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December 3, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Help Senior Adults Avoid the Winter Blues

The winter season can be a challenging time for many people. Colder temperatures and inclement weather can cause us to feel isolated and bored, leading to seasonal depression. This can be more prevalent in our aging adult population who often live alone or have limited interaction with the outside world.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, it’s important to move into the winter with a plan in place to counteract the effects of these “winter blues” so you can not only survive these colder, darker days, but also thrive in this new season. Here are some tips you may wish to try.

Establish a Daily Routine

Contrary to what many think, a routine does not add to the monotony of the day, rather it gives it structure and keeps you from getting stuck in a rut. The key is to map out a daily routine that includes variety and movement. In the winter months, it can be hard to find motivation and opportunities to be active. By establishing a schedule in advance, you can identify such opportunities and see that they take place. You can also schedule a nice rhythm of activity with relaxation and intentional quiet time.

Schedule Out Special Events

While we’re talking about scheduling, you should also schedule out your calendar of upcoming special events, visits, and activities that give you something to look forward to. During December you may have holiday gatherings or family events to attend. Even when your day-to-day routine may feel dull, being able to look ahead to a date on the calendar when there is something special taking place can be the much needed light in the winter darkness.

Look to the Bright Side

Lamps that mimic sunlight are very popular among people who feel the winter blues. Exposing yourself to this type of light therapy every day has been proven to drastically improve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you or someone you know suffers from SAD (i.e. the winter blues), then this would be a great holiday or “thinking of you” gift to give them.

Call On Friends and Family

Local friends and family are a great resource to help make the winter months a little brighter. Reach out to encourage them to pay your loved one a visit. Having even just one new visitor a week will help add variety to their schedule and give them something to look forward to on a regular basis.

Turn to Technology

When friends and family are not local and cannot make house calls, don’t forget about technology’s power to connect us with one another, no matter how far. Use FaceTime, Skype, Google Chat or Facebook to see and hear your loved one in real time. This adds so much more dimension to a conversation than voice alone.

Hire a Professional Caregiver

And finally, even if you implement all of these other tips, your loved one might also benefit from the care and companionship of a professional caregiver. It may be just a few visits a week to check in on things and to spend some one-on-one time together. Though the winter can be particularly lonely for aging adults, it doesn’t have to be that way. Professional caregivers are an excellent resource to brighten someone’s day and bring joy to the winter.

If you or someone you know struggles with feeling sad or alone during the winter, consider offering them these tips to help them find happiness in this season, and every season!

Filed Under: Advice, Blog Tagged With: advice, aging, camp hill, caregiver, central pennsylvania home care, cold, depression, elderly, ella home care, harrisburg, help, home care, in-home caregiver, lemoyne, mechanicsburg, professional caregiver, professional home care, sadness, season affective disorder, seasonal, seniors, weather, winter

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.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: activities, activity, aging, autumn, camp hill, caregiver, elderly, ella home care, entertainment, fall, harrisburg, home care, home care agency, home caregivers, ideas, in home care, inspiration, leaves, lemoyne, mechanicsburg, outdoors, outside, pennsylvania, professional caregiver, seasonal, senior, senior adult, senior care, things to do

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!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: activities, activity, aging, autumn, camp hill, caregiver, crafts, elderly, ella home care, entertainment, fall, harrisburg, home care, home care agency, home caregivers, ideas, in home care, inspiration, leaves, lemoyne, mechanicsburg, outdoors, outside, pennsylvania, professional caregiver, seasonal, senior, senior adult, senior care, things to do

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