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Getting quality sleep is just as crucial as getting the right number of hours of sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when people experience breathing interruptions while they are sleeping. Sometimes these interruptions can last for ten seconds or more and frequently occur throughout the night. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, sleep apnea can be life-threatening due to the extreme fatigue it creates, as well as causing many different health concerns. Detecting and treating sleep apnea as soon as possible is important for independent senior living, and here’s a brief overview of why it’s so serious.

Why Sleep Apnea Can Lead To Health Problems

The human body needs adequate rest to function properly. Sleep apnea happens when muscles located in the back of the throat cannot keep a person’s airways open, which can temporarily stop them from breathing. As a result, the person may not be getting quality sleep, and sometimes they aren’t even aware this is occurring. The result can be devastating if left untreated over time. Health problems such as strokes, high blood pressure, heart disease, extreme fatigue, and more are often the result of sleep apnea.

Possible Signs Seniors May Be Suffering From Sleep Apnea

As a primary caregiver, it’s critical to look for signs that your senior loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea. They may not tell you directly that they are having a hard time sleeping, and sometimes may not even realize they aren’t sleeping well. Signs to look for when providing senior care include:

• Having difficulties concentrating on simple tasks
• Constant mood swings
• Memory loss
• Feelings of depression or sadness
• Irritability
• Severe snoring
• Frequent daytime drowsiness

Of course, some of these signs may be present and unrelated to sleep apnea, but the important thing for a primary caregiver is to note the recurring signs to narrow down the possible causes.

Treatment Options For Sleep Apnea

Since sleep apnea is a common condition among Americans, there are some treatment options available to help. Most of the time, the first step is visiting a sleep clinic where they will place a sleep monitoring device on you to detect movements, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, eye movement, respiration, and more. For seniors with mild sleep apnea, simple lifestyle changes like exercising more or eating a healthier diet could improve sleep. For other more severe cases, sleep professionals may suggest wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to help push air into a person’s airway. Dental appliances may also help, and surgery is also an option for some people.

One of the roles of a primary caregiver is to ensure their loved one is enjoying senior living. Not getting enough quality sleep every night can significantly reduce the quality of life a senior lives, so it’s important to look out for signs of sleep apnea and take action as soon as possible. 

A common assumption is that seniors visit the emergency room mostly for medical emergencies like strokes and heart attacks. While these are reasons for visiting the emergency room, there are plenty of other reasons as well. According to the World Health Organization, more than 37 million fall accidents each year result in some sort of medical attention being needed, and many of those can end up in the emergency room. Here are top reasons seniors visit the emergency room.

Injuries Suffered From Falling

Falls among seniors are mostly preventable if the necessary precautions are taken. Installing a wheelchair ramp to the home’s entryways can prevent falls, and you don’t have to be confined to a wheelchair for it to be valuable. Seniors with mobility limitations may have trouble lifting their feet even a few inches to make a step up, so eliminating even a small step can prove to be much safer. Grab bars in common areas can also help prevent falls and are simple to install. With falls being one of the main reasons why seniors visit the emergency room every year, these small investments are worth it.

Heart Conditions

Heart conditions are another leading reason for emergency room visits. Seniors sometimes have to seek emergency care if they experience sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, exhaustion, or other similar health concerns. Some seniors may not realize they have a heart condition until one of these symptoms arise. But others who are aware of their condition should maintain healthy habits as much as possible and follow their medical professional’s recommendations to prevent emergency room visits.

Adverse Reactions To Medication

It’s natural for older people to require more medication than younger people. Whether it’s for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or anything else, medication can help regulate appropriate body levels. However, some seniors may experience adverse reactions to new medication or accidentally take the wrong medicine at the wrong time or take improper doses. Having a clear labeling system for medication can prevent many emergency room visits caused by improper medication usage.

Diabetes Complications

People with diabetes must be diligent when it comes to healthy habits. Common complications for people with diabetes include heart attacks, strokes, unstable blood sugar, and dehydration, among other complications. Your medical professional should provide you with a guide on what healthy habits to incorporate into your daily life, and it’s critical to follow them closely to avoid a trip to the emergency room.

