Fall Prevention Tips for Elderly at Home

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Falls, slips and trips lead to broken hips, broken wrists and other injuries, and are a leading cause of disability among the older population. Falls in the home can result in ill health, lengthy hospital stays, residential care, loss of independence, and greatly affect quality of life. Making elderly people’s homes safer can help prevent them falling and seriously injuring themselves.

How to Make the Home Safer to Prevent Elderly Falls

Various aspects of the home environment can be improved to reduce the risk of someone having a fall. Family, friends, neighbours and carers can help make things safer for an elderly person while allowing him or her to stay independent and self sufficient.

Here are some suggestions for improving safety in the home:

1. Clear away clutter – Keep walkways clear of furniture and other obstacles such as shoes, books, newspapers and magazines. In particular, look out for trailing wires from appliances that may cause an elderly person to trip over. People also sometimes trip over their family pets if they don’t realise they are there, so fit brightly coloured collars to make them more visible.
2. Make furniture safe – Make sure furniture heights are appropriate, such as armchairs and sofas, which may prove difficult for an elderly person to get out of if they are too low. Height allowances may also need to be made for beds, toilets, baths and showers. Remove casters from underneath furniture, as it can move if leaned upon or held onto for balance.
3. Put things within easy reach – Items used regularly in the home should be within easy reach, especially cupboard doors, the oven and microwave, kettle, fridge and freezer, and sockets and switches. Consider fitting a letterbox cage to the front door to prevent the need for stooping to pick up mail.
4. Ensure floors and carpets are safe – Ill-fitting carpets and loose rugs and mats are an accident waiting to happen. Replace or repair bunched up and frayed carpets and make sure they are secured properly, especially on the stairs. Non-slip mats should be placed under rugs in the kitchen, bathroom and on stair landings. Slippery flooring should be replaced. Place non-slip mats in the bath and shower.
5. Make sure the home is well lit – Homes should be well lit with easily reachable light switches, especially in hazardous places such as the stairs and kitchen. Nightlights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom may be useful in the event of an elderly person having to get up to use the toilet in the night.
6. Install handrails where necessary – Make sure stairs have securely fixed handrails at an appropriate height on both sides of the stairs, and install additional handrails where necessary, such as in the bath, shower and next to the toilet. Standing on a set of non-slip steps with a handrail and safety chain to reach high objects is safer than standing on a chair.

What is In-Home Respite Care?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

In-home respite care

In-home care is popular for obvious reasons. The temporary caregiver comes to the regular caregiver’s home, and gets to know the care receiver in his or her normal environment. The temporary caregiver learns the family routine, where medicines are stored, and the care receiver is not inconvenienced by transportation and strange environments. In this model, friends, relatives and paid professionals may be used.  Paid professionals such as using a home care agency, like 5 Star Home Care . Another in-home model will utilize friends and neighbors as helping hands where the primary caregiver never leaves the premises but may simply be getting a break so that they can cook dinner or pay the bills.

Tips to Help Seniors Cope with the Holidays

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

It’s a festive time of year, but it’s also very stressful — especially for older people. It can be very overwhelming with all of the shopping, too much food, too many parties and too many memories.
We need to be sensitive to those feelings so everybody has a good time. Here are  several tips for folks to get through the holiday season.

Set reasonable expectations: That’s the most important thing. Take your cues from your guests. Don’t push them to do everything — to go on every shopping trip, out to dinner. Stick to their schedule, too. If they’re used to eating at 5 p.m. and you eat at 9 p.m., that can be a trigger and cause tension.

Remember that downtime is very important: The most important thing is to give them time to rest and give them a place to escape to.Give them a walking path, a place that’s safe to walk, their own room, a place to take a nap. And give them a break from the grandkids. That’s the dirty little secret. Grandparents want to be with their grandchildren, but not all the time. The 12th rendition of jingle bells with the dogs barking and the kid on the piano — it’s not that cute.

Plan activities for everyone: Maybe your mom doesn’t want to go tobogganing or caroling in 30 degree weather, but would enjoy baking or playing charades.

Include old and new traditions: Traditions are a mixed bag, because, obviously, they can bring back memories,” she said. But, on the other hand, they can also be comforting.  You can also adapt old traditions. If the old tradition was chop down the tree, maybe the new tradition is everybody decorates the tree together.

The key is to ask. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the holidays.

Assess health: It’s not just physical health, but mental health. It’s loneliness. This is a time of year that brings up a lot of memories. You want to look and see are they eating right? Are they not sleeping? Are there changes in sleep patterns? Are they lethargic? If someone is grieving, listen to their stories, give them a hug. Don’t pretend the person who passed away doesn’t exist.

Remember those who aren’t with you: If they’re far away, send small packages. In particular to those in nursing homes many have family that don’t come to visit. If you have family in a nursing home, don’t forget them. If you don’t, it could be a project to visit those you don’t know.

Anticipate safety and comfort needs: (Seniors) may not want to ask, because they don’t want to be a burden. For instance, if your loved  has had pain and can’t walk well at the moment, offer them a  wheelchair. That may make the trip more bearable.
Give the gift of time: They want to be with you. Don’t spend all day cooking. Order in, buy theater tickets and be with them. If you’re alone or you can’t be with an older person this holiday season, volunteer.

Physical Fitness for Seniors and Elderly Individuals

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

When is a person considered old? That probably depends on who is defining old. A 5-year old child might think her parents are old, and when she is fifty, she might still define her parents as old. On the other hand, the parent might not feel “old” at all.

Life expectancy in the United States for white women is 80 years and for black women, 75 years; for white men, it is 75 years and for black men, 68 years. Now these are mere averages, which means that women who live to be 80 can expect to survive an additional nine years, on average. Due to advances in the medical sciences over the past several years, a person’s life expectancy has almost doubled in the past century.

A person’s physiological age (which reflects their health status) may not be the same as their chronological age, which is simply how old they are. Living longer doesn’t necessarily mean living better. That is why even elderly adults need to continually develop healthy living habits. These healthy habits include:

• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Getting adequate sleep
• Not smoking
• Not using alcohol, or using it in very limited amounts
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Eating well-balanced meals rich in anti-oxidants (plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains). This is assuming the elderly adult does not have diet restrictions. A registered dietician can assist when needed.
• And, being socially involved with others.

As people age, they tend to lose bone and muscle and gain body fat. Loss of muscle can be significant in the elderly. As muscles diminish and weaken, it becomes harder for the elderly adult to move easily and maintain balance. This increases the likelihood of falls resulting in broken bones.

Elderly adults who are physically active are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, have greater flexibility, better balance, longer endurance, better health, and in general a higher quality of life. Improving an older person’s overall strength will help him or her live independently longer, depending of course on other health issues that may exist.

Depending on the age and the overall health of the elderly person, they may or may not need supervision when engaging in exercises. It is important to start easy and be aware of your limits and safety issues. SAFTEY is the key. If there is any concern, always have a partner.

Exercise guidelines for older adults include:

• Endurance: An elderly person might start by being active 5 minutes a day, increasing this as they are able. They should stop if feeling dizzy or if breathing becomes difficult. Even walking in place while watching television or using a small exercise machine called “The Pedlar” to exercise legs and arms is a really good way to start. To exercise the legs, The Pedlar is placed on the floor and used like a bicycle while sitting comfortably in a chair. To exercise arms, it is placed on a table, with the person still sitting in a chair.
• Strength: A person can begin strengthening muscles by using up to 2 lb. weights. Even a can of food can be used. Using nothing at all, just lifting up arms may be the starting point if muscles are very weak. “The Pedlar” is also good for increasing strength as well as endurance.
• Balance: This activity is assuming that there are no major balancing problems that need to be monitored by a doctor, physical therapist, or a nurse. The older adult can start by holding on to a table or chair with one hand, then one finger, eventually closing the eyes and merely standing next to the table or chair. If there are real balance concerns, this activity should be done with supervision.
• Flexibility: Stretching should be done gently without straining muscles. Proper stretching consists of deep breathing, relaxing, and gently stretching arms, legs, torso, hands, wrists, ankles, neck, and shoulders. If something hurts, the person should STOP.

Exercising builds muscles, strengthens bones, increases flexibility, improves balance, and enhances an elderly person’s quality of life.

Tips to Prevent Falls in the Elderly

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Falls can affect seniors in many ways. If a senior falls and is injured, their ability to live independently decreases. Even a fall that does not cause an injury can limit confidence and the ability to be comfortable living independently. Read on to learn how anyone can prevent falls and remain safe for independent living.

Why Do We Fall?

• Environmental Reasons
• Physical Reasons

Environmental Reasons

Indoor Environment Lighting Clutter Extension cords Lack of handrails Scatter rugs Pets

Outdoor Environment Lighting Lack of handrails Uneven walking surfaces Mother Nature

 

Physical Reasons

Changes in Our Bodies Vision Strength & Flexibility Balance Changes in sleep patternsChronic Health Conditions High blood pressure Heart Problems Difficulty controlling bladderMedications Prescriptions Over the counter Physician/nurse/pharmacist monitoring

Tips for Preventing Falls

Indoor Lighting
Make sure stairways and hallways have bright light. Always try to use the highest wattage allowed in the bulb. Night lights for those middle of the night trips to the bathroom can make a big difference in preventing falls.

