Jenkintown Comfort Keepers

What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common and best understood cause of dementia, is caused by blockages in two key proteins: amyloid and tau. Amyloid proteins build up on the outside of the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients, causing disruptive plaques. On the inside of the brain cell, tau proteins become tangled, which effectively strangles the brain cell and prevents it from properly functioning. For a closer look at the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, watch this video from the Alzheimer’s society.

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the staff at Jenkintown Comfort Keepers will provide living assistance to keep them healthy, happy, and safe. To learn more about our compassionate at-home elderly care services, call us at (267) 415-4047.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Dementia

The term dementia describes a set of symptoms rather than a particular illness, such as Alzheimer’s. The symptoms of dementia can range from mild memory loss to a severe diminishment in mental acuity. For your aging loved one to receive the proper care, it is important to recognize dementia’s symptoms early and before they interfere with a healthy quality of life. Here are some of the symptoms of dementia:

Memory Loss
One common indicator of the onset of dementia is memory loss. Memory loss will often begin with short-term memory problems. A person with short-term memory loss can have trouble keeping track of his or her belongings, will miss appointments, or have difficulty with making or remembering plans. As memory loss progresses, a person can begin to have trouble with long-term memories such as connections to loved ones and important life events.

Diminished Mental Ability
A person with dementia symptoms will sometimes experience a diminished mental ability. Initially, this can appear as trouble with problem solving, such as completing a crossword puzzle or playing a game. As mental ability diminishes, the person can have trouble with basic daily tasks such as using a microwave or turning on the television. It may also take a person longer to complete these tasks than before the onset of dementia; and they might have trouble paying attention to the task at hand.

Trouble With Moods and Judgment
If your loved one is exhibiting the symptoms of dementia, you might notice a change in behavior or overall mood. Sometimes, a person with the symptoms of dementia will have trouble managing their moods and emotions. This can cause erratic behavior, shifting emotions, or poor judgment. In some circumstances, a person will seem more angry or agitated than usual.

When your loved one begins to exhibit the signs of dementia, it is important to provide them with the care they need to be healthy. At Jenkintown Comfort Keepers, our staff is equipped to provide home care or assisted living services to persons with dementia symptoms. Call us at (267) 415-4047 to learn more about our assisted living services.

Visit These Great Links for More Information on the Benefits of Senior Home Care Services

If you notice that your aging loved one is no longer able to safely live at home alone, moving him or her to a nursing home isn’t your only option. Instead, you can hire an in-home caregiver who provides your loved one with mobility, bathing, and light housekeeping services. In addition, your home caregiver will develop a relationship with your loved one, helping him or her feel more comfortable throughout the aging process.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a great overview of the growing health concern associated with senior fall injuries.
• Learn how to install grab bars in your loved one’s home by reading this article from HowStuffWorks.com.
• This Wall Street Journal article can help you recognize the signs that your aging loved one requires in-home care.
• Hiring a caregiver can help you keep an aging parent safe and healthy. Learn more about homecare services by reading this article on CNN.com.  
• Do you know how to recognize the signs of malnutrition? If not, check out this great article from Livestrong.com.

Call (267) 415-4047 to learn about the services provided by Jenkintown Comfort Keepers. We are a family-owned business dedicated to providing elderly individuals with high-quality home care services.

When to Consider In-Home Care For Your Aging Family Member

Sometimes, the signs that an aging family member needs some extra help develop slowly. In other cases, these signs appear quite suddenly. Either way, once you notice that your loved one is having difficulty living on his or her own, it’s time to consider hiring some outside help to keep your family member safe and healthy. If you hire an in-home care provider, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your loved one can continue to safely live in the comfort of his or her own home.

You notice mobility problems 
One of the main reasons senior citizens require outside help is because they can have difficulty moving around their homes safely. In addition to arthritis, poor eyesight and dizziness brought on by certain medications can contribute to limited mobility. If your loved one is beginning to suffer accidents such as slips, falls, or frequently stubbed toes, this is a sign that he or she is having trouble safely moving around the home.

You notice signs of malnutrition 
An individual can become malnourished when he or she isn’t eating a diet that provides the necessary nutrients to keep the body functioning properly. Poor nutrition can cause serious problems to every system in the body, eventually damaging the health of vital organs. Unfortunately, malnutrition is a common problem among seniors. If your loved one is malnourished, he or she will experience weight loss, fatigue, and muscle weakness. An in-home care provider can help ensure that your loved one eats properly each day.

You notice patterns of poor hygiene 
If you notice that your aging family member is taking fewer showers, not brushing his or her teeth, or consistently wearing the same clothes, it may be a sign of a serious memory problem. Your loved one may not be aware that he or she is neglecting these regular activities and may need frequent reminders and assistance.

Jenkintown Comfort Keepers is dedicated to helping elderly individuals remain independent and safe in their own homes. To learn more about our services, call (267) 415-4047. You can also send us a message through our helpful website.

Tips for Preventing Falls Among Seniors

Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury-related fatalities in individuals over the age of 65. Medical conditions associated with aging such as arthritis and diabetes can make it extremely difficult for elderly individuals to maintain their balance and stability around the home. Luckily, there are some steps seniors can take to dramatically decrease their chances of suffering a fall.

In this video, you will hear from a woman who developed a debilitating hip fracture because of a fall. As you listen to her story, you can learn how to help your elderly loved one avoid a similar situation. This video also outlines some areas around your loved one’s home that require extra safety precautions. 

Call (267) 415-4047 to learn how an in-home caregiver from Jenkintown Comfort Keepers can help your loved one avoid a fall. We are deeply committed to providing helpful, compassionate services to each of our clients.