Senior Health: Self-Check Month

Author

Talem Home Care & Placement Services

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Talem Home Care & Placement Services

Posted on

Apr 25, 2023

Book/Edition

Colorado - Boulder County

February is National Self-Check Month. We recommend checking yourself for different health ailments on a regular basis, but now is a good time to remind everyone of the importance of self-checking. You can increase your odds of avoiding certain diseases or conditions with regular self-checks, especially if you try to avoid regular checkups with your physician. If you are someone who actively takes care of your health and talks to your doctor about all of your concerns, maybe you can take some time this month to talk to family or friends who struggle with self-care.

self check month

If you do not regularly see your doctor, the first step in observing National Self-Check Month is to make yourself an appointment with you doctor for an annual check-up. If it’s been over a year, schedule yourself an appointment, make a list of any changes in your lifestyle or concerns you may have noticed in the last year so you can discuss them with your doctor. It is important that your physician have all of the most up-to-date information about your health and how you’re taking care of yourself.

There are also ways to check yourself for potential illnesses like heart disease or certain cancers. These types of self-checks can help with early detection and the earlier a problem is noticed, the earlier you can start treatment. You can ask your doctor for the best methods of checking yourself for things like lumps or other abnormalities. There are also a handful of websites out there that have great information and can teach you how to self-check. 

Of course, the best preventative measure to avoid major health concerns is to practice healthy habits. Eating health, getting regular movement in your daily routine, avoiding bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking are all ways to keep your body working at it’s best. Now is a good time to evaluate some of your lifestyle choices and determine if they may be increasing any risks to your health. It isn’t always easy to make changes, but as we age, the better decisions we make, the better chance we have to prevent unwanted health issues.

This National Self-Check Month, take some time to take think about your health and learn the best ways to take care of yourself. Do it for you, your family, your friends, and everyone who loves you. Aging can be challenging, but if you take care of yourself properly and often, you may be able to avoid and extra strain or worry.

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About Dignity Care

Dignity Care is a homegrown business in Boulder.In the 1990s, Mary Kirk, a registered dietitian, began caregiving for family and relatives. Her husband, Ged, offered a companion travel service for the elderly and disabled. Together they established Dignity Care, LLC in 1997 as a home care business with just two caregivers and a home office.As demand for home care service increased, Mary recruited additional caregivers, but always with an emphasis on the compassionate, respectful, personalized care that was Dignity Cares trademark. Mary created her own approach to senior home care, unique in this area.With this dedication and passion to provide the best caregivers in the Boulder County region, Dignity Care has continued to grow and in 2009 became licensed as a Class A home care provider.  We specialize in using Certified Nursing Assistants on our teams so we can bring you the skill and experience you deserve, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

In Home Care Helps Seniors with Depression

Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

Why Is Staying Hydrated So Difficult for Seniors?

Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine.  Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water.  Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids.  Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass.  Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water.  Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040. 

Local Services By This Author

Talem Home Care & Placement Services

Housing Placement & Resource Specialists 80 Garden Center, Broomfield, Colorado, 80020

Your Family is Our Family!At Talem Home Care, we are proud to be one of Colorado's premier senior care life enrichment companies, dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for aging individuals. Aging shouldn't be stressful or uncertain. Every family deserves access to the best information and support to make informed decisions for their loved ones.As a life enrichment company specializing in senior care, our mission is to provide holistic support through these key principles:     - Comprehensive Senior Care     - Wellness-Focused Services     - Engagement and Social Interaction     - Personalized Senior Care     - Community Connection     - Positive ImpactOur team of Certified Senior Advisors is dedicated to providing expert advice, professionalism, and compassion, reassuring families as they navigate the aging process.Let us help you find the appropriate senior living community!!Our ServicesAt Talem Home Care, we offer a broad range of senior-focused services designed to support the well-being and independence of seniors:     - Senior Placement Services        - Home Care Services     - Free Care Navigation & Advocation     - Veterans Care     - Alzheimers and Dementia Care     - Hospice Support     - Life Enrichment Program     - Photo Reminiscence Therapy (PRT) Our VisionOur vision is to empower people to experience the full joy of living. This core belief drives everything we do at Talem Home Care. We aim to help our staff, clients, and community partners achieve their goals by providing every opportunity for success.At Talem, we recognize that our dedicated staff is key to our success. Thats why we prioritize creating a supportive, family-friendly work environment that is flexible, low-stress and focused on delivering the best customer care.For Our ClientsOur senior care services promote greater independence, self-confidence, and the freedom to live on their terms. For Our Community Talem Home Care - Broomfield takes pride in being a responsible community partner dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities we serve. We also respect the importance of work-life balance and celebrate the diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds that make us who we are. Whether you need home care, care management, senior placement, veterans care, Alzheimers and dementia care, hospice support, medical equipment, or even someone to help with daily tasks like snow shoveling, Talem Home Care is here to help.

