We all know how important it is to stay active for our physical health; however, scientists are now discovering many more far-reaching health benefits – namely, a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and a slowed rate of cognitive decline in the elderly. The explanation for the connection between exercise and brain health is uncertain, but there are two theories under consideration: Physical activity prevents the forming of the plaques and tangles connected to Alzheimer’s, or It encourages cognitive resilience, the ability for the brain to continue to function in spite of the brain dam ..read more

While you may consider your bathroom to be a safe place where you are able to relax and slow down with a soothing bath or invigorating shower at the end of an extended day, for senior loved ones, the bathroom is undoubtedly probably the most dangerous room in the home. With slippery floors which are even slipperier when damp, closed-in spaces, and hard, unforgiving surfaces, falls are alarmingly common, and sometimes lead to severe injury. At Enhanced Home Care, we’re always prepared to perform an assessment of the house and recommend safety modifications in the bathroom to lessen the risk of ..read more

Memories…each and every day we’re making new ones, but there is something really heartwarming about revisiting those from a long time ago. And for older adults with Alzheimer’s or other kind of dementia, with a diminishing capability to hold short-term memories, those from many years’ past are all the more important. In fact, reminiscence therapy is becoming more and more popular as a memory care strategy. The advantages are amazing, including an enhanced connection and sense of value and self-worth, and a lift in confidence and joy. It’s also an excellent way to tackle stress and the struggle ..read more

We either love them or hate them, but whatever our stance on New Year’s resolutions, there’s something fantastically refreshing about moving into a brand new year, offering us a clean slate and a chance to make any changes we desire to improve our total wellbeing or to achieve a new goal or dream. For family caregivers, resolutions can be especially significant, as they affect not just the caregivers themselves, but their loved ones. It’s worthwhile, however, to keep resolutions sensible. Resolving, for instance, to get a complete eight hours of sleep each night, while caring for a loved one w ..read more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for family get-togethers! With many families separated by geographic distance, or simply just resulting from the busyness of life, all of us look forward to the chance to reconnect with close friends and family during the holiday season. And for aging parents, the opportunity to spend quality time with family is particularly valuable. Yet as rewarding as family time is, the logistics of getting together are sometimes complicated. If your family’s matriarch or patriarch is going to be traveling to participate in family celebrations this holiday season ..read more

Doesn’t it feel fantastic to locate that perfect gift, one that is going to make your loved one’s face light up with joy? For the older adults we love, it’s even better, as it can be challenging to come up with new and creative ideas. Senior loved ones have years and years of acquired treasures, and let’s face it: there is only so much delight to be experienced in receiving a pair of socks or another tie. Why not think outside the box when giving gifts this holiday season? Enhanced Home Care, the experts in home health care Kansas City families trust, have gathered the following great gift ide ..read more

The times of visiting the doctor for a standard antibiotic are past, or should be soon. According to the CDC, an astounding two million people every year are informed they have an antibiotic resistant infection, and a staggering 23,000 of them die as a result. The cause? Over-prescribing of antibiotics, or prescribing them when inappropriate. Truth be told, it’s been calculated that as many as half of all prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary and unhelpful. According to Lauri Hicks, DO, medical epidemiologist at CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and also medical ..read more

Coping with dementia is difficult on any given day, but add in interruptions to routine, increased visitors, decorations, and noise, and you will have a recipe for increased agitation, anxiety, and discomfort. The key to a satisfying holiday for both your family and a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia lies in pre-planning, remaining flexible, and altering expectations. The Alzheimer’s Association provides a number of helpful suggestions to make sure individuals diagnosed with dementia, and those who look after them, are able to enjoy the holiday season to the fulles ..read more

They say there is always something to be grateful for, and this time of year, much more than any other, drives home the need for cultivating gratitude. Nevertheless, for the elderly, for a variety of reasons, it can be hard to find and concentrate on the positives in the midst of the difficulties of aging, such as chronic medical conditions, mobility issues, cognitive concerns, lost loved ones, and much more. It is vital for us to support our older family members who may feel anything but thankful and to help them focus on appreciation, as studies have shown the following senior health benefit ..read more

There’s certainly no age limit in experiencing the excitement of Halloween! Older adults generally are thrilled by visits from trick-or-treaters, together with the opportunity to savor fall treats and fun decorations. Nevertheless, if a senior is dealing with the effects of dementia, certain elements of the Halloween season might be downright frightening. Without warning, there are unanticipated surprises, visitors, and changes to routine, and it may be challenging to separate fantasy from reality. Just picture, in your everyday life, if Halloween was a foreign concept. You head into a popular ..read more