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Keeping Seniors Healthy One Immunization at a Time

Senior Care in Saratoga CA

Elderly adults are more susceptible to illnesses than younger generations. Simply sitting in a waiting room with someone who is sick could cause the elder to get the flu or pneumonia. Although these conditions do not sound serious, they can be life-threatening for elders with compromised immune systems.

In order to help older adults fight off viruses and illness-causing germs, immunizations are necessary. Getting immunizations will prevent your elderly loved one from having to be hospitalized due to a virus. No matter how old they are, there is still time to get the vaccines needed to allow these elders to live long, healthy lives. Consider having a senior care provider transport the elder to the doctor’s office for the following immunizations in order to give them the support and encouragement needed during these doctor visits and at home.

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus. Also known as TDAP, this vaccine covers Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis in adults. Another name for Pertussis is whooping cough, which consists of a chronic cough that causes a wheezing sound. It may not be a threat to adults, but can be fatal to infants and children. If the elder spends time around small grandchildren, this is an important vaccine to get for the health of themselves and their family.
  • Pneumococcal. This vaccine protects against pneumonia, which has caused numerous deaths among elderly adults. Seniors can still get the immunization, even if they received one in their childhood.
  • Influenza. Each year, there is a new strain of influenza being spread. This vaccine is altered annually to prevent the latest form of flu that is being passed from one person to the next. The flu has caused deaths among many seniors, making this immunization an important one to get every year.
  • Chicken pox and shingles. Older adults who have never had the chicken pox can develop serious complication if they develop it later in life. Getting the immunization now could save the elder’s life. This vaccine covers both chicken pox and shingles since shingles is commonly found in people who are over the age of 50.
  • Other vaccines. Some health conditions may require additional vaccines in order to prevent certain viruses from making their health even worse. Some of these immunizations include ones for Meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Encourage your loved one to talk to their doctor about immunizations they should get.

Since seniors have weaker, more fragile immune systems, these vaccines will help them ward off any illnesses their bodies may be too weak to fight off.

Source:
http://www.insideeldercare.com/health/immunizations-for-senior-citizens/

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring senior care in Saratoga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 259-5930.

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Are You Experiencing Any of These Emotional Symptoms of Stress?

Caregivers in Mountain View CA

Whether you believe it or not, you could easily be experiencing a pretty bad case of caregiver stress right now. Do any of these signs of stress look familiar at all? If so, it’s time to find a solution that works for you.

Mood Swings

Mood swings or moodiness may not be something that you notice all that much, but others might mention it to you. You might even only feel the mood swing internally, without expressing it to others. When the swings become really drastic, you need to take a deeper look.

Anxiety or Depression

Depression and anxiety are actually much more closely related than they seem at first. Some people don’t think that they’re experiencing anxiety at all, but report feeling their nerves jumping all day. That can be another version of anxiety.

Hair Trigger Frustration or Irritability

When someone puts a dish away in the wrong cabinet, do you let it go and appreciate that someone else tried to do the job, or does it send you into a five minute tirade about which dishes go where? If you’re experiencing frustration or irritability that seem to hit often and without warning, stress is often the culprit.

Inability to Focus

Are you experiencing trouble focusing on just about everything? Often when you’re stressed, your brain is so occupied with everything that it’s trying to solve that it literally cannot handle one more thought. This can be a huge problem, of course, especially when you find yourself making simple mistakes.

Feeling that Everything Is out of Control

When you’re stressed out, you don’t feel in control of anything at all. No matter what situation you’re in, everything seems to be working against you. Even worse, the more you try to control everything, the more out of control it all feels.

Feeling Isolated

As a family caregiver, it’s really easy to become isolated. This is also a big sign that you’re stressed, because you’re not doing what you need to do for yourself in order to help manage your stress. Dealing with your isolation can help you to kick the stress, too.

Talk to your doctor to rule out physical causes and make sure that you find a way to deal with your stress appropriately.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring caregivers in Mountain View, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 259-5930.

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Crime Prevention Tips for Seniors Inside the Home

Elder Care in Cupertino CA

Crime is on the rise in many parts of our country and, sadly, some criminals target elderly people, and in the very place they should feel safest—their home!

Despite this, there are precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of being a crime victim in their home. As the person providing elder care, you may want to consider these suggestions and tips.

  • The doors, windows and locks should be of good quality. You may also want to remind your loved one to check the locks before going to bed, or leaving the house, to make sure they are indeed locked. Long gone are the days when doors and windows can be left unlocked. If remembering to lock them might be a challenge, consider posting notes by the doors to lock them when leaving and returning home. Some thieves are so emboldened that they will enter an unsecure home even when the occupant is at home. So even if taking a nap midday, it might be a good idea for them to lock up.
  • Peep holes and door chains are a good idea. A peep hole lets your loved one see who is at the door without having to open it, while a door chain allows them to open to door only a small degree to see who is there.
  • Another great precaution, if it can be afforded, is a security system. There are many different ones on the market today. Some are do-it-yourselfers, where they are connected to the doors and/or windows and sound an audible alarm if someone tries to enter. More sophisticated systems are tied in with a security company or the local police/fire departments. These systems are generally monitored 24/7.
  • Motion sensitive lighting can be installed outside. If someone walks past it, the light comes on, hopefully distracting a would-be thief.
  • Closed circuit cameras can be installed at entry points and then linked to a TV screen or computer monitor so you or your loved one can see what’s going on at any time. This also keeps your loved one from having to open the door to see who is there.
  • Other simple things they can do include: Don’t leave a spare key outside where a thief could find it. Instead, consider leaving one with a family member, neighbor, or friend; if someone claims to be from the utility or delivery company, your loved one should ask to see their ID before opening the door. If still not sure, they can call the company the person claims to be from to verify their identity, but look the number up rather than using one they may give you; don’t keep large amounts of cash in the house; mark all valuables with your name and special code, never your Social Security number; keep your Social Security card locked away in a lockbox to protect your identity; always keep a phone near you and charged up.

