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Tag: Elderly Care

Tips for Communicating with a Senior Experiencing Memory Loss

October 17, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Communicating with a senior who’s experiencing memory loss or dementia can be a challenging or frustrating experience, but it’s a must to maintain a meaningful social connection. Your loved one might not only struggle to recall recent events but also find it difficult to follow conversations or find the right words to express themselves. In this month’s blog, we’ll share some tips to help you communicate with empathy with your loved one and to make communication easier for them.

Shift to Elderspeak

Elderspeak is a communication style that involves using a softer tone, simpler language, and respectful terms of endearment. But don’t use it to a fault as it can be harmful for seniors. Simply put, avoid complex sentences that may confuse or overwhelm them. Use short and straightforward sentences to help facilitate understanding and help determine if your loved one needs help.

Related: Learn more about signs your aging parents need immediate help at home here.

Maintain a Calm and Positive Tone

The tone and demeanor you adopt during conversations can greatly impact the person’s emotional state. It’s crucial to maintain a calm and positive tone, even if they struggle to remember or express themselves. Avoid getting frustrated or correcting them constantly; instead, show patience and understanding. Your positive energy and reassuring attitude can create a safe and comfortable environment for open communication especially if your loved one is a dementia patient.

Related: Learn more about how to catch early signs of dementia in seniors here.

Use Visual Cues and Non-verbal Communication

When words fail, visual cues and non-verbal communication can play a significant role in conveying your message. Use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to enhance understanding. Pointing to objects or using pictures can help illustrate your point and trigger memories. Non-verbal cues can often convey emotions and intentions more effectively than words alone, facilitating a deeper connection.

Conclusion

If you’re loved one is a dementia or Alzheimer’s patient, rely on Home Instead Senior Care for compassionate care. Our trained caregivers specialize in providing compassionate and person-centered care for seniors with cognitive impairments. Contact us at (910) 342-0455 or visit our website at homeinstead.com for more information. We are here to support you and your family on this journey of caring for your loved one with memory loss.

How To Promote Good Sleep Hygiene For Older Folks

August 17, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Sleep becomes increasingly vital as we age, yet many seniors face challenges in achieving restful nights. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine up to 50% of older adults in the U.S. report sleep disturbances. Given the profound impact of sleep on cognitive abilities, physical health, and emotional well-being, it’s essential to address these challenges. In this month’s blog, we’ll explore strategies to enhance sleep quality for the elderly, ensuring they reap its numerous benefits.

Optimize the Sleep Environment

One of the primary factors to achieve restful sleep is creating an ideal sleep environment. Our surroundings significantly impact our ability to fall asleep and maintain a deep sleep throughout the night. As a caregiver, it’s essential to ensure that the senior’s bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Equip the bedroom with blackout curtains to eliminate external lights, consider white noise machines or earplugs to drown out noises, and adjust the room temperature to a comfortable level. The bed should be comfortable, with a supportive mattress and soft, breathable bedding. Additionally, remove distractions such as electronic devices that emit blue light, as they can interfere with the body’s internal clock and suppress the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.

Related: Learn more about tips to avoid caregiver pitfalls here.

Craft A Sleep Routine

Another critical aspect of promoting good sleep hygiene is establishing a regular sleep routine. Encouraging seniors to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily can regulate their internal clock, making it easier for them to fall asleep at night. Evening rituals, such as reading a book, listening to soft music, or practicing relaxation exercises, can signal the body that it’s time to wind down. Limiting caffeine and having healthy meals in the evening can further enhance the quality of sleep.

Related: Learn more about the best nutritional foods to improve a senior’s diet here.

Let Our Team Take Care of Your Loved Ones

At Home Instead Senior Care, we prioritize the well-being and health of the seniors we serve. If you’re looking for expert care for your elderly loved ones, our senior caregivers in Wilmington, NC, are ready to assist. We incorporate a holistic approach, ensuring that all aspects of our clients’ lives, including sleep, are catered to with the utmost care and attention. Let us help your loved ones achieve the quality of life they deserve. Visit our website or give us a call at (910) 342-0455 to learn more about our personalized in-home senior care services.

Signs Your Aging Parents Need Immediate Help at Home

June 7, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Getting older is just a fact of life, and we all expect our folks to start showing some signs of age eventually. When Dad refuses a visit to the zoo with the grandkids, we think he’s just not up for all that running around. When Mom forgets to pay the electric bill, we can understand because we’ve all once dropped the ball on paperwork or a daily chore. In fact, these are signs that they may need a little extra help more than ever. Here are a few key questions and signs that could make you realize they need help.

Memory Slip-Ups

Memory problems are a part of aging. It’s crucial to differentiate between forgetfulness and severe changes in their memory. Everyone forgets things from time to time, and there may be underlying conditions or medication side effects contributing to memory loss. However, when a parent keeps saying, “I don’t remember” or “I have no clue what happened to that,” it’s time to dig deeper and pay attention to these signs.

Mystery Bruises

Mom and Dad won’t admit that they took a tumble the other night. It can be embarrassing when we can’t move around like we used to. Nevertheless, if you notice unexplained bruises or difficulty in their movements, these are signs that your folks might need some support at home. You can include mobility aids or even physical and occupational therapy to improve their strength for everyday tasks.

Mood Swings

Is Mom acting distant lately? Is Dad suddenly grumpy? These mood swings are not considered a normal aspect of aging and can be early signs of dementia. You might even notice a personality shift from being introverted to becoming more extroverted because their judgment is affected.

Related: Learn more on how to catch early signs of dementia in seniors here.

Changes in Their Appearance

Their overall appearance is a major concern, especially if they are typically prim and proper and take pride in their appearance. As we recognize the importance of any daily routine, whether it’s getting ready in the morning or eating well, there are numerous red flags you need to address.

How Can You Help?

The little things really add up, you know? By spending more time with them and paying attention to their behavior, we can uncover potential issues that could make their health decline faster. It’s super important for you to learn how to spot these signs and realize that it might be time to hire a professional caregiver for extra help.

Related: Learn more about how you can find quality senior care when the time is right here.

Hire Home Instead Senior Care For Professional Support At Home!

Remember, the well-being of your elderly loved ones should be a priority, and providing them with the necessary help and care will enhance their quality of life and give you a peace of mind. At Home Instead Senior Care, our caregivers are professionally trained to care for your loved ones. Call us at (910) 421-2572 for more information.

Here’s How You Can Find Quality Senior Care When the Time Is Right

May 3, 2023 / / 0 Comments

We understand how difficult it is to choose a senior living home or care provider for a loved one. Luckily, we are here to guide you. Here is a resource guide that will help you find practical tools for evaluating options and advice on knowing when “it’s the right time”. Continue reading to learn more!

Here’s How to Manage Difficult Emotions Around Senior Care

It can be extremely difficult and you may be fraught with emotions when you have to decide on your options for senior living homes or in-home care. Here are some of the main contributors to the stress that many caregivers experience:

  • You will witness a decline in your loved one’s health.
  • You will see your loved one struggling to maintain independence after they’ve lost a spouse or partner.
  • You are feeling the strain of balancing your career and family while being a caregiver.

Are you the primary caregiver for a parent or older relative? Then you must also be wrestling with guilt, grief, feelings of inadequacy, or even burnout – especially if you’ve been taking care of the person for a long time.

Related: “Improving Cognitive Health of Elderly People”

Being aware of and processing complicated feelings and emotions can be very important. It can help you shape the entire experience. Some tips you can follow to help include:

  • You can talk to a trusted friend, relative, mentor, or therapist.
  • You can seek professional support online or in-person.

Signs Your Loved One Needs Support

Apart from dealing with the emotions on your end, keep an eye out for things that may signal a parent’s or relative’s need for support. Some signs may be subtle, however, other times they are quite obvious and can include:

  • The lack of organization or forgetfulness such as piles of unopened mail or unpaid bills.
  • The lack of energy or inability to maintain their daily chores and errands such as cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.
  • Your elderly loved one failing to take their required medications or seek medical help.
  • Not enjoying or partaking in their usual activities.

Related: “Decluttering Your Senior Loved One’s Home”

Top Steps for Finding Care

Here’s a checklist that you can follow to find the right housing or in-home care once you’ve determined the type of support your loved one needs:

  • You can start your research online.
  • You can also consider referrals from friends or peers who have relied on those services.
  • Try making a list of three to five home care agencies or senior living communities and make appointments for consultations.
  • You can also interview prospective caregivers or take an in-person tour of the facilities.
  • Ensure that you are asking as many questions as you can while taking into account your elderly loved one’s needs and requirements.
  • Make sure to have a proper discussion with your family in order to take their considerations into mind and to make the right choices.

Conclusion

We hope the above-provided guide will help you make the right decision. At Home Instead Senior Care, our CAREGivers are professionally trained to care for your loved ones. With proper care and assistance, our team will ensure your loved ones are active and mentally stimulated so they can enjoy life to the fullest. Call us at (910) 421-2572 for further information.

Ways to Improve the Life of Your Loved One When Dealing with Arthritis

November 8, 2022 / / 0 Comments

There are numerous ways that you can opt to manage the arthritis of a loved one. To help you improve the life of your loved one dealing with arthritis, we’ve listed some simple strategies that will help you reduce symptoms so your loved one can pursue the activities that are important to them.

  • Teach Self-Management Skills

Ecourage your loved one join a self-management education workshop. This will help them learn new skills to manage their arthritis and make better decisions about their health. Here are some of the main factors involved in teaching self-management skills to your loved one:

  1. They will feel more in control of their health.
  2. They will have the courage to manage pain and other symptoms.
  3. They will have more energy to plan and carry out valued activities, like working and spending time with other people.
  4. It will help them reduce stress.
  5. It will improve their mood.
  6. They will feel more conformable and able to communicate better with their health care provider(s) about their care.
  • Visit the Doctor

Accompanying your loved one to their medical appointment can help them feel more confident about getting medical treatment. Especially with an early and accurate diagnosis, this can help with effective treatment for your loved one to minimize symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.

Your main focus for arthritic treatment for your loved one should be to:

  1. Reduce their pain
  2. Effective treatment plans to minimize their joint damage
  3. Improving or maintaining function and quality of life

Ensuring your loved one is going for regular appointments with their health care provider and following their recommended treatment plan will play an active role in controlling their arthritis.

  • Managing Weight

Helping your loved one lose excess weight and stay healthy can also help them overcome arthritis. This will not only reduce their pain but will also improve their general physical movement.

Conclusion

We hope this guide will help when it comes to supporting a loved one dealing with arthritis. If you have a senior loved one that needs home assistance in Wilmington, NC, rely on Home Instead Senior Care. We provide the best quality care, with services personalized to you and your family’s needs. Visit our website or call (910) 421-2574 for more information!

Communicating with a Senior Who is Hard of Hearing

September 17, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Successful communication requires the efforts of all people involved in a conversation. Even when a person with hearing loss utilizes hearing aids and active listening strategies, it is crucial that others around them also consistently use good communication strategies. Below, we discuss a few simple ways to boost effective communication with a senior who’s hard of hearing.

Utilizing Other Senses

Just because someone is experiencing hearing loss does not mean communication is futile. Often times this simply means we must utilize other sensory signals to make up for the loss of hearing. This can be easier than one may think since so much of our language and communication is already non-verbal as it is.

Sight- Try to catch someone’s eye to let them know you are trying to speak with them. Keep in mind that lip movements, facial expressions and hand gestures tend to provide more information than actual words do.

Touch- Before initiating a conversation you can try gently touching a person’s arm or shoulder to get their attention.

Eliminate All Other Noise

The easiest way to improve communication with someone who’s hard of hearing is to eliminate any and all background noise whenever possible. This can be as simple as turning off the dishwasher or television, or splitting up from noisy groups of people.

Get to the Point

Whenever possible it helps tremendously to simplify your point. When telling a story or trying to explain something important, try using shorter, simpler sentences to get your point across.  Ask your loved one to not hesitate to ask you to repeat yourself or to try rephrasing it if needed.

What Not To Do

Shout- Speaking a bit louder can help but shouting and exaggerating words can actually distort sounds.

Speak Directly into Ear-  Doing this can distort speech and hide any visual clues.

Turn Away- Turning away when speaking can make it much more difficult, if not impossible to hear and read lips or hand gestures.

