Each year, more seniors remain employed. The growth in the workforce is one reason why more women over the age of 55 have jobs as a direct care worker. These jobs play an important role in society, offering services to seniors with illness. The list below contains some interesting facts about the direct care workers and women over 55.
1. In 2018, it is believed that more that 1.2 million women over 55 will be direct-care workers.
2. This increase is mainly due to the growing work force. Fewer seniors are retiring early and many senior women stay employed as long as possible.
3. Older women will make up the majority of employees that are providing services and support to other seniors with illnesses and disabilities.
4. Direct-care jobs are typically funded with public money. The government is trying to ensure that these jobs attract a stable group of employees.
5. Direct-care positions are very important in society. Without these jobs, many seniors would not receive the care they need on a daily basis.
6. One major concern is the low pay scale. People who provide direct-care earn much less than the average worker. This could cause potential problems in the future by driving older women away to look for a better paying job.
Seniors who life a healthy lifestyle are living a lot longer. In some cases, seniors are living in excess of 10 years longer than their ancestors. Public awareness and improved health care play a large role in this. Below is a list of facts in regards to the increasing life expectancies within the senior population.
1. Medical intervention and awareness are responsible for a large portion of the reason seniors are living longer.
2. Over the past 170 years, life expectancy has increased at a rate of 2.5 years each decade. This is equal to gaining 6 hours of life each day!
3. Most individuals who were born in 2000 or later will reach the age of 100.
4. Since people are living longer, it may be time to make some changes to lifestyles. A proposal would be to have younger people work fewer hours. This would allow them to work longer as they age instead of entering retirement and then living for another 30 or 40 years.
5. Seniors are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This should include a well-rounded diet, daily exercise and social involvement.
Seniors can reap many benefits from taking walks. Studies have indicated that walking can be a great way to reduce tension. Many seniors do not get the necessary levels of physical activity, so walking can also help in this department. The list below provides seniors with some facts about walking.
1. Walking can reduce stress and tension. Short walks can have positive effects on the mind and body.
2. If you feel stress building, try taking a short, but brisk walk. If you cannot fit in a walk, do some simple stretches to move your body around. This will also help to reduce stress.
3. Do not look at walking as though it is an exercise. Take it as time to be alone and clear your mind while reaping the benefits of a physical exercise.
4. Focus on the surrounding and breathe calmly. Sights, sounds and smells can make seniors relax and reduce tension.
5. Bring along a friend for the walk. This is a great way to socialize while getting some exercise. Walking partners can make the walk seem very short and enjoyable. The same goes for pets. Take the dog for a walk each day. The pet will benefit, and so will you!
With spring cleaning season here many senior caregivers are stopping and taking a look around at how they can help make the homes of the seniors they care for a little bit more comfortable. But for seniors, things can have a more significant meaning, so caregivers can’t just step in, take over and start donating belongings. Caregivers need to be gentle and use a process to help seniors get through:
1. Start small – instead of getting frustrated about a senior’s unwillingness to let go of certain items; praise and be happy for some small purges. Even if all you’ve managed to do is go through old mail cluttering the kitchen counter, it’s a victory that should be rewarded!
2. Take baby steps – like starting small, taking baby steps can allow seniors to see how they feel when a few things have been given away. If they have too large of a collection of old clothing, donate just a few pieces. After a few weeks have past, find out how the senior feels. They’re likely to discover that the parting wasn’t as bad as they thought
3. Let them take control – the accumulation of clutter can be about control; whether it’s controlling memories of the past they feel they’ve lost, or simply remaining in control of certain aspects of their life at a time when there’s so much change. Allow them to decide how to get rid of things and which items to start with first. If they refuse overtime, tell them that if they don’t take control then you or someone else will have to
Organization can help a senior function better on a daily basis. Seniors who are not organized will often feel overwhelmed when they have a list of things that need to be done. To avoid this, all seniors should implement some type of system that will help them remain organized. This can reduce stress and anxiety. The following list of tips on organization can be beneficial to seniors.
