Men are usually not the first people to volunteer to take on the role of a caretaker. There are many issues that are involved with this role and some men are very reluctant to perform some of the necessary tasks. When this happens, their spouse may not receive the care they need. It is important for men who are caregivers to be able to openly discuss their situation and know that it is ok to be in this role. Below are some additional points about being a male caregiver.
1. Most men who become a caregiver will take a different approach than a female. Men are more apt to take on executive or long-distance tasks, such as dealing with the insurance companies or making appointments.
2. Men are only half as likely to perform hands on tasks when they are a caregiver.
3. The men who do help with daily tasks, such as dressing and showering may be reluctant to discuss their role. It seems as though they are slightly embarrassed about having to be the caregiver.
4. Many of these men will suffer from depression and feelings of inadequacy when they are a caregiver. This is actually quite normal. They have a hard time talking about their role with others because of how they feel it will make them look.
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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.
Caregivers have a large load to carry. Taking on this role is never an easy thing to do. The caregiver will be responsible for the senior in every aspect. This is why it is essential that all caregivers be prepared for what they will have to do. The following list contains some of the most common things that caregivers have not prepared for.
1. Caregivers are often not prepared to deal with medication management. Seniors who have multiple health problems will be taking a lot of medications. Caregivers must know what pills are for what condition and how much the seniors needs and when. Some drugs will interact with others, so caregivers must also be aware of this.
2. Many seniors will have medical equipment that will help them during the day. Caregivers must know how to safely operate this equipment.
3. Coordinating care can be quite a challenge. Caregivers must know when the senior has a doctor’s appointment. Most seniors have multiple appointments, so coordinating them is essential, though it may be a difficult task.
4. Many of these things cannot be trained. The caregiver must learn these things along the way. They are important issues and have a huge effect on the care of a senior.
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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.
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.
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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.
One of the hardest aspects to daily life can be maintaining a healthy diet. For seniors, that can be especially true when convenience and simplicity come before healthy food options. However, keeping hearts healthy does not have to be a chore. Here is a simple list of foods seniors can say no to for the benefit of their hearts.
• At The Restaurant—Sometimes when seniors go out to eat, those heart healthy diets fly out the window. Seniors should avoid restaurants with all you can eat buffets, as you are more likely to eat more food, which leads to more calories. Seniors should also resist ordering appetizers, cocktails, and sides with cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. Asking for dressings and sauces on the side is a great way to control the quantity you consume.
• At The Drive In Window—Fast food can be easy and quick for seniors, but it is not always healthy. Avoid the unhealthy sides of fries and go with healthier options like fruit. Also seniors should pass on any value or super size.
• At The Supermarket—Seniors should stay away from fruit juices as they do not provide the fiber of whole fruit. In the dairy case, do not grab butter, ice cream and cream as they tend to have more saturated fats than whole milk. Seniors should also be weary of baked goods and desserts loaded with saturated and hydrogenated fats. The same goes for snacks. Fried chips should be replaced with vegetables or baked alternatives.
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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.
Aging is not always a terrible thing. Many seniors will experience tough times, such as deteriorated health or the loss of loved ones. While these can be difficult to deal with, there is always a positive side. Below is a list of ways seniors can take a different look at life and aging.
1. Wrinkles and baggy eyes may be a sight in the morning, but most seniors recover from the shock in the mirror very quickly. Many even say that the wrinkles are only caused from living a full life.
2. Most seniors will say that they would not trade their full life and loving friends for a flat stomach or a full head of hair!
3. Seniors often experience many losses during their lifetime, including the passing of dear friends and family members. Though this is a horrible experience, many seniors take it as a chance to realize they are lucky to still have the gift of life.
4. Sometimes, some of life is best forgotten. Even though some seniors experience minor memory loss, they do realize it is a part of aging. They simply redirect their thoughts and energy to enjoying what they still have.
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be hard for seniors and their families to cope with and that’s because there is no known cure, and no proven ways to stop the progression of the disease. But, there is new hope as there have been recent discoveries that could bring big changes.
• There is a brain plaque that is detectable in the brain long before any cognitive decline begins to surface
• The plaque referred to as amyloid –beta has been discovered to cause damage when present in certain areas of the hippocampus
• Previously, it was known that the plaque was present in seniors with Alzheimer’s, but it was unknown if it was toxic or if its presence was coincidental
• The presence of the plaque can cause neurons to die, which can be related to cognitive decline
• Since there’s no way to redevelop neurons that have already died, further research is necessary to see if there is a way to prevent the build up of this plaque earlier before it causes irreversible damage
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-292
Staying fit is an important part of remaining healthy. The health of a caregiver is very important. If a caregiver is not healthy, they will not be able to provide services efficiently to seniors. The list below contains some great ideas and resources for staying fit. These activities can be a great way for Rhode Island caregivers and seniors to interact and stay healthy together.
1. There are many programs available through AARP that will be helpful when trying to get in shape or stay fit. These programs offer some great ideas on starting points and can also provide structure for those who are already active and wish to follow a schedule or set a regimen each day. Seniors can also join in with many of the activities provided, allowing another opportunity for the caregiver and senior to have special time together.
2. The benefits of exercise far exceed just toning the body and staying fit. There is a mental and emotional component to it as well. The Fat 2 Fit journey is a great program for seniors and caregivers to do together. This program will walk you through the steps to losing weight and keeping it off. It also provides some daily exercise that will benefit seniors and caregivers.
3. Make sure to take time for mental breaks. If you have a negative thought about the way you are exercising or your weight at the current time, it may be time to take a break. There are links on the source page that contain useful information for keeping your mind as healthy as the rest of your body.
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.
The health of a caregiver is very important, but many times it is overlooked. There is no reason for a caregiver to sacrifice their own health. They will be of no use to the seniors they provide for if they become ill. This is why caregivers need to make their health a priority and take the necessary steps and precautions to stay healthy and fit. Below is a short list of tips that can be of help to caregivers.
1. Daily vitamin supplements can make a huge difference. The vitamins can be very useful for those who are tired and listless.
2. Exercise is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Even if it is just a short walk each day, exercise can be very beneficial in maintaining health.
3. Respite time is very important. Since many caregivers do experience stress and the feeling of being burnt out, respite time can provide for rest and relaxation. These are needed to remain healthy so you can continue to provide for a senior in need.
4. Flu shots can help caregivers stay healthy. Not only will this help avoid the flu, but it will also remove the chances of spreading the virus to a senior.
5. Do not make work your entire life. Being a caregiver is very demanding. It is important to have a well-balanced life. This includes having hobbies and spending quality time with family and friends.
6. Make sure to visit the doctor regularly. Routine check-ups can prevent illness and will help with over-all health maintenance.
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.
For many seniors and their caregivers, the holidays just aren’t a joyous time. The holidays can be a source of stress and act as a reminder of things from the past that no longer exist. The holiday blues can be overcome, even in seniors and their caregivers. Instead of saying “bah humbug”, with these tips, they might soon be joining in on the celebrations.
1. Surround yourself with people – even if you don’t have family or friends around that you can spend time with, do join other social events taking place in your community
2. Volunteer – no matter what’s happening in your life, you’ll feel great when you volunteer and give back to those in need
3. Join a support group – sometimes it’s not easy to talk to family about the emotions you’re struggling with, so join a support group that allows you to share your feelings
4. Don’t put pressure on yourself – it’s okay if you don’t feel like celebrating over the holidays, don’t push yourself. Get involved with those things that make you happy, and don’t get down on yourself if you don’t feel joyful
5. Avoid alcohol – alcohol can depress your mood, so even though the wine and eggnog is flowing over the holidays, stick to the non-alcoholic stuff!
6. Know the signs of depression and seek treatment – the holiday blues are one thing, but you also need to recognize depression and get help
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 number of seniors living in the United States with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow exponentially over the next 20 years, doubling from today’s 5.1 million seniors. Unfortunately for many of these individuals who find themselves in the hospital, the level of care that they receive is compromised. Not all seniors receive a formal Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and when they enter the hospital for another reason, their cognitive impairment can go undetected, resulting in inadequate treatment. A new approach aimed to improve care for Alzheimer’s patients has been suggested and
is based on the following components:
1. Screening upon admission to the hospital – rather than learning that a senior has Alzheimer’s or dementia retroactively following a medical issue, this approach ensures seniors are screened when admitted to the hospital
2. Education of the nurses and medical practitioners – there are three levels of care depending upon patient needs, but all of them ensure that all medical professionals responsible for the care of a senior are aware of their Alzheimer’s diagnosis
3. Planning for the future – right from the time of admission in this three-tier program, medical professionals talk with seniors and family members about preparing for the future, and arrangements that will need to be made for discharge. For those who require more comprehensive care, follow-ups are conducted to ensure that a senior’s health comes first
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.
