If you are an adult with living parents, they might not require care assistance today, but as they navigate their aging process, there’s a good chance that their needs will change. If you haven’t already helped them plan for the future, now is the time to get started by addressing needs in the following areas:

1. Look at all resources –in order to help a senior plan for the future, take a look at all of the options by considering family who may be able to provide help, finances and other assets that could contribute to an aging loved one’s future

2. Understand that plans can change – when planning early, a guideline might be put in place. You might decide with the senior in your life that you will be a full or part-time caregiver. But, by the time they actually need help you might not be in a position to follow through. Accept that plans can change, be flexible, and have backup plans in place

3. Enlist help – a geriatric care manager or a senior care provider can help evaluate the future needs seniors may have to aid in planning

4. Organize the legal aspects – encourage your elderly relative to create a will, draft an advanced directive, establish a power of attorney, and go through the estate planning process

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

If a family member has asked you to move in with them, you were probably immediately met with mixed feelings. On one hand, you likely felt gratitude; happy that someone is willing to sacrifice for you and is worried about your care. But on the other hand, you probably felt a sense of looming regret that you’d have to give up your home and your independence. Living under one roof is an arrangement that does work for many intergenerational families, and for some it doesn’t. You decide if this is something that would work for you in your senior years, and during the process, make sure you ask these questions:

• What specific responsibilities will I have? Will I be expected to contribute to household chores or care for any of the grandchildren in the home? If so, how often and when?

• Will I be provided with my own space to maintain my independence? Will I have a room, or a bathroom that’s off limits to the rest of the family?

• What will become of my assets? How will we handle the sale of my home and finances I have in my bank accounts?

• Can I bring my pets to the home?

• Will changes be made to areas of the home to provide for my comfort and safety?

• Will I be a part of family decisions, such as vacations, travel, and hosting of events in the home? Or will the other family members make these decisions?

• Am I able to invite my friends to the home and entertain? What if I want to use the space without the grandchildren?

• What arrangements will be made if I need care assistance? Will someone in the home be able to help, or will we hire senior home care?

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Image source: sxc.hu

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

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.

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 – My mom’s energy levels are dropping as she gets older, and I feel that it’s affecting her quality of life and her ability to meet her goals. Is it true that diet can have an impact on senior energy levels, and if so, what should be considered?

A – A well-balanced diet with a focus on proper nutrition can give seniors the energy they need to meet all of their retirement goals. Here are some things to consider when trying to improve a senior’s lifestyle when it comes to eating habits:

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

In the past, seniors dreamed of the day where their children would be gone and they could set off to far off places around the world without a care in the world. But, since American’s suburban populations are made up 50% of seniors aged 75 and older, there’s proof that more seniors are choosing to maintain their roots in the suburbs. The only problem with seniors in the suburbs, is their ability to adapt to a community structure more set to accommodate families; but maintaining roots in the suburbs is possible with these simple tips:

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

If your home is growing old as you enter your senior years, consider getting away to somewhere you’ve always dream of, either on a permanent basis or by adopting a snowbird lifestyle. Here are some tips for deciding where to retire abroad:

1. Consider the cost of living – the cost of living varies from country to country and city to city, so make sure you do your research and choose one that has a cost of living that is lower and well-suited to your retirement budget

2. Find out the regulations for living in a country where you’re not a citizen – in countries like Mexico, retired seniors can receive residency permits that can be renewed annually; or for those with their own homes there, with a monthly pension of $1000 a permanent residency status can be granted

3. Think about your health – the climate and environment of various places abroad can have an impact on your health. Also look at the type of health care system in the countries you’re considering retiring to; some developing countries do not have the same standards as those we’re used to in the US while others have even more comprehensive health care systems

4. Choose your lifestyle – depending on what you’re looking for from your retirement, different destinations can meet your requirements. If you dream of senior years on a beach, Mexico, Spain or Italy might be a good choice; but if you want a historical experience look at Greece or England

Via: Retirement Story

image: heritagecommonssl.com

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