In addition to assistive devices which can better enable struggling seniors to hear, others can help them by using simple communication methods to increase not only hearing, but comprehension.  Here are some tips to ensure communication in a way that benefits a struggling senior:

-  Converse in a quiet environment (no background noises from traffic, music, television, or others engaged in conversation)
-  When speaking with a senior, always ensure you lower the pitch of your voice, since high frequency sounds are the first ones to go ( a condition referred to as presbycusis)
-  Speak slowly, and remain conscious of the pace since seniors can’t process information and listen as fast as younger people
-  Ensure that the older adult is actively engaged and able to hear what you are saying, even by stopping to confirm information
-  Maintain eye contact and make use of non-verbal signals so that your body language supplements your speech
-  Keep in mind that shouting or raising your voice is not usually beneficial for seniors with hearing loss
-  Make sure your speech is clear and your words are enunciated
-  Ensure there is appropriate lighting in the environment  and  attempt to eliminate drastic changes in lighting to aid with vision
-  Provide seniors with written materials and text that are easy to read, with large print
-  Be aware it is easier for seniors to interpret visual cues during the day, when exposed to natural light

When hearing loss occurs, it becomes a family affair. If someone you know is nervous about assistive devices, go with them to consult with an audiologist and help with the decision, and do everything you can through communication to increase their overall quality of life as it relates to hearing.

Source: Phac-aspc.gc.ca

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Important for Phoenix Elderly

While it’s normal for seniors to occasionally have sleep problems, seniors who experience sleep pattern changes that last for longer than two weeks should see a doctor, the American Geriatrics Society says.

“Generally for optimal function, the body and mind need about eight hours of sleep each night,” said Dr. Charles Cefalu, a member of the American Geriatrics Society. Because sleep affects everyone differently, he said seniors shouldn’t count the hours of sleep they get to determine if it’s right for them, but should take note of how they feel the next day.

Common signs of a sleep disorder may include excessive snoring, frequent waking through the night, morning headaches, being tired but having trouble falling asleep, loss of appetite, and not feeling rested in the morning, HealthDay News reports.

Cefalu offers these tips to help seniors get a good night’s sleep:

* Maintain a sleep schedule with consistent sleeping and waking hours.
* Don’t consume caffeinated beverages and foods after 2 p.m.
* Eat a light dinner earlier in the evening to help prevent restless sleep.
* Get rid of unnecessary light in the bedroom. Even light from a digital clock or TV can disrupt sleep cycles, so try turning the clock away from the bed and refrain from falling asleep with the TV on.
* Exercise for 30 to 40 minutes per day, three or four days each week.  This will help promote a more restful sleep.
* Do not take long naps during the day if you have trouble falling asleep at night.

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

There are many pros to having your elderly Mother or Father live with you from a care perspective, especially if one is struggling with independent living. But it will also be a challenging experience for either aging parent and the rest of your family, who are not used to co-existing under the same roof.

Pros:

• Having your aging parent living under your roof will allow you to care for your elderly parent around the clock

• When living in the same home, you are available should a medical emergency or accident occur with your Mother or Father

• Either parent will not have to worry about maintaining a home (cooking, cleaning); either or both can pitch in with tasks

• Not having to travel to provide care to your aging parent will be more convenient for you and your family

Cons:

• Roles in your household could change along with family dynamic

• Your parent may not adjust well to the functioning of your household, and may attempt to interfere with the raising of your children

• You might feel you need to look after your Mom or Dad full-time when living under the same roof, so it may be stressful

• There may be disputes over family finances if clear expectations aren’t set up front

Sources:

1. Associated Content

2. Women Today Magazine

3. US News.com

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

It seems like we’ve all encountered a home bound senior at some time in our lives. The thing is, when we’re younger, we often think that seniors are remaining isolated by choice when specific health limitations aren’t keeping them confined to their Phoenix homes. But it becomes clear that with the aging process, when mobility becomes more limited, there is a greater challenge involved with stepping outside just to run simple errands. Since so many seniors find it difficult to get around, new technologies are being developed to improve their quality of life that is affected by mobility.

