healthy Archives - Ella Home Care

April 9, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

Social Distancing for Seniors: How to Prevent Loneliness

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, the term “social distancing” has become a part of our daily language. However, it’s so important to keep in mind that this is better described as “physical distancing” as social connection remains imperative, now more than ever.

Especially for our senior population, feeling social distant is a constant battle. As they are among the key population most likely to need serious medical care as a result of contracting COVID-19, this has led to less and less physical interaction from friends and loved ones. Even those who have professional care, whether this is in-home or in an outside care facility, physical contact has decreased as caregivers and medical professionals work to “flatten the curve.”

What we hope to share in this article are tips and solutions for maintaining a safe physical distance from our aging loved ones, at least until no new cases of COVID-19 have emerged, while still staying connected socially to ensure loneliness is kept at bay.

Utilize technology.

Everyone appreciates a phone call or text to check in, but don’t undervalue the need to see each other’s faces. It changes everything! You will feel so much more connected to your loved when one when you use Zoom, Face Time, Google Hangouts, Facebook’s Messenger App. Set a weekly (or even more frequently) time to connect and make it a priority.

Check in often.

We have ample tools to stay connected, but they’re not doing much good if we don’t make it a point to use them often. Commit to hearing from your loved one, ideally daily if you can. This ensures they never go more than 24 hours without a check-in. Hearing back from them daily will also give you peace of mind that all is well.

Become pen pals.

Now more than ever, people really appreciate receiving a good old-fashioned letter in the mail. Sure, it takes added effort than a phone all or text, and that’s the point. Become pen pals with a senior and you two can exchange letters that will serve as a beautiful memory you can re-read and look back on in the future.

Mail a care package.

Speaking of snail mail, take this one step further by sending a care package to an aging loved one. Consider including some activities or treats they enjoy, but may not be able to go out and get on their own. Many online retailers can bundle and ship such items to them directly and are taking all precautions to keep their items sanitary and safe.

Ask directly about how they feel.

Checking in is the first step, but the next important step is being sure to ask your senior friends and family how they feel. Are they feeling anxious, lonely, unwell, or depressed? It’s human to not want to openly share our emotions, especially if they are negative. Yet, when someone asks us directly, we are far more inclined to share the hard truth – which also provides an opportunity to get help.

Help answer their phone, app, or social media questions.

Adult children, you are so vital to your aging parents right now. In an effort to feel connected to the world during social distancing, they will turn to technology, much of which may confuse or frustrate them. Be patient and kind when helping them with their IT questions. This is one of the most loving gestures you can show.

Create something to look forward to in the future.

Finally, give both you and your aging loved one hope for the future and a time when things will feel normal again. Consider planning your first in-person get together. Ask them what they would like to do – and plan it out! Pick a location and an activity. Possibly make a day of it and also ask what you can help them do around the house that needs done. They will be so grateful for the thought, and for something to look ahead to.

Do you have an aging loved one struggling from the isolation and loneliness during this time? Consider implementing a few or all of the above tips this week to help them through the challenges so many of us are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most importantly, maintain safe practices for you and your family so we may all overcome this soon and get back to seeing one another in person. Stay well!

April 6, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Protect Our Seniors from COVID-19

Commit to not seeing one another in person.

This is a hard piece of advice, but one that must be followed to the best of all of our abilities. Unless you are providing essential care to your aging loved one, please commit to not seeing them in person during the quarantine. Even the best precautions can fall short and it would be devastating to feel as though you passed on the virus to someone for which you care deeply.

Reinforce social distancing and staying home.

When you do check in with your loved one (by phone or computer), take the opportunity to reinforce the importance of being serious about social distancing and staying home. You may find that they don’t understand the need to do so, or maybe are still going out and about to run their own errands. Be sure to communicate the facts and that your request to follow recommendations comes from a place of love.

Run errands for them.

While you are reinforcing the need for older adults to stay home and social distance, offer to run errands for them, if you are low-risk and able to do so. Try to combine this with your own errands. You can pick up their groceries and other necessities like medications. Doing so eliminates their need to leave the house and reduces risk of exposure.

