It is crucial to know the signs that your parents need help at home.by: Nicci Kobritz, R.N., Founder, Youthful Aging Home CareToday, ninety percent over the age of sixty-five want to age-in-place, yet few know how to take the necessary steps. For individuals entering the time of life when long-term support becomes increasingly important, the goal is to facilitate greater independence at home. Many individuals have multiple chronic conditions and complex health needs preventing success. A Guided Care nurse and coach can design a program to address existing health issues and set a course for helping to prevent the many challenges that develop with aging.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has stated that: The first step is to find a health Guide who becomes the nurse in the family functioning in partnership with your primary physician to reduce preventable adverse health events while coaching you in lifestyle interventions such as nutrition; physical activity; sleep hygiene; stress reduction and opportunities for socialization. proving cognitive function and brain health becomes important.To remain at home, access to basic support services may be necessary. Meal preparation, handyman, personal assistant, caregivers, home modifications to name a few..all customized to your needs and readily accessible.Service providers who are bonded, insured, and can produce references. Finally, installing the latest in-home monitoring devices and telehealth to pick up early on potential health events twenty-four hours a day in real time. Such devices, for example, allow providers to monitor patient progress remotely and receive alerts if there is an issue in real time. The emergence of new technologies and capabilities are making aging-in place possible for many people while also reducing the need for caregiver support.Successful aging-in-place strategies require a plan to meet the immediate needs while adapting with you as you age-in-place.

Getting older doesnt necessarily mean youll have a slew of medical conditions or poor quality of life but its important to know whats normal for your body as you age and what is not.Getting older involves changes in all realms of life, from the physical to the mental to the social, emotional, and more. Some of these changes you may regard as positive and some negative. The challenge is to maximize the good parts of getting older while taking proactive steps to maintain your health and minimize the negative aspects.Ideally, youll have already been practicing healthy habits throughout your life. But even if you havent its never too late to start taking proactive steps to maintain and even improve your health. Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact and adopting even a few of the habits listed here will start you on the right track.Stay Physically Active for a Healthy Body and MindAny exercise at all is better than none.Stay Socially Active With Friends Family and Within Your Community.People over sixty-five who reported higher levels of social activity were more likely to experience more positive moods, fewer negative feelings, and higher levels of physical activity.Follow a Healthy, Well-Balanced DietFollowing an eating plan like the Mediterranean diet can help you to achieve that goal.Dont Neglect Yourself: Schedule Checkups and Stick to Them.Regular checkups with your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and specialist healthcare providers are opportunities to catch problems early and treat them before they become bigger problems.Take All Medication as Directed by Your Doctor.You should always take any medication prescribed to you exactly as directed by your doctor (or doctors). Never stop taking a drug without consulting your doctor first.Limit Your Alcohol Consumption.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines advise that alcohol consumption be limited to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.Quit Smoking to Lower Your Risk of Cancer and Heart Disease.If youre a current smoker, youll want to quit as a matter of urgency. The health benefits A lower risk of cancer, diabetes, lung damage, high cholesterol, blood pressure and heart rate.Get the Sleep That Your Body NeedsThe National Sleep Foundation recommends,Adults over sixty-five get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night.Practice Good Dental Hygiene Every Day.To protect your teeth and gums, the ADA advises brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing daily and regularly cleaning any dentures you may wear.Discuss Changes in Sexual Function With Your DoctorWARNING SIGNS YOU SHOULDNT IGNOREABRUPT WEAKNESS OR DIZZINESSSHORTNESS OF BREATHPRESSURE IN YOUR CHEST AREATINGLING OR NUMBNESS, ESPECIALLY ON JUST ONE SIDE OF YOUR BODYLOSS OF BALANCE OR COORDINATIONDIFFICULTY SPEAKING OR SWALLOWINGEXCESSIVE SWEATINGSUDDEN VISION LOSS OR BLURRED VISIONRAPID WEIGHT LOSSPROLONGED CONFUSIONWOUNDS THAT NEVER SEEM TO HEALWith prompt medical attention, many people survive serious medical problems and even thrive afterward if they take it as an opportunity to double down on living healthfully and meaningfully.Sheila Birnbaums professional career has been devoted to enhancing patient care. As the Director of the Patient Advocacy Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), Hamilton, NJ, she instituted numerous programs, many which received statewide recognition, including several prestigious rewards

YES. Cleveland Clinic believes there will be a rise in the number of cases of influenza this year, and while it may be difficult to tell flu symptoms apart from COVID-19 fever,chills,body aches, difficulty breathing, a cough-there are preventive measures that can protect you from both. Wash hands frequently; disinfect high-touch surfaces often, practice good cough etiquette ad stay home if you are sick. HERES WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO:GET A FLU SHOT SOON. This year Cleveland Clinic is recommending that people get a flu vaccine in September or October. Recently they have seen the flu season show up sooner and last longer.STOCK YOUR MEDICINE CABINET. Have Tylenol for fevers, ibuprofen for muscles aches, cough syrup and a thermometer. Get flu and cold medication to cut down on nasel stuffiness and cough you might have.WEAR A MASK. Even if you are vaccinated, wear a mask in public spaces. They may become a routine part of our lives during severe respiratory illness seasons, and thats OK, especially if were able to protect people and lower the number of deaths. CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND YOUR HEALTH QUERIESCLEVELAND CLINICSheila Birnbaums professional career has been devoted to enhancing patient care. As the Director of the Patient Advocacy Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), Hamilton, NJ, she instituted numerous programs, many which received statewide recognition, including several prestigious rewards.

