Caring for Seniors: Exercise Tips for The Elderly
March 6th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
Exercise is essential for seniors. Physical exercise helps seniors maintain and improve their balance as well as prevent falls. It also can help the elderly from losing muscle mass and bone density.
Exercising the mind is just as important as physical exercise. Doing active exercises with the mind helps prevent the onset of dementia and keeps seniors engaged. Here are tips to help seniors get the most out of physical exercise while staying mentally sharp.
Make the Most Out of a Chair
Many seniors are afraid of hurting themselves during physical exercise. The good news is that a chair is the perfect platform for working on different parts of the body from the shoulders or chest, and you can even use it to do modified pushups. A chair can also help keep you steady as you work on your balance while lifting a leg off the floor or doing toe lifts.
Make Exercise Work for You
Exercise is often difficult for seniors due to fears of getting hurt,being in pain or simply doing more than is necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask your medical professional what exercises might work best for you. Try to find something you like doing such as walking, visiting the pool, or using an exercise machine. A caregiver for seniors could help you stay safe during these activities. Never do anything that causes you pain and be creative when it comes to making time pass while exercising. Watch TV or listen to a book or a podcast.
Keep Mentally Fit
Common exercises for keeping mentally active as a senior are usually things like crossword puzzles or sudoku. But there are so many other ways to keep your brain sharp. Taking an art class or taking up drawing helps keep your mind focused. Learn a language or another skill you’re interested in. Puzzles and card games are other activities that help improve memory and thinking skills.
Engaging all of your senses; touch, smell, hearing, taste, and sight by cooking something or visiting a new place is another way to keep your neurons firing.
Changing it Up
Don’t be afraid to try something new either. Just the act of changing your daily routine a little bit can help your brain. Play music more often or try learning an instrument. You could even try meditation. It reduces stress, helps with memory, and improves mental processing.
It doesn’t matter how you decide to exercise your body and your mind as long as you stick to it.
Polish Care Services is dedicated to helping clients stay physically and mentally healthy with its in home care services. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help clients stay physically safe and mentally fit at home. Contact us today to learn more.
Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Senior Citizens In-Home Care
February 27th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
People who care for senior citizens need to be knowledgeable and caring. In fact, caring for senior citizens means taking care of your elderly loved ones by providing the necessary care and attention. It also includes making sure that they get enough rest and get their daily exercise both physically and mentally.
It is vital to understand that caring for seniors are different from caring for children. This is because senior citizens may have more complex health issues, which can be worse than those of someone who are of a much younger age. As a result, they are prone to ailments that other people may be able to recover from with simple treatments. In some cases, these illnesses are even life threatening. There are many options for care givers, and those needing to care for senior citizens.
The first option for caring for senior citizens is in home care. This entails working with a nurse or care aide to monitor the elderly person’s needs on a day-to-day basis. When the family members are unable to care for the person, a caregiver will be able to provide the necessary help for the individual. This type of care is appropriate for senior citizens who require minimal monitoring. Instead of having the elderly live in the home, he/she may rather live in a nursing facility. Some caregivers have more knowledge and experience with this method of care.
There are many options for care than in home care, such as independent living facility, assisted living facility, and nursing homes. These are not just for seniors who are very ill, but for the vibrant and young at heart. However, in home care is a trending and preferred option as this allows seniors to enjoy the comforts of home and independence. Moreover this option is less costly. Aging In Place allows seniors modify their home to make it easier for him/her to navigate safely.
There are the programs that provide assistance to an individual. This assistance can include the services of a professional who will prepare meals, light housekeeping, assist with bathing, personal care, dressing, medication reminders, companionship, hobbies and cognitive care.
There are those that provide counseling services for senior citizens. While some of the people will prefer to work with the professional, others will prefer to go through the counseling program and have someone to guide them on the process. Seniors will be given support in terms of learning how to manage their finances and do the things that are important to them. All in all, there are several programs and forms of assistance that can be provided to senior citizens. Some include group therapy, home help, and family counseling.
Each form of assistance comes with different types of treatment methods. For example, group therapy and group treatment are helpful because of the support that can be given to the person. Home help involves the use of an individual, usually a friend or relative, to do all the chores that the senior citizen cannot do himself or herself.
Seniors who are concerned about being alone often prefer the family counseling method. This method involves the services of a caring person who will help the person develop a positive attitude and make sure that he/she gets enough rest. Family counseling also involves the role of support groups and other activities that can keep the person’s mind active.
If you are looking for excellent care for one of your family members or friends, Polish Care Services is an excellent choice. Visit their website to learn more at polishcareservices.com or feel free to contact us by phone at (860) 255-8278. You and your family member will be happy that you did!
Exploring Long-Term Care Options: In-Home Care, Nursing Homes
January 25th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
There are several options available to help those individuals in need of long-term care. Long term assistance care is a type of specialized care that involves providing comfort and care for individuals who are older or who are suffering from any type of disability or illness that does not allow them to properly care for themselves.
There are different kinds of long-term care, including institutional care, in-home care, nursing home care, adult day care, and assisted living care. Each individual has their own needs and each individual has their own set of challenges when it comes to providing long term care. These can include some that are based on physical conditions, others that are based on physical conditions or mental health concerns.
For those individuals who are in need of long-term care, there are many options available to help them. There are several types of long-term care available today. These include group homes, intermediate care facilities, personal care homes, and personal care agencies. With the help of these programs you can be able to choose what you need and make your own choices. Many individuals will choose to live in their own personal care home or community residential care facilities. As you research long term care options, you should remember that each situation is unique and that no two individuals are the same.
When considering long term care options, you must first decide if you want a facility, community residential care or personal care home. It is important to consider these options before choosing one. To do this, you should research the various options.
Some of the problems with long term care is that the costs of care can become a financial burden. This is due to the fact that the medical bills tend to be substantial for the individual in need of long-term care. There are often many bills associated with long term care, so it may be wise to know what you are looking at before deciding on a particular facility or plan.
Long term care can help the individual you are caring for by providing comfort and care. This may also include help with activities that the individual needs. When you are choosing long term care options, you must know what to expect in order to be sure that you are doing the right thing. When it comes to long term care, there are different types of choices. These are rehabilitation, which is used for individuals with physical and mental disabilities, the last type of long-term care is the nursing home care.
The rehabilitation type of long-term care is a very good option for individuals who are older and are in need of some type of physical activity. Rehabilitation is used for seniors who have lived a long life and are not physically fit. They need assistance to get more physical activity. The physical activity level of a senior is sometimes the determining factor in whether or not a patient is eligible for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can also be used to help those who are young and who are in need of socialization and the emotional support of friends and family.
It is important to speak with your family member about their options. If there are any concerns, you should discuss with them before you make any decisions. You want to make sure that you will be able to provide all the care that they need when you decide to use long term care.
If you are looking for long term care solutions in Connecticut, there is no better place than Polish Care Services. Polish Care Services is located at 254 Main Street, Farmington, CT 06032 and can be reached by telephone at (860) 255-8278. Hours of operation are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. On Sundays the office is closed. The 24 hour line is available for emergency situations. Feel free to visit the website at https://polishcareservices.com/ to see the list of services. You will be happy that you did!
Three Reasons to Make a Long Term Care Plan
November 5th, 2019aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Senior Care Services,
Aging tends to sneak up on all of us. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a plan for how to account for the care you or your loved one may need over the long-term. In fact, planning for long term care can help you maintain the lifestyle you’re used to. Here are three reasons why you or your loved one should create a long term care plan.
Long-Term Care Insurance Does Not Account for Everything
Many people obtain long-term care insurance as a way of planning for their long term care needs. And while it does have many benefits, you or your loved one should plan for what it does not cover such as:
· Who will be a caregiver?
· Will any family members who become caregivers need to leave or take an absence from their job?
· Who pays for expenses not covered by long term care insurance?
You Can Choose Where You Want to Be
Planning for your long term needs in advance means that you can choose whether you want to stay in your home. If maintaining your independence at home is a concern as you age, consider hiring an agency that provides in-home care services into your plan.
In home care agencies employ caregivers that help seniors maintain their independence at home by helping to cook and clean around the house, drive to appointments, and help with bathing and dressing. Even if you plan to have a family member be a caregiver, in home care providers may be able to help when a family member is unavailable.
Guard Against the Unexpected
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. When you plan for your own long term care or that of your loved ones, it helps make an unexpected hospitalization health challenge, or other concern a little easier to navigate. Often, unexpected events lead to disagreements among family members about what happens next. By making a long term care plan now, you will reduce the likelihood of disagreements and make sure the person in need of care gets what they want.
Planning for the future comes with its own challenges, especially where getting older is concerned. But making a plan for long term care including whether or not you need in home care is one way to make aging a fact rather than a challenge that seems insurmountable.
Polish Care Services provides trained and experienced caregivers to assist seniors in their home or care facilities. Call 860-255-8278 to see how our caregivers can assist you or your loved one. We accept various payment methods, including long-term insurance for live in or hourly care to assist seniors with in home care needs.
