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.

Senior Health – Kitchen Safety

An important concern among the senior population is kitchen safety. While the seniors themselves do not see any problems, caregivers and family members may notice certain things, such as expired food in the cabinets and freezer. These foods can breed bacteria and cause health problems for seniors. The list below contains some great tips on how seniors can have a safe and healthy kitchen.

1. Seniors need to learn that they do not have to buy in bulk. Buying too much food leads to a lot of wasted money as well as rotting food in the kitchen.

2. Look for anything that has expired and throw it away. This includes canned goods, as well as frozen foods.

3. Many seniors are so used to feeding large families that they have difficulty buying for just themselves and a spouse. Caregivers may need to take some time to shop with seniors to show them how to buy in small amounts.

4. The kitchen is often the place for clutter. Seniors will often leave mail and many other things on the kitchen table. This can create a fire hazard and can also affect the cleanliness of the kitchen as a whole.

Source: Caregiver’s Home

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.

Allergies and Intolerance – Facts for Seniors

Many seniors battle with daily life with food allergies. When a senior has a food allergy, they must be very cautious when eating any foods they do not prepare themselves. A food allergy could be life-threatening. In addition to food allergies, a lot of seniors have intolerances. The reactions are not as severe, but seniors still need to be aware of what they are ingesting. The following list contains some facts on allergies and intolerances for seniors.

1. Food allergies are more common in children, but they do affect seniors as well. Family history plays an important role. Seniors should be aware of any other family members who have allergies or intolerances.

2. Food allergies can be mild or severe. Seniors need to know how they react to specific foods and be prepared for the worst possible reaction at all times.

3. The most common allergies include those to milk, peanuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy and tree nuts.

4. The best way to cope with food allergies and intolerances is to avoid the foods that trigger a reaction. Most seniors will be tested by a doctor to determine what foods cause a reaction and how severe that reaction may be.

5. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what is in the foods they eat. Since some food allergies are to common ingredients, this is very important when managing allergies.

6. When preparing food at home, always read the labels. Even if you are familiar with an ingredient in a recipe, it may contain traces of an allergen.

7. Make everyone informed of your allergies and intolerances. This includes family members, caretakers and friends.

Source: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=5539

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 Weight Loss – Easy Tips

The list below contains some great tips for any senior who wishes to lose a few pounds. Losing weight is never easy and many seniors have a difficult time maintaining a healthy weight. By employing some of the tips below, seniors can get exercise and lose some weight without having to go through daily exercise regimes or strict diets.

1. After eating a meal, push yourself away from the dining table. Do not stay for seconds!

2. Instead of sitting for that second helping, bag it and take it for a lunch the following day.

3. After supper, close the kitchen. Try to avoid late night snacks.

4. Use stairs whenever possible. This will help improve circulation and is a great form of exercise.

5. While walking, when the donut shop comes into view, keep walking!

6. Eating out can bring about many impulses. It is important to avoid supersizing any meal.

7. When dining out, take your leftover meal home. Do not feel as though you have to eat everything on the plate.

8. Instead of using the remote to the television, get up to change the channel. This will add a bit more exercise to the day.

9. When shopping, do not go on an empty stomach. Also make sure to leave unhealthy foods on the shelf.

10. Rely on your will power. It may be difficult to change old habits, but these tips can help lose weight quickly.

Source: http://www.fromfat2fit.com/articles/a10.html

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.

Strong Memories Mean Independence for Seniors

Seniors who struggle with memory loss in older adulthood can often find that caring for themselves day-to-day begins to become a struggle for the first time in their lives. For some of these seniors, this can mean having to rely upon others or move out of their home for care assistance. However, if seniors put an effort into maintaining their strong memories it can allow them to live with independence at home, even if some care assistance is required.

1. Take in your surroundings – it happens at every stage of life; when someone talks to you but you’re not really focused so you don’t actually recall what they said, or miss many of the important details. That a prime example of how focusing is important. With age, it’s even more essential, because a conscious effort needs to be made in order to help seniors retain memories. When seniors put something away, they should make a conscious effort to mentally note “I put my keys on the counter”. That will help with recall, particularly for important daily events

2. Talk through it – actually saying something you want to remember outloud can benefit seniors. Talking about it improves memory alone, but in addition to that; pausing to talk can remind seniors to really stop and focus

3. Have a place for everything – there is nothing wrong with forming habits, especially when it comes to day-to-day functions that allow seniors to thrive independently. They should have a spot for their keys, for their medications and for other crucial items so they don’t even need to rely upon executive recall to find those items and remember to follow through on important tasks

Via: Harvard Health

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.

