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Alzheimer’s disease: When does personality start to change?

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that many people would like to know the warning signs in order for early detection and treatment. The Tallahassee-based Florida State University College of Medicine has been studying the various personality changes among 2,000 different Alzheimer’s patients. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was seen in approximately 5% of the patients who later developed dementia, and high levels of neuroticism actually increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • Changes in personality and behavior described by caregivers for Alzheimer patients include loss of motivation, irritability, and moodiness.
  • The study found that the personalities of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease remained stable until the onset of the disease.
  • The study reinforced the hypothesis that certain personality traits are risk factors of Alzheimer’s rather than results of the disease itself.

“The longitudinal study followed these participants for 36 years, during which time the researchers looked for increased neuroticism, decreased conscientiousness, and other personality changes.”

Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319518.php

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7 Summer Hydration Tips for Seniors

Summer can be a dangerous time for elderly people whose hydration isn’t properly monitored and sustained. Dehydration can easily sneak up on senior citizens, so they and their caregivers should be prepared to keep them in good health by following a few easy steps. First and foremost, always have water on hand. Also be aware of whether any of the senior’s medications cause dehydration as a side effect. Stay hydrated through diet by eating fruits and other foods that have high water content, and avoid excessive salt. Finally, try drinking more iced drinks and drinks made with ice, like slushie drinks.

Key Takeaways:

  • It is a good idea to try and always keep water on hand during hot summer days
  • Eating lots of fruits and other foods with high water content (i.e., gelatin) will go a long way in maintaining hydration
  • Be on the lookout for foods with excessive salt content, as those can raise the risk of a person becoming dehydrated

“Dehydration is tricky and may not be noticed immediately, but it can have some severe consequences if not caught in time.”

Read more: https://phoenix.caringseniorservice.com/blog/7-summer-hydration-tips-for-seniors

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The Best of Years, The Worst of Years: Elder Care Tips & Tools

One elder care tip is to prepare for a monthly respite as soon as possible. Schedule the best time for the day and night so that one can prevent burnout from having every activity aligned perfectly. Another good tip is to keep a journal at the elder’s residence. A journal with plenty of paper for family to record any notes offers a good amount of security. Also getting a good watch for a elder is a necessity because it can have a feature that will alert any relatives when a elder pushes a emergency button.

Key Takeaways:

  • An elder care blogger notes that a year that had many losses was incredibly difficult, but offered many opportunities for growth.
  • Losses incurred included the loss of a family member to cancer, a dear pet and a professional opportunity.
  • It’s important, when one is a caregiver, to incorporate respite activities into one’s schedule before burnout becomes an issue, not after.

“If you’re interested in being featured on my blog or know someone you’d like to nominate for it, please contact me. I’m looking for the unsung heroines/heroes of caregiving, the untold stories of elders, and the undiscussed issues in aging and elder care.”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/tipsandtoolsjanuary2017

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5 Signs that You Need Senior Care

No matter what age a person is, admitting you need help and asking others for assistance can be intimidating and difficult prospects to consider. As senior citizens progress through their journey into old age, they might feel resistant to seeking help in the form of senior care. However, there are certain signs that indicate when it might be time to do so. When elderly people are afraid of falling while going about their day-to-day lives, for example, it is generally a sign that they would benefit from additional help. Other signs include experiencing frequent loneliness and indecision, weight loss due to infrequent meals, and social withdrawal. Although asking for help can be scary, senior care can greatly improve a person’s quality of life during old age.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congressional Budget Office wrote an article last year, noting that as many as one third of those 65 and older needed assistance with daily activities.
  • A fear of falling can be a strong indication that it is time to consider asking for help, or trying assisted living.
  • Sometimes, despite being lonely, seniors find it harder to leave the house, which can also be a red flag, marking the need for extra help.

“We, seniors, value independence above anything else, so much so that sometimes we find the prospect of asking for help intimidating. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you find even the most mundane tasks challenging.”

Read more: http://lovebeingretired.com/2017/09/21/5-signs-that-you-need-senior-care/

Elderly woman sitting at the table and types on laptop.

Computer Games for Seniors and their Cognitive Benefits

The online world supplies us with quick responses to almost any question we are able to imagine, learning opportunities beyond what we could have thought of a generation previously, socialization enhancement, aElderly woman sitting at the table and types on laptop.nd much more. Among the most enjoyable online innovations for those who are in the senior care profession has been brain training programs – computer games for seniors like memory games and puzzles promote improved cognitive functioning. But how well do they actually do the job? Read more

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Overcoming Loneliness in Older Adults

Becoming lonely and isolated is a common pattern as our loved ones age, and it is important that we address these issues head on in order to improve their quality of life. 43% of elders admit that they feel a sense of loneliness, so it is imperative to find the root of this loneliness in order to address the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. Loneliness can bring on a plethora of health issues, so it is vital that caregivers do not underestimate it’s potential dangers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Isolation and loneliness among elders stems from many circumstances, including spousal death and disability.
  • Study shows approximately 18% of seniors live alone, while 43 express feelings of loneliness on an ongoing basis.
  • LGBT elders are statistically twice as likely to be living alone, with many also being childless and estranged from family members.

“Older adults face a plethora of challenges. Dealing with social security concerns, finding comprehensive long term care coverage, and rearranging their retirement plans to accommodate increasing costs—growing older requires a lot of work and adjustments.”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/2016/11/28/overcoming-loneliness-in-older-adults

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Traveling Safely with Seniors This Winter

The holidays is the best time to visit your family. It is difficult to make a trip to visit someone when you have to take care of a senior citizen. But, if one does decide to travel with a senior citizen there are a number of precautions one must take no matter what the form of traveling is. The most important thing when traveling with a senior is taking it easy. Even a minor accident can be a disaster on a senior citizen’s health.

Key Takeaways:

  • Traveling, especially with seniors, means making sure to bring medications, back-ups, and emergency contact referrals.
  • Warm winter-wear clothing is particularly of the essence for hypothermia-prone elders, as is stocking blankets and pillows.
  • First-aid kits and hot packs are important road-travel essentials, especially when traveling with elders.

“Winter is the most dangerous time of year for traveling in general. With snow in the air, ice on the roads, and fewer hours of sunlight per day, winter presents a number of unique travel risks.”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/2016/12/13/traveling-safely-with-seniors-this-winter

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Phoenix

Let Yourself Grow: Elder Care Tips & Tools

Caregiving is one of the most minimally recognize jobs in the nation, but one of the most demanding and fulfilling ones as well. While providing an elder with care, it is important to ensure that you’re also looking out for your own self-care by not piling on too many tasks at once, and allowing yourself grace periods in which you can relax and not stress too much about getting everything done at once. Twitter even has #CareChat which is a way for those caring for loved ones and other elders to come together and bond over the subject.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two critical skills for caregivers are the ability to delegate and the capacity to say no.
  • It’s important to remember to have patience with one’s own learning curve, because care-giving is a learn as one goes skill.
  • For sharing with other caregivers, Twitter hosts a once-weekly chat for caregivers, Tuesdays, 1 PM, hashtag# CareChat.

“This was a milestone trip for me as a parent/caregiver: it was the first time I traveled anywhere without my daughter, the first time leaving her overnight in the four years she’s been with our family, the first time I went somewhere I couldn’t easily return from should a problem arise.”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/2017/5/22/let-yourself-grow-elder-care-tips-tools