Senior Sunrise

Caregivers are probably the closest person to notice when there are physical and behavioral changes in a senior.  It is extremely important that action is taken immediately. Know that the warning signs can save a life.

A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails.  Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen.  There are two broad categories of stroke: those caused by a blockage of blood flow and those caused by bleeding.  While not usually fatal, a blockage of a blood vessed in the brain or neck, called an ischemic stroke, is themost frequent cause of stroke and is responsible for about 80 percent of strokes.

Two key steps you can take will lower your risk of death or disability from stroke: know strokes’ warning signs and control stroke’s rish factors. Scientific research conducted by the NINDS (National Insdtitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) has identified warning signs and a large number of risk factors.

WARNING SIGNS - Signs that are clues your body sends that your brain is not receive enough oxygen.  One or more of these signs of a stroke or “brain attack”, call a doctor or 911 right away!

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusin, trouble speakin or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walkin, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with not know cause

Risk Factors!   High blood pressure  *  Cigarette smoking * Heart disease * Diabetes (quoted from Article from www. ninds.nih.gov)

Recovery from any stroke will be as unique as the stoke itself. It may require a period of time in a rehabilitation facility, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, & speech therapy.

Trips to the emergency room and hospital stays are usually not planned, and for that reason being prepared could help it be a lot less stressful.  The easiest preparation could be done in less than an hour because it only involves having the following 2 most important items ready in an emergency pack.

Personal Information & Paperwork.

1. Personal Information Sheet - (include the following information)

2. Paperwork -  (include copies of important documents)

Take time to be prepared. For those you love or for

those you care for it might mean the difference between

life and death.

If your parents are approaching an age where they can no longer live on their own, it is time for you and your family to make some informed and often difficult decisions. For some elderly individuals, being placed in a home or other care facility is a seamless transition. For others, it is a difficult and traumatic prospect. For this latter group of people, living at home with their family might be a more pleasant and manageable alternative.

But if you’re considering taking in your elderly parents or other relatives, make sure you are well informed about elderly health and elderly care. Before you make any kind of decision about living situations, make sure you have the time to dedicate to this fulltime undertaking. Also make sure you have the proper training required. While it’s a nice sentiment to open your home to your relatives, it will only harm them in the long run if you can’t provide competent and knowledgeable health care and services.

The term residential care refers to a system of non medical custodial care which can be provided in: 

• a single family residence
•  a retirement residence  
• or in any appropriate care facility including a nursing home.

Everybody should have health insurance because you will never know when you will be hospitalized or when you will need constant medication.  It might be easy for younger people to get health insurance because they are still healthy.  But the elderly might not have the same coverage as their younger counterparts.

They should get senior health insurance that will have wider coverage.  The elderly will require a lot more health coverage because they are at that stage in their lives where diseases, illnesses and other health issues arise.  Some might even require prolonged hospitalization that will cost a lot of money.  And they will need more medicines to maintain their good health.  They won’t be able to afford their medical bills without health insurance.

Just as you were once totally dependent on your parents, so as they age, they will become increasingly dependent on you.  This can be a joy or an enormous burden.  Here are some ways to help them, without compromising your plans.

1. Walk in their shoes - The hopefully gradual physical decline of old age can be very depressing. Imagine what you’ll feel like when it happens to you.  It will help you understand how they feel.

2. Encourage experimenting - Older people focus too often on what’s no longer achievable. Get them to try new things you know are possible.

3. Agree to the ground rules. - If you don’t want them to ring you every evening for a chat, suggest a time and frequency you can both live with.

4. Accept the gifts - At times, old people seem desperate to give stuff away.  Accept their gifts but be prepareed to return them later if necessary.

5. Keep them moving - Even though the joints might creak and they can not longer run, it’s important to keep them mobile.

6. Don’t take bribes - You might like the idea of your parents buying you a big house so that you can all live together. After 20 years though, it might not be so much fun. 

7. Ignore emotional blackmail - It’s tough, but just because they wiped your bottom when you were a baby, you don’t need to nurse them when they’re old. Help out by all means, but don’t become a caregiver, unless that frms part of your own life plan. As their child they look to you for emotional support, as did for you when you were younger.

8. Hear it again - Old age is a time when favorite anecdotes and stories are shared time and time again.  You need to be patient and let them tell you the same stories again and again.

9. Answers to ultimate questions - Your again parents will be more aware of their own mortality than they have ever been before. Preparing for death   is a scary prospect; encourage them to explore their faith if they have one.

