What Is An Orthopedic Surgeon and What Do They Do?

It's a difficult decision to make, but sometimes it becomes clear that our older loved ones need more care than we can provide at home. If you're struggling with the decision of whether or not to place your parent or spouse in an assisted living facility, this blog post is for you. Here are some signs that it might be time to start considering assisted living.1. Are simple activities becoming difficult?Assisted living facilities are designed to help seniors with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. If your loved one is struggling with any of these activities, it might be time to consider assisted living.2. Does your loved one have difficulty with living independently?Another sign that assisted living might be the best option is if your elderly loved one is having difficulty paying bills, getting around to run simple errands, or attending appointments. If getting from point A to point B has become a challenge, assisted living can help. Most facilities offer transportation services for their residents and have services on-site for a variety of needs. 3. Has there been a decline in your loved ones hygiene or appearance?Has your loved one started to neglect their personal hygiene? Are they no longer keeping up with their usual grooming routine? This could be a sign that they need assistance with activities like bathing and dressing.4. Are you noticing changes in mood or behavior?Sometimes changes in mood or behavior can be a sign of declining health. Has your usually cheerful loved one become withdrawn or depressed? Do they have sudden outbursts of anger? These changes could be indicative of a larger health issue that might be best addressed in an assisted living facility.Making the Decision TogetherOnce you have decided that assisted living is the best option, its important to involve your loved one in the decision-making process as much as possible. Let your Senior Care Authority advisor assess their care needs, explain the options, and schedule tours of places that best fit the needs of your family. Include your loved ones in the process as much as possible so they feel that they are part of the decision to choose the next place they will call home.  If possible, try not to wait too long as adaptive skills can decrease with the progression of age or cognitive decline.Finding the best senior living setting for your loved one can be an overwhelming task, but you dont have to go through it alone. The experts at Senior Care Authority are here to help! We offer a variety of services designed to help seniors live their best life possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family. 

In many ways, stress is a part of life for all of us. But for seniors, stress can have a larger affect on physical and mental wellness.Having worries and concerns is natural, but it is more important as we get older to practice stress-reduction techniques to manage these thoughts.The great news is that stress, and the techniques to manage it, are usually easy for most people to practice. Meditation, breathing exercises, physical movement and other tactics can help seniors continue to live the best quality of life and can even improve overall wellness.Stress destroys cells in the hippocampus, a brain site responsible for memory storage and retrieval.Why is it critical to manage stress?As we continue to keep our homes and families safe during COVID-19, its even more important to focus on the mental health needs of our seniors when it comes to stress.Several studies have shown that stress is linked to mental and physical problems, from anxiety and depression to hypertension and immune system complications. In fact, its estimated that stress increases the risk of heart disease by 40%, heart attack by 25%, and stroke by 50%. Not to mention the fact that stress can also exacerbate existing conditions which can be very impactful for those with less efficient immune systems.What can seniors do to manage their stress in a positive way?Finding moments of joy and focusing on activities and hobbies that bring meaning and purpose can help seniors manage their stress. Fortunately, there are many more stress relief techniques that seniors can follow to help improve their own personal wellbeing. What senior clients use to manage their stress today can help better prepare them for any future stress.Stress Relief TechniquesConnection can help relieve stress. Seniors can call a friend or family member, have a video chat or spend time with loved ones when possible.Meditate at the same time every day or whenever feelings of stress or anxiety arisePractice deep breathing and mindfulness exercisesReach out to friends and family to connect and spend time togetherFollow a consistent exercise regimen and healthy diet, upon physician approvalJournal or jot down thoughts and feelings at the end of each day and be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the positive things that happened throughout the dayFind a virtual volunteer opportunity to give back to the communityPut together and execute a to-do list to increase productivity, decrease feelings of restlessness, and combat procrastinationJoin a yoga class or practice it at home (with physician approval)Listen to soothing or relaxing music, especially before bedFind a way to laugh, whether its by watching a funny TV show/movie or listening to a comedy albumComfort Keepers Can HelpAt Comfort Keepers, we have spent the last twenty years perfecting the art of helping seniors and other adults maintain their peace, happiness, and joy. To us, every moment in a seniors life is a unique opportunity to foster positivity, going beyond daily tasks. Our approach to care is called Interactive Caregiving, a philosophy centered around four central aspects of life: mind, body, nutrition, and safety.Whats more, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Care that is empathetic is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our clients exact needs.Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting a local Comfort Keepers office.

If remaining independent as you age is a goal, or you have a loved one who wants to continue living independently, there are several essential skills to consider. From managing money to doing your own laundry, activities of daily living (ADLs) matter when determining if it is safe to live on your own as an older adult. In 2020, approximately 14.7 million older adults lived alone, or 28% of the population; many of them were lonely or in poor health. While it is not always easy to control those factors, there are things you can do to help age better and more comfortably. By being prepared, you will reduce some of your health risks and may be able to stay independent and content with life well into your later years. Here are nine critical, independent living skills you will need and valuable information on when assisted living or a similar care option may be a better choice. Money Management  One of the most important independent living skills is money management. Anyone, from young adults to seniors, who want to live independently should be able to manage their funds. This can include the ability to pay bills, go grocery shopping, and handle personal care purchases regularly. Nutrition and Cooking  Many seniors who struggle to live independently do not eat well, which can lead to increased health problems and medical care costs. With the right preparation, you can have the knowledge and ability to prepare healthier meals.Fitness and Movement Ability  Staying active is another essential independent living skill. Staying active, whether or not you have disabilities to work around, is vital and can reduce your risk of injury. Strength training and movement practice, such as yoga, will help maintain strength, keeping you from losing balance and falling. Willingness and Ability to Adapt  Families need to help aging members where possible, but not everyone has family nearby to teach them about technology updates or other helpful improvements. Being willing to adapt and learn will help with any new transitions that occur in the future.  For example, you may want a part-time job or return to school to keep your mind sharp and stay active and engaged in your community. Effective Communication  Communicating effectively is vital in every stage of life, and as a senior, you need to not be afraid to speak up for yourself. Whether you need help with your budget, have a problem with your teeth, or recognize that you are having trouble doing something you used to do easily, you must be able to communicate well so others can help you when you need it.  Self-Advocacy for Security  Along with good general communication, its valuable for you to be your own advocate. You know your body best, so work with your doctor if you notice a change and take advantage of any resources offered to you. When you prepare for aging and focus on the transition, you can often develop independent living skills more quickly.  Stress Management and Regulation  Controlling stress is a valuable skill at any age because stress can hurt your health. Older adults who struggle the most with independent living tend not to have ways of regulating their stress and emotions. If you have a job you like, hobbies to enjoy, or other ways to keep stress at bay, it will go a long way to keep you happy and healthy.   Self-Esteem or Contentment  Feeling content in life or comfortable with yourself matters, too, because independent living requires good mental health. If you are anxious or depressed, it can be a lot harder to get through the day all by yourself. Personal care may suffer, tasks will not get done, and your budget could suffer, too.   Transportation Skills  Whether you drive a car or use public transportation, the goal is to ensure you have access to the people and services you need to get around. If you start to notice differences in your vision and cannot drive anymore, for example, you want to make sure you have other people or agencies you can contact to help you get around. Top 3 Reasons to Consider Caregivers or Assisted Living If you or a loved one lacks the independent living skills needed to age-in-place, or remain safely and independently at home, it may be time to consider help. This could include ongoing assistance with specific tasks, options to manage medical care, and even help with laundry, hygiene, or picking out and putting on clothes. When older adults struggle with food, basic activities of daily living, or other issues, it is essential to identify the problem and find the right ways to treat it. Whether that is someone who comes into your home and provides in-home care or you are considering a move to an assisted living community, making the right choice can improve your quality of life. Here are three reasons to consider an alternate option to independent living: Falling or Frequent Injuries  Falling can cause significant injuries, and that is especially true in seniors. If you are starting to fall frequently or have other injuries that happen often, it may be time to find additional help and someone who can perform various tasks, such as making meals and keeping your home clean. Falls and injuries could also mean the need to transition to assisted living, so you do not have to worry about taking care of your house.   Challenges With Hygiene, Food, and Care  Eating, showering, and cleaning are essential ADLs, and when you start facing many difficulties in one or more of these areas, it is time for some help. Fortunately, there are resources for older adults who may need a service to come in, so you are getting healthy food and staying clean.  Memory or Financial Concerns  If you begin having trouble remembering things and struggling to manage bills, it may be time to reach out for support. Many seniors are also vulnerable to financial scams, which can cause serious problems for future security. Its not always easy to see your needs in these areasor admit the needbut assessing your life routinely and looking for areas that might put you at risk is essential.  The Support You Need for Living Independently If you or a loved one wants to continue living independently but may need a little extra help, CarePatrol offers senior care advisory services at no cost to you.  We provide senior care solutions to help you find the right community from the option to maintain independent living to the need for additional services at home or in a care community, were here to give you the information and support you need. Reach out to a local senior care advisor today.