Category: Senior Living

Embracing Your Empty Nest: Rediscovering Joy and Purpose

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Transitioning to an empty nest can be a transformative period in your life. With newfound time and space, it’s the perfect moment to rediscover your passions, hobbies, and goals. Embracing this change allows you to explore new interests and enhance your well-being. Courtesy of Polish Care Services, here are some creative and practical ways to make the most of this exciting phase, ensuring a fulfilling and vibrant next chapter.

Unleash Your Creativity

Learning a creative skill can invigorate your mind and provide a fulfilling way to spend your time. Whether it’s painting, writing, or playing an instrument, creative activities bring immense joy and satisfaction. They offer a chance to express yourself in new ways and discover hidden talents. Joining a local art class or online community can also help you meet new people.

Simplify Your Space

As your children move out, decluttering your home becomes a liberating task. Organizing your documents digitally can significantly reduce clutter. Scan important papers and save them on your computer or cloud storage. Use a PDF splitter tool to manage large files, allowing you to split PDF docs, rename, and share them easily. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need to create a more open and organized space.

Explore New Destinations

Take advantage of your newfound freedom by traveling with friends or your partner. Exploring new places together can strengthen relationships and create unforgettable memories. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, traveling brings excitement and renewal. Plan trips to desired destinations or explore hidden gems closer to home. Traveling off-season can also offer more affordable and less crowded experiences.

Culinary Adventures

Trying new recipes can add variety to your daily routine. Experimenting with different cuisines and cooking techniques is both fun and rewarding. Cooking new dishes enhances your culinary skills and introduces fresh flavors and healthy options to your diet. Hosting dinner parties or cooking classes for friends can turn this hobby into a social activity. Discovering new ingredients and methods makes every meal an adventure.

Forge New Friendships

Establishing new connections can enrich your social life and provide support during this transition. Join clubs, attend community events, or take classes to meet people with similar interests. Building a new social network helps you feel more engaged and connected in your community. Volunteering for local organizations is another great way to meet people and give back. Developing friendships offers mutual support and understanding.

Secure Your Future

Focusing on financial planning is crucial at this stage. Review your retirement plans, investments, and expenses to ensure you are on track for a comfortable future. Consulting with a financial advisor provides clarity and helps you make informed decisions about your financial goals and security. Consider new investment opportunities to maximize savings. Creating a budget that reflects your lifestyle can effectively manage your finances.

Pursue New Ambitions

Setting new personal goals gives you direction and purpose. Whether it’s learning a new language, writing a book, or achieving a fitness milestone, having goals keeps you motivated and focused. It’s a chance to pursue dreams you may have set aside while raising your children. Regularly revisiting and adjusting your goals keeps you inspired. Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, boosts your confidence and satisfaction.

Cultivate a Green Thumb

Starting a garden can be a therapeutic and rewarding hobby. Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, gardening allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Growing your own vegetables, herbs, or flowers provides a sense of accomplishment and adds beauty to your living space. Gardening offers physical exercise and mental relaxation, and joining a gardening club or workshop enhances your enjoyment.

Embracing this new chapter of life provides a wealth of opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. By actively engaging in new pursuits, strengthening connections, and focusing on your well-being, you can create a vibrant and satisfying lifestyle. This period of rediscovery is a time to cherish and make the most of every moment, finding purpose in your evolving journey.

Experience top-quality caregiver and cleaning services with Polish Care Services. Visit our site to discover how we can meet your needs with compassion and professionalism, ensuring peace of mind and satisfaction for your loved ones.

Credit: June Duncan

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Beyond Retirement: A Guide to Purposeful & Healthy Senior Living

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Starting over in a new city presents a blend of challenges and opportunities for a purposeful and healthy senior living, especially for senior citizens. It’s a phase that demands resilience but also paves the way for growth and new beginnings. With thoughtful preparation and a positive mindset, navigating this significant change can lead to a rewarding experience. This Polish Care Services guide offers strategic advice to ensure a smooth transition, empowering you to establish a vibrant and fulfilling life in your new locale.

