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The Healthiest Spring Activities for Seniors

wahca · March 30, 2018 ·

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and spring is on its way. We all know that sunshine, exercise, and fresh air can do wonders for our health, fighting depression, mental degeneration, and all types of chronic disease. Seniors, in particular, should take advantage of these benefits and make good use of the warm weather while it’s here.

Get in touch with nature

Outdoor activity is essential to staying healthy and happy, no matter your age. Get in touch with nature with these activities:

Start a garden. Gardening is a productive activity that almost anyone can do and is the perfect way to kick off the spring season.
If you don’t have space for a garden, try growing herbs in your home! Herb boxes are easy to start and fun to work on—plus, with a supply of fresh herbs at the ready, you’ll never have a boring meal again.
Set up a bird feeder for bird watching. You might be surprised at how many exotic birds you can find from the comfort of your own backyard. Buy a hanging feeder and watch the critters go.
Get some patio furniture and make outdoor time part of your routine.

Get some exercise

Exercise is beneficial for adults of all ages, but keeping active is particularly important for seniors who want to stay fit and mobile as they grow older. Consider these options:

Visit a local park or trail and just walk around. Enjoy the fresh air.
For an activity that’s easier on the joints, consider bicycling. Cycling is great exercise and can provide an amazing sense of freedom to seniors who struggle to get around due to joint pain.
Give swimming a try. Swimming is one of the lowest-impact exercises out there and is perfect for seniors who struggle with mobility. Check out guided water aerobics classes or underwater calisthenics.

Get out there and socialize

Too many seniors stay isolated in their homes and miss out on great opportunities to socialize. And this socialization is important, particularly for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that regular socialization is one of the most important factors in improving a patient’s mental acuity. With that in mind, try these options:

Look for local groups at community centers or churches that host activities for seniors. Regular socializing is a great way to keep the mind sharp, particularly for seniors who have trouble getting out.
Take a class at a local college, such as pottery, weaving, or painting. These are often inexpensive and can introduce seniors to fun hobbies they can enjoy on their own or with others.
Volunteer with charitable groups, such as the Salvation Army, relief shelters, or even through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Tidy up the house

Spring means spring cleaning. And according to a survey of U.S. adults, the hardest part about spring cleaning is just getting started. Don’t put it off another minute.

If you have some extra time on your hands and want to go even deeper, consider downsizing your possessions. Most of us have way more junk in our closets than we need, and if you look at which products you use on a daily basis, you’ll likely find plenty of things to get rid of. Get serious about cleaning house.
These are just a few options, but the sky is the limit. Get creative and think of new ways to spend your time now that spring is here.

How Home Care Technology Can Keep Your Elderly Family Members Safe

wahca · February 23, 2018 ·

My grandmother was one of the toughest people I knew. With 40 years’ experience as a park ranger under her belt and an accomplished mother of six, she was an independent woman who never needed to rely on anyone. This was one of my favorite things about her—until she grew too old to take care of herself.

You see, my grandmother lived alone in a small house across town from my parents. My father would make special trips up to her house every few days to check on her and make sure she was okay, but even in her old age, she was never amenable to the idea of someone else taking care of her.

One day, my parents called me over with a grim look on their faces. Grandma was in the hospital.

The previous evening (and just hours after my dad had checked on her) she had tripped, fallen, and broken her hip—far away from her landline phone. She spent the night and the following day on the floor in pain before we could help.

This is one of the biggest challenges of caring for elderly family members. There’s a point in time when they lose their ability to safely take care of themselves yet retain enough of their independence to reject the idea of hiring home care agencies or living in a care facility.

In tricky situations like these, technology can be the answer.

At-Home Safety Devices

If your elderly family member is struggling to manage his/her personal care but refuses to accept the idea of assistance, equipping them with home care technology can be a great middle ground. And fortunately, there are plenty of these devices on the market these days. Here are just a few choices that may be appropriate, depending on your family member’s level of independence and personal needs:

Motion sensor lighting: Even us younger folks tend to stumble around in the dark trying to find light switches. Motion lights offer an easy way to guarantee that your loved ones don’t have to struggle to turn lights on and off.

Pill dispensers: Particularly for those struggling with Alzheimer’s or general memory loss, automated pill dispensers are a great way to guarantee that the right medications are dispensed at the right time. They can even send out alerts to let you know if a dosage is missed.

Location tracking devices: We’ve all heard horror stories of people with dementia getting lost outside and losing track of their surroundings. Wearable location tracking devices can help address issues like these.

Health and activity monitor: For more general health monitoring, activity monitors (akin to FitBits) can provide information on sleep patterns, energy expended each day, and more.

Emergency response systems: The ability to call for help is critical in keeping loved ones safe. Wearable emergency response devices can be worn around the neck or hooked to clothing to give seniors an easy way to call for help should an accident occur.

Mobility-friendly rooms: It’s important to give your family members the means to keep themselves safe, even without technology. Consider installing handrails around the house, equipping their homes with walk-in showers with handholds, and generally keeping the floor clear of clutter that they may trip over.

Always Maintain Contact, Regardless of Technology

While several of these tools could have helped my grandmother in the above scenario, even the best home care technology can’t prevent every accident. It’s critical to maintain contact with your elderly loved ones, particularly if they’ve struggled with self-care in the past. While hiring home care agencies may be inevitable at a certain point, the right combination of home care technology and personal contact can guarantee that your members stay safe, secure, and happy as they grow older.

Your How-To Guide for Hiring In-Home Help

wahca · January 12, 2018 ·

Deciding to hire a home care agency is the first step toward developing a long-term relationship of trust with an organization. As such, those beginning the selection process should be aware of the steps needed to make sure the agency can provide the level of care you need while staying in your budget.

Agencies vs. Individual Caregivers

It’s important to note that while many people assume “in-home care” means hiring an individual caregiver, this isn’t always the best option. Home care agencies tend to charge more due to the costs of finding qualified help, performing background checks, confirming certifications, and handling the administrative costs of a full staff. Those who hire in-home caregivers have to perform all of these checks themselves, with no assurance of quality or experience for each candidate.

This peace of mind is what makes home care agencies a preferable option for those who want to guarantee quality care for their loved ones.

It Starts With a Phone Call

After searching for home care agencies in your area, the next step is to give them a call. Collect basic information, such as their care options and service rates to see if they can meet your needs. They’ll likely ask you some basic personal questions and get you scheduled for an in-person interview.

Prepare for the Consultation

When meeting with home care representatives for your initial consultation, it pays to come prepared. The representative will ask you (or your family member) a series of personal questions to determine your care needs. These generally include the following:

Personal background, interests, hobbies, and favorite activities
The specific tasks you need help with (overnight care, meal preparation, running errands, etc.)
Current health information and medical history
Emergency contact information for family members and physicians

Have this information and any necessary documentation on hand to help the process go smoothly.

Questions You Should Ask

Of course, just as important as the questions they ask you are the questions you ask them. Everyone considering the services of a home care agency should put the representatives through their paces and learn as much about the organization as possible. Questions to ask here may include the following:

What levels of care do you offer? Most home care agencies offer help that ranges from basic assistance with errands to comprehensive, around-the-clock care. Make sure the agency is capable of meeting your needs at a price you can afford.
Are background checks performed? All reputable home care agencies check the background, accreditations, and health certifications of all employees, so make sure the agency you’re considering follows suit. This includes proper licensing, bonding, and insuring of all caregivers.
What training is provided? Ask your prospective agency about the training they provide their caregivers. Individuals with disabilities and special needs often have unique care requirements that require dedicated training to become proficient in. Make sure the agency in question has healthcare practitioners who receive up-to-date and ongoing training to provide the assistance your family member needs.

Don’t Rush the Decision

After the interview, you and your family should have enough information to make a decision about which care options are feasible. But more than anything else, take your time when considering your home care options. Quality care can be hard to find, and there’s nothing more important than finding the right caregiver able to support you and your family’s needs. If you’re interested in finding a home care agency that has a passion for client care, please contact us or visit our national home care registry.