Remind them often of the CDC’s recommendations.

As the United States learns more about COID-19, the CDC’s recommendations are evolving. Be sure to check in with your aging loved ones to ensure they have received the most up to date information and are following it. Also guide them to where they can go to review these recommendations first-hand, such as online or offer to mail them an article.

Help answer their questions and concerns.

Many people feel anxious during these times because they have questions and concerns that are not being properly addressed. When speaking with a member of our senior population, ask them if there is anything you can help clarify. You might be surprised by what your mom or dad don’t know or don’t understand. Use this as an opportunity to educate them with correct information.

Ensure they have professional help, if needed.

Finally and most importantly, when checking in with your loved one, be sure their essential needs are being met. Ask whether they have what they need to keep up with their personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning and have the ability to do so without risk of injury. If you find your aging loved one cannot get by on their own, yet still wishes to remain living in their home, hiring a professional caregiver may be a solution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, home care agencies can provide professional caregivers who help seniors with their basic needs while taking every precaution to not spread the virus. This allows families to safely social distance while not worrying about the care of their aging relatives.

From our family at Ella Home Care, we hope you stay well and stay home during this time. Though this is among the hardest circumstances our world has ever faced, we thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone – including our loved senior population – safe and healthy.

November 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

How Senior Adults Can Stay Healthy this Flu Season

For many, the winter season is the best season of all. It brings with it the holidays, snowy settings, and fun family traditions. Unfortunately, this time of year is also when we see a lot more illnesses floating around, especially among our aging adult population. Germs can spread rapidly with everyone spending more time indoors and at social gatherings. So what can you do to protect yourself from catching the flu bug this season? Take a look at our top tips for how senior adults can stay healthy during the winter months.

Get the Flu Vaccine

One very important line of defense against the flu is to start with a flu shot. Especially for our senior adults, this can greatly reduce your chances of contracting the flu. More than just the inconvenience of being sick, the flu poses a substantially greater risk to our aging population who can suffer severe side effects and a very long recovery time compared to younger generations. Flu shots are widely available and most commonly free.

Maintain Good Hygiene Practices

This flu season, make it a commitment to stay ahead of germs by practicing smart hygiene. This means thoroughly washing your hands after using the restroom or when out in public spaces, and washing your hands every time before you touch food, your mouth, or eyes. This is a very simple yet highly effective step for reducing flu germs, and any other germs, from calling your home their home.

Stay Active

Staying active in the winter is not always easy, but it is worth it. Getting in a little bit of physical activity every day has been proven to boost your immune system which wards off illnesses like the flu. In the dark, winter months, staying active can also boost your emotional wellness. Getting out of your home, seeing friends and neighbors, and stretching or moving your body is good for the mind, body, and soul.

See the Doctor – Only When Necessary

When you come down with a common winter illness, the best thing to do is to rest and give yourself time to get over the illness at home. For something that appears common, non-life-threatening, and is showing signs of improving, you don’t need to rush to the doctor to confirm the obvious. The doctor’s office is frequented by sick people, so every time you come in for an appointment you’re also exposing yourself to additional germs. If symptoms worsen or become severe, absolutely see a doctor, but otherwise try to avoid public places where germs tend to follow, like a doctor’s office.

Avoid Crowds and Limit Travel

Another smart tip to limit your exposure to the flu this season, especially for our aging population, is to avoid large crowds and limit travel. Again, these public spaces tend to be where large amount of germs reside. By exposing yourself to them, you’re also exposing yourself to these germs. Limit your risk by sticking to smaller, more personal spaces and using good hygiene to get rid of any germs that may have come home with you.

Focus on Hydration and Nutrition

Finally, focus on drinking lots of water and fueling your body with good nutrition. This will help give your body the resources it needs to produce a healthy immune system and put up a strong line of defense against germs. Increase your intake of Vitamin C to further boost your immune system, and incorporate some herbal teas into your diet to soothe dry throats while offering additional hydration.

