Try: Losing the ability to drive can negatively impact the Care recipient (cr) however alternative methods of transportation often exist for the cr public transit public transportation may be a good option if the cr lives in a populated area check the local public transit options and about reduced prices for older adults ride sharing family members friends and neighbors may be willing to give the cr rides the cr can offer to pay for some gas or to help out if possible community shuttles transit local community resources may have shuttle service available some medical facilities such as those for veterans also have transportation options for medical appointments taxis or private drivers taxis or drivers may be a good option for quick trips look at a formalized driving service or sometimes a family member friend or neighbor can help if you hire someone regularly make sure that they have a good driving record walking cycling if the cr still has adequate health walking or cycling may be a potential option motorized wheelchairs if the trip is nearby look at a motorized scooter wheelchair motorized wheelchairs can be a good way to get around if the cr lives in an area with easily accessible stores information references helpguide org

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Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility

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Keywords: Driving car transportation

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: No matter how old the Care recipient (cr) is sleeping well is essential to physical health and emotional well-being while healthy sleep requirements vary most adults tend to require between 7 5 to 9 hours of sleep per night to maintain health a recent study by the national institutes of health suggests that healthy crs may require about 1 5 hours less sleep than younger adults an average of 7 5 hours per night the study indicates that seniors sleep less even when given the opportunity for more sleep because of age-related changes in the ability to fall asleep and remain asleep while the results of the study may not be conclusive it’s important to focus more on how the individual cr feel following a night’s sleep rather than the specific number of hours quality is as important as quantity some crs mistakenly believe they have a sleeping problem because they go to bed expecting to be asleep for 8 or 9 hours a night and may even needlessly start using medications to help them sleep more frequently waking up not feeling rested or feeling tired during the day are better indications that the cr is not getting enough sleep at night and may have a sleep problem that needs to be addressed if the cr has repeated problems with sleeping contact a physician information references helpguide org

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Categories: Medical Physical

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Keywords: Sleep rest

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Having a conversation about future housing arrangements for the Care recipient (cr) can be emotional and stressful for everyone involved the sooner the issue is discussed the better off the cr will be having a conversation while the cr is still healthy is best because the cr will have control and more choices it is important to learn about the different types of cr housing and what choices may be best for the cr the following are a list of the common types of senior housing the village concept the village concept is relatively new enabling active seniors to remain in their own homes without having to rely on family and friends members of a "village" can access specialized programs and services such as transportation to the grocery store home health care or help with household chores as well as a network of social activities naturally occurring retirement communities norc like the village concept naturally occurring retirement communities enable seniors to stay in their own homes and access local services volunteer programs and social activities but tend to exist in lower income areas a norc may be as small as a single urban high rise or spread out over a larger suburban area independent living independent living is a general name for a housing complex designed for older persons other terms include retirement communities retirement homes senior housing and senior apartments these may be apartment complexes condominiums or even free-standing homes in general the housing is friendlier to older adults , it’s more compact easier to navigate and includes help with outside maintenance sometimes recreational centers or clubhouses are also available on site assisted living in general assisted living is a housing option for crs who need help with some activities of daily living including minor help with medications costs tend to vary according to the level of daily help required although staff is often available twenty-four hours a day some assisted living facilities provide apartment-style living with scaled-down kitchens while others provide rooms in some you may need to share a room unless you’re willing to pay a higher cost most facilities have a group dining area and common areas for social and recreational activities continuing care retirement facility continuing-care retirement communities ccrcs are facilities that include independent living assisted living and nursing home care in one location so seniors can stay in the same general area as their housing needs change over time the facility is designed around this idea of a continuum of care there is normally the cost of buying a unit in the community as well as monthly fees that increase as you require higher levels of care a ccrc is a good choice if the cr would want to stay in the same general facility regardless of care needs nursing homes a nursing home is normally the highest level of care for crs outside of a hospital they differ from other senior housing in that they also provide a high level of medical care a licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises skilled nursing care and medical professionals such as occupational or physical therapists are also available a nursing home is likely the one of the last levels of housing for the cr information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Independence

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Keywords: Housing living arrangements assisted living nursing home

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Exercise no matter what level is important for health and fitness exercise can benefit the Care recipient (cr) if done in moderation and care the following are common myths and misconceptions about exercise at older ages myth an old cr can’t get any benefits out of exercise fact exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions including alzheimer’s and dementia heart disease diabetes colon cancer high blood pressure and obesity myth it is better for the cr to save energy and rest fact a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the cr inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations doctor visits and use of medicines for illnesses myth exercise puts the cr at risk fact regular exercise by building strength and stamina prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance can actually reduce the risk of injury myth 4 it is too late for the cr to start exercising fact for most people it is never too late if the cr has never exercised before or it’s been a while start with light walking and other gentle activities myth the cr can’t exercise because he is disabled fact chair-bound cr’s face special challenges but can lift light weights stretch and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion improve muscle tone and promote cardiovascular health information references

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Categories: Medical Physical

