Rhode Island

Smart Senior Savings Tips for Holiday Shopping

The holidays can really test a budget, especially for seniors living on a limited income in retirement. Seniors want to give the best to the family, but don’t need to go overboard when making purchases this holiday season. Families can use a few smart gift-giving strategies that will help members of all ages make a budget that they can stick to:

1. Setup a gift exchange – gift grabs and secret Santa gift giving can be used in families so each member of the family doesn’t need to buy for everyone. This can be done amongst the whole family, or just for the adult family members. With these gift giving structures, are family members get a gift (typically of equal value) and no one has to feel like they can’t afford to give

2. Set a limit – sometimes gift giving can become a competition amongst family members. Setting a limit, even if giving to multiple family members, can help to keep things under control

3. Buy family gifts – instead of choosing individual gifts, get something for the family. If they have a vacation planned, contribute something you know would be appreciated; or generally buy something that whole family would enjoy!

About.com http://grandparents.about.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 it comes to grand kids, Halloween is all about fun. To make this event enjoyable, kids and grandparents can benefit from doing crafts at home. This is a great way to spend time together and celebrate Halloween. The list below offers suggestions on Halloween crafts.

1. Making decorations is inexpensive and fun. Kids love to color and paint, so grandparents can get in on this by creating cut out paper and allowing kids to decorate them. Then display them in and around the home.

2. Making a costume does not have to be difficult. Instead of sewing, try using fabric glue. Make use of old items, such as pantyhose and old t-shirts. With a little creativity, you and the child can create something great.

3. Carving pumpkins is always a Halloween favorite for kids. Make sure to save the seeds and bake them for a healthy treat that can be enjoyed while decorating. If there are multiple children, try a pumpkin contest to see who can make the best one. For younger children, simply allow them to paint faces on their pumpkin instead of carving.

Source: SDM3

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.

Blogging Facts for Seniors

Blogging is not just for the young. Many seniors are now using the internet to post blogs in various senior forums. Doing so allows seniors to share with other seniors. These blogs can be of any nature. Some seniors will blog about health issues, retirement tips or hobbies. It is also common for seniors to blog, and brag, about grandchildren. Seniors are urged to take advantage of this form of communication and reap the benefits of blogging.

1.    Blogging can be a great thing for seniors. It allows them to express their thoughts and feelings and it is a great way to reach out to other seniors. Many seniors even develop friends through blogs by getting responses to a topic they have posted and discussed.

2.    Some of the most common blogs by seniors include information on health issues and conditions. These can be a wealth of information, especially for seniors who are dealing with the same health problems.

3.    Some of the blogs are geared towards seniors who have recently retired. Here, seniors can meet others who are at the same point in their lives and discuss different things that happen when one retires.

4.    More seniors are becoming involved with blogs on the internet. The Ageless Project is a web page that contains a collection of blogs by seniors. This is a great way to express views and share some experiences that could make a difference in the lives of other seniors.

Source: http://jenett.org/ageless/

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.

Father’s Day Celebrations for Seniors

Seniors should have the opportunity to be honored on Father’s Day like anyone else, whether they are dead or alive. When you were a kid, I’m sure you showered your dad with homemade gifts that made him feel like you were thinking about him. Don’t give up on that now just because you’re both older!

1. Give him a great meal – treat him to his favorite meal. Bring him breakfast in bed, out to his favorite buffet, go for a beer or to a fancy restaurant he loves. Remember, it ís all about him!

2. Give him something he would not get himself – your gift does not have to be expensive, but do think of something he’d never get for himself and skip the stereotypical gifts

3. Pay attention to his wants – if there is anything in particular youíve noticed your dad talking about, try to make that desire a reality. The best part of the gift will be the recognition that you have been paying attention!

4. Give him your undivided attention – it does not matter what you do, but make sure your time together is uninterrupted. Do not answer your text messages or phone calls unless it ís absolutely crucial!

5. Honor dad after death – if your father is no longer alive, you can still honor him on Father’s Day. Have a tribute to dad with other family members or donate to his favorite charity or cause

eHow.com

No matter what your relationship to your mother, you have a respect and appreciation for her for giving you life.

Especially if you are an adult child who is involved in the care of your aging mother, you play such a big role in her life and her in yours. You may know all this, but putting it into words can sometimes be easier said than done.

However, you don’t need to use your own words to express the love of your mother. A number of books written with Mother’s Day in mind can help you to get the message across. These are just a few of the popular choices:

1. The Adventures of Mighty Mom by Gwendolyn Mitchell Diaz: this book focuses upon a mother’s devotion for her child

2. Mothers are like that by Carol Carrick: Mothers and their children don’t all have the same relationships and this book focuses upon the differences but how all show support for one another in their own way.

3. Dear Mom: Thank You for Everything by Bradley Trevor Greive: A child’s thoughts and feelings about a mother accompanied by pictures that all mothers and children will relate to.

4. Love Lessons from My Mom by Kelly Corbet:  This is a quote from the book which really represents the focus of the book “A love lesson can come dressed as a baggage handler or a bag lady, from a family counselor or a drive-you-nuts member of your family A love lesson might even come in the shape of a flower growing in your backyard. It’s all in the invitation. So if you’re open to life, there’s no telling what great joys you’ll have over for tea or meet in a parking lot.”

5. All That Matters: A Mother’s Memories by Janis Hogan: A focus upon the special moments in life and how that impacts the relationship between mothers and children.

Mother’s Day Celebration

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.

Rhode Island Home Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Seniors might find themselves shying away from Valentine’s Day. For some, it might be because they find the holiday cheesy; and for others, it might simply be because it brings back romantic memories with a spouse who has since passed. But, Valentine’s Day can be fun for people of all ages, so if you are one of these seniors, break out of your shell and surround yourself with loved ones whether it’s about romance or friendly fun.

• Attend a community event – visit a senior’s center or community center hosting Valentine’s Day celebrations. Performances like concerts by choirs, plays and poetry readings can be fun to attend and great for the whole family

• Try doing some crafts – seniors who are already part of craft groups are likely to be beginning themed activities for Valentine’s Day, but do them at home as well. Seniors can also make cards and decorations with their family members

• Do some baking – Valentine’s Day is often associated with treats. Chocolate and goodies are usually a feature of the holiday. For seniors that can eat these items without any health repercussions, they can do some baking with family members. Otherwise healthier recipes can be tried incorporating food coloring of heart shapes to get into the spirit!

Via: Suite101

Image: daylife.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.

As families gather around for the holidays, concerns may arise in regards to your senior’s mental and physical health. One of the most widespread health problems for the elderly can be depression, making it vital for families to know the symptoms and where their senior can receive help.

• Loss of appetite—A change in appetite usually results in the most common sign a senior is depressed of unintentional weight loss.

• Generally disinterest—Seniors may lose interest in daily activities they once enjoyed or found pleasing.

• Sleepless nights—A depressed senior may have trouble sleeping through the night. This can also explain another sign your senior is depressed, increased fatigue.

• Increased Irritability—Some seniors’ personalities turn increasingly agitated or dispirited when feeling low or depressed.

• Unusual thoughts about death—Abnormal notions about death and dying arise in a down senior.

• Where to get a geriatric assessment—Seniors and senior caregivers can receive help and more information on these depression signs by visiting their primary care physician or other outlets such as hospitals, senior centers, religious affiliations, Medicaid offices, or a local Area Agency on Aging.

Source: National Pace Association

Image Source: www.sxc.hu

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.

Shopping for seniors can be a big challenge, especially after so many years of holidays and gift exchanges. This year, think about the things that they could really use; here are a few suggestions to get you shopping!

• Items that allow them to pamper themselves – seniors on a budget are not likely to splurge on things they consider non-essentials. Buy them candles, soaps and body lotions that allow them to feel pampered at home. Gift cards to restaurants or spas are added luxuries

• Gift baskets – gift baskets with a combination of items, including some of the above, as well as seasonal foods, books, and craft supplies that they will enjoy and make use of are all great things to include! Gift baskets can be bought pre-fabricated or can be created at home

• The gift of companionship – seniors will most appreciate the company of their loved ones. If this is not possible, senior care services can be gifted for companionship and assistance at home

• Take an elderly loved one out for the day – a trip out for lunch around the holidays to see a movie or a musical event can be a very enjoyable way for them to spend a day and it will be memorable!

Image Source: www.sxc.hu

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.

With all of the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget that the holidays aren’t always a joyful time for everyone. Seniors in particular might find themselves depressed, because with lost family and friends, the holidays aren’t always as they used to be. If someone in your life finds themselves struggling to get through the holidays, there are some methods that you can use to make the holidays a little bit more joyful:

1. Allow memories and past rituals to live on – don’t discourage seniors from reliving those important memories of holidays past, thinking that it will prevent depression. Share memories of family members no longer with you, look at photos, and keep old family traditions alive

2. Make sure visiting seniors are comfortable – to help reduce the stress of seniors coming into your home over the holidays, make sure that your home is senior-friendly, with safety being the primary concern

3. Avoid impulsive holiday activities – to ensure that seniors can be involved with all holiday activities, avoid being impulsive that way seniors can be well-rested for more excitement

4. Focus on the joy – while it’s okay to reminisces, over the holidays make sure that all memories discussed focus on the positive

5. Create new traditions – while you can focus on incorporating old rituals into the holidays, create new ones as well that give the whole family, including seniors, new things to look forward to doing together. Holiday activities can’t just focus on the past

Via: ArticleBase

Image source: sxc.hu

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.