Dementia causes changes in a senior’s health and abilities. This requires developing a flexible care plan over time. Figuring out the level of care your senior loved one needs is easier when you know the signs of dementia. The following signs may indicate your loved one is ready to transition to 24-hour care. They’re at Increased Risk for Wandering Ideally,…
Harsh weather can bring special challenges to seniors and their caregivers. Prepare yourself so you stay healthy and safe in severe winter conditions. By taking a little extra precaution, you can be prepared for whatever the winter weather may bring your way. Here are 6 winter safety tips for seniors and their caregivers: Prep the Home for Power Outages Sudden…
No matter what, how or who you celebrate the season with, we all cherish memories of special times with loved ones. We asked the Assisting Hands Home Care Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Columbus team to share their favorite memories of holidays past. Here are a few of their stories to share with you: Greg Kling, Owner, shared this special memory…
When you are visiting your senior loved ones for the holidays, take a look around to make sure their environment is safe. For many seniors, illnesses and natural processes of aging can be threatening. Seniors living in their own homes face additional threats in the form of home hazards. Some medical conditions, like dementia, can make these hazards even more…
In case of emergency, it’s essential for seniors and their loved ones to have a communication plan. According to FEMA, the most common reasons for evacuation are fires and floods, and older adults are 2.5 times more likely to die in fires than the general population. During the winter, power outages, especially those that involve loss of heat, can be…
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals – whether other people, nature, or a higher power. Gratitude has the power…
One of the great joys of the holidays is reconnecting with family who may live far away. And, with the pandemic, many families have not seen each other physically in many months, making this holiday season even more special. But sometimes when adult children visit their elderly loved ones after several months apart, they find they are no longer as…
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month. When a family member is in palliative care or hospice, the role of the family caregiver looks different. If you are the main family caregiver, one of the key factors is getting and staying organized. Start a notebook where you can keep important phone numbers, medications, and notes about the patient. Utilize…
Only a doctor can effectively diagnose which stage a person may be experiencing, but here is a basic outline of the three stages of Alzheimer’s: Stage 1: Mild Alzheimer’s (Early Stage) In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, friends and family may start to notice their loved one experiencing difficulty remembering things such as familiar words or the location of everyday…
Does your senior loved one like to play games? Were they competitive in their younger years? Just because they might be experiencing difficulties with mental or physical capacity does not mean that they can’t participate in competitive activities now. And with the holidays coming, you can prepare for family gatherings by offering some games everyone, including those seniors who may…
