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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.

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.

Taking Precautions While Traveling

As we age, we become more prone to illness and injury. Travel can put the elderly at increased risk for disease and injury due to several hazards including increased stress. Furthermore, air travel can be particularly dangerous for the elderly because of high altitude, and an increased possibility of injury and illness. Below are airplane traveling hazards that aging adults need to be aware of and address from Get Away Tips:

Jet Lag: traveling across time zones can lead to jet lag. Jet lag has the potential to disrupt sleeping patterns, put aging adults at risk of exhaustion and affect an individual’s sensitive medication schedule.
Injury: Traveling on an airplane includes several potential risks for injury, especially for aging adults because they are more prone to injury. Risks for injury include being shoved or pushed while entering or exiting a plane, falling in the airport or being hit by luggage from overhead carry-on storage. Any injury that an elderly individual receives during air travel can be increasingly dangerous as life-saving medical treatment can be unavailable during longer flights.
Illness: Aging adults have weaker immune systems and therefore at an increased risk of getting sick during or after air travel. A more fragile immune system is particularly problematic when flying on an airplane as the close quarters makes it more likely for germs to spread between individuals. Also, staying too long in one position can lead to blood clots or worsen arthritis.

Aging adults can avoid or minimize potential flying related injuries by packing lightly and only packing small carry-ons with essential items. In addition, getting an aisle seat will make the bathroom easier to reach and taking short walks on the flight will increase blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots. Even the most cautious aging adults can face serious medical events and need skilled nursing care from a top rated rehab center. Receiving short-term care or long-term nursing home care in comfort and from a well-trained staff can help you or your loved ones recover faster and stay healthier longer. 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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Working Out Family Issues Related To Elder Care

When an aging parent becomes ill, it can often lead to issues between family members. Even family members who have a good relationship can find themselves arguing over care for their parents. For families that already have a strained relationship, fighting over a parent’s care can further negatively affect the relationship between family members.
Whenever siblings are helping manage or take care of a parent, there may be several aspects siblings may argue over. These elements include being upset that another sibling is not contributing enough to care for the aging parent, the primary caregiver feels like they cannot be assertive in the care of the aging parent, and issues related to old family dynamics being dredged up.
It is important that family members make sure they work out any matters related to their loved one’s care. Otherwise, they can find their relationships with one another getting worse or potentially hurting their loved one’s health further. Family members can ensure that their relationship stays resilient while taking care of an aging loved one by following several tips. These tips include making sure to have open lines of communication where you can discuss how you feel about the situation, be open about concerns, validate what other family members say, understand that different family members have different capabilities and recognize your limitations.
When one child becomes the primary caregiver for an aging parent, they can be more susceptible to caregiver burnout and resentfulness towards other siblings. Respite Care can help prevent caregiver burnout and resentment towards other family members by offering a short-term care reprieve to the caregivers. At Sprain Brook Manor we understand that taking care of a loved one can put extra stress on family members and we offer several services including respite care, short-term nursing care and long term nursing care which can help alleviate family care-related stress. In addition, we understand the importance of knowing your loved one is in a caring environment with skilled staff, and that is why we are also working towards being the top rated nursing home and rehab center serving Scarsdale, Westchester, Yonkers and the greater tri-state area.
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.

Diabetes in the Elderly

Diabetes is a serious health issue that affects 11.8 million seniors. Diabetes is when an individual does not make enough insulin, a hormone that helps our body turn glucose (sugar) into energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin an overabundance of glucose is left in the blood stream. Too much glucose in the blood stream can lead individuals to have several negative health consequences including feeling, tired, hungry, need to urinate often, and damage to their eyesight. In addition, when glucose levels get to high in the blood stream it can hurt kidneys, nerves, cause heart disease, stroke and even lead to amputation and death. Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult onset diabetes) often runs in families. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight and under active. In addition, those over the age of 40 from African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders groups are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For those diagnosed with diabetes it is important to properly manage it. It crucial to speak to your doctor to find out what steps you need to take in order to manage your diabetes. There are generally 4 essential aspects to managing diabetes.

