Understanding the Deficiency of Vitamin B12 In Seniors Better

One of the most common mistakes seniors make is overlooking the deficiency of vitamins in their body until it starts causing significant health problems. A lot of older adults end up developing a serious deficiency of Vitamin B12. Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is responsible for generating cell growth, boosting cognition, supporting bone health, and supporting the immune system.

The deficiency of cobalamin in your aging parents may lead to health issues including but not limited to anemia, neuropathy, and even cognitive impairment in extreme cases. Contrary to the popular belief that deficiency of vitamin B12 causes pernicious anemia, it is, in fact, the other way around. Some other problems vitamin B12 deficient seniors face include memory issues and waking difficulties.

Factors that make seniors more susceptible to deficiency of vitamin B12 are low levels of stomach acid, medications such as metformin, alcoholism, and other problems such as Crohn’s disease that cause poor absorption in the stomach or small intestine. As for the treatment with vitamin B12 supplements for seniors is concerned, the initial phase requires an intramuscular shot or oral vitamins. While intramuscular shots bypass any absorption problems in the stomach or intestine, high-dose oral supplements take longer to work and thus, are not ideal for correcting a deficiency. Oral supplements are mostly used to maintain the cobalamin levels.

The best thing about vitamin B12 treatment is that overdosing on this particular vitamin is extremely unlikely and hence, all the risks are eliminated. Even when the levels are high, it doesn’t really cause any kind of toxicity. The senior care services providers in East Bay from ABC can help you take better care of your senior loved ones and can even help you keep a check on your aging parents’ dietary needs.

Feel free to dial (925) 210-0323 and schedule a free consultation today.

7 Home Safety Tips for Seniors with Conditions Such as Dementia

 Seniors who have started wandering or experiencing significant symptoms of memory loss need to be supervised all the time. Some extra precautions you should consider taking while caring for an aging parent at home include but are not limited to -

1. Consider switching to appliances with auto-shutoff features or installing hidden gas valves and circuit breakers to ensure ovens, fireplaces, and stoves are not left alone.

2. All the drawers and cabinets containing things such as knives, cleaning supplies, and medications as well as garages or basements with harmful chemicals and machinery should be locked.

3. Use deadbolts on exterior doors to keep the seniors from wandering outside the house unsupervised.

4. Your loved one’s bedroom and bathroom should not have any locks as it will help avoid a situation where they may lock themselves inside accidentally and panic.

5. Try to have finger guards on garbage disposals or covering the switches with safety locks.

6. Lights and night lights should be easily accessible. This would help reduce any kind of disorientation at night.

7. Create clear paths and open areas to encourage independence and social interaction, which are two important needs for people with dementia, and other such conditions.

Being proactive when it comes to senior safety can go a long way. The best way to ensure if a surrounding is safe for your loved one to live in is getting a safety inspection done. The senior care experts with Always Best Care in Contra Costa County are also well capable of noticing risk factors a family member may not recognize and suggesting the required changes to address those factors. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experts. Dial (925) 210-0323 to get in touch and get started.

6 Ways to Prevent Pneumonia in Older Adults

 As is the case with most of the other infections, pneumonia too can lead to a greater risk for complications and even deaths in seniors. The most common symptoms of the disease include but are not limited to high fever, chills, productive cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. Adults 65 and older, people with a weakened immune system, patients recovering from surgery, and people with other respiratory conditions are more likely to be attacked by the infection.

Not many people understand that pneumonia can lead to complications such as bacteremia, pleurisy, lung abscess, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in older adults, and hence need to be prevented at all costs. Some of the most effective ways of preventing pneumonia in older adults are:

1. Make sure your aging parent gets the right type of pneumococcal vaccine at the right time.

2. Getting the annual flu shot regularly minimizes the risk of developing pneumonia as a complication of the flu in older adults.

3. Ensure that your seniors are practicing good hygiene by washing hands thoroughly before and after eating, preparing food, and after using the bathroom.

4. Encourage them to stay physically active and to consume a diet rich in vitamins and lean proteins.

5. If your aging parent has conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, etc., make sure those are being managed properly.

6. If they are into smoking, encourage them to get in touch with their doctor for help with quitting this habit.

Considering the ongoing pandemic, being aware of your health conditions and handling them responsibly has become all the more important. The in-home caregivers at ABC in Contra Costa County can help you take better care of your aging parent. Feel free to dial (925) 210-0323 for more information.

4 Effective Ways to Prevent Falls in The Elderly

 There are a lot of things that can be done for senior fall prevention and minimize the injuries in case of a fall. You should encourage your elderly loved ones to

1. Maintain their fitness

Right from low impact aerobics to plenty of chair exercises, there are several muscle-strengthening programs seniors can benefit from. Experts suggest focusing on the seniors’ functional ability by introducing them to programs that can be tailored to their individual needs.

2. Eat well and hydrate

Dehydration and malnutrition have been identified as major causes of poor balance and falls in seniors. This can be addressed by having well-balanced meals as they provide the essential minerals and vitamins that boost bone and muscle health.

3. Tell you if they feel different after a changed medication

A caregiver should not only know a senior’s medication regiment but should also note their responses to new medications as some medicines may cause symptoms that increase the risk of falls.

4. Have physical therapy

Consider undergoing physical therapy and occupational therapy as it will help them rehabilitate after an injury and prevent future falls.

Some steps you can take to keep a check on fall prevention in seniors indoors include keeping the floor as clean as possible, installing grab bars in the bathing area, adding accessible seating, and getting the thresholds flattened. It is important to take necessary steps as a fall can be challenging for the senior physically as well as financially.

Do you often feel that the surroundings your aging parents live in can pose a threat to their lives? You can address your concerns by sending them to be taken care of in an assisted living facility in East Bay. Feel free to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts. Dial (925) 210-0323.