Zack’s Blog

Driving Assessment Checklist for Seniors

Driving Assessment Checklist

If you are unsure about your loved one’s ability to drive, this checklist can help.

To view the checklist, “Click Here”. 

Asking an elderly parent or relative to stop driving is difficult, because driving provides individuals with the ability to remain independent. Yet, many elderly drivers are a danger to themselves and others on the road. It’s important, therefore, that the family, friends, and other caregivers of these individuals be able to identify potential driving problems and to request that the person stop any dangerous driving behavior.

For some individuals, this may be as simple as driving only on certain kinds of roads (e.g., no highways) or driving only during daylight hours. For more dangerous drivers, however, it is important that the individual stop driving altogether, and find other transportation options that will provide him or her with continued independence. If your loved one’s driving worries you—or if you are unsure whether your loved one should continue to drive—you will probably want to perform a specific assessment before talking to him or her about the problem. Click on the link below to view the assessment, feel free to print as many copies as you like. “Click Here”

Alzheimer’s an Urgent Epidemic

VIDEO -  Alzheimer’s an Urgent Epidemic?

This video will increase your understanding of the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease, and help you form the necessary frame of reference to deal with these problems effectively.

Researchers do not know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is most likely due to a combination of a variety of genetic and other factors.  This informative and easy to understand three minute video is definitely worth your time and will benefit all those that are affected by this destructive disease.

Medical Alerts and Caregivers

Find out more about medical alarms, Click Here.

It is very important to be aware of (PERS) Personal Emergency Response Systems. People may joke about the catchphrase “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” but there are very serious situations in which an elderly person has fallen, broken something or been knocked unconscious with a potentially fatal injury and they need help. If you or someone you know needs a personal emergency response system (PERS) there are many functions that increase safety. If the button is pushed, the response center will contact family or friend’s cell phone and inform them of the situation and they can respond accordingly, calling to see if one is ok, rushing over if one needs help, or contact emergency services when needed.

Medical alerts have started to become more and more of a convenience for people who live alone and are at risk of injury or illness. Elders whose loved ones have passed on or left the city, patients who have recurring heart failures, breathing problems, or other fatal issues; and mentally challenged patients have all turned to medical alerts to keep them safe, healthy and alive. The base unit sends out a distress signal to the response center, who will then contact emergency services or any number of people who are designated. This guarantees that the person in danger receives help immediately so as to avoid further complications.

Living without one of these life-saving medical alerts could be dangerous or risky. Without someone to keep an eye on you, and without these trusty devices monitoring your safety, seniors are running the risk of having an accident. If one fell at home, with no alarm, one may be in pain for hours, if not days, simply because no one was aware that the senior was harmed.

If a senior is sound of mind and body, but getting up in years, one may simply want the reassurance of knowing someone is a push of a button away. By having a medical alert, one can maintain the freedom of living at home.  The alert devices are built for that purpose; on any day at any given time if one should have an accident this device will be there to make sure that help is on the way. Reliable, safe, easy to use, and affordable, our medical alerts are available, guaranteed to fit ones needs and lifestyle.

Find out more about medical alarms, Click Here.

Techniques to keep seniors calm

Staying calm: Proven relaxation techniques

Anxiety is no stranger when you are caring for someone who is seriously ill. Or, for that matter, when you ARE the person who is ill. Medical emergencies, financial worries, everyday care issues. They all cause stress.

And emotional distress sets off a physical reaction. When we feel scared or angry, our heart rate, blood pressure increase, and our breathing speeds up. When the stress is chronic, our “fight-or-flight” response may be engaged for days, weeks, or months. That’s hard on the body. And it’s a particular concern for families dealing with breathing problems. Shortness of breath can generate anxiety, which causes one to feel short of breath, etc. It’s a nasty downward spiral.

You and your patients can take the edge off by learning to relax. Relaxation stops the stress reaction and even makes breathing easier. It also clears the mind, enabling less anxious thinking about any issue at hand.

Following are three basic relaxation techniques that take about 10 minutes each.

