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A List of Ten Things Seniors Can Do to Reduce Their Risk of Falling

November 28, 2022Filed Under: Senior Health and Wellness

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CDC reports that one out of five elderly falls causes serious injuries such as broken bones or head trauma. Injuries of this sort can make life difficult for an older person to do everyday activities or live on their own. Half of the time, when a senior falls, it goes unreported to their doctor, and the person is likely to become fearful, cutting back on their activities. Not reporting a fall creates a vicious cycle. Fearfulness leads to less activity, making a senior weaker, which increases their chance of falling. Right At Home provides ten tips to reduce the risk of senior falls. These tips are science-based, and seniors should try to implement them in their daily lives.

The first tip is to talk with your physician about your risk factors. You may have existing health conditions such as hearing and vision loss, arthritis, osteoporosis, or cognition problems, which raise the risk of falls. If you are honest with your doctor about your fall history, they can implement strategies to lower your risks. Every fall matters and should be addressed. Falling just once doubles the likelihood of falling again. Keeping quiet about a fall stops you from receiving personalized prevention advice.

You will need to get enough exercise of the right type. When visiting your doctor, ask for a customized exercise program. Activities will likely include endurance building, muscle strengthening, increasing flexibility, and improving balance. Even if gyms, recreation, and senior centers are closed due to COVID-19, you can work out at home with little need for equipment. There are also practical ways of improving your activity levels through gardening, house cleaning, and dancing about the house to some inspirational music.

If you have balance problems, get specific help. The vestibular system of the inner ear is crucial to your sense of balance. When you have vestibular dysfunctions, the likelihood of you falling increases. Many vestibular problems are treatable, which will improve balance. Your doctor may also prescribe a virtual balance class that uses special activities and exercises like tai chi, which will enhance proprioception, which is your sense of position. Also, make sure your shoes are properly fitted. Incorrect shoe size, width, or shoe type affects balance and stability.

CDC

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that you or a family member conduct a fall-prevention in-home inspection. The advent of the coronavirus pandemic keeps people in their homes more than ever, so it is time to identify any fall hazards. Remove clutter and improve the lighting throughout your home. If necessary, have grab bars installed in the bathroom or on entry stairs in the garage, or other key areas. Always keep clear pathways to walk throughout your home.

Routinely have your doctor review all of your medications. Although the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take help you manage your health conditions, mixing them can produce dangerous side effects. Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion are all typical side effects of mixing medications. Bring a complete list of every medication and supplement you take to your doctor or your pharmacist. If you start a new drug, be wary of any side effects, and report them immediately to your doctor.

Make sure to have routine hearing and vision exams. Ears provide you with important information about the environment around you that helps to prevent falls. If you have hearing aids, use them, and have them calibrated often. The same holds for eyeglasses; keep your lens prescription up to date and wear them. If you wear bi or trifocals, or progressive lenses, inquire if a second, single-vision lens pair of glasses would make your walking safer.

Eat a diet rich in foods that help prevent falling. The proper nutrients promote bone and muscle strength. You will often need to up your intake of calcium, protein, and vitamin D. Maintain a healthy weight through a nutritious diet plan your doctor prescribes for you. Be honest about how much alcohol you drink. If you drink, limit your intake as too much alcohol substantially increases your risk of falling. The same holds true in states where medical and recreational marijuana is legal. Talk to your doctor about your intake habits.

If you use walking aids, do so properly. Mobility devices like canes, walkers, and more can help you maintain your stability and avoid falls if used correctly. How you position your hands and use mobility devices is crucial. If you are unsure about your device, have a physical therapist or other medical professionals recommend, properly fit, and train you in its safe use. If you think you would benefit from a walking aid, make an appointment with a reputable medical group to get one.

Avoid walking if you feel distracted. Whether you are in unfamiliar surroundings or in your own home, being distracted often leads to falls. If you think about something else while navigating stairs, it is extremely dangerous and can lead to slips and falls. In the digital world of today, your smartphone may be the main culprit of your walking distraction. Sit down to take a phone call or text. Do not walk around a store, home, street, or sidewalk engaging with your smartphone when you should focus solely on walking. No phone call or message is worth a fall. Get somewhere safe and then interact with your smartphone.

If you do not think you can properly equip and de-clutter your home, or exercise safely in it, add home care as part of your fall prevention strategy. Right At Home and other caregiver groups can enhance walking safety in your home, provide transportation or run errands for you, provide appropriate care for seniors with cognitive issues, and create an extra measure of protection for you in your daily life. Being a confident and active senior, getting the help you need can keep you from unwanted falls.

