It’s not a facet of senior personal care that is as widely discussed as other tasks, but is critical to keeping seniors healthy nonetheless. Aging skin care issues can cause a wide variety of difficulties for seniors, including itching, bruising, dryness, discomfort, and more.
Signs of Elder Abuse in Senior Loved Ones
What to Do in the Event of a TIA
Slurred speech. Numbness on one side of the body. Confusion. Seems like a stroke, right? However, if those stroke-like symptoms abate rather fast and are rather minor, they may be caused by a TIA (transient ischemic attack). But prior to breathing that sigh of relief and getting back to life as usual, it is crucial to recognize the facts about TIAs and why they ought to always be brought to…
Understanding and Overcoming Dysphagia Symptoms
On a hot summer day, there is nothing more satisfying than a tall, cold drink, but for a senior with dysphagia symptoms, this simple pleasure could be dangerous. Dysphagia – or trouble with swallowing – affects millions of older adults, due to weakened mouth and/or throat muscles. Alzheimer’s, MS, cancer, and stroke are all root causes as well.
Is It Caregiver Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?
Care providers devote so much of themselves to those they care for – both physically and emotionally. It’s common to become worn down and to start to experience feelings such as apathy, weariness, and a detachment from the person in your care. Referred to as compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress, it can be harmful to your own health and wellbeing but may also impact your ability to be as…
Top Tips for Minimizing Family Caregiver Stress
Family caregiver stress is unavoidable, and in reality, not always a bad thing. Basically, as they say, “A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” But particularly for family caregivers, the level of stress can quickly intensify and become overwhelming, and if not handled properly, bring on serious health concerns.
Healthy Eating for Seniors Is Essential. Here’s Why.
In our last blog post, we featured some age-related issues that often prevent seniors from eating a balanced diet, but can poor eating behaviors lead to cognitive deterioration? Malnourishment in older people is more common than you might realize. The National Resource on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Aging notes that 35% – 50% of the seniors living in long-term care facilities are experiencing malnutrition, and as many as 65% of…
Solutions for Typical Senior Nutrition Issues
The majority of us are eager to take a moment and enjoy a delectable meal – the comforting smells and tastes, the pleasing feeling of a full stomach. For a lot of older adults, though, a number of health problems can prevent their enjoyment of meals or even their ability to shop for nourishing foods, which can contribute to malnutrition in many instances. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has…
Overcoming Caregiver Guilt with Positive Affirmations
What to Avoid Saying to Someone with a Chronic Health Condition
Has anyone ever said to you, “Wow, you look really tired! Are you having trouble sleeping?” While you may have been feeling pretty lively up until then, suddenly you actually DO feel a bit worn out. What we say when we speak to other people and the way it’s interpreted can be powerful. This is good to keep in mind if you’re caring for a senior loved one, or talking…