Senior Housing

Recognizing World Pancreatic Cancer Day in Senior Housing

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World Pancreatic Cancer Day is a vital reminder of the ongoing fight against this challenging disease, especially within senior housing communities. This day allows us to raise awareness, educate residents and their families, and promote a supportive environment. It aims to empower residents and encourage open conversations about health and wellness through informational sessions, health screenings, and community discussions.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day

The World Pancreatic Cancer Day celebration is on the third Thursday of November each year. For ten years, it has raised awareness around the world that it is one of the most challenging cancers. On this day, communities, including senior housing, raise awareness and support the people battling the disease.

In commemorating World Pancreatic Cancer Day, people unite and help spread the word about pancreatic cancer. The day also aims to raise awareness about its prevention and treatment. Many health organizations in 30 countries join hands to encourage awareness of risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Look for Signs in Senior Housing

The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that aids in food digestion. When it becomes infected with cancer cells, it can present symptoms, including bloating, fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and lack of appetite. Pancreatic cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, the survival rates are low because it is hard to detect in its early stages.

The symptoms can be hard to determine, but only once the tumor starts affecting other organs in the digestive system. The healthcare provider may suspect the emergence of the disease once you have recently developed diabetes or pancreatitis.

Pain in the abdomen or back is caused by the tumor pushing against or invading nerves or organs near the pancreas. Another area of pain happens when the cancer blocks the digestive tract. Patients experiencing poor appetite, indigestion, and nausea can be expected in people with the disease. Note that some or all of the symptoms mentioned may occur when the tumor presses against the stomach.

In addition, if the patient’s skin and eyes begin to show yellowing due to excess bilirubin in the blood, this is a sign that the patient has jaundice. People with jaundice may experience itchiness of the skin, abnormally dark urine, and light or clay-colored stool.

For the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, healthcare providers suggest a combination of tests, including imaging tests, blood tests, staging laparoscopy, and genetic testing. The good thing is that early detection and treatment can make complete remission possible. However, the only way to cure pancreatic cancer is the total surgical removal of the tumor.

Residents in senior housing should be tested for pancreatic cancer when the said symptoms are observed. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you must bring them up with your doctor or healthcare provider to receive supportive or palliative care.

Looking for excellent senior care in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Alzheimer’s Care Facilities

National Depression Education and Awareness Month in Alzheimer’s Care Facilities

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National Depression Education and Awareness Month enables Alzheimer’s care facilities to highlight the often-overlooked connection between depression and dementia. During this time, staff are educated on recognizing signs of depression, which can be very difficult to detect in patients with cognitive decline. The month commemorates promoting better screening practices and ensuring early intervention and treatment. In addition, it will raise awareness among families, helping them understand behavioral changes and emotional needs.

National Depression Education and Awareness Month

You might not be aware that depression can wear you out when you need all your strength the most. Thus, it may become so highly tiring to try to cope. In this case, what others are suffering is difficult to determine most of the time.

During National Depression Education and Awareness Month, people learn how to determine the signs, symptoms, and treatment options of depression. This also enables people to know how to seek help from a counselor, trusted companion, or their community.

You can observe this occasion by contacting friends, family, and community members. Moreover, you may want to share your story about your struggles with depression. This can help others learn that they are not alone in this fight.

Additionally, educating others is one of the best ways to help them understand the common symptoms and impact of depression. The more knowledge you have, the better you may be able to recognize someone needing your support and love.

Depression and Alzheimer’s in Alzheimer’s Care Facilities

It’s worth noting that depression is common among those suffering from Alzheimer’s, particularly during the early or middle stages. However, treatment is available, which can also significantly affect your quality of life.

Among the symptoms of depression, the most common are apathy, isolation, impaired thinking, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, social withdrawal, and trouble concentrating. That said, people suffering from Alzheimer’s find it hard to articulate their sadness, guilt, and hopelessness, as do other feelings associated with depression.

Note that people with dementia commonly have depression, which makes it harder to live. Moreover, it can cause problems with thinking and memory even worse. You might think that most people feel sad or low at times, but it is not similar to being depressed. People who are depressed feel low but for a longer period while struggling to do daily activities and tasks.

Likewise, there is increasing proof that suggests the connection between depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Depression can be a risk factor that will aid in the development of Alzheimer’s disease as you grow older.

It is pretty challenging at times for doctors to diagnose depression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease because they have similar symptoms. That being said, it will require thorough evaluation by a skilled professional or in Alzheimer’s care facilities that offer related services.

Treatment for depression with Alzheimer’s disease, however, often involves a combination of daily life adaptations, medicines, and therapy. A person can contact a medical professional right away if there are any symptoms of depression or other changes in behavior.

 

Looking for excellent senior care in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Fallbrook Memory Care Facility

Critical Illness Awareness Month in Fallbrook Memory Care Facility

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In a memory care facility, commemorating Critical Illness Awareness Month is a chance to promote compassion, understanding, and support. Educational seminars for staff and relatives can increase awareness of the difficulties faced by residents with critical conditions. Straightforward, participatory activities like memory exercises and relaxing therapies enhance emotional well-being. Working with medical specialists in a Fallbrook memory care facility can yield insightful information and helpful resources for improved care management. The month’s celebration can emphasize the value of individualized care while honoring the resiliency of residents and caregivers by emphasizing empathy and education. This will foster a supportive and caring atmosphere for all parties involved.

Critical Illness Awareness Month

You must know that the number of Americans suffering from stroke or heart attack every year is comparable to cancer diagnoses and other critical illnesses. October is a timely occasion to celebrate Critical Illness Awareness Month because it provides information about preventing, treating, and providing patient care for those affected by the disease.

The goal of Critical Illness Awareness Month is to increase public awareness of severe illnesses like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other ailments that can be fatal. The main goals are to raise public awareness of the effects of these diseases, encourage early detection, and support impacted individuals.

It also highlights the significance of appropriate medical attention, available treatments, and financial preparation, which includes critical sickness insurance. Advocacy groups frequently organize activities and campaigns throughout this month to disseminate information, share firsthand accounts, and raise awareness of the psychological and physical toll that chronic illnesses take on patients and their families.

Critical Illnesses and Fallbrook Memory Care Facility

There are studies about critical illness that involved survivors having prolonged and disabling forms of cognitive impairment. That said, patients in medical and surgical intensive care units are at high risk for long-term cognitive impairment. Note that dementia is a terminal disease that may lead to progressive cognitive and functional decline. So, the incidence of dementia in older adults in the hospital increases as the elderly population continues to rise. This is associated with poor short-term and long-term outcomes.

With that being said, delirium is connected with an accelerated cognitive decline in hospitalized patients with dementia. However, it can be managed by doing accurate and early diagnosis. There is a lack of evidence-based management guidelines in the setting of critical illness and dementia. So, management must define goals early on when dealing with hospitalized elderly and using palliative care and hospice when necessary.

Furthermore, there were findings that hospitalization will increase the risk of subsequent diagnosis of dementia. There are different illnesses independently associated with dementia, such as severe sepsis, acute dialysis, and neurological dysfunction.

Facilities can help manage patients with critical illnesses through a comprehensive, person-centered approach and combining specialized care for physical and cognitive health needs.

  • Providing personalized patient care
  • Involving specialists in providing integrated medical care
  • Prioritizing pain management and comfort care from palliative care teams
  • Managing prescriptions to make sure patients get proper dosages
  • Providing emotional support and communication
  • Conducting specialized training for staff
  • Ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration
  • Involving family in the care process
  • Facilities must be able to handle end-of-life care

Learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living by clicking here!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper