How Can Family Caregivers Manage Role Reversal?

November 28, 2016

At some point, almost everyone has wondered what it would be like if the roles were reversed in their family. However, Tucson, AZ, caregivers often quickly discover taking on the responsibilities of their parents’ care can lead to some challenging situations. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can use to adjust to your new role. Stop Focusing on the Past Over the years, you have likely encountered a few ups and downs in your relationship with your loved one. However, now is not the time to get stuck on thinking about the mistakes everyone has made. Let go of the past and focus on the present instead. Whether your loved one gave you a happy childhood or not shouldn’t affect…

5 Ways to Let Family Caregivers Know They’re Appreciated

November 21, 2016

National Family Caregivers Month is celebrated every November, but caregivers deserve to be shown appreciation on a regular basis. Caregivers in Tucson provide emotional support, assistance with daily activities, and great care to their senior loved ones, and these are just a few suggestions for how you can let them know their efforts are not going unnoticed. 1. Send Flowers It may seem like a simple gesture, but sending flowers to a family caregiver can help boost his or her emotional health. Caregiving can be a stressful job that takes a toll on the caregiver’s life, but flowers have the ability to lift his or her spirits and enhance his or her mood. The presence of flowers can trigger positive…

5 Vegan Dishes to Make for Your Elderly Loved One This Thanksgiving

November 14, 2016

The number of older adults choosing to go vegan is rising, and many are seeing significantly positive changes in their health as a result of this diet. If your senior loved one is vegan, you might be concerned about what to serve him or her for Thanksgiving dinner. Luckily, there are many delicious and healthy dishes you can create, and the Tucson senior home care professionals at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of 5 you may want to try. 1. Shepherd’s Pie This main course is traditionally made with ground lamb, but it can easily be transformed into a hearty vegan dish with the right vegetables. In addition to onions and carrots, you can also fill the…

4 Places in Tucson Where Seniors Can Mingle with Their Peers

November 7, 2016

Because older adults run the risk of becoming socially isolated, Tucson senior care experts encourage getting out of the house more often to interact with others their age. If your elderly loved one is looking for a place to meet other seniors, check out this list of 4 local spots offering social events where he or she can mingle and make new friends. 1. Armory Park Center Located at 220 South 5th Street, this facility offers seniors a Caring and Sharing social every Thursday from 10am to 11am. In this class, your loved one can sit and share heartfelt stories and experiences with his or her peers while enjoying some coffee and delicious refreshments. Storytelling empowers seniors and provides a…

5 Reasons the Elderly Should Avoid Drinking Alcohol

October 24, 2016

Seniors should be cautioned against drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for a variety of reasons. Though drinking in moderation is unlikely to affect your elderly loved one’s health, Tucson home care professionals discuss 5 reasons why he or she may want to avoid it entirely. 1. Seniors Metabolize Alcohol Differently As people grow older, their bodies tend to hold less water, which means seniors process alcohol at a slower rate and are more prone to higher blood alcohol levels after having only a few drinks. A high blood alcohol level can be fatal. 2. Medication Interactions Can Be Hazardous Certain medications seniors are known to take regularly can be deadly if they are mixed with alcohol. Seniors who take aspirin,…

4 Ways Caregivers Help Seniors Survive Critical Illnesses

October 17, 2016

When an older adult falls critically ill, it is important to surround him or her with plenty of support. Professional caregivers are able to help seniors survive critical illnesses by providing the following services. 1. Assisting with Personal Hygiene During a time of serious illness, it is important to protect a senior’s body from having to fend off additional bacteria and viruses. However, it may not be possible for him or her to bathe independently. Caregivers in Tucson, AZ, provide assistance with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing and tooth brushing while ensuring the senior does not get too cold or exhausted during the routines. 2. Managing Medications Seniors are fortunate to be living in a time when modern medicine…

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…

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