(October Spotlight)

Planning Time Away from Your Aging Loved One

If you are a primary caregiver for a senior loved one, or if you coordinate care from afar, taking time away from your important role can seem impossible. However, taking a “vacation” from your caregiving role is crucial to your own mental and physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, unpaid caregivers (such as spouses, daughters, sons, or other loved ones) are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, as well as to have compromised immune function. Getting out of the house, or stepping away from your role, keeps you healthy and helps you be a better support system for your senior loved one.

This time away from your caregiving role is called respite, and part of respite planning is securing respite care for your loved one. Here are a few ways that you can plan for respite care so that you, and your loved one, are ready for your time away.

Plan in Advance, When Possible
Planning your respite time in advance gives you the best chance to prepare. Here at Visiting Angels, we suggest planning respite time on a regular basis, such as once per month. Knowing that you take four hours away from home the third Sunday of every month can keep you committed to taking time away. Having a regular schedule can also keep your loved one used to another person in a caregiving role while you are gone. Our Visiting Angels love to get to know new clients, and respite care gives us the chance to build that relationship and gain your loved one’s trust as we learn their preferences.
If you are planning a more extended respite, such as a vacation or weekend away, getting a respite care provider (such as Visiting Angels) on the books can not only make the transition smoother, it is also one less thing to worry about as your trip draws near.

Have a Relationship in Case of Emergencies
Sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of planning for respite in advance. You may need to get out of town for an unexpected business trip or need to miss a regular visit with your loved one due to another spontaneous situation. In these cases, having a relationship with Visiting Angels can be especially important. We are available to help out in these emergency respite situations and can step in for caregiving duties with minimal notice, however if we know you and your loved one, it makes the transition even easier for everyone involved.

Keep Records Updated
Finally, keep your loved one’s records updated and in a central location. Print out a current medication list, as well as doctor phone numbers, allergies, and emergency contact numbers every month or so to assure the information is updated. If you have had any changes since our last visit with your loved one, give our Visiting Angels office a call so that we can update our files as well. This extra step assures our caregivers have accurate information.
Having regular respite care, as well as having an established relationship with our office, can make your time away – whether planned or emergency – more restful for you and safer for your loved one. We would love to get to know your situation; give us a call to set up an appointment with our caring office staff.

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Fall Memories to Make With Your Senior Loved One

The temperatures are dropping, leaving are falling, and pumpkin spice flavors are everywhere – it must be autumn in the Midwest! Whether or not fall is your favorite season, there are certainly many opportunities to connect with your senior loved one these next few months. Autumn encourages us to get a bit cozier and slow down a bit, which makes fall visits with your loved one even sweeter. Here are just a few ways that you can make your next visit a bit more special during this season.

Spice Up Your Coffee
Enjoying a cup of coffee or tea during your visit is a wonderful way to encourage conversation and connection. This month, consider taking advantage of the seasonal flavors by making your own spiced drinks. Try this easy recipe for a pumpkin spiced latte, or add cinnamon sticks and a dash of nutmeg to warm apple cider before pouring into mugs to enjoy.

Go To the Orchard or Patch
Part of the Midwest autumn experience is the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the sights and smells of this seasonal outing, and you will love taking it in with your older loved one. To get the most out of your visit, call ahead of time to ask if there is a less crowded time that you could attend. Assure that your loved one can transfer safely in and out of your car, and bring along a walker or wheelchair if needed. You don’t have to worry about heading out to pick your own produce, but instead spend time in the barn area. Grab an apple cider donut or a few small fall gourds to decorate your loved one’s mantle before you head home. Remember, your trip doesn’t have to be hours long to be meaningful; be sure that you leave before either of you are exhausted.

Make a Pot of Favorite Soup
There’s nothing quite like the season’s first pot of soup. Spend your next visit chopping, simmering, and preparing your favorite recipe together. Make plenty so that you can enjoy a bowl together, and freeze what is left in individual portions for your loved one to enjoy throughout the month.

Decorate a Bit
Your loved one will enjoy a bit of seasonal décor at home, and decorating together can be a fun way to reminisce and connect. Don’t bring out every fall themed decoration, instead choosing a few favorite pieces to display in places that your loved one will see often. Assure that your decorations don’t require a lot of maintenance and are not fall risks in the home. Finally, choose decorations that offer a bit of sensory stimulation as well. For example, scented potpourri in a pumpkin bowl is lovely to look at and to smell.

This autumn, make your visits with your senior loved one extra special by indulging a bit in the season. You will both love the new opportunities to enjoy together. Remember, our caregivers would love to help you have successful visits, or can bring the fall experience to your loved one if you are far away. Give us a call to learn more about our varied services that can support your loved one at home.

Past Articles:

• September 2017 - Top Senior Safety Concerns
• September 2017 - Tips for Managing Transition
• July 2017 - A Day at the Fair: Activities for Your Aging Loved One
• July 2017 - Keys to Keeping Calm
• June 2017 - Can Mom Live at Home if She Has Alzheimer’s Disease?
• June 2017 - How Visiting Angels Can Support Seniors Living with Dementia
• May 2017 - Summer Activities to Plan with Your Aging Loved One
• May 2017 - Hidden Fall Risks in Your Home
• April 2017 - Healthy Sleep Habits for Older Adults
• April 2017 - Surprising Ways Visiting Angels Can Make Your Life Better
• March 2017 - How Socialization and Purpose Can Positively Affect Aging
• March 2017 - Staying Physically and Mentally Active Leads to Successful Aging
• February 2017 - Activities to Improve Fine Motor Mobility for Aging Hands
• February 2017 - Our Favorite Routine-Breakers to Increase Critical Thinking Skills
• January 2017 - Benefits of Companion Care
• January 2017 - The Toll Isolation Takes
• December 2016 - Ideas to Decrease Isolation
• December 2016 - How to Turn Around a Negative Interaction
• August 2016 - 5 Senior Resources Not to Miss
• August 2016 - Long Distance Caregiving: Apps and Technology That Can Help
• July 2016 - Freedom from Osteoarthritis Pain
• July 2016 - Keeping Seniors Safe in the Summertime
• June 2016 - How to Connect with Your Aging Father
• June 2016 - How Home Care Can Translate to Independence
• May 2016 - Fitness Every Day
• May 2016 - Honoring Loss
• April 2016 - Household Chores to Involve Your Loved One In
• April 2016 - How to Use Music to Connect with Your Aging Loved One
• March 2016 - Areas of the Home to Attend to When Your Loved One Wanders
• February 2016 - How Much Do We Love our Angels? Let Us Count the Ways
• February 2016 - Ways to Show Your Loved One You Care
• January 2016 - 5 Easy Indoor Activities to Foster Connection This Winter
• January 2016 - Staying Safe This Winter
• December 2015 - Holiday Memories to Make with Your Loved One This Year
• December 2015 - The Gift of Respite Care
• November 2015 - 5 Things to Say to Calm Dementia Related Anxiety
• November 2015 - Holiday Gift Guide: Seniors with Memory Loss
• October 2015 - Depression in Seniors
• October 2015 - Staying Socially Active Leads to Successful Aging
• September 2015 - Staying Sharp
• September 2015 - Warning Signs that Mom Might Need Extra Help
• August 2015 - Hearing Loss: The Basics
• July 2015 - Your Prescription for Medication Safety
• July 2015 - Preventing Caregiver Burnout Before It Starts
• June 2015 - The Aphasia Challenge
• June 2015 - Staying Hydrated and Healthy This Summer
• May 2015 - Get in the Act!
• May 2015 - Speaking to Your Loved One about Living Assistance
• April 2015 - Long Distance Caregiving
• March 2015 - Nutrition as We Age
• March 2015 - Steps for a Safe Discharge
• February 2015 - Take Heart
• February 2015 - Low Vision
• January 2015 - Bath Safety