Knowing the Area

Before you embark on your journey, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of your future home. Evaluate the cost of living, healthcare facilities, recreational activities, and the proximity to family and friends. This groundwork will not only assist in making an informed decision  on senior living but also in setting realistic expectations. By prioritizing what’s most crucial, you can find a place that aligns with your lifestyle and needs, ensuring a smoother adjustment to your new surroundings.

Finding Employment 

For those looking to remain active in the workforce, securing employment beforehand offers financial stability and a sense of purpose. It connects you to the community and provides a routine, making the transition to a new environment less overwhelming.

Investigate job opportunities that cater to your skills and interests, and leverage professional networks to facilitate your job search. This proactive approach can significantly ease your integration into the city’s social and economic fabric.

Changing Your Lifestyle

Embarking on a fresh chapter of life frequently prompts a reevaluation of personal habits, especially regarding alcohol consumption. For individuals who have turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, connecting with local rehabilitation centers is a crucial step toward a more healthful life.

Knowing how to seek recovery help is critical as you navigate through this new journey. Just be sure to research different facilities’ treatments, costs, and reviews before proceeding; some places offer free services if you have health insurance.

Getting More Social

Building a new social network is pivotal for feeling connected and supported in your senior living journey and lifestyle. Engage in clubs, groups, or organizations that reflect your interests, be it a book club, a gardening group, or a volunteer project. These platforms offer opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. This social engagement is vital for emotional well-being, helping you to feel part of the community and reducing feelings of isolation.

Exploring the City

Immersing yourself in the city’s culture and environment is a delightful way to feel more at home. Take the time to explore different neighborhoods, visit landmarks, and enjoy local cuisine. This exploration not only acquaints you with the area but also allows you to discover new favorites and routines. It’s a fun and engaging way to connect with your new city, turning unfamiliar places into familiar haunts.

Connecting with Loved Ones

Maintaining relationships with family and friends is essential during this transition. Regular communication through calls, messages, and visits keeps you grounded and provides emotional support. These connections remind you of the continuity in your life, bridging the gap between your past and present. They play a critical role in your adaptation process, offering encouragement and a listening ear when you need it most.

Seeking New Experiences

Be open to new experiences and adventures that the city has to offer. Whether it’s participating in cultural events, starting a new hobby, or enrolling in classes, these activities enrich your life and expand your horizons. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected joys and learning, making your relocation not just a change of address but a journey of personal growth.

Staying Healthy and Well

Finally, remember the importance of self-care. Prioritize activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. Whether it’s through exercise, meditation, or enjoying nature, taking time for yourself is crucial. It ensures you remain energized and balanced, able to embrace and enjoy your new environment fully.

Conclusion

Relocating to a new city in your senior years is a significant milestone that offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. By approaching this transition with preparation, openness, and a focus on well-being, you can build a fulfilling life full of new experiences and connections.

This journey is not just about moving to a new place but about rediscovering yourself and what makes you thrive. Embrace the adventure with an open heart, and let your new city be the canvas for your next great chapter.

Credit: June Duncan

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Caring for Seniors: Music and Health Benefits for Seniors

Caregiver Employment, Caregiver Service, Preparing for the Holiday, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Uncategorized,

Caring for Seniors: Music and Health Benefits for Seniors

Music is beneficial for everyone. There’s always a song that makes each person that hears it feel something. But for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is especially beneficial. It allows them to access parts of their mind that might be unreachable otherwise. Here’s how music helps seniors when they need it the most.

What Music Therapy Does

Music therapy is part of what some experts refer to as entertainment. When people start to listen to music, it allows them to focus on it and feel more relaxed. This facilitates better physical and emotional processing so that everything from medications to feeling emotions is more effective. It’s used in care settings to help bring about change for therapeutic reasons, spiritual ones, or emotional ones.

This is why music therapy is used in a wide variety of care settings including long term care communities, rehab centers, hospice, and in home senior care. It helps people manage conditions like chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease. In Finland, doctors studying its effects found that survivors of a stroke who listened to music every day improved their auditory memory, mood, verbal memory, and focus.

How Music Therapy Helps Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Melody has a profound effect on people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and it is like a medicine for seniors with these conditions. Some studies have shown increased eye contact, communication, and happiness. It’s also shown that elderly people are less fatigued and that music helps regulate sleep, due to higher melatonin levels, if music is listened to regularly. Seniors are more likely to walk further when exercising and keep a better pace as well.

For those in the later stages of the disease, music therapy has shown to decrease stress and agitation while increasing relaxation and responses.

Caregiver Benefits from This Therapy

Caregivers also benefit from music therapy. Listening to songs with seniors who have Alzheimer’s or dementia helps lighten the mood. Plus it creates a connection with the client or loved one and helps the two communicate without needing to use words. Caregivers can use music to make the daily routine they go through with clients or loved ones easier by creating a connection. Most importantly, music helps improve the bond between caregiver and elder that can fray due to stress.

If you or someone you know need help caring for an elder with Alzheimer’s or dementia, contact Polish Care Services. Our team of care experts will be happy to help match you with a caregiver who meets your needs.

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Caring for Seniors: Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 During Cold

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COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, until there is an effective and safe vaccine. As the pandemic considers, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep seniors safe during long term care as we head into the colder months. Here is what to keep in mind when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Covering Your Bases: Basic COVID-19 Spread Prevention

It is best to reinforce what is already known, wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times when outside the house and encourage everyone you live with to do the same. Keep one in your car or bag if you accidentally leave it behind. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Keep six feet of distance between yourself and others when outside the home. Avoid large gatherings with friends, and groups and observe social distancing and mask-wearing precautions if you do. Do not touch your face and monitor your health daily by going through the common symptoms. Stay home if you feel ill.

What to Do in the Fall

Flu shots are available starting in September. Experts recommend getting one starting in October so that it lasts for the entire season. Arrange for your elderly loved one to get one as well. Some medical providers or services may come to the house to give one for a fee if your loved one or client doesn’t already have home health care nurses seeing them.

How to Care For Clients or Loved Ones at Home During the Colder Months

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 during fall, winter, and spring relies upon following many of the same basic precautions for in home senior care. Both the care provider and the elderly person should be wearing masks while the care provider is in close proximity. Minimize indoor conversation and stay six feet away from any other family members or pets in the house. Minimize conversations indoors and clean surfaces touched as you go. If possible, increase ventilation indoors without making the room too cold. Encourage others in the home to clean surfaces after you leave as well.

If you have supplies such as gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer, keep the supplies in a sealed container in the home to use only when you’re there.

Finding a trusted care provider to help your loved one is a challenge. Polish Care Services will answer the call. Reach out to us to learn how our caregivers help the elderly receive quality in-home care.

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Caring for Seniors: Caring for Seniors During Changing Seasons

aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Home Care, In Home Care, Preparing for the Holiday, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,

As we head into another time of the year, start thinking about long term care for seniors at home during each season. Every time of the year has unique challenges for the elderly population. Keep reading to learn how to care for seniors during season change such as autumn, winter, spring, and summer.

Care During Autumn

Autumn is the season to prepare in-home care clients for the winter ahead. The flu season officially begins in October. So start asking your client’s family or nurse to arrange for a flu vaccine in September or early October. Go through the client’s over-the-counter medicines and get rid of any cold-related medication or supplies that have expired. Replace the expired supplies and stock up on other things like tissues, cough drops, and nose spray if applicable.

Fill the pantry with cans of healthy soups and find recipes for warm dishes that can be put in the crockpot for easy meals. Fix any drafty spots in the house.

Don’t forget to go through existing cold weather clothes and replace anything that’s no longer wearable. Make sure the client has enough socks, sweaters, warm pajamas, and blankets to keep them cozy.

