Many people falsely believe that a cold and flu are one and the same, and while some symptoms can be interchangeable, they vary in severity; understanding the differences can help seniors determine when to seek medical treatment to prevent the onset of a more serious illness.

Cold:

• Onset - develops more slowly than the flu
• Fever – rare
• Headache – rare
• General aches and pains – slight
• Fatigue/weakness – mild
• Extreme exhaustion – never
• Stuffy nose – common
• Sneezing – usual
• Sore throat – usual
• Chest discomfort/cough – mild to moderate, hacking cough

Flu:

• Onset – symptoms may develop quickly and begin severe
• Fever – characteristic, high (100-102 degrees F), lasts 3-5 days
• Headache – prominent
• General aches and pains – usual and often severe
• Fatigue/weakness – can last 2-3 weeks
• Extreme exhaustion – occurs early and is prominent
• Stuffy nose – sometimes
• Sneezing – sometimes
• Sore throat – sometimes
• Chest discomfort/cough – common and can become severe

Both illnesses outlined above can result in minor to severe complications such as earaches and sinus infections with a cold and bronchitis and pneumonia that can develop from a flu and can be life threatening if not detected and treated. Seniors should pay attention to the signs and symptoms their bodies generate which may require medical attention.

A senior should seek medical attention immediately if they exhibit any of the following:

• Fever above 102 F that is prolonged
• Symptoms get worse instead of better, and last for more than 10 days
• Problems with breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Fainting spells or frequent sensations that they might faint
• Confusion or disorientation
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Severe pain in the face or forehead
• Sore throat, cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away after 10 consecutive days

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/is-it-cold-flu
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/073.html

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Family caregivers ask us frequently, “how do I know when to call my mom’s doctor? Should it be an emergency situation or when she is having a minor ache and pain?”

Home Instead Senior Care Phoenix asked a geriatric physician in Phoenix - which complaints they receive from patients most frequently.  Here is a list of common “worries” and some instances when seeking medical attention is advised.

• Unexplained weight loss:  If your elder is also unable to sleep or has a lack of motivation - this could be depression.  If the weight loss is due to diabetes, your elder will have an increased thirst and more frequent urination. If they are suffering from an upper-abdominal pain - it may indicate the presence of a stomach ulcer.

• A persistent cough:  If the Phoenix elder has recently recovered from a respiratory ailment such as the flu, yet your cough has persisted and worsened, they possibly could have pneumonia. 

• A rash:  If there’s an onset of an itchy rash followed by swelling of the lips and face and have an appearance of hives - this could be a life-threatening allergic reaction to a medication, food, or insect sting, known as anaphylactic shock.  You need immediate medical attention.  Go to the nearest emergency room!

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

According to scientific studies, both older pets and humans alike have the capacity to learn new skills. According to the AARP, the cognitive changes that occur with age can sometimes make it more difficult for seniors to remember things they learned in the past, and learn new material. Training an older employee to enhance their skills or for a new job can be a greater challenge for a person over 50 then for a young professional.

Older adults who have worked in the same job or industry for a number of years, can find it more challenging to adjust to big changes. They may be set it the routines and methods that they have determined most efficient to get the job done and may on occasion resent a younger person trying to implement changes. However, that’s not to say seniors can’t adapt to change and “think outside of the box” when the situation dictates; since older people have stronger motivation, they are likely to do whatever they can to exceed job expectations and please their employer.

Individuals who choose to work up to or past normal retirement age, need to be prepared to accept and learn about new technology and adapt their skills to meet the changing times.

Sources: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/inb151_work.pdf
               http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/hire-seniors.htm

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

AGING POPULATON IS MAKING MORE VISITS TO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE

The aging of the U.S. population is translating into more visits to doctors’ offices and hospitals, a new government report notes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, there were an estimated 1.1 billion visits to physician offices and hospital outpatient and emergency departments in 2006, an average of four visits per person per year.

Here are tips for seniors and families when visiting their physician:

• Have a pen and pad handy at all times to write questions down. You may forget things when more stressed.
• Have your questions written out or consider faxing them to the doctor or his staff prior to the medical appointment. 
• At any point that you do not understand what the doctor or his staff recommend or suggest, ask for clarification. 
• Be clear when talking to the doctor. 
• If you know you may need to occupy a large chunk of the doctor’s time, arrange for a consultation appointment. 

