The end of the year holidays are approaching.  What can you do to make the holidays particularly pleasant for your aging parents or loved ones?  Here are some thoughts:

1. Stroll down memory lane. Holidays provoke memories, which can be especially powerful in the later years of life. “Leading authorities have observed that memory and ‘life review’ are important parts of the aging process,” says Barry Lebowitz, Ph.D., deputy director of the University of California San Diego’s Stein Institute for Research on Aging. “Older people whose memories are impaired may have difficulty remembering recent events, but they are often able to share stories and observations from the past. These shared memories are important for the young as well—children enjoy hearing about how it was ‘when your parents were your age…’.” He suggests using picture albums, family videos and music, even theme songs from old radio or TV programs to help stimulate memories and encourage older seniors to share their stories and experiences.
2. Plan ahead. If older family members tire easily or are vulnerable to over-stimulation, limit the number of activities they are involved in or the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering can lead to irritability or exhaustion, so schedule time for a nap, if necessary, and consider designating a “quiet room” where an older person can take a break. “Assign someone to be the day’s companion to the older person, to make sure the individual is comfortable,” says Daniel Sewell, M.D., director of the Senior Behavior Health Unit at the UCSD Medical Center, who adds that these guidelines work well for young children as well as adults with mental, emotional and physical health issues.
3. Eliminate obstacles. If a holiday get-together is held in the home of an older person with memory impairment or behavioral problems, don’t rearrange the furniture. This could be a source of confusion and anxiety. If the gathering is in a place unfamiliar to an older person, remove slippery throw rugs and other items that could present barriers to someone with balance problems or who has difficulty walking.
4. Avoid embarrassing moments. Try to avoid making comments that could inadvertently embarrass an older friend or family member who may be experiencing short-term memory problems. If an older person forgets a recent conversation, for example, don’t make it worse by saying, “Don’t you remember?”
5. Create new memories. In addition to memories, seniors need new things to anticipate. Add something new to the holiday celebration, or volunteer for your family to help others. Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, or window-shopping at the mall or along a festive downtown street.
6. Be inclusive. Involve everyone in holiday meal preparation, breaking down tasks to include the youngest and oldest family members. “Older adults with physical limitations can still be included in kitchen activities by asking them to do a simple, helpful task, like greasing cooking pans, peeling vegetables, folding napkins or arranging flowers,” Sewell says.
7. Reach out. Social connectedness is especially important at holiday times. “Reaching out to older relatives and friends who are alone is something all of us should do,” Lebowitz says. “Loneliness is a difficult emotion for anyone. Recent research with older people has documented that loneliness is associated with major depression and with suicidal thoughts and impulses.”
8. Beat the blues. “Holiday blues” are feelings of profound sadness that can be provoked by all the activities of the holiday season. Seasonal blues can have a particular impact in the lives of older people, according to Lebowitz. “In some people, the ‘holiday blues’ represent the exacerbation of an ongoing depressive illness,” he says. “Depression is a dangerous and life-threatening illness in older people. Tragically, suicide rates increase with age, specifically for older men. Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be ignored or written off.”
9. Stay on the sunny side. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression is an illness that can be provoked by reductions in sunlight during the short days of winter. It is important for people confined indoors, especially those at risk for winter depression, to make time for activities that will increase exposure to daylight.
10. Monitor medications and alcohol. If you have senior family members, be sure to help them adhere to their regular schedule of medications during the frenzy of the holidays. Also, pay attention to their alcohol consumption during holiday parties and family gatherings. Alcohol can provoke inappropriate behavior or interfere with medications.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, like those of many other treatable health conditions, can be virtually identical to age dementia symptoms, senile dementia symptoms and Alzheimer’s symptoms. As many as 20% of people over age 65 have low Vitamin B12 levels. Correcting the deficiency can help your elderly loved one resume a full and normal live.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
• Paleness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Sore mouth and tongue
• Confusion or change in mental status in severe or advanced cases (which can be confused with dementia). More importantly, even a moderate deficiency of this important vitamin and its counterpart, folic acid, may ultimate contribute to the onset of Alzheimers disease or other related dementias.

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products and is also added to certain foods. Good sources of vitamin B12 include:

• Fish and seafood
• Meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Fortified foods such as cereals

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Studies show that a significant percentage of seniors experience mental disorders that are not a normal part of aging.  These include anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and behavioral problems.

Yet, psychiatric illnesses in older adults have long tended to be minimized, sometimes with tragic consequences.  This is why the rate of suicide is higher than any other age group and twice the national average.

“Many elderly people don’t have a voice,” said Dr. Jack Dang, a psychiatrist who is board certified in geriatric psychiatry.  “They suffer in silence because they are unable to relate their problems to someone who understands.  Access to psychiatric care has long been a problem for them.  And most families and nursing homes don’t know how to care for them.”

The lack of knowledgeable experts constitutes a major part of the problem.  According to the American Medical Association, there are less than 2,600 board certified geriatric psychiatrists for 35 million seniors – or about one per 14,000 Americans 65 and older.   Families and nursing home personnel often fail to recognize mental or emotional illness in an elderly person, which can be confused with the symptoms of multiple medical problems.

Consider that older Americans account for only 7% of all inpatient mental health services, 6% of community-based mental health services and 9% of private psychiatric care – yet comprise 13% of the population.  In addition to a shortage of appropriate health specialists, experts cite barriers to access, a denial of problems among the elderly, and a lack of coordination between mental health and aging networks.

“The quiet, silent patient who is losing weight often isn’t noticed as depressed and can end up starving him or herself to death,” said Dr. Dang.  “The goal is to educate families and health providers that neither depression nor memory loss is a normal part of aging.”

According to Dr. Dang, 40% of older adults with medical problems also have signs of depression.  “This is a strong, resilient group of people,” he said, “who have lived active and productive lives through multiple economic downturns, wars and tragedy.  Now, they are dealing with major life changes – loss of spouse, friends, siblings, even children; of job and career; of the ability to walk and drive; of their very independence.

“Post-traumatic disorders also can occur, from as far back as 50, 60, 70 years ago, perhaps from the Holocaust, an episode in a war, or a personal tragedy,” said Dr. Dang.  “These are intrusive memories, flashbacks of painful memories from the past.”

New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable care and assistance for NJ seniors, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us when you need help at 800-848-2336.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care

Depression among seniors is a growing concern, with an estimated 40% of the elderly with medical problems also showing signs of depression.

How do you spot in depression in an aging loved one?  The following are all possible symptoms of depression:

• Exhaustion

• Lack of interest in hobbies

• Lack of interest in socializing with family and/or friends

• Weight loss, loss of appetite

• Change in sleeping patterns or not being able to sleep for more than a few hours at a time

• Feeling bad for one’s self

• Drug or alcohol abuse

• Worrying about dying

Here is a list of things that can be done if any of these signs are apparent:

• Look for activities you can do with your elderly loved one that he/she enjoys.

• Help them make plans with friends and encourage them to make plans with their friends.

• Help them prepare healthy meals, which contain fruits and vegetables.

• Help them get treatment for their depression and make sure they follow through with medical appointments and the proper medication.

• Watch for signs of relapse and get professional help as soon as possible.

• Simply spend time with them and show them you care.

New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable care for depressed seniors, helping them manage their illness since 1984. Please call us when you need help at 800-848-2336.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care