Aging In Place With Style And Grace In Bostonia CA

Aging In Place With Style And Grace In Bostonia CA

(ARA) – Aging in place – updating one’s home to accommodate changing needs and abilities as one ages – doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a home’s style and decor. From attractive lighting designed to work well for aging eyes to barrier-free shower stalls that compete in beauty and practicality with what you might find in a luxury community for those 55 and older, plenty of home modifications now make it possible to age in place gracefully and stylishly.

“It’s no longer necessary to give up your home’s good looks for a more institutional-looking appearance just to achieve a safer, more usable house,” says Eric Kozak of Premier Care In Bathing, leading makers of walk-in baths. “You can age in place and retain the style that makes living in your home comfortable and safe, and maintain your independence at the same time.”

With more than 78 million baby boomers growing older in the United States, aging in place – and how to do it well – is a hot topic for many homeowners. If you’re planning ahead or thinking it’s now time to update your home to accommodate changing needs, keep a few things in mind:

Kitchens and baths are commonly the most challenging rooms in the house for people, like many seniors, with mobility issues. Updating these rooms can go a long way toward helping you stay in and enjoy your own home for as long as possible. “Bathrooms, in particular, pose safety issues. Falls are one of the leading reasons seniors must go into nursing homes and most home falls occur in the bathroom,” Kozak says.

When renovating your bathroom, focus on the important elements, including low-level entryways, accessible grab bars, easy grip faucets and showers with safety screens. Other elements include safer, slip-resistant flooring; brighter, more flexible lighting; and safe access to the shower or bathtub.

Walk in showers

Stepping in and out of a tub or shower is one of the riskiest times for people with mobility challenges. Appropriately placed grab bars – now available in designer colors and textures – can help improve safety in these high-risk areas. Another option that’s high on safety and style is to replace a current shower or tub with a walk-in shower like those now offered by Premier Care In Bathing, whose walk-in bathtubs have made bathing safer and more convenient for thousands of Americans with mobility issues. The walk-in showers are a good option for wheelchair users or in rooms where a full-size tub is not practical.

Two size options, 48 inches and 60 inches, ensure convenience and luxury. A waist-high, folding screen, designed with proprietary technology, keeps water inside the shower and not on the bathroom floor. From the waist up, you can add your own decorative touch with the shower curtain design of your choice, hung on a gracefully curved rod like the ones found in quality hotel baths. Dual Delta showerheads provide the option of an overhead shower or a hand-held shower, and a safe and relaxing folding seat. Installation can often be done in just a day or two.

Visit www.premier-bathrooms.com or call (800) 578-2899 to learn more.

Flooring

That tile floor that you adored in your 40s can be a slip hazard when you reach your 70s. In fact, any hard bathroom floor surface such as linoleum, vinyl or tile can put you at increased risk of slipping and falling. Carpeting might be a better option, one that is slip resistant and warmer and softer on the feet. Many manufacturers now offer materials that are attractive and able to repel moisture. If installing carpeting isn’t practical for you, use area rugs with sticky backing to help ensure safe footing in high traffic areas, like in front of the commode, sink and bathtub.

Lighting

Aging eyes not only need more light to see, they need better quality light, especially at night. Avoid dim lighting; older eyes need several times more light than younger eyes to see well, experts say. Increase the amount of light in your bathroom and consider using naturally brighter bulbs like compact fluorescent bulbs, which are also energy-efficient.

Be aware of glare, as well. Bright lights bouncing off all-white bathroom surfaces can create glare that makes it difficult to see and navigate for older people, especially at night when they may not be fully awake. If your bath is all white, paint the walls a light color in a finish that will help reduce glare. Use area rugs on white floors to help break up the expanse of white and reduce glare.

“Boomers aging in place will find more options than ever before to do so with style,” Kozak says. “Safety should be your first concern, but you can also enjoy good style and beautiful design as well.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

At Always Best Care Senior Services we understand the needs of our elderly loved ones. If you need care and assistance for someone in your family, visit www.inhomecaresandiego.com.

Original: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

Finding a New Focus In La Mesa CA

Vision is so important and most of us need to make an appointment to have our eyes checked.  It is also important to make sure our elderly loved ones aging eyes are checked for problems.  At Always Best Care Senior Services we care about our seniors and their vision. If you would like information about our care and assistance services, visit www.inhomecaresandiego.com.

Finding a New Focus

Advances in lenses help address two vision problems at one time

Getting cataracts? Need reading glasses too?

Several new options for artificial lenses can both eliminate cataracts and correct vision problems so you may not need glasses ever again.

The same crystalline lens in the eye creates both presbyopia and cataracts. In healthy, young eyes, the lens, which sits behind the iris, adjusts automatically for near, intermediate and long-range vision. But over time it becomes harder and less able to focus on objects close up, a condition called presbyopia, which most people notice around age 40, when they need help to read. Eventually, the lens can become cloudy and opaque as a cataract forms. By age 65, about half of all Americans have some lens clouding, and by age 75 as many as 70% of Americans have significantly impaired vision due to cataracts.

