The new website, www.seniorhelpers.com/centraltx , went up this week and is loaded with a wealth of information to assist with caring for seniors and the challenges they face.
Be sure to check out the Alzheimer's and dementia page for the resources listed there.
Please let us know if you like it! And, if something is not working - let us know that too!
CareInfoAustin@seniorhelpers.com
Showing posts with label Senior Helpers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senior Helpers. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Friday, September 2, 2011
Senior Helpers Partners With the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to Reduce Toll of Devastating Disease
Strategic Partnership to Improve Quality of Life for Diagnosed Individuals and Families
Towson, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2011 -- With the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease escalating and the needs of families dramatically increasing along with it, Senior Helpers, one of the largest in-home care companies for seniors in the nation, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), one of the nation’s leading non-profit foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with the disease and their families.
“This partnership was an easy decision for us at Senior Helpers because of our commitment to educating families and their elderly loved ones about the different stages of dementia and how to cope with every aspect of the disease,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Alzheimer’s is not only devastating for the senior living with the condition but it also creates a tremendous strain on the family. Our caregivers know first-hand what it takes to combat this devastating disease, and we feel this partnership can further help families cope, emotionally and physically, one step at a time.”
Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While Alzheimer’s disease is not considered a normal part of aging, the risk for seniors developing this devastating disease rises as they get older; in fact, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, beginning at age 65.
As part of the strategic partnership, Senior Helpers and AFA will co-sponsor educational conferences and webinars related to care issues, and collaborate on other projects that promote improved quality of care for the dementia population.
In addition, Senior Helpers is proud to be a silver sponsor of AFA’s National Memory Screening Day on November 15, 2011 and encourages individuals with memory concerns and those who want to check their memory now and for future comparison to take a free screening. On this day, many Senior Helpers locations will be promoting the event and providing free, confidential screenings and educational materials in communities throughout the nation. Each screening is a five to ten minute, non-diagnostic test; while the results do not represent a diagnosis, they are seen as a significant first step in early detection of a memory problem.
Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (according to AFA):
“While we all await a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America strongly believes that education and optimal care are the most effective tools to tackle this public health crisis,” says Eric J. Hall, AFA’s Founding President and CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with Senior Helpers to spread this message across the country and help this deserving population.”
Sources: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, National Institute on Aging, the Harvard School of Public Health
Did You Know?:
Towson, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2011 -- With the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease escalating and the needs of families dramatically increasing along with it, Senior Helpers, one of the largest in-home care companies for seniors in the nation, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), one of the nation’s leading non-profit foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with the disease and their families.
“This partnership was an easy decision for us at Senior Helpers because of our commitment to educating families and their elderly loved ones about the different stages of dementia and how to cope with every aspect of the disease,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Alzheimer’s is not only devastating for the senior living with the condition but it also creates a tremendous strain on the family. Our caregivers know first-hand what it takes to combat this devastating disease, and we feel this partnership can further help families cope, emotionally and physically, one step at a time.”
Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While Alzheimer’s disease is not considered a normal part of aging, the risk for seniors developing this devastating disease rises as they get older; in fact, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, beginning at age 65.
As part of the strategic partnership, Senior Helpers and AFA will co-sponsor educational conferences and webinars related to care issues, and collaborate on other projects that promote improved quality of care for the dementia population.
In addition, Senior Helpers is proud to be a silver sponsor of AFA’s National Memory Screening Day on November 15, 2011 and encourages individuals with memory concerns and those who want to check their memory now and for future comparison to take a free screening. On this day, many Senior Helpers locations will be promoting the event and providing free, confidential screenings and educational materials in communities throughout the nation. Each screening is a five to ten minute, non-diagnostic test; while the results do not represent a diagnosis, they are seen as a significant first step in early detection of a memory problem.
Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (according to AFA):
- Memory loss - especially of recent events, names, placement of objects, and other new information
- Confusion about time and place
- Struggling to complete familiar actions - such as brushing teeth or getting dressed
- Trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences, and following directions and conversations
- Poor judgment when making decisions
- Changes in mood and personality - such as increased suspicion, rapid and persistent mood swings, withdrawal, and disinterest in usual activities
- Difficulty with complex mental assignments- such as balancing a checkbook or other tasks involving numbers
“While we all await a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America strongly believes that education and optimal care are the most effective tools to tackle this public health crisis,” says Eric J. Hall, AFA’s Founding President and CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with Senior Helpers to spread this message across the country and help this deserving population.”
Sources: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, National Institute on Aging, the Harvard School of Public Health
Did You Know?:
- Alzheimer's disease is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S.
- It’s estimated that one to four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer's disease costs U.S. businesses more than $60 billion a year, stemming from lost productivity and absenteeism by primary caregivers, and insurance costs.
- The annual cost of caring for one individual with Alzheimer's disease ranges from nearly $18,500 to more than $36,000, depending on the stage of the disease.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
When They Won’t Spend the Money
Sometimes resistance couched in financial terms has little to do with money at all. Maybe a parent can’t accept his need for help, dreads dependency and loss of control, fears mortality itself. “I can’t afford it” provides a good all-purpose excuse.
Or maybe, Ms. Moscowitz points out, what connects busy children to their parents are tasks and obligations, leaving the elders to wonder: “If I hire someone to do what my daughter does for me, will I see my daughter?”
Having money and not spending it may be a problem lots of caregivers wish their families had, but it’s a problem nonetheless. “Money is a very emotionally charged issue,” Ms. Modigliani said. “It’s hard for rationality to rule.”
Read the whole article
Or maybe, Ms. Moscowitz points out, what connects busy children to their parents are tasks and obligations, leaving the elders to wonder: “If I hire someone to do what my daughter does for me, will I see my daughter?”
Having money and not spending it may be a problem lots of caregivers wish their families had, but it’s a problem nonetheless. “Money is a very emotionally charged issue,” Ms. Modigliani said. “It’s hard for rationality to rule.”
Read the whole article
Monday, July 25, 2011
Senior Helpers Says You’re Never Too Old for Skin Cancer Awareness
In light of new FDA sunscreen guidelines, seniors and their families are encouraged to be sun smart
(July 2011) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Each year, nearly a million people in this country will learn they have skin cancer…and the risk continues to rise as you get older. Senior Helpers of Arkansas, AR, one of the leading in-home care providers of senior care in the Arkansas area, is raising awareness about new FDA guidelines regarding sunscreens, which apply to people of all ages, not just young children and adults.
“Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes, according to the American Cancer Society,” says Moire Hayes with Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Most skin cancers appear after the age of 45 and it’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun. We encourage seniors to get some fresh air and exercise to stay active, but their skin is more sensitive than others. Even if they’re going outside for a short 15 minute walk, caregivers are there to help them apply their sunscreen as needed.”
What We’ve Learned From the FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines:
Sun protection is an important public health issue for people of all ages. The FDA just released their new guidelines when it comes to proper product labeling and UVA protection:
• . . . There is no such thing as “sweat proof” and “waterproof” sunscreens. These words are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.
• . . . Sunscreens can claim to be “water resistant,” but the company has to put a label on their product stating the sunscreen only offers 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating.
• . . . You must reapply sunscreen every two hours for continued sun protection.
• . . . Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, also known as “broad spectrum” protection.
• . . . Only broad spectrum sunscreens with 15 SPF or higher provide any type of sun protection (15 – 30 SPF is recommended).
“The sun doesn’t discriminate against age,” say Hayes of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “When seniors are exposed to too much sun, they risk being severely dehydrated. Our caregivers can make sure the seniors are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water or taking a cold bath to help prevent and/or recover from dehydration. They can also provide ways for seniors to socialize without having to be out in the sun, such as taking their daily walk inside malls or museums or making sure they’re in the shade and properly protecting themselves while spending time outside.”
Give Your Senior the Gift of Sun Protection:
• . . . Special UV radiation-absorbing clothes — the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
• . . . Wrap-around sunglasses that offer UV protection.
• . . . A hat with at least a three-inch brim all the way around — sun hats provide protection for not only your head, face and ears, but also your neck, shoulders and upper back.
• . . . Look for products that have earned the Skin Cancer Seal of Recommendation.
Sources: American Cancer Society, The Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .
Monday, July 18, 2011
Computer clubs spur more seniors to log on
While technology can intimidate older people, it also opens up opportunities to socialize, access information. "Old Dogs" can learn new tricks! Read the whole thing.
Check out Austin Groups for the Elderly's "Austin Computer Learning Center". Itdelivers basic computer training and coaching to any older adult wanting to understand how computer technology can enhance their lives. By participating in our training courses, students learn to conquer their fears and embrace a new world at their fingertips.
