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Author: Craig Bass

Four Tips You Can Use When Challenging Dementia Behaviors Appear

Posted on by Craig Bass

So often the behaviors that a senior with dementia exhibits are both confusing and frustrating. Your elderly family member isn’t trying to frustrate you, but you need to find ways to deal with those behaviors appropriately.

You’re Not Going to Be Able to Control the Behaviors

The first thing to understand is that your senior isn’t able to control these behaviors and you’re not going to be able to control them, either. The best way to get any sort of “control” over what’s happening is to really examine what’s causing these behaviors for your senior and deal with those triggers and instigating events in the best ways possible.

Find the Triggering Events

Accommodating your senior’s needs is going to result in fewer challenging behaviors with dementia. Your aging family member is almost always dealing with an unmet need. That might be that she’s hungry or that she’s tired or that she needs something else. Regardless, there’s a triggering situation that you can help her to resolve, if you can figure out what’s causing the situation. Run through a list of basic needs first and then assess what’s going on when these behaviors appear.

Remember to Hang Onto Compassion

The best tool to have in your kit when you’re dealing with challenging behaviors is your own compassion. This is not easy for you, of course, but it’s also difficult for your elderly family member. There’s no way that she would rather ask repetitive questions or wander away from her home if she had another way to resolve what’s happening for her. Try to keep that in mind while you cope.

Talk to Your Senior’s Doctor and Educate Yourself

Your senior’s doctor can be a huge source of help with these types of behaviors. There are quite a few triggers that seem to result in similar challenging behaviors in a great many people with dementia. Learning as much as you can about challenging behaviors can really help. Something else to consider is that bringing in elderly care providers is also helpful. They have a lot of experience helping family members with dementia and their caregivers, so they can help you, too.

Remember that dementia changes your senior’s ability to think and to understand what’s happening around her on a daily basis. She’s not in the same reality you’re in, so your interactions with each other can feel strange on both sides of that equation.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN INDIANOLA, 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!

Golden Heart’s Employee of the Month!

Posted on by Craig Bass

Lee Welch is our employee of the month. Lee is reliable and has a good work ethic. He has been a great help to us here at Golden Heart. We want to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Please know we recognize you and you are appreciated. Congratulations!!!

Why Might Your Senior Be Bored?

Posted on by Craig Bass

All too many older adults finally have the time that they wanted in the past to do just about anything, but a variety of issues conspire to make them bored instead. It’s not something that you want for your senior, but to correct anything for her you need to get a handle on why she’s feeling bored.

Life Now Is Likely a Lot Different

In the past your senior’s life might have looked a lot different than it does now. She might have had a career that kept her busy or a home life that was packed full. Now she may only have herself to worry about and that doesn’t seem nearly as exciting as all of the stuff she used to do. Changes in her health can mean changes everywhere, too.

She Might Feel Stuck

Your senior might feel stuck where she is, emotionally and mentally speaking. She may feel as if there’s nothing more for her to do or that there’s nothing more she can do. If she’s always been too busy in the past for hobbies, it might not occur to her to find a new one that she enjoys now. Transportation problems can be another contributing factor, leading your senior to think that if she can’t go anywhere, she can’t do anything.

What She’s Able to Do Changes

Much of life is an ebb and flow and that’s still the case when your senior is older. What she might have been able to do to entertain herself last year might not be so enjoyable this year, for a variety of reasons. In the past, maybe she loved to read, but her eyesight has changed, for instance. Listening to audiobooks might be an option, but that’s a different activity and might not be something she enjoys as much as reading the words herself.

Loneliness and Boredom Go Hand in Hand

Who comes and goes in your senior’s life also matters, especially when you’re talking about boredom. When someone is lonely, that can lead to a general malaise. Being alone too often can tamp down your senior’s zest for life, leaving her unexcited about most anything that used to bring her joy. It’s important to keep tabs on how much socializing your senior is doing, if only because it can be a barometer for other mental health concerns.

Your elderly family member might not recognize that she’s bored or lonely or missing activities she used to do. She may chalk it up to just not feeling right. Bringing in home care providers can help because they can shake up her normal routine while also assisting her with daily tasks.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN ANKENY, 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!

Everything You Need to Know About Strokes in the Elderly

Posted on by Craig Bass

Stroke is one of the main causes of elderly adult deaths. It is also one of the most common reasons why people in the United States get disability. It is important to know that strokes can be prevented. Raising awareness and increasing education on strokes in the elderly can save lives. If you are caring for a senior citizen and want to best protect their health, you should know more about strokes.

Learn the Basics of Strokes

If you have a loved one that you are taking care of and want to keep them healthy, you should learn the basics of strokes. Strokes or brain attacks happen when the blood flow that goes to one’s brain stops because it is clotted or blocked. The cells in the brain start dying off from the loss of oxygen from the sudden bleeding. Those who don’t die immediately can be saved if they get the proper treatment in time. There are ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

Stroke Prevention Information

It is important to note that strokes can be prevented in many instances. Working with your loved one to reduce their risk of having a stroke is one of the best things you can do for them. It is also important to know that there are risk factors for strokes including ethnicity, race, gender, and age. Of course, there is nothing that can be done about these. There are also some medication conditions that can increase the risk of strokes. Things such as circulation issues, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other things can lead to an increased risk for strokes. In many cases, lifestyle changes can help to prevent a stroke. Exercise and eating healthy are 2 of the things that can be done to reduce the risk of strokes.

