May is Older Americans Month, a good time to highlight how seniors can make a difference in your community.

This year’s theme for Older Americans Month, “Never Too Old to Play,” celebrates the accomplishments of older Americans and encourages them to find even more ways to stay engaged.

May 7-11, 2012, is also Senior Corps Week, which recognizes the service of the more than 300,000 Senior Corps volunteers.
This month, the Home Instead Senior Care® network will be honoring 50 state Salute to Senior Service volunteer winners and a national honoree. Their stories can be found at SalutetoSeniorService.com.

In his proclamation about Older Americans Month, President Barack Obama said this: “Our seniors have devoted their entire lives to building the future their children and grandchildren deserve. During Older Americans Month, we celebrate their successes and recommit to supporting them as they shape America’s next great generation.”

For more about Older Americans Month, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/01/presidential-proclamation-older-americans-month-2012.

For more about Senior Corps Week, go to http://www.getinvolved.gov/grantees/sc_week/index.asp

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

The family caregiver – whose spouse has Alzheimer’s disease – or other forms of dementia that challenge millions of seniors and their families each day.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s are varied and change with the stage of the disease, but many times leave families and their caregivers frustrated, confused and frightened.

A new ground-breaking training program now offers help for the many families who are dealing with the challenging behaviors that characterize Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, enabling them to remain at home longer.

The Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education^SM online educational course removes some of the dread associated with these diseases. The no-cost program provides an innovative approach that helps families make the most of a senior’s life journey – including that individual’s history, passions and hobbies – in helping to manage challenging behaviors associated with dementias.

“CARE is a wonderful hands-on approach that helps caregivers deal with the behavioral changes that too often accompany these disorders – one of the biggest stressors for caregivers,” said Dr. Jane F. Potter, chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “There was previously no good program available using adult education techniques to provide hands-on practice in learning how best to help people who suffer from dementia. This is huge.”

In the featured video at the top of this newsletter, Dr. Potter helps family caregivers understand Alzheimer’s disease and the changes that family caregivers can expect to see.  HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com provides even more information about how to make the most of living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, giving caregivers hope for a brighter future.

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Alzheimer’s is an incurable disease that afflicts nearly half of seniors older than 85 and affects not only the seniors but their family caregivers.

Now there is help. You don’t have to take on the care responsibility alone. Learn about the services available to assist you and your loved one. If you are caring for a senior loved one, please check out the Home Instead Senior Care network’s CARE training program, available to you at no cost. As part of this program, last week the Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias interactive educational course was just released. This e-learning course is also available for no cost for families caring for Alzheimer’s and other dementia sufferers

Home Instead Senior Care® network’s person-centered approach to Alzheimer’s care, backed by advanced research and CAREGiver education, can help seniors cope with the challenges of Alzheimer’s while enabling them to continue doing what they can on their own in the comfort of home.

Home Instead CAREGivers provide the highest quality of customized care that:

• Allows the senior to remain safe and calm at home

• Encourages engagement

• Provides nutritious meals

• Creates social interaction

• Provides mind-stimulating activities

• Manages changing behaviors

• Honors who the senior was earlier in life

• Supports the family

Most importantly, CAREGivers can provide assistance with enhancing and restoring the simple pleasures of life, such as a walk in the park, a ride in the car to get ice cream or spending time in the garden. Proven to maximize abilities and independence, such senior care activities remain one of the best non-medical treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.  For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

For more resources to help Alzheimer’s and other dementias, go to http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Dementia can test the unity of even the most cohesive families, and many know that well. “Alzheimer’s is very stressful because of the behavioral changes,’’ said caregiving expert Dr. Amy D’Aprix, who served on an expert panel to develop content for the Home Instead Senior Care network’s Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education Training Program.

Here are tips for families to share when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease:

Get an accurate diagnosis

Communicate regularly

Confer with professionals

Learn skills and techniques

Expect change and learn to manage it

Ask for help if you’re the primary caregiver

Tune into the main caregiver’s needs

Assign tasks for family members

Consider the family legacy

Tap into resources

Remember you don’t have to go solo while trying to care for a senior loved one who has Alzheimer’s. A Home Instead CAREGiver can help with medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, errands and companionship.

