There’s a popular conception that sleep disorders are more likely to occur in older adulthood, but in reality, often other medical problems are at play. At least according to a new study which indicates that many common sleep disturbances experienced by American adults can subside in retirement. Many sleep issues that can affect quality of life include:

• Teeth grinding (bruxism) – an involuntary act which can cause problems with oral health and jaw pain

• Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome – a skewed internal clock that often makes it challenging for people to fall asleep before 2am and wake before 7am

• Sleep apnoea – this comes at varying levels of severity, and results in unusual sleeping patterns which can disturb sleep

• Insomnia – difficulty falling and staying asleep

• Restless Leg Syndrome – leg pain that comes with sleep that can interrupt sleeping patterns

These are just a few of the common sleeping issues that many American adults face, and while some might be attributed to older adulthood, a more recent study has demonstrated that a few years after retirement, senior’s sleeping habits can improve greatly once the stress of career and young family are removed from the equation. Since seniors shouldn’t experience further sleep disturbances, those that find they have trouble sleeping should talk to a physician about the potential causes and find a solution.

Sources:

ScienceDaily

SleepDeprivation.com

Image source: sxc.hu

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.

It’s not uncommon for seniors to feel isolated once they reach older adulthood. They find themselves unable to do activities that they once found so enjoyable, they might disconnect from family and friends, and often they find that they’re unable to keep up with social activities because it’s become more of a burden to leave home. All of these factors that keep seniors isolated can also result in depression.

Fortunately for seniors, the internet bridges the gap, keeping them connected at a time when ongoing communication and interaction with friends and family proves to be more challenging. Seniors don’t need to give up on these interactions just because they’ve become challenging; they can simply go about them in a different way, using the internet instead to remain in the loop and feel a sense of belonging.

With only about 42% of seniors over the age of 65 online, there’s a great deal of opportunity to increase the health benefits for people in that age group, by showing them the ropes and introducing a greater number of seniors to internet use depression can be reduced greatly.  Health care costs could also be reduced strictly through internet use since care for depression in seniors equates to about $100 million a year in the United States alone.

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

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.

It’s a shame that money has to be the center of so many things, but that is the reality that we live with in our society. Money can make or break a relationship when it’s not handled or discussed appropriately, and it’s often a topic of conversation that’s taboo. But, despite all of these generalizations about money, when moving in an elderly parent to live with you, it’s crucial that you discuss the financial aspects of senior care. It’s important that you have the discussion before bringing an elder to live in your home, regardless of your relationship with them, and that you don’t expect financial matters to work themselves out! Here are some guidelines for discussing finances with a senior you intend to live with:

1. Bridge the topic gently – ensure that finances are discussed before the move happens, but don’t approach it like finances might change your motivations or your ability to care for your loved one

2. Set the standards – discuss what percentage of the household bills your senior will be responsible for. It might not be fair to ask an elderly parent to pay half of the mortgage and utility bills if there are 4 people in your immediate family, and they are just one; but you can ask them to pay one-fifth, or another number that is agreeable to everyone

3. Keep separate bank accounts, but create a common fund – don’t expect that a senior living with you is going to merge their bank account; having their own finances maintains their sense of independence and purpose. However, you can create a joint fund that all contributors can add to in order to make monthly bill payments easier

Via: Guide for Seniors and Boomers Who Live With Them

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.

So often caregivers find themselves so focused on everyone else that they fail to look after their own needs, and this does the seniors that they care for a big disservice, because someone who can’t manage to take care of themselves can have a hard time doing the same for someone else. Caregivers need to keep their stress at manageable levels, and can do so if they focus on using the following tools for survival:

1. Take care of yourself with diet and exercise – eat well throughout the day, and no matter how busy you are, don’t skip meals, otherwise your energy levels will drop. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes, and pick something that you enjoy doing (walking, biking, aerobics class)

2. Walk away – you won’t walk away permanently from your care responsibilities, but you can take a step back when you need to. Take a break, even if just for a few minutes, or have someone else step in to provide respite care

3. Seek help – 72% of caregivers refuse to receive outside help with their responsibilities; don’t be one of them. Ask a family member to step in and help, or hire a professional home caregiver to give you a break. Also, don’t be afraid to lean on others when you’re stressed, even if it means joining a support group

4. Spoil yourself – reward yourself for all of your hard work, once a week or once a month, go get a massage, have a manicure, go to a movie, or take a hot bath with a glass of wine. Do something that helps you rejuvenate!

5. Don’t neglect your health – remember to get yourself to the doctor regularly, especially if you’re feeling ill. You’ll be better help to a senior when you’re in one piece!

Via: Caregiver Stress

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.

The holidays are a time to celebrate with friends and family, and a time to show someone else just how much they mean to you even if you live a long distance apart. This holiday season, take the time to address the care needs of an elderly loved one by using this checklist to ensure that their independent living is still working for them to the best advantage of their health and happiness.

• There are no spoiled foods in the fridge, and it, along with cupboards are well stocked with nutritious meal and snack items

• Their home appears in the same state as it always has, with no dirt and dust appearing in locations that are harder to reach

• Bills are not piling up at home or in the mailbox, indicating that they’re probably being paid

• Dates and dosages on medications match up with what’s on the prescription bottles and it appears as though he/she is managing her medications effectively and taking them according to schedule

• His/her appearance is neat and tidy and to the same standard as normal

• Neighbors and friends close to him/her seem to have no concerns about the health, safety or happiness of the senior

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

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.

