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Essential Exercises for Elderly Health & Wellbeing

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Exercise offers many mental, emotional, and physical health benefits for older adults, which means your elderly loved one should consider adding workouts to their weekly agenda. Below are some of the best exercises for seniors to perform and the benefits of each activity.

Walking

To strengthen their bones and boost their immune systems, seniors should incorporate walking into their workout routines. Regular exercise can prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risk of hypertension.

It’s best to walk according to one’s physical capabilities and avoid overworking the muscles and joints. The time of day when your loved one walks is just as important. Early-morning walks are usually more beneficial and easier to continue due to higher energy levels.

Many seniors find walking even more enjoyable with companions. For many families, hourly home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. 

Swimming

Swimming is often seen as a source of enjoyment, but incorporating swimming into a weekly exercise routine can also be beneficial for a senior’s health. The movements involved can boost cardiovascular health and increase flexibility. Because swimming is a low-impact form of exercise, it can reduce pain and make certain activities less difficult, such as walking, sleeping, and maintaining a healthy weight.

How often your loved one should swim and the number of laps they should do each time is determined by their health and the doctor’s recommendations. Your loved one’s skill levels are also key. For example, intermediate swimmers should typically perform ten to twenty laps per session.

Cycling

This exercise is considered one of the most effective ways for older adults to keep their blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. By exercising their muscles, seniors can enhance their balance and minimize the odds of falls and fractures.

Indoor and outdoor cycling can reduce fear levels and increase self-esteem. Your loved one can take up cycling a few times per week, both indoors and outdoors, depending on their preferences and the access they have to each method.

Yoga

As physical abilities worsen, the risks of back pain and hypertension increase. Adding yoga to your loved one’s routine can alleviate back pain and prevent hypertension.

Yoga also lowers the odds of anxiety and depression, making it a great workout for older adults. These calming exercises can help your loved one achieve a clear, peaceful, and positive state of mind.

If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Corio by IOA, a leading provider of senior care. Our professional in-home caregivers are available around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Leg Lifting

Whether your loved one does seated leg extension routines, standing knee lifts, chair squats, leg curls, or ankle circles, they can receive several benefits that come from various leg lifting routines, including strengthened muscles. Building muscle strength and balance is the goal, and weekly leg lift routines can help your loved one achieve that. Increasing the ability to stand or walk for longer periods with strong balance is vital, as it can lower the odds of falling.

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs overnight home care, Corio by IOA can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to accompany older adults to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If you need professional home care in San Francisco for your loved one, our Connect Specialists are just a phone call away. Reach out to Corio by IOA today at (415) 750-4111.

Nighttime Safety Issues for Elderly People Living Alone

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Aging in place is a common choice for many seniors, but some may face difficulty doing so independently, especially during the night hours. To reduce the risks associated with the dangers mentioned below, take advantage of the accompanying prevention tips. The objective is to ensure your senior loved one can maintain independence, comfort, and happiness while living at home alone.

Slips & Falls

Going to the restroom during the night may be more challenging for seniors due to worsening mobility, eyesight, or cognitive abilities. As a result, they may be at higher risk for slips and falls that increase the odds of broken bones, head injuries, or the need for hospitalization.

To maintain your loved one’s comfort and safety, keep the home well lit and easy to navigate with nightlights and clear pathways. Rearranging the bedroom layout and removing potentially dangerous objects can also prevent accidents.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Medication Mishaps

Despite being alert when taking medicine in the morning and evening, your loved one may have a higher chance of forgetting or skipping nighttime doses due to sleepiness or memory issues. However, it’s just as important to take medicine correctly at night as it is during the rest of the day. You can prevent this danger by stepping in and offering medication reminders. For instance, you can connect with your loved one via phone or video chats when it’s time to take the prescriptions.

Your family can also hire a professional caregiver who can stay with your loved one during the night to ensure they receive timely medication reminders, and the caregiver can also monitor your loved one’s safety and be there to prevent isolation and depression.

For many seniors, 24-hour home care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care San Francisco industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness.

