Valentine Activities Caregivers and Seniors Can Do Together

Posted in Elder Care in Daleville AL, Homecare in Daleville AL |

February 6, 2020

| by

One of the ways people in the United States mark the changes of seasons and passing of time is by celebrating holidays and traditions. People have been celebrating Valentine’s Day for centuries. In fact, the holiday dates back to around A.D. 270 and the legend of St. Valentine. 

 

Homecare in Daleville AL: Valentine Activities

Homecare in Daleville AL: Valentine Activities

 

As one story goes, Valentine was a priest during the time of Roman Emperor Claudius II.
The emperor made it illegal for young men to get married because he thought that single men made better soldiers. Valentine believed the new law was unjust, so he continued to marry young lovers in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine put to death. People started sending written Valentine’s Day greetings around the 1400s. In the 1900s, printed cards replaced the once handwritten notes and tokens of affection as the Valentine of choice.

 

As a caregiver, you can help your older family members to follow their Valentine’s Day traditions or form new ones. In addition, caregivers and seniors can form new memories of their own by trying new Valentine’s-Day-themed activities.

Below are some ideas for seniors and caregivers to do together to celebrate the day.

 

Bake Heart-Shaped Cookies

Baking is an excellent activity for caregivers and seniors to do together. Even if baking isn’t a favorite activity of the older adult, they often enjoy the baked goods or sharing them with people they love, like grandchildren or a favorite neighbor. Bake a batch of rollout cookies cut into the shape of hearts. Then, sit with the senior and invite them to help you frost and decorate the cookies. If the cookies are to be delivered to someone else, take the senior with you to present them. The smile on the recipient’s face may make their day.

 

Create Homemade Valentines

As a child, your aging relative probably made Valentines for classmates and sweethearts. Help them return to this tradition by making Valentines with them. Purchase red, pink, and white construction paper to cut hearts from. Decorate them with glitter, stickers, ribbons, and lace.

 

Decorate the House

Decorating the house can make the holiday feel more special. It also helps to remind older adults with cognitive issues what time of the year it is. Seniors and caregivers can make their own decorations or purchase them from a store. If the older adult has dementia, be sure to keep decorations somewhat simple since making the environment too busy can be confusing for them. In addition, be sure that decorations are hung safely to prevent a fire or an injury caused by tripping over something.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Daleville, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

https://www.history.com

Four Osteoporosis Myths You Need Busted

Posted in Elder Care in Daleville AL, Home Care Services in Daleville AL |

July 18, 2019

| by

Osteoporosis is a condition that lots of people have heard about, but few people know much about. They know it has something to do with bones, but the details are a little murky. Busting these osteoporosis myths can help your senior to get the treatment that she needs now in order to avoid a fracture or other complications from osteoporosis.

 

Home Care Services in Daleville AL: Four Osteoporosis Myths

Home Care Services in Daleville AL: Four Osteoporosis Myths

 

Only Women Get Osteoporosis

Lots of people believe that only women get osteoporosis. But the truth is that anyone can develop this bone-weakening disease. There are a lot of factors that go into developing osteoporosis, so it’s important to talk to your senior’s doctor about those risk factors and how they apply to your senior. Gender is not a protection from developing this health condition.

 

Osteoporosis Is Nothing to Worry About

Osteoporosis is a health issue that lots of people have heard about but may not actually know much about. The big details to know are that the condition softens your senior’s bones, causing them to become weaker. If she falls or even bumps into something too hard, that means she’s much more likely to fracture those bones. Big bones are just as vulnerable as smaller bones and a fracture could mean surgery or a long hospital stay.

 

Osteoporosis Has Lots of Warning Signs

There aren’t a lot of warning signs with osteoporosis unless your senior has already broken a few bones or she’s been diligent about having her bone density tested. People with a family history of osteoporosis are much more likely to develop it themselves. Also, having had a limited diet for many years can cause a weakening in the bones. The best thing to do is to have bone density tests done so your senior knows what she’s up against.

 

Osteoporosis Is Rare

The causes of osteoporosis are definitely not rare, and neither is osteoporosis itself. There are a lot of people at risk of developing osteoporosis and they’re a variety of ages. Your senior is more likely to start showing symptoms now, but she may have been developing osteoporosis for years before now.

It’s really important that your senior pays attention to fall prevention if she’s at risk of developing osteoporosis. Elder care providers can help you both to spot potential issues in her home. They can also take over tasks that have become difficult for her so that she doesn’t put herself at risk of falling.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Daleville, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

How Can I Help My Aging Relative Avoid Loneliness? 

Posted in Elder Care in Daleville AL, Home Care in Daleville AL, Senior Activities, Senior Care in Daleville AL, Senior Health, Senior Loneliness |

April 5, 2018

| by

Loneliness is not usually something that people believe can affect a person’s physical health.

However, studies show that chronic loneliness leaves a lasting impact on the body. Elderly adults are most likely to experience loneliness day after day due to several factors. The good news is that family caregivers can do a lot to make sure their aging relative can avoid loneliness.

 

Elder Care in Daleville AL: Seniors and Loneliness

Elder Care in Daleville AL: Seniors and Loneliness

 

Because loneliness has the potential to negatively affect the health and wellness of elderly adults, family caregivers must take an active role in promoting social interaction for them. Because many seniors are limited by illness, injury and the effects of aging, the need help to stay active and involved socially.

Here are some ways that family caregivers can help their aging relatives avoid loneliness:

 

Arrange for Transportation

One of the main causes of loneliness in elderly adults is that they are physically isolated. Often, they are no longer able or willing to drive to do something social. If they can’t go see their friends, attend a community event or make it to family gatherings, it is really hard to maintain those social connections. Family caregivers can arrange to give them rides or hire a home care assistant that can drive the elderly adult anytime they need to go.

 

Adopt a Pet

Numerous studies show the health benefits of owning a dog or cat and seniors can especially benefit. Seniors are less likely to be depressed and enjoy better health with a pet in their lives. Pets, especially dogs, are an excellent way for seniors to get up and out the door, meeting people in parks and on walks.

 

Encourage Hobbies

Many hobbies take place in a social setting, so if elderly adults are beginning to feel the effects of isolation, family members can encourage them to maintain or start one. From quilting, scrapbooking, and dancing to photography, genealogy, and golf, hobbies provide seniors with a sense of purpose and the motivation to get involved.

 

Adapt to Physical Limitations

Many seniors stop being social because they physically can’t overcome the effects of old age enough to engage. Examples include poor vision, hearing loss, or bad balance. Other factors like arthritis, diabetes, incontinence, chronic pain and more may make seniors feel like they are better off staying home. Different adaptive technology, from hearing aids and wheelchairs to incontinence supplies and cataract surgery can give seniors confidence in socially integrating once again.

 

Hire a Home Care Assistant

Family members may want to spend all kinds of time with their aging relative but other responsibilities prevent that. One of the best ways to alleviate loneliness in the elderly adult is to work out in-home care services with a reputable agency. Not only can a home care aide clean, cook and drive, but they can be companions. Professional home care aides will show interest and compassion for seniors and make sure they are not so socially isolated.

Family caregivers don’t need to worry about loneliness overcoming their aging loved one when they take steps to help. Especially with a home care aide on the scene, seniors can enjoy a rich and a fulfilling social life for many years.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Daleville, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Source:

https://www.aarp.org