Caring for the Senior Demographic

The elderly population is growing, and this demographic change has important implications for in-home caregiving. According to a report published by the Family Caregiver Alliance, “the aging population will more than double between the years 2000 and 2030, increasing to 71.5 million from 35.1 million in 2000.” While the number of older people is rising sharply, the corresponding number of informal family caregivers will likely be unable to keep pace. The AARP suggests that the number of available family caregivers will shrink by more than half by 2050. The calculations published by the AARP demonstrate a widening care gap, and the organization recommends urgent policy action that “call[s] for new solutions to the financing and delivery of long-term support services.” What Types of Services Are Needed? The AARP also finds that 80 to 90 percent of elderly people prefer staying in their own homes over moving to a care facility. The decreasing number of family members available to
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Seniors & Volunteering

Many seniors struggle with moving away from homes where they have spent decades. However, getting involved in their community can help seniors feel more connected. Senior care professionals can help by providing outlets for their seniors to get active. There are a variety of volunteer activities seniors can do, including: Political campaigning – Seniors are often ideal to staff phone banks and make calls for candidates and causes. For seniors who want to make a difference, this is an ideal opportunity. Mentoring – Seniors can connect to the younger generation by participating in programs where they read to children or help them with school work. Being around children can help seniors feel younger themselves. Collection drives – Seniors can socialize with others while working at charities to sort donated items and other goods. Craft-based volunteer work – Cooking, sewing, or gardening for the community will put seniors’ bodies and minds to work. This will help improve mental
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Healthy Aging Strategies

While we can’t stop growing old, we can work to minimize age-related declines in health. Eating right, exercising, and staying intellectually active can help us enjoy good health and mental condition well into old age. Senior care professionals can work with seniors develop plans for healthy living as part of their in-home care treatment. One of the best things seniors can do to improve their health is to stop smoking. Smokers are at elevated risk for heart disease and stroke, and the toll smoking takes robs seniors of energy, vitality, and resistance to illness. Giving up cigarettes can go a long way to improving quality of life into old age. Regular exercise is also important to senior health. A stronger body will be more resistant to injury and disease. Working with a physician and senior care professionals, older people can find an exercise regimen appropriate for them. Exercise can also provide an important social outlet for seniors. In general, seniors should get at least two-
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Know the Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect millions of American seniors. For some seniors, these conditions slowly develop over time, while in others they appear to have a rapid onset. Knowing the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia can help seniors alert senior care givers about symptoms that can be diagnosed and treated early, improving the senior’s long term quality of life. Age is the most common risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. The vast majority of people with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. In fact, the older one gets, the greater the chance of developing the condition. Medical experts says the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after a person reaches age 65. By the time a man or woman is 85, he or she has a 50 percent chance of developing the illness. Family history is another strong predictor of Alzheimer’s disease. People who have had parents or siblings with the illness are at elevated risk to develop it them
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Obesity and Senior Health

Obesity can increase significantly after the age of 65. Obesity puts seniors at risk, as it elevates their risk of heart disease, stroke, and other illnesses. Senior care providers can help mitigate the risk by encouraging healthier habits. Obesity rates among all ages have climbed in recent years, and the elderly are no exception. According to the American Nurses Association, more than 15 percent of the older adult population is obese. Older Americans are already at greater risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, because of their age. Adding obesity to the mix only increases their risk of illness and death. Hormonal changes and decreased activity are key causes of obesity in older persons. While little can be done about age-related physiological changes, caregivers of older adults can influence their physical activity. Elder care professionals can help ward off obesity and its related health problems by encouraging seniors to exercise a
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Sleep Essential to Senior Health

