Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Shares Tips for Gardening with Arthritis and Other Pain

Pain from arthritis or other sources doesn’t have to mean quitting the hobbies you love, such as gardening.

In fact, gardening can be modified to accommodate many physical limitations. Benefits of gardening include that it can be relaxing, it encourages exercise, and it leaves you with the results of your handiwork to admire.

1.  Choose low maintenance plants to minimize your effort and yield great results. Plant shrubs that require less pruning, such as boxwood, holly, and yew shrubs. Include ground covers that spread and shade out weeds.

2.  Plant raised gardens such as wall gardens, window boxes, or waist-high gardening beds. This will reduce strain on the body. Plant vertically growing plants to maximize otherwise limited space.

3.  Container gardening, especially for suffers of knee pain, can be a great alternative to traditional gardening. Choose lightweight foam containers and water regularly as they tend to dry out quickly.

4.  Try using vertical grow bags (such as Topsy Turvy® Planters) or hang planters on walls or fences at comfortable heights; also a great alternative if space is limited.

5.  Find ergonomic garden tools that better transfer power of your hands to the tool. Experts recommend tools with extra thick and “grippy” handles (visit www.radiusgarden.com or www.bionicgloves.com.)

6.  Use tools that reduce or eliminate bending and reaching, such as watering wands, especially if carrying watering cans is difficult. Try sitting on a cushion or chair and use kneepads to help ease pain and strain.

7.  Stretch hands, neck, back, hips, and quadriceps before and after gardening.

8.  A simple and inexpensive five-gallon bucket can serve as a tote to carry tools around and can double as a stool.

Sources: Arthritis Today July /August 2010, “Get Back in the Garden” pages 80-83.; Gardening with Arthritis, What color are your thumbs? By Annette Beach http://www.arthritistoday.org/community/blogs/tin-mom-blog-042110.php

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 The Basics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Seniors

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine as practiced by medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy or by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is gradually becoming more popular, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). In their 2007 study, about 38% adults aged 18 and over revealed that they use some sort of CAM, which is up over 2% since their 2002 study.

What is CAM?

Most sources classify CAM practices into several broad categories, but they are not cast in stone. Some can be included in more than one category, such as acupuncture in mind-body medicine as well as in energy medicine. The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine lists these broad categories and some examples of each:

• Alternative Medical Systems: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine; Tibetan medicine

• Energy Therapies: Qi gong, reiki, therapeutic touch

• Exercise Therapies: T’ai chi, yoga

• Manipulative & Body-based Methods: Chiropractic, therapeutic massage, osteopathy, reflexology

• Mind-body Interventions: Meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, art and music therapies, aromatherapy

• Nutritional Therapies: Macrobiotic diet, vitamins, vegetarianism, antioxidants

• Pharmacological and Biologic Treatments: Herbs and herbal extracts, melatonin

• Spiritual Therapies: Intercessory prayer and spiritual healing

Why Use CAM?

An Ohio State University study indicated that 70% of older Americans turn to alternative medicines to treat their health problems, a rather surprising finding because there are fewer studies to support alternative medicines and treatments. Here are a few reasons why seniors turn to CAM options:

•     Many seniors, because of the effects of the aging process (as well as diet, disease, and environment) on their physiology, become more susceptible to adverse effects from traditional medications.

•     CAM treatments and therapies may provide a way for seniors on limited income and with little or no health insurance to avoid the higher costs of traditional medical treatment.

•     Some seniors may not like visiting an impersonal doctor’s office. Alternative options may offer a more personal touch for elderly care. One-on-one treatment can offer a psychological boost as well as a physical one.

Talk to Your Doctor

According to a survey conducted by AARP and NCCAM, despite the high use of CAM among people age 50 or older, 69% of those who use CAM do not talk to their doctors about it. This could be due to the limited time available during doctor office visits, or that patients are waiting for their doctor to broach the subject before discussing any CAM approaches they may be pursuing. Doctors may not inquire because they are not familiar with the types of CAM therapies and therefore are not comfortable or do not expect their patients to be pursuing these methods. And, doctors may be hesitant to recommend CAM because many CAM practitioners or providers make exaggerated claims about curing diseases. Some even ask users to forgo conventional treatment from doctors.

