Category: Elder Care in Taunton MA

5 Benefits of Exercise for Seniors and Aging Adults

by lachanceWeb

You’ve probably heard it before: physical activity and exercise are healthy for you, and you should try to incorporate them into your daily routine. Numerous studies have shown the major health benefits of exercise, which get more important as we age. Seniors who engage in regular physical activity and exercise improve their mental and physical health, which will help them preserve their independence as they get older. We’ve listed five advantages of fitness for elderly and aging adults below.

1. Prevent Disease

Studies have shown that keeping regular physical activity can help decrease the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes. Exercise can boost the immune system, which is significant for seniors as their immune systems are often impaired. Even light activity, such as walking, can help prevent avoidable diseases.

2. Improved Mental Health

Exercising has several mental health benefits. Endorphins (the “feel good” hormones) are released during exercise and work as a stress reliever, leaving you feeling pleased, satisfied and energized. In addition, exercise is known to help enhance sleep, which can help prevent sleepless nights and irregular sleep patterns.

3. Decreased Risks of Falls

Falls can happen more often as you get older, which can reduce maintaining independence. Exercise increases strength and flexibility, which helps with balance and coordination, lowering the chance of falling. It takes older adults longer to recover from falls, so exercises like yoga can help build strength to prevent falls.

4. Social Engagement

Whether you join a walking group, join a group fitness class or visit a gardening club, exercise can become an enjoyable social event. For aging folks, having a scheduled activity can help create a sense of purpose, and something to look forward to. Above all, choose an activity that you enjoy, and it will never feel like a chore again.

5. Improved Cognitive Function

Cognitive function is strengthened by regular physical activity and fine motor skills. Numerous studies show that physically active people have a lower risk of dementia, regardless of when they start a habit.

In Conclusion
Exercise is beneficial to your health; all you have to do is make it a priority and a part of your everyday life. Exercise has been demonstrated to prevent disease, reduce the chance of falls, promote mental health and well-being, strengthen social bonds, and improve cognitive performance in the elderly population. We hope that, regardless of your age, this will inspire you to incorporate fitness into your daily routine.

Get in touch with Rivers of Hope, if you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a Home Care Services in Fall River, MA. Call the caring staff at Rivers of Hope today at 508-857-0629. We provide Independent, Dependent, and Companion Care Services in Brockton, Boston, Braintree, Avon Randolph, Abington, and the surrounding areas. Visit riversofhopes.com to learn more about us

Home Care in Taunton MA: Psoriasis

How Can You Ease a Senior’s Psoriasis Symptoms?

by Francineglide Victoria

Psoriasis is a kind of autoimmune disorder that causes the skin to develop red, scaly patches. The patches can be very itchy and uncomfortable. Up to 90 percent of people with psoriasis experiencing itching. It can be so intense that some describe it as a burning sensation.

Some people even say it feels like being repeatedly bitten by fire ants. If your older family member suffers from psoriasis, helping them to ease the symptoms may be a top priority in your role as a caregiver. Below are some suggestions to help ease your aging relative’s psoriasis symptoms.

Avoid Injury

Psoriasis flare-ups can be triggered by injuries to the skin, such as a cut, scratch, or insect bite. It’s not possible to avoid every injury, of course, but you can take steps to protect the senior’s skin. Encourage them to wear long sleeves and pants to offer a layer of protection. This can also prevent insect bites.

Prevent Sunburn

Sunburn is another common trigger, so it’s especially important for seniors with psoriasis to use sunscreen whenever they go outside. They should also wear protective clothing, including a hat with a wide brim and light, long-sleeved shirts.

 

Apply Moisturizers

Keeping skin moisturized will help reduce redness and make skin less itchy. By reducing itchiness, the senior will be less likely to scratch, breaking skin open and causing infection. Thick creams and ointments will work best since they help to lock moisture in.

Remove Scales and Flakes

Ask the doctor about products that will be useful in removing some of the scales and flakes that occur with psoriasis. This can prevent the red patches from cracking. It will also decrease the itching and help moisturizers to work better.

 

Avoid Fragranced Products

The fragrances used in soaps and perfumes typically contain substances that irritate the skin. This can make psoriasis symptoms worse. Look for soaps and detergents that are designed for sensitive skin and do not contain fragrances.

 

Take Soothing Baths

The senior should take warm baths, but not hot ones. Hot water can dry the skin and make symptoms worse. Lukewarm baths may help to relieve itching, especially if you add soothing substances, like milk, mineral oil, olive oil, or Epsom salt.

Elder care can assist with managing your aging relative’s psoriasis symptoms, too. Elder care providers can remind older adults to use sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing to help prevent skin injuries. Elder care providers can also assist the older adult to use moisturizers and products that remove scales. In addition, elder care providers can help seniors to take soothing baths, ensuring they are safe as they get in and out of the bath.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Taunton, MA, call the caring staff at Rivers of Hope today at 508-857-0629. Providing Independent, Dependent, and Companion Care Services in Brockton, Boston, Braintree, Avon Randolph, Abington, and the surrounding areas. riversofhopes.com

Sources
https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.aad.org/
https://www.psoriasis.org/

Homecare in Taunton MA: Risk of Lyme Disease

Make Sure Time Spend Outside Doesn’t Put Your Dad at Risk of Lyme Disease

by rohMarketing

Lyme disease is only contracted through the bite of a deer tick. That deer tick has to be infected with the bacterium known as borrelia burgdorferi. Here’s the important part, the tick has to be attached for 36 to 48 hours for the disease to spread. That can make it easier to avoid Lyme disease.

