Resources For Aging Well

Sleep Disturbances And DementiaAccording to the Mayo Clinics website, about 25 percent of people with mild to moderate dementia experience disturbances in their sleep. Nearly half of the individuals with severe dementia experience sleep disturbances, indicating that sleep troubles worsen as dementia progresses.If you or someone you love has dementia, understanding what sleep disturbances are and how to manage them may help improve life quality and sleep. What Is A Sleep Disturbance?A sleep disturbance is a condition that affects a persons ability to fall or stay asleep, including sleep disorders like insomnia. A sleep disturbance can also include a condition that affects a persons wakefulness, like sleep apnea.Signs and symptoms related to sleep disorders can vary depending on the condition, but people who have trouble sleeping may experience:  Difficulty falling asleep even when feeling tired Waking up throughout the night Feeling fatigued throughout the day  How Are Dementia and Sleep Disturbances Related?Experts are still trying to assess the exact correlation between dementia and sleep disturbances. One possible reason for sleep troubles is that dementia can affect a persons production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone in the brain that makes people sleepy when its dark and alert when its bright outside. As the brain changes with dementia, it may affect a persons melatonin production and sleep.Other causes of sleep disturbances for people with dementia may include dementia medications or confusion at night, also called sundowning. What Is Sundowning?Sundowning is when a person with dementia has increased confusion at night. Sundowning is not a condition but a symptom of dementia that may cause a person to feel anxious, disorientated, or agitated. A person experiencing sundowning may also begin to pace, have trouble falling asleep, or have hallucinations. Tips For Managing Sleep DisturbancesSleep disturbances related to dementia can be a bit more difficult to manage, but a few lifestyle changes may help seniors fall and stay asleep. Follow A RoutineRoutines are helpful for seniors with dementia because they give predictability to their day. Routines can also train the body when to be awake and tired. A solid routine includes establishing a regular bedtime to get the body and mind conditioned for sleep. Create A Relaxing Sleep EnvironmentYou want the environment you sleep in to be relaxing. It should be free of distractions like televisions, cell phones, and laptops. It should also be dim or dark and at a comfortable temperature. Find A Support GroupDementia support groups are a great place to connect with others going through similar situations. Group leaders and members may also offer advice on how they or a loved one have slept better. If youre interested in a free group, the Gulf Coast Dementia Services Support Groups meet for an hour on the second Tuesday of every month. Dementia Care With Visiting AngelsCaring for a loved one with dementia is hard work, and its not something you have to do alone. At Visiting Angels, we provide at-home care services to help seniors age in place, including specialized care services for those with dementia.Our team offers full-time, part-time, and overnight care to help dementia patients who may struggle with sleep disturbances. Caregivers provide physical and emotional support to help clients feel safe and comfortable at home. Services can include medication reminders, creating a relaxing sleep environment, encouraging bedtime, and mobility around the house. We also provide light housekeeping, meal preparation, appointment transportation, and personal grooming. Contact our Gulf Shores office at 251-943-7525 to learn more about our at-home care and dementia services.  

