Rhode Island

Most people think that only children and young travelers benefit from educational vacations. The truth is, the human mind never ceases to crave new information. This is why an educational vacation may be the perfect trip to plan for a senior traveler. Whether you are planning for a group or just yourself, including an educational aspect in the trip planning can be very rewarding. Here
are a few tips that will assist with vacation planning:

1. Use a travel agent that you trust. These agents will often have information that you would not get if you booked the vacation online. The travel agent will also be able to get the best deal and available senior discount.

2. Set some limits. Traveling somewhere new is exciting, but it is difficult to take it all in within the amount of time you are allowed. Try to narrow the scope of interest to include points of interest, historical sites or museums.

3. When on the vacation, make use of hired guides. These guides have great knowledge of the area in which you are visiting. They will be able to inform you of local history as well as other valuable information.

4. Take physical limits into consideration. If you are a senior, you know what your body can handle. If you are a caregiver who is planning the trip for another, make sure you are aware of what that person can handle physically.

Source: www.ehow.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Hypertension is a disease that can often be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly. It can also lead to other complications, which can include congestive heart failure and heart attack. While medications are successful, elderly patients must exercise caution when taking a prescription to battle the disease. In many cases, the medication could cause hypertension, which is very high blood pressure. This can also be fatal. While your medical professional will decide the best course of action, there are some simple things that you can do that will help lower blood pressure and even reduce the risk of onset.

• Diets that contain high amounts of salt. Studies have indicated that the reduction of daily salt intake will lower the blood pressure. Low sodium diets are highly recommended for most elderly patients.

• High levels of alcohol intake. If you, or an elderly family member, consume high amounts of alcohol on a daily basis, the risk of the development of hypertension is increased.

• Past family history of high blood pressure will increase risk. It is important to be aware of any family member who has been diagnosed with hypertension. The disease does run in families and can be transferred genetically, even if the patient does not live a lifestyle that includes any other risks.

• Obesity. It has been proven that hypertension affects obese individuals more often than those who maintain a normal weight.

• Individuals with an African American heritage will be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Source: thedoctorwillseeyounow.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Living with someone else is never easy, and adding a senior to your household who has had a lifetime of independence is not an easy process – on you or on them. For some, living together is just too close for comfort; they just get along better when seeing each other only occasionally; others, manage to get on quite well even when in close quarters. Before jumping into any decisions, seniors and their families should all consider if they’re prepared to make sacrifices and changes to their lifestyles. Specific questions that seniors should ask include the following:

• What will my role be in paying for household expenses? Does it sound affordable and reasonable based on the living arrangements determined?

• What specific responsibilities will I have? Will I be expected to contribute to household chores or care for any of the grandchildren in the home? If so, how often and when?

• Will I be provided with my own space to maintain my independence? Will I have a room, or a bathroom that’s off limits to the rest of the family?

• What will become of my assets? How will we handle the sale of my home and finances I have in my bank accounts?

• Can I bring my pets to the home?

• Will changes be made to areas of the home to provide for my comfort and safety?

• Will I be a part of family decisions, such as vacations, travel, and hosting of events in the home? Or will the other family members make these decisions?

• Am I able to invite my friends to the home and entertain? What if I want to use the space without the grandchildren?

• What arrangements will be made if I need care assistance? Will someone in the home be able to help, or will we hire senior home care?

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Seniors are not in the highest risk group for contracting H1N1, but those 65 and older are at a greater risk for complications if they contract the virus, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions. Those at greater risk for problems that result from H1N1 can include seniors aged 65 and older who have blood disorders, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, as well as neurological and neuromuscular disorders that can cause weakened immune systems.

Complications that can develop for seniors who end up with Swine Flu can include the following, and seniors who exhibit these signs should seek immediate medical assistance:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

To prevent H1N1 all seniors can try the following safeguards:

• Wash hands often or use alcohol based hand sanitizers that don’t require water

• Get plenty of rest to increase the immune system; ensure you get enough sleep on a nightly basis

• If recovering from surgery or another illness, focus on recovery. Hire a professional care agency or talk to a family member to step in to help out around the home so you can decrease your stress and get plenty of rest

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Younger generations sometimes mock seniors for being frugal – but they don’t understand what it’s like living on a limited income, with no full-time employment and paycheck to help make ends meet through retirement. For seniors, stretching every dollar just a little bit further is crucial for survival; especially during an economic downturn, and especially now with the holidays, and more expenses, appearing just around the corner:

1. Talk to a professional – talking to a financial planner, either by using a service or speaking with one provided by a local branch of your bank can help you make sure you plan to meet your financial goals and needs. For example, they can help you get on track saving for future medical or care needs.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – if you’re struggling to cover your basic needs then your local Area Agency on Aging can connect you with resources that can help

3. Find ways to reduce utility costs – keep blinds down and windows and doors closed to preserve optimal temperatures for your house

4. Walk, don’t drive – taking a car or public transportation can be more costly, so walk when possible and benefit your health and your wallet

5. Never make fast financial decisions – always ask for a second opinion before making decisions

6. Grow your own produce – plant a garden in your yard, a family member’s garden, or in a community plot to grow your own produce and cut down on food costs

7. Buy healthy items – convenient, pre-prepared items might be fast and easy, but they are less healthy and often  more expensive

8. Buy generic – generic brands are less expensive, purchase them for foods and for your medications

9. Carpool – it’s more fun to travel places with company anyways; share transportation costs by carpooling!

10. Plan to stay at home – aging in place is the more desirable option for most seniors, and it can be more cost-effective too

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

The American Podiatric Medical Association recently published the 25 best walking cities in the United States, and since walking is one of the top activities that seniors can do in order to maintain their health, you should check to see if your city tops the list!

1. San Francisco – tops the list and was also voted best for families, with many walker-friendly attractions to visit along with 2 other cities. San Francisco is also one of the best cities for those who want to commute without a vehicle of their own, because there are many public transit options. There’s a great reason, that San Francisco tops the list, since it also receives notoriety as one of the best nature spots with its trails and parks for walking!

2. Boston – also has low crime and pedestrian fatality rates, making it one of the 3 safest cities, and was voted one of the best for commuters

3. New York – this city has some of the best public transit options in the country, making it one of the best for those who do not have a vehicle of their own.

4. Philadelphia

5. Chicago

6. Washington

7. Seattle – also voted best for families, with many walker-friendly attractions to visit along with 2 other cities

8. Honolulu

9. Portland

10. Pittsburgh

11. Oakland

12. Minneapolis – also has low crime and pedestrian fatality rates, making it one of the 3 safest cities; it also made the list as one of the most family friendly cities with attractions that are perfect for walking

13. San Diego

14. Los Angeles – along with Santa Ana, this California city received recognition for its wealth of nature trails and parks

15. Milwaukee

16. Baltimore

17. Rochester – also has low crime and pedestrian fatality rates, making it one of the 3 safest cities

18. Santa Ana – with many parks and trails for walking, Santa Ana is a great city for walkers!

19. San Jose

20. Denver

21. Columbus

22. New Orleans

23. Austin

24. Sacramento

25. Tuscan

If your city makes the list, tell us why you think it deserves its place as one of America’s best walking cities; and if yours doesn’t, should it have been included?

