Tips for Easing an Aging Loved One into Home Care

The decision around home care for an aging loved one is important and can be challenging for those involved. The process of beginning homecare can feel intimidating and unfamiliar. However, it’s important to make sure the transition is as seamless as possible. Consider the tips below to help ease your aging loved one into home care.  

5 Reasons to Stay Active this Winter

Staying active during the winter can feel like a daunting task for some. In comparison to spring or summer, there may not be as many opportunities to take an afternoon stroll in the park or participate in other outdoor activities.  

Everyone knows that exercise is “good for you” but how beneficial is it actually? Consistent physical activity can make a world of difference in your health and wellbeing, especially as you age. Below are five reasons to stay active this winter and beat the winter blues.  

Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Seniors

Finding a gift that your aging loved one will use and enjoy can be a challenge. How do you give a gift to someone who seems to already have everything they need? Many seniors have limited space to hold their belongings and would prefer to have a more practical gift. Whether you’re shopping for a parent, grandparent or an elderly neighbor, here are a few gift ideas for seniors that they’re sure to love, appreciate and use. 

How to Combat Loneliness During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and everyone looks forward to enjoying happy moments with family and friends. For many people, it is a time for merry, attending parties, hosting events, baking, cooking, and dining with family and friends. But this can also be when others feel lonely especially senior loved ones.

Holiday Décor and Safety Tips for Seniors

Spreading joy, celebrating traditions, and spending quality time with loved ones are some of the best parts of the holiday season. Decorations are often a large part of the celebration, but they may become hazardous to your aging loved ones. As they age, your loved ones may not be as mobile or strong as they once were. While it may be one of their favorite activities, decorating their home alone can be a major safety hazard. This holiday season, be mindful to minimize falls and other injury while decorating.  

5 Daily Routines to Implement With Your Live-in Parents

When your elderly parents are homebound, it's essential to implement daily routines so they feel like they have a schedule to follow every 24 hours.

5 Family Traditions to Enjoy This Thanksgiving If Your Parent(s) Have Alzheimer's

You can still enjoy Thanksgiving traditions even if you have a parent who is living with Alzheimer's. Check this list of safe and memorable activities that can help you create a Thanksgiving that your entire family will cherish and enjoy.

How to Cope With Your First Holiday Season Living Alone

Whether one has just lost a life partner or is no longer living with friends or family members, facing a first holiday season living alone can be a lonely experience. Even if we're planning to join our loved ones for those special days on the calendar, the in-between days can be a challenge. Here are a few tips seniors can use to make the holiday season merrier.

Preparing for End-of-Life Care with Your Aging Loved One

The process of end-of-life care is an emotionally and physically difficult time for all involved. Considering the prospect of death and all its moving parts with an aging loved one can be overwhelming. You may never feel prepared enough to make life-altering decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of a loved one. However, there are several practical steps that may help alleviate some anxiety and frustration as you make challenging end-of-life decisions.  

5 Fall and Winter Home Decorations That Can Worsen Air Quality (And What to Do About It)

Fall and winter decorations are not bad, but many people are unaware that toxins are present in our seasonal decorations which worsens indoor air quality for the elders in our home. Consider which decorations are full of pollution potential and what to do about them.

How Often Should You Get Breast Exams as You Age?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Significant efforts have been put into educating and creating awareness about breast cancer among all women and men, young and elderly.

Technology for Seniors: Devices and Applications to Help Seniors Age in Place

Baby Boomers, the generation of Americans born between 1946 to 1964, are currently the second largest generation in America. By 2030, all baby boomers will be age 65 and older. According to Census Bureau projections, older adults are projected to outnumber children under age 18 for the first time in U.S. history by 2034. Technology plays an important role – now more than ever – in aiding the growing population of seniors that wish to age in place.  

Stop the Revolving Door of Hospitalizations by Keeping Seniors Safe at Home

Fall. Hospital. Rehab. Repeat. Sound Familiar? A peer reviewed article published in the Summer 2022 issue of the Journal of Aging Life Care™ shares how Senior Helpers LIFE Profile assessment uses research-based strategies to prevent risks that lead to hospitalizations for seniors.

Home Improvements: How to Prevent Slips and Falls from Rain, Snow, and Ice This Winter

Rain, snow, and ice during winter increase the risk of slips and falls among elderly loved ones. Seeing as most people aged 65 and above have mobility issues, rain, snow, and ice during winter make navigating even harder for them. Luckily, you can make some home improvements to ensure their safety during this period. Here are expert home improvement tips from Senior Helpers to prevent slips and falls among senior citizens.