Electrical Hazards

At night, when your loved one is more likely to lose their balance, there’s also a risk of knocking over a cup of water, increasing the chances of not only slips and falls but also electrical hazards. If water from a glass were to spill into an electrical outlet, it could cause a power outage or fire. For this reason, it’s important to keep all outlets and electrical cords covered or securely placed for protection. To minimize the chances of electrical accidents, you should also encourage your loved one to use spill-proof cups and containers when drinking and eating.

Burglary

Although individuals of all ages are at risk for theft when living alone, seniors may not be able to respond as quickly or effectively as those with stronger cognitive and mental abilities. To protect your loved one’s home and safety from nighttime theft, install alarms that notify authorities, you, and your siblings.

In addition to security systems, your loved one needs a safe place they can get to quickly so they can hide from thieves. The location should have a mobile device that allows your loved one to alert you and others of the danger and keep you updated on their whereabouts until someone can get to the home and help. 

Professional caregivers can help seniors stay safe in their homes. Families looking for top-rated hourly, 24-hour, and live-in care providers can reach out to Corio by IOA. From respite for family caregivers to specialized dementia care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today at (415) 750-4111. 

Activities of Daily Living that Often Require Assistance

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Everybody needs a little help sometimes, and seniors tend to need more assistance as they age. In the senior care industry, you’ll often hear people refer to activities of daily living, or ADLs. Most seniors have certain ADLs in common that become more challenging to perform with age or as they develop new health conditions that interfere with their cognitive abilities and mobility. Taking a look at these common ADLs seniors need assistance with gives you a starting point for managing discussions about your aging loved one’s current and anticipated care needs.

Personal Hygiene

Bathing, brushing teeth, and performing other personal hygiene tasks do more than simply make your loved one look their best. Personal hygiene can also prevent infections and help seniors maintain their self-esteem. Seniors often have difficulty with personal hygiene tasks due to a loss of mobility that may make it challenging for them to maintain their balance on slippery floors. Or they could develop a fear of falling that makes them skip showers.
Senior care providers can help seniors bathe or simply give them reminders to brush their teeth. If your loved one cannot manage a specific aspect of maintaining their hygiene, a caregiver can also point out strategies to help. For instance, the caregiver may recommend using an ergonomic toothbrush to support a senior with limited hand movement.

Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), a leading home care San Francisco agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

Meal Prep & Eating

If you’ve ever been too exhausted to make a meal after a long day at work, you already have an inkling of what life is like for seniors who live with debilitating fatigue and chronic pain. Some seniors need assistance with making healthy meals due to an inability to stand for long times at the stove. Seniors with memory loss may need assistance to avoid fire hazards as they cook. Your loved one could also benefit from having the emotional support of enjoying meals with a caregiver who can turn mealtimes into highly anticipated parts of their day.

Managing Restroom Needs

Seniors with incontinence may be unable to change their soiled clothing independently. Or your loved one may face difficulty maintaining their hygiene after using the toilet. Some seniors wake up throughout the night to use the restroom, which increases their fall risk. If your loved one expresses concerns about how they use the restroom, hiring an in-home caregiver can retain your loved one’s dignity while also providing the assistance they need to stay healthy.

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs overnight home care, Corio by IOA can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to accompany seniors to doctor’s appointments, ensure they take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

Functional Mobility

Your loved one may manage many of their ADLs once they get out of bed, but they may have difficulty with some basic aspects of their mobility. For instance, seniors who use mobility devices such as wheelchairs might need assistance moving from their beds or chairs to their devices. Or your loved one might need help moving around in public, where it’s challenging to navigate doors from a wheelchair or step over curbs. Caregivers can identify seniors’ mobility challenges and find solutions to overcome each one.

For many families, hourly home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Corio by IOA, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today at (415) 750-4111.

Vital Traits a Professional Caregiver Should Possess

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Many seniors prefer to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. Ensuring safety and meeting daily needs may require the assistance of professional caregivers. Below are some of the most important qualities to consider when searching for a professional in-home caregiver.

Trustworthiness

A lack of transparency can have negative effects on the relationship between a professional caregiver and your aging loved one. Lack of trust may lead your loved one to hide health information, exposing them to danger. If your loved one is taking medication or feeling ill and doesn’t trust the caregiver, they may withhold information about the medication’s effects or let an illness grow worse instead of speaking up.
Without trust, your loved one might also refuse the caregiver’s help with bathing, dressing, or other hygiene-related tasks due to the uncertainty and discomfort. As a result, your loved one’s quality of life could worsen.

