Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

When we were kids, mom and dad would often stage a fire drill to make sure that we all knew how to react in case of an emergency. Now that we are grown, we have kept that tradition intact—but now it is focused on mom.

All five of us children have moved from our small hometown, but our mother refuses to live anywhere else. So each Christmas we gather at her house to make sure that, as far as mom’s safety is concerned, it’s still “all clear.”

Each of us takes an area of focus—communications, finance, health, home repair, or transportation—then we look closely at each. We check her list of contact numbers to be sure that they are all still accurate. We speak with her automobile mechanic, home handyman, postman, physician, accountant, friends, and anyone else who can provide us with information on how mom is doing in our absence.

We always find something that needs to be addressed, and most of the time she agrees. She finally assented to a cell phone (a no-contract GoPhone from AT&T) and has come to appreciate the AlertOne pager that can summon help if she can’t reach a phone.

Like our fire drills as kids, there have been no real emergencies—but it sure is comforting knowing that we have prepared for the possibility.

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Increasing Reliance

We know that as seniors age, one of the biggest challenges they are forced to overcome is having to start relying on others. After 60 or more years living as an adult, with the ability to make their own decisions and provide for their own care it can be unbearable to give it up.

Unfortunately, some loss of independence is inevitable; the natural aging process changes our mobility, which makes it more difficult to clean, maintain our own personal hygiene and get out to run necessary errands without assistance. Some of us may also undergo cognitive changes, which can alter our decision-making skills and make it more difficult to manage responsibilities, like financial obligations.

Once seniors have experienced these changes, and accepted that assistance is required for their health safety, their lives can alter drastically. Instead of being able to run out to the store for milk, seniors require the assistance of their caregivers; if they would like to make a large purchase, others may first need the approval of a power or attorney.

So, while we can’t blame seniors for fearing this loss of independence, it is our job as family members and caregivers to help them make the most of the aging process and allow them to maintain their lifestyle as much as possible.

Source: http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/2007/7-10-25-SenCitFearNursingHome.htm

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

You may already know that physical stress brings on physical exertion, which puts demands on the heart. Physical stress is good for the heart as long it is normal. For those with underlying heart disease, physical stress can be dangerous. This is because exercise can put demands on the heart muscles that the diseased coronary arteries cannot meet.

Our hearts becomes ischemic or starved for oxygen causing angina or chest pain or a heart attack. Can stressors lead to heart damage in individuals who have no heart disease? Perhaps in youngsters the cumulative effects may be minimal. However, there are people who are predisposed to heart disease and stress aggravates the situation. Studies have reported that mental stress can result in surges in the heart rate and blood pressure.

Physical symptoms of stress include a pounding heart and heavy breathing. Stress causes an adrenaline rush with negative emotions such as fear or anger. It is important here how you cope with stressful situations. There are some people who are forever angry and who habitually react to stress this way feeding in physically harmful emotions.

Studies have proved that individuals with Type A personalities who are impatient, hostile, competitive or perfectionists are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease than those with Type B personalities who are a bit laid-back and patient. These are people who quickly come out of the situation feeling relaxed and yet there are others who brood and remain hostile for long.

http://www.thirdage.com/heart-health/the-stressed-out-heart

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Do you think it’s possible to stay positive in difficult times? A lot of families have a ritual at Thanksgiving dinner, they go around the table and each family member states what they are grateful. If you were sitting at this table and it was your turn, would you be at a loss for words?

Yes, we are in tough times. But we cannot control a situation. Another important factor is whether you can stay positive and optimistic.

Here are some tips:

• Do not get caught up in nonsense
• Look at the little things in life and start to appreciate them.
• Notice the sunset, be aware of the birds singing, truly savor the food you eat.
• The more you focus on seeing positive things, the more you will see positive things in your life.

http://www.thirdage.com/today/mental-health/being-grateful-in-difficult-times?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl_relationships-love_20081125&utm_campaign=thirdage

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Did you know that seniors fave a hard time with the holidays? Holidays past bring many sweet memories and reminders of what they no longer have in their lives. The loss of a spouse, or the anniversary  of a special event can make memories come back that can put a damper on spirits.

When an elder is painfully reminded that they no longer can do what they used to do in years past can be difficult to handle. Sometimes an elder may be “stuck” on looking at what they used to do during the holiday season. It’s difficult to cope that things are no longer the same.

