Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood or forgetting old memories and names of family members? It is a sign you might have dementia. Discovering the fact that you or your loved one have dementia can be highly stressful and distressing. But the more you realize about the condition, the more you can improve the outcome and take care of your loved one or yourself.

According to the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention, of those at least 65 years of age, there is an estimated 5.0 million adults with dementia in 2014 and projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe several symptoms of cognitive decline, underlying diseases, and brain disorders. It is not solely a disease on its own but a general term describing symptoms of memory impairment, communication and thinking problems. There are various causes of dementia, but as the patient age increases, the disease becomes progressive, and some causes may become irreversible. However, it must be noted that the disease is not a normal part of aging. Many adults live their entire lives without developing dementia condition.

Symptoms of Dementia

The symptoms vary from person to person. However, there are several common signs that people deal with and are identified quickly. These may include problems with:

• Memory
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Attention
• Reasoning and judgement

Signs pointing to dementia include:

• Difficulty handling complex tasks.
• Confusion
• Misplacing things
• Decline in personal hygiene and wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather
• Getting lost
• Difficulty understanding visual images
• Faulty reasoning
• Neglecting nutrition
• Memory loss
• Difficulty with thinking abstract and being creative
• Forgetting home address, or forgetting where you put something

In some extreme cases, people can often face physiological changes such as personality change, paranoia, depression, anxiety, and hallucinations, which means it is time to see a doctor. Make sure to get the doctor involved as soon as you see someone suffering from the condition because early the cause is figured out, the early reversible action can be taken.

What Increases the Risk for Dementia?

Various factors can increase the risk for dementia, including:

• Age: One of the most substantial risk factors is aging, as most of the elderly get affected by the condition when they are over 65 years of age.
• Family history: People with siblings or parents dealing with dementia are more likely to develop the condition.
• Weak cardiac health: High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the chances of boosting dementia.
• Poor health care: Smoking, heavy alcohol use, lack of exercise, and poor diet.
• Illnesses: Sleep apnea, down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

Causes of Dementia

There aren’t any specific causes for dementia because every patient can show a different cause. However, the most common causes can include:

• Long-term alcohol or drug addiction can cause symptoms
• Brain injuries caused by falls, concussions, and car accidents can lead to trauma.
• Degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease contributes to dementia and get worse over time. Both of these are connected to brain illness and the dying of cells which make the disease progressive.
• Infections of the central nervous system can include HIV or meningitis
• Poor nutrition, dehydration or substance use like drugs and alcohol

Complications

It can affect various functioning abilities and can lead to:

• Personal safety challenges: Driving, walking alone, or even cooking can be dangerous for people with dementia.
• Poor nutrition: Elderly that deals with the condition eventually reduces or stops eating, which affects their nutrient intake.
• The inability of performing tasks independently: Brushing teeth or hair, dressing, changing, bathing, and taking medications becomes complicated as dementia progresses.
• Death: When it is recognized late, that stage often results in coma or death, mostly from infection

Diagnosis

Doctors assess whether the person has underlying treatable conditions. Any early detection of symptoms is essential as some can be treated. A medical assessment can generally include questions about medical history, changes in behavior, or when the symptoms began. It can also include a physical exam or neurological tests like checking blood pressure, assessing balance or other sensory responses.

Laboratory tests, brain scans, genetic tests, psychiatric evaluation, or cognitive and neuropsychological test procedures help diagnose dementia.

Prevention and Treatment

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits and mental stimulation can help prevent dementia or delay its onset. If you’ve been diagnosed, it can even slow the onset of more unbearable symptoms. No matter how old you are or your family history, physical exercise can keep one physically fit. Try to exercise regularly, engage socially with people face-to-face as it can help make your memory stronger. Adopt a healthy diet and get plenty of quality sleep. Your mental health matters regardless. Any stress can take a heavy toll on your brain’s memory area and hamper nerve cell growth, worsening your condition. Other ways that can prove beneficial in this condition are as follows:

• Get enough vitamins. People with Alzheimer’s disease have low Vitamin D levels; therefore, try to gain as much Vitamin D as you can from foods, supplements, and sun exposure.
• Treat health conditions such as anxiety, depression to reduce the risk
• Quit smoking as smoking increases the risk of blood vessel conditions and risk of dementia
• Manage your cardiovascular risk factors as high bp and cholesterol and diabetes lead to higher risks of some types of dementia

