Home Instead Senior Care sponsors Jim Miller's Savvy Senior column

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you write a column on fall prevention tips for elderly seniors? My 81-year-old father, who lives alone, has fallen several times over the past year. What can you tell us?

Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned,

Falls are a big concern for millions of elderly Americans and their families. In the United States, roughly one-third of the 65-and-older population will suffer a fall this year, often with dire with consequences. But many falls can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to help keep your dad up on his feet and reduce his risk of falling.

Check his meds: Does your dad take any medicine or combination of medicines that make him dizzy, sleepy or lightheaded? If so, gather up all the drugs he takes – prescriptions and over-the-counter – and take them to his doctor or pharmacist for a drug review.

Schedule an eye exam: Poor vision can be another contributor to falls. If your dad wears glasses, check to see if he’s wearing the correct prescription and beware of bifocals. Multifocal glasses can impair vision needed for detecting obstacles and judging depth.

Check his balance: Balance disorders – which can be brought on by a variety of conditions like inner ear problems, allergies, a head injury or problems with blood circulation – are also a common cause of falls. If you dad is having some balance issues, make an appointment with his doctor to get it checked and treated.

Start exercising: Improving balance through exercise is one of the best ways to prevent falls. Strength training, stretching, yoga, tai chi are all great for building better balance. Some simple exercises that he can do anytime are walking heel-to-toe across the room, standing on one foot for 30 seconds or longer, or getting up from a chair and sitting back down 10 to 20 times. For more balance exercise tips, call the National Institute on Aging at 800-222-2225 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            800-222-2225      end_of_the_skype_highlighting and order their free exercise DVD and free exercise book or you can see it online at go4life.niapublications.org.

Modify his home: Because about half of all falls happen around the home, some simple modifications can go a long way in making your dad’s living area safer. Start by picking up items on the floor that could cause him to trip like newspapers, books, shoes, cloths, electrical or phone cords. If he has throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them. In the bathroom put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet. Also, make sure the lighting throughout the house is good, purchase some inexpensive plug-in nightlights for the bathrooms and hallways, and if he has stairs, consider putting hand rails on both sides. And in the kitchen, organize his cabinets so the things he uses most often are within easy reach without using a step stool. For more tips, call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            800-677-1116      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  and order a free copy of their “Preventing Falls at Home” brochure.

Other pitfalls: Believe it or not, the improper use of canes and walkers sends around 47,000 seniors to the emergency room each year. If your dad uses a cane or walker, be sure it’s adequately adjusted to his height and that he’s using it properly. A physical therapist can help with this, or see the Mayo Clinic slide show on how to choose and use a cane (mayoclinic.com/health/canes/HA00064) and a walker (mayoclinic.com/health/walker/HA00060). Another possible hazard is pets. If your dad has a dog or cat, he needs to be aware that – because they can get under foot – pets cause a lot of falls. Shoes are another issue to be aware of. Rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes are the best slip/trip proof shoes for seniors.

Savvy Tip: Consider getting your dad a home monitoring system which is a small pendent-style “SOS button” that he wears that would allow him to call for help if he fell. Available through companies like lifelinesys.com and lifealert.com these systems cost around $1 per day.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

About Jim Miller

Jim Miller, creator of the syndicated Savvy Senior column

Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a syndicated information column for older Americans and their families that is published in more than 400 newspapers and magazines nationwide. Jim is also a contributor on NBC’s “Today” show, and is the author of The Savvy Senior, The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and Finances for Senior Citizens, (Hyperion, 2004).

Jim is frequently quoted in articles about issues affecting senior citizens and has been featured in numerous high profile publications, including Time magazine, USA Today and The New York Times.  In addition, he has made multiple appearances on CNBC, CNN, Retirement Living Television and national public television.

The Savvy Senior column is brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and Tappahannock

Home Instead Senior Care provides extraordinary senior home care, personal care and companionship services to seniors in the Richmond area which includes the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and Powhatan.  We also serve all of the Northern Neck out of our Tappahannock office.  For more information, please visit our digital brochure or call our office at    804.527.1100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            804.527.1100      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  anytime.

Here at Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we are always on the lookout for events in the Richmond community that relate to senior health and wellness. Here is a great event sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association:

On Tuesday, July 20th, there will be a free special screening of the HBO documentary “The Alzheimer’s Project” at the historic Byrd Theater. This documentary provides a personal look at the country’s second most feared disease through the voices of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, family members, and the scientists who are working every day to look for a cure.

At this special screening, you will also get the chance to hear from Mary Ann Johnson — program director for the Alzheimer’s Association, and author/ former caregiver Robert B. Schaefer.  Caregivers, friends and family of Alzheimer’s patients, and supporters of Alzheimer’s disease research are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public and free, so bring your friends, questions, and personal experiences.

Where:  The Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

When: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 5:30-7:30 PM

REMEMBER! Wear something purple to the event to show your support, and be entered to win a door prize!

Also, here are some links for more information on:

• “The Alzheimer’s Project” – an interactive site where you can watch the films, learn about the disease, and get help from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institutes of Health.
• The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Richmond Chapter
• The Byrd Theatre

And as always, for more information on how our Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide Alzheimer’s care and companionship to help you or a loved one remain living independently, call us in our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 today.

Whether making breakfast, tea or other meals, don't forget the spice!

A recent article in AARP Magazine suggests that new scientific research has shown that certain spices can improve brain function, prevent Alzheimer ’s disease, improve depression and migraine headaches, improve reaction times, and fight brain cancer.

In addition to these health benefits, they can jazz up your cooking repertoire as well.

Tumeric

In India where people eat lots of curry, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease is ¼ that of the US population. When tested with mice, the active ingredient in Tumeric, curcumin, broke up brain plaques of amyloid beta, the protein buildup that is found in Alzheimer’s patients.  Curry anyone?

Saffron

Think about adding saffron, a spice whose medicinal qualities have been known for over 4000 years, to rice and other grains. Studies have shown that regular use can be as effective as Prozac in combating minor depression.

Ginger

Patients that were treated with a combination of Ginger and the herb feverfew were able to prevent the onset of migraine headaches, taking the pain away altogether or minimizing its effects.  Grated ginger can be steeped with tea or used in cooking stir-fries.

Garlic

Garlic has been used for its heart-healthy benefits for a long time, but recent studies have also found that garlic may help eliminate brain cancer cells.   Chopped, crushed, or powdered garlic can be added to pasta sauce or sautéed vegetables.  

Cinnamon

Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar levels and can keep you focused at your task, whether it be a sports activity, crossword puzzle, or gardening.  Add it to your morning oatmeal or sprinkle it on toast for breakfast.

If you need help shopping, cooking, or planning your meals, you can count on the resources at  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond. Call us today at 804-527-1100 or visit our digital brochure.

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. And blacks and Hispanics may be at a greater risk for it, according to a new report from the Alzheimer’s Association.

The organization found that black Americans are about two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites, and Hispanics face about 1.5 times the risk.

Why?  The report delves into the impact of health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, conditions that are highly prevalent in the African-American and Hispanic communities.  Such factors increase risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Even worse?  Lower income and education is more common in the black and Hispanic communities, meaning those who have dementia may not even know it or receive a later diagnosis because of the disparities.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the single largest, looming, unaddressed public health threat facing the nation, but we now know the threat is even more substantial in the African-American and Hispanic communities,” said Harry Johns, the association’s president and CEO.  “These groups are more likely to have Alzheimer’s, less likely to know it, and, as a result, less likely to receive available treatments and supportive services that can help them cope with the disease.”

For more about Home Instead’s Alzheimer’s and dementia care, visit our website to learn more.  Or simply call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100. 

P.S.  We serve the Northern Neck area as well, with a Tappahannock home care office.  Also, there are plenty of activity suggestions for seniors at http://getmommoving.com.

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition affecting as many as 15 million Americans. It causes severe vision loss because it attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs. It gets in the way of reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. 

Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it only leaves peripheral vision, and dim images or black holes at the center of vision. The fastest growing form is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the top cause of severe vision loss and legal blindness in adults over 60 in the U.S.  For more information, visit www.amd.org.

Home Instead CAREGivers can transport clients to an optometrist appointment, or help them find large-print books and publications. They can also assist with sewing, reading the newspaper, clipping coupons, sorting mail, meal planning and preparing grocery lists.

