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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.

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.

Safety Tips for the Elderly on Halloween

For thousands of children across the country, Halloween is an exciting and fun holiday full of candy, pumpkins, and costumes. However, for aging adults, Halloween has many hidden potential dangers. Decorations can lead to accidental falls and opening the door for strangers can be dangerous. To ensure that this Halloween is safe for you and your aging loved ones, it is important to follow some basic safety tips.

Keep all floors, doorways and stairs clear of decorations.
Keep outside areas well lit.
Keep carved pumpkins outside to avoid bugs and a decaying smell inside your house.
Make sure someone is staying with your aging loved one to ensure he or she is safe while answering the door for trick or treaters.
Put a sign on the door when it is dark saying you are out of candy
Taking concrete measures on Halloween and during the year can help prevent an accident or emergency situation from happening to your elderly loved one. However, sometimes medical emergencies happen and your elderly loved one may need to specialized care. At Sprain Brook Manor we understand the importance of safety and receiving skilled nursing care in comfort. We serve the greater New York area and offer several therapies for those recovering from major health events including physical therapy, speech therapy, and cardiac therapy. 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.

Taking Precautions While Traveling

As we age, we become more prone to illness and injury. Travel can put the elderly at increased risk for disease and injury due to several hazards including increased stress. Furthermore, air travel can be particularly dangerous for the elderly because of high altitude, and an increased possibility of injury and illness. Below are airplane traveling hazards that aging adults need to be aware of and address from Get Away Tips:

Jet Lag: traveling across time zones can lead to jet lag. Jet lag has the potential to disrupt sleeping patterns, put aging adults at risk of exhaustion and affect an individual’s sensitive medication schedule.
Injury: Traveling on an airplane includes several potential risks for injury, especially for aging adults because they are more prone to injury. Risks for injury include being shoved or pushed while entering or exiting a plane, falling in the airport or being hit by luggage from overhead carry-on storage. Any injury that an elderly individual receives during air travel can be increasingly dangerous as life-saving medical treatment can be unavailable during longer flights.
Illness: Aging adults have weaker immune systems and therefore at an increased risk of getting sick during or after air travel. A more fragile immune system is particularly problematic when flying on an airplane as the close quarters makes it more likely for germs to spread between individuals. Also, staying too long in one position can lead to blood clots or worsen arthritis.

Aging adults can avoid or minimize potential flying related injuries by packing lightly and only packing small carry-ons with essential items. In addition, getting an aisle seat will make the bathroom easier to reach and taking short walks on the flight will increase blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots. Even the most cautious aging adults can face serious medical events and need skilled nursing care from a top rated rehab center. Receiving short-term care or long-term nursing home care in comfort and from a well-trained staff can help you or your loved ones recover faster and stay healthier longer. 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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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.

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