There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA) 

is a leading elder care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.

Great Communication

To understand your loved one’s wants and needs, communication is key for the professional caregiver you select. That includes being an active listener, incorporating nonverbal actions, and being clear and concise. These abilities can enable the caregiver to interact effectively and ensure your loved one is aging in place safely.

Communication also includes providing empathetic and necessary feedback. This can enhance the environment by boosting your loved one’s confidence rather than discouraging them from completing daily tasks or accepting help when needed.

Patience

Your loved one’s care needs may vary from those of other seniors. If your loved one is living with conditions that impact the ability to hear, speak, move, or see, a caregiver will need to step in. Therefore, it’s best to ensure the professional you select has the patience to do so, especially if your loved one’s health worsens with time. When searching for an in-home caregiver, ask questions such as how the individual will respond to challenging setbacks. 

Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Corio by IOA to enhance their quality of life. 

Physical Strength

Although a caregiver doesn’t need to be a powerlifter, the type of daily assistance your loved one needs could require the professional to perform physically demanding tasks. For example, if your loved one cannot walk or move, they’ll rely on the in-home caregiver for assistance using the restroom, navigating the stairs, or getting into a car when going on outings or medical visits. In some instances, the caregiver may also need to push your loved one in a wheelchair.
If your loved one has difficulty with physical movements and some mental challenges, it would be best to hire an in-home caregiver with the physical strength necessary for these tasks. 

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide 24-hour home care as well as overnight and live-in care. Families can turn to Corio by IOA for reliable, high-quality in-home care in San Francisco for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us today at (415) 750-4111.

 

What Advantages Does Hourly Home Care Offer Aging Adults?

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Making decisions about senior care is an essential part of giving your aging loved one what they need for the best quality of life. Home care agencies make it possible for seniors to continue living where they’re the most comfortable. You’ll also find that home care provides options such as hourly caregiving. Thinking about the benefits of hourly home care gives you a starting point for discussing your loved one’s options together as a family.

Request Only the Services You Need

Most seniors start out only needing help with a few tasks around the home. Hourly care allows you to request help with specific activities of daily living. Whether your loved one needs help with cooking or assistance with personal hygiene, having someone drop in for a set number of hours each week gives them assistance without requiring you to pay for services they don’t need.

Preserve Independence

If your loved one faces difficulty with housekeeping but does fine with most tasks, there’s no reason to move them out of their home. Hourly caregivers make it possible to prevent household accidents and ensure your loved one has a hygienic place to live by addressing the areas where seniors experience the most challenges.

Prevent Isolation in Seniors Who Live Alone

Everyone needs companionship, and seniors who live alone often feel isolated. Hourly caregivers enjoy spending time with the seniors in their care. They can drop in to share a meal, plan memory-boosting activities, and engage your loved one in conversations to keep them from feeling lonely.

For many families, hourly home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. 

Give Family Caregivers Respite

Your family may be able to manage most of your loved one’s care by swapping schedules and sharing responsibilities. But there are likely gaps in the schedule where you could use some help. Arranging for hourly care gives you time to go to your doctor’s appointments or attend an important work event. Even if you just take a few hours off to relax, you’ll feel refreshed when it’s time to return to your duties.

Address New or Temporary Conditions

This might be the first time your loved one is experiencing challenges at home, especially if they’ve recently developed an illness or injury. Seniors with new chronic health conditions may need hourly assistance to help them learn to address their wellbeing. Hourly caregivers can help with medication reminders or assist with bathing when your loved one is unsteady on their feet. 

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care San Francisco. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Gradually Introduce Reluctant Seniors to Home Care

If your loved one balks at the prospect of having a caregiver, hourly care can help them see how support boosts their overall quality of life. Framing hourly care as an opportunity to spend more time on hobbies as someone else handles the dishes might seem more enticing to your loved one. Taking a moment to identify the tasks your loved one prefers to let go of could be all it takes to get them to agree to have more help around the house.

When searching for reliable hourly, live-in, 24-hour, or overnight home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Corio by IOA, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, accompany seniors to medical appointments, and much more. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Connect Specialists are just a phone call away. Reach out to Corio by IOA today at (415) 750-4111.

The Benefits & Considerations of Aging in Place

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Many seniors prefer to age in place because they want to be surrounded by familiar places, people, and belongings. However, having their loved ones living at home is often a concern for some family members who feel their elderly loved ones won’t be safe or have the necessary care. Read on for details about aging in place, including its benefits and ways your loved one can take advantage of remaining at home.

Staying at Home & within the Community

The types of illnesses or other health conditions your loved one lives with can determine the type of care they need. For instance, if your loved one has mobility limitations, they’ll need assistance with cooking, cleaning the home, bathing, transportation, and other daily activities. Your family can step in to share these responsibilities, adapting them to meet your loved one’s current abilities as well as your personal schedules and financial capabilities.

You can also hire a caregiver to assist when you and your siblings are unable to take on caregiving tasks. Doing so gives your loved one the ability to age in place in the community they love instead of living in an elderly care facility. 

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide 24-hour home care as well as overnight and live-in care. Families can turn to Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA) for reliable, high-quality home care in San Francisco for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.

Independence

Aging in place allows seniors to maintain independence without putting their health at risk. Maintaining independence is beneficial for mental, physical, and emotional health. It can delay the aging process and the progression of diseases and various health conditions. Simply getting up each day and looking out the windows of their own home can boost your loved one’s quality of life, as it allows them to feel they’re retaining significant control. 

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional overnight, live-in, or hourly home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Financial Benefits

If your loved one is living on a fixed income, they must balance their budget and spend money on necessities, with only occasional spending on shopping, entertainment, outdoor eating, and more. By aging in place, your loved one only spends money on the care services they need, whereas at an assisted living facility or nursing home, they may have a monthly bill that includes services they don’t use.

Privacy

Sharing a bedroom with another adult may not sound appealing to most seniors, and it can cause their health to worsen. They may give up on being strong and begin to experience depression, anger, and other negative emotions because at least some of their privacy is being taken away.

Even if your loved one has a private room in a healthcare facility, sharing entertainment rooms, eating with others, and having different individuals coming in and out of the facility could reduce their privacy. This includes other residents having family and friends stop by and medical professionals being there throughout the day as well as individuals assisting with daily cooking, cleaning, activity prepping, and more.

Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Corio by IOA, a leading senior care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call us today at (415) 750-4111.

Upholding Dignity: Empowering Older Adults to Age in Place Gracefully

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Treating seniors with dignity honors them and promotes independence by cultivating feelings of respect. The aging process can sometimes rob seniors of their self-esteem or place them in situations that cause them to lose their sense of dignity. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your senior loved one age in place with dignity, even when they face health challenges that impact their abilities.

Be Supportive during Major Life Changes

Losing the ability to drive or experiencing memory loss can cause even the most confident senior to feel anxious or incapable of handling their daily needs. Reach out to your loved one during major life changes and offer to hear their concerns. Offering to find solutions for their new challenges helps your loved one see they can overcome the changes that accompany aging. For instance, showing your loved one they can still get around town by using transportation services can renew their confidence and sense of dignity.

Discuss Their Care Preferences

If you’ve ever balked at the prospect of being told what to do by someone else, then you already have an idea of how seniors feel when they’re informed about new care arrangements without being consulted first. Although you may know the end result involves your loved one receiving care, offering them the chance to provide input into what the arrangements should involve leaves their dignity intact.

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs overnight home care, Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA) can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to accompany older adults to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

Offer Professional Assistance with Personal Hygiene

Many seniors love having their adult children help with tasks such as meal prep and cleaning the house, but your loved one might feel uncomfortable about having you assist with personal care tasks such as bathing. If your loved one has new care needs that include personal hygiene, offering to hire professional help can prevent embarrassment on their part while allowing you to maintain your current relationship roles.

Plan to Promote Independence

Sometimes simple changes around the house allow your loved one to accomplish tasks independently. For instance, your loved one might need to have cookware moved to a shelf that doesn’t require bending or stretching to reach pots and pans at mealtime. Or your loved one might be able to use a stair lift to get to the upper level of their home. Working together to promote independence and safety in your loved one’s home allows them to continue doing many things with only minimal assistance as they age.

For many families, hourly home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Corio by IOA, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. 

