Category: Caregiver Tips

Incorporating a balance of nutritious food choices in daily meal planning is essential at every stage of the life cycle. Yet for older adults who are at a greater risk of chronic health issues and changes in muscle mass and bone density, eating well is all the more so a critical component of being able to stay active and healthy. Many associate healthy eating with restricting calories and weight gain, however, a well-balanced diet does much more than just that. While providing the body with vital nutrients to regulate its systems, it also positively affects brain function and emotional health.

So, what should go into a well- planned meal? How can caregivers ensure they provide the adults in their care with the nutrients they need to stay active, feel energetic, and maintain healthy functioning? Which foods are best enjoyed or restricted?

In an effort to promote public health, the USDA has published a comprehensive guide to healthy eating for all ages, entitled Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Using this thorough guide, along with exploring the USDA website entitled MyPlate, older adults can find helpful meal-planning tips, important nutrition information, and key recommendations that support a healthy lifestyle. Read on to explore some practical tips and pointers on how seniors can make healthy food choices part of daily life.

Plan meals with food group variety.

Healthy eating starts with a balanced diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, and dairy or soy alternatives. Each food group offers a combination of nutrients that supply the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to regulate its functions. The Food Group Gallery helps adults categorize foods they are familiar with and incorporate a proper balance of numerous food group items into their daily diet. MyPlatePlan is another helpful tool seniors can use to tailor meal planning and help them efficiently shop for ingredients. Even while making an effort to vary food choices, it is important that caregivers consult with a qualified dietary advisor who can offer guidance on necessary intake and special considerations.

Choose healthy snacks.

Many seniors benefit from eating two healthy snacks per day, which stabilizes blood sugar between meals, prevents overeating, and keeps their energy levels consistently high. Snacking on fruits and vegetables, as opposed to store-bought, processed foods that have plenty of added sugar, fats, and sodium, is a great way to integrate healthy food into daily living. Caregivers can help with chopping seasonal produce, or look out for pre-chopped varieties in local supermarkets. Some nutritious snacking options include:

• Veggies with hummus, Try carrots, celery, or cucumber sticks paired with a variety of hummus flavors that are available on the market.
• Citrus fruits, Sliced oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, helping to boost immunity and fight off infection.
• Unsalted nuts, Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios are great heart-healthy options that keep fresh for a while and need no prep.
• Cottage cheese , Enjoy a great source of protein and calcium that can be paired with whole grain crackers to be more filling, or with an added spoonful of jam or berries for flavor.
• Smoothies, Get the combined benefits of fresh fruits and yogurt, while sneaking in some nutritious add-ins that are easily disguised. Try spinach, avocado, protein powder, and wheat germ for added nutritional value.

Eat with others.

When planning and cooking meals becomes a tiring chore, it’s time to be sure you’re eating in good company. Occasional potluck meals, where everyone brings one part of the meal, are a great way to make mealtime enjoyable and cooking a lot easier for seniors. There may also be dining options at a nearby senior center, community center, or religious facility, where attendees can enjoy a free or low-cost meal, while socializing as they eat.

Keep hydrated.

Older adults don’t always notice when they get thirsty, putting them at risk of dehydration, even when it isn’t necessarily warm outside. Caregivers should supervise and make sure the adults they care for are drinking fluids on a regular basis, which ideally should be at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water over the day. While sugary drinks are not recommended, seniors can also keep hydrated by drinking natural juices, tea, soup, or even water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as fresh watermelon or cucumbers.

Avoid food that aren’t good for you.

This statement sounds obvious and unnecessary, yet it’s always important to emphasize those foods that negatively affect one’s well being. While sometimes convenient, pleasurable, or even more budget-friendly, these items are best avoided always, especially for older adults:

• Alcohol overconsumption can decrease brain volume, disrupt neurotransmitters, and lead to behavioral changes, memory loss and sleep difficulties.
• Mercury, found mostly in wild seafood, where the heavy metal can contaminate fish and have adverse effects on those who ingest it. Mercury toxicity concentrates the brain, kidneys and liver, and disrupts the central nervous system.
• Refined carbohydrates, such as white flour or sugar, can spike blood sugar and insulin levels. A study published in the medical journal entitled Nutrients has shown high glycemic overload can impair memory and has been linked with risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• Trans fats, While natural unsaturated fats in dairy and meat aren’t harmful, artificial trans fats in frosting, margarine, pre-packaged foods, shortening, and snack foods can harm the brain. Studies have found that artificial trans fat consumption increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, reduction in brain volume, and poor memory.

Tackle a lack of appetite.

