How to Prevent Falls Around the Home

June is National Safety Month, and that means now is a great time to reassess your or an older parent’s home. You can help them prevent falls by fixing up dangerous spots around a house they spend time in. If a parent is in senior care, families may also want to help improve their own homes for when they come to visit. 

Whether you are assessing an older loved one’s house or your own, there are many ways you can help reduce the risk of falls and improve levels of safety. Since one in three older adults will fall every year, there is an increased risk of broken bones, difficulty getting around, or many other health problems. But by being proactive, you can help reduce these risks and create a safer, happier, healthier environment for your older parent or loved one. 

Fall Prevention Homecare

When looking around the house, there are a few areas that tend to put older adults at greater risk for falls. Evaluate these rooms and spots, and make any necessary changes to help keep everyone safe. 

Stairways. Take a close look at stairs around the home and make sure that handrails are securely fastened to the wall. Check to see that they are not broken or cracked in any spots, either. In addition, you can improve functionality and safety by installing a second set of handrails, so they are on both sides of the steps.

Bathrooms. Be sure that an older loved one can move easily and safely around the bathroom. This should include getting in and out of a tub or shower. To make these areas even safer, closely look to see if there is soap build-up around washing areas. Remove it on a regular basis, as build-up will make surfaces slippery, and can drastically increase the risk of falls. 

Other ways to improve bathroom safety are to install non-slip stickers in the bath or shower to add traction, and install shower grab bars that older adults can use for added support. If necessary, consider installing bars by the toilet, too. However, always use secure reinforcements to prevent them from coming loose. Lastly, prevent the risk of tripping on bathroom rugs by securing them with non-slip double-sided rug tape. 

Kitchen. Commonly used items, like foods or dishes, should always be within reach. Consider how tall your older loved one is, and make sure they will not have to bend or reach to get them. For items that need to be stored up high, make sure that a step stool with a bar (for added support) is easily accessible. 

All other rooms. Do an all-around inspection and check to see that hallways and rooms are free of obstacles. Move boxes, cords, plants, furniture, and other items out of trafficked areas to ensure smooth movement from room to room. In addition, when packing things away, make sure that more frequently used items like bed coverings or clothing are within reach but still out of the way. 

Rugs and floors. Make sure that all floorboards are even and level. Also look at rugs to see that they are completely secured to the floor with double-sided tape, non-skid pads, tacks, or other trusted materials. When waxing a floor, always use non-skid wax.

Lighting. Another key to fall prevention is installing proper lighting around the house. Place nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, stairways and bathrooms to make sure that your older loved one can see well enough to get around at night. Also, conduct a lighting check around stairways and make sure that there are light switches at both the top and bottom of their stairs. As a rule of thumb, install sufficient lighting in any dark spaces around the house to make movement safer for everyone in the home. 

When providing elder care services, Iowa families should take fall prevention seriously. By being proactive and making a home safer, families can help keep their older loved ones more protected, healthier, and happier in their homes for longer.  

Benefits of Adding Berries to Your Older Loved One’s Diet

When it comes to proactive dementia care, Cedar Falls families can look to berries to help their older loved ones stay healthier. Berries are abundant this time of year, and not only are they tasty, but they are also proven to help reduce the risks of developing dementia. 

In terms of developing the condition, the Annals of Neurology journal reports that inflammation and stress can contribute to dementia. However, the high levels of flavanoids found in berries could actually counteract the negative effects of stress or inflammation. 

One study revealed that eating 75 grams of blueberries and 150 grams of strawberries each week could actually delay cognitive decline by 2.5 years. Both of these berries are a good source of flavanoids, which are plant compounds that provide both antioxidants and powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. 

These facts are important to keep in mind when providing care for elderly parents. The study’s authors even said that there is “substantial biologic evidence” that supports a berry-rich diet in protecting the brain. Many flavanoids are linked with reduced levels of inflammation, which many scientists already correlate with dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. In addition, the antioxidants in flavanoids can guard against cell damage from dangerous forms of oxygen, or “free radicals,” and have also been shown to protect the brain in many other ways. 

Previous studies have suggested that berries provided an anti-aging effect. However, these studies were traditionally limited to smaller trials among the elderly or were developed with animal models. Recent research, conducted by Harvard Medical School, observed information from thousands of middle-aged females who had filled out questionnaires starting in the late 1970s. They were asked about the foods they ate. Every four years, they responded to a survey. They also underwent memory and thinking skills tests every two years, which began at the age of 70. For the 16,000 subjects over 70 years of age, their cognitive function was observed every two years.

During the study, researchers discovered that those who ate the most blueberries and strawberries exhibited the lowest rates of mental decline. The largest benefits were seen in those who ate at least one serving of blueberries weekly or at least two servings of strawberries every week. 

These fruits are rich in flavanoids, or the pigments that give the berries their color. These flavanoids are also found in other vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts. 

In the study, a larger rate of consumption of anthocyanidins, a particular type of flavanoid, and the total level of flavanoids consumed, were correlated with lower cognitive degeneration. In essence, those women who consumed more berries staved off mental decline and aging by upwards of 2.5 years.

Berries and other whole foods can play an important role in providing quality senior care for your loved one. This summer season, consider visiting your local farmers’ market or spending more time in the produce section to find these powerful foods that could work to secure the health of your older parents. 

