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Dementia Care: 3 Tips for Dealing with Memory Problems

Providing dementia care for a loved one can be a profoundly stressful and difficult experience, but it is important to remember not to take your loved one’s irritation, fear, moodiness or aggression personally – dementia causes all of these things. When these symptoms strike, visual cues and deflection or redirection can often be more effective and less stressful for both you and the person you are caring for. Lastly, understand that sometimes putting your loved on into an assisted care setting really is the best thing to do, as they can offer things that you cannot.

Key Takeaways:

  • Remember that irritability, aggression, confusion and depression are all symptoms of dementia and not something you caused.
  • Visual cues and reminders and redirection of attention are often more effective and less stressful for both caregivers and loved ones than long verbal explanations.
  • Although many people feel guilt or inadequacy over even considering an assisted care living arrangement, sometimes these really can provide a better life for dementia patients.

“There are things you can do to help your aging loved one be happy, safe and as independent as possible.”

Read more: https://www.thediaryofanalzheimerscaregiver.com/dementia-care-3-tips-dealing-memory-problems/

cognitive function - elderly care phoenix

Music’s Effects on Cognitive Function of the Elderly

A recent study had senior citizens complete a series of cognitive reasoning tasks while accompanied by either silence, white noise, or recorded music by either Mozart or Mahler. Both types of music improved episodic and semantic memory, and Mozart improved processing speed and cognitive function. The seniors rated Mozart music as happier than Mahler. The music had no lyrics and was played at a moderate volume, and no data was collected on whether subjects liked classical music, but overall the results do tend to suggest some kind of benefit of music over white noise.

Key Takeaways:

  • One study purported to get a handle on understanding fast the brain processes and how two types of memory function behave with the presence of background music.
  • The data pool subjects was comprised of older adults, with an average age of 69.
  • The subjects were tested in the presence of zero noise, white noise, and also with classical music by two distinct composers.

“Whether the music is orchestral, rock, country, or jazz, most seniors like to listen to some kind of music.”

Read more: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/memory-medic/201504/musics-effects-cognitive-function-the-elderly

If you or a loved one is in need of elderly care in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, contact Endeavor In Home Care today at 480-498-2324.

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Eight Ways to Improve Quality and Dignity for Aging Adults

Above all, anyone caring for senior citizens needs to always show them kindness, courtesy and respect. This can include giving more privacy when they change or use the toilet and providing a more dignified, restaurant-like atmosphere in the dining hall. Maintain meticulous notes and charts of everything, as they can be crucial in a crisis. Also, take care of yourself by including some strength and flexibility exercises in your daily routine, or even joining a caregiver support group for emotional support.

Key Takeaways:

  • Remember to show dignity and respect to seniors. They need it as patients. Simple gestures as respecting their privacy and speaking politely are essential.
  • In the dining hall, promote the dignity and independence of residents as seniors. Making changes when necessary can drastically improve their dining experience.
  • They should see you practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands when you enter the room. This is reassuring to them that you care about germs.

“With a little effort, we can fulfill our goal of helping our senior patients enhance their quality of life with dignity and purpose while remaining professional.”

Read more: https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/eight-ways-to-improve-quality-and-dignity/article/520385/

Contact us today at 480-498-2324 to learn more about our Phoenix home care agency and how we can help improve the quality of life for you and your senior loved ones.

healthy smoothies for elderly adults - elderly care chandler

Great Reasons to Make Smoothies for Seniors

Your elderly relative needs well-balanced meals and wholesome snacks to stay as healthy as possible. However, when illness, injury, chronic conditions and diseases rob your loved one of their ability to live independently, they must rely on you as a family caregiver and on providers of elderly care Chandler area families trust to help them, especially with meals.

One way that you can ensure your aging relative is getting the nutrients they need is by making healthy smoothies for elderly adults. You won’t go wrong with making delicious and healthy smoothies for your elderly relative on a regular basis.

Here are just a few of the reasons why smoothies are so great for seniors:

Smoothies are All Natural

Smoothies contain completely natural ingredients because they are made only with fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy liquids. Family caregivers and home care providers can vary the flavors to suit their elderly relative’s tastes. Whether they are served as a delicious and filling snack or as part of a meal, smoothies really do provide a lot of benefits to seniors.

Smoothies are Easy to Make

Family caregivers and home care providers don’t have to be great chefs to make smoothies. Common fruits are melon, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, mangos, peaches, and pineapple. Good vegetable additions include avocado, sweet potato, beets, kale, spinach, and zucchini. Add a liquid like fruit juice, milk, almond milk, coconut water, yogurt or even just water to make it just right. Smoothies are an excellent way to get in a few servings of fruits and vegetables into an aging adult’s daily diet.

Smoothies are Healthy

These delicious beverages deliver an array of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to an elderly person’s body with every sip. Smoothies are full of fiber because they retain the elements of the whole fruit and vegetable. Fiber helps seniors feel fuller and makes digestion easier. From Vitamin A to zinc, family caregivers and home care providers can adjust ingredients to deliver the nutrients the aging adult needs.

Smoothies are Affordable

Most seniors are on a fixed budget and family members and home care providers need to get the most value for the grocery dollars. Fresh fruit in season is incredibly affordable, which makes smoothies an ideal addition to an aging adult’s menu. Home care providers can also help seniors chop up in-season fruit and freeze it for several months, so there’s always smoothie ingredients available.

