With a growing senior population, home care Phoenix knows many aging adults are searching for ways to reinvent themselves and reach new life goals. Some of these goals may be quite simple, yet others can be difficult to achieve. The list below contains some useful tips that can be used by seniors when trying to attain new goals this year.

1. Try to be more conscious of what you eat. While sweets are hard to resist, try eating a piece of fruit instead of candy. It will satisfy your craving for sugar and is much healthier.

2. Buy a scale for the bathroom. This will help monitor your weight. You can even use a journal to keep track of any changes. A good scale will help you through your weight-loss journey.

3. Increase physical activity. Seniors do not need to join a gym. A simple short walk each day will help burn extra calories. In addition, that walk can help keep your heart healthy.  Exercise also increases your mood, so not only will it have physical benefits, but your mental health will improve as well.

4. Discuss weight loss plans with a doctor. You want to make sure your diet is providing you with the intake you need to stay healthy yet at the same time will help you lose weight.

Source: aarp.org

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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.

While the senior care industry is already preparing and bracing itself for an increase in numbers of the senior demographic, a new study shows that there might be even more to worry about. According to this study, upcoming generations of seniors might face a greater number of disabilities than previous generations which could compromise their mobility; creating a greater need for senior home care services and medical care services. With proactive planning, the senior care industry and other related services can brace themselves, and respond to a greater need in the industries before it’s even presented itself!

1. Caregivers can arm themselves with knowledge – with this study already circulating, professional caregivers and families with other generations alike can take this opportunity to become more knowledgeable. Professional caregivers can increase their knowledge about dealing with disabled seniors on a large scale, and families can take a long hard look at their prospective care options should this issue become a reality for their family

2. Organizations can improve personal mobility devices – new technology that can assist in the senior care industry is constantly becoming available on the market, but if  there is a greater need that’s upcoming, there’s room for further development and preparation

3. Studies can focus on preventative measures – increased numbers of disabled seniors, particularly if the boomer demographic is affected, could put a strain on the health care system. With this knowledge, health care professionals care work proactively to try and find preventative medicine or establish techniques that may reduce the likelihood that the number of disabled seniors will increase

Via: MedicalNewsToday

Image source: sxc.hu

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.

Those of us who find ourselves online day after day know that the internet can really create a sense of community and belonging to those that might have minimal physical social interaction in their day-to-day lives. However, with only 42% of older adults over the age of 65 using the internet, according to a recent Pew Internet study, there are still plenty of seniors who have yet to discover the camaraderie that can come from internet use, and they should. It’s not just about belonging when logging onto sites like Facebook or Twitter, it’s about preventing loneliness and isolation that can come from older adulthood and staying in touch with those who are most important. By doing this, seniors can improve their quality of life, even preventing depression.

In the United States, medical treatment that relates to depression equates to approximately $100 million each year alone, which means, there are plenty of seniors who are struggling through their daily lives. While the internet is surely not a cure for depression, it can reestablish a connection for seniors that can help them feel that they belong, and having support, companionship and friendship can play a major role in the prevention of depression.

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Image: eldergadget.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.

Recent Study Shows Planning For Senior Care - Out Of Sight And Mind For Most Adults

PHOENIX - Phoenix area seniors and their families are invited to attend a free public seminar designed to explain the many care options available for today’s aging population. The presentation will be hosted by Paul Hogan, co-author of the recently released book Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 101 Shea Blvd in Phoenix on Wednesday, November 18.

A leading senior care expert, Hogan will review a number important topics including: financial planning for senior care, being a caregiver to an elderly parent, insurance options, and the state of senior care in America.

“With more than 78 million Baby Boomers on the verge of retirement, America is facing monumental social and economic challenges in the ways in which we care for our seniors.” Hogan said. “If families are not prepared, navigating the care continuum can become a complex process that sometimes involves misinformation and injects unwanted stress into our most important relationships.”

A recent Home Instead Senior Care survey showed that planning for senior care is out of sight and out of mind for most adult children and seniors alike. In fact, half of all seniors ages 65 to 75 have not thought about their own future care needs, and nearly a quarter of 35- to 64-year-old’s could not name a single senior care option available today.  Even more startling: both seniors and adult children have the misconception that Social Security and Medicare will pay for senior care, while many are unfamiliar with the costs of today’s care options.

“Senior care options have expanded almost beyond recognition in the last 20 years, yet most Americans are still only familiar with nursing homes or family care at home,” adds Hogan. “With tens of millions of Boomers starting to retire, it’s critical that people start thinking about this.”

Hogan is providing the free lectures in conjunction with the release of a new book, Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions (November 2009/McGraw-Hill/$18.95). The book serves as a comprehensive guide for the ever-expanding world of senior care, breaking down the process by addressing the shared concerns of seniors and their family members. Featuring more than 30 sources from the most credible major healthcare organizations, universities and nonprofit organizations, the book thoroughly explains each and every aspect of senior care, including the array of available care choices, being a caregiver, planning for your own future, aging in place, family and professional care options, how to chose an option and what to look for, financing care, insurance, legal matters, dealing with stress, communication and family relations. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation, which provides financial support of activities designed to improve the quality of life of seniors.

Via: stagesofseniorcare.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.

