Did you know that drinking caffeine can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? For many years it has been thought that consuming caffeine has a negative impact on one’s health, but in recent years it’s now becoming clear that drinking coffee in moderate amounts is indeed linked to lower risk of Alzheimer’s. As with anything else in the medical research community, we’re never quite sure what to believe as they bounce back and forth with their findings.

Let’s look at some of the most recent studies concerning drinking caffeine so you can feel better informed!

What research is showing when it comes to aging well and drinking caffeine:

• Caffeine can lower inflammation. We are learning constantly about inflammation and the role it plays in our aging process. Research is showing that consuming coffee or other beverages with caffeine prohibits certain genes connected to the development of inflammation. What a great excuse to enjoy that morning coffee!
• Inhibits Alzheimer’s Disease. Moderate intake of caffeine helps shield your cognitive health. An average of three cups of coffee per day can significantly lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In fact, research is now showing that these risks can be lowered by more than 65% when compared to non-coffee drinkers!
• Heart Health. In this area, there is a lot of disagreement and not a lot of clarity. Although we are often told that drinking coffee is not good for your heart, the truth is we just don’t know. The research is not conclusive enough to make a hardcore statement about heart health and caffeine.

Be mindful of the source from which you get your caffeine.

This just means that some sources are better than others. Coffee or tea is the most common way to consume caffeine. They are perfectly safe, although we would recommend steering clear of energy drinks or soda. The sugar in those drinks would far outweigh the benefits of caffeine. You can even get caffeine from chocolate, although you should only eat dark chocolate, which has a lower sugar content.

Here are the facts about soda and sugar:

A 12 ounce can of a soft drink contains nearly 40 grams of sugar! The equivalent of that translates to 10 teaspoons! According to the American Heart Association, we should not be consuming more than 9 teaspoons of sugar daily. As you can see, once can of soda would put you over that limit for the day. Consuming too much sugar seriously elevates your risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and obesity.

Energy drinks are another major source of caffeine and they are promoted to us as a healthy way to perk up and boost our performance throughout the day. However, what you might not know is that one energy drink is the same as drinking about five cups of coffee! Although it is mainly young people who consume these drinks, that much caffeine can be problematic and cause heart palpitations, sweating and feeling jittery. The bottom line here is that caffeine in moderation can be a good thing! Just be careful where you get your caffeine and don’t consume things that have a high sugar content, or the caffeine benefits won’t be worth it.

For more information on caffeine consumption among seniors, please contact us today!

Home Helpers of San Rafael is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care, Parkinson’s care as well as homemaker services in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Sausalito, Belvedere, Ross, and Greenbrae, California.

Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare workers.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.

Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you are a young mom or a senior family member, the kitchen is where we gather to chat while fixing dinner, enjoy a morning cup of joe in solitude, read the paper, or even go through paperwork. Seniors will tell you that the kitchen is often where they spend the most time, and unfortunately, kitchens are also the number one place in the home for accidents. How safe is your kitchen? Read on to find out what to look for to make sure your senior loved one’s kitchen is a safe place to be.

Checklist for Kitchen Safety

1. Make sure all smoke detectors are functioning properly. This should be done on a regular basis. Either use a calendar or set a reminder on your phone to help you know when it’s time to change batteries in the smoke detectors. This should be done every 6 months.
2. Clean the exhaust fan above the stove at least once a year. This is a prime spot for dirt and grease to build up, increasing the risk of fire.
3. Don’t hang towels near the stove. Even though most of us hang cute dish towels on the handle of the oven, it is really not a safe idea, especially in a home where seniors live. Pot holders and towels can easily create a fire hazard when placed so close to hot burners and ovens.
4. If your senior loved one is still living alone, consider installing an automatic shut-off on the stove. This will ensure their safety if they become forgetful about turning the stove and oven off after they cook. The device would turn the stove off if no motion has been detected after a certain amount of time.
5. ALWAYS make sure there is a small easy-to-use fire extinguisher conveniently located in the kitchen. You should go over how to use it on a regular basis with your senior adult, just to make sure they feel confident should the need arise.
6. If your senior loved one enjoys cooking, ask them to only wear short sleeves while doing so, to ensure that their clothing does not catch fire.

Other Safety Tips for Seniors

Another area of safety is in food storage. The greatest risk for contracting food poisoning is from improper food storage and wrong temperatures. Foodborne illness often comes when the temperature in the refrigerator is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Meats, dairy, and many other food items must be properly chilled to remain safe.

