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Why are Eye Exams Important for Older Adults?

info@econcept.biz (Robert Shipman) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:38:31 GMT

When was the last time your aging relative had an eye exam?

If you’re not sure or if it has been a while, there are plenty of good reasons you should schedule an appointment soon. In fact, since August is National Eye Exam Month, this is the perfect time to focus (pun intended!) on good vision health for your older family member. Older adults are at higher risk for developing several eye problems. Below are some of the common ones—all of which are good reasons for your aging relative to have their eyes checked.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the retina, which is an area at the back of the eye. Specifically, it affects the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for clear central vision. In addition, the macula allows people to see colors vividly and fine details. Without good central vision, your aging relative may be unable to read, drive, or recognize faces.

Dry Eye

Sometimes the tear glands fail to make enough tears or don’t produce good quality tears. This can cause the eyes to burn, turn red, and feel itchy. If dry eye isn’t treated, it can result in vision loss.

Cataracts

Usually, the lens of the eye is clear and it will allow adequate light to come in. When a person gets cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy. Cataracts aren’t painful, but they can cause vision loss. Cataracts can make your aging relative’s vision blurry or cause colors to seem duller than usual.

Problems with Eyelids

Sometimes older adults have problems with their eyelids, such as drooping or twitching. Sometimes eyelids get inflamed, too. Eyelid problems can cause the eyes to tear, itch, or hurt. These problems are often treated with medications or surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects the optic nerve. Usually, it is linked to pressure in the eye. People with glaucoma may lose their peripheral, or side vision. Glaucoma can also lead to blindness.

Perfectly Placed Seniors can assist your aging relative to get to their eye appointment by driving them there. If the older adult suffers from low vision, there are many ways a care provider can help them to stay safe and have a better quality of life. Perfectly Placed Seniors care providers can monitor older adults while they take their medications, ensuring they take the correct ones and in the proper dosages. Perfectly Placed Seniors care providers can walk with your aging relative to make sure they do not fall and injure themselves. And, Perfectly Placed Seniors care providers can assist with things that require good vision, like reading, paying bills, and cooking.

Assisted Living vs. Board and Care Homes for Seniors: What’s the Difference?

info@econcept.biz (Robert Shipman) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:37:25 GMT

When an aging loved one transitions from living independently to long-term care, it’s often a choice between an assisted living community or a board and care home.

While there’s no clear, nationwide definition for board and care homes like there is for assisted living communities, the main difference between the two is size. Assisted living communities typically have more residents, while board and care homes for seniors have fewer residents. Both living options provide similar services, but your loved one may be better suited to one option over the other. Like assisted living, board and care homes are licensed by individual states.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these types of senior living.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living provides long-term housing and care for seniors. It is ideal for seniors who need help with some activities of daily living (ADLs) but are interested in leading a social, active lifestyle. Keep in mind that both assisted living and board and care homes offer less care than nursing homes.

More like inclusive hotels for retirees, assisted living communities may offer the following:

Suites with mini-kitchens, or larger apartments that allow couples to age together
Help with laundry, housekeeping, and activities of daily living — such as bathing and grooming — that seniors may have difficulty with
Restaurant-style dining, happy hours, and activities based on resident interest
Outings and transportation to local stores, theaters, and museums

It’s important to remember that assisted living communities often have health standards for admitting new residents. This means that for a resident to join, they’d perhaps have to be able to feed themselves independently or move from a bed to a wheelchair without assistance.

When is assisted living the right fit for a loved one?

Assisted living may be the right choice for seniors who:

Need minor help from nursing staff or assistance taking medications but don’t require full-time medical care
Are looking for new friends or social activities
Want more amenities, activities, and recreational opportunities than what a board and care home would offer
Are currently in good health but know they’ll need more help soon
Need help with daily living activities, such as dressing and bathing
Want a maintenance-free lifestyle without lawn care or home repairs
Would prefer an active life but don’t have access to transportation

What are board and care homes?

Board and care homes are houses in residential neighborhoods that are equipped, adapted, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually between two and 10.

These homes provide comparable care to what’s offered at assisted living communities, but still usually less than what a nursing home provides. This means board and care homes can help with daily routines, but typically don’t provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.

Caregivers at board and care homes prepare two or three home-cooked meals a day for residents and typically help with activities such as:

Mobility
Health condition monitoring
Grooming and hygiene
Medication management
Toileting

Group home and other names for board and care homes

Board and care homes may be referred to as:

Residential care home
Adult family care home
Group home
Senior group home
Adult foster care home
Personal care home

In some regions, one term is more popular than the others. In California, “board and care home” is a common term, while in North Carolina, you may hear “group home.” But don’t let all these names confuse you — they’re essentially the same concept.

When is a board and care home the right fit for a loved one?

Board and care homes for seniors may be a better fit for loved ones who:

Prefer a cozy, intimate, and homelike environment
Need some help with everyday tasks, such as dressing and bathing, but don’t need 24-hour skilled care
Want a home with fewer residents, which allows for more interaction and attention from staff
Would enjoy a relaxed, unstructured environment
Want the privacy of a bedroom without all the responsibilities of an entire apartment, such as housekeeping

How do I learn more about senior living options?

Senior living choices have expanded as the needs and expectations of older adults have changed over the past several decades. Figuring out the best option for your loved one’s needs is crucial for keeping them healthy, active, and safe.

Simple Dietary Changes to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

info@econcept.biz (Robert Shipman) — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 12:41:17 GMT

Senior Care experts realize that it’s challenging to make heart healthy meals for seniors when nutrition recommendations appear to constantly change. We had been told that saturated fats from options such as butter, red meat and fried food were harmful and could affect a person’s chances of developing heart issues, but later research revealed there isn’t enough evidence that those who gave up these delicacies improved their heart health – and so, we went back to our previous ways due to the go-ahead to choose butter instead of margarine.

And yet, as reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, scientists clarify that the lack of apparent results in reducing fatty foods is likely associated with equally poor dietary choices selected in the place of those fats – such as refined carbs. In the study, it was shared that those who exchanged fatty foods in their diet with healthier options, such as olive oil (a polyunsaturated fat) and whole grains did reduce their heart disease risk up to 25%.

As stated by Adela Hruby, one of many researchers in this study, “We know that people don’t just drop 10% of their calories…and not replace them with other things. What they’re adding in to replace what they’re not eating is really important.”

The study, led by Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was amazingly in-depth, monitoring the results of almost 130,000 participants of both genders over thirty years. Keeping an eye on dietary choices and any heart-related conditions, it was determined that both women and men who consumed carbohydrates instead of fatty foods were attaining a nearly equal threat of cardiovascular disease – a statistic overlooked in previous studies that had determined there was no benefit to decreasing the level of saturated fat in a meal plan.

So, what might be the takeaway from this study? Improved heart health may be gained by not just reducing the total amount of saturated fat in a dietary plan, but also by choosing healthier items instead of foods with high levels of sugar or processed flour-based foods.

Perfectly Placed Seniors is always available to plan and prepare heart healthy meals that are not just nutritious, but tasty, helping older adults reduce their risk for heart attacks and disease. We are able to also assist older adults with:

Making appropriate dietary choices, and shopping for groceries so that fresh, healthy foods are always on hand
Medication reminders
Carrying out physician-recommended activity programs
Safe accompaniment to doctor appointments as well as other outings

Resource: American College of Cardiology