Check out Austin Groups for the Elderly's "Austin Computer Learning Center". Itdelivers basic computer training and coaching to any older adult wanting to understand how computer technology can enhance their lives. By participating in our training courses, students learn to conquer their fears and embrace a new world at their fingertips.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Senior Helpers in the Austin Business Journal
Demand growing for In Home Senior Care.
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Fight Against Shingles Falters
By PAULA SPAN
From The New Old Age
From The New Old Age
When last we discussed why so few older people take advantage of the vaccine against shingles — a nasty viral disease with sometimes debilitating consequences that afflicts one million Americans each year — a number of New Old Age readers asked a logical question.
Because the risk of shingles rises with age, and so do the severity of the symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends the vaccine, Zostavax, only for those over age 60. “I have wondered, why wait for age 60 to get the vaccine?” commented Eric from Sacramento. “I know of multiple people who got shingles in their 50s.”
“I was in my late 50s when I heard about the shingles vaccine a couple of years ago,” added Janem from Port Richmond, Calif. “Although I pleaded with my Kaiser doctor to give me the vaccine, she refused, citing the protocol.”
The good news, kind of, is that the Food and Drug Administration has since approved Zostavax for people aged 50 to 59. But the vaccine remains hard to find, cumbersome to get reimbursed for, and not nearly as widely used as researchers had hoped.
Read my article about it in Tuesday’s Science Times, and please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Because the risk of shingles rises with age, and so do the severity of the symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends the vaccine, Zostavax, only for those over age 60. “I have wondered, why wait for age 60 to get the vaccine?” commented Eric from Sacramento. “I know of multiple people who got shingles in their 50s.”
“I was in my late 50s when I heard about the shingles vaccine a couple of years ago,” added Janem from Port Richmond, Calif. “Although I pleaded with my Kaiser doctor to give me the vaccine, she refused, citing the protocol.”
The good news, kind of, is that the Food and Drug Administration has since approved Zostavax for people aged 50 to 59. But the vaccine remains hard to find, cumbersome to get reimbursed for, and not nearly as widely used as researchers had hoped.
Read my article about it in Tuesday’s Science Times, and please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Paula Span is the author of “When the Time Comes: Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions.”
Monday, June 20, 2011
SENIOR HELPERS’ AFFORDABLE CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW/NO COST IN-HOME SENIOR CARE
SENIOR HELPERS’ AFFORDABLE CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW/NO COST IN-HOME SENIOR CARE
Hospitals, Care Providers and Seniors Benefit from Reduced Costs and Medicare Savings
(Round Rock, Texas) – Living at home can often be seen as a luxury for senior citizens because not everyone can afford to pay for care. Senior Helpers of Central Texas, a leading in-home provider of senior care in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown and surrounding locales, is helping to make that a more affordable option for our aging loved ones. Senior Helpers is now working with area hospitals, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies to provide seniors with affordable or no cost access to home care. These partnerships will ultimately produce more positive outcomes for seniors who are discharged to their homes.
“Many of our patients need more consistent care than we are able to provide due to Medicare guidelines,” says Traci Boyle, R.N. Clinical Team Manager at Home Care Dimensions. “This program allows for those patients who need more assistance in their homes to be able to have a peace of mind knowing there are more sets of eyes and helping hands available to help keep them safe and at home. One of the largest obstacles facing the vast majority of our senior citizens today is living on a fixed-income. The Affordable Care Program allows us to target the patients with the highest needs and risk of re-hospitalization.”
The Affordable Care Program is funded solely by Senior Helpers. 10 percent of the services Senior Helpers receives from a health care provider’s referrals are donated to the Affordable Care Program. Those funds can then be directed by the local health provider who can determine how to best help their respective patient base. Some patients may receive Pro Bono services and some may receive a highly discounted rate.
“Home Care Dimensions is able to select the patients who do not qualify for government assistance due to making too much money, but yet are clearly in need of care,” says Boyle. “We refer to these people as the “lost middle”. We are very grateful to Senior Helpers for creating this innovative program and working with us to serve our community.”
In addition to helping seniors improve their individual outcomes, the Senior Helpers’ Affordable Care Program can save hospitals and rehabilitation facilities tens of thousands of dollars in Medicare reimbursements and penalties.
