Month: April 2023

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease can be tough. They experience all sorts of issues including sleeping issues. Many people who have this disease have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. There are many reasons for this that you and their caregivers should be aware of.

Trouble Sleeping

Your elderly loved one might have trouble sleeping. If you have noticed they have had changes in the way that they fall asleep or stay asleep, it is time to find out what the issue might be. The first thing to note is that this disease, alone, can cause people to have trouble sleeping. There is something in their brain that causes sleep disruptions. It could be they are feeling restless or anxious before going to bed. Whatever the issue might be, these troubles sleeping should be addressed.

You should pay attention to how your loved one is behaving. Pay attention to how they are acting before bedtime. If they seem anxious about something, find a solution for their anxiety. You should also be sure that your loved one gets ready for bed 15 – 30 minutes before their bedtime. This way they can get laid down and situated before it is time to fall asleep.

Sundowning Syndrome

Sundowning is when your elderly loved one displays negative behaviors around sundown and through the night. Sometimes there are medications that the doctor will prescribe to help manage the sundowning symptoms.

You should also make sure your loved one’s sleeping environment is as comfortable as possible. Increasing the activities they do during the day can help to tire them out for nighttime, as well. Lastly, you and your loved one’s caregivers should make sure they don’t have electronics during the evening or nighttime.

Hallucinations

Your loved one might also experience hallucinations that make it difficult for them to fall asleep. They may see things in their bedroom that make them scared to fall asleep. It might seem as if the shadows are strangers in their house. This can be very frightening for your elderly loved one.

If your loved one is experiencing hallucinations, the first thing to do is make sure they talk to their doctor about it. In addition, you should make sure the corners of their rooms are lit. This will prevent them from seeing things in the dark. You should also make sure there aren’t any noises that could be deemed as scary throughout the home at nighttime.

These are some of the sleeping issues that your elderly loved one might have with Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure you and their caregivers do your best to understand what they are going through and help them in any way that you can.

Sources
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/sleep-deprivation-increases-alzheimers-protein
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/6-tips-managing-sleep-problems-alzheimers

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide. 

In 2019 it is estimated that 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. There are more than 10 million new cases of dementia discovered each year.

In the beginning stages of dementia, you may notice your loved one becoming more forgetful or they may do things like get lost in unfamiliar places. By the middle stage, the signs begin to be more pronounced such as forgetting people’s names, having more difficulty with communication, and exhibiting behavioral changes unlike them. By the late stage of dementia, memory disturbances are serious and can include seniors becoming aggressive, having difficulty walking, and the inability to recognize relatives and friends, even those very close and whom they see on a regular basis.

It can be upsetting and even devastating to some family caregivers and loved ones who help their senior on a daily basis when they forget who they are. It is difficult to handle and sad to think that the person that you are with every day, often times a parent, no longer has the ability to recognize the huge part that you play in their lives.

If your senior parent or loved one receiving elder care has recently shown signs that they are approaching the late stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, or if they have already been unable to recognize you or other key members of their life, here are some ways to cope:

Get support

If this is new territory for you, it may be helpful to seek out others who can help. There are support groups online and in your community that you can join so that you can get tips from others and have people to listen to you when times get particularly hard.

Research

Knowledge is power, so do some research on the stages of dementia so you know what to expect. It may be helpful to know beforehand what you might experience with your senior so that if it happens, you can be more prepared and less caught off guard wondering how to handle it or if it is normal.

Take a break

If your senior or loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s is showing signs of aggression or other behavioral changes that are upsetting to you, it’s okay to take a break. Your mental health and well-being is important so know that if you need to step out of the house or even have a professional caregiver come in from time to time, that is perfectly acceptable.

Don’t take it personal

As upsetting as it is, try and remember that nothing can erase the lifetime of happiness and moments shared with your parent or loved one and that them not remembering who you are or events that have happened in their life is not personal and is just a really hard and sad effect of a terrible disease.

source:
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

 

As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes, and unfortunately, one of the most common changes that occur is an increased risk of falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four adults aged 65 and above will fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among seniors. However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and there are ways to reduce the risk. In this blog, we will discuss some strategies for managing fall risk for seniors.

1. Exercise regularly: Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce fall risk among seniors. It helps to improve strength, balance, and flexibility, all of which can help seniors stay steady on their feet. Seniors should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and cycling are great options.
2. Check your vision: Vision problems can significantly increase the risk of falls among seniors. Therefore, it’s essential to have regular eye exams and ensure that your prescription glasses or contact lenses are up-to-date. Seniors should also make sure that their homes are well-lit, and they have enough lighting to see clearly in dimly lit areas.
3. Modify your home: Making some changes to your home can help reduce the risk of falls. Seniors should remove any clutter, loose rugs, and electrical cords from the floor, and ensure that their home is well-lit. Installing grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on stairs can also provide additional support and stability.
4. Review your medications: Certain medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects that can increase fall risk. Seniors should review their medications with their doctors and ensure that they understand the potential side effects. Seniors should also avoid taking medications that make them feel unsteady or dizzy.
5. Wear appropriate footwear: Wearing proper footwear can also help reduce fall risk. Seniors should wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles. Shoes with high heels or slick soles should be avoided.
6. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, which can increase fall risk. Seniors should make sure that they are drinking enough water and other fluids throughout the day.
7. Take your time: Finally, seniors should take their time and avoid rushing. It’s essential to move slowly and carefully, especially when getting up from a chair or out of bed. Seniors should also be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces or in areas with poor lighting.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

