Osteoporosis The Silent Killer By peter mangiola Rn msn

Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive disease that causes bones to become thin and brittle, making them more likely to break. Ironically, bones naturally become thinner as you age, and as old bone dissolves and is absorbed into the body faster than new bone is made. As this happens, the bones lose minerals (such as calcium), heaviness (mass) and structure, which makes them weaker. Osteoporosis speeds up the process making it more severe. More than 28 million people in the U.S. are at risk of developing osteoporosis and up to 1.5 million fractures/year are attributable to osteoporosis. While there is no cure, the good news is this disease is largely preventable.
Here are four key steps:
1. Get your daily-recommended amounts of calcium and Vitamin D.
2. Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise.
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
4. Talk to your doctor about bone health.
The most important item is to talk with your doctor to see if a bone density test is needed and whether calcium supplements should be taken along with a regular multivitamin. Also, the advice parents always give their children is appropriate for seniors as well: Drink Your Milk! Senior Helpers is in no way dispensing medical advice.  The tips provided here are general knowledge sourced from WebMD.  Senior Helpers is not attempting to diagnose, cure, or prevent osteoporosis with this post.  

Enhancing The Life Of Seniors By Peter Mangiola RN Msn

The Flowers & Seniors Study:

A study conducted in 2000 by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, has shown that flowers have a positive effect on the life satisfaction and happiness in women, and the results of this study have established that flowers can actually moderate mood naturally. Upon receiving flowers, participants demonstrated exceptional gladness and gratification, with the same reaction occurring in all the age groups included in the study. In 2001, Rutgers followed up on the 2000 study by conducting the Flowers & Seniors Study, which analyzed the effects of flowers on seniors. The results of the six-month study on more than 100 participants showed that flowers had a notably profound effect on the elderly. More specific results showed that after receiving flowers:

• 40 percent of seniors, whose social circle normally included close friends and family, expanded their circle and increased social contact;
• 72 percent of seniors did very well on memory tests as compared to senior participants who did not get any flowers; and
• 81 percent of senior participants reported that their depression was reduced.

The study was conducted by internationally renowned authority, Jeanette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., in cooperation with the Society of American Florists, which contributed its expertise on flowers to the project.  Dr. Haviland-Jones is a professor of psychology and Project Director of the Human Development Lab at Rutgers. The Flowers & Seniors Study was comprised of 104 participants, aged 55 to 93, with10 males and 94 females, coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The participants were divided into four groups - Early group, Late group, All Flowers group, No Flowers group - with members of each group placed randomly. Each group was given flowers at different time intervals during the course of the study.  In order to mask the real purpose of the exercise, the flowers were given to the subjects as an expression of gratitude for participating in the study. Evaluation that followed analyzed the seniors' memory conditions, degrees of depression, and levels of social interaction in relation to how often the group participants received flowers, and when they received these. The participants were made to undergo three interviews - one initial baseline interview to gather information on demography, the participants' health conditions, levels of social support and life satisfaction, and two interviews that evaluated any change in moods and behavior. The Early group received flowers after the first interview, the Late group received flowers only before the last interview, the All Flowers group received flowers before the second and third interviews, and the No Flowers group did not receive any flowers during the course of the study, and received flowers only after the study's completion. The results showed the following:

• Seniors demonstrated improved moods and a substantial increase in the level of happiness when they received flowers, supporting the finding that flowers decreased depression.
• Participants experienced improved recent memory when they received flowers, and they performed better on memory exercises, as compared to participants who did not receive any flowers.
• Participants who received flowers re-connected with their communities, expanded their social circles, and socialized with more neighbors, with their religious community, and even with the medical staff.

The results of the study established that flowers can ease the symptoms of depression and help reinvigorate the memory as people age. The results further showed that flowers motivated seniors to expand their social spheres and increase interaction with the community. Everyday more and more seniors are confronted with the challenges that aging brings. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that during the period 2010 to 2030, the number of older people will substantially increase. The total number of seniors is projected to be at 75 million by the year 2030.  This is twice the older population in the year 2000, and nearly 20 percent of the projected total population of the U.S. in 2030. As the aging population increases, we must continue to find ways to ease the difficulties that the elder members of society face. Aging is inevitable; and so are the hurdles which seniors imminently have to deal with.
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Hiring Senior Care Services for Your Senior Parent (Part I) By Peter Mangiola Rn Msn

Hiring Senior Care Services for Your Senior Parent (Part I)

If you’re senior loved one is growing old, perhaps you’re wondering whether or not he needs

some types of senior care services. How do you know if he needs to be relocated to a nursing

home, if he requires in home senior care services, or if you’re capable of providing senior care

yourself? Today, more than ever, seniors have more options when it comes to senior care

services. While everyone does not need 24-hour care, it could be difficult to determine the best

option at times. In addition, many seniors will not acknowledge that they need help, so often it’s

up to their family members to figure out the best option for them.

