Family traditions help us form connections with our relatives and shape our own sense of identity. Every family has their own rituals that are important to them and are valued parts of their lives that they look forward to each year. Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934. 

It doesn’t matter what the traditions are, they can be whatever the family deems as important to them. They can be as elaborate as throwing large surprise birthday parties for every milestone, or as minor as reading bedtime stories to children every night. Whatever the traditions are, it’s important that they are passed along to future generations so they can be part of making the memories too.

Families can pass along significant heirlooms from generation to generation, while making sure that other individuals understand why it’s so important. An heirloom can be any object that represents the family; like a piece of jewelry, a quilt or an ornament.

Another tradition that can be passed on within families, can be to teach skills which can be enjoyed together or by members on their own. They can be creative skills like painting, photography, or needlework crafts like knitting or patchwork. Or, they can focus upon music, like learning to play an instrument or singing. Other areas of expertise that can be passed on are cooking, gardening, or handyman skills.

Families should also focus upon sharing their stories about family history and traditions with all generations, so they understand the significance of the rituals to their family. This can make them even more special and unique and help tighten the bonds between the members.

Source: http://aginggrandparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/preserving_family_memories

When visiting an older adult over the holidays, or in the New Year, families need to be prepared to appropriately handle any signs that the senior is struggling. According to Dr. Harwood, there are a number of ways to do it right; complete the following checklist to learn if you can productively handle your holiday visit.

• You know that their home might signify negative changes – unopened bills, clutter, or an under stocked fridge may indicate that they’re struggling to keep up with the responsibilities at home.
• You are prepared for no change or positive changes within their homes – they might have assistive devices, which can indicate that they are accepting and coping well with the aging process.
• You will do your best not to overact and will not try to do too much too soon, no matter what you witness.
• You know that the aging process is not always responsible for changes in a senior, so you take the chance to talk and learn what’s really been happening in their life. This helps you learn if they’ve recently lost a friend, experienced a health change, or begun taking new medications.
• You consider how you would like to be treated if you were in a similar situation.
• After learning why the senior is experiencing these changes, you help them find simple solutions.

Jake Harwood, Professor Department of Communication, University of Arizona

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Caregiving Decisions

Q1 – Why might family caregivers choose not to involve seniors in decisions that impact their own lives?
A1 – Sometimes it can be challenging for seniors to make decisions or gain access to needed resources based on the physical, mental and emotional limitations. In these cases, sometimes a caregiver might find it easier to make the decision themselves.

Q2 – Should seniors be involved in making decisions?
A2 – Absolutely, while they may not be able to make them single-handedly dependent upon their abilities, caregivers can assist them with the decision-making process and setup situations where they’ll be successful.

Q3 – How can caregivers involve seniors in effective decision making?
A3 – If making big decisions are too overwhelming for seniors, caregivers can complete the necessary research and use resources in order to present seniors with the top suitable options. By preventing a senior with the best choices regarding a professional caregiver, community living facility or investment opportunity; families can ensure that their senior makes a good choice no matter what, while allowing the senior to be involved with the process.

Q4 – Can this decision-making structure be used for minor day-to-day decisions as well?
A4 – For seniors who find it overwhelming to decide what to wear or what to have for dinner, a caregiver can provide them with two or three options to choose from.

Q5 – Are there any legal ways seniors can ensure their voices are heard?
A5 – It’s important for older adults to draft up Living Wills and appoint a Power of Attorney while they are still able to make their wishes with regards to healthcare, asset management and more. This will ensure that their families, doctors and legal professionals follow the senior’s requirements, even if they can’t speak for themselves.

Source: http://assisted-living.aplaceformom.com/articles/eldercare-decision-and-guilt/

You Don’t Have to Be Alone For the Holidays

No matter what your age, you are never too old to find romance, or form new friendships; and what better time to find this connection than over the holidays when people naturally come together. Whether you are single by choice or a widower, you can find a fulfilling bond with another person which might last the season, or last a lifetime.

During the holidays, there are many social events and community get-togethers that give seniors the opportunity to mix and mingle. Don’t over do it, but do RSVP to a select few events where you know you will feel comfortable and try to expand your social network. It can be easy to socialize strictly with the people that you already know, but try and expand your horizons and get to know others in attendance. Don’t stress about making conversation, just talk about whatever comes naturally to you; you can discuss holiday plans, your grandchildren, or your favorite social activities. After all, for someone to have the potential to become a valued part of your life, they should have a genuine interest in what’s important to you.

