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Showing posts from July, 2020

Getting stuck with the same thoughts: Obsessive rumination in times of COVID19 ?

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Has your head ever been filled with one single thought, or a string of thoughts, that just keep repeating… and repeating… and repeating themselves? Obsessive thinking can be adaptive, when it is directed toward healthy goals and real problems with attainable solutions. But for many people, this process breaks down. We’re here to talk about the other side of obsessive thinking: obsessive rumination. The process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, which tend to be sad or gloomy, is called rumination. Rumination is focused on past events. It is a preoccupation with perceived mistakes, losses, slights, actions taken or not taken, opportunities forever lost. The feelings associated with obsessive rumination are guilt, regret, anger and envy. Rumination is often accompanied by harsh judgments, criticism, grudges, toward both self and others, and the overwhelming belief that if things had only been different then existing and future misery could have been avoided. Peopl...

Five tips on how to deal with the death of a celebrity

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It has been two days that we heard the unfortunate news of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide. It came across as a shock to everyone since no one expected such an event to take place. He was a terrific actor and a decent human being with a bright future ahead. However, his demise put a full stop to a life that might have been filled with happiness and success. His sudden death made us stop and realize how fragile life is and how one decision can starkly affect one’s life in so many ways. Celebrities are people who we idolise. They are people with whom we feel a connect. They remind us of well, us. This can be as specific as their connection to a moment in our past, or as general as the fact that they are about our age or have something else in common to us. Whether it is cancer, suicide, overdose, accident or any other type of death, it can hit a nerve.  It may be because we have struggled with the same thing, or it may be because we lost someone in the same way. Wh...

Ensuring your elderlys health remotely

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With the millennials always on the move for better education and job opportunities, it makes caring for the parents and elderly a difficult task. By being hundreds and thousands of kilometers away from the parents, it gets difficult to keep a tab on their health and ensure their safety. However, without compromising on the career, one can easily look after the elderly with remote care. Thankfully there are organizations like  Samvedna Care  which provide  senior citizen care at home   while you are away. Below, we have listed down a multitude of ways with which you can ensure proper care of the elderly’s health remotely.  Make use of the technology   Virtual assistants and GPS are a boon for the elderly. As older persons tend to forget things, virtual assistants make remembering things easier.   These constantly send reminders to the elderly about their medication schedule, exercise schedule, doctor’s appointment, etc. Your parents can also call t...

How to get tested for Dementia

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Detection of dementia involves multiple tests and psychological assessments of the elderly which take many things into consideration to help ensure an accurate diagnosis. These tests also help rule out other possible conditions and illnesses. An accurate diagnosis of dementia is the most important first step to ensure you have appropriate treatment. Getting tested for dementia is a multilayered process and often involves interacting with multiple healthcare professionals such as a geriatrician, neurologist, psychologist and psychiatrist who carry out various evaluations. Case History The first step of an assessment is a detailed case history. During this process, the physician discussed the patient’s medical/psychiatric history, medication history, and gathers information about any other family medical history, changes in memory or personality. This helps to understand how the problems have developed and identify any other causes for concern. Physical tests and laboratory examination T...

How to help elders manage chores amidst a pandemic

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The elder members might find it difficult to manage chores owing to their health issues. It might not be possible for them to carry out daily activities and might need help. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more difficult for the elders to manage everyday chores that they could seamlessly do before. But there are still some ways through which they can be helped. This section will tell you how to help elders manage chores amidst a pandemic. Online Shopping and Bill Payments As stepping out won’t be a wise decision amidst this pandemic, getting most of the things done online is the way to go. One must teach their elders how to go about buying things online and ways to pay the bills via the internet. If they cannot understand, you can help them by paying the bills and ordering things online. If you are occupied and cannot spare some time for it, our online and bill payment services will assist the elderly senior citizens with online shopping and bill payment. Our trusted...

