Melanie Hasley is our employee of the month. Melanie is hard working and a good problem solver. We are so glad to have Melanie and we appreciate what she does for us. We hope you know how much we appreciate you Melanie. Congratulations!!!
Month: February 2020
What Can You Do to Jumpstart a Regular Exercise Habit?
Exercise is one of those habits that most people want to engage in regularly, but there always seem to be reasons to avoid it. If you’re trying to make exercise a regular habit, these tips might help you to prioritize it.
Find Someone You Can Exercise with Regularly
Exercising with a partner is a fantastic way to build exercise into your daily habits. When you feel as if there’s another person depending on you to show up for your workout, you’re going to be more likely to stick with the routine you’re building. Having an exercise buddy can help you to branch out and find new activities that you enjoy, even if you never thought about trying some of them.
Work out with Your Senior
You might find that it’s difficult to take time away to meet with someone else to exercise and that’s okay. Especially when you’re starting a new exercise routine as a busy caregiver, leaving regularly may not feel like something you can do. It might also be possible to exercise with your senior, especially if her doctor has shared with her that she needs to start an exercise program of her own.
Build Exercise into Daily Activities
It’s amazing how much movement and exercise you can build into your everyday activities. You can try a combination of different techniques, like standing up and walking in place during commercials or while you handle phone calls. Or you might take a five-minute break a few times a day to simply stretch and increase your flexibility. Take a few minutes to explore your goals around exercise and determine what you can do to meet those goals.
Consider Exercise Blocks to Be Just Like Appointments
When you make appointments, you probably do everything you possibly can to meet those obligations. As a caregiver, that’s probably doubly true. If you make your exercise blocks an actual appointment, you may be more likely to stick with it and to commit to that time for yourself. It’s an excellent way to encourage yourself to take the time that you need.
Getting started with a regular exercise program is not always an easy goal to meet, but it can give you some huge benefits as a caregiver. It’s worth taking the time to figure out what techniques work for you, if only so that you can focus on your own health a bit more.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN WAUKEE, IA, FOR A SENIOR LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!
Four Key Areas of Concern for Safety in Your Senior’s Home
Safety is usually at the top of the list for caregivers and for good reason. There are so many different ways that your senior’s home can be unsafe for her. It’s a good idea to take a few minutes and go through each room in the house assessing these main areas of concern.
Lights and Lamps
Lighting is extremely important and yet incredibly easy to overlook. It might go without saying that being able to see is what’s going to help your elderly family member to avoid the most obstacles in her home. But her current lighting and lamps might not be enough. Look into adding lighting or increasing the strength of the bulbs she’s currently got installed.
Staircases and Single Steps
If your senior’s home has a staircase, you probably already know that it can be dangerous. But single steps or areas with two or three steps can be just as dangerous. Look into ways to make those areas safer, if you can. Adding handrails and making sure that the steps are less likely to be easy to slip on is vital. Consider bigger solutions, like a stair lift, for a full staircase if that’s an option.
Shower Stalls and Tubs
Your senior’s bathroom might need some safety help, too. Water makes everything much more slippery and that means making sure your elderly family member can get into and out of her tub or shower stall safely. Handrails are an easy way to do this, but you also need to examine her flooring. Adding a rug with a non-slip backing can be helpful. It might also be time to consider a new tub or shower stall with either a low threshold or that features a walk-in option.
Carpeting and Other Flooring
Your senior’s floor can help or hinder her progress through her home. Check for anything that could be a tripping hazard, like clutter, and then make sure that the floor itself doesn’t create a problem. Area rugs need to be taped or have a non-slip backing or padding. Check carpets for worn spots that can catch your senior’s foot as she walks through. Avoid using any cleaning products on bare floors that cause them to feel slick.
If your senior also has mobility problems, having home care providers available can be a tremendous way to assist her. They can help her to navigate safely in her home and help with other tasks, too.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HOMECARE IN ANKENY, IA, FOR A SENIOR LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!