November is National Adopt an Older Pet Month. While people who are considering adopting an animal from a local shelter tend to focus on puppies and kittens, there are plenty of reasons to make a senior pet part of your family. That’s especially true for older adults.

Let’s take a look at the benefits associated with owning a pet, and how to go about choosing one that is a good fit for you or a senior loved one.

3 Reasons Pets Make Great Companions for Seniors

Provide love and devotion: Animals tend to be loyal critters who stick by those they love through thick and thin. They provide a non-judgmental, listening ear on tough days, and companionship when you are feeling down. For seniors who might be self-isolating due to fears of COVID-19, having a pet can be ideal. If you are grieving the loss of a spouse or other loved one, a pet can be a therapist while you are healing. Pets give us purpose and meaning.

Help lower stress: In 2020 most people had to deal with not only the daily stresses of life but high anxiety. Finding natural ways to manage it is important for overall well-being. Research shows that pets aid in managing both stress and blood pressure. The very act of petting your furry friend is calming.

Promote activity: Pets keep us moving! An older pet’s energy might strike just the right balance for a senior. They need a walk most days but are calmer than a puppy who needs more exercise. Walking is a great way to help avoid the dangers associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It’s generally a safe form of exercise for people of all ages, including older adults. Taking a few laps around the block or a favorite trail at the park builds stamina, balance, and core strength while also reducing the risk for depression.

First, be mindful of your budget. Some breeds of cats and dogs are high maintenance and more expensive to own. Long-haired dogs, for example, tend to need frequent grooming that can take a bite out of your budget. Before you adopt a pet, make sure you have a good handle on what expenses you’ll encounter.

Next, research the animal’s disposition and needs. A high-energy breed like a Jack Russell Terrier, even an older one, usually requires more exercise than other breeds. Also take your home environment into consideration. If you don’t have outdoor living space or easy access to a park, a cat may be a better choice than a dog.

Finally, look beyond furry friends. Some older adults find birds make good companions. They are low maintenance but also entertaining and fun to watch. A great article by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Selecting a Pet Bird, might help you decide whether a bird would be a suitable match for you or a senior loved one. 

If you are fearful of experiencing a fall when you are out walking your pet alone, a mobile monitoring device might be the solution. With the press of a button, you can summon help from wherever you are. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more today!

Pets are great companions for people of all ages, but especially for seniors. Learn why, and what to consider before adopting one.

Seniors and Pets: A Mutually Beneficial Friendship

As we grow older, maintaining our sense of independence and feeling that we can safely manage our own lives becomes increasingly important to us. That’s why helping a senior loved one requires a delicate balance of respect, empathy, and collaboration. It’s vital that you approach the situation with a genuine desire to help, rather than trying to take control.

If you are wondering just what that means, we can help. Here are some ideas that may be useful in supporting the needs of an aging family member while still protecting their independence.

Tips for Providing a Helping Hand to an Aging Loved One

The first step in assisting an older adult without taking over is to understand their specific needs and preferences. This means engaging in open communication and active listening. Take the time to ask your loved one directly about the areas where they might appreciate help. It could be anything from household chores to managing appointments, or simply having someone to accompany them on outings.

But providing meaningful assistance also requires you to pay attention to what they do—or don’t do—as well as what they say. For example, your family member might be too embarrassed to tell you that they are having a tough time with personal care or are fearful of falling as they get into or out of the shower. Signs they are struggling might be body odor, disheveled hair, or wearing the same clothes several days in a row.

Once you have a better understanding of your senior family member’s challenges, you can find positive ways to offer your assistance:

Promoting independence is crucial for a senior’s overall well-being and self-esteem. Encourage them to continue doing tasks they can manage on their own. Offer a helping hand when it’s genuinely needed or requested. This might mean patiently waiting while they complete a task at their own pace, rather than intervening immediately.

On the other hand, be sure to consider your loved one’s safety. Maintaining independence requires that you create a safe environment. That includes factors such as understanding the leading causes of falls, setting up a medication management system, and more.

Respecting the senior’s personal space and privacy is essential. Avoid rearranging their belongings or making decisions about their living environment without consulting them first. Always seek their input and permission before taking any actions that directly affect their daily life.

Sometimes the most valuable form of assistance is emotional support. Aging can be challenging, and seniors may appreciate having someone to share their concerns with. Listen attentively and offer reassurance without dismissing their feelings. Avoid using phrases that might demean their struggles, such as “I know how you feel” or “You shouldn’t feel like that.”

Our last tip is to be careful of the tone of your voice and your body language. Both might leave your family member with the wrong impression about your desire to help. Try to watch how you express yourself just as closely as the actual words you use.

Consider Investing in a Personal Emergency Alert System

Finally, having a way to call for help in the event of an emergency might give your family member peace of mind. By investing in a mobile monitoring unit, one that can be accessed from almost anywhere, you’ll both likely rest easier. In case of a medical crisis or other emergency, a simple press of a button will connect the senior with someone who can help.

Are you struggling with how to help a senior loved one without coming across as bossy or demeaning? This information can help.

How to Support a Senior’s Needs Without Taking Over

Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. The statistics on falls are quite frightening: every second of every day, a senior in this country experiences a fall. That translates to one in four older adults. And once a senior has taken a tumble, their risk of falling again soars.

While there are a variety of reasons why older people fall more than their younger peers, some of the most common include:

And the reality is that recovering from a fall involves not only healing from injuries but also correcting whatever caused it, as well as helping the senior cope with the anxiety that so often follows.

Ways to Help a Senior Recover From a Fall

Here are a few suggestions you might find helpful as you assist a senior loved one in their recovery:

Conduct a home safety audit: Even if the older adult’s fall wasn’t the result of an in-home hazard, it’s still a good idea to have someone conduct a safety audit of their house. It can help identify potential fall risks, such as poor lighting, uneven stair treads, poorly placed extension cords, and more. You might want to ask your primary care physician for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist who can conduct one. If you prefer to do it yourself, this room-by-room fall prevention checklist from the National Institute on Aging might be useful.

Review medication list: As we grow older, the need for prescription medications often increases. Some commonly taken by older adults, such as sleep aids and medications for chronic pain, can create side effects that may include problems with balance. Other times, interactions between prescription and over-the-counter medicines can pose a fall risk. It’s a good idea to have the senior’s pharmacist review their medications once or twice a year to check for any potential problems.

Schedule an eye exam: Because vision issues are more common with age and are linked to an increased risk for falls, it’s important for seniors to have regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist. They can evaluate the older adult for macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision challenges.

Consider outpatient physical therapy: If your loved one’s fall was related to sitting too much and exercising too little, they may be in need of physical therapy to rebuild core strength. Outpatient therapy has numerous benefits, including reducing pain and lowering the risk of a repeat fall.

One last tip: Investing in a mobile monitoring unit can help give your senior loved one peace of mind as they recover from a fall. In the event they fall again or have some other emergency, they can press a button to be connected to someone who can help.

Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more about plans and pricing!

Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors. Having a plan for recovering from one will be important. These tips can help.

Tips to Assist a Senior Loved One Recovering From a Fall

Did someone say movie night? If you are looking for a fun way for several generations of your family to spend time together, consider an outdoor movie night. It’s easy to organize and won’t cost a lot of money, even if you invite a big crowd. Hosting your own outdoor movie night doesn’t have to be overly complicated, either. In fact, other than making sure you have the right equipment, all you’ll need to do is pick a few intergenerational movies and purchase some tasty snacks and drinks.

First, you will need to rent or invest in a movie projector and possibly speakers. You might be able to find a gently used set that’s relatively inexpensive on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. If you need advice before making a purchase, Good Housekeeping’s tech pros tested and rated movie projectors at various price points.

