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Connection Between Family and Healthy Aging

October 30, 2019Filed Under: Senior Health and Wellness

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One cannot overstate the importance of family presence in a senior’s life. Family creates a consistent social network and connection that directly impacts the senior’s overall quality of life. Prioritizing family relationships provides continuity as a senior experiences change in their social network. Friends may change, become ill and unavailable, or even pass away, but family is multi-generational and, as such, has an enduring presence for an aging family member. The stability of family relations, even with the ups and downs of disputes, is a familiar source of social and emotional grounding, as well as practical help. A study by the United Health Group reports more than half of older Americans will cite faith or spirituality, and a loving family as the top reasons they have a positive outlook. That positive outlook brings tremendous benefits to a senior’s health and well being.

Sadly, not all seniors have the benefit of a nuclear family or close extended family. Yet, these connections were deemed more important than financial resources, according to the majority of participants in the United Health Group survey. Aging seniors who integrate into their family system are more prone to live healthier and longer lives than those seniors who remain isolated from family.  Even in the case of those seniors living with later stages of dementia, family contact can reduce disease symptoms and may stave off faster mental decline. How is it that family brings about higher rates of longevity?

Family contact helps to maintain a senior’s immune system. Family social connections create optimism, which in turn may lead to stronger cell-mediated immunity, the immune cells that are responsive to bacterial or viral invasions. The senior immune system can also become more adaptive and robust due to low-level exposure to a variety of pathogens when interacting with their family in person. Social seniors, even those in non-family settings, often have stronger immune systems because of human contact.

Other techniques to improve an aging immune system include nutritional supplements or vitamins along with a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Also, regular exercise, maintaining vaccinations, reducing stress, restful sleep, proper hydration, washing hands, and a positive outlook can all boost a senior’s immune system. When a senior has an actively involved family, many of these health systems are put into play, especially the positive outlook. Having a family who cares about and cares for their elder members reduces feelings of depression, which feeds the cycle of optimism, improving overall health.

A higher level of cognitive functioning is linked to a family connection, as well. Brain health acquires benefits from being happy and socially engaged in activities that challenge memory and thinking skills. Human interaction goes beyond the more repetitive brain teaser challenges and puzzles because the social dynamic is fluid and unpredictable. A senior must engage all of their senses when responding while being in a family group. Holiday meals, birthday celebrations, family reunions, and many other typical family activities are good brainwork for an aging family member.  According to a study published in the Public Library of Science, elderly and even middle-aged adults who maintain active social circles appear to be at a lower risk of developing dementia. A family system is the ultimate pre-made social connection. “This finding could feed into strategies to reduce everyone’s risk of developing dementia, adding yet another reason to promote connected communities and find ways to reduce isolation and loneliness,” said the study’s lead author, Andrew Sommerlad, Ph.D., of University College London.

Family roles shift throughout time. Parents who used to care for their children now experience an evolving family structure and the inevitability of their mortal decline. When the roles of parenting reverse, it brings challenges for all involved. Financial support is often needed when a parent is in declining health, and the ability of family members to contribute such help to the senior offers great relief and helps to reduce stress. Even if a family system is unable to provide financial support, emotional support does wonders for the aging process of a family member. Positive conversations and interactions can increase their level of contentment, reduce worry, and bring family inclusiveness and a sense of belonging to the senior.

Not all seniors have a family who can play an active role in their life. However, with extra effort, relationships can be forged that will be mutually beneficial, especially in the digital age of social media. While friendships oftentimes never replace an actual biological family, the adage that “friends are the family you give yourself” rings true and can create lasting and meaningful connections.

All of these connections are really about feeling loved. The benefits of being grounded in love, and what that brings to a person is profound. What if you never felt alone? What if you always felt loved? What if you could live your life knowing that someone was always in your corner, still there for you? The answer is the same to all of these questions – you would have a better chance at living your best life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Strengthen family connections and friendship relations. Modern technology has made it easier than ever to be a part of someone’s life. Text, email, video chat, and social media platforms provide interaction when it is not possible to physically be with a family member.  However, do not overlook the more traditional methods of contact, which include personal visits, a phone call, and a handwritten letter or a card sent via snail mail. While these “old school” methods may not seem relevant to younger generations, they are particularly meaningful to a senior.

Every connection can make a difference. A close family can learn, share, and grow together. Outcomes from these shared experiences benefit all members, but in particular, the older family members. Younger generations are also gaining an invaluable lesson. The digital world is reconfiguring human experiences electronically and is leaving many people wanting of human connection.

If you have questions about planning for yourself or a loved one, or if you would like to talk about your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to contact our Cinncinatti office by clicking here to send us a message or call us by dialing (513) 771-2444.

