Keeping The Senior Mind Healthy & Active | While decreased mental capabilities are a normal part of aging, it is important to keep in mind that healthy lifestyle choices can prevent memory loss and other cognitive issues. At Comfort Keepers Calgary, we have a vast experience helping older adults adopt and maintain healthy, mind-boosting routines that do wonders for both their cognitive health and mood.

Mental Benefits of Physical Activity for Seniors

Most people know that physical activity plays an important role in human health, keeping our bodies in good shape and condition. However, not too many folks are aware that exercising also comes with plenty of benefits for the mind. For example, medical professionals believe that engaging in physical activity on a regular basis can even prevent dementia! According to a study that followed women over 65 determined that those who walked more during the day were healthier and less likely to experience a diminishment in their mental abilities.

#DYK – According to a study that followed women over 65 determined that those who walked more during the day were healthier and less likely to experience a diminishment in their mental abilities.

Understanding the benefits of physical activity, at Comfort Keepers Calgary, we encourage seniors to stay physically active and assist them with their personalized exercise routines.

Benefits of Mental Exercises for Seniors

Not many people know that mental exercises exist and that they really work. Researchers discovered that even those daily activities we perform every day, like using a computer, can keep our brains healthy for longer; slowing down the effect aging has on our mental capacities.

Comfort Keepers Calgary promote mental activity among our clients, making sure that the activities they perform bring them joy and mental engagement as well. Some of the most common activities for seniors include board games, puzzles, baking, gardening, and sewing.

#DYK – Seniors age 65 and older should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) every week.

https://familydoctor.org/exercise-seniors/

Benefits of Socializing for Seniors

Loneliness can take a serious toll on both our mental health and agility. Since socializing brings happiness to our lives and also provides opportunities for mental exercise, we make sure that our caregivers are compatible with the clients they care for so that they could develop a strong, positive bond and enjoy the experience.

Related Article: Combating Loneliness in Seniors

Keeping the Senior Mind Healthy & Active | We Help Seniors with Worsened Mental Functions

Our care providers assist and support seniors with decreased mental functions. We provide the following services:

• Medication, food, and fluid reminders
• Assistance with household tasks and chores, such as cooking and cleaning
• Transportation in the area
• Running errands
• Companionship and interaction

We have worked with many seniors diagnosed with dementia and we can ensure that your loved one leads an active, happy life at home, regardless of their condition. We offer personalized care plans that can be altered at any time and provide unparalleled flexibility in terms of scheduling care. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help your parent!

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

Comfort Keepers can help. Our caregivers can provide wellness support, remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. As part of an individualized care plan, caregivers can let a senior’s care team know if there are changes in behavior or physical characteristics. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your Comfort Keepers Calgary today.

Bonus Article: What to Expect with In-Home Care

In-Home Care Offers Cost-Effective Option for Aging in Place

In-Home Care Offers Cost-Effective Option for Aging in Place in Calgary | Most families today are unaware the wealth of options available when considering care for senior loved ones. When seniors begin to demonstrate difficulty with certain daily tasks, families may automatically believe that it is time for assisted living or a nursing home. However, they may not realize exactly what that entails or that these are not necessarily the best options for every senior. Today, the senior care industry and new technologies make it possible for older adults to continue to live in their own homes safely and with assistance.

Fast Facts

In 2009, the average out-of-pocket monthly cost for a senior to age in his or her own home was $928 versus $3500 for that same senior to live in an institutional setting.

Why is it important to have cost-effective in-home care options to age in place?

A Statistics Canada study showed that 92% of all Canadians over 65 are living at home.The reasons are understandable; aging in place has many benefits. Seniors who remain in their own homes as they age enjoy the consistency of belonging to communities where they may have lived for many years surrounded by friends and families. This offers both emotional and social benefits as they have an already established support network. Overall, quality of life is better when seniors are as independent as possible and can participate in their communities in a meaningful way. Remaining in the home also avoids the stress of relocation and acclimating to new environments, and, even more compelling: aging in place can be cost effective.

Since many seniors own their homes outright, they may not have mortgage expenses. Even if they are paying a mortgage, the expense may be cheaper than the fees for assisted living. On average, the monthly cost of an assisted living facility in 2014 was $3500. This cost increases when you add additional services, such as cleaning, laundry and personal care which are often sold a la carte. Long-term care homes (or nursing homes) vary in cost depending on the provider whether public, private, not-for-profit or religious-based organizations. Provinces will share the cost with you at the facilities they support. For example; in Alberta, basic accommodations are $1,708 a month, semi-private rooms are $2,012 and private rooms are $2,362.

Related Article: In-Home Care Can Help Reduce Re-Admission

What’s more, many seniors who are placed in assisted living or nursing homes, could age in their own homes with a few home modifications and assistance with activities of daily living. Many families who are considering care for their loved ones do not realize that assistance with daily living activities is not automatically provided when the senior moves into assisted living. These are generally add-on services. In this respect, aging in the home can also be more cost effective than receiving this same assistance in an institutional setting. On average, in 2009, out-of-pocket monthly costs for seniors to obtain assistance with daily activities in their own homes was $554 versus $1065 in an institution.

Comfort Keepers Helps Seniors Age in Place

For seniors who wish to remain in their own homes and continue to be part of their communities, there are many options. In-home care can be a viable, cost-effective solution for those who may need some assistance to help keep them independent participants in their communities. As the seniors’ needs change, the care provided in the home can adapt to those changes to provide more care and services to help keep them safe and healthy in their own homes. For more information on how in-home care can help your loved one and adapt to his or her changing needs, contact your local Comfort Keepers^® Calgary today.

Bonus Article: How to Support Family Caregivers

References

Canadian Association of Retired Persons. (February 7, 2014).  Majority of Seniors Living at Home, StatsCan Study Reveals – CARP.

Crary, D. (November 21, 2011). Aging in place: A little help can go a long way. USA Today. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/health/story/2011-11-21/Aging-in-place-a-little-help-can-go-a-long-way/51330714/1.

Leong, Melissa.  (May 24, 2014).  The Unexpected costs of caring for your parents.  National Post. Retrieved from: http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/parenting-your-parents-the-cost-of-caring-for-your-elderly-loved-ones

 Genworth Financial. (2014). Genworth 2014 cost of care survey. Retrieved from https://www.genworth.com/dam/Americas/US/PDFs/Consumer/corporate/130568_032514_CostofCare_FINAL_nonsecure.pdf.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Fall 2013). Measuring the costs and savings of aging in place. Retrieved from http://www.huduser.org/portal/periodicals/em/fall13/highlight2.html.

Battling Sleep Changes As We Age

Battling Sleep Changes As We Age | As we age, we often experience normal changes in our sleeping patterns.  But disturbed sleep, waking up tired every day, and other symptoms of insomnia are not a normal part of aging. Why does sleep change as we age and what is normal?

It’s important for caregivers to understand that even the healthiest seniors find that their sleep habits change.  At any age, insomnia is the most common sleep complaint, but for adults over the age of 65 even more so.  In fact, one out of every four senior adults reports symptoms of poor sleep.  And while a good many seniors may feel like insomniacs, some of the symptoms that they experience are because in reality, as we age we don’t ‘sleep like we used to.’

What are some of the normal sleep changes that seniors experience?

For one, aging adults feel sleepy earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning.  Changes in our circadian rhythm, the internal body clock that regulates sleep and waking, are responsible for this change in sleep pattern called advanced sleep phase syndrome.  Also quite normally, the older we get the more likely we are to become ‘light sleepers.’  Physiologically, our aging bodies produce lower levels of the growth hormone melatonin which is the cause for a decrease in deep sleep.  Not only do we spend less time in deeper sleep cycles, but we spend less time sleeping on the whole – about half an hour less on average.  Healthy older people tend to awake during the night, too, so that on any given night, an older person sleeps 15 percent less than someone younger.  And it generally takes longer for seniors to fall asleep.

Regardless, sleeping well is especially important for the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of your senior loved one.  Caregivers of seniors should know that while changes such as these take some getting used to, they don’t mean that your senior should spend the night tossing and turning and not getting a good night’s sleep.  So how do increase his or her chances of getting a good night’s sleep when these normal changes are impacting the senior in your care?

Related Article: Seniors and Sleep: How Much Sleep Do They Need?

Most cases of so called insomnia in elderly people can be remedied with some common sense solutions.  If your senior’s sleep issues are not the result of more serious health conditions such as sleep apnea, RLS (restless leg syndrome), depression, heartburn, arthritis or the side effects of various medications that he or she may take — all which require intervention of a medical professional for treatment.

A few helpful sleep tips to follow | Battling Sleep Changes As We Age:

• Make sure your senior follows a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed and rising at the same time each day.
• Avoid letting him or her take long or frequent naps during the day.
• Make sure your loved one gets regular exercise.
• Take your senior outside or sit in natural light; it regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle.
• Minimize caffeine and alcohol.
• Make sure that the bed is for sleeping only. If the senior is unable to fall asleep in 15 minutes, encourage him or her to get up, move to a chair and try another activity.

As always, if your senior’s health situation changes and he or she has frequent, chronic sleep problems, talk to their doctor.  But these simple-to-follow steps may do the trick to help your senior loved one sleep soundly through the night.

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help | Battling Sleep Changes As We Age

Comfort Keepers can help. Our caregivers can provide wellness support, remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. As part of an individualized care plan, caregivers can let a senior’s care team know if there are changes in behavior or physical characteristics. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your the Comfort Keepers Calgary location today.

Bonus Article: The Comfort Keepers Difference

References

‘How do my sleep habits change as I age?’ by Molly Edmonds, Discovery Health, http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/aging-process/sleep/aging.htm

‘Insomnia in Older Adults.  Tips for Sleeping Better as You Age’, HELPGUIDE.org, http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aging.htm

‘Aging and Sleep’, National Sleep Foundation, nsf@sleepfoundation.org

Finding the Right Balance & Maintaining Joy: Ways for Seniors to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

Maintaining Joy: Ways for Seniors to Stay Healthy During the Holidays | The older we get, the more intense the holiday season seems to become, with an increasing number of responsibilities. There are parties to attend, relatives to visit, dinners to cook, gifts to buy and wrap – all within the span of just a few weeks. While these activities serve a greater purpose in celebrating with others, they still can be taxing on the body and mind. One of the primary reasons for this is that it’s more difficult to balance the rigorous holiday schedule with our own, and as a result, our health tends to go on the backburner.

A study out of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health found that someone is 100 percent more likely to catch a cold on a plane than in regular daily life.

The consequences of pushing ourselves to “do it all” during the holidays can become more severe with age. Without taking the proper precautions, seniors can experience everything from mental exhaustion to physical illness. Fortunately, there are steps that they can take to preserve their health and ensure their holiday season is full of comfort and joy.

Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

• Dress appropriately: Even if it’s for less than five minutes, having protection against even mild cold temperatures is imperative. Seniors should wear layers of light, warm clothing, along with gloves, scarves, and hats. In extreme cold, seniors should avoid going outside altogether.
• Combat germs and the flu: It isn’t just the holiday season; influenza gets the spotlight this time of year as well. To help reduce the risk of getting the flu, seniors should wash their hands frequently throughout the day, with soap and warm water (for at least 20 seconds) and use hand sanitizer while in public. Although the best time to get a flu vaccine is in mid-October, getting one in November and December can still help with risk reduction.
• Stay active: If the summer sun inspires us to get out and exert energy, the gray overcast skies and snow do the exact opposite. Keeping a consistent workout schedule can be difficult during the holidays, but dedicating at least 30 minutes to moderate physical activity (with physician approval) can help keep the immune system strong.
• Eat wisely: What goes better with good company than good food? There’s always plenty of rich foods and snacks to enjoy at holiday parties. However, seniors – especially those with existing health conditions – may want to think twice before overindulging so as not to create or worsen any short-term or long-term health problems. Seniors should opt for healthier options whenever possible, even if it’s just taking from the veggie tray instead of the bowl of chips.
  
