Leslie Newlife

Tips for Choosing a Living Arrangement for a Senior

Choosing a living arrangement for your elderly loved one can be a daunting experience, especially since there are many options to choose from. The most common housing arrangements available include:

  • Aging at home
  • In-home care
  • Moving in with another family member
  • Independent living communities
  • Assisted living communities
  • Care homes/Nursing facilities

Moving to a new living arrangement can be an emotional process for both you and your elderly loved one. However, it is an important step that ensures their safety and provides them with companionship. Apart from that, a proper living arrangement for your elderly loved one frees you from responsibilities that would otherwise tether you at home. For that reason, it gives you the peace of mind and freedom to attend to other activities, such as work.

As we already mentioned, picking the right living arrangement for your elderly loved one can be overwhelming. The first thing you need to do is evaluate their needs and abilities to determine which option would best suit them. Each of the living arrangements offers something different. Therefore, it is crucial to sort out the options before anything else.

So, how do you choose a living arrangement for your elderly loved one?

Consult Your Loved One Concerning the Idea of Changing Their Living Arrangements

Before you think of finding a living arrangement for your elderly loved one, it is important to determine their personal preferences, including meals, types of care, religion, among others. To learn all these, you might have to ask them a few questions.

Apart from their preferences, it is essential that you make a realistic assessment regarding their level of daily care. For instance, if they need regular medical attention and treatment, you should consider a living arrangement with life alert systems in the plans.

It is crucial to involve your elderly loved one in your plans as it allows you to decide with them, rather than for them.

Research the Different Types of Care Facilities

Another essential thing to do before choosing a living arrangement for your loved one is to find out more information about the different types of senior care facilities. As we already mentioned, each of the options offers something different. For that reason, you need to compare each living arrangement with the needs of your loved one to ensure you find the one that suits them.

For instance, an independent community might be the best option for a senior who is able to live alone, but prefers an environment with other people they can interact socially. On the other hand, independent living might suit elderly individuals who can still live on their own but want quick access to other services such as medical care.

In most cases, the needs of your elderly loved one would determine the type of living arrangement you choose. So, ensure you assess their needs first before analyzing the available living arrangement options.

Ask for Professional Advice

Apart from researching the options you have, it might be advisable to ask for professional advice before choosing a living arrangement for your elderly loved one. As an ordinary individual, it can be relatively challenging to determine what kind of care best suits your loved one’s needs, especially when health matters are concerned. So, it might be advisable to get some help from a professional or someone who has had some experience with elderly care.

Even if you are pretty sure with your decision concerning the living arrangement for your elderly loved one, it is still an excellent idea to crosscheck with a professional. That would help you avoid rushed decisions that might cause stressful experiences in the future.

Consider Your Budget

As we all know, any living arrangement for your elderly loved one would cost some money. Whether you choose in-home care or an assisted living community, you have to part with some amount of money for the care of the senior. So, it might be a good idea to factor in your budget before choosing a living arrangement.

Luckily, there are several different ways to sort the finances part of elderly care. For instance, you can rely on insurance to cover any medical needs of the elderly individual. You might also get some help from the government if you live in a state with some financial arrangements for elderly citizens. Either way, it is essential to choose a living arrangement that suits your budget.

If you are working with a tight budget, in-home care (aging in place) might be the best option since it costs less money than other living arrangements.

Choose an Ideal Location

The other essential thing you should consider before choosing a living arrangement for your elderly loved one is the location. A perfect place is crucial for both you and your loved one as it ensures you can spend time together when you are free from your responsibilities.

If you choose a location far from your workplace or home, it might be a little demanding for you to commute to and from the home whenever you need to visit them. The majority of elderly individuals have many emergencies that may require regular attention. Therefore, you should choose a location that is close enough to make it easier to visit them whenever it is necessary.

Apart from being close to your loved one, you need to find a location that places your elderly loved one close to essential things. These can include fitness facilities, shopping stores and hospitals. That is particularly important for a senior who plans to continue handling most of their personal needs, such as driving themselves to the grocery store or visiting a friend.

Conclusion

Choosing an ideal living arrangement for your loved one can be a tough job because there are plenty of options to choose from. Additionally, you might have to do lots of research and consider various factors before you can find a perfect solution.

However, sorting out the living arrangement for a senior doesn’t have to be a tough job, provided you understand their needs and preferences. Apart from that, do not hesitate to ask for help from professionals that are well-versed with elderly care.

The list above consists of the top tips to ensure you choose an ideal living arrangement for your elderly loved one.

Best States to Retire near the Gulf of Mexico

Once you’ve finally retired from years of hard work, finding a community to call home can feel overwhelming. Maybe your current state doesn’t feel suitable for you and your desire to have a peaceful retirement. There’s even a chance that the weather is cold and uncomfortable where you live, so getting out is the next option.

You deserve a comfortable life after working so hard. Here are a few of the best states to retire near the Gulf of Mexico that are not only beautiful but also peaceful. From the large state of Texas to the calming beaches of Florida, the choice is yours.

Alabama

Panama City, Montgomery, Birmingham—all are beautiful cities in Alabama. Primarily known for its iron and steel resources, sweet tea, and football, it’s a friendly state with mild winters. A significant benefit to retirees living in ‘Bama is its tax-friendliness and lower health-care costs. Additionally, Alabama is one of the best states to retire near the Gulf of Mexico for its safety, scenery, and historical charm. It’s also has considerably low crime rates. Finding the perfect community in Alabama shouldn’t take long. Roll, Tide!

Texas

Everything is bigger in the state of Texas—cities, personalities, entrées, and land on which to live. It’s another state that offers low taxes and living costs to retirees, with short winters and many cultural opportunities to learn about. The Lone Star State also has many cities to choose from that are just right for your lifestyle. Overflowing with history and culture, each city has something beautiful to offer near the Gulf. If you want to live somewhere with great barbecue, friendly people, and many ranches to see, cities such as Dallas, Fredericksburg, Port Arthur, and San Antonio are great places to look. Not to mention, Austin is great if you love live entertainment and beautiful trails.

Florida

Florida is among the best retirement destinations, and it’s obvious why. Located in the bottom right corner of the continental United States, Florida is delightful in temperature, with beautiful beaches. However, those aren’t the only things that bring retirees down to find a community. Delicious food, many fun activities, and an overall sense of peacefulness make Florida the place you’ll want to spend the rest of your life.

With the state’s bustling cities and calming beaches, there are plenty of places in which to settle down, from Orlando or the city of Tampa to Clearwater or St. Petersburg along the Gulf. Each provides plenty of options for people ready to have a unique, calming life in the sun.

Finding the perfect retirement community takes time and patience. But once you find one that tickles your fancy, you can fulfill your dream retirement near the beach.

5 Stress Management Tactics to Lead an Ecstatic Retirement Life

“Retirement: A Time To Enjoy All The Things You Never Had Time To Do When You Worked.” – Catherine Pulisfer.

Retirement is referred to as the golden period of one’s life. After all, it finally gives you time to enjoy all the things that you never could because of your professional life and other engagements. Remember how many times you just wanted to skip work and do things that you loved, maybe traveling around the world, going to movies with the love of your life, or enjoying a picnic with your family and friends. 

However, you had to suppress your wishes for the sake of your professional life. Now that you have retired and bade farewell to long, tiring work hours, it’s time for you to take the leap and let your carefree inner child take over your life. You should also connect with your Ikigai, or reason for being, and add life to your golden years. 

But, to focus your attention on all these things, you also have to work on stress management. Otherwise, stress may hinder you from enjoying your golden time. Yes, retirement doesn’t eradicate stress from your life. No doubt, you don’t have to bear work stress anymore, but other stressors can certainly bother you, and frankly speaking, they do. 

Loneliness, health issues, the fear of aging, and financial stress all can take a toll on you. Incorporating the most-effective anti-aging product into your skincare routine can complement inner health, especially when stress is managed effectively. Although it is near impossible to live an absolute stress-free life, you can prevent stressors from ruining your golden years with stress management. Some examples are  by having a robust savings prepared for your retirement and having life insurance for seniors.

Do you know what the difference between people who shine under pressure and those who buckle under pressure is? The answer is— their ability to manage stress. 

In a world where stress is everyone’s constant companion, it is best to not try to create a stress-free life but to develop your resilience against stress. If you know how to manage stress, it loses its power to bother you, and you can live your retirement years, carefree and bubbling with joy, like a child. Now, let’s proceed to discuss five stress management tactics to boost your resilience.

5 Stress Management Tactics for Retirees:

1. Find Your Ikigai and Pursue It: 

Did you know that a common thing among the Centenarians of Japan is that they never retire? Yes, that’s absolutely true. They retire from their 9 to 5 professional life but they never retire from work. They keep practicing their Ikigai. ‘Ikigai’ means your reason for being. For some centenarians, it is painting; for others, gardening, crafting, etc. 

Their Ikigai helps them experience the psychological state of flow, where the ego dissolves, a sense of time vanishes, and deep enjoyment takes place. This deep enjoyment burns all worries and triggers a deep sense of inner bliss. 

For stress management during your retirement years and living with gusto, you should find your Ikigai and pursue it. The key to finding your Ikigai is to follow your drifts. Ask yourself where your attention goes in your free time. It may be dancing, singing, drawing, writing stories, anything. 

2. Join a Social Group: 

In the words of Rollo May, “No one can separate themselves from one’s social group and remain healthy because the very structure of personality is dependent upon the community.” These words truly highlight the importance of having social connections in our life. 

Without a social circle, we feel lost and incomplete; after all, as humans, we are social creatures. The years of retirement often bring clouds of loneliness with them. You no longer get to see your colleagues and office friends. Isolation can create a different kind of stress in your life. 

