inspiration Archives - Ella Home Care

December 12, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Personal Caregivers

If you or someone in your family has ever benefited from the help of a personal caregiver, you understand just how much their presence impacts your life on a regular basis. When the holidays roll around, you may find yourself searching for the perfect symbol of your gratitude for all the work they do. To help you out, we provided some of our top gift ideas for caregivers that will leave them feeling loved and appreciated. Take a look!

Hand Care

A personal in-home caregiver relies heavily upon their hands to assist senior adults in their home. From cooking and cleaning, to dressing, bathing and assisting them around the home, hands are used for just about every task. What better way to pamper a caregiver during the holiday season than with new hand lotions or a gift certificate to a local nail salon. For the hands that do so much work throughout the year, reward them with a little rest and relaxation.

Warm Socks or Slippers

Make your caregiver feel even more comfortable around the home by gifting them some warm socks or slippers. The winter months can be harsh on the feet and there’s not much worse than feeling cold. Socks or slippers, whether worn in your house or in theirs, will be a welcome retreat that will make them think of you every time they wear them.

Gift Cards to a Local Store or Restaurant

Another thoughtful gift for a caregiver is a gift card to a local store or restaurant you know they like. This provides them with something they can enjoy during their off hours either alone or with family and friends. More than just a cash bonus, a gift card shows you put thought into the gesture and that you know enough about them to know what stores and restaurants they prefer.

Comfortable Sweater

Much like warm slippers, a cozy and comfortable sweater is a great present because you can never have too many! Stick to neutral colors, unless you know a color they really like. For extra convenience, choose a style that zips half way or the full way down the center so they can put it on or take it off as they please.

A Keepsake or Craft

Finally, an extremely thoughtful gift for a personal caregiver is a keepsake or handmade craft that reminds them of the person for whom they care. Do you have any photos of your loved one and their caregiver? Consider framing it or placing it in a photo album with some other photos and quotes that are relevant to their relationship. Or if you or your loved one are crafty, consider hand-making them something like a scarf, blanket, mittens, or a painting. More than just a gift you can buy, this shows them that you personally care enough to take your own time to make them something from the heart.

Who is on your holiday gift list this year? These thoughtful gift ideas are great for more than just personal caregivers. Get inspired to give the gift of love this year.

October 4, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

Trick-or-Treat at Every Age: How Senior Adults Can Celebrate Halloween

Halloween fun has no age limit. There are many activities that can be enjoyed by the teeniest trick-or-treaters all the way to the most seasoned “ghouls” and “goblins.” All it takes is a little creativity and a spirited attitude. For our senior adults, Halloween can be a fun and festive holiday with much to enjoy. Take a look at a variety of ways in which you can partake in Halloween activities at any age or ability level.

Decorate Your Space

Halloween decorations are just plain fun! There’s no other time of year when you can hang fake cobwebs and spiders or put out props like a skeleton candy bowl and have no one bat an eye. Take full advantage of this! Halloween decorations are around every corner. A quick trip to the dollar store will yield you with enough décor to make your living space festive for the season. It will also bring a smile to any visitors you have over throughout the season.

Pass Out Candy

Another staple of Halloween is being visited by trick-or-treaters. For senior adults, this is a great activity that allows you to partake in the fun without requiring much more than sitting on your porch with some treats. Better yet, invite over family, a neighbor, or a friend to sit with you. Together you can enjoy the creative costumes, giggling children, and all the sights and sounds of the season.

Dress the Part

Finding some festive Halloween attire is another easy and accessible way to celebrate the holiday. You can even ask a friend or caregiver to help you with this, if needed. A decorative sweater, or Halloween print scarf will instantly put you in the spirit of things. Even something as simple as some fun Halloween socks will brighten the day. If you do choose to handout candy to trick-or-treaters, the kids will love seeing you in a witch’s hat or clown nose!

Involve Your Pets

Just because the days of parading around children in costumes are behind you, you may still have some furry friends who can fit the part. There are endless options for pet costumes available online and in-store. If a friend is looking to treat you to a surprise, suggest this as an idea for something that would be a thoughtful gift. Seeing your beloved dog or cat looking like your favorite Halloween character will certainly bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Share in Other people’s Enjoyment

Finally and most essentially, Halloween is a prime time to share in other people’s enjoyment of the holiday! Kindly ask friends and family to share pictures with you of their children’s costumes and their home décor. Whether by text, email, social media, or in person, these photos will allow you to experience Halloween joy, even if you can’t be there to see it in person.

Is Halloween your favorite holiday? Share how your celebration has evolved over the years in the comment section below.

September 11, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

Great Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Cooler Weather

It’s bittersweet to bid farewell to summer, but the fall brings with its some unique benefits like cooler weather which is a welcome break from high temps and humidity. Especially for senior adults, the very warm summer days can make it dangerous to spend too much time outside, limiting activities during peak daylight hours to shaded or air conditioned space. So with the arrival of fall, we wanted to offer a variety of outdoor activities you might enjoy sharing with an adding loved one this season. Take a look!

