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Archive for the ‘Safety’ Category
Monday, December 26th, 2011
 The death rate for breast cancer, heart disease and prostrate cancer declined between 2000 and 2008. During that same period, the death rate for Alzheimer increased by more than 50 percent. Alzheimer is a lot more serious than just memory and cognitive decline, it can be deadly. Alzheimer is among the top ten diseases in the United States of those that can not be cured, prevented or reversed.
Alzheimer ia a progressive disease. The affected individual will not only lose his memory but his mental and physical functions as well. The disease can be slowed down with medication, but it can not be stopped or reversed. While Alzheimer itself is not deadly, there are consequences of the disease that are. Due to the patient becoming more and more immobile, they become more susceptible to aspiration, falls, pneumonia, pressure sores and urinary tract infections.
Studies have shown that when the loss of cognitive functions and dementia of those with Alzheimer’s disease, play a part in the death rate of its victims. Death from complications of Alzheimer appear to be connected to the how fast the rate of cognitive functions decline. From these studies, indications that keeping the elderly who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer active and busy, keep them socializing as well as encourage a regular exercise program. The brain benefits from these actions and could possibly delay physical symptoms and immobility.
Along with these steps and talking to your elderly loved ones physician, they may prescribe medications and suggest changes to their lifestyle, can all be a part of slowing this disease down. The participation and support of loved ones with these steps is important, family members should be involved as much as possible when an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer.
The impact that Alzheimer can have on a person and their family can be dramatic. When the symptoms first appear, offer to help your loved one get their affairs in order. As the disease progresses, your loved one will need more and more assistance with even day-to-day activities and taking care of themselves.
To keep Alzheimer under some control and slow the progress, it is important for the patient to maintain their visits to their doctor. Controlling other health concerns they may have such as diabetes, high blood pressure are extremely important along with maintaining overall good health and keeping moderately mentally and physically active.
If you have a loved elderly one in your life that has been diagnosed or you suspect they may have Alzheimer Disease and not sure where to get help, give us a call at Oxford HealthCare. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: Azheimer; Diseases; Elderly; Dementia; Cognitive Functions;
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Monday, December 19th, 2011
 We all have busy lives these days, so it seems. You may work full time, your spouse works full time, you have the kids and their activities, the house, the yard and somehow you try to cram a little it of a social life in too. So when you have an elderly loved one in your life, it is not always possible to take care of their needs and wants on a daily basis. However, our elderly loved ones still need support from us, and we should make the effort to spend as much them with them as possible during these last years.
Unfortunately, back to the beginning of this blog – we all have busy lives these days. With that being said, we can’t spend as much time as we would like to, especially if we work during the day. Fortunately, there are ways to assist us with making sure our elderly loved ones have some activities, some interaction with others and some form of entertainment when we can’t be with them. Today, there are adult day care centers that provide assistance to the elderly, something like that of a day care for our children, but geared toward elderly and capable of providing adequate care medically if needed.
Before you start making calls and setting up reservations, remember to include your loved one in this decision. They should have a joint role and voice their concerns as well as offer any comments or suggestions. Avoid the term “adult day care center” as many elderly will equate that with assisted living or nursing homes and may feel that you are abandoning them, brushing them under the rug so that you have to deal with them any longer. Nobody likes the idea of being dumped off some place, so handle the subject carefully.
Do some research first before even brining the subject up to them. Find one that is close by and ask plenty of questions, get references and drop by one day, unannounced, to observe. Approach this the same way you would in selecting the day care for your children. Ask if they are a daily operation and what the hours are. Do they offer transportation to pick up and take home the enrolled elderly? Are the seniors required to move around or are they able to find a comfortable place and stay in place if desired? Are there medical professionals on staff while the facility is open in case of an emergency or to assist in medication distribution? What is the meal and snack arrangement during the day? Is it furnished, is there a calendar distributed with the menu for the week or month? Are special diets adhered to for the residents? Can the residents bring their own food? What is the ratio of elderly to staff members? Are some days more crowded than others?
Inquire what types of activities are offered and are the residents required to participate? There should be good activities and events available at an adult day care center. The seniors enrolled there should enjoy their stay and be comfortable and at ease associating with other residents. Adult day care centers should provide games such as playing cards and working puzzles. You want your loved one to have fun so the day passes with ease. When they have fun, they are enjoying life. When they are enjoying live, their live will be prolonged. It is much healthier for them to have fun with colleagues in an adult day care center than it is to sit home alone watching television all day.
