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 Did you ever go to a memorial service and hear them tell stories about the deceased and think to yourself, I didn’t know that. I remember one of my first clients that passed away. All I really knew about Nieva was that she was a retired schoolteacher. At her memorial service, I learned that she had extensively traveled the world. She would spend time every summer exploring the capitals of the world. Don’t you know she had some stories to tell? If only I had been listening. I have been to services where I thought I knew the person very well and learned I really did not know them very well at all. I guess I was talking when I should have been listening.
Nieva taught me a very valuable lesson. The lesson she taught me was that everyone has a story to tell if you are listening. I wish I could say that I have become a great listener, but I continue to struggle in this area. My mouth seems to get in the way of my ears. It’s an area that I continue to work on. I would much rather be known as a good listener than to be known as a good talker. When you truly listen to a person you make them feel valued. We have some amazing senior citizens with truly wonderful stories to share. I hope you are adding value to their lives and to yours by listening. I challenge you in the next week to pick one senior citizen and get them to talk and practice your listening. So I have two questions for you. 1. Are you listening? 2. What are you hearing? I would love to listen while you share with me some of the stories you are hearing from the greatest generation. Bob Osborn Owner/Director bob@gracecare.com Grace Care, Enid, OK www.gracecare.com
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 There are so many possible opportunities and decisions to make when it comes to looking for homecare for yourself or for a loved one. With so many choices on the horizon it is hard to tell what the best choice is when picking someone to provide safe, affordable and quality in home care, it is important you choose well.
First, make sure that you are choosing a licensed agency. Licensed agencies in many states (like Oklahoma) are required to meet certain minimum safety and ethical standards to serve the senior population. Those include things like carrying Workmen's Comp insurance, liability insurance and secure background checks for employees. If you hire a non-licensed agency, or choose to hire an independent contractor, the results could be disastrous. You could find yourself on the end of a Workmen's Comp lawsuit, or discover that you have an employee who has a dangerous past, and should not be caring for seniors. Next, make sure you check the agency out thoroughly. Go to their Google site and read the reviews of their company. Check out their company Facebook page, and do a quick check of the BBB to see if there have been any complaints. Finally, after you have done your due diligence in regards to checking out their licensing and reputation, make sure that you follow your gut after interviewing the agency/person. Do not feel obligated to hire anyone simply because you gave them an interview. You need to know deep down in your soul that this is a good fit for you or your loved one. So why is this article titled "Community Matters"? Because the agencies you can trust are typically part of a larger "community" of agencies. Many of those incredible organizations make up the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care! These businesses have stellar reputations and decades of experience in caring for seniors in Oklahoma! Under the "About Us" tab at the top of this site you will find a tab "Membership". Click on it and it takes you to a listing of the current members of the OPHC! We are a part of the greater "community" of teams caring for Oklahoma seniors! These agencies do more than just attend a monthly meeting together. They consistently offer training events to make our agencies sharper and better. They dialogue via phone, text, email and online... and yes, even in person... about how to better network and support each other, while also growing their businesses. Check them out for more information! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  As we close out another year, (albeit one of the more stressful we've seen in quite some time for obvious reasons), it is important to take stock in those positive accomplishments to celebrate this last year, the non-desirables you'd just prefer not to re-live again and learn to release, let go and forget and insure you get some down-time to re-energize, re-focus and be refreshed. Depending on your personality type, you could either be an introvert that recharges by getting away in a quiet place with a good book and having time to yourself reflecting. Alternatively, as an extrovert, recharging your batteries by being together with a group of like-minded friends/family as your down-time could be more inline. Personally, I can take a short while by myself but much prefer getting away with my family or a group of close friends. My family was blessed to be able to schedule a family ski-trip this year even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and all of its crazy shut-downs, closings, social distancing and mask wearing. We are there as I write this. Our time is special because its a family location we often have visited over the years when our kids were young. Now we find ourselves bringing along our daughters boyfriend (as they talk serious relationship) and have extended family time as well. Just getting out in what I like to refer to as "God's country / Colorado" has been refreshing. Wearing masks here is a little more comfortable and needed just due to the low temperatures, so that's been a good point. The scenery, the time with family, the exercise on the mountain all contribute to helping forget the issues which have dragged me down this past year and excite me for those challenges and opportunities God has in store for 2021. Scripture provides great insight into this practice and the importance of it with one example being Hebrews 12:1. " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." So let go of that which entangles or drags you down. If not at peace with others, ask yourself if you are at peace with yourself. If not at peace with yourself, ask yourself if you are at peace with God. Blessings as you begin the New Year of 2021! Robert B. Morris Franchise Owner HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE T&R Services, Inc. 3844 N. MacArthur Warr Acres, OK 73122 Tel: (405) 521-1963 Fax: (405) 524-3690 Email: Robert.morris@homeinsteadokc.com Webpage: www.homeinstead.com/okc E-Brochure: https://hisc196.digibro.com   The holidays are filled with gatherings... family gatherings, church socials, and for seniors sometimes there are gatherings of social clubs or parties at retirement communities, assisted living facilities or community centers. Party, party, party time! Festive decorations, holiday music, lots of friends and family, and of course FOOD! There's nothing wrong with celebrating the season with a wonderful meal or special festive snacks! The challenges many seniors face is when those indulgences are too great, and cause other health conditions to worsen. For instance, many seniors struggle with diabetes. It's important that they watch closely their intake of holiday sweets so that they don't spike their blood sugar. Maybe someone can bake special "sugar free" treats using Splenda or Stevia baking products so they can enjoy these special treats without the pressure or risk to their health! Other seniors simply have challenges with their digestive track. Overdoing it with a holiday meal could spell real trouble for them. It might cause a bowel block, problems with severe bloating or gas or even UTI issues if they aren't drinking enough water during these times. Finally, remember that the holidays can be an emotional time for many seniors, especially if they have lost a loved one during that calendar year. Many times a special food dish can not only be beneficial for the diet, but it can feed the soul as well. Take that extra time to make Dad's favorite pie that Mom always made for him every year, and stand back and watch just how much it means to him. Yes, it may be emotional, but there is healing in those types of experiences as well. You may find it necessary to enlist some help with cooking and preparing holiday snacks and meals for your senior loved ones. The incredible member agencies of the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care are here to help! Their amazing staff would love to assist you and your loved ones during this holiday season. Just click on the "About Us" tab at the top of the page, and then click on "Membership Directory" to find one of our qualified member agencies close to you! Happy holidays to you and all of your loved ones during this most wonderful time of the year! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angles of SWOKC  The healing power of touch. It's a scientific fact that affirming physical touch can have a powerful impact on the life of another human being. Whether it's the bonding influence of a newborn being cradled by it's mother, or a grown daughter holding the hand of her aged mother struggling with anxiety, physical touch has been proven to be a significant factor in positive physical health and mental well being. Many seniors in the golden years of their life may be facing their future alone. Their spouse of decades could have preceded them in death. For most of us, it's hard to imagine what it's like to have been married to the same person for 50, 60, 70 or more years. But for many of our elders from the Greatest Generation, that was and is the norm. Suddenly though, death separates that lifetime relationship, and the loneliness can be devastating. The incredible power of a hug, holding their hand or just sitting close to them to talk can fill a void created by the loss of their partner. Life is so hectic that for many families on the run they find it difficult to make the time to go visit their elderly parents and grandparents. Ball games, school events, work commitments and other schedule conflicts overwhelm the otherwise well meaning family members. Involuntary isolation for seniors happens, even if they happen to live in an assisted living facility or retirement community. What can break they chains of loneliness is simple pat on the back, touch of the hand or hug around the neck. It may very well be the only physical contact that senior receives the entire week! You have the ability to make a huge difference in the lives of those seniors whose paths you cross this week! Show them your heart by reaching out and being affectionate where it is appropriate! If you have an elderly family member that lives some distance from you, and you feel it would be beneficial for them to have greater interaction with someone on a regular basis, maybe you should consider hiring one of the member agencies of the OPHC! Just click "About Us" at the top of the web page, and then select "Membership Directory" to see a listing of our incredible member agencies! Check them out and see if there is an agency close to you that could provide staff to provide someone to meet your needs! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  For many families, the holidays mean shopping, travel, office parties and school programs. For just as many seniors, the holidays can be times of loneliness, poor health and danger. It's important that families take the time during the holiday season to make sure that their senior loved ones are well cared for during the holidays.
For widowed seniors, sometimes the holidays can be a sad or lonely experience, especially if their spouse has died within the last few years. The same holds true for seniors who have outlived their own children. Families should be extra sensitive to this loneliness. Talk with your loved one about those most special memories with their family member who has passed. Rather than silently observe or pretend nothing is going on, address these feelings head on, and help them find joy in the memories. As the weather gets colder, seniors are prone to stay inside more often, and for longer periods of time. This can contribute to a variety of physical and mental health challenges. Take advantage of any sunny day wear the weather is temperate to get outside, even if only for a brief time. The fresh air and Vitamin D from sunlight can be incredibly beneficial for seniors. As families travel for the holidays to visit all of the "In-laws and outlaws", there may be times when an elderly loved one stays behind. Make sure that someone is checking in on them regularly while those who normally would do so are out of town. This will give everyone peace of mind, and insures there are limited potentials for serious accident or health problems that might go unattended otherwise. You may want to consider hiring one of the many partner agencies of the OPHC! These agencies are able to supply staff to provide care in your absence! Who knows, your loved one may make a new friend, and find they enjoy the help even after the holidays! Just click at the top of the page where it says "About Us", then click "Membership Directory" for a list of our member agencies in your area! The holidays are time for joy, family and celebration. Make sure that you are intentional and helpful for those wonderful seniors in your life, making their holidays just as wonderful as yours! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  We all like to be HEARD. During this political season, every politician is vying for the listening ear of every eligible voter. Children shout, "Mommy, mommy, mommy" until they get a response. We have conversations with our friends and not so friendlies, and although we are hearing them speak, what we really want is a chance for them to listen to US.
Life is no different for our seniors. Their grown children have busy, hectic lives. These seniors desperately want a few minutes of their time, to talk with their family, listen to what's happening in their lives, and to share their own recent experiences and struggles. Seniors living in facilities want the administration to hear their viewpoints on everything from the temperature of the building to their suggestions or complaints about the cafeteria menu. Mostly, seniors aren't through living, aren't through caring and they aren't through hearing and wanting to be heard. There are myriads of reasons why it's critical to make intentional opportunities to listen to our seniors. First, they may have changing needs- physical, medical, emotional, mental or spiritual- that could be indicators to both their short-term and long-term well being. We need to listen for what those needs might be. We also need to listen because seniors have so much value to offer with their words, wisdom and experience. They've seen so much in their lifetimes, and their grown children, grandchildren and people who are a part of their caring process can benefit greatly just by asking questions of our seniors, and then listening well to their responses. Finally, listening is the easiest way in the world for us to offer each other the dignity and honor that is deserved, and that we would want for ourselves if/when we find ourselves in their shoes. Listening means we stop, put aside other things, and make this conversation the priority of the moment. It says to the other person, "You are valuable, you matter, and what you have to say is important." Take some time today to listen! If you or a loved one could benefit from hiring a home health care staff person to be a part of this listening process by working as a caregiver, then give one of our OPHC member agencies a call. Simply click on "About Us" at the top of this page, and then "Membership Directory" for a list of our member agencies! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  As we all age, it is only normal that we begin to stock of what is most important to us in this life. For many seniors, this means an introspective look into their personal faith. Religious services, church friends and social events centered around the church may have been an integral part of their lives up to this point in their lives. As age and health issues begin to take their toll on the bodies and sometimes the minds of seniors, there is a fear that these important aspects of their life may suffer or even disappear as options for them.
It is critically important that family members, friends and home care agencies work together to help seniors maintain whatever options for faith involvement they can for aging seniors. If seniors are unable to drive themselves to services, then others should find a way to pick them up, or arrange for their travel using either a home care agency to transport them, or special travel options like Uber or Lyft. As a result of the COVID crisis, many churches have expanded their use of online options for worship and small group participation. Computer desktops, iPads or even a smartphone can provide a window into weekly religious activities. Discussing religious topics with home care staff can be a tricky and sometimes sensitive area. It's important that neither staff nor client try to force any of their beliefs on the other, so that they are able to maintain a positive relationship. However, if they are able to find common ground and be encouragers for each other, then this can be a great way to support seniors. Other ways might include using technology to play religious music, or reading devotional books or Scripture to a senior that has vision problems. The home care agency owners who work as members of the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care have navigated the waters of supporting seniors regarding access and participation to their religious functions and activities. Talk it over with them and see what they are able to do! Simply click at the top of the page where it says "About Us", and then click on "Membership Directory" to see the list of our current members! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  As we move into the Fall, we see a variety of changes in the weather. The cool, crisp air begins to overtake the heat of summer, and the changes in weather can impact seniors in physical, mental and emotional ways.
 As our loved ones age, the sands of time take a toll on so many aspects of their lives. Dementia and Alzheimer's impact 1 out of 3 senior citizens. Serious diseases like cancer and heart disease can bring great difficulties to their health and quality of life. As was mentioned in a previous article, challenges with their hearing and inner ear can bring about issues not only with balance, but the ability to communicate effectively and enjoy life.
One practice families should consider is the use of music to improve the quality of life of their beloved senior family member. Music has a calming, relaxing impact on our attitudes and even on our physiology. The use of familiar or sentimental music with Alzheimer's or dementia patients can calm their behavior and their temperaments. Beyond that, many times the use of music in these situation can bring those individuals back to a point where they can communicate more clearly than they normally do. Music can be provided through a variety of methods. Here are a few suggestions:
Start out slow, and understand that your loved one may have challenges with the complexities or unfamiliarity of technology. You may need to help them, educate and then show them multiple times on how to access a variety of music options. In the end, it will be worth it! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC |
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March 2022
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