Private duty home care is a type of service that provides personalized and professional assistance to seniors and other individuals who need help with daily activities at home. Private duty home care can offer many benefits to clients and their families, such as:Comfort and convenience. Private duty home care allows clients to stay in their own homes, where they feel most comfortable and familiar. They can maintain their routines, preferences, and independence without having to move to a facility or rely on strangers. Private duty home care can also be tailored to the clients specific needs and schedule, whether they need assistance for a few hours a day or around the clock.Quality and continuity of care. Private duty home care can provide skilled and compassionate caregivers who are trained and experienced in various aspects of care, such as medical and nursing care, personal care, homemaking, companionship, and transportation. Private duty home care can also ensure continuity of care by assigning the same caregivers to the same clients, fostering trust and rapport between them.Cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Private duty home care can be more affordable than other options, such as assisted living or nursing homes, especially for clients who do not need constant supervision or intensive care. Private duty home care can also be flexible and adaptable to the clients changing needs and circumstances, such as health conditions, family situations, or financial resources.Peace of mind and support. Private duty home care can provide peace of mind and support to clients and their families, knowing that they are receiving quality care from qualified and reliable caregivers. Private duty home care can also reduce the stress and burden on family members who may not have the time, skills, or resources to provide adequate care for their loved ones. Private duty home care can also involve family members in the care plan and keep them updated on the clients progress and well-being.In conclusion, private duty home care is a valuable option for seniors and other individuals who need help with daily activities at home. It can offer comfort, convenience, quality, continuity, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, peace of mind, and support to clients and their families. Private duty home care can help clients live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives at home.

MEDICAL JARGON CAN SOUND LIKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. WITH SO MANY TONGUE-TWISTING WORDS AND TERMS, ITS NO WONDER DOCTORS USE SHORTENED VERSIONS-ACRONYMS-TO GET THROUGH THE DAY. HERE ARE SOME COMMON AND NOT-SO-COMMON ONES YOU MIGHT HEAR AT YOUR DOCTORSS OFFICE OR A HOSPITALFASTTHIS IS AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER SIGNS OF STROKE, WHICH CAN COME ON QUICKLY.F ? FOR FACE DROOPING: DOES ONE SIDE DROOP, OR IS IT NUMB? IS YOUR SMILE UNEVEN?A IS FOR ARM WEAKNESS. WHEN RAISED, DOES ONE ARM DRIFT DOWN?S IS FOR SPEECH DIFFICULTY: IS IT SLURRED OR DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND? IS IT HARD TO SPEAK?T IS TIME TO CALL 911 IF YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE HAS ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, MAKE THE CALL RIGHT AWAYRICEREMEMBER THIS ONE WHEN YOU STRAIN A MUSCLE OR SPRAIN YOUR ANKLE. R FOR REST. I FOR ICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER INJURY. C FOR COMPRESSPRESSURE WITH AN ELASTIC BANDAGE. E