Next Day Access can help seniors avoid trips to the emergency room due to tripping and falling. We offer high-quality mobility devices and aids to help seniors navigate their homes safely. Everything from a wheelchair ramp to grab bars and anything in between can go a long way in improving the safety of your home. When you Nous contacter, we will provide you with a free home assessment with recommendations on how you can make your home safer and potentially prevent emergency room visits in the future.

When it comes to getting older, people have different views about what it means to age gracefully. Some people view it solely from a financial perspective, while others simply want their physical health to be good as they age. However, one of the key ingredients for aging gracefully, in general, is happiness. The hard part about achieving happiness is there’s usually not one specific factor that makes it possible. For seniors living at home, happiness comes from staying physically and mentally healthy, which involves keeping the brain active, maintaining social relationships, and exercising when possible. 

Keep Learning To Stimulate The Brain

The aging population sometimes falls into the trap of thinking they can’t learn new things if they aren’t in tune with today’s technology. But the truth is you don’t have to learn how to operate a smartphone to keep the brain stimulated. Learn new things by volunteering for local organizations, picking up a new hobby, reading books, or anything else you enjoy. By continuing to feed your brain with knowledge and learning new skills, you’ll remain engaged and interested in different activities, which can increase your happiness level at the same time.

Maintain Social Relationships

Even if you have a hard time getting out of the house to attend social gatherings or meet with a friend, it’s important for independent living to maintain social relationships. Talk on the phone, utilize technology for video calling, or even invite a friend to your house. Socializing is healthy for the aging population in many ways, and it can prevent becoming uninterested in life, which leads to higher stress levels and possibly depression. Make it a point to keep in contact with your loved ones so you know what’s going on in their lives and you’ll always feel connected to them in some ways.

Stay Physically Active

It’s critical to maintain a certain level of physical activity, no matter how old you are. This could mean taking an early morning and a late afternoon walk to keep your blood flowing for seniors living at home. You can also engage in other household activities like gardening or other similar things you enjoy doing. The goal is to move around as much as you can safely. You may have to get creative with physical activities if you have mobility limitations, but as long as you prioritize moving rather than living a sedentary lifestyle, you’ll be happier and will age more gracefully at the same time.

At Next Day Access, we want to help seniors living at home age as gracefully as possible. We understand this may mean incorporating various mobility devices or products throughout the home to make physical movements easier to accomplish. We offer a wide range of products to help seniors achieve independent living and age gracefully and happily. If there’s any part of your home that could be easier to access than it currently is, Nous contacter today to schedule a free home assessment and see how we can help.

Depression is very real and needs to be treated seriously. But even the happiest people can develop something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression that occurs about the same time each year and is related to seasonal changes, according to Mayo Clinic. The aging population typically experiences SAD in the winter months since the days are shorter, there’s less sunlight, and is typically gloomier. If you’re providing senior care or simply looking after a loved one, be sure to identify these symptoms of seasonal depression and take steps to help them.

Apathy Or Loss Of Energy

Losing interest in things like family gatherings or participating in activities they would typically enjoy doing is a sign of seasonal depression. Seniors may blame their apathy for not having enough energy to do it since they are older, but they may not even realize they are falling into a depressed state. 

Weight Loss Or Weight Gain

Unless a senior is trying to lose weight or gain weight intentionally, don’t overlook any unintended physical changes. The winter months can lead to staying inside more often, which can turn into more snacking, less physical activity, and living more of a sedentary lifestyle. Monitor any physical changes in your senior loved one and talk to them if you notice any drastic changes.

Irritability

It’s normal to be irritable occasionally during certain situations. But if irritability becomes more of the norm than the exception with their personality, then there may be an underlying issue causing it. Not being able to spend time outdoors can take a toll on a senior’s mental and physical health. 

Constant Fatigue Or Feelings Of Worthlessness

There’s nothing like staying in your pajamas in your warm bed on a cold winter day. However, staying in bed all day every day can lead to unintended consequences. Seniors who don’t move around enough may experience constant fatigue and can eventually lead to feelings of worthlessness. Keeping the mind and body stimulated is an important component of independent living, and sometimes seniors need to be reminded of this to avoid falling into seasonal depression.

How To Help A Senior Suffering From Seasonal Depression

Providing senior care to a loved one during the fall and winter months can go a long way in helping them avoid seasonal depression. Activities like walking with them for 30 minutes each day or doing indoor exercises can keep their blood flowing. Help them plan their meals to avoid too much snacking throughout the day and to set healthy habits. Getting advice from a doctor and talking with a loved one can help them enjoy independent living more and avoid feelings of depression. 