Polish Care Services Hartford’s Finest Series
September 27th, 2019aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
Thank you for nominating and featuring Polish Care Services as part of the Hartford Courant and CTNow Hartford’s Finest series.
Polish Care Services is a a senior care agency in Farmington, Connecticut that provide caregivers for seniors in Connecticut.
The care team accepts longterm insurance, private pay, and Medicaid for live in and hourly services.
Prepare: Rooms in Your Home for an Elderly Loved One to Move
June 21st, 2019aging in place, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
If you have an elderly loved one in your life who has reached a stage of being unable to safely live alone, it is a kind and loving gesture to open up your elderly home to take them in. This may be an alternate means to manage costs, and with a caregiver service, still manage the quality of care care that is required. Bringing any roommate into your home requires some changes. So, here are tips on how to get your home ready for your elderly loved.
Decide Where the Bedroom Will Be
You need to decide first which bedroom is best for them to use. In a two-story home, you will want to put their bedroom downstairs to avoid the stairs if possible. According to Science Direct, stairway falls represent a high percentage of falls and often result in severe injury. If avoiding the stairs isn’t an option, there are things that you can do to make them safer. Make sure that you have a sturdy handrail, and replace any carpet that is high fiber or slippery. You should install light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs to ensure that they are well lit.
Bedroom Preparations
Once you have figured out which bedroom your loved one will use, you need to make the bedroom as safe as possible. The height of the bed matters when your body is less agile. Make sure that they can easily sit on the edge of the bed with their feet planted on the ground. You also want to arrange the furniture so that the room has spacious walkways, especially if a walker or cane is being used. Remove all rugs to avoid tripping, and add ample light to illuminate the room. With a few simple adjustments and modifications, this room can be a safe and relaxing retreat for your loved one.
Make Your Bathroom Safe
The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in your house. Depending on the setup of your bathroom, consider a complete remodel if it’s in your budget. Instead of a traditional bathtub/shower combo, you could install a walk-in shower with a seat and handrails. There are even showers that are curbless, meaning you do not need to step over anything to walk into the shower. Regardless of your setup, make sure that you have no-slip mats in the shower, bathtub, and around the bathroom floor. According to the Toiletsman, you may also want to consider raising the height of your toilet and installing handrails next to it. Lowering your body down and up can often be challenging and dangerous for an aging senior.
Living Room Adjustments
Like other rooms in your home, your living room may possibly need a few modifications as well. The primary objective is safety and comfort; look at the flooring and make sure there is nothing in the walkways that would be a tripping hazard, including rug corners, cords, and miscellaneous décor. Falling is the leading cause of injury in the elderly, so it is important to create safe walkways in every area of your house. Make sure that you have adequate lighting in your living room and that it is easy for your loved one to access. Install switches and dimmers near each entrance into your living space — a well-lit area is a safer space.
Once your home has been modified for your loved one, consider hiring a home care service to come in and help, especially if you still must go to work during the day. Companies like Polish Care Services will come to your home and provide a number of helpful services including personal care, cleaning, and even just companionship. With the right preparation and a little help, you will be able to provide a nurturing and safe home for your elderly loved one.
Credit: June Duncan
Senior Caregivers: Why You Should Look into Meditation and Yoga
December 20th, 2018aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Senior Care Services,
In 2015, an estimated 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older. These senior caregivers provide daily meditation and yoga assistance to those who are either temporarily or permanently unable to function independently. Many informal caregivers move in with their senior loved one in an effort to support their decision to age in place.
Caregiving is a rewarding yet stressful endeavor. It is common for informal caregivers to add their new responsibilities on top of their day jobs. Furthermore, witnessing a loved one’s well-being deteriorate with time is mentally and emotionally taxing.
To help mitigate the anxiety, it’s important for caregivers to implement activities that help restore mental and physical health. Exercise is one of the best things people of all ages can do to care for their overall well-being. It supports a more positive mindset and relieves feelings of stress and anxiety. Regular exercise can even help relieve pain. Physical activity helps maintain bone health while regulating weight to mitigate pressure on joints and tendons. Exercise keeps the mind sharp and improves memory. Exercising during the day also expends energy for deeper, more restorative sleep at night. Senior caregivers can add more indoor exercises to their routines with the help of technology such as YouTube exercise instructionals, Nintendo Wii games, and fitness apps, but it’s important to break away from the screens from time to time. Joining a meditation and yoga community is the perfect way to do just that.
Meditation and Yoga for Seniors and Caregivers
Meditation and yoga go hand-in-hand. They both involve using mindfulness to connect our inner self with a higher energy; they both require practitioners to pay attention to the breath; they both attempt to clear away the restless energy we carry around by reaching for a point of stillness.
