Research reveals that there’s no end in sight to the volunteering efforts for a majority of senior volunteers surveyed, who say they’ll go on “forever.” The Home Instead Senior Care® network has announced the Salute to Senior Service program to honor these older adults who go the extra mile to make a difference for charities and community service projects throughout North America. For those seniors who haven’t volunteered but are considering it, here are some suggestions:

Find a passion. Some people live their passion through jobs and careers, but that isn’t always the case. Retirement is the time to save the whales, feed the homeless and brighten up the neighborhood. Find something that fulfills.

Look for a need. That won’t be difficult these days. A 2009 survey, conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, found that 80 percent of nonprofit and AmeriCorps organizations surveyed reported some level of fiscal stress. To find out where volunteers are needed, contact the local Area Agency on Aging office, church or synagogue, or Senior Corps <<www.seniorcorps.gov>>.

Avoid perfectionism. It’s easy to want that special church event to be perfect or that remodeling project to look like it belongs in the nation’s leading home improvement magazine. Chill out! Perfectionism can ruin the project for everyone on the team.

Home Instead CAREGiver can help your senior loved ones stay on course with their volunteering by receiving support such as food preparation, light housekeeping and medication reminders – call us at 617.557.4600.

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

Healthy aging is the top goal for seniors. We want to be healthy and a factor that plays a big part in that goal is good nutrition. It’s our first line of defense and helps older adults the most who strive to maintain independence. The Home Instead Senior Care® Network arms seniors and family caregivers with nutrition resources for healthy aging.

So, before you go grocery shopping, consider the types of healthy meals you need to prepare. Here are a few tips to help make a caregiver’s trip to the grocery store a successful one.

Make a list – Write out on your grocery list the foods your senior wants to eat for the week. When you make a list, it can cut down on the time and money you spend at the grocery market.

Eat before you shop. Don’t go hungry – When shopping hungry, we will be prone to buy more. So eat a snack or fruit before hitting the market.

Review store ads and clip coupons – This will help you save money, time and hassle at the checkout stand.

Invite a friend or family member – Have Mom bring a neighbor or friend along for the ride. Companionship makes grocery shopping more fun. If your senior can’t drive or shop alone, arrange for grocery delivery or a caregiver companion to help.

Sign up for a grocer’s bonus/discount card – You can get savings and specials when signing up for these programs.

Buy store brands – Most brands sit at eye level on the shelf. Store brands are cheaper and just as good. They are usually placed higher or lower on shelves.

Think variety – Encourage you senior loved one to try new foods.

Shop the perimeter of the store – That’s where you’ll find the fresh and healthier foods.

Stock up on sale items – Buy in bulk for quality and value, but serve healthy portions.

Use your food budget wisely – Buy a supply of fresh fruit in place of a bag of chips or cookies.

Home Instead Senior Care looks for ways to help seniors stay healthy and independent at home. We provide families with the resources they need to help older loved ones with the planning and preparation of nutritious meals. Learn more here Caregiverstress.com.

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

Champions for Successful Aging is a new web property created and “Championed” by Home Instead Senior Care. Through strategic partnerships and engagement with “Champions,” this site focuses on building a growing panel of thought leaders on aging. The goal is to impact policy making and bring media attention to the idea of successful aging.

Paul Hogan leads an all-star lineup of experts from the areas of academia, business and non-profit groups, all with the intent to impact key government decisions, educate and create a voice for the aging population in North America and around the world.

Do you need ideas, papers or talking points? Reference this site to help establish yourself, or Home Instead Senior Care, as being a thought leader in your community.

Over the next 20 years the entire planet will undergo a tremendous and permanent change as the population grows older. By 2030 all developed nations will have more people over the age of 60 than under the age of 15 (U.N. forecasts).

This has never happened before in the history of the planet.

This change will impact everything, from how economies operate, services governments provide, and how societies and cultures view older adults and aging.

This site has been launched to foster discussions, conversations, ideas and plans for this new world. Our point of view is that the opportunity is in front of us to create a world where more older adults can live better, longer lives. To be successful, we will need new ideas and thinking about aging and caring for older people.

Initially, the audience we want to reach with this site are  those actively involved in policy making, shaping public opinion, and leading efforts on aging in their communities and otherwise engaged in older adult issues. These are some of the “Champions” we seek.

Source: Champions of Aging

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

Many people have a hard time buying a gift for an elderly loved one. This does not have to be as difficult as people make it out to be. In fact, buying gifts that are practical is the best way to go. Boston seniors will be appreciative of gifts they can use on a daily basis. To help with holiday shopping, the following list offers some simple suggestions for gifts to senior family members.

1.            Blankets and throws will always be a great gift. Many seniors feel chilled and will enjoy being able to wrap up in a warm blanket.

2.            Slippers and new socks are great gifts as well. While they may not seem like such a huge thing, seniors need to keep their feet warm and most seniors will wear their slippers all year long.

3.            Many older women will enjoy receiving some lotions and bath soaps. However, before buying these, make sure the senior has no allergies to certain scents.

4.            Bath robes and new pajamas will be useful and appreciated. Warm winter clothing such as sweaters, pants and thermal underwear make nice senior gifts.

5.            Many seniors have trouble seeing, yet they enjoy reading and doing puzzles. If you can find books that are large print, make sure to include these as a gift.

6.            Most seniors are living on a very tight budget. Giving a gift card to a supermarket or discount store will be very helpful, allowing the senior to buy some food or items for the home.

