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Author Archive for Staff

How to Choose the Right Nursing Home

Posted by Staff 
· December 4, 2018 

Choosing the right nursing home for an aging family member can be a difficult decision. You want to make sure that they’ll be living somewhere comfortable, with staff they can trust, opportunities to socialize, and with everything they need to function. So, how do you go about making this decision?

Search for nursing homes in your area

The first thing you can do is search online for nursing homes near you. On Google Maps or a similar tool, you’ll be able to see all the nursing homes in a certain radius around your home or your family member’s current home.

If you don’t live close by, then you should decide together whether they will be better off moving to a home closer to you or if they’d prefer to stay in the same area. Moving to a nursing home close to where they lived before might mean they already know some people they’ll be living with, while moving closer to you means that you can visit more easily.

Visit their websites

Once you have a list of potential nursing homes in the area you’re looking in, you can do a little more research to find out more about each place. On a basic level, you can visit each home’s website to see what services they offer and view photos of the community and its facilities. Based on what your loved one will need in their new home, you can eliminate any that don’t provide the right services.

Ask for opinions

For the nursing homes still in the running, you can ask and search around for opinions on reviews on those places. Find out if any friends or family members have had experiences with any of them, good or bad. You can also search online for any reviews, forum posts, or other online discussions about each provider. You can then eliminate any which have bad reputations.

See them in person

The best way to tell if a nursing home is right for your loved one is to actually visit it. This way, you can get a first impression of what the facility is like, how friendly and experienced the staff are, and how happy and comfortable the residents are. You should try to visit with your loved one as well so that they can make their own first impressions of it. Some places you visit might just give you a good or bad feeling.

Your loved one may spend a lot of years living in this place, so doing proper research into before making your mind up is definitely important. If your loved one needs care in North Carolina, then you can contact us for at-home care and assisted living services in Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

Categories : News

Get Ready Before Flu Season Strikes

Posted by Staff 
· October 18, 2018 

No one likes getting the flu, but for seniors, the consequences and potential complications of contracting the flu can be serious. Preparing yourself and your family sooner rather than later can make a big difference, so read on to find out how to properly prepare for flu season.

How to avoid the flu

The first step to avoiding the flu is ensuring that you are vaccinated before the flu season starts. Getting the proper vaccinations helps to significantly reduce the spread of the flu and the complications that can arise when it is contracted. According to the CDC, you should make sure you get your flu vaccination by the end of October each year. The immunity the vaccination gives takes a couple of weeks to take hold, so the sooner the better!

Vaccinations are even more important for the elderly and aging as their immune systems tend to be weaker than younger adults. You can head down to your doctor’s clinic or another local healthcare provider. Many retirement and assisted living communities also provide the necessary facilities for being vaccinated against the flu.

Further steps

While the flu vaccination is a strong line of defense against the flu, it is not a sure thing, so there are still some measures you should take to stay healthy during this season, such as:

  • Washing your hands

    – It is more important than ever to make sure that you wash your hands properly before eating or preparing food. You should also take more care to wash your hands if you have been around someone who is sick or if you start showing symptoms yourself.

  • Avoid your face

    – Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when your hands have germs on them makes the spread of infection much more likely. So, as well as washing your hands, you should also avoid things like rubbing your eyes.

  • Avoid others who are ill

    – The flu is spread from one person to the next in a number of ways, so it is best to avoid close contact with people who are showing flu-like symptoms.

Making sure you’re eating right and staying hydrated and well-rested can also help to bolster your immune system this flu season. If you or a family member are in need of additional care during flu season, then our assisted living care solutions can give you the help that you need. Get in touch to find out more about our services around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

Categories : Uncategorized

Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

Posted by Staff 
· June 29, 2018 

 

It’s great to be able to enjoy the hot weather over the summer, but you need to remember to take extra care of yourself during this time. The heat can make your everyday activities more demanding and even dangerous, especially for seniors. So, we’ve pulled together a few tips on how seniors can stay safe this summer. Read on if you think you or a loved one could benefit from this advice.

Stay hydrated

When the heat hits, it’s more important than ever to make sure you drink enough fluids and stay well-hydrated. Drink water regularly throughout the day, and try to avoid drinks that can dehydrate you such as alcohol and highly caffeinated drinks. Eating foods with high water contents can also help you stay hydrated. Plenty of fruits and vegetables have a high water content, including watermelon, strawberries, celery, and lettuce.

Stay indoors during peak sunlight

In the hours around 12-2pm, the sun is usually at its strongest. It is best for seniors to stay indoors during the afternoon and limit their time outdoors to mornings and evenings. If you have to go out during these times, try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

Use sunscreen

The UV rays of the sun can be damaging to your skin, no matter what age you are. Make sure you apply a high protection sunscreen before going outside to prevent your skin from burning and minimize the risk of skin cancer.

