Benefits of Home Care

If you’re encountering family denial of home care needs for an older loved one, these tips will help everyone come to a place of agreement.

When you begin to notice the red flags that care in the home is required for someone you love, it’s very common for that individual to resist the idea. After all, acknowledging the need for assistance is not easy, especially for somebody who prizes their privacy and independence. Yet what do you do when you encounter family denial of home care needs for an older loved one? When you’ve reached an impasse within your family in regards to the need for senior care, there is one potential culprit to consider: denial.

Why Would a Family Member Deny the Need for Care in the Home?

Denial is a coping mechanism employed to protect against … Read More »

We had a great time yesterday supporting an informative and engaging Emergency Prep seminar presented by Emergency Prep Help.  This organization does an amazing job working throughout our community to prepare seniors for natural disasters and other emergencies.  Their program is extremely informative for seniors, and we fully support their philosophy that proper education and preparedness will be extremely beneficial should a wildfire or other natural disaster happen in our community.  More information and resources, as well as a schedule of future presentations, can be found at https://www.emergencyprephelp.org.

Join us for the 36th Annual Marin Senior Fair
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Marin Center Exhibit Hall

Wow, it has been quite an honor to have participated in THIRTY of the Thirty Six Senior Fairs!  We’re not too sure if anyone can say that?!?

This year’s theme is Flower Power, Where Peace and Wisdom Flourish.

The Fair will have 140 Exhibit Booths presenting valuable information and resources for seniors and those caring for seniors. The Fair will feature Food, Live Music and Dancing, along with costumes and booth decorations. As always, you can enjoy beautiful quilts, have your photo taken, and pick up some free books.

Attendance and parking are free. Free transportation to and from downtown San Rafael.
Enter our free raffle to win prizes.  More information can be found at https://2024.marinseniorfair.org/

Come visit us at Booth 200 – We’ll see you at the Fair!
~Your … Read More »

Supporting mental health in aging parents starts with recognizing the signs and addressing the stigma around mental health care.

Mental health is a critical aspect of well-being throughout life, and it becomes even more significant as our parents grow older. For many older adults, however, talking about mental health can be especially difficult due to ingrained stigmas and the values they were raised with. It’s important to understand why older loved ones might be hesitant to discuss mental health and to recognize the signs that they might be struggling. This knowledge can guide you in supporting mental health in aging parents to ensure they receive the support and care they need.

Identifying the signs of substance misuse in older adults is the first step towards getting them help.

It’s not unusual for Dad to enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner, but lately, you’ve noticed that he’s gravitating towards stronger drinks more frequently, and earlier in the day. He might say it helps with sleep or eases the aches of arthritis, but is there more to be concerned about?

These dysphagia tips will help someone you love adapt to beverage thickeners.

Unless you have dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, it is likely you have not given much serious thought to the various textures and consistencies of the liquids in your daily diet. When you are feeling thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you may crave a cool milkshake. And when you are recuperating from the flu, a warm bowl of soup really hits the spot.

Try these creative ideas to improve socialization for introverted seniors.

Prepare yourself…the holidays will be here before we know it! Although there are plenty of people who flourish on the hectic pace of celebrations and parties, there are others who balk at the thought of going outside of their comfort zone and into more intensive social obligations. It may simply come down to one integral difference: introversion vs. extroversion. And it is important to know which distinction the seniors in your life lean towards more. Socialization for introverted seniors is just as important as for extroverted seniors, and finding the right type of socialization to help them feel most comfortable is key.

Learn about Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery to see if it might be helpful for someone you love.

For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges of managing balance, mobility, and overall movement can be profound. As the disease progresses, these difficulties may increase, leading many to assume that less physical activity might be beneficial. However, this assumption is counter to what medical experts and extensive research suggest. In fact, increasing physical activity is strongly encouraged because of its numerous documented benefits in managing Parkinson’s symptoms. In fact, it’s believed to be on par with the adherence to prescribed medications for its role in effective disease management.

We have tips to help you maintain your relationship while being a spousal caregiver.

Healthy, long-term relationships take commitment, sacrifice, and compromise. The happiest relationships are those where both parties selflessly take care of each other. This balance shifts, however, if the person you love experiences a significant health concern. And this shift can have a devastating effect on the dynamics of your relationship if you’re not vigilant, as you find yourself in the role of a spousal caregiver.

It’s natural to want to help your spouse in whatever way you can as their health needs change. However, it’s vital that you ensure you are not sacrificing your romantic connection in the process. Attempting to parent your partner can result in resentment – for both of you. To promote healthy boundaries, keep the following in mind:

• Find … Read More »

Learn how to incorporate fruits and veggies into a senior’s diet today!

Most people, including seniors, prefer carbs to carrots. And that can make it challenging to meet a senior’s nutritional needs. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention shares that only one in 10 older adults is meeting the recommendation of at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day. Numerous studies have revealed that older adults who do follow these guidelines reduce their risk for heart disease, diabetes, as well as other chronic health issues, and ultimately live longer lives.

When you run into challenges finding a diet that supports a senior’s nutritional needs, you may have to find creative ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into a senior’s diet. For example:

Add a crunch. If the senior loves a crunch, there … Read More »