New Braunfels Home Care - Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels Blog moved to Home Care New Braunfels at Carebuzz.com!!

Helping seniors remain in their homes safely and comfortably is our mission at Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels.  We moved for several reasons – Home Care New Braunfels blog:

• Give you more useful tips
• Home care savings
• Home care packages to help you save
• A national connection of senior service providers
• Home care videos
• Home care podcasts
• and much more to help better guide you when caring for an aging parent or relative in New Braunfels, Texas.

Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels appreciates our readership and hope you join us at Home Care New Braunfels on Carebuzz.com.

Thank you for your loyalty and trusting your elder loved one’s care with us!

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin – call us at 830-624-8380.

Daytime Sleeping Linked To Poor Recovery in Older Patients

Older patients who sleep during the day while in rehabilitation have less functional recovery, with the effects lasting as long as three months, new research reveals.

For the study, scientists tracked the sleeping patterns in 245 adults with an average age of 80.6 years. Each patient had been admitted to one of two study sites for in-patient rehabilitation related to conditions such as an orthopedic problem, a heart problem or stroke.

Research found that participants slept for an average of 2.1 hours during the daytime, which accounted for 15.8 percent of the time between waking up and bedtime, according to an American Academy of Sleep Medicine news release.

Participants who had a higher percentage of daytime sleep showed significantly less functional recovery, even after adjusting for other predictors of recovery, such as mental status, hours of therapy received and reason for admission.

“We were surprised that the results suggested that it was the excessive daytime sleeping in the rehabilitation facility which was associated with less improvement in their physical functioning,” said Cathy A. Alessi, M.D., of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

“We were also surprised at how long this effect lasted. For up to three months later, more sleeping during the daytime while they were in the rehabilitation facility was still related to their physical functioning after being discharged.”

Researchers suggest that these findings are particularly significant because interventions to improve sleep patterns of older people during rehabilitation, and in particular to reduce daytime sleeping, may promote functional recovery.

This is something CAREGivers working with clients during rehabilitation may want to keep in mind.

Home Instead Senior Care’s “Operation Medicine Cabinet” Protects Seniors and Our Community Water Supply by Safely Disposing of Old Medicines

Contact: Carolyn Casey
Franchise Owner, Home Instead Senior Care
830-624-8380
carolyn.casey@homeinstead.com

The New Braunfels office of Home Instead Senior Care, in partnership with the New Braunfels Police Department and NBU, has scheduled “Operation Medicine CabinetTM” for November 14, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to help New Braunfels residents safely dispose of expired or no longer used prescription and over-the-counter medications.  The “drive-up and drop-off” event will be held at the New Braunfels Police Department located at 1488 S. Seguin Ave.

New Braunfels residents or their family caregivers can simply drive up to the location where officers will be on hand to oversee the drop-off of medications into secure containers.  Citizens must present a State issued identification card when dropping off medications. After the event all medications will be properly disposed of by the Police Department. Representatives from NBU will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions.

The program addresses several major community concerns including protecting seniors and others from accidentally using expired medications and preventing potentially hazardous chemicals from contaminating our community water supply.

“Operation Medicine Cabinet is a valuable community service that educates the public on how proper disposal not only protects loved ones from accidental ingestion, but also helps protect the environment,” said Carolyn Casey, owner of the New Braunfels Home Instead Senior Care agency.

“Residents often flush unwanted medications down the toilet or drain, but the local waste water treatment system was not designed to remove these types of contaminants from the water supply. In addition, kids, pets and local wildlife can access medications that are carelessly thrown away in the trash,” said Casey.

For information about Operation Medicine Cabinet contact Carolyn Casey at 830-624-8380.

For more information about the community water supply log on to www. nbutexas.com

For details related to “drive-up and drop-off” procedures, visit the New Braunfels Police Department website at www.nbpdtexas.com

Home Instead Senior Care in New Braunfels suggest seniors follow these home care tips to protect themselves from a fall:

Keep the Home Safe. A majority of falls happen in the home. To make your home more fall proof, you should eliminate as many trip hazards as possible.

Make sure all throw-rugs have non-slip backing pads.

Make sure all stairwells and hallways are well lit and free of clutter.

Equip bathrooms, bathtubs and shower stalls with securely attached grab-bars and use non-skid mats or treads to help prevent slips and falls.

Stay Active. An active lifestyle is one of the best of all possible ways to reduce your “risks” in many areas, not just falling.

Physical activity keeps your muscles strong, helps maintain bone density, keeps you limber and flexible, as well as helping you maintain a good sense of balance.

