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Working Out Family Issues Related To Elder Care

When an aging parent becomes ill, it can often lead to issues between family members. Even family members who have a good relationship can find themselves arguing over care for their parents. For families that already have a strained relationship, fighting over a parent’s care can further negatively affect the relationship between family members.
Whenever siblings are helping manage or take care of a parent, there may be several aspects siblings may argue over. These elements include being upset that another sibling is not contributing enough to care for the aging parent, the primary caregiver feels like they cannot be assertive in the care of the aging parent, and issues related to old family dynamics being dredged up.
It is important that family members make sure they work out any matters related to their loved one’s care. Otherwise, they can find their relationships with one another getting worse or potentially hurting their loved one’s health further. Family members can ensure that their relationship stays resilient while taking care of an aging loved one by following several tips. These tips include making sure to have open lines of communication where you can discuss how you feel about the situation, be open about concerns, validate what other family members say, understand that different family members have different capabilities and recognize your limitations.
When one child becomes the primary caregiver for an aging parent, they can be more susceptible to caregiver burnout and resentfulness towards other siblings. Respite Care can help prevent caregiver burnout and resentment towards other family members by offering a short-term care reprieve to the caregivers. At Sprain Brook Manor we understand that taking care of a loved one can put extra stress on family members and we offer several services including respite care, short-term nursing care and long term nursing care which can help alleviate family care-related stress. In addition, we understand the importance of knowing your loved one is in a caring environment with skilled staff, and that is why we are also working towards being the top rated nursing home and rehab center serving Scarsdale, Westchester, Yonkers and the greater tri-state area.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Diabetes in the Elderly

Diabetes is a serious health issue that affects 11.8 million seniors. Diabetes is when an individual does not make enough insulin, a hormone that helps our body turn glucose (sugar) into energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin an overabundance of glucose is left in the blood stream. Too much glucose in the blood stream can lead individuals to have several negative health consequences including feeling, tired, hungry, need to urinate often, and damage to their eyesight. In addition, when glucose levels get to high in the blood stream it can hurt kidneys, nerves, cause heart disease, stroke and even lead to amputation and death. Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult onset diabetes) often runs in families. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight and under active. In addition, those over the age of 40 from African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders groups are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For those diagnosed with diabetes it is important to properly manage it. It crucial to speak to your doctor to find out what steps you need to take in order to manage your diabetes. There are generally 4 essential aspects to managing diabetes.

Eating Correctly: Understanding how your diet affects your glucose levels is essential in managing diabetes. Creating a diabetic specific diet plan can help keep your glucose levels down.
Exercise: Regular exercise can help improve glucose levels in older people with diabetes.
Medications: Medications can help individuals with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels and can help improve the positive effects of eating right and exercise.
Monitoring: Monitoring your glucose level and blood pressure can help ensure your condition does not get worse before it gets better,

Diabetes is only one of the many health concerns that seniors face as they age. It is important that as we age we properly manage our health. When our loved ones have serious health issues we need to ensure they get the best skilled nursing care. Sprain Brook Manor Rehab offers short term and long term care that serves the greater Tri-State area. We consider all aspects of our resident’s health including diet to ensure they have the best possible care.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

How To Protect Seniors Against Scams

According to the National Council on Aging financial scams that target the elderly are extremelyprevalent. These crimes are devastating to seniors and leave them little opportunity to recover theirlosses. In addition, financial scams often go unreported because elderly victims may feel tooembarrassed to come forward. One of the best ways to keep your elderly loved one from falling for afinancial scam is educating them. Below are the most common financial scams that target the elderly,for a full list see ncoa.org. Medicare/ Insurance Scams- Perpetrators may pretend to be a Medicare representative and getan elderly person to give them their personal information or provide a bogus service and thencharge Medicare for it. Ensure that you or your loved one checks Medicare statements in orderto catch these types of scams.  Counterfeit Prescription Drug Scams- When seniors try to save money on medication by buyingmedication online they can fall prey to stores that sell counterfeit drugs. This type of scam canbe hazardous to a individuals wallet and their health so stress the importance of only buyingmedication from reputable sources.  Funeral and Cemetery Scams-Some scam artists go to funerals and demand money from familymembers for fake debts they claim the deceased owes them. In addition, shady funeral homesmay add expensive options to bills even when they are not necessary. If someone claims thedeceased owes them money tell the individual to contact the lawyer handling the estate and make sure to research any expensive additions funeral homes may try to add to your bill.
 Telemarketing Scams- These scammers prey on the elderly and are extremely hard to trace.Three common phone scams are the pigeon drop, where the scammer tells the mark they found money and will split it with the aging adult if they give them a good faith payment, the fake accident ploy, where someone calls an aging adult and tells them to send them money on the premise that a family member is in the hospital and needs it and the charity scam, where money is “collected” for fake charities.
Scams that target the elderly can do a lot of financial and psychological damage to the victims. Just like when it comes to taking care of your aging loved one, it is important to be educated about potential hazards that can threaten their health. At Sprain Brook Manor we understand the importance of knowing that a family can trust the health and care of their loved one to our skilled nursing care staff. We have the best rehab center in the Westchester area and offer several therapies including Cardiac, Speech, Pulmonary and Physical therapy so that your loved one can regain their health and quality of life.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day.Contact Us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Watch Out for Caregiver Burnout