What You Must Know About Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance can help to reduce the financial burden placed on a senior and their family in the event that they need more extensive and prolonged care in the future. However, there are many factors to consider when purchasing this type of insurance, so some careful research is necessary. Those who work in senior services advise elderly individuals and their families to consider the following points:

• Shop around: Prior to making a purchase, it’s important to get a sense of the various options available. Talk to different companies and compare their benefits. Don’t just go for the least expensive plan, as the kinds of coverage and the details of the plan matter too. A plan that doesn’t truly suit your senior’s needs is not worth any sum of money, no matter how seemingly inexpensive it is. 

• Make sure it’s all in writing: Written promises and guarantees don’t do much when it’s time to actually make use of the policy. According to those who work in senior care, Cedar Valley families should make sure that any statements that the company gives are backed up and verified in writing. 

• Ask questions for clarification: Minor details and phrases can completely alter the policy, so it’s important to have a solid understanding of the various components contained within the coverage. Some people feel embarrassed about asking questions about coverage, but there’s no shame in verifying total understanding. 

• Does the policy come with inflation protection? Your policy that pays $100 per day for nursing home expenses may sound great now. However, if your senior doesn’t need the coverage for years and suddenly nursing homes have doubled in price, then this coverage becomes virtually useless. Make sure that the coverage you purchase accounts for inflation. 

• Will the premiums continue to be affordable? Elder care services professionals explain that this is a major point to consider. Even if your elderly parent can afford the premium now, it’s important to verify that this will still be the case in the future, particularly if they’ll be living on a fixed income. 

Long-term care insurance can be a monumental help to seniors and their families; however, prior to making a purchase, it’s necessary to comb through the details of the policy carefully. Ensure that it will still be affordable and effective in the future before signing on the dotted line. 

Key Components Of Stroke Recovery

A stroke is a traumatic and devastating medical event for a senior and their family. However, once it has happened, it’s time to shift the focus to recovery. Elder care services professionals explain that focusing on recovery is essential in order to allow your elderly loved one to regain their physical and mental abilities. A few ways to do this include:

Focus on reducing risk of another stroke

Many strokes come as a result of uncontrolled or undetected medical conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes. After a stroke has occurred, your elderly loved one must get a full assessment from a doctor in order to prevent it from happening again. Encourage your senior to take all medications prescribed to them regularly, and to eat a diet that’s high in fiber, low in fat and salt, and full of lean protein. Those who care for seniors explain that prevention is an essential step that is often overlooked during the recovery process. 

Partake in a comprehensive recovery program

After your elderly parent has a stroke, they’ll need to take part in a comprehensive recovery program designed by highly trained medical professionals. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These various specialists can help to get your loved one back on track and recover the skills they may have lost in the stroke. 

Alter a living situation as necessary

After a stroke, your family member may not be able to attend to the tasks of daily living anymore. According to those who work in assisted living, Iowa families need to carefully analyze their senior’s needs after a stroke and make any necessary adjustments. This may include having a home care professional come in to assist regularly, or they may need to be moved either temporarily or permanently to an assisted living facility or nursing home.  

Join a stroke support group

A stroke support group can help to prevent feelings of isolation as your senior recovers from this traumatic medical event. Your elderly loved one’s neurologist can help to direct you to a group in your area. The experience allows them to feel a connection to others in the community who have gone through a similar situation, while also helping you to learn more about stroke and the recovery process.

The days and weeks following a stroke can be stressful both for the survivor and their family. However, when you take quick action to get your senior on a comprehensive recovery program, they’ll be able to make great strides as they regain the skills they lost during the event. 

The Major Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

Senior health professionals encourage anyone who cares for an elderly individual to learn the major signs and symptoms of a stroke. A stroke is a serious health episode that can cause debilitating damage when it not treated immediately. As soon as your elderly loved one begins to display the signs of a stroke, they need immediate medical attention. In order to make sure that this happens, it’s important to learn the key indicators of stroke. They include:

Numbness

If a person is having a stroke, they may experience numbness or weakness in one arm. To check for arm numbness, ask your senior to raise both of their arms above their head, and then look to see if one arm is slowly heading downward.

Face drooping

If your elderly loved one’s smile has begun to droop or they complain that their face has gone numb, this can indicate that they are having a stroke.

Trouble speaking

If your senior is having a stroke, they will have difficulty speaking properly and may become hard to understand. They may slur their words or speak sentences that don’t make sense. To test if this is taking place, ask your loved one to repeat a simple sentence. If they are unable to repeat the sentence correctly and clearly, it’s time to get them medical attention.

Other common indicators of stroke include:

• Confusion or trouble understanding simple conversation or instructions
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• A significant headache with no real cause

Those who care for seniors should always be on the lookout for these warning signs, and should act quickly should they display themselves. With a stroke, every minute counts, so getting an elderly loved one to the hospital as soon as possible can greatly increase their chances of making a recovery. 

Though strokes are brain-based, they can devastate a person’s entire body. A stroke can make it hard to feel emotions, speak clearly, and think. They may also cause full or partial paralysis on one side of the body. Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it is even more important to learn the key indicators of a stroke.