6 Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors This Holiday Season

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.