Health Tips For Seniors This Allergy Season

By AmeriCare, March 22, 2012

Spring is in the air! And so are all of the airborne allergens that come with it. For allergy sufferers, spring can be a constant struggle with symptoms ranging from sniffling and sneezing to itchy eyes and overall malaise. To make matters worse, current medications used to treat allergy symptoms usually contain antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness and dizziness – side effects that can be especially dangerous for seniors.

Following are a few tips offered by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology on how to minimize symptoms this season:

1. Avoid allergens and molds as much as possible. Instead of walking outside in the park or on hiking trails, try walking in the local shopping mall. Most malls have walking clubs with mall businesses offering discounts. Plus you can enjoy the comfort of the air conditioning.
2. When you have to go outside try to avoid grassy areas (especially those areas with fresh mown grass) or areas with lots of foliage.
3. Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home.
4. Use an air conditioner and dehumidifier to keep air clean, cool and dry.
5. Keep car windows closed while traveling.
6. Be aware of local pollen counts and avoid outdoor activity on days when it is high.
7. If you live in an area that has high smog levels, be aware of those levels and take appropriate measures such as staying indoors or limiting activity.
8. Plan your vacation at the beach rather than the mountains, pollen counts are much lower at the beach near the ocean.
9. If you must mow or rake – activities that stir up a lot of pollen and mold – wear a paper respiratory mask to lower your exposure.
10. Even though “line-dried” clothing and linens have a wonderful “fresh” scent, use the dryer, as pollens and mold can collect on items drying on the clothesline.
11. Take medications as prescribed in the recommended dosage. Even if your symptoms are severe, stick with the recommended amounts of medication.
12. Shower after being outdoors to remove any pollen and mold that may be left clinging to your skin and hair.

We hope these tips will help keep you symptom-free this allergy season and able enjoy the beautiful bloom of spring.

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Home Care Sleep Tips For Seniors

By AmeriCare, March 8, 2012

As we prepare to spring forward to daylight savings time (March, 11^th, don’t forget!), many of us dread the effects of losing a single hour of sleep. But for seniors, sleep-deprived nights are too often the norm, a chronic problem that can be further aggravated by the pending time change.

While it’s true that healthy seniors may require less sleep, 7.5 hours, on average, instead of the usual 8-to-9 hours of a healthy adult, sleep disruption and insomnia are not normal functions of aging and can lead to periods of depression, attention and memory problems, and a depressed immune system. Seniors who sleep poorly are also more susceptible to nighttime falls, have increased sensitivity to pain, and are more likely to rely on prescription medication and sleep aids.

These conditions not only lower the individual’s quality of life, they can threaten one’s independence and reliance on a family caregiver or home care service.

So let’s take a look at how we can make the most of our night’s sleep. First, here are some common causes for insomnia among seniors:

• Poor sleep habits and sleep environment. These include an irregular sleep schedule, consumption of alcohol before bedtime, and falling asleep while watching TV.

• Medications. Seniors tend to take more medications than younger adults. The side effects of certain drugs can make it difficult to fall, or stay asleep.
• Lack of exercise. Regular aerobic exercise, no later than three hours before sleep, promotes healthier sleep patterns.
• Anxiety and stress. At night, the anxious mind has a tendency to turn to unresolved worries, keeping you awake, which can, in turn, cause more anxiety and stress.

Following are some tips to help you fall and stay asleep, assuming you’ve already tried counting sheep:

• Exercise regularly. In addition to making you more tired at night, exercise releases endorphins that can boost mood and reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.
• Expose yourself to sunlight. Bright sunlight helps regulate your sleep cycles. Try to get at least two hours of sunlight a day. Keep curtains and shades open during the day, move your favorite chair to a sunny spot, or consider using a light therapy box to simulate daylight.
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Each of these substances counteract quality sleep.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and comfortable. Artificial lights at night can suppress your body’s production of the hormone that makes you sleepy. Use low-wattage bulbs, and limit use of the TV and computer at least one hour before bed.

Sleep is essential to leading a happy and productive life at any age. We hope these tips lead to better sleep and sweeter dreams.