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

In order to make life easier as a caregiver, one must be able to ask for help from friends, professionals, and family. Don’t let the voice of the responsible child whisper in your head… mom and dad raised me. I should take care them now. It’s my responsibility. This can be hard to hear and ignore. But it is important to care for ourselves too, no matter how hard it is.

“People feel guilt because they think that somehow there’s something they could, might, should, would have done,” says Lee L. Pollak, director of the Bereavement Center at Jewish Family and Children’s Services in San Francisco. “But the perfect ending never happens, no matter how well prepared a family is.”

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Today we are discussing how to organize your home for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Today we are focusing on the bedroom and making sure it is organized well to prevent injuries, confusion or falls.  The goal here is to maximize functioning, so that your elderly loved one can take out and put away clothes, dress and do other daily functions in the bedroom for as long as possible.

Solutions for the Family:

1)Only use drawers at waist level for easy access.  If possible, latch them to the chest so they cannot tip all the way out.

2)Make sure the closet clothes bar is at chest level for easy access. Encourage your senior to fold items over the bar if they can no longer use hangers.

3)Limit the amount of clothing in the closet and in drawers.  This avoids confusion.  Store less frequently used items in another room.

4)Encourage a spouse who shares the bedroom to put their personal items in a different room to reduce  confusion.

5)Store items they like to use in drawers with easy access.  Bed rails are usually unsafe for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease because they may try to climb over them and possibly fall.

6)Put a railing along a wall beside the bed if this would help them get in or out.

Source:  Home Instead Senior Care - Alzheimer’s CAREGiver Training Program.

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Cooking for Seniors-30 Minute Meals

If you are wanting to make something really easy in less than 30 minutes for your senior, here is a wonderful sandwich recipe from Paula Dean’s show on the Food Network channel:

Directions

Grilled Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Sandwich with Roasted Red Onion Mayo

Ingredients

Sandwich:

* 2 slices (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough, multigrain or another hearty bread

* 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp

* 4 slices Cheddar

* 1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored, sliced thin

* Roasted Red Onion Mayo, recipe follows

* Butter
Preheat a seasoned grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Assemble this sandwich just as you would a traditional grilled cheese sandwich: spread 1 slice of bread with some Red Onion Mayo, then top with 2 slices Cheddar, the bacon, the apple slices, then 2 more slices of Cheddar, finishing with another mayo-slathered slice of bread. Butter the outsides of the bread and transfer to the hot grill. Grill about 3 minutes per side, since this sandwich is so thick. Remove to a cutting board and cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.
Roasted Red Onion Mayo:

* 1 medium red onion, chopped

* 2 teaspoons olive oil

* Salt and pepper

* 1 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the red onion, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the onion is very soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer to a food processor and buzz until finely chopped. Add the mayo and pulse until smooth and combined.

Yield: 1 serving, Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Swedish Study Finds Getting Diabetes in Mid-Life Doubles Alzheimer’s Risk

Diabetics have a significantly greater risk of dementia, and an ongoing study shows that the risk is especially strong if the onset of diabetes occurs in middle age.

“Our results … highlighted the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle during adulthood in order to reduce the risk of dementia late in life,” said Dr. Margaret Gatz, who directs the Study of Dementia in Swedish Twins. Researchers found that getting diabetes before the age of 65 corresponds to a 125 percent increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

The risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia was significant for mid-life diabetics, as opposed to those who develop diabetes after age 65, even when controlling for family factors.  Researchers noted the chance of a diabetic developing Alzheimer’s may be even greater in real life than in the study.

The study results implicate adult choices such as exercise, diet and smoking, as well as glycemic control in patients with diabetes, in affecting risk for Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, according to researchers.

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Home Instead Senior Care Phoenix                               

In our last blog, we offered a few tips on things to do and activities that Home Instead advises family members to “entertain” loved ones living with a memory loss or dementia - please refer to our recent post dated June 20th.  Give us some activities you’ve created for a loved one - tell us how you entertain someone with memory loss.. post in the comment below.