Walking, gardening and stretching exercises are all good ways to help maintain optimum body mechanics no matter what your age.

Live Healthy. Remember, eating a well balanced diet, limiting your consumption of alcohol, which may interact with your medications.

Staying active and getting regular health check ups can all help you avoid falls, as well as many other health problems that could keep you down.

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin – call us at 830-624-8380.

The 40/70 Talk – How to bring up critical topics with Aging Parents in San Marcos and New Braunfels

Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels reveals nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have a major communication obstacle with their parents. That problem, as we see it, stems from continuation of the “parent-child role.” It can be difficult for many Baby Boomers to initiate this type of conversation because senior parents may still be dealing with their grown sons or daughters not as adults but as if they’re still children.

The 40-70 Talk is to provide practical ways for adult children to talk to their parents now. We’ve seen lack of communication lead to various problems such as misuse of medications, self neglect, even accidents.

The 40-70 Talk is a guide of conversation starters for sensitive aging-related subjects and is available free from Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels. It was compiled with the assistance of nationally known author Jake Harwood, Ph.D., a communication professor from the University of Arizona and the former director of the school’s Graduate Program in Gerontology.

Communication is Key

Good communication helps seniors adapt to changing life circumstances. It also helps families to know when it’s time to seek additional resources.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care’s survey, go to http://www.4070talk.com.

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin – call us at 830-624-8380.

How to Talk to Parents about Home Care

Most seniors want to remain at home and live independent lives. It’s difficult giving up their home and moving to an facility or institution. These aging concerns often leave family members speechless.

How does an adult son bring up the topic of getting more help at home so that his parents can remain living there. He wants his aging parent to live safely and comfortably. How does a grown daughter ask her grandmother if she’s taking her medications like she should? And how do grown children and adult siblings approach their aging parents about getting more help at home? Professionals at Home Instead Senior Care see families perplexed by these issues on a daily bases.

Addressing these issues are difficult, that’s what prompted Home Instead Senior Care to launch a public education campaign designed to help family caregivers bridge the communication gap when it comes to discussing sensitive topics with aging family members.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care’s survey, go to http://www.4070talk.com.

TIME FOR CARE CHECKLIST

Seniors do not want to risk losing their independence, so the responsibility falls to family members to determine when caregiving assistance may be required. If your loved one’s lifestyle matches a number of the signs on the following checklist, it may be the time.

• Decline in housekeeping
• Spoiled food in the refrigerator because he/she neglects chores and has trouble getting to the grocery store in order to re-stock
• Build up of clutter
• Dirt in cramped spaces and on top of surfaces
• Newspapers, books and magazines under beds and sofas because he/she has difficulty with organization
• Cleaning materials are not being properly stored
• Neglect of nutrition
• He/she is losing or gaining drastic amounts of weight suddenly
• Check his/her grocery list to determine what foods have been purchased
• Convenience foods are being consumed more often, which often include junk foods or fast food takeout
• He/she often has an empty fridge
• Increased risk of accidents
• There are signs of spilled drinks and food on the floors and stairways, due to shaky hands or poor balance
• There are objects in the home, such as frayed carpets, throw rugs, objects, and furniture that may create tripping hazards
• He/she has a bad knee, replaced hip or other injury that might compromise balance and increase the risk of falling
• Difficulty reaching or climbing
• Inability to clean dirt or soot from high places, like fans or ceilings
• He/she stores things in lower cabinets to prevent having to reach
• He/she struggles with climbing stairs
• Overlooking responsibilities
• Check your loved one’s mail to ensure it is being picked up
• He/she is not opening or paying bills
• He/she is not answering correspondence from friends or family
• Poor management of medication
• Poor eyesight makes it difficult for him/her to read medication labels properly
• Medications are not being refilled when needed
• He/she forgets to take medications on time
• Declining personal hygiene
• He/she appears unkempt
• Clothing is not being washed frequently
• Clothing is not always changed regularly
• He/she appears to neglect other factors of personal hygiene
• Changes in socialization
• Neighbors and other close friends can help provide insight
• He/she is withdrawing from social activities
• He/she doesn’t seem to take enjoyment out of conversation
• He/she spends more time at home alone watching TV or engaging in other activities alone

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin – call us at 830-624-8380.

ASSESSING CAREGIVER STRESS

Q1 – What is the Stress Assessment Tool, and how can I access it?

