Tag Archive for: senior health

senior man waking up and looking at his alarm clock

Understanding the Dangers of Sleep Medications for Seniors

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senior man waking up and looking at his alarm clock

Sleep medications for seniors come with many risks, but these tips can help loved ones get a better night’s rest.

There’s just nothing that compares with the feeling of waking up after a good night’s sleep, feeling energized and ready to face the day. Yet for many seniors – as many as one in three of them – getting enough sleep is something that only happens in their dreams. And sadly, it’s a common misconception that insufficient sleep is something we just need to accept as we grow older – an assumption that Preeti Malani, M.D., chief health officer and professor of medicine at the University of Michigan wants to correct. According to Dr. Malani, “If older adults believe that these changes are a normal, inevitable part of aging, they may not think of it as something to discuss with their doctor. And not discussing it can potentially lead to health issues not being identified and managed.”

Instead of tossing and turning each night, almost half of older adults experiencing sleeping problems are turning to sleeping medications – a habit that can be extremely dangerous as we age. Sleep medications for seniors can double the risk of falls and broken bones, due to the increased dizziness and disorientation they are known to often cause. Older adults are often also at risk of becoming dependent on sleeping medications. And, the risk for car accidents may increase as well, according to Consumer Reports’ Choosing Wisely campaign.

To take it a step further, the concern even includes herbal remedies and supplements as well, which place older adults at risk for a number of additional negative health problems. Even something as seemingly harmless as melatonin can react negatively with other common meds, such as those for diabetes and high blood pressure, leading to dizziness and nausea.

A senior having sleep problems should instead talk with his or her primary care physician to rule out any underlying conditions (including depression, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, and heart disease, just to name a few) and to get his or her recommendation on how to safely improve sleep. Several safe alternatives include:

  • Cutting back on the amount of caffeine and alcohol consumed, particularly later in the day and evening
  • Making sure all electronic devices are kept out of the bedroom, and ensuring the room is cool and dark
  • Establishing a sleeping routine and sticking to it, going to sleep and awakening at the same time every day
  • Exploring the services of a professional sleep therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy

As the top provider of senior home care in Salt Lake City, UT and the surrounding area, the home health care experts at Harmony Home Health & Hospice can help older adults maintain better sleeping habits with a variety of home health care services, helping to ensure that seniors’ care needs are met so they can rest easy. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more.

Color-coded pill organizer for medication management

The Hidden Hazards of Pill Organizers

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Color-coded pill organizer for medication management

Pill organizers are helpful to many seniors, but some negative effects have been noted.

On average, older adults take as many as 15-18 different prescriptions every day. It’s likely that most seniors wind up missing or taking incorrect doses of their meds, which can cause dangerous health concerns. So, how do we ensure that we reduce the likelihood of these medication errors? Pill organizers seems to be a great solution given the fact that we place the correct meds in these perfectly labeled boxes. Problem solved, right?

Surprisingly, medication management research is revealing a much different scenario. Older adults who had been taking their medications from the original packaging and later switched to pill organizers were overwhelmed with health problems including falls, hypoglycemia, and in one case, someone was unable to get out of the bathtub until rescued a full 12 hours later.

Are Pill Organizers Safe for Older Adults?

A study was conducted involving 29 participants over age 75 who had not used pill organizers and were, inadvertently, not taking their medications as directed by their physicians. For eight weeks, half of the seniors in the study started using a pill organizer, while the other half continued taking their meds as they always had.

Initially, it was believed that the seniors had been missing doses and/or taking their meds incorrectly before utilizing a pill organizer; however, the results conclude that the health concerns, were discovered only in seniors who had recently begun to use pill organizers.

As a result, Dr. Debi Bhattacharya, lead researcher in the study, recommends confirming dosage amounts with a physician and/or pharmacist for seniors that plan to switch to a pill organizers. She further explains, “People who are already using a pill organizer without any ill effects should not stop using it, as they do seem to help some patients take their medication as prescribed. It’s the switching stage which appears to be the danger.”

Harmony Home Health & Hospice, a top provider of Clearfield home health care services and care throughout the surrounding areas, offers dependable medication management services for seniors as part of our home health care services, with reminders to take medications exactly when and how they’re prescribed, to ensure they remain as healthy and safe as possible. Contact us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more and to find out if our services are available in your area.

caring for someone with parkinson's

Caring for Someone with Parkinson’s? You’ll Want to Read This Encouraging News!

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caring for someone with parkinson's

These latest findings are great news for those caring for someone with Parkinson’s.

