What to Look For in a Home Health Care Provider

The holiday season can be both a joyful and overwhelming time, especially for seniors. As loved ones come together to celebrate, the pressure to maintain a tidy and organized home can add stress to what should be a time of joy. At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we believe that a clutter-free environment can foster peace and emotional well-being during the holidays. In this blog, well explore how organization can be a thoughtful gift, not just for seniors, but for their families too. Understanding the Emotional Toll of ClutterFor many seniors, the accumulation of belongings can lead to feelings of despair and overwhelm. As we age, it becomes harder to manage clutter, both physically and emotionally. It can be a source of anxiety, especially when the holidays come around, inviting family gatherings and festive celebrations. Tip: Look Beyond the StuffUnderstanding the emotional connection people have with their belongings is essential. Each item may carry memories or sentimental value, making the decluttering process challenging. Approach the conversation with love and empathy, reminding them that a simplified space can lead to greater peace of mind. Decluttering with PurposeOne of the best gifts you can give a senior this holiday season is a tidied and organized home. Not only will this create a welcoming environment for family visits, but it can also lighten the emotional load that clutter brings. Heres a step-by-step guide to facilitate the decluttering process:Step 1: Set the MoodCreating a pleasant atmosphere can make the decluttering process more enjoyable. Play soft music and have refreshments on hand to create a comfortable and relaxed setting. Encourage the person youre helping to share stories about their belongings, making the process feel less like a chore.Step 2: Start SmallTackling an entire home at once can be overwhelming. Begin with small areas, like a closet or a single room, to make progress feel achievable. Set a timer for 20-30 minutes, allowing for focused work without fatigue. Celebrate small wins together to cultivate a sense of achievement.Step 3: Sorting with LoveAs items are removed from their designated spaces, sort them into four categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Toss. Encourage seniors to keep items that spark joy while helping them understand that saying goodbye to certain belongings doesnt mean losing their memories. Keep: items they love and use regularly.Donate: usable items that could benefit others.Sell: items of value that may also be a source of income.Toss: broken or unusable items that no one will benefit from.Step 4: Create Functional SpacesOnce decluttering is complete, the next step is organizing the remaining items in a way that makes them easily accessible and functional. Use clear bins, labels, and designated spots for everything to maintain order. For example, frequently used items should be within reach, while seasonal items can reside in less accessible areas. Embracing the Spirit of GivingThe holidays are fundamentally about connection and support. By helping a senior declutter, you not only enhance their living environment but also reinforce familial bonds. Its about creating space for memories, laughter, and love during gatherings.Tip: Coordinate with Family MembersEncourage family members to pitch in and share the workload. This shared experience can facilitate deeper connections, ease the emotional strain, and promote teamwork. The act of organizing together reinforces unity, transforms the task into a celebration, and allows everyone to reminisce about the memories tied to certain items.The gift of organization can transform not only a home but the holiday experience itself. A peaceful, organized space fosters emotional well-being and allows seniors and their families to focus on what truly matters: togetherness and joy. Remember, the journey of decluttering is not just about discarding items; its about making room for love, laughter, and cherished memories. At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we are here to support you in simplifying the holiday season for seniors and their families. Together, lets create a joyful and stress-free home for the holidays.

Physical activity helps your brain, but did you know even some sedentary activities can ward off cognitive decline? Creative crafts, reading, and puzzles such as Sudoku or Scrabble keep your brain mentally stimulated. Try word and number games rather than TV or gaming. So, when you rest your body, make sure you're still engaging your brain. Summary: New research highlights that some sedentary activities, like reading or crafting, are better for brain health than others, such as watching TV or gaming. A study of 397 older adults found that mentally stimulating and socially engaging activities support memory and thinking abilities, while passive screen time is linked to cognitive decline.This insight is crucial, as 45% of dementia cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. Researchers suggest swapping passive activities for more engaging ones to protect brain health, even during indulgent holiday marathons.Key FactsCognitive Benefits: Reading and social engagement improve brain function, unlike passive screen time.Preventable Risk: 45% of dementia cases could be reduced through lifestyle changes.Healthy Swaps: Small activity changes, like breaking up TV time with reading or movement, benefit the brain.Source: University of South AustraliaIts that time of the year when most of us get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved down time. But whether you reach for the TV controller, or a favourite book, your choice could have implications for your long-term brain health, say researchers at the University of South Australia.Assessing the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults (aged 60+), researchers found that the context or type of activity that you engage in, matters when it comes to brain health. And specifically, that some sedentary (or sitting) behaviours are better for cognitive function than others.When looking at different sedentary behaviours, they found that social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Yet watching TV or playing video games are detrimental.Researchers believe that there is likely a hierarchy of how sedentary behaviours relate to cognitive function, in that some have positive effects while others have negative effects.Its a valuable insight that could help reduce risks of cognitive impairment, particularly when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.In Australia, about 411,100 people (or one in every 1000 people) are living with dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases each year.UniSA researcher Dr Maddison Mellow says that not all sedentary behaviours are equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability.In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement, Dr Mellow says.We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritised if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadnt directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behaviour for another.We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement such as reading or talking with friends are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important.And, while the move more, sit less message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.Now, as the Christmas holidays roll around, what advice do researchers have for those who really want to indulge in a myriad of Christmas movies or a marathon of Modern Family?To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement thats enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health, Dr Mellow says.But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if youre dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.This research was conducted by a team of UniSA researchers including: Dr Maddison Mellow, Prof Dot Dumuid, Dr Alexandra Wade, Prof Tim Olds, Dr Ty Stanford, Prof Hannah Keage, and Assoc Prof Ashleigh Smith; with researchers from the University of Leicester, and the University of Newcastle.Author: Annabel MansfieldSource: University of South AustraliaContact: Annabel Mansfield University of South AustraliaImage: The image is credited to Neuroscience NewsOriginal Research: Open access.Should We Work Smarter or Harder for Our Health? A Comparison of Intensity and Domain-Based Time-Use Compositions and Their Associations With Cognitive and Cardiometabolic Health by Maddison Mellow et al. Journals of Gerontology Series A

