3 Ways to Make Your Home More Senior Friendly
Seniors are prone to spending a significant amount of time in the comfort of their own homes, which should be safe and comfortable places to navigate. Unfortunately, there are often many hazards or inconveniences that can affect an individual’s quality of life and safety. If you want to make your home more senior-friendly, there are a few steps to consider taking.
Slip-Resistant Floors
Seniors are often at risk of falling due to slipping on smooth floors. If you want to improve the traction when you walk, then installing slip-resistant floors will allow seniors to get around easily with the use of walkers or canes. Linoleum flooring is an excellent option that is installed directly over subflooring or wood underlayment, which makes it ideal for wheelchairs. Cork is also smooth enough for wheelchairs, and it won’t catch feet compared to carpet.
Clear the Clutter
It can be easy for seniors to accumulate too many items over the years, which can limit the amount of space that is available in each room. In some cases, they may have difficulty finding what they need or caring for themselves properly if too much clutter is present. Although seniors may not want to part ways with their personal belongings, these items can be taken off-site to a self-storage facility to ensure they can still have access to everything in the future. A self-storage facility is perfect for infrequently used items that you still want to keep, for seasonal items, or just for things you need to get out of the way quickly and decide what to do with them later.
Revise the Bathroom
Make the bathroom a safer place for seniors to use by installing a grab bar in the shower or a step-in shower that is safer for them to get into compared to a bath. Grab bars can also be added by the toilet as they get up and down each day. Handheld showerheads are also useful for someone who has limited mobility. Additionally, single-handled faucets can prevent scalding at the sink.
Knowing the right modifications to make in the home of a senior can offer you and your loved one peace of mind. Providing safety and security at home will make everyone feel better. Many adjustments are useful and can create a functional environment for them to live normally each day.
Besides these changes, there are other steps you can take to make sure your senior is safe and receives the best care. With services like Telehealth monitoring, physical therapy, and more, Welcome Homecare is the perfect partner to help care for your loved ones.
3 Creative Activities to Boost Senior Health
Staying in good health doesn’t have to mean doing boring workouts each day. Senior citizens can benefit from a number of fun activities that will boost their physical and mental health while having fun.
Dance
Whether seniors prefer fast music or slow songs, moving to the rhythm can improve their health. Studies show that regular dancing may lower a person’s dementia risk, and it can also improve flexibility, bone density, muscle mass, and balance. Dance can also improve your spatial awareness, motor skills, and how to be more connected with your body.
Dancing can take place nearly anywhere. People can do it on their own at home, or they can enroll in a class at a local fitness center. Some gyms even offer water dance classes for seniors. Those with mobility issues can participate in dance activities from the comfort of a chair or move to the music while lying down.
Painting
Seniors may enjoy shaping their own pottery pieces or painting a colorful picture. Even those who don’t feel naturally artistic may like coloring an intricate mandala design.
American Orchards explains that art therapy has a multitude of proven benefits. Physically, it can improve hand-eye coordination. As seniors focus on their art, they may find that they don’t notice their chronic pain as much. Art can also help with mental health by elevating a person’s mood, reducing anxiety levels, and improving memory skills. Seniors who participate in group art therapy programs can build new relationships as well.
Tell a Story
Storytelling Arts of Indiana discusses how mental health is just as important as physical health for senior citizens, and telling a story provides good exercise for the brain. Some of the best stories for seniors to tell are tales about their own lives. This encourages them to sift through old memories and find creative ways to express their past experiences. Seniors who are able to write out their stories or type them on a computer may benefit from improved fine motor skills as well.
Older adults can exchange written or oral stories with one another in a group setting. They can also tell them to younger generations, including family members or community youth groups, such as scouting troops.
Physical and mental exercise for seniors shouldn’t be dull or boring. Through dance, art therapy, stories, and other engaging activities, older adults can stay in good shape while also having fun. These activities can even provide social outlets for seniors so that they can build friendships while exercising their bodies and their minds.
Just because you live at home and you are living an active lifestyle doesn’t mean you don’t need help sometimes. Welcome Homecare is here to help!
3 Often Neglected Aspects of Senior Health
As loved ones age, it’s important to stay on top of their health. You know to be on the lookout for signs of heart disease or diabetes, but you should also pay attention to these three aspects of senior health that are often overlooked.
Brain Health
Although some loss of cognitive function is to be expected during aging, you should still encourage your senior to actively maintain brain health. Brain specialists explain that studies indicate that daily exercise improves cognitive function by keeping brain cells healthy and reducing chronic stress.
Research also shows that regular volunteering can improve memory skills. Other methods of boosting memory include meditation, word puzzles and social interaction.
Oral Health
The health of the mouth can affect the health of the whole body, so it’s important to pay attention to oral wellness. Dentists say that the major causes of oral health problems are from gum disease, oral care neglect due to other conditions like arthritis, dementia, etc. and Dry mouth.
When arthritis or other mobility conditions make it hard to brush or floss, seniors are at increased risk of developing gum disease. Brushing and flossing twice a day is essential. You may need to perform this task if it’s too difficult for a loved one to do on his own. Rinsing with mouthwash can help as well.
To reduce dry mouth, it’s important that seniors drink eight glasses of water each day. Chewing gum can provide temporary relief. If dry mouth is caused by medications, you should discuss alternative prescriptions with a doctor.
Foot Health
With age, the structure of the foot can change, and that can lead to pain and other mobility problems. Podiatrists recommend looking at your loved one’s feet regularly. Be on the lookout for calluses or corns; treat these with warm water soaks and gentle filing. You should also apply lotion and trim the nails as needed.
Shoes that fit well can greatly improve foot health. Have a fitting done so you can be sure that your loved one is wearing supportive shoes and ones that don’t pinch.
Paying attention to all aspects of senior wellness means that you’re doing your best to keep your loved one as healthy as possible. Not only can this grant you peace of mind, but it can also help your senior friend or family member enjoy a good quality of life for many years.
3 Natural Oils That Can Improve the Quality of Life for Your Older Loved Ones
Herbs and their essential oils have been used for hundreds of years across almost all cultures for their medicinal effects on the human body. Essential oils have been known to promote wellness, boost healing and enhance physical and psychological well-being.
Each oil contains unique molecules extracted from plants, fruits and herbs that interact with your body chemistry to produce therapeutic effects. Essential oils are often organic If you’re taking care of an older adult, parent or grandparent, you can use essential oils help them relieve some of the discomfort of an aging body. Below are three potent essential oils and how they can benefit your older loved ones.
Marjoram
This incredible essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the marjoram plant, which has been used for its medicinal properties across its native Mediterranean region for many years. Like many other essential oils, it is steam distilled from fresh or dried leaves and contains many of its medicinally active components. Marjoram essential oil has a host of benefits and is best known for its analgesic, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties.
Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/
As an analgesic, marjoram oil is used topically to reduce the pain caused by inflammation, sore muscles and even headaches. It can be very useful at controlling joint and arthritis pain in older adults. It is also very effective at reducing muscle spasms and cramps all over the body and can even put a stop to spasmodic cholera. Its antiseptic properties can help prevent wounds from developing secondary infections.
Bergamot
A powerfully sweet citrus fruit, bergamot may provide many health benefits for older adults. As years pass, studies are beginning to show that bergamot may provide many health benefits, including antidepressant and stimulating effects. Research has demonstrated the usefulness of bergamot at boosting positive feelings, leading to a noticeable improvement of individual’s mental well-being. Bergamot can also increase our body’s hormonal secretions, helping with digestion, nutrient absorption and blood sugar regulation. Bergamot comes from farmers of Calabria, Italy, and are a skilled and proud community of agriculturalists.
Source: https://erbology.co/
Lemongrass
Extracted from dried lemongrass, this lemon-scented oil is a natural pain reliever, helping to soothe sore joints and aching muscles. It can also relieve body pain caused by overexertion and strenuous activities. Lemongrass oil is also a great aid for people suffering from excess flatulence, as it helps to remove excess gas from the intestine and prevents more from forming. In its diluted form, lemongrass also makes a great, all-natural deodorant.
Many people in the U.S. are beginning to rediscover the benefits of essential oils as a holistic, natural supplement to healthcare. If you’re taking care of an older loved one, essential oils may be able to help better their health.
Low-level activity may help reduce Dementia risk
From MedicalNewsToday
Some of the factors, such as age and genetics, are unavoidable.
Others, such as smoking and other unhealthful behaviors, are lifestyle choices that a person can change.
Regularly exercising and eating a healthful diet may prevent the onset of symptoms, say the Alzheimer’s Association.
However, a new study that appears in the journal Neurology has revealed that any kind of physical activity — including basic tasks such as doing housework — may protect a person’s brain when they have already reached old age.
The researchers — from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL — studied 454 older adults. Of these, 191 had a diagnosis of dementia. Every participant agreed to donate their brain for medical research purposes when they died.
Every year for 2 decades, each person underwent a full physical examination, along with a test, to determine their thinking and memory skills.
The scientists gave all the volunteers an activity-monitoring device called an accelerometer around 2 years before each of them died. They wore it on the wrist, and it tracked any activity at all times — be it vigorous physical exercise or simply walking around the house.
Developing dementia
Low-stress exercise like yoga helps build muscle strength, aerobic fitness, balance, core stability, mobility, and flexibility
The scientists used 7 days’ worth of these data to calculate an average daily activity score for each person. The average of the entire group of people was 160,000 counts per day.
However, those who had dementia averaged a daily count of 130,000, while those without the condition had a higher average count of 180,000.
Also, more specifically, people were 31 percent less likely to develop dementia for every standard deviation of increase in physical activity. The same deviation increase in motor skills equated to a person being 55 percent less likely to develop dementia.
After death, specialists examined each participant’s brain for lesions and biomarkers of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers adjusted results based on the severity of any brain lesions.
Despite that, the links between physical activity and dementia and motor skills and dementia remained. Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers appeared to have no effect on the results.
Further research
Lead study author Dr. Aron S. Buchman, an associate professor at Rush University Medical Center’s Department of Neurological Sciences, concludes that their study “found that a more active lifestyle may have a protective effect on the brain. But,” he goes on, “it is important to note that our study does not show cause and effect.”
He adds, “It may also be possible that as people lose memory and thinking skills, they reduce their physical activity. More studies are needed to determine if moving more is truly beneficial to the brain.”
It is also unclear how active the participants were over the course of their entire lives, and whether this played a part in their brain health. Similarly, the researchers cannot say whether a particular form of exercise is better for a person’s brain than another.
The opportunity to physically study the brains of each participant was, however, a strength of the study. However, as Dr. Buchman explains, further research into the topic is necessary before experts can truly be sure.
3 Ways to Pay for the Health Care That a Loved One Needs
Regardless of the situation, providing care for an ailing loved one is never easy. Not only are you facing a serious medical concern, but you are also left wondering how in the world you are going to pay for treatment costs—especially if insurance is an issue or if you are unable to work full-time hours.
Fortunately, there are plenty of suggestions for paying for medical expenses without insurance. While it might require some out-of-the-box thinking to get the assistance you need, know that many families have been in your shoes before and were able to get the help they needed. If you are currently struggling with the financial pressures of caring for a loved one, then here are some strategies for coping with health care costs.
Understanding Financial Pressures
When a loved one is seriously injured or diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, family members often take on the responsibility of being the caregiver. Much of this role involves providing meaningful love and support during the treatment process, but it also carries a great deal of stress and financial responsibility. It’s common for family caregivers to use much of their income and savings to pay for the medical bills and general living expenses of their loved ones. When insurance is an issue, many of these expenses may be paid out-of-pocket.
Additionally, caregivers also find it necessary to leave their jobs in order to provide day-to-day care. This holds especially true when caring for someone with cancer since 32 percent of caregivers spend more than 40 hours per week caring for cancer patients at home. Under these circumstances, caregivers face costly medical bills while being unable to work full-time hours. It’s easy to see how these financial pressures could build to the point of overwhelming stress. Rather than allow financial pressure to overwhelm you, look into some of these options.
1. Crowdfunding
A lot of people turn to crowdfunding to help pay for medical expenses. Part of the reason for this is due to the fact that, even with insurance, there can be huge gaps between what is covered and what is not covered. This can leave individuals in quite a bind—of course, they have to find a way to pay for medical expenses somehow.
In recent years, crowdfunding has shown that it is a great way to cover many of these gaps. Aside from these benefits, crowdfunding is a way for friends and family to rally around a loved one as they fight cancer or help pay for life-saving surgery. Moreover, participating in crowdfunding is also a great way for many individuals to try experimental procedures that normal insurance regimens may not cover. Things such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, stem cell therapy, and antibiotics for non-traditional conditions are all things that crowdfunding can help cover.
2. Payment Plans
Using payment plans is just one of the suggestions for paying for medical treatment without insurance. One of the most surprising things about medical bills, unlike other types of debt, is that medical creditors will usually work with you as long as you make small payments. Moreover, there are many hospitals that will allow you to work out an interest-free payment plan. Ask if the treatment center provides financial counseling to patients and see if this would be an option for your situation.
3. Ask About Reduced Rates
True, the answer could be no, but you won’t know for sure until you ask. There are many medical facilities that will work with you on the cost of your health care if you just ask them. There are many medical expenses that can be haggled or reduced simply by knowing your rights and knowing the right people to talk to. Much of this process involves thoroughly researching procedures and items on the bill, and then discussing them directly with the hospital or healthcare facility. It’s definitely worth asking for a reduced rate—you may be surprised by the response.
When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious medical concern, family caregivers face significant financial stress in order to ensure that they receive the treatment they need. By adopting some of these strategies, you can reduce health care costs and take some of the pressure off.
For reliable home healthcare, let Welcome Homecare help you and your loved ones!
4 Alternative Pain Management Solutions for Seniors
As people age, it often becomes necessary to find methods of pain management related to injuries, illness, or simply getting older. While many people turn to prescription pain relief, mainly opioids, there are other methods that work and don’t lead to addiction. The following are some ways seniors can learn to manage pain without the use of highly addictive opioids.
Why Opioids are a Concern
Most opioid addictions begin innocently enough with someone becoming addicted to a legitimately prescribed medication. Only 11 percent of those who needed care for opioid use received specialty treatment. Of those with past-year drug use disorders, a whopping 82.3 percent aged 12 and older did not perceive the need for treatment and thus did not get the help they needed. The issues related to addiction of opioids and the treatment of that addiction are the reason many seniors are trying the following alternative methods of pain management.
Source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/heroin-addiction/treatment-rehab/
1. Visit a Chiropractor
Regular visits to a chiropractor can have many health benefits, including pain relief. A chiropractor deals with whole body care and focuses on the misalignment of the spine. Seniors who regularly have chiropractor visits often report a higher range of movement, better balance, and more energy. Plus, this type of care has no side effects.
Source: http://www.unitychirobeaverton.com/blog/79048-how-chiropractic-care-can-help-you-avoid-surgery
2. Try Acupuncture or Massage Therapy
Acupuncture is a popular method of pain relief in Eastern medicine where thin needles are inserted into specific areas of the body. This type of therapy, along with massage therapy, can help with joint pain and whole-body health without the use of medications. A major benefit of acupuncture and massage therapy is that they are both patient driven and can be used to create a care plan based on the individual needs of each patient.
Source: http://boulderacupunctureandherbs.com/2016/09/pain-management-older-adults/
3. Use Natural Pain Remedies
Exercise can actually be very beneficial for seniors dealing with certain types of pain. It’s essential to speak with the primary care physician to find the best type of exercise depending on the individual’s abilities and stamina. Another natural way to combat pain is using natural pain relievers like willow bark, turmeric, and cloves.
4. Holistic Diet
Many people don’t realize the benefits that can come from a healthy diet. Inflammation can be one of the leading causes of pain when it comes to seniors. Many times, inflammation is related to eating unhealthy foods. A holistic diet can eliminate those problem foods and often improve overall health. Most holistic diets will recommend eating lots of fish, healthy fats, whole fruits, and vegetables.
Source: https://holisticseniors.com/category/body/recipies/
Prescription opioids can be as dangerous and as addictive as heroin an illegal drug, especially when they’re misused. Opioids are frequently prescribed to seniors without consideration of side effects. But there are alternatives to opioids for those who prefer to maintain a lifestyle without addictive medications. By trying alternative pain management solutions like visiting a chiropractor, using natural pain remedies, and experimenting with other natural treatments, many seniors can find relief from pain without resorting to prescription drugs.
Sometimes taking care of seniors can be hard, and sometimes it’s hard for seniors to take care of themselves. That’s where Welcome Homecare comes in! We offer full service home healthcare to make sure that no matter the level of activity of the senior, they can always receive the help they need!
3 Ways to Make Your Property More Wheelchair-Friendly
If you or your loved one currently uses a wheelchair to get around, it’s important to have your home wheelchair-accessible to ensure that it’s easy to navigate. Without the right features installed, it can be challenging to have a space that is functional and easy to move through in a wheelchair. Here are a few ways to make your property more wheelchair-friendly.
Install Ramps Inside Your Home
Ramps are one of the most important features to have in your home when stairs are present. Shallow ramps are convenient to use and accommodate those who have mobility issues. Building a ramp will often require obtaining a permit from the city, which makes it necessary to check local building codes before you start the construction project.
You may also need to rethink the flooring that is installed on each floor, which can cause the wheelchair to become stuck or more challenging to operate, depending on the material that is used. Some of the ideal materials to use include vinyl, ceramic tile, or hardwood flooring. Consider ripping out any carpet in rooms that are frequented by the individual and adding a few rugs instead.
Repave Your Walkways and Driveway
Wheelchairs can be difficult to use on surfaces that are bumpy or rough. Redoing your paving will offer your wheelchair experience plenty of comfort for things as simple as getting into or out of your car, checking your mail or enjoying the outdoors. Having smooth pavement will be a noticeable upgrade to your wheelchair experience and can make it easier to spend time outdoors in the front and backyard. Repaving the exterior of your property will also improve your home’s curb appeal and boost its value, which makes it worth the investment.
Widen Doorways
One of the most effective ways of creating a wheelchair-accessible home is to widen the doorways throughout the interior. Many walkers or wheelchairs are too wide to enter certain doorways of the house, which can limit the individual. You can also install offset hinges to ensure that the door opens wider to create a more expansive entrance without having to perform construction.
With minor improvements to your residential property, you can make your home wheelchair-accessible and ensure that each area of the house is easy to reach. The space will accommodate large wheelchairs and prove to be functional long-term.
If you or a loved one is in need of additional help, but want to stay in the comfort of a familiar home, there’s hope for you! Welcome Homecare has many extensive options to take care of you or your loved ones and make sure they receive the absolute best care they can.
4 Best Beginner Workouts for Seniors
There is a common perception that as people get older, you lose the ability to do less things. Working out and exercising are one of those things. But exercise is still a necessity to continue to feel good and be healthy as you age. In fact, while the are life insurances who will still insure seniors with medical conditions, many life insurances and other type of insurances prefer seniors to be healthier – something exercise can help with. If you are a senior or have a loved one who is a senior, then you probably already know the importance of keeping physically fit. Your level of fitness is something that needs to be maintained constantly, and it is very much tied to your general overall health. Here are some ways to keep fit as a senior.
Source: Guaranteed Issue Life
Water Aerobics
Many seniors find that the buoyancy of water helps them perform exercises that they can no longer do on the ground. Water aerobics has also been shown to help build cardiovascular health and stamina. Many people also enjoy the chance to get together with their friends in a fun environment. While swimming laps is an excellent exercise for some folks, water aerobics encourages seniors to walk in the water, do jumping jacks, and perform high-knee lifts.
Chair Yoga
Anyone can do chair yoga, but senior citizens are the target demographic for this activity. Even if a senior uses a wheelchair or finds it difficult to walk, chair yoga can still provide benefits. It may be particularly beneficial for those who have balance problems, but it may not be strenuous enough for healthier individuals. Chair yoga can help seniors improve their flexibility and strength. Other benefits include assisting the seniors to understand better where their body is in space along with helping to keep their minds clearer. Stretching with the hands above the head, doing ankle circles while holding feet in the air, and performing seated arm circles are just a few of the moves that seniors may want to try.
Source: Assisted Living Center
Dancing
Dancing is a wonderful form of exercise for seniors. Lively music can help improve mood, and the heart often gets a good workout when dancing. Dance has been shown to increase balance and flexibility, which may help to prevent falls. Even if the senior needs to stay seated, simply moving the arms and legs to a lively tune can help individuals to keep in shape.
Source: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Walking
Taking a quick stroll around the neighborhood for at least 20 minutes can help keep your heart healthy, lower blood pressure, and control blood sugar. Research shows that people who walk regularly get sick less often than those who do not exercise.
There are many beginner forms of exercise that seniors can do. Encourage yourself or your loved ones to keep moving. All sorts of activity help the heart and release feel-good hormones into the bloodstream. Get seniors involved today by joining them in their exercise regime.
Welcome Homecare puts the heart into homecare. Contact Jacksonville’s highest quality home healthcare agency today to help your loved ones get the help they need and the love they deserve.
What to Look for in a Senior Care Nurse
A senior care nurse takes on a special responsibility as a caregiver to an older person. Several important factors will help you determine if a nurse will be a good match for you or your loved one. Some of the qualities that you should look for include level of training, knowledge, and experience in dealing with the elderly. The safety of the senior is the main priority. A senior care nurse must be able to safely perform all of the special needs of their patient.
Consider Your Unique Needs
When selecting a senior care nurse, you will want to make sure that they have the experience to handle your special health needs. For instance, if you are in a wheelchair or have mobility issues, your nurse should be able to safely transfer you in and out of bed. If you need assistance dressing and bathing, these tasks require a trained nurse caregiver. The same holds true in the event of a patient suffering from cardiac or lung issues. The senior care nurse must be capable of identifying an emergency, and knowing what to do in the event of a health-related emergency.
Ask Questions
This holds true whether the nurse works in a facility or in the patient’s home. Nurses see patients in a variety of settings, from the office to home. There are times after a hospital stay that a senior patient requires home nursing care. You’ll want to be sure that your nurse is familiar with your medications. It’s important that the senior care nurse pays close attention to detail to medication dosages and the scheduled times to administer each.
If a senior patient needs assistance with cooking or eating, a senior care nurse should be able to prepare healthful meals and monitor food intake restrictions. For example, a patient may be on a low sodium diet or may need to avoid certain foods in order to prevent drug interactions. You will also want to look for a nurse who will keep the patient’s space clean and tidy at all times.
Once you are sure that a senior care nurse has the experience and skills that you need, the other important factors involve his or her personality traits. Your nurse should be patient and compassionate. A bit of kindness goes a long way, especially if the patient is sick or ailing. The successful senior care nurse needs to be a pleasant companion as well as an efficient healthcare provider.
Hiring a healthcare provider for you or your loved one can be a difficult challenge. That’s why we are here. We specialize in homecare and we want to help you get the best care possible.
