July 19, 2021 by
A new study sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association is uncovering some surprising results in Latinos with dementia. While further investigation is needed to completely understand whether these differences are the outcome of social/cultural nuances or perhaps the dementia itself, it’s valuable information for Latino families to learn.
July 12, 2021 by
At Home Independent Living, providing senior care in Memphis, NY and nearby areas, understands that when caring for parents, it is not always an easy task to understand what our role as adult children must be. We would like what is best for them, however if we’re not very careful, it is possible to overstep our boundaries and find ourselves trying to parent our parents. Our own emotions may come out in unintended ways when communicating with aging parents too.
June 22, 2021 by
For decades, experts have been exploring the development of Alzheimer’s through one basic model, even though not all Alzheimer’s diagnoses present with the same symptoms and progression. (more…)
June 14, 2021 by
Think of the many tools you use each day – your phone, hairbrush, toothbrush – simple things, but ones you can’t imagine living without. For millions of older adults, there are basic assistive devices available that could mean the difference between living at home and facing a move to assisted living. Yet nearly half of seniors living at home aren’t utilizing these helpful tools – even though costs are minimal.
A recent National Health and Aging Trends Study assessed the ability of older adults to perform tasks such as rising unassisted from a seated position and walking, and found that thousands of the participants could benefit from assistive devices.
Not only that, but the risk of senior falls from the lack of simple assistive devices is increased, leading to hospitalizations, serious injury, and disability that could easily have been prevented. In fact, once these devices were made available to seniors, according to research, disability rates for seniors dropped by 50%, along with a decrease in pain levels and an increase in the ability to perform activities of daily living independently.
Dr. Kenneth Lam, author of the study, explained, “It’s a technical problem which, unlike so much of aging, is actually solvable. In the hospital, I can order an M.R.I. and charge the system thousands of dollars. But down the road, that won’t help patients not fall. What happens when they get home?”
A program at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is looking to change this by introducing inexpensive assistive tools to seniors. Through several in-home visits by an occupational therapist, nurse, and repair specialist, needs are identified and resolved. That could mean installing grab bars in the bathroom, removing fall hazards, or adding a shower chair or raised toilet seat. Small changes such as these can make an enormous difference in a senior’s ability to safely and independently manage activities of daily living.
With At Home Independent Living, the leading provider of Syracuse elderly care and care in surrounding areas, we’re pleased to offer in-home evaluations to recommend changes to the home environment that enhance safety and help seniors remain independent and in control. We can also help enhance senior’s safety, comfort, and independence through services such as:
Contact us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) to schedule your assessment today or to learn more about our senior care in Syracuse, NY and the surrounding areas.
June 4, 2021 by
When it comes to working together to ensure the needs of your aging parents are met, even the closest of siblings can find themselves in conflict. Emotions and stress levels are, naturally, running high. Add to that your past family dynamics and history, which tend to resurface during challenging times, and it’s easy to see how difficult this stage in life can be for each of you. (more…)
May 24, 2021 by
On a hot summer day, there is nothing more satisfying than a tall, cold drink, but for someone displaying signs of dysphagia, this simple pleasure can be dangerous. Dysphagia – or trouble with swallowing – affects millions of older adults, because of weakened mouth and/or throat muscles. Cancer, Alzheimer’s, MS and stroke are all causes as well.
May 13, 2021 by
One of the first things many people want to know when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia is what the dementia progression stages will look like. We know that the unmistakable sign of dementia is the increasing decline in cognitive abilities as well as the skills needed to take care of everyday life. However, each individual progresses through these changes at a different pace. There are a variety of factors that may affect the rate of decline, such as:
May 6, 2021 by
We have long known that there are particular medications that increase the chance of elderly falls. Two decades ago, slightly more than half of seniors were impacted by that risk; yet today, that number has increased dramatically – to an astounding 94% of seniors who are now at risk of falling because of medication side effects. Not only that but, deaths from such falls are occurring at more than twice the earlier rate.
April 22, 2021 by
What are your first thoughts when you wake up each morning? Are you looking forward to what your day holds, or would you prefer to crawl back under the covers and remain there? If you are experiencing more dread than delight as you think through your caregiving responsibilities for the day, you’re not the only one. In fact, one of the leading caregiving challenges is caregiver dread.
April 14, 2021 by
Even when memory loss and confusion escalate through the advancement of Alzheimer’s, there is a remarkable reprieve that often occurs. Previously termed “terminal lucidity,” it’s more frequently now known as “paradoxical lucidity.” It signifies a sudden, short-term regaining of clarity to a nearly pre-dementia cognitive state. During this time, the effects can vary from nonverbal but emotional connections to noteworthy cognitive recovery.