One of the most heartbreaking things that adult children deal with is an aging parent that refuses in-home care. Not only is it heartbreaking, but it can also be the most frustrating. You’ve heard these stories before. Mom claims she doesn’t need help bathing and dressing, even though she struggles to do it herself. Dad doesn’t want anyone driving him to his appointments even though the doctor recommended it. You know your parent needs help, but how do you help a resistant loved one get the personalized elder care that they need? On one hand, you don’t want to force
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Archives for Senior Care Tips
Summer Health Tips for Seniors
Summer is just around the corner and it seems like the temperature intensifies with every passing year.
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Financial Tips for Caregivers
As more and more loved ones begin to reach their Golden Years, the number of caregivers needed to provide support for them continues to decline, according to aarp.com. And today, many Baby boomers are finding their roles changing faster than ever before. Statistics show that more than 25 percent of boomers in the U.S. are making the transition from child to caregiver and may not be fully prepared for the change. Maybe an older loved ones has been diagnosed with a long-term condition like Parkinson’s or dementia. Maybe they’ve had surgery or are facing a major life change and have to rely on the
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How Seniors Can Live Longer
We as Americans live almost twice as long today, as we did 100 years ago. And the longer our lifespan, the more likely it is that our older loved ones will develop chronic illnesses and health disorders. In fact, 13 percent of the population in the U.S. is comprised of people aged 65 years and older – and as the number of Baby Boomers entering their Golden years continues to increase, the problems associated with long-term health increase as well. The good news is that in many cases, seniors don’t have to suffer from age-related conditions such as arthritis, hip
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How A Personal Emergency Response System Can Help Maintain Independence
For older loved ones, finding a balance between achieving the independence they want and the getting assistance they need, is a quandary at best. We worry when parents or grandparents are living so far away on their own. What happens if they fall? If they’re suffering from a serious health condition, how quickly will first responders arrive in the event of an emergency? According to statistics, over 33 percent of accidents and falls involve people 65 years of age and older. While you don’t want to overstep your boundaries, it’s only natural to be concerned about the safety of your loved one. No matter if
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How Seniors Utilize Ride Sharing
With a large number of Americans over the age of 65, mobility continues to be a major issue for our growing population of older loved ones. According to statistics, 20 percent of seniors have no way of getting around due to age, lack of vehicle ownership or health. The problem increases as a majority of seniors are homebound, receiving in home services or personalized elder care and for others that live in areas with a lack of access to public transportation. Social isolation challenges the livelihood of the ones we love anytime they are without transportation. And when there are
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Preparing a Loved One with Dementia for Surgery
Life can be difficult for patients who live with dementia. Many times they suffer from conditions such as depression, short attention span, difficulty concentrating and planning and memory loss and confusion. And the possibility of having to undergo surgery, can be a traumatic experience – worsening some of the symptoms your loved one may already be experiencing. It’s normal for families to be apprehensive about the effects of anesthesia on seniors with the disease. They may fear that the drugs administered prior to surgery may cause or exacerbate memory loss and changes in behavior. What’s important to understand is that
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Staying Active in Your Golden Years
Staying fit is easier as we age when we make it a lifestyle choice. When exercise is a part of your senior’s everyday routine, not only do they develop the habit of working out, they’re much less likely to stop or interrupt it when it becomes a habit. But how do you help your loved one begin a fitness regimen, especially when they’re experiencing the aches and pains associated with arthritis and other conditions that affect health and mobility? FHC suggests consulting a doctor before beginning any work out plan. A brisk walk might be a good starting point
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How to be a Good Caregiver and Take Care of Yourself
The demands of a caregiver are often times greater than we realize when we start out. Not only are you meeting the needs of someone else by providing home care services like preparing a care plan, evaluating medical needs, monitoring medication, preparing meals, and providing transportation – you’re also in charge of taking care of yourself. But many times, those who care for other often forget to help themselves. And one of the first rules of caregiving is that those in your care benefit most when you’re at your best. Providing personalized elder care for a loved one, like a
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Care Tips for Keeping Track of Medications
The number of older Americans taking prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication is expected to rise significantly within the next few years. The food and Drug Administration reports that seniors purchase more than 30 percent of all prescription medication in the U.S; and the same age group also purchases over 40 percent of over-the-counter medications. Statistics show that about 90 percent of seniors take some form of medication – many of whom consume four to five different types each day. With the increase in consumption of medication, it’s now more important than ever for seniors to keep track of what they
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