MANAGING CAREGIVER STRESS IN DALLAS

According to a survey conducted by Home Instead Senior Care Dallas, 55% of those using their professional caregiving services to care for their senior family members, suffer from significant levels of stress; these numbers likely only increase for those who do not seek help from an external source, and independently care for their loved ones within their own families.

Many of these caregivers not only assist with the care of their senior relatives, but also balance careers and provide for their own children, so it is no surprise that often they fall low on their own priority lists and forget to step back and take care of themselves.

There are a number of things that caregivers can do to alleviate stress that also allow them to take a time out from their caregiving duties and other stresses in their lives.

Online Screening Service - Benefits Information for Seniors 

Dallas older residents may require help paying for prescription & medications, health care, Dallas utilities and other living needs. And millions of older Americans, especially those with limited incomes, are eligible for federal, state and local programs who are not receiving benefits.

To help Dallas seniors be aware of these options, the National Council on Aging offers a comprehensive Internet service (a screening service) known as “BenefitsCheckUp.”  Since its creation in 2001, this program has helped more than 2.1 million seniors find more than $6.5 billion worth of annual benefits.

The service includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states.  Programs include healthcare; prescription drug assistance; heating and energy assistance; legal services; housing assistance; property-tax programs; nutrition programs; volunteer and training opportunities; and education programs.

Home Instead Senior Care Dallas - (972) 239-3934.

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

Respite Care in Dallas. Family Caregivers ask “how to best help themselves when stressed and over-burdened with the care of an elder loved one?” 

Make sure you don’t skip meals, no matter how busy you are, and ensure you’re receiving proper nutrition to keep your energy up and build a strong immune system. Your diet should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables and protein; and while stimulants like caffeine and foods rich with sugar may provide a temporary boost, they should be avoided due to energy crashes.

The final thing for family caregivers to remember is that they don’t have to do it alone. Caregiving, even part time, can be incredibly stressful so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.

Speak to other family members or friends about assisting either on a regular, ongoing basis or whenever you need a break; contact a service like Home Instead Senior Care to have professionals assist with the care of your loved one; and consider seeking out a local caregiver support group so you can have the opportunity to speak with people living through similar experiences.

While it may seem impossible for caregivers to take time out of their busy lives to look after themselves, it’s important to remember that if you can’t care for yourself, you won’t be at your best to be responsible for providing for anyone else.

For further information on coping with caregiver related stress, visit www.caregiverstress.com/resources.html

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

How can family caregivers relieve stress of elder care in Dallas?

Exercise can be a great way to relieve tension, especially if it is an activity you take particular enjoyment in; whether its walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming or horseback riding, try to make the time for at least 20 minutes of activity three times per week.

Stress-management activities like yoga, Tai-Chi or meditation can also be beneficial since they teach inner balance, relaxation, and help provide for a “quiet” mind. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself once in a while either; remember how hard you work to provide for everyone else in your life and get out to a romantic dinner with your spouse, or a girl’s day at the spa.

It’s easy for caregivers to forget about their own health and personal care. Especially considering the stress that you may be under, it is even more crucial that you attend regular visits to the doctor to monitor your health, and possible repercussions from stress.

For further information on coping with caregiver related stress, visit www.caregiverstress.com/resources.html

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

Since seniors do get less sleep often, it is no surprise that fatigue is present, and memory and dexterity problems are more prevalent. In order to live long healthy lives, free from accidents or serious illnesses, seniors should take sleep seriously, and do what they can to provide for a good night’s rest.

What can people do to sleep better?

What to Avoid:

• Don’t exercise at least 5 or 6 hours before turning in for the night
• Caffeine and nicotine (including coffee, tea, cola and chocolate), especially in the evening
• Steer clear of alcohol
• Avoid large meals late in the evening
• Don’t nap after 3pm
• Try not to lie awake in bed, if you are still awake after 20 minutes, get up and engage in another relaxing activity

What May Help:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule – get up and go to bed at the same time each day (even weekends)
• Do something to relax before going to bed
• Take a hot bath before bed
• Set the mood for sleep in your bedroom, keep the room cool, dark and turn off any distractions
• Speak to your doctor about any medications you may be taking that could be delaying or preventing sleep
• See a sleep specialist if nothing else seems to be helping

SENIOR SLEEPING PROBLEMS

Why do you need sleep?

Many people do not realize that sleep has a direct impact on your health; individuals who do not get enough quality sleep often experience weakened immune systems, which increase vulnerability to infection and illness.

Sleep also effects mood, ability to think clearly, reaction time, creativity and problem solving skills. Adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night, while children need more; preschoolers require between 10 and 12 hours, and newborns require between 16 and 18 hours.

