Caring Companions Of Atlanta

Helping People Live With Dignity

470-514-5954

“Raves” for Seniors!

Older Londoners “rave” in parties over tea!

If there is one truth I recognized in working with older adults its that they all were once young and have the stories to back that up! Many retain their youthful sense of humor and perspective…even if the old body is slowing down. I love hearing about the experiences they had as they navigated life.

I regularly attend events geared towards older adults and dancing is commonly on the agenda. Most seniors like to boogie and many retain a rhythm that today’s youth can’t match!

Case in point are tea party “raves” taking place in London. I came across this article and loved the outfits and spirit of the folks “raving.” Remember, you are only as old as you feel. RAVE ON!

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/j5az48/this-nightclub-for-the-elderly-is-fighting-loneliness-with-tea-party-raves

An Ounce of Prevention…

Hey friends!

We talk a lot in the older adult business about “resistance” and not wanting to admit one is losing their independence. We get it…look for a post specific to why older adults resist in a week or two. That being said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or a ton…or mega-ton!).

The thing is, a fall for a senior can spell disaster. It is one of the top three reasons older adults end up in the hospital. Fifty percent of people that break a hip over the age of 65 never end up back home. Mom…dad, ponder that.

My father asked me what I wanted for Christmas this past holiday season and my “ask” was that he see his doctor to get assessed for his fall risk. Get with a physical therapist to make sure he is exercising to lessen the likelihood of a fall and engage an occupational therapist to evaluate hi physical surroundings.

Class Helps Prevent Falls Among Seniors

I came across an article in the New York Times the other day that merits a share. It shares how seniors in the Netherlands are getting educated on how to deal with declining mobility issues and fall safely. The link is below:

NYT Article On Fall Classes in the Netherlands

I am happy to say that Santa delivered my holiday wish and I feel better about my dad living on his farm in SW Michigan.  My dad was a swimmer in his younger days (one year swam 365 miles at his health club!), and an avid camper and paddler. We took many float trips for days down rivers in the Ozarks camping along the way. I am not sure week-long canoe trips are in the cards with him in the near future, but at least I know he has done his part to be as safe as possible at home.

Happy reading friends!

Adam

Is Exercise the Missing Piece for Your Senior When it Comes to Staying Independent?

Maintaining independence is vital for many elderly family members. Most have been independent for many years and the idea of relying on other people too much can be discouraging. If that’s the case for your senior, exercise might be the one thing she’s missing in order to be as independent as she wants to be. Make sure that you talk with her doctor before beginning an exercise regimen to make sure that she’s healthy enough to be more active.

 

Elderly Care in Buckhead GA: Senior Exercise
Elderly Care in Buckhead GA: Senior Exercise

 

Maintains Muscle Strength

Aging tends to create some circumstances that your elderly family member would like to avoid, such as losing muscle mass. Even a mild exercise program can help your senior to maintain a good portion of the muscle mass that she already has. It’s not about bulking up even more, but that can certainly be a goal.

 

Improves Balance

Having great balance keeps your senior from being at greater risk for a fall. Some exercises are especially geared toward balance, such as yoga and tai chi. Focusing on those types of exercises can help your elderly family member to improve her ability to stay upright when she needs to.

 

Increases Energy

Many people find it odd that exercising can help to boost energy levels, but it’s true. For one thing, your senior is able to sleep better because her muscles have gotten a workout. She’ll also start to crave healthier foods that feed her body well. Add to that the boost in energy from getting her blood pumping and your senior has a tried and true way to get more energy.

 

Boosts Mood

Exercise helps to release chemicals such as endorphins that work to improve mood and emotional health. Along with other treatments, exercise can also help to relieve mild depression. It can take a few weeks of working out to see all of the biggest benefits, though.

 

Can Slow Down Some Chronic Illnesses

Some chronic health problems, like diabetes, osteoporosis, and circulatory illnesses, can benefit from an exercise routine. Regular, consistent exercise is best when your senior is exercising for health conditions since she won’t see results overnight.

Exercising alone isn’t all that fun. If you can’t exercise with your senior, consider asking friends, family, or even elder care providers to be her exercise buddy.

