Holidays are stressful enough, but when an illness enters the equation and families begin to worry about the health of a senior relative, that stress is only compounded. It’s still possible to enjoy the holidays, even with the stress hanging over your head, and it’s particularly important that focus still be put upon overcoming adversity and enjoying the season.

1. Stick with tradition – if your family is not what it used to be with members of the family absent or in poor health, it might not feel right to stick with family traditions over the holidays. However, maintaining tradition brings a sense of normalcy to the whole family which can alleviate the stress of the season

2. Don’t try to do it all – while sticking with some tradition is healthy for families struggling through tough situations with their senior relatives, it’s not necessary to do it all. Families should ensure they’re not taking on too much to add any additional stress

3. Adapt to senior’s needs – even if an elderly loved one can’t attend a holiday gathering, if they are in a hospital or nursing home, find out if you can decorate to bring the holidays to them. Bring over a holiday plant, string Christmas lights, or bring over a holiday treat (diet appropriate).

Via: Associated Content

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

It might not sound right, but it is; working seniors are healthier than those that retire immediately when they hit that age. Despite the stress of work, despite the physical responsibility, seniors who work part-time, temporarily or from home to help transition them from a full-time job to complete retirement have proven health benefits. This is great news for all of those seniors who don’t feel they’re ready to retire or can’t due to financial elements!

Benefits of Work on Senior Health:

• With a transition period from full-time work into retirement with part-time work, temporary work or work at home, seniors find it’s less of a shock to their mental health. Seniors who immediately retire from full-time work can find that feelings of loss of purpose can cause anxiety and depression

• Seniors who remain in the workforce longer, even part-time are more functional, and often have greater mobility while remaining active members of society

• Instances of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke are some of the common medical problems that are reduced in working seniors

Via: Home Instead Senior care

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

No one wants to talk finances, no matter what the situation, but when moving in an elderly parent into your home, it’s a necessary conversation to have. Without standards set regarding how the financial affairs of the household will be handled, tension and resentment can develop and lead to a greater problem. Take the attitude that “it will all work itself out” and you’ll quickly find yourself regretting the decision to move in mom.  To keep the peace, here are some guidelines for financial management when living with a senior:

1. Bridge the topic gently – ensure that finances are discussed before the move happens, but don’t approach it like finances might change your motivations or your ability to care for your loved one

2. Set the standards – discuss what percentage of the household bills your senior will be responsible for. It might not be fair to ask an elderly parent to pay half of the mortgage and utility bills if there are 4 people in your immediate family, and they are just one; but you can ask them to pay one-fifth, or another number that is agreeable to everyone

3. Keep separate bank accounts, but create a common fund – don’t expect that a senior living with you is going to merge their bank account; having their own finances maintains their sense of independence and purpose. However, you can create a joint fund that all contributors can add to in order to make monthly bill payments easier

Via: Guide for Seniors and Boomers Who Live With Them

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

No one said that caregiving was an easy job, and in fact, for the one in four American adults who have taken it on, it can be both a stressful and rewarding experience.  It’s important for caregivers to remain grounded and not get lost in their responsibilities, and here are 5 ways that they can ensure they don’t become overwhelmed or overly stressed:

1. Take care of yourself with diet and exercise – eat well throughout the day, and no matter how busy you are, don’t skip meals, otherwise your energy levels will drop. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes, and pick something that you enjoy doing (walking, biking, aerobics class)

2. Walk away – you won’t walk away permanently from your care responsibilities, but you can take a step back when you need to. Take a break, even if just for a few minutes, or have someone else step in to provide respite care

3. Seek help – 72% of caregivers refuse to receive outside help with their responsibilities; don’t be one of them. Ask a family member to step in and help, or hire a professional home caregiver to give you a break. Also, don’t be afraid to lean on others when you’re stressed, even if it means joining a support group

4. Spoil yourself – reward yourself for all of your hard work, once a week or once a month, go get a massage, have a manicure, go to a movie, or take a hot bath with a glass of wine. Do something that helps you rejuvenate!

5. Don’t neglect your health – remember to get yourself to the doctor regularly, especially if you’re feeling ill. You’ll be better help to a senior when you’re in one piece!