Limit activity

It’s good for seniors to remain active as they age, but performing too strenuous activities when it’s hot can be dangerous, so make sure you get plenty of rest. If you still want to exercise, try to schedule it in when it’s cooler, like first thing in the morning. Or, you could go to indoor exercise classes in well air-conditioned buildings.

Reduce water temperature

A hot bath or shower on a hot day can feel unpleasant, but it can also cause your body to overheat. A cooler shower or bath helps to keep your body temperature regulated and can cool you down if you’re feeling too hot.

Dress for the weather

Wearing thick, dark clothing will make you even hotter in the summer weather, so try to stick to thinner, light-colored, loose fitting clothing, especially outdoors. Sunglasses and hats will also help you stay shaded when you go outside.

If you or a family member needs extra care this summer, then our caregiving services can help you manage these needs. Get in touch if you’re looking for care around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

Categories : News
home care, in-home care, assisted living, home aid, companionship, caregiver, elderly caregivers, seniors

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted by Staff 
· May 31, 2018 

 

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so what better time to educate our readers and clients on Alzheimer’s disease and how to spot and cope with degenerative brain conditions. Whether someone close to you is already affected or you just want to learn more about the condition, read on for some information and advice about Alzheimer’s.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that is related to dementia. It breaks down connections in the brain between nerve cells, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty making simple decisions, speech problems, and general confusion. These symptoms worsen over time as more and more brain tissue is lost as a result of the disease.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s

While Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, its progression can be slowed down and symptoms can be improved. This is more effective is the disease is caught early. With this in mind, here are some warning signs and symptoms you should look out for:

  • Personality changes

    – Alzheimer’s alters the brain, which can manifest itself in changes to the patient’s personality. Sufferers may become more suspicious, hostile, irritable, and even aggressive. Unusual moods and behavior can be a warning sign, and depression and anxiety are common side effects.

  • Forgetfulness

    – We all get a little more forgetful as we age, but if you notice a sudden change in a person’s memory and overall mental capacities, it could be a warning sign. Asking the same questions over and over or forgetting the names of people or objects they are familiar with are things to look out for.

  • Frequent falling

    – Alzheimer’s can lead to problems with balance and spatial awareness, so sufferers of the condition are likely to trip or fall more often. This could also affect their ability to drive safely.

  • Isolating themselves

    – The changes they are going through may cause sufferers of Alzheimer’s to withdraw themselves from activities and situations they normally enjoy.

How to cope if a family member has Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is not only difficult for the person diagnosed with it, but also for those close to that person. If a friend or family member develops Alzheimer’s, the best thing you can do is to be there for them and remain patient with them. You may find them more difficult to talk to as they find it harder to remember details and keep up with conversations, but it is important to still involve them so that they don’t feel too left out.

We also have a blog full of tips on how to look after yourself while providing care for your family members. If you need help with in-home caregiving in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad, then contact us today.

Categories : News
stroke awareness for seniors

Stroke Awareness and Prevention Tips

Posted by Staff 
· April 26, 2018 

May is Stroke Awareness Month, so we’ve put together all the basic information you might need for understanding strokes and how to identify and prevent them.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is what happens when the blood supply to your brain, or part of it, is restricted. This means that your brain is not receiving the amount of oxygen and essential nutrients that it needs to thrive. The longer this supply is cut off for, the more likely it is that permanent brain damage can occur.

This condition is caused by the arteries leading towards the brain becoming blocked. A number of other health conditions increase the likelihood of this occurring, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol

However, anyone is at risk of suffering from a stroke, and it doesn’t just happen as we get older, either.

Identifying a stroke

When it comes to spotting a stroke before it’s too late, you will need to act FAST:

F – Face drooping

A – Arm weakness

S – Speech difficulties

T – Time to call 911

The first three are the main signals that are likely to occur first when someone is experiencing a stroke. When you notice these signs, it is important that you call 911 as soon as possible to reduce the long-term effects that the stroke has on that person. Other symptoms could indicate a stroke, such as numbness on one side of the body, blurred vision, confusion, and dizziness.

Preventing strokes

What can you do to reduce the risk of you or a loved one suffering from a stroke? Your lifestyle can play a big part in contributing towards a stroke. Smoking and eating a diet that’s high in fat and cholesterol increase the build-up in your arteries. So, some of the most effective ways of preventing a stroke are quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, getting more exercise, and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

If you suffer from any of the conditions listed above, or any other medical condition that is a known risk factor for strokes, then it is important that you always take your prescribed medication to keep this condition and its side effects in check.

Having in-home senior care or an assisted living service is a great way to make sure that a stroke is identified and acted upon quickly if it does occur. In-home care nurses can also help to advise you on living a healthier lifestyle and support you in making these important changes that could save your life.

If you’re in need of in-home care in the Piedmont Triad, then contact us at Home Loving Senior Care for help and support.

Categories : News
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