Independent living communities may be the right place for your senior loved one if he wants to

maintain their independence and doesn’t have any life-threatening health concerns. Aside from

being able to live in their own apartments, your loved one will have a chance of living with other

seniors. Seniors who are healthy and want to get involved in some senior activities and need

some company will receive plenty of benefits from this arrangement. Being in a social

community will not make them feel like you’re placing them in a nursing facility.

Nursing facilities are recommended for elderly seniors who need round-the-clock care. Often,

they are those suffering from devastating illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Roundthe-

clock there will be nurses to help your loved one with his daily duties. Although this is the

most expensive option, nursing homes are often the best arrangement if you have critically ill

parents. While you want to provide care for your ailing parents, it might not be possible for you

to care for them because you lack both time and training.

In home senior care services are good for your parents if they don’t have serious health problems

and they want to keep their independence for as long as they can. This is recommended for

seniors who are having trouble performing their daily tasks. If you notice that they forget such

simple things as doing the laundry, keeping the house clean, taking their medication, and

cooking their own meals, then you know it’s time for them to hire in home senior care services.

In home care providers can offer them help not only in performing activities of daily living or

ADLs, but also in personal care such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and eating.

Home Health Care Agencies

Home Health Care Agencies

If your senior loved one has medical or non-medical needs that make living independently too difficult for him, then you know you need to seek help from health care agencies. While you might think that you can solely provide care to your loved one, you’ll also realize that in the long run it could drain you. For some, their only option is to put their seniors in a nursing home or a residential facility. However, research shows that most seniors wish to stay at home as long as possible and granting their wish can help improve the quality of their life. Good thing there are home health care agencies that know you and your senior loved one’s needs.

In general, these agencies offer at least two main types of home health and home care services, and these are custodial or skilled care and supportive or unskilled care. 

Supportive services

Non-medical home care agencies provide this type of services. They provide help with personal care, which includes bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, shopping, and housekeeping. Upon the request of the client or his family member, the agency may also provide assistance with ambulation and exercises, self-administered medications, and transportation to medical appointments.

Skilled services

This type of service is offered by medical home health agencies and it includes nursing care, speech, respiratory, physical, and occupational therapies, social services, and hospice care. A qualified home health aide provides personal care by following a particular care plan under the supervision of a health care professional such as a therapist or a nurse. Such services are provided for a limited time and on an irregular basis, under a treatment plan based on a physician’s order. Some of the purposes for providing these services are to quicken hospital discharges, avoid uncalled-for hospitalizations, and to make it possible for a senior to remain in his own home even during critical illnesses or while recovering.

Comparing the Costs Effective Senior Care Options (Part II)

Comparing the Costs Effective Senior Care Options (Part II)

April 13, 2011 — Senior Helper

Click here for Part 1
Choose In Home Senior Care for your Parents
The third and best elder care option for your aging parent is in home care. There are several reasons why this is the case:
1) The Financing Costs are Lower Than Other Options
While senior in home care is not cheap, it’s still a lower cost option than the alternatives. One of the biggest reasons is it allows the aging loved one to stay in their present home. Right away that saves on a myriad of expenses (both time and money) for moving to your home or a nursing facility. It also saves you the trouble of putting the house up for sale when the market is bad. Furthermore, the cost of in home elder care is far less than a nursing home. Finally, because your parents will still be in their house, you can use it to finance the in home care using a method like a reverse mortgage.
2) Plans are Flexible and Tailored to the Individual
If you ship your parents off to some large and impersonal hospital or nursing home, your parents will never get the individual attention they need. Nothing against nursing homes, they do the best with what they have, but they are simply not structured in a way that they can cater to the individual. With an in home senior care agency, you’ll have a plan customized to fit the needs of your parents, which will insure that they are receiving the proper care to address their specific health concerns.
3) Provides Much Needed Companionship
Quality of life is a big issue among older people. When the elderly feel lonely, their quality of life suffers. A great advantage of in home care is that a qualified nurse will not only care for your aging parents, they will also be their friend. The nurse can check in with them as often as you like and make sure everything is okay, as well as visit with them for a while. With this kind of individual attention, your parents are sure to enjoy a much greater quality of life in their retirement years.
For More information or assistance with your Elder Care needs please visit Senior Helpers Elder Care NJ

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1. Senior Homes says:

   April 14, 2011 at 2:21 am

   Our parents are sure to enjoy a much greater quality of life in their retirement years.
   

