Arthritis and Seniors, VA Jenkintown

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Many seniors deal with arthritis struggles in their day to day lives. You could have noticed that your aging loved one is also struggling with their arthritis. Visiting Angels Jenkintown shares some advice for seniors dealing with arthritis.

If you would like to help your aging loved one, you need to have an understanding of what arthritis is. Visiting Angels Jenkintown explains how there are two types of arthritis. There is Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. What is the difference between the two? Well, Osteoarthritis is when there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Because of the breakdown, there is bone-to-bone contact in movement. Rheumatoid arthritis is when the joints become swollen because the immune system attacks the lining of joints.

Now that you know the basics of the two types of arthritis, you should be aware that those with arthritis have a higher chance of experiencing a dangerous fall. To help your loved one with their arthritis, make sure that their home is tidy. The cleaner the space, the less obstacles there are that can lead to a serious fall.

To read the whole article, you may visit Safety Tips for Seniors Living with Arthritis.

Visiting Angels Jenkintown Shares Tips on How Seniors Can Deal with the Summer Heat

Have you heard about the “dog days of summer”? Historically, the hottest days of summer are between mid-July and mid-August. Visiting Angels Jenkintown brings up some ways that seniors can deal with those dangerously hot days.

As you get older, your body handles heat differently. It takes longer for your body to cool down from the heat. Because seniors cannot regulate their body temperature like they used to, they are more likely to suffer heat strokes. Furthermore, as you age, your thirst sensations become dull. In other words, seniors can be thirsty but they do not know that they need to drink water because their body is not telling them. Visiting Angels Jenkintown discusses the dangers that seniors face to emphasize the importance of being cautious during the summer.

To help seniors deal with the dog days of summer, Visiting Angels Jenkintown recommends taking breaks more frequently. Whether you are walking, tending to your garden, or doing another type of outdoors activity, it is important to take more breaks when the weather is hot.

For more great tips, you may visit How Seniors Can Keep Active During the Dog Days of Summer.

Natural Caregivers and Visiting Angels Lewisburg

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Many families have a natural caregiver. Visiting Angels Lewisburg breaks down what a natural caregiver is and how professional caregivers help.

A natural caregiver is when someone looks after an aging loved one. The person is not a professional and only wants to look out for the other person because of love. Unlike a professional caregiver, the natural caregiver does not get paid. It is normal for many caregivers to feel overwhelmed when caring for their own needs on top of the needs of their loved one.

Thus, to help natural caregivers, Visiting Angels Lewisburg offers respite care. If a natural caregiver needs to take a day or two off, they can contact Visiting Angels Lewisburg and enlist the help of a temporary caregiver. Respite care is essentially when a professional caregiver looks after the client while the natural caregiver is away. The natural caregiver does not have to have a particular reason to rely on respite care. Whether the natural caregiver is going on vacation, taking care of their own needs, or going on a business trip, they can rely on respite care.

For more information, you may visit When the Elderly Need Help, who is their “Natural Caregiver?”

Seniors Enjoying the Summer, VA Lewisburg

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Summer activities are not only for children, there are some fun activities for seniors as well. Visiting Angels Lewisburg discusses some engaging activities in their most recent blog.

Does your loved one have a garden? If they have already started a garden, you can help them tend to it. You can take care of all the tedious work that could cause too much strain for your loved one. However, if your aging loved one does not have a garden, why not start one? The garden can act as a nice hobby for both you and your elderly loved one to enjoy together. Visiting Angels Lewisburg recommends investing in raised garden beds and easy to grip gardening tools.

Walks are another great summer activity that Visiting Angels Lewisburg brings up. Before going for a walk with your loved one, you should make sure that they are prepared. They should have some sunscreen on and protective clothing from the sun. Furthermore, keep in mind what time you are taking your loved one for a walk. You do not want to expose them directly to the sun and the heat of a summer’s day.

To read about more fun activities, you may visit Top Ways Your Senior Loved One Can Enjoy Summer.

Your Aging Parents, VA Horsham

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It can be strange seeing your parents age. Your whole life your parents were able to do all kinds of things, but because of their age, things start to change. Visiting Angels Horsham brings up some common mistakes that adults tend to make with their aging parents.

