Often we have family members of elderly San Jose parents and relatives that contact our offices because they have recognized that senior care assistance is needed otherwise health or safety might be compromised. However, they know that the first hurdle will be to convince their loved ones to see things the same way, when they’re already worried about losing independence. Here are a few suggestions that we make to loved ones who believe it’s time for senior care, that way they can approach their parents about accepting help:

1. Remember change is difficult for everyone – their resistance might be frustrating, but think about how you would feel in the same situation
2. Give him/her time to come around – introduce changes slowly, but don’t force them. Eventually, the changes if for your senior’s benefit will be more accepted, once they get past denying they need help
3. Keep on trying – if you try to introduce a change and it’s not accepted, wait and try again. Sometimes even 15 minutes can make a world of difference
4. Keep them involved in decisions – let your senior know he/she does have a say in making decisions about care. However, do try and be persuasive about introducing care options
5. Offer a trial period – if they are resistant, persuade your senior to give your suggestion a try. A trial period with a home caregiver or with you helping around the house may help them to realize how much it can ease their burden
6. Present it as help for them – when suggesting you help them out or hire a caregiver, don’t present it as a result of their limitations, tell them it’s to have someone available to clean up around the house so they don’t feel obligated, or to help with moving of heavy objects
7. Know when to stop pushing – remember, that despite your concerns, your senior is still someone who is capable and allowed to make their own decisions. If you have tried the above to no avail, no when to stop pushing otherwise you might risk your relationship

Via: National Caregiver’s Library

Image: jupiterimages.com

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Many seniors leave prostate cancer undetected, even once the symptoms begin to appear in the later stages of the disease, because many of the symptoms are ones that can be easily mistaken as what San Jose seniors believe are part of the natural process of aging. It’s not uncommon for seniors to have urinary difficulties, or even sexual dysfunction into their senior years, so many may hesitate to mention it to their doctors due to embarrassment or acceptance.

If the following symptoms arise, talk to your doctor so that prostate cancer can either be ruled out or treated:

1. Frequent urination – prostate cancer can be signified by a frequent need to urinate, especially at night
2. Difficulty urinating – despite the feeling of needing to urinate often, seniors might have problems starting to urinate, or even sometimes with holding back urine
3. Weak urination – when urinating, seniors may find that the flow of urine is interrupted or weak
4. Burning urination – when urinating, seniors may feel a burning sensation
5. Sexual dysfunction – seniors with prostate cancer may find it difficult to attain or maintain an erection, and may find that ejaculation can be extremely painful
6. Blood – blood might appear in urine or semen
7. Stiffness in body – seniors may feel pain or stiffness in their lower back, hips of upper thighs

Via: Prostate Cancer Foundation

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.

With September approaching, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month across the nation encourages seniors to understand how prostate cancer is screened and tested so that the disease can be identified.

• Talk to your San Jose doctor about screening – prostate cancer screening can cause discomfort and be a substantial expense; however, in many cases it is crucial as often symptoms do not surface until the disease has progressed to the later stages. The age to start discussing prostate cancer screening is 40 for those of African American descent, and those with a history of prostate cancer in their families. All other men should speak to their physician by age 50
• Understand the screening options – there are two main tests used to screen for prostate cancer, which can help detect the disease so it can be treated, if necessary, before symptoms even occur:

• Digital Rectal Exam – a physician places a gloved hand into the patient’s rectum to feel the prostate and determine if any lumps or anything else unusual are present

• Prostate Specific Antigen Test – a blood test that looks at the enzyme levels produced by the prostate, anything above the normal range of 0 to 4.0 may indicate cancer

3. Know the symptoms – even if you’ve decided against preventative screening, knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer can help you to receive medical help when it’s required. The most common symptom is a more frequent need to urinate accompanied by an inability to empty the bladder completely. Some seniors may also find sexual dysfunction or blood in ejaculate fluid
4. Decide whether it’s important to you to receive a diagnosis, preliminary or otherwise – prostate cancer most often moves very slowly in senior men, and the vast majority die of other causes and not the prostate cancer. It’s important to evaluate whether a diagnosis is important to you, because if you choose not to receive treatment, it might just cause additional emotional stress

Via: How To Do Things

image:pro.coris.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.

Have you always had dreams of traveling to Asia, Africa or Europe in your retirement and are ready to make it come true? Don’t let fear stop you, even if you’re going it alone make it a journey to remember, but assure your safety with 12 ways that will make your vacation a safe one:

1. Know the destination’s cultural regulations – many countries have specific regulations for women with regards to clothing and behavior. It may seem like a double standard, but to avoid conflict, try to respect and abide by these guidelines
2. Check for travel warnings – the US State Department Consular Information provides up to date information about safety issues and any other travel warnings about where you intend to travel
3. Make sure travel documentation is up to date – make sure that you have the right visas for where you’re traveling and that your passport is valid. Make sure you get a passport 3-4 months before you travel so you don’t run into any problems
4. Leave information at home – make sure a friend or family member has your full itinerary, including contact information for places you’re staying, as well as a copy of your plane ticket, and even a copy of your passport
5. Leave valuables at home – leave extra credit cards and jewelry and valuables at homes, costume jewelry included as it could be mistaken for the real thing
6. Have health insurance – make sure you have travel insurance that covers potential medical costs while you’re away, including evacuation
7. Take enough medication and make sure it’s labeled – for prescription medications, have enough for the duration of your trip and then some in case of delays. Make sure your medications are in their original prescription bottles with labels as some countries might give you trouble due to trafficking laws
8. Remain aware – be aware of those around you and use common sense if you feel someone is acting suspiciously. Go into a store or contact your hotel if you feel uncomfortable
9. Look confident – look and act like you know where you’re going, keep your head held high, and you won’t look like such an easy target
10. Ask for directions – know where you’re going and how to get there before you leave your hotel. Ask the concierge for directions to avoid unsafe areas and keep your confidence up
11. Choose a safe hotel – a central hotel with security and public transportation like taxis nearby is a safer bet
12. Dress conservatively – dress conservatively wherever you’re going and keep jewelry and makeup minimal so you don’t look like a good target

Via: About.com

Image: jupiterimages.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.

Those of us who have reached older adulthood know that with age comes wisdom and experience, but not everyone sees it that way, especially not the rental car industry. Due to soaring insurance rates for seniors over 70, many rental car agencies in San Jose refuse to rent to older adults, but they might not tell you that until you show up to claim your wheels. To prevent any issues with your trip planning, keep the following tips in mind when trying to rent a car as a senior:

1. Ask about age maximums – many rental car companies, or individual rental franchises in certain cities may very with their age limits. While some may not allow seniors over 70 to rent a car due to the potential cost of insurance following an accident, others may put no restrictions on maximum driving age
2. Check your insurance – check with your existing insurance policy and see if it will cover a rental car if you’re driving away from your San Jose home. Using existing insurance or purchasing new insurance may allow you to rent a car from a company that otherwise has age limitations
3. Start at home – if you determine that it’s cheaper to rent a car from a local San Jose agency, get your car at home and make it a longer road trip to your destination if the savings are worthwhile!
4. Pick up the phone – while looking at car rental agencies online might be a great way to get costs, companies don’t always post maximum age limitations online. Pick up the phone, and don’t be modest about your age. Tell them you’re a senior and find out if there are any restrictions or special steps that will need to be taken to rent a car at your age

Via: 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.

Has someone ever told you through their actions or through their words that you can’t achieve anything in older adulthood or made you feel like you’re past your prime? Most San Jose seniors have had such an experience, and it’s a stigma that’s hard to shake regardless of how unfounded it is. Don’t let the doubts of others make you feel like you only get worse with age; prove that like a fine wine, you only get better and follow these 10 steps for reaching your goals and finding success, whatever you consider that to be.

1) Think positive – visualize yourself accomplishing whatever it is that you want to achieve with success. Avoid negative thoughts and negative people
2) Set your goals – be specific about your goals, whatever they may be. Set a date and stick to it, for example, tell yourself “next month I am going to start volunteering in the community”
3) Stick to your goals – if you set a goal, find a way to make it happen. Don’t make excuses or let fear hold you back. Without follow through goals don’t mean anything!
4) Embrace new wisdom – you’re never too old to learn something new, and you can never think that you know everything. Take a class, whether it’s at a Florida college, or to learn a new hobby from a craft store or other place that will teach you about your new interest
5) Be persistent – not all goals can be accomplished immediately, but if you keep your eye on your goals and work through any trials and tribulations, you’ll get there
6) Make decisions wisely – get all the information you need an analyze decisions before you follow through
7) Invest in your future – if you have a goal, it’s okay to filter your time and money into achieving it. Don’t feel guilty or let anyone stand in your way!
8. Communicate – talk to others about your goals, ask them to be open and honest and give them the same in return
9) Be different – don’t set goals just because someone’s told you there’s certain things you should achieve in older adulthood, do what’s right for you!
10) Admit when you’re wrong – it’s okay to make mistakes, just make sure you admit it when you’re wrong

Sources:

1. About.com

Image: 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.

With major illnesses like H1N1 in the news, people in San Jose are thinking twice about what they can do to stop the spread of bacteria like Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) which tends to spread around nursing homes, hospitals, and dialysis centers; preying on seniors who are already more vulnerable due to illness. So, for those wondering how to stop the spread of these illnesses, here are 10 ways to help combat MRSA:

1. Wash Your Hands –wash your hands often and ensure that that you know proper techniques to make sure that that bacteria is killed. Use hot water and soap and ensure that they scrub for 30 minutes.

2. There no such thing as washing too much –wash your hands before and after you do just about everything! When you go to the bathroom, before and after meals, anytime you touch objects in a very public place, if you sneeze or cough, and especially when around others who are ill

3. Use hand sanitizer if there’s no sink access – if seniors or caregivers don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will disinfect and help to kill bacteria like MRSA

4. Try not to touch anything in public restrooms – it may sound extreme, but you don’t know if others using the public restroom might have been sick when they touched doorknobs, doors and faucets in the washroom without washing their hands first. Use a paper towel when opening doors and wash your hands before you leave

5. Clean surfaces in your house – frequently clean doorknobs, faucets and other surfaces where you and others in the home frequently use their hands which can also spread bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners or those designed to combat MRSA can be effective!

