Elder Rage and Early Alzheimers? from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

I spoke in an earlier post about people with Alzheimer's sometimes withdrawing from their normal social activities because of their disease. Although there is no predicting how anyone with Alzheimer's is going to react, there are other personality changes that sometimes take place. I can only imagine how frustrating and confusing this disease can be, but I can understand why some paople would lash out at the people around them in their frustration. The article below talks about one woman's experience with her father and elder rage.

Elder Care & Elder Rage: Know the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Having the "Money Talk" with Elderly parents, Senior Care in Troy, MO

I really don't have a clear picture of my parents finances, it's just not something that ever came up. I think my brothers who live much closer know what's going on, but I'm not sure of even that. On the other hand, my daughter knows everything there is to know about mine, including passwords to my bank accounts in case there's an emergency, even though I'm only in my fifties.



Even if you think everything is all right, problems can come up unexpectantly, like the man in the following article found out. The article also talks about ways we can approach our parents to open up this subject for discussion.



When Your Parents’ Money Is Your Problem

Exercise and Osteoporosis from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Many women with osteoporosis become so afraid of falling that they cut back on exercise and the activities they enjoy. This could be detrimental to their overall health and put them at even a greater risk of falling. Staying active can increase balance and muscle strength and help their overall well being. Of course you should always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. The following article shows even more benefits and suggests what type of exercises would be the most helpful.

Exercising with osteoporosis: Stay active the safe way

Extra Light a Cure for Sundowners? From Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Many people with Alzheimer's or dementia at one time or the other experience problems sleeping that is often referred to as Sundowners Syndrome. We, here at Comfort Keepers of St. Louis, St Charles and Lincoln Counties, have gotten calls from family members who just need someone overnights so they can get some sleep. There has recently been a study in the Netherlands that suggests that simply using brighter lighting during the day will help, and if they pair this with doses of melatonin(a natural substance that promotes sleep) the effect is even better. To read about it follow the link below.

Aging: Cue the Lights and Help Dementia

Summer Heat Safety for the Seniors in our Care in Troy, MO

1. What causes Heat Injuries?
The body gains heat continuously from various sources and gains even more heat with activity in a hot and humid environment. People are at greatest risk for heat related injuries if they:
 do not adjust to an increase in temperature
 do not drink enough fluids
 have poor physical health
 are obese
 have an acute OR chronic illnesses
2. What are the types of heat related injuries?
- Heat Cramps occur with profuse sweating. Sweating causes both the loss of salt and water, which results in leg cramps, usually in the thighs and calves.
- Heat Exhaustion is a more severe form of heat injury. There is a significant loss of water from the body. Signs and symptoms are weakness, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, and profuse sweating with elevated temperature.
- Heat Stroke is the most serious form of heat injury. The bodies core temperature is 105.8F or above. Signs and symptoms could be confusion, aggressive behaviors, and even a comatose state.
- This is a medical emergency.
3. What is the cause of dehydration?
Dehydration is the reduction of body water content below a normal and safe level for the body to function. Water is most often lost through sweating.
 Caffeine and alcoholic beverages cause more urination which
increases the possibility of dehydration.
 Heat, wind, and dry air increase the body’s requirement for water.
 At high altitudes there is an increase in the rate of breathing
and often the atmosphere is drier, leading to decrease thirst.
 If a person is under stress in a hot environment, they may not
recognize the early signs of dehydration.
4. What are signs of dehydration?
- Skin: Less elastic; if you pinch the skin & it returns to its original shape slowly.
- Urine: Concentrated in color and smell, with decrease volume and frequency
- Sweat: Large amount that stops suddenly
- Endurance: Reduced physical ability and fatigue
- Heart Rate: Faster
- Appetite: Decreased, nausea, vomiting
- Mental Changes: Lethargy, difficulty concentrating, less alert, confusion
and irrational behaviors
5. How can you prevent heat related injuries?
 Drink water until you are no longer thirsty and then a little more
 Rest well before and in-between strenuous exercises and activities
 Loosen your clothing while at rest
 Avoid too much exercise / activity if you have any illnesses
 Look for symptoms of heat injuries and react
 Rest in a cool spot in the shade
 Reduce the body temperature as quick as possible
 Re-hydrate slowly if showing signs and symptoms of heat related injury
 Get medical help if there is no response to re-hydration or you have
heat stroke symptoms.