 

If you or an aging family member are considering elderly care in Buckhead, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

 

Congress Ready to Call Alzheimer’s a Public Health Issue

As the number of men and women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease soars, the cost of care also soars. In 2017, it’s expected that the total cost of Alzheimer’s care will top $250 billion. This growth led to the U.S. Congress to support the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act. The Congress is ready to declare Alzheimer’s and dementia as being a public health issue.

Home Care Services in Marietta GA: Increasing Alzheimer's Cost's
Home Care Services in Marietta GA: Increasing Alzheimer’s Cost’s

 

What is the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act?

S. 2076/H.R. 4256 looks at Alzheimer’s disease as a public health risk. It shifts attention to creating a solid plan to prevent, treat, and care for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The primary goals are to make sure that there are measures in place to:

• Provide early detection

• Make sure all patients receive the same level of dementia care, even if they are lower income

• Prevent unnecessary hospitalizations

• Lower the risk of declining cognitive abilities

• Offering more support to Alzheimer’s caregivers

• Providing a better plan for disease management and care

 

In order to do this, the BOLD Act would:

• Provide $5 million to help the CDC collect data regarding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in each state.

• Provide $12 million to provide centers to offer support and education to family members, medical workers, and community organizations.

• Provide $20 million to individual state health departments to focus on Alzheimer’s care and preventative programs.

 

Research suggests that lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These changes include losing weight, stopping smoking, getting plenty of exercises, and eating a healthy diet that avoids processed foods, fats, and excess sugar. Part of the plan with this bill is to focus on programs that make it easier for people to understand what they can do to reduce their risk.

 

Tips for Caring for Your Mom or Dad

If your parent has Alzheimer’s, you need to try to keep your stress down. It is harder to do than you might think. A parent with Alzheimer’s can be demanding, prone to mood swings, and often shows toddler-like behaviors. It’s important that you think of yourself, too. Make sure you’re taking breaks and returning to care for your mom or dad with a clear mind.

Home care agencies partner you with a caregiver who can take over in your absence. You go out with friends, spend time with a spouse or your children, and take as long a break as is needed to refresh. Learn more about respite services by calling a home care agency now.

If you or an aging family member are considering home care services in Marietta, GA,
please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

 

Source: https://www.alz.org/facts/

Could Your Aging Adult Benefit from Talking to Someone for Support

 

Aging can be extremely trying for your senior on an emotional level. She may find that she’s dealing with emotions that she doesn’t know how to manage or that she’s experiencing depression. If that’s the case, talking to one or more specific people can be extremely helpful for your aging adult.

 

Caregiver in Brookhaven GA: Senior Support
Caregiver in Brookhaven GA: Senior Support

 

Talking to Her Doctor

If you suspect that your senior is depressed or that she’s having a difficult time coping with her health issues, it might be a good idea to start with talking to her doctor. He can help to narrow down potential causes, medication interferences, and any other concerns that you might need to face. For depression and negative feelings that have a medical cause, your elderly family member’s doctor is the best option for finding a solid solution.

 

Seeing a Therapist or Counselor

Your senior might benefit from having a professional to talk to about how she’s feeling. She may need help working through the changes that she’s experiencing. Therapists can help her to develop coping mechanisms that are healthier than some of the choices she may already be facing. In some cases, simply talking through what is going on can be extremely helpful.

 

Joining Support Groups

If your senior has been diagnosed with a specific illness or condition, joining a support group can be incredibly beneficial. Usually, this involves meeting other people who are dealing with the same situation as your senior. Feeling less alone can be a powerful way for your aging adult to heal and to move forward from where she is now.


Having Senior Care Providers Available

Sometimes depression and other negative feelings arise from loneliness and isolation. If that’s the case for your aging adult, it’s possible that having someone around when you can’t be there is just what she needs. You can also try helping other friends and family members set up times to be more available for visits if that’s something that your elderly family member is open to doing.

Depression usually doesn’t go away on its own. If your senior doesn’t want to talk to someone now, she may change her mind with a bit of time.

If you or an aging family member are considering caregiver in Brookhaven, GA,
please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.