New Braunfels Home Care help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

The list that is provided below contains some useful tips on food safety for seniors. Any senior who prepares their meals at home should be aware of the things that can be done to prevent a foodborne illness. Preparing and storing foods properly is very important. Seniors should be aware of at home food safety and know how to use these tips to prevent any possible illness from occurring.

1. Always wash your hands often when cooking and handling any raw foods. Make sure to wash before, during and after preparation. This will reduce the risks of cross-contamination and will help ensure food is being prepared safely.

2. After shopping, be sure to store foods separately. Never keep raw and cooked foods stored together. When preparing meals, do not use the same cutting board or knife on meats and poultry on breads and vegetables.

3. Always make sure that foods are cooked to the proper temperature. Undercooked foods can pose a health threat to seniors. Consuming raw and undercooked foods, such as meats and eggs, could increase the chances of illness.

4. When buying perishable foods, make sure they are put away quickly. Never leave perishable foods on the counter. Place them in the refrigerator as soon as you return home to make sure they do not spoil.

Source: eatright.org

Image: organic.kysu.edu

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Our New Braunfels Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

A foodborne illness could bring about serious medical problems for seniors. By taking the necessary precautions, the chances of getting ill from food are greatly reduced. The list below provides seniors with tips about food safety. By following some of these tips, seniors will be able to prepare food and not worry about an illness.

1. Older individuals, newborns and pregnant women are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses. This is because they usually have a weaker immune system than a healthy young adult. People in these groups need to be very careful of the foods they ingest.

2. To protect yourself from becoming ill from a food, make sure that all food is stored properly.

3. When cooking food, make sure that the food has reached the proper temperature. This can be done by inserting a thermometer into the food as it is being prepared. This is very important when cooking meat and poultry.

4. When preparing food, be sure to wash your hands often. This will help prevent cross-contamination. This is important when coming in contact with raw fish, meat and poultry.

5. Some foods are more prone to carrying bacteria. This is common in chicken and some red meat. Try to avoid preparing or eating these foods, especially if they are undercooked.

Source: eatright.org

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

New Braunfels Home Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Senior food allergies are important to understand. If a senior ingests a food they are allergic to, they could experience serious reactions. Intolerances can also cause reactions, but they are usually not as severe. No matter what type of food allergy or intolerance a senior has, it is important that they are always aware of what they are eating. The following list contains some important facts about food allergies.

1. Food allergies are more common in children, but they do affect seniors as well. Family history plays an important role. Seniors should be aware of any other family members who have allergies or intolerances.

2. Food allergies can be mild or severe. Seniors need to know how they react to specific foods and be prepared for the worst possible reaction at all times.

3. The most common allergies include those to milk, peanuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy and tree nuts.

4. The best way to cope with food allergies and intolerances is to avoid the foods that trigger a reaction. Most seniors will be tested by a doctor to determine what foods cause a reaction and how severe that reaction may be.

5. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what is in the foods they eat. Since some food allergies are to common ingredients, this is very important when managing allergies.

6. When preparing food at home, always read the labels. Even if you are familiar with an ingredient in a recipe, it may contain traces of an allergen.

7. Make everyone informed of your allergies and intolerances. This includes family members, caretakers and friends.

Source: eatright.org

Image Via: healthinlife.com

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Our New Braunfels Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Food intolerances are common among seniors. Usually, a senior will have an intolerance to dairy products. This can cause abdominal discomfort and other problems. An allergy is much more severe. It is very important for seniors to be aware of the facts relating to intolerances and allergies. Below is a list that provides facts about both conditions.

1. There are eight foods that account for more than 90% of all food allergies. These include eggs, peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Many people can have an anaphylactic reaction when they ingest a food they are allergic to.

2. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what foods make them ill and do their best to avoid these foods. It is important to make mention of any food allergies to anyone who is preparing food you will be eating.

3. Food allergy symptoms appear almost immediately after eating the food. The symptoms can include itchy nose and throat, watery eyes, shortness of breath or hives. There are many symptoms, but these are the most common.

