Home Nursing El Cajon – Symptoms and Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Every senior citizen and their close family members should know what the symptoms are for Alzheimer ’s Disease. The disease itself is devastating to the victim and his family and the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the quicker that medications can be prescribed to slow the onslaught and buy more quality time with the person afflicted with the disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease include more than merely losing your car keys once in a while or forgetting where you put your glasses. Alzheimer’s victims suffer memory loss because of destroyed brain cells, and every aspect of the person’s life may be affected, including work, socialization and unusual or bizarre behavior.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, problems with concentration, memory and thinking clearly might signify that a test for the disease is in order. You might also notice that a person in the beginning stages needs a minimal amount of help with simple tasks and routines such as doing dishes or cooking a meal. He may get lost in areas that are familiar to him and confused about the day and time.

Later symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease may include trouble in making judgments, even for trivial decision-making or the victim’s speech may undergo change such as slurring or beginning sentences that are never finished. As the disease progresses and more brain cells die, these conditions will become worse.

Although there is yet no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and no single test that can pinpoint a diagnosis, there are early tests that can determine if this disease is the likely culprit for the symptoms or if there are other reasons for the memory and skill loss. Your health care provider will probably begin with simple tests that check your memory and other mental abilities. She’ll also want to know your medical history, including any injuries, surgeries or illnesses and how you’re accomplishing certain daily tasks.

Medication history is also part of any medical examination that seeks to detect or reject the possibility of Alzheimer’s. Side effects from overdosing or combining certain medications with others are common causes of memory loss and confusion.

A neurological exam may also be ordered by your health care provider. This will include tests for coordination, movement, walking and sensory functioning and may show problems with the nervous system that are causing thinking and behavior problems.

If you’re seeking assistance for yourself or a loved one and suspect that Alzheimer’s Disease may be the cause of problems you’re experiencing, go to your primary health care provider first. There are currently no doctors who specialize specifically in the disease, but your primary provider should be able to order tests and refer you to specialists.

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Keyword: Home Nursing El Cajon

About Firstat Nursing Services Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Firstat Nursing Services San Diego – The Challenges of Mobility Loss

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

The buzz words for senior citizens today are “active aging.” Active aging means that we remain active and strong in our later years to prevent the loss of mobility. Loss of mobility in seniors can drastically change their lifestyles and some might never recover. But, a daily health plan that includes healthy diet and exercises designed to keep joints moving and the mind sharp can help us stay mobile far into our senior years. How’s that for an incentive?

As we age, we lose flexibility, muscle and bone – and our strength may falter. These losses may mean that we also lose mobility and independence and become fragile and at risk for falls and fractures – plus other diseases associated with aging. But, don’t be discouraged about those disheartening facts of getting older.

Regular exercise (emphasize regular) such as strength training (weights), flexibility (stretching), aerobics (for cardio health) and balance can greatly reduce your risk for mobility loss. Even if you already have a certain amount of mobility loss or health problems, there are things you can do to improve your well-being and your fitness level.

Older adults can exercise the rear, lower back and thighs by performing chair squats (holding on to the back of a sturdy chair and squatting, then pull yourself back up using the chair as support). Standing leg curls can be performed by curling your leg to the back while standing. Raise one leg at a time to the side to strengthen your legs and thighs or stand on your tip-toes to improve strength and build muscles in your calves, ankles and feet. Do these exercises in several repetitions 3 or 4 days per week.

If you’re new to exercise, begin slowly and build your endurance by exercising on a regular basis. If you’re unsure about how to start or which exercises you can do without causing harm to your body, you may want to consult a fitness trainer and let her provide the appropriate exercise guidelines for your level of fitness.

Cardiovascular exercises, like swimming, rapid walking or jogging, might be beyond your ability at the present time, but rather than spending 30 minutes or an hour at a time at these strenuous exercises, try breaking them up into several 10 minute periods at a time. Even a five minute walk around the house or down the street is better than nothing and can really make a difference.

Just realize that the absolute minimum of aerobic activity to keep you fit and reduce the risk of mobility loss is 30 minutes per day, five days a week. You also need to work strength training into your schedule. The advantage that strength training adds to your overall fitness plan is amazing. You’ll increase muscle mass, become more stable when you stand or walk and simply be more able to perform daily chores.

The goal you should have in mind when you exercise to increase your mobility and strength is to become fit rather than frail. Exercise is a way you can push back the aging process and remain young both in mind and body.

