All of us realizes just how critical it is to get adequate sleep at night. Missing your "ZZZs" can wreak havoc on your physical and mental well being. Unfortunately, the senior population is most at risk for insomnia and the resulting negative health effects. Approximately 50% of seniors report problems falling or staying asleep. Factors such as poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, untreated sleep disorders, and other medical issues can all contribute to sleeplessness. Unfortunately, chronic sleep problems can impair concentration and memory functions and compromise the immune system. Additionally, senior adults who don't sleep well are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, depression, nighttime falls, and increased sensitivity to pain. 
How much sleep does the average senior need? Research supports that most healthy adults require between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep per night to function optimally.
How can you assist an elderly loved one in restoring a healthy sleep pattern?
1. Make certain he is engaged in physical and mental activities as much as possible during the day. Exercise releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress, allowing for a better night's sleep. Avoid prolonged daytime napping. Limit a nap to 30 to 45 minutes in the early afternoon.
2. Get some natural sunlight which regulates melatonin levels and the sleep/wake cycle.
3. Limit stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Minimize liquids before sleep--cut off 1.5 hours prior to bed. Avoid large or spicy meals before sleeping.
4. Prepare for bedtime by using dim lighting and turning off TV and other electronics at least one hour prior to turning in. Develop nightly rituals such as taking a soothing bath, playing relaxing music, praying or practicing mediation. Follow the same routine every night
5. Make sure the bedroom is quiet, cool and dark.
6. Encourage a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking at approximately the same time, 7 days per week.
7. If worries are a source of sleeping problems, encourage your loved one to keep a journal to release thoughts before retiring for the night.
Do you frequently find your elderly loved one asleep during the day in his recliner? Have you ever considered enlisting the support of a professional companion caregiver to encourage him to make the most out of his days? Getting adequate stimulation is essential for overall mental and emotional health, not to mention a better night's sleep. Sometimes a new friend can make all the difference.
Call Easy Living Services to learn more about our fabulous companion caregivers. Don't wait another day!
770-442-8664.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Your loved one has been discharged from the hospital. How do you get them reacclimated to home life?
Many older Americans do not successfully manage the transition from the hospital to home and as a consequence, end up returning to the hospital again. Studies show that 1 in 5 medicare patients is readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Nearly 50% of the readmissions are linked to emotional problems, failure to follow proper treatment protocols, skipping physician follow-up appointments and lack of in-home support.
Planning ahead and getting organized in advance can ease the transition home and greatly improve chances for a complete recovery. Consider the following issues when planning for discharge from either a hospital or rehab facility:
- Order necessary equipment and supplies in advance. Check with the hospital's Discharge Planner for recommendations on appropriate items such as: hospital bed, shower chair, portable commode, oxygen system, disposable gloves, and skin care items.
- Temporarily move out items in the home that could pose fall risks such as rugs, electrical cords, and clutter.
- Create a system to record and track important information such as phone numbers and medications with dosing times. Identify symptoms that should not be ignored and should be reported immediately to the attending physician. A notebook or white board could work well.
- Purchase any special food items that may be needed during recovery such as "Ensure". Consider lining up nutritious food delivery services or recruit friends/neighbors to provide meals during the transition period.
- Develop a schedule for "checking in" on your loved one with family members and/or friends. If this is not possible, consider retaining the services of an in-home care provider to check in at regular intervals and to provide feedback on your loved one's progress.
Bringing a family member home from the hospital can be quite overwhelming. You will likely feel stressed over all that must be done prior to discharge. Planning during the early stages of hospitalization can make all of the difference in a successful transition home.
More Transition Tips
Need some additional help at home following discharge?
Contact Easy Living at 770-442-8664 to learn how In-Home Caregiver Services by certified professionals can ease your burden and promote a full recovery.
Call us. We're here to help.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Following a stroke, a patient's main focus is on rehabilitation, or re-learning those functions that the stroke has taken away. Rehabilitation begins immediately and nearly always requires the assistance of a caregiver (therapist, family member, home care professional) as the patient regains strength and confidence.
Persons who have suffered a stroke face an uphill battle. According to the National Stroke Association, only about one third of stroke victims recover with minor or no complications. The remaining patients may require long-term care either at home or in a facility with therapeutic and nursing care. The good news is that there are some activities that caregivers can encourage that will shorten recovery time and maximize outcomes.
Aerobic Conditioning - This includes basic exercises such as walking, sweeping, riding an exercise bicycle, etc. These exercises should be performed daily for at least 20 minutes and are highly beneficial in recovery even if started long after the initial stroke occurred.
Strength Training - Resistance (elastic) bands, free weights, exercise machines are great ways to increase strength and enable the stroke patient to resume their daily activities. These exercises should be performed 2-3 times per week. Caregivers play an integral role in the strength training program by providing encouragement and ensuring safety.
Flexibility Training - Stroke patients should incorporate stretching exercises into their rehabilitation regimen to prevent tightening of the muscles, Caregivers can assist by providing the stretching tension that the individual may not be able to provide on his own. Stretching exercises should be performed 2-3 days per week and each exercise should be held for about 30 seconds each.
