5 Reasons Aging Adults Should Stay Away from Alcohol

Though most medical professionals would likely claim drinking alcohol in moderation is safe for people over 65, excessive drinking can lead to a host of hazards and serious health conditions. Prescott in-home senior care experts share 5 of the top reasons seniors should avoid drinking alcohol.

1. Alcohol Can Interfere with Certain Medications

The National Institute on Aging reports alcohol combined with aspirin can cause intestinal bleeding. Some medications, such as cough syrups, already contain alcohol. When taken with sleep aids or pain pills, alcohol can depress the central nervous system and even cause death.

2. Seniors Are Sensitive to the Effects of Alcohol

Seniors can develop complications with alcohol even without changing their drinking habits. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains seniors carry less water in their bodies than younger adults, which makes diluting the alcohol more difficult, causing seniors to become more intoxicated than they would have when they were younger.

3. Drinking Increases the Risk of Falling

The NIH also says seniors often lose their balance and fall, and alcohol can increase this risk. In addition, older adults have thinning bones, which can break easily. Studies have shown the rate of hip fractures in seniors increases with alcohol use.

4. Alcohol Negatively Impacts the Immune System

As people age, their immune system loses viability. Studies at the University of Colorado Denver have shown older adults are at higher risk for infections like pneumonia. Alcohol exacerbates this risk by damaging the immune system, and it also makes it more difficult to recover from infections.

5. Drinking Can Lead to a Variety of Serious Health Conditions

The American Academy of Family Physicians reports alcohol use can increase the risk of many age-related health conditions. Drinking can cause high blood pressure, leading to a stroke or heart attack, it can lead to dementia, depression, and cancer, especially liver cancer, and it can also cause poor sleep, insomnia, and malnutrition.

In addition to alcohol, there are many other things your senior loved one should consume in moderation or avoid entirely. To learn more about senior nutrition, reach out to Home Care Assistance. We also offer specialized Parkinson’s, stroke, and dementia care Prescott seniors and their families can rely on. For more information on our in-home care services, please call one of our qualified Care Managers today at 928-771-0105.

Visit us online @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com

4 Reasons Why Caregivers Are Crucial For Seniors With Critical Illnesses

When a senior is critically ill, it is important to surround him or her with the right types of care to keep them stable. Professional caregivers play a valuable role in helping ill seniors and their families manage this difficult time.

1. They Assist with Medication Management

When managing a critical illness, seniors are often prescribed multiple medications, which can be difficult to keep up with when they are not feeling well. For this reason, caregivers in Prescott, AZ, are trained to help seniors stick to their medication schedule, and they also guard against overdosing and keep an eye out for signs of a bad reaction to a new medication. If a senior does have a problem with a medication, a caregiver can speak with the senior’s medical team to report what he or she has observed.

2. They Stay Alert for Changes in Health

A senior’s health can fluctuate rapidly when he or she is critically ill, which is why Prescott, AZ, live-in care often needs to be provided around the clock. If a senior’s fever spikes at midnight, an overnight caregiver will notice. Additionally, the caregiver can alert emergency services immediately if the senior suddenly takes a turn for the worse.

3. They Promote Positive Emotional Health

Having a strong emotional attitude plays a major role in helping seniors battle serious illnesses. Caregivers provide opportunities for socialization that help seniors stay positive. From offering a gentle smile upon entering the senior’s room to sharing a joke they read in their email, caregivers help lighten the mood every day.

4. They Help Prevent Injuries

Independent-minded seniors are often tempted to do more than their bodies can handle during a time of illness. Often, a senior’s health worsens due to an injury sustained while trying to cook or take a bath. Caregivers help with these and other daily tasks so seniors are less likely to slip and fall as they move through the house.

Learn more about the in-home elder care Prescott, AZ, families trust by calling Home Care Assistance at 928-771-0105. Our respite and 24-hour caregivers can provide medication reminders and transportation to medical appointments, assist with mobility and exercise, and help with a wide array of tasks around the house. Reach out to one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today.

Visit us online today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com 

4 Halloween-Themed Events for Seniors in Prescott

With Halloween around the corner, there are plenty of fun upcoming events in Prescott for seniors to enjoy. The Prescott, AZ, senior care professionals at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of local Halloween-related events where your aging loved one can have a hauntingly good time.

1. Fall Festival for Families

The Prescott Public Library at 215 East Goodwin Street will be hosting this fair on October 27th from 4pm to 6pm. At this festival, your loved one can spend precious time with his or her family or Prescott caregiver while playing games, enjoying yummy apple refreshments, and listening to not-too-scary stories appropriate for the whole family.

2. Halloween Bowling

The Antelope Lanes at 6301 East Second Street will be hosting this holiday event on October 22nd from 3pm to 6pm. Costumes are appreciated, but not necessary. Your loved one and his or her friends can have a blast dressing up in costumes while getting some exercise through bowling, and they can even participate in the costume contest and potentially win a prize. If your loved one takes the grandkids, there will be a bounce house that will keep the kids entertained. Seniors who attend this event will also be giving back to the community because all proceeds will be donated to Books to the Rescue.

3. A Haunting Experience Tours

A Haunting Experience Tours at 2105 Blooming Hills Drive offers 2-hour walking tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights by appointment. Your loved one can have a memorable time ​walking the streets where famous lawmen and outlaws once roamed, feel the chill of passing spirits, and learn about the past history of the town.

4. Zoofest

The Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary at 1403 Heritage Park Road is hosting this festival on October 29th from 9am to 5pm. At this daylong festival, your loved one can view the exhibits, feed the animals, play fall-themed games, make Halloween crafts, and sample some tasty seasonal food. Your loved one can also save a dollar on admission by bringing a canned food item that will be donated to the Yavapai Food Bank.

Attending holiday events can give your loved one’s overall health a significant boost. If your loved one needs transportation or other assistance while attending events such as these, turn to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of live-in and respite care Prescott, AZ, families trust, and we also offer comprehensive Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke care. For more information on our senior care services, call 928-771-0105 to schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our friendly Care Managers.

Visit us online @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com