Dear Ashlee: My husband and I decided to include his 85-year old mother on our summer vacation this year. While our plans are still in the works, we expect to be staying at a national park for five or six nights. We haven’t tried this before so we are hoping for a little advice on … Continue reading Traveling Safely with Mom this Summer
If your summer fun includes a senior loved one, planning heart smart menus is important. Many picnic and party foods are high in fat, salt, and sodium. All three are known to contribute to an increase in blood pressure and can exacerbate existing conditions such as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease … Continue reading Pack Up a Healthier Picnic
Are you planning a family vacation this summer and need a safe place for a senior loved one to stay? Respite is the ideal solution for you! Respite services offer a care solution for older adults and people with a disability who need extra support on a short-term basis. Your loved one can enjoy a short-term … Continue reading Planning a Summer Respite Stay
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and when brainstorming gift ideas it can be hard to know what to get, especially for the mom that “don’t want anything”. A Digital Photo Album A digital photo frame is a great way to share new pictures with your mom that she can easily display in her … Continue reading 8 Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
In the event of an emergency, Power of Attorney and Living Will documentation are helpful to have in place. These documents protect your wishes and finances for your family. Health Care Power of Attorney First let’s look at what the Power of Attorney for Health Care covers: This document allows you to designate a person … Continue reading Power of Attorney and Living Will
We are thrilled to help our residents safely visit with their families! Understanding risk, but also recognizing the benefits of visiting with loved ones, Optalis residents are able to enjoy visitation, with some guidance provided by the CDC and CMS in regards to the core principles of infection control to mitigate the risks to our … Continue reading Visiting a Loved One at Optalis
If your friend or family member is in the hospital, it’s natural to want to bring them something when you visit. However, how do you know what gift will be appropriate and appreciated? To help you out, here are some hospital gift ideas (that aren’t flowers!) that are perfect for older adults. What to Bring Someone in … Continue reading 9 Gift Ideas That Are Perfect for Someone in the Hospital
Now that summer has arrived in central Ohio, many families are busy planning for a vacation. If your summer travel plans will include an older loved one, taking a few extra precautions can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Traveling Well with Your Senior Parents Plan Your Itinerary Carefully: When you are traveling with … Continue reading 4 Tips to Travel Well with Your Senior Parents
The current generation of seniors typically didn’t move much. Many have lived in their same home for many decades. After you have lived in a home for a number of years, it is easy to find you have accumulated a lot of extra belongings. It may lead adult children to have a difficult time assessing … Continue reading Recognizing Early Signs of Hoarding
Spring is the perfect time to take a proactive approach in helping your loved ones stay healthy and engaged with life. Clutter can have a negative impact on an adult’s mental and physical well-being. On the physical side, clutter puts older adults at risk for illness or injury. Piles of newspapers and magazines, for example, can … Continue reading Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Aging Loved One
