We’ve approaching a season with a full string of holidays – Halloween is just past and Thanksgiving is around the corner, followed by Hanukah and Christmas; and for many seniors it’s a time that results in loneliness known as the Holiday Blues. Holidays aren’t always like seniors remember them to be, with friends and family no longer around, celebrations and traditions can change and make seniors long for the past. The holidays don’t have to become a time dreaded by seniors; with these tips they can make the most of this time of year and fill it with joy:

• Don’t expect too much – if big family get together’s haven’t been a big part of holidays recently, don’t expect them or you’ll only face disappointment

• Don’t do things that are too stressful – holidays are meant to be a time of enjoyment, so if there are certain tasks that surround the holidays the stress you out, avoid them!

• Volunteer – surround yourself with others in the community by volunteering and giving back

• Don’t isolate yourself – when holidays aren’t the way they used to be, seniors might become isolated; join in on activities in the community, get together with friends and make sure you don’t have to be alone

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle – to keep your spirits up, take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well and limit  alcohol consumption

Sources:

3. 4Therapy

About.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Food Network star, Rachael Ray says cooking for Seniors and older adults should be spiced up.. not boring!

What about you Phoenix Seniors?  How do you like your food? Tell us! Please share some of your favorite recipes below in our comment section.

Rachael Ray, host of “30-Minute Meals”, teaches us that making bland food flavors for seniors’ is  unnecessary and undesirable. She tells us, “there’s no excuse for making food dull, lifeless and boring, seniors want good flavor. Cook to impress; cook to be excited, or, at the very least, cook to share.”

Ray says that while adult children often assume their senior loved ones need bland food for their digestive health, foods from these older adults’ earlier years actually can offer many important benefits.

“Food helps seniors reconnect with the past,” Ray said.  “As its nostalgia factor ties all of us to where we’re from, it can be a wonderful tool for seniors who have trouble with short-term memory loss, dementia and other illnesses that remove them from the world.”

Food also allows seniors to “travel” via no more than a trip to the grocery store.  Whether your senior is from Russia, Germany, France, Ireland - wherever - serving food native to those places can take them back to things that help make them feel good, whole, happy and excited about living.

Ray, who was raised in a multi-generational Sicilian restaurant family, said she was lucky to share food with many generations.  “There’s something really intimate about many generations sharing delicious food together,” she said.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

When seniors are looking to interact more with their grandchildren and stay healthy at the same time, we suggest challenging a grandchild to a week of walking!  Wear a pedometer - both you and grandchild - you will be able to count the steps each day for a week. Then continue to use the pedometer throughout the year, striving for a 20-percent increase in step totals, and aiming for 10,000 steps a day.  This also is an activity that our CAREGivers do with clients of Home Instead Senior Care Austin.

Walking Tips for Seniors:

* Our upcoming Fall season can be the perfect time to start walking!  The weather is cooler. Fall colors are beautiful. And senses and memories can come alive during a stroll through a nearby park.
* As you walk look at the colors, sounds, smells and feel of the leaves. Reminisce about the things enjoyed  while growing up and the middle years. There are wonderful stories that will stimulate memories.

Before you start your walking - your natural shock absorbers (or “fat padding”) in seniors’ feet deteriorate with age. So does bone density, particularly in women. Combined, these factors make seniors prone to stress fractures. Softer ground produces less shock than harder surfaces and is more foot-friendly. If possible, walk on grass or dirt paths which are flat, even and well-manicured.

Be on the alert later in the fall when cold weather becomes an issue. The cold can cause numbness, limiting the client’s ability to detect trauma or wounds to the feet. It also makes surfaces harder, resulting in more shock to the feet and ankles with every step. When the weather gets too cold, or in our case now, too hot, continue your walking in the local mall, an indoor track or an exercise facility.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

If you have an aging relative living in Phoenix and often wonder if they are having trouble keeping up financially with paying bills? Here are 10 things to look for during your next visit home.

The top ten list was designed by Home Instead Senior Care and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging for families to spot if the downturn in the economy is impacting your aging senior.  If you’re a family caregiver, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is your senior’s home too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter?
2. Is the lawn not getting mowed nor is the sidewalk getting cleaned in inclement weather?
3. Is your loved one complaining about not being able to afford medications?
4. Are home repairs not getting made?
5. Is there a shortage of food in the house?
6. Is your elderly loved one skipping doctor’s appointments?
7. Is your older adult staying home more and becoming isolated?
8. Is your senior cutting out entertainment?
9. Does your loved one eat out less?
10. Did your senior cancel a vacation?

