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 <title>RetirementHomes.com - Family and Personal Care</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/categories/family-and-personal-care</link>
 <description>Your library for family and personal care related issues.
</description>
 <language>en</language>
<item>
 <title>The Best - and Worst - Ways Caregivers Can Take Care of Themselves</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/best-and-worst-ways-caregivers-can-take-care-themselves</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Caring for an elder takes time, patience, and a lot of energy. While people want to do best by their loved ones, it’s essential that there is also a support system in place for those doing the caring. The majority of caregivers have their own lives, families, worries, and jobs. Trying to do it all yourself will only lead to burn out, and compromise your ability to provide good care. The benefits of creating a support network are numerous, and not only is it good for the caregiver, but for those ailing as well.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Support Networks for Elderly Caregivers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Most communities have a wide variety of support programs in place to assist caregivers. In addition to friends, family members, and community groups, it can give immeasurable amounts of relief to those taking on the primary job. Some places to find support include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Local hospitals and senior service organizations:&lt;/strong&gt; Many communities have programs that provide meals, rides to appointments or shopping, and additional caregiver services.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health care:&lt;/strong&gt; Check coverage to find out if the person you care for is qualified for any additional assistance, like in-home nursing, occupational or physical therapy, or a social worker.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Community groups:&lt;/strong&gt; Many churches, due-paying community groups, and other non-profits have assistance programs in place. These services can range from phone check-ins to home visits and transportation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Personal services:&lt;/strong&gt; Hired aides will come into the home to assist with basic daily living tasks. Consider finding help with cleaning, bathing, feeding, and laundry.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adult daycare:&lt;/strong&gt; Retirement communities and senior programs often have adult day programs. These centers can give you a much-needed break while offering enrichment activities and social opportunities.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friends and family:&lt;/strong&gt; Make a list of weekly caregiving needs you fulfill. Pull trusted friends and family members aside and ask if they’re willing to help. If they are, find tasks that they are both comfortable with and good at. Don’t hesitate to call on others if you’re feeling overwhelmed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most organizations that involve working with the elderly population are more than happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction. Get to know what’s available in your community by making some calls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/caregiver.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-full wp-image-17307&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/caregiver_0.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Helping Grandmother Walk&quot; width=&quot;240&quot; height=&quot;160&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6 Benefits of Having an Elderly Caregiver Support Network&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The ability to do your best:&lt;/strong&gt; Caring for the elderly can get overwhelming and exhausting. By calling on your support network, you’ll be able to rejuvenate and de-stress, and continue to give the best care possible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A more organized approach: &lt;/strong&gt;By creating a support network, you’ve already started to identify the needs of your elderly loved one. It gives you the fuel to organize care, put consistent weekly routines in place, and make things work more functionally. This takes a lot of excess time and energy out of the process.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Financial relief:&lt;/strong&gt; Many people overlook free or reduced-cost services in the community. They also don’t look at medical coverage thoroughly enough. If you’re paying for everything out of pocket, a support network can give some much-needed financial relief.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emotional support:&lt;/strong&gt; Handling issues solo encourage feelings of isolation and loneliness. Having others to simply talk to can boost your own morale and overall well-being, and help you feel validated for all that you do.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enrichment: &lt;/strong&gt;You are not the only one who will benefit from a support network. The elderly thrive with additional social interaction, contact with a variety of people and personalities, and programs that boost their physical, mental, and social health.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Personal time:&lt;/strong&gt; Everyone needs time to do the things they love. Enlisting the help of your support network lets you engage with your family and hobbies, and relax.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/aging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;aging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/ging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;ging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/healtha&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;healtha&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retirement&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:16:23 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249515 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/best-and-worst-ways-caregivers-can-take-care-themselves#comments</comments>
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 <title>How to use pet therapy correctly with seniors</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-use-pet-therapy-correctly-seniors</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Have you considered purchasing a pet for an elderly loved one, but thought it might be too much for him/her to handle? The truth is that this added responsibility may be just what he/she needs. Recent studies have shown that pet ownership offers a wide range of benefits for the elderly. Below is a look at some of the top ways your loved one could benefit from introducing a pet into his/her life.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Provide Companionship&lt;/strong&gt; One of the most prevalent benefits of having pets is that they offer companionship. Common pets, such as dogs and cats, attach to people very quickly. This every day companionship can help to fight loneliness and depression, especially in elderly people. Pets can also boost a person’s overall mood and serve as a protector for seniors that live alone. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/bell-1401650.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-medium wp-image-18111&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/bell-1401650-300x225.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Pet therapy&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Minimize Stress&lt;/strong&gt; There is no need to worry about overburdening your loved one by giving him/her a pet. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Pets can actually help to reduce stress. Just playing with or petting a dog or cat for several minutes can lower a person’s stress rate almost instantly. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of several serious health conditions, such as heart attacks, and it can help to lower a person’s blood pressure. The benefit of introducing a pet into the home will far outweigh any extra work it takes to care for the pet.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gives Purpose&lt;/strong&gt; Everyone needs to feel like he/she has a purpose in life. This is a serious issue for many seniors because they may not be physically able to complete many of the tasks they deem important. In addition, their children are all grown up and there is no need to care for them on a daily basis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This can leave many seniors feeling like they are not needed. The introduction of a pet into their life can give them purpose again. Best of all, most pets only require minimal care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Increase Activity Level&lt;/strong&gt; If you are concerned that your loved one is not getting enough exercise or socializing enough, a pet may just do the trick. Caring for some types of pets, like a dog, requires consistent training, regular visits to the veterinarian, and daily walks. This will force your loved one to remain active on a daily basis in order to care for his/her pet properly. By taking the dog to the vets or the local dog park, he/she will also meet other people in the area and have the opportunity to socialize with other pet owners. It is important to talk to your elderly loved one before introducing a pet into his/her home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This will ensure that you select a pet that he/she will enjoy. You also need to be sure that your loved one is physically capable of caring for the pet, or that you have people willing to step in and help. If you are not sure if a pet is right for your loved one, many assisted living facilities and senior service agencies offer pet therapy opportunities. This will give you the chance to see how your elderly loved one responds to being around a pet before you commit to purchasing one.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/pet-therapy&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;pet therapy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retire&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retire&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retirement&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/seniors&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;seniors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Sun, 27 Dec 2015 09:12:29 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249513 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-use-pet-therapy-correctly-seniors#comments</comments>
</item>
<item>
 <title>10 Tips for Preventing Falls In The Elderly</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/10-tips-preventing-falls-elderly</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Falling is dangerous for anyone, especially seniors. Bones become more brittle as people age and a fall can be seriously debilitating for a senior citizen. Broken hips, arms and legs mend at a slower rate as the body ages. Head injuries can be fatal.
&lt;p&gt;The Center for Disease Control is &quot;taking a stand&quot; on helping seniors prevent falls with programs for seniors and care givers. The program is called STEADI, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can take action to prevent falling and enjoy an active life as a senior with a few precautions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/senior-portraits-1-1258399.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-medium wp-image-18099&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/senior-portraits-1-1258399-224x300.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;10 tips to prevent seniors&#039; falls&quot; width=&quot;224&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;STEADI recommends Tai Chi, Yoga and other exercise programs for maintaining and improving legs and core muscle strength. Many senior living communities offer classes in these exercises along with aerobics. Walking, swimming, golf, tennis, bowling and other sports are also highly recommended for seniors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The objective is to stay in good condition, improve strength, coordination and balance. People want to stay independent as long as possible and enjoy their activities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eyes and hearing check-ups&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Get an annual eye check-up  and make sure you have glasses if needed. Be careful on stairs if you wear bifocal or multi-focal lenses. You want to see any obstacles that might be in your way. Hearing checks are also important so you can hear warnings that someone may call out to you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stairway safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It&#039;s easy to trip on steps if you can&#039;t see them. Stairways should have railings and handholds. Steps should be lighted, especially at night.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Special non-slip stair treads can be added to hard surface and carpeted stairways for better traction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Grab bars are helpful&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Install grab bars in bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens and other areas. They prevent falls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Showers without borders or curbs are elements of Universal Design that makes bathrooms easily accessible to everyone. Bathroom and kitchen flooring and mats should be non-slip and kept dry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoid heights&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Keep items you need on low shelves and cabinets so that a chair or step ladder is not needed to reach them. This applies to food, dishes, medications and other items used on a daily basis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Walkway safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Outdoor pathways and walkways should be free of debris, hoses, wheelbarrows and other gardening equipment. A person may forget to put away outdoor equipment and trip over a hose or bump into the lawn mower.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;An uneven pathway with cracks or broken flagstone can be dangerous. Walkways should be dry when possible and free of snow and ice during the winter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Indoor safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Keep all electrical cords out of the way and against walls. Unplug and remove a cord on a heating pad or other small appliance that has been used temporarily and may be in a pathway.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Rooms should be well lighted.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Carpeting and floor coverings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Carpeting should be tight and tacked down at seams and doorways to avoid tripping.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Area rugs and throw rugs should adhere to the floor. It is also easy to trip over a raised doormat. Hard surface flooring should be the non-slip variety in all rooms where it is used.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shoes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Wear comfortable shoes with good support in place of flip-flops and high heels. If you wear slippers, use the type that have tread on the soles instead of a smooth surface.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication reviews&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You should review any previous falls and your medications with doctors. Several prescribed medications may have side effects that cause dizziness and other problems. You should talk to your doctor about your risk of falling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The National Institute of Health advises seniors to take these preventive measures so they do not have to fear falling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/aging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;aging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/falls&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;falls&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/health&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;health&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/healthy&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;healthy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retire&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retire&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retirement&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/seniors&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;seniors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2015 19:43:23 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249510 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/10-tips-preventing-falls-elderly#comments</comments>
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<item>
 <title>Caring for a Bedbound Loved One at Home</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/caring-bedbound-loved-one-home</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Caring for a bed-bound elderly loved one is challenging; however, some people choose to take on the challenge rather than send their family member to a nursing home. Before you take on the responsibility of caring for a bed-bound individual at home, you should find out what is involved. The work can be time consuming and you may be required to provide care around the clock. It will be emotionally taxing and may also be physically difficult. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when taking care of a bed-bound family member:&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You Will Have To Carefully Choose And Equip Their Room &lt;/strong&gt; Their room should be well ventilated and protected from temperature extremes. If they can only be moved with a wheelchair, the room should be easy to access. Easy access will also be important if they ever need emergency medical assistance. A first floor room is ideal so that it is not necessary to carry them upstairs. The room should have things for them to do while they are in it, like a TV or books. Also, make sure that they have a way to get your attention if they need your help.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hospital-1233639.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-medium wp-image-18059&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/hospital-1233639-300x225.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Hospital beds&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Their Medications Should Be Scheduled &lt;/strong&gt; If the patient is taking medication, it will be necessary to make sure that they are taking it on time and in the correct doses. Many elderly patients have trouble remembering to take their medicine. If they have to eat before taking their medicine, make sure that their eating schedule allows for this.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It Will Be Necessary To Equip The Bathroom &lt;/strong&gt; Install handles on the tub to make getting them in and out easier. A seat in the bathtub can also make the process of bathing them a much simpler one. You should be able to find items like handles and seats (as well as other safety equipment) at a medical supply store. If they are completely unable to leave the bed, you should give them a sponge bath at least three times a week.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You Should Learn How To Give A Sponge Bath&lt;/strong&gt;  Make sure that the room is very warm before starting the sponge bath. You should have a large supply of bath towels on hand along with washcloths. You will need two large containers of warm water, one for washing and the other for rinsing. Cover the bed with bath towels and undress the bed-bound person. Start washing at the shoulder and go down the side of the body. You may have to tilt them up slightly to be able to reach under them. Move to the lower torso and hips and then go down to the feet. Repeat the process on the other side.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You Must Take Steps To Prevent Bedsores&lt;/strong&gt;  Also called pressure sores, these tend to occur as a result of prolonged pressure on the skin. They usually occur on the body parts where bone is close to the skin like on the elbows and heels. Bedridden people who are unable to change position are very prone to developing bedsores. If their skin is exposed to urine and feces for long periods, this can make the sores worse. Bedsores can be difficult to treat once they occur; however, they can be prevented by moving the bedridden individual at least once every 40 minutes. Also, look for any signs of redness or tenderness in the most susceptible areas when bathing them.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:00:28 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249500 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/caring-bedbound-loved-one-home#comments</comments>
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 <title>How The Elderly Can Beat The Heat This Summer</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-elderly-can-beat-heat-summer</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;The dog days of summer are here, and while the sunshine and warm temperatures are nice, they can be dangerous, too. Warm weather is especially dangerous for senior citizens, so staying safe and understanding how heat effects the senior body is important. We&#039;ve collected 10 tips that will help you and the senior you care for beat the heat this summer.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Drink Plenty of Water.  &lt;/strong&gt;Hydration is important year-round, but it is more serious during the summer months. Seniors should drink between six and eight glasses of water a day, adding two more for extremely hot days.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoid Direct Sunlight.  &lt;/strong&gt;It can be difficult to regulate your body temperature as you age. Seniors should avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day to minimize the risk. Outdoor activity should be greatly limited between 10am and 2pm, according to experts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/beach-1544136.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-medium wp-image-18056&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/beach-1544136-239x300.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Summertime&quot; width=&quot;239&quot; height=&quot;300&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use Air Conditioning.  &lt;/strong&gt;When the temperature outside soars above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 30 Celsius), utilize air conditioning as often as possible, and avoid strenuous activity, especially outside. This goes for in the car, too. Make sure the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the temperature outside on especially warm days.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dress Appropriately.  &lt;/strong&gt;Dressing in light clothing can help minimize the risk of overheating. Avoid dark colors, as well, as darker colors can trap more heat, making seniors warmer than they should be.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Check with your Doctor.  &lt;/strong&gt;Check in with a doctor during the summer months if you or a senior you are caring for begins feeling overheated or more tired than usual. Medications may need to be altered to ensure safety during the summer, as some medicines can promote overheating.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Slather on Sunscreen.  &lt;/strong&gt;If you plan to be outdoors, use sunscreen liberally. Not only will it prevent you from burning in the sun, but it will also keep your body temperature down. Sunscreen should be applied on hazy and cloudy days, too, especially if you plan to spend a significant amount of time outdoors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ask a Friend to Check In.  &lt;/strong&gt;Seniors who are living alone are at greater risk of heat exhaustion than those who live with others. Because it can be difficult to tell how warm it is for seniors, someone should be checking in regularly to ensure their safety. If you or a senior you are caring for is living alone, plan for someone to check in regularly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cool Treats.  &lt;/strong&gt;Ice cream is a summer staple, but it isn&#039;t just sugary goodness. The cool treat can help lower the body temperature, and can be utilized (in moderation) by seniors who are looking to beat the heat. Popsicle are also a good option, especially for those who are on a modified or restrictive diet.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Educated.  &lt;/strong&gt;Educating yourself on the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion can be lifesaving, whether you are a senior yourself or caring for a senior. Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion should be moved to a cool place. Hydrants should also be offered while waiting for medical professionals to arrive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enjoy Activities in Climate Control.  &lt;/strong&gt;If the home doesn&#039;t have air conditioning, consider utilizing services and centers designed for cooling down individuals during warm weather. Senior centers often offer activities and lunch in a climate-controlled environment. Not only can a senior cool down, but they can socialize, too.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/food&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;food&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/health&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;health&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/heat&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;heat&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/summer&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;summer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2015 19:40:20 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249499 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-elderly-can-beat-heat-summer#comments</comments>
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 <title>How to stop older people from falling</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-stop-older-people-falling</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Each year, one in three elderly adults will take a fall and the risk of falls increases every decade. Falls are the number one reason for emergency room visits because of trauma, and for the elderly, falls can devastate their health since injuries are often severe like traumatic brain injuries or hip fractures. Despite the potential their prevalence, there is much that the elderly can do to prevent falls.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise regularly. &lt;/strong&gt;The lack of exercise can lead to loss of leg strength, which will increase the chance of falling, and loss of arm strength, which makes breaking the fall more difficult. An exercise program that includes strength and agility, like yoga or Tai Chi will build strength and improve balance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/nurse.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft  wp-image-17353&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/nurse-257x300.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Slipping can mean a quick visit to the doctor&quot; width=&quot;270&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintain vision. &lt;/strong&gt;Oftentimes poor vision can make moving around much more difficult. Every day movements like judging stairs or negotiating curbs, for example, can lead to falls. Elderly adults should have their vision checked regularly to ensure the proper strength and fit of glasses and contacts so that they are seeing clearly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keep track of medications. &lt;/strong&gt;There are many medications, or medications taken together, that can cause lightheadedness, vision impairment or drowsiness. Either the pharmacist or the doctor can review all of the medications an elderly person is taking to ensure there are no drug interactions that can increase these symptoms and the risk of falling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Remove hazards. &lt;/strong&gt;At home or other residences like summer cottages, removing hazards is key since almost half of all falls occur in the home. The home environment should be checked regularly for any tripping hazards like electrical cords in open areas or under rugs, too much accumulated clutter, poorly arranged furniture, beds that are difficult to get in and out of, slippery bed sheets, door sills that are higher than one-half inch, and poorly lit rooms.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Other hazards include rugs that can slip underfoot, the sun&#039;s glare, which can be removed by hanging light fabric curtains in rooms with large windows, and taking out foot stools. Rather than using footstools, rearrange cabinets so that every day items are easily within arm&#039;s reach.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Add in safety features. &lt;/strong&gt;An easy prevention tool is the addition of a few safety features, like handrails and brighter or additional lighting on stairways and walkways. One safety feature that is easier than most is to insure that elderly people wear their shoes at home, not slippers or walk around in socks because it increase the risk of slips and falls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the bathroom add items like non slip rugs bath mats for the tub and shower are a start. Also, make sure that toiletries are easily within reach, and that there is sufficient light and put in one or two night lights that are left on at all times. And add in grab bars next to and inside of the tub or shower, and remove glass doors for shatter-proof material.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:08:16 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249495 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-stop-older-people-falling#comments</comments>
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 <title>How to care for yourself when you&#039;re a caregiver</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/how-care-yourself-when-youre-caregiver</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Unquestionably, the only person who would ever tell you that care giving is an easy job is someone that has never had to do it themselves.  For the person needing care, the loss of independence coupled with increasing physical and perhaps mental frailty can be exceptionally harrowing.  Although care is usually given with love, it can - on occasion - be received with some measure of resentment, especially if it means a reversal of the parent/child roles that you have been used to fulfilling.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/asleep-by-the-pool-921618-m.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-full wp-image-18020&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/asleep-by-the-pool-921618-m.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Relaxing is important for caregivers&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Even on a good day, with a cordial relationship based on love and respect, looking after a senior member of the family can lead to increased stress levels, and eventually care giver burnout.  When your focus is someone else&#039;s needs, your own can sometimes fade into the background, and it&#039;s surprisingly easy to lose sight of the situation getting out of control until it&#039;s too late.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Signs that the frustrations of losing some of your own freedoms, relationships and indeed privacy to care for someone else are getting too much shouldn&#039;t be overlooked.  If you notice that you&#039;re constantly physically and emotionally wrung out, or worse still entertaining thoughts of hurting yourself or the person you&#039;re caring for, it&#039;s time to find ways to take breaks to alleviate the strain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Make sure you&#039;re sleeping properly.&lt;/strong&gt; It can be difficult to get decent rest if you&#039;re having to get up every few hours to check on someone or give medication.  However, napping when the person you&#039;re caring for is also asleep during the day might help you top up too.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cook proper meals where possible.&lt;/strong&gt; Relying on snacks and quick meals from the chiller cabinet instead of preparing food from scratch may be essential to stay on top of care duties at times, but where you can, cook meals in bulk to stock up the freezer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Talk to others.&lt;/strong&gt; You may feel that none of your family and friends understand your position, or even that they&#039;ve forgotten or abandoned you.  The sad truth is that unless they&#039;ve experienced a similar care situation, they may not be able to empathize to the degree that you need.  Message boards and online support groups can be a lifeline where simple solidarity accompanies offers of practical solutions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take advantage of respite care.&lt;/strong&gt; Progressive conditions such as dementia, especially where challenging or even violent behavior can accompany physical decline inevitably reach a point where not only can you not do it alone any longer, but you may have to consider full-time residential care so that your senior can establish a routine that will be comforting and reassuring to them.  Even if you haven&#039;t yet reached this stage, making sure you can step away from the care situation from time to time is essential to your well being.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don&#039;t beat yourself up.&lt;/strong&gt; You&#039;re not required to feel &quot;up&quot; and positive all the time, and nor are you obliged not to feel like screaming with frustration.  Caring is tough, and it will get on top of you at times.  Don&#039;t blame yourself for the bad days.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;The most important thing of all to accept is that if you&#039;re the caregiver of an elderly parent or in-law, then you are unlikely to be in the first flush of youth yourself.  Pay close attention to your own physical and mental health, especially if you have a family history of classic middle-age disorders such as high blood pressure or arthritis, and don&#039;t ignore warning signs that all is not well.  After all, you can&#039;t provide care if you need care yourself.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/aging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;aging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/caregivers&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;caregivers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/health&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;health&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retirement&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/seniors&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;seniors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/caregiving&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Caregiving&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:50:41 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
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 <title>Senior-friendly designs help keep older people at home longer</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/senior-friendly-designs-help-keep-older-people-home-longer</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;With a senior population burgeoning across the United States and Canada, not to mention Europe and even China, more and more businesses are being created to specifically cater to this growing – and wealthy – demographic cohort.
&lt;p&gt;As seniors continue to age, relocation and downsizing becomes an important conversation to have. Many opt to make the move into an active living or independent living retirement community, others choose to move in with loved ones, while others opt to stay living by themselves or with a significant other.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As a result of this significant shift, millions of homes across the United States and Canada need to be retrofitted in order to be accessible for their aging residents, and the trends in this area are nothing short of extraordinary.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are small, simple changes many companies offer, which include making accessible living spaces by making them wheelchair-accessible, open concept, and without significant barriers. For example, in kitchens, hollowing out the area underneath the sink allows wheelchair users to roll underneath and wash the dishes, which could otherwise prove to be difficult for them. In addition, lower countertops – or even adjustable countertops – can allow multiple people in the same household to find the same level of functionality in the same kitchen.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/stovetop.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-full wp-image-18015&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/stovetop.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Kitchen appliances can be dangerous for some seniors&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;200&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Additionally, different technologies are being created to help address the cognitive impairment common among seniors (such as Alzheimer’s Disease). These technologies can include sensors which identify when someone is no longer in the kitchen for an extended period of time, upon which the appliances automatically shut down, or it could include an alarm system which tracks movement of a wandering resident or someone who is forgetful.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One company based in Short Hills, New Jersey, just outside of New York City, specifically designs residential lighting systems exclusively aimed at older people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Josh Scharf, president of Archetype Ltd., told RetirementHomes.com that the challenge in designing senior-friendly products is that few consumers consciously want to buy them!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“There are very few stylish products in the market designed specifically for Boomers and older adults. Most screamed &#039;geriatric&#039; and who the heck wants that in their home, unless absolutely necessary,” Scharf said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Archetype Ltd. designs wireless floor lighting which, while available to anyone, has found a niche in the older population because it offers a simple way for seniors to have better vision and mobility while at home, during nighttime hours, Scharf said. And regardless of the aging population, there will always be a need for such products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Regardless of age, everyone is at danger of falling down ill-lit stairs,” Scharf said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/aging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;aging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/house&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;house&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/technology&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;technology&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2015 12:10:57 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249492 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/senior-friendly-designs-help-keep-older-people-home-longer#comments</comments>
</item>
<item>
 <title>The dangers of seniors living alone</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/dangers-seniors-living-alone</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;A 2011 survey of people over 65 showed that the vast majority (90 percent) wanted to continue living in their homes for as long as they could. It is understandable that seniors should want to stay at home; however, there are many who need care, but who are living on their own.
&lt;p&gt;Moving a senior family member to an assisted living facility can be a difficult and emotionally harrowing. Opting for home care allows them to stay in their own home and be assisted by a home caregiver. Home care can also be considerably more affordable than an assisted living facility.  Below is information on the problems that the elderly face when they live by themselves:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Risks to Physical Safety&lt;/strong&gt; : Elderly people are more prone to falling. Age-related health problems like diabetes and hypertension are a factor in this. These problems can affect their balance and their physical strength. The presence of a caregiver will not prevent someone from falling; however, it can ensure that they get immediate medical attention if they do.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lack of Financial Protection&lt;/strong&gt; : Many con artists and fraudsters specialize in targeting elderly individuals. From criminals who phish for personal information over the phone to email and snail mail offers that are obviously too good to be true, seniors living alone can easily fall victim to scammers. Many have lost their life savings due to naivety or confusion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Poor Nutrition&lt;/strong&gt; : People who share meals with others or have them prepared by others are more likely to eat nutritious food compared to those who live alone. Those who live by themselves may opt for convenience over nutritional value, especially if cooking is too physically challenging.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/walking-away-1418812-m.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-full wp-image-17974&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/walking-away-1418812-m.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Living alone can be dangerous for seniors&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Social Isolation: &lt;/strong&gt; The Administration on Aging reports that roughly 28 percent of seniors live alone. This means that there are about 11.8 million older people living by themselves. Seniors can become isolated because of the death of a spouse, or because their spouse has Alzheimer&#039;s or another condition that requires constant care. They become homebound and get disconnected from other relationships. Studies show that being isolated increases the risk of mortality in individuals who are over the age of 52. Additionally, those who are lonely and isolated are more likely to have physical and mental health issues.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication Mi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;stakes&lt;/strong&gt; : Medication mistakes include taking too much of a drug, taking the wrong drug or mixing medications. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that 70 percent of emergency hospitalizations among seniors occurred because of the medications most commonly prescribed to seniors. Similarly, Medicare records from 2014 show that there were more than 500,000 injuries in Medicare patients’ homes that were caused by medications.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You want to ensure that your loved one lives in a safe and healthy environment, especially if they show signs of cognitive impairment. It is important to keep track of indications that an elderly person is no longer able to live alone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Tags:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/aging&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;aging&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/elderly&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;elderly&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/health&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;health&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/retirement&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/tags/seniors&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;seniors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:10:14 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249484 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/dangers-seniors-living-alone#comments</comments>
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 <title>Does your older loved one need home care? See these 8 tips</title>
 <link>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/does-your-older-loved-one-need-home-care-see-these-8-tips</link>
 <description>&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot; property=&quot;content:encoded&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;meta http-equiv=&quot;Content-Type&quot; content=&quot;text/html; charset=utf-8&quot; /&gt;Modern medical techniques mean that more Americans are living into advanced ages. While this is a good thing, it does leave the families of the aged with the dilemma of figuring out when the seniors they care about are in need of assistance in their homes.
&lt;p&gt;It is very difficult for most people to admit that they have reached a point in their lives when they can no longer care for themselves. You cannot always rely on your loved one to come to you and tell you they are in need of assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/living-room.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;alignleft size-full wp-image-17957&quot; src=&quot;http://rh.shomair.com/sites/default/files/wordpress/living-room.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Staying at home can mean a more comfortable environment&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;167&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is especially true if the person you are worried about is your parent. No parent wants to admit to their child that it is time for the roles to be reversed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This leaves you, the child or caretaker, in the uncomfortable position of trying to decide on your own when the time is right for the senior in your life to receive &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.retirementhomes.com/library/senior-living/&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;home care&lt;/a&gt;. Keep your eyes open for these 8 warning signs that a senior citizen is no longer completely capable of caring for themselves.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs To Look For&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Poor hygiene.&lt;/strong&gt;  Keep your eyes peeled for changes in grooming habits, or the appearance of no grooming at all, such as soiled clothing, mussed hair, dirty hands.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unexplained bruising.&lt;/strong&gt;  Bruising on the arms or legs may mean that the person in question can not see well enough to avoid running into things. Bruises on the torso may be the result of a fall, a particularly dangerous event for an elderly person.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spoiled foods, messy house, piled up mail.&lt;/strong&gt;  All of these are warning signs that the senior is either becoming confused and forgets to take care of these things or that they simply do not have the energy to keep up with the house work.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication signals.&lt;/strong&gt;  A person in the early stages of dementia may forget to take their medications entirely or, perhaps more dangerous, forget that they have already taken them and take them a second time. Keep your eyes open for medication that disappears too quickly or not quickly enough.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical weakness.&lt;/strong&gt;  Look for trouble getting up from a sitting position, poor balance, shortness of breath after walking and trouble negotiating the stairs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Confusion, getting lost.&lt;/strong&gt;  Watch for signs that your loved one has trouble finishing familiar tasks or has trouble finding their way to or from places they visit regularly.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Weight loss.&lt;/strong&gt;  This can be a symptom of many diseases or illnesses or it may be a sign that the aged person is forgets to eat or does not have the strength to fix themselves meals.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Depression.&lt;/strong&gt;  Often manifested as changes in mood or lack of interest in hobbies.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;It can be challenging to convince an aged loved one that it is time to have home care services, especially since they are unlikely to admit it on their own. Keep your eyes open for the warning signs that the person you care for and about is in need of more help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-label&quot;&gt;Categories:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-items&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item even&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/family-and-personal-care&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Family and Personal Care&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;field-item odd&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/categories/home-safety&quot; typeof=&quot;skos:Concept&quot; property=&quot;rdfs:label skos:prefLabel&quot; datatype=&quot;&quot;&gt;Home Safety&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
 <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:18:58 +0000</pubDate>
 <dc:creator>aadmin</dc:creator>
 <guid isPermaLink="false">249480 at http://www.retirementhomes.com</guid>
 <comments>http://www.retirementhomes.com/article/does-your-older-loved-one-need-home-care-see-these-8-tips#comments</comments>
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