I know what you’re thinking, starting a diet isn’t one of your retirement goals, but it is the first step in ensuring that you can live out your dream retirement. Focusing on proper nutrition ensures that you’ve got all of the energy in the world to do all of those things that you’ve hoped to accomplish during your retirement; whether it’s to travel, interact with your grandchildren, or simply take up some new hobbies. A diet might not have been one of your retirement goals, but it’s time to start making it a priority, and here are some tips to get you started:

1. Eat raw foods – some nutrients can be best digested when in raw form and they are rich in fiber. Make sure that at least one of your daily servings of vegetables are consumed raw either on their own or in a salad

2. Choose whole grain carbs – unprocessed carbs that are whole grain provide energy , choose brown rice, and whole grain breads and pasta. White carbohydrates are starchy and can make you feel tired and bloated

3. Stick to lean proteins – limit red meat and instead go with lean sources of protein like poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts which will give you the fuel to get through you day and are also very health conscious

4. Incorporate low fat dairy items into your diet – calcium is crucial for senior health so drink low fat milk, and make sure you stock up on yogurt and cheese

5. Don’t avoid all fat – there are some good fats that should be part of your diet; make sure you get the positive benefits of healthy fats and oils through olive oil, avocados and nuts

6. Stay hydrated – remember to drink plenty of water and choose foods that have a lot of water content

Via: HelpGuide

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

A breast cancer diagnosis can turn a senior’s world upside down. For many hearing the words “you have breast cancer” is harder to cope with than the disease itself.  Knowing how to lend your support, and putting aside your own feelings can be a challenge, and here are some ways that you can provide your loved ones:

1. Just listen – you don’t need to try and provide advice, especially if you haven’t lived a similar experience.  Just listen, lend them your presence and your ear so they feel they have the support of someone

2. Support with facts – instead of giving advice, do some research about the disease and provide the facts about treatment options, support groups that are available and other resources that could help

3. Support their decisions – no matter what your loved one decides through the treatment and coping process with breast cancer, support it

4. Don’t play a role – not knowing how to deal with someone with breast cancer sometime’s causes people to act unusually. Simply be yourself, you’ll appear more genuine than if you try to play a role

5. Make a support network – have other friends and family members come together to extend their support so your loved one with breast cancer knows there are others there for her

6. Laugh and have fun – there might be a grieving process after a breast cancer diagnosis, but keep up the fun activities. Laughter really is the best medicine, so create enjoyable and memorable situations

Sources:

1. SheKnows.com

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Seniors are spending more time online, which means the amount of typing in their daily and weekly lives increases putting them at a greater risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s a condition that causes pain and numbness in the hands, wrists and arms, and it can result in serious complications if not properly treated. But even better than treatment is prevention so carpal tunnel doesn’t put a wrench in your email communication or your web surfing in older adulthood:

1. Warm up before typing – this is especially important for people who find themselves working at a keyboard al day, so seniors who have not yet retired should focus on wrist exercises before they get started everyday to prevent injury

2. Use ergonomic computer accessories – ergonomic keyboards are designed to work with the natural positioning of the hands and fingers. If typing a lot, rather than using your laptop keyboard, purchase an external one because they tend to be the worst for causing carpal tunnel. You can also purchase a mouse that is more ergonomic and buy supportive cushioned wrist rests

3. Take breaks throughout the day – there are programs available that will remind you to take a break every hour and lead you through a series of exercises designed to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Or, you can just do it yourself, taking a break for 5 or 10 minutes every hour. Get up, walk around, and shake out your arms to remove your hands from their repetitive position that could be damaging

Sources:

1. About.com

2. EHow.com

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to be parents, our children have the tendency to shape our activities and define who were are. Since so much of our effort and time goes to our kids, it’s hard to know how to adjust once they leave home and transform us in to empty nesters. Here are some tips to learn how to live after children:

1. Take time to yourself – while your life might have been about everyone else previously while caring for children, a spouse and a household, as an empty nester, appreciate and take advantage of the quiet. Enjoy the time you have to yourself instead of allowing it to remind you what you no longer have

2. Make new connections – finding yourself with an empty nest can feel lonely, so fill the void by reconnecting with family members and friends, and making new ones by joining social groups and activities available in Houston

3. Renew marriage vows – it might feel like your life has been all about the children for decades, but reconnect with your loved one and renew your  vows to remind each other what brought you together in the first place!

4. Do something meaningful – being a parent is one of the most meaningful jobs , and finding a way to fill that void after the children have left home is a challenge. Do something else that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something important; volunteer somewhere you can make a difference!

5. Get out there – with new found time on your hands, achieve the things you never had time to in the past. You can travel or take on a new hobby.

Via: Let Life In

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

“Love Thou Caregiver”

by Ursula Chester
October 2009

“Love Thou Caregiver” essay contest for family caregivers in Fort Bend County. The winner will receive 25 hours of free respite care.

This contest is in recognition of National Family Caregiver Month (November).

• Our Home Instead Senior Care office will take your essay the whole month of November.
• All essays must be postmarked on or before November 30th.
• The winner will be announced December 15th.

DETAILS
Let us know about your day-to-day experience of care giving: How you’ve embraced the roll of caregiver for a senior loved one, what impact it’s had on you, how you’ve inspired others.

Please feel free to nominate and respond for a family caregiver you know, but who is too busy (or to humble) to respond to this opportunity. Tell us their story. Win for them some much needed respite care. Your entry gives you a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE of 25 hours of respite care provided by Home Instead Senior Care – South Central/Fort Bend Office.

