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Seniors with limited mobility can be tough to care for. Not only are they hindered by their issues, but they also struggle with mental problems due to their disability. But the truth is that carers should not feel powerless to help. There are plenty of aids that seniors can use or services to resort to, such as live-in care. In general, there are a lot of good strategies that carers should employ when caring for seniors with mobility problems. Here are some of them. 

Make sure the main pathways in the home are clear
If your loved one is moving around with a cane, a walker or perhaps a wheelchair, they rely on their device to help them retain balance and keep them on the go. However, any clutter can make it very difficult for them to move around or even cause them to fall if they are not careful. If a hallway or room is cluttered with furniture, a wheelchair can be too wide to move across. You should take your loved one for a walk in different parts of the home and see if anything is getting in the way of safe and free movement. You can make the necessary adjustments to furniture items and room layouts and remove clutter from the more problematic areas. 

Practice your lifting strategies
In certain situations; you will need to aid your loved one in moving from one area to another. For example, it could be getting them out and placing them in a wheelchair. It is a good idea always to encourage them to do as much of the movement on their own as they can. It will help them retain some sense of independence. If you have to lift them, use a technique that will not jeopardise your back. Involve your leg muscles more. If possible, get someone else to help you, such as a live-in carer or another family member. 

Make any daily necessities easier to access

With mobility issues; your loved one may find it almost impossible to do tasks such as reaching for high areas and picking up items from a lower drawer. Finding new spots for things they will need throughout the day is a good idea. Perhaps you will find out that they can do more tasks independently if you accommodate the required tools and make everything they need easier to reach and store at the right height. 

Preserve their current ability by helping them stay active

One of the best ways for your loved one to maintain some level of independence is to help them stay active. You should ask their physician for a set of light exercises that you can help the person with mobility problems do. The main emphasis should be on safety and ease of movement. Sometimes even simple stretching exercises can be perfect for the person. 

Consider their emotional and social needs
Without a doubt, your loved one’s focus is on their physical condition, and it can sometimes be challenging to think about their emotional health. Reach out to them and see what support you can offer to ease the problem. Any physical issue often leads to cutting social ties and depression, and mental problems. 

Always remember these tips when caring for a loved one with physical disabilities or movement problems. They can make a world of difference. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

As old age approaches, people tend to experience symptoms of reduced mobility. Even if it is not a direct result of an injury or other health condition, age alone means that individuals will not be able to do the things that were trivial to them previously. Bending from the waist, walking, manual dexterity, and balance are all things that will wane with age. 

If you are caring for such a person, you will wonder what activities are suitable for seniors in this position. As it turns out, you don’t need to worry too much because there are plenty of activities you can help them engage in: 

• Arts and crafts – creative thinking is required to keep one’s mind sharp, even for seniors. Many experiences mental fatigue symptoms, especially if they develop certain conditions, like dementia. Arts and crafts can be a perfect activity for them, as it provides a mental stimulus. On top of that, it also keeps the hands busy and exercises their hand muscles. You can help the senior engage in various activities – knitting, drawing, making quilts, origami, etc. Such activities are enjoyable and refreshing for seniors, and you will love them too. 
  
  
• Chair yoga – among the many benefits of yoga is improving overall health and mental wellbeing. It improves flexibility and strength, allowing people to concentrate better. In seniors, it can also benefit from reduced joint pain, which is a struggle many of them have. A senior can do some very simple positions while sitting in a chair – raised hands, candle pose, seated spinal twist, etc. It is essential to show them and engage with them during the activity. 
  
  
• Exercise – Physical exercise is not necessarily related to going to the gym or any other place outdoors. Even seniors with limited mobility can and should engage in physical activity indoors, as long as it is well-suited to their ability. Even slight leg and arm movements can be very beneficial for maintaining mobility in those areas. Some chair exercises can further boost agility and strength. 
  
  
• Indoor games – just because the senior cannot go outdoors doesn’t mean there is nothing fun to do indoors. Charades, Bingo, card games and board games are great examples of fun games to incorporate into their daily routine. Such games are not only a fun way to pass the time, but they can be very mentally stimulating without being too demanding. Besides, it is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. 
  