These safety tips to prevent falls are easy to implement. Every year three million older Americans seek treatment at a hospital after they have fallen. Tragically, more than 27 thousand of them will die because of their fall injuries. Thousands more will experience disabilities leading to a loss of independence. The effects of falling are often life-changing or life-threatening for seniors. Put into practice these and other safety measures to keep you on your feet.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our Cincinnati office by calling us at 513-771-2444 and schedule a consultation.

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Family Caregivers: How to Thrive

September 19, 2022Filed Under: Senior Health and Wellness

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As many as 53 million Americans provide care for an aging family member. About 17 percent of the US population is a family caregiver, and most are losing sleep, worrying, losing income, and struggling to balance caregiving tasks with their workload and other family responsibilities. These caregivers are often experiencing ill health of their own and putting their well-being at a lesser priority to their family loved one. The coronavirus pandemic further complicates matters as an October 2020 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that family caregivers provide 36 percent more care than one year ago due to the virus. Many family caregivers are exhausted, keeping their older loved ones safe and socially connected, often while working from home and supervising children during home school days. To be good to others, you must first be good to yourself. Making self-care a top priority allows you to be a more effective caregiver to your loved one. Here are ten strategies to implement today to ease family caregiver burnout.

Relentlessly add some “me time” into your schedule. There is time to enjoy life, visit (even if virtually) friends, read an enjoyable book, do some artwork, practice meditation, or just lay down and relax. Whatever it is that brings you joy and peace of mind (and it can be changeable!), put it in your schedule routinely.

Prioritize your healthcare. You cannot be an effective caregiver if you are unwell. It is a trap to spend all of your time managing your loved family member’s doctor appointments and medication while forgoing yours. When was your last checkup? Are you experiencing new symptoms under the stress of caregiving that you are not sharing with your doctor? Make those appointments for your well-being today.

Eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise. Neglecting the very basics of a healthy lifestyle encourages health problems to present themselves in you. A healthy diet coupled with exercise will bring balance to your well-being, and from there, all things become possible. Ditch the fast food, drop the daily glass of alcohol, and practice a healthier lifestyle.

Connect with other caregivers. It is so helpful to address your caregiving frustrations out loud to others in a similar situation. You might find they experience similar feelings to your own. It is not a failure on a caregiver’s part to have these feelings. You are human and, as such, have frailties. Never try to be invincible. If you feel you need more help than this, seek professional counseling. A counselor can help you sort through the complexity of your situation and feelings, providing tools to navigate family caregiving’s complex emotions. Select a therapist who specializes in helping those who are caregivers and the associated dynamics.

Learn more about your loved one’s health condition to better prepare for what lies ahead. You can’t know the future, but a medical prognosis and additional research can go a long way to addressing uncertainty that increases stress levels. Understanding possible future scenarios will let you plan and reduce the number of surprises that can catch you off guard.

Learn to set boundaries and don’t let old family dynamics dominate today. As your aging loved one requires more care, your downtime can become non-existent. Stay true to your schedule and your needs. If your loved one requires more help, it is time to call in other family members for financial or hands-on assistance or hire a service to provide additional care. Also, do not fall into child mode and allow your parent to push your buttons as they may have in earlier years. Stay in the present and focus on the task at hand. If you find it hard to separate then and now behaviors with your parent, seek support groups or find a counselor to learn ways to combat falling into old patterns.

Get help and get it sooner than later. It is not your destiny to go through this alone. Talk to your family or your doctor to strategize about ways to reduce your workload and stress. Bring in professional care, even if just a couple of times a week for some relief. Ask for help and then accept it! Your family members may be willing to help financially and spend time remotely with your loved one while you take a well-deserved break. When someone steps in to help, do not hover or micro-manage the situation. Walk away and clear your head. The world will spin without you being the family caregiver for a few hours or even a few days. Do not delay. Take good care of yourself to be your best for others.

Make sure you have a plan. If something should happen to your health, have you put into writing who should make decisions for you, who should manage your affairs, and what your wishes are regarding your care? If not, the time couldn’t be better. We hope you found this article helpful. If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our Cincinnati office by calling us at 513-771-2444 with any questions.

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The Health Challenges Posed by Dementia Are Significant

August 22, 2022Filed Under: Long Term Care, Senior Health and Wellness

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A person with dementia is diagnosed every three seconds somewhere in the world. Dementia is a catchall phrase that refers to many types of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases bring about the onset of dementia including but not limited to: Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, vascular dementia (currently the second most common form of dementia), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the most recently identified LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy) which mimics Alzheimer’s symptoms but is caused by a different brain mechanism.

There is a long-held view that cognitive decline is a normal consequence of aging; however, this has been disproven by the successful aging of many individuals who remain in full control of their mental faculties. Just because you get old does not mean you will get dementia; and yet, the likelihood that you will get dementia does increase (doubling every five years) over the age of 65, in particular, if you carry the apolipoprotein E gene variant APOE ε4.

