Telling a loved one that it might be time that they need some help is never easy. Reactions are not always agreeable, because no one wants to lose their independence regardless of their progressing age. Here are 7 ways you can talk to your parents about senior care:

1. Remember change is difficult for everyone – their resistance might be frustrating, but think about how you would feel in the same situation
2. Give him/her time to come around – introduce changes slowly, but don’t force them. Eventually, the changes if for your senior’s benefit will be more accepted, once they get past denying they need help
3. Keep on trying – if you try to introduce a change and it’s not accepted, wait and try again. Sometimes even 15 minutes can make a world of difference
4. Keep them involved in decisions – let your senior know he/she does have a say in making decisions about care. However, do try and be persuasive about introducing care options
5. Offer a trial period – if they are resistant, persuade your senior to give your suggestion a try. A trial period with a home caregiver or with you helping around the house may help them to realize how much it can ease their burden
6. Present it as help for them – when suggesting you help them out or hire a caregiver, don’t present it as a result of their limitations, tell them it’s to have someone available to clean up around the house so they don’t feel obligated, or to help with moving of heavy objects
7. Know when to stop pushing – remember, that despite your concerns, your senior is still someone who is capable and allowed to make their own decisions. If you have tried the above to no avail, no when to stop pushing otherwise you might risk your relationship

Via: National Caregiver’s Library

image: jupiterimages.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Recognizing prostate cancer is one of the more challenging things that seniors need to go through because they may feel embarrassed about their symptoms and hesitant to discuss them with their doctor. However, many symptoms of prostate cancer only arise when the disease is in its later stages, so it’s crucial that seniors recognize these symptoms, and not hesitate to seek medical help:

1. Frequent urination – prostate cancer can be signified by a frequent need to urinate, especially at night
2. Difficulty urinating – despite the feeling of needing to urinate often, seniors might have problems starting to urinate, or even sometimes with holding back urine
3. Weak urination – when urinating, seniors may find that the flow of urine is interrupted or weak
4. Burning urination – when urinating, seniors may feel a burning sensation
5. Sexual dysfunction – seniors with prostate cancer may find it difficult to attain or maintain an erection, and may find that ejaculation can be extremely painful
6. Blood – blood might appear in urine or semen
7. Stiffness in body – seniors may feel pain or stiffness in their lower back, hips of upper thighs

Via: Prostate Cancer Foundation

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

September is prostate cancer awareness month and it’s time for all men to start thinking about whether they’d like to be screened for the disease to determine if they might be at risk. Here are a few things that all senior men should think about, and understand so that they can make informed decisions about prostate cancer and its effect on their health.

1. Talk to your Chicago doctor about screening – prostate cancer screening can cause discomfort and be a substantial expense; however, in many cases it is crucial as often symptoms do not surface until the disease has progressed to the later stages. The age to start discussing prostate cancer screening is 40 for those of African American descent, and those with a history of prostate cancer in their families. All other men should speak to their physician by age 50
2. Understand the screening options – there are two main tests used to screen for prostate cancer, which can help detect the disease so it can be treated, if necessary, before symptoms even occur:

• Digital Rectal Exam – a physician places a gloved hand into the patient’s rectum to feel the prostate and determine if any lumps or anything else unusual are present

• Prostate Specific Antigen Test – a blood test that looks at the enzyme levels produced by the prostate, anything above the normal range of 0 to 4.0 may indicate cancer

3. Know the symptoms – even if you’ve decided against preventative screening, knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer can help you to receive medical help when it’s required. The most common symptom is a more frequent need to urinate accompanied by an inability to empty the bladder completely. Some seniors may also find sexual dysfunction or blood in ejaculate fluid
4. Decide whether it’s important to you to receive a diagnosis, preliminary or otherwise – prostate cancer most often moves very slowly in senior men, and the vast majority die of other causes and not the prostate cancer. It’s important to evaluate whether a diagnosis is important to you, because if you choose not to receive treatment, it might just cause additional emotional stress

Via: How To Do Things

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When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

It’s time to make your retirement dreams come true by jet setting off to far off destinations around the world. But if you’re a senior woman planning to travel by herself, make sure that your safety is the first priority, and implement these 12 ways to have a safe trip:

1. Know the destination’s cultural regulations – many countries have specific regulations for women with regards to clothing and behavior. It may seem like a double standard, but to avoid conflict, try to respect and abide by these guidelines
2. Check for travel warnings – the US State Department Consular Information provides up to date information about safety issues and any other travel warnings about where you intend to travel
3. Make sure travel documentation is up to date – make sure that you have the right visas for where you’re traveling and that your passport is valid. Make sure you get a passport 3-4 months before you travel so you don’t run into any problems
4. Leave information at home – make sure a friend or family member has your full itinerary, including contact information for places you’re staying, as well as a copy of your plane ticket, and even a copy of your passport
5. Leave valuables at home – leave extra credit cards and jewelry and valuables at homes, costume jewelry included as it could be mistaken for the real thing
6. Have health insurance – make sure you have travel insurance that covers potential medical costs while you’re away, including evacuation
7. Take enough medication and make sure it’s labeled – for prescription medications, have enough for the duration of your trip and then some in case of delays. Make sure your medications are in their original prescription bottles with labels as some countries might give you trouble due to trafficking laws
8. Remain aware – be aware of those around you and use common sense if you feel someone is acting suspiciously. Go into a store or contact your hotel if you feel uncomfortable
9. Look confident – look and act like you know where you’re going, keep your head held high, and you won’t look like such an easy target
10. Ask for directions – know where you’re going and how to get there before you leave your hotel. Ask the concierge for directions to avoid unsafe areas and keep your confidence up
11. Choose a safe hotel – a central hotel with security and public transportation like taxis nearby is a safer bet
12. Dress conservatively – dress conservatively wherever you’re going and keep jewelry and makeup minimal so you don’t look like a good target

Via: About.com

Image: www.jupiterimages.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Finding help for an aging parent or loved one can be a challenge, especially when you are concerned about their well-being and find it hard to focus on the practical aspects of eldercare when your emotions are coming into play. However, in order to improve the well-being of your aging Chicago senior, you need to know what services are available and exactly how you can find them. Here are the ways that you can help you parents through the eldercare process:

1. Find out what local eldercare services are available in your area – contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 so you know what’s available near your loved one’s Chicago home and how you can get in touch to arrange services.
2. Know which services your senior qualifies for – NCOA has developed an online questionnaire which allows caregivers and seniors to take a survey that helps them determine which services and benefits that they may qualify for. Visit benefitscheckup.org to learn about eligible benefit programs for prescriptions, utilities and health care.
3. Understand seniors rights and know how to get assistance – whether you are helping a parent or senior loved one prepare a will, dealing with a situation where a senior has been abused or neglected, or simply want a professional to help explain the legal rights of seniors, knowing where and how to get legal assistance is crucial. Many organizations provide pro bono legal representation for seniors. Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging or use the Eldercare Locator to find other resources.

Via: The University of Vermont

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Seniors might develop handicaps when driving as they age as a result of health problems and other physical changes, but there’s one that’s not about to affect them behind the wheel, and that’s driving with a cell phone. According to a survey, boomers and seniors over aged 61 are the least likely to talk on the phone when they’re behind the wheel, and while the statistics may show that with age comes wisdom when it comes to cell phone safety, only 48% of seniors said they wouldn’t talk on the phone and drive. This means that 52% of seniors still need to think about their safety behind the wheel, and here’s how they can:

1. Only use cell phone with hands free options – headsets, speaker phones and other gadgets can allow Chicago seniors to talk in the car without having to risk their safety by driving one handed
2. Don’t dial while driving – trying to dial, text, or send an email while driving using a cell phone can result in serious distraction behind the wheel. Seniors should set up voice dialing if they plan on making calls anyways while driving, or only make calls when the car is stopped
3. Have a friend make the call – when driving with a friend, a senior driver can pass the phone off to someone else to make a phone call or answer a ringing cell phone if it’s urgent
4. Turn off the phone – having a phone on and ringing can make it tempting to answer when it rings in the car. By shutting it off, seniors can stop themselves from making and receiving calls; however, the phone is still present for emergencies

Via: About

mage: pro.corbs.cm

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Q – With H1N1 in the news, I’ve become more conscious about the spread of bacteria and viruses. I am a caregiver for my Chicago mother who seems to regularly contract minor illnesses, and I worry that she is going to end up with something more serious one day. What can I do to help prevent the spread of viruses and illnesses?