There is no precise, proven or tested way to prevent the condition or to reverse brain cell damage. However, providing care and focus to the patient and treatment can possibly prevent brain tissue damage. To prevent the situation, there are some habits that the patient needs to adapt to for the body and mind to connect and start the treatment properly without any hinge. The excessive habit of smoking and alcohol must be gone at all costs. Diabetic patients need to be careful during this illness because proper prevention from medicines that have not been prescribed need to be followed and diet too for effective results.

The causes of dementia that can reverse include:

• Tumors
• Alcohol use
• Drug abuse
• Low blood sugar
• HIV associated neurocognitive disorders
• Metabolic disorders

Partially manageable but not reversible forms of dementia include:

• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Vascular dementia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Frontotemporal dementia

Are you afraid that you or your loved one might have dementia? Consult a doctor today to prevent the risk of worsening the situation.

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Older adults often consider moving to an assisted living facility (ALF) because they require assistance in daily activities or find it difficult to do basic household chores. ALFs offer several private housing choices, ranging from a room to an apartment or even a cottage. Older adults who live entirely alone or do not have family members nearby may see an ALF as a way to form new friendships, discover new interests without having to worry about cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry.

While ALFs have their advantages, some seniors don’t prefer to leave the comfort of their homes and settle in a new environment. However, due to chronic illnesses or other age factors, it may become difficult to live independently without any help. That’s when live-in caregivers become a better alternative.

Live-in Care

Live-in care means having a fully trained and professional caregiver living with you in your home. Your live-in caregiver will assist you with your daily activities to make you feel comfortable at home. The live-in caregiver can be a personal care assistant (PCA), home health aide (HHA), certified nursing assistant (CNA), or other trained providers.

Seniors can get help for almost everything at home, from household chores to medical care. Most importantly, live-in caregivers allow older adults to maintain their independence by living in their own home with someone who handles daily duties and provides constant companionship.

Types of Live-in Care

There are three different types of live-in caregiving services:

1) Live-in Caregiving: In this situation, the caregiver works for 4-5 days every week to provide 24-hour care to the older adults. The caregiver is given a specific time to sleep or rest during the day or night.

2) 24-hour Caregiving: This type of live-in care involves two or three caregivers who work in the older adults’ home to provide 24-hour care.

3) Overnight/Daytime Caregiving: In this type of live-in care, the caregiver assists the older adults either in the daytime or overnight as per the need.

Live-in Care: An Alternative to Assisted Living

Most older adults prefer to stay at their homes instead of living in a strange and new environment. Many people are opting for live-in caregiving options instead of ALFs. Find out how live-in caregiving can be a better alternative to ALF:

Medical Care: Live-in caregivers have relevant medical training or certification and work under the supervision of a nurse. These caregivers can assist the older adults with medical monitoring and immediately call for help if the seniors are in severe medical distress.

Personal Care: A live-in caregiver can also help the older adults with their personal care requirements, including bathing, eating, maintaining hygiene, dressing, or keeping track of medicines.

Home Care: Live-in caregivers can assist with daily household chores like preparing meals, cleaning, laundry, housekeeping, etc.

Companionship: Many older adults live alone in their homes because their families are usually away. Live-in caregiving gives them an excellent opportunity to have a companion at home 24/7.

One-on-one Care: ALFs usually have on-site caregiving staff that divides their attention and time between different residents. In contrast, a live-in caregiver provides personalized, one-on-one care to the older adults, so they don’t have to wait for their turn.

Costs and Compensation

The live-in caregiver usually charges a flat rate for their services. Older adults don’t have to pay additional costs like paying for the rent as they own their homes. In contrast, many ALFs have a move-in fee and other expenses depending upon different packages, including transportation, meals, housekeeping, rooms, etc.

There are various payment options available for live-in caregiving services. These options include Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran’s Assistance, Long-Term Care Insurance, or Reverse Mortgages.

The Bottom Line:

Seniors usually find this care more favorable and suitable when comparing it to assisted living. Live-in care allows older adults to live independently in the comfort of their homes. At ActiveCare Home Care, we provide the most dependable live-in caregiving services. Contact us today for more information!