Lack of research about CAM can be reason enough for doctors to avoid the topic. Why this lack of evidence? Primarily because large controlled medical studies are costly and CAM therapies and treatments tend to be underfunded.

Regardless of the reason, discussing all avenues of treatment with your doctor is crucial to overall wellbeing. Don’t wait for them to bring it up at your next office visit. Write down any questions you have about how CAM can be integrated into your medical care, and make a point to have the discussion with your doctor.

Precautionary Measures

As with any medical treatment, there can be risks with CAM therapies and treatments. These general precautions can help to minimize risks:

•     Select CAM practitioners with care. Find out about the practitioner’s training and experience.

•     Some dietary supplements may interact with medications or other supplements, may have side effects of their own, or may contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the label.

•     Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use to help ensure coordinated and safe care.

•     Don’t stop or change your conventional treatment, including prescribed medications, without talking to your doctor first.

Sources: NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign; Arthritis Today Nov/Dec 2010; http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/Alternative_Medicine_for_the_Elderly; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/61166.php; http://www.cancer.gov/cam/health_categories.html

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 Warmer Weather Is Wake-up Call for Seniors to Get Up, Get Out and Get Moving

Healthy, active lifestyles can significantly reduce risks for major health problems

Stamford, Connecticut (March 1, 2011) – As the grips of a harsh winter start to give way to the warmth of spring across southwest Connecticut, it’s time for local seniors to get up, get outside and get moving. Exercise, even the most moderate of regimens, is one of the most important lifestyle choices seniors can make to keep themselves healthy, mentally sharp and physically fit.

One local company, Senior Helpers of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut (CT), a leading in-home care provider for seniors, is using these first hints of spring as motivation for local seniors – especially for those who have been homebound and stuck indoors for most of the winter.

“It’s really very simple,” said Tim Daniels with Senior Helpers. “Being active is the single biggest determinant in maintaining and improving physical and mental health for seniors. The weather is starting to turn and we’re encouraging families with aging loved ones to help them make the most of it.”

“Physical activity is absolutely vital for seniors looking to maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home,” Daniels said. “There is a direct correlation, no doubt about it.”

Health Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

Exercise among seniors has been proven to reduce the risk of developing some very common diseases and health problems people often encounter as they age. According to the National Institute of Health, these include heart disease, stroke, dementia and an increasingly prevalent issue within the southwest Connecticut senior community, type 2 diabetes.

A leading risk factor among seniors who may develop type 2 diabetes is a sedentary life style. American Diabetes Alert Day is coming up later this month on March 22, and Senior Helpers is encouraging both family caregivers and seniors to learn about the dangers and causes of diabetes around this national event.

Diabetes Prevention Benefits of Exercise for Seniors:

•     Improves the body’s use of insulin

•     Burns excess body fat, helping to decrease and control body weight

•     Increases blood flow to reduce risk of related heart disease

•     Keeps heart and blood vessels healthy by lowering “bad” (LDL) cholesterol

“Abnormal blood sugar levels can be reduced with simple exercise,” said Daniels. “So those at higher risk of diabetes should try very hard to fit exercise into their routine. This is a simple step, but it’s something all of our caregivers are trained to introduce and encourage wherever possible.”

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.

Senior Helpers In Home Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Answers Your Questions About Hiring a Home Care Worker

Should You Hire Directly or Go Through an Agency?

Is it becoming more difficult for Dad to take proper care of his yard or bend over to take the laundry out of the dryer? Does it seem like too much effort some days for him to cook or take care of basic housework?

Maybe your mom has experienced a small stroke. She is about to be discharged from the hospital and wants to return home. But she needs speech therapy, physical therapy and help with eating and transferring from bed to chair. She shouldn’t be alone for the first few weeks.

These are familiar scenarios faced by thousands of American families every day. If you’re not familiar with eldercare options and how to help an aging loved one, chances are you will be in the future! Today, one in four American families is already involved to some degree in the care of an elderly person. And since most older adults prefer to stay in their own homes rather than move to a nursing home or other senior living facility, home care can be a real life saver for the older adult and family caregivers alike.

A wide array of home care services exist today, including:

• Meal preparation, housekeeping tasks and chores

• Transportation and errands

• Caring Companionship and conversation

• Medication Reminders

Finding the Right Home Caregiver

The first step is to assess the person’s needs. The second step is to find the right provider to give you peace of mind as well as the help you need. But how do you find the right home care worker?

