A Guide to Preventing and Treating Cataracts in Seniors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cataracts affect almost 20.5 million people over age 40 in the USA alone – a figure set to rise to around 30 million by 2028. Here’s some important information on preventing and treating cataracts in seniors, from our assisted living center in Gloucester County, NJ.

What Are Cataracts and Why Do They Occur? 

When the lens of the eye clouds over it’s known as a cataract. The clouding starts slowly – even unnoticeably. But, it will increase until light can no longer enter the eye and the individual can no longer see. While cataracts can occur at birth, this condition primarily affects older people.

Cataracts are caused by a clumping of protein in the eye. The lens itself is made of protein and water and, over time, the protein can become sticky. As this clump grows, it blocks out light entering the eye. No one knows exactly why this happens, but certain risk factors make you more likely to have cataracts. Eleven risk factors include:

1. Unprotected exposure of the eyes to UV (ultra-violet) light
2. Poor nutrition
3. Diabetes
4. Obesity
5. Smoking
6. Hypertension
7. Chronic use of corticosteroids
8. Chronic use of statin medications
9. Injury to the eye and eye surgery
10. Hormone replacement therapy
11. Genetic history

How to Treat Cataracts 

Cataracts are commonly treated through surgery. Typically, an outpatient procedure, the clouded cataract is removed and replaced with a permanent artificial lens. Recovery time is between six and eight weeks. The results are very positive, restoring clear vision and making reading, watching TV, moving around the home, and socializing easy again.

5 Tips for Preventing Cataracts 

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure! You can help to prevent cataracts and protect your vision by:

1. Eating lots of fresh, leafy greens and fruits high in antioxidants
2. Committing to regular eye exams
3. Limiting alcohol intake and stopping smoking
4. Effectively managing health conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure
5. Protecting your eyes by wearing UV-certified sunglasses and shade hats

High Quality Care in a Beautiful, Welcoming Environment – Assisted Living in Gloucester County, NJ

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high-quality, scalable assisted living services in a comfortable and  well-supported environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite care, and memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more, please visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/ contact us today or book a personal tour of assisted living in Pitman, NJ.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/a-guide-to-preventing-and-treating-cataracts-in-seniors/

How to Help Care for a Senior with Type 2 Diabetes

March is American Diabetes Alert Month and National Kidney Month. So, the team at our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey, is sharing tips and advice for caregivers whose loved ones have type 2 diabetes and require long-term care.

Type 2 Diabetes and Seniors

A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is life-changing. Managing this condition means multiple lifestyle adjustments, from daily diet and exercise to medication and monitoring. For seniors, this health condition doesn’t just mean a greater workload for caregivers, but also comes with increased risks of heart attack, renal disease, ocular disease, stroke, and death.

For caregivers and older adults, managing this condition effectively takes additional dedication to those small, everyday choices made throughout care, as well as education, which empowers them to:

• Make better choices, 
• Understand what it takes to live with type 2 diabetes; and 
• Learn to communicate effectively to ensure taking rapid action in a crisis.

 

Checklist for Caregivers for Seniors with Type 2 Diabetes

First, it is important to evaluate your loved one on an individual level to see how well they are coping with managing their health condition. You can also identify and act on opportunities to provide additional support. 

For example, a fairly independent senior may be great at monitoring blood sugar levels and keeping records, so your role would be more oversight and emergency assistance. However, a senior with dementia or poor disease management skills may need much more comprehensive support. Here’s a general checklist for caring for someone with type 2 diabetes:

• Record – Keep a record of blood glucose readings, medicine schedules as well as any notable symptoms (dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness, and the like).
• Exercise – Encourage gentle daily exercise for 30 minutes per day, as often as possible for general health, weight management, and stress management. (Walking, meditation, yoga, gentle stretching, gardening, water aerobics, and so on.)
• Grooming – Maintaining good oral health is essential. Teeth should be brushed twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, and regular dental checkups are needed to detect gum disease and other complications common to type 2 diabetes. Toenails should be kept neat and short to prevent ingrown toenails and infection; feet should be checked once a week for swelling.
• Bathing – Regular bathing is important. It also presents a good opportunity to check for swelling or sores. Dry off well after bathing and use a moisturizer recommended by your loved one’s doctor. Avoid moisturizing between the toes.
• Dressing – Pay special attention to the feet, looking for swelling or sores. Soft leather shoes with good grip are recommended, and shouldn’t be tied tightly.
• Eating – To keep blood glucose levels stable, develop an eating routine that you repeat each day, either three meals per day with healthy snacks in between or several small meals evenly placed throughout the day. Keep to the dietary plan recommended by your loved one’s doctor, and encourage lots of fluids including water, caffeine-free drinks, smoothies, and herbal tea.
  
  

Independent Senior Living at Our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey 

Bristol Glen is a CCRC based in Sussex County that aims to provide seniors with comfortable, serviced living arrangements for independent living. Our CCRC provides a full continuum, so you don’t need to leave the community if your health needs change. 

Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and assisted living in Sussex County, New Jersey, or please visit our website at https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/ and book your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/how-to-help-care-for-a-senior-with-type-2-diabetes/

Is Life Insurance a Good Idea for Seniors?

Life insurance is often spoken about as if it’s only for younger people. But, there are some good reasons to consider it later in life. Here’s some insight from our assisted living team in Camden County, NJ.

We’re Living Longer Than Ever Before

Thanks to better nutrition, healthcare, and medical treatment, our lives are getting longer – which is a great thing. In fact, the Social Security Administration places average life expectancy for Americans at 84 for men and 87 for women.

On the downside, longevity can come with unexpected costs, from caring for dependents to stretching your retirement savings further than they were designed to go. However, life insurance can offer some financial security in these cases. Here are three benefits life insurance can offer to you and/or your loved ones: 

It Can Help You Relieve Financial Burdens on Loved Ones 

No one likes to think of when they’ll die. But, it’s worse when you are worried that your passing will have a negative financial impact on the loved ones you leave behind. Life insurance can offset this and give peace of mind that your spouse or dependents will be cared for, and that it will be easy to manage everything from funeral costs and estate taxes to paying off unsecured debts and providing for long-term care.

It Can Be an Effective Part of Your Financial Planning Strategy

Some life insurance products are an effective investment strategy – although it is important to talk to your financial planner to get the best advice about which option would work for your needs. For example, universal life insurance policies can earn cash value while at the same time deferring taxes. Some policies, known as whole life policies, also allow you to reap benefits during your lifetime through living benefits, allowing you to access certain funds in the event of a terminal illness.

Life Insurance Can Be Affordable for Seniors – And You Don’t Need to Be Perfectly Healthy Either

Life insurance has changed a lot over the years but there are still a lot of misconceptions about these products. For example, you can still qualify for these products in your 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

You also don’t have to be in perfect health. Many life insurance companies actually create policies specifically for seniors as well as people with pre-existing conditions, balancing the risks to ensure you still get an affordable rate. Other providers are more interested in how well your health and health conditions are managed, instead of your overall health. 

It will likely mean a more rigorous application process but it’s important to weigh the benefits before dismissing it as an option. Again, it’s important to have a financial planning specialist help you navigate the options and see if any policies suit your needs.

High Quality, Affordable Assisted Living in Camden County, NJ 

United Methodist Communities at Collingswood, New Jersey, is part of the United Methodist Communities network of high-quality, non-profit, assisted living communities specializing in an independent lifestyle for seniors. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite care, memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds and strive to provide affordable independent living for seniors.

To find out more about career opportunities at any of the four full-service United Methodist Communities or our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ, please visit our website at http://collingswood.umcommunities.org/ or contact us today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/is-life-insurance-a-good-idea-for-seniors/