Tips to Protect an Older Loved One from Viruses

Catching a virus is a nasty, uncomfortable experience no matter how old you are. For our older relatives and friends, however, the risk of getting sick is much higher than younger people in good health.

Illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 can have serious health repercussions for seniors. Each year, thousands are hospitalized with virus symptoms that have gone ignored or misdiagnosed. However, you can help the senior in your life avoid or treat illness.

Learn a few simple tips to protect an older loved one from viruses, who is at risk, symptoms to watch for, and available treatments.

How can you prevent spreading viruses to your older loved ones?

Implementing a few of the following tips in your life, and helping your loved one do the same, can protect them from the flu, COVID-19, and other viruses year-round.

1. Get the flu vaccine.
2. Wash your hands regularly.
3. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
4. Avoid contact with those who are sick.
5. Eat healthy food and stay hydrated.
6. Keep fully rested.
7. Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
8. Boost your immunity with Vitamin C.
9. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
10. Sanitize your computer and mobile device.
11. Stay clear of crowds or unnecessary travel.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can catch a virus, but some are more susceptible than others. The following are at the highest risk of falling ill:

• Anyone over the age of 50.
• Adults and children who have chronic diseases, such as heart disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, kidney disease, or diabetes.
• Residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• People with a weakened immune system, like those receiving chemotherapy or suffering from conditions like HIV/AIDS.
• Community members like policemen and firefighters.
• Anyone working in healthcare.
• Household members of people in this high-risk group.

How do virus symptoms manifest in seniors?

Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and loss of taste and/or smell. However, the “expected” symptoms of viruses are not typical symptoms in older adults. This confusion leads to many overlooked and misdiagnosed flu or virus cases each year. The following are the common symptoms that seniors may experience:

• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness or a light-headed feeling
• Weakness
• Delirium
• A worsening of a chronic heart or lung condition

If you suspect your loved one may have a virus, visit your primary care physician immediately. Ignoring symptoms can lead to serious health implications like pneumonia, dehydration, or even death.

What treatments are available, and when is hospitalization necessary?

Similar to other infections, bed rest and fluids are the best treatments available for viruses. However, for those needing additional relief, your loved one’s doctor may also prescribe an antiviral to further alleviate the symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help with any aches and pains.

If your loved one begins to experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Sudden dizziness
• Symptoms that get better, then suddenly worse
• Seizures
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Swollen mouth or throat
• Confusion
• Severe vomiting
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

By following these tips and keeping in mind the symptoms and available treatments, you’ll be better equipped to protect an older loved on from viruses and keep them happy and healthy.

We know trying to keep your loved one away from germs can get overwhelming. If you need assistance caring for your parent or relative, there is no shame in asking for help. In-home experts can provide the necessary care and supervision to help keep your loved one virus-free. You can ensure he or she is happy, healthy, and safe while finding balance in your own life.

Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide services such as transportation, personal care, and companionship to your loved ones so they can remain safely at home and maintain as much independence as possible. For more information, please visit our website or like us on Facebook.

The post Tips to Protect an Older Loved One from Viruses appeared first on Safe T Home Care | In Home Care.

As we age, our activity level and mental acuity begin to change. Keeping your parents’ memory fresh in their later years may require changes to their regular daily routine—like new activities, objects, and elements. As their senses begin to fade, it is key to focus on their five senses:

• Sight
• Smell
• Touch
• Taste
• Sound

By stimulating their senses, you’re giving your parents a way to communicate and recall positive memories. Using familiar objects can help your loved ones focus on one sense at a time, especially when you connect the items to activities and hobbies that they enjoyed prior to the memory issues.

With dementia and other conditions that impact memory, older adults can experience confusion and struggle to cope with the changes in their daily life. Familiar items can help them feel safe and secure in a world that is becoming less and less recognizable. On the flip side, slowly introducing objects and can let your loved ones build new connections to everyday life.

