Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Here’s a list of senior services survival tools recommended by Home Instead Senior Care:

Work Out: Exercise and enjoy something you like to do - walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc. for a minimum of 20 minutes at least three times per week. Consider learning a stress-management exercise such as yoga or tai-chi, which teaches inner balance and relaxation.

Meditate: Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as “quiet” as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or you are feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a caregiver.  Many times you will feel like you don’t even have a minute to yourself, but it’s important to walk away and to take that minute.

Ask for Help: To avoid burnout and stress, you can enlist the help of other family members, friends, and/or consider hiring a professional non-medical caregiver for assistance. There is no need to feel guilty for reaching out.

Take a Break: Make arrangements for any necessary fill-in help (family, friends, volunteers or professional caregivers).  Take single days, a weekend, or even a week’s vacation; just make sure you line up your support system so you can be confident that your loved one is safe and happy. And when you’re away, stay away. Talk about different things, read that book you haven’t been able to get to, see a movie. Only a real break will renew and refresh you.

Eat Well: Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins - including nuts and beans - and whole grains. Indulging in caffeine, fast food and sugar as quick “pick-me-ups” also produce quick “let-downs.”

Take Care of Yourself: Just like you make sure your loved one gets to the doctor regularly, make sure you get your annual check-up.  Being a caregiver provides many excuses for skipping your necessary check-ups, but you cannot and should not compromise your health.

Indulge: Treat yourself to a foot massage, manicure, nice dinner out or a concert to take yourself away from the situation and to reward yourself for the wonderful care you are providing to your aging relative. You shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to feel good.

Find Support: Find a local caregiver support group, which will help you understand that what you are feeling and experiencing is normal for someone in your position. This is a place to get practical advice from people who are in your situation and to bounce off those feelings of stress, since everyone is likely to be in the same situation and can empathize.

Ahhh, a foot massage!  Doesn’t that sound appealing? When needing a break to shop, run errands, movies, lunch with a friend, call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132. - we can give you a break in the daily routine of care.

Leave your comment below if you have discovered a way to destress while in the throes of caregiving.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Patricia Volland, MSW MBA, senior vice president of The New York Academy of Medicine and director of the Academy’s Social Work Leadership Institute, says “This generation of seniors is living longer, and their children often are still raising families. They’re not prepared for their older parents’ needs, and the dynamic between adult children and aging parents is not a simple one.”

If you are an adult child of an aging relative living in San Antonio, Houston, or North Austin areas and you need help with elder care concerns, please contact Home Instead Senior Care in San Antonio, Houston or N. Austin by calling 210-614-1132.

In a study, released late last year, entitled “Squeezed Between Children and Older Parents: A Survey of Sandwich Generation Women”, the poll, which surveyed women ages 35 to 54, showed that more than 60 percent of women concerned about an aging relative’s health said they have difficulty managing stress, compared with 48 percent of women for whom an aging relative’s health was not a concern.

Women concerned about an aging relative’s health were about three times more likely (34 percent) to say they worry “a great deal” about having enough time for family than those who were not responsible for the care of an aging loved one (12 percent).

Working through the maze of helping a loved one can be more than a full-time job. Our CAREGivers are trained to provide companionship care for the aging and respite for family caregivers. We begin all elder care and companionship services with clients by administering a comprehensive assessment.

Social workers and other senior care experts often recommend resources like Home Instead Senior Care to help the elderly remain independent and their family caregivers manage stress. Home Instead CAREGivers provide older adults companionship and assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, shopping and errands - thus providing a valuable respite for weary family caregivers, as well.

“Our services can be just what harried family members need to help fill in caregiving gaps they may be experiencing, as well as to alleviate the stress and worry that caregiving can bring to their lives,” said Hogan.  “Most family caregivers agree that there are many rewards associated with this job, and that additional support can make all the difference.”  For support in San Antonio, Houston, and North Austin, please contact Home Instead Senior Care in San Antonio or call 210-614-1132.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

For Senior Citizens living in San Antonio - Ask any physician which complaints they receive from patients most frequently and you will see a recurring theme among the things that have patients worried.  Here is a list of common “worries” and some instances when an elder should seek medical attention.

• Unexplained weight loss:  When coupled with an inability to sleep or a lack of motivation, this may indicate depression.  Weight loss due to diabetes will be accompanied by increased thirst and more frequent urination, while concurrent upper-abdominal pain may indicate the presence of a stomach ulcer.
• A persistent cough:  If you have recently recovered from a respiratory ailment such as the flu, yet your cough has persisted and worsened, you may have inflammation in your lungs known as pneumonia. 
• An aggressive rash:  The sudden onset of an itchy rash followed by swelling of the lips and face and/or the appearance of hives may be the sign that you are having a life-threatening allergic reaction to a medication, food, or insect sting also known as anaphylactic shock.  You need immediate medical attention.  Go to the nearest emergency room!