The consequences of staying active and exercising throughout aging are tremendous, but for those with Parkinson’s, it might truly be a game-changer in the progression of the disease. Several studies are exposing direct links between physical exercise and Parkinson’s, such as the largest clinical study to date, in which patients who exercised no less than 2½ hours per week realized a greater overall wellbeing than those who refrained from exercise. And that’s just the beginning of the encouraging news for those caring for someone with Parkinson’s.

The onset of Parkinson’s symptoms occurs following a loss in the brain cells that produce dopamine. Researchers believe that exercise makes it possible for the brain to rebuild lost connections, form new ones, and continue maintaining those that are still in place. Additional studies show:

  • Gains were noticed in stride length, gait speed and balance following treadmill exercise – after as little as just one single session, and persisting for many weeks afterwards.
  • Motor function and coordination were enhanced in people who pedaled faster on a stationary bike – once more, with results lasting for weeks after the study was over.
  • Noticeable improvements regarding the normalcy of movement were noticed in persons with Parkinson’s who participated in a routine exercise regime in comparison to those who did not.

It’s important to mention that the results achieved were dependent upon consistent, ongoing exercise. The clinical tests reported that any protective benefits achieved were discontinued after the amount and intensity of physical exercise was reduced or was implemented just for a short period of time. The necessary criteria for sustainable results seem to be just like those needed to help those who’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury or stroke: intensity, specificity, difficulty and complexity.

Additional research is underway to hone in even more on the remarkable effects of physical exercise in people that have Parkinson’s disease, and the precise reasoning behind it. For the time being, if caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease, it’s certainly useful to talk to his/her primary care physician for a recommended exercise routine.

For customized in-home health care services to help those with Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions live safer and more comfortable lives, call Harmony Home Health & Hospice, one of the top-rated home health agencies providing Salt Lake City in-home care and care throughout the nearby areas, at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE.

ALS symptoms - home hospice in Salt Lake City

ALS Symptoms and Stages: Important Information for Salt Lake City Family Caregivers

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ALS symptoms - home hospice in Salt Lake City

Understanding ALS symptoms and stages helps family caregivers provide exceptional care.

Being given a diagnosis of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) can bring about plenty of questions and concerns, both for the individual diagnosed and his or her family members. What’s the cause for ALS? What are the ALS symptoms which may be experienced now, and exactly how will they change in the coming years? Where am I able to find the necessary support?

Upwards of 30,000 Americans are currently diagnosed as having ALS, and nearly 5,600 new patients are diagnosed with the illness annually. And while the specific cause is not clear, some scientific studies point to complicated risk factors, such as a doubled risk of ALS in those who served during the Gulf War.   

Although each individual can be impacted by ALS differently from others, the progression for the disease does seem to follow specific phases. Learning about these stages can help individuals diagnosed with ALS and those who care for them put into action the most appropriate plan of care. Harmony Home Health & Hospice, top providers of the home health and hospice care services Salt Lake City families need, shares details below: 

First Stages 

  • ALS symptoms may be detected in only one single area of the body  
  • However, milder symptoms may affect significantly more than this one region  
  • For some people, the initial impacted muscles are those used for speaking, swallowing or breathing 

Possible Symptoms:  

  • Poor balance 
  • Fatigue  
  • Slurring of speech  
  • Weakened grip  
  • Stumbling when walking  

Middle Stages 

  • Some specific muscles may be paralyzed, while some are weaker or totally unaffected  
  • Indicators of ALS are now more extensive  
  • Twitching could be noticeable  

 Possible Symptoms:  

  • Difficulties standing without assistance  
  • Challenges with eating and swallowing, which can result in choking  
  • Difficulty breathing, particularly when lying down  
  • Possible uncontrolled and inappropriate laughing or crying, known as the pseudobulbar affect (PBA)  

Late Stages  

  • The individual with ALS needs full assistance to care for his/her needs  
  • Speaking may no longer be possible  
  • The individual can no longer drink or eat by mouth  

Possible Symptoms: 

  • Paralysis in the majority of voluntary muscles 
  • Breathing is greatly affected, causing fatigue, unclear thinking, headaches and susceptibility to pneumonia  
  • Mobility is significantly impacted 

Obtaining care from a professional home health caregiver, such as Harmony Home Health & Hospice, can increase the quality of life for people impacted by ALS symptoms. Our skilled and knowledgeable caregivers work with families to customize an individualized plan of care, allowing those experiencing symptoms of ALS to maintain dignity and the greatest levels of independence at all times. Providing the professional home health care and home hospice Salt Lake City families trust, we invite you to contact us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more about our top-rated services in your area.