Jennifer Campbell

Holiday Progressive Blog Party 2017

Christmas Tree Window

Welcome caregivers from the Holiday Progressive Blog Party!

New LifeStyles is your guide to senior communities and care options nationwide. Rather you need respite care for an upcoming vaction or hospital stay, or some help at home so you can get things done, we list all state licensed options and more. You can even give the gift of help to another caregiver in another state. Just find a provider in that area & contact them to buy a gift card.

Find options in your area by ordering a free guide, peruse our many caregiving blogs and enter to win a Starbucks gift card (no longer available).

Click to see other sites participating in the festivities.

Show Off Your Community Online

Long Creek Tour

Do you have a new community, or have you recently remodeled? Are you always trying to get prospects in the door to see what you have to offer?

Show them online with a tour. We will send a photographer to your community to shoot up to 30 still images and/or panoramic shots and we will host them for a year online and give you copies for your marketing material. All for less than $60/mo.

So take advantage of this offer so you can update your brochure and website in 2018!

 

Medication Management for Seniors and Caregivers: Tips to Prevent Misuse

meds

Caring for seniors is a dynamic process that involves monitoring nutrition and diet, daily exercise, and managing a list of medications. It’s quite common for caregivers and seniors to express feeling overwhelmed and at times concerned with regards to taking medicines as prescribed.

Medication Misuse 

Medications are a huge part of elderly care, unfortunately some diagnoses like Dementia can lead to accidental misuse. When caring for an aging family member, it’s important to know their current medication regimen, associated side effects and when to use the Emergency Response System!

Common Issues Causing Medication Error:

  • Vision Disturbances ~ How small is the print on the pill label and in the instruction pamphlet? Your family member may need another vision test and a stronger lens prescription or treatment for something like Cataracts or Glaucoma. Distinguishing between medications can mean the difference between taking too many pills to lower high blood pressure and causing cardiac arrest, or not taking enough medication to treat high blood pressure, leading to a hypertensive emergency.
  • Memory Loss ~ Forgetting to take medications can also cause missed doses and improper treatment. Conversely, being unable to remember if you have already taken medications and taking more can lead to accidental overdose, possibly causing someone to lose consciousness and stop breathing. Ergonomically designed pill organizers help caregivers and seniors to keep track! If you need to, set alarms or use a calendar as a friendly reminder! Develop a safe and convenient system that you’re comfortable with and works for you!
  • Finances ~ Unfortunately, some seniors can’t afford all of the medications that they need. Splitting doses to stretch medications until insurance approved refills are available, or exchanging pills that one perceives to control more aggravating symptoms than another, are sadly common with independent seniors. Talk with your physician or pharmacy! Often times they can provide generic medications, which are less expensive than certain brand names. Also, ask if your physician has any free samples to get you through to your next scheduled refill.  Financial assistance programs are out there! It just requires some online research, patience and time! Check for medication discounts directly on the manufactures’ websites, though make sure to read the fine print! There are often qualifications and time frames for coupon applicability.

If you’re caring for an aging family member and are feeling stressed or worried that your loved one isn’t properly managing their medications, consider reaching out for help thru home care or another senior living option.

Thank You

Thanksgiving Conrucopia

We are thankful for:

 Our clients who make the guide to senior living a reality

The distributors who help get it into the hands of those needing help finding senior living and care

The Seniors, their families & professionals that use New LifeStyles to find a senior community or care provider

Our industry partners who supply us with helpful information and help us get the job done

The New LifeStyles Family for their hard work & dedication

Our families, friends, health & blessing

Our office will be closed Wednesday afternoon, 11/22, thru Friday, 11/24.

We will be back to the blog next week.

Happy Thanksgiving from New LifeStyles!

Senior Caregiving: Helping Seniors Capture Their Legacy

Senior and Caregiver Reviewing pictures

It has been said that reminiscing for seniors “is a way to affirm who they are, what they’ve accomplished in their lives, and a chance to relive happy times”. (Provider magazine)  If you are provide care for a senior, consider how you can help them achieve those goals while you capture their legacy with the following suggestions.

  1. Find out where they grew up. Don’t just ask the name of the city and state. Ask them what the environment was like. Was it a small town where everyone knew each other or a bustling city that had its own unique benefits? And how did growing up there affect them?
  2. Did your loved one have a spouse? If so, they probably miss them very much. They would love to talk about how they met, what made them fall in love, and other fond memories. If your loved one is dealing with memory loss, this is a great way for them to enjoy talking about things that they actually remember in vivid details.
  3. What kind of jobs did they have over the years? You might know what profession they retired from. But was that always what they wanted to do in life? They might have done a lot of odd jobs as a young person and learned much about industriousness.
  4. If the special senior is your parent, take the opportunity to discover what your grandparents were like. While they held a particular role in your life, they were likely quite different when they raised your Mom or Dad.

These are just a few suggestions. As you open the door to conversation, you will probably think of more questions to ask. So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the bonding experience as you get a clearer view of the legacy behind the person you hold dear. If you are care giving from afar, there are even companies now that will document your loved ones life legacy for you. They conduct the interviews, scan images and put it all together. What a great gift for them & all of the generations to come!