5 Ways to Keep an Aging Parent Safe at Home

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More and more seniors and older adults are expressing the desire to remain in the comfort of their own homes as they grow older, also referred to as aging in place. Although there are numerous benefits of being able to stay in familiar surroundings, how safe is your loved one’s home? Hazards can lurk in many places and simple activities that were once easy to complete may threaten a senior’s safety. However, knowing what to look for will help you create a senior-friendly environment that your loved one can enjoy during their golden years. Modify the Bathroom The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the home and can also be one of the most dangerous. Wet…

Skin Care for the Elderly

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When you are looking after your loved one’s needs, skin care may get overlooked in favor of things like proper nutrition, fall safety or medication compliance. However, aging skin is delicate and skin breakdown or yeast infections can quickly turn into serious problems for an elderly adult. If you are care for an elderly parent in Palm Beach home care county, we understand that skin care might not be something you are familiar with and have offered a few simple tips for how to help keep your loved one’s skin as healthy as possible. For Bathing & Personal Care Create a hygiene schedule that doesn’t include bathing every day of the week to help preserve the skins moisture Avoid overly…

Overcoming Boredom in Your Golden Years

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As your parents and loved ones age, their physical health isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. A sedentary lifestyle can be just as debilitating to long-term health. Boredom can create further complications, possibly leading to social withdrawal, agitation and even depression. Therefore, it’s important for families to encourage their aging loved ones to remain engaged as they age. In addition to regular check-ups with a doctor or primary care physician, add a few of these activities to the calendar to save off boredom. Puzzles Palm Beach Alzheimer’s care specialists report that brain games such as jigsaw puzzles, newspaper crosswords, word searches and Sudoku can provide an aging adult with numerous benefits. They are ideal for keeping the…

How Can I Monitor My Loved Ones Meals?

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If you live with your elderly family member, monitoring his or her diet is simple. However, if your aging parent or loved one lives independently and you cannot visit them every day, making sure they eat balanced meals can be difficult. To prevent and reduce the risk for problems that accompany poor nutrition, Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Palm Beach home care, offers a few simple tips to concerned families. When you are able to visit, don’t be afraid to ask your aging loved one about their health, what they’re eating and if they have experienced any changes in appetite. You can also ask your loved one to check their weight while you are there. When done on…

Is a Caregiver Support Group Right for Me?

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It can be hard for anyone to admit that they need help, but this is especially so for the adult child providing care for an aging parent. The caregiver may be embarrassed, ashamed and in some cases, fear as though they will be seen as a failure if they seek assistance or professional help. However, caregiver support groups are designed specifically to help overwhelmed caregivers overcome such feelings. If you or someone you know is a caregiver, Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Palm Beach home care, presents a list of questions that can help you determine whether a support group is right for you. Do you have a non judgmental support system? Stepping into the role of caregiver…

What Your Hair Says about Your Health

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When we think of hair and aging, one of the first things to think of is a change in color. The aging process is commonly associated with graying or white hair and a person’s genes can even bring about thinning hair or baldness. While these changes are expect, did you know that your hair could be indicating other things about your health? In this blog post, Home Care Assistance of Palm Beach is going to look into what your hair is really trying to say! Hair Texture A change in hair texture is a clue that the thyroid may be underactive. An underactive thyroid is most common in women – with the chance of being diagnosed with thyroid disease increasing…

Obesity and the Aging Population

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Obesity has been a growing problem within the United States, and in recent years, nationwide statistics have shown that obesity is especially prevalent among the senior and elderly population. In fact, a 2010 study indicated that nearly 70% of elderly adults are considered either overweight or obese. As a leading provider of Palm Beach home care County, we believe that education is key in helping to reduce this problem, and have put together some important information about elderly obesity for seniors and their families. Increased Risk for Advanced Illness Obesity is listed as one of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular related diseases. When overweight, the body, more specifically the heart, is required to work harder. As a result, the…

Managing Grief After the Death of a Loved One

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Grieving the death of a loved one is ranked among one of the most stressful life events, regardless of age. However, seniors may have more difficulty during the grieving process than their younger counterparts. It isn’t uncommon for seniors to experience a higher level of apathy and depression, which often has a direct impact on their quality-of-life. Although you may be grieving yourself, there are a few things that you can do to assist your loved one during this trying time. Combat Feelings of Isolation According to the Institute on Aging, feelings of isolation can occur as seniors face the reality that individuals who have been a major part of their lives for years and in some cases decades, begin…

Natural Ways for Elderly to Maintain Eyesight

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Declining vision is unfortunately a problem that most seniors do not deal with until it is too late and their vision has already been compromised. As a leading provider of home care Palm Beach seniors and families trust, we wanted to share some of the natural ways that seniors can improve their eyesight. Not only can the following changes play a role in preventing age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye, they can actively help seniors (and their younger counterparts) maintain optimal vision as they age. Modify your diet A diet that provides the proper vitamins and nutrients is one of the best ways to enhance vision and maintain good eye health. Leafy greens and vegetables…

A Typical Day in the Life of a Parkinson’s Caregiver

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While the outward face of Parkinson’s disease is limited movement as a result of stiff muscles and tremors, many patients experience a spectrum of cognitive problems ranging from confusion and anxiety to dementia and depression. When facing these behaviors, consistency and routine are vital in keeping your aging loved one grounded in their surroundings, compliant in daily care, and engaged in therapy activities. As a leading provider of Parkinson’s home care in Palm Beach County, we wanted to share a typical day in the life of a Parkinson’s caregiver. This outline can help inexperienced family caregivers with what to expect, helping them to provide the proper level of care at home. Caregivers should take the time to carefully assess the…