Walk in the park

A walk in the park during the fall season is a beautiful and scenic activity that is perfect for all ages, especially those in their senior years. Whether your local park is walkable from home or you need to take a quick car trip to get there, once you’re there you can enjoy a leisurely pace of walking different areas of the park while stopping to take a break on a bench of picnic table to take in the views.

Campfire with friends

Another fun fall activity, especially in the evening hours, is sitting by campfire or fire pit. If you don’t have one at your home, think of a friend or family member who does. Ask if they would be willing to host a small get together and then arrange transportation for your aging loved one(s). Sitting by the warmth of the fire, enjoying some snacks and sharing stories with one another is a great way to make new memories this fall.

Baking seasonal treats

Now that the heat of summer has subsided, an afternoon of baking in the kitchen seems bearable again. Use this as an opportunity to spend time with an aging loved one, making some of their favorite fall recipes. Think apples, pumpkin and cinnamon! If you’re able to bake a few different types of treats in a day, you can make these into care packages to share with neighbors and friends.

Hot cocoa to go

Tis the season for some homemade hot cocoa! Make some at home and bring it in a thermos to your loved one’s home. Then suggest you sit on the porch or deck to enjoy the fresh, cool air of fall while the hot cocoa keeps you warm. This would pair nicely with some of those homemade fall treats you’ve made.

Brunch or lunch on the patio

Treat a senior loved one to a meal out at one of their favorite restaurants. Choose a location that has the option to sit outside. If the weather is nice enough for it, suggest sitting outside on the patio or deck of the restaurant to take in the scenes of fall while enjoying a delicious meal. To be mindful of the dropping temperatures during the evening hours, make the meal a brunch or lunch so that you’re able to still enjoy the warm sun during peak hours.

What is your favorite fall outdoor activity? Is this something you might be able to share with an aging loved one this season? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below.

September 4, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

Fun and Easy Fall Craft Ideas for Senior Adults

Tis the season for pumpkin spice and everything nice! The passing of Labor Day typically shifts our mindsets from summer to autumn, making it a great time to dig into some seasonal crafts that can make your home feel a bit more festive this time of year.

Crafts aren’t just for kids! In fact, crafts are one of the best ways to engage aging adults, giving them a productive pastime while increasing mental alertness and dexterity. Let’s take a look at just a few of the many fall craft ideas you may wish to try out this season with your aging loved one.

Decorating a photo frame

Photos are closely tied to memories, making a photo frame a great craft idea for aging adults. Find an old, plain photo frame or purchase an inexpensive new one. Try to choose something made of unfinished wood or of a material that will work well with hot glue. The Dollar Store is a great place to find these types of items! Next, using a hot glue gun (and helping your loved one as needed), carefully arrange various fall décor items like faux leaves, acorns, and mini plastic pumpkins around the frame. Once dry, the frame is ready for a new photo. Use this opportunity to take a family photo with your loved one. Now you have a fresh memory fit for the fall season!

Filing a vase with fall décor

It’s likely you or someone you know has a variety of empty vases to spare. Borrow or buy some of various sizes and shapes. Next, go on a “scavenger hunt” around the home, or outside to collect fall items like leaves, pinecones, acorns and flower clippings to fill the vases. Take time to carefully arrange the various items in the vases to create a colorful and decorative display that can be placed on a table, above a fireplace or on a side table to add a burst of fall décor to your loved one’s home or apartment.

Creating fall themed greeting cards

You don’t have to be a true artist to master this fall craft idea. Whatever comes from the heart will be well received! Using crayons, colored pencils and stencils, spend time with your aging loved one decorating greeting cards to send to family and friends. On the front of the blank cards, draw a fall scene like a park bench surrounded by leaves, or a pumpkin patch. Then write a thoughtful note inside. The final step in this craft is taking a walk together to the mail box to send your well wishes off together. This is the perfect craft to do over the course of an afternoon.

Making a no-sew fleece throw

This craft idea take a bit of preparation, but is well worth the effort. Go to your local fabric store ahead of time and purchase two large squares (large enough to be a comfortable throw) of fleece in two different fall patterns. Then, following these instructions, work together to cut tabs around the material and knot the two pieces together to create a warm and cozy blanket that is perfect for those cool fall days. Every time your loved one wraps up in this blanket they will think back on the memory of making it with you.

Filling trick or treat bags

Another fall craft idea, geared more toward the Halloween holiday, is to fill trick or treat bags to have on hand to give out to neighborhood trick or treaters. Help your loved one by purchasing a variety of candy and baggies in advance. Work together to fill each bag and tie it off. You can even add a fun and festive note to the bags, if you wish! This is something a senior adult may not have the means or ability to do by themselves, so with your help they will be well prepared to enjoy Halloween visitors from neighborhood children while having treats ready and on hand to give them.

Which one of these fall craft ideas do you plan to do with a friend or family member this season? Let us know, or share a new idea, by leaving a comment below!

March 2, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

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!

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Personal Caregivers

Trick-or-Treat at Every Age: How Senior Adults Can Celebrate Halloween

Great Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Cooler Weather

Fun and Easy Fall Craft Ideas for Senior Adults

10 Spring Activities to Enjoy at Any Age

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