Posts by: Editor

The days when birthday celebrations and bingo were the highlights for seniors have long since passed. Today, countless communities offer seniors a well-rounded list of activities that will keep seniors stimulated and engaged when the weather is bad. If you take care of a senior loved one, you are a senior living on your own, or if you are considering obtaining a license for non-medical home care so you can start a home healthcare business, look over these five ways to keep seniors engaged during bad weather: 1. Swimming Swimming is a great activity to enjoy all year. It helps improve endurance, balance, strength, and flexibility. In fact, an Australian study discovered that men over the age of seventy who regularly swam were thirty-three percent less likely to fall when compared to men who do not regularly swim. To get the most out of the pool, plan ahead of time. If your senior loved…

The cold months of winter can be harsh for seniors. It is imperative that your loved ones stay safe during the wintertime. Your loved one’s safety not only includes dressing suitably for the cold weather but also ensuring their homes are ready for the winter season. Depending on where your loved one lives, there may only be a little bit to do to winter-proof in and around their homes. On the other hand, if your senior loved one lives in the colder regions, your to-do list may be long. Here are a few tips from Startup HomeCare to help weatherproof your loved one’s home this winter. Interior Check the furnace and make sure it is in good working order. Also, clear away any materials that can become a fire hazard. Purchase and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and stock up on batteries for both devices. If there are any other heating units, have…

During the winter season, cold temperatures, snow, and ice can make life challenging for seniors. Home health businesses need to plan around cold temperatures and slippery sidewalks. These two items can cause in a wide array of illnesses and injuries. One way to prevent injuries from a fall would be to check the weather before leaving home. If the forecast expects freezing rain or snow, simply reschedule any activities taking place away from home. Senior falls in the snow or ice can be especially dangerous during the winter season. Your senior loved one may not understand just how slippery the sidewalks may be and a slip and fall could result in a great deal of damage to their body. Countless seniors will experience a bone fracture of some kind, especially in their wrist, hips, shoulders, and ankles. Unfortunately, a bone fracture of this type can be life-changing for the elderly. This is why it…

During the cold winter months, you probably worry about your senior loved one falling or suffering from hypothermia. These are valid concerns to have as a home health care business. However, another hazard that your aging loved one is at risk of experiencing is seasonal affective disorder also known as SAD. It is a certain type of depression people experience in the winter. Seniors are at risk for developing SAD since winter weather makes it more difficult to get out of the house. Keep your elderly loved one from experiencing depression by engaging some winter activities this coming up winter. Bake Together There are so many tasty treats to make with the holidays approaching. So, spend some time together in the warm kitchen doing some baking. Delicious home-made treats are irresistible on a chilly winter day. Winter Movie Night Make some warm drinks, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up with a warm cozy blanket…

Seniors need adequate fresh air and exercise just like the rest of us. A home health care business needs to integrate outdoor activities for the elderly. It’s also important to be trained in some basic, safe autumn activities that will help get seniors out and about. Of course, being able to exercise their minds is also a great thing to do. You can choose other activities that help keep them sharp, not just active. Walks Walking is one of the best things that you can do with seniors that still have mobility, or that are able to sit in a wheelchair and be pushed about. You can choose easy to walk over paths and take in the fall colors, and fresh, crisp fall air. Baking Fall Goodies Everyone loves fall goodies, and when you allow the seniors to bake with you, this becomes a memorable, yet fun experience for everyone. They can not only…

During the winter season, snow, ice, and cold temperatures can make life difficult. Cold weather and slippery sidewalks can result in a wide range of illnesses and injuries. This is especially true for our senior loved ones. Having elderly care from reputable home healthcare businesses to help your aging loved one on a regular basis, can help them remain safe during the winter months. Here are some tips to prevent common winter-time dangers that the senior population faces. Dress for Warmth Winters cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than fifty percent of hyperthermia deaths wear of individuals over the age of sixty-five. So, dress in layers and do not allow indoor temperatures to go too low. If heading outside, a heavy coat, warm socks, warm hat, scarf, and gloves should be worn. Slipping in Ice Snowy, icy sidewalks and roads make it easy to…

Fall can be a great time for senior loved ones. The weather is not too cold or too hot, the leaves are changing colors, and the crisp air is inviting. With fall right around the corner, it is wise to start considering a safety plan for your senior loved one for fall. After all, one of the greatest ways to avoid unnecessary issues is by being proactive. Keeping Senior Loved One’s Safe in Their Home in the Fall One of the largest problems that seniors face is the risk of falling. As summer changes into fall, there will be many more slick surfaces and trip hazards. Unfortunately, most individual fail to think about these hazards since they are not as dangerous as the snow. 1. Pick Up All Leaves It is important to pick up all the leaves on a regular basis once they start filling up the yard. Failure to pick up these…

As a caregiver, it is vital that you take the time to care and nurture yourself, too. The job that you are performing comes with unavoidable challenges, so it is important that you have self-care tools constructed to manage stress. Here are seven self-care tips to help you manage life as a caregiver: Allow others to help It can be difficult caring for a loved one on your own. Allow others in your life do what they can to help when they can. Whether it is giving you a few minutes to yourself or running a quick errand, letting people in your life do what they can to help is essential to your well-being and health. Be sure to get enough sleep Being the caregiver to someone you love is admirable, but it’s not easy. To help with physical fatigue, adequate sleep is required. This can also be helpful in improving mental sharpness and…

Your senior loved one does not need to stop leaving their house or stop traveling just because they are getting older. In fact, when you are older is when travel means more. Your loved one has a lifetime of knowledge that allows them to fully appreciate the new experience they are having. After all, if not for travel, why did they work so hard for so many years? Getting older does mean, however, that your senior loved one cannot travel the same way that they used to. This does not mean upgrading to a proper hotel from a hostel. What this refers to are the physical and cognitive limitations many seniors need to work around. Thankfully, there are some steps you and your senior loved one can take to keep them safe while traveling out of the house. 1. Get it in Writing It is important to make a list of all over-the-counter medications,…

As humans, we are social creatures. This is why it is no surprise that social engagement helps keep us mentally and physically healthy as we grow older. The importance of social interaction is well-documented in many studies. It is linked to reducing the risk of some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and osteoporosis. Moreover, social interaction has been linked to reducing the occurrence of mental health issues including depression. Individuals who regularly involved in social activities are around 50 percent less likely to display cognitive decline than those who are isolated or lonely. Cognitive performance can be improved from just 10 minutes of daily social engagement, according to the University of Michigan. Furthermore, individuals who regularly participate in social activities have an increased chance of exercising, eating healthy, and engaging in intellectual activities like reading. In contrast, high blood pressure, depression, as well as a greater risk of death have been associated with social…