Tag: health

The Best Easy to Chew Foods for Elderly People

Eating is one of the most important things we do. Eating not only provides us with sustenance, but it also gives us a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. For elderly people who have difficulty chewing solid foods, this can be difficult to enjoy on their own. But there are Easy to chew foods for elderly people that they can eat without much fuss or trouble!

The Best Easy to Chew Foods for Elderly People

Believe it or not, many senior citizens still have their teeth – not all wear dentures! In fact, more than 60 percent of all seniors have all or some of their natural teeth. There are several unique issues that affect the care and preservation of an elderly person’s teeth.

The Best Easy to Chew Foods for Elderly People

In the early stages of tooth loss, it is important to maintain good dental hygiene – brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily. This will help prevent cavities from forming or worsen.

For those who are less fortunate here are some easy to chew foods:

Breakfast ideas

  • Cheerios softened in milk and one-half a ripe sliced banana or even a cereal like Raisin Bran.
  • Try scrambled eggs with milk and shredded cheese.
  • Another great egg option is trying them poached. I love them with cheese sauce and over toast!
  • Whole-wheat pancakes or waffles with syrup are also a good option.
  • A great fiber-filled treat is an oatmeal with milk and brown sugar.
  • Another great fiber option is a fruit bowl containing diced mandarin oranges, pears, peaches, and melon
  • It can be as simple as just graham crackers in milk!
soft food

Don’t skip the glass of juice: try prune juice because it combats constipation that many seniors deal with or even a glass of cranberry juice as it is known to prevent urinary tract infections.

Lunch and dinner ideas

While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, there are other meals to look forward to.

  • V-8 soups are both delicious and nutritional.
  • Chef Boyardee Mini Bites Micro Raviolis are often on sale for just a buck a can – you can even grab them at your local Dollar Tree store.
  • Cream of tomato soup with diced avocados is a nice option with a slight Hispanic flair.
  • A nice hamburger chili is not only filling but full of both fiber and protein.
  • Tamale pie is another option, but instead of using cornbread to top the dish – use even a mix of chopped corn tortillas and shredded cheddar cheese.
  • A green bean casserole is a nice option, but for Easy to chew foods you can try using baby lima beans or even green peas.
  • Cottage cheese with soft fruits and Easy to chew foods like sliced apple or banana is a great option.
  • Hormel “Compleats” dinners in gravy are both fast and easy meals to whip up. It’s great for those living alone who don’t like to make a huge meal.
  • Spaghetti with lots of meat sauce adds protein as well as being easy to chew. Try using the new “pot-sized” noodles as they are a little less than half the length of normal-sized noodles.
  • Mashed potatoes with plenty of meat gravy sauce and soft green beans or carrots can make for a nice meal.
The Best Easy to Chew Foods for Elderly People

You can even try baby foods! Things like strained meats; creamed corn; carrots or vegetables, cooked until very soft, then seasoned and buttered to taste. They have come a long way with how amazing and tasty they are.

Snack ideas

  • Milkshakes or malteds are a great Easy to chew food for seniors. They add dairy and that boost of sugar that helps them out. You can easily add a scoop of protein powder to them that adds 20 grams of protein.
  • Greek yogurt is roughly 10 grams of protein and has a ton of flavor options. You can get kinds that have fruit in them too!
  • Jell-O – everyone has room for Jell-O and there are a ton of different kinds of flavors.
  • Ensure. It is a meal replacement but has nutrients and is just the right size.

Special treats

  • Brownies in milk – it may sound a little weird but brownies can be broken up into a bowl and mixed with milk. You get the great taste and it is soft to manage. It is even better when the brownies are on the drier side.
  • Cake in milk – same as the brownies. It really is tasty!
  • Ice cream – this is a no-brainer and there are a ton of flavor options.
  • A Hershey bar (no nuts) – it melts in your mouth – yum!
  • Pudding – again, a ton of flavor options – even tapioca!
The Best Easy to Chew Foods for Elderly People

Helpful advice

  • Use applesauce on a spoon with medications to help the pills go down easily.
  • Mix nutritional protein powder in food as directed.
  • Mix Benefiber in liquids and soups for more fiber.
  • Gatorade is handy in powder form for hydration maintenance.
  • Provide water, water, and more water for your loved one to stay hydrated, and to avoid urinary tract infections!

