In a recent release from the American Medical Association, the link between depression and stroke was listed. The link shows that depression can raise the risk for stroke, though that risk is heightened by other factors as well.
Resident Care
Preventing Falls
Monday, December 5th, 2011, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Preventing falls is not as challenging as one might think. Sometimes what prevents the falls are things that are overlooked, or unnoticed by those who tend not to trip easily.
Flu Shots – Little Pain, Big Health Investment
Monday, November 7th, 2011, Resident Care
There are signs outside many pharmacies and grocery stores touting flu shots are available here, there and everywhere. Generally, flu shots are administered from early October to November. Keep in mind the flu season runs from November to April. Because the elderly have a compromised immune system, the flu can be deadly for them. Flu shots come with little pain and a big health investment.
Gadgets To Make ADLs Easier
Monday, October 31st, 2011, Life in Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Care, Resident Care
What makes an ADL (activities of daily living) easy varies from person to person, so while this information is useful, it is important to do independent research in order to find out exactly what will help and what might hinder. Keep in mind the needs of the individual, as well as what their personal levels of comfort are.
You’ve Won! Mail Scams
Monday, August 29th, 2011, General Info, Resident Care
Your aging mother calls, she just received a large check in the mail. Not just any check, but a check for several thousand dollars! No catch – the senders just ask that the check be deposited and once it clears in about seven day, send them a small few (usually one or two hundred dollars) to cover their processing fees. After a thorough examination and several phone calls, you determine the check is, in fact, a legal check from a real bank account.
What do you do?
Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Monday, August 15th, 2011, Alzheimers Care, Resident Care
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is most often portrayed as a disease of memory. Important dates are forgotten, names of friends and family, and eventually the people that a sufferer of this disease may have know their whole lives are erased from memory.
While the loss of memory is terrible, other symptoms affect the lives of those with AD. Alzheimer’s is a disease that steals not only the memory, but the quality of life from those it affects. Simple day to day activities become difficult or even impossible to perform.
Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia Causes
Monday, July 11th, 2011, Alzheimers Care, Resident Care
When dementia is mentioned in conversation, the first diagnosis that leaps to mind is Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top causes of dementia, it is not the only culprit. Dementia affects about one in seven Americans over 70. All memory loss is not dementia and unlike dementia caused by Alzheimer’s, some dementias can be reversed.
Dementia itself is not a disease. It is a symptom of an underlying condition. Different conditions can mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Thorough testing of the stricken individual’s mental cognition and their ability to complete their activities of daily living (ADLs) can help pinpoint the underlying cause of dementia.
Angels Among Us
Monday, June 27th, 2011, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
All across the nation there are angels quietly enriching the lives of seniors. Men and women that sit and chat with lonely seniors, walk dogs, clean, and even buy groceries for those that cannot afford them otherwise. These angels may be young, middle aged, or the same age as the people they are helping. Age and sex have no bearing, only their desire to help others.
H1N1 (Swine Flu) and You
Monday, June 13th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, Resident Care
Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement that the H1N1 Pandemic had ended. The death toll around the globe is at an estimated 18,000. This is far below what the WHO expected – due to the rate at which the virus spread, the organization originally thought the death toll would reach the millions.
While this is good news on the whole, those that are susceptible to influenza should still receive their flu shots. Swine flu (H1N1) is not wiped out and like any virus, can make a comeback.
Parkinson’s Disease and Complications
Monday, May 16th, 2011, Resident Care
Parkinson’s Disease is an illness that affects the nervous system. Symptoms do not appear suddenly, there is a gradual build-up. Most people associate tremors or shaking with the disease. Other symptoms include slowness or complete freezing of movements.
Organic Gardening In Assisted Living
Friday, May 13th, 2011, General Info, Resident Care
Organic food is an expensive addition to any menu, not just in the Assisted Living sector. With more people turning to chemical free food, the cost may be well worth it. Chemical fertilizers have been tentatively linked to health problems from asthma to cancer.
Vascular Dementia
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, Rehabilitation Care, Resident Care
Vascular Dementia is caused by the blockage of blood flow to the brain. This blockage causes brain cells to die which in turn affects the memory and cognitive ability of the individual stricken. The death of brain cells can cause damage to the area of the brain that controls language, memory, and learning. This area is the cortex.
Who Will Watch Over Us?
Thursday, April 28th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Many of the seniors that moved into an Assisted Living facility did so for the added safety of being ‘watched over’ during the night. They do so with the assumption that ALFs have the same staffing requirements as a skilled facility and that there will be several aides per hallway or floor to answer any calls for assistance late at night in case of an emergency.