1. Deep Breathing. Sit comfortably, feet on the floor. Put one hand on your chest, the other just under your ribs. Breathe slowly through your nose, counting to five. Only the hand at your belly should rise. Exhale slowly, counting to five. Repeat.
2. Muscle Relaxation. Lie down or sit comfortably. Starting with your toes, tense and relax your muscles, moving up your body to calves, thighs, etc. Count to five while tensing and to 30 while relaxing. Notice the difference between tense and relaxed.
3. Visualization. In a quiet place, lie down or sit comfortably. Imagine yourself at your favorite place of tranquility (beach, mountains, etc.). Bring in as many elements of the place as you can: what you would be seeing, smelling, hearing, touching.

Share these techniques with your patients. It takes dedication and practice, but everyone benefits from better stress management.

6 Red Flags – Things that Cause Seniors to Fall

The following are some products that caregivers can use to keep their elderly loved ones from falling.

Monitors/sensor pads. Sensors work well for the bed, chair, or toilet. The pads electronically detect the absence of pressure, which in turn sends an electronic signal to the monitor setting off an alarm. Used on a bed, the pressure pads can be under or on top of the mattress. They are very thin, so they do not disturb sleeping and are plugged into the monitor via a telephone type line. Chair and toilet sensors work in the same way.
There are also pad/monitors that detect and sound an alarm if a person steps on the pad (detects pressure). This type of pad can be used beside the bed, in a hallway or in front of a chair while the person is seated.

Fall mats. Fall mats are used in areas where a person could be injured from a fall on a hard floor such as the side of a bed, by a toilet or in front of a chair. They are cushioned floor mats of various sizes 1-inch or 2-inches thick with beveled edges. They cushion the fall and prevent injuries.

Anti-slip mats. Install these on the bath tub or shower floor. The hard rubber material prevents the elderly person from slipping and provides stability.

Grab bars. Install them near the toilet, in the bathtub and shower.
Shower chair or transfer bench. When getting in and out of the tub, transfer benches provide stability and help the caregiver get the elderly in and out of the tub safely, without injuring the elderly person or the caregiver.

Lift slings. Lift slings are used to move an elderly person who is unable to move themselves from bed to a wheelchair or chair. There are 3 common reasons that caregivers may need a lift: if the elderly parent is too heavy to be transferred without assistance; to prevent injury to the caregiver; and to prevent the elderly person from injury or falling.
Canes and walkers. They help seniors feel steady on their feet. Make sure the mobility device you choose is the correct height for your elderly parent, and has rubber tip or other traction on the bottom, for safety.

Socks, shoes and slippers. Wearing properly fitted, low-heeled, non-slip footwear for walking and transferring provides traction and is much safer than going barefoot. Many socks and shoes are available with non-skid treads on the bottom, to keep your elderly parents safe and help reduce slipping accidents. Avoid slippers that can easily slip on and off.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my loved one who needs assistance?
Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Home Safety for Seniors

Home accidents are a major cause of injury and death for all Americans. For those over 60, the risk of death and injury may be greater than for others. Older people need to take special precautions to ensure a safe living environment. Most accidents in the home can be prevented by the elimination of hazards. The following are suggestions that you can make your home a safer place to live.

Kitchen Safety

Look at the facilities in your kitchen and use the following suggestions to determine safety.

• The stove and sink areas are well lighted
• The stove is not located under a window in which curtains are hanging.
• The exhaust hood of the oven is provided with filters that can be easily removed for cleaning.
• The kitchen exhaust system discharges directly outside or through ducts to the outside and not into the attic or other unused space.
• Hazardous household agents are stored out of reach of children.
• When cooking, panhandles are turned away from other burners and from the edge of the stove.
• Small appliances are disconnected when not in use.
• Knives are kept in a knife rack or drawer.
• Counter tops and work areas are cleared of all unnecessary objects.
• Grease and liquid spills are wiped up.

