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Here at Home Care Boston, we want seniors to know that they don’t have to work through their goals alone. Setting goals with family and going through them together can increase the odds that you’ll get through them. As a grandparent, you can help grandchildren set their goals and then work through them, using their progress as motivation for accomplishing your own.

1. Ask them to come up with an area that they could improve in their lives – be gentle, but ask them how they think they could improve. Would they like to get better grades? Get along better with a sibling? Learn a new skill? Once an area has been settled on, help them make that goal specific.

2. Motivate with group efforts – write down your resolutions along with theirs, and track progress with charts. Get the whole family involved, and come together to talk about how you’re doing with your resolutions

3. Use visual rewards for progress – when you check in with the progress of your grandchildren, reward them. Add stickers to a chart you’ve created, or give them pennies for their piggy bank for every step of the way

4. Keep the experience positive – motivate children by ensuring they always remain positive even if they have setbacks while trying to reach their goals

Via: eHow

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

There is no better feeling for a senior than when they meet a personal goal. Home Care Boston know many seniors make resolutions each year, wanting to make some changes in their lives. While this may sound like a simple task, it is often difficult for seniors to achieve their goals. The list of tips below will be of use for any senior looking to successfully achieve their resolutions.

1. Try to be more conscious of what you eat. While sweets are hard to resist, try eating a piece of fruit instead of candy. It will satisfy your craving for sugar and is much healthier.

2. Buy a scale for the bathroom. This will help monitor your weight. You can even use a journal to keep track of any changes. A good scale will help you through your weight-loss journey.

3. Increase physical activity. Seniors do not need to join a gym. A simple short walk each day will help burn extra calories. In addition, that walk can help keep your heart healthy.  Exercise also increases your mood, so not only will it have physical benefits, but your mental health will improve as well.

4. Discuss weight loss plans with a doctor. You want to make sure your diet is providing you with the intake you need to stay healthy yet at the same time will help you lose weight.

Source: aarp.org

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

New Year’s resolution is a phrase that ultimately means failure. So few people actually follow through on them; abandoning their goals mere months after they’ve begun. But seniors don’t have to succumb to this trend this year. Instead, they can really make 2010 a better year by reaching their goals with these tips:

1. Focus on fun – particularly when it comes to losing weight or starting an exercise program, the resolution can become a burden rather than something you desire to achieve. Find exercise activities you enjoy, and if your resolutions have nothing to do with weight loss or exercise; ensure you go about attaining your goals in a way that’s focused on fun!

2. Think about your future today – if you have goals for the future, there’s no better time than now to start working towards achieving them. You might have excuses, whether it’s related to your age, your health, the logistics of getting around or something else; but those are aspects unlikely to change so take the bull by the horns and work towards the goals you set

3. Talk to others – if you tell others about your goals, you’ll be more likely to stick to them. It almost creates a challenge, since you’ll be encouraged to tell your friends and family that you’re successful rather than failing at your New Year’s resolutions. This also gives you a support network for encouragement

Via: AARP

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Scratching your head trying to come up with ideas for gifts for an elderly relative? Whether you’re shopping for your grandparent, mother, father, great aunt or another member of your family, here are some gift ideas they’re sure to appreciate:

• Items that allow them to pamper themselves – seniors on a budget are not likely to splurge on things they consider non-essentials. Buy them candles, soaps and body lotions that allow them to feel pampered at home. Gift cards to restaurants or spas are added luxuries

• Gift baskets – gift baskets with a combination of items, including some of the above, as well as seasonal foods, books, and craft supplies that they will enjoy and make use of are all great things to include! Gift baskets can be bought pre-fabricated or can be created at home

• The gift of companionship – seniors will most appreciate the company of their loved ones. If this is not possible, senior care services can be gifted for companionship and assistance at home

• Take an elderly loved one out for the day – a trip out for lunch around the holidays to see a movie or a musical event can be a very enjoyable way for them to spend a day and it will be memorable!

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Incontinence is an issue that many seniors face, but few are likely to bring up the topic even with their senior caregivers out of embarrassment; and, according to a study only one in three caregivers is likely to broach the subject even if they’ve noticed signs that it’s necessary. To overcome these challenges, caregivers can follow these tips, to ensure that care isn’t compromised due to lack of communication:

1. Ease into the issues gently – caregivers need to ensure when talking about incontinence, that they appear concerned. They can’t make it into a personal issue or make the senior feel embarrassed

2. Understand if it’s appropriate for you to bring up the topic – depending upon your relationship with your senior care recipient, you might want to bring up the topic, or have a friend or medical professional break the ice

3. Try to anticipate how they might react – if you’re bringing up the topic yourself, or even if you’ve talked to a doctor about approaching the subject of incontinence, try to anticipate how the senior might react. Will he/she be embarrassed? Combative? Accepting? This can help you to manage the situation better

4. Empathize – let them know that you care, and while you can’t understand exactly what they’re dealing with, make sure they know you hate that they’re going through it and are there for them

5. Know when to back off – particularly when approaching such a touchy subject, don’t push too hard about your beliefs; know when to back off

6. Talk to a doctor – encourage the senior to seek medical attention to determine the source of the incontinence and appropriate treatment. Caregivers can provide in-depth details to medical professionals if seniors are uncomfortable talking about it

Via: Caring.com

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

It’s a popular belief that a good night’s sleep is something that disappears with youth. In reality, stress is a major contributor that can cause many of the common sleeping issues below, and these issues are more common amongst younger generations:

• Teeth grinding (bruxism) – an involuntary act which can cause problems with oral health and jaw pain

• Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome – a skewed internal clock that often makes it challenging for people to fall asleep before 2am and wake before 7am

• Sleep apnoea – this comes at varying levels of severity, and results in unusual sleeping patterns which can disturb sleep

• Insomnia – difficulty falling and staying asleep

• Restless Leg Syndrome – leg pain that comes with sleep that can interrupt sleeping patterns

Sources:

ScienceDaily

SleepDeprivation.com

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

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.

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.