Demonstrate Patience in Your Interactions

Lashing out at your loved one out of frustration can destroy their dignity. Seniors should never feel like a burden or worry about how their needs impact their relationships. Partnering with a senior home caregiver is one way to avoid becoming overtired to the point that you get frustrated with your loved one. You can also plan extra time for activities to prevent your loved one from feeling rushed, whether you’re going on an outing or sitting down to enjoy a meal together.

Hiring a professional caregiver can allow you to take a break from your caregiving duties to focus on your health and wellbeing. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional home care in San francisco, Corio by IOA should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us today at (415) 750-4111.

Early Symptoms Associated with Alzheimer’s

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Alzheimer’s disease can affect individuals differently. In some situations, cognitive decline can occur at a fast rate, while for other seniors, it could happen slowly. As a family caregiver, you must continuously monitor your senior loved one’s behavior, assessing any changes as quickly as possible. Below are some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and ways to address those changes.

Misplaced Items

Although it’s not unusual for individuals of all ages to misplace keys, remote control devices, phones, and other objects, losing different items regularly could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Monitor how often your loved one misplaces things around the home or while being out with family and friends.

Memory loss is a common cause of mismanaging objects. For instance, your loved one could set a remote control down in the laundry room while transferring clothes from the washing machine to the dryer or put items in a safer place due to individuals stopping by later that day. The damage to the brain caused by Alzheimer’s will affect how your loved one creates and retrieves memories, leading to misplaced items.

Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional memory care. Seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in dementia care can be a great asset. Our services include comprehensive personal care, homemaking, and companionship services available on an hourly, overnight, live-in, or 24-hour basis.

Poor Judgment

The usage of purposeful behaviors could change significantly when a senior has developed Alzheimer’s. During the early stages of the disease, you may notice your loved one taking on things they would never approve of in the past. Other examples of poor judgment could include your loved one focusing less on their appearance in terms of bathing frequency, the clothing they wear, or failing to keep certain areas of the home clean.

It’s best to take your loved one to a doctor for testing instead of ignoring the changes or fearing you have misread a situation. Doing so can ensure your loved one receives the necessary treatment, and it allows you and other family caregivers to create strategies that help your loved one delay the progression of the disease while keeping them safe.

Lack of Confidence

Becoming fearful of new challenges could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s best to react rather than ignore the situation. Although you should be mindful that your loved one may consider an activity too difficult and unsafe, don’t always assume this is the case. For example, if your loved one becomes too hesitant to meet with friends and family for celebrations, this could be due to their brain having difficulty understanding the physical and emotional factors associated with the situation.

If you notice your loved one becoming more tentative, look for ways to boost their confidence. For instance, instead of allowing your loved one to go into situations unprepared, discuss what sorts of things you think will happen and create accessible methods to handle them. You can address things such as different discussions, physical activities, and bathroom etiquette.

Older adults living with Alzheimer’s often find it challenging to complete everyday activities. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Corio home care San Francisco by Institute on Aging (IOA) is a leading home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.

Problem-Solving Difficulties

If your loved one begins facing difficulty with paying bills on time or in the correct amounts, this could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Even if these are routine tasks, your loved one may not be able to take them on. The confusion is due to your loved one’s brain not reacting or functioning normally, causing them to have more difficulty with solving problems.

Instead of handling these things for your loved one, try to tailor problem-solving tasks in ways that take advantage of their strengths and avoid their weaknesses. Doing so can boost your loved one’s confidence and encourage them to seek independence without compromising their safety.

Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Corio by IOA’s live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at (415) 750-4111 today.

 

Things Families Should Do Following a Parkinson’s Diagnosis

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Finding out your senior loved one has Parkinson’s disease can be overwhelming and leave you feeling lost, scared, upset, and helpless. However, the sooner you take action, the better you can help your loved one handle their health. Here are some of the first steps you should take after the diagnosis.

Make an Appointment with a Specialist

The very first thing you should do after your loved one is diagnosed with Parkinson’s is make an appointment with a specialist. The disease and its symptoms will progress over time, and a specialist can help you find the right treatments and therapies and let you know what to expect. Consider seeing a neurologist with experience in this area as well as someone who specializes in movement disorders.

