Senior Helpers In-Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Believes Aging Musicians Have Sharp Brains

Playing a musical instrument throughout life may help fight cognitive decline as we age. Older musicians perform better on cognitive tests than individuals who did not play an instrument, according to a new study published in the April issue of Neuropsychology.

While much research has been done to determine the cognitive benefits of musical activity by children, this is the first study to examine whether those benefits can extend across a lifetime.

“Musical activity throughout life may serve as a challenging cognitive exercise, making your brain fitter and more capable of accommodating the challenges of aging,” says lead researcher and clinical neuropsychologist Brenda Hanna-Pladdy of Emory University. “Since studying an instrument requires years of practice and learning, it may create alternate connections in the brain that could compensate for cognitive declines as we get older.”

The study enrolled 70 individuals age 60-83 who were divided into three groups. The participants either had no musical training, one to nine years of musical study or at least 10 years of musical training. All of the participants had similar levels of education and fitness, and didn’t show any evidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

Cognitive performance was measured by testing brain functions that typically decline as the body ages, and more dramatically deteriorate in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The high-level musicians who had studied the longest performed the best on the cognitive tests, followed by the low-level musicians and non-musicians, revealing a trend relating to years of musical practice.

The high-level musicians had statistically significant higher scores than the non-musicians on cognitive tests relating to visuospatial memory, naming objects, and cognitive flexibility, or the brain’s ability to adapt to new information.

“Based on previous research and our study results, we believe that both the years of musical participation and the age of acquisition are critical,” Hanna-Pladdy says. “There are crucial periods in brain plasticity that enhance learning, which may make it easier to learn a musical instrument before a certain age and thus may have a larger impact on brain development.”

The preliminary study was correlational, meaning that the higher cognitive performance of the musicians couldn’t be conclusively linked to their years of musical study. Hanna-Pladdy, who has conducted additional studies on the subject, says more research is needed to explore that possible link.

The study was conducted with at the University of Kansas Medical Center. At the time of the study, Hanna-Pladdy was an assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a research faculty member of the Landon Center on Aging University of Kansas Medical Center. Study co-author and cognitive psychologist Alicia MacKay, also a former research assistant at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is now an assistant professor of psychology at Tulsa Community College.

More news from Emory: http://emoryhealth.org

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Talks About Seniors Going Online

Research shows that every second one senior is added to the aging population of the world.  Also increasing at a rapid rate is the growing popularity of senior citizens going online. The benefits of the Internet are tremendous in helping them to live happier lives after retirement.

There are several benefits seniors can reap by becoming involved online:

Mental benefits.  Knowledge of the Internet will help senior citizens improve their mental alertness. Aside from the vast information found on the Internet, it is also a great source for video games. Why video games? According to the Psychology and Aging magazine, playing video games helps improve the cognitive functions of seniors which normally decline during old age. Strategy video games help in keeping their brains razors sharp, and improve their hand-eye coordination. The gaming industry is now looking into the possibility of developing more video games tailored for seniors.

Business opportunities.  By using the internet, seniors will still have the opportunity to earn after retirement. Some online business opportunities include: selling products, selling stock photography images and other service offerings. A great freelance home based job is to be an online content writer.  The reach of the internet enables seniors to share their expertise, knowledge and wisdom acquired through the years.

Shopping convenience.  The ability to make purchases online is one of the best things that happened for seniors. It means that they can shop in the comfort of their home without worrying about mobility and transportation.

World exploration. Not all seniors have the chance to travel due to financial and health limitations. Now the Internet gives seniors the opportunity to explore the world just by browsing and watching videos online.

Continued education. Seniors have the opportunity to browse the Internet to get more information about anything they could possibly want. The categories that have been found to provide the most helpful information for seniors are health and fitness. Online tutorial videos are great ways for seniors to find/see information related to their interests. Popular tutorial videos include painting, playing the piano, gardening, preparing flower arrangements and cooking.