The economic impact of dementia is profound. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that by 2040, the US cost of treating Alzheimer’s disease alone is estimated to be a staggering $379 to $500 billion annually. These costs include the direct costs of social and medical care as well as care provided by unpaid family care providers. It is very costly to create a secure scenario for those who have dementia. Although Alzheimer’s can now be detected 20 years before the onset of symptoms, there is no known cure for it or other forms of dementia. Research efforts to find a cure have been expensive without much reward, and as such many drug companies are halting their efforts to find a cure for economic reasons. Those who have dementia have a disability and dependence on loved ones and a health care system that is woefully unprepared for the scale and cost of maintaining their lives. Some biomarkers that identify Alzheimer’s disease early on may accelerate the development of new therapies as the disease timeline progression is substantial, but it remains unknown which treatments will be most effective and at what point in the disease continuum.

The number of people suffering from dementia diseases is rising, but that is most likely because the overall number of aging people is increasing. Even though dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging, the increase in its probability plays into the laws of large numbers. There are reports of certain modifiable lifestyle choices that can increase the chance of not developing dementia disease. In particular, diet seems to influence oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. A Mediterranean diet appears to have a positive effect on brain health in general. Exercising and maintaining positive social relationships also help maintain balanced brain health. Combining these three aspects is most effective for brain health. Diet, exercise, and positive social relationships may reduce the risk of a dementia diagnosis. These modifiable habits are proactive to keep the brain from neurodegeneration rather than reactive to a dementia diagnosis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the principal goals for dementia care as: “early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management, optimizing physical health, cognition, activity, and well-being, identifying and treating accompanying physical illness, detecting and treating challenging behavioral and psychological symptoms, and providing information and long-term support to careers.”

Though there is always hope for a future dementia solution, there are still the issues at hand today. A diagnosis of dementia has profound consequences for health and wellness, relationships, retirement, and economic well-being. Some states already have dementia health directive templates to address future issues of dementia while a person is still mentally capable of making sound decisions. Like all things in life, it is best to proactively manage circumstances rather than react to problems.

We can help you and your loved ones prepare for the possibility of a dementia diagnosis. We help families determine the best type of care, how to pay for that care, and how to put the proper legal documents in place to make sure appropriate persons are named to step in and make decisions for you if needed. We hope you found this article helpful.

A person with dementia is diagnosed every three seconds somewhere in the world. Dementia is a catchall phrase that refers to many types of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases bring about the onset of dementia including but not limited to: Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, vascular dementia (currently the second most common form of dementia), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the most recently identified LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy) which mimics Alzheimer’s symptoms but is caused by a different brain mechanism.

There is a long-held view that cognitive decline is a normal consequence of aging; however, this has been disproven by the successful aging of many individuals who remain in full control of their mental faculties. Just because you get old does not mean you will get dementia; and yet, the likelihood that you will get dementia does increase (doubling every five years) over the age of 65, in particular, if you carry the apolipoprotein E gene variant APOE ε4.

The economic impact of dementia is profound. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that by 2040, the US cost of treating Alzheimer’s disease alone is estimated to be a staggering $379 to $500 billion annually. These costs include the direct costs of social and medical care as well as care provided by unpaid family care providers. It is very costly to create a secure scenario for those who have dementia. Although Alzheimer’s can now be detected 20 years before the onset of symptoms, there is no known cure for it or other forms of dementia. Research efforts to find a cure have been expensive without much reward, and as such many drug companies are halting their efforts to find a cure for economic reasons. Those who have dementia have a disability and dependence on loved ones and a health care system that is woefully unprepared for the scale and cost of maintaining their lives. Some biomarkers that identify Alzheimer’s disease early on may accelerate the development of new therapies as the disease timeline progression is substantial, but it remains unknown which treatments will be most effective and at what point in the disease continuum.

The number of people suffering from dementia diseases is rising, but that is most likely because the overall number of aging people is increasing. Even though dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging, the increase in its probability plays into the laws of large numbers. There are reports of certain modifiable lifestyle choices that can increase the chance of not developing dementia disease. In particular, diet seems to influence oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. A Mediterranean diet appears to have a positive effect on brain health in general. Exercising and maintaining positive social relationships also help maintain balanced brain health. Combining these three aspects is most effective for brain health. Diet, exercise, and positive social relationships may reduce the risk of a dementia diagnosis. These modifiable habits are proactive to keep the brain from neurodegeneration rather than reactive to a dementia diagnosis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the principal goals for dementia care as: “early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management, optimizing physical health, cognition, activity, and well-being, identifying and treating accompanying physical illness, detecting and treating challenging behavioral and psychological symptoms, and providing information and long-term support to careers.”

