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Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bone loss. Bones become brittle and thin, making them break more easily. It’s typically associated with older women because they get it far more often than men do. However, that doesn’t mean that men don’t get osteoporosis. In fact, a new study indicates that although senior men also suffer from bone loss, they don’t receive treatment as often as women do. Men and Osteoporosis Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle examined information regarding osteoporosis in more than 13,700 men and women who were age 70 or older. One of the things they looked at was the risk of the participants for hip fractures. Around 50 percent of men who were 75 to 79 were at risk for hip fracture, which qualified them for receiving osteoporosis treatment. Men aged 80 and older had an even higher risk at 88 percent. Despite the fact that a high percentage of men qualified for osteoporosis treatment, they were a lot less likely to be tested for the disease than women were. In fact, only 12 percent of men had a bone density test while 63 percent of women did.   Risk Factors and Symptoms of Osteoporosis Osteoporosis occurs when the body isn’t able to produce enough bone tissue to replace tissue that naturally dies off. Some of the risk factors for osteoporosis are: Age: The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age. Race: Caucasians and Asian-Americans are more likely to develop the disease. Family History: If a close relative, like a sibling or parent, had osteoporosis, it increases the risk. Body Frame: People with smaller frames have less bone tissue to draw on in the first place, so they are at greater risk for osteoporosis.   If your elderly male family member hasn’t had a bone density test, recognizing the symptoms of osteoporosis might indicate it is time to have one. The symptoms of osteoporosis include: Pain in the back, which is caused by fractures and collapsed vertebra. Having a stooped posture. Getting shorter. Fractures that happen easily.   If your loved one does have osteoporosis, home care can help them to manage life with the disease. Home care providers can remind them to take medications and supplements that are part of the disease’s treatment. Home care providers can also drive an older adult to medical appointments to monitor the condition. In addition, home care providers can walk with the elderly person to ensure they don’t fall or bump into things, which could cause fractures. If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Home Care in La Canada, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388   Sources Webmd.com Mayoclinic.org Everydayhealth.com

Your senior’s stairs might be one of the more dangerous spots in her home. By paying attention to stair safety, you can reduce that risk for her. Keep Obstacles Off the Stairs If your senior or other family members are in the habit of leaving items on the stairs, that’s something that needs to stop. Anything on the stairs could cause your elderly family member to trip or fall and that is definitely something you want to avoid. Make several safety checks of the stairs each day just to ensure they’re clear.   Install Sturdy Handrails on Both Sides One handrail might seem like it’s enough to do the trick, but you really can’t go wrong with a handrail on each side of the stairway. This gives your senior twice the space to grab if she feels that she’s losing her balance. It also helps to account for steadying her while she’s going up or down the stairs.   Check the Lighting Lighting makes more of a difference than you might think. What seems like a bright light for you might not be quite bright enough for your senior. Check with her to see how well she’s able to see with the light on and consider ways to automate that light so that she can simply focus on safety while she’s going up or down the stairs.   Double Check the Treads Stair treads take quite a beating, so it’s important to examine them now and again. If there’s anything that feels loose or that is coming up, it needs to be repaired right away. If there’s carpeting on the stairs, you might want to remove it completely just to make the stairs a little safer.   Consider a Stair Lift If your elderly family member is particularly unsteady on her feet, a stair lift might be the right answer. These are automated lifts that give your senior a solid, secure seat while they gently carry her up or down the stairs. Used properly, these types of devices can make stairs almost injury-proof. You may not be able to completely eliminate the danger of stairs in your senior’s home, but you can definitely reduce the risk. You might want to consider working with elder care providers to determine what other areas of her home pose a fall risk, too. With their expertise, you can make her entire home far less of a fall risk.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Home Care in Encino, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

