Why Is This Happening?

Should you be dealing with this scenario, know that you are not alone. We’ve noticed these odd changes in the behavior of our elderly loved ones struggling with dementia as well. What is it about sundown that makes it akin to a “witching hour” for elderly folks who grapple with some form of delirium? It seems the setting sun triggers a barrage of issues that brings discomfort and unrest.

Because we wanted to understand our elderly, we discovered that this drastic behavioral shift at sunset is dubbed as the sundown syndrome, which others call sundowners syndrome. Indeed, its name speaks volumes and perfectly describes the condition. When the sun goes down, our seniors with dementia issues get into a terrible mood.

Medical practitioners and scientists cannot say specifically what causes this syndrome. However, they do note that you can provide relief for your elderly loved ones by ensuring they avoid possible triggers. Through this, you can help them prevent shifting their mood at sundown. After all, radical mood shifts also take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. When we are armed with the proper information, we can steer our elderly loved ones in the right direction and help them manage the sundown symptoms in a better way.  We can also alert their trusted caregivers about what to expect and what to do.

The Definition of Sundown Syndrome

Unfortunately, there is no clear cut definition for this syndrome. Apart from sundowners syndrome, others also refer to this as sundowning. This sundown syndrome is generally characterized by the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the late after afternoon, early evening, or even at night when the sun has set. Some also note that this can also appear in the early morning before the sun rises.

These sundown symptoms include a range of behavior like aggressiveness, increased confusion, relentless restlessness, palpable anxiety, and prolonged agitation when the day transitions into the night. It’s quite ironic how these dark behaviors crop up when daylight ceases to exist.

Noteworthy, this sundown syndrome primarily affects those with Alzheimer’s disease or some other dementia. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that sundown syndrome will afflict one out of five people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, this syndrome usually doesn’t influence those ordinary seniors with normal cognitive function. However, it can manifest when a normal senior recovers from illness or surgery in the hospital. Symptoms are also most likely to crop up when seniors are suddenly in an unfamiliar environment.

If you believe that the senior in your life is suffering from this, you must speak with your senior’s primary care physician to map out a plan of action. Should your elderly live in an assisted living community, you must also speak with a facility representative to find the best treatment and care protocols for your elderly loved one. You need a skilled facility with understanding caregivers that know what to do when your senior is suffering from memory loss and cognitive problems.

Common Behavior or Symptoms to Expect

The symptoms and behavior manifested depend on the individual. Although there may be a list of possible issues to watch out for, what may appear in your loved one could be several signs. For example, your loved one can exhibit only one symptom, while a friend living in the same nursing home facility could exhibit several behavioral issues happening all at the same time.

Discover the early warning red flags of sundowning syndrome

It is easy to make a mistake when figuring out this problem. Why? Because in the beginning, sundowning symptoms are subtle. In fact, they are so low key that you can easily overlook them.

Furthermore, at the start, the occurrence of behavioral issues is quite inconsistent. For instance, there may be one day when your elderly adult cries for no reason. The next day, it could be your senior feeling angry out of the blue.

Since the signs are trivial and vary, it is so easy for us to chalk it up to our seniors being moody, impatient, and irritable. It may take a while before you notice a observe a set pattern in their unruly behavior.

The typical signs that repetitively show up after sundown

If you are curious about the concrete signs of sundowning, look at this list. Your senior may experience several in one go, or your elderly can also exhibit one symptom consistently:

• Take note of rapid mood shifts
• Observe anxious behavior
• Watch out for sudden anger
• Incessant crying and depression happens
• Your senior paces around nonstop
• Any little trigger agitates your loved one
• Sudden onset of unexplained fear, worrying
• Feelings of restlessness occur
• Your elderly becomes unreasonably stubborn
• There is sudden shadowing or following around caregivers
• Asking repetitive questions while interrupting the answers

Severe or extreme symptoms to watch out for

Though most people with dementia grapple with ordinary symptoms, for some elderly people, these instances could be more severe. At times, it becomes debilitating because the senior could end up harming others. The worst-case scenario is also self-harm. Take note of severe symptoms that you should watch out for:

• Unbelievable hallucinations that could lead to untoward decisions
• A habit of hiding stuff, including important personal effects
• Strong sense of paranoia that could cause doubt towards others
• Scary, violent acts that harm caregivers or themselves
• Running away and wandering around that could result in accidents and getting lost.

The Triggers of Sundown Syndrome

Many people wonder if this syndrome is temporary because it would be frightening if it persists all the time, all day long. The good news is sundowning is temporary because it only occurs during a specific time frame. As mentioned earlier, it mostly happens in the later afternoon at sunset or in the evening. But later, everything passes.

Noteworthy, it can also be normal for healthy seniors to act strangely after recovering from surgery or spending time in the hospital. Surgery involves anesthesia, which could temporarily alter their mindset. Similarly, a long-term stay in the hospital can be depressing. Consequently, it results in irritability and irrational behavior. That being said, this is also fleeting and merely event-related. It will pass as soon as the senior transfers to a different environment.

However, you must pay attention if you notice that patterns of irrational behavior become consistent when the sun finally sets. This signifies that your beloved senior may be developing sundown syndrome. As such, speak with your elderly loved one’s primary care physician to arrest the problem. Your doctor may note the common triggers of this disease, which are the following:

Frenetic pace at the end of the day

If your senior is extremely busy with a flurry of activities towards the end of the day, the stress and sudden adrenaline may lead to confusion and anxiety. To prevent any untoward outcomes, it would be best to slowly wind down, so there is no abrupt stop or lingering over excitement.

Over exhaustion

When older people get too tired, it can lead to crankiness and irritability. Over fatigue disrupts their system, so they feel ill at ease. At the same time, the lack of activities after dinner means they don’t have anywhere to vent their feelings. When they’re too tired and lack the proper time to calm down, it can result in irrational behavior.

Insufficient light

When the sun sets, it is normal for the light quality to become inferior. As the world plunges into darkness at sundown, the environment may also bring dark, negative emotions. Additionally, the elderly already have vision problems, so the low light quality makes it even harder for them to see clearly. Hence, it can lead to irritability.

Onset of hormonal imbalance

Some studies say that a hormonal disruption occurs in an older adult’s biological clock. This imbalance happens between waking and sleeping hours as the cognitive function tries to adjust between two polar events. With aging, the body may not be as agile or able to cope well, so this is considered a principal cause of sundown syndrome.

Seasonal depression

In areas where there is heavy winter, Seasonal Affective Disorder also commonly sets in. The reason for this is the nights are longer and the days are shorter. Because of the dark environment, it amplifies the symptoms of sundown syndrome.

