×

Home > Archives for Leslie Newlife

Leslie Newlife

Senior Living Facilities: 7 Benefits of Using Nursing Homes

Currently, only 4.5% of older Americans live in a nursing home. While people understandably want to maintain their independence, families should encourage their loved ones to rethink the decision to live alone.

Though older adults may feel more in control, living at home comes with disadvantages and poses a set of risks that need consideration. Read on to learn 7 reasons why you should consider senior living facilities.

  1. Safety

Falls make up the leading cause of injury for Americans older than 65 years of age. These injuries often lead to rehabilitation and death.

For this reason, living home alone can be dangerous for this age group. Nursing home staff help residents get around and the facilities better accommodate safe walking with their design.

Potential break-ins and fires also pose unique risks for older Americans living alone. People lose the ability to defend themselves or escape potential disasters as they age.

  1. Medical Attention

As we age, our need for healthcare generally increases. A nursing home always keeps medical staff available.

Nurses consistently check on residents, and doctors remain on call. This decreases the possibility of health conditions going unnoticed and worsening.

  1. Convenience

Cooking and cleaning can put a strain on anybody. But, older adults especially struggle with these tasks as they feel more tired and experience age-related health issues.

Nursing homes provide cooked meals throughout the day and always keep a variety of drinks and snacks on hand. They also tidy up, change the sheets, and sanitize, eliminating the need to clean.

  1. Social Interaction

As going out becomes more difficult, people tend to stay home. When their aging peers do the same and their younger loved ones lead busy lives, loneliness sets in.

In a senior living facility, the residents live with others around their age. They can make friends to regularly talk and interact with, making for a happier life.

  1. Fun Activities

At home, we can get into a restful routine and allow stagnation. Keeping the mind and body active promotes sharper thinking and better health.

Senior living facilities offer daily activities within the building so everybody can participate. Some nursing home activities include arts & crafts, exercise, live music, and game nights.

  1. Additional Resources

Within the nursing home, you get access to a host of social workers. They will assess your needs and get you in touch with additional resources. This makes finding all the help you need much more convenient.

  1. Comfort for Caregivers

Caregivers lead their own lives. Though they want the best for their loved ones, they can get burnt out.

Plus, when they cannot spend time with them, they can feel guilty and worried about their wellbeing. Nursing homes take this burden off of loved ones by helping to keep the older adult comfortable, active, and safe.

Choose Senior Living Facilities

Nobody wants to give up freedom, but when it comes to older adults living alone, the decision itself to stay home often oppresses them. Senior living facilities mean trading complete independence for the ability to live better.

We understand that change is difficult. But embracing change always opens the door for beautiful opportunities.

Do you need help navigating this process? Find more resources on our website

The Age-Old Question: Assisted Living or Aging in Place?

Once the nest has become empty and life at work fades to a distant memory, retired people still have to answer the question regarding what they’re going to do with the rest of their lives. However, that question is a bit different for the rest of their family – who want to know WHERE they’re going to be doing things.

Let’s take a look at some of the things to consider when trying to determine the answer to this question.

Medical Issues

Some people, even younger ones, have medical issues that need to be tended to on a daily basis. Some of these issues can be cared for at home, while others need more of a medical setting. If, for example, you have Medicare for oxygen therapy, you might be able to handle that at home. However, if you need something more invasive, assisted living might be a better option.

Emergency Planning

One of the benefits of assisted living might have to do with emergency planning. If your aging family member is aging at home, you might need to think about whether close friends or family members are nearby in the event of an emergency. If there isn’t anyone nearby, you might get them a monitoring device so that, if something happens, they can push a button and get the help they need. However, if they’re in an assisted living facility, there’s always someone nearby who can be called on for help if they need it.

Social Interaction

For those seniors who want to remain in their homes, it might not just be about staying where they’re comfortable or remaining in control. It might also have to do with having someplace where they feel as if their friends and family members can still freely interact with them, and they won’t feel isolated and alone. They might just want to enjoy the property at which they’ve spent years investing their money and time – a place where they’ve associated many holiday gatherings and activities, and a lifetime of fond memories. Being in an environment like this and getting visited frequently by friends, relatives, and grandkids can be their ideal version of happiness.

