As the leaves turn yellow and the pumpkins appear on front porches, you might notice another sign of the season thats far less welcome: dry, itchy eyes.Dry eyes impact nearly 16 million Americans. Colder, drier air has less moisture, which can cause irritation and discomfort. And in the fall, pollen (especially ragweed) is thick in the air, which can cause your symptoms of dry eye to be even worse.If youve ever experienced dry eye syndrome, youre all too familiar with scratchy eyes, itching, redness, and irritation. You might even experience blurred vision as a result.Dry eyes might run in your family the same way blood type and height do. If your dry eye isnt genetic, it might be caused by lifestyle factors, medications youre taking, or a medical procedure youve had.Whatever the cause, there are many ways to prevent dry eyes and treat them with at-home remedies. Here are the most common causes of dry eye syndrome and how to get immediate dry eye relief.What is Dry Eye Syndrome?Millions of Americans experience dry eyes from time to time. But when the problem becomes chronic and disrupts your daily life, it can be classified as chronic dry eye syndrome.Every time you blink, your tears nourish your eyes with moisture and healthy oils. If your eyes dont receive that moisture or dont receive enough of it it can make your eyes uncomfortable and irritated.Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:Dryness and painScratchy eyesThe feeling that something is in your eyeStinging or burningBlurred visionExcess tearing, sometimes with strings of mucusRednessIrritationLight sensitivityBesides being irritating and potentially impacting your daily life, chronic dry eye may cause inflammation of your eyes and possibly lead to long-term damage. Long-term dry eye syndrome can cause abrasions on the cornea, which can impact your vision.What Causes Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome?Before treating your dry eye symptoms, its important to try and figure out whats causing them. If your eyes have felt dry for a long period of time without relief, there might be a few different reasons.Genetic Causes of Dry Eye SyndromeSometimes dry eye is an unwelcome gift handed down from your parents or grandparents. As you age, you might notice dry eye becomes more of a problem.Age: Dry eye is more common in people 50 years old or older. As you age, your eyes produce fewer tears, making it harder to keep your eyes nourished.Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome, especially as they experience changes in hormones due to pregnancy and menopause. Hormone changes can impact the amount of moisture available to nourish your eyes.Autoimmune disease: Some autoimmune diseases can cause dry eye as a side effect, including Sjogrens Syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.Lifestyle Causes of Dry Eye SyndromeIf you notice a change in your eyes after making a lifestyle changelike moving to a new state, starting a new job, or shifting your dietgenetics might not be to blame. Several environmental factors and habits can impact the health of your eyes:Technology: Prolonged screen time can cause you to not blink as frequently, meaning your eyes dont receive as much moisture.Air conditioning: Heaters and warm, dry air, as well as both cold and warm air from car vents can dry out your eyes.Dry climates: If you live in a dry climate such as the mountains or desert, the lack of moisture in the air can dry out your eyes.Exposure to wildfire smoke: If you live in an area with frequent wildfires, you might notice your eyes feel irritated and dry when youre exposed to smoke.Diet: Your eyes receive essential nutrients from foods. Without enough vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids, your eyes might not produce enough tears or tears with adequate nutrients to nourish your eyes.Allergies: Seasonal allergies to pollen can dry out your eyes. So can allergies to things around you including pet dander, mold, dust mites, cleaning products, perfumes, and beauty products.Dry Eye Syndrome from Medications or Medical ProceduresYour eyes can be sensitive to other changes in your body, such as new medications or medical procedures.Medications: Many medications can cause dry eyes as a side effect, especially antihistamines, decongestants, and medications for hormone replacement therapy.LASIK: LASIK laser eye surgery is an amazing technological advancement in improving your vision. Sometimes as your vision improves, LASIK can cause temporary or long-term dry eye syndrome.How to Prevent Dry Eye SyndromeWhether dry eyes come from genetic factors, environmental causes, or medications, there are several changes you can make to your lifestyle to reduce your symptoms and get relief.Prevent dry eye syndrome by:Limiting air blowing directly into your eyes from air conditioners, fans, heaters, and car vents.Supplementing the moisture in the air of your home and office with a humidifier, especially in winter.Taking breaks away from screens. This will help you blink more, which delivers moisture to your eyes.Protect your eyes with sunglasses when youre outside, especially if its windy.Quit smoking. Firsthand and secondhand smoke can dry out your eyes.How to Treat Dry Eye SyndromeIf prevention alone isnt enough, you have options for treating symptoms of dry eye. We work with patients every day to treat eye conditions including dry eye syndrome.Try these home remedies for dry eyes to find instant relief.Artificial tears: Use over-the-counter eye drops to provide lubrication only to manage mild cases of dry eyes. If the drops tend to irritate your eyes right after using them, try preservative-free drops instead.Supplements: Consider taking supplements of vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil and flax oil) to hydrate your eyes.Hydrate: When your body is well-hydrated, your eyes are well-hydrated. Drink water throughout the day to keep your eyes feeling nourished.Dont rub! It might feel like you have something stuck in your eye, but rubbing your eyes can make the problem worse. You could introduce more of an allergen or irritate your eyes further.Cold compress: Wet a clean washcloth with cold water and lay it over your closed eyes to soothe the area and ease irritation.If you try these at-home treatments and dont find much relief, its time to see the eye doctor. We