Clutter
Just having things out of place can cause falls. When objects are out of their normal place, they can be overlooked and tripped over.

Extension cords
Find a way to arrange your furniture so that the extension cords are out of the way.

Lack of handrails
Don’t use the soap or towel holder for a grab bar or handrail. It wasn’t designed to hold the weight of a human being.

Scatter rugs
Be sure all throw rugs or scatter rugs have a non skid backing.

Pets
Somehow these precious little creatures manage to get under our feet and can cause a fall. Be aware of where your pet is and be careful when visiting others who have pets too.

Outdoor Lighting
Is just as important as indoor lighting. Use all the available outdoor lights whenever possible. Sensor lights are available that will turn on whenever there’s movement. That’s good for you and bad for intruders.

Lack of handrails
Use handrails on all steps no matter how easy the steps are to climb or how many times you’ve been up and down them before.

Uneven walking surfaces
Be sure to avoid broken sidewalks or areas under construction, if at all possible.

Mother Nature
Mother Nature presents many hazards of falling. Snow is the greatest culprit. When you’re out in your cars, park where it is clear of snow and ice. Try to keep your driving to daylight hours so that you are able to see the patches of ice on the streets and in the parking lots. A bag of kitty litter (the non-clumping kind) in your car, with a scoop made from cutting off the bottom a half gallon milk or orange juice container, can be used to create traction and help you get out when your car is stuck. Use the buddy system. Let someone know where you are or ,better yet, take a friend with you when you travel.

Changes in Our Body
Some of the reasons seniors tend to fall more often are changes in vision, lack of flexibility, less muscle strength, especially in our legs, and changes in sleep patterns. It is important to have an eye examination every year and wear the glasses as prescribed by the eye doctor. Exercise on a regular basis can increase muscle strength and flexibility and improve balance. Regular exercise will help you sleep better as well.

Chronic Health Conditions
High blood pressure and heart problems can cause dizziness that can lead to falls. Remember to get up from a laying down position slowly if you have heart problems or high blood pressure. Many elders fall while trying to make a run for the restroom because of difficulty controlling the bladder. Talk to your doctor about what can be done for this condition. This will help reduce your risk of falling.

Medications
Both prescription medications and over the counter medications can cause side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. Talk to your nurse, physician, or pharmacist about the side effects to expect from your medication. If the side effects continue, talk to you physician about changing the medication. Make sure if you see more than one physician that each one knows ALL the drugs you’re taking. Take all of your medications, including over the counter medications with you each time you visit the doctor. This way the doctors will be able to see exactly what you’re taking and how much.

Holidays: Perfect Time to Observe Elders for Dementia

  5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Since one out of every ten persons by the age of 65 gets some form of dementia (Alzheimer’s being just one type), and nearly one out of every two by the age of 85 is afflicted, a watchful eye toward the signs of emerging dementia is important.The holidays offer a great opportunity to observe loved ones for the earliest signs, which are statistically ignored for about four years. The big point is: if dementia is diagnosed early, treatments can slow the progression and delay full-time care.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

-Notice if your  father often answers questions directed to your mother, which is common–because he is worried she is slipping mentally and he doesn’t want anyone to know. His fear is that she will be taken away from him.

-Watch for things that are misplaced in odd places. It isn’t when your dad loses his keys more often–it is when you find the keys in the microwave or someplace he would have normally never put them.

-Try to get a peek at the checkbook and credit card statements to see if the same bill has been paid several times or not at all, and if it seems unusually messy with errors. Look for unusual charges.

-Notice if there is a lot of mail that hasn’t been tended to, disorganized or unopened.

-Observe if cleanliness and organizational levels are going downhill in the home.

-Check for personal hygiene.

-Look in the pantry and refrigerator for out-of-date and spoiled foods.

-See if medications are organized properly or if they seem to be mixed up.

-Observe: mobility, balance, sight, hearing, reflexes, pain, depression, energy.

-Notice if the right words can’t be found more than usual, with wrong words being substituted in sentences, and if handwriting is getting worse and typically smaller.

-Be aware if you are asked the same question more than a couple times in a short period of time. Instead of answering again, turn the question around and ask the question yourself. If your elder knows the answer, maybe they are just making conversation. If they don’t know the answer, ask if they remember asking you the question already. If not, be alerted that their short-term memory isn’t working properly-a big warning sign.

BOTTOM LINE:
If your eyebrows go up in surprise over something odd that a loved one says or does, don’t argue or get upset, simply write it down so you have specific examples later when you take your elder to the doctor. This will help you to get a referral to a dementia specialist and a much better chance of getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Dealing Early Symptoms of Dementia

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Spotting the early symptomsof dementia in seniors is critical to getting early treatment. Some studies have shown that individuals who receive treatment for dementia at an early stage are able to hold off the progression of the disease. Often, it is up to family, friends and others close to the senior to spot changes in a senior’s mood or behavior to get him or her this type of early help.

