by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jun 20, 2015 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
Summertime is vacation time in Michigan. If you are caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, however, you may think a trip that includes your loved one is impossible. While Alzheimer’s patients often become agitated by changes in their daily routine, many can successfully travel if their caregivers plan ahead and take precautions.
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that you evaluate your loved one’s ability to travel based on their needs and the progression of the disease. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s will be less likely to become distressed than those in the later stages of the disease.
Tips for Traveling with a Senior Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease
If you decide that your senior can safely accompany you on a trip, these tips can help make the excursion enjoyable for all:
Put Your Loved One First: Choose the method of transportation, route and accommodations that will cause your loved one the least amount of stress and anxiety, even if it means more inconvenience and cost to you. Avoid peak travel times and holidays. When flying, choose a direct flight whenever possible. When you must change planes, try to purchase tickets with at least an hour between flights. This will prevent a frenzied rush to board the next plane.
Be Prepared: Medications, snacks and drinks, and a change of clothing should be accessible at all times. A list of prescription information, doctor phone numbers and emergency contacts should be handy, as well. Carry your senior loved one’s insurance card, identification and copies of legal documents. A recent photo can help locate them if they should wander off. There are several cell phone apps that make this easier including CareZone and Unfrazzle.
Plan a Reasonable Itinerary: You might be able to hop from museum to museum or spend the day at an amusement park, but people with dementia can be easily overwhelmed and distressed by days packed with fast-paced activities. Limit the number of activities you do each day. Slowing down and relaxing more can be good for everyone!
Use the Buddy System: Always keep your loved one under direct supervision. Unfamiliar environments increase the likelihood that someone with dementia will wander. If you stay in a hotel, use all the interior door locks to make it more difficult for your loved one to open the door when you are sleeping or showering. You may want to invest in a door alarm or a Medic-Alert necklace or bracelet that would help reunite you in the event they slip out of your sight.
Do Your Research: Before you leave, locate the hospital and urgent care centers nearest your destination. Investigate road construction and detours that might cause stressful delays. You might also contact the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association to identify any resources you might need to utilize when you arrive.
Have a Plan B: Have an alternative plan or two in place, just in case your loved one doesn’t respond well to being away from home. This might mean making more frequent rest-stops or checking into a hotel sooner.
Consider Respite Care Services
If your senior with Alzheimer’s cannot travel along with you, consider respite care . Call the Heritage Senior Community nearest you to learn more about a short term stay at one of our Michigan communities. While there really is no vacation from caregiving, thoughtful planning can make a summer trip pleasant for all.
Photo Courtesy
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jun 12, 2015 | Caregiving, Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
Summer provides seniors in Michigan more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. But it also increases their risk of life-threatening dehydration. Older adults are already prone to dehydration in large part because age-related changes weaken their ability to sense when they are thirsty and to easily adjust to changes in temperature. Summer’s heat and humidity add to that threat. Both can lead to serious complications and even death. When a senior loved one is too hot, they lose fluid through perspiration. Added humidity prevents sweat from evaporating and cooling the body, further increasing the need for fluids.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults of all ages consume 48-64 ounces of liquid each day. This includes fruit and vegetable juices, soups, and milk. Sodas, coffee and tea do count toward that total, however, medical professionals usually don’t recommend them because of the added sugar, calories and caffeine.
Here are some ideas for making sure your senior loved one gets adequate fluids year-round:
- Always provide a beverage with meals. If the person in your care chooses caffeinated coffee or tea, insist they include a small glass of water or juice to counteract the diuretic affects.
- Urge them to drink a full glass of water when taking daily medications. A phone call reminder at medication times might be necessary.
- Schedule hydration into their daily routine. For instance, if they watch a particular television program each day, prompt them to get a glass of water or juice before it begins. If they exercise, ask them to drink an 8-ounce glass of water before and after.
- Encourage your senior to drink throughout the day rather than waiting until they are thirsty. Remember, if an older adult is thirsty, they are likely already dehydrated. You might try designating a specific cup, glass or water bottle for drinking water and challenging them to finish it and refill it two-to-three times throughout the day.
- Dress up their drinks. Add fresh lemon slices, other fruits or even mint sprigs to water for a refreshing change. You can also use a water infuser to create a homemade fruity water beverage. Offer sparkling seltzers and flavored waters, which are available in the water aisle of the grocery store. A colorful straw can ensure your senior drinks more quickly.
