Indianapolis Elder Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Many seniors are still independent, which means they continue to cook their own meals. While most seniors are entirely capable of doing so, they may not all be aware of precautions that should be taken. Food safety is the best way to prevent the chances of food poisoning. Any foodborne illness is a threat to seniors. The following list contains some useful tips for seniors on food safety.

1. Hand washing is essential. More than half of the potential cases of foodborne illness can be removed by properly washing your hands. Make sure to wash hands before, during and after all food preparation. Washing during preparation reduces the chances of cross-contamination.

2. Check refrigerator settings to make sure the food is being stored properly. The setting should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After shopping, put perishables away quickly.

3. Clean the refrigerator often. Any lunch meat that has been open for more than 5 days should be discarded.

4. When thawing food, do not just leave them on a counter. Place them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them properly. Foods can also be thawed by running them under cool water or placing them in the microwave, but both of these methods should only be used if the food will be prepared immediately.

5. Wash preparation surfaces often to prevent contamination. This is very important when preparing raw meats. It is suggested to have two separate cutting boards, one for raw meat, poultry and fish and the other for breads and vegetables.

6. Be aware of proper cooking temperatures. Always make sure food is thoroughly cooked.

Source: eatright.org

Image: chicken.org

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Our Indianapolis Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Seniors with food allergies need to take extra precautions when eating. If they do not prepare their own meals, it is important that the allergies are known. Seniors need to avoid eating any foods that cause an allergic reaction. These reactions could be severe. The following list provides seniors and caretakers with some facts about the types of food allergies.

1. Food allergies are the most common types of allergies. These could include an allergy to fish and shellfish, eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat. If a senior has an allergy to one of these foods, they need to know how to manage that allergy and how to deal with the possible reaction if they are exposed to it.

2. There are more than 160 foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. However, 90% of all food allergies are to the foods listed above.

3. Wheat, soy and milk allergies are the most difficult to deal with. This is because these ingredients are in almost everything we eat. Those with wheat allergies need to be on a gluten-free diet. Potato bread is a great substitute for other breads that contain wheat. Soy is in most processed foods, so this allergy is especially hard to manage.

4. No matter what the food allergy is, seniors should make sure that everyone is aware of the allergy. This is important when others are preparing food.

Source: eatright.org

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Indianapolis Home Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Seniors need to pay special attention to the foods they consume. Many foods that are processed do not contain essential nutrients. Seniors need to be aware of the nutrition components of everything they eat. Having a well-rounded diet that contains a variety of foods is a great way to promote healthy eating. The tips provided below will also be useful.

1. Variety is the spice of life! Just because seniors do not require as many calories as younger adults, this does not mean they cannot mix up their daily diets. Having a variety of foods in a diet is a great way to get the proper nutrition while enjoying what is being eaten.

2. Fruits and vegetables are essential. It doesn’t matter if they are fresh, frozen or canned, but having daily servings of fruits and vegetables will provide the body with essential nutrients. Dark green and orange vegetables should be included in a diet.

3. Seniors require protein, so make sure a diet contains some beans, fish or peas.

4. Whole-grain products are very beneficial. Try to switch from white bread to whole-grain bread. Cereal, rice and pasta are also available in whole-grain.

5. When eating dairy, make sure it is low-fat. Seniors should keep an eye on their fat intake, so low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese should be incorporated into the diet. Make sure the products are fortified with Vitamin D as well.

6. When consuming foods with fat, try to choose foods that contain healthy fats. These include monosaturated and polysaturated fats.

Source: eatright.org

Image Via: webspin.org

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Indianapolis Elder Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Nutrition is an important part of senior health. Without proper nutrition, seniors may begin to experience health issues. To avoid complications, seniors need to know what they are eating and what nutrients their body needs. The following list contains some important facts about nutrition for seniors.

1. Poor nutrition is a health risk for all seniors. There are many things that can increase the chances of poor nutrition. They include illness, taking multiple medications, poor dental health, poor eating habits and loneliness or the lack of socialization.

2. Since the need for calories is reduced with age, seniors need to choose foods that are rich in nutrients. Try to opt for foods that are high in fiber and low in fat. Reduce the intake of foods with high calories or high amounts of sugar.

3. Seniors may need more calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C. If you cannot increase your intake by adjusting what foods are eating, you may want to take a daily supplement to ensure you are getting enough of these important nutrients.

4. Seniors with heart disease or high blood pressure need to watch how much sodium is consumed daily. Processed foods contain high amounts of sodium. It is best for seniors to eat freshly prepared meals including vegetables and meats that are not processed. Seniors who do not have a health condition should not consume more than 3000mg of sodium each day. This number will be lower for those with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Source: gicare.com

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Our Indianapolis Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Making a resolution for the New Year is the easy part. Keeping that resolution is the challenge. This holds true for many seniors. While their resolutions often revolve around physical health, they may need some help achieving their goals. The list below contains some tips that can be of help. Seniors may need to reach out to others to help keep them on track as they enter the New Year looking to make positive changes.

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Our Indianapolis Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Diabetes is a common disease and it can affect people of all ages. There are three types of diabetes and each type has its own set of risk factors. The presence of one or more of these factors could indicate that an individual is at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Below is a list that provides the risk factors for each of the three types of diabetes.

1. Type 1 diabetes risk factors include family history and genetics. If you have family members who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you will be at a higher risk of developing the disease. Disease of the pancreas or injury to the pancreas can have an effect on how the body produces insulin, placing you at a high risk. Rare infections and illnesses that affect the pancreas are also a risk factor.

2. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being over-weight, having an impaired glucose tolerance and having insulin resistance. In addition, your ethnic background could also be a risk factor. Type 2 diabetes occurs more often in Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans, Alaska natives, African-Americans and Asian-Americans. High blood pressure, family history, no exercise and age can all be risk factors.

3. Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. The risk factors for this type of diabetes include obesity, age, family history and previous glucose intolerance.

4. The best way to reduce risks associated with diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight, exercise daily, have a healthy and balanced diet and manage your blood pressure. These things can reduce the chances of developing all types of diabetes.

Do you have a parent with diabetes? The American Diabetes Association offers these tips on how to help your parent manage their diabetes.

Source: diabetes.webmd.com

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Home Care Indianapolis enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Seniors often rely on the services of a caretaker to assist them daily. While the job can be stressful and demanding, caretakers must take the time to care for themselves as well as the seniors they provide services for. If a caretaker becomes ill, they may not be able to perform their job efficiently. The list below offers some health tips for caregivers on how to remain healthy.

1. Daily vitamin supplements can make a huge difference. The vitamins can be very useful for those who are tired and listless.

2. Exercise is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Even if it is just a short walk each day, exercise can be very beneficial in maintaining health.

3. Respite time is very important. Since many caregivers do experience stress and the feeling of being burnt out, respite time can provide for rest and relaxation. These are needed to remain healthy so you can continue to provide for a senior in need.

4. Flu shots can help caregivers stay healthy. Not only will this help avoid the flu, but it will also remove the chances of spreading the virus to a senior.

5. Do not make work your entire life. Being a caregiver is very demanding. It is important to have a well-balanced life. This includes having hobbies and spending quality time with family and friends.

6. Make sure to visit the doctor regularly. Routine check-ups can prevent illness and will help with over-all health maintenance.

Source: thefamilycaregiver.org

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Home Care Indianapolis enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

More often than not, seniors worry about their health, specifically their hearts. Some heart treatments can be more involved than a senior citizen would like. However, seniors will easily fall in love with these heart healthy tips for how easy and accessible they are to follow.

• Lower Those Cholesterols Levels—People with coronary artery disease can monitor their cholesterol to ensure they don’t become another statistic or victim of heart disease.

• Practice Good Nutrition—Seniors worried about heart disease can eliminate some of that worry by merely changing their diets to follow healthier guidelines.

• Exercise—By taking that afternoon walk, seniors can decrease their chances of heart and circulatory problems a great deal. Exercise not only makes you feel good by getting out of the house, but also does a number on your heart.

• Read Up On Heart Health—So many publications nowadays offer great information when it comes to practicing good heart health. Seniors can turn to any of these publications such as the Harvard Heart Letter. This report helps seniors understand heart and circulatory health and the effects heart problems can have on emotional health. Such reports also provide detailed tips as to what you can do to lower your risk.

If you are a caregiver, or know anyone with a heart condition, you could benefit from watching the following clip, which features a modified form of CPR called CCR that is easier to learn, easier to do and can save even more lives!

Source: health.harvard.edu

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Home Care Indianapolis enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Valentine’s Day is still a popular day in the elderly population. Some people are under the assumption that the elderly do not bother with the day any longer. In some cases, this may be true, but many seniors have family members and spouses they wish to express their love to. In addition, seniors also enjoy receiving Valentine’s gifts, making them feel loved and wanted. Below is a list that provides some unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a senior.

1. Make handcrafted Valentine’s cards. This can be a great project for school classrooms as well as adult groups. Seniors would be very appreciative of any cards that were hand delivered. Taking the time to make and deliver something by hand can have a huge effect on seniors.

2. Small gifts provide a bit of cheer. For senior family members, use a heart shaped picture frame to display family photographs and present to your senior loved one.

3. Chocolates and cookies make great gifts. Be sure to check if the senior is on a restrictive diet before buying sweet treats. Many sugar-free chocolates are available and cookies that are made at home can also be made to suit a particular diet.

4. A “heart attack” is not always a bad thing! If you are able to decorate living spaces with hearts and other Valentine’s symbols, you will be giving a senior a positive “heart attack.” This can also be done through the mail by filling an envelope with heart shaped paper and confetti.

Source: aginggrandparents.suite101.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Home Care Indianapolis helps seniors remain active and healthy in their own homes.

Many seniors suffer from diabetes and hypoglycemia, which can be a serious and potentially harmful complication. Seniors and caregivers alike both need to ensure they understand this illness, learn the signs and symptoms, learn how to manage it, and when medical intervention is needed.

• What signifies low blood sugar – there is a range for normal blood sugar which is measured by milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood). A normal range is between 60 and 120 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia is usually below 45 mg/dl

• What causes blood sugar issues – low blood sugar like hypoglycemia is caused when hormones like insulin and glucagon fail to regulate properly

• Recognizing hypoglycemia – symptoms can be hard to recognize because they can be associated to lifestyle conditions and other health problems like anxiety and stress

• Link to diabetes – hypoglycemia is a complication of diabetes because medications are designed to lower blood pressure. The problem is that sometimes blood pressure can dip too low when too much insulin has been taken, they exercise too much, don’t eat enough or drink too much alcohol. Any combination of these behaviors can cause hypoglycemia

• Managing hypoglycemia with diabetes – a health care provider can find seniors with the best guidelines with regards to their target blood sugar levels. Testing levels or becoming cognoscente of signs that blood sugar is dropping are simple ways to keep it under control

Via: About.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.