elder care

Strokes can be frightening; the mere mention can make elderly people apprehensive about how they might be cared for if they suffer one, or even if the stroke will be so severe that they won't be able to recover enough from it to regain their independence.  Although not the sole preserve of the over 60s, the risk of having a stroke does double with every decade over the age of 55.  However strokes don't need to be the end of the world.  A combination of prevention, knowing how to spot the signs, and tips for recovery will all serve to arm you with the knowledge you need to cope with the condition.Strokes are caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, which occurs when the arteries are blocked.  Just as smoking and a diet high in saturated fat can cause heart attacks, that same narrowing and clogging of the arteries elsewhere can cause a stroke.  Moderate exercise and a balanced diet will help keep you healthy and reduce the risk, and in combination with keeping your br…

When helping to care for an elderly loved one you want to maintain the person's dignity, privacy, and independence while promoting safe and sanitary habits. Many elderly people are reluctant to bathe or shower for a variety of reasons and caretakers should approach this situation carefully. How do you encourage your loved one to bathe or shower more regularly without sounding disrespectful? What is the best method to encourage showering or bathing? What equipment may we need to make showering and bathing safe? Every elderly individual is different and there are a variety of reasons many struggle with regular showering and bathing. We suggest that caretakers: Provide as much privacy as is safely possible. Many elderly people are reluctant to shower because of a lack of privacy.Keep supplies stocked. An elderly loved one may be hesitant to shower or bathe if supplies are running low or are out. Make sure there are plenty of towels, washcloths, soap, and shampoo on hand at all…

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that results in a loss of bone mass. This loss of bone mass could dramatically increase the chances that an older adult suffers a bone fracture.In fact, the International Osteoporosis Foundation recently found that nearly ten million osteoporosis sufferers suffer a bone fracture every year. In addition, one-third of women aged fifty and over will experience a fracture brought about by osteoporosis.Hip, forearm and spinal fractures are especially common in older adults who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.Symptoms of Osteoporosis In the early stages of osteoporosis, the condition is more felt than readily seen. That said, elderly patients suffering from moderate to severe osteoporosis might suffer from back pain or fractures in the back's vertebrae.An elderly person with advanced osteoporosis might also have a noticeable stoop or reduction in height through progressive bone loss, spinal fracture, and decades of living w…

Depression in the elderly is real. Suicide rates are almost double in the elderly community compared to those who are younger. Depression can actually become worse with age. Also, depression is known to increase other health problems such as cardiac illness, stroke, insomnia, cancer, and dementia.The human body is interconnected with the mind and emotions. You cannot separate one from the other at any point in time. If you are physically sick, you may become more depressed. If you are depressed,  you may become ill in both body and spirit.Here are some tips to help your elderly loved one. If you are elderly and reading this, please incorporate the following tips into your life. If you need help in doing so, show a loved one this article, and please ask for help.7 Ways to Treat Depression in the ElderlyExercise. Exercise is a great way to socialize with others and it also increases endorphin release. Endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers and feel g…