Sunday, January 9, 2022
Covid and Seniors
I thought I would start this 2022 post with what is on everybody's mind. This link will give you the best information on what is going on with assisted-living's and senior living in Ohio.
When I was working in a senior living community OALA is where we would always go for the latest information. I hope you find this helpful.
https://ohioassistedliving.org/covid-19-resources/
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Exposure to Light Could Help Alzheimer’s Patients Sleep Better
This was forwarded to me by one of my family members. I found it very interesting.
New Study From the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer is the First To Collect Circadian Light Exposure and Activity Data in Individuals With Alzheimer’s Disease
Troy, N.Y. — Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) often sleep during the day and are awake at night. The situation can turn life-threatening if they leave their homes and wander around outside. This irregular sleep schedule and night wandering, and the consequent burden on their caretakers, is a primary reason individuals with ADRD are placed in more controlled environments such as nursing homes. A new study from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lays the foundation for the importance of tailored light exposures as a viable treatment option for the reduction of sleep disturbances in older adults and those with ADRD.
Funded by a R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the study is the first to collect circadian light exposures in individuals with ADRD. Results of the quantitative study show that individuals with ADRD experienced lower light levels, exhibited lower activity levels, and had greater disruption to their natural circadian rhythms than healthy older adults. The findings also show that people with ADRD experience lower levels of light exposure and greater levels of circadian disruption during the winter.
“We used light/dark and activity/rest patterns to assess circadian disruption and our results are consistent with previous studies. However, this is the first field study to examine the synchrony between the circadian light pattern and the activity response pattern to assess circadian disruption,” said Mariana Figueiro, associate professor at Rensselaer and director of the Light and Health Program at the LRC, who led the study. “Measurements revealed that those with ADRD experienced more circadian disruption than healthy older adults.”
Results of the study, titled “Field Measurements of Light Exposures and Circadian Disruption in Two Populations of Older Adults,” will appear in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Figueiro presented the research team’s findings at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver on July 17.
Along with Figueiro, co-authors of the study are LRC Director and Professor Mark S. Rea, LRC Research Specialist Robert Hamner, along with Patricia Higgins and Thomas Hornick, clinicians at Case Western Reserve University and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Growing evidence indicates that circadian disruption by irregular light/dark patterns is associated with reduced quality of life and increased risk of disease. Circadian rhythms are governed by the human body’s master clock in what is known as the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), which has an intrinsic period slightly longer than 24 hours. On average, the SCN runs with a period of 24.2 hours. Light/dark patterns on the retina, the photosensitive part of the eye, synchronizes the SCN to the 24-hour solar day, regulating biological rhythms such as when we are active and when we sleep. Without exposure to a regular, daily pattern of light and dark, circadian rhythms can become irregular.
“Biology is driven by circadian rhythms at every level, and light is the main stimulus for synchronizing the circadian system to the solar day. By quantifying an individual’s light/dark exposure pattern, we can prescribe ‘light treatments’ promoting circadian entrainment, thereby improving health and well-being,” said Figueiro.
To collect data for the study, the research team used a Dimesimeter, a dime-sized device developed by the LRC, to record how much photopic and circadian light an individual is exposed to and whether they are active or resting. The data-logging device records these light and activity levels continuously over many days, and can be easily attached to shirt collars, lapels, hats, wristbands, or eyeglasses. The Dimesimeter enables researchers to examine light/dark and activity/rest patterns in those experiencing circadian sleep disorders, such as Alzheimer’s patients. Data from the device can be downloaded to a computer and processed to calculate a cross-correlation of the activity/rest and light/dark exposure data, a measure of circadian entrainment/disruption.
“The Dimesimeter system allows researchers to accurately measure light/dark exposure and activity/rest patterns to quantify circadian disruption. In this way, we can collect ecological data on populations who suffer from circadian sleep disorders,” said Rea. “This new study using the Dimesimeter is a major step toward the goal of better understanding the impact of circadian disruption on human health.”
For the new NIA-funded study, the research team enlisted 16 healthy older adults and 21 adults with ADRD to wear a Dimesimeter on their wrists for one week. The research team in Cleveland collected data from those with ADRD and the research team in Troy collected the data from healthy older adults. From the resulting data, the researchers calculated two metrics for each subject: relative activity (RA) to measure activity, and phasor magnitude to measure both light exposure and activity. The analysis revealed that during winter, those with ADRD exhibited more circadian disruption than healthy adults as reflected by their significantly shorter phasor magnitudes and lower RA values. Those with ADRD studied in winter also had significantly shorter phasor magnitudes than those studied in summer. ADRD adults were less active during waking hours than healthy adults, and ADRD adults studied in winter were exposed to less light than healthy adults in winter and ADRD adults in summer. The research team is currently delivering a lighting intervention to those with ADRD and their caretakers and measuring its impact on their sleep efficiency and circadian disruption.
