Protecting your eyesight is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your quality of life. Although impaired vision is not normal, it is common.  In fact, forty-five new cases of cataracts are diagnosed every hour in the U.S.

Vision impairments have gained more and more recognition in the senior health industry, with two months of the year, July and August, dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging seniors to care for their eyes.

Eye surgeries to treat vision impairments, like cataracts, are performed on more than half of all Americans before they reach age 80. Jody Guerrieri, RN, Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home, explains that “confined vision during recovery limits many daily functions and can create a hazardous home environment without assistance. We have made a pledge to assist seniors recovering from eye surgery with tailored services to ease the road to a successful recovery.”

Recovery time for eye surgery lasts between two to four days, in which little activity is recommended. Special considerations for a successful recovery include:

- Avoid driving, and other self-transportation methods

- Wear dark glasses, even while sleeping

- Don’t make sudden movements, strains, or bending

- Avoid contact with water, including showers, baths, and swims

- Follow doctor’s medication and nutrition orders

Preferred Care at Home’s discounted care package starts with transportation to and from surgery, as well as homemaker duties for as many days after surgery as needed, including meal preparation, hygiene assistance, medication reminders and more.

Call Preferred Care at Home at 866.690.7733 or your local office for more information about surgery recovery care, a discounted care offer, and additional tips from senior health experts.

Have you ever stood up suddenly and felt lightheaded or dizzy?  Whether you realize it or not, most of us have experienced orthostatic hypotension at some point or another.  Orthostatic hypotension, also called postural hypotension, is the term used to describe the fall in blood pressure when a person stands up from sitting or lying down.  While many people suffer from mild orthostatic hypotension, it can become very serious, especially for seniors, and may need medical attention.

What are the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptom of orthostatic hypotension is feeling lightheaded or dizzy when you stand up after sitting or lying down.  This dizziness may last for a few seconds or minutes.  In severe cases, and especially with seniors, symptoms may include fainting that can lead to falls.

When should I see a doctor? Read the rest of this entry »

In my last post, I gave a brief introduction to MRSA infection, a type of Staph infection, and discussed some common symptoms and risk factors associated with this condition.  I would now like to look at some preventive measures and treatment methods that can be taken should you contract an infection.

How do I prevent an MRSA infection?

1. Wash Your Hands – This may sound elementary, but careful hand washing is still the best defense against bacteria.  Be sure to carry around a small bottle of hand sanitizer (at least 62% alcohol) for times when you don’t have access to soap and water.

2. Keep Personal Items Personal – Because MRSA can spread from skin contact as well as contaminated objects, avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors and clothing. Read the rest of this entry »

What comes to your mind when you think about common elderly diseases?

Alzheimer’s.  Dementia.  Cancer.  Diabetes.  Parkinson’s.

While these are some of the major diseases associated with aging, there’s one that you might not think about: MRSA infection.  However, MRSA infection is on the rise and you or a loved one may be at risk.  In this post, I want to explore 1) What is MRSA,  2) What are the symptoms and 3) Who is at risk.  In the posts to come we will look at ways to prevent and treat MRSA.

Read the rest of this entry »

On the surface, Ivy Bean looks like a normal 104 year-old.  She lives in a senior care home community.  She mourns the deaths of her friends and loved-ones that have passed.  She values the time she spends with her friends.

But Ivy Bean is not your typical 104 year-old:  Her social network currently numbers over 60,000 people!  Through the use of Twitter, a social networking website, Bean and other residents at the Hillside Manor care home have connected with thousands of people across the world.

Ivy Bean with Valentine's Day gifts she received from another individual on Twitter.

Twitter is a website that allows users to interact with other individuals using updates, called “tweets”, of 140-characters.  Bean regularly tweets about getting her hair done with her good friend Mabel, eating fish and chips, and about watching her favorite game show, “Deal or No Deal,” on TV.  She also updates with photos, giving others a glimpse into important events in her life.

Read the rest of this entry »

Over the last three posts, we have looked at 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s, risk factors for the disease and understanding the seven stages of Alzheimer’s. I would now like to finish this series by taking a look at several treatments.  At this time there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no way to stop the death of brain cells associated with the disease.  However, research has shown that some treatments may help both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

Read the rest of this entry »

In my last post, I discussed several risk factors involved with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  I would now like to spend some time discussing the different stages of the disease and how the different stages may affect an individual’s behavior.  Scientists are sure of one thing: Alzheimer’s gets worse over time.  Although the disease affects different individuals in different ways, scientists have been able to break down the disease into a generalized seven-stage framework.

