Book Series Recommendations from In-Home Care to Read to Your Senior
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Book Series Recommendations from In-Home Care to Read to a Female Senior You spend a lot of time with your mom and are always looking for ways to remain engaged. She loves to read, so why not read with her? You’ll have plenty to talk about as you read the book and create fun book-related activities that you can do together. Her in-home care provider can even do this, too! What are some of the best book series with older characters that you can read and discuss with an elderly mom? Nora Charles’ Senior Sleuth Series Kate Kennedy is the protagonist in Nora Charles‘ cozy mystery series of books for seniors. Kate is enjoying her retirement in Florida along with her beloved dog. When the president of her condo board is found dead, she decides to spend her days trying to solve the crime. That kicks off her role as an amateur detective in her sunny Florida town. Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple Mysteries Agatha Christie penned several Miss Marple books. Miss Marple is an amateur detective of an unknown age. In some books, she’s in her 70s, but in others, she’s older in others. She’s smart, doesn’t miss anything, and is even at times a bit of a gossip. It’s her powers of detection and paying attention to subtle details that make her a great detective. Be your own detectives after reading a Miss Marple book. You can buy mystery game boxes where you have all of the newspaper clippings, crime scene photos, forensic evidence, witness statements, etc. needed to solve a crime. It’s up to you to make sense of it all. Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax Series Mrs. Emily Pollifax is a New Jersey widow with an empty nest and too much time on her hands. She’s tired of doing things that older widows are expected to take up as hobbies. Instead, she persuades the CIA to let her help out on cases. Rita Lakin’s Getting Old Series Rita Lakin‘s career began as a writer for popular TV shows like “Peyton Place,” “The Doctors,” and “Dynasty.” In 2005, she started her nine-book “Getting Old” series, which is described as “Golden Girls play Nancy Drew.” Gladdy Gold and her friends may be older, but their mystery-solving days are not behind them. Joanna Nell’s Books Australia’s Joanna Nell has several engaging books about older pensioners who may be older, but their zest for life hasn’t come to an end. While they’re not exactly a series of books for seniors, they all do feature older women who are in retirement communities and looking for something more in very humorous, lively ways. In-Home Care When you’re not free to spend time with your mom, is she all alone? Should she be? If you need to focus on your job, your children, your friendships, or your personal life for a while, set up in-home care visits to ensure she has the support she needs to remain independent. In-home care aides provide just enough help to make sure your mom’s home is clean and organized, she has the items she needs for meals, snacks, and personal care, and isn’t feeling lonely or isolated. They can even read them books for seniors to keep them entertained. Talk to a home care advisor to learn more about the availability of services and their costs. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced In-Home Care in Gainesville, VA contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
Elder Care Tips for Senior Dehydration
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Elder Care Tips for Senior Dehydration Most seniors are chronically dehydrated. As seniors get older they need to drink more water, but many drink less. Seniors are not drinking enough water. They can suffer very real health problems as a result of that. There are many reasons why seniors aren’t drinking enough water. Sometimes seniors just forget to drink water during the day. Some of the other common reasons why seniors aren’t drinking enough water include: Lowered thirst response. Health conditions that dampen appetite and thirst cues. Alzheimer’s or dementia where seniors can’t recognize when they are thirsty. Not liking the taste of water due to side effects from medication. Medications that take away the desire to eat and drink. Finding out the reason why seniors don’t want to drink enough water can help family members or elder care providers find ways to encourage seniors to drink more. Symptoms of Dehydration in Seniors Before focusing on why seniors are not drinking enough families and elder care providers need to know what the symptoms of dehydration in seniors are. The most common symptoms of dehydration in seniors include: Fatigue and weakness. Mood or personality changes. Infrequent urination Recurrent UTIs or bladder infections. Dizziness or loss of coordination. Dry mouth and/or a dry cough. Headache. Muscle cramps due to the loss of electrolytes through sweating. Chills or heat intolerance. Flushed skin. Getting Seniors to Drink More Water Family members or elder care providers who notice these symptoms in seniors should start by simply trying to get them to drink more water. Handing them a glass of water on a regular schedule and reminding them to drink it can help. So can trying other things to drink besides water. Seniors who don’t like the taste of water can drink other beverages to stay hydrated. But, seniors should stay away from beverages with caffeine. Caffeine can make dehydration worse. Some popular alternative drinks to water that can help seniors stay hydrated are: Herbal tea that is hot or iced. Water with fruit in it. Water with cucumber or mint in it. Flavored water that has sugar-free flavoring in it. Iced tea without caffeine. Cranberry juice, which can also prevent