Q – I just recently decided to give up driving because I had some problems with my legs and worry that it might effect my ability to safely operate a vehicle. I’m thinking about using the public transit system here in Houston so I can still get around without relying on friends and family to take me. I am also worried about injuring myself when doing this, any tips?

A – Safety should always be your number 1 priority, and you seem to have your priorities in line. Here are 10 tips for safe public transit travels that should help ensure that even with your problems with your legs, you avoid accident or injury:

1. Get on and off transportation with caution – when getting in or out of a vehicle, like a bus, be aware of uneven pavement or other hazards that could result in tripping, falls, or twisting of ankles
2. Have bus fare ready – fumbling around for change when a bus is starting to move can result in losing balance, have it ready before you get on the bus
3. Brace yourself – when a bus, subway or streetcar is turning or stopping, make sure you’re sitting or brace yourself to ensure you don’t lose your balance
4. Watch the gap – when stepping off the curb onto a bus, or a subway platform into the vehicle, be aware that there might be a gap between where you’re standing and the vehicle
5. Let others go first – before getting onto a bus or subway, let others exit first. You can also let others get ahead of you at the vehicle’s doors when waiting to get off so you don’t get pushed
6. Watch for closing doors – on a subway or streetcar where doors automatically open and close, never try to go through doors as they’re closing
7. Don’t get on if it’s too crowded – if public transportation is too crowded, wait for the next one. Or when getting on make sure you get a seat; many vehicles have reserved seating for seniors and people with disabilities. If the seats are taken by people who don’t fit this criteria, don’t hesitate to ask them to move or ask the driver to assist you
8. Keep hands free – don’t carry too many things in your hands, so you can adequately hold on to railings
9. Ask a bus driver to lower the steps – most buses are equipped with ramps and stairs that lower to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs, if you’re worried about getting up or down the stairs, ask them to lower it
10. Get there safely- if walking at night, wear brightly colored or reflective clothing, be careful when crossing streets, and remember to buckle up if taking a taxi

Via: About.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Image Soure: jupiterimages.com

Choosing to bring a caregiver into the home of someone you love is a big decision. It’s hard to trust someone else to take proper care of someone that means so much to you. But with Home Instead Senior Care, all caregivers are thoroughly screened and trained, so you never need to worry about leaving your senior in the hands of our caregivers. To ease your mind, here are some details about how we select our Houston caregivers and the training aspects that are focused upon:

The traits of  Home Instead Senior Caregivers:

• Dependability - work history and employment reference checks are completed for all staff members
• Honesty - drug test and background checks are completed by HISC
• Experience – personal or professional experience in the senior care industry or dealing with senior citizens is considered
• Compassion – a sense of compassion for giving seniors a better quality of life is looked for during the interview process
• Motivation – someone who is motivated in everything they do is better suited to ensuring that seniors are provided the highest quality of care

HISC also has a Caregiver Leadership Training Program that focuses on creating a fantastic caregiver experience by focusing on the following elements:

• Treating CAREGivers with dignity and respect
• Nurturing positive relationships
• Showing appreciation
• Humanizing and professionalizing the caregiving journey
• Connecting CAREGivers to Home Instead, its mission and other CAREGivers
• Dealing with issues openly and honestly.

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Prostate cancer has many physical symptoms, but the most crippling ones can relate to the emotional effects of accepting the diagnosis. Despite what the medical prognosis is, seniors can overcome the emotional effects that come with the disease in 6 steps.

1. Embrace knowledge – knowledge really is power, so research the disease, the symptoms, and the treatment options so you know exactly what to expect from it. At a time when you might feel hopeless, this can help you regain a sense of power over the situation
2. Accept support – you don’t have to do it alone; accept support from family and friends to the degree that you’re comfortable with and form a united front against the disease. You can even join a support group for other seniors with similar struggles
3. Recognize your partner’s struggles – even if you have the disease, your partner is suffering almost as much at the time of diagnosis. Don’t shut her out; try to get through it together
4. Don’t let it affect your masculinity – many men fear prostate cancer because it can mean loss of sexual function. Not all options lead to this, so do your research so you can make an informed decision. Also know that whatever happens, you aren’t less of a man, and no one who loves you would ever think that!
5. Be honest – don’t hold back; recognize your physical symptoms and share them with your doctor. Also don’t hesitate to let him/her know if you want a second opinion form another Houston doctor, or if you’re uncomfortable with a treatment option
6. Keep pushing forward – no matter what happens, don’t accept defeat. Keep things going, never stop looking for knowledge, and never allow anyone else to make decisions for you as long as you’re able

Via: Prostate Cancer Institute

Bio-Medicine

image: jupiterimages.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Q. What are the plans for developing novel H1N1 vaccine?

A. Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a novel H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete.  Candidate vaccines will be tested in clinical trials over the few months.

Q. When is it expected that the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available?

A. The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials

Q. Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?

A. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.

For more Influenza Vaccine Information

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Image Source: thestar.com.my

Q – I recently moved to Houston with my daughter, who is my primary caregiver and has been since I was in my mid-70’s. We have limited finances, though my daughter takes on all expenses herself, and I would like to find out about the programs offered here in Houston that can help us out through the eldercare process. Where can we look?

A – How wonderful of you to try and assist your daughter by finding resources in eldercare. Here are 3 places you can look in order gain access to the senior care resources that you require:

1. Find out what local eldercare services are available in your area – contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 so you know what’s available near your loved one’s Houston home and how you can get in touch to arrange services.
2. Know which services your senior qualifies for – NCOA has developed an online questionnaire which allows caregivers and seniors to take a survey that helps them determine which services and benefits that they may qualify for. Visit www.benefitscheckup.org to learn about eligible benefit programs for prescriptions, utilities and health care.
3. Understand seniors rights and know how to get assistance – whether you are helping a parent or senior loved one prepare a will, dealing with a situation where a senior has been abused or neglected, or simply want a professional to help explain the legal rights of seniors, knowing where and how to get legal assistance is crucial. Many organizations provide pro bono legal representation for seniors. Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging or use the Eldercare Locator to find other resources.

Via: The University of Vermont

Image: pro.corbis.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

52% of seniors don’t hesitate to hit the Houston roads and highways with their cell phone firmly pressed to their ear. Driving with a cell phone is a known distraction which puts seniors at a greater risk for having an accident, so these seniors need to make sure that they focus on safety by following these 4 tips for driving with cell phones:

1. Only use cell phone with hands free options – headsets, speaker phones and other gadgets can allow Houston seniors to talk in the car without having to risk their safety by driving one handed
2. Don’t dial while driving – trying to dial, text, or send an email while driving using a cell phone can result in serious distraction behind the wheel. Seniors should set up voice dialing if they plan on making calls anyways while driving, or only make calls when the car is stopped
3. Have a friend make the call – when driving with a friend, a senior driver can pass the phone off to someone else to make a phone call or answer a ringing cell phone if it’s urgent
4. Turn off the phone – having a phone on and ringing can make it tempting to answer when it rings in the car. By shutting it off, seniors can stop themselves from making and receiving calls; however, the phone is still present for emergencies

Via: About

Image: pro.corbis.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Success is whatever you make of it, in older adulthood it can mean being active in your Houston community, or taking control over your health. Regardless of what success means to you, there are 10 shared traits of all successful people – so to meet your goals in older adulthood, these are factors that you can learn.

1) Think positive – visualize yourself accomplishing whatever it is that you want to achieve with success. Avoid negative thoughts and negative people
2) Set your goals – be specific about your goals, whatever they may be. Set a date and stick to it, for example, tell yourself “next month I am going to start volunteering in the community”
3) Stick to your goals – if you set a goal, find a way to make it happen. Don’t make excuses or let fear hold you back. Without follow through goals don’t mean anything!
4) Embrace new wisdom – you’re never too old to learn something new, and you can never think that you know everything. Take a class, whether it’s at a Houston college, or to learn a new hobby from a craft store or other place that will teach you about your new interest
5) Be persistent – not all goals can be accomplished immediately, but if you keep your eye on your goals and work through any trials and tribulations, you’ll get there
6) Make decisions wisely – get all the information you need an analyze decisions before you follow through
7) Invest in your future – if you have a goal, it’s okay to filter your time and money into achieving it. Don’t feel guilty or let anyone stand in your way!
8. Communicate – talk to others about your goals, ask them to be open and honest and give them the same in return
9) Be different – don’t set goals just because someone’s told you there’s certain things you should achieve in older adulthood, do what’s right for you!
10) Admit when you’re wrong – it’s okay to make mistakes, just make sure you admit it when you’re wrong