Halloween Activities for Seniors and Their Loved Ones

The fall season comes with many different activities and holidays to look forward to. Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America, with different activities to celebrate alone or with the whole family. This fall, try incorporating some of these spooky-season activities with children, seniors, and everyone in between.  

Tips to Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Arthritis

As the seasons change, many people who live with arthritis may be feeling an increase in pain and stiffness. Arthritis is a leading cause of work disability in the United States, with an estimated 24% of all adults affected. October 12th is world arthritis day; a global awareness day used to inform and educate people of the chronic disease that causes joint inflammation. In addition to consulting your doctor, there are a few general remedies that may help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and improve overall well-being. 

6 Winterizing Tasks for Seniors

While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of fall activities, we should not ignore the importance of preparing early for the cold winter months. Minnesota is ranked among the top three coldest states in the United States, with temperatures dropping as low as -30°F. Therefore, if you live in Hastings, Cottage Grove, and surrounding areas, you must complete crucial tasks to protect yourself, especially if you live with an elderly loved one. Here is a list of tasks, including those that are better handled by professionals:

Preparing for a Natural Disaster with Older Adults

Depending on where you live, natural disasters may affect you in different ways. From floods, tornados, hurricanes, forest-fires and more. It is important to be mindful of how each of these may affect you and your loved ones.  

Preparing ahead to the best of your ability, will help you in the event of any emergency. If you have an older adult in your life, near or far, it is important to make sure they have a plan as well.  

How Seniors Can Build a Fitness and Activity Routine With Their Senior Dogs

Factors such as mobility limitations, low energy, and health issues make it challenging for most senior citizens to participate in social activities they once enjoyed. However, lack of regular exercise is associated with various health problems, including reduced coordination and balance, cardiovascular diseases, bone strength, muscle mass, strength, and physical endurance.

Fall Activities You Can Do with Your Senior Loved One

This year, the autumn equinox lands on Thursday, September 22, which marks the first official day of fall. Depending on where you are in the country or world, fall can look and feel different. If you are in the United States, there are a few common themes you will find throughout the country to solidify the cozy feel of fall.

Whether it is picking or decorating pumpkins, celebrating Halloween, or making your family’s famous apple pie, there are several activities that you and your loved ones can enjoy together. As you age, the ability to participate in activities changes, but this does not mean that you are no longer able to enjoy them. Modifying activities to best fit the abilities of your senior loved one can be a great way to enhance everyone’s experience.

The Benefits of Life-Long Learning for Seniors

When one door closes another door opens. There are many new opportunities that arise once you enter retirement. Seniors have a newfound freedom that gives them the chance to pursue goals that were not feasible during their younger years. They no longer worry about deadlines, work schedules and using their small amount of free time to get other tasks done. Retirement is the best time to pick up a new hobby, experience new places, and best of all, continue to learn and pursue new opportunities! 

6 Healthy Snacks and Recipes That Feature End-of-Summer Produce

While many fruits and vegetables are available year-round, it cannot be denied that they taste best when they are in season. Therefore, the end of summer is an excellent time for late summer fruits and vegetables such as ripe peaches, delicious summer squash, ripe tomatoes, eggplants, sweet corn, and so much more. With these end-of-summer fruits and vegetables, you can make healthy snacks and recipes for your older adults.

Fitness Tips for Seniors with Limited Mobility

The importance of regular exercise and physical activity is no secret. In fact, it is one of the best things you can do for your body. According to the CDC, it promotes weight management, brain health, strengthens bones and muscles, can reduce the risk of disease and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

For seniors, it can be challenging to find an exercise routine that works best for their lifestyle or limitations they may face. It is still possible for seniors to find a routine at any age to begin enjoying the many benefits that come with regular physical activity. Not sure where to start?

4 Types of Computer and Video Games for Seniors' Cognitive Health

Computer and video games are not only fun, but they can also provide a wealth of benefits for multiple generations. While it can vary between game types, some benefits for older adults include a positive effect on cognitive health, an improvement in emotional health, and an improvement in balance while also providing a social atmosphere.

4 Simple Ways to Show Appreciation for the Seniors in Your Life

As we age, the discussion of needing more assistance in daily life becomes more frequent. While it is common for older adults to seek the help of a caregiver, it can also lead them to feel like they are losing their independence. Constantly having someone around you to help with your day-to-day life can feel overwhelming at times and can even lead some people to feel unfulfilled.

As a caregiver, whether professionally or personally, it is your responsibility to make sure that your client is taken care of. Following a routine for care can be very helpful, but it is important to be mindful of how your client feels about being taken care of. For some, it can be challenging to accept help when they have been the provider for most of their lives. Showing the seniors in your life that they are appreciated and seen can make a positive impact on their perception of accepting help from others.