When Seniors Fall: Prevention Tips

Many falls may be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices and safety modifications.

Each year one out of three Americans age 65 and older falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As caregivers and seniors know this is a huge problem with falls as the "leading cause of injury, death and emergency room visits for people over age 65," according to a fact sheet on falling from the Florida Hospital North Pinellas. Fallling has serious consequences for seniors. About 20 to 30 percent of individuals "who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries, such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas," according to the Centers for Disease Control. "Often times a person falls because their body has become so inactive over the years, their strength and balance has diminished.  After a fall, individuals tend …

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GPS Helps Alzheimer's Patient Safety

Sixty percent of Alzheimer's patients will wander, but there are tools that can help to keep them from getting lost.

Alzheimer's can be a stressful disease for everyone involved, including caregivers and their loved ones. One thing that can heighten the stress is the wandering that can occur. The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and local Alzheimer's Association offer services to help. Sixty percent of Alzheimer and dementia patients wander, which is the afflicted individual walking off for a reason and getting lost in the confusion. In order to keep Alzheimer's and dementia patients safer, there are services including one offered through the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office that can be used to help keep track and return wanderers home safely. Services offered by the Alzheimer's Association include: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in partnership with …

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Retrofit Home for Aging Relative

Need a grab bar installed? Want a ramp built? Here are some resources to make a Brandon home more accessible for yourself or a loved one.

Here is a list of companies that serve people with limitations or disabilities who need help retrofitting or modifying homes. 1. Abilities, Inc. of Florida 2. Hillsborough County Office of Affordable Housing 3. Home Safe LLC 4. Lela Williams and Associates Interior Design 5. Lifestyle Remodeling 6. Self Reliance, Inc. Center for Independent Living 7. Welcome Home Relocation, Inc. 8. Wrightway Consulting, Inc. Check the area agency on aging database for more resources in the Brandon area for seniors and caregivers.

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Senior's Cane Is Best Self-Defense

Tigers Way, a local martial arts school, teaches people to use a traditional walking cane for self-defense and self-protection.

Using a cane isn't a disability, according to the Tigers Way Martial Arts School of St. Petersburg. It's an advantage.  Tigers Way specializes in teaching self-defense for use in real-world situations, including a cane, if attacked. Locally, Lobellos Street Survival LLC in Brandon provides cane defense techniques. The cane can offer the victim a two-foot extension to his or her reach, said Tony Bilotta, lead instructor at Tigers Way. The cane may be especially handy for a senior. A caregiver may realize a loved one is afraid to go out alone. Grand Master Mark Shuey developed the Cane Master system, after he observed seniors and their use of canes, according to an ABC News report on 20/20. Shuey's dad would not use a cane due to the stigma …

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Tailoring Senior Exercise to Individual Need in Brandon

'Losing our body is like losing our best friend,' said Larry Prescott, who runs a local assisted living and dementia care community. He tells caregivers that exercise needs to be adapted to a senior's needs.

As people age they tend to stay at home and get less exercise through daily  activities, such as trips to the grocery store, said Larry Prescott, executive director of Grand Villa. "The fear of falling, pain from arthritis and neuropathy of the feet, and not recouping as quickly from illnesses often keep people from exercising," Prescott said. Exercise needs to be adapted to the individual's needs. "Person-centered exercise takes the time to determine individual needs. It is completely focused on our residents and what is going to make their life enriched," Prescott said. "Losing our body is like losing our best friend. It can be very depressing and can inhibit motivation to do anything," Prescott said. The key is having the right exercise…

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Don't Call It Exercise; It's Too Much Fun

Gardening, chair-exercises, and balloon volleyball are a few of the exercise options available for seniors.

The New Year is a time when many people start thinking about getting fit and exercising and it’s no different for seniors. As seniors age, remaining active becomes increasingly important. Senior living communities and caregivers should consider looking beyond traditional physical therapy options to keep seniors engaged and active.              Seniors are most receptive to physical therapy when caregivers and their therapists develop individualized plans that fit both their lifestyle and interests. Research shows that it is difficult to motivate seniors to begin to exercise if it hasn’t previously been a priority. Integrating modified, low-impact activities, like yoga, into seniors’ exercise plans increases the likelihood that they will …

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Why Is Gray Divorce the New Trend?

An analysis of the latest U.S. Census Data indicates there has been a huge increase in the number of people 50-plus getting a divorce.

On any given day you can walk into the law office of William D. Slicker, P.A., 4554 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, and see one or more seniors, from young Baby Boomers in their early 50s, to those in their 60s or 70s, waiting for professional law help by this local attorney.  Given the fact that Slicker is an elder law attorney this makes a lot of sense.  Many come for his legal advice on wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and other issues commonly facing seniors.  But not all of these individuals are there for these services.  They are there because they need Slicker’s help in getting a divorce. According to a recent research study done by Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the divorce rate among Baby …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility: Asking the Right Questions

Here's a list of factors to consider when selecting a senior care community.

Naturally, adult children and caregivers want to find an assisted living facility that is best suited for their parents and their individual needs. Choosing a community can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but there are ways to make an informed choice. I recommend that all caregivers and family members take a proactive approach, visiting out a number of communities and asking important questions of the professionals at each facility. This makes the evaluation process easier and ensures an informed decision that is right for your loved one. Begin your search process by identifying the communities you will be considering and developing your list of  questions and then visiting the communities in person. Following is a list of …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Support Is Paramount For Those Caring For A Loved One With Dementia

In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. It is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.

First signs One of the first signs of dementia is mental changes. Forgetfulness is the best examples of this. It can start with not being able to remember the right word to describe something or forgetting a name or how to use a household appliance. As it progresses, the person will have increased difficulty making choices or decisions. If a person exhibits personality changes, it may be a sign of dementia. This can include someone who has become overly friendly and flirtatious or can be at the other end of the spectrum and appear apathetic and introverted. Someone with dementia may also have mood swings or anger easily.    Behavioral and personality changes tend to go hand-in-hand. A person with dementia may be restless, is easily …

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