Give the Gift of Holiday Cheer

The holidays are fast approaching, and for most of us this means fun times spent with family, friends and other loved ones. However, for seniors, holidays can be difficult. Many have lost a spouse and friends through the years, or perhaps live far away from their families and may be unable to travel long distances to see loved ones. This means the holidays can be a lonely time for many seniors, especially those who live by themselves.

This year reach out to elderly people you know and give the gift of holiday cheer. There are many ways you can make a huge difference in the life of seniors by simply spending time with them. Offer to bake holiday goodies together, or invite a senior friend shopping for Christmas presents or a cup of coffee. You can play games and even spend an afternoon writing holiday cards to send to friends and family. Take a walk or an evening drive to enjoy holiday lights and decorations.

Reach out to seniors you do not know for the same reasons. Organize a holiday get- together at your church for seniors. Take a visit with your children to an assisted living facility and sing Christmas carols. You can also volunteer at local organizations that offer services to seniors in your community. You can help plan activities such as trips, exercise classes, book clubs or other gatherings that provide avenues for seniors to expand their circle of friends. Call an organization like Comfort Keepers, which employs caregivers to assist the elderly during the holidays and throughout the year to provide grocery shopping, light cleaning or other duties that make it easier for seniors to live independently at home alone.  It is important to offer more than just physical assistance – social interaction for seniors is imperative on a daily basis.  During the holidays, for example, caregivers could take your loved ones to holidays events, sit with them to go over old photo albums, and similar activities.

Spending time with seniors makes them feel valued, involved, and less lonely and isolated during the holiday season. The holidays can provide unique opportunities to connect with seniors in ways that enrich not only their lives, but your own. Giving the gift of your time is a small way you can make a large difference in the lives of seniors. They may not use words to express the value of your time with them, but watch as their faces light up with smiles and their steps become a bit lighter during your visit. You are certain to find your gift of holiday cheer comes to mean as much to you as it does to the elderly people with whom you share it.

Using the Five Senses When Visiting Senior Relatives this Holiday Season

As seniors grow older, it becomes important to be aware of how the aging process affects their daily lives. Aging causes bodily changes that have a direct impact on the health and well-being of seniors. Some of these changes are so subtle they may go unnoticed, even by the senior.

Maintaining good health is vital for seniors who want to live independently in their own homes. Unfortunately, the natural aging process, as well as certain medical conditions, can affect a senior’s ability to safely live alone. Therefore, evaluating the health of your senior loved one is critical – especially if he or she lives alone.

There are ways to make these evaluations regarding your senior loved one without hurting, offending or devaluing him or her as an individual. Comfort Keepers®, one of the world’s leading in-home care agencies, makes it easy for you by providing the following advice in using your five senses to assess your loved one’s care needs.

Sight – Take a good look at the senior’s appearance when you visit, to ensure he or she is wearing clean clothes and grooming in a usual manner. Signs that this may not be happening include wrinkled clothing, bad breath or unkempt hair and face. How about the house? Is it orderly and clean or dusty and cluttered?

Sound – The way a senior speaks may give you a clue as to his or her mental state. Does he or she speak in the manner you typically would expect?  Can she or he say your name? Are you able to discuss activities, current events or future plans with your loved one? If not, there may be an underlying issue that warrants attention and that has nothing to do with the natural aging process.

Smell – Your nose can detect body odor as well as other signs throughout your loved one’s home that may signal trouble. 

Taste – Tasting his or her food can help you determine if it is fresh or spoiled, and be sure to check the expiration dates on food in the refrigerator. Exploring the senior’s pantry and sorting through medications to check for expiration dates is also important in monitoring a senior’s good health.

Touch – Simply hugging or putting your arm around your loved ones can help you judge their weight and fragility. Holding hands or touching an arm helps determine skin quality.

If you find any inconsistencies or abnormalities after putting your senses to the test, it may be time to consider an alternative care plan for your loved one. This does not necessarily mean moving him or her into an assisted living facility. Many seniors are able to meet the challenge of living safely in their own homes even after some of the above warning signs become present. Detecting these signs may simply mean they need an extra hand in helping with their daily routines.

If you are unable to provide help for your loved one, check into local in-home care agencies that can help. Companies such as Comfort Keepers employ techniques designed to assist seniors in ways that make it possible for you to maintain peace of mind, while offering your senior loved one the independence of safely living at home for as long as possible.

Engaged Senior Minds Stay Stronger

We know that the mind-body connection is critical to seniors’ overall well-being, which is why the Interactive Caregiving® approach to senior care works to help seniors maintain strong, vibrant minds.

By providing seniors with a wide array of activities to exercise and invigorate their minds and promote their health and happiness. Interactive Caregiving® home care helps to address the needs of seniors experiencing the symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, helping to raise their quality of life and mental health.

Overall, mentally-active seniors are less likely to develop Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and more likely to strengthen their cognitive function. This adds meaning and enjoyment to seniors’ lives and a sense of self-worth and greater independence.

Our minds, just like our bodies, need exercise to remain flexible and agile. And just as weak muscles increase the risk of falls, an under-exercised brain can lead to confusion, depression and even an increased risk for developing Dementia.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elderly subjects who solved crossword puzzles four times a week had 47% less risk of developing Dementia than those who did the puzzles just once a week.

The possibilities are limitless – games, crossword puzzles, engaging in a senior’s hobby, writing letters, playing a musical instrument—are just a few of the activities that seniors can enjoy.

Research shows that socially-active seniors also function better mentally. The most socially-active seniors in a Harvard School of Public Health study published in 2008 experienced less than half the memory loss experienced by the least engaged seniors over a six-year period.

Social experiences, like attending concerts or plays, going to church or a senior center, shopping for groceries or visiting friends also help seniors maintain a nimble mind and zest for life. These activities promote senior health and encourage happiness.

Comfort Keepers Interactive Caregiving is designed to help seniors keep their brains active and challenged through problem-solving, games, and hobbies. These kinds of mental engagement help seniors find purpose in life, and this leads to feelings of self-worth, an optimistic, can-do spirit, and an enhanced level of independence.

Opportunities like these motivate seniors to get up in the morning. Giving purpose to life is something we all need!

Caring for Yourself During the Holidays

Our company is filled with professional caregivers. They are amazing people who often take care of their own parents and children, in addition to our clients. Many of our clients have family who also care for them. One common theme for caregivers is stress. A common theme for the holidays is stress. Put the two together and you get a double dose. You cannot stop caregiving. You cannot stop the holidays from coming. How do you deal with all of this stress?

Give yourself a break: If you can, get another family or a professional caregiver to give you a break, for even a couple of hours. Use this time to nap, shop, go to the library, get some exercise, visit with a friend. Do whatever is relaxing for you.

Get enough sleep: Easier said than done, when there is so much to do! Try to go to bed an hour earlier or sneak in a nap when safe. Sleep is necessary and rejuvenating.

Maintain your health: Keep up-to-date on your own healthcare needs and medical appointments. If you get sick, you will not be able to take care of anyone else.

Eat nutritiously: The excess of food, especially sugar during the holidays can make you feel worse, especially if you tend to overeat when stressed. Try to keep some healthy snacks handy for when you are busy.

Exercise: Even a brief walk or some stretching in your living room can make you breathe a little deeper and slower.

Simplify: Remember what the holidays are really about. They are not about excess consumerism or having a perfectly decorated home. If you are religious, visit your house of worship to refocus. If you are not religious focus on the time with loved ones, the importance of your caregiving role and the renewal of a new year. There are many ways to simplify meals, baking and decorating. Have the whole family help out and once again, forget perfection! Enjoy your family!

Evaluating Senior's Driving Abilities

Elderly drivers have become a growing concern in society. With life expectancy increasing throughout the U.S. , the number of older drivers continues to rise as well. As people age, the operation of a motor vehicle can become difficult due to poor eyesight and slow reflexes.

This discussion is often very difficult and emotional for the adult child as well as the parent. It is crucial to consider the impact this will have on your parent and how you can make the transition easier on them.

Here are six tips you can use to help your loved one understand why it is time to find alternative transportation methods without them resenting having their independence taken way.