Next Day Access wants to help you provide the appropriate amount of senior care needed to take care of your loved one. To learn more about improving accessibility in your loved one’s home,  Nous contacter at any time.

When you reach a certain age, you may realize you can’t do some of the same things that were natural several years ago. Whether it’s because of a disability, injury, or simply getting older, asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, roughly 66% of older people who require senior care receive it from either family members or other volunteers. However, some people don’t have many family members, and many times family members aren’t nearby to provide the right amount of senior care. If you’re approaching your senior years and don’t have children or extended family members nearby, here are some steps to consider taking.

Speak With A Lawyer And A Financial Planner

A lawyer specializing in elder law can help you put together legal documents such as a living will, power of attorney, health care proxy, and anything else they deem necessary. These documents can also indicate the type of medical care you receive if you become ill and cannot make decisions on your own. Speaking with a financial planner can also help the aging population recognize how much money they may need to live comfortably throughout their senior years. A lot of this depends on whether you strive for independent living or are looking forward to staying at an assisted living facility, so those are things to think about as well.

Know Where You Want To Live During Your Senior Years

Many seniors today want to pursue independent living at their home. However, it’s important to recognize you will likely need some level of senior care as you get older. Without immediate family in the picture, consider whether you want to hire a primary caregiver to help you with your needs so you can continue living at home. Assisted living facilities can be good options as well since you’ll get the care you need and may even make some friends in the process. The choice is yours, but now is the time to think about what you want to do so you can plan accordingly.

Create A Support System You Can Consider To Be Family

Without the natural support system of a family, you may have to create your own support system as you get older. This could include people from your church, groups or organizations you belong to, or anything else you may be involved in. Developing great relationships can give you some confidence knowing you can rely on someone to help you when you need them most.

Next Day Access wants to help the aging population live their senior years as comfortably as they want. Not having a family to help support you at home means you may need to improvise in different areas. We offer an extensive line of home accessibility products to help you feel safe navigating your home, even with limited mobility. Now is the time to start preparing for life after retirement, so Nous contacter today to schedule a free home assessment to determine what you may need to live comfortably.

If you’re entering a time in your life where a senior loved one needs some extra senior care, you may be wondering how you will juggle it with all of the other responsibilities you have. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, roughly 22% of adults provide some level of senior care to friends or family members at any given time. Beginning the new journey of family caregiving can be made easier when following these helpful tips.

Develop A Daily Routine

The first thing to do when caring for a loved one is to develop a daily routine, with the expectations that it may need to be altered sometimes. Routines can help everyone lower their stress levels, so they know exactly what will happen next in their day. For the first couple of weeks, document everything you do throughout the day, including taking care of yourself, your kids, and providing senior care. See what works well and what needs to be adjusted until you find the perfect routine to stick with.

Organize Your Finances

Caregiving can be a financial burden, so it’s essential to look at your budget and plan accordingly. Your senior loved one may be able to assist with some things financially, so be as open and honest with them as possible. Eliminating as many surprises as possible is important when caring for a loved one, and looking at your current and future situation at the same time can help you plan finances a little better.

Ask For Help When Needed

If you feel like you’re juggling so many responsibilities and don’t have the time or energy for all of them, ask for help from other family members or friends. Sometimes having someone else do laundry or cook meals for a week can relieve a significant burden from your shoulders while still ensuring your loved one gets the senior care they need. Most people will be willing to help provide additional senior care or even help you with chores around your house.

Don’t Forget About Your Health

It’s too common for caregivers to get burned out and neglect their health unintentionally as they are caring for a loved one. Remember to get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy diet, and continue doing the things that make you happy. Sacrificing your health won’t help anyone, so prioritize your health and know you don’t have to feel guilty for doing so. Your senior loved one relies on you to be healthy and strong, so by taking care of yourself; you are doing them a great favor at the same time.

Helping a loved one with their efforts to sustain independent senior living can be very rewarding. At Next Day Access, we want to help make this a reality by providing you with the necessary mobility products and devices. Peace of mind is invaluable for caregivers, so Nous contacter today to see how we can help you.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s may require some different actions on the part of the primary caregiver. It’s sometimes difficult to predict how your loved one will react in certain situations or environments, so it’s sometimes ideal to avoid situations where they could potentially become agitated. The more you assess their behavior, the better the understanding you’ll have of what triggers them. Here are some common reasons why seniors with Alzheimer’s may get agitated.