It’s important to keep track of how your parents react to new stimuli. Some objects may cause stress, so be prepared to alter the activity or move to a different sense to find an object that elicits a positive response. Here are a few simple tips for keeping your parents’ memory fresh by focusing on their five senses:

Sight

Sight stimulation encompasses light, color, shape, motion, or a combination of these that encourages us to observe objects. Bright colors and art can be an effective element to release frustration and even just start a conversation. Inspire your loved ones to use their sense of sight with these activities:

• Photos of loved ones
• Newspapers or magazines
• Nature documentaries
• Bird feeders
• Fish tanks
• Wall clocks
• Mobile phones

Smell

Scent can transport us back to fond memories and remind us of good times with friends and family. Using specific smells can help your loved ones recall the positive memories and moments in their life. Appeal to your parents’ sense of smell with a few of these stimulants:

• Aromatherapy
• Scented LED candles (battery operated)
• Scented hand lotions and soaps
• Cooking smells, like baking bread or pies
• Fresh flowers

Touch

Every object we touch has a color, texture, temperature, and shape. By adding new objects into your parents’ regular routine, you’re stimulating their tactile sense and encouraging the use of multiple areas in the brain. Incorporate physical touch with objects like these:

• Hugs
• Pet therapy with dogs, cats, or rabbits
• Dolls & stuffed animals
• Fuzzy blankets or pillows
• A jewelry box with large broaches, watches, belt buckles, etc.
• Hand or foot massages

Taste

Foods can be a great way of keeping your parents’ memory fresh and reminding them of happy memories, just like their sense of smell. Preparing special meals from your childhood and your parents’ childhood can stir up positive emotions. Use your loved ones’ sense of taste to stimulate joyful memories and feelings with these foods:

• Familiar food from childhood
• Sweet treats, like lollipops or chocolate
• Herbal and flavored tea
• Ice cream or popsicles
• Small sips of carbonated drinks

Sound

Listening to music or playing calming sounds can be a great way to stimulate pleasant memories. However, it’s important to remember that some noise can be irritating to those suffering from memory loss. Keep personal preferences of music and the volume at a suitable level when using these options to stimulate your parents’ auditory sense:

• Favorite music
• Instruments, like a piano
• Wind chimes
• Sound machines
• Podcast or audiobooks

If you’ve noticed signs of memory loss in your parents, you may want to add new objects and activities for keeping their minds fresh. Losing memory is difficult, but you can help ease your parents’ disorientation with the right stimulation and care.

Finding objects and hobbies that your parents still enjoy can take time, so if you need help with other care responsibilities, you may consider hiring an expert. Then, you can spend much-needed quality time talking with your loved ones, enjoying new activities together, and providing emotional support to help them feel connected with the world again.

Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide services such as transportation, personal care, and companionship to your loved ones so they can remain safely at home and maintain as much independence as possible. For more information, please visit our website or like us on Facebook.

The post Wise Souls, Young Minds: Tips for Keeping Your Parents’ Memory Fresh appeared first on Safe T Home Care | In Home Care.

Is your aging loved one acting unusually irritable, turning down invitations, or struggling to understand instructions? These behaviors are not normal parts of aging. In fact, he or she may be experiencing depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause changes in thoughts and behaviors. In anyone of any age, you should take symptoms seriously and address them with proper treatment. But what are the signs of depression in older adults, and how can you help your loved one?

What are the signs of depression?

We know caring for an aging family member is a big responsibility and time commitment. If you notice your loved one is acting a little differently, you may want to consider a mood disorder.

There are a few key signs that suggest depression may be a problem:

1. Loss of Interest

While your aging family member may not be able to do all of the same activities he or she previously enjoyed, losing interest in these things can be a sign of depression. Additionally, if your loved one stops trying to keep up his or her appearance, that may be cause for concern.

2. Social Withdrawal

If you notice your loved one withdrawing from social events, you may want to ask how he or she is feeling. Breaking commitments and stopping contact with friends or family members may signal struggles with depression.

3. Trouble Concentrating

Difficulty staying focused on tasks can be a sign of depression in elderly loved ones. If he or she is having trouble concentrating when giving or receiving instructions, reading, or even doing enjoyable activities, this can cause problems around the house and emotionally.

4. Confusion

It’s never a good sign for a loved one to feel confused, but it’s important to investigate the cause. While it can be a sign of age-related memory problems, mental confusion can also signal depression. Ensure what the source of the issue is so your family member can begin the proper treatment.  

5. Mood Changes

If your loved one seems unusually grumpy or irritable, it may be a sign of depression. While a little frustration with the difficulties of aging are normal, lasting mood changes can be a sign of a more serious mental health condition.

How can you help?

Nobody wants a loved one to feel sad or helpless, so it’s important to take signs of depression seriously. If you’ve noticed these five changes or other behaviors that concern you, here are a few steps you can take to get help.

Doctor’s Visit

A visit to your family member’s primary care physician is an excellent first step in developing a treatment plan for depression. He or she can evaluate your loved one, recommend options like therapy or medication, and even refer you to a trusted expert.

Therapy

Therapy can be a great way to help treat depression in your older loved one. By discussing the struggles of aging with a counselor and the changes necessary to keep him or her healthy and safe, your family member can start to view the situation more positively.  

There are a variety of therapeutic options, and the professional you see will help you and your loved one decide what the best approach is. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to treat depression by teaching the patient to manage and rework negative thought patterns. The state of his or her condition may determine the need for short- or long-term treatment.

Medication

While medication doesn’t guarantee your loved one will return to his or her old self, many people do respond well to prescriptions designed to lessen the mental, social, emotional, and even physical components of depression. A primary care physician with behavioral health knowledge or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication for your family member.

Just Listening

While getting professional help is a necessity for a loved one with depression, showing him or her support can make treatment easier. Take time to sit down with your family member to talk about his or her thoughts and feelings a few times per week so you can monitor progress and just check in. While caregiving is a time-consuming undertaking, this small gesture can help him or her feel heard and loved on the treatment journey.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs of depression in your aging loved one, you may want to help him or her seek treatment. Getting older is difficult, but you can make it easier on your older relative with proper care.

Ensuring he or she is mentally well can take time, so if you need help with other care responsibilities, you may consider hiring an expert. Then, you can spend much-needed quality time talking with your loved one, enjoying activities together, and providing emotional support to help him or her feel better.

Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide services such as transportation, personal care, and companionship to your loved ones so they can remain safely at home and maintain as much independence as possible. For more information, please visit our website or like us on Facebook.

The post Five Signs of Depression in Your Loved One—and How You Can Help appeared first on Safe T Home Care | In Home Care.

Home Care Safety Tips for Every Room

Your aging family members understandably want to keep their independence as much as possible. While you value their safety and want to make changes, you can do so without limiting their freedom.

When you’re caring for a loved one with mobility or memory struggles at home, there are a few easy ways to make each room less hazardous. Check out our home care safety tips!

Bathroom

While the bathroom is a common place for slips and falls, there are simple ways to make the space safer and more comfortable for loved ones with impaired memory or mobility:

• Mark the hot water knob on the sink with red nail polish or marker to prevent accidental burning.
• If possible, put a telephone near the toilet in the event of an emergency.
• Remove the lock on the bathroom door to allow easy access in case of a slip and fall.
• Get rid of all glass items in the bathroom to prevent cuts from any shattering.
• Keep extra rolls of toilet paper within easy reach.
• Clean the tub regularly to avoid slippery soap, mold, or mildew from building up.
• Install designated support bars for balance, NOT towel racks, glass doors, or soap dishes.
• If your loved one’s shower or tub is white, get a colorful non-slip mat to help them judge distance.

Bedrooms

An easily accessible bedroom is a necessary part of keeping a routine. Ensuring your loved one can get in and out of bed, move without trouble, and prepare to handle an emergency is easy with a few simple adjustments:

• Keep a flashlight by the bedside table for a power outage or other situation where vision is limited.
• Have a sturdy chair or table near the bed for support when getting up and down.
• Move the bed against a wall to minimize chances of falling out of bed.
• Remind loved ones that dressing while lying down is okay.
• If a family member is weaker on one side, encourage them to dress the weaker side first.
• Purchase an inexpensive room monitor to make alerting you easier.
• Get rid of clutter, clothing, and towels on the floor.

Kitchen

Keeping the kitchen safe for aging family members is an important part of helping them retain their independence. Here are a few ways to reduce risk:

• Keep appliances as clean as possible to prevent a fire hazard, including the toaster, microwave, and stove top.
• Add adhesive, raised dots to common settings on the microwave and stove or oven.
• Remind loved ones to avoid handling electrical equipment with wet hands.
• Place commonly used items at a convenient level within reach—somewhere between the shoulders and the knees.
• Suggest that family members use non-glass dishware, or at least get rid of any cracked or chipped items.
• Unplug electrical appliances and encourage your loved one to only plug them in when they’re in use.

Living Room

Your family members should feel safe and comfortable at home, especially in shared spaces. There are a few ways to make the living room more accessible:

• Agree on a furniture arrangement that helps your loved one navigate the living room. Once it’s decided, don’t make changes.
• Keep floors free of clutter.
• Be sure the living room and other frequently navigated areas are well lit, possibly adding automatic night lights activated when it gets dark.
• Make sure furniture is sturdy in case your loved one needs to lean on it for balance.

