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5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care
Caregiving

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At-Home-Care

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Anytime a child must care for their elderly parents it can be stressful for both parties.

Many people are turning to home healthcare to combat this reality. An estimated 12 million people use these services as an alternative to nursing homes. If you are using at home care or are interested in learning more, here are five things you can do to maximize your parent’s experience.

1.) Know Your Limitations

If you are going to provide at-home care for a parent, being honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do is important. Providing for another person in your home is an investment of both time and money. Your utility and grocery bills will increase. Adding things to a house to make it more comfortable for your parent can also get expensive.If your parents need help bathing and getting dressed, determine if you are comfortable helping them. Don’t forget to plan ahead, understanding that needs will change over time.

2.) At Home Care Requires Safety Precautions

Six out of every ten falls happen in the home. Falling can be a serious health concern for seniors, but there are steps which will lessen this risk. Tape down rugs and other floor coverings that pose trip hazards. For an elderly parent with mobility issues, make sure they have a cane or walker handy. Using walls to stay stable when walking is never safe. Install grab bars and rubber mats in showers and by the toilet, and make sure a panic button is accessible. Rooms should be well lit, with switches placed close to the entrance and within reach.

3.) Secure The Home

Seniors are at a higher risk for crime and financial scams than other age groups. Security has to be a top priority for the elderly.
To protect against potential scams, put your parent’s phone on the federal do not call registry. This list blocks their number from telemarketers. Sliding glass doors are a frequent target for burglars. Make sure they are secure by adding a bar that prevents them from sliding open when they are not in use. Use a hidden safe to protect important documents and cash.

4.) Know Who Comes Into the Home

If you are hiring someone to help your elderly parent, make sure you do some homework.
Get information about the company that is sending someone out. If you are hiring an individual, do a full background check and make sure they are first aid certified. Many states have agencies that regulate home care providers. Anyone you hire should be willing to show you their certifications and licenses.

5.) Maintain Their Quality of Life

Find local support groups that cater to the elderly. These groups are a great place to make friends and discuss issues that are important to elders. Many groups encourage physical activity and will go on mini-trips to local places. Mental stimulation becomes essential as the mind ages. Crossword puzzles and other hobbies will help combat boredom and keep the brain focused, especially in the cold winter months.

Get The Support You Need

For over 25 years, I have worked with thousands of clients around the world, consulting with them on ways to improve their quality of life.

Deciding in favor of at-home care can be a life-changing decision. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I have helped families from various backgrounds confront life’s challenges.
Right now, I am offering a special 30-minute introductory session for only $49, with a $10 discount for seniors. This session will help us learn about each other and discuss ways that my services can help you.

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

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What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families
Caregiving

What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Six years ago, the first wave of Baby Boomers reached retirement age, setting off an unprecedented rise in demand for senior care services. Unfortunately, the number of professional caregivers in America hasn’t kept pace with this demand. What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families
Even though nearly 25 million American seniors currently require some form of long-term care, the number of professional caregivers in America is only 2.2 million. Conservative estimates say that number will need to reach 3.3 million in the next few years. But the number of professional caregivers has barely grown over the past half-decade. That’s led to a shortage of caregivers, one that will only worsen without dramatic changes.
The situation is serious. Multiple organizations, including the Washington Post, Huffington Post, and Forbes, have labelled the caregiver shortage a “crisis”. Meanwhile, human resources expert Paul Osterman, who recently published a book on the subject, has called it a “train wreck waiting to happen.”

Care May Become Scarcer, Pricier

No one is suffering the impact of America’s caregiver shortage more acutely than seniors and their loved ones. Many families are already finding it difficult to locate qualified caregivers for elderly family members. That difficulty will grow if the number of caregivers in America fails to keep pace with the demand for in-home care services. What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families
A continued caregiver shortage will make quality caregivers scarcer and quality care services pricier. That could lead families to sacrifice quality of care in favor of cost savings. Other families may choose to forgo care services and perform care on their own as unpaid family caregivers. This could create a crisis of its own, as studies have shown that caring for an elderly loved one takes both a financial and emotional toll on family caregivers.

