While there’s no guarantee that cancer won’t touch the life of someone you love or your own life, no matter what your age, the secrets to cancer prevention relate to diet, lifestyle and knowledge. Follow these simple tips for the prevention of cancer to reduce your chances of experiencing the life altering disease.

1. No Smoking – avoid cigarette smoke at all costs; both first and second hand smoke increase your risk of contracting many types of cancers that relate to cigarette smoking, and makes you more susceptible to cancers that are not caused by the unhealthy habit.

2. Be Aware of Affects of the Sun – Many seniors believe that after years of sun exposure, they no longer require protection from the sun. Proper sun protection at any age is important for cancer prevention. Children, older and younger adults should wear sunscreen during time spent in the sun, protective eyewear (UV sunglasses), and head coverings like hats. It’s also important that individuals remain aware of any changes to their skin, like moles or other marks, and discuss any changes to skin conditions with a doctor immediately.

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle & Weight – a healthy lifestyle for cancer prevention includes eating a well-balanced diet rich with fresh fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly. Fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants, like those green, red or orange in color can help regenerate damaged cells for cancer prevention. Smoked and cured meats which are high in fat also increase the risk of cancer and should be avoided. Since obesity greatly increases the risk of cancer, regular exercise which is appropriate for your age and physical abilities, especially if you’re an older adult; should be incorporated into your routine.

4. Limit Alcohol Intake – consumption of alcohol not only increases the risk of certain types of cancer, it contributes to overall poor health and obesity in adults. Alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum, since men who consume 2 or more alcoholic drinks a day are at a greater risk for cancer, as are women who have 1 or more alcoholic drinks per day.

5. Know Your Families History – Knowledge plays a major role in cancer prevention. Understanding your family history with cancer can help your doctor make decisions relating to testing and screening for cancer. Many types of cancer are genetic, so it’s important to understand your family risk so you can make informed healthcare decisions.

http://cancer.about.com/od/causes/tp/topreventcancer.htm
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_1.asp?sitearea=PED&level=1

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

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

Home Instead Senior Care recently compiled the results of the largest survey ever conducted on the state of senior caregiving in the United States. Some interesting findings were determined and are summarized in posts on Carebuzz this week.

At Home Instead Senior Care we often receive calls and are questioned about “who pays for in home senior care?” - “Does medicare or an insurance policy cover these types of services?” 

When a patient is discharged from a hospital, the doctor can request that a home health attendant come to the patients home for 2 hours at a time for up to 3 visits/week. Usually this is available for 6 weeks and medicare will pay for it.  The home health attendant can help prepare a meal, assist with bathing and perform some light housekeeping in the patient’s room. While these services may be helpful, patients usually can not specify the time of day or possibly can not choose the person that they would prefer to come into their home and assist them with very personal matters.

For a patient who would like a schedule that is a better fit for their routine, this type of service may not be ideal.  We also find that although having these medicare funded services are helpful they may not be enough for someone who needs more assistance throughout the day or night. There may be some overlap between the tasks that home health aides and home care workers or CAREGivers perform so it is important for a family member to be clear about what they expect each person to do if Medicare funded home health aides are coming into the home.

Many people are surprised to find out how affordable CAREGiving services can be. Each Home Instead Senior Care office is independently owned, so prices will vary, but the average across the US is $18/hour.

Who Actually Pays?:

 - 25% Of seniors pay for their own care

 - 19% Is paid for by The primary decision-maker – the person responsible for making key health-care decisions when it is not the senior

- 17% percent of seniors make use of long-term care insurance

- 10% Is funded by State and volunteer/community contributions

Source: When The Age Wave Hits: Home Instead Senior Care Annual Report

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

Members of the Silver Haired Legislature are selfless individuals who are active in bettering the lives of seniors. In addition to the volunteer work that they do for the SHL, many also have a history of active members of their general community that don’t relate to their duties as representatives of the SHL. It should be no surprise that the committee volunteers appointed by registered voters of the SHL every 2 years take interest in activities that better the lives of people of all ages in their communities. Many are actively involved with religious organizations; sit on boards of community organizations; have a history working with consumer awareness businesses, like the Better Business Bureau; and had careers in fields like nursing and teaching.

