Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

It’s well known by now that an overwhelming percentage of seniors want to age in place, growing old in their present home. We’ve written about this idea many times here on the AgingOptions blog, most recently in this article from last summer. However, a recently-published Kaiser Health News article combined with an updated housing report from Harvard University are casting doubt on the viability of many seniors’ hopes and dreams. The bottom line is that, with rising remodeling costs, aging homes and growing debt, fixing up a house to age in place may prove to be beyond the reach of many retirees. Aging in Place is a Fine Idea, but Costs of Home Renovation are Skyrocketing The article from Kaiser Health News , written by reporter Sharon Jayson and published a few weeks ago, comes with a straightforward headline: “For Boomers Reframing Aging, Age-Proofing A Home Won’t Come Cheap.”  Jayson tells the story of an Austin, Texas couple in their 70s who are remodeling a 2,700 square f...

Calcium and vitamin D are two of the most important nutrients for bone health, but vitamin D deficiency is common among seniors. Because seniors typically drink less milk and spend fewer hours outside, they often aren’t getting all the vitamin D they need. For most people, sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D, as sunlight converts cholesterol to vitamin D in the body. The kidneys help activate this process, but this function decreases with age. Sunlight may not be enough. Researchers have suggested that it takes up to 30 minutes of sun exposure twice a week to make a sufficient amount of vitamin D from sunlight. The National Institute of Health recommends that adults rely on food and supplements to get the right amount of vitamin D each day. Vitamin D is not common in most foods. Some foods – like dairy products and orange juice – are fortified with vitamin D. Other foods like fatty fish and salmon, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks are also a good source of vitamin D....

The holidays are always a nice time, but it is a lot of work to prepare for. For some family caregivers, there are even more things to do for the holidays and it can be really stressful. Follow these tips to reduce stress this holiday season from us at Freedom healthcare .   Focus on What is the Most Meaningful It is hard to create the perfect holiday experience, don’t stress about it. You have to remember the goal isn’t to have a perfect holiday but to experience pure joy and quality time with loved ones. Try to prioritize holiday traditions that are the most meaningful to you and your family.   Start New Traditions Instead of focusing on loss and what your loved ones might not be able to do this year, try to start new traditions for your family. Maybe if your loved one cannot get in and out of the car to see Christmas lights, try to stream them on tv or watch a movie together. Sometimes starting a new tradition goes a long way.   Connect with Other Caregivers I...

As we prepare for National Family Caregivers Month, we honor the 30 percent of American adults who are caregivers for an ill or disabled loved one. As the senior population grows, and the need for in-home care increases as well – nearly four in 10 seniors have at least one disability – these volunteer caregivers provide an estimated 37 billion hours of informal care every year. Though caring for a loved one can be rewarding in several ways, the demands placed on family caregivers often lead to stress and burnout . This is most common for those in the sandwich generation ­– middle-aged adults caring for an aging parent while also still supporting their own children. That’s why even the simplest act of support for these family caregivers can mean the world. However, many of these caregivers won’t ask for help – that’s why it’s important for you to reach out and encourage them and ask what you can do to help. Here are a few ways to show the caregivers in your life the appreciation they ...

What is sensory stimulation? Sensory stimulation or multi-sensory stimulation, refer to a variety of techniques that are intended to stimulate the senses with the intention of increasing mental alertness and reducing agitation. How could sensory stimulation activities benefit seniors? Originating in Europe in the 1960’s and designed for use with learning disabilities, sensory stimulation has since gained notoriety in the United States and is now being used to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries, chronic pain, and other forms of dementia. As Alzheimer’s and other diseases affecting cognitive awareness progress, a senior’s ability to perform their daily tasks and abilities, as well as their communication ability will decline. Multi-sensory stimulation activities allow seniors to express themselves and to better communicate with their family members and caregivers. Sensory stimulation can also help the elderly with their self-esteem, mood, and well-being, as wel...

There’s certainly no age limit in experiencing the excitement of Halloween! Older adults generally are thrilled by visits from trick-or-treaters, together with the opportunity to savor fall treats and fun decorations. Nevertheless, if a senior is dealing with the effects of dementia, certain elements of the Halloween season might be downright frightening. Without warning, there are unanticipated surprises, visitors, and changes to routine, and it may be challenging to separate fantasy from reality. Just picture, in your everyday life, if Halloween was a foreign concept. You head into a popular department store and are greeted by larger-than-life inflatable, glowing witches, ghosts, and hairy spiders. In the section where you generally find housewares, the shelves are stocked instead with spooky masks, fake blood, and skeletons. Has the world gone mad? Naturally, the confusion, anxiety, and fear inherent in dementia may be heightened at this time of year, and it’s necessary for friend...