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Home Instead Senior Care Austin, if you’re an older adult experiencing difficulties because of the economy.  Or, if you have a financial issue, contact the Garrett Planning Network.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

At the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies reported a link between normal sleep and healthy aging. A study first reported strong associations between disturbed rest/activity rhythms and mortality rates in older, community-dwelling men. A separate study found that less daytime sleeping and fewer complaints of insomnia best predicted successful aging in the women.

“It is uncertain whether the relationship between rest/activity circadian rhythms and mortality in older people is casual, or whether rest/activity circadian rhythms represent a potent biomarker related to increased risk of death,” said Misti L. Paudel of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Researchers at the University of California-San Diego assessed 2,226 women ages 60 and older for use of sleeping aids, daytime sleepiness, napping, insomnia, early morning awakening, snoring, overall sleep quality and sleep duration, U.S News & World Report says. Based on the results, 20.8 percent of the women were categorized as “successful agers.”

“Our findings reinforce the idea that good sleep is of utmost importance for good health,” said study author Sonia Ancoli-Israel. “Healthcare professionals need to ask their patients – of all ages – about sleep and help those with poor sleep to find ways for improvement.”

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

November is National Family Caregiver Month, a time to address the challenges that family caregivers face, lend them some support and appreciate everything that they do for the most important people in their lives.

Most family caregivers don’t just provide care to their senior parents or relatives, they also have careers, often some that come with a great deal of responsibility; and it’s not unusual for them to have families of their own with young children and a household to maintain that also add to the sometimes overwhelming responsibilities that they face on a daily basis. Yet, while being a family caregiver can be incredibly stressful, most family caregivers would never change anything for the world, because their lives are most rewarding when they’re taking care of others.

But for those who aren’t family caregivers, including seniors who are on the receiving end of care, it’s easy to under-appreciate just how much caregivers give to others, and truly recognize the efforts that they put in. National Family Caregiver month is the time to take a long hard look at the family caregivers in your life and everything they do, and remember to say thank you!

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

The days of technophobic older adults who steer clear of the internet and have no idea what Facebook is when younger generations mention it are long gone. Today Phoenix older adults are as active online as teenagers and young adults; in fact, according to Facebook, in the last year, the number of female members aged 55 and older has grown by 175% in the last year. So what are the major reasons seniors aren’t just leaving the technology of social networking to those who are doing it because it’s trendy?

1. To stay in touch – with all generations of family online on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and more, seniors can stay connected to their loved ones through written communication, photo sharing and the other features that these sites offer

2. Bridging the generational gap – connecting online with grandchildren and younger generations of the family can bring seniors closer to their loved ones of shared interests. It doesn’t even have to be through traditional social networking sites, but through games using video game platforms like the Nintendo Wii that allow players from different locations to play together

3. An easy way to meet people – especially later in life, seniors might have a harder time making new friends or seeking support to deal with their aging issues. But, social networks make for a risk-free meeting place

4. Communication without limitations – as seniors get older, they might deal with hearing problems which make it challenging to talk on the phone, or other issues that inhibit their ability to communicate. By getting online, there are methods of communication that work for almost everyone

5. Networking for jobs – for older seniors who have yet to retire or are looking for volunteer opportunities after retirement, simply networking can help to open doors, especially when using social networks like Linked In

Via: AARP Bulletin Today

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Since heart disease touches the lives of many seniors and their families, at Home Instead Senior Care we believe it’s important to spread awareness about the signs and symptoms of heart disease, so that serious complications or death are prevented with diagnosis and treatment. A woman in our network explains how her mother’s symptoms lead to the discovery of heart disease.

One day I received a terrifying phone call; before I even had the opportunity to say “hello”, the voice on the other line said “I think I might be having a hard attack.” The caller was my mother, who at the time was 72 years old with no previous history of heart trouble, as far as we were aware. While my first instinct was to rush to her side, living with states between us made that impossible, so instead I tried to get a grasp on what she was experiencing. Based on her disposition, I suspected she wasn’t actually suffering from a heart attack, but I knew it was important to be supportive and make a point to understand.

The first symptom she mentioned was a severe ache in her chest, but she also complained of dizziness. I encouraged my mom to hang up with me and contact the office of her physician to determine the best way to proceed in order to deal with her symptoms. The doctor said that if she felt the symptoms were severe, she should go immediately to the emergency room at the local hospital; otherwise she could come in for an appointment at his office later that afternoon so he could assess what she was experiencing.

My mom felt that her symptoms were not severe enough to go to the hospital, but opted to take the doctor’s appointment with my encouragement. Speaking to her after she returned home to the doctor, I learned that heart disease was the suspected diagnosis. Her physician said that she did the right thing, even though she was only exhibiting some of the symptoms of heart disease; dizziness and chest pain, and not nausea, shortness of breathe, an elevated heart rate, loss of consciousness, or palpitations.

He explained that elders who suffer from heart disease, can experience any mix of the above symptoms, which can also include heart attack or stroke. He also said that in the future, if she experiences symptoms of a heart attack which he explained, had severe chest pain or loss of consciousness, then emergency medical treatment should be sought.

Sources: http://heartdisease.about.com/od/howtoloweryourrisk/a/heartdiseaseRX.htm
http://heartdisease.about.com/od/coronaryarterydisease/a/heartsymptoms.htm
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/heart-disease.cfm

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Use simple communication methods to increase not only hearing, but comprehension for your elderly loved ones.  Here are some tips to ensure communication in a way that benefits a senior struggling with loss of hearing:

-  Converse in a quiet environment (no background noises from traffic, music, television, or others engaged in conversation)
-  When speaking with a senior, always ensure you lower the pitch of your voice, since high frequency sounds are the first ones to go ( a condition referred to as presbycusis)
-  Speak slowly, and remain conscious of the pace since seniors can’t process information and listen as fast as younger people
-  Ensure that the older adult is actively engaged and able to hear what you are saying, even by stopping to confirm information
-  Maintain eye contact and make use of non-verbal signals so that your body language supplements your speech
-  Keep in mind that shouting or raising your voice is not usually beneficial for seniors with hearing loss
-  Make sure your speech is clear and your words are enunciated
-  Ensure there is appropriate lighting in the environment  and  attempt to eliminate drastic changes in lighting to aid with vision
-  Provide seniors with written materials and text that are easy to read, with large print
-  Be aware it is easier for seniors to interpret visual cues during the day, when exposed to natural light

When hearing loss occurs, it becomes a family affair. If someone you know is nervous about assistive devices, go with them to consult with an audiologist and help with the decision, and do everything you can through communication to increase their overall quality of life as it relates to hearing.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

It’s worrisome for adult children wondering if parents are taking prescribed meds correctly or if at all!  If you are concerned about your aging parent and they live in Phoenix, please contact us.

Those worries stem from:

• Are they taking the prescribed medications?
• Are they taking them at the time prescribed and with or without food?
• Does my loved one take the right dosage?
• Are my aging parents worried about the costs of the meds?  If so, will they stop because of financial reasons?

A common question we hear is, “when visiting my elderly mom, I see bottles of medication on the kitchen counter, on the bathroom counter and nightstand. It makes me worry about how she is keeping all of her medications organized?

What to ask?

We recommend using good humor and, in this situation, assume that she is keeping them organized and straight.  We suggest taking the innocent until proven guilty approach.  Although you may have very good reasons why some of her prescribed medications are in the kitchen - she’s taking them with food, while others are on the nightstand - she’s taking them before bed.

Pointing to a bottle and asking, “how the world do you keep all these pills straight, Mom?” would be a good conversation starter. If the response includes the reasons you suspected above, then it sounds like things are under control. If she says, “I don’t know. I do my best. I’m not even sure what some of them are,” then the situation needs more attention.

So if she’s having a problem, talk to your mom about a pill organizer, which could help her keep the medications better organized: “Mom, there are organizers that can help you keep all your pills in one place and make it easier for you to keep them straight. Why don’t I check into it?” In addition, one service that Home Instead CAREGivers provide seniors is medication reminders to assist them in managing their daily medications.

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.