We don’t need to tell you again that vegetables and fruits are good for your health, but as fall is approaching and a plentitude of fresh produce will become available at Phoenix farmer’s markets and grocery stores, you need to know what to choose to help you live a long and healthy life. Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of colors, and each of them have their own unique benefits:

• Go green – choosing green vegetables can help fend of mascular degeneration which can cause blindness (Lutein, found in hearty greens such as kale, chard, and romaine lettuce can have this result), and prevent cancer through antioxidants found in Vitamin C in greens (i.e. Bell peppers, broccoli, and brussel sprouts). Other green vegetables and fruits that are a great source of nutrition include avocados, green peppers, celery, kiwi fruits, cucumbers, asparagus, and even green apples

• Try orange or yellow produce – Beta-carotene and Vitamin C appear in yellow and orange produce. Choose carrot, sweet potatoes, mangos, apricots, and cantaloupe for beta-carotene which can help prevent Vitamin A deficiency and increase antioxidant intake. Vitamin C is especially present in ripe fruits like papaya, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and cantaloupes. Even lemon and lime contain great sources of Vitamin C!

• Choose red for cancer prevention – red and pinkish vegetables can help to prevent cancer with the nutrient lycopene that is present. In addition to preventing cancer lycopene also can slow the hardening of arteries and slow tumor growth. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit are great sources of lycopene

• Go dark – darker fruits and vegetables, like shades of blue and purple are a great source of anthocyanin which helps support and improve the vascular system and can help to fight cancer. Many of these fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber. Look for blackberries, blueberries, figs, plums, prunes, eggplants, and raisins.

• Don’t underestimate light produce – shades of tan, brown and yellow may not be as eye-catching, but they play a role in a well-balanced diet. Bananas increase potassium and help prevent calcium loss, ginger boosts the immune system and garlic inhibits cancer

Via: Body and Health

Image: naturalskincaresecrets.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

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.

Q – I have thought about home care for my aging mother in Phoenix; but how do I know when it’s the right time?

A – There is no cut and dry answer for when it’s right to bring home care into the life of a Phoenix senior like your mother, but there are some life situations that seniors can encounter which makes home care ideal for them.  If your mother finds herself experiencing one or more of the following scenarios, then it may be time to consider home care for her.

• She’s struggling with Activities of Daily Living – seniors who struggle with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, taking their medications, or keeping up with chores around the home are ideal candidates for in-home senior care

• Her mobility is declining – seniors who are having changes with their balance and mobility may be at a greater risk of falling or having an accident in the home when trying to perform ADLs . By hiring a caregiver, safety issues can be addressed and prevented through additional help

• She’s given up driving – seniors who no longer drive for whatever reason, would greatly benefit from the help of a caregiver who can take them to run errands or to appointments

• She doesn’t have family nearby – seniors who have the above problems but do not have family nearby to help them can benefit from in home care when there’s no one else out there to help them

• She’s recently come out of hospital or rehab – after seniors have been released from the hospital or rehab program and are in recovery, it’s better for seniors to have the help of a caregiver so they don’t put too much of a burden on their bodies by trying to care for themselves or their homes

• She suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia

Sources:

1. Elder Issues

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.

With many home care agencies, you never know who’s going to turn up on a Phoenix senior’s doorstep each day of their scheduled care. But what this means is that seniors never have the opportunity to trust, bond and form a friendship with their senior caregivers. At Home Instead Senior Care, we know that the right caregiver is one that a senior can get to know, begin to trust with their home and their care, and someone who will become an important companion. Every day a senior has home care scheduled, we send the same caregiver to provide consistency and because through our process we ensure that the caregiver sent is one that meshes with the senior’s personal needs and personality.

When we send a new caregiver to a senior’s home for the first time, we complete an in-depth assessment to evaluate the needs of the senior and the type of caregiver who would be best suited for the role. However, just because a senior has been sent a caregiver, doesn’t mean that they’re stuck with them forever. If a senior or their family is not satisfied with the caregiver, we will be happy to send a replacement that better meets the request.

Once the right caregiver has been matched with a senior, you’ll never be able to separate them!

Image Source: happyhippy.vox.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.

40-70 Rule Wins Major PR Award, Silver Anvil

On June 4th, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) selected “The 40-70 Rule” as the best program in the Marketing and Consumer Services category, awarding it the Silver Anvil Award.  The Silver Anvil, symbolizing the forging of public opinion, is awarded annually to organizations which have successfully addressed a current issue.  Winning programs are founded upon sound research, planning, execution and evaluation as it is the pinnacle of achievement in the PR world.

The award was accepted in front of 500 PR professionals by Tom Albers, from Albers communication, on behalf of Home Instead Senior Care.  It was a proud moment for him and for all at the Home Office, but the key to this moment and the success of the program were the franchise owners, according to Jim Beck, Director of Public Affairs.

“We knew that 40-70 had great potential from the beginning, but the extraordinary engagement of our franchise owners truly made it an exceptional program.  We were able to touch hundreds of thousands of families and lives through the brochures that were distributed and visits to the website.”  Currently, there are 250,000 booklets in circulation and more than 50,000 unique visitors to the www.4070talk.com website; these statistics are what Jim Beck believes led the judges to their ultimate decision of crowning “The 40-70 Rule” winner of the Silver Anvil Award.

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.

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Q – I suspect that my elderly grandfather, who has an elder care provider assisting him in his home in Phoenix might be a victim of home care negligence. He doesn’t seem to get along with his caregiver and is reluctant to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing, so what are the signs I can look for to determine if he’s a victim of negligence?

A – If you believe that your father in Phoenix might be a victim of negligence, or doesn’t get along with his caregiver. Don’t hesitate to talk to the caregiving agency about your suspicions and request another elder care expert to provide home care services. However, if you want to justify your concerns, there are other signs that could indicate your father is being neglected.

• Sudden changes in his behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn, depressed or angry

• Physical injuries like bruises, scrapes, cuts, or even broken bones

• The home care provider not allowing seniors to spend time alone with family members for fear something might be revealed

• Pressure sores or signs that restraints have been used

• Sudden, inexplicable weight loss in the senior

Sources:

1. Care Home Negligence
2. EZine Articles

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.