Emergency Kit EssentialsNo one wants to think theyll be in an emergency. However, preparing yourself for an emergency is important, even if you dont think itll happen. One of the essential steps in preparing for an emergency is putting together an emergency kit. An emergency kit is a collection of essential items for an emergency, like a natural disaster. Its a pack of essentials you can survive on if something happens and may even save your life.Do I Need An Emergency Kit?Everyone should have an emergency kit, especially if you live somewhere prone to natural disasters like Mobile, Alabama. Since Mobile is near the Gulf, there is a high natural disaster risk for hurricane-related incidents and wildfires because of the high temperatures. Even if a natural disaster doesnt directly hit your home, you could experience related effects, such as power outages, flooding, or decreased air quality. All of these may impact your safety and require an emergency kit. Emergency kits are not just for natural disasters. They are also useful in other emergencies, such as a house fire. Having a kit packed and ready to go makes it easier for you to grab essentials in case you need to quickly leave your home. What Goes in My Emergency Kit?Everyones emergency kit will vary, but it should include any daily necessities plus anything you can benefit from in an emergency. The National Institute on Aging recommends packing these essentials in your emergency kit: Food and water: Youll want fresh, bottled water and nonperishable items you can enjoy without much preparation, such as crackers, canned tuna, and dried fruit.  Flashlight: In case of a power outage, youll want a few large flashlights and batteries to help you see.   First aid kit: You should have a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, cloth tape, and dressing. You can find pre-made first-aid kits at any local convenience or drug store.  Sanitation supplies: Your sanitation supplies should include things to clean an area, like disinfectant wipes and hygiene products, like a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.  Sleeping bag and blankets: Sleeping bags and extra blankets are helpful if you get displaced from your home and need something to keep you warm while sleeping.  Communication devices: Cell phones may not be reliable in a natural disaster. Secondary communication devices, like walkie-talkies and CB radios, can help you communicate with authorities during a natural disaster.  Clothes and shoes: Consider packing a few days worth of extra clothing and a pair of shoes.  Eyeglasses and hearing aids: Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts if you have them. Youll also want an extra hearing set and batteries.  Medications: Make sure you keep your prescription medications close to your emergency kit to be easily accessible in an emergency. You can also pack nonprescription medications, like pain relievers.  Health information and copies of important documents: Keep copies of any important documents in your emergency kit if something happens to the originals.  Assembling An Emergency Kit With Visiting Angels Visiting Angels wants nothing more than to ensure their clients' safety, including helping them prepare an emergency kit. Our caregivers are happy to help you make a list of essentials, provide transportation to pick up necessities from a nearby store, and assemble your kit for emergencies. Outside of helping you prepare for an emergency, our caregivers also provide non-medical services to keep you living safely at home. Caregiving duties include medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. We also offer specialized services like dementia care and assistance in returning home after a hospital stay. Our Mobile office works with local clients throughout the surrounding communities. Contact our office at 251-345-4100 to learn more about our at-home caregiving services.

Supporting Seniors During Flu Season: Tips And ResourcesAccording to the CDC, the influenza virus can affect anywhere from 9.3 million to 41 million people annually. Everyone is at risk for the flu, but its detrimentally more serious for older adults, with more than 70 percent of flu-related hospitalizations for those 65 years and older.The flu can be a serious health concern, but there are ways to reduce your chances of getting the flu and stay healthy. Now that fall is in full swing, its time to take precautions to lower your risk of influenza (flu) and other common viruses. What Is The Flu?The flu is a respiratory illness that primarily affects the nose and throat. Common signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, and headaches. Some people experience vomiting or diarrhea, although those symptoms are more common among young children than adults.The flu is caused by influenza viruses that spread from person to person through droplets when a sick person coughs, talks, or sneezes near a non-sick person. Sometimes, the flu can spread from someone touching a surface containing flu droplets, then transferring the virus to themselves by touching their nose or mouth. Do Flu Shots Work?The flu vaccine is a vaccine that reduces flu-related illness and the risk of complications. There are three types of flu vaccines approved in the United States:         Egg-based flu vaccine         Cell culture-based flu vaccine         Recombinant flu vaccineAll three types are safe and FDA-approved. They generally work the same way. Some people experience flu-like symptoms after a shot, but they are significantly less intense than the flu and tend to disappear after a few days.While doctors often recommend getting flu shots, they are unsafe for individuals with life-threatening allergies to ingredients within the flu shot. Its also important to talk to your doctor about any medications or health concerns before getting a flu vaccine to ensure its safe for you. Where To Get A Flu ShotMany places throughout Daphne, Alabama, provide flu shots. Most people get their flu shots from a nearby Walgreens or CVS. You can schedule an appointment or walk in. Wait times can vary, but they are typically pretty quick appointments. You can also get a flu shot from your primary care physician. Many doctors ask if you want a flu shot during your annual check-up. You can view a full list of flu vaccine providers in Alabama can be found at alabamapublichhealth.gov. What If I Get The Flu?Even if you have a flu shot, its still possible to develop it. If you start feeling flu symptoms, consider these tips from the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.Go to the doctor within 48 hours of symptoms. Its important to start treating symptoms as soon as possible, especially if you are 65 or older.Get plenty of rest. Rest is one of the best things you can do for your body to help it recover from the flu.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids with electrolytes. Take fever reducers. If you have a fever, take fever reducers like Tylenol or Advil.Care Through Recovery With Visiting AngelsTaking care of yourself when you have the flu can be challenging, but the caring team at Visiting Angels is here to help. Our caregivers are happy to provide transportation to doctors appointments, assist with household tasks like cleaning and cooking, and remind you of medication. If youre fatigued, we can assist with personal grooming, mobility, and bathroom duties. Contact us today at 251-517-9700 to learn more about our at-home care services or to schedule a complimentary consultation.  