Those of us who lead busy lives, which defines virtually everyone these days from kindergarten children to grandparents, and everyone in between, know that getting through the day can at times be exhausting. We’re reluctant to take a quick nap even when we’re tired because it takes time out of our day; however, taking a nap can actually boost productivity! Taking a cat nap takes only 20 minutes out of your day, but can add more time when thought process, efficiency, and motivation are all improved when we take the time to revive ourselves with a nap! Try these tips for napping if it’s not already one of your habits:

1. Squeeze in a cat nap of 10, 15 or 20 minutes (but no more!) during the day when you feel your energy fading. Whether you’re at work, or at home, it can help improve your productivity, so while it may feel like it’s taking time out of your day, it will actually create it. If you decide to nap at work, make sure it’s on your break or lunch hour

2. Suggest that your workplace create a napping area since it can boost productivity! Not all workplaces have created an area conducive to napping, but it is becoming more popular.

3. Help yourself wind down and prepare for a nap by listening to calming music, using aromatherapy, or doing another activity that you know works to relax you

Via: workhappynow.com

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.

Today’s main form of communication relies upon the use of a computer and the internet – whether people choose to use email, Instant Messenger, Social Networking or other forms of communication online, typing speed plays a major role in how long the process takes. For busy caregivers and seniors, every single second counts, so learning to type properly and with speed is key for a more productive day!

1. Choose a comfortable keyboard – a comfortable keyboard that is well laid out for your hands is crucial to learning to type well and type quickly. If you have a laptop, using a laptop keyboard is okay if you’re spending no more than a couple of hours a day typing, but any longer and it can do damage to your hands

2. Get in position – make sure you’re seated comfortably when you sit down to type. The keyboard should be at the right position for your hands, and you should sit up straight. Proper positioning of your body will reduce errors and therefore decrease the time it takes you to type

3. Learn hand positioning- if you’ve never been taught proper keyboard position, now’s a great time to start. Learning finger positioning will help improve your typing speed vastly when you no longer need to look at the keys or type with just a couple of fingers at a time. Software programs and online tutorials can help you learn!

4. Practice – once you’ve mastered the above, you need to practice to improve your speed, but eventually you’ll find you could cut hours off your day!

Via: WikiHow

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.

Do you often feel like you just don’t have enough time in the day? Or wonder how time has possibly flown by so quickly without even giving you the chance to check all of the items off of your daily “to do” list? If so, you’re like most Americans who feel like 24 hours in a day just aren’t enough. We can’t make the days longer, but we can teach you how to increase your productivity and make the most of your days so you can accomplish more! Over the next couple of weeks, Carebuzz and WorkingCaregiver.com will be featuring articles on the following topics, helping seniors, caregivers, and people of all generations take back time, and put a dent in their goals:

1. Sleeping for productivity

2. Eating your way to a 36 hour day

3. Learning to multi-task effectively

4. Organizing your way to success

5. Learning how to get it done faster

6. Learning while multi-tasking in your free time

7. Using technology to increase productivity

8. Turning off

9. Asking for help

Visit again to learn more about how you can take back time every day and start striking those items from your “to do” list.

Via: Gaia.com

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.

Gardening is a great way for seniors to exercise their creativity, relax and gain a sense of accomplishment for growing fresh produce that they can give to family, friends or serve at the dinner table. But, with many seniors having limited space to garden – many need to look to a different method – container gardening, which can be done virtually anywhere. Here are some tips for container gardening:

1. Get the right sized container – purchase containers or consider saving things from your recycling. All you need to do is punch a few holes in the bottom of the container to make it suitable for planting. Most vegetables require larger containers, although you might be able to use a recycled container the size of a large yogurt container for herbs, leaf lettuce, spinach and radishes

2. Use a good quality soil – purchase a high-quality potting soil or top soil in order to keep your container garden free of weeds.

3. Following planting instructions – if you’re planting vegetable plants or others which are already grown, place a little bit of soil at the bottom of the pot, remove the plant from its existing container and fill in any remaining space with the potting soil. When planting seeds, fill the pot completely with soil and follow directions for spacing

4. Care for as directed – put your pots in an area that will be the right temperature and have exposure to sunlight as directed. Water according to instructions.

Via: AFB Senior Site

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.

When Bakersfield seniors take multiple medications as prescribed by their doctor, polypharmacy is practiced, and that can naturally increase the risk of drug interactions which can even be fatal. Trust your doctor’s advice, but don’t be afraid to ask questions and ensure your drugs aren’t putting you at risk in older adulthood.

1. Keep medications documented – carrying a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications taken (including vitamins and supplements) can help ensure none are forgotten about when speaking with doctors and pharmacists. The list should also include why they’re taken, the dosage and frequency

2. Mention even over-the-counter medications to medical professionals –you might not think they’re important, but even over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements can interact

3. Don’t assume – don’t assume that your doctor remembers what they’ve prescribed you in the past. Doctors are often busy and frazzled. When they prescribe a new medication, don’t hesitate to ask them about potential interactions as a reminder

4. Make sure all doctors are aware of your prescriptions – if you’re a senor who sees multiple doctors or specialists, don’t automatically expect that information regarding your prescriptions has been shared. This is where having a complete list can come in handy and avoid issues with polypharmacy

5. Check out new drugs – sticking with one pharmacy will allow your pharmacist to verify that there will be no drug interactions; they might catch something your doctor hasn’t. Otherwise, take the initiative to research any new drugs for interactions yourself

6. Be cautious of side effects – don’t assume any side effects are just that, talk to your doctor to ensure they aren’t the result of drug interactions

Via: CSA Connections

Image: osteoarthritis.about.com

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.