Easing Senior Isolation After the Winter Holidays
Helen, a vibrant 78-year-old who thrives in the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season, hosts gatherings and participates in longstanding family traditions. Come January, the sudden silence of her home, now void of guests and decorations, can feel overwhelming. This abrupt shift from constant social interaction to minimal contact is one of the main reasons seniors feel lonely after the holidays. Helen’s situation is, sadly, very common. The winter holidays bring a flurry of activity and
Long Distance Caregiving: A Checklist for Holiday Visits
Holidays are a special time for family gatherings, laughter, and shared memories. They also present an opportunity for long-distance caregivers to check in on the well-being of their older loved ones. If you're traveling to see older family members this holiday season, you'll naturally be interested in their health and well being. Here are some things to consider during your visit that can help you help them from afar.What To Watch For During Your Visit 1. Physical health and safetyMobility and balance:
Aging in Place: A Comprehensives Guide to Planning for the Future
Are you planning to age in place-meaning you want to live in your own home and avoid the need to move to a senior residence or nursing home? Aging in one's own private sanctuary - where we may have lived for decades - may be the ideal, but it does take planning (along with healthy living and a share of good genetics). Planning to age in place involves more than just making physical adaptations to living spaces, such as improving lighting or adding grab bars. It requires big-picture planning that includes
Making a Safe Transition From Hospital to Home
Coming home from a hospital or nursing home stay is such a relief-finally, back in one's own space! But the transition involves more than just moving locations-it's about the patient adapting to a new daily routine, managing health conditions, and perhaps dealing with new limits on what they can do. A smooth transition can lower the risk of problems, prevent returns to the hospital, and help recovery happen faster. That's why, if at all possible, patients should begin planning for their transition back
How Keeping a Journal Helps Dementia Caregivers
Caring for a loved one with dementia presents unique challenges that can be overwhelming; not just with the loved one's illness and the huge life changes coming, but with the caregiver's own feelings and struggles too. Keeping a detailed journal is an organized way to record the progress and effects of the patients’ dementia-helpful information for their doctors. But it can also provide emotional and psychological benefits for caregivers themselves. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia or another
Tough Conversations: When Is It Time for Seniors To Stop Driving?
Driving is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a symbol of independence that many cherish. However, as we age, it becomes crucial to recognize when driving may no longer be safe. The decision to stop driving is significant and depends on a person’s ability rather than age. The decision can be influenced by a gradual change in ability or a sudden shift due to illness or other factors.Typical changes caused by aging often affect driving abilities. For example, changes in depth perception are very
How To Stay Active and Thrive After Retirement
Retirement marks a significant transition from decades of routine-driven days to newfound freedom. That can be either scary or exciting—or, more likely, a combination of the two. While the prospect of long, unstructured days may seem appealing to older adults, it can also affect them in a negative way. The solution: staying active, both mentally and physically. Staying active is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health, continuing personal growth, and avoiding the pitfalls of isolation during
‘tis The Season…..Are You Ready??
Yes, it’s here! As if you haven’t already read in the newspaper or heard on the news, or if you are relatively new to the area, the 2024 hurricane season began June 1st. And it runs all the way through the end of November! NOW is the time to prepare! These storms, often spawning tornadoes, flooding, power outages and the like are especially menacing for the senior who lives alone and cannot summon immediate help! Remember the anxiety we all felt during prior hurricanes like Irma, Charley,
Home Safety for Seniors with Parkinson’s or Other Conditions
Home should always be a place where people feel safe and comfortable. However, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or certain other conditions can change what was once a sanctuary into something challenging or even risky. Parkinson’s and other conditions can cause physical and cognitive challenges, such as:Mobility issues: Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions can cause stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination. These are among the top issues that make it challenging for older
What is Adaptive Clothing?
Adaptive clothing refers to clothing designed with modifications and features to make dressing easier for individuals with specific needs or disabilities. These modifications can address a variety of challenges, such as limited mobility, dexterity issues or the need for assistance from caregivers. Adaptive clothing enhances comfort, independence, and dignity for those with diverse abilities. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, arthritis,
February is Heart Health Month
February is American Heart Health Month, a time when everyone is encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing cardiovascular diseases and maintaining overall well-being. Heart health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, as the heart plays a vital role in pumping blood and supplying oxygen and nutrients to the body’s organs and tissues. Here are key factors and tips for maintaining good heart health:Balanced Diet: Consume a
The Unseen Challenges of Caregiving
Being a caregiver is a role that millions undertake out of love, dedication and necessity. It’s a role that might be “invisible” to people not directly involved, but its challenges are much more than others might realize. Consider this anecdote from a Time magazine article: “When Nancy Daly was helping to care for her late mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, the stress was so great that she would often shut herself in a bathroom and cry into a towel.” Here at Right at Home, we think of all
Older Adults Should Forget the New Year’s Diet and Embrace Healthy Eating Instead
As the new year begins, many older adults are reflecting on their lives and setting goals to become healthier. One of the most common resolutions is to eat better and possibly even drop a few pounds—a commendable goal that can improve overall well-being and reduce the risk for certain age-related health conditions. However, the challenge often lies not in setting these goals but in following through with them throughout the year and beyond. The stumbling block for healthy weight reduction tends to be the
How Adaptive Devices Can Help You Age in Place
Time for dinner! Let’s get cooking.” “Why don’t you relax in the living room? I’ll fold the laundry.” Those sound like ordinary moments of daily life for most people. But for millions of seniors who want to age in place or who are living with a disability, each of those statements could pose challenges. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and even just relaxing can look entirely different when you have physical challenges. In fact, a lack of mobility may cause someone to neglect not just their living