Stage 1 – No Impairment

A person functions normally in this stage.  An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms.

Stage 2 – Very Mild Decline

This decline may be normal age-related changes or may be the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.  The individual may have memory lapses but no symptoms can be detected during a medical exam.

Stage 3 – Mild Cognitive Decline

In some individuals, early-stage Alzheimer’s may be diagnosed at this point.  Friends and family begin to notice difficulties.  A detailed medical interview may reveal memory or concentration problems.  Stage 3 difficulties may include trouble remembering names, forgetting material that one has just read or misplacing a valuable object. Read the rest of this entry »

In my last post, I discussed 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s Disease. I would now like to talk about potential causes and risk factors.  If you are aware of the risk factors then you might be able to catch the warning signs earlier for yourself or a loved one.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer research, scientists do know that Alzheimer’s Disease involves the failure of nerve cells.  While scientists have not been able to determine why this failure occurs, they have been able to identify certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.

Risk Factors

Read the rest of this entry »

At Preferred Care at Home, we celebrate life, dignity, and independence for the elderly each and every day. However, we are also aware of the challenges that the elderly face in order to keep their dignity and independence. Alzheimer’s Disease is one of those challenges. Last September, I wrote a blog post on Alzheimer’s Basics that gave an overview on topics that are associated with the disease. I now want to take those same topics and explore them in more depth, giving a complete blog post to one topic.

Today’s Topic: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Memory Loss - Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.

What’s Normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally. Read the rest of this entry »

During these challenging economic times, financial peace can seem incredibly hard to find. For the elderly, costly medical bills and prescriptions can make situations even more difficult. I just wanted to take a moment to offer some resources that might ease the financial burden off your shoulders or off the shoulders of someone you love. A special thanks to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) for helping others learn about these resources.

Are you a senior who could use assistance paying for healthcare, prescription drugs, meals, utilities, and other basic needs?

According to the NFCA, BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.benefitscheckup.org

Do you need help paying for prescription medications?

There are several ways to help those who qualify pay for prescription medications. Read the rest of this entry »

In the last part of this series I would like to talk about home safety for the elderly in regards to hazardous substances. In case you missed parts 1 and 2, we went over some tips regarding fall prevention and home emergency preparedness, respectively.

Both of my daughters currently live in Knoxville, TN. Last month, their community was shocked after a natural gas leak from a fireplace led to a violent explosion, shown below. (Click on the picture for full size)

Read the rest of this entry »

In part 1 of our series, we looked at improving home safety for the elderly in regards to fall prevention. In part 2, I would like to spend some time talking about home planning for emergencies and natural disasters. In late August of 2005, many of us watched in disbelief as Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and soon became the costliest hurricane of all time. Within a few days, the federal disaster declaration covered 90,000 square miles, an area almost as large as the United Kingdom.

It is in those times that many of us ask ourselves, “What would I have done had that happened to me?” Events such as Hurricane Katrina serve as a great reminder that each of us needs to have an emergency home plan in place. Even more so, a home plan for the elderly is crucial if home safety is to be maintained during a time of crisis. Let me take a moment to suggest three home planning necessities for the elderly

1. Get an Emergency Supply Kit Read the rest of this entry »

With the New Year just a few days away, many Americans will be making a list of resolutions in hopes of altering some facet of their lifestyle in the upcoming year. While some are looking toward workout gyms to lose a few pounds, other people are setting financial goals in the form of budgets and better jobs. At Preferred Care at Home, we want to take this opportunity to set before you a resolution to improve the lifestyle and safety of your elderly loved ones.

Whether you are a caretaker, a child, or a friend, we encourage you to make ‘home safety’ one of your personal goals for the New Year. Over the next several blog posts we will present some practical steps that you can take to help safeguard the home of an elderly person against accidents and hazardous situations.

Part 1: Fall Prevention

Part 2: Home Emergency Preparedness

Part 3: Hazardous Substance Safety

Check back soon to follow us on this journey of improving home safety for the elderly.

This past weekend, major portions of our country were covered with snow, with some places receiving as much as two feet! While some were bothered by immobility due to the storm, many others took out their sleds and hit the hills. The NY Times even reported that Mayor Bloomberg and the city government provided free sleds and hot chocolate at select hills around New York City. Without a doubt, it looks like many people will be ushering in a very ‘White Christmas.’

But, amidst the joy of sleds and snowball fights, there are those who are fighting another emotion heightened during the holidays. Statistics show that 1 in every 15 people age 65 and older fights depression year round, with sharp increases during the holidays. Read the rest of this entry »

The key to preventing polypharmacy is to be aware of what you are taking and to talk to a health care professional. Start with these tips from the 2009 Health Alliance Plan.