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Keyword – Firstat Nursing Services San Diego

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Home Health Care Chula Vista – Keeping Your Memory Safe from Aging

Monday, August 13th, 2012

The effects that aging has on the brain and memory, in particular, are caused by inconsistencies about how the brain stores information and processes it for recall. And, brain cells need some of the hormones and chemicals that begin to slow down or disappear as you age.

The brain stores information in different ways, depending if it’s for short or long term memory. Short term memory might include someone’s name that you just met at a party and long term memory helps you recall childhood happenings. While short and long term memories aren’t usually affected by aging, recent situations such as where you parked your car in a big parking lot might be.

There are ways that you can help preserve your memory and keep remembering things you need to remember. For example, keep lists of things you need to do and follow a routine as closely as possible is a good way to safeguard your memory. Calendars are a great way to keep track of appointments, bills that are due and places you need to be.

Learn something new – from a table game such as chess to Latin dance classes. Dancing has an added benefit of keeping your body busy as well as your stimulating the mind. Include exercise in your daily health plan and stick to a diet that’s good for your mind and body. Everyone forgets a word they want to use once in awhile, but if this is happening often, practice recalling names, do crossword puzzles and play scrabble to keep a plethora of words in your memory.

Besides the side effects of aging, depression may cause memory loss as can dementia, medications, strokes, amount of alcohol consumed, and the worst – Alzheimer’s disease. If you suspect that any of these situations may be the problem causing your memory loss, see your doctor and be sure to write down all the symptoms so that she can better diagnose the problem.

Memory problems are irritating, but rarely severe. If it begins to affect your lifestyle and the problems begin to seriously permeate your daily existence, don’t hesitate to seek medical help. The sooner your memory problem is diagnosed, the quicker the condition can be improved with the proper help from your health care provider.

There are things you can do to prevent loss of memory caused by aging, including regular exercise. Aerobic exercising can help increase blood supply to the brain, encourage the development of neurons and helps them all to connect properly. Also, a balanced diet can do wonders for your memory. Research has proven that those who eat nutritional diets are smarter than those who frequent a high fat and unhealthy diet.

If you think you’re not getting enough vitamins and nutrients, take a supplement and to be sure that it benefits your brain, be sure to take folic acid, Vitamins C and E and B6 and B12. All of these lifestyle changes benefit your brain and act as insurance against memory loss. Remember, it’s never too late!

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Keyword – Home Health Care Chula Vista

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit,
http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Home Health Care La Jolla – Aging Gracefully – With Exercise

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

There are many reasons that senior citizens should exercise on a regular basis, but the main one is that it helps to increase your overall health and ward off life-threatening diseases – especially those associated with aging. Simply put – exercising helps us age more gracefully.

Almost everyone knows the sort of problems we face when aging – slower metabolism, bone loss and stiffness in joints, muscle loss, balance problems, less endurance and heart and lung problems. We all want a quick fix to aging, such as injections and facelifts or a pill we can take to halt or reduce the aging process. But, in reality, regular exercise is the only thing we can do for ourselves that will increase our overall health and well-being.

Exercise can help us maintain the ability to do things we love and to accomplish everyday tasks that we need to do rather than depending on someone else. Even if you’re a very out of shape senior citizen, there are simple exercises you can do that will make you feel better and enjoy your life.

Stretching is simple to do (you can even stretch while sitting) and can make remarkable strides in improving your joints and muscles. You can find online stretching exercises, choose from the many television shows that promote exercising or get a book from the library or bookstore. You’ll want to be sure to choose exercises that stretch your back, arms, calves, thighs, stomach and chest – but don’t overdo it. Stretch for 5 to 20 minutes per day or whatever you feel up to.

Any activity that increases your endurance is great for senior citizens. Those exercises might include gardening, biking, swimming or simply walking the dog. Try to increase your breathing and heart rate, but don’t exercise so strenuously that you lose your ability to talk. Take it easy and you’ll benefit more than you realize.

Strength exercises are very important to engage in as you age. The more you can strengthen your muscles, the better able you’ll be to increase your metabolism (maintain a normal weight) and keep your blood sugar at normal levels. Strength exercises can be in the form of machines at a gym or fitness center – or, you can even use items around the house, such as books and cans of food.

Exercises designed to strengthen your back should be an important part of your exercise program. Back pain can be excruciating and life-changing and is common in senior citizens. Ask your doctor for a list of exercises you can do to strengthen back muscles or research on your own to find some that are right for you.