Tips to Manage Sundown Syndrome

There is no specific blanket treatment that works for every single senior. However, there are several remedies you can try. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the following tips have been successful in minimizing sundowning symptoms. Look at them below:

Set up a schedule

You must set up a schedule for your elderly loved one. This means establishing a routine, which provides seniors a sense of comfort. When they know what to expect during the day, they feel safer. At this age, you must minimize surprises to avoid anxiety, confusion, and fear. When you draft the plan, make time for meals and regular activities the senior enjoys. It would be best to limit activities to no more than two major events in a day. Remember, seniors have less energy and need rest. Anything more than that could overwhelm them.

Encourage a healthy diet

Jot down notes to see if certain food items trigger unwanted behavior. It would be best to avoid caffeinated beverages or too sugary drinks late in the afternoon. This results in excess stimulation, which may disrupt their nighttime rest. Moreover, discourage alcohol to prevent agitation and confusion.

Minimize excessive noise

It would help reduce the volume emanating from devices like the TV, iPad, radio, etc., especially in the late afternoon. It would also help to avoid late visits to avoid overstimulation. Reserve the highly excitable activities for the morning. When the sun is about to set, it would be more beneficial to play calming music.

Consider light therapy

Try using full-spectrum lights as these gadgets can minimize the adverse effects of sundown syndrome. In the morning, make sure to open all windows to let natural light come in. The sun is calming and healing for the soul. As the sun sets, make sure the area is well-lit. The illumination helps seniors see better, and it provides positive feelings. Consider adding nightlights to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety in case your senior needs a bathroom break at night.

Medications to Calm Sundown Syndrome

Today, there is not much data on the efficacy of pharmaceutical medicine in easing sundown syndrome. When symptoms are linked with sleep disorders or depression, your senior’s primary doctor may recommend medication. That being said, it is advisable to talk about contraindications and side effects. After all, some pharma drugs are known to cause headaches, nausea, confusion, and dizziness. Sadly, this can lead to falls, which will be harmful to seniors with brittle bones.

Remember to be patient in handling your loved ones when they exhibit sundowning syndrome. They are not doing this on purpose to annoy you. Extend your patience and remain calm so you can help them out. If the behaviors become too much to deal with, seek help, and ask your doctor for advice. You can also explore additional care options, like help from an assisted living community.

Call For Help To Ensure Security and Comfort

Sundown syndrome is one of the things your older loved one may grapple with during their twilight years. Be supportive in helping them conquer this health setback. If you cannot be there all the time because of work commitments, you can entrust them with a reputable assisted living facility like Lakeside Manor. The caring staff will ensure the security and comfort of your elderly loved ones.

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Being fearful of a condition that affects the mind is understandable, but we cannot afford to be overwhelmed by that sense of dread. To tackle it capably and give our loved ones the support they need, we must better recognize what we are dealing with.

This article will focus on all facets of vascular dementia. Please read on to find out more about how it affects the human mind. We’ll also talk about how to recognize that condition as well as the steps we can take to prevent it.

What Is Vascular Dementia?

To start, let’s first talk about what vascular dementia is.

Vascular dementia affects a person’s ability to think. According to the Mayo Clinic, it impacts a person’s ability to make plans, develop reasoning, and render judgment. It can even affect a person’s memory.

The reason why the brain’s capacity deteriorates in that manner is due to brain damage. That damage is the result of the brain receiving inadequate blood flow. There are several potential explanations for why the blood flow to the brain gets disrupted, and we’ll get into those later in the article.

For now, let’s first address a question about vascular dementia that’s likely on your mind.

How Do Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease Differ from One Another?

It’s important to note that dementia and vascular dementia are not the same things. Vascular dementia is a more specific form of dementia, often distinguishable by how people develop it.

Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are easier to compare. While professionals can trace the onset of vascular dementia back to poor blood flow to or within the brain, the main causes of Alzheimer’s Disease are tougher to pin down.

There’s also a big difference between how common the conditions are. According to VeryWell Health, estimates suggest that around 10 percent of all people with dementia in the United States are affected by the vascular kind. The numbers are clearer when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease because an estimated 5 million Americans are currently dealing with the condition.

Risk factors are quite similar between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Chronic ailments that affect the heart and blood are major risk factors for vascular dementia, and the same goes for Alzheimer’s Disease. Age and genetics are also known risk factors for both conditions.

As for the symptoms, there is a significant amount of overlap between the two conditions. The only real difference is that the symptoms of vascular dementia may appear suddenly due to a recent health episode. In people with Alzheimer’s Disease, the emergence of symptoms may take place over a longer time.

What Are the Causes of Vascular Dementia?

The main reason why people suffer a cognitive decline and develop vascular dementia is due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. Similar to other internal organs, the brain needs the oxygen and nutrients found in the blood to function properly. Without proper nourishment, your brain cells will wither away and eventually perish.

There are different possible explanations for why not enough blood is making it to your brain. We’ve highlighted them below.

Stroke

A stroke takes place when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off. There are three types of strokes people may experience.

The first is known as an ischemic stroke, and it happens whenever blood flow within an artery leading to the brain is interrupted by a clot or some other form of blockage. Ischemic strokes account for 80 percent of all strokes, according to The Internet Stroke Center.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery leading to the brain suddenly ruptures. If the rupture leads to blood releasing into the brain, professionals regard the incident as intracerebral hemorrhage.

Vascular dementia can be a side effect of all three types of strokes.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis takes place over a long period of time. If you have this condition, your arteries will continue to get narrower due to plaque buildup. The condition can progress to the point where your blood will have a harder time passing through your arteries.

The longer that condition remains unaddressed, the harder it will be for your brain to receive the nutrients it needs. Both your body and your mind will suffer the ill effects of atherosclerosis, and eventually, vascular dementia.

Accidents

An accident can cause all kinds of damage to your body. Even the arteries leading to your brain are susceptible.

If those arteries get damaged because of an accident, you may suffer from a hemorrhage and the different complications they can cause. Among those complications is vascular dementia.

What Are the Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia?

How at risk you are for vascular dementia depends on a wide variety of factors. These include factors you can control and those you cannot.

High Blood Pressure

Having high blood pressure takes a great toll on your body. In this case, the cause of concern is related to how much stress your blood vessels, such as your arteries, will have to endure.

The continuously high blood pressure can gradually wear down your arteries to the point where they are no longer functioning as intended. Once the arteries leading to your brain get worn down, you become more susceptible to vascular dementia.

