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Author: Craig Bass

What Does Your Senior Loved One Need Help with the Most?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Personal Care at Home in Las Vegas NV
Personal Care at Home in Las Vegas NV

Taking care of a senior in your family is not usually an easy job. It can be emotionally taxing and can take quite a bit of time, as well. With this being said, if you will be or are taking care of one of your elderly loved ones, it may be a good idea to learn about some of the top senior citizen care needs. If you know what these are, you can prepare for some of the help that your elderly loved one might need later on.

Help with Personal Care

Many senior citizens need help with personal care tasks. Some of these tasks might include:

  • Medication reminders
  • Transfers from chair to bed or vice versa
  • Toileting help
  • Grooming, bathing, and dressing assistance

As your elderly loved one gets even older, they may need help with some or all of these tasks. If you aren’t already helping with these things, you can prepare for when they may need assistance in these areas. If it isn’t something you will be able to help with, you can get personal care at home for your elderly loved one. Home care providers can help with personal care tasks.

Help with House Chores

Senior citizens often struggle to keep their house clean. Some house chores they may need help with include:

  • Dishes
  • Laundry
  • Vacuuming
  • Dusting
  • Mopping
  • Organizing

It can be difficult for your elderly loved one to do these household chores. They may have pain, balance issues, or another problem that causes their inability to do certain household chores. No matter what the cause may be, it could be a good idea to hire senior care providers. These providers can help your elderly loved one to keep up with these or other household chores.

Help with Meals

Many senior citizens don’t eat very well. They may struggle to go shopping due to transportation or health issues. Some senior citizens don’t want to make meals because they live alone or because they don’t know what to make. If this is happening with your elderly loved one, it is vital that they have someone helping with their meals. You or home care providers can help with meal planning, grocery shopping, or meal preparation.

Conclusion

These are some of the top senior citizen needs. Your elderly loved one may need assistance with these tasks. If so, you can help or you can get personal care at home for your elderly loved one. The elderly care providers can help with any of these tasks and other tasks, too.

Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3843313/

 

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.

Things to Know About Mental Illness in the Elderly

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care in Summerlin NV
Home Care in Summerlin NV

In 1990, the U.S. Congress named the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental illness doesn’t target a specific age. Elderly adults are just as likely to experience mental illness as a teen or young adult.

For 2021, the goal is to advocate for a parent, child, or friend with mental illness. Take time to learn these facts about mental illness in the elderly so that you can advocate for your mom or dad.

Anxiety Disorders Are a Prevalent Form of Mental Illness

You might not think of anxiety as being a mental illness, but it is. About 19% of the U.S. population has an anxiety disorder, whether social anxiety or generalized anxiety. Your parent could very well have an anxiety disorder and feel ashamed and try to hide it.

How can you tell when your parent is experiencing an anxiety disorder? It can be challenging, but one of the more common signs is avoiding situations that cause anxiety, such as skipping a social event or refusing to go to a public location. Your mom or dad may also experience insomnia, have a hard time concentrating, and experience gastrointestinal issues.

Depression Isn’t a Normal Part of Aging

Depression is another form of mental illness that affects the elderly. While it’s not a normal part of aging, it is something older adults face. Some of the triggers can be the death of a spouse or being diagnosed with a chronic health condition.

Signs of depression include a lack of interest in favorite activities, irritability, appetite changes, and feelings of hopelessness. If your mom or dad is depressed and needs to go on medications, it’s not a sign of failure. Make sure they realize how many people take anti-depressants to ensure they’re not alone.

Around 10 Percent of Older Adults Do No Feel That They Get Enough Support

Do your parents feel like they have a strong support system? One out of ten older adults does not feel that they have the support they need. You can support your parents by listening to them vent, helping them with transportation and housekeeping, or helping them find information for questions or issues they have.

Keep your parents from feeling alone or lonely with regular visits from home care. Not only is their caregiver available to support them throughout the week, but they also have someone helping them remember to take breaks, get outside for fresh air, and take their medications on time.

Talk to an expert in home care to get prices and available services. It’s one way to start helping your mom or dad realize they’re not alone and that they have their family’s full support, even if their kids and grandkids live hours away.

Sources:

Mental Illness Awareness Week


https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf

If you are considering 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.

How Senior Women Can Keep Friendships Strong As They Get Older

Posted on by Craig Bass
Senior Home Care in Summerlin NV
Senior Home Care in Summerlin NV

September is Women’s Friendship Month, which makes it the perfect time for senior women to check in with their female friends. Taking the time to keep friendships strong will mean better mental and physical health for senior women. Over time women can drift away from their female friends because of the demands of taking care of their families and working. But as they get older when their children have grown they have more time to nurture those friendships. And those senior years are when women need their friends the most. If your mother, aunt, or older sister is lonely aging at home and not quite sure how to reach out and renew some of those old friendships these tips might help her:

Use Social Media

Social media is a fantastic way to track down old friends. Often people move, change jobs, or end up in totally new areas of the country which makes it difficult to track them down. Social media is a fast and easy way to reconnect. And it gives the other person the option to either accept the friend request or ignore it so there’s no awkwardness. If the person wants to be friends they will accept and if they don’t they’ll ignore it and your senior loved one can move on.

