July 2023 - Golden Heart Summerlin

5 Common Nutritional Deficiencies in Seniors

Posted on July 20, 2023July 30, 2023 by Craig Bass

Three out of five adults aged 65 or older have lost some of their sense of taste. In addition, an older adult’s stomach empties slowly, so they feel fuller longer and may not eat as much. These are just two of many circumstances that can lead to nutritional deficiencies in seniors. Here are some of the most common vitamins and minerals that seniors become deficient in, and how senior home care can help.

B-Vitamins

The value of B vitamins lies in their help with cognitive function and mood. The three most common are folic acid, B-12, and B-6. Around 26% of older adults have a B-12 deficiency. Studies found that 61% of older adults had a B-6 deficiency.

Calcium and Vitamin D3

Calcium and vitamin D3 are necessary for bone health, yet estimates find that less than 1% of women get enough calcium and about 25% of men get enough. A high-sodium diet leads to calcium getting flushed out of the body faster.

Deficiencies are linked to osteopenia and osteoporosis. If your dad falls and doesn’t get enough calcium, there’s a higher chance that his bone is weaker and will fracture. While women are more likely considered for osteoporosis risk, men can also get the disease. It’s worth asking your dad’s doctor if he should undergo a bone density screening.

Iron

Iron plays an important role in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Iron helps form hemoglobin, which is the component in red blood cells that transports oxygen to your brain, lungs, etc. If you don’t have enough iron, anemia occurs and can make you easily exhausted, depressed, and impact cognitive function.

An estimated 15% of men aged 70 or older do not get enough iron and have anemia. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and berries, help the body absorb iron, so that’s an important consideration if your dad’s doctor tested his blood and believes he should start taking iron supplements.

Protein

Around 30% of adults aged 60 or older are losing muscle mass because they don’t eat enough protein. It’s over 50% for adults aged 80 or older. Changing metabolic function means that aging bodies don’t generate muscle protein as quickly. Muscle mass decreases if protein intake isn’t high enough to provide muscles with the necessary protein.

Recommendations are that you eat 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight. A 200-pound adult (90.7 kilograms) should be eating around 90 to 109 grams of protein per day. Spreading that protein throughout the day is better than getting it all at once.

Zinc

Zinc is essential when it comes to immune system function. Collagen production diminishes in older adults, and that impacts how much zinc is absorbed. Older men need 11 mg of zinc per day, yet just over half of older adults don’t get enough.

The Value of a Balanced Diet

The best way to avoid deficiencies is by eating a balanced diet throughout the day. This includes eating vegetables and fruits of every color, lean proteins like seafood, poultry, beans, and tofu, whole grains, and dairy.

If your dad can’t prepare meals that meet his nutritional needs, arrange senior home care. He can have caregivers available to help him plan and prepare meals that provide the nutrients he needs to stay healthy. Learn more about meal preparation services by calling an advisor in senior home care.

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6971894/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579689

If you are considering senior 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.

Employee of the Month – July 2023

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Craig Bass

Golden Heart Senior Care is proud to announce that Carla W. is our employee of the month for July 2023. Carla was born in Arkansas and raided in California. She has lived in Las Vegas for 23 years and has been a caregiver for more than 14 years. Carla has always had love in her heart to help others and it’s her honor to know that she helped someone in need of assistance. Carla says a lot of people are alone and need physical help, a compassionate ear, a heart to listen to them, a hug, or just a friend. Carla enjoys spending time with seniors and tries to make a difference in their life. To Carla making a change in someone’s life is the most uplifting and completeness she can give to herself and others.

Please join us in congratulating Carla as the July 2023 Employee of the Month!

6 Tips to Revive Aging and Thinning Hair

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Craig Bass

Personal Care at Home in Las Vegas NV

As seniors age, they’re likely to notice changes in their hair, including thinning, loss of volume, and more. There are steps that seniors can take to revive their aging hair, but they might need more help. Personal care at home can make a big difference in keeping seniors’ hair in good condition, even if it is experiencing challenges related to aging.

Nourish Hair from Within

One of the keys to healthy hair is providing it with the right nutrients. Ensure seniors have a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to fuel both body and hair. Include foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats in their meals as much as possible. Additionally, consider adding supplements like biotin, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, after consulting with their healthcare provider. Home care can make it easier for seniors to eat a more balanced diet.

Use Gentle Hair Care Practices

It’s important to be gentle with aging hair in order to avoid further damage and breakage. A wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles can make detangling easier and gentler. Heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles put strain on hair follicles that can make already fragile hair even more damaged. Shampoos and conditioners made for thinning hair can help to improve hair health. Personal care at home helps aging adults to have clean hair through gentle practices.

Protect Hair from Environmental Damage

Environmental factors like the sun, wind, and pollution can take a toll on senior hair’s health. Shielding hair from excessive sun exposure by wearing hats or using UV-protectant hair products can make a big difference. Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorinated water by wetting hair before swimming and using a clarifying shampoo afterward. A swim cap offers even more protection.

Embrace Hair-Boosting Practices

Incorporating hair-boosting practices into a senior’s daily routine can be helpful, too. One idea is to switch pillowcases to silk or satin ones to reduce friction and minimize hair breakage. Looking for other solutions, like not rubbing hair with a towel to dry it, can help family caregivers to find other ways to help.

Utilize Stress Management

Stress can contribute to hair loss and exacerbate existing hair thinning, especially for seniors. Adopting stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or engaging in hobbies and activities can reduce stress and help to limit hair loss. When seniors have more help with daily activities, they’re able to rest more as well, devoting more time to reducing stress in their daily lives.

Consult a Professional

If seniors are experiencing significant hair loss or thinning, it is advisable to seek professional guidance. A dermatologist or a trichologist can evaluate their condition, identify any underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatments. They can provide personalized advice and help seniors to develop a tailored hair care routine based on their specific needs.

Thinning hair can be disheartening for seniors, so it’s important to take proactive steps to take the best possible care of it. Personal care at home can offer a holistic approach that allows seniors to experience better quality of life overall and know that their personal care needs, like their hair, are in good hands.

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

Signs Of Heat Stroke Seniors Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Craig Bass

Home Care Assistance in Summerlin NV

According to the National Institute of Health, seniors have a higher risk than other age groups of developing heat stroke or heat-related illnesses. Seniors often have poor circulation and other conditions that make it more difficult for the body to regulate temperature. Most seniors are dehydrated too, which can increase the impact of heat on the body. And with summers getting hotter every year around the country, heat stroke and heat-related illnesses are something that seniors should be very concerned about. With home care assistance, seniors will have the help they need to avoid heat stroke. But your senior parent and their care provider should know these signs of heat stroke in seniors:

Dizziness or Confusion

Seniors can experience dizziness and confusion caused by many things, including medications. But if a senior is acting normally and doesn’t have any dizziness or confusion and they suddenly are dizzy or they are confused about where they may having a heat related illness. Seniors who have heat stroke or heat exhaustion may also slur their words or seem unable to put a coherent sentence together. Any rapid changes in mood or mental state should be cause for alarm.

Not Sweating or Profusely Sweating

If your senior parent is sweating a little on a hot day that’s normal. But if they are not sweating at all and their skin is dry even though the temperatures are extremely hot that’s not normal. It’s also not normal if they are sweating buckets and can’t seem to cool down even if they are in the shade or have an ice pack. Extreme sweating or not sweating at all both could indicate that seniors are experiencing a heat related emergency.

Extremely Warm Or Red Skin

Seniors will also sometimes get flushed skin that is extremely warm to the touch during a heat stroke. Typically, it’s a senior’s face that becomes extremely red and flushed and may even swell. But it can also be their arms or legs that get very red and swell. It might seem like they just have a sunburn but anytime seniors have very red skin that’s also very warm they should get an emergency exam to make sure they’re not suffering from heat stroke or another heat related illness.

Fast Weak Pulse

Seniors who are experiencing a heat stroke or heat exhaustion often have a thready and weak pulse that is very fast. If your senior parent has home care assistance the home care assistance provider should check your senior parent’s heart rate carefully during any kind of summer activity to make sure that your senior parent isn’t experiencing a heart attack or other serious medical event. Even if they are just suffering from a heat related illness they need to be seen by a doctor who can start bringing their temperature down. If your senior is overly warm apply ice packs, make sure they get into the shade, and bring them into a place with strong air conditioning to wait for emergency medical help.

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

Month: July 2023