Planning a vacation can be more exciting than most people think. This is especially true when planning an educational vacation. These vacations allow for precise planning, right down to which museums to visit and what parts of the destination to focus on. Not only does an educational vacation provide an opportunity for learning, but it also is a great way for seniors to plan a trip. Each leg of the trip is planned, and for many elderly travelers, this is beneficial. The following tips will help you plan an educational vacation for yourself or for an elderly family member.

1. Use a travel agent that you trust. These agents will often have information that you would not get if you booked the vacation online. The travel agent will also be able to get the best deal and available senior discount.

2. Set some limits. Traveling somewhere new is exciting, but it is difficult to take it all in within the amount of time you are allowed. Try to narrow the scope of interest to include points of interest, historical sites or museums.

3. When on the vacation, make use of hired guides. These guides have great knowledge of the area in which you are visiting. They will be able to inform you of local history as well as other valuable information.

4. Take physical limits into consideration. If you are a senior, you know what your body can handle. If you are a caregiver who is planning the trip for another, make sure you are aware of what that person can handle physically.

Source: www.ehow.com

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Q – My mom is in her 80’s, and she feels disconnected from the rest of the world because she doesn’t make use of technology. I’m trying to tell her that by using the internet, she’ll be able to remain better in touch with family and friends and will feel as though she’s part of a community. She’s not convinced, but I feel it will help prevent loneliness and depression. Can the internet really do that?

A – The internet can absolutely help bring people together and stay in touch. From the sounds of it, your mom is not part of the 42% of seniors who is taking advantage of all that modern technology has to offer. By using the internet, your mom will stave of loneliness and in turn depression, because she’ll be able to communicate with family and friends from a distance and feel like she’s truly part of their lives. Additionally, she can gain access to resources and information that can make her feel more confident about the aging process, and meet other seniors who she could relate to.

The internet creates a sense of belonging for people of all ages, and seniors in particular who might find that health and mobility leaves them more housebound can benefit the most!

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

When you add another member to your household, the financial aspects can change. Some of them are positive and some of them are negative; while they shouldn’t impact your decision to move mom or dad into your home for their senior years, you should know what to expect on both sides of the equation.

Pros:

• Living expenses (utilities, mortgage etc) don’t increase significantly when just one person is added to the home, but having another person to contribute to these bills can reduce the home owner’s costs!

• With taxes, families might be able to receive a deduction for having an additional dependent in their home

• Household items, like food, might be bought in bulk to save more money

• Any assets from the sales of the seniors home can be invested

Cons:

• Depending upon future care needs, one or more members of the household might need to take time off work, or hire additional senior care assistance

• Seniors may lose tax deductions once they’re no longer a home owner and other factors regarding capital gain may apply

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Family caregivers can sometimes feel like the walls are caving in around them because of the stress that they face, but very few of them would change what they do for the world. But to survive family caregiving, it is necessary to put yourself first from time to time and here are some ways that you can do it to make sure that you survive the stress of family caregiving.

1. Take care of yourself with diet and exercise – eat well throughout the day, and no matter how busy you are, don’t skip meals, otherwise your energy levels will drop. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes, and pick something that you enjoy doing (walking, biking, aerobics class)

2. Walk away – you won’t walk away permanently from your care responsibilities, but you can take a step back when you need to. Take a break, even if just for a few minutes, or have someone else step in to provide respite care

3. Seek help – 72% of caregivers refuse to receive outside help with their responsibilities; don’t be one of them. Ask a family member to step in and help, or hire a professional home caregiver to give you a break. Also, don’t be afraid to lean on others when you’re stressed, even if it means joining a support group

4. Spoil yourself – reward yourself for all of your hard work, once a week or once a month, go get a massage, have a manicure, go to a movie, or take a hot bath with a glass of wine. Do something that helps you rejuvenate!

5. Don’t neglect your health – remember to get yourself to the doctor regularly, especially if you’re feeling ill. You’ll be better help to a senior when you’re in one piece!

Via: Caregiver Stress

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

The holidays are just around the corner, and for many seniors who have a budget that is stretched to the maximum, this can be a stressful time rather than an enjoyable one, particularly in a period of economic downturn. Here are some tips on smart money management for seniors who need to make every dollar stretch just a little bit further this season and year-round.

1. Talk to a professional – talking to a financial planner, either by using a service or speaking with one provided by a local branch of your bank can help you make sure you plan to meet your financial goals and needs. For example, they can help you get on track saving for future medical or care needs.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – if you’re struggling to cover your basic needs then your local Area Agency on Aging can connect you with resources that can help

3. Find ways to reduce utility costs – keep blinds down and windows and doors closed to preserve optimal temperatures for your house

4. Walk, don’t drive – taking a car or public transportation can be more costly, so walk when possible and benefit your health and your wallet

5. Never make fast financial decisions – always ask for a second opinion before making decisions

6. Grow your own produce – plant a garden in your yard, a family member’s garden, or in a community plot to grow your own produce and cut down on food costs

7. Buy healthy items – convenient, pre-prepared items might be fast and easy, but they are less healthy and often  more expensive

8. Buy generic – generic brands are less expensive, purchase them for foods and for your medications

9. Carpool – it’s more fun to travel places with company anyways; share transportation costs by carpooling!

10. Plan to stay at home – aging in place is the more desirable option for most seniors, and it can be more cost-effective too

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

You might think that napping is just for the under 2 age group, or college kids who don’t get enough sleep at night because they’re too busy partying through the wee hours of the morning; but a nap can improve the lives of people of all ages, including busy caregivers and seniors. With tons of responsibilities and a full social calendar, both demographics are prone to feeling tired as each day goes on. Many are hesitant to nap because it feels like a waste of time, but in reality napping can increase what can be accomplished in every day because it improves productivity, motivation and the speed that thoughts are processed. If you haven’t been a napper so far, here are some tips to get your started!