   Reply

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« 5 New Alzheimer’s Genes May Open the Door to Diagnosing and Treating the Disease

Elder Care: 3 Signs Senior Care May Be Needed

Comparing the Costs Effective Senior Care Options (Part I)

Comparing the Costs Effective Senior Care Options (Part I)

April 5, 2011 — Senior Helper

When you’re facing the difficult decision of what kind of elder care option is best for your aging loved one, finances will always be an important consideration. There are basically 3 different senior care options for your loved one, so let’s look at the costs associated with each:
Move the Parents into Your Home
There are many unseen costs associated with this option. One of them is the moving expenses. If you decide to move your parents out of their home, you will not only need to get rid of a whole bunch of furniture and personal items, you will also most likely want to put the house up for sale. This entire process could put a lot of stress on your loved ones, but it will also cost a lot of time and money. What’s worse, the housing market in most parts of the country is at or near record lows for the past decade. This means you’re unlikely to get nearly as much for the home as you could if you wait to sell until the market goes higher.
Another cost to moving the parents in with you is time. If you choose this option, you become their primary caregiver. If you are already working and/or have kids to take care of, this could put a big strain on your already busy schedule. In fact, it may force you or your spouse to either cut back to part-time or give up their job entirely.
Put Your Parents into a Nursing Home
We’ve all heard the horror stories of elderly going off to the nursing home, where they are basically shut off from the outside world. They feel trapped-like they’re in a prison-and lonely. The stress of the situation tends to create more health problems. Even aside from the “human” cost, this is a very expensive option financially as well. We’ve already talked about the moving costs, but now that they’re in the nursing home, the expenses can quickly eat up their remaining assets. All in all, there is very little upside to the nursing home option.

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Senior Care Options for Alzheimer’s Disease

Senior Care Options for Alzheimer’s Disease

If you have an aging loved one that is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, then you will need to come up with an elder care treatment plan very quickly.
If you suspect that Alzheimer’s may be setting in, the first thing you want to do is confirm this condition with a medical professional. Before taking that step, here are some signs to look for that may indicate your aging family member has Alzheimer’s disease:

• Frequent memory loss disrupting daily activities
• Inability to handle what used to be simple problems and challenges
• Being confused about what time it is or where they are
• Difficulties forming words when writing or talking
• Losing things and not being able to remember where they put them
• Lack of good judgment
• Mood and personality changes
• Withdrawing from social activities or work

If your aging loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk with a doctor right away to make a diagnosis. If the doctor confirms that your family member has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it is time to develop a senior care plan.
When a family first discovers an aging parent or loved one that has Alzheimer’s, it is understandable to react with shock and sadness. Life with this person will never be the same again. You will need to deal with some new realities-like the fact that there will be times when your loved one will not remember certain things about the past, or even who you are.
Although there is no way to restore life to what it once was, there are ways to deal with this situation that will make things as normal as possible under the circumstances. When it comes time that your valued family member can no longer look after their own affairs because of Alzheimer’s, you will need someone else to look after them and make sure they are well cared for.
Your options are either to do it yourself, send them to a nursing home, or use an in home elder care service. Looking after your family member yourself may be quite difficult. If you are working and raising a family of your own, you may just not have the time. You also may not have a medical or nursing background, which will also make things harder. Sending them to a nursing home is very expensive and will likely result in a much lower quality of life for your aging parent.
In most cases, the best senior care option for an Alzheimer’s patient is in home care provided by a caring medical professional that has the experience and skills to look after your loved one, make sure they are taking their prescribed daily medications, and monitor their activities. Some of these in home senior care providers even have customized programs for Alzheimer’s patients designed to stimulate their memories and minimize the negative effects of the disease.
With an experienced in home care professional looking after your aging loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, you will be able to breathe easier knowing you are giving your valued family member the best care possible. And although things will never be exactly like they were before, at least you know that you are doing everything possible to restore their fading memory and give them a better quality of life.
For more information please visit Alzeheimer’s and Dementia Care

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