“Facilities we work with are sometimes charged by Medicare if their patients return to the hospital or a skilled nursing facility within a certain time frame after discharge,” says Frank Hayes, President of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “The Senior Helpers program can provide more Aides in the home to ensure the senior is better taken care of and has the best chance for recovery. We look forward to working with many health care facilities in Central Texas to expand the program to a wider audience.”
###
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .
Friday, June 17, 2011
Senior Helpers encourages seniors and their families to be sun smart after new FDA sunscreen guidelines
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Each year, nearly a million people in this country will learn they have skin cancer…and the risk continues to rise as you get older. Senior Helpers of Central Texas, one of the leading in-home providers of senior care from Austin to Georgetown, is raising awareness about new FDA guidelines regarding sunscreens, which apply to people of all ages, not just young children and adults.
“Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes, according to the American Cancer Society,” says Moire Hayes, CEO of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Most skin cancers appear after the age of 45 and it’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun. We encourage seniors to get some fresh air and exercise to stay active, but their skin is more sensitive than others. Even if they’re going outside for a short 15 minute walk, our caregivers are there to help them apply their sunscreen as needed.”
What We’ve Learned From the FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines:
Sun protection is an important public health issue for people of all ages. The FDA just released their new guidelines when it comes to proper product labeling and UVA protection.
• There is no such thing as “sweat proof” and “waterproof” sunscreens. These words are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.
• Sunscreens can claim to be “water resistant” but the company has to put a label on their product stating the sunscreen only offers 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating.
• You must reapply sunscreen every two hours for continued sun protection.
• Use sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection, also known as “broad spectrum” protection.
• Only broad spectrum sunscreens with 15 SPF or higher provide any type of sun protection (15 – 30 SPF is recommended).
“The sun doesn’t discriminate against age,” says Frank Hayes of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “When seniors are exposed to too much sun, they risk being severely dehydrated. Our caregivers can make sure the seniors are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water, or taking a cool bath to help prevent and/or recover from dehydration. They can also provide ways for seniors to socialize without having to be out in the sun, such as taking their daily walk inside malls or museums; or making sure they’re in the shade and properly protecting themselves while spending time outside. ”
Give Your Senior the Gift of Sun Protection:
• Special UV radiation-absorbing clothes – the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
• Wrap-around sunglasses that offer UV protection.
• A hat with at least a three-inch brim all the way around – sun hats provide protection for not only your head, face and ears, but also your neck, shoulders and upper back.
• Look for products that have earned the Skin Cancer Seal of Recommendation.
This story affects all seniors and their families in Central Texas. Help us spread the word about skin cancer and sun safety for senior citizens.
###
Sources: American Cancer Society, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About Senior Helpers of Central Texas
Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock
Friday, June 10, 2011
New Quiz Helps You Decide If Dear Ol’ Dad Needs Help
Research shows dads won’t ask for help
Quiz helps adult children have that ‘oh-‐so tough’ talk
(June 9, 2011) - It’s one of the most difficult conversations adult children can have with aging parents, especially those stubborn dads. Can your parents live independently? Or is time to reach out for help? Just in time for Father’s Day, Senior Helpers, a leading in-‐home care provider, has created a new quiz for adult children to determine their father’s self-‐sufficiency. The Stay At Home Score Quiz (www.stayathomescore.com) has eight easy questions that help families make difficult decisions about the independence of their aging loved ones.
“It’s a common scenario for aging parents, especially independent dads, to insist they’re well enough to live in their own homes even if they’re not,” says Dr. John Bowling, senior care and positive aging expert, and creator of the Senior Helpers’ Stay At Home Score Quiz. “After years of research, I developed this quiz to give adult children a guideline to determine their parents’ needs, if they are self-‐sufficient, if they can live at home with help from an in-‐home caregiver, or if it’s time to move them to a place where they get round-‐the-‐clock care.”
Stay At Home Score Quiz
The quiz was developed after decades of working with the elderly and studying the aging process that may suddenly make it unhealthy and unsafe for a senior citizen to live alone.
Sample Quiz Questions:
• Does your dad have easy access to a caring support system of family and friends whom he can rely on for daily assistance with physical, financial, and emotional needs?
• Does your dad regularly cook for himself, shop for groceries without assistance, and keep the home well-‐stocked with fresh and healthy foods?
• Does your dad maintain the same level of social activity and friendships that he did five years ago?
After taking the quiz, Dr. Bowling says adult children will have at least a good discussion point about the self sufficiency of dad or any aging loved one.
“This quiz would’ve been a great tool to help my mom focus on our dad’s condition instead of her own emotions about not wanting to bring in outside help,” says Susie Thomas of Madison, Alabama. Susie’s father is 74 years old with a neurodegenerative disease called ALS. “When my siblings and I were all trying to talk my mom into hiring a caregiver for Dad, I think she felt like we were ganging up on her. It would’ve been nice to sit down and show her this quiz and use it as a mediator to provide an unbiased opinion. Now, we have such a peace of mind knowing my dad is in good hands.”
Six Telling Signs (regarding your father) That You Should Take the Stay At Home Score Quiz (Source: the Council on Aging):
• Poor eating habits -‐ resulting in weight loss, no appetite or missed meals.
• Neglected hygiene -‐ wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth.
• Neglected home -‐ it’s not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up.
• Scorched pots and pans -‐ shows forgetfulness for dinner cooking on the stove.
• Unopened mail, newspaper piles, missed appointments.
• Mishandled finances -‐ losing money, paying bills twice or hiding money.
The Stay At Home Score Quiz would have been a big help for a Senior Helpers client, Arnie, a 78-‐year-‐old veteran with mild dementia. He was suffering from depression and not eating well, until he began receiving care from Senior Helpers. “I wish this quiz had been available years ago,” says licensed, clinical social worker, Anne Grasee, who cares for Arnie. “I could have introduced Arnie to Senior Helpers that much earlier.” She says Arnie’s life has turned around since he realized he needed outside help from a caregiver. He now has a companion who visits him and gets him out of the house on a weekly basis.
Other Study/Survey Findings About Dads:
• Dad will overwhelmingly choose to live at home and may try to prove he’s independent, even when he’s not. In a newly released national survey, 94% of fathers surveyed say they would rather live in their own home as they age instead of moving in with any of their children or to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Since men are competitive and success oriented by nature, Senior Helpers suggests to approach Dad by acknowledging the courage it takes to ask for and accept assistance and then pointing out why it is a good idea.
• The contrast between men’s and women’s help-‐seeking behavior is a “growing concern,” according to a 2008 study from the University of Cincinnati and the Medical University of South Carolina. It found that in the U.S., boys learn at an early age that men should be strong, independent, tough and self-‐ reliant.
TAKE THE 8 QUESTION QUIZ www.stayathomescore.com
About Senior Helpers of Central Texas
Senior Helpers Provides Senior In Home Care Services in the Central, Texas area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.
If you need Home Care services in Austin, Bartlett, Bertram, Briggs, Burnet, Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Holland, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Killeen, Leander, Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, Pflugerville, Round Mountain, Round Rock, Salado, Spicewood, Taylor and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Austin Home Health Care Company. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock
If you need Home Care services in Austin, Bartlett, Bertram, Briggs, Burnet, Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Holland, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Killeen, Leander, Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, Pflugerville, Round Mountain, Round Rock, Salado, Spicewood, Taylor and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Austin Home Health Care Company. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
When to Treat Prostate Cancer?
How to treat, or not treat, early prostate cancer is a question that has long bedeviled older men and their doctors.
If patients opt for surgery or radiation, they may face long years of impotence or incontinence, not to mention the risks inherent in these procedures — all to attack a slow-growing cancer that may never cause any symptoms. But if they opt for regular monitoring, a.k.a. “watchful waiting,” they face a small chance that their particular cancer is one of the more aggressive ones and could kill them.
On the blog called GeriPal, written by a group of geriatricians and palliative care specialists at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Ken Covinsky just posted a clear and useful summary of a prostate cancer study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. After following almost 700 patients for 15 years, the researchers reported that age is a crucial factor: Among men under age 65, surgery extends survival, but men over age 65 (or in worse health generally) see no survival benefit. They die at the same rate whether they’ve undergone the surgery (and suffered its aftermath) or not.
Another case, then, in which older bodies respond differently — to procedures, medications, cocktail hours, lots of things — than younger ones. That’s important to know.
Credit: NY Times
If patients opt for surgery or radiation, they may face long years of impotence or incontinence, not to mention the risks inherent in these procedures — all to attack a slow-growing cancer that may never cause any symptoms. But if they opt for regular monitoring, a.k.a. “watchful waiting,” they face a small chance that their particular cancer is one of the more aggressive ones and could kill them.
