We encourage our older clients to exercise using activities that cause minimal impact on the joints to improve overall well-being.  Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

A recent study completed at the University of North Carolina (UNC) – Chapel Hill, shows that the benefits of exercise upon seniors’ brains are even more extensive than we originally thought.

Since many of our clients suffer from some form of dementia, Alzheimer’s or memory loss, these new findings only encourage us to further implement exercise as a regular part of our seniors lives. The study, which focused upon seniors aged 60 to 76, divided participants into two groups; 6 of the participants already lived healthy lifestyles, exercising at least three of more hours per week through activities like walking, swimming, cycling and more. The other half lead pretty sedentary lifestyles over the past 10 years, exercising less than an hour per week.

The goal of the study was to determine if exercise increased cerebral blood flow. To test this theory, participants underwent an MRI and MR Angiography, which demonstrated that in fact, those who exercised had increased cerebral blood flow and a greater number of small blood pressure in the brain. The inactive control group, on the other hand, had fewer small blood vessels and more unpredictable blood flow through the brain.

According to the study’s senior author, J. Keith Smith, MD, PhD, this enforces why regular exercise has a direct correlation to healthy aging.

Grieving for a Senior

In order to feel grief, family members don’t need to face the permanent loss of an older adult. While seniors themselves deal with their own unique challenges when it comes to aging, it’s okay that their families have their own.

It can be hard to face the reality that an important person in your life is getting older, especially because it makes you realize that they won’t live forever. You also have to witness drastic changes, as the senior’s health and mobility declines; or as they fight illnesses which can impact their memory of you and your relationship. If you provide care for a senior, this can only add to the challenges you will face.

In order to get through these problems as a family member or a family caregiver, you need to find support. And while you may want to share what you’re going through with the senior, it should be avoided because they are already burdened with their own problems and don’t need to deal with the feelings of guilt that this would inadvertently cause.

Instead, family members and caregivers trying to cope with their parents or other older relatives aging can seek help from a local support group that allows them to discuss their feelings with others who understand, but don’t have their own feelings formed about the situation. It’s also okay to talk to other family members about the issues you are mutually facing.

Now, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t communicate with a senior about aging at all; it’s important to provide support, understanding and discuss care decisions. However, the emphasis should be upon helping the senior through the aging process while coping with your own feelings separately.

Dr. Jake Harwood
Professor, University of Arizona

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Our caregivers know how appropriate and healthy communication can make or break the important relationships that they come to form with the seniors that they care for. They try not to pay attention to the common stereotypes that come with aging, and instead learn about who they are and what’s important to them.

We know that some members of society see seniors as having a low continued value, since they may no longer work and have children who are grown. However, our caregivers focus upon the many contributions that they do make, instead of what they don’t. We like to learn about and help seniors get involved in the community through local volunteering, help them make preparation to donate to important causes, and love hearing the stories about spending times with their grandchildren and families.

Instead of treating seniors differently, we talk to them like people; we know that regardless of physical or cognitive difficulties, children aren’t babies, and they deserve respect too. However, our caregivers have learned it’s not helpful to go overboard either; while we appreciate the knowledge and experience that their advanced aged provides them with, we know it’s better to treat them as we would any other adult, regardless of age.

After years of professional experience, we’ve refined our communication skills with seniors, and encourage families to do the same.

Dr. Jake Harwood, Professor, University of Arizona

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Seniors can become depressed when their holiday plans don’t go the way they hoped.  However, they don’t need to watch from the sidelines while the holidays happen around them, by taking control and implementing a few simple tips into their lives they can find themselves surrounded by family and friends while making the most of the holiday season.

• Adjust expectations – seniors may set unrealistic expectations with regards to their holiday plans. By speaking with family and friends before the holidays begin, seniors can get a grasp on how things will go. By planning and setting realistic goals, there is little room for disappointment.

• Monitor stress – seniors should be receptive to the signs that their bodies are providing when the stress of the season gets to be too much. Any activities that are overwhelming or stressful should also be limited, or seniors can ask for help from friends and family to assist with cooking, cleaning, shopping or decorating.

• Remain in touch – seniors should try and get together with friends and family by attending gatherings and holiday events. Even if it’s not possible to get together in person, the holidays are a great time to make use of the phone and email to let loved ones know they’re being thought about.

• Attend community events – many communities have holiday shows, plays and musical functions which can be free or relatively inexpensive; this is a great way for seniors to get into the spirit of the season

• Join a group – social or support groups can be a great way to combat loneliness over the holidays and meet new people

• Volunteer – giving back to the community can be very rewarding, especially during the holidays, and is a way to socialize with other people. Consider volunteering at a shelter, soup kitchen, toy drive or gift wrap station.

• Remain healthy – keep up a routine of healthy diet and exercise, which can help maintain good spirits

• Adopt a pet – seniors can get their own holiday present, by adding a pet to their household, which also staves off isolation

• Avoid vices – drinking too much can increase depression, so try and keep it to a limit!

Source: http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/life_topics/article/5558/599/Seniors+and+the+%22Holiday+Blues%22

Earlier this year we lost my father after a long fight with a chronic illness. Before this unfortunate and devastating event that altered all of our lives, my parents were planning on spending the holidays at home on their own while I celebrated the season at my in-laws’. Without my dad to be with her, I was worried about my mom being at home alone so I offered to change my family’s plans and travel across the country to spend the holidays with her.

Surprisingly, my mom wouldn’t hear of it; she said as much as she loved and missed my father, she was going to learn to live as a single woman, holidays or no holidays. She said that she was taking the time to mourn, but that the best way for her to cope with the holidays would be to get on with life. She had been invited to a couple of holiday parties and dinners with friends that she was planning on attending, and also decided to volunteer with a local toy drive. I made her promise that if she was having a hard time, that she would attend a support group, at least to get her through the holidays. I’ve also made a point to keep my dad’s memory alive, both with her and my children; we laugh and smile over memories of seasons when we were all together.

Now, as I prepare to travel across the country, away from my own mother for the holidays; I know that she needs to get through the season in her own way, and if she has to do it by herself then I know it will only make her stronger.

There’s no denying that family caregivers have a tough job. Managing life with caregiving can be a difficult balance to attain. You may feel as though you are obligated to care for your aging loved one forever since you have committed to care for them for a time, however, sometimes it’s just better to let someone else take over. You need to consider a number of factors, relating to the health of the senior, your relationships and your lifestyle. Take a look at the following points below, to learn why caregivers step down and it if might be time for you to do the same.

Health

• The caregiver is beginning to feel under qualified in their caregiving duties, since the senior’s medical needs are growing
• The caregiver feels overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and is having problems keeping up with the demands; the senior may not be fed on a regular schedule, changed when required, or brought medications on time
• The overall condition of the household has declined since the caregiver started taking responsibility

Relationships

• The caregiver and care recipient have had problems with adjusting to their role changes. For example, an adult child providing care for a mother may find that her mother cannot accept that she is now under her daughter’s care.
• The relationship between caregiver and care recipient is becoming tense
• The caregiver may feel like he/she has lost the family relationship with the senior he/she once had; it could feel more like a business relationship than a family bond
• The caregiver’s relationship with other family members, like a spouse or children have been impacted negatively by the caregiving responsibilities

Lifestyle

• The caregiver can no longer find time for his/herself
• He/she has no opportunity to relieve stress or relax doing enjoyable activities
• The caregiver is unable to accomplish goals and dreams because of the overwhelming responsibilities
• The caregiver is becoming resentful or blames the senior for the drastic lifestyle changes

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

After my mom’s stroke, I began pursuing various treatment options to help improve her skills and increase her self-esteem which was greatly compromised by her declining abilities. I had always been hesitant about pursuing alternative therapies, because I didn’t see hw non-medical methods could possibly work. But my thought was; what could it hurt? So I began researching holistic and alternative treatments, including music therapy, to see how they might benefit her.

According to some sources, there is further research being conducted into the specific benefits upon stroke patients, since it recalls recall and recognition of auditory patterns, researchers are hopeful that music might help rebuild the cells impacted by the stroke. That was all I needed to read to start incorporating music into my mother’s regular routine. I wasn’t ready to invest in a musical therapist, but tried to recreate the benefits at home with the help of her full-time, professional caregiver. 

