Leslie Newlife

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.

3 Activities that Keep Seniors Mentally Alert

Many people are wrongfully led to believe that memory loss is a normal component of the aging process. It’s not. Everyone can grow old with their memories of themselves and their loved ones still intact. In fact, losing such crucial memories is a disorder that we should try to avoid.

Fortunately, there are many things that a person can do to lower their risk of developing memory altering disorders. In this article, we present three of the most effective strategies.

Physical exercise

Growing up, we’re told that a good amount of physical exercise keeps our body strong and resistant to a wide range of physiological maladies. There are also some who exercise to enhance their physique. Many want washboard abs, bulging biceps, and firm chests.

In addition to all those, exercise has also been shown to have a significant impact on the mind. Specifically, it helps people to be more cognitively focused and more mentally alert. With this, people from all age groups should include a reasonable amount of physical exercise in their routines. Of course, everyone– especially our beloved seniors– should not forget to consult with their physicians or healthcare providers before they start any workout program.

Bingo

Bingo is a game of luck, but it is among the most common games played in day centers and homes for the aged. Small groups or big groups are no problem for this game. All that this game needs is bingo cards and numbered bingo balls for raffle. The objective is simple: a game admin just keeps on drawing bingo numbers from the raffle until a predetermined pattern is formed on someone’s bingo card. Of course, the numbers on the cards are randomly determined. Those who want to participate should just hope that the numbers on their card are the lucky ones drawn!

Because it’s done in groups, bingo is a good way to encourage socialization. Through every game session, our beloved senior family member can interact with other old people. They can also interact with their families and caregivers!

We just have to be careful that no hot-tempered fellow is allowed into the game group. We surely don’t want to put an elderly loved one in a situation where they could be assaulted and require the services of legal professionals such as an assault attorney to settle disputes.

Control over their lives

Children and other family members often make the mistake of taking over the elderly person’s life. Caregivers let their beloved seniors sit in a corner as they do all the things– from cleaning to cooking to washing the dishes– for them.

The intention is oftentimes noble. They just want the senior members of the family to be as comfortable as possible. But this can actually do more harm than good. To prevent the decay of both their bodies and minds, seniors must never be made to feel that they are useless or a burden for anyone. For as long as they are still able, they should still be afforded the freedom to do what they want when they want it. The most that we caregivers can do is to make their environment safer.

Taking care of seniors is not an easy task. All steps that we take must be with purpose and informed by scientific insight.

The Longest Day – June 20, 2020

The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer solstice. On June 20, thousands of participants from across the world come together to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through an activity of their choice. Together, they use their creativity and passion to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

While participation in The Longest Day may look a little different this year due to physical distancing, the Alzheimer’s Association has plenty of fun ideas you can do at home to engage family, friends and coworkers.

IDEAS FOR YOUR AT-HOME OR ONLINE FUNDRAISER

SPORTS AT HOME

Create your own sporting event using supplies from around the house, and ask friends to do the same from their homes. For example, set up a putt-putt course or a bowling lane with plastic bottles as pins. Over video conference, participants can donate to compete and vote for the titles of MVP, best-designed course, best-dressed player and more.

ONLINE WORKOUT

Lead an at-home workout, yoga routine or cardio dance class over livestream and ask for a donation to attend. Or, up the ante with a workout challenge on social media. Ask for donations per jumping jack, or offer to eat a hot pepper if you reach your goal during the livestream. Challenge others to top your record for sit-ups, lunges, miles run, etc. If they decline your invitation to sweat in solidarity, welcome a donation instead.

PARTIES AND EVENTS

Karaoke, talent show, happy hour, trivia — nearly any gathering can be hosted online! If you and your friends are performing over video conference, take song requests in exchange for donations. If you’re hosting a Netflix watch party, encourage participants to donate what they’d usually spend at the theater.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Use your skills to virtually teach a class, such as drawing, crocheting, crafts for kids or a makeup tutorial. Wine and paint nights also work well over video conferencing. Attendees can make a donation to join the fun, and you can auction off the finished product to the highest bidder.

COOKING AND BAKING

Instead of a cookout, invite friends and family to teach others how to make a favorite recipe over video in exchange for a donation. Or, host a live cake decorating contest where votes are cast by making donations. The cake with the most donations wins!

CARDS AND GAMES

Bridge, Mah Jongg, video games, board games and even puzzles can be played online with friends and family. Ask participants to make a donation to play, offer prizes to winners and encourage donation bets to raise money.

 

Source – The Alzheimer’s Association

An Elderly Guide To Maintaining Your Car

Seniors who plan to keep their cars for long periods of time will want to maintain their vehicles in good condition. This helps to reduce the amount of maintenance that is needed to protect the car and keep it looking good and running well. Getting regular checkups and tune-ups also help to ensure the car’s reliable operation. This is important for seniors, as many live on fixed incomes and can’t afford costly repairs. Some with health conditions would find it inconvenient to be without a car for frequent shop service. Here’s how many elders are maintaining their cars to last.

