Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
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Estimates indicate that approximately one third of people with dementia and 1 in 7 of those with Alzheimer’s disease lives alone. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean a person cannot safely live independently. Some people may be able to live on their own for some time after the initial diagnosis. Others may be at too much risk to continue living alone. It is common for people living with dementia to go through a series of stages from complete independence to living with someone or needing a long-term care placement over the c...
Traveling when you’re caring for someone in a wheelchair requires a more planning ahead. Hotel Tips When booking a hotel, ask if they have accessible rooms available. This may require booking over the phone because sometimes you can’t select for disability online. Confirm with the hotel that their accessible room has the features you need. Road Trip Tips If you’re driving very far, rest stops are inevitable. Not all of them are handicap accessible, so preplan your rest stops. If you have a commode chair that is smaller than the wheel...
In “Why We Sleep,” Dr. Matt Walker explains how sleep can make us healthier, safer, smarter, and more productive. He provides knowledge and strategies to overcome the life-threatening risks associated with our sleep-deprived society. Walker is on a mission to change our attitude about sleep with a book that aims to demystify what sleep is, warn us of the consequences of sleep deprivation, explain the world of dreams, and give us practical advice on rest. The National Sleep Foundation recommends an average of eight hours of sleep per night for...
The bladder can change with age. Follow these 13 tips to keep your bladder healthy. Drink enough fluids, especially water. Most healthy people should try to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day. Water is the best fluid for bladder health. Ask your healthcare provider how much fluid is healthy for you. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeinated foods and drinks — such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and sodas will help. Quit smoking. If you smoke, take steps to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Avoid...
Caregiver burn out is real and can be very harmful. How can you take care of a loved one if you are exhausted or not feeling well. Consider options such as support groups, adult day care and hiring a part-time companion. There are many free resources for caregivers. The Jewish Pavilion has the Orlando Senior Help Desk; a free information and referral service 407-678-9363. AARP recommends the following: Create the Good, createthegood.org CaregiverAction Network, 855-227-3640, caregiveraction.org Family Caregiver Alliance, 800-445-8106,...
Most seniors take multiple medications prescribed by many doctors. This is one reason why caregivers need to be aware of the potential for drug interactions. Interactions occur when medications don’t work in tandem with one another. The drugs meant to help you can work adversely to affect your loved one’s health. Prescription and over the counter medications should also be considered when looking at drug interactions. Herbal remedies and food interactions can be a source of concern as well. Medication-Medication Interactions: Drug interactions...
Most people think they know what Hospice is, but they have many misconceptions. The foremost is that a person on Hospice care is about to die. When my mother received a terminal diagnosis, she went on Hospice care the next day. She lived for more than three months. Many people live more than a year on Hospice care. The second misconception is that Hospice is a place. Hospice is not a place. Hospice care can be provided wherever you reside — in your home or in independent assisted or skilled nursing. Some hospitals have a Hospice wing. There a...
Getting extra support at home can be a terrific source of relief. Agencies offer companion care such as CNA’s (certified nurse’s assistants or HHA’s Home health aides.) Normally, these individuals take a brief course on how to care for someone. Another option are skilled health care providers who have had years of schooling such as nurses, physical therapists etc. Normally, Medicare and Medicaid pays for some home care after a hospital visit. Most home care providers will assist with transportation, cleaning cooking, bathing, toileting, perso...
People over the age of 65 represent 14 percent of the U.S. population but consume more than one-third of prescription medications. The average senior citizen uses more than five different medications each day. This does not count nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs. As many as 90 percent of seniors also use herbal remedies and vitamins. While there is risk associated with each type of medication — including side effects, allergic reactions or interactions with food, alcohol or other drugs — the risk is magnified with seniors as they are...
When visiting a doctor or hospital bring along a notebook or tablet and take notes. It is important to ask question of your health care provider about the benefits and side effects of medications or procedures. I suggest that you, or a loved one, researches the same information online so that you feel well informed. There are times when a second opinion should be sought, especially preceding a surgery. I recommend you bring along an advocate. Sometimes, it is hard to process so much new information. When a family member or friend comes to an ap...
Aging is a process that brings many changes. There are several simple steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy during your lifetime. Visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss as you age. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from the basic eye exam or screening you have for glasses or contacts. By dilating the pupils and examining the back of the eyes, your doctor can detect eye diseases in their early stages, before visi...
A Lady Bird deed in Florida is a legal form that transfers property upon death inexpensively and without probate. A Lady Bird deed allows the current property owner to use and control the property during the owner’s lifetime, while the property automatically transfers upon death to designated beneficiaries. In Florida, a Lady Bird deed is also called an enhanced life estate deed. To be valid in Florida, a Lady Bird deed must include: Grantor — The current owner of the property. This person is splitting their fee simple legal interest in the...
If you’re a caregiver, knowing how to evacuate a loved one or how a loved one can take shelter during an emergency may not be as easy as just stepping out a door, or crawling out a window, especially if your loved one has mobility challenges and physical issues. It is important for a caregiver to have a safety plan. Once a safety plan has been created, it is wise to rehearse it, making sure that there are no other problems that arise during an emergency. It’s also a good idea to discuss a finalized evacuation plan with other family members who...