Finding Affordable, High-Quality Care

If you expect that your mom, dad, or another family member may require caregiver services in the coming years, now is the time to start planning for care. As it becomes more difficult to find high-quality, cost-effective care, families who’ve done their homework will be rewarded. Researching your options and preparing your family for the reality of care during the expected shortage will make it much easier to find quality care services that fit within your budget. What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families
Here are a few tips from the team at Visiting Angels on how you can find affordable home care services amid the caregiver shortage:

  • Plan Finances in Advance. You will be in a much better position to find quality care within your budget if you’ve mapped out family finances in advance. Even if your loved one is years away from needing care, proactive budgeting can give you a better sense of your options and help you save for the services your loved one will likely need.
  • Do Your Homework Early. It’s also a good idea to research caregiver agencies in your area. This way, you’ll have a much stronger sense of which services are available through which providers and what costs you’ll be facing with different care companies. Call around to learn how different agencies approach care services, care scheduling, and care costs.
  • Coverage of Caregiver Services. Some caregiver services are covered by insurers, Medicaid, or other organizations, like the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Before hiring care services, you may wish to research whether your loved one is covered.
  • Take Advantage of Flexibility. A number of care providers offer their services at hourly rates, often with different rates for different times of the day or days of the week. The minimum hours per visit will also vary from agency to agency. By scheduling care at certain times, you can make high-quality care more affordable for your loved one.
  • Compare Different Services. You will find a wide range of senior care services offered at various caregiver agencies. Some of these services are likely to cost more than others. If your loved one requires specialized care, you might want to consider a mix of specialized and general care services. This ensures high-quality care that fits your loved one’s needs, without putting as much pressure on your budget.

If you are currently looking for a caregiver for your loved one, we invite you to get in touch with your local Visiting Angels. We will be happy to schedule a free, no-obligation care assessment for your loved one. Call 800-365-4189 to connect with your local Visiting Angels, or contact your local office directly.

What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families

What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families What America’s Caregiver Shortage Means for Families

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What Type of Senior Living Facility is Right for You?
Housing Tips

What Type of Senior Living Facility is Right for You?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

You may be wondering what type of senior living facility is right for you, and you’re certainly not alone! According to Money Task Force, 70 percent of seniors require some type of long-term care services.

Choosing the right senior living facility is a big decision that’s often complicated by the number of options out there. Between home care, nursing homes and independent-living communities, it can be easy to get confused when analyzing each option. To help you make the right decision, we’ve outlined five different types of senior living facilities:

  1. Independent-Living Communities are great for those who are still active. Also known as retirement communities or 55+ communities, residents can choose from a variety of fully-equipped apartments and enjoy organized social events and outings. This option is ideal for those with few medical problems as a nursing staff is not typically on-hand, but this luxurious lifestyle comes at a hefty price – it can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500 per month.
  2. Assisted-Living (or Assisted-Care) Communities seem to be the Goldilocks of the situation as they’re ideal for those who cannot safely age in place but don’t need the round-the-clock medical care provided at nursing homes (see below). Staff is available 24 hours a day to assist residents with completing activities of daily living, and similarly to independent-living communities, frequent social activities are offered. An added benefit is that some assisted-living communities take Medicaid, but depending on how much assistance you require, the cost could range from $2,500 to $4,000 a month.
  3. As mentioned above, Nursing Homes, or Long-Term Care Facilities, have licensed nurses on-hand 24 hours a day to assist those who need extensive medical assistance and care; most residents have complex medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This type of senior living facility can cost between $4,000 and $8,000 a month, but Medicare and Medicaid is oftentimes accepted as well.
  4. A Residential Care Home is a great option for those who are looking for a more private and homelike care experience. As the name suggests, a residential care home is a private home where residents live together and receive care from live-in caregivers. Residents receive assistance in completing daily living tasks, but be sure to verify which services are offered since services and amenities vary according to each home. This is most likely the cheapest option so far on the list as it typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 a month (Medicaid may also help pay for this type of care).
  5. Don’t forget about Home Care! This option may be last on our list, but a large majority of seniors would actually prefer to age in place. As its title suggests, home care allows you to receive care right in your own home. In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, in-home caregivers may also provide transportation, medications, meals, and most importantly, companionship. Depending on one’s needs, a caregiver could be available one day a week or 24 hours a day (at a cost of about $20-$40 an hour). It’s also important to note that there are affordable tools to help you age in place. Medical alert devices allow you to receive help even if your caregiver or loved one isn’t nearby, and they are a great way to cut back on the cost of home care if you are unable to afford an in-home caregiver every day of the week.

This list is a great starting point for you and your loved ones to help you determine what type of senior living facility is right for you, but remember that there is no right or wrong answer. Consider which facility will best meet your needs, and you’ll make the right decision!

Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
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APlaceforMom.com

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4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise
Exercise & Fitness

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

By and large, most Americans prefer to avoid exercise. As we grow older, exercise becomes more difficult, and we come up with more and more excuses to avoid it. Unfortunately, that can have grave consequences for seniors: lack of physical activity harms the elderly more than any other age group. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise
Despite that fact, few American seniors meet the CDC’s physical activity guidelines for older adults. The CDC’s guidelines for healthy seniors include 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, and muscle-strengthening exercise two or more days each week.
While those might seem like ambitious exercise goals, the average American senior barely gets a fraction of that much exercise. Most seniors are sedentary for more than eight hours every day, and upwards of 25% get no physical activity whatsoever.
That makes encouraging exercise an important part of being a senior caregiver. As a family caregiver, you should expect some resistance if you try to encourage your mom, dad, or grandparent to exercise. Seniors can provide you with all sorts of reasons why they shouldn’t exercise or don’t need physical activity. Here are four of the most common reasons seniors give to avoid exercise, along with what you can say in response to convince them otherwise.
Note: Senior exercise can come with major risks unless it’s medically directed. To avoid risk of strain or serious injury, always consult with your loved one’s physician before having them start a new exercise program. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

Excuse #1: “The Recommendations are Unrealistic for Me”

Many seniors will argue that they will never meet healthy exercise guidelines. They don’t have the time, the energy, or physical fitness to meet the guidelines now, and there’s no way they will five years from now either. So why even bother?
Even if they won’t be able to meet the CDC’s guidelines, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be exercising. Every bit of physical exercise counts, as plenty of medical research demonstrated. Going from 0 to 10 minutes of moderate exercise a day will have a huge impact on your loved one’s physical and mental well-being, even if they never get close to the CDC guidelines.

Excuse #2: “My Chronic Condition Prevents Exercise”

Many seniors who suffer from chronic conditions — like heart disease, COPD, or diabetes — will claim their condition puts them at far too high a risk for physical exercise. Some seniors will even be happy to list all of the types of exercise their doctor has told them to avoid.
What they probably won’t tell you is the types of exercise their doctor recommended as alternatives. While severe conditions can prevent physical activity, exercise plays a crucial role in managing conditions like heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. The key is to speak with your loved one’s physician about what kinds of exercise will be safe for your loved one.

Excuse #3: “I’ve Got Too Many Aches and Pains Already”

Many seniors suffer from chronic soreness. Back, knee, and joint issues are some of the most common causes for these types of aches and pains. Physical activity can aggravate back and joint issues, and could even put your loved one at risk of injury, so many seniors just don’t take the risk.
As with chronic conditions, back and joint pain can be managed with the right kinds of exercise. Activities like water aerobics can prevent undue stress on your loved ones back, knees, or joints. If soreness is related to arthritis, your loved one’s doctor can recommend exercises that improve joint flexibility and reduce arthritis symptoms.

Excuse #4: “I Don’t Have the Energy”

Few seniors have the kind of energy they used to have at 20, 30, or even 50 years old. That can make it tough to motivate older adults to get active. Seniors who feel too tired or sluggish for exercise will sometimes say they’d love to get active… just not today.
Low energy levels can be a catch-22 when it comes to exercise. Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to boost energy, but exercise won’t help if seniors don’t have the energy in the first place. To help, you might consider starting with short burst of light exercise or encourage a healthier diet to improve energy levels. Sometimes, low energy can be due to a medical issue, so it is always wise to have your loved one consult their physician.
If you can’t be there to help motivate your loved one, you might want to consider senior caregiver services. At Visiting Angels, our caregivers are often provide seniors with the encouragement and motivation they need to get active. Contact your local office today to connect with caregivers in your area. 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise 4 Excuses Seniors Use with Caregivers to Avoid Exercise

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Aging in Place Solutions for Suburban Older Adults
Age-In-Place

Aging in Place Solutions for Suburban Older Adults

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Baby boomers begin to retire in large numbers. Their kids are adults and have lives of their own. The boomer contends with stairs, home maintenance, mowing lawns, and worrying about movability as driving becomes a nuisance. The graying of America will force the service industries to ramp up for needed solutions. Aging in Place Solutions for Suburban Older Adults

Over 49 million older Americans face the dilemma. Some will seek rentals in the urban district, while many will stay in the home they love planted in the suburbs. For those opting to age in place, the service industry must adapt and supply transportation, affordable housing, healthcare services, personal care options, and home maintenance choices to help meet the growing needs.