Bathroom Safety

Make sure your bathroom meets the following standards…

• The bathtub or shower has a nonskid mat or strips on the standing area.
• Bathtub or shower doors are glazed with safety glass or plastic.
• Hand bars are installed on the walls by the bathtub and toilet.
• Electrical appliances are kept away from the bathtub/shower and sink areas.

Stairway and Hall Safety

Now consider whether your stairways and halls are safe for use.

• Steps are in good condition and are free of objects.
• Steps have nonskid strips, or the carpeting on them is securely fastened and free of fraying or holes.
• Smoke alarms are in place in hallways and near sleeping areas.
• Handrails are sturdy and securely fastened.
• Balusters are close enough to prevent a small child from placing his/her head between them.
• Light switches are located at the top and bottom of stairways and at both ends of long hallways.
• Doors do not swing out over stairs.

Living Room Safety

Check your living room for these features…

• Electric cords are placed along walls- not under rugs- and away from traffic areas.
• Chairs and couches are sturdy and secure.

Outdoor Safety

Does your outdoor area conform to these standards?

• Steps and walkways are in good condition
• Handrails are sturdy and securely fastened.
• Doorways are well lighted.
• Hedges, trees, or shrubs do not obscure the view of the street from the driveway.
• Garage doors are of a type that is easy for you to operate.
•  The garage is adequately ventilated.
• Large trees are healthy and well maintained and have no dead limbs.
• Garden and lawn equipment is stored safely.
• Toxic materials such as pesticides and fertilizer are kept in their own containers, not in unlabeled jars or bottles.

General Safety Standards

First, consider whether your home meets the following general safety standards.

• Emergency numbers are posted by each telephone.
• Appliances, lamps, and cords are clean and in good condition.
• A sufficient number of outlets are located in every room where they are needed. Outlet extensions that can accommodate several plugs are not used.
• Overload protection is provided by either circuit breakers or fuses.
• Electrical service is of sufficient capacity to serve the house (it is up to code).
• The thermostat of the water heater is set at 110F or lower to prevent accidental scalding.
• Medications are stored in a safe place according to instructions on the label of the package or container.
• Carpeting and rugs are not worn or torn.
• Small, loose rugs have nonskid backing and are not placed in traffic areas.

Follow these suggestions in making your home a safer place to live for you and your family. If your spot any deficiencies, correct them as soon as you can.

Lifesaving Tips for Seniors During Heat Wave

The risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, increases with age, experts at the U.S. National Institute on Aging warn.

As people get older, the researchers explained, they are less able to adapt to high temperatures, like those engulfing much of the nation now. As a result, the heat might exacerbate any medical conditions they have.

In addition, the elderly may develop certain health problems that could increase their risk of hyperthermia (when the body overheats), the NIA researchers pointed out in a news release from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These include underlying diseases such as:

• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Trouble walking or moving around.
• Dementia or other problems with thinking skills.
• Overweight or obesity.
• Dehydration.
• Age-related changes to the skin, including reduced function in sweat glands.
• Medications that seniors take may cause dehydration or affect the ability of their heart, blood vessels or sweat glands to respond to the heat.

An elderly person’s environment can also influence their response to the heat. For instance, not having access to air conditioning or transportation, or overdressing could put them at greater risk for heat-related illnesses involving hyperthermia, including heat fatigue; heat syncope (lightheadedness or fainting in the heat); heat cramps; and heat exhaustion. When the body’s temperature hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit, heat stroke (an advanced form of hyperthermia) occurs.

Signs that someone is suffering from heat stroke may include:

• Strong, rapid pulse
• Lack of sweating
• Dry flushed skin
• Faintness
• Staggering
• Mental status changes, such as confusion, combativeness, disorientation or even coma

To stay cool and avoid these heat-related illnesses, you should caution the elderly to pay attention to air pollution alerts. Anyone without fans or air conditioners, they added, should go to public places with air conditioning, such as shopping malls, movie theaters or libraries.

