Seven Signs of Health Problems in Aging Parents By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Being aware of changes in our loved ones’ health can be a first step toward addressing the issue.  Since we know that catching problems early can be instrumental in preventing more serious problems later on, it is worthwhile to know some of the warning signs that indicate changes may be occurring.  

The Mayo Clinic has put together 7 signs for children (and caring relatives) to look for in regards to potential health problems with their aging parents.

• Are your parents taking care of themselves?
  Pay attention to your parents’ appearance to determine if they are neglecting their personal hygiene.  Also look at the condition of their home.  Is it being kept up?  A home neglected and in disrepair can be a sign of dementia or depression.
•  Are your aging parents experiencing memory loss?
  Memory loss is a normal part of aging but there is a difference between forgetting keys or an appointment to serious problems that interfere with peoples’ lives.  More concerning would be your parent forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in their own neighborhood, or not being able to follow directions.
• Are your aging parents safe in their home?
• Inspect the home for unsafe conditions that may exist. 
  Has either parent fallen recently?  Are they still able to read directions on their medicine containers?
•  Are your aging parents safe on the road?
• Does either parent get confused while driving? 
  If you are concerned and think they should be off the road, provide the information for other means of transportation.
•  Have your parents lost weight?
  Losing weight without trying can be a sign that something is wrong.  It may be a symptom of an underlying health problem.  Also a loss of smell or taste can interfere with the pleasure of eating or it may be they are having trouble cooking and preparing food.
• Are your aging parents in good spirits?
  Have you noticed a marked change in your parents’ mood and outlook?  Talk to them to make sure they are getting enough social contact and that they are connecting with friends.  Encourage them to join clubs or senior groups.
• Are your aging parents able to get around?
  Do your parents have difficulty walking any kind of distance?  Would they benefit from a cane or walker?  Do they have problems with their knees or hips?  Are your parents unsteady on their feet and at risk of falling?  Falls are a major cause of disabilities for seniors.    

Communicate with your parents that you care about their wellbeing and want what is in their best interest.  Encourage them to talk to you about any problems they may be having and make sure they see their doctor for regular check-ups.  If you have found problems with their living conditions, address them.  Eldercare.org is a wonderful resource and can offer information on all kinds of services that are close to home.   If it seems like your parents need more assistance than you are able to provide, consider looking into an assisted living community.

 
Bethesda Gardens is an outstanding Phoenix, Arizona retirement community that provides assisted living and short term care for its residents.  Growing older may mean a lot of things but one positive is having more leisure time.  Please follow our newest blog with a fun idea on spelling bees for seniors.

New Recommendations for Whooping Cough Shots By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

It is important for seniors to keep up-to-date on immunizations and follow the guidelines published by the CDC for which shots to get and when.  The CDC has revised its earlier recommendation regarding whooping cough or pertussis and now states that all adults 65 years and older be vaccinated.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease and is spread on a person-to-person basis.  It is cause by a bacterial infection called Bordetella pertussis, which according to the CDC, “attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system. The bacteria release toxins, which damage the cilia and cause inflammation (swelling).”

There has been some research to suggest that immunity to the pertussis bacteria is not as effective over time, and it is believed that most of the carriers are adults.  Someone infected with pertussis is contagious for up to six weeks.  The group most at risk for serious complications from the disease next to infants is elderly adults. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, once you have been infected, it can take one to three weeks for the first symptoms to appear that start out much like a common cold:

·         Runny nose

·         Nasal congestion

·         Red, watery eyes

·         Mild fever

·         Dry cough

After 10 to 14 days, the severity of the symptoms worsen and you may develop prolonged coughing attacks that:

·         bring up thick phlegm

·         provoke vomiting

·         cause extreme fatigue

·         end with a high-pitched "whoop" sound

Not everyone will experience the whooping cough sound but see your doctor if you have any doubt.  Your doctor can easily test for pertussis by a nose or throat culture, a blood test, or chest x-ray.  The best advice for prevention is to get an immunization, cover your mouth when coughing, and wash your hands well.

*This is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.  Please consult your physician or health care provider with any concerns and questions you may have.

