Best Practice Considerations: In-Home Care vs. Medical Home Health

Stay Safe and Celebrate: 6 Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors This Holiday SeasonThe holidays are a time for joy, laughter, and togetherness. But for many seniors, they can also bring unexpected hazards. From slick winter sidewalks to crowded, decoration-filled spaces, its important to prioritize safety so you can enjoy the season to the fullest. A little preparation can go a long way in keeping your home safe and festive.At Seniors Helping Seniors, were here to help make your holiday season both merry and secure. Whether you need a hand with decorating, organizing, or just navigating the winter months, weve got you covered. Here are our top fall prevention tips to keep your holidays safe and bright.Why Holidays Bring Extra Risks for SeniorsWinter weather already introduces challenges like slippery sidewalks and damp entryways. Add holiday decorations, gatherings, and extra clutter, and even a familiar home can become tricky to navigate. But the good news? Small adjustments and a bit of planning can make a world of difference.Our caregivers at Seniors Helping Seniors specialize in spotting risks and creating safer environments. With their support and a few proactive steps, you can enjoy the season without worry.6 Fall Prevention Tips for a Safe and Joyful Holiday1. Declutter and OrganizeHoliday decorations and seasonal items can easily pile up, creating tripping hazards. Take a moment to clear hallways and high-traffic areas. Need help tidying or rearranging? A caregiver can assist with storing decorations safely and keeping your home accessible.2. Choose Simple, Safe DecorationsOversized holiday decorations might be beautiful, but they can block walkways and create obstacles. Stick to smaller, manageable decor that stays out of paths. A caregiver can help you set up decorations in a way thats festive yet safe.3. Opt for Steady LightingTwinkling lights may look magical, but they can make it harder to spot potential hazards. Consider steady, bright lighting to illuminate your space without causing distractions. A Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver can help place lights where theyre most needed.4. Tame Those Extension CordsExtension cords are a holiday staple, but loose cords can be dangerous. Keep them along walls or secure them with tape or cord clips to prevent trips. Let your caregiver handle the setup so you can relax and enjoy the festivities.5. Skip the LaddersHanging decorations or adjusting lights often means pulling out a stepstool or ladderbut these can pose serious risks. Instead, ask a family member or caregiver for help. Its a great opportunity to catch up while staying safe.6. Create a Toy ZoneWhen grandchildren visit, toys can quickly scatter everywhere. Designate a specific play area to keep toys contained and reduce tripping hazards. Caregivers can help tidy up so everyone can focus on celebrating together.Celebrate Safely and ConfidentlyThe holidays are a time to connect with loved ones and create cherished memories. By clearing clutter, simplifying your decorations, and asking for help when needed, you can ensure your home is a safe space to celebrate.At Seniors Helping Seniors, were here to lend a handwhether its decorating, organizing, or just providing companionship. Together, lets make this holiday season one to remember for all the right reasons.Wishing you a joyful and safe holiday season!

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, offering substantial discounts and deals for shoppers across the country. For seniors and their caretakers, navigating this busy day can seem overwhelming. However, with the right preparation and strategy, it can be both a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Preparing for Black FridayThe key to making the most of Black Friday is preparation. Start by researching deals in advance. Many stores release their flyers, advertisements, and exclusive offers through their websites and apps. Make use of these resources to compare prices and ensure the discounts are genuine. This homework ensures you're not getting swept up by the hype of a sale that isn't what it seems.Next, create a comprehensive shopping list. Decide which items are essential and which are simply nice-to-haves. By distinguishing between needs and wants, you'll stay focused on your priorities and avoid being tempted by unnecessary purchases. A clear list will also help you manage your time efficiently when shopping.In-Store Shopping TipsFor those heading out to the stores, timing is critical. Avoid peak hours by opting to shop early in the morning or later in the evening when fewer people are out. This not only reduces stress but also helps you access the best deals with minimal competition.Safety is always a top priority. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure at all times. A small crossbody bag can be useful for minimizing the chance of losing items. You should also plan your route through the store. Familiarize yourself with the store layout by looking at maps or using store apps to find exactly where you need to go. This helps you avoid unnecessary wandering and confusion.Online Shopping StrategiesIf crowds aren't your thing, online shopping offers a comfortable alternative. You'll avoid long lines and have the opportunity to access special online deals that aren't available in stores. It's a great way to save time and energy.Ensure your online transactions are safe by using secure payment methods such as credit cards or trusted payment services like PayPal. Be on the lookout for scams; if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to reputable websites and be cautious with personal information.Budgeting and Financial TipsBudgeting ahead of time can save you from financial stress during the holiday season. Set a realistic budget for each item on your list and do your best to stick to it. This will help you avoid impulsive buys that can quickly add up and increase your spending unnecessarily.Track your spending as you go along. Apps or simple paper lists can help you monitor your purchases and ensure you're staying within your allotted budget. By reviewing your acquisitions regularly, you can adjust your spending plan as needed and keep everything under control.Add Senior Care to Your Shopping ListWith a bit of planning and organization, Black Friday shopping can be a productive and even enjoyable experience for seniors and their caretakers. Remember the key points: research and prepare, shop during less crowded times in-store, enjoy the convenience and safety of online shopping, and maintain a clear budget to avoid overspending. Most importantly, take time to enjoy the holiday season and treat yourself with care.If you need more personalized assistance or support at home, don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Helpers Fort Collins. Our team is here to assist seniors in Fort Collins, Englewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Longmont. Embrace the holiday spirit wisely and make the most of this Black Friday! Questions, please call us at 970-344-9931.

Until 100 years ago, many people never traveled more than 10 miles from the home in which they were born or lived in when they got married, which was usually down the street or the next farm over. Families remained grouped together for many reasons, including having emigrated from a foreign country and starting a new life together. There was strength in numbers: both economic advantages and in perpetuating long-held traditions that would tie loved ones together in the face of new challenges. Where seniors were concerned, the expectation that younger family members would always care for them was impliedand something not all that difficult if people were living within steps of one another.Clearly things have changed, and adult children can be hundreds and thousands of miles away from aging parents. This can make it challenging to determine changes in physical, mental and emotional health, often leading to stress and guilt. While long-distance caregiving isnt always the answer, there are things families can do to help ensure their senior loved ones needs are monitored and met.1   Hold a Family Meeting to Plan In-Home Care for a Senior Loved OneFirst, organizationally, if there are multiple adult children and other family members that can provide long-distance care, have a family meetingin person or video chatto decide what everyones strengths and skillsets are and what their availability is. Tantamount to that, realistically evaluate how much each can do, knowing that a trusted neighbor or someone else outside the family and local to the senior may need to be hired to fill in any gaps.If a family member is better at managing finances, for example, s/he should assume that responsibility when the time comes, always with written permission. A Merrill Lynch study revealed about 92 percent of family caregivers are managing their loved ones finances, including monitoring and paying bills from bank accounts, handling insurance claims, filing taxes, and overseeing investments.2   Communicate with Your Aging Loved One Every DayIts important to check in with an aging parent every day, even several times a day depending on the state of health, particularly if that individual lives alone. If the senior is adept at technology, FaceTime or other forms of video chat are always preferable as visuals are a useful tool in gauging changes. Today there are a variety of simpler forms of senior-friendly video call apps and devices available. These include but are not limited to the Jitterbug Smart3, GrandPad, and CallGenie (British-based product now available in the U.S.).3   Connect Regularly with Your Beloved Seniors Healthcare ProvidersSchedule regular calls with physicians, visiting nurses, and/or others for up-to-date information about you loved ones health and evolving needs. If an in-home senior care agency is involved, consistent updates should be part of the protocol.4   Set Up a Personal Emergency Response System to Maintain a Seniors IndependenceSometimes dubbed high-tech guardian angels, personal emergency response systems (PERS) support safe and independent living. At the touch of a button (or in some cases by voice activation) an immediate notification is sent to first responders when a fall or other medical emergency is detected. PERS devices can be worn by the senior as a pendant, or a unit can be set up strategically inside the home to provide 24/7 monitoring services.5   Obtain a Smart Pill Dispenser for Medication ManagementAs people age, memory can be affected with issues that include failure to take medication or not recalling if a dose was taken or not. Multiple medications are also a byproduct of aging and facing an array of bottles every day can be confusing and disorienting for seniors. A user-friendly solution lies in medication management with automatic pill dispensers, as these smart devices for healthcare can do so much more than hold apportioned pills in a little plastic box. Smart pill devices organize medications and ensure the correct dose is dispensed at the right time, and some can also notify the caregiver if a dose is missed.6   Explore Alternative Senior Living ArrangementsIs an aging parent amenable to moving closer to adult children? Independent living and assisted living fall under the broad banner of senior living communities and can make the stress that accompanies long-distance caregiving a thing of the past. Many seniors and their families are unsure where to start their search for assisted living and other senior housing options.7   Plan More Frequent Visits to Keep Tabs on Your Elderly Loved Ones WelfareWork, raising families, community responsibilities, and everything else can make life overwhelming today. But if a parent or grandparent is aging, theres no better way to monitor needs than to visit as often as possibleeven for a long weekend now and then. If there are multiple adult siblings or young adult grandchildren, spreading the visits out among family members can ease the burden of constant traveling and help ensure changes in health and mobility do not go undetected.Besides, the opportunity to spend time with mom or dad in their sunset years is precious, and something you will never have again. In your effort to monitor things and provide support, which no one argues can be time consuming and stressful, make sure to slow down and listen. As the saying goes, When a senior dies, a library closes.8   Ask for Information and Guidance from a Trusted Senior ResourceKnow that an Amada Senior Care advisor has the expertise and knowledge to assist without obligation as families with aging loves ones navigate their senior care journey. Click HERE to find an Amada office near you or call (866) 752-1961.