Getting Around

When you don’t have the energy that you did years ago, things like everyday chores can become dangerous, burdensome, or even impossible. When it comes to things like getting around or light tasks, your senior might eventually need a bit of help in the form of a home health aide (even though light exercise will help), but they’ll definitely need to hire someone for things like landscaping, cleaning the gutters, and cutting the grass. In assisted living, these things are a non-issue. There’s always someone around who can assist them with mobility, and all of those pesky chores are handled by staff.

The Right Choice

The decision you make when it comes to where you want to live out the golden years of your life is one that’s deeply personal, and as such, it’ll be different for everyone and for different reasons. Whether to go ahead and begin downsizing as soon as your youngest child leaves the nest is quite a different choice from the one you’ll need to make when you begin to need a bit more personal assistance or healthcare. However, an in-depth analysis regarding costs and benefits combined with honest and open communication regarding the needs you have can assist you and your family when it comes to making the ideal decision for your family, your spouse, and yourself. Just don’t be rash. Do your research before making any sort of decision.

4 Ways Seniors Can Remain Active During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the routines of almost everyone. It’s been especially difficult for seniors who are at a higher risk of suffering complications from the virus. Even with the restrictions easing, it is important to keep them safe during this dangerous time.

Seniors also need to stay mentally and physically active in order to stay healthy. This can be challenging when their options are limited. Luckily, there are still things they can do wherever they live. There might even be activities that adhere to social distancing rules for those independently living in retirement communities. Here are some things seniors can do to safely stay active.

Walking

Walking is a simple but effective way to be active. Seniors can start slow, if needed, and increase the length of the walks gradually. Low-intensity walks provide the same benefits as high-intensity ones and lower the risk for mortality. Seniors can get some fresh air, which is good for the mind and body. If walks outside are not an option at all, a stroll around the house can also help. It is also easy to keep the required physical distance from others on a walk.

Gardening

Seniors who love the outdoors can take up gardening. This will let them enjoy fresh air while enhancing the spaces around them. It will also give them a project to keep them busy in a time where many of their activities might not be possible. If getting down and dirty is not possible, starting on small indoor plants or a herb garden is always an option.

Dancing

Seniors can dance wherever they are without needing to worry about physical distancing. Dancing is fun and a great cardiovascular workout. It can be as low-intensity as one likes. To make it more fun, seniors can put on some of their favorite tracks to dance to.

Arts and crafts

Getting involved in a creative project is good for the mental and physical health of seniors. They might be getting bored with sheltering in place, and arts and crafts will keep them engaged. Seniors can get involved in knitting, coloring, painting, working with clay and many other projects. These projects are also a good alternative for those who cannot partake in physical activities. Reading and writing are also good for the mind. Family or friends can gift them hobby kits or other similar items which will also make the seniors feel loved.

A safe and active life

It is vital for seniors to stay active both mentally and physically in order to maintain a healthy life. The pandemic might have put a pause to many activities, but there are still ways to keep moving and do things with safety and physical distancing rules in mind. The family of the seniors can also help from a distance if they don’t live in the same place by gifting them kits that encourage hobbies and projects. Check out other blogs on the website to know how seniors can keep happy and informed during this difficult time.

Importance of Background Screening for Hiring Nursing Home Staff

A residential nursing home is one of the most sensitive facilities that offer care to people with disabilities or the elderly. Staff members working in such facilities must be trained professionals to handle people with special needs. Besides professional qualifications, such individuals need to be people of integrity, trust, and who adheres to the code of ethics put in place. Conducting background checks when hiring should be prioritized as it offers several benefits, as discussed below.

1. Meeting Regulatory Requirements

The importance of background screening and background checks on employees is that it helps nursing homes to adhere to federal and state law regulatory requirements. Nursing homes are not required to hire individuals who have a history of violence or any form of neglect against patients. In some states, nursing homes must use FBI background checks before hiring, which is a clear indication of the seriousness that employee screening is in some of the states around the country.

2. Enhanced Safety and Security

The safety of nursing home residents and the entire facility is of paramount importance that demands everyone to be vigilant and careful when hiring. Background checks are necessary as they help filter out applicants who have a history of violence against other individuals. To prevent future abuse and unwanted incidents in the facilities, unearthing every detail, especially on behavioral habits, must be analyzed. Among the behavioral attributes of applicants filtered out include stalking, harassment, domestic violence, and emotional abuse.

3. Prevent Negligent Hiring

Recently, the number of companies that have become liable for negligent hiring has tremendously increased. Studies show that entities that have ignored background checks are now paying harshly for employee’s actions, which could have been prevented. For nursing homes, consequences might be critical as they could involve endangering the health or welfare of the sick or elderly. To prevent negligent hiring in nursing facilities, having sufficient information on the applicant’s past and lawsuits will come in handy.

4. Reduce Alcohol/Drug Abuse

As a matter of organizational principle and practice, most, if not all, nursing homes do not hire employees who use drugs. Hiring such individuals could lead to negligence and other unwanted behaviors when caring for needy patients. Substance abuse screening helps in determining whether such applicants have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Ensuring that all employees are drug-free in a nursing home helps prevent violence, crime, low productivity, and attitude problems, among others. Noteworthy, most of the drug users have one or more of the behavioral traits highlighted above.

5. Quality Staff Hiring

Like mainstream companies, nursing homes struggle to get quality employees who have met all the necessary regulatory and organizational requirements. There is a need for upcoming talents and experienced staff members in nursing homes. Other personal traits such as honesty, empathy, commitment, and compassion are needed among the employees who work in such facilities. Although background checks may not determine some personal characteristics, employee screening will get quality staff members by analyzing previous experience and overall applicant’s presentation.

Nursing home residents are vulnerable, and most of them require acute care, especially those with serious illnesses such as cognitive diseases and immobility. Every employee working in such facilities needs to be ready and willing to assist when called upon. Conducting background checks will help in getting the right members of staff who will not inflict physical or emotional pain to the residents while at the same time, offering the benefits discussed above.

Bringing the Whole Family Together: What to Consider Before Combining into a Multi-Generational Home

It’s no secret that family is important. In fact, it’s one of the building blocks of society.

Your family provides a sense of security and unconditional love. It’s also the foundation of who you are as a person.

But as much as you love your family, moving back to your parent’s home as an adult can be fraught with many difficulties. After all, families are still made up of individuals with differing personalities. This can make it very challenging for multiple generations to attempt to live under one roof.

This article takes a look at living in a multi-generational home. Keep reading to discover insight into how to cope with your family when it feels like you’re living on top of each other.

Financial Issues

Living with several generations in the same household can create friction in several ways, including arguments about finances. This is especially true if certain members of the family are currently unemployed or experiencing temporary financial difficulties.

It’s never desirable to suddenly find yourself having to carry more than your fair share of the load. Especially when it comes to paying bills, buying food, or covering other expenses for family members when they are either disabled, elderly, or simply unmotivated.

Ideally, this is a topic you should discuss as a family before agreeing to cohabitate. After all, very few subjects generate hostility faster than money.

And if you are moving in with members of your family specifically for the purpose of helping them out financially, just try to be patient with them and be prepared for a certain amount of tension to arise.

Privacy

Privacy is another major sticking point when multiple generations decide to move in together. After all, space becomes limited, thus most people will have far less privacy than they might have become accustomed to.

This is a topic that you likely take for granted until it’s suddenly thrust upon you. Most people don’t give privacy much thought until it’s taken away. But when you suddenly have little or no space to yourself, it can feel unsettling.

Everyone requires a different amount of privacy based on personality. After all, certain individuals will want lots of time to themselves, while others prefer to always be in close contact with loved ones. Privacy is especially important for couples and teenagers, thus it’s crucial to respect their privacy and give them plenty of time to themselves rather than expecting to have contact access to them.

Spacing bedrooms apart can help, but mostly it’s a matter of giving each other time alone even when everyone’s home at the same time.

Separate Entryways

Having separate entrances can help create a sense of separation and privacy when living together. This might seem a tad extreme and unnecessary, and yet it can actually make a big difference.

Rather than everyone entering through the same door and always being forced to interact with each other, separate entryways can provide the illusion of individual homes rather than sharing a living space.

Obviously not every home can offer separate entryways, but the more you can do to give each other space as you come and go from the house will help.

Entertainment Areas

Not everyone in your extended family will wish to hang out together and enjoy the same form of entertainment. This is especially true of individuals from different generations. In other words, the elders of the family will likely have different interests than the younger members of the family.

Thus it’s important to establish separate areas with televisions where everyone can watch what they want without treading upon others.

This can become a very sticky situation in a house with limited space, where you might only have room or money for a single TV. When this is the case, take the time to establish guidelines for entertainment so that everyone gets the chance to enjoy their favorite programs.

It’s also wise to invest in quality child safety locks.

Preparing Meals

Everyone has to eat. And yet the kitchen can become crowded, and the various generations living under the same roof might have conflicting meal demands.

This can require a bit of coordination and a lot of patience. The key is to learn to communicate, be willing to help each other and try to be as flexible as possible.

Preparing meals is actually a great chance to visit, catch up with each other’s lives, and reminisce about favorite memories together.

It’s important for everyone to contribute financially for food when possible, and to help prepare the meals or clean up afterward.

Dealing with Conflict

There will be conflicts when living under the same roof. This is a simple truth of life. Conflict is unavoidable, especially with multi-generational families.

Keep in mind that the potential for conflict becomes even higher when living in a small space, especially when you are used to having plenty of space to yourself and haven’t spent time around family in a few years.

One of the most important things to understand about conflict is, it’s totally natural and understandable. You’ll run low on patience, tempers will flare, and this will often lead to raised voices and hurt feelings.

The key is to try to resolve issues before the conflict grows into deep resentment that can cause long-term damage in relationships.

Learning to communicate and express feelings in a healthy way isn’t easy, but it’s essentially when trying to maintain a peaceful living environment.

Doing Laundry

When there are lots of people living under the same roof, there will naturally be lots of dirty clothes. This can be a problem when there’s only one washing machine. The best approach to avoiding conflict is to create a laundry schedule, with each person allotted a specific time to wash and dry their clothes.

Controlling the Thermostat

If your family is like most families, some people like to keep the house nice and warm while others prefer it cool inside. In these situations, it’s wise to invest in separate temperature controls throughout the house in an effort to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

This might not always be possible, yet this is a great way to prevent people from getting grumpy.

A Guide to Living in a Multi-Generational Home

Living with family can be a very gratifying experience, but it can also be stressful. Fortunately, these tips can help make your multi-generational home as pleasant as possible.

Keep scrolling to discover more useful senior-living tips and advice on our blog.

The Complete Funeral Planning Checklist to Make Sure Everything Goes According to Schedule

The average funeral cost starts at $8,000 and can run as high as $10,000.

Funerals cost a great deal of money and should therefore be planned with care. But in a time full of grief and other heavy emotions, funeral planning can be a difficult task.

Besides the support of family and friends, a funeral planning checklist can help. Having these often-overlooked details on hand will ensure you don’t miss anything essential.

Read this four-point checklist before sitting down to do anything else.

  1. Prior Funeral Planning

Of the many items that can be arranged prior to death, a funeral and burial are among the most important. If you know that your loved one made arrangements for their funeral and burial, then you can contact the funeral home they made those arrangements with.

If your loved one didn’t leave a letter of instruction, then you’ll need to make those arrangements yourself. If you have other family members involved in the process, be sure to consult with each of them.

  1. Decide on a Budget

It’s important to decide on a budget. You’ll need to know how much you can spend before you start meeting with funeral homes.

Discuss a budget with your family. Figure out what’s an affordable amount for everybody, without causing anybody financial hardship. If you’re having trouble coming up with the funds, consider asking family to contribute in different ways, like purchasing the flowers or bringing food instead of catering.

  1. Choose a Funeral Home

Once you have an idea of your budget, you can check with the local Funeral Consumers Alliance. They should be able to give you a survey of the funeral home prices in your area. That way you can narrow down your options to what’s within your budget.

Besides the list of homes in your budget, you can ask for recommendations. Speak with family, friends, and colleagues and ask them about funeral homes they’ve worked with. You can also check online and read reviews.

Visit the funeral homes that meet your qualifications. Get quotes from each of them and weight the benefits of working with each.

