August 2021 - Golden Heart Summerlin

Planning a Labor Day Gathering? Keep It Safe by Using These Guidelines

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Craig Bass

Elder Care in Summerlin NV

As kids get back to school, your parents know they’ll be spending more time by themselves. School activities kick into high gear, and you need to help them with homework, too. Labor Day seems like the perfect day for everyone to visit their parents and spend the day together.

If you’re planning a Labor Day gathering, you have to focus on safety. A lot can go wrong during a fun afternoon, but it doesn’t have to with a bit of planning.

Keep Food Safety in Mind

When you’re having a gathering, food safety needs to be a priority. Older adults may not have as strong an immune system, especially if there are chronic health issues. Food poisoning may not be too severe for younger adults, but it can be dangerous for your parents.

Cold foods like deli meats and potato salad must be kept refrigerated. For an outdoor gathering, a cooler filled with ice is essential. Once people have gotten their food, the items go back onto the ice.

Grilled meats need to be kept hot. Once cooked, they shouldn’t be left out for long. The FDA recommends getting all warm or cold foods put away within two hours of cooking or serving the items. If the temperature in the sun is higher than 90 F, put everything away within one hour.

Use removable covers or foil to ensure items are protected from flying insects. You don’t want to eat foods that flies have crawled over.

Wear Sunscreen

Make sure everyone wears sunscreen. Even if you’re in the shade, some UV rays reach you. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every couple of hours. If your gathering is near a pool or body of water, people need to reapply sunscreen when they get out of the water.

Keep Plenty of Water Available

If it’s hot, you want to make sure your parents stay hydrated. Ideally, they should drink a small glass of water each hour. If they’re active or sweating more than usual, they need to increase their water intake.

You don’t want the fun afternoon to end abruptly with your mom or dad becoming dehydrated. Make sure someone is watching their water intake throughout the day.

Can Elder Care Help Your Parents Age Safely?

What do you do when everyone goes home after the family Labor Day gathering? Your parents have all the companionship they crave that day. As kids get back into a full school schedule and you get back to work, you know your parents are alone all day.

Your parents want to remain independent, but you also saw many signs that they’re having a harder time. During your family gathering, you noticed your mom had difficulty walking up and down her deck stairs. Your dad’s taking more medications than before. It’s time to address their need for help.

With elder care services that meet their needs, your parents don’t have to be alone. They have the help they need with daily tasks and medication management. You have peace of mind that they have a trained professional making sure they’re okay each day. Learn more about the cost of elder care in your parent’s town.

Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/media/84739/download

If you are considering elder care in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

August 2021 Employee of the Month

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Craig Bass

Golden Heart’s amazing August Caregiver of the Month is Kimberly Kimbrough! Originally from Chicago, Kimberly says she was inspired to become a caregiver after assisting her disabled sister for two years. Something Kimberly is proud of is her job as a caregiver; she says “It’s hard work but I really do care about my clients.” Her greatest talent is being a mom to her son, whom she raised as a single mother. Kimberly says “being a single parent was hard for me but I made it through and I’m proud of him. I love my son with all my heart.” Kimberly’s long-term goal is to be able to take care of her mom for the rest of her life. Kimberly, we adore your compassion and loyalty. Your heart is truly Golden!

Strength Training – How Does It Work and What Are the Benefits?

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Craig Bass

Home Care in Las Vegas NV

You’ve heard all about the recommendation that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. Your mom goes for walks with her dog, but that’s all she does. Her doctor recommends that she start adding strength training to her daily routine.

What is strength training? What types of activities does it cover, and how are they going to help her? Learn more about the benefits of strength training and tips for getting started.

The Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training involves exercises that build and strengthen the muscles you have. As you strengthen the muscles, it improves balance and coordination. It reduces the risk of falling. You also improve bone density.

Osteoporosis affects approximately 10 million men and women in the U.S. When you strengthen the muscles, it also helps maintain the bones. Strength training reduces your mom’s chances of developing osteoporosis.

Strength training also helps lower the risk of other chronic health conditions and improves flexibility. Plus, strong muscles and joints can help prevent severe arthritis pain.

A 2015 study looked at the health data for close to 400,000 adults up to 80. Those who completed strength training exercises twice a week were less likely to have conditions like obesity and diabetes.

Aim For Twice a Week

Your mom wants to work on strength training exercises two days a week. The best fitness plan is one that varies the activities. She could walk twice a week, do strength training twice a week, and ride a bike or swim laps on the other days.

What types of activities should she engage in? Strength training workouts focus on the muscles in different areas of the body. One day, she could do legs and hips. On the next day, she could do her arms and shoulders. Abs and back muscles round out her plan. If she keeps circling through these areas, she’ll find muscle strength improves within weeks.

Getting Started With Strength Training

Ask your mom’s doctor if it would be advisable to have her work with a physical therapist. If she has health issues or has fallen in the past, it’s a good idea to have her work with therapists. She’ll target her strength training to match her wellness goals.

If her doctor says there are no limitations as long as she doesn’t push herself too hard, start with beginner videos. Some require equipment like weights or resistance bands. Decide if that’s worth the expense. Otherwise, look for videos that don’t require equipment.

With home care services, she stays safe when she lives alone by having help with daily chores. This is important if she has fallen in the past. She also gains companionship, which makes a difference when it comes to staying motivated with exercise routines. Call a home care agency to make arrangements.

Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/strength-training-builds-more-than-muscles
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(18)32137-8/fulltext

If you are considering home care in Las Vegas, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

July 2021 Caregiver of the Month

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Craig Bass

Our amazing caregiver Makala Messenger was named Golden Heart’s July 2021 Caregiver of the Month! Makala is originally from Houston, TX. Something that is important to Makala is her family; an older brother and two little sisters. Her favorite part about caregiving is “taking care of those that once took care of us through all of their former professions.” She loves that gets to learn and experience something new every day. Her best memory on the job is singing to her client Maria; she says that just those few minutes made her day so bright! Makala is currently working on getting her lash certification, because she “loves making women feel beautiful!” She is also pursuing her LPN degree to get her closer to being an RN. Another goal of Makala’s is to build her dream home in the next five years. Your future is so bright Makala! Thank you for being you!

The Most Common Sleep Problems Seniors Have And How To Avoid Them

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Craig Bass

Senior Home Care in Summerlin NV

Research shows that as many as 70% of seniors could be dealing with sleep problems. There are many different factors that affect a senior’s qualify of sleep including things like the medication that they take and how active they are. But regardless of the reasons why seniors aren’t getting enough sleep family members and senior home care providers need to do what they can to help seniors manage their sleeping problems so they can stay healthy. Getting enough sleep is essential for good health. The most common problems that seniors experience include:

Insomnia

Insomnia can be occasional or chronic but whenever it appears it’s going to make it tough for seniors to get the good night’s sleep they need. In order to combat insomnia you can help your senior loved one establish a night time routine that includes a relaxing activity like reading a book or taking a bath. Seniors should also go to bed at the same time every night to help them fall asleep faster.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that occurs when someone’s airway is obstructed when they sleep. Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea in varying degrees. Sometimes all it takes to alleviate the problem is using more pillows or side sleeping instead of sleeping on the back. But in more serious cases a sleep apnea mask might need to be used to ensure your senior loved one is getting the oxygen they need throughout the night. It’s quite common for seniors to use sleep apnea machines at night.

But if your senior loved one is anxious about using a sleep apnea mask they may be unable to sleep because of that anxiety. A senior home care provider that is there throughout the night can bring peace of mind to seniors at night. They will know that someone will be there to help them if they need help with the sleep apnea machine or if it stops working. It will bring you some peace of mind to have a senior home care provider staying with your senior loved one at night too.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes a powerful urge to move the legs and feet when sitting or lying down. It’s similar to what happens when you feel like you’re about to fall in a dream and you jerk awake. The urge to jerk the legs and feet can be very intense. Some medications can make RLS worse. If your senior parent has RLS and finds it difficult to sleep because of the sensations in their legs there are some ways to try and stop that urge. Gentle exercise during the day and improving muscle strength can help. So can a warm bath before bed to relax the muscles. Hot and cold packs can provide some immediate relief when the urge flares up at night. If your senior loved one is prone to bouts of RLS a senior home care provider can help them manage their symptoms so that they can sleep at night.

Sources:
https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0501/p2551.html

Insomnia and Older Adults

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377174

If you are considering senior home care in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

5 Things Home Care Can Do for Your Senior

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Craig Bass

In-Home Care in Las Vegas NV

Most senior adults struggle with the reality that living on their own becomes more complicated with age. Leaving their home would heartbreaking, and family members have to make tough decisions between the senior’s health and happiness.

Home care is one of the most popular solutions for helping senior adults stay in their homes comfortably. When everyday activities become overwhelming for your senior, in-home care services offer aid for daily living.

Personal Care Tasks

As aging seniors struggle with mobility, brain function, and memory, it becomes increasingly apparent that your senior may need help with personal hygiene. In-home care can offer visits from personal care aides to help your senior with daily living tasks.

Personal care is crucial for both health and comfort. However, these tasks tend to fall on the list of priorities for many seniors struggling with various age-related issues. Your senior will feel a difference when they can consistently keep up with hygiene-related tasks.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping tasks often become overwhelming for family caregivers. Home care services can often help with basic housekeeping tasks. This includes daily laundry, dishwashing, and tidying. Ensuring that your loved one is living in a clean and tidy environment is part of the home care service’s essential function.

It is important to note that in-home care are not housekeeping services. Many caregivers consider the benefits of hiring a housekeeper for bi-weekly or monthly deep cleaning tasks. Consider the amount of time that you are spending on these tasks. You may find that additional help is necessary.

Medication Assistance

Seniors often find themselves overwhelmed with the number of medications they are prescribed daily. Managing these medications can be overwhelming. Caregivers may find themselves worrying about their senior’s ability to remember the proper dosages and times for daily drugs.

In-home care can help seniors manage their medications safely. Medication assistance can be requested by having a home care aide scheduled for a daily visit at the same time. Although there are other medication management systems available, the help of a professional aide offers peace of mind to family members.

Mobility

Seniors who experience mobility issues might be considered at risk of a fall or injury. Caregivers of these seniors often worry about the health of their loved one when they are not able to be in the home.

Home care services can provide routine supervision and check-ins for your loved one. Although most home care aides are not in the home full-time, frequent checks can reduce anxiety and worry about your loved one falling in the house.

Many home care aides are also able to assist their clients in getting daily exercise. Whether your loved one desires a short outdoor walk or simply needs some help walking through the home, home care is an excellent solution for mobility concerns.

Socialization

With all of the age-related complications, your senior is likely to experience a diminished social life. The isolation that comes for aging adults is a serious concern. Even when they have family caretakers rotating in and out, it can still concern mental health.

Home care services provide your senior with a new set of people in their daily life. These care professionals are excellent at spending time with senior adults and giving them the socialization they need to feel fulfilled.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a caregiver for a loved one is an overwhelming and emotional adventure. Hiring the services to assist with in-home care tasks can be one of the most beneficial choices for the new caregiver.

If you are considering in-home care in Las Vegas, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Month: August 2021