Q – In caring for my elderly mother, I feel I’ve fallen into a rather limited routine. This summer, I’m hoping to up the excitement ante with interesting senior appropriate activities. What activities have you completed with your senior during past summers that are in line with June holidays, special days and events?

A1 – One of our June family traditions have stemmed from National Turkey Lovers month! While the point might be to honor the living creatures, we’ve created a special holiday to bring the family together at my senior father’s home. Of course we honor the turkey as it plays a role in our family feast, but it’s more about bonding as a family over a nice meal and showing my dad how much we all love and appreciate him.

- Sarah Florida

A2 – My senior mother loves the ocean, and since it’s become increasingly challenging to get to the coast and walk along the beach, instead we check out sea life by taking advantage of National Zoo and Aquarium Month which takes place in June. By going to a zoo or aquarium, my mother gets back some of the experience she’s missing by not getting around at the coast, and it’s an environment that accommodates a senior with more limited mobility. We look forward to June every year to check out our favorite aquatic animals, and it’s a great change from the everyday senior activities that we typically engage in!

- Melanie, 56

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Having always lived practically around the corner from my mother during my adult life, I faced an impossible decision 12 years ago when my husband had a promotion opportunity with work that came with the contingency that we would have to relocate hundreds of miles away from Florida, which we’ve always known as our home. At that stage, I was concerned more about what the growing distance would do to our family dynamic, since my children in particular had always had a very close relationship with their grandmother, than how it would affect my ability to help with my mother’s care as she aged. To be honest, the thought never really entered my mind that the distance would make it tremendously more difficult to provide care for my mother. She was then in her 70’s, active, mobile and thriving–living independently.  Should I have known that wouldn’t last forever? Probably, but at the time I had to make a decision based on the facts that I had on the table.

I’m not the un-involved daughter people try to peg me for when they hear I live across the country from my elderly mother. As her health and mobility are declining, I may not be a full-time care provider, but I consider myself to be a totally devoted care coordinator. I have arranged for a local professional caregiving agency from Florida to come into her home daily and help her in the areas where she struggles, and have opened the lines of communication between myself, her caregivers, and the medical professionals who are responsible for her day-to-day well-being. I may not see my elderly mother everyday, but I’m always a phone call away, and would never hesitate to hop on a plane anytime she needs me.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Aging

2. How to Care

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – I know that my elderly mother from Florida has a diet rich in salt. Is sodium harmful to a senior’s health? And if so, how can we help her cut back?

A – Every diet should contain sodium in order for the body to maintain homeostasis, however, when it’s consumed in excess it can be harmful to a senior’s health. According to a recent study completed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors who consume more than 1,500 mg of salt per day are at a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. While altering a senior’s diet may seem drastic, proper nutrition with a reduced sodium diet is essential for Florida seniors’ health.

If your mom consumes processed foods, like meats, on a regular basis an easy change would be to encourage her to shop for fresh foods instead. Generally, fresh meats will not contain added sodium, but this can be confirmed with the butcher before purchase. Packaged foods should also contain ingredient lists, and will state if they are low in sodium – seniors should choose these products for better nutrition. You can also encourage your mother to choose salt-free snacks over those that are high in sodium; omit salt from recipes where possible; and use other spices and seasonings that are sodium-free.

Sources:
1. MayoClinic
2. Magic Kitchen
3. Seniors for Living

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – My father was recently diagnosed with dementia. While we all saw it coming in a way, it has come as a shock, especially for him. What can we do to help keep him in positive spirits and cope with the emotional aspects that come with such a diagnosis?

A – While you may have suspected a diagnosis like dementia in your father’s future, actually hearing the words and having your fears reinforced can be shocking for everyone.

At this stage, your father may feel as though his mind and body are letting him down, and he may fear an inevitable loss of independence. In the early stages, your father should seek support from Florida community groups for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, and learn as much about his condition as possible. Planning early on for the future can also help ensure that his wishes with regards to care and medical treatment are met, if he reaches the point where he is able to voice what he wants. Encourage your father to create a living will, appoint a future Power of Attorney, and generally get his affairs in order. By researching care options in Florida, he can choose the best fit for him if it’s needed in the future. Encourage him to maintain his lifestyle, but refrain from activities that are too stressful or demanding.

Sources:
1. Alzheimer’s Society UK
2. DementiaGuide

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – My mother recently decided to formalize her will and get her estate in order and has asked me if she can name me as estate executor on her will. I’m open to taking responsibility for her affairs after her death, but I don’t know much about the process. What are the responsibilities of an estate executor in Florida?

A – While it’s not uncommon for adult children to be appointed estate executors for their aging parents because there is already a strong element of trust in the relationship; you should first know that it won’t be an easy job. If your mother’s affairs are in good order, the estate executor process itself could go smoothly, but dealing with the emotional repercussions of losing a parent while managing all the responsibility can be a challenge. But, if you are sure you’re up to the job, here is a lists of tasks you may be responsible for carrying out:

• Beginning the probate process – filing the will and petition for probate. Specific probate laws apply for the process in Florida and may vary between states.

• Notifying the family – close family members can be notified that their loved one has deceased.

• Obtaining death certificates and EIN (Federal tax number for the estate)

• Determining and collecting the deceased assets (locating documents that verify value of the estate and make an inventory list)

• Letting people know who the executor is – family members and friends with claims will need to get in touch with the estate executor

• Managing the property of the estate – paying bills, taxes and other legalities

• Settle Finances – filing income tax returns on behalf of the deceased

• Distributing assets – distribute assets to those named on the will

• Be removed as executor – once the estate is settled, petition the courts to be removed as executor

Sources:
1. Third Age Alan S. Novik
2. AFSP

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – I live in Florida and am a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. I’m in my late 70’s and have thought about ballroom dancing as a fun activity now that I’m retired, but is it safe for people my age?

A – Older Dancing with the Stars contestants like Cloris Leachman have the right idea; not only is ballroom dancing your way through retirement safe, if you’re careful, there are many proven health benefits–including some that you wouldn’t expect. Try to find a safe, supervised environment where you learn how to ballroom dance with the assistance of a dance instructor. In Florida, senior centers, community centers, or local dance studios may offer ballroom dancing instruction for people who are retired which take into consideration special health needs of the older demographic. Try to limit ballroom dancing to about 5 minutes of warm up, followed by a 20 minute dance routine.

The benefits you will receive from ballroom dancing as a senior will not only affect your body through better cardiovascular health, weight maintenance, and improved flexibility, but it’s an activity ideal for seniors since there are also benefits to the mind. According to a study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, seniors over the age of 75 who ballroom dance also have lower occurances of Alzheimer’s and dementia!

Sources:
1. Senior Advocate
2. SeniorJournal

Image: jupiterimages.com

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

When my father-in-law began to experience serious vision loss, it took a much greater toll on his life than we ever would have expected. While he managed to find ways to cope with his lack of sight, the emotional effects were far more damaging and through association, the rest of the family found themselves dealing with similar emotional struggles. It was hard to see a family member forced to sacrifice his independence and give up on some of the activities he enjoyed. Once an avid card player, my father-in-law withdrew from his weekly card game night because he was self-conscious and discouraged by his vision impairment that presented additional challenges that his friends weren’t facing. Eventually, because he felt he didn’t have anyone that could relate to what he was going through, he found a local support group here in Florida for seniors coping with loss of eyesight and began to realize that all the struggles he was facing were normal and by talking over his experiences he was better able to grieve.

While we wished we could do more, our family tried to offer the encouragement and support we felt he needed. We pushed him to re-join his card night and helped him find ways to adapt to his declining vision so he could continue to enjoy his life and all his favorite activities.

Sources:
1. Web MD
2. Eldercare ABC Blog

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – I’m a family caregiver for an elderly grandparent in Florida. At the caregiver support group I attend, someone introduced the idea of a geriatric assessment. What does it involve and how could it benefit my grandparent?

A – First of all, it’s very commendable that you are seeking support within your local community from other caregivers, and as I’m sure you’re discovering, they can be great resources to learn about care options in Florida. Geriatric assessments can be completed by medical professionals, such as doctors or nurses in a variety of settings, including an outpatient clinic, hospital, or even your grandparent’s home. Often, geriatric assessments are recommended to older adults who are exhibiting signs of confusion, memory loss or dementia; but can be requested by anyone who wants professional insight from a healthcare perspective about improving and forecasting eldercare.

A geriatric assessment involves the following:

• Assessing a senior’s status by looking at physical, mental and psycho-social; factors; their ability to perform activities of daily living independently, and any care they currently receive

• Identifying problems that might be present based on the senior’s status now or in the future

• Developing a “Care Plan” with recommendations for support services

• Helping seniors attain the support they require

• Monitoring the success of the care plan

Sources:
1. HelpGuide
2. Southwestern Medical Center

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q – I suspect that my elderly grandfather, who has an elder care provider assisting him in his home in Florida might be a victim of home care negligence. He doesn’t seem to get along with his caregiver and is reluctant to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing, so what are the signs I can look for to determine if he’s a victim of negligence?

A – If you believe that your father in Florida might be a victim of negligence, or doesn’t get along with his caregiver. Don’t hesitate to talk to the caregiving agency about your suspicions and request another elder care expert to provide home care services. However, if you want to justify your concerns, there are other signs that could indicate your father is being neglected.

• Sudden changes in his behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn, depressed or angry

• Physical injuries like bruises, scrapes, cuts, or even broken bones

• The home care provider not allowing seniors to spend time alone with family members for fear something might be revealed

• Pressure sores or signs that restraints have been used

• Sudden, inexplicable weight loss in the senior

Sources:

1. Care Home Negligence

2. EZine Articles

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.

Q1 – Is there any connection between physical activity and the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia?

A1 – According to a study, active seniors over the age of 60 who have a declining brain mass are at a higher risk for the development of cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s or dementia, and active seniors experience substantially less brain shrinkage than those who are inactive.

Q2 – How does exercise improve the functioning of the mind?

A2 – By increasing blood flow from the heart to the brain through exercise, a senior’s brain is stimulated and optimal health is maintained. Because exercise also decreases blood pressure, cholesterol and other diseases which could influence the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia, a senior’s overall health is better improved through physical activity.

Q3 – Will seniors who start exercising later in life still receive the same benefits?

A3 – It’s never too late to start exercising, and while the positive benefits may not be as great for Alzheimer’s prevention as those who have been routinely active throughout their lives, there are still benefits to the mind.

Q4 – How can Florida seniors begin an exercise program?

A4 – In order to become active, Florida seniors can choose any physical activity that they find enjoyable and that fit into their physical abilities. Walking, biking, swimming, stretching or exercising with weights all have their benefits; and those who are able can increase their endurance to engage in more moderate exercise programs.

Sources:

1. About

2. BBC News

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.