You know your mom is aging, and will need assisted living at home sooner than later. With the holidays rolling around, look to that holiday visit as an opportunity to coordinate her home care. After all, you may not be able to care for her everyday needs if you live at a distance.

Say for instance, you have only four days to coordinate home care for your mom, here’s a list of what you can do:

• Check on services in your mom’s area such as Meals on Wheels, or local home care agencies like Home Instead who can help mom with her everyday needs.
• On the Internet search “austin elderly help government” to see what social services are available for elderly care.
• Get younger children to be active during the visit. Playing board games or tending to light chores such as dusting or vacuuming can help.
• You might want to purchase an alarm system specifically suited for the elderly. If mom is in an emergency, pressing a button will signal for the appropriate aid.
• Your children can also help during the long-term as well. Have them send occasional scrapbook collections, photos, or even a phone call.
• Home Instead Senior care Austin provides non-medical Companionship, Homemaker and Personal Care services we provide include meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, laundry and ironing, escorting to appointments and events, incidental transportation, and assistance with ambulation, bathing, dressing and personal hygiene.

For more information visit these links:
http://www.laterlife.com/retirement-c5/retirement-caring-for-elderly-parents-living-in-their-own-home.htm
http://www.tellinitlikeitis.net/2008/03/taking-care-of-aging-parents-as-a-family.html

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Let it Snow!

Snow globes, which reportedly originated in Europe, have been popular for decades in this country and no doubt elicit warm memories for your clients.  Snow globes are simple to make and directions can be found on various Internet sites.  Here’s how to make a great globe that you could give to your aging parent, or you could help your mom or dad make for a family member:

You will need:

A jar with lid
Waterproof figurines or ornaments that will fit on the lid
Epoxy glue or silicon sealant and florist clay
Distilled water
Glycerin, mineral oil or baby oil
Glitter, foil confetti or egg shells
Ribbons, fabric or other items for decoration

Select a clean, dry glass jar such as a baby food jar.  Glue the bottom of the figurine or ornament to the inside of the jar lid.  To give the figurine height in the jar, you might want to build up the area with florist clay.  Fill up the jar with distilled water leaving room at the top for the figurine or ornament.  Add glycerin, mineral oil or baby oil so the snow will float.  Add the “snow” such as glitter, foil confetti or egg shells.  A good gauge for amounts is one teaspoon of glitter for every inch of water. 

With a toothpick, run a little glue around the inside of the jar lid. Carefully place the lid on the jar and tighten.  To add flair to your globe, cut a circle of fabric a little larger than the jar lid. Secure to the lid with an elastic band. Hot glue pieces of ribbon or lace over the elastic band.

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Preventing Post-Holiday Loneliness

When family members come from a distance to visit seniors over the holidays; it is a time of joy, celebration and memory making. It can be a busy time, full of seasonal activities, plentiful meals and gift-giving. With so much happening over the holidays, it can be difficult for seniors to return their regular lives without feeling a sense of loneliness, isolation or depression.

So how can families help ease seniors through the transition from holidays to regular day-to-day life? They can make an effort to ensure that their elder loved ones feel cared for even after the holidays are over with small gestures.

Anything to let a senior know you’re thinking of them will have the desired effect such as:

• A simple phone call just to chat
• Send a letter containing photos letting them know what your family has been up to
• Ensure that you are approachable, so that the senior doesn’t hesitate to contact you if they need to talk. 

By knowing that even if their family members are logistically far away, they’re still an important part of their lives, they will feel loved and depression and loneliness will be reduced.

Holidays are a time where families come together; however, whether it is physically possible to maintain this year round, the sentiment that connects seniors with their families will ensure year-round happiness.

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Senior’s Reluctance to Request Help

Seniors who are finding it challenging to meet all of their daily needs self-sufficiently, are most often reluctant to ask for help. To them, this acts as an acknowledgement that they are getting older, it indicates weakness, or is an admittance that they can no longer live independently.

Often families, who have aging relatives, need to be on the lookout for signs that seniors could use some help, however seniors also need to know that it’s okay to ask. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture of admitting defeat, they can simply ask a loved one to escort them to an appointment, take them to do their weekly shopping, or help with their housework while knowing that this is nothing to be ashamed of. The important people of their lives will be happy to help them out without inflicting judgment. If seniors need help, but are uncomfortable with their families doing it for them, they can always seek the services of a professional caregiver and ask a loved one help them by simply providing support during the process.

So, if you are a senior who finds that the daily responsibilities of your life are getting to be too much, don’t hesitate; talk to your family, and you will find the weight of the world lifted from your shoulders.

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Holiday Entertainment for Assisted Living

Working in an assisted living facility for over 20 years, I’ve become involved in the holiday celebrations that take place every year; both with seniors and their families and the festivities that we organize. It’s so important that during this time of year, seniors are kept occupied with activities they enjoy.

It may be a time for celebrating, but for many who are in their later years, it can bring nostalgia of previous holidays with family and friends since passed, and can lead to depression and loneliness. During the holidays in our residence we try to keep the seniors busy with games like cards, board games, and bingo.

Weather allowing, we also try to take them outside for some fresh air; and occasionally have a local agency bring a furry friend around to play with and lift their spirits. To encourage them to discuss fond memories of previous holidays with their loved ones, we have them introduce us to their family and friends through photographs.

For our lucky residents who have the important people in their lives dropping by over the holidays, we like to encourage them to engage in similar activities to keep the cheer of the season alive!

