Driving is a privilege in this country, not a right. This is something that has to be told to some individuals, including teenagers as they get antsy and want to fight for their independence. For an older individual, it’s also difficult for them to realize they don’t have a constitutionally guaranteed right to get behind the wheel and drive. However, not every senior who does have their license to drive and is driving still should be doing so.

That doesn’t mean every senior should have their license revoked, and many states have systems in place to test aging drivers more frequently to ensure they remain safe behind the wheel, but if you have an elderly parent whom you believe may not be as safe when they drive as they used to, how do you know it’s time to talk about the prospect of them giving up their license?

 

This can often be a contentious issue.

Most adult children, spouses, siblings, and others are concerned about the safety of their loved ones. There could be a number of reasons that indicate now might be the perfect time to have an honest and heartfelt discussion about safety behind the wheel.

For one thing, this aging parent might have been involved in a recent accident. One minor fender bender may not tell you very much about their actual safety when driving. Your elderly mother might have never been involved in an accident in her life. She might have never received a speeding ticket or other moving violation.

So, is one simple fender bender a clear sign she is no longer safe behind the wheel? Of course not, but if her mental or physical capacities have diminished to the point that it makes her unsafe, there will likely be other incidences that cause concern.

Second, she may be reluctant to go to the store herself. If she is calling you to take a ride to the store with her more often because you live in town and you are more than willing to help, what does that say about her confidence level?

Maybe she’s only concerned about walking around the store by herself, but what if she asks you to drive instead? She might be feeling unsafe behind the wheel but is afraid to bring the topic up.

If you discuss it in an understanding, nonjudgmental way, you may be surprised to realize your aging parent is just as concerned as you are and ready to hang up the keys.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care Littlefield, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.

Dementia keeps your senior from experiencing the world the way that you do. The changes in her brain from dementia can also cause her to react unexpectedly, sometimes in anger, and sometimes in other highly emotional ways. If those outbursts are happening more often, there might be a reason.

Ask for a Medication Review

One of the first things you need to do is to talk to your senior’s doctor about her medications. If she’s recently changed any of her medications or increased the dosages, that could be contributing to the increase in outbursts you’re seeing. It could also be possible that your senior’s medications are disorienting for her, which also means that a medication review is in order.

Rule Out Physical Causes
Part of the cruelty of dementia is that your elderly family member can’t express what’s going on within her body in the same way that she might have in the past. That means that if she’s in pain or she’s experiencing other physical symptoms, she can’t really tell you or her doctor about that. Her doctor can run some tests, however, and take a look at possible physical causes so that you can either solve them or rule those out.

Take a Look at Her Daily Routine
People with dementia tend to do very well with a regular daily routine. Routines provide structure for your senior and they help her to understand what to expect from every day. She might be much less anxious after you establish a routine that works for both of you. Adjust her routine until you find the right combination for her.

Do What You Can to Create a Serene Environment
Having a calm, serene environment helps, too. Your senior picks up on how you’re feeling and if you’re agitated and on edge, she might feel that she needs to be alert for danger, too. Hiring elder care providers can be a huge help in keeping your senior’s environment as calm as possible. They can also help you to tweak your senior’s routine until it flows perfectly for her. That can help you both to be calmer, too, since your senior will be more likely to sleep well and have easygoing days.

As upsetting as this is for you, remember that it’s no fun for your senior, either. She needs your help in order to experience relief, though. Stay calm and remember that this is not something that your senior is taking out on you personally.

Excerpt: Your senior’s dementia changes how her brain operates, which might mean she’s having outbursts more often. Here’s what you can do.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care Levelland, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.

Plain old water is one of the best ways to hydrate your senior, but it isn’t the only option. And if your elderly family member is resistant to drinking water as much as she really should, you’ve probably already learned that hydration is crucial. These tips can make water a bigger part of your senior’s day, even if it’s in something else.

Find out How Much Water She Needs

Everybody needs water, but not necessarily the same amount. So sticking to arbitrary goals like eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day might not be right for your senior. Factors like the foods that she eats, because many include water, can reduce the water she absolutely needs to drink. Talk with your senior’s doctor about how much water she really should be getting every day.

Take the Focus Off Plain Water
If you’re still trying to get her to drink plain water and she absolutely hates it, you’re setting yourself up for a battle of wills that you might not win. Taking the emphasis off plain water and leaning more heavily on other ideas can help. Fruits that are high in water content, like melons, might be one option.

Try New Recipes and Delivery Methods
Switching up the delivery methods your senior is offered can help so much. You might consider making lemon popsicles, for instance. They might be mostly water with a little bit of lemon juice and a small amount of sweetener. Or you might consider adding a cold soup to dinner a few nights a week. Experiment a bit and see what you can find that your elderly family member finds enjoyable.

