How Can You Help a Senior with Bipolar Disorder?

Is your loved one suffering from bipolar disorder? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health disorder that many people, regardless of age, suffer from. This brain disorder can cause changes in individual’s mood, emotions, and behavior randomly. Your loved one may feel overly happy now while sad and depressed a few minutes later. Taking care of a senior family member suffering from a bipolar disorder can become challenging and frustrating for you.

If you have a senior family member at home who is Bipolar, here are some tips that can help. 

• Learn about the disorder – In order to provide the best care and support to your aging parent, it is important for you to have a clear understanding of the disorder, including the common signs and symptoms. The more you know about the disorder, the better you will be able to understand your senior family member’s needs and requirements.  

• Get professional help – It is advisable to get professional help as soon as the disorder is diagnosed. The right treatment and support from professionals, as well as the family members, can help in treating the disorder well. Their doctor will most likely prescribe medication to manage the symptoms of the bipolar disorder. Just make sure that your senior family member takes the prescribed dosage on time.

• Be patient – Recovery may take time and they may not completely return to how they were before. You need to be patient with their changing behavior and the needs of your aging loved one. Open and effective communication can help you in providing the proper care. Talk to your senior family member, learn their concerns, feeling, and needs soyou will be able to provide the required support and assistance as they need it. 

However, if you are unable to look after the needs of your aging loved one suffering from this disorder, consider hiring professional help in the form of caregivers. An experienced in-home care provider will look after your senior family member’s safety in your absence and ensure proper medication management. 

When looking for In-Home Caregivers in Contra Costa County, contact Always Best Care. For more information, call (925) 210-0323 today.

How to Care for a Senior with a Disability

Caring for a disabled senior family member can be challenging for the caregiver, both physically and emotionally. They may need constant support and assistance of friends, family members, and caregivers. If you are caring for your loved one with disability, then here are some tips that can help.

• Home modifications – First, make the necessary home modifications to ensure your senior family member’s safety. Install proper handrails and grab bars in the bathroom. This will help provide the required support to seniors when they are taking a shower or bath. Regular home maintenance will keep your loved one safe at home and also help in preventing slips, trips, or falls among seniors. Remove obstacles that can cause issues and install proper lighting. Each disability is slightly different and may need different modifications. Perform them as necessary.

• Support equipment – Seniors with a disability may not be able to carry out their daily living activities with ease, including bathing, toileting, and more. Consider getting a raised toilet seat installed for them so that they do not have difficulty standing. In addition, consider getting a walker or a walking frame to help your loved one move from one place to another more easily.

• Regular exercise – Exercise is very important for seniors for improved physical and mental health. Encourage your senior family member to exercise daily, even if they have any disability. Physiotherapy or occupational therapy can speed up recovery and help maintain the physical ability they do have.

• Senior living options – If your loved one lives alone and are unable to look after their safety, consider moving them to an Assisted Living facility. These senior living options ensure that each of their residents stay safe and offers different equipment to assist seniors with disabilities.

• Hire professional help – As people age, they often prefer to spend their golden years at home rather than moving to an Assisted Living facility. But if you are unable to care for your loved one for whatever reason, consider hiring a caregiver. 

An experienced in-home care provider will look after your loved one’s safety and assist them with daily living tasks. You can contact Always Best Care, a premier elder care provider, to hire highly trained and insured In-Home Caregivers In Contra Costa County.

For more information, call them at (925) 210-0323.

How to Care for an Aging Parent with Heart Disease

Do you have an aging parent who is suffering from heart disease? Studies show that over half of the senior population suffers from a heart condition. As such, taking care of them can be a challenging task. Doctors suggest that certain lifestyle changes can help in improving their heart health and promote healthy aging. Sadly, due to mobility issues or other health related issues, it may become difficult for seniors to stick with some of those changes.

Here are some of the ways that can help you care for your loved one with heart disease.

• Cook healthy meals – It is important for seniors to eat a healthy and nutritious diet for their overall health. Make sure to cook heart-healthy meals that are low in sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats. Provide them enough fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-dairy products. An experienced care provider can plan and assist with meal preparation.
• Encourage physical activities – Regular exercise can also improve your loved one’s heart health. Low-impact exercises are best for the older adults. They can help control blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. Encourage your senior family member to follow a daily exercise routine for an overall good health. Any physical activities can be low impact exercise, such as walking, shopping, cleaning and gardening. The key is to get them moving.
• Manage stress levels – Stress and depression can increase the risk of heart diseases. Help your aging parent manage stress levels by giving them less to worry about when possible. In addition, a care provider can also accompany your senior family member to yoga or meditation classes which can help them cope with stress in an effective manner.
• Visit the doctor regularly –It is important for seniors to attend regular doctor appointments to stay up to date with their overall health and well being. A senior care provider can accompany and arrange transportation for regular doctor’s visits. In addition, they will also ensure proper medication management.

When looking for Geriatric care in contra Costa County, contact Always Best Care. They have a team of highly trained, bonded, and thoroughly screened caregivers who provide the best senior care services.

For more information, call (925) 210-0323.