Source: http://searchwarp.com/swa79063.htm

Senior Care Monitoring

If you have a senior in your family who does not live close by, when visiting over the holidays, make it your resolution to assess their general well-being and continue to monitor them from a distance after the New Year. Even if you live far away, there are a number of ways which you can make sure they’re doing okay all year long.  Here are a couple of tips:

• Make regular phone calls, even through regular conversation you might be able to determine when something is wrong; they will also feel valued when they know you’re thinking of them.
• Have another family member or friend stop by their home just to see how they’re doing and provide an opportunity to socialize; by seeing their physical state and that of their home, they will get great insight. Home Instead CAREGivers are trained and skilled in monitoring seniors
• You should also ensure they are regularly attending doctor’s appointments
• Hire a part-time CAREGiver to escort them or assist with tasks when required

Remember to enjoy your visit and make lasting holiday memories, but also be conscious of any signs that may indicate additional care assistance is required; rely on your instincts!

Home Care Austin provides elder care and senior care in Austin. Call us today at 512-347-9207.

Managing Overall Health Reduces Accidents

As we age, our bodies undergo a large number of changes. Unfortunately, many seniors are prone to various chronic health problems and other ailments which affect their lifestyles and general well-being. These are not the only problems that these illnesses can cause, however; these individuals are often at a greater risk of experiencing falls and other in-home accidents.

1.8 million seniors over the age of 65 in the United States suffer from fall-related injuries, like bruising, broken bones and even hospitalization. Chronic illnesses which are not managed or treated effectively increase a senior’s chances of experiencing a fall. Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and trouble with balance; which often accompany illnesses should be brought to the attention of a physician so they can be treated appropriately. That being said, only medications absolutely necessary to maintain a senior’s health should be taken, because resulting side effects may also increase the risk.

Other things to consider which may reduce the risk of falling includes reducing clutter in a senior’s home and arranging furniture so it’s easy to get around,; ensure they maintain active to help with balance and flexibility; and consider installing safety devices in bathrooms to event slipping.

Any seniors or family members who believe that their health may be compromising their safety, should immediately discuss their concerns with a physician.

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps elderly remain at home longer. Please call us when seeking non-medical home care, companionship, and professional caregvers in Austin. Call us (512) 347-9207.

If you are a working family caregiver and in the throes of understanding whether or not mom or dad needs help at home in Austin… here are a few tips:

• First, make a list of questions and the documentation you need to see from the professional caregver
• Draft out a complete job description; which might include part-time hours where the caregiver would be responsible initially for cooking, cleaning, driving my mom to appointments and helping her bathe.
• Ask yourself if you prefer they have experience working with seniors in a care capacity?
• Does you mom require medical attention and does she need a caregiver with a nursing degree?

After some Internet research, I discovered Home Instead Senior Care.  I checked them out - they provided professional CAREGivers, they came out to mom’s home for the interview, and they made sure the CAREGiver met our qualifications and my mom’s needs!

The things Home Instead did for us was great! Before hiring the person, Home Instead performed the background check and checked the professional caregiver’s references. For the past 5 years now, a lovely CAREGiver has been coming into my mom’s home and is doing a great job. This has allowed me to take a step back and manage all my responsibilities; I know now that my mother is in better hands.

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps elderly remain at home longer. Please call us when seeking non-medical home care, companionship, and professional caregivers in Austin. Call us (512) 347-9207.

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps elderly remain at home longer. Please call us when seeking non-medical home care, companionship, and professional caregvers in Austin. Call us (512) 347-9207. 

Natural Energy Boosters for Healthy Aging

Our bodies were designed to deteriorate. The physical aspects of youth are fleeting, as the bards have said. However, that doesn’t mean your mental faculties  have to go down with the ship. Your concentration and performance can actually be enhanced in your golden years.  To stay alert and smart, your brain needs glucose.  When your glucose level drops dramatically your brain will lose its ability to concentrate on anything.

The key to  long term stability is to avoid processed sugar ingredients. Natural snacks allow your body to utilize a slowly released supply of glucose. Start your day with a fiber-rich breakfast. Snack on bananas because they are high in potassium, a  mineral your body needs to convert the sugar in your blood into energy. Sometimes a boost is as simple as a drink of water. Another effective thing to try is bright light –- especially in the morning. Exercise begets more energy. And   peppermint not only freshens your breath, it freshens your brain.

Solid studies exist that confirm all of these will help you energize.

Safe Exercise for Seniors

It is important that seniors remain physically active well into their elder years to maintain their overall health. The benefits are endless, provided they proceed with caution and exercise within their own physical limitations to remain safe. It’s crucial that seniors pay close attention to the signs and signals their body is sending them both during and after any exercise program. Any major changes also need to be discussed with a physician, to ensure your body is able to handle your intended lifestyle changes.

The ideal exercise for many seniors is walking; it is relatively low-impact activity that allows seniors to continue at their own pace, and is easy on the joints. In order to protect themselves against injury, seniors should also ensure they invest in appropriate equipment, particularly good quality shoes.

In order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, chronic illnesses and other common ailments, caregivers should encourage the seniors in their lives to begin a regular exercise routine that includes walking.

Source: http://www.butlerboomer.com/2008/10/walking-tips-for-seniors.html
http://www.safety-council.org/info/seniors/winter.html

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps a family caregiver manage elder home care in Austin. Please call us when seeking non-medical home care, companionship, and professional caregvers in Austin. Call us (512) 347-9207.