At first glance, it might appear that hiring privately is less expensive. You might go through the informal network or “gray market,” hiring a home helper from a classified ad, a notice in the local senior center, an informal employment agency, or word of mouth. But before you do, ask yourself whether you really want to become the person’s employer, with all the risks and responsibilities that the role entails? Here are some things to think about:

• You are responsible for withholding and reporting income taxes and paying Social Security taxes. This can be very complicated and could also leave you open to having to pay back taxes and penalties.

• If the caregiver is injured while working, you may end up paying the medical bills. The caregiver can file a workman’s compensation claim or even file a lawsuit against you or your family.

• It is up to you to check certificates, licenses, references and criminal background…and to protect against elder abuse and financial exploitation.

• You will be responsible for determining whether the care provider knows how to safely care for your loved one. For example, if your family member needs to be transferred from a wheelchair, you need to be sure that the care provider knows how to do this safely.

• You cannot try to hire someone on a seven-day-per-week basis. No employee can be a good employee for long without having time for personal needs and interests. So, you will need to plan for days off, vacation time and other times when the caregiver cannot be available.

• If there are problems, you are on your own in working things out as an employer. This includes discipline and termination.

The Agency Advantage

Given the burden of finding, hiring, training and functioning as an employer, going to an agency provides obvious advantages. An experienced caregiver arrives pre-screened, trained and under the supervision of the agency. You don’t have to worry about tax withholding, or liability. If the caregiver doesn’t arrive, it’s the agency’s responsibility to provide a backup.

Dealing with the challenges of aging and disability carries with it enough to worry about. Why add uncertainty about your home care worker to the mix?

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 Overcome Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation

Did you know that research shows that loneliness is bad for your health? Studies demonstrate that a sense of isolation contributes to higher blood pressure, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.

Unfortunately, feelings of loneliness, isolation or boredom are common for many older adults. A large part of aging is dealing with change:

• children growing up and moving away;
• retirement;
• adjusting to physical limitations;
• selling the family home;
• dealing with the illnesses or deaths of close family and friends.

Some of these changes may result in loneliness, especially the major transitions like illness and death. The common thread is that the relationships and interests you’ve grown to trust and enjoy are no longer available, at least not in the same way they once were.

Here are some ways to help an older adult reconnect with the parts of life that contribute to better physical and mental health.

1. Get ready physically. There is an important link between how they are doing physically and how comfortable they are with taking on new challenges. Help them eat good food, get adequate rest, and (with the advice of a doctor) start a regular exercise program. No matter what their health condition, increasing activity is a plus.

2. Get necessary information. If you they in a retirement community or assisted living facility, recommend that they read the newsletter or bulletin boards for news of upcoming events and ongoing programs. They can also talk to the social services and activities professionals on staff. If they live at home, reading the newspaper and subscribing to recreational, social service, and/or hobby organization newsletters can help. Also have them try listening to the radio or even checking local information on the Internet. You might come across opportunities you haven’t noticed before.

3. Be willing to learn. Encourage the senior in your life to be curious and willing to try out something new. You can find amazing programs at the local library, senior center, or community college. They can take a computer class, learn new ways of keeping in touch with family and friends, and make new friends from around the world on the Internet.

4. Establish a personal routine. Loneliness sometimes grows out of too much empty time. Talk to older adults about getting up and starting the day at a regular time; starting their morning by reading or tuning in to the day’s events through newspapers, radio or television; connecting with one or more friends by telephone each day, just to “check in;” going to exercise class or for a walk; arranging to eat a meal or snack with a friend.

5. Include service to others. No matter who you are, where you live, or where you are in your life, there are ways for you to help others. Opportunities for seniors in your community may include reading to children at the local library, telephoning people who cannot get out, filling shopping bags at a food bank, or talking to a lonely neighbor. There are so many places and people who need help!

You won’t change their life overnight, and it is probably best to take things one step at a time. But feelings of loneliness and isolation can be overcome, and seniors can find satisfying new patterns and relationships in their lives!

Our Senior Helpers caregivers can provide just the companionship your aging loved one needs to overcome loneliness and isolation. Our caregivers come from various backgrounds and many have cared for their own parents and want to help others. Some work in the healthcare field and enjoy working one-on-one with our clients. All of our caregivers truly treasure the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others. Most importantly, we have the systems in place and take the time to try and match the appropriate caregiver with the appropriate client to help ensure a successful relationship.

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.

Food-borne Illness & Older Adults; What You Need to Know from Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut

Facts to Know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 76 million cases of “food poisoning” in the U.S. each year-including 5,000 fatal cases. Food-borne illness is caused when harmful microorganisms, mostly bacteria, but sometimes viruses, parasites, molds, or toxins, get into our bodies by means of the food or liquids we consume.

For most people, the symptoms of food poisoning, while definitely unpleasant, are short-term and not life-threatening. But as we grow older, we are more likely to experience hospitalization, permanent health problems, and even death. The greater risk is due to:

• decreased immune system efficiency, so we can’t fight off bacteria as effectively as when we were younger;

• reduced amount of stomach acid, which allows more bacteria to survive in the digestive tract;

• loss of vision and sense of taste, so we become less likely to notice if food is spoiled.

Some Foods Do Not Belong on the Senior Menu

The USDA recommends that seniors and persons with conditions that weaken the immune system avoid certain foods:

• Any dishes with raw or undercooked meat or seafood (sushi, steak tartare, raw oysters, hamburgers cooked rare).

• Unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk.

• Foods with raw or undercooked eggs (such as Caesar salad, unbaked cookie dough, homemade mayonnaise, eggnog).

• Raw sprouts (alfalfa, bean, etc.)

• Fresh-squeezed, unpasteurized fruit juices

Your healthcare provider can give you more information about the foods that are safe for you or your loved one.

More Steps to Avoid Food-borne Illness

Even “safe” foods require safe handling. When purchasing and preparing food, take these sensible precautions:

• At the grocery store, inspect meat packages for tears, eggs for cracked shells, all products for expired “sell-by” dates.

• Wash hands before preparing food.

• Use only acrylic or plastic cutting boards, and clean thoroughly with hot water and soap after use-or better yet, in the dishwasher. Avoid cross-contamination: never allow juices from uncooked meat to come into contact with uncooked foods.

• Cook meats to the recommended temperature (for example, beef to at least 160°, poultry to at least 180°, fish to at least 140°).

• Rinse fresh produce (but don’t use soap).

• Purchased pasteurized juices only (check for a warning label if you’re not sure).

• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers as soon as possible. Consume leftover prepared foods within 3 to 5 days. And be sure your refrigerator temperature is set at 40° or lower.

• Never defrost food at room temperature. Instead, thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave using the “defrost” setting.

• If you bring home restaurant food in a “doggie bag,” only consume it if you can refrigerate it promptly (within two hours, less in warm weather).

Turn Fear into Action

Fresh meats and produce contain so many of the vitamins and other nutrients that are vital for healthy aging! So don’t avoid these foods. Instead, take basic precautions that make it unlikely that you will meet up with any harmful organisms in foods that can make for a miserable—even life-threatening—few days. Safe food handling practices are the key to ensuring that the food you eat is safe and healthy.

At Senior Helpers, our trained Caregivers can help with your aging loved one’s meal preparation to help keep them safe from foodbourne illness.

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 Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Promotes Importance of Active Lifestyle for American Heart Month

Statistics show significantly reduced risks for heart disease in seniors that get up and get moving

Stamford, Connecticut (February 1, 2011) – It’s a fact – heart disease is the single biggest health risk for seniors across the United States. It is the leading annual cause of death and hospitalizations among all older Americans, but one local company is showing southwest Connecticut seniors that simple nutrition tips and lifestyle tricks can significantly lower the risk of them becoming another statistic.

February is American Heart Month, and as groups around the nation are raising awareness about heart disease, local senior care experts from Senior Helpers are working with the local elderly each day to help fight the battle on the front lines.

“Many of the families and seniors we work with locally don’t understand that a proper diet and even the modest of exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks among seniors by more than 25 percent,” said Tim Daniels with Senior Helpers of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut (CT), a local senior care company that provides in-home and companion care services for seniors throughout the area.

“Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting lazy, so we do everything we possibly can to help our clients continue to live a healthy, happy lifestyle,” Daniels said.

