Learn About Congestive Heart Failure says Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Confronting Elder Abuse in America from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

The It’s My Money! Financial Education Game from Comfort keepers Elderly Care In Troy, MO

Here's a downloadable game to help seniors protect themselves from con artists and identity theives.

It's My Money!

Choosing an In Home Senior Care Company in Troy, MO

Although the article I've linked to below is about a Comfort Keepers office in Santa Clarita, California, most of what it says holds true for other Comfort Keepers offices including ours here in Troy and St Louis. The article also includes tips from AARP on choosing an in home care company. To inquire about services in the St Louis, St Charles and Lincoln County areas in Missouri call toll free: (888) 892-2993

Keeping the comfort

Diabetes Etiquette for Non-Diabetics from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Diabetics can become very frustrated by other peoples reactions to their health, whether it's unsolicited advice and/or ignorance of the disease. Dr. Polonsky, PhD, CDE, founder and president of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) in San Diego, California gives us these ten tips on Etiquette for People Without Diabetes.

Thinking About a Reverse Mortgage? Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

There is a lot of misinformation about reverse mortgages and the following article can help clear it up.

Using a Reverse Mortgage to Pay for Home Care

Singing, Dancing and Parkinson's from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Not only are singing and dancing enjoyable activities for many people but there is also some evidence that they can provide therapy for some Parkinson's victims. Check out these two articles and take a few minutes to listen to the singing.

Parkinson's disease chorus sings for fun, therapy

Dancing the Tango May Help Parkinson's Patients

When is it Time to Give Up the Keys? from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy , MO

A couple years ago I had surgery and was unable to drive for almost 6 weeks. Although my adult daughter took me everywhere I needed to go, I hated the idea that I had to wait for her if I wanted to go anywhere. I really hated the loss of freedom I experienced and it made me more aware of how many of my clients felt. But there often comes a time when we need to talk to our elderly loved ones about giving up the keys. How do we know it's time and how do we approach this conversation? This story from Good Morning America may help you have that conversation.

Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: Aiding Elderly Drivers

Reporting Elderly Financial Abuse in Troy, MO from Comfort Keepers Senior Care

Very often, the person who is taking financial advantage of your elderly loved one is another family member. This can make the descission to report it more difficult. But it needs to be reported, your loved one needs to be protected. The following article explains more about the process and what you need to tell the authorities.

Preventing financial abuse and exploitation of elderly parents

Are You the Caregiver of a Veteran?

If you are check this out

Seeking Family Caregivers of Veterans for a New Study

Malnutrition and Your Elderly Loved One from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

If your parents are still living in their own home one of the many things you may be worried about is whether or not they are eating properly. Just checking the cabinets and refrigerator to see if they have adequate and healthy food may not be good enough. I’ve had several clients who appeared to have a plenty of groceries in their cabinets, but on closer examination much of what they had was expired and out dated. The food they were buying wasn’t being prepared and eaten in a timely matter.

Researchers in Sweden have found that up to 15% of all older adults between 75 and 80 were at risk of malnutrition.

Many things can factor into this, People who are depressed often just don’t feel like eating, mobility problems may make it difficult to get up and make meals or mild dementia may just cause them to forget to eat every meal. Lose of teeth and even the sense of taste can also contribute as well as many factors from illness to medications that can cause a loss of appetite.

What can you do if you suspect your parent or loved one is getting inadequate nutrition?
The first thing you need to do is talk to your loved one’s doctor, if your parent will allow it, but it’s important to keep in mind that the doctor may know as little about their eating habits as you do. He will, however, be able to tell you if they are taking any medications that may decrease the appetite or have any disease that could put them more at risk. He may also be able to tell you if there has been any unexplained recent weight loss that could indicate a problem.

Symptoms of Malnutrition in the Elderly

Check-Ups and Dementia from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

I have been to many eye and dental checkups with clients who have had Alzheimer's and dementia. Sometimes it went well, and sometimes it didn't. Sometimes the solution is fairly simple, I had one eye doctor use the children's charts and that seemed to work well. Sometimes the client became so frustrated and confused nothing could be done.

This article, Eye, Ear, Teeth Check-ups Are Difficult When Elders Have Dementia, talks about this problem further.

When Your Loved One Acts Inappropriately from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

What do you do when your shy and usually reserved father or oh-so proper mother suddenly starts saying or doing things of a sexual nature? Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia can cause changes in the areas of the brain that handle impulse control and the social filters that keep most of us from acting out in this manner. So what can you do? The following article has some suggestions on how to handle this situation.

Alzheimer's Disease and Inappropriate Behavior

Safety Tips for Your Loved Ones Home by Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

When a loved one falls they can go from being healthy and independent to losing their mobility and Independence. We can help by eliminating the dangers in your loved ones home. One of the most important thing to remember is to have their vision checked at least once a year. Also talk to your parents doctor to find out which, if any, of their medications could increase the risk of a fall. In the home check for hazards and correct them if found.

1. A change in color to denote changes in surface types or levels helps . Use contrast in paint, furniture and carpet colors so to make boundaries easier to see..

2. Use nonskid tape to secure rugs and carpet edges. Remove throw rugs that can be tripped over. Nonskid mats or carpet in areas that can get wet such as bathrooms and kitchens help reduce fall risks also.

3. Reduce clutter by removing over sized furniture and objects. Arranging furniture (especially low coffee and end tables) so that they can easily move around it with out bumping into it.

4. Make sure light bulbs are of adequate brightness and not burned out. Remember to check the ones in places your loved one doesn't frequently go such as in the basement or attic. Nightlights in bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways can help at night. Use a light on the nightstand beside the bed that is easily turned on and off. Keep curtains, window shades, and blinds open for good lighting during the day.

5. Keep electrical and telephone cords out of walkways. Keep them as close to the wall as possible and never have them extended across a room. Add electrical outlets in places where an outlet is needed if possible.

6. Make sure all stairways have secure handrails on both sides of stairs. Use brightly colored or glow in the dark tape at the edge of the steps to make them more visible. Keep everything off of a stairway, your loved one may not see what has been placed on the steps.

7. Keep commonly used items within easy reach in kitchen cabinets and closets. Make sure there is a sturdy step stool available to reach higher items to reduce the temptation of climbing on a chair or other unsafe object.

8.In the bathroom install grab bars on walls in and around the tub and beside the toilet. Make sure they are strong enough to hold your loved ones weight. Use nonskid appliques or mats in the shower or tub and make sure there is a nonskid mat for them to step out on after they are done. A liquid soap dispenser in the on the tub or shower wall can also help, as can a hand held shower head. A shower seat can also make the shower safer. A raised toilet seat can make it easier to get up and reduce the risk of falls.


9. Remove caster wheels from chairs so they don't slide away as your loved one is trying to sit down. Also make sure chairs and couches are easy to get in and out of. Adjusting the height of bed can make it easier to get in and out of.

10. Have at least one phone extension in each level of the home and post emergency numbers at each phone. Locate the bedroom telephone within reach of the bed.

We can do what we can to prevent falls but unfortunately they still happen. An electronic emergency alert system can help your parent get help when it is needed. Comfort Keepers has a system we call Safety Choice. For more information in the St Louis area call us toll-free at (888) 892-2993.