Senior Care Tips: Best Ways to Avoid Post-Holiday Depression

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The holiday season can be loaded with a whirlwind of busyness for the seniors we love, with family gatherings, holiday parties, religious events and services, selecting the ideal gifts for the ones they love. Yet after the holiday decorations are packed away and families have gotten back to the everyday busyness of life, many older adults experience a prevalent but little-discussed issue: post-holiday depression.

Although older adults who live alone are most at risk of feelings of seclusion and sadness when the holiday celebrations are complete, all seniors are prone to a case of the blues as they look to the approaching year while reminiscing over years past. It’s crucial for family members to formulate a plan to help a senior loved one enjoy a positive transition. Give some thought to the following post-holiday senior care tips: 

  • Plan for the next get-together. Determine a date in the coming weeks for another family event, providing the older loved one as well as the rest of the family with something pleasing to anticipate. For instance, schedule an informal New Year’s resolution check-in gathering for the last week in January, where each person can report on his or her progress towards resolutions that were made, and each bringing a dish to share a potluck meal.   
  • Set up a chain letter. Split the family up into teams of five, and specify a number to each person who would like to participate, i.e., #1 – 5. The person with #1 begins by writing a short letter in the first week of January, mailing it to the #2 person, who reads and then adds to that letter and then sends to the #3 person – and so on. The final person in the chain adds to the letter and sends back to the first person to read, and then a new chain can be initiated. Receiving ongoing mail with news about family members is a great pick-me-up for seniors.
  • Partner with Montebello Home Care. Montebello’s trained and experienced care companions are the best solution to senior loneliness! Our caregivers provide companion care in Orange  and the surrounding areas and are adept in encouraging seniors to stay socially and physically active through a wide array of interesting activities, according to each person’s interests:  
    • Reminiscing and conversations 
    • Puzzles, games, and crafts 
    • Exercise programs 
    • Transportation and accompaniment to fun outings 
    • And much more! 

Let us help relieve post-holiday depression for the seniors you love, and retain a sense of community, purpose, and connection all throughout the year. We’re available for once-weekly visits, all the way up to  full-time senior overnight care in Orange and the nearby areas. Contact us at 409-276-7576 to learn more about our home care in Orange and the nearby areas, or to request an in-home evaluation to determine what will work best in your particular situation. To learn more about the other areas that we serve in Texas, visit our Service Area page. 

Diabetic Diet: 5 Tips to Successfully Manage the Holidays

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This season of holiday celebrations is the perfect time to spend time with family and friends, but let’s be honest: it’s often also a time for overindulgence in unhealthy meal choices. With a plethora of rich, fatty, and sugary delicacies to choose from at every turn, it’s challenging to abide by a healthy diabetic diet, which can lead to serious health issues for diabetics. These guidelines, however, from the leaders in home health services in Beaumont, TX and nearby areas can help diabetics remain safe during the holiday season while avoiding feeling deprived of enjoyable treats. Be sure to first consult with the doctor for his or her approval on any meal choices that stray from an approved nutrition plan. 

  • Decide on your top choices. Review choices during a holiday meal, and identify your top two carbs to enjoy. For example, figure out if you’d like to have stuffing or rolls, or select between mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, as opposed to indulging in all of the choices. 
  • BYO. If attending a holiday gathering at someone’s home, speak with the host about your nutritional constraints, and offer to bring a healthy dish to share, such as a tray of vegetables or a sugar-free dessert. 
  • Snack first. Enjoying a healthy snack prior to the holiday meal will help keep blood sugar levels consistent and aid in preventing the temptation to go overboard. Good snack choices for diabetics include nuts, veggies with hummus, celery with peanut butter, string or cottage cheese, or an egg. 
  • Stay hydrated. Having a bottle of water before sitting down to enjoy the meal will help create a sensation of fullness, making it less likely that you’ll be tempted to overindulge.  
  • Remain active. Following a heavy meal, defy the urge to settle into the recliner and watch TV shows or nap; instead, provide help with washing dishes, play an active game with the children, or take a walk in the brisk fall air.  

If in spite of these strategies you end up overindulging or making less-than-healthy selections, be kind and forgiving to yourself. Bear in mind that tomorrow is a new day to pick up healthy habits again. Keep a close watch on your blood sugar to make sure levels stay in the appropriate range and to avoid the potential for serious health issues for diabetics, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which could cause a hospitalization and surely put a damper on the holiday spirit. 

Reach out to one of the top home health agencies in Beaumont, TX, Montebello Home Care, to learn more diabetic diet-friendly tips, for assistance with preparing healthy meals, providing medication reminders, support to engage in physical activity programs, and much more! We’re here for you throughout the holiday season and beyond to empower seniors to live their best possible lives. Email or call our care team at 409-276-7576 to request a free in-home consultation today or to learn more about how our award-winning services for home health in Beaumont, TX and the surrounding areas can help! Visit our Service Area page to see all of the Texas communities we serve.