Emotional benefits.  The Internet provides the means for online communication with family and friends which could drastically enhance the mood of an otherwise isolated senior. Studies have found when seniors are able to interact with others online they experience enhanced self-esteem, a more cheerful outlook, increased independence, and an overall happier disposition.

Enhanced family relationships.  Many senior grandparents may feel they are being left behind because they cannot keep up with what is going on in the lives of their grandchildren. With Internet access and knowledge, seniors are able to catch up with their grandchildren through emails, social networking sites, and video chat solutions, thus bridging the gap between them.

The Internet can help seniors learn, grow, and live much happier lives.  AS R.S. Yalow once said, “The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you are learning, you’re not old.”

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/350657_seniors-go-digital-on-the-internet#ixzz1UTF9bT94

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut’s “Heat Helpers” Aids Local Seniors Who Ignore Heat Warnings

Caregivers check on elderly in brutal heat

A deadly heat wave is melting most of the country but as it turns out, many senior citizens,

most vulnerable to the heat, may be ignoring the warnings.  A study out of Kent State University shows 90 percent of respondents over the age of 65 were aware of heat warnings, but most seniors thought the messages were targeted toward “older Americans,” a group to which they did not think they belonged.*  That’s why Senior Helpers, one of the largest in-home providers for seniors in the nation, has started a program called “Heat Helpers,” caregivers who come to the home to keep the elderly safe in this sweltering summer.

“Nobody wants to admit they can’t deal with extreme heat like they used to.  That’s why it’s so

important to have someone check on your elderly loved one when you can’t be there,” says Peter Ross, CEO and founder of Senior Helpers, one of  our nation’s leading national in home senior care providers with a “Heat Helpers” in your town.  “Heat safety has changed… from new FDA guidelines on sunscreen to health recommendations for water intake, seniors need to stay hydrated.  It often takes an extra set of eyes and ears to make sure seniors are doing everything they can to stay protected.”

How  Senior Helpers’ “Heat Helpers” Works :

Senior Helpers caregivers come to the senior’s home to help them with daily activities like cleaning, cooking and yard work, which may be too strenuous in these brutal temps.  Caregivers also make sure seniors are taking proper precautions to beat the heat.

• · .  .  .  .  Stay well hydrated – Caregivers remind seniors to drink water throughout the course of the day, even if they’re not particularly thirsty.  As adults continue to age, the amount of water retained by the body decreases substantially.
• · .  .  .  .  Maintaining a cool environment – Caregivers close blinds and curtains keeping the house cool, even in triple digit temperatures.  Caregivers also have battery operated/handheld fans readily available to keep their seniors comfortable. Most seniors are budget-conscious, so it’s important for caregivers to be sure the AC is set to a proper, cool level and it’s working. Caregivers can also be responsible to check filters once a month.
• · .  .  .  .  Stay In air conditioning in the afternoon – The hottest part of the day is from 3-5 p.m. Caregivers provide inside activities like playing cards, going to movies or the mall to keep seniors active inside to avoid spending time outside during the most dangerous hours of the day.
• · .  .  .  .  Eat plenty, but eat light – Caregivers prepare light food because heavy foods, like meat and cheese, tend to make the body work harder to digest, using more water and generating more body heat.
• · .  .  .  .  Follow new sunscreen guidelines – Caregivers are well versed on the FDA’s newly released guidelines about sun protection.  Seniors are more prone to sunburn because their bodies have less water.  Caregivers educate seniors about these new regulations such as there’s no such thing as “sweat proof” or “water proof” sunscreen or that you must re-apply sunscreen every two hours for it to work effectively (new guidelines listed at the bottom of the release).
• · .  .  .  .  Copies of health care information – In the event of an emergency, caregivers can have copies of senior’s prescriptions, health insurance card, and phone numbers of health care providers on-hand.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure our seniors don’t make heat headlines,” says Ross. “Even if your elderly loved ones say they’re staying safe in the heat, it’s always a good idea to have  someone check up on them.”

