by Kay Bidwell | Feb 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
Now that we have established that there are no easy answers when it comes to dealing with aging parents, there will be numerous issues that need to be addressed. You may begin to notice the level of comprehension is no longer as sharp as it once was. The “blank stare” seems to be more and more prevalent. Now is the time to begin the process of reviewing levels of in-home care as you and your siblings can not always be in the home to assist as needed. Just be aware that in most instances, bringing someone in the home to assist will likely be met with resistance for a host of reasons. However, before you decide in-home care is needed, discuss the issues with your siblings. Discuss what they have seen and witnessed in private dealings with your parents. It is certainly much easier to make decisions when most (if not all) siblings are on board. Be open about your concerns, however don’t minimize your concerns based upon a sibling who may think everything is fine within your parents’ home. You need to make them very aware that IF something is not decided soon, an incident may occur that could have been avoided. Step up and accept your responsibility. Now that you have addressed the in-home care issue, and agreement is reached to review options, where do you begin? My recommendation is to call your local ADRC in your respective county and discuss your situation with a staff member. They can give you some excellent advice. Other senior resources are available through similar agencies. Do your research and discuss...
by Kay Bidwell | Jan 14, 2021 | Uncategorized
Each of us are called in many ways to be of assistance to our parents and loved ones as the aging process increasingly becomes an issue. As time passes, the call to assist your parents or loved ones who now require additional in-home care is one of the many challenges you will face as you look to find ways to “maintain” a safe home environment. Let me begin by telling you that I’m dealing with aging parent issues almost on a daily basis. There is very little I haven’t experienced with my parents who we (family members) have decided to do everything we can to keep them in their home. From contracted snowplowing and shoveling, to sibling assistance with firewood, home repairs, and other assorted home ownership issues, we feel we are doing our best to honor our parents wishes to stay in their home. The situation is even more challenging when you add the pandemic into the mix. However, there will come a time when you will begin to notice that issues within the home are being neglected which may turn into a health or safety issue. Certain daily medical needs such as the proper pill allocation are either forgotten or ignored due to certain levels of forgetfulness (dementia?) setting in. It is further exacerbated when one parent becomes the “in home caregiver” for the other which puts a definite strain upon the health of that parent who not only has their own issues, but has taken on the responsibilities for their spouse/partner. This is a very difficult situation as studies have shown that the spouse caregiver will...
by Kay Bidwell | Mar 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
Elderly woman petting a dog. The combination of seniors and pets can provide wonderful benefits for our older citizens. Most folks who have ever had a pet are aware that animals just make us feel good. Research tells us that only 15 minutes spent bonding with an animal can set off a chemical reaction in the brain that lowers stress hormones and increases “feel-good” hormones. The immediate result is slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and a reduction in stress. Over time, it appears pet & people interactions can improve physical, mental and emotional health. This can be especially powerful for seniors and pets. Physical Benefits Caring for a pet requires some physical activity, whether walking or brushing a dog, playing with a cat or getting up to feed the fish and clean its tank. Regular movement has many health benefits beyond improving mobility. Exercise has been shown to help manage or even prevent age-related illnesses and elevate your mood. Research has shown that pet owners generally visit the doctor less often, take less medication, recover from illness faster, and cope better with stress. Mental Benefits Being with a pet provides mental and memory stimulation. Pets live in the moment and can help keep us focused on the present. Planning for the needs of a pet gives our lives added meaning and purpose. Petting an animal has a calming effect that has been shown to decrease agitation in folks with dementia and just makes seniors and pets feel better. Cat & dog snuggling. Emotional Benefits Connecting with an animal can reduce loneliness and bring about a renewed interest in...
by Kay Bidwell | Jan 31, 2019 | Uncategorized
Eating well is important at any age, but even more necessary for seniors, who need to be aware of their changing nutritional needs. Adequate nutrition is necessary for your health, quality of life and vitality. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, many seniors are not eating as well as they should, which can lead to poor nutrition or malnutrition. Healthy eating begins with you! Giving your body the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight can help you stay active and independent. You’ll also spend less time and money at the doctor. This is especially true if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. The definition of healthy eating does change a little as you age. For example, as you grow older, your metabolism slows down, so you need fewer calories than before. Your body also needs more of certain nutrients. That means it’s more important than ever to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value. Colorful Fruits and Vegetables Choose foods with the deepest, darkest color you can find. Their natural color means they’re loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries, red raspberries, and dark cherries are ideal fruit. Dark, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are vegetable powerhouses. You can have them all year because the nutrients in frozen food are just as good as in fresh. Just be sure to check your diet with your doctor if you are on any medications like blood thinners that may limit your intake of certain food types. Dairy Dairy is a very important food group for eating well as you get older because it’s a great source of...
by Kay Bidwell | Aug 30, 2018 | Uncategorized
Assistive Devices for Seniors In recent years, we’ve seen a wide array of assistive devices for seniors become available. Some solutions are very simple and others are very high-tech. The good news is that there are a lot of options. And the not-so-good news is that there are a lot of options. It can be difficult to know what assistive devices exist that may be helpful. And it’s a challenge to know how to choose the right solution. The goal of assistive devices for seniors is to increase capabilities that improve independence, and safety. Therefore, assistive devices cover a broad range of activities from communication to mobility, personal cares to household chores. Communication The ability to communicate keeps you from becoming isolated. Advances in technology have given us many ways to connect and stay in touch. Simpler, large button cell phones are one option. Computers and tablets have voice recognition for those with difficulty manipulating a mouse or keyboard. If you have difficulty speaking, there are portable tablets that can be customized with pictures or phrases that you use most often. Assistive devices for the hearing impaired include closed caption telephones and TVs. Hearing aids come in many forms. Many hearing aids are now able to tap into hearing loops in public venues. Personal sound amplifiers attach to almost any electronic device, which brings you clearer music and dialogue. Mobility Mobility devices cover everything from canes to wheelchairs and stairlifts. The variety in walker designs is staggering. Wheel chairs can be manual and basic, electric and complicated, or something in-between. You can get crutches, orthotics, a walker/cane hybrid or a...
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