An adult son of an aging Dallas woman called us asking, “My 81 year old mom gets impatient with me and my sister very easily. We try so hard to help her out… and making sure she is safe and well fed, but we’re getting very annoyed!  Do you have any suggestions on calming her down so that we can tolerate her for longer periods of time?”
 
Our answer may be complex, please know that aging can be difficult for many people.  We suggest that she receive a  complete physical.  She may have a condition that could be affecting her mental attitude and behavior. According to medical experts, a classic symptom of dementia is mood change.  So, first find out if anything is physically affecting your mom’s disposition.  Ask for a doctor’s examination, input and recommendations.

If she, your mother, appears to be in good physical and mental health, she may be just bored.  Many older Americans become isolated and lose interest in socializing.  Too much time being alone at home can make them irritable and impatient.  We suggest that you encourage her to develop a routine of activities and projects.  Even a schedule that includes a few regular tasks and outings can occupy her time and give her something to think about.  

 Please visit us tomorrow when we continue the post on helping your senior stay active and occupied!

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care Dallas, call us at 972-239-3934.

The rising cost of food & gas are effecting Dallas elders’ and seniors’ nutrition and healthy eating habits.  If your elder or senior loved one lives in Dallas, Texas and needs help at home… please call Home Instead Senior Care Dallas at 972-239-3934.

Rising costs for gas and food are affecting senior nutrition programs across the country. Nearly 60 percent of the estimated 5,000 programs that belong to the Meals on Wheels Association of America have lost volunteers who can’t afford gas, said Enid A. Borden, president and CEO.

Nearly half the programs have eliminated routes or consolidated meal services, AARP Bulletin Today reports. Some 38 percent have switched to delivering frozen rather than hot meals, while about 30 percent are cutting personal visits from five days a week to one.

While most needs are still being met, advocates from California to New York worry that seniors will go hungry. They blame a nearly 20 percent increase in fuel and food prices over the past year, flat or reduced government funding, and an ailing economy that yields fewer donations.

“We’re in a crisis and it’s just getting worse and worse,” said Borden, who is urging Congress to increase money for senior nutrition programs by at least 10 percent. As these meal deliveries and related personal visits decrease in frequency, Home Instead Senior Care may find opportunities to provide companionship and meal services for these seniors.

To find out if your community needs help with senior nutrition programs, contact your local Meals on Wheels organization. Assisting with meal delivery programs is an easy way your staff can give back to your community.

Provides assisted living at home, elder care and senior live-in services for Dallas seniors and elders. Call us today for help at 972-239-3934.

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - Provides assisted living at home, elder care and senior live-in services for Dallas seniors and elders. Call us today for help at 972-239-3934.

The Facts about Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious, lifelong skin disease that affects as many as 7.5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health.  About 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.

Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can relieve pain and inflammation and possibly help prevent progressive joint involvement and damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling and crippling. August is Psoriasis Awareness Month.  For more information, log on to the National Psoriasis Foundation at www.psoriasis.org.

The following statistics show that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are common, life altering and often debilitating conditions.

Worldwide

Psoriasis affects an estimated 2-3 percent of the world’s population.

125 million people worldwide have psoriasis, according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium.
National health concern According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 5.8 and 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. Studies have shown that between 10 percent and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.

Age of onset

Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but can develop at any age. Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can develop at any time.

More information - alternative approaches for Psoriasis - visit Alternative Approaches & Treatments

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - Providing assisted living at home, elder care and senior live-in services for Dallas seniors and elders. Call us today for help at 972-239-3934.

Regular walking helps elderly in Dallas remain independent 

Older adults who participate in a walking exercise program can decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining independence by 41 percent, a University of Georgia study found. Establishing a walking routine with your aging relative is an easy way to help them stay independent longer. If you need help, call Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - our CAREGivers are available to spend companionship time with your loved one.

“In the past decade, researchers have focused on the benefits of strength training in maintaining independence, but until now we didn’t have good evidence using an objective performance measure that a walking program would improve physical functioning,” said study co-author M. Elaine Cress, Professor of Kinesiology and Researcher in the UGA Institute of Gerontology. “Our study found that walking offers tremendous health benefits that can help older adults stay independent.”

Study participants were assigned to either of two groups – a walking group that met three times a week for four months or a nutrition education control group. Researchers measured the aerobic capacity of participants using a treadmill test. While the control group saw a 9 percent decline in aerobic capacity over the four-month period, the walking group’s aerobic capacity increased by 19 percent. Physical function increased by 25 percent in the walking group, compared with a decline of 1 percent in the control group.

“We know that walking is good for you, but too many people still aren’t doing it,” said Trudy Moore-Harrison, lead study author. “This study shows that just walking on a regular basis can make a huge impact on quality of life.The study appears in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.

Call us today for help at 972-239-3934.

Your parents have always been very independent and private about handling their finances. Recently, you’ve noticed they are cutting back and setting a budget on grocery shopping and other products. You’re concerned that their eating habits will suffer. How do you bring up the “money talk” with them in conversation?

We know its difficult to broach this subject with your parents, but you have to, no matter how uncomfortable. Home Instead Senior Care Dallas suggest these conversation starters, “There’s not much food around the place, what are you eating?” Pay attention to the tone you use. Try to say it in a humorous fashion. If this approach is not your style, be more straightforward: “Mom, I’m a bit concerned about whether you and Dad are eating enough.” Malnourishment can be a significant problem with older adults, and can be a sign of other issues that might need attention over and above finances.

If the evidence points to a financial issue, simply make an offer: “I know you’re pretty private about money, but you know that if you ever ran into problems I’d do what I could to help, right?” Sometimes, it’s easier to at least to start the discussion of emotional or private issues in a less personal communication medium. 

Some adult children, use the phone, or even state their concern in an e-mail. Once you’ve said what you want to talk to them, it’ll be a lot easier to bring it up in person.

Research shows us that 21% of family members list money as near the top of the list of challenging subjects to brong up with older adults.

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - a great assisted living alternative in Dallas for seniors and elders. Call us today for help at 972-239-3934.