Alzheimer's and Social Activity with Senior Care in Troy, MO

There was a study done in Chicago recently that showed that staying socially active may help prevent the onset of symptoms in Alzheimer’s. What this means is, if we keep our elderly parents engaged in life mentally, physically, emotionally and socially there is a good chance that we can keep them in their own homes for a longer period of time.
Many seniors with Alzheimer’s have a tendency to isolate themselves and have lost the ability to reach out to family and friends for their social needs. Friends and even family may stop visiting so often, or be so taken up with caring for basic physical needs that they may not recognize the need for social and mental activity. Even if we, as family members, recognize the need, we may not be able to do much about it because of restraints of time and distance.

Here at Comfort Keepers we can assist families with these needs, as well as your loved ones physical needs and safety, we call it Interactive Caregiving. Caregiving should be more than just cooking, cleaning and assisting with personal care, we take everyday activities and transform them into opportunities to communicate with and engage our clients. If you would like to know more about Interactive Caregiving please take the time to read our online brochure or if you’re in the St. Louis, St. Charles or Troy, MO area call us at 314-288-0054.
Interactive Caregiving

Medication Side Effects from Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care in Troy, MO

A side effect is a result that may occur along with the therapeutic effect of the medication you are taking. The effect can happen when you start taking the medication, when you increase or decrease the medication, or when you stop taking the medication. Side effects can range from mild to severe in nature. If you have a severe side effect to a medication, your physician may want to prescribe something else for you to take.

All medications can cause side effects; however, most people who take medications have no or little side effects when taking their medications. The following factors may have a relation to the severity and duration of side effects:

Ø Age
Ø Weight
Ø Sex
Ø Health Status
Ø Ethnicity
Ø Race
Ø Severity of disease process

1. Notify your physician if you experience side effects – You should be aware of the side effects that may occur with the medication you are taking. You should notify your physician if you notice any of these side effects:

Ø Blurred vision
Ø Constipation/Diarrhea
Ø Dizziness/Syncope/Headaches
Ø Loss of appetite
Ø Abdominal pain
Ø Memory loss
Ø Palpitations
Ø Problems with coordination
Ø Swelling
Ø Ringing in the ears
Ø Rash or hives

2. Stopping medication with side effects – before you stop any medication, notify your physician. If you are having a serious side effect and feel that you may be having increased complications, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

3. Medication Tips

Ø Be aware – take charge of you health care. Learn about the side effects of your medication.
Ø Get the information – if you don’t have a drug printout from your pharmacy, ask for one. Don’t throw them away; make sure you read the information.
Ø Ask questions – If you don’t understand how your medication interacts, ask your physician or pharmacist. If you have any questions related to your medication, don’t be afraid to ask the question.
Ø Write it down – when your physician or pharmacist gives you additional information; write it down so you can remember later.
Ø Ask about alternatives or new medications – keep up to date with new medications. Ask your physician if there are any new medications, or alternatives that might work for you.
Ø All medications – make sure your physician is aware of all medications you are taking, which include supplements, vitamins and over-the-counter. Supplements and over-the-counter include food form as well as pill form. These can still interact with other prescription medications you may be taking.

Why Pay the Extra for an Agency? from Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care in Troy, MO

There are many good reasons to hire an agency instead of an individual. It may seem more expensive than hiring your best friends, neighbor's niece but it can end up saving you a lot of money and trouble in the long run. I just found this article that explains it all much better than I

Research to find in-home caregivers

Identity Theft and the Elderly from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

A. What is identity theft?
Identity theft is a crime that involves someone pretending to be someone else in order to steal money or get other benefits. They acquire your personal information without your knowledge and use it to commit fraud.

B. How does identity theft happen?
Identity theft and credit card fraud all start when someone gains access to your personal information. It can be as easy as someone digging through your trash, stealing your information from your purse or wallet, or listening to a conversation and writing your information down to use later. The con artist knows the questions to ask when they call your home, so beware of your conversations.

C. What to do if identity theft happens.
If you suspect that someone has been tampering with your credit or identity information, immediately contact one of the three credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. If you have evidence of identity theft, contact your local law enforcement agency, the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft hotline at 877-438-4338, and the financial institution/credit card company.

Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experien: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-680-7289

D. Steps to ensure protection:
1. Shred sensitive documents – shred all documents with personal identifying information on it. Con artists submit the change of address notice and have the information sent to their address with your name on the card.
2. Shop safely on-line – Shop on secure sites only.
3. Monitor your accounts – Check your credit reports regularly for any discrepancies.
4. Avoid Phishing – Phishing is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering personal information that will be used for identity theft. They usually tell you there is a problem with an account. Never click on a link in the email.
5. Don’t sign Credit Cards/Debit Cards – never sign the back of your credit and debit cards. Merchants are required to verify with a photo ID.


E. Special precautions with your Medicare Card
1. Once you have given a health care provider a copy of your Medicare card, make a copy and black out all but the last four digits for future use.
2. Don’t give out Medicare information over the telephone.
3. Be aware of door-to-door salespeople trying to offer you Medicare prescription drug coverage. No one is authorized to provide this service.
4. Do not reveal personal health or financial information to someone trying to sell prescription drug policies. They are not authorized to request personal information during marketing activities.
5. Protect your Medicare number the same way you would your credit cards and social security card.
6. Make sure the contract you are signing and providing personal information to, is from a legitimate company. Do not let yourself be pressured into signing something.

The most important safety practice you can develop is to always be aware of what is going on around you, and reduce the risks that you put yourself in. Think about the ways you may be putting yourself at risk, and develop habits to correct them. By being aware of those risks associated with identity theft, you will be able to learn to protect yourself from the con artists that want to take your identity from you.

A Virtual Tour of Dementia from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

It's very hard to imagine what it must be like to be elderly and have dementia. I do know that it is is very frustrating to the person who has it and can cause them to lash out, withdraw or react in other socially unacceptable ways. Just trying to understand what it must be like goes a long way towards helping calm bad reactions. The article below talks about a "tour" that can help others experience dementia firsthand.

'Virtual Dementia Tour' Leaves Participants Frustrated but Sympathetic

Denial can be Deadly for Aging Seniors by Comfort Keepers in Troy, MO

Many times we would like to turn a blind eye to the fact that our parents are aging. We want things to be how they always were. But things change and our parents age. As they age they may become more incapable of caring for themselves or doing the things they have always done. Not recognizing that our elderly parents need more assistance could lead to accidents, falls or even fatalities.

Please take a minute to read the following article:

Denial can be deadly with aging parents

If your parents need more help than you can provide in St Louis, St Charles or Lincoln Counties in Missouri, please give us a call.

314-288-0054

5 Warning Signs of Health Problems from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Here's an article I found from The Mayo Clinic outlining 5 warning signs to watch for that may indicate health problems our aging parents may have.


Aging parents: 5 warning signs of health problems

If you know of someone who could use our services please visit us at Comfort Keepers. We have over 550 locally owned offices worlwide.

Stopping Elder Abuse in Troy, MO from Comfort Keepers Senior Care

Learning to recognise elder abuse is the first step towards stopping it. Abuse takes many forms from physical to financial. Even those we most trust can be the ones abusing our aging parents. Any reputable home care agency does background checks on their employees to gaurd against abuse. Here at Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO we go the extra step above and beyond what the state of Missouri requires. I found this article that is very thorough in explaining the different forms of elderly abuse as well as what you can do if you suspect it is happening to an aging friend or relative.



Elder Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Helping the Senior in your Care Prevent Falls in Troy, MO

A fall that could be no big deal for a younger person could be devestaing or even fatal to an elderly person. There are things you can do to minimize the possibility of your loved one falling. This short video talks about our aging loved ones and how to keep them safe.

Helping Our Parents Stay in Their Homes, Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Many of our aging parents can be pretty adamant about staying in their own homes as they get older. We can help them by making sure their finances are in order and that their home is in order. Rather than waiting for one of your parents to be confined to a wheelchair and discovering they can't get into the bathroom, take care of it now. The following article gives some tips on how to make sure your parents will really be able to stay in their own home.
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Tips To Help Parents Who Want To Age In Place
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Keeping the Financial Cost of Elderly Care Down in Troy, MO

Although this article is specifically targeted towards caregivers of cancer patients the tips can be generalized to fit many other illnesses our loved ones might have.

Tips for managing the financial cost of caregiving

Make the Bathroom Safer for the Elderly in Troy, MO from Comfort Keepers Senior Care

The bathroom is the number one area in the home for falls. We all want to know our loved ones are safe so some modifications to the bathroom can help give us more peace of mind. Even if there is someone else in the home all the time or your parent needs assistance with their personal care the suggestions in the article below can make the bathroom a safer place.