Send A Card

A handwritten card or note is a lovely way to rekindle a friendship. If your senior loved one knows the address of an old friend and knows they are still at their home, or knows their current address, sending a cute little postcard or a handwritten note indicates that they are opening the door to friendship again. And just like with social media a cute note or card gives the other person the option to ignore it if they’re not interested so it’s not uncomfortable or awkward. A senior home care provider can help your senior loved one purchase cards or stationary and can help them mail the cards they write.

Be Honest

There’s no easy way to start a friendship again after a long time apart. But if the friendship didn’t end because of a fight and instead it just fizzled the best way to start a conversation about being friends again is to be honest with the other person. Your senior loved one should let that person know they missed the friendship and still thought about them after these all these years and want to get to know them again.

Start Slow

After an absence of many years there will probably be some hesitancy on the part of both people. It’s unlikely that even former best friends will just fall back into daily conversations or spending lots of time together. That’s ok. Start with a few phone calls each week, or a weekly lunch, and let the friendship naturally develop again. If your senior loved one can’t drive any longer a senior home care provider can help arrange transportation for lunches out or shopping excursions.

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.

Golden Brook Open House

Posted on by Craig Bass

Christy and Bob Swadkins, the owners of Golden Heart Senior Care, are proud to announce the opening of Golden Brook Residential Care Home. Golden Brook is a 10-bed memory care home located in Henderson (in the Horizon Ridge & Stephanie Street area).

To schedule your open house time, please click https://lnkd.in/gEmpvXg or call 702-931-0055 to schedule an appointment. COVID-19 protocols will be followed during the tour.

September 2021 Employee of the Month

Posted on by Craig Bass

For the month of September, Golden Heart would like to recognize Loretta Sanders as our outstanding Caregiver of the Month! Loretta, originally from Auguste, Arkansas, took up caregiving after tending to her family members in their time of need and being inspired by that experience. Aside from her own family, Loretta tells us her family has grown through taking care of other individuals in her life and building beautiful relationships with them. Her talent is the ability to communicate with people, even those that are considered to have difficult behaviors or personalities. Something Loretta is proud of in her life is her choice to become a caregiver, and she tells us that she truly loves what she does. We love what you do too, Loretta! Golden Heart sincerely appreciates your genuine passion and natural caregiving.

Handling Aggression and Agitation in Dementia

Posted on by Craig Bass
Companion Care at Home in Las Vegas NV
Companion Care at Home in Las Vegas NV

Aggression and agitation are quite common in people who have dementia. There are many reasons why people with this disease get so upset. Sometimes, the cycle seems endless. For example, your elderly loved one might be restless and that causes them to be agitated. The agitation can lead to aggression. Then, the cycle continues with more irritation and agitation.

As a family caregiver, it is important to learn how to properly handle aggression and agitation in your elderly loved one.

Comforting Them

The best thing you can do if your elderly loved one is being aggressive or if they are agitated is to comfort them. Your elderly loved one needs to know that you are there for them. If your elderly loved one feels more comfortable through touch, such as a hand on their shoulder, you could do that. Other people with dementia may feel more relaxed if someone talks to them in a calm tone. This may be something you need to do for your elderly loved one. You may also need to get them companion care at home services. The companionship your elderly loved one receives can help them to feel more relaxed, too.

Don’t Show Frustration

You might be getting tired of the agitation and aggression that your elderly loved one shows. It can be difficult to hide your frustrations. However, getting frustrated with your elderly loved one is likely going to make their feelings even worse. If you feel that you are getting overly frustrated and you can’t hold it in any longer, turn to elder care providers for help. They can watch your elderly loved one while you go home or take a break.

Do Positive Activities

If your elderly loved one is getting agitated or aggressive, they may just need something positive in their daily routine. There are many positive activities that might be able to calm your elderly loved one. Some ideas that might help include having them drink a cup of tea in the morning, getting a massage, or using an essential oil diffuser. Hopefully, the positive activities can help to keep your elderly loved one calmer.

Conclusion

There are many dementia patients that get agitated and aggressive every day. If you are a family caregiver for someone with this disease, learning how to handle their emotions can keep things under control. Don’t forget that you can always get companion care at home for your elderly loved one. Having a daily companion can help to prevent some agitation and aggression for your elderly loved one in the first place.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/coping-agitation-and-aggression-alzheimers-disease

If you are considering companion 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.

September is Pain Awareness Month

Posted on by Craig Bass
24-Hour Home Care in Henderson NV
24-Hour Home Care in Henderson NV

Many people are living with chronic pain, and doctors have no idea how to treat a lot of people. Right now is the time to recognize if the senior you love has been having chronic pain. By bringing awareness to this condition, doctors may be able to learn more. Chronic pain is something that is different for everyone, which is also why it can be so hard to treat.