• Always read labels.
• Use only one pharmacy to fill prescriptions. We suggest a local pharmacy where you can develop a relationship with the pharmacist.
• Learn your medications by name and what they are for.

Read the rest of this entry »

Asprin, Lipitor, Levoxyl, Warfarin, Potassium, Prinivil, Niacin… and the list of prescription and over the counter medications go on. Do you know the dangers of mixing medications with each other? Or do you rely solely on your doctor and pharmacist to know your entire list of medications?

While the medications listed above are often prescribed or obtained over the counter to treat common health conditions, serious reactions can occur if caution is not used while taking some of these medications together. Read the rest of this entry »

Preferred Care at Home released it’s yearly book, entitled ‘Anything is Possible’, featuring amazing senior achievements.

Preferred Care at Home believes all achievements deserve recognition. And, when those achievements are made by means of perseverance through the later years of life, they merit special recognition.

Preferred Care at Home celebrates those throughout history that have made astounding achievements, bringing new inspiration and nourishment to our creative endeavors.

The book is available free of charge at select offices nationwide. Contact your local office for your free book.

A fast way to find the least expensive Medicare Part D drug plan that covers your prescriptions

This AARP guide provides a useful online tool that allows you to compare many drug plans side-by-side to find your best deal. The plan finder does the math for you, so that you can see your likely out-of-pocket costs—premium, deductible and copays for the specific drugs you use—throughout the year.

Print this guide so that you can use it as you go. Each step refers to each successive page you see on the screen.

1. Go to www.medicare.gov and click on Compare Drug Plans.

2. Click on Find & Compare Plans.

3. IGNORE “Begin Personalized Search.” Click on Begin General Search.

4. Enter ZIP Code. IGNORE age and health status boxes. Answer the next three questions on this page. Click on Continue.

(However, if you qualify for Extra Help in paying for your drugs, click Yes and go now to the “Other Kinds of Searches” section below in this guide for special steps on how to proceed from here.)

5. On the next page (“Review Current Coverage and Consider Options”), click on Continue.

6. Click on Enter My Drugs.

We strongly believe in preserving a healthy mind through regular activity and early detection. Each November, Preferred Care at Home partners with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about successful aging, and follow-up resources.

National Memory Screening Day Sites

Find a screening location near you below: Read the rest of this entry »

National Event Stresses the Importance of Proper Detection and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease though Memory Screenings

Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions. 

Now in its seventh year, AFA’s National Memory Screening Day coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which takes place during November. Sites across the country will be participating.

Each November, Preferred Care at Home, a national senior home care company, participates in National Memory Screening Day to offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about successful aging, and follow-up resources. On November 17, Preferred Care at Home will hold memory screenings across the country at participating Preferred Care at Home offices. To find a location near you, visit www.preferhome.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check with your private healthcare provider, your local county health department, or use one of these convenient locators to schedule your flu vaccine.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are some really great and simple answers to common questions about the flu, including:

What is Influenza?

What are the symptoms?

What are the complications of the flu?

How does the flu spread?

How can I prevent getting the flu?

Who should get vaccinated?

When should I get vaccinated?

What is the nasal spray form of the vaccination?

Who should not get vaccinated?

Read the rest of this entry »

Seniors age 65 and older may be at higher risk for the H1N1 virus. Get the facts with this presentation developed by the Office of Enterprise Communication, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Check back soon for information about Preferred Care at Home’s free, confidential memory screenings held November 17, 2009 across the country.

Common Alzheimer’s Disease Questions:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and other thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Ultimately, the person with AD dies, often years earlier than he/she would have otherwise. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 60. The brains of people with AD have an abundance of two abnormal structures—amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. A third characteristic change is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

Who Gets It?
Alzheimer’s disease becomes more common as people get older. Today it affects more than 5.3 million Read the rest of this entry »

We all know the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but what about protection for our eyes?

July is UV Safety Month, and Preferred Care at Home is urging seniors to protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

“Recent studies have shown that prolonged exposure to the sun’s invisible, high energy ultraviolet rays without protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,” said Jody Guerrieri. RN, Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. “During the summer months the level of ultraviolet radiation is three times greater than in the winter.”

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are eligible for home health care, the Original Medicare Plan will cover the following:

1.  Skilled nursing care on a part-time or intermittent basis. Skilled nursing care includes services and care that can only be done safely and correctly by a licensed nurse (either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse). The services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of your illness or injury.

Read the rest of this entry »