Senior Health – The Monday Clinic

What Makes a Good Dentist

By James | April 12, 2018 | Child Health, Dental, Health, Senior Health | Like |

What Makes a Good Dentist?

A dentist is a person who is responsible for a patient’s tooth maintenance and assistance. This person works closely with his or her patients to ensure that tooth life is at maximum capacity. A good dentist is someone who always looks out for the best interest of his or her client. It is important for each consumer to choose dentist with integrity and dedication. The following are attributes that make a dentist a good dentist:

True Concern and Compassion

A good dentist will be compassionate and never want to see a patient in pain. This person will make an appointment as quickly as possible and come up with the best solution to end pain for a person in need. This dentist will be open and honest with his patient about the risk and pain involved with any procedure. A good dentist make sure that all information about dental diseases and treatment is transparent and unbiased. A good dentist will be less concerned with profits and more concerned with helping the patient. A new patient can sense a dentist that has an agenda. Usually, a new patient can sense an insincere dentist during the first consultation. If no compassion is felt within the vibe, then the patient may want to visit another facility.

Friendly Demeanor

Many new dental patients have fears when they visit an office. They have fears about losing their teeth and fears about the pain involved during a procedure. A good dentist will always have an even, positive demeanor. He or she will never treat a patient as if a question is ridiculous or self-explanatory. Instead, a good dentist will take the time to reassure a patient that all will end well. This person will develop a strong rapport with the patient as if he or she is a close friend. A good dentist will always go an extra mile to ensure that his or her patient leaves the facility with a positive outlook.

Flexibility

Dental treatment is expensive, and not every person is fortunate enough to have insurance or a large income. A good dentist will provide a way for a struggling patient to get something that he or she needs. A dentist’s office might offer third-party financing or in-house financing. Some dentists have programs that take a certain amount of money from the patient’s check each month. A good dentist at Your Smile Dental Care will help his or client to find a way to make dental health possible.

4 Benefits of Getting Dental Implants

By James | December 29, 2017 | Child Health, Dental, Health, Senior Health | Like |

A dental implant refers to a titanium post, surgically placed into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. The process includes getting crowns that will fill up the gaps. There are two types of dental implants, that is, endosteals that are generally used as an alternative for patients with removable dentures and subperiosteals used for patients with minimal bone height. It is mostly done to those who lose their natural teeth at a very younger age. The dentistry experts came up with this procedure to give a solution for missing teeth. Below are some of the reasons you should think of saving up for the procedure as it is a life-changing investment.

1. Improved appearance

When one has missing teeth, it becomes difficult to talk and even smile in public. This can bring low esteem as well as difficulties when talking in public. Dental implants resemble natural teeth as they become permanent after they fuse with the bone. This greatly improves the way you look and stops those weird looks and questions. When you stay with gaps between the teeth, the jaws start collapsing. Implants will appear attractive as they require the same treatment as natural teeth such as brushing and regular dental checkups.

Eating
2. Easier eating

Unlike sliding dentures that make chewing quite difficult, replacement tooth roots function like your teeth, making it possible to be able to eat your favorite food without pain.

Speech
3. Improved speech

The lower and upper front teeth are essential in the articulation of some sounds .when one loses these teeth talking then becomes difficult. It is, therefore, a good idea to get replacement tooth roots, as it allows you to speak without any worry that teeth may slip. Replacement tooth roots will also help you restore your speech capabilities.

teeth
4. Preservation of the other teeth

Teeth are arranged in a manner that they reinforce each other by their structure. Removal of one of the teeth from this structure renders it very weak as a whole. Dental implants restore the strength, giving the surviving teeth a chance to stay longer in the mouth. When you have gaps in the mouth, teeth become more susceptible to cavities. The implants improve long-term oral health as they allow easier access in-between the teeth.

Benefits of getting dental implants are endless. They can improve your self-esteem and make you feel proud. They are very durable as they last many years if well maintained. Patients will only access these benefits only after letting a well-trained and experienced prosthodontist perform the procedure, they can be found at Prosthodontic Associates.