Build a case - if you feel safe doing so, take a drive with your parent, letting them drive. It may turn out that your parent is a safer driver than you suspected. If not, you can discuss your experience with them later.

Steer the conversation towards recent headlines - Discuss a local or national news headline about an elderly driver causing an accident. This will help give you a sense of what your parent is thinking. You may want to ask about when they plan to give up driving. If they say, "Oh, in 5 or 10 years, " you will know what you are up against.

Be gentle but firm - try not to be insulting or attacking. If your parent becomes angry or hurt, they may not leave the topic up for discussion.

Rely on experts - Realize that it may be difficult for your parents to agree with you. Suggest they visit their doctor or ophthalmologist to get an assessment. There may be a treatable medical condition that could make their driving safer. If not, it may be easier for your parent to hear it from a medical professional than their own child.

Offer solutions - Help your parent come up with solutions to their transportation issues. Offer to give them rides when you can. When you can't be there, consider a professional caregiver and companion service, such as Comfort Keepers. Your parent may be relieved to be able to go where they want, when they want, without the worries of parking and night driving.

Giving up the freedom of driving can be a difficult time for a loved one. Get them the assistance they need to make the transition as easy as reasonably possible. Remember that though it may be a difficult discussion to have, it may save someone's life.

Winter Safety for Seniors

Northern Michigan is beautiful, but it can also be harsh in the winter. When winter temperatures drop, staying warm and safe can become a challenge, especially for older adults. There are several factors that can put the elderly at risk during winter storms and lengthy sub-zero periods such as unexpected power or heating system failure.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outdoors, can cause serious or life-threatening health problems. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Comfort Keepers have provided these tips for seniors to remain safe during the cold weather season. Other dangers to consider are icy sidewalks and cold and flu viruses.
With proper precautions, winter does not have to confine seniors to their homes. They can enjoy these months safely by taking additional care and caution. Follow these tips to protect against illness, body heat loss, and other potential winter health problems.

· Be cautious with space heaters – Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater. In addition to being a fire hazard, space heaters may also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

· Consistently check the temperature – Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. When over 65 years of age, it is important to check home temperatures often especially during severely cold weather. The thermostat should be set to 65 degrees to prevent hypothermia. This will also prevent freezing pipes. Often times, seniors will turn heat down to save money on their monthly bill. Caulking or plastic sheets can be used to protect windows and keep the warm air inside and bring peace of mind to seniors worried about their energy bill.

· Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – Carbon Monoxide can be a very dangerous gas emitted by fuel-burning heaters and appliances. Seniors’ bodies can’t dispose of carbon monoxide as quickly as younger adults. Check to make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work within the home.

· Eat nutritiously – Eating well-balanced meals will help seniors stay warmer. Also, alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided because they can cause body temperatures to drop more rapidly. Even though the heat may be gone, it is still important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. This can help prevent dry skin problems as well as dehydration.

· Safety precautions – If a cane is used to assist in walking be sure to replace the rubber tip to prevent falls. When driving in the winter be sure to get the car tuned up, keep the gas tank near full and check to make sure the car has good tires.

· Dress appropriately – Be sure the outer layer of clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Using wool, silk or polypropylene as the inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers produce heat when they are touching. Wear a hat to protect against heat loss through the head.

· Take breaks during outdoor winter tasks – Many forget how much energy it takes to shovel snow in the driveway or walkway. Cold weather during the winter can put added strain on the heart. It is important to warm up the body prior to these chores and take frequent breaks to prevent problems or injuries.

· Make sure that seniors you know have cleared drives and sidewalks that are well-salted. Snow and ice make fall risk even higher than normal this time of year.

· Make sure that seniors have appropriate transportation to medical appointments and the grocery store; it may not be the right time for them to drive themselves. Services like Comfort Keepers can assist with this.

· Keep a water supply – Have an extra supply of bottled water (up to five gallons per person) in case pipes freeze or rupture.

By preparing a senior’s home for the winter months and taking the necessary safety precautions, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems. If you know elderly persons who are unable to prepare for extreme cold-weather conditions, they can take advantage of a service, such as Comfort Keepers to help make sure they are safe, warm and well-fed this winter.