longest time I felt that he would be undignified accepting help, so I extended myself to try to provide it for him, hoping he’d feel that it was a question of spending time together more than it was providing for his shortcomings. Since he had given up driving, I drove to his Denver home, nearly 30 miles from my own three days a week to transport him to appointments and out on errands; working around my schedule dictated by my career and family. Anytime I came by, I also made sure he had a fridge and cupboard full of food, and even prepared some meals for him to freeze and reheat. I’d also give him a hand by doing laundry and tidying things up so he wouldn’t have the physical burden of having to do it by himself.

One day I realized that while I of course wanted to spend time with my dad, I just couldn’t do it all, and acting as his primary caregiver to avoid hiring a professional one in Denver was taking a serious toll on my life and my family. Finally, I had to make the hard decision to give up being a family caregiver, and going back to just being a daughter to my aging father. Instead, I now have a professional in-home caregiver going into his home 3 days a week to complete the tasks I was doing for my dad, and when I come to visit, I just focus on appreciating our time together.

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.