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Author: Craig Bass

World Listening Day: Take Your Mom Outside for a Day in Nature

Posted on by Craig Bass

July 18th was established by the World Listening Project as a day to head outside and sit and listen to the soothing sounds of nature. It’s a good day for family caregivers to get outside, unwind, and listen to what’s out there.

A Yale report looked at more than 1,000 studies of “Nature Deficit Disorder,” and found that nature has a powerful restorative benefit. When people feel safe when they’re out in nature, it can lower their blood pressure, lower the stress hormones flowing throughout their body, reduce stress, improve their immune system response, and boost their mood.

As a family caregiver, you likely experience a lot of stress as you become a parent to your parent. Take a day off and go outside with your mom. Whether you go to a local park or sit in the backyard, stop and listen to the birds, listen to the water in a nearby stream or river or as it laps the lakeshore or coastline, and enjoy being outside in nature for a change.

Forget about your chores for the day. Focus on the important ones like making sure your mom has food and water and takes her medications on time. Things like vacuuming, dusting, and laundry can wait a day. It won’t hurt anything if you have a relaxed day out for a change.

Use Apps for Identifying Bird and Animal Sounds

You’d be surprised by how many bird sounds you can probably identify already. But, there are apps you can find online that allow you to record a snippet of a bird’s song or animal’s cry. Submit them to the app and it will tell you what you’re hearing.

Cornell Labs’ Ask Merlin is a highly-rated app for identifying bird calls. It’s a good place to start. If you’re looking to identify animal sounds, iNaturalist is one of the best options.

Apps Can Identify Animals by Picture, Too

One of the neatest features of Google Photos is that you can take your photo and have Google Lens identify it. Take a photo of a bird you see flitting in the trees, and Google Lens will tell you what it is.

Experience the Benefits of Companion Care at Home

When you’re not with your mom, is she alone? Does she often experience loneliness? Companion care at home services is an excellent solution. Instead of being alone all day, every day, a caregiver stops by to keep her company.

Your mom’s caregiver is there to help her with housework, cook and share meals, and take her shopping. If your mom has an appointment and hates going alone, her companion can accompany her. Learn more about companion care at home by calling a specialist with your list of questions.

Sources:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Apache Junction, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

Hot Weather Hygiene Tips For Seniors

Posted on by Craig Bass

Taking care of daily hygiene can be challenging for seniors even when the weather isn’t warm, but it can be especially challenging when the hot summer weather comes. Everyone can struggle to stay fresh and feel cool when the temperatures soar. Seniors can get personal care at home to help them maintain their hygiene. Personal care at home can also help seniors with tasks like getting dressed and showering. Some hot weather hygiene tips that seniors can use to be cool and confident all summer include:

Get A Sweat Proof Sunscreen

Seniors who are going out in the sun need to wear sunscreen. But regular sunscreen can wear off and it can wear off very quickly when seniors are sweating. If it’s very warm outside seniors should wear sport sunscreen or sweat resistant sunscreen so that it lasts. Otherwise seniors may be out in the sun for hours with no protection. That can lead to serious sunburn and other heat-related problems. A sweat proof sunscreen that is reapplied regularly while seniors are outdoors is the best choice.

Use Baby Wipes To Freshen Up

Baby wipes are something seniors should always have with them. Unscented or scented baby wipes are a great tool to use to freshen up. Seniors can use them to wipe away sweat if the day is really warm. And they can use baby wipes after using the bathroom to take care of any residual odor that might linger because of the heat and sweat. It’s a good idea for seniors to keep baby wipes in their bag, purse, fanny back, or in a pocket so that they can discreetly grab a couple if they need them.

Apply Powder When Getting Dressed

Baby powder that is talc free is safe to use and can make seniors a lot more comfortable. Baby powder can prevent odor, uncomfortable wetness, and rashes. Seniors can also use diaper cream to avoid getting heat rashes on their legs or arms. If your senior parent hates the feel of baby powder they should try anti-chafing gel. This product goes on like smooth like a gel but dries to a soft powder finish so it has all the advantages of powder but is easier and less messy to apply. Anti-chafing gel can be used between any folds of skin or anywhere skin rubs to prevent friction, skin tags, and rashes.

Wash Sheets At Least Once A Week

Seniors should be washing their sheets at least once a week when the weather is hot. Wash sheets in hot water to kill any odor-causing bacteria. It’s also a good idea to use only natural fiber sheets like cotton or linen. Natural fiber sheets will allow for good air circulation and that will help seniors who tend to sweat at night. There’s less chance of seniors getting skin infections, rashes, and other skin disorders from their sheets in the summer when they are washed regularly once a week. Use unscented soap or soap created to wash baby bedding so that seniors don’t have any kind of reaction to the soap used to wash their bedding.

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Cave Creek, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

Thank You!

