The effects of a stroke can be catastrophic, as we shared in our last blog. The brain is complex, with different areas controlling different aspects of our body functions, so the area of the brain affected by the stroke will determine what after-effects are experienced. Although each individual experiences unique complications from a stroke, the American Stroke Association shares the … Read More
Think It Could Be a Stroke? Take This F.A.S.T. Test Immediately!
In the time it takes you to read this blog, another person in America will have died from a stroke. It’s a leading cause of long-term disability, affecting as many as 795,000 people in the U.S. alone each year, and is the cause for one out of every 20 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With … Read More
For Older Adults, Forget the Old Food Pyramid!
The food pyramid that we’re all familiar with is a way of the past, with a new MyPlate formula taking its place. However, the latest research from Tufts University indicates that MyPlate is not quite suited to the distinct dietary needs of older adults. So Tufts developed the MyPlate for Older Adults which: Continues to emphasize nutrient-dense food choices and … Read More
Take this Quick Senior Nutritional Needs Assessment
As parents age, their resolve to keep from worrying their children will likely remain unchanged. As a result, they may not be forthcoming with sharing details about any issues they’re experiencing with eating properly and meeting nutritional needs. And for those who live at a distance, it can be even more challenging to be fully aware of dietary changes. The … Read More
How to Combat the Top Three Nutritional Struggles for Seniors
As we shared in our last blog, meeting nutritional requirements as we age can feel like an uphill battle. Visiting Angels is here to help, with suggestions from the Food and Drug Administration for addressing some of the top dietary challenges seniors face: Trouble Chewing: For seniors who cannot chew food well, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables can be … Read More
Nutrition Tips for Seniors
Ask any senior and the answer will likely be the same: aging brings about changes in practically every aspect of life. Dietary and nutritional changes are no exception, with alterations in the taste and smell of food, decreased appetite, oral and dental issues and gastrointestinal changes all reported to be associated with aging by the National Institutes of Health. Helping … Read More
Exercises to Help Seniors Improve Balance and Prevent Falls
According to the CDC, one out of three older adults falls each year, but less than half of those adults talk to their healthcare provider about it. When a senior experiences a fall, even if it does not result in injury, he can develop a fear of falling, which may cause the senior to limit his activities, leading to reduced … Read More
Help Seniors Stay Safe at Home with Visiting Angels’ Tips to Prevent Trips
Taking a tumble is never fun, but for an elderly person, a fall can have devastating effects, such as hip fracture, and even lead to a chain reaction of health problems. One-fourth of older adults who fracture a hip die within six months of the injury; a startling, yet preventable statistic. Making some simple modifications to the home can help … Read More
The Alarming Escalation of Elder Fraud
Taking advantage of the elderly and their finances is nothing new, unfortunately, and is becoming more and more prevalent. In fact, according to MoneyNews.com, elder fraud costs older adults more than $2.9 billion per year. One particularly disturbing trend is that of a perpetrator calling an elderly victim, posing as a grandchild in crisis and begging for money. What grandparent … Read More
Successful Solutions to Overcoming Hoarding
For those who grew up during the Depression, saving, reusing and not being wasteful are an ingrained way of life. However, there’s a fine line between being resourceful and compulsive hoarding, which can quickly become unsanitary and even dangerous. Helping people who hoard understand how their problem interferes in living the life they desire can be a powerful motivator, especially … Read More