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In-home care can be a lifesaver for people who are aging, injured, or ill and can’t handle all of the tasks of daily living on their own. That’s not it; in-home care also serves to enhance the overall quality of life and offer medical assistance in the place where a person is most comfortable; their homes.

Many older adults prefer to stay in their homes in their later years. Therefore, the only way to support an aging parent or loved one is to consider hiring someone to help them with daily tasks at home instead of admitting them to a nursing home. That’s when in-home care services can be beneficial.

While in-home care is one of the most helpful types of care available, it can also be a great financial stressor. The prices may vary depending upon your location, the type of care you need, and the skill level of the person you’d like to hire. However, if you’re worried about paying for in-home care or struggling to make ends meet, here are five ways through which you can easily pay for home care services.

1) Apply for Reverse Mortgage:

A reverse mortgage is a type of loan for the elderly aged 62 and older and can help provide much-needed cash whose net worth is mainly associated with the value of their homes.  A reverse mortgage allows the elderly to stay in their home until they die, even if, by that time, the loan balance surpasses the home’s net worth. You don’t have to repay the loan, pay taxes, or make monthly mortgage payments. With the help of a reverse mortgage, you can easily pay for home care services.

2) Use Your Assets:

Many people or their families pay for home care services using their assets, investments, or savings. Sometimes, family members, including siblings, contribute to paying for their parent’s or loved one’s caregiver costs. In addition, you can also try liquidating possessions that are no longer in use, such as vacation homes, old vehicles, boats, land, farmhouse, etc., to cover the finances of home care. Apart from that, you can try retrieving equity in the loved one’s homes to pay for the home care services.

3) Apply for Medicaid:

Medicaid is a program that is specially designed to aid low-income seniors in order to cover their health needs. However, Medicaid coverage laws may vary depending on the state you live in, but many Medicaid plans are made to cover in-home care for at least a short period. In some cases, Medicaid may also cover continuing in-home care if the person applying for it would otherwise be in a nursing home. 

4) Use Long-term Care Insurance:

Long-term care insurance (LTC) is designed to cover the cost of things, including long-term nursing, ongoing medication, and much more. If your loved one has long-term care insurance, it may help cover some costs of in-home care services. Some long-term care policies may only pay home care benefits to a registered home care agency or other qualified providers. However, LTC can pay a significant amount to the insured person.

5) Consider Using Veteran’s Benefits:

If your loved one was an armed force member, you might be able to use military benefits to cover the finances of their in-home care. Veterans and their surviving spouses who need the regular aid and attendance of another person (for everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, medication monitoring, etc.) may qualify for Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits, along with a monthly pension.

The Bottom Line:

In-home care can be an ideal way to improve the quality of life for seniors who need special care and assistance. Home care services may be a little expensive, but you can surely pay for them if you consider following the tips mentioned above. At ActiveCare Home Care, we strive to help, support, and assist the elderly with the most dependable home care services. Contact us today for more information!

The post 5 Ways to Pay for In-Home Care: What you Need to Know? appeared first on ActiveCare Home Care.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects the brain, causing the death of brain cells. Alzheimer’s is one of the most common causes of dementia that can severely interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 5 million people in the U.S. and is more common in older adults. Probably, the number of affected people will practically triple by 2060.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s are mild at first but become more severe over time. Some common symptoms include memory loss, language problems, and a decline in a person’s thinking and understanding abilities. However, as the symptoms get worse, it becomes difficult for people to remember recent events, respond to their environment, or recognize the people they know. Ultimately, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may need full-time support and assistance to function properly in life.