So, it is better to join a social support group where you can interact with people, share your emotions, create funny moments and laugh together. According to research, social support can minimize the effects of stress and also reduce your risk of mortality. Isn’t that amazing? Furthermore, irrespective of our age group, we need friends to bring life into our lives.

Your social group will help you make close friends with whom you can again sail on the enchanting journey of friendship. Now, don’t wait any longer. Just go ahead, make friends, play, dance, sing and laugh with them just as you did when you were young. Are you wondering how to join a social group or make friends? Given below are some effective ways to do so: 

How to make friends? 

a.  Join hobby classes: There is no better way of making friends than joining a hobby class. Why? Because hobby classes offer two-way benefits. One, you can engage in something that you are passionate about and two, you can quickly make friends as it is easy to connect with people having similar interests. 

b.  Join a Fitness club: It is important to focus on your fitness throughout your life, especially during later stages. You should join a fitness club to keep yourself robust as a retiree and connect with different people. 

c.  Join Social media communities: Do you use social media? I’m sure your answer is a big yes. So, why not use it to your advantage by joining social media communities of your interest. If you are passionate about cooking, join a cooking club and show your talent to the world, and so on. Participate in engaging discussions, share ideas and build an impactful online presence. 

3. Secure Yourself by Purchasing Suitable Insurance: 

Imagine what kind of a life it would be if you knew that a genie was protecting you against all unforeseen expenses. Wouldn’t you feel secure and absolutely relaxed? Obviously, you would. And that’s exactly what insurance can do for you. Don’t spend your retirement years either saving money for or worrying about unforeseen circumstances. 

Buy suitable insurance, sit back, relax and enjoy your golden time. Auto insurance (click here to know more), life insurance, travel insurance and property insurance are some types of insurance that you should definitely buy. Once you secure yourself in all respects with suitable insurance, you’ll experience great relief. A huge baggage of stress will get lifted from your shoulders. 

4. Try Body Manipulation: 

‘Body manipulation’ involves subtle forms of exercise that do not stress or strain your muscles. Body manipulation also offers similar stress management benefits as traditional forms of exercise such as walking, cycling, and running. Tai Chi, Yoga, Massage, and Reiki are some examples of body manipulation.

You are already aware of the magic of a good massage, right? It helps you relax, brings you into the moment, triggers a deep sense of enjoyment, and calms your mind. All the above-mentioned body manipulation techniques have similar effects. They can also reduce your blood pressure, enhance mental capacity and improve conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 

Try them once, and you’ll be motivated to avail yourself of the associated benefits over and over again.

5. Optimize Your Mental Well-Being With Meditation:

“The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts. It’s to stop letting them control you.” Our mind is like an immense ocean of thoughts. You can get drowned in it, and frankly, we stay drowned in that ocean most of the time. Once you retire and have plenty of time to yourself, your mind may start getting bombarded with thoughts all the time. And sadly, most of these thoughts are negative. 

Research has shown that we tend to focus more on the negative across a wide array of psychological events as we try to make sense of the world. This negative bias can negatively impact your mental health, triggering anxiety, stress disorders, depression, and other psychological disorders. To prevent negativity from ruining your golden years, consider meditating.

Meditation boosts your resilience and teaches you the art of letting your thoughts go so they will no longer exert control over your life. It is proven that meditation reduces stress, anxiety, promotes emotional health, and reduces age-related memory loss.

Along with this, it also has enormous physical health benefits. It can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and ease digestive issues. You should definitely incorporate meditation in your life. There is nothing much to do. Just sit in a quiet room, play a guided meditation video and relax. 

Stress management is imperative to live an enjoyable and fun-filled retirement life. Your whole life, you have battled stress in various forms. Now that you have retired, you should try to minimize it. As it is not possible to eradicate stress completely, it is best to manage it with the help of stress management tactics.

The above-mentioned stress management techniques will help you maximize joy in your retirement years. Now, wishing you All the best and happy life ahead! Remember to make the most of your golden time, and don’t hold yourself back. Let your child side out and live completely!

The Advantages of Installing a Stairlift in Your Home

Staircases can be highly inconvenient and painful for many of us. Imagine the pain an older person has to go through every time they have to climb a flight of stairs – particularly if the individual is suffering from any physical conditions. This not only makes life difficult but also significantly reduces their confidence. Thus, installing a stairlift can be incredibly beneficial for someone suffering from an injury or is not well enough to climb up and down a flight of stairs – often multiple times a day. The purpose of this article is to elaborately describe some benefits of installing a stairlift at home.

What Is a Stairlift?

A stairlift is a mechanical device that performs the task of lifting people up or down the staircase. This device is primarily used in hospitals and certain households with members who have difficulty maneuvering through flights of stairs – mainly due to disabilities or illnesses of some kind. A rail is mounted on the staircase’s treads, and a chair is attached to it.

Anyone willing to use the stairlift simply needs to sit on the platform or seat and be amazed while the chair gently moves to the other end of the staircase. It is a remarkable piece of equipment as it effectively solves one of the most painful conditions in the lives of innumerable people around the world.

