Category: Caregiver Employment

AI Benefits for the Elderly and Disabled

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Although there is so much consternation and hype, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can benefit the elderly and disabled population in many ways. Some of the benefits include:

1. Health monitoring and assistance through wearable devices and smart home systems: AI can be used to monitor the health of elderly individuals through wearable devices and smart home systems. These devices can track vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and alert caregivers or medical professionals if there are any concerning changes. Smart home systems can also be used to monitor the movements and activities of elderly individuals, providing an additional layer of safety and security.
2. Medication management: AI can assist with medication management by providing reminders to take medications, tracking medication usage, and alerting caregivers or medical professionals if there are any missed doses or potential drug interactions.
3. Social interaction and companionship: AI can provide social interaction and companionship to elderly individuals through virtual companions, such as chatbots or virtual assistants. These companions can engage in conversation, provide entertainment, and help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
4. Cognitive stimulation and memory support: AI can provide cognitive stimulation and memory support to elderly individuals through games, puzzles, and other activities designed to exercise the brain and improve cognitive function. AI can also assist with memory support by providing reminders for important events or appointments.
5. Daily living assistance: AI can assist with daily living tasks, such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and personal care. This can help elderly individuals maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes for longer.
6. Increased independence: By providing assistance with daily living tasks, health monitoring, medication management, and other areas, AI can help elderly individuals maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes for longer.
7. Lower healthcare costs, better transportation, and longer employment: AI can help lower healthcare costs by improving health monitoring and early detection of potential health issues. AI can also assist with transportation by providing ride-sharing services or autonomous vehicles designed for elderly individuals. Additionally, AI can help extend employment opportunities for elderly individuals by providing job-matching services or remote work opportunities.
8. Virtual companions: As mentioned earlier, virtual companions such as chatbots or virtual assistants can provide social interaction and companionship to elderly individuals.
9. Anti-aging research: AI can assist with anti-aging research by analyzing large amounts of data to identify potential treatments or preventative measures for age-related diseases.
10. At-home health monitoring: As mentioned earlier, AI can assist with at-home health monitoring through wearable devices and smart home systems.
11. Smart device-assisted daily living: Smart devices equipped with AI technology can assist with daily living tasks such as turning on lights, adjusting the thermostat, or locking doors.
12. Smart device-assisted fall detection: Smart devices equipped with AI technology can detect if an elderly individual has fallen and alert caregivers or medical professionals.
13. Improved quality of care: By providing assistance in areas such as health monitoring, medication management, daily living assistance, and more, AI can help improve the overall quality of care for elderly individuals.

AI is also helpful in intelligent tracking of biometric information to early diagnosis of diseases, understanding the treatment pathways, and helping clinicians to take care of elderly and disabled people and treat them more efficiently.

Polish Care Services team provides blogs and news articles that are not only informative and entertaining, but can enhance the wellbeing of seniors and disabled in Connecticut and Sarasota County in Florida

Credit: Bing AI, Google AI, Peter Powell

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The Benefits of a Caregiver Agency

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Caregiving is a rewarding but challenging job that requires compassion, patience, and skill. Many people who need assistance with daily living tasks, such as seniors, people with disabilities, or people recovering from illnesses or injuries, prefer to receive care at home rather than in a facility. However, finding and hiring a reliable, qualified, and affordable caregiver can be difficult and time-consuming for families. That is why many families choose to work with a caregiver agency, which can offer many benefits over hiring an independent caregiver.

A caregiver agency is a registered business that employs caregivers and sends them to the home of the care recipient to provide in-home care. The agency can provide medical care or non-medical care, depending on the needs and preferences of the client. The agency also takes care of the administrative aspects of hiring and managing the caregivers, such as background checks, payroll, scheduling, training, and supervision.

