How to Know When it is Time for Home Care

aadmin — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 08:22:49 +0000

The baby boomer generation is aging, and with that comes concerns from their adult children. How do you know when your parents need some help? Here are some signs that might mean it's time to consider a home care service for your parent(s). If you see any of these signs, you'll also want to speak to your parent's physician, as some of them can indicate depression, dementia, or other health problems that need to be addressed.

Decline in Housekeeping

If your parents have always kept their home clean and neat, and you begin to see piles of newspapers, dirty laundry scattered around, signs of pest infestation, or just usual clutter, it could mean he/she is having trouble getting housework done and could use some help with everyday chores.

Decline in Grooming

Wearing dirty clothes, not washing hair, unbrushed teeth or other declines in personal grooming are a warning sign you should pay attention to. Many older adults are afraid of falling in the tub, others may be suffering from pain that makes daily self-care difficult, and still others may not be able to see or smell well enough to recognize poor grooming. All can indicate they may need some help.

You're Worried About Safety

Worrying about your parent's ability to perform everyday tasks safely is a major indicator that some help at home might be needed. Whether you're worried about slips and falls, safety while driving, ability to prepare meals without starting a fire, or ability to read prescription medication bottles, if you're at all worried about your mom or dad's safety, get in touch with a home care agency and your parent's physician.

Change in Diet

Old age can bring changes in diet, and those are not nessasirly a problem. If, however, you have a parent who has always prepared his or her own home-cooked meals and suddenly starts living off TV dinners or takeout, you'll want to find out why. It could be related to fears of forgetting something on the stove, age-related loss of taste and smell, or even depression. Some help with cooking can help ensure your mom and/or dad gets the nutrition they need.

Other Signs of Trouble

Finally, you'll want to watch for other signs of trouble. Scorched pots and pans, for example, could mean forgetting things on the stove. Loss of interest in previously-enjoyed activities can signal depression or other health problems, items piled around the home present fall risks, and "wall walking" or moving from one piece of furniture to another while walking could mean your parent feels unstable on his or her feet and might need an assistive device.

Final Thoughts

Talking to your parents about home care may not be easy, but these services can prevent severe injuries or even death due to falls or other easily-avoided issues. If you or a loved one needs help please give us a call. We would love to come and talk to your parents about our in-home care services that can help them maintain their independence and quality of life.

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Great New Sport for Active Baby Boomers: Pickleball

aadmin — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:49:53 +0000

Maybe it's true that life begins at 50 ... but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. Phyllis Diller

Fitness and sports are mainstays for baby boomers. They pursue active lifestyles to feel better and look younger, meeting up at the traditional spots: Yoga and Tai Chi studios, the gym and weight room. Then, there’s the customary golf course and tennis court.

The Rise of Pickleball

Now, there’s a competitor sneaking up for attention for athletic middle-aged people – Pickleball. The combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong is played across North America in all 50 US states and in 6 Canadian provinces. Pickleball racquets are designed in the shape of oversized table tennis paddles. The net is lower than badminton and the court is smaller than in tennis. The big difference is the use of the wiffle ball.

“The wiffle ball is light so there’s less impact on wrists and other joints and the Pickleball racquet is easy to use,” said Hilary Young, a Senior Health and Wellness Expert and writer for Medical Guardian.

Benefits of Pickleball

Young cited Pickleball as a low-impact sport for aging bodies, especially for people with arthritis and other joint issues. As well, it offers an effective cardiovascular workout and a social aspect with healthy competition. “Participants don’t have to run long distances,” said Young, “and it helps with reflexes, balance and agility.”

Pickleball is an alternative to established boomer sports like golf and tennis. “Golf is not for everyone and tennis is hard on older bodies” said Young. She described the upstart sport as beneficial for boomers who aspire for energetic, youthful activities but have lost flexibility. “It’s a wonderful mix of competition that’s kinder for the body,” said Young.

The Invention of the Game

The game’s invention in 1965 is credited to former Washington State Representative Joel Pritchard at his home on Bainbridge Island, WA, near Seattle. The spread of the sport has led to the formation of the US Pickleball Association (USAPA) which lists rules and regulations and offers official equipment. The global governing body is the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP).

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RetirementHomes.com - Baby Boomers

How to Know When it is Time for Home Care

Great New Sport for Active Baby Boomers: Pickleball