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How To Spot Problem Behavior of Family Members and Caregivers of the Elderly

When dealing with aging adults, just like with any age group, one may find that they act in ways that can frustrate or embarrass those around them. Sometimes these behaviors can be signs of a decline in health, or they no longer feel in control. It is important to address these behavioral issues for both your own and your aging loved one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Below are some issues that some children or caretakers of aging loved ones may be faced with and how to deal with them. For a full list click here

Cursing, Aggressive Language and Inappropriate Comments

When an elderly loved one starts swearing or making inappropriate remarks it can be very embarrassing for their family. Many family members may be confused as to why all of a sudden their aging loved one begins using profanity or even calling their caregivers inappropriate names. When an aging adult’s personality and behavior suddenly changes, it can be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and therefore a medical professional should be consulted. Whatever the reason for the use of profanity, there are several potential ways to deal with a loved one that is using constant profanity. For instance you can ignore them, try to redirect them by talking about something they enjoy or validating their feelings without focusing on the bad language.

Not Regularly Showering

Appropriate hygiene is important for staying healthy especially when it comes to elderly adults who may have a weaker immune system. However, sometimes caregivers and family members may find that it can be a struggle to ensure an aging loved one is showering or changing clothes often enough. Lack of proper hygiene in aging adults may have several causes. If an aging adult is feeling depressed they may take less care of themselves. In addition, if they have lost their sense of smell they may not notice they need to shower, they may feel showering is one of the things they can still control, and so they decide not to, or it may be hard for them to get into the shower. The first step in solving this issue is to figure out why they are not showering. If the cause is depression or lack of smell you may need to take your loved one to a mental health professional or doctor. If the reason why they are not showering is that they are afraid of slipping in the shower then installing safety rails, a shower seat, and a non-slip bath mat can make your loved one, and you feel more comfortable and consequently lead to more consistent showering.

There may be several other issues that loved ones or caregivers may need to face when they are taking care of aging adults. At Sprain Brook Manor Rehab we understand the important job and responsibility that we have when taking care of aging adults. Our rehabilitation center in Westchester offers the best in short-term care, skilled nursing care, and short-term rehab and is one of the top rated rehabs and nursing homes in the area. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or for more information.

This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Understanding New Blood Pressure Guidelines

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine may lead to a major change in what is considered high blood pressure and its treatment. The randomized control Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) included 9,361 participants who were enrolled in the study from November 2010 to March 2013. The study’s goal was to compare the benefits of lowering systolic blood pressure to 120mm Hg versus 140mm Hg. The results of the study showed that in adults without diabetes lowering systolic blood pressure to 120 mm Hg versus 140mm Hg significantly lowered the rate of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Those in the 120mm Hg group had a 25% lower risk of a fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular event, a 38% lower risk of heart failure, a 43% lower risk of death by cardiovascular causes, a 27% lower risk of death overall from any cause during the follow up period which lasted about 3.26 years. Two hundred and ten deaths occurred in the 140mm Hg group versus 155 deaths in the 120mm Hg group. Results of the study are compelling giving that it included such a large sample size, had a diverse population and achieved the target of creating two groups with separate blood pressure targets. The study does have some limitations as it did not include anyone under 50, individuals with diabetes or those with a prior stroke. This study suggests that the target goal for systolic blood pressure should be around 120mm Hg, which may pose a new challenge as systolic blood pressure control at 120mm Hg is only achieved in about 50% of the population. In addition, individuals in the 120mm Hg group had significantly more adverse effects to the intervention including higher rates of kidney injury or acute renal failure. Hopefully the SPRINT study as well as other large cardiovascular related studies underway will continue to shed light on heart disease and prevent death and nonfatal cardiovascular events. For those that have a loved one that has already had a non-fatal life changing cardiovascular event this study may be too little too late. Now it is time to focus on getting your loved one the top rated rehab in Westchester. Sprain Brook Manor’s skilled nursing care can help your loved one recover faster so he or she can get back to their lives. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab rehabilitation center Westchester which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Sprain Brook Manor Westchester nursing home getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Senior Dating

In April Bill Wilson and Lillian Kar Wilson passed away within minutes of each other. What was so special about this couple was that they were high school sweetheart and had been married for 73 years (source). Many aging adults find themselves in a much different situation than the Wilson’s. In 2009, seventeen percent of singles, 16.2 million individuals, were 65 years or older (source). With this many senior singles it is no wonder why dating among seniors has become a much talked about topic.Then are several important benefits that aging adults can receive from dating. Having someone beyond friend or family where one can have intimacy and companionship is important for all human beings. Aging adults who live alone and have less social contact can become withdrawn and may be more susceptible to health issues. According to eHarmony, there are several strengths that mature singles can offer to a partner including knowing themselves, being better able to assess potential partners, clearer sense of what is important, and realistic expectations. However, seniors may also face some obstacles in dating such as grieving past relationships, grown children that object and health conditions. No matter what the obstacle to dating is, it may be important for your emotional and physical wellbeing to begin to date or at least be more social if you’re a single aging adult. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

The Dangers of Falling

On Wednesday July 15th former President George H.W Bush was hospitalized after falling and breaking a neck bone. He was extremely lucky as he is expected to make a full recovery and will only need to wear a neck brace and receive physical therapy (source). However many adults over 65 have serious injuries from falling. In fact, according to the CDC 33% of adults over 65 fall each year and among older adults the majority of fatal and non-fatal injuries are a result of falling. In 2013 alone there were 2.5 million adults over 65 that went to the ER as a result of falling and 734,000 that had to be hospitalized.There are several risk factors that increase aging adults likelihood that they will fall. Below is a list of risk factors from NIH Senior Health that can help one understand the risk of falling at an older age. For a full list please check out the NIH Senior Health website.

Muscle Weakness, especially in leg muscles is a leading cause of falls.
Aging adults with poor balance are more likely to fall. Difficulty with balance can be related to neurological issues, lack of exercise and other conditions.
Postural hypotension, which can results from dehydration of other medical conditions is a condition where blood pressure drips to fast when you go from lying down or sitting to standing
Vision issues, such as poor depth perception and cataracts can lead you to misjudge and fail to see objects that you might trip over

With over 33% of aging adults falling every year it is likely that you or a loved one may fall and need rehabilitation. Sprain Brook Manor’s rehabilitation center in Westchester offers state of the art skilled nursing care and short term care in a warm and caring environment. Sprain Brook Manor’s short to rehab in Westchester offers several healing therapy’s including physical therapy, speech therapy, cardiac therapy and pulmonary therapy. If you or a loved one has had a recent medical event and you are looking for quality rehabilitation in the New York Tristate area then please contact Sprain Brook Manor Rehab right away.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

How Aging Can Affect Driving, Learn How To Keep Loved Ones Safe.

The ability to drive represents independence and self-sufficiently for many aging adults. When that independence is threatened often the reaction can be painful for both the aging adult and their family. However, evaluating whether or not aging adults should drive often comes too late. In fact, in 2008 alone 15 older adults were killed every day and some 500 were injured in motor vehicle accidents (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Therefore, it is important as your loved ones age to watch for warning signs that it might be time for to stop driving. Warning Signs that it is time to stop driving: (helpguide.org) Health Issues: If you or your loved one has health issues that could get in the way of awareness and vigilance then you might be putting yourself and other drivers at grave risk. These health issues could include eyesight problems, hearing problems, issues with reflexes and range of motions, and memory issues. Road Issues: If you find yourself or your loved ones drifting into other lanes, changing lanes without using turning signals or having other issues following road rules then this might indicate an issue with your ability to focus on driving and it might be time to get evaluated by a professional. In addition, if there is an increase in almost crashing, dents, hitting curbs etc, or you or your loved one has been getting more ticket or warning from police officers then you or your loved ones driving is showing a functional deficit and may need to be evaluated. Some people think that after a major health event that an aging individual will not be able to drive or do other important day to day tasks independently again. At Sprain Brook Manor’s Rehabilitation center in Westchester the short term care and physical therapy is geared towards helping you or your loved ones regain independence in everyday tasks after a major healthy event. Sprain Brook Manor’s prides itself on having the best skilled nursing care in Westchester team that will create an individualized rehabilitation plan to help you or your loved heal as quickly as possible. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Apps for Seniors

There are over a million apps that do everything from helping remember your grocery list , to giving on the go news updates and tracking your pet. The current phone app explosion also provides many tools that can help elderly or aging adults in their everyday lives. We have looked through several lists of different apps for the elderly and compared reviews to find our top choices. RxmindMe Prescription / Medicine Reminder and Pill Tracker created by Walgreen CO this app reminds individuals to take their medications. Users are able to enter all of their medication dosage information, set reminders and keep track of whether they took their medications. The apps other features include being able to email your prescription history which is great if you need to give that information to a new doctor and also has the ability to search the FDA drug database for your medication. In addition, if you get your medication from Walgreens you can refill the prescription through the app and it is free so you don’t have to spend any money on it in case you don’t like it.EyeReader by NetSoft is a reading magnifier that uses the phone screens LED light to focus light on text in dark places and gives the user the ability to read text more easily by enabling the user to magnify the text. Lumosity Mobile by By Lumos Labs, Inc. is a great app for those aging adults who love puzzles and games and wont to help keep their mind’s sharp. According to the app’s description the activities in lumosity were design by neuroscientists to help with memory , attention and neuroplasticity. While activities in the app may be based on proven research the cost might be a little high for some. Unlike other apps mentioned, to access Lumosity you most pay around $12 a month or $60 for a year.Phone applications offer a lot of help in making older adult’s lives easier. The best way to find an app for your or your older loved one is to search a difficulty or problem you or your aging loved one is having and see what results come up. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Finding Fun Activities for Seniors in New York City

