elder care

Music-The-Universal-Language-SMPLTEC

Music – The Universal Language

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A great piece from the Arizona Daily Sun about the power of music therapy.

“[Mary] Gaughan equates music therapy to more traditional therapies such as physical, speech and occupational — the only difference is that she uses music to address clients’ cognitive, social and physical goals. She said, in her experience, music therapy is highly motivating for clients because it is both non-invasive and all-inclusive.

As examples, she described how she can use the steady beat of a drum to help clients work to control their gait as they walk across a room, or help to strengthen speech by singing familiar songs and gradually removing key words on her end to allow the client to fill-in-the blanks.”

Music therapy really doesn’t get it’s due as an important tool in the care and wellbeing of the population. But it’s remarkable how effective it can be in a variety of ways and for a variety of conditions.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Making The Home Safe for a Dementia-Sufferer-smpltec

Making The Home Safe for a Dementia-Sufferer

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Eventually, most of our elder loved ones will get to a point at which they can no longer live independently. In many cases, we caregivers will offer to take that loved one into our home. The transition can be difficult emotionally, even before you consider what it’s like to live with someone who is in the early stages of cognitive decline. But, there are some steps you can take to help keep your elder loved one safe without turning your home into a prison.

  • Door Alarms. Wandering is the #1 fear of many caregivers. The thought of a loved one walking off and ending up in a dangerous situation keeps many people up at night. But something as simple as a door alarm on an exterior door – paired with a properly installed chain or slide lock – can do wonders for preventing wandering incidents. Whatever you select, do not put a lock on an exit door which the care recipient cannot open. That is a massive hazard and may even violate fire codes in many areas.
  • Interior door locks. The dangers inside the home are often as bad as that outside. Garages, basements, and workshops can all contain a variety of hazards for someone in the early stages of cognitive impairment. Putting a lock on those sorts of rooms – either a standard key lock, a digital passcode lock, or a “confounding” lock – can help keep your loved one out of danger. Additionally, as some seniors age, they begin to lose some respect for social norms. Which is to say, they get nosy and intrusive, including not respecting others’ personal time and belongings. A robust lock on the bedroom, while you are out, can help stave off some of the worst intrusions.
  • Stove Guardian. Carelessness and lack-of-focus can seem harmless, but it can also manifest in dangerous ways. These include leaving the burner on the stove or cooktop after they leave the room. There are a variety of devices available now which will either turn the oven off if movement has not been detected, or if the fire alarm goes off.
  • Medication reminder. Failure to take medicine properly – either under- or over-dosing – can lead to tragic consequences. But, these situations can be prevented with some fairly basic items. A sturdy, 2-week capacity pill dispenser, a whiteboard with spaces to check off when a dose is taken, and a reminder clock like our Reminder Rosie can work in conjunction to help keep your loved on schedule with their medications.
  • Grab bars & rails. Pretty much anytime your elder loved one has to get up from a sitting or reclining position, there is the danger of a fall. They can’t all be avoided, but the vast majority can be prevented with properly sited & installed grab bars or rails. There are obvious places for them – in the shower, next to the toilet, near the bed – but there are less obvious danger points, too. Is there a big step at the front door? That’s a frequent fall hazard. A solid grab bar just inside the door can be used going both ways and may save a lot of pain. The caregiver should spend a day going about their routine and explicitly thinking about where and how they get up from a seated position if there isn’t already something solid to grab onto, considering having a grab bar installed at that site.

Caring for an elder loved one can seem overwhelming, but a little bit of planning, preparation, and prevention can go a long way towards making everyone in the home safer and happier.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Entertainment Help for Non-Verbal People smpltec

Entertainment Help for Non-Verbal People

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A recent report showed that up to 1 million Americans are non-verbal. For someone who cannot easily communicate, the world can be a terrifying place. But there are some ways you can help a non-verbal loved one live a richer and fuller life.

Emotion Board. A simple device showing a person expressing different emotions. The non-verbal person can just point to the emotion they’re feeling to help express themselves. Caregivers can even use the board to communicate their emotional state, too. This simple tool can greatly aid in expressiveness.

SMPL Music Player. This simple device lets you give your loved one the gift of music. Simply load their favorite mp3 files onto the player, and they can control their music just by lifting or lowering the lid. No need to ask a caregiver for music.

