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Month: February 2025

What Myths About Aging Might Hold Seniors Back?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Myths and misconceptions about growing older are everywhere, and when seniors believe them that can have an impact on how they live their lives. Understanding what’s behind these myths and helping seniors get past them can greatly improve their quality of life. Home care providers can offer seniors the support they need to live life how they want no matter what they’re facing.

Exercise Might Get Seniors Hurt

Sometimes seniors avoid exercise because they believe that it’s going to cause injuries and accidents. Unfortunately, believing this myth can cause seniors to reduce their mobility and then have more difficulty moving well. As long as their doctors agree that exercise is safe for them, seniors may need help from elder care providers to incorporate more movement into their daily routines.

They Don’t Need Much Sleep

Another common misconception is that seniors just don’t need to sleep as much as they did in the past. Some seniors might not need as much sleep, but everyone is an individual and has unique health issues. Most experts recommend anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep for good health. If seniors do experience insomnia, they should talk with their doctors.

Falls Are Just Part of Growing Older

Some people perpetuate the belief that falling is just what happens to aging adults. This is not true and is a very dangerous myth. Falls are not normal and are completely preventable. Moreover, falling just one time doubles a senior’s risk of experiencing another fall. Couple that with the fact that falls can cause serious injuries that last the rest of their lifetime and seniors need to practice fall prevention regularly.

Feeling Lonely Is Normal for Older Adults

It’s also damaging for seniors to believe that it’s normal for them to feel isolated and lonely. Believing this myth can cause them to not reach out to people when they are suddenly feeling lonely and isolated. There are solutions that can help, like having home care providers available to assist with daily activities and offer companionship.

Aging Adults Are Always Cranky

Lots of people believe the myth that seniors are just going to be cranky, no matter what. The reality is that seniors may be a lot happier when they have more time and freedom to try new things and spend their time in ways that is more fulfilling for them. Aging doesn’t have to be a negative experience at all.

They’re Going to Have to Leave Their Homes

One misconception that is often also a big fear for seniors is that they may have to leave their homes. While there are a lot of factors that play into whether seniors need to move or not, it’s not necessarily a given that seniors have to leave their homes. With the help of home care services, seniors can get the support they need with daily activities to age in place successfully.

Talking about these myths with seniors can help family caregivers understand more about the support seniors might need. Home care providers can help families to get the assistance necessary for seniors to stay safe and healthy as they remain at home.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Five Tips to Help Your Elderly Loved One Gain Weight

Posted on by ltcep2023

If your elderly loved one has always been diminutive in size, you might have started to notice in her later years that she is getting smaller and smaller. It might not only be the height she is losing but weight as well. Losing too much weight can bring about some serious health consequences, much like obesity can.

Health Concerns of Seniors Who are Underweight

Being underweight is considered to be anyone who has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of less than 18.5. For many seniors, it can be easy to slip into this danger zone of not only being underweight but being malnourished. As a person ages, they might lose a lot of their desire to eat for a myriad of reasons, and then without realizing it, have lost enough weight to put them at risk for other health conditions. Some of those health concerns include:

  • A weakened immune system that could put them at greater risk of developing an infection
  • Weakened bones that might break more easily.
  • Decreased muscle strength which can lead to falls and injuries.
  • Wounds take longer to properly heal.
  • Cognitive decline.

Five Tips to Help Your Loved One Gain Weight

Personal Care at Home in Moraga CA
Personal Care at Home in Moraga CA

Before you begin any process of making changes to your loved one’s eating habits, make sure to talk with her physician first to receive guidance to help you navigate any health issues she may have or medications she may take.

  • Make calories count. While you may have the goal to boost her daily caloric intake, making those calories count is vital to better health. It shouldn’t be all milkshakes and cake! Instead make sure meals and snacks are made up of nutrient-dense and protein-rich foods that have healthy fats, whole grains, and are low in sugar.
  • Reconsider meal sizes. Your loved one may not be able to eat three large meals a day so consider serving five small meals. This can help alleviate possible digestion issues she might have with a larger meal.
  • Make snacks part of the diet. Healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and cheese and crackers can add extra calories each day.
  • Add calories to drinks. While you don’t want to add a ton of sugar into her drinks, consider having her enjoy a smoothie with her lunch or a glass of milk with breakfast.
  • Start an exercise program. Exercising can build muscle mass and increase appetite.

Better Meals with a Personal Care at Home Provider

If one of your main goals with your elderly loved one is helping her to eat meals that have more calories and making sure those calories are healthy, it can help to have a personal care at home provider step in and assist with meal preparation. A personal care at home provider will work with you and your loved one to help ensure she’s eating appropriate foods that taste great and will help her gain weight. You can provide the personal care at home provider with the dietary guidelines that will help your loved one increase her body mass healthily and they will gladly step in to help your loved one succeed in her goals.

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.