Talem Home Care & Placement Services

Non-Medical 80 Garden Center, Broomfield, Colorado, 80020

Your Family is Our Family!At Talem Home Care, we are proud to be one of Colorado's premier senior care life enrichment companies, dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for aging individuals.Aging shouldn't be stressful or uncertain. Every family deserves access to the best information and support to make informed decisions for their loved ones.As a life enrichment company specializing in senior care, our mission is to provide holistic support through these key principles:     - Comprehensive Senior Care     - Wellness-Focused Services     - Engagement and Social Interaction     - Personalized Senior Care     - Community Connection     - Positive ImpactOur team of Certified Senior Advisors is dedicated to providing expert advice, professionalism, and compassion, reassuring families as they navigate the aging process.Our ServicesAt Talem Home Care, we offer a broad range of senior-focused services designed to support the well-being and independence of seniors:     - Home Care Services     - Free Care Management     - Senior Placement Services     - Veterans Care     - Alzheimers and Dementia Care     - Hospice Support     - Life Enrichment Program     - Photo Reminiscence Therapy (PRT)Our VisionOur vision is to empower people to experience the full joy of living. This core belief drives everything we do at Talem Home Care. We aim to help our staff, clients, and community partners achieve their goals by providing every opportunity for success.At Talem, we recognize that our dedicated staff is key to our success. Thats why we prioritize creating a supportive, family-friendly work environment that is flexible, low-stress and focused on delivering the best customer care.For Our ClientsOur senior care services promote greater independence, self-confidence, and the freedom to live on their terms.For Our CommunityTalem Home Care - Broomfield takes pride in being a responsible community partner dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities we serve. We also respect the importance of work-life balance and celebrate the diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds that make us who we are.Whether you need home care, care management, senior placement, veterans care, Alzheimers and dementia care, hospice support, medical equipment, or even someone to help with daily tasks like snow shoveling, Talem Home Care is here to help.

Talem Home Care & Placement Services

Non-Medical 80 Garden Center, Broomfield, Colorado, 80020

Your Family is Our Family!At Talem Home Care, we are proud to be one of Colorado's premier senior care life enrichment companies, dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for aging individuals. Aging shouldn't be stressful or uncertain. Every family deserves access to the best information and support to make informed decisions for their loved ones.As a life enrichment company specializing in senior care, our mission is to provide holistic support through these key principles:     - Comprehensive Senior Care     - Wellness-Focused Services     - Engagement and Social Interaction     - Personalized Senior Care     - Community Connection     - Positive ImpactOur team of Certified Senior Advisors is dedicated to providing expert advice, professionalism, and compassion, reassuring families as they navigate the aging process.Our ServicesAt Talem Home Care, we offer a broad range of senior-focused services designed to support the well-being and independence of seniors:     - Senior Placement Services        - Home Care Services     - Free Care Navigation & Advocation     - Veterans Care     - Alzheimers and Dementia Care     - Hospice Support     - Life Enrichment Program     - Photo Reminiscence Therapy (PRT) Our VisionOur vision is to empower people to experience the full joy of living. This core belief drives everything we do at Talem Home Care. We aim to help our staff, clients, and community partners achieve their goals by providing every opportunity for success.At Talem, we recognize that our dedicated staff is key to our success. Thats why we prioritize creating a supportive, family-friendly work environment that is flexible, low-stress and focused on delivering the best customer care.For Our ClientsOur senior care services promote greater independence, self-confidence, and the freedom to live on their terms. For Our Community Talem Home Care - Broomfield takes pride in being a responsible community partner dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities we serve. We also respect the importance of work-life balance and celebrate the diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds that make us who we are. Whether you need home care, care management, senior placement, veterans care, Alzheimers and dementia care, hospice support, medical equipment, or even someone to help with daily tasks like snow shoveling, Talem Home Care is here to help.