Yoga has the added benefit of being an accessible exercise for aging bodies. Many of the poses are performed in seated positions and can be modified for an individual’s physical needs. There is even chair yoga for those relegated to a mobility aid.
Yoga is therapeutic for both seniors and their caregivers. In addition to the regular benefits of exercise, the focus on the breath in yoga improves lung capacity and increases oxygen intake, which, in turn, helps cognitive function. The poses support a more stable core while enhancing both flexibility and mobility, improving overall balance and strength and reducing the risk of senior falls. The gentle exercise lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which can help reverse cardiovascular disease when combined with other healthy habits.
An added benefit of joining a meditation and yoga community is the support and socialization. Both seniors and their caregivers need socialization for emotional and mental health. Socializing mitigates stress, reduces the risk of depression, builds self-esteem, and lengthens lifespan. Joining a meditation and yoga community plugs seniors and caregivers into a support system that is committed to compassion while providing the opportunity for the gentle exercise of both body and mind. Having an activity outside the home also keeps seniors and caregivers motivated while giving them something to look forward to in their routine.
There are millions of informal caregivers in the United States who help seniors perform their daily responsibilities for healthy living. An important part of maintaining both senior and caregiver health is exercise. Joining a meditation and yoga community is a great way to add more exercise to a routine while joining a group that is both supportive and compassionate. Being involved in a community help mitigate caregiver stress while enabling a longer and healthier life for seniors.
Credit: June Duncan for Polish Care Services https://polishcareservices.com
Healthy, Happy and Far Away: Advice for Long-Distance Caregivers
September 28th, 2018Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Senior Care Services,
If you live far away from an aging parent, you may have gone years without worrying about your father or mother getting to medical appointments, the grocery, or maintaining an active social life. However, with age may come a lack of mobility, forgetfulness, or isolation, and a once self-sufficient parent is suddenly incapable of doing all those things you’ve taken for granted. Seemingly overnight, you’ve become a long-distance caregiver with a very big job of coordinating a whole lot of needs and activities.
Now, you have to determine whether your loved one requires skilled medical care, assistance with daily activities, transportation to medical appointments, companionship, or in-home mobility modifications. It’s a lot to work out, and if the answer to one or more of these scenarios is “yes,” it’ll probably require a trip and a lot of research.
Medicare Supplement
Senior care can be very expensive. Adding a Medicare supplement plan is a good idea because it can help cover expenses that health insurance will not. Benefits may include anything from prescriptions to vision and dental care, based on the plan in which your parent is enrolled. Be aware that the Medicare open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7, so the sooner you can help your parent research options, the better prepared you’ll be if the need arises.
Finding Support
This is an excellent time to enlist the aid of any friends or family members who live near your parent. If that’s not a possibility, consider introducing yourself to your parent’s neighbors in case an emergency intervention is necessary. Hopefully, the neighbors will be willing and able to help with transportation, errands, and other ad hoc needs that will likely arise. Find out as much as possible about in-home health aides, or check out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Carelike community resource finder, a free service that can help you identify services anywhere in the US (some senior care services are free and have no income requirements).
Caregiver Support Resources
Trying to carry on with so many new responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially when you live a long plane flight away. Your parent’s care needs could change at any time, so it’s important to know what to do if you have to find home care or companion services or a geriatric care manager. Do some research about local adult day cares, as well as assisted living and long-term care nursing facilities. Be prepared for the unexpected with a personal emergency response plan.
Monitoring
According to the National Institute on Aging, there are approximately 7 million long-distance caregivers in the US. If your parent has a special medical condition or is experiencing a mental or physical decline, a senior monitoring system provides the technology necessary to keep track of your parent and maintain peace of mind. Monitoring technology can keep you apprised of your parent’s health status, location, safety, and health. It can also keep medical care professionals apprised of the situation and increase response times if something goes wrong.
Emergencies
If an emergency does occur, you’ll need to have documentation that allows you to respond in a timely fashion. Also, make sure you have copies of your loved one’s medical records (don’t forget to include the names of doctors and other health care providers), proof of power of attorney, advanced medical directives, a living will, and anything you might need in case you have to travel on short notice.
If you’re a long-distance caregiver, information is a powerful asset because your parent’s care needs could change very quickly. Knowing where to turn in their community is essential because speed is of the essence when the need arises unexpectedly.
Credit: June Duncan for Polish Care Services https://polishcareservices.com
Helping Seniors During Seasonal Changes
September 17th, 2018Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Elderly Care, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Senior Care Services,
The seasonal changing is one of many challenges, seniors face as they progress in years. However caregivers, family members and community can offer support that helps gives seniors the right perspective to handle the transitions that occur four times each calendar year.