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January 2010 is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Learn How to Help Aging Family Members Who Have This Disease

By , January 13, 2010

When an aging family member starts to have problems with their vision, many times that loss can be attributed to glaucoma. It’s important for seniors and their family members to understand the causes and treatments for glaucoma so that the affected senior can live independently for as long as possible.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. This nerve sends information from your eyes to your brain. When glaucoma damages your optic nerve, you begin to lose patches of vision, usually side vision (peripheral vision). Over time, glaucoma may also damage straight ahead (central) vision. You may not notice a loss of side vision until you have lost a great deal of your sight. When checking for glaucoma, eye doctors usually look for damage to the optic nerve and any loss of side vision. They may also check your eye pressure.

Glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight.” That’s because people usually do not notice any signs of the disease until they have already lost significant vision. Once lost, vision can’t be restored.

More than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. At least half don’t even know they have it.

What are the Different Types of Glaucoma?

There are many types of glaucoma. Often, the cause of high pressure in the eye can help tell the type of glaucoma and the best treatment for it. The most common types include:

Chronic (Open Angle) Glaucoma
This is the most common type. In open angle glaucoma, aqueous fluid drains too slowly and pressure inside the eye builds up. It usually results from aging of the drainage channel, which doesn’t work as well over time. However, younger people can also get this type of glaucoma.

Normal Tension Glaucoma
This is a form of open angle glaucoma not related to high pressure. People with normal tension glaucoma may be unusually sensitive to normal levels of pressure. Reduced blood supply to the optic nerve may also play a role in normal tension glaucoma.

Acute (Angle Closure) Glaucoma
Less than 10 percent of Caucasians or African-Americans have this form, but for those of Asian and Native American descent, the risks are as high as for open angle glaucoma. Hispanics are midway between these groups. It causes a sudden rise in pressure, requiring immediate, emergency medical care. The signs are usually serious and may include blurred vision, severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting or seeing rainbow-like halos around lights. Occasionally, the condition may be without symptoms; similar to open angle.

Secondary Glaucoma
Another 10 percent of glaucoma cases come from certain diseases and conditions that damage the eye’s drainage system. These include diabetes, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, some forms of arthritis, cataracts, eye injuries or inflammation of the eye, steroid drug use and growth of unhealthy blood vessels.

Post-Surgical Glaucoma
Some surgeries, such as retinal reattachments, increase the chance of getting glaucoma.

Getting more involved in your treatment
Even if surgery or drugs lower pressure in your eye, it’s still possible to lose vision. Therefore, you and your doctor must carefully monitor the disease.
Since you will be visiting your eye doctor regularly, take time and care in choosing a person who you are comfortable with. Your doctor should understand that your questions and concerns are important. A doctor who is willing to work with you, listen to your concerns and provide the best treatment, plays a large part in your success against glaucoma.

You have to help save your sight
You may need medicines every day for the rest of your life. Find support and encouragement from your family, friends and others. Sometimes it helps to talk to people who have experienced the same thing. It can help you to discuss side effects, share ways to remember your medicines and celebrate getting your glaucoma under control.

Unfortunately, there are a few people whose eyesight will continue to get worse, despite doing all the right things to control their glaucoma. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens, but research in this area continues.

The future holds great promise for treating glaucoma. New medicines are being developed. Other treatments may soon become available. In the meantime, take heart in knowing that you’re doing everything possible to treat your glaucoma successfully. The doctor/patient team approach, support from others and promising scientific discoveries will help you look forward to a bright future.

Questions for your eye doctor

You will have many questions as your doctor diagnoses and treats your glaucoma. It’s helpful to keep a list of these questions, especially if they come to mind in between your eye appointments. Write all your questions down and bring the list with you, then discuss them with your doctor. Here are some questions many people have:

•    What do these medicines do?
•    How much will they cost? Will my insurance help pay for them? (These may be questions for your insurance company, not your doctor.)
•    What are the possible side effects of my medicines?
•    Can I do anything to lower the chance of side effects or reduce the effects?
•    What should I do if I miss a dose?
•    Will I need surgery? What are the benefits and drawbacks of laser surgery? Of glaucoma surgery?
•    What will my vision be like after surgery?
•    How long will recovery take? How will I need to change my usual activities?
•    Will I be able to drive? Go to work?

If you or an aging loved one is suffering from vision loss, get it checked out immediately. AmeriCare home care services can assist seniors with errands, grocery shopping, light housekeeping and more. Let an AmeriCare home care staff member keep you or your loved one safe while being treated for glaucoma or any other vision impairment. Find an AmeriCare office near you by visiting http://americareinfo.com, or call 1-800-610-2029.

Tags: aging loved ones, Americare home care, glaucoma, seniors, vision impaired

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