Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

Winter can be a dangerous season for older adults. Some of the risks they face are injuries due to falls in ice and snow, difficulty driving in inclement weather and other seasonal dangers.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your older loved ones from falls this winter. It’s very easy to slip and fall in the winter. To lower the odds of a fall:

• Carefully shovel steps and walkways to your home or hire someone to shovel for you
• Do not walk on icy or snowy sidewalks; look for sidewalks that are dry and have been cleared
• Wear boots with non-skid soles so you do not slip when you walk
• If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth. You might also buy an ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane to help keep you from slipping when you walk with the cane. (You can find these at medical supply stores)

Injury while shoveling snow: When it’s cold outside, your heart works extra hard to keep you warm. Working hard by shoveling snow, for example, may put too much strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems with balance, or “thin bones” (osteoporosis).

You should:

Ask your healthcare provider whether it is safe for you to shovel snow or do other hard work in the cold. More Senior Tips.

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.

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.

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. 

Arranging my Mother’s Care

For a few years I have told myself that I need to look into care options in my mom’s area, because I have noticed some signs that she is finding living independently too difficult. This year, when I visit over the holidays, will be the year. I don’t know if I will come to a decision before I get back on the plane, but while it town I can better arm myself with the information I need that I can’t attain long distance.

I have already called ahead to determine when a local support group for caregivers meet; I think this is the best way to begin the process, because I can talk with others who have had similar experiences and may understand the challenges I face living long distance. After this meeting, I will also pick up any literature available on groups for seniors, because my mom, who has a history of suffering minor strokes, may find it beneficial to talk with others that she can relate to.

In the past, I’ve noticed that my mom’s balance isn’t what it used to be, so I’ve looked at safety products online that will help her remain safe in the bathroom. When I get to her house, I’m going to check out what’s most appropriate and stop in at a local store so I can purchase and install the items while I’m visiting.

While I don’t yet know what the best caregiving option will be; I’m also going to visit a few nursing and assisted living homes in the area, and meet with private in-home caregivers so I am aware of the options.

I know it sounds like my holidays will be all work; but I’ll make time to celebrate, and I know that taking control over my mom’s care will be one of the best gifts I can give her.

Resources:

Seniors Resource Guide, Texas (http://www.seniorsresourceguide.com/directories/SanAntonio/search_topics.html)

Texas Aging Network
(http://www.texasagingnetwork.com/)

USA.gov Senior Citizens Resources
(http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml)

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!

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

Living in a world of a long distance family caregiver and seeing my colleagues at work dealing with the same issues of aging relatives, it seemed my life was consumed with aging and elder care concerns. 

This can be difficult especially, for those families who are not prepared- a call from mom saying that dad is in the emergency room can throw your balanced life out of control. 

There are many families across America who do not prepare by talking with aging parents about elder care issues. The reasons can vary. Some don’t want to acknowledge that it’s a problem.. or maybe we’re hoping it’ll go away - or one day your mom will turn 100 and gently pass in her sleep. But in most families this does not occur. It’s usually a tougher story…

Did you know that adult children pay out of pocket (on average) close to $300/mo for their aging parents care? The personal stories I listen to pay out greater amounts than the typical average, and family caregivers are robbing their savings and retirement plans just to stay afloat.

MetLife studies show family caregivers losing close to $65,000 in retirement savings due to the sum of; financial help to parents, taking time off from work, or going from full-time to part-time work, or leaving the job altogether. Employers and businesses suffer from loss of employee production due to absenteeism, work-day interruptions, and diminished productivity (the trendy HR word is “presenteeism”). Family caregivers are too stressed out to work, even if they’re sitting at the desk! So, is this a scare tactic? Nope, pure stats. The same study from MetLife shows employers are losing $2,010 per employee due to caregiving.

So, how can we lighten our load of family caregiving? Where do adult children turn for help? Do we quit our jobs to help mom & dad? Is it our responsibility?