  1. Thinking About the Ceremony

The ceremony is among the most complex parts of making funeral plans. You’ll have to decide whether you want a visitation, viewing, wake, or rosary, for example. You’ll also need to decide whether the viewing will be public or only for the family.

Besides who will attend, you’ll have to choose pallbearers, a eulogist, and assistants to help you with the arrangments of the day. Consider whether you will have food for your guests and whether that will be catered or a potluck.

You also want the funeral to feel personal, to reflect your loved one’s life. That might mean hosting it in a particular location, such as a park, a lake, or a garden. Even the prayers, poems, songs, and hymns can be personalized to reflect their life.

More Family Advice 

Funeral planning is difficult amidst the loss of a loved one. But if your loved one didn’t make arrangements prior to their passing, then you’ll have some work to do. Be sure to enlist the support of your family and friends to make the load that much easier.

And for more family advice like this, be sure to check our blog regularly.

10 Things to Do Today to Improve Back Health

Ow—my back!

If this is a thought that’s been interrupting your daily routine lately, you should know there are easy ways to help.

Your back may be a bigger part of your life than you realize. It rests on your mattress at night, helps you lift objects, and is affected by your neck, shoulders, and even feet. You’ve got to be kind to your back so it can be kind to you.

From exercises to massages, here are our top ten tips for improving back health:

  1. Get Your Body Moving

Even if you don’t consider yourself an athlete, there are some simple exercises you can do to keep your back in its best shape.

For example, you can find moments throughout the day to do some partial crunches on the floor. Or you can try some wall sits while waiting for your tea to boil.

  1. Streeeeetch

Stretching is not just something you should do before strenuous activity. It’s a good routine to practice throughout your day to reduce strain on your back.

If you’re sitting for much of the day, take breaks to stand and stretch if possible. For a routine that uses interconnected muscle systems, you can even think beyond the back itself and stretch out your neck, arms, and shoulders.

  1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Make sure your mattress is a supportive surface for your back. After all, this is what’s holding your back every night, for several hours. If the mattress is too soft, you may not be getting the support you need.

You can also try some sleeping positions that are designed for back health, like putting pillows under your knees or sleeping on your side or back instead of your stomach.

  1. Re-evaluate Your Pillow Situation

Pillows and cushions can be excellent tools for creating a back support setup. But if you’re not using them right, they can actually lead to more back pain.

When you sleep at night, are your pillows supporting you well? If the pillow under your head isn’t doing a great job keeping your neck elevated, you may be sleeping with a bit of strain on your back muscles.

  1. And Your Cushion Situation

And during the day, the cushions you sit on can make a big difference. If you sit on a hard or unsupportive surface for long periods of time, it might be hard to keep your spine in its healthiest curves. Try changing where you sit or looking into seat cushions.

If you use a wheelchair, your seating setup is especially important. A change here is something that will affect several hours out of your day. Consider investing in a good wheelchair seat cushion to improve your wheelchair posture and reduce pain.

  1. Lift With Your Legs

One way to reduce back pain is to change the  way you lift. You may be thinking to yourself, But I don’t do a lot of manual labor or lifting workouts. But the truth is, almost everyone lifts things from time to time, and anyone can benefit from an improvement to their lifting style.

When you lift with your back, you’re exerting a lot of pressure due to the odd angle. Gravity isn’t helping you here. When you lift with your legs, you’ll be more stable, and you’ll be able to balance the weight better with the use of powerful leg muscles.

To lift with your legs, bend your knees under the thing you’re carrying, and keep your back vertical. You can do this for everyday lifting, like groceries and laundry.

  1. Sit up Tall for Back Health

Posture is a major part of spine health, especially sitting posture. If you’re hunched over or unbalanced, your back could suffer the consequences.

When you use healthy posture, your backbone can support you quite well. When you slouch, though, your muscles and ligaments have to help out in order to keep you upright. Too much strain on these parts is a classic cause of back pain.

Adjust your sitting posture until you feel the most stable. Many people carry tension in their shoulders, so take the time to relax your shoulders as much as possible. You might be surprised at how much relief these simple changes can create!

And if you find that you need some more help in this area, consider upgrading your normal sitting position with back support aides.

  1. Invest in Some Back Support

You might be able to create a makeshift back support setup with items you already have. A small pillow or rolled-up piece of clothing at your lower back can be the lumbar support tool you never knew you needed.

