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elderly

12 Tips On How To Help Your Aging Parents

January 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

How to help your aging parents #eldercare

Have you checked on your mom, dad or grandparents lately? If you haven’t, it is time.  

 
As people age, their needs change. Very capable, independent adults will require more help, even if they don’t think they need assistance. Do not just go on their “all is well” unless you have actually seen them yourself, and recently. It may be true, in this instance, that things are fine but someday they may not be. Go visit them. Get eyes on the situation.
Take care of the elderly members of your family with these 12 tips #eldercare
 

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥


How To Help Your Aging Parents

Here are some practical things you can do to watch over these beloved senior citizens:

1.Stay in touch. If your parents are still able to use a phone, call them frequently but don’t leave it at that. Go visit them, too. They need to see your face. They need a hug. They need company. Do not take “no” for an answer. As conditions decline, older people often cover their tracks. They may be scared, embarrassed or clueless but they need you, now more than ever.

2.Remember that they are still adults. Don’t talk down to older people, treat them with respect. Love them. Be patient. Remember that at one time they were the revered school teachers, engineers, doctors and CEO’s that everyone looked up to. They ran things!

3.Ask if you can check their medicine cabinet. Look for expired prescriptions. Look for evidence that meds are not being taken properly. Help them stay on track with a pill organizer. Sit down together to fill it. Show them how it works. You may have to fill it for them. If so, do it.

4.Go with grandma or grandpa to their doctors’ appointments. If you cannot get them into your car, find a medical transport service in your area to arrange for transportation. Be sure to go along, too, and bring their insurance card and medical records with you. Keep track of followup visits, as well. Make the best of it. Don’t just “dump and run.” Plan on staying with them back home for a cup of coffee or a meal and visit. Or, how about taking them to a favorite restaurant for lunch? Everyone needs a change of scenery once in a while.

Memory Clock tells time, day, date and year #affiliate #memoryloss #healthy #eldercare☑️  MEMORY CLOCKS display day, date, year and time – easy to read.

5.Fix things. Are there burnt out light bulbs to be replaced? Loose handles to tighten? Laundry to be done? Eliminate lifting and other difficult tasks for them by doing it yourself.  Make their lives easier and safer. Remove tripping hazards, such a throw rugs, that could cause a fall. Cut the lawn. Shovel the snow. Take care of the details.

6.Check the refrigerator and cupboards. Are there expired foods that need to be thrown out? Is there enough food? Are they eating? Come eat with them whenever you can or bring them to your home for a meal. When you cannot do this, have meals ready in the freezer that can easily be prepared.

7.Check their mail. Are there unpaid bills that need attention? Renewals of drivers’ licenses, insurance policies and such? Offer to go over their bank statements and credit card bills with them to be sure that their money is safe and all is well.

8.Get an emergency medical alert call button. They can be worn as a bracelet or necklace. There are also styles that can be strategically mounted on the wall, table or counter-top.

9.Monitors & alarms:  Make sure that there are working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor that sound an alarm. Install a baby monitor or “granny cam” if needed. Privacy is important but safety is all the more so.  Let grandma and grandpa know it is there and what it is for.

10.Recognize your limitations. Hire a visiting assistant to come by when you can’t. Reach out to other family members, helpful neighbors and your church. Build a support team so that you’re not in this alone.

11.Write down important phone numbers and leave them near the phone. Set them up on speed-dial if they have a programmable phone.  Though they may have phone numbers memorized now, there may come a day that they won’t be able to recall them or how to use speed dial. In the same vein, put a readable calendar plus a pen near the phone for them to keep track of important dates.

12.Enlist legal help. Attorneys who specialize in elder law are a valuable resource. They can advise you on how to protect your parents / grandparents’ money and, if needed, walk all of you through applying for Medicaid and finding the other services you need.

Do you have any tips that will help us protect and care for the older generation?  Please share!

Have you checked on grandma lately? 12 steps on how to help your aging parents #eldercare #parents Click To Tweet
When did you last check in with grandma or grandpa? #health #eldercare

Enjoy!


