How to Make the Home Safe for Seniors

Many seniors have issues with their vision. In fact, the vast majority of the senior population has poor vision. When this is the case, seniors may not be safe at home. There are some things that can be done to improve the home and make sure seniors remain safe when they are at home. The following list contains some great tips.

1.    Make sure all rooms are well lit.

2.    Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.

3.    Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.

4.    Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.

5.    Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.

6.    Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.

7.    Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.

8.    Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time

Source:  http://seniorliving.about.com/od/visionproblems/a/low_vision.htm

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Taking Advantage of Seniors

Some people find it very easy to take advantage of seniors. While this is a disgusting thing, it happens every day. Seniors are approached by individuals claiming to offer them a sound financial investment. These people are actually looking for an easy target. Seniors need to be aware of the schemes that are out there and be prepared to deal with them when they enter into retirement.

1.    Seniors who are isolated or have disabilities are often the target of these schemes.

2.    One out of every five retiree over the age of 65 has been a victim of a financial scam. More than 7.3 million seniors have been taken advantage of each year.

3.    Older people are targets because they are more willing to invest in something that is supposed to help them through their retirement years. The elderly are also much more trusting than the younger generation.

4.    Many of the people doing the scamming are retirees as well. This is how they know who to choose for a target. Elderly con artists are more common than most people believe.

5.    Veterans are also a target. There are many groups who offer to help a former soldier. While many of the programs do actually exist, these seniors are being told they must liquidate all of their assets to become eligible for benefits, which is not true at all.

Source: MSNBC

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Seniors and Aging in Place

Most seniors want to remain independent for as long as possible. While this may be a cause for concern, seniors are starting to stay at home longer. A particular technological system that can be installed in the home of the senior has helped to ensure the safety of the senior when they are at home. Additional information on this product is provided below, along with the benefits.

1. Caregiver Systems consist of touch screen monitors and wireless sensors that are placed in various locations in the home. The sensors will monitor health indicators, such as blood pressure, weight, motion and activity.

2. The system also acts as a communication system, allowing users, such as caregivers, to go online and send messages and reminders to the seniors at home. These messages will appear on the touch screens.

3. The system has one touch access that is easy for seniors to use. This will allow them to access games, family photos and appointment reminders.

4. The system also has a personal emergency response system, also called PERS. This system provides 24/7 monitoring of the senior and can call for medical response if necessary.

5. These technological advances allow seniors to stay at home longer. There is less worry from friends and family members regarding the safety and well-being of the senior while they remain in their home.

Source: Working Caregiver

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Questions to Ask Eye Doctors

If you are concerned about your aging loved one’s eye-sight, you may want to set up an appointment with their usual eye care provider to test for glaucoma and cataracts. Help your senior by accompanying them and asking the doctor the following questions:

• Are cataracts causing his/her vision problems?
• What are other possible causes for vision problems?
• What kinds of tests does he/she need?
• Does he/she need cataract surgery?
• Will cataract surgery correct his/her vision problems?
• What are the potential risks of cataract surgery?
• How much time will he/she need to recover from cataract surgery?
• Will any usual activities be restricted after cataract surgery? For how long?
• After cataract surgery, how long should he/she wait before getting new glasses?

Source: The Mayo Clinic

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Safety During the Summer

Summer time is one of the most enjoyable times of year for many seniors. If a senior enjoys being outdoors, there are some safety issues that must be taken into consideration. Seniors do not tolerate extreme heat very well. The following tips and facts can help seniors and caregivers make sure that this summer is a safe and healthy one.

1. Heat exhaustion can cause many problems for seniors. It can be the cause of fatigue, nausea, headache and dizziness.

2. Heat stroke can cause a senior to experience dizziness, confusion and could even cause unconsciousness.

3. Seniors must make sure to drink plenty of fluids during the summer. This will help to keep the body hydrated and avoid heat stroke and exhaustion.

