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June 5, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

How to Keep Your Aging Loved One Safe and Healthy this Summer

Here in Central Pennsylvania, it feels like we wait most of the year for warm and sunny weather. It’s natural for us to want to get outside and enjoy every minute of it! However, we must use common sense when it comes to exposing ourselves to the sun and heat. Especially for older adults, the summer months pose real safety concerns such as dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion.

In an effort to keep our aging loved ones safe this summer, take a look at some tips for helping senior adults be proactive when it comes to beating the heat!

Wear Layers

Encourage your loved ones to dress in layers during the summer months. While they may feel cold in the morning or indoors with the AC on, during the afternoon and into the evening, things warm up quickly. Especially if you plan to go outside for any amount of time, plan ahead by wearing easy to remove layers that can quickly come off when the heat kicks in.

Apply Sunscreen

Even when covered up with layers, begin each morning by applying sunscreen. Whether you will be simply sitting in the sun for any period of time, or plan to be walking, gardening, etc., sunscreen is so important to keep your skin safe. Not only will it prevent the discomfort of sunburn, it will prevent serious long-term damage that may cause skin cancer. Sunscreen at every age is important, but especially for our aging loved ones who may need assistance applying it.

Give Air Conditioning Units a Check-Up

The worst time to figure out your air conditioning unit no longer works is in the heat of summer when you need it most. Help your aging loved one give their AC unit a check-up prior to the dog days of summer by scheduling an HVAC company to come and test everything out. If they do need a new unit, you will be able to plan ahead and have everything up and running before it becomes a danger to their health.

Limit Time Outside During Peak Heat Hours

Watch the forecast and plan your day accordingly. Avoid outdoor activities when temperatures reach into the 80’s and above. Be sure to also take humidity and wind into account. Early mornings are a great time to enjoy sunshine without the direct heat. Also seek shaded spots to relax, rather than placing an aging loved one in direct sunlight.

Stay Hydrated

Have cold water readily available and within reach. Some seniors may not have the ability to refill their own water bottles or drink from a cup. Be sure they have assistance throughout the day to meet these basic needs to stay hydrated. Even for seniors who are physically capable of providing themselves with water, like anyone, they will need encouragement to remember how much water they should drink in a day.

Have a Plan for Help

Most importantly, develop an action plan for getting help. Your loved one needs to know how to speak up when they feel too hot, thirsty or weak. Clearly communicate, and create a reminder, of who they should contact for any number of emergencies. Do a test run to make sure they are comfortable with the process. The peace of mind is well worth the effort!

How do you plan to help an aging loved one stay safe this summer? Share your favorite tip by leaving a comment below!

April 9, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Technology at Every Age: Best FREE Apps for Seniors

We are fortunate to live in the age of rapidly growing technology. Not only does this result in many medical and scientific advancements that are helping to improve our health and quality of life, but technology is also helping to keep us safe, add convenience to our lives and offer entertainment.

Older generations are taking advantage of technology by learning how to utilize new apps on their cell phones and iPads. With so many apps out there, and new ones entering the market every day, how can we easily find the ones best suited for our aging loved ones? More importantly, how can we find the best FREE apps? Take a look as we highlight seven of the best free apps for seniors that could greatly help you or a loved one!

AARP Now App

This app provides senior-specific news and current events, shares community activities happening near you and tells you if you qualify for discounts with your AARP membership. If you or a loved is an AARP member, this app is a valuable tool that keeps important and relevant information all in one place and at your fingertips.

Life360

With the free Life360 app, you no longer have to worry about whether a loved one made it home safely, or where they are now. This app uses GPS tracking to keep track of select friends or family while at home, at the doctors, out in the community or at work. The app can also share YOUR location so a loved one can see how close you are to them at any time, in case of emergency.

Big Font

iPads and smartphones can be hard for seniors to use because of the small buttons and hard-to-read text, making it nearly impossible for the visually impaired or for those with limited hand mobility. The Big Font app on iPads and iPhones helps seniors more easily see the words and touch the buttons on their device’s screen by enlarging the screen, functioning like a magnifying glass, up to 1000%.

