Category: Senior Care

Every life stage has its challenges, and seniors often find that these issues tend to stack up as they get older. Seniors may also face new challenges compared to the past, which doesn’t give them much of a road map to follow. These six challenges are common among seniors, and you can help your aging loved one navigate his or her way through them as each one arises.

1. Making Decisions About Healthcare

The medical field is booming right now, and seniors tend to have many options for managing common health issues. While this is a good thing, it can also cause confusion for seniors who may not always know which option to choose. For instance, some older adults may need to decide when to have knee replacement surgery or if they prefer dental implants over dentures. You can help your loved one go through the pros and cons of each option. If necessary, get a second opinion from a physician to provide peace of mind.

The option of non-medical home care is another thing to take into consideration. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior care, Oshkosh, WI, families can turn to Senior Stride Home Care. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.

2. Choosing a Safe Place to Live

Senior housing options are also flourishing, but this can lead to the same type of confusion as medical decisions. On one hand, seniors may know they need help, but the prospect of leaving home may make them sad. Help your loved one explore options that provide what he or she wants most. For instance, you can have a home caregiver provide assistance that allows your loved one to stay safe without having to move.

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional home care seniors can trust and rely on.

3. Managing Grief

Loss occurs more often during the senior years. Seniors may lose their spouse, a best friend, or even a pet. You can’t stop your loved one from experiencing grief, but you can make it easier. Arrange for your loved one to have someone stay near him or her during the first few days after a significant loss. Your loved one may also benefit from going to a support group or talking to a counselor.

4. Worrying About Finances

Money woes are another concern seniors face. Help your loved one set up a budget to stretch his or her dollars. Seniors also tend to find they can reduce some of their expenses by making simple changes, such as using a smart thermostat.

5. Feeling Stressed About World Events

Older adults who watch the news regularly may end up feeling scared by all of the negativity. Try to limit how much negative news your loved one watches during the day, and share some positive stories you find. Your loved one can also do things that help him or her feel empowered. Recycling or volunteering in the community can help seniors feel like they’re making the world a better place.

6. Experiencing Feelings of Isolation

Many seniors experience isolation in total. Think about how much time your loved one spends alone, and find ways to minimize it. He or she can go on an outing with a companion, enjoy a check-in phone call, or head to a senior social. Being around other people helps seniors stay positive about life.

Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing a serious illness and require more extensive live-in care. Oshkosh seniors can count on Senior Stride Home Care to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. To speak with one of our friendly Care Managers and schedule a no-obligation consultation, give us a call at (920) 216-6276 today.

The Varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the body after causing chicken pox. In later years, seniors with weakened immune systems may experience another outbreak in the form of shingles. Along with taking prescription medications, at-home remedies help lessen the severity of the symptoms. Here are a few that Oshkosh caregivers can use to relieve their loved one’s discomfort.

1. OTC Lotions

In addition to drying out the blistered lesions, Caladryl lotion contains antihistamine. The common anti-allergy substance relieves some of the itching associated with the infection. Tea tree oil is another option that acts as a natural antimicrobial agent.

2. Cool Water Baths

Relaxing in the cool water of a bathtub decreases skin temperature and offers some relief from the irritating effects of shingles. After the bath, promptly dry the skin. However, remember to keep towels separate. Wash your loved one’s used towels, clothing and bed linens in hot water to prevent cross-contamination.

3. Cool Moist Compresses

If the outbreak is limited, live-in Oshkosh, WI, caregivers can apply cool, wet towels to the area. Simply wet one or more towels with cool water, wring out the excess moisture and apply directly to the affected areas on your loved one’s skin. Moisten and reapply the towels as needed. Resist the urge to use ice water as this could irritate the skin further.

4. Pain Relieving Medications

When shingles erupts, the rash generally develops along neural pathways on the torso. The constant pain signals transmitted by the affected nerves can become excruciating. Under the guidance of a physician, you can give your senior loved one OTC or prescription-strength pain relief medications to minimize the discomfort caused by the painful rash.

5. Oral Supplements

During an outbreak, some common vitamin supplements have been shown to reduce the duration of the infection. The amino acid L-lysine and vitamin C inhibit the virus from replicating. The recommended dosage for lysine supplements is 1,500 to 3,000 milligrams per day. Vitamin B-12 is another useful vitamin because it protects sensitive nerve tissue. Recommended doses of the vitamin are 1,000 to 2,000 micrograms per day. Check with a doctor to see if this option is beneficial for your loved one.

It may also help to hire a reliable Oshkosh elderly care agency like Senior Stride Home Care to look after your loved one. In addition to helping seniors recover from illnesses like shingles, we provide comprehensive live-in and hourly home care to assist seniors with every aspect of daily life including bathing, grooming, cooking, and cleaning. Speak with a friendly Care Manager today by calling 920-710-CARE (2273). Don’t forget to schedule a no-obligation consultation when you call.

While aging is a natural process that cannot be avoided, there are many different ways for respite caregivers in Oshkosh to keep their senior loved ones healthy for as long as possible. By considering a few factors, family members can significantly boost the lifespan of an aging adult.

Schedule Routine Doctor Visits

Seniors should have medical checkups on a regular basis. Getting routine checkups can help detect problems before they become serious or life threatening. Seniors taking cardiovascular medications require more frequent monitoring and laboratory tests to ensure that their prescription medications are providing the desired effect.

Meet Nutritional Needs

A diet consisting of mainly lean meats, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products provide the necessary nutrients for seniors while minimizing the chance of gaining excess weight. Many seniors also benefit from taking calcium and vitamin supplements to boost their nutritional intake for bone, blood, and muscle health.

Encourage Mental Stimulation

Dementia caregivers in Oshkosh might encourage seniors to work on crosswords or jigsaw puzzles, play scrabble or take part in other games that require analytical thinking or strategy skills. These activities keep the brain stimulated, delay the onset of dementia and cognitive disorders, and enhance self-esteem and emotional health.

Engage in Physical Activities

A consistent exercise regimen offers cardiovascular, mental and emotional health benefits for seniors. Family members can work with seniors to stay physically active by inviting a loved one to go for a walk, take a yoga class and maintain a flower or vegetable garden. Many retirement communities also offer water aerobic classes that provide the chance to improve balance and muscle endurance without posing a risk of injury to weight bearing joints.

Take Part in Social Engagements

Belonging to a community, having a network of friends and visiting with family members are all opportunities for seniors to have an active social life. Being socially active provides seniors with the chance to stay up to date on current events and fortify bonds with loved ones while bolstering their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

You can also boost your loved one’s longevity with help from Oshkosh, WI, home care agencies like Senior Stride Home Care. Our in-home care enables seniors to live independently while getting the help they need with daily exercise, meal preparation, and transportation to and from medical appointments. Call a friendly Care Manager at 920-710-CARE (2273) today to learn how our services can help your loved one age in place with dignity.

Skin products that are specially formulated to be applied after being out in the sun do not reverse damage. They are created to prevent moisture loss while encouraging new skin cell development. In order to reap the most benefit, the product should be applied immediately after sun exposure and reapplied two or three times throughout the day. If kept in the refrigerator, the lotion also offers soothing, cooling relief. After bathing is the ideal time for at-home caregivers in Oshkosh to apply the formula to lock in moisture.

Burt’s Bees After Sun Smoother

The quick absorbing and intense hydrating formula is one of the company’s best-selling products. Perfect for use on the face and entire body, the lotion’s many ingredients include aloe vera, bee pollen, coconut oil and linden flower extract, which also nourish and moisturize skin. Oshkosh respite caregivers should apply this product after their senior loved ones spend some time outdoors.

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer

Made with coconut oil and papaya extract, the Hawaiian Tropic formula is just thick enough to hold in moisture and protect delicate skin. Ideal for a day or night out, the unique formula also features ingredients that give skin a slight shimmer that catches the sun or interior lights, which gives skin a healthy, youthful glow.

Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel

The gel formulated by the Lauren Hartmann Company cools and soothes upon application to eliminate heat and sun damage discomfort. The unique yogurt preparation is designed to nourish skin. Instead of containing a long list of harsh products, the cooling gel is enriched with organic plant extracts.

Alba Botanical

With a fragrance reminiscent of freshly brewed coffee, the formula contains coffee and green tea extracts that neutralize free radicals triggered by sun exposure. The caffeine and acids soften skin while encouraging blood circulation to damaged areas. The product additionally contains botanicals that act as emollients, which also hydrate, nourish and soothe dry, itchy and irritated skin.

Be sure to help your senior loved one maintain healthy skin by applying after sun skin care products. You can learn more about senior skin care when you turn to Senior Stride Home Care in Oshkosh, WI. Our expertly trained caregivers enable seniors to age in place while helping them exercise, prepare meals, get around, and carry out daily activities around the house. Call 920-710-CARE (2273) today to learn more and schedule a no-obligation consultation.