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Signs That Your Aging Loved One Needs Assisted Living

Millions of aging adults need help to complete activities of daily living such as showering, eating and taking their medication. One of the hardest decisions a family may need to make is deciding whether or not their aging loved one needs to be placed into assisted living. Below are some significant signs that your loved one may need a higher level of care.

Wandering: One of the later signs of dementia is wandering. Even within a home wandering can be dangerous as daily tasks like going to the bathroom can lead to falls and injuries.
Aggression: When an aging loved one begins to show physical and verbal aggression it may be another sign that their condition is deteriorating. Furthermore, this behavior could lead to family members becoming resentful.
Their house no longer safe: If you no longer feel that your loved one is safe in their home if they are not being supervised then it is time for them to receive a higher level of care in an assisted living facility.
Caregiver burnout: Taking care of an aging loved one can take an enormous toll on anyone. If you are feeling burnt out it does not help you or your loved one if you continue to try to take care o them if they need a higher level of care.

If you notice any of these signs, you should begin to consider long-term nursing care for your loved one. In addition, having your loved one try out respite care can help you decide whether you loved ones needs long term care or at the very least give you and your family a much-needed break. At Sprain Brook Manor we can work with you, and your family to give you advice and options when it comes to taking care of your loved ones and their unique care needs. 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.

Holiday Season Red Flags

With the arrival of Thanksgiving, the holiday season has officially begun. For many families, it is the time of year where they travel and see loved ones they may not have seen for several months. For other families, it may be the part of the year where they spend long stretches of time with their elderly family members. For children of aging adults, the holiday season is a cherished time they can spend with their elderly parents. However, it is also a time of year where children can better assess their elderly parents’ cognitive functioning. If you are going to be spending an extended period of time with an aging loved one it is important to look out for any red flags that may require more assessment or intervention.

Extreme Changes in weight: If you have noticed that your elderly loved ones have lost or gained a significant amount of weight since your last visit you may need to consult a medical professional to assess the potential causes of this change in weight. Extreme weight loss in the elderly could be due to cancer, dementia, heart failure, depression or other serious issues. Weight gain can also be caused by depression, heart disease, and medication. Significant changes in weight can be symptoms of a larger issue that need immediate intervention. In addition, significant weight changes can lead to increased medical problems such as type 2 diabetes.
Changes in Home Environment: If it has been awhile since you have visited your elderly loved one’s residence and noticed their once clean and organized home is a mess with overflowing piles of garbage and uncleaned laundry this could be a sign of declining functioning. Even if your aging loved one was never known to be the cleanest and most organized individual, having them live in a messy and dirty environment could put them at increased risk of falling or getting sick.

If upon visiting your aging loved one you realize that they may need further assessment by a medical expert it will be important to broach the topic carefully. The holiday season is stressful for everyone and adding a serious and important conversation about your aging adults weight, home environment or other concerns can lead them to feel attacked or judged. Therefore you may want to begin the conversation by reviewing with them their previous doctor visits and making a new appointment with their primary care physician where you can voice some of your concerns. If your concerns are very serious, you may have to look into long-term nursing home care with skilled nursing services.

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.

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.

Treatments for Prostate Cancer

About 1 in every 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In 2016 it isestimated that over 180,000 people will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 26,000 men will diefrom the cancer this year. Older men are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer as 60 percentof those diagnosed are 65 or older and it is rare for prostate cancer to be diagnosed before age 40(source). It is extremely important for men to get screened early for prostate cancer as the cure rate forprostate cancer that is detected early is almost 100 percent. However, prostate cancer can be volatile asit can present with almost no symptoms and develop at an unpredictable rate. There are severaldifferent treatment options with differing side effects. Below is a description of surgery and radiationtreatments for prostate cancer. Surgery Length of treatment (average): One time 1-2 hours of surgery with 1-2 nights at the hospital. Accuracy: Prostrate is visually identified and removed. Side Effect/Risks: General risks of going through surgery and having anesthesia. Cancer Staging: The entire removed specimen can be analyzed. Possible Side Effects: Impotence and incontinence. Potential Secondary Treatment after Surgery: Radiation. Any increase risk for secondary cancer: No. Radiation Length of treatment (average): 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks and CyberKnife® is done over 1-5days/treatments. Accuracy: Cancer targeted based on imaging data, therefore dosage and location are estimated. Side Effect/Risks: Fatigue, skin inflammation, frequent/difficult/uncomfortable urination,rectal bleeding or irritation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea. In addition, you will need hormone therapy Cancer Staging: Staging based on biopsy or estimated. Possible Side Effects: Bowel dysfunction, impotence and incontinence. Potential Secondarily Treatment after Surgery: Surgery may be too difficult after radiation. Any increase risk for secondary cancer: There is a 5 percent risk of rectal or bladder cancerafter radiation treatment. Understanding your options after a diagnosis of prostate cancer is important. More than 2.5 millionpeople are living with prostate cancer. No matter what option you and your doctor choose to treat youor your loved one’s prostate cancer or any other type of cancer rehabilitation can be difficult. At SprainBrook Manor Rehab we offer long term care, short term care and skilled nursing care so that you canheal in comfort knowing that you are getting top of the line treatments and therapies in beautiful andserene Westchester.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover frommedical 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, norshould it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

The Importance Of Downsizing and Decluttering For The Elderly

Part of the natural course of aging may involve downsizing as aging adults move to a smaller home or anursing home. Downsizing can be very difficult as items that many would deem as clutter may holdsentimental value to their owners. In addition, many aging individuals may not want to downsize andleave the home they have lived in for decades so refusing to get rid of items can act as a way for them totry delay leaving their home. Clutter among the elderly is a real issue as one survey study revealed that30% of people over the age of 70 had not given away any items in the last year even though thesepossessions were no longer useful to them in their daily lives. If you would like to help your loved one declutter their space it is important to follow some guidelines.  Have a plan: Walking through the property and seeing how much stuff you are likely going tothrow away, give away or keep will give you a good idea of how long the project will take andwhat resources you will need to complete the project.  Be sensitive: Do not come off as callous as you throw your loved one’s items away. Makingcomments like “why did you keep this” or “you have so much junk” can be invalidating andmake the person you’re trying to help upset.  Do not try to do it all in one day: Your loved one took a lifetime filling up their home with itemso do not expect it to take a few hours to declutter it. Breaking the project up into smaller taskswill make decluttering the home feel less overwhelming.  Get some helpers: Try to recruit family and friends to help you declutter the property. Doing theproject all by yourself could take days or even weeks. The more hands you have to help thefaster it will go.  Have fun and learn something: If you take the time you may find some treasures in your lovedones home. At the very least you may learn something about your family or loved one that youdid not know before as a result of an item you find. In addition, decluttering and cleaning yourloved one’s home can create a great opportunity to bond with your loved one and anyone elsehelping you with the project. When holding on to items becomes a serious issue for someone then their actions might be labeled ashoarding. Hoarding is when someone has difficulty getting rid of items regardless of the items values.This behavior often has negative emotional, physical, financial and even legal effects on those sufferingand their family. If you believe that someone you care about has a serious issue with hoarding than youshould contact a mental health professional to help them manage and treat their illness.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover frommedical 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, norshould 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.

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