When my dad lost his ability to speak due to progressive expressive aphasia, the whole family went through a period of mourning. Although he was there in person, it felt like the person that we had known and loved for nearly 80 years was gone. It took a lot to remember in the early days, that despite his inability to communicate, my dad was still in there somewhere, and over time we began to realize just how hard it must be for him to have thoughts and feelings that he’s unable to express. We consulted a specialist that deals with language loss that comes with aphasia and apraxia in San Jose, and were provided a number of suggestions that would allow us to help my dad communicate and express himself, even without language. We didn’t ignore the problem, and by making an effort, we were able to ensure that my dad still felt like an important part of the family.

Here are the suggestions that we were provided, and I’d suggest that anyone wondering how to deal with the language loss of a loved one give them a try.

• Make sure they always have a way to communicate and make their own decisions; ask yes or no questions, or write down potential answers for a question posed to help them make their decision
• Always speak to your loved one in a direct and natural way – never assume that they can’t understand or that there’s no one in there
• Speak clearly to improve understanding, use expressive body language, draw pictures or write down key words
• Seek help from professionals in Skilled Conversation techniques for seniors with expressive aphasia or apraxia, and talk to a San Jose doctor about additional therapy options to help improve a senior’s communication skills without language

Sources:

1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

As we age, most of us maintain our cardiovascular health through walking, biking, doing an aerobics class or engaging in another activity that gets our heart pumping and burns calories. But very few older women in San Jose continue or begin a strength training routine, because they believe it’s strictly about building muscle mass and tone, and not necessarily relevant to good health.

Strength training can have a large number of benefits to older San Jose women, that aren’t just about building muscle mass or creating a toned physique.

Benefits of Strength Training:

• Increases bone density
• Improves muscular strength and endurance
• Improves sensitivity to insulin, preventing diabetes
• Helps with cholesterol control by increasing HDL [good] cholesterol and decreasing LDL [bad] cholesterol
• Can improve emotional well-being
• Decreases intra-abdominal adipose tissue in healthy older women
• Helps to control potential fat gain and associated complications

Sources:
1. Suite101

image Source: pro.corbis.com

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In the San Jose clinic where I work, we constantly receive questions about common senior aging issues like osteoporosis and bone density loss. Recently, one of the most common queries we received is if the recommendations of resistance training to improve bone density truly are beneficial. Some articles have been published that indicate that perhaps these types of exercises can cause more harm than they help. While our doctors can provide seniors with more specific advice, in the end, it’s up to seniors to make their own decisions; considering both the risks and benefits of any activity that they are considering trying. So, in order to help seniors make these decisions, we provide them both the pros and cons of resistance training and bone density, which includes the following:

Pros

• Resistance training and weight bearing exercises can improve bone density by as much as 3%
• Physical activity has additional benefits to overall health and mobility
• Improved bone density can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injury, specifically as related to osteoporosis

Cons

• There is a risk of injury that comes with resistance activities, including sprains and even spinal problems
• Seniors who are unaware of proper weight lifting techniques increase their risk of injury
• Once resistance training stops, any improvements made by the physical activities can result in a return to previous bone density conditions

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

If you’re a retired San Jose senior, you’ve either played golf or know someone who does regularly, because it’s one of the most popular activities for men and women once they have retired. It’s ideal, because it combines cardiovascular activity with strength training, and allows seniors to adjust their game based on their own fitness level, either by walking the golf course or taking a cart.

As with any activity, while golf may be an ideal sport, seniors do need to exercise caution in order to prevent injury since golf can put physical strain on the wrist, shoulder, the hips and other parts of the body. Plus, when walking over uneven or hilly terrain at the golf course there is always the potential that seniors could fall or injure themselves.

There’s no such thing as being too old to golf, and as long as some simple safety tips are kept in mind, seniors can benefit from getting out in the fresh air and remaining active.

• Always warm up – seniors need to stretch before beginning a golf game, with special focus upon the arms, shoulders and upper body
• Adjust if your technique is causing pain – seniors who find that their golf swing results in pain in different areas of their body can talk to a golf professional about adjusting their swing
• Invest in the right equipment – while it may seem most economical to borrow clubs from someone who is no longer using them, clubs need to be the right weight and size for seniors otherwise they can cause strain and injury. Clothing is also important, proper, good fitting shoes that provide support can prevent injuries
• Seek medical help for pain – treat injuries immediately with ice or a hot compress in order to reduce swelling or pain, and if the injury remains, see a doctor and rest the area

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

mage Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

Finding the right doctor can play a major role in providing for a senior’s health, while location and ease of accessibility may seem like a major factor in determining which physician to see; many other things come into play which seniors might not think about.

1. Does your insurance or health plan cover your physician choice? Often doctors need to be plan-approved or affiliated with a specific group in order to be covered by health and insurance plans.

2. What kind of doctor do you need? Consider whether a general practitioner to manage your overall health is what you require, or if you need a specialist to address a specific aging health issues.

3. Can your doctor practice at your local hospital? In case of senior medical emergency, you may need your doctor to treat you at the hospital of your choice. Ensure the doctor you choose has the authority to do so.

4. Have you checked out his/her reputation – if possible, choose a doctor who comes highly recommended by friends, family or other people in your network who have seen the doctor. You want someone who will listen to your concerns, is respectful and answers questions.

5. Check their qualifications – all general practitioners must be board certified, having completed a medical residency. Specialists must have additional training.

Use Administrators in Medicine to learn of any disciplinary actions taken against the doctor of your choice, as well as the Federation of State Medical Boards and the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory to grasp the history of your chosen medical professionals.