Taking care of an elderly loved one is a full time job that can quickly exhaust you. Even if you have only been a caregiver for short time it is likely you are already experiencing some of the signs of caregiver burnout. It is important that you ensure that you give yourself the needed breaks and watch out for caregiver burnout before the feeling intensifies, causes functional impairment and leads to changes in mood. Caregiver.com lists seven common signs of caregiver burnout, see the full list on their website.

You don’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. If all of a sudden you feel like you no longer want to be social with friends or family this is a sign you may be burning out.
You no longer find interest in things that you used to enjoy. Anhedonia is a loss of experiencing pleasure in activities you used to find enjoyable. It is an early sign of depression and may mean you need a break from caregiving.
You have had a recent significant change in appetite. A large increase or decrease in appetite can be a telltale sign that you are experiencing extreme levels of stress.
You have had a recent significant change in your sleep patterns. Stress can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. If you’re oversleeping or under sleeping it can be your body telling you that you need a break from the stress of caregiving.

If you are experiencing any one of these signs of caregiver burnout you may need a break from caregiving. Respite Care is one option for those who are experiencing caregiver burnout. Respite Care is when someone temporarily has their loved one cared for by a nursing home in order to give some short term relief to care givers. Sprain Brook Manor offers Respite Care in Westchester for those in the tristate area who need a break from caregiving. Our facility offers the best in skilled nursing care and short term care for the aging community in the tristate area and beyond. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Things that are Cheaper in Retirement

As individuals age one of the topics that many individuals worry about is their finances. In particular many aging adults are concerned about whether they will have enough money to retire. One aspect to consider when thinking about how much money one will need to retire is that several expenses actually decrease when one retires. While the money you will save from cutting out several expenses in retirement may vary from person to person almost everyone can expect to save on at least some expenses once they begin retirement. Below is a list from the AARP of things that become cheaper in retirement.

Lower Taxes: Taxpayers that are 65 or older can receive a higher standard deduction if they don’t itemize. In addition, once you are retirement age you may see more of your paycheck as you no longer have to pay into social security and Medicare.
Lower Commuting Costs: According to one study the average fulltime workers spends an estimated $240 per month traveling to and from work. Once you reached retirement you will save on commuting as well as other work related costs like dry cleaning or office gifts.
Lower Insurance Costs: Once you reached retirement you may decide to get rid of disability insurance and you can be eligible for lower car insurance premium if you’re driving fewer miles.
Save on home repairs and chores: When you are no longer working a day job you will have more time to do your home tasks such as gardening and maintenance like painting, instead of paying someone else to do these tasks.
Saving on Travel: Once you retire you will likely want to travel more. Since you have more time and flexibility you can travel in the off season and save big on travel.

When thinking of retirement it is also important that you research healthcare options in your area that you can rely on in case you or a loved one needs to recover from a medical event. Sprain Brook Manor offers renowned rehabilitation and skilled nursing care in the tristate area. We have several therapies such as speech, physical and pulmonary therapy to help you or your loved one get back to enjoying retirement after a medical event.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Signs of a UTI

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are a common and painful issue that older individuals face. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from your bowels that enter other parts of your body. Once the bacteria enters your bladder it can multiply quickly and become what is termed a lower UTI. UTIs become more serious if they travel to one or both kidneys in what is called an upper UTI. Since the kidneys can be damaged in an Upper UTI infection it is important that UTIs get treated quickly and effectively.
While women are more likely to experience UTIs, men’s risk of getting a UTI increases as they age. In fact, the population that is most likely to develop a UTI is the elderly. Elderly people are more likely to develop UTIs for several reasons. They are more susceptible to infection, are more likely to suffer from conditions such as diabetes, may use catheters, have an enlarged prostate, and may have mobility issues and or kidney stones all of which increases the risk of developing a UTI. Some common symptoms of UTIs include bloody urine, urgent and frequent need to urinate, pain or burning while urinating, low grade fever, night sweats, shaking or chills. It is important to note that elderly people with serious UTIs may not show any signs of fever because their immune system is not strong enough to fight back against the infection. In addition, UTI symptoms in the elderly include confusion, hallucinations, poor motor skills, dizziness and falling. In order to reduce the risk of developing a UTI one should drink plenty of fluids, drink cranberry juice, takecranberry tablets, and avoid caffeine and alcohol as they irritate the bladder. The most likely course of treatment for a UTI is with antibiotics which can help clear the infection quickly (source).At Sprain Brook Manor Rehab we understand the specific health risks that aging adults face. Our team of skilled nurses, doctors and therapists work hard to ensure that your loved ones will heal and be professionally cared for of while they reside with us. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Home Additions for Aging Adults

As our loved ones age seemingly innocuous areas in their house, like stairs or doorways, can become dangerous obstacles. It is important that as our loved ones age or return from rehabilitation after a major health event that those risky places in their home are identified and made safe. Common household danger areas for the elderly include bathrooms, as bathtubs can be too high and showers can have an edge that is easy to trip over, doorways, as the threshold can be elevated, and stairs that may be too hard for aging adults to climb or are too steep to go down without the risk of falling. Every house is different and therefore carries its own risks that need their own specific safety solutions. Below is a list of home additions recommend from aging care.com that can keep your loved one safe and better able to function in their own home while they age. Walk in showers and tubs: Walk in showers and tubs enable seniors to avoid having to step over a high edge consequently reducing the risk of falling when they are getting in or out of the shower. In addition having non slip tiles or a built in shower bench can also make showering or bathing safer and easier for aging adults. Adding handrails and grab bars: Adding handrails and grab bars in hallways, bathrooms and even the kitchen reduces the areas where individuals may slip and fall as they have stable support to rely on when they are walking. Placing nonskid strips in slippery places: Placing non-skid strips in areas that are more likely to get wet, such as the kitchen and bathroom, is a preventative measure that increases walking safety. In addition, adding nonskid strips to stairs can prevent a life threatening fall from occurring. Stair lifts and home elevators: Adding a stair lift to two story houses or an elevator to a multi-story house can be the difference between an elderly adult making it up the stairs or being bound to only reside on the lowest floor. These home additions are not only important because they add safety, they are important because they enables the resident to be able to utilized their home to its full capacity and feel comfortable doing so. Sprain Brook Manor rehab understands the importance of staying as independent as possible while living in comfort. We offer rehabilitation and short term care for the Westchester, Yonkers and tristate area. We are one of the best rehab centers in Scarsdale because we take care of people and not just symptoms.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Vaccines That Protect The Elderly

According to the CDC about 90% of deaths from the flu occur in individuals over the age of 65. Several steps can be taken to protect the elderly from the flu such as washing hands during the flu season and getting vaccinated. However, the flu is just one illness that the elderly are more susceptible to. Below is a list of illnesses and the vaccines that are recommended to help prevent and decrease the chances of aging adults contracting potentially deadly illnesses.

The Flu: As mentioned above, the flu can be deadly when contracted among elderly. It is recommended that the elderly receive the Fluzone High Dose influenza vaccine which is designed specifically for people 65 years and older.
Shingles: Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash usually presenting on an area that wraps around the left or right side of someone’s body. Although shingles is not life threatening it is extremely painful. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 60 get the shingles vaccine in order to protect themselves against this very painful rash.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: Everyone should get the combined Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis booster shot every 10 years. Tetanus can be deadly if it enters a person’s bloodstream so it is important to make sure everyone including those over the age of 60 is up to date with their Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis booster.
Chickenpox: Anyone who has not had the chickenpox should get vaccinated against it. However, those with potentially compromised or weakened immune systems should talk to their doctor before they get the chickenpox vaccine.
Pneumonia: The elderly are more at risk to contract Pneumonia than younger individuals and over 90% of deaths from pneumonia occur in individuals that are over 65 years old. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) can help protect the elderly from getting pneumonia as it provides protection against 23 different strains of the pneumonia causing bacteria.
Measle/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): Measles is a virus that can cause high fever, rashes, diarrhea and the risk for death is higher in adults than in infants or children. It is recommended that anyone that was either never vaccinated or vaccinated in the 1960s get the measles vaccine or the measles vaccine booster.

