Caring for Seniors: Social Activities for Seniors
May 25th, 2021aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Long Term Care, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Social activities for seniors have many benefits including improving wellbeing. But engaging them is not always easy. Seniors may become depressed as they age due to loneliness and isolation. This post examines some benefits of social activities and the kinds of activities seniors can get involved in, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Benefits of Social Activities for Seniors
When seniors participate in social activities they can live longer. Participation in activities can lead to the formation of friendships and result in happiness. Happier seniors are not stressed, and they may live healthier lifestyles with friends around to encourage them. Their health also tends to be better, in general, because being physically and mentally engaged helps to boost mood and reduces the likelihood of becoming depressed.
Activity Ideas
Fitness
Joining a walking group helps older adults stay physically fit and helps them make friends at the same time. Groups can be found online through Meetup or Facebook and through local resources like a senior center. A senior fitness center is another idea. These gyms cater to the older demographic. They provide motivation to help stay physically active while offering the opportunity to socialize.
Programs at the Senior Center
Senior centers have many activities for older adults to try whether that is cooking, playing games, a book club, or gardening. These activities all lend themselves to socialization for seniors.
Active Games
Getting outside and playing a game of tennis, golf, volleyball, or pickleball gets endorphins going. It’s also the perfect way to invite a friend to join or to find someone new to play a game with.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Activities
Memory Boxes
Creating a memory box is an idea that helps seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia connect with their past life and engage their minds. Simply grab a box of any type and fill it with objects from hobbies or previous jobs. It can be done in a group setting.
Cut Pictures From Magazines
This is an activity that lends itself to doing it with a friend or a group. Cut pictures from magazines and calendars that reflect an interest for the person. Use them to create a scrapbook.
Play Cards
Large format playing cards are easy to read. Play go fish or blackjack alone or with a caregiver.
In-home caregivers can help promote socialization for seniors through activities as well as conversation. To learn more about the care services Polish Care Services provides reach out to us today!
Caring for Seniors: Preventing Slips and Falls in Seniors
April 21st, 2021aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Managing slips and falls at home are some of the biggest concerns for seniors and their families during long term care at home. Fortunately, these incidents are preventable. This post talks about the steps that should be taken to keep seniors from falling at home with tips for family members and caregivers.
See a Doctor
The first step to preventing falls at home is to schedule an appointment with a senior’s doctor. Make sure to cover concerns such as:
– Some medications put seniors at an increased risk for falls. Making some changes may help lessen the risk. Bring a list of medications with you and ask the doctor to review it.
* Discuss any history of falls to help the doctor determine what fall prevention measures can be taken.
* Talk about how you feel when you walk. Do you feel dizzy when you walk, short of breath, have numbness, or joint pain? These can increase the risk for falls.
How to Prevent Slips and Falls at Home
Prevent slips and falls at home by following common-sense rules like wearing the correct footwear. Shoes that have nonskid soles, are sturdy, and fit properly indoors and outside will go a long way towards fall prevention. Wearing good shoes also means moving more because physical activities help prevent falls. Consult your loved one’s doctor and ask if things like tai chi, walking, or working out in water would be beneficial.
Implement Simple Safety Measures
Seniors often slip or fall while engaged in daily activities. Caregivers should conduct a safety assessment to look for potential fall hazards. Recommendations based on that safety assessment might include things like:
– Store things you reach for every day within easy reach.
* Clear walkways of cords, boxes, and newspapers.
* Secure loose carpets with double-sided tape or a slip-resistant backing.
* Use non-slip mats in the bath or shower and use a shower chair while in the shower to allow you to sit.
Watch for Behavioral Signs
Caregivers for seniors may also notice that behavioral changes in seniors that increase fall risk. Difficulty getting up from a chair, holding on to someone else while walking or holding on to walls are all signs that a senior could benefit from physical therapy.
If you’re looking for a caregiver to help a senior avoid falls and manage safety at home, contact Polish Care Services. Our staff of care experts will be happy to assist you. Reach out to us today!
Caring for Seniors: Preventing Loneliness for Seniors
March 2nd, 2021aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Polish Care Services Trademark, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Social isolation or loneliness is a significant problem for seniors. It’s estimated that by the year 2030, 20% of the population is going to be made up of people who are aged 65 and older. 28% of that population will live alone. Isolation is not cheap either. Over $6.7 billion is spent each year on costs that can be attributed to social isolation. This article offers more information on how social isolation impacts seniors and ways it can be prevented or reduced.
Health Risks Associated with Loneliness
Loneliness isn’t simply a statistic. It comes with consequences for a senior’s health. Social isolation increases the risk of premature death more so than other causes like smoking or obesity. It also increases the risk of dementia, heart disease, and stroke. Clients who have heart failure are four times more likely to die if they are lonely, have an increased rate of hospitalization, and visit the emergency room more often.
Furthermore studies on loneliness suggest that older people who are immigrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender may feel lonely more often than other populations due to factors like community differences, language barriers, discrimination, barriers to care, stigma, and family dynamics.
How to Prevent Isolation and Isolation
Keeping seniors active is one way to reduce isolation. Getting exercise three to four days a week is shown to reduce rates of loneliness by 6% to 9%. Having regular social contact with people through in-person visits, if safe, through texts, or video chat is another way to keep loneliness at bay.
Being able to access transportation is another way to increase engagement. This includes public transportation, rides from family members, and caregivers as well as ride-share. Having someone to do activities with like play games, read, socialize, and get active can also stave off loneliness.
At Polish Care Services we offer long-term care services and senior care that includes companion care. Our companion caregivers offer stimulation, socialization, transportation, and other aspects of care that are intended to keep loneliness at bay and keep seniors engaged. Reach out to our caring care team today!
How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
November 13th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Caring for Seniors: How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
Seniors are prone to isolation. But the ongoing pandemic has increased the possibility of seniors becoming isolated even more. One way to reduce isolation is to connect seniors with a companion. Here is an overview of how seniors can benefit from companionship and increased engagement from companion caregivers.
What Companion Caregivers Do
The main thing that companion caregivers do for seniors is to socialize with them. They provide in home senior care on set days of the week, giving their clients something to look forward to during the week. Companion caregivers can assist seniors with household tasks like paying bills, caring for pets, and preparing meals, assist with transportation, and provide medication reminders. But it is the social aspect of their job that cannot be understated.
Companion caregivers provide a connection to the outside world, and for seniors who have difficulty leaving their house due to physical limitations or conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, this is important.
Making Connections and Engaging
Companion caregivers help connect with seniors by engaging them in activities like taking walks together, reading together, playing games, and simply having conversations about life and family. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that taking the time to do these things matters. Care workers at nursing homes in the United Kingdom were given care champion training to help them engage residents with dementia in conversation for at least one hour a week. The care workers were given prompts and cues to help elicit conversation.
Over time, researchers found that the seniors who participated in the study had a better quality of life and were less agitated compared to using medication to reduce it. Other studies have found that creating individualized care plans and teaching seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia how to do certain tasks saw their activities of daily living go up.
Benefits of Staying Active
Engaging with seniors by using conversations and activities has shown that seniors live longer and improve memory and executive function. Companion caregivers can also provide long term care and emotional support that connecting with family and friends would normally bring and make them feel joy.
If you’re searching for a companion caregiver for your elderly loved one, reach out to Polish Care Services. We’ll match a companion caregiver to a senior that meets their needs. Reach out to us today.
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.
CARING FOR SENIORS
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!
LONG TERM ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS
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 In elderly home
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