In this article, we will enlighten the causes, symptoms, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s occurs when the brain cells start to lose connection with each other and eventually die. These changes in the brain arise due to the formation of abnormal proteins that form plaques and tangles around the brain cells. The causes of Alzheimer’s include a combination of age-related changes in the brain and genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary from person to person and can worsen with time as it is a progressive condition. Some of the symptoms include:

• Memory loss problems that disturb daily life, including difficulty remembering information, repeating questions, forgetting about events, or getting lost
• Difficulty with complex tasks, including trouble handling money or paying bills or difficulty making decisions
• Problems with speaking, reading, or writing
• Inability to recognize faces or objects
• Decreased or poor judgment.
• Misplacing things or being unable to find them
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior that leads to becoming angry, upset, obsessive, or worried

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease progresses in different stages ranging from mild to severe. It starts with mild to moderate impairment and may reach a severe cognitive decline. Here are some of the symptoms of each category:

Signs of Mild Alzheimer’s

People with mild Alzheimer’s seem to be healthy but can experience several memory problems and cognitive difficulties that include:

• Poor judgment
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks
• Repeating conversations and questions
• Getting upset, angry, or irritated easily
• Misplacing things more than usual
• Getting lost

Signs of Moderate Alzheimer’s

In the moderate stage, the parts of the brain responsible for language, senses, perception, and consciousness are impaired that makes extra care and supervision necessary. Some of the symptoms of moderate Alzheimer’s include:

• Difficulty remembering new information
• Problem with reading, writing, and speaking
• Inability to think logically
• Difficulty in coping with new situations
• Inability to conduct daily tasks like getting dressed
• Problems in identifying faces of family or friends
• Hallucinations or paranoia
• Impulsive behavior like using inappropriate language
• Increased restlessness, anxiety, or wandering around

Signs of Severe Alzheimer’s

In this stage, the brain cells shrink entirely, making it difficult to communicate. People with severe Alzheimer’s are completely dependent on others and require special care. Some of the symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Inability to communicate
• Inability to leave the bed
• Increased risk of skin infections and seizures
• Difficulty swallowing

Prevention:

There is no identified cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, medication and treatment options can help relieve the symptoms. You may reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s by taking a few preventative measures, including exercising, controlling high blood pressure, performing cognitive training, or eating a well-balanced diet.

Provide Your Loved Ones with Special Care!

Are you looking for a home care facility that can look after your parents or elderly loved ones who’re going through Alzheimer’s? At ActiveCare Home Care, we make every effort to provide the senior community with utmost care, supervision, and comfort. Contact us today for more information!

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Millions of families embrace the power of home care for their loved ones, and there are numerous reasons behind it. In-home care for seniors offers an exceptional middle-ground for support, companionship, and personal assistance. It helps the aging individuals maintain their independence and fully meet their needs at the comfort of their own home.

There’s no stop to aging. Many people are aging by the day, and families need an option for taking the right care for aging parents and loved ones instead of relying on the family caregivers who themselves have no time and knowledge. It’s better to take the right precautionary care than risking your loved one’s health. Family caregivers often have younger kids, full-time jobs, and many other responsibilities to handle. Instead of depending on them, it’s a wise decision to turn to home care for your loved ones.

In-home care is significantly less expensive, more convenient, and the professional and experienced home care provider provides undivided attention to the needs of the elderly and supports them throughout. The family also gets a chance to relax and be at peace of mind that their loved one is under the right care, comfort, and safety.

In-Home Care Services

Home care providers and caregivers offer a wide variety of specially designed services to help empower your loved one to live individualistically and happily with the right support. These can include:

• Medication and exercise reminders
• Shopping and grocery run
• Meal preparation
• Spending time together, including playing, social, TV, walks, games
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Support in daily activities like bathing, grooming, standing, and sleeping
• Transportation to doctor appointment, family events or any senior care fun events.

Key Benefits of In-Home Care

If you’re still not convinced by the idea of in-home care, let’s get into a bit more in detail about the incredible benefits of In-home care for seniors.

• Human Companionship: one thing is clear: they lack friendship and companionship when they age. Caregivers provide extensive benefits of friendship, which helps them feel less isolated. Elderly individuals often lose their driving privileges or don’t have family nearby to take them out. In such a case, caregivers become personal companions and help them move around to stay active.
• Household Maintenance: Running your household smoothly is a hectic and challenging task for an older adult. If you’re finding it hard to keep up with daily tasks such as laundry, shopping, or gardening, in-home care providers can help reduce your troubles by staying on top of appointments, handyman services, and bill payments.
• Peace of Mind: Not only does caregiving services provide support and peace of mind to the older adults, but it also becomes beneficial for the family caregivers as they’re assured that their loved ones are in good hands and they’re aware of the skills, experiences, and qualifications of the person they’ve hired.
• Independent Living: Seniors who spend time with caregivers at their home can continue living safely, comfortably, and socially at home. Aging individuals feel comforted staying in familiar surroundings. This further boost self-confidence, self-assurance, and improve their outlook on life.
• Treatment Support: Caregivers also help in support for people with special needs, such as older adults who’re dealing with medical issues, therapy, serious illness, or even diet requirements. It’s convenient for aging people to manage their medications and get the right support for their treatments when they’ve someone with them at home.  

Ready to get started with the right service? Active Home Care is here to help you in the process. At Active Home Care, our expert caregivers are trained and experienced. They bond with the person they care for and provide incredible services to empower the elders and give them a chance to progress their well-being under proper supervision. If you’re wondering if you’ll receive the benefits from Active Home Care that you require, don’t hesitate. Contact us today and discuss a personalized care plan for your loved one. We’re always ready to help our lovely clients!

The post The Incredible Benefits of In-Home Care for Seniors appeared first on ActiveCare Home Care.

What if you could take care of your loved ones and their tasks by merely using one skilled in-home caregiver instead of multiple shift care providers?

Wondering what a care provider is? Well, an expert caregiver who takes care of an older adult individual who needs help with daily tasks, activities and life maintenance. These caregivers help the elderly with any injury, illness, chronic condition or memory-related issues. Depending on the support required, these in-home care providers are there to help everyone!

Our ageing family members are in constant need of support. An expert must adequately cater to their daily medical and routine needs to avoid unfavorable circumstances. For some of us, time is money, and we are often on tight schedules juggling between work and home. So, a caregiver is the best solution to help on both ends. Each day the caregiver duties may vary, but the primary tasks will remain identical. A care provider’s responsibilities are to assess the medical condition, personal care needs, meal planning and preparation, companionship, and transportation.

Assessing Medical Conditions

On average, senior people take five medications a day. Most of the elderly either forget to take their medicines on time or take wrong doses, meaning retaking a similar tablet for their illness. To solve their confusion and fix their medication schedule, a care provider must manage its client’s medication. The caretaker must also address any medical appointments for the client and monitor the chronic conditions (if any). A qualified in-home caregiver will work closely with medical experts to ensure the patient is taking the right pills and educating them to reduce any risk.

Personal Care

As a person ages, it becomes challenging to carry out simple daily tasks on their own like getting dressed, brushing teeth or bathing. Many seniors neglect these chores because it becomes difficult to keep up with the daily routine. A caregiver can assist the elderly in keeping up with personal hygiene, grooming, using the toilet or helping with exercising. Trained caregivers assist the patient with minimum visible support so that the elderly feel independent.

Meals Planning and Preparation

Following strict diets and eating preferences are a must for the elderly. Senior citizens or people who are ill cannot eat everything, so they must have their meals planned and then prepared.  A caregiver is equipped with knowledge of the medications and the meals that go with along. Each meal is self-prepared with the ingredients that fit the patient and his dietary needs. Alongside preparing meals, Caregivers will help the patients with their groceries make meal time more manageable.

Companionship

Depression and loneliness is one major illness prevailing among seniors and sick people. Those who are home-bound and do not have many activities to perform often get anxious and depressed. A caregiver more than helping with daily chores can also accompany the patient to reduce lonely hours. Giving the patients to someone to talk to during the day can help relieve and create friendship bonds between the patient and caregiver. Emotional support helps the elderly in enjoying the social aspect of their lives. 

Transportation

Travelling can become a massive concern for older people as it becomes difficult for them to stay in the car or even sit properly without any additional help. Instead of struggling to travel or even sit or drive, an in-home caregiver can cooperate with the patients to help them out. Be it going to pharmacies or groceries or a small drive around the neighborhood, quality caregivers can provide transportation facilities. Assisting the elderly sometimes from wheelchairs onto car seats can’t be done by themselves, so a care provider will also help them sit properly and take care during travel.

Memory Care

Some illnesses like Dementia and Alzheimer require a person with the patient to make him remember the activities, people, and chores repeatedly because of the insensibleness and absent-mindedness that comes with the disease. Family members cannot be here with the patient around the clock so that a caregiver would be ideal for the job. Having an assigned caretaker would help ensure all work is done accordingly and on time. The patient would get help in activities and emotional support and stability.

Having an in-home caregiver provides comfort and peace of mind to the family and their loved ones. The quality care they couldn’t deliver due to insufficient time and not being around much can equally be provided in the same ratio to the patient without anything being compromised! 

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Aging people need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In-home meal preparation services ensure that seniors can have the most enjoyable experience at every meal, which is also equally beneficial and suited for their health needs. Caregivers help create meal plans that match their specific dietary requirements and food preferences while making sure that it tastes delicious and look appealing.

In-Home Meal preparation services include everything from planning out the menu to serving up a tasty meal. Having a caregiver preparing meal for you, it’s like having your personal chef at home. During the meal preparation, various activities can be part of the service, including:

Creating meal plans
Going grocery shopping
Preparing food
Reheating meals
Doing the dishes
Cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen

At ActiveCare Home Care, we also promote the idea that older people should get involved in grocery shopping to remain active, so they understand the responsibility and learn from their fellow caregiving companions some advice towards healthy nutritional living. For seniors, nutrition is one of the most significant factors in their health-related matters, especially if they have been diagnosed with any illness before. Before signing up for a meal preparation service, an elderly individual must consult with a doctor and prepare a chart for the food they’re supposed to eat and the food they must avoid. This would help give them an idea of the food they need to eat and prepare during the meal prepping session.

As elderly people age, they can no longer prepare nutritional food for themselves, and strength and mobility becomes an issue. Some might even lack the desire to eat or opt for fast food to escape from the burdensome task of cooking. When specific health issues start appearing for seniors, they get discouraged because these problems are unforeseeable and uncontrollable. Consuming a balanced and nutrition-full diet is the best way for them to prevent future illnesses. They can reduce blood pressure levels, control cholesterol levels, better manage blood sugar, and increase cognitive function. As a result, they benefit from living a longer, more fulfilling life, enjoying the positive energy, and participating in their hobbies and social activities.

Make Your Elderly Loved One’s Life Easier

At ActiveCare Home Care, we prepare and serve meals to the elderly seniors. Monitor their eating patterns by accurately paying attention to healthy eating, particular emphasis on vitamins, proteins, the requirement of minerals, and concentrating or getting rid of foods that can cause allergy or other problems like diabetes and blood pressure. We understand that each client needs isolated attention. Hence, we focus on personalized care for each of our clients. We keep track of their eating habits, patterns, and provide them with meals on time. If you need help with meals or need more information about our meal preparation services for the elderly, get in touch with us.

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The human-animal bond has proven to be healthier and usually discovered in later life than any stage so as human support. Old age is the time where most people develop a deep and emotional relation to their animals. These animals are a vital part of the senior’s daily life. A human-animal connection is often like an inter-reliance because humans sometimes need animals to become human again.

Undoubtedly, pets can give older adults a feeling of belonging as they provide vital companionship. Accompanying owners during the day and giving out love, pets have been a tremendous lovable activity for the elderly. Pets help you feel busy throughout the day with the daily chores eradicating the loneliness problem that often arises with ageing. Pets need love and care which the elderly are willing to give at this stage of their life. Feeding the pets and even taking them out for a walk are some of the everyday chores that the elderly adapt being a pet’s owner. Despite all this being true, on the other side of the story, we would still say that pets are not enough for older adults at their age. Our elderly loved ones still need human support to function in everyday life. You would agree that pets cannot possibly take care of one’s medical and functioning needs, right?

So, Why Is Human Support Needed?

Pets are an essential part of one’s life. The attachment they form with the care and love is unmatchable, and they help the elderly improve their mental state, reduce loneliness, and improve their health. Pets get uncomparable love by the elderly, but humans must fulfil the more significant needs for proper care of adults. A caregiver is a person that assists the elderly and provides human support. In the process of care, a caregiver helps older adults with preparing meals. Timely food with proper ingredients on is essential. Looking out for the right components in one’s meal is another task humans think through and control for the elderly adults. 

