New Study Urges Policy Changes for Dementia Care

The RAND Corporation recently released a report detailing important policy changes needed to ease the burden of long-term dementia care. The organization noted that dementia care poses a substantial burden on caretakers and urges changes to how dementia care is provided. The study noted that 15 percent of people over 70 suffered from dementia. About a third of family caregivers reported being stressed by taking care of relatives with dementia, with much of the stress being caused by the financial burden. The RAND Corporation examined care data and developed five major suggestions. The report urged the following changes: Increased public awareness aimed at reducing the stigma associated with dementia and the promotion of early detection of the condition. Better access to long-term service and support, including home and community-based services. Better training for caregivers is also urged. Promotion of high quality care dedicated to the needs of dementia sufferers and their caregivers
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Technology Contributing to Greater Dementia Home Care Options

Improving technology will help dementia sufferers stay in their homes longer, delaying or even eliminating the need for residential care as home care options expand. Dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., and that number is expected to grow as the U.S. population ages. Dementia care is expensive, with the costs of residential care often consuming the assets of elderly individuals and their families. Finding more cost-effective ways to provide dementia care and solutions that allow sufferers of this condition to stay in their homes longer can help reduce this financial burden. Technological solutions that help people with dementia adjust safely to their condition can greatly help. A number of assistive technologies have recently hit the market and can help dementia patients stay independent. Some of these devices include way-finding devices, technology that promotes social interaction, online games, and puzzles that foster memory and health and other items. Monitoring devices
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Five Hot Trends in Elder Care

As the elderly population in the U.S. increases, elder care will become an increasingly important issue for our society. By 2025, the elderly population in the U.S. is expected to grow by 80 percent. Care industry experts predict the following trends in care for seniors: The Decline of Residential Nursing Care. Nursing homes are becoming a thing of the past as economic realities, improving technology, and the desires of the elderly are pushing toward more home and community-based care models. Nursing homes will largely be reserved for severely ill or disabled seniors. Assistive Technology. Tracking devices, technology that promotes memory and health, and robots to help with tasks are expected to become more common in senior care. This technology will help seniors, previously unsuited for home care, to remain in their homes. Senior-Friendly Housing – More homes will be built that have standard senior-friendly features, such as gently sloping ramps, protective floors, handrails, and m
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Staying Socially Active in Assisted Living

One of the biggest concerns many seniors have when going into assisted living is staying socially active. Interacting with others stimulates the brain and is important to staving off feelings of loneliness and isolation many seniors deal with as they age. There are a few ways older people can ensure they get the social interaction they need, even when they move to assisted living. Here are a few suggestions for staying socially active: Keep in touch. Take the time to write letters and make calls to friends and relatives. You’ll find it relaxing and entertaining. Participate in activities. Assisted living facilities have many activities seniors can participate in to socialize with their peers. By attending these activities, seniors can make new friends and get the social interaction they need to avoid depression and feelings of loneliness. Get involved. Assisted living residents have many opportunities to get involved with local groups and organizations. Get out there and get active,
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Dealing with Hearing Loss

About one-in-three people between 65 and 74 have significant hearing problems and nearly 50 percent of people 85 and older deal with hearing loss. Whether it’s mild or severe, hearing loss is a serious concern, as it can be a safety issue for us as we age in life. Hearing loss affects the lives of the elderly in many ways. It can cause them to become isolated, as their inability to hear what others are saying leaves them out of many conversations. It can also cause them not to notice noises that could alert them to danger, such as the sound of an oncoming vehicle or an oven buzzer. Older Americans should see a doctor about possible hearing loss if they experience: Difficulty in hearing over the telephone Trouble following conversations Needing to turn up the television to the point that others complain Frequently hearing what others are saying as mumbling Difficulty in hearing high-pitched voices If you are having trouble hearing, the medical professional to see is the otolaryngolog
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Maintaining Bone Health in Seniors

As we grow older, our bones become more brittle and prone to injury. Falls resulting in broken bones are frequent causes of serious injury for seniors. Maintaining bone health can reduce the chance of a serious injury resulting from a fall. Having healthy bones helps to prevent injuries such as hip fractures that can cause hospitalization, disability, or death. One of the most important things older people can do to maintain bone health and reduce their chance of injury is to get enough calcium. According to medical experts, women over the age of 50 should get at least 1,200 mg of calcium each day. Men over 50 should get at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily, increasing the amount to 1,200 mg after age 70. Adequate Vitamin D is also important to bone health. If you’re between 51 and 70, you should be sure to get at least 600 IU of Vitamin D each day. If you’re over 70, bump it up to 800 IU each day. Staying physically active is also important to bone health. Seniors should try to get
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8 Vision Care Tips for Seniors

