Leslie Newlife

5 Key Things to Look for in an Independent Living Community

Are you looking for a great independent living community for yourself or a loved one? Maybe you’re just testing the waters to see what’s out there.

Almost 90% of residents living in independent living communities are enjoying their time there, and nearly as many would recommend it to a friend. Maybe it’s your turn to take the plunge and join one yourself!

How do you find the right community though?

This is where the hard part comes in. There are so many options, especially if you’re not constrained by location. How are you supposed to choose the right independent living facility for you?

We’re here to help you narrow down your search.

Keep reading for a few things that you should look for when you’re deciding on your next home.

  1. Cost

Let’s get this out of the way first. Cost is an important factor when you’re considering a new home.

Everyone has different budgetary concerns. You may have been saving up for this for your entire life! If that’s the case, you may not be as worried about how much your new independent living facility is going to cost you.

Most people, though, don’t have that privilege. They might be limited by the money that they have available to them.

While some communities are definitely closer to “luxury”, they often come with luxury prices.

Make sure that you’re getting the features that you need before the ones that you want and then go from there. Be careful not to overspend.

Independent living communities can cost thousands of dollars per month, and sometimes that price is just the basics. More amenities will require more money. Make sure you know that you’re able to cover the costs.

  1. Amenities Offered

Not all senior living communities are created equally. As we mentioned under “cost”, some of the facilities with more luxurious options are also going to be hard on your wallet.

That said, it’s important that you’re happy in your new community, so looking for certain non-negotiables is important.

Is there free parking or transportation? Is there a laundry service, or do you clean your own? If you clean your own, are the machines free or paid (and are they in your unit)?

You might also be interested in specific amenities. Maybe your new home has to have a gym or a pool. Maybe it has to have some kind of clubhouse where you can congregate and make friends.

Make a list of the things that you need and want and see how your options stack up.

  1. The Community Itself

Sometimes independent living communities will have mixers where you (as a non-resident) can go hang out with the people who are already living there. This is a great opportunity to see what the place is actually like straight from the mouths of those who are staying there.

You can get real answers to any of your questions while socializing a bit with the locals.

This is also a good opportunity to see if you really get on with the people who are already there. Let’s face it, not every community is going to suit every person.

If this group is a bit quiet or uptight and you’re the kind of person who likes to hang out and let loose with friends, this might not be the best community for you. Maybe you just don’t like these people. There’s no shame in that.

You’re doing this to figure out where your place in the world is. Take every opportunity that you can to ensure that you do so correctly.

If the community isn’t fulfilling for you, move on. You’ll be spending a lot of time in this new home, so you need to get the right fit for your own social health.

  1. The Location

When you’re moving into an independent living community you get to decide where you want to live. This doesn’t just mean the facility itself, but also the location.

Do you dream of living in a warm, tropical climate? Maybe the beach is a few steps away and you can sit out by the pool with your new friends.

Maybe you want to live in the mountains. You want beautiful views and to finally see what that fresh mountain air is all about.

You have these options when you’re choosing a new home.

However, maybe it’s more important to you that you live close to your family. Moving into the city where your children or grandchildren live might be a priority.

Don’t exclusively look for places in your direct area. You have options!

  1. The Care

You’re probably moving into independent living because you’d like the security of a community and the ease of assistance when you need it.

Some communities are more independent than others.

If you have specific health needs that should be addressed, you should know whether or not these things will be made available to you.

Are there nurses or assistants available at the community itself for small needs? Is there an in-house medical team? How close is the hospital, and are they efficient with transportation?

Knowing these things ahead of time will help you plan and determine if this new facility is going to be right for you.

Are You Ready for Independent Living? 

Making the transition from a “normal” home to an independent living community doesn’t have to be jarring. It can just be your next big adventure!

Choose a place and community that you can truly blend into. This is the start of an awesome new stage of life, so you should enjoy it!

For more posts like this on senior living, visit the rest of our site.

White House Announces in 2021 $35 Max Copay for Medicare Beneficiaries that Use Insulin

The majority of people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes are Medicare beneficiaries. Of the Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, 3.3 million rely on some form of insulin to manage their disease. Insulin has been the leading treatment for diabetes for 100 years now.

In 1910, a researcher realized one particular pancreatic substance was missing in people with diabetes, and he called it insulin. Eventually, in 1922, the first human received an injection of insulin extracted from cattle. Since then, scientists have developed various forms of insulin, saving millions of people’s lives across the country.

However, as the medical marvel’s popularity and effectiveness grew, so did its price. In 2001, Eli Lilly’s Humalog cost $35 for a one-month supply. By 2019, that same one-month supply cost nearly $300. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are happy to announce that the cost of insulin will soon return to its once low monthly rate for its beneficiaries.

The Part D Senior Savings Model of 2021

As of 2021, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Part D Senior Savings Model plan will spend no more than $35 for their monthly supply of insulin. The Part D Senior Savings Model caps all covered insulin at a $35 max copay. However, Part D plan sponsors have the option to offer even lower copays if they wish.

Part D plan sponsors and drug manufacturers are not required to participate in the Part D Senior Savings Model of 2021. Though, over 1,750 Part D plans agreed to participate. The top three insulin-producing drug manufacturers, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly, have also opted in.

Part D plan sponsor requirements

For a Part D plan to join the new Model, they must meet specific requirements. Model Part D plans must cover both a vial and pen dosage form for each insulin included on the plans’ formulary. All four types of insulin must also be included within the drug formulary – long-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and rapid-acting. If the Part D plan sponsor agrees to these formulary requirements, they can participate in the Part D Senior Savings Model.

By joining the Model, the Part D plan sponsor agrees to a maximum copay of $35 for all covered insulins. This maximum cannot be increased based on brand, type, pharmacy, or plan stage. Basically, $35 is the maximum a 30-day supply of insulin can cost under a Model Part D plan no matter what.

Drug manufacturer requirements

For a drug manufacturer to join the new Model, they must agree to offer all of their insulin products to the Part D plan sponsors as part of the Part D Senior Savings Model. Drug manufacturers participating in the Model can’t choose to exclude any insulin product from the Model.

Potential savings under the Part D Senior Savings Model

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), on average, Medicare beneficiaries pay nearly $4,000 a year on insulin[1]. Under the new savings Model, Medicare beneficiaries will pay $420 or less a year on insulin. That’s almost a 90% discount.

One of the biggest benefits of the new Model is the stability of the lower copay. Instead of paying fluctuating copays throughout the year for their insulin, Medicare beneficiaries will pay the same lower copay all year long. For example, in 2020, a Part D enrollee pays no more than 25% for their insulin prescription during the coverage gap. For an insulin prescription that costs $300, that’s a $75 copay. In 2021, that copay will be cut in half.

Enrolling in a Part D Senior Savings Model plan

CMS expects that there will be Part D Senior Savings Model plans available in all states and Puerto Rico. The available Model plans will either be in the form of a standalone Part D drug plan or included in a Medicare Advantage plan.

The soonest a Medicare beneficiary can apply for a Part D Senior Savings Model plan is during the Annual Election Period that starts on October 15, 2020. However, Model plan information will be available as early as September. Model plans purchased between October 15, 2020, and December 7, 2020, will be effective on January 1, 2021.

Medicare beneficiaries can use the Medicare Plan Finder Tool to browse available Model plans in their area prior to enrolling. Once enrolled, beneficiaries can kick back and wait for their savings to start rolling in.

[1] https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/how-much-does-medicare-spend-on-insulin/

4 Tips to Help Seniors Successfully Apply for SSD Benefits

You may have worked hard your whole life when an injury strikes and takes you out of the game. For seniors that haven’t reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 and become injured or disabled, there are many questions and concerns about their future.

The most important thing to know about applying for Social Security Disability benefits is that your application must be thorough and correct to avoid any delays or unwarranted rejections. Filling out endless paperwork to get the benefits that you have paid into your entire working career can be intimidating and frustrating but it is a necessary task that will take time and care.

Filing for SSD can be done online or with the help of a family member or attorney. The disability system is very strict about who will qualify and under what circumstances to help discourage fraudulent claims. It’s in your best interest to take your time and get the right advice to ensure that your application has the best chance for approval. We are going to take a look at a few tips that can help seniors successfully apply for SSD benefits.

Application Stages

Applying and receiving SSDI benefits can be a long and complex task. It’s good to know what to expect from each stage of your application process.

  • Filling out your initial application and including your medical information and declarations.
  • The Disability Determination Department will review your application and decide whether you qualify for benefits.
  • After 3-6 months you will be notified whether your application has been approved. If approved you will be advised on the amount and type of benefits that you will receive.

How To Prepare For Your SSD Application

If you can’t prove that you are medically qualified to receive disability benefits, your application will be denied. Your first step when considering whether to apply for SSD benefits should be to visit your primary care doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide you with your medical records and a formal recommendation that you will need to submit with your application.

You should also request all of your records from any specialists that you have been dealing with. Next, you need to request a record of your full medical history that includes any past injuries, surgeries and treatments. Once you have all of your medical records, you can apply for your SSD benefits either online or at your local Social Security office.

Tips For Success

The SSD application process can be complex and time-consuming. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your application and increase your chances of successful approval.

  • Get a copy of the Social Security Administration Blue Book to help you determine if your injury or illness is something that is generally covered under SSDI benefits. This will give you a better idea of whether you will qualify or not.
  • Prepare your application with as much detail as possible. Your application is the only means of investigation that the SSD board has to work with, so give them as much to work with as you can. Never leave a question blank, and avoid “yes” or “no” answers. Give all details and make sure to send all paperwork with your initial application.
  • Continue to stay in contact with the review board and update them on any changes to your condition or submit any new medical records.
  • Talk to a disability lawyer to help you file your application and navigate the process with you.

Over 9 million Americans are currently collecting SSDI benefits and that is only a small percentage of people that are living with disabilities. If you are unable to work for 12 months or longer due to injury or illness, review these tips and make your SSD application today with confidence.

Managing Aches and Pains in the Elderly

As one ages, aches and pains become a common occurrence. However, there are instances where these pains can be a symptom of underlying health problems. For this reason, managing aches and pains have become a challenge for geriatric medical practitioners. Those with advanced age often complain of arthritis, cancer, and other diseases associated with pain. According to an early study published in the Journal of American Geriatric Society, elderly individuals in senior care homes are more likely to experience pain.

One of the most effective ways of managing aches and pains in the elderly is knowing the common aches and pains that afflict the elderly. Here are some of them:

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the most common complaint in America, even in the younger population. For those aged 50, the cause of pain is often due to prolonged sitting. For the elderly, the reason could be due to underlying health conditions such as arthritis. One common way of managing it is by doing strength and cardio exercises. It increases blood flow to core muscles that help support the spine. The elderly can also benefit from receiving physical therapy or chiropractic care as part of their health and wellness program. There are exercises and activities that they can do to relieve back pain and increase mobility.

Headaches and Migraines

Another one of the common complaints in the elderly is headaches and migraines. While its cause is still unknown, the triggers are easy to pinpoint. Stress, dehydration, weather changes, and some food items can trigger headaches. The elderly should manage them by avoiding triggers and using non-pharmacologic therapy as much as possible.

Osteoarthritis

As much as 33% of adults are suffering from osteoarthritis. That’s why this condition is often referred to as the illness of the elderly. Pain occurs because the cartilage that acts as a cushion between the joint and the bone wears out, which leads to friction, which causes pain. The key to easing the ache is maintaining an active lifestyle. Staying active helps your blood to circulate appropriately, thereby strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint, which removes the pressure on the bone and joint.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that passes through the arm to your palm gets squeezed or pressed. This pressure causes pain on the wrist down to the fingers. It is commonly associated with numbness and a tingling sensation as well. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often due to doing repetitive actions such as constant typing or operating machinery. However, it can also have other causes, such as genetics and hormonal changes.

In severe cases, the best way of managing carpal tunnel syndrome is with surgery. If this is not an option for you, you might want to talk to your doctor about prescribing occupational rehabilitation therapy or pain relievers.

Muscular Strains

As you age, it is pretty standard for your muscles to become sore easily. This pain results from less dense muscle fibers. As your muscle fibers thin out, they become less flexible, resulting in a higher probability of getting sore muscles and injury even when doing activities that you commonly do. Muscular strains get worse as one ages. How do we avoid it? The best way is to avoid doing activities that make your muscles more vulnerable. As much as possible, do not lift and push heavy items. It would also help to engage in stretching exercises like yoga and Pilates.

Pelvic Pain

Pain in the pelvic area is more common in women, as it is often associated with endometriosis and irritable bowel system (IBS). For pelvic pain, doctors usually advise against waiting before it becomes too painful. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause of your pelvic pain, but they commonly include physical therapy and prescription medicines.

Managing Pain in the Elderly

The success of managing aches and pains in the senior population starts from getting a comprehensive pain assessment. Without it, medical practitioners would find conditions hard to diagnose, treat, and monitor. One of the crucial things to help you achieve success is by applying a consistent method for pain assessment. Consistency in measurement and evaluation allows you to get a better picture of whether your patient has pain that resolves following your treatment.

Final Thoughts

There are many considerations when it comes to managing sore muscles and joints and headaches. Medical practitioners should be aware of any possible underlying conditions before they proceed with their treatment programs to ensure that they are not doing more harm than good.

Dealing with Aging Parents: How to Keep Them Happy and Healthy

The last thing any parent wants is for their children to worry about them—and that concern only grows as they age.

It can be difficult, though, dealing with aging parents as they grow older and face more struggles, even if they’re in excellent health.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your elderly parents safe and happy! But what’s the secret formula for comfort and good health?

We’re here to help you out. Check out our guide below to learn various steps to help your aging parents!

Dealing with Aging Parents Sensitively

It can be difficult to help aging parents, as they’re often concerned about losing their independence. There is less they can do on their own, but they staunchly refuse help from others.

It’s important for children to approach their aging parents with sensitivity if they’re proposing something that could limit their freedom, such as an assisted living home or a caretaker.

It’s critical to start a meaningful dialog when dealing with elderly parents. Consider their priorities and wants and build a care plan around them.

Familiarize Yourself with Their Health Status

There are times when a health emergency strikes a family out of the blue. It’s important to stay up to date on your parents’ health conditions, so you aren’t caught off guard by a trip to the ER.

In the event of an emergency, it’s good to have a plan laid out, so you aren’t panicking. Depending on your location and situation, you can call a traditional ambulance or an Air Ambulance in order to fast-track the care your parent receives.

To avoid any surprise hospital visits, it’s wise to keep a calendar of doctor visits your parents attend. If you have a flexible schedule and live in the same vicinity, you could even attend visits with your parent to ensure you’re familiar with their health status.

Engage Them Socially

A study run by the University of California, San Francisco found that 43% of older adults reported feeling lonely. Loneliness can lead to mental health issues, which can, in turn, lead to physical illness as well.

It’s important that your aging parents maintain healthy social lives. You can assist them in this by visiting as regularly as possible.

It’s important to note that a “check-up” is not the same as a proper visit. Be purposeful with your visit—take the time to engage with your parents and greet them as you would with friends around your own age.

Along with spending time of your own with your parents, assist them in finding external communities to get involved with. There are plenty of clubs and social groups that exist for elderly folks who don’t have a workplace or school to make friends through!

One Step at a Time

Dealing with aging parents can be challenging, but it’s rewarding to see your parents thriving and enjoying their lives with your assistance. The steps above will help you get started as you care for your elderly parents!

For more lifestyle and health-related articles, check out the rest of our website!

4 Questions to Ask When Touring Assisted Living Communities 

One of the most important decisions that you will ever make is finding the best-assisted living facility for your elderly parent.

Assisted living is housing with support services for people who need help with daily living activities. Unlike a nursing home, a resident does not need professional medical care. 

Here is a quick guide on how to find the right facility. 

Relevant Questions to Ask 

Asking the right questions will help you make a quick assessment of an assisted living facility. 

Since you will probably have numerous questions as you walk through the buildings with a staff member and get introduced to a variety of people, it’s essential to prepare at least four primary questions before your visit. 

While you might want to ask the staff member giving you the tour some of these questions, others aren’t meant to be asked aloud but only to help you evaluate the facility.

What should you look for when evaluating various assisted living communities for seniors in your city?  

Here are four frequently asked questions that will help you get a feel for the assisted living community you are visiting:

Question #1: What safety and security measures does this facility offer residents? 

Question #2: When is the best time to visit to understand the dynamics of the community? 

Question #3: How friendly, caring, and considerate is the staff? 

Question #4: What do the other residents and their families think about this facility? 

Now let’s take a closer look at the answer to these questions.

  1. What Safety and Security Measures Does This Facility Offer Residents? 

Safety and security are a top priority for seniors and choosing a facility with strong safety and security measures in place will give you peace of mind about your parents’ well-being. 

When evaluating safety and security, ask the staff member about the following things: 

  • What elderly alert systems are available for residents? 
  • Are the bathrooms easy to access and do they have grab bars positioned in the most convenient places? 
  • How can a resident contact a staff member if they have an emergency?
  • Is there somebody available at the facility 24/7 to assist the residents? 
  • Does the facility have registered nurses? 
  • How does the staff assist a resident in monitoring their medication?  

      2. When Is the Best Time to Visit to Understand the Dynamics of the Community?

The best time to schedule your tour is when there is a community event. This will give you a chance to see for yourself the types of events available, how the staff manage them, and how much the residents enjoy them. Review the community’s schedule of events and pick one that your loved one will find interesting. In addition to witnessing the event and perhaps even taking part in it, also ask staff members about community outings and religious services.

     3. How Friendly, Caring and Considerate Is the Staff?

Does the staff appear friendly and approachable? 

The best way to assess the friendliness of the staff is to make your own observations during your visit. Notice how staff members interact with current residents. Notice if they listen and make eye contact. Notice if they show patience and caring. 

It doesn’t matter how beautiful the facility is, if the staff look impatient and overworked, your elderly parent will probably be miserable there.

  1. What Do Other Residents and Their Families Think About This Facility?

Besides getting a tour, asking staff relevant questions, and making your own observations, you can also get more information about a facility by visiting online review websites where past and present residents and their families share their honest opinions. 

The Final Question

After your tour, the most important thing to ask your loved one is if they can see themselves living in that community. Ask your parent: “Did this facility make you feel comfortable and at ease?  

The most important thing is to follow your intuition. Everything can look great on the surface, but if you or your parent feel something is amiss, then look for another facility.

Must-Know Tips about the Digital Marketing for Senior Living Facilities

Having a marketing strategy goes a long way in boosting the revenue of any business within the economy. All companies, including senior living facilities, ought to take up the challenge to make their services known among the fast aging baby boomer generation. However, high-living enterprises have difficulties as it’s a fierce platform for everyone to compete for the top spot. Are you looking for something that’ll set you apart? It’s time to implement digital marketing techniques. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Listen to your potential client’s needs

Making sales is more than just pitching the idea of a deal. Getting to the ground and inquiring about your potential clients’ desire is the way to go. It’s a strategy that enables one to tailor your facility to suit the needs of the seniors and their families. Starting a conversation is the ideal way to market your business far and wide. More people get to join in and address the insecurities as well as the reservations they have.

  • Have an SEO plan
If you are thinking of digital marketing for senior living facilities, you need to strive and appear in the top pages of search engines. An effectively optimized strategy not only enhances your site’s visibility but also ensures it aligns well with the latest search engine guidelines. This approach is crucial, especially when adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape. To gain more conversion rates with each passing day, you need to strive to maintain the SEO. If managing your SEO needs seems daunting, consider leveraging expert search engine services that specialize in comprehensive and adaptive strategies for improved online presence.
  • Use the right tactics.

Your website speaks volumes about your facility. It’s often the first thing that people see before deciding to make reservations. Therefore, you need to strive to build trust in the senior living industry. You also have to implement some of the proven internet marketing strategies there are. Online advertising is a chance to make your brand known. However, that isn’t enough. You ought to add a personal touch to it. You can achieve this via blogging about numerous information that can aid the aging population. If you wish to have online users come back for more, you need to keep information top-notch, relevant, and updated. You can also try out email marketing to reach more subscribers. It’s often a unique chance to nurture a community that has expressed interest.

  • Be transparent about your facility.

Once you choose to incorporate digital marketing into your facility, you need to be open and transparent about it. You need not hold back any useful information while describing services available. It thus enables the clients to know what they are getting into always. Having an honest disclosure allows the clients to get what they bargained for once they visit the premises. They thus get to rate your business highly for being authentic.

As you target the adult children, you ought to have a smart digital marketing plan. It’s a chance to reach more users at a go. You can also hire digital marketing experts for senior living facilities to help make your business the go-to destination.

An Updated Guide to Gifts for Seniors in a Care Facility

This article is a continuation of a previous article we published approximately a year ago: Special Days for Seniors – Best Gifts for Seniors in a Care Facility. Today we look back over the beginning of the year 2020 and, while initially there was a lot of positive energy and optimism, things took a detour with the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. This has caused many of us to be unable to visit the seniors in our lives–a frustrating situation, to be sure, especially since times of uncertainty are when we’d want to visit our loved ones the most. We can begin to feel helpless when we know that a parent or grandparent is nearby but unable to receive visitors. Hopefully we are approaching a time when we, while remaining cautious, will be able to spend more time with our elderly loved ones. To that end, we have updated a few of our gift suggestions.

A Tablet for Video Chat

The technology exists to visit the senior in your life remotely via video chat, but does your senior have the technology–and the know-how–to use it? The first part of the equation has a fairly simple solution. A quality tablet with an easy-to-use operating system might be the most ideal choice, although some seniors may prefer a laptop computer. If it’s only the keyboard that matters, you should be able to find one for a tablet as an after-market accessory. Not to pick sides in the operating system wars, but it seems that an iPad would be useful because you can call your loved one via FaceTime and all they have to do is swipe to accept the video call. They don’t have to log in to any applications or websites or perform any other technological functions. Placing a FaceTime call is fairly simple, as well.

Ebook Capability

One of the additional benefits of tablets is that you can usually download an application for the reading of ebooks. Books in the electronic format can be purchased online from major booksellers or borrowed (for free) from the local public library’s website. You can help your senior set up a library account if they don’t already have one, find and borrow books, and load them onto their device. In some cases a dedicated device, such as a Kindle, might be preferred, since it might be more intuitive to use. However, some dedicated ebook readers are prone to crashing. Additionally, learning to use one operating system might be more appealing to some seniors than managing multiple devices. Weigh the pros and cons as best suited for your loved one.

Hobbies for Shelter-in-Place

It depends on the level of isolation that your senior is experiencing as to what types of activities he or she might be able to enjoy. It might be wise to find entertainment that can be enjoyed in solitude, should that need arise again. Select a just-in-case-you’re-quarantined gift to have on hand, perhaps stashed in a closet. Or, if the senior in your life enjoys technology, they may like to play games on their tablet or device. If a hobby doesn’t immediately come to mind, have a dialogue with your loved one about this to find out what types of activities would appeal to them.

Practical Gifts

For a senior in a care facility, practical gifts will always reign supreme. Personalized items from a loved one, be they comfortable bedding (pillows, blankets, even sheets) or slip resistant shoes, are a welcome change from the uniform–and possibly more utilitarian–offerings most likely provided. However, it is absolutely essential to be cautious about introducing the coronavirus into your senior’s life. Follow recommended sanitary procedures on your gifts before delivering them to the loved one.

As we said before, seniors in care facilities enjoy receiving gifts. Don’t wait for a birthday or holiday to make your loved one smile.

Tips for Caring for Your Elderly Parents

Looking after aging parents can drain you both physically and financially. Today’s lifestyle is extremely demanding, and you may struggle to juggle work and your senior parents’ well-being. Here are tips to keep your parents happy, healthy, and comfortable without compromising your well-being and peace of mind:

1.    Hire an in-home caregiver

When you have siblings, friends, and extended family by your side, the burden of caring for your parents reduces significantly. Even when those close friends and relatives are not available physically to help with cooking, transportation to doctor appointments, laundry, and other tasks, they can contribute toward hiring professional senior care services. Care companies such as Husky Senior Care offer in-home care packages tailored to suit specific needs. Before hiring, ensure you understand your parents’ needs, so you choose a package that gives you the best value for your money.

2.    Organize doctor visits

Older adults may become forgetful, stubborn, or too weak to take themselves to the doctor. When this is the case, you need to be there to ensure all doctor appointments and hospital visits are adhered to.

Keep your parents’ health in mind when looking for a caregiver. Some in-home care packages do not cover hospital trips and other medical needs.

3.  Eat healthily and exercise.

Keeping your parents healthy and physically fit doesn’t need adopting an extreme home workout regime. You can achieve it by ensuring they develop a habit of going for morning and evening walks.

Consider merging their exercise routine with yours, so you can monitor them more easily and spend time together without tweaking your schedule.

Additionally, pay attention to your parents’ diet plan. At their age, they may not consume much, so it is important to ensure the little they feed on has enough nutrients to keep them going.

4.  Take care of yourself.

Caregiving can be exhausting, whether you are taking care of your loved one or you are a professional caregiver. Over time, many caregivers develop burnout, an emotional state characterized by weight gain, sleep problems, fatigue, social isolation, and a feeling of hopelessness.

When this happens, you may not serve your aging parents as well as you should. Your productivity at work may also take a dip.

Find ways to take care of your mental and physical health, so you are always fresh and in the mood for caregiving.

5.  Make your home safe.

Slips and falls on slippery floors, down the stairs, etc. are not uncommon occurrences. The elderly are more prone to these falls, and their weak bodies are more vulnerable to severe injuries.

Structural modifications are essential if you want to keep your aging parents safe from accidents. Consider installing staircase railing, adding grab bars to your walk-in shower, and using low-pile carpet if any of them uses a wheelchair.

Endnote

We all want to see our parents happy, healthy, and secure in their old age. This can be tiring and life-altering. The above tips will help you find the easiest route to effective caregiving and ensure that your parents’ well-being doesn’t slow down your life.

3 Myths About Aging Every Senior Should Debunk

No one can ever escape from the aging process. Our bodies grow just a little older each passing day, so science hasn’t been able to stop it.

However, there are myths about aging that, unfortunately, have affected how many people take care of themselves. There are just too many health issues that many think are part of natural aging, so they tend not to seek treatment.

In this article, we bring these myths to life in hopes of effectively debunking them once and for all.

Pain is an inevitable part of aging.

It’s true. When we age, we lose a lot of things: the suppleness of our skin, the dark tones of our hair, and even some of our energy to have fun. However, this process of losing does not really have to involve physical pain. Anyone who says otherwise is severely mistaken.

When there is a body part that feels painful or has been a source of discomfort for a while, you need to have yourself checked. Pain or prolonged discomfort means that something is wrong, and you have to intervene to rectify it. Pain management specialists at firms like https://www.seattlepainrelief.com/ are going to be helpful in this regard. You can also speak to your general physician about a referral.

Memory loss is normal.

You’ve probably read that we start losing brain cells or neurons without replenishing them at around age 30. However, we have so many neurons in our brains that even sustained losses for years cannot easily impair our brain. Besides, it’s not really the quantity that matters so much when it comes to neurons; it’s the strength and complexity of the connections that we form among these cells.

Given that, you should really say goodbye to the notion that memory loss is a normal part of the aging process. It’s really not. This forgetfulness might be a sign of a mental illness such as dementia. It would help if you got the advice of a psychological health expert to manage this condition well.

Sensory difficulties are normal and irreversible.

When we portray or illustrate older adults, many of us paint a picture of a weak and imbued person with many sensory challenges such as nearsightedness and difficulty in hearing. Just because many old people suffer from these conditions doesn’t really mean that these are already part of the aging process. Like the other two, they’re not.

Any person can become old while retaining their sensory functions. As with the other two, if you are experiencing issues with your eyes and ears now, have them checked and treated. As long as there are known cures, you shouldn’t just live with these impairments.

Just because impairment is common among older adults doesn’t really mean they are already part of the aging process. You have to understand that it’s not really aging that caused them per se, it’s the series of bad health decisions. As such, they are totally preventable by simply being more mindful of our health by eating right, sleeping enough, and working out.