1. There is no one way to be organized. People have different needs, so they will need to find an organizational system that works best for them.
2. Make use of organizational products. Written lists on paper are easy to lose, so try a dry erase board on the fridge to remember certain things.
3. Becoming organized is a process. It will not happen in one day. Begin by setting priorities and always know what things must be taken care of before others.
4. After finding a system that works, the challenge is maintaining it. Many seniors will go through the planning steps but often fall short when maintaining their organizational system.
5. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family members can offer some great ideas that will help seniors get organized and save time and money.
Why Multi-Generational Households are the New Trend
In certain families and in many cultures, it hasn’t been unusual for multiple generations to live under one roof, but in more recent years, that has not been the trend in North America, at least not until a shift began to occur proving that it is in fact a growing trend. There are a number of reasons why there are various generations of individuals living together; from grandparents, parents, and grandchildren and all generations play a role in this.
1. The state of the economy – the economy has hit many people hard and families have to rely on each other for support. This has often been one factor that has influenced families in brining seniors into their homes to provide physical care as well as financial assistance across the board
2. There is a growing senior population – 16% of the American population lives in a multi-generational household. Numbers are increasing as there are more seniors living to older adulthood who may require care and support, or find it important to be surrounded by family
3. People are marrying later – younger generations on average aren’t starting families until their mid to late 20’s, so many people in their early 20’s remain at home which puts more adult generations under one roof
4. Focus upon independence – seniors and their families are no longer focused upon aging in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, so living with a family member can create a care option focused upon independence
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend in Canada, if you haven’t shopped for a gift for your mother, it’s time to hit the stores. Older adults shouldn’t be forgotten about; it’s a time of life when they will be even more appreciative of a gesture that their child cares. Coming up with ideas can be more challenging after decades of Mother’s Day gift giving, but here are a few!
1. Expand her music collection – don’t just go out and purchase a CD or DVD that you know she enjoys now. Pick something that has sentimental meaning that she doesn’t own. If there’s a particular type of music or album you used to listen to together, or even a movie you bonded over then get that as a gift as it will have meaning
2. Setup a home garden – if your mom has recently moved from a house to an apartment or residential facility, she might miss having a garden. Home gardening is a popular trend; pick up some house plants, materials to create a small herb garden or something else she can grow inside!
3. Help her decorate at home – if your mother has recently moved or just seems ready for a change, help her decorate her home. Pick up a few pieces with or without her help as a gift, and help her get her home arranged with the new items
4. Give her items to entertain with – if your mother enjoys entertaining at home, new tableware or a unique cookbook would be appreciated. Or, you can have her over for a great Mother’s Day meal.
Foods Seniors Should Resist To Keep Hearts Healthy
As heart disease continues to be the number one killer of Americans, seniors especially need to be mindful of their hearts. Part of a healthy heart comes with good nutrition. Here are some simple tips for seniors when ordering at a restaurant, the drive in window, or grocery shopping of foods to avoid.
• At The Restaurant—Sometimes when seniors go out to eat, those heart healthy diets fly out the window. Seniors should avoid restaurants with all you can eat buffets, as you are more likely to eat more food, which leads to more calories. Seniors should also resist ordering appetizers, cocktails, and sides with cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. Asking for dressings and sauces on the side is a great way to control the quantity you consume.
• At The Drive In Window—Fast food can be easy and quick for seniors, but it is not always healthy. Avoid the unhealthy sides of fries and go with healthier options like fruit. Also seniors should pass on any value or super size.
• At The Supermarket—Seniors should stay away from fruit juices as they do not provide the fiber of whole fruit. In the dairy case, do not grab butter, ice cream and cream as they tend to have more saturated fats than whole milk. Seniors should also be weary of baked goods and desserts loaded with saturated and hydrogenated fats. The same goes for snacks. Fried chips should be replaced with vegetables or baked alternatives.
