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Tag: Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

The Benefits of Intergenerational Living When Your Mom Has Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

Your mom has Alzheimer’s disease, which isn’t surprising given that 6.5 million Americans have dementia. But, it’s also a diagnosis that is going to cause some level of fear and sadness. As you start considering her elder care needs going forward, don’t miss the chance to use intergenerational living to provide her with the best possible support.

You Have a Family Care Team in Place

When you work full-time and your mom lives in your home, you could have children at home from college who are willing to share responsibilities watching her. It eases your stress.

One puts on movies and watches them with your mom until you’re back. Another child gives the first child breaks by taking your mom outside for walks or helping her tend her garden, all while making sure she goes back inside when she’s done.

With several people helping out, it lessens the work one family caregiver is doing. You all have time to step away and take breaks. Just make sure you’re not burdening your kids by putting too much responsibility on their shoulders.

Your Mom Has Different People to Socialize With

Some people with Alzheimer’s tend to shut down and not want to socialize. They limit socialization to a few people, but socialization is important. With a home filled with family members of varying ages, your mom has better opportunities to socialize.

As she spends time with you, your partner, your children, etc., she’ll have different interests to try. She might find she loves playing games with your kids or gardening with you. She might prefer to help your partner cook meals and set the table.

The more your mom is involved in daily life, the more it helps her retain some of her cognitive and fine motor skills. Keeping her active is important.

She May Have Moments Where She Responds Best to Others

Your mom argues with you and refuses to cooperate. She screams at you to go away and never come back. But, if your daughter walks in, your mom’s mood changes. She will do anything her granddaughter asks. That can become a big help as Alzheimer’s progresses.

You’ll Be There For Moments That Create Lasting Memories

From time to time, your mom will have vivid memories that you may never have heard of before. As her memories shift and narrow to specific decades, you’ll hear stories you never knew. Sometimes, a person with Alzheimer’s will remember childhood best or it might be the late teens and early adult years.

You’ll get to learn more about your mom as she shares these stories. If you can, record them to transcribe and share with others.

Rely on Elder Care for Respite Time for Your Family

Elder care services assist your entire family by being there when you need breaks. Learn more about the variety of elder care services, including respite care, that are available in your area.

Reference
https://care.nursing.wisc.edu/2022/03/03/our-house-the-benefits-of-intergenerational-housing/

If you are considering elder 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.

How Do You Help Your Mom Maintain Her Confidence as She Ages?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Henderson NV
Elder Care in Henderson NV

What are your mom’s plans as she ages? Almost 90% of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 want to age at home. It’s not surprising if this is also your mom’s answer, but you have to make sure she is confident and secure while living alone. How do you help her achieve her goal?

Assess Her Home’s Layout and Safety

Go through your mom’s home and address any safety issues that will lower her confidence to live alone. She may benefit from a medic alert system, brighter lighting, more floor space to accompany her cane or walker, or a better kitchen layout that makes it easy for her to reach certain small appliances.

Find Out What Health Issues She’s Facing

How is your mom’s health? If she has any chronic health conditions, she needs to be eating the right foods, taking her medications, and getting the amount of exercise recommended by her physician. If she has a hard time with any of that, it’s time for her to have someone available to remind her.

She may need to see a physical therapist each week. Or, she may need to go to her doctor’s office for frequent blood tests or health checks. Make sure she has the support she needs to do all of this.

See Where She Feels She Needs Help

Ask your mom where she has the hardest time. She may struggle to prepare meals for one after so many years of cooking for a family. If that’s an area she struggles with, find the best ways to help her. She might still want to cook and benefit from meal subscription boxes. She may be sick of cooking and enjoy the thoughts of someone taking over.

Is she lacking confidence in going to the basement laundry room? Does she have a garage laundry area, but she’s scared going down those stairs as the garage is dimly lit and there’s no rail? Some of her concerns can be addressed by adding brighter lights and rails.

Does she feel confident walking outside without someone with her? How about vacuuming her stairs or carrying a vacuum to her bedroom? All of these areas may be problems for her.

Does She Feel Unsafe When Driving?

Is she less confident driving now? If she finds it hard to react as quickly to sudden obstacles in the road, it’s time for her to let someone else drive.

She can have someone drive her to her appointments and area stores. If she has errands to run, someone can join her. The inability to drive doesn’t mean she’s stuck at home. Make sure she knows that.

Arrange elder care services to ensure your mom is confident and secure, even if she lives alone. Her elder care aide is there to provide just enough support without making your mom feel like she’s become useless in her home. A caregiver helps your mom age confidently and enjoy her independence.

