Many seniors contend with existing conditions that impact their health and wellness in addition to age-related concerns. Obesity is prevalent among the elderly and has been linked to various health issues. It’s important to explore the effect of obesity on our elderly and how it impacts their quality of life. Effects of Obesity in the Elderly And How to Address ThemObesity affects 42.8% of individuals over the age of 60, according to 2017-2018 figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity has long been linked to an increased risk of health issues, including hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. These chronic conditions can become increasingly hard to manage for seniors as they deal with restricted mobility or cognitive decline. Also, obesity may contribute to age-related challenges the elderly commonly face. Excess weight gain can place more pressure on joints, adding to the general wear-and-tear of daily life. The non-profit organization Obesity Action Coalition also notes that obesity may also be linked to lower cognitive function. There are many ways obesity can limit the independence and overall quality of life for our elderly. However, it’s unwise for seniors to attempt any weight loss without consulting a doctor so they can do so safely. As with any age group, eating balanced meals and exercising regularly are vital parts of maintaining a healthy weight. Staying active has many benefits for seniors, as it can also help improve mood and physical balance. Seniors should consult a medical professional before making any changes to their lifestyle. A physician may recommend gentler exercises like swimming, yoga, or Tai-Chi. They may also suggest muscle-strengthening and balancing activities to help reduce fall risks for seniors. Losing weight can sometimes mean losing muscle as well as fat. Since seniors typically lose muscle as part of the aging process, this is another reason to consult a doctor before pursuing any significant weight loss plan. A doctor can also determine if the medications they’re taking could be causing weight gain. In-Home Care For Seniors With ObesityFamily caregivers can face many challenges when addressing and managing the medical and personal needs of an obese loved one at home. Visiting Angels® specializes in custom in-home care for seniors who wish to retain their independence. Our caregivers can support obese seniors by preparing nutritious meals, accompanying them on walks and outings, and assisting with any errands or activities that have gotten more difficult for them to perform independently. We also provide professional help by assessing your loved one’s fall risk level and “fall-proofing” their home.
If you are interested in more information, call us at 617-795-2727 to schedule a free in-home consultation! With the right support in place, we can help your loved one enjoy a higher quality of life at home.
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The Coronavirus is presenting a serious worldwide public health threat, and older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has caused family caregivers to feel more anxious about their senior loved ones’ health and safety — especially when some senior adults are rejecting changes to their behaviors to protect against contracting COVID-19. However, there are ways family caregivers can protect elderly loved ones and help them understand why coronavirus is a cause for concern. Get the Facts About COVID-19 And the ElderlyBefore talking to your older loved ones about COVID-19, you should arm yourself with facts and information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or state and local health departments. Providing them with information from a healthcare provider or community organization is an effective way to boost credibility. You should also correct any misinformation that may be driving their inaccurate beliefs or behavior. Understand Seniors’ Position About COVID-19To help your elderly loved ones realize the seriousness of COVID-19, you need to uncover the reasons behind their behavior — and the best way to do this is by asking questions. You might start by asking them what they have heard about COVID-19, what they think about the pandemic, and what they have done to prepare. What you learn might surprise you. For example, a senior who is coping with cognitive decline may not understand or remember information they hear about COVID-19 and forget to follow essential safety precautions. Older adults may incorrectly believe the virus won’t affect them because they are in good health, aren’t THAT old, have “survived worse,” or never get sick. Some older adults may not understand how their refusal to follow public health guidance could contribute to the spread of the virus — or, they could simply be reluctant to take orders from the government or their loved ones. It’s also vital for family caregivers to remember a senior’s reason for failing to take COVID-19 seriously could be related to other factors, such as fear of isolation, concern over changing routines, or anxiety over an uncertain situation. Whatever the cause, learning more about the reasons behind your loved one’s stubbornness can help you develop the best persuasion strategy. Make Your CaseWhen making your case, it’s critical to use the right tone and approach. Pressuring, badgering, or talking down to your elderly loved ones could make it less likely they will listen to your advice. Make sure you let them know you aren’t trying to upset them and are only concerned about their health and safety. Make sure you address their specific concerns as much as possible. For example, if your loved ones are concerned about losing touch with family members, you could help them develop a plan to keep in touch and provide them with creative ways to communicate during social distancing. If they are concerned about missing their favorite activities, you could help them research safe alternatives or find new ways to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic. If they have concerns about being able to take care of themselves or obtain supplies during lockdowns, you could arrange for qualified home care workers to provide essential services during the coronavirus if they need help with daily activities. You could also mention the steps that you, or someone your loved ones know and respect, have taken to prepare or comply with public health guidelines. Be Open to Two-Way CommunicationNo matter how your older loved ones respond, it is essential that you avoid harming your relationship. Simply let them know you will be available to help them and answer any future questions they may have. Part of protecting your older loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic means doing your best to help them understand the seriousness of the situation and teaching them how to keep themselves — and others — safe. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care services can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home living assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, elderly companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and home care services in Stoughton, Canton, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While primarily personal in nature, the senior home care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation! We are staying Diligent
As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in our area, we are monitoring the situation and the advice from public health authorities. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton remains committed to our responsibility as your senior home care provider during this time. We recognize that our Visiting Angels home caregivers allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, wherever that may be, and that some of our clients cannot get through the day or night without a home care aide. We want to assure you that we are communicating to our caregivers to follow best practices, including hand-washing, and staying home if they are feeling ill or have traveled to Level 3 CDC countries. Thousands of senior adults across the nation depend on in-home caregivers to help them manage everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, medication reminders, and preparing meals – especially during the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic. As COVID-19 affects more and more individuals and communities across the U.S., home caregivers remain resolute in delivering safe and compassionate personal care that is essential to the health and well-being of older adults. Their efforts reassure families their elderly loved ones are doing well, emotionally, and physically, in their home. Whether it’s shielding older adults from the flu or a harmful virus, home care providers practice proper hygiene to reduce health risks for seniors. They exercise frequent handwashing and disinfecting inside a senior’s household to keep contagious illnesses and viruses at bay. They also take special precautionary measures to clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces such as:
Home Caregivers on the Frontlines in the Fight Against COVID-19COVID-19 has caused significant public health and safety concerns for the elderly and those with underlying conditions. The virus has changed the way this most vulnerable population socializes, interacts, and communicates with family members, friends, and neighbors. As the nation tries to find answers, many elderly adults rely on HHA or CNA-certified home caregivers for physical and emotional guidance inside the comfort of their homes. Visiting Angels’ caregivers have stepped up their everyday workload by helping their clients comprehend and practice social distancing. They also plan and discover new ways to reduce distress, boredom, and isolation for seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the techniques they are employing include:
Providing Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly DeserveVisiting Angels’ priority remains the health and safety of its caregivers and the elderly clients they serve every day. As an award-winning home care agency in Greater Boston, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton follows and adheres to the latest health and safety guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, in-home caregivers are fulfilling Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential home care services for older adults.
