Winter Driving Tips for Seniors

Many seniors see driving as a form of independence and are reluctant to hand over the keys. While they may be okay driving when conditions are good, the winter can be a different story. Snow, sleet, and ice, as well as fewer hours of daylight can pose many challenges. Before your senior hits the road, make sure they’re prepared to deal with driving conditions.

• Have their car serviced. Ask the mechanic to give it a good once-over and fill up any fluids, replace worn belts or tires, put on new windshield wipers, and check the battery. You can have a little more peace of mind knowing their car is in good working order for winter.
• Make sure they have a phone. Remind them to keep their cell phone with them and to charge it before they leave. If your senior isn’t too tech-savvy, there are basic phones with larger buttons and fewer features that are easier to use and they can keep with them in case of emergency.
• Create an emergency kit. Keep essential supplies in their car such as an ice scraper, a small shovel, extra blankets, a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, bottled water, snacks, and a first aid kit. Sand or cat litter can also help to provide traction on icy patches. Should they become stranded, they will have the necessities to stay safe and warm until help arrives.
• Travel during daylight. Not only does visibility decrease at night, the temperature drops which can make wet roadways turn icy very quickly. It can be harder to see icy patches in the dark. Furthermore, it is easier for your loved one to become disoriented or lose their way on less familiar roads at night.
• Stick to main roads. Main roads tend to be cleared and salted more quickly than side roads. These roads are also more well traveled, so if trouble arises, it can be easier to find help than on a deserted back road.
• Leave extra time. Remind your senior to pay attention to the weather forecast and leave themselves plenty of time to get to their destination. While out and about, they should leave extra space between them and the car in front of them. They should also apply the gas and breaks slowly to help prevent skidding or stalling. If they do start to skid, they should turn into the skid, not out of it.

Encourage your senior to limit their driving during winter weather and stick closer to home. An in-home care provider can help them to run errands, stock up on groceries, and prepare meals ahead of any pending storms. They can also provide assistance with other tasks around the home and with basic personal care. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 to discuss in-home care options today.

Using Technology to Support Caring for your Senior

Technology has come a long way, even in the past decade, and is changing how we live our lives. It used to be more difficult to keep in touch with loved ones who lived far away, but with cell phones and the Internet, it has become easier than ever. Balancing family, work, life, and caregiving can be tough, but there are ways you can use technology your advantage:

Video conferencing: Teach your senior to use simple programs such as Skype, ooVoo, or Facetime. This will enable you to stay in touch more easily while also being able to actually see your loved one. Take note of any changes in their appearance or behavior that you may want to monitor. They can feel more connected and will enjoy getting to see grandchildren or other family members that aren’t able to visit often.

Email/Text: You can use email or text as a way to communicate as well. Show them how to attach and open photos for even more sharing options. A quick text can let you know that they’re safe and provide an instant way for you reach each other. You can program in frequently used numbers as well as emergency contacts.

Set Reminders: This can come in handy for both you and your senior. Add appointments, events, visits, and other activities to your electronic calendar so you have access on the go. Your phone or email can remind you of upcoming plans and help you to stay organized. Setting alarms and reminders on your elderly parent’s phone can help them remember to take medication, pay bills, or attend appointments.

Alarm Systems: If you’re worried about your loved one living alone, consider installing an alarm system. There is a wide variety to choose from ranging from basic models to those with video and sensor monitoring. Wearable alarm devices can also be useful in case your senior should fall, get lost, or feel unsafe.

Entertainment: From apps on a smart phone or tablet to e-readers and games, technology can help your senior to keep their mind stimulated. You can download favorite books, magazines, or puzzles, and they can increase the font size to improve readability.

Talk to your aging parents about Internet safety and not opening or responding to emails from people they don’t know. You want them to be alert to potential scams. When you’re further away, technology can make it easier to stay in touch and keep your senior safe when an in-home care provider is not there with them. Caregivers can also help them stay up-to-date on how to use different technology so they can chat, text, or email you on their own.

Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville can provide senior services to meet your loved one’s needs and help them maintain their safety and independence when you can’t be there. To learn more about the wide range of care available, call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

Checking in on Aging Parents Over the Holidays

The holiday season often brings together family from near and far. This can be a great opportunity to check up on how your aging parent is faring, especially if you don’t see them on a regular basis. When you see them every day, it can be easy to miss slow changes, but others in your family may pick up on them. If you live further away, it’s a chance to evaluate in person how your senior is doing. There are several things to pay attention to:

• Their Home

Look around for any safety concerns. Are there cords or rugs they could trip over? Is there adequate lighting in hallways and stairwells? Does there seem to be a lot of clutter around? These are issues you can address while you are there. If they generally keep a tidy house and things seem more disorganized or dirtier than usual, consider the fact that they may be having difficulty with these tasks. Maybe the vacuum cleaner is too heavy or they’re not able to bend down to clean as well. Perhaps the stairs make it harder to take cleaning supplies to different levels of their home or carry laundry.

• Their Mobility

Does your senior seem less steady on their feet? Are they having trouble getting in and out of chairs or navigating around furniture? Have they developed arthritis or physical limitations that make activities of daily living more challenging? A trip to the doctor could be in order for further evaluation. You may also want to consider assistive devices or an in-home care provider that can help them with tasks around the home. A caregiver can also help your senior to prevent trips and falls.

• Their Mental Health

Spend time talking to your loved one. Do they seem to have trouble finding the right words, remembering things, or completing multi-step tasks? Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are two common conditions in seniors that can affect their mental abilities. If your senior seems confused or out of sorts, it may be time to provide them with additional support. Also look for indicators that they may be struggling with depression or loneliness.

• Their Overall Wellbeing

Look at the bigger picture of how your senior is doing living on their own. Are there any areas where they could use more help? This could include things like meal preparation, medication reminders, paying bills, tidying up, or going on outings in the community. You could also ask them if there is anything they need assistance with or that they struggle to do on their own. Senior services can help enhance your loved one’s quality of life and allow them to age in place more safely and comfortably. Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville provides a wide range of services and can offer support ranging from a few hours a week to a few hours a day depending on your loved one’s needs. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information.

Making the Most of the Holidays with your Senior

The holidays are a time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate. However, the holidays can be tough for seniors, especially if they have lost loved ones or struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. With more seniors choosing to age in place, it’s important to prevent isolation and help them to be social and active. There are many ways to celebrate the holidays and make it an enjoyable and memorable time for everyone.

1. Help them get in the spirit. Take the time to help your elderly parent decorate their home. Talk about the decorations they have collected over the years and what makes them special. Share stories from years past when you have spent time together. These little mementos can help spark their memory and seeing them can remind your loved one that it’s the holiday season. Just be careful to keep any cords out of the way and ensure that decorations don’t cause any safety concerns such as tripping and falling or fires.

2. Uphold traditions. If you always bake cookies together or go see The Nutcracker, make it a point to do so again this year. It could be something that your loved one looks forward to and that fills them with happy memories. You could also ask them what they would like to do or how they want to celebrate.

3. Make them part of the festivities. Whether you’re decorating your house, baking, shopping, or going to a school play, invite your elderly parent along. Help them to participate as much as they can. Even if your shopping trip is short because they can’t walk long distances, they’ll appreciate the effort and being included.

4. Give meaningful gifts. Think about what they could really use, rather than something that will sit and gather dust. Or give a homemade gift from the heart such as pictures, cards, or handmade keepsakes. If you’re crafty, you could knit a blanket or hat and scarf set. Grandchildren can make small crafts too or color pictures.

5. Stay in touch. If your loved one lives further away, communicate via phone or video chat. You could gather several family members together and have your own small party over the phone or online. Update each other on current events in your lives, share stories from holidays past, and show how much you care. If you mailed gifts, you can open them together and give thanks.

Enjoy the time that you get to spend with loved ones this holiday season. If you’re unable to be close, an in-home caregiver can help your senior to safely put up their decorations, sit and talk about favorite memories, send holiday cards, or attend community events. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to learn more about how your elderly parent could benefit from senior services this holiday season and throughout the year.

Helping your Senior Stay Healthy this Winter

Cold and flu season has arrived, and this can put many people on high alert. Although these illnesses are usually a minor inconvenience for most people, for seniors they can pose greater risk. Some seniors have underlying health problems that can make battling these germs more difficult or lead to complications. There are several ways that you can help your loved one to boost their health this winter and reduce risk of getting sick:

• Get vaccinated. This doesn’t mean just your aging parent – this means you and your family too. When caregivers and loved ones are also vaccinated, it can reduce the risk of them getting ill and spreading these germs to seniors. Your doctor may also recommend that your senior get the pneumococcal vaccine which can reduce risk of pneumonia.
• Wash your hands. Ensure that your loved one has plenty of soap or hand sanitizer available. Whenever you go out in public or even touch commonly used objects, it is a good idea to wash your hands. Remind them to always wash up before and after eating or using the restroom.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Getting the proper amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can boost the immune system, ward off illness, and keep your elderly parent’s body stronger. What they eat will make a difference in how they feel, so ensure that they are eating right. An in-home caregiver can assist with shopping and meal preparation to reduce stress on your senior and make sure they have meals available.
• Rest up. Sleep helps your body to repair itself and fight off germs. If your senior is not getting enough sleep, it can leave them feeling run down and weaken their immune system. When they are well rested they will have more energy and their body can heal.
• Stay active. Physical activity is also important to staying healthy. Even something as simple as taking a brisk walk can be beneficial. Since walkways can be snowy or icy in the winter, consider alternative options such as the gym, school track, or even the mall. Exercise can improve circulation, heart health, and immunity which can all improve overall health.
• Keep warm. Seniors can be more sensitive to the cold and lose body heat more quickly. Get their heating system checked to ensure it is working properly and seal up cracks along doors and windows. Make sure they dress warmly if going outside and have blankets and hot water available in their home.

These are just a few ways that you can help your senior to ward off illness this winter and boost their health. If you are concerned about their safety and wellbeing, hire an in-home care provider to check in and assist them with daily tasks. Senior services through Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville can support your loved one by helping them prepare meals, remember to take medication, schedule appointments, get in and out of bed, and more. Contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to learn more about available senior services and schedule a consultation.