Tag Archives: health

Elderly Prescription Drug Use: How to Keep Pain and Pills in Check

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Elderly Prescription Drug UsePicture your medicine cabinet, stacked top to bottom with different pill bottles, each one targeting a different ailment, each one taken in a different dosage at a different time of day.

On their own, these medications can be extremely beneficial, perhaps even life saving; each one is necessary for maintaining quality of life. However, taking many prescription medications coupled with all of the supplements and over-the-counter drugs is a condition known as polypharmacy, and can increase the risk of dangerous drug interactions. In fact, the American Geriatrics Society finds that every year, one in three people aged 65 and over has one or more harmful reactions to a medication.

One of the reasons for this high statistic is that the aging process causes changes to the body which can affect the way medication absorbs and reacts. Decreased kidney and liver function are a product of aging, and could affect how fast medications are processed in the body, and a slower GI tract can affect how much of the medication actually enters the bloodstream.

Another reason is the sheer difficultly of keeping track of medications and taking them directly as prescribed. With 44% of men and 57% of women older than age 65 taking five or more medications per week, it is no wonder that mistakes with medications occur frequently. Elderly prescription drug use also becomes problematic when patients are prescribed too many medications by multiple healthcare providers working independently, and no one doctor knows the patient's full history.

So what can you do to lower the risk of potential problems related to multiple drug use? There are several strategies to help get a handle on your medication habits to make sure that you are getting the proper amount that was intended for you.

1. Always ask the doctor questions

When you are diagnosed with an illness and have to be put on to a new medication, be sure to ask the doctor everything that is relevant to you so that you are prepared and know exactly how and when you should be taking the medication. Also be sure he or she knows what other medications you are taking so they could notice any possible interactions.

2. Educate yourself

While doctors and pharmacists will be able to advise you about prescription interactions and dosing, they will likely not be aware of all of the over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements and vitamins that you take also. And just because these medications are not prescription strength does not mean that they do not have the potential to interact with other medications. In fact it is quite the opposite - OTC products, such as vitamins, minerals, antacids, sleep aids and laxatives can all interfere with the effectiveness of other medications, so be sure to read up on possible interactions and let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have any questions.

Also, be sure that you are aware of the side effects of prescription medications so that you know what to expect and don't get caught in a dangerous situation. Many medications have side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness which can interfere with driving and increase the chances of accidents or falling if the warnings are not heeded.

3. Listen to your Doctor

Medications are meant to be taken exactly as prescribed, so do everything you can to take the medication as you had discussed with your doctor. This means taking it at the proper time of day, with or without food and taking the correct dosages. If any unexpected side effects occur, immediately call your doctor to discuss the best course of action, but never suddenly quit taking a medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

4. Keep a Comprehensive List of Medications

You should create a comprehensive list that serves as the reference any time you go to the doctor or pharmacy. Be sure to add any over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements as well as prescriptions. The list should include the prescribed dose, how many times a day you take the medication, who prescribed it and what it was prescribed for. Keeping a list is a good way to make sure you never forget any medications when you meet with new doctors or go back for new appointments. Be sure to keep the list updated and on you at all times because being able to determine your medications could save your life in an emergency situation.

5. Get Help to Remember

With all the different medications, times and doses, it is hard to remember and easy to make mistakes. The best way to avoid this is to get help in some way. Try syncing your pill schedule with meals so you remember, or get a pill box and/or pill calendar to help keep track. There are even high tech options now with programmable prescription caps that sound an alarm, and a device called the CompuMed Dispenser that dispenses the proper amount of medication at the right time and gives you the instructions as you take it.

But if it gets to the point where this is not enough, care providers can be wonderful helpers when it comes to medication, because they can help administer the exact right medication and dosages throughout the day, and are there if there is ever any problem with negative drug interactions or reactions.

At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your in-home care needs, including medication management and reminders. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with additional information about which care options are right for you and your family. We are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

Elderly Prescription Drug Use

Senior Driver Safety: Talking To Your Loved One

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There are more than 30 million people over the age of 65 who are licensed to drive in the United States. Those 30 million senior drivers made up 14 percent of the total number of all car related fatalities in 2006. 14 percent. That is an alarming number, and it makes the need to address senior drivers even more urgent.