UTIs and bladder problems. Orange juice. Sparkling water. Dairy or dairy free milk. Trying new drinks can be a fun way to get seniors to drink more. Get creative! Try non-alcoholic punches, mocktails, and fancy drink recipes to make drinking a celebration. Getting More Hydration Through Food Some seniors really just don’t want to drink more water. When that happens seniors can get more of the hydration they need through the food they eat. Eating foods that contain a lot of water can replace lost fluids just like drinking water can. Their elder care provider can help them meal prep to ensure they’re getting the proper nutrition. Seniors can eat foods like cucumbers, citrus fruits, kale, salads, smoothies, and soups to get more water. Smoothies and homemade protein drinks are a great opportunity to add water, juice, and milk into a senior’s diet. Try different foods that have a lot of water to get your senior parent hydrated. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elder Care in McLean, VA contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
Companion Care at Home Tips to Spot a Senior Romance Scam
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Companion Care at Home Tips to Spot a Senior Romance Scam Loneliness is a big problem for seniors, especially those that are aging in place. They are often socially disconnected and have a hard time getting the social contact they need to stay healthy. Companion care at home can help solve the loneliness problem for seniors, but for some, it may not be enough. Seniors are increasingly looking for love in their later years. Those who that have lost their spouse or partner may turn to dating apps or sites to try and find companionship. Nearly 13% of seniors over the age of 65 have used a dating app or a site like Facebook Dating. Unfortunately, that has led to huge growth in romance scams. Scammers are targeting lonely seniors out millions of dollars every year. Romance scammers are very sophisticated. They typically start asking for small amounts of money to build trust. Then they ask for untraceable gift cards, wire transfers, or money transfers through payment services like Cash App or Zelle. It can be difficult to know if someone that a senior meets through a dating site is a legitimate love interest or a scammer. Companion care at home can help your senior loved one spot potential red flags and help them proceed with caution. The Person Is Asking For Money Right Away Anyone that seniors meet on a dating site that asks for money shortly after they start chatting is a red flag. If seniors start talking to someone that always has some kind of emergency that’s a reason to be suspicious. Bad things do happen. But if someone is having a new crisis that requires money every single week that’s highly suspicious. They Won’t Talk On The Phone Or Video Chat It’s understandable that a potential date may not want to talk on the phone or video chat until they have exchanged some messages through the dating site. But if more than a week has gone by and the person refuses to meet, talk on the phone, or video chat that is suspicious. Typically people want to meet in person as quickly as possible. They Ask For Money Using Untraceable Methods Potential dates that ask seniors to send money using untraceable methods are immediately suspect. Seniors should never send gift cards to strangers. They should also not send money through apps like Cash App or Zelle. Zelle is notorious for not supporting customers who lose money to fraud. Once a Zelle payment is made it can be impossible to track it. Or to get it back. They’re Too Perfect Seniors should be suspicious of any potential date who seems too perfect. No one is perfect. So if their photos seem glossy and perfectly posed that’s a bad sign. It’s also a bad sign if they seem to have a great job, a nice home, and a great personality. Remember the old adage that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Companion Care at Home in Ashburn, VA contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
Home Care Assistance Can Help Seniors Recover After Breaking a Bone
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Home Care Assistance Can Help Seniors Recover After Breaking a Bone When people get older, their bones become more brittle, making them more likely to suffer fractures. Recovering from fractured bones can be difficult for seniors and requires specific home care assistance and attention from medical professionals. Additionally, since seniors are at a higher risk of falling and possibly breaking more bones, it’s essential for loved ones to help them make changes in the home to decrease this risk. With support, seniors can regain their mobility and improve fall prevention by following a few simple steps. Recovery Requires a Team Effort For seniors to recover from fractured bones, a multifaceted approach is required. This approach must include medical treatment, physical therapy, and adaptations to the senior’s lifestyle. It is paramount to ensure that seniors with fractured bones receive fast and adequate medical assistance. This includes performing a correct diagnosis, managing their pain, and implementing appropriate treatment plans, which may require casting, surgery, or using mobility aids such as crutches and walkers. With home care assistance, seniors receive consistent support and encouragement daily to focus on a complete recovery. Physical Therapy is Essential to Recovery Physical therapy is an essential component when it comes to assisting seniors in their recovery from broken bones. After an initial phase during which seniors are focused on healing, they will work with a physical therapist to construct a specialized rehabilitation program that helps them