Interim HealthCare Blog
Posted: 1/13/2016 9:40 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a condition that can’t be cured, but can be treated and managed effectively. For seniors with celiac disease, making every day food choices can be a challenge and even a cause for stress. Depending on their level of gluten intolerance, making the right food choices can be very important for avoiding symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, and vomiting.
Posted: 1/12/2016 9:57 AM by
Interim HealthCare
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a health observation dedicated to educating women on the risks of cervical cancer and empowering them to take the proper steps to reduce their risk of developing the cancer, detect changes in the cervix before they develop into cancer, and manage the disease if it does arise. This month as you are looking forward to all of the opportunities that lie ahead with the New Year, make it a point to learn about this cancer and make the prevention and proactive care efforts part of ongoing senior care journey with your aging mother.
Posted: 1/8/2016 8:32 AM by
Interim HealthCare
If your elderly loved one finishes a meal within a few minutes after sitting down to eat, it's possible that she's eating much too quickly. Some of the signs that this is the case can also include indigestion and a difficulty maintaining her weight. If you can help her to slow down a little bit while she eats, she will reap quite a few benefits.
Posted: 1/4/2016 2:40 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Physical therapy is often recommended by doctors for elderly adults who are recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery. Sometimes, it may even be recommended as a treatment for chronic pain. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for many conditions and it can help elderly adults to gain/regain strength which will ultimately help them have a better quality of life. Physical therapy is not a “quick fix”, however, and it may require time and effort for it to be effective. Here are a few tips for caregivers who are caring for an elderly adult going through physical therapy.
Posted: 12/15/2015 10:23 AM by
Interim HealthCare
As we age we lose bone mass, which could lead to osteoporosis without any noticeable symptoms. In fact, many seniors do not realize they have osteoporosis until they fall and break a bone. There are several factors that could put your loved one at risk.
Posted: 12/8/2015 10:25 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Falls can be a common, but dangerous occurrence for the elderly. A fall is defined by medical professionals as any outside force that causes a person to have an unexpected or accidental land on the ground. Not to be confused with falls resulting from a loss of consciousness, falls are a major cause of brain injuries in the elderly, and the number one cause of hospital admissions.
Posted: 11/27/2015 10:27 AM by
Interim HealthCare
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can take a toll on the person caring for a loved one with this condition. The primary goal of the caregiver is to help the senior live as independently as possible, while receiving in-home care for the tasks that are no longer a possibility for them. The Family Caregiver Alliance reported that about 2.5 million Americans suffer from a TBI and is the most common among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24, as well as adults over the age of 75. While many people expect to help their aging parent with diabetes, a heart condition, or mobility problems in the near future, one health condition most people are not prepared for is TBI. If your loved one is receiving senior care due to this condition and you are assisting with their daily routine, there are several things you can do to help provide the care and support they need during this new phase of their life.
Posted: 11/23/2015 2:29 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Burns are one of those household hazards that can occur any time of year, but with all of the cooking that is likely happening around your aging loved ones' home during the holiday season, the risk for suffering one of these painful injuries increases. Knowing how to properly and effectively respond to a burn helps give you more confidence and peace of mind making enjoying time in the kitchen together a positive and enriching part of the experience with your loved ones.
Posted: 11/19/2015 11:04 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious risk factor for anyone suffering from diabetes. It is a retina-damaging condition that affects more than 5 million Americans over the age of 40 and has caused one-third of older adults to become legally blind. This eye condition genuinely does not occur until the older adult has had diabetes for over 10 years, but it is important your loved one stay current on their eye and physical exams. If your loved one is receiving elderly care and you are the primary family caregiver, you can help them live a healthier life through diet and exercise with the doctor's approval. However, if you fear your loved one is at risk for diabetic retinopathy, knowing the following information will help you determine if the elder is in need of medical attention.
Posted: 11/10/2015 3:20 PM by
Interim HealthCare
As a family caregiver for your aging loved one, you might already be vigilant about memory loss worrying about the possibility of your senior developing Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. If you start to notice that your loved one is showing signs of memory loss, such as losing their keys, struggling to remember names, or telling you the same story a couple of times on the same day, you do not necessarily need to start worrying immediately about dementia. There are many different issues and conditions that can contribute to the loss of memory, one of which is hypertension.