Sources:
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/older-adults-preparedness-age-place

If you are considering elder 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.

4 Ways To Cheer Seniors Up This Holiday Season

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

During the holidays, seniors may feel sadder than usual, especially when their family members live far away. If your senior is going to be alone this holiday season, consider these ideas to help boost their mood and holiday spirit.

Video Chat

Video chats may not be quite the same as a visit but they are a lovely way to spend time with a senior loved one. Your senior parent will really enjoy getting to see you and your family for the holidays even if it’s through a screen. You will be able to see how your senior parent is doing and make sure that they look healthy. You should be able to video chat with your senor parent on any smart phone so as long as they have a smart phone or a tablet video chat are possible. You can also video chat through services like Facebook.

Send Treats

Another way to cheer up a senior parent during the holidays is to send treats. Many seniors won’t treat themselves to things like fresh fruit, decadent chocolates, or delicious sausages, crackers, and breads. But you can send gift baskets full of fabulously extravagant treats that your senior loved one can enjoy. There are even options to send delicious foods that meet dietary restrictions if your senior loved one has a special dietary need like they don’t eat sugar because they have diabetes. Fresh fruit is always a popular gift for seniors because it’s healthy and delicious.

Give The Gift Of Elder Care

Elder care is another way that you can surprise your senior loved one this holiday season. Elder care is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. When seniors have elder care they have a companion that visits regularly as well as someone to help with things like cleaning, laundry, and cooking meals. When seniors have elder care they are getting the help they need to thrive at home where they can live happily in the home they love. What better gift is there than that?

Make A Surprise Visit

Of course, what your senior parent really wants is to see you. But that’s not always possible during the holidays. Weather, other obligations, and responsibilities like work can make it impossible to travel during the holidays. But you can surprise your loved one with a visit at another time. You don’t have to only visit during the holidays. Start planning a surprise trip to your senior parent’s home now so that you can get the best deals on travel. And then just show up for a birthday, a special day, or for no reason at all. Your senior parent will be overjoyed to see you and get to spend some quality time with you.

If you are considering elder 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.

How Can Elder Care Help Your Mom Manage Diabetes?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

The American Diabetes Association reports about 15.9 million older Americans have diabetes. A percentage of them don’t even realize it. Your mom has just been diagnosed by her doctor. What happens now?

Talk to Her Doctor

Ask your mom if you can go to a doctor’s appointment with her. While you’re there, ask questions you have and any you’ve heard your mom ask at home but fails to ask. This may include what equipment she needs to manage her health, such as devices that test her blood sugar levels and track them in an app.

Smart insulin pens are gaining popularity. See if it’s an option for your mom if she needs insulin as part of her treatment plan. You should ask about glucose meters and which is going to be the easiest for your mom to use.

Clean Out Her Kitchen

Your mom needs to stop eating foods that do not benefit her health. Go through her kitchen and compost or donate items like white rice, all-purpose flour, sugar, corn syrup, sweetened drinks and sauces, and processed snack foods.

Stock your mom’s cupboards with whole grains like oats, millet and spelt. Buy brown rice and quinoa, too. Fill up her refrigerator with plenty of non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens and cruciferous veggies.

She needs to have lean proteins, including fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Low-fat dairy is also important. Hire a caregiver to work with her to create balanced meal plans that focus heavily on vegetables with each meal and snack.

Start an Exercise Routine

Ideally, your mom wants to get 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. It’s best if she can mix up activities. She could swim laps one day, take a walk another, and ride an exercise bike on the third day. She might want to sign up for a Tai Chi class to help ease stress while toning muscles.

The more active she is, the better it is for her health. If she’s not an active person, encourage her to join you. Take family walks together when you can. Pick a different nature trail each week and gather grandchildren and siblings for a day out. After the walk, you could treat your mom to lunch out or a picnic.

Arrange elder care services for encouragement. Instead of exercising alone the rest of the week, your mom could have her caregiver join her on walks around the neighborhood or at a local park.

Hire Elder Care Aides to Assist Her at Home

Arrange elder care services to ensure she takes care of herself. Your mom needs to change her lifestyle by watching what she eats, exercising often, and checking her blood sugar levels.

Caregivers offer reminders and provide the support she needs to stay on track. From medication reminders to help with preparing meals, a caregiver makes a big difference. Call a specialist in home care to learn more.

Sources:
https://www.diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/about-diabetes

If you are considering elder 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.