By taking these easy steps, you can keep your aging loved ones safe without limiting their independence. If they still need transportation assistance or even a little help around the house, an expert can assist them so you can handle other responsibilities.

Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide services such as transportation, personal care, and companionship to your loved ones so they can remain safely at home and maintain as much independence as possible. For more information, please visit our website or like us on Facebook.

The post Home Care Safety Tips for Every Room appeared first on Safe T Home Care | In Home Care.

Tips for Caring for Loved Ones with Failing Eyesight

As your parents or relatives age, problems like macular degeneration can impact their vision and daily life. What’s more, sight and independence go hand-in-hand. A loved one with failing eyesight may be afraid they’ll lose their freedom, too. However, you can adjust a few things in their home to assist a visually impaired parent.

It can be challenging to make changes around the house to ease their struggles while not restricting their freedom. We’ve provided a few tips to help your loved one keep his or her dignity and as much independence as possible.

The Basics

Caring for relatives or parents with failing eyesight doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a few things to do around the house to simplify moving from room to room and completing daily tasks for your loved one with vision problems:

• Keep a consistent routine.
• Don’t move furniture or important items on counters.
• Create an agreed-upon system for administering medication throughout the day, like a pill organizer.
• Get rid of any throw rugs or other tripping hazards.
• Don’t leave guests’ shoes or bags on the floor.

Kitchen

Navigating the kitchen with impaired vision can be stressful. Make it easier for your loved ones to find what they need and prepare meals with a few quick and easy changes:

• Write your loved one’s reminders or to-do list for the day on a whiteboard in large print.
• Cover the table with a white tablecloth so they can see items against the contrast.
• Add raised, sticky buttons to the microwave to help them locate the on/off button and commonly used settings.
• If you prepare meals, freeze and label them with white tape and a black marker on the tops and sides of each container.

Laundry Room

Ensuring your loved one can keep up with his or her daily chores without constant assistance will help them retain their sense of independence. A few small adjustments will ensure they can do laundry with ease:

• Add a raised button on the warm, hot, and cold water settings and a button on the knob so your loved one can line up the dots for the correct setting.
• Add similar raised buttons for their preferred dryer setting.

Living Room & Hallways

Getting around the house can become increasingly difficult when vision starts to decline, and this can be especially upsetting for aging loved ones wanting to retain their freedom. But keeping the main rooms comfortable and accessible is easy:

• Leave lights on as often as possible, and use nightlights and hall lights.
• Add a red button to heat and blue button to air conditioning on the thermostat.

Bedroom & Bathroom

Ensuring your loved one can navigate bedtime and bathtime without issue is an important part of establishing a regular routine. A few simple aids can help:

• Purchase a talking alarm clock, which says the time aloud with a push of a button.
• Add a red button to “hot” and a blue button to “cold” in the shower.

Errands & Entertainment

Keeping errands and entertainment available is a great way to assist your loved one with the adjustment to a life with declining vision. Here are a few ways to make sure they feel independent:

• Try using paper clips to differentiate dollar bills. For example, $1 has one paper clip, $5 has two paper clips, $10 has three paper clips, etc.
• Set TV closed captions to the largest font possible.
• A tablet with a large font or a handheld magnifying glass can help your loved one read the news.
• If he or she enjoys playing cards, purchase ones with large print and dark or vibrant colors.
• Good activities for visually impaired loved ones include listening to an audiobook, planting a flower in a pot, or putting together a puzzle with a little assistance.

Communication

Making sure your loved one can contact you, your family members, or 911 is an important part of helping them retain their freedom while keeping them safe. There are easy ways to make this possible:

• You can program his or her landline and cell phone to have each family member on speed dial.
• Add a raised button to the phone so they can easily connect to an operator or make an emergency call.
• If you have a device like Google Home or Alexa, create a command list in large print so that your loved one can ask questions, listen to music, or call you in an emergency.

While adapting any household to a loved one with declining vision can seem difficult, a few simple tips and tricks can make life easier and allow them to retain the independence they enjoy.

If your loved one needs a little extra assistance around the house, and you could use a helping hand, experts are always available to provide additional care with transportation and other services.

Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide services such as transportation, personal care, and companionship to your loved ones so they can remain safely at home and maintain as much independence as possible. For more information, please visit our website or like us on Facebook.

The post Tips for Caring for Loved Ones with Failing Eyesight appeared first on Safe T Home Care | In Home Care.