If you are a senior, or a caregiver of an elderly loved one, you should be aware that there are many discounts available when traveling. While many seniors do have specific travel needs, there are often discounts when booking a complete travel package. The best way to find a good travel deal is to make use of a trusted travel agent. The agent will work with you to find the lowest possible cost for the trip, without sacrificing any personal preferences. The following list of tips will help prepare a trip and find the best price available.

1. Make sure to know personal preferences before contacting a travel agent. These requests should be made in advance. Some common requests for traveling seniors include aisle seats on airplanes, morning flights and non-smoking accommodations.

2. Be sure to deal with a travel agent directly. Many travel agents have personal assistants that relay messages. If possible, try to arrange to speak with the agent directly.

3. If there are time constraints, make sure to have a back-up plan. Use a calendar to plan for schedule changes. Often times, a change in time could mean a greater discount.

4. Inquire about car rentals and hotel rooms. Your travel agent may be able to book a complete package which would offer additional savings.

Source: www.ehow.com

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

When a senior relative falls ill, especially around the holidays, families often want to put things on hold. Ignoring the holidays doesn’t do families any favors; and it can actually cause confusion and resentment among younger family members who don’t understand why cherished traditions are being taken away from them. You can respect changes that your loved one is absent from some of the holiday activities, and reduce the stress faced with these changes:

1. Stick with tradition – if your family is not what it used to be with members of the family absent or in poor health, it might not feel right to stick with family traditions over the holidays. However, maintaining tradition brings a sense of normalcy to the whole family which can alleviate the stress of the season

2. Don’t try to do it all – while sticking with some tradition is healthy for families struggling through tough situations with their senior relatives, it’s not necessary to do it all. Families should ensure they’re not taking on too much to add any additional stress

3. Adapt to senior’s needs – even if an elderly loved one can’t attend a holiday gathering, if they are in a hospital or nursing home, find out if you can decorate to bring the holidays to them. Bring over a holiday plant, string Christmas lights, or bring over a holiday treat (diet appropriate).

Via: Associated Content

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

If you ask many baby boomers or seniors about their plans for retirement, you’re likely to get the same answer: what’s retirement? While in the past, seniors found ways to bide their time until the age 65 threshold which would allow them to retire; today’s older adults look at things a little bit differently. Many older adults prefer to remain in the workforce, rather than being idle in their later years; others need to keep working at least part time for financial reasons. Regardless of the reasons that seniors are choosing to work, the realities are, it’s something that they’re doing, and it might come as a big surprise, but studies have shown this is beneficial to senior health.

While you might think that remaining in the workforce would pose undue stress on seniors, it allows them to maintain a sense of purpose, a regular income, and keeps them active. Seniors don’t need to continue to work full-time to receive these benefits, working part-time, temporarily or from home offers the same. Keep working seniors, and you’ll find that your body and mind will thank you in the following ways:

Benefits of Work on Senior Health:

• With a transition period from full-time work into retirement with part-time work, temporary work or work at home, seniors find it’s less of a shock to their mental health. Seniors who immediately retire from full-time work can find that feelings of loss of purpose can cause anxiety and depression

• Seniors who remain in the workforce longer, even part-time are more functional, and often have greater mobility while remaining active members of society

• Instances of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke are some of the common medical problems that are reduced in working seniors

Via: Home Instead Senior care

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Q – I’m moving my mom into my home before the holidays; I know that having her here will go a long way in improving her safety, but are there additional steps I should take to address her comfort and her safety?

A – Absolutely! As we age, there are different things to consider with regards to safety, so while having her in her home will certainly help, there are other things you can do:

1. Install a lower peephole – particularly for seniors that live alone, a peephole is an important security measure. Osteoporosis can cause seniors to lose height, and causing them to strain to see out of a peephole is a danger

2. Reduce glare in the home – for the comfort of seniors, install blinds on the windows that can be adjusted depending upon the amount of light or glare coming into the home

3. Prevent falls with safety measures – put railings on stairs and in the bathroom, and to avoid slips remove area rugs

4. Control water temperatures of the faucets – seniors can scald themselves if they find it challenging to control water

5. Change door handles – seniors with arthritis often have trouble manipulating doorknobs; accommodate them by installing level handles or other assistive devices

6. Try to control clutter – whether a senior is moving in, or you’re trying to make their home a little safer, finding storage for all the extra items that are not regularly used is important to reduce clutter and increase safety

Via: Guide for  Boomers and Seniors who Live with Them

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

National Family Caregiver’s Month is this November, and it’s time to recognize the people in our lives who make sacrifices to help take care of others. Gestures can be big or small to help show caregivers how much we care, and here are a few interesting ideas:

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 San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Every time that you pick up the phone to speak with an important elderly person in your life, like your mom or dad, or grandma or grandpa, you’re likely to ask them how they’re doing, but you know that you’re only going to get the typical answer which is never the truth. To ensure that your loved one truly is doing okay living independently, when visiting over the holidays, take a look at the following elements which can tell you whether or not they’re safe and healthy on their own, of if the assistance of a caregiver might be needed:

1. Check the refrigerator – spoiled foods or lack of nutritious food options may indicate that your senior has not been eating properly due to a health issue, difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing meals

2. Look in high places – if your senior has always been neat and tidy, dust or dirt in higher places may indicate changes in their mobility

3. Look at their mail – bills piling up around the home, or bills that aren’t being picked up from the mail box could either mean that they aren’t managing to stay on top of their financial responsibilities due to a condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia, or it could be related to their finances

4. Check their medications – look in the medicine cabinet and compare dates and dosages to the number of prescription pills in the bottles

5. Take a look at your loved one – their appearance can give away a lot. Do they appear to be well-groomed, dressed and bathed?

6. Talk to friends and neighbors – those that see your senior on a regular basis might be able to give you some insight; ask close friends and neighbors casually when you see them over the holidays

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

As a caregiver, whether you’re a family member caring for a senior, or you’re a professional that’s been hired by a family, your number one priority should be safety. Proactive caregiving can ensure that safety is not compromised, and from the second you take on a role as a caregiver, these are the steps that you should take:

1. Install nightlights – lighting in a senior’s home is crucial for preventing accidents and nightfright. Installing nightlights which have sensors to go on when seniors get up in the night can also improve safety, and are a simple and inexpensive addition to any home

2. Suggest a lifeline – since caregivers are not always there around the clock, a lifeline, or an emergency device that will contact a loved one or emergency help can make sure that seniors receive help when needed

3. Put lights on timers – suggesting lights on timers inside or outside the home can help ensure there is adequate lighting at all times, and it also adds an element of security in the evening hours when seniors are home alone, and helps to conserve electricity

4. Remove hazards – if seniors do have caregiving help 24/7, caregivers should ensure the environment is safe for seniors to get around while on their own. Removing tripping hazards like throw rugs and poorly placed furniture will reduce the likelihood of accidents. Sturdy grab bars can also be placed in bathrooms and along stairwells for added stability

5. Talk to family members – caregivers can also speak to family members about their concerns, and address them specifically, making the home environment safer to put everyone’s minds at ease

The above are some suggestions of what should be included in any home care franchise service for the success of the business, but of course, specific services will depend upon the client, so hiring caregivers that are perceptive to senior’s needs is crucial to franchise well-being.

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

You might have made a decision about whether or not to receive the H1N1 vaccine based on what you’ve heard in the media and through word of mouth, but in order to help you make a better informed decision for your health, we’re separating fact from fiction and making sure all seniors understand the truth about this virus.

1. The swine flu shot isn’t for everyone – unfortunately, there is not enough of the H1N1 vaccine to make sure the complete population is protected, although the CDC does recommend it. Those who are in higher risks groups should receive the vaccine as soon as it’s available, including women who are pregnant, those who are around or care for babies under 6 months of age, everyone age 6 months through age 24, and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions between the ages of 25 and 64

2. The seasonal flu shot offers protection against the Swine Flu – the H1N1 virus varies from the season flu, and therefore those in the high risk groups should receive BOTH shots to ensure protection and cannot expect that one shot offers protection for both. However, do note that the risk groups for the seasonal flu shot vary from the H1N1 Virus

3. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine makes people more susceptible to H1N1 – studies have both proven and disproven this myth, so at this stage there is no firm answer

4. Seniors are most at risk for H1N1 – seniors are actually in the lower risk group for H1N1 and in the higher risk group for the seasonal flu. Seniors over the age of 65 are less likely to contract H1N1 but should speak to their doctors to determine if they should receive the shot due to existing medical conditions

Via: DailyFinance

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the prognosis is for seniors receiving treatment, and since breast cancer screening like mammograms, typically only occurs once a year, it’s crucial that women take their health in their hands and complete monthly breast cancer checks at home.

Q – I’ve heard that it’s important to check yourself at home in order to detect any lumps and bumps that could signify breast cancer between doctor’s visits, but to be honest, I’ve been to embarrassed to ask my doctor how to do it properly. What are the steps and how often should I be checking for breast cancer?

A – You’re like many women who are aware they should be doing more, but just aren’t sure how to go about it. You should check yourself for breast cancer on a monthly basis, and here are the basic steps:

1. Remove all clothing and undergarments from your upper body

2. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms up and behind your head. Flex your hips and your chest muscles and be on the lookout for anything unusual

3. Lying down, place a pillow under your left shoulder and your left arm behind your head. Use your right hand to examine your breast, working your way around in circles from the outside in

4. Repeat the same steps for the right breast

5. During all stages of your self-breast examination, you want to look for the following:

• Lumps that have not previously been examined by a doctor. They don’t need to be sore or have any particular feeling in order to require medical attention

• Changes in the skin texture anywhere on the breast

• Thickening of the breasts

• One breast which is lower than the other, or one which is larger that seems to have changed size

• Unusual discharge from nipples that is sticky or bloody

Via: Family Doctor

Home Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.