What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.
1.) How should this outbreak be handled?
2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?
Please comment below with your opinions!
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-New York Times
We all get older, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to watch the effects that aging has upon our body and minds. Nor is it easy for loved ones to accept particularly drastic changes that are occurring with a senior loved one. To help you cope with the aging you or an elderly relative is experiencing, consider the following tips:
Accepting Your Aging:
1. Determine why you are anxious about aging – if it relates to unaccomplished goals, find a way to reach them. Also remember to set goals that suit your lifestyle, as an older adult today.
2. Acknowledge your achievements – instead of looking at the things you are unable to do as a senior, acknowledge the accomplishments you have made with your family, in your community and in your life.
3. Embrace aging resources – read books and get online to understand the aging process and how you can accept it.
4. Maintain your health – don’t succumb to the challenges of aging; eat well, exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
5. Break the routine – at any age, you can embrace new experiences. Travel to a new place or choose a new hobby to keep up the variety.
Accepting Senior Aging:
1. Communicate effectively – if a senior struggles with their memory, avoid harping on them if they’ve forgotten something. If you’re really concerned, discuss it with a doctor.
2. Look at their positive traits – instead of focusing on the perceived decline of aging, focus on the senior’s beauty, wisdom and accomplishments.
Sources:
1. Ehow
2. Eldercare ABC Blog
Images: totallycebu.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
With spring in the air, Phoenix senior caregivers and family members of the elderly are looking for safe and fun outdoor activities to entertain their loved ones in the fresh air and sunshine. Looking for an Easter present for your Grandma? Consider getting her a digital camera and taking her on digital photography excursions to take photographs of nature and the other fun elements of spring. Not only will it make for a fun outdoor activity, you can relive the memories that you shared together through the photos and get creative by displaying them around the senior’s home!
When choosing a digital camera for a senior, keep in mind their familiarity with technology and choose something that will be user-friendly. A digital camera that has a larger display screen, and large easy to push buttons will make it easy and fun to operate. If purchasing a digital camera for your elderly loved one just isn’t in the budget, you can still have fun this spring with digital photography by borrowing a camera from a family member or friend on your photography outings or renting one from a local Phoenix photography store.
Sources:
1. Ehow
Image: funtimesguide.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
Grants for seniors in Phoenix are available from the Federal Government and foundations that provide financial assistance for seniors relating to housing, education and more. There are Federal Grants for seniors that cover a number of areas like housing, volunteerism, nutrition and housing.
Popular Federal Grants for Seniors Include:
• Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities provides funds to provide transportation to elderly persons in areas public transportation services are not available, or when they are inappropriate due to a senior’s physical or mental condition.
• The Foster Grandparent Program encourages seniors to volunteer in their communities, specifically with special needs children, through funding which is available for seniors 60 and older who have limited incomes.
• Mortgage Insurance-Rental Housing for the Elderly - this grant insures mortgage lenders against loss, to increase the number of quality and affordable rental properties available for seniors.
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program encourages community service by seniors 55 and older by offering reimbursement
• Nutrition Services Incentive Program works with the Department of Agriculture to provide nutritious foods to senior meal delivery programs and other nutritional-focused organizations.
To apply for senior grants provided by the Federal Government or foundations, Phoenix seniors must write a proposal, demonstrating the benefits that they would receive, or be able to dispense to others were they to become an approved recipient of the grant.
Sources:
1. LovetoKnow
2. Foundation Center
Image: www.heartlandconnection.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
A large number of seniors in Phoenix, and around the country suffer from some form of dementia, which can impact their level of independence and require them to rely upon family caregivers and other forms of elder care. Since personal safety, caused by dementia-related memory issues is a big risk for dementia sufferers living independently at home; new “Smart Homes” are being developed to provide seniors with independence and safety.
A group in the UK, the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering that’s behind the Smart Home hopes to have the senior living innovation available on the market within the next 5 years. Currently, there are two trial systems in the UK which monitor seniors’ movements around the home; which can detect unusual changes in behavior which could indicate a medical emergency or other senior crisis. The Smart Homes also have the ability to remind seniors to turn off lights, appliances, or taps that have been left on with verbal prompts, and can automatically turn functions in the house on and off.
The Smart Homes may not be able to replace traditional Phoenix elder care services entirely, but they will allow seniors to maintain their pride in living with independence well into their later years, even with dementia.
Sources:
1. Science Daily
2. Caregiverunderground
Images: pressurefunk.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
For many Phoenix seniors, remaining independent means living with some or all independence in their own homes, as opposed to being moved into a nursing home or assisted living facility. In order to remain independent at home, seniors need to accept some of the changes of aging and take safety measures so that their independence isn’t further sacrificed.
For many seniors and their families, one of the first steps towards helping seniors maintain independence is to install senior safety equipment around the home to prevent, falls, accidents, and overall make their lives more comfortable. The next positive step towards maintaining the independence of senior’s at home, is to hire a non-medical, in-home senior care agency to provide assisted living services. They can assist seniors in any way necessary, in order to remove the burden of caring for a home, which can become overwhelming and sometimes, physically impossible with age. Professional caregivers can help with cooking, light-housekeeping, running errands, companionship and more, which all make it possible for seniors to remain independently at home later in life.
