6 Ways in Which Pets Can Help Seniors Cope

Cute Cat

Pets provide us with a unique companionship and lifelong friendship. They love us profoundly and enrich our lives beyond measure. Although love does not have an age limit, having an animal companion plays a crucial role in boosting health and happiness for seniors. In fact, researchers have found that seniors with pets live longer and happier lives. Still not persuaded to bring a pet into your senior’s home? Consider these facts: Pets Provide Daily Exercise Pets can draw seniors out of their shell and engage them in mild exercise every […] Read Full Article »

Caring for Seniors with Shingles

senior shingles

Shingles (the same virus that causes the chicken pox) is a painful skin disease that occurs when the chicken pox virus reactivates. It is common among the senior population. In fact, 50 percent of people will have shingles by their 80th birthday, and it is estimated that 1 million cases of shingles occur in the United States each year. While the shingles vaccine can reduce your chances of getting shingles, it does not eliminate the chances completely. Symptoms that nurses caring for seniors should be on the lookout for are: […] Read Full Article »

Seniors with Depression Need Extra Care

Senior depression

Depression affects people of all ages, and seniors are no exception. In fact, seniors may be particularly susceptible to depression due to feelings of isolation and losing loved ones. Many things can cause depression, and one of the top items on that list is dealing with health issues, especially serious ones, according to www.AgingCare.com. Seniors are often fighting cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and more. Adding to the complexity of helping seniors with depression, is that the symptoms of depression may be not be as clear for the […] Read Full Article »

Tips to Protect Your Senior from Elder Abuse and Crimes

Elderly man abused

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.4 million people aged 65 and over currently reside in nursing homes. Although most of them receive adequate care, elder abuse is a common issue that many elders face in nursing homes and other settings. In fact, in research conducted by Laumann, it was determined that seniors whom reported elder abuse frequently “reported verbal mistreatment (9%), followed by financial mistreatment (3.5%) and lastly physical mistreatment (less than 1%).” It was also determined that seniors are often the target of […] Read Full Article »

IMPORTANT FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BED SORES FOR SENIORS

bed sores

Pressure ulcers, or bed sores as they are commonly called, are among the most common health conditions for seniors in the United States. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), more than 2.5 million individuals in the United States experience pressure ulcers every single year. A recent study indicated that 8% of all nursing home patients had experienced a pressure sore at one time or another. This research also suggested that over 28% of patients in a home care setting, also experience pressure sores. Scary, isn’t it? Even […] Read Full Article »

Top Issues with Home Care Providers You Should Know

Home Care providers

According to the January 2018 report by Nursing Home Abuse Center, up to 2 million elderly patients a year are victims of maltreatment, neglect, exploitation, and frequent injuries that could have been prevented had the caregiver or relative been more attentive. Maltreatment can be caused by lack of formal training to detect and prevent injuries or patient neglect. Sadly, not all cases are reported to authorities. This is one of the reasons why professional nursing home care has been gaining traction in the United States at a rate of 4% […] Read Full Article »

Why You Need a Nurse Instead of a Caregiver: The Nurse Practice Act!

nurses guild

Did you know that based on a 2016 report, 61% of U.S. citizens and residents above 55 are thinking of retiring in their home rather than agreeing to live in a nursing home or elderly facility? There are two main reasons for this decision. They prefer to live near family, and in familiar surroundings. They don’t want to lose their independence. For families and individuals with medical conditions planning for their retirement years at home there are two choices: hire a caregiver or hire an RN to come in to […] Read Full Article »

Why Home Nursing Care Might Work Best For Your Senior

Nurses care

Senior citizens often encounter a wide range of ailments that significantly impact their day-to-day living and the quality of their lives. In some instances, family members can provide home health care for their loved ones. In other cases, however, their loved ones are unable to provide adequate care and place them in a facility, which often leaves them and their senior in a horrible predicament. Unfortunately, some of these seniors in an institutional setting, experience elder care abuse, which causes them extreme frustration and causes their loved one’s guilt and […] Read Full Article »

The Growing Problem of Senior Citizens and Gambling

nurses guild

The majority of seniors refuse to listen to financial advice, especially if it comes from relatives and strangers. In 2014, a report came out that lonely single seniors have became the fastest growing population of gamblers. Based on a 2018 report, half of the casino visitors are above 50. They come from nearby nursing homes, travel by bus from their home, or go in groups. The reasons they give for enjoying gambling include: • It’s fun and a break from the routine • They’re lonely and would like to be […] Read Full Article »

Aging in Place

nurses guild

Aging in Place is a term used to describe individuals who prefer to grow old in a familiar place while remaining as healthy as possible physically, emotionally, and mentally – with or without assistance. In a nutshell, it is growing old in your own home, which is an idea that is favored by most Americans today. Aging in place stems from aging services dating back as far as the 1600s. Back then, relatives took over the care, and in the absence of relatives living close by, neighbors and local churches […] Read Full Article »