If you enjoy entertaining, you can expand your social network by hosting a party and having friends and family bring along guests that you are not familiar with. For fun activities during the party, you can even play icebreaker games that allow you and your guests to get to know each other better. Follow up with a thank you note after the event to let each of your new friends know that their presence in your home was appreciated.

Another great way to meet new people and give back to the community at the same time is to volunteer. Over the holidays there is a greater need for people to help the less fortunate; you can volunteer at a local shelter, toy drive or other charity event. You may find that you form close bonds with your fellow volunteers, or create important connections with those you are helping.

No one has to be alone over the holidays, and by getting out there and networking this year, you too can make sure you have a happy holiday surrounded by those you care about.

Staging a Holiday Caregiver Intervention

We all know someone who may seem inhumanly efficient; always able to multi-task, willing to take on more and more responsibility, and never slowing down. There are caregivers who fall into this category as well; and while we might envy the endurance of these people, we don’t realize the toll that this lifestyle can have upon their lives. Over the holidays, with even more to accomplish, these people may spiral out of control and forget to celebrate and take in the joy of the season. If this sounds like someone you know, it may be time to stage a holiday intervention.

The first step is to have your loved one understand that they don’t have to do it all alone. They have people who care for them that can help them manage their responsibilities. Family members can help with holiday shopping, decorating, cooking and baking; family and friends can assist with respite care for the senior being cared for, or a professional caregiver can be hired to step in and help.

The caregiver should also be encouraged to make time for his or herself, by relaxing with a glass of wine, basking in front of a warm fireplace while holiday music plays, or simply getting to bed early. It’s important for them to understand they don’t need to do it all to make people happy; the people they care about will be satisfied to see them enjoying the season.

A caregiver who feels that they are responsible for carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, may need help learning to slow down. So this year, as the holidays approach, intervene and remind them just where their priorities should lie.

Source: http://homehealthcarebooks.com/healthcareblog/2007/12/19/holiday-help-relieving-caregivers%E2%80%99-stress/

You may feel you’re ready to provide care for someone you love during the last moments of their life, but it can be a difficult experience. The following checklist can help you determine whether you should care for your senior, or if hospice care may be a better option.

• You are able to give up other responsibilities, like work or school, in order to provide care for the senior

• Your family and children support your decision to provide palliative care and will do what they can to help

• You are aware that you may have to limit your social responsibilities for a period, due to overwhelming responsibilities

• You are as prepared as you can be to cope with death, and have considered grief counseling options once he/she passes

• You are willing and able to learn about medication administration and remain on hand to dispense them when needed

• You are prepared to meet the other needs of the senior, like dressing, bathing, changing and more

• You have thoroughly researched the options in your community and spoken with medical professionals to ensure you are making the right decision

• You are open to receiving training from hospice workers in order to provide adequate care

• You are able to take on other responsibilities belonging to the senior and carry out their wishes
• 
Sources: http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/hospice/faq.php
               http://www.caringinfo.org/LivingWithAnIllness/PalliativeCare.htm

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Many seniors read, because it is an activity that does not require them to be mobile and is something they can do at their convenience while in the comfort of their own homes. While decline of eyesight may present a challenge, there are ways that seniors can get the same benefits; by purchasing large-print books or books on CD.

For seniors, books can become both a form of entertainment and an escape. Without leaving their homes, they can become engrossed in stories that take them away from the problems of their day-to-day lives. Reading a fictional story allows seniors to use their imaginations and exercise their minds. Non-fictional publications allow seniors to learn about current affairs and more while expanding their vocabulary, utilizing memory skills and generally improving their cognitive function.

A book or article that a senior has read can also be a good conversation starter when attending a social event. By engaging in discussions and debate with other people who have read the same piece, seniors are strengthening their minds by using problem-solving skills and demonstrating their comprehension.

It’s great for seniors to focus as well on publications that are specifically directed towards their demographic. This helps them inform themselves about important elder issues, individual’s reflections upon the aging process, and the generation’s perspective on today’s world.

For a list of magazines for seniors, visit the Yahooo! Directory, and learn about good fictional and non-fictional books by visiting SuddenlySenior.com.

Sources: http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Cultures_and_Groups/Seniors/Magazines/
http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/06/poetry-especially-for-seniors-book.html
http://www.suddenlysenior.com/books2004.html

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 80% of telemarketing scams are directed towards seniors who are unfortunately vulnerable to all types of fraud, since by nature they are more trusting, friendly and generous.