Some of the benefits of hiring a caregiver through an agency are:

• Quality: an agency typically will verify caregivers’ credentials, certifications, and experience in addition to performing background checks. An agency will provide continuous training and development to ensure caregivers and office staff are up to date with current skills and practices This ensures that the caregivers are qualified, competent, and up-to-date on the best practices and standards of care.
• Safety: Agencies are responsible for ensuring that the caregivers follow safety protocols when providing care at home. They provide workers compensation and liability insurance for their employees. This protects clients and caregivers in case of accident and work-related injuries.
• Flexibility: Agencies can offer a range of services and schedules to suit the needs and preferences of different clients. They can provide non-medical and other services that may suit the clients needs. Whether it is hourly services, live in assistance, long term or temporary services, The agency will match the caregiver that is considered a best fit for the client based on personality, skills, experience and availability.
• Reliability: Agencies will have a pool of caregivers who is able to cover desired shift or back up assistance in case of emergencies or absences. This means that the client will always have someone to provide care at home without interruption or inconvenience. They can also manage issues or complaints that may arise between the client and the caregivers.
• Support: Agencies can provide additional support and resources for both the client and the family. They can help to coordinate other services or referrals such as medical appointments, social activities, transportation, equipment. They can also provide emotional support and guidance for the client and family members who are involved in caregiving.

In conclusion, hiring a caregiver through an agency can offer many benefits for both the client and the family. It can ensure quality, safety, flexibility, reliability, and support for in-home care. It can also save time and hassle for families who are looking for a trustworthy and affordable caregiver. Therefore, working with an agency can be a smart choice for families who need help with caregiving at home.

Polish Care Services is a Homemaker Companion agency registered in Connecticut and Florida that provides support services for seniors and disabled, whether it is live in services, hourly support, or overnight assistance. The supportive office team works with the client to find a match for their needs and is a constant support for the client and staff throughout the process.

Credit: Madeline Sinatro

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Resources to Help Seniors Who Have Few Relatives Nearby

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Aging brings many challenges as well as joys. While it’s generally good fortune to have a long life, it’s even better if you have family nearby to offer help and companionship. Sometimes, seniors live far from family, though. In these cases, Polish Care Services suggests you make use of the following resources for managing daily life.

Maintaining a Social Life

Loneliness can be a risk factor for health issues, and we all need companionship. Here are some ideas to help seniors develop and maintain social connections.

• Consider volunteering. After all, seniors can and do contribute an enormous amount by tutoring, mentoring, helping prepare or distribute food to those in need, fundraising, assisting with tax preparation, or working the polls during elections.
• Take a class. Post-retirement is a wonderful time to pursue interests you may not have had time for while working. Whether it’s a non-credit history or language class at the local university, or a dance or crafting class at a community center, you’ll meet others with common interests and get to explore something you enjoy.
• Take a part-time job. Although not everyone is eager to return to the nine to five grind, sometimes working a few hours a week can enhance a senior’s life by providing social connections, as well as the satisfaction of contributing effort to an important cause.
• Join a church, mosque, temple, or other organization that supports your spiritual beliefs. If you’re already a member, look into getting more involved there. It’s a great way to get to know others who share your values.

Health and Wellness

Good health is important to people at every age, and there are always things a person can do to increase their chances of staying well.

• Join an exercise class. The connection between exercise and improved mental health has been documented increasingly over the past decade. Many forms of exercise are appropriate for seniors, ranging from swimming to no impact aerobics and gentle weight training.
• Consider a mind-body practice, such as tai chi, qi gong, yoga, or mindfulness walking. These disciplines can improve cognitive functioning as well balance, strength, range of motions, and stress relief.
• Get an exercise or healthy eating buddy. Having another person counting on you can help with motivation and increase fun, whether you’re cooking a healthy meal together or meeting for a walk.
• Laughter is good medicine. It can increase the release of endorphins, and alter serotonin and dopamine levels in the body. Whether it’s a funny movie, a cartoon in a magazine, a hilarious book, or a podcast, finding reasons to laugh can make life more healthy, as well as more fun. This is yet another activity best done with a buddy.

Financial Assistance is Available

Most people worry to some degree about running out of money, managing money, or calculating and paying taxes in a timely and accurate manner. There are many local, state, and federal programs to help with planning and managing financial concerns.

