Fall Prevention

Are you caring for an older adult who is falling?  Are you yourself an older adult and seem to keep landing on the floor?  This is a serious problem with our older generation.  Falls are the number one contributing factor to hospitalizations of older adults.  Injuries resulting from a fall can lead to extensive recuperation time and even death.

Falling is not a normal part of aging.  You should consult with your physician to be sure that there is not a medical reason that is causing you to fall.  Conditions like low blood pressure, diabetes,  neurological disorders, vision problems, ear problems and medications could be contributing to these falls.

However, there are some simple things you can do around your home to make your living environment safer.  Night time and early morning are the most common times of day that falls occur.  When you sit up in bed from a lying position, you frequently experience some dizziness because of the rush of blood from your head.   When you are older, the urge to use the bathroom can come on quickly so you feel rushed to get to the restroom.  If you do not take the time to regain your balance before you attempt to stand and walk, you are going to fall.  An easy way to avoid this problem is to wait until your head is clear and then continue on with your business.  If that means you need to wear some incontinence protection to bed to give you that time, then do it.  This will keep everything tidy and also keep you from hitting the floor.  Also, make sure to have a light right beside your bed that you can easily reach so you are not doing things in the dark!

Another major cause of falls in the home are those cute, very stylish throw rugs.  We all have them and honestly I would have trouble parting with mine too, but it is important to do away with them - especially if you use a walker or a cane to ambulate.  These throw rugs are a trip hazard waiting to happen.  They can very easily knock you off balance, causing you to fall.

You should also consider that you may need the aide of a cane or walker to improve your balance.  There are many conditions that affect your balance as you age; Parkinson's, vision loss, stroke, just to name a few.  Many people resist the use of these devices, maybe because they think it will make them appear old or that they need help.  In fact, by recognizing this need, they are actually enabling themselves to remain independent longer because they reduce their risk of falling, which can lead to injuries that will the store and buy the cutest device you can find.  You need to be trained how to use these devices correctly and safely.  You should speak to your physician about these devices and ask for a referral for Physical Therapy.   The physical therapists will evaluate your abilities and what device will work the best for you.  They will also train you on how to use them correctly.  Also, by asking for this prescription from your doctor, you should be able to have your new device partially paid by your Medicare plan. "Adjustable Aluminum Cane"

Hugo Elite Rolling Walker 4.0 - Rolling Walkers & Rollators
Lastly, if you live alone, what would you do if you did fall and could not get yourself off the floor to get help?  Be proactive in preventing this terrible situation!  Look into a Home Medical Alert System that you can wear on a bracelet or necklace all the time that will automatically call someone to come and help you just by pressing a button.  There are different ways to obtain these devices.  There are companies that sell their devices and then charge a monthly fee for 24-hour on-call personnel.  These are great if you do not live very close to family or friends who could be the ones to help you.  If you do have family and friends nearby who would be willing to be the on-call person should something happen, then you can purchase these devices at a local pharmacy or medical supply store with no monthly fee.  You can program a specific phone number in them so when you push the button it will dial that number for help.
 


Preventing falls as we age leads to Aging with Ease!

Stay Active, Stay Strong!

Here is a clear example of how to stay active as we age and why being active in life is so vital to Aging with Ease...

Creating Interactive Activities for Seniors. Click image to read article.

Let me know what your thoughts are about this article.  I would love to hear of any activities that you have found that have worked for you to remain active in life...

Grandpa Loving Life!

 

I hope I am still having fun like this when I am that age!

Stroke Victim Care Starts with Rehabilitation

Today I would like to discuss caring for someone who has suffered from a stroke, or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA). A lot of what I have written thus far has been pertaining to the care of people with memory loss but there are many other illness that can affect older adults that will leave them with a need to be cared for.  When a loved one has suffered from a stroke, it can affect them in many different ways.  It can leave them with paralysis of one side of their body, difficulty with speech, difficulty with swallowing, changes in personality, memory loss or any combination of these things.  Caring for your loved one can be complex.
It is very important to be extremely involved in their rehabilitation program that should have begun while they are still in the hospital setting.  After their discharge, this program should continue into the home to help ensure that you are able to adequately manage their care.  Do not be afraid to ask questions of these therapists.  This rehabilitation time is very valuable to you and your loved one; it will not last forever and it will then be up to both of you to continue it when they are done.  Typically, initially after a CVA the effects can be significant but with good therapy some of the lost functions can be regained.

