Senior Vacations & Outings In The Phoenix, Arizona Area

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[title size=”1″]Hot Senior Vacation Spots In Arizona[/title]
Just because a person in Arizona retires doesn’t mean they have to retire.  Arizona offers many great outing and vacation destinations close to home that cater to peoples of all ages.  From a low-impact day of shopping and dining in Scottsdale, to a more adventurous ski-trip in the White Mountains, Arizona is loaded with prime vacation spots for seniors.

Some of the favored getaways for seniors in Arizona include:

  • The Grand Canyon – Mysterious and epic in scale, hiking trips in the Grand Canyon range from the rough and tumble to less strenuous strolls perfect for senior sightseeing.  The peaceful scenery and majestic cliffs are sure to inspire a sense of calming awe. The Canyon also has jeep and helicopters tour available for a day of adventure and fun.
  • Lake Powell – Lake Powell is the perfect destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors, fishing, boating, and a nice campfire.
  • Old Tucson Studios – Like Universal Studios, Old Tucson is as much a movie studio as it is a theme park.  Pan for gold and witness the filming of a Wild West movie at this unforgettable tourist hotspot.
  • Four Corners Monument – Ever wonder what it would be like to be in 4 places at one?  You can do just that at the Four Corners Monument, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet.

Of course, Arizona has far too much to offer to list here.  Contact your local tourist information center for a complete list of fantastic vacation destination.

[title size=”2″]International Vacations For Seniors[/title]
For those seniors in Arizona looking to get a little further from home, the Phoenix area is filled with travel agencies that can set up the perfect vacation package on any senior’s budget across all 50 states and the entire world.  Call around to see who might offer special discounts and services for seniors.

[title size=”3″]Take A Break From The Routine With Endeavor[/title]
Endeavor Home Care is a Phoenix-based in-home nursing staff that understands your need to get away.  If you or family is looking to get away for a day, a week, a month, Endeavor can easily put your care schedule on hold to allow you to get out and enjoy the time away, alone or with the ones you love.

Contact Endeavor Home Care today.

Senior Fitness & Health In The Phoenix, Arizona Area

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[title size=”1″]Types Of Senior Fitness Programs In Phoenix[/title]
Senior fitness programs are designed to specifically cater to individuals over the age of 50.  They are generally low impact and designed to gradually increase intensity to better appeal to the aging body.  Types of senior fitness include, but are not limited to:

  • Water Aerobics – Low impact aerobics take place in a pool to minimize muscle and joint strain while still building muscle, cutting weight, and increasing flexibility.
  • Chair Yoga – While yoga is already considered a low impact exercise, chair yoga is designed to mimic the postures and benefits of yoga from a sitting position to alleviate pressure on the joints.
  • Spinning – Spin classes are available all over the country, but senior spin classes focus on a steady pace with minimum impact to maintain senior fitness and health.
  • Tai Chi & Qi Gong – These martial arts forms are designed to increase flexibility and strength without torturing the joints and muscles.
  • Walking – Never underestimate what a nice walk with a good instructor can do for your overall wellness and quality of life.

These classes are available for seniors at local senior centers, YMCAs, and senior fitness and health centers all over the Phoenix area.
[title size=”2″]The Benefits Of Good Senior Fitness[/title]
There are many benefits to fitness no matter what your age.  However, the benefits of senior fitness specifically include:

  • A healthy lifestyle can make you feel (and look) younger.
  • Regular exercise helps to maintain a healthy equilibrium, decreasing the risks of falling.
  • Exercise helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
  • A regular exercise schedule helps to increase the immune system.
  • General senior fitness helps to increase mobility, flexibility, and posture.
  • Exercise helps to improve and regulate your sleep.
  • Exercise is good for both your mental and emotional state.

Seniors who live an active lifestyle have been shown to be healthier, happier, and enjoy an overall better quality of life.
[title size=”3″]Gain More Freedom For Fitness With In-Home Nursing Care[/title]
Even for seniors who require a little extra help from in-home nursing, an active lifestyle is still within reach.  With Endeavor Home Care, Arizona’s most beloved in-home senior care staff, you can still be free to go out and enjoy the social and physical benefits of joining a great senior fitness program in the Phoenix area.

Endeavor’s schedule is tailored around each client to provide the maximum level of care while maintaining each individual’s freedom to carry on their daily activities.  Contact Endeavor today to learn more.

Chair Yoga | A Low-Impact Fitness Alternative Perfect For Seniors

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[title size=”1″]The Benefits Of Chair Yoga For Seniors[/title]
Yoga is a favored form of mental and physical fitness across the United States and the entire world. Unfortunately, many of the poses and routines of yoga are very difficult for an aging body to perform, thus making the popular form of exercise inaccessible for senior citizens.

However, a form known as chair yoga has been specifically crafted to reap the benefits of other schools of yoga while allowing the participants to sit in or use a chair for support. Chair yoga includes postures, breathing and meditation techniques, as well as general methods of relaxation.

Chair yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that has many benefits for seniors, including:

  • Increasing flexibility.
  • Increasing strength.
  • Reducing hypertension.
  • Reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Reducing the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
  • Reducing chronic pain from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Reducing the symptoms of clinical vertigo.
  • Helping in the treatment of clinical depression.

There are many more benefits to chair yoga that overall lead to a happier person with a greater quality of life.

[title size=”2″]Where To Inquire For Chair Yoga Enrollment In Phoenix[/title]
There are many places that a senior may find a class of their peers in the Phoenix area, including:

  • Senior Centers
  • Senior Health & Fitness Clubs
  • Adult Day Care
  • Private Yoga Instructors

Chair yoga may also be available in gyms, health spas, and wellness centers. As chair yoga becomes more and more popular among seniors it will become more accessible in many more locations.

[title size=”3″]How Endeavor Can Help With Your Healthy Lifestyle[/title]
Endeavor Home Care understands that seniors have it tough when it comes to maintaining your active lifestyle. Our customized in-home senior care system and courteous staff make it easier for seniors to get out, stay active, and take their health into their own hands by attending chair yoga classes of their choosing.

Contact Endeavor Home Care today.

Alternatives To Assisted Living

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Alternatives to Assisted Living

Many people see assisted living facilities as a step up from a nursing home, which is generally the case, while assisted living facilities are also considered a step down from living at home. Most seniors would agree that they would prefer to live at home rather than being “put in a home”.

Thankfully there are alternatives to assisted living which can provide the same standard of living, safety, and care that would be required of an aging loved one. While there are many alternatives, the most preferred alternative to assisted living is home aids, or home care givers, and companion care services.

Home Aids as an Alternative to Assisted Living

Home care givers, or home aids, are a great alternative to living in an assisted living facility. Home aids allow a senior to live at home while receiving the adequate assistance they need. As an RN (registered nurse) or a CNA (certified nurse assistant), home aids are trained and qualified to provide needed assistance with basic medical needs such as giving shots, applying an IV, physical therapy, or other similar services.

Unlike an assisted living facility, which typically only has one nurse to every 20 or so residents, having a home aid alleviates any worry that your aging loved one wouldn’t receive the necessary attention he or she needs.

Companion Care as an Alternative to Assisted Living Facilities
In some cases, where an elderly loved one does not require constant, or skilled care, but rather only requires assistance with day to day tasks, then companion care is also a great alternative to being in an assisted living facility. Companion care, or elder companions, is care givers who can provide assistance with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, or even running errands.

Many seniors have no problem living on their own or taking care of themselves but occasionally need some basic assistance with tasks that they either struggle with, or are unable to complete due to a disability or sickness. In these cases, an elder companion can provide the required assistance on an hourly, daily, monthly, or occasional basis where needed.

While living at home is almost always preferred, many seniors defer to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility due to misconceptions. The major misconceptions being:

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of in home care or if you are in need of in-home senior care in Phoenix, Arizona please contact us today.

The Spotlight Of The Senior Fair

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[title size=”1″]Social Security & Medicare | The Spotlight Of The Senior Fair[/title]
Lipinski, a speaker at the recent senior fair, said that he hosts ten to twelve such senior events in his district every year, and most seniors he speaks to are concerned about potential cuts in Social Security and Medicare benefits.  Lipinki said that these concerns “are always on the top of the list with seniors.  It’s understandable because it’s something that seniors very much care about.”

A representative of AARP Illinois, Courtney Hedderman, was on the scene to offer updates about new legislation under consideration by national and state government that may impact Medicare and Social Security benefits for seniors:  “There are a lot of people worried that there will be cuts of Social Security and Medicare.  We inform them about new legislation and give them advice on ways to contact their local representatives.”

[title size=”2″]Veterans, Agent Orange, & Health Care[/title]
Wayne Macejak of the American Legion of Illinois also attended the Senior Fair, where he says that he often finds veterans with no idea that they are entitled to certain benefits for health issues received during combat.

Macejak references a herbicide known as Agent Orange, which was used to clear jungle foliage during the Vietnam War for combat and was later linked to the onset of many illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.  “Many people I talk to are Vietnam veterans who have diabetes and other problems.  The government has found that many of these illnesses are occurring because we sprayed the whole country with Agent Orange.”

[title size=”3″]One Resident Finds Hope With Home Health[/title]
Rich Peters, age 66, a resident of Romeoville, Illinois attended the Senior Fair to find out more about services that might be available to him.  Over the course of the evening, he spoke with a representative of a home health care company.

“I learned that home health care can save money and can still allow people to live independently.  I also think it’s a great alternative, instead of going to a nursing home.  It seems to be the way of the future.”

