When illness strikes in a family around the holidays, it can be tempting to put everything on hold. After all, how can anyone celebrate when Grandma or Grandpa have found themselves in the hospital? The holidays are stressful enough without additional issues adding to it and celebrating without a family member might not feel right. Well, families and caregivers need to push all of that aside and focus on celebrating the season and overcoming seasonal stress; maintaining family traditions and getting on with normal activities is essential for the health of the family!

1. Stick with tradition – if your family is not what it used to be with members of the family absent or in poor health, it might not feel right to stick with family traditions over the holidays. However, maintaining tradition brings a sense of normalcy to the whole family which can alleviate the stress of the season

2. Don’t try to do it all – while sticking with some tradition is healthy for families struggling through tough situations with their senior relatives, it’s not necessary to do it all. Families should ensure they’re not taking on too much to add any additional stress

3. Adapt to senior’s needs – even if an elderly loved one can’t attend a holiday gathering, if they are in a hospital or nursing home, find out if you can decorate to bring the holidays to them. Bring over a holiday plant, string Christmas lights, or bring over a holiday treat (diet appropriate).

Via: Associated Content

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

For many seniors, isolation is a normal part of their lives in older adulthood. It’s more challenging for them to get around, so they remain at home and give up many of the social activities that they once greatly enjoyed. Some find it harder to communicate over the phone due to physical issues like hearing loss, so they don’t. For these seniors, life becomes lonely and can drive them into the arms of depression.

Today, it doesn’t need to be that way. Seniors can take advantage of the internet that brings many social networking sites and communication tools that allow them to keep in touch with the most important people in their lives – friends and family – and also form new bonds with others they can relate to. With only approximately 42% of people aged 65 and older using the internet, there is hope that with a greater acceptance of technology, older adults can improve their quality of life and health, and feel like they remain part of something bigger than themselves.

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

Money: something that very few want to talk about, because it’s something that most people worry about. But, if you’re looking into moving an elderly relative into your home permanently, the financial details of your arrangement need to be ironed out early on so that money isn’t that thing that comes between you. Here are some guidelines for discussing financial affairs with a senior that you’re planning to live with:

1. Bridge the topic gently – ensure that finances are discussed before the move happens, but don’t approach it like finances might change your motivations or your ability to care for your loved one

2. Set the standards – discuss what percentage of the household bills your senior will be responsible for. It might not be fair to ask an elderly parent to pay half of the mortgage and utility bills if there are 4 people in your immediate family, and they are just one; but you can ask them to pay one-fifth, or another number that is agreeable to everyone

3. Keep separate bank accounts, but create a common fund – don’t expect that a senior living with you is going to merge their bank account; having their own finances maintains their sense of independence and purpose. However, you can create a joint fund that all contributors can add to in order to make monthly bill payments easier

Via: Guide for Seniors and Boomers Who Live With Them

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

Often working caregivers feel like they can barely keep their heads above water, they’ve got so much on their plates. Few would change their lives for the world, but there is one thing that they would give up if they could – and that’s stress. Caregivers are often stressed, but it doesn’t always have to be a way of life if caregivers know how to manage it effectively. With these basic survival tools that focus on the needs of caregivers, it’s possible for them to put themselves and their needs back on the radar!

1. Take care of yourself with diet and exercise – eat well throughout the day, and no matter how busy you are, don’t skip meals, otherwise your energy levels will drop. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes, and pick something that you enjoy doing (walking, biking, aerobics class)

2. Walk away – you won’t walk away permanently from your care responsibilities, but you can take a step back when you need to. Take a break, even if just for a few minutes, or have someone else step in to provide respite care

3. Seek help – 72% of caregivers refuse to receive outside help with their responsibilities; don’t be one of them. Ask a family member to step in and help, or hire a professional home caregiver to give you a break. Also, don’t be afraid to lean on others when you’re stressed, even if it means joining a support group

4. Spoil yourself – reward yourself for all of your hard work, once a week or once a month, go get a massage, have a manicure, go to a movie, or take a hot bath with a glass of wine. Do something that helps you rejuvenate!

5. Don’t neglect your health – remember to get yourself to the doctor regularly, especially if you’re feeling ill. You’ll be better help to a senior when you’re in one piece!

Via: Caregiver Stress

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

Most seniors live on a fixed income in older adulthood, and with little money coming in, and lots going out towards living and health care expenses, it’s especially important to be aware of every cent that’s spent and learn how to stretch every dollar further. Here are 10 tips for budgeting on a fixed income for seniors!

1. Talk to a professional – talking to a financial planner, either by using a service or speaking with one provided by a local branch of your bank can help you make sure you plan to meet your financial goals and needs. For example, they can help you get on track saving for future medical or care needs.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – if you’re struggling to cover your basic needs then your local Area Agency on Aging can connect you with resources that can help

3. Find ways to reduce utility costs – keep blinds down and windows and doors closed to preserve optimal temperatures for your house

4. Walk, don’t drive – taking a car or public transportation can be more costly, so walk when possible and benefit your health and your wallet

5. Never make fast financial decisions – always ask for a second opinion before making decisions

6. Grow your own produce – plant a garden in your yard, a family member’s garden, or in a community plot to grow your own produce and cut down on food costs

7. Buy healthy items – convenient, pre-prepared items might be fast and easy, but they are less healthy and often  more expensive