• Help with the cost of prescriptions can be found via the Extra Help program through Medicare in some states. Other states have their own programs.
• Seniors and all adults may experience stress when faced with financial and other types of decisions.
• The IRS sponsors free tax help clinics for seniors. These can be quite helpful since many seniors have complex situations involving pensions, IRAs, or pre-death insurance benefits. Having free help from an expert can make the challenge of tax preparation less daunting.

Use Technology to your Advantage

While it’s difficult to visit in person fr

equently, if you live a great distance from your loved one, the internet can be a great help. Using Google Meet, Webex, Zoom, or another online program you can be in touch with family members who live almost anywhere. The internet is also a good way to shop, learn, and connect with others.

• Take some time to make sure your loved one is comfortable using the internet. Sometimes technology classes for seniors can be helpful, as well as social opportunities.
• Click for info on a useful tool for combining digital documents for your loved one so that they’re easier to find.
• Having a weekly online call with your senior loved one is a great way to stay in touch, share family news, and monitor how they are doing. While “Zoom fatigue” is something that happens to people of all ages, there are ways to counter it.
• Although an online meeting is better than no connection, it’s important to supplement it with ordinary phone calls, letters via email or US mail, and the occasional in-person visit.

Although living near the senior you care about is the easiest way to stay in touch and be of help, there are many resources for those who are at a distance. Make sure that you keep your loved one in the loop when making decisions that will affect them, and take advantage of the many programs and options available.

For exceptional services for seniors, those with disabilities, and those needing companionship, visit Polish Care Services today.

Credit: June Duncan

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5 Tips to Help First-Time Caregiver Manage Their Responsibilities

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Being a first-time caregiver can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it can also be overwhelming. This could be due to caregiver anxiety which makes you feel uncertain regarding the level of care you are providing your loved one. But it’s important to remember that you can always reach out to family or even professionals to assist you in caregiving. In this article by Polish Care Services, we’ll explore the best strategies new caregivers can adopt to avoid burnout while providing the highest level of care to their loved ones.

Educate Yourself About the Condition 

The type and duration of care required will depend on the condition(s) your loved one is diagnosed with. A good first step will be to learn as much as you can regarding their symptoms and the best caregiving strategies you can adopt. For instance, if your loved one has a mobility disability, moving their bedroom to the ground floor and adjusting the home’s layout to their needs will make their lives much easier.

Reading articles published by medical expertsabout their condition will be the best resource for education. Additionally, you can search for videos to learn from other caregivers regarding the best strategies used by them at home.

Leverage Technology to Complement Healthcare 

Many caregivers refrain from allowing their loved one to be home alone owing to the fear of safety. While their concern is justified, in the long run, this has a negative impact on mental health owing to the lack of socialization and isolation.

However, now there are various types of technology caregivers can install in their homes, such as cameras to monitor the property and check up on your loved one (if they are comfortable having cameras indoors). In addition, remote-controlled locks that send you a notification each time the main/back door is opened, as reported by Vivint, and motion sensor lights, allowing your loved ones to move freely around the home without the need to reach a switch.

Maintain Accurate Paperwork 

Another area where you should leverage the power of technology is to maintain healthcare paperwork regarding your loved one. In addition to test results and doctor prescriptions, you can also include personal notes regarding your loved one’s response to therapy or other caregiving tools. Not only will this help you improve the level of care, but doctors can utilize this information to provide better treatment as well.

The best way to keep paperwork organized will be to use a document management system, for which you can try this free resource!

Ask for Help 

Caregiving is a tough job to manage alone, especially for family caregivers. Hence, rather than burning yourself out trying to manage everything single-handedly, reach out to those around you for help.

This can include family members who can pitch in with caregiving, whether that be to give your loved one company, drive them to doctor appointments, or help out with home chores such as buying groceries, etc. Taking help from others will help to free up time in your day to dedicate towards self-care, hobbies, exercise, or to learn more about the condition.

Practice Self-Care Activities

Constantly neglecting your health needs is bound to lead to caregiver burnout. Which, according to Cleveland Clinic, can lead to changes in sleep patterns, mood disruptions, loss of appetite, reduced cognitive function, and more. The best way to keep caregiver burnout at bay is to dedicate at least an hour a day towards self-care activities such as:

● Exercise – which serves as a great way to stay physically and mentally fit.

● Meditation – that helps you gain control over your thoughts, helping to keep stress in check

● Music/Dance or other hobbies – engaging in activities that provide a sense of fulfillment has a positive impact on mood and self-esteem.

Trying to manage caregiving duties single-handedly is not something first-time caregivers should try. Given the importance caregiving plays in your loved ones’ life, it’s best to ask for help and take assistance from professionals. Additionally, remember to maintain notes and share them periodically with the doctor.

Credit: June Duncan

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How Seniors Can Handle Common Health Care Challenges

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According to statistics, senior citizens use medical services far more frequently than younger people. Unfortunately, though, senior citizens often face major challenges as they navigate the health care system. Medical errors, inaccessible providers, and high costs of care are just a few of the most common problems. Seniors who want to address these challenges can do so through self-advocacy and education. Here are some tips from Polish Care Services to get you started!

Be Your Own Biggest Advocate

Self-advocacy is an important skill for every person, and it’s even more vital for seniors who are seeking medical care. You may hesitate to question a doctor’s opinion or feel timid about asking questions, but these are important steps to take toward handling your health care. If you struggle to advocate for yourself during medical appointments, consider asking a friend or family member to come with you to your next appointment.

Other ways that you can advocate for your health include reviewing your medical bills for errors, familiarizing yourself with your health insurance benefits, and maintaining your own copies of medical records. If you decide to keep your own records, you should ensure that you have copies of medical images, too, such as x-rays. You can keep all of these images in one file by uploading them with a free online tool, combining them, and downloading the file.

Remember that self-advocacy sometimes means that you must hold yourself accountable, too. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with work and feel as though you have no time to invest in physical activity. It doesn’t take much effort to commit to small changes, though, such as walking during a lunch break or taking the stairs rather than the elevator.

Consider All of Your Options

Seniors should never settle for subpar care. You may be tempted to do this, though, if you’ve been seeing the same medical provider for a while or if switching seems like it would be too much trouble. If you’re unsatisfied with the treatment you’re receiving, you need to consider whether it’s time to seek out a different doctor. Having a positive relationship with your health care provider can correlate to better health outcomes, so it’s worth investigating.

In other cases, you may not want to switch providers, but perhaps you do want to seek out a second opinion. Doing so is an effective way to advocate for your health and ensure that you are making informed decisions. To pursue a second opinion, ask your current provider for a referral, or simply search online for other doctors in your area.

As you’re wading through the challenges of the medical system, consider whether managing your own care is the best option. In some cases, it isn’t, and a senior living facility can alleviate the stress surrounding medical care.

Something else to consider: as you’ve probably already realized, these matters can be extremely complex, and jostling a great deal of paperwork and medical records can quickly become rather confusing. To keep things a bit more manageable, try combining your files whenever possible. If you’re not super tech-savvy, this is how you can add additional pages to your PDF with ease.

Seniors Can Care for Their Health Through Self-Advocacy

Despite a lifetime of experience and knowledge, it can still be difficult for seniors to advocate for themselves. It’s essential to do so when dealing with health care, though. Seniors can make progress towards self-advocacy and protect their health by maintaining their own medical records and investing in physical activity.

Polish Care Services provides a high quality of service, compassion and professionalism for cleaning, and caregivers that will meet or exceed expectations. Call 860-255-8278.

Credit: June Duncan

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Strong Habits for Retirement Health and Happiness

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Want to know the secret to happy, healthy aging? It doesn’t involve restrictive dieting or a fastidious fitness plan. Taking control of your physical and mental health is surprisingly simple! Move your body in different ways, keep your mind active, create a living environment that reflects your lifestyle goals, and strive to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Aging well isn’t about all-or-nothing wellness routines. It’s about the small steps you take every day towards overall improvements in your quality of life. Below, we share some tips to help you take control of your whole-body health!

