What to Do When an Elderly Loved One Has Kidney Failure

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Elderly Care Pembroke Pines FLOur kidneys are an important component of our bodies for a number of reasons, including the fact that they cleanse the body of harmful toxins by releasing them through our urine. When the kidneys are unable to perform their regular tasks due to kidney failure, it could lead to severe consequences, including death.

Knowing as much about this condition is the first step in helping your elderly parent get the help they need. If they live alone, you may want to consider hiring an elderly care provider to watch over them each day and contact their doctor immediately if they fear there is a problem with their kidneys.

Here is some information to help you and their caregiver navigate through how to care for someone with this condition.

Risk Factors

The first thing that can be done to understand kidney failure is to understand where the illness can come from. Here are several of the most common risk factors.

History of diabetes
Family history of kidney problems
Coping with high blood pressure
Overusing medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen

The Difference Between the Two Types of Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure occurs when there is a sudden change to the function of the kidney. Some of the possible reasons behind getting this type of kidney failure are:

Bladder problems
Kidney stones or calcified materials, causing a blockage to the kidneys
Kidney infections
Damage to the blood vessels that lead to the kidneys
Protein or blood in the urine
Swelling of the extremities
Abnormal Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test
Increased urge to urinate, which may also be extremely painful

Chronic kidney failure may be present if the elder experiences any of the following symptoms.

Frequent fatigue
Shortness of breath
Excessive need to urinate at night, yet secretes very little urine
Rashes on the skin as a result of impurities in the body that are building up with no way to escape
Increased thirst
Trouble managing their diabetes or high blood pressure
Acute kidney failure can usually heal on its own, but severe chronic kidney failure may result in the need for a kidney transplant.

Prevention

If you are concerned that your elderly loved one may develop this illness, try the following tips to prevent kidney failure from happening to them.

Eat the right foods. There are certain foods that are more difficult for the kidneys to manage. Talk to a dietician or the elder’s doctor to determine what foods will help your loved one with their condition.

Exercise. Regular exercise will prevent a wide range of chronic illnesses from occurring. In turn, the elder will be at a lower risk of kidney failure.

Manage other chronic health problems. By properly treating and taking care of current health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, your loved one may be able to prevent issues with their kidneys.

Source: http://www.eldercarelink.com/Other-Resources/Health/kidney-failure-in-the-elderly.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering Hollywood, FL home health care services or care throughout the surrounding areas for provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

Health Benefits of Beans on Bean Day

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Home Care Services Sunrise FL

Home Care Services Sunrise FLFebruary 7 is Bean Day. As a family caregiver this is the ideal opportunity for you to explore the ways that adding more beans into your aging parent’s diet can improve their health and support a higher quality of life as they age in place. With a huge variety of styles and virtually endless options for preparations, beans make an ideal component of nearly any healthy eating approach.

Some of the health benefits of beans include:

• Low fat. Beans are naturally extremely low in fat. This is ideal for those who are looking for ways to cut down the pounds or protect their heart health. It is important to keep in mind that they are only low fat when prepared without additional ingredients such as oils, lard, or cheese.

• High in fiber. Dietary fiber is one of the most important nutrients that your aging parent needs daily, but one that many people do not get enough of on a regular basis. Getting enough fiber is essential for proper digestion, helping to lower and manage blood cholesterol. Fiber also promotes a feeling of fullness, which helps to reduce how much they eat and control cravings.

• High in protein. Protein aids in the building and repair of tissues throughout the body, wound healing, and the production of sustainable energy. Most doctors recommend that people turn their focus toward more plant-based proteins rather than always reaching for animal sources, which are higher in fat, calories, and cholesterol. Beans are an ideal source of protein, offering the same amount of protein in half a cup as in one ounce of fish, chicken, or meat.

• Packed with nutrients. Unlike animal sources of protein, beans contain a wide variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, folate, and potassium. These are critical for the body to function properly, but are often missing from the diet. Simply supplementing the diet with extra beans helps your aging parent to get these nutrients.

Starting home care services for your elderly loved one is an exceptional way to help them achieve and maintain a healthier diet as they age in place. Through a personalized approach to care, support, and assistance, this in-home senior care services provider can help your elderly loved one understand any dietary guidelines that they have, support them in designing a diet that will help them to keep their body healthy, assist them with tasks such as grocery shopping and meal preparation, and then integrate these concepts into their normal care routine so that they can continue to live the lifestyle that is right for them.

