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If you are reaching retirement age or have a loved one 65+, you may have heard the term “aging in place.” Aging in place simply means that you stay at home as you grow older, rather than entering a senior living community or moving in with family members. Over 75% of older adults want to stay in their current homes. But to honor those wishes, it’s important to have a plan in place.
As people grow older, their needs change. Maintaining physical health, safety, personal care, and mental health may all require you to make adjustments and even seek a helping hand. Fortunately, services like in-home care are making it possible for more adults to stay at home for longer periods of time.
If you or a loved one is approaching their senior years, it’s important to put a plan in place now to ensure your preferences can be met safely. Let’s talk through the most important steps for making home a safe and healthy place to grow old.
Whether you live alone, have a spouse that will soon need care, or are concerned about an aging parent, this list can help you plan ahead to ensure their safety and comfort.
The first thing to consider is the types of care you or your loved one may be most likely to require in the near future. Some illnesses and long-term conditions can make getting around harder, such as diabetes or dementia. But even when medical care isn’t required, many seniors still need assistance with various other aspects of daily life.
In-home care services can help seniors with most of the support they need to stay in their own homes. With in-home care, you can add any of the services you need on a schedule of your choosing, including:
While home care services don’t typically include skilled nursing care, they can help you manage chronic diseases. Between visits to your doctor, an in-home caregiver can check in and provide extra peace of mind, preventing disease progression and coordinating further care if and when needs change.
With services like remote patient monitoring (RPM), even seniors who don’t yet need full-time assistance can get a helping hand managing and tracking conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. RPM devices can even detect falls when no one else is in the home, ensuring that if an accident does happen, you or your loved one will receive the right care as quickly as possible.
Every home has its unique quirks and features that need to be considered when making a plan to age in place. Therefore, the earlier you can start reducing hazards and making modifications, the better.
With a little pre-planning, making a home accessible for the elderly doesn’t have to happen all at once! We recommend starting before you need care and making at least one major modification per year to make your home an age-friendly place.
ComForCare is available to help—our teams perform thorough in-home assessments to develop customized care plans and make home safety recommendations. For more information on how to reduce fall risks in the home, download our free guide!
Regular activity, a balanced diet, and stress management are all important components of maintaining an independent lifestyle, managing health conditions, and reducing your risk of injuries. If you haven’t started setting these healthy habits, now is the best time to start. After all, nutrition needs change after 65, so it’s important to understand what you’ll need to accomplish your health goals.
It’s also important to be realistic about your ability to cook meals for yourself, which may be affected by changes that come with age. In-home caregivers can develop a personalized nutrition plan and prepare meals, helping you stay healthier—and therefore live at home—longer.
Staying connected to your community is extremely important, as isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for seniors living at home alone. Being able to go out to social events, make your doctor’s appointments, and reach local shopping areas for what you need is critical.
If your ability to drive is or becomes compromised, you need to understand what other options are available to you. For some, that could mean public transportation or getting rides from a loved one, but these options aren’t always realistic (or reliable) for everyone.
If transportation or isolation is a concern, home care services can help. Whether you need regular assistance getting to appointments or just need a ride on an as-needed basis, our care services can be tailored to your unique preferences.
At ComForCare, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality senior care services in the comfort of our clients’ homes. Whether you need us for a few days each week or around the clock, our compassionate caregivers are ready to tailor services to you. Browse through our wealth of resources to learn more about the signs that it’s time for home care, how to talk about home care, and much more. Or contact your nearest location today to start a conversation!