Swallowing may also be a problem, so be sure the food is served cut in tiny bites, vegetables are cooked longer until soft, and served with juice, gravy, or sauce. The ideas presented may also help after dental surgery.

Once you have a good list of foods that can be eaten, it’s helpful to prepare a computerized shopping list that can be edited, printed out, and taken with you every time you shop.

It’s a challenge to come up with original recipes where chewing and swallowing are issues. I found several cookbooks online published exclusively for this dilemma.

  • HEALTHY SOFT FOOD DIET: Delicious And Nutritious Easy To Chew And Swallow Recipes Food Maximum Enjoyment And Dietary Guide Food Swallowing Difficulty
  • The I-Can’t-Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for People with Chewing, Swallowing, and Dry Mouth Disorders
soft food for seniors

Finally, it is best for someone to be available when an elder is eating. Mishaps occur…choaking, fainting, falling, dropping utensils, being unable to lift the glass for a drink…you name it, anything can happen!

Eating is one of the most important things we do and it’s essential that our elderly loved ones are able to enjoy this experience as well. This article has provided some Easy-to-chew meals in hopes that you’ll have some good Easy-to-chew food options.

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Five Healthy Diet Tips for Seniors

Seniors are often faced with diet challenges. They need to eat healthy foods that will help them maintain a strong immune system, but they also need to avoid diet mistakes that can lead to health problems. This blog post contains five diet tips for seniors that are simple and easy to follow.

Five Healthy Diet Tips for Seniors

It can be hard to focus on real food when you are living alone. Often they don’t want to take the time or effort to whip up a full meal so they snack or eat a lot of crap instead of maintaining a well-balanced diet.

Five Healthy Diet Tips for Seniors

They need to avoid overeating junk food and other high-calorie items, but also make sure that they are getting the nutrients their body needs in order to function properly. Try not to let them overdo it on sugar or salt as these can lead to health problems.

Seniors need to make an effort to eat nutritiously every day. Eating a healthy senior diet will help you feel your best. What you eat controls it all! Here are some tips for eating a healthy senior diet.

Fiber is Your Friend!

Seniors often suffer from constipation so it is especially important to eat a variety of fiber-rich foods and also have a regular exercise routine. Eating whole grains in breads, cereal, and brown rice, along with fruits, helps the bowels work! Choose whole or cut-up fruits instead of juice for more fiber in your diet.

Fiber is Your Friend!

As an additional option, there are powdered drinks you can add to water and use for fiber. Metamucil or even its store-brand options are available in most grocery stores.

Eating a diet rich in fiber can also help you lose weight as it helps keep you full longer while preventing overeating and other diet mistakes. Fiber is important for everyone–not just seniors!

Diet Tips for Seniors: Drink Water!

Water is an important element of a healthy senior diet and one that is hard for many seniors to fulfill. Seniors need to drink at least 8 glasses daily to hydrate their bodies. Drinking water will prevent dehydration symptoms such as headaches, muscle weakness, hoarseness, and constipation.

If you’re one of those seniors who has a hard time drinking enough water, keep a container with at least 8 glasses of water in the refrigerator every day. At the end of the day, the container should be empty which means you have drunk the water necessary for a healthy senior diet!

What counters that hydration?

Five Healthy Diet Tips for Seniors

Seniors must also make sure they’re not drinking too many liquids that will counteract the hydration from water. Alcohol is one of those drinks–not only does alcohol dehydrate you but it’s a diet mistake for seniors and can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, and liver disease!

The other drink that counters your water intake is coffee. Too much caffeine can lead to heart palpitations, insomnia, and increased anxiety or stress levels.

Eat Your Veggies!

Vegetables provide many of our vitamins and minerals so it is important to eat a good variety of them daily. Buy fresh in season, and canned or frozen out of season. Plan some of your meals around vegetables by making soups or stir-frys. Make a habit of munching on raw veggies for a healthy snack.

