Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

Colder weather is making its way into North Carolina as winter takes hold. While things have been fairly mild thus far, the weather can be unpredictable. It’s important for seniors to be prepared for when winter storms and low temperatures arrive.

Check heating system. Have the heating system inspected and repaired to ensure that it is working properly. Replace the filters and set the temperature to a comfortable level. Seniors are often more sensitive to temperature changes and may get colder more easily, so you may want to set it a little warmer than usual. Make sure that they know how to make adjustments as necessary to stay comfortable.

Bundle up. When going outside, layer up. This will help to keep body heat from escaping as quickly and the cold air from penetrating through clothing. Put on a hat, scarf, and gloves to cover exposed skin. Layering up while indoors can be a good idea as well. Seniors can always add or remove layers depending on how they feel.

Increase traction. Spread salt on potentially slippery surfaces to prevent icy buildup. Check the soles of shoes and rubber ends of canes or walkers to make sure they are not too worn and smooth. Wearing non-slip shoes can help seniors to maintain better traction and balance, especially on wet surfaces.

Stock up cupboards. Winter weather can bring power outages and make travel treacherous. Making sure seniors have plenty of non-perishable foods available can reduce the need to venture out and ensure they have food should the power go out. Stock up on water as well just in case. Pick foods that are easy to make and you know your senior enjoys.

Replace batteries. The New Year is a good time to replace batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights. This will help to keep your senior safer especially if they use space heaters and when the heating system is running. Carbon monoxide is clear and odorless, so a detector is a must.

Travel with caution. Help your senior to stay on top of weather notifications so they don’t plan any trips during potential storms. Make arrangements to go to the grocery store or refill medications before a storm hits. It’s also a good idea to limit nighttime driving as this is when temperatures fall and wet roads can quickly become icy.

Check in regularly. No matter how near or far you live, call to check in on a regular basis. Find out if there is anything your senior needs and just see how they’re doing. If you’re unable to stop by in person, send a family member, friend, or neighbor to check in. Hiring an in-home care provider can also keep your senior safer by assisting them with daily activities and providing companionship. A care provider can let you know if they notice anything amiss and can help your senior be more prepared for dealing with winter weather.

Have peace of mind this season knowing that you have taken steps to improve the safety and comfort of your senior. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (838) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information about senior care services.

Exploring the Benefits of In-Home Care

Aging is inevitable. It happens to everyone. One of the main concerns of many seniors is losing their independence. They may be afraid to admit that they need additional help because they don’t want to move to assisted living or a nursing home. For many, these transitions are not logical because they do not need that level of care and it can be expensive. A beneficial next step could be in-home care instead as it meets seniors where they are at.

Stay in their home. With in-home care, seniors can remain in the comfort of their home. They are surrounded by things which are familiar to them and can continue to carry out many of the tasks they have become accustomed to. They are not sharing space with anyone else, it is private, and everything they need is there.

Maintain independence. Seniors can retain a great deal of independence. An in-home care provider can assist with select activities and tasks to make them easier and safer. Your loved one is still in control and can make decisions for themselves but has someone there to support them and give reminders or guidance.

Reduce stress. As a family member, you can get peace of mind knowing that there is someone checking in on your loved one and helping them out. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed by taking on all of these responsibilities yourself or feeling like you’re not able to do enough. It can also make the aging process less stressful for your loved one because changes are gradual and they are not being uprooted from what they know.

Enhance safety. Falls are a major concern with aging. An in-home care provider can help your senior navigate more safely and reduce potential fall risks in their home. They can assist with meal preparation, medication administration, and light housework, as well as being a watchful eye.

Customized care. You and your senior can work together with the in-home care provider to determine exactly what services are needed and how frequently. You can set a schedule that works for your senior’s needs and get them support that is most beneficial for their situation. Should they need more or less care, you can adjust things accordingly.

Your parent may be hesitant at first to allow someone to come in and assist them, but as they see the benefits it provides, this can help them warm up to the idea. Also, an in-home care provider is a source of companionship and someone for your loved one to talk to and who can take them on errands or outings. In time they build a connection of trust, respect, and friendship.

If you’re ready to see how in-home care can benefit your loved and allow them to remain more safely in their Asheville home, contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online. We provide high quality senior services to fit your needs and enhance your loved one’s wellbeing.

