The Visit: Why It’s Important

Why is it important to visit seniors who are being cared for at home?

It's important because just like seniors in a residential facility, they are often isolated from the greater world and need additional facetime. Here are some of the positive aspects of visiting seniors regardless of where they are living.

Welfare Checks

One of the most basic values of a visit is that the person who is visiting can look for any signs of unsafe conditions or even various types of elder abuse.

They may notice when they're at home that something is awry. Some of these involve environmental conditions – you might see that a large branch has fallen across the yard, or that some home system isn't working the way it is supposed to. There are many types of things that seniors may not be able to see themselves or fix themselves until they become dangerous.

Listening

People have an inner desire to be listened to. They want people to know how their life is going, and what they're doing day to day. The visit also accommodates this kind of need.

Encouragement

At the same time, the visitor can encourage people to reach out of their comfort zones or challenge themselves to develop a better quality of life. It's easy, when isolated, to get used to a minimum standard of activity. But that only creates a vicious circle where you become less able to do more things. Seniors who want to remain self-reliant and capable will want to push themselves not too hard, but just hard enough. That encouragement can make all the difference.

Assistive Visits

As professionals we know that visits from friends and family are assistive to the work that we do on a daily basis. Simply put, our staff love it when they get help from people who know a senior and are willing to stop in and check on him or her in the home.

Another set of eyes is always valuable and important!

And we know from experience that the family context and social context for a senior makes all the difference in their care. Having more of a support network translates to better outcomes across the board. This includes better outcomes and longevity, but also better outcomes in eating and sleeping and everything else.

So part of our philosophy and approach is to be joyful about seniors having outside connections to people who can do part of the work to support them because they care.

We fill in the gaps with qualified trained staff who are on a mission to support people aging in place. Ask us about how we care for seniors at Like Family Home Care and how our mission translates into a good environment for our people. 

Easy Tips to Motivate Seniors to Participate in Activities

Seniors will always need to participate in some form of relaxing activity that they will enjoy. Hobbies are essential for stress relief, improving self-esteem and confidence, providing a sense of accomplishment, and allowing seniors to explore their hidden talents.

However, as some seniors get older, they will eventually lose interest in things they once loved. They could also feel depressed and refuse to leave their room during the daytime. How can you restore happiness in your aging loved one? Read along to discover easy tips that you can use to motivate seniors to participate in fun daily activities.

Understand Their Likes and Dislikes

Keep in mind that seniors will not all enjoy the same activities. Make a note of the type of activities that your loved one enjoys. You should also take into consideration if the senior is still capable of participating in a particular activity. For example, some of the most stimulating activities for seniors include crafting, exercising, music and dancing, and playing cards. The more you learn about the preferences of your loved one, the easier it will be for them to get more involved in daily activities.

Encourage Daily Walks

It is known that seniors gain enormous benefits from taking walks every day. Daily walking may help to improve heart health, manage weight, strengthen bones, improve mental health, and increase social engagement. Some seniors can be so stuck in their daily routines that they could neglect this important activity. You can overcome this issue by gently reminding your loved one to go on daily walks for at least thirty minutes. This is a great physical activity that enables your aging one to have fun outside and achieve general health.

Encourage Cooking and Baking

Cooking and baking are relaxing activities that make seniors feel independent and useful. There is nothing more enticing than cooking a delicious meal in the kitchen that evokes wonderful memories and family traditions. You can also encourage your aging loved one to provide you with a few cooking lessons. Learning cooking lessons is a fun hobby that brings you closer to your loved one and helps you to share an activity that you both enjoy. 

Play With Them

Another effective technique that you can use to motivate your loved one is by playing games. There are so many games that you can play with your loved one. For example, you can play mind-stimulating games such as checkers, Trivia quizzes, word puzzles, video games, and so much more.

Key Takeaway

You can show ongoing support to your loved ones by helping them to get the most out of life during their declining years. You must think of effective techniques that you can use to get seniors more involved in normal activities. This makes it much easier for them to spend less time feeling bored and to be more active. Seniors can explore so many activities that will keep them occupied for hours and help them to embrace their new lifestyle.