ALF Names Resident as “Artist of the Month”
Monday, February 21st, 2011, Assisted Living Activities, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
There is a new trend in assisted living to bring art to senior residents in long-term care. Caregivers are recognizing the benefits seniors reap when involved in creative activities. They are working to bring beauty and inspiration to many elderly residents who are unable to visit exhibits and museums by bringing the art to the seniors instead.
New study: Medicare and Heart Failure Patients
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011, Life in Assisted Living, Medicare, Resident Care
When it comes to patients on Medicare, there is both good and bad news to report. The bad news is a recent study from Yale reports that deaths outside of hospitals and readmission rates are on the rise. Also, the number of patients being discharged to nursing home facilities is also going up.
Mechanical Seal Sparks Debate Over the Role of Robots in Eldercare
Monday, February 14th, 2011, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Paro is a robotic baby seal that was designed by Takanori Shabata of Japan in 1993.The robot has sensors which allow it to respond to petting by wiggling its tail and opening and closing its eyes. It can even show emotions like anger, happiness and surprise. It also makes sounds like a baby seal.
Medicare Physicians’ Pay Cut Leads to Patient Refusals
Prepared for a Crisis?
Monday, February 7th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, Resident Care
Researchers estimate that in the U.S. 19 assisted living facilities are affected by emergencies including fires, floods, severe weather, patient wandering incidents, or alleged cases of abuse or negligence.
Assisted Living Co Hit with $670 Million Judgment for Understaffing
Friday, January 28th, 2011, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
A Humboldt County, California jury instructed nursing home and assisted living firm, Skilled Healthcare Group, to pay a stiff fine for understaffing over 20 assisted living facilities throughout the state. On Tuesday, the company was ordered to pay over $670 million.
When Crisis Happens: What an ALF Should Do
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, Resident Care
An organization’s response to a crisis affects more than their credibility, image and reputation – it can affect the lives of the people they serve. Assisted Living facilities encounter occasional crises. When they do, they need to be prepared to cope with them.
What Your Assisted Living Community Needs to Know About Wound Care
Friday, January 14th, 2011, Assisted Living Activities, Assisted Living Concerns, Resident Care
One of the health issues seniors in an assisted living facility may face is a chronic wound. Potential residents should ask health care providers at the facility if they are equipped to identify and treat wounds.
Meals for One
Monday, December 27th, 2010, General Info, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Smaller meals are more desirable when we age. We do not feel as if we can hold as much as when we were younger. Certain illness can cause this, medication, or just a general decrease in appetite. Singles of all ages have been targeted by frozen meal manufacturers. Small, single servings of pizza and other frozen fare are available throughout the frozen foods section in your local grocery store.
Intel Health Guide Moves into Italy, But What Does it Mean for American Seniors?
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Assisted living facilities may have in-house physicians or nurses to help out with resident care as their conditions progress, but many don’t, instead relying on frequent visits from medical professionals. Intel’s Health Guide may bridge that gap.
Medication Advances: Ingredients Printed on Actual Pills
Residents Should be Prepared for Unexpected Medical Emergencies
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Assisted living homes may not offer comprehensive medical care. Unlike skilled nursing facilities, ALFs may not have a doctor on call or a nurse for each section (wing). Every ALF should have a plan in place for medical emergencies that may occur. In addition residents of assisted living can do a few simple things to be prepared for a medical emergency.
Choosing Assisted Living for Young People with Disabilities
Friday, November 5th, 2010, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
Choosing an assisted living facility for young people with disabilities can be a daunting task. Thousands of young people become permanently disabled every year and require assistance performing general tasks for daily living.
Proper Resident Indepedence in Assisted Care Settings
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010, Alzheimers Care, Assisted Living Concerns, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
If you are among the many family members searching for an option for your loved one that will allow them to continue being independent–you may want to look very closely at the facility you are considering. All assisted living communities are not created equal in regards to independence.
Seniors Fear of Falling Leads to More Falls
Identifying Malnutrition in Seniors
Monday, October 25th, 2010, Assisted Living Concerns, Life in Assisted Living, Resident Care
When it comes to senior nutrition in assisted living and long-term care, how is malnutrition defined? It is estimated that between 25% and 85% of seniors in long-term care suffer from varying degrees of malnutrition.
Where will my possessions go when I move into assisted living?
Friday, October 22nd, 2010, Assisted Living Concerns, Assisted Living Locations, General Info, Resident Care
Moving into an Assisted Living Facility does not mean that you need to give up all of your belongings. There are facilities that offer apartments in addition to smaller shared rooms. In the apartment type facilities, often referred to as Retirement Communities, residents may bring a large portion of their belongings to decorate and use.
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