Interim HealthCare Blog
Posted: 6/12/2017 8:31 AM by
Interim HealthCare
There are approximately 5.5 million people throughout the United States who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Of these, 3 in 5, or around 60 percent, will develop wandering tendencies at some point in their progression. This can be a very dangerous situation for your elderly parent, putting them at risk of serious injury or even death. By understanding why your loved one might wander and wha...
Posted: 6/7/2017 6:15 AM by
Interim HealthCare
As the person responsible for the elderly care of an aging parent or loved one, you are surely aware of all of the possible medical crises that can occur. It is important, though, to know the signs and symptoms of each individual problem, so that you can take the correct action as quickly as possible.
One of the medical emergencies that requires the quickest action on your part is a stroke. A ...
Posted: 6/2/2017 7:01 AM by
Interim HealthCare
As your loved one's primary family caregiver, you're in charge of making sure she's as safe as possible. if you don't know where to start, though, the job can feel overwhelming. Start with these safety considerations and then you can branch out to other potential safety problems.
Posted: 5/31/2017 7:11 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Celiac disease is a disorder that, to put it simply, causes the body to attack itself when there is gluten present in its system. It is not known for sure why this happens, but it is important for seniors with celiac disease to stay away from gluten, to give their bodies a chance to heal and prevent further damage.
Posted: 5/17/2017 9:26 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Amyotrophic laterals sclerosis, better known as ALS, is a disease that affects the spinal cord and brain. Over time, the nerve cells in these areas degenerate more and more, leading to an inability to control one’s muscles. This is a very serious disease and is, unfortunately, a fatal one as well.
Posted: 5/4/2017 9:01 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Each year millions of older adults suffer falls. Many of these result in serious physical injuries that can reduce their mobility and functioning, cause pain and discomfort, and even increase the likelihood of death in the near future. As a family caregiver, however, it is important that you recognize that it is not only the physical effects of the fall that you should consider if your elderly ...
Posted: 4/30/2017 6:53 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Grief is something that virtually everyone will have to face and get through at some point in their lives. This loss of an important person can be extremely painful and a difficult phase to push through, but as a family caregiver it is critical that you are prepared to help your parent deal with their loss in an effective and healthy way so that they can move forward and enjoy a lifestyle that ...
Posted: 4/25/2017 6:41 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Do you worry about your parent having dementia? If so, you’re not alone. Many people who face acting as caregivers for their elderly parents fear this devastating and difficult condition, but sometimes people don’t fully understand what dementia is. Dementia is not actually a disease itself, but instead is a term that refers to a set of symptoms that affect a person’s memory so severely that th...
Posted: 4/21/2017 11:29 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Diabetes is a very serious condition that requires extensive and management to ensure that it does not develop into more severe complications. One of the major ways to help your senior manage their condition is through changing their diet. What your loved one eats makes a tremendous difference in their health and well-being, as well as their ability to manage their condition. This might be a bi...
Posted: 4/19/2017 10:09 AM by
Interim HealthCare
If you have an aging parent or loved one, you know that breathing problems can be a serious issue. With age comes an upsurge of respiratory illnesses, like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, and sarcoidosis.
Posted: 3/28/2017 9:01 AM by
Interim HealthCare
When you're a family caregiver to an elderly loved one, some situations can crop up that you didn't expect. A loved one who is suddenly reluctant to bathe is one such situation, especially if your loved one has always paid a lot of attention to her personal hygiene. Some of these tips can help.
Posted: 3/27/2017 9:19 AM by
Interim HealthCare
In your role as a family caregiver, you put a tremendous amount of time, energy, and effort into giving your loved one the care that they need. Because of this it can be extremely frustrating and upsetting to encounter an uncooperative attitude in your aging parent. Dealing with this frustration carefully will help to ensure that your parent gets the care that they need while also protecting yo...
Posted: 3/21/2017 8:32 AM by
Interim HealthCare
In today’s technology-based society your parent has more opportunities than ever to engage with others, stay connected to friends and family, find entertainment, and even handle basic personal tasks by utilizing devices such as their computer or phone. While these can be a wonderful way to encourage them to stay more active and independent, and to support mental and emotional health as they age...
Posted: 3/14/2017 8:55 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Often people think about the gym when it comes to exercise, especially when their elderly loved one is starting an exercise program. You don't have to do something that dull, however. Exercising regularly without going to the gym is possible and it can be a lot of fun for your loved one and for you.
Posted: 3/7/2017 8:45 AM by
Interim HealthCare
What do you think about if you envision an elderly loved one falling at home? Many people would immediately think about a broken leg, ankle, hip, or other limb. Would you ever think they could fall, smack their head, and suffer a brain injury? Probably not.
Posted: 2/26/2017 8:30 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Being away from your elderly loved one is difficult as a long-distance family caregiver, but if she's diagnosed with dementia, that can make you a little more nervous. Finding ways to compensate for the distance involved can help you and your elderly loved one to feel more at ease.
Posted: 2/24/2017 11:36 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Many elderly loved ones balk at the idea of hiring senior care providers. It could be the fact that there's a stranger in her home now or simply that she's always been so independent.
Posted: 2/24/2017 9:15 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Pneumonia is a lung infection, either bacterial or viral in nature, which can make your elderly loved one extremely sick. Severe cases can even land your loved one in the hospital. Avoiding pneumonia is your loved one's best bet.
Posted: 2/22/2017 8:21 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Isolation can take hold of the best of us. Whether it’s suffering from an illness, dealing with grief or the effects of old age, people can suddenly find themselves isolated and alone. But this doesn't have to happen. For aging parents who don't get out of the house like they use to because they can no longer drive, senior care is the remedy.
Posted: 2/1/2017 3:44 PM by
Interim HealthCare
The moment that you hear that your elderly loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is a life-changing and potentially frightening moment. You have found out that your parent is dealing with a debilitating disease that will eventually lead to their death and you know that everything that you have planned for the future of your care will now need to be evaluated and possibly changed. This...