Nutrtion Tips for Elderly

Older people use less energy, but they need to eat food with the same amount of nutrients as other adults. That being said, experts, such Elly Kleinman, CEO of Americare (see his profile on Pinterest), recommend that it is vitally important to choose a variety of healthy foods.

Empty calories from drinks and foods such as alcohol, soft drinks, chips or sweets should be avoided. Instead it is preferable to opt for foods low in fat and cholesterol. 

Elderly: The Benefits of Owning a Pet

Owning a pet provides a number of benefits for the whole family and more specifically for the elderly. These benefits are scientifically proven.

In fact, more and more specialists, including Elly Kleinman, the owner of Americare, are opting for animal-assisted therapy in cases of patients with physical or intellectual diseases or disabilities.

5 Benefits of Living In A Nursing Home

Today it is common to use nursing homes as an option when caring for our elders. In the last ten years, the number of elderly people living in residences has almost tripled.

However, it seems that the use of nursing homes for the care of the elderly is something that is stigmatized. It is still difficult to understand that not having time to take care of them is normal, and that sending them to a residence or a day center is not getting rid of them or neglecting them, but providing much better care than we could give them at home.

Elly Kleinman Americare owner and CEO, points out that all these places allow family visits and even have their own rooms for it.

COVID-19 Guide for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia

Older adults and people with serious underlying conditions are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, according to clinical and public health care experts. Among adults with confirmed COVID-19, those 65 or older are more likely to be hospitalized, admitted to intensive care units, and die. In fact, 8 out of 10 COVID-19-associated deaths in the United States occurred among adults 65 years of age or older.

Older adults also have the highest rates of dementia. Approximately six million adults have some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia.

Given the risk older adults face from COVID-19 and dementia, Elly Kleinman Americare provided this additional guide for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help them manage the physical and mental well-being of their patients and preserve their own well-being. Not all people with dementia need a caregiver. Therefore, the degree of assistance a person needs will depend on how advanced their dementia is. For people with dementia, behavioral changes or worsen dementia symptoms should be assessed, as this could indicate an increased level of stress and anxiety as well as COVID-19 infection or other infectious diseases.

With over 35 years of experience as a licensed home care services agency that has been servicing the greater New York area, Americare, founded by Elly Kleinman, works with patients with various stages of dementia.

If you are caring for someone with dementia, it is important for you to know what you must do to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic and what additional steps you can take to protect your loved ones.

Know when to request medical care for a loved one.

• ·         Call a healthcare provider if your loved one has the symptoms of COVID-19
• ·         Keep in mind that older adults with COVID-19 probably won't always have the typical symptoms like fever or cough.
• ·         Use the Self-Check Guide1 to make decisions about your loved one and know when to seek appropriate medical care.

If your loved one has advanced-stage dementia and needs to be hospitalized because of COVID-19, make sure the hospital staff know that they will likely need to receive in-person assistance to provide important health information and provide emergency support. Below, Elly Kleinman, the President of Americare, shares several important questions to consider:

• ·        Be prepared to stay in a healthcare setting with your loved one. Be willing to follow the personal protection measures recommended by hospital staff in case you need to stay in the room with your loved one.
• ·        Be aware that both you and health care providers may have difficulty caring for your loved one because the person:

1.       Does not cooperate and may not comply with personal protection measures such as wearing a cloth face covering or maintaining social distance

2.       Rejects diagnostic procedures

In that case, do everything possible, or as much as you are allowed, to ensure that the person with advanced stage dementia complies with WHO guide.

If you get sick, follow the WHO guide and have an alternate caregiver take care of your loved one.

Implement guidance in your daily routine and that of your loved one:

• ·         Wear cloth covers for your face and make sure others do too.
• ·         Do not apply face cloth cover to people with respiratory problems or who are unconscious, disabled or unable to remove it without assistance.
• ·         Wash your hands often.
• ·         Cover your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• ·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth if you did not wash your hands.
• ·         Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Caregivers: Be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms

The first step to take when caring for a person living with dementia in any setting is to assess for behavioral changes or worsening of symptoms as this could indicate a COVID-19 infection or an increased level of stress and anxiety. Not all people with COVID-19 have symptoms, but when people with dementia have COVID-19, the symptoms may include:

• ·         Increased agitation
• ·         Greater confusion
• ·         Sudden sadness
• ·         Cough
• ·         Difficulty breathing
• ·         Fever
• ·         Shaking chills
• ·         Tremors and chills that won't go away
• ·         Muscle pain
• ·         Headache
• ·         Sore throat
• ·         Recent loss of smell or taste

10 Tips for Elderly Home Care

Many families choose to take care of elderly relatives in their home instead of taking them to a nursing home. However, this type of care involves a series of changes, both at home and in everyday habits and customs in general.