The holiday season is a time of warmth, joy, and meaningful connections, especially for seniors who cherish memories and moments spent with loved ones. Unfortunately, the very activities that should bring joylike decorating, gathering, and gift-givingcan become overwhelming when clutter and disorganization take center stage. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that a clutter-free environment can enhance the holiday spirit and create a serene atmosphere for seniors. This article explores how we can make a difference by helping seniors enjoy a seamless and joyful Christmas experience.The Importance of Decluttering for SeniorsAs the festive season approaches, many of us look forward to holiday traditions with friends and family. However, for seniors, it can be challenging to navigate an environment crowded with memories, decorations, and daily items they may no longer need. Decluttering is essential, not just for creating space but for fostering a peaceful and joyful holiday atmosphere. When we help seniors declutter, we guide them through the emotional weight attached to their belongings. Each item tells a story, from cherished holiday decorations passed down through generations to gifts that were once adored but are now forgotten. Our empathetic approach focuses on helping them make intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go. Tips for a Meaningful Decluttering ExperienceStart Small: Begin with one room or area at a time. Focus on the most cluttered areas that require immediate attention, such as living rooms or kitchens. This methodical approach prevents feelings of being overwhelmed during the decluttering journey.Create Keepsake Containers: Encourage seniors to set aside a few cherished items in special containers. This way, they can keep meaningful items without cluttering their spaces. Make sure to label each container for easy identification.Involve Family Members: Invite family members to participate in the decluttering process. This not only reduces the emotional burden but also fosters connection. Sharing stories behind treasured items can be a heartwarming experience.Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive: As you sort through decorations, encourage seniors to curate a selection of their favorite holiday pieces. Incorporate these items into their holiday traditions to evoke nostalgia and joy without overwhelming their space.By employing these strategies, we provide seniors with the clarity and comfort they need to enjoy a peaceful holiday season.Creating a Joyful Holiday EnvironmentOnce decluttering is underway, its time to focus on decorating and creating a joyful environment. The key is to keep things simple yet festive. At A Call to Order, we specialize in transforming spaces, making them inviting for family gatherings and celebrations.Decorating Tips for a Senior-Friendly HolidayChoose a Theme: Help seniors choose a simple theme that resonates with themwhether it's traditional, modern, or whimsical. A cohesive theme can make decorating less overwhelming and more enjoyable.Opt for Lightweight Decorations: Select decorations that are easy to handle and arrange. Avoid heavy ornaments and decor that can pose hazards. Energizing the space with strings of light or simple garlands can be an effective way to enhance the festive atmosphere without overwhelming them.Incorporate Personal Touches: Encourage seniors to include personal items in their decorations. Family photos, handmade ornaments, or crafts from grandchildren can create a warm and inviting space that sparks joy and connection.Maintain Accessibility: Ensure that decorations are arranged at a height that is easy to see and reach. Seniors should feel included in the decorating process, so setup should enable their participation.Plan Gatherings: As the holidays approach, consider scheduling low-key gatherings. A cozy hot cocoa night or a holiday movie marathon with close family can create cherished memories while allowing seniors to enjoy the holiday spirit in a relaxed environment.At A Call to Order, we aim to connect with our clients deeply and meaningfully, ensuring that the spirit of giving extends beyond the holiday season. Helping seniors prepare their homes for Christmas gives them the gift of joy, connection, and solace. Wrapping Up This Christmas, let's remember that the spirit of giving can be manifested through meaningful experiences rather than material possessions. As professional organizers, our mission at A Call to Order is to make the holidays brighter and more memorable for seniors by creating spaces that radiate joy, peace, and love. Connecting emotionally with our clients leads to not only a decluttered home but also a heartwarming holiday season filled with shared moments and cherished memories. This is what we celebrate while bringing joy to seniorsbecause every moment spent in a clutter-free space is a moment of peace during the festive whirlwind of the holidays.