Transitioning into Winter
One of the primary effect on the elderly is the transition to winter. Some cause factors are:
• Loved ones visit and socializing becomes less frequent.
• Grandchildren have less time for grandma or grandpa, as they become more immersed in school activities.
• The weather becomes colder and more unpleasant.
• The weather creates more dangerous and stressful situations.
• Preparation and extra work is needed to keep the home safe and comfortable.
• Winter helps to trigger mood and health changes, and oftentimes exacerbates mental, health and physical conditions.
How Do We Help as the Seasons Change
Although all seasonal change may be challenging for seniors and their caregivers; the transition into winter is especially important to navigate with mindfulness and care.
Here are some of the things that can be done to assist your aging loved one to have an easier transition into the colder months of the year:
Discuss the Changes
We all know that the seasonal change is around the corner, and we all have feelings about it. Openly, discuss the seasonal change, and encourage talk about the challenges that are about to present themselves. This openness and acknowledgment can ease the transition considerably.
Help Prepare
Make sure warm clothing and extra blankets, are always around and that your loved one is prepared to handle the winter’s cold – make sure the house is insulated and winterized; create and use a checklist to ensure that nothing stands in the way of keeping the home comfortable during the winter months.
Inclusion
The winter can be a cold, lonely time, but it’s also a time when people get together more frequently to celebrate. Make sure your senior loved ones gets a chance to take part in the celebrations, too; although the weather is getting cold, the warmth of good company and celebration can make the most difficult winter days easier to endure.
More Help With the Changing Seasons
Learn more about how to help seniors through seasonal changes. Call Polish Care Services or visit https://polishcareservices.com today at 860-255-8278 for your FREE consultation!
A Caregiver’s Guide To Helping Seniors Find A New Home
February 18th, 2018Companion Caregiver, In Home Care, Uncategorized,
As people get older, that big family house may not work anymore. Many seniors have trouble dealing with all the empty space in that house, nevermind keeping it clean and maintained. Then there’s the financial situation. Even if the mortgage is paid off, there are still taxes owed on rooms that may not be used anymore.
As a caregiver to seniors, you can help them find a new home when the time comes. From helping on moving day to making needed renovations, there’s a lot you can do. To begin, you need to look into different housing options for the seniors.
Finding The Right House
It’s not like housing has changed a lot since the seniors bought their house, but their lives are different now. They don’t have kids to house, and as they get older, mobility and safety can become problems for them. That’s why you need to help them explore their housing options.
LoveToKnow.com lists three popular housing options for seniors: Condos, townhomes, and senior communities. While single-family homes are always an option, smaller homes are usually better. There’s less space to keep clean and have trouble with.
When picking a place, be sure to look at the local amenities. For example, a senior community can provide social experiences and even medical support when needed. Besides that, the new place should have senior-friendly door handles, shallow steps, and proper lighting.
A Smooth Moving Day
Once you’ve helped the seniors find a great place to move into, then comes the hard part: The actual moving. Packing and transporting everything can be both physically and emotionally exhausting.
To help make this day go more smoothly, A Place For Mom recommends that you help sort and organize their belongings. Treasured keepsakes can be packed but donate anything that hasn’t been used in a while. There’s no reason to move that VCR or exercise bike if they’re just collecting dust. A yard sale would also be a great idea here.
As you declutter the seniors’ old home, start packing early. Waiting for the last weekend before the move will just increase everyone’s stress and lead to mistakes. Instead, help the seniors pack a little bit at a time.
Making Needed Renovations
The point of finding a new place and packing up the old one is to help the seniors. But what if you cannot find the perfect home? You can still help the elders move there by planning some home improvements.
The New York Times reports that an easy but important addition is the grab bar. These can be installed in the bathroom, bedroom, or anywhere the seniors might need a little help getting up. In addition, seniors often have problems with vision and balance as they grow older. That means adding some new lighting, painting high-contrast colors, and even taping down rugs can all help the seniors be safer in their new home.
Kitchens are another place where seniors might need some help. According to HomeAdvisor, the average price of a a major kitchen remodel is approximately $22,000, though smaller renovations may be under $5,000. However, the benefits can be tremendous — and it can help protect seniors from accidents and injuries.
They Deserve The Help
As a caregiver, there are ways you can help seniors find a new home. Start by exploring new housing options, and help them declutter before moving day. With some remodeling and renovations, you can turn almost any home into one perfect for seniors.
Credit: June Duncan for Polish Care Services https://polishcareservices.com