How To Help an Elderly Loved One Combat Social Isolation and Loneliness

Many senior citizens make the decision to age in place. While growing old in a home they’re familiar with is beneficial for a senior citizen, it can also pose some unique challenges. Staying positive and keeping their minds sharp can be challenging for an elderly person living alone. If a senior citizen is living by themselves, they might start to feel a bit isolated.

A recent study found that nearly 40 percent of senior citizens feel lonely on a regular basis. Scientists have linked feelings of isolation and loneliness to serious conditions like depression and dementia. Are you trying to help an elderly loved one combat loneliness and feelings of isolation? If so, here are some things you need to try.

Think About Hiring an In-Home Care Service

Aging in place can get increasingly challenging for a senior citizen. There might come a time when an elderly person finds it challenging to cook or clean. If you want to help your elderly loved one with these tasks and provide them with more opportunities to socialize, then hiring an in-home care service is a good idea. By hiring an in-home care service, you can send a competent and friendly professional into your elderly loved one’s residence to lend a helping hand.

Hiring an in-home care service can also provide benefits like:

·       A greater sense of independence for a senior citizen

·       Personalized care

·       Relief for family caregivers

·       A higher degree of safety

If you feel like your elderly loved one needs some extra help around the house, then it is time to reach out to the team at Like Family Home Care.

Teach Your Elderly Loved One To Use Technology

Over the past decade, humans around the world have been exposed to new methods of communicating. In the past, face-to-face meetings were the only way a person could catch up with friends and family members. With the rise of video chat tools like Google Duo, Skype and Zoom, people are able to get some face time with their loved ones without leaving the privacy of their homes.

Teaching your elderly loved one how to use these modern tools is a great idea. Being able to video chat with friends and family members can help a senior citizen combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Make Time For Your Aging Friend or Family Member

If you truly want to help an aging loved one combat loneliness, you have to make time for them. Most American adults have an extremely busy schedule. Instead of letting the hustle and bustle of everyday life get in the way of spending time with your loved ones, you need to carve out some time for them.

Visiting your loved one and taking them to a nice dinner or to run a few errands is a great idea. These visits will also provide you with an opportunity to make memories with your aging friend or family member.

With some hard work and the help of an in-home care service, you can help your elderly loved one combat loneliness.

A Real Person: In-Home Care And Compassion

What do you think in-home care is like? Well, what does it look like on television?

We think that in some cases, television actually does a good job of portraying home care situations, because it focuses on those social interactions that are so important to seniors living at home. On the other hand, sometimes things look a lot easier and quicker on TV! In reality, it takes dedication to do this job well day in and day out, and really keep the welfare of the elderly in mind. We are up to the challenge – because we believe in what we are doing.

The Daily Routine

Part of the task of being an in-home caregiver is participating in someone's daily routine. For seniors, this often means medication, meals and helping them to take care of themselves and their properties, in whatever ways they can.

The caregiver is key in all of this as a regular visitor to the home. He or she can start to spot problems as they develop, and provide that support for maintaining a certain quality of life in the home. In some cases, nobody else is there to do that!

Logistics and Task Lists

Then there are the actual processes that seniors may need help with. This includes meal preparation and nutritional help. Caregivers are often involved in assessing someone's diet and looking at how they can provide their meals in a healthy way.

Transportation is a big deal, too, for people who need to go to doctors’ offices or anywhere else.

Caregivers may also be involved in assessing housekeeping goals and helping with this result.

But above and beyond this, they are real people who show up in real situations. The social component is beyond important in this type of business, and we know this, so we take care to hire people who understand that need.

Another way to say this is that there is a profound emotional component to caring for seniors. They are essentially stuck in their homes to a certain extent, even if they've made the conscious decision to stay there. As elderly people age, they may lose certain kinds of mobility and capabilities that they previously enjoyed. So the caregiver helps fill the gaps and maintain that quality of life!

Talk to us about what’s best for mom or pop, or any family member or loved one who needs special assistance in their home.