 

Physical Therapy (PT) offers the opportunity to increase your loved one's strength, regain their ability to walk, increase their balance and improve their overall movement.  This is important for any stroke victim no matter what losses that they may have.  A stroke, in general, exhausts your entire body and it needs to be built back up again.  PT is especially important if you have suffered paralysis as a result.  Physical therapists will work extensively at regaining your ability to walk.  They have valuable knowledge in devices such as specialized mobility devices that may be needed.  They will also work with their hands, elbows, knees and feet to prevent contractions from developing in their joints by using braces and stretching exercises to maintain their mobility.  It is vital that you learn these techniques so that you continue their treatment when the therapy ends.

Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, and other basic self-functioning skills.  These are especially important when you are ready to go home.  They will come to your home and help you set up your living area so that you can more easily and safely provide care.  Occupational therapists come with a wealth of knowledge of adaptive equipment that can be placed in your home to make the care of your loved one physically easier on you.  Do not hesitate to bring concerns you have to their attention.  Once again, the more involved you are in this rehabilitation program, the more success you and your loved one will have when you are on your own.

Speech Therapy helps your loved one relearn to speak more clearly or to take nourishment safely if their speech or swallowing has been affected as a result of the stroke.  In my experiences with these losses, many patients do regain a lot of what was initially lost.  Speech therapists will do pronunciation drills and oral exercises to improve their tongue and throat muscles.  They will explain what foods and drinks are safe for them to eat.   It is essential that you clearly understand any restrictions that they may have; you don't want to end up back in the hospital with pneumonia because they are silently aspirating food or drink.

This is just an overview of what I have seen in my work.  In my experiences with stroke victims, the families that are the most involved see the best results in the care of their loved one.  It can be managed at home if you are up for the challenge.  Most CVA victims still are very alert and oriented.  Being involved from the beginning with the rehabilitation process increases your chances for success at home.  It will increase their chances of Aging with Ease!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Have you ever wonder what is going on inside the mind of a person with dementia?  How it feels to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's?   How it feels to know that you are losing grip with reality?  How it feels to know that you soon may not be able to remember who the people are that you love the most?  Try to imagine how frightening that would be!  The book "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova gives great insight into the mind of an Alzheimer's victim.  It is a great read for anyone caring for someone with dementia or even if you suffer from it yourself.

Click image to read an excerpt from the book. 
Let me know how you like it...

Caregiver Help for Alzheimer's Patients

Many people that either have Alzheimer's Disease themselves or are caring for someone with the disease will face many difficulties adapting to the changes that are coming or are already happening.  You will be looking for help in learning more about what to expect, how you will manage financially, what legal matters should be handled and where can you turn for help.  If you have not located the Alzheimer's Association web site, you need to check it out.  It provides an endless amount of knowledge and guidance through the process.  I discovered and explored this web site after participating in the Alzheimer's Walk in September 2011.

I encourage you to click the above image to visit this site; the link will take you to their CareFinder page where it can help you find assistance in your area.  Explore the site and let me know what you think...

Caregivers: FORGIVE YOURSELF!

I hear it so often, caregivers blaming themselves for declines in their loved ones' conditions or for not being ready for a change in their condition.  I am here to say that you need to forgive yourself!  When dealing with the process of dementia, those changes are going to come along no matter what kind of plan you have in place.  Sometimes they will come gradually, but more often than not those changes are going to seem like they come at you overnight.

Let's say one day you and your loved one wake up to start your day just like any other day following the same routine that you have followed each morning with success. You and your loved one get up, eat breakfast, take out the dog, get washed and dressed.  Today, however, you return to the bedroom to find that your loved one, suffering from dementia, is not able to figure out how to get dressed.  He cannot seem to comprehend what he should do first.  This is a common problem that develops as the disease progresses.  Your first reaction will probably not be to recognize that, especially if you need to be somewhere else.  You may react in a way that you will not be proud of later.  You need to forgive yourself!  There are not always clues that this change is coming.  It can seem impossible to you that such a significant change can happen that quickly.  Suddenly, it will seem like your whole routine has been thrown out the window.


When these declines in their conditions arise, it is a good time to take a step back and re-evaluate the whole situation that you are faced with.  Try not to show disappointment toward your loved one.

