Our Austin Caregivers enable seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Since there are so many food allergies, seniors need to know exactly what they are allergic to. This is done by being tested. The test will reveal what foods cause an allergic reaction and how severe the reaction will be. There are different types of food allergies, so seniors need to be as informed as possible. The following list provides some useful facts.
1. Food allergies are the most common types of allergies. These could include an allergy to fish and shellfish, eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat. If a senior has an allergy to one of these foods, they need to know how to manage that allergy and how to deal with the possible reaction if they are exposed to it.
2. There are more than 160 foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. However, 90% of all food allergies are to the foods listed above.
3. Wheat, soy and milk allergies are the most difficult to deal with. This is because these ingredients are in almost everything we eat. Those with wheat allergies need to be on a gluten-free diet. Potato bread is a great substitute for other breads that contain wheat. Soy is in most processed foods, so this allergy is especially hard to manage.
4. No matter what the food allergy is, seniors should make sure that everyone is aware of the allergy. This is important when others are preparing food.
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.
Austin Aging Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Older adults with food allergies need to be particularly careful when they eat. This is even more important when they are not the ones preparing their own food. If a senior eats something they are allergic to, they could have a severe and life-threatening reaction. Some seniors do not have allergies, but they do have intolerances. These do not include the same severe reactions, however they can cause some health problems. The list provided below provides some facts that all seniors should be aware of when it comes to allergies and intolerances.
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.
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.
Many believe that older adults shouldn’t get behind the wheel because they pose a risk to themselves and others as their senses change, sometimes effecting their perception and reaction time. However, according to recently published information, our perception about older adults and driving needs to start changing:
• As baby boomers age, there are more older drivers on the road
• Older drivers today seem to keep their licenses longer and are more comfortable traveling longer distances
• The number of fatal crashes involving older adults have declined, which has been a focus since seniors with health conditions, and that are physically more fragile can mean an accident has much more severe effects
• Older adults rarely pose a risk to other drivers on the road; when crashes do occur, often the only risk they pose is to themselves
• Today’s older adults are better recognizing their impairments, such as limited mobility and how that might impact their ability to drive. They adjust their driving habits accordingly
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.
With the holidays among us, many seniors will be traveling. There are so many things to plan for when preparing for a trip. If you are a senior who intends on traveling, or a caregiver, there are some tips that will help make the planning much easier. It may be beneficial to create a check list. This way, the individual will be able to properly pack and prepare for the trip. The following tips can be useful during trip planning.
1. Have a medical check-up prior to traveling.
2. If you have medical needs, make sure to make arrangements ahead of time. For example, if you need a wheelchair, contact the hotel prior to arrival.
3. Make sure to pack all medications and make sure you have enough for the duration of the trip.
4. Check your luggage twice. Include things that will be needed during travel in your carry-on bag. It is suggested to pack all medications in a carry-on as well in case your luggage gets lost.
5. Consider your personal safety. Seniors are a target for theft, so try not to travel at night or alone. Do not wear valuable jewelry and make sure you always carry identification.
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.
Before leaving on a vacation or trip, seniorsshould be aware of several tips geared towards their age group. Not only will the trip run smoother, but also senior citizens will be able to enjoy their desired destination to the fullest degree.
• Contact a Travel Agent - Travel agents offer additional discounts for senior citizens on vacations, along with age-appropriate itineraries and travel packages.
• Take Your Time While Traveling- Seniors should not pack too much sightseeing into one day. Make sure to take several breaks throughout your trips so you do not become too exhausted. It is a vacation after all.
• Pack All Medications, Special Equipment and Items You Can’t Live Without- All necessary medications should go in every senior’s suitcase before leaving on a trip. However, plan accordingly as some countries do not allow certain medicines on their soil. If you need a wheelchair be sure to pre-arrange one with airlines and hotels before leaving the house. Also, pack all items you can’t live without such as an extra pair of eyeglasses.
• Think About Your Safety While on the Move- When traveling do not fall victim to thievery. Carry only the amounts of cash you need for the day. Also write down your credit card company’s phone number should your wallet or purse be stolen.
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.
Moving in a parent can be a big stress when you’re so concerned about providing for their safety and their comfort in your home. But, with some very simple changes around the house, both your comfort level in knowing that they’re safe, and their own will improve greatly:
1. Install a lower peephole – particularly for seniors that live alone, a peephole is an important security measure. Osteoporosis can cause seniors to lose height, and causing them to strain to see out of a peephole is a danger
2. Reduce glare in the home – for the comfort of seniors, install blinds on the windows that can be adjusted depending upon the amount of light or glare coming into the home
3. Prevent falls with safety measures – put railings on stairs and in the bathroom, and to avoid slips remove area rugs
4. Control water temperatures of the faucets – seniors can scald themselves if they find it challenging to control water
5. Change door handles – seniors with arthritis often have trouble manipulating doorknobs; accommodate them by installing level handles or other assistive devices
6. Try to control clutter – whether a senior is moving in, or you’re trying to make their home a little safer, finding storage for all the extra items that are not regularly used is important to reduce clutter and increase safety
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.
The holidays are not a time that any of us want to be thinking about making decisions that could change the course of our loved ones’ lives; but for those of us that have seniors who live on their own, holiday visits are a time to evaluate their health and safety. Make sure that you take a close look at how your loved one is living, and determine if they might benefit from care assistance at home. This checklist can help you recognize the important warning signs; if you can’t answer “yes” to all of the statements below, then it’s time to suggest some changes.
• There are no spoiled foods in the fridge, and it, along with cupboards are well stocked with nutritious meal and snack items
• Their home appears in the same state as it always has, with no dirt and dust appearing in locations that are harder to reach
• Bills are not piling up at home or in the mailbox, indicating that they’re probably being paid
• Dates and dosages on medications match up with what’s on the prescription bottles and it appears as though he/she is managing her medications effectively and taking them according to schedule
• His/her appearance is neat and tidy and to the same standard as normal
• Neighbors and friends close to him/her seem to have no concerns about the health, safety or happiness of the senior
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.
There was an article published recently that talked about how football could play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life, and it seems to have spawned concern in many parents, and even many senior caregivers who wonder if sports related activities might be responsible for their loved one’s cognitive decline.
Well, there’s good reason for concern because there is some evidence that football injuries can lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s. This study surveyed former NFL players over the age of 50 and found that 6.1% of them had been diagnosed with some form of Alzheimer’s or dementia, which is a scary reality when the national average is a mere 1.2% in the same age group. Of course, experts are also saying that further investigation is needed to determine if this is a reasonable sample, so don’t automatically attribute a life of sports to being responsible for any cognitive decline that your loved one has experienced later in life, and don’t pull your kid out of their weekly sports league just yet. But it is reasonable to recognize that additional protection is needed in order to ensure that the senior years aren’t compromised by taking additional safety precautions during youth activities.
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.
Many senior women still find themselves in roles that involve a strong element of administrative work in their careers, and this can have its detrimental effects on the body. You might not think of a desk job of coming with risks of injury, but typing can reap serious havoc on your body if you don’t take steps to prevent it:
1. Warm up before typing – this is especially important for people who find themselves working at a keyboard all day, so seniors who have not yet retired should focus on wrist exercises before they get started everyday to prevent injury
2. Use ergonomic computer accessories – ergonomic keyboards are designed to work with the natural positioning of the hands and fingers. If typing a lot, rather than using your laptop keyboard, purchase an external one because they tend to be the worst for causing carpal tunnel. You can also purchase a mouse that is more ergonomic and buy supportive cushioned wrist rests
3. Take breaks throughout the day – there are programs available that will remind you to take a break every hour and lead you through a series of exercises designed to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Or, you can just do it yourself, taking a break for 5 or 10 minutes every hour. Get up, walk around, and shake out your arms to remove your hands from their repetitive position that could be damaging
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.
Breast cancer screening is supposed to begin around the age of 40, but out of fear for the process, many seniors in the United States have still never been screened for breast cancer. This month, for breast cancer awareness, receive your mammogram; here’s what you can expect from the process:
1. When dressing the day of the mammogram, avoid applying deodorant, talcum powder, or any other heavily scented items that can be irritating to others, or that could affect the imaging. Also wear a 2 piece outfit.
2. When arriving at the imaging office, you will be asked for copies of previous mammograms, if they do not have them already, and will also ask you to fill out a form with your medical records
3. Upon going into have the mammogram done, you will be asked to remove jewellery and clothing that can interfere with the procedure, including your shirt and bra, and any other clothing you have on above the waist
4. To prepare for the mammogram itself, one breast at a time will be placed on an imaging cassette and will be compressed with a paddle so that the maximum amount of breast tissue is visible on the image
5. The image will be taken and then the process will be repeated with the other breast
6. The images will be examined, not for results but to ensure they are effective. Typically, you will be allowed to get dressed and wait to find out if you are able to leave, or if more images are needed
7. The images and results will be returned for your doctor for review
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.
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