Columbia Aged Care

Parkinson’s disease is an illness that usually affects people between 50 and 75 years old. However, there have been many cases were people have developed the disease earlier in life.

Parkinson’s disease is caused when certain nerve cells in the brain become impaired or die.

These cells normally produce a vital chemical called dopamine, which helps coordinated the body’s muscles and movement. When these cells are damaged they stop producing the vital chemical and your muscles lose their ability to function effectively.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually over many years and the rate of this deterioration can vary between each person.

Parkinson’s Australia has listed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that you should look out for.

• Shaking and trembling: The first sign of Parkinson’s disease usually occurs when your hand begins to shake continuously. This shaking can then spread to one of your legs and then to the other side of your body. You can notice the shaking when you are sitting still or resting and it can be harder to detect while you’re moving.
• Stiffness of your muscles: Your muscles may start to feel tight and you will find it difficult to relax your muscles, even when you’re resting. Your muscles may no longer move the way you want them to.
• Your movement slows down: You may begin to lose the ability to make spontaneous movements. Your muscles may even freeze up at times and stop you from moving. Your coordination between your hands and your eyes may also become impaired.
• Speech is impaired: In the later stages of Parkinson’s disease, your speech will be affected. Sometimes your speech will slow down or you will lose the ability to move your mouth correctly.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be treated with medication to help stimulate the movement of your muscles. However, sadly there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease at this stage.

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease will be different for every individual and you should consult with your doctor for the best approach.

Read the full article here.

Driving ability can be a sensitive topic for your loved one. Telling your loved one that it is time to stop driving can be one of the most difficult moments in a carer’s life. Just because a person is growing older does not mean they must stop driving, but it is important to assess your loved ones capabilities. 

Aging-Parents-and-Elder-Care.com has given some insight on how aging can affect the driving abilities of elderly people.

Driving requires elderly people – or any person for that matter – to have good coordination skills. Changes to the body, both physically and mentally, during the aging process can reduce coordination skills. Potential changes include:

• A slower reaction time
• Deterioration of vision and hearing
• Weakening of muscle strength and flexibility
• Drowsiness brought on by some medications
• Less ability to focus or concentrate
• Reduced tolerance for alcohol

Separately, these changes are not a cause for concern. However, you should monitor and evaluate your loved one’s driving skills so that you know when the time arrives to stop driving.

Watch for warning signs such as driving too fast or too slow, responding slowly to potential hazards like pedestrians, misinterpreting signs or traffic lights, or multiple near accidents. The problem can sometimes be fixed by not driving at night or only driving in familiar locations, but you may need to make a call about whether your loved one is still a safe driver.

Read the full article here.

The Alzheimer's Association in the US have provided 10 signs to help you recognise that Alzheimer's Disease might becoming a problem for an elderly person in your care.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

4. Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget forget where they are or how they got there.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining colour or contrast.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

8. Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

10. Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

Evidence is mounting that older adults are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn. In a report released in May by AARP titled "The Economic Slowdown's Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans", 59 percent of seniors 65 and older surveyed said they'd found it more difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gas and medicine.
 
Local senior-care experts warn families to be on alert to make sure seniors aren't cutting too deeply. Warning signs include skipping medications, pulling the plug on air conditioning and canceling social outings.

Omaha, NE (PRWEB) July 15, 2008
Evidence is mounting that older adults are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn. Local senior-care experts warn families to be on alert to make sure seniors aren't cutting too deeply. Warning signs include skipping medications, pulling the plug on air conditioning and canceling social outings.

In a report released in May by AARP titled "The Economic Slowdown's Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans," 59 percent of seniors 65 and older surveyed said they'd found it more difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gas and medicine. Nearly half (47 percent) said they found it more difficult to pay for utilities such as heating, cooling or phone service. Forty-six percent have reduced the number of times they eat out and 45 percent cut back spending on entertainment.1.

 "Cuts of essential items such as food and medication should be of immediate concern to seniors' families," said Paul Hogan, Co-Founder and CEO of Home Instead Senior Care.

"Other reductions in spending can lead to less obvious issues. One of the biggest problems that we see is senior isolation, which has been magnified during this troubled time in our economy with the high price of gas," Hogan added.

"When seniors' families live a distance from their loved ones, or when Boomer children are busy trying to make ends meet themselves, an older adult can get in trouble very quickly. That's why it's so important that someone look out for the well-being of seniors to ensure they are safe in their homes and eating properly, taking their medications and able to maintain their appointments and social life," Hogan said.

