Although of course we’d love to visualize enjoying a Norman Rockwell-worthy holiday gathering, with all of our family members spending quality time together and Mom’s traditional holiday feast, the reality for numerous family gatherings instead can consist of something unanticipated: an E/R visit. In fact, research shows that E/R visits for seniors rise about 10 – 20% over the holiday season. That’s why it’s so important to take holiday safety…
Enriching Activities for Seniors that Promote Purpose and Self-Worth
Perform an online search for the term “activities for seniors” and you’ll likely find a number of games, crafts, memory-stimulating puzzles, and of course, the requisite bingo. What you won’t find, unless you really search much longer, are the purposeful, philanthropic activities that bring meaning and enrichment to our lives. And yet, if you ask aging adults what they would most want to do, the majority of them will not…
Increasing Senior Self-Confidence Through Meaningful Activities
“Here, let me help you with that.” “Take it easy and don’t overdo it!” “You just sit down and rest; I’ll take care of that.” How many times have we made statements just like these to senior loved ones, with the very best of intentions, of course? We want to do whatever possible in an effort to help our older loved ones, to keep them safe and to take care…
Long Distance Caregiving: How to Prepare to Help Aging Parents From Far Away
Living far away from senior loved ones can make the need for help at home easier to overlook. As a matter of fact, many adult children of older parents never even realize that Mom and Dad need assistance until they come home for a visit or spend a longer period of time together during the course of the holiday season. If you are a family caregiver who lives far apart…
The Sandwich Generation and Making Caregiving Manageable
Are your senior parents in need of care? At the same time are you attempting to meet the needs of children and family at home? If so, you are a member of the sandwich generation – a demographic of men and women, usually in their 30s or 40s, who are now responsible for raising their own children while simultaneously providing care for their senior parents. The to-do lists of this…
Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers During COVID-19
Providing home care services for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be complicated under the best of conditions; add in a global pandemic, one that calls for social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and intensive sanitation of both ourselves and our home environment, and the challenge might seem insurmountable. Advanced Home Health Care’s dementia care team provides the following tips for Alzheimer’s caregivers to help keep both seniors and…
Facts and Myths About Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults
Urinary incontinence in seniors can be an embarrassing subject for those who experience it. The preconception behind the problem frequently contributes to individuals having either a lack of facts or believing in some common myths about incontinence. Following are some incontinence myths and the facts to be aware of instead:
Home Modifications to Help Seniors Impacted by Reduced or Low Vision
Among all of our senses, our vision is probably the one for which we’re most grateful. So much of our life’s experiences are a result of the things we notice in the world around us. Our sight also safeguards us from a variety of risks. Reduced or low vision can make it more problematic to avoid the dangers and barriers we come across, both within and outside of the home.
Tips for Coping with a Chronic Illness as an Older Adult
Have you ever started your day and thought, “It’s likely to be one of those days!” Perhaps your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater decided to quit working, and the dog chewed up one of your favorite shoes overnight. Now envision if every day were “one of those days!” For an individual coping with a chronic illness (and that’s much of the senior population), daily struggles and challenges…
New Chronic Disease Care Management Approach Puts Patient’s Goals First
Regarding chronic diseases, seniors are usually the experts, hands down, with as many as three out of four older persons impacted by a number of conditions that are ongoing, require extensive medical attention, and put limitations on activities. With the continuous barrage of bloodwork and other exams, physicians’ appointments and procedures and medications, chronic disease care management often takes both a physical and emotional toll, and that can quickly become…