A1 – The Stress Assessment Tool is an informative way for caregivers to learn about how their caregiving impacts their other responsibilities, their personal stress levels, and how they could benefit from additional help. The Stress

Assessment Tool is an online questionnaire which consists of a series of simple multiple choice questions, and can be accessed at http://www.caregiverstress.com/assessment.html.

Q2 – Who created the Stress Assessment Tool, and can it be used as a medical diagnosis?

A2 – It’s important to know, that while this questionnaire was developed by eldercare experts and caregiver stress experts, this is an informative tool only and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. If you require advice from a medical expert, please ensure that you contact your physician.

Q3 – What kind of questions does the Stress Assessment Tool ask?

A3 – The 20 multiple choice questions included on the Stress Assessment Tool ask questions relating to your caregiving responsibilities, assistance at hand, and impacts of stress. Examples include, the amount of time you spend caring for a senior, your proximity to the senior, the type of assistance your care recipient requires, the assistance you receive from friends and family, the impact your responsibilities have upon your relationship with a loved one, the impact upon your immune system, changes in your sleep patterns, and effects upon your mood and family.

Q4 – What if the test recommends that I need assistance, who can I turn to?

A4 – Home Instead Senior Care New Braunfels provides in-home, non-medical senior care; or if possible you can request help from friends or family.

Q5 – What else might the results of the test tell me?

A5 – The results of the Stress Assessment Tool will provide feedback about your family caregiving and tips to help maintain low levels of stress and general well-being.

Elders and seniors in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Seguin, and San Marcos want to be healthy. Home Instead Senior Care offers more tips for aging seniors to age gracefully – Call us if you need personal assistance at home in New Braunfels at (830) 624-8380.

Elders and seniors in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Seguin, and San Marcos want to be healthy. Home Instead Senior Care offers more tips for aging seniors to age gracefully – Call us if you need personal assistance at home in New Braunfels at (830) 624-8380.

Diet & Exercise Tips

• Many seniors are on the right track – in order to eat better they reduce their intake of fats and red meats

• Others take risks by using dietary supplements, which allege weight loss without a need to change diet or exercise routines. If you choose to use one of these products, request clinical or medical research documentation to support claims, and review any concerns with a physician or professional nutritionist

• Engage in an exercise routine that includes 30 minutes of cardio, strength training, stretching and balance exercises

• Select foods that have high nutritional value, and ensure that you maintain a well-balanced diet

• As people age they may lack certain nutrients, such as vitamin B6, zinc, and calcium – select foods rich with these nutrients or utilize vitamin supplements

Resources

If you are considering beginning a new diet or exercise routine, you should always consult your doctor in advance in order to discuss any factors relevant to your personal health. However, in order to help you determine how to become more active, the following books may prove beneficial.

• The Quick Series Guide to Exercise for Seniors, by Luxart Communications
• Walking for the Health of It, by Jeanne Ralston
• The Easy and Effective Exercise for People over 50
• Safe Therapeutic Exercise for the Frail Elderly, by O. Hurley
• Senior Fitness, by Ruth Heidrich
• Developing a Fitness Program for the Frail and Well Elderly, by Christian Thompson
• Investing in Your Health, by G. Siegfried Kutter
• Successful Aging Through Fitness and Nutrition
• The Little Blue Book of Fitness and Health, by Gary Savage, Tony Jarvis, and Sara J. Henry
• 393 Common-Sense Tips to Help You Achieve Optimum Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/exercisefitnes1/a/seniorfitnessbo.htm
http://www.essortment.com/all/slowagingproc_rtjz.htm

Elders and seniors in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Seguin, and San Marcos want to be healthy. Home Instead Senior Care offers more tips for aging seniors to age gracefully – Call us if you need personal assistance at home in New Braunfels at (830) 624-8380.

DIET AND EXERCISE FOR HEALTHY LIVING

Many seniors, especially those who live on their own, may have difficulty with meal preparation, grocery shopping and deciding upon what ingredients to use in a meal.  As a result, it is not surprising that many seniors are not receiving adequate nutrition:  

• 50% rely on pre-prepared frozen, packaged or takeout meals
• 64% make mealtime more enjoyable by dining with a distraction such as reading, watching television, or working

Many seniors also use the age old excuse for avoiding exercise and not eating properly; “too much to do, and not enough time to do it!”  While exercise can become more difficult as an individual ages, due to changes in balance, and an increased risk of injury, it remains just as important that a senior receives an adequate amount of physical activity in order to maintain their overall health, balance, flexibility, muscle strength and reduce frailty.

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/exercisefitnes1/a/seniorfitnessbo.htm