have several ways to treat dry eye syndrome to ease your discomfort.Blocking tear ducts: Your tear ducts drain the tears from your eyes. If your eyes are chronically dry, we might suggest having a procedure that blocks them to prevent the tears from leaving your eye. Come in to see us if this is something youre interested in discussing.Prescription eye drops: If needed, we can prescribe you dry eye medication that will increase your tear production.How We Diagnose Dry Eye SyndromeThe only way to know if youre experiencing dry eye syndrome is by making an appointment with us (or your local eye doctor).Well examine your eyes and eyelids to look for common signs of dry eye. Well also measure the quality and quantity of your tear production and take your blink rate into consideration.To get a clear picture of whats going on in your eyes, well check the health of the glands in your eyes that produce nourishing oils. Whatever the results of your examination, well be able to discuss possible causes and treatmentsCare For Your Eyes All Year LongDry eye syndrome is often worse in the colder months of the year, but caring for your eyes all year long can help alleviate symptoms.Be sure to visit us for annual visits so we can track the health of your eyes and help you deal with problems. And if you wear contact lenses, be sure to replace them as frequently as your eye doctor recommends. This will depend on the brand of contact lenses you use and the recommendations from your eye doctor.As the weather gets cold, give your eyes some extra attention to keep them healthy and comfortable.If you have any questions, please contact Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado at 720-706-6539.

Questions from a loved one with dementia or Alzheimers can be difficult, especially when they ask questions that have painful answers. At Heritage Communities, we understand, and we have some suggestions to help you and your family communicate with your loved one with understanding, patience, and compassion.Memory Care Questions: Keeping the Goal in MindHelen Crunk, Regional Healthcare Specialist of Heritage Communities, and an expert in memory care, says she understands how not being totally truthful with a parent in memory care might feel like youre doing something wrong. But consider that the truth could cause them additional pain, such as reminding them someone has died, she says. And your loved one is likely to forget what you have told them, and will ask againwhy keep reminding them of a painful memory?Instead, Crunk says the goal is always to soothe, not to add agitation or anxiety. Dont try to use logic. Respond in a way that comforts and calms. For example:Validate:Nod, put your hand on their arm, offer a hug, be agreeable, do not argue. Meeting them where they are helps preserve their dignity.Redirect:Mention a favorable hobby, activity, or event. Ask about a favorite childhood memory they still talk about. Suggest an alternative activity before the one they mentioned (such as brushing their hair before catching a bus).Distract:Show them an old photo, engage them in singing a favorite song, take them for a walk to an outdoor garden or a group activity.Common questions asked by memory care residents and some possible answersI need to catch the school bus, or my mother will be angry.There is no value in reminding her that she is 80+ years old and her mother is deceased. That level of truth will only lead to more anxiety and confusion.Crunk suggests you respond with something like, Mom called me and asked me to take you home instead. But before we go, lets have a snack, and maybe finish the puzzle we started. Occupying your loved one like this redirects her attention and takes you to the next moment. Its likely she will forget once she is busy with another task.I want to go home now. Can you take me?Instead of saying that your mother is already home, try something like Tell me about where you live. Whats your favorite room? By asking about her home, you are validating her feelings, and encouraging her to share her thoughts.Or, you could say, Okay, well do that right after we have breakfast. Lets get you a sweater so you wont get cold. Then the conversation can move towards her favorite sweater, or on the way to the dining area, you could look out a window and comment on the birds, or maybe speak to a staff member.Helen Crunk says that often theres another message behind the words. Sometimes when a person says they want to go home, they are trying to communicate that they are afraid, anxious, or need some reassurance, she says. Respond in a soothing voice and if your loved one likes to be touched, try a gentle hug or hold their hand. They might just need to know they are being heard.I want to talk to my son/daughter/husband/wife.You might say, Okay, but right now, theyre probably at work or taking a nap. Well call them later, but first, could you help me fold your sweaters? Or, Could we walk over to the living room? Id like to see whats going on there.Why dont you ever visit me?This can be especially hard, says Crunk, especially when youve been visiting quite regularly. Keep in mind, your mom or dad simply cannot hold on to short-term memories. Instead of reminding them how many times youve visited, just jump right in with something pleasant. Her suggestion: Hey, lets go down the hall to the singalong. Or comment on an old photo. You look like you really enjoyed dancing when you were young. Tell me about that.Memory Care Questions: Choose Personalized Care for Your Loved OneAt Heritage, we call our memory care program Portraits, featuring multisensory activities based on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori. Our care team creates an individualized plan for each resident, describing goals, opportunities and personalized activities that we believe each person will enjoy.We get to know your loved one, and we get to know you and your family as much as possible. This enables our caregivers to interact on a deeper, more personalized level. The result is less frustration and more engagement. We also offer extensive support for our familieslistening, encouraging and providing information.Our Memory Care allows residents to discover more joy in each day. Download our free Family Decision Toolkit, Your AZ Guide to Choosing The Right Senior Living Community. Or contact us today.