Talking to a loved one about senior driver safety can be a very difficult topic to broach, and so it often gets put off, procrastinated. But think how would you feel if the delay led to a serious car accident.

Realizing the possible consequences should help overcome some hesitation, but it still doesn't mean it will be an easy conversation; telling someone that they can't perform a basic task that they have done all their life, that they will be losing some of their independence, is never easy.

But it is a difficult conversation that must be had once there is concern about the safety of an older driver, especially because you don't want to wait until it is too late. Armed with the understanding that there is a tough process ahead, there are a few steps you can take to make it go as smoothly as possible.

1. Plan Ahead

This is the most important step you can take to ensure that the conversation doesn't spin off in to a heated debate, or end with feelings hurt. Know the points you want to make and be empathetic - try to imagine how it must feel to be in their shoes.

Set realistic expectations for how the conversation will go, and realize that you might have to revisit the subject later on. It might also be helpful to give up your own car for a few days or weeks to show that you are committed to helping and understanding what they are going through.

2. Bringing it up Initially

Once you have planned out what you want to say, it is best to broach the subject gently. Even though you might feel like it is an obvious decision and therefore want to be blunt about it, you must remember that the driver is likely going through some emotional internal struggles, and it is best to take a sensitive approach.

If their driving has become erratic or scary enough for you to take notice, they likely notice themselves and will be willing to listen. Try prefacing the conversation with a question about how they are feeling about driving or if they are finding it hard to manage. However, if they become angry and defensive, it is best to drop the conversation for now and try bringing it up again later rather than battling and likely not making any progress.

3. Practice Reflective Listening

You must be ready for some inevitable objections. It is natural to wonder how you will go about your daily life without a means of transportation - How will I get to my appointments? How will I get to the store for groceries?  However, instead of answering questions like this with a quick dismissal that they will all work out just fine, or jumping to a conclusion that a friend will be glad to help, try reflective listening instead.

Reflective listening is a technique to turn the question back on itself, which results in an engaged conversation and promotes discussion and reflection, an important step to working through major transitions.

4. Don't Rush the Conversation

This conversation is likely to bring up many emotions and could easily turn in to a trip down memory lane. But this is perfectly fine and you actually encourage it, as reminiscing could help come to terms with life transitions. However, some point in the conversation you should pose the question about what he or she thinks is best to do about driving. This should help them reflect on possible consequences and consider the best option for themselves.

Don't be afraid to suggest a break. Once you have had an initial discussion and gotten your points out there, give some time to let them marinate and suggest you all get back together in a few days.

5. Address any Issues that could be Affecting the Driver

If the person you are talking to admits that they are having trouble driving, it is worth checking to see if an underlying medical issue could be the cause. Make appointments with their physicians, and eye and ear specialists. Be sure to ask about medications they are taking and potential side effects, as it is possible that lowering a dose or changing a medication could fix the problem.

Once you speak to the doctors, you will have a better idea about when and if it is safe for them to be driving. If they get the clear from their doctors, it is a good idea to brush up on traffic laws and safe driving tips with them, possibly even take them on a few practice drives to make sure they feel comfortable. If it really is time to give up driving all together, help them find other reliable transportation options, and even ride the bus or train with them to make sure they are comfortable.

6. Be Proactive

Once you have had the discussion and you all have come to an agreement that it is time to hang up the keys, there are ways that you can be proactive to help ease the transition.

Make sure that you keep them connected. Start making it a habit to drop by their house and check in, even if it is just for a quick chat to keep them in the loop. Be sure to include them in family activities and outings. Also be sure that you offer to drive them to activities they enjoy, and urge them to connect with any friends who can drive. Suggest that they reciprocate in some way by cooking these friends dinner or inviting them over for tea.

You can also suggest other means of getting around. Ride public transportation with them and print out a schedule and map to make it accessible. Also try introducing them to new hobbies and activities that don't require them to leave the house, such as gardening, bird watching or walking the neighborhood.

Ultimately remember that you are a very important part of their lives, and your opinion and support matters. So keep trying if you don't succeed at first, and once they finally hang up the keys remember to be supportive and caring. Your presence and dedication can ease the transition and help ensure that your loved ones do not become just another statistic for car related fatalities.

At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your in-home care needs, including transfers into and out of vehicles, and transportation. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with additional information about which care options are right for you and your family. We are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

 

Senior Driver Safety, 24 Hour In Home Care

 

Treating Parkinson's Naturally: Using Exercise As Medicine

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senior home care floridaParkinson's Disease (PD) cannot be cured. But it can be managed, and quite effectively at that. Aside from medications and possible surgery, lifestyle changes such as adding exercise into a routine are a way of treating Parkinson's naturally, and can have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

Parkinson's causes brain cells to stop producing dopamine, which leads to decreased balance and strength, slowed movement and tremors, and speech impairment. People living with PD often feel like they are at the mercy of the disease, but this doesn't have to be the case. Adding an exercise regimen can help control symptoms by improving stability, flexibility and management of tremors.

 

Exercises that specifically benefit Parkinson's patients:

  • Walking and balancing drills
  • Cardiovascular exercise
  • Stretching
  • Strength training (with and without weights)
  • Core exercises
  • Voice and facial exercises

Those with PD should follow a specific type of exercise regimen that is safe and effective, and targets specific areas affected by the disease. David Zid, a certified personal trainer and president of Columbus Health Works, has worked with Thomas H. Mallory, M.D. to create and publish a comprehensive exercise guide for sufferers of Parkinson's. Diagnosed with PD several years ago, Dr. Mallory has stuck to Zid's regimen and seen great results and improvement in his symptoms.

Their workbook and corresponding video detail specific exercises that are tailored to the Parkinson's patient, and emphasize a physical and mental commitment to not giving up. The program is designed to proactively improve flexibility, stability and strength while minimizing tremors, making daily activities such as standing up from a chair or walking on uneven ground easier. Not only can a targeted exercise regimen such as this help PD patients maintain independence, it can also give them much needed hope.

Dr. Mallory and David Zid give a thorough breakdown of exercises in each of these categories along with visual demonstrations in their workbook.

Why is exercise beneficial?

Exercise has been proven to be beneficial for everyone's general health, and aerobic activities can improve heart and lung function, as well as having noticeable benefits on the physical body. These physical benefits create a better quality of life for PD patients; however, in the case of Parkinson's, perhaps the most important aspect of exercise is the effect it has on the brain.

Exercise decreases anxiety and depression, but a recent study out of Pittsburgh has demonstrated that exercise also appears to prevent loss of brain cells that worsens PD. So, a program of tailored exercises plus medication can have a very positive effect on symptoms and vastly improve the quality of life for someone living with Parkinson's.

The most important thing to remember is that it is never too late to get started on a exercise regimen, to get control of symptoms and to start living a better quality life. When your ability to move improves, so does your feeling of accomplishment and sense of well being.

At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your senior home care Florida needs, including exercises and companionship. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with additional information about which care options are right for you and your family. We are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

Treating Parkinson's Naturally

Healthy Exercises For Seniors: Build A Workout Regimen

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However, just repeating one type of exercise or activity actually lowers the potential benefits. The ultimate goal of exercising is to be creative and well-rounded, regularly alternating between all four types of exercise to reap the maximum benefits, and choosing healthy exercises for seniors that will help you build a healthy and realistic workout regimen.
Endurance
Endurance activities are also known as aerobic activities, and are responsible for strengthening and improving overall health of the heart, lungs and circulatory system. Endurance activities will increase heart rate and accelerate breathing, which helps strengthen the body and improve overall fitness, as well as lowering the chance of developing diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.

Organized sports are great endurance activities, and the competition and teamwork associated with them provides great motivation. However, endurance activities can be done inside and around the house as well.

Endurance Exercises:

  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Seated volleyball
  • Walking
  • Stationary Bicycle
  • Bowling
  • Dancing
  • Gardening
  • Sweeping
  • Mopping

Strength

Strength training is an important part of a well-balanced exercise regimen and requires pushing or pulling weight. Age isn't excuse to avoid strength training, as even small changes in muscle strength can lead to noticeable increases in the ability to perform everyday functions, like getting up from a chair, climbing the stairs or playing with grandchildren.

It is important to include both upper-body and lower-body strengthening exercises into your routine, and to make sure you progress slowly by gradually increasing the amount of weight used to build strength.

Strength Training Exercises

Balance

Balance training is perhaps the most important type of exercise for aging adults because improved balance lowers the risk of falling and can help avoid injuries and disabilities that come along with a fall. For safety, it is best to start off doing balance exercises with a sturdy chair or person to hold on to, and gradually reduce the amount of support you need.

