Tag Archives: senior living
The Importance Of Wound Care In Senior Care Facilities
Residents of long-term care facilities are mainly elderly, weak people who are at risk for developing pressure ulcers due to immobility, the presence of comorbid conditions, and nutritional issues. Pressure sores affected 11% of nursing home residents in 2004. Effective wound care in long-term senior care facilities is crucial to promoting wound healing given the high prevalence of chronic wounds in senior patients. The following factors make a thorough wound care program in long-term care facilities crucial: Seniors Are More Prone To Chronic Wounds As of 2015, there were about 1.3 million Americans living in long-term facilities. [2] The number of people residing in long-term care institutions is only anticipated to rise with the aging population. Age-related changes make older people more susceptible to developing chronic wounds, highlighting the importance of having an efficient wound care program in senior nursing homes and long-term care institutions. In the senior population, wound healing can take longer for a variety of reasons. Multiple comorbidities and risk factors that increase wound chronicity are more common in older people. Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, inadequate nutrition, decreased mobility, and declining cognitive function are a few of them. Recently, the term “skin failure” has been used in relation to wound treatment. It describes the skin’s inability to carry out its typical barrier function, which makes it vulnerable to bacterial invasion. Seniors are more prone to skin failure, which can lead to the formation of pressure ulcers. Along with pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, and neuropathic ulcers […]
Read MoreThe Importance Of Getting A Dementia Diagnosis
It is possible that you’ve had memory issues or other symptoms for a while. Your issues likely emerged over a long period of time, making them more difficult to identify. It may seem like your symptoms aren’t severe enough; yet if you’ve only lately been aware of changes. However, it can be crucial to receive a dementia diagnosis early on. Dementia care experts in our senior care facility share the importance of getting a dementia diagnosis. Benefits Of Dementia Diagnosis Being diagnosed with dementia at an early stage allows you to make adjustments and get the things you require, such as: Access To Assistance: The diseases that cause dementia are still incurable. However, there are many resources available to support you in living as well as you can. You can learn what kind of dementia you have after the diagnosis process. Additionally, it can assist you in accessing therapies and support networks as well as future planning (such as establishing a power of attorney). Moreover, this can imply that you have access to medications that can help you control your symptoms. Information That Will Make Your Situation More Understandable To Others: Your mood and behavior can alter as a result of dementia. A diagnosis might help people understand why you have been acting differently, feeling down, or getting annoyed easily. They might be able to help you more effectively. The Provision Of Benefits And Protections: If you have been diagnosed with dementia, you are legally protected against discrimination (unfair treatment) […]
Read MoreLiving In Assisted Living Facility: Methods For Increasing Appetite In The Elderly
Assisted Living Facility, Methods for Increasing Appetite It is crucial to keep trying to get the elderly residing at assisted living facility to eat even if they don’t want to. Elderly folks can boost their appetite in several ways. In this article, we’ll examine the causes of elderly people losing their appetites, natural appetite stimulants, and ways of doing so recommended by geriatric experts. Causes Of Appetite Loss In The Elderly Gum illness Thyroid conditions Throat and mouth infections Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’ disease Cancer Issues with the salivary glands Medication adverse symptoms, like a metallic aftertaste or dry mouth Inadequate exercise Dehydration Lack of a mealtime schedule on a daily basis Taste loss brought on by aging Issues with swallowing, chewing, or independently eating Sensitivity to certain food scents that can make you feel sick General sense of being powerless over one’s life Depression and loneliness Overall negative emotions throughout mealtimes We shall discuss how to boost the appetite in the elderly in the next two sections. Foods For Older People Who Don’t Like To Eat Finding foods to satisfy an elderly person’s appetite can be a straightforward treatment for loss of appetite. Several foods are: Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, steaming or raw veggies, and meatballs are examples of finger foods. String cheese or cheese sticks Full-fat or calcium-rich yogurt Lean proteins such as lentils, beans, and peas Sliced thinly or ground meat Whole milk or milk with chocolate Chopped fruit Crackers with cheese or peanut butter Healthy smoothies or […]