High Cholesterol Levels

We talked earlier about how atherosclerosis is among the main causes of vascular dementia. We also touched on the fact that atherosclerosis is often because of plaque buildup along your arteries.

Among those substances that may accumulate inside your arteries is cholesterol. To be more specific, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is what puts you at risk for vascular dementia.

Diabetes

Individuals who have diabetes have high glucose levels. That’s problematic because the glucose can be damaging, especially to your different blood vessels. As your blood vessels continue to sustain damage from the glucose, the odds of you developing vascular dementia increase.

Smoking

Many people know that smoking is bad for the lungs, but what many fail to understand is that it can be damaging beyond that. Other parts of your body are also adversely affected by your smoking habit, including your blood vessels.

The damage that a smoking habit can inflict upon your blood vessels can be severe, and it could be why you start to suffer from vascular dementia.

Lack of Exercise

You need to keep your arteries healthy if you want to give yourself the best chance of avoiding vascular dementia. Exercise helps with that.

According to this article from Harvard Health, exercising more boosts the nitric oxide production of your endothelial cells, which is a good thing. That nitric oxide plays an essential role inside your body as it maintains the slipperiness of the arteries while also relaxing their smooth muscle cells.

Nitric oxide helps promote better blood flow throughout your body by accomplishing those two things. Your brain will receive a steady supply of the nutrients it needs, thanks to that.

Aging

One of the inescapable truths of life is that the body weakens as it ages. You cannot reverse that. Even your arteries will weaken due to the wear and tear brought about by aging, and that can potentially lead to vascular dementia.

Atrial Fibrillation

Unlike the other risk factors mentioned in this section, atrial fibrillation is something you can potentially prevent or something out of your control. Atrial fibrillation is otherwise known as an irregular heart rate that tends to be on the faster side.

The abnormal rhythm of your heart can spell trouble because it can lead to the formation of blood clots.

It’s possible for atrial fibrillation to be caused by high blood pressure, lung disease, or even a mistake made during an earlier surgical procedure you had. However, your genetics can also play a role here as abnormal heart valves and congenital heart defects are known causes of atrial fibrillation.

What Are the Symptoms of Vascular Dementia?

Many of the symptoms linked to vascular dementia affect the mind. The people who have this condition may have a difficult time analyzing situations, concentrating, and making plans. Someone with vascular dementia may also become unable to come up with a decision in a timely manner.

It’s not only a person’s ability to think critically that is impacted by vascular dementia. Their mood may also become more unstable because of their condition. They may become more prone to agitation and/or experience bouts of depression more often.

Recalling memories is yet another frequent source of frustration for people affected by vascular dementia. It is also not unusual for people with this condition to lose interest quickly.

There are also physical manifestations of vascular dementia that are important to look out for. If you have a loved one affected by this condition, monitor how they walk closely because it may become unsteady. Weakness affecting one side of the body is another symptom to keep close tabs on.

How Can You Prevent Vascular Dementia?

Given how difficult it can be to live with the symptoms of vascular dementia, preventing the condition in the first place would be the ideal course of action. There is no secret to preventing vascular dementia. The best way to avoid it is to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Start with your diet.

Evaluate what you eat regularly and see if your favorite foods may lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. If that is the case, then it’s time for you to eliminate or at least minimize your consumption of those foods.

Replace them with more nourishing foods such as whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and berries. Every now and then, enjoying a bite of dark chocolate is acceptable as it can contribute to improved blood flow.

As always, remember to eat in moderation.

This is also a good time for you to adopt an exercise plan. Give your body a fighting chance against dementia by training it regularly.

You don’t need to take on a rigorous training program. Anything that gets you moving regularly for a good chunk of the day will be beneficial. Going on runs or walks around your neighborhood still counts as exercise.

Needless to say, you should also drop your smoking habit if you haven’t already. Nothing good can come from a smoking habit, and your body will thank you for dropping it.

How Is Vascular Dementia Treated?

Currently, there is no known cure for vascular dementia. Does that mean that you cannot help your loved ones who already have this condition? That is not the case.

The key here is to address the symptoms.

According to the University of California, San Francisco, forms of medication to treat memory problems, depression, and anxiety can also be given to patients with vascular dementia. Those medications can help with managing the symptoms.

Exercising also remains beneficial even to those who have already have vascular dementia. Regular exercise should help slow down the deterioration of the arteries and potentially prevent the presenting symptoms from getting worse.

You can also enlist the help of assisted living facilities to take better care of your loved one who has vascular dementia. Along with keeping a watchful eye on your older loved ones, the facilities will also ensure that they take their medication on time and encourage them to participate in various activities.

Vascular dementia must be taken seriously. Failing to do so can severely affect the quality of life that your loved one enjoys.

We at Lakeside Manor will help all our residents maintain a good quality of life regardless of the conditions they are dealing with. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you and your family members.

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Before diving into how eating certain types of food can help in the fight against dementia, it’s worth taking the time to understand the condition first.

Per the World Health Organization, dementia is a chronic and/or progressive syndrome that can harm an affected individual’s cognitive abilities. A person’s cognitive abilities deteriorate with age, but those with dementia are affected more.

Examples of cognitive abilities that may be affected by dementia include a person’s comprehension, orientation, and memory.

Several diseases can cause dementia. Among the most notable examples are Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease.

If some of the blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to your brain are damaged, the odds of you developing dementia also go up. Traumatic brain injuries can similarly contribute to the eventual development of dementia.

Basically, anything that leads to brain cells being lost or damaged can play a role in the eventual emergence of dementia in an individual.

How Your Diet Can Affect the Fight against Dementia

There are several risk factors to consider when it comes to dementia, and while some of them are out of your control, your diet is certainly something you can exercise power over.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who have an unhealthy diet are more likely to develop dementia compared to individuals who consume plenty of nutritional foods. We’ll get into what those specific food types are in a bit.

Furthermore, there are certain benefits you can gain from eating specific items that are also useful in combating dementia.

To be clear, you will need to adopt a variety of lifestyle changes if you want to minimize your chances of developing dementia. Still, you need to start somewhere, and changing your diet will help.

A Diet Plan That Helps

Back in 2015, researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that a specific diet plan could reduce a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease by around 53 percent. Even those who didn’t stick to the diet plan completely saw their risk for developing the disease drop by around 33 percent.

So, what is this diet plan?

It’s known as the MIND Diet, and it brings together elements of the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet. MIND itself stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, per this article from CBS News.

