Senior Care Blog

There has been a lot about Alzheimer’s disease in the news for the past few years, and for good reason. The progressive, degenerative neurological disease for which there is presently no cure affects an estimated 35.6 million people worldwide. However, do you know what warning signs to look for in your loved one?

With Alzheimer’s disease becoming an epidemic the U.S., many people are hyper-aware of even the smallest memory-related or cognitive changes in their older loved ones. However, those cognitive changes may be a sign of something just as serious, but far more treatable — depression. If you are concerned that a loved one may be exhibiting early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, it is important to first rule out that it is not depression, as the two can have similar symptoms.

At Hillendale Home Care in the San Francisco Bay area, we believe that enhancing adult home care services with rewarding activities is a key component to providing the best client experience. Hillendale is one of the leading California adult home care services providers.

Beginning when we are very young, the arts are a source of enrichment for our minds and spirits – and at Hillendale Home Care, we believe that should continue as we grow older!

If you are caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with COPD, you probably know that outdoor air pollutants can aggravate symptoms. However, did you realize that poor air quality in the home can also be troublesome? Purifying the air at home can help everyone breathe easier and be more comfortable.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an estimated 12 million adults are currently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it’s estimated that another 12 million may be living with the disease without even knowing it.

We don’t often think of the rug in the living room or the cord for the lamp as a hazard, but for older adults with limited mobility, small things like these can cause potentially dangerous falls. More than 90 percent of hip fractures occur as a result of falls in the home, with most of these fractures occurring in persons over 70 years of age.

Falls among the elderly can have devastating effects, many times resulting in a chain reaction of health complications.

One of the most frightening aspects of aging for many seniors is the thought that at some point, a move to a nursing home or other institutional living arrangement will be unavoidable. After building a lifetime of memories in a family home, including raising children, caring for grandchildren, perhaps losing a spouse, home is a place of unparalleled comfort and nostalgia for seniors.