Statistics About Seniors and Heart Disease*:

• — 5.3 million Americans are living with heart disease and over 600,000 more are diagnosed each year
• — 1 in 5 seniors (those over the age of 65) develop some sort of heart disease
• — The number of seniors hospitalized annually for heart failure has increased more than 130 percent since 1980
• — Simple regular light to moderate physical activity (walking, gardening, outdoor chores, etc.) can reduce the risk of heart disease among seniors by 25 to 36 percent.

*Source: American Heart Association

In addition to physical exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle can also significantly reduce the risk of suffering heart disease, heart attacks and irregular or rapid heartbeats – all red flags of potential heart failure among the elderly.

“The heart is a muscle, and like every other muscle group in the body, you need to exercise it and give it the nutrients it needs to work properly,” Daniels said. “Especially as you get older.”

Nutrition Tips for a Heart-Healthy Senior Diet:

• — Quit smoking and minimize alcohol consumption
• — Avoid foods with trans-fats (margarine, bakery goods, fast foods) to reduce cholesterol levels
• — Eat plenty of fish, green vegetables and nuts with omega-3 fatty acids to improve overall heart health
• — Drink black or green tea after meals – antioxidants in these beverages decreases blood vessel constriction and improve overall circulation

“Each senior we work with needs different help and assistance to remain independent,” Daniels said. “Our caregivers are all trained and certified, and they know how to safely promote an individual heart-healthy lifestyle among aging loved ones. Whether it’s help in the kitchen preparing meals, assistance moving around the house during the day, or simply a friend to motivate an aging family member to get out for an afternoon walk, we can help.”

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.

Senior Helpers In Home Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Helps Slow Down the Aging Process

Getting older. It happens to all of us, yet most Americans are afraid of growing old. Television and magazines tend to focus on beautiful young people—giving us the message that aging is a bad thing.

When you see aging loved ones suffering, you may come to think of the elderly as lonely, sick people who can’t take care of themselves and are just waiting to die.

But this image is false! The truth is that most elderly people learn to live with the changes that age brings. And, they enjoy happy and productive lives.

Consider these facts:

• Of all the people over age 65, only 5% of them live in nursing homes.
• Over 40% of elderly people are married.
• Only 19% of people over age 65 have trouble walking. And, about half the people who reach age 85 are able to get around by themselves.
• While people do tend to forget a bit as they get older, only 4% of Americans have dementia at age 65.

Let’s face it…life expectancy in the United States increased during the twentieth century. People can expect to live longer and longer. For example, in the next twenty years, the number of people over age 85 will double!

While there is no “fountain of youth”, there are ways to slow down the aging process. You can help your aging loved ones feel their best by following these tips:

• Remember that the elderly are at risk for injury from accidents. For example, many older people fall from tripping over something on the floor. Check your aging loved one’s environment regularly for possible safety hazards—and fix any problems.
• Encourage your loved ones to stretch their muscles regularly. Even ten minutes of stretching every other day helps prevent age-related stiffness.
• Assist your loved ones with their mouth care—especially flossing. Proper mouth care keeps the gums healthy. (Keep in mind that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia!)
• Find something to laugh about with your loved ones. It’s important to hold onto a sense of humor as we age, and laughing helps people feel young and alive.
• Help your loved ones look their best…with tidy clothes, combed hair and clean nails. Your female loved ones might enjoy a touch of make up or fingernail polish. Make sure your male loved ones get a regular shave.
• Encourage your overweight loved ones to lose weight. Keep in mind that 33% of Americans are obese…and obesity causes people to age rapidly.
• Suggest that your loved ones make regular visits to their physician, eye doctor and dentist. There are a number of screening tests that can be done to catch common illnesses early…including cancer, diabetes, glaucoma and thyroid disease.
• If the weather cooperates and your loved ones are physically able, encourage them to get some fresh air and sunshine every day. Thirty minutes of sunshine a day gives the body a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
• Remind your loved ones to wash their hands regularly—just as you do—to avoid spreading germs to themselves and others.
• Encourage your loved ones to stay in touch with the world around them by reading the newspaper, watching the news on TV or “surfing” the internet. (Yes, elderly people enjoy computers, too!)
• Above all, help your loved ones get some kind of exercise every day—whatever they can tolerate and their doctor will allow. Even a short walk, done daily, will help keep the body young and active. (What’s that saying? Move it or lose it! So, get your loved ones moving and they’ll feel and look younger.)