Other Resources⇒
  • Home Safety Tips For Older Adults 
  • Seniorizing Your Home – Making It Safe For The Elderly
  • 8 Things Not To Say To Your Aging Parents

 

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Parenting, tips Tagged With: elderly, grandparents, senior citizens

Family Caregiving Doesn’t Have To Be Hard

September 18, 2017 Leave a Comment

 

Family caregiving is a pleasure! Daddy and daughter day at the beach.

The beauty of family life!  Family caregiving is a natural part of the cycle. We take care of the little ones entrusted to us and, down the road, they may just be taking care of us. This sweet little picture is of my son-in-law and my grandgirl. He is such a great dad. She never has to worry about any of her needs.

Family caregiving has become a way of life our family. How about yours? In our family, some have had their elderly parents and grandparents move right into their homes. Others have utilized the help of visiting nurses and, later, a nursing care facility. Still others have independent folks in their families whose mobility has decreased and they need some assistance. Whatever the case, caregiving is an act of love that can be exhausting.

So, dear caregiver, my advice to you is to protect your own health by making use of everything at your disposal. That may be in the form of others who offer to help you. If this is your first time around the block as a caregiver, you may not know what to say. Do not hesitate. Take them up on it! Even if they cannot help with the loved one you are caring for, they can help you. Let them run errands for you or do some of your everyday chores. It is their pleasure or they would not have suggested it. Preserve yourself and say “yes!”

Shop at Sam's Club for all of your family caregiving needs - Club Pickup makes it really easy #ad

 

Another tip: maximize the use of your time by putting existing programs and systems into your life. Sam’s Club is a great resource that has helped our family a lot when our parents needed special care. They sell products that make the lives of your loved ones so much more comfortable, like the Depend Fit-Flex Adult Underwear that I just bought. They have a large selection of helpful products, supplies and advice just for you.

 

Buy Depend Fit Flex underwear and other caregiving supplies at Sam's Club #ad

 

Sam's Club has Depend Fit Flex underwear and all sorts of products for your caregiving needs #ad

 

It is so easy with Sams’ Club’s vast onlineFamily Caregiving department which offers support for caregivers and those they care for.

Club Pickup is an additional aid that will make your shopping experience go so much faster. Let them pull it off the shelves for you and have it ready when you arrive. Like I said, they have offered their help so say “yes!”

 

Club Pickup at Sam's Club is such a help to family caregivers #ad

 

The Family Caregiving section of the Sam’s Club Website is so thorough yet easy to navigate. If you are used to shopping online, you are going to love it! (Even if you are not, try it. You will see what I mean.)

 

Famlycaregiving department at Sam's Club Online #ad

 

The three primary topics on their website you can click through are Around The House, For the Body and On The Move. It is so simple and complete. Just place your order for pickup and that is all you will have to do – drive over and pick it up!


Depend Fit Flex underwear for women #FamilyCaregiving #ad

I have gained such an appreciation for Sam’s Club for helping caregivers by lightening our load.

Here are just some of the ways that Sam’s Club’s Family Caregiving department provides help for caregivers:

  1. Discreet shipping
  • Maintain a sense of peace when ordering sensitive items knowing that once it is delivered, you and only you will know what’s inside.
  1. Free Shipping on select items from select locations.
  2. Club Pick-up
  • Shop online and look for items marked “Club Pick-up”.
  • Use the “Easy Reorder” option and select from a list of your past in-club and online purchases – easy!
  • Get time back in your day as a member of the Sam’s Club team fills your cart with your items.
  • By-pass the register and check in on the app at the kiosk inside or pull up in their Drive Thru area (available in select clubs).
  1. Scan & Go
  • Download the Sam’s Club Scan & Go app to gain access to great deals, pay quicker, and beat the checkout lines!
    • Here’s how it works:
    • o  Barcode scan: Scan each item’s barcode in the store with the item scanner.
    • o  Payment: Pay fast for wholesale items directly in the app. It’s a time saver.

 

 #FamilyCaregiving does not have to be hard https://ooh.li/a174911 Let @SamsClub help you! #ad Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Family, health, tips Tagged With: elderly, family caregiving, healthcare

Helping A Loved One Who Can't Help Himself

September 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #MembersMarkCares #CollectiveBias
 senior citizens, health, healthcare, elderly, incontinence
Do you have someone in your life who needs extra help? Perhaps they are aging or have physical/mental challenges? It may be a temporary condition or perhaps long term. Whatever the need, you are there for them. But how do you make it all work? You need a good caregiver’s plan! With that in place, you and your family can truly enjoy the time that you have together! You can see that I did just that. For many months, my dad and I went to festivals, on shopping trips, out for ice cream, concerts, the zoo and special events like a Veteran’s Day celebration.


AA Lilac Festival with Dad 2016.png
Taking Dad to the Lilac Festival last May – one of our many fun field trips!


My dad lived to the ripe old age of almost-90 years old. He passed away 5 years after mom did, just one week before his birthday. Actually, his funeral was on his 90th birthday – pretty cool!


He was a wonderful man all his life and took such good care of all of us. Those last few years of Mom’s life, he sat at her side every waking hour. It took a toll on him but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.


Soon after, he declined in health himself. It became apparent that he could not safely live on his own so he moved in with my brother and his wife. It was a huge undertaking but they did it with joy.


What we all learned in the process of caring for him was that you have to have a plan and keep good records. My sister-in-law has a gift for detail, for which I am so grateful,  but all three of us had a hand in caring for Dad. It was a joy for us to have quality time with him those waning years of his life.


AA Dad and baby Ezekiel.png
Dad at age 89, meeting his newest great-grandson.
It was love-at-first-sight!


After two years of in-home care with my brother’s family, we needed to make the move to a nursing home. The nursing home does have supplies for their residents but Dad did so well with the incontinence products he had been using that we continued to buy them and bring them in. We discovered that several other families were doing the same thing.


AA Ed Waltz Veterans Day A (1).png
Dad was a World War II Vet. I will always cherish being with him as he
was honored at a special Veteran’s Day celebration last year.


So let’s talk about how to make things more efficient.


First, make a list of the supplies that you will need. This will vary but there are common components. Here are some suggestions (alphabetically):


Needs List


Beverages


Calendar (yearly)


Cleaning Products (toilet bowl cleaner, multipurpose cleaning spray, etc)


Cleaning Supplies (sponges, towels etc)


Deodorizing Trash bags


Flushable wipes


Food (meals / snacks)


Hand Sanitizer


Hearing Aid Batteries


Medical Supplies


Medication (over the counter)


Medication (prescription)


Members Mark Mens Underwear L/XL


Paper Towels


Pens


Personal Hygiene Products (deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc)


Pill Cutter


Pill Organizer


Planner (daily)


Sticky notes


Timer


When we were taking care of dad, we needed good disposable men’s underwear like Member’s Mark Underwear for Men size L/XL. We were looking for them to be effective, easy to use and comfortable. Good flushable wipes and de-odorizing tall kitchen bags were also a must.


Timing is everything. Keeping track of dad’s appointments (doctors, audiologist, dentist, podiatrist, barber, etc.) healthcare meetings, doses of medication, purchasing new supplies, picking up those supplies, transportation, paying his bills — you name it — were a big task.  You will find that a planner, yearly calendar, and timer (for remembering when to administer meds) are essential. A pill organizer will also help you to stay organized.


There is a free printable checklist at the end of the post that you can use as a planning tool.
ITEMIZED Members mark 012.png
Let me tell you a little more about the Sam’s Club Family Caregiving program. Whether shopping in club or online, Sam’s has all of the products you will need at great prices.

AA CLOSEUP Caregiving Sams Instore1.png
Go to the Sam’s Club Family Caregiving website to see for yourself.  


Some of the many products and services they have for their members include: pharmacy, incontinence products, lift chairs, medical supplies, walkers, canes, crutches, scooters, wheelchairs, cushions, nutritional aids, sanitizers, hearing aids and amplifiers, blood pressure monitors and on and on. Isn’t it wonderful that they have done all the legwork for you?


Free Printable CAREGIVER's CHECK LIST 500.png
Free Caregiver’s Checklist Printable


Shop at Sam’s Club today for all of your loved one’s needs.
Follow them on Facebook.