If you’re spotting some of the following signs in your own thoughts or behaviors, then you are at a point where you need to seek help for caregiver burnout. The problem may not be too severe just yet, which is important. Talk to your doctor or to a therapist that you trust about what you can do to get yourself back on track. Your Emotions Are All Over the Place Emotions are a part of life, but when you’re feeling some of your emotions more intensely or in more of a “pinball” sort of way, you might have some deeper issues. Irritability and anger can be more pronounced when you’re facing burnout. You might feel angrier than you should about minor inconveniences, for instance.   You Can’t Sleep Well How are you sleeping? If your answer is “not at all,” that’s not good. You might also be having trouble staying asleep in the middle of the night. All of these signs are indications that your body and your brain aren’t getting the rest that they need. Talk to your doctor about possible underlying medical causes first.   You Can’t Remember the Last Time You Did Something for You Are you taking care of yourself? This can involve everything from eating healthy meals rather than fast food all the way to remember to brush your teeth. When did you last do something that was just for you? It doesn’t matter what it was, but if you can’t remember the last time you met a need of your own, that’s a problem.   You’re Feeling Sick all the Time When you’re emotionally run down it doesn’t take long to get physically run down. In fact, you might start to feel as if you’re constantly coming down with one bug or another. But it’s not just the common cold. Pay attention to all your little aches and pains. If they’re increasing, you may be experiencing too much stress.   You’re Feeling Hopeless Hopelessness is a big sign of depression and burnout. When you feel as if there’s no hope, the underlying message to yourself and to others is that nothing that you do matters. But that’s not true. You don’t have to keep feeling hopeless. There is help that can relieve that burden for you. Caregiver burnout is a very real and very dangerous situation. What it ultimately means is that you’re going to be unable to keep taking care of your elderly family member the way that you want to be able to. If she doesn’t have other people who can step in, you’re putting both of you in a dangerous situation.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Elderly Care in Burbank, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

You might know that your elderly family member has a lot of stuff in her home, but if it’s become a hoarding issue there may be bigger problems at play. To understand why that is, it’s important to look at what hoarded items can hide. Falls Are More of a Potential Problem Falls are always a problem for aging adults, but when there are a lot of items cluttering up her home, your senior may have an even bigger problem. The other potential problem, especially with a large hoard, is that the items themselves can stack up and might eventually fall on your senior. If she’s already got mobility issues, she can easily become trapped by the very items she’s been collecting.   Food Spoilage Is a Common Issue Lots of people who hoard items also hoard food. Combining hoarding with cognitive issues means that your elderly family member could convince herself that old food is still good to eat because it’s been in her refrigerator. It’s important that someone goes through those older food items and removes anything that is spoiled or otherwise not safe for her to eat.   Pests Can Become an Infestation When items begin piling up, it’s difficult to clean around, behind, or under them. Those piles can also attract pests, like bugs and rats. Once those pests move in they are difficult to dislodge without the help of an expert. Pests are definitely not the best problem to have, especially if your elderly family member already has breathing issues or other health conditions.   The House Itself Can Develop Issues With hoarding in place, your elderly family member might not be able to notice structural issues happening with her house. The house might develop water leaks or other problems that can get out of hand very quickly. Until the items are removed, you might not know just what to expect. Some hoarders are shocked to find that the house they thought was in good condition actually needs quite a bit of work to remain livable. It can be really difficult for your aging adult to get over hoarding. When you start to make headway on some of the belongings she’s been collecting, you might find that your senior tries to fill up that space again. Elderly care providers can help with light housekeeping and tidying, which also gives you a way to know when the hoard might be making a comeback. If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Home Care Services in Studio City, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

When an elderly adult complains of frequent heartburn, nausea, sore throat, coughing and chest pain, family caregivers may mistakenly think they have a cold or influenza. However, these symptoms exactly describe a digestive condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. When the contents of the stomach (food and acid) flow back up to the esophagus, it can cause numerous health problems and make the aging adult very uncomfortable. When family caregivers and senior care providers know about the symptoms as well as the treatment for GERD in seniors, they are better able to help them avoid triggers and feel better day by day.   Common GERD Symptoms in Aging Adults While digestive issues can be diagnosed in adults at any age, seniors are at a higher risk for GERD for several reasons. First, they are more likely to face issues with indigestion and digestion due to age. Second, the muscles that control the esophagus and the muscles around the upper part of the stomach weaken in seniors, making it harder for the body to keep everything down. Finally, elderly adults often don’t live the healthiest lifestyle, such as nutritious meals and exercise, needed to minimize GERD. Family caregivers need to watch out for GERD symptoms in their aging loved ones. The most common symptoms of GERD in seniors include heartburn, nausea, sore throat, mouth sores, chest pain, and a bitter taste in the mouth. In some people, they may not even notice some of the unique GERD symptoms due to other similar digestive issues that blur the line between how they feel. Because the symptoms of GERD are like other illnesses, it often goes undiagnosed. If it is not treated, GERD can lead to esophageal health problems and even cancer. It’s important for seniors as well as their support group to be on the lookout for symptoms of GERD.   Treatment and Lifestyle Changes for Seniors with GERD Doctors can prescribe medicine to help elderly adults with GERD. The medication helps to calm the stomach acid. The most significant changes that are made have to do with the lifestyle adjustments. Certain foods can trigger a flare-up of GERD, such as chocolate, fried food, spicy food, and chocolate. Alcohol and smoking are also bad for those who suffer from GERD. Senior care providers should prepare meals that are made with lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plenty of water. Other lifestyle changes for elderly adults with GERD include avoiding laying down after eating for at least two hours. Some seniors may need to use a foam wedge at night to prevent the stomach acid from moving up and down the esophagus. They should also drink plenty of water, which can be hard for elderly adults who might worry about incontinence.   Overall, GERD is a non-curable condition that can be managed well by adherence to the doctor’s treatment plan. Seniors who are dependent on family caregivers and senior care providers must get their support in order to live comfortably with this pervasive condition.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Elder Care in Silver Lake, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

When was the last time you had a real break where you were able to do something completely for you and your own health? If you are a family caregiver for an elderly relative with dementia, that break may have been so long ago that you don’t remember it. Caring for someone with cognitive decline takes a toll on the body and the emotions, and it’s easy to develop chronic stress as a result. If you don’t fix your situation by hiring an elderly care provider to help, you will negatively impact your own health and wellness.   Dangers of Chronic Stress There’s no doubt that it is stressful to take care of an aging adult who has dementia. It’s too easy to put your own needs aside because your aging loved one has so many things that you have to help with. When you lose yourself in serving your elderly relative, you neglect the good things that keep you physically and mentally healthy. Chronic stress that appears in family caregivers results in a syndrome known by medical experts as caregiver burnout. Because of the constant physical and emotional stress from providing care, family caregivers can suffer from a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, insomnia, heart disease, gastrointestinal distress, and weight gain. They are also more likely to develop anxiety and depression. Over time, this can lead to serious health issues that may even interfere with the ability to care for others. You will be a better caregiver when you take some time every week for yourself after you hire an elderly care provider.   Ways to Manage Stress as a Family Caregiver Dealing with dementia is extremely hard, because the tasks are so repetitive, and their constant needs can feel overwhelming. Add to that your worry about their health and safety, and it becomes the perfect recipe for chronic stress. It’s challenging enough to care for a senior with only physical issues, but dementia warps their sense of time and place, which means you must handle the most basic tasks on their behalf. The only way to deal properly with the chronic stress associated with being a caregiver for an elderly relative with dementia is to take regular breaks where you can invest in yourself. This means stepping away from your caregiver duties for a time and focusing on self-care. This could include exercise, socializing with friends, recreation, or even therapy. Even just having the chance for some downtime to read a book, enjoy a walk in the park or start a new hobby will do a lot to alleviate stress. To get these regular breaks while putting your aging relative’s care into capable hands, you should investigate hiring an elderly care provider. These professionals are experienced and compassionate, and you can find some that have specialized training for dementia clients. Elderly care providers will take care of things with your elderly relative while you are gone so that you can get some respite from the daily stress of caregiving. If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Homecare in La Canada, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

Elder care is not a concern to take lightly. Your parents may not tell you that they need help. You may not notice it until the neglect in their home and themselves is overly apparent. Don’t find out when it’s a little too late. Talk to your parents openly about elder care. Here are topics you need to talk about with the family.   Seniors Can’t Always Hide Things Your parent may be trying to hide things from you. Many elderly men and women don’t want to admit they’re struggling with incontinence or toileting. They try to hide it, but you can smell the urine. They can’t do laundry, and you can smell it. Be sensitive when you bring up that you can tell personal care, laundry, or housekeeping are starting to slide. Point attention to yourself rather than your mom or dad. You could say something like how you’ve noticed your knees ache after carrying laundry up and down the basement stairs. As you open up, your parents may start to admit they know exactly what that’s like. Once you have gotten them talking, ask if there are other areas where they have difficulty. Talk about driving, cooking meals, and cleaning the house. Those are standard areas where seniors often need help with day-to-day routines.   Have the Doctors Given Any Advice or Recommendations? Ask if they’ll let you attend a doctor’s appointment. They’ll need to add your name to HIPAA permissions to allow the doctor to discuss your medical records. If you can go, it’s a great place to start. At the doctor’s office, you can ask about prescriptions your mom and dad are taking. You can find out if there are any issues that might make it unsafe for them to drive. You’ll also learn about potential health issues and symptoms they may experience. Finally, find out if their vaccinations and recommended tests are current.   When Is the Right Time to Start Planning? The earlier you have this conversation the better. Elder care services can take time to get used to. If you start your parents out with once-a-week services when they only need minimal help, it gives them time to get to know their caregiver. When the time comes that they need help each day or with personal care, they’ll be comfortable with that aide. Once you know what services your parents would find beneficial, call an elder care specialist. You’ll be able to ask about rates, services available in your mom and dad’s neighborhood, and how often to schedule caregivers.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a  Caregiver in Encino, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

It can be frustrating to try to communicate with an older adult who has hearing loss. For one thing, yelling to be heard is no fun. That can be further complicated by the senior being frustrated that they cannot hear and asking you repeatedly to speak up. Yet, when adult children who act as family caregivers suggest that their aging parents get hearing aids, it’s not always received well. Instead of arguing about getting hearing aids, it may be helpful to share with your parent these 5 reasons to get a hearing aid. #1: Hearing Aids Make Enjoying Music Possible If you’ve noticed that your elderly parent has stopped turning on the radio or no longer wants to go to musical performances, it could be because they can’t hear the music. Caregivers may want to remind seniors that a hearing aid can help them to enjoy music again. In addition, they can enjoy it without having to turn the radio up so high that it is annoying to others.   #2: Hearing Aids Are Practically Invisible Many older adults don’t want hearing aids because they worry about how they’ll look or being identified as someone with a disability. Advances in technology have resulted in hearing aids getting smaller and smaller. Now, they are practically invisible.   #3: Hearing Aids Make Communicating Easier Some family caregivers are frustrated by the difficulty of communicating with an older adult who cannot hear them. If that’s the case for you, you can be fairly certain the older adult finds communication frustrating, too. Remind the older adult that they’ll be able to hear better, which makes it possible for them to join in on family conversations again.   #4: Hearing Aids Can Make Them Feel Better Being able to hear can improve the older adult’s self-esteem and make them happier. Not being able to engage with others in a social setting may cause them to avoid other people and lead to loneliness. Once they have a hearing aid, they can enjoy going to gatherings and events again.   #5: Hearing Aids Can Allow Them to Hear a Grandchild Giggle Older adults with hearing loss may have a hard time interacting with younger family members, like grandchildren. As a result, they miss out on the fun of playing with them and listening to their delighted chatter and giggles. They may also miss school concerts and plays because they cannot hear them. Hearing aids can change all that, leading to a stronger relationship between your parent and their grandchildren.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering  Elder Care in Burbank, CA , please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388 Sources Aarp.orgHear-it.org