Eating Correctly: Understanding how your diet affects your glucose levels is essential in managing diabetes. Creating a diabetic specific diet plan can help keep your glucose levels down.
Exercise: Regular exercise can help improve glucose levels in older people with diabetes.
Medications: Medications can help individuals with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels and can help improve the positive effects of eating right and exercise.
Monitoring: Monitoring your glucose level and blood pressure can help ensure your condition does not get worse before it gets better,

Diabetes is only one of the many health concerns that seniors face as they age. It is important that as we age we properly manage our health. When our loved ones have serious health issues we need to ensure they get the best skilled nursing care. Sprain Brook Manor Rehab offers short term and long term care that serves the greater Tri-State area. We consider all aspects of our resident’s health including diet to ensure they have the best possible care.
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.

Watch Out for Caregiver Burnout

Taking care of an elderly loved one is a full time job that can quickly exhaust you. Even if you have only been a caregiver for short time it is likely you are already experiencing some of the signs of caregiver burnout. It is important that you ensure that you give yourself the needed breaks and watch out for caregiver burnout before the feeling intensifies, causes functional impairment and leads to changes in mood. Caregiver.com lists seven common signs of caregiver burnout, see the full list on their website.

You don’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. If all of a sudden you feel like you no longer want to be social with friends or family this is a sign you may be burning out.
You no longer find interest in things that you used to enjoy. Anhedonia is a loss of experiencing pleasure in activities you used to find enjoyable. It is an early sign of depression and may mean you need a break from caregiving.
You have had a recent significant change in appetite. A large increase or decrease in appetite can be a telltale sign that you are experiencing extreme levels of stress.
You have had a recent significant change in your sleep patterns. Stress can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. If you’re oversleeping or under sleeping it can be your body telling you that you need a break from the stress of caregiving.

If you are experiencing any one of these signs of caregiver burnout you may need a break from caregiving. Respite Care is one option for those who are experiencing caregiver burnout. Respite Care is when someone temporarily has their loved one cared for by a nursing home in order to give some short term relief to care givers. Sprain Brook Manor offers Respite Care in Westchester for those in the tristate area who need a break from caregiving. Our facility offers the best in skilled nursing care and short term care for the aging community in the tristate area and beyond. 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.

Things that are Cheaper in Retirement

As individuals age one of the topics that many individuals worry about is their finances. In particular many aging adults are concerned about whether they will have enough money to retire. One aspect to consider when thinking about how much money one will need to retire is that several expenses actually decrease when one retires. While the money you will save from cutting out several expenses in retirement may vary from person to person almost everyone can expect to save on at least some expenses once they begin retirement. Below is a list from the AARP of things that become cheaper in retirement.

Lower Taxes: Taxpayers that are 65 or older can receive a higher standard deduction if they don’t itemize. In addition, once you are retirement age you may see more of your paycheck as you no longer have to pay into social security and Medicare.
Lower Commuting Costs: According to one study the average fulltime workers spends an estimated $240 per month traveling to and from work. Once you reached retirement you will save on commuting as well as other work related costs like dry cleaning or office gifts.
Lower Insurance Costs: Once you reached retirement you may decide to get rid of disability insurance and you can be eligible for lower car insurance premium if you’re driving fewer miles.
Save on home repairs and chores: When you are no longer working a day job you will have more time to do your home tasks such as gardening and maintenance like painting, instead of paying someone else to do these tasks.
Saving on Travel: Once you retire you will likely want to travel more. Since you have more time and flexibility you can travel in the off season and save big on travel.

When thinking of retirement it is also important that you research healthcare options in your area that you can rely on in case you or a loved one needs to recover from a medical event. Sprain Brook Manor offers renowned rehabilitation and skilled nursing care in the tristate area. We have several therapies such as speech, physical and pulmonary therapy to help you or your loved one get back to enjoying retirement after a medical event.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.

Signs of a UTI

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are a common and painful issue that older individuals face. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from your bowels that enter other parts of your body. Once the bacteria enters your bladder it can multiply quickly and become what is termed a lower UTI. UTIs become more serious if they travel to one or both kidneys in what is called an upper UTI. Since the kidneys can be damaged in an Upper UTI infection it is important that UTIs get treated quickly and effectively.
While women are more likely to experience UTIs, men’s risk of getting a UTI increases as they age. In fact, the population that is most likely to develop a UTI is the elderly. Elderly people are more likely to develop UTIs for several reasons. They are more susceptible to infection, are more likely to suffer from conditions such as diabetes, may use catheters, have an enlarged prostate, and may have mobility issues and or kidney stones all of which increases the risk of developing a UTI. Some common symptoms of UTIs include bloody urine, urgent and frequent need to urinate, pain or burning while urinating, low grade fever, night sweats, shaking or chills. It is important to note that elderly people with serious UTIs may not show any signs of fever because their immune system is not strong enough to fight back against the infection. In addition, UTI symptoms in the elderly include confusion, hallucinations, poor motor skills, dizziness and falling. In order to reduce the risk of developing a UTI one should drink plenty of fluids, drink cranberry juice, takecranberry tablets, and avoid caffeine and alcohol as they irritate the bladder. The most likely course of treatment for a UTI is with antibiotics which can help clear the infection quickly (source).At Sprain Brook Manor Rehab we understand the specific health risks that aging adults face. Our team of skilled nurses, doctors and therapists work hard to ensure that your loved ones will heal and be professionally cared for of while they reside with us. 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.

Home Additions for Aging Adults

As our loved ones age seemingly innocuous areas in their house, like stairs or doorways, can become dangerous obstacles. It is important that as our loved ones age or return from rehabilitation after a major health event that those risky places in their home are identified and made safe. Common household danger areas for the elderly include bathrooms, as bathtubs can be too high and showers can have an edge that is easy to trip over, doorways, as the threshold can be elevated, and stairs that may be too hard for aging adults to climb or are too steep to go down without the risk of falling. Every house is different and therefore carries its own risks that need their own specific safety solutions. Below is a list of home additions recommend from aging care.com that can keep your loved one safe and better able to function in their own home while they age. Walk in showers and tubs: Walk in showers and tubs enable seniors to avoid having to step over a high edge consequently reducing the risk of falling when they are getting in or out of the shower. In addition having non slip tiles or a built in shower bench can also make showering or bathing safer and easier for aging adults. Adding handrails and grab bars: Adding handrails and grab bars in hallways, bathrooms and even the kitchen reduces the areas where individuals may slip and fall as they have stable support to rely on when they are walking. Placing nonskid strips in slippery places: Placing non-skid strips in areas that are more likely to get wet, such as the kitchen and bathroom, is a preventative measure that increases walking safety. In addition, adding nonskid strips to stairs can prevent a life threatening fall from occurring. Stair lifts and home elevators: Adding a stair lift to two story houses or an elevator to a multi-story house can be the difference between an elderly adult making it up the stairs or being bound to only reside on the lowest floor. These home additions are not only important because they add safety, they are important because they enables the resident to be able to utilized their home to its full capacity and feel comfortable doing so. Sprain Brook Manor rehab understands the importance of staying as independent as possible while living in comfort. We offer rehabilitation and short term care for the Westchester, Yonkers and tristate area. We are one of the best rehab centers in Scarsdale because we take care of people and not just symptoms.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.

Treatments for Prostate Cancer

About 1 in every 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In 2016 it isestimated that over 180,000 people will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 26,000 men will diefrom the cancer this year. Older men are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer as 60 percentof those diagnosed are 65 or older and it is rare for prostate cancer to be diagnosed before age 40(source). It is extremely important for men to get screened early for prostate cancer as the cure rate forprostate cancer that is detected early is almost 100 percent. However, prostate cancer can be volatile asit can present with almost no symptoms and develop at an unpredictable rate. There are severaldifferent treatment options with differing side effects. Below is a description of surgery and radiationtreatments for prostate cancer. Surgery Length of treatment (average): One time 1-2 hours of surgery with 1-2 nights at the hospital. Accuracy: Prostrate is visually identified and removed. Side Effect/Risks: General risks of going through surgery and having anesthesia. Cancer Staging: The entire removed specimen can be analyzed. Possible Side Effects: Impotence and incontinence. Potential Secondary Treatment after Surgery: Radiation. Any increase risk for secondary cancer: No. Radiation Length of treatment (average): 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks and CyberKnife® is done over 1-5days/treatments. Accuracy: Cancer targeted based on imaging data, therefore dosage and location are estimated. Side Effect/Risks: Fatigue, skin inflammation, frequent/difficult/uncomfortable urination,rectal bleeding or irritation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea. In addition, you will need hormone therapy Cancer Staging: Staging based on biopsy or estimated. Possible Side Effects: Bowel dysfunction, impotence and incontinence. Potential Secondarily Treatment after Surgery: Surgery may be too difficult after radiation. Any increase risk for secondary cancer: There is a 5 percent risk of rectal or bladder cancerafter radiation treatment. Understanding your options after a diagnosis of prostate cancer is important. More than 2.5 millionpeople are living with prostate cancer. No matter what option you and your doctor choose to treat youor your loved one’s prostate cancer or any other type of cancer rehabilitation can be difficult. At SprainBrook Manor Rehab we offer long term care, short term care and skilled nursing care so that you canheal in comfort knowing that you are getting top of the line treatments and therapies in beautiful andserene Westchester.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover frommedical 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, norshould it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Vaccines That Protect The Elderly

According to the CDC about 90% of deaths from the flu occur in individuals over the age of 65. Several steps can be taken to protect the elderly from the flu such as washing hands during the flu season and getting vaccinated. However, the flu is just one illness that the elderly are more susceptible to. Below is a list of illnesses and the vaccines that are recommended to help prevent and decrease the chances of aging adults contracting potentially deadly illnesses.

The Flu: As mentioned above, the flu can be deadly when contracted among elderly. It is recommended that the elderly receive the Fluzone High Dose influenza vaccine which is designed specifically for people 65 years and older.
Shingles: Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash usually presenting on an area that wraps around the left or right side of someone’s body. Although shingles is not life threatening it is extremely painful. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 60 get the shingles vaccine in order to protect themselves against this very painful rash.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: Everyone should get the combined Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis booster shot every 10 years. Tetanus can be deadly if it enters a person’s bloodstream so it is important to make sure everyone including those over the age of 60 is up to date with their Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis booster.
Chickenpox: Anyone who has not had the chickenpox should get vaccinated against it. However, those with potentially compromised or weakened immune systems should talk to their doctor before they get the chickenpox vaccine.
Pneumonia: The elderly are more at risk to contract Pneumonia than younger individuals and over 90% of deaths from pneumonia occur in individuals that are over 65 years old. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) can help protect the elderly from getting pneumonia as it provides protection against 23 different strains of the pneumonia causing bacteria.
Measle/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): Measles is a virus that can cause high fever, rashes, diarrhea and the risk for death is higher in adults than in infants or children. It is recommended that anyone that was either never vaccinated or vaccinated in the 1960s get the measles vaccine or the measles vaccine booster.

It is important that aging adults ensure that they are up to date in their vaccinations in order to prevent terrible symptoms or death. Unfortunately there are no vaccines against other illnesses and diseases that may affect the elderly. If you or a loved one has had a recent health event and needs short term or long term care, Sprain Brook Manor nursing home located in Westchester can fulfill your needs. The Sprain Brook Manor rehabilitation center has several state of the art therapies to get you or your loved ones healthy once again.

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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