Via: Prevention.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

When you hire a professional senior caregiver to take on responsibility for an elderly loved one, you trust that they’ll do more than just the basics that are required of them. Everything that home care franchises and their caregivers do should be focused around protecting those that they care for. When you’re looking to hire someone, make sure that they are willing to address the following areas:

1. Be aware of changes – seniors who are experiencing health changes, financial difficulty or other problems might begin to act differently. Often seniors who are experiencing problems might not be open about them due to embarrassment, but caregivers can speak with other family members if they notice anything unusual while spending time with their senior clients

2. Help address financial need – while it’s not a caregiver’s responsibility to pry into a senior’s finances, they can identify problems. If stacks of mail are piling up or collections calls are being received in the senior’s home, it’s possible bills aren’t getting paid. Again, a caregiver can approach this issue gently with the senior’s family, and suggest that a Power of Attorney be used if the issue appears to be that bad

3. Dispose of sensitive information – assist seniors by suggesting that they shred bills or other information that could compromise their safety

4. Know who is making healthcare decisions – caregivers should ensure that they have the contact information on hand for the family member or other individual for making these important decisions in case of a medical emergency

5. Suggest an advanced directive or living will – to help seniors secure their future wishes, suggest an advanced directive or living will so that their medical needs are fulfilled according to what they want

6. Determine how expenses will be paid – if the caregiver will be responsible for household purchases on behalf of the senior, it should be determined how this will be managed. Signed checks can be provided, seniors can open an expense account that the caregiver has access to, or if all expenses will be paid in cash provided

7. Be wary of strangers – caregivers should be wary of new friends that come into senior’s lives, especially if they are from a different generation. Seniors can become victims of scams because they are anxious to curb their loneliness with new social opportunities. With this in mind, caregivers should also work with seniors to investigate any charitable organizations or other causes seniors are thinking or donating to before a transaction is made

8. Provide a safe environment – in all circumstances, senior caregivers from a franchise should be responsible for identifying potential hazards in the household and ensuring that they are addressed to put their senior care recipient’s safety first.

Via: Keeping Seniors Safe

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

It’s hard to remember what we did before computers – they’ve come a long way in helping us to organize our lives and stay organized. They might help us save time, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to use technology to increase our efficiency even further, and for caregivers like us, those are key words!  To take back more time in your day, there are some simple things that you can do to make technology do even more for you than it already does!

1. Manage your email – sorting through your email to determine what’s total junk, what needs your attention immediately and what can wait until later can be a laborious and long task. Take advantage of software programs like Outlook or even Gmail that allow you to filter your email by sender, by subject and priority so every time you open your email, it’s well-organized  and your priorities are in place! Spam filters on these programs can also help you save time by eliminating the amount of junk email you receive; if these aren’t doing a good enough job try a program like Cloudmark’s Spam Blocker.

2. Use software that make repetitive tasks efficient – how often do you find yourself providing directions to your care recipient’s home when you require respite care? Every time you send them, you waste precious moments typing them out. Instead, you can try a program like Activewords that allows you to create a shortcut to frequently used data so it’s automatically inserted into a file or email!

3. Sign up for RSS feeds – if there are blogs or news pages that you frequent for your career or role as a caregiver, sign up for an RSS feed that will send relevant stories to your email (which can then be sorted and filtered) or use a blog reader like GoogleReader so you don’t have to sort through irrelevant data every time you try to catch up on your resources

Sources: Gaia

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Every second counts when you’re a family caregiver, especially when you’re one of many who also has a career and a family and household to care for. No task needs to take any longer than it should, and one thing that you can cut down on to find more time is your reading. Getting through necessary documents that will improve your skills and knowledge as a caregiver might not be something you can cut out of your day, but you can cut out the time it takes!

1. Learn active reading – often when reading our minds drift away and we’re not totally engaged in what’s in front of us on the pages. Try to more actively engage your mind by taking notes, doodling keywords or underlining key words in passages. This will also help to engage your memory

2. Try a reading software – software programs like EyeQ teach you how to physically read faster by helping you learn how to move your eyes back and forth more quickly when reading

3. Try a technique called Photoreading – if you’re reading for the sake of gathering specific information alone from a document, you can increase your reading speed with this technique which teaches you to focus on what you want to get out of the book or document

Sources:

1. Gaia

2. Nina Potter

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.