Pill Identifier and Drug list

This free app allows you to identify pills by color and shape, read about the side effects of a medication and get reminders for when to take pills. Best of all, it’s like having a pharmacists right in your pocket so that you can easily reference or be reminded to take your medications whether you are at home, traveling or doing something in your community.

Red Panic Button

You’re likely familiar with the panic buttons people wear around their necks. Now there’s a free app for that! Press the red panic button and a message is immediately sent out to a designated list of people alerting them that you have an emergency and need their attention STAT. The alert also includes the address where you are located, so this is one less thing you have to worry about communicating in a time of need.

Tapestry – Connecting Seniors and Their Families

Tapestry is a social media app specifically created to connect seniors to their families without them having to worry about privacy or complicated features. All from one account, you can share messages, photos and videos with your family; no ads and no spam! This is a far better option to creating a Facebook and Instagram account just to be able to see your family’s photos and videos.

WordBrain

The word puzzle app WordBrain is a fun and educational way to pass the time while keeping your mind sharp. The puzzles are designed for users of all levels, starting out easy and getting harder as you go. This is one of the most highly rated puzzle apps on the market and is a great alternative to mindlessly watching television all day!

Have you or a loved one used any of these apps to add convenience, entertainment or safety to your lives? Share your personal experience by leaving a comment below!

March 2, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

10 Spring Activities to Enjoy at Any Age

Whether the weather today feels like it or not, we are inching closer toward those warm spring days! Soon we will have many more reasons to want to get outside and soak up the season. No matter your age or physical abilities, there are many activities you can take part in this spring. Here’s our top ten list of spring activities to enjoy at any age!

Arrange a Bouquet – Depending upon your loved one’s physical abilities, you can take a stroll around a park and pick wild flowers together. Or, bring some fresh flowers with you on your next visit. Spend time together arranging a beautiful bouquet to be placed in their home. Every time they see these flowers they will think of you and your time together!
Bake a Spring Dessert – Get inspired by the fresh produce of the season and bake a springtime treat. Use can use fresh berries to garnish a cake or make sugar cookies and decorate them with flowers made out of frosting. This activity is sure to be as good on the soul as it is on the taste buds!
Stroll a Nature Trail – Get outside together and take a stroll along a nature trail, or in any green space around you. Walk slowly and notice all the new flowers and wildlife waking up again after their long winter’s nap.
Make Spring Decorations – You will find endless inspiration on Pinterest for spring crafts and decorations. Pick something that fits your skill level and taste in décor. Great options include wreaths, garden flags or centerpieces to make your home feel ready for spring.
Eat Outside – When visiting your loved one, suggest you take your meal or snack outside. Enjoy time together on a park bench or picnic table. The fresh hair, spring sounds and warm sun will be the perfect combination to lift the spirits!
Hang a Birdfeeder – Help your loved one fill and hang a birdfeeder within easy view. They will be able to continuously enjoy their feathery friends stopping by. Be sure to have ample feed on hand and help refill the feeder every time you visit.
People Watch at a Park – Get out to a local park and find a warm and sunny spot to sit for a while. Enjoy watching people pass by and children play. You can even turn it into a game of counting people, birds, dogs or anything else!
Plant a Herb Garden – Maintaining a large outside garden is not reasonable for most seniors, but an inside herb garden is perfect! It’s easy to maintain these little potted plants and they are very easy to harvest whenever you need them to add some flavor to a dish.
Take Your Visits to the Porch – Suggest sitting on the porch to talk or play games. Even if it’s raining outside, you will still enjoy all the sights and sounds of nature that you would otherwise miss inside.
Press Flowers – Another creative way to make use of those fresh spring flowers is to press them between two sheets of wax paper. Carefully lay out each flower and firmly press. For best results, press them overnight under a heavy object like a book. Once flattened, you can use them to make a bookmark, decorate a card or anything else to add a little touch of spring!

Share the spring activities you plan to partake in this this year. How will you include your aging loved one in these activities? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below!

February 6, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Best Practices for Hiring a Quality Caregiver

Once you decide to hire an in-home caregiver for your aging loved one, you will have a very important decision to make. Who will you choose to be the caregiver? Allowing someone in your home to care for a member of your family requires a lot of trust and confidence in that person.

