Elder Care

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive loss of mental function due to certain diseases that affect the brain. The losses are substantial. Over time, all types of dementia will lead to loss of memory, loss of reasoning and judgment, personality and behavioral changes, physical decline, and death.

But the course dementia takes can vary widely from person to person. It’s influenced by many factors, including age and other conditions a person may have.

Sixty to 80 percent of U.S. dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. That’s about 5.3 million people. The next most common dementias are vascular dementia, or tiny strokes in the brain, and Lewy Body dementia where alpha-synuclein protein…. cont

Are Electric Blankets Safe For Elderly People?

ROBIN SCHILTZ

I’ve mentioned before that my father kept his apartment temperature at a blistering 78 degrees year ‘round. Like many seniors, he seemed to be constantly cold, so when winter came around, he dragged out his (very old) electric blanket.

That made me wonder are electric blankets safe for elderly? Electric blankets can be dangerous for seniors with cognitive issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s or for those who are incontinent. They are unsafe for people with Parkinson’s, diabetes, or any paralysis. Seniors may get burned by an electric blanket and should discard one that’s over ten years old.

The reasons that electric blankets are unsafe for seniors are:

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Source: Senior Safety Advice