Summer time means swimming time: oceans, lakes, and swimming pools! Where do you go to swim?

Regardless of the place you go, you may not be aware of the potential dangers that await you. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by either swallowing, breathing in mists, or having contact with contaminated water. RWIs can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality problems.

Common Recreational Water Illnesses

• Diarrhea
• Skin infections
• Ear infections
• Respiratory infections
• Eye infections
• Neurological infections
• Wound infections

Memorial Day Weekend marks Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week. What can you do to prevent these water spread illnesses?

Here are some easy steps for prevention:

• Don’t swim when you’re sick, as you can share your germs.
• Don’t swallow the pool water.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash with soap before swimming, after using the toilet and changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
• Keep germs out of the pool by taking children to the bathroom often.
• Change diapers in a restroom, not by a poolside.
• Wash your child thoroughly before they return to the pool after a diaper changing to prevent fecal matter ending up in the water.
• Visit the CDC website for more ideas and information.

View the Story on our blog: Memorial Day Weekend Marks Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week! .

Ever notice how a piece of memorabilia can trigger a nostalgic conversation with an elderly loved one?

Recent research has shown that retro-designing or “dementia-proofing” an elderly loved one’s home is a preventative, holistic and cost-effective way to keep dementia patients out of hospitals and in their homes longer.

What is retro-decorating?

Retro-decorating a home is a matter of identifying your loved one’s interests and pastimes from a bygone era, and tastefully incorporating relevant vintage items and nostalgic objects into his or her home décor.

Why does it work?

Dementia progressively debilitates a person’s global cognitive abilities, and often results in declining and terminal memory loss.  Short-term memory is diminished first, while long-term memory is often retained and can be stimulated.  Therefore, retro-decorating creates a sense of ease and reduces anxiety for dementia sufferers because they are familiar with an environment that they recognize through their intact long-term memory.

Familiar objects to consider for retro-decorating or “memory therapy,” for those with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

• Old-style fixtures/appliances/fittings
• Vintage furniture
• Scent recollection from old soap/cleaning/toiletry brands, e.g. Lysol, Tussy, Pepsodent
• Vintage advertisements
• Cultural references

Get started with fun and cost-effective ways to retro-style your loved one’s home!  Home Instead Caregivers are happy to assist in your retro-design agenda and layout.  Here’s where to start:

• Local antiques and consignment shops
• Garage sales
• eBay/craigslist
• Retro outfitter furniture stores
• The family attic or basement

Related articles

• Retro Home Decorating Tips (twincitiesdesigncollective.com)

View the Story on our blog: Take Note Dallas: Retro-Decorating Helps Those with Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease .

Her hands used to be so strong.

They could soothe any hurt, smooth any wrinkle; throw babies in the air and keep rhythm to every song, but time passes, and you watch as sadly, they get weaker.  Her beautiful hands, once so reliable, fumble.

Are you watching her get frustrated with simple tasks? When you stop to visit Dad every day, is he struggling with routines? You know that living aids are available – bathtub handles, portable urinals, and the like – but perhaps you weren’t aware of some products, little things that can make life easier, less frustrating, and  more livable.

We aren’t recommending any of these, or suggesting one brand above another. We’re just hoping that in looking these items over, you may find that certain something that will ease pain, simplify routine, or give a sense of security that you thought was long gone.

Recliner Lever Extender

Even a young person in sound health can have a difficult time adjusting a recliner to and from a lying position. This “handy” mechanism attaches firmly to the tip of the recliner lever. With better leverage and a more reachable angle, this extender may help your loved one rediscover his or her favorite chair. Find an example of this handle here or here.

Elastic Shoelaces

If lacing up footwear causes pain for those in your care, you can make tying shoes a thing of the past. These elastic shoelaces, available in a variety of lengths and colors, once tied, do not have to be tied again. Just slip the shoes on and off. It’s that easy. Find them in many places, or click the links here or here.

Personal Pager

Now you don’t have to stress if you must be in the home, but out of earshot or sight. As long as you stay within 100 feet, you will be reachable via this personal pager. Similar to a nurse call button, this pager will let you know with a beep if you are needed. Models vary in features and price, but basic models can be found here or here.

Doorway Hinge Extender

If you’re often bumping into a doorway with a walker or a wheelchair, this simple yet brilliant remedy may be for your household. An angled hinge extender installs quickly and allows the door to open flush with the doorway, giving you an extra two inches in width – which can make all the difference in the world on a daily basis. You can try your local hardware store, or check on options online here or here.

We hope this has given you a few ideas. Next time we’ll talk about a few items that can be useful in the restroom and in personal grooming.

View the Story on our blog: Making Life a Little More Livable for Dallas Seniors .

“I’m just so tired, it just keeps getting worse everyday. I don’t think I can write anything today.” 

This was the last entry in my mother’s journal. She developed lupus when she was 16 years old, and struggled for a diagnosis for years. It took until she was in her early 20′s to discover what it was that was holding her back, making her so fatigued, causing her muscles to be so sore, and keeping her from living the life she wanted to live. By then the disease had progressed too far, and the symptoms were beyond control. She passed away at age 24, survived by her husband, son, father, mother, grandmother, and two siblings.

What is Lupus?

Lupus (Systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) is a chronic auto-immune disease that affects skin, joints, and organs. According to recent studies, it affects people of African American and Asian decent more than those of other races, and it affects more women than men.

What Are the Symptoms of Lupus?

General symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Discomfort/unease
• Hair Loss
• Chest pain when breathing
• Mouth sores
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes

Different parts of the body can be subject to stronger attack, and symptoms can vary depending on the target of the disease, as follows:

Brain and Nervous System

• Numbness and tingling
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Personality changes
• Vision problems

Digestive Tract

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Heart

• Abnormal heart rhythms

Lung

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood

Skin

• Patchy skin color
• Fingers changing color when cold

 How Lupus Is Diagnosed?

Once a patient displays 4 out of 11 of the most common lupus symptoms, a doctor will normally run the following tests. This list is by no means all-inclusive, and you should always follow your doctors suggestions rather than relying on medical information found on the internet.

• ANA panel (antinuclear antibody)
• CBC
• Chest X-ray
• Kidney biopsy
• Urinalysis

Lupus Treatment

Lupus is currently incurable. Treatment for SLE usually involves simply treating the symptoms in the following ways:

• Corticosteroid creams can help skin disorders related to SLE.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can decrease joint pain.
• High-dose corticosteroids may be used to decrease immune system activity and slow the disease’s attack on the body.

Since the symptoms of Lupus are so varied, treatment ranges wildly, and only your doctor will know what will work best for your unique situation.

Those battling lupus should keep in mind the importance of general health. This disease weakens your body, making you susceptible to every sickness floating around. In most cases of lupus fatality, lupus is not the technical cause, but another disease such as pneumonia is to blame. By keeping yourself as healthy as possible, watching your diet, exercising to the best of your ability (always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine), keeping up to date on your immunizations, and following a doctor prescribed treatment routine, you can increase your chances of managing lupus and living a long and happy life.

How to Help

Join the Lupus Foundation of America and thousands of people nationwide for Put On Purple Day on Friday, May 18, 2012.

Visit: http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/Put-On-Purple.html

Make sure to stop by the Lupus Foundation of America’s website for daily lupus facts, suggestions on how to raise lupus awareness, and to make a donation towards life-saving lupus research.

We want to hear from you! Do you know anyone who suffers from lupus? What treatments have worked for them?

Related articles

• New Guidelines Issued for Severe Lupus(nlm.nih.gov)

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View the Story on our blog: Dallas Residents Take Note: May Is Lupus Awareness Month .

When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed,
She was there.

View the Story on our blog: For Every Reason… Thank a Dallas Nurse .

We’ve finally made it to May, a time of warmer weather, flowers, and my personal favorite, the opening of community farmer’s markets!  However, did you know that May is officially “Older Americans Month?”  The U.S.  Administration on Aging has developed a fabulous website at http://www.olderamericansmonth.aoa.gov/, where you can find an activity tool kit and ideas for helping your community celebrate.

The purpose of Older Americans Month is to give communities the opportunity to show appreciation for their older citizens.  The theme for this year’s Older Americans Month is “Never Too Old To Play.”  How fun!