Common Types Of Senior Care Options

Helping aging parents and loved ones make good lifestyle decisions is an overwhelming and emotional task. Often, seniors face a myriad of health, social, and financial issues that prompt changes in living arrangements. Understanding the most common differences between the different types of senior care options will help you and your loved one make the best decision for everyone involved. 

Aging In Place

Aging in place is the term used to describe living in the comfort of your home. Often, modifications to the home must be made so that the aging person can safely live at home over time. Home care services also provide various services to help seniors remain at home, including health care, emotional support, housework support, transportation, and more, creating a support system for seniors and their families. 

Family Caregiving

This option involves utilizing family caregivers rather than professional caregivers or a facility, though it can incorporate a combination of services. For example, a senior may age in place and have a family member visit regularly or sit with them during the night. It also could be when the senior moves into a family member's home and home care services are used as needed. 

Active Communities

An independent senior who wants to live in a home-like environment yet needs social support could move into an active adult community. In active communities, seniors typically live in independent residential housing such as apartments, condos, and townhomes that are rented or owned. While social services and recreational activities are available, active communities do not provide medical services. 

Independent Living

Independent living provides more on-site services such as social and recreational activities, dining, security, fitness centers, and other amenities seniors can enjoy. Seniors who require some assistance yet are capable of living on their own do well in independent living communities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities offer seniors multiple choices of care in resort-style amenities. These communities allow residents to move from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care as their needs change.

Assisted Living

If more hands-on care is needed than independent living provides, assisted residence delivers services seniors need to help with daily tasks but do not have serious medical needs. Assisted living facilities also provide meals and transportation to medical and other appointments. 

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes feature many of the services as other facilities but provide 24/7 skilled nursing to residents. These facilities are regulated with hours for visitation and security for residents in a clinical setting. Nursing homes are best for seniors requiring around-the-clock care in a safe environment. 

Memory Care

With the increase in memory-related aging diseases, memory care facilities are meeting the needs of seniors who may otherwise be healthy yet can not live independently. These care facilities are specifically for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, as their needs differ from those who don't have cognitive impairments. 

Tips For Preparing Your Home To Move Elderly Loved One In With Ease

Often, families must make decisions regarding the living arrangements of an elderly loved one. Many people choose to have their elderly family members move into their homes to assist them in the later stages of life. If you have an elderly family member moving into your home, specific preparations should be made to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some tips that help you prepare your home for your elderly family member. 

Declutter Your Space

Decluttering your home is an essential first step for your elderly loved one's arrival. Since seniors are often unsteady on their feet, you will need to remove as many potential obstacles and trip hazards as possible. Decluttering and paring down your belongings in your home also helps you create room for your loved one's belongings and space for them to feel comfortable. Remove your personal items from the room that you've designated for your loved one, such as a spare room, guest house, den, etc., so they will have a clean space to move into. 

Designate A Ground-floor Room 

If possible, designate a ground-floor room in your house to be the primary living quarters for your elderly family member. Seniors tend to experience mobility issues that make navigating stairs a daunting and dangerous task. Take safety and logistics into account to determine the appropriate place in your house that affords your loved one easy access to the kitchen and bathroom. Also, consider moving out some of your furniture to accommodate better any of your loved one's favorite things to help them acclimate to their new abode. 

Consider Adding Mobility Aids

Even if your elderly family member does not need mobility aids currently, you should consider adding them to meet their future needs. Some simple mobility aids include handrails in the bathroom and along hallways and an entrance ramp to your house. More advanced mobility aids such as modified toilets, sit-down showers, and stairlifts may be required to ensure your loved one's safety in the home. Please talk with your elderly family member about their needs and note how they move within the space they currently live. 

Home Care Transition

If your elderly family member receives home care services, make sure you meet with the provider well in advance to discuss your plans. In-home elderly care providers can assist you in developing a plan to ensure your loved one transitions to living in your home with ease.

How to Spot Malnutrition in Seniors and How You Can Help?

It’s estimated that around 16% of Americans aged 65 or older eat under 1000 calories a day. This also means that almost everyone in this category is at risk for malnutrition. 

