Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

Top 10: Holiday Advice for Caregivers and Other Caregiver News

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 by Angela Stringfellow

We’ve been reading so much great advice for caregivers this holiday season, we felt it was worth a blog post just to highlight some of these informative articles. If you’re a caregiver to an aging friend or loved one, take a few minutes to read up on some useful tips that can help you travel your caregiving journey with ease.

  1. Ryan Malone, of Inside Elder Care, never fails to impress with his expert insights. His latest blog post talks about the recent Gallup poll that really drills down caregiver statistics in the U.S. Some of them are not surprising, but some will be shocked to learn just how many folks are caring for a loved one these days — and the level of sacrifice they make each day in order to do so.
  2. Registered nurse, former caregiver (for her father), current long-distance caregiver (for her mother) and our friend (we’re proud to say!), Shelley Webb of Intentional Caregiver, gives us 11 New Year’s resolutions caregivers can make this holiday season in a guest post for Maturity Matters.

    Holiday caregiver tips

    Image by rafaortman on Stock.xchng

  3. If you’re planning to move a loved one in the near future, check out these ten tips from AARP. And for more awesomeness from AARP, read this post if you have a caregiver on your shopping list this holiday season for some excellent caregiver gift ideas. Thinking cruises and spa getaways? Think again: an empathetic ear, a little help. You know, those intangibles that are far more valuable than expensive gifts!
  4. Montgomery Media offers tips for caregivers to de-stress this holiday season. Top of the list? Don’t forget to take care of yourself, so you can provide better care for your loved one. We’ve heard it many times, but caregivers get so caught up in caring for loved ones they easily forget this very important task.
  5. Tax season is rapidly approaching, and Forbes has some information on tax breaks to help caregivers ease the financial burden.
  6. American Medical News talks about how technology can connect doctors and caregivers. Easy communication is critical between the two, as caregivers must stay in control of their loved one’s care needs.
  7. The San Francisco Chronicle features a press release covering a new approach to caregiving for the Alzheimer’s/dementia patient. The Pines Education Institute of S.W. Florida partnered with Teepa Snow, a nationally-recognized dementia care expert, to produce a series of educational DVDs to aid caregivers.
  8. MSN takes a humorous approach to identifying the signs of Alzheimer’s disease with “7 Signs Santa Has Alzheimer’s.” This light-hearted approach excellently conveys critical signs caregivers and loved ones should look out for, especially if visiting a long-distance aging loved one over the holidays.
  9. The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, yet many aging and disabled adults find themselves with a case of the holiday blues. If your loved one is having a difficult time this holiday season, check out these tips from Care.com to help.
  10. La Mesa Courier features a great list of tips for making this holiday season a joyous one for your aging loved ones. Try cooking a special meal together, listening to their stories from the past or taking a nostalgic ride around town.

There are so many more to share. What’s your favorite holiday tip for caregivers? Give us some ideas in the comments and we’ll feature your tips in an upcoming blog post!

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Posted in Caregiver Tips, Holidays, Senior Living News | 4 Comments »

Shopping this Black Friday? Make sure you get your Senior Discount.

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 by mackenzie

As you hit the stores this Black Friday or the new Small Business Saturday, make sure you are getting all the discounts you qualify for.  Many stores, restaurants and services offer discounts for seniors.   Some businesses make their senior discounts very apparent, while others do not publicize them at all.

Make sure this holiday shopping season you ask! Some of these discounts start for people as young as 50, so always double check if the store(restaurant, hotel, etc) your at has a senior discount.

Here are some helpful tools to figure it out before you go!

  • Senior Discount Directory.  This directory focuses on national restaurants, hotels, and superstores, but is very detailed about the exact discount and who qualifies for it.
  • 106 stores with Senior Discounts. This site offers a 106 senior discounts at national stores, restaurants and services.
  • AARP Member Discounts.  If you are an AARP member you should make sure you continue to check out their discounts.  They offer discounts on everything from health insurance to movie theaters.  They also have limited time rotating discounts so make sure to check back every once and a while.
  • Restaurant Discounts.  If you just want the details on chain restaurants who offer discounts check out this page.
  • Senior Travel Discounts. If you are traveling this holiday season, you may want to check out this page which helps you find discounts based on your transportation type.
  • Senior Discounts.  This site hosts tons of discounts based on where you live.  However, to access most of the discounts you have to pay for a membership which is $7 to $13 annually.

If you can’t remember all of the discounts out there, remember one thing, always ask!  There is no shame in asking if there is a Senior discount, and even if there is not a traditional senior discount, some might still make an exception and give you a small portion off just because you asked.(I swear I have seen this happen!)  So this holiday season make sure you cover your tracks and take full advantage of your discounts!