Whole Grains

The MIND Diet consists of several food types, but there is one offering that you must have in your daily meal plans if you want to fare better against dementia.

That food type in question is none other than whole grain. The diet recommends that people get at least three servings of whole grains per day.

Most people eat at least some type of grain regularly. The grain food group consists of rice, pasta, bread, crackers, and cereals.

There are different benefits people get from eating grains.

For starters, grains provide us with a boost of energy. They also contain nutrients such as iron and niacin. It also helps that grains are affordable yet filling, making them ideal to put on your plate if you’re looking to save money.

However, not all grains that you see in the supermarket are equal in terms of nutrient content.

The thing about white rice, white bread, and any other type of refined grain is that they lack helpful nutrients. Refined grains have their outer layers removed as they are processed. You don’t want to see those outer layers removed because they contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and even protein.

Intact grains also fill you up longer while simultaneously keeping your digestive system in great condition. To think that you’re losing so much because of the refinement process is a real shame, and why you should seek out whole grains more.

Now that you understand the benefits of eating whole grains, it’s up to you to stock up on them.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can find whole grains faster by looking for the official stamp from the Whole Grains Council or by looking for items labeled as “100 percent whole grain.” If you see the words “enriched” or “refined” on the label of a bag of rice or a box of cereal, you may want to purchase something else.

Those with relatives in assisted living facilities should also check if their loved ones are getting a steady supply of whole grains from their caregivers.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Aside from the whole grains, green leafy vegetables are the next most important elements of the MIND Diet.

These vegetables are high in vitamin content. You’re getting vitamins A, C, and K in abundance if you opt to consume green leafy vegetables regularly. Vitamin A can provide a boost to your immune system, vitamin C excels at repairing body tissues, while vitamin K is good for promoting proper blood clotting.

On top of the vitamins you’re getting from green leafy vegetables, these food items feature a large number of antioxidants. These antioxidants are important because they target free radicals that can damage your body.

Examples of green leafy vegetables you should eat more of are beet greens, microgreens, and spinach. Make it a point to eat green leafy vegetables at least twice a week but eating them more often would be preferable.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are not the only plants that should figure more prominently into your diet. Cruciferous vegetables also boast a healthy complement of nutrients that can help you ward off dementia.

Similar to green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables feature large amounts of antioxidants and vitamin K.

Cruciferous vegetables you should eat more of include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, and turnips.

The great thing about cruciferous vegetables is that you can prepare them in a variety of ways. They can be stir-fried, steamed, and even pureed in the case of cauliflower. Integrating them into your diet should be easier because of their versatility.

Fish

You will need some protein in your diet to strengthen your muscles and speed up the repair of any damaged tissues. Consuming any kind of protein is not a good idea, however. The sources of protein that end up on your plate must be healthy.

With that in mind, you should make it a point to shop for fish. Specific types of fish you want to put on your plate include salmon and tuna. Apart from being great sources of healthy protein, these fish offer omega 3 fatty acids that are great for your brain.

If you want to avoid adding unnecessary ingredients to your diet, you can opt to steam your fish lightly seasoned or perhaps eat it raw as sashimi.

Lean Poultry

Fish does not need to be your lone source of healthy protein. You can also get that important nutrient from lean meats. Lean poultry cuts are especially great additions to your brain-friendly diet.

Chicken and turkey are good options to consider if you need more protein in your diet but be sure that you stick to the lean parts of the bird. You’re specifically looking for chicken and turkey breasts as they yield plenty of meat but are skimpy on the fat.

You can cook chicken and turkey in different ways but roasting them with some herbs and spices is hard to top if you want something flavorful but not fatty.

Beans

If you’ve been a big meat-eater all your life, suddenly phasing pork and beef out of your diet is not going to be easy. Unfortunately, you cannot continue to eat those foods regularly if you want to give yourself the best chance of staving off dementia.

We’re not saying that beans will fill the void in your diet left behind by red meat, but what they can do is deliver that deep, earthy flavor that you cannot get from fish and poultry. Beans also happen to be rich in fiber and protein, so they are great for you from a nutritional standpoint.

Stewing or baking beans allows their flavor to develop better, but you can also puree them to create a dip. Toast some wedges of whole grain bread to get that dip to create a wholesome snack you can enjoy regularly.

Nuts

If you’re still looking for more sources of healthy protein, then you may want to look at your supermarket’s selection of nuts. Nuts can serve as reliable sources of fiber, healthy fat, and protein. You can also get antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids.

Be careful when you are purchasing nuts from the grocery. Some of the items sold have salt, thus making them unhealthy.

Look for unsalted nuts when you are shopping. You should also try to toast the nuts yourself so that you can control the amount of oil used.

Once you’ve toasted the nuts and allowed them to cool down, you can put them inside a food processor and transform them into a light and delicious nut butter that pairs well with whole grain bread.

Berries

Thus far, you may have noticed that the list of foods that fight dementia is lacking in the sweet department. Every now and then, you’re going to get a craving for something sweet, and it would be nice if you could indulge that without straying from your new and improved diet plan.

The good news for you is that berries are in the MIND Diet.

Blueberries are one of the best foods when it comes to protecting your brain thanks to their content.

If you’re not a huge fan of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries can also be good additions to your diet.

Berries are great for baking. You can add them to muffins, pies, or tarts.

For those who are not proficient at baking, you can cook berries down to use as a sauce or compote. If you want to keep things simple, you can place some berries in a blender along with other ingredients to whip up smoothies.

Dark Chocolate

For some people, their quality of life drops without chocolate. It’s a favorite dessert food for many, and some folks get addicted to it.

You’ve probably guessed this already, but many of the chocolate bars sold at the supermarket are not healthy. Do note, however, that not all forms of chocolate are bad for you.

If you cannot resist the siren call of chocolate, you can satisfy that craving by eating dark chocolate. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, dark chocolate contains flavanols that can promote better blood flow to your body.

As long as you moderate your consumption of dark chocolate, adding it to your diet should not be a problem. You can use dark chocolate for baking cakes and cookies, or you can even dip berries into it to create a brain-friendly sweet treat.

On cold days, nothing beats brewing up a nice pitcher of warm chocolate.

Wine

Last up in this article featuring foods that fight against dementia is none other than the favorite alcoholic beverage known as wine. The fact that wine is considered good for the brain should be a welcome revelation to many people all over the world.

Wine is particularly helpful because it can keep your cognitive abilities sharp.

Take care not to go overboard with your consumption of wine, however. One glass of wine per day is the recommended amount in the MIND Diet.