However, quality sleep definitely exceeds the importance of quantity; the various sleep cycles do help with learning and creating memories, and also impact feelings of restfulness and eliminate daytime fatigue.

How does sleep change in older adults?

While it seems to be a common belief that adults require less sleep as they age, there is no scientific proof to support this; however, many older adults do have more difficulty sleeping than their younger cohorts, they are more easily awakened during the night, and have more trouble falling back asleep once woken up.

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

Home Care Dallas - Call us today at 972-239-3934

Tips for elder home care Dallas - insuring they are safe - home care Dallas. We offer this information to help educate our seniors lving in Dallas. Fall prevention is vital if you want to remain independent in your home. Safety is the key. Here are tips we offer as a tool to insure that you know the hazards of falls and it’s critcal outcome.

Falls Injuries are a leading cause of death in older people. Other health causes for falls are:

• Hazards in the home
• Medication side effects
• Walking and vision problems
• Dizziness
• Arthritis
• Weakness
• Malnutrition

All of these can boost risks of falls.

Like other geriatric syndromes, falls usually have more than one cause. What you should do: Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you’ve fallen. He or she will investigate what caused the fall and recommend steps to prevent future falls.

“Thinning bones” Osteoporosis, or “thinning bones,” is a common health problem among older people, particularly women and men older than 80. It can lead to life threatening fractures. A diet that doesn’t include enough calcium and vitamin D, too little exercise, smoking, too much alcohol, certain medications, and certain bone, thyroid and other health problems can increase risks of osteoporosis.

Home Care Dallas - Call us today at 972-239-3934

Tips for home care Dallas elders and seniors - insuring they are safe - home care Dallas.

Vision problems - common vision problems include nearsightedness, presbyopia, (age-related changes in the eye that make it hard to see close-up), glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration (damage to the center of the eye that can result in a loss of central vision. 

What you should do: Get a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. Vision problems can be treated and the earlier treatment begins, the better.

Hearing problems Hearing loss is the most common sensory problem in later life.

What you should do: Ask for a screening hearing test once a year, and tell your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble hearing. Treatment improves both hearing and quality of life.

Dizziness Dizziness — feelings of spinning, near fainting, falling, or lightheadedness — can make walking more difficult, increase risks of falls, and lessen quality of life.

What you should do: If you often feel dizzy, tell your healthcare provider. There are many treatments for dizziness; treatment depends on the underlying cause or causes.

Fainting Like dizziness, fainting is increasingly common with age and leads to falls.  In older people there are often multiple causes.

What you should do: If you’ve fainted, tell your healthcare provider immediately. He or she can investigate possible causes and recommend treatment tailored to these causes.

Difficulty walking or “gait impairment” is usually due to a combination of age-related heath problems such as arthritis, bone and muscle problems, disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, poor circulation, dizziness, changes due to stroke, vision problems, loss of strength, and even fear of falling.

What you should do: There are many treatments — ranging from exercise to surgery - that can improve gait and walking considerably. So tell your healthcare provider if you are finding it more difficult to walk.

Other tips for home care in Dallas call 972-239-3934.

Seniors Report Being Mistreated

About 13 percent of elderly Americans are mistreated, most commonly by someone who verbally or financially takes advantage of them, according to a University of Chicago study.  Researchers found that 9 percent of study participants reported verbal mistreatment, 3.5 percent reported financial mistreatment, and 0.2 percent reported physical mistreatment.

Researchers said that adults in their late 50s and 60s are more likely to report verbal or financial mistreatment than those who are older. “Perhaps the respondents are including routine arguments, perhaps about money, with their spouse or child in their reports, or perhaps older adults are more reticent to report negative behavior,” said lead author Edward Laumann.

“The population of the country is aging, and people now live with chronic diseases longer. So it’s important to understand, from a health perspective, how people are being treated as they age,” Laumann said.

Did you know that it is women who report verbal abuse? 

Of the people reporting verbal mistreatment:

• 26 percent identified their spouse or romantic partner as being responsible
• 15 percent identified their children 
• The remainder said that a friend, neighbor or boss was responsible.

Of the respondents who reported financial abuse:

• 57 percent reported someone other than a spouse, parent or child, usually another relative, was taking advantage of them.

The good news is that few older adults reported mistreatment by family members, and older adults appear isolated from physical mistreatment.  Read the full Universtiy of Chicago release.

If you have an elder in Dallas and want to help them be prepared for a potential emergency, please visit Ready.gov for useful tips and information.  For Home Care Dallas - Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Additional Items to consider when helping your senior prepare for an emergency:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat waterby using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil