by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 29, 2024 | Senior Home Care
Taking care of your knees is of great importance particularly as we get older, and become more prone to senior knee problems. Knee issues related to seniors can severely affect one’s well being and restrict mobility.
There are several risk factors which can cause senior knee problems:
A good way to avoid such injuries is by maintaining an ideal body weight through regular exercise and also a balanced diet.
Senior Knee Exercises and Support
Low-impact workouts such as swimming and cycling can strengthen the muscles of the knees without putting too much pressure on them.
Also, keeping the right posture when you perform activities such as lifting heavy loads or bending down protects your knees from overstrain.
Supportive shoes with sufficient cushioning and also avoiding high heels can also prevent knee damage.
You can wear a protective senior knee brace or sleeve to reinforce the joints and prevent twists.
Seek Medical Care and Physical Therapy
For those who are currently having problems with their knees or some discomfort seek medical consultation. Look for a healthcare professional who specializes in orthopedics, arthritis or physical therapy.
They can give personalized instructions and advice on senior knee exercises to strengthen the muscles which support the knees. They can also recommend appropriate treatments or interventions.
Ensure that you are proactive in older adults knee care. Take steps to avoid injuries and you will be able to maintain optimal knee health for many years to come. This is the foundation to enjoy an active lifestyle!
Looking for help at home to help prevent senior knee problems? My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. Counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson. Send us a message or call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 19, 2024 | Senior Home Care
Senior arthritis pain is an extremely widespread problem causing pain and stiffness in their joints. Knowing the concerns and realities about elderly arthritis pain is imperative in order to offer the right support and care for the seniors that suffer from this condition.
Firstly, there is the need to identify the risk factors for the development of arthritis in older adults. Age is a major factor since the probability of getting arthritis increases with age.
Arthritis risk factors include:
- Previous joint injuries
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Careers that include repetitive joint movements, especially computer-heavy careers
Knowing about arthritis can assist caregivers and healthcare providers provide the right help. Arthritis is not a single disease, on the contrary, it is an umbrella term for more than 100 different joint diseases.
The most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
When it comes to helping seniors manage arthritis, there are several strategies that can be beneficial:
- Performing regular senior arthritis exercises promotes joint flexibility and decreases pain
- A recommendation is less vigorous activities like swimming or walking
- Controlling your weight, as obesity can cause undue stress on joints, particularly leading to knee problems. Healthy senior arthritis foods can help reduce weight.
The other forms of relief for elderly with arthritis are supplying assistive devices like braces or splints to support joints, assuring good nutrition to maintain joint health and also minimizing joint strain by making the environment safe and ergonomic.
Through knowledge of risks associated with senior arthritis, facts about types of arthritis, and implementation of strategies to help the seniors live with their current condition, caregivers can play a vital part in improving their quality of life.
Looking for help at home?
My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. Counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson.
How to reach us
Click here to send us a message or call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living intergenerationally or independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 12, 2024 | Senior Home Care
Food safety can often be a concern for seniors, or others that may have a bit of a forgetful nature. Below are some tips to help keep food fresh, and bacteria out!
First off, you want to make sure that your refrigerator is running at the right temperature. Perishable foods need to be kept refrigerated at 40 degrees or below. Otherwise bacteria may start to grow, and bacteria grows very rapidly. Invest in a good appliance thermometer (they’re about $7-$10) to make sure you’re within the safe range.
Food will mostly stay good for up to four days in your refrigerator.
Beyond that point you are running the risk of it spoiling. Fruits, veggies, and deli meat spoil fastest, with fish close behind. Chicken and pork will spoil next, with beef kept just a bit longer.
Every time you reheat your food, the quality declines, so try to only scoop out what you plan on eating each time instead of reheating the entire dish.
There are a few rules to refrigeration safety to follow. These simple guidelines will help your tasty meals keep good in the fridge for quick bites later on in the week.
Do these things to ensure food safety for older adults
- Refrigerate all perishable food items as soon as you can
- Always marinate your foods in the refrigerator instead of on the countertop
- Chicken, eggs, raw meat, cut fruits and vegetables or cooked food should be frozen or refrigerated before sitting out for a maximum of two hours. One hour is the max when the indoor temperature is above 90°F
- Never let your frozen foods defrost at room temperature! To safely thaw food, place it in the fridge to defrost. You can pour cold water over the food in the sink to quickly defrost it.
- Cook all thawed foods immediately
- Go through your fridge every few days and either use or discard leftovers
A good rule of thumb is to keep your refrigerator clean to avoid cross-contamination.
Any time you are storing raw meat of any kind, wiping down the shelf it was on or the drawer it was in with an antibacterial wipe. This will reduce your risk of picking up something nasty, such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, whipworms or trichinosis.
It’s estimated that each year, 48 million people in the United States suffer from some kind of acute foodborne illness, and 3,000 will die from them. Unsafe food may harbor parasites, chemicals, and many different types of bacteria that can be harmful to you and your family.
If you really can’t tell, just remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
Looking for help at home to protect your senior loved ones from foodborne illnesses? My Choice Home Care is an elderly in-home care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. Counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson. You can send us a message here or call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today. We can help your loved ones enjoy the benefits of living independently.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 4, 2024 | Senior Home Care
A comprehensive approach is required for managing senior diabetes. This starts with understanding the causes of diabetes. Then a practice of promoting healthy food choices, daily movement, monitoring normal blood sugar levels and focusing on prevention strategies.
Diabetes in seniors can be caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and age-related changes. It is crucial to educate seniors about the importance of maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients and low in sugar to help manage their condition effectively.
A good senior diabetic meal plan that includes drinking enough water and consuming healthy foods is a pillar of health. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products can play a significant role in controlling blood sugar levels and preventing complications associated with diabetes.
Some of these senior diabetic diet foods include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Beans and lentils
- Whole-grain cereals, breads, and crackers
- Whole grains such as oats, barley, bulgur, and buckwheat
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Poultry such as chicken and turkey
- Skinless fish
- Leaner cuts of beef
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Low-fat dairy, such as cheese and Greek yogurt
- Nuts and nut butter
How to prevent diabetes in older adults
Preventing diabetes in seniors involves promoting regular physical activity, weight management, monitoring the blood glucose level regularly, and seeking medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment. By implementing these strategies proactively, seniors can lead healthier lives while managing their diabetes effectively.
We can help you and your loved ones.
Looking for help with elderly diabetes management at home? My Choice Home Care is an in-home elderly care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. Counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson.
You can contact us here or call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home. We offer a senior care guide here to help you manage your loved one’s care.
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