Differentiating Between Medical and Non-medical In-home Care

In-home care from a medical caregiver is for those that need nursing or medical attention daily. In many cases, these professionals are RN's (registered nurses) with years of experience in their given field.

Healthcare providers come from a wide range of professions including Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides, allowing clients to choose the one(s) they feel most comfortable sharing a home with said client.  The right caregiver will provide time for regular visits as well as post-visit telephone calls making sure that no problems have developed between visits. They will also have a thorough working knowledge of the client's medications, diet, and medical history. 

Medical caregivers from Caregivers Unlimited always provide supervision for clients who need it, especially those who are prone to falling or wandering off.  To ensure their safety, these clients will be supervised at all times when walking and around water as well as during other activities that require constant attention such as cooking, taking medication, and bathing.

Non-medical In-home Care

In-home care from a non-medical caregiver is simply someone who provides companionship and/or housekeeping services, in addition to helping with personal care (dressing, grooming) and light household chores (meal preparation). It is possible for them to also run errands but this is not required of them.

Non-medical caregivers are also available for last-minute bookings if it's after office hours and you need someone immediately caring for an elderly loved one.

They may be more cost-effective than medical professionals but here at Caregivers Unlimited, we believe that all in-home care services should be both affordable and high quality. This is why we offer a range of services to clients, including live-in care.

Learn more about how non-medical in-home care in the East Bay can benefit seniors and enable them to safely and comfortably age in place by contacting Always Best Care.

  

3 Common Infections in Seniors - Always Best Care Senior Services

The elderly are a common target for some types of infections because their immune systems have been compromised by age, cancer treatment or other medical conditions. Three of the most common infections in seniors include urinary tract infections, skin infections, and pneumonia. Here is what you should know about each of them:

     1. Urinary tract infection (UTI)     

UTIs are one of the most common infections and can affect anyone, but they're particularly prevalent among elderly individuals because of their weakened immune systems and because many rely on catheters to drain their urine. Symptoms include discomfort while urinating, lack of bladder control, and blood or pus in the urine.

    2. Pneumonia      

This common respiratory infection can strike anyone, but people who are elderly—and especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, and emphysema—are at a higher risk. Symptoms include fever, chills, a productive cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

    3. Skin infections      

Elderly people are at greater risk for developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism as a result of blood clots. These clots usually form in the legs and can break off and migrate to the lung. Symptoms of DVT include pain and swelling in the lower leg, while symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can range from mild (coughing and shortness of breath) to severe (fainting and difficulty breathing).

If you or a senior loved one needs assistance and care at home, Always Best Care can help you out. Schedule a FREE consultation for elderly care in the East Bay right away.

 

 

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 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 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 cobalamin levels.

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.

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.