This can not only help them to keep their body at its best and ward off health complications and issues, but can also promote better mental and emotional health as they maintain a greater sense of independence and control over their life.

This can be particularly important if you are encouraging your loved one to eat a healthier diet based on recommendations by their doctor that are based on specific health issues that they are facing.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/beans-health-benefits_n_1792504.html

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Sunrise FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

Questions to Ask Before Your Parent Leaves the Emergency Room

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Home Care Tips For Florida Families

Senior Care Tamarac FLFor many senior adults, visits to the emergency room are more frequent as they get older. Changes in their physical and cognitive functioning, increased fall risk, higher instance of physical health concerns, and lower immune systems can all contribute to older adults visiting the emergency room more frequently than they might have when they were younger.

This frequency, however, does not make these situations any less serious. Whether your senior loved one visits the emergency room less than once a year or several times a year, as their family caregiver it is essential that you are there for them to help ensure that they get the most benefit out of the care that they receive, and that they continue to receive this benefit even after they are discharged.

One of the most important elements of this is asking the right questions before your parent leaves the emergency room. By asking these questions you can get the information that you need to structure your care approach and keep your parent on the right track toward recovery and management of their health and well-being.

Some questions that you should ask before your senior parent leaves the emergency room include:

• What is their diagnosis?

• What types of treatments did they receive while they were in the emergency room?

• What is the prognosis for this particular issue?

• What types of prescriptions did they receive?

• What are the instructions for these prescriptions?

• What are the potential side effects for these prescriptions and how can they handle them effectively?

• What type of care will they need after returning home?

• What changes do they need to make to their lifestyle because of this issue?

• What should you look for to determine if they need to return to the emergency room?

• When and with whom should they follow up after discharge?

Considering bringing a notebook with you and taking notes about the answers to these questions. This will allow you to reference these notes later if you have any questions or unsure of what needs to be done.

If your senior loved one has recently spent time in the emergency room, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior home care for them. Regardless of the issue that brought them to the hospital, the time after they return home can be integral in protecting the future of their health and well-being. This is the time when hospital readmission becomes an issue and your loved one will also need to focus on recovering from the illness, injury, or other concern that had them seeking emergency medical attention.

The highly personalized services of an in-home senior care provider can ensure that they get the care, support, assistance, and other services that they need to manage their individual needs and challenges, prevent readmission, and maintain the quality of life and lifestyle that is right for them.

If your parent is at risk of needing additional care or the medical team has given you specific instructions as to what to look for in ensuring that they are recovering properly, this care provider can be especially beneficial. Being with your parent ensures that they are able to detect changes or issues that might be concerning so that they can alert you and your parent can get the continued care that they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Hollywood, FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Contact us today 954-486-6440.

Making Care Decisions Early in Your Parent’s Experience with Parkinson’s Disease

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Home Care Coral Springs FL

Home Care Coral Springs FLWhen you find out that your elderly parent is suffering from Parkinson’s disease you are put at the beginning of a journey that will present a wide variety of challenges and demands for your aging parent and for you as their family caregiver.

This is a progressive disease, which means that the symptoms that your senior loved one faces will change, increase, and intensify over time. Though your parent’s medical team can give you an idea as to how your parent’s condition will progress and what you might expect moving forward, there is no real way of knowing everything that they will face or the true path that their disease will take. This makes it essential that you do as much as you can to prepare for the journey early so that both of you are prepared for what will come.

Making care decisions early in your parent’s experience is about taking advantage of their awareness and cognitive functioning at the beginning of the disease and using it to ensure that they make the plans and preparations that are right for them.

It is important to be aware that changes in cognitive functioning, memory loss, and even dementia are potential symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This means that they are able to evaluate the progression of the disease ahead of them, express their thoughts, beliefs, and wishes, and make plans that will give them confidence that they will get the care that they need and give you peace of mind that you will be able to make the decisions that are right for your loved one when the time comes.