FOR ELEVATE THE BODY PART THAT IS INJURED. TRY TO HOLD IT ABOVE YOUR HEART TO KEEP SWELLING DOWN.MINDTHIS STANDS FOR MEDITERRANEAN-DASH DIET. INTERVENTION FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DELAY-QUITE A MOUTHFUL. IT MAY HELP PROTECT YOU AGAINST BRAIN DISEASES LIKE ALZHEIMERS THE DIET INCLUDES VEGETABLES, ESPECIALLY GREEN LEAFY ONES, NUTS, BERRIES, BEANS, FISH, CHICKEN, OLIVE OIL, WHOLE GRAINS AND ONLY ONE GLASS OF RED WINE DAILY. YOU WILL NEED TO CUT BACK ON RED MEAT, BUTTER, CHEESE, PASTRIES, SWEETS, FRIED AND FAST FOOD.BMITHIS STANDS FOR BODY MASS INDEX. ITS AN ESTIMATE OF YOUR BODY FAT BASED ON YOUR WEIGHT AND HEIGHT. ONLINE TOOLS CAN HELP YOU MAKE YOUR OWN BMI CALCULATION. BUT, ITS A ROUGH WAY TO TELL IF YOU ARE AT HEALTHY WEIGHT. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOURE BMI NUMBER SUGGESTS YOU COULD BE OVER OR UNDER A NORMAL WEIGHT.EKG OR ECGTHE EKG MACHINE RECORDS THE ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF YOUR HEART AND GRAPHS IT. IT HELPS YOUR DOCTOR SEE IT THERES A PROBLEM WITH YOUR BLOOD FLOW OR HEART RHYTHMECG STANDS FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAM- THE E IS FROM ELECTRO, C FROM CARDIO, AND G FROM GRAM. ITS OFTEN CALLED AN EKG, BECAUSE IT WAS FIRST MADE IN GERMANY, WHERE IT WAS CALLED THE ELEKTRO-KARDIOGRAHIE.CT SCANA COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN TAKES X-RAYS FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES OF YOUR BODY AND PUTS THEM TOGETHER TO TAKE A MORE DETAILED PICTURE THAN A SINGLE X-RAY. ITS OFTEN USED FOR QUICK, DETAILED EXAMS WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT OR HAD OTHER SERIOUS TRAUMA. IT CAN ALSO HELP TO DIAGNOSE CERTAIN DISEASES AND PLAN FOR TYPES OF CANCER TREATMENTS.MRIMAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USES RADIO WAVES AND POWERFUL MAGNETS TO MAKE DETAILED 3-D IMAGES OF THE INSIDE OF YOUR BODY. THEY CAN BE LOOKED AT FROM MANY ANGLES SO YOUR DOCTOR CAN GET MORE INFORMATION. ITS OFTEN USED TO TAKE PICTURES OF JOINTS, SPINE, AND INSIDE THE SKULL TO SEARCH FOR INJURIES, BLEEDING, TUMORS AND CERTAIN DISEASES, SUCH AS ALZHEIMERS.UTIA URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS OCCURS IN THE PART OF THE BODY THAT GETS RID OF LIQUID WASTE (URINE). THIS INCLUDES THE KIDNEYS (WHICH FILTER THE WASTE FROM YOUR BLOOD), THE BLADDER (WHICH HOLDS THE URINE BEFORE IT IS RELEASED) AND THE URETER AND URETHRA (THE TUBES THAT HELP MOVE IT OUT OF THE BODY). SYMPTOMS OF UTI INCLUDE PAIN, A BURNING FEELING WHEN YOU URINATE, AND/OR BLOOD IN THE URINE. WOMEN GET IT MORE OFTEN THAN MEN. THE TREATMENT OF CHOICE IS USUALLY ANTIBIOTICS.LIVING WILLA WRITTEN STATEMENT DETAILING A PERSONS DESIRES REGARDING THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO EXPRESS INFORMED CONSENT, ESPECIALLY AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE.ADVANCE DIRECTIVEA WRITTEN STATEMENT OF A PERSONS WISHES REGARDING MEDICAL TREATMENT, OFTEN INCLUDING A LIVING WILL, THAT IS MADE TO ENSURE THOSE WISHES ARE CARRIED OUT WHEN THE PERSON BE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE THEM TO A DOCTOR.BE IN THE KNOW - STAY HEALTHYCommon Medical AbbreviationsSheila Birnbaums professional career has been devoted to enhancing patient care. As the Director of the Patient Advocacy Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), Hamilton, NJ, she instituted numerous programs, many which received statewide recognition, including several prestigious rewards.