Melanie Hasley is October’s employee of the month. We’re grateful to have Melanie, she has been a tremendous help to us. Melanie has shown up on time for shifts, filled in when necessary, and helped us out when we needed her. We are very appreciative of her and hope to continue working with her. Keep doing what you do Melanie. Congratulations!
Month: September 2019
What Exercises Are Best When Gout Pain is Present?
Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid levels increase and crystals form in the joints. It’s most common in the big toe, but it can also occur in the ankle and knee. The pain can take up to 10 days to lessen, but it can also return.
When gout is flaring up, exercise can seem impossible. Putting any pressure on the affected joint is excruciating. Your mom or dad shouldn’t give up exercise, but they need to talk to their doctor. The first goal is to reduce the build-up of crystals.
Once that is happening, low-impact exercises are advised. Focus on hip, back, arm, and neck muscles more than the muscles in the legs and feet at first. As the pain decreases in the joints, increase the number of exercises focused on the legs and feet.
These are the best exercises to do at first.
Floor Exercises
Can your parent lay on the floor without struggling to get back up? If so, floor exercises like straight leg lifts, crunches, and some easy Yoga poses help.
Qigong
Qigong is a form of martial art that blends slow, balanced movements with coordinated, deep breathing. The breathing helps with relaxation and the movements help tone muscles and aid with balance. Movements focus on making sure that the breathing is just as important as the motion.
Stretches
From a sitting position, it’s possible to stretch the arms to the ceiling and bend at the waist from one side to the other. Neck rolls and arm circles also make it easy to exercise without straining the joints in the lower legs and feet. The use of hand weights can help tone the arm muscles.
Swimming
Get in a pool and move around in the water. Kicking feet and legs may not be easy yet, but there’s no reason your parent couldn’t get in the pool with a swim ring or pool noodle and swim only using the arms.
Walking
Distance may not be possible, but a walk around a yard or neighborhood is okay. Your parent may need a cane for additional support. You can also look into having a caregiver come from an elderly care agency in order to have someone your parent can lean on while walking.
When gout flares up, elderly care aides help keep your parent’s house clean. They can make meals that don’t have some of the most common gout triggers. They can help support your parent during exercise routines. Call an agency to discuss elderly care services and prices in your area.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN URBANDALE, IA, FOR A SENIOR LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!
Five Tips for When Your Senior Doesn’t Know She Has Alzheimer’s Disease
When your senior has Alzheimer’s disease, that changes life for both of you. It’s even more difficult when she doesn’t realize what she’s experiencing.
Avoid Talking Down to Her
There may be times that your senior acts or behaves in a way that makes you want to talk to her as if she’s a child. But that’s a big mistake. Remember that she’s an adult with a cognitive illness and that she deserves to maintain her dignity as much as possible.
Mind Your Tone
Something else to remember is that your senior may not understand why you’re giving her certain instructions, but she does understand your tone of voice, the volume you’re using, and the body language you’re displaying. The undercurrents are there, even if she doesn’t fully understand why. Keep your tone of voice even and use open and loving body language and facial expressions. She will respond to those.
Choices Will Solve a Lot of Issues
There’s a lot about Alzheimer’s disease that steals control from your senior. That’s frustrating, even if she doesn’t fully understand how or why. One answer that can solve more problems than you might expect is to give her choices. They don’t have to be big choices, either. Simple things like, “Do you want to wear this shirt or this one?” can create a lot more calm for her.
Give up on Being Right
Your senior is in a different reality right now than you are or than she’s experienced in the past. She’s going to do and say some odd things that don’t match up with reality as it exists. If you harp on that, it’s going to frustrate her. So many situations are much easier to just agree with and move on, otherwise you’ll create an argument where one doesn’t need to exist.
You’ll Experience Stress
This is not going to be easy at all. Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease involves a great many situations that create stress. Take care of yourself so that you can take better care of her as well. Working with home care providers allows you to take time away that you very definitely need.
There may never be a time that your senior understands that she is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, but that’s not the important part at this point. How you help her to stay as safe and as healthy as possible is what’s important.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE SERVICES IN NORWALK, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!
Golden Heart’s Employee of the Month!
Tracy Johannes is our September employee of the month. Tracy has taken extra shifts, shown up on time, and has properly documented her work. We want to thank you, Tracy, and let you know that we see and appreciate your hard work. We’re grateful for you. Thank you for being a reliable and dedicated employee. Congratulations!!!