There are many issues that you will need to consider when making care decisions at the beginning of your parent’s experience with Parkinson’s disease. Some of these include:

• Their feelings regarding artificial resuscitation

• Their feelings regarding life support

• Their feelings regarding hospice care

• Their thoughts on additional care options, such as hiring an elderly home care provider to be with your aging parent to fulfill their needs and help them manage their symptoms

• Their wishes regarding aging in place or transitioning into living in the home with you and the rest of your family

• Legal considerations, such as power of attorney, health directives, wills, and other arrangements to ensure that they get the care they need and that their estate is managed properly

• Their perspectives on their final arrangements and how they want them to be carried out when the end of their life comes

It can be extremely challenging and emotionally difficult thinking of these issues and discussing them with your parent, but it is vital that you confront them and handle these conversations courageously, honestly, and thoroughly. Consider sitting down with their doctor as well as a therapist if your parent is having difficulty coming to terms with these issues or does not feel that they have enough information to make the decisions that are truly right for them. This can give both of you more confidence and help you to feel more prepared as you continue on in this new chapter.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Coral Springs FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

What Types of Weight-Bearing Exercises Are Good for Your Senior?

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Homecare Fort Lauderdale FL

Homecare Fort Lauderdale FLWeight-bearing exercise is one of the most important elements of physical activity. Regularly participating in this type of exercise helps to support a healthier body and mind in several ways, including strengthening the bones, improving muscle and joint strength, and increasing cognitive function.

As a family caregiver it is important not just to encourage your loved one to participate in this type of exercise, but to find the forms of this exercise that are right for them. Start by talking to their doctor to discuss any challenges or limitations that they might have that could prevent them from doing certain exercises. This can help them to identify activities that might not be safe for them, as well as those that would be safe and beneficial for them.

Some of the weight-bearing exercises that might be good for your senior include:

• Ankle and wrist weights. Normal daily activities can be turned into weight-bearing exercise simply by the addition of ankle or wrist weights. Available in a variety of sizes and very light weights, these are comfortable padded cuffs that you can add to your parent’s wrists and ankles to add resistance to activities such as walking or climbing stairs.

• Use their own bodyweight. Your parent does not necessarily need any equipment to get the benefits of resistance training. They can use their own bodyweight to add resistance and get the benefits of weight-training. Squats, leg lifts, and lunges are all simple and approachable exercises that use your parent’s bodyweight to work their muscles, joints, and bones.

• Lift throughout the home. Encourage your parent to lift weight by using basic objects around the house. For example, lift bags of groceries a few times when carrying them inside, or do a few reps with a basket full of clothes while doing the laundry.

Starting senior homecare for your elderly loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your caregiver journey. The highly personalized services of a senior homecare services provider are specifically designed not just with your parent’s challenges and limitations in mind, but also their personality, thoughts, beliefs, and goals. This means that they can live the lifestyle that they desire and deserve while also staying safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy. As a family caregiver this can give you greater confidence knowing that they are getting everything that they need both when you are able to be with them and when you are not.

When it comes to helping your parent stay more active, this care provider can encourage them to find activities that they enjoy, support them in staying consistent with those activities, and providing assistance to handle the activities safely and comfortably. When it comes to finding exercises that are good for your parent, including weight-bearing exercise, this care provider can evaluate your loved one’s individual preferences and challenges, and help them to understand the guidelines and suggestions given to them by their doctor so that your loved one can make the most out of their exercise.

Source:  http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/960559/5-reasons-women-should-do-weight-bearing-exercise

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Fort Lauderdale FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

Hand Exercises that will Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

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Elderly Care Lauderhill FL

Elderly Care Lauderhill FLSomeone with rheumatoid arthritis often suffers from debilitating pain in different joints and muscles in the body, particularly in their hands. The pain can become so intense that even picking up a pen can be difficult. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis can especially benefit from having an elderly care provider assist them at home with all of the tasks that have become too difficult for them to do.

If your elderly loved one is looking for some relief from their RA pain, hand exercises may be exactly what they need to do. The following exercises will keep the hands strong and pain-free.

Folding fingers. Bring all of the fingers together in a loose fist. Then, open the hand slowly, repeating this exercise a few times. The best time to try this activity is when the hands are warm during a shower or with a warm, damp washcloth placed over the hand.

Walking fingers. A kitchen or hand towel should be placed on a table in order to do this exercise. The hand should then be lightly cupped, with the fingertips and thumb supporting the entire hand. The elder can “walk” their fingertips and thumb towards them, trying to lift the towel into their palm. Once they are able to get as much of the towel in their hand as possible, they should try to gently squeeze it.