Instead of buying processed snacks and sugar-laden drinks, consider preparing all-natural smoothies for your elderly relative to enjoy. Not only are they tasty and refreshing, but they provide important health benefits. Your loved one can enjoy a smoothie and boost their health at the same time.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Chandler, AZ or the surrounding areas, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

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Relocation Stress Syndrome

Doctors are increasingly aware of Relocation Stress Sundrome, or transfer trauma, among seniors forced to leave a long-time home full of memories for an (often smaller) new abode for medical reasons. Many find this move profoundly stressful and manifest severe anxiety or depression as a result. It can even cause symptoms similar to dementia. It is especially important to acknowledge and respect the intense feelings of loss, sadness and fear that accompany a move from one’s own home to assisted living.

Key Takeaways:

  • Transfer trauma is also referred to as “relocation stress syndrome” and it is commonly found in elders that are forced by circumstances to leave their homes.
  • The syndrome is characterized by three symptoms in particular, anxiety, confusion and loneliness.
  • Although the stress syndrome is common, it can easily be misdiagnosed as a precursor of dementia, or simply part of “getting old.”

“It took a stroke to get my 77-year-old blind and widowed father to finally agree it was time to move from his beloved home out in the Texas countryside to a care home.”

Read more: https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/relocation-stress-syndrome/

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4 Reasons Knitting’s Perfect for Seniors & Caregivers

Knitting is enjoying a surge in popularity amongst both seniors and the people who take care of them, who often find they both can benefit from this underrated act of creativity. Knitting has been shown to lower both stress hormones like cortisol and overall blood pressure. It also is a fairly rare example of an activity vigorous enough to exercise and strengthen joints but not vigorous enough to strain arthritic ones. As an activity that requires thought, movement and frequently a social element, knitting also helps fight cognitive decline.

Key Takeaways:

  • 8 out of 10 people with depression who knit claim that it helps life their mood.
  • Knitting also boosts one’s physical health, helping lower blood pressure, strengthening your heart and holding off arthritis.
  • Additionally, knitting has also been found to decelerate mental decline in its participants.

“One reason for knitting’s newfound popularity is its impact on knitters’ well-being. Younger knitters have discovered that yarn and needles are the perfect pick-me-up — something older knitters have known for years.”

How Do You Spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

Elder abuse in assisted living facilities is an unfortunate reality, but there are some things you can do to help prevent this sort of thing from happening to your loved one. Do your research: check on the reviews, tour the facility, and talk to the residents/families. Check with the State Department of nursing for filed complaints. Next is easier said than done, which is to visit loved ones regularly. Let your loved ones know it is ok to tell you what is going on in their lives. Last, be aware. Look for signs of abuse both physically and emotionally as well as financially. It never hurts to take a quick sweep of the room and make sure all the loved one’s belongings are accounted for.

Key Takeaways:

  • Be sure to keep an eye out for sudden weight loss or isolation and withdrawing as these are signs of abuse.
  • Dehydration and malnutrition are two tell-tale signs of elder abuse when it comes to physical symptoms.
  • It is important that you immediately report any suspicions of abuse so that you can save the family members of others as well.

“If you’re aging family member is placed in an assisted living or nursing home, the first step to take to prevent abuse is to be proactive by checking on your loved one regularly.”

Read more: https://senior.com/blogs/seniornews-com/tagged/elder-abuse

If you think your loved one is experiencing elder abuse, contact Endeavor In Home Care to see how we can help with professional in home care in Gilbert and the surrounding areas.

dementia care gilbert

Dementia Care at Home: the Joy of Living an Improvisational Life

Around the world, medical professionals and patients have turned to the performing arts as a new form of treatment for dementia. The act of improvisation can help a dementia patient feel connected to the world while providing unbridled happiness. Similarly, caregivers can find great comfort and limit strong feelings of frustration when providing dementia care at home by using improvisation skills to better understand their loved one’s needs. Improvisational can help not only how caregivers see patients but how patients see themselves.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sometimes it is beneficial to learn ways to communicate with infants as oftentimes this is the level of cognitive development that patients are at.
  • There are many ways to interpret babbling instead of just presuming that the patient is upset or in pain.
  • Encourage your family member to communicate, imitate and play while you are visiting them.

“Across the globe, practitioners, caregivers and patients are embracing play, performance and the arts.”

Read more: https://changingaging.org/dementia/dementia-the-joy-of-living-an-improvisational-life/

Contact us today at 480-498-2324 to learn more about we can help with professional in-home dementia care. As the leading Scottsdale caregiving company providing care throughout the surrounding areas, we’re always here with resources, tips, and customized dementia care at home to make life better for the senior you love, and to give you the peace of mind and healthy life balance you need.

Alzheimer’s Safety – Is Your House Alzheimer’s-Proofed?

There are some practical and useful steps that you, as a care-giver, may want to implement should you find yourself caring for an aging loved-one with Alzheimer’s. For example, a medic-alert bracelet is a good idea for Alzheimer’s safety, letting anyone know that this person has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. By doing so, your loved one is also registered with local low enforcement to better ensure they get safely home.

Around the home, specifically, there are Alzheimer’s safety concerns too. Make sure lighting is adequate. Prevent falls by moving unneeded area rugs, and stowing electrical cords. Covering outlets is a good idea. You may want to install motion detectors. Also, invest in some good locks and discourage unwanted visitors with a no solicitors sign.

Key Takeaways:

  • If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, install motion detectors in the house, probably the ones with video capabilities as an extra pair of eyes.
  • People with Alzheimer’s disease can be victims of telephone exploitation, so have other family members pick up the phone.
  • Hazardous materials should be out of the reach of someone with Alzheimer’s disease as well as password locking electronics and internet access.

“The MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program is available for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who may wander off, in which case the registered bracelet will have personalized information like emergency contacts and health history.”

Read more: https://senior.com/blogs/seniornews-com/tagged/home-safety

Contact us today at 480-498-2324 to learn more Alzheimer’s safety tips from the top provider of senior home care in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas.