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

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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

Simple Healthy Lifestyle Choices Your Parent Can Make Every Day

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

March 21, 2018

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One of the most important things that you can do as a family caregiver helps your parent live a healthy lifestyle. Making good choices and taking responsibility for their health encourages your parent to live their best quality of life as they age in place. For many people, the thought of switching to a healthy lifestyle can seem daunting. Fortunately, this does not have to be the case. You can help your parent make simple healthy lifestyle choices every day, and a home care provider can support your parent in making and maintaining these choices.

 

Senior Care in Daleville AL: Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Senior Care in Daleville AL: Healthy Lifestyle Choices

 

Some simple healthy lifestyle choices that your parent can make every day include:

-Start the day with a healthy breakfast packed with protein. This will give your parent the sustained energy that they need to get through their morning and help to curb cravings that might lead them to overeat later

-Eat healthy, controlled snacks throughout the day to keep their blood sugar even, maintain energy levels, get in as much balanced nutrition as possible, and prevent overeating

-Cut out as many processed foods as possible and rely on whole ingredients

-Shoot for as many steps as they can each day. This can mean parking further out in parking lots, circling the block a few times each evening, or even just walking through the house during the day

-Avoid smoking

-Get in enough water. Don’t count beverages such as caffeinated coffee as part of their hydration for the day

-Avoid soda and other carbonated beverages

-Use germ control methods including washing their hands regularly, using waterless hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with people who have been ill, and keeping the home clean

-Choose cleaning products with natural ingredients more frequently than those with harsh chemicals as these chemicals can cause irritation to the skin, lungs, and eyes

 

If your aging parent has developed needs and challenges that you are unable to fulfill, a changing schedule has made it so that you are no longer able to give you a parent to the level of care that you previously could, your own limitations make it difficult to fulfill your care needs, or you simply believe that your parent would benefit from more diversified support and assistance, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them.

 

An in-home senior care services provider can be with your parent when it is right for them according to their needs as well as the care that you already give them. This enables them to give your parents a highly personalized set of services designed to specifically address their individual needs in the ways that are right for them. this care can include transportation, meal preparation, assistance with personal care needs, mobility support, medication reminders to help them to remain compliant, help with running errands, and more.

 

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

Six Activities for Grandparents to Do with Grandchildren

Posted in Home Care Services in Hartford AL, Senior Activities, Senior Care in Hartford AL, Senior Health, Senior Safety |

February 7, 2018

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Sometimes it’s hard for senior citizens to connect with their grandchildren. This can be especially true when seniors have conditions that affect their physical or cognitive abilities. They may not know what to do with their grandchildren that both will enjoy. Yet, it’s important for grandchildren and grandparents to spend quality time together. If your parent struggles to connect with their grandchildren, here are six activities for them to do together.

 

Senior Care in Hartford AL: Activities for Grandchildren

Senior Care in Hartford AL: Activities for Grandchildren

 

#1 Play Board Games

Board games are a great way to pass time while doing something fun. There are games available for every age level, even very young children. And, those games can also be fun for adults. If your parent has dementia, look for games with simple instructions. Games that rely on luck, such as dice rolls, are good choices. Games are also excellent for older adults with physical disabilities since they can be played sitting down at the table.

 

#2 Bake Cookies

Young children often enjoy cooking, and what’s better than a warm batch of cookies? Even cookies that are as simple as those made from refrigerator dough can be fun for both. If the senior has cognitive problems that make cooking difficult or unsafe, adapt the activity to make it easier. For example, the grandparent and grandchild could just frost and decorate the cookies together.

 

#3 Do Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are an easy way to keep hands busy but also allow for conversation. There are jigsaw puzzles for all age levels and with pictures that appeal to all kinds of people. Look for puzzles with pictures of things that the grandchild enjoys, which will make them more likely to want to do the puzzle.

 

#4 Go for a Walk

Taking a walk together gives the two generations a chance to talk. And, since there are things going on around them, if they are at a loss for something to talk about, those things might spark something.

 

#5 Play with the Dog

Dogs are a great way to bridge the gap between older and younger people. Playing fetch with a dog is sure to bring smiles to both. Dogs often make conversations come easier.

 

#6 Play Video Games

Video games aren’t just for children. There are lots of video games on the market that adults enjoy, too. Sports games, like bowling or tennis, are easy for older adults to play and can be played while sitting down.

An elder care provider can assist your aging parent with making connections with grandchildren, too. If the grandchildren live far away, an elder care provider can help the older adult to stay connected with them through social media or by writing letters. An elder care provider can also help the senior to prepare for a visit from a grandchild. They can take the senior shopping for cookie baking ingredients, or to purchase new games or puzzles.

 

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