Blog - Page 2 of 16 - A-Abiding Care

October 2, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

Exercising Safely with Diabetes

Regardless of age, everyone needs exercise to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors get in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Exercise helps to strengthen muscles and control weight. Of course, when your aging relative exercises, you want them to stay safe from injuries. But, if your family member is diabetic, exercising safely is more complicated than just avoiding injury. Exercise affects blood sugar. For older adults with diabetes to exercise safely, it’s important to understand how exercise impacts blood sugar levels and what steps can be taken to avoid dips and spikes.

How Exercise Affects Blood Sugar

How exercise affects your aging relative’s blood sugar levels depends on a number of factors, including:

What their blood sugar level was before they started exercising.
How vigorously they exercise.
How long they exercise.
Changes to insulin dosage.

During exercise, it is possible for the older adult’s blood sugar to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be serious and requires immediate treatment if levels drop to 70 mg/dL or lower. Untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, losing consciousness, and even death.

Exercise Tips for Diabetics

Seniors with diabetes should not let the risk of hypoglycemia stop them from exercising. Instead, there are steps they can take to remain safe, such as:

Talk to a Doctor: Before beginning a new exercise routine, it’s important for diabetic seniors to speak with their doctor. Ask what kinds of exercise are appropriate for them, whether they should adjust medications, and if there are any other individual guidelines they should follow.
Carry Carbohydrates: Seniors should have a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as fruit juice, readily available in case of a blood sugar dip. The doctor may also suggest carrying glucose tablets.
Wear the Right Shoes: Not only can shoes that fit well prevent an injury due to a fall, they can also protect diabetic feet from blisters and sores. They should also wear polyester socks designed for athletes, which will help wick away moisture. Before and after exercising, feet should be inspected for blisters, cuts, and sores.
Medical ID: Seniors with diabetes should wear a medical ID bracelet to alert first responders of their condition in case of an emergency.
Check Blood Sugar: It’s important to check blood sugar both before and after exercising. It should be within the target range.
Be Alert for Symptoms: If the senior starts to feel anxious or shaky, or if they sweat more than usual, they should immediately stop exercising and check their blood sugar.

In addition to following the above safety tips, elderly care can also help keep diabetic seniors safe during exercise. An elderly care provider can help with inspecting feet and ensuring the senior is wearing proper footwear. Elderly care providers can also monitor exercise and offer carbohydrates if the older adult experiences signs of hypoglycemia. If a medical emergency should occur, an elderly care provider can call 9-1-1 for help.

If you are considering elderly care in Skokie, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

September 21, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

Signs Inside Your Parent’s Home That Might Indicate They Need Home Care

Deciding when to start home care for your aging parent can be one of the most important decisions you make for them during your journey as their family caregiver. Introducing an in-home senior care services provider into your care routine can be tremendously helpful at not only giving your parent the quality of life they deserve, but also reducing your stress, and helping you to feel more confident your parent is getting everything they need. When you visit your aging loved one, there are certain things around their home, as well as inside, that might indicate the need for home care. Paying attention to these signs can allow you to make the decision that is truly right for your parent.

Some signs inside your parent’s home that might indicate they need home care include:

Clutter or messiness when your aging parent has always been a neat and clean person
Unanswered mail, or piles of junk mail that has not been organized
Bills or notices from the bank, utilities, credit bureaus, and other organizations that indicate your senior has not paid, or that their utilities are at risk of being turned off
Trash that has not been taken out
Items in strange locations, such as cereal in the refrigerator, or clothing folded and placed in the oven instead of a drawer
Expired or spoiled food in the kitchen
Dishes or laundry that have not been done
Light fixtures that do not have light bulbs, or that have burned out light bulbs, which might indicate your senior is not able to maintain their own home, or is experiencing some level of cognitive function decline and does not remember to replace the bulb
Medications that are not organized, or that shows signs of your parent not taking the proper dose when and how they are supposed to
A lack of healthy, nutritious foods in the kitchen. Your parent might have an abundance of convenience foods and snack foods, but not high quality foods that may require additional preparation
The television turned up to an extremely loud volume
The TV moved closer to your senior’s favorite chair, which might indicate they are struggling with low vision or hearing problems
Presence of a rolling chair such as a desk chair in an unexpected room of the house, which might indicate your senior is struggling with mobility issues, and trying to compensate
Indications your parent might be struggling with incontinence

There is a common misconception that only senior adults who are very old, or who faced severe health problems or challenges and limitations can benefit from home care. The truth is, an in-home senior care services provider can offer a tremendous range of services tailored to an array of ages, challenges, and conditions. The goal of an in-home senior care services provider is simply to help your parent manage their challenges, and encourage them to live their highest quality of life. This means even if your senior only has mild to moderate challenges, or only needs a small amount of care a few hours a week, they can still greatly benefit from having an in-home senior care services provider. The customized services of this care provider promote greater independence and autonomy, encourage your parent to stimulate their mind and stretch their mental capacity for better cognitive functioning and memory, and the joy of learning new things, while supporting the health and safety your senior deserves.

If you are considering caregivers in Glenview, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

September 5, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

Why Should Your Senior Care about Drinking More Water?

For many aging adults, the idea of drinking more water just isn’t an interesting or appealing idea. That makes sense, but it’s important for her to understand what drinking even a little more water can do for her health. These are just a few of the ways that staying properly hydrated can be a big boon to your aging adult.

She’s Less Susceptible to Blood Clots

Dehydration can cause your senior’s blood to thicken and if she already has some other risk factors for blood clots, she may find that she’s at higher risk. Talk to your senior’s doctor about her existing risk factors and whether dehydration is something she needs to be concerned about.

Her Blood Pressure Might Be Lower

Thicker blood can also make your senior’s circulatory system work harder than it should have to. That increases her blood pressure and if that’s already high, she can be facing big problems. Drinking even just a little bit more water each day can help to relieve that pressure and allow her circulatory system to work a little easier.

She Might Experience Less Constipation

Water helps everything in your senior’s body to work better and to move better, including her bowels. Not having enough water in your senior’s system can cause her bowels to slow down, which can lead to constipation. Many over-the-counter constipation remedies rely on drawing water from the body into the intestines, which is difficult if she’s already dehydrated.

She Might Be Less Likely to Have a UTI

Without enough water, your senior’s urinary tract slows down and functions differently, too. She may find that when she’s not drinking enough water to flush her kidneys and her bladder, she’s more susceptible to infections in either of those organs. UTIs are painful and if they can be avoided simply by drinking more water, that’s idea.

Her Medications Might Work Better

Some medications can create electrolyte or fluid imbalances in your senior’s body. Others simply work better when your elderly family member is properly hydrated. You can talk to her doctor or her pharmacist about how water intake affects her current medications. Her doctor can give you an idea how much water your elderly family member should ideally be drinking every day, too.

Drinking more water isn’t always as easy as it sounds, though. Your elderly family member might need help from you and other family members as well as people such as elder care providers to remember to drink plenty of water.

If you are considering elder care in Mount Prospect, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

August 23, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

How Home Care Can Help with These Common Medical Conditions

Cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure are just a few of the chronic illnesses senior citizens are diagnosed with. When it’s your parent who has a chronic illness, it’s stressful. You want to make sure they’re getting the care they need and following through with the doctor’s recommendations.

Here are several of the most common chronic conditions affecting seniors. If your parent has a chronic illness, it’s likely one of these. Learn more about how home care services can help each of these chronic conditions.

Arthritis

Arthritis pain can be very debilitating. It may make it hard for your mom and dad to move around. They may find it impossible to go up and down stairs. If they have a washer and dryer in the basement or garage, they may be unable to get downstairs to do the laundry.

Home care services include light housekeeping. Your parents could hire someone to do the laundry for them. That caregiver can fold and put clothing away if they want.