4. Food intolerance is when the body cannot digest the food components. This is common with foods that contain lactose or sulfides. The symptoms may include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea or nausea. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance is not life-threatening.

5. If you have a food intolerance or allergy, make sure to meet with a dietician to understand what foods you need to avoid. You also need to learn about food ingredients so you know what to watch for. Make sure to read all labels on packaged foods and inform family members and friends of the intolerance or allergy.

Source: eatright.org

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Home Care New Braunfels cares for a number of older adults and sees many seniors who are affected by high blood pressure each year. It is important for them to be aware of risks associated with the disorder. High blood pressure can cause other serious problems. The following list provides symptoms that all seniors should know about and be able to recognize.

1. High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It can also cause kidney damage, blindness and heart disease.

2. The symptoms of high blood pressure can be different for each person. Some seniors will never experience any symptoms. Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.

3. If the heart has been affected, the following symptoms may be present: chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizzy spells.

4. If the kidneys are affected by high blood pressure, patients may experience frequent urination, urinary tract infections, pain in the lower abdomen, increased glucose and protein in the urine or blood.

5. Should high blood pressure affect your eyes, you will experience loss of vision, blurred vision, headaches or double vision.

6. Malignant hypertension is caused by the rapid onset of high blood pressure and may cause shortness of breath, severe headaches, nausea, chest pain, confusion or seizures.

7. Talk to your doctor if any symptoms are present. Then work on a solution to lower your blood pressure, either by diet changes, medications, exercise or a combination of all three.

Source: hearthealthyonline.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

As much as a senior may avoid the flu, many will fall victim to the illness at some point. Once the flu sets in, all is not lost for seniors. The elderly can avoid passing the flu to others by following these simple steps.

• Wash Your Hands—The simple act of cleaning your hands can prevent germs from spreading or reaching your senior. Encourage your senior to wash their hands or carry hand sanitizer.

• Avoid People Who Are Sick—As much as a senior may love to see their grandchildren or children, if any party is sick, it is best to just stay out of close contact until no longer contagious.

• Stay in Bed—If you are a sick senior, try to not push yourself by going out on errands. Not only can rest help a senior recover faster, but you will also prevent others from getting sick.

• Sleep, Exercise, and Eat Healthy—Some of the best ways to fight the flu can easily be by getting a full night’s sleep, being active, and eating foods and drinking liquids beneficial to your health.

• Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth—One of the most common ways germs can spread is by rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth after touching a doorknob or other item that is contaminated.

• Cover Your Nose and Mouth—When sneezing or coughing, it is always better to cover your mouth and nose to prevent your flu-like symptoms from spreading to others.

Source: cdc.gov

Image Source: sxc.hu

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Q – I’m moving my mom into my home before the holidays; I know that having her here will go a long way in improving her safety, but are there additional steps I should take to address her comfort and her safety?

A – Absolutely! As we age, there are different things to consider with regards to safety, so while having her in her home will certainly help, there are other things you can do:

1. Install a lower peephole – particularly for seniors that live alone, a peephole is an important security measure. Osteoporosis can cause seniors to lose height, and causing them to strain to see out of a peephole is a danger

2. Reduce glare in the home – for the comfort of seniors, install blinds on the windows that can be adjusted depending upon the amount of light or glare coming into the home

3. Prevent falls with safety measures – put railings on stairs and in the bathroom, and to avoid slips remove area rugs

4. Control water temperatures of the faucets – seniors can scald themselves if they find it challenging to control water

5. Change door handles – seniors with arthritis often have trouble manipulating doorknobs; accommodate them by installing level handles or other assistive devices

6. Try to control clutter – whether a senior is moving in, or you’re trying to make their home a little safer, finding storage for all the extra items that are not regularly used is important to reduce clutter and increase safety

Via: Guide for  Boomers and Seniors who Live with Them

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Every time that you pick up the phone to speak with an important elderly person in your life, like your mom or dad, or grandma or grandpa, you’re likely to ask them how they’re doing, but you know that you’re only going to get the typical answer which is never the truth. To ensure that your loved one truly is doing okay living independently, when visiting over the holidays, take a look at the following elements which can tell you whether or not they’re safe and healthy on their own, of if the assistance of a caregiver might be needed:

1. Check the refrigerator – spoiled foods or lack of nutritious food options may indicate that your senior has not been eating properly due to a health issue, difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing meals

2. Look in high places – if your senior has always been neat and tidy, dust or dirt in higher places may indicate changes in their mobility

3. Look at their mail – bills piling up around the home, or bills that aren’t being picked up from the mail box could either mean that they aren’t managing to stay on top of their financial responsibilities due to a condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia, or it could be related to their finances

4. Check their medications – look in the medicine cabinet and compare dates and dosages to the number of prescription pills in the bottles

5. Take a look at your loved one – their appearance can give away a lot. Do they appear to be well-groomed, dressed and bathed?

6. Talk to friends and neighbors – those that see your senior on a regular basis might be able to give you some insight; ask close friends and neighbors casually when you see them over the holidays

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

As a caregiver, whether you’re a family member caring for a senior, or you’re a professional that’s been hired by a family, your number one priority should be safety. Proactive caregiving can ensure that safety is not compromised, and from the second you take on a role as a caregiver, these are the steps that you should take:

1. Install nightlights – lighting in a senior’s home is crucial for preventing accidents and nightfright. Installing nightlights which have sensors to go on when seniors get up in the night can also improve safety, and are a simple and inexpensive addition to any home

2. Suggest a lifeline – since caregivers are not always there around the clock, a lifeline, or an emergency device that will contact a loved one or emergency help can make sure that seniors receive help when needed

3. Put lights on timers – suggesting lights on timers inside or outside the home can help ensure there is adequate lighting at all times, and it also adds an element of security in the evening hours when seniors are home alone, and helps to conserve electricity

4. Remove hazards – if seniors do have caregiving help 24/7, caregivers should ensure the environment is safe for seniors to get around while on their own. Removing tripping hazards like throw rugs and poorly placed furniture will reduce the likelihood of accidents. Sturdy grab bars can also be placed in bathrooms and along stairwells for added stability

5. Talk to family members – caregivers can also speak to family members about their concerns, and address them specifically, making the home environment safer to put everyone’s minds at ease

The above are some suggestions of what should be included in any home care franchise service for the success of the business, but of course, specific services will depend upon the client, so hiring caregivers that are perceptive to senior’s needs is crucial to franchise well-being.

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

You might have made a decision about whether or not to receive the H1N1 vaccine based on what you’ve heard in the media and through word of mouth, but in order to help you make a better informed decision for your health, we’re separating fact from fiction and making sure all seniors understand the truth about this virus.

1. The swine flu shot isn’t for everyone – unfortunately, there is not enough of the H1N1 vaccine to make sure the complete population is protected, although the CDC does recommend it. Those who are in higher risks groups should receive the vaccine as soon as it’s available, including women who are pregnant, those who are around or care for babies under 6 months of age, everyone age 6 months through age 24, and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions between the ages of 25 and 64

2. The seasonal flu shot offers protection against the Swine Flu – the H1N1 virus varies from the season flu, and therefore those in the high risk groups should receive BOTH shots to ensure protection and cannot expect that one shot offers protection for both. However, do note that the risk groups for the seasonal flu shot vary from the H1N1 Virus

3. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine makes people more susceptible to H1N1 – studies have both proven and disproven this myth, so at this stage there is no firm answer

4. Seniors are most at risk for H1N1 – seniors are actually in the lower risk group for H1N1 and in the higher risk group for the seasonal flu. Seniors over the age of 65 are less likely to contract H1N1 but should speak to their doctors to determine if they should receive the shot due to existing medical conditions

Via: DailyFinance

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.