Stairlifts are called by many names, with the most popular ones being chair lifts and stair gliders. They do not cost a ton of money, considering the benefit you will be getting from them for years to come. Many potential users wonder: are stairlifts tax deductible? The answer is yes, in case you are in the stairlift market for medical reasons. But, you would need medical documentation to prove this, but once you do, the entire cost – including the purchase value and further expenses for maintenance – can be written off from your tax amounts.

What Are the Benefits of Adding a Stairlift to Your Home?

Now that you know what a stairlift is, let us take a look at some benefits of using one.

Independence Is Restored

Many people start to develop a sense of self-pity once they realize they are unable to access the upper floors or the basement of their house due to certain physical conditions. It is an awful feeling having to take assistance from a family member or a friend every time you need to move up a flight of stairs. A stairlift completely solves this problem. The quality of life that the sufferer deserves is properly restored – something that is priceless.

Safety Is Ensured

Stairlifts ensure that the user does not get into any accidents by trying to maneuver across a flight of stairs without any help. This is the most important factor of all in terms of physical safety. Stairs are the most difficult locations to pass through in a house. This proves why most household accidents occur on or near a staircase. Slipping and falling on the stairs is significantly more dangerous than experiencing the same on a flat surface.

Broken hips, fractured legs, and bruised arms are some of the most common aftermaths of accidents on staircases. Using a stairlift greatly reduces the probability of such dangers. Many believe using one essentially eliminates the chances of the person spending time exercising every day. Know that adding a stairlift does not force anyone to keep using them and forget other ways. Many local gyms offer highly controlled exercising options for the elderly, and there are many other similar alternatives, like yoga, that can be taken into consideration.

Money Is Saved

The elderly, unfortunately, do not have a lot of options when it comes to spending the final years of their lives. Frequent illness, weakened bodily functions, and the necessity for assistance begin to overwhelm almost any elderly. Under such circumstances, many of them go on to live in an assisted living facility.

Living in an assisted living home is nowhere as comfortable and convenient as their own homes. Using a stairlift will ensure that they get to stay at their house, as the device serves as the main assistant whenever someone is required to climb up or down the stairs. Many people simply do not want to sell and leave the homes they had lived in for decades, and quite rightfully so.

While there are many ways of tackling this problem, like renovating the interior, moving into a new home, or installing an elevator, the expenses do skyrocket if any of these methods are adopted. Getting a stairlift is, evidently, cheaper than all of them.

Customizations Can Be Done

Stairlifts do not come in standard sizes. They are manufactured and customized based on one’s needs. Several extra functions can be added to the system if the user desires and is ready to pay for those. Once the order is placed, an expert would visit the house and take measurements of the entire staircase, as well as make notes of the added features that the user wishes to have on the device. Even design and color ideas can be pitched to the expert.

The overall installation process – no matter how complex the staircase is – does not usually take more than a day. Thus, users can stand at the location throughout the process and make sure everything is being done right. Chance is, you can chip in with a few last-minute suggestions while at it.

Final Words

Family members of seniors commonly experience issues like having to assist them to move around – especially through a flight of stairs. This is an almighty struggle for both entities and is not particularly safe in comparison to a device, like a stairlift, that is totally dedicated to one task and one task only: carrying the passenger up or down the staircase. We believe you are now fully aware of the many benefits of adding a stairlift to your household. Make sure you make the right decision and make the lives of your elder family members worthwhile.

Crockpot Recipes Perfect for a Senior Diet

Eating nutritious meals is an essential part of aging properly. A good diet may help elders improve their cognitive function, live longer lives, and promote general well-being.

Since crockpots often need minimal preparation and cleaning, they’re typically ideal seniors’ meals. Thus, here are a few easy crockpot recipes you don’t want to miss:

 

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

Begin by thoroughly washing the potato. Pat them dry before poking holes all over them with a fork.

Place each potato at the center of a piece of aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is big enough to surround the potato thoroughly.

Rub a ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon olive oil on both sides of each potato. To add flavor to the skins of your potatoes, you can apply a mixture to the exterior.

Combine a tiny amount of salt, oil, paprika, pepper, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder in a small dish before spreading it all over the skins and wrapping it in foil.

Cover the crockpot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it for 4-5 hours on high or about 8-10 hours on low. But be careful not to overcook them!

These may even be prepared ahead of time. Refrigerate them in their tin foil wrappers for up to 4 days. Then heat in the oven for a few minutes before serving!

Remove them from the crockpot and gently peel the foil off each potato when they’re done. Cut them in half lengthwise and serve with your preferred toppings (like sour cream or salsa).

 

Potato Corn Chowder

Corn chowder is a soup that commonly includes milk, chicken, celery, corn, potatoes, and onions, as the primary ingredients.

In making this, begin by sautéing chopped onions, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes or until soft. Place in a crockpot with spices and peeled diced potatoes.