Read more from the Wall Street Journal

By: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

Elderly in Home Care Doesn’t Mean a Lack of Socialization In San Diego CA

Elderly in Home Care Doesn’t Mean a Lack of Socialization In San Diego CA
By Gary M Skole

While the vast majority of seniors prefer to age in one place, many seek assistance from home health companies and assistant living services because of an increased need for personal assistance or in home care. Numerous studies have been conducted that show that seniors having social connections through family members, friends, social organizations, even companion animals is directly linked with their overall good health, prolonged survival from serious illness, and longevity in general. As seniors age, the need for socialization is even more important to help maintain overall good health. Evidence of the connection between a strong social connection and good health include:

• Studies show that people who are able to get out and interact and spend more time with people during cold/flu season actually get fewer colds and illnesses than those who spend most of their time alone.
• People that have companion animals to interact have fewer illnesses that people who do not have a companion animal.
• People who use words such as “I’, “mine”, and “me” often during casual conversation are more susceptible to heart attacks than those whose conversations don’t focus on themselves.
• Our immune system has natural killer cell activity that is negatively affected by a lack of social support.
• Our natural killer cells are more sluggish if we are lonely.
• Feeling grateful for what we have in life is associated with better physical and emotional health. The elderly can be at risk of isolation, which can directly affect overall health and longevity. If one spouse becomes ill, the other spouse tends to be the primary caregiver, which can consume much of their time.

Caring for an ailing spouse can lead to isolation from the people and activities that were once enjoyed together on a regular basis. Seniors may also face the loss of a spouse. This event often further isolates you from some of the activities that you might have once enjoyed as a couple, as well as isolation from some of the friends that you interacted with together. Seniors are also at risk of decreased socialization as they age if they can no longer drive. Giving up driving for many means giving up on independence and access to the people and activities they rely on for social support. It’s critical to take into account the importance of socialization as we age. Getting the personal care that is needed doesn’t have to eliminate the opportunity to maintain social connections.

Most communities have resources for seniors to foster good health and social connections. Many towns offer a variety of activities through local seniors’ centers, support groups, libraries,religious organizations and active retirement communities. For those unable live independently, assisted living communities and home care companies offer a variety of services. Seniors should be encouraged to participate in assisted living community activities and outings. Those living at home should be encouraged to look for the right home care company-one that recognizes the value of a support network and social connections. The elderly no longer need to sacrifice socialization for quality senior care.

For article source, click HERE

To learn more about Always Best Care Services, visit www.inhomecaresandiego.com or call us at 619-757-1114.

Credit: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

Caring for the Caregiver In San Diego CA

Caring for the Caregiver

By David Hart, MS, MFTI

Clinical Consultant to Always Best Care of San Diego CA, The Leader in In-Home Care and FREE Assisted Living Placement

With the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease increasing in the United States and around the world, the number of caregivers called upon to provide assistance to their loved one is also quietly multiplying.  According to the 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures published by the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 10 million Americans provide unpaid care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease.  In 2008 alone, these caregivers provided 8.5 billion hours of care, a contribution to the nation valued at $94 billion.  This number represents an average of 16.6 hours of care per caregiver per week equaling 863 hours of care per caregiver per year.  Reading this aloud would make the average person stressed-out and tired – nothing close to what a caregiver may feel on a daily basis.

The negative impact of care giving on the caregiver has been well documented.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 40% of family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, rate the emotional stress of care giving as high or very high.  Additionally, these caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to report their health is fair or poor.  In a study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, researchers encouraged caregivers to express their thoughts about factors that cultivate a poor quality of life and many respondents noted “how stressful their situation was because of their extensive involvement in providing care”.  Moreover, a study exploring the effect of giving care on caregivers’ health found depression was the most frequently reported mental health problem of caregivers.  In combination, these studies suggest that a caregivers’ quality of life can be seriously impacted as a result of participating in the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

Interventions that empower family caregivers to take care of themselves are in high demand as the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease increases.  A recent study at the University of Washington found evidence supporting the positive impact of community-based caregiver education on the overall psychological well-being of family caregivers.  Researchers presented caregivers a series of six classes each held for two hours.  Topics included taking care of the caregiver, identifying and reducing personal stress, communicating feelings in challenging situations, and mastering care giving decisions.  At the completion of the six weeks, caregivers had a significant increase in healthy behaviors including eating a healthier diet and maintaining an exercise regimen.  Additionally, caregivers improved their ability to care for themselves, including an increase in time for stress-management and personal renewal.

Respite and support services are an important component of caring for the caregiver.  Caregivers frequently devote themselves totally to those they care for and inadvertently neglect themselves, reducing their quality of life.  The support of family and community resources can be a tremendous help. For the past 13 years, Always Best Care has become one of the most trusted providers of senior care needs. With a proven track record in Assisted Living Placement Services, Home Care Services and Skilled Care for Seniors, Always Best Care has continually provided superior expertise and unmatched service though their network of independently owned and operated franchise offices located in ideal locations throughout the United States. We have care plans ranging from 2-hour sitter service to 24-hour live-in. Call us at 619-757-1114 to speak to a care coordinator about a plan that fits your need. Or visit Always Best Care of San Diego to learn more about the In-Home Care services provided.

