Senior Living

SOQUEL — When an elderly loved one transitions to a hospital bed, it’s important to know a few safety and care guidelines. Here are three to keep in mind:

1. Always maintain the hospital bed at the lowest possible position level. This will minimize any injuries in the event that your loved one falls out of bed.

2. If your elderly loved one is eating or drinking in bed, take steps to prevent choking. First, raise the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle. Next, roll up a towel and place it behind your loved one’s neck—this will help keep the neck straight.

3. In the event that your loved one falls out of their hospital bed,

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SOQUEL — Host, Sarah Rutan: When an elderly loved one transitions to a hospital bed, it’s important to know a few safety guidelines. Today we’re in Soquel with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jackie Tucker of Care From the Heart – In-Home Services to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jackie Tucker: Hello, this is Jackie Tucker, case manager with Care From the Heart In-Home Services, and I have three wonderful tips for you. In case your loved one is already in a hospital bed, please maintain the hospital bed position level at its lowest to prevent further injuries in case your loved one falls out of bed.

Second tip, Read more

BURLINGAME — One of the greatest risks to the health and wellness of elderly individuals is social isolation. The loneliness that stems from isolation can lead to both mental and physical consequences, including:

• Decline in cognitive performance and higher risk of dementia

• Increase in re-hospitalization

• Higher risk of developing depression

• Heightening of blood pressure

• Engaging in unhealthy habits such as poor diet and exercise

To combat these detrimental effects, it’s crucial for seniors to get plenty of social interaction. If you’re planning to relocate your elderly loved one to an assisted living facility, make sure you choose one that prioritizes social interaction and engages its residents in regular activities. Read more

SOQUEL — When caring for someone with reduced mobility, it’s important to keep an eye out for bedsores. A bedsore is an injury to the skin and underlying tissue that results from prolonged pressure on a particular area. These injuries progress through four stages, but it’s important to try to identify them as early as possible.

The first step is to survey the skin and pay close attention to the areas where the skin and bones meet. For fair-skinned people, observe if the skin looks reddish; for those with medium-toned or darker skin, notice any discolorations. Massage these areas to bring some warmth and movement into the tissue and wait to see if the skin changes color. Read more

SOQUEL — Host, Sarah Rutan: If you’re caring for an elderly loved one who’s bedbound, you’ll need to take proactive steps to prevent bedsores. Today we’re in Soquel with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jackie Tucker of Care from the Heart – In Home Services to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jackie Tucker: We’re going to be talking about bedsores. So, what is considered a bedsore? It is injury to the skin, underlying tissue, resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. And there are four stages. We’re going to discuss stage 1, today. So, you’ll be able to identify a stage 1 bedsore with a person with lighter skin by finding a red spot on those bony areas. Read more

BURLINGAME — Everyone knows exercise is important, but this doesn’t cease to be true in one’s elder years. In fact, beginning a daily exercise routine can help your loved one relieve pain and regain strength. Furthermore, functional fitness exercises can train their muscles to work together, preparing them for daily tasks by simulating common movements in daily life.

Here are a few of the benefits daily exercise provides:

Physical

• Makes everyday activities easier and improves quality of life

• Improves balance, agility and muscle strength

• Reduces the risk of injury or falls

• Can alleviate the effects of osteoporosis

Psychological

• Improves memory retrieval and visual-motor performance

• Alleviates feelings of frustration, Read more

Burlingame – California’s Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act went into effect on January 1, 2016. Designed to combat elder abuse in home care settings, the act implements new requirements for agencies that provide nonmedical residential care services. Here are a few of the requirements:

•  Any home care aide working for an agency must be entered into a state registry, a process that includes fingerprinting and a full background check. Registered home care aides must update their information every two years.

•  Home care agencies must be licensed with the state, certifying their compliance with basic standards. Agencies that fail to comply may be fined $900 per day and face civil action. Read more