Care in Midstream

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Hydration and Delirium

Did you know that: Delirium is different from dementia?Dehydration is a cause of delirium?Seniors can avoid delirium by staying hydrated? Delirium is a mental disturbance characterised by new or worsening confusion, changes in the level of consciousness or hallucinations. Delirium is different from the slow progression of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It has a sudden onset from hours to days, and although delirium can be reversed, it is easier to prevent than cure. Seniors are at risk of delirium due to factors involving their internal weaknesses and environmental factors. Some risk factors, such as advanced age or dementia, are fixed. Other risk factors such as pain, malnutrition, dehydration, sensory loss, depression, and fever are modifiable with intervention. However, with each factor present, delirium risk increases. Therefore, the key to preventing delirium is reducing the number of modifiable risk factors. Infection and dehydration are common modifiable delirium risk factors. Older adults usually know when they have an infection, but do not recognise when they are dehydrated.Mental status changes begin with mild dehydration and worsen with each stage, ending in delirium. In moderate dehydration, short-term memory loss occurs. Once an older person is thirsty, they are already mildly dehydrated. Symptoms of severe dehydration include dry mouth and lips, sunken eyes, increased mental status changes and decreased urine output. Failure to recognise signs of dehydration predisposes older adults to become increasingly and chronically dehydrated, which is a slippery slope towards delirium. Why are older adults prone to dehydration? Why are older adults prone

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Warning Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction in Older Adults

Many people assume that young people are the primary source of problem drug and alcohol use, however, there are a large number of senior citizens and older people who abuse substances regularly, some even to the point of forming an addiction. There are many reasons why an older person may turn to drugs and alcohol; children grow up and leave, friends become fewer, loneliness and boredom, helping to alleviate pain and bad health, and coping with losing a loved one of many years. On top of this, some people may have a problem with drugs and alcohol for many years, and if it goes untreated, it can continue well into elderly life. Warning signs of substance abuse & addiction in older adults Spotting the warning signs of addiction and substance abuse is more difficult in the elderly. This may be because interaction is less frequent, they are secretive about their problem, or they are misdiagnosed due to their age and related ailments.  Here are some warning signs of alcohol and drug abuse in seniors: The health risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse are far more severe in older adults. Falling due to impaired coordination becomes more likely, the chance of mixing prescription medication with harmful substances increases, withdrawal symptoms become more dangerous (especially from opioid painkillers, alcohol and benzodiazepines), the possibility of fatal overdose is heightened, and the already dangerous results of abusing substances are far worse in seniors.  Why senior substance abuse is misdiagnosed Providers may confuse symptoms with other chronic health conditions or

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Foot care Tips for Improved Health

Ageing takes a toll on the feet. Over time, feet flatten and become wider. The fatty padding naturally wears down, exposing the bones and joints of the feet to wear and tear. An injury as simple as a bad blister can impair mobility, balance, and overall function in older adults. Use these essential senior foot care tips to keep ageing feet healthy and reduce the risk of health issues indirectly caused by foot problems. Keep feet clean: Good foot hygiene is critical to preventing fungal, viral, and bacterial infections – routine foot cleaning may need to happen outside the bath or shower. Making a regular habit of simple foot wipe-downs with warm water, soap, and a washcloth will do the trick.  Moisturise feet: Dry skin is more prone to cracking, flaking, and breaking, so moisturising is essential for preventing open foot sores. Foot cream should be applied after the feet have been thoroughly washed and dried. This ensures that moisture is locked in and helps keep skin soft and supple. Cover moisturised feet with breathable cotton socks for comfort and warmth. Trim nails: Keeping toenails trimmed is an essential element of foot care. It can cause pain or interfere with stable walking if they get overgrown. Professional care may be required for seniors with health conditions that affect their feet, like diabetes. Monitor sores: Did you know that a common location for bedsores is on the heels of the feet? Older adults who spend a lot of time in bed or a

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The Importance of Staying Hydrated

The definition of dehydration is that you lose more fluid than you take in. Many of us believe dehydration is prevented by our body’s natural sense of thirst to remind us to pour ourselves a glass of water. But, the fact is, as we get older, our sense of thirst will diminish significantly. Hydration is vital because it keeps electrolytes balanced, blood volume normal, aids digestion, transportation of nutrients, and kidney functioning. Signs of dehydration in older adults: Five Reasons Seniors Need to Stay Hydrated As we age, several physiological changes can put seniors at a higher risk of dehydration, such as increased fluid loss, reduced body water content, and decreased fluid consumption.  Decreased Thirst: It’s a fact that we lose our sense of thirst with age, and older adults may overlook their need for hydration. Keeping up with your daily water or fluid intake will help prevent a medical emergency. Kidney Function: Our kidneys are responsible for filtering out blood by removing waste, controlling the body’s fluid balance, and keeping electrolytes at the correct levels. Unfortunately, kidney function can diminish as we age, decreasing the body’s ability to create urine or remove waste. Staying fully hydrated helps to keep kidneys functioning to the best of their ability. Brain Power: Dehydration symptoms in seniors can mimic signs of dementia. Why is that? Because dehydration is just as critical for brain function as it is for body function. Cognitive function is enhanced when brain cells get the proper amount of hydration. Urinary Incontinence: It is uncomfortable

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Do people with Alzheimer’s know they have it?

Many people have raised the question, “do people with Alzheimer’s know they have it?” You might be surprised to learn that some people are not aware that they have Alzheimer’s.  People with Alzheimer’s, dementia, a brain tumour, stroke, and other types of damage in the brain are cognitively impaired and might not believe anything is wrong with them. Sometimes, this is caused by a condition called anosognosia.  The meaning of anosognosia is ‘to not know a disease’ and is not the same as being in denial. Anosognosia = someone who does not understand that something is wrong Anosognosia causes someone not to be aware of their health condition. It’s common in some cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s.  If someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s also has anosognosia, they won’t know or believe that they have it. Each person is unique, so the symptoms of anosognosia might vary. Symptoms may also change over time and even during a single day. For example, a person might sometimes understand what is going on and other times believe that they are fine.  Because of this inconsistent behaviour, some family and friends might not even know that there’s something wrong even if they notice that some behaviours seem unusual. Anosognosia and denial are not the same things When someone is in denial, they’re aware of a fact but refuse to accept it. But with anosognosia, someone with Alzheimer’s is not in denial. On the contrary, they are not even aware that they’re cognitively impaired. The disease has damaged their brain and makes it

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The Benefits of Music to Older Adults

Every human culture has a musical tradition. So why do we love music? If you think about it, isn’t it remarkable that we perceive certain tones, patterns, and intervals as ‘music’ among the many noises in the world? Brain scientists continue to study this uniquely human mystery. Now they are even using advanced imaging to map the parts of the brain that operate when we’re listening to our favourite tunes or singing a song. And scientists are finding more and more health benefits we gain from music, beginning at birth and lasting through the end of our lives. Music connects us with others: Experts say our culture is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness – and as we grow older, it becomes more challenging to stay socially connected. Music is an excellent tool for creating bonds among people, cutting across backgrounds, abilities and generations. Imaging shows that when a group of people perform or listen to music together, their brains show coordinated neurological responses to the rhythms and mood, resulting in a feeling of connection and togetherness. Music is great exercise for the brain:Neurologists tell us that following and interpreting the melody, anticipating patterns, and making sense of a piece of music gives the brain a good workout. Brenda Hanna-Pladdy from Emory University says: “Musical activity throughout life may serve as a challenging cognitive exercise, making your brain fitter and more capable of accommodating the challenges of ageing.” Music can be an excellent stimulus for life review: One of older adults’ most essential

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