Communities hosting a Day of Play may consider including the following activities:

• Community potluck meal:  This is a great idea because “sharing a meal leads to sharing stories and experiences.”  You can even use the event to create a community cookbook.
• Photo scavenger hunt:  Teams of mixed ages are encouraged.  This is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather, see the sights, and have a great time in the community.
• Time capsule:  Have people from different age groups bring items that represents this time period to them.  Encourage older ones to engage in storytelling.  Vote on a time to open the time capsule.
• Talent show:  Locate a venue with a stage, and invite prominent community members to be judges.  Extroverts will have a great time performing, while those with less flamboyance will enjoy sitting back and watching the show.    Invite local businesses to donate gift certificates to the winners.
• Inter-generational Wii bowling tournament:  Register players ahead of time, provide refreshments, and arrange for an eight-foot diameter playing area.  If you’ve ever played Wii bowling, you know how much fun this will be.

Enjoy a month-long celebration of our older friends!  Older Americans Month fosters appreciation, connection, community and fun.  What a great idea!

View the Story on our blog: It’s Older Americans Month – Time for Dallas Seniors to Get Out and Play! .

Gwen is currently working with a lovely gentleman who was recently widowed. She has become instrumental in helping him get through this difficult time, even anticipating his needs before he can speak them.

Of course, this does not surprise US!  Gwen has been with us for two years, and in that time we have noticed (and appreciated) her kind, patient, and loving manner.

Before joining us through a recommendation from a friend, Gwen was a home manager for a residential home for the mentally impaired.  We feel extremely fortunate Gwen learned about our company and has grown to be a trusted employee and friend.

Thank you Gwen for all you do for Home Instead Senior Care. We love you and value our relationship greatly.

Related articles

• Dallas Caregiver of the Month of April – Elizabeth Kennedy (centraldallas.myhomecareblog.com)
• Congratulations to Our CAREGiver of the Month for March (centraldallas.myhomecareblog.com)

View the Story on our blog: A Comfort to the Mourning: CAREGiver of the Month – Gwen Merriweather .

When my grandfather was first diagnosed with cancer, everyone pitched in to help. Little did we know that caring for him had only just begun. Since most of his children and grandchildren lived on the other side of the country, the majority of the caregiving fell to my uncle, since he lived down the street. Overwhelmed does not even begin to cover how he was feeling.

When we think of caregivers, we usually think of women, but that viewpoint needs to change. According to Caring Today, studies show that one-third of all caregivers are men, and there are millions of male caregivers in the United States.

It is exceptionally difficult when a loved one, especially our mother or father, gets sick and needs to be taken care of on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Becoming the primary caregiver can seem like a daunting task, especially for men, since they do not normally take on a domestic role.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Men as Primary Caregivers Tip #1: Make Sure You Take Care of Yourself

This is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Make sure you are eating plenty of nutritious food, such as vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Try your best to exercise on a regular basis. Not only will this help you physically, but emotionally, as well. It can also help you cope with stress. See your own doctor and get check-ups regularly to make sure you are staying in tip-top shape. When you are healthy, you will be better able to help your Mom or Dad with the care they need.

Men as Primary Caregivers Tip #2: Rely on the Support of Others

As a general rule, men like to handle things on their own. In the caregiving scenario, however, it is imperative that you rely on others. The demands on you and your time can be tremendous. Thankfully, there are many resources available to you. There are multiple social service agencies and organizations in your local area, which can be found on the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging website.

You can also try a support group. Being with other people who are in a similar situation can help you with feelings of loneliness or depression. You may even pick up some excellent tips along the way!

Men as Primary Caregivers Tip #3: Focus on the Positive

Sometimes you can be so fixated on the day-to-day tasks of being a caregiver, that you miss the high points. Remember, you are getting to spend more time with your parents in their older age. Maybe Mom is telling you a story that you are hearing for the first time. Maybe Dad feels comfortable enough to tell you his innermost fears. Cherish this new depth to your relationship. Focusing on the positives of caregiving will help you get through the hard times.

For more tips on caregiving, please visit the National Alliance for Caregiving.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

Related articles

• The High Cost of Caregiving (aarp.org)
• Elder Care: Balancing a Loved One’s Needs With Your Own (everydayhealth.com)

View the Story on our blog: 3 Tips for Dallas Men as Primary Caregivers .

“Gramma, which medication are you taking right now?” I asked. My grandmother had one of her prescription bottles in her hand, and without even looking at the label, she had unscrewed the top and was ready to pop one of the white pills in her mouth.