On the blog called GeriPal, written by a group of geriatricians and palliative care specialists at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Ken Covinsky just posted a clear and useful summary of a prostate cancer study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. After following almost 700 patients for 15 years, the researchers reported that age is a crucial factor: Among men under age 65, surgery extends survival, but men over age 65 (or in worse health generally) see no survival benefit. They die at the same rate whether they’ve undergone the surgery (and suffered its aftermath) or not.
Another case, then, in which older bodies respond differently — to procedures, medications, cocktail hours, lots of things — than younger ones. That’s important to know.
Credit: NY Times
Friday, May 20, 2011
SENIOR HELPERS CAUTIONS FAMILIES TO LOOK OUT FOR ELDERLY FOR HOME SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
SENIOR HELPERS CAUTIONS FAMILIES TO LOOK OUT FOR ELDERLY
FOR HOME SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
The home is the second most common location of accidental, fatal injuries
(Round Rock, TX – June 2011) – One third of all injuries in the United States happen accidentally, at home. Seniors over the age of 70 are among the highest risk group of unintentional home injury, both fatal and non-fatal. Senior Helpers of Central Texas, one of the leading in-home providers of senior care is promoting June as Home Safety Awareness Month.
“Seniors over the age of 80 are twenty times more likely (than the younger generation) to have an accident at home turn deadly,” says Frank Hayes, President of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Just like you baby proof your home for an infant, you must take extra steps to provide a save home environment for your elderly loved one. This isn’t difficult but often times it takes a trained eye to recognize danger zones for the elderly; that’s how our caregivers can help.”
Top Five Leading Causes of Senior, Accidental Home Injury Death:
1. Falls
2. Fire/Burn
3. Poisoning
4. Natural/Environmental (such as extreme heat/cold or a natural disaster)
5. Choking/Suffocation
Fall Prevention:Falls alone account for 52.5% of all home injury deaths for adults age 65-74. That percentage spikes by more than 25% for seniors age 85 and older.Below are some vital tips to follow to prevent your senior from taking a fall in or around the home:
· Have handrails on BOTH sides of stairs and grab bars in bathrooms.
o 1/3 of households in America with stairs DO NOT have banisters or handrails.
o Only 19% of households in America have grab bars in tubs/showers.
· Have a lot of light at the top and bottom of stairs. Also, keep hallways well lit.
· Paint the bottom basement step white to make it more visible.
· Secure rugs to the floor to prevent tripping.
· Outside – be sure to check steps and walkways for loose bricks, cement or stone.
Fire/Burn Prevention:
· Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. And, roll up your sleeves when cooking/baking.
· Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels or curtains, at least three feet from the range.
· Test fire alarms monthly. Install fire alarms on every level of your home, specifically near or inside all bedrooms.
· Consider having a fire sprinkler system installed in your home.
· Keep outside grills at least 10 feet away from the house and any bushes.
· Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
· Have chimneys, fireplaces, stoves and central furnaces inspected once a year. Clean as needed. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace.
· Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, seniors have thinner skin than middle-aged adults and can burn more easily.
“Studies show that seniors would much rather live at home versus in a nursing home, so home safety is the key to accident prevention,” says Moire Hayes, CEO of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Sometimes seniors may take offense if family members try to safety proof their home. That’s why it often makes sense to bring in a third party, like a professional caregiver, to make changes so there are no hard feelings in the family.”
This story affects all seniors and their families in the Central Texas area. Help us spread the word about Home Safety Awareness month and our tips to keep seniors safe. We are happy to set-up interviews and provide photos/video to move this story forward for your readers/viewers.
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Sources: Home Safety Council, State of Home Safety Report, D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation.
About Senior Helpers of Central Texas
Senior Helpers Provides Senior In Home Care Services in the Central, Texas area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.
If you need Home Care services in Austin, Bartlett, Bertram, Briggs, Burnet, Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Holland, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Killeen, Leander, Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, Pflugerville, Round Mountain, Round Rock, Salado, Spicewood, Taylor and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Austin Home Health Care Company. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock
If you need Home Care services in Austin, Bartlett, Bertram, Briggs, Burnet, Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Holland, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Killeen, Leander, Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, Pflugerville, Round Mountain, Round Rock, Salado, Spicewood, Taylor and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Austin Home Health Care Company. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock
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