Jason Wu

Providing the best care for a dependent elderly parent means assembling a team of experienced professionals and dedicated family members to work together. These supportive people usually include a family caregiver, family members, close friends, health care experts, elderly care providers, and senior service groups. However, one person that can also contribute is an occupational therapist. Occupational therapy can certainly benefit dependent seniors by teaching them how to overcome daily challenges and modify their approach to life.

 

Elderly Care in Davis CA: Senior Occupational Therapy

 

What does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists are trained professionals that focus on teaching daily skills to elderly and disabled adults that have lost the ability for some reason. Common reasons for diminished skills include conditions like arthritis, stroke or diabetes. Recent surgery, chronic disease, and age-related conditions can also rob a senior of their ability to do simple tasks for themselves. An occupational therapist works with them to find new ways to perform old tasks.

Among the important things that occupational therapists do is how they empower the elderly adult by teaching them how to do basic tasks with their current condition. For example, if a senior with severe arthritis in their hands cannot hold a toothbrush well, the occupational therapist can show them a new way to do it and introduce them to an adaptive toothbrush with a thicker handle that they can grasp. Similarly, an occupational therapist might talk about switching sink handles from twist knobs to a single lever for the senior.

 

Is an Occupational Therapist the same as an elderly care service provider?

Occupational therapists should not be mistaken for elderly care providers. They usually work in clinics, hospitals or for organizations that make house calls. Elderly care providers do laundry, cleaning and meal preparation, as well as help seniors with bathing, dressing and grooming daily. Even if an elderly person is seeing an occupational therapist, they will still need the help of an elderly care provider as they examine what they might need help with and what they can do on their own.

Working with an occupational therapist can help elderly adults to feel less dependent on others. These small victories are important for their self-esteem, especially as they see their body’s abilities diminishing. Occupational therapists and elderly care providers both want what is best for the aging adult, so it makes sense they might work together to set goals and work to achievement.

Occupational therapy is especially attractive for family caregivers who want their elderly parent to age at home, supported by family, friends and elderly care providers. Many seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, but sometimes their physical limitations make that impossible without help. By adding an occupational therapist to the senior’s support team. They are going to do everything possible to help the elderly person restore their self-esteem and maximize their abilities in taking care of themselves.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring   Elderly Care in Davis, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®.  Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties. Call Today 877-916-9111

The Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with Congresswoman Doris Matsui, hosted a forum called “What’s New in Alzheimer’s Research and Early Detection” last Thursday, September 5th in Sacramento. Attendees, including ApexCare, learned about the exciting new developments in Alzheimer’s research, of which there are many. We also received an update on the work that California is doing to address the Alzheimer’s health crisis that is impacting California.

During the forum, Jennifer Harrington, a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association reviewed the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s which includes:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood and personality

 

Overall, the forum was a fantastic educational event that provided summaries on research, advocacy work, and education on identifying Alzheimer’s Disease.  Thank you Alzheimer’s Association for fighting for the health and welfare of those suffering from Alzheimer’s!!

Salmon with Lemon and Capers

 

Atlantic salmon with a rocket salad, garnished with lemon, capers and parsley.
Atlantic salmon with a rocket salad, garnished with lemon, capers and parsley.


Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 4 (6 ounces each) salmon fillet
  • 1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1⁄2 tsp salt
  • 1⁄2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, leaves minced
  • 8 slice lemon, about 2 lemons
  • 1⁄4 cup lemon juice, about 1 lemon
  • 1⁄2 cup marsala wine, or white wine
  • 4 tsp capers
  • 4 piece aluminum foil

 

Instructions

Prep 20 min Cook 10 min Ready 30 min
1. Brush top and bottom of salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
2. Place each piece of seasoned salmon on a piece of foil large enough to fold over and seal.
3. Top each piece of salmon with 2 lemon slices, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons wine, and 1 teaspoon capers.
4. Wrap up salmon tightly in the foil packets.
5. Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.
6. Place the foil packets on the hot grill and cook for 10 minutes for a 1-inch thick piece of salmon. 7. Serve in the foil packets.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Sacramento and Stockton, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®.  Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties. Call Today 877-916-9111

For years, there has been a carb versus no-carb diet debate. After the Atkins Diet gained a big following, no-carb or low-carb diets became the rage. The release of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study recently came out. It found that moderate amounts of plant-based carbohydrates were healthiest.

 

Homecare in Manteca CA: Carbs And Your Health

 

How the Study Worked…

 

The first of a two-part study was the Cohort Examination. It followed 15,792 men and women between the ages of 45 and 64. The study began in 1987 and completed a sixth follow-up exam from 2016 to 2017. One more exam started in 2018 and is expected to end in 2019. Every couple of years, participants were examined and interviewed. Changes in cardiovascular health were a key focus of this study.

The second part of the study was the Community Surveillance Component. In this, the medical records of around 470,000 men and women between the ages of 35 and 84 were examined. Researchers were looking at heart failure rates from 2005 on.

Participants recorded exactly what they ate each day. This included tracking portion size, beverages, and frequency. Male participants consumed between 600 to 4,200 calories per day, while women ate between 500 and 3,600 calories.

 

The Studies Findings

What the study found was that the participants who followed a low-carb diet or a high-carb diet had a higher risk of dying from heart disease. Those who got about 50 to 55 percent of their daily calories from carbohydrates were healthier.