Watch Sugar and Salt, Though
One thing you do need to watch is how much sugar and salt are in your alternatives. Depending on her health, too much excess salt or sugar can create big problems for your elderly family member. Reduce the need for those ingredients as much as you can while still offering your senior flavors that she enjoys. Relying on other spices, seasonings, and flavors can help so much when you’re trying to give her something tasty and hydrating.

Sometimes having someone else offering water and other solutions can be what your senior needs, oddly enough. Senior care providers can help to monitor your elderly family member’s water intake throughout the day and let you know what’s working best as a method of keeping her properly hydrated.

Excerpt: It can be really difficult to help your senior to hydrate if she doesn’t enjoy drinking water. These ideas can help.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care in Plainview, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.

It can be easy to think of older adults who are retired as “living the good life.” They have few responsibilities, and life should be stress-free. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case for seniors. Some experience higher levels of stress than they did when they were younger. Stress is not only emotionally distressing, but it can have an impact on physical health. Being able to identify when your elderly parent is feeling stressed can allow you to get them the help they need.

 

What Causes Seniors to Be Stressed?

According to the American Psychological Association, older adults may experience stress for a variety of reasons, including:
• Mobility problems that make it hard for them to accomplish daily activities of living.
• Having serious health problems, like heart disease.
• Having less of a feeling of well-being.
• Being less satisfied with life.

They may also worry about being safe at home, fearing falling and no one being there to help. Or, living on an income that is significantly less than when they were working might be difficult. Some seniors are stressed at the idea of losing their independence, thinking they might one day have to move to a long-term care facility or in with family members. They may also fear being a burden on others.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Stress?
Chronic stress can cause all kinds of symptoms in older adults, from cognitive ones to physical ones. Some signs your aging parent is feeling stressed are:
• Having trouble remembering things.
• Not being able to pay attention.
• Depression.
• Irritability.
• Constant worrying.
• A negative attitude.
• Physical aches and pains.
• Catching colds or the flu more often.
• Digestive symptoms, like diarrhea or nausea.
• Chest pain.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Changes in eating habits.
• Changes in sleeping habits.
• Avoiding interacting with others.
• Drinking alcohol to relax.
• Engaging in nervous habits, like biting fingernails.

 

Can Home Care Help Reduce Stress?
Home care can absolutely help older adults to have less stress in their lives. Home care providers can alleviate fears about being alone too much and worries that they may become injured or ill without others noticing. Home care providers can improve emotional well-being simply by bringing a cheerful and friendly presence into the house and being someone, your parent can look forward to seeing. Because home care providers can assist with many household tasks, including cooking and cleaning, they can allow seniors to stay in their home longer than they might otherwise be able to. And, since home care providers are paid professionals, there’s no need for your parent to feel like they are being a burden to anyone.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care in Tahoka, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.

Sources

https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/09-33-coping-with-stress-fin.pdf

One thing most family caregivers never have enough of is time. Many caregivers are stretched thin because of caregiver duties, work, family responsibilities, and other things. You may wish you could spend less time on certain things so you can have more time for others. Knowing some strategies that can help family caregivers to save time could just find you with a few extra minutes each time all for yourself. Below are 5 ways to save some time as a caregiver.

 

#1: Plan Care Ahead of Time

Spending some time each week to go over the plan for your aging relative’s care can save time by eliminating a sudden rush to find someone to care for them when you realize there’s a gap in care. Double check the schedule with all caregivers involved, both family and professional. Also, make sure the appropriate people are aware of appointments they will be responsible for taking the older adult to.

#2: Prioritize
Create a list of all the things that need to be done. Then, prioritize it by moving the things that are urgent to the top of the list. Move things that can wait toward the bottom. Continuously update the list and reprioritize. Know that it’s okay to let the less urgent items wait a little longer if you need some “me time.”

#3: Touch Paperwork Once
When you receive a piece of paperwork, like a medical bill, try to deal with it right away or at least try to put it in the appropriate file to be dealt with at the appropriate time. When you continuously shuffle papers around a desk, you may lose something, which will cost you time in tracking it down. In addition, starting to deal with an issue, stopping, and going back to it later can result in reworking the first steps.

#4: Make Sure All Caregivers Know Their Responsibilities
When there is confusion about which caregiver is responsible for what task, it can result in things being done twice or not getting done at all. Schedule a meeting with all caregivers to talk about each person’s roles. It can also be helpful for the primary caregiver to send out a weekly list of tasks and assign caregivers to handle them.

#5: Schedule “Me Time”
Sometimes you simply need to schedule time for yourself, otherwise you may not ever get a chance to do the things you enjoy. In addition, when you take a break from caregiving, you may return feeling refreshed and able to get through tasks more quickly.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering a Caregiver in Shallowater, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.

Sources
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-2016/time-management-for-caregiver.html