Added on November 2, 2018 by Jim_Vogel
For many seniors, planning for retirement and beyond can be difficult, to say the least. It's hard to think about where you might be in five or 10 years and what your needs might be, but it's important to do so in order to prepare as much as possible. Whether you need to think about making changes to your home, your lifestyle, or your health, assessing your needs now will prevent any nasty surprises down the road.
While many seniors want to live at home for as long as possible, health issues or injuries can prevent that or make it much more difficult. Take a look at what your current needs are and whether they are being met by your home. Will there be safety issues if your health declines? What sort of changes can you make to your house to ensure that you and your partner are comfortable both now and in the future? There are also financial issues to consider, especially if you think you might need to downsize your home or pay for long-term care.
Added on March 30, 2018 by Lucy_Wyndham
Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to enjoy the mild weather and revel in the beauty of nature. Anyone who wants to improve their health and shake off the winter doldrums should take advantage of the mild weather as the Harvard Health Letter reports that being outdoors allows you to get more exercise, improve focus and concentration, and it can even help to boost happiness. Even seniors who need help with ambulation can benefit from the sunshine and fresh air as being outdoors can improve an elderly person's physical and mental health in different ways.
If you have an aging parent or relative with limited mobility, don't fret. There are lots of ways that your loved one can enjoy the great outdoors while staying safe and comfortable. Here's how you can help your senior loved one make the most of springtime.
Added on March 16, 2018 by Lydia_Chan
Hiring a caregiver is a wonderful way to improve your elderly parent's quality of life while also managing caregiving expenses. However, without a clear vision of your parent's needs, a caregiver can't make the best use of her time. As the closest family member, it's up to you to assess and communicate your parent's daily caregiving needs.
Assessing daily needs isn't complicated, but it does require you to be thorough. You need to observe all of your parent's daily routines so you can identify the tasks she needs help with. The best way to do this is to spend a few days living with your parent and monitoring as she moves through her daily life.
Added on March 2, 2018 by June_Duncan
One of the hardest parts of having an aging loved one is ensuring she has enough help. While she may say she is handling daily tasks well, you may have your doubts. Hiring a caregiver or becoming a caregiver for your senior loved one is one way to make sure she has the assistance she needs to take care of herself. We offer other suggestions for making sure your aging loved one has enough help here, to put your mind at ease.
Added on February 16, 2018 by Kristen_Heller
Technology is our way of "keeping up" with an increasingly hectic world. With it, we have the tools to stay as up-to-date as we can manage; without it, we're left to mainly fend for ourselves. Technology - specifically the internet - is considered the supreme tool of a younger generation, though there's no reason for it to be age-restricted. As it turns out, seniors also want to join in on the fun.
Today, four-in-ten seniors now use smartphones, which
is more than double the share observed in 2013. This is a sign that seniors
want to get into the tech game - they might just need someone like you to teach
them.
Whether you're caring for a senior family member or loved one, or if you've recently begun offering your services as a family caregiver, teaching a senior how to use a new technology offers them a huge lifestyle improvement.
Of course, this path of education should be taken on carefully. After all, seniors come from a time long before the internet. If you're looking for some key teaching points, scroll down and we'll start you off in the right direction.
Added on January 19, 2018 by Lucy_Wyndham
Winter can be inconvenient and uncomfortable for even the most healthy of us but bear in mind that what is just an annoying level of cold for you could be dangerous for the senior you care about. Elderly people lose body heat faster than when they were younger and are more likely to have health conditions which make being cold more serious. Here are some things to remember to keep the seniors in your life warm this winter.
Added on January 5, 2018 by Lydia_Chan
According to Helpguide.org, there are approximately 15 million people in the U.S. caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. There are millions more around the world currently caring for a loved one with this debilitating disease. And the job is far from easy. Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's typically leaves you feeling tired and overwhelmed. Assisted living facilities are better equipped to care for an Alzheimer's patient, as these types of facilities feature round-the-clock care provided by multiple staff members. Residents participate in social activities and are kept safe throughout the day and night. In other words, the responsibility doesn't rest on one person's shoulders.
Added on December 15, 2017 by Lucy_Wyndham
People love their pets. According to the American Pet Product Association, 68% of U.S. families own a pet, which are about 85 million households in America. As a result, pet owners spend approximately $40 billion a year in pet care and supplies alone. This might seem a bit overwhelming but when you consider the benefits, it will instantly seem like a smart investment for years to come.
Added on October 27, 2017 by Lucy_Wyndham
Growing old comes with many new challenges, and it is much easier to take on these trials in the comfort of one's home. When confronting changes to one's life, health, and abilities in any capacity, having the familiarity of one's same belongings and regular daily routines can make any situation more manageable. If you are a senior or you have an aging loved one, you may be wondering how to gain access to the right resources to make aging in place a possibility.
Added on September 29, 2017 by Lucy_Wyndham
One of the great joys of growing old is finally having the time to do the things you've always wanted—like growing your very own garden. Gardening encourages spending time with nature, allowing people to be more in touch with natural beauty and realize the benefits of being outdoors. Studies in public health show that people in the U.S. spend up to 90% of their time indoors, which can lead to a sedentary, isolated lifestyle, especially for seniors.
Added on July 12, 2017 by Jim_Vogel
When you're ready to begin searching for a home, there are certain aspects you should look for as a senior. To avoid making changes after you purchase your home, you can look for one that already has designs that will allow you to age in place. There are also specific financial considerations to make, especially if you're living off of retirement funds or on a fixed income.