Here is the thing: a lot of seniors don’t like to eat raw veggies as they are a bit harder to digest as we age. They cause gas. It’s a diet issue for seniors! As an alternative to raw veggies, consider making them into soup which is easier on the digestive tract.

Steaming is a great option also. When you steam vegetables, they are easier to digest and the flavor is locked in.

Diet Tips for Seniors: Take Vitamins Daily

Seniors should try to get vitamins and minerals by making healthy food choices. Often, seniors have problems with eating that make it difficult to eat healthy enough to get the daily required amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Diet Tips for Seniors: Take Vitamins Daily

Because of this, it is important to take a daily multi-vitamin supplement. So, when you are putting your meds in a pill holder be sure to add a multi-vitamin so you don’t forget to take it every day!

What kind of multi-vitamin is a good choice?

It is important to choose a multi-vitamin that has the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals for your diet. For instance, if you’re eating healthy foods all day but not getting enough calcium or vitamin D then make sure these are in your supplement.

It is also good to look for a 50+ option, gender-specific. They tend to be formulated for the needs of an aging body.

Visit MyPlate.gov

Seniors should visit the USDA website to use their MyPlate Plan. This personalized plan will tell you the daily amounts of food that you should be eating. Just enter your age, sex, weight, height, and amount of physical activity and you will get your personalized healthy senior diet!

Isn’t that just the coolest?

You can choose to maintain your current weight or lose weight. The MyPlate is a useful tool to develop a healthy senior diet.

It is also available in Spanish!

Diet Tips for Seniors: Take Vitamins Daily

To wrap it all up, diet mistakes are easy for seniors to make. With the diet tips above, you can avoid overeating, undereating, dehydration, and other diet mistakes that can lead to a host of health problems.

Eat a healthy senior diet, have a regular exercise program, smile, and enjoy your life every day!

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3 Simple Water Exercises For Seniors

Water exercises for seniors are a great way to stay healthy and active. Swimming is one of the best water exercise routines because it works for all the major muscle groups in your body, no matter what movement you choose.

3 Simple Water Exercises For Seniors

Here are three water exercises that are easy on joints yet provide a good workout!

3 Simple Water Exercises For Seniors

Seniors often utilize water exercises since the water has a dual purpose. Water is more buoyant on any achy joints for arthritis and it also provides resistance aside from gravity for strengthening muscles when you get the body moving.

What are the benefits of working out in the water?

  • In the water is easier on your joints than on the land
  • The water provides support, making it easy for people with limited mobility to participate in water exercises.

All you need is a simple swimming pool for the most popular water exercises that do the most good. Here are some movements that will get your blood pumping if your joints feel older and achy.

water walking

Just because you are in the water, that doesn’t mean you should over-exert yourself. You should still take it easy and don’t exercise beyond your means. If you get out of breath and need to take a break, by all means just relax your muscles and take it easy. The water will already help keep you cool as opposed to the warmer air.

It is actually easy to over-exercise in the water – as you are working more muscles and harder than you actually think you are. Moderation – and start slow and build up your time and level of workout gradually.

Water Walk

Simply walking in the water offers more resistance when you lift your legs than normal walking due to the weight of the water. When you swing your arms through the water you add more resistance to your arms as well.

Cupping your hands will increase the weight for your arms to move and improve your arm muscles beyond just lifting them when you walk normally. Your hands will push away more water offering better resistance for your forearms and elbow.

pool push-ups

Walking in water is ideal if you have shaky legs or stiff joints and there is a fear of falling. If you fall in the water there is a much less chance of getting hurt even though you should still take it easy.

If you want to increase the workout – there are pool water gloves for your hands that will create more drag on the water. There are also foam leg cuff wraps that will help give your workout a boost.

The Aqua Gloves:

They’re very comfortable to wear, well made & I’ve already noticed a difference in conditioning since I started using them. The only thing I want to make sure to mention is the fact that they run larger. I use a large garden glove and take a medium in these.

These gloves are not waterproof. They are intended for aquatic fitness. The openings at the wrist and finger tips may allow water to be felt on your hand.

The leg cuffs are great:

  • Aquatic ankle cuffs offer both floatation and weight resistance when used in water. Great for hydrotherapy, muscular development and aquatic training.
  • Cuffs are designed for comfort and durability while providing resistance for leg workouts and water aerobics. They have adjustable straps for firm positioning and increased safety.
  • They can be used as Arm Cuffs too! Arm Cuffs are a perfect solution to the needs of hydrotherapy and are ideal for personal use as well as structured, rehabilitation programs.
He has a lot of great variations for pool walking – it’s great for therapy too!

Push-Ups

Using the wall of the pool for a push-up can be better for your arms than you think. Get in water that goes up to your shoulders and place your hand’s shoulder-width apart against the edge of the pool. Then push your arms up and down like you are doing a normal push-up.

The beauty of this exercise is that your entire body weight isn’t being held up by your arms. All you are doing is getting a light workout as you push against the water up against your back. This is a great exercise to get your arms and shoulders moving with little resistance so you can gradually work up your arm strength.

I don’t suggest you do this in that backyard above ground pool that has become very popular since COVID. Pushing on those walls will be bad for the integrity of your pool and possibly create a small flood in your yard.

Just For Kicks

pool kicking

You’ve seen little kids with their first swimming lesson that grab onto the edge of the pool, lay with their legs straight out, and kick the water. This elementary movement for swimming lessons is also a great workout for your legs, knees, and hips.

While you don’t need to splash up seafoam with every kick, you can kick along at your own pace according to how your joints and muscles feel. Even if you don’t splash water on the surface, the simple kicking motion will give your entire leg a workout.

If you have that above-ground backyard pool, I suggest you use that ladder to hang onto instead of the sidewall of that pool. Just like those push-ups, using that edge of a backyard pool could create a compromising issue with its structural integrity.

The beauty of all three of these exercises is that they can be done at your own pace with less risk for injury due to falls since the water will help keep you buoyant.

3 Simple Water Exercises For Seniors

As with any exercise routine, having a partner with you is helpful in case you need assistance and encouragement. Consult with your physician if you plan on starting a water exercise routine or any physical workout to keep in shape.

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The Challenge of Caring for An Aging Parent From a Distance

As difficult as caregiving can be, it is possible to take care of your own needs and provide meaningful support for your aging parent. The key is knowing how to balance these two things without either becoming overwhelmed or feeling like you’re neglecting yourself.

The Challenge of Caring for An Aging Parent From a Distance

In this article, we’ll explore the challenges of caring from a distance—and what you can do about them.

Distance and Stress

For any caregiver, distance can be a major source of stress. This is particularly true if you live far away from your aging loved ones and don’t have a regular opportunity to spend time with them. When you’re caring for an aging parent from a distance, it’s easy to worry that something is wrong—and you can’t be there to help.

Distance also means that you can’t solve problems on the spot, or do things like providing a ride to an important appointment. It can be more difficult to keep track of all that’s going on and feel fully informed about their care—particularly if your loved one is in multiple settings, such as being cared for at an assisted living facility (ALF) and a home health agency (HHA).

It can also be difficult to find time for caregiving tasks, like visiting the doctor or researching care options. And if there are many siblings in the picture, it can be hard to get everyone on the same page about their parent’s needs and preferences.

Your loved one’s distance from you doesn’t have to mean more work for you, however. It can be easier if they’re close enough that you can visit them frequently and participate in making care decisions. If this isn’t possible, there are plenty of ways to reduce the impact on your own well-being while still doing what’s best for your loved one.

aging parent

Protect Yourself—and Your Loved One

Let’s face it: family caregivers have a lot on their plate, and they don’t have the opportunity to take time off as a paid caregiver might. Sooner or later, you’re bound to be overwhelmed, fatigued, and stressed out. It’s important to take steps to protect yourself from these negative effects.

For example, if you live far away, plan regular visits with your loved one in the weeks before and after each visit—or set up a video or phone call that will help you feel connected while taking pressure off of your tight schedule. Encourage them to do the same with you.