Via: Caregiver Stress

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

Determining whether or not an elderly loved one needs help at home is no easy task, particularly when you live a long distance away. So over the holidays, take the time to look around their home and evaluate how they’re living, and how they’re managing to care for their needs during a visit to help ensure they’re safe, healthy and happy. Use the following checklist, and if you can’t agree with all of the statements below, then start talking about care options:

• There are no spoiled foods in the fridge, and it, along with cupboards are well stocked with nutritious meal and snack items

• Their home appears in the same state as it always has, with no dirt and dust appearing in locations that are harder to reach

• Bills are not piling up at home or in the mailbox, indicating that they’re probably being paid

• Dates and dosages on medications match up with what’s on the prescription bottles and it appears as though he/she is managing her medications effectively and taking them according to schedule

• His/her appearance is neat and tidy and to the same standard as normal

• Neighbors and friends close to him/her seem to have no concerns about the health, safety or happiness of the senior

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

Some people see napping as a sign of weakness, but it’s those that don’t take a nap that need to admit defeat. Caregivers and seniors alike lead extremely busy lives these days, and with inadequate sleep at night, and a lot of stress and responsibility during the day, it can be hard for people to get through the day without exhaustion. A great way to revive the day, improve productivity, decrease stress and even improve health is to take a nap during the day. Try these tips to help receive the benefits:

1. Squeeze in a cat nap of 10, 15 or 20 minutes (but no more!) during the day when you feel your energy fading. Whether you’re at work, or at home, it can help improve your productivity, so while it may feel like it’s taking time out of your day, it will actually create it. If you decide to nap at work, make sure it’s on your break or lunch hour

2. Suggest that your workplace create a napping area since it can boost productivity! Not all workplaces have created an area conducive to napping, but it is becoming more popular.

3. Help yourself wind down and prepare for a nap by listening to calming music, using aromatherapy, or doing another activity that you know works to relax you

Via: workhappynow.com

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

It doesn’t matter from what walk of life we come from; most of us know a family caregiver who is responsible for caring for an older member of their family, and these are people that are not always recognized for their efforts or appreciated.  It’s National Family Caregiver’s month this November, and there is no better  time than now to show caregivers that they’re appreciated, and here’s some ways that you can:

1. Give them a break – offering to provide respite care or hiring someone to step in can allow caregivers to relax or reconnect with friends and family

2. Remind local businesses what this month means – then encourage them to offer freebies or discounts for family caregivers in the area!

3. Lend them a hand with holiday preparations – the holidays can create added responsibility, so help a caregiver decorate for the holidays or put stamps on their cards

4. Get them laughing – go see a funny movie with them, or pick up tickets to a local comedy club. Laugher IS the best medicine!

5. Take over holiday hosting responsibilities – caregivers already have a lot on their plates; host Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday celebration so the caregiver can simply focus on enjoying the company!

6. Sign the petition – there’s a petition to establish a stamp that recognizes family caregivers; sign it in their honor!

7. Create something personal – a personalized gift, like a calendar with family photos, will help them feel like they’re appreciated, and it will help them stay organized

8. Send them a token of appreciation – a bouquet of flowers or a card might not be a big gesture, but it will make caregivers feel appreciated and special

9. Connect them with caregiving resources – free seminars and other events take place to keep caregivers better informed and help them manage stress

10. Lend your support – give them an ear to talk to, or help them find a support group

Via: The Family Caregiver

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

Sunflower seeds are something you might associate with childhood and your trips to the ballpark, but did you know that they actually have extensive nutritional benefits, at least when you choose varieties that are unsalted and free from additional flavors that can add detrimental affects to your health. With just a handful of sunflower seeds to curb your hunger you can receive many of the recommended daily value for vitamins and nutrients, as well as the following benefits:

• The Vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds helps with cardiovascular health and works as an anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols in sunflower seeds help lower cholesterol and ensure it remains under control, which is especially important as many seniors struggle with their cholesterol levels later in life

• Magnesium can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and generally works to reduce tension in the body

• Selenium helps prevent cancer and works as a natural detoxifier

Via: WHFoods

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

Many things can fall to the wayside when you’re a senior caregiver or a busy senior, particularly organization. But, by remaining organized you can ensure that you take back some time in your day and make every moment more productive!

1. Prioritize – seniors and caregivers alike can prioritize their responsibilities. Not all tasks are of equal importance, and by starting with items that are crucial, they can work their way through, and if there’s just not enough time in the day, the non-priority items can wait so seniors don’t overburden themselves

2. Make a schedule – as part of prioritizing, plan out your day on a calendar, either by writing it down or using a calendar tool on your laptop or Blackberry. Seeing what needs to be accomplished visually, marked down hour by hour will help you set realistic goals for yourself whether you’re a caregiver or a busy senior

3. Don’t waste time – busy people known that time is of the essence,  so while important goals and responsibilities should bet me, time shouldn’t be wasted on focusing on the things that don’t matter

4. Ask for help – as a caregiver, don’t be afraid to ask for someone else to step in and provide respite that way you can focus on other things that are important, like rest and relaxation for yourself. As a senior, if there are things you need help to accomplish, just ask!

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.