Believe me, this is nothing that they want anymore than you do.  If you take time to provide the assistance that they need and try not to let that initial reaction take control, you will be able to look back at the situation without guilt or blame.  You need to ask yourself, Is this a need that I can fulfill?  Be honest with yourself.

Some people can provide personal care without any second thought about it but we are not all built the same way.  Some people are very uncomfortable providing this personal care; help with bathing, dressing, incontinence, etc.  It can be especially hard to provide this care for the people closest to us.  Even though I have been providing all levels of care to older adults for 18 years, when my father-in-law became ill and we moved him to our house to be cared for until his death, it was very uncomfortable to transform from the daughter-in-law role to the nurse role with him.

If this is an area that you really are not wanting to provide the care for, you need to recognize that and try not to feel that you should do something that you are not prepared to do.  Let the guilt that will creep in go.  You cannot change who you are.   If you face this upfront and find other solutions for help with these needs you will, in the end, be better at caring for your loved one and yourself.

There are different places you can go to look for help with providing daily personal care needs.  Start with you local Area Agency of Aging (AAA).  They should be able to provide you with a list of Home Health Services available in your area. They also can tell you of different programs that they may offer to help you find the right care and subsidies that are available.  Another place that you may be able to find some less expensive in-home care is at your church or local classified ads.

In this time of poor economy and work lay offs, there are many qualified nurses or nursing assistants that are looking for additional work.  If you choose this option, though, make sure you do your homework.  Ask for references and check them!  Research what is an acceptable amount of money you should pay them and understand that because you are hiring them privately there is no company backing them to guarantee their work.  Invite them to your home and get to know them better before actually hiring them and make sure that your loved one likes them.  Don't let all that scare you away from it; some of the best in-home caregivers I know have been found this way. They became very loyal and devoted to the entire family.

Let me end by saying if you are a primary caregiver, you deserve to be recognized for taking on that challenge.  It takes loads of dedication, patience, creativity, balance and love to fill that role.  You should give yourself credit for all that you do to provide care for your loved one.  Try to let go of those not-so-great moments!
Forgiving yourself and recognizing ways to improve leads to Aging with Ease!
Click here to view Administration on Aging website to find your local AAA

Remember to have a Good Time!

As a caregiver for someone with dementia you can become consumed by the daily chores that need to be completed.  You can forget that you need to find some fun in each day for you and your loved one.  This is important to help maintain your sanity through this process.  Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine for what ails you.

So how do you find that fun?  To find the answer, you need to remember some things you used to enjoy with your loved one but are no longer doing.  Maybe it is going for walks, visiting museums, going out for dinner.  Whatever it may be, you can find a way to still participate in these activities.

If you enjoyed going out to eat or visiting museums, you can easily still do these activities but I would suggest that you go to these places at non-peak times to avoid large crowds.  Too much stimulation can be upsetting to a person with dementia.  If there is too much activity going on around them, they cannot focus and feel overwhelmed.  They may even begin to become scared or paranoid by all the activity because they cannot take in everything around them.  To increase your chances of a fun time at these places, it is best to go to smaller venues with smaller crowds and less noise.

The same concept applies if you enjoy going for walks.  Find parks or developments that are quiet and not overpopulated to walk in.  People with dementia are usually still very capable of participating in physical activity.

Each day, I am sure, something unexpected happens, especially when caring for someone with dementia.  Try to find the humor in these unexpected events.  Say your loved one walks out with his shirt on backwards - instead of pointing out their error, maybe say "Are we having backward shirt day? Looks like fun!"  You will both be able to laugh about it happening instead of making them feel that they have made a mistake.  If they lost their glasses again, make it a game to find them instead of expressing frustration about their continually declining memory.

You will find if you use some respectful humor in these situations, it will make you and your loved one less frustrated with their decline.  As dementia progresses, it is important as a caregiver to live in the moment.  Do not expect your loved one to remember that one hour ago you went out to eat when they are now digging in the refrigerator looking for something to eat or that a half hour after returning from a walk he is looking at you for something to do.  They simply do not remember.  If you learn to appreciate that for that moment you are having a good time together and laughing, you will not be as disappointed when they don't remember.

If you have an activity that you and your loved one used to do together and are having trouble figuring out how you can still do this activity, send me a comment and we can try to figure it out.
Having a good time will increase your chances of Aging with Ease!

CLICK HERE to read about one couples journey through Alzheimer's and how they still are able to have a good time!