Stress-Free Holidays: Essential Tips for Family Caregivers Here you are, a caregiver on call 24/7 for someone you love, and suddenly its holiday time. You start thinking about inviting relatives, ordering the turkey, and getting out the holiday decorations. But wait a minute. Before your holiday autopilot kicks in, step back and look at where you are. The first thing you have to acknowledge is that things are different now, says Barbara Abramowitz, Massachusetts-based psychotherapist and herself a longtime caregiver. Maybe its time to rethink the holidays. Dont be bound by traditions. Give yourself permission to change things up. It can be liberating. We get caught up in expectations and what other people are going to think of us, Abramowitz told me. Be bold. Ask yourself, What do I want to keep, and what do I want to let go of? Give yourself time to think about whats really important about the holidays. Do You Have to Deck the Halls?Maybe you dont have to decorate every square inch of your home this year. Martha Shapiro, director of programs for Senior Concerns, which supports seniors and family caregivers in Southern California, says, Think outside the box. Dont be bound by traditions. Give yourself permission to change things up this holiday season. It can be liberating. That big family gathering? How about paring down the guest list this year? (Aunt Helen will just have to understand.) Pare down the menu, too. (Do you absolutely have to have mashed potatoes as well as sweet potatoes?) Bring in food from a good supermarket or a favorite restaurant, or make it a potluck this time; its a good way to give those reluctant siblings some way to help you out. One family moved to Chanukah in May when the airports would be less congested and the weather would be better. Even if the holiday meal has always been at your house, this might be the year to ask another family member to host. Easiest of all, if it works for your budget (or your sisters budget), hold the dinner at a hotel. The holiday decor, the giant buffet not to say the prep and the cleanup are all on them. Time-Shifting and Place-Shifting TipsWho says that everything has to be done in December? Send New Years greetings instead of the usual holiday cards in January. No one loves traveling on the holidays. One family moved to Chanukah in May when the airports would be less congested and the weather would be better. You can even move or extend the holiday itself. If its tough to get everyone to the same place on the same day, consider visiting with your person a day before or after. Beth Williams, who directed programs for the Alzheimers Association in nineteen counties in Georgia and is a former professor of gerontology, has counseled countless caregivers on how to manage the holidays. If (the person you care for) has lost the concept of time, she says, just celebrate. So Christmas could be December 24 or December 26. Think of it as a holiday helper you get to extend the holiday over more than one day, it takes some pressure off and you still get to celebrate. You could try place-shifting as well. One Massachusetts family ditched December in New Jersey, which was hard for the extended family to get to, opting instead for a July celebration in Rhode Island. Or go virtual. Covid taught us how to do all kinds of family get-togethers over Zoom. Many senior care facilities have tech folks who can help. Or ask one of the grandkids to go to Nanas place and set up the holiday Zoom call. Dont Forget the Comfort and Joy for YourselfNo question that youre under stress as a caregiver. Everyone keeps telling you to make time for self-care, but its harder now than ever. So sneak it in. Seriously. Breathe. Or stare at the sky or your garden and reconnect with your senses and soul. According to Abramowitz, The respite doesnt have to be in big chunks. It can be in the moment. Pause in the transitions between activities. In the car, take a moment before heading to your destination. Breathe. Take time between appointments. Breathe. Or stare at the sky or your garden and reconnect with your senses and soul. Breathe. While shopping for gifts at the mall, find a coffee shop, sit down and treat yourself to one of those only-at-the-holidays specialty drinks. And when you go to the Post Office to mail off the presents, look at the revolving gift card kiosk. Theyve got cards from retailers and restaurants, movie theaters, online stores and more. Prices can be as low as $10 or $20. Treat Yourself to Your Holiday GiftFor delayed gratification, book a massage for January or February (check out local massage franchises, health clubs, spas and massage schools). You deserve it. Dr. Karen Midyet, a clinical psychologist in Fort Collins, Colorado, whose coaching practice includes many older