• Get plenty of rest: With the holiday season representing such a unique opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, there’s an ever-present temptation to do everything and soak up as much of the time as possible. However, it’s just as important that the time that is spent together is quality time, and to that end, seniors should make sure they are well-rested. They should maintain a consistent sleep schedule (allowing for 8 or more hours) and take breaks throughout the day.
• Keep the immune system strong before flying: The last thing anyone wants to do before a flight is more prep work. That being said, giving the immune system a little boost before flying can help reduce the risk of illness and exhaustion. In the days leading up to air travel, seniors should do whatever they can do de-stress, even if it’s just practicing meditation or taking soothing baths. This will add extra protection against the plethora of germs from fellow passengers.

Related Article: Cold Weather Falls are Avoidable

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

At Comfort Keepers^®, we understand that hope, joy, and purpose are all central to senior wellbeing – especially during the holiday season. Our compassionate caregivers will foster these qualities for senior clients throughout the holidays and year-round, seeing that they have what they need to stay healthy and safe.

Learn more about our services by calling a local Comfort Keepers Calgary location today.

Bonus Article: What to Expect with Home Care

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season.” Web. 2018.

Care.com. “11 Tips for Keeping Seniors Healthy Over the Holidays,” by Megan Horst-Hatch. Web. 2018.

Health.com. “25 Ways to Fight Holiday Stress,” by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Web. 2018.

Healthline.com. “The Science of Why You Get Sick During the Holidays.” Web. 2018.

9 Steps that Can Help with Cancer Prevention

9 Steps that Can Help with Cancer Prevention – The most significant risk factor for the development of cancer is aging; however, the risk of many types of cancer can be drastically reduced by focusing on prevention steps. Several factors play a role in cancer development, such as heredity, but many can be voluntarily avoided.

Fast Facts

Did you know that about half of all cancers can be prevented? It’s My Life! is an interactive, evidence-based tool on the Canadian Cancer website that teaches you how 10 lifestyle factors can affect your risk of getting cancer and what you can do to prevent it: http://itsmylife.cancer.ca/

 

9 Steps that Can Help with Cancer Prevention:

1. Don’t smoke and avoid exposure to smoke. Smoking is the most significant cancer risk factor. It is to blame for lung, and many other types of cancer. The best way to help prevent cancer is to quit smoking or never start. As soon as you quit, the body positively responds ─ so it’s never too late.

#DYK – Avoiding secondhand smoke also helps to prevent cancer, because this smoke contains more than 60 known carcinogens. These carcinogens interrupt normal cell development, a catalyst for cancer development.