Stress can also come in the form of guilt, and this is particularly true if you live far away from your aging loved one but still able to work or carry out normal activities—and they are not. Having a strong support network that includes friends, family members, and others who understand your situation can help you feel less guilty about living life to the fullest while your loved one might be experiencing some challenges.

meals on wheels

Remember, though, that you can’t protect yourself from everything—and avoiding serious stress altogether isn’t healthy or realistic. You should always take time for self-care and know when it’s time to ask for help from others. If you’re having trouble balancing the demands of caregiving and your own life, you can ask other family members for additional help.

If necessary, reach out to an adult day program or a home health aide to provide respite care when you need it most. You may also want to discuss the situation with a professional geriatric care manager (GMC) who can give you advice while helping you find qualified caregivers.

Does your loved one give you a guilt trip?

If you live far away, it’s easy for your aging loved ones to feel like you don’t care as much about them.

In these situations, it’s important to remember that many older adults have difficulty telling the difference between guilt and compassion—and they might try to guilt you into doing more for them.

use senior centers

If your loved one uses guilt to manipulate you into doing more, it’s important to be honest about how much time and energy you can give. Be honest about your own limits, but be kind when explaining the situation.

Say something like, “I’m sorry that I won’t be able to visit as often as I’d like—right now I’m working a lot of hours at work and taking care of my family. I’m also trying to get enough sleep and exercise every day so that I can keep from getting sick.”

If you’re honest but gentle, your loved one is more likely to understand where you’re coming from—even if it’s difficult for them to hear.

Are there paid services you can use?

From Meals on Wheels to chore services and private-duty nursing care, there are many paid options for your aging loved one. These services can be expensive, but they can also be worth the cost if you have trouble juggling caregiving with work or family obligations.

helping aging parents

If you’re able to pay for these types of services, it’s important not to feel guilty about using them. It’s your loved one who needs the service, not you—and they’ll be much happier if their care is handled professionally, instead of depending on family members who can’t spare as much time and attention.

In the end, it’s important to remember that stress is a normal part of life—and taking care of an aging parent from far away doesn’t mean that your situation has to be difficult. There are plenty of ways to manage work and loved ones without sacrificing one for the other.

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The Challenge of Caring for An Aging Parent From a Distance

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How to Handle Aging Parents and Stubbornness

Aging Parents and Stubbornness? I know, it seems a strange thing to consider. As people grow older, they tend to get a lot more stubborn and difficult to deal with, and people who have to handle seniors will have endless stories to tell. After numerous research and assessments, medical experts have noted the reasons behind why the elderly get so stubborn as they age.

How to Handle Aging Parents and Stubbornness

Reports show that children who have to deal with their parents get frustrated regularly as their parents’ level of strong-headedness is too much. Children realize that whenever they make suggestions that would benefit their parents and provide safety, they retaliate and decide on their own. They seem to have a mind of their own and don’t want to take orders from everybody.

Psychology experts have noted that one of the main reasons for this behavior is that parents and children have different goals, and they want them to be achieved on their own terms.

Aging Parents and Stubbornness

Apparently, aging parents want to exercise their rights to independence, like going to the grocery store independently. However, children may see this as a potential threat to them, especially if they have other illnesses that might affect their ability to function alone effectively. There is generally no agreement on terms of living and the activities they can engage in.

Why Are Seniors So Stubborn?

Seniors become stubborn as they get older, and it doesn’t seem like a major issue to them. They prefer to go by their own rules, and seeing their children or caregivers have to deal with the attitude is not always easy to handle. Their uncooperative behavior frustrates their children as their definition of independence differs.

Numerous things lead to seniors becoming so stubborn, and one of the main reasons is depression. Bear in mind, depression is caused by many things, and when these seniors can’t seem to have their own way, they vent with their actions.

Not being able to go out freely as they used to is another factor that leads to them becoming stubborn. Some additional factors that contribute to seniors’ rude behavior include dementia, fear of dying, anger, anxiety, isolation, and the thought of being placed in a nursing home.