  
• Reading – one of the best activities for seniors with limited mobility but unhindered eyesight is reading. Not only does it reduce stress and keep the brain engaged, but it can also help with concentration and memory. There are also ways to engage a senior without them reading directly, such as audiobooks. 
  
  
• In-house gardening – this sort of activity can have a natural positive effect on seniors, even if it means you must do some of the work yourself. You can still engage them by asking them what indoor plants they would love, allowing them to choose the pots. If the plants are close, they can be responsible for watering them and ensuring they are well-tended. 
  
  

There are plenty of activities that you can engage with a senior indoors, even if they have difficulties moving about. It is all about being creative and choosing something that they will love. 

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When it comes to ageing, seniors often experience loss of strength and energy. They feel much less inclined to engage in physical activity, regardless if it involves simple things like walking, or doing special exercise. However, according to home care specialists and professionals, seniors need to retain their physical activity. It protects them against cognitive decline and keeps them in good shape. 

If you have a loved one and you are struggling with the issue, you can follow some of these recommendations on the matter: 

• Go at an easy pace – a lot of seniors don’t do any exercising because they are scared of falling or otherwise hurting themselves in the process. If they are not able to keep up a fast pace, they will be more reluctant to join a local group for gym exercise or something similar along those lines. That is why you should always encourage a slow pace of exercise, to keep them motivated and in good shape. That is a strategy many home care practitioners employ, to keep ageing individuals engaged in physical activity that is right for them. 
  
  
• Hydration is very important – dehydration is a major issue for many seniors, who simply forget to drink enough water. You should stay on top of the issue and always encourage them, while at the same time limiting sugary beverages. Staying hydrated means better concentration, less feeling of dizziness and disorientation. The result is that the person will feel more willing to do something, instead of just lying down and napping. Always bring bottles of water to your senior loved ones and remind them to drink. 
  
  
• Make the activity fun – if the physical activity feels like a chore, the senior will be less inclined to engage in it. That is why you should aim to make it more enjoyable. For instance, you can suggest dancing. It is a simple enough pastime, but also a way to engage in physical activity that is helpful for them. Other examples of fun activities include gardening, swimming for seniors and going on walks. 
  
  
• Encourage healthy eating – physical abilities and the food one eats always go together hand in hand. A senior needs to be on a healthy diet, such as one that includes a good dose of vegetables and fruits. Whole grains, nuts and other energy-boosters will help them retain some energy and be more likely to engage in some form of physical activity. 
• Ensure they get sufficient rest – if the senior is overworking and getting tired too much, they will eventually stop doing it, as it is too taxing. Physical activity should feel like something that enhances one’s health, not cause them to feel miserable and tired. That is why it is important to always incorporate sufficient time for rest and recovery into their routine. 30-minute of light exercise per day is good, but there should be enough time for them to rest afterwards. 
  
  
• Encouragement helps – a positive attitude is required for seniors and for yourself to be able to support them on the quest of getting enough physical activity. The goal is to always shift the agenda towards things that the seniors can do, and away from the things they cannot do. Positive encouragement goes a long way! 
  
  

When you remember these tips and strategies for a senior one to get more physical exercise, you can bet that they will be able to live a healthier life and be better off in their day-to-day dealings. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took all of the headlines, it has continued to be a menacing presence in our daily lives. Many believe – rightfully so – that it is the greatest source of stress. And while that is most certainly true, it is never a good idea to view things only in their negative contrast. Yes, even with the global pandemic currently, there are some positive gains. 

It would be folly not to consider Covid-19 somewhat of a blessing on certain fronts. Amidst all of the turmoil, there are plenty of examples of copious acts of humanity that stand out. It is a reminder that no matter how many hardships people, always come together and overcome the overall mood of uncertainty and fear. In that way, this scare tale is slowly but surely turning into a care tale. Here are just a few examples of how that is coming to pass: 

• More appreciation towards frontline workers – there is a new spotlight on the importance of frontline workers, particularly hospital staff like nurses and doctors. This is observed in every single country globally, where hospitals have become the new battlefield against the disease. Everyone is standing in solidarity and appreciation for the individuals who make treatment possible. But it is not just hospital professionals to applaud, but also delivery personnel, store staff and everyone who is making life during lockdowns in a global pandemic that much easier. Thanks to the efforts of these frontline workers, life continues in a fashion close to normal, despite all of the changes occurring around. And it is good to see that it is not just people standing and applauding the efforts of frontline workers, but also governments and major organizations and corporations. 
  
