Health Care

Exercise should no longer be a dirty word for seniors.  At one time exercise was judged to be too dangerous, too vigorous for older adults due to frailty and/or fear of being injured by exercise.  However, a number of well-conducted studies over the last several years have shown that a variety of exercises are not only safe for older adults but have enormous advantages.  In fact, staying active can help you:

• Ÿ  Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent.
• Ÿ  Have more energy to do the things you want to do.
• Ÿ  Improve your balance.
• Ÿ  Prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
• Ÿ  Perk up your mood and help reduce depression.

To get all of the benefits of physical activity, try all four types of exercise:

1. Discussing the disease, its symptoms, the way it progresses, and the range of treatment options with physicians or other qualified healthcare professionals.
2. Telling family and friends about the diagnosis, educating them about the disease and asking for family support.
3. Identifying and participating in community resources, such as support groups, adult day services and respite programs at local Alzheimer’s organizations or other community agencies.
4. Pursuing support services for primary caregivers and other family members, including support groups, telephone buddies and respite care.
5. Future planning with regard to treatment choices, legal issues, financial matters, long-term care, and end-of-life wishes while

Bathrooms have an especially high level of safety concern that other areas in a home do not.  As a physical therapist, I am frequently asked to assess people’s bathrooms for accessibility, and to make recommendations for equipment and modifications that will maximize safety.

If a person uses an assistive device for walking, such as a walker, they can’t always fit them into the bathroom.

• Avoid adding clutter that may make the walking spaces more restricted,
• Add grab bars if you need to leave your walker outside the room.
  

The surfaces in a bathroom are unforgiving.  They become slippery when wet and are hard if you land on them.

Submitted by Jodi Melsness, Home Care Solutions

Staying in touch with your parents or loved ones during the holiday season

The sights and sounds of the holiday season will soon be upon us. The smells of baked cookies, fresh fir trees, and turkey roasting will spill over into our lives. While there is a lot of activity around the holidays, this is a good time to check in with your parents or elderly relatives about their care needs. Here are some suggestions of what to look for when visiting with your older family members