There are many unanswered questions and more hidden ones that need tackling as the boomer segment grows older with the desire to stay put. City officials, developers, and business leaders seem to forget about the suburbia residents. Governments and thought leaders focus instead on answering the demands of the urban society, not those tucked away in the sprawl.

Even investors, financial establishments and healthcare suppliers must magnify their thinking about the evolving needs of older Americans stuck in the outlying areas. They must recognize that seniors have urgent needs as they lose independence.

To help get the ball rolling on ideas that business leaders and government officials can chew on, I’ve asked several members of the Seniorcare.com Aging Council to offer up concepts that could solve the dire needs. The question posed to the experts,

“Adults want to age at home, and it’s particularly difficult for those living alone. What services would better meet the needs of senior couples and singles than what’s available today?”

Delivery Options

Communities need to recognize the opportunity; there are many ways small businesses can help. Grocery delivery, driving services, house cleaning and the shared economy can make this more accessible and affordable. We created a falls prevention coalition locally; this is an excellent way to educate (and provide resources) about the risk of falls, one of the fastest ways to derail plans to age at home. AgingWisely.com.

Another service that’s required is meal delivery for the senior without family support or other help. Adult day cares, family caregiver support for respite care, and regular wellness checks can be significant for older persons who remain at home. Updating homes to provide wheelchair ramps and widened doorways can be helpful. Senior-Planning.com.

Networking

Consider adopting the Village Model, which is a growing movement in the U.S., defined as a neighbor-to-neighbor system providing services such as transportation, home repairs, coordinating access to health and wellness, and planned social events. They’re designed to help older adults age in place in their homes and neighborhoods. Founded in the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston, there are now 205 Villages across the country and another 150 in development. CapitolConsultingLLC.com.

Living alone as you age is difficult, and providing companionship can be a big help. Local community residents could assist seniors in everyday tasks like grocery shopping, driving, and lawn mowing. Also, local city units could prioritize a community’s safety ordinance by ensuring safe sidewalks and create reliable, secure, and efficient public transportation. ALTCP.org.

Home Maintenance

Provide free or low-cost home helpers to do simple repairs like changing light bulbs that are up high, fixing broken locks and doors, and more home maintenance needs. SandwichINK.com.
We have seen examples across the country who are helping seniors who are aging in place including creating more livable communities. Suburban residents who form collaboratives to care for each other, help with home maintenance, friends encouraging socialization and giving help when assistance is needed are filling the gaps for those aging alone. SeniorCareCorner.com.

Transportation

Deliver more services geared to ride sharing and ride services which are an extremely significant support for the enhancement of socialization and shopping. HouseHoldGuardians.com.
Think “Depot,” fed by transportation (Uber, Lyft-types). Inbound: hub for services (a Third Place, recreation, day services, legal/financial/medical connections, lectures and classes, places to meet with professionals and friends. Outbound: hub from which could emanate telemedicine and outbound delivery (Uber and Lyft is now working with Walmart for grocery delivery), home health and case management. NavigateNC.com.

Local Support

Starting a dialogue in your community perhaps beginning by partnering with existing programs like the neighborhood association and the Area Office on Aging. Most of the time individuals are aware of the elderly couple in the neighborhood, but there may be apprehension on both ends about reaching out. Associations and AOA’s are trusted organizations that could work together to start a conversation. CaregiverSupportServices.com.

Build NORCs, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, today they’re found in urban areas where seniors congregate, and the services came to them. We now need to do the same in the suburbs. But key will be transport issues. Because even if the services are close by, unlike an urban area where you can walk to them, you will need delivery to access them. TheAgingExperience.com.

Aging in Place Solutions for the Suburban Older Adults

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Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age
Diet & Nutrition

Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

A healthy diet is as important during your twilight years as it is when you’re young. But if you’re like most of the aging population, you can’t eat like you once could. Your appetite might be less robust and your metabolism has probably slowed down some, which means that you’re more likely to gain weight even if you’ve maintained the same diet for years. Additionally, good senior care must focus on a healthy diet to support certain aging-related conditions and risks, especially the health of the heart, lungs, joints and bones. Making a few small adjustments to your diet will help make the natural effects of aging less stressful on the body. Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age

What Happens to Our Bodies When We Age?

Of course, everyone is different, but most people will experience some age-related health concerns within their lives. As we get older, harmful molecules, including free radicals and glucose, attack the body’s cells and cause permanent damage to our organs, skin, bones and muscles. When we were young, our bodies could ward off such molecules or quickly repair the damage, but they become less capable as we age. Here are some of the ways this damages healthy body function.

  • Our Metabolism Slows Down—Learning to adjust to a slower metabolism is important; it can cause you to store more weight and burn fewer calories. Maintaining a healthy body weight is key to preventing type 2 diabetes and keeping the heart in good shape. A high body mass index (BMI) is also linked to hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and even some cancers, so weight maintenance is definitely something to prioritize.
  • Our Appetites Diminish—When you were young, you probably couldn’t get enough to eat and maybe even had trouble with portion control. But many aging adults experience a diminishment in appetite, sometimes due to natural hereditary factors and sometimes due to external factors, like certain medications, depression and some medical conditions.
  • Diabetes Becomes a Serious Risk—Middle-aged and older adults are often at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Of course, certain foods affect glucose levels in certain ways, and very high or very low levels can be dangerous. There are some things you can do to preventdeveloping type 2 diabetes with age.
  • Heart Disease Becomes a Serious Risk—You often hear that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but interestingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 80 percent of deaths from coronary artery disease—a type of heart disease that causes the narrowing of the arteries—can be prevented. Diet is an important factor in heart disease prevention.

What to Eat as You Age: Quick Tips

As you can tell, the aging body isn’t exactly like the body you’ve lived in for most of your life; it needs a little bit of special care. Developing a healthy diet is one way that you can diminish your risk of certain diseases—especially type 2 diabetes and heart disease—but it can also help you feel better by improving your overall well-being and boosting your energy levels. Still, keep in mind that diet isn’t everything. Physical activity, the right medications and a solid care continuum— your family members, in-home caregivers, nursing home staff or doctors—will help you physically thrive.

  • Ditch the Salt—The USDA recommends that senior citizens consume a low-sodium diet and flavor foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Sadly, the dinner table staple can cause you to retain body weight, which causes your blood pressure to rise.
  • Drink Milk—Drinking three cups of fat-free or low-fat milk per day or getting the equivalent through yogurt, butter, cheese or lactose-free foods can help you rebuild your calcium supply. Calcium helps support healthy bones and teeth.
  • Eat Foods with Vitamin B12—Many seniors develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 because their bodies lose the ability to absorb it. But vitamin B12 is important; if you don’t have enough, you risk developing anemia, neuropathy and cognitive impairment. You’ll get vitamin B12 through fish, beef, milk, eggs and other foods.
  • Go “Heart-Healthy”—The American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet for overall heart health. It recommends plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry and fish, legumes and non-tropical vegetable oils, such as olive oil and canola oil.
  • Plan Your Meals—When you pre-plan your meals, you’ll find that you’re less likely to skip out on eating healthy because you’re faced with fewer choices on a day-to-day basis. For advice, we recommend checking out the resources available from the National Institute on Aging, including meal-planning tips and sample menus for older adults.
  • Don’t Forget the Vitamin D—Much like vitamin B12, vitamin D is vital for health but harder for the aging body to absorb. You can get more vitamin D through sunlight, supplements and foods such as cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, cheese and egg yolks. A vitamin D deficiency is dangerous and can lead to osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, muscle weakness, heart disease and other dangerous health conditions.
  • Fiber is Your Friend—Another thing that happens when we age is that our cholesterol levels rise. This can be addressed by eating high-fiber foods such as beans, almonds, oats, lentils, artichokes and fruits and veggies. Fiber also plays a role in controlling your blood glucose levels, which can help to prevent your risk of diabetes.