Answers to Your Top Elder Home Care Services Questions

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You’re concerned that Mom may be in need of some help at home, and so naturally, you know exactly where to turn for assistance, right? No? Rest assured – you’re not alone. Millions of people in the U.S. are facing the same dilemma, and most people don’t know much about elder home care services until the need for care occurs. If you’re in the initial stages of considering home care options, it’s helpful to have some insight into what exactly senior home care is and how it works. To help you through this process Montebello Home Care has put together some frequently asked elder home care services questions, along with the appropriate answers to help you make better, more informed care decisions for a senior loved one.

Q:        Can Medicare pay for long-term in-home care?

A:         No. While it’s true that Medicare may help in paying for some home health care costs within very specific parameters, it was never meant to cover long-term in-home care.

Q:        Is it more cost-effective to hire a caregiver privately than utilizing a professional senior home care agency?

A:         No. While initially it may seem that hiring an independent caregiver is more affordable than hiring a caregiver through a professional home care agency, there are many unrevealed expenses when hiring a private caregiver. For example, with a privately hired caregiver, you are the person’s employer, meaning it’s your duty to cover taxes, worker’s compensation, and more. When working through a senior home care agency, you do not have to worry about or cover the cost for any of these items.

Q:        Is home care an appropriate choice for a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia?

A:         Yes. Montebello Home Care provides highly skilled, compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Beaumont, TX and the surrounding areas. Our caregivers are provided with ongoing training on how to provide the highest quality services to seniors, offering families much-needed breaks from care and peace of mind.

Q:        What do ADL and IADL mean?

A:         ADL refers to Activities of Daily Living, or activities that occur on a daily basis, such as showering, dressing, moving from the bed to a chair, walking, etc. IADL refers to Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and addresses such activities as managing household expenses, shopping, using the phone, etc. ADLs and IADLs are assessed when determining which level of care is most appropriate for an older adult.

Montebello Home Care’s caregivers in Beaumont, TX and the nearby areas can help seniors with both ADLs and IADLs, leading to safer, more comfortable, and more independent lives at home.

We know you likely have some additional senior home care services questions, and we’re always here to provide the answers you need. If you need Beaumont home care in the nearby areas, contact us any time at 409-276-7576 to learn more about why we’re head and shoulders above senior care centers for caregivers for the elderly in Beaumont and nearby areas.

Improving Life At Home: The Benefits of Senior Home Care

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As we grow older, it’s common to begin to experience difficulties with everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or even driving a vehicle, which can bring on concerns that these challenges mean that we’ll need to give up not only our freedom, but our home as well. And while there are reliable senior care centers in Beaumont, TX, there are also other options such as the professional senior home care provided by Montebello Home Care, one of the top home care agencies providing Beaumont home care services throughout the surrounding areas. Montebello Home Care can actually enhance self-reliance for older adults and help them continue to live at home where they are most comfortable.

A majority of older individuals are now recognizing the benefits of senior home care but many people still do not know what it can include. The information below explains what home care can include and how is it different from care at a facility:

  • In-home senior care services are provided on an individual basis, resulting in more personal attention than in a nursing home or assisted living facility. There is no need to have to wait your turn when care is needed.
  • A caregiver providing help at home can encourage a healthier lifestyle. In-home caregivers are competent in preparing healthy and delicious meals that are appetizing to the individual and can also help track the amount of food consumed.
  • A personalized, ongoing exercise plan can be put in place and followed through with the help of an in-home caregiver, offering the extra safety measure of a qualified professional being on hand during exercising.
  • Senior home care improves dignity and freedom, vital factors for a contented life. Home care (particularly private pay home care) assures personalized care specific to the requirements of the family and senior on any given day, whether the need is as simple as companionship, or more complex, such as assistance with personal care needs.
  • The extra benefit of accompanied transportation to and from doctors’ appointments, social events or running errands means that families have the chance for more quality time together.

As you look into your options for home care services, we welcome the opportunity to talk with you and your family more about the advantages of professional help at home from the caregivers at one of the top-rated home care agencies providing exceptional options for Beaumont, TX senior care in surrounding areas. Contact Montebello Home Care today at 409-276-7576 to learn more about senior home care services.

Keeping Fit As You Age: Fall Prevention Exercises for Seniors

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The CDC shares that upwards of 1/3 of all older adults fall every year, and surprisingly, fewer than half of them discuss those falls with their doctors. When an older adult falls, even if it does not result in serious injury, he or she can develop an increased fear of falling, which can lead to limited activities, reduced mobility, reduced physical fitness, and eventually, an enhanced risk of another fall. However, keeping active and incorporating fall prevention exercises for seniors into your daily routine can help.

