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Five Fun Ways To Spend An Afternoon Visiting Assisted Living

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It is not always easy to know what to do with a senior loved one in assisted living. They may not be physically able to go shopping or might have medical needs that you can’t attend if you leave campus. But that does not mean that you can’t enjoy an afternoon spending time with the seniors in your life. From reminiscing over old photos to enjoying a meal together, there are many meaningful activities to share. Here are five.

Create a scrapbook.

If your aging loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s, a few hours looking at photographs of their life is an exceptional way to bond. Senior Care Corner explains that people with memory loss might enjoy looking through a photo album. Even better, make copies of photos depicting their most cherished moments and put together a scrapbook together. A few images to consider include their wedding, religious ceremonies, photos of their first home, and pictures of beloved pets.

Gather your materials a few days before your visit. You’ll want a pen and paper to write down their memories relating to each photograph, an album, senior-safe scissors, stickers, and glue dots to secure pictures to each page.

Watch a few faves.

Like looking at photographs, watching TV can bring back fond memories. Many seniors will enjoy a M.A.S.H marathon, reruns of Sanford and Son, or watching Arnold the Pig and his Green Acres antics, so consider bringing a media player to stream their favorites. Choose something simple to set up, and call ahead and verify with the administration that Wifi is available, and ask if they are willing to take a quick look at your loved one’s television to make sure that it has an HDMI port. Chances are, if they have a wall-mounted TV, the device will work just fine.

You might also want to do some research on what types of channels are available for your chosen device. For instance, The Daily Dot notes that Roku’s free channel lineup has a little something for everyone, including any children you might bring along.

Visit the dining hall.

While most people think of a family dinner being between parents and children, the truth is that sharing a meal together with your extended family can also create bonds. The dinner table is a wonderful place to talk about the day and to let go of any stress or strain from school and work. Most senior communities will gladly accommodate groups in the dining hall or, if you are there to celebrate a special occasion, some even offer private party rooms.

Stroll the grounds.

There is a good chance that the assisted living center has outdoor areas designed specifically for seniors. It might be a garden, perhaps, with plenty of benches to rest when needed. A leisurely stroll outside in the fresh air offers health benefits for people of all ages, including improved blood pressure and potentially improved cognitive function.

Play with your pets.

The benefits of being around animals, especially for seniors, can’t be underscored enough. Don’t be shy about bringing your well-behaved furry family member (but do confirm that it is allowed the first). VetStreet explains that even the simple act of petting a dog can lower a person’s heart rate and blood pressure.

If you plan to be around for more than just a few hours, consider coordinating with a local pet sitter. They can swing by and retrieve your furry companion so that you can enjoy the rest of your day without the responsibility of walking them or cleaning up after bathroom breaks.

Just because your senior loved one has changed residences does not mean that you can’t visit their new home. Family time is just as crucial now as it was when they were in their prime. Further, loneliness is a serious issue for seniors, and the best way to combat isolation is to simply show up and show your love.

June is the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is author of the upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Caregiving: A Daily Companion for New Senior Caregivers.

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Self Care Tips For New Caregivers: How To Focus On Your Own Needs

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Photo via Pixabay by Sabinevanerp

Photo via Pixabay by Sabinevanerp

Working as a caregiver is one of the hardest jobs there is, and many people don’t get paid for it, as they’re simply taking care of a loved one who needs daily assistance. Not only is it physically taxing, it can also be mentally and emotionally exhausting, especially if the patient is someone you love. It’s never easy to watch a loved one suffer through pain or distress, but it can be difficult to focus on your own needs when your patient needs so much.

Making sure you are taking care of your mental health and physical well-being are essential to providing the best care.  It’s nearly impossible to be at your best for your patient when you’re tired or stressed. If you are in this state, you won’t be of much help to them no matter how hard you try. Think of ways you can reduce stress and anxiety at home and make self-care a priority; exercise daily, eat a well-balanced diet, get enough sleep, and look for healthy habits that will keep you feeling good.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to focus on yourself when you’re a caregiver.

Reduce stress

Just about everyone has some form of stress in their lives, but some handle it better than others. Learning how to reduce stress — and how to cope with it when it comes along — will help boost your mood and your ability to face the difficult challenges that each day brings. You can start by getting organized; this will ensure that you’re not rushing in the mornings, especially if you have children. Getting a handle on your finances will also help, as will creating a budget.