Asthma

Asthma can hit at any age. When an attack does hit, a senior needs to use the inhaler as needed and stay calm. With a caregiver on hand, someone is there to call for help if the attack seems unusually bad. Caregivers can also run to get the inhaler or simply provide support during the attack.

Dementia

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. As the brain deteriorates, routine tasks like remembering to eat and drink, using a phone, and taking medications are forgotten. With a caregiver available, your parent has someone to issue medication reminders. The caregiver can cook meals, schedule appointments, and drive your mom or dad to medical offices and stores.

Diabetes

Diabetes rates are soaring. For most seniors, living alone is still possible. Your mom or dad may need help with their diet. They need to eat smaller meals regularly and take insulin or glucose pills as needed. Caregivers can help them by reminding them it’s time to check sugar levels or have another snack or meal.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure should be around 120/80. When it gets too high, it puts a strain on blood vessels and arteries and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Diet and exercise are important to maintaining a healthy blood pressure. If those methods fail, your mom or dad may need medications.

Caregivers can help with menu planning, shopping, and meals. They also remind your parent to take medications and go for daily walks.

When your parent is diagnosed with a chronic illness, it’s a frightening time. Home care services can ease some of that stress. Find out more about the ways home care helps seniors who have chronic illnesses by making a call.

If you are considering home care in North Chicago, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

August 10, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

What are Some Heat-Related Illnesses?

When the temperatures soar, people are at risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses. A heat-related illness occurs when a person is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time or when they are exposed to intense heat. When that happens, the body works harder to maintain a normal body temperature, which makes blood move toward the surface of the skin for cooling. As a result, the brain and other organs receive less blood, and so do the muscles.

Risk Factors for Heat-Related Illness

Older adults are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses because of some of the changes that take place in the body with age. The bodies of older adults don’t respond to heat as quickly as those of younger people. In addition to age related changes, other things that can increase a senior’s risk of becoming ill from the heat are:

Poor circulation.
Chronic conditions, like heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Taking multiple medications or taking medications that affect the body’s ability to cool itself.
Being either overweight or underweight.
Dehydration.
Drinking alcohol.

Types of Heat-Related Illness

There are several kinds of heat related illnesses. All of them are caused by the body becoming too hot, but they vary a bit in symptoms and possible complications. Some kinds of heat related illnesses are:

Heat Exhaustion: This illness happens when a person sweats a lot, causing them to lose water and salt. The lack of fluids causes problems with circulation and brain function. People on low-salt diets may be especially susceptible to heat exhaustion.
Heat Cramps: Heat cramps usually happen when a person is exercising in the heat. Like heat exhaustion, it happens because of fluid loss.
Heat Stroke: This is the most dangerous kind of heat related illness. It happens when the body cannot cool itself because of prolonged time spent in the heat. The part of the brain that controls body temperature doesn’t work correctly, so the body cannot sweat to cool itself.
Heat Rash: Heat rash causes blisters on the body, especially on the neck, groin, chest, or the crease of the elbow.

Senior Care Can Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

A senior care provider can be essential in preventing illnesses caused by high temperatures. On days that are especially hot, the CDC recommends that people check on one another. A senior care provider can be the person who checks on your aging relative to ensure they aren’t too hot. If the older adult’s home is too hot, a senior care provider can turn on the air conditioning or fans. But, if that isn’t enough to cool the house, a senior care provider can drive the older adult somewhere that is air conditioned, such as the library, the mall, or a friend’s house.

Sources

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2018/heat-stroke-summer-older-adults.html?intcmp=HEA-CND-FEED
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/understanding-heat-related-illness-basics
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html

If you are considering senior care in Morton Grove, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

Exercising Safely with Diabetes

How Exercise Affects Blood Sugar

Exercise Tips for Diabetics

Signs Inside Your Parent’s Home That Might Indicate They Need Home Care

Why Should Your Senior Care about Drinking More Water?

How Home Care Can Help with These Common Medical Conditions

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