Sources:

1. About.com

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

During the summer months living in Houston my grandchildren keep my schedule full, and while I love spending time with them, many of the family’s chosen activities are outside, and at my age I need to be really careful that the heat doesn’t ruin my day. There’s nothing better than watching my grandchildren play at the park or swim at the beach, but I wouldn’t feel the same way if I found myself waiting at the doctor to receive treatment for heat stroke, dehydration or other related problems. My doctor provided me with the following recommendations for coping with the heat in Houston since he knows I spend a lot of time outside; so far, I’ve had a flawless summer with no related health problems. With that and the time I get to spend with my grandchildren, it’s priceless, so everyone else in the same situation should take note and follow my lead!

1. Keep hydrated with cool beverages and avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you are a senior who has been told by a Houston doctor to limit water consumption, check first how much you should drink when it’s the heat of the summer
2. Remain indoors during the high heat of the day. Get out in the early morning or evening when the sun is not as hot
3. Seek cover when outside in the heat either by bringing an umbrella to your outdoor location or finding a big shady tree to sit under
4. Remember your sunscreen and protective clothing. A hat will help protect you from heat stroke, and loose, light clothing which has long sleeves and pants will protect from UV rays.
5. Avoid strenuous activities outside. During the summer months, exercise indoors in air conditioning to ensure there are no detrimental effects to your health as an older adult
6. Pack juicy snacks when outside to keep cool. Fruits, light summer salad, juices, popsicles and even ice cream can all help seniors to keep their body temperatures down during the summer
7. Stay cool by taking tepid showers or baths when needed
8. Get lots of rest, especially when coming in from the heat

Souces:

1. CDC

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Physical activity and exercise are geared towards improving health and reducing stress, but for many Houston seniors who already have many anxieties in their lives, exercise can actually cause it. Seniors might worry about injuring themselves, or venturing too far out of their comfort zone of the normal routine that they’re comfortable with, and for these seniors, physical activity can become a source of stress that can also have negative repercussions upon health – and that’s just not the point now is it?

So how can seniors choose a physical fitness routine that is stress-free; eliminating anxieties from their lives even temporarily, rather than causing it? Seniors should try implementing the following techniques and incorporating the following activities in order to make the most out of their experience and bring the optimal benefits to their health!

• Always choose activities that are enjoyable, otherwise seniors will grow to resent being physically active
• Avoid activities that are competitive to avoid creating natural tension. Seniors don’t need to do activities solo, but they should make sure that they avoid competitive sports and other physical activities that make them feel like they want to win
• Aerobic and anaerobic exercises can both help reduce stress. Senios should incorporate 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise into their routines 3-5 days per week, and also try resistance training
• Don’t begin any activity without clearance from a doctor or assistance from a fitness professional. Seniors who worry that by completing physical activities incorrectly they will injure themselves, or are concerned about the affects upon their health can make sure these stressors are avoided

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Mayo Clinic

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.

Muscle mass and bone density is naturally lost as seniors age, and these changes are often especially prevalent in elderly Houston women. In the medical practice where I work, we have forever been encouraging seniors to incorporate resistance training into their exercise routine under the premise that they could increase their strength, manage their bone density and gain muscle mass. According to a new study, however, one of these benefits is not present in senior women over the age of 80. Can you guess which one it is?

The answer is muscle mass. After putting senior women over the age of 80 through a resistance training program, MRIs were taken in order to see the overall effects upon muscle mass, and surprisingly there was no change. That doesn’t mean we’re about to stop encouraging resistance training, however, since there is still evidence that bone density can be improved, and there’s no doubting that overall strength will be benefited, and can help seniors to improve their activities of daily living and allow them to better care for themselves independently in older adulthood.

Sources:

1. Health Discovery Canada

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

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.