Benefits of Social Media for Seniors

Social media has become an important part of life for people of all ages. This is how families stay connected despite miles between them, how friends communicate after moving to different cities, and how individuals stay in tune with what's going on in the world. While seniors may often be excluded from social media trends because, in many cases, they are not as dedicated to the use of mobile devices and computers, it's completely unfair to totally rule them out in terms of social network activity. In fact, home care professionals encourage elderly individuals to leverage the power of social media in order to enrich their lives and keep in contact with loved ones.

Accessing Social Networking Sites
When it comes to senior care, Always Best Care Asheville-Hendersonville professionals know that technology is often at the bottom of the list of priorities. When you are taking care of your loved one you are certainly more concerned with their physical wellbeing and mental health. But think about it: connecting with loved ones near and far can contribute to positive emotional and mental wellbeing. This said, it is a great idea to help your senior figure out how to navigate Facebook, at the very least. Social networking sites can be accessed on the computer or on a smartphone or tablet, so your senior will have several options depending upon their level of comfort with digital devices.

Setting Up a Profile and Connecting
Senior care professionals certainly don't want to overwhelm elderly individuals who aren't comfortable with the Internet just yet, although those who are tech savvy are encouraged to go for it in terms of building their profiles and reaching out to friends and family. For those seniors who aren't well-versed in the use of the World Wide Web, though, help them to create a profile and take an hour or so to walk them through the basic features of Facebook. Send out friend requests to those people with whom they would like to connect so that they can get started.

Protecting Your Loved One
Online scams are, unfortunately, quite common. For this reason, make sure your senior knows the importance of refusing a friend request from anyone they don't know. As long as your loved one is able to safely navigate social networks, these online assets can be quite valuable!

How Can Non-Medical In-Home Care Reduce Hospital Readmissions?

The professionals at Always Best Care Asheville have assisted numerous seniors with the transition from the hospital back into their homes. In most cases this is a joyous occasion, as elderly individuals are frequently ecstatic to finally return to the comfort of their own beds and familiar surroundings; however, hospital readmissions are high when seniors lack the support necessary to make this transition in a positive, healthy manner. You see, elderly individuals frequently need a bit of extra help with regard to home care when they leave the hospital. With the assistance of non-medical care professionals, tasks like grooming and dressing can change from daunting and potentially dangerous to simple activities.

Where Is the Danger in This Transition?
The first thought that comes to mind when seniors are told they are going home after a hospital stay is frequently, "Finally!" After days or even weeks in a medical facility, getting home is often the first priority of elderly individuals. But the truth is that this is not as simple a task as it may seem at first glance.

After a senior leaves the hospital they are often vulnerable. For instance, they may find it more difficult to navigate their home if they are using a wheelchair, walker, or cane. Additionally, they may face challenges when getting dressed or executing personal hygiene activities, such as bathing, if they are facing a reduction in their range of motion. As such, trying to jump into their old routine on their own can prove dangerous, and can lead to hospital readmissions if seniors fall, open their stitches, or have other types of accidents.

Elder Care: A Wonderful Solution
For seniors who are physically ready to leave the hospital but not yet strong enough to navigate life on their own, non-medical in-home care is a fantastic solution. Through this form of elder care, seniors can receive assistance with the activities of daily living while they continue to heal and regain their strength. Dressing, grooming, bathing, meal preparation, and even light housework are all activities that senior care professionals can perform to help your loved one ease into life at home rather than jump into their old habits.

4 Ways Grandparents Can Empower Grandchildren

The relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents is a quite remarkable thing. Growing kids often love spending weekends and summertime holidays with their grandparents, and the number of things that children learn from these seniors is vast. As we celebrate National Grandparents Day on the eighth of this month, let's look at some of the ways in which senior care professionals have noted that grandparents are able to empower their grandchildren.

1. Giving children the gift of self-confidence. Few people love as unconditionally as grandparents—and few people need such love as today's growing youth. Self-esteem is often a problem with kids who aren't sure about their place in the world or who feel as though they may or may not quite fit in with their peers. A grandparent's love and encouragement, though, can help grandchildren understand their individual worth and recognize that they are loved—and worthy of being loved. 
2. Teaching children about their heritage. Cultural roots are strong in many families, and it is important for kids to understand where their ancestors came from in order to truly embrace the traditions that their loved ones follow. Giving children a sense of belonging by explaining their heritage can empower them to learn more and forge a stronger personal identity.  
3. Exposing children to new ideas and challenging them to overcome difficulties. New ideas are thrown at kids each and every day, as they fight to overcome peer pressure and try to determine what is and isn't valuable with regard to the messages promoted by modern media. But in all this there are a few key ideas that are often overlooked, including compassion, kindness, and empathy. Grandchildren are certain to encounter challenges as they grow, but with these and other ideas instilled in them they can better navigate the world with sensitivity and a keen understanding of the experiences of others. 
4. Encouraging children to embrace their talents. From art to dance to music, children have a wide range of talents that allow them to express themselves and improve their confidence. But it is important that kids know it is a good thing to do so. For those grandchildren who may not fit the mold into which some people may want to put them (i.e. girls wanting to play hockey instead of dance) it can be difficult. By encouraging their grandchildren, grandparents can help them see that all of their talents are valuable and should be explored.