Care During Winter

Winter is the coldest time of year and can present the most risk to seniors at home with increased fall risks and household risks. One of the most important steps to take is to prepare the home for winter. Caregivers should notify the client or their family of any potential hazards around the home such as a lack of fire extinguishers around the fireplace, stairs that present a fall hazard when wet, or carbon monoxide detectors in need of batteries.

Make up an emergency kit with a flashlight, warm blankets, a radio, backup batteries, water, and nonperishable food to last for several days in case in-home visits cannot be made. Install non-slip mats under rugs and in any room where the client may slip and fall. Keep shoes on mats inside the house to keep puddles from forming on the floor if they’re wet. Finally, keep areas well-lighted as it gets dark to prevent clients from falling over objects.

Care During Spring

Spring is a season of fresh starts and is a time for caregivers providing in-home senior care to reassess things in the home. Examples of this include making sure that the medication list for the client is current and has all prescribed medications as well as vitamins or supplements. Any expired or discontinued medications should put in a separate location until a family member or client’s home care nurse can look at them or disposed of if possible.

Evaluate the rooms used by the client for any repairs or improvements to be made. Consider installing grab bars and non-slip mats in the bathroom, putting appliances and dishes within easy reach in the kitchen, and installing a nightlight in the bedroom. Move clothes and grooming items within reach for the client to use and make sure they can reach the phone or medic-alert devices from the bed.

Lastly, secure cords out of the way and get rid of clutter in the home that presents an ambulation hazard.

Care During Summer

When the weather begins to heat up, seniors face new challenges. Heat can put added stress and pressure on the elderly. It’s best to keep them cool and indoors. Avoid any strenuous activities. If the client wants to do a physical activity like take a walk, it’s best to do it early in the morning while it’s still cool. Keep them hydrated throughout the day with water and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in it. Encourage wearing light layers and keep the home cool by running a fan or using solar curtains.

Prepare meals that are light and healthy like salads and avoid heavy meals. Stock up on popsicles or other frozen items that help keep clients hydrated and cool. Offer a cool shower or bath to help beat the heat and use a cool washcloth on the back of the neck when sitting to help alleviate feeling hot.

If the client wants to go out, go to places with air conditioning like a library, coffee shop, or mall.

Every season has its care benefits and care challenges. The most important thing to remember is to prepare in advance. The more prepared a caregiver is for each season, the less stressful it will be for the senior. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and prepared caregiver, contact Polish Care Services. Our staff will be happy to match our caregivers to your loved ones.

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Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances

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Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances

Care is an expensive part of getting older. Everyone will need some type of long term care in their senior years. This knowledge does not make planning for these financial eventualities any easier. Long-term care insurance is one option that helps with the cost of care as people age. This article provides an overview of what this insurance option is and what it covers.

What is Long-Term Care Insurance?

Long-term care insurance covers services that help seniors as they get older. It helps with the cost of having assistance for activities of daily living or ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and transferring. Traditional health insurance doesn’t cover such costs. This insurance can cover:

– In-Home Care

– Home Health Aides

– Care at an Assisted Living Facility

– Care in a Nursing Home

Long-term care insurance is an option that some seniors choose because they may not want to use a loan, property sale, or to depend on family to help out if care is needed.

The Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance can help pay for in-home senior care and seniors can stay at home longer. The insurance will typically begin covering services when assistance is needed with two or more ADLs. Because it covers in-home care, a senior can have caregivers come into their home and help them with ADLs along with things like cooking and cleaning.

The costs of moving to assisted living or to a nursing home has a monthly rate starting at $6,000 on average excluding the cost of medical care. If you are a senior in need of care, the cost is typically less expensive to stay at home with care.

What to Keep in Mind About Long-Term Care Insurance

The best time to buy long-term care insurance is between the ages of 50 and 65. Waiting longer may mean an increase in cost, especially for those with an existing condition. Insurance premiums are not cheap but for those who can’t afford care out-of-pocket and are not considered low-income, long-term care insurance is something to think carefully about.

If you’re in need of in-home senior care, reach out to the staff of Polish Care Services 860-255-8278 or [email protected]. We can help walk you and your family through the options for in-home senior care.

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