6. Keep cuts clean – it’s important for cuts to be cleaned and bandaged so that MRSA can’t enter the wound

7. Use caution when treating someone else’s wound – avoid touching bandages or an open wound directly when helping someone else. Wear gloves and wash your hands after

8. Don’t share personal items – MRSA can be spread by sharing clothes, towels, tweezers, nail clippers, cosmetics and more

9. Don’t overuse antibiotics – using antibiotics for a virus can help increase MRSA’s resistance; always follow doctor’s instructions

10. See a doctor – if wounds aren’t healing well, seek medical attention

Sources:

1. MedLeague

2. How to Do Things

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.

Every evening when the sun sets, you feel like you turn into somebody else. It’s like a case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but instead of turning into a monster, you turn into someone who is confused, agitated and completely restless. If this sounds like you, then you must be a San Jose senior who suffers from Alzheimer’s and sundowning. For you and your caregiver, this can be one of the most frustrating and challenging times of the day, but by working together to implement some simple tips it is possible to improve your life.

• Seniors should be checked out by their San Jose doctor to ensure that sundowning isn’t a result of another disease or illness
• Caregivers need to make sure that they’re flexible in their approach to dealing with their senior, especially at night
• Caregivers should ensure that seniors don’t consume caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening, otherwise restlessness can be worse
• Lighting in the home should be appropriate for the time of day, and there should be minimal glare and shadows so seniors don’t become more anxious by lack of visibility
• Caregivers and family should try to make seniors feel safe and secure by speaking soothingly despite their frustrations
• During the evening hours caregivers should make sure the senior’s needs are always met – that they’re not hungry, thirsty etc..
• Naps should be avoided during the day to ensure seniors can sleep at night
• Soothing music can be played in the evening to promote relaxation, or other activities that help seniors unwind can be tried
• Stimulating and physical activities during the day can help seniors sleep better at night
• Caregivers and family members must always remember that seniors with Alzheimer’s aren’t behaving that way on purpose

Sources:

1. New York Times
2. Health Central

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.

Q – I am in my late 50’s, and I’m an office manager with an important and demanding job for a large corporation in San Jose. I feel like I’m at the peak of my career, but my body is trying to tell me otherwise. For the past few years I have started to struggle with bladder control due to urinary incontinence. I feel like it’s starting to affect my job, and that while they don’t know what I’m dealing with specifically, the staff is beginning to look at me differently. How can I deal with urinary incontinence in the workplace?

A – Here are 10 ways that you can deal with urinary incontinence in the workplace. These tips will help to keep your private issue just that, and help you feel like you can control this unfortunate effect of aging along with your career.

1.) Get the right pads – menstrual pads are not designed the same as pads for incontinence, get some good quality absorbent pads that can also help to control odor. These will come in handy during a long, important meeting when you can’t escape to the bathroom
2.) Practice odor prevention – some incontinence products release a pleasant odor when in contact with fluid, or you can buy sprays to help control the effects of incontinence
3.) Use a tampon – for women, tampons also put pressure on the urethra which can also help to control leaks that come with incontinence
4.) Watch what you drink – despite the need to remain hydrated, during a long meeting, avoid drinking too much water or coffee, otherwise you’ll have a full bladder and might leak when you stand
5.) Consider your wardrobe – choosing darker colored suits for the office will help to mask the presence of fluid
6.) Do kegels – to strengthen bladder muscles, regularly contract the muscles you’d use to stop the flow of urine
7.) Train your bladder – try to slowly increase the time between bathroom visits until you can go between 3-4 hours between trips
8.) Use a pessary – most common to help bladder weakness after pregnancy, a pessary can help to control incontinence
9.) Use deep breathing – when you feel the urge to go, practice deep breathing for 5 minutes until the need passes.
10.)  Tighten the pelvic muscles – when you’re going to laugh or cough, tighten the pelvic muscles to prevent leakage

Sources:

1. Web MD
2. Wikipedia

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.

Walt Whitman was a poet known for his poetic reflections of nature, he would take daily walks to get in touch with his natural surroundings and find inspiration. He was definitely onto something that meant more than simply creating his form of art, and San Jose seniors and older adults worldwide can benefit from following his example in order to improve their health, both body and mind.

Here’s how seniors can benefit their health, body and mind, by getting in touch with nature:

• Attention and memory spans improve by 20% after a 50 to 55 minute walk in a natural setting
• Sights in nature cause reflection and mental stimulation
• In nature, your mind can focus on stimulus rather than tuning out other surroundings in the environment when it’s overwhelming in a busy city environment
• Being in an environmental surrounding provides the brain with “active rest”
• Getting out into nature generally involves some form of physical activity and weight bearing activities like walking can help with osteoporosis and muscle strength
• Body weight, body fat and cholesterol is lowered when San Jose seniors get active by hiking or walking outdoors reducing the risk of stroke, and heart conditions
• The boomer generation has a strong sentimental to the outdoors based on Woodstock and other events, so it can take them back to fond memories of their youth

Sources:

1. AARP

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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.