While the members of the Silver Haired Legislature have certainly had a positive impact through their work within the general population, it is the elderly advocate work that they have done to improve the lives of older citizens that is most profound. Since the inception of the SHL in 1973 in 31 states, their government help for aging Americans and legislative involvement has resulted in addressing the following needs of the aging community:

Priority Bills Passed by the SHL in the 1990’s

• The senate passed a bill to provide low-income seniors with a pharmaceutical tax credit
• They made free health insurance counseling available to Medicare recipients
• State tax deductions for pensioners in Missouri were established
• Establishment of Department of Aging
• Funding for nursing home inspections
• Severe penalties for elder abuse
• Nursing home reform law

Top 10 Resolutions of the 12th Session of the SLH in Texas

• To establish a Legislative Committee to address issues of the aging population over the next 10-30 years
• To increase Medicaid funding
• To increase funding for public transportation systems in small urban and rural settings
• 5% increases in Cap Annual Property Valuations
• To develop support programs for grandparents caring for grandchildren
• To reenact state regulation of electric utilities
• To correct misuse of Eminent Domain power and not allow private property to be taken to benefit another private owner
• To increase the Personal Needs Allowance for nursing home residents on Medicaid
• To integrate more geriatric health awareness to students in the first 2 years in medical school
• To increase tax deductions for those volunteering to help senior citizens (i.e. transportation deductions for those delivering for Meals on Wheels)

Sources: http://www.txshl.org/docs/resolutions/12TH%20TSHL%20TOP%20TEN.pdf
http://www.nemoaaa.com/shlfacts.htm
http://www.txshl.org/

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

The Silver Haired Legislature, present in 31 states across the US, advocates the needs of aging adults, which includes providing guidance and support to their family members. One of the major issues that has been on the minds of the SHL relates to the sandwich-generation; those family caregivers who provide assistance to any aging relative, while raising their own young families and managing careers. Not only can providing care for an elderly parent or other relative take a physical toll on the lives of these Americans, but it can also carry a serious financial burden which only grows as life expectancy continues to rise. The Oklahoma SHL is trying to pass Senate Bill 725, which has been cleared by the Senate, but has not yet been heard by the House. This Bill will provide a tax deduction to families providing care and support for its elderly members.

Not only is The Silver Haired Legislature in many states focused upon legislation that will provide family caregivers financial support, they provide community resources through the Area Agency on Aging to help educate seniors and their families about rights, care issues, and other factors which can impact the lives of older adults. The Texas Silver Haired Legislature offers online courses for family caregivers; understanding that when balancing responsibilities, it’s important to offer educational resources which can be accessed at their convenience. These courses provide useful tips relating to care techniques, provide community support for common care-related issues, and makes them aware of the resources available.

Once per session, the elderly advocates of The SHL meet to discuss and vote upon which issues faced by older Americans that they will present to the Senate. First, however, the groups in each state reach out to the senior community to learn about what issues the population believes requires government support. Every year, when the SHL and Senate are in session, the Texas Senior Advocacy Coalition organizes Senior Day at the Capitol. This took place at The Capitol in Austin on February 10th. Seniors and their families were invited to attend independently or with the groups they’re involved with where they had the opportunity to mingle with representatives of the SHL and of the state legislature to voice their concerns and learn about senior living resources. Seniors and their families are also welcome to contact SHL representatives directly by phone or email, or approach other state advocacy groups which will present the issues before the SHL.

The Silver Haired Legislatures across the United States exist to represent the needs of older adults. So Families, it’s time to get yourselves and the seniors in your lives involved in advocacy for senior welfare.