If you’re looking for something more permanent, you can order an ergonomic back support attachment for your chair or a back cushion. And if you’re in the market for a new chair, you can invest in an ergonomic one that’s designed for back support.

  1. Consider Your Feet

The body is a connected machine. Tooth problems can lead to a gut problem, and a shift in balance due to an injury in one leg can cause problems in the other. To find the cause of your back pain, you may need to look to a different part of your body:

Your feet.

As you walk around throughout the day, what do you have on your feet? Are your shoes made for comfort or style? If your shoes don’t support you properly, that imbalance can ripple through to your posture, causing back pain.

The good news is that you have options. You can switch to sneakers and more comfortable shoes for your daily errands. Or you can get some gel insoles for the shoes you already use.

  1. Go for a Nice Massage

This isn’t just an excuse to treat yourself to a relaxing day—though it can be, if you want! Talk to a massage therapist about your back pain and choose an option that targets your tension and relaxes tight muscles.

Getting Back in Business

Back pain can interfere with many of life’s joys, but when you want to improve your back health, you have a variety of options at your hands. Switch out your shoes, drop your shoulders, and maybe go for a nice massage.

These are all changes you can put into motion today! And if you liked this article, share it with someone in your life who’s looking for relief from back pain.

5 Ways to Care for Yourself When You Are the Caregiver

When you hear the word caregiver, the first thing that comes to your mind is taking care of others. It can be your old grannies, your sick spouse, or your disabled child. These people cannot do even the slightest things for themselves, and you have to be there full time to feed, bathe, and take care of their needs.

Being a caregiver is overwhelming and can become a nightmare if you forget to care for yourself. We’ll understand the love you have for your loved ones that you can’t imagine leaving their side for seconds. But burnout is real, and you can’t take care of them if you’re not feeling well.

So, how do you care for yourself as a caregiver? This article outlines five simple ways that can help you take care of yourself as you take care of your loved ones.

  1. Talk to Someone

When you start taking care of your loved ones, you’ll notice that your network will grow smaller. You can’t go out for drinks, no parties, no work. You’ll be at home 24/7.

Do you know what happens when your situation gets to this? You’ll start feeling lonely, stressed, and abandoned. It’s normal to feel this way. It could be even worse if your life took a drastic turn from a fun-loving person to a stay at home caregiver.

But you know what? You’re not alone. Your friends and other family members may not understand your situation, but there are other caregivers out there going through the same ordeal.

You need to find these people, talk to them, and relieve the stress. There are support groups for caregivers you can find in your area or internationally. Whether you have Alzheimer’s patient, a child with autism, or a disabled partner, you must find someone in the same situation.

Don’t be afraid to join those caregiver’s support groups and find the necessary care for caregiver that you deserve. This is the place to exchange information, encourage each other, and find ways of coping with caregiving stress.

  1. Care for Yourself and Health

Many caregivers only revolve around seeing their patients healthy and happy. Don’t forget you also have a life and you can fall sick at any time.

Imagine who’ll take your position when you’re unwell. It can be a nightmare if you don’t have money to hire a professional caregiver to cover for you while you recover.

To avoid all the trouble, make sure you don’t fall sick often. You should take care of your health situations that are within your control. Read this article on how to take care of yourself including your health and your general well-being as a caregiver.

Maintain your regular health checkups. See your doctor at least once a year, even when you’re not feeling sick.

Get your doctor’s advice on stress management techniques, coping exhaustion, and managing sleeplessness. Eat healthy meals on time. Also, remember to take the annual flu vaccine to protect you and the person you’re caring for.

  1. Don’t Get Stuck at Home

It’s normal to want to stay by the side of the person you’re caring for all the time. It’s also normal not to trust anyone to cover for you when you’re away for an errant or just to treat yourself.

But you also have a life to live, right? You must sneak in a few minutes or a whole day for yourself.

You need to take a break to exercise, go for a walk, or have some time for yourself away from the caregiving duties. Exercise is vital to help you prevent diseases and stay away from stress. If your hobby is dancing, hiking, or partying, make sure you find time to do this even if it’s not as often as before.

