Tag Archives: social isolation

Pet Therapy – a Wonderful Cure for Loneliness

pet-therapy

The help to elderly people cannot be accomplished without ensuring, first of all, a harmony in the soul of an elderly person. Pet can carry out the most important assistance to the elderly – to make them not so lonely, provide them with an extra incentive to existence, and give them their warmth and joy. Pets bring harmony and order into the emotional state of their masters.

Any pet, whatever it may be – large or small, and even a fish in the aquarium, as if connects to human energy, adjusting it to a positive mood. Each animal species has certain unique features; that is why their positive impact on a person has its shades and nuances, but the result of this interaction has always the most beneficial impact on an elderly person.

Sometimes there are such situations in life, when pets are the only friends for the elderly and lonely people. They fill their lives with meaning and care. Help to relieve mental and physical pain and suffering. Pets give their owners life energy.

Elderly people understand that the main and the best part of their lives is left behind. Their emotional tone is decreasing, and the physical condition is worsening. And this in its turn may lead to such a mental state, as depression. To avoid this, we need positive emotions, and in this our four-legged friends can help.

Animals have a natural ability to maintain a person’s emotional state. And remove the feeling of loneliness when you are not needed. This feeling appears because the majority of elderly people live alone, away from their children and grandchildren. And they need anything to fill in the lack of attention and communication. Animals will love devotedly their master and will constantly be near. And most importantly is that the elderly and lonely people will acquire a vital need to be wanted and needed by someone.

Pet-therapy or animal therapy

The origins of psychological illnesses treatment with the help of animals go back to the end of the 18th century, when the Yorkshire mental hospital began to use dogs for the treatment of patients. Even then, the clinic doctors have noted that animals had a positive impact on patients. In the course of therapy the reduction of aggression and frequency of episodes was noted in patients.

Today Canistherapy (dog therapy) and Felinotherapy (cat therapy) is widely used to improve the condition of children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and other pathologies. The specialists observed the improvement of coordination, decrease of spasticity and significantly improved memory in children.

Communication with your pet has also a beneficial effect on the activity of a human brain, which helps to prevent or reduce many psychological disorders. Thus, in particular, during Alzheimer disease – communication with cats eliminates anxiety, which is so pronounced in this disease. A sense of great responsibility in relation to a pet, and taking care of the beloved one stimulates an elderly person to be active, which in its turn stimulates the desire to be healthy and to live.

How pets help to cope with depression and stress

With the approach of autumn, many people gain such kind of psychological disorder as “autumn spleen”. Causeless melancholy, gloom and other subdepressive states begin to exhaust us with the arrival of the first frosts. Often even quite healthy people can be difficult to force themself to get out of bed in the morning and do not frown during the day. If you are familiar with such states, physicians strongly advise to adopt a pet.
Pets live according to their own schedule, in which the emphasis of life corresponds to the daily cycle. Thus, a dog or a cat is sure to wake you up early and require a morning walk or feed. And it will be a good enough reason for you not lie in bed until noon.
Morning walking the dog helps to strengthen immunity, is good for the heart and helps to lose weight. If you feel a bit lethargic and inactive, a dog will teach you to be more cheerful, open and determined.

Equally effective cure for the blues Is communication with the cats. Did you notice that the Internet is full of videos with funny shots of the cat tricks and pranks? These animals are very curious, and having got a kitten in your home will be an endless source of funny events and situations. In addition, cats are curing the vain anxiety and excessive fatigue by the warmth of their body and the characteristic “purr”.

But not only dogs and cats are “home psychotherapists”. Other pets, such as aquarium fish, birds, rabbits, hamsters and even insects, are also doing an excellent job in fighting with stress and despondency.

Psychological observations allow the following conclusions: pets help people to cope with the problems they face, with stress, loneliness. They significantly improve the bad mood and give a great emotional support. And it does not matter who lives at a person’s home: a cat or a dog, a bird or a simple fish – any animal has a positive effect on the physical and psychological well-being of an elderly person. Daily contact with a pet reduces the risk of various diseases, as well as inspires the human soul with optimism and reliability.

Pets give their owners a hundred percent, selfless love and attention, no matter who is their master: a young boy or a very old man. Pets turn into the very best friends with whom you can talk and share feelings. Communication and interaction with the animal increases the level of serotonin in the brain, which increases the sense of well-being of the owner.

Take care of yourself and your pets, and stay healthy!

Nutritional Warning Signs

nutritional-warning-signs
Taking care of an aging parent or your loved ones requires great attention, not only personal, but attention to the things they do, to the stuff they prefer, or to the things they forget…

With age, certain things that seem usual to us can become really difficult for them: personal care, driving, shopping, cooking and eating. Malnutrition has become a serious problem among seniors that cause a variety of health problems.

It is very significant to look for the signs of malnutrition, so you can help you loved ones before serious problems can happen. In many cases malnutrition is a result of difficulties with cooking process, shopping or a matter of forgetfulness.

If you’ve noticed the warning signs, you need to consult a doctor and make a special correction plan for food intake.

Below is the list of signs that will indicate the problem of poor nutrition.

1.    Weight Loss

Weight loss is the biggest and the most obvious sign. If you notice that your aging parent or loved one has lost weight, it’s time to check with a doctor, especially if you are not sure, what is the main reason for the weight loss.

2.    Empty refrigerator of a great number of spoiled products

It is very important during your visits to your loved ones, to check the content of the fridge and the pantry. If you notice that there are not so many products left or there are spoiled items, this might indicate that they do not shop or eat properly. Ask your parent or loved ones about their mobility, about the desire to cook and eat, about their memory.