Anger is a really common emotion for seniors to experience, especially if their health has taken a nosedive recently. The problem is that often the only target on which your senior may be able to safely vent her anger is likely to be you. That’s not a good situation for either of you.

What’s the Cause?

You may feel as if there’s no real cause for your senior’s anger. And that could be true. But it’s highly likely that her anger is about more than just one thing. As she ages, your senior is experiencing small losses constantly. She might be frustrated about her health or about abilities she’s lost along the way. Regardless, even if you can’t see it, there is definitely a cause. She might even share with you some of what she’s feeling.

You Might Want to Talk to Her Doctor

If you’re still not sure what’s going on with your senior’s moods, it might be time to talk to her doctor. There may be side effects from medications or even from health issues themselves that are contributing to how your senior is feeling right now. Her doctor may be able to shed some light on what’s happening so that you don’t continue to feel as if you’re stuck in the dark.

Try not to Take it Personally

There may well be ways that you’re frustrating or upsetting your senior. But even if you are the one making her angry, it’s important that you avoid taking her anger personally. If you let it chip away at you, that’s going to affect your ability to keep being the best caregiver you can be. And if you’re not the source of her anger at all, you definitely don’t want to bear the brunt of it.

Remember to Take Care of You

All of that said, you have got to take care of yourself throughout this process. As a caregiver, you need to take time away to deal with your own emotions and to help you to recharge yourself. If you’re not taking respite time already, you need to start. Home care providers can take over for you while you’re gone and ensure that your senior has what she needs until you get back.

If your elderly family member is angry more often than not lately, there are reasons. You may not understand them just yet, but the more that you try to understand and to help, hopefully the more she’ll feel comfortable accepting your help.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide. 

 

Dementia affects older adults in many ways. One thing it can cause is a lack of judgement. Seniors with dementia might mistake dangerous items for food, misuse appliances, or harm themselves with certain objects. Keeping a senior with dementia safe in their home requires some planning and making adjustments. It can be difficult to determine what items might be dangerous for someone with dementia. Below are 5 things to keep away from your aging relative with dementia to help keep them safe.

1: Weapons

Dementia destroys the memory of older adults, making them sometimes forget who the people around them are. It can also make them feel confused and fearful. As a result, an older adult with dementia might mistake someone they know for an intruder. Having a weapon in the house where the senior has access to it can put family caregivers and others at risk. If there are weapons in the home, keep them in a locked cabinet. You may also want to put sharp knives out of reach, too, including the ones in the kitchen.

2: Magnets

Some people keep colorful magnets on the refrigerator that can resemble food or candy to a senior with dementia. This could cause them to swallow the magnet, which could cause them to choke. Swallowing a magnet can also lead to damage in the stomach or intestine, especially if the senior swallows more than one. The magnets may attract one another through different loops of the intestine and cut off blood flow or puncture the intestine. If this happens, the senior will need emergency surgery to repair the damage.

3: Decorative Foods

If the home is decorated with decorative items that look like food, such as a bowl of waxed fruit, it’s a good idea to put it away. Older adults may mistake the fake food for real food and try to eat it.

4: Detergent Pods

You may have heard of children accidentally swallowing detergent pods and becoming seriously ill or even dying. Unfortunately, the same has happened with seniors who have dementia. The brightly colored pods look like candy, making them attractive to dementia patients. If you use detergent pods, keep them in a locked cupboard or in a high up cupboard that the senior cannot reach.

5: Some Appliances

Some kitchen appliances can be dangerous for seniors with dementia. Older adults may turn on a stove burner and forget to turn it off, causing a fire. Or, they may put something in a toaster slot that could cause electrocution. To prevent such things from happening, take steps to keep them away from the appliances. Put small appliances away in cupboards. Take the knobs off the stove, so it cannot be turned on.

While it’s wise to take steps to keep some items away from older adults with dementia, it’s not a completely fool proof way of keeping your aging relative safe. Elder care can offer the kind of supervision the seniors with dementia need to continue living safely at home. Elder care providers can keep an eye on your loved one to prevent them from making dangerous errors. In addition, an elder care provider can see to the needs of the older adult that might lead them to do things they shouldn’t, such as hunger. Elder care providers can prepare meals for the older adult and help them to eat. They can also keep the senior occupied with other activities.

Sources
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20041026/swallowed-magnets-are-dangerous
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/laundry-pods-killing-dementia-patients-fd.html

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.