It’s also helpful to have good lighting around countertops and other food prep surfaces. This helps prevent accidents that come from not being able to properly see what you’re doing.

Keep knives and other sharp utensils out of reach from children! Little hands are always at risk in the kitchen, so make sure that children cannot get to storage areas with knives, can openers, or any other kitchen tools that could injure a senior or a child.

Preventing Kitchen Falls

More seniors fall in the bathroom and in the kitchen than any other room in the house. Help prevent falls in the kitchen by following these tips:

• Place commonly used ingredients in cabinets that are easy to get to, so step stools are not needed.
• Make sure all throw rugs have backing on them to prevent skidding. When it comes to rugs, safety should always be more important than décor.
• Place nightlights that come on with motion along hallways or other areas in the house where a senior loved one might be walking during the night.

For more information on keeping the kitchen safe for your senior loved one or other safety tips for seniors, please contact us today!

Home Helpers of San Rafael is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care, Parkinson’s care as well as homemaker services in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Sausalito, Belvedere, Ross, and Greenbrae, California.

Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare workers.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.

Every teenager looks forward to that rite of passage of becoming a legal adult. Turning 17 brings more freedom, yet also brings more responsibility. There is a newfound pride in reaching the age of maturity. The truth is that these feelings don’t subside as we approach our senior years—senior adults still want to be treated with respect and know that their independence will remain steady.

If you are caring for seniors, you already know how important it is to protect their sense of pride and respect. You want to encourage them to stay active and stay independent. But how? Read on.

It’s About Mental Health AND Physical Health
Your concern for the senior’s health shouldn’t be just physical. Many studies reveal that seniors often struggle with mental and psychiatric challenges as well. Many of these issues require extra care and a good support system. Even if you don’t feel qualified to deal with these delicate issues, you can learn to recognize the signs and offer support. Once you know the symptoms, you can then pass it off to the appropriate professional.

Careful Preparation for At-Home Care
Most homes aren’t equipped to handle the care that will come with a senior who is homebound. Of course, their needs will determine the type of preparation that should take place, but the main thing is to assess these needs ahead of time, so you are adequately prepared. These types of preparation could include:

• Mobility Equipment.

This would include walkers, wheelchairs, stair lift, etc. If these items are used, furniture should be moved to accommodate them. Bathrooms may need to be fitted with handicap grab bars, raised toilet seats, etc. The main thing with this step is to make sure that the senior can navigate easily throughout their home safely.

• Medical Alert Device.

Every senior who spends any time alone should ALWAYS have a medical alert button they can push in the case of an emergency! The technology is impressive and even includes fall detection. If they live alone, the monitoring company can see if they have gone too long without being active and send someone to do a welfare check. Of course, an ambulance would be dispatched in any event of emergency.

• Clear Clutter

This step is so important!! Nothing in the home is more dangerous to seniors than clutter and loose items on the floor. Make sure all walkways are clear of rugs, loose floorboards, etc. Walk through and imagine where the senior will walk and prepare accordingly. The safer your senior feels, the more independent he will feel.

Sign Up for Grocery Delivery Services
The mundane task of quickly driving to the market to pick up items we need is anything but mundane for most seniors. They may have limited mobility, making it difficult to leave the house. With technology today, you can use a smartphone or other device to order groceries online and have them delivered right to your door. If your older adult is still able to drive, many stores will allow them to place orders for groceries online and simply pull up to a special parking space while an employee loads the bags into the car. Pretty cool!

With some good preparation, the senior in your life can stay as independent as possible while remaining in the comfort of their home. For more tips on keeping seniors safe and secure at home, contact us today!

Home Helpers of San Rafael is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Sausalito, Belvedere, Ross, and Greenbrae, California.

If you have a senior loved one who has dementia, then you already know what a job it is to provide proper care for them. When they also have Alzheimer’s Disease, you are looking at even more complex care. Many families can’t put their own lives on hold to be there for the at-home care that is needed. Whether it’s due to children, jobs, or other factors, you may need to get in touch with a senior care organization who specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s. They can help you determine the type of care your loved one will need on a daily basis. However, you will want to have a clear understanding of the condition you are dealing with in your senior family member before you make your plan for long-term care.

