The warm summer months provide wonderful opportunities for older adults to celebrate with family and friends: graduations, picnics, pool parties, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Yet it’s important to be aware of heat-related dangers that can sneak up quickly on seniors, and to know what to do to help seniors in hot weather stay cool and comfortable. Take note of the following three conditions, and what to do if suspected in a senior : Heat cramps. When the body is overworked and overheated, cramping in the legs, arms, or stomach can occur, and although the person’s pulse and body temperature will remain in a normal range, the skin will become damp and cool to the touch. A senior experiencing heat cramps should go into an air-conditioned room or a shaded area and drink plenty … [Read more...] about Help Seniors in Hot Weather Avoid These Heat-Related Conditions
Eye Injuries from Senior Falls and How to Prevent Them
When we think of senior falls, we envision a variety of injuries that can occur – bruising, fractures, and head injuries, for instance. Yet there’s an increasingly common injury that may seem surprising: eye trauma. Injuries to the eye typically result from blunt force trauma leading to black eyes, damaged eyelids and/or tear glands. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) offers tips to reduce the chance of eye injuries from senior falls: Ensure older adults receive annual eye exams.Review medications with the doctor to determine if any dangerous side effects might be at play that could increase fall risk, such as drowsiness or dizziness.Assess the home for fall hazards:Clear away any clutter blocking walkways, both inside and outside of the homeRemove all throw rugs, … [Read more...] about Eye Injuries from Senior Falls and How to Prevent Them
Medications & Falls: What Seniors Should Know
With the majority of older adults taking multiple prescription medications – a full 80% take at least two medications, and more than 50% take four or more –managing these medications is crucial to ensure they’re providing maximum benefit while minimizing side effects. One important side effect of many prescriptions for seniors is the increased risk of falls. THE MEDICAL TEAM’s in-home care experts recommend seniors and their caregivers make sure they are fully informed about the medications being taken, by getting answers to the following questions from the prescribing physician: What side effects can be expected, and what’s the best way to minimize them? Talk to your doctor if you have side effects like dizziness, light headedness, sleepiness during the day, confusion, lack of … [Read more...] about Medications & Falls: What Seniors Should Know
Making the Kitchen Accessible After a Spinal Cord Injury
Independence and autonomy are so important to our overall wellbeing, and for those with a spinal cord injury or other disability, there are a number of steps we can take to make sure the home allows for maximum freedom and self-reliance. In honor of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, the in-home care professionals at THE MEDICAL TEAM offer the following modifications to one of the most important rooms in the home for expressing self-sufficiency: the kitchen. These alterations provide easier access for those in a wheelchair to independently prepare meals, clean, organize, and more. Refrigerator: Based upon the individual’s particular needs, there are several refrigerator options for better wheelchair accessibility: A small, compact refrigerator placed at the appropriate … [Read more...] about Making the Kitchen Accessible After a Spinal Cord Injury