You should narrow your list down to two or three adult day care centers when you are ready to bring this subject to your loved one. Explain to them that this will be a place where they can socialize and associate with others their age that will have some of the same life history and current interest they do. You may be fortunate enough that their church offers adult day care center, many elderly that enjoy going to church on Sunday would feel right at home at that day care center. You definitely need to work with your elderly loved one and select an adult day care together.
Of course, like anything in live these days, there is going to be an expense involved. However, just as with your children, if your elderly loved one is getting services provided that make them happy and keep them healthy, it is money will spent. Again, if their home church offers adult day care, the expense could be less.
It is not only a relief but a joy as well to watch our elderly parents enjoy themselves and also being cared for by adult day care services. If this is something you are considering for the elderly loved one in your life and you aren’t sure where to look, call us at Oxford HealthCare. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: adult day care; day care; elderly day care; elderly care; elderly entertainment;
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Monday, December 12th, 2011
 Often as parents begin getting close to the age of sixty they start having thoughts of relocating. There are numerous reasons that may bring these thoughts on. It could be to move closer to their children or move back to their childhood neighborhood. Where they currently live now could feel unsafe for them. They may see as they are getting older that their current home maybe hard to maintain or to get around, such as having to climb stairs. It could simply be they just want a change of lifestyle now that they no longer have children at home and worry about school districts. Often times it is a move to downsize, there is no need for the multi bedrooms and huge square footage now that it’s just the two of them. Downsizing will be less to cool and heat as well as maintain.
Different studies have shown that some seniors desire to move either get away from the city to the semi urban or a rural area, while other seniors are ready to move from their rural abode to the city. Either way, they can find a number of options for the 60+ age group. In fact, many are age restricted retirement communities, such as apartments, that offer all the amenities to encourage them to lead a healthy life style. With facilities such as fitness centers, golf courses, spas and swimming pools as well as tennis courts.
Another option that single elderly may consider is shared housing. They either share their home with one or two others or move into another senior’s home. They split the expense of the upkeep and utilities which lessens their burden while still giving them the use of a full house. The majority of seniors don’t want to be alone, so the shared house option gives them somebody to talk to and interact with as well.
Perhaps mom and dad aren’t ready to give up their independent living but may need assistance from time to time. They may want to consider a continuous care retirement community. Here they are given support for doing things like daily chores if they need it. There is also medical support with qualified medical staff to provide assistance and treatment if needed. For those senior citizens that may suffer from disease such as Alzheimer, there are facilities available that have trained staff for those who are in their early stages of Alzheimer’s.
So while it may be hard to see mom and dad give up your childhood home, keep in mind what is best for them and what is making them happy and keeping them safe. For more help in your elderly loved one relocating, give us a call at Oxford HealthCare. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: moving; downsizing; mom and dad moving; senior community; senior activities
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Monday, November 14th, 2011
 Many senior citizens love to travel, before and after retirement. This includes traveling to visit children and grandchildren, especially during the holidays. For a trip to be a pleasure and enjoyable, there is planning to be done first, success is all in the details. As such, there are few questions that need to be answered first so that the planning can begin.
Will the elderly person traveling be staying for just a day or two? Or is the trip for a longer period, perhaps a month or more? How will they be traveling? Will it be by automobile, plane, bus or train? Does the traveling elder have disabilities or any special needs to consider? Are they on medications?
Make sure they are able to take their walker, wheelchair, cane or other items they may need. This may require pre-arranging with the airline or bus line. Even if my automobile, making sure there is plenty of room for their items and easy access to those items. When traveling by automobile, when it comes time to stop and take a restroom break or site-see, you want to make sure they are included as well and if they can’t get to their walker or wheelchair, it won’t be a pleasure stop for them.
Depending on the length of the trip, you want to make sure they have enough of their prescribed medications as well as over-the-counter medications to last them throughout the trip. If they have a medication that can’t be refilled before a certain time, call ahead and set up with a local pharmacy. Their regular pharmacy can call in a transfer if needed. Even though their over-the-counter medications and essentials may be available in any state, city or other countries, making sure they have the brand they are use to is a reassurance to them and worth the pre-purchase and packing.