New Study From the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer is the First To Collect Circadian Light Exposure and Activity Data in Individuals With Alzheimer’s Disease
Troy, N.Y. — Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) often sleep during the day and are awake at night. The situation can turn life-threatening if they leave their homes and wander around outside. This irregular sleep schedule and night wandering, and the consequent burden on their caretakers, is a primary reason individuals with ADRD are placed in more controlled environments such as nursing homes. A new study from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lays the foundation for the importance of tailored light exposures as a viable treatment option for the reduction of sleep disturbances in older adults and those with ADRD.
Funded by a R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the study is the first to collect circadian light exposures in individuals with ADRD. Results of the quantitative study show that individuals with ADRD experienced lower light levels, exhibited lower activity levels, and had greater disruption to their natural circadian rhythms than healthy older adults. The findings also show that people with ADRD experience lower levels of light exposure and greater levels of circadian disruption during the winter.
“We used light/dark and activity/rest patterns to assess circadian disruption and our results are consistent with previous studies. However, this is the first field study to examine the synchrony between the circadian light pattern and the activity response pattern to assess circadian disruption,” said Mariana Figueiro, associate professor at Rensselaer and director of the Light and Health Program at the LRC, who led the study. “Measurements revealed that those with ADRD experienced more circadian disruption than healthy older adults.”
Results of the study, titled “Field Measurements of Light Exposures and Circadian Disruption in Two Populations of Older Adults,” will appear in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Figueiro presented the research team’s findings at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver on July 17.
Along with Figueiro, co-authors of the study are LRC Director and Professor Mark S. Rea, LRC Research Specialist Robert Hamner, along with Patricia Higgins and Thomas Hornick, clinicians at Case Western Reserve University and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Growing evidence indicates that circadian disruption by irregular light/dark patterns is associated with reduced quality of life and increased risk of disease. Circadian rhythms are governed by the human body’s master clock in what is known as the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), which has an intrinsic period slightly longer than 24 hours. On average, the SCN runs with a period of 24.2 hours. Light/dark patterns on the retina, the photosensitive part of the eye, synchronizes the SCN to the 24-hour solar day, regulating biological rhythms such as when we are active and when we sleep. Without exposure to a regular, daily pattern of light and dark, circadian rhythms can become irregular.
“Biology is driven by circadian rhythms at every level, and light is the main stimulus for synchronizing the circadian system to the solar day. By quantifying an individual’s light/dark exposure pattern, we can prescribe ‘light treatments’ promoting circadian entrainment, thereby improving health and well-being,” said Figueiro.
To collect data for the study, the research team used a Dimesimeter, a dime-sized device developed by the LRC, to record how much photopic and circadian light an individual is exposed to and whether they are active or resting. The data-logging device records these light and activity levels continuously over many days, and can be easily attached to shirt collars, lapels, hats, wristbands, or eyeglasses. The Dimesimeter enables researchers to examine light/dark and activity/rest patterns in those experiencing circadian sleep disorders, such as Alzheimer’s patients. Data from the device can be downloaded to a computer and processed to calculate a cross-correlation of the activity/rest and light/dark exposure data, a measure of circadian entrainment/disruption.
“The Dimesimeter system allows researchers to accurately measure light/dark exposure and activity/rest patterns to quantify circadian disruption. In this way, we can collect ecological data on populations who suffer from circadian sleep disorders,” said Rea. “This new study using the Dimesimeter is a major step toward the goal of better understanding the impact of circadian disruption on human health.”