1. Squeeze in a cat nap of 10, 15 or 20 minutes (but no more!) during the day when you feel your energy fading. Whether you’re at work, or at home, it can help improve your productivity, so while it may feel like it’s taking time out of your day, it will actually create it. If you decide to nap at work, make sure it’s on your break or lunch hour

2. Suggest that your workplace create a napping area since it can boost productivity! Not all workplaces have created an area conducive to napping, but it is becoming more popular.

3. Help yourself wind down and prepare for a nap by listening to calming music, using aromatherapy, or doing another activity that you know works to relax you

Via: workhappynow.com

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

National Family Caregiver’s Month is this November, and it’s time to recognize the people in our lives who make sacrifices to help take care of others. Gestures can be big or small to help show caregivers how much we care, and here are a few interesting ideas:

1. Give them a break – offering to provide respite care or hiring someone to step in can allow caregivers to relax or reconnect with friends and family

2. Remind local businesses what this month means – then encourage them to offer freebies or discounts for family caregivers in the area!

3. Lend them a hand with holiday preparations – the holidays can create added responsibility, so help a caregiver decorate for the holidays or put stamps on their cards

4. Get them laughing – go see a funny movie with them, or pick up tickets to a local comedy club. Laugher IS the best medicine!

5. Take over holiday hosting responsibilities – caregivers already have a lot on their plates; host Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday celebration so the caregiver can simply focus on enjoying the company!

6. Sign the petition – there’s a petition to establish a stamp that recognizes family caregivers; sign it in their honor!

7. Create something personal – a personalized gift, like a calendar with family photos, will help them feel like they’re appreciated, and it will help them stay organized

8. Send them a token of appreciation – a bouquet of flowers or a card might not be a big gesture, but it will make caregivers feel appreciated and special

9. Connect them with caregiving resources – free seminars and other events take place to keep caregivers better informed and help them manage stress

10. Lend your support – give them an ear to talk to, or help them find a support group

Via: The Family Caregiver

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

You know how quickly your energy level can drop when you’re right in the middle of a busy day, and all you can do to revive yourself is to refuel yourself with a quick snack. You might turn to the more unhealthy, sugary options to give you a quick boost, but these only leave you feeling even less energetic than you did before you ate. As a caregiver, you need to make sure that you maintain your energy levels everyday even when you’re on the go. Here are some healthy options that can keep you feeling like you’re on top of the world:

1. Fruits – fruits are easy to pop into a bag or purse to take with you wherever you go. Try an apple, orange, or banana; these don’t bruise as easily and are easily transportable without mess. You can also take mixed berries in a small Tupperware container.

2. Dried fruits and vegetables – dried items really can go anywhere with you, and they offer the same nutritional benefits as the fresh variety. Take raisins, cranberries, banana chips, vegetable chips or other dried produce items

3. Take trail mix – trail mix is designed for snacking on the go; you can either purchase one ready-mixed that is low in sodium and sugary content or make your own with mixed nuts, dried fruit, cereal, and even dark chocolate chips

4. Enjoy fresh vegetables – slice up some raw vegetables like carrots, cucumber, celery, mixed peppers and other vegetables that won’t begin to turn brown right after they’re sliced

5. Carry crackers – make some crackers (whole grain) with peanut butter or cheese for added protein, that will give you needed energy restoration during the day

6. Take a thermos – using an insulated thermos will allow you to take soup, or cold drinks out with you

Via: Associated Content

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.

Q – I’m a working caregiver who never has a second of time to herself. I would love to be able to sneak in a few minutes every day just for me, but I hardly have enough time to do the things that have to be done. Is there anything I can cut out of my day and or improve on to give me back some time?

A – If you, like most Americans today, rely upon email, instant messenger or social media to communicate with loved ones, you can cut time out of your day by simply learning to type faster and here are some tips!

1. Choose a comfortable keyboard – a comfortable keyboard that is well laid out for your hands is crucial to learning to type well and type quickly. If you have a laptop, using a laptop keyboard is okay if you’re spending no more than a couple of hours a day typing, but any longer and it can do damage to your hands

2. Get in position – make sure you’re seated comfortably when you sit down to type. The keyboard should be at the right position for your hands, and you should sit up straight. Proper positioning of your body will reduce errors and therefore decrease the time it takes you to type

3. Learn hand positioning- if you’ve never been taught proper keyboard position, now’s a great time to start. Learning finger positioning will help improve your typing speed vastly when you no longer need to look at the keys or type with just a couple of fingers at a time. Software programs and online tutorials can help you learn!

4. Practice – once you’ve mastered the above, you need to practice to improve your speed, but eventually you’ll find you could cut hours off your day!

Via: WikiHow

Home Care Indianapolis provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Irvington, Lawrence, Oaklandon, and Wanamaker. Call us today at 317.357.5411.