Are you helping a loved one who cannot
help him/herself?
Click To Tweet


Enjoy!


Pinterest Button photo pinterestpink_zps6c04cca0.png

Filed Under: health, Uncategorized Tagged With: elderly

12 Tips On How To Help Your Aging Parents

August 14, 2014 Leave a Comment

elder care, senior citizens, grandmother, grandfather

Have you checked on your mom, dad or grandparents lately? 
If you haven’t, it’s time.
As people age, their needs change. Very capable, independent adults will require more help, even if they don’t think so. Do not just go on their “all is well” unless you’ve actually seen them recently. It may be true that things are fine but someday they may not be. Go on over and visit them. Get eyes on the situation.
geriatric, senior citizen, grandparents

Here are some practical things you can do to watch over these beloved senior citizens:
  1. Keep in touch. If they are still able to use a phone, call them but don’t leave it at that. Go visit them, too. They need to see your face. They need a hug. They need company. Do not take “no” for an answer. As conditions decline, older people often cover their tracks. They may be scared, embarrassed or clueless but they need you, now more than ever.
  2. Remember that they are still adults. Don’t talk down to older people, treat them with respect. Love them. Be patient. Remember that at one time they were the revered school teachers, engineers, doctors and CEO’s. They ran things!
  3. Ask if you can check their medicine cabinet. Look for expired prescriptions. Look for evidence that meds are not being taken properly. Help them stay on track with a pill organizer. Sit down together to fill it. Show them how it works.
  4. Go with grandma or grandpa to their doctors’ appointments. If you cannot get them into your car, find a medical transport service in your area and enlist their help. Be sure to go along, too, and bring their insurance card and medical records with you. Keep track of followup visits, as well.
  5. Fix things. Are there burnt out light bulbs to be replaced? Loose handles to tighten? Laundry to be done? Eliminate lifting and other difficult tasks making life easier and safer. Remove tripping hazards, such a throw rugs, that could cause a fall. Cut the lawn. Shovel the snow. Take care of the details. 
  6. Check the refrigerator and cupboards. Are there expired foods that need to be thrown out? Is there enough food? Are they eating? Come eat with them whenever you can or bring them to your home for a meal. When you cannot do this, have meals ready in the freezer that can easily be prepared.
  7. Check their mail. Are there unpaid bills that need attention? Renewals of drivers’ licenses, insurance policies and such? Offer to go over their bank statements and credit card bills with them to be sure that their money is safe and all is well. 
  8. Get an emergency medical alert call button. They can be worn as a bracelet or necklace. There are also styles that can be strategically mounted on the wall, table or counter-top.
  9. Monitors & alarms:  Make sure that there are working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor that sound an alarm. Install a baby monitor or “granny cam” if needed. Privacy is important but safety is all the more so.  Let grandma and grandpa know it is there and what it is for.
  10. Recognize your limitations. Hire a visiting assistant to come by when you can’t. Reach out to other family members, helpful neighbors and your church. Build a support team so that you’re not in this alone.
  11. Put yours and other important phone numbers near the phone. Though they may have them memorized now, there may come a day that they won’t be able to recall them or how to use speed dial. In the same vein, put a readable calendar plus a pen near the phone for them to keep track of important dates.
  12. Enlist legal help. Attorneys who specialize in geriatric cases are a valuable resource. They can advise you on how to protect your parents / grandparents’ money and, if needed, walk all of you through applying for Medicaid and finding the other services you need.
What tips do you have for us that will help us protect and care for the older generation?  Please share!

 Have you checked on Grandma lately? 
12 tips on how to keep the aging safe. 

Click to Tweet

Enjoy!


Other Resources⇒
  • Home Safety Tips For Older Adults 
  • Seniorizing Your Home – Making It Safe For The Elderly
  • 8 Things Not To Say To Your Aging Parents
                      

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Any purchases you make from Amazon through the Ducks ‘n a Row blog – by first clicking on an Amazon ad, link or using the Amazon search window-  will at NO extra cost to you result in a small commission for me. In advance, thank you for shopping Amazon through me! … Sinea  




Filed Under: health, tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: aging parents, elderly, senior citizens

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