In most cases, seniors and decision-makers wait too long before addressing the need for senior care.  The result of this is that health may decline either quickly or progressively because the senior may not be taking their medications correctly, eating a well balanced diet or following the orders of their health care professionals.  The other possibility is that they will grow weak and have a fall causing them to be hospitalized.  All of these problems can be avoided if families see the signs of decline and move swiftly to ensure they have the help they need at home.

Two-thirds of seniors report obtaining care after they have what they describe as a “pivotal incident.”  A pivotal incident is commonly defined as a fall or other kind of accident.  However, in most cases the incident is actually the result of a chronic condition sucn as arthritis or dementia that should have been addressed much sooner.

In the course of dealing with chronic and persistent conditions, there is a tipping point where decision-makers decide that care has grown beyond their capacity.  The age of the senior when this tipping point is usually reached may be anywhere between 70 and 90, depending on a wide variety of individual factors.  A relatively small number of seniors, 10 percent are under 70 when they are recommended for senior home care.

Average Age Recommended for In-Home Senior Care:

Age:                          % Recommended:

50-60                        2%

60-70                        7%

70-80                        43%

80-90                        49%

90+                            0%

By working with either an independent care manager or a professional, who understands the changes that seniors go through that lead up to needing either assisted living or assistance at home, families can stay ahead of their seniors needs.  Home Instead Senior Care can conduct in home assessments to help with the process of understanding the maze of options available.

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Positive Outlook Reduces Chances of Dementia

Sociable people who don’t sweat the small stuff may be more likely to remember the small stuff as they age, new research exploring the link between personality and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease suggests.

“Older people who are active, outgoing and relaxed may be less likely to develop dementia,” said study author Hui-Xin Wang with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Researchers questioned 506 older people about their personality traits and lifestyle to measure their sociability and disposition to stress, HealthDay reports. After six years, 144 had developed some form of dementia. Researchers discovered that calm, more relaxed people, whether they had active social lives or not, were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who had higher levels of neuroticism.

People who were both calm and outgoing, with active social lives, also were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia.

“Strategies to change lifestyle, such as having an active lifestyle engagement in different leisure activities, i.e. mental, social and physical activities, or having a rich social network, may protect against dementia,” said Wang.