There are usually two kinds of reactions to people realizing that their parents are getting older. Some people deny the fact that their parents are getting old. Because of the denial, they will continue to treat their parents the same and uphold the same expectations. On the other hand, others will accept the fact that their parents are getting older. As a result, they will also be more accepting of the changes that come with the extra years.

There are many changes that seniors undergo. Many seniors’ senses become dull, some suffer memory problems, and others experience other effects of aging. When interacting with your aging loved ones, keep in mind that their mind and body are going to be moving slower because of age. Remember to be patient and understanding with your aging parents.

For more information, you may visit Mistakes to Avoid with Your Aging Parents.

A Glossary of Terms, VA Hurst

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Finding a caregiver for your aging loved one can be a lot of work. As you search for a caregiver, Visiting Angels Hurst recommends taking a look at their glossary of terms that caregivers tend to use.

Hospice Care – When clients are nearing the end of their life, they can rely on hospice care. The main goal of hospice care is to provide comfort, quality of life, and psychological well being for clients.

Family Caregiver – if someone steps up to take care of the needs of an aging loved one, they are the family caregiver. In other words, a family member who watches over a loved one is a family caregiver.

Nursing Home – If someone cannot care for their own needs, they can be placed in a facility that provides personal and medical care.

Client – The person receiving the in-home care.

24/7 Home Care – When 2 or 3 caregivers rotate shifts to provide around the clock in-home care for a client.

For more terms, visit Home Care Terminology: A Glossary for Caregivers.

Aging-Related Loss in Seniors, VA Mentor

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As people grow older, their bodies change. Many seniors realize that they cannot hear, see, or move the same way that they used to. Visiting Angels Mentor bring up some ways that you can help your loved one deal with their age-related losses.

When helping your loved one deal with their loss, you should keep the five stages of grief in mind. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Why should you keep these stages in mind? Well, if you plan to help your loved one, you need to have some sort of understanding of how they are working through their loss. You cannot expect your loved one to recover in a day or week. They need time.

Some common losses that many seniors experience have to deal with the loss of friends, family members, and a loss of independence. Visiting Angels Mentor explains how you can be there for your aging loved one in many ways. You can make sure that they are keeping up with both their emotional and physical health while not getting in the way of their recovery.

To read the whole article, visit Helping Your Senior Loved One Manage Age-Related Loss.

Reasons to Manage Your Stress, VA Mentor

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If you experience too much stress for an overextended period of time, it can impact you negatively. Visiting Angels Mentor discusses how you can deal with stress.

First it is important to understand what happens to your body when you experience stress. Have your heard of the “fight or flight” response? When someone is in danger their body senses heighten, their muscles tighten, and their heart rate increases. Your body experiences the changes that you would experience during a live or die moment. Visiting Angels Mentor explains why it is bad for your health if you experience those effects for too long or too often.

For one, your heart rate. If your heart rate is consistently higher than normal, you can develop blood sugar problems. Furthermore, you can develop an irregular heartbeat from the frequent stress. You should also be aware that your stomach acid levels can be impacted. If you are stressed for too long, it can lead to your body absorbing less and less needed nutrients. Other than your heart and stomach, prolonged stress can lead to a variety of other problems.

For more information on stress management, you may visit The Role Stress Plays in Preventing Chronic Disease.

In-Home Care Helps Seniors in Physical Therapy Programs, VA Knoxville

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Physical therapy programs are a lot of work for seniors. Many older people struggle to keep up with their physical therapy for a variety of reasons. Visiting Angels Knoxville breaks down how an in-home caretaker can lend seniors a helping hand.

Do you have an elderly loved one who struggle to keep track of their physical therapy appointments? If so, that is quite common. A Visiting Angels Knoxville caregiver would be happy to provide your loved one with the needed reminders. Not only will the caretaker provide your loved one with reminders, the caretaker will also arrange for travel and accompany your aging loved one to their appointment.

A caretaker is also trained to make sure that your loved one is taking care of themselves as they undergo physical therapy. Visiting Angels Knoxville discusses how finding a balance between physical therapy and rest is important. You do not want your loved one to over work themselves. So, to make sure your elderly loved one is getting plenty of rest, your caregiver will keep a watchful eye on them and recommend breaks when needed.

To read the whole article, visit 5 Ways In-Home Care Can Help Seniors Stick to Physical Therapy Programs.