March 16, 2016 by
The brain is an incredible, complex machine. While quite small, weighing in at only 3 pounds, it can produce enough energy to power a light bulb and to process information at a speed of up to 268 miles per hour. This amazing structure is also quite delicate. Despite being fairly well protected, one strong bump to the head can result in irreparable damage to the brain.
March 8, 2016 by
With rates of Alzheimer’s disease reaching such epic numbers across the country, many of us feel overly concerned when we witness periods of forgetfulness, confusion, or disorientation in a senior loved one. And while a physician should investigate these symptoms, they may not mean what you think they mean. Certain symptoms that we traditionally associate with Alzheimer’s and dementia could be indicative of a variety of other conditions, many of which are easily treated, such as:
January 13, 2016 by
As many as 20 to 40 percent of seniors report feelings of loneliness, and while loneliness is certainly no fun, recent statistics show an even more disturbing trend for lonely seniors. According to research from the University of Chicago, seniors who suffer from loneliness and isolation are twice as unhealthy as those who are obese, and have a 14 percent greater risk of dying earlier than those who are more socially engaged.
January 7, 2016 by
Technology is constantly changing our everyday lives. We have robots that can vacuum our floors for us, all the information we need fits in tiny cell phones, and our cars may soon be driving themselves! Technology is even changing how we provide care for seniors. Today we have devices that can remind an older adult when to take medication, alert caregivers if a senior gets up in the middle of the night, and even track the GPS location of an older person who tends to wander. And the landscape of senior care technology is continuing to change. Consider, for instance, these examples of how life for older adults may soon be impacted by more technology:
January 5, 2016 by
Seniors have a lot on their plates, medication-wise. According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, “On average, individuals 65 to 69 years old take nearly 14 prescriptions per year; individuals aged 80 to 84 take an average of 18 prescriptions per year.” While these numbers seem staggering, with nearly 92% of older adults having at least one chronic condition and 77% having at least two, the amount of medications that seniors take per year tends to make sense.
November 24, 2015 by
Dehydration occurs when a person loses more water than he or she takes in. Sounds simple, but it’s a very serious problem, and dehydration in older adults can be particularly dangerous. Because the mechanisms that regulate thirst, sweat, and heat change as we age, the way we regulate our fluid intake needs to change as well. “It’s a very complicated pattern. Regulation of salt and water gets to be a bit abnormal as we grow older and we don’t perceive thirst as well,” says Dr. David R. Thomas of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine. (more…)
November 16, 2015 by
One of the hardest parts of Alzheimer’s disease is that, as the disease progresses, communication and connection become more and more difficult. In fact, relating to someone with Alzheimer’s can be daunting, even for medical professionals. As Marcia Childress, University of Virginia School of Medicine’s associate professor of medical education explains, “It’s frightening to take care of someone you don’t understand.” (more…)
November 4, 2015 by
Taking the kids to soccer practice, holding down a full-time job, trying to keep up with friends, all on top of caring for an aging loved one – a family caregiver’s job is never done. Caring for a loved one, along with all your other responsibilities, can be stressful, and if we could choose one perfect gift to bestow upon family caregivers, it would be a blanket of peace to relieve the stress and replace it with a sense of calm purpose. So, in honor of National Family Caregivers Month, settle in with a warm cup of tea and enjoy these peace-inducing tips! (more…)
September 29, 2015 by
It’s perfectly normal for those impacted by Alzheimer’s to experience feelings of frustration when formerly simple tasks suddenly seem insurmountable. And it’s also natural for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s to take over these tasks to alleviate that frustration. We at At Home Independent Living, however, believe in fostering as much independence and self-worth as possible in those with Alzheimer’s, and suggest the following tips in the face of frustrations:
September 23, 2015 by
If you’ve found yourself stepping into the world of Alzheimer’s with a senior loved one, it’s safe to say that you’ll be discovering some new challenges and changes that may leave you wondering how to best meet your loved one’s needs. Although Alzheimer’s affects each individual uniquely, the disease can be broken down in a general way into the following three stages (and, we’ve provided some care tips for each stage):