Being Your Own Advocate

Marylou is a vibrant, thoughtful woman whos been living on a hill for most of her life. Her place is full of cool blue glass pieces shes picked up while traveling or received from people close to her. The hill is surrounded by gardens that she works on every spring, planting flowers and watching them bloom as the weather gets warmer. When friends stop by, theyre welcomed by the blue glass catching the sunlight, the smell of fresh flowers, and the laid-back vibe Marylous created over the years.Marylou grew up with her mom and stepdad, since her dad passed away from the flu before she was born. Even with that tough start, her childhood was full of adventures. She has awesome memories of spending summers at a cabin on a Canadian island, pitching in to help build it by cutting branches and hauling supplies. Every year, the family would head back, and eventually, all their hard work paid off. Those trips taught Marylou a lot about teamwork and getting stuff done, and she still smiles thinking about bonfire nights and seeing the cabin take shape year after year.After finishing high school and college, Marylou got her first job at the Carnegie Library. She worked on setting up new libraries and made sure there were plenty of good kids books on the shelves. Shes always been convinced that reading can totally open up a kids world. Her enthusiasm for books rubbed off on many young readers, who still talk about how she helped them get into reading.Later on, she landed a job as the librarian at her old high school, which felt pretty cool. Giving back to the place where shed once been a student was something that made her proud. Marylou was known for always being friendly and ready to help anyone who came inwhether they needed a book suggestion or just someone to talk to.After she got married and had two kids, Marylou started some awesome family traditions. She loved putting together birthday parties with homemade decorations and teaching her kids how to cook family recipes. When the guys were away during the war, holidays could get pretty quiet, so the women would team up to make Thanksgiving dinner for themselves and their kids. They still use the same turkey pot! Marylous house was always the go-to spot for food, stories, and tons of laughter.Marylous always been plugged into her communityshe goes to church every week and has been in the same knitting group for two decades. The group isnt just about making scarves and hats; its a place to swap stories, vent about life, and celebrate each others wins.Marylous always meeting new people and making connections. She loves hearing other peoples stories and finding things they have in common. Not too long ago at physical therapy, she met a guy her age and realized hed actually been her boss years ago. They had a good laugh about how weirdly small the world can be.If you ask Marylou about her secret to a good life, shell tell you its all about being honest. She thinks being realwith yourself and with other peoplemakes relationships stronger and life better overall. Its advice she gives her grandkids all the time: honesty and integrity go a long way.Marylous always been into healthy eating and taking her vitamins. She grows a lot of her own veggies and herbs, and spending time in her garden is one of her favorite ways to start the day. Shes convinced eating well has helped her stay energetic and active. Fun fact: shes only had McDonalds twiceshes way more into home-cooked meals. Thank you, Marylou, for sharing your remarkable story and inspiring us all with your wisdom and warmth.

Many seniors enjoy their independence and the ability to age in place, and that can be a wonderful thing. They can take comfort in the familiarity of their own home and consistent routines. However, aging in place can also increase the risk of isolation and loneliness, especially if seniors live alone. They may not get out as often as they used to or have people come visit.Studies have shown that isolation and loneliness can take a negative toll on health, increasing risk of depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and even Alzheimers disease. If you do live alone, it is important to make socialization part of your daily routine to boost your physical, mental, and emotional health.Here are a few ways you can build more social connections and interaction: Get to know your neighbors. The people who live around you can be a wonderful source of companionship. You dont have to travel far to see one another and can enjoy simple activities like going for a walk, chatting over tea or coffee, playing with pets, or just checking in on one another. Schedule family visits. Coordinate times for family to come, whether for a few hours or a few days. This can give you something to look forward to and a way to stay connected. Plan outings to a favorite restaurant, to go see a movie, or to visit a local park or museum. If your family lives further away, schedule regular phone calls or video calls to catch up and share recent happenings. Volunteer in the community. If youre still able to get out and about, spend time volunteering. There are plenty of organizations that would love the help, and it can give you a greater sense of purpose. You can put your time and talents to good use, doing something to help others and give back, which can boost your mood. Plus, youll have the opportunity to socialize and meet new people. You can volunteer at a food pantry, soup kitchen, animal shelter, school, library, or other nonprofit that fits your interests and abilities. Join a club. Being retired, you have more free time in your day. Check out the different groups and activities that local organizations are offering. You could participate in a book club, card or game club, exercise class, or another hobby. Challenge yourself to learn something new or pick up an old activity you havent done for a while. This is a wonderful way to stay mentally stimulated, interact with others, and be more active. You can get out of the house and join an in-person group, or if mobility or transportation are an issue, you can join a virtual group. Coordinate transportation. A lot of seniors are isolated because they either dont drive anymore, or they dont get around as well as they used to. Look into different transportation options that can help you get out into the community. There may be senior agencies that offer pick-up and drop-off services, you could carpool with friends, or take public transportation. You could also host small get-togethers at your home, so you dont have to worry about travel or transportation. Get involved with in-home care. In-home caregivers can not only help you with different activities of daily living, but they can provide companionship as well. A caregiver is more than happy to sit and talk about current events, listen to stories about your grandkids, reminisce about the past, or read you the newspaper. They can be a partner for playing games or cards. If you want to go somewhere, they can escort you on errands, to the movies, or out to lunch. At the same time, they can assist you with different tasks around the house and ensure you stay safe.Fight back against isolation and loneliness and live a life you love. Contact Always Best Care at (412) 492-8500 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the benefits of in-home care in Oakmont, PA.

Falling is a major concern for seniors because it can lead to broken bones, concussions, and other injuries. As you age, it can be harder for your body to recover from this trauma. Understanding common fall risks can help you be more proactive in enhancing your safety. Here are a few things that seniors often overlook but that can increase chances of falling. Improper footwear. Shoes or slippers that flop off your foot or do not have good traction can increase your risk of stumbling. Wear shoes that fit securely, have a sturdy bottom, and have non-slip soles. Poor lighting. If you cant clearly see where youre going, it is easier to trip and fall over something. Installing motion-sensor lights can brighten rooms, stairwells, and hallways as soon as you enter so you dont have to worry about finding a light switch. Pets. As much as you love your dog or cat, they can become a tripping hazard. Train your dog to listen to commands such as sit or stay to reduce their chances of being underfoot. Look around before you get up or move about to know where your pet is. Dont forget to keep their bedding, food and water dishes, and toys cleaned up and out of the way so theyre not cluttering your walking path. Loose rugs. Secure the edges of rugs or carpeting so they dont roll up or shift out of place. Its easy to catch your toes, your walker, or your cane on the bunched-up fabric and lose your balance. Lack of handrails. You may have handrails in the stairwell or along your front steps, but what about in other areas of your house? Installing grab bars in the bathroom can reduce your risk of falling when using the toilet, shower, or tub. It also gives you something to hold on to if the floor is slippery or simply to steady yourself. Dehydration. Not drinking enough water during the day can leave you feeling weak and dizzy. When you go to stand up or move about, you may lose your balance or stumble. Put water bottles in areas you frequent, such as next to the living room sofa, on your nightstand, and in the kitchen so you can easily grab them and take a drink. Medication side effects. If you carefully read the labels, youll find that certain medications list potential effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, or increased risk of falling. Pay attention to how different prescriptions affect you and talk to your doctor about these concerns and how you can minimize the impact. Foot problems. If you have bunions, ingrown toenails, sores, or other problems with your feet, it can affect how you walk. You may be unable to fully bear your weight on one foot or the other, and this can make you unsteady. Ill-fitting assistive devices. Make sure that your cane or walker is adjusted to your height so that it is safer to use, and you are not compensating in ways that impact your balance or coordination. The same goes for wheelchairs. Verify that it is the right size for you. Safety is a top priority, especially if youre aging in place. Take the time to make appropriate modifications to your home and to your daily activities so that you can reduce your risk of falling and getting injured. An in-home caregiver can assist you in safely navigating, changing positions, and completing different tasks throughout your day. They can also make sure your home and belongings are organized in a way that minimizes trip hazards. Contact Always Best Care at 412-639-8339 to schedule your free consultation!