1) Wash Your Hands –wash your hands often and ensure that that you know proper techniques to make sure that that bacteria is killed. Use hot water and soap and ensure that they scrub for 30 minutes.
2) There no such thing as washing too much –wash your hands before and after you do just about everything! When you go to the bathroom, before and after meals, anytime you touch objects in a very public place, if you sneeze or cough, and especially when around others who are ill
3) Use hand sanitizer if there’s no sink access – if seniors or caregivers don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will disinfect and help to kill bacteria like MRSA
4) Try not to touch anything in public restrooms – it may sound extreme, but you don’t know if others using the public restroom might have been sick when they touched doorknobs, doors and faucets in the washroom without washing their hands first. Use a paper towel when opening doors and wash your hands before you leave
5) Clean surfaces in your house – frequently clean doorknobs, faucets and other surfaces where you and others in the home frequently use their hands which can also spread bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners or those designed to combat MRSA can be effective!
6) Keep cuts clean – it’s important for cuts to be cleaned and bandaged so that MRSA can’t enter the wound
7) Use caution when treating someone else’s wound – avoid touching bandages or an open wound directly when helping someone else. Wear gloves and wash your hands after
Don’t share personal items – MRSA can be spread by sharing clothes, towels, tweezers, nail clippers, cosmetics and more
9) Don’t overuse antibiotics – using antibiotics for a virus can help increase MRSA’s resistance; always follow doctor’s instructions
10) See a doctor – if wounds aren’t healing well, seek medical attention

Sources:

1. MedLeague

2. How to Do Things

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Summer’s in full swing, and with the season comes hot temperatures which can have detrimental effects upon Chicago seniors who do not take the time and effort to protect themselves from dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Seniors, you can still enjoy the summer sun, but put your health first by knowing the symptoms of health problems that can result from heat, and abide by these 8 tips for coping with the summer heat.

1) Keep hydrated with cool beverages and avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you are a senior who has been told by a Chicago doctor to limit water consumption, check first how much you should drink when it’s the heat of the summer
2) Remain indoors during the high heat of the day. Get out in the early morning or evening when the sun is not as hot
3) Seek cover when outside in the heat either by bringing an umbrella to your outdoor location or finding a big shady tree to sit under
4) Remember your sunscreen and protective clothing. A hat will help protect you from heat stroke, and loose, light clothing which has long sleeves and pants will protect from UV rays.
5) Avoid strenuous activities outside. During the summer months, exercise indoors in air conditioning to ensure there are no detrimental effects to your health as an older adult
6) Pack juicy snacks when outside to keep cool. Fruits, light summer salad, juices, popsicles and even ice cream can all help seniors to keep their body temperatures down during the summer
7) Stay cool by taking tepid showers or baths when needed
Get lots of rest, especially when coming in from the heat

Sources:
1. CDC http://www.prepare.org/seniors/CDCSrsHeatStress.pdf

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

I know firsthand that urinary incontinence can take a toll on your career, especially when you’re in a position of leadership. Before I retired, I began to struggle with incontinence, and found that although no one in my Chicago office was aware of my problem, they did start to look at me differently, and I felt that as my dignity began to travel down the drain, my career was going to go with it. I didn’t let incontinence ruin my life, instead, I implemented some simple tips to help me manage the problem at work which are listed below, and would recommend anyone experiencing the same struggles in older adulthood but prior to retirement to do the same!

1. Get the right pads – menstrual pads are not designed the same as pads for incontinence, get some good quality absorbent pads that can also help to control odor. These will come in handy during a long, important meeting when you can’t escape to the bathroom
2. Practice odor prevention – some incontinence products release a pleasant odor when in contact with fluid, or you can buy sprays to help control the effects of incontinence
3. Use a tampon – for women, tampons also put pressure on the urethra which can also help to control leaks that come with incontinence
4. Watch what you drink – despite the need to remain hydrated, during a long meeting, avoid drinking too much water or coffee, otherwise you’ll have a full bladder and might leak when you stand
5.Consider your wardrobe – choosing darker colored suits for the office will help to mask the presence of fluid
6. Do kegels – to strengthen bladder muscles, regularly contract the muscles you’d use to stop the flow of urine
7. Train your bladder – try to slowly increase the time between bathroom visits until you can go between 3-4 hours between trips
8. Use a pessary – most common to help bladder weakness after pregnancy, a pessary can help to control incontinence
9. Use deep breathing – when you feel the urge to go, practice deep breathing for 5 minutes until the need passes.
10.  Tighten the pelvic muscles – when you’re going to laugh or cough, tighten the pelvic muscles to prevent leakage

Sources:

1. Web MD
2. Wikipedia

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Chicago doctors encourage seniors to maintain a healthy body and prevent the onset of physical diseases and illness which can result in early mortality. However, it’s just as important that seniors exercise their minds in order to encourage brain health, particularly if cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s or dementia run in their family. It used to be a perception that there was nothing you could do to strengthen your mind, but in the past 10 years there has been evidence that demonstrates that it is in fact possible to delay the affects of positive decline by as much as 5 to 10 years through use of mentally stimulating exercises and beta carotene supplements.

So seniors, what are you waiting for, next time you step outside or into the gym to exercise your body, think about what you’re going to do to exercise your mind?

Sources:

1. US News and World Report

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.