Taking care of your body during its most vulnerable time is a multi-step process. It requires close attention and self-care in every facet—from your mental health to the foods you eat—but it shouldn’t be burdensome or stressful. So long as you understand the very basic nutritional needs for aging, you’ll be well on your way to a diet that supports your body’s demands at every age.

Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age

Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age Tips on Healthy Eating as You Age

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Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors
Aging

Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Family relationships are important at every stage of life. But they’re important for different reasons at different ages. As we grow older, our circumstances change and the things we need from our family change with them. Strong family relationships give seniors a much-needed support system as age makes them increasingly vulnerable. These relationships are often essential to seniors’ emotional and mental well-being. They’re also associated with positive health outcomes, meaning a strong relationship with family can literally extend a senior’s life. Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors

How Seniors Benefit from Family Relationships

Aging comes with a number of unique circumstances and challenges. Growing older can make daily life more difficult. As a result, seniors tend to rely on their family members more and more as they age. Other changes also make it difficult for seniors to maintain a health social life outside of family.

  • Retirement can be a major disruption to seniors’ social lives. Many older adults don’t realize how much they rely on their coworkers for human interaction and how lonely it can feel to spend the workday at home. Strong family relationships provide seniors with a safety net for meaningful interactions and human contact.
  • Physical or cognitive difficulties can make day-to-day living difficult for seniors. If seniors have strong family relationships in place, they can rely on their family members to help them with things like housekeeping, errands, and personal interactions.
  • In their older years, many seniors find it harder and harder to maintain a healthy social life outside of their family. Mobility concerns make it hard for them to go out to meet friends, or make it hard for friends to go out and meet them. As friends pass away, social circles can become more restricted.
  • Even relatively healthy seniors are at increased risk of injury or illness. They depend on family to help with tasks that might be unsafe, to monitor for signs of sickness, and to help make the trip to the doctor or hospital.
  • Our world is changing more rapidly than ever, and it is extremely difficult for seniors to manage this rate of change. Seniors tend to rely on their family for help navigating cultural changes and new technologies, and seniors without strong family relationships in place can struggle to adapt.

When Family Relationships Aren’t Enough

Of course, some seniors aren’t able to maintain strong family relationships. In other cases, they maintain a strong emotional relationship with their family, but they live far away. This could be because children moved for a job or relationship, or because seniors relocated for retirement. As a result, they can’t rely on family for some of the things that other seniors would.
This isn’t always as bad as it seems. Some evidence shows that strong social relationships are just as effective as family relationships in terms of seniors’ health and well-being. While it can be tough to maintain these relationships in old age, many seniors manage thanks to strong social circles, organized clubs and activities, and involvement in their local community.
There are also senior services that offer many of the things that seniors rely on their families to provide. Non-profit organizations provide healthy meals and transportation. Companion care services can give isolated seniors much needed human interaction. And personal care workers can help seniors cope with age-related physical decline and disability.
If you are looking for senior services for your loved one, contact your local Visiting Angels. Our caregivers treat our clients with the same care and compassion as they would their own family members. We can make it easier to care for your aging parent or grandparent. Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors
Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors

Why Family Relationships are Important for Seniors

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Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors
Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

We use the bathroom every day … 365 days of each year. We cherish our bathroom time and depart much happier, yet this room is often the most dangerous place in your home. Being proactive with effective product solutions is the key to fall prevention.

For less than a dollar a day, you can equip your bathroom with all the necessary products to keep you safe. Make your bathroom happy and safe every day. Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

Do you know the BATHROOM HOT SPOTS? Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

HOT SPOT #1 – Get Some Leverage

If you have trouble getting on and off a chair, then you are also having trouble getting on and off a toilet. An elevated toilet seat and hand rails can make all the difference.

For a list of our commode options under Bathroom Safety Click Here

HOT SPOT #2 – Getting in and out of the Tub

Getting in and out of the tub or shower can be tricky, and holding onto the sink or towel rack isn’t safe. Using grab bars is a much better solution.

For a list of our grab bars options under Bathroom Safety Click Here

HOT SPOT #3 – Bathing Independently

Our tub or shower is our sanctuary, but without the proper safety equipment, this is another bathroom hot spot. Bath-seats, hand-held shower-heads and bath mats are a must!
Try our Ultimate Bathing Experience Kit to prevent falls in the tub and shower!

