When your parents or in-laws are getting on in age, there is a multitude of difficult decisions to consider. One common decision is to have the aging adult move in with you in order to assist their needs and have peace of mind that they are safe. As we grow increasingly dissatisfied with the option of placement in a nursing facility, accommodation in the home seems the much better option. when doing so, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to ensure a smooth transition and lasting success with this arrangement.
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Probiotics, like those contained in yogurt, have been gaining in popularity in recent times. As our bodies contain more bacteria than our own cells, they're an important part of maintaining health, aging gracefully, and improving our energy levels. Now we're discovering that there's a component that is just as important as making sure we take in healthy bacteria - prebiotics, or the foods that the good bacteria thrive on in our digestive tracts.
As we approach the New Year, now is the time that we reflect, learn, and celebrate new beginnings. While "New Year's resolutions" may carry the stigma of lasting only a few weeks or days, they're an important part of progressing in life and making changes - the more realistic and possible, the better.
Indoor air quality is something that affects us all. In developed countries, we tend to spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. That's a lot of time exposed to air that tends to be five times more polluted than outdoor air. Dust, mold, gaseous chemicals, and pathogens circulate throughout our dwellings and compromise our health. It's a concern for everyone, but especially those with compromised immune systems and the elderly.
The holidays can be a combination of all things joyful and stressful. As we as Caregivers approach the holiday season, it's important to keep in mind that the impending stress can be mitigated by taking certain proactive steps throughout the process.
While the everyday tasks of daily living can become more difficult or near impossible for older adults with dementia, it becomes increasingly important for them to feel a sense of capability and accomplishment, no matter how big or small.
According to the National Council on Aging, 1 in 10 persons aged 60+ experience elder abuse to some degree. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse gets reported. Of those who abuse elders, about 60% are actually family members - either the children or spouse of the abused. When considering care options for your loved one, it's important to educate yourself on the signs of abuse and what to do about it.
Shingles is a name that strikes fear in many people - and if you've ever had Chicken Pox (varicella zoster virus), then you are likely concerned about it yourself. That's because the same virus that causes Chicken Pox reactivates after laying dormant for years to become a Shingles outbreak. This painful resurgence of the virus typically causes rashes, blisters, and mild to intense nerve pain. By most accounts, it is a terrible experience - but thankfully there are ways to prevent and treat Shingles.
Many of us are familiar with sibling rivalries and clashes that occur while growing up. Typically that rivalry tones down quite a lot in adulthood, but it may rear its head again during a critical time: when deciding on care for an aging parent.
Finding a quality, safe service to provide help for an ailing parent can be a challenge. That's why over eleven years ago I started ACC Adult Home Care to raise the bar on the standard of in-home assisted living. Yet despite providing a reputable service with caring, compassionate, and diligent caregivers, I still found a common roadblock that kept those in need from availing themselves of our services: the elderly, ailing individuals themselves.
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Melva Sherwood, RN |
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