Medication management is another chore that a human care provider must carry out. Monitoring, tracking, and reminding the elderly about their medication is not a pet’s job, so human support is required. Taking care of medical condition for an elderly and going for appointments can also be not done by a pet. Ensuring that the patients do not take a medicine that is the same is also a significant task carried out by a caregiver.

Although companionship is one task that pets can carry out but not entirely. Giving and taking love is essential, but the elderly need someone to talk to, someone to understand their words and pets can listen, but humans must still initiate a conversation. Having a feeling to say something to them and getting a returned feedback is what the elderly want at this stage of their life. So companionship from humans is also a must through human support. 

Personal care is something that pets and humans both need throughout the day. A professional and expert caregiver can fulfil the needs of older adults, including washing, cleaning after toilet, bathing, changing clothes, exercising or even merely a walk to another human or even a pet. Similarly, pets also need human to care for them. An older adult who needs care himself might not care for the pets. Pets require washing and cleaning, taken out for a walk and even fed multiple times a day. All of these chores without human support is impossible.

Older people sometimes feel the need to go out for entertainment or just a small drive making them happy and refreshed. Staying inside the house for long hours make them dull. The need and urge to see the world outside and what’s happening there sometimes becomes necessary, and this refreshing turn in an ageing person’s life can help them cheer up, shine and get a new perspective. A pet cannot fulfil this need for transportation and assistance in getting out of the house, but a human care provider.

Wrapping It Up

Even though pets are a good way of providing love and a sense of touch and attachment for an older adult, there are some primary needs that humans can only fulfil. If you wish to hire a personal caregiver for yourself or your elderly loved ones, get in touch with us at ActiveCare Home Care, we’ll be happy to guide you through our services. 

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Our aging senior friends often get bored and lose their charming self-personality. We are inclined towards learning new things, adventures, hiking, and socializing; but due to the limited mobility of our aging loved ones, they are constricted to home.

Nonetheless, they deserve a healthy and spirited life indoors or not.

Check out some of the most creative, productive, and entertaining things you can do with your loved ones.

GARDENING

Seeing a seed grow into a plant is a delicate pleasure. Gardening will strengthen your relationship with your loved one as you spend time in the greenery and sunlight.

You can grow vegetables and fruits for cooking food or flowers and decorative plants for the feast of your eyes.

GET INNOVATIVE

We have an artistic side to ourselves and now maybe is the perfect time to explore it. Try painting, crafting, or basic knitting with your loved one. If you can play an instrument ask them if they are interested in playing too. Teach them, learn from them, and especially let them discover all the things they couldn’t do before.

BRAIN GAMES

Games like puzzles, memory games, chess, sudoku, crosswords and many more will keep our senior friends’ mind fresh, young, and vibrant. According to a study conducted in November 2016 international psychogeriatrics, brain games improve thinking skills, short-term memory, decision-making skills which tend to weaken with age. 

COOKING

Spending time with your loved one while doing a simple chore as cooking is the best way to be productive and make delicious conversations at the same time.

Try a new recipe or bake cake or cookies. This will stimulate their spirit, make them feel independent, and bring a missing piece of excitement in their life.

SWAY AND SING

Music is the language of emotions and for our evergreen heart owners, music can do unimaginable things.

Music can stimulate happiness, feelings, and a shy gentle swaying. To make your loved one’s day memorable, play their favorite song, try to dance with them if possible. Music triggers memories of valuable moments and the ones they loved.

LOVE YOURSELF

Seniors have invested so many years in their career, education, and family. It’s time for our elder friends to take some time for themselves.

Give them a manicure, pedicure, hair coloring, styling, massages, and spa at home. Self-care is a necessity. Let them feel beautiful, cared, and loved.

WATCH WEB-SERIES, MOVIES, SHOWS

The best break from a boring daily routine would be watching a movie you wanted to watch for days. A simple fort of cushions, home-cooked popcorn, and a hand to hold on to a horror scene is all you need!

About ActiveCare Home Care:

Your loved ones need conscious care and companionship.

Comprehending your busy schedules and hectic days, seeking help for loved one is reasonable. ActiveCare Home Care is an experienced and skilled team, helping our senior friends to live a normal, healthy, and happy life.

We provide a wide range of services for various types of needs and requirements. Contact our senior care experts now!

