When seniors develop chronic medical conditions, the stress levels of the caregivers involved will increase. Being a caregiver is a tense and exhausting position to fill. Boston, Massachusetts caregivers who have to care for an elderly family member with a chronic illness or disease will feel much more stress. There will be additional responsibilities and other pressures that will be necessary to maintain the health and well being of the senior. The following list discusses this issue in more detail. Chronic illnesses will increase physical stress for the caregiver. There are various symptoms of stress that all caregivers should know about, including anger, depression, exhaustion, guilt, denial, irritability and being dissatisfied with life in general.
The levels of stress will vary depending on the actual illness. This is because certain illnesses will require more care and will place more responsibility on the caregiver.
The causes of physical and emotional stress include physical changes that have side effects, the inability to work, changes in personal relationships and financial demands due to the needs of health care.
To help alleviate stress, caregivers should take frequent breaks. Taking a day off here and there is also a good idea. Make sure to care for your own health, physically and emotionally and always know what your limits are.
Caregivers should not be afraid to ask for help if they begin getting stressed. Asking family members for some help and support can make a world of difference and can reduce the responsibilities of caring for a senior with chronic illness. It can also help prevent and reduce existing stress.
Accepting and loving your body can be a difficult thing to do. This is especially true for seniors who are still living in a society that is so caught up on physical appearances. Seniors need to realize that their body is their friend. When this is done, seniors tend to be happier with themselves and worry less about physical appearances.
1. Everybody wants to be a supermodel, but for most seniors, this will never be a dream that comes true. To overcome this, seniors need to learn how to love their body. This is done by noting the positive and not dwelling on the negative.
2. Keep in mind that being different from another person is what makes us all unique. If everyone were a model and had perfect features, there would be no personal satisfaction or gain when a goal is reached.
3. Losing weight may help get your body trim again, but it is not the most important thing in life. Never compromise general health for vanity.
4. Looking good comes from feeling good. If you are comfortable with the person you are on the inside, chances are you will have a better chance of accepting the physical aspects as well.
Boston Elder Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Since it is time to file annual income taxes, there are a few tips seniors should know about. If seniors make use of deductions, credits and exemptions, they will find that they will receive a greater return than normal. These tax tips can be a big help for seniors who are on a fixed income. The following list contains some useful tips during tax season.
1. Make sure to know about any taxes on compensation. If you are still working, your income will be taxed at the normal rate. However, if you itemize your taxes and make use of exemptions and deductions, you will have a lower tax bill.
2. There are many deductions available for seniors. For example, seniors who itemize their taxes can deduct property tax, charitable gifts and medical expenses. These are only a few of the available deductions.
3. An exemption occurs when an individual is not required to pay a tax. If you are preparing your own taxes, you may want to consult a professional to inquire about exemptions.
4. Most seniors are receiving Social Security payments each month. If the senior has an additional form of income, this income will be used to determine if taxed must be paid on any earnings from Social Security. This usually applies to seniors who have higher incomes than normal.
At Home Care Boston, we realize that many seniors are not aware of their daily sodium intake. If seniors are affected with high blood pressure, this is one thing that should be a concern. Monitoring the amount of sodium intake each day can help combat high blood pressure and other health issues. The list below provides some helpful tips and facts about sodium.
1. The government passed regulation to label products differently. Anything with more than 480 mg will be labeled as high in sodium.
2. When you reduce sodium intake, you will notice foods taste differently. Do not give up. In a short time, your taste buds will adjust!
3. Do not cut out sodium completely. The body does require some intake. For adults, the minimum amount is 200-500mg/day. Those with high blood pressure should not exceed 1500mg/day.
4. Lower intake by reading food labels and being aware of sodium contents, make records of daily sodium intake, change some eating habits and find low-sodium alternatives to what you normally eat.
5. When dining out, eat from the salad bar and avoid soups and sauces. Also ask for a low-sodium menu.
6. Read labels. Manufacturers are required to tell you how much sodium is in a product based on a serving size. Look at the serving size and then at how much sodium is in each size.
7. Keep in mind that many of your medications may contain sodium. Check with your doctor for tips on how to lower sodium intake. Also remember that tap water contains sodium as well, so try to drink bottled or filtered water.