Credit: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

8 Stages of Caregiving In Bostonia CA

The 8-Stages Caregivers Goes Through (excerpts from “Passages in Care Giving”, by Gail Sheehy)

1. Shock and Mobilization – Once the immediate crisis is resolved, you enter,

2. The New Normal – They begin to think, “Ok, I can handle this.” This reprieve may go on for months or years. Eventually there is a third turn.

3. Boomerang – Whoops, another crisis. This is when you realize you can’t do it alone and call a family meeting. If you begin to think you are responsible for keeping your loved one alive and safe, you will eventually find yourself at the next stage

4. Playing God – This can become an unhealthy co-dependant relationship. Eventually you will reach the next and most dangerous turn.

5. I Can’t Do This Anymore! – You MUST take care of yourself.

6. Coming Back – You have now reached the center of the labyrinth of care giving. Here, you must begin to appreciate all you have done and begin to acknowledge that your loved one is not going to return to the independent person he or she once was. You need to replenish your lifelines – friends, music, work, nature.

7. The In-Between Stage – is a momentous turning point for those who care for the chronically ill. Your loved one cannot be cured in an acute-care hospital, but he or she is not ready to die – and may live for years. But our healthcare system has little to offer at this stage, except round trips to the emergency room and readmissions to the hospital.

Most slow-aging adults today develop chronic illnesses. They are sent home quicker and sicker to you, the family caregiver, who has no professional training, no financial support and rarely any respite.

8. The Long Goodbye – This is a true gift and Always Best Care can assist you. With one of our experienced, insured and bonded caregivers relieving you of much of the work. You will now have time for end-of-life conversations and some kind of closure.

The passage to caregiver may well be the most memorable in your life. How you usher your mom or dad or spouse or sibling out of this world has so much impact on how you think about yourself: Am I a good person? Did I do everything I could? Did I let my siblings do some of the heavy lifting? Did I hold on too long? Let go too soon? Or did I share precious moments of full presence right up to the end?

Let Always Best Care, The Leader in Non-Medical In-Home Care and FREE Assisted Living Placement, help you on this journey. We have care plans ranging from 2-hour sitter service to 24-hour live-in. Call us at 619.757.1114 and speak with our care coordinator about a plan that fits your need or visit website –  www.inhomecaresandiego.com.

By: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

Always Best Care of San Diego CA Applauds the Social Security Commissioner

Always Best Care of San Diego CA, “The leader in Non-Medical In-Home Care and FREE Assisted Living Placement” Applauds the Social Security Commissioner

In its effort to improve and expedite the disability determination process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will add early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative.

The initiative identifies debilitating diseases and medical conditions that meet the SSA’s disability standards for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Inclusion in the initiative allows for faster payment of Social Security benefits to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Always Best Care of San Diego applauds Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue and the SSA for understanding that the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer’s disease leaves individuals unable to maintain gainful employment and deserving of an expedited disability determination.

Since 2003, the Association has been advocating on behalf of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s as they navigate the Social Security disability determinations process, and we welcome the SSA’s decision.

Until now, individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease have faced a myriad of challenges when applying for SSDI or SSI, including a long decision process, initial denials and multiple appeals. Today’s decision will simplify and streamline the SSDI/SSI application process and decrease the wait time for benefits, which for some has lasted as long as three years.

For the past 13 years, Always Best Care has become one of the most trusted providers of senior care needs. With a proven track record in Assisted Living Placement Services, Home Care Services and Skilled Care for Seniors, Always Best Care has continually provided superior expertise and unmatched service though their network of independently owned and operated franchise offices located in ideal locations throughout the United States. We have care plans ranging from 2-hour sitter service to 24-hour live-in. Call us at 619.757.1114 to speak to a care coordinator about a plan that fits your need. Or follow this link to learn more about the In-Home Care services Always Best Care of San Diego provides: www.inhomecaresandiego.com.

.

By: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)

May Is National Arthritis Awareness Month: Get Moving In La Mesa CA

May: National Arthritis Awareness Month

“Arthritis is a debilitating disease that profoundly impacts the lives of millions of Americans on a daily basis,” says John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation. “The effects of the 46 million Americans with arthritis on the economy are enormous; the direct and indirect medical costs of this disease are estimated to be $128 billion each year. With the aging of baby boomers, the prevalence of arthritis is expected to rise by 40 percent – that is up to 67 million people – by the year 2030.”

Moving is the Best Medicine is the message for the 2010 Arthritis Awareness Month.

Read more…

For information and assistance with elder care for an aging loved one in the San Diego CA area, please visit us at www.inhomecaresandiego.com.

Credit: Always Best Care Senior Services – San Diego California (CA)