Though there is always hope for a future dementia solution, there are still the issues at hand today. A diagnosis of dementia has profound consequences for health and wellness, relationships, retirement, and economic well-being. Some states already have dementia health directive templates to address future issues of dementia while a person is still mentally capable of making sound decisions. Like all things in life, it is best to proactively manage circumstances rather than react to problems.

We can help you and your loved ones prepare for the possibility of a dementia diagnosis. We help families determine the best type of care, how to pay for that care, and how to put the proper legal documents in place to make sure appropriate persons are named to step in and make decisions for you if needed. We hope you found this article helpful. If you have questions or would like to discuss your personal situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 513-771-2444.

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What Should I Do If My Loved One Needs Care Resides With Me?

March 21, 2022Filed Under: Long Term Care, Senior Health and Wellness

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Aging in place continues to gain popularity, but what to do when a loved one is having difficulty living safely at home is a common problem. Troublesome signs like a dirty home in poor repair, unpaid bills, piles of mail, food out of date or spoiled in the kitchen, poor personal hygiene, and trouble managing medications are all warning signs that your senior is struggling. When visiting, you may notice a loss of weight, disoriented behavior, or lonely and depressive behaviors. When these signs reveal themselves to you, it is time for your older relative to move in with you or into some senior living community where the situation is safer.

Even before the pandemic, polls began showing a shift to the living trend of a century ago, when most seniors lived with their adult children in a multi-generational house. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that older parents are moving in with their adult children and comprising a larger component of shared living than a generation ago. AARP states, “Today, 14 percent of adults living in someone else’s household are a parent of the household head, up from 7 percent in 1995.” And with many Americans now working from home, keeping a watchful eye over a parent is easier than ever.

If you consider moving your loved one into your home, there are several things to consider before making a move. For example, you might think the idea is fantastic, but how will it affect other current household members, spouses, or children? Does everyone get along, or will you be importing conflict? Are your lifestyles compatible regarding quiet hours, entertaining guests? Is smoking a habit of someone that needs consideration? Is your home big enough, or will someone have to give up their room?

Is your home suitable for the needs of your loved one? Can they be housed on a single floor without having to use stairs? Can your parent bring their familiar belongings and furniture with them? Perhaps it is feasible to create a “mother-in-law” apartment with a separate entrance or invest in a backyard cottage, the so-called granny pod. If they reside in your active home, what modifications can you make to create a safer environment? Things like night lights, the removal of area rugs, or adding grab bars in the shower or an additional handrail on the stairs can make big safety differences.

Who will be tasked to help your parent? The fact that your parent now lives with you should not mean you are at their service all of the time. Many well-meaning adult children make this mistake. At the outset of living together, a parent is usually fairly self-sufficient. Still, in time they will require more, and if you do not begin your living experiment employing outside help, you will fall into a trap where your time is no longer your own. Share tasks with other family members and make them do their part. Find local senior support services and check out professional in-home care to ensure your loved one becomes accustomed to others providing support to them.

If not in your home, where will your loved one go? Living in a family multi-generational home isn’t for everyone. Your parent might prefer “shared-living” adults living under the same roof but not romantically involved, a sort of roommate experience. Or perhaps a retirement community with defined living stages, from independent to assisted, and full-time care. Many families find living together can save money but not necessarily sanity and look to house their parents out of direct living contact. Talk it out as a family. Even if the conversation is difficult to have, it is better than responding to a catastrophic fall or illness, forcing a change of housing for your parent.

Find out how your aging loved one feels about the next step when they will no longer be able to live alone. Your parent’s thoughts may surprise you. It can help to speak with an elder attorney to address issues that invariably present themselves. If your parent sells their home, how will they handle the profit? Should you want a monthly living expense contribution? Can you claim your parent as a dependent on your tax return? Your parent may no longer have to pay bills but may have other assets and policies to manage; who will handle asset management and premium payments? Goodwill goes a long way to a successful living arrangement but so does preparedness. Having pre-set a structure to address issues will allow you to focus on enjoying your time with your loved one.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your personal situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our Cincinnati office by calling us at 513-771-2444 with any questions.

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Olivia K. Smith, Attorney at Law
Cornetet, Meyer, Rush & Stapleton Co., L.P.A.
123 Boggs Lane,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tel: (513) 771-2444
Fax: (877) 483-2119
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Olivia K. Smith, Attorney at Law
Cornetet, Meyer, Rush & Stapleton
123 Boggs Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Phone: 513-771-2444
Fax: 877-483-2119
oksmith@cmrs-law.com

Family Law Attorney Olivia K. Smith, LLC represent clients in Cincinnati, Anderson Township, Batavia, Loveland, Mason, Milford and other communities in Hamilton County, Clermont County, Butler County and Warren County.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. I invite you to contact me and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting me does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to me until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

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