As we’ve mentioned in past blog posts, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease vary in the sense that one is an effect of the other. Although Alzheimer’s is a disease that to date has no cure, there are many factors that lead to dementia that can be controlled. Some, of those factors, such as being genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, can’t be changed. However, there are ways to reduce the chances of experiencing dementia. The Mayo Clinic has multiple suggestions as to how to do so and offered up the following guidelines: Alcohol use. Consuming large amounts of alcohol appears to increase the risk of
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Monthly Archives January 2013
Research reveals that Alzheimer’s treatments should come much earlier
Earlier this month, we here at Freedom Home Care posted a blog about what to expect from a cognition assessment performed by a physician. We mentioned that failing memory can be a typical part of the aging process, but we also made note that it can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Assessing that risk early on is now more important than ever, according to the National Public Radio. In a recent article, the editors at NPR said that treatments have actually shown positive results when administered long before the signs of Alzheimer’s emerge. “Once you start to lose a
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Giving care and dignity through hospice services
Dignity, respect, and emotional and physical comfort are basic human requests. Although a stranger can fulfill some of these needs – by opening a door or giving a smile – it is most often our friends and loved ones who can help to provide them. A time may come in a loved one’s life, however, when a special level of care and comfort are needed. During these times when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments, hospice caregivers, like those at Freedom Home Care, can step in. According to the Hospice Foundation of America, hospice is not a
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Let Freedom Home Care help during your next out-patient procedure
No matter a person’s age, surgery can truly take a toll. But for older individuals, recovery can be even more difficult, which is why many out-patient procedures are a good choice for seniors. Because they do not require an overnight stay in a hospital and because they are often more affordable, many seniors are relieved when an out-patient procedure is an option. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the process is simple. Often times, there are pre-procedure plans that must be implemented properly – and independently – by a patient. Travel to and from the appointment can sometimes be a
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Identifying non-traditional risk factors for dementia
Non-traditional risk factors that combine to predict Alzheimer’s disease serve as a bulk of the findings revealed in a recent study that was produced by the Geriatric Medicine Research Unit at the Dalhousie University. In the following video, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood discusses those findings and talks about those most affected by dementia. With an ever-growing list of risk factors, such as high blood pressure and a genetic disposition, aging individuals have a lot to be aware of in regard to dementia and its side effects. We here at Freedom Home Care und generic tadalafil erstand the challenges faced by those
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How new parents can care for infants affected by jaundice
Although jaundice is a common condition found in babies born before 38 weeks of gestation and in babies who are breast-fed, new parents must be aware that severe cases can come with long-term complications, such as brain damage, if not tended to properly. Infant jaundice, which is a yellow discoloration in a newborn baby's skin and eyes, happens when a baby's blood contains an excess amount of bilirubin, a yellow-colored pigment of red blood cells. According to the staff at the Mayo Clinic, it occurs because a baby's liver isn't mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
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Understanding the three stages of Alzheimer’s
According to the Alzheimer’s Health Assistance Foundation, “more than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.” And during the course of care, those caregivers, usually family members or friends, will be taxed mentally and physically and in a myriad of highs and lows. But as the disease progresses, the assistance needed can change and increase and sometimes become too much for one individual to handle. To help the general public better understand the stages of Alzheimer’s, including the degree of care needed for each, the AHAF published the following information: Stage 1 (Mild): This stage
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5 tips to downsize, de-clutter and de-complicate life
Yesterday, the folks here at Freedom Home Care put the aging loved ones in our lives in a downsizing frame of mind. We highlighted a Wall Street Journal editor who is gung ho for de-cluttering and de-complicating her life. By freeing oneself of an oversized residence, elderly individuals can take back their free time and enjoy retirement all that much more. And while we admitted in our post that moving into a smaller space is easier said that done, we also promised that we would provide a few tips to make the transition a smooth one. To carry out that
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Extreme downsizing – making less become more
Chores like cleaning out the gutters and pruning the hedges are tasks that most homeowners dread. And those are just the seasonal obligations. Anyone who owns a house or lives in a large apartment knows just how much work is required to maintain a clean and organized home. Therefore, one of the benefits of growing old is having the opportunity to do more with less. In a recent article published by the Wall Street Journal, editor Ellen M. Kozak praised the bare-bones lifestyle of Mother Hubbard. She referred to it as extreme downsizing. “This is not mere decluttering,” she explained.
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Valuable advice on how to avoid the flu
According to a video news report posted on the ABC News website, 47 U.S. states have reported widespread flu outbreaks. And although the worst may be behind us, it will continue to be important for Americans – regardless of age – to take measures to prevent a flu attack. To decrease the chances of getting hit with the flu this season, the Huffington Post published an article with a handful of tips and suggestions. They are as follows: 1. Wash your hands One of the most effective and easiest methods of flu prevention is something we should all do several
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