Posted on by Craig Bass

Hello Senior Community. Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Since my most recent journey, these two gentlemen have welcomed me and been extremely supportive. You know who you are based on the picture. I won’t say your name, but I will say thank you for being wind under my heavy wings. You gentlemen have been and continue to be wonderful to me. Thank you.

Today Was A Good Day!

Posted on by Craig Bass

Hello Senior Community. Every endeavor has those elements you don’t like but the end goal being achieved makes it worth it. We go to wherever our client lives. Clients live in all kinds of places. This place has always put a smile on my face. More importantly, getting out to see and help clients gives me a warm feeling in my heart. I just want the Community to know that today was a fantastic day!!!

Online and Phone Scams That Put Seniors at Risk

Posted on by Craig Bass

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It’s estimated that five million older Americans are the victims of abuse each year. When it comes to elder abuse, it’s not just physical abuse. Financial abuse is also prevalent and leads to financial losses of as much as $36.5 billion each year. While many older adults experience physical, emotional or financial abuse by people they know, they can also be victimized by strangers. Scams and fraud accounted for about $1.7 billion of those financial losses in 2020. Here are a few scams to watch out for, and how elder care can help.

Computer Repair Scams

If your mom gets a call that her computer is infected and that she needs to allow access to her computer to have the repair completed, make sure she knows to ignore it. Keep her laptop updated with a security suite to prevent malware, spyware, and viruses.

Lottery Scams

Some emails will say you’ve won a lottery and need to pay the taxes upfront to claim it. That’s now how it works. If your mom really won the lottery, she would get the money and pay the taxes on her yearly income taxes. State lotteries often deduct the taxes right from the amount she’s won to make it easy.

Shipping Emails and Text Messages

One of the most prevalent email or text scams right now tells you that your package wasn’t delivered and that you need to click a link to arrange redelivery. If you click that link, you might end up with a virus that then proceeds to demand payment to fix it.

The other way this scam works is by requesting payment to schedule a delivery. Make sure your mom keeps track of her shipments and knows to avoid any messages that say delivery failed. If it was truly a failed delivery, she’d know from the retailer’s shipping status page.

Romance Scams

Your mom is on social media and has some random guy compliment her. Eventually, he’s saying he’s fallen in love and starts to ask her to send money so that he can see her. This is one of the most common scams.

Set your mom’s social media accounts to private and don’t allow people who are not in her friend’s list to send her messages. If she does get a message, make sure she knows not to send any money or download any files the person sends.

Keep Your Mom From Being Alone

As much as you try to educate your mom on the current online and phone scams, you can only do so much. You can’t be with her all day when scammers are more likely to call her. You can arrange to have elder care aides with her. They’ll answer the phone for her and help her go through her messages and emails.

Elder care aides are a great tool in avoiding scams and helping your mom avoid financial abuse. Call a home care agency to learn more.

Sources:
https://ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse
https://www.justice.gov/file/1523276/download

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Paradise Valley, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Event

Posted on by Craig Bass

Hello Senior Community. As part of being involved in the community, we are actively involved with the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber had an event that was hosted at Ravenscroft. They have weekly concerts, fantastic food and a wonderful building that is like no other in Phoenix. Ravenscroft is definitely worth a visit to see how a local musician and his wife is giving back to the community. Great job Ravenscroft.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Craig Bass

This is Pam Eisenberg. Pam is the Senior Manager East Valley for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I would like to publicly thank Pam for her contribution to the Alzheimer’s/Dementia community. This is Pam standing next to a Walk to End Alzheimer’s group that walked with Golden Heart Senior Care 7 years ago. Pam, we look forward to participating in the walk this November.

For more information on the walk or to make a donation, please contact us at rodney@GoldenHeartScottsdale.com. Stay hydrated everyone.

What Are the Best Tips for Storing and Preparing Frozen Foods?

Posted on by Craig Bass

Frozen foods are both convenient and cost-effective for aging adults. Whether seniors are eating home-cooked meals that have been prepared in advance and then stored in the freezer or are relying on things like frozen vegetables to eat healthier, there are lots of ways to make meals easier with frozen food. Senior home care can help even more to make healthy, regular meals something seniors have easy access to on a daily basis.

Storing Frozen Foods Properly

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to storing frozen foods properly. First, the ideal temperature for frozen foods is 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. It’s a good idea to use a freezer thermometer to verify that the freezer is set to the proper temperature. Most frozen foods have a recommended storage time. Homemade foods are usually okay to freeze for up to several months at a time. Pre-packaged frozen foods can be kept in the containers they were purchased in, but over time they can develop freezer burn. Homemade foods should be stored in airtight containers, like freezer bags, in order to keep them as safe as possible from both freezer burn and contamination. Label containers with the date and the food that is in the container.

Preparing Frozen Foods

Most frozen foods should be thawed before cooking, especially if those foods will be cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Microwaveable foods might not need thawing first, depending on the type of food going into the microwave. Foods that do need to be thawed should always be kept in the fridge, not on the kitchen counter. Although lots of people make it a habit to thaw foods on the kitchen counter, this can actually be a dangerous choice in terms of food safety. Thorough cooking helps to kill off bacteria and ensure that food is safe to eat.

Dealing with Leftovers

Leftovers can be a danger area for seniors. If there is food left over, it should be put into the refrigerator as quickly as possible after eating. Leftovers in the refrigerator aren’t going to stick around forever, unfortunately. Seniors may need help from family caregivers or home care providers to stay on top of clearing out the fridge periodically so leftovers don’t become dangerous.

Senior Home Care Can Be a Huge Help

Home care providers are always helpful when it comes to keeping seniors fed a healthy diet. They can assist seniors with shopping for healthy foods, preparing meals, and making sure that foods are stored safely. Senior home care can also help to make sure that aging adults are eating regularly, which can be a big problem at times.

The easier it is for aging adults to access safe and healthy food, the more likely they are going to be eating healthy meals on a regular basis. Frozen foods and meals can help to make that happen. Senior home care is an imperative resource if aging adults need some extra help keeping up with meal preparation and other tasks related to cooking and eating.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Fountain Hills, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

Laurie Malone Education Foundation

Posted on by Craig Bass

Hello Senior Community. As you may know, we are approaching the one-year milestone of Laurie’s passing. Thank each of you who contributed to the Scholarship Fund Last year. We find peace in knowing the Laurie Malone Scholarship Fund raised over $17,000 in 2022 and afforded 8 students with scholarships to further their education. In memory of Laurie, we are continuing to raise awareness and funds for scholarships. If you would like to donate to K2 Adventures Foundation, please use the link below. This link will take you directly to the Laurie Malone Scholarship fund.

On behalf of the Malone Family, we are grateful for your support and keeping Laurie’s memory and dynamic personality alive.

https://k2adventures.org/programs/local-programs/educational-scholarship/

Older Adults Have Mental Health Issues, Too

Posted on by Craig Bass

Many people think of mental illness as something affecting teens and young adults, but fewer people realize that the elderly are just as likely to be experiencing problems with their mental health. Twenty million older adults have at least one mental health issue. Depression and chronic anxiety are the two most common.

A bigger problem is that many people with mental health disorders do not get the treatment they need. WHO and PAHO estimate that 66% of older adults fall into what’s called a “Treatment Gap” and receive no care for their mental health. This is concerning as 90% of older adults also reported not feeling that they get enough support, whether it’s from family and friends, their community, or the medical profession.

It might be that your dad is ashamed and doesn’t want to mention it to his doctor. He may have tried to bring it up and wasn’t taken as seriously as he expected. Either way, mental health is not something to ignore.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. These are the most common mental health issues and the things you can do to support your dad if he has any of them.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common, and it can be tied to excessive stress that’s not properly managed or past events that left lasting scars. There are many types of anxiety and some of the more common are:

  • Generalized Anxiety – Anxiety that happens every day that can be about anything.
  • Social Anxiety – Becoming extremely anxious in social settings, such as a holiday party or while shopping.

If anxiety isn’t addressed, it can build into panic disorder. A full-blown panic attack will hit and cause symptoms like a racing heart, chest pain, chills, feelings of detachment, tingling hands and feet, nausea, dizziness, etc. As many of the symptoms mimic a heart attack or stroke, it can be alarming and that fear only makes it worse.

When he’s dealing with anxiety, your dad may find it comforting to have people around more often. Try to make sure companionship visits are boosted.

Bipolar Disorder

Someone who is bipolar goes through good and bad periods where that person can be feeling fantastic and full of life one day and then experience a depressive episode the next. These waves of ups and downs can be exhausting and isolating.

Your dad will be prescribed medications to help balance his mood. He must take them each day.

Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is also a mental health condition. This includes things like Alzheimer’s where the brain’s deterioration affects mood, memory, and behavior.

In the early stages of dementia, there’s not much that needs to be done. It is a good time to address advance directives and estate plans. As the disease progresses, help with personal care, housekeeping, transportation, and meals are all important.

Depression

Depression is a disorder that affects how you think, feel, and act. Someone who is depressed may withdraw from others. You might notice your dad stays in bed all morning and doesn’t ever want to get out of bed. He’ll lose interest in activities that he used to enjoy.

He needs to see his doctor and have an honest conversation. If his doctor dismisses him, make sure you advocate for your dad to get proper treatment.

In-home care is a good way to provide your dad with the companionship and household help he needs as he focuses on de-stressing and improving his mental health. His caregiver can drive him to therapy sessions, support groups, and other counseling sessions.

He’ll also have a caregiver to accompany him on walks in nature, shopping trips, and time spent in his gardens. Learn more about these and the other benefits of in-home care.

Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-improve-access-to-mental-health-and-substance-use-care-for-older-adults
https://www3.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9877:seniors-mental-health&Itemid=0&lang=en#gsc.tab=0
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Phoenix, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!