Spotlight on Parkinson’s Disease: What you Need to Know

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, there are approximately one million people in the United States living with Parkinson’s disease. This progressive movement disorder more commonly develops in adults over age 60. While some adults have mild symptoms, others are more severely affected. Parkinson’s disease can make it more difficult for seniors to carry out daily tasks and maintain smooth movement or balance. An in-home caregiver can provide assistance with a wide range of activities and support safety and independence.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms or with the same severity. It varies from person to person. Seniors may first notice symptoms only on one side of their body, but the condition may progress to both sides. Typically one side is more affected than the other. Common symptoms include:

• Tremors – including when the body is at rest
• Muscle stiffness
• Slowed movement (also known as bradykinesia)
• Changes in speech
• Balance or posture issues
• Decreased facial expression
• Smaller handwriting

Some seniors also experience non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue, weight loss or gain, anxiety, incontinence, and sleep problems. Tremors in the hands are generally one of the first symptoms that people notice and then the condition progresses from there.

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists are still unclear about the exact causes of Parkinson’s disease. Many believe that it is the result of both genetic and environmental factors. Aging is also thought to play a role as seniors tend to be at higher risk. Symptoms are often brought on as nerve cells in the brain are damaged or die. These neurons are typically the ones that affect the production of dopamine. There are also certain gene mutations that have been identified. In addition, exposure to certain toxins may also play a role but are not thought to be a sole cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease

There currently is no cure available for this disease, but there are medications that can help relieve symptoms. Seniors may take several different medications to help combat varying symptoms. Some focus on increasing dopamine production, others substitute for dopamine production, and there are also those to help control tremors and improve movement. 

Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Ongoing exercise and physical therapy can help those with Parkinson’s to adjust to changes in mobility, strengthen muscles, and move more safely. Occupational therapists can help with modifying activities of daily living and teaching seniors different techniques and strategies. Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville can provide in-home senior services to assist seniors with a wide range of activities from meal preparation and cleaning to dressing and traveling within the community. To learn more about how in-home care can enhance your senior’s safety and quality of life, contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

Kitchen Renovations to Enhance your Senior’s Safety

The kitchen is most likely a central room in your aging parent’s Asheville home. It is where they prepare meals and often where some socialization occurs.  Ensuring that their kitchen meets their needs and everything is easily accessible is important to safety as they age. Trying to reach things on cluttered or high shelves or having to navigate tricky handles can be frustrating and dangerous. Making a few modifications to your senior’s kitchen can allow them to age in place more comfortably and safely. While some are relatively simple and cheap fixes, others require a little more planning.

Clear counter space so that they have plenty of room to work. This will allow them to keep necessary items close by as they prepare their meal, and they don’t have to constantly be trying to move things out of the way. Consider lining the edge of the counter with contrasting tape so that is more easily visible as they work.

Use non-slip flooring to help prevent falls. Traction is important, especially if your loved one has some balance or mobility issues. If there are rugs in the kitchen, make sure they are held securely in place and the edges are not rolled up where they can be tripped over.

Replace cabinet and drawer knobs with easier to pull handles. This reduces the need to try to grip something small in order to open the cabinet or drawer. Pull handles can be much easier to use and make things more convenient for those with arthritis. 

Install slide-out shelves or lazy Susans in cabinets so the contents are easier to reach. Your senior won’t have to try to dig to the back to find what they need. Pull-down shelving can make accessing cabinets more convenient as well. You don’t want your loved one to have to stretch and reach too much.

Side-by-side refrigerator and freezers mean less bending and stooping. More products can be kept in easy-to-reach locations. Also consider appliances that have larger displays that are easier to see and read. Bigger buttons and knobs can be simpler to navigate.

Increased lighting can also improve safety by making everything more visible. This can be valuable especially if their vision has deteriorated. Using contrasting colors for different objects can be beneficial as well. This makes them easier to pick out so they don’t blend into the background.

There are many other modifications such as pull-out counter space and raised or lowered cabinets as well if you are looking to make more extensive renovations. Planning ahead can allow you to make changes over time and better prepare for when they are needed. If your senior needs help around their Hendersonville home, in-home care through Always Best Care may be just what you are looking for. From help with planning and preparing meals to clean-up and organization, a caregiver can assist with these tasks and so much more. Support your aging parent in maintaining their independence as they age in place with high quality elder care from Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville. Call us today at (828) 989-7263 or visit www.alwaysbestcareWNC.com for your free consultation.