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Keywords: Exercise work out

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Eating healthy can be difficult for the Care recipient (cr) eating with a group of people can make healthy eating easier for the cr the social atmosphere makes mealtime more enjoyable for the cr arrange for the cr to share lunch or dinners with grand children nieces nephews friends and neighbors on a rotating basis if possible take the cr out for new experiences by taking a class volunteering or going on an outing all of which can lead to new friendships and dining buddies consider adult day care centers if appropriate for the cr adult day care centers provide both companionship and nutritious meals for seniors who are isolated and lonely or unable to prepare their own meals look for local senior meal programs they can be a great way to meet others contact your local senior center ymca congregation or community center and ask about senior meal programs information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Independence

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References: n/a

Keywords: Nutrition eating food

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Exercise has many benefits to the Care recipient (cr) the following are potential activities that the cr can do for exercise walking walking is a perfect way to start exercising it requires no special equipment aside from a pair of comfortable walking shoes and can be done nearly anywhere take a walk around the inside of the house or outside of the building with the cr senior sports or fitness classes keeps motivation alive while also providing a source of fun stress relief and a place to meet friends water aerobics and water sports the main advantage of water is that it reduces the stress and pressure on joints look for local senior classes if the cr is interested yoga combines a series of poses with breathing moving through the poses works on strength flexibility and balance although yoga may seem intimidating to some cr’s the type of exercise can be adapted to any individual information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility

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Keywords: Exercise

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Exercise for the Care recipient (cr) can have many benefits a balanced exercise regimen has four basic parts cardio exercise cardio workouts get the heart pumping and make the body sweat cardio helps lessen fatigue and shortness of breath cardio includes walking stair climbing swimming hiking cycling rowing tennis and dancing strength training builds up muscle with repetitive motion using weight or external resistance from body weight machines or elastic bands strength training helps the cr prevent loss of bone mass builds muscle and improves balance building up strength will help the cr stay independent and make day-to-day activities easier flexibility exercises can be done through static stretches stationary and ballistic stretches moving or bouncing to keep muscles and joints healthy exercises for flexibility help the cr stay limber and increases range of movement for ordinary physical activities balance improving balance helps maintain standing and stability under a variety of conditions including static stationary and dynamic moving balance these exercises improve balance posture and quality of walking also can reduce the cr’s risk of falling and fear of falls information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility

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References: n/a

Keywords: Exercise work out

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Nutrition issues are common in many care recipients cr the following are frequent causes of dietary and nutrition problems in cr’s loss of appetite in the cr try natural flavor enhancers such as olive oil vinegar garlic onions ginger and spices to make eating interest have the cr’s physician determine if the loss of appetite has a medical cause cr has difficulty chewing make chewing easier by drinking smoothies made with fresh fruit yogurt and protein powder prepare steamed veggies and soft food such as couscous rice and yogurt for the cr cr has dry mouth have the cr try for 8 -10 glasses of water each day some other suggestions include have the cr take a drink of water after each bite of food add sauces and salsas to foods to moisten and don’t give the cr commercial mouthwash cr doesn’t like healthy foods if the cr is used to highly processed foods change can be difficult remind the cr to keep an open mind include a fruit or vegetable at every meal even if the cr does not eat it at first cr is tired of the same foods if possible increase the variety of meals shop at a local farmers market look at recipes in cooking magazines or ask friends for suggestions note please consult the cr’s physician if any of these issues persist information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Independence

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References: n/a

Keywords: Nutrition food eating

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Exercise no matter what level is important for health and fitness exercise for the Care recipient (cr) can have many benefits exercise helps crs maintain or lose weight as metabolism naturally slows with age maintaining a healthy weight is a challenge exercise helps increase metabolism and builds muscle mass helping to burn more calories in the cr exercise can reduce the impact of illness and chronic disease among the many benefits of exercise for crs include improved immune function better heart health and blood pressure better bone density and better digestive functioning research has shown that individuals who exercise have a lowered risk of several chronic conditions including alzheimer’s disease diabetes obesity heart disease osteoporosis and colon cancer exercise enhances mobility flexibility and balance in crs exercise improves strength flexibility and posture which in turn will help with balance coordination and reducing the risk of falls exercise improves cr’s sleep exercise often improves sleep helping the cr fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply exercise boosts mood and self-confidence endorphins produced by exercise can actually help the person feel better and reduce feelings of sadness or depression being active and feeling strong naturally helps the cr feel more self confident exercise is good for the brain exercise benefits regular brain functions and can help keep the brain active which can prevent memory loss cognitive decline and dementia information references

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Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility

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References: n/a

Keywords: Exercise

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Everyone has a different view of what an emergency might be but one thing is for sure life is all about emergencies and being prepared is one way to lessen their impact most preparations are basic batteries for radios and flashlights a first aid kit bottled water important papers stored together an evacuation route meeting place information references "emergencies storms" 2010 available at www simplychecklists com

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Emergency emergency plan bad weather natural disaster

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed