Category: Emotional Wellbeing

Many seniors find they have fewer responsibilities as they age, and receiving home care may make some believe they have less independence. Without daily responsibilities, it can be easy to feel lost or unmotivated, but your senior loved one can still maintain a positive attitude with help from these tips. 

Remain Physically Active

Exercise can have a significant impact on the mind. When participating in physical activity, endorphins are released by the brain, which can provide an overall sense of wellbeing. Even if your loved one has limited mobility and stamina, there are still simple things he or she can do right at home. Short walks can also be an easy and pleasant form of regular exercise. 

If you’re concerned about your loved one’s emotional wellbeing, consider hiring a professional in-home caregiver. Home care service professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

Pursue a Hobby or Passion

Many adults don’t have the time or resources to indulge in a hobby or personal passion. Thanks to retirement, seniors have the chance to follow their dreams. Whether it’s writing the next great novel or maintaining a yard that’s the envy of the neighborhood, your loved one can create something that brings him or her a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Spend Time with Friends & Family

Another great way for your loved one to find joy in life is spending some quality time with the people he or she loves. Sharing laughs and memories can offer an enormous boost to your loved one’s morale. If your loved one can’t do this in person, calling or communicating via video chat, text, or email can also help. The connection will still be there. 

For families living in Oshkosh, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Senior Stride Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Spruce Up Surroundings

Once seniors become comfortable in their surroundings, it can be difficult to make room for change. However, buying something new for the home may be good for your loved one’s soul. It can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or a new rug. Being in a pleasant environment may change your loved one’s perspective. 

Hiring a professional caregiver can be a great way to boost your loved one’s emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of homecare Oshkosh families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today. 

Loneliness is difficult at any age, but seniors are particularly susceptible to isolation, which can lead to both mental and physical health issues. Here are a few ways to prevent senior isolation and promote senior health.

Build a Network

One of the most important safeguards against isolation is a healthy social network. Rather than making your aging loved one dependent on one or two caregivers, work on building a community of friends and neighbors who are part of your loved one’s social “team.” Make a list of the people your loved one interacts with on a regular basis, and make sure you have contact information for each person. The key here is building consistent contact. For instance, if your loved one has a regular salon or medical appointment, try to ensure he or she sees the same stylist, nurse, or doctor at each visit.

For families living in Oshkosh, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Senior Stride Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Create a Schedule

Creating a regular weekly schedule can go a long way toward staving off feelings of isolation. While it’s not necessary to fill up every spare minute with social interactions, look for gaps in the schedule where your loved one may appreciate some additional contact. Building things like church attendance, medical care, and exercise into the schedule can provide reliable social encounters your loved one can enjoy on a regular basis. Consider coordinating transportation to these outings as a means of building additional social interaction into the weekly schedule.

If your loved one needs assistance with daily activities due to issues such as limited mobility, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Demystify Technology

These days, “social networking” often means connecting via technology and social media. Although computers can be intimidating for seniors, smartphones and tablets offer easy access to social media platforms. However, a few lessons in social media etiquette may be in order. In addition to social media, tools like FaceTime and Skype also make it possible to have face-to-face conversations from thousands of miles away. These interactions would make excellent additions to the weekly schedule, and with a little practice, most seniors find the technology manageable.

Consider Pet Adoption

Pet ownership has a number of benefits for people of all ages, and caring for pets can help seniors prevent isolation. Assuming your loved one is capable of caring for an animal, consider introducing a small pet into his or her household. The pet can be a constant source of companionship and even enhance home security by alerting your loved one to unusual activity in or around the home. 

Isolation can result in mental, emotional, and physical challenges, but seniors don’t have to manage them alone. In Oshkosh, elder care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Senior Stride Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. Call one of our friendly Care Managers at 920-717-1767 to learn about ways our experienced caregivers can help your loved one.

Oshkosh home care providers believe dog ownership offers many benefits to seniors. Research indicates that pets provide a calming effect that lowers blood pressure. However, when considering a canine companion for a senior family member, some breeds are better than others. Before your loved one chooses a dog, keep the following six breeds in mind.

1. Welsh Terriers

The friendly and happy little dogs mature to a weight of 18 pounds. They are easy to train and willing to please. The terriers have a medium energy level and the only health concerns include the possibility of developing lens luxation.

2. Tibetan Spaniels

These adorable little dogs weigh a mere 12 pounds when fully grown. Their lush coat does require brushing a couple of times per week. Overall, the spaniels are quiet and do not need a lot of exercise. The only potential health problem involves possible patellar luxation or knee displacement.

3. Lowchen

Weighing 13 pounds at maturity, the Lowchen breed also has a long coat that requires some upkeep. Otherwise the animals are intelligent, alert and easy to train. Similar to spaniels, the small dogs might also develop knee problems.

4. Japanese Spitz

These beauties have a thick snow-white coat, but they are considered low maintenance and do not require an excessive amount of grooming or exercise. They tend to be very loyal to their owners. Outside of potential knee problems, the Spitz have normal health concerns pertaining to diet and age.

5. Miniature American Eskimo

Although these dogs appear to be a smaller version of a Husky, these dogs aren’t even related to the sled dogs. They weigh 16 pounds when fully grown and are very protective of their human parents. The potential for developing knee problems are a major health concern.

6. Toy American Eskimo

These little dynamos mature to a weight of 8 pounds. The dogs are lively, affectionate and eager to please. Weekly grooming and potential knee problems are the only drawback to owning one of these compact cuties.

Seniors also benefit from having human companions, as well. Contact Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767 today to learn more about our premier home care services. Our flexible live-in and hourly caregivers in Oshkosh offer seniors emotional support and assistance with everyday activities in order to boost overall wellbeing. Our friendly Care Managers are readily available to answer all of your questions and customize a care plan for your loved one.