Want to maintain your independence? The team at Polish Care Services provides high-quality home care and cleaning services so you can live safely and comfortably at home!

Consider Starting a Business

Having a sense of purpose is essential for a happy retirement. It’s easy to feel like life is a little meaningless after leaving a long-term job, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You just have to find new ways to fill your life with meaning! Starting a business is a great way to find fulfillment in retirement. And thanks to technology, launching a business has never been easier. There are countless resources online that can help you navigate the steps ahead, like registering your business and filing a DBA name. A DBA (doing business as) name will allow you to operate a sole proprietorship under a fictitious name rather than using your personal name.

Stay Mobile for Quality of Life

As people age, they often face difficulties with mobility. This can make everyday activities like getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, and even taking a walk around the block seem impossible. For many seniors, this loss of mobility can lead to a decline in their overall quality of life. However, there are a number of mobility products that can help seniors stay active and independent. For example, grab bars and bath chairs can provide support and stability when bathing. Walkers and canes can help with balance and stability when walking. And scooters and power chairs can help with transportation. By using these products, seniors can maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Try New Hobbies

Learning new hobbies is another great way to keep yourself busy in retirement while challenging your mind. Now is your chance to try out all of those hobbies you never had time for when you had a full-time job! Plus, studies have shown that maintaining hobbies in retirement can have a number of benefits for older adults. These include everything from increased mental stimulation to improved physical health. Social activities can also help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common among retirees. So whether you’re interested in learning a new language or taking up an instrument, make sure to take advantage of your newfound free time by finding hobbies that you enjoy.

Engage in Different Types of Exercise

One form of exercise may not be enough to support your whole-body health. Seniors—and people of any age, for that matter—can benefit from four main types of exercise. Try to fit all four of these exercise types into your regular fitness routine so you can maintain your strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance:

● Strength training will strengthen your muscles, boost your metabolism, and support your bone health.

● Endurance exercises increase your heart rate to support your cardio and respiratory health.

● Flexibility exercises will protect your mobility by keeping your muscles and joints flexible and strong.

● Balance exercises can help to reduce your fall risk and help you live a more independent life.

Be Mindful of Your Diet

Diet also plays an important role in senior wellness. Try to be mindful about what you’re putting into your body and make choices that will help you avoid issues with malnutrition, a common problem among older adults. Due to age-related changes, you might need to adjust your diet to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need. Try to get most of your calories from nutrient-rich food like fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and lean protein.

Adopting healthy habits is the key to getting the most out of your golden years. When you strive for a healthy lifestyle, you’ll feel happier, think more clearly, and have more energy. You could start a business to put your skills to use, focus on making sure you stay mobile, try new hobbies, eat healthy and vary your exercise routines. All of these and more pave the way for better living and overall wellness in this new chapter.

Credit: June Duncan

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10 FALL ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS AND THEIR COMPANIONS

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You may think that once you reach a certain age, your time to pursue activities that don’t involve sitting in front of the TV and snacking on sugary treats has come to an end. But even if you or your loved one has health conditions that make it difficult to get around, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the fall season while staying active and living well. Here are ten fall activities for seniors and their companions that you can do this year!

Get outside

Even though the weather is cooling down, that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside all the time! Getting fresh air and vitamin D can work wonders for your mood and energy levels. And there are plenty of fun outdoor activities seniors can enjoy in the fall.

Apple Picking

One great fall activity for seniors is apple picking! It’s a fun way to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to bond with family or friends. If you need help getting around, there are plenty of homecare and caregiver services that can assist you. And if you’re looking for a more polished experience, there are also companies that offer Polish care services.

Watch the leaves change

One of the best things about fall is watching the leaves change color. So why not take a seat outside and enjoy the show? You can even bring a book or knitting to keep you occupied while enjoying the fresh air.

