After a long life of independence and the freedom to take control over their own lives, many seniors dread getting older and getting to a point where they need to accept help from a family member or professional caregiver. Agreeing that help is needed is a big step for Phoenix seniors, and it can take a while to help get your loved ones to that point, even when their health or safety is at risk.

Here are 7 ways that you can convince your senior to accept home care help:

1. Remember change is difficult for everyone – their resistance might be frustrating, but think about how you would feel in the same situation

2. Give him/her time to come around – introduce changes slowly, but don’t force them. Eventually, the changes if for your senior’s benefit will be more accepted, once they get past denying they need help

3. Keep on trying – if you try to introduce a change and it’s not accepted, wait and try again. Sometimes even 15 minutes can make a world of difference

4. Keep them involved in decisions – let your senior know he/she does have a say in making decisions about care. However, do try and be persuasive about introducing care options

5. Offer a trial period – if they are resistant, persuade your senior to give your suggestion a try. A trial period with a home caregiver or with you helping around the house may help them to realize how much it can ease their burden

6. Present it as help for them – when suggesting you help them out or hire a caregiver, don’t present it as a result of their limitations, tell them it’s to have someone available to clean up around the house so they don’t feel obligated, or to help with moving of heavy objects

7. Know when to stop pushing – remember, that despite your concerns, your senior is still someone who is capable and allowed to make their own decisions. If you have tried the above to no avail, no when to stop pushing otherwise you might risk your relationship

Via: National Caregiver’s Library

Image: www.jupiterimages.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

“I think my parent is depressed”. You might not think that’s a common utterance in the Phoenix clinic where I work, but we hear it all of the time. Very few adult children look for the cause of the sadness, they understand that the changes that come with aging can be stressful. But what they do want to know, is what they can do to help so that seniors do more than just survive and actually experience a sense of joy. Here are 6 tips for boosting a senior’s spirits.

1. Encourage physical activity – exercise releases hormones which can help stave off depression. Instead of sitting around at home during a visit with a senior, go out for a walk or pick another activity that’s well suited to the senior’s physical capabilities.

2. Create social situations – the best way to boost senior morale and prevent loneliness is to get them involved in social situations. Invite your senior to a party or encourage them to join a social activity.

3.  Help maintain a healthy diet – studies have proven that a well-balanced diet can prevent depression, so keep your senior’s fridge well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. Offer support – if your efforts just don’t seem to boost your senior’s morale or they continue to struggle with elderly depression, make sure they know you are willing to listen to anything on their mind. If they aren’t comfortable talking with a friend or family member, encourage them to speak with a counselor or join a support group for seniors.

5. Encourage their hobbies – while some seniors may withdraw from activities they enjoy, encourage your senior to keep them up or find some new things that interest him/her.

6. Improve the living space – if your senior spends a lot of time in his/her home, even if it’s in an assisted living facility, personalize the space to help them feel comfortable. Photos, décor in their favorite colors and other personal comforts will help seniors feel like they belong there!

Sources:

1. Senior Journal: Kara Gavin
2. Everyday Health

Image: www.jupiterimages.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

A prostate cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for senior males who are already seeing some of their physical being slip away from them. But a diagnosis like this doesn’t need to be seen as the end of it all; it is possible to cope with a prostate cancer diagnosis with 6 steps:

1. Embrace knowledge – knowledge really is power, so research the disease, the symptoms, and the treatment options so you know exactly what to expect from it. At a time when you might feel hopeless, this can help you regain a sense of power over the situation
2. Accept support – you don’t have to do it alone; accept support from family and friends to the degree that you’re comfortable with and form a united front against the disease. You can even join a support group for other seniors with similar struggles
3. Recognize your partner’s struggles – even if you have the disease, your partner is suffering almost as much at the time of diagnosis. Don’t shut her out; try to get through it together
4. Don’t let it affect your masculinity – many men fear prostate cancer because it can mean loss of sexual function. Not all options lead to this, so do your research so you can make an informed decision. Also know that whatever happens, you aren’t less of a man, and no one who loves you would ever think that!
5. Be honest – don’t hold back; recognize your physical symptoms and share them with your doctor. Also don’t hesitate to let him/her know if you want a second opinion form another Phoenix doctor, or if you’re uncomfortable with a treatment option
6. Keep pushing forward – no matter what happens, don’t accept defeat. Keep things going, never stop looking for knowledge, and never allow anyone else to make decisions for you as long as you’re able

Via: Prostate Cancer Institute

Bio-Medicine

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Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

“Will I have enough retirement income?”  We can’t get away from it in the media. With the market downturn, all of us are concerned about having enough money to retire on.  I would like to present the idea that Long-Term Care insurance can have a major positive impact on our post retirement asset retention and cash flow.  As stated in my last post, “An estimated 70% of people who reach age 65 will need some form of long term care before they die.” (Council of Economic Advisors, Economic Report of the President, Washington, DC, U.S. Government Printing Office, 02/17/07).

When faced with the reality of needing care in some form during our retirement years, if we do not have an LTC policy in force to protect us, the effects on our retirement nest egg can be devastating.  If we use the average cost of care per day of $160.00, in Arizona, this translates into the following out of pocket expense:

One Month  $4,800.00
One Year   $57,600.00
Ten Years  $576,000.00

Please keep in mind that this does not take into consideration the rising cost of care, which is growing at about 6% per year.  I do not show you all of this to scare you. There are enough scare tactics in the media today.  I share this with you because good, coordinated planning, potential LTC needs in conjunction with retirement planning is critical.

You may think that you cannot afford to purchase an LTC policy.  I wonder if any of us can afford not too?  Please contact me if you have any questions!

Joe W. Scheid, CLTC
Investment Advisor Representative
Special Care Planner
Strategic Financial Concepts
PH:  480.538.2956
www.strategicfc.com

Image Source: the-investor-portal.co.uk

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

You can never be too cautious when it comes to stopping the spread of viruses and bacteria. Seniors are much more susceptible to contracting illness and disease from bacteria like Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA). Protect yourself and those you love, even if it seems like these measures are over the top, they can help keep everyone healthy and happy!

1) Wash Your Hands –wash your hands often and ensure that that you know proper techniques to make sure that that bacteria is killed. Use hot water and soap and ensure that they scrub for 30 minutes.
2) There no such thing as washing too much –wash your hands before and after you do just about everything! When you go to the bathroom, before and after meals, anytime you touch objects in a very public place, if you sneeze or cough, and especially when around others who are ill
3) Use hand sanitizer if there’s no sink access – if seniors or caregivers don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will disinfect and help to kill bacteria like MRSA
4) Try not to touch anything in public restrooms – it may sound extreme, but you don’t know if others using the public restroom might have been sick when they touched doorknobs, doors and faucets in the washroom without washing their hands first. Use a paper towel when opening doors and wash your hands before you leave
5) Clean surfaces in your house – frequently clean doorknobs, faucets and other surfaces where you and others in the home frequently use their hands which can also spread bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners or those designed to combat MRSA can be effective!
6) Keep cuts clean – it’s important for cuts to be cleaned and bandaged so that MRSA can’t enter the wound
7) Use caution when treating someone else’s wound – avoid touching bandages or an open wound directly when helping someone else. Wear gloves and wash your hands after
8. Don’t share personal items – MRSA can be spread by sharing clothes, towels, tweezers, nail clippers, cosmetics and more
9) Don’t overuse antibiotics – using antibiotics for a virus can help increase MRSA’s resistance; always follow doctor’s instructions
10) See a doctor – if wounds aren’t healing well, seek medical attention

Sources:

a. MedLeague
b. How to Do Things

Image; pro.corbis.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Get your financial house in order

I took an application a few months ago with a 66-year-old couple from Tempe. They were both full of energy and had a good plan. A month later, the husband was diagnosed with cancer but with an 84% chance of beating it. On Friday, he passed away of unknown (as yet) causes. Her remaining income has now been reduced significantly because she loses the smaller of their two social security incomes.

How does she replace that? If that puts her income in the red will she be able to stay in her home? He didn’t have a pension but 70% of the men (mostly) who get pensions choose the retirement option that pays higher while they are alive but ends when the pass away. Do her remaining expenses get reduced much?

A good financial plan takes into account contingencies, even the case where one partner is no longer in the picture. I highly recommend people get it worked out in advance rather than waiting. Who wants to deal with financial problems while you are in the grieving process? While you are at it, get medical directives and funeral options handled. Who wants to have to make decisions on the fly about organ donation? Do it before something happens. And take a look at a reverse mortgage and see if you want to fit it into your plan as well. It could be the tool that makes it all work.

Dave Parker
602-750-8166
ParkerInReverse.com
Your Reverse Mortgage Resource

At The Lending Company

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Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Do you care for a Phoenix senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia who seems to struggle more with their condition at night? Does their confusion increase, their mood decline, and their inability to sleep result in restlessness? Sound about right? Well if so, it’s probably sundowning, and here are 10 ways that you can help:

• Seniors should be checked out by their Phoenix doctor to ensure that sundowning isn’t a result of another disease or illness
• Caregivers need to make sure that they’re flexible in their approach to dealing with their senior, especially at night
• Caregivers should ensure that seniors don’t consume caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening, otherwise restlessness can be worse
• Lighting in the home should be appropriate for the time of day, and there should be minimal glare and shadows so seniors don’t become more anxious by lack of visibility
• Caregivers and family should try to make seniors feel safe and secure by speaking soothingly despite their frustrations
• During the evening hours caregivers should make sure the senior’s needs are always met – that they’re not hungry, thirsty etc
• Naps should be avoided during the day to ensure seniors can sleep at night
• Soothing music can be played in the evening to promote relaxation, or other activities that help seniors unwind can be tried
• Stimulating and physical activities during the day can help seniors sleep better at night
• Caregivers and family members must always remember that seniors with Alzheimer’s aren’t behaving that way on purpose

Sources:

1. New York Times
2. Health Central

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Whether you are thinking about becoming active for the first time in your life, or looking to begin a regular exercise routine after recovering from an injury or health problem, there are some simple guidelines that all smart seniors can follow in order to ensure that activities are safe and beneficial.

1. Most men and women over the age of 50 need to consult a doctor before beginning a fitness program, so to be cautious about your health, get clearance first

2. Choose an activity/routine that you will stick with and enjoy. Work with a trainer, join a group class, invest in exercise equipment for the home, or exercise outside with a friend

3. Start off slowly, increasing the duration and intensity of activities as your fitness abilities increase

4. Listen to what your body is telling you, if it hurts or causes too much physical strain, then stop the activity

5. Set realistic short and long-term goals, which for seniors should be about improving overall health

6. Keep a journal about your fitness activities for health purposes and to keep you motivated

7. Ensure that you choose a well-rounded fitness routine that incorporates resistance training, cardiovascular activities, exercises that promote flexibility, and those that promote balance

8. Make sure you have the right equipment, particularly clothing and supportive shoes

9. Make simple lifestyle changes to promote further exercise, like parking farther away from the grocery store entrance, or doing more housework yourself

10. Reward yourself for working hard

Sources:

1. SeniorJournal

Image: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

When I first started practicing yoga in my early 50s, some looked at me like I was crazy thinking that I was causing damage to my body and that I was just taking it up because it was trendy. No, it wasn’t a mid-life crisis; I know that yoga has extensive health benefits to people of all ages, including improved flexibility, muscular strength and better cardiovascular health. Despite the fact that it’s trendy, I’ve also tried to explain to the naysayers that yoga has been around for nearly 5,000 years and has a number of top yoga masters who are older. K.S. Iyengar, founder of the most popular form of yoga practiced today is 90 years old, and the yogi that helped bring yoga to the United States also belongs to the boomer generation.

I’m so confident about the health benefits of yoga for seniors that I’ve even encouraged my care recipient, who’s in her 80’s to try out a beginners yoga class for older adults, and once she got past the initial skepticism, she too is loving it!

Sources:

1. AARP

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Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

As a caregiver, I always try to encourage my care recipients in a healthy lifestyle; including diet and exercise. But I know that for seniors in particular, it can be a challenge to keep up an exercise program, because of the physical stress that is involved; despite the fact that seniors know just how beneficial it is too their health, they can find it physical trying. I’ve learned that the right incentives need to be put in place to keep a senior active, and I won’t deny that I’ve resorted to techniques like telling a senior that we will go for a walk, and then return home to sit down and watch a favorite show or movie and snack on a favorite food. When it comes to promoting a healthy lifestyle, whatever works, right?

The AARP clearly knows that encouraging seniors in regular exercise requires some sort of incentive program to act as motivation, and I was excited to learn about their new Get Fit on Route 666. It encourages seniors to exercise, using a fitness journal recording program online that also provides them with rewards for completing different milestones and exercising in general. Seniors are rewarded with knowledge about American history, nutrition tips and encouraging remarks to keep them on track with their fitness regiment. I think this is a fantastic program that can help many seniors and their caregivers, and much healthier than resorting to ice cream as a way for rewarding seniors for bursts of activity!

Sources:

1. AARP
2. Austin American Statesman

Image Source pro.corbis.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.