Providing care and support to someone with dementia is difficult even in the best of times. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it takes up to three people to provide care for one individual living with dementia. The recent pandemic has made this challenging role even harder with adult day care centers being closed and a fear of placing loved ones into facilities. Home to Stay continues to help the New Jersey community [...]
As we continue to see surges of cases of COVID-19, many of us seek the light at the end of this pandemic. Although we don’t know what the future holds, many of us have returned to some sort of normal after nearly 3 months in lockdown. People have returned to the workplace, the grocery store, and are gathering more regularly with friends and family. However, this is not the case for the [...]
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are taking extra precaution while sanitizing their homes or workplaces. The virus can live on surfaces in your home for multiple days, making the spread of it more likely. Unfortunately for older adults, the risk of contracting the coronavirus and experiencing the severe symptoms of it becomes exponentially more likely as you age. Therefore, elders’ homes should be decontaminated daily to ensure the health of both the [...]
Let’s begin with a reality check - and the unfortunate truth for many of those living with dementia - the majority of care is typically done by non-professional caregivers such as family and friends. This, along with the overwhelming complexity of the disease, can cause worry and anxiety for whoever is responsible. Dementia Care: A labor of love. A unique challenge. Far too often, we see that caring for someone with dementia is [...]
Home to Stay would like to share this informational article written by Gary Skole, founder of AlzBetter, on May 12, 2020. We are proud to be an exclusive South Jersey partner of AlzBetter. Can small steps produce big results in dementia care? Let’s begin with a reality check: for many of those living with dementia, the bulk of the care and attention has traditionally been delivered by informal caregivers such as families [...]
As we practice social distancing, day-to-day activities are now hindered and your isolated elderly loved ones may notice a decrease in daily movement and exercise. This is not only affecting their physical and mental health, but can also lead to more serious long-term issues. Daily exercise for elderly can help boost their energy, maintain a healthy weight, protect their heart, and reduce the impact of chronic illness and disease. It can also improve [...]
If your loved one is social distancing, it may be time for virtual family game night or another fun activity. You may want to consider dropping off a care package that has activities and games that they can do on their own, such as adult coloring books, jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, or Sudoku (make sure the activities/games are the appropriate cognitive level for your loved one). These games will not only help pass [...]
With schools being out and many parents working virtually from home, a new routine is being created for families where children read to loved ones virtually. Not only has your day-to-day activities been interrupted, but keeping kids occupied all day and night can be tiresome. How about hosting a "story time" for loved ones? Each week, consider setting up virtual calls where your children can read or share stories with your parents, grandparents, or [...]
Helping Seniors Use Video Chat Over the last few years, smartphones have become very popular among senior citizens. The challenge is making sure they know how to use the phones correctly, especially now when we are unable to be with them. Some seniors are familiar with video chat apps, such as FaceTime. Another platform they may not be familiar with is Zoom. Zoom is currently offering a free account that allows video calls with multiple [...]
Are you staying connected with loved ones? Did you know that there are apps that allow you to create signup blocks or windows for events? For instance, you can create an account on a tool like SignUpGenius and pick certain days of the week and time blocks within those days to do things like arranging meal drop-offs or arranging phone conversations. If you or your loved one is currently social distancing or in [...]