Thumb to base of fingers. Keeping the thumb strong is important because most hand motions require the use of the thumb. For this exercise, the elder should try to touch the base of the little finger with the thumb. This can help strengthen the grasp for your loved one, making it easier for them to pick up certain objects.

Spread fingers. It is important that the elder is able to spread their fingers apart for a number of hand motions, such as putting on gloves. To do this, spread the fingers apart in a slow and gentle manner. Once the hand is flat, the senior can also exercise the thumb by separating it from the other fingers.

Finger pinches. Pinch the thumb to the tip of each finger in order to make doing daily activities easier, like tying shoelaces. The most important fingers that should be “pinched” by the thumb are the index finger, long finger, and side of index finger.

These exercises are very simple and can be done with elderly adults of various physical abilities. Talk to the elder’s doctor for more tips on helping your loved one relieve their rheumatoid arthritis pain.

Source:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/rheumatoid-arthritis/hand-exercises-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Lauderhill FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

Possible Causes of Heart Attacks

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Elder Care Pembroke Pines FL

Elder Care Pembroke Pines FLOne minute your aging parent could be reading a book or watching TV, and the next they could be clenching their chest as a major heart attack takes over their body. This is usually how heart attacks work. Without any noticeable symptoms, it is very difficult to detect when one is about to hit.

While obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, and stress could cause a heart attack, they are not the only triggers. Here are a few possible triggers to watch for when it comes to your elderly loved one.

Asthma. People who have persistent asthma that requires an inhaler or other medication or 60 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who do not have asthma. Adults who were diagnosed with asthma later in life have an even bigger chance of getting a heart attack.

Migraines with aura. Migraines with aura are severe headaches that are usually partnered up with visual symptoms, like flashing lights or blind spots. This form of headache is actually the second-strongest heart attack or stroke trigger.

Not getting the flu vaccine. Not only can the flu vaccine keep your loved one healthy, but it can also decrease and elder’s chances of getting a heart attack by about 50 percent. Getting an annual flu shot can protect stained both the flu and heart attacks.

Having a weak grip. When giving a handshake does the elder have a weak grip? If they do, then they could be at risk for a heart attack.

Easily angered. Another possible trigger is anger. If they have a short temper, they are at a higher risk for a heart disease.

Traumatic experiences. No matter how small or large the elder’s traumatic experience was, it is enough to put stress on their heart. A study by the American Heart Association discovered that people who lost a loved one or suffered from another upsetting experience have a. 70 percent higher chance of developing a heart attack.

Eating too late. Eating a late dinner is another trigger to developing a heart attack. Those who eat within two hours of going to bed are three times more likely to develop high blood pressure overnight. This type of blood pressure, which is known as “non-dipper hypertension,” includes the risk of cardiovascular problems, which includes heart attacks.

Frequent use of common pain relievers. Common pain relievers, like ibuprofen and Tylenol, can cause an increase in heart problems.

If your loved one lives alone, you may want to consider hiring an elder care provider to take care of them. This professional caregiver can help the elder with tasks around the home, as well as reminding them to take their medication and driving them to and from doctor appointments. An elder care provider can monitor your loved one’s health to ensure they are safe and healthy.

Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2015/heart-attack-triggers.html?intcmp=AE-HEAL-HEA-COND-SPOT2

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Pembroke Pines FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

How Seniors Can Maintain Healthy Bones

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Home Care Deerfield Beach  FL

Home Care Deerfield Beach FLThe bones become increasingly brittle as seniors age. Weakened bones occur for a number of reasons, one being the fact that many older adults lack the amount of calcium and vitamin D their bodies need to keep their bones healthy. If your loved one lived by themselves, they may need help and encouragement from caregivers or home care providers in order to make healthy choices for their body.

Tips for Healthy Bones

Increase Vitamin D Intake
Vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium in order to keep them healthy and strong. Adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should receive 600 international units per day, while adults over the age of 71 should have about 800 international units. Vitamin D can be found in egg yolks, fortified cereals and milk, tuna, sardines, and sunlight.

Eat Plenty of Calcium
Getting plenty of calcium each day will protect the body from osteoporosis and other disease that could affect the bone density. Adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should have about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, while adults over the age of 71 should have 1,200 milligrams. Calcium can be found in dairy products, almonds, kale, broccoli, and soy products.

Exercise More
By getting plenty of exercise per day, the bones will become stronger and will reduce the risk of bone loss. Weight bearing exercises are low-impact exercises that will keep the elder healthy without over exerting themselves. Walking, climbing stairs, jogging, and walking will help keep their bones strong.

