Managing Incontinence

5 Tips to Help Your Parents Manage Incontinence

As individuals age, incontinence can become a difficult challenge to surmount. Helping your elderly loved one through this difficulty may be overwhelming, as it can be embarrassing for both of you. However, there are ways to manage incontinence and prevent it from running your elderly loved one's life. Below are five different ways to help.

1. Visit a doctor. If there is an underlying problem causing incontinence it is important that your elderly loved one is treated. Furthermore, a doctor may be able to treat incontinence in and of itself and provide other useful tips to you and your loved one. Before making an appointment, it is important that you and your elderly loved one have an honest conversation about the issue to ensure that the doctor receives all of the information necessary to treat the problem.
2. Install a raised toilet. If your elderly loved one is able to get to the bathroom but cannot get to the toilet in time, the issue may be that they are having a difficult time sitting down. As individuals age it becomes increasingly harder to sit and stand, which can cause an issue if they must use the restroom. A raised toilet can often solve this problem.
3. Ensure that the bathroom is accessible. Your elderly loved one may have a difficult time getting to the bathroom because it is in a remote part of the house or there are obstacles, such as furniture, in the way. Remove any items that may be blocking the path to the restroom to allow your elderly loved one to access the room as easily and quickly as possible.
4. Invest in the supplies necessary to prevent accidents. Incontinence products, including disposable undergarments that absorb liquids, can help prevent noticeable accidents and make dealing with incontinence on a daily basis much less stressful.
5. Make dietary changes. Incontinence may be exacerbated by certain foods and drinks, such as carbonated or caffeinated beverages, alcohol, acidic ingredients, and more.

Managing incontinence may be overwhelming  at first, but by following these five tips you can help your elderly loved one overcome the challenge.

Tips for Keeping Your Mind Sharp

5 Ways to Keep Elderly Minds Sharp

Maintaining a certain level of mental stimulation is important to the elderly, as it allows them to exercise their minds and pursue their interest in particular activities. Although physical limitations may seem to restrict the nature of these activities, there are many ways in which you can help your elderly loved one maintain a sharp mind.

1. Socialization is one of the best ways to keep your elderly loved one exercising their mind. Participating in a variety of organizations allows elderly individuals the opportunity to interact with other people, think about new ideas, and use their problem solving skills to both address the needs of the social setting and exercise their brains.
2. Do jigsaw puzzles that have bright colors. This activity is two-fold. First, the bright colors stimulate the brain. Second, the act of putting together a jigsaw puzzle requires individuals to think about the activity. This is a wonderful exercise and jigsaw puzzles come in a variety of sizes, so most elderly individuals will be able to do them.
3. Create a schedule. Some elderly individuals may find it difficult to leave the house, and others may find that they have no reason to. Make a list of interesting activities that your elderly loved one would like to pursue and schedule time each week to do so. From attending a religious service to attending a book club, any kind of scheduled activity will give your elderly loved one something to look forward to while also stimulating their mind.
4. Play board games. Puzzles and games provide excellent exercise for the mind. Try dominoes, checkers, chess, Scrabble, or any other games that require strategy.
5. Play word games. From crossword puzzles to word searches, these games stimulate the minds of elderly individuals. These are also games that can be performed alone, so your elderly loved one can exercise their mind when they are at home or unable to leave the house.

Keeping your elderly loved one's mind sharp is important. These five suggestions will enable your elderly loved one to exercise their mind while also enjoying games, social events, and other activities.

Adaptive Devices for the Elderlly

Adaptive Devices: What Are They and How Can They Benefit Your Elderly Loved One?

As people age, it can become more and more difficult to perform daily functions. For example, taking a shower, walking, and driving, which were once second nature, may become hard to perform. Many companies have designed equipment, known as adaptive devices, to help make these activities easier to do. When combined with quality home care, these devices may make living independently possible for your elderly loved one.

The adaptive devices that are produced vary in function, effectiveness, and cost. The diversity of the products that are manufactured allows individuals to choose equipment that fits the needs of their elderly loved ones. For example, there are several different kinds of steering wheel knobs that can help your elderly loved one continue driving. Likewise, there are several kinds of handrails that can be installed to ensure that your elderly loved one can use the restroom or walk down the hall safely.

The benefits that these adaptive devices provide to your elderly loved one are many—even if they are not able to drive or travel any longer. Here are a few of the ways that these devices may help elderly individuals.

