Caregivers- More Than Assistance- Senior Home Care Lake County IL

Many of us have aging parents that may be living alone. In today's society, families are often very busy with their own lives. At times, it may be difficult for families to understand how their aging parent may be feeling. Elderly people are often not encouraged to discuss their feeling, or may be reluctant to ask for emotional support or any assistance.

Today, more and more seniors are choosing to remain in their homes instead of placement in assisted living or nursing facilities. It is important then to make sure that they are still living healthy social lives. Caregivers can ensure that mom or dad still can play a vital role in the society. feeling useful and important can alliviate feelings of sadness.

Many elderly people may live alone, with no family support system whatsoever. Feeling isolated, many elderly people may become depressed. Often, even doctors may misdiagnose the signs of depression. Doctors, in my opinion should often take the time to encourage seniors to talk about their feelings as well as check their health. I feel that a doctor is the first and most important link to families in being able to notice any changes in a seniors mood or behavior. Especially if the doctor has been the primary health provider for a long time. Preventing depression should be very important to health providers when it comes to the elderly. Everybody seems more concerned with an elderly person staying physically healthy. But mental health is crucial to physical health.

A family member should take the time to speak to the doctor on behalf of their aging parent. Ask the doctor to take a few extra minutes to discuss mom or dads mental well-being and encourage them to express their feeling.

Many circumstances may play a role in an elderly person feeling depressed. Sudden loss of independence. Mobility issues. Sudden illness. On-going health issues. Worry over financial problems. Death of a spouse or isolation can all contribute to feelings of depression.

Sometimes we may just not realize or take into consideration how mom or dad may be feeling. We assume that everything is fine. Here are some signs of depression or changes to look for:

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Loss of interest in daily activities

Loss of interest in family and friends

Loss of interest in going out

Sadness

Irritability

Increased sleeping habits

Difficulty sleeping

Poor Hygiene

Some elderly people may become depressed because they physically cannot do regular household tasks anymore and are reluctant to ask for help. Doctors should also discuss these issues with their aging adult patient and their family to help provide assistance and make life easier for their patient. Elderly people seem to listen to their doctors better than anyone else.

Providing a caregiver or assistance early on can be very important for elderly people to maintain their independence and continue to live a better quality of live. A caregiver can provide the assistance an individual may require as far as housekeeping goes. But retaining a qualified caregiver for mom or dad provides many important factors and plays a major role in an elderly persons live.

Today, caregivers are not just for assistance. A caregiver can help stimulate and keep mom or dad's mind and body to remain active. Having someone to participate in simple conversation and current events helps prevent the isolation that many elderly people feel. All of us, at any age want to feel important. We all want to know that we matter to someone. Eating alone is not as appetising as eating with someone. A caregiver can prepare nutritious meals and may sit and enjoy the meal with the elderly person. This ensures that the senior is eating healthy and eating. caregivers provide encouragement. They show an interest in the elderly persons life. Making sure that mom or dad keeps their medical appointments is an important part of a caregivers role. Caregivers are an important link between physicians, seniors and their families. They can encourage the elderly person to let their physician know how they are feeling or help explain their feelings or issues to their doctor. A caregiver provides moral support, a better sense of well-being and encouragement through any difficult times. Caregivers can help maintain mom or dads favorite interest, outings, acivities and keep them socialized. Statistics show that when assistance is provided to elderly people recuperating from a hospital stay, the rate of recuperation is quicker. The most important thing that families can do for their loved one in difficult times is to give the gift of a caregiver.

Cell Phones-Peace of Mind & Safety- Hearts of Gold Senior Home Care Lake County IL

Technology has certainly come a long way. For most of us it is very easy to adapt to new gadgets. But for seniors it may be very difficult. Cell phones are one of the new gadgets that every senior should have. Since a lot of seniors live alone, a cell phone can provide a sense of security, help them stay connected to family in friends, but most of all can be important in case of an emergency.

My mother just turned eighty. She is still active and independent, but not very fond of technology. She is set in her own ways. She never thought that a cell phone was necessary. In her opinion, her generation grew up without a cell phone and did just fine. She loves gardening and long walks. But her enjoyments make our family very nervous when we cannot get a hold of her. So I decided it was time that mom had a cell phone.

I felt that it was important for us to be able to stay in touch with her at all times. It was more for my peace of mind, not hers. She understands that even when she is gardening I can get a hold of her at anytime and not worry. She now understands that not only in emergencies is her cell phone important but it provides a feeling of safety and security so that she can maintain her independence.

Buying my mother a cell phone was the easy part. getting her to use it was another story. But once I encouraged her to become familiar with the phone, took the time to make sure she knew how to use it and understood how to use it, she cannot be without it now. She loves chatting with her friends all the time.

For many seniors it is difficult to convince them about the benefits a cell phone can provide. But once seniors realize a cell phone is not difficult to use, they are more accepting of this technology that is new to them. I deal with seniors everyday, providing senior home care in Lake County IL. (http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com) I realize a lot of seniors feel isolated and alone. A cell phone can help with socialization and independence for aging adults in their retirement years. My mother loves her cell phone so much, she suggested that for each new client that retains their senior home care services in Lake County IL with us, we should give them a free cell phone so they too can stay connected with their family and friends. She suggested that each caregiver can also help the senior understand and teach them how to use their cell phone. So that is what we are doing. An added value and benefit to the senior home care services that we provide. Stay connected to mom or dad at all times and have peace of mind. For more information on obtaining a free cell phone for your loved one to help you stay connected you can give us a call.