8. Buy generic – generic brands are less expensive, purchase them for foods and for your medications

9. Carpool – it’s more fun to travel places with company anyways; share transportation costs by carpooling!

10. Plan to stay at home – aging in place is the more desirable option for most seniors, and it can be more cost-effective too

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

The brain can slow down a little bit as you get older, as a result in changing cognitive function. But you don’t have to accept those changes as a part of your life; it can compromise your memories and the enjoyment you get out of life, so try these tips to improve your brain function:

1. Eat with your brain in mind – it’s not just our bodies affected when we make bad food choices, are minds are affected as well. To boost your brain power, start the day with a meal that contains protein by including eggs, nuts (like peanut or almond butter), or lean protein from animals. For lunch and dinner, include protein that contains Omega 3 fatty acids like tuna, salmon or sardines. With meals, try organic foods and whole grains

2. Sleep well – sleep improves brain function greatly, it might be something taken for granted, but it’s crucial to overall health, both mind and body! Getting 8 hours of good sleep per night is crucial for seniors, no matter what it takes!

3. Use vitamins to your advantage – since our diets don’t always provide the essential number of vitamins and nutrients for optimal brain functioning, multi-vitamins can fill the void. Your multi-vitamin should have the following nutrients in these quantities provide the greatest benefit:  omega 3 fats (1,000 mg of fish oil), vitamin D3 (2,000 IU), calcium (600 mg), magnesium (400 mg) and B vitamins like folic acid, B6 and B12.

4. Learn how to turn off – whether you’re a senior or a caregiver, you lead a busy life; learn how to turn off to relax and rejuvenate, your brain will thank you and you’ll find yourself more productive

5. Think green – while green vegetables are of course beneficial to health, it’s green living we’re referring to here. Avoid environmental toxins and pollutions, which the brain is sensitive to.

Via: AOL Health

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

If you know someone who is a family caregiver, then it’s time to give something back to them this month for National Family Caregivers Month. The following are gestures they’re likely to appreciate year-round:

1. Give them a break – offering to provide respite care or hiring someone to step in can allow caregivers to relax or reconnect with friends and family

2. Remind local businesses what this month means – then encourage them to offer freebies or discounts for family caregivers in the area!

3. Lend them a hand with holiday preparations – the holidays can create added responsibility, so help a caregiver decorate for the holidays or put stamps on their cards

4. Get them laughing – go see a funny movie with them, or pick up tickets to a local comedy club. Laugher IS the best medicine!

5. Take over holiday hosting responsibilities – caregivers already have a lot on their plates; host Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday celebration so the caregiver can simply focus on enjoying the company!

6. Sign the petition – there’s a petition to establish a stamp that recognizes family caregivers; sign it in their honor!

7. Create something personal – a personalized gift, like a calendar with family photos, will help them feel like they’re appreciated, and it will help them stay organized

8. Send them a token of appreciation – a bouquet of flowers or a card might not be a big gesture, but it will make caregivers feel appreciated and special

9. Connect them with caregiving resources – free seminars and other events take place to keep caregivers better informed and help them manage stress

10. Lend your support – give them an ear to talk to, or help them find a support group

Via: The Family Caregiver

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

We encounter many seniors in our practice who try to make smart food choices, but fall flat, particularly when it comes to snacking, because they just can’t find items that are as satisfying as the ones they know aren’t doing them any favors when it comes to their health. Sunflower seeds are a snack that can be nostalgic to many seniors, since they’re items that they might associate from family events or days at the ballpark taking in a game, and they are a smart snack choice that we suggest to all of the seniors that walk through our door! They can curb hunger and cravings, since they are crunchy and satisfying, and they contain much of the recommended values for daily nutrients that seniors should receive. The can also safeguard a senior’s health since they have the following properties and benefits:

• The Vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds helps with cardiovascular health and works as an anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols in sunflower seeds help lower cholesterol and ensure it remains under control, which is especially important as many seniors struggle with their cholesterol levels later in life

• Magnesium can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and generally works to reduce tension in the body

• Selenium helps prevent cancer and works as a natural detoxifier

Via: WHFoods

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.

The internet has greatly changed the way that we communicate with one another, and as a result, we rely on typing rather than speech to stay in touch with those most important to us a good part of the time. For busy caregivers and seniors, using email, instant messenger and social media sites can be an efficient way to communicate, but not if they type slowly. To make communication even more efficient, caregivers and senior alike can hone up on their typing skills:

1. Choose a comfortable keyboard – a comfortable keyboard that is well laid out for your hands is crucial to learning to type well and type quickly. If you have a laptop, using a laptop keyboard is okay if you’re spending no more than a couple of hours a day typing, but any longer and it can do damage to your hands

2. Get in position – make sure you’re seated comfortably when you sit down to type. The keyboard should be at the right position for your hands, and you should sit up straight. Proper positioning of your body will reduce errors and therefore decrease the time it takes you to type

3. Learn hand positioning- if you’ve never been taught proper keyboard position, now’s a great time to start. Learning finger positioning will help improve your typing speed vastly when you no longer need to look at the keys or type with just a couple of fingers at a time. Software programs and online tutorials can help you learn!

4. Practice – once you’ve mastered the above, you need to practice to improve your speed, but eventually you’ll find you could cut hours off your day!

Via: WikiHow

Home Health Senior Care Dallas - Your elderly loved one prefers to live at home and our CAREGivers are trained to help them remain safe and healthy at home. Call us at 972-239-3934.