Dementia can be a devastating condition that completely changes a loved one. While there is no way to cure dementia today, we can keep it at bay by developing healthy habits. Consuming more of the items featured in this article will help you accomplish that.

You can also better manage your loved one’s dementia by seeking help from an assisted living facility. Get in touch with Lakeside Manor today to secure great care for your loved one.

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To gain a better sense of how prevalent depression is, consider some of the facts provided by the WHO. According to the WHO, over 264 million people all over the world are dealing with depression.

Given how prevalent it is, it should come as no surprise that depression is also a leading cause of disability and a “major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.”

You could even be related to someone who has dealt with or is still living with the disorder. Your older loved ones, in particular, are at risk of developing depression.

Depression and Aging

It is incredibly important to point out a few things regarding the relationship between aging and depression. While aging does indeed make a person more susceptible to depression, that does not equate to depression becoming an inevitable part of growing old.

As the CDC puts it, depression is “not a normal part of aging.”

Another troubling aspect of depression in seniors is that physicians don’t always treat it or even diagnose it properly. The main reason behind that is because the symptoms of depression can easily be confused with what many of us perceive to be normal behavioral changes that come with growing older.

Some medical professionals may hear about the concerns harbored by some senior citizens and think those are due to a different illness they have. If you hear that an older person is “feeling down” because they have a serious disease, it’s easy to interpret their sadness as a natural reaction to the news.

It’s not only the medical professionals who may be mistaken from time to time. The senior citizens themselves may not fully grasp their condition and misinterpret their depression for something else.

You may also encounter older individuals who do not consider their condition to be a big deal. They may shrug it off and think that it is something that will pass with time and certainly nothing that warrants a trip to the doctor or additional treatment.

Depression is a disease that has plagued people for centuries, but we have only recently begun to get a better handle on it. An older relative of yours may be hard-pressed to believe that they are truly depressed and may thus refuse treatment.

In the hopes of convincing your older loved ones that they should seek treatment for their depression, you can try to keep an eye out for symptoms to show them that what they’re going through is not natural.

The Symptoms of Depression in Seniors

As noted above, part of the reason why it is so difficult to diagnose depression in senior citizens is because of how easy it is to mistake real symptoms for behavioral changes associated with aging.

Another potential roadblock to a diagnosis of depression is that the symptoms of the disorder can vary by age. That could be a big issue if the medical professional working with your loved one is more used to working with younger people who are depressed.

Many of the symptoms of depression that affect senior citizens are also less obvious, which makes it more likely that they will disregard them. The onus is on the medical professionals to look harder for the symptoms.

Examples of depression’s symptoms that may manifest themselves in senior citizens are below.

Fatigue

If your older loved one tells you that he/she is feeling tired, that alone is not going to be enough to cause alarm bells to start going off in your head. Older people don’t have as much energy in reserve as their younger counterparts, so wanting to rest earlier in the day does not automatically seem like a big deal.

That fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression in senior citizens adds to the confusion. If your elderly relative talks about feeling tired earlier than usual, make sure to note it as it could be symptomatic of a more serious problem.

Irritability

Increased irritability is another symptom of depression in seniors that can go undetected easily. This is a particularly hard symptom to spot because being irritable is something we all go through from time to time. You can have a bad day that maybe spills over into a bad morning, but then be completely fine after that.

To ascertain if your loved one’s increased irritability could be symptomatic of depression, try to see if it sustains over an extended period of time. A more prolonged change in demeanor could be a sign that they are currently experiencing depression.

Confusion

Confusion is a symptom that many senior citizens and their loved ones are wary of. However, they’re wary of it not because they think it’s a sign of depression. They’re concerned that the confusion will link to dementia.

That’s not the only reason to watch for it, though. According to the National Institute on Aging, more occurrences of a loved one being confused or disoriented could be depression, and you must take that seriously.

More frequent occurrences of an older loved one getting confused or disoriented could also be explained by depression and that must be taken seriously as well.

Insomnia

This article from WebMD notes that insomnia is another symptom of depression in the elderly that you need to watch for. Insomnia is a symptom that can rear its ugly head the first time an elderly person experiences depression; it can also manifest again later if there has been a recurrence of the disorder.

The Risk Factors of Depression in Seniors

Watching out for the symptoms of depression in the elderly will be crucial to managing their condition and helping them recover. Ideally, though, you can prevent it from even getting to that point.

One way to do that is by keeping an eye out for risk factors of depression in seniors. Learning if your relative is at a greater risk for developing depression is important because that knowledge can help you become more proactive.

The following are some of the risk factors you need to look for.

Gender

Gender can play a key role in the diagnosis of depression. To be more specific, women are more susceptible to depression compared to men.

Per this article from VeryWell Mind, around 8.7 percent of women experience depression. That’s more than three points higher than the rate for men, which stands at 5.3 percent.

Recent Encounter with a Stressful Event

As much as possible, we want to shield our older loved ones from stressful situations because we know how bad it can be for their health. It can severely affect their mental health if they recently had a stressful experience.

Stress stemming from money issues or family problems can weigh heavily on senior citizens. Keep an eye on them as they go through those difficult times because they may develop depression.

Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one counts as a stressful event as well, but it deserves its own entry.

It’s difficult to put into words the kind of grief a person experiences when they lose their long-term partner. When you’ve spent decades together with the same person, he/she leaving your side is nothing less than devastating.

Sadly, death is an inevitable part of life.

If your grandmother or grandfather has lost their spouse, he/she can be overcome by depression easily.

In addition to the loss of a spouse, the death of a family member or friend can be the trigger for depression. Spend more time with your older loved ones during this trying time to help them cope with their grief.

Fear of Dying

Your own mortality tends to preoccupy you more as you age. It becomes impossible to ignore as your body starts to weaken, and you experience more aches and pains.

There is never an easy way to talk about a topic such as death, but it may provide comfort for your elderly loved one if you can sit down with them to talk about the fears they have.

Isolation

We have different reactions to living alone. Some may relish the opportunity to take full control of their household and do whatever they want, while others may feel a bit lonely and wish they had someone around.

If your elderly relative is not fond of living alone, you can remedy that by asking them to live with you, but that may not be a workable solution if you have a full-time job and a family to take care of.

The good news is that there are assisted living facilities that can care for elderly loved ones while simultaneously allowing them to reside in a happy community.

Other Notable Risk Factors

Beyond the risk factors listed above, you need to be mindful of a few more things that can also be troubling to senior citizens.

Low self-esteem, a history of mental illness, and chronic illnesses can also make a person more susceptible to depression. Some forms of medication can elevate your loved one’s risk level for depression.