Read MoreThe Different Stages Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that develops slowly and gradually worsens. In the opinion of senior care experts, the disease usually develops over a period of many years, impacting memory, language, problem-solving, thinking, and even the personality of the sufferer. Though not every person suffering from Alzheimer’s will experience the same disease progression rate, there is a similar path that patients follow with the progress of the disease. Senior care experts in our assisted living facility share the different stages of dementia progression. Before Diagnosis: No Dementia In the seven-stage model of dementia progression, a person is not considered to have dementia in the first three stages, as the symptoms will be usually associated with that of typical aging and will not be noticeable. Senior care experts also call this pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease. First Stage: No Impairment In stage one, the person will not have any memory impairment or any evident dementia symptoms. In the first stage of the disease, Alzheimer’s will be undetectable and the stage is sometimes referred to as No Cognitive Decline. Second Stage: Very Mild Cognitive Decline In the second stage, the person will start to experience forgetfulness. They may forget where they left their purse or keys and the symptoms might not be noticed by the healthcare provider or family member of the person. Third Stage: Mild Cognitive Decline The person will experience increased forgetfulness and slight difficulty with concentration. The symptoms at this stage of the disease can lead to reduced work performance for […]
Read MoreUnderstanding The Warning Signs Of TIA And Taking The Necessary Actions
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a variant of stroke. Senior health experts say that TIA is sometimes referred to as mini-stroke as it can lead to stroke-like symptoms. Some transient ischemic attacks can last only a few minutes and some can last for a few hours. Usually, when a person experiences TIA, their stroke symptoms can go away after some time. Types Of Stroke Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are two different types of strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the bursting of a weak blood vessel in the brain. On the other hand, clots of blood blocking the arteries supplying blood to the brain can lead to an ischemic stroke. TIAs are a type of ischemic stroke. As ischemic strokes and TIAs have similar causes, their symptoms can also be similar. The duration and damage caused are what make a transient ischemic attack different. A TIA can last for a few hours or for a few minutes and usually does not have any lasting effects on the person, whereas an ischemic stroke lasts longer and can lead to permanent damage to the brain of the sufferer. It is very important to understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of a TIA or a stroke on time and take necessary actions. As per senior living experts, a TIA is a serious medical event. If the stroke is a transient ischemic attack and resolves, your loved one may be at an increased risk of a more severe attack. Therefore, if […]
Read MoreSpring Bucket List For Elderly Adults
Spring is a season of joy for many. The warmer temperatures, longer days, and bursts of colors can bring happiness to the minds of people. This is especially true in the case of seniors, no matter whether they live in an area that has a long winter, or are looking to celebrate spring. Our experts in senior living and senior care share a few ideas that can inspire seniors to celebrate this spring season. Buy Flowers It is a great idea to buy flowers to improve the aesthetics of your home. This can not only make your home beautiful but also support a local business. You can buy a bundle of flowers and take them home to have your own attractive and colorful arrangements. If you would like others to do the flower arranging, you may buy a pre-made bouquet and display the same in your mason jar. Visit The Farmer’s Market For many states, spring is the beginning of the farmer’s market season. You might not find large amounts of fruits and vegetables with the vendor but will be able to find eggs, local honey, etc. In addition, it is another great reason to go outside and enjoy the great weather. In many southern states, farmer’s markets in the spring season will be filled with flowers, fresh produce, and chances to start a conversation. Make sure to take advantage of the same. Get Creative No bucket list will be complete without trying something new. Spring is a season that […]
Read MoreThings That Can Affect The Driving Of Your Senior Loved One
Are you worried about the driving of your senior loved one? Have your friends or family expressed concerns about his/her driving? Changes in health and age-related problems can affect the driving skills of your senior loved one. Do not risk hurting your senior loved one or others. As per the opinion of the experts in our senior living and assisted living facility, you need to talk to the doctor of your senior loved one about the concerns that you have about the health and driving skills of your senior loved one. A few things that can affect the driving capability of your senior loved one are discussed below for your knowledge. Stiff Muscles And Joints With age, the joints and muscles of your senior loved one can get stiff and weak. Arthritis is a common problem among seniors and can affect their ability to drive. With age, it can be difficult for seniors to turn their heads to look back, brake safely, or turn the steering wheel quickly. Make sure that your senior loved one sees his or her doctor if arthritis, pain, or stiffness is getting in the way of his or her driving. Also, you can make them drive a vehicle with automatic transmission, large mirrors, and power brakes. Trouble Hearing With age, the hearing abilities of seniors can change, making it difficult for them to notice horns or even noises from their own vehicles. Hearing loss can affect the driving capability of seniors as these sounds can […]