Have a picnic

One great activity seniors can enjoy in the fall is having a picnic. Picnics are a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the cooler weather. Plus, they’re a great opportunity to spend time with friends or family.

Go on a photo walk

A photo walk is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while enjoying the beautiful fall colors. And it’s a perfect activity for seniors, as its low-impact and can be done at any pace. Plus, you never know what interesting things you’ll see along the way!

Cook new recipes

Trying new recipes is a great way to get out of your cooking rut and explore different cuisines. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do with friends or family. And who doesn’t love eating delicious food?

Try something new with paint or clay

One of the great things about being a senior is that you finally have the time to try things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance. So why not get creative this fall with some painting or pottery? It’s a great way to express yourself and relieve stress. And who knows, you might discover a hidden talent!

Have your friends over

One of the best parts about getting older is that you can finally have your friends over without worrying about your parents being home. Make the most of this newfound freedom by inviting your friends over for a night in. You can chat, play games, listen to music, and enjoy each other’s company.

Play games with family and friends

Spending time with loved ones is one of the best things you can do, no matter your age. But as we get older, it can become more difficult to get out and about. That’s where companion care comes in! If you’re a senior citizen, or have an elderly family member or friend, you can engage them in some games.

Watch some old episodes of your favorite shows

There’s nothing like binge-watching your favorite show to get you out of a funk. And what better time to do it than in the fall, when the weather is cooling down, and you can curl up under a cozy blanket? Plus, watching old episodes of your favorite shows can help you reminisce about good times and make new memories with your friends.

Polish Care Services provide caregivers for live in or hourly in home care for seniors and can assist seniors with daily activities. Please contact us for more information.

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Caring for Seniors: Outdoor Summertime Favorites for Seniors

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There’s never been a better time to go out and move now that summer is upon us. Staying active is one of the best things seniors can do for their physical and emotional health.

Outdoor activities are particularly beneficial to seniors because they receive exposure to vitamin D as well as other health, physical and psychological benefits. Vitamin D helps to improve brain and bone health. Leaving the house also allows seniors to socialize with others, giving them a social and emotional boost.

Here are some favourite outdoor social activities that seniors can do this summer.

Go on a Picnic 

Picnics are one way to get out in the fresh air. Seniors can take a comfortable seat in the shade, enjoy some delicious food, and enjoy the scenery as they enjoy the summer sun. Ensure they wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and drink non-sugary or alcoholic liquids to stay hydrated.

Take a Walk

Moving is vital to seniors, but it can be more challenging to do as they age due to physical limitations. Walking on a familiar flat surface with a family member, friend, in-home caregiver, or a pet is an excellent way to move around during the summer without overdoing it. Anyone caring for seniors can assist.

Go for a Swim

Swimming is another activity that gets seniors going without overexerting themselves. This is a low-impact activity that is easy on the joints. Being in the water reduces the weight put on the legs while moving, which is why it is easier to move around. Seniors can attend classes at their local community pool depending on their ability level. But there are also rehabilitation pools seniors can go to that are specially adapted for people with physical challenges.

Watch a Sporting Event

Summer is the best time to watch sports. Get your loved one out to watch a basketball game, tennis, soccer, or baseball match, whether a professional game or a grandchild’s league; set up a comfortable place for a loved one to watch the action and bring along a few snacks for a lovely day out.

Go Fishing

Families look forward to the chance to spend time when summertime arrives. Loved ones should make the most of the summer with water parks, sports, barbecues, and more. You may involve your elderly loved ones in a variety of enjoyable activities that they will enjoy, such as fishing. Fishing is one of the fantastic ways for older people to stay active and exercise as they age. Regardless of where they fish, one will have beautiful recollections for a long time.

Outdoor Social Activities.

Although it’s not always simple to form or maintain friendships, it is one of the most progressive and practical ways seniors can significantly impact their health and well-being. Recognizing the value of social interaction in one’s life and taking steps to create and maintain enduring connections can boost a person’s quality of life.

When it comes to establishing social ties, seniors wishing to meet other seniors and other people can have a variety of possibilities. They can locate people who share your interests and widen their social circle whether they do it through social media, online, or in person. Outdoor Social meet and greet includes dancing events, gardening clubs, and cruise or travel groups.

Shopping: antique stores and flea market

There are many potential bargains at flea markets, one of the main reasons families should involve their seniors to enjoy shopping there. Finding something for just about everyone, including unique items at affordable costs, is simply because of the large selection of goods available hence depending on their preferences, they can get items of choice. Everyone loves a bargain and the process to get there is rewarding.

Outdoor movie

Outdoor movies, particularly during summertime, have made seniors feel less alone, develop friendships, increase empathy, and give their minds a mental “time out.” It’s a fantastic chance to look back on old memories, too. Nowadays, seniors are portrayed as fun-loving, intelligent, daring, and dynamic individuals actively involved in society. Several recent movies have been developed sensitively and respectfully to illustrate health issues and age-related disorders, including dementia and depression.

Fairs

Fairs have been proven to reduce seniors’ social isolation and are effective for their overall mental health. One important thing for every family is promoting their seniors’ active and healthy lifestyles. Fairs during summer help seniors by providing them with social engagement opportunities while enhancing their partnerships and independence.

Bird Watching

Optimally, summer is the best time for watching and participating in the celebration of birds, with many returning species, blossoming trees, and warmer weather. Bird watching is impactful in engaging seniors’ brains and involves paying great attention to little visual details, identifying patterns in animal behaviour, and listening intently to bird songs. Bird watching is a memory-related exercise that improves an older person’s reflexes and mental clarity and may even help with dementia.

Outdoor Plant and Garden Showcase

For seniors, gardening, particularly food gardening, has many therapeutic and health benefits. A garden can be made fascinating, accessible, and productive by changing the garden beds, tools, and equipment. One can build a secure, usable, and comfortable space with some preparation and minor adjustments for seniors with medical issues, including physical disabilities.

If your loved one could use a companion or a caregiver to help them get outdoors and enjoy summer activities, or activities of daily living reach out to Polish Care Services. Our expert care staff will be happy to assist you. Reach out to us today!

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The Benefits of Becoming a Professional Caregiver

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The number of older adults over 65 is expected to grow in the next two decades to 80 million by 2040. Many seniors will need the assistance of professional caregivers as they age. So, what are the benefits of becoming a caregiver? This post outlines the benefits of being a caregiver for the elderly, what hourly and live-in caregivers do, and why becoming a caregiver is rewarding.

Why Become a Caregiver?

Getting older isn’t easy. At a certain point, simple tasks such as getting up and downstairs, getting dressed, and even preparing meals can be hard for older people to do. A professional caregiver helps to make life easier for their senior clients by helping them with those tasks. The caregiver and client might work together over many years and form a close and rewarding professional relationship.

What is Hourly Care?

Hourly care is just what it sounds like. Caregivers for the elderly are paid hourly to take care of clients. Working on an hourly basis can provide caregivers with a certain amount of flexibility, depending on how their schedule is structured and how many clients they might see on a given day. Some caregivers may work a full 8-hour shift with one client, while others may split their time between a few different clients throughout the day. Some clients might need a caregiver’s help every day for a set number of hours, while others need assistance for a few hours on set days.

What is Live-In Care?

Live-In caregivers will spend their time living with and caring for one specific client. They live in the home with the client and will generally perform any task from activities of daily living (ADLs) to meal prep, errand-running, and homemaking services. As part of their compensation, live-in caregivers receive room and board as well as meals to provide care to their clients. Typically, live-in caregivers can receive at least one day off if desired, and they can sleep a regular number of hours during the night. The specifics of a live-in care arrangement are worked out between the caregiving agency and the family.

Benefits Associated with Being a Caregiver

Professional caregivers can largely determine the number of hours that they want to work. If they prefer the routine that comes with working for one client, they can choose to do that. Other caregivers might prefer working with multiple clients throughout the day or working overnight. Caregivers also get to decide whether they would like to work full-time, part-time, or overtime, which is not available to people who are traditionally employed.

