If you are an older adult living in the Boston area and want to venture out during the winter months, you will most likely have to tread on slippery surfaces at some point. There are many things that can be done to prevent senior falls in the winter. A large number of injuries are a result of slipping while outside. Taking precautions and using some of the tips provided below will reduce these chances and allow seniors to go outside during the winter months safely.

1.            Always remove snow and ice that accumulates on steps, driveways and walkways. Place sand or salt on paths that are walked on to prevent slips and falls.

2.            Most falls in the winter are due to slipping on the ice. Wearing the correct footwear can help prevent these falls. Seniors should wear shoes that provide good traction on slippery surfaces.

3.            Winter boots should be waterproof, insulated, have low heels and should be light in weight.

4.            Additional precaution can be taken by using ice grippers on footwear. Always remove these from shoes before walking on smooth surfaces because they can be very slippery and actually be the cause of a fall.

5.            If seniors have balance problems, they should be using a cane when outside in the winter. If using a cane, an ice pick can be attached to the bottom, making it easier to navigate slippery surfaces.

6.            When walking on the road, always wear clothes that are bright in color. Also be sure to wear hats, gloves and scarves to prevent loss of body heat.

7.            When traveling on snowy or icy surfaces, move slowly. Take your time and be careful. Paying attention will help prevent many falls.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Holidays are a good time for family members to check on Mom and Dad’s health and level of care they receive at home.

According to AAA (American Automobile Association), the driving ability of older people generally begins to deteriorate at age 55. Of course, this can vary because everyone is different, but certain physical limitations like decreased neck flexibility and deteriorating eyesight begin to surface at about that age. Most adults over 55 feel that their driving experience makes them better drivers. However, studies show that crash rates increase as drivers approach age 70 and certainly increase after age 75.

Here are a few suggestion to know when it’s time for your Mom or Dad to take a driver safety program: (You don’t want to wait until an accident has happened, especially one that could have been prevented with a few safety precautions.)

AAA notes these as signs of diminished capacity for driving safely:

• Having a series of minor accidents or near misses.

• Having wandering thoughts or being unable to concentrate.

• Being unable to read ordinary road signs.

• Getting lost on familiar roads.

• Having other drivers honk at you frequently.

• Being spoken to about your driving by police, family, and friends.

• Your loved one can keep themselves and others safe by learning more about how to drive on the roads today.

An added benefit of taking a senior safety driving course is that many insurance companies will offer discounts to seniors who have completed a course, thereby reducing insurance premiums. Check with your insurance company for the safe driving programs they recognize for senior discounts.

Many of the issues of aging; poor nutrition, home safety, driving, companionship and more can be solved by providing parents with the support they need to continue to maintain their independence. Find out how we can help by calling 617.557.4600.

Source: CSA.us

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

My 86-year-old mom has dementia and other health issues. My siblings and I have different approaches in dealing with her. One sibling is quite demanding but I know my mom doesn’t like that. What can I do?

In addition to being diagnosed with dementia, she also has Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and depression. She often complains that her leg hurts or is numb a lot. She does not want to get out of the house and wants to stay in her pajamas all day. One of my siblings talks to her a little rough and demands she get dressed and get out. I on the other hand am a softy and do not want to upset my mom or demand that she do something she does not want to do.

Can you please give me some guidance on what’s the best approach to take with my mom for her well being? I don’t want to make her angry when she does not understand what is going on. I do know she does not like to be talked to ugly. My mom complains to me that my sibling talks to her in a bad and demanding tone. Please help me to do what is best for my mom. I am 65 years old and the oldest of my siblings. My siblings tell me I have to tell my mom what to do and not ask her what she wants to do. I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Dr. Amy:  The best thing you can do for your mother is to make sure that she, you, and your siblings all clearly understand:

• The symptoms and treatment for her condition,

• What physical activities are good for people with Peripheral Arterial Disease, and

• How much rest she requires.

Perhaps you and your siblings can visit the doctor with your mother. When you all have a more complete understanding of this condition you will be better able to care for your mother. At the same time, it sounds like your family may need some help learning more effective and gentle ways to communicate. You mentioned that one of your siblings is “talking ugly” to your mother. I am not sure how severely your sibling is talking to your mother, but it is important for all of us to remember that verbal abuse is a form of elder abuse.  A counselor could help you with communication skills. Your local Area Agency on Aging can also recommend resources to help you.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

It’s the holidays and time to break all the rules when it comes to eating, right? That philosophy isn’t healthy for anyone, especially for seniors, who may already be suffering from poor nutrition.