2. Stay safe in the sun and watch for skin changes. Each year, over one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. It is the most common cancer and accounts for about half of all cancer diagnoses, yet it’s one of the most preventable types of cancer. Reduce UV ray exposure by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, and avoiding the mid-day sun and tanning beds.
3. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables greatly reduces the risk of developing cancer and many other conditions. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help repair our damaged cells. Green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables are your best bet to help prevent cancer. Studies also show that dark fruits, like blueberries and grapes, may also have anti-cancer properties. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are particularly helpful, according to numerous studies.
4. Limit red meat and animal fat. A diet high in animal fat increases the risk for several types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Red meat contains much more fat than poultry and fish, so reducing the amount of red meat in your diet may help to prevent cancer. A diet high in fat also is a major cause of obesity, which is another risk factor for many types of cancer.
5. Limit alcohol intake. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly increases the risk for many kinds of cancer. Studies suggest that men who consume two alcoholic drinks per day and women who have one alcoholic drink per day can significantly increase their risk factors for certain types of cancer.
6. Exercise. When you exercise, you are reducing your risk for many types of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 30 or more minutes, at least 5 days a week for cancer prevention. Always check with your physician before embarking on any exercise program.
7. Know your environment. Exposure to chemicals may increase the risk of developing many types of cancer, including kidney cancer and bladder cancer. If you are exposed to fumes, dust, chemicals, and the like, you may want to look into ways to reduce or eliminate your exposure. Gasoline, diesel exhaust, arsenic, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers are all dangerous carcinogens.
8. Be familiar with your personal and family medical history. Cancers such as breast, colon, ovarian, and other types can be hereditary. If certain cancers run in your family, tell your doctor so that he or she can recommend the right screenings and assess your true risk. Genetic testing and counseling may be encouraged based on a family’s medical history.
9. Get regular cancer screens. Cancer screening tests can be useful in detecting cancer ─ and preventing it. The colonoscopy and Pap smear can detect abnormal cellular changes before they turn cancerous. The key to their effectiveness is that they are done regularly. Other tests may be useful for early detection, but not necessarily cancer prevention. It is common to have prostate cancer screening through digital rectal exams, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests can help detect prostate cancer early. Mammograms and other imaging tools are also recommended to detect breast cancer, and the survival rate continues to grow.

Related Article: Respite Care and Your Loved Ones

Comfort Keepers^® can help. Comfort Keepers^®’ Interactive Caregiving™ keeps senior clients engaged physically, mentally, and emotionally while living independently at home. Caregivers can also help support a healthier diet and lifestyle for your loved one. Call your Comfort Keepers Calgary office today to find out more.

Bonus Article: What to Expect with Home Care

References:

National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Preventive Cancer Care for the Elderly”. Web. 2015.
LifestyleOptions.com. “Cancer Care in the Elderly”. Web. 2015.
American Cancer Society. “Prevention Studies for a Cancer-Free Tomorrow”. Web 2015.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States”. Web. 2014.

Vision Loss

Vision Loss – Losing your vision can feel a little like the world is closing in on you. For many seniors with vision loss, this feeling is often actualized with a diminished ability to engage in daily activities, such as preparing a meal or using the telephone, that most of us take for granted. Vision loss is a major contributor to disability, the loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. While the chance of vision loss increases with age, and there is the misconception that it should be taken as a normal part of aging, it is not any less traumatic for the older individual than it would be for a younger person. It may, in fact, be the most traumatic health problem many seniors face. The psychosocial effects of vision loss in seniors can have detrimental consequences.

Fast Facts about Vision Loss

Getting regular, comprehensive  eye exams to identify disease early can help prevent or diminish 50% of all vision problems, yet many older people do not get the recommended eye care.

Studies have shown…

Numerous studies have shown that seniors with vision loss experience greater difficulty with daily activities than those who suffer from other chronic conditions. Senior adults with vision loss also report a greater number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke than those who do not have vision difficulties. This can be attributed to a poorer diet as low-vision seniors are four times more likely to have difficulty preparing meals than their normal-vision counterparts. This may also be directly linked to the fact that low-vision seniors are less likely to be physically active. (Only 59.6% of low-vision seniors report activity compared to 70.2% of normal-vision seniors.) This is not surprising when you consider that compared to normal-vision seniors, low-vision seniors are more than three times more likely to find it difficult to get outside and are three times as likely to have difficulties walking.

As a result, visually impaired seniors have noticeably higher levels of depression and anxiety than seniors with other chronic conditions. Because of their visual impairment, they may tend to isolate more and stop engaging in activities that they once enjoyed. Researchers have discovered that it is actually these higher levels of depression and anxiety that contribute to the seniors’ difficulty performing everyday tasks more so than their visual disability. As visually impaired seniors become more depressed because of their vision loss, they begin to have more medical problems, creating a vicious cycle where the depression creates a worsening physical state and the worsening physical state increases depression.

