Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced – when the body can not convert the body’s sugar into energy.
There is no cure for diabetes, a disease that affects approximately a quarter of American adults over age 60 (which is why it’s become a significant health issue).
The main factors to consider for the caregiver helping someone with diabetes are diet and exercise.
Diet
There is much controversy regarding what diet to recommend to sufferers of diabetes. The diet most often recommended is high in dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber, but low in fat (especially saturated fat). Patients may be encouraged to reduce their intake of carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index (GI), although this is also controversial.
For sure alcohol must be drunk in moderation because alcohol is processed in the body very similarly to the way fat is processed, and alcohol provides almost as many calories as fat.
To simplify things, keep your blood sugar levels in check, you need to make healthy food choices,exercise regularly, and take the medicines your health care provider prescribes.
Exercise
Exercise is very important in managing diabetes by combining diet, exercise, and medicine this will help control your weight and blood sugar level.
Continued moderate exercise will help lower you blood sugar by lowering your blood sugar level. A sprint for a bus, climbing the stairs for example. However, too much exercise can have the opposite effect and actually increase your blood glucose levels. In many cases your doctor, or medical professional, can offer advice. This is more important if you have any unpleasant diabetes related illnesses such as severe eye disease or nerve damage.
It is important that an elderly person eats properly, more so than someone half their age. As the human body ages many of its functions change, they change in the way they perform and the efficiency to which they do their job, the gastrointestinal tract is one example – this is why elderly people suffer more from constipation.
One way to help the body with the decline in its performance is to eat healthy. However, another area of concer is hydration. Elderly people do not feel thirst like they used to so they become dehydrated easier. Plenty of water, fruit juice and the occasional cup of tea – but it is important to stay away from fizzy drinks, coffee and alcohol.
Elderly People and Calorie Needs
As we age, our calorie needs decrease due to a drop in muscle strength from taking less physical activity. However, vitamin and mineral needs may stay the same or even increase if the body absorbs them less efficiently.
| Age Group |
1-3 | 4-6 | 7-10 | 11-14 | 15-18 | 19-59 | 60-74 | 75+ | |
| Calorie Needs |
Male | 1230 | 1715 | 1970 | 2220 | 2755 | 2550 | 2350 | 2100 |
| Calorie Needs |
Female | 1165 | 1545 | 1740 | 1845 | 2110 | 1940 | 1900 | 1810 |
Good Foods to Include in their Diet
Fruit
In particular those high in Vitamin C, like blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, peaches, mango, cantaloupe melon, apples.
Vegetables
In particular vegetables high in Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and Vitamin C. Carrots, squash, sweet potato, tomatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens, brocolli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks, avocado.
Oily Fish
Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and high in Vitamin E, like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, tuna and trout. Also white fish in place of red meat.
Nuts and Seeds
Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and high in Vitamin E. Unsalted nuts, like walnuts, cashews, brazil nuts and almonds, and seeds like poppy seeds, sunflower, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Protein
Eggs, white fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, chicken, beans, lentils.
Pulses and Grains for Fiber
Including lentils, chick peas (garbanzo beans), brown rice, whole wheat bread, wheatgerm, whole wheat cereals, whole wheat crackers.
Going for a swim at your local pool is not just an activity for the youthful or energetic, it is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and disabilities.
Swimming is a great way to maintain muscle usage, help with mobility and to meet people such as yourselves. Most public pools have events that are targeted to certain age groups or disabilities, such as the elderly or pregnant women. These groups are led by someone who knows the correct exercises and has safety on their mind at all times.
Your caregiver can help you to attend these groups should you wish. The caregiver will start by making sure you really are fit to attend this kind of activity and if they are unsure then they will seek professional medical advice. The next thing is to organise transport to and from the swimming pool, this could be the elders own car, the caregivers car or maybe transport arranged by a local support group.
To go swimming there are a few things that need to be taken, even more so should the elder have mobility issues. Obviously the appropriate costume to wear in the pool is important, as is the means to get dry afterwards. For seniors with mobility problems there are swimming pools that have special lifts that go in and out of the water so no climbing is necessary (this is an important part of the research for the caregiver attending with the elder).
The caregiver will always make sure that any medication, emergency contact details and previous medical history are always at hand should there be any form of accident during the swimming session.
Swimming, and all forms of exercise, dehydrates you and burns calories and energy. After the swimming session it is important that the elder is encouraged to drink some fluids (not coffee, tea or fizzy drinks) and also have a light snack. The drinks and food could be taken with you, as organised by the caregiver, or many of the modern swimming facilities have food courts on their premisses.
The final thing is that the caregiver watches the senior on the way home and at home for any signs of exhaustion, muscle injury, dehydration or complications with existing medical conditions.
For many seniors chronic pain is an unfortunate fact of life. Chronic pain becomes even more of a problem for seniors when they are alone. This is one of the reasons that home healthcare has gained so much popularity. Having someone there to look after a family’s older members can bring peace of mind to everyone involved.
When working as a caregiver, a person is sure to encounter someone who suffers from chronic pain. Some clients may have suffered a severe fall at some point, that has had lasting repercussions. Arthritis is another common cause of chronic pain in seniors, and osteoporosis is an common aliment among seniors that can cause chronic pain.
Many times a caregiver will be looking after a client who is experiencing pain from recent surgery, or other medical procedures which have taken their toll on the client. Having someone on hand, like a caregiver, who knows how to deal with the chronic pain that many seniors suffer is invaluable.
Arthritis is among the most common causes of pain in seniors. It can affect the joint of the hands, shoulders, back, neck, and other parts of the human body. Experienced caregivers, working alongside doctors advice, can not only help seniors suffering from chronic arthritis pain by regulating their medication, but by adding supplements, and helping manage the clients diet, in an effort to minimize the pain.
Another common cause of chronic pain in seniors comes from slip and fall accidents. Home healthcare can assist in helping these seniors cope with the pain in a variety of ways, but more importantly they will work to help prevent accidents from happening around the home. A safer environment for the client, means that the potential for future chronic pain from injuries can be minimized.
Some seniors suffer from constant pain due to poorly fitted dentures, poor teeth, and other oral issues. A caregiver can help work with the clients doctor, to help alleviate many of these problems. This is yet another way that enlisting a home care agency can help improve the quality of life for aged loved ones.
Chronic pain is something that most seniors can not avoid, but having a qualified home health care worker to assist them can help minimize the disruption in their clients life, and protect against future hazards which may impact that quality of life.
Regardless of age, dental hygiene is one of the major keys to living a long, happy, and pain free life. This is even more true for seniors. Often time seniors have false teeth, caps, or if they have retained their original teeth, they are susceptible to a wide range of dental problems.
As a caregiver, part of the job is to make sure that the client maintains good dental hygiene It is always important for seniors to make regular trips to the dentist.
One of the great things about home care is having someone on hand who is looking out for issues like these. For seniors who still retain their original teeth, cavities, decay, and exposed roots can cause them pain. For those who have dentures, oral blisters, swelling, and poorly fitting dentures can lead to further health complications.
Poor fitting dentures can cause a condition known as denture-induced stomatitis, which is a build up of fungus that grows underneath the dentures, and can cause pain, and exacerbate other oral health issues.
Tooth loss, and gum disease strike seniors at a much higher rate, than young people. Much of this is due to poor oral hygiene over the years, and a dentist should be consulted immediately. As a caregiver allowing the situation to go unattended can lead to several health problems, such as gum disease, which can result in heart disease, and even cancer if left untreated.
As a caregiver always make sure that the client brushes their teeth at least twice a day, and flosses at least once. Help the client set up regular dentist appointments, this will help catch any problems in the early stages.
When working in the home care industry it is important to check with clients to see is they have any lumps or swelling in the mouth. A caregiver will also want to check for any loose teeth, difficult chewing, darkening of the teeth, receding gums, or any other recent changes. A caregiver should keep track of their clients dental appointments, and help ensure that they make their regular trips to the dentist.
As a caregiver, part of the responsibilities are to make sure that clients correctly attends to any oral issues as soon as possible. If the client complains of soreness when they brush, buy them toothpaste made for sensitive teeth, and make sure to schedule a dentist appointment to check for problems.
When working in the home care industry one of the most difficult tasks a caregiver will encounter is convincing their elderly clients that certain changes that need to be made to help ensure their safety and quality of life. Often times it is easier for caregivers to make these suggestions, as elderly parents often rebel when their children try to explain the changes that need to be made in their lives.
One of the most important issues a caregiver should emphasis is the need to make the kitchen a safer place. No other place in a home has as much potential for injury as the kitchen. From knives, to cleaning solvents, there are any number of things in the kitchen that could cause injury to an elderly client.
For caregivers that work with clients who suffer from dementia it is often a good idea to remove oven knobs, unplug microwaves, and make sure cleaning solvents, and other chemicals are well out of reach of the client. Reminding a patient who suffers from dementia not to place cans, aluminum foil, and other potential fire hazards in the microwave simply isn’t enough when it comes to the safety of the senior.
Other ways that caregivers can help protect their elderly clients involve things like disconnecting a garbage disposal unit, which could cause serious injury. The caregiver may consider installing child proof locks on cupboards which contain dangerous chemicals. Placing knives, and other sharp object out of reach will also help increase the safety of the kitchen area. The caregiver may also want to make sure that all electrical cords are secured, and tacked down; keeping these things out of the way is a good way avoid trip and fall hazards.
People working in the home care industry are taught to take the safety of their client very seriously. While family member may be hesitant to make such changes to the homes of their elderly loved ones, or may meet resistance while trying to make the adjustments, a trained home care professional may have an easier time convincing their elderly clients that these changes need to be made for their own safety.
Creating a garden can be a healthy, and therapeutic activity for senior citizens. It can help keep them active, encourages the use of motor skills, and help improve their over all health. Gardening is a relaxing, and enjoyable activity which many clients can gain many benefits from.
Because many elderly people suffer from disabilities, or other factors that may limit some of their activities this can be hard for some people to accomplish. For some seniors, fragile skin may make them susceptible to bumps and bruises. Some may be affected by conditions such as dementia, which means the need for constant supervision. Many elderly people suffer from weak bones, and falls can cause serious injury.
As a home care worker there are many ways you can help your clients create their own garden, while limiting the risks to their overall well being. There are many ways to modify garden tools, or tasks, that need to be done, which can help protect the client, yet still allow them the joy of a garden. Many of the activities such as digging, watering, harvesting, and planting are not only enjoyable, but they help promote physical fitness in the client. Keeping comfortable chairs nearby will not only allow a few moments of rest, but it will allow the client to enjoy the sight of their garden taking shape.
One thing a home care worker can do to help make things easier, is help their client pick out lighter weight tools, which will reduce stress on the body. Raising the planting beds can also help seniors who may have trouble bending. A home care worker should also try to make sure that the garden has appropriate shade. Using tape, and foam to modify tools can help reduce the risk of injury.
One thing a home care worker should be alert for are signs of Legionnaires disease. The disease has been linked to handling potting soil. To help protect the client, the home care worker should ensure that when handling potting mixes, the client should always wear a face mask. After handling the soil, hands should always be washed as an extra precaution.
Tags: fun and games
As our loved ones grow older their ability to drive may be compromised. For family members, or home care workers, this can cause an awkward moment in the relationship. Driving is one of the most important aspects of personal independence, and for many seniors, he thought of losing the ability to drive can be very upsetting. As a loved one, or home care worker there are certain steps that you can take, which will make this very uncomfortable subject much easier to handle.
The first key point to remember, is to discuss it with the family member, or client. Ask them if they have noticed any problems when they are driving, like the lack of ability to stay in lanes, missing traffic lights and signs, or having trouble focusing on oncoming headlights. Make sure to get the persons view, and calmly discuss the situation as you see it. Remember to reassure that senior that you are not trying to force them to stay at home, or limit their freedom.
Once the conversation has started, make sure that as a home care worker, or family member that you have alternatives in mind, which may make the topic easier for the senior to deal with. Suggest carpooling with other friends if they need to go to the grocery store. You may also suggest that they make more frequent use of cabs, or even go so far as to hire a personal driver. Even offering to take over the driving duties yourself, may help the senior work towards this transitional period of their life.
Whether it be a family member, or a client, it is imperative that you express to them that the two of you share a goal of keeping the client both independent, as well as safe. The client should be affirmed that you are not trying to limit their independence in any way.
While this can be one of the hardest times for a senior citizen, confronting them, in a positive manner, about any driving issues is imperative, not only for the safety of the client, but the safety of everyone who drives. While it will be an awkward conversation, and in most cases a home care worker should expect some kind of resistance from their client, it remains one of the most important conversations that a person can have with their client or loved one.
Tags: Safety, senior home care
Should You Stay or Sell?
Seniors might start wondering about this issue once they have reach certain age. The Home Safety Council is an organization that aims to prevent injuries at home. This entity carried out a research which reveals that most elderly people prefer to stay home.
Deciding to stay home might be the best economic option. Not only is more comfortable but also more affordable.
Looking at figures, annually people can spend between $34,000 up to $70,000 to live in an assisted -living facility. This fee also includes meals and medical assistance.
Although home might sound cheaper and a more comfortable place to be at it might not always be the safer place to be at. A great number of deaths and injures are related to home accidents; falling, burning with the stove or even drowning in the bath tub are not that uncommon.
We might all have heard storie,s or be part of one, where a loved one got injured in a home-related accident. Trying to think about ways of preventing that from happening again arises to options: assisted-living facility or make home a facer place to live.
Jon Pynoos, professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California said: “The home environment can be a great support to independent living, or it can be a health care hazard.”
Reducing hazards – we recommend visiting Home Safety Council website, there you will find some advice on what to look for to make your home a safer place to live. Brighter light bulbs, removing or changing furniture are some of the thing you can do to help making a safer home.
Doctor’s advice - An O.T (occupational therapist) can analyze the challenges the home can represent to a senior citizen and advice you on how to reduce these hazards or challenges. These modifications might require professional assistance. Some of this changes might include adjusting the height of the chairs, or having railings put around the house.
Consider the money side of things - you might not have a suitable policy or insurance to cover for the new house adjustments. The best option then will be to get a loan either from a bank, which can offer seniors a low interest loan or a governmental loan agency. In any case it is bast to talk to a financial planner to make sure you can decide for the best financial option.
Tags: home care, Safety, senior home care
For elderly people, exercising is one of the key facts that can help improve the quality of life. The good thing about exercising is that it does not matter when you start; any age is good to begin a healthy routine. One of the benefits of exercising at a late stage in life is people take it more seriously and they experience a longer and healthier life. It is important to consider your doctor’s advice concerning a diet or any food supplement you could require.
Muscle mass will lessen with the years. Muscles keep the body strong, help in the process of burning calories to maintain the body weight and also to keep balanced body. As we know all the movements start in our brain as an idea, then that transforms into signals that move the muscles to perform an action.
As we grow older we also grow slower. After our 60′s our system does not respond as quick or as strong as we were used to. Nowadays science has stated that there are ways to renew our body, to feel full of energy to be part of a vigorous exercising routines.
A wise thing to do is to experience the benefit of a nourishing diet and the food supplements which you might need. You may also want to use other products, preferably clinically proven products. Remember that changes can and might be made. Health checks will guide you in the decision of whether you need to adjust your diet or not.
Some exercises although they will improve the muscle patterning will not increase the muscle mass. This types of exercises will help seniors to become stronger without getting big muscles. One of the most common exercise for elderly people is walking and the benefit is the one mention previously. Walking on a regular basis will help you burn unwanted fat and it will make you sleep better therefore have more energy next morning. Try to make walking part of your daily routine so as to improve your overall health.
Take into account that seniors that have decided to start a strength exercise routine for the first time should be very careful. If you start slow so you will feel confident about the progress you will make, if you do not you might feel frustrated if you do not succeed at first. Bear in mind some safety advice, while doing a strength exercise routine concentrate on your breathing. Blood pressure can be effected if you hold your breath. Make soft and gentle movements. You might experience sore muscle for a few days after exercising but sore joints is a bad sign.