Actions Outside Of Their Normal Routine

Understanding day-to-day life is difficult enough for a senior with Alzheimer’s. So when their daily routine gets broken, it can leave them anxious and possibly even angry about it. Always tell your loved one exactly what will happen before it occurs, so they know what to expect. Depending on the severity of their memory loss, you may have to repeat yourself multiple times in hopes that they retain it and won’t see any actions outside of their normal routine as a surprise.

Changing Caregivers

A change in a primary caregiver can be devastating for a senior with Alzheimer’s. It takes a long time with strict routines for a senior to trust their caregiver, so a new person taking care of them may not be received well. If a new person will be helping provide senior care, introduce them gradually so they can slowly become familiar with them being around. This can keep them calm and more comfortable as you make the transition.

Perceiving Something As Being A Threat

Seniors with Alzheimer’s sometimes perceive things as being threats, even when they don’t offer any immediate danger. This could be anything from loud music, a dog barking, something on the television, or anything else. While you may know their perceived threat isn’t really a threat, it’s important not to invalidate what they are feeling. Instead, try calming them down by telling them everything will be fine, ask what you can do to help them, or give them other distractions to calm them down.

Being Fearful Or Fatigued

When providing senior care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s sometimes impossible to understand exactly what they are thinking. They could continuously be fearful of things, which leads to fatigue. Generally, healthy people can act differently when fatigued, and the actions of a person with Alzheimer’s may be more drastic. Try creating the most calming environment in the home with minimal distractions to decrease the chances of them being fearful and agitated.

Next Day Access respects everyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Removing any mobility barriers can help remove specific concerns you have when providing senior care, and it’s one less thing you have to worry about. If you or your loved one could benefit from a mobility aid or device to make life easier, Nous contacter today to schedule a free home assessment.

According to Pew Research Center, the number of people living in multigenerational homes has doubled since 1980. The cost of having an aging parent live in an assisted living facility can be overwhelming, so it often makes more sense to have them move in with you. However, there are plenty of challenges to consider before making this decision, as it is impactful to both you and your parent. Providing the right senior care is a big concern, and here are some other considerations to make.

Can You Provide Enough Senior Care For Their Needs?

Understanding the amount of senior care an aging parent needs is critical before moving them in with you. If you aren’t able to provide the appropriate amount of care, then you may need to consider hiring a professional caregiver. Things like doing laundry and cooking for them are simple tasks you can incorporate into your normal routine. But it’s the other things like helping them change clothes, bathing them, helping them in the bathroom, and other tasks that can quickly take up a lot of your time.

Talk To Others In The Household About The Move First

If you have children or other family members living in the household, it’s important to understand their thoughts on moving in an aging parent. Talk about where they would stay, whether any parts of the home would have to be shared, and any other potential concerns. Being on the same page with other household members can make for a much more pleasant transition.

Think About Your Budget

The cost of assisted living facilities can deter people from living there, but it’s not cheap to have an aging parent move in with you either. Consider your grocery bill, transportation requirements, additional utility and water usage, and more. You may even need to invest in mobility products like a wheelchair ramp or a stair lift to help them navigate your home, which could impact your budget as well.

Evaluate How Accommodating Your Home Is For A Senior

Some homes simply aren’t suitable for a senior with mobility limitations without making some upgrades or enhancements. It’s easy to move around furniture to create more open space for walking, but there are other details to consider. You may need to install Barres d'appui in bathrooms to help prevent falls. And if you have stairs, a stair lift can be vital for helping them navigate them safely without having the fear of them losing their balance and falling.

Be Honest About The Relationship With Your Aging Parent

Providing occasional senior care for an aging parent and living with them every day brings major differences. Be honest with yourself about the relationship you have with your aging parent. There will be some ups-and-downs with having them in the house, but the last thing you want to do is put a significant strain on an otherwise good relationship. Set some ground rules to ensure you still have enough personal space to be happy in your home and be as transparent as possible with them for a better overall experience.

Next Day Access understands the challenges of having an aging parent move in with you. We can help outfit your home with the proper mobility devices to keep everyone safe, so Nous contacter today for a free home assessment.

