Senior safety is a huge issue and concern. Many seniors who cannot see well will experience a higher number of injuries at home. This is because the home is not safe for seniors who cannot see. To help with this, the following list provides some great ideas on how to make the home safer for any senior who has low vision.
1. Make sure all rooms are well lit.
2. Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.
3. Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.
4. Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.
5. Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.
6. Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.
7. Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.
8. Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.
Seniors need to be aware that there are many untrusting people just waiting to take their money. It is common for seniors to be approached with an offer for a financial investment. Seniors should take caution in these situations because there are many scams that are affecting recent retirees. More information on this troubling issue is provided in the list below.
1. Seniors who are isolated or have disabilities are often the target of these schemes.
2. One out of every five retiree over the age of 65 has been a victim of a financial scam. More than 7.3 million seniors have been taken advantage of each year.
3. Older people are targets because they are more willing to invest in something that is supposed to help them through their retirement years. The elderly are also much more trusting than the younger generation.
4. Many of the people doing the scamming are retirees as well. This is how they know who to choose for a target. Elderly con artists are more common than most people believe.
5. Veterans are also a target. There are many groups who offer to help a former soldier. While many of the programs do actually exist, these seniors are being told they must liquidate all of their assets to become eligible for benefits, which is not true at all.
Many seniors enter nursing homes each year. Many times, this is because they are not safe at home. Some caregivers and family members may not feel that the senior is capable of caring for themselves. There is an available technological system that can be installed in the home of a senior that will allow the senior to safely remain in their home. More information is provided below.
1. Caregiver Systems consist of touch screen monitors and wireless sensors that are placed in various locations in the home. The sensors will monitor health indicators, such as blood pressure, weight, motion and activity.
2. The system also acts as a communication system, allowing users, such as caregivers, to go online and send messages and reminders to the seniors at home. These messages will appear on the touch screens.
3. The system has one touch access that is easy for seniors to use. This will allow them to access games, family photos and appointment reminders.
4. The system also has a personal emergency response system, also called PERS. This system provides 24/7 monitoring of the senior and can call for medical response if necessary.
5. These technological advances allow seniors to stay at home longer. There is less worry from friends and family members regarding the safety and well-being of the senior while they remain in their home.
Cataracts tend to develop slowly, creating impaired vision that interferes with daily activities such as reading and driving (especially at night). If you think your aging loved one’s vision is deteriorating, have set up an appointment with their usual eye care provider. Appointments are usually brief, so you need to be prepared prior to your visit. Here is a list of items you should think about ahead of time:
Come up with a list of questions to ask your doctor.
Write down the symptoms, even those that seem unrelated to the vision issues your loved one thinks they are experiencing.
List out all medications that your senior is taking, including any vitamins or supplements.
Have a friend, caregiver or family member go with your aging relative. They may remember something that your senior forgot to ask.
Write down key personal information, including stressors and recent life changes.
Many seniors have a hard time during the summer, especially on days when the temperature rises. It is important to take steps to make sure that seniors remain safe during these times. The tips that are included in the list below can ensure senior safety during the summer. There are many things that must be considered and this short list can help.
1. Heat exhaustion can cause many problems for seniors. It can be the cause of fatigue, nausea, headache and dizziness.
2. Heat stroke can cause a senior to experience dizziness, confusion and could even cause unconsciousness.
3. Seniors must make sure to drink plenty of fluids during the summer. This will help to keep the body hydrated and avoid heat stroke and exhaustion.
4. A light, but well-balanced diet should be eaten during the warmer months. Eating heavy will cause fatigue.
5. Light and loose clothing should be worn to help keep seniors cool.
6. Always apply sun screen when a senior will be exposed to the sun. Their skin is very sensitive and they will burn easily and quickly.
7. If outdoor temperatures become uncomfortable, seniors should go inside and sit down. If they can be in an air conditioned area, that would be even better.
Controlling a wandering Alzheimer’s patient is one way to ensure their safety. When a patient wanders, they could get lost and not know how to find their way back. In addition, wandering can create a lot of stress for the caretaker of the individual. Below is a list that offers some tips that can help prevent and reduce wandering.
1. Some patients may wander to escape something that is causing them stress and anxiety. This could be too many conversations or a lot of noises. Try to minimize conversations and reduce background noises as much as possible.
2. In many cases, Alzheimer’s patients will wander it an attempt to relive the past. This is especially true for those who had a strict schedule for many years.
3. Wandering can also be triggered by certain medications.
4. To prevent wandering, address triggers, such as offering food and water, encouraging physical activities. Providing a family photo can also help reduce wandering.
5. Use visual cues to help the patient notice where they are. This can be done by putting photos on doors and walls to identify objects and areas of the home.
6. Try to keep them active and involved. The more interested a patient is in something, the less apt they are to wander off.
Senior men generally have a lower level of this hormone. As they age, the body will produce less testosterone. The lack of this hormone could be linked to the development of frailty. This can cause other problems as well, including loss of strength and muscle mass. In the list below, men can learn some more about the importance of testosterone levels.
1. It is normal for testosterone levels to begin to deplete with age.
2. When levels are too low, men will begin to lose bone density, muscle mass and some of their physical strength. Also, red blood cell production will begin to slow down.
3. Various studies are being conducted to prove the link between low levels of testosterone and these medical issues. Currently, there is no way to determine if frailty in senior men is actually caused by the lack of the hormone.
4. Some recent research has shown that men who have a lower level of the hormone will be more likely to become frail within the next four to seven years.
5. At this time, it is not known if testosterone replacement therapy will be beneficial. Unfortunately, the hormone levels could be masked by another disease or illness that could be the primary cause of frailty.
Sometimes men will have no choice but to become the caregiver at home. If their spouse suddenly gets ill, they will have to take on this role. This can be very overwhelming and scary for many men. While this is common, men need to learn how to accept the fact that they are now the caregiver. Some additional information on this topic is provided below.
1. Most men who become a caregiver will take a different approach than a female. Men are more apt to take on executive or long-distance tasks, such as dealing with the insurance companies or making appointments.
2. Men are only half as likely to perform hands on tasks when they are a caregiver.
3. The men who do help with daily tasks, such as dressing and showering may be reluctant to discuss their role. It seems as though they are slightly embarrassed about having to be the caregiver.
4. Many of these men will suffer from depression and feelings of inadequacy when they are a caregiver. This is actually quite normal. They have a hard time talking about their role with others because of how they feel it will make them look.
Dementia is a serious disease that affects millions of seniors. Each year, more and more seniors are being diagnosed. There is no cure for this disease, though there are some medications that may help slow the progression. Some people will even argue that the disease does not exist, but it does. Below are some facts about dementia.
1. In 2050, more than 14 million people will be affected by this disease.
2. This increase will cause huge cost increases for the healthcare system.
3. There are a few medications that are being used to help slow the progression of the disease. Some patients report positive changes, but many do not notice a difference at all.
4. The actual cause of the disease has not yet been discovered. There has been many research projects conducted and the results indicate that there could be many factors involved in the development of dementia.
5. In the case of dementia, each senior will react differently. They will have different symptoms, different progression rates and will react differently to medications. Doctors are now focusing on the individual instead of the disease as a whole.