  1. Meditation Works Magic

No matter how much love you have for your loved ones, it’s normal for a human to feel tired. Sometimes you feel you can’t take it anymore and you want to give up. You can wake up feeling irritable and regret ever committing to the caregiving duties.

When you reach this point, you need to step aside and meditate. Meditation is a kind of soul-searching activity that calms the mind and ensures your mental health care.

When you meditate, it helps you lessen the stress, anxiety, and depression feelings. Just a few minutes of soul searching helps you get your normal self back.

There are different types of meditation for caregivers that can help you out.

Deep breathing meditation is the most common one. You can breathe in and out with your hands in your stomach for a few minutes. Do this with your eyes closed and hold your breath a few times.

Visualization is also a kind of motivation that gets you to imagine the nice things in life. Just have your eyes fixed in one place but not looking. Imagine a peaceful place like a forest, a river, or a park. Engage all your senses, including smell, sight, and ears.

Practice these kinds of meditations and engage in them whenever you feel overwhelmed. They will help you get back to your feet.

  1. Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard

The situation can sometimes get too overwhelming for you. Instead of pushing harder and getting even more desperate, take a break and relax. You need to find a better approach to the events unfolding, and you can only do it if you relax.

Create time for yourself, especially when you feel that you’re reaching your limits. Try finding a friend or family member who offers to stay with your loved ones while you take a rest. Make use of this time to treat yourself and forget about your problems.

Once your mind is relaxed, and your body recovers from the exhaustion, you will come back stronger and ready to fight again.

You Can Make Caregiving Fun

Caregiving is hard, but if you know how to juggle between caring for your loved ones and care for yourself, you can make it fun. Always remember that you have a life outside your caregiving duties and you must live it. Follow all the tips for caring for yourself, and you will beat the exhaustion that comes with caregiving.

You need someone to teach you how to be a better caregiver, especially if you’re not a professional one. You can visit our site for more advice on caregiving and your health in general. Our experts are ready to give you the answers.

How to Relieve Sore Feet: Seniors Guide to Comfort

Did you know that nearly 77% of US adults reported some kind of foot pain and problems, as discovered by a 2014 study? Most of these people ignore the pain, but wish they could get rid of it so they can live more active lifestyles. The foot pain issue is more pronounced in seniors as well.

Luckily, there are solutions to this problem. You just have to learn how to relieve sore feet. Some foot pain remedies have been proved successful in people of all ages, especially seniors. Keep reading to learn a few interesting tips and tricks about sore feet relief.

Apply Ice on Your Feet

One reason why your feet might get sore is because they tend to swell. This happens as a result of fluid accumulation in the feet. Seniors are the most exposed to this problem because they are not that physically active anymore.

To fix this problem, you should apply ice on your feet. This reduces inflammation and sends the blood and other fluids away from the lower extremities of the body. If ice is too cold, you can also apply towels that have been soaked in cold water previously.

Use the RICE Method

No, eating too much rice won’t alleviate the pain in your feet. It’s about the RICE method, aka rest, icing, compression, elevation. We already covered icing, let’s focus on the other 3 elements in this equation.

Resting your feet helps a lot to reduce soreness and swelling. This method is particularly useful for people who stand or walk for a lot of time every day. You should just go home and rest for at least one hour on your couch or bed, watching your favorite TV shows or reading.

Compression also works to alleviate feet pain. You apply compression on your feet and make sure it’s slightly tight. This will force the blood and other fluids away from your feet. Applying cold compresses is even better.

Finally, elevation refers to lifting your feet slightly higher than your hips. You need to make sure that the blood travels upward to your feet when pumped by your heart. Thanks to gravity, any fluid in your feet that might cause swelling and pain will go down and you will feel much better.

To elevate your feet comfortably, you can simply place them on a large pillow. Do this while you watch your favorite shows to also take advantage of the resting benefit. This pillow from Everlasting Comfort might do the trick for you.

Do a Foot Bath

A regular bath is recommended, but if you don’t have time or you’re not in the mood, a foot bath is also good. This means placing your feet in a large vessel filled with lukewarm water. The water will help your blood vessels dilate, so your lower extremities get more oxygen and nutrients.

A foot bath can last 30-60 minutes, depending on your preferences. You can also spice it up with some Epsom salts that contribute to the relaxing effect of this technique. Do this a few times a week and you will keep your foot pain under control.