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Getting Home and Staying Home (Guest Blogger!)

October 3, 2019Filed Under: Long Term Care, Misc Advice, Senior Health and Wellness

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Post-Discharge Home Care – Getting Home And Staying Home

by: Robin Krause, Home Care Consultant, Home Helpers Home Care

Home Care has one major goal—to enable seniors to remain at home where they are most comfortable. At Home Helpers, we understand that most readmissions to the hospital could be avoided if the patient simply has the help and care they need to recover at home and return to life as they know it. Home Helpers is always available to help bridge that gap from being in the hospital to returning to the comfort of home!

We are leaders in the field of home care that does not require medical intervention! We want to keep seniors living at home, independently, where they are most comfortable. Our expertise is second to none when it comes to the use of non-medical care at home that will enable seniors to be discharged earlier into the comfort of familiar surroundings. We work alongside of hospitals, home health, and physician offices to accomplish this goal.

The role that non-medical Caregivers play in the overall success of the patient is often overlooked. We recognize the significance of these important Caregivers and will provide assistance to the family to ensure a successful and happy transition from the hospital to home. This includes helping to support medical goals and minimizing the burden of hospital administration during the discharge process.

How Does Home Helpers Home Care Accomplish These Goals?

 Home Helpers Caregivers are true experts at providing compassionate care, including but not limited to:

  • Maintaining documentation of daily care, medication management, etc.
  • Assistance with personal hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing.
  • Assistance with providing nutritious meals.
  • Transportation to and from doctor visits and other appointments.
  • Monitoring any problems or signs of change that arise in the patient’s condition.
  • Light housekeeping.

How Transitional Care Benefits Families

 Far too often, the bulk of transitional care falls completely on the family, creating more stress to an already stressful situation. As a result, important factors in the senior’s care can easily be overlooked. Home Helpers Senior Home Care assumes this responsibility and provides the services needed to assure a safe and happy transition from hospital back home. Perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the peace of mind we provide for families who also have to find balance in their own lives. Our services will eliminate the stress placed on families, such as conflicts with employment and taking care of their own families. We are here to help!

 

Robin Krause

Home Helpers / Direct Link

Phone: OH   513.754.1182  NKY 859.801.1510

Fax:     513.754.1108

Cell:     513.858-9541

E-mail: Robin@premierhelpers.com

Web:    http://www.homehelpershomecare.com/cincinnatinky

 

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Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly

December 5, 2016Filed Under: Education, Long Term Care, Senior Health and Wellness

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Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly

 

Our bodies become dehydrated when we lose more water than we take in. Staying hydrated allows the body to regulate temperature through perspiration, maintain blood pressure and eliminate waste. Dehydration may show only small signs outwardly, but it can have dire consequences on the body, especially in the elderly.

 

Severe dehydration can lead to confusion, impaired cognition, falling, urinary tract infections, constipation, pneumonia, bedsores in bed-ridden patients, and even death. It can accelerate or cause emergency hospitalization and/or increase the length of hospital stays.

 

Why Dehydration is Common in the Elderly

  • As we age, the amount of water in the body decreases.
  • The elderly are often less thirsty, which leads to consuming fewer fluids.
  • They may be on medications that act as diuretics or cause them to sweat more.
  • As we get older, our kidneys are less able to conserve fluid, especially during water deprivation.
  • Specific conditions can contribute to dehydration. These include comprehension and communication disorders, reduced capacity and incontinence.
  • Frail seniors, and those with decreased mobility, may have a harder time getting up to get a drink when they are thirsty. They may rely on caregivers who don’t sense they need fluids.
  • Illness, especially if it involves vomiting and diarrhea, can quickly cause an elderly person to become dehydrated.

 

How to Spot Dehydration

Outward symptoms of dehydration can include confusion, difficulty walking, dizziness or headaches, dry mouth, sunken eyes, inability to sweat or produce tears, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, low urine output and constipation. Urine color should be light and clear; dark urine or infrequency of urination is a common sign of dehydration. You can check for dehydration by pulling up the skin on the back of the hand for a few seconds; if it does not return to normal almost immediately, the person is probably dehydrated.

 

How to Prevent Dehydration

Not everyone needs to drink eight glasses of water every day. Generally speaking, larger people need to drink more fluids than smaller ones, and it doesn’t have to be just water. Many fruits (especially watermelon), vegetables and soups are mostly water-based. Coffee, tea and flavored waters also count. Some seniors may need to be encouraged to drink even when they’re not thirsty. Include drinks at mealtimes and offer them throughout the day. Keeping a water bottle next to the bed or a favorite chair can help those with mobility problems.

Information borrowed from ElderCounsel (with permission).

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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.

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