It involves pain that lasts weeks and sometimes years, and there are various ways to try to treat the pain. If the senior you love has severe pain that’s lasted years and gets in the way of everyday life, it may be time for 24-hour home care. These are caregivers who work around the clock to help manage a senior.

A 24-hour home care specialist may help cook, clean, bathe, and dress a senior while also doing other basic household chores. The caregivers can help drive seniors to classes, appointments, and therapy sessions if necessary. September is pain awareness month, and it may be one of the best times to consider hiring 24-hour home care for your beloved senior.

How Chronic Pain Affects Seniors

Chronic pain is something that many health care professionals will encounter. They see it mainly in people above the age of 65. This condition can decrease someone’s mobility due to the pain, increase falls, and someone may even lose the amount of sleep they used to get. It is a condition that hurts but can try to be managed.

Chronic pain can be incredibly hard to treat because many people turn to opioids. These drugs may work for a minute, but they are highly addictive, and the human body can develop a tolerance quickly. Pain is complex, and there are different levels of pain; not all medication is good for every person.

How to Treat Chronic Pain

Every senior will be different, have various pain levels, and feel comfortable trying different methods of pain management. The important thing will be to find something they are comfortable doing. A 24-hour home care assistant can help your senior try the following ways to help beat chronic pain.

Exercise

Believe it or not, exercise can help fight inflammation. Low-impact workouts might help stretch out the body, tone it, and fight pain. Remaining strong and mobile as a senior is also mentally healthy.

Stress Management

Stress may make pain worse for a senior. Find ways to help the senior de-stress in their life. This may be through mediation, yoga, or even things like tai chi. Finding a way to relax and breathe through the uncomfortableness may help with pain management.

Therapy

Not all pain is easy to get rid of and sometimes it involves a few therapy sessions too. This may be sitting down to talk to someone or even a physical therapist. Explore different options and be sure to talk to the senior doctor about it too.

Medications

Not all medication is good for a senior to take but in severe situations a doctor may prescribe something to help manage the pain. A 24-hour home care provider can help your senior parent remember when to take their medications and help follow any instructions from a doctor.

Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707527/#:~:text=Chronic%20pain%20is%20one%20of,(%E2%89%A565%20years)%20patients.&text=Pain%20is%20associated%20with%20substantial,%2C%20sleep%20impairment%2C%20and%20isolation.

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/understanding-pain-management-chronic-pain

If you are considering 24-hour home care in Henderson, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

How to Improve Your Diabetic Senior’s Eating Habits

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care Assistance in Henderson NV
Home Care Assistance in Henderson NV

One in every four seniors above the age of 65 and older have diabetes, as well as one in every 10 people 65 and under. As you can see, the numbers are extremely alarming according to the American Diabetes Association. Also, half of all older adults have pre-diabetes conditions, where the glucose level is higher than the normal range. This pre-diabetes can lead to diabetes type 2, if lifestyle and diet changes are not implemented. Often, it is reported that people are unaware and reluctant unless more serious complications occur. Home care assistance can help your loved ones to maintain a good routine and healthy lifestyle!

Complications related to diabetes:

There are other serious complications related to diabetes if not unchecked-

  • Risk of kidney damage
  • Risk for Alzheimer’s disease
  • Risk for heart attack or stroke
  • Risk of vision loss
  • Risk of nerve damage
  • Risk of severe infections
  • Risk of limb amputation

Diet Management:

  • Controlling carbohydrates: It is the most important aspect of the diet in case of diabetes, as carbohydrates are turned into glucose by the body which increases the blood glucose level. Eating a diet lower in carbohydrates by having lean protein like beans, chicken, fish, and whole grain foods slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream.
  • Consuming fat: A total fat free diet can lead to a low blood sugar and also can keep one hungry always. There are some necessary fats that are to be consumed on a daily basis. But trans fat and saturated fat are to be avoided.
  • Necessary Consumption: Lean protein like fish and chicken, good carbohydrates like lentils, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, good fats like avocado, butter, canola oil and green vegetables, leafy vegetables, rainbow fruits and vegetables like tomato, orange, grapes, apples etc. are advised regular dietary items.
  • Restrictions: Any type of added sugary foods and drinks like juice, lemonade, carbonated drinks, any sort of processed food or excessive milk products are dangerous in the case of diabetes.

Conclusion: Can Diabetes Change your Seniors’ Eating Habits?

One must understand that food, first and foremost, is nothing but fuel for our body to function. Having said that, it is also true that for humans, food is also a source of pleasure. There must be a balance between pleasure and fuel intake. Within limits, one can have flexibility in a daily food habit and make various choices that allow indulgence from time to time.

Home care assistance does this for your loved one. They provide dietary options for seniors to choose and keep to a healthy diet. More generally, the main aim of home care assistance is to provide a customized plan for each patient according to their needs and to ensure that how smoothly the plans can be implemented without hampering their existing routine. If you are interested in how home care assistance can help your senior and your family, give us a call today and review your options!

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5509969/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223797950_Nutritional_challenges_in_the_elderly_with_diabetes

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

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

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Summerlin NV
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 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!