As we get older, we often notice that our blood circulation changes; with age, we might find that we have swelling around our feet or ankles, or bruise much more easily than we used to. But, for Houston seniors, the effects of poor blood circulation can be far more severe, and there can be grave consequences.

The Effects of Poor Blood Circulation:

• Effects upon the brain – poor blood circulation can impact the brain causing fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and frequent and unexplained headaches
• Effects upon the heart – poor blood circulation can have an impact on the heart, causing inability to perform simple aerobic activities like climbing stairs without breathlessness; high blood pressure and cholesterol, and chest pain can be other symptoms
• Effects upon the liver – symptoms of poor blood circulation in the liver can include lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss, and changes in skin tone
• Effects upon the kidneys – poor circulation to the kidneys are typically the result when there is swelling of the hands, feet and ankles. Other symptoms can include fatigue, altered heart rate and rise in blood pressure
• Effects upon the limbs – with poor circulation, cramps in the limbs, numbness and varicose veins can appear as symptoms

Preventing or Improving Poor Circulation

There are some simple techniques that Houston seniors can use in order to help prevent and improve poor blood circulation, which include the following:

• Take cayenne pepper powder or capsules to improve circulation and increase metabolism
• Take ginkgo balboa capsules which have a direct impact on blood circulation
• Exercise to circulate oxygen through the blood stream and improve blood circulation
• Lower intake of saturated fats in a diet and increase intake of vitamin-rich nutrients such as fruits and vegetables

Sources:

1. Ezine Articles
2. Suote101

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.

Studies have shown that Houston seniors with MS can improve their quality of life by exercising. While this can be a challenge for many seniors who struggle with their balance and overall mobility as a result of Multiple Sclerosis, the benefits are extensive, and when safety is always in mind it is possible to have an enjoyable experience with physical activity, and overall boost spirits and ward off other issues like depression.

Here are a few tips for Houston seniors with MS to use when exercising:

• Warm up before the exercise with stretching and gradually increasing the intensity and cool down after
• Increase the intensity and duration of the activity slowly. Seniors who plan on exercising for 30 minutes at a time should start with 10 minute intervals and working themselves up to a longer workout time
• Make sure the workout environment is free of hazards like slippery floors, things to trip over or rugs that will slide
• Since many seniors with MS struggle with balance, they should work out near a grab bar or other safety equipment that can provide support
• Anything that doesn’t feel right shouldn’t be continued, whether it’s pain or feeling sick is a sign that it’s time to stop and rest
• Choose activities that are enjoyable and that don’t put too much stress on the body
• Avoid exercising outside or during the hottest periods of the day (10am until 2pm)
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Get out of the heat if any new symptoms develop

Sources:

1. Science Daily
2. MS Society
3. WebMD

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.

My mother in law has had problems in her legs from quite a number of years, primarily due to the extra weight that she carries, which has put a strain on her legs which are the bulk of her support. In her 50s, she received two knee replacements, and while that helped her regain some semblance of mobility, in recent years that’s began to decline again. She’s had a number of issues, including what the doctor believes is tendonitis in the thighs, and has had leg infections when scrapes and other injuries have refused to heal. After multiple diagnoses and ineffective treatment methods for many of the problems with her legs, she still has not found a solution and is practically immobile, which is tragic since she is only in her early 60s.

Recently, she was sent to a masseuse in order to help treat what is believed to be tendonitis in her legs. However, after taking one look at her, the masseuse said that she doesn’t want to do too much, because it appears as though she has a varicose vein and pressure could further aggravate it. She has been examined multiple times by her doctor, but this has never been brought to her attention before; however, after looking into it further, she believes that this might explain many of the problems she’s been having; including the inability to heal, itchy legs, swelling in the legs (which the doctor said was due to a medication), and the severe leg cramps. After examining her again when she approached her doctor about the issues she was having and the belief that it might be a varicose vein, he determined that in fact not all of her problems are attributed to the presence of a varicose vein, but that many of her symptoms are correct. She’s currently undergoing a few different treatment methods in an attempt to alleviate her problems.

Sources:

1. Wrong Diagnosis

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.

Sometimes walking into a doctor’s office feels like traveling to another country. The flight can be as short or as long as the scheduling dictates and is not determined by distance, but like a plane ride, your neighbor in the next room probably has a bad case of the sniffles. Once you get to your final destination, it can be like emerging yourself in another culture where no one speaks your language, and you return home feeling like you might have learned something from the experience, but require a translator to determine just what. As a senior caregiver, this might be a circumstance you encounter every time you step into a doctor’s office for a consultation with his/her physician. As with traveling to another country, doctors assume that we speak their language and understand what they’re saying; however, this may not always be the case when less common medical terms are being thrown around.

While of course it’s important to ask for clarification when at the doctor’s office, the internet has a wealth of resources to help seniors and their families understand important issues that relate to their health. The Medical Library Association offers a site called Medspeak which gives caregivers access to medical terms in an easy to understand dictionary form. MedicineNet also offers a comprehensive guide to help people understand the medical conditions and other information related to their health.

Caregivers, share your worst doctor experiences that have resulted from a breakdown in communication.

Sources:
1. Medical Library Association
2. MedicineNet

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.

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Q – What should be included in a living will and should all seniors have them?

A – A living will communicates a senior’s wishes with regards to their healthcare, to ensure that family and medical practitioners carry them out once they no longer have the ability to voice what they want. Every Houston senior should prepare a living will before their health comes into question, because unfortunately illness just can’t always be predicted.

When creating living trusts and living wills during the process of estate planning, seniors should understand their options and clearly state their wishes when different medical issues occur. In a general statement, seniors can include treatments they would consider having or prefer should specific medical issues arise (for example, chemotherapy to treat cancer); while general statements are not legally binding, doctors will keep them in mind when determining the course of treatment. Advance decisions and advance directives also allow seniors to refuse specific treatments and actions by a medical doctor; for example, refusing life support under any circumstance. When creating a living will, seniors should also appoint an advocate, which can be a family member or caregiver, to ensure that medical wishes outlined in the living will are abided by.

Having a living will ensures that all Houston seniors have a voice, and play a role in their own medical care; even when they are not physically able to communicate their healthcare needs.

Sources:
1.    CNNMoney.com Gerri Willis
2.    Directgov

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, Baytown, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.