INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS DURING THANKSGIVING

Holiday Activities & Home Care

Imagine your house full of people you love, endearing conversations being had between family members, loved ones yelling at the T.V. for sports games, children chasing each other from room to room developing life long friendships with their cousins. Sounds amazing right?

Now imagine you are a Senior, hard of hearing, trying to remember who these people are, attempting to remember “Why am I here again?”, “What are we celebrating?”. A family member asks you a question, and a well meaning daughter or spouse answers for you, robbing you of the opportunity for a social connection. The emotion is much different, right?

Holidays are a joyous occasion but can also be overwhelming for someone with Dementia or even someone who is hard of hearing. Here are some suggestions to help create a welcoming atmosphere:

1. Have a photo album labeled with names, and reminisce with them multiple times a day with different family members who can offer different perspectives of the same story

2. Incorporate your Senior in activities such as cooking. Have them sit at a table, and mix apples for the apple pie, or fold the napkin linens for the table.

3. Have a room designated as a “quiet room”, where one-on-one conversations can be had without environmental distractions. This room is not meant to isolate a Senior, but to increase the social connection that is vital for their quality of life.

4. Have a schedule ready to show them the events of the day so they are aware of what is next (this also helps you in organizing your day!)

We often see loved ones do everything for their Senior, thinking they are doing best for them, but often times we are handicapping them. Taking away what they still can do for themselves, and creating dependency. Seniors, even those with Dementia, can still contribute to daily activities, but just with some modified adjustments.

by: Francesca Alonso, M.S. CCC-SLP, Geriatric Speech Language Pathologist, Administrator of PSFS Homecare

Visit: https://www.perfectsolutionsforseniors.com

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GENERAL TIPS TO IMPROVE MEMORY

1. Be alert and aware

You cannot remember if you do not attend to the item you want to recall. When you pay attention you will become aware of things you ordinarily will miss.

2. Visualization/ Association

Memory is based on associating new information to something you already know. It helps to link what you want to remember to a strong visual image. Example, people often remember the shape of Michigan because they associate it with a mitten. Or next time you want to remember someone’s name, associate it with someone you already know or a famous person.

3. Repetition

In order to place something in your memory bank, you must repeat it at least 3 times. Verbal repetition linked with a visual image can increase your ability to recall

4. Organize new information

Catagorize new information to help you remember or use acronyms.

5. Routine

Do things in the same order/time every day to help you recall

6. Write it Down

Use a planner

Use these tips in your daily life to help improve your memory. If you are you loved one is needing assistance with every day activities such as meal planning, dressing, toileting or even travel, give us a call. Perfect Solutions for Seniors offers in home care from Bradenton to Ft. Myers!

Visit: https://www.perfectsolutionsforseniors.com

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PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH

April is Parkinson’s awareness month. In simplest terms, Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a central nervous system disorder than can affect movement, often involving tremors. These tremors can be exhibit themselves in outer extremities such as legs
and arms, or internally such as one’s larynx impacting their ability to swallow.

Though many are aware of the term Parkinson’s, few know early signs of Parkinson’s.

The Parkinson’s Foundation lists 10 early signs of “PD” Parkinson’s Dementia.
1. Tremors
2. Small Handwriting
3. Loss of smell
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Trouble moving or walking
6. Constipation
7. A soft of low voice
8. Masked face
9. Dizziness or fainting
10. Stooping or Hunching Over

A symptom of Parkinson’s that can be easily overlooked is dysphagia, which is a swallow impairment. Tremors present in the larynx impact the safety of the swallow mechanism increasing the individual’s risk of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration is when a foreign particle, such as a liquid or food, enters past the vocal folds of the trachea and into the powerhouses of our body: our lungs. Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) are the healthcare practitioners that will work within the interdisciplinary team to provide diagnosis and treatment for dysphagia.
There are 3 types of dysphagia:

1. Oral Dysphagia: swallow impairment that occurs inside of the oral cavity. Impairments generally are impaired mastication, or chewing, of food, and/or decreased propulsion of the food or liquid bolus resulting in oral residue.

2. Pharyngeal Dysphagia: swallow impairment that occurs in the pharynx which can result poor transit of the bolus to the esophagus or decreased coordination of pharyngeal elements resulting in aspiration.

3. Esophageal Dysphagia: impairment in the esophagus where bolus does not transmit to stomach area. A referral to a GI specialist is needed.

An individual can experience dysphagia in multiple phases of the swallow. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms in swallowing or early signs of Parkinson’s, consult with your Doctor who can make the appropriate referrals. As Parkinson’s progresses, more assistance may be required to support you in your activities of daily living such as meal prep, housekeeping, and medication reminders. If this is you, contact Perfect Solutions for Seniors, a senior in home company, with a Speech Language Pathologist leading the staff in best communication and assistive practices for their senior clients.

#eldercare #inhomecare #seniorcare #sarasota #caregiver #CNA #RN #helpinmyhome

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ELDERCARE COMPANY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Now that we have introduced ourselves, and why we are so passionate about senior in home care, its time to dig into the good stuff! Our services!

We are the only eldercare company in Sarasota, Florida that has a licensed Speech Language Pathologist as our administrator. What does that mean to you?

