Benefits of In Home Care vs. Nursing Homes

By Tom Lee, 10:53 am on November 29, 2018

Even the most independent individuals may need assistance as aging progresses. It may be as a result of Alzheimer’s, a fall or accident, or simply the process of aging that suddenly creates a need for help. In any case, how does one decide whether aging in place or a nursing home is the best solution? Nursing homes can certainly provide safe solutions when medical needs are present, but aging in place is still sometimes a better solution and some facilities are actually moving away from long-term care due to financial reasons. When patients stay in a facility long-term, payment is…

Read Article

Nutritional Help For Your Loved One After a Stroke

By Tom Lee, 2:30 pm on November 8, 2018

Many people in stroke care have a struggle trying to eat, at least initially. Sometimes it is difficulty with chewing or swallowing, other times it’s the challenge of bringing food to the mouth. Additionally, if memory has been affected, the stroke care patient may even forget to eat. Consult the doctor for help with a meal plan for stroke recovery, if needed. Consider the following tips, as well: Encourage Your Loved One in Stroke Care to Eat Create regular meal times. You will make meals more palatable by joining your loved one at the table. It will become an enjoyable…

Read Article

Protecting Seniors from Scams

By Tom Lee, 9:17 am on October 23, 2018

Sadly, financial scammers often prey upon elderly persons in senior care because of their predisposition to generosity and compassion. Scams can occur by phone, email, internet and in person. Retired adults need to be especially cautious about financial management. Seniors are likely to be on a fixed income with limited savings, making a financial scam a potential hard blow to their future. If an older person loses a large sum of money, repercussions may be felt by their next generation, as family ends up helping with additional expenses. What can be done to protect our older loved ones? Communicate to…

Read Article

5 Benefits to Living with Caregiver Assistance

By Tom Lee, 9:11 am on October 15, 2018

Someone needing senior care may initially object to receiving assistance until he or she learns more and understands the many advantages that home assistance can offer. Living with assistance offers additional personal safety, as well as more social opportunities. Both of these benefits are extremely important to the health and welfare of an aging adult needing care. Here are 5 reasons to consider a caregiver for yourself or a loved one when senior care is needed: Living with assistance offers additional safety. Older adults eventually have increased safety and health risks as they age. The increased possibility of falls, strokes,…

Read Article

Why Is Routine Important As A Caregiver

Why a Home Care Routine is Important in Burlington, VT

By Tom Lee, 12:58 pm on September 25, 2018

You may have heard the expression, “Humans are creatures of habit.” Predictable routines reduce stress for all of us, but especially for the elderly. Consistency helps older adults remember what’s coming next and it can bring a sense of comfort and security. When an elderly person has dementia, habits and routines are even more important. Benefits of a Predictable Routine A caregiver who structures time for eating, bathing and dressing will provide feelings of safety to the senior cared for. The older adult may even sleep better with predictable sleep and wake up times. For those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or…

Read Article

Telling the Difference Between Dementia and Delirium

How To Tell The Difference Between Delirium and Dementia in Burlington, VT

By Tom Lee, 12:47 pm on September 7, 2018

Both delirium and dementia can create cognitive confusion and emotional distress, making these two illnesses often confused with each other. They are different, however, and it’s vital for caregivers, medical, and emergency staff to recognize and understand differing symptoms. Delirium is an especially serious and commonplace problem for the elderly and the most common complication of hospital admission for older persons. What is delirium? Delirium can be defined as an acute state of mind, displaying confusion and disrupted attention, disordered speech and sometimes hallucinations. It can only be diagnosed by clinical observation of behaviors. If you think your family member,…

Read Article

Keep Active While Aging in Burlington, VT

Keeping Active While Aging in Burlington, VT

By Stacy Lee, 9:06 am on August 29, 2018

Keeping active is vitally important to our wellbeing. Physical activities and exercise help improve balance, strength, and cardiovascular health. Additionally, workouts may decrease pain from arthritis and lessen the chances of chronic diseases, like diabetes. Seniors can boost their physical health, regardless of age! Activity Goals Healthcare experts usually recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise each week for aging adults, as long as they start slowly and work up to the goal, gradually increasing frequency and intensity. Do A Little Whenever You Can Ride a stationary bicycle or walk on the treadmill while watching your favorite TV shows. In…

Read Article

Changing Bad Habits of Elderly Parents

changing bad habits together in Burlington, VT

By Tom Lee, 10:09 am on August 8, 2018

“My Mother Won’t Listen to Me!” Have you ever found yourself commenting how Mom’s not getting enough activity lately, neglecting her diet, or leaving dirty dishes in the kitchen sink for days? It may seem like your opinion doesn’t matter and it’s falling on deaf ears. So, can you help Mom or Dad create a healthier habit? The answer is…maybe. But, anyone can learn a few persuasion techniques. For one thing, if you want her to listen to you, ditch your lecture and try a simple conversation instead. Why are Habits Difficult to Change? The word “habit” is defined in…

Read Article

How to Encourage Your Loved One to Accept Help Graciously

By Tom Lee, 2:14 pm on July 26, 2018

Is it possible to help someone, even when they don’t want your help? Is there a way that your aging parent can graciously accept your help, yet still keep their pride and sense of dignity? What if a parent is just too difficult? Well-meaning family caregivers often ask these types of questions. Try not to take it personally if you find yourself feeling trapped in a power struggle. Understandably, parents sometimes resist offers of help. There are VALID REASONS for aging parents to resist or refuse help, such as: Tradition. Sometimes parents simply decline help out of habit. Since they…

Read Article

Staying Positive While Aging Can Reduce the Risk of Dementia

Positive Senior doing Yoga in Burlington, VT

By Tom Lee, 9:04 am on July 16, 2018

For most of us, running a marathon (that’s 26.2 miles) wouldn’t be on our “To-Do” list. For 82-year-old Ginette Bedard, of Howard Beach, Queens has not only crossed this off her list, she has done it more than once! She was 69 years old before she started running seriously, and she’s been able to continually participate in the marathon, as a result of diligence in training – running on average 3 hours a day and maintaining a healthy positive attitude. Smiling is proved to help with more than physical health; a person’s positive outlooks on aging impact brain function, too. Recently…

Read Article

Benefits of In Home Care vs. Nursing Homes

By Tom Lee, 10:53 am on November 29, 2018