For more information on Secure Aging, Click Here.Its no secret that living with Alzheimer's disease and caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or dementia is challenging. This also means that late November and December a time when the holidays are upon us also brings unique challenges as we celebrate and see more family and friends. However, there are some ways to make life a little easier during this busy time. Here are a few suggestions.1. Think safety. Its fun to decorate for the holidays, but think safety first. Don't place items that will cause a fall hazard, and avoid the use of real candles (there are lots of great LED candle options nowadays). Consider also any items that may fall easily and inadvertently hurt your loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia, such as a tree. Secure these types of items.2. Play music and lead them in easy activities. Music can bring back pleasant memories if you're selecting it correctly. Play some holiday tunes that your loved one finds soothing, and ask questions about the memories that those tunes invoke. You can also plan some easy activities together, such as baking cookies or doing Christmas crafts. Keep your expectations low. Focus more on enjoying the experience rather than the finished product.3. Prep both guests and your loved one in advance. Before family or friends come by to spread holiday cheer, share pictures and remind your loved one with dementia of who everyone is. At the same time, give visitors a health update, sharing anything that you think would be helpful for their visit.4. Don't overwhelm. Although it can be fun to think about friends and family coming by, too many visitors can be especially overwhelming to someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Space out visits, and do your best to keep a smaller number of visitors arriving at one time.5. Keep a routine. Think for a minute about your typical day. How do you feel when you have a day or two or three where you're not following your usual schedule? It can be jarring or confusing, right? That's the same for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, but its magnified. As much as possible during the holidays, stick to their regular schedule.6. Share communication tips. Share some pointers with guests about how to best communicate with someone who has Alzheimer's disease or dementia. For example, they can do the following, according to the Alzheimer's Association:Use the persons name frequently.Speak slowly but in a relaxed manner.Be patient.Don't ask, Don't you remember?!7. Take care of yourself. Caregiving is never easy, and the holidays add a new layer of responsibility. Make sure to take a breather and do something you enjoy, so you don't get too stressed.Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Care ManagementAt Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our clients independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota.

Person-centered care is an effective approach for optimizing quality of life as well as outcomes for people receiving care. This involves treating the person, not their condition, by taking the time to get to know the person and incorporate who they are into the provision of care an approach that creates a bond between the caregiver and care receiver.Related to that is the importance of respecting a persons current abilities. Rather than focusing on what someone can no longer do, the ideal caregiver tries to be in the moment with them and meet them where they are.Other Person-Centered Care Characteristics:SincerityCaregivers genuinely care about the people they care for and have a desire to make their lives as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. This compassion is one of the defining characteristics of a caregiver.CompetencyPeople receiving care may be scared or insecure about their need for care so its helpful to reassure them by exhibiting confidence and competence. If a person believes in your abilities, they will feel more secure, safe and engaged.CommittedGood caregivers advocate for their loved ones. They ask questions and expect answers. They also learn about their loved ones condition, and they make sure their loved one gets the care they need.UpliftingCaregivers understand that there will be good days and bad days. They try to focus on the positive and find the silver lining in every situation. This positive outlook is contagious and can often help the people theyre caring for feel better about themselves.CollaborativeA good caregiver recognizes that they are part of an extended care team that may include doctors, family and friends. Being understanding and flexible goes a long way toward being a successful team player focused on whats best for the person receiving care.ResponsibleGood caregivers are effective managers. They create schedules, plan for emergencies and organize information so they dont have to scramble. Being responsible doesnt mean you have to do it all yourself though. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness a good caregiver lines up friends, family, or professionals to step in when they need a break.PatienceThis is the most important because it is key to providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere. People who need care often take longer to complete simple tasks, and they may ask the same questions over and over. Quality caregivers need patience to deal with anything from a loved ones memory lapses to angry outbursts. They practice staying calm and avoiding frustration.Caregivers likely will not be exhibiting all seven characteristics at once. Instead, they draw on the appropriate quality based on the situation. Thats why having a well-stocked caregiving toolbox is invaluable for caregivers.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith, go to https://synergyhomecare.com/blog/.

Its normal for people to worry about their loved ones who are in senior living communities, especially when it comes to quality of life. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, nearly 40% of assisted living residents get help with at least three activities on a daily basis. However, just because they need help with daily tasks doesnt mean they cant take part in various activities to keep their mind fresh. Your loved one can enjoy some of these fun activities in their senior living community.WalksFor people who enjoy walking and seeing nature, walks are an excellent senior living activity. Many senior living communities have trails nearby where residents can go for a quick walk to get some exercise and fresh air. There may even be group walks where people can socialize while getting some exercise.CraftsCrafts can help seniors stay busy and keep their minds occupied, both of which are important in an assisted living community. From various types of art to learning how to create pottery and arrange flowers, senior living communities offer all sorts of crafts that seniors can enjoy.Social EventsMaintaining normalcy is crucial for people who are adjusting to assisted living facilities, so social events are a popular choice. Seniors can compete with their new friends during bingo night, enjoy dinner with other residents, or even play cards and other fun games. These social events can vary quite a bit, but theyre a big part of how these communities help residents feel more at home.Movie NightsIf your loved one has always enjoyed watching movies, theyll have no trouble finding something to do in a senior living community. Most communities host movie nights at least once a week. Your family member can rewatch some of their favorite films while in the great company of their neighbors and facility staff.If your loved one is going to an assisted living facility, you dont have to worry about how theyll stay busy. These communities provide lots of activities that seniors can use to stay active and keep their brains working. If you want to learn more about DeSoto Palms Assisted Living Community and the activities we offer our residents, call us to find out more. We look forward to taking care of your loved one.