* http://sheridan.geog.kent.edu/pubs/2006-IJB.pdf

Sources:  American Cancer Society, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Journal of Public Health.

What We’ve Learned From the FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines:

• · .  .  .  .  There is no such thing as “sweat-proof” and “waterproof” sunscreens.  These words are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.
• · .  .  .  .  Sunscreens can claim to be “water resistant” but the company has to put a label on their product stating the sunscreen only offers 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating.
• · .  .  .  .  You must re-apply sunscreen every two hours for continued sun protection.
• · .  .  .  .  Use sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection, also known as “broad spectrum” protection.
• · .  .  .  .  Only broad spectrum sunscreens with 15 SPF or higher provide any type of sun protection (15 – 30 SPF is recommended).

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About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Shares Affordable Safety Products For Seniors

Seniors are very vulnerable. No matter how they deny this fact, this is something that is true in a lot of cases. With their strength usually depreciating, serious threats can easily knock them down. With this, it is just essential that seniors are given safety products that will help them live through emergency situations that can mean life or death to them. One of the affordable safety products you can give to a senior is a big button cell phone with a personal emergency response system (PERS) feature.

Cell Phone for Seniors                                                                                             

Senior safety products extend from hand rails and smoke alarms to senior cell phone options. A cell phone for seniors can very well help them during emergency situations. Say for example the Just5 mobile phone. This is a very promising cell phone for seniors since it is equipped with PERS features.

This emergency feature of the Just5 cell phone works to dial pre-programmed numbers on the list once the user pushes the SOS button. This means that the phone will dial up to five numbers again and again until someone picks up for help. Besides this, the emergency button also powers up a loud alarm. The alarm can very well help in attracting attention of nearby people to increase the senior’s chances of getting help as soon as possible.

What makes this cell phone even more perfect for seniors is its senior-friendly feature. This is a big button cell phone that can help seniors who have problems with their vision, not to mention its bright LCD screen display. Plus, it has amplified sound to address the needs of those with hearing problems.

Moreover, Just5 is a very basic and simple mobile phone. It is not packed with complicated features that only confuse seniors, especially since they are not as tech savvy as the younger population of today.

Affordable Safety Promise for Seniors

The Just5 cell phone is a very cheap investment. Unlike its other senior cell phone counterparts, this can be purchased for less than a hundred dollars. Plus, the cell phone’s emergency response system comes free of charge. No matter how much you press the emergency button in a single month, you will not be billed for it.

It is a given that seniors need safety equipment to ensure their security and safety all the time. However, make sure you pick a product that is practical, convenient, and reliable for the seniors’ utmost safety.

Source: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/519177_affordable-safety-products-for-seniors#ixzz1T4MGGodz

 

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Warns of Scams Targeting Seniors

Scamming has become common throughout society. Fraudsters will not stop attempting to find what they desire with elderly and disabled persons their prime targets.

Here are some scams to which senior citizens are most susceptible and for which they should be on the lookout.

• . . . . . Medicare Rip-off

• . . . . . Telemarketing Scams

• . . . . . Medical Care Fraud

• . . . . . Medical Insurance Scams

• . . . . . Door-To-Door Scams

• . . . . . Nonprofit Misrepresentation

• . . . . . Prizes & Drawing Rip-offs

• . . . . . Bogus Drug Frauds

• . . . . . Funeral service & Graveyard Cons

• . . . . . Invert Home Loan Frauds

• . . . . . Court Responsibility Con (verified from the Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Logic behind why elderly people are targets:

• . . . . . Seniors are extremely prone to helping others.

• . . . . . Senior citizens will be more considerate as well as trustworthy and the traits are usually taken advantage of by con artists.

• . . . . . Many senior citizens live on their own and are therefore more prone to manipulation.

• . . . . . Elderly scam situations are rarely brought to light so they are not educated as to what to look out for.