  
• Selfless acts of giving – people all over the world are facing immense challenges. From lost jobs and failing businesses to pay cuts and personal losses, everyone is dealing with major obstacles that the pandemic has introduced in our lives. However, this is exactly the thing that makes selfless organizations and people stand out more thanks to their acts of kindness towards others. There have been more door-to-door aids across many countries than ever before. Other acts include donations of tests, medical and protective kits, as well as hospital equipment and vaccines. Many of these acts involve poor African countries, where such supplies are scarce and the Western world needs to step up and protect them. 
  
  
• Doing away with any differences – when it comes to people fighting to overcome the disease, there is no difference to what terms they are on. Individuals and countries alike have been impacted the same and have largely understood that in the face of such global issues, differences should be left aside. As a result, there is an evident pooling of resources to create countermeasures for the spread of the disease and the way to reduce the risks associated with the coronavirus. One such is the collaboration of companies and organizations on the creation of vaccines. It is collaboration and not division that drives progress at a time like this. 
  
  

It is always important to look for the large and small acts of heroism that take place during these difficult times. It is these examples that keep our spirits up and make us think at least a little bit more positively about the situation. Sometimes, there is good to be found during hard times and it comes in the form of people coming together. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

Respite care is a very important aspect that is part of any care plan. It benefits not just the receiver, but also the carer. It provides both parties with a chance to take a break from the care tasks and recharge. 

If you are currently in the role of a home carer for a loved one, you know just how challenging it can be at times. It won’t be long before you find the need for a short break, to address your own physical and mental wellbeing and good health. You need some time for yourself, especially when you have been doing home care for a long period. That is where respite care comes into play. 

All about respite care

Respite care is essentially a temporary form of a care service, which makes it possible for the main carer to be replaced by another. When someone else takes over the care duties for some time, the main carer can use that time to take a much-needed break. It is also good for the care recipient, who benefits from a better quality of service. Respite care can be easily provided at the home of the recipient by a live-in carer. Other reasons why it is good to resort to respite care include running a trial period for residential live-in care, to find out if it is a good match. It is also ideal post-operation or illness, when the recipient may need immediate help before they get better. 

The suitability of respite care

There are many situations in which respite care may be the best option for the carer and the people they care for. For starters, even the most well-trained and durable trainer will experience a level of stress. This is especially the case when you are caring for a family member. Respite care can allow you to prevent some stress and burnout, all the while ensuring the person you are caring for receives adequate help in your absence. It is also good when the person being cared for needs a new experience, or a new person around. Respite care often helps guide the difficult topic of care options with elderly individuals. It often leads to finding better and more permanent care solutions. 

How does it work? 

Normally, you will want to work with a care agency that specialises in professional care services. You can easily arrange respite care with them down to the finest details. You can make sure they send out a person who is trained to care for an elderly individual with special conditions if need be. Oftentimes users of respite care services find that they like it so much, to upgrade the service to a full live-in care experience. 

What are some types of respite care? 

There are a few different types of respite care services available. Which one you pick depends on the circumstances and the needs of the person requiring care. Visiting home care is a popular option, as is live-in respite care. You can also arrange for a short stay in a residential home or a daycare centre. Holidays with care support are further possible for individuals looking to take a break from care. 

Leaning the details of respite care will enable you to take full advantage of the service when need be. There is little doubt that respite care services present a great opportunity for carers to catch a much-needed break, and it benefits the recipient of the service as well. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

If there is one thing true about seniors with dementia, it is that they need all the help they can get. Such a condition can be very challenging for them and all of their loved ones. It is best to stick to a routine, which is maintained daily, or else they will be stressed out and grow weary and confused. Live-in care presents one such option, which enables a person with dementia to remain in their own home, without the need to move to a nursing facility. 

Live-in care for seniors with dementia is probably the best course of action for families that cannot afford constant care for the person. The goal is to enable constant monitoring of the seniors with dementia, all the while ensuring the best standard of life for them. The goal is to have the right kind of carer, who will address the challenges with professional knowledge and expertise of the matter. There are many more advantages of live-in care for seniors with dementia that you best take into account when arranging such a service:  

• Fosters great independence – without a doubt, the best advantage of live-in care for a senior with dementia lies with enabling more independence. And that is not just independence for the seniors, but also for all of their loved ones, who may not be able to always arrange care for them. With the professional carer being there 24/7, this means the senior is always under supervision and gets the help they need whenever they need it. Both the person with dementia and their family will appreciate such service. 
  
  
• The care plan can be altered when needed – every care agency you may come in contact with will be ready to make alterations to the care plan. That is because the needs of the person with dementia are constantly in flux. One moment they may be fine, the next they will need more help with everyday tasks. The carers that address such service are well-trained to handle such changes. They can start doing more for the person at any time during the service. 
  
  
• Changing caregivers – live-in care providers will make a plan for switching carers when need be. Normally, there will be one person who is addressing most of the tasks, and they will rotate with another caregiver from time to time. This period varies, but it is usually once every two weeks. This helps establish a relationship between the person with dementia and their carer. Familiar faces are always preferable and cause much less stress and confusion. 
  
  
• Professional approach to treating a person with dementia – professional carers know how to deal with a person with dementia. They know that the person might have angry outbursts, times when they are confused and ready to have arguments over trivial things. More importantly, carers know how to remove themselves from such stressful situations so that they don’t end up exacerbating the symptoms of the person. They can disperse any stress and ease the person into calmness. This can be very important, as people with dementia often find themselves with the urge to wander off, especially at a later part of the day. 
  
  

There is no question that live-in care for a person with dementia is one of the best possible services to arrange. It is always important to seek out the options that enable better care for a senior with dementia, especially when it comes to providing constant attention.

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

When it comes to helping seniors can get, it goes without saying that one of the best ways to arrange it comes in the form of a carer that visits them in their own home. This is the case if the senior has any special condition, like dementia or Alzheimer’s, or perhaps they have difficulty walking and getting around. 

This is a type of care known as home care or live-in care. It is a paid service, which costs a different amount based on the area. Sometimes, the council contributes to paying the cost. 

The thing that separates this kind of service is the fact that the senior person doesn’t need to leave their home. The help is provided there since the professional carer will visit for a predetermined amount of hours each day or week. It is a flexible service – care can be arranged for a few hours every week to 24/7 care from a live-in carer. It can also be temporary, for example when the senior is recovering from an illness or surgery, or it can be more temporary, if they have a condition that doesn’t enable living on their own, like dementia or Alzheimer’s. 

What are the benefits of home care? 

A home carer part of a paid service can assist with many things, such as: 

• Helping the senior get out of bed in the morning 
• Dressing and washing 
• Using the toilet 
• Preparing meals and drinks 
• Ensuring the person takes their medicine at the right time 
• Shopping 
• Getting settled in the evening 
• Home help in the form of doing certain domestic tasks, like washing up, cleaning, laundry and gardening 
  
  

Your local council might help arrange the service  

First, those that want the council to help them arrange care should prepare a needs assessment. This is to help the council determine whether a person is fully eligible for care. If eligibility is confirmed, the council can recommend a paid carer and help arrange the service. If the council deems the person not eligible for care, they will provide some advice on help within the community. It is important to point out that those who wish to arrange private care agencies for this sort of service can also benefit from a needs assessment. This can be used to provide the agency and carer with essential information on what service is expected from them. 

Paying for home care 

Sometimes, the local council can contribute partly to the cost of home care service, depending on the circumstances of the person in need of it. If the needs assessment points to the need for care, the council is more likely to help. It all depends on the income and savings, which is something the council will work out with a financial assessment. If it is the council paying for home care, it will be them that provide a support and care plan. This will establish the needs of the person and the budget for meeting them through home care. There is also the option to receive the personal budget as a direct payment. This gives the person the option to arrange someone for care if they don’t want to go with an agency. 

Finding a local agency 

There are 4 ways to find a care agency: 

• Through the NHS website 
• Through the local council’s social services department 
• Through the Care Quality Commission – that is where are all home care agencies are registered 
• Through the United Kingdom Homecare Association 
  
  

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

Dementia is no minor issue when it comes to families and loved ones, who have been diagnosed with such a condition. However, if you have a parent or an elderly loved one with dementia, you need to know that there are ways to get help. One such is getting home care service. 

The service itself allows the person with dementia to remain at home, while a professional caregiver will come on a pre-determined schedule. The idea is that the elderly individual will have someone by their side when you are not able to provide this yourself. The benefits are numerous: 

• There is no need to go to a care home – unlike this popular option, home care is all about remaining in the comfort and familiarity of one’s home. Moving to a care home is a big change, which can be stressful and problematic in many ways. People with dementia often experience turmoil and exacerbation of their symptoms when they change environments. This is why being able to stay in their own home is such a big deal and home care is a fantastic service that allows just that. 
  
  
• One-to-one care – care homes are often well-staffed, but since there are many residents there, the caregivers cannot pay attention to every single person. With home care, the care is one-to-one, ensuring that one single caregiver takes care of the needs of the person with dementia. This makes quite a difference long term. 
  
  
• Flexible service – another important benefit of the service is that it scales with the needs of the person. For example, if they develop movement disability or anything else that requires more help, the service can be made more frequent. This is important for progressive conditions like dementia. 
  
  
• It is safer – when it comes to home care, it should be pointed out that it is a much safer option. It is easier to adjust the environment to fit the needs of a person with dementia. According to research, people who resort to home care experience fewer falls, fewer injuries and fewer hospital admissions. This is a fine way to keep someone safe in the comfort of their own home. 
  
  
• Closer monitoring of the condition – when it comes to dementia, the symptoms of it may progress and so some adjustments are needed. When a caregiver comes to visit the person with dementia regularly, it is easier to spot these changes and adjust accordingly. It could be that the person can no longer address simple tasks, or perhaps they need more attention. In any case, closer monitoring of the progression of the condition is available, which makes it easy to implement the necessary changes to the service.  
  
  
• Less chance of the person wandering off – people with dementia often have the desire to wander off, especially in the second half of the day. It is called sundowning syndrome. With a caregiver by their side, the chance of this happening is slim. It can be dangerous for them to wander outside the home, as they may not remember how to come back. That is why it is a good thing to consider this form of care.
  
  
• Maintaining any routines – routine and familiarity are important for elderly individuals, especially those with dementia. Sudden changes can trigger confusion, stress, anger and more. With home care, they can keep their routines the same pretty much without any problem. 
  
  

The benefits of home care are many and it is important to remember that it is a good option for anyone with loved ones with dementia. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

Paying attention to some of the obvious signs of ageing is easy. After all, it is not possible to ignore things like memory problems, frailty and mobility issues. Some of the less obvious factors, such as nutrition, are just as important, if not more. If that is the last thing on your mind, you need to start paying attention. 

According to many home care experts, many people ignore elderly nutritional requirements. As a result, they don’t ensure their loved ones get the required nutrients. This could lead to a host of problems, which are easily avoidable when the following tips are taken into consideration:

Packing in protein is important – protein is the most critical component of muscle. Because muscle loss naturally increases with ageing, especially after 60, protein deficiencies in elderly individuals can harm health. Older people need to eat more protein, just so that they can counteract the loss of muscle mass in their bodies, i.e. the process of sarcopenia. 

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  Fruits and veggies – a lot of adults fail to eat 5 fruits/vegetables a day, which is an absolute mistake. Take it from Japan – health experts there recommend that older individuals have at least 17 portions of fruits and vegetables for good health each day. And the more varied the food, the better the nutrient intake. 
  
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  Getting enough Calcium – Calcium is crucial for good bone health. With age, humans absorb less and less Calcium. Thus, an elderly individual needs to eat more Calcium-rich foods. It makes for an important addition to their diet. 
  
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  Vitamins are important as well – older people often have vitamin D deficiency, which can exacerbate a host of conditions. That is why they need to eat some oily fish, like trout, mackerel, sardines or salmon. They are all very rich in Vitamin D. B-12 deficiency (Folate) is also a common occurrence in old people. This vitamin is present in dairy, eggs and meat. If adults don’t eat enough of these foods, they should consider supplements. 
• Eating more iron-rich foods – every elder requires adequate iron intake. But there needs to be a fine balance, because too much iron creates stomach issues, whereas too little iron can lead to anaemia. That is why elders should be focused on foods that are rich in iron. The examples include leafy green vegetables, poultry and dried fruits. 
  
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  Less sugar and salt – older adults can experience many problems if their salt intake is too great. Because salt sensitivity increases with age, it is important to actively limit the amount of salt that old individuals consume. Pretty much the same goes for sugar as well. Adults need not avoid it entirely, though they should take active steps to minimise it. Sugar has been proven to be damaging to the skin, and can also lead to diabetes and kidney disease. 
  
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  Less alcohol and more water – the body’s mechanism of telling us we feel thirsty and essentially nudging us to drink more water get worse with age. That is why adults are much more likely to get dehydrated without even realizing it. At the same time, adults need to be more mindful of the amount of alcohol they consume. The problem with alcoholic drinks is that they can take years off of the lifespan of an old individual. Every caregiver should stay on top of limiting alcohol intake while ensuring the person takes enough water to stay hydrated.
  
  

Nutrition is an important aspect of elderly care, which every caregiver needs to be more mindful of. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter

Live-in care service is ideal for all those individuals who have an elderly parent or a loved one of old age in need of special care and attention. Sometimes, it is impossible to provide all of the caregiving on your own and so you will look at options to get outside help. Live-in care is one of the best solutions in this case. 

The service itself is most commonly provided by agencies that specialise in caregiving work. When you contact one and arrange a live-in care service for your parent, you are gaining a lot of benefits. Let’s see some of them. 

• Not having to move the person to a care facility – the most notable benefit that live-in care provides is the fact that it enables the old person to remain in their home. Instead of them having to move to a care facility, they maintain familiarity and comfort of their familiar surroundings, all the while getting the outside help they need so much. Moving at old age is very stressful, and oftentimes the person will resist the idea. They will be much more willing to accept help in the form of a live-in care professional, knowing they can continue living in their home. 

• Relatives can visit any time they wish – another benefit that comes from the fact the old person doesn’t move out of their home lies with relatives and loved ones being able to visit at any time. Unlike a care facility, which usually has some strict visiting hours, live-in care enables and encourages visits from other people in the home of the elderly individual. 
• The person gets to keep any pets – if the old person has any pets, they have likely become a vital part of their life. With live-in care, pets can remain with the person. In fact, the caregiver may also be able to provide some help for looking after the pets. 

• It is highly-specialised – another great thing about live-in care service is that it varies from person to person. The needs of every elderly individual are assessed and reviewed, and then the agency builds the service around that. There is hardly a one-size-fits-all approach because people have different needs. Some elderly individuals suffer from diseases and special conditions that require a more specialised approach. Others are mostly in need of some help with everyday tasks, like bathing, washing, cleaning the home, shopping, etc.

• Then there is also the companionship aspect. Some elderly individuals just need a person they can interact with and talk to, which is another thing that live-in carers can assist with. It bears mentioning that the service itself is also quite versatile, because the needs of the person may change over time, in which case the service needs to change as well. 

• It is more cost-effective – many people believe that the service itself is quite expensive. However, in reality, it is much more cost-effective than moving the person to a care facility. This is especially the case when the care need involves a couple. Having them both in separate rooms in a care home is more expensive than having a single caregiver come to their place to assist daily. Based on your location, you can even take advantage of various support schemes. 

As you can see, there are quite a lot of benefits to resorting to live-in care services. From independence, such choice provides, to the specialised service and attention, it is truly a worthy option for any elderly individual. 

© Home Care Preferred Exeter