caregivers, knows how critical self-care is. I tell them, hire somebody to come in so you can leave for a few hours. Sometimes, she adds, you can just do something as simple as sitting outside in the sun for one minute, taking a short walk with the dog. A short walk is better than no walk. For some extra help during the holidays, Shapiro suggests looking into the senior centers in your area (search on senior centers near me and adult day care near me). Many of them offer unique programs and caregiver support groups during holiday times. Several states offer free respite care services. Check out the Family Caregiver Alliance for details on respite programs, state by state. The National Adult Day Services Association has an interactive Find a Center map for daycare facilities nationwide. Respite care for veterans and their caregivers is also available through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. All Dad Wants For Christmas is YouYour first impulse may be to bring Mom or Dad home for a family gathering. But if your person is in a care facility, Shapiro points out, it may be more detrimental to bring them to your house and bring them back. For a lot of people with dementia, the back-and-forth causes stress. Big gatherings and blinking Christmas lights may also be overwhelming. So bring a quiet celebration to them or join in whatever holiday event the care facility offers. Bring your persons favorite holiday food, get a stack of holiday cards to look through, show photos of the family in their red-and-green elf caps, or FaceTime with the grandchildren. If you want your person to enjoy the holiday, it has to be meaningful to them. If you want your person to enjoy the holiday, it has to be meaningful to them, says Williams. Keep the tradition of celebrating; just shift the focus. If youre taking Mom to someones party, consider what she needs. Have a quick meal, Williams advises. Just stay for an hour. The key, says Shapiro, is to plan. Set things up for success. If youre going to someones house, make sure there is a chair they can get in and out of, a quiet room they can retreat to. You need to find a way to make it comfortable and realistic. If your loved one has dementia, they can still engage in reminiscing. Use that to your advantage, she says. When the family gets together, ask what was the favorite part of this holiday for each of us. Have an intergenerational table and design questions so the older people can impart their memories. Shapiro adds, With dementia you have to slow everybody down. Tell them that after dinner, were all going to sit on a couch and listen to some stories. Holidays often involve religious observances, but extended services and large crowds may not work this year. Do you have to go to church for the big gathering? Williams asks caregivers. Try Saturday evening instead. You could call Father So-and-so and ask, Can we come as a small group, and could you give us a sermon and Communion?' Jim Sherblom, a social impact investor and former Unitarian Universalist minister in Brookline, Massachusetts, encouraged innovative ways to mark the holidays. Especially if it was difficult for his congregants to get to church, he would invite them over to his house, and they would walk together in the nearby woods. These days many religious groups live stream their services. All Dad wanted for Christmas was church, one caregiver told me. So we watched the holiday service on his iPad, and it worked just fine. Ask your person what theyd like to do for the holidays it may surprise you. Leave day-to-day activities behind, put on your fancy clothes (or that once-a-year Christmas sweater), and share some moments. Focus on that. Stick to whats doable and enjoyable for you and meaningful for your person. Reminiscing may be the best way to enrich your persons day. Play the music that moves them, says Williams. Maybe its just the same five oldies. Thats okay. Run old family movies on a loop. Or maybe its playing a game together, laughing, watching a football game. Holidays are an opportunity to create new rituals, Abramowitz reminds us. We get to remake the holidays. We get to create what we want. You never know this could be the last holiday with your person. Take a lot of photos, says Shapiro, adding, take mental photos. Say to yourself, I will capture this and remember this moment. Whatever you create, whether you trim the tree or trim down the festivities, the holidays are still a unique time to build new memories and savor the simple joy of being with people you love. Writer: Connie Baher This article originally published on nextavenue.org___________ SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Contact Synergy HomeCare of Daphne at 251-621-1900 to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.