Pour the chicken stock over the top to keep it from clumping and make it easier to dissolve into the soup before tossing them to mix the ingredients. Then cook it on low heat for 3 hours.

Cook for an additional hour after adding the cornstarch roux, corn, and milk. Be careful to keep doing this until your soup has a creamy, richer texture.

Finally, serve cheese biscuits with garlic butter, green salad, or a classic cornbread.

 

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings 

Start with 2 pounds of chicken thighs or breasts.

Combine the cream of chicken soup, garlic, and onions in a crockpot. Pour in some chicken stock and season with parsley, poultry spice, and pepper to taste.

If you’re using homemade cream of chicken soup, add a pinch of salt, but you can probably ignore it if you’re using canned.

After giving everything a brief toss, cover the slow cooker and wait for about 7 hours if you cook this on low or roughly 3 hours on high.

When the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender, shred it using two forks and give everything a toss.

Open a biscuit can and shape the dough into flat circles. Cut them into tiny strips using a pizza cutter or sharp knife before placing them in the crockpot.

Make sure to mix them up, cover them, and let them simmer for another hour.

The biscuits should be light and fluffy after one hour. Some crockpots take longer to cook than others, so you may need to alter your cooking time accordingly.

Once you’re done, serve them over mashed potatoes or in a big bowl.

 

Five Tips for Organizing a Memorable Retirement Party

Retirement isn’t something that comes to everyone, so it’s definitely a milestone for celebration and justifies a party to help commemorate it. These parties can mix sweet nostalgia and lingering longing for the work-life the retiree leaves behind. As a celebration, therefore, retirement parties need to be a perfect balance of a fun event and a testimony to the person’s commitment to their career.

No doubt, retirement in and of itself is a major accomplishment in life, so it’s best to celebrate in a way that the retiree can genuinely enjoy. Of course, not all retirees want the same thing, and cluelessness should never be an excuse for organizing a careless party. To help make this easier for you, we’ve gathered up several handy tips to help make the going-away party for your retiring coworker truly memorable.

Do Your Research

To throw off the perfect retirement party, research is king! You’ll want to be sure to find out all you can about the retiree and plan the party around the information you find. Some things you need to look into can include the guests, the theme, and the food and drinks.

The Guests

Find out who are the people the retiree wants and doesn’t want to come to their party. This step saves you from sneaking in surprise guests that your celebrant may not find welcome and make the event uncomfortable. Also, ask how to seat guests so that there are fewer chances of seating together people who might not find each other’s company agreeable, like old work rivals or feuding family members.

The Theme

Ask the person themselves what theme they want in their party. If they don’t know what they want, ask them about their favorites and then help them choose what to include (for example, if the guest of honor likes fishing, then let it be a fishing-themed party or, better yet, a party that involves actual fishing).

Food and Drinks

Good food equals good memories. Include food that the celebrant will enjoy, as well as classic party favorites. Be considerate of the eating preferences of the guests by asking if they have restrictions before you prepare or order the food. These can include things like food allergies or intolerances, a preferred diet such as vegetarianism or veganism, or if their faith requires a specific diet. 

Some of your guests may be taking prescription medicines that may not mix well with alcohol, either. These can include medication for hypertension, hydroxyzine for anxiety, or any other prescriptions. Ask the bartender to replace alcoholic drinks with delicious non-alcoholic mocktails as a replacement for these guests.

Plan Out the Budget

Work with the budget allotted for the event. This step often means finding better deals for the caterer, venue decoration, and other considerations. If the budget is tight, ask for help from your coworkers or your family members. If they are willing to DIY some things, like decor or party favors, you can save a lot by going this route. Be ready to compromise!

Choose the Right Venue

Choosing where to celebrate the party is a part of the event’s success. Again, you’ll want to check with the retiree and have them list down at least three venues as options (just in case the one they like the most isn’t available). After choosing the venue, check the accommodations and inclusions for the venue rental. For instance, does it include the use of the getting-ready room for the celebrant to dress up and prepare for the party?

Make Everything About the Retiree

The retiree should absolutely be the center of the celebration, so you want to be sure that you make it all about them. That said, the food, drink, and ambiance should always be tailored to the celebrant’s personal preferences and tastes. Also, it would be best if no one among the invited had drama issues or anything that could steal the spotlight from the celebrant.

Be Aware of Dietary Restrictions

The organizer must cover all bases so everyone can have an enjoyable party. This includes the dietary restrictions of the celebrant, the celebrant’s family, and those of all of the other guests. Be sure to inquire about the food allergies the celebrant and their guests might have, as well. Nothing is more disappointing and upsetting than having someone get sick during your party. 

However, if the celebrant or a guest does feel unwell during the party, it’s important to check on them and help them. Helping them get their prescribed medicines is a must, and this step is crucial if the unwell individual is a senior citizen who needs the medicine to stay healthy. Also, arrange accommodations for guests who have some issues with mobility (like wheelchair users) and assign a safe space in the venue where they could stay comfortably.

Plan Your Co-Worker’s Party Today!

A retirement party is one of the best celebrations that someone saying goodbye to their career can have. Planning every aspect of the retirement party allows for a memorable event for the retiree, friends, and family to cherish forever. It does not need to be a dull or sad or glum event, but instead, a fitting tribute to someone at the end of their career. And by following these five tips, you can help ensure that it’s a party they talk about for years to come!

3 Splurges That Make Life Easier for Seniors

There is nothing wrong with wanting your life to be easier as you age. It doesn’t make you lazy or entitled or anything of the sort. It makes you human. Every tool ever made was in service of making our lives easier. And if you’re a senior, you’re probably all about making life easier. 

Goodness knows, you’ve likely had some tough times in your life up until now.  And as you may also know that as you age, things can get challenging. Thankfully, there are things that can make life easier for seniors.

As seniors, we deserve to feel comfortable.  We’ve lived full lives, worked hard, and as we age, it’s time now more than ever to savor our lives, relax and enjoy ourselves. Here are a few splurges for seniors that are sure to make your life just a little better:

Home Improvements that Make Aging Easier

You would be surprised at how easy it can be to build a patio yourself if you happen to remain handy. If you were considering bringing in a contractor because the job seems too big, you might be right to do so. Before you do, see if upgrading your backyard is something you can do for yourself. 

Because this is a “splurge” you may need a secured personal loan to fund the expansion of a patio, ramps, railings, and more to make your home extra comfortable in your later years. 

Bear in mind that “easy” is a relative term. Brain surgery is easy for a brain surgeon. By comparison, building your own patio is simple. That said, it is a lot harder than building a model airplane. So use the same strategy you used as a kid and take advantage of a good kit. 

For example, patio kits are pretty easy to find because a lot of people are realizing how much they would be overspending to have a contractor do the job. It takes work. But it is definitely doable. At the end of the day, these or other home improvements are worth the effort because they will definitely make your life as a senior more enjoyable.

Subscribe to Meal Kit Services

Here’s a shocker: Meal kits are not just easy; they’re healthy. It doesn’t mean that you can’t find a bad one. But it is harder to do than you think. Meal kits are reshaping how we cook and eat. Like an airplane model, a meal kit has all of the parts you need. They even have instructions that are a lot better than the ones that came with those old models.

Today’s meal kits are typically designed by chefs and dietitians who have an eye on taste and health. By using these kits, many have reported that they are learning things that make them better home cooks when they have time to cook from scratch. 

Splurge On Restful Sleep and Relaxation

As we age, sleep can become a tricky prospect.  Seniors often complain of body aches, leading to restless nights.  Furthermore, the older we get, the less sleep we require.  None of these things have to deny us of a deep, restorative sleep.  A high-quality, deluxe bed can provide you the slumber you need and deserve. 

Consider splurging on a bed that has an electric adjustment built in so you can recline or incline the head or foot of the bed.  This allows you to read, knit, watch TV or do whatever your heart desires while comfy and cozy in your new bed.  You might also look into getting a mattress that cools and heats.  The cooling feature can be extremely soothing, and the heating functions can help ease sore muscles.  Whatever type of bed or mattress you choose, you will thank yourself for splurging on this one.

Seniors Deserve to Splurge!

There are any number of splurges that might not offer much benefit in the long run. But among the best are home improvements, meal kits, and superior mattresses. 

If you’re a senior, you deserve to enjoy yourself and your time.  Part of relishing the good stuff in life as a senior is feeling good.  That means self-pampering, and an occasional splurge is definitely in order for your total pleasure and wellbeing.  While it’s tempting and often instinctual for seniors to save money – money can’t make life easier if you don’t spend a little.  So, why not treat yourself to these splurge ideas so you can savor your senior years in ease and comfort.

Unique Gift Ideas for Grandparents

While it might be fun for the grandkids to make grandma and grandpa a crafty gift, these special people would probably enjoy something else as well. While there are plenty of gift guides that include ornaments with pictures of the grandchildren and photo frames of family, there are countless other gifts you can buy for your aging loved ones. Some of them practical, some nostalgic, and some just for them. The important thing is to be thoughtful and look for ways to bless them at Christmas and any time of the year. 

Warm Blankets

Have you ever been cold and just needed a blanket nearby? Give warm blankets to the grandparents this year. Find something beautiful to go on the couch or something fun and unique that you customize with a picture of their pets or your kiddos. You can never have too many blankets and personalizing it adds that extra touch to make it a special gift.

Non-Slip Slippers

People really do love slippers. They keep your feet warm in the house in the winter and are easier to get on and off than a pair of socks. By getting them some non-stick ones, you’ll keep their feet warm and them safer. Balance issues increase as people age, and socks and slippery shoes can present a hazard to them. Non-slip socks and shoes are a useful and comfortable gift.

Their Favorite Fragrances

Do you have a favorite scent? Memories are triggered using all the senses. Whether it’s something you feel, see, taste, or smell, your mind can recover even the other oldest thoughts in an instant. Give the grandparents a bottle of Catherine Malandrino perfume, some Chanel No. 5, or even Romance by Ralph Lauren. Being thoughtful to give a gift they will enjoy is the most important part of choosing a fragrance. If you’re not sure of their tastes, sneak into their bathroom to see if they are almost out of one of their favorites.

DVDs of Their Favorite Old Shows and Movies

Do your parents reminisce about their favorite TV shows? Why not give them a boxed set of DVDs or one season on DVD? They’ll love how thoughtful it was that you got them a copy of Gone With the Wind, The Sound of Music, or old episodes of M.A.S.H. or Gilligan’s Island. Watching old shows can help solidify the memory as well as offer fun entertainment when they need it.

Tickets to an Event

Surprise the grandparents with tickets to a Broadway show or a sporting event. These aren’t things they may want to purchase for themselves, but they make an excellent gift. Maybe their origin story is that they met at a baseball game at a certain park. Get them tickets to that game and help them relive the beginning of their love.

A Trip Somewhere New

Retirement can be a restful time, but some retirees need to be more frugal with their funds. This means that some big trips are out of the question. If grandma and grandpa have always dreamed of a vacation to Paris or a trip to Hawaii, now is the time. Encourage the whole family to pitch in to give them the trip of their dreams. It’ll be so much better than a gift card to Applebee’s or an oven mitt with a dog on it.

Subscription Box

Is grandpa a cigar connoisseur and does grandma have a thing for creating art? Why not give them each a subscription box? These boxed sets are very popular, and there are literally thousands of options. While parents might be familiar with the STEM boxes, there are also countless options that would be perfect for the older folks in your life. Give grandma and grandpa something they will love and that they can use.

Meal Kits

Prepping food gets harder as you age. This means that many older people turn to convenience foods. They know it’s not the best for them, but when you have arthritis and limited mobility, prepping food becomes a challenge. Meal kits are the perfect solution. You can get all the ingredients you need to make a meal for two, plus the instructions all in one kit. These are perfect for the couple who wants to eat healthier but struggles to prep and cook everything. Meal kits reduce prep and cook time and provide delicious foods to try out.

Telemedicine and the Aging Population

With over 54 million Americans over the age of 65 and 85% of them living with at least one chronic health condition, the need for telehealth services has never been greater. Telemedicine enables people who have traditionally struggled to access adequate medical care to talk to a provider over a secure internet connection with just a few clicks of the mouse or taps on their smartphone.

The aging population in the United States can benefit significantly from easy access to healthcare through telemedicine services.

How does telemedicine expand the availability of care?

Historically, when a person needed medical attention, they would travel to their nearest physician’s office, clinic, or hospital. While there are many benefits to seeing your healthcare provider in person, this isn’t always a feasible feat.

The COVID-19 pandemic made everyone more aware of the health risks of going to any public place, let alone a medical practice. As a result, since March 2020, telemedicine services have become widely available, allowing anyone to access healthcare services remotely.

However, even before COVID-19 began its rampage across the United States, many people struggled to access the healthcare services they needed. Many Americans live in remote rural communities where the closest urgent care or hospital is over a hundred miles away. Many Americans are shut-in, unable to leave their homes without assistance, even if they live near an appropriate healthcare provider. Additionally, many Americans have chronic or acute illnesses that require specialist care that isn’t available in their local area.

Who benefits from telemedicine services?

At a macro level, everyone, from patients to providers, benefits from the availability of telemedicine.

Patients

Patients can access healthcare from anywhere. Eliminating the need for travel means that people who have mobility issues or a lack of reliable transportation don’t need to stress about organizing rides or assistance. Those who have child or eldercare responsibilities don’t have to spend time or money on sitters. People who have commitments that make it challenging to make it to doctor’s appointments during traditional business hours can meet with their provider from their office or another private room, eliminating the need to take time off work or miss out on pay.

Providers

It’s not just patients who benefit from telemedicine services. Healthcare providers also see fewer patient no-shows, which means they see more patients and have more billable time, increasing their revenue. When you eliminate the common causes of missed appointments and provide alternative methods for patients to meet with you, your bottom-line flourishes.

How does telemedicine apply to senior care?

While many aging people maintain their independence and are able to drive or get around without assistance, many people over the age of 65 are shut-in or require additional care when leaving their homes. Telemedicine offers an alternative channel to access healthcare for patients who may otherwise face obstacles when making or traveling to an appointment.

Over 4.5 million American senior citizens use home healthcare services every year, and millions live in assisted living or nursing care communities. Additionally, over 40% people over 65 have more than one chronic health condition that requires routine medical care. How much easier would these people’s lives be if they could get the medical care they needed from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Making healthcare more accessible increases patient compliance with appointments, prescription use, and lifestyle modifications. Enhanced compliance leads to better health outcomes, higher quality of life, and improved satisfaction levels.