The study also found that plant-based proteins were healthier than animal or dairy-based proteins. Those eating a moderate amount of carbs had an average life expectancy of 83 years. Those on a low-carb diet dropped to 79 years. Participants on a high carb diet had an average life expectancy of 82 years.

 

What Are Some of the Healthiest Carb Options

Your parents shouldn’t try to cut carbs in order to eat healthily. They do need to focus on healthy carb choices. Skip white bread and processed crackers and pasta. Instead, your parents should aim for whole grains like barley, cracked wheat, oats, or quinoa. Sweet potatoes are a good choice. Dried beans are also great choices.

If your parents struggle with nutrition, talk to a senior care agency about meal preparation services. Caregivers can cook meals for them and even join them for a meal to add companionship. Learn more about these and other services offered by caregivers today.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Homecare in Manteca, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®.  Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties. Call Today 877-916-9111

 

Sources:

2.cscc.unc.edu

Throughout the United States, approximately one million people are living with Parkinson’s disease.

Of these, 20 to 30% will experience hallucinations as a symptom of their disease. Considered a form of psychosis, hallucinations are sensory experiences that are not really there. These can be upsetting and be disrupting for your aging parent, and it is important to be able to detect them so you can help your parent cope safely and effectively. Your parent might experience just one type of hallucination or could experience several.

 

Senior Care in Modesto CA: Types of Hallucinations
Senior Care in Modesto CA: Types of Hallucinations

 

Understanding these can help you to note when they are going through them so you can give them the care they need.
Hallucinations your parent might experience during their progression with Parkinson’s disease may include:

-Visual. The most common form of hallucinations among those with Parkinson’s disease is visual. This means your senior may see things that aren’t there, or misinterpret what they are seeing as other things.

-Auditory. Your parent might also hear things you don’t hear. This is a much less common form of hallucination but can be very upsetting.

-Olfactory. Uncommon in PD, your senior might smell things that are not there, such as a particular food cooking, or the perfume of a loved one.

-Gustatory. Also rare in PD is tasting things that are not really there.

 

Even if your aging parents only experience these hallucinations occasionally, or they do not upset them, if your parent is experiencing hallucinations it should be brought to the attention of their doctor.

Telling the doctor about all of the symptoms your parent experiences throughout the progression of their Parkinson’s disease is an important part of making sure that their needs are met, and they are getting care and management that is truly right for them.

One of the greatest challenges of being a family caregiver for an elderly adult with living with a progressive disease is the unpredictable nature of this type of challenge. Though there is a set of basic stages every person with a disease is likely to face, the exact set of challenges and symptoms your parent will experience is personal to them.

Having senior care as a part of your care approach for your aging parent as they progress through Parkinson’s disease is an important step toward handling their challenges now, and also preparing for what they may face in the future. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for managing your parents’ challenges in the way that is right for them and helping them to stay as safe and healthy as possible as they progress. The personalized services of a senior home care services provide help to continue to pursue life goals and find as much meaning as they can in their daily life as they progress.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Care in Modesto, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®.  Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties. Call Today 877-916-9111

 

Source:

http://www.parkinson.org/

http://parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/

More than ever, aging adults are learning how to use social media to stay connected with the world.

Even though seniors are the least likely group to use social media regularly, their numbers are growing. When they have assistance from family members, friends, and home care providers, elderly adults can be enthusiastic participants on social media. There are even several benefits for aging adults who do so.

 

social-media-word-wheel
Home Care Services in Manteca CA: Seniors and Social Media

 

Obstacles to Social Media Use

It’s clear that seniors are lagging far behind other age groups when it comes to taking advantage of the digital age. Major obstacles are primarily lack of equipment. It doesn’t seem difficult for people with a lot of experience with computers or smartphones to stay caught up with the latest technology, but it can be almost impossible for seniors to feel comfortable with it. They simply don’t know where to go or what to buy.

Some aspects of social media are completely foreign to elderly adults, many of whom were first introduced to computers in middle age or later. Concepts that come naturally to younger generations are a challenge to master. Many seniors may even be stubborn about acquiring new knowledge, believing that technology and social media will simply not provide them with any benefits.

The good news is that if elderly adults see all the advantages that social media can bring into their lives, they are more likely to give it a try. A supportive network of family caregivers and home care providers can also make a difference for them when it comes to learning about social media.

 

Benefits of Social Media for Seniors

Seniors are certainly going to benefit from having social media in their lives. With age, people often deal with physical or mental decline which makes it harder for them to be social. With retirement and family members and friends spread across the country, seniors can become quite isolated and lonely. Social media is one way to remedy this pervasive problem for elderly adults.

Even if they have a family caregiver and home care provider, elderly adults want to be closer to all their friends and family members. All too often, they feel like they are missing out on their children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Social media is an excellent way for them to see what’s going on in the lives of their loved ones near and far. From funny stories and quick messages to photos and videos, seniors can fully participate with their families and friends online.

 

Another benefit for seniors who use social media is that they can be entertained and involved.

They can’t get out as much as they used to and participate in hobbies and activities. With social media, they can join groups with similar interests, such as sports fans, crafters or politics. Social media also helps seniors watch and read an amazing amount of information, from recipes and do-it-yourself tips to healthy living and classic movie suggestions.

The possibilities are endless when family caregivers and home care providers set up a way for seniors to get on board with social media and help them get connected.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Services in Manteca, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®.  Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties. Call Today 877-916-9111