• Adaptive devices often provide a higher level of safety. This allows elderly individuals to live at home longer. When combined with home care services, adaptive devices may allow your elderly loved one to enjoy living alone with less fear of injury.
• This equipment can provide a higher level of independence. With the help of these devices, your elderly loved one may be able to continue to take care of themselves and live an independent lifestyle.
• Adaptive devices can enrich the quality of life for your elderly loved one. Handrails and other safety equipment will keep them protected, but many adaptive devices also allow elderly individuals to use computers, eat, or walk independently. This higher quality of life is important, as it allows your elderly loved one to continue to stay active and autonomous.

Adaptive devices come in many varieties. The diversity of the equipment available allows elderly individuals to use the devices that are tailored to their own needs. Through these products, your elderly loved one may be able to live a happier, more independent lifestyle.

What is Hospice?

Knowing that your elderly loved one is facing a life-threatening illness can be a scary feeling, but there are several home care options that can alleviate your loved one's discomfort. Hospice, a well-known care philosophy, offers soothing treatment that will allow your loved one to live out the rest of their days comfortably. Always Best Care in Chapel Hill knows that the decision to call in Hospice is a difficult one, but with home care professionals serving Chapel Hill, Orange County, Carrboro, Hope Valley, and Southpoint, the dedicated individuals at Always Best Care can help make this transition easier.

What Is Hospice?

The word "Hospice" is, most often, associated with death. But Hospice is so much more than a program that cares for terminal patients. The very idea behind the Hospice method of treatment is that individuals who are fighting life-threatening diseases are able to experience a higher degree of comfort at the end of their lives. The main goal of Hospice is to ensure that your elderly loved one is kept as comfortable as possible, allowing them to receive personalized services that are tailored to their needs.

Why Depend Upon the Services of Hospice?

The idea of maintaining one's dignity at the end of one's life is important in today's culture. Although medical breakthroughs have done much to treat and cure illnesses, death is a natural and expected part of the life cycle. Hospice professionals understand this and treat the event with the respect that it deserves. By keeping your elderly loved one comfortable and neither postponing nor accelerating death, Hospice care providers can create a calm environment for your elderly loved one to enjoy before passing.

What Can Hospice Do for Your Family?

When a beloved family member dies, it is an event that affects every person who cares about that individual. Hospice understands this, and as such its dedicated care professionals work to ensure that all members of the family are comfortable and understand the process that is taking place. There are different Hospice programs across the country, and you and your elderly loved one can choose the program that best meets the needs of your family.

Hospice care providers will see to it that your elderly loved one is as comfortable as possible, providing the medical attention they need to maintain their quality of life. The exact services will vary, depending upon the needs of your elderly loved one, but they will be compassionate and sensitive to the loss that your family is facing.

Always Best Care in Chapel Hill (www.alwaysbestcarechapelhill-durham.com) understands the difficulties that you may face in making the decision to call in Hospice care, and its professionals can help your family create a peaceful environment for your elderly loved one.

Preventing Elderly Isolation During the Holidays

Fending Off Isolation During the Holidays: Keeping Your Elderly Loved One Engaged

For many people, the holidays are a time of celebration, of giving thanks, and of making memories with friends and family. For many elderly individuals, though, the holidays can become a time of isolation. This may occur for several reasons, but the home care professionals at Always Best Care in Chapel Hill are dedicated to helping your elderly loved one enjoy the holiday season. Serving Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hope Valley, and Southpoint, these senior care professionals can help your elderly loved one look forward to the holidays, rather than dread them.

Why Can the Holiday Season Cause Isolation?

For many elderly individuals, the holiday season recalls memories of people and places that are no longer a part of their lives. Nostalgia can be a beautiful thing, but it can also cause individuals to grieve for lost loved ones.

The weather also plays a large part in the isolation that often accompanies the holiday season. Snow, ice, and other harsh elements can make it difficult for elderly loved ones to travel. Both driving and simply venturing out into winter weather can be dangerous, so many elderly individuals opt to stay home.

How Can You Help Your Elderly Loved One Enjoy the Holidays?

The key to helping your elderly loved one have a wonderful holiday season is to show them that you care. By inviting them to holiday parties, extending an invitation to stay with your family, and providing safe transportation, you can show your elderly loved one that they are important to you and the rest of the family.

Although spending time with family is important, your elderly loved one may have other activities that he or she would like to attend. If they are involved in a religious group, in a community organization, or have several friends in the area, ask if there are any parties or activities that they would like be involved in. By helping your elderly loved ones attend these activities, either by providing transportation, encouragement, or even accompanying them, you will help them avoid isolation and enjoy their holiday season.

The home care professionals at Always Best Care in Chapel Hill are also available to help your elderly loved one enjoy the winter season. Companionship is a wonderful way to fend off isolation during the holidays, and home care professionals can provide just that. For more information about senior care options, and how they can benefit your elderly loved one this holiday season, visit www.alwaysbestcarechapelhill-durham.com.