Final Thoughts

While there is hope on the horizon for hearing loss, there are many steps you can take to improve communication and the overall wellbeing of your loved ones now. Oftentimes professional help at home can make a world of a difference when caring for a senior with hearing loss. At Home Instead Senior Care, we believe in quality at-home care for seniors that prioritizes communication and patience everyday. Visit our website to find a qualified CAREGiver near you!

Benefits of Respite Care

December 30, 2019 / / 0 Comments

There will come a time where a caregiver will need the help of respite care. Respite care is temporary institutional or in-home care of a senior loved one who is ill, handicapped, or needs care around the clock. A caregivers, health and well-being need to be priorities, and giving yourself a break from those responsibilities as needed is key. Respite care will allow you to take a break from your daily care routine and manage the other responsibilities in your life. Read on and find some of the many benefits that respite care has to offer.

Find Relaxation Again

When it comes to your body, it needs adequate rest to function properly. If you fail to give it the rest it needs, you will begin to experience exhaustion and even depression. With optimal rest for your body, your mood will be enhanced. This will allow you to take on any caregiving responsibilities flawlessly, with a whole new outlook. 

Increase Your Social Life

People are creatures who need social engagement to avoid depression, as well as many other factors that can be debilitating at times. For a caregiver, it is important to avoid being isolated for extended periods of times. When you are constantly working with elderly loved ones, you can experience a mental and emotional breakdown. With respite care, it will allow you to take the time to have dinner with friends, attend a fun event, or even take a vacation, you know you deserve it.

Prevent Any Bad Habits

When a caregiver becomes overworked, they may turn to bad habits such as smoking, drinking, overeating, and other bad habits in an attempt to manage their stress. By choosing respite care you will have the ability to take some\ much deserved time off to relax and enrich your life with healthier habits such as fitness, journaling, meditation, or yoga. Preventing these bad habits is essential to be an efficient caregiver. Don’t allow yourself to become overworked.

Regardless of the reason your need for respite care, you want to make sure to choose the right senior care facility. That’s where we can help, here at Home Instead Senior Care we have years of experience working with the senior community and are here to help. Contact us anytime for additional information on our respite care service.

Home Modifications for Your Senior

September 25, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Home modifications can make it possible for seniors to live a comfortable life at home. Some modifications, such as ramps and walk-in showers, are just a few ways to improve safety inside the home, while also adding convenience for daily activities. Follow along in our blog for ways to make your senior’s living space more accessible!

Ramp Modifications

Indoor ramps are a useful home modification for older adults who use wheelchairs. These indoor ramps provide smooth transitions from one surface to another, making it safer to move throughout the home. We recommend threshold ramps, which are made from rubber components. They can easily be adjusted to the height of the door jamb or steps.

Kitchen Modifications

Washing dishes can be a challenging task if the sink is too deep or hard to reach over. Countertops and cabinetry may also be too high, especially for those using a wheelchair. To fix this problem, hiring a contractor to come in and adjust the counter height or lower the sink may be necessary. Moving tableware to lower shelfs, like bowls and plates, can also make everyday items more accessible!

Bathroom Modifications

Getting in and out of the shower may prove difficult for seniors as they age. One way to solve this problem is to replace the bathtub with a walk-in shower, which provides a much easier (and safer) entry and exit compared to a bathtub. In addition, installing a shower bar can give seniors something to hold onto while maneuvering to and from the tub. If an elderly person is having difficulty standing for long periods of time, consider a bathtub bench for more convenience!

Conclusion

Caring for an elderly loved one means making changes around the house as they grow older. If you have a senior that needs home assistance, contact Home Instead Senior Care. We provide the best quality care from the comfort of your elder’s home, with services tailored to you and your family’s needs. Visit our website for more information!

Health Benefits of Swimming for Your Elderly Loved Ones

June 21, 2019 / / 0 Comments

When you find yourself looking for some great summer activities for your elderly loved ones to participate in, consider swimming as your go-to activity. Whether you want to get them out of the house for a small period of time or simply want to give them a great way to stay active year round, swimming is one of the best ways to achieve both of these goals. Keep reading our blog to learn just a few of the positive health benefits that swimming can bring to your loved ones.

Elderly man swimming.

Elderly man swimming.