Common Medical Emergencies among Older Adults

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Emergencies can happen anytime and with age, they become more frequent. The life expectancy worldwide has increased. According to a report on Ageing and Health by the  World Health Organisation , “by 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and above will reach 2 billion.” However, these retirement years are not disease-free for older adults. There are different mental, physical, and chronic health concerns that impact the quality of life. Let’s know about some of these common emergencies and age-related issues that may or may not have visible symptoms. Fall & Related Injuries:  A sudden fall due to balance issues, poor nutrition, vision problems, torn carpet, or like are common among older adults. These often cause fatal and non-fatal emergencies like broken bones, abrasions and more. Prevention: It is ideal to seek assistance while walking to avert the risk of falls. It will also help if you remove rugs and carpets and add assistive railings in the bathroom and stairwa...

Things to Consider When Taking Care of ICU Patient at Home

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Are you taking care of an ICU patient at home? Whether a person gets early discharge from ICU or the extended ICU treatment needs to be given at home, the task can be quite demanding. There is constant care, time, and attention that an ICU patient requires. From taking care of the medicine schedule to the meal timings, managing everything end to end can get challenging. It can be even more concern worthy during the COVID-19 pandemic times when extending the hospital stay can pose a health concern and seeking external help at home becomes equally daunting. Understanding your situation and concerns, we at  Samvedna Senior Care , an  elder care home in Delhi , provide you some professional tips that can come useful during these times in setting up and following the norms of  ICU at home . Maintain Hygiene:  When caring for an ICU patient at home, it is essential to focus on the hygiene standards. Keep everything clean and sterile as an ICU patient is at high risk of con...

COVID-19: Tips for Dementia Caregivers

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Are you taking care of a loved one with dementia? It is hard enough during normal times and the pandemic may leave you more anxious and confused. The global health crisis may be leaving you overworked and stressed. Mostly, dementia does not increase the risk of COVID-19. However, dementia-related behaviour, the increased age and other health conditions can leave you more concerned and worried. Like people with dementia may forget to wash their hands frequently or thoroughly or may not take other required precautions. If you are taking care of a family member with dementia at home , here are specific tips that can reduce your stress and help you sail through these challenging times. To Explain the Virus or Not?  Are you pondering whether to discuss about COVID-19 pandemic with your elderly with dementia? Your concern is genuine. However, it will be difficult for someone with a memory loss problem to understand and remember the precautions. It might also trigger panic or leave them w...

How I beat social isolation with my painting brush

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At 80, I am alone at home, but am enjoying every bit of that solitude and expressing my joy through colours and bold strokes. In a way the social distancing has been a blessing for me as I got to revive my original passion. After passing out from Kolkata College of Art, I came to Delhi looking for a job with only Rs. 200 in hand, way back in 1960. After a bit of struggle, I finally managed to establish myself as a graphic designer, but the work pressure didn’t allow me too much time to pursue my love for painting. I got into the rut of daily work, and over the next few years my hard work helped establish myself professionally and personally. One of the most memorable highlights of my life was being nominated for a French Govt. scholarship to study typography in Paris for two years. But a long administrative tussle between French and Indian governments resulted in my scholarship being denied. As this scholarship was close to my heart, the loss pushed me to depression. To overcome the si...

What to do if an elder member falls ill in COVID times?

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An elder member of the family falling ill can be daunting, especially in the time of COVID-19. It will be highly demanding and since the elder person is already sick, he/she is susceptible to contracting the virus. The caregiver and the elder member must adhere to the following list in order to stay safe from the virus and for the elder person to recover properly.   Telemedicine  Visiting the doctor’s office amidst COVID-19 poses a serious risk of contracting the virus as there are chances that other potentially contagious patients from all across the city might be showing up there. Hence, it is preferable to avoid the same and get a doctor to consult the elderly via telemedicine. The same will allow the elder member to sit at the comfort of the house and get diagnosed by a professional using telecommunication technology.   Order medicines online    Now that the doctor has prescribed medicines, get those by ordering online. Eliminate the step of v...