Home Care San Francisco enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Valentine’s Day can be lonely for seniors, particularly those of you who are reminded of romantic activities that you may have done in the past with a spouse that’s no longer with you. But that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to those feelings; instead get out there and have some fun!

• Attend a community event – visit a senior’s center or community center hosting Valentine’s Day celebrations. Performances like concerts by choirs, plays and poetry readings can be fun to attend and great for the whole family

• Try doing some crafts – seniors who are already part of craft groups are likely to be beginning themed activities for Valentine’s Day, but do them at home as well. Seniors can also make cards and decorations with their family members

• Do some baking – Valentine’s Day is often associated with treats. Chocolate and goodies are usually a feature of the holiday. For seniors that can eat these items without any health repercussions, they can do some baking with family members. Otherwise healthier recipes can be tried incorporating food coloring of heart shapes to get into the spirit!

Via: Suite101

Image: daylife.com

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Q – Since my father passed away, my mother just hasn’t enjoyed the holiday season despite many of our efforts. Is there anything we can do to make the season something to look forward to. We don’t want to eliminate my father’s memory, but do want the family to celebrate together:

1. Allow memories and past rituals to live on – don’t discourage seniors from reliving those important memories of holidays past, thinking that it will prevent depression. Share memories of family members no longer with you, look at photos, and keep old family traditions alive

2. Make sure visiting seniors are comfortable – to help reduce the stress of seniors coming into your home over the holidays, make sure that your home is senior-friendly, with safety being the primary concern

3. Avoid impulsive holiday activities – to ensure that seniors can be involved with all holiday activities, avoid being impulsive that way seniors can be well-rested for more excitement

4. Focus on the joy – while it’s okay to reminisces, over the holidays make sure that all memories discussed focus on the positive

5. Create new traditions – while you can focus on incorporating old rituals into the holidays, create new ones as well that give the whole family, including seniors, new things to look forward to doing together. Holiday activities can’t just focus on the past

Via: ArticleBase

Image source: sxc.hu

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Coming up with great gift ideas for older adults can be a challenge for many families. What many living on a limited income would most appreciate are practical items that they might not buy for themselves. Think about those things that they’re likely to need regularly, and add it to a gift basket. To make it more special, however, purchase the varieties of items that they wouldn’t splurge on when buying on their own. Here are some great suggestions:

1. Purchase items that will aid in dental health – it might not sound like a glamorous holiday gift idea, but a senior’s dental health can really change their quality of life, especially over the holidays when they’d rather enjoy. In a gift basket, include a favorite toothpaste or denture cleaner, mouthwash, floss and a new toothbrush (buy electric, or one in their favorite color – something they might not splurge on!).

2. Stock up on other personal items – splurge a little bit and include personal items that are more than just the basics. If you know that they prefer a certain kind of scented soap or body wash, but typically stick to a cheaper bar soap, pick some up! Bubble bath, body lotion and other items they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves would also be appreciated

3. Include nutritious snacks – crackers, preserves, tea and coffee are all great things to include in a senior’s gift basket. Try to buy the items you know they love, but won’t get for themselves!

Via: Well Sphere

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

In many cultures, it’s an expectation that families will take in their elders in older adulthood; but in others, it’s a gesture of concern and caring. Families might offer for seniors to move in with them, but it doesn’t mean that it’s an arrangement that works for everyone. If your family has suggested you come live in their home, evaluate whether or not it will work for you and the lifestyle you envision for yourself in older adulthood by asking these questions:

• What will my role be in paying for household expenses? Does it sound affordable and reasonable based on the living arrangements determined?

• What specific responsibilities will I have? Will I be expected to contribute to household chores or care for any of the grandchildren in the home? If so, how often and when?

• Will I be provided with my own space to maintain my independence? Will I have a room, or a bathroom that’s off limits to the rest of the family?

• What will become of my assets? How will we handle the sale of my home and finances I have in my bank accounts?

• Can I bring my pets to the home?

• Will changes be made to areas of the home to provide for my comfort and safety?

• Will I be a part of family decisions, such as vacations, travel, and hosting of events in the home? Or will the other family members make these decisions?

• Am I able to invite my friends to the home and entertain? What if I want to use the space without the grandchildren?

• What arrangements will be made if I need care assistance? Will someone in the home be able to help, or will we hire senior home care?

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Living miles upon miles from your grandchildren during your seniors years isn’t easy. At a time in your life when you have a renewed appreciation for the people most important to you, you want nothing more than to connect. But distance keeps many grandchildren and grandparents from physically being together on a regular basis, so grandparents can make sure that the bond is maintained year-round with these tips:

1. Take advantage of technology – email and social networking sites can allow families to remain connected. Post pictures, videos and share stories using sites like Facebook or others that can help keep grandparents and grandchildren up to date on what’s happening in each other’s lives.

2. Create fun long-distance games – to stay connected, grandparents can try fun long-distance games that let their grandchildren know they’re loved and being thought about. Create personalized crossword puzzles or word searches, send them a jar of M&Ms to countdown to the next visit, or play long-distance hide and seek, having someone hide items around the house and then giving the clues to their grandchildren over the phone.

3. Make a point to get together – it’s hard to bring families together, and easy for too much time to pass between visits. Family reunions that bring grandchildren together with their grandparents should happen at least once a year no matter what!

Sources:

1. Let Life In 

2. FamBooks

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.