I purchased some classical and Broadway music CD’s that I knew my mom would enjoy. I would put one on every time I came by to visit and encourage her to sing, clap and move to the music. Sometimes it felt a little silly dancing around her home and belting out some of her favorite show tunes, but I lost my self-consciousness once I began to see the benefits upon my mother with my own eyes.

I can’t attest to the impact it’s having upon her mind and body, but I can tell you what it was doing to her overall well-being. She was happy and carefree both during our musical times together and on a day-to-day basis. I knew it took her away from the concerns in her mind, and that she came to really enjoy the time we spent together doing these activities. I can see that my mom is more relaxed and has a smile on her face more often; so even if the music therapy benefits her in no other ways, it’s worth it; because what can be better than knowing you can make your mom smile?
 
Sources: http://www.artsforhealing.org/seniors.php
               http://www.musicworkswonders.com/html/seniors.html

Prevalence of Elder Abuse

Unfortunately many seniors in Austin and the United States have been victimized by elder abuse. The abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual and can include exploitation, abandonment and neglect.

The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study suggested that more than 500,000 to 1,000,000 Americans aged 60 and older are subject to elder abuse each year and 84% of these cases remain unreported. Often even seniors who are able to report the abuse they’re experiencing do not, either because they’re afraid of retaliation from their abuser; nervous that no one else will want to care for them; and often they are ashamed or feel like they are partially to blame.

Seniors who do choose to come forward have many resources that are available to them and their families. The Eldercare Locator and Administration on Aging can assist with finding people and organizations to seek justice for the senior; which may include setting them up with an ombudsman or legal council. Seniors who are experienced elder abuse can also benefit from attending relevant support groups that will help them understand that while others experience it too; they are not to blame.

Elder abuse is a prevalent issue in the senior community; seniors and their families need to take advantage of available resources and inform themselves so that abuse can be detected and rectified.

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm

This year, our family is getting together at my mom’s house. I know that usually when she has visitors over the holiday, she goes all out with meals, décor and gifts. This year, as I know she is concerned about her finances, I am suggesting a new approach to holiday celebrations that won’t cost her a fortune, and she is on board!

At my suggestion, instead of buying new holiday decorations, like she often does every year, her grandchildren are going to help her make some new ones out of twigs, pine cones and walnuts. We’ve chosen some paints and other art supplies in seasonal colors to suit my mom’s theme and the kids are so excited to get started. It will be a fun bonding experience for a grandmother with her grandchildren, and will help get us all in the holiday spirit.

Since we have such a big extended family, when my mom hosts the Christmas day celebrations, she won’t be cooking or catering this time; she has asks everyone to bring a dish for our meal.

My mom has gotten so into the spirit of saving, she’s even encouraging the rest of the family to give homemade gifts instead of bringing store bought items. So for the holidays this year, our family is focusing more on enjoying time spend together than consumerism.

Sources: http://50plus.com/Money/BrowseAllArticles/index.cfm?t_offset=3&documentID=15693
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000236

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

There are a variety of options available to senior citizens and figuring out which one is best for your parents will mean asking a range of questions about their medical, physical, and emotional needs. The four major categories out there for elderly assistance are:

1. Home Care- can be adapted to most levels of need. More seriously impaired adults can benefit from the services of adult day care, personal assistance, or health assistance. Home modification services, transport, and nutrition services (delivered meal programs) are available for more active adults who prefer to stay at home. To meet the emotional needs of seniors who still live at home, there are also telephone reassurance services which schedule calls on a daily or weekly basis. Senior centers are also great resources giving seniors access to communities.

2. Independent Living Communities- are best suited to more active senior citizens. These communities generally provide meals, activities, house-keeping.  Adults in these communities are generally able to live alone but want the security and comfort of readily available transportation, meals and activities.

3. Assisted Living- is available for seniors who require more involved services such as personal care or medication taking in addition to basic homecare needs.Available as a single home shared by several residents, apartment-like complexes, or more institutional settings, these centers come in a variety of forms to suit specific needs.

4. Nursing Homes- provides medical attention and is best suited to those with disabilities or chronic medical conditions which require monitoring.