Read MoreFinding Romantic Relations At Senior Living Community
The idea of a perfect retirement can be different for different people. Many think of retirement life as a chance to reflect on the life that they have built and try new adventures or learn new skills. Many seniors are hoping for a little romance in their senior living community. Whether it is your first shot at love or 100th, a budding romance in your golden years can be very sweet. In a senior living community, you will have much time to spend with your loved one, which can benefit you in many ways. For an elderly adult who wishes to have a life partner or a chance to date, assisted living and other senior living communities offer many chances to find someone. Romance In A Senior Living Community We all know that romance is a game of odds. Therefore, the more people you mingle with, the greater will be the chances of finding someone you like. However, for many elderly adults, retirement life offers only a few chances to see new people. A majority of the seniors spend most of their time at home seeing the same people over and over again. Only those seniors who live in a busy city, still drive and go out every day have chances to see new faces. This is where moving to senior living facilities can help. Senior living facilities offer a new setting, and new members will be joining the community frequently. The residents of these facilities will […]
Read MoreFinding Senior Living Facilities For Elderly Couples
The number of seniors who are married has increased in the past few decades, as per the US Census Bureau. Increased life expectancy, remarriage, and a decrease in the age gap between men and women are all reasons for this increase. This means that more and more families are now searching for senior living facilities that support the need of both parents. Senior living options for couples can vary depending on the requirements for care and the design of the community. Some of the most common scenarios that elderly couples face while looking for senior living options and a few possible solutions for the same are shared below. Both Of Your Senior Parents Care Needs Differ One of your elderly parents may require assistance with their daily living activities, while the other may be independent. Or one of the partners might be experiencing symptoms of dementia or other cognitive problems while the other may not have any cognitive problems. You are required to hunt for a community that can cater to the needs of both your parents. Many assisted facilities also have memory care facilities attached to them. If one of your senior parents shows signs of dementia, or if there is a family history of dementia, this can be a very good option. Some of the assisted living communities let the couples move to a memory care apartment together. However, as memory care and assisted living are not the same, a partner diagnosed with cognitive issues like dementia […]
Read MoreMedication Management Tips For Seniors
Most assisted living facilities in the country provide medication management services to the residents which can be a blessing to the family members living far away or are unable to check on senior loved ones regularly. For ensuring the safety of the seniors residing in their homes, it is important for them to be aware of how to manage their own medications. Medication management in seniors is a necessary preventive measure to stay away from potentially serious health hazards. Seniors often take many medications, supplements, and vitamins, which can increase the chances of medication mix-ups, which can be dangerous in some situations. Tips For Medication Management The tips by the experienced staff of various senior living facilities shared below can help your senior loved one avoid medication-related health hazards. Review The Medication Of Your Elderly Parent With Their Doctor Note down the names and dosages of every medication taken by your senior loved one. Ensure that you are not missing out on any of the vitamins, herbal supplements, or OTC medications that they are consuming. Review this medication list at the next appointment with the primary care doctor of your elderly parent. Make sure to provide all the details, as the more information the doctor has, the more precisely they will be able to pinpoint drug interactions and potential side effects. Go Through Medication Labels And Ask Questions If your senior loved one is to start a new medication, ask the doctor about how and when […]
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