Cooking Under Pressure Healthy aging is a goal we all share and good nutrition is the first line of defense for older adults who are striving to maintain their independence as they age. Now the Home Instead Senior Care Network is arming seniors and family caregivers with nutrition resources for healthy aging. Read moreToo Close for Comfort? The growing trend of children caring for their elderly parents has prompted Home Instead Senior Care to launch "Too Close for Comfort" a public education campaign to guide families to the right choices for them. These pages and the resources they contain will help adult children and their senior loved ones answer the question: Should we or shouldn't we live together? Read moreCutting Corners Pinched by the economy, some older adults are putting themselves at risk. Evidence is mounting that older adults are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn. Local senior-care experts warn families to be on alert to make sure seniors aren't cutting too deeply. Read moreRunning on Empty There are no easy answers about how to care for an elderly loved one on a typical day. A new survey shows the dramatic toll of stress on those who provide home care for older adults: 76 percent reported that their elderly loved one's needs are overwhelming, 91 percent said they have anxiety and irritability, 73 percent have disturbed sleep patterns, and 56 percent seem to become ill more frequently. Read moreCaregiver Stress While family caregiving can be a very satisfying job, those who become primary caregivers for their senior loved ones must understand that doing so will touch many aspects of their lives -- including work, home, and family. View the results of a survey from Caregiverstress.com and find out why it's important to tap into resources that can help. Depression in Seniors Can Lead to Illness, Diabetes Older adults who experience symptoms of depression, whether they have occurred only once, increased in frequency or intensity, or remained steady over a 10-year period, may be more likely to develop diabetes than are those without depressive symptoms. Home Instead Senior Care has found that one of the best ways to battle depression is companionship. Read moreUse It or Lose It New research found that mentally stimulating pursuits, like brain games, can help seniors ward off symptoms of dementia. Unfortunately, a deterrent for many seniors who would like to stay mentally active is a lack of companionship, particularly for older adults living alone. Home Instead's CAREGivers are specially trained to identify clients' interests and find ways to mentally engage them. Read more40-70 Rule Home Instead Senior Care established the 40/70 Rule, a public education campaign to help adult children address difficult conversations with their parents, such as driving, finances, independence, and even romance. The rule means that if you are 40, or your parents are 70, it's time to start talking about these trying topics. Read moreEncourage Seniors to Pursue their Favorite Pasttimes A recent lifestyle-interest survey found that active recreational pursuits have become favorite lifestyle interests for the over-55 crowd. While not all seniors are going to be inspired to undertake an afternoon of river rafting or hiking, knowing that many do might provide some much-needed encouragement for less-active older adults to resume some of the pursuits they used to enjoy. Read moreBlue Mood Be Gone According to a 2006 University of Michigan study, nearly 60 percent of more than 500 seniors experience some form of loneliness. Emotional experiences of sadness, grief, response to loss, and temporary "blue" moods are normal, but persistent depression that interferes with a senior's ability to function is not. Read moreNight Fright During the day, Alzheimer's related dementia regularly sends elderly people into states of confusion. But at night, their situations worsen considerably. In the dark, they are terrified and often don't know where they are or whom they are with. The Home Instead Senior Care network has found that nighttime can be very frightening for seniors -- especially for those who live alone. Read moreGardens Brighten Seniors' Lives
Home Instead Senior Care teamed up with Rebecca's Garden star Rebecca Kolls for a public education campaign to bring the joys of gardening back to seniors. The initiative's primary component, a four-color gardening guide, includes simple problems with helpful tips for projects they can easily complete either by themselves or with family members or a caregiver. Read moreNew Resources Can Help Identify Depression in Seniors Home Instead Senior Care is finding that an increasing number of Baby Boomers and other grown children of seniors are looking for ways to help identify signs of depression in seniors. Depression is common and often undiagnosed afflication, but it is not a normal part of aging. Read moreNew Study Reveals Advantages of Senior Exercise Though many of us can empathize with these senior adults, Home Instead Senior Care has found that an increasing pool of data spells out the inevitable fact that exercise is vital to the good health of seniors. In fact, a recent study found that exercise rejuvenates muscle tissue in healthy seniors. Read moreSeniors Should Heed Home Safety Cautions Most seniors enjoy keeping neat, clean houses. But as older adults become a bit less steady, they also can become less sure of their ability to continue cleaning. Home Instead Senior Care and the Home Safety Council compiled a list of safety tips for seniors. Read moreGet Mom Moving Growing frailty can be the beginning of a downward spiral, and loss of independence is at top of the list when seniors discuss their worries about aging. But there is some good news. While staying physically active may be a challenge for seniors, getting Mom (and Dad) moving can help prevent and even reverse signs of frailty, according to one of the nation’s foremost authorities and researchers of mobility, balance disorders, and falls in older adults. To learn more about reversing and preventing frailty related issues, visit our Get Mom Moving website.Read more | 