- Provide access to plenty of water-rich fruits and veggies. Drinking isn’t the only way to stay hydrated. Melon, grapefruit, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, oranges, spinach, squash and broccoli are all high in water content. Offer them with meals and as snacks. Raw is best, as cooking removes water.
You can also reduce fluid loss through perspiration by helping your senior loved one stay cool.
- Make sure they dress in lightweight, breathable clothing. Cotton is ideal.
- Encourage them to stay in an air-conditioned building on hot days.
- Older adults should avoid direct sunlight. Staying indoors or in the shade between 11am and 4pm is best.
We hope these tips will help you keep your senior hydrated and safe this summer and throughout the year.
Photo Courtesy
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jun 4, 2015 | Dear Donna, Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My 82-year old father has arthritis. He’s lived with it for many years. I know he is really suffering from it but I can’t convince him to see the doctor. He says there is no cure for it so it is a waste of time and money. In all honesty, I’m not sure how many years it has been since my dad has even been to the doctor. He is very stubborn!
I saw a commercial on television about arthritis medication so I think there might be options for him. Any suggestions to offer?
Tami in Hudsonville, Michigan
Dear Tami:
It isn’t uncommon for older adults to be resistant to seeing a physician for a variety of reasons. But in this case, seeing a physician experienced at working with older adults who live with arthritis is the best way to relieve the pain it sounds like your father is feeling. While your dad is correct in saying there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways to manage it.
A physician can recommend treatment options ranging from pain relievers and steroids to physical therapy or aquatic therapy. Both of these therapies help strengthen and support the muscles around the damaged joint while improving range of motion. His doctor can also share information on the surprising role diet plays in preventing –or creating—the inflammation that makes the pain of arthritis worse.
The experts from the Arthritis Foundation offer the following advice on when someone with the disease should consult with a physician:
- When pain, swelling, or stiffness is present in one or more joints
- If joints appear reddened or warm to the touch
- When moving a joint is difficult or when symptoms inhibit everyday activities
In addition, the experts recommend making an appointment with a doctor if symptoms persist for more than three days or if your father has more than one battle with his arthritis in a month. A gerontologist or a rheumatologist might be the best choice.
We hope sharing this information with your father may help change his mind and convince him to seek medical attention!
Donna
Heritage Senior Communities newest community assisted living community in Holland, Michigan will open its doors to new residents in June.
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 28, 2015 | Caregiving, Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My brother and I both went home to visit our parents in western Michigan over the Easter holiday. Our Dad contracted pneumonia this past winter and is slowly been getting back on his feet. What my brother and I weren’t aware of until this visit is how bad my mother’s driving has become. Before this illness sidelined him, Dad was the primary driver.
We aren’t sure if there are ways to adapt their car to make driving easier for my Mom or if it is just time for her to hang up the keys. She has arthritis in her spine and I think it is a big part of her struggle. She just isn’t very flexible. With my brother and I both living far away, transportation would be a real challenge if neither of them can drive any longer.
Are you aware of any resources that can help us?
Anne
Dear Anne:
Concerns about an aging parent’s safety behind the wheel are at the top of the list of questions we hear from adult children. Many feel like you do. They know their aging parent needs to be able to get to physician appointments, the grocery store and more, but aren’t quite sure how to assess if their older loved one is safe.
We know it can be difficult to objectively evaluate if a senior driver might be fine driving during non-rush hour times, if driving aids can be utilized to help them adapt their car to accommodate the physical changes created by aging or if it is time to stop driving altogether.
Here are links to a few online resources you and your brother may find to be of help in evaluating your mother’s fitness for driving:
- Senior Driving: This site was created by AAA. It is rich with information that ranges from cars that are more senior-friendly to the AAA Interactive Driving Evaluation Online Test. The latter is a good tool to encourage both of your parents to take.
- Michigan’s Guide for Aging Drivers and Their Families: This free publication was developed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. In it you will find resources covering a variety of topics including a self-assessment tool, tips for having a conversation with a senior about giving up driving, and medical problems that put drivers at higher risk for an accident.
