Tulsa Home Health care solutions for all of Northeastern Oklahoma.

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month. Many people have never heard of aphasia. Sadly, many of us are introduced to the term when they are being told that a loved one is suffering from the disability as a result of a stroke or other brain injury. More than 1/4 of stroke survivors acquire aphasia.

Aphasia is defined as an impairment of language that affects the production or comprehension of speech. The ability to read or write may also be affected. When a stroke or other illness causes aphasia it can have a profound impact on both the affected individual and their family.

There are several forms of aphasia. The most severe form is called global aphasia and those suffering it cannot produce or understand speech to any appreciable degree. With Broca’s aphasia, sufferers can utter some short phrases of four words or less. Their understanding of speech is relatively unimpaired and they often retain the ability to read, though writing can prove difficult. With Wernicke’s aphasia, patients can speak but their understanding of the meaning of words is impaired. With anomic aphasia, people are left with the inability to recall the appropriate nouns and verbs for use in their discussion.

As you can imagine, each type of aphasia presents obstacles to those wishing to live independently. In many cases, there is hope for improvement with therapy.

For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.

Dental care for the elderly is more important than ever for a good reason.  Decade after decade, the percentage of elderly people who still have their own teeth has been increasing.  This can be attributed to several factors.

Water fluoridation has been a public health initiative in the United States for over 60 years.  Fluoride is added to the municipal water supplied to over 60% of Americans.  Fluoridation has a proven track record of reducing tooth decay by as much as 40%.

Proper nutrition has been promoted in various ways ever since WWII.  Back then it was important because of food scarcities.  In the 1960s, government agencies started promoting proper nutrition in an effort to reduce heart disease.   Abundant healthy food and the nutritional fortification of various staple foods has also improved the dental health of Americans.  The popularity of sugar laden beverages and snacks has been a big negative for dental health but overall things are better than they were in previous generations.

Advances in the fields of medicine and dentistry have also resulted in improved dental health in old age.

Once you have reached your golden years with your pearly whites intact, you want to keep them in good shape.    Tooth decay and gum disease are associated with diabetes and respiratory illnesses.

Proper dental care for seniors is the same routine that everyone else follows.  Brush twice daily, floss and have regular visits with the dentist.  One thing that elderly people should be aware of is the effect of certain medications on teeth and gums.

A good dentist knows about the problems specific to the aged and will adjust their exams accordingly. Be prepared for the questions that a dentist is most likely to ask you. When you come in for a checkup, the dentist is probably going to ask if you have experienced any of the following:

• Recent changes in your mouth
• Loose or sensitive teeth
• Difficulty tasting, chewing, or swallowing
• Pain, discomfort, sores, or bleeding in your mouth
• Lumps, bumps, or swellings in your mouth

For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.

According to a recent survey, the elderly are the least likely to understand the warnings about high UV levels and sunburn risk. There is ample evidence that exposure to too much intense sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer. That is not the only concern. Sunburns can have serious complications such as bacterial infection. The elderly are at greater risk of complications from sunburn.

Seniors who are still active and enjoying outdoor activities can take a few easy steps to reduce their exposure to damaging UV rays.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and sunglasses during sunny days.
• Avoid the sun entirely during the hours when it is most intense – 10am to 4 pm
• Use sunscreen with a high SPF number. Sunscreens with zinc oxide provide the best protection.
• Check the expiry date on sunscreen and throw it out if it’s too old.

For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.

Photo Credit – Keith Williamson

Caring for plants makes people feel good. There are full fledged horticultural therapy programs in some nursing home, but something as simple as having a pot or two of geraniums in the windowsill can also make a difference.

Caring for plants can provide a moderate level of physical activity that is important for maintaining good health. The mental stimulation is also great to delay and reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This is true for elderly people who have performed farming or gardening work in their younger days. Becoming a green thumb in your golden years is great too. Studies indicate that the mental exercise of learning something new helps to delay Alzheimer’s.

Growing plants indoors has the added benefit of filtering toxins out of the air. Here is a list of the plants that do the best job of cleaning indoor air:

1. Areca Palm – semi sun
2. Lady Palm – semi sun
3. Bamboo Palm – semi sun
4. Rubber Plant – semi sun to semi shade
5. Dracaena “Janet Craig” – Semi shade
6. Philodendron – semi shade
7. Dwarf Date Palm – semi sun
8. Ficus Alii – full sun and semi sun
9. Boston Fern – semis sun
10. Peace lily – semi shade
11. Corn plant
12. Golden Plotlos
13. Kimberly Queen
14. Florist Mum
15. Gerbera Daisy

Growing fresh vegetables can provide valuable nutrition and also a social outlet if and when you have some veggies to share.

Source: Sanford Group

For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.