Public transportation methods like buses, streetcars and subways that are available in cities and towns like Dallas are often frequented by seniors who no longer drive, since it offers them independence when running errands, attending appointments or visiting family locally. However, when taking public transit, seniors can be at risk for accidents or injuries if they’re not careful, so all seniors should take note of these safety tips:

1. Get on and off transportation with caution – when getting in or out of a vehicle, like a bus, be aware of uneven pavement or other hazards that could result in tripping, falls, or twisting of ankles
2. Have bus fare ready – fumbling around for change when a bus is starting to move can result in losing balance, have it ready before you get on the bus
3. Brace yourself – when a bus, subway or streetcar is turning or stopping, make sure you’re sitting or brace yourself to ensure you don’t lose your balance
4. Watch the gap – when stepping off the curb onto a bus, or a subway platform into the vehicle, be aware that there might be a gap between where you’re standing and the vehicle
5. Let others go first – before getting onto a bus or subway, let others exit first. You can also let others get ahead of you at the vehicle’s doors when waiting to get off so you don’t get pushed
6. Watch for closing doors – on a subway or streetcar where doors automatically open and close, never try to go through doors as they’re closing
7. Don’t get on if it’s too crowded – if public transportation is too crowded, wait for the next one. Or when getting on make sure you get a seat; many vehicles have reserved seating for seniors and people with disabilities. If the seats are taken by people who don’t fit this criteria, don’t hesitate to ask them to move or ask the driver to assist you
8. Keep hands free – don’t carry too many things in your hands, so you can adequately hold on to railings
9. Ask a bus driver to lower the steps – most buses are equipped with ramps and stairs that lower to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs, if you’re worried about getting up or down the stairs, ask them to lower it
10. Get there safely- if walking at night, wear brightly colored or reflective clothing, be careful when crossing streets, and remember to buckle up if taking a taxi

Via: About.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

When a senior that you care for mentions that they’re having difficulty with urination or with sexual dysfunction, you need to ask more questions, despite the embarrassment of the topic, because these could be symptoms of prostate cancer. Ask your senior the following questions, and if they answer “yes” to any of the below, encourage them to seek the attention of their Dallas doctor right away, as often when symptoms appear with prostate cancer the disease has already progressed.

1. You have a frequent need to urinate, especially at night
2. Despite the feeling of needing to urinate often, you have problems starting to urinate, or even sometimes with holding back urine
3. When urinating, you may find that the flow of urine is interrupted or weak
4. When urinating, you feel a burning sensation
5. You find it difficult to attain or maintain an erection, and may find that ejaculation can be extremely painful
6. Blood has appeared in your urine or semen
7. You feel pain or stiffness in their lower back, hips of upper thighs

Via: Prostate Cancer Foundation

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September is prostate cancer awareness month, so it’s time to start thinking about your options when it comes to prostate cancer screening and diagnosis so you can make the decisions that are right for you and your health.

1. Talk to your Dallas doctor about screening – prostate cancer screening can cause discomfort and be a substantial expense; however, in many cases it is crucial as often symptoms do not surface until the disease has progressed to the later stages. The age to start discussing prostate cancer screening is 40 for those of African American descent, and those with a history of prostate cancer in their families. All other men should speak to their physician by age 50
2. Understand the screening options – there are two main tests used to screen for prostate cancer, which can help detect the disease so it can be treated, if necessary, before symptoms even occur:

• Digital Rectal Exam – a physician places a gloved hand into the patient’s rectum to feel the prostate and determine if any lumps or anything else unusual are present

• Prostate Specific Antigen Test – a blood test that looks at the enzyme levels produced by the prostate, anything above the normal range of 0 to 4.0 may indicate cancer

3. Know the symptoms – even if you’ve decided against preventative screening, knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer can help you to receive medical help when it’s required. The most common symptom is a more frequent need to urinate accompanied by an inability to empty the bladder completely. Some seniors may also find sexual dysfunction or blood in ejaculate fluid
4. Decide whether it’s important to you to receive a diagnosis, preliminary or otherwise – prostate cancer most often moves very slowly in senior men, and the vast majority die of other causes and not the prostate cancer. It’s important to evaluate whether a diagnosis is important to you, because if you choose not to receive treatment, it might just cause additional emotional stress

Via: How To Do Things

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

A diagnosis of a disease like prostate cancer can be nearly as bad as the symptoms of the illness itself. A prostate cancer diagnosis might feel like the end of the world, but in reality it doesn’t need to be. These 6 ways to cope with prostate cancer won’t take away the disease, but they can help make sure it doesn’t run the rest of your life once you learn you have it.

1. Embrace knowledge – knowledge really is power, so research the disease, the symptoms, and the treatment options so you know exactly what to expect from it. At a time when you might feel hopeless, this can help you regain a sense of power over the situation
2. Accept support – you don’t have to do it alone; accept support from family and friends to the degree that you’re comfortable with and form a united front against the disease. You can even join a support group for other seniors with similar struggles
3. Recognize your partner’s struggles – even if you have the disease, your partner is suffering almost as much at the time of diagnosis. Don’t shut her out; try to get through it together
4. Don’t let it affect your masculinity – many men fear prostate cancer because it can mean loss of sexual function. Not all options lead to this, so do your research so you can make an informed decision. Also know that whatever happens, you aren’t less of a man, and no one who loves you would ever think that!
5. Be honest – don’t hold back; recognize your physical symptoms and share them with your doctor. Also don’t hesitate to let him/her know if you want a second opinion form another Dallas doctor, or if you’re uncomfortable with a treatment option
6. Keep pushing forward – no matter what happens, don’t accept defeat. Keep things going, never stop looking for knowledge, and never allow anyone else to make decisions for you as long as you’re able

Via: Prostate Cancer Institute

Bio-Medicine

Image Source: jupiterimages.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

52% of Dallas seniors say that they would get behind the wheel while talking on a cell phone, and while this may sound extreme, older adults are the demographic who seem to be the most safety conscious when it comes to this. Considering, it’s important that people of all ages focus on safety first if driving with a cell phone, so they’re not a hazard to others driving on Dallas roads.

4 Ways to Put Safety first when Driving with a Cell Phone:

1. Only use cell phone with hands free options – headsets, speaker phones and other gadgets can allow Dallas seniors to talk in the car without having to risk their safety by driving one handed
2. Don’t dial while driving – trying to dial, text, or send an email while driving using a cell phone can result in serious distraction behind the wheel. Seniors should set up voice dialing if they plan on making calls anyways while driving, or only make calls when the car is stopped
3. Have a friend make the call – when driving with a friend, a senior driver can pass the phone off to someone else to make a phone call or answer a ringing cell phone if it’s urgent
4. Turn off the phone – having a phone on and ringing can make it tempting to answer when it rings in the car. By shutting it off, seniors can stop themselves from making and receiving calls; however, the phone is still present for emergencies

Via: About

Image: pro.corbis.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

It doesn’t matter where you live, a natural disaster or even a terrorist attack can occur unexpectedly near your Dallas home. You can’t expect to see these kind of things coming, so in order to be prepared and survive a natural disaster or another type of emergency, you need to have an emergency kit ready with the following items:

• Water – one gallon of water per person, per day with enough for at least 3 days
• Food – non-perishable food items should be in an emergency kit, with enough to survive on for at least 3 days. If canned items are included, don’t forget the manual can opener!
• Radio – a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio will keep you informed about the state of the emergency situation, and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert will notify you if a natural disaster is approaching
• Light – a flashlight and lots of extra batteries is crucial, especially if the electricity is out
• First Aid Kit – bandaids and antiseptic along with spare necessary prescription medications should be included
• A whistle – this should be used to signal for help
• Dust mask – this will help you to filter contaminated air
• Shelter – plastic sheeting and tarp and duct tape can be used to create a temporary shelter if needed
• Items for personal sanitation – if there is no water available, moist towelettes and garbage bags will be handy
• Tools – wrench, pliers or other tools can be used to turn off utilities in the home
• Maps of the area and your documented escape route and emergency plan
• Pet supplies – remember, that in an emergency, your pet may need supplies such as food for days too!

Sources:

1. Ready.gov

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

Summer’s here, and while the rest of your family might be hitting up the beaches, playgrounds, parks and other outdoor destinations around Dallas, if you are a senior, you can join in on the fun but need to be more cautious when you step outside to make sure the effects of the heat don’t ruin your time with family and friends. Protect yourself with 8 methods for preventing heat stroke in older adults.

1) Keep hydrated with cool beverages and avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you are a senior who has been told by a Dallas doctor to limit water consumption, check first how much you should drink when it’s the heat of the summer
2) Remain indoors during the high heat of the day. Get out in the early morning or evening when the sun is not as hot
3) Seek cover when outside in the heat either by bringing an umbrella to your outdoor location or finding a big shady tree to sit under
4) Remember your sunscreen and protective clothing. A hat will help protect you from heat stroke, and loose, light clothing which has long sleeves and pants will protect from UV rays.
5) Avoid strenuous activities outside. During the summer months, exercise indoors in air conditioning to ensure there are no detrimental effects to your health as an older adult
6) Pack juicy snacks when outside to keep cool. Fruits, light summer salad, juices, popsicles and even ice cream can all help seniors to keep their body temperatures down during the summer
7) Stay cool by taking tepid showers or baths when needed
Get lots of rest, especially when coming in from the heat

Sources:
1. CDC

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

Everyday you walk out of your house in a busy Dallas community, and walk around the neighborhood, as a senior, you find it’s a great way to feel like you’re in touch with your surroundings. You like to watch the people around you; observing parents interacting with their kids at the park, and see the people waiting at the bus stop to return home from work and school. You find that just getting outside in your community can help you feel like you’re not alone. Although this has been your routine for some time, and it makes a big difference in your life, it might just be time to make a change and get out into a different environment that will bring you even more benefits than those that you receive already.

Instead of walking around a more urban community where there is too much to over stimulate your mind, retreat into nature where you can relax and rejuvenate your mind, while also providing it with a form of stimulation that can help improve your memory and focus and give you a new outlook on life. If you’re able, take a long walk or hike in nature at least a couple of times a week. You can go alone or go with your caregiver, a family member or a friend, and just take in your surroundings just as you do when you go for your walks around your Dallas home; you might find it revives you and stimulates you in a way that nothing else can!

Sources:

1. AARP

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

We’ve told you about the benefits of resistance training as an older adult in the past – so you’re aware of the importance for building bone density and strength; but what you might not know, is that according to a recent study, it turns out that muscle mass might not be built on seniors past age 80. After having had women over 80 begin a weight training regiment, they were put through MRIs which showed that no additional muscle mass appeared.

It’s not to say that weight training can’t have its benefits to elderly women, however. Strength can still be increased with a resistance training program that can help Dallas seniors improve their functioning on a day to day basis; better allowing them to move their own body weight in and out of bed, out of the bathtub and pick up and carry their grandchildren.

So senior ladies, if you’re worried that weight training will cause you to increase your muscle mass when you don’t want it to, worry no more, because it turns out that won’t happen!

Sources:

1. Health Discovery Canada

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.

Q – I know that the environment is the cause of some of my mother’s illnesses that are respiratory, like asthma and allergies, but someone told me recently that environmental causes can play a major role in the onset and development of diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Is this true and why?

A – A recent study did prove that there are environmental causes of the more common diseases that plague seniors in older adulthood like Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Apparently, nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines found in processed foods and even pesticides can play a role in the development of age related diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes. According to the research, these substances can break down insulin resistance and damage DNA, resulting in an increased risk for these illnesses.

Fortunately this discovery means that once causes are identified, the substances can be eliminated from foods and chemicals so it is not able to have negative affects upon the health of people; however, it is a sad fact that for today’s seniors, it’ll just be a question of hoping for the best that any damaging affects will not result in coming face to face with early mortality.

Sources:

1. Medical News Today

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Are you seeking home care for an aging relative in Dallas? Call Home Instead Senior Care in Dallas at 972-239-3934.