The bottom line to staying healthy this flu season is to be proactive and smart with your health habits. If you haven’t already gotten flu shot, the best time to do that is now. Also, stock up on supplies like tissues antimicrobial wipes, and hand sanitizer so it’s quick and convenient to keep hands and surfaces clean. With a little planning ahead you can save yourself from the negative impact of coming down with, and spreading the flu this season.

January 3, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

With the start of the New Year, everyone’s minds naturally shift to thoughts of how they can make improvements to their life with this fresh start. One of the most common themes is adopting healthier habits like adding in more exercise and swapping out junk food for fruits and vegetables. While these good habits are a smart choice for people of all ages, there are some additional healthy habits that are particularly beneficial to our aging adult population. Learn what they are and how they might help you or a loved one improve the quality of your life in 2019!

Exercise your brain.

Staying healthy as you age goes far beyond your physical health, mental health is just as important! For this reason, you want to be sure you incorporate mental exercise into your daily routine. What’s mental exercise? It’s more obvious than you might think, and maybe you’re already doing it! Things like puzzles, word searches, IQ challenges and more all help to exercise your brain, keeping you more alert even as you age. Best of all this is low-cost or no-cost. Look for a puzzle book the next time you’re at the dollar store or search for any of the various free apps that may be available on your phone right now.

Never miss a check-up.

Life is busy, schedules fill up and then all of a sudden we realize we haven’t kept up with our regular doctor check-ups. When you’re feeling good, it’s easy to push these things off. But if you go too long without a regular check-up from your doctor, bigger issues could arise that could really have a negative impact on your life. It’s so important to stay ahead of any health issues that may be building up, especially as you age. Make it a point this year, and all years moving forward, to never miss a check-up.

Create a healthy routine.

If you’re like most people out there, healthy habits come easier when you develop them into a routine. Look at your daily routine right now. What are some areas that could be improved upon by swapping out unhealthy habits for healthier ones. For example, if you find you never have enough time for a balanced breakfast in the morning, consider prepping your food overnight so it’s a seamless part of your day. Or if you have trouble sleeping and spend too much time late at night on your phone, you can set a timer on your phone to turn off by a certain hour so that this isn’t a temptation. These simple swaps in your daily routine today will lead to long-term benefits in your health.

Stay educated.

Staying educated goes beyond the “mental exercise” we talked about in the earlier point. This also helps you to stay apprised of the latest health trends and findings that might allow you to improve your health. When it comes to personal health, you must be your own advocate. Reading the latest news articles on health-related topics will keep you educated on these issues and allow you to have a productive conversation with your medical provider.

Try new things.

At first you might wonder how trying new things will enhance your health as you age. The connection is that when you try new things you require your brain to work in a new way. This also requires focus and concentration, two other important things you want to preserve as you age. Finally, trying new things is fun and fulfilling! In addition to enhancing your physical and mental health, it will add to your quality of life!

Revisit old memories.

Revisiting old memories is one of the best ways to stay mentally sharp, especially as you age. There are many different ways you can do this, too. You can organize old photos into a scrap book. You can keep a journal and write down the stories and milestones you remember from each stage of life. You can also invite friends and family into the activity by asking them to share their photos and stories with you too.

Invest in relationships.

The correlation between strong relationships and happiness is undeniable. Especially as you grow older, you want to invest in your relationships with friends and family. It’s never too late! More than any material possession, it’s relationships that you’ll remember and appreciate the most. Make this the year that you reconnect with old friends, set a monthly lunch date with a distant loved one or host a family gathering to bring everyone together again. This is one New Year’s resolution that is fun to keep – and one you will never regret.

Listen to your body.

Finally and most importantly, make this the year that you tune into your body. Listen to what it’s telling you day-to-day. At the peak of busyness in our lives, we can sometimes forget how to calm down and find rest, especially as we age. If today your body says it needs rest, allow it to have rest. Tomorrow you may find you have more energy and want to tackle an activity or hobby. Also, if your body shows a new sign or symptom, don’t ignore it. Monitor how you feel in a daily journal and look for new trends that could alert you of a concern. Then, make sure you speak with someone about it soon!

Here’s to making 2019 your healthiest – and happiest year yet!

How Senior Adults Can Stay Healthy this Flu Season

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

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