How can I introduce telemedicine to a technologically illiterate population?

The memes and jokes about aging family members relying on younger generations for tech support paint a dismal and inaccurate picture of seniors’ ability to use technology. While using some technology may not be intuitive for those who grew up prior to the advent of the internet, telemedicine services, such as Curogram, are designed to create a simple user experience. Whatever platform you choose, you can teach your patients to use the program with a few simple steps.

Help them download the app

When you see a patient in your office, ask them about their interest in telemedicine services and their access to the internet at home. You can help them download the app or provide a handout with step-by-step instructions on how to access the platform from a computer at home.

Provide in-office or video training

You and your staff can also provide training on how to use a telemedicine platform. You can walk them through the steps of logging in and using the platform to talk to their provider. As with downloading, your patients may appreciate a handout with detailed instructions to follow at home.

Get the family involved

If necessary, you can train your patients’ families on how to access and use your telemedicine platform. Of course, you will need to obtain your patients’ permission before talking to anyone, even their family, about their healthcare to avoid costly HIPAA violations.

Curogram can help.

Curogram is a best-in-class patient engagement and telemedicine platform. Our easy-to-use software helps healthcare providers offer personalized care to patients who can’t always make it into the office — regardless of the obstacle. Our simple user interface allows even the least tech-savvy patients to make appointments, complete registration forms, and meet with their providers with no difficulty. If you or your patients would benefit from easy-to-use telemedicine services, contact Curogram today to learn more about our platform and how we can help your organization thrive.

Why It’s Important for Seniors to Stay Active

Exercise is crucial for general health and well-being, but it may be even more so for the elderly and senior adults themselves. The health advantages of an active lifestyle exceed the risks for the elderly, despite their fears. 

People of all ages may benefit from moderate exercise, regardless of their age group’s recovery time from accidents. Some of the many sports seniors can get into are swimming, tennis, and cycling. Also, some sports equipment are tailored for seniors. IPTL World suggests that seniors should use sports gear that is perfect for them.  

Seniors’ health advantages from regular exercise and a physically active lifestyle go well beyond the apparent ones, such as reduced blood pressure and glucose levels, improved lipid profiles, reduced risk of arthritis and osteoporosis, and improved cognitive abilities. 

What are the benefits of physical activity for the elderly? 

In addition to reducing physical problems, there are other benefits to an active lifestyle for the elderly. Seniors who exercise regularly and have an active lifestyle may benefit from several health benefits.

1. Lowers blood pressure 

Studies have shown exercise reduces blood pressure in seniors with hypertension. Moderate aerobic exercise, five days a week for 30 minutes or more, has been shown to lower blood pressure, stress, and the risk of specific cardiovascular issues. 

2. Helps to maintain a healthy mental state. 

One may gain many advantages to their mental health by leading an active lifestyle and engaging in regular physical exercise. When muscle-generated mood boosters are activated, and stress is reduced, exercise has been found to help alleviate depression. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, may be slow in its course if people maintain regular amounts of physical activity. 

3. Enhances health 

Seniors’ quality of life improves on a macro level when they engage in physical activity programs. The immunological and digestive systems strengthen those who engage in regular physical activity. 

4. Hardens bones and strengthens muscles to prevent falls

With regular exercise, seniors may maintain bone health and bone strength. When it comes to strengthening bones, exercise works the same way as it does for muscles. Due to bone’s nature as living tissue, it changes due to external influences. You create more bone cells when you exercise consistently, and your bone gets denser as a result. 

5. Encourages sleep

Sedentary people have a more challenging time obtaining a good night’s sleep, but an active lifestyle may help you doze off. Deeper sleep is aided by frequent aerobic activity throughout the day since it raises your core body temperature and signals rest when your body begins to cool down. Staying asleep and waking up feeling rested may be achieved by exercising 2-3 hours before sleeping. 

6. Improves social interaction

Having a social life might be challenging for many seniors. Some older folks are making exercise a social trip with friends and neighbors in their communities to improve their social well-being. Socializing while working out keeps individuals youthful at heart and cognitively alert, regardless of whether they join a walking or aerobics club. 

7. Boosts energy levels

Improved cognitive function and more excellent motor abilities have been related to regular exercise. The risk of vascular dementia is reduced in the elderly who engage in regular physical activity. Seniors who keep up a standard exercise practice can better concentrate and have a better quality of life. 

8. Helps maintain an average body weight

Everyone may benefit from regular exercise, regardless of their age or weight. Our metabolism naturally slows as we become older, so exercising becomes more critical. Muscle mass is built via aerobic and strength training, which raises your metabolism and helps you lose weight by increasing your caloric intake. 

A healthy and active lifestyle for the elderly has numerous benefits, but these five reasons are enough to encourage the elderly to keep physically active at all times. The fact that you’ve read this article indicates that you should urge your elderly loved ones to be active and on the road to a healthier lifestyle.