Through our blogs, we are going to be sharing the stories of our clients in the Rochester, New York, community. There are many challenges to face with aging parents and grandparents but every challenge has a solution. We would love to help you find your solutions.
Advance Care Planning
Though it may be difficult to think about, serious injury or illness could leave us incapacitated at any moment. Advance care planning is a process that makes your wishes known for healthcare decisions, should you be unable to speak for yourself.
What to Expect From the Stages of Alzheimer’s Progression
While some decline in abilities is normal as we age, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive disease, where the symptoms gradually worsen over time. Everyone does not experience the same symptoms and the disease will progress differently for each individual, however there is a similar trajectory most people follow through the progression of the disease, which is broken down into seven stages.
Benefits of Using an Aging Life Care Manager
Care managers work with families to coordinate, plan, educate and provide advocacy and support for their aging or disabled loved ones. Dealing with the needs of your aging relatives can be difficult, stressful, and often challenging because it is usually a new and scary experience. Aging Life Care Managers, also called Geriatric Care Managers or Elder Care Managers, work with clients and families by coordinating care to help meet their needs.
Stress and Older Adults
We all face stress in life. Some stress is ok, it’s a natural physical and mental reaction to the experiences we go through. However, if your stress levels continue for an extended period, it can have harmful effects on your overall health. For seniors, stress has the potential to be devastating.
How the Spring Inspires Us to Start Over Fresh
Spring is nature’s restart: plants sprout up from seed through the once frozen soil, and what once was dark and grey, is now bright and popping with more and more color and life. Even as we age, we never stop blooming and growing, so it’s important to feed our minds and souls with new beginnings and fresh pursuits.
Staying Active as You Age
Remaining physically active is important for people of all ages, especially seniors. Exercise can improve physical strength, cognitive function, and aid in dealing with a wide range of physical and mental problems, such as memory decline, chronic conditions, and depression.
The Most Valuable Gift this Season
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s about the value of quality time spent with family and friends. Despite their challenges, many families were able to tap into the spirit of the holidays, and make new traditions to stay connected.
Finding Joy in the Bitter Winter
It’s not uncommon for the change of seasons to impact people’s mental health. Lower levels of sunlight and less physical activity can contribute to feelings of sadness or depression. In Betty’s case, we brainstormed ideas that could help boost her mood.
The Value of Caregiving
While caring for aging parents can be a rewarding experience, it can also be a source of great stress. It may seem that there are never enough hours in the day for you to meet your own needs, or that there’s simply too much for one person to handle. Learn how a care manager can help relieve the strain so nothing slips through the gaps and you can increase your confidence in your caregiving role.
Don’t Fall into Fall! Home Safety for Seniors
Falls are a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older senior adults, and can result in broken bones and head injuries. In this post you can learn about the factors that increase fall risk, as well as ways to thoughtfully approach the topic of home safety and independent living with your loved one.
Providing Expert Assistance to Help Your Loved One Live Their Best Life Possible
When Emily began overhearing hushed conversations about her grandparents, it was difficult for her to focus on her schoolwork and part-time job. When the family hired Senior’s Choice, Emily learned the care managers would not only make recommendations for her grandparents, but that they would assist and educate the whole family. This helped her refocus and rest a little easier at night. Learn how Senior’s Choice can do the same for your family.
Caring for Your Parents During This Pandemic
These are uncertain times. Daily news is filled with stories about the COVID-19 virus and how it is affecting our world. We are speaking with many families who made the decision to move their aging parents home with them during this time.
COVID Care at Home in Rochester
The spread of the coronavirus hit New York hard. Many families were frightened by the news that they could not visit their aging parents or grandparents. Some moved their family members to their own homes. Others are trying to get regular information about their loved ones’ care and are finding that it’s hard to get the information.
When People with Dementia are Hard to Place
Finding the right facility for your aging loved one is challenging work, especially for a senior with dementia that causes challenging behaviors. Learn how Senior’s Choice helped Peter manage his behavior while his family looked for a memory care unit.
Navigating the Bumps and Hurdles in the Healthcare System
Navigating the healthcare system, especially after an aging parent or grandparent has been injured, can be confusing and overwhelming. Learn how a care manager can act as both an advocate and a guide in these situations, especially during this pandemic.