Silver Surfers Guide: Enriching Omaha Senior Living with Technology

Nope, we're not going to talk about seniors dressing up or trying to identify themselves as the Marvel comic book character. (Although that would be a treat for seniors with interests for vintage comic books, don't you think?) The expression “silver surfer” originating from English countries actually refers to stereotyped “silver”-haired techie seniors, who “surf” the internet leisurely. Modern inventions aim to make the lives of the elderly more convenient.

Technology Classes

Interactive classes that engage seniors in technology usage are widely available. These aim to rid skeptical seniors of their aversion to technology and integrate benefits of innovations into senior living in Omaha. Classes may be focused one-on-one computer instruction or classroom settings. Most tech classes are offered voluntarily, so seniors learn at no financial cost while the instructors earn community service or plain goodwill.

Social Networking

Through social networks, communication has been the greatest gap bridged by technology. Massive social media sites like Facebook allow seniors to reach distant relatives or peers and enrich relationships. They get doses of learning or entertainment through shared reading materials, interesting discussions and news feeds. They also get to unleash their creative sides through posts.

Gadget Frenzy

More and more manufacturers are taking the elderly population by electronic storm. In effect, technology has been a mainstay in assisted living for Omaha, Nebraska residents. A lot of gadgets from cellphones and tablets to specialized computer programs are marketed to this target group. Studies are continually showing how, for instance, apps and video games keep sharp senior minds.

Safety First!

Aside from recreational purposes, gadgets can also promote safety and emergency preparedness for the elderly. Among the nifty innovations are medical alert tags or buttons, “smart” maintenance drug dispensers, ergonomic walking aids, etc. Tracking and medical response is made efficient, especially for elders with life-threatening ailments or wandering tendencies with dementia.

Of course, human intervention is still key in improving senior living. Comfort Keepers, who may accompany or supervise seniors throughout the day, can be hands-on in ensuring safety and enjoyment. Call (402)-671-0448 to find out how home health providers can support senior care.

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Forget Me Not: Techniques in Omaha Senior Care for Handling Dementia Patients

Some inevitable conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's may drastically take the conscious mind of the elderly. However, care for the mental and emotional well-being of your supposed “elders and betters” should not be neglected. Here are some of the prominent therapies done for patients with dementia that would help in preventing them from forgetting you or themselves:

Time-traveling with Reminiscence and Validation

A lot of dementia patients get preoccupied with past memories. Forcefully pushing these aside may harm their self-esteem and confuse them at times. Rewarding reviews of these memories (reminiscence) and empathizing with their relived feelings (validation) are done instead in Omaha senior care. Methods include keeping journals, scrapbook-making, story-telling and other adjunct activities.

The Sensible Trio for the Senses: Art, Music and Aromas

With scientific bases, engaging therapies stimulate the tactile, visual, auditory and olfactory senses. In simple terms, that's touching, seeing, hearing and smelling. These are piqued with art and crafts making, musical treats or playing and aromatherapy. Aside from allowing the senior to be creative, their expressive sides are tapped by letting them elaborate on their work or felt sensations.

Stimulating the Mind and Body Connection with Activity Therapy

Participation in activities provide the elderly mental stimulation through safe physical exercises. Recreational activities like games, aerobics and other behavioral therapies are supervised in settings for assisted living in Omaha. Even the old adage highlighting “laughter as the best medicine” is administered through a therapy called laughter yoga.

The Gift Called “Present” in Reality Orientation

There will be times that confusion becomes scary and destructive for patients with dementia. In those times, grounding them to the here and now proves to be a reassuring measure. Reality orientation entails tactful communication of the present, such as basic information about the patient and explanations of what they are experiencing.

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Planning for Home Health Care in Omaha that Dear Grams and Pops Deserve

For some, having seniors stay in the house is preferred over nursing homes. Some delicate conditions necessitate home health care, and a lot of factors play into the choosing the right home health care plans for the beloved seniors in your family.

Establish financial feasibility, first and foremost.

It's very important to have a solid financial foundation. Most insurance options, including Medicare, Medicaid and major private insurance companies, cover home health care. Pension plans may also provide funding. Typically, the coverage scope for home health care in Omaha is determined by medical necessity. A set budget should be allotted for unavoidable out-of-pocket expenses, where responsible members of the family or earning siblings can contribute.

Hire for treatments beyond the conventional.

Skilled nursing, trained health aides, medically necessary therapies and supplies are the usual provisions in the discipline. However, home health care agencies in Omaha, NE offer special personal care and in-home companionship services. Among these interesting respites for families are grooming assistance, incidental transportation and even 24-hour care.

Grams and pops should have a say.

Home health care is usually indicated for the elderly for a condition that implies limitations, such as chronic disorders. If they are able to make reasonable decisions, seniors should be asked for the bounds within which they are willing to receive care. Responsible representatives should decide otherwise.

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The Big C: Caring for Terminally Ill Loved Ones

It may seem like the end of the world when a loved one gets diagnosed with cancer, especially when the illness is at the terminalstage. During this difficult time, the best one can do is provide a dying loved one with the proper end of life care that also takes into account the family’s emotional and moral welfare. This matter often requires the expertise of an assisted living specialist.

Some cancer specialists note several signs that the final phase is not too far away. These include gradual loss of weight and muscle structure, a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and a repeated insistence to stay in bed. In many cases, patients are not inclined to see so many people.

To ease a loved one’s woes, the assigned carer can be tasked to change bed sheets at least twice a week, adjust the patient’s position, and ensure that any medication is administered on time. As terminally ill patients have cool limbs, it is best to massage them with warm water to boost circulation.

Losing a loved one to the Big C is no doubt a harrowing experience for any family. However, being able to look after their needs to the very end helps ease the pain.

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3 Signs Your Parents Need Home Assistance

No dutiful son or daughter would think twice about enlisting home assistance services for one’s aging parents. After all, their parents took care of them until they were ready to become adults and vital members of society. Certain instances, in particular, warrant third-party senior care services.

Frequent accidents at home

You can design a home to be more senior-friendly, but you can’t make it entirely accident-proof. For instance, your elderly mom or dad may be simply reaching for the cereal box in the cupboard atop the kitchen counter but doesn’t notice the messy rug on the floor, thus tripping on it as a result. For seniors who have weak bones, these accidents pose hazards like bone fractures and concussions.

Personal hygiene challenges

When you were a kid, your parents always reminded you about the importance of good hygiene. This time around, it’s your turn to make sure they maintain optimum personal hygiene. If one or both parents are unable to take a bath properly or dress without much difficulty because of physical conditions like arthritis, it may be time to consider home assistance services.

Age-related diseases

Aging parents are no longer in the peak of their health and are, thus, prone to illnesses. If your parent has been diagnosed with a rather serious age-related disease like Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, or kidney failure, then you’ll want to provide only the best senior care.

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Home Health Care for Dementia Patients

When people talk of Alzheimer’s, they usually associate it with senility, irritability, and impaired intelligence. The condition has become quite prevalent, with as many as 5.2 million cases in America diagnosed so far in 2014. However, Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia, and Alzheimer cases make up only 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases.

Dementia describes a condition that hampers a person’s intellectual functions, resulting in a loss of memory, language, speaking skills, and cognition. It is caused by a variety of factors, ranging from genetics, physical trauma, or existing mental problems, to seemingly-unrelated diseases like HIV.  Aside from Alzheimer’s, dementia is also present in people with Huntington’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: ailments that result in personality changes rather than decreased intelligence.

Because dementia comes in many forms, its treatment can be quite challenging for caregivers. Reliable providers of professional home health care understand this difficulty, and are aware that dementia is, in many cases, a degenerative and irreversible disease.

In instances like these, comfort keepers lend a hand by being supportive companions to their patients in day-to-day activities, and ensuring the patients get their medications on time. Therapies like memory books, aromatherapy, and physical activities may also help patients cope with their condition, but these have to be carried out under the supervision of reliable health experts. 

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The Benefits of Home Care to the Elderly

Growing old inevitably makes a person physically weaker and incapable of performing at least some of the most routine activities without some assistance. This has made constant care a necessity for many of the elderly, a need which many facilities and services try to respond to. Among the variety of options for senior living, home care is one which offers many benefits.

Most seniors prefer to be cared for at home, taking comfort in the familiarity of their surroundings, than to stay in a senior living facility or a retirement community. Studies have shown that there are more incidents of depression among the elderly who move to seniors’ facilities than those who get to stay at home. To receive the kind of professional care that they need, seniors can rely on in-home services from reputable providers.

In a home care setup, trained caregivers provide personalized care and attention to make the elderly feel that they’re not alone, and that someone is always available to provide assistance. In many cases, one-to-one care offers a far higher level of comfort compared to the kind of care given in a typical senior care facility.

A home care arrangement allows seniors to remain in constant touch with their families and friends, thus minimizing the chances for depression. Complemented with a home equipped with senior-friendly features, home care allows seniors to maintain a sense of independence that is very important for their well-being.

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