It’s important that seniors exercise caution when making any serious decision, especially when large sums of money are involved. It’s also a good idea to get perspective from someone they trust, like a close family member or friend.

Other Ways Seniors Can Protect Themselves:

• Never give out your Social Security Number (unless absolutely required, then verify the recipient), and don’t allow organizations like hospitals to use it as an ID number; you can request that they use an alternative

• Doctors in the US are business people looking to make a profit and not all of them are honest. If you are diagnosed with a serious illness or condition that will require expensive treatment, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion

• It’s smart to make investments if you do so wisely, so consult an accountant, attorney or legal advisor before exchanging funds

• If hiring a contractor for home repairs or other consumer services, check the Better Business Bureau for a rating and see if there are any scams listed with AARP

• If hiring a caregiver, who will become an integral part of a senior’s life with access to personal information; make sure that a thorough background check is conducted

• Beware of sweepstakes scams, you should never have to pay money in order to receive a prize

• Be careful with mail and other documents that contain personal information. If mail is delivered to your door, try not to leave it sitting outside, and shred all documents before recycling

• Analyze all financial statements closely, and have a trusted family member to take a second look so ensure there are no suspicious charges

If you have been a victim to consumer fraud, contact the Administration on Aging to point you towards resources that will help bring justice. Ombudsman, legal council, the Better Business Bureau and private organizations like Fraud Resolution for Seniors, in Seattle, Washington can all be useful.

Sources: Source: http://www.safeseniors.org/protecting_seniors_from_fraud.htm
                            http://www.dca.ca.gov/consumer/seniors/senior_scam.shtml
                            http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors/Consumer.shtml

With the suffering economy, seniors in particular are struggling to make ends meet; with high food costs and limited incomes, and the fear that pensions and benefits may be lost, there’s no better time to penny pinch. However, saving a few cents should not occur at the sacrifice of proper nutrition; seniors can maintain healthy diets, while watching what they spend.

• If fresh fruits and vegetables are not in the budget, consider buying canned or frozen; they contain the same vitamins and nutrients and are non-perishable so you don’t have to worry about them spoiling
• Select fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season locally; they are cheaper since import costs do not apply
• Choose frozen meats or buy in bulk – remember to go with lean proteins, and limit consumption of red meats
• Meats that are nearing their sell-by dates (but not expired) may be discounted. The best way to preserve their lifecycle is to cook and freeze them right away
• Contact a senior nutrition program in your area – your local Area Agency on Aging can help you get in touch. These programs suggest a donation amount, but will provide their services for whatever you are able to provide, even if it’s nothing at all. Depending upon your level of mobility, you may be able to receive daily meals in the community, or have them delivered to your home

Sources: http://www.poststat.net/pwp008/pub.49/issue.366/article.598/
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_/ai_n11838042

Home Instead Senior Care providing the most trusted elder home care in America! Helps family caregivers cope with senior care in Dallas. Call us today at 972-239-3934.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Most family caregivers don’t do what they do because they think it will be easy or fun; they provide care because of their love for a senior and concern over their health. Caregivers will have an easier time coping with the challenges, if they have an understanding of what to expect.

Physical Challenges

• Caregivers may be responsible for most or all of the light and heavy housework, which can become trying especially when combined with their own responsibilities at home

• Caregivers often need to help seniors with limited mobility, which can involve lifting and moving them. If  a caregiver is not physically strong they may injure themselves or the senior

Mental Challenges

The challenges referred to here, are those that a senior’s mental issues may present to a caregiver.
• Caregivers may have to learn new skills to manage medications

• Caregivers often need to take responsibility over a senior’s financing

• Caregivers also need to make adjustments to a home for safety, and plan activities appropriate for the senior

Financial Challenges

• Caregivers may have to take on some form of financial obligation to assist the senior, since often senior’s with health limitations have used a lot of their funds paying for medical costs

• Sometimes caregivers, like their senior, may use a great deal of their savings and financial resources to fund healthcare or other costs related to senior care

Emotional Challenges

• Caregivers may find it difficult to deal with the physical and mental changes that come with a health decline of their beloved family member

• Family caregivers can feel conflicting emotions ranging from affection, frustration, anger, sadness and guilt

• It can also be a big emotional challenge to try and convince a family member to take caregiving help; or deal with the emotions that come with having someone rely on you fully

Source: http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec2/ch15/ch15a.html