By Lydia Chan
Pexels on Pixabay
How To Cover The High Cost Of Alzheimer’s Care
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, he may require specialized, costly care for his health and safety. According to Alzheimers.net, the cost of caring for this disease in the United States in 2017 was $259 billion. 1 in every 10 Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s. With costs projected to skyrocket up to $1.1 trillion, how can you protect yourself and cover the cost?
Here are some things you’ll need to consider.
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By David Olson
Pixabay, Public Domain
For elderly individuals who take medications, one of the first signs that they need assistance with daily living is not taking their medications on schedule, or taking certain medications in the wrong amount, either of which could potentially lead to serious health problems.
When this situation occurs, it is important for a family member or a professional caregiver to provide a solution for weekly medication compliance, such as a pill organizer. Here are four tips for selecting a weekly, high-tech medication organizer for your loved one or patient.
By Sarah Cummings
Getting great sleep and being a caregiver often don’t go hand in hand. You might work long and irregular hours, you’re often stressed or anxious, and you carry all the weight of someone else’s difficulties upon your shoulders. Meaning that when it comes time to lay down your head, it’s often hard to switch off all that noise and fall soundly asleep. But it’s very important that you try to get sufficient, good-quality sleep on a regular basis. Now, this is true for everyone; children, adults and even pets alike. Because sleep is the best way to obtain a healthier, happier lifestyle – no medication necessary, and it’s free, too! Particularly if you’re caring for someone, you need to stay as rested as possible. Here’s why:
By Erica Garland
A primary concern of senior citizens is whether they can continue to live independently as they get older. Their loved ones often have the same concerns. Even if seniors want to continue to live on their own, they must confront the fact that they may not be as capable of some things as they once were. For many people, the inevitable result of aging is that senses become much less sharp, thinking may not occur as quickly as in the past, and senior citizens may not be as strong physically or as coordinated as when they were younger. Many people must make adjustments as they get older to accommodate for these changes, whether it’s by wearing glasses, using a cane or taking medication. For seniors who want to continue living in their homes, they also must consider making some changes to their residences to make them more livable. In particular, the bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms for the elderly. That’s why it’s important for seniors and their loved ones to consider adapting their bathrooms to make them safer to use. If you or someone you love is getting older and wants to continue to live independently, you can benefit from the following tips to make the bathroom a safer place.
By Susan Ashby
The American Stroke Association has designated May American Stroke Awareness Month in an effort to spread the word on identifying, preventing and treating stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes kill about 140,000 Americans each year, which equals about one in every 20 deaths. But it’s not all bad news. Strokes are preventable. In fact, the CDC reports that some 80 percent of them could have been avoided.
Image from Shutterstock.com
What’s more, identifying strokes in their early stages—acting FAST, so to speak—can help prevent them from turning fatal or causing disability. Why? Because every minute, quite literally, counts during a stroke. In fact, approximately 2 million brain cells are lost every minute of a stroke. In short, the earlier the treatment, the better the chance for a full recovery. And there’s no better way to ensure early-stage treatment than by getting well-acquainted with stroke warning signs.
By Gary Simmons (A Hand to Hold)
So, you’ve decided to hire a caregiver to take care of an elderly person in your life. Now comes the hard part: deciding what qualities the right caregiver will possess in order to provide the best care. If you were car shopping, you would simply research vehicles that fit your criteria, visit a few car lots, test a couple, and buy your new wheels.
Finding a suitable caregiver that you entrust a loved one’s care to is not as easy. Extensive research must be done, interviews must be held, and all parties involved in the care must be in agreement. So, what qualities make a good caregiver? Better yet, what qualities make the RIGHT caregiver for your loved one?
By Gary Simmons
Introduction
Undergoing surgery at any age puts a huge amount of strain on the body, but older patients in particular will find they need a protracted recovery period following an operation. This is particularly true for people who have had more serious surgeries which significantly impair mobility during recovery, such as total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR).
Deciding where to recover after a drastic surgery, such as joint replacement, can be a difficult decision that requires some serious consideration. Many patients prefer to recover in the comfort of their own homes and do so effectively and safely without incurring any of the extra costs associated with rehabilitation or in-patient facilities. However, many others prefer the convenience of recovering in an environment with a professional staff that has been specifically trained to meet their needs, as this cannot only aid recovery but can also be more reassuring for patients. There are many factors to consider when choosing where to recover following an operation, such as the nature of your surgery, the availability of people at home to assist you while you recuperate, or whether you have any specific requirements that would be better addressed by professional caregivers. Here we examine the benefits and limitations of recovery in each setting, which factors influence how well people typically recover in each, and which types of people are better suited for home or inpatient care
By Gary Simmons
Bone density is crucial for overall health and mobility. Unfortunately, as we age our bones lose strength and durability. Luckily, there are some simple methods to restore bone density. By utilizing some (or even all) of them, you can maximize your health and keep Osteoporosis at bay.
1. Boost Your Calcium Intake
Calcium is crucial for the maintenance of your bones. It is also used for other tasks throughout your body, including helping your heart and muscles function properly. Make sure you are getting enough of this vital mineral because if not your body will withdraw calcium from your bones and use it for other essential tasks. Over the years, this constant calcium drain can lead to Osteoporosis.
The best sources of calcium are dairy products. Try and incorporate milk, cheese, yogurt and fortified orange juice into your meals and snacks. Canned sardines and salmon are also good sources. Some fruit and nuts, such as almonds, dried apricots, and dried figs, also contain calcium. And don't forget dark green vegetables like broccoli and kale are also rich in calcium. Remember, calcium is only one of the dietary factors that influence bone density. Focusing exclusively on its consumption will not be enough. Try and pay attention to your diet.
By Roger Sims
Photo by Shutterstock
There are many reasons why older adults may start to lose weight. For many seniors, maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult.
As your loved ones get older, their appetite and interest in food may start to wane, meaning they are less motivated to eat and more prone to weight loss. This can be expedited by loss of smell and taste, as this obviously makes food less enjoyable and can contribute to a loss of interest in eating. A reluctance to eat can also be caused by the effects of various medications, the natural slowing down of the metabolism, or difficulty with digestion, all of which can contribute to weight loss and malnutrition. |
AboutNews updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care. |