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Tag: Senior Living

How Can Home Care Enrich Quality of Life for Seniors?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Maintaining a familiar lifestyle is an important goal for aging adults. This is often a big part of why they choose to age in place for as long as they can. Eventually, seniors may need a little more help keeping their quality of life as high as they possibly can. Home care services can offer the support that seniors need to have the best quality of life as they continue to live their lives.

Cognitive Stimulation

Keeping their brains healthy and stimulated is so important for aging adults. There are lots of ways to help seniors keep their brains active and engaged. Conversation, memory games, reading, puzzles, and similar activities all foster cognitive stimulation and health. Spending time with elder care providers helps seniors to get more cognitive stimulation because of the activities that seniors engage in with caregivers.

Creative Expression

Being able to express themselves creatively is another enriching activity for aging adults. There’s no one way to practice creative expression, either. Seniors can engage in all sorts of arts, crafts, writing, or even making music. Finding new ways to express creativity helps to boost mental and emotional well-being for aging adults.

Physical Activity

Pretty much everyone has heard that physical activity is important for aging adults. But it doesn’t have to be exhausting or unpleasant in order for seniors to get benefits from moving more. Home care providers can help seniors remember to move more, even engaging in activities like impromptu dance parties in the afternoon.

Nutritional Assistance

Eating right helps boost overall well-being and quality of life, too. For many seniors, keeping up with meal preparation and planning is not easy to do, however. Home care providers help seniors to focus on what they can do and what they want to do while offering them healthy and delicious foods to eat on a daily basis.

Companionship

Social isolation robs seniors of so much enjoyment in life. Aging adults can easily become isolated simply because they start to have more trouble getting out and about or they stop driving. That can mean that they just aren’t able to keep up with social engagements any longer. Caregivers offer friendly conversation and companionship that is easy and that comes to seniors in their own homes.

Customized Home Care Plans

Every senior has different likes and dislikes. They also have different needs, requiring different types of care plans. Home care services offer unique plans for each person they help. Everyone has the assistance they need to meet their individual goals in their own timeframes. As needs and preferences change, the plans can change just as quickly.

Independence and Autonomy

Probably the most important part of helping seniors have the best possible quality of life involves protecting their independence and autonomy. Elder care providers are there to support seniors in the ways that they need and want, while allowing them to make their own choices about their daily lives. They’re supported in being who they are.

Home care services offer essential assistance in keeping seniors moving toward the best possible quality of life, whatever that means for them as an individual.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Concord, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Why Do Seniors Get Cold So Easily?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Aging bodies undergo a variety of different changes that make it tougher to regulate temperature properly. That can sometimes mean that seniors find themselves feeling cold more often. Feeling cold can cause seniors to be uncomfortable and might even make it more difficult for them to stay as healthy as they should. Feeling cold all the time also affects how well seniors are able to manage chronic health issues, which is a big problem. Senior home care providers can help aging adults manage temperature regulation and stay comfortable.

Challenges Due to Aging

Aging itself is responsible for a great many of the challenges seniors experience with temperature regulation. Metabolisms slow down and circulation changes as well. These changes affect how well the body distributes heat, especially in the extremities.

Underlying Health Conditions

Some health issues that seniors tend to experience can contribute to feeling cold easily. Diabetes, anemia, thyroid issues, and heart conditions can all be a part of the problem. Keeping these conditions under better control can help with temperature regulation. But it’s also important to realize that some medications that are meant to help with these issues can also have side effects that impact temperature regulation.

Decreased Activity Levels

Very often seniors are less active as they age than they were when they were younger. That decrease in physical activity can contribute to feeling colder more often. Physical activity helps to generate heat in the body, which helps the body maintain its core temperature. When seniors are more sedentary, it’s more difficult for their bodies to generate the heat they need.

Decreased Appetite

Many aging adults don’t eat a lot of food and this can cause issues with temperature regulation. Poor nutrition and eating fewer calories than they truly need affects both energy levels and metabolism. Dehydration is another issue seniors battle and getting too little water may have more trouble with circulation as well as feeling colder.