How Do You Deal With Stubborn Aging Parents?  

When dealing with seniors, there are certain approaches to take if you don’t want to get swallowed up by their stubborn behavior. We all know how they can be at times, and it hasn’t proven easy sometimes to cope with taking care of them and balancing every other aspect of your life. When you have them to deal with, here are some steps to help you out…

Know How To Handle Select Situations

If there is a habit your elderly loved one has and is not causing any issues, you can probably leave that alone. However, if other things could threaten their lives, it is best to tackle that first.

For instance, if you are scared they can’t manage the stove on their own and don’t want them to cook, it is best to leave limited food in the house that requires cooking before consumption. This way, they won’t be able to engage in that practice.

Know When To Have Conversations

It is not a good option to pop in on them and say you want to talk. You have to make plans regarding the location, time, and who should be present when you are talking to them. Try to test their tolerance level and understand what moods they comply in the most.

Don’t Shut Them Out

When you are making serious family decisions, it is important not to leave them out as they may have some critical knowledge and experience we could do well with. Marginalizing them will somewhat make them feel useless, hopeless, and unwanted and, in return, might become rebellious.

Ask For Their Opinion

Don’t go around ordering them and telling them what to do, as this will trigger them to respond harshly to you. Instead, try to get their opinion on certain matters and see how best you can make it workable for their comfort and safety.

For sure, having a conversation will be hard when dealing with Aging Parents and Stubbornness, so with this approach, you have to expect a response like no other.  

Is Stubbornness a Sign of Dementia?

Dementia has the ability to change one’s personality and overall behavior. So, once you are dealing with a senior, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you encounter a little stubbornness once in a while.

Seeing dementia sometimes makes them unaware of their surroundings and the people involved, they don’t do too well adapting to change. Forcing them might see these seniors rebelling.

What Are The 10 Warning Signs of Dementia?

With the general statement that aging people suffer from memory loss, many people might be overlooking dementia and not realize it. Here are 10 warning signs to look out for…

1. Difficulty in Finding Suitable Words

They may not always find the right words to express their thoughts, making general conversation with them very hard and sometimes long.

2. Problems With Short-term Memory

Things that happened well over 50 years ago live fresh in their minds, yet what they did up to an hour ago is hard for them to remember. Also, forgetting what they may have entered a room to do is an early sign of dementia.

3. Mood Swings

If you realize your elderly loved ones now have heavy mood swings, you might want to start thinking about early dementia. One moment they are happy and excited to do something they love, and within minutes, they feel a sudden urge not to want to do it anymore.

4. Apathy

Interest in doing what they used to enjoy is no longer a pull factor in getting them outdoors or grooving to have fun. They rather are by themselves and away from everyone.

5. Normal Tasks Now Hard

Seniors now realize that the things they could do on their own are relatively hard and form a challenge for them to complete. At one point, they could manage to do all their paperwork by themselves, but these days, they don’t even understand the contents.

6. Confusion

Life itself has become confusing for these seniors as they probably question their own existence and wonder why things happen the way they do. They find it hard to hold simple conversations, and this makes them withdrawn as socializing with their friends and family makes them confused as they don’t understand most of what is happening.  

7. Can’t Connect Stories

Have you ever tried telling them a story and realize they keep asking questions about what you previously said? This could be due to them not being able to follow through with a story, and with words being hard to understand, the conversation/story seems strange to them.

8. Failing Sense of Direction

If they can no longer find their way around places they knew very well, then dementia should be at the forefront of your mind. They can no longer recognize places they always visit, nor can they follow directions effectively.

9. Repeating Themselves

An early sign of dementia can be seen when seniors keep repeating themselves when engaged in a single conversation. You may notice they tell the same story as though they have never made mention of it before.

10. Unable to Accept Change

When seniors become a little drawback in accepting changes, they know early dementia is in full swing. If they are placed in a situation where they cannot relate or connect to, they may get rebellious and stubborn.

Loving your elderly loved ones is a must, but you have to ensure you have a lot of persistence and patience stored up when dealing with them. Trust us…you will need it when dealing with Aging Parents and Stubbornness!  