If, however, it is suspected that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness take the following steps:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Move them into air conditioning or another cool place.
• Urge them to lie down and rest.
• Remove or loosen tight-fitting or heavy clothing.
• Encourage them to drink water or juices if they are able to drink, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Apply cold water or cold compresses to their skin.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who needs assistance?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors and the elderly. We work with individuals suffering from senior related conditions and diseases. For help or more information, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Understand Alzheimer’s in 3 Minutes

Alzheimer’s disease is named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, the first doctor to describe the disease in 1906.

In his research, Dr. Alzheimer identified an ‘unusual disease of the cerebral cortex’ in one of his female patients. This disease caused memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually her death at the age of 55. Using a new type of stain that only he had access to, Dr. Alzheimer observed various abnormalities of the brain and was able to identify nerve tangles which had never previously been described.

The disease is also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, or just Alzheimer’s. Even though the disease was discovered over 100 years ago, scientists still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s.

We do know:

• Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease—not a normal part of aging—that affects approximately 5.3 million Americans. This disease destroys brain cells and it gets worse over time.
• Alzheimer’s is the most widespread type of dementia, accounting for 50% to 80% of all cases of dementia.
• There is no cure.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons), which communicate with each other to form networks. Some networks are involved in thinking, learning and remembering; other networks help us see, hear, smell, and move our muscles. With Alzheimer’s disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brain cells deteriorate and die.

Averting Disaster

The two best hopes for improving lives and controlling costs are:

1. Delaying Onset of the Disease–Even modest improvements in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s would have a big impact. The report modeled what would happen if a treatment breakthrough, starting in 2015, could delay onset of the disease by five years (this would be similar to anti-cholesterol drugs preventing heart disease). In that scenario, 1.6 million fewer Americans over 65 would have the disease in 2020, and 5.8 million fewer in 2050. This development would save Medicare and Medicaid $42 billion per year in 2020 and $362 billion per year in 2050.
2. Slowing Progression of the Disease–A treatment breakthrough that slowed disease progression would also lead to a dramatic reduction in human suffering and cost of care (this would be similar to recent developments in managing HIV/AIDS and some cancers). In the scenario modeled by the Lewin Group, the number of Alzheimer’s patients in the severe stage of the disease would drop by 1.3 million in 2020 and 5.3 million in 2050. Annual savings to Medicare and Medicaid would add up to $34 billion in 2020 and $180 billion in 2050.

Click here to watch a brief video that clearly explains Alzheimer’s disease in just 3 minutes. It shows a typical progression of the disease, how Alzheimer’s destroys parts of the brain, and how that destruction affects the person living with the disease. This video is important for family caregivers because it helps you understand the different stages of the disease and why your loved one’s behavior is changing over time. However, it is important to note that Alzheimer’s does not take the same course in all patients (as implied by the video), and many patients will exhibit symptoms in a different order than described in the film.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who has Alzheimer’s?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors and the elderly. We work with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other senior related conditions and diseases. For help or more information, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Alzheimer’s – When is it time to get help?

Advice for families of those suffering from Alzheimer’s

Assessing the needs of a loved one in any stage of Alzheimer’s can be incredibly difficult and painful. Many family caregivers liken it to being a first-time parent who senses something amiss with a newborn, but lacks the experience to know exactly when to seek medical intervention. When Alzheimer’s symptoms are sporadic, medical decisions may present an even greater challenge. These sporadic symptoms, say experts, can leave family members affected by Alzheimer’s feeling confused and exhausted.

When the Time Comes

It is time to consider getting help to care for a person with Alzheimer’s when there are changes in mood, behavior, appearance, functioning, or health status that are unmanageable without help. These events place the person or others at risk.

One reason for delaying care is the desire to avoid disrupting the lifestyle of a person with Alzheimer’s, however, this effort can backfire. A senior who needs Alzheimer’s Care but doesn’t have it may experience significant weight loss because he can no longer shop or cook. The person might not be able to manage medications, pay bills, or keep appointments. And, there can be life-threatening risks related to driving with cognitive and sensory impairments, taking too little or too much medication, or forgetting to turn off a stove.