Visit our blog in a day to learn more tips on when it’s urgent to see a physician in San Antonio.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Rising costs for gas and food are affecting senior nutrition programs across the country. Nearly 60 percent of the estimated 5,000 programs that belong to the Meals on Wheels Association of America have lost volunteers who can’t afford gas, said Enid A. Borden, president and CEO.

Nearly half the programs have eliminated routes or consolidated meal services, AARP Bulletin Today reports. Some 38 percent have switched to delivering frozen rather than hot meals, while about 30 percent are cutting personal visits from five days a week to one.

While most needs are still being met, advocates from California to New York worry that seniors will go hungry. They blame a nearly 20 percent increase in fuel and food prices over the past year, flat or reduced government funding, and an ailing economy that yields fewer donations.

“We’re in a crisis and it’s just getting worse and worse,” said Borden, who is urging Congress to increase money for senior nutrition programs by at least 10 percent. As these meal deliveries and related personal visits decrease in frequency, Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio may find opportunities to provide companionship and meal services for these seniors.

To find out if your community needs help with senior nutrition programs, contact your local Meals on Wheels organization. Assisting with meal delivery programs is an easy way your staff can give back to your community.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

To help adult children of older adults know what to say, following are various scenarios of common senior topics. Each is backed by Home Instead Senior Care research conducted in the U.S. Responses were developed in cooperation with Jake Harwood, Ph.D., communication professor and author from the University of Arizona.

How do you begin a conversation with your mom, age 70 who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, about the possible ramifications of this disease on her life?

Many seniors in this situation might begin the conversation with family themselves. If not, then it would be good to think about her personal circumstances and important areas to address. For example, if your mother lives in a remote area, transportation is probably the most immediate issue. Approach the conversation with the goal of trying to resolve this one issue, rather than multiple issues.

Timing is the key. There are rarely urgent deadlines that have to be met immediately—give yourself and your parent time to think about issues. Your mom would likely be receptive to a conversation that begins: “Let’s figure out a plan for how you can get around town if you no longer feel safe driving.”

Did your Dad Hit a Light Pole?

A neighbor of your 83-year-old dad has called to tell you he saw your father back his car into a light pole. What do you say?

If the damage is visible, you could ask, “Hey Dad, what happened to the car?” Or you could bring up the phone call from his neighbor. “Fred from next door called and said he saw you run your car into the light pole.”

Take the opportunity to drive with your parent. Even a short drive would help you gauge your dad’s skills and deficits. For instance, an older adult who consciously reduces driving at night because of vision issues or who drives a little slower to account for reaction time is probably safe. On the other hand, an 83-year-old who insists on driving icy highways at night while doing 75 mph is probably in need of immediate intervention. Then gear your comments accordingly. If you’re concerned that your dad is unsafe on the roads, make his safety and that of others your focus. “Dad, I’m worried that you’re no longer safe on the roads and that others could be at risk as well.”

If you recently had a conversation on a sensitive topic with an aging loved one, please tell us your story. Please add tips that worked for you by placing it in the comment section of this blog post.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Talking about money affairs with your aging parents can be difficult even if its addressing Home Care in San Antonio.  Your parents have always been very independent and private about handling their finances.  But lately you’ve seen that they’ve been cutting back on food and other necessary products. You’re concerned that their staples are in short supply. How do you bring this up with them?  If you need help with this concern or seeking companion care in San Antonio or home care, contact Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Its a tough subject and probably a situation where you need to “bite the bullet” and talk about it, no matter how uncomfortable. Some good conversation starters might be, “There’s not much food around the place, what are you eating?” Pay close attention to the tone you use. Try to make it sound as humorous as possible.

You are seeking a positive response. If this is too informal, try a more straightforward approach: “Dad, I’m a bit concerned about whether you and mom are eating enough.” Malnourishment can be a significant problem with older adults, and can be a sign of other issues that might need attention over and above finances, such as poor-fitting dentures or even depression. If the other evidence points to a financial issue, ask about that directly or simply make an offer: “I know you’re pretty private about money, but you know that if you ever ran into problems I’d do what I could to help, right?”

And don’t forget about different communication channels. Sometimes, it’s easier to at least start the discussion of emotional or private issues in a less personal communication medium, even if it’s only to say that you want to talk to them about the issue. For some people, raising this kind of issue can be easier on the phone, or even in an e-mail. Once you’ve said what you want to talk to them about in an e-mail, it’ll be a lot easier to raise the topic in person. You may even find them doing it for you. For example, “What’s with this e-mail you sent us, eh?”

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio and Texas Home Care at 210-614-1132.