Bethesda Gardens retirement community, Phoenix AZ is an assisted living and short term care community.  There are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others when driving as a senior citizen.  Please follow our newest post regarding driving safely as a senior.

Your Eyes May Change with Age By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

As we age, our vision declines much like other parts of our bodies.   So while some loss of vision is normal, there are other signs that may be an indication of more serious medical problems.

Presbyopia is a normal condition of the eyes that starts around the age of forty and is the hardening of the lens.  It causes the eye not to focus as well on objects close at hand.  While it is easily corrected by reading glasses or multi-lens glasses, it does continue to worsen as we age.  Generally people need stronger and stronger prescriptions through the years or several different sets of glasses for different tasks.  There are surgical procedures called conductive keratoplasty or monovision lasik that can be done to correct the problem.

Cataracts, which are a clouding of the eyes’ lens, are so common among seniors and easily treated that they are now considered a normal part of the aging process.  In fact according to the Mayo Clinic, “about half of all 65 year old Americans have some degree of cataract formation in their eyes. As you enter your 70's, the percentage is even higher. It is estimated that by 2020 more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts.”  Surgery is very safe, and in most cases, the doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a plastic lens.

Glaucoma is another disease that strikes mainly older people and is caused by too much fluid pressure inside the eyes.  There is no pain associated with early stages of glaucoma and it may lead to vision loss and blindness.  It can be treated so early detection is important. 

Vision Aware, the American Foundation for the Blind recommends contacting your doctor if you experience any of the following changes in your vision:

• Sudden hazy or blurred vision
• Recurrent pain in or around the eye
• Double vision
• Seeing flashes of light
• Seeing halos around lights
• Unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
• Changes in the color of the iris
• Sudden development of persistent floaters

There are several other vision problems that can lead to blindness.  Macular degeneration (also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD) is one of those.  It is the leading cause of vision loss or blindness among older Americans.  The All About Vision website states: “Early signs of vision loss from AMD include shadowy areas in your central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.  An Amsler grid (used to diagnose AMD) consists of straight lines, with a reference dot in the center. Someone with macular degeneration may see some of the lines as wavy or blurred, with some dark areas at the center.”

It is very important for seniors to have regular eye check-ups and see their doctor if something changes.  Eye diseases can be very serious and early intervention is important.

*This is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.  Please consult your physician or health care provider with any concerns and questions you may have.*

Bethesda Gardens retirement community, Phoenix is an assisted living and short term care community.    Many seniors are just looking for inexpensive, low-tech devices that are easier to use and make their lives safer.  Please follow our latest post on the different options of cell phones for seniors.

Are You Eligible for Benefit Programs? By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

There are over 2,000 different federal, state, and private benefit programs available throughout the country.  Some are little known, but there may be programs that you are unaware of that could be valuable to you.  A little bit of time and research on your part could make a difference in the kind of assistance you receive.  

The National Council on Aging, a non-profit service and advocacy organization, provides a free service called Benefits CheckUp.  It is a simple questionnaire that takes you through a series of questions, and then gives you a report on all of the benefits you may qualify for, and even has the forms that you will need to apply.  Most of the programs can be applied for either online or by printing an application and mailing.   They offer help with the cost of prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities, food as well as other services.

There are a few different ways you begin the process.  There is one questionnaire that is for those that are in the greatest overall need, and then there is another set of questions for those that require help mainly with prescription drugs or food.   They have a list to look over before you get started on everything you will need to answer the questions (date of birth, income, current insurance/programs, household size, etc.).  You can fill it out for yourself or for someone else.

Benefits CheckUp provides the information for those that are having trouble paying for their prescription drugs and are on Medicare.   Extra Help may be able to assist if:

·        Your income is less than $16,755 if single and $22,695 if married.  Alaska or Hawaii residents may qualify with higher incomes.

·        You have resources less than $13,070 if single and $26,120 if married.

This site is full of useful information that is safe, reliable, and available.  If you or your loved one is in need of some assistance, please check it out to see if there is something for you. 

Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, Arizona is an assisted living and short term care community.  Sometimes things happen to those we love that requires us to step up and offer our assistance.  Please read our latest post to get some answers about care giving and your career.