Women Aged 75+: What Health Screenings Are Necessary?

Health screenings are an important component of a well-rounded healthcare routine. It is crucial that elderly individuals are tested for certain conditions so that their doctors can detect any medical concerns as soon as possible, meaning that the odds of successfully addressing these concerns are improved. The elder care professionals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, encourage women who are over the age of 75 to ensure that they are getting the right tests done when they go to the doctor's office. Here are their recommendations:1

• Blood pressure tests allow healthcare professionals to ensure that blood is pumping through the body as it should be. It is important that individuals have these tests done at least every two years; however, blood pressure is nearly always taken at the beginning of a doctor's appointment, so it is easy to keep up with this particular screening.
  
• Cholesterol levels can indicate the potential for heart disease if they are abnormal. Blood tests should be done every five years to determine if LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels are in the right range. If they aren't, a physician will probably recommend lifestyle changes to help bring these measurements to a healthy level.
  
• Osteoporosis is a health condition that can lead to broken bones—which are extremely painful. Additionally, this medical concern can make even the most routine of activities dangerous if it becomes serious enough. By having an x-ray done every two to five years, women can have their doctors check on their bone density to determine if they have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Should this condition start to emerge, doctors can assist women with making dietary and exercise changes to strengthen the bones. Additionally, they can recommend medications to help keep their patients as healthy as possible.
  

The aging process naturally creates changes in the body; however, it is important that your elderly loved one is aging in a healthy way. By having these and other key screenings performed regularly, your senior can keep an eye on their health while enjoying their golden years. Additionally, they can detect any issues that may arise as quickly as possible.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.5.html

Dementia Care Chapel Hill: Redirecting an Individual with Memory Loss

By Todd Palmer
Dementia Care Chapel Hill - Memory loss is something that naturally occurs as people age. Whether your senior has the mild memory loss that stems from the aging process or is afflicted with dementia, the inability to remember certain events or details can be extremely frustrating. As such, it is important that you, as your senior's caregiver, are able to recognize when your elderly loved one is involved in a confrontation due to their memory loss. The home care professionals of Always Best Care in Durham, North Carolina, have provided the following tips to assist you in reducing the stress of the situation and helping to alleviate the anger involved in this particular circumstance.

1. Make an effort to remove your senior from the situation. If they are engaged in a confrontation with you, concede the argument and walk away; if they are fighting with another person, discretely let the individual know that memory loss is causing the confrontation and encourage them to stand  down. If necessary, you may need to physically remove your senior from the room in order to redirect their attention to another topic.

1. Try not to make it seem as though it is your senior's fault. While they may be causing the confrontation because they do not remember a certain detail, it is important not to place blame on your elderly loved one. Instead, remain as positive as possible when extricating them from the situation.

1. Gently reminding your loved one about the events that have taken place may help in redirecting them, depending on the type of memory loss they are experiencing and the severity of their condition. In some cases, going over certain details or looking at family pictures can help to end confrontation and remind your senior about the information over which they are fighting.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Memory loss is, quite honestly, a very scary thing to experience. As such, your senior may feel frustrated, insecure, or uncomfortable when they cannot remember certain details. The key to keeping them from continuing to carry on a confrontation is to stop the argument and either explain the situation to your senior or, if they have severe memory loss, move on to a new topic of conversation.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

Dementia Care Chapel Hill: Recognizing the Signs of Dementia

By Todd Palmer

Dementia Care Chapel Hill - Dementia is a progressive condition that impacts a large number of elderly individuals. While there is no cure for the many forms of dementia that exist, there are ways in which medical professionals can treat and manage its symptoms to assist in slowing the progression of the disease.[1] The key, though, to best caring for a senior who has dementia is to catch it early, as treatment is more effective in situations where the issue is addressed during the earliest stages. At Always Best Care of Chapel Hill we are constantly monitoring patients and alerting families at the first sign of loss.

Chelsea of Durham, North Carolina, provided home care for her mother before it was time to transfer her to a nursing home. Chelsea was able to detect dementia in her mother early, and has since advocated for the improved awareness of the symptoms of this disease. Here, Chelsea shares these symptoms to assist you in catching this condition as early as possible should your elderly loved one experience it. The most common signs of dementia include:

• Memory loss 
• Trouble communicating 
• Difficulty planning 
• Impaired organization 
• Inability to retain new information 
• Changes in personality, behavior, and judgment 
• Motor function and coordination impairment 
• Trouble reasoning 
• Paranoia 
• Hallucinations 
• Agitation

A lot of these symptoms are difficult to pinpoint because, in many cases, they are also the natural signs of aging. As such, it is important to pay close attention to your senior's condition in order to determine whether or not they need medical attention. The best rule of thumb to follow is to schedule an appointment for your elderly loved one with their doctor should any of these issues arise. After an initial investigation of these conditions, make it a point to take your senior into the doctor should they suffer from symptoms that interfere with daily life (i.e. disruptive memory loss).

Chelsea and her family experienced the process of identifying and treating dementia first hand, and as such she can say that it is a difficult process for both seniors and their family members; however, managing this disease is easier if it is caught early, and Chelsea encourages you to understand these warning signs so that, should dementia develop, your family can have as much time with your senior as possible.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=symptoms