5 Strategies the Elderly Can Use to Stay Emotionally Healthy

October 10, 2016

Life after retirement is not always easy. During the senior years, a health crisis, financial worries, and losing loved ones can all add up to a great deal of stress. Though many of these events cannot be prevented, it is possible for your elderly loved one to focus on keeping a positive mindset. Tucson elderly care experts recommend using these 5 strategies to remain emotionally healthy in the golden years. 1. Pull Out the Coloring Books You might have noticed adult coloring books lining the shelves of stores recently, and it turns out this popular activity is more than just a way to pass the time. Art therapists have found coloring in mandalas has an effect similar to meditation. While…

4 Halloween Events Seniors Can Attend in Tucson This Year

October 3, 2016

The Halloween season offers the opportunity for seniors in Tucson to get out of the house and enjoy some festive fun. It’s time for your senior loved one to get into the Halloween spirit and visit some of the different local holiday events being held this year, and the Tucson caregivers at Home Care Assistance have 4 suggestions to add to his or her calendar. 1. Buckelew Farm Pumpkin Festival At this pumpkin festival, which takes place the last 4 weekends in October, your loved one can take a tractor-drawn wagon ride into the pumpkin patch, where he or she can choose a pumpkin to take home. Other attractions at the Buckelew Pumpkin Festival include arts and crafts, food vendors, and…

4 Things That Put Seniors at Risk for HIV

September 26, 2016

By 2017, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine predict 50 percent of Americans living with HIV will be over age 50. Though some of these people will have been living with the virus for many years, there has also been an increase in HIV diagnoses for people well into their senior years. Tucson, AZ, senior care experts discuss 4 of the top reasons why the elderly are at such high risk for HIV. 1. Knowing Little About How the Virus Is Transmitted Most safe sex education programs are aimed at teens and young adults.According to the Senior HIV Intervention Project, many seniors are still under the misconception HIV is only transmitted through blood transfusions or even by casual contact….

4 Classic Books Seniors Will Enjoy Rereading

September 19, 2016

As people grow older, their perceptions, belief systems, and interests often evolve. These changes can make rereading a favorite old book an entirely new experience. Tucson home care experts discuss 4 classic works aging adults may want to revisit in the golden years. 1. Animal Farm For many young readers, George Orwell’s Animal Farm might seem like little more than a bunch of talking animals living in a society with strict rules. For adults, this satirical work makes more sense and becomes more thought provoking and engaging. Elderly readers can use their considerable life experience to make comparisons between this book and the changes they’ve seen over the decades in the real world. 2. The Lion, the Witch, and the…

Fun Activities for Seniors & Their Grandchildren

September 12, 2016

Doing fun activities with the grandkids can help seniors remain physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Tucson, AZ, respite home care experts suggest a few activities that can be exciting and beneficial for both generations. Reading Reading provides seniors and their grandkids with an excellent bonding experience. Your elderly loved one will enjoy the family time, and the grandkids will get to show off their reading skills. Reading also provides your loved one with mental stimulation, which can enhance sleep quality, slow cognitive decline, and increase cognitive skills like problem solving. Playing Video Games Video games can stimulate your loved one’s brain while he or she bonds with the grandchildren and allows them to become the teachers. Learning how to use…

4 Fun Leisure Activities for Aging Adults in Tucson

September 5, 2016

If your senior loved one is looking for enjoyable things to do in Tucson, AZ, it won’t take long to find a leisure activity he or she loves. No matter your loved one’s personal tastes, there are many popular and rewarding local activities worth trying, and Tucson in-home elder care professionals suggest 4 that are perfect for the aging demographic. 1. Creating Abstract Art at the Randolph Recreation Center The Randolph Recreation Center at 200 South Alvernon Way will be teaching the easy-to-learn Zentangle Method on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 3:30pm through October 12th, then again between October 26th and December 7th. Zentangle is a fun way to make stunning images by drawing patterns, and your loved one will be…

The Montessori Method: How It Helps Seniors with Dementia

August 29, 2016

Every senior with dementia is different, and treatments for the disease are not going to have the same effects from person to person. In recent years, an educational approach called the Montessori Method has helped some seniors manage their dementia symptoms and remain independent. The staff at Tucson Home Care Assistance explains how this treatment works and why it is so helpful for aging adults with dementia. The History of the Montessori Method This approach to learning is based on the philosophies of the Italian educator Maria Montessori. After working with children of different ages, she found there was no single style of teaching that worked in every situation. Personalized academic plans focused on every aspect of development seemed to…

How Does Palliative Care Enhance a Senior’s Quality of Life?

August 22, 2016

When living with serious or even terminal illnesses, seniors have a variety of options for the care they receive. One of those options is called palliative care, which is designed to help seniors manage pain and other symptoms and make them more comfortable during the final stages of life. The staff at Tucson Home Care Assistance , a premier provider of senior home care Tucson families can trust, explains some of the ways palliative care can enhance your elderly loved one’s life quality of life. Meets Emotional Needs Serious illnesses and their accompanying treatments can be emotionally draining, causing depression, anxiety, and feelings of confusion. Palliative caregivers can address these feelings, giving your loved one the opportunity to talk through…

Healthy Salad Ingredients for Aging Adults

August 15, 2016

Many experts on senior nutrition recommend including salads in the diet on a regular basis. However, some salads are less healthy than advertised because the ingredients can vary and some have little to no nutritional value. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care in Tucson, has put together a list of healthy ingredients your senior loved one can enjoy in a salad. Kale This dark leafy green is antioxidant-rich and provides many anti-aging benefits. The antioxidants found in kale have been shown to ward off bladder, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Kale has also been shown to lower the risk for conditions such as atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders, and the calcium found in kale…

Why You Should Show Respect to Your Senior Parents

August 8, 2016

Being respectful toward an aging parent may seem challenging at times, but applying this approach in daily life can have a positive impact on your parent’s overall wellbeing. There are many reasons why respecting your senior parents is important, and Tucson, AZ, caregivers want to share a few. Foster a Good Relationship Whether your relationship with your parent has always been healthy or whether it’s been strained, treating him or her with respect can help foster a positive relationship between the two of you. If you and your parent have always had a close bond, respecting his or her wishes can ensure the bond doesn’t change. If your bond has been tenuous at times or even non-existent, now is the time…

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