recover their range of motion, strength, and flexibility. These workouts are geared toward enhancing their balance, coordination, and muscular tone while considering the particular requirements and constraints they might have. The recovery process can be considerably accelerated, discomfort can be reduced, and subsequent complications can be avoided with regular physical therapy sessions. At home, loved ones or in-home care aids can help seniors with prescribed exercises. Decreasing Fall Risk is Crucial Alterations to their way of life, receiving medical treatment, and participating in physical therapy, are necessary for successful recovery. One way to reduce the risk of falling is to make seniors’ homes as secure and easy to navigate as possible. The following are some important factors to take into consideration: Remove potential trip hazards, such as clutter in the hallways or loose rugs Support and stability by putting grab bars and handrails in bathrooms and on stairs Ensure that hallways are adequately lit by the use of motion-activated lights Encourage seniors to wear properly fitting shoes with non-slip soles Encourage seniors to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine, especially exercise that supports balance and flexibility Educating seniors about the dangers of falling and the steps they can take to avoid injury is also crucial. It is possible to assist in identifying potential hazards and proactively managing such risks by encouraging open conversation regarding any issues linked to mobility or balance. Additional measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of falling include having routine eye exams, being responsible with medication management, and being hydrated. Assisting seniors in recuperating from broken bones and lowering the risk of falling involves a thorough and personalized approach. With home care assistance added to their daily routine, seniors gain consistent encouragement in their efforts to regain their independence, improve their general well-being, and lower the likelihood of falls. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Home Care Assistance in Alexandria, VA contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
Nutrition for the Elderly: What to Pay Attention To?
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Nutrition for the Elderly: What to Pay Attention To? There are many senior citizens who are either under-nourished or malnourished. This is especially the case for many elderly adults who are still living alone. If you are the family caregiver for a loved one, it is important to recognize the signs of malnourishment. It isn’t as easy to spot the signs as it may seem. You might envision a frail old man or woman. However, it is more than that. The best way to recognize malnourishment is with WATCH. This stands for watching, asking, talking, checking, and having. Watching The first part of looking out for malnourishment is watching. You want to be watching for signs of a problem. Are there physical issues you see? Did your loved one lose a lot of weight quickly or even over time? See if they have bruises, as that can be a sign of malnourishment. Are you noticing issue with their teeth? This could be a sign they aren’t getting the right nutrition for the elderly. Asking Ask your loved one what they are eating. They may not even realize they aren’t eating enough or well enough. They should be getting enough nutrition for the elderly. Ask them if their eating schedule has changed or if they noticed they aren’t eating foods they used to eat. Ask them if they are eating full meals or just snacking throughout the day. Talking It is important to talk to your loved one’s doctor. Let them know about the nutritional changes your loved one has talked to you about. Ask them if they can give you a list of foods that contain the best nutrition for the elderly. Maybe they can give you nutritional information you weren’t aware of. When it comes to elder care, talking is one of the best things you can do in regards to their nutrition. Checking Check on your loved one’s medications. Does the label say anything about issues related to hunger or food intake? Check through your loved one’s cabinets and refrigerator to see what foods they have in their home. Are they buying nutritional foods? Do they need you to start going shopping with them to assure they get food with the proper nutrition for the elderly? Having Lastly, have you visited your loved one during their mealtimes? This will give you a first-hand sight of what they are eating and what they aren’t. In addition, this will give you the opportunity to socialize with your loved one, so they don’t feel as lonely, which could also boost their appetite. Many seniors seem to eat more when others are around, then when they are on their own. When it comes to elder care, nutrition is important for every part of their well-being. If you start using the WATCH method, you can help your loved one to eat better. You can help to make sure they don’t get malnourished. If you do notice issues, be sure to talk to them and their doctor right away. This could prevent any further issues with their health. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elder Care in Falls Church, VA, contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Source https://familydoctor.org/preventing-malnutrition-in-older-adults/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396084/ Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
Seniors and Falling
