What Are the Leading Causes of Death for Seniors in America?

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on July 21, 2016

Life expectancy in the U.S. has been steadily increasing for the last 100 years, but there are still a few key medical conditions that continue to cause the vast majority of deaths in the elderly population. The Anchorage, AK, home care experts at Home Care Assistance discuss these leading causes and offer tips to help your aging loved one remain healthy and prevent an untimely death. Heart Disease Heart disease is the number one cause of death for all ethnicities. According to the CDC, heart disease accounted for 488,156 deaths in 2013, and it was still the leading cause of death in 2014. Staying at a healthy weight and controlling cholesterol levels can help prevent this condition. Cancer When all…

How to Help Seniors Prevent Psoriasis

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on July 14, 2016

According to the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, approximately 3 percent of the world’s population has some form of psoriasis, a condition that causes the skin to develop red, rough patches and silvery scales. Psoriasis itself is not life threatening, but it can raise a senior’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, and many other serious complications. Though it may not be possible to completely prevent psoriasis, Anchorage senior care experts have some tips to help your senior loved one reduce his or her risk of flare-ups. Maintain a Healthy Weight Being overweight can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. You can help your loved one stave off these symptoms by encouraging him or her to eat a healthful, balanced…

How Can Seniors Eliminate Household Clutter?

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on July 7, 2016

Clutter can invade even the most structured life. However, the clutter in these cases is usually manageable. For seniors who have accumulated a lifetime of possessions, the amount of distracting clutter can become overwhelming. If your elderly loved one is in a situation like this, Anchorage 24-hour care experts have some tips to help him or her declutter the home and keep it clutter-free. Don’t Try to Do the Entire House in One Session If possible, tackle one space at a time. This makes it easier to begin the decluttering process and stay focused because you and your loved one won’t be going back and forth from room to room. Start with the places that pose obvious safety hazards, such as…

Creative Arts: How They Help Combat Alzheimer’s

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on June 30, 2016

Seniors with Alzheimer’s may experience a variety of mental and emotional challenges as the disease progresses. However, research has indicated having an artistic outlet can help these seniors maintain a higher quality of life. Anchorage Alzheimer’s care experts discuss a few of the ways art can be used to alleviate your elderly loved one’s Alzheimer’s symptoms. Preserve Sense of Self A 2013 study published in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences followed renowned sculptor Mary Hecht. As her Alzheimer’s progressed, her personality and cognitive abilities quickly began to change. However, what didn’t change was her ability to create beautiful sculptures and paintings. Many of the doctors who followed her noted she only appeared to be herself when she was given…

How to Talk to Your Loved One About the Need for Home Care

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on June 23, 2016

Many seniors develop age-related conditions that make it difficult to accomplish the tasks of daily living and maintain their independence. If you have noticed changes in your elderly loved one’s health that indicate the need for home care, it may be time to discuss this sensitive topic with him or her. The Anchorage caregivers at Home Care Assistance have a few suggestions to help you approach this situation. Start by Educating Yourself You likely realize talking to your loved one about home care Anchorage may be difficult. One of the best ways to steer clear of major emotional roadblocks is to have all the facts with you when you first speak with him or her. Your loved one might be more…

One Boxer’s Battle with Parkinson’s: Ali’s Story

By Rob Buck, 8:28 am on June 16, 2016

Though many people will remember Muhammad Ali as one of the best fighters in the boxing industry, others will forever think of him as the champion in his long fight against Parkinson’s disease. Anchorage, AK, home care experts share some details about Ali’s battle and how his strength inspired others. Ali’s Symptoms Muhammad Ali often ran around the boxing ring and taunted his opponents, spewing various catch phrases. During his final fight, many observers noticed his hands were shaking and he was not moving as quickly as he once had. People around the world came to the conclusion time had caught up with Ali and that he should retire because of his age. However, Ali was already developing Parkinson’s, and the…

Why Is It Important for Seniors to Have Close Friends?

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on June 9, 2016

Spending time with friends is enjoyable, and seniors have a lot to gain from the social connections they keep or make in their golden years. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of home care Anchorage families can trust, discusses a few reasons why maintaining close friendships in the golden years is a sound decision. Health Accountability Having close friends provides seniors with people outside of their families that care about their wellbeing. Seniors can encourage each other to stay on top of their health by attending medical appointments, and those with close friends are also more likely to exercise and eat right, which promotes better overall health. Shared Happiness Happiness is contagious, and your loved one needs friends to…

What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Parkinson’s?

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on May 26, 2016

Though approximately 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease and 60,000 more are diagnosed each year, many people still do not have a good understanding of this complex neurological disorder. If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with the condition or has been exhibiting symptoms that indicate its development, you likely have some concerns. To help ease your mind and keep you informed, the Anchorage elder care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to clear up a few of the common misconceptions about Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Disease Is Preventable Though researchers have attempted to prove otherwise, there is no known cause for Parkinson’s. Without a cause being identified, it is impossible to prevent this disease. Researchers believe both genetic…

How Eggs Promote Elderly Health

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on May 19, 2016

Eggs have long been thought to have a high level of cholesterol commonly associated with heart problems, though this notion is not entirely true. Despite the cholesterol content, eggs actually have numerous health benefits, especially for the elderly. Anchorage part-time care experts want to share some of the ways eggs can help keep your senior loved one healthy. Protein is one of the most important dietary elements required by the body. This compound helps build and repair worn out tissues in the body, which is especially important for seniors. The human body can create some of its necessary proteins, but not all of them. This extra protein needs to come from the food your loved one consumes. Amino acids are…

5 Exercises Your Elderly Loved One Can Do in a Pool

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on May 12, 2016

Getting regular exercise is crucial for aging adults. However, some seniors have physical limitations that can make this difficult. Exercising in a pool can be beneficial for your elderly loved one even if he or she has limited mobility. Anchorage home care experts have put together a list of 5 exercises your loved one can perform in the water. 1. Water Jogging Jogging in the water provides the cardiovascular benefits of traditional jogging while preventing stress on the knees and hips. Depending on your loved one’s abilities, he or she can jog from one end of the pool to the other or even try marching in place. Regardless of the technique, the goal is to keep the heart rate elevated. 2….

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