Tag: HiHomeCare

  • 5 Tips for Senior Sun Safety

    Summer and family fun is right around the corner! More sunshine not only makes the great outdoors more inviting, but increased UV rays and heat also create a few risks.

    Seniors don’t “feel the heat” the way younger people do and might not be aware of the risks of high temperatures. Physiologically, as we age, our bodies lose some natural ability to regulate temperature, making seniors more susceptible to sunburn, eye damage, dehydration, heat exhaustion and more. With some precautionary steps and healthy personal care, everyone can enjoy the summer sun.

    Five ways to play it safe in the sun:

    • Apply sunscreen early and often throughout the day. Try to apply sunscreen an hour before you head outside. The higher the SPF, the more protection there is. Reapply every two hours.
    • Drink plenty of water. Six to eight glasses per day is recommended; more if you’re engaging in physical activity or it’s particularly hot.
    • Stay indoors between 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun is most intense. When outdoors, look for shade, especially during the hottest hours.
    • Some medications cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns about your medication side effects.
    • Wear the right clothing and eye protection. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best. Wear wrap-around sunglasses that protect eyes from both UVA and UVB radiation.

     

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Suite 116, Honolulu
    808-356-HELP | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    Summer and family fun is right around the corner! More sunshine not only makes the great outdoors more inviting, but increased UV rays and heat also create a few risks. Seniors don’t “feel the heat” the way younger people do and might not be aware of the risks of high temperatures. Physiologically, as we age,…

  • Are You Prepared?

    The American Red Cross, featured in this issue of Generations Magazine, is a historic organization that has served our country for more than 134 years. Not only does Red Cross provide assistance during crises, but it also educates the public on disaster preparedness. The question is: are you, as an older individual or as a caregiver to an elderly relative, prepared for an extended emergency?

    If you share your home with an elderly family member, disaster preparedness is paramount. Here are six ways you can prepare your home and your family for emergencies:

    • Take a moment to look up your local shelter: where it is located, what services does it provide.
    • Are home emergency kit batteries sufficient for a disaster? If electricity is critical to the care of your elderly family member, be prepared to transport your loved one to an acute care facility.
    • Put together a “To-Go Bag” with basic care items for your family member. Include extra clothing, diapers, baby wipes, water and medications.
    • Ensure your family member’s medication will last several days. Have at least one refill available.
    • Keep medications in a small cooler filled with reusable ice packs.
    • Plan ahead for civil emergencies, because your home services may be temporarily unavailable.

    Natural disasters and other emergencies are incredibly stressful; add caregiving and meeting the medical needs of loved ones on top, and you can be overwhelmed. But if you are prepared for crisis, you can keep your family protected! Aloha.

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    The American Red Cross, featured in this issue of Generations Magazine, is a historic organization that has served our country for more than 134 years. Not only does Red Cross provide assistance during crises, but it also educates the public on disaster preparedness. The question is: are you, as an older individual or as a…

  • The Winter Medication Blues

    Do you have so many medications that you feel you can’t manage them all? We call this “the medication blues.” Keeping your prescriptions straight, organizing pills or disposing of unused meds, can be truly overwhelming.

    The first step to cure the medication blues is to keep your medications organized. If you have several medications, you or a family member can type out each medication name, why you take it, and the dosage (how much and how often you take it). This list will allow you to clearly see all your medications in one place. Next, buy a pillbox at your local pharmacy. Pick a pillbox that will accommodate the amount of medications and how many times a day you need to take each. Fill your pillbox each week using your medication list as a guide.

    If a medication changes or is discontinued, properly dispose of it. There are several ways to dispose of old medications. The simplest way is to call your pharmacy to find out if it has a medication return or “take-back” program. Not all pharmacies have this program, but many do. If you can’t find a return program, follow this plan:

    Do not throw bottles of pills in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Instead, it is recommended that you strip the prescription label off the bottle, add some liquid to the bottle to dissolve the pills, reapply the lid, tape the lid with duct tape and throw the taped bottle in the trash.

    With these simple actions, you can get your medications organized, ensure you get the treatment you need and soon make the medication blues a thing of the past.

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI
    808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    Do you have so many medications that you feel you can’t manage them all? We call this “the medication blues.” Keeping your prescriptions straight, organizing pills or disposing of unused meds, can be truly overwhelming. The first step to cure the medication blues is to keep your medications organized. If you have several medications, you…

  • Preserving Dignity and Happiness

    Dignity is vital to self worth throughout our lifetime; in the later stages of life, preserving a sense of respect and honoring the individual is especially important. Rarely will anyone argue this point. However, unless careful planning and clear communication is established early on, issues with regard to health, living situation and end of life decisions can often result in family arguments — that could have been avoided.

    It is crucial that we take the time to think about what is truly important to us concerning our health, where we want to live and how we want to die — some simple, straight-forward tips:

    • Family: it’s our greatest asset but their love for us can be the biggest roadblock when it comes to discussing our wishes with them. When facing chronic illness or cancer, it is important that your family thoroughly understand your illness and how it is affecting your well-being. Always allow your family to express their fears, but be firm with your decisions and take the time to explain your decisions and why they’re important to you.
    • Advance Directive: having it is strongly recommended and should be discussed with your doctor. The Advance Directive is a simple form that must be signed by you and your physician. Once established, it provides clear instruction for your doctor should you be unable to speak for yourself during a health crisis. It also removes the pressure for your family on making critical decisions.

    So remember, don’t worry about the things you cannot change, make changes that are needed, then live life to its fullest!

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    Dignity is vital to self worth throughout our lifetime; in the later stages of life, preserving a sense of respect and honoring the individual is especially important. Rarely will anyone argue this point. However, unless careful planning and clear communication is established early on, issues with regard to health, living situation and end of life…

  • Elder Advice Day: What Can We Learn?

    Let’s make Thanksgiving the day we celebrate Elder Wisdom by asking older people to tell us their advice for living.

    Our society portrays older persons as sick, frail, unproductive, and even the culprits for busting the federal budget.

    We have become segregated by age such that young people’s contact with elders is almost exclusively within the family. It’s time to make a change. Our elders’ multitude of life experience is a unique source of advice for younger generations. What’s truly valuable are the many lessons our elders have learned in life and their desire to impart their knowledge to younger generations.

    Here are some questions that might be great to ask elders you know:

    What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned over the course of your life?

    • As you look back on your life, do you see any turning points, key events or experiences that changed the course of your life?
    • What are the secrets to a happy marriage?
    • What important choices or decisions have you learned from?
    • What do you know now about living a happy and successful life that you didn’t know when you were thirty?
    • What are the major values or principles that you live by?

    Let’s declare Thanksgiving ‘Elder Advice-Giving Day.’ Our elders won’t be here forever, so start this year!

     

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    Let’s make Thanksgiving the day we celebrate Elder Wisdom by asking older people to tell us their advice for living. Our society portrays older persons as sick, frail, unproductive, and even the culprits for busting the federal budget. We have become segregated by age such that young people’s contact with elders is almost exclusively within…

  • Independence Starts at Home!

    When we celebrate the 4th of july with family, friends, food and fireworks, it is a time to remember what it means to be free.

    With many of our aging, recuperating or ill ‘ohana, independence means being able to receive quality care in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Home healthcare is not just about doctors, nurses, aides and companions providing safe, quality care in the home; it’s about the right to remain independent as long as possible, even to the end of life.

    Home is familiar. Home is comfortable. Home is where most of us want to be when ill. The ability to age and get well in the comfort of your own home surrounded by family and friends helps keep the spirit of independence alive.

    Fourth of July is also about patriotism. Being patriotic is not just about pledging allegiance to the flag and believing in American values, it is about being proactive in our community, and making things better for the young and the old.

    Nurses, home health aides and companions emulate patriotism by caring for their fellow citizens and providing quality health services rain or shine, most likely without glory or recognition. These caregivers give back by providing all our seniors access to quality home care.

    Let’s commend all the caregivers who are committed to our ‘ohana and by supporting the value and dignity of home healthcare, we are protecting our most vulnerable citizens, our fellow Americans!

    HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
    hihealthcarehawaii.com

    When we celebrate the 4th of july with family, friends, food and fireworks, it is a time to remember what it means to be free. With many of our aging, recuperating or ill ‘ohana, independence means being able to receive quality care in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Home healthcare is not…

  • Tips for Senior Skin Care

    Skin is our body’s largest organ, and it’s exposed to all the elements of our environment and lifestyles. As we age, our skin becomes dryer and thinner, which can lead to skin breakdown, especially with an immobilized person.

    Skin breakdown occurs when there is unrelieved pressure to an area on the body. This pressure impedes the circulation to the skin and causes an ulcer to form. Other factors that can contribute to skin breakdown are poor hydration, poor nutrition and maceration caused by prolonged exposure to wetness.

    Many families with an elderly person at home may rely on a home care agency to provide appropriate care. But here are 5 tips to keep seniors as comfortable as possible throughout the day, whether or not you have a caregiver’s helping hand:

    • Turn and reposition the person at least every 2 hours. Massage pressure points with each turn.
    • If they are incontinent, change the diaper when soiled to prevent maceration of the skin.
    • Clean skin well and use barrier creams with each diaper change.
    • Check all areas of the body daily for early signs of skin breakdown. Early signs include discoloration and redness that doesn’t go away with massage or pressure relief.
    • Offer plenty of fluids and meals with protein.

    Caregivers are trained to observe their clients for skin issues and to report changes to the family and to their agency’s nursing supervisor. The supervisor should assist the family in determining the best plan of action for future care.

    HiHealthCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 | 808-534-7815 | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com | hihealthcarehawaii.com

    Skin is our body’s largest organ, and it’s exposed to all the elements of our environment and lifestyles. As we age, our skin becomes dryer and thinner, which can lead to skin breakdown, especially with an immobilized person. Skin breakdown occurs when there is unrelieved pressure to an area on the body. This pressure impedes…