Music provides psychological benefits. This goes beyond lifting the mood, although research indicates that older people who listen to music tend to have better social interaction and a happier outlook on life. Music encourages people to express themselves and increases self-esteem, giving people a sense of well-being and making them more sociable. Music can trigger emotions and evoke memories, and its even been shown to help seniors with Alzheimers disease be more communicative with others.  Music provides health benefits for seniors. Health is of primary concern to most seniors, and music is known to promote overall health. It encourages exercise, providing motivation for participating in activities like dancing, walking, running, and stretching, which can build coordination and increase mobility. Further, music can reduce pain and improve recovery time from illness or injury. Researchers in Finland even discovered that patients who had suffered a stroke recovered their verbal skills more quickly if they listened to music. Theres also evidence that listening to music for just a few minutes each day can decrease cellular biomarkers of aging in the blood. Music reduces blood pressure, promotes relaxation and enhances mood, which can mean a higher quality of sleep, as well.  Listening to music benefits the memory. Weve long known that music boosts memory, which is why school children learn songs to teach them everything from multiplication tables to parts of speech to the preamble to the Constitution. Recent research has now taught us that music therapy activities for seniors can stimulate the medial prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for memory. This has proven helpful to people with Alzheimers disease and dementia, assisting them with memory recall and helping them to communicate. Playing an instrument can keep the brain healthy, but just listening to music can greatly improve the way they think, learn, and remember.  Music can also lead to stress reduction in seniors. When older people become stressed or agitated, music has been shown to help them settle down. As mentioned above, music can increase relaxation and self-esteem, but its worth noting that it can also reduce tension and anxiety. Listening to a personally meaningful song from earlier life can be very comforting, as can soothing music like doo-wop or jazz.  Finding Opportunities to Enjoy and Share Music How can you help the older adults in your life to reap more of the benefits of music? With modern technology, its easier than ever to bring music into peoples lives. Using the internet, you can easily create a playlist of songs that you know your older loved one will enjoy. Its fairly simple to find just about any song, from any era, with a simple internet search. You might also take your loved one to a live concert. Take advantage of opportunities in your community, like monthly concerts, outdoor shows during the summer, and performances by bands, choirs, and musical groups from schools. Showing an older person videos on YouTube can be fun too, pulling up live performances from their favorite artists of years gone by. If they become proficient at YouTube on their own, theyll be able to find a wealth of music, some of which you may never have heard of before! By helping your older friend or relative explore music online, you may actually learn some new things about musical groups youd never have discovered on your own.  Making Music an Interactive Activity Enjoying music neednt be a passive activity for older people, though. You might want to encourage your loved one to learn to play an instrument, since playing music offers higher levels of benefits than simply listening to it. Studies show that playing music can be therapeutic for older adults, increasing self-esteem, slowing down heart rate, and lowering blood pressure. Not sure your friend or relative is able to play an instrument? Encourage singing! Everyone can sing, and a rousing sing-along of old familiar songs can help people interact and build a feeling of community.  Music Therapy Made Simple and Fun Music therapy is beneficial for older adults, but it doesnt have to be official therapy with a trained therapist to help. You can introduce all sorts of therapeutic musical activities into your loved ones routine, including playing music around the house, taking dance lessons for exercise, or playing musical games. A silly game of musical chairs or hot potato with the grandchildren can be the perfect way to interact, have fun, and use music to promote well-being and a feeling of togetherness. Youll be helping with cognitive function and overall wellness across generations while also building memories theyll all treasure for the rest of their lives. Music doesnt have to be serious to be beneficial, and having fun with loved ones has benefits all on its own.  Enriching the Lives of Seniors and Their Families We hope these facts about music and seniors have been helpful! Whenever you need useful information on senior care, BrightStar Care welcomes the opportunity to be a resource. We know that facing the challenges of aging can be difficult, so we work hard to deliver the right care for your loved one and to be a partner you can turn to for support. Because we believe that caring is more than just a job, our nurses, therapists, CNAs, and caregivers offer the most professional compassionate care available. In the comforting, familiar surroundings of home, we offer a full range of care services to meet your loved ones needs and help you when you need it most.  Please call us at 952-300-3698  or visit our website at https://www.brightstarcare.com/south-minneapolis-metro to learn more about in-home senior care and let us know what we can do for you. 

To continue living independently at home as we age, being able to safely prepare and cook meals is essential. The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous places in the house, especially for seniors. Fortunately, there are many changes you can make to create a safe and functional kitchen. Consider these 9 tips to make cooking as safe as possible at you or your loved ones home:1. Relocate Frequently Used ItemsIf you need to use a step stool to access kitchenware in upper cabinets or must crouch to get items from lower cabinets, it could be time to relocate them. Move items you use often, such as plates, cups, and cookware, to waist-high level storage areas for easier lifting.2. Install Automatic Shut-Off Devices for AppliancesIf you or your loved one is forgetful or has memory issues, the oven, stovetop, or other appliances could pose fire hazards if left on for extended periods of time. Shut-off devices can manage this concern by automatically turning off the appliance through timers or sensors. There are a variety of devices you can buy to help prevent fires.3. Utilize Non-Skid MaterialsBetween doing the dishes and preparing food, spills are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and the resulting slick surfaces can cause you to fall. You can utilize non-skid materials to reduce your chance of falling. Consider wearing shoes or slippers with skid-free soles and buy a nonslip mat to use in front of the sink.4. Clean Up ClutterHaving too many items on the floor, table, or countertops can make navigating and using your kitchen challenging and unsafe. Remove excess material from these areas by throwing away or recycling unneeded clutter or by storing it in cupboards or other areas in your home.5. Buy a Functional TimerTimers are an extremely useful tool while cooking. Buy a timer that enables you or your loved one to take food off a burner or out of the oven on time. For those with hearing or vision loss, there are timers that emit a loud sound or use flashing lights to signify that time is done.6. Increase LightingOur vision decreases as we age, making hazards and obstacles harder to see. Adding bright, ample lighting can help provide more awareness of your environment, especially in high-use areas like the sink, stovetop, and countertops.7. Label Perishable ItemsManaging perishable food items can be difficult, especially if they are hard to reach. Label items with the purchase or preparation date to help you or your loved ones eat the food on time or know when to throw out spoiled food.8. Mount and Test AlarmsNo matter how safe we are, emergencies can happen while we are cooking. Its important to be prepared when they occur. Make sure your kitchen has smoke alarms installed to warn you of potential fires. Then, test the alarm to ensure it is working. The U.S. Fire Administration suggests you test the alarm every month and replace the batteries once a year. Additionally, consider getting a fire extinguisher designed for seniors to easily use.9. Take Advantage of Professional HelpYou or your loved one can get professional help to ensure you continue to safely cook in your home. CareAparent, an in-home care company serving the Twin Cities metro, is here to help. Our Occupational Therapists can assess potential hazards in your kitchen and with your cooking routine, and then they can make adaptations to reduce your risk of injury. Additionally, our dedicated caregivers can provide transportation to grocery shopping and prepare meals if needed.CareAparent is certified by Medicare, so you can trust us to keep you or your loved ones safe. Visit CareAparent.com or call 651.702.HOME (4663) to request a complimentary consultation to see how we can help you and your loved one live safely and independently at home.

Burnout is common for those who provide care to their loved ones. In fact, AARP found that 36% of family caregivers are highly stressed from being the primary caregiver for an aging loved one. Fortunately, there are many options to help you successfully deal with that stress. Consider utilizing these resources and tips to help you reduce caregiver burnout.What is Caregiver Burnout?Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can occur to those taking care of an aging adult. The stress from balancing the conflicting demands of your loved ones, your family and friends, and your work, and yourself could lead to losing sight of your own well-being. It can be compounded by feeling guilting of taking care of yourself rather than a loved one.Burnout can present itself in a broad range of ways, including changes in your sleep pattern and/or eating habits, getting sick more often, untypical depression or mood swings, having a lack of energy, withdrawing from activities you normally enjoy, and general feelings of sadness or frustration. If these you are experiencing any of these, you could be experiencing caregiver burnout. Consider completing the self-assessment questionnaire from the  National Alliance for Caregiving to better understand your potential level of burnout.How do I Reduce Burnout?Acknowledge your boundaries. You should not feel embarrassed or ashamed for being overwhelmed; it doesnt make you a bad caregiver! Instead, an honest assessment of your current state and limits is the first step to keeping yourself healthy to then care for others.Set realistic goals. What used to be for your loved one may not be reality now. Instead of being stressed trying to accomplish targets that may not be possible. Its important to set realistic goals with your loved one with an understanding of their condition. No matter their abilities, identify and focus on the most impactful ways to improve or maintain their quality of life.Keep yourself healthy. Its easy to put your needs behind your loved one, but you need to stay healthy to care for them. Reestablish routines and practices, such as exercising regularly, eating well, visiting doctors/therapists/etc., getting enough sleep, that help you stay healthy.Dedicate time for yourself. Your mental and emotional wellbeing is also important to reducing burnout. Whether it is reading a book, having a cup of coffee, or chatting with a friend, set aside dedicated time to focus on what makes you happy can help tremendously.Join a support group. Caregiving can feel like a uniquely challenging experience, but there are many people going through similar circumstances as you. There are many caregiver support groups that can connect you with others caring for their loved ones. Check out this article from AARP for resources on finding and selecting support groups.Simplify communication methods. On top of your day-to-day duties, it can be tiring to keep your family and friends updated on your loved ones condition. It could be helpful to have one place to keep everyone in the loop. Instead of replying to each person individually, consider utilizing a text or social media group or using websites like Caring Bridge or Post Hope.Get professional help. At some point, you may not be able to provide all the cares needed to keep your loved one safe. From limited hours in the home to extensive care in a facility, there are many services that can help you. Refer to Seniors Blue Book to learn about services in the Twin Cities metro area.CareAparents Home Care SolutionsCareAparent can help lighten your load and allow you to become a spouse, family member, or friend rather than the primary caregiver. Our compassionate team can provide in-home care to address their specific needs, whether its a couple hours a week or 24 hours a day. We are certified by Medicare and accredited by The Joint Commission, so you can trust us to keep your loved one safe.Visit CareAparent.com or call 651.702.HOME (4663) to learn about our home care solutions and to see how we can help you and your loved one.

Aging can sometimes be difficult for your loved one and you and your family. The wide array of mixed emotionsguilt, stress, confusion, frustrationyoure feeling is common, and your local Homewatch CareGivers franchise is here to help make sense of it all. Our local team of professional caregivers can give you the peace of mind you've been missing, all while doing everything they can to ensure the comfort and safety of your elder loved one.Each Homewatch CareGivers locations in-home elder care services are personalized to meet the unique needs of your family, type of living arrangements, and at-home care needed. The caregivers are screened and receive continuous training to include skills validation checks. Homewatch CareGivers believes that anybody's quality of life can be improved with the right type of elder care. Senior care, also called elderly care or elder care, covers a range of in-home care services for people who are age 65 and older in need of assistance with activities of daily living in the home. Everyday activities can be difficult when experiencing the challenges brought on by aging or living with chronic conditions. Even the simplest tasks such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, or tidying up around the home can become taxing to complete.The exact type of care that is needed depends on the type of assistance required and challenges you and your loved one may be currently facing, such as scheduling, distance, and physical limitations. Providing elder care for the senior in your life can help them re-engage with activities, family, and friends as they age, leading to improved well-being and a renewed sense of independence!Types of In-Home Care for EldersIn-home care offers impactful one-on-one engagement for seniors. While assisted living communities and nursing homes provide reliable care, many people prefer to age in their existing home. At Homewatch CareGivers, our team helps seniors age in place around familiar surroundings.We offer a large variety of specialty senior care services that are tailored to your needs:Companion CareSocial isolation can lead to chronic loneliness, noticed significantly more often in the elderly. A cornerstone of our senior care services is companion care. Caregivers engage with their clients with friendly conversation, learn more about them, and participate in their favorite hobbies or activities. This helps your loved one stay involved, feel appreciated, and remain connected.Personal CareCaregivers assist with any day-to-day personal care needs that may have or will become challenging to perform for people who are living with chronic conditions or in advanced age. A highly qualified team is here to help your senior remain independent while still providing help with personal care tasks, such as:Grooming and bathing assistanceBathroom assistance and other personal hygieneAmbulation and mobility assistanceNursing CareTo meet the needs of seniors with significant medical conditions, some Homewatch CareGivers offices may provide in-home nursing care that is performed by one or more:RNs Registered NursesLPNs Licensed Practical NursesLVNs Licensed Vocational NursesNursing services* can help your loved one continue to get the care they need in the home, including healthcare coordination and referrals as well as other recommendations to improve their well-being.24-Hour CareTo ensure the safety of your aging loved one and the peace of mind of you and your family, 24-hour care may be the best option. This is completed via a team of caregivers scheduled throughout the entire day or possibly a single live-in caregiver in some locations. This type of care will be tailored to meet your needs and ensure someone is on standby in-home for your loved one or family around the clock.Respite CareCaring for a loved one is very rewarding but doesn't go without its demands. While it's often overlooked, Homewatch CareGivers understands the importance of the health and well-being of family caregivers. Whether you're a son, daughter, spouse, other family member or friend each caregiving team provides the relief you need to take a well-deserved break to rest and recharge.After Hospital CareThe transition from a facility back home can be challenging for seniors, not to mention critical to their health. This transition needs to be handled with compassion and person-centered care. A Homewatch Caregivers team can help ensure the discharge plan is followed and the transition and care after that goes as smoothly as possible for the well-being of your loved one.Chronic Condition CareCaring for and living with chronic disease, conditions, and the challenges that come with it can be overwhelming. We create comprehensive in-home chronic condition care for elders, focusing on more than just a person's condition. Each caregiver is qualified and receives training in specialty chronic condition care. Homewatch CareGivers will help your family and loved one establish a plan of care to assist with the specific condition and the hardships presented.Dementia CareWhile dementia presents several challenges related to daily tasks and cognitive function, Homewatch CareGivers strives to create care plans that focus on your loved one's current abilities instead of what may be declining.  Elder dementia care focuses on promoting positive well-being, continually tailored to meet any needs as the condition progresses.After Surgery CareHomewatch CareGivers provides after-surgery care to help your loved one return back to health in the comfort of their home. The transition from the hospital back home is crucial to seniors' well-being, so care plans will reflect the discharge instructions created by medical professionals. A caregiver can help to reduce the risk of falls, provide medication reminders, all while proving to be reliable and compassionate.  Contact us today at 952-260-6223 or visit us at www.homewatchcaregivers.com/edina/