About the ICIO Personal Transporter for Seniors:

• It has a convertible design

• Seniors can choose to use the personal transporter as a traditional 3 wheeled walker

• During periods when they’d like to move at a faster pace, they can stand on an attachable support and activate the electric function

• The device is suitable for seniors as their level of physical mobility changes, since it also converts into a mobile scooter with a seat

• With the personal transporter, seniors can venture out for exercise and convert the device if they get tired, giving them the security that they won’t be stranded

Sources:

1. TrendHunter

2. The Design Blog

3. TrendHunter

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

Is home an option for your aging parent? We continue our post from November 11.

Our Home Instead CAREGivers can perform 60 different functions in a senior’s home including meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation, errands and shopping.  Another great benefit of non-medical caregiving is the respite that it provides to family caregivers who are weary and need a break from the rigors of caring for their loved ones.

For some seniors, however, the day may come when it’s time to leave home.  If so, look for options that continue to help seniors remain as independent as possible.  In her book, Rhodes outlines some of those including continuing care retirement communities that feature independent living apartments and homes, assisted living apartments and nursing home care.

Whatever your mom and your family decide, you should encourage your mother to maintain the relationships that she’s formed at home.  For instance, if your mother has had a non-medical caregiver that person may be able to accompany her into her new home to supplement care. That can make the transition to a new setting much easier.

Dr. Linda Rhodes is a former Secretary of Aging for the state of Pennsylvania, as well as a former family caregiver.  For more information about her and her book, visit www.lindarhodes.com

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

When Home is No Longer an Option for Seniors in Phoenix

Question from an adult child of an aging parent: Our 88 year old mother has lived at home with help from the family.  Because it’s becoming more difficult for her to be at home, it’s now time for her to move to a facility.  How do we decide which option is best?

It’s great that your mother could stay at home for so long, since that’s where most elderly individuals want to be.  In a survey conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, more than 83 percent of seniors surveyed say they are very or somewhat likely to remain in their homes rather than move to a care facility.

Most communities now have a variety of services, including home health agencies and non-medical care companies, which can make that possible.  Have you looked into community resources that could help your mom continue to stay at home?  “Most older people seem to think that where they live is an all or nothing affair:  stay at home or be sent off to a nursing home,” said Linda Rhodes, author of Caregiving as Your Parents Age. (cont’d)

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

At the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies reported a link between normal sleep and healthy aging. A study first reported strong associations between disturbed rest/activity rhythms and mortality rates in older, community-dwelling men. A separate study found that less daytime sleeping and fewer complaints of insomnia best predicted successful aging in the women.

“It is uncertain whether the relationship between rest/activity circadian rhythms and mortality in older people is casual, or whether rest/activity circadian rhythms represent a potent biomarker related to increased risk of death,” said Misti L. Paudel of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Researchers at the University of California-San Diego assessed 2,226 women ages 60 and older for use of sleeping aids, daytime sleepiness, napping, insomnia, early morning awakening, snoring, overall sleep quality and sleep duration, U.S News & World Report says. Based on the results, 20.8 percent of the women were categorized as “successful agers.”

“Our findings reinforce the idea that good sleep is of utmost importance for good health,” said study author Sonia Ancoli-Israel. “Health care professionals need to ask their patients – of all ages – about sleep and help those with poor sleep to find ways for improvement.”

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

Healthy nutrition is vital for seniors especially if they want to continue living independently. Good eating habits help keep seniors strong and able to care for themselves. Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

A good diet for aging seniors reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and potentially certain cancers. As you grow older, you might need less energy, yet your body needs nutrients that food gives. To make sure you get good nutrients, select healthy foods and avoid empty calories which have very little nutritional value.

Always get foods that are low in cholesterol and fat, saturated and trans fats, especially. The saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Look for the trans fat on the labels of processed foods, margarine and shortenings.

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.