Warning Signs of Strokes

In addition to preventing a stroke, it is important to know the warning signs, as well. The results of the stroke can change from second to second. The quicker you can respond to the stroke and get the senior citizen help, the better. F.A.S.T. is what you should be looking for. Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 9-1-1. If you notice the symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. Some other symptoms include sudden trouble with seeing, sudden confusion, sudden severe headache that doesn’t have another cause, and more.

These are the most important things to know about strokes in the elderly. If you are taking care of an elderly citizen and you want to protect them, make sure you remember this information about strokes. If they have an elder care worker, be sure they are aware of this information, too.

Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/healthy_living.htm

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN ALTOONA, 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!

Golden Heart’s Employee of the Month!

Posted on by Craig Bass

Our employee of the month this November is Mark Miracle. Mark is a hard-working dedicated employee. We appreciate how much he cares for his clients, and how much he helps them, and we know our clients appreciate it too. We are very grateful to have Mark with us and we value what he does for us. Congratulations Mark!!!

Illahee Hills Chili Cook-off!

Posted on by Craig Bass

Illahee Hills independent retirement home invited us to participate in their chili cook-off on October 18th! Many residents came and participated in the event. There were eight different chili recipes to try, ours being one of them. We truly enjoyed the time we got to spend with the residents at Illahee Hills and look forward to the many events coming up with all the holidays coming around!

 

Four Clues that Your Senior’s Vision Is Changing

Posted on by Craig Bass

Vision changes aren’t always something your senior realizes are happening immediately. Vision can change slowly over time until it gets to be a serious issue for your senior and her safety. But how can you tell that your elderly family member might have trouble seeing well?

You’re Noticing She’s a Little More Clumsy

When your senior’s vision is not working as well as it used to, walking around and avoiding obstacles becomes a little more difficult. You might notice it at first as your senior suddenly seeming to be more clumsy than usual. Or you might see that she’s relying on handrails more often, especially in unfamiliar places. If she’s reaching for objects and missing them more often than not, that can be related to vision problems as well.

Food and Drinks Are Posing Some New Problems

If your elderly family member isn’t able to see well, that can be giving her problems with eating and drinking, too. First off, she might not be able to see her foods very well. That might not seem important at first, but if the visual appeal of food has always been important to her, she might not be eating as much or as often as she used to eat. The second big indication of vision problems can be that your senior might be spilling more food than usual.

Her Hobbies Have Changed

Many of the hobbies and activities that your senior finds entertaining might involve her vision. As her vision starts to worsen, she may very well stop engaging in those activities that she loves. She might start switching out reading for listening to audiobooks, for instance. If she isn’t doing the things that she loves and she hasn’t replaced them with a substitute activity, she might be at risk of developing depression without fully realizing the cause.

You’re Noticing Small Changes

There are so many little changes that can pop up because of vision difficulties that they might be difficult to spot. Your senior might have burned out bulbs that she doesn’t change, for instance. That can happen when she doesn’t realize how dim the room is without those lights. Or there might be other changes, like worsening handwriting or a much more creative wardrobe than usual.

Your senior’s vision affects much more of her life than either of you might realize. It helps to have someone else who can spot some of these subtle signs. Senior care providers, for instance, can help you to see some of these indications so you can talk with your elderly family member’s eye doctor about what’s going on.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN NORWALK, 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!

Benefits of Turning to In-Home Care for Help

Posted on by Craig Bass

As a family caregiver, you must consider the benefits of turning to in-home care for help. While at first, it may seem you can take everything on by yourself, in time that will change. You will start becoming stressed, burned out, and may even begin resenting the person you are taking care of. This wouldn’t be a good thing at all. By turning to in-home care for help, caregivers can get the break they need, along with many other benefits.

Familiar Surroundings

The person who you are taking care of will be able to stay in familiar surroundings. They won’t have to move out of their home or your home and explore new places. They can proceed throughout each day in the comfort of their own home. Caregivers will also be able to visit in the same familiar surroundings, as well.

More Privacy

If you are taking care of someone and you hire in-home care, there will be more privacy for that person, as well. When someone moves into an assisted living or nursing home facility, they may have their own room, but privacy isn’t that great. When staying at home and getting the care they need there, they get the privacy they need, too.

Independence

If you want your loved one to stay as independent as they can, for as long as they can, then you will want to hire in-home care. The home care providers will be there to help them out with things, as needed. However, your loved one can still feel and act independently.

Comfort

Comfort is another big benefit for everyone when it comes to hiring in-home care providers. Both your loved one and your entire family will probably feel more comfortable than if they were to move into a nursing home. They can sleep in their own bed, have their family visit more often, and enjoy the familiar surroundings. It often takes a while for people to feel comfortable after moving, especially senior citizens. Staying at home while getting the care they need is beneficial for their comfort.

Family Company

As previously noted, it is easier for the family to come and visit when the loved one stays in their own home. Many seniors and disabled people enjoy having the company of their family and it helps to prevent depression.

There are many benefits of turning to in-home care for help. The benefits extend both to the person who is receiving the care and to the family members or caregivers of that person, as well. If you know someone that needs in-home care, don’t hesitate to make the decision to hire someone right away. The benefits are outstanding and the individual who needs the assistance would probably greatly appreciate the extra assistance.

Source
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN WEST DES MOINES, 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!

Golden Heart’s Employee of the Month!

Posted on by Craig Bass

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!

What Exercises Are Best When Gout Pain is Present?

Posted on by Craig Bass

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!