During the Holidays, Watch for Clues Indicating Your Senior Loved One Might Need Help
Are you spending an extended amount of time with your loved ones during the holidays? If so, it may be an ideal time for your to be on the lookout for the well-being of an aging loved one. Here's what you should keep an eye on:
December 14, 2017Hilary Young #Aging #Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care & Support #Elder Care Mediation #Fall Prevention #Support for Adult CaregivingPain, Opioids and Fall Risk
Many elders have chronic pain from musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, from nerves damaged by diabetes or shingles, or from cancer. Consequently, more than 30 percent of people enrolled in Medicare Part D use opioid prescriptions to control pain.
September 12, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall Prevention #Pain Management #Health/MedicalThe Connection Between Magazines and Falling
It’s irritating when you open a magazine and a bunch of subscription postcards fall out and scatter on the floor. For frail elders with poor balance, this irritation becomes a health hazard, as they can fall if they bend over to pick up the cards that have fallen out of magazines.
August 29, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall Prevention #Health/Medical #Support for Adult CaregivingFalling and Not Telling is Never Good
Even though falls among older adults remain a growing concern, a recent study reported that only half of elders discuss falling with their doctor.
July 25, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionCan Diabetics Prevent Falls by Exercising?
Diabetes is an established risk factor for falls. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage affecting sensation, movement and balance) is a common complication of diabetes that disposes elders to a higher risk of falling.
June 08, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionSafe Nighttime Toileting
Getting out of bed at night to visit the toilet is a leading cause of falls by elders. Here are fall risk factors and solutions to prevent falls at night.
May 11, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionOlder Women, Hip Fractures and Bone Tests
When older women fracture a hip, they usually don’t get a bone density test that shows whether they need treatment to help prevent more broken bones. According to a new study, just 17 percent of women get tested for osteoporosis or receive treatment for the condition. This is unfortunate, since osteoporosis screening helps identify women at risk for future fractures.
April 18, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionPostural Activity & Bathroom Falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 200,000 Americans are treated in emergency departments for bathroom-related injuries annually. How a bathroom is designed may keep elders safe and avoid fall risk.
March 09, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionDiabetes & Fall Prevention
Diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. People with diabetes often have no symptoms at first. They may not have symptoms for many years. Learn how to help prevent falls caused by Diabetes.
February 14, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionPreventing Falls In Winter Weather
In many parts of the country, winter weather is already bringing snowstorms, freezing rain and sleet. For elders at risk of falling, especially those with poor balance, stepping outdoors places them at risk for slips, slides and falls. Here are some sensible tips on how to guard against winter weather falls.
January 12, 2017Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall PreventionCan Table Tennis Help Prevent Falls?
Table tennis is an activity that many elders participate in, regardless of physical ability. Aside from being enjoyable, playing table tennis can also help elders avoid falling. As a physical exercise, table tennis helps reduce the risk of falls.
November 29, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care & Support #Caregiving #Fall Prevention5 Exercises That Are Vital To Your Independence
The key to preserving mobility in old age? You have got to move! Here are 5 core and glutes exercises that are vital to your independence.
November 07, 2016Michele Fan #Aging #Fall Prevention #Health LivingMoving Keeps You Mobile
Decreased mobility due to aging is not irreversible, even though studies show that people typically lose 8 percent or more muscle mass every decade after age 40. Muscle mass gives you strength and is associated with mobility. For some older adults, it is also vital to their independence.
October 31, 2016Michele Fan #Aging #Caregiving #Fall Prevention #Health LivingAvoiding Falls by “De-Prescribing” Medications
Nearly 60% of Americans — the highest ever — are now taking prescription drugs. More than half of elders take five or more medications. Why such lengthy medication lists?
October 06, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Fall Prevention #Pain Management7 Things to Expect as You Age
Here are seven almost-givens for your truly golden years:
September 15, 2016Beth Lueders #Health Living #Aging #Fall Prevention #Caregiving #Planning for Eldercare #Caregiver HelpFinding the Right Pill Organizer
While pill organizers can help avoid medication errors, there must be a good fit between the user and the pill organizer, otherwise, the benefits of using a pill organizer will be lost, and may actually impair one’s health.