Older adults are at a higher risk of having a heart attack. Because age is a risk factor, it’s important that people who are family caregivers for seniors know how to spot a heart attack. Immediate medical attention can reduce complications and save the older adult’s life. Below are 5 signs of a heart attack that you should watch for in your aging relative. #1: Chest Pain or Discomfort Chest pain or discomfort is the symptom most often associated with heart attack. The pain usually occurs in the center of the chest. It isn’t always described as pain. Some people say it feels like pressure, squeezing, or fullness. Regardless of how they describe the feeling, it usually lasts more than a couple of minutes. It can happen either when the person is resting or when they are physically active. The pain can also disappear for a while only to return later.   #2: Stomach Pain, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Nausea This symptom is more common in women and it does not necessarily mean the older adult is having a heart attack. However, if your aging relative has risk factors for heart attack, it may be best to see a doctor to find out what is causing the problem.   #3: Upper Body Discomfort The pain and discomfort of a heart attack can spread to other parts of the upper body. A person having a heart attack might feel pain in one arm or in both of them. They might also feel pain or discomfort in their neck, jaw, or back.   #4: Dizziness A feeling of dizziness can be caused by many things, such as standing too quickly. However, if it is accompanied by other signs of a heart attack, the senior should be seen by a doctor immediately. Dizziness can be caused by a drop in blood pressure because of the heart’s inability to pump effectively.   #5: Cold Sweat If the older adult suddenly begins to sweat without an apparent reason, it could be a sign of a heart attack. If a cold sweat happens along with any other symptom of a heart attack, call for emergency medical assistance. If your aging relative shows signs of a heart attack, an elderly care provider can call 9-1-1 to get the immediate medical attention. After a heart attack, elderly care can help the older adult at home during the recovery period. Elderly care providers can allow seniors to rest while they assist with housekeeping duties and prepare meals. Elderly care providers can also prepare heart-healthy meals that conform to the doctor’s advice and remind the older adult to take their medications.   If you or an aging loved-one are considering  Homecare in Burbank, CA  please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388 Sources http://www.heart.org https://www.webmd.com/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/

In addition to pain, older adults who have fibromyalgia may experience chronic fatigue. You might think that the best way to deal with your aging relative’s fatigue is to just let them rest. The problem is that fatigue isn’t usually fixed by rest. It sticks with the person and can keep them from doing their regular daily tasks and the things they enjoy. If your older family member suffers from fibromyalgia fatigue, here are 4 ways to help them fight it. #1: Talk to the Doctor About Supplements Taking certain vitamins may boost energy levels in people with fatigue. Some supplements that may help are B vitamins, magnesium, and D-ribose. However, it’s important that you talk to the older adult’s doctor before they begin taking any supplements. Some supplements may interfere with medications or cause other problems. If the doctor okays the use of supplements, a home care provider can remind the senior to take them every day. #2: Change the Daily Schedule If your aging relative’s fatigue seems worse at certain times of the day or under certain conditions, change their daily schedule to accommodate for the fatigue. Schedule activities and appointments at times of the day when they are less likely to feel tired. And, when fatigue interrupts the schedule, be flexible whenever possible. Home care providers can assist family caregivers in looking for trends in the older adult’s fatigue. It can help to keep a daily log of activities, environmental conditions, foods eaten, and how symptoms are affected. A home care provider can write down the information for the times they are there. #3: Prepare Healthy Meals and Snacks Food is the fuel the body needs for energy. If your aging relative isn’t eating well, it could make their fatigue worse. And, being tired makes it less likely that they will eat well because they may lack the energy to prepare meals. Home care can allow your loved one to eat better by preparing meals and snacks for them. They can even make food ahead of time that can be heated up at meal times. #4: Encourage Exercise It might seem odd to say that someone who is fatigued needs to expend more energy by exercising. However, experts say that exercise reduces the pain of fibromyalgia, so it’s not something fibromyalgia patients should skip. That doesn’t mean that seniors with the disease should spend hours doing strenuous exercise. Instead, they should find forms of exercise that are gentle on their bodies and are not too taxing. Some good options are yoga, walking, or swimming. Home care can help older adults to exercise more by going for walks with them or driving them to exercise facilities. In addition, they can help to add physical activity to the senior’s day by encouraging them to participate in household activities like cleaning, raking leaves, or gardening. If you or an aging loved-one are considering  home care in Pasadena, CA  please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388 Sources https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/fibromyalgia/how-fight-fibromyalgia-fatigue/ https://fibromyalgia.newlifeoutlook.com/fibromyalgia-fatigue/ https://www.verywellhealth.com/lifestyle-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-715754