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should be concerned about your loved one’s driving skills. It might be time to ask whether it’s time they retire the keys. 1. Has a friend or family member expressed concern about your loved one’s driving? 2. Has the doctor advised limiting driving for health reasons? 3. Has your loved one been pulled over by a police officer and warned about poor driving behavior? 4. Has your loved one been stopped by the police or had near misses or accidents in the last 3 years? 5. Does your loved...
Skilled nursing is a high level of care requiring advanced training and certifications. Skilled nursing care must be provided under the direct supervision of licensed health professionals, such as nurses speech pathologists, and physical or occupational therapists. Some examples of skilled nursing services include wound care, injections, catheter care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, intravenous therapy, and the use of medical equipment to support the patient’s health care needs Skilled nursing is offered at skilled nursing f...
Assuming that you have hired an aide from a home health care agency, you can expect a lot of support in easing your anxieties. It is the agency’s job to answer your questions in advance and resolve any issues that arise. The key to facilitating your satisfaction and comfort is good communication with the agency management and with your aide. Here are a few tips for establishing positive relationships with your home health care professionals: • Be completely honest about your needs. Overcome any embarrassment or guilt associated with des...
A Continuous Care Retirement Community is the same as a Life Plan Community. In both cases a continuum of care is provided — independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Some CCRC’s offer memory care, and some do not. When healthcare needs change, the CCRC is equipped to handle the new needs on their campus. This is not true of most rental communities, which may offer a few levels of care but not the entire array. The disadvantage of a CCRC is the price. Most require a sizeable entrance fee ranging from $10,000 to...
Color therapy can be beneficial for those with memory loss. Dementia specialists recommend using different colors to provide contrast in spaces and to help distinguish different objects. For example, painting a door a color that contrasts with the wall makes the door easier to find. Putting colorful tape on the handles of walkers makes them easier to locate. Some researchers suggest using the color pink will reduce combative behavior. The “pink effect” may reduce feelings of aggression and anger. If wandering is an issue, some therapists rec...
Medical Alert systems should provide reliable, 24/7 monitoring by trained monitoring agents, allowing seniors and their caregivers to live with less worry, at home or on the go. An Alert system should provide the following: If there is an emergency, you should be able to push the button on your pendant or wristband. Systems with Fall Detection will automatically send an emergency alert to the company if a fall occurs. A monitoring center should receive the alert, and a trained monitoring agent should respond to over the base unit’s voice c...
Adult Day Care is a community-based program. There are more than 4,000 centers across the country with more than 78 percent operating on a nonprofit basis. All medical model adult day health care programs are affiliated and licensed under nursing homes. If you are considering an adult day health care program, here are some tips to help you get started in choosing the one best suited for your loved one. Select a daycare model: Decide whether you want a medical or social model. Medical Model Adult Day Health Care Program: The medical model...
Sometimes, your loved one is going to be discharged from the hospital, and you feel that person is not ready to come home. You can refuse discharge. Every state has a quality innovation network quality Improvement Organization. These government agencies help people with Medicare and Medicaid. See www.tiny.cc/QINmap KEPRO is a beneficiary and family-centered, quality-improvement organization that can help you. Quite simply, this is how it works and I tried it with my mother a few years ago. The hospital gives a discharge order. You refuse the...
Cognitive performance is not fixed. There are small changes people can make in their daily lives that should sustain higher cognitive functioning in old age. Keep the mind active through work, volunteering, hobbies or playing games. Learning new skills can be a real brain boost. Learning new skills or dance steps can be very beneficial. Using the opposite hand to do a task like brushing your teeth can also be helpful. Engagin in social activities, with family, friends, peers etc., and staying physically active with exercise, or household...
According to the American Geriatrics Society, more than 80 percent of older adults are living with multiple health conditions. With each new health problem, things may become exponentially more complicated! A senior may see multiple doctors. There are many appointments to coordinate, and a confusing array of recommendations to follow. Medication management is quite a challenge. Many seniors take 10 or more medications. This is super complicated, because a drug prescribed for one health problem could worsen another. Friends and loved ones are...
There are certain signals that might mean it is time to give up the car keys. Unfortunately, very few seniors pay attention to these signs: • Nervous behind the wheel. • Reactions are too slow due to your vision. • trouble reading street signs. • A near mishap because you didn’t see a pedestrian, an object or another vehicle. • Get lost easily. • Hearing has decreased • Legs no longer work perfectly We suggest you start talking about these issues with your parents as early as possible. You may want to make a deal with them such as this is the...
As we age, the amount of fluid in our bodies begins to decrease. This means there are fewer water reserves available for your body to use as you get older. There is a lowered thirst response. The natural aging process weakens the body’s ability to signal it does not have enough fluid. This means older adults don’t feel as thirsty as younger people do, and they may not realize they need to drink water. Experts generally recommend that older adults consume at least 1.7 liters of fluid per 24 hours. This corresponds to 57.5 fluid ounces, or 7.1...