Your body doesn’t require as many calories as it once did as you age. While this is true, it does require more B vitamins, calcium, and protein than it did in the past (along with other essential nutrients). Seniors are especially at risk of malnutrition because their dietary needs differ from younger adults. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of these differences – including their caregivers. 

There is some good news. Caregivers can take some practical steps to help ensure their senior loved one or patient does not become malnourished. 

Signs of Malnutrition in Seniors 

There are a few signs and indications that your senior loved one or patient may be struggling with malnourishment. These include:

• Unintentional weight loss

• Lower body weight

• Muscle weakness

• Clothes that no longer fit well

• Falls

• Lack of energy or depression

• Issues with chewing and swallowing

• Issues with memory

• Old or expired food in the home

• Dry, cracked skin

• Frequent illness

• Not remembering the last time they ate

If you notice these signs, it is time to act and help ensure your senior loved one or patient begins eating a healthy diet that will ensure they get the nutrients they need. 

How You Can Help

Some of the ways that you can help a senior who is malnourished or at risk of this can be found here. 

Prepare Food for the Senior

It’s a good idea to make sure the senior has food ready to eat at all times. You should try to focus on foods that will be easy for them to swallow, like smoothies, yogurt, soups, and other softer food items. 

Pick Up Groceries 

Pick up groceries each week for a senior or arrange to have them delivered to their home. If needed, help them put all the items away. You can also order a meal delivery program for them, which ensures they have everything they need for healthy meals three times a day. 

Ensure They Have Access to Snacks

You should make sure that seniors have access to healthy snacks for in-between meals. This should include things like seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and protein. 

Encourage Friends and Family Members to Visit

If you provide a senior with senior care services, you should encourage family and friends to visit when you aren’t there. Not only will this help with making sure the senior is eating, but also ensure they don’t fall or experience some other type of accident while you are away. 

Making Sure a Senior Doesn’t Experience Malnourishment 

As a caregiver for a senior, it’s your job to help ensure the senior is happy and healthy. This includes making sure they eat enough to avoid malnourishment. Keep the tips above in mind to ensure a senior does not experience this problem.

Four Fall Prevention Safeguards For Seniors At Home

We get it-  mom and dad often want to stay at home, because it's what they know.

 In fact, there’s a broader trend these days for seniors to stay in their own homes, especially if they have some semblance of mobility later in life.

 To some extent, people's preservation of their range of motion indicates whether they can stay in a home or whether they need to skilled nursing care facility.

 In any case, here are three important fall prevention considerations for when an aging person is staying in their home.

 Ramp with Rail

 One key fall prevention method is replacing a traditional stairway with a ramp, and making sure that a secure handrail is available to guide seniors up and down.

 One of the best examples is a front door that is elevated from the ground.

 Typically speaking, there is a small set of stairs that people navigate in order to go in and out of the house.

 Many of the best ramps that are placed over the stairways are secure metal designs made with a standard for ADA compliance.

 These can be added to the property in order to protect seniors who are living there.

 Floor Grip Installations

 It's generally recommended that people who are protecting senior family members or others remove loose rugs and runners on the floor of a home (which is usually a one level house.)

 As an additional safeguard, you can install high grip surfaces that help seniors to gain traction as they move.

 ADA Bathroom

 Another of the most vulnerable parts of the house is the bathroom.

 Adding handrails and ADA shower facilities will also help to protect your elderly loved one from falling.

 Stair Climber Lifts

 Stair climbing chairs are a must for multilevel buildings. One of the greatest forests is a full flight of stairs, which unfortunately contains its own significant hazards for anyone with decreased mobility.

 When getting someone to a one level building is impossible, these stair lifts are a workable way to move a senior individual around a building. Some other types of lifts often also have ceiling mounted designs that are useful.

 Ow do you make mom or dad safe at home? Talk to Like Home Care Arizona for help in the state of AZ with senior living plans. Having a plan now can help you to rest easy later, while your elderly loved one stays securely in his or her home.