The post List of Simple things to do with your senior loved ones at home appeared first on ActiveCare Home Care.

If you are looking for gift ideas for your beloved elderly, then we may have something for you. Whether it is their birthday or an occasion, it can be quite challenging and confusing in selecting the right gifts for the seniors.

The thing is, they have spent more than half of their lives and had almost everything they wanted. Instead of giving them ornaments, decoration pieces, or clothes, how about you gift them something that can help promote their health, well-being, and happiness. After all, the whole point of gifting is to make them feel contended.

ActiveCare Home Care strives to serve the elderly in all ways possible to put a smile on their face by keeping them safe and healthy. That is why we have some fantastic gift ideas for you so you can make your loved ones happy.

Indoor garden:

An indoor garden can be a wonderful gift for the elderly. As your loved one’s age, they may look for new activities to keep themselves engaged. All the health issues and diseases stop them from taking part in outdoor gardening. So, you can present them with a complete indoor garden in which they can grow mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and anything they want.

Indoor gardening is something the elderly can easily do, take care of daily, reap the rewards, and use it for their benefit. Several things can be raised in an indoor garden. Try to be creative; even simple house plants can make them happy. The feeling of looking after something can be quite rewarding for them. So, don’t miss the chance.

A photo frame:

A photo frame is indeed mainstream, but it can be quite memorable if you know how to present it effectively. You can digitalize all the memorable moments of their life in a single photo frame and give it to them. The elderly usually don’t have much to do. In times like these, they reminisce the memories of their life. The truth is this is what makes them happy. The frame can not only create an archive for the family but also rekindle joyous memories.

Folding canes with LED light:

You can gift a walking cane with built-in LED lights to the elderly. These canes are super compact and can be easily folded for convenient storage. The elderly may have trouble with regular canes or sticks, so this may be your chance to make their life better and safer with something useful. Walking canes can come in handy to help older adult enhance their mobility, their balance, and to avoid falls. 

Soft Gloves and socks:

Aging can impact blood circulation in the body and make the elderly’s hands and feet cold. That’s why you can gift them with plushy gloves and socks to keep their hands and feet warm. They can use these items to wear at home or in bed to keep themselves cozy. There are many specialized socks available that come with non-slip features to avoid tripping and falling.

Jar opener:

Older people often find it hard to open jars. It’s time you give them a jar opener to make their lives better and efficient. You can find several battery-powered jar openers that can handle jars of all sizes and even open the most rigid jar lids or bottle caps. All they must do is place the jar openers on any cover and press the button to automatically uncap almost any jar, including jelly, pickles, pasta sauce, soda bottles, etc. A jar opener can be an ideal helper for seniors and can make their lives easier and pain-free. 

A set of essential oils:

The aging bones become weak and can give rise to pain occasionally. These oils are quite therapeutic and can be used for multiple purposes. The most popular way to utilize essential oils is to inhale them.

Essential oils contain unique scents and have excellent therapeutic properties. But they can also be utilized in diffusers and humidifiers and used with a carrier oil and applied directly to the skin. Essential oils have a broad range of medicinal and therapeutic properties, and that is why it can be a wonderful present for seniors.

Heated neck wraps:

Seniors are more prone to recurring neck pain or swelling that can make their life miserable. It can also cause trouble in sleeping or doing anything at all. By presenting them with a heated neck wrap, you can help them in having instant pain relief. Such wraps can provide soothing warmth to the elderly’s aches and pain. They will surely love it at first glance; besides, you’ll be saving them from all the muscle tension.

Music compilation:

Older adults love reminiscing memories that also include the great music of their era. How about you compile a list of all the songs they love from their time in a CD, gift wrap it, and present it to them. You will see the light of joy in their eyes instantly as soon as they open the gift.

The Bottom Line:

With New Year arriving, you may find yourself in a position where you can’t decide what to gift your loved ones, especially your family’s seniors. There are many options available, but it’s hard to figure what will be of real value and use to the elderly. That’s why we have compiled a list of items that the elderly will love and cherish. All these gift ideas can indeed promote their well-being, safety, satisfaction, and most importantly, happiness.

The post Fantastic Gift Ideas: Promote Health, Safety, and Happiness in Seniors appeared first on ActiveCare Home Care.