Stretch Your Feet Regularly

Feet stretching is easy to do and it can help you greatly. Such exercises improve flexibility in your feet and bring more blood filled with oxygen to the extremities of your body. Some good exercises include toe curls, stretching your calves, and even feet rotations.

You should only do what feels comfortable. Don’t do too much because you don’t want to tire your legs either. Stretch your feet while you sit on your bed and make this a weekly routine. You will see that your feet flexibility improves and any swelling will go away too.

Do a Foot Massage

The beauty of foot massages is that you can do them on your own. You just grab your feet and gently massage them, preferably after you have applied a topical cream. Numerous places in your feet correspond to different parts of your brain. By massaging your feet, you’re rejuvenating your mind at the same time.

If you like this habit, you can even take a reflexology course. This is a foot massaging technique with proven benefits. You will learn what parts of your soles to apply pressure on to achieve a more profound relaxing effect. Needless to say, massaging your feet will also alleviate pains and swelling.

Buy Some Arch Supports 

Poor-quality shoes can contribute to feet swelling and soreness. That’s why you should invest in better-quality footwear, especially if you’re walking or standing a lot as well as going to the gym.

For example, shoes with arch supports can prevent and alleviate foot pain. You can also buy arch supports from the internet if some of your shoes are not equipped with this feature. These special supports will take some of the weight applied on your feet when you’re standing or walking.

Arch supports come in various sizes and they can be made from different materials. They follow the natural arch line of your sole and prevent lesions, tenderness, and other issues related to your feet.

Take OTC Medication

It’s advisable to speak with your doctor first, but some medications can also be helpful to alleviate sore feet. Ibuprofen is a good example in this case. It will reduce inflammation and swelling, making you feel better when you walk or stand.

You might want to consider applying a topical medication too. These products have a relaxing effect on your feet and they reduce tissue swelling and tenderness. Some of them are available at most drugstores and you don’t need a prescription to buy them.

Now You Know How to Relieve Sore Feet

Hopefully, this article answered your original question – how to relieve sore feet. Remember that proper footwear is paramount to prevent and alleviate some of your pains. Use these tips in case of serious discomfort and your soreness might subside quickly.

For more useful pieces of advice on how to reduce soreness and pains in your lower extremities, make sure that you check out the other articles on our website.

4 Services That Help Seniors Aging in Place

While an assisted living facility provides everything a senior needs on demand, you may prefer to age in place in your own home. This allows you to retain old routines and freedoms much longer than others do. If you make this decision, you’ll need supportive services to assist with tasks you don’t have the energy or capacity for anymore. These are a few of the services that help seniors aging in place and why they may be good for you.

Companion Care

First up, companion care. This lesser-known option, put simply, recruits another person to keep you company and perform light tasks around the house. The goal here is social and emotional health plus practical help with housecleaning, cooking, and running errands. Your companion caretaker could be a volunteer or paid, depending on the service and what you prefer. This service is best for those with only moderate needs and preserves your freedom.

Food Delivery

If you aren’t ready for companion care but struggle to stand for long in the kitchen, consider a food delivery service. Services range, but all of them promote a senior’s healthy diet by delivering balanced meals right to their door. And as the coronavirus pandemic lingers, delivery cuts down on contact from others, lessening your risk of catching anything.

Day Programs

Akin to companion care but away from home, a day program provides seniors an outlet primarily for socialization. Though many programs will present curtailed opportunities as long as the pandemic is a threat, these still give life to people who participate. Activities range from exercise sessions and book clubs to arts and crafts time and more.

Personal Care and Home Health Care

Last on our list of services that help seniors aging in place, personal care and home health care are each good for individuals with significant needs. A personal caregiver assists with dressing, bathing, going to the bathroom, and other daily needs.

While personal caregivers can support general medical goals such as promoting urinary health, an in-home therapist or nurse tends to focus on rehabilitation, medications, and specialized health monitoring. It’s vital to choose an in-home nurse and/or personal caregiver who has the experience or training to address your unique needs if you go that route.

No matter what you need, know that you aren’t alone if you decide on aging in place. There are many paths to receiving the help you need without losing the life you love.