November 17th, 2009
Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
On the previous post we have discussed the different types of abuse, on this article we will discuss the signs and symptoms of abuses inflicted in the older member of our society. Some of the signs and symptoms will not be recognize immediately because it may appear to be symptoms of dementia or signs of the elderly person’s frailty or the abuser may explain them to you that way.
We have to keep an eye to our elderly and pay close attention to them. There are many signs and symptoms that overlap with symptoms of mental deterioration. You shouldn’t jump to conclusion but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss them.
General signs of abuse
• Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behavior in the elder
Physical Abuse
• Visible signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body
• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists
• Medical needs not attended to
• Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Unexplained breakage of eyeglasses or frames
• Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the elder alone
Emotional abuse
• Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness
• Withdrawal from people
• Behavior pattern from the elder that mimics dementia, lick sucking thumb, rocking, or mumbling to oneself
• Unexplained depression
• Sudden stop in doing their usual activities
Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss
• Signs of malnutrition and dehydration
• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
• Poor hygiene
• Unsafe and unsanitary living conditions (no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring, soiled beddings and clothes)
• Intentional desertion of the elder at a public place
Tags: elder abuse, senior citizens
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November 14th, 2009
Different Types of Elderly Abuse
The elder members of our society are prone to abuse of any kind. Because of their age, they become physically and sometimes mentally weak, and because of this there are conscienceless individual who take advantage of this weakness.
Abuse of elders can be of different forms. This may be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Some of these abuse involves intimidation or threats against the elderly, some involving neglect, and others involving financial deception.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a person touches an elderly person in a hurtful way or a non-accidental use of force against a senior citizen that would result to physical pain, injury or impairment. This type of abuse includes not only hitting, pinching, kicking, punching, hair pulling, biting, and burning with cigarettes but also the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement.
Many of these types of physical abuse will go unnoticed by others because it is often assumed the elderly person has bumped his or herself and bruises easily. Family, friends and health care professionals should be observant for the possible indication of physical abuse no matter whom their caregiver is or where the elder stay.
Emotional abuse
This is also called psychological abuse. Psychological or emotional abuse occurs when a person causes mental or emotional pain, distress, suffering, or anguish to an elder. Emotional abuse can be inflicted consciously or unknowingly. Emotional abuse can be in verbal form which includes insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or harassing through words or actions. It could also be in non-verbal form like, giving silent treatment, or isolating him from family members, friends, or his regular activities.
Sexual abuse
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Tags: Abuse, Aging, Elderly, Health Care, senior citizens
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November 7th, 2009
Your elderly parents are not only vulnerable to sickness, but also to elder abuse. That is because, as elders become more physically weak, they are less able to defend their selves to bullying or fight back if they are attacked. As their senses weaken, it leaves them at risk to unscrupulous people that would take advantage of them.
Elder abuse are sometimes deliberate and sometimes because of ignorance. According to the statistics, more than 10,000 of elderly across the United States are being abused everyday in some substantial way, mostly by the people who directly responsible for their care. Every year, more than half a million report of abuse against elderly reached American authorities every year and millions of more cases go unreported.
Most of the elder abuse takes place where the senior live. If they are at home, abusers might be the adult children, other family members such as grandchildren or spouses or partners of the elders. Live-in caregivers may also be the abusers of the elderly. Institutional setting especially long-term facilities can also be sources of elder abuse.
There are cases that a bedridden elderly has bedsores and severely malnourished and dehydrated. This kind of abuse is called neglect. There are many forms elderly abuse; it could be a physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment by caregivers, financial exploitation and healthcare fraud and abuse.
If we have elderly parents or relative, we have to be watchful and pay attention to them. They might be a victim or would be a victim of elderly abuse. On next the next post we will discuss the different kind of elderly abuse and its signs and symptoms.
- Home Care from Professional Health Care Services, Inc. (PHCSI)
Tags: Aging, elder abuse, Health Care, senior citizens
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November 5th, 2009
While you may feel fit and healthy today you never know what health problems or disabilities will affect you in the future. Early planning for Long-term care can help prevent anxiety for you and love ones.
The down side of increased longevity is increased risk of certain diseases and disorders. As significant number of older people suffer from rheumatism. In medical term rheumatism refers to the stiffness in joint or muscles, a painful condition of the joints or muscle in which infection, injury and aging are contributing factors. It is commonly called arthritis.
Symptoms of Rheumatism
Pain is the symptom of a rheumatic disease that most commonly causes a person to seek medical attention. Other common symptoms include joint swelling, limited movement, stiffness, weakness and fatigue.