Get good sleep

Exhaustion can be quick to set in when you’re taking care of someone else, so it’s imperative to get good quality sleep. This means creating a relaxing place to rest with light-blocking curtains and making sure the temperature is just right. Investing in the right bedding and mattress is also essential, especially if your caregiving job is hard on your back. Making sure you get the right amount of sleep, as well as the right quality, will help you stay on top of all your responsibilities with renewed stamina.

Eat well

The things you eat and drink can have a profound effect on the way you feel. Many people tend to gravitate toward comfort foods when they’re stressed or tired, so it’s important to keep healthy items around the house, including easy-to-grab snacks. Granola bars, yogurt, low-fat string cheese, nuts, and fruit are some of the best options. You can also prepare well-balanced meals ahead of time and heat them up when you’re ready for them. This will help you avoid the fast-food trap on nights when you’re tired or busy.

Make time for yourself

If you work long days and find that you don’t have much time to do the things you enjoy, it’s important to rearrange some things so you have some downtime. Even if it’s just half an hour at the end of the day to read a book or watch your favorite television show, spending time doing something you really want to do will help you relax and boost your mental health at the same time. Consider getting up fifteen minutes earlier, or use your lunch break to take some time for meditation.

Caring for yourself when you’re in charge of taking care of someone else can be difficult to get used to, so it’s important to start small. Remember that your health and well-being affects your patient as well, because it’s hard to do a good job when you’re tired or stressed.

About the Author

June is the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is author of the upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Caregiving: A Daily Companion for New Senior Caregivers.

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Assessing and Planning for Long-Term Care Needs: Knowing Your Options

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Assessing and Planning for Long Term Care

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The high cost of long-term care represents a serious threat to individuals as they grow older. It’s a problem that’s staring many baby boomers right in the face. The generation born between 1946 and 1964 is rapidly aging and many will need assisted living, nursing home and other forms of care.

Considering the costs involved, it’s vital you determine how likely it is that you or a loved one will require long-term care based on factors which can impact your health. It’s even more important to begin planning how you’ll fund the expense of long-term care. Taking action sooner rather than later can make a big difference in your health, lifestyle and financial situation.

Planning

The choices you make today can have a tremendous impact on your life 20 or 30 years from now. If your doctor has advised you to get more exercise and watch what you eat, following her advice can markedly improve your health and reduce the likelihood you’ll need long-term care. If your job is highly stressful, taking steps to deal with it, perhaps through exercise, yoga and meditation, may represent an important and positive lifestyle change. Anything that reduces your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and other serious health care risks will likely help you avoid needing long-term care in the coming years.

If Alzheimer’s disease is common in your family or if there’s a history of heart disease or cancer in your genetic background, it’s probably in your best interest to begin planning ahead for long-term care. There are more options available these days, such as assisted living, home health services, adult day care, independent living and hospice care, and many ways you can prepare for assuming those care costs.

Paying

There are several factors to consider when it comes to paying for long-term care. If you’re in your 50s, consider taking out a long-term care policy (some financial planners advise doing this earlier). Or, if your employer has a health savings account (HSA) option, you can make contributions that are fully tax-deductible and use the earnings later to help fund long-term care. An HSA, unlike a flexible spending account, rolls over from year to year and its growth is tax-deferred. It is a savings account specifically designed to help you pay for medical expenses.

Many people use a reverse mortgage to free up money for long-term care. A reverse mortgage allows you to borrow against the value you’ve accumulated in your home, and your lender makes payments to you computed based on a percentage on your home equity. Credit requirements are modest, and you can remain in the home even if your debt exceeds the value of your home. Be aware of the pros and cons of reverse mortgages. For example, your debt will increase while your equity goes down. The equity that would become part of your estate will decrease as you receive payments, and you are not the owner of your home.

A life insurance policy that generates cash value can also provide you with a funding source. You can sell a policy to generate revenue for medical expenses, “surrender” it to your insurer for a cash settlement, or make advance use of your death benefit (any amount used will count against your beneficiaries after your death).

Learning your care and payment options early and preparing for long-term care is highly recommended by financial advisers. That means it’s important to assess your needs, financial situation and consider how you might fund long-term care.

Author

June is the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is author of the upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Caregiving: A Daily Companion for New Senior Caregivers.

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