In many cases of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, the early signs are noticed by family members first. These two conditions are not the same, but often are present at the same time. Dementia is found in older adults most of the time, and can be brought on by several medical factors. Here are a few conditions that could cause symptoms of dementia to show up:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Trauma to the brain
• Alcoholism
• Cardiac problems
• Diabetes

If you have noticed signs and symptoms in your elderly loved one that concerns you, you’ll want to understand some of the warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Let’s look at a few of those signs:

1. Social Withdrawal
Your loved one probably knows that they are having memory or cognitive problems and do not want others to know. They may become reclusive, staying at home all the time or refusing to go out with friends. Social interaction is the most vulnerable setting for someone with these issues. Nobody wants to feel like they are losing their memory or risk looking foolish when they can’t recall if they’ve repeated things or not.

2. Changes in Grooming
You may notice they are wearing mismatched clothing when they’ve always been stylish, or they may wear clothes that are dirty. They may also refuse to bathe or want to wear the same clothes over and over.

3. Making Mistakes with Medications
They may seem to understand the doctor’s instructions, but can’t retain that information. This could cause them to take too much or too little medicine, or not finish a round of antibiotics.

4. Can’t Find Their Belongings
It’s common for people with dementia to misplace personal items and then accuse others of stealing them. Dementia brings on confusion and paranoia sometimes, so don’t let this upset you.

5. Mood Changes
Outbursts of anger or frustration are not uncommon with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Your loved one may become paranoid and suspicious of people when they were never like that before. It can escalate as they gain an understanding of their condition.

6.Denial
Your loved one may deny there are memory problems to other people or their doctor, insisting that everything is fine. They may even forget why they came to the doctor in the first place and leave out pertinent information about other issues the doctor needs to know about.

What Should You Do?

If you have noticed any of these early warning signs on a regular basis, you’ll want to educate yourself and read as much as possible about these conditions. Stay engaged so that you can empower yourself to help.

Talk to the people your loved one spends the most time with, such as friends and other family members. Ask if they have also noticed these symptoms.

Spend more time yourself with your aging loved one. If you are concerned about the signs you’ve observed, the best way to know for sure is to spend a lot of time with them so you can pay attention. Finally, talk to the person’s doctor so they can help you with a care plan. Your senior also needs to feel empowered, even if they get frustrated when it’s brought up. Remember, you will need to reach deep and provide a lot of patience and love as the disease progresses. Allow others to help you when possible, and keep in mind that the senior loved one will likely feel frustration with the situation. It can be very difficult for them to accept that they will need care or that their independence will change. Gentle communication is the key.

For more information on spotting early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, please contact us today!

Home Helpers of San Rafael is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Sausalito, Belvedere, Ross, and Greenbrae, California.

Home care is the preferred option for most seniors today. After all, who doesn’t want to remain in their homes as they age? While some do just fine maintaining a good quality of life in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, most older adults want to remain in their homes, where they feel most safe and secure.

There are many benefits that come with seniors remaining in the comfort of their home. If you are trying to determine if it’s the right choice for you, consider the following reasons home care is often the best care:

• Remaining independent. We all want to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible! If some care is needed, it is totally possible to receive that care while in the home. Even if the needs are great, home health agencies can easily offer skilled nursing services.
• Staying connected to loved ones. This is a biggie! Most facilities will have restricted visiting hours, but home care allows you to have the support and care of friends and family at your leisure.
• The comforts of home. Remaining at home allows anyone to feel most cared for. When we are surrounded by familiar things, photographs, people, it is no surprise that we do better. Research has shown that seniors stay healthier and have a better quality of life when they can remain in their homes. When hospitals release patients to the familiar surroundings of home, they tend to heal faster and have far better results as they recover.
• Alternative for long-term skilled care. Depending on the illness or medical condition of your senior loved one, home health care is almost always a good option in place of facilities.
• Support for treatment. Being at home allows family and friends to help out with the necessary treatment. This could include administration of medications, helping out with occupational or physical therapy, or even dietary needs.
• Keeping morale high. People always feel more comfortable in their own homes, and this allows for greater long-term success. Being at home allows seniors to live happier lives with greater connections to important relationships. In turn, this keeps their spirits high and depression low.
• Cost. Skilled nursing care can be quite expensive when done in a hospital or nursing home. Even assisted living facilities can get very costly. Bringing in skilled care services to the home environment is far more affordable and offers the flexibility of working around existing daily routines.

Home care for seniors gets a big thumbs-up from us! This is especially true for those suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia. For more information on the benefits or home care or how to plan effectively for it, contact us today!

For today’s seniors, it’s more important than ever that they feel safe in their own homes. It seems like crime and home invasion is always in the news and that can be troubling for a person of any age, especially the elderly. Many seniors are on fixed incomes and think they can’t possibly afford a home security system, but even with tough economic times, it is easier than one might think to have a security system installed. However, when it comes to seniors, especially those who have dementia, not just any alarm system will do! Here are some things to look for when choosing a home security system for the senior in your life.

Remote System Activation
Seniors are often not as agile or quick on their feet, so they do not need a system that requires them to get up in order to turn it on or off. While most systems are activated through a keypad on the wall, today’s technology also gives several options for remote controlled alarm systems. This would allow seniors to activate or deactivate the system anywhere in the house. The remote could stay with them at the bedside, making it easy to turn it on and off.

Alarm Sound Options
Most systems will put out a very high-pitched alarm to alert homeowners of any danger. Many seniors, however, have hearing difficulties and this poses new challenges if they remove hearing aids or other devices during sleep. They may not hear the tone of the alarm, but other options such as visual aids can help. The alarm system can be triggered to flash a bright strobing light that can arouse the person and alert them to a problem.

Extra-Large Keypad Buttons
If seniors have poor eyesight, keypads can come with extra-large buttons that are backlit. Ask the alarm company about easy to read buttons that also have clear images on the screen. You’ll want to get an alarm system that is easy to read and easy to operate, with as few complications as possible.

Personal Emergency Button
All seniors have a much higher risk of injury due to slips and falls. It is the number one reason elderly people are in the emergency room every year! If they spend any length of time on their own, they may not have an easy way to call for help. With an emergency alert button, the person can simply press the red button and it will automatically connect them to a call center who can summon help. The monitoring company would have all the information emergency personnel may need to enter the home and render aid. This part of a home security system alone is worth its weight in gold and can absolutely be life-saving! The medical alert button can be worn as a pendant or bracelet for easy access. In this way, not only is their home safe and secure, but they have instant access to help in a medical emergency as well. These systems can even detect falls and send help if the button is triggered.

Home security systems for seniors is a must. They are affordable and far easier than ever to operate. For more information on choosing a home security system for seniors, call us today!

The term “mental health” is one that gets overused and often misunderstood. At its core, it simply means exactly what it sounds like—the level of health having to do with all things mental. This includes, psychological issues, emotional issues, and neurological issues. Among the many conditions that can happen when mental health is out of balance would be things like depression, anxiety, despair or feelings of hopelessness, aggressive behavior and thoughts of suicide.

Did you know that bringing in music therapy for seniors who struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease can make a huge difference? Well, it can and does! So, how do you utilize music into your senior loved one’s life? Read on and let’s learn!

Here are just a few of the many benefits that come from incorporating music therapy into the life of seniors who deal with mental health disorders:

• Muscle relaxation
• Huge increase in self-esteem
• Reduced tension and anxiety
• Improvement in verbal communication skills
• Improved relationships, whether it be in marriage or even a caretaker
• Motivation to be more engaged in life
• Much increased physical rehab
• Emotional release

The bottom line here is that music therapy serves to provide HUGE benefits for seniors struggling with mental health issues. Music is so effective as a form of therapy—and not just a fun activity in the daily routine of seniors! If you are a caretaker for seniors, do yourself a favor and learn all you can about incorporating music therapy into their lives!

Listening to music and/or having sing-alongs with seniors can trigger thoughts and memories that can help them heal. Often, seniors who struggle with dementia or other cognitive disorders have a very difficult time trying to find the words they want to use, or they may know the words but can’t remember how to use it in context. Music has a way of helping seniors in this category by triggering memories or recalling how certain words are used in context. They may hear a certain song and want to dance, even! Naturally, physical movement is important for overall health, so let them dance the night away!

Overall, music can play a vital role in helping seniors cope with loss and other stressors. Memory loss can be the most frustrating parts of facing dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, but music allows seniors to recognize a song and remember just where they were when they first heard it. Or, they may hear a song and instantly be drawn back to a certain event, such as their wedding or the birth of a child, etc.

If you aren’t sure how to start incorporating music therapy into your older adult’s life, please contact us today!