Many older people expect and accept the immobility and self-care problems related to rheumatism and do not seek help, thinking that nothing can be done. Careful diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve the quality of life for older people.
| Goals and Strategies for Rheumatism/Rheumatic disease |
| Major Goals
1. Suppress inflammation and autoimmune response
2. Control pain
3. Maintain or improve joint mobility
4. Increase patient’s knowledge of disease process
5. Promote self-management by patient compatible with the therapeutic regimen |
Management Strategies
1. Take anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying agents
2. Protect joints; ease pain with splints, thermal modalities, relaxation technique
3. Implement exercise programs for joint motion and muscle strengthening
4. Provide and reinforce teaching
5. Emphasize compatibility of therapeutic regimen and lifestyle. |
Seniors who have developed good health and lifestyle habits should fair significantly better than those with a more sedentary lifestyle. Good nutrition and exercise are the cornerstones of the lifestyle changes that will make the extra years more enjoyable.
Tags: Elderly, Rheumatism
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November 1st, 2009
The family is one of the most important providers for the elderly. In fact, the majority of caregivers for the elderly are often members of their own family, most often a daughter or a granddaughter. Home health care is commonly referred to as domiciliary care.
Home health care or supportive care can be provided in the home by healthcare professionals or by family and friends or provided by licensed personnel. It is often used as a means to prevent hospitalization for frail, elderly outpatients or to shorten a hospital stay.
The golden years can bring about uncertainty about daily activities that were once taken for granted. Taking care of elderly at home where they can still be a part of family daily activities can be of many advantages.
Advantages:
- Home care prevents the elderly patient from going away to commercial institution such as a group home or nursing facility.
- Having elderly family members cared for at home makes them feel comfortable in their own surroundings and provides a sense of familiarity as new people come into the home to assist.
- Home caregivers for elders assist with light housekeeping that the patients may no longer be able to do properly, such as dusting, mopping floors and laundry care. Help them improve their quality of life and to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
- Home caregivers can provide simple respite care such as staying with a patient while the family members are out.
- Assured that elderly family member has three meals a day by preparing, serving and cleaning up and making sure elderly take their medicines.
- Home caregivers provide bathe and groom and dress our elderly. This instills self-confidence.
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Tags: Caregivers, Elderly Care, Health Care, Home Care
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October 31st, 2009
Elderly care emphasizes on the social and personal requirements of senior citizens who need some assistance with daily activities and health care, but who desire to age with dignity.
Taking care of elderly is called Geriatric Care Management also known as “Elder Care Management”, “Senior Health Care Management” and “Professional Care Management”. It is the process of planning and coordinating the care of the elderly and/or disabled to improve their quality of life and to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Health care and psychological care are integrated with the best possible combination of the following:
- Housing
Elderly feel that when their health deteriorates they have to stay in a hospital or check into a nursing home. With complex care service, this can handle the elderly more complex needs allow elderly to stay in home as long as he/she want.
- Home care services
Home management and daily task at home can be challenging as we age. Home caregivers may attend to your household needs and provide you with peace of mind.
- Socialization programs
Companionship. Many seniors today feel isolated, lonely or depressed. Our elderly health caregivers create an environment of closeness and understanding as we engage elderly in enjoyable, individualized activities. This may include long talks over coffee and a crossword, leisurely walks, or going to the library.
- Financial and legal planning.
A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The care plan is modified when necessary based on the professional geriatric care manager’s monitoring of the effectiveness of the components of the care plan. Professional geriatric care managers accomplish this by combining a working knowledge of health and psychology, human development, family dynamics, public and private resources and funding sources while advocating for their clients throughout the continuum of care.
Tags: Caregivers, Elderly Care, Health Care, Home Care
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October 27th, 2009
They took care of you, fed you, and sent you to school. But what can you do when they cannot take care of themselves anymore?
I when I was a child I thought that my parents would live forever. They were there when you took your first steps, sent you off to college, see you married and have children of your own. But looking at them now, they were just a shadow of robust individual you took shelter to when you are younger. Then you have to realize that it is your time to do the caring. The role had been switched, this time you are the one to provide the shelter.
It is a difficult task, for sure, but with the right mindset and enough preparation you will be able to provide the care needed by your elderly parents.
Open Communication
In general, it is very difficult for parents to talk about getting old and becoming dependent. Some find it hard to talk about their aging because they realize that they are getting helpless and useless. We have to remember that they are the one who were in control of us when were growing up, so it hard for them to acknowledge that now, you are the one taking care of them.
Establish a communication line with your parent. Have some “bonding” moment with them, for example, once a week you sit down on a meal together or go to church with them. It doesn’t have to be expensive. The important thing is you get to be closer to your parents, and that will make it easier for you to talk to them about their aging, and easier for them to accept it.
Ask for their input
Becoming useless and worthless is the most feared part of being elderly. Ask for their opinion on some decisions you have to make, it could be an opinion to some trivial decision or to an important decision to make. This will make them feel needed and useful.