For the new NIA-funded study, the research team enlisted 16 healthy older adults and 21 adults with ADRD to wear a Dimesimeter on their wrists for one week. The research team in Cleveland collected data from those with ADRD and the research team in Troy collected the data from healthy older adults. From the resulting data, the researchers calculated two metrics for each subject: relative activity (RA) to measure activity, and phasor magnitude to measure both light exposure and activity. The analysis revealed that during winter, those with ADRD exhibited more circadian disruption than healthy adults as reflected by their significantly shorter phasor magnitudes and lower RA values. Those with ADRD studied in winter also had significantly shorter phasor magnitudes than those studied in summer. ADRD adults were less active during waking hours than healthy adults, and ADRD adults studied in winter were exposed to less light than healthy adults in winter and ADRD adults in summer. The research team is currently delivering a lighting intervention to those with ADRD and their caretakers and measuring its impact on their sleep efficiency and circadian disruption.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Talking With Elderly Parents
Talking With Elderly Parents
Written By : Dianna Malkowski
Caring for your elderly parents can be a challenging task. As the body gets older, it falls victim to a number of health problems, which can be difficult for us to cope with. Seniors often become depressed and upset over small things because their bodies are unable to keep up with their minds. Other seniors will have mental health problems, which takes its toll on them and everyone around them. You will need to make some simple modifications to their home and shop for things that you may not have imagined like incontinence pads and enemas.
In order to properly care for your elderly parents, you need to learn how to communicate with them. Here are 5 simple ways you can open the lines of communication and build a strong and healthy relationship with your parents:
Show them respect. Just because you need to come over every morning and get them ready for the day does not mean they are a child. Your parents want you to still look upon them as the parents, not as an infant that needs care. Show them respect by treating them as your equal. You still need to sit down with them and ask them for advice and their opinions. Give them the opportunity to share their opinions instead of making it for them. They need to make their voice heard; even if you think what they have to say is a little odd.
Learn how to listen to your elderly parents. Parents like to be heard by their children, no matter what age they are. You need to respect them by listening to what they have to say. Truly listen to them instead of pretending to listen. When they are talking, give them your complete attention. Sit down with them and let them tell stories for hours and engage in fun conversations. Sometimes listening can be difficult and you may not hear exactly what they said, so you need to follow up with clarification questions. This is a great way to make their life a little easier and to make your care giving time more enjoyable.
Remain calm. Elderly parents may be slipping into the early stages of dementia and sometimes they say things that they don't mean. Many researchers have found that some elderly people tend to think they can say whatever is on their mind and people cannot combat it because they are "old". Be mindful of things that your elderly parents may say that are hurtful. Instead of lashing out at them when they say something hurtful, take a deep breath and walk away. If they continue to exhibit this behavior, kindly confront them about it and express your feelings. You may need to talk to their doctor about it because they may have dementia or it could indicate that they have suffered a small stroke.
Have rules and boundaries. As a caregiver you are giving up a large part of your life for your elderly parents. They will recognize this sacrifice and devotion to them so you don't need to constantly tell them. It is important for you to set some boundaries and rules with your elderly parents to keep your relationship strong and healthy. Let them know that some of their requests are unreasonable and learn how to tell them no. If your elderly parents cause too much stress on other loved ones, try to limit your visit at that person's home. Keeping it short and sweet may be easier for some of your siblings that do not understand dementia.
Love them. The best way to open up the lines of communication with your parents is to simply love them. Acknowledge when they do things that try to help you out. They may not be able to do things the way you want, but they are trying. Always tell them how much you appreciate them and love having them in their life so they know they are needed.
Written By : Dianna Malkowski
Caring for your elderly parents can be a challenging task. As the body gets older, it falls victim to a number of health problems, which can be difficult for us to cope with. Seniors often become depressed and upset over small things because their bodies are unable to keep up with their minds. Other seniors will have mental health problems, which takes its toll on them and everyone around them. You will need to make some simple modifications to their home and shop for things that you may not have imagined like incontinence pads and enemas.
In order to properly care for your elderly parents, you need to learn how to communicate with them. Here are 5 simple ways you can open the lines of communication and build a strong and healthy relationship with your parents:
Show them respect. Just because you need to come over every morning and get them ready for the day does not mean they are a child. Your parents want you to still look upon them as the parents, not as an infant that needs care. Show them respect by treating them as your equal. You still need to sit down with them and ask them for advice and their opinions. Give them the opportunity to share their opinions instead of making it for them. They need to make their voice heard; even if you think what they have to say is a little odd.
Learn how to listen to your elderly parents. Parents like to be heard by their children, no matter what age they are. You need to respect them by listening to what they have to say. Truly listen to them instead of pretending to listen. When they are talking, give them your complete attention. Sit down with them and let them tell stories for hours and engage in fun conversations. Sometimes listening can be difficult and you may not hear exactly what they said, so you need to follow up with clarification questions. This is a great way to make their life a little easier and to make your care giving time more enjoyable.
Remain calm. Elderly parents may be slipping into the early stages of dementia and sometimes they say things that they don't mean. Many researchers have found that some elderly people tend to think they can say whatever is on their mind and people cannot combat it because they are "old". Be mindful of things that your elderly parents may say that are hurtful. Instead of lashing out at them when they say something hurtful, take a deep breath and walk away. If they continue to exhibit this behavior, kindly confront them about it and express your feelings. You may need to talk to their doctor about it because they may have dementia or it could indicate that they have suffered a small stroke.
Have rules and boundaries. As a caregiver you are giving up a large part of your life for your elderly parents. They will recognize this sacrifice and devotion to them so you don't need to constantly tell them. It is important for you to set some boundaries and rules with your elderly parents to keep your relationship strong and healthy. Let them know that some of their requests are unreasonable and learn how to tell them no. If your elderly parents cause too much stress on other loved ones, try to limit your visit at that person's home. Keeping it short and sweet may be easier for some of your siblings that do not understand dementia.
Love them. The best way to open up the lines of communication with your parents is to simply love them. Acknowledge when they do things that try to help you out. They may not be able to do things the way you want, but they are trying. Always tell them how much you appreciate them and love having them in their life so they know they are needed.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Vitamin D explained: Why it's so important
There's a veritable alphabet soup of vitamins in the market, and it's likely very few of us know precisely what they do -- with the exception of vitamin C, which most of us rush to take whenever we feel a cold coming on. But even then, its effectiveness as a cold-stopping agent is a matter of dispute among medical professionals and those we rely on to tell us what's best for our bodies. Lately, those same folks have been proclaiming the virtues of vitamin D. The obvious question now is: What does vitamin D do and what are the various vitamin D benefits as we get older?
One of the biggest vitamin D benefits to those of us who'd like to stick around for a long time and still stay strong and healthy in the process is its beneficial impact on bone health. Vitamin D accomplishes this task by helping our bodies absorb calcium and phosphate, which in turn keeps the body's bones strong and makes them far less susceptible to breakage.
Additional vitamin D benefits
As if that weren't enough to sell you on its benefits, recent studies say vitamin D may also be beneficial for a number of other important health functions, including:
Immune functions
Brain functions
Nerve center functions
Muscular functions
Vitamin D consumption methods
So how do you get vitamin D into your system? There are actually three uniquely different methods of accomplishing that end.
Eating certain foods, like fatty fish, meat, eggs and mushrooms. Wouldn't you know it? Some of the foods that we're told to stay away from actually contain something our bodies need. This is probably the best evidence that proves that moderation is the best method of achieving longevity.
Exposure to sunshine. This is one area you'll have to tread lightly on. The older we get, the more susceptible we become to the effects of the sun. If you don't want to have a knock-down, drag-out brawl with your dermatologist, it's best to discuss this with them at length before stripping to your skivvies and taking an hour-long sunbath -- even though that length of time may not necessary to get your vitamin D fill. Doctors say that 15 to 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight per day should do the trick.
Taking vitamin D supplements. The trouble with opting for this approach is that it's possible to overdose on vitamin D. Therefore, before taking any supplements, consult your doctor to the right dosage for you.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
Even if you do get enough sunshine and eat all the right things, it may be entirely possible that you can a vitamin D deficiency. If you're suffering from any of the following symptoms, you might be experiencing a deficiency:
Bodily aches and pains that range from mild to severe
Pain that's felt in your hips, ribs, feet and thighs
Weakness and lethargy
Osteomalacia, which is a softening of the bones
Who's at risk?
Some people bring about vitamin D deficiencies simply by their actions or habits. Ultimately, you may not need to take vitamin D supplements if you make some changes in your life. The three factors that can lead to lack of vitamin D in your body are: staying out of the sun too often, not eating any dairy products, or eating a strict vegetarian diet. Whether or not this sounds like you, it's important to see your doctor before treating yourself to determine the best course of action.
Content Provided by Spot55.com
One of the biggest vitamin D benefits to those of us who'd like to stick around for a long time and still stay strong and healthy in the process is its beneficial impact on bone health. Vitamin D accomplishes this task by helping our bodies absorb calcium and phosphate, which in turn keeps the body's bones strong and makes them far less susceptible to breakage.
Additional vitamin D benefits
As if that weren't enough to sell you on its benefits, recent studies say vitamin D may also be beneficial for a number of other important health functions, including:
Immune functions
Brain functions
Nerve center functions
Muscular functions
Vitamin D consumption methods
So how do you get vitamin D into your system? There are actually three uniquely different methods of accomplishing that end.
Eating certain foods, like fatty fish, meat, eggs and mushrooms. Wouldn't you know it? Some of the foods that we're told to stay away from actually contain something our bodies need. This is probably the best evidence that proves that moderation is the best method of achieving longevity.
Exposure to sunshine. This is one area you'll have to tread lightly on. The older we get, the more susceptible we become to the effects of the sun. If you don't want to have a knock-down, drag-out brawl with your dermatologist, it's best to discuss this with them at length before stripping to your skivvies and taking an hour-long sunbath -- even though that length of time may not necessary to get your vitamin D fill. Doctors say that 15 to 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight per day should do the trick.
Taking vitamin D supplements. The trouble with opting for this approach is that it's possible to overdose on vitamin D. Therefore, before taking any supplements, consult your doctor to the right dosage for you.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
Even if you do get enough sunshine and eat all the right things, it may be entirely possible that you can a vitamin D deficiency. If you're suffering from any of the following symptoms, you might be experiencing a deficiency:
Bodily aches and pains that range from mild to severe
Pain that's felt in your hips, ribs, feet and thighs
Weakness and lethargy
Osteomalacia, which is a softening of the bones
Who's at risk?
Some people bring about vitamin D deficiencies simply by their actions or habits. Ultimately, you may not need to take vitamin D supplements if you make some changes in your life. The three factors that can lead to lack of vitamin D in your body are: staying out of the sun too often, not eating any dairy products, or eating a strict vegetarian diet. Whether or not this sounds like you, it's important to see your doctor before treating yourself to determine the best course of action.
Content Provided by Spot55.com
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Adult Children of Aging Parents
I have been a member of this group on Facebook for about a year now. I find it very informative for myself as a "adult child" myself and also helpful to be a resource to my famliies as I help them everyday to mounver thru this sometimes diffucult process.
Check it out and I hope you find it as interesting as I do and helpful to know we are in this together!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/65386071640
Check it out and I hope you find it as interesting as I do and helpful to know we are in this together!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/65386071640
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
9 Ways to Get Parents to Accept Assisted Living
1.First, plant the seed. Don't approach your parent as though you've already made the decision for him or her. Just mention that there are options that could make life easier and more fun.
2. Next, offer a tour of some local assisted living centers, if he or she is willing, but don't push it. Drop the subject if necessary, and wait for another day.
3. Watch for a "teachable moment." Did Mom fall, but escape getting badly hurt? Use that as a springboard. You may want to wait a bit, or immediately say something like, "Wow, that was close. Once you're feeling better, maybe we could go look at the new assisted living center over by the church. We'd both feel better if you had people around." Go with your gut on the timing, but use the "moment."
4. Again, don't push unless you consider this an emergency. It's hard to wait, but you may need to. Wait for, say, a very lonely day when Mom is complaining about how she never sees her friends anymore. Then, gently, try again.
5. Check with your friends and friends of your parents. See if any live happily in an assisted living center nearby, or if their parents do. Just like your first day of school when you looked for a friend – any friend – who may be in your class, your parent would feel much better if there were a friend already in the center.
6. Even if they won't know anyone, you can still take your parent to watch a group having fun playing cards or wii bowling. Show off the social aspects of a good center. Keep it light and don't force the issue. Tour more than one center, if possible, and ask your parent for input. Big center or small? New and modern or older and cozy?
7. Show interest in how much privacy a resident has. Ask about bringing furniture from home and how much room there is. Take measuring tapes and visualize, if you can see some rooms, how your parent's room(s) would look. Show excitement, as you would do if you were helping your parent move to a new apartment, because that's what you are doing.
8. Stress the safety aspects.
9. Stress the fact that there's no yard cleanup, but flowers can be tended to. There's no need to call a plumber if the sink breaks, but there are plenty of things to do if people want. There's plenty of freedom to be alone, but company when they desire it.
Courtesy of Agingcare.com
2. Next, offer a tour of some local assisted living centers, if he or she is willing, but don't push it. Drop the subject if necessary, and wait for another day.
3. Watch for a "teachable moment." Did Mom fall, but escape getting badly hurt? Use that as a springboard. You may want to wait a bit, or immediately say something like, "Wow, that was close. Once you're feeling better, maybe we could go look at the new assisted living center over by the church. We'd both feel better if you had people around." Go with your gut on the timing, but use the "moment."
4. Again, don't push unless you consider this an emergency. It's hard to wait, but you may need to. Wait for, say, a very lonely day when Mom is complaining about how she never sees her friends anymore. Then, gently, try again.
5. Check with your friends and friends of your parents. See if any live happily in an assisted living center nearby, or if their parents do. Just like your first day of school when you looked for a friend – any friend – who may be in your class, your parent would feel much better if there were a friend already in the center.
6. Even if they won't know anyone, you can still take your parent to watch a group having fun playing cards or wii bowling. Show off the social aspects of a good center. Keep it light and don't force the issue. Tour more than one center, if possible, and ask your parent for input. Big center or small? New and modern or older and cozy?
7. Show interest in how much privacy a resident has. Ask about bringing furniture from home and how much room there is. Take measuring tapes and visualize, if you can see some rooms, how your parent's room(s) would look. Show excitement, as you would do if you were helping your parent move to a new apartment, because that's what you are doing.
8. Stress the safety aspects.
9. Stress the fact that there's no yard cleanup, but flowers can be tended to. There's no need to call a plumber if the sink breaks, but there are plenty of things to do if people want. There's plenty of freedom to be alone, but company when they desire it.
Courtesy of Agingcare.com
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Should Your Parents Still Be Living on Their Own
As we age, giving up independence is one of the hardest things to do. Determining when it is the right time for a senior to move out of their home can be difficult. Here are tips that will help know how to make the decision when you parents should not be living alone any longer.
First, you must know this decision will be met with resistance, especially if your loved one is not injured and can still get around. You will need to be prepared to help them through this with sensitivity and understanding.
But there are some very basic activities they must still be able to accomplish if they are going to continue safely living on their own.
Questions to ask and observations to make:
1. Are they able to get out of the home to go to the store or doctor? To remain independent your senior must have the ability to get outside the home to accomplish tasks. Do they still drive or do they have a friend or relative that will drive them is the big question.
2. Do they have mobility issues that make it difficult to get around? If they can still get around well without the risk of falling, that is what you want to look for. If they show signs of instability, that can pose dangers living on their own.
3. Are they able to still cook and prepare meals for themselves? Observe how they operate around the kitchen. Can they still function safely with the stove and oven? Do they remember to turn these off when not in use? If they are not doing well in the kitchen, that can be a real problem.
4. How do they do with their medication? Put all their medication in a plastic container that has a separate compartment for each day. Keep an eye on this and watch to make sure they are taking all their medications at the proper times and the right days.
5. How is their hearing and vision? Are they able to use the telephone? A person can actually have challenges in these and still live on their own. There are special phones designed for those with poor vision or hearing.
When the time comes to move your loved senior family member from their home be sensitive to how difficult this will be for them. It is often best to explore options and talk over the best solution with them. Be sure to point out the safety reasons and that you are doing this out of love.
Written By : Mark Myers
First, you must know this decision will be met with resistance, especially if your loved one is not injured and can still get around. You will need to be prepared to help them through this with sensitivity and understanding.
But there are some very basic activities they must still be able to accomplish if they are going to continue safely living on their own.
Questions to ask and observations to make:
1. Are they able to get out of the home to go to the store or doctor? To remain independent your senior must have the ability to get outside the home to accomplish tasks. Do they still drive or do they have a friend or relative that will drive them is the big question.
2. Do they have mobility issues that make it difficult to get around? If they can still get around well without the risk of falling, that is what you want to look for. If they show signs of instability, that can pose dangers living on their own.
3. Are they able to still cook and prepare meals for themselves? Observe how they operate around the kitchen. Can they still function safely with the stove and oven? Do they remember to turn these off when not in use? If they are not doing well in the kitchen, that can be a real problem.
4. How do they do with their medication? Put all their medication in a plastic container that has a separate compartment for each day. Keep an eye on this and watch to make sure they are taking all their medications at the proper times and the right days.
5. How is their hearing and vision? Are they able to use the telephone? A person can actually have challenges in these and still live on their own. There are special phones designed for those with poor vision or hearing.
When the time comes to move your loved senior family member from their home be sensitive to how difficult this will be for them. It is often best to explore options and talk over the best solution with them. Be sure to point out the safety reasons and that you are doing this out of love.
Written By : Mark Myers
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