Keeping Seniors Warmer

There are lots of ways seniors can stay warmer and more comfortable. Layering clothing and maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the house helps. It also helps a great deal for home care providers to help seniors eat nutritious meals regularly. Senior home care providers can also monitor seniors to see how well they’re doing overall. When home care providers notice signs that seniors are more sedentary than usual or that they are experiencing other challenges that could cause them to feel colder than usual, they can help seniors find solutions for those problems.

A variety of different factors can cause seniors to feel colder than they should. The key is for family caregivers to determine what could be contributing to the problem so that they can solve those issues. Senior home care providers can help considerably with this goal, helping aging adults to be as comfortable as possible. Feeling warmer and avoiding cold-related health issues improves overall well-being and quality of life, making it easier for seniors to live the lives they want while they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Keeping Seniors Safe at Home with ADL Assistance

Posted on by ltcep2023

Growing older often means more trouble living independently. Sometimes seniors can age in place just fine, as long as they have a little bit of help. Senior home care providers can keep seniors safe and healthy while also offering invaluable assistance when needed.

What Are ADLs?

Activities of daily living, often abbreviated as ADLs, are fundamental daily tasks that people do in order to take care of themselves, to stay healthy, and to remain independent. These tasks include activities like dressing, bathing, mobility, toileting, eating, and more. Seniors can have more trouble with these tasks for a variety of reasons ranging from cognitive changes to declining health or physical limitations.

Customized Care Plans

The first way that home care offers the help seniors need is through customizing care plans to meet individual needs. Caregivers work closely with the care recipient to understand what they need and want, what their routines are, and any other mitigating factors. These care plans aren’t static, either. They are adjustable as needs change.

Bathing and Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is essential for physical health, emotional well-being, and comfort. Caregivers can help seniors to bathe and take care of any personal hygiene tasks. This can feel embarrassing for some seniors at first, but caregivers offer compassionate support without judging or making the person feel bad about needing help with personal tasks.

Grooming and Dressing Help

It’s amazing how intricate some clothing and fasteners can be. As seniors age, it can be more difficult to manage getting dressed on their own. Home care providers help seniors to continue looking their best, while also wearing clean clothing that makes them feel their best.

Nutritional Support and Meal Preparation

When seniors aren’t eating healthy meals, that has a huge impact on their overall health. Home care assistance ensures that seniors are eating healthy meals on a daily basis. If seniors need more help with planning meals and grocery shopping, caregivers can help with that, too.

Mobility Assistance

Maintaining mobility is a huge part of helping seniors to remain independent. Senior home care services help seniors to have the support they need with tasks like transferring between surfaces, walking, and even exercising. Seniors with a high risk of falling can greatly reduce the likelihood that they might fall if they have mobility assistance on a daily basis.

Toileting and Incontinence Care

Incontinence is a sensitive issue for so many seniors. Home care providers offer support with toileting, getting to the bathroom safely, and establishing bathroom routines. Incontinence care is nothing to be embarrassed about, and having this assistance can reduce the chances of seniors experiencing UTIs and other health issues.

Monitoring and Reporting Health Issues

There’s more involved, however. Family caregivers who live far away or who are extremely busy may not be able to keep up with everything that is happening with the seniors they love. Caregivers can help them to stay aware of health issues and other concerns that families need to start addressing.

Getting help with ADLs does not mean that seniors have to move or that they are unable to care for themselves at all. Senior home care providers offer the support necessary for aging adults to do what they can and to know that they have assistance when they need it.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

12 Great Ways For Seniors to Reduce Loneliness

Posted on by Craig Bass

Seniors aging at home have a high risk of becoming lonely. The risk is even higher for seniors that don’t have immediate family living close to them or who don’t have a strong support network. When seniors become lonely it increases the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and health problems like high cholesterol and heart disease.
Companion care at home is the perfect way for seniors who are aging in place to have regular social visits. Seniors who are in wheelchairs, have dementia, or just have a hard time getting out of the house can get great benefits from companion care at home. A companion can also help seniors try new ways to socialize and reduce loneliness like:

Stay Connected with Family

Maintaining strong ties with family members is crucial. Regular phone calls, video chats, and visits from family can provide emotional support and a sense of connection. Video calls and regular check ins can greatly improve a senior’s social connection with family.

Make New Friends

Seniors can seek out social opportunities in their communities to meet new people and build friendships. Joining clubs, senior centers, or local groups based on shared interests can be a great way to connect with others. Seniors should visit the local senior center or library to find new friends.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a meaningful way for seniors to engage with their communities and give back. It provides a sense of purpose and can lead to new friendships. Seniors can choose from hundreds of volunteer opportunities in everything from social services to politics.

Join An Exercise Club

Physical activity has numerous benefits, including reducing loneliness. Seniors can participate in exercise classes, walking groups, or other activities that promote physical and social well-being.

Find New Hobbies

Pursuing hobbies and interests can be an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals. Whether it’s painting, gardening, or playing music, shared hobbies can lead to friendships. When seniors retire and have a lot of time on their hands they can finally try some of the hobbies and activities they’ve wanted to try for years.

Attend Social Events

Seniors should look for social events and gatherings in their communities, such as concerts, lectures, or cultural events. These outings offer opportunities to meet people and enjoy shared experiences.

Explore Online Communities

For those comfortable with technology, online communities and social media can be valuable tools for connecting with others who share their interests.

Adopt A Pet

Pets can provide companionship and reduce feelings of loneliness. Seniors who are able to care for a pet may benefit from the emotional support and interaction they offer. And seniors with pets can socialize with other pet owners.

Support Groups

Joining a support group for seniors dealing with similar challenges or life transitions can provide a sense of belonging and understanding.

Take Classes

Many communities offer classes for seniors, covering a wide range of topics from art and music to technology and history. These classes not only stimulate the mind but also offer social interaction.

Intergenerational Programs

Programs that bring seniors together with younger generations, such as mentoring or volunteering with children, can create fulfilling connections and a sense of purpose.

Stay Open to New Experiences

It’s important for seniors to stay open to new experiences and opportunities. Trying new activities or taking on new challenges can lead to unexpected social connections.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
https://www.ncoa.org/article/navigating-social-isolation-and-loneliness-as-an-older-adult

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Alamo, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Why the Elderly Generation Is Choosing to Age in Place

Posted on by Craig Bass

As your parents and grandparents become older, you may notice that a huge trend in the senior community is to age in place. It is crucial to look into all care options when helping your senior parent plan for the future. There are 24-hour home care options that make aging in place much easier. Some caregivers will work full-time shifts providing 24-hour care, or you may split the duties with your senior caregiver. Either way, this can be a great alternative to leaving their home and often makes a senior feel more comfortable about aging in place. 24-hour home care offers a way for seniors to receive help with bathing, dressing, eating, getting regular exercise, and everything else needed to be happy as they age at home.

Here are a few reasons your loved one may be considering aging in place.

Moving Causes Stress

One of the biggest reasons a senior may not want to move from a nursing home is because they have created a home filled with memories they do not want to leave behind. If they can live at home and be healthy, they shouldn’t have to move. When a senior chooses to move, they are also choosing to get rid of personal possessions, their home, and things they have come to love. Moving is stressful for anyone, but it can be exceptionally hard for seniors. When they are healthy enough, it may be the best option to keep them home where they can thrive in a stress-free environment.

They May Feel Attached to the Community

As your senior lives in one place for a long time, they will come to know their neighbors and community. It can be a lot to ask them to give that up. They will be attached to their community and feel safe in their home, which greatly benefits aging in place. You can set their home up with security systems and other household products that make it easy for seniors to live and thrive in their community.

It May Help Them Heal

When you take a senior out of a space, they know it can hurt their health. If they’ve just had surgery and you place them in a home that is not their own, it can cause stress, and they will not heal as fast or at all. When you allow your loved one to age in place, it will help them heal from emotional trauma and physically too.

Being At Home Gives Them Freedom

One of the biggest reasons seniors choose to age in place is because they still feel free and independent. Even with the help of 24-hour home care, they are not living in a place with a structure set by someone else. They will be in charge of their routines and can do what they want when they want. They can also choose the family and caregivers who help them age in place, and that sense of control can make a senior feel better as they age.

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Pleasant Hill, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

4 Ways Seniors Can Break Out Of Their Comfort Zone And Be More Social

Posted on by Craig Bass
Companion Care at Home in Concord CA
Companion Care at Home in Concord CA

July is Social Wellness Month and now is a great time for seniors to get out of their comfort zones and try to be more social. Making friends and maintaining social connections is very important for seniors, especially for seniors that are living independently. Even though there are a lot of benefits that seniors get from living independently it can make staying socially connected a little challenging. During Social Wellness Month, seniors should make an effort to make new friends and reconnect socially with the world. Some things that seniors can do to break out of their comfort zone and make new friends are:

Rely on Companion Care at Home

Companion care at home gives seniors the social connection they need without them having to leave the house. Companion care at home is a great way for seniors that have chronic medical conditions or mobility challenges to get the important social connection they need to avoid loneliness without having to struggle to get out of the house. Talk to a local care agency today about the benefits of companion care for seniors.

Join A Club

Clubs are fantastic ways for seniors to make friends with people who have the same interests that they have. There are lots of different clubs seniors can explore. Almost anything a senior is interested in there is a club of other seniors who are interested in the same thing. Crafting, painting, hiking, pets, exercising, golf, books, movies, and more all have clubs that seniors can join. Seniors can also look online for virtual clubs that they can join using video chat so that they can meet and talk with other seniors about hobbies, books, and other things that interest them.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a fantastic way for seniors to get out of the house, be more active, and make friends. When seniors are volunteering they can meet new people from all walks of life as well as have a reason to get up in the morning. Seniors can volunteer with any number of groups that do good in the community and provide social connections and friendships that can help seniors stay well as they age. Many seniors find that volunteering gives them a new sense of purpose and determination. There are many local organizations that rely on volunteers who would love to have more seniors volunteer their time.

Visit The Local Senior Center

Almost every city has a senior’s center, but many seniors don’t realize how valuable these centers are. At your local senior’s center your senior parent can find clubs like book clubs to join. They can take classes, workout in the gym, find other seniors to walk with, and enjoy the benefits of having a space just for seniors. Often senior centers have live music on regularly scheduled days and other activities that are open to seniors. Encourage your senior parent to check out the local senior center and take advantage of everything it has to offer.

Reference
https://nationaltoday.com/social-wellness-month/
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/psychological-benefits-of-friendship

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Concord, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Understanding Hoarding Among the Senior Community

Posted on by Craig Bass
Senior Home Care in Danville CA
Senior Home Care in Danville CA

Hoarding is when a person collects objects and things and never gets rid of them. These objects will fill up a senior’s home, and it can be dangerous because it can create chaotic paths and even impact the cleanliness of a senior’s home, encouraging pest infestation. There are so many reasons why your seniors may hoard, and they may not even know they are doing this toxic behavior. So, how can you help them and help them get rid of things so they can live independently? Here are some tips to help you address your senior’s hoarding, and how senior home care can help them work through the process.

Learn What Signs Are of Hoarding

Most of the time, you may clearly see that a senior is hoarding, but if you don’t visit often, it can be less obvious. Sometimes senior home care may mention issues, or they may be denied access to certain rooms due to the acquisition of stuff. Here are some other signs to look for.

  1. A Growing Collection Of Things– The most obvious sign is the collection of things without getting rid of other things. Sometimes these things are of no value and can be junk to you but special to the seniors.
  2. Spaces Becoming Cluttered– There may be so much stuff that their normal living spaces become cluttered. When things become too cluttered, it can be dangerous for your loved one and even for senior home care who is helping them.
  3. They Can’t Throw Things Away– If your senior has collected things and they are trash, it can be hard for them to throw things away. Even if you ask them to throw something away, they may refuse, believing that they need it in the future.
  4. Losing Items– Among all the cluttered objects, your loved one may start losing important things necessary for everyday life. When it becomes too much senior home care may not even be able to help.
    There may be more signs of hoarding, but these are the main things to look for.

How to Treat Hoarding Behavior

It can be easy to judge your loved one when they are collecting too much stuff that you don’t think is worth keeping. However, the best thing you can do is encourage and support your loved one through this hard time in their life. There are multiple ways to help your senior treat their hoarding behavior, but it will take time and patience.

Set Small Goals Together

Instead of going through their house and throwing everything away, start with one drawer at a time and then work on one room at a time. Small goals will lead to a huge outcome in the long run. This may seem like a slow way to get rid of things, but it will help a senior get used to throwing things out.

Focus on Safety

One thing you should be doing is focusing on safety for your senior. If they want to live alone, they need to be able to move around their house. Doorways, hallways, and floors should be clear of clutter. If they can’t keep the floor cleaned off, you may need to help them. This can be one of the small goals to work on.

Always Be Understanding

Seniors hoard for many reasons, and you must try to understand their side without judgment. Some seniors hoard because they can’t move around enough to get rid of things, or maybe something has a good memory for them. Either way, you need to help them throw away trash or moldy things and allow them to hang on to things with good memories.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Companion Care At Home Can Help Seniors Stay Socially Engaged

Posted on by Craig Bass
Companion Care at Home in Lafayette CA
Companion Care at Home in Lafayette CA

As people age, they may become more isolated and lonelier, especially if they are living alone or have limited social networks. Social engagement can have a positive impact on seniors’ mental, emotional, and physical health. Companion care at home provides seniors with social support and companionship, helping them to stay engaged with the world around them and allowing family members to have peace of mind knowing that their loved one is not alone.

Companion care is a type of in-home care that is designed to provide seniors with social support and companionship. Companion care providers work closely with seniors to develop a personalized plan of care that meets their unique needs and helps them maintain their independence.

How Does Companion Care Help Keep Loved Ones Social?

One of the key benefits of companion care at home for seniors is that it can help them stay socially engaged. There are many ways companion care can help keep seniors socially engaged which are discussed below:

Having companion care at home offers one-on-one interaction to seniors. This can be extremely beneficial for seniors who are living alone or have limited social groups. Providing regular companionship for seniors, this can help them feel less isolated and more engaged with the world around them.

Companion care providers can accompany seniors on social outings helping them to feel more comfortable in their surroundings as they engage with others. Companions can join the senior at the local senior center, the library, or other community events. This can provide seniors with opportunities to interact with others and participate in activities that they enjoy.

Continuing hobbies and interests for seniors is important for their quality of life. Companion care providers can encourage seniors to continue these hobbies and interests such as reading, gardening, or playing games. Additionally, this can help seniors stay mentally stimulated and engaged in activities that they enjoy.

In-home companions can help seniors learn how to use technology they might not be used to. Some of the technology advancements they can help teach them are social media, video chat, or email, to stay connected with friends and family members. This can be particularly helpful for seniors who live far away from their loved ones.

Companion care providers can offer emotional support to seniors, providing them with a shoulder to lean on and a caring presence. This can be particularly beneficial for seniors who do not have someone to listen to them when they need someone to talk to.

Pets are another great addition for seniors as they stay socially engaged. Companion care providers can help seniors care for their pets, providing them with companionship and opportunities for social interaction. Pets can be a great source of comfort and companionship for seniors.

Overall, companion care at home for seniors can help keep them socially engaged by providing one-on-one interaction, social outings, assistance with hobbies and interests, technology assistance, mealtime companionship, emotional support, and pet companionship. It can also help to promote mental, emotional, and physical health, reduce the risk of isolation and loneliness, increase independence, and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By working closely with seniors to develop a personalized plan of care, companion care providers can help seniors stay connected to the world around them and maintain their independence.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Lafayette, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.