A Disturbing Trend In Federal Disability

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It is estimated that a full 5% of America’s workforce is permanently out of commission due to the rising claims of federal disability.  The U.S. government describes this as the result of two trends:

  • On average, Americans are getting older.  With age comes multiple health concerns.
  • More women have entered the workforce, increasing the number of female workers with health conditions to nearly as many as men.

However, independent researchers and experts have begun to see evidence that Americans are using disability insurance as a kind of safety-net when the job market is down or work is harder to come by.  These people may have some ability to continue working in many sectors, but as disability tends to pay higher rates than minimum wage, it makes more sense to claim disability.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimates that 40-60 percent of the increase in disability claims is a result of the program attracting broader constituency.  It has become easier to qualify for disability because claims are being judged on subjective criteria.  And as wages in America continue to stagnate and income inequity continues to soar, disability benefits have become more lucrative for lower-wage workers.

[title size=”2″]Demands Straining The System[/title]
However, disability seems to be acting very much more like a spider’s web than a safety net, as very few people historically return to the job market during rebound periods.  This means there are fewer workers in America and more disability claimants that are dependent on those workers to pay their taxes.

Unfortunately, this also puts an enormous and unnecessary strain on the federal disability program, which is quickly running out of money.  The United States government predicts that the fund for disability will no longer be able to meet all of its claims as early as 2016.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco says that disability “is likely to keep expanding unless program rules and incentives are fundamentally altered.”

If someone you love is struggling with a disability, we’re here to help with trusted elder care in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding areas. Contact us to learn more and to request a free in-home consultation.

Caregiver Stress & Distress

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[title size=”1″]Caregiver Stress & Distress[/title]
Caring for a disabled relative really takes a lot out of you.  Factors that contribute to the overall stress of caring for a loved one might include:

  • Lack of time to balance caregiving with home & family.
  • Lack of time to balance caregiving with work.
  • Financial distress.

“Many different forms of stress end up causing caregiver distress.  And caregiver distress is a very serious condition.”  Says Tim Myers,  “According to professor Peter Fataliano of the University of Washington, he has basically described caregiver distress as a condition that can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue, ulcers,  severe weight gain or loss; and so it can really manifest in ways that hurt the caregiver and prevent them from doing their job of caring for their loved-one.”

Myers also notes that relying on a support group of friends, family, or church groups, and taking time for yourself are good ways to de-stress.  “Take a break.  Whether it’s just simply taking a little bit of time to watch a favorite TV program, or read a book, or take a walk, but get away from the normal situation.”

Myers also suggests prayer, meditation, and physical exercise are good ways of coping with stress.  The endorphins released from these activities helps to improve mood and decrease stress.  Also, taking time to release your emotions can help.  “It’s okay to cry.”  Myers says.

[title size=”2″]The Role Of Home Health Services[/title]
“At this point there are approximately 10 million people who are 50-plus taking care of their parents across the country.”  Myers said.

He also noted that home health services work to assist people who are trying to stay home, recognize themselves as caregivers.  “A lot of people just see themselves as sons or daughters; they don’t recognize themselves as actual caregivers.”

Home health services are designed to do much more than just provide care for the patient; they are meant to help support those already giving care to their loved one.  Home health is meant to supplement that care, allowing at-home caregivers to take the time they need to de-stress while granting access to professional care and advice.

To learn more about home care services, click here.

What To Discuss With Caregiver

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[title size=”1″]What To Go Over With Your New Caregiver[/title]
If you have an elderly loved one who needs in-home senior care, once you’ve found the right match for your loved one, it’s important to make sure you cover all the bases with the caregiver who will be taking care of your loved one. Whether your loved one only needs help with simple tasks, like meal preparation, cleaning, and running errands, or needs medical assistance, like daily shots or medication, there are important things to discuss in order to be sure they know how best to care for your loved one.

When creating an instructional guide for the caregiver who will be caring for your loved one, here are 10 things to consider:

  1. Medications
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Cooking & Cleaning
  4. Napping & Sleep Habits
  5. Bathroom Needs & Habits
  6. Temperature
  7. In-Home Activities
  8. Exercise & Going Out
  9. Friends & Social Contacts
  10. Emergency Contacts

Medications – List any medications that your loved one needs to take, and include amounts, frequency, and time of day they should be taken or are usually taken. Also explain how your loved one prefers to take their medication, such as with juice or milk versus just water.

Food & Drink – List any likes or dislikes with food or drink as well as any allergies. Explain any specific eating or drinking habits, like if your loved one enjoys a cup of tea at a certain time every day, or if they like a certain meal on Sundays, ect…

Cooking & Cleaning – Explain whether your loved one needs assistance with cooking or cleaning, or if they should be encouraged to do these tasks themselves with supervision. Also discuss whether they will need assistance with eating, if they need their food cut into small pieces, cooled down, or need to be hand-fed. Discuss any regular cleaning that your loved one needs help with, such as straightening their bed, doing laundry, or washing dishes.

