Life After the First Fall: How to Plan if Your Aging Parent Has FallenThe first time an aging parent or loved one falls is terrifying. Even if your parent is lucky enough to survive the incident without serious injury, everything feels shaken. You realize how real Moms age and decline have become. She no longer feels like she can trust their own body or the ground beneath her. She worries daily about simple things, like moving around the house. Because 55 percent of falls happen inside the home, with an additional 23 percent outside but near the home, the threat of falling can feel overwhelming and unavoidable. Furthermore, falling is the most prominent warning sign of further falls to comeafter falling once, youre twice as likely to fall again.Physical injuries are a serious peril when it comes to falls. Falls are risk factors for fractures, concussions, broken hips and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:        One in four seniors falls each year        One in five falls leads to a severe injury        2.8 million seniors visit emergency rooms each year for injuries sustained in falls, and roughly 800,000 are hospitalized        Upwards of 95% of fractured hips result from falls        Traumatic brain injuries are most frequently caused by fallsFalls are a mental affliction, too. Fewer than half of seniors who fall tell their doctor. And even one fallmuch less multipleoften make seniors anxious or fearful about continuing about their daily tasks, which can then lead to increased isolation and a diminished sense of self-reliance and safety, even at home.1. Take the First Fall SeriouslyGiven the fact that one fall doubles the chance of another fall, the best time to take the issue head-on is immediately following that first incident. This may sound straightforward, but it's a mentally and emotionally stressful time for the senior and family caregivers, and it can be easy to dismiss the severity of the incident or to think it was just a one-time occurrence.2. Know the Common Causes of FallsUnderstanding contributing factors to the incident can help to comprehend it and move forward with prevention. To consider:        Weakness, particularly in the lower body        Medications that may cause dizziness        Poor eyesight        Dehydration        Low blood pressure        Poor balance        Clutter, tripping hazards (like throw rugs), uneven surfaces and poor lighting        Shuffling when walking        Loss of flexibility        Alcohol consumption        Hearing loss        Poorly fitting footwear        Lack of calcium and vitamin D in diet3. Enlist a Professional Caregiver Trained in Fall PreventionProfessional Caregivers can bring an expert eye to a home to help eliminate falling hazards like those listed aboveand to help ensure that your loved one is taking their prescribed medication correctly, exercising, etc. Seniors are often more receptive to lifestyle change suggestions from outside pros than from friends and family, seeing it more as expert advice than criticism. In addition to providing a safety assessment of the home, a professional caregivers regular visits can serve as reminders for activityand in a worst-case scenario, another set of eyes checking in on your loved one.4. Encourage Exercises That Improve Balance and StrengthMuscle weakness is the number one risk factor for falls, and balance and strengthening exercises are a simple and essential part of fall prevention. Check with a doctor or physical therapist before beginning any exercise program, but some great starting exercises to build strength, balance and flexibility include:        Standing tall with heels, hips, shoulders and head against the wall for a minute or two helps with posture and balance.        Standing tall (shoulders over hips over heels) with hands holding onto a countertop and lifting one knee at a time and then the other, as many times as possible, for two minutes. Once comfortable with this, lift and hold a knee for up to 30 seconds, repeating with the other leg        Walking in a straight line (use the lines of hardwood floors or tile to help) for a few steps forward, working up to greater distances and including walking backward        Purchasing a small pedal to sit in a chair and pedal for 10 minutes per day5. Acknowledge the Mental and Emotional Strain of FallingFear of falling again is a common and often debilitating after-effect of a fall. Seniors begin avoiding walking (or holding onto walls for balance and looking at their feet) and any activity, both in the home and in social settings. This only exacerbates the risk factors for falls: Muscles get weaker, balance and flexibility rapidly decrease, and they can experience extreme loneliness and listlessness, emotional factors that make it significantly harder for them to be motivated to make improvements like exercise.Validating their experienceand the resulting fearis an essential step. Let them know you understand how scary it must be. Once they feel heard, find fun ways to encourage activity. Even if its 10 steps across the kitchen, every little bit helps. Physically, as well as mentally.Discover 10 critical safety tips to fall-proof your loved ones home by clicking here.  

Spotting Anxiety and Depression in Seniors with Memory DisordersAs older adults age into their senior years, health and life issues can foster many adverse changes in their minds and bodies. Some may have difficulties with their memory, like forgetting names, events, or even their eyeglasses. Feeling confused and forgetful about everyday things can cause seniors to feel hopeless, sad, and powerless.Sometimes, the memory lapses are more seriousespecially related to memory disorders like Alzheimers and dementiaand can have worrisome outcomes. Good-natured seniors may lash out verbally and physically, or stoic elders may become depressed or weepy.Spotting early signs of anxiety and depression in seniors with memory disorders can help you seek the right care and treatment for your aging loved one.Discover ways you can adapt and adjust care strategies to help your senior with a memory disorder improve their quality of life at home.Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in SeniorsDid you know that more than 13% of seniors may have depression, and about 10-20% of older adults feel anxiety?If your senior has mild anxiety or depression, they may experience mostly good days with occasional bouts of feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or highly emotional. Talk with your loved one and their doctor if you notice symptoms of anxiety and depression that last longer than a few weeks. Common symptoms may include:        Avoiding social functions and self-isolating        Anxiety attacks that can cause difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat, sweating, or nausea        Feeling empty, guilty, worthless, or hopeless        Feeling upset about schedule changes        Loss of pleasure in favorite activities or visiting with loved ones        Paranoia, irritability, or restlessness        Sleep disturbance (too much or too little)        Repeated wringing their hands, tapping, or picking at their skin or fingernails        Wandering attention or focusTreatments to Discuss with a DoctorWhen seeking treatment for anxiety and depression in your senior, it's essential for them to have an open dialogue with their doctor. Exploring the following therapeutic approaches can significantly improve mental well-being and overall quality of life in later years.        Medication Your seniors doctor can recommend medications that work with the seniors other therapies. Visiting Angels caregivers provide medication reminders for seniors so they dont forget.         Cognitive behavioral therapy Talking with a mental health professional about current symptoms and building skills to manage them.         Psychotherapy Exploring past experiences that may have contributed to current symptoms with a mental health professional.         Exercise Yoga, water aerobics, and armchair exercises can help improve mood and increase energy levels.         Social interaction Encourage your loved one to join clubs or hobby groups to meet friends and avoid isolation. Consider companion care to bring friendship home to them.Tips from Visiting Angels CaregiversLoss of memory or emotional changes in your loved one can be difficult to navigate. You may begin to grieve the person you once knew and find it challenging to communicate. Its normal to feel frustrated if your loved one is distressed and cant express themselves.Here are a few ways to reduce your stress, diffuse episodes, and potentially avoid triggering events:        Acknowledge them with a calm tone.        Ask (dont demand) that they take medication or complete tasks. This will help them feel more in control.        Dont correct them or try to reason with them.        Make use of respite care to get a break and reset your own mood        Provide a few choices at a time to avoid overwhelming them        Reassure your loved one they are safe.        Try not to internalize mean comments.If they become angry or yell, remember the outbursts are due to changes in their memory or emotional health.If you need professional in-home assistance, Visiting Angels caregivers can be your eyes and ears when you cannot be with your loved one and will monitor for signs of anxiety and depression.Contact your local home care office to learn how Visiting Angels can support your senior with anxiety and depression. Schedule a free home care consultation today.  

How to Respond When Loved Ones with Dementia are ConfusedIf you have elderly loved ones with dementia, you most likely have witnessed their depressing battle with memory loss and other cognitive limitations. It can be heart-wrenching to hear them forget family members and friends, fail to recall recent events, or talk about deceased loved ones who they believe are alive.You may be feeling helpless and dejected, but there are strategies you can use to reduce stress, circumvent confusion, and maintain a healthy relationship with your aging loved ones.5 Ways to Deal with Dementia and ConfusionDementia can cause your elderly loved ones to say outlandish things or become befuddled when out in public. You may shudder with embarrassment as they clumsily interact with neighbors, talk to store owners, or even chat with complete strangers.Dealing with loved ones exhibiting dementia-related behavior, in private and public, can be disturbing. The following tips can help you manage difficult interactions caused by your seniors illness:        Step into their realitySeniors with dementia can find it hard to keep track of what is reality and what is memory or imagination. If you pull seniors with dementia into the real world by correcting them, you can sometimes cause more confusion, stress, fear, or even anger which only worsens symptoms of dementia.Experts recommend, whenever possible, that you affirm and join your loved ones reality. If your senior occasionally speaks as though they are living in the past, keep the conversation going without correcting them as long as it is not causing them harm. For example, if your senior thinks its Saturday but its Wednesday, there is no need to correct them just let it go.        Use distractions and diversionsExperts encourage using situational distractions to help people with dementia stay calm and avoid worsening symptoms. For example, if telling your senior you are taking them for a medical checkup causes distress, you may tell them, instead, that you are going on a trip to the park and will stop for a doctors appointment on your way back.You may also choose to distract your senior from topics that cause stress or if you find they are stuck repeating themselves. Changing the subject to the weather or asking them to assist with a simple task can help diffuse the situation.Some people may feel guilty about using therapeutic distractions or diversions, and that is perfectly normal. Just remember the goal is to make your loved one feel comfortable and find a balance that works for both of you.        Use brief explanations and gentle correctionsSometimes, you may have to correct a confused senior. In situations like this, do so as gently and briefly as possible. Reduce confusion and other negative emotions by phrasing your corrections as suggestions. For example, you could say, Why dont we take a walk together? instead of, I cant let you go out alone because youll get lost or fall.Be sure to use simple words and phrases that your loved one will recognize. Physical reminders, such as photographs, can also be helpful in gently reorienting a senior with dementia when necessary.        Respond to feelings, not wordsAsk yourself what emotion might be behind your loved ones words. If they are lashing out, perhaps its because they are afraid. In this case, you can reassure them that everything is okay, and perhaps offer them a hug or hold their hand. At all times, its important to respond calmly.        Take care of yourselfAlthough following these tips can help reduce stress for you and your senior, caring for a loved one with dementia can still be very demanding. Remember that taking care of yourself is important to avoid caregiver burnout. If you find yourself hurt by comments your senior has made, remind yourself they arent doing it on purpose.If you need additional support in caring for your elderly loved one with dementia or Alzheimers disease, consider hiring a Visiting Angels caregiver. Our Visiting Angels care coordinators are available to discuss your loved ones needs during a free care consultation.