3.    Depression and social isolation

Very often the roots of the problem do not lie on the surface; most often they are hidden inside the person. Malnutrition can be caused by depression and social isolation. The person does not feel needed and important things become insignificant to them.

4.    Fatigue

Fatigue is also one of the main signs of improper nutrition. When seniors do not get enough food, their bodies stop functioning normally, these seniors will have dental problems, can bruise easily, etc.

At Day View Adult Family Home we understand and try to meet the needs of seniors. If you have questions about our adult family home or about the topic we’ve discussed, please free to contact us. We are here to help you and your loved ones!

Sleep Tips for Elderly People

sleep-tips
Sleep is one of the most important factors not only for seniors, but also for younger people. It is very important for normal physical and mental functioning of an organism. Lack of sleep brings fatigue and a bunch of different health problems. For seniors it is very important to sleep on average 7.5 hours per night, but many of elderly people suffer from insomnia.
There are several things that can improve the quality and the ability of sleep that is vital for seniors.

1.    Sun Yourself. Excessive sunshine increases the risk of skin cancer development, but sunbathing in moderation can bring only positive effect. Sunlight helps the body to produce vitamin D. This vitamin is known for keeping the bones strong.

2.    Create an environment that ideal for healthy sleeping. Keep the room cool and dark. The bedroom should be used only for sleeping; it should be associated with rest.

3.    Control senior’s napping time. It should interfere with the sleeping at night. All naps should take place early in the afternoon, not in the evening. At the same time naps should be short, not more than 40-45 minutes.

4.    Do not drink a lot of liquids before going to bed. Seniors go to the restroom at night more often than younger people.  You can control this process by limiting the intake of liquids.

5.    Do not consume caffeine in the second part of the day. The same should be said about alcohol, no alcohol before going to bed.

6.    Bedtime routine as in the childhood. It is very important for seniors to have a routine before going to bed. Half an hour is enough to prepare your mind and body.

Day View Adult Family Home provides qualified and affordable services for seniors. Our trained crew understands the importance of a good night’s sleep and we work to create positive sleeping environment for seniors. Our residents receive the rest they need.

What’s Better for Your Loved Ones: Assisted Living or Home Care?

a home care nurse visits a patient

For everybody of us, admitting that we or our loved ones can no longer take care of ourselves will be very difficult and harmful. We cherish our freedom and independence and it becomes very hard to allow someone to help us take care of ourselves, dress, take bath, etc.
When you feel that this time has come for you or for your loved ones, it is important to understand what kind of help and care will suit you best. Most senior people prefer staying in their house, but you need to think wisely before letting them to do so.
Experts in this field recommend asking several questions before making any kind of a decision.
1. Do you or your loved ones live alone?
2. What are your desires concerning your future life?
3. Is your house safe? Is there anything that should be improved?
4. Do you know someone who can move and live with your loved one?
5. Is it possible for your family to hire a caregiver who will come and keep your loved one safe?
6. Can they prepare regular meals for them?
7. Do they need to be reminded about medication?
8. Do they want to continue to lead an active life and to be socially included?

Answers to these questions will allow you to understand the situation and will help to clearly see the ways out of this difficult life situation.
Keep in mind that the best way to make a decision is to include your loved ones in this process. This should be their desire and their initiative. Be prepared that your loved ones may choose to stay at home, but this decision may lead to more serious problems (physical and mental diseases).

Try to explain to your loved ones that assisted living is not a nightmare for them, but this is a adult family home that gives the opportunity for seniors to be socially included, to be taken care of on a regular basis, etc.

Please, don’t rush with your decision. Make sure you will find mutual compromise with your loved ones.
If you have any questions concerning adult family homes, our experts will gladly answer them. Don’t hesitate! For more information contact Day View Adult Family Home!

Elderly Depression

elderly-depression
Numerous life changes, such as retirement, health problems and limited mobility lead to elderly depression. Elderly depression is considered to be a serious problem that can cause other health diseases.
How can we help our loved ones to come back to life and to enjoying it in a full sense?
Firstly, let’s understand what leads to depression at this age?
One of the main reasons why people are depressed at this age is loneliness. People do not feel that they are needed. Most of them don’t want to be burdens and they do not want to ask for help, though the help is needed.
Isolation and loneliness, disability to physically function on the same level, disability to stay active and to do things and attend the activities they liked. Lots of reasons to feel depressed at their age.
What can be done in order to make elderly people’s life easier, happier and free of depression?
One of the answers is adult family homes. People who work there are trained to watch for causes of elderly depression including loneliness, physical disability, health and cognitive problems, sociability, etc.
At the same time depression can be caused by medication, especially improper usage of the medicine such as painkillers, sleeping peels, calcium blockers, tranquilizers, beta-blockers, high cholesterol medications. Employees from adult family homes will surely monitor medication process to ensure that elderly depression isn’t caused by medication process.
What are the signs and symptoms of elderly depression?
There are numerous symptoms and signs, but the most obvious among them are sleep problems, weight loss, alcohol and medication usage, fatigue, loss of interest in life, social isolation and suicidal thoughts.
Social isolation and loneliness are the main reasons for elderly depression. That’s why our trained employees at Day View Adult Family Home make sure that your loved ones receive not only care, but are included into social life. At the same time, we are here to help your elderly loved ones to control medication and eating process, exercises and social activities.
If you have any questions concerning elderly depression, please call us and our professionals will gladly help you. Elderly depression affects health and wellness of your loved ones, but we are here to help you.