One of the worst maladies that can affect senior citizens is balance problems. Aging can cause loss of balance, but so can certain medications. There are exercises to specifically build your leg muscles and increase your perception of balance so that you’re less likely to fall. Keep in mind that in the United States, hospitals admit over 400,000 people per year for broken hips – and most are senior citizens.

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Keywords – Home Health Care La Jolla

About Firstat Nursing Services Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Home Health Care Rancho Santa Fe – Are You a Member of the Sandwich Generation?

Friday, June 15th, 2012

Being a caretaker to children is a big responsibility. It can be stressful at times and that stress can show up in your body physically. Add being a caretaker to an elderly parent that stress compounds.

Thanks to the longevity of the elder generation, more adult children are choosing to step in and become part of the sandwich generation. Some do it out of a sense of duty – having been raised to believe it’s their responsibility to care for their aged parent.

Others do it out of love – they can’t imagine putting their parent into a nursing home. Whatever reason you step up to the plate, knowing the responsibilities and how to deal with the stress beforehand can go a long way in making the situation smoother for everyone involved.

The term ‘sandwich generation’ was coined to mean that a person is supporting two generations. The caretaker is often the meat that makes up the gist of the sandwich – the main ingredient. While it can be a loving, rewarding experience for all involved, there are changes that can wreak havoc on your life and your family’s life if you’re not careful to avoid the pitfalls. Understand the financial commitment that you’re making.

Decide ahead of time how you’ll handle the extra expenses that will come up in the family budget. Who’s going to pay for the extra expenses? Financial pressure can put a strain on you that you want to deal with head on rather than letting it build. You may have to pay for things in order to help keep your parent safer physically.

Will you have to do anything to make the room safer for your parent? Will you need to install any safety rails in the bathroom for the bathtub and near the toilet? Will you need to buy any medical equipment such as a hospital bed to make sure your aged parent doesn’t fall out of bed?

If your parent is prone to nightly wanderings, will you have to install a system that alerts you whenever they’re out of bed? If your loved one is not at that point, but is unable to drive, who will make sure he gets to and from appointments? How will you find time to make sure he or she has an active social life with their friends?

Besides a financial commitment, understand the time commitment that you’re making. You only have so many hours in the day and if you’re like most people, you’re stretched to the limit. How are you still going to find time for yourself? Not having time to unwind and refresh is the leading cause of burnout among family caretakers. The emotional toll it takes can be difficult to deal with.

Make sure that you still plan time for your children and your spouse so that they don’t start feeling neglected. Adding an aged loved one to the household can often change the family dynamics.

Talk the situation over with your family before you make a decision. It’s important that they’re in agreement with you so there won’t be resentment later. Having a plan in place before you make any moves can help keep the harmony in your home and in your relationship with your parent.

People wanting to learn more about Home Health Care options in San Diego are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, 
http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Home Health Care Rancho Santa Fe 

Home Health Care San Diego – San Diego Home Health – Eating Right and Aging

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

As you age, food choices become important daily decisions that may affect the quality of the rest of your life. Home Health Care San Diego seniors need fewer calories, and everything you eat should be based on weight gain and the nutrients that can maintain or boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Too much added weight and not enough vitamins and minerals can cause untold health problems.



Choose your foods to make sure you’re getting enough of the following vitamins and minerals:



 – B-Vitamins – Seniors need to be sure they eat lots of foods with B-vitamins. Vitamin-B12 isn’t found in plants, but you can get it in your diet if you eat fortified breakfast cereals. Tuna, lean beef, chicken and eggs also provide vitamin-B12, but if you don’t eat enough of these foods, be sure to take a supplement.



 – Vitamin-B6 is also an important vitamin for seniors. B6 vitamins can be found in foods that provide protein such as pork, fish and chicken. Again, fortified cereals can be a great source of vitamin B-6. Bananas, spinach, wheat germ and bran are among other sources for vitamin B6.



 – Vitamin-A – Cantaloupe, carrots, Brussels sprouts, peppers and most colorful plant products are rich in beta-carotene, which provides vitamin-A. Fish liver oil, eggs and fortified milk are also abundant in vitamin-A. If you don’t think you’re getting enough vitamin-A in your diet, talk to your doctor before taking a supplement as it can form toxic levels in your body.  



 – Folic Acid – A synthetic form of folate, folic acid can be found in foods such as fortified cereal, enriched breads and some grains. Foods containing folate are bananas, asparagus, turnip greens, spinach wheat germ and orange juice.