Napping & Sleep Habits – Jot down the typical hours that your loved one goes to sleep, gets up, and any naps in between that they enjoy. Also make note of any sleep preferences, such as having a light on, having music or the TV playing.

Bathroom Needs & Habits – List any special requests or needs for the use of the bathroom, whether they’re able to do this themselves, or if they need assistance with bathing or other bathroom functions.

Temperature – Make note of preferred thermostat temperature and any changes needed during certain hours of the day. Will your loved one need a blanket to stay warm, or do they enjoy keeping windows open and will this result in specific needs to stay warm or cool?

In-Home Activities – Describe what your loved one enjoys doing during the day and explain any specific schedule. If they enjoy watching a specific TV show, make note of the times and days that the show is on. Do they enjoy reading, playing card games, listing to music, or reading the newspaper?

Exercise & Going Out – List any preferential outdoor activities or outings that your loved one enjoys, such as walks, local YMCA, the movies, or perhaps the mall. Make note of anything that your loved one may need assistance with when going out, such as remembering to take their cane or walker, putting on sunscreen, taking allergy medication, or remembering their jacket.

Friends & Social Contacts – Does your loved one have frequent or occasional, unannounced visitors from friends or neighbors? Also list any friends or family that the caregiver could contact if your loved one needs some company or is feeling lonely. Does your loved one have a friend they like to call and talk to occasionally? List their contact information.

Emergency Contacts – This should be a given, but is extremely important. Be sure to list any family and friends, as well as the contact information for your loved one’s doctor. Include phone numbers, office location, and of course their names. You should also provide your contact information to the caregiver as well.

Many of these things may seem very self-explanatory, but having a list of things to consider can help ensure that you don’t forget any necessary information. This is especially important if you are not living with or close by your elderly loved one, or if you are hard to reach. Relying on your elderly loved one to provide the caregiver with this information is unreliable, and the information could be miscommunicated or assumed.

Need a senior caregiver in Phoenix Arizona? Contact Endeavor Home Care for friendly help.

What Elder Companions Do

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[title size=”1″]In-home Senior Care & Companion Care[/title]
Most people would prefer to allow their elderly loved ones to remain living at home rather than putting them in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Unfortunately it’s not always possible to spend all day with your loved one and while they may not need a lot of assistance, you may still feel uncomfortable leaving them home by themselves. That’s where companion care comes in handy. Elder companions can perform the basic functions around the house while providing companionship for your loved one. Elder companions will typically provide the following services:

  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Grocery shopping
  • Errands

If your elderly loved one is able to take care of themselves for the most part and also doesn’t require any medical attention, then an elder companion could be the ideal solution to provide the extra support they may need.

[title size=”2″]Cost of Elder Companion Services[/title]
Companion care is generally between $15 to $25 per hour depending on where you’re located. This makes elder companions quite affordable while providing a wide range of assistance and bring comfort to your loved one. Companion care can also be provided on a flexible schedule, so if you typically spend your time taking care of your loved one but want a day off or a few hours a day off, then an elder companion can come in to provide assistance while you’re away. Elder companions can also provide 24 hour assistance as live-in elder companion care for seniors who may need assistance at all hours. This type of service is especially useful for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

[title size=”3″]Have additional questions about elder companions? Feel free to contact Endeavor Home Care.[/title]
Also Related: Ways to pay for in-home senior care.

Also Related: Benefits of In-home Senior Care

Reverse Mortgage Dangers

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[title size=”1″]The Dangers of Reverse Mortgages[/title]
Reverse mortgages have been the solution for many financial problems that seniors have faced. A reverse mortgage allows a homeowner, age 62 or older, to borrow money against the equity of their home. The recipient would then receive a lump sum or monthly payments to which they wouldn’t have to pay back until death or moving out, at which point the home would usually be sold to cover the loan. As great as it may sound, though, there are potential risks and dangers to look out for and it’s important to what they are.

[title size=”2″]Common Dangers To Look For In A Reverse Mortgage[/title]
The following are the main things to consider when applying for a reverse mortgage:

  • Ensure that both spouses have their name on the mortgage deed.
  • Avoid small and/or new lenders which don’t have track records.
  • Understand it’s not “free money”, the loan must be paid back at death.
  • Steer clear of the lump sum options which come with fixed interest rates.

Not to say that a reverse mortgage is a bad idea, as long as you protect yourself or your loved one and take the proper precautions.

Due to many of the larger banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo moving away from the reverse mortgages, many smaller lenders have moved in to fill the void. This has led to many deceptive sales pitches and scams resulting in an increase of defaults, sometimes leaving the borrower homeless.

Click here to learn about other ways to help pay for senior care services.