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It can be easy to overlook the importance of sleep- after all, it takes so long and there is so much to do! As we get older, we might even feel like we need less sleep, but this is due to a natural change in our circadian rhythm- the body’s natural sleep cycle. We may …
Preventing dehydration in the elderly is challenging, especially since people lose their ability to detect thirst as they age. Creating a system that allows older people to track their water intake is ideal. With a good idea of how much water has been consumed, you don’t have to rely on guesswork to determine whether you …
Water infections are associated with symptoms that bother both men and women, with women facing a higher risk. Water infections are also known as Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), which mostly affect the urethra and bladder. They may also affect different sections of the urinary track, with each type having a different name. Symptoms of Water …
Working as a professional caregiver requires understanding how to maintain quality standards in delivering care while providing consistent behaviors. If you are exploring becoming a professional caregiver, you may apply for a part-time or full-time caregiving position on Caregiverlist.com (professional senior care companies subscribe to Caregiverlist’s hiring tools and hire new caregivers each week). Completing …
Caregivers of family members with dementia often notice a particular set of symptoms that may start around dusk and last well into the evening. It is called sundown dementia, sundowner’s, or simply sundowning. The person with dementia usually becomes more disoriented, more agitated, more anxious, more confused and more unsettled during this time. This can …
Elderly depression can often be difficult to treat due to the variety of factors that can contribute to depression in the elderly. Options for treatment of elderly depression seem more limited than those for younger individuals due to the higher likelihood of medical factors contributing to the disorder in senior citizens, dementia being particularly difficult …
MRSA is the abbreviation for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive coccal bacterium. Prior to the development of penicillin, MRSA was the cause of death for many people. Usually death was caused by pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that was called ‘the old person’s friend’, meaning that a frail, sick, elderly person would be taken …
Dementia is a syndrome that affects the elderly more than any other group. It can cause a greater degree of memory loss than is common with normal aging, even causing elderly people to become moody or hostile. Dementia causes a host of problems for both the sufferer and the friends and family, and because of …
Pneumonia in the elderly may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it results in an inflammation of one or both of the lungs. As circulation to the lungs decrease, oxygen in the blood declines. While cases of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, the elderly, along with children and people with weakened …
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that is characterized by body tremors, stiffness and difficulty moving. This disease is often difficult to diagnose in the elderly; thus, caregivers and family members should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of this disease. Body Tremors and Stiffness Body tremors and stiffness are two of the most common symptoms …
As elderly relatives grow older, caretakers and relatives need to keep an eye on warning signs of problems. The signals come in many forms, and one common symptom the elderly experience is weight loss. Weight loss in the elderly, however, is not always a sign of a problem, which can make it particularly difficult to …
With an expected elderly population of over 55 million by the year 2020, making decisions about a parent’s elderly care is a harsh reality that many adult children will have to face in the coming years. Moving elderly parents into an assisted living center isn’t always the easiest choice, but the reality is that it …
Dehydration in the elderly is a serious widespread condition that is easily overlooked. Thankfully, there are a number of small and easy steps to take that make it possible to prevent dehydration in the elderly and avoid further health complications as a result. Here are 5 tips for preventing dehydration in the elderly, whether at …
As our family members age it’s important for us to take care of them in their time of need. They are wise, they’re experienced, they’re the ones who truly lived. It’s important not to neglect the elderly just because of their age. We shouldn’t just put our grandparents in homes unless it’s necessary. They’re a …
It is not unusual for older adults who have debilitating health conditions and loss of independence to feel depressed. Depression may also affect older adults because of situations such as limited financial resources, or grief from loss of their friends or older relatives. This is why, for a patient of any age, it’s important to …
Caring for a loved one or employer should not make you forget about taking care of yourself daily. Caregivers have a stressful strenuous rewarding job that seems to go on forever. Having help and support, while taking care of yourself will make you a better caregiver and allow you to be a better caregiver for …
With the holiday season approaching, families will soon be gathering to celebrate together. Today with more miles separating us from our loved ones due to job commitments, many people may only see their elderly parents or relatives at this time of year. A year can be a long time and many elderly heath issues including …
Studies have shown a startling trend in the increase of suicides among older adults, which has brought the subject of elderly mental health into the spotlight. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health show that suicide among older adults is more common than most realize and more disproportionate to suicides committed by any other …
Having “the talk” can be difficult, emotional, scary. But putting off the subject for another time might leave you with no time for pre-planning. If you’re considering talking to your parents about assisted living (and you probably should be), here are a few tips. 1. If you have siblings, discuss the assisted living option with …
As the population continues to age, few things become more apparent than seniors’ desire for independence coupled with wanting to stay in their own homes. It’s a comfort thing: Most people want to grow old in their home, surrounded by their personal belongings and memories. Not to mention, the exorbitant costs associated with care outside …
Many older adults desire to stay in their homes as long as possible, avoiding placement into an assisted living or senior living setting. This can be a viable option as long as an elderly parent or loved on has adequate help in the home as additional care and support becomes necessary. It is important however, …
For both the elderly and their caregivers, the ailments and struggles that come with aging shadow a more carefree, happy past. We’re busy focusing on medication management, installing new handles in the shower or researching assisted living facilities. As dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive issues strengthen their grip on a loved one, many feel as …
Caregivers want their loved ones to be as comfortable, happy, and healthy as possible. That’s why, when people decide to provide care for a family member, they find themselves putting their loved one’s needs ahead of their own. This often means that caregivers make professional and personal sacrifices while providing attentive, loving support for others. In …