Falling interest rates, fixed incomes and seniors' fears of past hardships can influence how they react to the current economic slowdown, according to Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, author of Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies® and several other books on financial planning. "Some seniors may be running short on money but, for others, there's always that fear of running out because they lived through the Depression. They know how ugly it can get.

"It's important also for seniors to guard against fraud and too-good-to-be-true offers", Garrett advises. "Seniors want to get the best that they can from their investments without falling for scams or overselling tactics," she said. "Older adults also should beware of CDs and fixed annuities that can promise higher interest rates, but force seniors to lock in their money for longer time periods or otherwise put their investments at risk", Garrett noted. "Always get a second opinion", Garrett advises.

"Seniors at all income levels may be facing choices they haven't had to make in the past," Hogan said."They should know where to go for help before they put themselves or their health at risk. Area Agencies on Aging, for instance, offer both food and gas assistance, so seniors should contact their local offices if they can't make ends meet. And companies such as Home Instead Senior Care can provide transportation assistance and help around the home, and serve as a second set of eyes for seniors' families."

Families also can play an important role monitoring seniors who have decided to scale back because of the economy.Even seemingly innocent decisions, like cutting back a little on groceries or air conditioning, can have a damaging impact.1.

10 Cost-Cutting Warning Signs Following, from Home Instead Senior Care and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, are ways that a downturn in the economy could impact seniors.If you're a family caregiver, ask yourself the following questions.If you're an older adult experiencing difficulties because of the economy, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Home Instead Senior Care office.Or, if you have a financial issue, contact the Garrett Planning Network.

1. Is your senior's home too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter?
2. Is the lawn not getting mowed nor is the sidewalk getting cleaned in inclement weather?
3. Is your loved one complaining about not being able to afford medications?
4. Are home repairs not getting made?
5. Is there a shortage of food in the house?
6. Is your senior skipping doctor's appointments?
7. Is your older adult staying home more and becoming isolated?
8. Is your senior cutting out entertainment?
9. Does your loved one eat out less?
10. Did your senior cancel a vacation?

For more information about the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, log on to www.n4a.org or contact the organization's CEO Sandy Markwood at smarkwood@n4a.org.For more information about the Garrett Planning Network, visit www.garrettplanningnetwork.com or contact Sheryl Garrett at Sheryl@garrettplanning.com.

More than half (52%) of family members presently caring for an older relative started doing so because the senior had an injury, illness or medical condition that left him or her less able to function independently. However, there are other issues, such as depression, poor nutrition, death of a spouse, isolation or loneliness that can further compromise the older relative's physical and mental health in a short period of time.

Sometimes, the older person just needs company - someone to talk to or with whom to share their day. Below, the Home Instead Senior Care Advisory Board offers 10 signs that you're older relative may need assistance or additional companionship:

1. Household bills piling up
Seniors can feel overwhelmed by the simple task of opening and responding to daily mail, as well as balancing a checkbook, particularly if eye sight is deteriorating or if this was once the responsibility of a now-deceased spouse. This can result in overdue bills, bounced checks, utilities being turned off due to lack of payment and other creditor issues.

2. Reluctance to leave the house
Rather than ask for help, seniors who are having trouble, e.g. walking, remembering directions, seeing, or hearing, will slowly pull away from their community/friends and isolate themselves. This isolation can lead to loneliness and depression, as well as malnutrition and other health concerns, if left unresolved.

3. Losing interest in preparing/eating meals
Seniors who suddenly find themselves alone (after the death of a spouse/partner), who become lonely over time or are easily overwhelmed by cooking tend not to eat properly. One sign that poor eating habits are forming is improper selection of food in the house (not well-balanced), expired or rotten food in the refrigerator or signs of excessive weight loss (clothes much looser).

An aging person may eat enough calories to get by, but may suffer nutritionally, including increasing cholesterol and lowering vitamin intake. Studies have found that poor diet can increase the risk of dementia in seniors and weaken the immune system.

4. Declining personal hygiene
Changes in appearance are the most obvious sign that some assistance is needed. These signs can range from unkempt hair and body odor, to unshaven faces and wearing clothing that is unclean, unchanged for days or inappropriate for the weather. These changes may occur because doing the laundry or getting in an out of the tub has become too physically challenging. Many who live alone also fear slipping and falling in a shower or bathtub with no one to help him or her get up.

