It’s Time to Put Aging in a Positive Light

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Senior couple having fun riding motor scooter.

Put a positive spin on aging with these tips from the experts in senior care, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A quick Google search for the term “aging” returns topics such as “coping with aging,” “what you can do about aging,” and even “the cure to aging.” The negative connotations to aging are, regrettably, so embedded within our culture that it is forecasted that by 2021, we’ll be spending over $300 billion in anti-aging products.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the issues that could be realized in getting older – health concerns, the passing of friends and family, and cognitive issues – what’s getting lost in the shuffle are the incredible gains of growing older. Consider, for instance:

  • A recent report by Stony Brook University revealed that senior loved ones are more content overall, with reportedly declining feelings of anger and anxiety in old age.
  • Socialization and conflict resolution skills are superior in later years, reported by research performed by the University of Michigan.
  • In a game aimed to induce and examine regret, seniors outshined their younger counterparts with their ability to manage emotions.
  • And according to Cornell sociologist Karl Pillemer who surveyed 1,200 elderly people, the consensus was that the past 5 or 10 years were indeed the happiest of their lives. “Many people said something along these lines: ‘I wish I’d learned to enjoy life on a daily basis and enjoy the moment when I was in my 30s instead of my 60s,’” Pillemer shares.

Not only that, but retired adults are able to explore and realize hobbies and talents without having the time demands of younger, employed adults, which can lead to a renewed zest for life, new social ties, and enhanced bonds with existing friends and family.

Responsive Home Care helps highlight the advantages of the aging process in many ways. Instead of simply coming in and executing tasks that a senior loved one can no longer complete, we identify the person’s particular skills, empowering her or him to follow new pursuits with the encouragement of a friendly caregiver.

Whether it’s learning a new skill or language, taking a vacation to a long-desired destination, committing to get physically healthier, or whatever a senior’s goal, we are available to give motivation, transportation and accompaniment, and a number of other services to help your loved one thrive and live life to the fullest.

Help your senior loved one identify and accomplish brand new dreams! Contact the home care experts at Responsive Home Care by calling 954-486-6440 and requesting an in-home assessment to find out more.

In Caring for an Aging Parent, Are You Overstepping Boundaries as a Helicopter Child?

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helicopter-parents

Learn how to avoid overstepping boundaries when it comes to caring for an aging parent.

We’ve all encountered helicopter parents, especially when a son or daughter leaves for college. In fact, we could possibly be guilty of hovering a touch too closely ourselves. Learning that appropriate harmony between caring and overstepping our boundaries is not easy. Read more

Senior Care Strategy: Incorporate “Play” to Strengthen Both Mind and Body

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Happy and funny senior couple playing hulahoop in park

Do you remember that feeling as a child when the school bell rang, indicating the end of arithmetic and the start of the best part of the day: recess? There was a tremendous sensation of freedom dashing out onto the playground, leaving behind the pressure of school work for a quick period of unstructured play. Read more

Ft. Lauderdale Home Care Experts Share 5 Signs of Dementia to Watch During the Holidays

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A happy grandmother with her family on Christmas Eve

Learn the warning signs of dementia in this article by the Ft. Lauderdale home care experts.

As soon as the door swings open and your senior loved one wraps you in a warm hug, through the joyous holiday dinner and each timeless family custom, possibilities abound for not simply high quality time together, but also to assess how your parent is truly doing and if any red flags are detected. Read more

What Types of Weight-Bearing Exercises Are Good for Your Senior?

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Homecare Fort Lauderdale FL

Homecare Fort Lauderdale FLWeight-bearing exercise is one of the most important elements of physical activity. Regularly participating in this type of exercise helps to support a healthier body and mind in several ways, including strengthening the bones, improving muscle and joint strength, and increasing cognitive function.

As a family caregiver it is important not just to encourage your loved one to participate in this type of exercise, but to find the forms of this exercise that are right for them. Start by talking to their doctor to discuss any challenges or limitations that they might have that could prevent them from doing certain exercises. This can help them to identify activities that might not be safe for them, as well as those that would be safe and beneficial for them.

Some of the weight-bearing exercises that might be good for your senior include:

• Ankle and wrist weights. Normal daily activities can be turned into weight-bearing exercise simply by the addition of ankle or wrist weights. Available in a variety of sizes and very light weights, these are comfortable padded cuffs that you can add to your parent’s wrists and ankles to add resistance to activities such as walking or climbing stairs.