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Breast Cancer & Seniors

Breast cancer mortality risk increases with age, according to recent findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Senior care providers should be aware of the threat posed by breast cancer, and encourage their seniors to have regular screenings and seek treatment if necessary. According to research, seniors who are diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer run an increased chance of death from the illness, as well as a relapse, even if the cancer is successfully treated. A study was conducted of about 10,000 women. Study results found that: Breast cancer mortality rates were 7.3 percent in women younger than 65. Breast cancer mortality rates were 11.2 percent in women between 65 and 74. Breast cancer mortality rates were 22.9 percent in women older than 75. About 41 percent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. are over the age of 65. Researchers suggested that under-treatment may play a role in the higher mortality rate among old
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Caring for Seniors with Special Needs

Seniors with special needs are often an overlooked segment of the population. When it comes to providing senior care in a home care setting, non-medical home care providers need to be aware of seniors’ special needs and to develop individualized care for their needs. Seniors with disabilities make up about 72 percent of the population of people over the age of 80 in the U.S. Some of these disabilities may be lifelong issues, such as intellectual or physical disabilities they’ve had from birth. Others may be the result of illness or injury, while others are related to advanced age. Home care and assisted living care providers need to be aware of seniors’ disabilities and how to accommodate them: Discuss their senior’s condition with the senior’s physician to determine how best to meet his or her needs. Have the same discussion with the senior’s family to learn how they’ve cared for the senior over the years. Find out what works and what doesn’t, and what the senior is a
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Wearable Technology Makes Staying Home an Option for More Seniors

Staying at home or entering a residential care facility is a big decision for seniors. For many, residential care is a must, as they are unable to meet their own self-care needs. Technology is making staying at home an option for more seniors, as wearable technology is making it easier for home care workers to monitor and intervene to provide senior care services. Public policy and economic necessity is driving a move to have more seniors receive home care services rather than go to a nursing home. The growing ranks of Americans age 65 and older is putting increased pressure on programs for seniors, as well as individual family budgets. Staying at home is a popular option among seniors, as they enjoy staying in familiar surroundings and keeping their independence. It’s also far less expensive than a nursing home or other residential care facility. Wearable technology that monitors biometrics, such as heart rate, calories burned, etc., is a valuable tool for home care workers. Using
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Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect a large segment of the elderly population, making providing care for them challenging for family members. Many families are turning to home care services to help shoulder the burden of dementia care; home care services are cost effective and can be a lifeline for families struggling to care for elderly loved ones. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Alzheimer’s & the Forms of Dementia Many people use the terms Alzheimer’s disease and dementia interchangeably, but these conditions have significant differences. Dementia is a term used to describe many symptoms that include cognitive and memory impairments associated with aging. Alzheimer’s can contribute to dementia, as can a variety of other illnesses including Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Huntington’s. Depression, substance abuse and nutritional issues can also contribute to d
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openit

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect millions of American seniors. For some seniors, these conditions slowly develop over time, while in others they appear to have a rapid onset. Knowing the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia can help senior care givers get their charges diagnosed and treated early, improving their long term quality of life. Age is the most common risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. The vast majority of people with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. In fact, the older one gets, the greater the chance of developing the condition. Medical experts say the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after a person reaches age 65. By the time a man or woman is 85, he or she has a 50 percent chance of developing the illness. Family history is another strong predictor of Alzheimer’s disease. People who have had parents or siblings with the illness are at elevated risk to develop it themselves. Certain genes have been i
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Healthy Aging Strategies

While we can’t stop growing old, we can work to minimize age-related declines in health. Eating right, exercising, and staying intellectually active can help us enjoy good health and mental condition well into old age. Senior care professionals can work with seniors in home care and assisted living facilities to develop plans for healthy living. One of the best things seniors can do to improve their health is to stop smoking. Smokers are at elevated risk for heart disease and stroke, and the toll smoking takes robs seniors of energy, vitality, and resistance to illness. Giving up cigarettes can go a long way to improving quality of life into old age. Regular exercise is also important to senior health. A stronger body will be more resistant to injury and disease. Working with a physician and senior care professionals, older people can find an exercise regimen appropriate for them. Exercise can also provide an important social outlet for seniors. In general, seniors should get at lea
http://blog.alwaysbestcare.com/healthy-aging-strategies/