San Jose Aging Careenables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Members of the senior population need to be aware of warning signs that could indicate declining health. When seniors begin to experience symptoms that are different that what they normally experience, this could be a sign that there is a serious health issue that needs to be addressed. The list below contains some common warning signs. These signs should never be overlooked.
1. If seniors suddenly lose interest in something they previously enjoyed, there is cause for concern. This includes socializing with friends, involving themselves in hobbies or losing interest in physical activity.
2. When seniors become less active, there may be an underlying problem. It is important to talk to a doctor when seniors begin to be less physically active on a day to day basis.
3. Be aware of how seniors move. If they normally move at a normal pace and suddenly begin to slow down, there may be a medical reason. Seniors should try to remain as active as possible. If they suddenly walk differently, make sure to talk to a doctor.
4. Seniors who begin to lose weight rapidly and have changes in appetite or eating habits could have a medical problem. These changes are unhealthy and should always be taken seriously. Be sure to report any changes in weight or eating habits to a doctor.
5. Many seniors do not walk as well as younger adults. However, if seniors begin to wobble when they walk, this is a warning sign. Seniors who lose their balance could have a medical problem that needs treatment.
Staying fit can be an excellent bonding experience for caregivers and seniors. It is important for caregivers to stay healthy, and being fit is one way to do this. The list provided below contains some tips and resources for San Jose caregivers regarding ways to stay fit. There are also many activities that seniors can join in on with the caregiver.
1. There are many programs available through AARP that will be helpful when trying to get in shape or stay fit. These programs offer some great ideas on starting points and can also provide structure for those who are already active and wish to follow a schedule or set a regimen each day. Seniors can also join in with many of the activities provided, allowing another opportunity for the caregiver and senior to have special time together.
2. The benefits of exercise far exceed just toning the body and staying fit. There is a mental and emotional component to it as well. The Fat 2 Fit journey is a great program for seniors and caregivers to do together. This program will walk you through the steps to losing weight and keeping it off. It also provides some daily exercise that will benefit seniors and caregivers.
3. Make sure to take time for mental breaks. If you have a negative thought about the way you are exercising or your weight at the current time, it may be time to take a break. There are links on the source page that contain useful information for keeping your mind as healthy as the rest of your body.
San Jose Home Careenables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
The health of a caregiver can play a large role in their job. If a caregiver gets ill, they can pass that on to a senior, which could create serious health issues. Caregivers need to think of their own health as well as the health of the senior they are providing services to. All caregivers should follow the tips below to ensure they remain healthy and can continue providing care to those in need.
1. Daily vitamin supplements can make a huge difference. The vitamins can be very useful for those who are tired and listless.
2. Exercise is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Even if it is just a short walk each day, exercise can be very beneficial in maintaining health.
3. Respite time is very important. Since many caregivers do experience stress and the feeling of being burnt out, respite time can provide for rest and relaxation. These are needed to remain healthy so you can continue to provide for a senior in need.
4. Flu shots can help caregivers stay healthy. Not only will this help avoid the flu, but it will also remove the chances of spreading the virus to a senior.
5. Do not make work your entire life. Being a caregiver is very demanding. It is important to have a well-balanced life. This includes having hobbies and spending quality time with family and friends.
6. Make sure to visit the doctor regularly. Routine check-ups can prevent illness and will help with over-all health maintenance.
San Jose Home Careenables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
As old age sets in, health problems tend to arise. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the United States, seniors are becoming more informed on aging care to avoid heart issues. Part of that care can be quite simply applied to daily life.
• Lower Those Cholesterols Levels—People with coronary artery disease can monitor their cholesterol to ensure they don’t become another statistic or victim of heart disease.
• Practice Good Nutrition—Seniors worried about heart disease can eliminate some of that worry by merely changing their diets to follow healthier guidelines.
• Exercise—By taking that afternoon walk, seniors can decrease their chances of heart and circulatory problems a great deal. Exercise not only makes you feel good by getting out of the house, but also does a number on your heart.
• Read Up On Heart Health—So many publications nowadays offer great information when it comes to practicing good heart health. Seniors can turn to any of these publications such as the Harvard Heart Letter. This report helps seniors understand heart and circulatory health and the effects heart problems can have on emotional health. Such reports also provide detailed tips as to what you can do to lower your risk.
If you are a caregiver, or know anyone with a heart condition, you could benefit from watching the following clip, which features a modified form of CPR called CCR that is easier to learn, easier to do and can save even more lives!
San Jose Home Careenables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romance, but it can be about love and caring. Seniors shouldn’t be excluded from any events that the family participates in; they will appreciate that they’re being thought about even with simple activities like the following:
• Attend a community event – visit a senior’s center or community center hosting Valentine’s Day celebrations. Performances like concerts by choirs, plays and poetry readings can be fun to attend and great for the whole family
• Try doing some crafts – seniors who are already part of craft groups are likely to be beginning themed activities for Valentine’s Day, but do them at home as well. Seniors can also make cards and decorations with their family members
• Do some baking – Valentine’s Day is often associated with treats. Chocolate and goodies are usually a feature of the holiday. For seniors that can eat these items without any health repercussions, they can do some baking with family members. Otherwise healthier recipes can be tried incorporating food coloring of heart shapes to get into the spirit!
