Homecare in Scottsdale AZ: Foodborne Infection Symptoms

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Foodborne Illness?

/in , , , /by

Approximately 48 million people throughout the United States experience a foodborne illness or infection each year. Of these, around 128,000 will require hospitalization, and 3,000 will die as a result of their illness or infection.

As a family caregiver, it is extremely important to recognize that elderly adults are more vulnerable to foodborne illness and infection, also referred to as food poisoning, than younger adults, and are more likely to experience severe consequences as a result of such illnesses and infections. Being able to detect the potential signs and symptoms of such an infection can allow you to act quickly, get your senior the medical care they need, and help them through healing and recovery.

 

Some of the signs and symptoms of foodborne infection include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramp
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea

These symptoms can occur within a relatively short period of time of consuming contaminated food, but can also appear days after. While most of the time these illnesses or infections are mild and will resolve themselves, they can quickly become severe.

 

Contact your senior’s doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms related to a foodborne infection or illness:

  • A temperature of over 101.5
  • Blood in the stool
  • Frequent vomiting that prevents your senior from being able to keep fluids down effectively
  • Diarrhea that is persistent for more than 3 days
  • Signs of dehydration such as dizziness upon standing, a decrease in urination, and dryness of the mouth and throat

Depending on the virus, bacteria, or pathogen that has led to the illness or infection, the symptoms can occur anywhere between 30 minutes and a month after consumption of the contaminated food. If your parent begins experiencing these symptoms, and you cannot relate them to another illness, think back through what your parent has eaten in the preceding several days. If they have eaten at a restaurant recently, it is important to contact that restaurant after your parent’s diagnosis to inform them for reporting purposes.

Getting proper nutrition is one of the most important elements of your senior maintaining health as they age in place. Elderly care can be extremely beneficial when it comes to helping your senior get the nutrition they need on a regular basis.

An elderly home care services provider can provide safe and reliable transportation to the grocery store to stock their home with healthy options, provide reminders of dietary restrictions and instructions from their doctor, assist with meal and snack preparation, and encourage your senior to get enough hydration on a regular basis. This can not only help your parent to maintain better health, but also to support mental and emotional well-being, and quality of life.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Paradise Valley, AZ or the surrounding areas, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Source:
Fsis.usda.gov
Cdc.gov

 

Elder Care in Scottsdale AZ: Signs of Alzheimer's

Is Your Parent’s Difficulty with Problem Solving Normal or a Sign of Alzheimer’s?

/in , , , /by

Everyone has trouble solving problems or getting organized at times in their life.

When, however, may these signs of difficulty indicate that there could be something more serious happening? Alzheimer’s disease is an issue that most family caregivers put a considerable amount of thought into throughout their care experience with their senior parent, and it is important to be able to recognize early warning signs of the progression. While memory loss is the first thing that most people think about when they consider the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the reality is that there are many other signs that could indicate that your senior is at the beginning of their progression with the disease.

 

One early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is difficulty solving problems or making plans.

While it is perfectly normal to occasionally experience confusion when making complex plans or when managing a challenging task, such as balancing a checkbook, if your parent is having frequent or marked difficulty with planning or problem solving, it may be time to discuss it with their doctor.

 

Some problem solving or planning difficulties that may be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease include:

-A marked difficulty with concentration and seeming distracted when they should be focusing on a specific task

-Difficulty following a set of tasks, particularly something familiar such as a recipe that they have made several times before

-Inability to keep up with their regular household bills

-Receiving cut-off notices for their utilities

-Getting overdraft notices for their bank account

-Inability to make simple organizational choices such as how to put items away in a drawer or linen closet

 

Starting senior care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your care journey.

Having a senior home care services provider in the home with your aging parent can ensure that they have ongoing access to the care, support, and assistance that they need to manage their individual needs, challenges, and limitations in the ways that are right for them while also respecting the care that you give them on a regular basis. This means that your parent can stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy while also pursuing a lifestyle that is an active, engaged, and independent as possible throughout their later years. As their family caregiver, this will give you confidence and peace of mind that your senior will get everything that they need both when you are with them and when you are not.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care in Scottsdale, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Source:

https://www.alz.org