5 Home Remedies for Seniors with Age-Related Aches and Pains

December 26, 2016

People over 65 can experience aches and pains for a wide variety of reasons, and there are many different potential solutions for relief. Rather than taking medications, many seniors prefer to take a more holistic approach to pain relief, and oftentimes there are items in their homes they can use. The Tucson in-home care experts at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of simple home remedies your elderly loved one can use to alleviate his or he age-related aches and pains. 1. Turmeric and Ginger Tea Both ingredients used in this home remedy are anti-inflammatory, and the remedy has a powerful antioxidant that helps control aches and pains, especially when caused by arthritis. The tea also helps lower…

5 Signs of Spina Bifida in the Elderly

December 19, 2016

Spina bifida is a congenital defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. The symptoms can vary from minor physical impairment with little functional impact to physical and mental disabilities. Sometimes the symptoms can go undetected right through to adulthood. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of senior care in Tuscon, has put together a list of 5 distinct symptoms seniors with spina bifida may experience. 1. Incontinence A large percentage of seniors with spina bifida also experience bowel and bladder incontinence. These conditions occur because the signals being sent to the brain are misinterpreted or blocked by damaged nerves. Most seniors will need to consider long-term management options such as a…

How a Smell Test Predicts Alzheimer’s

December 12, 2016

Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia that causes the loss of memory and other mental functions in the brain. Either a primary care doctor or a geriatrician typically diagnoses the condition based on a list of symptoms, lab tests, lumbar punctures, memory testing, and brain scans. These tests can be expensive, may cause your senior loved one pain, and may not be used to correctly identify Alzheimer’s until it is at a later stage, when intervention is less likely to be successful. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care in Tucson, shares two studies presented at the 2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The studies explore how the sense of smell might be able…

4 Enjoyable Christmas Events for Seniors in Tucson

December 5, 2016

Seniors living in Tucson can celebrate the Christmas season with their community and families while attending a few local holiday-themed events. The Tucson home care experts at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of 4 Christmas-themed events your elderly loved one won’t want to miss. 1. Holiday Concert On December 17th at 3pm and 7:30 pm, the University of Arizona will host this Christmas concert featuring the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus in Crowder Hall at 1017 North Olive Road. This holiday celebration will feature Christmas carols, spiritual songs, and Hanukkah favorites that can make your loved one’s outlook on life a little brighter. This feel-good concert is also a wonderful way for your loved one to welcome in…

How Can Family Caregivers Manage Role Reversal?

November 28, 2016

At some point, almost everyone has wondered what it would be like if the roles were reversed in their family. However, Tucson, AZ, caregivers often quickly discover taking on the responsibilities of their parents’ care can lead to some challenging situations. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can use to adjust to your new role. Stop Focusing on the Past Over the years, you have likely encountered a few ups and downs in your relationship with your loved one. However, now is not the time to get stuck on thinking about the mistakes everyone has made. Let go of the past and focus on the present instead. Whether your loved one gave you a happy childhood or not shouldn’t affect…

5 Ways to Let Family Caregivers Know They’re Appreciated

November 21, 2016

National Family Caregivers Month is celebrated every November, but caregivers deserve to be shown appreciation on a regular basis. Caregivers in Tucson provide emotional support, assistance with daily activities, and great care to their senior loved ones, and these are just a few suggestions for how you can let them know their efforts are not going unnoticed. 1. Send Flowers It may seem like a simple gesture, but sending flowers to a family caregiver can help boost his or her emotional health. Caregiving can be a stressful job that takes a toll on the caregiver’s life, but flowers have the ability to lift his or her spirits and enhance his or her mood. The presence of flowers can trigger positive…

5 Vegan Dishes to Make for Your Elderly Loved One This Thanksgiving

November 14, 2016

The number of older adults choosing to go vegan is rising, and many are seeing significantly positive changes in their health as a result of this diet. If your senior loved one is vegan, you might be concerned about what to serve him or her for Thanksgiving dinner. Luckily, there are many delicious and healthy dishes you can create, and the Tucson senior home care professionals at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of 5 you may want to try. 1. Shepherd’s Pie This main course is traditionally made with ground lamb, but it can easily be transformed into a hearty vegan dish with the right vegetables. In addition to onions and carrots, you can also fill the…

4 Places in Tucson Where Seniors Can Mingle with Their Peers

November 7, 2016

Because older adults run the risk of becoming socially isolated, Tucson senior care experts encourage getting out of the house more often to interact with others their age. If your elderly loved one is looking for a place to meet other seniors, check out this list of 4 local spots offering social events where he or she can mingle and make new friends. 1. Armory Park Center Located at 220 South 5th Street, this facility offers seniors a Caring and Sharing social every Thursday from 10am to 11am. In this class, your loved one can sit and share heartfelt stories and experiences with his or her peers while enjoying some coffee and delicious refreshments. Storytelling empowers seniors and provides a…

5 Reasons the Elderly Should Avoid Drinking Alcohol

October 24, 2016

Seniors should be cautioned against drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for a variety of reasons. Though drinking in moderation is unlikely to affect your elderly loved one’s health, Tucson home care professionals discuss 5 reasons why he or she may want to avoid it entirely. 1. Seniors Metabolize Alcohol Differently As people grow older, their bodies tend to hold less water, which means seniors process alcohol at a slower rate and are more prone to higher blood alcohol levels after having only a few drinks. A high blood alcohol level can be fatal. 2. Medication Interactions Can Be Hazardous Certain medications seniors are known to take regularly can be deadly if they are mixed with alcohol. Seniors who take aspirin,…

4 Ways Caregivers Help Seniors Survive Critical Illnesses

October 17, 2016

When an older adult falls critically ill, it is important to surround him or her with plenty of support. Professional caregivers are able to help seniors survive critical illnesses by providing the following services. 1. Assisting with Personal Hygiene During a time of serious illness, it is important to protect a senior’s body from having to fend off additional bacteria and viruses. However, it may not be possible for him or her to bathe independently. Caregivers in Tucson, AZ, provide assistance with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing and tooth brushing while ensuring the senior does not get too cold or exhausted during the routines. 2. Managing Medications Seniors are fortunate to be living in a time when modern medicine…

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