As communities reopen across the country, many seniors are looking forward to going back to the hair salon or barber, the grocery store, a relative’s house, or a favorite local restaurant. At the same time, many family caregivers are trying to determine how to protect their senior loved ones from COVID-19 when they are outside the home. Here are a few senior safety tips for public settings — and some information on how professional caregivers can assist you in protecting your senior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visiting the hair salon or barberHair salons and barbershops should follow all public health regulations, including capacity restrictions, staff mask-wearing policies, cleanliness and sanitization practices, and social distancing guidelines. You or your senior should call the establishment in advance of the appointment to ensure the staff is following the required safety protocols. Your senior should wear a mask at all times when inside the salon and should sanitize or wash his or her hands frequently, especially after touching surfaces such as counters, credit card machines, and door handles. It’s also a good idea for seniors to keep their distance from others and minimize time spent inside by waiting in the car until it is time to start the appointment. If necessary, an in-home personal caregiver can accompany your senior to their appointment and remind him or her to follow the establishment’s safety rules. Your senior’s caregiver can also make sure your loved one remembers to bring essential items, such as a mask and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Shopping at the grocery store or pharmacyIf your senior needs to visit the grocery store or pharmacy, they must wear a mask and sanitize their hands as critical safety steps. Your senior should avoid close contact with other shoppers in store aisles and checkout lines. Be sure to stress the importance of following signs and markings in the store that promote social distancing. It may also help to make a list of items your senior needs before leaving home to reduce browsing and minimize the amount of time spent in the store. If he or she can avoid going inside the store in the first place, that is better. Consider using the drive-thru pharmacy, grocery pickup, or home delivery services whenever possible. In addition to meal planning/preparation and providing medication reminders, home health aides can assist with shopping — either by taking your senior to the store or going to the store on his or her behalf. Visiting a friend or relative’s houseSocial interaction has many emotional and mental health benefits, particularly for seniors who were isolated from loved ones during the height of the pandemic. However, resuming social visits to a friend or relative’s house should be carefully considered based on personal risk factors, the community transmission rate, and comfort level. You might also consider the following:
If your senior wants to social distance even though others don’t, support their decision to postpone in-person visits and offer to help them find alternative ways to connect with family or friends. A trained in-home caregiver can also assist in communicating with loved ones while providing companionship to the senior to alleviate boredom and loneliness. Dining at a restaurantYou can help keep your senior safe by contacting the restaurant in advance to find out what protective measures are implemented and making sure they follow all recommended guidelines. Close contact with large numbers of people in indoor spaces increases the risk of COVID-19 spread, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means outdoor dining with plenty of space between tables during off-peak hours would be less risky than dining indoors at a crowded restaurant with little social distancing. If your senior is craving a meal from a favorite local restaurant, a home care aide could accompany your older loved one and make sure he or she stays safe — or order and pick up take out. If you’re looking for some help keeping your senior safe as he or she resumes public activities during COVID-19, Visiting Angels caregivers are here for you. Our Visiting Angels case managers are available to discuss your loved one’s needs during a free in-home care consultation. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved one, contact us today. Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly DeserveVisiting Angels’ priority remains the health and safety of its caregivers and the 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 fulfill Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential at home living assistance 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 by 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 in-home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, 24 hour and live-in care, companion care, senior care, respite care, transitional aid, and in-home care services in Watertown, Brookline, Stoughton, Canton, Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. The essential personal care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life.
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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. Maintaining or enhancing one’s health and wellness shouldn’t stop at a predetermined age. It is universally beneficial to pursue a balanced mind and body by focusing on our physical well-being and happiness, fulfillment, and mental fortitude. It’s never too late for your loved one to begin the path to living their best and most fulfilled life. With the assistance of family, friends, and professional in-home caregivers, seniors can successfully pursue the following seven elements of senior wellness. Proper Diet A proper diet is fundamental to good health. Without the right levels of nutrients, seniors will have trouble maintaining cognitive and physical energy. Here are a few nutritional recommendations:
Sleep According to research, most healthy seniors need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to feel recharged the next morning. Older adults may awake earlier in the morning due to body rhythm changes called advanced sleep phase syndrome. However, this means older adults may need to go to bed earlier in the evening. Additionally, a range of physical conditions associated with aging can make it difficult for seniors to get enough sleep, causing sleep deprivation. Here are some tips to help seniors get a better night’s sleep:
Physical ActivityA lack of exercise quickly leads to many health problems in both body and mind. Seniors don’t have to break records at the gym to stay healthy and feel well. A moderate amount of physical activity each day will keep the body in good working order and lead to a clearer mind and a greater sense of fulfillment. Consider the following recommendations for senior activity:
Socialization Loneliness is a silent killer for the elderly and contributes to dementia, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other mental and psychological conditions. Older adults must have social interactions with others regularly to maintain their emotional well-being. Community activities, games, and projects can foster a sense of interest, usefulness, and social bonding. Even a good conversation from time to time is a necessity. For seniors living at home alone, an in-home caregiver would provide companionship and support. Purpose After retirement and withdrawal from economic and political involvement, seniors may need to find something new to provide direction and purpose. Volunteer work and other activities that help others are excellent outlets for seniors to find self-purpose. A Visiting Angels caregiver could assist with transportation to and from such causes. SafetyFalling is one of the most significant safety risks for seniors. Making a senior’s home physically safe and secure to navigate is the first step toward wellness. Seniors also need protection from scammers who prey on the elderly. Family caregivers need to take precautions ahead of time to prevent senior loved ones from falling victim to telemarketing and online scams. A home health aide can supervise and ensure both physical and non-physical safety measures for seniors. Identity As seniors grow older, they naturally begin to reflect on their lives and achievements. Seniors want to pass along their knowledge and information to younger generations.
Family and friends can help foster their senior loved one’s sense of identity and accomplishment by encouraging them to tell stories, write down memories, and participate in society as a mentor and teacher. Seniors may often discount the scope of what they’ve achieved during their life, but recognizing and celebrating these achievements can be an important source of satisfaction and well-being. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. |
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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