Sources: http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2007/pr20070925b.html
http://www.txshl.org/training.cfm
http://www.txshl.org/calendar.cfm

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

Q1– Are there tests to help detect glaucoma?
A1 – Eye doctors use a number of tests to detect the serious eye disease, glaucoma and track the progression of the damage it is causing.

Q2 – Is there a main test to initially diagnose glaucoma?
A2 – A tetometer is the main tool used to test intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye right from the surface, after numbing the eye with drops.

Q3 – What is normal IOP for an eye?
A3 – While some people can have higher or normal pressure of the eyes without any negative effects, normal intraocular pressure is around 20 mmHg. Anything above this could indicate glaucoma, and cause damage to the optic nerve. IOP over 30 mmHg results in a 40% higher chance of serious damage in a relatively short period of time.

Q4 – How do eye doctors measure loss of eyesight?
A4 – An eyesight test called a visual field test can detect blind spots and loss of peripheral vision. Seniors are asked to look into a machine and push a button every time a flashing light becomes visible.

Q5 – How can eye doctors track damage occurring to the optic nerve as a result of glaucoma?
A5 – There are techniques that allow professionals to use imaging to view the damage caused to the optic nerve, and an ultrasound biomicroscopies which allow them to map the flow of aqueous pressure in the eye.

Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm

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

When living in Dallas, Texas, seniors can never be too prepared when it comes to winter weather. As they say in Texas, if you don’t like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes! In the winter months, we can get hard cold fronts blowing in over night. Ice and snow are hazards to everyone driving on Dallas roads, but especially difficult for older citizens. The risk of falling increases in the winter time.

Stock up on supplies before snow or ice accumulates on Dallas streets. Start with salt. Believe it or not, there are a variety of salts to choose from. Traditional rock salt effectively melts snow and ice, but it isn’t the most environmentally-friendly option. Some eco-friendly choices that melt snow and help combat re-icing include magnesium acetate and calcium chloride. Magnesium acetate is probably the least destructive to vegetation, but it’s costly and not quite as effective. Calcium chloride is a little more expensive than rock salt, but you don’t need to distribute as much. Only need a handful for every three square yards is needed.

Other Tips to help prepare for snowfall and ice:

During Snowfall
Once the snow starts, tune in to the weather reports. If you need a shovel, get one with an ergonomic design or choose a rolling snow shovel. Proper snow shoveling techniques start with your legs. Make sure to bend your knees when lifting and moving piles. Aoid twisting your torso with a heavy load - shift your whole body, including your stance. A snow blower is another great option when it comes to snow removal.

After the Snowfall
It’s also important to lay a little extra salt to keep your concrete from re-icing. As always, make sure to replenish salt supplies and properly store equipment.

Read the full article.

Family traditions help us form connections with our relatives and shape our own sense of identity. Every family has their own rituals that are important to them and are valued parts of their lives that they look forward to each year. Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934. 

It doesn’t matter what the traditions are, they can be whatever the family deems as important to them. They can be as elaborate as throwing large surprise birthday parties for every milestone, or as minor as reading bedtime stories to children every night. Whatever the traditions are, it’s important that they are passed along to future generations so they can be part of making the memories too.

Families can pass along significant heirlooms from generation to generation, while making sure that other individuals understand why it’s so important. An heirloom can be any object that represents the family; like a piece of jewelry, a quilt or an ornament.

Another tradition that can be passed on within families, can be to teach skills which can be enjoyed together or by members on their own. They can be creative skills like painting, photography, or needlework crafts like knitting or patchwork. Or, they can focus upon music, like learning to play an instrument or singing. Other areas of expertise that can be passed on are cooking, gardening, or handyman skills.

Families should also focus upon sharing their stories about family history and traditions with all generations, so they understand the significance of the rituals to their family. This can make them even more special and unique and help tighten the bonds between the members.

Source: http://aginggrandparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/preserving_family_memories

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Caregiving Decisions

Q1 – Why might family caregivers choose not to involve seniors in decisions that impact their own lives?
A1 – Sometimes it can be challenging for seniors to make decisions or gain access to needed resources based on the physical, mental and emotional limitations. In these cases, sometimes a caregiver might find it easier to make the decision themselves.

