Respect Your Elders

Keep your elderly loved ones as involved as possible in their health care and lifestyle decisions. Remember to talk to them with respect and kindness... read more

How to Make a Home Safer for Older People

Many senior adults prefer to live in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes whenever possible. Whether this describes you or someone you care for, review these checklists to make the home safer and prevent injuries.

Prepare for Regular Emergencies

• Test smoke alarms and replace dead batteries.
• Have a fire extinguisher in the home.
• Plan a simple fire escape route.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector and a fireplace screen.
• Use monitors and intercom systems.
• Buy a phone with large numbers on it for better vision, if applicable.

Decrease Potential Fall Hazards

• Clean up spills immediately.
• Polish floors with non-skid wax.
• Put rubber tips on walkers and canes.
• Wear shoes, not just socks, indoors.
• Place non-skid mats inside and outside showers and tubs.
• Install handles and a bench or chair inside showers and tubs.
• Remove rugs and clear away electric cords to avoid tripping.
• Make sure stairways have sufficient lighting.
• Put nightlights in the hallways and bathrooms for midnight toilet trips.
• Install handrails for all steps and stairs, inside and out.
• Keep outside walkways and porches well lit.
• If it snows in the area, have someone clear and salt the sidewalks.

Make Daily Activities Easier

• Keep items on lower shelves.
• Buy a grabbing tool so a step stool is not necessary. When it is needed, buy one with handrails.
• Arrange a table or storage area near the door for putting down items when coming in.
• Wear comfortable, supportive, low-heeled shoes and buy new ones as soon as the soles begin to wear out.

Learn more about senior safety and senior home maintenance in Vista.

How to Prevent Senior Falls

Falls are the number one cause of injuries in senior adults. Learn how to prevent yourself or your loved one from being one of the 2.3 million annual emergency room visits due to falling... read more

Survey: Biggest Workforce Challenges in Senior Care Today

The biggest workforce challenges in senior care today are finding qualified candidates, employee retention and staff satisfaction and scheduling staff to meet needs, according to new survey results from a partnership between OnShift and Long-Term Care News… read more

Nothing Stops a Girls’ Day Out

Turning in your driver’s license doesn’t have to mean missing out on Sunday morning brunch with the girls. Let a senior escort service chauffeur you to your get-together in style!

A Helping Hand with Home Health Care

One of the difficulties of watching your parents, grandparents or aging friends grow older is seeing them lose their independence. If your elderly loved one is becoming less self-sufficient but does not yet require full time care, a home care service can fulfill their needs while allowing them to maintain their autonomy.

Signs of Diminished Self-Sufficiency

Failing eyesight, reduced mobility, cognitive changes and low energy can prohibit an elderly person from being able to care for themselves and their home as diligently as they might like. If you have visited your loved one at home and notice a lack of cleanliness, inattention to personal hygiene, or evidence that they are having difficulty with preparing food or taking medications on schedule, it may be time to bring in outside help.

Driving Miss Daisy

Driving can also pose a challenge for seniors. Many fear that they will be home bound if they give up driving but may be grateful to let someone else chauffeur them to their appointments and activities, and may also appreciate the companionship. If you have driven with a senior friend and they seem to become lost in familiar neighborhoods, are less attentive to street signs and traffic signals, or veer dangerously out of their own lane, transportation assistance may be needed for their protection and others.

Home Care Services

Home care companies offer a variety of non-medical services, including:
• Housekeeping
• Meal preparation
• Transportation
• Errand assistance
• Personal care, including bathing, toileting and dressing
• Medication reminders
• Makeup and grooming

A home care service can be an excellent way to enable a senior to continue living independently for as long as possible. To learn more about finding errand services for seniors in Carlsbad, please visit this website.

Industry Leaders Offer Predictions on Future of Senior Living

More Americans proactively will seek to reside in senior living communities, and the industry has a role to play in ensuring that consumers will be financially prepared for their retirement years… read more

Time of Need

The windows are bright and lighting creates a somber atmosphere. A hospital bed is the majority of the photograph, but a blurry silhouette of a woman lying down can be seen in the background.

Administration on Community Living Explores Alternatives to Guardianship

Two departments of the Administration on Community Living are working on a project to build a national training, technical assistance, and resource center to explore and develop supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship... read more

How to Determine the Right Senior Care

While there are many who take care of their elderly relatives at home, a busy schedule might mean that you will not be able to provide as much as you like, and depending on the condition of your loved one, they could require 24- hour care. One of the most important decisions you can make for a loved one is determining what kind of facility can attend to their needs. Here is a short list of points to consider when finding your loved one a new home:

• Cost
• Assisted Living or Memory Care Facility
• Quality of life and Cleanliness

How Much Should You Spend?