We,here at Comfort Keepers Elderly and Senior Care in Troy, MO, always do a safety check of the clients home when we sign them up. Many the ideas in the article are things we look for and suggest to the client or family caregiver.

Safety With Style - Bathrooms for Aging Americans

Simple Exercises Can Help Our Parents Stay Healthy Says Comfort Keeper Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Exercise can help everyone, even the elderly, no matter how limited their mobility may become. Whenever I had a client who needed to do exercises, I would do them with him or her. I have found through my work here at Comfort Keepers Home Care in Troy, MO, that our clients who make an effort to stay active, stay healthier longer.



I found this short Taichi routine on YouTube that is specifically designed for the elderly, much of it is done sitting down and it may be modified around your loved ones abilities.

Preventing Caregiver Burnout in Troy, MO Courtesy of Comfort Keepers Senior Care

In my job here at Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care I have seen families under a lot of stress trying to care for a loved one. Many times they don't get outside help until the situation becomes detrimental for both the family caregiver and the loved one they are caring for. Caregiving puts a lot of stress both mentally and physically on the caregiver and can lead to them becoming ill also. It can also to lead to making mistakes in the care of the loved one and even to neglect or abuse. Hiring outside help, such as we provide at Comfort Keepers here in Troy, MO, can help and allows the family caregiver to spend quality time with the loved one. Here is an article I found about preventing caregiver burnout.
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Preventing Caregiver Burnout
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Taxes, the IRS and Hiring a Private Duty Caregiver for Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Many people think home health care agencies such as ours, Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care of Troy, MO, are too expensive. They just don't realize all we do and everything we take care of for you. We pay our employees taxes and Social Security, pay for Workman's Comp insurance, do thorough background checks and provide ongoing education to help them be more effective in their jobs. We also make sure there is someone to cover every shift even if your regular caregiver becomes ill or quits.

Hiring an agency who's caregivers are employees and not independent contractors can save you many headaches and, in the long run as you can see from the article I've linked below, money.

Hiring Private Duty Home Care Workers:Why Work through an Agency?

Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's with Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Caring for a parent or other loved one with Alzheimer's or related dementia can be a much more daunting task than caring for someone with a physical disability or illness. People diagnosed with Alzheimer's can often live for many years after they first find out they have the disease. But it can also be a very rewarding task, there is still a lot of love and times of joy to be shared between you and your loved one. You need to take care of yourself and you need to remember that you can't do it all by yourself. I found this really good article that discusses not what your loved one needs but what the family caregiver needs to make this experience a very rewarding one for you and your loved one.

Alzheimer’s Care: What the Caregiver Needs

Don't forget that companies such as ours, Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care of Troy, MO can help give you the assistance you need so you can take care of you.

A Love Triangle with Mom Courtesy of Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

I just watched this ABC Primetime show on the internet and couldn't help thinking how much these people needed to hire an in-home caregiver like we provide here at Comfort Keepers.

About six years ago I had my mother-in-law come to stay with us. She had been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's and although it was only a month before a stroke took her away from us, I can understand somewhat what these people are feeling. I knew very little about Alzheimer's back then, like the people in this story and that made it even more difficult.

If you have the time it's worth watching.

Love Triangle: Aging Mother Intrudes
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Checklist for Elderly Drivers Brought to You by Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

My father is having trouble seeing at night, this isn't an unusual condition for man in his late seventies and he deals with it simply by planning any trips he has to take during the day.

I went home for a visit a couple years ago and we spent a week down at the Jersey shore. It was a great visit but one day we ended up staying out later than we planned, it was going to be dark before we got back to our cottage. My father asbsolutely refused to allow me or my step-mom to drive. Although we argued, and he was quite aware that he has the problem, we lost and he drove back. It was a rather harrowing trip with me riding shot gun and telling him where he had to turn. We ended up missing several turns and driving around in a big circle to get to where we were going.

It causes me to wonder though, if we had that much trouble trying to get him to turn over the keys for one trip, what is it going to be like if he ever has to give up driving altogether?
I found this checklist for elderly drivers and hope it can guide me (and you) when the time comes to make that decision.

When to Put the Brakes On Elderly Drivers

10 Myths about Alzheimer's Disease Brought to you by Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Here at Comfort Keepers Senior and Elderly Care in Troy, MO, we have dealt with many clients that have Alzheimer's disease. I recently found this article about 10 myths associated with this illness and found it very interesting. If you would like to read it also click the link below.

Puzzling Out 10 Alzheimer's Myths