Legos. The classic kids’ toy is actually one of the greatest entertainment tools for non-verbal people. The simplicity and elegance of the building blocks mean they can play their own way, and create as they want, without relying on others.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Overdose-of-medication-smpltec

Overuse of Medication Can Amplify Dementia Symptoms

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From the AP:

“Claire Dinneen’s daughters thought that worsening dementia was causing her growing confusion, but her doctor suspected something else.

Dr. Pei Chen asked them to round up medicines in the 89-year-old woman’s home and they returned with a huge haul. There were 28 drugs ordered by various doctors for various ailments, plus over-the-counter medicines. Chen spent a year sorting out which ones were truly needed and trimmed a dozen.

To her daughters’ surprise, Dinneen got better, able to remember more things and to offer advice on what to wear and how to raise their kids. Her symptoms were from “medication fog,” not her dementia getting worse, Chen told one daughter.”

Claire’s situation may be an outlier, but there’s no question many seniors are on a lot of medications & supplements. Often these drugs are prescribed by several different doctors who don’t communicate with one another. It’s essential that you sit down with your senior loved ones regularly and go over the medication regimens they’re on. Make a chart or spreadsheet detailing all of the drugs and supplements they take, what they treat, who prescribed them, and when they began taking it. At their next appointment with their primary care physician, make sure that the chart or spreadsheet is discussed. It’s possible there are drugs there which should be stopped or even ones which may be having harmful interactions.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Parkinson's Disease

New Study Shows Promise for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

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From Medical News Today, word on a – possibly – promising treatment for those who have Parkinson’s Disease.

Scientists have known for some time that there are links between the decline of cells that produce dopamine – a key neurotransmitter – and loss of motor function in Parkinson’s patients. 

They found that the molecule — BT13 — was indeed able to boost dopamine in the brains of mice. It also appeared to protect the brain cells tasked with dopamine production from dying off and, unlike [GDNF, a treatment that required invasive surgery], it was able to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

The study is still in the very early stages, but it could lead to a pharmaceutical treatment for the motor function loss associated with the disease. It’s still early, but this is a study to keep an eye on going forward.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Helping A Dementia Sufferer Stay Safe In The Home smpltec

Helping A Dementia Sufferer Stay Safe In The Home

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Eventually, most of our elder loved ones will get to a point at which they can no longer live independently. In many cases, we caregivers will offer to take that loved one into our home. The transition can be difficult emotionally, even before you consider what it’s like to live with someone who is in the early stages of cognitive decline. But, there are some steps you can take to help keep your elder loved one safe without turning your home into a prison.

  • Door Alarms. Wandering is the #1 fear of many caregivers. The thought of a loved one walking off and ending up in a dangerous situation keeps many people up at night. But something as simple as a door alarm on an exterior door – paired with a properly installed chain or slide lock – can do wonders for preventing wandering incidents. Whatever you select, do not put a lock on an exit door which the care recipient cannot open. That is a massive hazard and may even violate fire codes in many areas.
  • Interior door locks. The dangers inside the home are often as bad as that outside. Garages, basements, and workshops can all contain a variety of hazards for someone in the early stages of cognitive impairment. Putting a lock on those sorts of rooms – either a standard key lock, a digital passcode lock, or a “confounding” lock – can help keep your loved one out of danger. Additionally, as some seniors age, they begin to lose some respect for social norms. Which is to say, they get nosy and intrusive, including not respecting others’ personal time and belongings. A robust lock on the bedroom, while you are out, can help stave off some of the worst intrusions.
  • Stove Guardian. Carelessness and lack-of-focus can seem harmless, but it can also manifest in dangerous ways. These include leaving the burner on the stove or cooktop after they leave the room. There are a variety of devices available now which will either turn the oven off if movement has not been detected, or if the fire alarm goes off.
  • Medication reminder. Failure to take medicine properly – either under- or over-dosing – can lead to tragic consequences. But, these situations can be prevented with some fairly basic items. A sturdy, 2-week capacity pill dispenser, a whiteboard with spaces to check off when a dose is taken, and a reminder clock like our Reminder Rosie can work in conjunction to help keep your loved one schedule with their medications.
  • Grab bars & rails. Pretty much anytime your elder loved one has to get up from a sitting or reclining position, there is the danger of a fall. They can’t all be avoided, but the vast majority can be prevented with properly sited & installed grab bars or rails. There are obvious places for them – in the shower, next to the toilet, near the bed – but there are less obvious danger points, too. Is there a big step at the front door? That’s a frequent fall hazard. A solid grab bar just inside the door can be used going both ways and may save a lot of pain. The caregiver should spend a day going about their routine and explicitly thinking about where and how they get up from a seated position if there isn’t already something solid to grab onto, considering having a grab bar installed at that site.