For more resources to help Alzheimer’s and other dementias, go to http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/.

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness, according to the National Institute of Health. The cause determines whether amnesia comes on slowly or suddenly, and whether it is temporary or permanent. Normal aging may lead to trouble learning new material or requiring a longer time to remember learned material. However, it does not lead to dramatic memory loss unless diseases are involved.

Memory loss refers to:

• Not being able to remember new events,

• Not being able to recall one or more memories of the past, or both.

In some cases, memory loss among seniors may be due to so-called “silent strokes,” research suggests. Such strokes, which may not cause noticeable symptoms, result in small pockets of dead brain cells and are found in about 25 percent of older adults, according to a study.

The research, which was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, appeared in the journal Neurology. Participants underwent MRI brain scans, as well as testing to gauge capacities in memory, language skills, thinking speed and visual perception.

The brain scans revealed that 174 of the 658 participants had experienced silent strokes, and the investigators found that these seniors did not perform as well on the memory exams.

Researchers said that study results also support stroke prevention as a means for staving off memory problems.”

Home Instead CAREGivers helps seniors who has memory loss in many ways, including companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders and transportation or errands in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

For more help and understanding about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, check out HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com – Changing Aging Through Research and Education Training Program, which includes a free Family Caregiver Training.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

One of the most common frustrations among family caregivers is the propensity for people with dementia to be repetitive. Other behaviors include refusal, delusions (or false beliefs), aggression, false accusations, wandering and agitation.

Such behavior can try family caregivers to the breaking point, Alzheimer’s expert David Troxel confirms. These are techniques from the Home Instead Senior Care network’s Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias CARE – Changing Aging Through Research and Education Training Program to help families manage these challenging behaviors:

Redirect. The first time a question comes up, take a few moments to answer the question fully and provide reassurance that all is well.

Physically move items or the senior from the environment. If an object or his or her surroundings are causing frustration, remove that item or the senior from that situation.

Offer simple choices. If a senior resists bathing, a simple choice would be: “Would you like your bath now or in one hour?” or “Would you like to take a bath or a shower today?”

Apologize and take the blame. Apologizing or taking the blame in a situation takes the attention off of the older adult. It may help them calm down if they believe something was not their fault.

Coming soon, an interactive educational course, brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care, gives caregivers instructive information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, valuable insight for providing better care, and techniques to help improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one experiencing memory loss. Visit HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com to learn more.

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160. Our CAREGivers also help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders and transportation needs.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementias is a journey that best begins with information and education. Listed below are the 10 warning signs that could indicate Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. “It’s safe to say that the thing that Alzheimer’s and other dementias have in common is a high risk of behavioral disorders – change in personality, people behaving in ways counter to their prior personality,’’ noted Dr. Jane F. Potter, chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “But normal old age does not cause dysfunction.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life.

Challenges in planning or solving problems.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.

Confusion with time or place.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

New problems with words in speaking or writing.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.

Decreased or poor judgment.

Withdrawal from work or social activities.

Changes in mood and personality.

Coming soon, an interactive educational course, brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care, gives caregivers instructive information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, valuable insight for providing better care, and techniques to help improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one experiencing memory loss. Visit HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com to learn more.

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Regular walking, a favorite exercise for seniors, is one of the most effective forms of activity that delivers substantial health benefits and improves heart health, the American Heart Association has said. The latest addition to the American Heart Association’s tools for persuading people to exercise is MyWalkingClub.org – walking clubs, which are being formed across the United States.

Walking is easy to start and continue, and it has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. By joining an American Heart Association Walking Club, participants can connect with others who share their goals, lifestyles, schedules and hobbies – and do it for free.

According to an American Heart Association survey, only 15 percent of American adults achieve the association’s recommended level of moderate aerobic exercise, which is 150 minutes per week. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day will improve circulation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and promote weight loss.

Additional Benefits of Walking:

1. Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol)

2. Raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol)

3. Lower your blood pressure

4. Reduce your risk of or manage type 2 diabetes

5. Manage your weight

6. Improve your mood

7. Stay strong and fit

Be sure to bring along a friend for the walk. This is a great way to socialize while getting some exercise. Walking partners can make the walk seem very short and enjoyable. The same goes for pets. Take the dog for a walk each day. The pet will benefit, and so will you!