“My heart pills,” she said, handing me the bottle.

I read the label. “These aren’t your heart pills, Gramma. These are your thyroid pills.”

“Oh, well I must have grabbed the wrong bottle,” she said.

“You really need to check the bottles before you take your medications, Gramma,” I said.

“Do you know how long I’ve been taking these pills? I know what I’m doing, don’t worry,” she said.

This concerned me. What if I had not been with her?

How could I prevent my grandmother from accidentally poisoning herself with the wrong medication, or from taking the wrong dosage of a medication?

I found that my concerns were justified. The American Association of Poison Control Centers received 2.4 million calls in the United States in 2010 regarding human exposures to poisons. These poisons included painkillers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, cardiovascular medications, antihistamines, cough and cold medications, and vitamins.

The small print on prescription labels and the plethora of information squeezed into tiny spaces can make it hard to take just taking one medication correctly. Imagine how easy it can be to confuse your doses if you’re taking several different medications each day.

What Precautions Can Dallas Seniors Take to Stay Safe?

• First and foremost, make a chart of all  of your medications. Make sure the dosing instructions for each are written out clearly and completely. Go over this chart with your doctor to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. If you are caring for an elderly loved one, assist him or her in making a chart that will be easy to use and understand.
• While visiting the doctor or the pharmacy, ask for clarification of all dosage instructions. For example, if you are supposed to take one of your medications three times per day, does this mean that you need to take it at breakfast, lunch and dinner? Or, are you supposed to take it every eight hours? Also, clarify which medications you can take together, to make the schedule less complicated and time consuming.
• Re-check dosage instructions every time you take your medications. Turn on the light. Put on your glasses. If you can’t read the label, it won’t do you any good. Follow the instructions to the letter. Do not take liberties.
• If the instructions tell you to take the medication with food or water, take it with food or water. Some medications can cause esophageal or stomach irritation, making you feel sick within minutes. You want to try your best to avoid this.
• Do not drink alcohol with your medications. Alcohol can not only counteract certain medications, but it can also enhance negative side effects.
• Do not share medications with family and friends.
• Go through your medicine cabinet on a regular basis and safely dispose of any expired or unneeded medications.

Taking these precautions can prevent severe and possibly fatal mistakes. For more information on how to properly read and understand prescription drug labels, please visit the Internet Drug Side Effect Database.

If you feel that you or your loved one have been poisoned, please contact the Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Receive free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year from toxicology specialists, including nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and poison information providers.

View the Story on our blog: Medication Safety for Dallas Seniors: Understanding Prescription Labels .

Long lines, crowded airports, rigid security rules… traveling can be something out of a nightmare for anyone, so imagine how it can be for our aging friends and loved ones. We may not be able to shorten the lines, but there is some good news if you’re flying soon. The Transportation Security Administration no longer requires travelers aged 75 or older to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. That is, of course, if alarms don’t sound as older travelers go through the metal detectors.

Joseph Terrell, TSA’s security director in Orlando, Florida says that the new changes will “allow officers to better focus their efforts on passengers who may be more likely to pose a risk to transportation, while expediting the screening process.”

Many may wonder why it is necessary to impose rigid rules on those who are clearly infirm. While addressing  the National Press Club on March 5,  TSA Administrator John Pistole reminded attendees that the TSA screens about 1.8 million people per day, and admitted, “we don’t get it right every time.” In November, the story of two women in their 80′s made national news when the women were “essentially strip-searched” at John F. Kennedy International Airport. During the search, one woman reported she was required to remove her back brace, and the other woman said screeners made her lower her pants so they could closely examine her colostomy bag. TSA officials responded, denying that anyone was asked to remove clothing.

In December, the Transportation Security Administration instituted a hotline, called TSA Cares,  for use by the elderly and others with medical conditions.

Useful information about the TSA Cares hotline:

• The hotline is designed to help those with special conditions who are planning to fly prepare for the screening process.
• The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
• The toll-free number is (855) 787-2227.
• For the deaf or hard of hearing, a relay service can be used, or you can email TSA Cares at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

The TSA strongly suggests calling at least 72 hours prior to departure so the agency “has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary.”

View the Story on our blog: Good News For Dallas Seniors That Are Flying & Over 75! .