Age-related changes to the body can cause some adults to feel full sooner than they did when they were younger and be less motivated to eat proper, filling meals. It is also possible for medication side effects to include lack of appetite, which makes it worthwhile for seniors to discuss alternative medication options with their doctors, when available.

If food becomes unappealing, caregivers can look out for ways to vary flavors, textures, and colors in each meal. Taking a trip to a local supermarket is a great way to look out for seasonal vegetables, fruits, or seafood options that haven’t been eaten or available in a while. Alternative cooking methods for familiar foods, such as quickly steaming vegetables instead of broiling, allows them to maintain their crunch and offers texture variety.

It is also essential that older adults keep physically active. Engaging in routine exercise burns calories and can help bring on hunger, ultimately motivating adults to take advantage at scheduled mealtimes.

Learn about senior food programs.

Through the Older Americans Act and other programs, such as Meals on Wheels, seniors can access local resources that ensure healthy eating and ease daily meal preparation. These programs often include group and home-delivered meal options to ensure that healthy meal choices are easily accessible. Visit the Eldercare Locator to search for resources in your area.

Here we’ve addressed some practical pointers and helpful resources that can encourage seniors and their caregivers to incorporate healthy food choices into daily living. With increased focus and a bit of effort, nutritious eating can become less overwhelming, more accessible, and perhaps an enjoyable lifestyle upgrade.

Feel free to further explore our website, where you can find additional caregiver resources and a variety of timely topics such as medical assistance, personal care, and senior companionship.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our team of caring and experienced personal caregivers, registered nurses, and home health aides who expertly serve families just like yours. We’re here for you and happy to assist your family. Give us a call at (845) 425-6555 with any questions.

In the best of cases, major life transitions are most often experienced with a mix of apprehension, excitement, and curiosity. Adults are typically eager to embrace new opportunities, yet, by the same token, frequently experience varying levels of anxiety towards the changes that come along with transitioning into an unfamiliar environment or life circumstance.

Moving can evoke a plethora of emotions, as the individual is triggered to process that which is being left behind and embrace a new reality in a place that is unknown. For seniors who require assistance in their daily routines, moving is very often not their personal choice and is most commonly accompanied by heightened levels of stress, frustration, and bewilderment.

In medical terms, moving from one location to another puts seniors at risk of Relocation Stress Syndrome, or transfer trauma. RSS refers to a combination of physiological and psychological disturbances that an individual exhibits upon being transferred from one environment to another. In elderly adults, transfer trauma can trigger depression, distress, and social withdrawal. There are multiple factors that exacerbate RSS symptoms as well, including dementia, mild cognitive impairment, frailty, lack of social support, and sensory impairment. As a result, older adults become confused, depressed, and agitated, leading to increased falls, weight loss, and self-care deficits. RSS also presents a risk of premature death because of the decline in physical and emotional well-being.

With awareness and appreciation for the grave impact moving can have on seniors, it is worthwhile to focus on how to best prepare older adults for their transition to a new environment and make an effort to minimize the stresses of moving, wherever possible. We’ve compiled some practical tips and resources that can help caregivers prepare older adults for a smooth transfer to a new place of living.

1. Keep the planning process collaborative.

While some older adults are limited by a medical condition or cognitive impairment, it is helpful to allow those who are capable of making sound decisions to feel they have an active part in planning their move, as much as possible. Discussing the possible changes and outlining the details offers clarity and a sense of control in the transition process.

However, there are many cases seniors in which seniors are not given the choice of moving, and circumstance requires that they relocate to a new place that is far from ideal in their opinion. Relocation for older adults frequently occurs as a result of a fall, accident, or medical incident. Family and caregivers may need to arrange for moving because of a crisis that suddenly made them aware that a higher level of care is now necessary. They also may gradually come to feel unequipped to provide the appropriate support and opt for better care services in another environment. In such circumstances, seeking out ways to honor the older adult’s preferences regarding where they will be moving to, as well as taking a tour of relevant options may somewhat ease the transition and allow for better outcomes in their new place.

2. Offer support throughout the moving process.

Involving family and friends in the moving process can alleviate the feelings of abandonment or loneliness that many seniors experience when exchanging their familiar surroundings for an environment that is foreign to them. Family and friends can be asked to casually engage the senior in conversation about their upcoming move while taking care to offer validation for their concerns and disappointments. If the older adult is moving into a nursing home, assisted living facility, or another supportive housing setting, consult with staff about how to minimize the likelihood that they will experience Relocation Stress Syndrome. They may be able to assign a staff member to the new resident who will help them get acclimated, encourage them to take part in activities, and introduce them to the residents and staff.

