Blog

December 7, 2022

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.  

November 18, 2022

Thanksgiving is an exciting holiday for everyone to look forward to. It’s the time of year where friends and family gather to share a large meal and give thanks. Everyone, from the youngest to oldest, takes time to visit and reconnect with each other. It is often one of the only times of the year you can see all your loved ones together.  

November 8, 2022

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.  

October 26, 2022

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.  

October 17, 2022

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.  

October 10, 2022

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. 

September 20, 2022

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.  

September 13, 2022

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.

September 7, 2022

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! 

August 23, 2022

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?

August 16, 2022

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.

August 9, 2022

In 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.  

July 26, 2022

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.

July 19, 2022

It 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.  

July 14, 2022

July 12, 2022

Sun 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. 

June 21, 2022

Having hobbies & doing activities can help decrease stress and engage in things that you genuinely enjoy.  A diagnosis of dementia or other brain related illnesses can affect what your hobbies may be. Although there are many things that change, this should not mean the end to hobbies & activities all together.

Participating in activities that your loved one enjoys can help improve their quality of life and managemange behavior changes that may come as the disease progresses. Not only is it important to keep in mind what they like to do, but what they can do, what they want to do in the moment, and what they are able to do.

June 14, 2022

The phrase, “Communication is key,” is top of mind for many when they are asked to reflect on their successes. Effective communication is important for a multitude of reasons. In general, communication allows for conversations to flow accurately and quickly. Poor communication can have the opposite effect, by causing frequent misunderstanding and frustration.

June 7, 2022

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior.  It is a form of dementia with symptoms that grow in severity over time. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age and is most common in people over the age of 65 years old.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are commonly referred to as the 5 A’s of Alzheimer’s which include Amnesia, Apraxia, Agnosia, and Aphasia, and Anomia.

May 16, 2022

The role of a caregiver is to improve the quality of life of those you care for while helping them stay as independent as possible. Caregivers play a key role in the communities that they serve. It is an extremely rewarding career that allows you to build long-lasting and meaningful relationships with people.  

May 6, 2022

Sun safety is important at every age. As warmer days approach and time spent outside increases, it is key to recognize the importance of sun safety. Many older adults grew up in a time when the benefits of sun protection were not well known or readily available. Our skin changes as we age and requires consistent protection against the sun.

In honor of Older Americans Month (OAM), Senior Helpers is highlighting a few tips to Sun Safety for Older Americans.

April 27, 2022

The uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) can leave loved ones feeling powerless, vulnerable, or even frightened. Although you may not be experiencing the toll of the disease yourself, you are experiencing the changes that will impact your loved one firsthand. It is important to recognize that your feelings are normal, as the challenges of PD can affect all aspects of a person's life.

Your loved one may experience changes in how they move, think, interact, sleep, and express emotion as the disease progresses. They will need extra care and support as they navigate through preserving their quality of life and staying active.

April 20, 2022

A Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis can come with unanswered questions. It can be challenging to decide what may be next for you and/or your loved ones. While there is no standard treatment for PD patients, there are several different options to explore.

Although there is no cure to PD, there are many treatment options to ease the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. The most common treatments for PD can include a variety of medications prescribed by your doctor, surgical procedures, and lifestyle modifications. It is important to speak with a doctor or medical professional to determine which treatment option(s) may be best for you.

April 4, 2022

Each year, approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurogenerative disorder that is most recognized by its movement-related (“motor”) symptoms. While the cause remains largely unknown, with no cure, there are many treatment options to assist in subsidingeasing the symptoms of the disease.