Source: www.bbbonline.org

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care in Cupertino, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 259-5930.

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Do You Need a New Car to Care for Your Parent?

Home Care in Sunnyvale CA

As a family caregiver, particularly if you are a caregiver in the sandwich generation balancing the needs of your aging parent and those of your children, you are likely to spend a considerable amount of time in your vehicle. This is what gets you to and from your parent’s home, your children’s school, work, and all of the other places that you have to go in order to fulfill their needs on a daily basis. Because of the importance of this vehicle you want to know that it has the features that you need it to in order for it to be accessible, reliable, and functional for everyone involved. This means that as your needs change, your vehicle might need to change as well.

Some things to keep in mind when considering the type of vehicle that would be most appropriate for keeping up with your caregiver needs include:

• Accessibility. It is difficult for you to fulfill your caregiver needs in a vehicle that your parent cannot easily get into and out of. Look for a vehicle that offers doors that open wide enough for your parent to comfortably move through them, as well as seats that are at a level easy for your parent to maneuver onto. You can consider utilizing a ramp or leverage bar to help make this process easier.

• Cargo. If your parent uses a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or a scooter, you will need to have enough space in the vehicle to comfortably accommodate this device without it putting anyone in the vehicle in danger. Consider all of the items that you might need to carry at any given point, such as your children’s sports equipment or groceries along with the mobility device to determine if there is enough storage space in the vehicle.

• Reliability. Some vehicles are simply more reliable than others. With all of the important tasks and people relying on you and your vehicle, you want to know that you can in turn rely on your vehicle to be there for you. You do not want your parent to miss a doctor’s appointment or your child to be stranded at an after school activity because your vehicle will not start or has broken down. While all vehicles are vulnerable to problems, it is important to look for a vehicle that is easier to care for and has a reputation of being durable.

One of the most valuable services offered by home care is safe and reliable transportation. This transportation means that your aging loved one can rely on an in-home senior care services provider to be there when they need them to help them get to the places that they need and want to go. Running errands such as going to the grocery store and getting involved in more social events throughout the community helps your parent to maintain a greater sense of independence and autonomy, as well as offering them valuable social interaction that will boost their mental and emotional health as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in Sunnyvale, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 259-5930.

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Items to Pack in Your Parent’s Travel Bag for Road Trips

Senior Care in Santa Clara CA

August is American Adventures Month. This is the perfect time for you to make the most of the last few weeks of summer and go on an epic adventure with your elderly loved one. While there are other transportation options available, for it to be a true American Adventure, you will want to embark on a road trip. This allows you to enjoy getting to your destination as much as actually being there, and gives you the opportunity to see and experience things that you would not be able to if you just jumped on a plane.

While enjoying a road trip with your aging parent is a fantastic way to make memories that you can carry with you well into the future, it can also pose some challenges. This is where planning ahead and being properly prepared comes into play. Driving means that you can take your time and stop when you need to for breaks, stretching your legs, and even spending the night at a hotel to break up the trip. While you are in the car, however, you want ensure that your aging parent is as comfortable and healthy as possible. Having a well-stocked travel bag can make all the difference. This is the bag that you have in the vehicle with your parent so that they can access supplies throughout the drive.

Items to consider packing in your parent’s travel bag for road trips include:

  • Non-perishable, nutritious snacks to control hunger pangs in between meal stops
  • Water to keep them hydrated and cool
  • A jacket or light blanket to manage air conditioner temperatures that may be too intense for an elderly adult who has a naturally lower body temperature and will feel cold more quickly than younger people
  • A travel pillow to keep them comfortable when they want to snooze during the trip
  • Simple forms of entertainment such as cards, books, or puzzles
  • A disposable camera to encourage them to engage with the trip
  • Pad and pencil so that they can jot down thing that they want to remember about the trip, or to write notes to people at home

If you are concerned about your parent’s ability to enjoy your vacation while managing their needs and challenges, now may be the ideal time for you to consider making senior care part of your experience. A senior home care services provider can come along with your family on your American Adventure to give your elderly loved one the care, support, and assistance that they need to stay healthy, strong, and safe throughout the experience. This means that you will be able to focus more on your children, your partner, and yourself throughout the vacation and have fun while also feeling confident that your parent has everything that they need. This care provider can help your parent maintain their daily schedule as much as possible in the context of the trip, can offer physical support and assistance throughout activities to help them engage safely and comfortably, and can be there to provide alternative options such as bringing your parent back to the hotel if they get tired while the rest of the family continues with the planned activities of the day.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring in-home senior care in Santa Clara, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 259-5930.

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