Its a moment many family caregivers eventually face having the conversation with parents about moving to assisted living or memory care. It can be difficult to know how to approach the senior living conversation, what to say, and how to be sure your Mom or Dad knows you are coming from a place of love and care.At Heritage Communities, we are here to listen, support, encourage, and provide information. To begin, weve put together some suggestions that might help you with the senior living conversation.Understanding their emotions is essentialWhile a move to senior living might be the most practical choice, its also an emotional one. As you think about how you will bring up the subject with your loved one, consider some of the common fears that many seniors have about growing older, such as:Loss of independenceFailing health, particularly memoryRunning out of moneyHaving to leave their homeLosing loved onesHaving to depend on othersNot being able to driveBeing isolated and lonelyFalling or becoming incapacitatedTake these fears to heart as your family discusses the future together. Showing empathy and patience will provide comfort that youre on their side, can strengthen your relationship, and even help them warm up to the idea of moving.Having the senior living conversation: what to doSpend some time thinking in advance about what you want to accomplish in the talk. Understand that it may take several conversations over time; dont try to cover everything in one session. Here are some senior living conversation Dos:Make a list. Write down talking points about why it is time to consider senior living to help guide the discussion and to help you remember important questions. For example, have you noticed red flags, such as your parent is isolating or withdrawing, they dont seem to be eating regularly, they may be wandering or becoming lost, there are signs of a fender bender or personal injury (such as bruises from a fall), their home is messy, and so on. If you bring up specifics, do it in the context of your concern for their health and safety, asking them if they could use a helping hand with daily life.Pick a good time. Have the senior living conversation when your loved one is free of distractions or pending appointments so you are not rushed. Be sure they are rested, and not hungry or anxious. You could initially bring up the subject casually, such as on a walk, sitting on a park bench, after a happy family event, or other comfortable setting.Have back-up. Be sure to include other family members when appropriate. You might want to approach your Mom or Dad first, and then bring in another sibling or relative at the next conversation. Just be sure to keep it casual and open, so your parents do not feel pressured in any way.Its also a good idea to consult with a professional such as their physician, a case manager, social worker, lawyer, financial advisor or even a therapist or spiritual leader. Having input from a neutral party, particularly one your loved one trusts and respects, can go a long way in a senior living conversation.Keep it positive. Yes, its a change, but be sure to mention what lies on the other side of the decision: a worry-free lifestyle where they can enjoy a range of amenities and services without having to clean, cook, or take care of a home. Reinforce how much you want to give back to them, in terms of safety and wellbeing, and how knowing they were benefiting from 24-hour support would free all of you to enjoy your relationship (as a son or daughter) more than ever.If you know of someone else who recently went through the experience of a parent successfully moving into senior living, you might bring that up, especially if its someone they know. Describe how they are enjoying life more than ever without worries of home maintenance or isolation.What NOT to do in the senior living conversation:Do not dictate a plan. You want to have an ongoing, honest discussion that includes their thoughts and opinions. Share information with them, include them when you are researching online if it is feasible, and let them accompany you on tours of potential senior living communities.Do not take over and become the parent. Its very important for your Mom or Dad to feel respected and heard. Dont speak to them in a tone that suggests they are giving up control. Reassure them you are their son or daughter, and you want to be sure they are safe, well, and happy.Do not feed the fear. Its important to guide the conversation around your concerns, but in a way that youre collaborating together to help your loved one live their best life, not scaring them into a move.Senior living can help them live betterAll Heritage Communities share a single mission: to create the senior living experience that each person wants and deserves, and to help them remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.Heritage Communities throughout the Midwest and Southwest offer vibrant Independent Living, with Assisted Living, and Memory Care. We invite you to learn more please call us at 712-221-2448.