Caregivers can be pooled from various backgrounds and professions than certified nurses assistant (CNA), home health aide (HHA), personal care attendants (PCA). Caregiver agencies hires those trained in other fields such as customer service, civil servants, teachers, nurses, doctors and provide tools for development as a caregiver.

Caregiving agencies offer various benefits for caregiver jobs. Ongoing training for caregivers is one. Continuous training programs allow caregivers to improve their caregiving techniques and learn new ways of providing care to clients. They can also offer job benefits like W2 matching for Medicare and Social Security, overtime, and bonuses for certain jobs.

To learn more about how to become a caregiver for seniors in the Farmington, CT and other Connecticut towns, reach out to Polish Care Services today!

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Aging in Place: 7 Solutions for Senior Safety

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It’s hard to watch your parents age when you’re not nearby to help out, but there’s a lot family members can do to keep seniors safe even when they can’t be there themselves. From installing technology to hiring professional help, here are seven ways you can ensure your loved one is cared for every day.

1. Motion-Activated Lighting

Finding their way through a dark house at night leaves seniors vulnerable to falls, which can hold grave consequences for the elderly. Even when it’s not dangerous, walking across the room to switch a light on or off is burdensome for people with mobility limitations. Replacing light switches with motion-activated lighting ensures a senior’s path is always illuminated. If automated lighting is out of the budget, add LED nightlights in essential areas and replace toggle switches with arthritis-friendly rocker switches.

2. Medical Alert Devices

For seniors who live independently, falling at home poses a life-threatening risk. Medical alert systems get emergency services to seniors in need as quickly as possible. While some devices require the user to activate the alert, the best ones automatically detect a fall and contact emergency services on the wearer’s behalf.

3. Video Chat

While phone calls are a great way to stay in touch, video chatting adds a level of connection that voice alone can’t. An easy-to-use smartphone or tablet with a camera lets the elderly converse face-to-face with family members and caregivers. In turn, those people have an opportunity to visually assess a senior’s wellbeing, rather than relying on self-reporting alone.

4. Automated Pill Dispensers

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average adult over 65 fills more than 20 prescriptions every year. While some of those are short-term prescriptions, many are intended for long-term use. Keeping up with a heavy medication regimen is challenging for anyone, but especially for seniors whose cognitive abilities are changing with age. The best way to ensure medications are taken as intended, and to prevent prescription drug misuse, is to use automated pill dispensers that remind seniors when each medication is due.

5. eHealth Tools

Sometimes, a senior’s long list of medications includes drugs that are contraindicated or multiple prescriptions treating the same condition. This happens when doctors aren’t fully informed about a patient’s medical history, and it can lead to a potentially fatal drug interaction. Rather than typing up a new medication list every time a dose changes, seniors can store drug details, test results, and more all in one place using a personal health record app. HealthIT.govoffers recommendations on PHR apps worth trying.

6. Home Security

Whether you’re worried about a senior citizen with Alzheimer’s disease wandering away from home or a stranger breaking in, a home security adds peace of mind when you’re not around to keep an eye on the senior in your care.

7. In-Home Help

Despite advancements in technology, sometimes there’s just no substitute for human touch. Hiring in-home services to help with housekeeping, cooking, and other daily requirements reassures family that their loved one’s needs are being met. For seniors who need basic assistance and want to remain at home, these services are an attractive option. And, depending on the amount of care required, they can be a more affordable option as well. For example, in Washington D.C., a resident could spend $3,000 on care services and $2,787 on their mortgage, and still spend less than the $5,933 it would take to live in an assisted living facility.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the vast majority of American seniors want to age in place rather than moving to a care facility. However, preserving independence means acknowledging and accommodating the changes that come with age. While there’s no catch-all solution that will work for everyone, these seven ideas are a big step toward keeping seniors safe at home.

Author June Duncan for Polish Care Services

#in-home help technology #home security #alzheimers #ehealthmedical alert devices #Senior Services #senior safety #senior health #solutions for senior safety #aging in place

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