If you don’t have the budget for an outdoor movie screen, or a place to store it, it’s easy to improvise. A simple white sheet hung on the side of the house or between two patio torches can act as a screen. Ask guests to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

While finding a movie that appeals to a variety of ages might seem difficult, it really isn’t at all. This is especially true if you are willing to go back in time to include classic titles in your family gathering. This list of suggestions might help you decide on a few to show:

Freaky Friday: Jamie Lee Curtis and a young Lindsay Lohan star as a mother-daughter duo who accidentally switch bodies. Rated PG.

Uncharted: This title, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, is something of a modern treasure hunt—a combination of action and fun. Rated PG-13.

The Greatest Showman: If your kids are middle school age or older, this might be a fun addition to movie night. It’s a musical with Hugh Jackman starring as circus maestro P.T. Barnum. Rated PG.

Mrs. Doubtfire: The late Robin Williams made this movie a forever favorite for many people. You can introduce a new generation of your family to the fun of seeing Williams play a dad dressed up as a nanny whom his ex-wife unknowingly hires to care for their kids. Rated PG-13.

Daddy Day Care: Eddie Murphy stars in this hilarious classic. A stay-at-home dad, Murphy starts his own home day care to make a little money. Rated PG.

Finally, just like a trip to an indoor movie theater wouldn’t be complete without snacks, neither will your family gathering. You could keep it simple by just having on hand bottled water, sodas, boxes of candy, and fruit. Or you could take it up a notch by renting or borrowing a theater-style popcorn maker to serve up everyone’s favorite movie treat. Another idea is to ask everyone to pitch in and bring something. It might be an appetizer, their favorite adult beverage, or homemade cookies.

Remember, the idea is to create an opportunity for several generations of your family to spend time making memories together. Take lots of pictures to document the occasion and keep the focus on having fun!

Mobile Monitoring Units Give Peace of Mind

Whether you are a senior who likes to travel alone or a college student looking for a little extra peace of mind when you are running in the morning, investing in a mobile monitoring unit might be a safety solution to consider. If you experience an emergency of any kind, a quick press of a button on the Life Protect 24/7 mobile monitoring unit can connect you with help. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more!

Are you looking for a fun summer activity that multiple generations of your family can enjoy? We provide tips on how to host an outdoor movie night, from picking family-friendly films to supplying tasty snacks.

Hosting an Intergenerational Outdoor Movie Night

As summer winds down and we head into fall, the influenza virus typically makes its return. But it’s not the only illness that increases as the weather turns colder. Cases of pneumonia usually rise in the fall and winter, too. While many people receive an annual flu shot to help lower their risk for catching the bug, fewer older adults are aware of the pneumonia vaccine.

Let’s take a closer look at who is at risk for pneumonia and when and how often a senior might need to be vaccinated against it.

Why Are Seniors at Increased Risk for Pneumonia?

Like other respiratory conditions, pneumonia is usually the result of exposure to germs, either bacterial or viral. When older adults are exposed to these bugs, they are more likely to develop pneumonia for many reasons, including:

Preexisting health condition: Some chronic medical issues, such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, increase the risk for pneumonia. These conditions are more common with age.

Weaker immune system: As we grow older, our immune system doesn’t work as well as it did in our younger days. That makes seniors more susceptible to infections and illness.

Inability to cough: A lesser-known risk factor for pneumonia is the inability to cough. When a person can’t produce a strong cough—a common issue among older adults—it’s harder for the body to rid itself of the harmful germs linked to pneumonia.

Smoking: Tobacco causes lung damage that makes it more difficult for the body to fight infection. Smoking puts all people at high risk for developing pneumonia, but the risk increases with age—the longer a person has been a smoker, the greater the likelihood of harm to the lungs.

Comorbidity: Another contributing factor to pneumonia is its link to the flu and other respiratory illnesses. When an older adult develops one of these, their condition is more likely to turn into pneumonia.

So, what can you do to avoid developing pneumonia or to help a senior prevent it? There are a few steps you can take to stay healthy during peak germ season.

