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Summer brings the hottest temperatures of the year and while it is a great time to enjoy swimming and riding bikes, it is important to be careful and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. Spending time in extreme heat outdoors can be hazardous to health, especially for seniors. Join us as we review some great indoor activities that can help seniors (and everyone!) beat the heat, enjoy their time, and remain physically active despite high temperatures. Indoor Swimming Swimming is a great physical activity for seniors. It’s low impact, [...]

Hot weather can cause adverse health effects for many people, especially seniors. As we age, our ability to regulate heat decreases which makes us more susceptible to heat stroke. Heat stress and heat stroke are serious and are considered medical emergencies due to their potential health-damaging effects. Because seniors are at an increased risk of developing heat stress they may require special care during the summer. Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself and maintain a normal temperature. Sweating, the body’s primary cooling mechanism, is insufficient in the case [...]

Alzheimer’s disease poses a different type of challenge to caregivers. Those living with Alzheimer’s can often be adversarial to care and caregivers. Even though you are trying to help, your loved one may see it as the opposite and consider you part of the problem. This type of behavior can be a source of stress for caregivers who are typically a spouse, partner, adult children, or even professionals. It is important to understand, however, that it is the disease that is responsible for the behavior and not the actual person. As [...]

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the diseases of mental decline (dementia). It affects peoples’ judgment skills and ability to remember, solve problems, and communicate effectively. It is more prevalent among seniors because it typically gets worse over time and with age. While people with Alzheimer’s may experience different symptoms, there is a common path of progression from early to late stages. The two most commonly used stage classifications for Alzheimer’s are the 3 general phases and the 7-stage Global Deterioration Scale, developed by Dr. Barry Resiberg. The 3 general phases consist [...]

Every year, seniors across the country make positive contributions throughout our communities and have an important impact on our lives which is why AmeriCare proudly celebrates Older Americans Month, 2019! Older adults contribute immensely to our nation - they help with family care, volunteer in our communities, and help to guide younger generations. It is clear they deserve a month to honor and recognize their place in our lives. Older American Month (OAM) is celebrated throughout May each year and is used to highlight their many contributions to our society. OAM [...]

While pain is an unpleasant sensation, it plays a vital role in the body’s defense system. Without pain, we wouldn’t know if we have been injured, are sick, or if we have a life-threatening illness. Pain, however, can occur without an obvious cause or can be a symptom of chronic disease such as Arthritis. What Causes Pain? Pain can result from two different mechanisms known as Nociceptive or Neuropathic. Nociceptive pain is caused by a stimulus and is the major cause of acute pain which can last from a [...]

For most people, daily activities seem trivial – we often take our ability to complete basic tasks without issue for granted. However, many things can happen to inhibit our ability to completely care for ourselves like injury, illness, or inability. In fact, the average life expectancy in the US is increasing and many people may live to an age where additional help becomes a necessity to maintain quality of life. While living independently is the ideal, the future is not predictable. Long-term care planning, however, is crucial in preserving your quality [...]

Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s Disease and around 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive nervous disorder that destroys the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. With PD, a large part of the brain’s substantia nigra, largely responsible for producing dopamine, begins to lose function. Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter responsible for regulating and controlling the movement of smooth muscle in the body. The lack of dopamine slows down the message transmission responsible for movement thus causing involuntary and erratic motions. [...]

According to the CDC, about 96% of people with kidney disease are not aware of their condition. This is because many people don’t know the symptoms and mild kidney damage does not halt kidney functions so it can go unidentified. Kidneys, however, play an essential role in the body and their failure or breakdown can lead to severe consequences which may be fatal if not properly managed. Kidney disease is one of the health challenges seniors face as the likelihood of the disease increases with age. Fortunately, there are identifiable signs [...]