Posts Tagged: Adult CHildren

Extra Precautions for Seniors During the Summer Months

As the summer months approach, it's important to remember that seniors have unique safety concerns during this time of year. With the heat, sun exposure, and increased outdoor activity, seniors need to take extra precautions to stay safe and healthy. Here are some tips for senior summer safety: Stay hydrated One of the most important things seniors can do during the summer is to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to serious health problems, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Seniors should drink plenty ... Read more

When an Older Loved One is Refusing Help, Try Some of These Tips

When an older loved one is refusing help, it can be extremely frustrating. Emotions are running high, and it seems that everyone, except the ones needing the help, understands the urgency. Many factors can contribute to their needs. For example; a decline in health due to age, disease diagnosis, recent falls, and death of a caretaker spouse could all be why help is now needed. Do you treat them like children because that is how you feel they are acting? Of course ... Read more

Navigating Home Health Care, and Tips to Help Make the Right Decision.

Navigating home health care can be very stressful.  We get calls from people inquiring about care, community assistance options, or even just guidance. Each individual is treated with respect and dignity.  South Florida currently has plenty of options and finding the right one can be exhausting, confusing, and extremely frustrating.  It doesn't have to be.  How do you know which is the best one for you, and/or your family dynamics? Navigating through home health care, and understanding what sets one apart from ... Read more

Old, Alone, “Don’t Need Help”

Old, Alone, "Don't Need Help" Old, Alone, "Don't Need Help" is a common response a Home Care Social Worker hears. It is hard to be ill or incapacitated. Living alone makes it that much harder. In fact, age, illness, and living alone are "risk factors" to be considered when putting together or thinking of a "Care Plan".  Whether returning home following a surgery, illness, stay in Rehab or have a chronic, degenerative disease, at some point in time all of us will ... Read more

Family Decisions for Parental Care

Family Decisions for Parental Care Family decisions for parental care are often difficult. But, sometimes they can be antagonistic and hostile.  Recall the adage; "one mother can raise five children but five children can't care for one parent". Part of this is because caring for an elderly parent is complicated. Family decisions often bring up decades old issues between siblings.  We recommend employing the professional services of a Geriatric Care Manager or Family Mediator. After all, some of the deep feelings involved also include ... Read more

Covid-19

Covid-19 Covid-19 is sweeping the globe. It is important to remain as calm as possible and follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization, and Center for Disease Control. Also stay tuned to local news for updates in your community/city. Covid-19 and home care for seniors is as challenging as everything else as we adapt to new norms.  Staying home more can be tedious but we can acclimate. There must be changes to exercise routines as gyms, pools are closed. However we ... Read more

Holiday Cheer or Stress?

Holiday Cheer or Stress? Holiday Cheer or Stress? Take control this season. The holidays are weeks away but the joy and stress of this season is already being felt. Planning is a key to having cheerful holidays. Whether you are traveling, having visitors or don't have any plans, there is no getting away from the persistent marketing and festivities this season brings. Seasonal schedules, parties, gifts, foods, decorations and family and friends all come together this time of year. Unfortunately, real life isn't ... Read more

Caregiver Respite

Caregiver Respite Caregiver respite is needed because family caregivers cannot sustain their efforts without breaks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015) there are over 40 million family/friend caregivers of Americans sixty-five and older. Nine out of ten provide care for an elder relative. Most do it without pay. Caregiving often affects the caregiver's employment and income. Caregivers do many things. They offer companionship, decision-making, running errands, financial issues, resolving disputes with insurance, medical providers, residential issues or repairs, and hands-on ... Read more

“Tough Talk” Tips for Adults with Their Aging Parents

"Tough Talk" Tips for Difficult Conversations with Aging Parents Imagine a friend or family member telling you that you need help. That they don't think you are taking proper care of yourself or your home. And, suggest that maybe you relocate. That conversation would likely be very quick, ending in bad feelings all around. Our natural defense mechanisms like "projection" or "denial" can blind us from what is clearly evident to others around us.  Either we don't see that our needs are changing or we ... Read more

Optimal Aging

Optimal Aging Tips - The Big Five Research shows us five areas to consider for optimal aging.  Health is on every senior's mind and to keep one's mind and body healthy, we need to "work" at it. The Big Five include: Healthy diet, regular exercise, a sense of purpose, social engagement and learning new things. All five are under our own control. They may require consultation with experts. They do require commitment and practice. Healthy Diet We are to some extent what we eat. ... Read more
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