Bakersfield Non Medical Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Declining health is a concern for all seniors as well as their family members. With age, seniors become frail. This could indicate a serious medical issue. It is important to note all changes. These signs could be an indicator of other health problems that may arise. The list below contains some signs that seniors should look for. Warning signs should never be ignored.

1. If seniors suddenly lose interest in something they previously enjoyed, there is cause for concern. This includes socializing with friends, involving themselves in hobbies or losing interest in physical activity.

2. When seniors become less active, there may be an underlying problem. It is important to talk to a doctor when seniors begin to be less physically active on a day to day basis.

3. Be aware of how seniors move. If they normally move at a normal pace and suddenly begin to slow down, there may be a medical reason. Seniors should try to remain as active as possible. If they suddenly walk differently, make sure to talk to a doctor.

4. Seniors who begin to lose weight rapidly and have changes in appetite or eating habits could have a medical problem. These changes are unhealthy and should always be taken seriously. Be sure to report any changes in weight or eating habits to a doctor.

5. Many seniors do not walk as well as younger adults. However, if seniors begin to wobble when they walk, this is a warning sign. Seniors who lose their balance could have a medical problem that needs treatment.

Source: getmommoving.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.

Bakersfield Home Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Food poisoning can be very severe, especially when it affects seniors. Most seniors do not have a strong immune system, which makes it very difficult to fight off food poisoning. By taking a few extra steps to prepare food safely, seniors can dramatically reduce the chances of food poisoning as well as other foodborne illness.

1. Hand washing is essential. More than half of the potential cases of foodborne illness can be removed by properly washing your hands. Make sure to wash hands before, during and after all food preparation. Washing during preparation reduces the chances of cross-contamination.

2. Check refrigerator settings to make sure the food is being stored properly. The setting should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After shopping, put perishables away quickly.

3. Clean the refrigerator often. Any lunch meat that has been open for more than 5 days should be discarded.

4. When thawing food, do not just leave them on a counter. Place them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them properly. Foods can also be thawed by running them under cool water or placing them in the microwave, but both of these methods should only be used if the food will be prepared immediately.

5. Wash preparation surfaces often to prevent contamination. This is very important when preparing raw meats. It is suggested to have two separate cutting boards, one for raw meat, poultry and fish and the other for breads and vegetables.

6. Be aware of proper cooking temperatures. Always make sure food is thoroughly cooked.

Source: eatright.org

Image: chicken.org

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.

Our Bakersfield Caregivers enable seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

There are many different types of food allergies that can affect seniors. Since many seniors have other people preparing their meals, it is important for everyone involved to be aware of any existing allergies. In addition, it is possible for a person to develop more allergies over time. The list below provides facts about the types of food allergies.

1. Food allergies are the most common types of allergies. These could include an allergy to fish and shellfish, eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat. If a senior has an allergy to one of these foods, they need to know how to manage that allergy and how to deal with the possible reaction if they are exposed to it.

2. There are more than 160 foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. However, 90% of all food allergies are to the foods listed above.

3. Wheat, soy and milk allergies are the most difficult to deal with. This is because these ingredients are in almost everything we eat. Those with wheat allergies need to be on a gluten-free diet. Potato bread is a great substitute for other breads that contain wheat. Soy is in most processed foods, so this allergy is especially hard to manage.

4. No matter what the food allergy is, seniors should make sure that everyone is aware of the allergy. This is important when others are preparing food.

Source: eatright.org

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.

Many have reservations about older adults who still get behind the wheel of the car. It is a reality that health conditions and the general process of aging can somewhat affect reaction time and reflexes when driving, but that doesn’t mean in all cases the keys need to be taken away. Particularly not when today’s seniors are proving that they are making smart choices and remaining safer behind the wheel than previous generations.

• As baby boomers age, there are more older drivers on the road

• Older drivers today seem to keep their licenses longer and are more comfortable traveling longer distances

• The number of fatal crashes involving older adults have declined, which has been a focus since seniors with health conditions, and that are physically more fragile can mean an accident has much more severe effects

• Older adults rarely pose a risk to other drivers on the road; when crashes do occur, often the only risk they pose is to themselves

• Today’s older adults are better recognizing their impairments, such as limited mobility and how that might impact their ability to drive. They adjust their driving habits accordingly

Via: ScienceDaily

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.