Picture from wbnq blog post from 2010 about shoppers in Buffalo, NY. 

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Seeing your parents over Thanksgiving? Tips to make sure they are doing ok

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 by mackenzie

Many of us will see our parents or grandparents over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  This is a good time to make sure that your aging loved ones are still doing ok.   Physical and Mental abilities can deteriorate fast for the elderly, so it is important to watch for signs that they need help.  Before you go visit your family this holiday season make sure to take a look at these signs.

Signs to Look out For

  • Weight loss
    • Have your parents lost weight since you last saw them?  This could be a sign that they are having difficulties with cooking, that they have had a loss of taste or smell, or it could be a sign of another underlying condition.
  • Appearance
    • Do their clothes look clean? Do they look like they are keeping up with their personal hygiene needs? If they are not, this could be an indication of dementia, depression or other physical impairment.
  • Their Home
    • Has their home not kept up like it used to? Any major changes can indicate a difficulty with keeping up with maintenance or housework demands, which can also be a sign of dementia, depression or other problems.
    • Are they safe in their home?  Have they fallen recently? Can they read the instructions on their medications?  If not, it may be time to evaluate if they need help within their home or if they need to moved into some form of senior housing.
  • Mood
    • How are they doing emotionally?  Are they still connecting with friends? What activities are they doing?  Radical changes in mood, and/or social behavior might be an indication of depression or other health concern.
  • Mobility
    • How are they walking?  Do they have difficulty getting around or make excuses not to go normal distances?  This could indicate that they are at an increased risk for falls, and it may be time to consider a cane, walker, or wheelchair.

What Can you Do?

  • Talk with them.  Share your concerns and offer suggestions for ways you can find solutions together.
  • Encourage trips to the doctor.  Regular check ups will help monitor signs of depression, dementia or other physical issues.
  • Address safety issues.  Point out the problems you have noticed in their home and lifestyle, and help them find solutions.
  • Contact their Doctor.   If your parents refuse to make any changes, or brush off your concerns,  you should contact their doctor.  Your insights might help him/her know what to monitor in upcoming visits.

For more information check out the Mayo Clinic which can provide you with more helpful tips for keeping your aging loved ones safe.

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SeniorHomes.com Weekly Roundup, Fourth Edition

Sunday, November 6th, 2011 by Angela Stringfellow

This Week in Senior Living News

Welcome to the fourth installment of the SeniorHomes.com Weekly Roundup! This week we’ve received some incredible caregiver stories for the SeniorHomes.com Caregiver Recognition Awards. Have you submitted your story yet? You can do so here, or if you don’t want to write it yourself, let us know, we’ll call you for an interview and write up your story for you! November is National Family Caregivers Month

On to this week’s top news!

Aging News:

Ever wonder why there’s so much hype about antioxidants? The Atlantic talks about the health benefits of antioxidants, including the truth about antioxidants and aging.

Managing multiple medications can be frustrating for seniors, according to the Duluth News Tribune. This informative article discusses stats about prescription drug usage in different age categories and how different verticals are addressing the issue of medication management. Caregivers, patients, physicians, pharmacists and home care providers are often all involved in prescribing and helping seniors organize medications, but a lack of communication often adds to the frustration.

Senior Living News:

More LGBT-focused senior living services. The latest: An 80-unit apartment building will become affordable housing for LGBT seniors. Senior Housing News reports on this latest development serving the LGBT senior population.

New York seniors might be paying more for prescription drugs. The Oneida Daily Dispatch has the scoop.

Caregiver Stories and Advice:

Upcoming Alzheimer’s study to focus on caregivers: The National Administration on Aging is sponsoring a new study entitled, “Counseling the Alzheimer’s Caregiver.” The study will place Alzheimer’s caregivers in support groups with the aim of providing coping strategies and techniques for meeting the needs of the Alzheimer’s patient.  Get the details from Standard Examiner.

AARP releases a list of the best car features for caregivers. Whether you’re caring for young children, aging loved ones or disabled adults, numerous features are available that can make the job of transporting loved ones simpler and safer.

Mindset launches a cool product line aimed at improving cognition in the elderly and those suffering from cognitive impairment through Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

On the Political Beat:

The White House releases its proclamation declaring November National Family Caregivers Month 2011.

The need for home health aide workers will blossom in the coming years, thanks to a number of factors, according to MySanAntonio.com. This is good news for the employment outlook, although experts doubt there will be enough willing workers to meet demands, as home health aide positions are generally low-paying.

Things that make you say, “Huh?” and our favorite unexpected news of the week:

November is National What Month? We all know that there are numerous recognition events and celebratory days that often overlap. November, actually, has a total of seven proclamations from the White House. Yes, seven. They include: National Diabetes Month, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Military Family Month, National Native American Heritage Month, National Entrepreneurship Month, National Adoption Month and National Family Caregivers Month. If you’re looking for something to celebrate this month, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a reason! Reported by CNN.com.

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Caregiver’s Voice Celebrates Caregivers

Friday, November 4th, 2011 by mackenzie

November is National Family Caregiver Month.  This fact is known to few in the country except those who are consistently trying to support and recognize caregivers.  The Caregivers Voice is one of those organizations.

Founded in 1998 by Brenda Avadian, MA, their mission is to bring hope and strength to caregivers of adults with cognitive impairment through knowledge, support, resources, and humor.

It was Brenda’s personal experience as a caregiver for her father that led her to start Caregiver’s Voice.  Since then she has a become a national spokeswoman, an author, and a caregiving expert.

So, just as Seniorhomes.com has been honoring caregivers with the Caregiver Recognition Awards, the Caregiver’s Voice has been highlighting individual caregivers throughout the year with their Caregiver of the Month Program. Every month, The Caregiver’s Voice recognizes a family or professional caregiver for a loved one with cognitive impairment caused by dementia (Alzheimer’s, FTD/Lewy Body, Vascular, Parkinson’s, etc.) stroke, cancer brain, or trauma.  They hope to continue to expand their program and in 2012 will be offering bigger awards to the winning caregivers.

During the month of November they will honor all the family caregivers who have won Caregiver of the Month this year and in December they will honor the professional caregivers who have won Caregiver of the Month in 2011.   These caregivers are individuals who, despite the challenges and obstacles, still try to go above and beyond the call of duty to provide exceptional care for brain-impaired adult loved ones.

Brenda Avadian consistently strives to raise awareness and support for all the family and professional caregivers out there.   So, please take the time this month to thank the Caregivers in your community.  Check out the Caregiver’s Voice to see more ways you can support caregivers in your community.

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Posted in Caregiver Tips, Holidays | 1 Comment »

Protect your Aging loved ones this Winter

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 by mackenzie

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As temperatures drop across the county, and many states see the first signs of snow, it is apparent that winter is on it’s way.  This is a good time to brush up on your winter safety tips, especially to help the aging members of your family and community stay safe. Here are a couple things to remember this winter.

Avoiding Slips & Falls

  • Snow and Ice need to be cleared from around the home, but it can be dangerous if an elderly person does it themselves.  If possible, help them by shoveling the snow, get them a snow blower or hire a service to come clear away the snow.  If they insist on doing it themselves make sure they are taking proper precautions so that they don’t fall or overwork themselves.
  • For everyday errands, make sure your aging loved one has non-skid boots and that the rubber tips on their walker or cane is fairly new and has treads.

Preventing Hypothermia

  • Help your aging loved one bundle up during the winter season.  Seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia can tend to wander off and forget to wear enough warm layers, which leaves them subject to hypothermia and frostbite.
  • Make sure the heat is on.  Occupants older than 75 should never have the thermostat set below 65 or 70 degrees.
  • Check for these signs of hypothermia in your aging loved one:
    • Confusion or memory loss
    • Sleepiness
    • Slowed, slurred speech or shallow breathing
    • Weak pulse or low blood pressure
    • Exhaustion
    • A change in behavior during cold weather or a change in the way a person normally looks
    • A lot of shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs
    • Poor control over body movements or slow reactions
    • Chilly rooms or other signs that a person has been in a cold place

Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • If you have a fireplace, gas furnace, or gas powered space heater, you should invest in a carbon monoxide detector.   The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are devastating on the elderly and it is something that’s easy to prevent.
  • Make sure you also have a working smoke alarm and that it is on.

For other Winter Weather safety tips, check out your state’s health website.

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Last Minute Tips: Celebrating Halloween in your Senior Community

Monday, October 24th, 2011 by mackenzie

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In my last post, I offered some ideas on how to celebrate Halloween with your aging loved one.  However, I realize that many seniors are not able  to be with their families or close friends on holidays like Halloween, so I wanted to help senior communities create their own Halloween traditions.

Here are my top 10 suggestions for fun ways senior communities can celebrate Halloween.   Please share with us how your community is going to celebrate Halloween!

  • Have a decorating party.  Provide materials like mini pumpkins, cobwebs, orange streamers and have everyone participate in making the place feel festive.
  • Trick or Treating in the community. Invite families and neighborhood kids to come trick or treating within the facility before they hit their neighborhoods.  Each room or apartment can give away candy treats of their choice.
  • Have a pumpkin-carving event or contest.  Everyone could have fun pulling the gook out of the inside, or to avoid a mess they could paint them instead.
  • Have a scary story night. Residents can  get together and share their favorite scary Halloween stories from childhood.
  • Help kids in need celebrate Halloween. Put together treat bags for local foster kids or donate them to the kids in local homeless shelters.
  • Vintage scary movie nights. Host a old Halloween movie night in the facility or take residents to a local theater screening old scary movies.
  • Murder mystery themed party. Make it very simple,  invite residents to get dressed up if they would like to and meet for a dinner followed by a murder mystery party.  Have pre-written questions for each character and have those that need more help partner up.
  • Non-scary party option. For those that want to celebrate the holiday in a non-scary fashion, host a decades party.  Each resident will have the option to dress as their favorite decade. You can provide the music, movies, and snacks that represent each decade.
  • Take a trip  to your local museum or aquarium. Most have special Halloween exhibits and are handicap accessible.  This also provides a fun, easy trip into the city.
  • Put on a community party. Partner with the local senior center or community center to to put on a Halloween party.   The party can be anything from a simple potluck affair with bingo and dancing, to a elaborate party with carnival games, costume contests, and a haunted house.

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Looking for New Traditions? 6 Ways to Celebrate Halloween with Your Aging Loved One!

Thursday, October 20th, 2011 by mackenzie

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When asked about their favorite seasons, most people would talk about summer, fall or maybe winter. But for me, the best season will always be that two month period between Halloween and New Year’s Eve.  Yes, it can be a very hectic, cold, and stressful time of year, yet it is also the time of year that reminds us of what is really  important.   Presents are great, but this time of year is my favorite because I get to make new memories and celebrate old traditions with my family and friends.

Though I love this time of year, the holidays can also serve as an acute reminder that as our families and friends age, many of our old traditions must change. The holiday activities my 93 year old grandmother is able to participate in is ever evolving and many activities she could do last year are no longer possible for her.

So from now until the New Year, I am going to write about the activities I am planning on doing with my grandmother to get in the festive spirit. Below are my top six ideas of Halloween traditions you can still enjoy with your aging loved one. Please feel free to try one of my Halloween traditions and tell me what your favorite ones are!

1. Pumpkin carving night. Invite all your family members and/or close friends to your house for a pumpkin carving party.  You can let people choose if they want to actually carve out their pumpkin or simply paint it.  Everyone can bring their favorite snack or Halloween drink.  Those that do not want to carve can still enjoy visiting with loved ones and reminiscing about their favorite Halloween memories.

2. Senior Center Halloween Party. In almost every community there is a senior center that throws a Halloween party.  Encourage your parent/grandparent/friend to attend.  If they are nervous or uncomfortable with attending alone, try to attend with them.  Not only are they likely to have a good time and meet other people in the community, but they may feel comfortable returning on a regular basis without you.

3. Night of old Halloween movies, and cocktails. There is nothing my grandma loves more than cozing up by the fire with a old movie on

5. Baking night. Bake or buy cookies and get simple supplies to decorate them.    Then you can  share them with family, friends and neighbors.  If your loved one is in a new community or neighborhood, this can be a great way for them to introduce themselves and meet new people. and a martini.  So put on the movie, mix some drinks and get comfortable for the evening.

4.  Trick or Treating at your local mall. If you still have young kids or grandchildren, why not take them trick or treating at the mall?  It is a warm, safe, and easy place to do an evening of trick or treating.  Plus your aging loved one will enjoy just sitting and watching all the kids trick or treating.  This type of trick or treating is easy, and stress free for both you and your aging loved one.

Grandma relaxing with a cocktail on a cruise in 2009.

6.  Invite them over for  Halloween night. Halloween night can be scary for aging adults home alone.  They may feel vulnerable with
strangers coming to the door.  Therefore, it is a perfect opportunity for you to to invite them over to your house.  You can give them a simple costume and they can help you give candy to the trick or tr eaters, drink spiced cider or simply enjoy each others company.

Bottom line, Halloween can be another holiday where aging loved ones feel lonely and nostalgic.  However, it can also be a great time to relive old memories together while creating new ones.

Pick an idea that sounds easy and fun to you, because ultimately the holidays are about enjoying yourself and being with the people you love.  Please share with me how you plan on celebrating Halloween, we would love to see pictures!

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