When a client’s suffering from Alzheimer’s went from early- to late-stage almost overnight after suffering a hip fracture, her family quickly realized they needed help caring for her. Her husband had been taking care of her at home, but the family quickly needed to incorporate about 50 hours of home help.

Expense is another factor in determining when and what level of Alzheimer’s Care is needed. “We’ve found Home Care that comes close to being 24/7 isn’t just more comfortable for my mother, it’s less expensive than a nursing home would be,” noted the family.

Degrees of Care

It is very important to select the right level of care for the situation, while anticipating the progression of the disease. A person with early dementia who recognizes his or her deficits might be able to remain in their home and community with family support, care management, and Home Care. If the individual is resistant to accepting support, the situation might unfortunately have to worsen before a significant change can be made.

Keeping in mind that Alzheimer’s patients require the same kind of care as any patient with a progressive, deteriorating illness, and they also need help with all activities of daily living. Intervention should match the level of need and be introduced gradually. This is often easier to accomplish in a home setting.

Our client’s family noted that someday, their mother might no longer be able to remain at home. But, while she can walk, talk and somewhat respond to basic directions necessary to care for her, we’ll stick with home care to help her maintain as much of her old life as we can.

Although she may not know she’s lived in this apartment for more than 30 years, when she holds our hands and looks us in the eyes, she knows she’s with someone who loves and cares about her.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who has Alzheimer’s?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors and the elderly. We work with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other senior related conditions and diseases. For help or more information, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Parkinson’s – 5 Caregiver Tips

5 Tips  for Caring for Seniors with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is typically diagnosed in people between the ages of 50-60. Even though the disease normally hits prior to senior age, many of the resources available for general aging can be helpful for seniors dealing with Parkinson’s. While there’s currently no cure, there are steps you can take to help minimize the symptoms from interrupting their day-to-day lives.

Tip 1: Dealing with Sleep Disturbances
Nighttime tremors associated with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) can keep many seniors with Parkinson’s from getting a good night’s rest. Medication can also cause disruptions and has been known to cause intense dreams or nightmares that interfere with sleeping. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol prior to bedtime can help, as well as decreasing fluid intake so that it’s not necessary to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Exercising and being most active in the morning and earlier in the day will also help to promote better sleep throughout the night.

Parkinson Disease Symtpons

Tip 2: Helping with the Weight of Depression
Around 40% of Parkinson’s Disease patients will experience depression after being diagnosed. To help lift this, having a caregiver or home companion encourage exercise and outside activities can help shift the focus from the disease to more positive topics. Concentrating on the fact that by staying active and being generally healthy, some side effects of Parkinson’s can be minimized.

Tip 3: Reducing Hand and Arm Tremors
For starters, limiting caffeine intake can have an effect on reducing tremors. But to help specifically with hand and arm tremors, there’s a few tricks for helping stabilize the muscle spasms so that arm movements stay more fluid. Pressing the elbow into the body, as well as using an arm or wrist brace that covers the joints can make a major impact in hand stabilization.

Tip 4: Helping Restore Balance and Coordination
Many Parkinson’s patients will begin to experience impaired balance and coordination, which can cause instability in standing and create a greater risk of falling. Installing handrails throughout a home can be beneficial to regaining balance quickly. Also, making sure that chairs and stools all have backs will help maintain balance when sitting. Having a caregiver assist seniors by setting goals while walking, such as lifting feet higher or focusing on an end destination, can help significantly minimize falls.

Tip 5: Ease the Soreness of Stiff Limbs
Aerobic exercise has been able to help alleviate limb stiffness in some Parkinson’s sufferers. Additionally, doing resistance training and stretching can also help slow the progression of stiff joints, weakness and lack of mobility that the disease can cause.

Even though Parkinson’s undoubtedly creates a barrier to normal everyday activities, there are ways to make life and miscellaneous daily tasks easier. Remember that staying active and healthy are always great ways to combat the negative side effects, both physically and emotionally, of this condition.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who has Parkinson’s?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

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