by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Aug 3, 2016 | Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My dad is on his own for the first time in his life. Since my mother passed away unexpectedly four years ago, he’s really slowed down. The two of them used to be on the go all of the time, but now he’s become very sedentary.
In the early days after we lost my Mom, I think he was struggling with depression. Now I’m concerned that he has developed some bad habits. Among them is watching too much television. He’s gained a few too many pounds as a result and I’m worried it may lead to health problems.
I am going with him to have his yearly physical next week. Before that date, I want to talk with my Dad about some senior-friendly forms of exercise he might be interested in. If I can come up with a few ideas my Dad likes, we can discuss them with his doctor during his appointment.
Do you have any suggestions for me? Other than walking, I’m not sure where to start.
Ellen in Glen Arbor, Michigan
Dear Ellen:
The situation you described is fairly common. And we know breaking bad habits isn’t always easy. Your Dad is lucky to have you in his corner!
And you are right to be concerned. A sedentary lifestyle is indeed dangerous. Newer research is actually comparing the dangers of sitting too much to the dangers associated with smoking!
Exercises for Seniors in Michigan to Try
At the Heritage Senior Communities across Michigan, we have adopted a Wellness Model that blends social and physical health services to ensure each resident lives their best life. A few suggestions that follow a similar approach to healthy living include:
- Go4Life: The National Institute on Aging developed this fitness program exclusively for older adults. Go4Life has a variety of resources to make it easier for seniors to get started and stay motivated. From guides you can download to free workout DVDs mailed right to your home, this is a very comprehensive program.
- Silver Sneakers: Another national program for seniors is Silver Sneakers. The organization works with health insurance companies and local fitness centers to offer free exercise classes for older adults. Check with your insurance provider to see if they are a part of the program.
- Growing Stronger: Mounting evidence shows the important role strength training plays in preventing early mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created their complimentary Growing Stronger Guide to address the issue. It is packed with tips for goal setting, a quiz to measure strength, and suggestions for staying motivated.
A couple of additional senior-friendly forms of exercise for your Dad to consider are swimming at a club like the YMCA or participating in Chair Yoga or Tai Chi at the local senior center.
I hope this gives you some ideas to help get your Dad moving again, Ellen!
Kind Regards,
Donna
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jun 2, 2016 | Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My dad will be 90 years old a few days before Father’s Day. He’s had some real health challenges in the last year that gave us a real scare.
My siblings and their kids will all be traveling here to spend Father’s Day with Dad. Then my brother and I will be looking for an assisted living community in the Saginaw, Michigan area for him to move to this summer.
We are hoping to make Father’s Day extra special for him this year, but are having a hard time coming up with ideas!
Do you have any suggestions?
Pam
Dear Pam:
It sounds like a good plan! Father’s Day is a day we set aside every year to remember and honor dads. But finding meaningful ways to do so can be tough when Dad is a senior.
Honoring an Older Michigan Dad on Father’s Day
Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Reenact Childhood Memories. Think back to those times when your dad made you feel special. Were you at a ball game? Did he take you for ice cream or another treat? Was it when he was teaching you how to ride a bike? Try recreating one of those favorite memories with your dad. Go to a Little League game or plan an afternoon in front of the TV watching sports together. Take him to a place you used to go to together. Pose for a picture of the two of with him holding onto the back of your bike seat.
- Put on a Show. Gather up old home movies and photos and use them to create a family video. Plan a time on Father’s Day for your family to sit down to watch the video together. Press the pause button every so often to ask questions and to share your memories. Show your dad how much you love him by taking time to set the scene by darkening the room and serving his favorite snacks. Be patient as he tells you the same old stories you’ve heard a thousand times.
- Update Photo Albums. Take old photos and arrange them in albums. Add captions to as many of the pictures as possible. Write in your favorite takeaway from the scene in the picture: “This was the time when ______.” Ask your dad to help you name the people and places in the pictures.
Remember to Consider Your Father’s Special Needs
As you are making plans for your Father’s Day celebration, remember to take any special needs your dad has in to account. Plan your outing around his regular meal and nap times instead of pushing him to eat or nap later. If he needs to follow a special diet, remember to plan for it.
As be aware of the potential dangers sun and heat can create for seniors. If you plan to take your dad to a local ball game, be sure to bring a comfortable chair or cushion for him to sit in rather than on the hard bleachers.
A hat that shields his face or umbrella that attaches to his chair will also keep him safe from the sun’s harsh UV rays if you will be outdoors. Sunscreen and water are also necessary.
I hope this helps your family plan and enjoy a special day with your Dad!
Donna
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 28, 2016 | Caregiving, Uncategorized
November is National Family Caregiver Month, a month dedicated to providing support and raising awareness for the 66 million Americans who are providing care for ill, disabled or aging relatives.
If you are caring for a senior loved one in Michigan, you know that this job can be both rewarding and demanding. But you may not be aware that helping an older adult with daily-living tasks could be taking a serious toll on your health and relationships.
Caregiving can be harmful to your health
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, family caregivers report more health issues and seem to suffer from a lowered immunity. About 10 % report that assisting a loved one with hygiene, meals, medications, errands and housecleaning has caused their own health to decline. A stunning 40-70% of caregivers report symptoms of depression.
Most family caregivers devote about 20 hours a week to their loved ones in need. Research shows that adults who spend more than a few hours a week caring for others are more likely to suffer from physical illness and mental strain. They are also less likely to visit a doctor, to exercise and to eat a balanced diet.