An 85 year old man is suffering from dementia. During the day, it regularly sends him into states of confusion. But at night, this senior’s situation worsens considerably.  He’s terrified in the dark, often not knowing where he is or whom he’s with. Across the city, another older adult also fears nights. She wonders who might know she’s alone, and if they’ll break into her house and rob her - or worse.  If you need help with someone you love who is living with memory loss, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Whether the causes are physical, psychological or related to a disease such as Alzheimer’s or other dementia, the Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio has found that night time can be very frightening for seniors - especially those who live alone. Many problems that occur at night with seniors are rooted in physical changes that result from aging, many of which are often connected to sleep disorders.

“The seniors we serve often face challenges at night that disturb their sleep and peace of mind,” said Paul Hogan, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care. “Our CAREGivers are regularly called upon to provide overnight care for seniors and assist them with the anxiety that often sets in at night.”

Seniors’ sleep problems can be rooted in many sources. “There are physiological changes occurring with age, such as decreased amounts of time spent in certain stages of sleep,” Bloom said. “And many also have diseases that make sleep difficult. For instance, people who suffer from congestive heart failure can’t rest in a flat position. For others, the pain of arthritis keeps them awake. Medications for certain diseases can affect sleep. And bladder or prostate problems prompt many people to get up for bathroom breaks. These types of interruptions can fragment sleep.”

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Since your mother died a year ago, your 77-year-old father has started dating a widowed family friend. You’d like to know more about what’s going on, but how do you begin the conversation? If you want to introduce the topic, a gentle inquiry like the following would be fine: “So it seems that you’ve been seeing quite a bit of ‘Fran’ recently.” After this, you should probably see whether your dad wants to share additional information. If he doesn’t, that’s his prerogative. One exception would be if you have some information that there is abuse or exploitation in the scenario. For instance, if you sense that your dad’s love interest may be taking advantage of him financially, some additional probing might be justified, depending on the specifics.

If your dad has money and this friend doesn’t, and suddenly the friend shows up driving a new luxury car, you might ask your dad, “Do you know who bought her that car?” If the friend moves in with your dad and a lot of new things appear around the house, which don’t fit your dad’s style, you might ask, “This doesn’t look like your kind of thing, Dad. Did you buy this?” Otherwise, be happy that your dad has a girlfriend and don’t force him to disclose more than he’s comfortable telling you.

Resources

For more information about the 40-70 Rule campaign, visit the Web site 4070talk.com. To learn more about Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio, visit Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio or call 210-614-1132. 

Contact Jake Harwood at jharwood@u.arizona.edu. To order his book, Understanding Communication and Aging, visit www.amazon.com.

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio recommends that aging seniors be properly evaluated on driving skills. One family member told us last week that her mom’s visit with the doctor was most enlightening. “During the physical, the doctor discovered very limited response in mom’s reflexes. He’s recommending that she stops driving! Oh my gosh, where do we go from here?”

If your parent’s physician doesn’t give the above recommendation, Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio suggest using the following hints and tips that can you help evaluate your senior’s driving - Do they have difficulties in the following:

• Coordination
• Stay alert
• Multi-task
• Judge distance
• Judge space
• Keep the speed limit
• Get angry and frustrated
• Recognize familiar places

What we suggested the family member, in our story today, do for her mom and discontinuing driving in San Antonio:

Give support
Provide validation

 … because her mom, having early stage Alzheimer’s disease, just experienced another loss. Her mom did resent losing the driving privilege and attempted to plea bargain.

Here are the tips we suggested to the family member use with her mom:

• Hide the car keys - out of sight, out of mind technique
• Sell her mom’s car - replace it with a different one in another color
• Have a kill switch installed to disable the car but get one that can easily be detached - in an emergency situation
• In this case, the physician wrote a restricted driving order on a prescription pad and presented it as an official document - the adult daughter was not seen as the bad guy.. taking driving privileges away
• Have family members or friends offer transportation during the transition
• Encourage your family to focus on activities you still enjoy together

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

According to The Alzheimer’s Organization, see more at Alz.org, experts have documented the common symptom progression or patterns that occur with Alzheimer’s disease and developed several methods of “staging” based on these patterns.

These are useful frames of reference for understanding how Alzheimer’s disease may unfold and for making future plans. It is important to note that not everyone will experience the same symptoms or progress at the same rate. People with Alzheimer’s die an average of four to six years after diagnosis, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to 20 years.

This is not intended as a diagnostic tool, nor is it a comprehensive list. It is simply a quick reference for identifying common behaviors associated with the disease. Please consult a physician for any/all medical conditions.

Stage 1:
No impairment (normal function) Unimpaired individuals experience no memory problems and none are evident to a health care professional during a medical interview.

Stage 2:
Very mild cognitive decline - may be normal age related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals may feel as if they have memory lapses, especially in forgetting familiar words or names or the location of keys, eyeglasses or other everyday objects. But these problems are not evident during a medical examination or apparent to friends, family or co-workers.