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Seniors and Falling: How to Prevent Senior Falls and Fractures The National Council on Aging estimates that 25 percent of Americans 65 and older fall every year. The council says that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. That might not be surprising to adult children of aging seniors, as senior falls tend to be one of the biggest worries and causes for keeping them up at night. Here are a few ways that you can feel better about keeping your loved one safer from falls while they are out of your sight and receiving elderly care at home. Furniture & Layout: It might seem simple, but one of the quickest and easiest ways to eliminate accidental senior falls in the home is to be vigilant and watching for tripping hazards in and around your senior’s household. Make sure items like pet’s toys, shoes, and household items are kept picked up and don’t rearrange the furniture. Be sure that any doors leading to staircases are kept shut and/or locked, and if you must have area rugs, make sure they are kept secured into place with a non-slip backing. Footwear: When you are thinking of elderly care, shoes aren’t often the first thing to come to mind, but proper fitting and rubber-soled shoes can play an important part in preventing senior falls at home and on the go. If you aren’t sure what shoes are best, talk to your senior’s doctor and let them know your concerns. They may have some tips on proper footwear with regards to both orthopedic and safety reasons. Mobility Aids: Many seniors use assistance to help get them from place to place, like walkers and canes. Be sure they know how to properly use these helpful items and that they are in good working condition; without any loose parts or wear and tear that could cause a breakdown which could lead to senior falls or fractures. Keep these items stored where your parent can reach them easily but that they are not going to cause a tripping incident. Vision: When was the last time your loved one receiving elderly care had their eyes checked? They may not think that they have an issue, but regular eye exams are important for everyone, especially as we age. Getting fitted for proper eyeglasses, if needed, can be a good first step in preventing senior falls from lack of good vision. Be Proactive: When you or your loved one’s caregivers are taking them outside of their home, think ahead about the types of obstacles and terrain they may experience depending on where you are going. Places with unpaved walkways, brick or stone paths, and slick or wet surfaces may not be the best destinations for seniors who have issues with balance or mobility. As always, share your concerns with your loved one’s caregivers. They are experienced with seniors and are a great resource on additional ways that you can work together to keep your parent safe. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elderly Care in Manassas, VA, contact SenCura at703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2018/baltimore-tackles-elderly-falls-rate.html Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.
What Are the Types of Care Seniors Can Get at Home?
By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages Call : 703-880-2547 By dialing the provided phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages What Are the Types of Care Seniors Can Get at Home? Home care is designed to keep your parents safe and independent. With elderly care services, your parents have help with things they need and are left to do things they excel at. Anyone in need of help or companionship can have home care. Your parents don’t have to be seriously ill or disabled before they’ll find different types of senior care useful. If household chores like dusting, mopping, dishes, and vacuuming are a challenge, caregivers can help. They’ll do the laundry and anything else on the list that has become too difficult for your parent. Changing sheets and towels, making beds, and wiping down counters are all housekeeping chores. Personal Care/Grooming Are there areas of personal care or grooming that challenge your mom or dad? If arthritis makes it hard to floss the teeth, this type of senior care can help. If your parents are fine with showering and most grooming chores but have a hard time reaching the toenails to clip, caregivers also help with foot care. Companionship Companionship services are fit their name. It’s a basic, yet very important, service where a caregiver comes as often as needed to provide friendship. Your parents can join the caregiver for games, hobbies, or crafts. They can go on walks together, go shopping together, or explore a local park together. With companionship types of senior care, the loneliness and isolation your parents may fee are lessened. They have a friend who stops by every week, a few times a week, or daily if that’s needed. Medication Reminders If your mom or dad often forget to take medications, medication reminders are ideal. The caregiver reminds your parent when it’s time to take a dose of medication. Once it’s taken, there’s someone on hand to watch for troubling side effects and make sure that your parent follows directions some medications have about not driving or staying out of the sun. Transportation When your parent can no longer drive, transportation services are helpful. A caregiver drives your parents to the store, a friend’s house, a medical office, the library, or any other local business or building. Elderly care is customized to meet your parents’ needs. You talk to a specialist and arrange to have caregivers provide the types of senior care your parents need to retain their independence. Call an elderly care agency to get started. If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elderly Care in Gainesville, VA, contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. We provide in-home senior care in Northern Virginia. Professional Memberships We are members of the following organizations.