How to Maximize the Benefits of Home Health Care Services

Home health care services are commonly used by the elderly, but they may also be used by those who have been seriously ill or injured. If you need home care assistance, you may be wondering what you can do to maximize the benefits of the services that your nurse will provide to you. After interviewing home care agencies and making a wise selection for your needs, you can take full advantage of the health care services available in many ways.

Improving Your Mobility
Mobility is often an issue for those who need home health care assistance. Your home care aide or other professional may work in conjunction with a therapist to provide you with in-home mobility care. Daily stretching and exercises can promote mobility. You may also be required to use a mobility device, such as a cane or a walker. Your nurse can help you to get more comfortable moving around with this device. In some cases, your mobility may improve over time so that the device is no longer needed. Mobility is a critical aspect of living independently, so this should be a prime focus of many home care experiences.

Getting Daily Living Assistance
Many people also need daily living assistance when they set up service with home care agencies. This may include help getting in and out of bed, assistance making meals and more. The best home care aide to work with will assist you in all areas needed, but he or she will also encourage you to be as independent as possible. For example, he or she may show you a better way to tackle some tasks so that you can complete them with your limitations. When setting up service with your aide, inquire about this aspect of service in order to enjoy the best experience possible.

Promoting Excellent Circulation
Circulation is usually an issue when you are relatively immobile and homebound. Your nurse will assist with circulatory exercises so that you do not develop additional health issues. For example, blood clots can develop when you are relatively immobile. Your aide knows how to care for you in a way that encourages excellent circulation throughout your body.

Whether you will need home care services indefinitely or you hope to recover soon and only need services for a limited time, you understandably want to make the most of these services. As you can imagine, working with the right nurse or home care agency will make a huge difference in your overall experience. Therefore, carefully interview and select the best professional for the job. Remember that the individual should be someone who you communicate well with and who you feel comfortable with.

What Happens During a Hearing Test?

By James | April 21, 2017 | Health, Senior Health | Like |

Chances are that at some point in your life, you will experience some level of hearing loss. Many people experience this problem as a general part of aging, while others may have a medical condition or has an accident that affects their hearing. This is why there are hearing clinics available. However, even if you never experience a loss of hearing, it’s important to visit a hearing clinic to get your hearing tested. Here is what happens during a hearing test.

How Do You Get Scheduled for a Hearing Test?

Initially, you would visit an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT). Usually, a person visits this doctor when they are experiencing some problem with their ears, such as muffled hearing, an earache and other issues. When the patient’s hearing is noticeably different, the ENT refers the individual to see an audiologist, a specialist who tests hearing.

What to Expect at the Audiologist’s Office

Once you get to the audiology office, you will have a hearing test and receive a hearing assessment afterward. If you have been to the office before, the specialist can compare the results of your previous test to those of the new one. The doctor will look into your ear canals using a otoscope and a tiny light. This is generally to check for any problems with your ear canal or eardrum and to ensure there isn’t an inordinate buildup of earwax or a blockage that’s affecting your hearing.

Audiologists also rely on tympanometry to test the function of your middle ear. It shows the doctor how your eardrum responds to light pressure and can determine whether there is a problem like infection, fluid or an issue with the Eustachian tube.

The Hearing Test

Finally, there is testing called audiometry performed. These include two tests, one involving air conduction and the other involving bone conduction. The patient sits in a soundproof room or booth and has a set of headphones on their head. The specialist works at a computer to begin the test, which involves sound coming through the headphones. The patient holds a mechanism with a button at the top of it and must press the button each time they hear a sound.

There is a series of sounds that come through the headphones. Air conduction tests to see whether the patient can hear the softest sounds at a variety of pitches. It can determine the level of hearing loss the individual has experienced. Bone conduction directly stimulates the inner ear through a device placed behind the ear to determine the softest sound the person can hear.

What Happens After the Test

After the test, you receive patient consulting with the audiology specialist. If it is determined that you have at least a moderate hearing loss, you will likely be recommended to buy hearing aids to help. The specialist can recommend the best option for you based on your particular level of loss and whether one ear cannot be helped with a hearing aid.

