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.

Make This Festive Season Special for Your Grandparents with These Inexpensive Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift for your grandparents but running short on cash? Well, we have got you covered by sharing this list of some amazing, inexpensive gifts for your senior loved ones to brighten up their Christmas!

• Scented Candles

Scented candles are the perfect gift option for not just Christmas but every occasion. The warmth of a beautiful scented candle is sure to enlighten their homes and hearts. Optionally, you can also pair them up with a bunch of flowers, chocolates, or Christmas postcards and the best part is, there’s one for every budget.

• Homemade Cookies

How about surprising your loved ones with a box of their favorite cookies made by you? Everyone loves handmade gifts and nothing beats your favorite delicacies prepared by your favorite people! A box of handmade cookies along with a Christmas card will do all the magic you need.

• Books

Most seniors enjoy some quiet time reading about topics of their interests and that is precisely why a thoughtfully chosen book can be a perfect present for a senior loved one. Make sure you know their interests and choose a book that has been printed in big letters to make sure they have a seamless reading experience.

• Mugs

You can also go ahead and buy a lovely mug. You can customize this gift by getting their name or picture printed on it. Needless to say, they’ll think of you every time they sip their favorite beverage.

• A Pet

Gifting them the cutest companion in the form of a fur baby is probably the best you can do for them. Kittens and pups are easy to look after and a joy to have. The best thing is you can have them for almost free.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can go ahead and gift your loved ones with the best elder care assistance in East Bay by getting in touch with Always Best Care. Dial (925) 210-0323 to know more.

When Is Aging In Place A Good Option For The Elderly?

Aging in place as you grow older allows you to live in a familiar setting where you can stick to the same routine you have been following for years and stay in touch with the community that you’ve always been a part of. With minor modifications and repairs, you can also make your house more senior friendly.

Typically, aging in place is a good option for you if -

• You have a good network of nearby friends, family, and neighbors
• Public transportation is easily accessible, in case you no longer drive yourself
• Your neighborhood is a safe place to live for the elderly
• Your house can be easily modified to meet your changing needs
• Yard maintenance isn’t too much of a hassle 
• You do not have a serious condition that requires a high level of care 

If you have an aging loved one in your family or are a senior yourself, planning for the future housing is an extremely important part of ensuring that you or your aging family member continue to live a healthy, happy life while getting older. Of course, every senior is different and so are their housing needs. If you are considering aging in place, you can benefit from Always Best Care’s wide range of in-home care services. But if aging in place does not seem to be the right choice due to your declining health or other reasons, you can consider other senior housing options, such as retirement communities, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities in Contra Costa County.

Contact us today at (925) 210-0323 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you find the right senior housing option according to your needs.

6 Duties a Geriatric Care Provider Can Perform Efficiently

The most important role a geriatric care provider plays is providing daily care to an older adult while keeping up with their unique needs. Geriatric care providers are usually patient, understanding, empathetic, and compassionate individuals who work with the true desire of working with older adults. 

A geriatric care provider can perform a number of duties for your loved one. These include:

1. Administering their medications
2. Measuring and recording all the vital signs
3. Helping them with exercises and massage
4. Looking for signs of elder abuse
5. Taking the patient to the doctor’s and taking care of other appointments
6. Helping the aging adults with their daily needs 

In addition to all these duties, a geriatric care manager is also expected to keep an accurate patient record and coordinate your loved one’s care as per the recommendations given by their physicians. Not just their physical well-being, a geriatric care provider also helps improve the patients’ mental as well as emotional health. They are trained to deal with the consequences of mood swings baby boomers often experience because of factors such as failing health, lack of independence, and isolation from their loved ones. These healthcare workers keep a close eye on their patients while remaining cheerful and compassionate even during the most difficult of times. 

Most geriatric care providers are encouraged to communicate with their patients’ family members to explain their care regimen or medications or even act as a liaison between them, their families, and the physician on several occasions.

Always Best Care provides the best geriatric care services in Contra Costa County through its strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area. We are the experts in senior care. Feel free to dial (925) 210-0323 for more information.