 – Riboflavin – Milk, yogurt, eggs and whole grains are rich in riboflavin. Milk should be purchased in cardboard cartons rather than glass or plastic containers because it loses much of the vitamin from exposure to light. Other food sources high in riboflavin are asparagus, turkey, almonds and chicken thighs.



Some other vitamins that should be included in the foods seniors should be eating are vitamins C, D and E and choline. Eating a diet that’s balanced with these vitamins and minerals is best, but if it’s difficult for you to eat a balanced diet on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about supplements.



These are just guidelines.  Of course, you must talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.  As you age, it’s important to fill up with foods that contain vitamins and minerals that will help us to maintain a healthy immune system and provide you with the best caloric intake rather than foods rich in sugar, fat and not much else. Eating right can help us age gracefully and live longer.



About Firstat Nursing Services

Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com



Topic: Home Health Care San Diego | San Diego Home Health

San Diego Home Health Agencies – Caring For an Aging Spouse

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

How Home Nursing Can Help Improve the Lives of Each Other
Caring for an aging spouse is often a difficult and time consuming activity. From morning until evening-and often throughout the night- aging loved ones need assistance. In many cases, demanding schedules overwhelm even the most agile caregiver, creating stress and making life at home miserable for all involved.  Luckily, home nursing care provides a helping hand- someone to assist with knowledgeable, caring help- the perfect solution for a spouse in need of rest, relaxation and quality time with the one they love. 
Improved Time Together…and Apart – When you can depend on the help of a qualified, professional home nurse, it’s easier to manage time more effectively. Whether it’s for taking care of personal responsibilities, relaxing or simply looking forward to some quality time with your partner, having a highly trained nurse visit regularly makes it possible to do something other than provide care.
Quality time with one another- laughing, talking or just sitting together keeps relationships healthy and is important for providing support during difficult times. Even for just a few minutes every day, having the extra time can mean a great deal. More available time also makes it possible to more effectively care for yourself. It’s easy to deplete energy levels looking after a spouse, leaving little if any energy for yourself. Having a qualified nurse visit the home provides opportunities for spouses to get some well-deserved time for themselves.
Reduce Stress – Caring for an aging partner can be a very stressful activity. From administering medicines to dealing with mood swings or depression, there are difficult challenges to face.  It’s easy to feel overburdened and experience high levels of stress simply from trying to meet the demands of an aging partner. Stress at this level often leads to other more serious health conditions.
A home nurse provides needed support for both spouses, which eliminates stress and creates a calm, enjoyable environment. Challenges with treatment, disabilities or mood swings are easier to deal with and remedy in a calm, balanced atmosphere. 
Skilled and Knowledgeable Support – While we all like to think no one can care for our loved ones as well as we can ourselves, this may not be the case. A home nurse has the unique skills and knowledge to efficiently and effectively administer treatment and medicine that we may not be familiar with. They are highly trained professionals who work in the industry and have extensive experience providing care and support to aging patients and their spouses. A home nurse gives you peace of mind in knowing your loved one is safe, comfortable and well cared for.
Caring for an aging spouse is a demanding, full time job and even the most ardent caregivers and partners need help. Seeking assistance from a qualified home nurse makes it possible to more effectively manage time, reduces stress in the home and provides invaluable support to all involved.
About Firstat Nursing Services– Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com
 

Home Nursing Point Loma, Home Nursing Ocean Beach, Home Nursing Pacific Beach CA Call 619-220-7600

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Home Nursing Point Loma, Home Nursing Ocean Beach, Home Nursing Pacific Beach CA Call 619-220-7600If you are looking for Home Nursing Point Loma, Home Nursing Ocean Beach, or Home Nursing Pacific Beach, then you’ve come to the right place. Before selecting Home Nursing, Home Care or a Home Health agency in San Diego, CA. please review the information here, which should be very useful for you.

Our in-home and homehealth nurses and staff are trained, skilled and friendly as well as compassionate and attentive to every patient need. We train our homehealth nurses in San Diego and Point Loma to provide the right support, respect and dignity to all types of patients.

Our philosophy “Where Care Comes First” is exhibited every day for every patient whether it be in the home or on-site at assisted living facilities.  At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare.

At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare. At Firstat Nursing Services We provide many in-home nursing, in-home care and homenursing services.

Some of our Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach homenursing services include wound care, personal hygiene, meal preparation and light housekeeping.  At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare.

To learn more about how Firstat Nursing Services can help you find the best homenursing and in-homecare in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Pacific Beach, CA for your family and your specific homenursing, homehealth and homecare situation please call us at 619-220-7600 or go to our website – http://firstatofsandiego.com