Care healthy living for seniors

Generally, elderly parents want to remain living in their own home. However, remaining in the home becomes a concern when children see their parents slowing down, perhaps even having trouble with handling stairs and doing general daily activities. Yet, with parents’ mental and physical health currently not creating problems, there seems to be no imminent need to search out support services or other accommodations for aging parents. This is now the time to evaluate the home to make it safe and secure for your loved ones — now and in the near future — in anticipation of aging disabilities that may occur. Help and support are available. The nation as a whole is more aware of elderly needs and services and products are becoming available at an outstanding pace. Where do you begin to make sure your elderly family member is safe and managing well in his or her home? Visit often and at different times of the day and night. Make note of daily activities that appear challenging and where change...

An online article from FamilyDoctor.org outlines some common symptoms in recognizing dementia. Recent memory loss.  All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People who have dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you’ve already given them the answer. They won’t even remember that they already asked the question. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.  People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it. Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want. Time and place disorientation.  People who have dementia may get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home. Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn’t have dementia might get distracted. Bu...