Special Offer! Please sign up for the free booklet on our 40/70 Talk with Parents - This guide includes common family situations and sensitive circumstances that often pose communication problems for both older adults and their children or loved ones.

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps families cope with Caregiver Stress. Please call us at 512-347-9207 when seeking non-medical, companionship, and professional caregvers in Austin.

Caregiver Stress-Stress and spousal caregiving

Naturally, you wouldn’t think twice about caring for your partner now that they are in a situation where there’s a growing need for your assistance. Whether it is a chronic health problem, issues with mobility or decreased cognitive function, your support will likely be necessary.

Sometimes caring for a spouse can leave the family caregiver feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can be compounded if the caregiver is also taking over responsibilities that were once handled solely by their ailing spouse, from cooking and doing laundry, to balancing the checkbook and heading up the financial decisions.

Signs that Spousal Caregiving May Be Becoming Too Risky for You:

* Missing or delaying your own doctor appointments

* Ignoring your own health problems or symptoms

* Not eating a healthy diet

* Overusing tobacco and alcohol 

* Giving up exercise habits 

* Losing sleep

* Losing connections with friends 

* Bottling up feelings of anger and frustration and then being surprised by angry, even violent, outbursts directed at your spouse, other family members, co-workers - even strangers

* Feeling sad, down, depressed or hopeless

* Loss of energy

* Lacking interest in things that used to give you pleasure

* Feeling resentful toward your spouse

* Blaming your spouse for the situation

* Feeling that people ask more of you than they should

* Feeling like caregiving has affected family relationships in a negative way

* Feeling annoyed by other family members who don’t help out or who criticize your care

Reaching out and asking for help is a very healthy thing to do if you are feeling overwhelmed. Look into hiring a part time caregiver to come in and help. Take back “you” again. It’s important.

Home Instead Senior Care in Austin helps elders stay home longer. Please call us when seeking non-medical, companionship, and professional caregvers in Austin.

Home Safety Checklist for Seniors in Austin - LIsten to our offer to check for safety hazards in your home.

Click here to listen… 

Austin Home Care Safety Series - Tips for safe driving

We have covered many topics that promote safety in the home. Well, what about driving?

There are a few things that you must always keep in mind when transporting a senior anywhere. Here are some helpful tips:

* Always keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you.

* Safety belts are mandatory for both you and the passenger.

* NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or prescription medications that impair driving.

* Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving.

* Adjust your speed according to the road conditions.

* Focus on how you are driving.

* Prepare yourself for a safe trip.

* Know the rules of the road.

* Watch for special vehicles.

* Depend on your senses to alert you to personal danger.

* Avoid driving if you are ill or emotional.

* Stay calm if you are in an accident.

Be careful when driving at night, traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day according to the United States National Safety Council. Twilight is a difficult time to drive because your eyes are changing to adapt to the growing darkness.

Keep in mind this quote for the day next time you take off to drive.
Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy.  ~Author Unknown

If your company’s Human Resource department is researching options for back-up care for employees taking care of their families, you will want to know how do these programs work. If you are a working mother caring for children and older adults, you might be struggling to get through the days. Call us if you could use some help at 512-347-9207.      

You join thousands of others in this nation caring for seniors as well as young children.  Many employers like yours are investigating back-up care programs for their employees as a way to reduce employee stress and improve absenteeism and productivity.  These programs provide lists of providers that employees can access and contact quickly when they need back-up care.

Work Options Group, a Colorado-based company that specializes in the provision of corporate-sponsored back-up care, shares some feedback from employees who use back-up care. Survey results indicate that the employee benefit does in fact reduce stress and unscheduled absenteeism as well as improve productivity and loyalty among employees. Below are key findings from the 2008 Back-up Care Survey conducted by Work Options Group.  More than 1,200 employees who used back-up care through Work Options Group between March 1 and May 31, 2008 completed the survey.

Visit our blog in a day to view the full survey.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care Austin, contact us at 512-347-9207.  For more information about the survey, log on to http://www.workoptionsgroup.com/press_release_survey.html.