Sources:

1. Seniors for living

2. MedicineNet.com

Image Source: CCN.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

After age 20, our bodies automatically begin packing on the pounds if diet and exercise aren’t used to control the calories that we consume. Since our metabolisms slow down, what previously would have been burned off naturally, can be instead stored as fat and excess weight, and every decade that we live past 20, it’s possible for our metabolisms to slow more and more resulting in weight gain. It’s no secret that excess weight at any age can cause serious health complications like cardiovascular complications like high blood pressure and even heart attack.

If you’re a San Jose senior who notices a substantial weight gain year after year, don’t accept it as part of the aging process, because that mentality will send you to an early grave. Instead, get off the couch, get out of bed, and start getting active. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity a few times per week can improve overall health, burn calories that would otherwise be turned into fat cells, and improve a senior’s quality of life.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

Often seniors struggle with problems in their legs as they get older, and varicose veins are one common problem that can result from poor circulation in the legs. However, seniors often attribute varicose veins to other physical problems, because they might not be able to see the inflamed vein visually, depending upon where it’s located.

Although a doctor’s opinion should always be sought anytime a San Jose senior believes that they have a potential medical issue, here are some of the common symptoms of varicose veins:

• Enlarged blue or purple veins, often in the legs
• Leg swelling
• Swollen feet
• Swollen ankles
• Weak leg muscles
• Leg muscle cramps, especially at night
• Poor leg circulation
• Poor leg healing (bruising, scrapes and other issues remain longer)
• Itchy skin on the legs and ankles
• Leg ulcers
• Aches in legs when standing still

If you believe that the above-mentioned symptoms indicate that you might have varicose veins, make an appointment with your primary care physician in order to discuss treatment options and to make an accurate diagnosis

Sources:

1. Wrong Diagnosis

Image: pro.corbis.com

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Q – I have noticed some signs that my elderly mother is struggling to live independently in her own home. While I have some ideas about home care, I do come from a large family in Saratoga and feel it’s important that I involve my siblings and immediate family in the decision making. What’s the best way to go about this?

A – Ask your immediate family to get together in the San Jose area so that you can all discuss your concerns about your mother’s health and care. If not all siblings live close by, you can set-up a conference call so that everyone can be involved in discussing your mother’s care requirements. For the first meeting, don’t involve your mother, so you can talk openly about your concerns without upsetting her. Discussing elder care requirements for a loved one, can be stressful, so keep the following tips in mind when planning your first family senior home care meeting.

1. Establish a goal for each meeting – the first meeting might be about discussing concerns, and making suggestions for how to proceed with home care

2. Invite only close relatives – invite your close siblings or other family members you feel must be involved, but try to keep numbers under 7 people

3. Allow each family member the chance to speak without interrupting

4. Share resources – each family member can bring information about your mother’s specific conditions or local resources that may be able to help

5. Have a moderator – invite a 3rd, impartial party like a counselor or Geriatric Care Manager to help keep the meeting on track if you feel there will be disputes about your mother’s care amongst family

Sources:

1. Elder Care Online

2. Suite101

Image Source: Corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

According to a report by US News and World Report, many common ailments and changes that we naturally affiliate with the aging process, are not in fact normal for everyone and many common aging myths don’t hold as much truth as we like to assume.

1. Extra weight cuts your life short – studies show that carrying a few extra pounds (up to 30lbs) in you senior years may not result in a shortened lifespan after all, provided you are not obese with a BMI over 30. At age 75 an extra 30 lbs can actually be protective of the immune system, staving off other illnesses; proving that carrying a little extra weight isn’t always bad, as we’ve been taught to think.

2. Everyone must prepare for senility – we’ve all heard the expression “old and senile” when discussing older adulthood, but senility doesn’t happen to everyone contrary to the stereotype. Some cognitive decline may occur, but it typically doesn’t compromise a senior’s ability to live independently.

3. San Jose and Los Gatos seniors shouldn’t exercise – the belief is that seniors won’t have the energy to exercise, or that it can be harmful. However, seniors who exercise have a lower occurrence of heart problems, and less fatigue.

4. All hearing loss requires a hearing aid – only 35% of seniors require hearing aids; although many seniors do experience some form of hearing loss, many maintain perfect hearing into their later years.

5. Seniors are cranky – while some seniors may experience personality changes due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, or may experience bouts of depression due to their declining health, research proves that our personalities don’t change after age 30. The cranky seniors you know have probably always been that way.

Sources:

1 US News & World Report

Image Source: ultraorange.net

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

Everyone feels stress on occasion, but learning to cope with it using effective strategies is necessary to get over the hurdles. Here are some tried and true techniques, recommended by family caregivers on how they reduce their own stress and that experienced by their elderly care recipients.

“I don’t allow myself to ever get overwhelmed by stress. When I encounter a situation that causes anxiety, I take a step back, and use deep breathing techniques learned from practicing yoga. While it’s not always possible to walk away from a stressful situation, especially when caring for an elderly loved one, by practicing this method of stress management, I find things don’t affect me is much”

- Marilyn, 58

“I find that my elderly mother is often plagued by anxiety, and with so much change and uncertainty in her life, I can’t blame her. I find the best cure for stress to help make sure my mother doesn’t become too overwhelmed is to keep her engaged in social activities. By connecting with friends and family, she staves off loneliness and has more positive feelings about stressful situations.”

- Sandra, 45

“I started practicing yoga when I reached middle age, I was initially reluctant because I no longer had the flexibility I had in my 20’s. After realizing just how beneficial the relaxation techniques and physical activity was for my stress level, I encouraged my elderly mother to give a senior yoga class a try. She had concerns about her level of physical fitness, just as I had; but with modified poses and supportive apparatuses to help with the exercise, she’s experiencing the benefits too!”

- Michelle, 52

Sources:

1. American Institute of Stress

2. About

Image Source: img.webmd.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.