Francesca, uses her clinical skill to enhance the care plans established by our Registered Nurse’s. Care plans can be enhanced either by setting communication expectations/ or ways to best communicate with client. Francesca supplies one on one education to the family, and the caregiver/CNA placed on the case.

Part of our valued services is our Cognitive Enhancement Program. This program includes our admin, an SLP and certified Dementia Practitioner, providing a screening tool/assessment to stage cognition. From this, she makes recommendations to the care plan or can make recommendations to make the home safer, such as adding grab bars in the bathroom for example. This value added service is exclusive only to Perfect Solutions for Senior clients’.

We are so proud to have this available for our clients’, and this is just one way we are changing Senior in home care. Our client’s deserve the best, and we are set on delivering that!

#eldercare #homecare #seniorcare #inhomecare #dementiacare #slp #rn #cna #caregiver #sarasotafl

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AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease (baseball’s “Iron Horse”), is a progressive neurogenerative disease impacting the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord. When these motor neurons die, the brain’s ability to initiate and control those muscles are lost. Two types of ALS are:

Sporadic- most common form
Familial-the disease is inherited

The Mayo Clinic cites these early signs of ALS:

1. Difficulty walking or doing your normal daily activities
2. Tripping and falling
3. Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles
4. Hand weakness or clumsiness
5. Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
6. Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders and tongue
7. Difficulty holding your head up or keeping good posture

If you are experiencing any of these please make an appointment with you Doctor. If you have difficulty completing tasks of daily living, call us today for a free consultation. We can assist you with all of your wants and needs to help you lead a fulfilling life!

ALS #lougehrigs #seniorhomecare #eldercare #perfectsolutionshomecare #sarasotafl #venicefl #pinellascounty #tampabayarea #cna #caregiver #rn #bestseniorhomecare #longtermcareinsurance

Visit: https://www.perfectsolutionsforseniors.com

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NUTRITION AND AGING

As we age, our needs change. Physically, emotionally, and mentally we are needing different things to satiate us. What most often gets overlooked is that nutritionally our needs change as well.

As we age, our resting metabolic rate declines, which can lead to weight gain and increase your risk for chronic illnesses. At the same time, we are losing lean muscle mass. So what can you do to decrease this?

Harvard Medical School cites these recommendations

1. Increase your physical activity
2. Begin resistance training to strengthen muscles, add muscle mass and overall increase your metabolic rate
3. Improve your diet. Add whole grains, fruit and vegetables, lean protein such as white fish, and non-fat or low-fat dairy
4. Enjoy your favorite foods! But in Moderation!
For some, this may be a big lifestyle change, but small steps lead to great rewards. Start by walking around the block once a day, or add a vegetable to one meal a day.

Need assistance with meal planning, cooking or other activities daily living?

Perfect Solutions for Seniors is the premier provider in Sarasota, Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. We provide free in-home consultations to fully understand what your needs and concerns are. We are family and privately owned. We know family because that is who we are!

#seniorcare #inhomecare #seniorinhomecare #eldercare #homecare #sarasota #bradenton #veniceflorida #dementiacare #aginginplace #nutritionandaging

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TOP 3 FALL RISKS FOR SENIORS

After the age of 65 the “F” word changes. Falls! A small trip on a rug or even a pet can lead to a serious and devastating fall. A statistic cites, that a person approaching 80 years of age breaks a hip, they have a one in four chance of not surviving. Top three fall risks include ( Risks For Seniors) :

Slipping in the tub.
Tripping over clutter.
Stairs.
It is vital in a Senior’s home, that it can be somewhat “fall” proof. At PSFS, we recommend finding a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) that provides recommendations as to where to put grab bars, cite fall risks and increase overall safety.

As part of our client package, PSFS, offers a Cognitive Enhancement Program, where our Administrator and Speech Language Pathologist will conduct a cognitive screening for the client to stage cognition and offer insight and recommendations to increase overall safety.

This value-added service in combination with our homecare to support a clients’ wants and needs, not only decreases risk of falls but we are also improving the quality of life for our client.

Remember, our consultation is always free. Even if you have questions do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you aging in your home, safely!

To Know More: https://www.perfectsolutionsforseniors.com

#eldercare #homecare #inhomecare #seniorcare #aginginplace #dementiacare #RisksForSeniors

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Senior in Home Care

Did you know we have two levels of care available for senior in home care? We employee caregivers and Certified Nursing Assistant’s Caregivers provide companionship, light housekeeping, homemaking etc. This level of care is for someone who does not need any hands-on care. Our Certified Nursing Assistants provide the above as well as hands on care. This can include hands on assistance for toileting, transfers, dressing and other activities of daily living.Our Registered Nurse on staff develops a care plan specified for you, and our CNA follows it. Your care plan is updated every 90 days or if a change in condition occurs.Depending on your level of care, we will always conduct a free in-home assessment to ensure the right level of care is provided.At Perfect Solutions for Seniors, we aim to increase the quality of eldercare in the Sarasota area, and that starts with ensuring our client’s get the right care!
#inhomecare #seniorcare #eldercare #aginginplace #sarasotafl #cna #rn #caregiver

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