Source: Payson Round Up

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

Make the Home Safe for Low Vision Seniors

Seniors are often affected by low vision. This can create many problems in daily life, especially if the senior still lives at home. There have been many cases of senior injuries occurring because the home was not set up for a person with low vision. To make the home safer, there are some simple changes that can be made.

1. Make sure all rooms are well lit.

2. Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.

3. Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.

4. Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.

5. Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.

6. Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.

7. Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.

8. Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.

Source: Senior Living

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

Seniors Benefit from Moving Around

When seniors move around and remain active, they will typically have fewer health problems. Being active can provide seniors with many benefits. Not only will they be improving their health, but exercise is a great way to socialize as well. Below is a list that contains some tips that can help seniors get moving and be active.

1.    Seniors need to set goals for exercise and stick to them. They should start with small goals, such as exercising a few times a week. The goals should be realistic and achievable.

2.    Make a purchase! Buying a new bathroom scale can help seniors monitor their weight. Many newer scales will also display the body fat percentage. Seniors should set goals to reduce body fat. Seniors should also use the scale to keep track of their results from exercise. Most scales will have a built in memory, so seniors can monitor weight loss and gain.

3.    Do not think of exercise as a chore. It can actually be a social event if done in groups. Get together with other seniors for a walk. Socialization is linked with many health benefits, so seniors who combine exercise with a social activity will reap many benefits.

4.    Seniors do not have to engage in rigorous exercise routines. They should set short-term goals that are realistic. Most seniors will benefit from just 2 ½ hours of exercise each week.

Source: Consumer Healthday

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

Advances in Technology Benefit Seniors

Many seniors enter nursing homes each year. Many times, this is because they are not safe at home. Some caregivers and family members may not feel that the senior is capable of caring for themselves. There is an available technological system that can be installed in the home of a senior that will allow the senior to safely remain in their home. More information is provided below.

1. Caregiver Systems consist of touch screen monitors and wireless sensors that are placed in various locations in the home. The sensors will monitor health indicators, such as blood pressure, weight, motion and activity.

2. The system also acts as a communication system, allowing users, such as caregivers, to go online and send messages and reminders to the seniors at home. These messages will appear on the touch screens.

3. The system has one touch access that is easy for seniors to use. This will allow them to access games, family photos and appointment reminders.

4. The system also has a personal emergency response system, also called PERS. This system provides 24/7 monitoring of the senior and can call for medical response if necessary.

5. These technological advances allow seniors to stay at home longer. There is less worry from friends and family members regarding the safety and well-being of the senior while they remain in their home.

Source: Working Caregiver

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

Preparing for a Cataract Assessment Appointment

Cataracts tend to develop slowly, creating impaired vision that interferes with daily activities such as reading and driving (especially at night). If you think your aging loved one’s vision is deteriorating, have set up an appointment with their usual eye care provider. Appointments are usually brief, so you need to be prepared prior to your visit. Here is a list of items you should think about ahead of time:

• Come up with a list of questions to ask your doctor.
• Write down the symptoms, even those that seem unrelated to the vision issues your loved one thinks they are experiencing.
• List out all medications that your senior is taking, including any vitamins or supplements.
• Have a friend, caregiver or family member go with your aging relative. They may remember something that your senior forgot to ask.
• Write down key personal information, including stressors and recent life changes.

Source: The Mayo Clinic

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

Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

Many seniors have a hard time during the summer, especially on days when the temperature rises. It is important to take steps to make sure that seniors remain safe during these times. The tips that are included in the list below can ensure senior safety during the summer. There are many things that must be considered and this short list can help.

1. Heat exhaustion can cause many problems for seniors. It can be the cause of fatigue, nausea, headache and dizziness.

2. Heat stroke can cause a senior to experience dizziness, confusion and could even cause unconsciousness.

3. Seniors must make sure to drink plenty of fluids during the summer. This will help to keep the body hydrated and avoid heat stroke and exhaustion.

4. A light, but well-balanced diet should be eaten during the warmer months. Eating heavy will cause fatigue.

5. Light and loose clothing should be worn to help keep seniors cool.

6. Always apply sun screen when a senior will be exposed to the sun. Their skin is very sensitive and they will burn easily and quickly.

7. If outdoor temperatures become uncomfortable, seniors should go inside and sit down. If they can be in an air conditioned area, that would be even better.

Source: NJ

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

Alzheimer’s and Wandering – Tips to Stop It

Controlling a wandering Alzheimer’s patient is one way to ensure their safety. When a patient wanders, they could get lost and not know how to find their way back. In addition, wandering can create a lot of stress for the caretaker of the individual. Below is a list that offers some tips that can help prevent and reduce wandering.

1. Some patients may wander to escape something that is causing them stress and anxiety. This could be too many conversations or a lot of noises. Try to minimize conversations and reduce background noises as much as possible.

2. In many cases, Alzheimer’s patients will wander it an attempt to relive the past. This is especially true for those who had a strict schedule for many years.

3. Wandering can also be triggered by certain medications.

4. To prevent wandering, address triggers, such as offering food and water, encouraging physical activities. Providing a family photo can also help reduce wandering.

5. Use visual cues to help the patient notice where they are. This can be done by putting photos on doors and walls to identify objects and areas of the home.

6. Try to keep them active and involved. The more interested a patient is in something, the less apt they are to wander off.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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