Tag Archives: Nursing homes
Things You Should Know About Pneumonia In Seniors
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and it can be a serious threat to seniors. Seniors are at a bigger risk of complications and death from pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. As per the reports of the CDC, about 250,000 people are hospitalized with pneumonia every year. Read ahead to understand the facts about this respiratory infection and ways to prevent pneumonia in seniors. If you doubt that your senior loved one is suffering from pneumonia, make sure to see the doctor right away. What Is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is a respiratory infection and can result in inflammation in the alveoli present inside our lungs. Alveoli are air sacs and they can be filled with pus or fluid when you are suffering from pneumonia. This can result in breathing issues together with symptoms like fever. The infection can affect one or both of the lungs and when it affects both the lungs, it is called double pneumonia. The severity of the condition can differ with age, cause of the infection, and also the present health condition of the individual. Symptoms Of Pneumonia There can be many signs and symptoms of pneumonia and some of the most common ones can be fever, shortness of breath, chills, cough with phlegm, pain in the chest while coughing or breathing, fatigue, etc. As per the caregivers in skilled nursing […]
Read MoreCaring For People With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a nervous system disorder that affects many people across the world. It affects the brain and spinal cord of the person by damaging the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells and protects them. The damage to the myelin sheath can block the communication between the body and the brain, leading to many symptoms. As per the healthcare experts, it is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose and treat and is one of the leading causes for a person to move to assisted living facilities. Many Americans suffer from Multiple Sclerosis but only 5 to 10% of this population will need care from nursing homes. Nevertheless, they comprise a significant and increasing number of people seeking such chronic nursing care. Generally, between the ages 20 and 40 years is when a majority of the people experience their very first symptoms linked with Multiple Sclerosis. S Symptoms Of MS The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can range from benign to debilitating. Some of them are: Having troubles with coordination and balance Visual problems Prickling sensation or numbness Thought and memory problems MS can result in problems with standing or walking and may also lead to partial paralysis in the worst cases. Apart from the pins and needles sensation, some multiple sclerosis patients can also experience pain. Dizziness, speech problems, and tremors are some other frequent complaints. About half of the people with multiple sclerosis suffer from cognitive impairments like problems with attention, concentration, […]
Read MoreMental Exercises And Cognitive Games For Seniors
You can always help your senior loved ones improve their brain function and cognitive health. Age certainly plays a significant part in the decline of memory and other cognitive capabilities. However, there are proven ways to maintain and improve these capabilities at any age. If you are in search of ways to help your senior loved ones focus on their mental and cognitive health, the following information shared by professionals in assisted living communities and senior nursing homes can be useful. Basics Of Cognitive Health Previously it was believed that the ability of the brain to learn and grow was finite, however, more recent studies show that that the human brain can continue to reorganize, adapt and make new pathways. It is now more evident that our brain can change and stay sharp well past the growing years. However, to have the full benefits of neuroplasticity, people should practice using their brains. Many scientists believe that some stimulating activities can protect the human brain by making a “cognitive reserve.” Optimizing Neuroplasticity To help your senior loved ones optimize the health of their brain, you need to encourage them to take part in activities that help with cognitive stimulation. To introduce this kind of mental exercise in the lives of your senior loved ones, you can include exercises that focus on perception, attention, processing speed, memory, and reasoning capabilities. Exercises and games that focus on these specific areas of improving and maintaining the cognitive capabilities of seniors are […]
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