It’s important to know all of your options when it comes to your hearing. Talk with the audiologist extensively so that you can come up with the best plan for you.

Compare the Available Services When Exploring Retirement Home

By James | December 7, 2016 | Health, Senior Health | Like |

Comparing retirement homes Ottawa with your aging loved ones may be a difficult process for many reasons. While you understandably may be focused on finding a long term care solution where your loved ones can live for years to come and that is affordable for your budget, you also may be reeling from the emotional impact of this process. The process is a clear reminder of the fact that your loved ones are not getting any younger and that their years are limited, and this can be difficult for many to bear emotionally. This may be complicated by the fact that many seniors want to continue to live independently, and you may be fighting them to make this transition. However, it can make you feel better knowing that they are being well cared for in the right facility that offers the services they need. As you compare these available services, keep these points in mind.

The Most Basic Services
Many people will look for assisted living facilities that offer the most basic services as a first step. Most seniors will not make a huge jump from living independently at home to needing the skilled services of nursing homes. Therefore, you initially may be looking for senior residences that offer some assistance with basic services, such as housekeeping, grocery service and transportation to medical appointments. In addition, structured social activities are also common with the most basic senior residences.

The Services of Skilled Nursing Homes
This is in direct comparison to the services available in skilled nursing homes that provide significant long term care for the elderly. These services are typically used by individuals who require on-going medical attention and who are no longer able to care for themselves. There is a huge leap between the two options available, and some facilities offer moderate care for those who are in between these two levels of services.

A Community That Can Accommodate a Full Range of Needs
It can be emotionally and physically daunting to move an aging relative, and with this in mind, you may not want to repeat the process again. Some senior care facilities offer a full range of services to meet the growing needs of seniors as they age. For example, they may have one area of the property with independent living residences. Another area may be for assisted living with some minor healthcare services provided. A third area on the property may be a nursing home environment.

While some senior homes only cater to individuals with specific needs, others offer a wide range of services and living experiences to accommodate most needs. As you compare the options available, consider factors related to cost, insurance coverage, availability of services, proximity to your home and hospitals and more. For more information visit the Sienna Living website.

Image Credit: MeaningfulLiving

How To Avoid Burnout When Caring For Seniors

By James | November 18, 2016 | Health, Senior Health | Like |

One of the challenges of being a caregiver for a senior is that you may never feel that you are given a break. You may feel that you must simply do what you are asked to make sure that your loved one is well taken care of. However, if you do not learn how to set boundaries, there is a very real risk that you may suffer from burnout.

Caregivers Have The Right To Have Boundaries During Senior CareCaregivers often do not set boundaries and will simply do whatever it is that they are asked. In order to know where healthy boundaries should be set, it is important for caregivers to pay close attention to your own needs and the needs of the individual whom you are taking care of.

Learn The Art Of Detached Love

An effective way to set boundaries is to perform what is known as ‘detaching with love.” This is when a caregiver uses methods of detachment. One of the challenges that children of aging parents often face is that they want to impress their parents, but what often must be done to fulfill the needs of someone’s parents can be emotionally draining. To detach, the caregiver must first realize that he or she cannot control his or her parents. This realization is often enough to develop a healthy detachment that allows for the caregiver to set emotional boundaries.

Avoid Emotional Abuse

There are some parents who are emotionally abusive or who are very demanding of their adult children. If you feel that your parents are using abusive methods in order to get you to do what they want, it is best to find someone else, such as an elderly caregiver, to temporarily care for your parents until you have time to recover.

Be Prepared For The Senior’s Growing Needs

The senior’s needs for care are likely to increase over time. It is important to know when it is necessary to seek outside help, either from family members or from professional caregivers. It can be easy to settle into a routine of meeting a growing number of demands, but this will eventually become overwhelming.

Seek The Assistance Of A Home Health Care Agent

Given how difficult it can be emotionally to care for a loved one, it may make sense to bring in assistance from a registered nurse. He or she will be able to provide you with a break so that you can spend time caring for yourself and focusing on your own needs.

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