Finding the right meal service for seniors can be a challenge with so many options out there. A family caregiver who recently contacted us at Chefs For Seniors stated in an email:My mom is no longer cooking for herself, and her health is suffering as a result. Somethings got to change, but Im not sure which option would work best for her. She currently has a CNA coming into the home every day for a few hours, but she doesnt know how to prepare diabetic-friendly meals.Weve also tried some meal delivery companies, some better than others, but none seemed to stick. Then we found your company on Google, but a personal chef service seems like it would be way too expensive. What would be really nice is some kind of unbiased information about food options for seniors, do you know where I could find that?This article is our attempt to answer her question and provide an unbiased comparison of meal delivery for seniors vs. senior home care meals vs. personal chef services.Well list the advantages and disadvantages of each type of service, then allow you to form your own opinion on which meal service option would suit your needs best.Meal delivery vs. home care vs. personal chefMeal delivery services are convenient and affordable but can't be customized and sometimes aren't very healthy. Having a home care aide prepare meals can be a great source for companionship and the meals are freshly made, but senior caregivers arent trained cooks and services are very expensive. Personal chef services provide the highest quality fully customized meals but can be a slightly more expensive option than meal delivery.Pros & Cons of Meal Delivery Services for SeniorsAffordableConvenientCalorie countsAvailabilityAffordableCompared to the other meal options for seniors examined in this article, meal delivery services tend to be more affordable. Most delivery services charge somewhere between $8-$14/meal plus shipping cost (usually '$20/order).ConvenientMost meal delivery services for services have the option to order meals online, and a cooler full of frozen meals will be delivered to your door 3-7 days later. The meals can then be reheated at your convenience.Calorie CountsSince the meals are prepared in a factory setting, meal delivery companies can provide exact calorie counts and other nutrient breakdowns which can be helpful if you have certain dietary concerns.AvailabilitySince the meals are prepared in a central location and shipped, you can order meals for delivery from anywhere in the US even if you live in a rural area.Cons of Meal Delivery Services for SeniorsNo customizationQualityNo accountabilityMore potential trashNo CustomizationMany seniors have specific dietary concerns and/or food preferences, but unfortunately meal delivery services cannot accommodate your specific needs since the meals are mass-produced.QualityMost meal delivery services for seniors will deliver a cooler of mass-produce IQF frozen meals, so the meals arent as fresh and tasty as the other options examined in this article.No AccountabilityMany family caregivers are concerned about whether their loved ones are actually eating the meals ordered from a meal delivery service, or just stacking them in the freezer.More Potential TrashEnvironmentalists have noted that meal delivery services can lead to a lot of excess waste since the containers are disposable and thrown away after use.Pros & Cons of Home Care Aid MealsCompanionshipPlated mealsGrocery store tripCompanionshipA senior home care aid prepares meals in the clients home, which offers a great opportunity for companionship. Recent studies have shown loneliness to be as dangerous to your health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.Plated MealsSenior home care aides aren't typically preparing make-ahead meals for the week. They're usually preparing one meal at a time and plating it for the client.Grocery Shopping TripMany senior home care aids will bring the client along for a grocery-shopping trip, so they can pick out exactly what ingredients they'd like.Cons of Home Care Aid MealsCostQualityFood SafetyCostOf the 3 options examined in this article, seniors home care aids preparing meals is by far the highest cost option. The average hourly rate for home care in the US is $25/hour, and if you had a home care aide prepare 2 meals/day at 1 hour prep time/meal, that adds up to $350/week plus groceries.QualitySince most caregivers don't have much cooking experience outside of possibly being a home cook, the quality of the food isnt always great and diets theyre able to accommodate can be limited.Food SafetySenior home care aides are not SERV Safe certified, so they are not trained in proper food preparation and storage procedures. This could lead to potential food safety issues.Pros & Cons of Personal Chef ServicesQualityCustomizationCompanionshipFood SafetyQualitySince many personal chefs have decades of cooking experience, the quality and freshness of the meals they prepare exceed the other two options examined in this article.CustomizationPersonal chefs can customize meals to meet your specific dietary concerns and food preferences. They can even work with your dietitian and/or doctor to ensure youre eating what youre supposed to.CompanionshipSince personal chefs prepare the meals in your home, it provides a great opportunity for companionship and a fun experience.SafetyAll personal chefs are SERV Safe certified, so they're knowledgeable about proper food handling and storage procedures. This helps avoid the potential for foodborne illness.Cons of Personal Chef ServicesCostAvailabilityLack of nutrition infoCostWhile many personal chef services are more affordable than you'd think, they're still usually more expensive than meal delivery services. For example, Chefs For Seniors charges $110-$140 (plus $40-$60 in groceries) for a weeks' worth of meals, '12 servings.AvailabilitySince the personal chef industry is relatively new, services aren't available in every part of the US. Most personal chefs are located in and around major metropolitan areas.Lack of Nutrition InfoSince the meals are made from scratch in your home, personal chefs aren't able to provide exact calorie counts and nutrition breakdowns for your meals.Key TakeawaysEach of the three types of services examined in this article comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.Pros and Cons of Meal Delivery Services For SeniorsMeal delivery services are affordable and available throughout the US, but food quality is often lacking and meals cannot be customized for specific diets.Pros and Cons of Home Care Aid Meal PrepHaving a senior home care aid prepare meals offers a great opportunity for companionship and meals can be plated fresh, but most caregivers arent trained cooks, arent ServSafe certified, and its by far the most expensive meal service option for seniors.Pros and Cons of Personal Chef ServicesPersonal chef services can customize meals for specific diets/food preferences, all chefs are ServSafe certified, and the quality of the meals is top-notch. However, its a more expensive option than meal delivery services.Still have questions about these three types of meal service options for seniors? Contact us!