It is important that aging adults ensure that they are up to date in their vaccinations in order to prevent terrible symptoms or death. Unfortunately there are no vaccines against other illnesses and diseases that may affect the elderly. If you or a loved one has had a recent health event and needs short term or long term care, Sprain Brook Manor nursing home located in Westchester can fulfill your needs. The Sprain Brook Manor rehabilitation center has several state of the art therapies to get you or your loved ones healthy once again.

This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Best Foods for Your Brain

Many people notice that as they grow older they feel that they are not as mentally sharp as they used to be. For example, math word puzzles may take longer to solve and memories can take longer to retrieve which can be frustrating. The reason this occurs is as we age blood flow to our brain drops. The areas where the blood flow drops the most leading to mental slowdowns is in our frontal cortex which includes verbal fluency, the ability to find the words we want to use and executive functioning, our planning and organizing center. In addition, blood flow also drops in the parietal cortex which affects visio-motor performance and the medial temporal area which affects the ability to make new long term memories (American Psychological Association). One tool that claimed to sharpen performance in everyday life and protect against cognitive deficits is Luminosity, a brain training tool. However, the company’s claims may have been unfounded and as a result they have to pay 2 million dollars to settle deceptive advertising charges (Federal Trade Commission). There are easier and are more scientific sounds ways to keep your brain healthy and you’re already doing it 3 times a day. The Mind Diet claims that by eating foods from 10 food groups while avoiding “bad” foods you can improve your brain health. The MIND Diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. Limited research has shown that those on the MIND diet lowered their risk of Alzheimer’s by 54%. Below are the foods that have been shown to be good for the brain that are included in the MIND DIET

Green leafy vegetables (like spinach and salad greens): At least six servings a week
Other vegetables: At least one a day
Nuts: Five servings a week
Berries: Two or more servings a week
Beans: At least three servings a week
Whole grains: Three or more servings a day
Fish: Once a week
Poultry: Two times a week
Olive oil
Wine: One glass a day

There are also foods you need to avoid. On the diet you have to have less than 4 serving a week of red meat, less than a tablespoon of butter or margarine a day, less than one serving of cheese a week, less than 5 servings of sweets a week and less than one serving of friend or food a week. Unfortunately there currently is no concrete preventive measure to stave off issues in our brain as we age. At some point we may need more consistent help in order to stay safe and live comfortably. If you or a loved one finds yourself needing longer term or short term care in the tristate area Sprain Brook Manor Westchester nursing home is there for you.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Major Breakthrough in the Treatment of Cancer

According to the Guardian, scientists are claiming a major success in the battle against cancer. This breakthrough is based on the engineering of immune cells to target specific types of blood cancers and destroy them. In one study 94% of participants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia saw their symptoms disappear. In another study involving the same immunotherapy technique another form of blood cancer saw half the sample of infected individuals go into remission and a total of 80% of the sample saw some sort of positive response to the treatment. Part of the reason why this immune therapy is such a breakthrough is because the patient’s in these studies had been treated unsuccessfully with other cancer treatments and their cancer was so advanced they only were given 1 month to live before they were administered the immunotherapy treatment. The way the treatment works is blood samples are taken from the patient and T-cells are extracted, T-cells are a type of white blood cells that fight infection and in this type of treatment they are modified by scientists to get antigen receptors that will seek out certain cancers and attack them. Then the cells are allowed to multiply and the cells are then infused back into the patient where they can destroy the cancer cells. Scientists are optimistic with this new form of treatment but they reported that it will likely not be a cure all for all cancer patients and symptoms can still reappear. If your or your loved one is recovering from a major health event like cancer Sprain Brook Manor rehabilitation center in Westchester has long term and short term care to help you or your family member improve their quality of life.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

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