Should Seniors Care about Social Media?

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According to NPR and many other reputable sources, seniors are the most quickly developing demographic on Facebook. While some seniors love checking their social media accounts and engaging with others online, others scoff at the idea of internet-based communication. The question is, should seniors care about social media and are there any real benefits to social media use among the aging population? Home Care Assistance in Palm Beach County, Fla. certainly thinks so! Here are some benefits and why we think aging adults should start tweeting, hash-tagging and “liking” on their favorite network. Why Should Seniors Care about Social Media There are many different benefits that can be enjoyed by seniors if they simply give online social media a chance….

Tips on How to Afford Medications

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Oftentimes with age comes a more frequent need to visit the doctor’s office. And with more frequent doctor’s visits usually comes more and more prescribed medications. If you or an aging loved one are having trouble affording medications, here are a few tips and resources from a trusted Palm Beach home care provider that you can use to help free up some extra cash. Ask About Generics It might seem obvious, but asking for generic medications instead of “name brand” medicines may be the best option when it comes to getting better deals on medications. Talk with your doctor about switching to a generic form of your current medication if you’re having trouble affording it. Usually the quality is still…

The Importance of Oral Health for the Elderly

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As many of us know, oral health is one indicator of overall health. Bad oral health could point to more serious ailments such as diabetes and heart disease while tooth loss could be an indicator for osteoporosis or Alzheimer’s disease. This is why it’s important to keep track of any changes in oral health and to set up a maintainable cleaning schedule that aging adults or their caregivers can do at home. Excellent oral hygiene and frequent dental checkups are essential to maintaining oral health. There are no short cuts to perfect dental health, but the basics are easy to follow. Obeying these rules may take fifteen minutes out of your day, but ignoring them could result in a future…

Getting Essential Nutrients for Your Aging Loved One

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When it comes to cooking and preparing meals for aging adults, expert home caregivers in Palm Beach County pay special attention to the unique nutritional needs of senior adults. Ensuring that your elderly relative gets proper nutrition is vital to enhancing and maintains quality of life and optimum health. To help ensure that you meet the nutritional needs of an aging parent or loved one, here are the four nutrients that adults over 50 are most commonly lacking: Calcium Older adults need increased amounts of calcium as their bones become weaker. Seniors who do not get the daily recommended amount of calcium may develop osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones weaken and cause joint painand possible injury. While getting…

Tips for Avoiding Senior Investment Scams

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While it is unfortunate, investment scammers tend to target the elderly who may suffer from cognitive impairment or are simply too trusting of those calling them on their home phones.  According to the North American Securities Administrators Association, nearly half of all investment fraud victims are senior citizens and that number is on the rise. Aging adults tend to have more disposable money at their fingertips and are more prone to want to help someone that they think is in need. So how, then, can we protect our aging loved ones from becoming a victim of fraud or theft? Palm Beach Home Care Assistance County has put together some helpful tips to avoid getting caught in one of the many…

Managing a Dementia Patient’s Behavior Changes

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Behavioral changes are an expected part of dementia but that doesn’t make them any less unsettling or challenging for family members to manage. Dementia makes it progressively more difficult for aging adults to communicate, think clearly and remember seemingly simple things. As a degenerative disease, it is normal for the individual to undergo changes in their temperament and behavior, both on a large scale and on a daily basis. One of the most effective ways of dealing with behavior changes is to stay positive and patient. This is a real challenge when you are the primary caregiver of someone with a progressive disease. When you’re feeling tense, relax, take a deep breath, and exude a happy, peaceful feeling. However, if…

3 Common Misconceptions about Parkinson’s

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According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that currently affects almost one million people in the US. With symptoms ranging from slight tremors to complete loss of mobility, Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that breaks down brain cells over time. Although roughly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year, there are still misconceptions surrounding the disease. Whether you are someone who has recently been diagnosed or you are a family member providing care for an aging parent or loved one, the following are three common misconceptions about Parkinson’s that you should be aware of: There is only one type of PD. This statement is false. There is no “one type” of Parkinson’s…

How to Engage Seniors who Suffer from Hearing Loss

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Did you know that hearing impairment can have a negative result on a person’s emotional wellbeing? Seniors may become isolated, depressed or suffer great anxiety due to an inability to hear others. If you notice that an aging parent or loved one under your care has become withdrawn and you believe hearing decline is the source of the problem, Home Care Assistance of Palm Beach offers a few tips for engaging those with hearing decline. Take the Right Approach Communicating with someone with hearing loss is not as simple as raising one’s voice. This is a common mistake that many people make, and can leave the senior feeling as though they are being talked down to, and in some cases,…

Stress Impacts Quality of Life for Seniors

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Contrary to popular belief, stress and anxiety do not just impact the younger generation. These feelings are often experienced by seniors, playing a pivotal role in their overall health and well being. As a leading provider of live-in home care in Palm Beach County, we understand that stress can begin to add up for seniors and quality-of-life can suffer. This does not mean seniors and their caregivers cannot take control of this stress; with the right knowledge and support, it can be significantly decreased or eliminated altogether. End-Of-Life Care A huge source of stress for the older generation pertains to end-of-life care. As we age, thoughts of mortality take on a greater meaning than what they did twenty years ago….

Strategies for Incontinence: Nighttime Approaches to Maximize Protection

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Incontinence is a rather common problem for seniors, particularly during the evening hours. While incontinence can stem from various causes including medication side effects, dementia or a natural weakening of the pelvic muscles, it can be frustrating for seniors and those who provide care for them. As a trusted live-in home care provider in Palm Beach County, we wanted to share a few helpful strategies which can be implemented to help seniors manage issues of incontinence. Look to the Routine Having a nightly toileting routine can help with incontinence, but adjustments may be needed for it to be effective. Let’s say mom or dad goes to the restroom, they get their bath, and then they go to bed, but the…