By Jim Smeaton
Elder care encompasses many different facets of care, including attention to the physical, emotional, and mental needs of seniors. In creating a well-rounded care plan for elderly individuals, professional home care providers often ensure that socialization is included in their recommendations and weekly activities. Socialization is an important part of maintaining an active lifestyle. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville, which serves Asheville, Hendersonville and the surrounding western North Carolina communities, understand that maintaining a full social life is important in helping seniors sustain their overall well-being.
Knowing the importance of socialization and understanding how to integrate it into your elderly loved one’s life are two completely different tasks. Many caregivers find it difficult to answer to the social needs of their seniors because they are not sure how to balance all of their responsibilities. Providing senior care is a very important task, one that requires a great deal of time and effort on behalf of the caregiver. To help you best manage your elderly loved one’s social needs, here are a few tips for creating the socialization your senior deserves:
• Encourage your loved one to join an interest group. Be it a book club, a photography group, etc., it will help your senior make new friends, work on a beloved hobby, and make and achieve goals.
• If your elderly loved one is religious, assist them in finding a church, synagogue, or other group that they enjoy. The fellowship that these organizations provide is important to their members, and helps seniors stay social and active in the community.
• At least once per week, if the budget permits, take your elderly loved one out for lunch or dinner. This change of pace will allow both of you to relax and enjoy one another’s company. To make it more of a social event, invite friends or family members to join.
• Offer to provide transportation to and from social events. A lack of transportation is what keeps many seniors from participating in social activities. If possible, arrange for a carpool with other members of the group your loved one has joined.
Senior socialization is one of many issues facing many families across the US today as its largest generation reaches their golden years. We at Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you. It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/NeskcN. If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately. Jim Smeaton, the owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.
We have many videos available to you regarding senior issues, view them here.
Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.
If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Reasons why In-Home Care May Be the Best Choice for Seniors
By Jim Smeaton
The aging population has several options pertaining to healthcare and care giving services. From nursing homes to assisted living facilities to in-home care, today's seniors can choose the form of elder care that best fits their needs. For many of these individuals, in-home care is the most flexible and practical. Additionally, many seniors prefer the independence that this option allows them to retain. The senior care professionals of Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that weighing your elderly loved one's options is important in securing the right care for your senior's needs.
Benefits of In-Home Care
In-home care is a unique option that allows your elderly loved one to continue living in their home without compromising their safety. A professional senior care provider will come to the house on a regular basis to assist your senior with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, eating, and more. Many families opt for this form of elder care for numerous reasons. Here are the top three factors that play into such a decision.
Weighing Your Options
Always Best Care combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. The owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville is Jim Smeaton. Jim and his team assist seniors and their families in western North Carolina by providing non-medical in-home care and FREE assisted living placement services. We have strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area. We have your loved ones’ best interests at heart, and will ensure that exceptional service and care is provided to all family members.
We have many videos available to you regarding senior issues, view them here.
Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.
If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.
The aging population has several options pertaining to healthcare and care giving services. From nursing homes to assisted living facilities to in-home care, today's seniors can choose the form of elder care that best fits their needs. For many of these individuals, in-home care is the most flexible and practical. Additionally, many seniors prefer the independence that this option allows them to retain. The senior care professionals of Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that weighing your elderly loved one's options is important in securing the right care for your senior's needs.
Benefits of In-Home Care
In-home care is a unique option that allows your elderly loved one to continue living in their home without compromising their safety. A professional senior care provider will come to the house on a regular basis to assist your senior with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, eating, and more. Many families opt for this form of elder care for numerous reasons. Here are the top three factors that play into such a decision.
- By aging in place, your elderly loved one can continue to live in their home. This is particularly important if they own the home and are on a fixed income. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are often expensive, so staying in their home is the preference of many elderly individuals. Furthermore, homeowners who have lived in the same house for decades are more comfortable staying at home than moving into an unfamiliar facility.
- Home care provides a balance between independent living and assistance. For many seniors, the constant care provided by assisted living and nursing homes simply is not necessary; however, they do need some form of assistance or companionship. In-home care can provide this service without detracting from the independence of your loved one. This allows them to age in place in a dignified manner.
- The care that in-home service providers offer can be tailored to your senior's needs. This allows for customized, quality senior care on which your family can depend.
Weighing Your Options
Always Best Care combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. The owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville is Jim Smeaton. Jim and his team assist seniors and their families in western North Carolina by providing non-medical in-home care and FREE assisted living placement services. We have strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area. We have your loved ones’ best interests at heart, and will ensure that exceptional service and care is provided to all family members.
We have many videos available to you regarding senior issues, view them here.
Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.
If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.
Friday, July 13, 2012
How to Discuss Concerns about Driving with Your Senior
By Jim Smeaton
Driving is a privilege that, after decades of practicing, most people come to rely upon. For this reason, the act of driving is more than an activity—it is a symbol of independence and capability. This is why many seniors take it personally when their ability to continue to drive is called into question. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that this can be a sensitive subject when it comes to senior care in Asheville. However, these professionals are also well aware of the issues with senior care in Asheville and the importance of taking your elderly loved one off the road when necessary.
The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC understand that this is a very difficult topic to discuss; however, it is necessary. By keeping these tips in mind, you can approach the topic in a way that is sensitive to both the safety and the dignity of your senior. Alzheimer’s support and care are also provided in Asheville through Always Best Care.
Driving is a privilege that, after decades of practicing, most people come to rely upon. For this reason, the act of driving is more than an activity—it is a symbol of independence and capability. This is why many seniors take it personally when their ability to continue to drive is called into question. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that this can be a sensitive subject when it comes to senior care in Asheville. However, these professionals are also well aware of the issues with senior care in Asheville and the importance of taking your elderly loved one off the road when necessary.
Many families struggle with the task of asking for their seniors' keys. Regardless of how old your loved one is, or how many issues they have faced pertaining to driving safely, this is a difficult subject to broach. Although you may feel uncomfortable talking about it, it is important that you have this conversation with your senior. By doing the responsible thing and taking away their car keys, you can potentially save their lives and the lives of other drivers.
To help you approach this topic in as sensitive a manner as possible, here are some tips suggested by the senior care professionals in Asheville:
- Remember that the decline of your elderly loved one's vision, reflexes, or other capabilities is not their fault. As such, be mindful of how you frame the conversation. With assisted living in Asheville, instead of blaming them tell them about your concerns and remind them that you are only looking out for their best interest.
- Do not raise the topic in front of other people. By speaking about this matter privately, you can protect your loved one's pride. Additionally, you may find them more receptive to your concerns if they do not feel outnumbered or ganged up on.
- As senior care providers in Asheville, we recommend you try to provide solutions to the transportation needs that will arise when your senior stops driving. This will be one of their primary worries in regards to giving up their keys. Talk with family members about arranging transportation and try to create a schedule that does not require your loved one to sacrifice their favorite activities, such as book clubs or sewing groups.
The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC understand that this is a very difficult topic to discuss; however, it is necessary. By keeping these tips in mind, you can approach the topic in a way that is sensitive to both the safety and the dignity of your senior. Alzheimer’s support and care are also provided in Asheville through Always Best Care.
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