 

Good for Their Heart

If you have a loved one entering their golden years, swimming and other water activities are a great way to promote heart health. Swimming is one of the best exercises for lowering blood pressure and improving circulation because it’s a low impact activity that gently uses a majority of the body’s systems and muscles.

 

Good for Their Joints

For those struggling with joint pain, swimming is one of the greatest ways to exercise without putting extra strain on their joints. Swimming is a low impact, full-body workout that allows everyone to experience a fun method of staying in shape. Due to the non-weight bearing nature of this activity, even those that struggle with hip, spine, or knee pain can find enjoyment.

 

Improves Their Flexibility

Did you know that swimming is a great way to improve flexibility? The gentle and effective resistance that water provides improves strength and flexibility. Because of the simple movements involved, they will be able to notice an improvement in the range of motion in parts of the body including hips, legs, arms, and neck.

Swim class.

Swim class.

Helps Their Mental Health

This is more of a double benefit for your elderly loved ones. Because swimming is generally a relaxing activity, it’s great for reducing stress and improving mental health. Another aspect of swimming is that it’s a social activity, which means that your senior is able to interact with other people around them and start new friendships. Through their interactions, many of their feelings of loneliness are also greatly reduced.

 

Conclusion

No matter the activity, you always want to be sure that it can have a positive impact on your loved one’s physical and mental well-being. Swimming is one such activity that checks both of these boxes in a way that’ll allow your loved one the freedom and ability to safely enjoy themselves. Let our team at Home Instead Senior Care help the elders in your life find an activity that’s right for them.

What Happens When Our Elders Watch TV All Day?

May 31, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Watching TV is easy. Onscreen virtual reality effectively keeps both the young and old occupied and visually stimulated, so much that it has long become a nationwide pastime, if not the most popular one. But does this casual, fun activity come with strings attached? After all, how bad can streaming Teletubbies or those flashy infomercials be?

 

1. It strongly encourages sedentary behavior

It turns out that sitting and binging TV shows for five hours or more (which roughly translates to five episodes) per day can lead to fatal blood clots. For the elderly, the destructiveness tends to be even worse. This correlation is similar to that observable between in-flight entertainment and pulmonary embolism; not standing up, not drinking water, and not moving seem to add up to spell blood flow trouble. The perils remained the same even in Japan—well-reputed for the longevity of its senior population; the Japanese Collaborative Cohort Study found that fifty-nine deaths resulted from pulmonary embolism. Participating in sports, increasing heart rate, and—perhaps most importantly—limiting TV viewing time are some strategies to counter such dangers.

 

2. Thwarts intellectual stimulation

Although documentaries and educational content abound today, one of the main reasons people flock to the TV screen is relaxation. Reality TV, celebrity gossip, and vapid entertainment only require that we fix our gaze at the glowing colors and laugh along. Unsurprisingly, persisting in this passive, unthinking, and unchallenging mode slows down our ability to recall memories. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing reported that watching more than 3.5 hours per day was linked to a decline in verbal memory, most acutely in those who displayed higher cognition beforehand. So don’t flip to that channel with those petty catfights or ugly brawls; instead, consider reading thought-provoking and high-concept material with your elders, as it pushes our minds to crank the gears of our imagination.

 

3. Stifles Relationships

The absence of intellectual workouts reinforced by mindless TV not only rots our critical thinking and memory, but also inevitably our social skills too. Private binge-watching can rob opportunities for communal watching, and can isolate us away from tight-knit friendships and affirmation. Instead of turning to TV, we can turn to our peers; playing golf is an excellent way for elders to stay physically active and exercise friendly competition. In the case of the viewer who has obesity from binge-watching and has trouble moving, television addiction is not only a distracting hindrance to social interaction, but a physical one; however, regularly oxygenating the brain by going on a simple stroll can go a long way in crushing that couch potato inside all of us.

 

Conclusion

Being bombarded with promotions of all those unhealthy food products is unnecessary, and diverting our attention from vapid entertainment is avoidable. At the same time, trying to incorporate every healthful strategy simultaneously is not only exhausting, but also often ineffective. Thinking through each one carefully and applying it creatively and in a fun way, though, can spruce up your daily activities. Let Home Instead Senior Care help you decide those strategies!

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