Holidays are a great time to encourage family caregivers to check their senior loved ones for the signs of poor nutrition. Consider the top signs:

Loss of appetite: If a senior has always been a hearty eater but no longer eats as he or she used to, it’s time to find out why. Underlying illness could be the root cause.

Little to no interest in eating out: If a loved one has always enjoyed a favorite restaurant, but no longer shows interest, dig deeper to determine the problem.

Sudden weight fluctuation: A weight change – losing or gaining 10 pounds in six months – is another sign that something could be amiss.

You’ll learn more about nutrition from the educational video series on CaregiverStress.com. And remember, holiday meals don’t need to be boring.

To learn about other challenges senior loved ones could be facing, join us for a free Home for the Holidays web conference moderated by a representative from the Home Instead Senior Care® network, and co-sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Learn more about the web conference, offered on Dec. 5 by clicking here Family Education.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

FREE Home for the Holidays web conference

You’re excited to be going home for the holidays where Mom always has the house decked out and Dad makes his famous eggnog and tells stories about past celebrations. But your parents are getting older now. Maybe it’s time to tune into other things, like the signs they could need more help maintaining that big house. Or indicators they might benefit from grocery assistance.

That’s why you will want to register for the Home for the Holidays webinar. The webinar, moderated by a representative from the Home Instead Senior Care^® network, will help you recognize the warning signs that indicate your senior loved one might need additional help for things such as loss of appetite, unwanted weight fluctuations, spoiled food in the fridge or clutter.

The event is being hosted by the American Society on Aging (ASA), and co-sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC).

Register and learn more about the webinar that will be offered at two different times: Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET, or Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET. Senior care experts will be on hand to provide valuable information about the warning indicators that an older adult may need extra help and what you can do for support.

Whether you’re a long-distance caregiver or just live down the street, the holidays are a good time to assess the situation with Mom and Dad, and help them come up with a solution if necessary.

Remember, your local Home Instead Senior Care office is here to help when you have an aging-related issue or question, not just during the holidays but throughout the year. If you would like more information about Home for the Holidays, or have any comments or questions, please call us at 617.557.4600.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Any time caffeine is found to have a positive effect on health, it’s good news for senior citizens. That’s because coffee is by far the favorite drink of older Americans.

The latest research about coffee, this popular drink, comes from a large study that found coffee provides protection from basal cell carcinoma – the most common form of skin cancer. Given the nearly 1 million new cases of basal cell carcinoma diagnosed each year in the U.S., daily dietary factors with even small protective effects may have great public health impact, a researcher said. The study indicates that coffee consumption may be an important option to help prevent basal cell carcinoma.

Researchers reported that women who consumed more than three cups of coffee per day had a 20 percent reduction in risk for basal cell carcinoma, and men who consumed more than three cups per day had a 9 percent risk reduction compared with people who consumed less than one cup per month. The amount of coffee consumption was inversely associated with basal cell carcinoma risk. Those in the highest 20 percent of consumption had the lowest risk, with an 18 percent reduction for women and a 13 percent reduction for men. Animal studies have suggested an association between coffee intake and skin cancer risk, but epidemiologic studies have not conclusively shown the same results.

Another reminder for seniors to guard against cancer. You can also learn more about good nutrition at www.CaregiverStress.com and www.mealsandcompanionship.com.

Check out the study - Coffee Consumption Decreases Risk for Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Even with the best of intentions and planning, seniors who are without companionship and assistance at home may jeopardize their own good health or recovery from an illness or surgery.

Research by University of Maryland nutrition expert Dr. Nadine Sahyoun revealed that 80 percent of hospital-discharged older adults recruited for the study who qualified for home-delivered meals had food in their kitchens, but they were unable to shop or utilize that food for cooking.

Cooking is an art, it’s been said, and dining both at home and out makes all the effort worthwhile, not only for seniors but their loved ones as well.

Make eating a happy event, Dr. Sahyoun said. We focus too much on what people can’t eat and don’t give enough attention to what food represents to us. Food is at the core of our lives–it’s the smell, color, feel, texture and social context. All of this is what makes a meal enjoyable. We have to pay attention to those things, she added.