 

Homecare in Taunton MA: Risk of Lyme Disease
Homecare in Taunton MA: Risk of Lyme Disease

 

The Range of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease used to be localized to states in the northeast, but it’s been spreading. There are reported cases of the disease in many states now. The spread extends to the West Coast and Alaska.

 

Common Symptoms

If an infected tick bites your dad and remains attached long enough, symptoms appear within a few days and up to a month. A bright red bulls-eye rash is one of the first symptoms and can be as large as a foot across. The skin may feel warm to the touch, but it’s unlikely it will be sore or itchy.

In the next few months, he may experience joint pain, muscle pain, and nerve pain. Dizziness, numbness in the extremities, and loss of muscle tone in the face are other possibilities. If it affects the heart, he may experience an irregular heart rhythm.

 

Treatment

The earlier Lyme disease is diagnosed the better it is. He’ll be taking an antibiotic like amoxicillin for up to three weeks. If the disease affects the heart, IV antibiotics may be necessary.

 

Prevention

It’s best to prevent the disease. If your dad is out in the woods or a grassy field, he should dress appropriately to prevent the tick from getting to his skin. Long pants with the cuffs tucked into his socks are preferred. His shirt should be tucked into the waistband.

Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks that are climbing on you. If there are any, he can pick them off outside. A jar of soapy water or alcohol will kill them to prevent them from being released back into the environment.

Spraying his clothing and any exposed skin with an insect repellent is also recommended. One with DEET or picaridin is good. Permethrin is also helpful at treating shoes and outdoor gear.

Ticks can also be in his yard. If he has gardens, he should shower as soon as he comes inside. Someone should check his hair and behind the ears for ticks. He needs to check other areas they go for like the armpits, belly button, back of the knees, waistline, and inner thighs/groin.

What if he contacts the disease? He may not feel great while the antibiotics fight it. He’ll benefit from the help of an elder care aide. He’ll want help with housework, meals, and bathing. He may need someone to support him when he’s walking from one room to the other. Talk to an elder care representative to make the arrangements.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Homecare in Taunton, MA, call the caring staff at Rivers of Hope today at 508-857-0629. Providing Independent, Dependent, and Companion Care Services in Brockton, Boston, Braintree, Avon Randolph, Abington, and the surrounding areas. riversofhopes.com

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/

Elder Care in Taunton MA: Baking

Making Cookies When There’s No Flour

by rohMarketing

It’s been more than six weeks since some started following stay-at-home recommendations. During that time, people have caught up on TV shows and movies played games, tried new hobbies, and read plenty of books. Baking is another activity that’s kept families busy.

 

Elder Care in Taunton MA: Baking
Elder Care in Taunton MA: Baking

 

With so many people trying their hand at making homemade bread and mastering sourdough, flour has been in short supply in areas. Your parents love passing the time by baking goodies, but they’re out of flour. What kinds of cookies can you make without flour?

 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are one of the easiest cookies to make without flour. You need a cup of peanut butter, a cup of sugar, and one egg. That’s it.

Mix those three ingredients together and use a teaspoon or cookie scoop to put portions of the dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

You don’t need flour for soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies. Mix a cup of almond butter with ½ cup of brown sugar and an egg. Stir in ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix that until smooth and add ¾ cups of bittersweet chocolate chips.

Drop that dough by teaspoons or a small cookie scoop onto a baking sheet. Bake at 325 F for 10 to 15 minutes.

 

Meringues

Egg whites replace the flour in meringues. Use liquid egg whites as it’s easier than separating eggs and figuring out what to do with the yolks.

Whip four egg whites or the equivalent in liquid egg white with ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Slowly add a cup of sugar. Finish with a teaspoon of a favorite flavoring extract like almond, lemon, or vanilla.

Spoon the mixture into a freezer bag and seal. Cut one of the bottom corners off so that the opening is about an inch wide. Pipe the egg white mixture into 12 portions onto a baking sheet that’s been lined with non-stick foil or parchment paper. Bake at 225 F for two hours.

 

Could Senior Care Help You?

While the number of new COVID-19 cases has lowered in some areas. The virus is still out there. If you become ill, you cannot go to your parents and hope a mask or gloves will keep them from getting it. If you’re sick, stay home.

 

Your parents may need help each day. Senior care is a good alternative. Have caregivers help them with activities of daily living as often as they need. When you’re healthy again, call the senior care agency and drop services that you’re going to take over again. Who knows. Your parents may like having the additional caregiver and decide to partner, with your assistance, with the help of a caregiver.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elder Care in Taunton, MA, call the caring staff at Rivers of Hope today at 508-857-0629. Providing Independent, Dependent, and Companion Care Services in Brockton, Boston, Braintree, Avon Randolph, Abington, and the surrounding areas. riversofhopes.com