Q – My elderly mother, who lives alone in Austin, neglects her nutrition because she says food doesn’t taste like it used to, and since my father passed away she doesn’t bother to cook for herself. I worry about her health with all the processed convenient foods she eats. Can you suggest a healthy, tasty recipe that would be easy for her to make that would encourage her to cook at home?

A – Here’s a great recipe that your mother will be able to make quickly and easily, and it has such a great taste she’ll surely be convinced that cooking at home is worthwhile. It also tastes so wonderful that she needn’t cook it just for one; if she invites over some guests they’re sure to think she’s been slaving away in the kitchen all day even though the recipe only requires about 10 minutes preparation time, and 30-35 minutes in the oven.

Lemon Dill Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1 TSP chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425? F. degrees.

Mix all ingredients except chicken.
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread 1/4 of the lemon dill sauce over the bottom of pan.
Arrange chicken breasts on top of sauce in a single layer.
Pour remaining sauce over chicken and spread evenly.
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until chicken is done.

Sources:

1. ClevelandAndSeniors.com

2. Nutritionwerks.com

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q – I know that my elderly mother from Austin has a diet rich in salt. Is sodium harmful to a senior’s health? And if so, how can we help her cut back?

A – Every diet should contain sodium in order for the body to maintain homeostasis, however, when it’s consumed in excess it can be harmful to a senior’s health. According to a recent study completed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors who consume more than 1,500 mg of salt per day are at a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. While altering a senior’s diet may seem drastic, proper nutrition with a reduced sodium diet is essential for Austin seniors’ health.

If your mom consumes processed foods, like meats, on a regular basis an easy change would be to encourage her to shop for fresh foods instead. Generally, fresh meats will not contain added sodium, but this can be confirmed with the butcher before purchase. Packaged foods should also contain ingredient lists, and will state if they are low in sodium – seniors should choose these products for better nutrition. You can also encourage your mother to choose salt-free snacks over those that are high in sodium; omit salt from recipes where possible; and use other spices and seasonings that are sodium-free.

Sources:

1. MayoClinic

2. Magic Kitchen.com

3. Seniors for Living

Image: eDiets.com

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q – I am an elder care provider, and have a care recipient in Austin who has a history of strokes in his family. Since his risk of having a stroke is higher, is there anything I can do to help lower the likelihood that he will have stroke?

A – Since naturally there is no way to change your care recipient’s family history, it’s fortunate that simple changes to lifestyle and diet can reduce a senior’s risk of having a stroke. As a caregiver in Austin, there are a number of things that you can do to directly impact the likelihood that your senior will have a stroke, and a number of other things you can help with by offering support and encouragement.

How Caregivers Can Help Prevent Strokes:

• Prepare healthy meals for the senior that are low in salt and saturated fats

• Plan meals based on their specific healthy living needs – serve lower-cholesterol foods and adjust meals for those who struggle with high cholesterol

• Engage in activities daily that keep the senior active – go for a walk around the neighborhood or to the park, or try more vigorous exercise if your senior has the physical capabilities

• Ensure alcohol served with meals is done so in moderation, since excessive drinking can increase the risk of a stroke

Stroke Prevention Through Encouragement:

• Encourage a senior to understand their health, including stroke risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, circulation problems or atrial fibrillation by visiting a doctor

• Encourage a senior to quit smoking

• Be on the look out for signs of a stroke!

Sources:
1. Healing Daily
2. BBC Health

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q1 – How can a senior find a doctor?

A1 – The American Medical Association Doctor Finder is a directory of American doctors that includes their history as medical professionals. Find doctors that are located in your local area, but make the final decision based on other important factors.

Q2 – What else should seniors consider when choosing a doctor?

A2 – It’s important to decide whether a general practitioner or specialist is required based on the elderly person’s medical history. For affordability, a doctor that complies with your health benefits or medical insurance plan should also be chosen; and naturally, you want a doctor that has a great track record.

Q3 – How can you tell if a doctor’s good?

A3 – To understand how well a doctor performs, by interviewing them and their office staff. Find out if they encourage questions, and if they remain respectful. A doctor’s professional history can be reviewed using a number of online directories, including the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory, The American Board of Medical Specialties and The Federal State of Medical Boards.

Sources:
1. Seniors for Living
2. MedicineNet

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q1 – Is there any connection between physical activity and the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia?

A1 – According to a study, active seniors over the age of 60 who have a declining brain mass are at a higher risk for the development of cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s or dementia, and active seniors experience substantially less brain shrinkage than those who are inactive.

Q2 – How does exercise improve the functioning of the mind?

A2 – By increasing blood flow from the heart to the brain through exercise, a senior’s brain is stimulated and optimal health is maintained. Because exercise also decreases blood pressure, cholesterol and other diseases which could influence the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia, a senior’s overall health is better improved through physical activity.