To keep their daily menus interesting, and healthy, seniors will want to mix up their food choices—particularly within each food group—every day.

We know that we really are what we eat, said Elisabetta Politi, dietician director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. But each senior’s diet plan is individual, she noted. If Dad has reached age 75 and has not developed heart disease or cancer, you need not recommend any different food intervention than what he is already doing. Dad has found a meal plan that works.

Perhaps a senior’s dietary plan leaves room for improvement. Research shows that change is best done gradually. Encourage seniors to look at how they’re doing and focus on one thing to change.

Try these tasty recipes when cooking for your senior loved one.

Check out these delectable and nutritious recipes from the Duke Diet and Fitness Center made with the 12 Staples that Seniors Shouldn’t Live Without.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

You’ve just walked out of your mother’s latest doctor’s appointment and your head is spinning. The doctor wants to change the dosage on two medications, stop a third, and start a new fourth medication. Some of the medications need to be taken on an empty stomach and some with food. Some medicines your mother should take twice a day and some just in the evening. Keeping it all straight is making your head ache.

Even more importantly, however, is what can happen if your mother’s medications are not tracked properly. On average, seniors ages 85 and older take 34 prescriptions, including refills, per year, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). And adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or noncompliance are responsible for 28 percent of all hospitalizations of the elderly, the organization reports.

The Home Instead Senior Care^® network recognizes the importance of medication tracking. That’s why we offer medication reminders as one of our foundational services to introduce an information management toolkit and the Caring for Your Parents: Senior Emergency Kit^SM website at www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com.

These resources include checklists and worksheets for medications, conditions, allergies, doctors, health advisors and important documents. They provide you with a single place to store your senior loved one’s important information so you can easily find it when you need it most.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Adult Children ask Home Instead Senior Care: Do you think all hospitals are the same or should we shop around? What can we do to help with our aging parent’s recovery?

Family caregivers whose aging relatives are going into the hospital should do their research to ensure a senior loved one is getting the best possible care because not all hospitals are the same. Help at home after an older adult returns from the hospital should be a consideration as well.

Patients have on average a 52 percent lower chance of dying at the nation’s top-rated hospitals compared with the lowest-rated hospitals in the 12^th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, issued by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The study examined nearly 40 million Medicare hospitalization records for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. The study looks at trends in mortality and complication rates, and provides the foundation for HealthGrades’ quality ratings of procedures and diagnoses at each individual hospital.

Overall, in-hospital, risk-adjusted mortality at the nation’s hospitals improved, on average, 10.99 percent from 2006 through 2008. However, the largest annual study of patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 non-federal hospitals found a wide gap in quality between the nation’s best hospitals and all others.

According to the study, while patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined.

It will be to your loved one’s benefit to do your homework about hospitals.  To learn more go to Hospital Can Make a Difference for Senior Loved One.

For more information about the study and to check the ratings of a hospital near your mom, go to http://www.healthgrades.com/cms/ratings-and-awards/2010-Fall-Ratings-Announcement.aspx.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

We all have aging relatives in our family. It is important to plan for their safety. Even if the elderly family member is capable of caring for self, you can never be too cautious. The Home Instead Senior Care® network’s Senior Emergency Kit can help ensure that family caregivers like you have fast and easy access to important information about loved ones in case of an emergency call. This toolkit will provide you with all the important information you need in a centrally located file so you are ready for a crisis, day or night. The toolkit materials are available for download here.

Here are other tips to help prepare for emergencies and to keep your senior family member safe.

• Create a communications center – this consists of important information that is needed during an emergency, such as medications, phone numbers of family members and the names of doctors. These lists should be kept near a phone or posted to the side of the refrigerator.

• Create a safety system – this could simply be a scheduled phone call to check on the individual. It could also be an installed monitoring system.

• Make sure to enforce fire prevention – do this by checking outlets, using timers and whistling tea kettles and discouraging the use of any candles.

• General household safety – install non-slip rugs, nightlights, extra lighting to increase visibility and telephones that have large buttons and light up in a dark room.

• Make sure emergency items are available, including medical cards, first-aid kits, and extra batteries, anything that would be needed in an emergency situation.

Source: Life123.com

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.