In our previous article we discussed tips to reduce the risk of senior falls, outlining some home alterations you can make to give senior safety a boost and lower the risk of a fall. Additionally, there are certain exercises that older adults can do regularly that will increase muscle strength and improve balance, not only helping to reduce the risk of falls, but also providing the senior with more confidence and overall improved wellbeing. Check with your loved one’s doctor first, and then try the following fall prevention exercises for seniors, as suggested by the team in at Montebello Home Care:

  • Leg Lifts: Raise the knee as high as your hip (if possible), using a sturdy object such as a chair to maintain balance. Hold the leg up for three seconds or more.
  • Flex and Point: In a sitting position, point the toes and then flex them. Repeat with both feet.
  • Toe Taps: While seated, simply tap the toes, repeating with alternating feet.
  • Sit-to-Stand: Use a chair for support to stand and then return to a seated position. Attempt to gradually decrease reliance on the support as legs are strengthened.
  • Calf Muscle Strengthening: Hold onto a wall, chair or the kitchen counter, and then repeatedly raise up and down on tiptoes. As strength increases, try to go higher up on the toes and eventually attempt the movement on one foot at a time.
  • Shin Muscle Strengthening: Stand and lean against a wall with heels placed 7 – 8” from the wall. Lift the toes of both of feet off the ground as high as possible.
  • One-legged Stand: Holding onto a secure object, raise one leg off the ground and maintain balance on the standing leg.

A fall at home can be devastating for an older adult. Contact Montebello Home Care, experts in at home care for seniors, to learn more about fall prevention and how to help a senior you love safely improve mobility. Call us any time at 409-276-7576 or complete our simple online contact form to get started and learn more about our top-rated Beaumont home care services, as well as the surrounding communities we serve.

Tips To Reduce The Risk of Senior Falls

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Falling down can be painful, but for an older adult, falling can have devastating effects, including a fractured hip, which can lead to a wide range of additional health concerns. A full one-fourth of all seniors who experience a fractured hip die within six months of the fracture; a disturbing, yet preventable fact about the risk of senior falls. Contact us online or call us at 409-276-7576 to learn how we can help with in home senior care services.

Making a few simple alterations to the senior’s home can help foster a safer environment and help prevent dangerous senior falls. To follow are some easy home modification suggestions from Montebello Home Care, the Orange, TX senior care experts for the surrounding areas, to help reduce the risk of senior falls.

  • Lights:
    • Replace all light bulbs on a regular basis to ensure there is plenty of lighting in the senior’s home
    • Use nightlights or motion detector lights for enhanced visibility at night
    • Be sure there are no electrical cords stretched across walking areas
  • Floors:
    • Use low pile carpet or slip-proof tile
    • Remove all throw rugs, or secure them with non-slip tape
    • Utilize contrasting colors with paint, furniture and carpeting to designate changes in surface types or levels
    • Do not use floor polish
  • Bathroom:
    • Add grab bars to walls around the tub and beside the toilet, sturdy enough to support an adult’s full weight
    • Add slip-proof strips or mats in and around the bathtub
    • Use a wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser on the shower wall
    • Utilize a portable, hand-held shower head
    • Add a padded shower or bath seat

In addition to these ideas, there are plenty of products available to help with preventing senior falls at home, such as:

  • Door Alarms: If your loved one has a propensity to wander, particularly at night, door alarms can alert you or the senior’s caregiver that he or she is moving about and could be in danger of falling.
  • Monitoring Systems: Monitoring systems are a popular and efficient way to keep track of a senior’s movements in the home. Sensors can be positioned throughout the home, and some even include calling capabilities for the senior to alert a caregiver if a fall or other emergency is experienced.
  • Fall Management Footwear: These products feature rubber grips on the bottom to help prevent slipping, and are suitable for seniors who are at a heightened risk for falling. There are even water-proof, slip-resistant socks that can be worn in the bath or shower.
  • Bedrails: Many elderly falls happen during the night as seniors move about in their sleep or get up to go to a different room in the house. Bedrails can keep older adults from falling out of bed and provide something to grab onto when standing up to get out of bed.

With so many older adults deciding to age in place at home rather than moving into a nursing home, it’s imperative to ensure the home is as safe as can be. The professional home care team at Montebello Home Care can help families evaluate the risk of senior falls in the home, make home alteration recommendations, and provide the skilled, compassionate care seniors need. Contact us today to learn more about our services for home health in Orange, TX and the areas we serve at 409-276-7576. To find out if our home care services are available in your community, please visit our Service Area page.

Benefits of Care For Seniors at Home

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It’s a fact: the vast majority of older adults would much rather age in place at home than face a move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. And it only makes sense; after all, aging at home allows seniors to continue to feel safe and secure in the comfortable…

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