5. Decline in driving skills
Look for evidence of parking or speeding tickets, fender-benders, dents and scratches on the senior's car as signs that driving skills may be deteriorating. Decreased ability to see, poor sense of direction, inability to merge into traffic, driving way under the speed limit and slow reaction time is a recipe for disaster with senior driving.

6. Signs of scorched pots and pans
This may be a sign of short-term memory loss or even the onset of Alzheimer's, as pots used in cooking are forgotten on the open flame of the stove and burn. Besides the danger of falls, this is probably one of the greatest safety concerns (fire) that families of older relatives face.

7. Symptoms of depression
Depression causes marked changes in behavior and one's daily routine over time. Many seniors feel isolated, like prisoners in their own home, particularly if a health condition or the deaths of close friends or a spouse keeps them from going to the places they once enjoyed. Feelings of hopelessness or despair, increased listlessness, and not wanting to get dressed can all be indications of a problem. Other signs include decreased visits with family members and friends, change in sleeping patterns (sleeping long periods or not sleeping at all) and lack of interest in usual hobbies and activities.

8. Missed doctors' appointments and social engagements
While this can be a symptom of increased forgetfulness, it is often simply a result of not having transportation and not knowing how to access transportation options on their own.

9. Unkempt house
Changes in housekeeping may occur simply because it is too difficult or tiring. This is especially troubling if a parent used to keep the house neat and orderly or if a recently-deceased spouse was responsible for these duties. From dirty laundry to dirty dishes, these everyday tasks become too much to handle on their own.

10. Losing track of medications
Missed doses and medication mistakes (overdosing and running out of pills before the next prescription can be refilled) can lead to very serious medical complications. Older people often take multiple prescriptions for various health conditions, which can be overwhelming without assistance and reminders.

It is crucial that family members keep an eye out for their older loved ones and know how and when to assist them, even if the senior doesn't reach out and ask for the help directly. Source: http://www.caregiverstress.com/extrainfo.html

Most family caregivers struggle to balance care for an aging parent or relative with other major responsibilities, including jobs and caring for children. This often means that there is little time to care for themselves, which can result in poor health and high levels of stress.

In fact, according to a new Home Instead Senior Care survey, 55 percent of the family caregivers who utilize their professional caregiving services appear to have average or significant levels of stress.

Below are some tips for avoiding and managing caregiver stress from the experts on the Home Instead Senior Care Advisory Board:

Work out:
Exercise and enjoy something you like to do (walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc.) for a minimum of 20 minutes at least three times per week. Consider learning a stress-management exercise such as yoga or tai-chi, which teach inner balance and relaxation.

Meditate:
Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as "quiet" as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or you are feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a caregiver. Many times you will feel like you don't even have a minute to yourself, but it's important to walk away and to take that minute.

Ask for help:
According to a national survey by Home Instead Senior Care of adults who are currently providing care for an aging loved one, 72 percent do so without any outside help. To avoid burnout and stress, you can enlist the help of other family members, friends, and/or consider hiring a professional non-medical caregiver for assistance. There is no need to feel guilty for reaching out. Click here for a complete list of helpful resources.

Take a break:
Make arrangements for any necessary fill-in help (family, friends, volunteers or professional caregivers). Take single days or even a week's vacation, just make sure you line up your support system so you can be confident that your loved one is safe and happy. And when you're away, stay away. Talk about different things, read that book you haven't been able to get to, etc.

- there is no excuse not to.

Eat well:
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, including nuts and beans, and whole grains. Indulging in caffeine, fast food and sugar as quick "pick-me-ups" also produce a quick "let-down."

Take care of yourself:
Just like you make sure your loved one gets to the doctor regularly, make sure you get your annual check-up. Being a caregiver provides many excuses for skipping your necessary check-ups, but don't do it. Indulge: Treat yourself to a foot massage, manicure, nice dinner out or a concert to take yourself away from the situation and to reward yourself for the wonderful care you are providing to your aging relative. You shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to feel good.

Support:
Find a local caregiver support group that will help you understand what you are feeling/experiencing is normal for someone in your position.

This is a place to get practical advice from people who are in your situation and to bounce off those feelings of stress, since everyone is likely to be in the same situation and can empathize. Click here for a complete list of helpful resources.

If you don't take care of yourself, you will never be able to continue taking care of your loved one. This means eating right, getting adequate rest, building exercise into your schedule, and keeping up with your own medical appointments.

Source: http://www.caregiverstress.com/avoidcgs.html