It is finally summer which means sunny weather, more BBQs, and more down time. Even though some summer days it might feel too hot to go outside, it is important for senior’s mental and physical health to stay active. If you’re a senior living in the tristate area then New York City is a great place to visit regularly. NYC’s department for the aging is a great resource for seniors to use to find fun things to do. For example, on the department’s website there are links to NYC’s top events that are great for seniors. The website also features deals such as 2 for 1 admission to the Staten Island Museum. You can also see what is playing on Broadway and book tickets to shows with ease. Another great resource to use to find activities for seniors is seniorplanet.org’s calendar. The calendar lists several fun and educational activities for seniors, such as hearing a lecture on online shopping or watching a classic movie. If you’re a senior that is excited by the arts then nyc-arts.org is a perfect resource for you. Their events calendar will keep you up to date on the latest art related events and activities and they also have a kids section if you want to look for art related activities you can do with your family. At Sprain Brook Manor Rehab we understand how important it is for seniors to stay active. If you or a family member needs to recover for a health related event Sprain Brook Manor can offer highly effective short term rehab and care in Westchester to help make the recovery process as comfortable as possible. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly

Preventing Dehydration in the ElderlyAs winter comes to an end the elderly are faced with a new danger, dehydration. The elderly are at a high risk of becoming dehydrated because they might not drink when they are thirsty, their thirst mechanism is less sensitive, their kidneys are not as efficient as when they were younger, and they often cannot get water themselves (source). As the summer heats up ensure that your elderly loved ones are getting enough water. Know is time to get your elderly loved ones into the habit of drinking more water before the summer heat begins. In addition, as it gets hotter you or anyone caring for your elderly loved ones should look out for these symptoms Mild dehydration:· Dryness of mouth; dry tongue with thick saliva· Unable to urinate or pass only small amounts of urine; dark or deep yellow urine· Cramping in limbs· Headaches· Weakness, general feeling of being unwell· Sleepiness or irritability More serious dehydration:· Low blood pressure· Convulsions· Severe cramping and muscle contractions in limbs back and stomach· Bloated stomach· Rapid but weak pulse· Dry and sunken eyes with few or no tears· Wrinkled skin; no elasticity· Breathing faster than normal According to Linda S. Eck Mills, MBA, RD, LDN, FADA the water recommendation for is usually around to 6-8 glasses per day. However for elderly individuals she is more specific.“30cc of fluid for each kilogram of body weight for older patients with no diagnosis of CHF, COPD, or renal disease should be used. For patients with CHF or COPD, 25cc per kilogram of body weight is used. In some instances, such as in many patients with kidney disease, fluid intake may need to be restricted and the amount of fluid taken in may be monitored very closely. In some cases patients need more fluids, especially if there is vomiting, diarrhea, or high environmental temperatures” (page 2) Linda Eck recommends contacting a dietitian to help determine someone’s exact hydration needs. In addition those at higher risk for dehydration should avoid liquids with a diuretic effect like alcohol or caffeine. Individuals can also rely on fruits and vegetables for some hydration as they are composed of as much as 95% water. The best way to deal with dehydration in the elderly is to prevent it by ensuring they are consuming enough water and liquids. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Managing Sleep While You’re Aging

According to the National Sleep Foundation one of the changes that occurs as we age is our sleep patterns change. Often people tend to have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep as they age. This is troubling considering that research indicats that the need for sleep stays constant as we age. There are several aspects that may affect the quantity and quality of sleep and they are listed below .

Research indicates that many of the issues related to sleep disturbance in the elderly is a result of physical and psychiatric illness and the drugs used to treat them.
Changes in the circadian rhythm leads the elderly to become tired earlier and wake earlier.
Snoring is the main cause of sleeping issues among 90 million Americans
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another painful issue that makes it difficult to sleep

If you or someone close to you is experiencing more sleep related issues as they age is important they get an evaluation from your primary care provider. There are several treatments for insomnia and other sleep related issues in the elderly. These treatments include “over-the-counter and prescription medications, behavioral treatments, relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, light therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies, valerian, tai chi, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and acupressure” (Medscape ). Sleep is particularly important when you are recovering from a major health event like a stroke or a heart attack. At Sprain Brook Manors short term rehab in Westchester facility, the staff ensures that all health concerns are evaluated. They pride themselves on having the best skilled nursing care in Westchester. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact them right away. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

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