Home Health Care in Sun City AZ: Dining Out With Dementia

Dining Out With Dementia – Four Ways to Make Sure the Evening Out is a Success

/in , , /by

When a parent has dementia, dining out poses a challenge.

It’s not always avoidable, however. Your mom really wants to attend her granddaughter’s wedding dinner. Her best friend is having a birthday gathering at a local restaurant. You’re not sure it’s a good idea.

 

It could be a baby shower, graduation dinner, or family reunion. If she is eager to attend, forcing your mom to stay home may upset her. Here are four ways to make sure the evening is a success.

 

Talk to the Host in Advance

Make sure the host knows your mom has dementia. Going to a crowded restaurant can be stressful when you have dementia. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible for your mom to have a good time. If the host knows in advance, it’s easier to make arrangements that will ease your mom’s stress during the event.

 

Carefully Pick Seating and Leave Room for an Escape

See if it can be arranged that your mom has a corner table away from noisier attendees. Noise can make for a very stressful evening out. A corner table nearer a door may work best.

By being near a door, if your mom needs to leave for a few minutes, her escape route is right there. In inclement weather, she may need a quiet indoor space to go to. Talk to the restaurant’s event planner to see if there is a sitting area that will work for her. If the weather’s good, she can head outside to regroup. A bench outside that’s away from crowds will work.

 

Do a Trial Run

Take your mom to the restaurant beforehand. Take her at a quieter time of day when she’s at her best. Enjoy a meal, if possible, or simply have the host give a tour. Take a video if it’s allowed and replay it often. The more familiar the setting is, the easier the event will be for your mom.

 

Be Prepared to Leave Early

Your mom may start out strong and become agitated after an hour or two. Arrive as close to the time the meal will be served as possible. Once the meal’s over, your mom is free to leave. Make sure she knows that she can leave when she wants to once you’ve had your dinner.

If you cannot leave, have an elder care provider available to bring your mom back home and spend time with her. Caregivers can drive your mom to and from events and businesses. They are companions who can take your mom for a ride or play games with her at home. She gains a friend while you can stay out and enjoy the evening.

Discuss your family’s needs with an elder care agency. They can walk you through the range of services and pricing information. Call now to get started.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Health Care in Sun City, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Senior Care in Chandler AZ: Senior Social Contributions

5 Ways Older Adults Can Contribute to Society 

/in , , , , , /by

May is Older Americans Month, a month dedicated to celebrating older adults and the many ways they contribute to the world.

According to President Donald Trump’s proclamation, the month is a time to “recognize and celebrate those Americans who have spent decades providing for the next generation and building the greatness of our Nation. Finding ways to contribute can give seniors a sense of purpose and something to look forward to each day. If your aging relative could use a sense of purpose, below are five ways to get them involved. Contact us at 480-498-2324 for help with senior loved ones.

 

#1 Volunteering

Research shows that older adults who volunteer usually live longer and experience less disability than those who do not volunteer. There are so many needs in any given community that it’s possible to find a volunteer position for nearly any older adult. Some things an older adult could do are:

  • Check out customers at non-profit thrift stores.
  • Rock and cuddle babies in the hospital NICU.
  • Socialize cats or puppies at the humane society.
  • Read with or tutor children.
  • Donate their skills to a Habitat for Humanity build.
  • Serve food at a homeless shelter.

 

#2 Mentoring Young People

Younger people can benefit from learning from older adults with more life experience. You may be able to find opportunities for mentoring through local schools and youth-oriented non-profit organizations. Sometimes churches have mentoring programs as well.

 

#3 Share Information About the Past

Seniors have a unique perspective on the past that younger generations do not. Sharing their stories can be an excellent way for younger people to learn about history. One way they can share the information is by volunteering to give tours at a museum or work as a guide at a living history museum.

 

#4 Teach Fading Skills

Many older adults know how to do things that younger people don’t, such as canning, wood carving, and leatherworking. These are skills that aren’t widely taught but are still valuable. An older adult could volunteer to teach a class or participate in a seminar that shares these skills. Places to do this might be the local library, school, or a community college.

 

#5 Share Their Wisdom

If your aging relative is looking for a less formal way to get involved, simply sharing their wisdom with younger family members is also valuable. This doesn’t mean they have to be bossy or offer unwanted advice, but they could simply take the time to talk to grandchildren or other young relatives about their life experiences.

Home care can assist older adults to engage in activities that allow them to make a contribution. Home care providers can help seniors find fitting volunteer positions. They can also drive the older adult to the places where they volunteer. Home care providers can also help seniors to prepare for activities by assisting them to gather materials they need for classes or seminars or preparing the house for visitors.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Chandler, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call (480) 535-6800.

Sources:

https://oam.acl.gov/

 

Homecare in Phoenix AZ: Time to See a Doctor?

Is It a Rash or Something Else? Tips for Determining if It’s Time to See a Doctor

/in , , /by

Skin rashes are a tricky issue. You don’t want to dismiss it. Your parent doesn’t want to pay for an unnecessary doctor’s visit. They think the rash will clear up. You’re worried. Here are tips on knowing when to see a doctor.

 

Has Anything Changed

Many rashes are allergic reactions to something new. Has your parent changed soaps or skin creams recently? Is the laundry detergent or fabric softener a new formulation or brand? Has your mom or dad started a new medication? Did they eat a food they’d never had before?

If your parent has been gardening, the rash may be from exposure to a plant like poison ivy or bug bites. If the rash has a white center surrounded by a bright red circle, it could be a deer tick bite. Seek medical care in case it is Lyme disease.

With an allergic reaction to new skin care products, detergents, or fabric softeners, try a cream designed for rashes. Benadryl cream is one to try. If the rash clears up, you’ll know it was a reaction. Try to find unscented, mild products designed for sensitive skin.

 

Are There Other Symptoms?

You see the rash, but are there other symptoms? Does your parent have a fever? If so, it could be a disease that needs medical attention. It could also be an infection. Are there blisters or open sores? If so, it could lead to an infection that needs medical attention. Is your parent complaining of pain? It could be shingles and need medical attention.

 

Make Medical Care a Priority

If you can get your parent to see a doctor, it’s better to be safe. In some elderly patients, a trip to the doctor is incredibly stressful. That stress can often be worse than the actual rash.

Call your mom or dad’s doctor for advice. Be prepared to describe where the rash is and if it is blistered or simply just small red bumps. The medical office may suggest you wait a day or two and see what happens. If it worsens, you’d need to seek medical care.

 

It Helps to Know the Situation Leading to the Rash

When your parent lives alone, you might not know what led to the rash. This makes it hard to understand what may have caused the rash. With elderly care services, you have a caregiver around to see what your mom or dad drank, ate, and did. It can make pinpointing a rash’s cause easier.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Homecare in Phoenix, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.