Posted: 11/6/2015 2:43 PM by
Interim HealthCare
November 9 through 15 is Mental Health Wellness Week, the perfect opportunity for you to turn the focus of your elder care to effective and compassionate ways for you to support the mental and emotional health and wellness of your aging loved ones, and yourself. Mental health concerns are a common problem for elderly adults, with estimates setting the percentage of elderly adults who have coped with depression at more than 50 percent. As a caregiver, your elder care journey with your aging parents can put you at higher risk of experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Posted: 11/5/2015 10:01 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Nutrition is a central element of elder care, providing a basis on which all of your other efforts build. Without proper nutrition, your parents' bodies are unable to function properly and will be at greater risk of a variety of health consequences. If they are like many seniors in their generation, however, healthy eating is not something that they have concerned themselves with much over the years, and may not even be aware of many of the advancements in the area of nutrition. Encouraging them to eat a healthier diet and expand their dietary horizons is a fantastic way to support better physical health and wellbeing, and an overall improved quality of life.
Posted: 11/3/2015 11:15 AM by
Interim HealthCare
One of the most pressing risks in your senior care journey with your aging loved ones is infection. Older adults tend to be more prone to infections than younger adults due to suppressed immune systems, and less capable of naturally fighting them off with their body's own resistance. This means that what would likely be a minor infection for a younger adult can turn into something very severe for an older adult due to that senior's inability to recover successfully. Understanding the different types of infections, the risks associated with them, and how they can be prevented or managed is an important element of being a compassionate and effective caregiver.
Posted: 10/29/2015 1:26 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Eating is a daily element of your elderly care routine with your aging loved ones, and many caregivers take this activity for granted as simply something that they do to keep their bodies healthy and strong. Many health conditions, however, can make eating a more challenging task for seniors, putting them at risk when they sit down for a meal or snack. Understanding the challenges that they face while eating can help you implement changes to your mealtime and snack time approach so that your parents can continue to enjoy the wide range of healthy and delicious foods that they love safely and comfortably.
Posted: 10/19/2015 3:46 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Though you put a tremendous amount of time, effort, and energy into creating an elder care plan for your aging loved ones that focuses on protecting them from health hazards and keeping them as strong and healthy as possible throughout their later years, illness is a reality of life. Whether it is a minor complaint such as a cold, a chronic issue such as congestive heart failure, or something more serious such as cancer, if illness arrives in your aging loved ones' life, it is essential that you are ready to handle every step of the process so that you can help them through the recovery or management of the illness in an effective, compassionate way that is right for your seniors.
Posted: 10/7/2015 12:16 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Healthy meals that contain the nutrients our bodies need to function well is important for our overall health. As we age, it is even more important that our bodies get the nutrients it needs, yet many older adults are not getting adequate nutrition. This lack of a healthy diet may cause malnutrition; however, it is not just the foods and drinks consumed that can cause this condition.
Posted: 10/1/2015 10:30 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Your elderly loved ones' joints have been through a lot in their lives. They have spent decades supporting their muscles and going through the movements of life, taking on a tremendous amount of force and possibly sustaining injuries. It's important to keep their joints healthy and strong so they can experience less pain and stiffness, increase their mobility, and enjoy a more active, engaging quality of life.
Posted: 9/22/2015 1:07 PM by
Interim HealthCare
As a caregiver for your aging loved ones, you are probably used to the idea of creating and following a basic routine in your care. Having a routine is a great way to ensure your care remains consistent, to give beneficial structure and predictability to your care, and to help your parents maintain as much of their independence as possibly by assimilating to your routine and cooperating with the various tasks so they are as involved in their own care as possible.
Posted: 9/16/2015 1:14 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Physical health and wellness are an important goal within your senior care plan for your elderly loved ones, but this pursuit is not just about making sure that your aging parents stay strong, healthy, and active. You should also focus on keeping yourself, your partner, and your children in their best condition so that you can all live happy, active, and engaged lives no matter what point in life you are at, or what challenges you are facing.
Posted: 9/14/2015 9:46 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Most adult children of elderly parents know what it is like to worry about the well-being of their aging mother and father. As a person ages, they will have a number of different hazards to worry about.