• Use their own bodyweight. Your parent does not necessarily need any equipment to get the benefits of resistance training. They can use their own bodyweight to add resistance and get the benefits of weight-training. Squats, leg lifts, and lunges are all simple and approachable exercises that use your parent’s bodyweight to work their muscles, joints, and bones.

• Lift throughout the home. Encourage your parent to lift weight by using basic objects around the house. For example, lift bags of groceries a few times when carrying them inside, or do a few reps with a basket full of clothes while doing the laundry.

Starting senior homecare for your elderly loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your caregiver journey. The highly personalized services of a senior homecare services provider are specifically designed not just with your parent’s challenges and limitations in mind, but also their personality, thoughts, beliefs, and goals. This means that they can live the lifestyle that they desire and deserve while also staying safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy. As a family caregiver this can give you greater confidence knowing that they are getting everything that they need both when you are able to be with them and when you are not.

When it comes to helping your parent stay more active, this care provider can encourage them to find activities that they enjoy, support them in staying consistent with those activities, and providing assistance to handle the activities safely and comfortably. When it comes to finding exercises that are good for your parent, including weight-bearing exercise, this care provider can evaluate your loved one’s individual preferences and challenges, and help them to understand the guidelines and suggestions given to them by their doctor so that your loved one can make the most out of their exercise.

Source:  http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/960559/5-reasons-women-should-do-weight-bearing-exercise

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Fort Lauderdale FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

7 Types of Activities to Include in Your Loved One’s Daily Elder Care Plan

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Elder Care Tamarac FL

Elder Care Tamarac FL

Making a daily elder care plan doesn’t have to be dull for your loved one. If you’re mixing up the types of activities that she is set to enjoy, then it definitely won’t be dull or boring. Try to incorporate activities from these categories and see what else still needs to fit into the framework of a daily routine.

Personal Care and Meal Times 

Chances are that you don’t give much thought to when you’ll shower or when you’ll have lunch. That can be a big deal for your elderly loved one, though, so it’s a good idea to include it in her daily routine.

Daily and Weekly Chores 

Your loved one may have some specific chores that she handles on either a daily or a weekly basis. Putting them into her routine helps to remind her and it helps to make sure that she has time to get those activities done.

Creative Pursuits 

Make sure that your loved one has time for creativity. This could be time that she spends listening to or creating music, making art projects, or just doing whatever fuels her creatively.

Physical Activities 

Your loved one needs regular movement. By including this in her daily schedule, you ensure that it’s one of the activities that is at the forefront of her mind.

Social Activities 

Make sure that your loved one has plenty of time to meet up with friends or to meet new ones. This helps to keep her from isolating and therefore shutting down when it comes to other people.

Intellectual Activities

Does your loved one have time to stretch her brain? Make sure that she’s got activities scheduled that help to keep her brain exercised, too. These could be as simple as setting aside time for puzzles or it might involve watching documentaries or reading nonfiction.

Relaxation Activities 

Your loved one also needs time to relax. This could be time she spends meditating or even just doing a combination of other activities. For example, if she finds crafting relaxing, then craft time is automatically also relaxation time. Remember that you need time to relax, too.

If you’re stuck about a particular category, try talking with your loved one’s senior care providers to determine what kinds of activities your loved one might enjoy.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home Elder Care Services in Tamarac FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.

SURPRISING WAYS PETS HELP SENIOR HEALTH

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Everyone knows a pet can help ease loneliness for an older adult, especially if he or she is living alone or has recently suffered the loss of a loved one. But did you know that a study by the American Geriatrics Society has shown pets can help lower senior’s blood pressure and score higher in their ability to carry out normal activities of daily living, as well as provide other benefits to senior health?

Responsive Home Care, expert providers of in home senior care in Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas, knows how important our clients’ pets are to maintaining their health and well-being. Our agency provides Pet Care exclusively for our clients when they need that extra assistance. The unconditional love of a clients’ pet can help them achieve a healthy and a happy heart!

Read more about how pets improve quality of life for senior citizens.

Many shelters offer discounts for seniors who want to adopt a senior pet. Be sure to ask at your local shelter.

For more information about how our top-rated in-home senior care in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area, can improve senior health for someone you love, contact us today!