Archive for year: 2017

As people age, many times their cognitive and physical capabilities decline, and negatively affects their safety and independence. On top of that, seniors are also more prone to falls, injuries, and even crimes. A caregiver can help to create a safe living area, through several options: Making their home senior-friendly (no loose furniture or dark areas), finding a care facility that prioritizes safety (through home care, independent living community, or assisted living), ensuring outdoor safety, investing in senior-safety devices (LifeAlert, for example), make sure their medications are always in stock, and install a smart home security system. These are just a few ideas to help the senior in your life live more comfortably, and safely.

Key Takeaways:

• The senior population 65 and up is expected to double to 98 million by 2060, and they seniors need a safe environment
• Consider bathrooms, properly designed eldercare facilities, and safety devices as being utmost importance
• The best thing for a senior is having the power to live a life with minimum assistance, and these tips will help you provide that

“Regardless of whether your senior lives with you or separately, it is crucial for you to create a safe environment for your aging relative in order to protect him/her from unforeseen events that can adversely affect his/her quality of life.”

Read more: https://senior.com/caregivers-can-improve-senior-safety/

Keeping on top of finances is much different once you’re retired, and can become more complicated than one expects. About one in three senior households are out of money, or in debt after paying monthly bills. and if you’re trying to help seniors manage their finances as a primary family caregiver, there are some additional roadblocks. Many older adults are reluctant to relinquish control of their sensitive financial information.

Fortunately, there are a few things that can help. We recommend looking into the following tools:

• BudgetPulse (a program that creates a budget and tracks spending each month)
• Budget Simple (free online budgeting tool)
• Economic Checkup (offer calculators for budgeting and have info on government resources)
• Mint.Com (links to your accounts to track spending and expenses)
• Personal Capital (tracks earnings and losses in investment accounts)
• PocketGuard (tracks spending, and gives you a snapshot of available funds)
• Prism (has a simple design)
• You Need A Budget (not free, and also provides classes, podcasts and videos

In addition to these helpful tools, if an older adult truly needs help with financial management but refuses to accept your help, try speaking with a trusted professional. This could be the person’s financial advisor or even primary care physician, as a check-up may reveal cognitive or other concerns that warrant further exploration. The doctor or other trusted source may also carry more weight when it comes to advising the senior to accept help with finances for their own benefit.

After all, financial health is just as important as physical health!

An in home care provider, like Endeavor In Home Care, can also help in a variety of ways – from transportation to medical or other appointments, to taking care of household chores, meals, and errands while allowing seniors and their loved ones to focus on matters that need to be addressed or simply to spend more quality time together. Our caregivers also serve as great companions to allow an older adult the opportunity to talk freely and openly about whatever is on their mind.

Contact Endeavor In Home Care, the leading provider of senior care in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, to learn more!

Virtual Reality for many may seem too wild or even strange as it is trending more and more with a variety of users trying it for the first time. Some caregivers are finding a very useful benefit for VR some are saying. Being a caregiver for patients who suffer mental health issues such as anxiety can be challenging for many. A program described in this article is being introduced to patients with these anxiety problems with surprising results some would say. Being able to escape to a VR world has been documented to actually reduce anxiety in many patients.

Key Takeaways:

• One Caring Team began using VR in group therapy for geriatric patients, some using more than 3 times a day
• One game called “Pain Reliever” has users throw balls at stuffed bears to distract from pain
• The technology is promising but researchers must be careful not to overhype the usefulness of VR

“In addition to having caring listeners call elderly individuals, One Caring Team’s Aloha VR program reduces seniors’ anxiety by allowing them to escape to other environments.”

Read more: https://medcitynews.com/2017/10/virtual-reality-patients/

As a person grows older, they often reach a point where it is no longer safe for them to get behind the wheel of a car. While there is no designated age when this occurs, there are some signs and symptoms that indicate when it might be time for a senior citizen to stop driving. If they wind up lost in areas that were previously familiar, or if their car gradually begins to sport more scratches and dents, then it might be time to consider alternatives. Other warning signals include frequent citations from or stops by police officers; medical conditions that can lead to weakened driving ability; reluctance to get behind the wheel; impaired vision or reflexes; noticeable changes in driving habits; and, finally, concern from those who are close to them.

Key Takeaways:

• If a senior citizen winds up lost in an area that was previously familiar, it is a warning sign that driving may no longer be a safe practice for them
• Be on the lookout for impaired vision or reflexes, both of which are common aging side effects that make driving a hazard
• If those close to a senior citizen, or the senior citizen themselves express concern over their driving ability, these concerns should be taken seriously

“Whether it’s a parent, friend, or even yourself, everyone wants to continue driving as long as they can do so safely.”

Read more: https://www.rd.com/advice/relationships/elderly-driver-warning-signs/

Elderly health decline is a natural part of life, and comprises physical and cognitive function. At some point, it may come to a point where it’s unsafe for seniors to continue living without care. However, decline is stressful on the person and their family members, and many use denial to help them cope. Denial can be okay if it’s short term, but long term becomes a problem. When dealing with someone in denial, avoid judgment and build a case around facts and evidence, or if it persists, it may not hurt to schedule a senior care consultation with a care professional.

Key Takeaways:

• Cognitive decline in old age is a normal part of aging, and beyond a certain point, assistance with living becomes critical.
• Recognizing denial about decline in yourself and in others is an important part of coping with the process.
• Use evidence, not emotion, to deal with denial, and consult an expert if denial persists.

“Denial prevents elderly adults from getting the care they need, which can accelerate their decline, severely reduce their well-being, and put them at serious risk of illness and injury.”

Read more: https://senior.com/blogs/seniornews-com