Suggestions to stop scams:

• . . . . . Advise your aging loved ones not to give financial information such as the number of bank card and credit cards they have, banking account amounts, and Social Security amounts to unfamiliar people without checking first with a family member.

• . . . . . Do not invite unfamiliar individuals into the home without another person      present. If unsure about a company, check with a service such as the local Better Business Bureau.

• . . . . . Before making big purchases or investments, speak with friends or call a trusted lawyer, accountant or bank representative and acquire their advice.

• . . . . . Do NOT make big purchases or investments over the phone.

• . . . . . Research and become knowledgeable about the most common scams and frauds – always lean on the side of being overly cautious with unfamiliar people and confusing situations.

Resources to learn more about scams:

• Federal Trade Commission
• FBI
• Better Business Bureau
• The nation’s Fraud Data Center (NFIC)

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Celebrates National Therapeutic Recreation Week

Recreational Therapy Helps Keep Seniors Active, Healthy and Independent                    

 

The National Therapeutic Recreation Society established National Therapeutic Recreation Week in 1984. This special week has been celebrated during the second week of July annually since then. This year, National Therapeutic Recreation Week is July 10-16^th.

What is Therapeutic Recreation?

Recreational therapy is defined by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) as a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.

How are Recreational Therapy services different from other therapies?

Recreational therapy embraces a definition of “health” which includes not only the absence of “illness”, but extends to enhancement of physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure development so individuals may participate fully and independently in chosen life pursuits. The unique feature of recreational therapy that makes it different from other therapies is the use of recreational modalities in the designed intervention strategies.

Why is Recreational Therapy important?

Research supports the concept that people with active, satisfying lifestyles will be happier and healthier. Recreational therapy provides services which are based on the individuals’ interests and lifestyle, which allows them to better engage in therapy and apply these functional improvements to all areas of their life. Ultimately, it allows them to generalize their therapeutic outcomes to their life after the healthcare team is no longer involved resulting in greater health maintenance over time. Recreational therapy aims to improve an individual’s functioning and keep them as active, healthy and independent as possible in their chosen life pursuits.

At Senior Helpers, we believe activities are the heartbeat of living. The importance of activity in daily living is just one reason why Senior Helpers caregivers can assist your aging loved one in a variety of recreational activities that stimulate minds, promote physical fitness, increase social interaction, teach new skills and, overall, improve the quality of life for all of our clients. Our team of caregivers at Senior Helpers believes in creating an environment that is fulfilling, holistic and nurturing to enhance our clients’ quality of life.

About the American Therapeutic Recreation Association

ATRA is the national membership organization representing the interests and needs of recreational therapists. The association is directed by an elected board of directors with over 42 volunteer teams and committees, focused on areas such as public policy, coverage and reimbursement, diagnostic specialty groups, education and research. An executive director leads the association national office in Alexandria, Virginia. The association provides a vast array of membership services focusing on professional practice, professional development, external affairs, advocacy, treatment networking, and educational services. Specifically, ATRA leads the profession with nationally recognized professional standards of practice, code of ethics, and competency guidelines.

Sources:  http://atra-online.com;  http://www.recreativeresources.com

About Senior Helpers

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

 

 

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Says You’re Never Too Old for Skin Cancer Awareness

In light of new FDA sunscreen guidelines, seniors and their families are encouraged to be sun smart

(Stamford, Connecticut-July 2011) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Each year, nearly a million people in this country will learn they have skin cancer…and the risk continues to rise as you get older. Senior Helpers of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut (CT), one of the leading in-home care providers of senior care in the southwest Connecticut area, is raising awareness about new FDA guidelines regarding sunscreens, which apply to people of all ages, not just young children and adults.

“Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes, according to the American Cancer Society,” says Tim Daniels with Senior Helpers of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut (CT). “Most skin cancers appear after the age of 45 and it’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun. We encourage seniors to get some fresh air and exercise to stay active, but their skin is more sensitive than others. Even if they’re going outside for a short 15 minute walk, caregivers are there to help them apply their sunscreen as needed.”

