Home Care 4 Seniors Official Blog

Deciding to “age in place” is not always an easy decision to make—especially if you don’t know how much in-home care is really needed. Whether planning long-term care for yourself or a family member, there is a classic assessment test called the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale; however, anyone can use the following list of daily activities to help determine in-home care needs. Ability to use a telephone: This is an important function for seniors in the event of an emergency. If the senior can operate a phone, look up phone numbers, and dial a few well-known numbers, he or she may not need assistance in this area. However, if the senior can only answer the phone, but not dial, or cannot use a phone at all, this is … Read entire article »

Caregivers experience an enormous amount of stress caring for a loved one who has survived a heart attack. It’s enough stress to cause negative effects on their own health. At Home Care 4 Seniors, we recommend the following ways for family caregivers to relieve stress: Keep a positive attitude. Accept that there are events beyond one’s control. Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert feelings, opinions or beliefs in a positive way instead of becoming angry, defensive or passive. Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga or tai-chi for stress management. Exercise regularly. A body can fight stress better when it is fit. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Learn to manage time more effectively. Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress. Make time for hobbies and interests. Get enough rest and sleep. A body needs … Read entire article »

MetLife’s 2011 research revealed that an astounding 9.7 million adult children over the age of 50 are caring for their parents. The need for family caregivers increases each year. In fact, the population of people over 65 years is expected to increase at a 2.3 percent rate, but the number of family members available to care for them will only increase at a 0.8 percent rate. Employed caregivers are more likely to: Miss work or come in late/leave early Experience a loss in productivity Lose a job or career opportunity Experience negative economic impacts Take unpaid leave of absences or use personal or sick days to provide care And they are two to three times more likely to develop depression The bottom line is caregivers need help. Respite care can help to provide a better work-life-caregiving balance. Respite … Read entire article »

Technology usage among seniors is growing, and there are now more options than ever for easy-to-use devices and tools to enhance safety and independence at home. The following are a few devices to consider for loved ones receiving in-home care: Webcams: Installing webcams throughout the home allows both family members and caregivers the ability to virtually check in on the senior at any time. Webcams also allow family members who live far way to video chat with their loved ones. Sensor Monitors: In conjunction with webcams, sensors can be placed throughout the home to track movement. These are particularly handy for seniors with ambulation or wandering issues. Most sensor systems connect to a TV or computer monitor and an internet connection. Medical Alert Pendants: These handy devices have been around for a few … Read entire article »