3. Safeguard the senior’s personal possessions.

It is likely that downsizing and relocating will be an emotionally challenging experience for the older adult. Many seniors have lived in their homes for decades, experiencing a variety of lifecycle events and marking numerous significant milestones over their time there. They may have invested a significant amount of resources and effort into their home structure and property, built their families, or amassed an accumulation of personal possessions that they are now forced to move away from. It can be difficult to come to terms with leaving their experiences behind and go through the process of selecting which items to keep and which to part with. Therefore, family members and caregivers should exercise extra sensitivity in the packing process and offer their support throughout. Be available to patiently help them sort their possessions into items they want to take along, donate, or give to friends or loved ones.

There is also a strong possibility that this process will trigger many memories and spark conversation that is meaningful to the older adult. Ensuring that there is sufficient time for reminiscing while handling the logistics of the move is a gift that will allow the adult closure on the past, and ease their transition into their new environment.

4. Involve the senior in setting up their new place.

Making the new place resemble the old home as much as possible is another way to help seniors settle comfortably into their new home. Choosing sentimental items to put on display will allow the older adult to maintain a connection to their past experiences and present opportunities for them to share with others when they attract the attention of visitors. It may also be helpful to take a trip shopping for home decor that will spread warmth and allow for personal expression. Stores such as Homegoods, Target, or Walmart offer a wide selection of knickknacks and decorative items that will increase the adult’s positive association with their new home.

5. Get help from senior move managers.

Move managers help plan and oversee any move, including moving from a longtime home to a communal home. In addition to hiring movers and supervising them, they help sort and pack belongings, as well as unpack at the new home.

Move managers are experts in navigating the tricky emotional terrain involved in moving someone who has accumulated a lifetime’s worth of possessions, in addition to handling the time-consuming and often backbreaking logistics. They’re especially useful for those who have decades’ worth of accumulated belongings, whose health is frail, or who don’t have adult children nearby. A senior move manager can also help you downsize possessions if someone is moving in with you (or vice versa) so you can accommodate multiple generations.

Pricing for move management services varies greatly. Some senior move managers charge by the hour (usually $25 to $75, depending on the region) or by the job. Visit the National Association of Senior Move Managers to find a move manager near you.

Here we’ve addressed 5 helpful tips that can help family and caregivers smooth the moving process for a senior they are caring for. Regardless of the circumstances that prompt the move, be sure to stay focused on the factors that can ease the transition and reduce the risk of transfer trauma.

On our website, you can find additional caregiver resources and explore a variety of timely topics such as medical assistance, personal care, and senior companionship. Reach out to us today to learn more about our team of caring and experienced personal caregivers, registered nurses, and home health aides who expertly serve families just like yours. We’re here for you and happy to assist your family. Give us a call at (845) 425-6555 with any questions.

Community Home Health Care wishes you and your loved one a smooth transition into the new environment they will soon call home!

The days are longer and brighter, as luscious lawns and trees in full bloom color beckon us to fill our extended afternoons with outdoor activities and relaxation. With unique ways to make memories and spend time with family and friends present in every season, take advantage of summer’s bounty of recreational activities, warmth, and sunlight.

With more opportunities for spending time outdoors, it is important to note that exposure to sunlight offers numerous advantages. While anyone will tell you that sunshine brightens the mood and lifts their spirits, Vitamin D, a nutrient the body produces when the sun’s UV rays come in contact with the skin, also yields significant health benefits. For seniors specifically, the CDC highlights, Vitamin D has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety, enhance cognition, and improve sleep quality. It also enables the body to absorb calcium, a nutrient that helps maintain strong bones.

Yet, spending time in the sun poses significant risks as well. Overheating or dehydration can significantly affect organ function and cause irreversible damage, yet can easily be avoided by consistently drinking. Long-term exposure to UV rays can cause damage to the skin, eyes, and immune system. Therefore, while it is highly recommended that seniors get direct exposure to the sun at least once a day to reap its benefits, applying quality sunscreen and limiting time outdoors to increments of 20-30 minutes will help reduce the health risks associated with excessive exposure to direct sunlight.

Here we’ve compiled some great entertainment options for those eager to venture out in the summer sun or other ideas to enjoy while staying cool indoors:

1. Experience the Lovely Outdoors

While heat may limit time enjoyed outdoors, early morning or late afternoon hours in some locations are significantly milder and offer the perfect temperatures for comfortably enjoying time spent outside. Start the day by taking in the fresh dew and early sunshine on a scenic morning walk. Caregivers can accompany older adults on a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood as the day awakens, or in slightly more rigorous physical activity offered by following a guided walking trail in a local park or nature reserve. Be sure to consider your loved one’s mobility when planning an outing. You’ll want to make sure the choice is appropriately suited to their physical capabilities, including scouting out paths that are smoothly paved to avoid falls or accommodate wheelchair accessibility, if necessary.