What We’ve Learned From the FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines:

Sun protection is an important public health issue for people of all ages. The FDA just released their new guidelines when it comes to proper product labeling and UVA protection:

• . . . There is no such thing as “sweat proof” and “waterproof” sunscreens. These words are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.

• . . . Sunscreens can claim to be “water resistant,” but the company has to put a label on their product stating the sunscreen only offers 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating.

• . . . You must reapply sunscreen every two hours for continued sun protection.

• . . . Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, also known as “broad spectrum” protection.

• . . . Only broad spectrum sunscreens with 15 SPF or higher provide any type of sun protection (15 – 30 SPF is recommended).

“The sun doesn’t discriminate against age,” say Daniels of Senior Helpers of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut (CT). “When seniors are exposed to too much sun, they risk being severely dehydrated. Our caregivers can make sure the seniors are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water or taking a cold bath to help prevent and/or recover from dehydration. They can also provide ways for seniors to socialize without having to be out in the sun, such as taking their daily walk inside malls or museums or making sure they’re in the shade and properly protecting themselves while spending time outside.”

Give Your Senior the Gift of Sun Protection:

• . . . Special UV radiation-absorbing clothes — the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.

• . . . Wrap-around sunglasses that offer UV protection.

• . . . A hat with at least a three-inch brim all the way around — sun hats provide protection for not only your head, face and ears, but also your neck, shoulders and upper back.

• . . . Look for products that have earned the Skin Cancer Seal of Recommendation.

Sources:  American Cancer Society, The Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Media Contact: Tim Daniels, (203) 564-1591, tdaniels@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Shares Good News for Older Shopaholics

Seniors Who Shop Frequently Live Longer                                             

A new study from Taiwan published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health indicates that elderly people who shop as frequently as every day are more likely to live longer than less frequent shoppers, with men appearing to benefit more from the activity than women. And it appears that this holds true even when the shopaholic seniors have one or two long-term medical conditions:

[…] Dr. Yu-Hung Chang from the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan, and colleagues, studied nearly 1,850 elderly people aged 65 and over who were living independently at home and who took part in the nationally representative 1999-2000 Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT Elderly).

Participants answered questions about how often they went shopping, with responses ranging from “never” to “every day”.

They also completed questionnaires that helped researchers assess their intellectual and physical function, and gave the usual demographic information such as financial status, employment status, age, gender, education, and ethnicity, plus lifestyle, health behaviors, and chronic disease/medical status.

… The researchers concluded that their findings showed shopping predicts survival and that very frequent shopping may favor men more than women.

… They conceded that perhaps the ability to shop is just reflective of a person’s health, and frequent shoppers are just healthier people, but they also said it could work the other way around: frequent shopping itself may benefit health, for instance by increasing the opportunity to buy food, take an interest in your diet and health, meet companions, and also take exercise in a way that is easier and requires less motivation than formal methods.

More details on the result of the study – here.

At Senior Helpers, we can help keep your aging loved-ones active and healthy. From shopping trips to doctor visits our compassionate caregivers can help your loved-ones continue to enjoy their on-the-go lifestyle.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Helps You Deal with the Needs of Aging Parents

Caring for Our Aging Parents                                             

Caring for our aging parents can be both a challenging and wonderful experience! It can also bring you closer to your family members and allow you the chance to give back. It can be one of the most growth-promoting times in the history of the family.

Anxieties of Adult Children

When we have viewed our parents as powerful authority figures, who were competent to handle any situation, it’s hard for an adult child to watch their super mom, who birthed them, grow old and helpless. It’s painful to witness their strong father who always knew what to do, become a confused and uncertain old man.

We want to welcome our parents into our homes and our communities, but one of our greatest concerns is that they may not be happy. We are concerned that our homes may not be conducive to their needs or with the demands of our children, spouse and a job that require a lot of our attention. Most elderly parents have a very hard time leaving a warm and familiar place they call home. Having lived in their homes half of their lives, they have become very attached and unwilling to let it go.

Adult children are anxious about doing too much and worried about doing too little. Such things as buying groceries, filling prescriptions, balancing check books or cleaning the home can be looked upon as being overbearing. Yet, not being available to take your parents to a doctor’s    appointment or to the grocery store could be considered as being neglectful. Feelings of anger, guilt and sadness can be overwhelming at times.

We worry about our parents’ health, finances, homes, driving, safety and social life. We try to find answers to questions such as, “Are there any hidden health issues?” “Do you need any extra money?” “Is maintaining your home too much for you?” “Should you still be driving?” “Are you lonely?” Due to a misguided respect for privacy, family members may not help one another enough.

Anxieties of Aging Parents

Our aging parents have their anxieties as well. They are afraid of losing control and being a burden. They are frightened of becoming trapped in bodies without sound minds or with sound minds but without functional bodies. Yet, aging parents may not ask, “Do you think I’m losing my memory?” “Can I come live with you?” The shift from the roles of independent adult to that of dependent adult is one of the most dreaded role changes accompanying aging parents.

The elderly fear becoming dependent, whether physically or financially – either way, it is a difficult position for most adults to accept. This fear is easy to understand. We are taught from birth that becoming independent and self-sufficient are primary goals. We learn very early in life that anyone of adult age who has to depend on others for support is inferior.

Words such as moocher, sponge, leech, lazy, and bum are all terms we frequently apply to people who cannot take care of themselves financially. This is a deeply ingrained value for most people and it’s not surprising that elder people are hostile to the idea of giving up their independence and becoming dependent on others.

Aging parents sometimes resist and often resent having to depend on their children. They become angry and frustrated by the changes in interaction brought on by the reversal of roles. They may feel guilty because they feel that they should not be dependent.

Understanding the Anxieties of Aging Parents

Perhaps the most difficult challenge for parents is to realize that their children are adults now. Parents may still have memories of tough times with us. They may have flash backs of the child who would not do his homework or a rebellious daughter who would not do what was expected of her. These old pictures may keep our parents from seeing clearly and relinquishing control over their affairs.

A strong desire for independence has been found to be typical of elder people. Sometimes this motivation comes from the pride of being self-sufficient, sometimes from a desire to avoid burdening others, sometimes from a fear and mistrust of others and sometimes from a desire to defend an unrealistic perception of how they are viewed.

As a result of the high value placed on independence, elderly people hold extremely negative attitudes toward dependency. Some are very uncomfortable discussing their need for dependency. They often refuse help or hand-outs. Dependency makes elderly people despise themselves and their situation.

It should not be surprising, then, that some elderly people would literally prefer to die rather than become dependent. Although there are programs to help cover the basic necessities, there is still an estimated 3.6 million Americans, aged 65 and over, living in poverty. This situation is aggravated by the fact that our community support systems are inadequate and many of our medical services operate in such a way as to deprive the individual of his independence.

When it comes to our relationships with our parents and grandparents, we need much insight, empathy, love and respect. Treat your parents as you would want to be treated.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Introduces a New Quiz to Help You Decide if Dad Needs Help

Research shows dads won’t ask for help – Quiz helps adult children have that ‘oh-so-tough’ talk

(June, 2011) – It’s one of the most difficult conversations adult children can have with aging parents, especially those stubborn dads. Can your parents live independently? Or is it time to reach out for help? Just in time for Father’s Day, Senior Helpers, a leading in-home care provider, has created a new quiz for adult children to determine their father’s self-sufficiency. The Stay At Home Score Quiz (www.stayathomescore.com) has eight easy questions that help families make difficult decisions about the independence of their aging loved ones.

“It’s a common scenario for aging parents, especially independent dads, to insist they’re well enough to live in their own homes eve if they’re not, says Dr. John Bowling, senior care and positive aging expert, and creator of the Senior Helpers’ Stay At Home Score Quiz. “After years of research, I developed this quiz to give adult children a guideline to determine their parents’ needs, if they are self-sufficient, if they can live at home with help from an in-home caregiver, or if it’s time to move them to a place where they get round-the-clock care.”

Stay At Home Score Quiz

The quiz was developed after decades of working with the elderly and studying the aging process that may suddenly make it unhealthy and unsafe for a senior citizen to live alone.

Sample Quiz Questions:

• . . . Does your dad have easy access to a caring support system of family and friends whom he can rely on for daily assistance with physical, financial, and emotional needs?

• . . . Does your dad regularly cook for himself, shop for groceries without assistance, and keep the home well-stocked with fresh and healthy food?

• . . . Does your dad maintain the same level of social activity and friendships that he did five years ago?

After taking the quiz, Dr. Bowling says adult children will have at least a good discussion point about the self sufficiency of dad or any aging love one.

“This quiz would’ve been a great tool to help my mom focus on our dad’s condition instead of her own emotions about not wanting to bring in outside help,” says Susie Thomas of Madison, Alabama. Susie’s father is 74 years old with a neurodegenerative disease called ALS. “When my siblings and I were all trying to talk my mom into hiring a caregiver for Dad, I think she felt like we were ganging up on her. It would’ve been nice to sit down and show her this quiz and use it as a mediator to provide an unbiased opinion. Now, we have such a peace of mind knowing my dad is in good hands.”

Six Telling Signs (regarding your father) That You Should Take the Stay At Home Score Quiz

(Source: the Council on Aging):

• . . . Poor eating habits – resulting in weight loss, no appetite or missed meals.

• . . . Neglected hygiene – wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth.

• . . . Neglected home – it’s not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up.

• . . . Scorched pots and pans – shows forgetfulness for dinner cooking on the stove.

• . . . Unopened mail, newspaper piles, missed appointments.

• . . . Mishandled finances – losing money, paying bills twice or hiding money.

The Stay At Home Score Quiz would have been a big help for a Senior Helpers client, Arnie, a 78-year-old veteran with mild dementia. He was suffering from depression and not eating well, until he began receiving care from Senior Helpers. “I wish this quiz had been available years ago,” says licensed, clinical social worker, Anne Grasee, who cares for Arnie. “I could have introduced Arnie to Senior Helpers that much earlier.” She says Arnie’s life has turned around since he realized he needed outside help from a caregiver. He now has a companion who visits him and gets him out of the house on a weekly basis.

Other Study/Survey Findings About Dads:

• . . . Dad will overwhelmingly choose to live at home and may try to prove he’s independent, even when he’s not. In a newly released national survey, 94% of fathers surveyed say they would rather live in their own home as they age instead of moving in with any of their children or to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

• . . . Since men are competitive and success oriented by nature, Senior Helpers suggests to approach Dad by acknowledging the courage it takes to ask for and accept assistance and then pointing out why it is a good idea.

• . . . The contrast between men’s and women’s help-seeking behavior is a “growing concern,” according to a 2008 study from the University of Cincinnati and the Medical University of South Carolina. It found that in the U.S., boys learn at an early age that men should be strong, independent, tough and self-reliant.

 

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About Stay At Home Score Quiz: Senior Helpers created the Stay At Home Score Quiz, an eight question quiz adult children take to determine their parents’ independency and self-sufficiency. The quiz was developed for Senior Helpers by Dr. John Bowling, a professor at Southern Oregon University and an expert on senior care and positive aging. The purpose of the quiz is to determine whether aging parents can live in their own homes independently, can live in their own homes with help of a caregiver or if they need to move to a place with round the clock care. The survey of 335 men and women over age 55 with both a son(s) and a daughter(s) was conducted by a third party on April 25, 2011.

 

Media Contact: Tim Daniels, (203) 564-1591, tdaniels@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909

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About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Milford and Orange area.  We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0909.