  1. Bath Seat
  2. Rubber Mat
  3. Bath Seat Basket
  4. Bath Seat Cushion
  5. Holder for Hand Held Shower
  6. Hand Held Shower

More information here: Ultimate Bathing Experience Kit

Top 10 Bathroom Safety Tips:

BE PROACTIVE. Over 60% of falls occur at home, with the majority occurring in the bathroom. Add safety measures BEFORE you have a fall.

1. Never lock your bathroom door. It could prevent someone from helping you promptly. Instead, use a Do Not Disturb sign.

2. Use an elevated toilet seat on the commode and a tub grab bar to get in and out of the bathtub.

3. A bath bench with a back provides comfort and safety when bathing or showering. This should be used with an 84” long hand held shower head.

4. Use a non-skid bath mat in the bathtub and shower floor.

5. Set water heater thermostats at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to avoid scalds.

6. Use shower gel instead of a bar soap that can slip out of your hands and on to the floor.

7. Install a nightlight that comes on automatically in dim light.

8. Replace faucet handles with easy to use levers and mark clearly with “hot” and “cold”

9. Remove all floor rugs that can slip or can catch your foot.

10. Get a Medical Alert System if you are living alone and a fall risk.

Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

 

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How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care
Caregiving

How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Elderly decline is a natural, if unfortunate, part of life. Decline in physical and cognitive function is an inevitable part of growing older, making day-to-day life increasingly difficult for seniors. Come a certain point, decline makes it unsafe for seniors to continue living without the support of senior care, either from family caregivers or a senior care agency. How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care
Decline often goes hand-in-hand with denial. Elderly decline is stressful on seniors and their family members, and many people use denial as a coping mechanism. But denial about elderly decline and the need for senior care isn’t just common — it’s also dangerous. Denial prevents elderly adults from getting the care they need, which can accelerate their decline, severely reduce their well-being, and put them at serious risk of illness and injury.

Understanding Denial & Senior Care

No one is immune from denial about elderly decline and the need for senior care. Denial is commonly experienced by declining seniors, and it can affect their spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and friends. Sometimes, denial from a single person is what undermines senior care. Other times, an entire family is in denial, creating a particularly difficult situation.
While denial is difficult to overcome, a greater awareness of how denial works can make it easier to recognize denial in yourself or others. The following information may help you better understand denial, how it relates to elderly decline, and how it compromises senior care efforts.

  • Denial occurs when a situation is too distressing for a person to accept. By minimizing or ignoring the problem, the person can avoid its emotional consequences.
  • Short-term denial can be healthy, as it gives a person time to emotionally process traumatic information. For instance, it may give an elderly adult the chance to subconsciously process the fact that they won’t be able to live on their own without assistance.
  • Denial becomes unhealthy if it continues long-term, or if it prevents urgently needed action. In cases of elderly decline, it can mean that a person does not get senior care services they desperately need.
  • Declining seniors who go into denial are often distressed that they may lose the ability to walk, retain memories, perform favorite activities, be self-sufficient, or continue living at home.
  • Family members of declining seniors may go into denial because they’re afraid of losing their loved one, because they worry about the costs of senior care, or because they feel unprepared to act as a caregiver.
  • Signs of denial include ignoring signs of a problem, treating signs of a problem as insignificant, or rationalizing reasons not to worry about signs of a problem.
  • It is extremely difficult for a person to recognize that they are suffering from denial or to convince them they are in denial, but the condition is often obvious to outsiders.

Overcoming Denial Around Elderly Decline

Have you noticed signs of denial about elderly decline and the need for senior care in your loved one, a family member, or even yourself? If so, there are strategies you can use to overcome it.
When dealing with another person in denial, it’s important to avoid anger or judgment whenever possible. Build a case around facts and evidence. Often, denial continues because a person avoids information that would prove the problem exists. Introducing this information could stop denial from persisting. If you can predict ways that the person might explain away or rationalize new information, you can also be prepared to show them why their way of thinking may be mistaken. Be prepared, however, for denial to continue despite intervention.
If denial persists, you might wish to schedule a senior care consultation with a care professional. An expert’s voice could be the difference maker your family member needs to see signs of decline for what they are. Typically, these consultations are provided at no cost and with no obligation to continue with senior care.
To learn about senior care options in your local area, or to book a free care consultation for your loved one, contact your local Visiting Angels today.

How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care

How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care

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