5 Ways To Boost Mental Health In Seniors

If you are a caregiver for a senior in Florida, you may be noticing that their mental state is deteriorating, and it’s affecting your relationship with them. It’s just as important to take care of the mental health of our aging loved ones as it is to take care of their physical health!

1. Stay socially active

Socializing with friends and family is a great way to boost mental health in seniors. Staying connected to others helps keep you mentally stimulated and reduces feelings of loneliness or isolation.

There are a number of ways that you can get involved with the social spheres around you!

Join a club

There are likely many clubs and organizations in your community that caters to seniors. This can be a great way to meet new people, stay active, and learn about your community.

Volunteer

Doing volunteer work is a great way to boost mental health in seniors. You’ll meet new people and help out your community while gaining a sense of purpose by volunteering. Volunteering can also be an excellent way for seniors to try something new and take on challenges they never thought possible before.

Hire a home health care nurse

If you opt for in home health care in Seminole, your loved one will always have a companion to socialize with and keep them mentally stimulated. Whether you hire a home health care nurse to stay with your loved one at their residence or yours, the companionship is sure to help!

Visit family more often

If you have family living close by, make an effort to visit more often! Spending time with your loved ones is a great way to boost mental health in seniors. You’ll also get to spend time with people that you care about and who are excited to see you. These visits can be therapeutic for both of you!

2. Get active

Whether you used to be an athlete or if exercise isn’t your forte, there are plenty of ways to get moving!

Take a walk

Taking a walk is a simple way to boost mental health in seniors. Walking is excellent for your heart and can help improve circulation. It’s also a low-impact activity that requires little physical exertion, making it easy for just about anyone to fit into their day.

Go swimming

Getting in touch with your aquatic side is a great way to boost mental health in seniors! Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that can help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. It’s also a form of cardio that doesn’t stress the joints, making it a great choice for seniors with mobility issues.

3. Take up a new hobby

Hobbies are another excellent way to boost mental health in seniors. Taking up a new hobby is a great way to try out something new and exciting and put your all into it!

Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, play an instrument, or speak Spanish, there’s no time like the present! Making the effort to learn something new will help you develop new skills, broaden your horizons, and keep your brain active!

4. Eat healthily

Eating right is an essential part of staying healthy, especially as you age! Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help keep your mind sharp while promoting overall health.

A home health care nurse in Seminole can help you develop good eating habits or meal plans to keep you on track.

5. Get plenty of sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for everyone, but it’s especially important for seniors! Getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep every night will help your mind and body stay rested, alert, and rejuvenated.

If you or your loved one is having trouble sleeping at night, make an effort to take care of their bedtime routine. That could mean anything from making sure they’re drinking enough water throughout the day to taking out any electronics an hour before bed.

Conclusion

Maintaining good mental health is crucial at any age, but it’s vital for seniors! By following these five tips, you can help your loved one stay sharp, happy, and healthy!

If you want to learn more about caregiving, reach out to No Place like Home Care, a provider of in home health care for seniors in Seminole.

Hiring Private Duty Home Care Workers? Here’s What you Need to Know

Considering hiring private duty home care workers? You are not alone. More and more Americans are hiring private duty nurses to take away the enormous pressures of caring for their loved ones and juggle multiple chores simultaneously. Unlike home health care services, private duty services are different. Here’s a look at what private duty services include and what to look for when hiring private home care duty workers for yourself or your loved ones.

What is private duty care?

Private duty home care services include client home visits that don’t require any medical care. Their main work is to ensure the client completes all their daily activities.

Private duty home care is non-medical care provided by caregivers who are not licensed medical personnel. When a person cannot complete their daily tasks because of an injury or an illness, a private home care duty caregiver can assist with:

• Personal care and dressing (bathing, grooming, hygiene, brushing hair, shaving, etc.)
• Preparing light meals and feeding.
• Grocery shopping.
• Help with pet care.
• Light homemaking chores like laundry and house cleaning.
• Following a medication regimen, monitoring medications, and medicine reminders.
• Making phone calls, sorting mail, and other communications.
• Mobility and transfers, and walking.
• Providing companionship and emotional support.
• Ensuring safety in the home.

How to find a private duty home care agency

Whether you feel unsafe at home or have difficulty completing everyday tasks because of health or age-related issues, private duty care can help within the comfort of your home. Agencies, nurse registries, and private caregivers all provide these specialized services. There are differences in the care each of these services provides. But they all aim to make the client comfortable, safe, and independent in their home.

When you begin looking for a private duty home care worker, the first step is to scout all the agencies in your area. Also, look for agencies that will provide private duty home care workers to your locality. Going through the website and online brochures of all the companies on your list is the next step- however, it’s also important to vet each organization thoroughly.

Fifteen questions to ask when hiring a private duty home care agency

Here are 15 questions to ask when hiring private duty home care workers:

1. Does the agency have experience managing the type of senior care you need?

2. How often does the agency supervise its caregivers?

3. What procedures should you follow if you are dissatisfied with the care provided or require backup care?

4. How long has the agency been in business?

5. Is the agency registered and licensed? Insured and bonded?

6. What screening process does the agency use for the caregivers? Background checks are critical.

7. Do caregivers receive ongoing training? Will training impact the care your loved one receives?
8. What is the agency’s policy about care on holidays?

9. Does the agency assign supervisors to ensure high quality of care? How often will a supervisor get in touch with the client/the client’s family?

10. Does the agency have a 24×7 customer service number in case there is a problem?

11. How does the agency ensure the right caregiver match for your loved one?

12. What range of private care duties does the agency provide? Will they meet any special needs?

13. Does the organization have malpractice insurance?

14. Will a therapist or nurse evaluate your home care needs?

15. Will the agency provide written statements regarding all the costs and payment plan options?

Conclusion

Home health care services are a fantastic option for those who need assistance at home. However, choosing the right agency and caregiver cannot be left to chance.

Looking for private home health care Seminole? There are over two dozen private home health care agencies in Seminole. Follow these tips when choosing an agency, and you have a better chance of finding the perfect agency and caregiver for your loved one.

About No Place Like HomeCare

No Place Like HomeCare is a leading caregiver and nurse referral agency that provides home health care services and senior assistance in Florida. No Place Like HomeCare is licensed to provide private home health care Seminole.