Practical Ways That Seniors Can Maintain A Healthy Weight

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

During January, seniors should think about what their healthy weight range is and how they can stay at a healthy weight. That’s because January is Healthy Weight Awareness Month. Weight has a huge impact on health, especially for seniors. Being overweight can make seniors more likely to develop serious illnesses. It can also make existing health problems worse. If your senior loved ones are at a healthy weight there are some practical things they can do to maintain that healthy weight like:

Count Calories And Track Meals

If your senior loved ones are at a healthy weight now then they are doing something right. Encourage them to keep a food journal that lists everything they are eating each day and to use a calorie app on their phone or tablet to keep track of the calories that they are eating. For seniors the best way to maintain a healthy weight is to pay attention to the calories that they are eating and make sure they are not eating more calories than they should. More calories means weight gain.

Stay Active with Help from Elder Care

Continuing to get physical activity will help your senior loved ones stay at a healthy weight. Limiting calories to a healthy amount and getting regular exercise are the best things that seniors can do to stay at a healthy weight. Seniors who find that they are losing their motivation to be active can get encouragement and support from an elder care provider. An elder care provider can also help your senior loved ones track their meals and calories.

Develop New Hobbies

Most seniors end up overeating or snacking too much because they are bored. Trying new hobbies and picking up new skills will keep seniors busy, discourage them from snacking, and give them a sense of purpose again. A large number of seniors put off developing hobbies when they were younger because they had bills to pay and a family to support or children to take care of. So now is the time for your senior loved ones to explore some of the things they always wanted to try but were never able to. Encourage your senior loved ones to try new things like playing an instrument, learning a new sport, reading a whole series of books, painting, or gardening. You may even want to try one or two new hobbies with them and make it a family hobby.

Be More Social

Isolation and depression can also be responsible for seniors eating too much or not exercising and gaining weight. Seniors need to be see people and visit with other seniors in order to be healthy. Encourage your senior loved one to join a senior’s center, take an exercise class at the gym, join a craft circle, or participate in other social activities and groups. Volunteer work is a fantastic way for seniors to socialize and do some meaningful work.

Source
https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/health/diet-nutrition/healthy-weight

If you are considering elder 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.

May is “Strike out Strokes” Month

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in our country. And as your parent ages, with each decade his chances of having a stroke doubles. To help draw awareness to the dangers of strokes, each May is named “Strike Out Strokes” month to help inform the public about the risks, symptoms, and steps of preventing a stroke. The more you and your aging parent know about strokes will help you take steps now to prevent the occurrence of a stroke as well as know how to recognize when one is happening.

While some risk factors for your parent having a stroke cannot be mitigated (for example, women and African Americans are more likely to have a stroke), there are steps your parent can take to reduce his risk of having a stroke.

  • Reduce blood pressure. Those with high blood pressure have a higher risk of having a stroke. If your parent takes medication to reduce his blood pressure, make sure he takes it as prescribed along with following through on other health care suggestions. You or your elder care provider can help by checking during each visit to make sure he’s taken his medication if it something he forgets often.
  • Reduce cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a build of a plaque in the blood that can break off and cause a stroke. Getting the bad cholesterol levels reduced with help reduce your parent’s risk of stroke.
  • Eliminate drinking and smoking. Both of these habits can increase the risk for stroke. If your parent struggles with addiction to either, help him find support groups to assist him in quitting. Sometimes having an accountability partner like yourself or his elder care provider can help as well.
  • Keep physical. Help your parent stay active by finding activities he enjoys and will consistently do. He might like to be a part of a group that exercises together and provides socialization as well as exercise.
  • Eat well. Eating plenty of fish, fresh fruits and vegetable while keeping saturated fats to a minimum, can help reduce the risk of a stroke developing. Look at that shopping list the next time your parent is heading out to the grocery store to make sure it’s full of healthy options.

While strokes can occur to anyone at any time, taking the right steps ahead of time will help reduce the risk of your parent developing a stroke. If you feel your parent is having a stroke, there is an easy test to see if what’s is occurring is a stroke. It’s called the FAST test. FAST is an acronym to help you remember what to look for when you or your elder care provider believe your parent may be having a stroke:

  • F – Face. Ask your parent to smile. Does one side of his face droop?
  • A – Arms. Ask your parent to lift his arms. Can he only raise one arm? Is one arm lower than the other?
  • S – Speech. Ask your parent to repeat a simple phrase. Is he slurring his speech?
  • T – Time. Time is of the essence. If you recognize any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

For every minute a stroke goes untreated and blood flow to the brain is blocked, a person’s speech, movement, memory can be more adversely affected. Learning this simple acronym could help you act more quickly.

Source: https://everlovedayclub.wordpress.com/2019/05/08/strike-out-a-stroke-stroke-awareness-month/

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