Dallas Home Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Many seniors suffer from food allergies. While it is typical that people outgrow their allergies, it is also very possible to develop new allergies as you age. This is often the case with food allergies. These allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a protein that is in a particular food. Seniors should know that intolerance is totally different from a food allergy. The differences between the two and other facts about allergies and intolerances are included below.

1. There are eight foods that account for more than 90% of all food allergies. These include eggs, peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Many people can have an anaphylactic reaction when they ingest a food they are allergic to.

2. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what foods make them ill and do their best to avoid these foods. It is important to make mention of any food allergies to anyone who is preparing food you will be eating.

3. Food allergy symptoms appear almost immediately after eating the food. The symptoms can include itchy nose and throat, watery eyes, shortness of breath or hives. There are many symptoms, but these are the most common.

4. Food intolerance is when the body cannot digest the food components. This is common with foods that contain lactose or sulfides. The symptoms may include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea or nausea. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance is not life-threatening.

5. If you have a food intolerance or allergy, make sure to meet with a dietician to understand what foods you need to avoid. You also need to learn about food ingredients so you know what to watch for. Make sure to read all labels on packaged foods and inform family members and friends of the intolerance or allergy.

Source: eatright.org

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.

Dallas Aging Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Knowing the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes is an important part of understanding the disease. Seniors should be aware of all possible risks. These risks can help you determine if you have a high chance of developing this type of diabetes. Below is a list of risk factors that should be taken into consideration. If you think you may be at risk, consult with your doctor.

1. If you are over the age of 45, you are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Family history also plays a large role in the risk factor.

2. If you are over-weight, you will be at a risk. Individuals who are not physically active will be at risk. Try to exercise daily and maintain a healthy weight.

3. Females who have had babies weighing more than 9 pounds, or who have had diabetes during a pregnancy will be at a higher risk.

4. High blood pressure is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. If your HDL cholesterol level is below 35 mg/dL, your risk factor is increased.

5. Previous diagnoses of metabolic syndrome and an impaired glucose tolerance both play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

6. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and acanthosis can affect Type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with either of these conditions, you will be at a high risk of developing the disease.

Do you have a parent with diabetes? The American Diabetes Association offers these tips on how to help your parent manage their diabetes.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

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.

There are many benefits to starting to work on your goals as soon as possible. While there are many seniors who have made New Year’s resolutions, most of them do not realize that there are benefits to starting those resolutions early. This is especially true if the resolution is health related. At Home Instead Senior Care Dallas we know the importance of setting reasonable goals to increase your quality of life, so we would like to encourage you to use the list below and get working on improving yourself today!

1. Millions of people make resolutions each year and many of them are seniors. These goals are often centered on changes that will improve daily life, so there is no better time to start than now!

2. Resolutions do not have to be made just for the New Year. You can make a resolution at any point during the year and begin working on it as soon as you can. There is no need to wait until the first day of a new year.

3. When starting early, you will see there are benefits. You will begin improving your life sooner. Self-discipline is one of the most important factors of any resolution success, so start early and make changes for the better.

4. Keep your goal in mind, no matter when you start to work on your resolution. Create a plan that will allow you to stick to your convictions and achieve your goals. Resolutions not only improve life, they also help people grow physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Source: ehow.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

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.

Breast cancer awareness month is here, and take the chance to show your support to someone who has suffered with breast cancer with a unique product that represents the fight against the disease while making a contribution towards finding a cure. Here are some fun products To choose from, that seniors and breast cancer survivors of all ages will appreciate.

1. Breast cancer awareness t-shirts: you don’t need to participate in an event with giveaways to receive a breast cancer awareness t-shirt. Buy one for a friend or loved one to honor their fight against breast cancer. T-shirts are available that take a light-hearted perspective to the disease and others are sentimental. Choose something that you know will mean the most to the recipient, although the gesture in itself will have the greatest meaning

2. Ribbon magnets – buying a magnet for someone who has survived breast cancer can allow them to put it on their fridge and be reminded everyday that their fight against the disease is appreciated by the people who love them. Even those who are still going through the fight will fight harder to survive if they know they are supported

3. Coffee Cups for breast cancer awareness – coffee cups can be used year-round, and like magnets, can remind recipients about the fight they’ve undergone and let them know that there’s someone to help them contribute to awareness and support towards a cure

4. Lapel pin – unlike other clothing items for breast cancer awareness, a lapel pin can be worn with any dress code, including office wear. If you purchase a lapel pin for someone who has gone through the fight against breast cancer, they can wear the accessory to show their support everywhere they go

Via: Associated Content

Image: giftsforyounow.com

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

If you want to live a long life and be healthy into your senior years, then you need to make sure that you get the recommended dose of everything, including your vegetables on a daily basis. If you don’t enjoy the taste of all colored vegetables, then here are some tricks that can help you get your recommended dose of vegetables daily:

1. Visit a Dallas farmer’s market – instead of visiting the grocery store, check out a local farmer’s market where all of the in season fruits and vegetables will be available often at a more budget-friendly price. Plus, seeing the produce in a different environment might inspire you to try something new.

2. Mix color – try to ensure that you incorporate fruits and vegetables from every color group into your meals everyday to get the ultimate nutritional and health benefits.

3. Get creative with cooking – if there are vegetables that you don’t enjoy as much because of the textures or tastes, try blending them into a soup or stew so you don’t miss out on the nutritional benefits.

4. Try smoothies or juice – in order to increase the number of servings of fruits and vegetables you get in a day, blend them into smoothies or juices.

5. Buy frozen – frozen fruits and vegetables still offer the same nutritional benefits. Frozen berries are versatile; blend them into a smoothie, or thaw them in the morning to add to your cereal or oatmeal.

6. Add fruit – breakfast is the perfect meal to add some fruit. Add bananas or strawberries to your cereal, or instead of plain pancakes, add the fruit too!

7. Maintain good habits when eating out – when you’re eating out, make sure you get at least one serving of fruits or vegetables.

8. Be open to salad – you don’t need to stick to traditional salad ingredients. Start with deep green lettuce and add any vegetables you have on hand that seem appealing. The more colorful, the better! Add  bell peppers, tomatoes, beets, or avocado. Drizzle your salad with lemon instead of fatty dressings for a vitamin C boost.

9. Go with stir fry – stir fry recipes are a great way to incorporate a wide variety of vegetables into a meal. Start with a bed of rice, flavor with garlic or ginger, and then include a vegetable from every color group.

10. Analyze your meal – when you sit down with a meal that has a wide variety of vegetables, notice if you favor one color group over another, and make a point to add more of the others to your next shopping list.

Via: Body and Health

Image: gourmetfoodappetizers.com

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

What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.

1.) How should this outbreak be handled?

2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?

Please comment below with your opinions!

Image Source:
-New York Times

Talking to your senior parents about estate planning can be an uncomfortable subject, because many adult children don’t want to feel like they’re interfering with their parents’ personal affairs. Estate planning typically includes a legal will that outlines distribution of assets; a financial power of attorney which dictates who will look after a senior’s finances when they become unable; a medical power of attorney, the person responsible for carrying out a senior’s medical wishes; and a living will, which establishes a senior’s healthcare wishes if they become unable to speak for themselves. Discussing your senior parents’ estate early on with them ensures that you understand the role that they expect you to play after their deaths or during a medical emergency so that their wishes are carried out.

Talking to your elderly parents about estate planning becomes more important if they have not completed the necessary steps to protect their assets and secure their wishes. When approaching the topic of family estate planning, make sure that your siblings and immediate family members are involved so they don’t perceive your interests in your parents’ estate as self-serving. Ensure your parents understand you do not need to have the division of assets explained; it doesn’t matter how much they are planning on leaving you. What’s important is that they put the legalities in place to ensure they control what happens to their assets, even once they loose the ability to represent themselves.

Sources:
1. SeniorJournal.com Robert Valentine
2. FamilyEducation.com

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

2009’s Economic Stimulus Plan brings both good and bad news for senior Americans. While some of the bills President Obama is hoping to have passed by the senate do benefit seniors’ financial needs; there are advocates who fear that the provisions might hurt Social Security benefits and healthcare long-term. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), recently passed by the House, does includes some senior-friendly elements such as $87 billion to help fund state Medicaid programs; $650 million to continue the DTV coupon program (allowing people to convert from analogue to digital cable); and $500 million dollars has been allocated to the Social Security Administration to process the rise in disability and retirement claims.

According to the Stimulus Plan, unemployed people age 65 and older will be able to retain their COBRA health insurance coverage, so they are not burdened with exorbitant medical costs until they are eligible for Medicare coverage. Healthcare provisions have also been added that will allow medical institutions to store information about senior health electronically to increase senior medical care. However, they also include a controversial component which requires that medical providers choose medical treatments that are cost-effective. While this may help keep seniors’ bills for medical care low, advocates also worry that this will impact the quality of care received by those with Medicare benefits or private insurance coverage.

Obama’s 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan will also put money directly into seniors’ pockets, with eligibility for one time payments for retirees, including $300 for seniors receiving SSI, Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Veterans Benefits.

Sources:
1. Spectrum

2. Bloomberg.com (Betsey McCaughey)
 
3. Associated Press:  (Adrian Sainz)

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

For many seniors, their necessary prescription drug costs can be as great as half of their annual incomes, but by investing in prescription drug cards some of the financial burden of their medications can be alleviated without ever having to sacrifice healthcare. However, for many of these programs, offered primarily by major pharmaceutical companies, the discount available varies for each prescription medication and ranges anywhere from a 1% to 20% savings; which forces seniors to pay into multiple discount card programs and shop around for the best price every time they are ready to fill a prescription.

According to an examination completed by Susan Dentzer for NewsHour, by making use of multiple prescription drug programs, an elderly couple with senior drug costs of $16,000 per year could save anywhere from $500 to $1,600 per year. The discount may seem insignificant when compared to the total annual drug cost, however, the annual savings can add up to a substantial nest egg for seniors who feel the efforts are worth the prescription savings. Recently, a $4 discount prescription program was released by Walmart; to offer even more substantial drug savings for seniors, with hundreds of prescription drugs available at $4 for a 30-day supply.

Seniors can benefit from using discount prescription drug programs, including Medicaid’s prescription subsidies for the elderly who have reached their $4,000 quota. However, the US still has a long way to go to catch up to other countries, like Canada, which have provincial drug subsidy programs automatically available to all senior residents who face the financial reality of retirement.

Sources:
1. Online NewsHour

2. Walmart.com

3. Makoa.org

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

Most Americans understand the importance of saving money to fund their retirement once they stop working, however, most do not know just how much they’ll need to pay for their basic living expenses or fund the retirement lifestyle they desire.

There is no magic retirement amount that will allow seniors to survive financially during their retirement. According to financial planners, the amount of savings needed for retirement all depends on lifestyle, standards of living and goals during retirement. Since life expectancy rates are increasing in North America, seniors should estimate their retirement funds based on life expectancy to age 90.

So how much do seniors need to put away for their retirement during their careers? Retirement financial planners say that 15 times your regular income should fund your bare bones expenses up until age 90; however, you can’t expect to have any money left in the bank or live the luxurious retirement lifestyle you’ve dreamed of. For those seniors who hope to travel, or maintain a less-modest lifestyle during retirement, and still have money left over; at least 22 times your regular income is required.

Financial planners say that retirement planning should start as early as the 20’s or 30’s, so that a sufficient amount of money is available to fund retirement when the time comes, and only a small portion of monthly income needs to be put aside in order to reach retirement goals.

Retirement Cash: Will You Have Enough?  
Most Americans understand the importance of saving money to fund their retirement once they stop working, however, most do not know just how much they’ll need to pay for their basic living expenses or fund the retirement lifestyle they desire.

There is no magic retirement amount that will allow seniors to survive financially during their retirement. According to financial planners, the amount of savings needed for retirement all depends on lifestyle, standards of living and goals during retirement. Since life expectancy rates are increasing in North America, seniors should estimate their retirement funds based on life expectancy to age 90.

So how much do seniors need to put away for their retirement during their careers? Retirement financial planners say that 15 times your regular income should fund your bare bones expenses up until age 90; however, you can’t expect to have any money left in the bank or live the luxurious retirement lifestyle you’ve dreamed of. For those seniors who hope to travel, or maintain a less-modest lifestyle during retirement, and still have money left over; at least 22 times your regular income is required.

Financial planners say that retirement planning should start as early as the 20’s or 30’s, so that a sufficient amount of money is available to fund retirement when the time comes, and only a small portion of monthly income needs to be put aside in order to reach retirement goals.

Source:  Retirement Cash: Will You Have Enough?  (Stuart Foxman) 

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