Senior transportation services, which are offered free by many community organizations across the United States are also available, which allow seniors to get around town independently, even after they’ve had to give up their car keys. Meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels can alleviate the burden of cooking, by bringing hot meals directly to the homes of seniors. Today, getting older doesn’t mean an inevitable sacrifice of independence; Phoenix seniors have options that allow them to live as they choose.
Sources:
1. Aging Parents and Eldercare
2. Home Instead Senior Care
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
Diabetes affects many Americans both young and old, and while there are no definite causes for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, there are a number of contributing risk factors which could result in the contraction of diabetes, the most common of which can include heredity, poor diet, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Seniors and eldercare professionals should consult a doctor if any of the following symptoms of diabetes persist, including:
• Frequent need to urinate
• Excessive thirst
• Constant feelings of hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• Unusual irritability
• Blurred vision
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes relate to an insulin deficiency; with Type 1 diabetes, insufficient insulin is produced by the body; while Type 2 diabetes occurs when the insulin produced is not as efficient at moving the sugar out of the bloodstream. While the causes of both types of diabetes vary; the treatment methods are similar for seniors. While the order of treatment method used may vary with diabetes type, it typically includes abiding by a diabetic diet, getting regular exercise, losing weight, and monitoring blood sugar levels. When lifestyle changes, such as diabetic diet fail to improve the diabetes, medical professionals may turn to insulin treatment in order to help manage the symptoms of diabetes, and control blood sugar levels; since there is no cure for diabetes.
Sources:
1. Diabetes Information Hub
2. Diabetes Planner.com
3. American Diabetes Association
4. MedicineNet.com
Images: Kentnewsnet.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
As adults, we see the slow progression into older adulthood that our parents and other relatives undergo, and while that doesn’t necessarily diminish the grief we feel as their independence is compromised, they struggle with illness, and face their mortality; it does increase our knowledge and awareness. A senior’s young grandchildren, on the other hand, may lack awareness regarding the aging process their grandparent has undergone, so when a serious illness or even death occurs, they may be caught off guard.
While parents and grandparents may feel the need to protect grandchildren, arming them with information and encouraging them to communicate about aging and the struggles faced by their grandparents, will better prepare them emotionally should a medical emergency or death occur. As the grandparent faces issues with aging explain, in terms and detail appropriate to the child’s age, what aging issues the grandparent is facing and allow them to ask questions and talk about how they feel. If the grandparent passes away, remember to keep positive memories in the child’s life to help with the grief process; have them share fond memories of being with their grandparent, have them draw pictures to represent their feelings; while still remembering that everyone deals with grief in their own way. Just because a grandchild is young doesn’t mean that they won’t become angry, depressed, or resentful due to the loss of their beloved grandparent; but do enlist professional help if the grandchild seems to be struggling to appropriately cope with the loss.
Sources:
1. Associated Content
2. AARP
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
Q – Are more natural forms of treatment available for common senior ailments? If so, are they safe practices for seniors and what are the impacts upon their health?
A – Complementary and Alternative Medicine refers to non-medicinal treatments that either supplement traditional medical care or replace it entirely and can include use of vitamins, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and use of herbal and natural remedies for treatment and prevention of illness. While it is not recommended that seniors forgo receiving assessment and care from a traditional medical doctor through use of Alternative Medicine (which by definition, uses natural methods in lieu of traditional doctor care), Complementary Medicine is becoming better embraced by even the medical profession. Integrated therapy combines both traditional medical practices with more natural or holistic methods to give seniors the optimal benefits. Acupuncture or massage may be used to alleviate the affects of cancer or medical cancer treatment methods, while garlic might be used to help treat heart disease. Any seniors interested in using Complementary and Alternative Medicine should first discuss the impacts it could have upon their health with a medical doctor, and maintain communication during the course of any holistic treatments.
The National Institutes of Health, Senior Health branch is completing research about Complementary and Alternative Medicine and publishing its findings so that seniors can make smart, informed decisions about their medical choices.
Sources:
1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2. NIH Senior Health
3. Senior Journal
4. Eldercare ABC Blog
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
Q – My father passed away last year, and my elderly mother will be responsible for completing her taxes on her own this year. As this is a financial responsibility her husband normally handled, she doesn’t feel prepared. Are there services available to help seniors with tax preparation?
Tax time can be an overwhelming time of year for many seniors managing their money and finances, especially those who find themselves taking over the financial responsibilities from a spouse who has passed away. In order to ensure that senior taxes are accurate and that seniors receive the maximum number of benefits available to them when filing their taxes, the AARP and other organizations are providing free tax preparation services under the IRS sponsored Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE program) to help the seniors, aged 60 and older, manage their money. The AARP tax preparation services for seniors are free at most tax sites, except for a few locations where they are subsidized. The income tax preparation assistance for the elderly can help seniors prepare a number of important tax forms like Form 1040, Form 1040EZ, Form 1040 Schedule A&B, and Form 1040 Schedule D, as well as provide additional complimentary income tax counseling services.
Sources:
1. AARP Money
2. Suite 101, Lena Gott
Image: Read It New
Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.
