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.

For someone who has an aging parent at home, offering assistance with activities of daily living without compromising on their social life can be quite overwhelming. An assisted living facility solves this situation for all.

Elderly Care East Bay

Here are some of the key highlights about assisted living not many people know of.

• Different assisted living facilities offer different levels of care. In fact, not just the care levels, assisted living facilities differ in look and feel too. Even though a lot of these facilities sport a homelike ambiance, there are several others that may have a formal design.
• Because of the increasing popularity of pets among seniors, a number of assisted living facilities nationwide now also welcome their pets along with the seniors wholeheartedly. Pet therapy in assisted living facilities affects older adults positively by lowering their stress levels, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and more.
• Contrary to popular opinion, most assisted living facilities are less expensive than employing a full-time home care aide.
• There are several points of difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 
• A number of assisted living facilities nationwide have also started offering specialized memory care for seniors having memory issues.
• There are a lot of communities and assisted facilities out there that work on keeping couples together.
• A number of assisted living communities are also being redesigned keeping the preferences of the local population in mind, in order to make the transition from home to the community easier for seniors.

Elderly Care East Bay

The elderly care providers at Always Best Care in East Bay are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care. We also serve several other locations across the States. Schedule a FREE consultation today by dialing (925) 210-0323.

Why Is It So Important to Have Early Conversations About Elderly Care?

 Life is short even though it may not seem so and moments become memories in the blink of an eye. Sometimes things happen when you least expect them to happen and that is exactly why it is so important to have conversations about elderly care with your loved ones at the right time.

The topics that need to be discussed usually include:

• The type of care that will be provided after they start showing signs that they require help

• How the finances need to be handled

• Whereabouts of important documents

• Decisions they become incapable of making on their own

It is important that these topics are discussed before the situation gets too grim because that gives your loved one ample time to give everything due attention. Discussing these things when their body and mind are still sound gives the elderly as well as you the ability to handle things more efficiently. The feeling that their opinion about things still matters makes them feel in control and a lot less vulnerable than waiting for things to worsen as you break the news to them.

The situation can especially be overwhelming when information such as the whereabouts of important documents, bank accounts, and the likes is concerned.

Make it a point to make these decisions while they are still in good spirits to make the stress of them getting old more bearable.

Hiring a caregiver, in most situations, is the best way to take better care of your loved one. Always Best Care is among the most trusted names when it comes to in-home care in East Bay. We are a locally owned and operated in-home care services providing company. For the best senior care services in East Bay get in touch with us. Dial (925) 210-0323.