Keep In Touch
The best way to make sure your parents are aging well is to be around. But if they are not living with you, keep in touch by calling or visiting them on weekends. Ask your parents if you can accompany them to doctors’ visits to keep you updated with their current condition.
Pay Attention
No matter what your parents say, you should always be on the lookout for the subtle signs that tell that they needed help. There are lots of signs to watch for. Social isolation is one of them. If your elderly parent refuses to leave the house and doesn’t socialize anymore, this is an alarm symptom. This could lead to a depression, or maybe has an illness that hasn’t been diagnosed. You should also pay close attention to their sleeping and eating patterns, mood changes, manners of doing their daily chores and memory loss.
Tags: Aging, Care, Elderly, Parents
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October 26th, 2009
Being an elderly is not an excuse in becoming forgetful. Remember that aging doesn’t have to be equated with forgetfulness. As individuals reach their 70’s, it may take the brain longer to retrieve stored bits of information from part of the long-term memory. But when they’re not rushed, older people can remember as a well as anyone.
Here are ways to avoid the slowdown of memory, thus avoiding forgetfulness:
- Exercise: Regular exercise can enhance the memory by improving blood flow. When the brain cell receives enough oxygen blood flow, with its oxygen and nutrients, a person is less likely to experience memory or concentration problem. Studies show that aerobic exercise improves mental capabilities. Some studies find memories are stored better after exercise.
- Develop stimulating interest: Learning new things or seeking out new experiences may be able to protect you from Alzheimer’s disease, but they will sharpen a healthy mind. People who are intensely involved in life retain their intellectual capabilities better than that mental couch potato. Your mental capabilities will decrease rapidly with age if your favorite pastime is sitting and doing nothing. A person who stops solving problems will reach the point where they can’t solve problems.
- Be Flexible: The mental functions of rigid people decline earlier in life. Don’t settle into a rut in your old age. Flexibility in midlife is a good indicator of reduced risk of mental decline later in life.
- Have a positive outlook: When you engage life in relaxed attitude, doors open for you. You will be aided by an inner strength and be able to remain calm in difficult situations. Relaxing also helps the recall of memories
- Be organized: Setting up daily routines lightens the load on your memory and free it for more important tasks. For example, always put a key in the same place in your bag. The more orderly you are about life, the better you will be able to recall.
- Professional Health Care Services, Inc. (PHCSI)
Tags: Aging, Forgetfullness
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September 28th, 2009
Parkinson’s disease primarily affects the part of the brain that controls movement. The earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are usually mild and get worse over time. As the disease progresses, everyday movements like walking or getting up from a chair become more difficult. Both men and women can get Parkinson’s disease and usually starts when a person is in his or her fifties or sixties, but younger people can also have the disease too.
What are the Symptoms?
The most common signs:
Moving slowly
- Stiff muscles
- Shaking or tremor of an arm, leg, hand or foot when at rest
- Trouble with balance
Other signs of Parkinson are:
- Problems walking
- Changes in handwriting
- Not being able to stand up straight (stooped posture)
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Voice becomes softer
Other Things You Should Know
- Parkinson disease symptoms usually begin on one side of the body, involving either arm or leg.
- People cannot get Parkinson disease from another person like cold or flu.
- Parkinson disease affects each person in a different way. Some people may have more problems with one symptom that another.
- With the appropriate support, treatment and medical care a person with Parkinson disease can live well for many years.
As of now, there is no cure for Parkinson disease, because doctors do not know what causes it. But, there are treatments that make it easier to live with Parkinson disease.
We know that medicines and other treatments can help with the symptoms such as problems with walking, moving, speaking and depression. Yoga, exercise, massage and support groups can also be helpful.
** Articles from Community Partners for Parkinson Care
Tags: Parkinson
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September 1st, 2009
1. Head first
Good health starts with your brain. It’s one of the most vital body organs, and it needs care and maintenance.
2. Take brain health to heart
Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s.
3. Your numbers count
Keep your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges.
4. Feed your brain
Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that features dark-skinned vegetables and fruits; foods rich in antioxidants; vitamins E, C and B-12; folate; and omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Work your body
Physical exercise keeps the blood flowing and encourages new brain cells. It doesn’t have to be strenuous activity. Do what you can – like walking 30 minutes a day – to keep both body and mind active.
6. Jog your mind
Keeping your brain active and engaged increases its vitality and builds reserves of brain cells and connections. Read, write, play games, do crossword puzzles.
7. Connect with others
Leisure activities that combine physical, mental and social elements may be most likely to prevent dementia.
8. Heads up! Protect your brain
Take precautions against injuries. Use your car seat belts; unclutter your house to avoid falls; wear a helmet when cycling.
9. Use your head
Avoid unhealthy habits. Don’t smoke, drink excessive alcohol or use street drugs.
10. Think ahead – start today!M
You can do something today to help protect tomorrow.
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