Tips for Seniors on Shower Safety

Seniors are very prone to experiencing falls when they are in the bathroom. It is common for seniors to slip in a shower. Since this is such a concern, there are some things that seniors and caregivers can do to help protect them against these events. The following list provides some ways that seniors can make their bathroom safer and help protect against falls and injuries.

1. Caregivers should be aware of any physical restrictions that the senior may have. This could affect their ability to shower on their own. If there is concern, these seniors may need assistance while in the bathroom.

2. All bathrooms that are used by seniors should have safety equipment installed. This does not mean the entire room must be remodeled. Installing safety bars and non-slip mats could help protect seniors in the shower.

3. Some seniors could benefit from having a telephone placed in the bathroom. If the senior owns a cordless phone, taking it into the bathroom when they shower is a good idea. This way they will be able to call for help if they fall.

4. Many seniors do not have a lot of physical strength. This could prevent them from doing simple tasks while showering. Using a shower chair could help keep the senior safe while showering.

Source: Article Alley

Home Care Jacksonville, and Home Care Fort Myers FL provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville,  St. Augustine, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Family Meetings and Benefits

Caring for a senior is a huge responsibility and is one that should not rest on just one family member. In order to keep the lines of communication open and allow other family members to become involved in the care of the senior, there should be regular family meetings. These meetings can provide many great benefits. Some of these are provided below.

1. All members of the immediate family should be present at family conferences. Here they will be told what is going on in terms of the care the senior is receiving.

2. These meetings can help divvy responsibilities to all family members so one person is not taking care of the majority of the responsibilities. This will also help alleviate misunderstandings.

3. Family conferences should have an impartial moderator present. This could be a care coordinator, a member of the clergy or a trusted family friend.

4. Family meetings are a great way to make sure everyone is informed of the status of the senior. It will also allow family members to feel they are involved in the care.

5. Family caregivers will benefit from these meetings because they will be able to ask for help if they need it. Caring for a senior is a huge responsibility, so it may be necessary for other members of the family to take on some of the responsibilities to assist with care.

Source: NFCACares.org

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Information on Writing Down Observations

Writing down observations when caring for a senior is very important. Unfortunately, many caregivers do not do this. When managing or coordinating care for a senior, these written observations can provide a wealth of knowledge, especially for new caregivers who are not familiar with the patient. Below is a list that contains some of the benefits of writing observations and some of the things that should be noted.

1. Make sure to note the abilities of the senior. Caregivers should note how they function mentally and physically.

2. Always have a written list of available family members. This can help when the senior needs additional care or the caregiver requires medical information.

3. Make notes about the physical environment in which the senior lives. These notes should include whether the environment is accessible and if it can be adapted at a reasonable cost.

4. Caregivers should also write down their other responsibilities, including at home, work and in their community. This will help them manage their time more effectively.

5. Caregivers also need to keep track of their own health and physical abilities.

6. Financial resources should always be noted, both for the caregiver and the senior receiving the care. This includes available insurance, end-of-life documents and the existence of healthcare.

Source: NFCACares.org

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

When coordinating and managing the care of a senior, it is important for all family members to have all of the information they need. This will help to make informed decisions on behalf of the senior and will also help the caregiver communicate with the family in an effective manner. The list below highlights some of the benefits of having a family conference.

1. All members of the immediate family should be present at family conferences. This is where they will be told what is going on in terms of the care the senior is receiving.

2. These meetings can help divvy responsibilities to all family members so one person is not taking care of the majority of the responsibilities. This will also help alleviate misunderstandings.

3. Family conferences should have an impartial moderator present. This could be a care coordinator, a member of the clergy or a trusted family friend.

4. Family meetings are a great way to make sure everyone is informed of the status of the senior. It will also allow family members to feel they are involved in the care.

5. Family caregivers will benefit from these meetings because they will be able to ask for help if they need it. Caring for a senior is a huge responsibility, so it may be necessary for other members of the family to take on some of the responsibilities to assist with care.

Source: NFCACares.org

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Caregiving responsibilities can occur without warning, so without proper planning, it can create a crisis situation, particularly if you live far away.

Living far away from your senior in need is a problem for many caregivers. According to a Home Instead Senior Care survey, 45% of American adults who plan to care for an aging relative in the next two to four years live one or more hours away. Of those, just six percent have shortened the distance between them to make caregiving easier.

Of those currently caring for an older relative, 23% live more than one hour away and of this group, 20% live two-plus hours away. Some families find themselves several states away from their senior loved one, making a long drive or plane ride the only choice.

“It is not uncommon for family members who are family caregivers to live in different cities or states, making travel time and expense a major issue,” says Paul Hogan, president and founder of Home Instead Senior Care. “Providing assistance to an aging relative can become a full-time job for many, so the addition of travel can compound the stress and exhaustion.”

If moving closer to the senior or having the senior move closer to you is not an option, the following tips may make your long distance caregiving easier:

• Get to know the senior’s neighbors when you visit – identify one or two trustworthy neighbors that can look in on your elderly relative – call them once a week for an update.
• Get to know the local mail carrier – if he/she sees that the mail has not been brought in, he can alert you or a neighbor. Some post offices have special programs set up to handle this type of “elder watch” issue, so make sure to sign up your relative.

Read all Long Distance Caregiving Tips

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Facts About Care Coordination for Seniors

Many seniors need some extra help at home. This could be as simple as someone to help them make arrangements for doctor’s appointments or as complex as the need for assistance finding outside resources. This is where a care coordinator comes into play. This person will be responsible for making sure the senior is safe and healthy. Below is a short list that provides some information about the responsibilities of a care coordinator.

1.    The gathering of information from all healthcare providers. This means collecting important medical information from each doctor that treats the senior.

2.    The care coordinator must be able to effectively assess the home environment as well as the needs of the person receiving care.

3.    Coordinators must be able to find private services and resources that will meet the needs of the senior.

4.    There must always be ongoing communication between all of the parties involved. This includes the individual receiving care, the caregivers, doctors and family members. It is important to keep all those involved up to date.

5.    The care coordinator should also be able to assess daily situations to make sure the senior is in fact receiving all of the services they need to function. If there is something that changes with the senior’s health, changes to the type of care and services they receive may be required.

Source: http://www.nfcacares.org/pdfs/CareManagmt.pdf

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

How Seniors Can Cope with an Illness

Seniors who have a chronic illness can have difficulty dealing with health issues. This is common for many. Below is a list of tips that help to cope with illnesses. The list can be beneficial to help seniors find the positive and to deal with their health conditions.

1. Tend to your spirit. Try to find things to do that provide a positive outcome. Participate in activities that make you feel whole.

2. Always speak your mind and never be afraid to express yourself. Many seniors will have regrets over something they wish they would have said while they had the chance.

3. Accept the situation and take things one hour at a time. Chronic illness often prevents seniors from making long-term plans, but they should live for the moment.

4. Laughter and humor can heal. Seniors with a chronic illness should try to expose themselves to light-hearted humor.

5. Try to avoid stress.

6. Spend time with those who are important. These people will often raise spirits and bring smiles to seniors.

7. Eat a healthy diet and make sure foods are nutritious.

8. Exercise as much as possible. Short walks can be beneficial and can help seniors clear their mind.

9. Be part of your health care. Try to get as much information as possible and be involved in decisions that are made.

10. Learn as much as you can about your illness. This will help seniors understand their situation and can help them cope better.

Source: Healthy Holistic Living

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Choosing a Nursing Home for a Senior

When caregivers are faced with making the decision on a nursing home, there are many issues and factors that must be taken into consideration. The main concern is that the medical needs of the seniors will be met. To ensure this, there are some important things to look for when comparing various nursing homes. Below is some information on how to judge a nursing home and make the right choice.

1. Always ask to talk to the nurses’ aides. These are the people that will be spending the most time with the senior.

2. Most nursing homes will deny this request because there is such a high turnover rate of aides. There are very few nursing homes that staff aides for any length of time.

3. More than 70 percent of aides and nursing assistants will change jobs within the year.

4. When talking to aides and assistants, always ask how long they have been doing this kind of work and how long they have been at this nursing home.

5. When you are able to find a home that has a low turnover rate and a reliable staff, this may be a good choice.

6. The key is to look for a nursing home that has a constant staff. When a senior is in a nursing home, they should be able to rely on people and having the same aides for a long period of time is very beneficial.

Source: New Old Age Blogs

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Blogging, Seniors and Keeping Up with Technology

Keeping up with technology can be difficult since it changes almost daily, but there are many seniors who are not entering the world of online blogging. Many senior sites have blogs available where seniors can read or write about their thoughts, ideas and experiences as a senior. Not only does open a door to communicate with other seniors, but it also provide a lot of useful information.

1.    Blogging can be a great thing for seniors. It allows them to express their thoughts and feelings and it is a great way to reach out to other seniors. Many seniors even develop friends through blogs by getting responses to a topic they have posted and discussed.

2.    Some of the most common blogs by seniors include information on health issues and conditions. These can be a wealth of information, especially for seniors who are dealing with the same health problems.

3.    Some of the blogs are geared towards seniors who have recently retired. Here, seniors can meet others who are at the same point in their lives and discuss different things that happen when one retires.

4.    More seniors are becoming involved with blogs on the internet. The Ageless Project is a web page that contains a collection of blogs by seniors. This is a great way to express views and share some experiences that could make a difference in the lives of other seniors.

Source: http://jenett.org/ageless/

Home Care Jacksonville, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Our Florida Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Tips for Easy Weight Loss for Seniors

It may sound like an impossible thing to do, but losing weight does not always have to be difficult. Many seniors have trouble losing weight because they cannot exert themselves physically. The list below contains some useful tips for seniors on how they can lose weight without severe physical activity.

1. After eating a meal, push yourself away from the dining table. Do not stay for seconds!

2. Instead of sitting for that second helping, bag it and take it for a lunch the following day.

3. After supper, close the kitchen. Try to avoid late night snacks.

4. Use stairs whenever possible. This will help improve circulation and is a great form of exercise.

5. While walking, when the donut shop comes into view, keep walking!

6. Eating out can bring about many impulses. It is important to avoid supersizing any meal.

7. When dining out, take your leftover meal home. Do not feel as though you have to eat everything on the plate.

8. Instead of using the remote to the television, get up to change the channel. This will add a bit more exercise to the day.

9. When shopping, do not go on an empty stomach. Also make sure to leave unhealthy foods on the shelf.

10. Rely on your will power. It may be difficult to change old habits, but these tips can help lose weight quickly.

Source: http://www.fromfat2fit.com/articles/a10.html

Home Care Jacksonville, Elder Care Fort Walton, Senior Care Melbourne, FL, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Bradenton provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.