Your local Home Instead Senior Care office in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas can find a caregiver who will walk with your senior or help him or her find a walking club. Our CAREGivers also help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders and transportation needs. For personal home care, please call (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

With severe weather season upon us in the U.S., older adults may be among the most vulnerable victims when disasters strike. That’s why Home Instead Senior Care, the international caregiving company with more than 800 locations in 15 countries, has issued a disaster safety preparation checklist to help prepare seniors for the possibility of natural disasters.

Home Instead Senior Care’s Disaster Prep Checklist For Seniors:

____Tune in. Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike your area. Stay abreast of what’s going on through your local radio or television.

____Take stock. Decide what your senior can or can’t do in the event of a natural disaster. Make a list of what would be needed if a disaster occurred. For example, if your loved one is wheelchair-bound, determine an evacuation strategy ahead of time. Prepare for whatever disaster could hit the area.

____ To go or to stay? When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance.

____ Make a plan. Schedule a family meeting to develop a plan of action. Include in your plan key people – such as neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers – who could help.

____ More than one way out. Seniors should develop at least two escape routes: one to evacuate their home and one to evacuate their community. The local emergency management office can tell you escape routes out of the community.

____Meet up. Designate a place to meet relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan twice a year.

____Get up and “Go Kit.” Have an easy-to-carry backpack including three days non-perishable food and water with an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Have at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day. Refresh and replace your supplies at least twice a year. And don’t forget the blanket and paper products such as toilet paper.

____Pack extras and copies. Have at least a one-month supply of medication on hand at all times. Make ready other important documents in a waterproof protector including copies of prescriptions, car title registration and driver’s license, insurance documents and bank account numbers, and spare checkbook. Also take extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. Label every piece of important equipment or personal item in case they are lost.

____Your contact list. Compile a contact list and include people on a senior’s support network as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals.

____If you can’t be there. If you’re not living close by to help your loved one, enlist the help of family or friends, or contact a professional caregiving company.

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.

Family caregivers and senior care professionals may notice changes in their loved ones, which send up a red flag that an otherwise healthy older adult needs more assistance to remain safely and independently at home. These signs are an indication it might be time to call for help:

1. Household bills piling up. Seniors can feel overwhelmed by the simple task of opening and responding to daily mail.

2. Reluctance to leave the house. Rather than ask for help, seniors who are having trouble with such functions as walking, remembering and hearing will pull away from their community and isolate themselves.

3. Losing interest in meals. Seniors who suddenly find themselves alone, perhaps after the death of a spouse, can be easily discouraged by such tasks as cooking and tend not to eat properly.

4. Declining personal hygiene. Changes in appearance, such as unkempt hair and body odor, failing to change clothes for days on end or clothes inappropriate for the weather, are among the mobvious signs that a senior needs.

5. Declining driving skills. Look for evidence of parking or speeding tickets, fender-benders, dents and scratches on the car.

6. Scorched pots and pans. Cooking ware left forgotten on top of an open flame may be a sign of short-term memory loss or even Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Signs of depression. Feelings of hopelessness and despair, listlessness, fewer visits with friends and family, a change of sleeping patterns and lack of interest in the usual hobbies and activities are indicators of depression.

8. Missed doctors’ appointments and social engagements. These can be signs of depression or forgetfulness. But they can also be the result of no longer having a driver’s license and not knowing how to get alternative transportation.

9. Unkempt house. Changes in housekeeping may come about because the senior is physically tired. They could also result from depression.

10. Losing track of medications. Seniors often take multiple prescriptions for various health conditions. Keeping track without reminders and assistance can be confusing.

SOURCE: Home Instead Senior Care

For personal home care in Houston, Humble, Spring, Webster, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City & Pasadena, Texas, please check with your local office by calling (281)484-0200 or (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Northwest & Northeast serving elders in the Humble/Kingwood, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Katy – call (281)440-5160.

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281)484-0200.