Pure Home Care Services

Many people worry about becoming forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Over the past few years, scientists have learned a lot about memory and why some kinds of memory problems are serious but others are not.

Age-Related Changes in Memory

Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. As people get older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain. As a result, some people may notice that it takes longer to learn new things, they don’t remember information as well as they did, or they lose things like their glasses. These usually are signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems.

Some older adults also find that they don’t do as well as younger people on complex memory or learning tests. Scientists have found, though, that given enough time, healthy older people can do as well as younger people do on these tests. In fact, as they age, healthy adults usually improve in areas of mental ability such as vocabulary.

Other Causes of Memory Loss

Some memory problems are related to health issues that may be treatable. For example, medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic alcoholism, tumors or infections in the brain, or blood clots in the brain can cause memory loss or possibly dementia (see more on dementia, below). Some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders also can lead to memory loss. A doctor should treat serious medical conditions like these as soon as possible.

Emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, can make a person more forgetful and can be mistaken for dementia. For instance, someone who has recently retired or who is coping with the death of a spouse, relative, or friend may feel sad, lonely, worried, or bored. Trying to deal with these life changes leaves some people confused or forgetful.

The confusion and forgetfulness caused by emotions usually are temporary and go away when the feelings fade. The emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, but if these feelings last for a long time, it is important to get help from a doctor or counselor. Treatment may include counseling, medication, or both.

More Serious Memory Problems

For some older people, memory problems are a sign of a serious problem, such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia. People who are worried about memory problems should see a doctor. The doctor might conduct or order a thorough physical and mental health evaluation to reach a diagnosis. Often, these evaluations are conducted by a neurologist, a physician who specializes in problems related to the brain and central nervous system.

Dementia. Dementia is the loss of thinking, memory, and reasoning skills to such an extent that it seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Dementia is not a disease itself but a group of symptoms caused by certain diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer’s. People with dementia lose their mental abilities at different rates.

Symptoms may include:

• Being unable to remember things
• Asking the same question or repeating the same story over and over
• Becoming lost in familiar places
• Being unable to follow directions
• Getting disoriented about time, people, and places
• Neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition

Two of the most common forms of dementia in older people are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. These types of dementia cannot be cured at present.

In Alzheimer’s disease, changes to nerve cells in certain parts of the brain result in the death of a large number of cells. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s begin slowly and worsen steadily as damage to nerve cells spreads throughout the brain. As time goes by, forgetfulness gives way to serious problems with thinking, judgment, recognizing family and friends, and the ability to perform daily activities like driving a car or handling money. Eventually, the person needs total care.

In vascular dementia, a series of strokes or changes in the brain’s blood supply leads to the death of brain tissue. Symptoms of vascular dementia can vary but usually begin suddenly, depending on where in the brain the strokes occurred and how severe they were. The person’s memory, language, reasoning, and coordination may be affected. Mood and personality changes are common as well.

What You Can Do

If you’re concerned that you or someone you know has a serious memory problem, talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to diagnose the problem or refer you to a specialist in neurology or geriatric psychiatry. Healthcare professionals who specialize in Alzheimer’s can recommend ways to manage the problem or suggest treatment or services that might help.

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Warren or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Source:  nia.nih.gov

As we age and live longer, financial, legal, health care and long term care issues affect families, not just individuals.

The overview below addresses some key areas of concern, suggested questions to ask, and ways in which families might initiate conversations about these often difficult to discuss topics with their aging parents.

Key Considerations…

1. Find out what financial benefits are provided by your parents’ Social Security and pension. Determine if they are eligible for other financial programs.
2. Be certain each family member has a living will. Know where all your parents’ insurance policies, wills, trust documents, tax returns, investment and banking records are located.
3. Understand that Medicare generally does not cover long term care (e.g. nursing home or extended home care), and Medicaid pays only for low-income individuals.
4. Investigate what type of long term care insurance coverage may be best for your parents or for yourself! Generally, premiums are lower when policies are purchased at younger ages.
5. Identify what community services are available that can help your parents maintain independence in the home for as long as possible — such as home modification programs that can install assistive devices (i.e., bathroom rails and entry ramps), and home health and chore assistance. Learn whether housing options are available to meet their changing needs.

Family members may not understand how their parents’ estate planning could impact their own financial status as well as that of their children.

Conversation Checklist

Financial Organization

There are many financial resources that your loved one might already be receiving or be eligible for. Social Security is the federal program that provides retirees a regular income based on work history, and benefits to disabled workers. Long-time workers usually have pensions that are retirement compensation plans either fully managed by the employer, or involve employee contributions, such as Tax-Deferred Annuities (TDAs) or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Ask…

• What type of retirement income do you receive?
• Are pension savings from all jobs over the years being collected?
• Is there a need to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits?
• Who can access your important financial information in case of emergency?
• Where do you keep these important documents?