Encourage Your Loved One to Adopt Healthy Habits

While there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, studies suggest that making some lifestyle changes may alleviate symptoms and improve areas like motor coordination, balance, gait, memory, and concentration. Encourage your loved one to get moving by helping them find activities they enjoy, such as swimming, walking, or hiking. 

 

You can also help your loved one make improvements to their diet and ensure they get high-quality sleep each night. Parkinson’s can make sleeping difficult. Ensuring your loved one has a restful environment and nightly routine that encourages rest are essential. 

If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), a leading provider of senior care. Our professional in-home caregivers are available around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. 

Plan for Your Loved One’s Physical Safety

In time, Parkinson’s may impair your loved one’s physical and mental functions, so it’s important to look after their safety. This might involve removing clutter and other physical obstacles from their home, adding handrails and ramps, checking in regularly to look for changes in their condition, and making plans for when your loved one can no longer live at home.

Ensure Your Loved One Has Plenty of Emotional Support

Finding out you have a life-changing disease can impact your mental health as much as your physical health. Your loved one needs plenty of emotional support from friends, family, and possibly even professional therapists. Make sure they continue participating in social activities. Look for social groups for seniors in your community. 

It’s also important to keep in mind your loved one may be resistant to making lifestyle changes. Always ask your loved one how you can help them or encourage them rather than making decisions for them or making demands. 

For many families, hourly home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Corio by IOA, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today. 

Do Some Research on Parkinson’s Disease

The more you know about Parkinson’s, the better equipped you’ll be to handle this new reality. Talk to doctors, experts, and other people who have the disease or have had loved ones with it. Read up on it online. Get involved with trusted organizations that support people with Parkinson’s.

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Finding out a loved one has a disease is tough on everyone who cares about them, so make sure you address your own mental and emotional needs. Take time for self-care. If you’re a caregiver for your loved one, make sure you have plenty of support from others.

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour home care, Corio by IOA can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call us today to learn about our high-quality San Francisco home care.

Steps to Take if Your Aging Loved One Has a Stroke

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The risk of stroke typically rises with age and is often associated with other risk factors such as hypertension. Signs of stroke may include sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness (typically on one side), facial drooping, and difficulty speaking. Prompt medical attention is essential because it can prevent extensive neurological damage. Here are some things to do if your senior loved one has a stroke.

Call an Ambulance

Because signs of a stroke can be subtle, they can be mistaken for other, less serious conditions. If you notice your loved one is exhibiting unusual behavior, regardless of how subtle, call an ambulance so emergency treatment can be quickly implemented. When thrombolytic treatments are administered as soon as possible to dissolve the blood clot that caused the stroke, your loved one may be more likely to enjoy a more favorable prognosis.

 

Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Trust Corio Home Care San Francisco by Institute on Aging (IOA) to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.

Stay at the Hospital with Your Loved One

Once your loved one has arrived at the hospital, stay with them in the emergency department as much as possible. They may be fearful and anxious and will benefit from your moral support. Another reason to get to the hospital as soon as possible is because the staff will need to ask you questions about your loved one’s medical history, current medications, and insurance coverage. You may also need to give your permission for certain medical procedures if your loved one is incapacitated and unable to make decisions independently.

Perform Household Maintenance

While your loved one is in the hospital, pick up their mail, pay their bills, and make sure their home is maintained. If they have pets, make sure the animals are fed on schedule and consider allowing them to live in your home to keep them safe and secure. If you’re unable to take care of them, ask other family members or friends to help or speak with a veterinarian for advice. In addition, if your loved one’s stroke has left them with mobility problems, consider installing a stairlift in the home so they can navigate the stairs safely.

Consider the benefits of hiring a home caregiver to help after your loved one is discharged. When searching for reliable hourly, live-in, 24-hour, or overnight home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Corio by IOA, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, accompany seniors to medical appointments, and much more. 

Focus on Recovery

The stroke recovery process may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. It often starts in the hospital, but it may continue even after your loved one has been discharged. Because of this, your loved one may need transportation to the outpatient therapy facility. You can drive your loved one to their therapy appointments or make alternative transportation arrangements through family and friends or a medical transportation company. If your loved one is unable to leave the home to attend therapy, you can make arrangements with their primary care doctor for in-home therapy services.

Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Corio by IOA’s live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Call us at (415) 750-4111 to create a customized care plan for your loved one.