Our Houston Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

The health of a caregiver is very important. Staying fit is essential if a caregiver wishes to continue being effective at their job. There are many programs that can be used. These programs can also include seniors. By joining forces and working to stay fit together, seniors and caregivers can both reap the benefits. Below is a list of resources and tips that can be useful when striving to stay fit.

1. There are many programs available through AARP that will be helpful when trying to get in shape or stay fit. These programs offer some great ideas on starting points and can also provide structure for those who are already active and wish to follow a schedule or set a regimen each day. Seniors can also join in with many of the activities provided, allowing another opportunity for the caregiver and senior to have special time together.

2. The benefits of exercise far exceed just toning the body and staying fit. There is a mental and emotional component to it as well. The Fat 2 Fit journey is a great program for seniors and caregivers to do together. This program will walk you through the steps to losing weight and keeping it off. It also provides some daily exercise that will benefit seniors and caregivers.

3.  Make sure to take time for mental breaks. If you have a negative thought about the way you are exercising or your weight at the current time, it may be time to take a break. There are links on the source page that contain useful information for keeping your mind as healthy as the rest of your body.

Source: aarp.org

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.

Our Houston Caregivers help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Type 2 diabetes can affect people of all ages. The list that is provided below contains some risk factors that will increase the chances of developing the disease. As a senior, if you have any of these factors, you may want to discuss them with your doctor and try to take steps to avoid the development of the disease.

1. If you are over the age of 45, you are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Family history also plays a large role in the risk factor.

2. If you are over-weight, you will be at a risk. Individuals who are not physically active will be at risk. Try to exercise daily and maintain a healthy weight.

3. Females who have had babies weighing more than 9 pounds, or who have had diabetes during a pregnancy will be at a higher risk.

4. High blood pressure is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. If your HDL cholesterol level is below 35 mg/dL, your risk factor is increased.

5. Previous diagnoses of metabolic syndrome and an impaired glucose tolerance both play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

6. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and acanthosis can affect Type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with either of these conditions, you will be at a high risk of developing the disease.

Do you have a parent with diabetes? The American Diabetes Association offers these tips on how to help your parent manage their diabetes.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

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.

Often the idea of senior caregiving falls to family members who are beginning to recognize a need in their loved ones. But the process of making these caregiving decisions just isn’t easy on any family but with thorough research and careful planning, the right decision can be made. Here are some tips to help families through their journey towards caregiving.

1. Talk about it – while family might believe a senior requires home care assistance, their elderly loved one might not feel the same. Talking about it gently is essential, and not all seniors are likely to simply accept the suggestion of help. A family counselor can intervene if necessary.

2. List the help needed – talk together and determine specific things that a senior care provider like Home Care Houston could assist with. Whether it’s grocery shopping, help with bathing and dressing, or other tasks.

3. Do research – talk to friends and family about home care agencies they’d recommend, but during that process as costs are addressed, it’s also essential that any funding or insurance coverage that may be available is investigated

4. Don’t jump into a decision – even once a specific agency is narrowed down, it’s okay to interview them and ask questions about their history and their policies. Ask if they’ll spend time with the senior first to assess comfort level, and also verify that a replacement caregiver will be provided if one doesn’t work out

Via: The Family Caregiver

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.

Home Care Houston enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

The fun of Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to expire with childhood, or once you’re no longer in a new relationship. It can carry out throughout life, even if the focus is more upon fun and friendship than romance. Here are some great ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a senior:

• Attend a community event – visit a senior’s center or community center hosting Valentine’s Day celebrations. Performances like concerts by choirs, plays and poetry readings can be fun to attend and great for the whole family

• Try doing some crafts – seniors who are already part of craft groups are likely to be beginning themed activities for Valentine’s Day, but do them at home as well. Seniors can also make cards and decorations with their family members

• Do some baking – Valentine’s Day is often associated with treats. Chocolate and goodies are usually a feature of the holiday. For seniors that can eat these items without any health repercussions, they can do some baking with family members. Otherwise healthier recipes can be tried incorporating food coloring of heart shapes to get into the spirit!

Via: Suite101

Image: daylife.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.

If you know someone who is a family caregiver, then it’s time to give something back to them this month for National Family Caregivers Month. The following are gestures they’re likely to appreciate year-round:

1. Give them a break – offering to provide respite care or hiring someone to step in can allow caregivers to relax or reconnect with friends and family

2. Remind local businesses what this month means – then encourage them to offer freebies or discounts for family caregivers in the area!

3. Lend them a hand with holiday preparations – the holidays can create added responsibility, so help a caregiver decorate for the holidays or put stamps on their cards

4. Get them laughing – go see a funny movie with them, or pick up tickets to a local comedy club. Laugher IS the best medicine!

5. Take over holiday hosting responsibilities – caregivers already have a lot on their plates; host Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday celebration so the caregiver can simply focus on enjoying the company!

6. Sign the petition – there’s a petition to establish a stamp that recognizes family caregivers; sign it in their honor!

7. Create something personal – a personalized gift, like a calendar with family photos, will help them feel like they’re appreciated, and it will help them stay organized

8. Send them a token of appreciation – a bouquet of flowers or a card might not be a big gesture, but it will make caregivers feel appreciated and special

9. Connect them with caregiving resources – free seminars and other events take place to keep caregivers better informed and help them manage stress

10. Lend your support – give them an ear to talk to, or help them find a support group

Via: The Family Caregiver

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.

When Houston family caregivers ask us how they can make their jobs easier and improve the quality of care of their elderly loved one, one of the top caregiver tips that we recommended is to use a daily care log. Using a daily care log, is a great way to communicate important messages between multiple caregivers that might be providing care for a senior, and create a permanent record of a senior’s medical history and routines as they pertain to his/her care. For those providing elder care, a daily care log can also reduce caregiver stress, because family and professional caregivers start each and every day with a background on the senior’s physical and mental health and any new caregiving challenges they should be aware of.

The information that an elderly care professional or family caregiver records on the log helps improve the senior’s care while making their jobs easier through increased understanding. Each day a caregiver enters the senior’s home, or assisted living facility where they reside, they can record the tasks and activities they completed, any challenges they had to overcome with the senior physically or mentally, and during the first visit; write down the areas they feel the senior requires assistance from a caregiver. A caregiver log should also include any changes they’ve seen in the senior; in particular, if they need help with a task they could complete independently before. Creating a daily care log can be a great way to assess a senior’s care needs, and communicate between other Houston caregivers and the family, to ensure the highest quality of care is always being delivered.

If you would like a copy of the daily care log that Home Instead provides to it’s clients please call your local Home Instead Senior Care office.

Sources:
1.    The Eldercare Team
2.    Grownups

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.

Home Care Houston Northwest serving older adults in Humble, Katy, Spring, Baytown, and Tomball - call 281-440-5160.