Legal Preparation

Wills and power of attorney may not be topics your relatives want to discuss. However, these issues need to be addressed before it’s too late to make sure that their assets are properly taken care of and that their medical treatment preferences are known. Ask…

• Do you have a will?
• Have you executed a durable power of attorney or considered who you might want to handle your finances or health care decisions in the event that you are unable to so?
• Are important legal documents up to date?
• Where are these important documents kept?
• What other legal matters are you concerned about?

Health Insurance

Health care is a high-cost necessity, so it is crucial to know what is available to meet your family member’s needs, and what they are eligible to receive. Most adults over age 65 are covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program that helps pay medical expenses for older Americans and younger people with disabilities. But Medicare does not cover all needs, and Supplemental Insurance (also called Medigap insurance) might be necessary to cover additional health costs. Ask…

• As your health status changes, are you prepared to meet your long term health care needs?
• Do you have proper health insurance coverage (not too much or too little)?
• Are you comfortably able to pay for prescription drugs and other out-of pocket health care costs?
• Who are your doctors and how can they be contacted?
• Where do you keep your insurance card, Medicare information, and other important health care documents?

Community Services

One of the most useful forms of help that adult children can provide for their parents is information about community resources that are available to enhance their independence. Services like home modification are available to help reduce the risk of accidents and make daily household activities more comfortable to perform. Emergency Response Systems not only summon emergency help quickly, but can also increase the feeling of security within the home. Transportation services may be available to assist older adults who need help getting to appointments with their doctor. Ask…

• Are there house repairs or modifications needed that will help you, such as installing bathtub railings, an emergency response system, or other assistive devices?
• Do you need assistance with housekeeping, shopping or personal care activities?
• If you become homebound, would you need home-delivered meals?
• Do you need transportation? What services are available in your community?
• Do you anticipate needing other living arrangements in the future?

If you live in the Warren area, contact Pure Home Care to discuss what we can do for you.  Our knowledgeable, caring staff is waiting for your call! Our number is (586) 293-2457.

Source:  Eldercare.gov

Aging sometimes means reduced balance, coordination, vision, strength and agility. These factors, along with certain medications and even our home environment, can increase our risk of falling.

Ground-level falls are a major health problem for people 65 and older. An estimated 30% of people in this age group fall each year, resulting in hospitalization, permanent disability, and sometimes death. In fact, injuries related to falls are the sixth leading cause of death for seniors, and annual health care costs associated with falls are approximately $10 billion dollars. Once a person has experienced a fall, a “falls cycle” can begin in which the individual experiences an ongoing fear of falling, which can result in decreased activity, loss of strength and mobility, and an increased risk of falling.

Fall Predictors
Being aware of the common risk factors and taking precautions helps lower the overall risk. One or more of the following factors can place a person at a moderate to high risk for a fall:

• Prior fall history
• Poor, uncorrected vision
• Parkinson’s disease, untreated diabetes, and obesity
• Use of medications that can cause drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure and weakness
• Use of multiple medications
• Poorly fitting shoes and slippers
• A cluttered, poorly lit home with multiple levels
• Slick or wet floors, throw rugs, electrical or other cords in walk ways

What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk of Falling
A simple test called “Get-up and Go” can additionally help predict the risk of a fall by determining one’s mobility. ² It’s easy to perform. All you need is a straight-backed chair with armrests. Make sure the chair has a high seat. Then have the individual complete the following steps:

• Rise to a standing position from the chair, using the armrests
• Stand still momentarily
• Walk 10 feet
• Turn slowly
• Walk back to the chair
• Turn around
• Sit down

A successful test occurs if the person completes this in 20 seconds or less. Those passing this test may be considered at low risk when other risk factors are absent.

Some medications can place a person at risk for having a fall. The following are some of the most common fall-associated medications:     Sleep medications, pain medications, anti-anxiety medications, anti-allergy medications, high blood pressure medications, water retention medications, anti-depressants, overactive bladder medications, and tranquilizer medications.

How can you reduce your risk of having a fall that might be caused by medication?

• Take your time. Stop for a moment before getting up. Stand slowly to be sure that you have your balance and aren’t light-headed — then walk. This allows your blood pressure to normalize and helps prevent orthostatic hypotension (also known as a head rush or a dizzy spell).
• Use the bathroom before bed. If you are taking a diuretic, schedule your last dose a few hours before going to bed. Also, leave a soft light on that illuminates your pathway to bathroom in case you need to get up during the night.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages in excess.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens important muscle groups and improves your balance and coordination. Ask your health care provider about the best type of exercise for you.
• Make your home safer. Inspect each room of your home for safety hazards such as poor lighting, obstructed walkways, throw rugs, cords and other obstacles that could cause you to trip. Place regularly used items within reach so you don’t require a ladder or stool. Install anti-slip mats and grab bars in showers and bathtubs.
• Have your vision checked regularly. Get an up-to-date prescription and treat physical conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts that can weaken your vision.
• Get checked for osteoporosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the need for calcium and vitamin D.

Pure Home Care Services serves Macomb and the surrounding area.  Our helpful, caring staff is ready to help you and your family.  Give us a call! Our number is (586) 293-2457.

Source:  AARP.org