Being isolated by limitations or leaning on fantasies of how holidays should be can lead to depression and can be avoided. Here are some tips on avoiding depression:

• Develop a healthy sense of loving yourself - by not taking responsibility for others happiness.
• Don’t be attached with the holiday chores that can no longer bring fulfillment. This attitude is taking care of yourself.
• Elders must prepare ahead of time. Don’t expect yourself to perform for others like you did in the past.
• By caring for yourself, it is a gift to everyone else because everyone ends up having a happier and healthier holiday.

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Celebrate the holidays with mom with the following suggestions - things that are available to make the holidays more fun for aging mom are:

• Baking
• Crafts
• Gardening

Here’s just a few ideas you can use to help enhance the holiday season with aging parents:

• Pumpkin Decorating
• Fall Candle Holder
• Pumpkin pie
• Holiday Ornament Painting
• Holiday Placements
• Apple Pie
• Start an Amaryllis Bulb
• Make a Peanut Butter Pinecone

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

The decision to look to senior home care as an option can be detected in several ways. Caregiver stress can be induced by aging parents’ neglecting personal hygiene, or difficulty organizing old newspapers, books and magazines.

Another way of discerning your loved one’s aging is looking to your parent’s neighbors and other close friends about their daily routine. You might ask such questions as, “is mom or dad at home more, avoiding conversation and companionship?” If your loved one is neglecting such pertinent tasks, declining mental health may be evident.

Keeping a closer eye on your parent may bring to attention to other signs of mental aging such as properly storing cleaning materials, or taking their medication on a regular basis. If this is the case, then elderly services in Pasadena, Pearland, Clear Lake, and Southeast Houston may be the solution for happy home health, and your loved one.

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Are you a family caregiver who is coordinating care for aging parents in Houston?

If you are trying to schedule elder care for mom and dad, and having trouble getting siblings to contribute, you might consider trying these few helpful tips:

First remember that people of families will respond differently. One or two will remain helpful, while one may disappear altogether.. or so it seems. We are human and respond to tough situations uniquely. You may be amazed may a timid sibling responds with new strength. 

• Keep in mind when you are stressed and frustrated - this too shall pass.
• Ask family members to help you with mom or dad’s care. They may need you to give them ideas and suggestions.
• They may be doing what they think is helpful. If you need more help.. ask and be specific about what you need. 
• Recognize that senior care and aging care for mom and dad is a stressful situation.
• Some people overlook the difficulties they are experiencing, because they slowly take on more and more responsibility.
• Give yourself credit for all you do. 
• Congratulate yourself on what you have been able to do. Then see about getting any help you might need.
• Keep everyone in the loop, even the one who flew the coop.
• Plan fun times with siblings.
• And always be open to hearing suggestions from family members.

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

Saying ‘Thanks’ to Seniors this Holiday Season

Many of us take for granted what older adults contribute to our society. We don’t always recognize just how much our elder war veterans have done for our country. While retirement may seem like a permanent vacation, we often forget that some people struggle to make ends meet; paying for a constant influx of medical bills, funding their stay at long-term care homes or caregiving assistance.

Living on a fixed income is not easy, so this holiday season, it’s time to give thanks to our seniors for all they do. Since many seniors may not have a nearby family network, many organizations reach out and say ‘thanks’ by way of a holiday meal. Nursing homes, community centers, local restaurants, and various other establishments open their doors to older adults and offer free Thanksgiving meals that are reminiscent of those cooked in their own ovens during holidays passed.

Those who are fortunate enough to have close families and friends, may be taken into their homes; according to a poll on About.com Senior Living, the greatest number of seniors will be feasting at their children’s homes. No matter where you are, or what your story is, it’s time to give thanks to your elders.

Source: http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-seniorliving&tid=174

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

“I had a fall.” These can be chilling words to hear if you are a caregiver, spouse, child, or friend of an older person.  The possible consequences can be devastating: bruises, broken bones, hospitalization, loss of mobility, and loss of independence.

The fear of falling can lead older adults to limit their activities. This can actually increase the risk of falling as lack of exercise and reduced movement impairs flexibility and balance. 

Falls are the leading cause of injury among Americans over age 65, sending 1.8 million seniors to the emergency room in 2005, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing falls is a key component of healthy aging.

Experts say that efforts to prevent falls should include management of chronic conditions, limiting the number of medications to reduce adverse side effects, physical therapy to increase range of motion, and “fall-proofing” the home.

The first step to fall-proofing the home is to create open paths through each room.  Furniture should be re-arranged so that seniors can walk through each room without have to maneuver around tables and chairs.  There should be a clear path from the bed to the bathroom that is wide enough to be negotiated in the dark.