It can be difficult to know if an individual has the beginning symptoms of dementia because of how closely these symptoms resemble healthy aging. For example, one of the initial signs of dementia is memory loss. Yet, as most people age, their memory (both short term and long term) can fade a little. Learning how to tell the difference between dementia and common old age symptoms is essential. Often, the symptoms of dementia are similar to Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Getting help for a loved one potentially suffering from dementia can be challenging. The first step is to know the early symptoms of dementia in seniors. Many times, individuals realize they are forgetting things, but they may be resistant to seeking medical attention for their condition. Still, medical attention is critical to prolonging life.

• Take the time to monitor the individual’s behavior closely. Are these symptoms becoming more frequent?

• Notice when symptoms become dangerous for the individual. For example, if an individual becomes lost while driving his or her car, this could be a warning sign of dementia and should be reported right away.

• Involve family doctors and close loved ones. When more individuals can spot these signs, the senior may be more willing to undergo treatment or to talk to their family doctor about their condition.

Keep an open mind and share much love. Many times, the senior does not realize what could be happening.

How You Can Make The Home Safe-For an Elderly Person

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Falls in the elderly are the leading cause of fatal as well as non fatal injuries. Thirty percent of people over the age of 65 will fall each year.

Sixty percent of elderly falls occur in the home. By safe proofing your or your loved ones house, you can help decrease this number. Learn a few easy tips to help “fall proof” a house.

Living Room:
Pick up any throw rugs…. Do not have them anywhere in the house
Have ample space to walk in between furniture
Keep all electrical cords out of the way

Stairs:
Keep all stairways free of clutter
Install hand rails on both sides of the steps

Bathroom:
Keep a night light on at all times
Install rails in the bathtub or shower
Place a non skid mat in the shower or bathtub

Why Home Care and What is it?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

The term ‘home care’ or ‘in-home care’ has a wide definition that encompasses many different health and social services. These services are generally administered for the elderly, recovering patients, mentally disabled, and people otherwise in need of assistance. The type of assistance ranges depending on individual needs – it can range from medical and nursing assistance to help with daily activities and therapeutic or social treatment.

In-home care is not intended for medical conditions that demand supervision that cannot legally or logistically be maintained at home. It is not for conditions that must be given assistance/supervision in a medical facility. But there are many other conditions that can be easily managed from home – inexpensively and in the convenience of the home.

When given the choice, most elderly people choose to remain in their homes and maintain a happy and independent life for as long as they can. Similarly, younger adults who are recovering from surgery or are disabled find in-home care to be a more attractive option. In-home care can offer a more affordable option that is a more compassionate and comfortable experience

Why Choose 5 Star Home Care in Atlanta?

Our Caregivers, and our commitment to quality, compassionate care. It is so important to be comfortable with the person who will come into your home and care for someone you love. 5 Star Home Care caregivers are screened, trained, licensed, insured and bonded before they ever enter your home. Each caregiver undergoes a thorough background check. Caregivers are carefully placed to assure that they can provide care that is up to our high standards- but just as important, we also want to assure compatibility. You always have the opportunity to meet your caregiver, and to choose the one that feels right.

Call us now for a free in home assessment at 404-719-4118.

Live-In Care

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Our main objective is to help our clients live independently, comfortably, and at home for as long as possible. We do that by going the extra mile in finding qualified, compatible caregivers for each of our clients and monitoring care over time.

Services include:

• Hygiene and grooming assistance
• Alzheimer’s and dementia care
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Meal planning and preparation
• Companionship and conversation
• Medication reminders
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Transportation to appointments and around town
• Shopping and errands

We know you face a tough decision, but getting home care is simple. First we meet in your home to assess the situation and answer your questions in detail. Then we conduct a second meeting to introduce you to our first choice caregiver with the right skills and disposition to work well with your family. If you approve the caregiver, services start at your convenience. If you do not, we can present alternate caregivers for your consideration.

Over the course of caregiving, we monitor care by communicating with you and with the caregiver by telephone and in person. As your needs change, your caregiver receives additional training to continue to be effective. You can request changes to your caregiving plan and schedule at any time.

Services can be arranged for short-term or long-term care; one time only, daily or weekly; live-in or live-out.

Our office staff is on-call after hours, weekends and holidays. We don’t use an answering service. When you call us, you will talk with someone who has the knowledge and the authority to help you. If the answering machine picks up, rest assured that we will return your call within 30 minutes. Call us for a free in home assessment at 404-719-4118.