For more information about how Home Instead can help an elderly loved one remain living independently, please call our office and request your free, no-obligation senior care assessment.  Our phone number is 804.527.1100 and you can call anytime.  We serve the Greater Richmond and Northern Neck areas.

Home Instead CAREGivers can be there to help elderly loved ones when family can't

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), simply falling at your own home is the leading fatal injury for people 65 and older. Nearly 50 percent of all fall-related fatalities are caused by traumatic brain injury. 

In 2008, nearly 8.6 million Americans of all ages suffered accidental falls. 

Gail L. Rosseau, M.D., AANS spokesperson and a Chicago neurosurgeon, states “Many head injuries occur at one’s residence – whether it is a home or a nursing home facility – and involve falling and bumping one’s head, resulting in mild concussions to severe and even fatal traumatic brain injuries.” 

Among people ages 55 and older, most head injuries were related to flooring, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers. But falls can happen in so many ways — stumbling on stairs, slipping in bathtubs, falling off ladders and step stools, and tripping over garden hoses, dog leashes, and household appliance cord. It’s really easy to accidentally fall — at any age. 

And, you must be extra careful with any head injury. What seems like no big deal can turn out to be something much more. Consider actress Natasha Richardson, who fell during a skiing lesson in March 2009. Her fall was not “big” or unusual, and her head hit snow. Although she did not appear to be injured at the time, she died soon after from a fatal brain injury. 

Some easy changes around the home can help Seniors prevent falls and head injuries: 

• Secure loose electrical cords
• Remove articles on the floor that someone could trip on (rugs, footstools, grandchildren’s toys)
• Buy bath mats and rugs with slip-resistant backing
• Install grab bars and handrails for the frail and elderly
• Improve lighting in the home (this is so very important as vision worsens as we age)
• Check all stair railings and steps
• Wear proper shoes with slip-resistant soles
• Do not wear clothing that can interfere with your vision

Another way to help Seniors avoid falling is through fall prevention programs, which typically include a review of the person’s medications, reduces risk factors in their home and provides safety modifications, education, and an exercise program. Studies show fall prevention programs reduce falls by 30-50%. 

Tai Chi, a martial art using slow movements, also helps Seniors lower the risk of falling. Tai Chi teaches people to relax, slow down, coordinate their mind and body, and improve posture. The strength and balance that Tai Chi and other exercises make seniors feel stronger and more confident as they move.  You can read more about how Tai Chi can help at this article:  Tai Chi May Combat Seniors’ Fear of Falling 

Home Instead Senior Care provides in-home care to Seniors in the Richmond and Northern Neck areas.    While we can’t always be there to prevent a fall, we can help Seniors live more independently by being there when they need a hand, by helping them with meal preparation or light housekeeping so they don’t have to, by driving them to a doctor’s appointment or shopping so that they don’t have to go alone.  

And we can be there when it’s just not possible for family members to be there and that can easily reduce stress on the family caregiver(s).  If you are caring for an elderly loved one — or if you perhaps are a Senior yourself — and you could use an extra pair of caring hands, simply call our Richmond senior care office at 804.527.1100.  We’ll be there when you can’t because…  to us, it’s personal.

Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.*  Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, others start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

A Home Instead CAREGiver can help Seniors transition home from the hospital if they’ve had a heart attack. Oftentimes the Senior’s doctor limits what activities they can do around the house – a CAREGiver can help with laundry and other light housekeeping. The Senior may also be weak, so it’s good to have someone around to help them get around the house.

And if the Senior hasn’t had a heart attack, Home Instead CAREGivers can help prevent one by assisting with a walk around the block, transporting them to an exercise class or trying a new activity. A CAREGiver can also remind them to take their cholesterol, blood pressure or other vital medication, or plan and prepare nutritious, heart-healthy meals.

Home Instead Senior Care is located right here in Richmond, Virginia, with a second office in Tappahannock.   To arrange a free, no-obligation in-home care appointment, simply call our office at 804.527.1100 anytime.  Help for those suffering from heart disease — or those wanting to prevent it — is just around the corner.

*Source: American Heart Association