Running is very accessibleit doesn't require any special equipment or a gym membershipwhich is why so many individuals decide to do it. Running can take a toll on the body, especially when the body is not used to the training or the training intensity changes too much in a short period of time. Injuries are more likely to occur when running without the proper warm-up or attire.Listed below are some common injuries that runners may face, as well as signs and symptoms to look out for.Plantar FasciitisThe plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. It supports the arch at the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the fascia tissue that links the heel to the base of the toes becomes inflamed. One of the main symptoms of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel, especially after exercise or first thing in the morning.Achilles TendonitisThe achilles tendon is the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the leg to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury to the achilles tendon. Symptoms can include a mild to severe ache or pain in the back of the leg or above the heel. Tenderness and stiffness in the morning, which gets better with activity, can also occur.IT (Iliotibial) Band SyndromeThe IT band is a thick band of tissue (ligament) that runs on the outside of the leg; it starts at the hip and extends to the outer side of the shinbone below the knee joint. IT band syndrome occurs when the band of tissue gets swollen and irritated from rubbing against the hip or knee bone. Symptoms can include hip or knee pain, redness, and warmth around the outside of the knee. The symptoms may start after exercise, and as they worsen, you will feel pain during exercise and during rest periods.Runners KneeRunners knee is a dull and aching pain that is felt behind the knee cap, especially where it meets the femur. Symptoms of runner's knee can include swelling, popping or grinding of the knee, and pain around or behind the knee.Ankle SprainAnkle sprains are one of the most common injuries that occur at all ages and at all activity levels. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle ligaments are stretched beyond their limits and tear. Sprains can range from a tiny tear to a complete tear of the ligament. Symptoms of ankle sprains can include swelling, pain, bruising, tenderness, and instability of the ankle.FracturesFractures are breaks or cracks in a bone. There are different kinds of fractures and different severities. Symptoms of fractures can include swelling, bruising, tenderness, or deformity. Fractures can occur in most bones; the most common area for fractures to occur in runners is in the foot or ankle.If you are experiencing any of the conditions or symptoms listed above, please call our office at 239 - 325 - 4090 to schedule an appointment for evaluation.
Often the hardest part of doing something new is getting started, and that's especially true about exercise. This article from AARP makes it easy to get started with the most important exercise to help you age healthy: squats. Five or ten squats are easy to do while you wait for the coffee to brew or the microwave to finish heating.Even when we're healthy we sometimes need a little extra help with the house or errands. Visit our website at www.rosehillathome.com to learn more about how Rose Hill Stay-at-Home Services can help you or a loved one stay in independent and at home.
In the realm of senior therapy, the integration of music and arts stands out as a transformative approach to holistic well-being. Recent studies highlight the profound cognitive benefits that music can offer to seniors, from stimulating memory recall to enhancing overall cognitive function. Whether through familiar melodies that evoke cherished memories or the joy of learning a new instrument, music becomes a powerful tool for self-expression and connection, particularly for seniors facing cognitive decline. Simultaneously, engaging in visual and performing arts provides an avenue for creative expression, offering a sense of accomplishment and purpose. The emotional impact of these creative endeavors is equally significant, alleviating feelings of loneliness and fostering a sense of community through shared experiences in choir singing or art classes.In essence, the incorporation of music and arts into senior therapy transcends mere entertainment, becoming a vital aspect of promoting the overall well-being of older individuals. By tapping into the creative spirit, seniors can find avenues for cognitive stimulation, emotional connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. As society recognizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to senior care, the role of music and arts in therapeutic practices emerges as a valuable and enriching endeavor for the aging population, contributing to a fulfilling and vibrant later life.
ComForCare is family-based. Laura and Chris the owners have both been caregivers for 30 years. Laura started as a caregiver when she was 16 and now has a masters degree in nursing. Chris was a career firefighter for 25 years. Through in-home care services, ComForCare Fort Collins helps older adults to stay in their own homes and continue to do all the things they love. Whether care is needed for a few hours a week or 24/7, our professional caregivers are available to provide the services you need.
ComForCare is family-based. Laura and Chris the owners have both been caregivers for 30 years. Laura started as a caregiver when she was 16 and now has a masters degree in nursing. Chris was a career firefighter for 25 years. Through in-home care services, ComForCare Fort Collins helps older adults to stay in their own homes and continue to do all the things they love. Whether care is needed for a few hours a week or 24/7, our professional caregivers are available to provide the services you need.