Neuromuscular Training - Neuromuscular training helps develop fine motor skills, balance and coordination - abilities often diminshed as a result of a stroke. These exercises - standing on one leg, manipulating small objects with the hands, etc. will help develop and refine these abilities over time. Assistance from a caregiver is needed to prevent injury and provide emotional support. Relearning fine motor skills can be very frustrating without support, encouragement and a helping hand!
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
When a friend or a loved one is going through a difficult time, we feel bad for them and often offer our services through "If there is anything I can do..." The phrase demonstrates that we feel sympathy but usually isn't interpreted as a sincere gesture. Even though flowers and cards are always nice to receive, sometimes the most helpful and appreciated gestures involve a helping hand with everyday tasks that are usually taken for granted.
There is a single best answer to "If there's anything I can do...", it is to BE THERE.
Be there to ensure that your loved one with cancer isn't trying to battle the disease while using every ounce of strength to manage everything else. Here's a list of several life-style management chores that you can help with or when time doesn't allow, hire a Home Care service to provide support with these chores. These are important daily tasks and ones that are very, very appreciated:
- Mowing the lawn/gardening/rake leaves/shovel snow
- Take care of the laundry (wash, fold, and put away)
- Housekeeping chores or hire a service to clean
- Change the sheets
- Water houseplants
- Running Errands
- Grocery store
- Pick up prescriptions
- Picking up/dropping off kids at school
- Dry cleaning
- Making meals
- Take care of pets
- Paying bills/pick up & drop off mail
- Taking out trash
- Minor household repairs (replace batteries, light bulbs, filters)
- Put up and take down holiday decorations
- Provide transportation to appointments and errands
- Offer to stay and keep them company during treatments
Most importantly, be there! Stop in a see how your friend is doing. Have a meal with your loved one. Show that you sincerely care and are there for them at what may be the most difficult time of their life. Your efforts, no matter how big or small, will be treasured. Knowing you are not alone during a difficult time is often the best gift of all.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Senior Care: Alzheimer's Disease - How to Recognize the Signs
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of Dementia and the one we hear about the most. It is a degenerative disease that denies the brain its ability to function. This eventually affects the autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate and becomes fatal.
However, not all people with Dementia have Alzheimer's. Both affect cognitive memory but Alzheimer's Disease is the only one of the two that results in death. Each person may experience some of these symptoms to a greater or lesser degree so recognizing the signs of Alzheimer's Disease helps families properly identify problematic behavior that can be addressed correctly and as early as possible.
Here are the Ten Signs of Alzheimer's Disease:
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Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
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Challenges in planning/solving problems
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Familiar tasks at home or work become difficult to finish
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Confusion with time or place
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Difficulty understanding visual imagery or spatial relationships
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Progressive speech or writing difficulties
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Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace one's steps
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Increasingly poor judgment
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Introvertedness, withdrawal from social activities or work
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Mood or personality changes
It should be pointed out that age-related difficulties, such as occasional symptoms of any of the above are normal. Professional intervention from a physician is recommended, however, if these symptoms begin to increase in frequency or become dibilitating.
Original Article - 10 Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Stroke is widely recognized as the leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of disability. Annually, 160,000 deaths in the U.S. are attributed to stroke and related causes. Promptly recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke can save a loved one’s life and result in the best possible prognosis.
St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta uses
“GIVEME5” as a tool in educating patients and the community at large on the five key symptoms of stroke:
- WALK—Is a person’s balance off?
- TALK—Is a person’s speech slurred or face droopy?
- REACH—Is one side weak or numb?
- SEE—Is a person’s vision all or partly lost?
- FEEL—Is a person’s headache severe?
These warning signs are clues your body sends that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you see one or more of these signs, suspect a stroke and call 911.
St. Joseph’s also recommends the use of the acronym
F.A.S.T. to assist people in recognizing stroke.
- Face—Watch for a drooping face.
- Arm—The person may have arm weakness or numbness.
- Speech—The person may have slurred speech, or difficulty speaking or understanding words.
- Time—Call 911 immediately.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Yes, growing old means more wrinkles, age spots and forgetfulness. But getting older is not all bad for many people. Mounting evidence suggests aging may be a key to happiness. There is conflicting research on the subject, however, and experts say it may all boil down to this:
Attitude is everything.Older adults tend to be more optimistic and to have a more
positive outlook on life than their younger, stressed, counterparts, research is finding. The results take on more meaning in light of the ongoing increase in life expectancy.
Why are seniors happier?A recent study by a team of researchers, published this month in the journal Cortex, suggests one reason:
Older adults remember the past through a rosy lens.The researchers recorded brain activity using MRI scans while young and older adults viewed a series of photos with positive and negative themes, such as a victorious skier and a wounded soldier.
Results showed in the older adult brain, there were strong connections between emotion-processing regions of the brain and those known to be important for successful formation of memories, particularly when processing positive information. The same strong connections weren't found for the younger participants.
The researchers, writing in a 2006 issue of the journal Psychology and Aging — think that as a person's life expectancy decreases, they might focus on what makes them feel good now rather than focusing on the negative. Aging can bring more cheer as people become more comfortable with themselves and their role in society.