High blood pressure is a common problem in the senior population. While most people believe they have to take a medication to lower their blood pressure, there are other ways to go about it. Making some changes to your diet and your daily life can have positive effects on lowering blood pressure.
Home Care Bostonwants to remind all seniors that they should consult their doctor before making any drastic changes to their diet and exercise. The following tips however are a good starting place for anyone looking to lower blood pressure.
1. Reduce sodium intake. Daily intake for seniors or anyone over 50 should be less than 2,300 mg per day. Take the saltshaker off the table and try to eat foods that are low in sodium.
2. Change cooking habits and do not use salt. There are other ways to get great flavor when cooking. Use herbs and spices and avoid using bullion and prepared sauces. They contain high amounts of sodium. When dining out, ask for food to be prepared without salt or request a low sodium menu.
3. Check the medications you are currently taking. Many of them do contain sodium. Talk to your doctor about adding an aspirin to your daily regime. This can reduce chances of stroke and heart attack.
4. Reduce stress, add some exercise and quit smoking. All of these will lower your blood pressure. Losing a few pounds will also be beneficial.
5. If you can, monitor your blood pressure at home. If these changes do not work, you may have to ask for a prescription medication. Doctors will also suggest increasing your potassium intake.
Daily exercise programs are a great way to lower the risk of developing heart disease. Not only will exercise lower risks, but it will also have a huge effect on the rest of your life. There are many benefits to exercising daily. Seniors can benefit from an exercise program and the results can be beneficial in many areas. Below is a list that provides some facts and tips about exercise programs.
Before making changes to a diet or adding exercise, Home Care Boston wants to remind all seniors that they should always talk to their doctors first. Be sure to ask about medications, the ability to lift heavy objects and what exercises are safe for you.
1. Exercise can help circulation and strengthen the heart and cardiovascular system. It also lowers blood pressure, improves muscle tone and strength, boosts self-esteem and improves sleep.
2. Stretching exercises lengthen the muscles, preparing them for activity. It will reduce the chance of injury and muscle strain.
3. Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and will greatly improve the use of oxygen in the body.
4. Try to implement a walking program to start. Then you can move to jogging, biking or water aerobics.
5. An exercise session should last between 20 and 30 minutes to provide the best benefits for the body and over-all health. Exercise every day or every other day for the best results.
This year, don’t fall in the trap of those same old resolutions that are surrounded by the fear of failure like weight loss or exercise goals. Instead, do things that really motivate you; we here at Home Care Boston encourage you to try a different approach, using some of the great ideas below!
1. Educate yourself – you’re never too old for learning. Pursue an interest; go back to school and take advantage of the discounts for seniors who want to return to college. Or take a class that teaches you more about another hobby like a craft or physical activity like dance
2. Expand your career – if you’re a senior who’s still in the workforce, make the best of your last few years in a career and do something you really enjoy. Even if you’re not working for an income, volunteer somewhere that fulfills you
3. Take a trip – if you’ve been dreaming of getting away somewhere, make it your goal this year. You can take the opportunity to plan and save. It doesn’t have to be something glamorous; even a journey to visit family that normally comes to you makes for a change of pace
4. Work on organization – sometimes with age, people become more sentimental. You may find that your home is becoming more cluttered. Take the opportunity to get your home organized for a safer and more comfortable environment
5. Develop new relationships – whether it’s romance you have in mind, or just feel you’d benefit from increasing your social circle; get out there and network!
Home Care Bostonknows that achieving new goals can be difficult for many seniors. They will often require some help from friends and family, even if that is just moral support. There are many websites that can offer tips and resources to help seniors achieve their goals this year. The sites listed below are a few that are commonly used by those who wish to get a little help in achieving their goals.
1. ResolutionsReminders.com – This is a free site that can help you stay on track and attain your resolutions. The site was established in 1997 and has been going strong ever since. It contains valuable resources and users can sign up to receive email reminders.
2. DietTV.com – This site is great for anyone who has set diet goals for the New Year. A personalized program can be created, including a customized diet plan. The site has many areas that will help with all diet and exercise needs, such as an exercise finder and support groups.
3. StopSmoking.net – Many seniors still smoke, and many members of the senior population make resolutions each year to quit smoking. This is one of the hardest goals to achieve, especially for seniors who have been smoking for many years. The site also offers tips on how to quit as well as the option of creating a personalized stop smoking plan.
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
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.