In order to hire a quality caregiver, you need to do your due diligence during the vetting process. You will never regret the time it took to do so! Take a look at five best practices for hiring the right caregiver to care for your loved one.

Interview them several times

It’s hard to really get a feel for someone from the first interview. The second or third time you speak to someone is when you really get a better understanding of a person’s experience, passion and interests. While this will add a little time and effort to your caregiver search, it is well worth finding someone you like and trust.

Ask open ended questions

During your discussions with your potential caregiver, be sure to ask some open ended questions that make them think and offer their own answers. Simple “yes” or “no” questions are not enough to fully gauge someone’s interest and experience. Offer some scenarios of what the caregiver might encounter in a day’s work and ask what they would do to handle the situation. If they seem unsure or inexperienced with common issues that arise when caring of a senior adult, they may not be the best fit for your family.

Observe their interactions

In addition to making sure a caregiver can tend to the physical needs of your aging loved one, you also want to feel confident that they are serving as a companion. Conduct at least one of your interviews with your aging loved one so that you can see how the caregiver interacts with them. Do they immediately connect with them and put effort into having a conversation or do they seem uncomfortable and disconnected? The natural reaction of the caregiver will likely be the default when they are left to care for your loved one alone. Look for a caregiver who is outgoing, engaging and warm.

Speak to their references

Finally and most importantly, take the time to call each and every reference provided for your caregiver. This is your chance to really gauge their character from people who know them well and have seem them in a caregiving role. Ask the references for their honest opinion, “Would you hire this person to care for your loved one? Would you want them caring for you?” Consider not only what they say, but how they say it. If the references, without hesitation, recommend the caregiver and all seem consistent in their character assessment, this is a good indication you have found a quality caregiver!

Do you have additional questions about hiring a quality caregiver to care for your loved one? Let us advise you! Call Ella Home Care today for a no-cost consultation.

November 6, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month: How to Say Thanks

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month, and while we know that our caregivers deserve our appreciation every month of the year, this is a nice reminder to stop and think about how you can do something extra special to show your gratitude.

Most importantly, you will want to think about your unique relationship with your caregiver. How long have they been assisting your loved one? How many days a week do they work with your family? What are their interests? The best way you can show your appreciation is by showing you put thought into whatever you choose to do.

Here are some ideas that may help you find the perfect gesture. Take a look!

Put it into words.

This sounds so obvious, yet is often overlooked. Be sure to frequently put into words how much you appreciate your caregiver. Put it into words and put it into writing! Saying “thank you” at the end of each day will not go unnoticed. To take things one step further, a written note of thanks every once and while, especially after a particularly challenging event, will give the caregiver a boost of confidence and also something tangible they can keep and re-read for years to come.

Give them the gift of relaxation.

As you likely realize, being a caregiver can be hard and stressful work at times. One of the most thoughtful ways to show your appreciation is to give them a gift that helps them to relax in their off hours. This could be a gift certificate for a massage, gift card to their favorite restaurant or a gift basket of candles, lotions and chocolates. Encouraging your caregiver to take time for themselves is a great way to show you appreciate their hard work.

Ask them what would make their job easier.

Caregivers spend most of their time in your loved one’s home. One very thoughtful gesture to show your appreciation is to ask them what you can fix or buy new to add to the home to make their job easier. For example, they might appreciate some new cleaning supplies to make housekeeping more enjoyable. Or maybe it’s a new air conditioning unit to keep the spacer cooler in the summer. Whatever will benefit your caregiver, will also benefit your loved one! Investing in their comfort and convenience is a great way to show your appreciation.

Make a donation to a cause they care about.

If you’re still looking for a meaningful way to say thank you to your family’s caregiver, consider making a charitable donation in their honor. You may already know, or you may need to ask them what causes they care about. A donation to the local humane society or food bank in their name is a thoughtful way to say thank you that also continues to give back to others!

How do you plan to show a caregiver your appreciation this month? Share your ideas with us!

How to Keep Your Aging Loved One Safe and Healthy this Summer

Technology at Every Age: Best FREE Apps for Seniors

10 Spring Activities to Enjoy at Any Age

Best Practices for Hiring a Quality Caregiver

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month: How to Say Thanks

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