Technology today allows people to connect their home fire and smoke alarm directly to a home security system that will alert the fire department in the event of a fire. This technology is great for ensuring seniors get out of the house safely during a fire, as well as potentially preventing the house from burning down. However, it won’t prevent a fire from occurring in the first place. Seniors practicing independent living may need assistance with some things, whether they ask for it or not. Most house fires occur by accident, so consider these tips to help seniors prevent a house fire.

Find Alternatives To Lighting Candles

Candles provide a welcoming and pleasant scent throughout the home. The problem is it’s easy to forget about a lit candle if it’s not in clear view, and a fire could potentially break out as a result. No matter how much senior care you have to provide for an aging loved one, consider giving them electric wax warmers to replace their candles. These provide equally pleasing scents to enjoy throughout the home without the risk of an open flame potentially catching something on fire. 

Do The Cooking For Senior Loved Ones

Many house fires begin in the kitchen. Anything from grease fires to leaving open flames unattended can lead to potentially devastating results. Seniors striving for independent living may take great pride in cooking for themselves, but it’s also essential to ensure they are doing it safely. Listen for clues that they may need extra assistance. If they tell you they ruined their dinner by leaving the oven on for too long or boiled water completely out of the pot, it may be time to provide some extra senior care. Doing the cooking for them can be fun as you discuss different meal options, and it will also prevent accidental house fires when cooking.

Check Electrical Cords Periodically

Electrical cords are often overlooked and rarely checked if they are out of plain sight. However, over time, some cords may be moved around and possibly crimped when moving furniture or other items around them. Electrical fires are sometimes unavoidable, but the least you can do is check any exposed cords you have access to and replace them if they are frayed or damaged. Old cords are inexpensive enough to replace and can prevent electrical fires from occurring.

Next Day Access helps seniors in their efforts of independent living. We offer a wide range of mobility products and devices, like a wheelchair ramp, mobility scooter, stair lift, and much more. We genuinely care about seniors’ health and well-being and are here to help both them and those providing senior care. A house fire can be devastating for seniors, and most can be prevented. If there’s any way we can help your senior loved one live a happier and safer life, Nous contacter at any time, and we would be happy to talk to you.

Juggling finances can be challenging for seniors. It’s often difficult to know how much money you will need to live comfortably, especially when unexpected medical expenses could arise at any moment. When providing senior care to a loved one, it’s important to have a conversation about finances to ensure they feel comfortable with their situation. The conversation may not be comfortable at first, but if you approach it the right way and offer help when needed most, you can both be on the same page. These tips can help avoid significant financial burdens and surprises when caring for a loved one.

Be Transparent During Conversations About Finances

When you’re ready to have a conversation with a senior loved one about their finances, preface it by saying you just want to understand the situation and help when needed. Some seniors don’t want help with certain things because it could take away from their independent senior living goal, so be transparent with why you’re asking them financial questions. On the other side, some seniors may need help in different aspects but don’t want to ask since they assume you’re too busy to assist them. The first step in providing support is having conversations to understand the situation so you can know when the time is right to provide meaningful help.

Look For Signs Your Senior Loved One Needs Help

A quality conversation may give you all the answers you need, but your senior loved one may not tell you everything. If you suspect they need more help than they indicate, look for some signs to confirm your suspicion. Unopened mail that looks like bills lying around the house is a sign they could be avoiding them because they don’t have enough money to pay them. Bill collectors will often call and send letters, so pay attention to those when providing senior care and ask about them. When caring for a loved one, one of the most important things to do is monitor their actions and lifestyle, which can indicate they are dealing with some problems, including financial concerns.

Offer Help, While Still Allowing Independence

People striving for independent senior living often don’t want help because it takes away their independence. You may consider telling them you respect their desire for independence, but also recognize they may need some assistance. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give them money, but it could simply be they need help managing their finances, balancing a checkbook, paying bills on time, or anything else. Give them the space they need and offer as much help as they will accept.

Next Day Access is here to help you provide the highest level of senior care you can. We understand there are many different aspects of caring for a loved one, and our goal is to make the mobility aspect as simple as possible for you. If your senior loved one could benefit from a mobility product, device, or aid, Nous contacter today, and we would be happy to discuss various options with you.