10. Lost some marbles - Remember that the brain fades in old age.  They might not understand how demanding they’re becoming. Remember, emotional support is needed in preparing for death

Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families. Patients are referred to hospice when life expectancy is approximately six months or less. Hospice care can continue longer than six months if needed but requires physician certification. Here are some facts about hospice care:

• Hospice is not a place. Most hospice care takes place within the dying person’s home, whether it is his or her own home, the home of a family member or friend, a nursing or assisted living facility. Other options, if available from the provider, include a residential hospice facility or a hospice unit within a hospital.
• Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
• The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient’s last weeks, days and hours by offering comfort and dignity.
• Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals (including as physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy), as well as volunteers and family members.
• Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient’s pain and discomfort.
• Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient’s family and friends.
• Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient’s death.
• Hospice professionals make routine visits to the home, but family and/or friends are nearly always involved in care. Some families choose to hire additional services from private nursing agencies, which are typically not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.
• Hospices use trained volunteers to help with household chores and to give family caregivers respite time. For example, a volunteer can give the family caregiver a chance to run errands or simply take a walk or nap.
• If a patient’s condition improves during hospice care or if the patient desires, the patient can discontinue hospice care.

Types of Dementia

When dementia is suspected the first step is to get a more accurate diagnosis of the type of dementia, so that appropriate treatments can be offered to the patient.

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia

• Other disorders that can lead to dementia include: Pick’s, Vascular, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Lewy Body, Frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s related dementia

• Infectious diseases such as HIV and AIDS, meningitis, advanced neurosyphilis can also lead to dementia.

• Dementia is also sometimes associated with drug abuse or toxins such as mercury, carbon monoxide and lead.

 A skilled physician will be able to diagnose the cause of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms with over 90% accuracy.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

A diagnostic workup will include the following:

• A medical history. Medications history. This includes current medications and dosage, medications taken for passed medical conditions, any incidence of drug allergies or drug misuse.

• Neurological examination. An examination of the motor system (movement),  an evaluation of reflexes, coordination, and sensory functioning;  to detect problems with the nervous system that may be causing problems with thinking and behavior.

• Premorbid history. How someone functioned before the occurrence of disease.

• Complete physical examination to assess hearing, vision, blood pressure, pulse, and other basic indicators of health and disease.

• Preliminary evaluation of current mood.

Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease

There are numerous and different tests.

• Mental status examination. The (MSE) Mental Status Examination test in onne of the key diagnostic tests for dementias such as Alzheimer’s The doctor/clinician makes judgments on the way the patient is functioning in a number of key areas. Each aspect will contribute to a diagnosis. The MSE will  assess memory, concentration, and other cognitive skills. Based on a series of questions and tests, points are achieved when they are answered correctly.

• The Clock Test. This is a simple test can be used as a part of a neurological test or as a screening tool for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

• Laboratory tests usually include urine and blood tests to establish whether such things as diabetes, infections, heart disease are present.

• Imaging procedures such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan can identify changes in brain structure or size indicative of Alzheimer’s. These tests give a detailed picture of the brain and can see if someone has blood clots, tumors, has had a stroke or other abnormalities that might account for Alzheimer’s type symptoms.

Who Can Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease?

• The first person from who we seek help is a primary care physician (your family doctor), and they will be able to refer someone for further tests and consultations for an accurate diagnosis.

• There are many different health professionals who can diagnose or can contribute to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  The choice of specialist depends on a number of factors that the individual is demonstrating. The recommendation from the primary care physician may be to recommend one or more of the following:

• A Gerontologist who specialize in the study and diseases of aging.

• A psychiatrist who specializes in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

• A Neurologist- who specializes in diseases of the nervous system such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or strokes.

• A Neuropsychologist who specializes in brain-behavior relationships. They undertake neuropsychological testing to determine the type and level of impairment.

 

Whether you have an elderly relative who lives alone, or you’re preparing your own home to accommodate an elderly person, it’s important to make preparations for safety.  The most common area accidents occur is in the bathroom.  You should take measures to prevent accidents by installing a shower rail and bath mat.  You will want to ensure there are railings on the porch and any area of the home where there are stairs.  In case of an emergency, a cell phone or emergency medical device that the elder keeps on their person will help to avoid a dangerous situation.

Senior care is not just limited to preventing falls and spills; elders often require a special diet, and might require help with vision and hygiene.