Maintaining mobility and vision are two important tasks for seniors who want to maintain their independence. Good vision allows seniors to perform many daily tasks and avoid having to rely more on others. Seniors should be proactive to maintain their vision. There are a number of good habits and practices seniors can engage in to maintain good eye health, including: Getting regular eye exams. A good ophthalmologist can help correct vision problems before they become pronounced. Load up on the fruits and vegetables. Studies show that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help maintain eye health in older people. Protect your eyes. When going outside, particularly in the summer, put on a hat and some sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation. Avoid eyestrain. Be sure to take breaks from watching TV or working on the computer to avoid excessive strain. If you find your eyes growing tired or hurting while looking at electronics, turn them off, or leave the area to give
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Watching Cholesterol is Essential for Senior Health

It’s been said a million times, but it bears repeating. Seniors – whether they’re benefitting from home care or in an assisted living facility – have to keep a careful watch on their cholesterol. Cholesterol is a leading contributor to heart disease, the leading killer of older Americans. To lower their risk of illness and death, seniors and their caregivers should carefully monitor cholesterol levels and work to keep their levels within reasonable limits. Cholesterol – a fatty substance in the blood – is vital to various life functions, but too much of it can be dangerous and contribute to heart disease and other ills. Doctors say that total cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL. Cholesterol is also further broken down into LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol should be above 35 mg/dL in men and 45 mg/dL in women. If you have elevated cholesterol levels, your doctor will recommend treatment. To start, you’ll b
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Walking Works Wonders

Recent studies show that regular walks can be the dividing line between good health and poor health for seniors. According to a recent University of Georgia study, walking offers health benefits and helps older people stay independent. In the study, researchers split subjects into walkers and non-walkers. The walkers began by taking 10 minute walks, and later increased to taking 40 minute walks. Both the walking group and the control group were tested on aerobic capacity and physical ability by researchers before and after the study. After four months, the study found that: Physical function results increased by 25 percent for the walkers, but decreased in the control group. Disability risk also decreased significantly for the control group. Peak aerobic capacity also increased for the walkers, growing by nearly 20 percent. Peak aerobic capacity declined for the non-walkers by about 9 percent. Aerobic capacity is important, as it helps provide the energy people need to accomplish phys
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Creating Activities for Seniors with Dementia

Many caregivers struggle to create activities that seniors with dementia can participate in, but getting these seniors active is important to slowing the progress of dementia and improving their health. Many assisted living facilities have professionals with the skills and know-how to get elderly people with dementia up and moving. When seeking a facility for your loved one, be sure to check into their activities for residents living with dementia. In general, when devising activities for residents with dementia, it’s important to keep their interests in mind. For example, seniors who enjoy gardening should be included in gardening-related activities. Assisted living facility staff can help residents with diminished capacity in these activities, by simplifying activities or assisting them with the parts of the activity they are unable to do. Assisted living facility staff should work to make activities meaningful, instead of just ways to pass time. A component of achievement or lear
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Stay in Your Home for Longer, with Dignity and Grace

The vast majority of senior adults want to stay home as they age. New technology and non-medical home care models can help seniors stay in their homes longer. The retirement of the Baby Boom generation, an active generation used to having its way, will likely change the traditional retirement model. According to retirement experts, technology and care models are catching up with Boomers’ demand to stay in their homes as long as possible. New technology is giving patients and doctors better tools to keep track of seniors and give them the assistance they need to live independently for longer durations. Technological care systems are reducing the amount of one-on-one personal care patients need, thus reducing the expense of senior care. Hiring a home caregiver for a few hours each day or week is far less expensive than living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, so the opportunities provided by a combination of remote monitoring and home care services is an attractive option
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Warning Bells Sounding Concerning Retirement Savings

The impact of the Great Recession on retirement savings continues to be felt, particularly among retired seniors and soon-to-retire Baby Boomers. Investment losses may make assisted living harder for older adults to afford. Although a rebound in the stock market and rising real estate prices have firmed up the finances of some retirees and soon-to-be-retirees, many older people still have lower net worth now than they did before the financial crisis of 2008. As people are living longer than ever, having adequate savings is essential for a comfortable retirement. Retirement experts find that many retirement-age people don’t have sufficient funds saved. According to Genworth, about 54 percent of the soon to retire expect their expenses to decrease in retirement. A similar survey of retirees found that 64 percent of them reported that their expenses increased or stayed the same after they retired. The facts are that saving more and spending less is essential to a comfortable retirement
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Understanding At-Home Care Services

At-home care services give seniors the ability to stay in their own home, even when some help is needed in order to function on a day-to-day basis. Providing professional care in their home allows seniors to continue to live in a place they’re familiar with while obtaining ongoing care that is not always possible from friends and family. There are a variety of types of care that can be provided for seniors; the most common care includes help with dressing, bathing, cooking, transportation, laundry, cleaning and assistance at social outings. Having a full understanding of the services that can be provided for your loved one can help make the decision easier when the time comes to call for extra help. How Does At-Home Care Benefit my Loved One’s Day to Day Life? Giving your loved one the option to stay in their own home is one of the largest benefits of obtaining in-home care. There is a certain feeling of dignity and satisfaction they’ll get by remaining in their own home while
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