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.

Many people will be traveling for the holidays. While this can be an exciting time of year, some seniors may become overwhelmed at the thought of having to travel. To make this easier, the following list contains some travel tips for seniors who will be traveling over the holidays. These tips will ensure safety and will help seniors have an enjoyable trip.

1.    Always plan as far ahead as possible. This will help get better prices on airfare, hotels and other expenses. In addition, be sure to ask for senior discounts. If possible, travel during the week. The rates are much lower.

2.    Some seniors will prefer to drive to their destination, even if it will be a long trip. Try adding to the overall experience by taking a plane, bus or train instead of driving Allow a little extra time so you can enjoy your own mini vacation. No matter how you will be traveling, make sure to stand often and stretch. This will help reduce swelling in the legs.

3.    If going to another country, avoid looking like a tourist. Be sure to become familiar with the language. Study a map while in your hotel room so you will know where you are going ahead of time.

4.     Be sure to get travel insurance. This will be beneficial to seniors.

5.    Make sure to bring all medications. In addition, pack a first aid kit. Keeping medications with this kit is a good idea so everything is in one place.

Helium.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.

Tips for Seniors on Dental Health

Age has absolutely nothing to do with caring for teeth. Seniors need to have good oral hygiene. To maintain dental health, the list below provides seniors with some useful tips. These tips will help ensure seniors are taking care of their teeth and practicing good oral hygiene.

1. Have a healthy diet. This will help improve oral health. Eating green and raw vegetables will be beneficial.

2. When brushing teeth, do not forget about the tongue. Daily brushing of the teeth on a daily basis is not as effective unless the tongue is also brushed at the same time.

3. Omit refined sugars from your diet. There are many products that will provide seniors with a sweet tooth the satisfaction they are looking for without the sugar intake.

4. Always provide your dentist with medical records. This will ensure you receive the proper medications if necessary.

5. Just because dentures are not real teeth, they should not be treated any differently. Brush and clean them daily.

6. No matter what the circumstances are, never decrease brushing. Always make sure to brush on a regular basis to maintain oral health.

7. Be sure to keep those dental visits. Routine cleanings are just as important for seniors as they are for young adults.

Source:  Health.Priguide.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.

Seniors are now becoming very familiar with the internet. Though many seniors will only use the internet for email to keep in touch with friends and family members, there are a number of seniors who are now using it in other forms. Online banking and social networking have become popular among seniors. Below is a list that contains some interesting facts about seniors and the internet.

1. Most seniors will use the internet for email to contact family and friends, but many are now using it for social networking. Seniors are using Facebook and Twitter.

2. There has been a 225% increase in the number of seniors over the age of 65 using the internet for social networking and a 100% increase in those between the ages of 50-54.

3. Some seniors are using the internet for banking purposes and to stay up to date on news and current events.

4. More than half of the seniors who are using the internet report feeling comfortable doing so. Some seniors are still reluctant to use the internet and prefer to get the news from print sources.

5. 57% of seniors who are using the internet are doing so through a desktop computer. 26% are using a laptop and only 9% are using mobile devices.

6. Since the introduction of high speed internet service, the number of seniors who are using the internet have increased drastically.

Source: Updatefrom.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.

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.

Senior Driving Safety

It is very common for seniors to continue driving. Many of these seniors lead an active lifestyle, so they are always out and about. Being active is a great way to maintain health, but seniors do need to take precautions when driving in bad weather. Many seniors will get tense and nervous when the weather is poor. To help battle this, the list below offers some great driving safety tips.

1.    Make sure to allow enough time to reach the destination. If the weather is bad and the visibility is poor, seniors should try to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier than they normally would.

2.    Always maintain the vehicle. Making sure the car is in good condition is one way to make sure seniors stay safe while driving in poor weather conditions.

3.    When buying a newer car, consider options that will increase safety, such as all-wheel drive and traction control.

4.    Be sure to keep an emergency kit in the car. These kits can help seniors who have car trouble during bad weather. Most kits will have blankets that will help seniors stay warm and comfortable until help arrives.

5.    Always drive with the headlights on.

6.    Stay in the middle lane on the highway. Most roads are built higher in the middle, allowing water to runoff to the other lanes.

7.    Avoid pools of water. There could be potholes beneath.

Source: Senior Living

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.

Information on Alzheimer’s

Much research is being done on Alzheimer’s disease. This disease affects thousands of seniors. Some researchers feel that we may not be doing enough to push research along. Finding a cure for this disabling disease is the ultimate goal. This is the most common form of dementia in older adults. The list below contains some additional information on how researchers hope to solve the puzzle of Alzheimer’s

1.    More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.

2.    As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.

3.    Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.

4.    Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.

5.    Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.

6.    Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.

7.    Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.

Source:  Consumer Healthday

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.

Wandering Alzheimer’s Patients

It is very common for a patient with Alzheimer’s to wander off. This could be for many reasons, including the search for something or someone familiar. To ensure the safety of loved ones, there are some things that can be done to help control wandering. The following list provides some useful information for any caregiver of a wandering Alzheimer’s patient.

1. Some patients may wander to escape something that is causing them stress and anxiety. This could be too many conversations or a lot of noises. Try to minimize conversations and reduce background noises as much as possible.

2. In many cases, Alzheimer’s patients will wander it an attempt to relive the past. This is especially true for those who had a strict schedule for many years.

3. Wandering can also be triggered by certain medications.

4. To prevent wandering, address triggers, such as offering food and water, encouraging physical activities. Providing a family photo can also help reduce wandering.

5. Use visual cues to help the patient notice where they are. This can be done by putting photos on doors and walls to identify objects and areas of the home.

6. Try to keep them active and involved. The more interested a patient is in something, the less apt they are to wander off.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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.

Walking Reduces Stress in Seniors

Seniors often experience high levels of stress and tension. To battle this, many seniors are now taking short walks during the day. This can help reduce tension and also provide a means of physical exercise. The list below contains some useful information on walking for seniors.

1. Walking can reduce stress and tension. Short walks can have positive effects on the mind and body.

2. If you feel stress building, try taking a short, but brisk walk. If you cannot fit in a walk, do some simple stretches to move your body around. This will also help to reduce stress.

3. Do not look at walking as though it is an exercise. Take it as time to be alone and clear your mind while reaping the benefits of a physical exercise.

4. Focus on the surrounding and breathe calmly. Sights, sounds and smells can make seniors relax and reduce tension.

5. Bring along a friend for the walk. This is a great way to socialize while getting some exercise. Walking partners can make the walk seem very short and enjoyable. The same goes for pets. Take the dog for a walk each day. The pet will benefit, and so will you!

Source: AARP

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 and Kitchen Safety

With the increasing number of seniors living on their own, kitchen safety is a huge concern for family members and caregivers. Here are some simple things that can be done to help a senior make sure their food is not expired and how to keep their kitchen free of clutter. The list below offers some tips for seniors on how to have a safe kitchen.

1. Seniors need to learn that they do not have to buy in bulk. Buying too much food leads to a lot of wasted money as well as rotting food in the kitchen.

2. Look for anything that has expired and throw it away. This includes canned goods, as well as frozen foods.

3. Many seniors are so used to feeding large families that they have difficulty buying for just themselves and a spouse. Caregivers may need to take some time to shop with seniors to show them how to buy in small amounts.

4. The kitchen is often the place for clutter. Seniors will often leave mail and many other things on the kitchen table. This can create a fire hazard and can also affect the cleanliness of the kitchen as a whole.

Source: Caregivers Home

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.