If you live far away from your aging loved one, or are already juggling the many day to day activities that life throws at us, a Senior Helpers caregiver can help your loved one with all of the above. Call Senior Helpers today to help slow down your loved one’s aging process!

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 Care of Lower and Upper Coastal Fairfield County, Milford and Orange, Connecticut, Has Suggestions for Senior Activities

Scrapbooking is a great hobby for anyone, especially seniors. It can be both fun and therapeutic, especially if you enjoy writing to document memories and stories that may or may not include accompanying photos. They don’t have to be chronological; some stores actually sell journals with questions already provided to help stimulate recollection.

For those not so keen on writing, you can simply scrapbook photo collections with appropriate commentary, including names of those pictured and the event that was captured.

Many stores, not just specialty ones, carry lots of basic as well as fun and theme-based scrapbooking supplies since it has become such a popular hobby. Those who enjoy talking can skip paper scrapbooking and dictate memories and thoughts into a tape recorder or on videotape. Another idea is to create a family tree information you already have, or if you have a computer, through online genealogy websites. Best of all, whatever the end product it is, can be handed to loved ones as a treasured keepsake.

Our Senior Helpers caregivers can help your aging loved one with these activities and much more. Our caregivers come from various backgrounds and many have cared for their own parents and want to help others. Some work in the healthcare field and enjoy working one-on-one with our clients. All of our caregivers truly treasure the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others. Most importantly, we have the systems in place and take the time to try and match the appropriate caregiver with the appropriate client to help ensure a successful relationship.

Here is just a sneak peak of some of the many services our caregivers can provide:

• Caring Companionship & Conversation
• Light Housekeeping
• Errands & Transportation
• Laundry
• Change Linens & Bed Making
• Play Games/Cards
• Supervise Home Maintenance
• Rent & Play Movies
• Organize Closets & Pantries
• Attend Events

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 First Wave of Senior ‘Boomers’ To Have Huge Impact Socially, Economically

As the first ‘Baby Boomers’ officially hit senior status, businesses and families feel the effect

Between 1946 and 1964, more than 76 million children were born in the United States who would become the most influential generation of our time: the Baby Boomers. The Boomers have blazed a social trail and left a lasting mark on the American economy and now, this January, the first of the Baby Boomers are turning 65 – officially hitting senior status.

As this happens, the United States is bracing for an extraordinary population shift. Experts predict this mass aging trend to significantly affect economic and social dynamics for decades to come, providing both major challenges for families and big opportunities for businesses in the senior care industry.

Starting This Month:

• About 10,000 Boomers will turn 65 every day
• The U.S population will add one new senior every 13 seconds
• This phenomenon will continue, every second and every day, for the next 18 years

“The demand for trained caregivers to shoulder some of the burden of caring for aging loved ones is already the highest it has ever been,” said Peter Ross, founder and CEO of Senior Helpers, a leading national in-home senior care provider. “Lots of families simply don’t have the time, ability or training to provide the kind of care elderly individuals often require on their own. We’re adding caregivers across the country every day and over the next several years as the Boomers continue to age, we’re going to see unprecedented growth across the industry to help families handle this overwhelming responsibility.”

What Lies Ahead for the U.S.*:

• There are currently about 37 million seniors in the U.S.
• Seniors account for 12 percent of the population
• As Boomers age over the next 2 decades, there will be more than 70 million seniors in the U.S.
• Seniors will account for more than 20 percent of the population by 2030
• At that point, 1 in 5 Americans will be a senior

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Growing Older, Living Longer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the continuing rise in life expectancy seen throughout the twentieth century is due to a number of great medical and public health achievements: more prevalent vaccinations against diseases, improved work place safety, improvements in highway safety and the declining mortality rate from traditionally life-threatening diseases.

“People today are simply living longer than previous generations, and the longer seniors live, the more likely it is that they will need some help to stay independent,” Ross said. “When this happens, it’s often difficult for families to deal with on their own, which is why senior care businesses will continue to grow as a vital resource for families who just can’t do it all themselves.”

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.