It all depends. The national average of assisted living is $3,000 per room, and memory care follows at $5,000 per patient. Prices vary depending on the level of care your loved one needs, features and services of the facility, and whether you or your relative wants a private or semi-private room. Since they are going to be moving into a new home, there may be some things that are important to them that not another assisted living facility may not offer.

Better Living

Before you make a final decision, it’s a good idea to observe the inside of the facilities yourself. Another aspect to keep in mind is the level of care your loved one needs. For example, if they are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, you could consider a memory care facility. These places are specifically built for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s and offer a better quality of life for their patients. Overall, consider the happiness of your loved one.

For more information about a residential care home in Santa Cruz, visit this website.

Diabetes Control Chart

There are three main measurements that help you monitor your diabetes and overall health. Knowing the difference between excellent, good and poor readings can help you keep your health on track... read more

Nutrition Tips for Seniors

As individuals age, what they eat must change to accommodate their bodies new needs. Generally, doctors will just recommend a well-balanced diet consisting of vegetables, proteins, fruits and wholes grains. These components serve to maintain and improve overall health, but there are specific nutrients caregivers can include into a senior’s diet to deliver a nutritional boost. Preparing meals based on a few target ingredients will do the trick.

1. Incorporate Calcium

Calcium is important for maintaining bone health and lowering blood pressure. The average adult over 50 years of age should consume around 1200 milligrams of calcium per day. This is roughly equivalent to four cups of dairy or non-dairy milks. Leafy greens such as turnip leaves and kale are another excellent and absorbable source of the nutrient.

2. Limit Sodium Intake

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a very common problem among seniors. Avoiding added table salt is helpful, but it only accounts for a minimal sodium percentage. Processed, frozen and take-out foods are notoriously high in sodium. Replace these meals with fresh options and wholesome ingredients.

3. Include Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Many ailments can cause inflammation so it tends to be a frequent problem with older people. Heart disease, arthritis and cancer may all produce swelling symptoms. If foods rich in Omega 3 are eaten regularly, the nutrient can reduce inflammation. This fatty acid can be found in several types of fish, flaxseed products and canola oil.

To learn more about senior personal care in Vista, please visit this website.

U.S. Needs to Face Implications of an Aging Society

Policy needs and implications of an aging society must be addressed through restructured workplace policies, more efficient public spending to accommodate the demographic shift, provide for the healthcare and retirement income security needs of older adults, and review patterns of ageist discrimination... read more

Controlling Blood Sugar

Maintaining blood sugar is imperative for all individuals living with diabetes. Remember to eat regularly and focus on your carb intake. Gravitate towards high fiber foods to improve or support a health body... read more

Reasons for Choosing Home Health Care for Your Loved One

As a loved one ages, it may become increasingly difficult to give him or her proper care. Nursing homes and retirement communities may begin to feel like the only option, but they are not. Home care is a great alternative for the elderly. Relocating to a strange environment with a host of unfamiliar faces can have a negative effect on mental health. Sometimes, the key to keeping older family members happy is to give them personalized care within their own home.

Home care can provide a number of services to the elderly. Skilled nurses are available to monitor injections and wound attention. Health aide services can help with necessary personal tasks such as bathing, going to the bathroom and dressing. Occupational and physical therapy options are available for those in need. Counseling aids patients as they deal with the emotional toll of growing older and coping with illnesses. Meal delivery services can be set up for the sake of convenience. Some nurses or trained professionals will even take the responsibility of transportation to and from doctor’s appointments.

If your loved one prefers to stay in the comfort of his or her own home, this form of health care will improve daily and long term safety. Seniors face a number of hazards that can cause a serious fall. Simple things such as loose rugs, high shelves and inadequate lighting might make it easier for the elderly individuals to trip or have an accident. Home health agencies are skilled at evaluating houses to identify potential risks and make personalized suggestions for improvement.

In-home care has increased in popularity over the years because it offers extremely customizable options. Some elders require around the clock supervision, but others only need a little help with transportation or housekeeping. As a result, many agencies specialize their services to give better care to their clients. Seniors can regain a sense of control as they choose the home health caregiver that best suits their needs. By playing an active role in the selection of their services, elders may feel more at ease with their changing circumstances.

The largest benefit of in-home elder care is the enhanced quality of life. Many people feel most at ease in their own house. It gives seniors a sense of independence when they don’t have to give up their autonomy to receive the care they need. Giving up a home also means losing a valuable support system of friends and family. Being able to enjoy life in their preferred environment goes a long way in maintaining the morale and happiness of elders.

To learn more about home health care in Vista, please visit this website.

Assisted Living Staff Show Lower Turnover, Higher Retention

The overall retention rate for assisted living staff was just over 73.1 percent in 2013 with a median turnover rate at 24.2 percent, showing improvements from the 2012 data... read more