Don’t let the Bedbugs bite

In this article we are going to cover a few points about bedbugs

  • What are Bedbugs
  • Where Bed Bugs Hide
  • When Bedbugs Bite
  • Signs of Infestation
  • Bedbug Treatments
  • Bedbug Extermination

What are Bedbugs?
Bedbug Size Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.

Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs over a lifetime, each of which is about the size of a speck of dust.

Immature bedbugs, called nymphs, shed their skins five times before reaching maturity and require a meal of blood before each shedding. Under favorable conditions the bugs can develop fully in as little as a month and produce three or more generations per year.

Although they’re a nuisance and cause undue psychological stress, they do not transmit diseases. Typically, no treatment is required for bedbug bites. If itching is severe, steroid creams or oral antihistamines may be used for symptom relief.

Where Bed Bugs Hide
where Bedbugs HideBedbugs may enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used beds, couches and other items.
Their flattened bodies make it possible for them to fit into tiny spaces, about the width of a credit card. Bedbugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their initial hiding places are typically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite in the night.

However, over time… they may scatter through the bedroom, moving into an
y crevice or protected location. They may also spread to nearby rooms or apartments.

Because bedbugs live solely on blood, having them in your home is not a sign of dirtiness. You are as likely to find them in immaculate homes and hotel rooms as in filthy ones.

When Bedbugs Bite
Bedbug BitesBedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite people while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed from three to 10 minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike fleabites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do.

People who don’t realize they have a bedbug infestation may attribute the itching and welts to other causes, such as mosquitoes, heat rashes or allergic reactions. To confirm that what you have is bedbug bites, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.

Signs of Infestation
If you wake up with itchy areas you didn’t have when you went to sleep, you may have bedbugs, particularly if you got a used bed or other used furniture around the time the bites started. Other signs that you have bedbugs include:

  • Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
  • Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls
  • Bedbug fecal spots, egg shells, or shed skins in areas where bedbugs hide
  • An offensive, musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands

If you suspect an infestation, remove all bedding linens and check it carefully for signs of the bugs or their excrement. Remove the dust cover over the bottom of the box springs and examine the seams in the wood framing. Peel back the fabric where it is stapled to the wood frame.

Also, check the area around the bed, including inside books, telephones or radios, the edge of the carpet, and even in electrical outlets. Check your closet, because bedbugs can attach to clothing. If you are uncertain about signs of bedbugs, call us and we can manage the infestation through a FRAUD PROOF exterminator, who will know what to look for and carry out a treatment plan.

If you recognize and find signs of an infestation, begin steps to get rid of the bugs and prevent their return immediately.

Bedbug Treatments
Getting rid of bedbugs begins with cleaning up the places where bedbugs live. This should include the following:

  • Clean bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting. Place stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that can’t be washed in the dryer and run on high for 30 minutes.
  • Use a stiff brush to scrub mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs before vacuuming.
  • Vacuum your bed and surrounding area frequently. After vacuuming, immediately place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and place in garbage can outdoors.
  • Encase mattress and box springs with a tightly woven, zippered cover to keep bedbugs from entering or escaping. Bedbugs may live up to a year without feeding, so keep the cover on your mattress for at least a year to make sure all bugs in the mattress are dead.
  • Repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to get rid of places bedbugs can hide.
  • Get rid of clutter around the bed.
  • Of course we can look after all of this for you.

If your mattress is infested, you may want to get rid of it and get a new one, but take care to rid the rest of your home of bedbugs or they will infest your new mattress.

Bedbug Extermination
While cleaning up infested areas will be helpful in controlling bedbugs, getting rid of them usually requires chemical treatments. Because treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, it is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding.

Generally it is safest and most effective to hire a professional company with experienced in dealing with such issues. In Our Care – Home Care Services can help you from start to finish.

In Our Care – Home Care Services, understand that care is not simply based on the physical support your older loved one may need… there are a broad spectrum built-in service components to achieve our overall goal… Enriching the lives of those we love and deliver care to. 

Your loved one may not be direct family, but they’re part of the In Our Care family… therefore they are.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Water – More than an Element

Water3Water

It’s common knowledge that you can go with out food much longer than you can without water. Fact: The human body needs air, food and water to survive. However, two out of the three requires our actions to attain it. Air intake is more like an internal instinct activated at birth and expires upon death. We can barely go 3 minutes (max) without slipping into an unconscious state.

Food: A human can go for more than three weeks (3) without food (Mahatma Gandhi survived 21 days of complete starvation). The body is an efficient machine that harvest fat and muscle store in the body and organs to sustain it.

Water: A lack of fluid intake causes problems with kidney function within just a few days, particularly if a person is active (not bed ridden). One week is a generous estimate. Three to four days would be more typical. After which time vital organs systemically shut down due to dehydration.

Do you need more water in the summer than you do in the winter months? Our bodies are constantly losing water, which is why drinking a glass of H20 once a day is not enough to keep the body replenished. We lose water when we sweat, go to the bathroom — even when we exhale. Under extreme conditions an adult can lose 1 to 1.5 liters of sweat per hour. So it really depends on your personal physical activity, heat exposure and rate of perspiration.

human_body_composition-_better_coloursWhy should I drink water?

Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. Water aides in digestion, absorption, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintain optimal body temperature.

Water helps energize muscles. Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue.

Water can help control calories. For years, dieters have been drinking copious amounts of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn’t have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for high calorie beverages can certainly help. Doing so will also give you that fuller feeling causing you to eat less.

Water helps keep skin looking good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. However, do NOT expect over hydration to erase all signs of aging… but lack of hydration will certainly magnify the affects of aging.

Other reasons:

  • Cools you down, especially in hotter weather
  • Lubricates your tissues and joints
  • Dissolves soluble compounds
  • Helps flush toxins from your system

There are free phone applications on smartphones that monitor your water drinking habits:

  • Hydro drink water
  • Water your body
  • Drink water
  • Hydro Coach

Water6Tips to help you drink more water

If you think you need to be drinking more, here are some tips to increase your fluid intake and reap the benefits of water:

  • Have a beverage with every snack and meal
  • Choose beverages you enjoy; You’re likely to drink more fluids if you like the way they taste (try lemon in your water) as a substitute to high sugary drinks.
  • Keep a bottle of water, at you desk, or in your bag
  • Choose beverages that meet your individual needs. If you’re watching calories, go for non-caloric beverages

Drinking water is not the only way to hydrate. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Their high water content will add to your hydration. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods.

Veggies with high water content Fruits with high water content
Cucumber Watermelon
Lettuce Grapefruits
Zucchini Oranges
Tomatoes Strawberries
Radishes Cantaloupes
Celery Peaches
Eggplant Raspberries
Cauliflower Blueberries
Broccoli Cranberries 

How much is enough?

Many of us have probably heard the 8 by 8 rule stating that we should drink eight, eight ounces glasses of water daily. However, there are no studies that strongly support this theory.

The amount of water one should consume is individualized. For the most part, a healthy person should note that thirst is the first indication that our bodies need more water. Try to stay hydrated enough so that you do not feel thirsty often.

Water5

 

Water Facts:

  • An easy way to gauge how well hydrated we are, is to simply look at our urine. It should be fairly clear… if it is dark yellow, you may need to drink more water.
  • If you constantly feel hungry, try drinking more water between meals. What you believe to be hunger, may actually be your body way of saying you need more hydration.

Some factors that may require you to drink more water than the average person are:

  • Medications for heart, stomach ulcers or depression – can alter your thirst mechanism
  • Diabetes
  • The elderly can sometimes have a poorly regulated thirst mechanism
  • People who have problems with kidney stones or chronic urinary tract infections
  • Athletes, children playing outdoors or anyone working outside during a hot summer day may require more

 

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

 

 

The Most Common Age Related Issues

The Most Common Age Related Issues

Healthy Aging

Thanks to new medications and surgical techniques, people are living longer. However, the body we had at 55 will be a very different body than the one we have at 75. Many issues, both genetic and environmental, affect how we age. The most widespread condition affecting those 65 and older is coronary heart disease, followed by stroke, cancer, pneumonia and the flu. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also unfortunately common among the elderly population. Numbers and statistics are climbing as the aging population continues to escalate.

 

Many of our elders are coping with at least one of the following conditions, and many are dealing with two or more of the following

 

  • Heart conditions (hypertension, vascular disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease)
  • Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
  • Depression
  • Incontinence (urine and stool)
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Diabetes
  • Breathing problems
  • Frequent falls, which can lead to fractures
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Cancer
  • Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, Macular Degeneration)

As our body changes, other things to be aware of are:

  • A slowed reaction time, which is especially important when judging if a person can drive.
  • Thinner skin, which can lead to breakdowns and wounds that don’t heal quickly
  • A weakened immune system, which can make fighting off viruses, bacteria and diseases difficult
  • Diminished sense of taste or smell, especially for smokers, which can lead to diminished appetite and dehydration

The list can seem daunting. However, with proper care, elders have a life filled with joy.

Please browse our many other articles relating to specific topics.

Our aim is to ensure that seniors are protected, kept safe and well cared for. For those individuals who wish to continue living in their own homes, we offer a variety of services to support that very goal and serve you in ways you did not think possible: For example, we also offer a complete home maintenance plan so that you or your loved never has to deal directly with contractor in order to access services. We take care of that and minimized any risk of fraud or sub-standard services. Your golden years are your to enjoy and we want to ensure you do.

Please contact us today, to discuss any of the above mentioned challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Senior Care: Skin Integrity

Skin1The importance of skin integrity as we age.

Lets talk about our largest body organ… our skin. As we age, the skin, like every other organ in our body, begins to decline. While we don’t have any way to reverse this aging process there are things that we can do to boost it’s functioning and help prevent skin integrity issues, a major complication in many seniors. 

What does our skin do for us?
• Helps maintain proper body temperature
• Wards off infections
• Waterproof barrier that keeps moisture in and moisture out
• Provides sensory information about our environment and injury

As the body ages, the layer of fat under the skin starts to disappear as well as the blood vessels feeding the skin with lots of oxygen. As a result the skin becomes looser, unable to insulate us well, and thinner. The most visible evidence of this is wrinkling and sagging of the skin. As our skin becomes thinner, it becomes vulnerable to tears and pressure sores. Open skin is an invitation to infection and discomfort.

Our climate, particularly in the cold and wintery weather our skin, the largest system of the body- becomes tight and dry. Our skin has less elasticity and become flaky as we age, it makes it easier for it to crack and tear. Aging skin does not regenerate new cells at the same rate as it did when we were young therefore the elasticity and turgor of our skin also decreases.  In addition, healing takes place at a much slower pace.

In the dry winter season the elderly skin is more at risk for cracks especially on their hands and feet; for the skin is much thinner in these areas. When the skin barrier is broken, the risk for infection sets in. In the elderly, these are serious cause for concern as their immune systems may be compromised.

One of the most common problems for the elderly is dry skin. Many elderly suffer from fragile skin, itchiness, and crackling. Others may need medical treatment for conditions such as Bed sores (ulcers), Dermatitis, Scleroderma and skin infections. Giving proper and consistent care can help prevent these problems associated with aging skin. Below are some helpful hints to help with the care and maintenance of skin care with our seniors.

Other skin integrity risk factors:

  • Diabetes – it is under-diagnosed and under-treated, so make sure you are checking for it regularly with your health care provider. Diabetes causes decreased blood flow to the skin and extremities, encouraging the formation of wounds where there may be pressure points. To make matters worse, it makes the body less efficient in healing wounds, once they have developed.
  • Immobility—Any condition that requires someone to be in bed or confined to a wheelchair for long periods of every day will increase the need to be especially vigilant for skin problems. Daily skin checks for tears and sores are essential. Also, making sure that skin is kept clean and dry is essential. If moisture
    is a problem, check with your health care provider about the use of barrier creams.
  • Hip fracture—In otherwise health and active people, hip fractures can cause long periods of immobility during the healing and rehabilitation process. This immobility can increase chances of developing a bed sores.
  • Dementia—Dementia can contribute to problems with overall skin integrity due to nutritional factors. Not remembering to eat or prepare balanced meals can cause a drop in weight and nutrients essential to the maintenance of the skin. Additionally, inadequate nutrition can contribute to a higher incidence of falls (weakness from low blood sugar and not enough calories), which can open the skin and lead to infection.
  • Rapid weight loss— The lack of ‘padding’, coupled with the underlying cause for weight loss, i.e. poor nutrition or disease, can be problematic for skin integrity.
  • Cancer— During treatment, immunity is compromised, appetite may decline, and chemotherapy can directly affect the condition of the skin. Special care should be taken to avoid a skin tear and to try to make sure that food and liquid intake is maintained as much as can be tolerated.
  • Smoking or history of smoking—Decreases blood supply to the skin.
  • Neurological damage—This can decrease ability to sense discomfort at pressure points that would otherwise prompt one to shift positions.

What you can do NOW?
Nutrition is one of the best defenses against skin break-down. No matter what your current health status, making an appointment with a dietician is a great way to make sure you are getting the adequate nutrition you need to provide your skin the opportunity to keep working for you, not against you.

Nutritional factors that can help maintain skin integrity:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat a balance diet that includes protein
  • Include healthy fats in your diet
  • Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin A, C, E, K and minerals zinc, iron and copper
  • Shower or bathe using warm water as needed. Hot water and frequent bathing increases dry skin and possible skin irritation.
  • Use mild soaps without perfumes or added dyes.
  • Apply gentle, non-greasy lotion all over body after a shower or bath.
  • Use humidifier in the dry, wintery months.
  • Use UV protection, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 15 or higher.
  • Wear hats and light clothing that covers skin exposed to the sun for long periods in the warm weather.
  • Checking the skin routinely for changes, and taking steps to report these changes.
  • Good foot skin care is crucial especially if you are a diabetic. Dry skin can cause the skin to crack and lead to infection, which can cause serious problems for diabetics.
  • Turning and repositioning of the bedridden client at a minimum of every 2 hours to prevent pressure over the bony areas of the body.

While there is no cure for what age does to our skin, there are things that we can do to keep it in the best possible condition to help protect us when we are our most vulnerable.

Finally, it is often said, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” This means that if we can prevent it, it is much better and easier than trying to cure it. For those of us who have the honour and the responsibility of taking care of our seniors let us be diligent about managing and maintaining those who have been placed in our trust. Skin care and skin integrity is important to their livelihood so to that end let us continue to work to prevent the breakdown of the skin, protect the skin and provide the tools that are necessary to maintain good skin care.

If you or your loved one is finding any skin texture changes, or experiencing any other skin conditions… consult your doctor for intervention and a care plan. Alternatively you may also contact us for a consultation and a care plan to mitigate some related causes. It does not cost to receive the appropriate information, so you can make educated decisions.