The Causes of Depression

Keep in mind that the items mentioned in the previous section are risk factors for depression. They are not the actual causes.

At this point in time, it remains unclear what exactly causes depression, but the factors below play a huge role.

Changes in Your Brain

The condition of your brain is not permanent. Elements of it may change over time, and that includes your brain chemistry.

The Mayo Clinic notes that the neurotransmitters in your brain may undergo changes themselves, and when they do, they can alter the organ’s chemistry. A chemical imbalance can lead to your mood becoming less stable and cause the onset of depression.

Aside from a change in your brain’s chemistry, there are physical changes that could also explain why people experience depression. How greatly these physical changes can affect your brain remains uncertain at this point, however.

Genetics

Some individuals are more likely to develop depression due to their family history. If you have or had a relative with this mental illness, it’s worth taking the time to see if you have it as well.

For your older relatives, try to ask them if they remember a family member who had the condition. Knowing that bit of information can help you decide if you should take your loved one for screening even if they have not shown the symptoms of depression yet.

The Forms of Treatment for Depression

A diagnosis of depression does not automatically mean that you will need to live with that mental illness for the rest of your life. There are ways to treat it that are easily accessible.

Medication

After checking with your doctor, he/she may give you a prescription for antidepressants. These antidepressants work by targeting the chemicals in your brain and balancing them better.

Do note that antidepressants may not work right away, so exercising patience will be key.

You should also consult with your doctor regarding all matters related to antidepressants. Whether you’re planning to stop taking antidepressants or you’re looking to switch to a new variant, you must tell your doctor about that first.

Therapy

Therapy is also an option for senior citizens currently dealing with depression. It’s important to understand that therapy works gradually. There’s no guarantee that you will feel better after a single session with your therapist.

Even on the low-end therapy treatment for depression, it can last for about three to four months. Still, the time commitment is more than worth it, given the potential benefits.

Different kinds of health problems can affect senior citizens, but some of them may go unnoticed. Depression can be one of those invisible conditions.

The good news is that we are not powerless against depression. There are different ways for us to manage that mental illness and meet the challenges that it presents.

You can give your loved one a better support system in his/her fight against depression by partnering with an assisted living facility. Contact Lakeside Manor now if you want to give your loved one more support against depression.

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How many of us are at risk of potentially losing our vision due to glaucoma? The numbers can be quite staggering.

Over 3 million Americans are estimated to be living with an eye ailment. What’s even more concerning is that once your vision starts to degrade due to glaucoma, there is no getting it back. It truly is a cruel ailment that can rob anyone of such a valuable gift.

The idea of losing your ability to see can be terrifying, but you are not powerless against it.

By being vigilant about eye care and recognizing the early signs of glaucoma, you can manage how the ailment affects you and your loved ones. Read on to find more about glaucoma, how to recognize it, and what actions you should take against it.

What Is Glaucoma?

Most people know glaucoma as a condition that can rob you of your eyesight if it remains unchecked, and that is a pretty apt summary of what it is. Still, it helps to learn more about it so that you have a better idea of what you’re potentially up against.

First off, it’s worth noting that glaucoma is not one single ailment. Rather, it is a group of conditions that affect the eye and the optic nerve specifically.

People with glaucoma wind up with badly damaged optic nerves. That’s a big problem since you need a healthy optic nerve to see clearly.

Often, the cause of the damage to the optic nerve is pressure building up around your eye.

That pressure is the result of a fluid known as the aqueous humor, being rendered unable to move freely through its intended passageways. With the fluid unable to go anywhere, it continues to gather near your eyes, and it exerts pressure on its surroundings with the optic nerve among the things it can potentially damage.

Due to how glaucoma causes vision loss, there is no way to bring back what you have lost. Your best bet is to spot it early and prevent it from taking your vision. There are also ways to treat glaucoma that we will get into later in this article.

For now, let’s first focus on the different types of this disease.

What Are the Different Types of Glaucoma?

There are two main types of glaucoma, but there are fewer common variants that can also affect some members of the population. Let’s learn more about those different types in this section of the article.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

If you do end up developing glaucoma, there’s a good chance that it is of the open-angle variety. Of the estimated 3 million Americans currently living with the disease, around 2.7 million of them have open-angle glaucoma.

For people with open-angle glaucoma, the issue stems from the fluid in their eyes not moving quickly enough. With the fluid unable to move quickly, it can pool instead, and that causes additional pressure to be placed on your eyes and your optic nerve specifically.

A professional may also diagnose you with normal-tension glaucoma, which is a type of open-angle glaucoma. Pressure around the optic nerve is not elevated if you have normal-tension glaucoma, but the nerves take damage, nonetheless.

The exact reasons why an individual’s optic nerve is damaged if the pressure level is normal remains unclear, but experts believe that it could be due to the nerve being more sensitive than it typically is.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

People who have angle-closure glaucoma have issues related to the structure around their eyes. To be more specific, the opening where the iris and cornea meet may be blocked by a segment of the iris. Because of that blockage, the fluid in the eyes does not drain correctly, and pressure accumulates.

Here are the less common types of glaucoma.

Congenital Glaucoma

As its name suggests, congenital glaucoma is a condition that children are born with. The condition causes the fluid around their eyes to drain slower than normal.

Pigmentary Glaucoma

In cases of pigmentary glaucoma, the main issue is related to your iris. Pigments of your iris may start to mix with the fluid surrounding your eyes. The pigments in the fluid may then clog the drainage channels, thus leading to an accumulation of the fluid and applying additional pressure on your optic nerve.

Secondary Glaucoma

You may also develop glaucoma due to other diseases you’re already dealing with. Cataracts and diabetes, in particular, are known to cause the development of secondary glaucoma.

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Considering how potentially damaging a bout with glaucoma can be, it would be in your best interest to address it as soon as you can. Watching out for the early signs of glaucoma is crucial, although there are cases where your body won’t give much of a warning at all.

The Symptoms of Open-Angle Glaucoma

We noted earlier that open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent kind. That fact is particularly troubling because a lot of people who have or will develop that condition will likely not know about it until it’s nearly too late.

People who have open-angle glaucoma may have already had it for years. The only reason they didn’t know about it is because it hardly presents any symptoms.

Open-angle glaucoma can lead to blind spots developing in your vision, but because they primarily affect your peripheral vision, you may not notice them right away. Developing tunnel vision is a clearer sign that you have open-angle glaucoma, but by that point, the disease has already reached an advanced stage, and has likely altered your vision permanently.

The Symptoms of Angle-Closure Glaucoma

In contrast to open-angle glaucoma, the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma are easier to notice.

You may start to see halos forming around light sources. Angle-closure glaucoma could also lead to you developing blurred vision.

Additional symptoms include your eyes appearing redder. You may also start to feel discomfort around the areas near your eyes. Headaches and nausea are also symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma.

We urge people who are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above to see the doctor right away.

What Are the Risk Factors Linked to Glaucoma?

Several factors can contribute to you eventually developing glaucoma. Some of them are factors you can control to some extent, but others are out of your hands. Learn more about these risk factors so that you can assess the likelihood of you developing this damaging disease.

Your Family History

Your family history can play a significant role in you potentially having glaucoma. If someone in your family had or has glaucoma, it’s a good idea to have yourself checked as well.

Additionally, people of African American, Hispanic, Inuit, Irish, Japanese, Russian, and Scandinavian descent are encouraged to have their eyes checked early on as they are more susceptible to glaucoma.

Your Age

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the only things senior citizens need to be concerned with.

Glaucoma becomes something you need to worry about once you hit the age of sixty, but even at forty years old, having your eyes checked for the disease is a good idea. You may start to develop the disease even at that age and getting the early jump on it would be best.

Your Physical Characteristics

If you naturally have thinner corneas and/or high eye pressure, you are also more likely to develop glaucoma. Naturally near-sighted and far-sighted individuals are more susceptible to the disease.

Your Medical History

Having certain diseases can make you more susceptible to glaucoma. Specific diseases to note are diabetes, heart disease, and sickle cell anemia. People with high blood pressure are also at greater risk of developing glaucoma.

Folks who take certain types of steroid medication are also more likely to have the disease.

Lastly, if you sustained an eye injury in the past or had surgery performed on your eyes, the odds of you getting glaucoma are higher than normal.

What Steps Can You Take to Prevent the Onset of Glaucoma?

At this point in time, there is no way for you to completely avoid glaucoma. The good news is that you can still treat the disease. The even better news is that there are preventative measures you can take to mitigate the impact the disease has on you and your eyes.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

The best way to prevent glaucoma from robbing you of your sight is to spot it early on. To do that, you will need to head to the doctor for routine examinations.

Scheduling these eye exams early on can turn out well for you.  Given that people become more prone to glaucoma starting at the age of forty, scheduling regular eye exams once you hit that milestone is a good move.

Once you reach forty, having your eyes examined every two to four years should suffice, although you can bump that up to an annual thing if your family or medical history suggests you are at greater risk for the disease.

At fifty-five, you shouldn’t let three years pass without undergoing an eye exam. People sixty-five and older should have annual eye exams.

By the way, you don’t need to wait until you turn forty to have those tests. Going in for eye examinations once every five years should be good enough if you’re under forty years old.

These eye examinations are painless, so there’s no reason to shy away from them.

Take Medication if Necessary

Upon having your eyes examined, your doctor may recommend special medication for you to take. For instance, they may recommend eye drops if your doctor noticed that you have unusually high eye pressure.

Make sure to take those eye drops as recommended as they can significantly slow down the development of glaucoma and potentially save your vision.

Exercise Regularly

Apart from taking doctor-prescribed eye drops, there are other things you can do to lower your eye pressure. Exercising, in particular, should prove to be immensely helpful in that endeavor.

You can ask your doctor about what exercises you can perform to lower your eye pressure. Work those exercises into your daily routine to stave off the harmful effects of glaucoma.

Keep Your Eyes Protected When Engaging in Physical Activities

Eye injuries can increase the chances of you being affected by glaucoma. You’re more likely to sustain those injuries if you often play sports such as tennis or basketball. Having a hobby that involves working with high-speed power tools can also up the chances of you ending up with an eye injury.

Do yourself a favor and wear protective eyewear whenever you take part in those activities.

How Do You Treat Glaucoma?

Let’s say that you were unable to prevent the onset of glaucoma, and you are now suffering from its ill effects. Does that mean that you are too late to do anything? Well, not necessarily.

There are still ways to treat glaucoma to improve your condition.

Doctors may prescribe medication that can help lower eye pressure or perhaps improve the flow of fluid in your eyes. They can perform different surgical procedures to address vision issues related to glaucoma.

Congenital glaucoma, in particular, is often remedied through surgery.

Get in Touch with an Assisted Living Facility Today and Ensure Your Relative Lives Comfortably

Glaucoma is only one of the diseases linked to old age that senior citizens may need to deal with. You can help them battle those health issues better by entrusting them to the care of an assisted living facility. Contact Lakeside Manor and inquire about how they can ensure the comfort of your loved ones.

The post Beware of These Early Signs of Glaucoma appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Providing the appropriate care for dementia could help prevent the need for hip replacement surgery.  These patients require care and guidance to help them recover and get the full value of joint replacement surgery. Those who are younger and whose conditions haven’t progressed tend to handle the surgery well.

If your doctor has recommended hip replacement surgery for you, what you do and don’t do will improve your chances of recovery. If a loved one is having surgery, you can help them prepare and make the right choices for the best outcome.

Plan for Aftercare

You will probably remain in the hospital for three or four days after surgery if there aren’t any problems. After that, you will either go home or to an extended care or rehabilitation facility. The latter is more likely when patients have serious underlying medical conditions.

You might think an expensive rehab facility is the best choice but research shows that people tend to do better when they recover at home. This choice also reduces the chance of your developing blood clots, having falls, or developing an infection. You can’t do some things that you normally do. Plan to have a family member, friend, or in-home caregiver to assist you after your surgery. Some tasks you will need help with include:

• Driving to doctor’s appointments and/or running errands
• Medication reminders
• Shopping for groceries
• Preparing meals
• Showering, bathing, and toileting
• Caring for your pet

Even though you have someone to help with your care, hiring an in-home caregiver can make it easier on your entire family. They know what to do, the type of diet you need, and the services to provide to make you feel better. You also have the option to hire respite care, 24-hour care, or anything in-between.

Put An Emphasis on Nutrition

The sooner you begin to eat a healthy diet, the more it will contribute to your healing process. The right foods will help boost your immune system, increase energy levels, and improve strength. Start a healthy diet before surgery and maintain it throughout your recovery. Some foods to include for optimal nutrition include:

• Raw vegetables
• Dark leafy greens
• Berries and fruits
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Lean meat
• Seafood
• Healthy fats including avocado and nuts

A professional caregiver can do the shopping and prepare nutrient-rich meals in your home. Another option is food delivery from a service that delivers food to your front door.

Have a Plan for Pain Relief

Any surgery is painful and that is certainly true of hip surgery. Your body responds to the trauma it undergoes with pain and swelling. Talk to your surgeon prior to the surgery about prescribing an anti-inflammatory medication to use after you go home. Talk to them about applying ice to further help reduce the swelling.

Although your abilities will be limited, you don’t need to be too still. It will cause your joints to get stiff. Gentle exercise will improve circulation. That helps reduce swelling and reduces the risk of getting blood clots. It also helps you enjoy the new flexibility from your new knee joint. Some points to remember include keeping the operated leg straight with your hip higher than your knees. You can also apply heat from fifteen to twenty minutes to help warm up muscles before you move them.

Know What to Expect

It’s good to know what to expect from your recovery before you have surgery. Most patients are up and on their feet one or two days after the surgery. Three days after surgery, they are released from the hospital and able to walk with the assistance of crutches or a walker.

Within two weeks, you will return to the doctor to have the staples from your incision removed. Then, you will be able to shower unassisted. Within three to six weeks, you can return to light activities and may be able to drive and walk without the assistance of crutches or a walker.

After ten to twelve weeks, you should be able to return to the majority of your normal activities.

Helping a Loved One After Hip Surgery

If you plan to be the primary caregiver after a loved one’s hip surgery, make sure you plan ahead. Find out exactly what your job will be and how to do it well. Don’t try to do everything on your own. If you need respite care to get a break, ask another family member or hire a professional caregiver.

If your loved one has dementia, expect the responsibilities to be much greater. You need to know what kinds of medications they take and when they need to take them. The level of care they require will depend greatly on how advanced their dementia is. Fractured hips are very common in dementia patients. Unfortunately, they are also more challenging to treat and heal.

Dementia patients also benefit from recovering at home. Depending on the situation and their support system, this can be more difficult than you think. When their home is a dementia assisted-living facility, they get the specialized care they need. When in-home respite care is needed, you also need the experience and understanding that comes from a specially trained caregiver.

Lakeside Manor is a San Diego Dementia Care facility. We offer 24/7 care in a home-like atmosphere that focuses entirely on caring for dementia patients. Our staff offers compassionate care every day to patients with memory diseases to elevate their quality of life. Contact Lakeside Manor to schedule a tour of our residential facility. We provide an atmosphere of comfort, care, and safety that will make your loved one feel at home.

The post Hip Surgery Do’s and Don’ts appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

1. Look Out for the Grandkids’ Toys

Little ones love to play in the floor and they often leave their toys behind when they’re finished. Even a small toy that you don’t see can get underfoot and cause you to fall. The same is true of pets and their toys. An enthused pet doesn’t know he’s getting in your way when walking underfoot.

2. Don’t Polish the Floors

Hardwood and tile floors only take a little water to turn into a walking hazard. Dementia patients and seniors with failing vision can also have trouble seeing their pathway clearly. Think twice before putting wax or polish on the floor that only add to the problem.

3. Leave a Wide Walking Space

Furniture that’s too close together presents a hazard when it keeps you from walking straight through your home. Vision problems or walking in the dark make it even easier to fall over small pieces of furniture or trip over the corners. Keep everything including electrical cords out of your path.

4. Turn Your Shower Into a Safety Zone

Showering is an activity that most of us take for granted. We jump in and out of the shower in a matter of minutes, ready to start our day. Seniors with balance and/or mobility problems don’t have the same luxury. The bathroom is the most dangerous place in the home for seniors. Just stepping in and out can be a challenge. When falls in the bathroom occur, there is a big chance that they will strike the sides of the tub or the hard tile floor. Taking steps toward fall prevention is more important in the bathroom than any room in the house.

To make your shower a safer place, add the appropriate rails seats to the tub to make getting in and out more secure. The same is true for the toilet. Many seniors fall while getting on and off the seat. Use non-skid bath mats in the floor that stay in place even when wet. You may also want to look into buying a walk-in tub that lets you just walk in instead of stepping over the side of the tub.

5. Be Aware of Medication Side-Effects

Many of the medications seniors take cause dizziness as a side-effect. Ask your doctor what to expect from any of your medications. If you drive, getting dizzy puts you in danger on the road, too. If your medications cause dizziness, look for strategies to prevent them from increasing your risk of falling.

6. Make Sure Your Chair Is Secure Before You Sit

Misjudging the distance that your seat is behind you can cause you to miss it completely. Reach behind you and find it before you sit down. Even if you’re at home and sitting in the same chair you use every day; don’t leave its position to chance.

7. Stand Up Slowly

Standing quickly allows a lot of your blood to rush downward, sometimes causing you to feel lightheaded and even faint. Stand up slowly and take the time to regain your balance before you begin to walk.

8. Sit on a Chair to Get Dressed

Most of us sit on the edge of the bed when changing clothes or putting on socks and shoes. But if your bed is mobile or doesn’t have a heavy enough frame and/or mattress, the bed might scoot in response to your weight. Sit in a firm chair instead.

9. Put Items You Use Often at Eye Level

Leave the lower drawers and top shelves to store things you rarely if ever use. Keeping those you use frequently within easy reach will keep you from having to lean over or climb a step ladder.

Steps to Prevent Falls for Your Loved One

Seniors love their independence and often avoid asking for help, even when they really need it. Trying to do too much can result in a fall, serious injury, and the fear that they will fall again. Some seniors become so fearful of falls that they stop going out and enjoying the things they used to.

If you have a loved one who is a senior, pay attention to their actions and their mood. Watch for problems with their vision, balance, and memory. Engage them in conversations about their health conditions and make sure their eye care is current. See if they have difficulty standing or walking up stairs. Walk through their home to do a safety check.

Gather as much information as you can about the cause of falls in seniors and how to prevent them. A good place to start is with the National Council on Aging. The NCOA supports awareness and educational efforts about falls and falls prevention programs across the county.

Dementia patients are especially vulnerable to falls. Although they may still be able to do a lot of things for themselves in the early stages, there comes a time when they aren’t safe to leave alone. Your best efforts at fall prevention won’t be enough to keep your loved one safe. When their safety is at risk, it’s time to look into San Diego memory care.

Lakeside Manor is a dedicated dementia care facility that offers specialized care in a home-like setting. Contact us today to tour our facility and learn more about the quality of care we offer all of our residents. When staying at home alone is no longer an option for your loved one, we offer the next best thing. Get the special care they need and the peace of mind of knowing they are in a safe environment.

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