Chicago Non Medical Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Declining health is a serious concern for many seniors. Often times, seniors do not heed warning signs. These signs could indicate a serious medical issue that needs treatment. By noticing the signs and seeking medical help, seniors may be able to prevent many illnesses. The following list contains some common warning signs experienced by seniors.
1. If seniors suddenly lose interest in something they previously enjoyed, there is cause for concern. This includes socializing with friends, involving themselves in hobbies or losing interest in physical activity.
2. When seniors become less active, there may be an underlying problem. It is important to talk to a doctor when seniors begin to be less physically active on a day to day basis.
3. Be aware of how seniors move. If they normally move at a normal pace and suddenly begin to slow down, there may be a medical reason. Seniors should try to remain as active as possible. If they suddenly walk differently, make sure to talk to a doctor.
4. Seniors who begin to lose weight rapidly and have changes in appetite or eating habits could have a medical problem. These changes are unhealthy and should always be taken seriously. Be sure to report any changes in weight or eating habits to a doctor.
5. Many seniors do not walk as well as younger adults. However, if seniors begin to wobble when they walk, this is a warning sign. Seniors who lose their balance could have a medical problem that needs treatment.
Our Chicago Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Food allergies affect millions of seniors. These allergies usually cause severe reactions. This is why it is important for seniors and their family members to be aware of the type of food allergy that affects the senior. Preparing meals that do not contain the allergen is essential. Below is a list that provides seniors with facts and tips about different food allergies.
1. Food allergies are the most common types of allergies. These could include an allergy to fish and shellfish, eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat. If a senior has an allergy to one of these foods, they need to know how to manage that allergy and how to deal with the possible reaction if they are exposed to it.
2. There are more than 160 foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. However, 90% of all food allergies are to the foods listed above.
3. Wheat, soy and milk allergies are the most difficult to deal with. This is because these ingredients are in almost everything we eat. Those with wheat allergies need to be on a gluten-free diet. Potato bread is a great substitute for other breads that contain wheat. Soy is in most processed foods, so this allergy is especially hard to manage.
4. No matter what the food allergy is, seniors should make sure that everyone is aware of the allergy. This is important when others are preparing food.
Home Care Chicago enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Many seniors suffer from diabetes and should be aware of the specific type of diabetes they have. Each type differs. Type 1 diabetes is very common. This autoimmune disease affects the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Research has suggested that a virus can often be the cause of the development of this type of diabetes. With Type 1, the pancreas no longer produces insulin, resulting in the patient’s need to inject insulin into their body. Below is a list of facts about Type 1 diabetes.
1. Those with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. Without insulin, the patient will not survive. It is important to find out exactly how much insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels.
2. The onset of Type 1 happens rapidly. The warning signs of the development of type 1 diabetes include increased blood sugar levels, increased urination and thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and fatigue. If any of these symptoms are noticed, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
3. It is important to test blood sugar levels regularly. These levels allow patients to monitor their diabetes and can tell them how much insulin they need to control the levels. It is best to test before meals, a few hours after meals and before bedtime.
4. A regular diet is important, but so is the time meals are eaten. Many diabetics have to eat at the same time every day to keep their blood sugar levels under control.
5. A healthy life style will help the battle with Type 1 diabetes. Work with doctors to find a regime that works best and stick to it. Once your diabetes is under control, you will lead a normal life.
Chicago Home Care helps seniors remain active and healthy in their own homes.
Older adults can face the onset of many illnesses and ailments and hypoglycemia is just another one that can be added to the list. While it’s often linked to diabetes as a potential complication, it can also appear independently. It’s hard for seniors and caregivers to recognize since its symptoms can be shared with other issues, which is why it’s essential that they become familiar with the condition and how it can be managed.
• What signifies low blood sugar – there is a range for normal blood sugar which is measured by milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood). A normal range is between 60 and 120 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia is usually below 45 mg/dl
• What causes blood sugar issues – low blood sugar like hypoglycemia is caused when hormones like insulin and glucagon fail to regulate properly
• Recognizing hypoglycemia – symptoms can be hard to recognize because they can be associated to lifestyle conditions and other health problems like anxiety and stress
• Link to diabetes – hypoglycemia is a complication of diabetes because medications are designed to lower blood pressure. The problem is that sometimes blood pressure can dip too low when too much insulin has been taken, they exercise too much, don’t eat enough or drink too much alcohol. Any combination of these behaviors can cause hypoglycemia
• Managing hypoglycemia with diabetes – a health care provider can find seniors with the best guidelines with regards to their target blood sugar levels. Testing levels or becoming cognoscente of signs that blood sugar is dropping are simple ways to keep it under control
Families of seniors are often nervous about their loved ones getting behind the wheel. But according to research today’s seniors are more confident in their vehicles than ever before and accident rates are down.
