One certain fact that is inevitable, we are all growing older. Some of us will try to grow younger by the application of anti-aging foams and soothing oils or pills that are reported to reverse or slow the aging process. It’s true; millions of dollars are spent each year while thousands of individuals are looking for the newest miracle and the fountain of youth.

The realities of aging have seen dramatic changes over the past decades. I wasn’t that long ago, elderly individuals would move from their homes at a younger age, moving into the nursing home or what we called the old folks’ home. There was a feeling that the elderly and seniors moved into these sprawling buildings and lived out the remainder of their lives. And perhaps that “Feeling” was closer to reality that we would like to admit.

Today’s reality of aging is follows a different path. Today, people are living longer and grow older than years past. The population of elderly and seniors when compared to the past is growing rapidly. With modern medicine and new technology for Elder Care in Dallas, TX and advances and growth in health care, new medications and proper nutrition are all contributing to the growth of life spans, and a more active and involved healthier senior.

Assisted Living facilities that resemble beautiful resorts and well appointed spa’s are becoming common place. We are finding that more elderly individuals are staying in their homes than ever before. Seniors are receiving care in the home to facilitate aging in place. Aging in the house they have called home for many years. Today’s seniors are involved in community activities, going on outings, volunteering and the trend is increasing. There are more opportunities and services that now catering to the elderly than ever before.

Many times when we think of the elderly our thoughts go to the loss. It could be the loss of a loved one. Most seniors have lost friends and/or close family members. Some have lost their career when they retired. Some seniors have lost a spouse or encounter a loss of mobility or mental acuity.

But what if we alter our definition of aging from one of loss to one of gain? What if we could apply a new definition that we could apply to aging? What if we could look to the gains and positives of growing old? Let’s being by looking at the following:

• A Full rich experience of life
• Knowledge and wisdom that only comes with age
• Experiences that come with the different stages of life
• Retirement and relief from the daily grind and stresses
• Growing families, Children, and Grandchildren
• Satisfaction of having made a difference in the world
• You did it, you made it to your 70’s, 80’s or 90’s!
• Overcoming the challenges of life/
• Respect and honor that age should bring

The manner in which the world view and treats the elderly will be a glimpse of how we will all be treated someday. Our view of the elderly and seniors will affect the type and quality of care that will one day be the same systems that takes care of us. Let’s provide the same quality of care to the elderly that we will want for ourselves someday.

If you have a loved one who could benefit from elder care services in Dallas, TX contact Approved Home Care at (972) 658-4001. We help seniors and their families with home care services for the elderly. Call (972) 658-4001 for more information.

How to Control Incontinence

With the advice and guidance of your Doctor, it is common that incontinence can be treated and possibly cured. With new advances, there are more treatment options today for urinary incontinence than in the past.

Treatment choice depends on the type of bladder control problem, the seriousness, and the best fit to incorporate into one’s daily routine. Common sense suggests trying the simplest and safest treatments first.

Training your bladder – Your doctor may suggest, initially, to start to train your bladder to get back bladder control. By implementing daily bladder training, one can change how the bladder empties and stores urine. The following is an overview of some suggestions for improvement:

Start Kegels and daily pelvic muscle exercise – The pelvic muscles are the ones used to stop urine flow or keep from passing gas. Your Doctor may discuss starting pelvic muscle exercise to strengthen the muscles that you use to stop urinating. Improving the strength of these muscles, helps avoid accidents by holding urine in the bladder for longer periods of time. The exercises your Doctor may suggest are easy to start immediately. Pelvic muscle exercises can lessen or improve stress and urge incontinence.

Typically Doctors suggest that you hold the pelvic muscles for a specific count, and then relax them. Then repeat holding the muscle a number of times. For best results, doing this exercise several times throughout a day improves bladder control. Your doctor will advise you on the best exercise for your concerns.

Diet Plays a Factor – Certain foods and drinks may worsen incontinence such as alcoholic beverages, acidic foods such as citrus juices and fruits, caffeinated drinks and foods, spicy dishes, and carbonated beverages. Chart when urinary incontinence worsens, and what foods or drinks taken, and consider eliminating that food or beverage, or at least cut back on these items.

Track Fluids Taken – Consider keeping daily water intake to a quart.  This is a simple suggestion. But, you need to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your fluid intake.

Lifestyle Changes – You can make some changes to diet, or eliminate triggers that can improve bladder control.

Drink Additional Cranberry Juice – Cranberry juice has been known to improve bladder function due to the acidic nature.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine – Drinking alcohol and caffeine drinks can lead to incontinence issues. Also, you may be drinking too many fluids a day, instead of water.  Consider cutting back on fluid intake if you are drinking too much daily.

Biofeedback – Biofeedback helps one become more aware of body signals. Biofeedback may help one regain control over the bladder and urethra muscles.

Chart Leaking to Determine Pattern – By charting leaking and urination, you may determine a pattern. Once a pattern is identified, go to the bathroom prior to those times to empty the bladder before a leak occurs. When combined with pelvic muscle exercises and biofeedback, these suggestions may improve ability to control urges.

Prescriptions – There are prescriptions a doctor can prescribe for improved bladder control. These varieties of drugs can prevent bladder contractions, and some medications relax muscles so the bladder empties completely during urination. Other prescriptions help to tighten muscles in the bladder and urethra to avoid leakage.  However, sometimes, these prescriptions can cause side effects including urine buildup, eye problems, or dry mouth.

Medical Procedures – Try starting diet changes and pelvic exercises.  However, if you see no improvement, go to your doctor for advice.

Urethra Implant – To help reduce stress incontinence, your doctor can inject an implant to add bulk into the area around the urethra.  Keep in mind, injections may have to be repeated because they are slowly eliminated from the body.

Pessary – Some doctors may advise women to use a tampon-like urethral plug; a throwaway patch; or a vaginal insert to improve stress incontinence.

Surgery – If incontinence is caused by bladder position or blockage due to an enlarged prostate, surgery is sometimes an option. Typical surgery for incontinence pulls the bladder up and secures it. When stress incontinence is serious, the surgeon may use a wide sling, to narrow the urethra and hold up the bladder to prevent leakage.