Archive for the ‘Medications for Seniors’ Category

Alzheimer’s - 10 Signs Early Detection - New Jersey Elder Home Care

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

The biggest thing most family members wished they’d known about Alzheimer’s disease is the importance of understanding the ten signs of early onset. When you understand the difference between normal aging and the early signs like your loved one’s negative behavior becoming more aggressive with the onset of Alzheimer’s, then you would know that your elder loved one is not just getting old. This might put you in the drivers seat… to find the right doctors to perform testing like blood, neurological, memory, CT and PET scans and help uncover Alzheimer’s or dementia sooner.

Expert Home Care in New Jersey wants adult children to pay close attention to the early signs of Alzheimer’s and take proper action if you see a parent displaying one or serveral. Consult with a neurologist who specializes in dementia. A neurologist or an medical doctor who specializes in geriatrics will do the proper testings and evaluations to uncover Alzheimer’s or dementia early on. They will prescribe the right medications that help delay the progression of the disease. Hopefully the medications will help your aging parents and potentially keep them in that early stage for a longer period of time.

Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging - It may be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease, a fatal brain disease that gets worse over time and causes changes in thinking, reasoning and behavior. Although the disease is more common in people 65 and older, it can also strike those in their 30s, 40s and 50s.  Alz.org.

Visit us in a day or two when we give more information of the signs of the disease.

Expert Home & Live-in Care for seniors and elders in New Jersey.

Call us for help at 800-848-2336.

Hypertension a Silent Killer - NJ Senior & Elder Care

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

Expert Home Care in New Jersey helps elders in New Jersey stay in their homes safely. Call us at 800-848-2336.

If an elder is suffering from high blood pressure, or hypertension, without ever knowing it can damage the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes before the condition is ever diagnosed. Hypertension is widespread, affecting as many as 60 million Americans, or one in every four adults. It is often killed the “silent killer.”

In the medical world, 120 over 80 is considered a normal blood pressure reading and the range for pre-hypertension is 120 to 139 over 80 to 89. Stage 1 hypertension is a range from 140 to 159 over 90 to 99.

The top, larger number is called the systolic pressure. This is the pressure generated when the heart contracts (or pumps), and it reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls. The bottom, smaller number is called the diastolic pressure. This reflects the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling and resting between heartbeats.

The key risk factors for hypertension include obesity, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diets high in salt and fat, increased alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. Men 55 and over and women 65 and over are most prone to the disease. African Americans, particularly women – and family history are also factors.

Visit us tomorrow when we give tips and lifestyle enhancements to decrease your high blood pressure.

In the meantime call Expert Home Care when you need live-in care for your loved one.. call us at 800-848-2336.

New Jersey Tips for Senior Medications - Live In Senior Care

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

Expert Home Care delivering elder, senior and live-in care to New Jersey Seniors and families since 1985. Call us today at 800-848-2336.

More Tips for New Jersey Seniors and Medications

The rule when buying from Internet pharmacies is not to purchase anything:

  • Without a proper medical examination
  • Stay away from medications that are not FDA-approved 
  • Avoid sites that do not require a written prescription
  • Resist claims of “new cures” or “amazing results”

How can you reduce the likelihood of adverse interactions? You can start by following these practices:

• Always read the label
• Follow directions exactly
• Drink a full glass of water and do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking medication
• Take medication in a well-lit room
• Only take medications that are prescribed for you
• Look for single ingredient products
• Do not take over-the-counter drugs without first consulting with your physician or pharmacist
• Discard any expired medications
• Keep a record of all prescription, over-the-counter drugs, herbs and vitamins
• Use one pharmacy
• Contact your primary care provider or pharmacist if you have any problems with your medicines

Many seniors not only are likely to take different medications but also see a variety of specialists who may prescribe medications without a full knowledge of what else they are taking. This can put your at further risk of taking multiple medications that may interact adversely. As a result, consider discussing your medication use with a geriatric specialist or a pharmacist.

Expert Home Care, we offer free van service for our caregivers directly to our client’s doors in the counties of Bergen, Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Essex, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Passaic, Union and Hudson.

Call us for assisted living at your New Jersey home - 800-848-2336.

Manage Elder’s Medications - Assisted Living Home Care - New Jersey

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Expert Home Care offers free van transportation for our caregivers directly to our client’s doors in the counties of Bergen, Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Essex, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Passaic, Union and Hudson.

Expert Home Care is a good alternative to Assisted Living & Nursing Homes.. keeping seniors and elders safe and healthy in their homes. Call us today at 800-848-2336.

Medications Need to Be Carefully Managed

Consider the following common myths about medication use:

  • If one dose makes me feel good, a larger dose will make me feel even better
  • If one drug does not work, take two or three
  • If I can buy it over the counter, it must be safe
  • If my physician has not stopped the medication, I can still use it
  • If it helped my friend, it will help me

Many seniors and elders living in New Jersey buy into these myths. Since seniors take on average as many as six prescription drugs and three to four over-the-counter medications, problems with medications are common.

The biggest medication problems for New Jersey elders:

  • Not taking medicine correctly – either forgetting to take it or failing to follow instructions
  • Allergic reactions
  • Drug side effects
  • Drug interactions
  • Duplication
  • Wrong dosage
  • Unnecessary or inappropriate usage

Those with chronic conditions that take multiple medications may find one drug interacts or interferes with the effectiveness of another drug, or can cause unexpected side effects that can result in such symptoms as nausea, dizziness, heartburn, faintness, fatigue, drop in blood pressure, or blurred vision.

Common drug-to-drug interactions include aspirin with a blood thinner, like Coumadin, or certain diabetic medications; antacids with heart and blood pressure medications; and antihistamines with antidepressants.

There can also be problems when certain medications are taken with such common foods as dairy products, caffeine, grapefruit and orange juices, and alcohol, or with certain herbal supplements like gingko biloba or kava kava.

Let us help your loved ones live safely in their home. We are one of the best alternatives to Assisted Living and Nursing Home facilities - Expert Home Care New Jersey. Call for assistance 800-848-2336.