blog

4 Signs You Need More Help with Caregiving

Posted on

When you are the primary provider of care for an aging loved one, it’s hard to see when outside help may be beneficial or required. However, to ensure your personal health and wellness, as well as the quality of care for your aging loved one, it is important to look to outside sources for occasional assistance. Denton Home Care Assistance offers four signs that you may need outside help with your caregiving responsibilities: The situation is no longer safe. When you become so stressed out that you can’t keep up with light housekeeping or repairs, the home environment becomes unsafe for your aging loved one, as well as all family members who reside in the home. When routine chores hinder…

Help a Loved One with Dementia Adjust to a New Caregiver

Posted on

Caring for a senior with dementia often requires the assistance of caregivers who can tend to your loved one’s needs in your absence. However, dementia symptoms can make the transition to a new caregiver challenging for seniors who may be confused by having a new person brought into their home. Fortunately, you can ease the transition! The following are simple tips that will help your loved one adjust to their new caregiver while allowing them to benefit from quality care. Keep the first few visits brief. If your elderly loved one is resistant to the idea of a new caregiver, it may be best to limit their interaction during the first few visits. Explain to your loved one that a…

5 Relaxation Ideas for Stressed Out Caregivers

Posted on

The doctor’s appointment ran late; your boss is angry, your loved one is upset because you were slightly snappish, and your spouse is wondering where dinner is. Can you say stressed? At Home Care Assistance, we understand that juggling care for an aging loved one with home and family responsibilities is not always an easy task. This is why we’ve created a short list of relaxation ideas that can help overwhelmed caregivers unwind. Take some time for yourself. Whether it’s a class, a good book or a movie on your own, you are worth it! It is important that caregivers take time to tend to their own needs so they can relax and provide the highest level of care to…

A Guide to Elder Care for Blended Families

Posted on

Blended families face unique challenges when it comes to providing quality senior care. Differences in values, communication styles and daily routines are a few of the main issues that family members may face when making arrangements for their loved one’s care. While it may be hard to set these differences aside, it is important to remember that everyone’s main goal is to make sure their elder loved one’s physical and emotional needs are met. Here are a few tips for blended families that can help everyone come to an agreement on how to provide the right type of care to their elderly loved one. Identify the Elder’s Needs All personal differences aside, the first thing a blended family needs to…

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Family & Elderly Loved Ones

Posted on

If you provide care for an aging parent or are hosting this year’s holiday celebrations, have you considered preparing a senior friendly Thanksgiving dinner? While we don’t want you to scrap traditional family recipes or delicious sweet treats, there are a few things that you can keep in mind to keep your holiday meal healthy and satisfying for your entire family, including your aging loved ones! Consider Health Conditions Before you begin preparing your Thanksgiving dinner, take into consideration any health problems or ailments your aging loved one might have. If high blood pressure, diabetes or heart conditions are a problem, make sure there are healthy alternatives to your maybe, not-so-healthy courses. This is also a good time to consider…

Dangers of an Elderly Parent Caring for Their Spouse

Posted on

Did you know that more than 20 percent of the adult population in the United States provides care for an elderly or disabled adult? According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), around 15 percent of those caregivers are aged 65 years or older! If you have an aging parent who is caring for a spouse at home, it is important to understand how the role of caregiver may be affecting their health and overall quality of life. Studies show that when elderly men or women become primary caregivers for their spouses, they are more likely to incur stress-related diseases and are at higher risk for premature death. If you are an adult child of ailing parents, it…

Signs Aging Parents are Struggling with Daily Activities

Posted on

The upcoming holidays give family members the chance to put their busy lives on pause and come together to enjoy each other’s company. For adult children, holiday gatherings offer opportunities to check on the health and safety of aging parents as well. Here are five signs that can indicate Mom or Dad is struggling with everyday activities. Weight Loss or Changes in Eating Habits Sudden weight loss can be a sign of serious underlying conditions, including depression, dementia and even cancer. Seniors can also lose weight when conditions like failing eyesight, arthritis or flagging energy makes it difficult to purchase and prepare food. Changes in Appearance or Hygiene Changes in hygiene and appearance can indicate physical impairments like poor dental…

How to Tell an Aging Loved One it’s Time to Retire their Driver’s License

Posted on

Driving is often a way to connect to the outside world and to remain independent for older adults, which is why telling an aging parent or spouse that they should no longer drive can be difficult. It’s important to express to your loved one that their safety is your main concern and that independence can be lived out in other ways. So how do you know when it’s time to have “the talk” and how should you approach the sensitive topic? Signs their Driving Skills are on the Decline Small scratches and dents on the car Slowed reaction time at stop signs Haphazard parking jobs Confusion between the gas and brake pedal Difficulty seeing street signs, motorcyclists and pedestrians Getting…

Activities for Seniors Promoting Good Health

Posted on

At Home Care Assistance, we’re fortunate to be a part of a tight knit community that hosts events and activities throughout the year. While a majority of events are great for individuals of all ages, there are many designed specifically for seniors! From language and culinary classes to dances and free movies, local senior centers have all the bases covered. So whether you are looking to broaden your horizons or you are looking for activities for an aging loved one, we’ve provided a few great ways in which local senior centers help cultivate independence, health and happiness for older adults: Creative classes. For example, the Denton Senior Center offers courses in beginner and intermediate Spanish. Learning a new language has…

REQUEST A FREE IN-HOME OR VIDEO CONSULTATION HERE