Eden Home Care Warrensburg

07/24/2025

05/29/2025

What Are the Risk Factors for Depression in Older Adults?
Things that raise the risk of depression in older people include:

Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
Lack of a supportive social network
Stressful life events
Physical conditions like stroke, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and chronic pain further increase the risk of depression.

Additionally, these risk factors for depression are often seen in older adults:
Certain medicines or combinations of medicines
Damage to body image (from amputation, cancer surgery, or heart attack)
Dependence, whether through being hospitalized or needing home health care
Disability
Family history of major depressive disorder
Fear of death
Living alone, social isolation
Other illnesses
Past su***de attempt(s)
Presence of chronic or severe pain
Previous history of depression
Recent loss of a loved one
Substance abuse

05/19/2025

WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE APPROACHING

Older adults do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat.
They are more likely to take prescription medicines that affect the body's ability to control its temperature or sweat.

STAY SAFE ON HOT DAYS
Stay cool and stay hydrated.
Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home doesn't have air conditioning, contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling source when it's really hot outside.
Drink more water than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If your doctor limits the amount of fluids you drink or has you on water pills, ask them how much you should drink during hot weather.
Don't use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
Do not engage in very strenuous activities and get plenty of rest.

05/12/2025

Exercise is crucial for the elderly for maintaining physical and mental health. Here are some key points:
Recommended Activities: Older adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.

Types of Exercises: Incorporate resistance training, flexibility exercises, and activities that improve balance to counteract age-related physical changes.

Health Benefits: Regular physical activity can help manage weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being.

Social Engagement: Exercising with others can foster social connections, which is beneficial for mental health.

04/30/2025

04/28/2025

HYDRATION TIPS FOR SENIORS🥤
💧Add flavor to water by adding cut up lemons, oranges, strawberries, or other fruits to add some flavor.
💧Set reminders to drink water.
💧Take water with you.
💧Eat foods with high water content.
💧Drink at meal times.
💧Drink a little more frequently.
💧Emphasize drinking before feeling thirsty.
💧Drink a few glasses of water or juice with every meal.
💧Instead of taking a few sips of water with medication, drink a full glass.
💧Make water more appealing by adding lemon, lime, berries, or sprigs of mint or rosemary.

04/07/2025

SELF CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
Things to remember:
💕You cannot be perfect
💕You have a right to all of your emotions
💕Depression is the most common emotion of long-term caregivers
💕Set realistic expectations—for yourself and your loved one
💕Learn the skills you need to care for the care receiver and which ones you are or are not able to perform
💕Learn to say “no” to things you cannot do
💕Learn to accept help from others

Remember the big three for successful coping:
Eat right—good nutrition as opposed to stress-snacking. Limit alcohol and other drugs
Exercise—it may be hard to find time but it’s the best cure for depression and increases your endorphins (“good” coping hormones)
Sleep—7-8 hours is hard to get, but essential. Admit when you are experiencing burnout and get help
Most importantly, remember that taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of someone else.

04/01/2025

Tips for Everyday Care for People With Dementia

1. Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
2. Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.
3. Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.
4. Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
5. When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
6. Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.
7. Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.
8. Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.
9. Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.

03/21/2025

Join us tomorrow, March 20th!

03/17/2025

Did you know?

🍀St. Patrick’s Day is held on March 17th as this is the day that St. Patrick died.
🍀The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in America.
🍀Green isn’t the original color associated with St. Patrick.
🍀In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day had been viewed mostly as a religious observance, and up until the 1960s, they even had laws that forbid bars from being open that day.
🍀It wasn't until 1798 (the year of the Irish Rebellion) that the color green became officially associated with St. Patrick's Day.