As a San Josecaregiver, you play such an essential role in the life of your loved one. You know that many of their daily activities rely upon you, but what you might not realize is that emotionally, you make a big difference too. In your role, you can be the best positive influence in helping a senior find success in reaching their goals.
1. Help form a support team – you don’t have to do it alone! Help your loved one form a support network that will help them reach their goals. If it’s to eat better, consider hiring a nutritionist and encourage friends and family to adopt healthier eating habits around them too. If it’s exercise, attend classes with your senior and ask others to do the same.
2. Remind him/her it’s not always going to be easy – especially for seniors who often face so many challenges later in life, it’s easy to give up on something that’s not coming easy. Often, resolutions that will drastically change their life aren’t going to be easy. Certain goals can be physically and emotionally challenging, so give them a friendly push when needed
3. A slip up doesn’t mean give up – as part of overcoming the challenges that can come with new goals, seniors need to keep on going even if they slip up along the way. In that situation, encourage them to learn from what they were doing wrong, then put it behind them and move forward. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to give them a hand with starting new!
According to a study, a large percentage of older adults suffer from some sort of chronic pain. Often it goes under treated because seniors fail to recognize that it’s not just a normal part of aging. Allowing chronic pain to affect their activities can have a much greater impact on seniors, since it increases their risk of falling by as much as 50%. Here are some strategies that seniors and their caregivers can use to cope with the pain they experience, and ensure that they get appropriate attention from a medical professional.
1. Keep a pain journal – using a calendar or day planner to rate the level of pain felt each day creates a document of the consistency and frequency of the pain and can help identify other factors that might contribute to it. Seniors can rate their pain on a scale from 1 to 10 in their journal
2. Be persistent – doctors don’t always take a senior’s complaint of pain seriously. Some may feel that the older adult is simply complaining, others may not think it’s as serious because some seniors downplay their experiences. Seniors suffering from chronic pain need to be honest, and persistent to make their doctor understand
3. Understand triggers – if specific activities make the pain worse or physical temperatures outdoors, seniors should record this and adjust their activities to reduce the instances
4. Get on with life – chronic pain can cause seniors to withdraw and avoid all activity. They should continue with activities that they enjoy and maintain a physical routine
When visiting an elderly family member over the holiday season, it’s the best time to begin evaluating how they are managing with their chosen lifestyle. While family members should be on the lookout for warning signs that their loved one might be struggling, the holiday season is not the right time to actually have a conversation about life changing events or cause stress. Families, can however, do an impromptu evaluation of their own and take note of things that should come up during future discussions.
Senior care experts recommend that families make note of the following things:
1. Learn about what your senior wants for the future – the holidays aren’t a time to bring up stressful conversations, but you can casually ask them about their desires for their future. If you learn they’re hoping to move closer to their grandchildren or to a warmer climate, that can help you understand for planning
2. Take a look at how they’re doing physically and mentally – simply being in a senior’s presence over the holidays will help you to evaluate their physical and mental health that could dictate their future senior care needs
3. Include the whole family – particularly if the senior you are assessing is a parent and you have siblings, everyone needs to be included in the discussions, at least until a family caregiver is decided to provide family care. Open the dialogue with your family members about the future of your loved one’s care
The holidays are meant to be joyous, but for many, they’re a great source of stress. Family caregivers and seniors can really feel the strain of the season; so here are some tips for beating the holiday blues and some might surprise you!!
1. Surround yourself with people – even if you don’t have family or friends around that you can spend time with, do join other social events taking place in your community
2. Volunteer – no matter what’s happening in your life, you’ll feel great when you volunteer and give back to those in need
3. Join a support group – sometimes it’s not easy to talk to family about the emotions you’re struggling with, so join a support group that allows you to share your feelings
4. Don’t put pressure on yourself – it’s okay if you don’t feel like celebrating over the holidays, don’t push yourself. Get involved with those things that make you happy, and don’t get down on yourself if you don’t feel joyful
5. Avoid alcohol – alcohol can depress your mood, so even though the wine and eggnog is flowing over the holidays, stick to the non-alcoholic stuff!
6. Know the signs of depression and seek treatment – the holiday blues are one thing, but you also need to recognize depression and get help
Shopping for grandma or grandpa for the holidays can seem like a big challenge for many families, but here are some great gift ideas that many seniors are likely to appreciate.
• Practical items they can really use – many seniors are on a budget crunch, so they could benefit from a gift card to places that they need to shop for essentials on a regular basis. A prepaid shopping card to grocery stores, large discount stores and department stores would all be appreciated and put to good use!
• Items that allow them to pamper themselves – seniors on a budget are not likely to splurge on things they consider non-essentials. Buy them candles, soaps and body lotions that allow them to feel pampered at home. Gift cards to restaurants or spas are added luxuries
• Gift baskets – gift baskets with a combination of items, including some of the above, as well as seasonal foods, books, and craft supplies that they will enjoy and make use of are all great things to include! Gift baskets can be bought pre-fabricated or can be created at home
• The gift of companionship – seniors will most appreciate the company of their loved ones. If this is not possible, senior care services can be gifted for companionship and assistance at home
• Take an elderly loved one out for the day – a trip out for lunch around the holidays to see a movie or a musical event can be a very enjoyable way for them to spend a day and it will be memorable!
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