4. A light, but well-balanced diet should be eaten during the warmer months. Eating heavy will cause fatigue.

5. Light and loose clothing should be worn to help keep seniors cool.

6. Always apply sun screen when a senior will be exposed to the sun. Their skin is very sensitive and they will burn easily and quickly.

7. If outdoor temperatures become uncomfortable, seniors should go inside and sit down. If they can be in an air conditioned area, that would be even better.

Source: NJ

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Control Wandering

Controlling a wandering Alzheimer’s patient can be a difficult thing. Many patients 2will wander off to find something that is familiar to them. There are some simple things that can be done to help with this issue. Controlling wandering is a way to ensure the safety of the patient. Below is some information and useful tips on how to control wandering and make sure the patient remains safe.

1. Some patients may wander to escape something that is causing them stress and anxiety. This could be too many conversations or a lot of noises. Try to minimize conversations and reduce background noises as much as possible.

2. In many cases, Alzheimer’s patients will wander it an attempt to relive the past. This is especially true for those who had a strict schedule for many years.

3. Wandering can also be triggered by certain medications.

4. To prevent wandering, address triggers, such as offering food and water, encouraging physical activities. Providing a family photo can also help reduce wandering.

5. Use visual cues to help the patient notice where they are. This can be done by putting photos on doors and walls to identify objects and areas of the home.

6. Try to keep them active and involved. The more interested a patient is in something, the less apt they are to wander off.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Levels of Testosterone in Senior Men

The level of a man’s testosterone is an important factor as they age. When these levels begin to decrease, these men will start to lose bone density. This could eventually cause frailty. While it has not been concretely proven, various studies have indicated that low testosterone levels can be linked to the development of frailty. More information is provided below.

1. It is normal for testosterone levels to begin to deplete with age.

2. When levels are too low, men will begin to lose bone density, muscle mass and some of their physical strength. Also, red blood cell production will begin to slow down.

3. Various studies are being conducted to prove the link between low levels of testosterone and these medical issues. Currently, there is no way to determine if frailty in senior men is actually caused by the lack of the hormone.

4. Some recent research has shown that men who have a lower level of the hormone will be more likely to become frail within the next four to seven years.

5. At this time, it is not known if testosterone replacement therapy will be beneficial. Unfortunately, the hormone levels could be masked by another disease or illness that could be the primary cause of frailty.

Source: Reuters

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Caregiving and Men

It can be very difficult for a man to adjust to being a caregiver. In most cases, these men will try to take on the tasks that do not involve direct care. Many men are reluctant to perform certain tasks, usually dressing and bathing. In fact, a lot of men have fear and feelings of inadequacy when they find themselves in this role. Below are some points about men as caregivers.

1. Most men who become a caregiver will take a different approach than a female. Men are more apt to take on executive or long-distance tasks, such as dealing with the insurance companies or making appointments.

2. Men are only half as likely to perform hands on tasks when they are a caregiver.

3. The men who do help with daily tasks, such as dressing and showering may be reluctant to discuss their role. It seems as though they are slightly embarrassed about having to be the caregiver.

4. Many of these men will suffer from depression and feelings of inadequacy when they are a caregiver. This is actually quite normal. They have a hard time talking about their role with others because of how they feel it will make them look.

Source: AARP

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Senior Facts on Dementia

Seniors who are in the early stages of dementia realize that there is very little hope to battle the disease. There is no definite cure for this and many seniors are feeling as though their life is already over. What makes matters even worse is the large number of people that deny the existence of dementia. The list below contains some facts about the disease.

1. In 2050, more than 14 million people will be affected by this disease.

2.  This increase will cause huge cost increases for the healthcare system.

3. There are a few medications that are being used to help slow the progression of the disease. Some patients report positive changes, but many do not notice a difference at all.

4. The actual cause of the disease has not yet been discovered. There has been many research projects conducted and the results indicate that there could be many factors involved in the development of dementia.

5. In the case of dementia, each senior will react differently. They will have different symptoms, different progression rates and will react differently to medications. Doctors are now focusing on the individual instead of the disease as a whole.

Source: Ultra Wellness Center

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.