If your elderly loved one will be traveling alone, make sure they have any and all emergency information on their person. There are many items on the market that you carry on your person with all the vital information such as the elderly one’s own name, address, phone numbers, next-of-kin or in-case-of-emergency contact. It should also have all medications, name, dosage and frequency listed as well as conditions such as pace-maker, diabetic, epilepsy, etc stated. Any allergies are important to have listed as well.
Not necessarily to have on their person, there needs to be a power-of-attorney in place before they depart as well. If something should happen, somebody needs to know how the elderly one want things to take place in case they aren’t able to make decisions themselves and that person needs to know where it is kept. At any age, a medical power of attorney is a good idea. It’s hard to imagine and few people think about what will happen if they can’t speak from themselves, even if only temporarily.
The holidays are coming up quickly and plans are either made or being made about bring grandma in to enjoy them with her. Make it an enjoyable experience and take the time to plan things out ahead of time. If you have any questions about your elderly loved one traveling, call us at Oxford HealthCare. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
 Mites come from the species of “Sarcoptes Scabie” and is a contagious skin infection. These are parasites that can only live three days without human skin to feed from. With human skin as a refuge, they can live much longer and keep breeding.
Scabies are a contagious disease that creates an intense itchy skin condition where the mites tunnel. A person infested with these mites will experience intense itchiness during night, affecting their rest and causing them to scratch excessively. They are transferred from one person to another and spread quickly through skin contacts. Places where groups gather or live such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes can be a haven for these pests. They are transferred from one person to another by touch or even through the nails of the infected person. They have been known to transfer through beddings or towels even.
These pests have been found among the elderly, mentally challenged and children. They can be hard to detect and diagnosis late can result in a quick spread of the scabie mites. While difficult to identify in the elderly, scabies vulgaris (normal scabies) and crusted scabies (scabies norvegica) are fortunately much straightforward to take care of. A caregiver must be aware though t\hat the older patient could experience toxicity from restricted or systemic treatments.
If your elderly loved one has been in a hospital or nursing home and seems to be experiencing these pests after returning to their own home, it can be treated with permethrin cream which is exceptional in being effective and constructive. Their doctor may recommend managing the side effects of scabies and scabies Crustosa with a prescription of permethrin and two oral ivermectin 200 micrograms / kg (given a week).
Scabies infestation is predominant in nursing homes and can grow rapidly if infested someone with a weaker immune system. Since they are difficult to detect in the elderly it is of the utmost importance they maintain high standards of hygiene. This is especially so if they have a brief stay in for recuperating or therapy in a nursing or rehabilitation center before coming home.
If you still have questions and not sure if your loved one has an infestation of scabies, give us a call at Oxford HealthCare, we can guide you to the right places for more information. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: Bugs; mite; skin mites; grandma itching; scabes; scabies; grandpa; sores
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Sunday, October 9th, 2011
 It is not unusual for senior citizens to prefer living in their homes instead of moving to a senior community. This is where they have spent their lives and raised their families. However, living alone may bring problems such as if they became ill, or were injured and had nobody around to help them. As such, a home security system can be a necessity. They are designed to protect anything and anyone and today, with the technology of the industry, alarm systems are even designed for people such as those senior citizens and those who are afflicted with chronic diseases.
What many people don’t realize is that now home security systems not only to protect homes from burglary or fire, but they can bring help when a medical emergency arises in the home too. That alone is reason enough for senior citizens who live alone have one installed. Alarm systems today have personal emergency response systems as well as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. There are even models available that offer bathroom and nightstand “help” buttons too.
The monitoring center for a security system offer twenty-four service, seven days a week, year round. A dispatch operator is available at all times for all needs regardless when an emergency may occur. The resident in need simply pushes a button on a wireless pendant and the dispatch operators respond through the two-way voice response system. They identify the problem and contact the right specialists who arrive within minutes as well as notify the next of kin.
In years past, the pricing kept most people from purchasing a security system. Today though, technology what it is, has made purchasing a home security system affordable. A security system is much cheaper than moving into a senior community thereby saving elderly people money and allows them to remain in the comfort of their own home at a fraction of the cost. Not only can the elderly feel safe in their own home, but their loved ones can feel more confident that help is only a button push away.
If you still have questions or unsure whether the elderly loved one in your family needs around the clock care or around the clock security, call us at Oxford Home Care. Oxford Home. Caring for you at home.
Tags: Security Alarms; Medical alert; elderly; sick; injured
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Halloween is coming up quickly and for those that have children at home or young adults that embrace this day for the parties it can bring it is an exciting time of the year. For the elderly though, especially those that live alone, never had kids or even more so, suffer from dementia, it can be stressful and worrisome for them.
The things that make this night fun for most of us, can be worrisome for those. Even if the elderly had a houseful of kids at one time, after they have all grown up and left home, the usual enthusiasm that came from enjoying the holidays is gone. The usual activities are of preparing costumes, buying treats to hand out and enjoying story telling or parties are no longer in their annual routine. It may even be they don’t even think about the holidays at all.
So how can you keep this a part of their lives too? How can you help them have some enthusiasm and be a part of the festivities? Start first by reminding them early on, a month or so before the actual day that Halloween is coming up. Just as you mention their appointments for various things and taking their medications, mention the preparations that are going on at your house and all around. If this was a person that was a part of your life as a child, remind them of the special things you did together this time of the year.
Bring over some decorations and treats one day and spend the time decorating their home with fun and bright colored things. Include them in the decorating and bring a variety of things, asking them which they prefer. Are they more fond of the ghost, witches, vampires or zombies? If you can get the younger members of your family involved, they can bring a friend or two with crafts to share with Grandma or Grandpa.
When Halloween night is near, ask them if they prefer to stay home and hand out candy. If they do, offer to stay with them. If they don’t want your company, but will be handing out candy, make sure their front porch light is working and bright, illuminating the yard. If your elderly loved one is suffering dementia, without making a big deal of it, bring the younger kids and yourself in costume over that night and have your own small party with them. That way they aren’t alone, they are still a part of the festivities and you can be certain they are safe and sound too.
Maybe you don’t live nearby your grand parents or other elderly relatives, you can still make sure they are safe and included in the celebrations. Ask their neighbors or friends to stop and check on them. Perhaps they can invite them to their church for a planned Halloween carnival or have them over to their house to help answer the door and hand out treats! The local senior citizen center may have activities planned. Call and inquire and they most likely have volunteers that go and pick up the elderly and then take them back home, making sure they get in and all is safe.
For the elderly that will be staying home and handing out treats, help them choose the candy carefully. Help them remember any health related issues such as diabetes as they purchase their treats. Assisting them with their Halloween shopping can be fun for both of you. If you aren’t sure what’s going on in the area your elderly family or friend lives, call us at Oxford Healthcare for help. Oxford Healthcare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: halloween; pumpkins; candy; elderly;
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Monday, September 26th, 2011
 Any monies, properties and things you have acquired and own is considered your estate in legal terms. When you have established estate planning, these are written instruction on how you want your monies and properties distributed. That is why it important for any one to take the time to draw up a Will and establish their estate planning.
Years ago specializing in estate planning was not as common place as it is now. With the elderly population growing so quickly, the phrase “seventy is the new fifty” has made us realize that we are living longer and longer. This is added concern for everyone, including the baby boomer group. Fortunately, there is more information to help with estate planning.
So where do you start this estate planning? Well first of all, you want to determine who will inherit your money, properties and even personal items such as family heirlooms. You need to set this up not only if you pass away, but if you become incapacitated or seriously ill. It is common for this to include your desires for healthcare treatment, life support, whether you want resuscitation or not and pain management. By making these important decisions while you are healthy and alert will not only give you peace of mind but it lets your family members known in clear uncertain terms your desires. For those who are married and have joint assets, this is something that should be done together. Doing it early can lessen the confusion for your loved ones so they aren’t overwhelmed with these decisions while grieving.
If you or loved one does not have a will or an estate plan in place, your property will become “intestate” which will involved the probate court and the state you reside. They will be making those crucial decisions that will either disappoint or delight those left behind. The parameters are different by each jurisdiction.
Creating your own will at home could have some the same results as not having one. If you are tempted to do up a home-made Will make sure it is accepted in your state. A valid Will must contain certain language, be signed in a certain way, and may require a certain number of witnesses. Your homemade Will may not stand up in court and will be invalid. Yes you can save money by drawing up your own Will and estate plans, but you should have it reviewed by an attorney to be certain that it fits your state’s requirements as a valid Will.
Most of all, keep your Will and estate planning up to date as things change in your life. Death of a spouse or child, remarried, job changes, income changes, purchase or sale of property, etc. Wills and estate planning will be different for everyone with it all depending on a person’s family needs and personal goals.