Q2 – Should seniors be involved in making decisions?
A2 – Absolutely, while they may not be able to make them single-handedly dependent upon their abilities, caregivers can assist them with the decision-making process and setup situations where they’ll be successful.

Q3 – How can caregivers involve seniors in effective decision making?
A3 – If making big decisions are too overwhelming for seniors, caregivers can complete the necessary research and use resources in order to present seniors with the top suitable options. By preventing a senior with the best choices regarding a professional caregiver, community living facility or investment opportunity; families can ensure that their senior makes a good choice no matter what, while allowing the senior to be involved with the process.

Q4 – Can this decision-making structure be used for minor day-to-day decisions as well?
A4 – For seniors who find it overwhelming to decide what to wear or what to have for dinner, a caregiver can provide them with two or three options to choose from.

Q5 – Are there any legal ways seniors can ensure their voices are heard?
A5 – It’s important for older adults to draft up Living Wills and appoint a Power of Attorney while they are still able to make their wishes with regards to healthcare, asset management and more. This will ensure that their families, doctors and legal professionals follow the senior’s requirements, even if they can’t speak for themselves.

Source: http://assisted-living.aplaceformom.com/articles/eldercare-decision-and-guilt/

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 80% of telemarketing scams are directed towards seniors who are unfortunately vulnerable to all types of fraud, since by nature they are more trusting, friendly and generous.

It’s important that seniors exercise caution when making any serious decision, especially when large sums of money are involved. It’s also a good idea to get perspective from someone they trust, like a close family member or friend.

Other Ways Seniors Can Protect Themselves:

• Never give out your Social Security Number (unless absolutely required, then verify the recipient), and don’t allow organizations like hospitals to use it as an ID number; you can request that they use an alternative

• Doctors in the US are business people looking to make a profit and not all of them are honest. If you are diagnosed with a serious illness or condition that will require expensive treatment, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion

• It’s smart to make investments if you do so wisely, so consult an accountant, attorney or legal advisor before exchanging funds

• If hiring a contractor for home repairs or other consumer services, check the Better Business Bureau for a rating and see if there are any scams listed with AARP

• If hiring a caregiver, who will become an integral part of a senior’s life with access to personal information; make sure that a thorough background check is conducted

• Beware of sweepstakes scams, you should never have to pay money in order to receive a prize

• Be careful with mail and other documents that contain personal information. If mail is delivered to your door, try not to leave it sitting outside, and shred all documents before recycling

• Analyze all financial statements closely, and have a trusted family member to take a second look so ensure there are no suspicious charges

If you have been a victim to consumer fraud, contact the Administration on Aging to point you towards resources that will help bring justice. Ombudsman, legal council, the Better Business Bureau and private organizations like Fraud Resolution for Seniors, in Seattle, Washington can all be useful.

Sources: Source: http://www.safeseniors.org/protecting_seniors_from_fraud.htm
                            http://www.dca.ca.gov/consumer/seniors/senior_scam.shtml
                            http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors/Consumer.shtml

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Learning How to Ask for Help

The senior clients that we work with come to us only after they and their families have recognized their need for caregiving assistance. We know that for a senior, one of the biggest challenges that they face as they age, is coming to terms with the changes they’re experiencing, and acknowledging that they may need help to carry on their lifestyle. Once they have made this recognition, the next step is approaching the subject with their loved ones and asking for help.

Speaking with family members of seniors, we know that the type of help they offer takes a variety of forms. Often, it depends on the time that a relative is able to commit to helping the senior, based on the other responsibilities in their life. Seniors often ask them for assistance with basic tasks, like driving them to appointments, taking them shopping, or picking up prescriptions. Although seniors are often reluctant to ask for as much, some family members are able to provide part or full-time care assistance; while others take control of hiring a professional caregiver or research suitable assisted living facilities.