Related Article: What You Can Do About Cataracts

The good news is that with support and therapy designed to help visually impaired seniors regain their independence, this cycle can be broken. Doctors can prescribe rehabilitation that will allow seniors to learn to cope with and manage their vision loss so that they can remain active participants in their communities. Family, friends, and caregivers can also help these seniors with many activities, such as meal preparation and transportation to events, appointments, and gatherings, so that their isolation is limited and they can carry on with their daily lives. By staying active and social low-vision seniors can reduce their chances of suffering from depression, which then decreases their overall risks of developing additional chronic conditions.

You can find suggestions on the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) website that people with low vision can follow to make life a little bit easier.

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

Our goal is to provide uplifting in-home care that benefits seniors and their families. The individualized care plans we create for our clients consider physical goals as well as non-physical mental health needs. Our caregivers can provide companionship and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens, provide transportation to appointments and help to families that want to stay connected through technology. We strive to elevate the human spirit through quality, compassionate, joyful care.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary location today.

Bonus Article – The Comfort Keeper Difference

References

Casten, R.J. and Rovner, B.W. (November 01, 2006). Vision loss and depression in the elderly. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/vision-loss-and-depression-elderly.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). The state of vision, aging, and public health in America. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/pdf/vision_brief.pdf.

Kempen, G.I.J.M., Ballemans, J., Ranchor, A.V., van Rens, G.H.M.B., and Zijlstra, G.A.R. (November 17, 2011). The impact of low vision on activities of daily living, symptoms of depression, feelings of anxiety and social support in community-living older adults seeking vision rehabilitation services. Qual Life Res, 21, 1405–1411. doi: 10.1007/s11136-011-0061-y. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3438403/.

Unite for Sight. (n.d.). Module 10: Eye disease and mental health. http://www.uniteforsight.org/community-eye-health-course/module11#_ftn5.

Post Hospital Care After Pneumonia

Even though pneumonia is a serious illness for most individuals contracting the disease, it can often be successfully treated at home. Seniors, however, or more specifically, those with compromised immune systems or other health issues, may require hospitalization. Because pneumonia causes fluid to be collected in the lungs as well as inflammation, seniors can experience difficulty in breathing. High fever and rapid heart rate often accompany the symptoms of pneumonia along with a cough and rapid, labored breathing.

What to Expect In & Out of Hospital

Care provided in a hospital usually involves intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Hospital staff usually monitor vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, as well as breathing, to ensure the condition improves under their care. Most bacterial pneumonia responds well to antibiotics. Pneumonia caused by a virus is not treated with antibiotics as medicine does not kill viral infections. Viral pneumonia usually resolves on its own although a health care provider will likely treat the symptoms.

Release from the hospital may be a relief but does not indicate the senior has fully recovered. Pneumonia is particularly taxing on the body, resulting in a feeling of tiredness. It may take a while for the senior to regain strength and feel good again. This home recovery period can be crucial for pneumonia patients. In order to fully recover, it is important to follow the health care provider’s directions. Be aware of your loved one’s body and if you or him or her feel any slight decline, contact your doctor for advice.

Related Article: Immunization for Seniors

Post Hospital Care – Home Recovery Expectations

Some things you can expect during the home recovery period include continuation of an antibiotic and an order by the doctor to keep hydrated.  Medicine, including each and every dose, should be taken for as long as it has been prescribed. Failure to do so may allow levels of bacteria to remain, grow and possibly cause a relapse. Drinking plenty of water aids the mucus membranes in the body to remain moist and healthy. If prescribed, a cough expectorant may help clear your loved one’s lungs of excess mucus, but know that this type of medicine requires proper hydration to be effective.

The senior may be sent home with a nebulizer for breathing treatments. Make sure you, any other caregivers, and the senior, him or herself, are well-trained in using the machine for optimum effectiveness. Additionally, cool mist humidifiers or vaporizers help keep the air moist inside the home and may make breathing easier and ease lingering coughs.

Upon coming home, you may be asked to monitor the senior’s heart rate and the number of breaths taken each minute during a state of rest. A higher than normal heart rate and/or excessive breathing may signify a relapse.

The senior can expect a cough and general fatigue to last for some time after pneumonia subsides. It is essential for the senior to get ample sleep as well as proper nourishment during this time. If nighttime sleep is interrupted, encourage a nap during the day. Rest helps the body’s healing process just as maintaining a healthy diet can boost the immune system. It is important that the senior not smoke or venture outdoors if there is smoke from a fire in the air as this can hinder the breathing process and cause infection in the lungs. Alcohol consumption should be avoided as it can inhibit the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Above all, make sure you and the senior have plenty of help when you need it from family, friends, or other caregivers.  Those close to the senior can help monitor progress as well as lend a helping hand around the house.  Sometimes, just a little extra tender loving care can provide a much needed boost to becoming well.

Comfort Keepers^®Can Help

Maintaining senior health and wellbeing is a priority for the team at Comfort Keepers^®. Our caregivers can assist in providing seniors with transportation to and from the doctor’s office or clinics to receive their vaccinations. In addition, caregivers can also work to promote a healthy lifestyle by supporting physician-recommended diet and exercise plans, as well as medication reminders. Contact your the Comfort Keepers Calgary office today to learn more.

Bonus Article: The Comfort Keepers Difference

References

Drugs.com (2009). Pneumonia. Retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.drugs.com/cg/pneumonia-aftercare-instructions.html?printable=1.

Physicians Desk Reference (2011). Pneumonia in adults treatment. Retrieved on December 2, 2012 from http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/pneumonia-in-adults/treatment.

BMJ Publishing Group Limited (2010). Pneumonia. Retrieved on December 3, 2012 from http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/pdf/patient-summaries/community-acquired-pneumonia-standard.pdf.

Immunizations for Seniors

Immunizations for Seniors – One of the most important ways that seniors can stay healthy is to make sure they are vaccinated against common, preventable diseases.

Research shows that a number of older adults aren’t getting the vaccines they need to help reduce their risk of serious illnesses.

With age, we become much more susceptible to serious illnesses and infections due to a weakened immune system. Many of these diseases can take their toll on younger adults, but the setback is often temporary. For seniors, the complications that arise from these illnesses can be life-threatening.

Over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older.

For example, respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia and influenza, are the eighth leading cause of death among the older population. Seniors with chronic diseases are more likely to suffer complications. Diabetics, for example, are three times more likely to die from a bout with the flu than a healthy adult. The risk of getting either of these can be reduced with vaccinations.

Vaccines represent the best form of risk reduction for some diseases, and can help make symptoms less severe for those who do come down with the respective illness. Immunizations can make a significant difference in a senior’s physical wellbeing. Recommended Immunization for Seniors should be discussed with their healthcare team to ensure that they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Commonly Recommended Vaccines for Seniors:

• Influenza vaccine
• Shingles vaccine
• Tdap vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Hepatitis B

Related Article: End of Life Care & The Immune System

Comfort Keepers^®Can Help

Maintaining senior health and wellbeing is a priority for the team at Comfort Keepers^®. Our caregivers can assist in providing seniors with transportation to and from the doctor’s office or clinics to receive their vaccinations. In addition, caregivers can also work to promote a healthy lifestyle by supporting physician-recommended diet and exercise plans, as well as medication reminders. Contact your the Comfort Keepers Calgary office today to learn more.

Bonus Article: The Comfort Keepers Difference

References:
Consumer Reports. “The 4 Vaccines Older Adults Need.” Web. 2017.
People. “What to Know About the New Shingles Vaccine – And Why You Should Get It ASAP if You’re Over 50.” Web. 2018.
National Council on Aging. “NCOA Blog: Healthy Living – Healthy Aging in Winter and Beyond: 4 Important Vaccines for Seniors Covered by Medicare.” Web. 2017.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Vaccine Information for Adults.” Web. 2018.
WebMD. “What to know if you have Diabetes and the Flu.” Web. 2019