If you still have questions or concerns, call us at Oxford HealthCare, we’ll be glad to provide you the direction where to get more information. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: Wills; Estate Planning; Loved Ones; Grieving; Prepared
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011
 One of the most significant fears of caring for the elderly is their falling. If the elderly you are caring for has problems with walking or keeping their balance, the danger of their falling increases. You must be proactive in this area and start by making sure they have the assistance if needed, as in a cane or a walker. Proper footwear is important to keep the elderly physically stabilized, so to decrease the likelihood of slipping, make sure that your elderly has sturdy but comfortable shoes with a good tread. There are other things you can watch for as well to help prevent their falls.
Cluttered areas are just traps waiting for them to trip and fall. So if you are blessed with a visiting elderly family and friends in your home, make sure toys and other items are picked up and walk-ways are clear. When an elderly person is stressed or tired, that is when they are the most prone to falling, so you want to make sure they are stable and alert as they get about the house.
Human bodies are made to move. Exercise and movement keeps our muscles toned and our bodies functioning. Always encourage the elderly person you’re in charge to get some exercise. A walk down the street or in bad weather, take them to a mall and walk around. Encourage them to swing their arms as they walk and that will exercise the upper part of their body. Exercise will help to fend off any weakness they may get due to inactivity.
It is also suggested those who care for and watch over an elderly person, know what kinds of medication they are taking. The use of multiple medications can cause vision problems and make them drowsy. When possible, consult with their physician and ask if there are any detrimental side effects from their current medications that you should be aware of and symptoms you should watch for. As well, you want to make sure that their vision has been checked recently and they are using the most recent prescription or eyewear.
With a little foresight and special attention to what seem to be minor things, you and your elderly one can rest easy knowing that everything is done to make certain they are safe, even in their own home. Should you have questions or concerns about what is safe and not safe, feel free to contact Oxford HealthCare. Oxford HealthCare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: safe walking; safe shoes; elderly safe walking; canes; walkers
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Monday, August 1st, 2011
 Growing old brings many challenges and getting ripped can be one of them. Not only is stealing from the elderly disturbing, but financial crimes against the elderly have become a serious problem in the U.S.
Baby boomers now represent the fastest growing segment of our population and our aging population has created a growth industry for crooks and cons. As the first baby boomers begin to turn 65 this year, experts say we can expect even more crimes against senior citizens.
Every day across the U.S., caregivers steal from their patients. Swindling life savings from the elderly with things like donating large amounts of money to phony charities or even what should be unthinkable, family members have been known to force the elderly family members to sign new wills and change their beneficiaries. More times than not, these cases are never reported and when they are, proving them is difficult.
Courts and legislatures take crimes against the elderly seriously with many states passing laws that where criminal penalties apply if the victim is above a certain age. So just how bad is the problem? Just in Wisconsin alone last year, over 30,000 seniors were victims of financial crimes.
You may wonder just exactly what kind of financial crimes there are against the elderly and what can you do to help? If your elderly loved one is getting their home painted, a new roof or anything that has a considerable cost, offer to look at the bids with them. If a handyman has quoted $7000 to repaint a small 10 by 10 room, step in and offer to talk to the handyman. For that price, a professional house painter will charge less than that to paint an entire home.
With their permission, of course, examine their bills, credit card statements and check books. Unexplained checks to home care workers, multiple checks to charities, and outrageous charges for things like driveway sealing and chimney cleaning are signs that a crime has been committed. Too often senior citizens feel isolated and are more at risk than others. Too often, once an elderly person has been victimized, they are too embarrassed to admit it to any one.
If not you, suggest they hire somebody, or if necessary ask the courts to appoint a financial guardian. It can be a trusted family member or friend and they will be responsible for watching their bank accounts and other financial activities such as home, car repairs or sending money to Nigeria for a contest.
If the elderly one in your life requires an in-home caregiver, makes sure you go through a reputable agency. Ask if a background check and s a credit check are part of their employment.
Visit with the elderly frequent and look for signs of physical abuse and neglect. Signs of bed sores, bruises and poor living conditions may be a sign that the home care worker is neglecting the patient. It is too often that we hear of caregivers pressuring their patients for money through neglect and physical abuse. By making unannounced visits, you will not only keep the home health aide alert, but you’ll be making your elderly loved ones day too.
If you are starting to search for a home healthcare giver and don’t know where to start, call us at Oxford HealthCare. Oxford Healthcare. Caring for you at home.
Tags: elderly; finances; money; rip off; theft; home healthcare
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