For those less motivated to venture out early in the day, late summer afternoon and early evening hours offer unique scenic views, as the sun sets and summer fireflies speckle the night sky. No matter if you choose to admire the scenery from the porch, while strolling in a local park, or walking along a guided hiking trail, you’re guaranteed to return indoors refreshed.

2. Take A Fishing Excursion

A fishing outing is a relaxing venue that appeals to many older adults. Spending time with old friends or a grandchild is an experience that seniors often enjoy and treasure as memorable moments spent together, for years to come. Be sure to inquire about senior fishing license discounts offered in many states, as well as discounts at local fishing clubs.

3. Groom the Garden

A home garden is a wonderful way to spend leisurely time outdoors while getting some exercise and enhancing the landscape. Nurseries and major home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot carry an array of affordable shrubs, herbs, vegetables, and flowers that can be planted without requiring extensive gardening experience or upkeep. For seniors who have limited mobility, choosing options that require little maintenance or are kept in pots that are easy to access will allow them to be involved in the project, even if they require some caregiver help. Older adults will take pride in using homegrown herbs while cooking, or seeing their plants take root and add lively color to their home environment.

4. Visit a Farmers Market

Summer farmer’s markets are more than a convenient place to purchase locally-grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy products, or honey. Visiting a farmer’s market is also an informal way for seniors to be social by offering them the opportunity to interact with neighbors and support local farmers. Caregivers can accompany adults strolling through the market and stop for free product samples and treats while enjoying the plethora of colors and produce. Many farmers’ markets keep their summer calendars filled with features such as live music festivals, jewelry stands, or fresh juice bars. Your loved one can select from a variety of fresh products to enjoy at home, or bring to the next family BBQ, and is sure to look forward to another delightful trip. Click here to locate the farmer’s market closest to you.

5. Snack on Seasonal Treats

On a hot afternoon, when spending time outside is less appealing, who doesn’t savor the sweet flavor of iced lemonade or fresh summer fruit? Cooler indoor accommodations with sunlight streaming in through the window are the perfect opportunity for spending time experimenting in the kitchen and sharing a refreshing snack. With easy-to-find ingredients, caregivers can help whip up something delicious to snack on or share with friends and family at the next opportunity. Take advantage of summer’s bounty of blueberries, peaches, and squash by incorporating them into one of these simple-to-prepare seasonal treats.

6. Visit A Museum

While summer is synonymous with sunshine, many locales get their fair share of rainy days interspersed throughout the season as well. For a day that you seek an indoor alternative to being out in the hot sun or downpour, a museum or aquarium is the perfect venue for relaxing entertainment. Your loved one will be comfortable and enjoy the spacious, air-conditioned rooms while exploring exhibits and learning new things. Many museums and aquariums offer senior discounts, as well as easily accommodate seniors who are wheelchair-bound. Be sure to inquire about special events hosted throughout the summer.

We’ve rounded up 6 convenient and budget-friendly summer activities that seniors can easily take part in to maximize the season’s pleasures as well. Regardless of where you and your loved one choose to spend your time, be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day as you celebrate the new season spirit.

You can find additional caregiver resources on our website, and explore a variety of timely topics such as medical assistance, personal care, and senior companionship. Reach out to us today to learn more about our team of caring and experienced personal caregivers, registered nurses, and home health aides who expertly serve families just like yours. We’re here for you and happy to assist your family. Give us a call at (845) 425-6555 with any questions.

Regardless of how you choose to share the summer days, we hope you enjoy the time spent together. Community Home Health Care wishes you and your family a safe and relaxing summer!

Life is full of responsibilities. As we age, our responsibilities increase in significance and broaden to include a wider circle of individuals who depend on us to meet their emotional and physical needs. With a myriad of tasks that demand our attention and sap our energies, juggling families, jobs, social networks, and personal needs all at once proves to be as equally challenging as it is rewarding.

Family carers charged with overseeing their elders’ well-being have an additional weighty responsibility that affects their day-to-day living. With decision-making, emotional care, financial considerations and physical needs constantly requiring their attentiveness, an additional measure of resilience and support is critical for care success. Family caregivers play an invaluable role in enhancing their loved one’s quality of life and ensuring their overall well-being. Therefore, it is crucial for carers to confront the complexity of their role by taking time out to care for themselves, as well.

When asked what gets in their way of caring for themselves, family carers’ responses echo various sentiments:

“I just don’t have time.”

“I feel guilty taking time for myself when my Mom needs me.”

“It feels selfish to block out everything else I need to tackle.”

“I can’t delegate. No one can take care of Dad the way I do.”

These statements only highlight how heavily the responsibility of caring for their loved one rests on their shoulders, and how crucial it is for caregivers to prioritize scheduling slots for occasionally invigorating themselves.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 practical ways for family carers to relieve stress and avoid burnout, ensuring that they can continuously provide for their aging loved one with dedication.

1. Create a self-care routine.

Building self-care slots into your daily schedule creates a default for healthy emotional regulation. Daily self-care can be as basic as sitting down for a coffee break at midday, taking just 10 minutes of reading in quiet, enjoying a brisk walk around the block, or gaining some time to think along a 5-minute drive taken without company while running an errand. With self-care, consistency is key, and keeping the time sacrosanct is what will make the difference between being exhausted or energetic in the role of caregiver.

2. Get support from peers.

There are various formal support venues available to those providing in-home care for elders. Whether through a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meeting, in person or virtually, connecting with others who share your struggles and stresses can be a helpful tool in alleviating stress, gaining validation, or sharing your experiences. Search forums online, or find out if your community offers caregiver support groups at the local senior activities center. With an appropriate forum for sharing your caregiving dilemmas and challenges, you’ll eliminate resentment and find it easier to stay focused, positive, and helpful to your loved one.

3. Consult with a therapist.

With so many complexities and responsibilities to juggle at once, keeping your mind focused and clear can be quite a challenge. Meeting consistently with a skilled therapist can be a practical and comfortable space for processing your feelings, learning how to set boundaries, and improving communication with your loved one who is aging in place and other family members. Building rapport with an objective professional can go a long way in limiting tensions, misunderstandings, and emotional overload.

4. Embrace your limitations.

Caring for a loved one should be and could be a labor of love, even if it seems out of reach. By recognizing the areas in which you are limited and learning to accept them, you can deliver higher quality care that is stress-free. Keeping a constant reminder of how much you are doing for your loved one, will make it easier to accept the areas in which you can’t deliver, even if you wanted to.

Overwhelmed by nutritious meal preparation that consumes too much time? Consider stocking the freezer every two weeks to offer your loved one healthy choices that can be easily reheated. Want to make housekeeping more efficient? Invest in color-coded bins to keep things neat, categorized, and within reach, so you can maintain order with less effort and save time spent on putting things away. With practical tricks and a healthy outlook on how much you’re doing, you can feel calm and positively redirect energy that would otherwise be drained when focused on where your caregiving lacks.

5. Delegate as much as you can.

No one said you have to be doing everything. Caring for a loved one takes its toll emotionally, physically, and financially, and therefore, it is crucial to pursue options that can alleviate at least some responsibility, some of the time. Taking a much-needed respite from caregiving duties can also go a long way in invigorating your role. With constant demands from your loved one, it can be hard to carve out time to totally disconnect for a short while in order to return refreshed and recharged. Also, making temporary caregiver arrangements can feel far from ideal at the moment, yet, prioritizing pockets of self-care, as addressed earlier, will only strengthen your commitment to your loved one and enable you to continue giving without burnout.

In addition, there has been much public reform on the issue and value of aging in place, and therefore are countless resources available to adults in any financial bracket. Putting in some time to research your loved one’s Medicaid eligibility can open new doors for your family that can prove to be revolutionary. You may discover stimulating senior day programs, subsidized aide services at varying levels of care, transportation assistance, and emotional support that can all contribute to significantly lowering stress levels, saving time, and cutting costs.

Family members caring for the elderly should keep in mind that home caregiving services significantly relieve many of the stresses associated with eldercare responsibilities. Hired caregivers can offer valued assistance with meal preparation, grocery shopping, and various other daily household or personal care tasks. Aides can also afford the patient a sense of safety, companionship, and the comfort of remaining autonomous in a familiar environment. This doesn’t mean you’ll be giving up the privilege of caring for an elder, it will only enhance your quality of life and allow you to focus solely on what you enjoy doing most for your loved one.

Feel free to peruse our variety of additional caregiver resources throughout our website, and explore relevant topics such as medical assistance, personal care, and senior companionship.

We’re here for you and happy to assist your family. Reach out to us today to learn more about our team of caring and experienced personal caregivers, registered nurses, and home health aides who expertly serve families just like yours. Give us a call at (845) 425-6555 with any questions.