How can I help my elderly parent recover from a stroke?
Research by the Center for Disease Control states that strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. And nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people ages 65 or older. Helping an elderly parent recover from a stroke can be a long uphill battle, one your parent’s doctors will help you both through.
What causes a stroke?
Strokes are commonly brought on by a blood clot in the arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke), causing “a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain,” according to strokecenter.org. Strokes can also be caused by a blood vessel bursting leading to bleeding into the brain, also known as a hemorrhagic stroke.
Common factors that put someone at risk for a stroke include being over the age of 55, male, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high levels of amino acid in the blood, alcohol use and drug use, among others.
Signs/symptoms of a stroke
Symptoms can arise within a few minutes of the onset of a stroke when brain cells begin to die due to lack of oxygen. The length of a stroke can vary depending on the severity of the stroke. The earlier someone can recognize the symptoms of a stroke, the better, as immediate treatment is crucial to recovery.
Common symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Trouble walking
- Loss of balance/coordination
- Numbness/weakness/paralysis on one side of the body
- Changes in vision
- Severe, sudden headache
- Problems with speech
Smaller strokes that sometimes show few or no symptoms are called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs).
If the symptoms line up and you think your elderly parent might be suffering from a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Related: What Is a Stroke? What Causes a Stroke? (Medical News Today)
The aftermath of a stroke
Brain damage occurs due to the blood supply not being properly restored to the brain. As such, the body parts controlled by the damaged or dead brain cells can no longer function properly. These affects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly the blood supply can be returned to the damaged/dead brain cells.
Early treatment can be crucial in diminishing the amount of permanent damage done to brain cells, decreasing the amount of disability.
Recovering from a stroke
Half of all people who survive a stroke will still have some sort of disability, usually physical, six months afterwards. Formal physical rehabilitation is usually the first step in the recovery process, which aims to restore independence by “improving physical, mental and emotional functions,” according to stroke.org. Although everyone’s recovery will be different, some simple skills usually return first:
- Sitting up and balancing
- Standing
- Walking
- Legs usually improve before the hands
Recovering from a stroke is a lifelong journey, so it’s important not to lose hope along the way.
Physicians Choice Private Duty can help
Physicians Choice Private Duty, currently serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available options available for stroke recovery and related complications.
All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“
How to stop an elderly person from driving
How to stop an elderly person from driving
Still, George’s children, who live out-of-state and have busy lives of their own, worry about his driving. In on a recent visit, they noticed declines in George’s hearing and sight and overall motor skills. The red flag was when they received a call from George’s neighbors that he’d back into their car parked across the street two times in one week. George’s children knew it was time for him to hand over the keys, as their elderly father now is a danger to himself and other drivers on the road. Although his health is good overall, the signs of aging are beginning to catch up with the 82-year-old.
No longer being able to drive can be hard to take for someone like George who’s been behind the wheel for 50-plus years, as a fundamental part of their independence is suddenly gone.
If you’re concerned with the safety of your elderly loved one behind the wheel, plan on discussing it as soon as possible. Help and advice is always available via senior care providers such as Physicians Choice Private Duty.
Related:
Below, we’ve provided some tips on how to approach elderly drivers if you believe them to be unfit to drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qATZk36zSuI
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”
What to do when an elderly parent keeps having falls
Common risks that lead to falls
An elderly person’s living environment can be full of obstacles that put them at risk for falling. You can help them by fall-proofing their home. Look for potential danger spots and make the necessary changes. Also, installing things such as safety railings and giving your elderly parent a monitoring device can help keep them safe and give you peace of mind.
Common environment risks include:
Common neurological risks include:
Common physical risks include:
Related: Danger of Falls for the Elderly (MyAgaingParent.com)
What to do when an elderly parent falls
The worst thing to do is ignore it when your aging parent falls, so make an appointment with your general practitioner to assess the fall and tell whether or not it’s an early symptom of a treatable condition or a side effect of medication. Also, do your research to see what can be done to prevent future falls. Consider consulting with an elderly care management service such as Physicians Choice Private Duty. A care manager can walk you and your parent through all the necessary steps to help ensure the home is fall proof.
Related: Fall Prevention: 6 Tips to Prevent Falls (Mayo Clinic)
What about repeated falls?
Repeated falls could be a sign of more serious problems such as bone health. A visit to the doctor should be a priority where they can test for conditions such as osteoporosis. Also regular exercise will help increase balance and mobility. Consulting with an elderly care management service is also a good idea to help with not only your elderly parent’s falling, but other possible conditions as well.
Physicians Choice Private Duty serving Omaha, Nebraska ” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system after an elderly parent falls. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and organize a plan that details what to do after an elderly parent falls.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..“
How can I help my elderly parent recover from a stroke?
How can I help my elderly parent recover from a stroke?
What causes a stroke?
Strokes are commonly brought on by a blood clot in the arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke), causing “a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain,” according to strokecenter.org. Strokes can also be caused by a blood vessel bursting leading to bleeding into the brain, also known as a hemorrhagic stroke.
Common factors that put someone at risk for a stroke include being over the age of 55, male, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high levels of amino acid in the blood, alcohol use and drug use, among others.
Signs/symptoms of a stroke
Symptoms can arise within a few minutes of the onset of a stroke when brain cells begin to die due to lack of oxygen. The length of a stroke can vary depending on the severity of the stroke. The earlier someone can recognize the symptoms of a stroke, the better, as immediate treatment is crucial to recovery.
Common symptoms include:
Smaller strokes that sometimes show few or no symptoms are called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs).
If the symptoms line up and you think your elderly parent might be suffering from a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Related: What Is a Stroke? What Causes a Stroke? (Medical News Today)
The aftermath of a stroke
Brain damage occurs due to the blood supply not being properly restored to the brain. As such, the body parts controlled by the damaged or dead brain cells can no longer function properly. These affects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly the blood supply can be returned to the damaged/dead brain cells.
Early treatment can be crucial in diminishing the amount of permanent damage done to brain cells, decreasing the amount of disability.
Recovering from a stroke
Half of all people who survive a stroke will still have some sort of disability, usually physical, six months afterwards. Formal physical rehabilitation is usually the first step in the recovery process, which aims to restore independence by “improving physical, mental and emotional functions,” according to stroke.org. Although everyone’s recovery will be different, some simple skills usually return first:
Recovering from a stroke is a lifelong journey, so it’s important not to lose hope along the way.
Physicians Choice Private Duty can help
Physicians Choice Private Duty, currently serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available options available for stroke recovery and related complications.
All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“
How to get an aging parent’s affairs in order
How to get an aging parent’s affairs in order
Planning for the future can alleviate many of these problems. Even if someone is in good health in their old age, it’s recommended to having the following information up-to-date just in case something happens.
Personal records*
For personal records, make sure these items are organized, documented and up-to-date:
Financial records*
Living will
Make sure the living will has been updated recently. Oftentimes people make their first wills as young adults after they’ve been married or had children. Thirty years down the road, however, you can imagine how much a person’s life has changed, and so should their will. Make sure the will includes vital end-of-life directions, such as a Do Not Resuscitate order.
Related: Living Wills Increasingly Wise for Seniors (CBS)
Power of attorney
If an elderly parent becomes ill and is no longer able to make decisions on their own, taking care of everyday things such as bills become impossible. That’s why it’s necessary for someone to be designated with power of attorney. Oftentimes spouses or children are trusted with this duty.
Related: Caring for Elderly Parents (U.S. State Department)
Physicians Choice Private Duty can help
Physicians Choice Private Duty, serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available options and help families maneuver through the challenges of the system.
All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.
*Info via uuca-md.org
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”
Does Mom need a nursing home?
Children prefer their elderly parents to live independently for as long as possible. After all, studies have shown keeping an elderly person in familiar surrounds benefits their quality of life dramatically. But when the time comes when sending Mom to a nursing home is the best decision for her overall health and safety, it’s a stressful decision to make with no simple or clear-cut answers. Of course, there’s always help available from professional and experienced elderly care managers, such as those who work at Physicians Choice Private Duty. An elder care manager will help identify the current living situation of your elderly mother and provide honest, expert advice on the state of her continued well-being.
Common signs an elderly person might receive better care in a nursing facility than at home:
If you or your aging loved one is in or near the Omaha area, feel free to contact Physicians Choice Private Duty with any questions/concerns you might have regarding senior care.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..“
Common diagnoses for elderly confusion
Common diagnoses for elderly confusion
So what should you do if your elderly parent seems confused? Read about the below conditions and their symptoms then consult with the elder’s doctor.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Even something as simple as a urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause confusion in the elderly.
Typical UTI signs include:
However, it’s often hard for a caregiver to find out about an elderly person’s possible UTI, as common symptoms aren’t apparent in some people. Also an elderly person often doesn’t want to express symptoms to the caregiver due to embarrassment and other factors.
Lack of sleep/sleep apnea
It’s no secret that older persons tend to sleep less than when they were younger. However, this doesn’t mean the elderly necessarily require less sleep. Nighttime arousals are more common in elderly persons, and thus it’s not uncommon for the elderly to suffer from frequent daytime sleepiness. Naturally, just as when we’re young, a lack of sleep can cause confusion.
Sleep apnea, a condition where it’s difficult for someone to go to and stay asleep (paired with a lack of deep sleep, often goes undiagnosed, especially in the elderly.
Typical sleep apnea symptoms include:
Lack of oxygen to the brain
The lungs of the elderly and not as efficient in processing oxygen as those of their younger counterparts. A lack of oxygen leads to lightheadedness and confusion, and may require an oxygen treatment to alleviate the problem. A visit to the doctor with your elderly loved one’s confusion can help diagnose this properly..
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
TIA’s are also caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain for a short period of time. TIA’s are small episodes that show stroke-like symptoms, but ARE NOT strokes (TIA effects do not show up on CT/MRI cans). TIAs can last up to 24 hours, but are usually shorter. Currently, there’s no known way to prevent TIAs. If your aging loved one suffers the symptoms, it’s best to get them medical attention as soon as possible, as it may be an early sign that a larger stroke is on the horizon.
Typical TIA symptoms include:
Change in surroundings
A drastic change of environment, such as moving to a nursing home, can cause tremendous confusion for an elderly person. Even if such a move is necessary, keeping their surroundings the same will lead to a fuller and happier life.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..“
Vitamins and mineral supplements and the elderly
Vitamins and mineral supplements and the elderly
Why are vitamins important?
Vitamins are molecules that carry certain biological functions throughout our bodies. With a few exceptions, our bodies have no way of producing vitamin molecules naturally, rather we ingest them through the foods we eat. The human body needs at least 13 different vitamins to remain healthy. While some of these can be stored for a long time in the liver or in fat cells (e.g. vitamin A), most vitamins need frequent replenishment. Functionally, vitamins help fats, proteins and carbohydrates to release energy as well as assist the body in the repair of tissue and help produce cells. When it comes to the elderly, studies have shown that vitamins and minerals can help prevent some disorders or diseases related to aging.
Two different types of vitamins
Vitamins come in two varieties, fat soluble and water soluble. Water soluble vitamins go through our bodies quickly. As such, they need to be replenished often.
Water soluble vitamins include:
Fat soluble vitamins are, for the most part, stored in the liver. A well-balanced diet is usually enough to receive the proper amounts, but an aging body can make storing fat soluble vitamins more difficult.
Fat soluble vitamins include:
What about minerals?
Whereas vitamins are formed naturally by plants and animals, minerals come from the earth and absorbed by plants and once again observed by the animals that eat the plants and so on.
Essential minerals include:
What supplements should an elderly person take?
Vitamin and mineral supplements can help an elderly person live a healthier, happier life. Still, as with many other changes in diet and lifestyle, it’s best to first consult with a doctor before taking vitamin or mineral supplements.
If you live in the greater Omaha area, the professional staff at Physicians Choice Private Duty can help you make the right decisions in the overall care of an aging loved one, vitamins and minerals and beyond.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”
Long distance caregiving for elderly parents
Long distance caregiving for elderly parents
An estimated 7 million Americans are long-distance caregivers, according to the National Institute on Aging. Not only that but the annual financial burden is nearly $9,000 for long-distance caregivers, far more than that of caregivers who live nearby their loved one, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and Eldercare.
Help is available, however. Many turn to the expertise of a geriatric care manager, such as offered by Physicians Choice Private Duty in the Omaha area.
A care manager will:
The duties of a long-distance caregiver are many. A geriatric care manager knows this and will help assist family members with all aspects of their aging elderly parents care, making the burden much more bearable.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“
What are the signs of elderly abuse?
What are the signs of elderly abuse?
Elder abuse comes in many forms, from physical to mental and beyond. The signs vary and can be as subtle as gradually increasing self-neglect to as obvious as unexplained cuts and bruises.
That’s why it’s important to recognize signs of abuse.
What are the types of elder abuse?
The most common type of elder abuse is self-neglect, where an older person refuses necessary care. Other types of elder abuse include physical abuse from a perpetrator, exploitation (often financial), caretaker neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.
Many elder abuse cases go unreported due to the victims fear of losing support from an abusive family member or caretaker. Imagine the dilemma of a victim whose abuser is a beloved family member. An elderly person might fear the removal or possible incarceration of the family member. This is not only an unwanted outcome of reporting abuse, but it could also lead to the elderly person being left alone to care for herself or being forced to live in a nursing home.
Signs of abuse
Signs of neglect & self-neglect
Signs of exploitation
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/.”
Need fast, honest advice about elder care? Look to YouTube
Need fast, honest advice about elder care? Look to YouTube
In times like these, Physicians Choice Private Duty offers expert advice from certified professionals in providing seniors and their families with a complete understanding of the available options. But even before families feel the need to reach out to us, there are plenty of online resources available to help answer general questions at any time of day or night. With good reason, many turn to popular video site YouTube.
It’s as easy as typing in the question you have into the YouTube search bar. For example, searching for how to make a bathroom safer for elderly brings up a number of helpful videos made by home care professionals across the country.
http://youtu.be/4QvgHtiRjV8
Besides practical advice on topics like home safety, there are numerous videos that can help deal with the stress that’s involved at the many stages of this life-changing journey.
Perhaps the most comforting aspect of knowing theres a helpful video for almost any senior care concern you might have is the fact that theres usually an honest face and voice who made it, someone caring who you know can relate to what you’re going through.
“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“