Caring for an elder loved one can seem overwhelming, but a little bit of planning, preparation, and prevention can go a long way towards making everyone in the home safer and happier.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Winter-Financial-Checkup-SMPLTEC

Winter Financial Checkup

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You may look out the window at this moment and see snow and bare branches, but the warmth of spring is right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to help your senior loved one take a look at their financial health. 

  • Examine credit card & bank statements for recurring charges. Many seniors have services they signed up for ages ago, which they no longer use. Sometimes they’ve forgotten about the charges or just never found the time to cancel the service. Taking the time to compile a list of these charges, and to cancel the unused ones, will be worth the effort.
  • Check credit reports. – Seniors, in particular, are frequently the target of identity thieves. A quick, occasional look at their credit report can help spot identity theft before it gets out of hand. You may want to consider helping your senior loved one to lock their credit. This will prevent new lines of credit from being opened without their explicit OK.
  • Assemble & organize their regular payments. – Make a list of their principal, monthly payments, and assemble the most recent bills with their associated canceled checks or charges on a credit card statement. You may be surprised how many bills may slip through the cracks, or possibly be double-paid. Spending a couple of hours making a spreadsheet of these charges can help prevent a financial disaster down the road. 

These sorts of financial checkups should be done every 6 months to a year, with more comprehensive checks done every few years. 

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Tech-Used-to-Create-Covid-19-Vaccine-Now-Working-on-Vaccines-for-HIV-and-Flu-SMPLTEC

Tech Used to Create Covid-19 Vaccine Now Working on Vaccines for HIV and Flu

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Covid-19 has been a disaster of almost unfathomable scope, but even the darkest clouds have silver linings. In this case, the technology that was able to bring a viable & safe vaccine to the public in under a year is now being applied to other viral pathogens that threaten society, including the flu and HIV.

From ABC 7 Chicago.

The messenger RNA, or mRNA, platform may be new to the global public, but it’s a technology that researchers had been betting on for decades. Now those bets are paying off, and not just by turning back a pandemic that killed millions in just a year.

This approach that led to remarkably safe and effective vaccines against a new virus is also showing promise against old enemies such as HIV, and infections that threaten babies and young children, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus. It’s being tested as a treatment for cancers, including melanoma and brain tumors. It might offer a new way to treat autoimmune diseases. And it’s also being checked out as a possible alternative to gene therapy for intractable conditions such as sickle cell disease.

Researchers have been working on mRNA vaccines for decades, but research had been slow. The Covid outbreak meant they were able to accelerate greatly, and the results have been amazing. Other diseases for which researchers are currently developing mRNA vaccines include Zika, hepatitis C, and malaria.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Music-as-a-Therapeutic-Aid-for-Alzheimer-Patients-SMPLTEC

Music as a Therapeutic Aid for Alzheimer’s Patients

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From the Mayo Clinic, as summarized by Neuroscience news, more confirmation that music and auditory therapies can help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“Musical memories often are preserved in Alzheimer’s disease, though, because key
brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.
Research suggests that listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and
behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Music also can benefit caregivers by reducing anxiety and distress, lightening the mood,
and providing a way to connect with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s
disease—especially those who have difficulty communicating.”

Music therapy isn’t a panacea or a cure, but even small bits of help can produce a better life for
both the sufferer and their loved ones.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Entertainment Help for Non-Verbal People smpltec

Entertainment Help for Non-Verbal People

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A recent report showed that up to 1 million Americans are non-verbal. For someone who cannot easily communicate, the world can be a terrifying place. But there are some ways you can help a non-verbal loved one live a richer and fuller life.

Emotion Board. A simple device showing a person expressing different emotions. The non-verbal person can just point to the emotion they’re feeling to help express themselves. Caregivers can even use the board to communicate their emotional state, too. This simple tool can greatly aid in expressiveness.

SMPL Music Player. This simple device lets you give your loved one the gift of music. Simply load their favorite mp3 files onto the player, and they can control their music just by lifting or lowering the lid. No need to ask a caregiver for music.

Legos. The classic kids’ toy is actually one of the greatest entertainment tools for non-verbal people. The simplicity and elegance of the building blocks mean they can play their own way, and create as they want, without relying on others.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

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