Preventing Elder Abuse: How Can You Keep Your Senior Safe?

Unfortunately, senior care professionals know that elder abuse is a problem in many situations. From financial abuse to physical abuse to emotional abuse, elderly individuals are treated horrifically in numerous ways. The good news, though, is that there are steps that can be taken to prevent this type of mistreatment; however, it is important to note that all situations are not preventable and that, if your senior has suffered from this type of abuse, you are not necessarily at fault for failing to keep it from happening. This said, here are a few ways that eldercare professionals encourage supporting senior health by trying to avoid the occurrence of elder abuse.

If your loved one lives in an assisted living, nursing, or other senior facility, keep in contact with them. Consistently call and visit to make certain that they are healthy and happy—and that they are being treated well by the staff members and other residents. Likewise, keep open lines of communication with the professionals running the facility and take all suspicions seriously.

Should your loved one require the assistance of a home care specialist, interview the candidates and choose one that you believe will best meet your senior's needs. If you are going through an organization, pick a company that only hires licensed, insured, and experienced professionals who have passed the necessary background checks and have a clean record.

If you have any suspicions about the management of your senior's finances, investigate the problem. For instance, you might suspect that a family member is being dishonest in their dealings. If necessary, hire a lawyer to oversee the financial assets that your elderly loved one possesses in order to make certain that they are handled properly.

Pay close attention to your loved one's behavior. Any sudden changes in personality, physical health, etc. may be indicative of an abusive situation. Make sure, though, that you investigate all possibilities before making accusations.

When it comes to eldercare, Always Best Care Burlington-Greensboro professionals know that you hold a great deal of responsibility when you are undertaking the health and wellbeing of your loved one. Preventing elder abuse is not always possible, but with these steps you can minimize the risk that your senior faces.

Celebrating Grandparents' Day with Your Senior

The calendar is marked with multiple holidays that are meant to celebrate the various people in your life. Mother's Day and Father's Day are two of the most popular, but there are many other designated dates upon which to voice your appreciation for your loved ones. Eldercare professionals know that Grandparents' Day, is a wonderful time to recognize your seniors and all that they do for you and your family.

Understanding Your Relationship with Your Loved One
Celebrating Grandparents' Day is a wonderful way to show your love for your seniors. But the truth is that every elderly individual will not appreciate the same recognition on this holiday. Some love large gatherings with family and friends, and they will enjoy a party that allows them to socialize with loved ones and spend the evening eating, talking, and enjoying one another's company. Others may prefer a more intimate gathering with just a few people, or even one on one time during which they can spend a quality afternoon with a particularly important family member.

Understanding the dynamic of your relationship between yourself and your senior will help you to determine the best way to mark this important day. Make sure that you tailor your method of celebration to what your loved one will enjoy, not to what you want, as it is their day, after all.

Activities to Build Relationships and Have Fun
Whether you opt for a large party or a small gathering, Grandparents' Day is a wonderful time to mark and strengthen familial relationships. Having the right activities planned is crucial, so put some thought into how to best honor these bonds. The professionals of eldercare, Always Best Care Burlington-Greensboro remarks, know that there are several different ways to celebrate your seniors' lives that will help other family members to better appreciate them.

Senior care providers encourage families to engage in the activities that their grandparents love on this special occasion, from simply sitting around talking to going for a walk to visiting a favorite park to hosting a dinner for friends and family. Additionally, listening to your senior talk about their childhood and your family's roots can help build stronger relationships and strengthen familial bonds.

Managing Caregiver Burnout and Depression: Protecting Your Mental Health

Caregiving is a highly rewarding task, particularly if you are looking out for your elderly loved one. But when it comes to eldercare, Burlington-Greensboro professionals know that the heavy responsibilities associated with this activity can prove damaging to your mental health. Caregiver burnout and depression are quite common among family members and professionals who work to ensure that elderly individuals are safe, healthy, and have everything they need to live the highest quality life possible. Eldercare professionals offer the following tips for maintaining positive mental health so that you can best take care of your loved one.

Take Advantage of Respite Care 
Respite care occurs when a caregiver needs a few days or weeks off and has another individual take over the care of an elderly loved one during this time period. Whether you call upon a family member, friend, or professional, it is important to give yourself a break as needed in order to keep yourself from becoming burned out.

Talk to Professionals
Caregiving is a very demanding task, one that forces you to face the mortality of your loved one—and yourself—head on in some cases. This is an incredibly emotional experience, and talking to a professional can help you sort through those emotions in a healthy manner. If you feel as though you are starting to develop depression, or if you want to prevent this from happening, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a professional to keep yourself healthy. Remember, you cannot take the best care of your loved one if you don't first take care of yourself.

Don't Abandon Your Own Life
All too often individuals dedicate every waking hour to their elderly loved ones, leaving them socially isolated. It is important that you keep up with friends and other family members and that you take time to get out of the house and enjoy their company. Make sure you engage in your favorite hobbies to keep your own life going as you help your senior do the same.

Ultimately, caregiver burnout and depression are natural responses to the responsibilities of eldercare. But with the right approach, you can address and prevent these issues before they become serious concerns.

DIY Home Improvement Projects to Keep Your Senior Safe

Home improvements are essential in keeping your senior's house safe. Over the years, your loved one may want to continue aging in place but may naturally face difficulty doing so due to mobility limitations and other side effects of the aging process. To help out, it is a wonderful idea to make any improvements that you can yourself. But what, exactly, can you do to assist your senior in creating a more secure living environment? When it comes to home care, Always Best Care Burlington-Greensboro professionals know that there are many projects you can tackle to meet your elderly loved one's safety needs.

Address Flooring Issues
Falling is one of the most dangerous accidents that can happen for seniors, as they can suffer from severe injuries and have a difficult time getting up. As such, a spill can result in your elderly loved one staying on the floor until someone comes to see them, which could be hours or more. Because uneven flooring is a primary cause of trips and falls, it is imperative to make sure that your senior has solid, even surfaces throughout their home.

Start by evaluating the carpeting and rugs. Put a non-slip backing on any rugs and make sure that the ends stay down. If the ends are curled up, it is a good idea to replace the rug. Additionally, check any tiles for chips that could pose a threat. If necessary, you can remove this tile and replace it quite quickly once you have all of the resources you need.

Improve Lighting
Lighting, both inside and outside, is key to safety. Without proper lighting your elderly loved one may trip and fall or stumble into furniture. Additionally, they may miss steps on a staircase or veer off of the sidewalk or driveway onto uneven terrain. Check all lights and add any in rooms that are too dark. Floor and table lamps that connect to an electric switch are wonderful options. Outside, consider adding security lights that turn on when movement is detected to ensure that your senior has plenty of light when they need it.

There are many ways in which you can improve the safety of your elderly loved one's living environment. Home care professionals encourage you to investigate your senior's needs and work on any DIY projects that you can to improve their surroundings.

At Home Exercises for the Elderly: Keeping Your Senior in Shape

When it comes to home care, Always Best Care Burlington-Greensboro professionals know that there are many different facets of responsibility. Home care professionals are tasked with ensuring that seniors have a safe, clean living environment, that they dress daily, engage in personal hygiene activity, have access to healthy, nutritious meals, etc. One particularly important aspect of eldercare, though, is the provision of assistance with regard to exercise.

Seniors often cannot go for a jog or lift weights in the gym, but they do need to stay as active as possible in order to retain the highest degree of overall wellbeing. Keeping active can help seniors retain muscle and bone mass, which can assist in preventing injuries and staving off mobility issues. Below are some of the ways in which you can encourage your elderly loved one to exercise.

• Go for a daily walk. If your senior is fit and able, try walking at a brisk pace. If not, take it as slow as they need to. Aim for a 30 minute walk each day. 
• If your loved one is into gardening, encourage them to get out and tend to their plants. Gardening is a surprisingly great form of exercise, and if your senior needs assistance it offers a wonderful opportunity for you and other family members to spend quality time with your elderly loved one. 
• Follow the recommendations of your senior's doctor with regard to physical therapy. Oftentimes, appointments with physical therapists can lead to improved flexibility, mobility, and overall wellbeing. This is a particularly great option if your loved one has an injury or illness that has impacted their physical activity. 
• Have your senior try a yoga class. Yoga is a wonderful choice because it encourages flexibility and strength and allows for the modification of difficult moves, meaning that it is a fantastic form of exercise for individuals of all levels. 

Ultimately, you should strive to help your senior get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in each day—and more if possible. You certainly don't want your loved one to overdo it, but daily exercise can greatly improve their health and quality of life.