The start of colder weather makes it a more dangerous time for seniors to get around. In order to help you or a loved one be safe this winter, we have put together some tips and facts on fall prevention. Check them out here at Freedom homecare.   While it is common for people of all ages to fall, seniors are the ones at the most risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 1 in 4 seniors fall at least once a year. If you are over the age of 75, you are 5 times more likely to need long-term care for at least a year as a result of a fall.   That being said, you want to make sure you are following important homecare steps to ensure it does not happen to you or a loved one. Make sure that all loose cords in the home are tucked away so no incident takes place with a cord on the floor. Keeping your floors clean and organized will ensure that no injuries can take place from lost items.   There are also activities you can engage in to exercise and practic...

One of the only things more challenging than caring for your senior parents is caring for your senior parents who live far away from you. Long distances present their own unique set of obstacles! Thankfully, Home Care Assistance is going to help you handle the logistics of long-distance senior care. Take a look at our advice […] The post Going the Distance: How to Care for a Senior Parent Who Lives Far Away appeared first on Home Care Assistance Carmel . from Home Care Assistance Carmel https://ift.tt/2N8eMTT via IFTTT

Talk on Elderly Mental Health – a perspective from Western Medical Science at Men Tsee Khang Institute, Dharamshala. An audience with his holiness the Dalai Lama ! I was honored to be invited by the Men Tsee Khang institute at Dharamshala recently for the 10th Body, Mind and Life Conference, where I delivered a lecture on the Western Medical Science Perspective to Mental Healthcare for the Elderly, and truly blessed to have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Keeping fingers crossed that weather conditions would permit my flight to be on time, I left early morning on the 8th of October, and as luck would have it, made it in the nick of time! Listening to His Holiness, I was struck by how jovial he was and how seamlessly the conversation flowed; in hindsight, I feel he shared a wealth of wisdom which I am yet to fully comprehend. He spoke about the importance of caring for the elderly and in particular their mental health with ‘karuna’ compassion. Highlighting that the ‘...

There’s no question that it’s a great honor to care for people we love. Family caregivers encounter a closeness and bond with those in their care that very often far outweighs the difficulties. But yet there are challenges. A never-ending to-do list to make sure the senior loved one you’re providing care for is as healthy and happy as possible. Household duties and errands to run. Career obligations. The needs of other family members and friends. And don’t leave out self-care. The result is an often daunting quantity of stress, that when left unchecked, can very quickly transform into caregiver burnout as well as caregiver depression, which could develop in any or each of the following ways: • Thoughts of frustration, sadness, despair, anxiety • Difficulty with falling or remaining asleep through the night • Lack of interest in previously-loved activities • Eating more or not as much as normal • Delayed thinking • And if left untreated, suicidal thoughts or possibly attempts at ...

senior Aging is a part of life and, unfortunately, it can bring about many obstacles, challenges and disabilities with it. Some of these challenges and obstacles can be difficult for an older adult to manage on their own. This is one of the main reasons why more seniors are deciding to get assistance with daily tasks they are no longer able to complete alone. However, they must also decide if they are going to use the services of residential health care or move into a nursing home to receive the care and assistance they need. There are differences between the two choices, and once a senior understands these differences, he or she can make the best decision for their needs. The Definitions of Residential Health Care and Nursing Home Care A nursing home is a long term care facility that provides necessary medical care to elderly and disabled patients. Many people consider a nursing home to be the most practical solution especially if the senior needs a lot of assistance. The staff pro...

Leading Senior Care Franchise Now Offers Award-Winning Senior Care Services to Florida’s Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties ROSEVILLE, Calif. (Aug 28, 2019) — Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today that it has opened its newest franchise in Tarpon Springs, Fla. – about 30 miles northwest of Tampa. The new agency is owned and operated by veteran multi-unit franchisee, Keith Booe and Jeri Booe. Keith, a long-time Jimmy John’s franchisee and Jeri will look to bring their prior business experience to the senior care services industry. “On behalf of the Always Best Care family, we’re truly excited to welcome Keith and Jeri as they launch their agency’s operations in Tarpon Springs and the surrounding areas,” said Jake Brown, President and CEO of Always Best Care. “Florida remains a key market for us as we look to expand further throughout the state. In order to properly serve a community, we seek t...

Many people suffer from allergy symptoms in the fall. They’re caused by plants that release pollen in the fall, like ragweed, and the mold that grows on fallen leaves. Since most people associate seasonal allergies with the spring, fall allergies can sometimes be overlooked. Knowing what to look for and what to do to alleviate your aging relative’s fall allergies could make this autumn more comfortable for them. Fall Allergy Symptoms The symptoms of fall allergies are just like those of other seasonal allergies that occur in the spring. They include: Eyes that are watery and itchy. A runny nose (mucus is clear) and sneezing. Stuffy nose. Wheezing and/or asthma. An itchy feeling in the throat. Skin symptoms, like hives, itching, or eczema. Ears that feel full. Mucus draining down the back of the throat. Headaches. Coughing. Tips for Reducing Allergy Symptoms There are many ways to help your aging relative relieve their allergy symptoms. Some tips that may help are: ...

Of all the senior issues that make the news, there’s one big one that gets little attention. We’re talking about transportation. This Non-Issue is Actually a Big Issue When thinking about senior care, the focus is often on making sure seniors have a comfortable place to live, food on the table, and the medical care they need. Transportation is often considered a secondary issue, but not having access to transportation can prevent a senior from getting even the most basic care. Not having easy and affordable access to transportation can: prevent a senior from attending crucial medical appointments for chronic illness or after being discharged from a hospital lead to isolation and loneliness (statistics show that seniors who don’t drive are considerably less likely to participate in social activities) place added stress on seniors who may already be dealing with other issues, such as poverty and loneliness make it difficult to get groceries, contributing to poor nutrition and he...

Do you have a plan to pay for long-term care (LTC) services? Long-term care insurance (LTCI) helps protect a policyholder’s income and assets against the financial risk of an LTC event. While people may think policyholders benefit the most, LTCI can protect the whole family. LTCI benefits policyholders in many ways, including the following: 1. LTCI Protects Your Hard-Earned Income & Assets It’s no surprise that LTC services are expensive. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey , it currently costs $48,000 per year to live in an assisted living facility. In 20 years, the cost is estimated jump to over $86,000 per year. Do you have income and assets set aside to pay for care in the future? When planning for retirement, don’t forget to factor in LTC costs. Or, transfer your risk to an insurance company now to protect yourself when the need may arise. LTCI protects policyholders from the financial burden of an LTC event so you can keep your hard-earned income and assets....

Rolling Fields Elder Care Community by Heritage in Conneautville, PA ranks among the top nursing homes in America, according to a recent report from Newsweek. The publication identified the Best Nursing Homes for 2019-2020 and also released the nursing home finder by ranking more than 15,000 homes across the nation. Tonya Moyer, Rolling Fields Interim Administrator, said the recognition was due to the hard work and dedication of all of the Care Partners at Rolling Fields. “The reason why (our Care Partners) are here is because they love our Elders,” Moyer said. “They’re here because of a calling, (and) that feeling permeates the organization. We do what’s right for the Elder, first and foremost.” The achievement of being recognized as one of the Best Nursing Homes of 2019-2020 is a reflection of the work going on each day, Mark Smeltzer, Heritage regional manager of skilled nursing operations, shared. “I’m proud of the Care Partners here and how their hard work every day embod...

Are your elderly losing interest in activities, which they enjoyed earlier? Do they struggle with feeling of helplessness and find it difficult to get through the day? Many senior citizens across the globe develop depressive tendencies. Depression impacts their energy levels, sleep, appetite and interest in hobbies and relationships. The concern is identifying the symptoms of depression in elderly, because mostly it is considered as a natural part of ageing. Causes of Depression Your older adults are vulnerable due to losses, health conditions and fears that can lead to depression. The common causes of depression in elderly include Health Problems: A few health concerns like disability, chronic pains, cognitive decline or surgery can trigger depression tendencies. There are also some medical problems that can cause depression. These include stroke, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Thyroid disorders and heart disease. Loneliness: Factors such as decreased mobility, dwindling social ...

At Sunrise, we design programs and activities that help enrich the mind, body and spirit. Since we first opened our doors, programming has played a huge role in daily life in our communities. Hear more from our senior vice president of Memory Care & Program Services, Rita Altman , on how we’ve evolved and what the future may hold. What was programming like when the first Sunrise community opened? When founders Paul and Terry Klaassen opened the first Sunrise community in 1981, they lived at the community for several years. Sharing the same space as the first Sunrise residents helped to evoke a sense of family and community. They ate meals together, participated in activities together and enjoyed spending time together as you would in your own home with your family.   This sense of family extended to all areas of community life, including activities.Music and intergenerational activities were always popular choices, and residents were encouraged to share their interests...

While there are particular commonalities, Alzheimer’s disease affects every individual differently. Our specially trained dementia caregivers know, for example, that although someone may enjoy being outside, another person may be overloaded by so much sensory input and prefer a quieter indoor environment. One person may prefer a morning bath routine, while a dose of creativity is essential to help another manage good hygiene. We also realize there are specific triggers which can often worsen the challenging components of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Family care providers should be especially careful in order to prevent the following: 1. Dehydration. Those diagnosed with dementia may not be in a position to recognize when they’re thirsty, or may refuse when offered fluids. It’s crucial to ensure appropriate hydration in order to avoid additional confusion and weakness. Plain water is most beneficial, nonetheless, if refused, try flavored waters, as well as different sorts of cups or bottle...

Cold weather forces many seniors inside during the winter months, but you don’t have to limit your activities until spring. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. That’s just 30 minutes, five days a week. Rolling Fields offers a wide range of physical and mental activities and varied programs and events throughout the year to ensure its community members can maintain a vibrant lifestyle all year long. Take a walk on the milder winter days. A short walk every day is great for lowering blood sugar, strengthening muscles and burning off calories. Rolling Fields also offers its own fitness center, wellness programs, and exercise classes to keep you moving all year long. Gather with friends. Clubs and classes offer a welcomed opportunity to stay active and socialize this winter. Card games, BINGO and movie nights create additional opportunities for seniors to remain social while indoors this winter. Get a head start o...

“Let the relaxation begin, Happy Retirement.” How do you imagine your retirement years? Do you dream of a peaceful and happy retirement? Well, after working for decades and accomplishing all your responsibilities, it is natural to think of happy years ahead. Indulging in your hobbies, spending time with your loved ones and pampering yourself should be a part of your retired life. It can be a beautiful phase of your life provided you take care of yourself as old age invariably brings some health concerns. So, taking care of yourself is essential to have a healthy and peaceful retired life. Here are some retirement tips that can come useful. Get Smart About Money: After retirement, you stop saving and start relying on your savings or pension in some cases. In such situations, finances can become a concern. However, you can still make the most of your money by managing it smartly. If you become smart about your money, you can manage your expenses and splurge and save too. It can go a...

Certain tasks become more strenuous with age, and housekeeping is high on the list. Declining strength and mobility can make what were once simply unpleasant chores, unmanageable without assistance. Housework can be challenging for older adults with mobility issues, especially those that live at home alone. It can be tempting to just give up on housework and let the place go. However, that is not a recommended course of action as an assortment of health problems can ensue. from www.retireathome.com https://ift.tt/33r1NU2 via IFTTT

According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) around 7 percent of people who are in their early 60s have mild cognitive impairment. That number goes up to 38 percent in people aged 85 and older. That’s why the AAN is urging medical providers to conduct a memory check as part of all older adults’ annual checkups. By evaluating memory every year, doctors can not only identify when a problem exists, but also watch for progression of memory and thinking skills into dementia. If your older family member has not had a memory check recently, you may wish to talk to their doctor about conducting one. In the meantime, if you’re concerned about whether their existing memory issues indicate the presence of dementia, it can be helpful to know what the early signs of dementia are. Below are some early signs that may indicate dementia in your older family member. Forgetfulness Some degree of forgetfulness is normal with aging. For example, you might notice the older adult sometimes forge...

T he changing leaves and cool nights mean fall is fully underway. This season brings plenty of opportunities for seniors to make new memories with their loved ones and friends. The crisp air and fall foliage makes walks more enjoyable, and let’s not forget how fun it can be to watch a grandchild make that tackle or touchdown as football season begins. With fall comes the first big celebration of the holiday season – Halloween. Whether a senior lives at home or in an assisted-living community, there are many ways to get into the Halloween spirit. One classic décor idea is carving a jack-o-lantern, but seniors can also paint pumpkins as an easier and safer alternative to carving. There are many fall activities for seniors, like the following, that are simple ways to enjoy the season.   Baked Apples with Oatmeal Streusel Topping 1. Slice 3-4 apples in half with a large knife, then scoop out the seeds and stem parts with a melon baller. 2. Mix together: a little over ha...