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27Jan 2020

Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment

While some people may experience various forms of cognitive decline as they get older, in certain cases, that decline may eventually lead to dementia.  However, an intermediate diagnosis that sometimes applies to people as they age is known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Anyone with an older loved one should be aware of MCI, and the potential that seniors can develop the issue.  The good news is that, as the name implies, MCI is indeed mild and less likely to be a burden on a person’s day to day life. What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment? The Mayo Clinic says, “Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia.”  In other words, MCI is a form of mental decline, but less impactful than full forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease.  In fact, one of the primary distinguishing characteristics of MCI is that the ailment causes little, if any, impact on[...]
10Jan 2020

Cold Weather Safety for Elderly Loved Ones

Here in Philadelphia, wintertime has arrived, with freezing temperatures and plenty of snow/ice.  Winter can be dangerous for anyone, no matter how young or fit, but can be a particularly dangerous time for the elderly.  Statistically, deaths among the elderly increase significantly during winter.  If you have an elderly loved one in your life, be aware of the risks and how to reduce them. Why Winter Is Inherently Dangerous to Older People 1. The Temperature As a person gets older, they have more difficulty effectively regulating body temperature.  Older people tend to lose body heat more quickly to the cold and are slower to warm up afterward. So, merely being outside in cold weather is more dangerous to an old person than a younger person.  The senior may be unaware of how much body heat is being lost until things become dangerous. 2. Hypothermia Hypothermia is the medical term for having a low body temperature, 95°F or lower.  Even small drops in body[...]
20Dec 2019

Neighborly Home Care Explores the Dementia and Depression Link

Are dementia and clinical depression linked? A growing body of evidence suggests so. This means that anyone who is providing care to an older adult or merely watching family members head into middle age should be wary of signs of depression. How Dementia and Depression Are Linked In the last decade, several studies from well-respected institutions all point towards a link between the two diseases. These include studies from UC San Francisco and the University of Pittsburgh.  Their findings varied slightly in the particulars but the big picture was similar:  chronic untreated depression in middle age caused people to be roughly three times as likely to develop dementia (either Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia) later in life.  In older adults, past retirement age, developing depression led to doubled chances of dementia. To be clear, this only means that there is a link between the two diseases.  Someone who is depressed in middle age will not necessarily develop dementia – but the risk is significantly elevated. Why? Several competing theories[...]
06Dec 2019

When is the Time to Get Help Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia?

Caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia can be a difficult task.  You can feel rewarded when a day goes well, but the nature of dementia is that things will only get harder as time goes on.  You should always remain aware of their current ability level, as well as your own ability to cope with the task.  Knowing when to call for help is vital to your well-being and your loved one’s safety. Four Signs You Should Find Help in Caring for Someone with Dementia Below are some signs that often prompt people to call us and ask about in-home senior care as an alternative to nursing homes. 1. Frequent nighttime wandering As dementia progresses, nighttime wandering tends to be more common.  Persons with dementia will get up in the middle of the night, often multiple times, and start wandering around almost like they are sleepwalking.  People in this state have been known to hurt themselves, by falling on stairs, or by wandering[...]
27Nov 2019

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – Here’s What You Should Know About Alzheimer’s Disease

Since the designation by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, November has been a time to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, less than 2 million people were known to be afflicted. Today that number has more than doubled, to over 5 million.  To show your support, you can wear a purple ribbon… but understand Alzheimer’s disease is also important.  Roughly 500,000 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every year, and the symptoms can begin as early as middle age.

05Oct 2019

Senior Health & Happiness Go Hand-In-Hand!

“Keep yourself in good shape if you can. Have many passions. And look for magic moments… like sunsets and sunrises, rainbows, beautiful birds, music and people’s lovely comments to you. All of those are magic moments and they are free for all. Be sure to keep your eye open for them.” These amazing pieces of advice were offered by Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins – 103 years young and the oldest competitive runner in America. She is a beacon of senior health and holds medals and world record times in the 100+ age class.
20Sep 2019

Commonplace Prescription Medications May Be Increasing Risk of Dementia

A disturbing new scientific study recently revealed results which could have a major impact on anyone middle-aged or older, as well as anyone who is currently caring for an elderly loved one. The study, published in the well-respected journal JAMA Internal Medicine, showed a strong link between many commonplace prescription medications and increased dementia risk.

05Sep 2019

Neighborly Home Care Explores 5 Challenges Seniors Face Living at Home Alone

As people begin to grow older, they begin to lose the ability to do the same things that they were able to when they were younger. Basic tasks like cooking and cleaning, which were once part of a manageable daily routine, are now too difficult to perform, and these are only a couple of the challenges seniors face living at home alone. Despite this, many elderly individuals prefer to live in their homes and refuse to move into a senior community.  At Neighborly Home Care, we understand that for most, this insistence comes from a desire to remain in the home that holds so many happy memories from their lives.

22Aug 2019

How To Prepare A Senior’s Home For Safely Aging In Place

Numerous studies and other evidence support the thought that, whenever possible, the best situations for seniors is aging in place, living in their own home.  Aging in place allows a senior to be most comfortable, surrounded by their treasured possessions and memories, while also more easily maintaining their social network. Unless health or mental issues specifically preclude aging in place, this arrangement can be their most positive option.

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