Refrain from Using Substances
Alcohol and tobacco use can actually cause the process of losing bone mass to speed up. To prevent this from happening, avoid using these substances. If they must drink, men should have no more this two drinks and women should only have one drink.

Pay Attention to Their Recent Health History
Has your loved one been hospitalized for a hip fracture or broken bone? If so, they could be suffering from bone loss. Talk to their doctor to get tips in how to salvage their bone density and strengthen it for a healthy future.

Lose Extra Pounds
If your loved one is overweight, they could be putting more stress on their bones and joints. Encourage your loved one to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty of rest in order to lose. Any extra weight their body is holding on to.

Bone health becomes even more important with age. Help your loved one keep their bones healthy and strong for years to come by following these tips.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Deerfield FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

Tips for Safe and Healthy Flossing on Flossing Day

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Senior Care Coral Springs FL

Senior Care Coral Springs FLNovember 24 is Thanksgiving Day, which might make it appropriate that November 25 is Flossing Day. Using a proper flossing technique is essential to maintaining oral health, which can make a tremendous impact on your senior parent’s overall health and well-being throughout their later years.

While brushing their teeth twice a day removes food particles, plaque, and other contaminants from the surface of the teeth and tongue, flossing takes this one step further to remove these contaminants from between the teeth and the gum line. These can cause bacteria to flourish in the mouth, hastening tooth decay, tissue infection, and other issues that can then spread through the body, increasing the risk for problems such as heart disease, liver problems, digestive problems, infections, and even some cancers.

To get the most benefit from their flossing it is important that your parent understands and uses the right technique. This will help to make their efforts effective while also protecting them from potential injury.

Use these tips to help your loved one utilize a safe and healthy flossing technique on Flossing Day as well as throughout the rest of the year:

• Choose the right tool. There is not just one type of supply that you can choose for flossing. Work with your parent to find the tool that is right for your senior, whether it is conventional string floss, handheld flossers, or a water flosser. If you are not sure which might be best for them, discuss your loved one’s specific needs with their dentist so that they can give you recommendations.

• Rub the sides of the teeth. Flossing is not about just removing food particles that might have found their way between the teeth. It is also about getting rid of plaque that might have formed there. Encourage your parent to get their teeth properly cleaned by inserting the floss between the teeth, curving it, and rubbing it down the side of one tooth and then repeat to clean the other side of the tooth,

• Do not push too hard. One of the biggest causes of hesitation for flossing is the fear of pain. Encourage your loved one to be careful when flossing and not push too hard or too deep. If your parent complains of pain or bleeds when flossing, it could be an indication of gum disease or other dental problems. It is important to get this checked out by their dentist as soon as possible.

If your senior loved one is suffering from dental health problems or you think that they could benefit from additional support and assistance in caring for their mouth, now may be the ideal time for you to consider senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule that is right for your senior as well as the care efforts that you put forth for them. This means that you remain at the forefront of your loved one’s care, but that even when you are not able to be with them, you can still feel confident knowing that they are getting everything that they need to stay healthy, safe, and comfortable as they age in place.

When it comes to fulfilling their dental care needs, this care provider can remind your parent of the tasks that they need to fulfill, guide them through a safe and effective technique, or even demonstrate proper technique for them so that a senior who is suffering from cognitive limitations or challenges can mimic them to get their care done properly.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/flossing-excuses

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Coral Springs FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

SURPRISING WAYS PETS HELP SENIOR HEALTH

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Everyone knows a pet can help ease loneliness for an older adult, especially if he or she is living alone or has recently suffered the loss of a loved one. But did you know that a study by the American Geriatrics Society has shown pets can help lower senior’s blood pressure and score higher in their ability to carry out normal activities of daily living, as well as provide other benefits to senior health?

Responsive Home Care, expert providers of in home senior care in Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas, knows how important our clients’ pets are to maintaining their health and well-being. Our agency provides Pet Care exclusively for our clients when they need that extra assistance. The unconditional love of a clients’ pet can help them achieve a healthy and a happy heart!

Read more about how pets improve quality of life for senior citizens.

Many shelters offer discounts for seniors who want to adopt a senior pet. Be sure to ask at your local shelter.

For more information about how our top-rated in-home senior care in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area, can improve senior health for someone you love, contact us today!