Senior Home Safety Blog: May 2016

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Could You Identify Someone Having a Stroke?

Since May is National Stroke Awareness Month, we want to share some facts and prevention tips about strokes:

Did you know that strokes are the number 5 cause of death and the number 1 cause of disability in the United States?
Did you know that a stroke is caused by blood flow being cut off from the brain? There are 2 types of strokes: 1) ischemic stroke, which is when a clot obstructs blood flow to the brain; or 2) hemorrhagic stroke, which is when a blood vessel ruptures and prevents blood flow to the brain.
Did you know that if blood flow is cut off from various parts of the brain, the body functions that that part of the brain controls won’t function as they should? 40% of stroke patients will have moderate to severe impairments that require special care! This is why strokes are the number 1 cause of disability.

It is important for people to control lifestyle and medical risk factors that contribute to a stroke. These include (but are not limited to):

Eating habits
Physical activity (or lack of it)
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Circulation problems

In other blogs we have discussed preventing some of these risk factors. Check out these blogs - How Can Your Senior Loved One Eat Healthier?, Do You Know the 4 Tips to Avoid Getting Type 2 Diabetes?, or Five Simple Changes to a Healthier Heart.

Knowing these facts, if someone does have a stroke, every minute counts; the faster they can get treatment, the better their chances of recovery.

Think F.A.S.T.:

F – Face Drooping: Is one side of their face drooping or numb? If their smile is uneven it could be a sign of a stroke.
A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Can they raise both arms? If one drifts down it could be a sign of a stroke.
S – Speech Difficulty: Is their speech slurred, hard to understand or they can’t speak at all? This could be a sign of a stroke.
T – Time to Call 911: If someone exhibits any of these symptoms, even if they seem to go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately. Every second matters. Also, check the time so you know when these symptoms first started. Doctors will use that to track how long the brain may have been without blood flow.

Assisting Hands® Home Care we can be with your loved one when you can’t be there. Our caregivers are trained to look for these symptoms and can get help quickly. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight we can accommodate your needs. You will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one isn’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Is Your Mother Okay?

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day to recognize and thank our mothers for all the hard work they’ve done throughout the years to raise us right. Whether or not you see your mother often, you may go to see her on Mother’s Day. There might be flowers, candy or a meal out. You will talk and laugh, letting her tell stories. With any luck, it will be a nice day so you can enjoy it together.

But will you really pay attention to your mother – not just listening to what she has to say, but watching what she does, how she moves and the condition of her house?

Is your mother okay? Here are 4 tips to make sure you understand her physical and mental condition when you are together:

Watch Your Mother. How is she walking? Is she moving slower than the last time you saw her? How does she look? Is she clean and groomed? We don’t mean that she has to be dressed like June Cleaver, but you’ll be able to tell a lot by her appearance.
Listen to Your Mother. When she speaks, is she as clear as she was the last time you saw her? Does she have a hard time remembering things that happened recently? Is she starting to repeat herself, even in the same conversation? The changes might be slight, but it is good to keep note of them to see a progression. One forgetful moment does not mean someone has dementia, but you will be able to see a pattern over time.
Check out Your Mother’s Kitchen and Bathroom. Is there healthy food in the refrigerator? Is the food that is there still fresh or should it have been thrown out weeks ago? In her medicine cabinet, what prescriptions are there? Are they pills that she should be taking? Based on the fill date, try to tell if they are being taken regularly. Also look to see if there are any rugs that could be a tripping hazard. Be wary of any rugs in front of sinks or even in hallways.
Ask Your Mother How She is Feeling. While you are talking, ask your mother how she is doing; there is nothing wrong with just asking the question. Sometimes a parent just needs a little encouragement to talk about things. She may say she’s fine and based on what you see, you believe her. You may also want to question things she says if it doesn’t match up with what you see.

If your mother is still driving, ask where she has been and what time of day. Ask what route she takes to get there. She should know exactly how she gets around.

Ask about any medications she is taking as well. Hopefully she has a weekly pill case so it is easy for her to track which medications should be taken each day (or at certain times of the day). Make sure that case is full when you leave and she clearly understands what she needs to take and when.

You have been learning from your mother all your life; Mother’s Day is the perfect time to watch and learn some more from her, this time to help her!

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your mother with safe transportation to and from doctors and other appointments, grocery shopping or other errands. Whether you need someone to be with her during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that your mother isn’t home alone when she needs help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Can Your Loved One Safely Drive a Car?

In general, senior citizens are less distracted while behind the wheel than younger adults. In fact, more senior citizens wear their seat belts (as drivers and passengers), drive slower and in better weather condition, and do not drive after drinking. With all of those good driving habits, one would think that accidents among with senior citizens would be rare, but that is not the case.

According to the CDC, more than 5,560 older adults were killed and more than 214,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2012. That equates to 15 older adults (of 92 total people) being killed in car crashes every day! Part of the reason that so many seniors are killed in car crashes has to do with the fact that they are more susceptible to injury, along with having other medical conditions that could become worse in an accident.

Here are 4 things you can do to make sure your senior loved one can stay safe behind the wheel:

Make sure they get regular eye exams. A senior’s eyesight could change dramatically from year to year. By having a regular exam, you can feel more confident that they can clearly see where they are going and any obstacles around them.
Have their primary physician or pharmacist review their prescriptions periodically to make sure there are no harmful interactions that could impair driving.
Have them get some physical activity as often as possible. If your loved one is physically in good shape, it is less likely that a minor fender-bender would be life-threatening.
Pay attention to their mental cognition. If you find them repeating themselves more often or if they can’t remember where they’ve been, you might want to have a cognitive check done. You do not want your loved one to be confused when they are driving.

Driving is a privilege that very few people will willingly give up. Even if your loved one has their hands at 10 and 2, their seat belt on and radio off, it is important that they stay safe on the road in other ways.

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your loved one with safe transportation to and from doctors and other appointments, grocery shopping or other errands. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that your loved one isn’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.