Taking care of your feet is an important part of overall health for seniors. Healthy feet allow you to maintain balance, prevent falls and remain mobile. Feet can show early signs of health issues such as poor blood circulation, diabetes and some neurological conditions. Avoid foot problems by following some of these techniques:

• Do a daily check of your feet. Check for decreased sensation, redness, swelling, cuts, blisters, ulcers or toenail problems. If you cannot reach your feet, ask someone to help.
•  Keep your feet clean. Wash with soap and pat dry rather than rubbing, especially between toes which can harbor fungal infections.
• Trim your toenails straight across and never the corners or cuticles. If this is difficult to maintain, schedule a visit with a licensed podiatrist. Sanitize your clippers and do not share with other family members.
•  Use unscented, alcohol-free foot cream daily avoiding between the toes. You can use foot powder in the warmer months if sweat or odor is a problem.
•  Avoid tight-fitting socks and change them on a daily basis. Keep your feet elevated to keep swelling at bay and don’t cross your legs for an extended amount of time. If you are diabetic, buy specialized diabetic compression socks.
• Wear proper foot wear. Shop for shoes late in the day when feet are the largest. Wear closed toe shoes with a large box toe. Get properly fitted for insoles and rotate your shoes to prevent foot injury.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience loss of sensation, open sores, wounds or change in color of your toes or nails. Home & Hearth Caregivers can assist in bathing and maintaining cleanliness of your feet and can transport you to your medical appointments. Give us a call today at 800-349-0663!

During this holiday season, we spend countless hours wrapping, addressing, baking, cleaning and spending time with our loved ones, many of them seniors.  As you visit with your loved ones, take a look around for signs that they may need help:

Inside the Home

1. The kitchen is filled with dirty dishes, burned pots, food and possible infestations. Mom has always been a great cook but occasionally forgets to turn off the stove or gets too tired to wash the dishes.
2. The refrigerator has expired or moldy food and possibly non-food items inside. Cleaning out the refrigerator is not a fun task, but Mom has found it overwhelming to throw away food and/or may not remember where to put items.
3. The clutter is piling up. Mom and Dad may not want to admit that maintaining their home is becoming an overwhelming task.
4. The mail is stuffed with bills and late notices. Dad used to pay the bills two weeks ahead of time but is now faced with possible shut-offs or late fees.

Personal Care

1. Your parents have body odor. Perhaps Dad is afraid to bathe because he has fallen in the bathtub. Mom may not remember when she last bathed but insists that she does not need an incontinence product.
2. They wear the same clothes or inappropriate seasonal attire. Mom is wearing the sweater with the large coffee stain on the front that she got during the last visit you had. Dad goes out to get the mail in December without a coat or shoes.
3. Mom’s clothes are baggy. She just doesn’t want to cook now that Dad has passed or the shopping can be too much trouble for one so she eats a bowl of soup and nibbles on crackers.

Health Care

1. They forget their medications and doctor’s appointments. Mom always reminded Dad to take his medications but the pill boxes are now unorganized or full when you visit.
2. Dad has unexplained bruises or skin tears. He has fallen but refuses a cane or walker and Mom thinks it’s a natural progression of skin as she ages.
3. Noticeable cognitive decline. Dad has forgotten his granddaughter’s name but still remembers his best friend from elementary school. Mom can’t remember how to work the microwave.
4. Increased hospitalizations. Mom can’t control her blood sugar levels and Dad has been dizzy since he started his new blood pressure medication.

If you do notice significant signs like these, sit down with your loved ones and have a conversation about their needs. Home care agencies like Home & Hearth Caregivers are able to relieve the burden of caregiving from adult children and allow the seniors to remain in their home. We accept private pay, veteran’s benefits and long-term care insurance. Please contact us at 800-349-0663 to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation assessment.

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 Home & Hearth Caregivers has partnered with CARE™ Medical History Bracelet to offer the world’s first electronic medical bracelet to their clients.

Imagine all of your Medications, Physician and Emergency information at your fingertips wherever and whenever you need.  The bracelet can be plugged into any computer providing instant access for emergency medical responders taking the guess work out of your care.

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1-800-349-0663

Diabetes impairs the health and well-being of 16 million people in the United States, and senior citizens run a particular risk. Due to already existent challenges to their health and lifestyle, it is more difficult to diagnose seniors with diabetes. Often other illnesses can mask diabetic symptoms.

Seniors with diabetes run a greater risk of complications like heart disease, stroke, loss of limbs from poor circulation, kidney disease and even blindness.

Common symptoms and warning signs include:

• Frequent urination

• Extreme thirst

• Extreme hunger

• Excessive Weight Loss

• Exhaustion

• Irritability

• Blurred Vision

• Difficulty seeing

• Frequent infections

• Cuts or Bruises that will not heal or heal slowly

• Tingling or Numbness in the hands or feet

• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

So what are your options if you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes? For the most part, it’s a self-managed disease. The most important way to regulate your own diabetes is through diet and exercise.

For more on this article go to www.seniordailyliving.com