We’re continuing here with more tips on caring for someone with Alzheimer’s in Phoenix:

Use a card table, craft table, dining room table or a garage bench. Provide the containers and allow your loved one to sort them in his or her creative way. Christmas in July is just fine. The following example shows a meaningful activity that a family caregiver and her mother could do together:

I came up with the idea of making necklaces out of cereal and string to keep Mom busy in the morning. Stringing the cereal onto the string required concentration and she enjoyed doing it. I took the activity a step further and decided to give the necklaces to Mom’s grandchildren. When I shared my idea with her, she was excited and wanted to make more.

Another popular location for meaningful activities is the garden. You and your loved one can spend many hours in the open air with activities such as pulling weeds, watering plants, cleaning dead plants from pots and re-planting with colorful flowers. You can also gather fallen leaves and put them in trash bags, or even plant bulbs. If your loved one wanders, just be sure to secure the garden.

Working with the laundry is a familiar activity. All you need is clean laundry and a basket. You and your loved one can arrange, fold and stack laundry such as bath towels, kitchen towels, pillow cases, etc.
You can still share cooking as an activity with some changes in approach. Keep your loved one from the stove and electrical appliances, and remove dangerous utensils.

Use mealtime clean-up as an activity. Tell your loved one that you will set the table if he or she will clear it following the meal. It is important that the person with Alzheimer’s receives cues to get started and instructions on where to place the items near the sink. If you have a dishwasher, load it, but keep a few plastic items out to wash in sudsy water. Your loved one can wash and you can dry and put the dishes away.

The following example shows how a family caregiver involved her sister, Rebecca, in a mealtime activity:

When it came time to fix dinner each night, Rebecca would want to help, but was no longer able to cook step-by-step or handle the hot foods. So I encouraged her to set the table, butter the bread, and select a juice so she could still be involved. The most challenging thing for me was to keep Rebecca busy and occupied, yet safe at the same time. It was well worth the extra effort. I could tell Rebecca was happy to be included.

Sweeping and dusting are safe and useful tasks. Be sure to remove collectibles and valuables before initiating these activities. You can spend many happy hours looking at magazines with pictures. Ask friends and relatives to save them for you.

Following are some additional suggestions to use with your loved one as you do activities together:

• Plan each day one step at a time.
• Be flexible, if something doesn’t work, go to plan B.
• Accept outside support when it is offered.
• Speak slowly and refrain from asking your loved one
any questions.
• Right now is forever, so enjoy it.
The best way to approach any activity is to simply think how you would like to be treated.

Home Instead Senior Care Phoenix 

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors quality care at home. Call today 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Home Instead Senior Care Phoenix                            

The Activities that family members plan to do with an aging relative who is living with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory loss, should be for pleasure and success, not training or discipline. The most meaningful activities that a friend or family member can plan for loved ones are those that complement lifetime habits. To design these activities, you need to assess your loved one’s lifestyle activities before Alzheimer’s disease and put them into one of the following two categories:

• Home Chores
Did your loved one pay the bills, cook the meals, organize activities, water the plants, shop, do laundry, build and repair items, do yard work, etc?

• Career Activities
Was your loved one an accountant, secretary, manager, waiter, soldier, tradesperson, volunteer, teacher, academic, CEO, homemaker or banker? Think about the activities the job involved.

Activities should:
• Mirror your loved one’s life experience.
• Honor the need to feel useful and appreciated.

One way to mirror a loved one’s life experience is to create an environment that is similar to one from the past. For example, if he or she had an office at work, you can create a similar space in the current environment. Make it safe by eliminating scissors, staples, letter openers, tacks or matches. Remove important mail to a new location under your control and place nonessential mail in trays for sorting. Ask neighbors and family members to save catalogs for a mail sorting activity.

Items typically found in a garage provide a good sorting activity for men. Provide several boxes or jars for sorting. Your loved one can sort nuts and bolts into jars and boxes. Remove dangerous items and replace them with sanding wood and leather objects to craft. Other things in a garage may also interest women, such as seasonal greeting cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, gift boxes and countless holiday decorations.

Home Instead Senior Care Phoenix - giving specialty care for memory loss in Phoenix, Arizona.