Routine Maintenance

A car owner’s manual indicates the type of checkups and maintenance schedule the vehicle should have. Following the list as prescribed can help to keep a car running efficiently and in good condition. Oil changes, filter replacements, and tire rotations are some of the key ways to ensure a vehicle stays in good working order. At certain mileage intervals, cars should be inspected for brake pads and engine flushing as well as a radiator check among other general functions before a problem develops unexpectedly.

Minor Repairs

Although it may be tempting to overlook a seemingly minor problem like a burned-out headlight or slow battery turnover, many seniors address these issues immediately. No one wants to be driving in public and pulled over to be cited by a police officer for a missing headlight. Nor does a driver want to deal with a car that won’t start due to a dead battery. Windows that don’t operate electronically as they should become problematic in bad weather or during a road emergency. Taking care of these issues as they occur can help to prevent bigger problems down the road.

Exterior Protection

A ceramic coating can protect a car’s finish to keep it from fading, chipping, or scratching as easily as it would without the coating. The ceramic coating is applied with a microfiber applicator pad to provide a protective shell over the car’s paint, making it look nice and remain resistant to environmental factors like pollution and road construction. Elders can do the job themselves or have it applied at the auto shop for a glossy sheen that will make the car look almost new again.  If you’re looking for more information check out what I think is the best piece of content about ceramic coating.

Regular Self-Checks

Every driver, seniors included, should check out their car’s operating features every six to twelve months. Following the operator’s manual, they can see if something isn’t working correctly and have it inspected at the stop before a problem develops. Things we take for granted due to limited use, like the horn or panic button on the key fob, should be checked occasionally to ensure they work properly. Tire tread, brake sufficiency, and steering capacity are other functions that need to be evaluated periodically.

With prudent oversight and precautions, elders can keep their cars running safely and efficiently as long as needed. The rest of us could learn from these senior car maintenance strategies how to care for our vehicles, too. Reviewing the operating manual, looking under the hood, and protecting the car’s finish can provide reassurance that the vehicle is in good condition for the foreseeable future. 

Save Yourself With Self-Care

Most people who have a lot of responsibility struggle with self-care, if you also fill the role of caregiver, taking time for yourself is probably overlooked. Being a caregiver, it is imperative to recognize your own physical and emotional needs before you can take care of someone else. By looking out for your own well being, you will be more resilient and prepared for the challenges you face.

Me Time

In order to keep from succumbing to stressors you deal with, you have to learn how to take some time for yourself and look after your own mental health. One way to refocus and keep yourself connected to your internal world and how it can affect your external world is through meditation. 

Your level of involvement can vary from simple sessions in your everyday life to immersing yourself in the myriad of techniques available by attending a meditation retreat. Whichever seems more practical to you, you should pursue. Learning how to unwind from your daily life is an essential aspect of self-care.

Warning Signs

You may be sitting there wondering if you should be taking better care of yourself, listen to your body, it will tell you by giving you certain symptoms that say you need to take a bit of time for yourself. Noticing signs of stress should be your wake up call to take steps to take care of your mental health. Some signs to look out for:

  • Headaches – when your brain is dealing with stress, it releases chemicals to try to help you prepare for what you are dealing with. These chemicals cause the blood vessels in your brain to change and that manifests itself as a headache.
  • Low Energy – dealing with stress is taxing on your body. Your body’s response is to make you feel fatigued.
  • Upset Stomach – when stress levels are high, your stomach will produce high levels of acid. Without treatment, this can turn into various gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers. 
  • Insomnia – it is difficult to relax when your mind is constantly replaying either things that have happened or things you need to get done. Being able to sleep is very important for your overall health. Your body rejuvenates while you are asleep, by denying it of necessary rest, there can be countless ailments that will take their toll. 

Benefits of Meditation

You encounter stress every time you are faced with adversity unexpectedly. Through meditation, you are able to lower the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone your body secretes at these times. 

Through meditation, you learn to become aware of how your emotions dictate your behavior. By being self-aware, you can get a firm grip on your emotions and emotional responses. Being in control, instead of them controlling you, will help to improve your self-confidence through a positive self-image and understanding of your self-worth. 

Recenter Yourself

Meditation is so effective in reducing stress in your life because it teaches you how to control your flow of energy. When you meditate, you are becoming one with yourself and that moment in time. Through these mindful practices, you are learning about yourself at the same time that you are creating a harmony that emanates from within. Those who meditate regularly have a more concentrated attention span and heightened awareness of things around them.

You can’t take care of others until you learn how to take care of yourself first. By improving your own health, you will be able to provide a greater level of care to those who depend upon you.