Keeping Seniors Hydrated During the Dog Days of Summer

With summer in full swing, the issue of proper hydration is an important one to consider as you care for your loved one. Whether you offer around the clock support to your senior or you have a home care professional assist with your elderly loved one's senior care, Always Best Care Asheville-Hendersonville knows that it is crucial that your loved one gets enough water to keep them healthy during the summer months.

Many people are dehydrated and they are completely unaware of the fact, as few individuals who are not consciously drinking water during the day get the full eight cups that are recommended. For seniors, it can be quite easy to forget to drink water or to grab a more convenient beverage, such as a soda or juice out of the refrigerator, if there is no cold drinking water available. To help you keep your elderly loved one hydrated as temperatures continue to soar, keep the following tips in mind.

1. Always make sure that your senior has cold drinking water on hand. Water filtration systems that are imbedded in the front door of the refrigerator are fantastic resources. If your senior doesn't have access to this form of water filtration, invest in a pitcher with a filter in the top. The pitcher can be stored in the refrigerator so the water is always cold and it only takes a minute or so to filter the water, making it easy to access clean, refreshing drinking water at any time. 
2. Buy your loved one a water bottle that they can carry around with them. This way they can have drinking water available when they are out and about or even when they are just sitting on the couch, as this is a convenient way to carry around enough H2O for seniors to stay hydrated. 
3. Create a system for your senior to track their water intake. Some water bottles have counters built in, allowing individuals to keep up with the number of cups they have had each day. If this isn't an option, put a piece of masking tape on the bottle and have your senior make a tick mark for every time they refill it. 

Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy during the summer months. With these tips, you should be able to help your senior drink enough water to keep their bodies functioning effectively.

Aging in Place: Keeping Your Senior's Home Safe

Aging in place is a common choice for elderly individuals who either own their homes or live with family members. This particular decision provides a long list of benefits, as eldercare providers note that seniors are often more comfortable and feel more fulfilled if they are living in their home; however, it is important to remember that elderly individuals need a safe living environment and that, in many cases, their homes need a few updates to create a more secure living space.

When it comes to home care, Asheville-Hendersonville's Always Best Care is a wonderful resource. The senior care professionals at this organization are ready and willing to help you in providing for the needs of your elderly loved one. To assist you in determining the necessary home improvements for your senior's house, here are a few tips to get you started.

• Since falling is a very dangerous issue—one that can lead to injuries ranging from mild to fatal—it is crucial that you minimize the things over which your loved one might trip. Start with the flooring. Are there any cracked tiles, warped hardwoods, or loose carpets? Make sure that you repair anything that might cause your senior to step uneasily. Also look out for rugs that are curling up or that slip when stepped on by either applying a non-stick backing or replacing them with rugs that are in better condition.
• Walk through your senior's home and make sure that your loved one is able to easily move from one room to the next. Any cluttered walkways should be cleared and any awkward furniture arrangements should be addressed. If your senior has a lot of stuff in their home, think about constructing shelving to help with storage. 
• Update your loved one's bathroom to create a safer space. One of the most common places in which falls happen is the restroom, as seniors often slip on the tile floor or in the tub. Install hand rails by the toilet and in the shower to ensure that your loved one has something sturdy to hang onto as they are moving about the room. 

Maintaining a safe living environment is key for seniors who are aging in place. With these tips, you can start making the home improvements necessary to keep your loved one safe.

Stroke: How Can It Impact Memory?

By Jim Smeaton

The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that a stroke can impact your elderly loved one in numerous ways. In fact, the location and severity of your senior's stroke can result in a wide range of lasting side effects. Memory impairment is one of the most common effects of a stroke, but this interruption in memory can manifest in several different ways. Here are a few key pieces of information to remember if your elderly loved one has recently suffered from a stroke and you suspect that memory loss has take hold because of it.[1]

Different Types of Memory Loss

When it comes to memory loss, it is important to note that not all types of this cognitive disruption are alike. In fact, there are several different kinds of memory loss associated with stroke. Depending upon where the stroke occurred and how severe it was, your elderly loved one may experience difficulty with verbal, visual, or informational memory. Additionally, they may suffer from vascular dementia, which is a general and oftentimes progressive decline in cognitive function that spans more than one type of memory.

Exhibiting Different Symptoms

While memory loss may seem like it would impact your senior in a certain way, there are even more symptoms than types of memory loss that might result from a stroke. Confusion is a very common symptom, as well as short-term memory loss. Additionally, your elderly loved one might start to wander, might get lost in places with which they are familiar, may have a difficult time following simple instructions, or might begin facing challenges regarding money management and transactions.

Exacerbating the Condition

Memory loss that is sparked by a stroke or other condition can be devastating, but it is important to remember that there are environmental and other elements that can make this cognitive impairment worse. Certain medications can cause memory loss to strengthen in severity. Additionally, the use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs can make memory loss more severe. Finally, sleep deprivation, stress, nutritional deficiency, and depression can also contribute to the exacerbation of memory loss. In addition, these issues can cause a loss of memory, so it is important to determine whether or not your elderly loved one's cognitive impairment is caused by the stroke or by their state following this event.

The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of WesternNC encourage you to learn more about the side effects of stroke, including memory loss, to best care for your loved one.

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[1] http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=memory