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The Benefits of Geriatric Massage Therapy

Geriatric Massage therapy can help the elderly deal with medical conditions such as depression, improving circulation, and improving their flexibility.

Massage therapy has advanced and grown over the past several years and is beneficial for all age ranges. For elderly individuals, massage therapy can be especially helpful in several ways.

Geriatric Massage Therapy

Massage can be very useful in helping an older adult overcome some serious medical ailments and also to help with improving flexibility and mobility. Because of these benefits, according to Northwestern University, health practitioners often recommend massage for their elderly patients.

Geriatric Massage for Improving Circulation

Massage therapy can help to improve circulation in the elderly. According to Northwestern University, massage therapy helps to stimulate blood and lymph circulation, and this helps to deliver fresh oxygen to the muscles. Besides, this can help to flush out waste products that might linger in these areas.

Also, improved circulation can help to improve blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Massage can also help an elderly person an alternative way to maintain control of medical conditions, such as diabetes, that can sometimes be hard to manage on their own.

Paul Armen Odian is a gifted massage therapist. In this video he talks about things to consider when providing massage for the elderly and why it is important to him to work with the elderly

According to Northwestern University, improved circulation can even help to promote healing after surgery or injuries to muscles or soft tissue.

What is a geriatric massage?

Massage Therapy for Easing Depression

Depression can plague the elderly as they age. Depression may become so severe that it can interfere with daily activities and the enjoyment of life. The elderly can experience depression related to the deaths of loved ones, decreased mobility, or isolation. Massage therapy offers an alternative way to help treat this sometimes chronic problem.

According to the National Library of Medicine, massage can help to improve stress and tension, and this can have direct emotional benefits. Massage therapy can also stir strong emotions for the recipient of the massage.

This release of emotions can help to improve psychological distress and depression. According to the National Library of Medicine, this release of pent-up emotion is caused when a hormone called oxytocin is released from the body during a massage.

Are massages good for elderly?

Massage Therapy for Improving Flexibility

Aging can bring about problems with mobility and flexibility. As a result, the elderly sometimes have more difficulty performing routine daily tasks. Some elderly even suffer from medical conditions like arthritis, and this can add to the complexity of performing hobbies that they love doing or their daily chores. Geriatric massage therapy can help an elderly person to keep their joints from becoming stiff and unmanageable.

The Lakeside School of Massage Therapy reports that massage can help to increase flexibility by restoring the mobility of the joints and reducing the limitations of the soft tissue around the joint. This can help to make daily tasks for the elderly much more manageable and improve their physical limitations.

We have a FREE printable for you:

Massage therapy for seniors

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10 benefits of Geriatric Massage from TheyareGettingOldDownload

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Great Checklist for Elderly Living Alone

The mere thought of having your elderly parents live alone is mind-boggling and makes you cringe. They get so vulnerable that you fear for them every step they make. Sure enough, they always want to maintain their pride in living alone, and as humans and adults, we have to respect their decisions. It is hard to find a checklist for elderly living alone that lets us know what warning signs to look for.

Checklist for Elderly Living Alone

However, there will come a time when you have to override their choice and make a choice to have them around longer than you can imagine. As you check in on them daily and ensure everything is up to par, there are sure signs you will realize that will make you take a step forward.

Checklist for Elderly Living Alone

Though living alone gives aging parents the independence they need, these signs are what will allow you to see they no longer can:

* Their home is dirty – Which was never the case

We all know our parents and how timid they get when they see a dirty glass in the sink. They never want to know there is any dirty laundry in the house or a dirty dish nor some dust on the center table in the sitting room. The need to clean is always one of their main priorities, so if you realize the opposite while they live alone, it is time to step in and do something.

A dirty house is a clear signal that they can no longer manage to be on their own as mere cleaning has become a struggle for them. They never allow trash to pile up, yet it is that way now, or the general setting of the house is untidy. You want to focus on their health, and a messy environment will never contribute anything good. It is probably time to consider moving them out, you move back in, or getting a live-in help to get things done around the house.

