Senior Helpers Blog
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.
How to Cope With Your First Holiday Season Living AloneThe 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.
Preparing for End-of-Life Care with Your Aging Loved OneFall 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.
5 Fall and Winter Home Decorations That Can Worsen Air Quality (And What to Do About It)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.
How Often Should You Get Breast Exams as You Age?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.
Technology for Seniors: Devices and Applications to Help Seniors Age in Place
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.
Stop the Revolving Door of Hospitalizations by Keeping Seniors Safe at HomeRain, 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.
Home Improvements: How to Prevent Slips and Falls from Rain, Snow, and Ice This WinterThe 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.
Halloween Activities for Seniors and Their Loved OnesAs 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.
Tips to Help Alleviate the Symptoms of ArthritisWhile 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:
6 Winterizing Tasks for SeniorsDepending 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.
Preparing for a Natural Disaster with Older AdultsFactors 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.
How Seniors Can Build a Fitness and Activity Routine With Their Senior DogsThis 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.
Fall Activities You Can Do with Your Senior Loved OneWhen 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!
The Benefits of Life-Long Learning for SeniorsWhile 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.
6 Healthy Snacks and Recipes That Feature End-of-Summer ProduceThe 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?
Fitness Tips for Seniors with Limited MobilityComputer 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 Types of Computer and Video Games for Seniors' Cognitive HealthAs 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.
4 Simple Ways to Show Appreciation for the Seniors in Your LifeIn 2016, Millennials became the largest generation currently in the United States labor force. Millennials, also known as Generation Y, represent anyone born between 1981 and 1996. Over the past ten years there have been countless discussions and studies made around the work ethic and over all workplace experience for millennials.
At Senior Helpers, it is important to us that our employees feel empowered to be a part of a team where their work is not “just a job.” We believe that our work at Senior Helpers has purpose, which is also what many millennials look for in their careers. As the top national homecare organization ranked on the Best Workplaces for Millennials™ 2022, below are few of the characteristics we believe millennials value in the workplace.
What Do Millennials Look for in the Workplace?Brownouts and power outages are not uncommon in Burnsville, especially during the summer when extreme weather, strong winds, and lightning can make the power go out. Whereas most outages last for a few minutes or several hours, sometimes they can linger on for days.
How to Prepare for Brownouts and Power Outages With Your Senior
Caregiving is not always an easy job. Whether you are providing care for a loved one in need or as it is your professional career, much of your time is spent thinking of others. As a caregiver, putting your own needs on the backburner may seem necessary in order to provide efficient, quality care. In the long run though, putting yourself last can cause burnout, fatigue and more.
Self-Care Tips for CaregiversIt is well known that the basic physiological needs for a human to survive are food, water, air, and shelter. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the next two levels a human will need to survive are safety/security and love/belonging. Both of which require interpersonal relationships with family, friends, co-workers, etc. The ability to form and maintain healthy relationships with others can have lasting effects on your overall health.
Social Wellness for Older AdultsIt can be hard to tell whether your elderly loved one is showing normal signs of old age or is displaying early symptoms of Alzheimer's. While the signs of the disease can vary, common indicators include significant behavior changes, memory loss, and an increased rate of confusion. Here are 5 signs that your loved one may be progressively developing Alzheimer's disease.
5 Early Signs Your Spouse or Loved One May Be Developing Alzheimer's DiseaseSun protection is important at any age. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. As you grow and age, your skin changes with you. It can become thinner, lost e elasticity and become more sensitive to the sun and other irritants.
There are many ways to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunburns. Below are the top three ways you can keep yourself and your loved ones protected.
Senior Sun Protection 101: Senior Safety in the Sun