Q3 – Will seniors who start exercising later in life still receive the same benefits?

A3 – It’s never too late to start exercising, and while the positive benefits may not be as great for Alzheimer’s prevention as those who have been routinely active throughout their lives, there are still benefits to the mind.

Q4 – How can Austin seniors begin an exercise program?

A4 – In order to become active, Austin seniors can choose any physical activity that they find enjoyable and that fit into their physical abilities. Walking, biking, swimming, stretching or exercising with weights all have their benefits; and those who are able can increase their endurance to engage in more moderate exercise programs.

Sources:

1. About

2. BBC News

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q – Is medical care available to seniors in Austin at home?

A – While many doctors do continue to make traditional health calls to visit seniors who have issues with mobility that make it difficult for them to get into their doctors’ offices, these services tend to be costly and are often not covered by medical insurance programs like Medicare. However, new technologies which are emerging into the home care market for seniors, hope to make medical care available to all seniors from the comfort and safety of their own homes. General Electric and Intel recently announced their partnership and commitment to donate $250 million dollars towards the research and development of home health care technologies for the elderly over the next 5 years. Already available on the market are the Intel Health Guide, which allows seniors to interact with medical professionals using a 2-way video computer and the GE QuietCare; a home monitoring system which allows senior caregivers to keep track of the senior’s well-being remotely.

Over the upcoming years, these two partnered technology giants hope to create health technologies that will allow doctors and nurses to monitor their senior patients’ health, quality of life and diagnose elderly health issues remotely, while the senior remains in their Austin residence. Hopefully, these new technological developments will help more seniors get the medical care they require in a convenient and affordable manner.

Sources:
1.    New York Times  Steve Lohr
2.    Intel & GE Health Care Alliance

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

While family history does play a role in the likelihood that a senior will have a stroke, there are other stroke risk factors that can be eliminating, therefore decreasing the chance of a stroke. Seniors from Austin can control the following factors that put them at risk for having a stroke:

• Carotid Artery Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Cigarette Smoking
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Warning Signs or History of Stroke
• Lack of Exercise
• Obesity
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption
• High Cholesterol

According to the National Stroke Association, the above risk factors are controllable with the following behaviors; good news for seniors in Austin!

•    Have your blood pressure checked at least once per year and record your blood pressure somewhere it can be remembered if needed
•    Stop smoking!!!
•    Ensure that any alcohol is only consumed in moderation – 1 drink per day is not likely to increase the risk of a stroke
•    Find out if you have high cholesterol, diabetes, circulation problems or atrial fibrillation and ensure a doctor is taking steps to control any present issues
•    Exercise daily!
•    Maintain a diet low in salt
•    Understand the stroke symptoms and seek medical attention if they’re present

Sources:
1.    Healing Daily
2.    BBC Health

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

According to a recent study completed by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, ballroom dancing is an ideal activity for Austin seniors. As fans of Dancing with the Stars already know, it’s a great activity that aids in weight loss and cardiovascular health; but it has an additional benefit for seniors that you might not suspect. The study, which focused on 469 seniors over the age of 75, found that ballroom dancing is linked with a lowered risk of cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to the study, seniors don’t need to dance all day to get the most of ballroom dancing benefits, a 5 minute warm up followed by a 20 minute ballroom dancing routine is ideal for keeping older adults active, fit and healthy.

Seniors interested in taking up ballroom dancing during retirement can contact dance studios, seniors centers, and community centers in Austin to find out if they offer ballroom dancing classes. Typically seniors can either choose to attend ballroom dancing classes with a spouse or friend or get matched with a partner during the classes.

If you’re an active senior, start ballroom dancing today to benefit both your body and your mind, and have fun while doing it!

Sources:
1.    Senior Advocate
2.   SeniorJournal

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q – My father was recently diagnosed with dementia. While we all saw it coming in a way, it has come as a shock, especially for him. What can we do to help keep him in positive spirits and cope with the emotional aspects that come with such a diagnosis?

A – While you may have suspected a diagnosis like dementia in your father’s future, actually hearing the words and having your fears reinforced can be shocking for everyone.

At this stage, your father may feel as though his mind and body are letting him down, and he may fear an inevitable loss of independence. In the early stages, your father should seek support from Austin community groups for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, and learn as much about his condition as possible. Planning early on for the future can also help ensure that his wishes with regards to care and medical treatment are met, if he reaches the point where he is able to voice what he wants. Encourage your father to create a living will, appoint a future Power of Attorney, and generally get his affairs in order. By researching care options in Austin, he can choose the best fit for him if it’s needed in the future. Encourage him to maintain his lifestyle, but refrain from activities that are too stressful or demanding.

Sources:
1.   Alzheimer’s Society UK
2.    DementiaGuide.com

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders.  Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.