May 1, 2014 by Carefect Admin

Types of Hallucinations in the Elderly

Hallucinations are sensations, thoughts or perceptions that feel completely real, yet are created entirely by your own mind. Hallucinations can be very scary, and very hard to diagnose. Unfortunately, they are very common in the elderly population, which often leads to the elderly feeling confused. Hallucinations can affect any of your five senses, one at a time, or all at once. For this reason, they can be very disorienting. However, if an elderly person lives alone and is having hallucinations, then it may take months or even years to catch....

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January 20, 2014 by Carefect Admin

Common Nutritional Concerns for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. This disorder mainly affects the elderly, and is caused by a physiological decrease of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine generating cells begin to die off at alarming rates in people who have Parkinson’s disease. The reduction in the neurotransmitter dopamine results in many movement disabilities such as shaking, poverty of movement, and rigidity of muscles. In more advanced stages of the disease, dementia can occur and patients can undergo numerous psychological issues. Although there is no cure...

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December 5, 2013 by Carefect Admin

What to Look for During a Holiday Visit to the Parents

Holidays are perfect for spending time with family and friends but they can also be a good time for children to check in with their aging parents. Many parents will not admit to having a health issue or ask for help so it is important for children to know what red flags to look for during their visit. In this article we would like to offer some tips for children on the red flags they should look for during a holiday visit with aging parents. The first thing that children...

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November 25, 2013 by Carefect Admin

Norovirus: What Seniors and Family Caregivers Should Know

Norovirus is more commonly known as the stomach flu and it can be very dangerous for seniors. Many people write this virus off as a minor illness that only consists of a few days of having an upset stomach, but seniors are more prone to complications and should not ignore this virus. In this article we would like to offer some information for seniors and family caregivers about the symptoms of the Norovirus as well as ways to treat and prevent the virus. Norovirus is a virus that infects the...

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December 31, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Mobility Aids for Seniors (Part 1)

Reduced mobility is something that most of us have not even thought about, but it is something that many people all over the world struggle with every day. For seniors and disabled adults, walking even short distances can be dreadful, painful and, to some people, utterly impossible. Countless seniors and people in general are faced with the problem of limited mobility. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life from getting around in their own home to being able to attend doctor’s appointments or any social events. Mobility problems...

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October 1, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Pneumonia and the Elderly: Understand the Risks

Pneumonia is a serious health condition and is often seen in older people. Researches show that those over the age of 65 are more likely to die from pneumonia than they are to die in a car crash. That is a sobering thought, but you can learn to prevent and treat this disease with the right knowledge. What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs and can range from a mild case to severe. If left untreated, it can be serious. A lot of people do not...

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September 20, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 3 of 3) – Reporting and Preventing

According to research done by Statistics Canada, elder abuse has risen by 14 precent since 2004. For every case that is reported, numerous other cases are not. Abuse and neglect can have lifelong consequences on the victim and often result in an early death. Since most elder abuse is perpetrated by family or friend caregivers, it is essential that it will be prevented before it begins and reporting it if it is happening. Three things you can do to help prevent elder abuse: You can listen to seniors and those...

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September 17, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 2 of 3) – Signs, Risks and Consequences

Elder abuse is a serious subject that no one likes to talk about, but it happens every day. Most of the time, the abuse is committed by a friend, acquaintance, or a family member. It can happen as a result of frustration either at the senior or from something else going on in the abuser’s life. It causes lasting effects for the victims that are difficult to recover from. Signs of abuse Three main signs of abuse include sudden changes in the senior’s appearance, sudden increase of physical injuries, or...

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September 13, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 1 of 3) – What and Who

Elder abuse is one of those things we don’t like to think about happening to people we know. However, it is a situation that occurs far more often than we would like to admit. It’s important as a caregiver for your senior family member that you understand what it is and what happens as a result. Statistics Involving Elder Abuse According to information conducted by Statistics Canada, violence against seniors increased by 20 percent in between 1998 and 2005. This is just the number of cases that were actually reported...

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August 30, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Laughter Therapy for Seniors

A laugh a day keeps the doctor away. While this may not always be true, the positive effects of laughter are well known. For seniors who often battle with depression, laughter can have a healing touch. Why Seniors Need Laughter Coupled with failing health, seniors often feel isolated from their family and friends. Their children and grandchildren are busy with their own lives and may not visit or call as often as the senior would like. Add to this the fact that many seniors cannot be as active as they...

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