Visiting Angels’ in-home caregivers continue to be homecare heroes on the frontlines, taking necessary steps to protect elderly loved ones and themselves as well as doing whatever it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer's care, dementia care, 24 hour care, companion care, senior care, respite care, transitional aid, and home care services in Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While essential personal in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Contact us today at 617-795-2727 for a free in-home consultation! At one point or another, many of us act as the caregiver for an aging spouse, parent, or grandparent. Most people find caregiving manageable in the early stages. But as your loved one ages and their needs become more intensive, you could find yourself at a growing risk for caregiver burnout. To avoid burnout, it’s crucial that you ask for help, either from other family members or through respite care services. With traditional home care services, the majority of caregiving tasks are performed by professional caregivers, with family caregivers acting in a support role. With respite care, the roles are reversed. Family caregivers remain the primary care providers, but they’re supported by professional caregivers. This way, family caregivers can reduce their risk of suffering caregiver burnout. With respite care, you can rely on professional caregivers to:
Despite the clear benefits of respite care, many people are hesitant to hire these services. Often, family caregivers feel guilty about reducing their caregiving workload. Other times, they worry about their loved one’s security and safety. In some instances, they’re concerned that in-home elder care is a bad fit for their finances, lifestyle, or schedule. Thankfully, many of these concerns are easily addressed by hiring the right home care agency. Can my family afford respite services?Respite services, like other types of home care, are typically provided by the hour. While hourly rates and minimum visit lengths will vary from agency to agency, this will give you financial flexibility when scheduling care. Most agencies will happily work with you to minimize home care costs, where possible. Will care be scheduled in a way that works for me and my loved one?Do you need respite services for a specific day and time each week? Are you worried about maintaining your loved one’s routine? If so, you might be concerned about your options for respite care schedule. Once again, scheduling policies will vary between different agencies. However, the vast majority of respite care providers will provide you with options that fit your needs, routine, and lifestyle. How will caregivers respond to my loved one’s unique needs?Caregiving is extraordinarily personal. Every care recipient has his or her unique needs, limitations, and preferences, so care must be customized on a person-to-person basis. A high-quality caregiving agency will take pains to personalize your senior’s care services. What if my loved one needs specialized care?Seniors who are coping with significant physical or cognitive decline may require specialized care. If your loved one needs assistance with personal activities like bathing or toileting, you’ll need an agency that provides personal care services on a respite basis. Similarly, if your loved one is coping with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you’ll need caregivers who are trained in memory care. Learn more about respite care services and request a free consultation by contacting Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today! About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our Alzheimer’s home care, dementia care, companion care, senior care, respite support, transitional aid, and at home living assistance in Canton, Stoughton, Westwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Norwood, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. We to have been awarded a Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe for five years. We have also earned the Best of Home Care – Leader in Excellence, Trusted Provider, Best of Home Care Provider, and Best of Home Care Employer by Home Care Pulse. We are proudly accredited by The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information.
One of the most significant benefits of senior home care services is an increased sense of safety. When you hire a caregiver for an elderly loved one, they can safeguard your loved one’s physical well-being, helping them stay healthy and avoid injury. At the same time, a caregiver can provide peace of mind about your loved one’s security, helping them steer clear of scammers, fraudsters, and other criminals. The rise of medical fraud has underscored the need to protect seniors from scammers. Cases of medical identity theft have increased in recent years, with seniors among the most targeted demographics. This year, scammers have been using the new style of Medicare cards as a way to trick seniors into giving up sensitive personal information. If you’re worried that your loved one could A caregiver’s presence may thwart attempts at medical identity theft by one of these scams, senior home care services can offer peace of mind. Seniors are most vulnerable to scammers when they’re alone. A caregiver from a reputable senior homecare agency will give your loved one someone they can turn to when they get a strange call, receive a suspicious email, or find someone on their doorstep asking odd questions. |
AuthorVisiting Angels Newton/Canton is an award-winning in-home care agency that provides high quality home care to seniors and disabled adults in Greater Boston, MA. Archives
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