September 13, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Elder Care Mediation #Aging #Fall Prevention #Health Living #Support for Adult Caregiving #Pain ManagementHome Care Can Help Reduce Fall Risk in Seniors
These and other stories are in the September edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
September 03, 2016Rita Ude #Aging #Fall Prevention #Support for Adult CaregivingPill Organizers Could Lead to Overdoses
According to a new report, pill organizers may actually be responsible for causing dangerous overdoses. Individuals who started to use a pill organizer suffered impaired mobility, episodes of dangerously low blood sugar, and falls.
August 30, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Health Living #Fall Prevention #Planning for Eldercare #Health/MedicalThe Opioid Crisis and Fall Risk
Seniors using opioids are at a seven-fold greater risk for falls (and increased hip fractures) than those who use other pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
July 19, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Elder Care Mediation #Aging #Pain Management #Fall Prevention #Health/MedicalBathroom Safety: The Toilet
The bathroom can be a dangerous place for people of all ages, but older Americans are more vulnerable to falls and injuries.
June 21, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Health Living #Fall Prevention #Planning for Eldercare #Support for Adult CaregivingBathroom Safety: A Shower Chair or Bath Bench?
Shower chairs, shower stools and bath benches are a good option to help with bathing safety and fall avoidance.
May 17, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Health Living #Aging #Fall Prevention #Planning for Eldercare #Caregiving #Support for Adult CaregivingBathroom Safety: Grab Bars
Would it surprise you to learn that nearly 200,000 older Americans are treated in emergency rooms for bathroom-related falls and injuries every year?
April 02, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Health Living #Fall Prevention #Support for Adult Caregiving #Planning for EldercareDecreasing Fall Risk Through Dancing
A new study showed that elders who participated in a half hour of ballroom dancing (three days a week for three months) had a 50% improvement in balance and fewer falls.
March 17, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Health/Medical #Fall Prevention #Caregiving #Caregiver Help #Support for Adult CaregivingRightCare … The Right Choice for You.
Securing at-home care for your loved one is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Right at Home is committed to helping you choose senior care wisely. Rest assured that with Right at Home, your loved one will be getting the Right Care.
February 23, 2016Beth Lueders #Aging #Health Living #Fall Prevention #Support for Adult Caregiving #Planning for Eldercare #Health/MedicalVitamin D and Fall Risk
Many health providers recommend vitamin D supplements as a way to build muscle strength and prevent falls in elders. Does high doses of vitamin D improve mobility for seniors?
February 16, 2016Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Health Living #Support for Adult Caregiving #Health/Medical #Fall PreventionWalking to Prevent Falls
There’s little doubt that regular walking helps elders avoid falling. By strengthening bones and increasing muscle strength, flexibility and sense of balance, walking is an important fall prevention strategy.
December 08, 2015Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Health Living #Fall PreventionSarcopenia: An Unfamiliar Cause of Falling
Sarcopenia begins around age 45 and increases thereafter. By age 65, people, especially those who are sedentary, have lost almost half of their muscle mass and strength. The muscles become so weak that everyday mobility becomes difficult.
November 10, 2015Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Caregiving #Health Living #Support for Adult Caregiving #Fall Prevention #Caregiver HelpI’ve Fallen! Is it Alzheimer’s?
If an elder with memory problems suffers a fall, there’s a tendency to just dismiss the cause by saying that the person has Alzheimer’s. But Alzheimer’s is not the only health issue that can lead to memory loss, confusion and forgetfulness.
October 20, 2015Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Aging #Health/Medical #Caregiving #Fall PreventionCan Home-Monitoring Technology Prevent Falls in Elders?
Up to 50% of elders fall each year in their home. Many of these falls result in broken bones, hospital admissions and relocation to nursing homes for ongoing care. Can an elder, who is growing frailer with age, remain at home safely?
September 29, 2015Dr. Rein Tideiksaar #Senior Care Technology #Caregiving #Aging #Fall Prevention #Health Living