Communicating with individual’s who have dementia is on of the biggest challenges and frustrations for caregivers. As brain cells die (brain shrinkage) individuals experience increasing difficulty following a day-do-day schedule, interpreting their environment, completing everyday tasks, planning and organizing. Although these individuals get lost in time and place and often get overwhelmed and anxious in…
DetailsExterior doorways of most houses often require an individual to step up. Installing grab bars at these locations can greatly assist individuals who have balance and navigational issues. But, there are a few things your need to know before you start such a project. I highly recommend ADA-approved grab bars that are available at major…
DetailsTo help keep a family member from inadvertently launching themselves out of bed and onto the floor during the night, we installed a nifty, retractable bedrail. Despite the difficulty with wrapping the securing strap under the box sprint and back between the mattresses, it has been a lifesaver. It has improved their sleeping and has…
DetailsWhat is dehydration and how do we prevent it? Dehydration is at the root of many preventable conditions that affect older adults. Constipation, urinary tract infections, confusion and falls can all result from dehydration. Hopefully not all at once! Often insidious in onset, dehydration results when there is not enough fluid in the blood vessels…
DetailsMy step-father has had a few incidents of falling out of bed in the middle of the night. Aside from potentially causing serious injuries, falls can be emotionally traumatic for the individual, as well as their bed partner. In considering their options to prevent future mattress misadventures, they settled on a bedrail secured between the…
DetailsDepression and Older Adults Although common among older adults, depression is NOT a normal part of aging. It is a mood disorder that affect how one feels, thinks, and completes day to day activities, such as sleeping, eating, and working. Although there are many causes and types of depression, symptoms can be hard to recognize…
DetailsDespite efforts to avoid falls, situations arise during which gravity wins and we find ourselves sitting on the ground. For seniors and caregiver alike, these episode can be anxiety provoking because seniors are vulnerable to multiple injuries that can directly impact their mortality. So, what do we do when an older adult falls? Below are…
DetailsCovid-19 has exemplified the challenges of communal living for seniors. Although there are numerous psychological and physical benefits of senior living, a vulnerable population living in close proximity to one another, can be a tinder box for airborne disease transmission. Senior communities will be adjusting policies to reduce this risk in the future, but how…
DetailsA colleague here in the Boise area has started up a Reading Buddy program, called Caring Voices, to help our loved seniors remain connected to others while physically distancing themselves from possible harm Regular social contact is important for seniors and can be a lifeline of support for those living alone. Caring Voices is a…
DetailsContinuing with the room-by-room safety discussion, kitchens are considered the second most dangerous room in the house for seniors. As a nurse, my concerns include the environment, food, appliances, equipment and proximity of everyday items. Things to consider include floors, reflectiveness of surfaces, presences of curtains, and the presence of C02 monitors and fire-extinguishers. Decluttering…
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