Call us at 713-774-2215

Mail typed essay or 500 words or less to:

c/o Essay Contest

Home Instead Senior Care

6065 Hillcroft, Suite 315

Houston, TX 77081

To enter the “Love Thou Caregiver” essay contest, you must be 18 years old or over, be providing non-professional care for a person 65 years of age or older, and be a legal resident of Fort Bend County.

Q – My mom takes so many cruises she might as well just buy her room on a cruise ship. I say that with a tongue in cheek attitude, but really, is there such a thing as cruise ship real estate for sale?

A – Believe it or not, yes! Ships like those belonging to the Residential Cruise Line do sell suites for a price of $2 million to $10 million. If your mom’s got the finances, she can consider taking up permanent residence on a ship. It takes some adjusting to an onboard lifestyle, but can be a fantastic experience with these tips!

1. Pack products for seasickness – although large cruise ships do offer stability, be prepared for rough seas and before going aboard, talk to your doctor about medications or products that can help with sea sickness.

2. Pack wisely – remember, you might not have as much space for your wardrobe, so choose key items for your cruise ship suite, and make sure you have something for every occasion.

3. Think about how much you’ll be there – you can purchase a property that’s just for you on a floating community or choose one that’s shared if you still intend on staying at a primary residence for part of the year.

4. If it seems pricey, think about what you’d spend on travel – if you plan on taking trips annually, those costs can add up. Think about what you’ll spend annually, and remember, by investing in a property like this, your travel costs are virtually always covered and it tours the high seas worldwide.

Via: TrendHunter

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

With the start of breast cancer awareness month, take the chance to show a senior survivor just how much their fight against breast cancer means to you. They know you care, but a simple gesture, like a breast cancer awareness product, can remind them of that and also lend your financial support to the causes. Here are some ideas for breast cancer awareness gifts to give to survivors.

1. Breast cancer awareness t-shirts: you don’t need to participate in an event with giveaways to receive a breast cancer awareness t-shirt. Buy one for a friend or loved one to honor their fight against breast cancer. T-shirts are available that take a light-hearted perspective to the disease and others are sentimental. Choose something that you know will mean the most to the recipient, although the gesture in itself will have the greatest meaning

2. Ribbon magnets – buying a magnet for someone who has survived breast cancer can allow them to put it on their fridge and be reminded everyday that their fight against the disease is appreciated by the people who love them. Even those who are still going through the fight will fight harder to survive if they know they are supported

3. Coffee Cups for breast cancer awareness – coffee cups can be used year-round, and like magnets, can remind recipients about the fight they’ve undergone and let them know that there’s someone to help them contribute to awareness and support towards a cure

4. Lapel pin – unlike other clothing items for breast cancer awareness, a lapel pin can be worn with any dress code, including office wear. If you purchase a lapel pin for someone who has gone through the fight against breast cancer, they can wear the accessory to show their support everywhere they go

Via: Associated Content

Image: giftsforyounow.com

Via: Associated Content

Image: giftsforyounow.com
Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

It really doesn’t matter where it happens or how it happens, art and aging just naturally complement each other, especially with evidence that creative activity can improve the aging process from both a mind and body perspective. Bring the benefits of art therapy home to your aging loved one with these 5 tips:

1. Choose activities suitable to the senior’s level of mobility – although skill really doesn’t play a role in the benefits of artistic expression and seniors, you don’t want to make the experience frustrating for them. Keep a senior’s physical abilities in mind when choosing an activity.

2. Make activities challenging – age doesn’t mean seniors are less capable of creation. Don’t choose activities that are too simple, like those you’d give to a child.

3. Create a quiet environment – to receive the best possible benefits from a creative activity, seniors need a quiet environment where they can simply focus on creating. An area free from distraction will help set the tone for the creative process

4. Think about long-term projects – a quick craft that can be finished in a couple of hours won’t have the same benefits as one that extends over a period of time. Choosing an activity that seniors can think about and go back to day after day will really get the creative juices flowing

5. Work together – remember, even if you’re working on an art project together, don’t take over and don’t try to lead; it’s not about the end result of the creation, it’s about the journey along the way

Sources:

1. Washington Post

2. My Optum Health

3. Associated Content

Image: well.blogs.nytimes.com

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

The suburbs were traditionally designed to accommodate young families, and while some older adults could be found there, they were typically part of a larger household shared by multiple generations. Today, the suburban structure has changed, at least in terms of who’s living there, with half of the population aged 75 and older, but not without a little bit of adapting to make it work for the older generations living there:

1. Address financial restraints – consider a reverse mortgage to fund any additional financial needs of the home like maintenance, renovations, or any remaining amount on a mortgage loan

2. Make the home safe – suburban homes aren’t necessarily designed for senior living. They are often 2 stories, and are not compatible with those who need to use wheel chairs or other assistive devices. To make the home accessible and safe, install safety bars and hand-rails, improve the lighting in the home, and have ramps or other assistive devices incorporated into the home as needed

3. Get help – for older adults, keeping up with the routine maintenance of a home can be challenging, but that doesn’t need to be a reason to give it up. Hire services to clean and keep up with the yard work, or get an in-home caregiver to cook and provide basic assistance with other tasks as needed

4. Look into transportation – walking to get to shops and other areas in the suburbs may not be convenient. Seniors who don’t drive can use transportation services available, or hire a caregiver that can help them get around

Via: CSA Connections

Image: seniorcarehomesmidwest.com

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.