Coffee with Chris

Family Drama It’s true that relationships are often strained when a serious illness and caregiving enter the picture. But, if your interactions with certain relatives are increasingly stressful and negative, it may be time to shut down family drama once and for all. Listen to more topics at  https://affinityseniorcare.com/podcasts/

Reasons Why Siblings Won’t Help With Elderly Parents Excuse #1: “I Don’t Have the Time” Excuse #2: “I Don’t Have the Money” Excuse #3: “I Can’t Bear to See Mom/Dad Like That”   Click here to listen for more topics

Welcome to our show. Today's guest will be Dr Zeer from Oakland ENT 

E 23 How to Help Seniors Overcome Post-Holiday Season Depression Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By affinityseniorhelp The New Year has rolled in, resolutions set, and the holiday lights are ready to hibernate for another year. It’s that time when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) makes its yearly appearance among young and old alike, in parts due to gloomy weather, and due to a marked decrease in social gatherings, especially after a hectic holiday get-together. According to WHO, an estimated 350 million people of all age groups worldwide are affected by depression. Seniors are especially vulnerable to isolation-induced post-holiday blues. It can be tough to watch an aged loved one struggle to cope with day-to-day living. Here are five ways you can help a senior family member overcome seasonal depression. 1. Create a Virtual Get-Together Schedule With increasing covid cases, in-person meet-ups may not be advisable at this time. But that shouldn’t put a spanner in your loved one’s social calendar. Teach them to create and share zoom or google meet invitations with their friends. Get on a video call with them at least once a day at a pre-decided time. Help them participate in virtual fitness workshops or webinars for seniors. 2. Get on a Healthy, Mood-Enhancing Diet When you feel low, it is easy to reach out for sugary or fried comfort food for that quick dopamine kick. However, this isn’t a sustainable or healthy diet to follow. If you grocery shop for your loved one, ensure to include rainbow-colored, anti-inflammatory fresh fruits and vegetables, mood and heart health-enhancing nuts, seeds, grains, and occasional meat including seafood, eggs, and poultry. Studies indicate that a healthy diet of fresh produce and lean proteins have mood-enhancing capabilities. 3. Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule Lack of sleep can aggravate irritability, annoyance, and depression. It is essential to regulate the sleep cycle by following the circadian rhythm. A healthy circadian rhythm in adults involves a consistent bedtime and wake time, with about 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night. If your loved one has trouble falling asleep at night or has an irregular or broken sleep cycle, speak to their physician on ways to create a healthy sleep schedule or on the use of sleep medications. 4. Get the Heart Pumping Studies have shown that partaking in regular, gentle exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, stretching, etc., can help the elderly stay physically and mentally active and improve their general feeling of well-being and happiness. Encourage your loved one to visit the local fitness group for seniors for their daily or weekly dose of physical activity or help them join in virtual fitness classes for seniors conducted by local wellness centers. 5. Get Professional Help If you have loved ones who live independently, it might be a good idea to recruit a professional home care help service. They can assist with daily chores such as meal prepping, shopping, accompanying them on doctor visits, medication reminders, grooming, and companionship. Knowing that your loved one is in trusted care can offer you peace of mind and help the seniors to cultivate a network of support outside immediate family members. At Affinity, we specialize in 24-hour senior care. Our caregivers can assist with daily tasks such as mobility, medication reminders, eating (including meal prep), exercising, and personal care (grooming and bathing). If you are looking for additional support to meet the changing needs of your family member, please reach out to us at: www.affinityseniorhelp.com or call Affinity at 248-363-8430.

The duties offered by in-home care providers will vary depending on the needs of the individual patient. The provider is there to take care of any household and personal tasks a person is unable to handle on their own, whether they are mostly independent or need help with all aspects of daily life. In some cases, the support may be largely emotional and social, providing platonic companionship and engaging in conversation, games and hobbies while checking on their welfare. For others, it may be more extensive, covering dressing, bathing, medication help, light cleaning, exercise, meal preparation, feeding and transportation to the grocery store or doctor’s appointments. Here is a look at some of the specific duties of in-home care providers.   www.affinityseniorhelp.com 248-363-8430

Many people value their independence, but daily tasks that used to be routine can become increasingly difficult with advanced age or illness. Aspects of daily life such as personal care, taking medication, cleaning the house, preparing meals and running errands directly influence a person’s quality of life, and a qualified in-home care provider can step in to ensure these important tasks are properly addressed. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 28 percent of older adults in the U.S. live alone. Many seniors are capable of living independently but may need assistance with certain tasks. In-home care is a good option for elderly or sick people who prefer to live in their own home but can no longer do everything on their own. It is also helpful for seniors who live with family members who are unable to provide an adequate level of care due to work and family constraints. Home Care is also an option for people of any age who are sick or injured on a temporary basis, such as those who are recovering from a major operation or accident and have reduced mobility.   www.affinityseniorhelp.com  248-363-8430

Lowering Dementia Risks – Look After Your Heart, Body, and Mind The 2020 report of the Lancet Commission, comprising 28 leading experts in dementia, has identified 12 modifiable lifestyle risk factors that contribute to 40% of dementia cases in the world. While factors like your family history, age, and genetics are unchangeable, introducing healthy alterations in your lifestyle may help prevent or delay dementia. Improve your heart health Did you know health conditions that affect your heart, such as hypertension, obesity, blood pressure, diabetes, can increase your dementia risk? The risk can multiply if these conditions develop around middle age. Here’s how to keep your heart healthy.   1. Eat a moderate, balanced diet, rich in healthy fats and variety like rainbow vegetables, nuts, fatty fish, dark chocolate, etc.   2. Avoid smoking, including, where possible, inhaling secondhand smoke. If you are trying to quit smoking, enlist the help of your family doctor or opt for less harmful alternatives.   3. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day and only if there are no existing health conditions. Stay physically active Staying active with 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is a good indicator of body health. Keeping your body weight under the appropriate range ensures a reduced risk of lifestyle diseases such as high cholesterol, a decline in cognitive function, and Alzheimer’s disease. Aim to include these suggestions in your life for good body health: 1. Get adequate, restful sleep every night. Avoid late nights and regular crunching of your sleep hours. 2. Take frequent walk breaks throughout the day. Avoid staying seated for long. Also, include stretches and strength training in your fitness routine. 3. Protect your head from injuries, such as a blow, bump, or a mild knock. Take care of your mental health Looking after your mental well-being helps you cope better with the daily stressors and keep your brain functioning solid and healthy. A lack of it can lead to depression – a risk factor for the onset of dementia. Consider these for a healthy, active mind: 1. Challenge your brain with activities that you will enjoy frequently doing. For example: learning a new language, solving puzzles, reading books, and playing sports. 2. Staying in touch with your friends and family and volunteering at local groups or associations can help. Socializing can help keep depression at bay. 3. Speak with your doctor if you recognize depression symptoms in you or your loved one. Prioritize your mental well-being. With age, expect delays and changes in the memory. However, look out for any behavioral changes that may be mistaken for general ill-health. Taking care of a loved one with dementia can be challenging. If you are looking for additional support to meet the changing needs of your family member, please reach out to us at: www.affinityseniorhelp.com  or call Affinity at 248-363-8430. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with information and resources on specialized home health care.

Keeping Your Senior Loved One Engaged In Life Have you observed a shift in your parents' activities or recreational pursuits as they've become older?   It's normal for older folks to change their social schedules and physical activity routines to accommodate their bodies' needs. Once active, adults may become less active as they age due to chronic pain or other problems. That’s understandable. But it still isn’t an excuse to idle around. In fact, the older you are, the more active you should be!   That said, if your aging parents are finding it difficult to maintain an active and involved lifestyle, there are still lots of methods for them to move their bodies, interact with friends, and live a healthy lifestyle.   Hi, my name is Chris, and welcome to another video! In this video, we’ll discuss ways to keep our senior loved ones active so that they can be in good shape!   After all, active senior citizens are healthy senior citizens, don’t you agree? Older folks who are engaged are connected and, thus, are happier. It is important to urge them to increase their physical and mental activity. Regular physical activity, for example, can improve flexibility, strength, lower the risk of falling, and even reduce anxiety.    On the other hand, lack of support and connection with peers can cause anxiety, sadness and hasten symptoms of dementia. So, what are some ideas to keep your loved one engaged in life?   Lucky for you, I’ve gathered a few ideas for getting your elderly parents to try something new in terms of activity and participation:   1. Take a walk together on your next visit.  Bonding with your senior loved one is a simple but important factor. If you’re a son or daughter visiting your elder parent, walk with them and talk about life. This simple act speaks multitudes. It is also a great way to get some exercise, get some fresh air, and get rid of cabin fever!

E 18 The Importance of Accountability when caring for your loved one  

E 17 5 Fun Activities To Improve Your Memory https://affinityseniorhelp.com/register-today/ Do arts and crafts to keep the mind and hands busy.  Making things can help elderly individuals preserve dexterity in their hands and fingers. While creating bespoke items for the home or gifts for friends and family.    That said, crafts don't have to be complicated or expensive. Try upcycling old photo frames with paper collages, or knitting baby stuff from magazines. Maybe make a scrapbook and paste some family photos to them of their childhood and keep them happy. This is especially good for patients with dementia.    Word puzzles keep the brain active. Word puzzles are a fun way to exercise the intellect and get the head buzzing. You could find more word puzzles online or through daily newspapers. Not only will the elderly keep busy, but they will also enjoy learning new words. Word puzzles also keep the eyes and mind reflexes sharp.   Play chess. Chess is a fantastic activity for all ages since it teaches strategy, planning, and creative thinking. Although Chess is a centuries-old game, it’s a game proven to improve mental wellness.   Did you know just a few months of playing can significantly raise your IQ? It can also boost one’s focus. This is especially beneficial to older persons who have trouble with concentration.    Logic puzzles for creative thinking.  Logic puzzles are a fun way to test your abilities to use knowledge and come up with a logical response. Logic problems let you think outside the box, find fresh solutions, and reinforce memories. Logic puzzles encourage lateral thinking and can help reactivate cerebral circuits that have been dormant since retirement.   Trivia  Trivia is a great method to entertain older adults while stimulating their intellect. Try different trivia subjects such as musicals, politics, and history.    When doing this, it’s best to do it with a group. Keep score when playing to increase competition and challenge. And depending on the players' abilities, questions can be asked orally or in writing. Then you can verify how many were correct.   What do you think? Try them out and let us know what you think!   

The bottom line is they want to feel safe. If they do not feel safe where they are, the chances of them wandering increase tenfold at any given moment. Making sure they feel safe and secure is the key. The slightest thing can trigger a sense of danger in a dementia patient. The volume on the TV being too loud, the sound of a train in the middle of the night, an alarm going off, the phone ringing—all of these are things we hear on a daily basis. But when you have dementia, any of these could easily startle you. All you want to do is get away from that noise. #dementia #homecare #seniorcare 

The complications that can arise from care transitions are multifaceted and contribute to what has come to be known as the “revolving door” of hospital readmissions. According to research conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from a hospital—approximately 2.6 million seniors—is readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of more than $26 billion every year. Looking past the financial impact, hospitalization often takes a serious physical and mental toll on elderly patients even though they are admitted to improve their health. #homecare #seniorcare

Welcome to our show Coffee With Chris sponsored by Affinity Senior Care. Our host is Chris Zayid Founder of Affinity Senior Care. Today our topic is about Adult Day Care Options Adult day care centers are designed for older individuals who need help with activities of daily living or who are isolated and lonely. The Three Adult Day Care Options: Social Day Care, Adult Day Health Care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Day Care.   #homecare #dementiacare #homehealthcare  #dementia #healthcare #marketing #business