Balance Exercises:

Flexibility

Flexibility exercises are also known as stretching exercises and are great for improving freedom of movement which can improve ability to complete everyday activities such as getting dressed. However, it is important to remember that stretching, although very beneficial, will not improve strength or endurance, so it should only make up a part of an overall regimen.

There are many different flexibility and stretching exercises for each part of the body. By alternating exercises in these areas of the body, gradually they will become more limber and will increase overall mobility.

Flexibility Exercises:

Overall it is important to remember that any exercise is good exercise, but to maximize the benefits and increase strength, endurance, balance and flexibility that all four areas must be worked on independently. Craft an exercise plan that alternates between these four types of activities so that it is easy to incorporate all of them in a creative, organized way, and remember to always progress slowly and safely.

At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your in-home care needs, including mobility and exercise. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with additional information about which care options are right for you and your family. We are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

Healthy Exercises For Seniors

Active Aging: Tips for Getting And Staying In Shape

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Physical activity is the key to healthy aging, but by age 75, one in three men, and one in two women engage in no physical activity. This is a disheartening statistic considering all of the evidence linking physical activity in older age to benefits such as decreasing the risk of dementia, lowering the chance of falling, and increasing the quality of life for those living with chronic conditions.

So why are so many older adults inactive? The task of beginning to exercise again can seem daunting or painful, and there is a general lack of motivation. However, when considering the benefits, there shouldn't be excuses to avoid getting out and moving. We have compiled a list of several tips to help ease the transition back in to exercising, and to make active aging a normal part of life.

Getting Started

You have taken the first step. You have made the decision to start reaping the benefits of physical activity. Now where do you start? First off, it is important not to be too hard on yourself, whatever has kept you from exercising thus far is in the past now, and you are on the way to getting back to your activities. Here are a few easy steps to follow to get your exercise routine back on track:

1. Think about the reasons you want to start exercising

When you think about specific reasons you want to get active again - be more social, alleviate pain, spend time outside, strengthen muscles - and set small goals to get there, it helps to create motivation and gives you something to work toward. If you ever have to take a break from exercise in the future, remembering these reasons can help you get started again.

2. Make a physical activity plan

Plans help you stay motivated and organized. Once you have decided why you want to exercise, draft up a plan to get the process underway. Your plan should include reasons for getting active, short and long term goals, specific activities, and details about where, when and who will be exercising with you.

3. Start at a comfortable level of activity and gradually build back up

All older adults who are planning to get back into an exercise routine should first talk to their doctor to discuss what is right for them. However, for seniors that are just getting active again, it’s best to start with 5-10 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, and gradually build up to the desired amount.

4. Try an activity you have never done before

It is easier to get back into exercise if you are excited about the activity, new types of exercise can provide this excitement. Low impact exercising is easier on your body, especially your joints. Try something in the water - water aerobics and swimming are great for older adults. Tai Chi and yoga are also fun ways to get moving.

Staying Active

The hard part is over. Getting started after a long break from exercise is the most difficult. Staying active should be fun and feel easier because your body is undergoing noticeable benefits. If you ever have to take a break from activity, don't be too hard on yourself, just pick back up where you left off. Here are a few tips for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle:

1. Make time for exercise

It's good to exercise in the morning to avoid getting to busy later in the day. Also, evidence shows that you are more likely to exercise if it is convenient. Try to combine physical activity with something that is already part of your day, such as walking every aisle at the grocery store

2. Stick to your exercise plan

Use your exercise plan to keep you organized and on track, and keep updating it so that it picks up the pace to reflect your new energy and abilities. Not only will this keep you going, it's a great way to see how far you have come which is just some added motivation

3. Make it social and fun!

Exercise shouldn't feel like a chore. Do things that you think are fun and you are more likely to keep at them. Some of your favorite hobbies are already great exercise - golf is good for flexibility and gardening is a useful strength training exercise. Exercising with friends can boost morale and motivation, and it keeps you in touch with your buddies.

Now that you have some useful tips that are easy to implement, take the first step and get moving. Small changes in your daily routine can lead to wonderful benefits that improve your quality of life. Make the healthy choice and get active today, your body and your mind will thank you.

At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your in-home care needs, including mobility and exercises. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with additional information about which care options are right for you and your family. We are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

Active Aging