Get your vaccines: Since the flu can lead to pneumonia in seniors, start by getting the annual influenza shot. While most doctors suggest receiving it in early October, talk to yours about the best time to get it. And if your physician doesn’t bring up the pneumonia vaccine with you, ask them about it. The general advice from health experts is that two shots given one year apart offers the best protection. Learn more about pneumonia vaccines and timing in this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pump up your immune system: Make an extra effort to boost your immune system before peak germ season begins. That means eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and getting a good night’s sleep. Staying hydrated is also important. Talk with your doctor if you aren’t sure how much water you should be drinking each day, but the general guideline is eight glasses a day.

Develop healthy hygiene habits: Avoiding exposure to germs means practicing good hygiene, especially when you are in crowds. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Keep hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse for those times when water and soap aren’t available. When flu season is at its peak, it might be a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend in public and wear a mask when you do go out.

If you found this article of interest, we encourage you to bookmark our blog and stop back often. We update the Life Protect 24/7 blog each week with articles ranging from healthy living to caregiving, senior safety, and retirement planning.

While many people focus on flu prevention in the fall and winter, pneumonia can be a risk for older adults, too. Learn more here.

What Older Adults Should Know About the Pneumonia Vaccine

There’s no doubt about it—a hospital stay can be stressful for the patient and those who love them. Whether it is for a planned surgery or an illness or injury, being hospitalized often results in discomfort and uncertainty about what comes next. It can all be unsettling.

If you are a caregiver for a senior loved one who is in the hospital, you are probably feeling a little fearful and unsure. It’s tough to know just how to advocate for them to make sure they receive the best possible care. When your older family member has dementia-related memory loss, a hospital stay can be even more difficult. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of tips we hope you will find useful.

How to Be an Advocate When a Family Member or Friend Is Hospitalized

Be patient but persistent: Our first bit of advice is to remember that hospitals are busy places and things typically don’t happen quickly. You’ll need to be patient and try not to let your anxiety and agitation get the best of you. On the other hand, if your loved one is in pain and it’s not being treated, you have every right to be pleasantly persistent.

Create a schedule: Having someone in the patient’s hospital room around the clock is often a good idea. This is especially true if the older adult who is hospitalized has some form of dementia. It can help keep them calm and safe. Setting up a schedule will make it easier to ensure there is usually a trusted friend or family member at the bedside. Depending on the person’s condition or disease, families sometimes even hire paid caregivers to cover the hours when friends or family can’t be present.

Keep a bedside notebook: Another good idea is to keep a notebook and pen on the patient’s bedside table and write down questions and concerns as they pop up. Physicians often round in the early morning hours, before family members are at the hospital. Having the list within reach can make it easier for the patient to ask questions. This is also true if several different friends and family members will be sharing hospital duty. It’s a good way to make sure whoever is staying with the patient knows what to ask if one of the physicians involved in care visits.

Connect with the patient navigator: Depending on the health care system, a patient navigator, social worker, or discharge planner will be assigned to your loved one. If they don’t contact you within the first day or two, ask for their name and contact information. They usually have connections within the hospital that can be helpful, as well as resources patients need following discharge.

Monitor the patient’s online account: You might also want to check for updates in the patient’s online account with the health care system. As ironic as it sounds, providers sometimes summarize visits and log test results in detail without discussing them with the patient. It can be worthwhile to check it a few times each day.

One final tip is to create a plan for your loved one’s recovery after they are discharged. Make sure it includes transportation to and from appointments, meal plans, and medication management. You might also want to consider an emergency alert system, like the Life Protect 24/7 mobile monitoring unit. With a simple press of a button, the discharged patient can be connected with someone who can help. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more!

When a close friend or family member is hospitalized, it’s a good idea to have someone advocate for them during their stay. Here are a few helpful tips.

Tips for Advocating for a Loved One Who Is Hospitalized

Seniors and Pets: A Mutually Beneficial Friendship

November is National Adopt an Older Pet Month. While people who are considering adopting an animal from a local shelter tend to focus on puppies and kittens, there are plenty of reasons to make a senior pet part of your family. That’s especially true for older adults.

3 Reasons Pets Make Great Companions for Seniors

Tips for Seniors Considering a Pet

Emergency Assistance Wherever You Are

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