In the end, it’s all about attitude. Individuals that adapt the best to changes have the highest expected levels of happiness, according to the Population Reference Bureau.
Source: excerpt from 4/10/10 livescience.comHome Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Senior Care: Treating Arthritis Naturally
There are about 55 million Americans who are familiar with the pain and debilitating effects of arthritis. The cause of many types of arthritis remains unknown, but common features of the arthritic disorder include pain, joint stiffness, and restrictive mobility of joints, which are associated with damage to cartilage and joints and ongoing inflammation. By understanding ways to ease the symptoms of arthritis, you can actually prevent further damage and maintain a healthy lifestyle even after arthritis has set in.
Having a balanced diet is the key to health in general, but certain foods have been proven to help soothe symptoms of arthritis, according to Arthritis Today Magazine.
- Incorporate fish, kiwifruit, flaxseed and a variety of nuts into your diet to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Whole-grains, fish, nuts and legumes all are great sources of selenium, a mineral with anti-oxidant properties.
- Eggs, whole milk and fish are all great sources of Vitamin D which may prevent the development and/or progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Although many are fearful that exercising with arthritis can cause pain and discomfort, the truth is quite contrary. Exercise builds strength, which minimizes the effects of the arthritis.
- Yoga not only encourages weight loss, decreasing the amount of weight put on joints, but also promoting relaxation building strength.
- Walking reduces stiffness and helps get joints moving.
- Water aerobics provides a low-impact workout, saving joints from fatigue while strengthening the muscles around them.
Consult your physician before beginning any holistic treatment, as herbs, exercise and foods affect each person’s body differently.Source: ezinearticles.com
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Taking Blood Thinners? Become Informed.
Blood thinners or “anti-coagulents” are commonly used in the prevention of strokes. This is especially important for people who have suffered a first stroke, as they have an increased risk of suffering a second one. In fact, about 30% of all strokes in a given year are repeat strokes. Thus, stroke survivors must be diligent about stroke prevention. However, even if you have never suffered a stroke, but are at risk of getting one, you are likely to be taking a blood thinner.
Common anti-coagulent medications include: coumadin, wafarin, aggrenox, heparin, lovenox, plavix, and aspirin.
Senior Care - “Dos & Don’ts”
- Do take your medication at the same time each day.
- Do keep your physician’s appointments for proper medication monitoring.
- If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, but only if it is the same day. Never double your dose unless directed by your physician.
- Consult your physician before taking generic versions of anti-coagulents.
- Do keep your diet and activities similar each day.
- Do notify each doctor, dentist or healthcare provider you see that you are taking a blood thinner.
- Do notify your doctor before starting any new medicines or supplements.
- Do watch for signs of bleeding, such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nosebleeds, cuts that do not stop bleeding, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, brown urine, or red or black stools.
- Do notify your doctor if you plan to travel out of town for an extended period. Arrangements for filling your prescriptions and obtaining lab test will need to be made in advance.
- Don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.
Always seek advice from your physician concerning any questions you might have regarding your condition or medication.Source: Jose Vega M.D., Ph D, About.com
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Senior Care - New Simplified CPR Technique
CPR. A Lifesaving action.
When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, less than 1/3 of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location get that help. Most bystanders are worried that they might do something wrong or make things worse. That’s why the AHA has simplified things.
Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help.It’s not normal to see an adult suddenly collapse, but if you do, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help. Increasing the number of people who know about Hands-OnlyTM CPR will increase the chance that someone can help when an adult suddenly collapses, and more lives can be saved.
Hands-OnlyTM CPR works.
Hands-OnlyTM CPR, performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as “conventional” CPR in emergencies that occur at home, work or in public. There are only two steps to remember:
* 1) Call 911
* 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
You can be a lifesaver. If you ARE CONFIDENT in your ability to provide CPR that includes breaths with high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions, then provide either the conventional CPR that you learned OR Hands-OnlyTM CPR. If you ARE NOT CONFIDENT in your ability to provide CPR that includes breaths with high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions, then provide Hands-OnlyTM CPR. In both cases, continue Hands-OnlyTM CPR until an AED arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim. Learning conventional CPR is still recommended. The American Heart Association recommends conventional CPR with breaths and compressions for infants and children; victims of drowning, drug overdose or other respiratory problems; and adult victims who are found already unconscious and not breathing normally. A CPR course teaches you the skills needed to help those other victims. You’ll also practice performing the same two steps you’ll need for Hands-OnlyTM CPR. Typically people who have had CPR training are more confident about their skills and more likely to assist someone in a real emergency.
Contact Easy Living Services, Inc. to enroll in a CPR course today! 770-442-8664Hands-OnlyTM CPR scientific statement:The American Heart Association works with some of the world’s leading resuscitation scientists and medical professionals. Their continuous review of published research studies on CPR resulted in the following AHA Science Advisory, published in an April 2008 edition of the medical journal Circulation: Hands-OnlyTM (Compression-Only) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Call to Action for Bystander Response to Adults Who Experience Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Source: American Heart AssociationHome Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services