- Tools to Aid Older Drivers in Michigan: If you think a driving aid might make your mother safer behind the wheel, this article will be of interest. It shares suggestions such as a swivel seat cushion, mirror adapters, foot pedal extenders and more.
- Exercises to Help Older Michigan Drivers: This article shares exercises developed by MIT Age Lab and The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. They are designed to help improve older drivers’ range of motion and flexibility. Both abilities are necessary for safe driving.
I hope this information is helpful to your family, Anne!
Donna
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 20, 2015 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, legal issues are probably the last thing on anyone’s mind. But because dementia will eventually render them unable to make financial and medical decisions, the Alzheimer’s Association urges families to begin legal planning right away.
Here are the key terms you will encounter as you prepare for the future:
Dementia patients should appoint a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA), a responsible person to act as their Agent in financial and legal matters. This legal document gives the agent the immediate authority to manage banking and investments, sell property, and more.
Advance Directives allow the Alzheimer’s patient to take an active role in their end-of-life planning. These are written documents that express their wishes related to their health care.
An important advance directive is the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC), which names the person chosen to make decisions for your loved one when they no longer can. In Michigan, this person is known as the Patient Advocate. Michigan law also allows patient advocates to make decisions about mental health care and to donate organs upon death.
Another advance directive is a Living Will, a document that communicates a patient’s intentions about whether they should be kept on life-support. This also grants the patient advocate authority to make this decision. Michigan is one of three states that do not consider a living will legally binding, but can be useful to the patient advocate when making end-of-life decisions.
A DNR, short for “do not resuscitate,” is a medical form informing medical personnel not to perform CPR if the patient’s heart stops. A copy should be given to physicians and caregivers. Michigan law states that DNR orders are only valid when the patient is at home or in an assisted-living facility. Hospitals and nursing homes may or may not honor the document, depending on their policies.
Sometimes these directives are not enough to ensure the Alzheimer’s patient is healthy and safe, and the caregiver must seek Guardianship from a judge. This requires filing a petition in probate court to take power over a patient’s financial, medical and other life decisions as guardian or Conservator.
For more information about planning ahead, visit the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 14, 2015 | Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
A stroke refers to the death of brain cells occurring as a result of a blockage of oxygen to the brain. Strokes affect people of all ages, but they are far more prevalent in those over 65, who might have more medical risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Though some strokes are mild, many are devastating. Even minor strokes can affect memory, physical function, and the ability to communicate. In Michigan, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death. And while family history, ethnicity and gender can play a role, stroke risk can be reduced.
The American Stroke Association, which named May Stroke Prevention Month, says 80% of strokes can be prevented with lifestyle changes.
Eat well; be well: Fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat proteins. It may be hard for seniors to try new foods, but adding whole grains, beans and nuts to the diet a bit at a time can help to improve the diet.
Seniors should limit sodium to 1500 mg a day to keep hypertension in check. Shy away from refined sugars, processed foods and sodas.
Read more in the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Get moving: Studies have shown that regular exercise three-to-five days a week reduces the risk factors for stroke. And the good news is that you are never too old to start exercising.
The US Surgeon General recommends a minimum 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day for better cardiovascular health. For seniors, this can be accomplished through brisk walking, and can be broken up into short ten-minute sessions. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and reduces stress levels—all necessary for a healthy blood pressure.
The Centers for Disease Control Physical Activity website is an excellent resource for helping older adults begin an exercise program.
Always check with a doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.
Maintain a healthy weight: Balancing caloric intake and exercise can help seniors maintain a healthy weight that will reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke.
Quit smoking: Smoking makes the heart work harder by damaging the circulatory system, doubling the risk for stroke. The benefits of quitting even late in life are great. A 2002 study determined that smokers who quit at age 65 added up to 3.4 years to their lives. After one year smoke free, the added risk of stroke was eliminated.
Go easy on the alcohol:While some studies connect one alcoholic drink a day to a reduced stroke risk, others point to an increased risk when people drank two or more. The American Stroke Association recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women.
To learn more about strokes and stroke prevention, we encourage you to visit the Stroke Resource Center.
Heritage Senior Communities newest community is now open in Holland, Michigan. The Village at Appledorn West offers adults over the age of 55 one- and two-bedroom apartments. An assisted living community on the same campus will open its doors to new residents later this spring.