It also becomes a health hazard as unwanted pests are attracted to a physical mess. If your parent has failing vision? They won’t see the bugs in their box of cereal, or little friends that are all around the couch cushions that they like to snack on. I speak from experience here – sadly.

* Hygiene is Deteriorating

If you notice their hygiene is on a downward spiral, then you should realize it is time to get help for them. Their overall physical person is unclean, they probably smell, they wear dirty clothes, or don’t shower a lot because they are scared they may fall in the shower. These are more than enough signs to get you moving for their assistance.

How can you tell when an elderly person can't live alone?

It is important at their age to maintain proper hygiene as their immune system, and general health is not as strong as it used to be. They may become susceptible to health conditions that will develop into something more serious over time.

* They Have a Fall

This is kind of a “gimme” for your Checklist for Elderly Living Alone. If you are at work and you get a call from the hospital or medical center that your parents were rushed in because they had a fall, you don’t need any other sign. Even on their own, if they have too many cases of reported falls (from emergency records), they will be placed in assisted care to reduce the risk of them hurting themselves further.

Falling from stairs or in the shower is critical, as countless amounts of times we have seen devastating news of older adults were found dead because no one was around. Even things just lying around, or the edges of that area rug can be their nemesis.

At their age, it is not so easy to repair bones and muscles, so you want to eliminate the chances of having to deal with a life-long issue of critical care and attention. Sadly, one bad fall usually spirals into a rapid health decline.

Don’t want until a tragedy as this happens before realizing you need to get them help, move them out, or you probably move in – whichever is easier.

Can social services remove an elderly person from their home?

* Weight Fluctuation  

This is one of the clearest signs to see that something is wrong, and you need to pay closer attention to your elderly parents. When you notice their weight fluctuates in terms of them becoming too slim, it is either:

  • they forgot to eat
  • are not hungry
  • have no appetite to eat
  • they don’t want to cook for just themself
  • they are afraid to tell you they started a small fire when trying to cook

On the flip side, when they gain too much weight, it is also a need for concerns as they may be eating unhealthy foods or possibly overeating. Medical conditions can also be a factor that contributes to their weight inefficiencies. You will have to dedicate some time to get them assessed to see what is going on and know what decisions to take going forward.

* They No Longer See Clearly

Aging comes with a failing vision for most people, and it may not necessarily be associated with any illness or disease. It could be diabetes-related, or macular degeneration even. When they complain of not being able to see the figure clearly on their bills or can no longer read the morning paper, then it is time to get someone else in the home.

Failing to see is a recipe for disaster as not only are their lives are put in danger with not seeing around them, but they may end up taking the wrong medications as well.

Every too often, elderly adults have to be rushed in for medical assessment because they took the wrong medication, or they mixed up their medication. Don’t only consider getting them a daily medication planner because if they can’t see the “days on the kit” clearly, it will still be an issue. Get help for them as they should not be living alone at this stage.

* Multiple Medications

If they reach the stage where they have to take multiple medications in a given day, they should not be living alone. Not only that, they may mix the pills, but with memory loss, they will think they already took it or take it again and overdose.

They should have someone to monitor their taking times and help to organize them efficiently. Medications are complicated, and we all know this, and one error can be dangerous and end terribly. 

How can elderly live independently?

There are so many other signs you need to look for to determine it is best not to have your parents living alone like:

  • They wander a lot – If they go out and take longer to reach home because they lost their way (in a familiar town), then you should not let them be alone.
  • Memory Loss – If they can’t remember simple things easily like recognizing colors, then it is dangerous to have them living alone. Just like failing vision, and fear, memory is also a feature of getting old.  

The bottom line? It is important to watch for the signs so you can stay on top of things. All of these little areas add up to a loved one who needs help to be safe and live out their lives with grace.

how to help seniors live safely alone

I have a FREE Printable Great Checklist for Elderly Living Alone that you can get right here:

Printable_Safety Tips for EP Living Alone from TheyAreGettingOldDownload

Other posts you may find useful if you like our Checklist for Elderly Living Alone:

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