But there is good news. Studies confirm that that education, access to resources and community support can relieve a lot of the stress and strain of caring for an aging parent, whether they are in the home or in an assisted-living community.
Resources for healthy caregiving
These websites can help you locate the information, resources and services that will support you as a caregiver.
- AARP Home and Family Caregiving: An educational resource where caregivers can learn strategies for juggling work and caregiving, dealing with stress and living healthier lives. This is also home to a busy online community where you can talk with other caregivers and ask experts for advice.
- The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Center: If you are providing Alzheimer’s or dementia care, this is a great resource for support. You can talk to others in the caregiver discussion boards and access materials that may ease your caregiving duties. This website also offers a Community Resource Finder that can help you locate events, services and support options in the Great Lakes State.
- Michigan Aging and Adult Services: These government agency websites offer links to educational resources, support groups and workshops that can make caregiving less stressful. You can also find information about adult-day care and enrichment programs, assistance with in-home care and services like home-delivered meals.
- The National Caregiver’s Library: A storehouse of information covering every aspect of caregiving. This helpful resource includes a section dedicated to educating employers of caregivers.
- Video Caregiving: An online library of informative mini-documentaries where people share their stories and offer informative tips to support caregivers.
Please help us spread the word about National Family Caregiving Month by sharing this article with your personal network of family and friends!
Photo Courtesy Credit
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 22, 2016 | Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
As we grow older, it isn’t uncommon to experience minor vision problems. It might be dry, irritated eyes from staring at a computer too much or red, watery eyes that are the result of an allergy. But sudden changes in vision can be a warning signs of something more serious. From a detached retina to a stroke, there are vision issues older adults and caregivers shouldn’t ignore.
Vision Problems that Need Medical Intervention
Here are a few tips to help the Michigan caregivers who follow our blog identify the warning signs of potential problems:
- “Floaters” in Vision: A vision issue that requires immediate medical assistance often begins with what look like “floaters” in your eye sight. It is often a warning sign of a detached retina. A burst of light or color is another common symptom. It is important to get medical attention without delay to prevent blindness.
- Change in Vision: A sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes should never be ignored. Both can be warning signs of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It requires immediate medical intervention. People sometimes wait to see if the symptoms disappear before calling for help. When someone is having a stroke, time is a critical factor for receiving life-saving treatment. Call 911 without delay!
- Dark Spots in Vision: If a dark spot appears in the center of a senior’s vision, it can be a symptom of macular degeneration. Problems distinguishing one color from another or difficulty reading signs are other early signs. Call your physician if you or the older adults you care for experience any of these symptoms. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in seniors.
- Blind Spots in Vision: When a blind spot appears in a senior’s vision, it can be a warning sign of several different medical conditions. High blood pressure and diabetes are a few of the most common. Call your primary care physician to see if they want you to come to their office or go to the emergency room.
- Halos or Cloudy Vision: Both of these warning signs can be symptoms of cataracts. Many seniors don’t realize how serious the condition can be. Left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness. Ask your primary care physician for a referral to an Ophthalmologist if you don’t already have one you work with.
Medicare Coverage for Vision Problems
Many vision issues are preventable if caught early. Routine vision screenings are the best way to identify potential problems. To learn what eye exams and screenings your Medicare benefit will cover, visit Your Medicare Coverage.
For the latest news on successful aging and caregiving, don’t forget to sign up to follow Heritage Senior Communities blog. A new, educational article will be delivered right to your Inbox each week.
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 16, 2016 | Caregiving, Uncategorized
If you have ever kept a diary, you probably already know the clarity getting your thoughts down on paper can bring. Writing is a therapeutic form of self-expression known to relieve anxiety and stress.
The Therapeutic Value of Journaling for Caregivers
Caring for aging parents or another senior loved one can be tough on many different levels. There are moments of joy and then there are times of sadness. The rollercoaster of emotions is often difficult to manage.
Journaling is one tool family caregivers can use to process their own feelings and record life events. It provides family caregivers a safe place to honestly record their innermost thoughts.
Words that Heal
Journaling can also be a powerful healing tool for caregivers. A few common benefits include:
- Physical Health: Journaling positively impacts physical well-being. Research shows it can reduce symptoms of chronic diseases like arthritis and asthma.
- Reduce Anxiety and Stress: Caregivers may experience a wide range of emotions every day from sorrow and despair to joy and gratitude. Writing can help you understand and process difficult feelings like anger and resentment. It can also allow you to find moments of happiness amidst the toughest days of caregiving.
- Personal Time: Every family caregiver needs a few minutes of personal time every day. Journaling is a way to slow down and focus on your own feelings and fears.
- Problem-solving: Writing your worries down on paper allows you to access the right side of the brain. It’s the part of your brain where creative thought comes from. Let’s say you’ve been struggling with how to talk with your mother about her diabetes and the impact a poor diet is having on her health. After journaling about the problem, you may realize one solution is to talk with your mom about moving to a Michigan senior living community. Healthy meals that meet her dietary restrictions will be provided for her.
Journaling Prompts about Caregiving
If you would like to give journaling a try but aren’t quite sure how to get started, this exercise will help.
Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes once every day. Use the time to write freely and to complete each of the following sentences:
- Today I feel…
- I’m looking forward to…
- I’m worried about…
- I’m grateful for…
Remember, when you are a caregiver, it’s important to make an extra effort to take care of you. By caring for your own health and well-being, you can be present to more fully care for your senior loved one.