• As baby boomers age, there are more older drivers on the road
• Older drivers today seem to keep their licenses longer and are more comfortable traveling longer distances
• The number of fatal crashes involving older adults have declined, which has been a focus since seniors with health conditions, and that are physically more fragile can mean an accident has much more severe effects
• Older adults rarely pose a risk to other drivers on the road; when crashes do occur, often the only risk they pose is to themselves
• Today’s older adults are better recognizing their impairments, such as limited mobility and how that might impact their ability to drive. They adjust their driving habits accordingly
Many seniors deal with chronic pain on a day-to-day basis, and this can really impact their lives on their own. But in addition to the physical pain, exhaustion and necessary lifestyle changes; seniors are also at a greater risk for accidents. According to a study, those with chronic pain have up to a 50% greater risk of falling, creating even greater physical challenges. Unfortunately, chronic pain often goes unrecognized and is under treated in seniors, so here are some tips for seniors and their caregivers to implement to cope:
1. Keep a pain journal – using a calendar or day planner to rate the level of pain felt each day creates a document of the consistency and frequency of the pain and can help identify other factors that might contribute to it. Seniors can rate their pain on a scale from 1 to 10 in their journal
2. Be persistent – doctors don’t always take a senior’s complaint of pain seriously. Some may feel that the older adult is simply complaining, others may not think it’s as serious because some seniors downplay their experiences. Seniors suffering from chronic pain need to be honest, and persistent to make their doctor understand
3. Understand triggers – if specific activities make the pain worse or physical temperatures outdoors, seniors should record this and adjust their activities to reduce the instances
4. Get on with life – chronic pain can cause seniors to withdraw and avoid all activity. They should continue with activities that they enjoy and maintain a physical routine
When visiting a senior relative this month over the holidays, be on the lookout for warning signs that their lifestyle may have become too much for them. Senior care experts recommend that families make note of the following things:
1. Learn about what your senior wants for the future – the holidays aren’t a time to bring up stressful conversations, but you can casually ask them about their desires for their future. If you learn they’re hoping to move closer to their grandchildren or to a warmer climate, that can help you understand for planning
2. Take a look at how they’re doing physically and mentally – simply being in a senior’s presence over the holidays will help you to evaluate their physical and mental health that could dictate their future senior care needs
3. Include the whole family – particularly if the senior you are assessing is a parent and you have siblings, everyone needs to be included in the discussions, at least until a family caregiver is decided to provide family care. Open the dialogue with your family members about the future of your loved one’s care
As we age, we are more prone to certain diseases and health issues. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of them. While this is a term that is commonly heard, many people do not understand the serious complications that could arise as a result of hypertension. Elderly patients are affected by the disease much more than young or middle-aged patients. This is why a healthy lifestyle is important as you get older. Hypertension can cause many other health problems, including stroke, congestive heart failure and heart attack. Below are some ways to lower the risk of developing the disease.
• Diets that contain high amounts of salt. Studies have indicated that the reduction of daily salt intake will lower the blood pressure. Low sodium diets are highly recommended for most elderly patients.
• High levels of alcohol intake. If you, or an elderly family member, consume high amounts of alcohol on a daily basis, the risk of the development of hypertension is increased.
• Past family history of high blood pressure will increase risk. It is important to be aware of any family member who has been diagnosed with hypertension. The disease does run in families and can be transferred genetically, even if the patient does not live a lifestyle that includes any other risks.
• Obesity. It has been proven that hypertension affects obese individuals more often than those who maintain a normal weight.
• Individuals with an African American heritage will be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
While the virus itself is spreading amongst the population, so are many rumors and myths about the illness itself. In order to ensure that they make the best decisions for their health, seniors need to understand what information they’re hearing about the virus is based on fact and what’s based on fiction – so here are some common rumors that we’re going to clear up:
1. The swine flu shot isn’t for everyone – unfortunately, there is not enough of the H1N1 vaccine to make sure the complete population is protected, although the CDC does recommend it. Those who are in higher risks groups should receive the vaccine as soon as it’s available, including women who are pregnant, those who are around or care for babies under 6 months of age, everyone age 6 months through age 24, and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions between the ages of 25 and 64
2. The seasonal flu shot offers protection against the Swine Flu – the H1N1 virus varies from the season flu, and therefore those in the high risk groups should receive BOTH shots to ensure protection and cannot expect that one shot offers protection for both. However, do note that the risk groups for the seasonal flu shot vary from the H1N1 Virus
3. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine makes people more susceptible to H1N1 – studies have both proven and disproven this myth, so at this stage there is no firm answer
4. Seniors are most at risk for H1N1 – seniors are actually in the lower risk group for H1N1 and in the higher risk group for the seasonal flu. Seniors over the age of 65 are less likely to contract H1N1 but should speak to their doctors to determine if they should receive the shot due to existing medical conditions
Most people associate breast cancer with women, however, it does actually occur in men with 1% of cases occurring in male patients. For men, it means fighting the disease as well as the stigma that what they’re facing is usually reserved for females. Breast cancer in men shows the same symptoms as with women, and has the following risk factors:
1. Age – senior men aged 60 to 70 are most often diagnosed with breast cancer
2. Family history – 20% of men with breast cancer have a history of breast cancer in their family, either in other male relatives or women
3. Liver disease – men who have liver disease often have lower levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogen that can increase the chance of breast cancer
4. Estrogen treatmen – estrogen treatment can feed breast cancer, and therefore puts men at a higher risk
5. BRCA2 gene mutations – it’s a gene that can pass from generation to generation that increases the likelihood of breast cancer. In women it’s the BRCA1 gene that carries breast cancer
6. Klinefelter’s syndrome – men with this syndrome have two C chromosomes in addition to one Y chromosome (men should have one X; the female gene and one Y)
Breast cancer in men should be recognized earlier and medical advice taken as often it is only diagnosed in the later stages which makes prognosis less favourable.
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