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 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
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 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 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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