SYNERGY HomeCare of Stamford, CT Blog

Once you've determined that your loved one isn't eating properly, it's time to figure out why. Having an understanding of the reasons can help you find solutions.

You have been worried about your mother’s safety for some time. You know she’s not exactly the safest person at home and lately she’s been talking about getting involved in various exercise routines. 

With the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in seniors, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.

When an elderly loved one is first diagnosed with dementia, other family members might have a difficult time coping with and understanding the new normal for your loved one. Here are some steps you can take to help them.

If your elderly loved one is hard of hearing, there are quite a few types of devices out there that can make life easier and safer for her. Here are just a few of those.

While senior community centers were once known for bingo games and potlucks, today’s centers offer a wide variety of services and classes. 

Use these tips to help you utilize successful time management during National Time Management Month and throughout the rest of your caregiver journey with your elderly loved one.

Sleep disorders are common in the elderly population. Several factors contribute to this including health problems, medications, and the myriad of changes aging brings such as diminishing social circles, a changing lifestyle, and physical decline.

Feeling like your parent is not receptive to the care efforts that you are trying to give them can be frustrating, but it can also be detrimental to the care that you give them.

As your loved one ages, their digestive tract becomes weaker, stiffer, and less efficient. The good news is that many digestive issues may be reduced with healthier lifestyle choices. 

While home safety is top priority for all seniors, those that carry the weight of dementia have some special concerns. 

With the help of family and medical professionals, elderly adults will be able to get the help they need in order to rid their bodies of this unhealthy habit before it is too late.

January is National Soup Month. As a family caregiver this is the ideal opportunity for you to explore delicious and nutritious ways that you can integrate soup into your parent’s regular diet. 

All of these activities will allow the senior to stay active without having to spend anytime outside.

Shadowing is one of the behaviors your loved one with dementia might exhibit that falls under the category of challenging behaviors. Finding the why can help you solve the situation.

Keeping yourself happy as a family caregiver doesn't have to be complicated, but you might want to choose from a variety of activities with multiple benefits.

If your elderly loved one has trouble swallowing or chewing, you know that meal times can become challenging. Having some strategies to pull from can help significantly.

Sometimes it probably feels as if your elderly loved one deliberately isn't listening to you. The truth could be that she's having trouble hearing you at all. Try some of these suggestions.

We all know Thanksgiving is a time to get together and celebrate all the things and people we appreciate in our lives. It's a time for reflection and consideration. To pause and reconnect with those values we cherish most. 

November 20 through 26 is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week. If you are a family caregiver for one of the millions of adults throughout the United States who are suffering from this condition, also known as GERD, it is important that you know everything that you can about how to help them manage it.

One item that families tend to forget when it comes to integrating an elderly loved one into the family home is that privacy can be an issue for everyone involved. Here are some ideas for helping to resolve those problems.

Sometimes family caregivers have some deep-seated beliefs that keep them in patterns of behavior that aren't healthy for them, such as refusing to take time away. Identifying some of those beliefs can be the first step toward eliminating them.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but did you know that vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia? 

Use these tips to care for a senior suffering from a bladder infection.

Getting your elderly loved one to eat properly, at the right times and the right combination of foods, can be more complicated than you think at first. Try some of these ideas to make the job easier.

October 9 through 15 is Fire Prevention Week. Start reducing your parent’s risk of suffering serious injury or death related to a residential fire by making meaningful modifications to their kitchen with these tips.

October 12 – 22 is Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week. This is a great opportunity to obtain information regarding the musculoskeletal system and the effects that aging has on this system.

If your elderly loved one has potential hearing loss, you definitely want to preserve whatever hearing she has left. Try some of these ideas to help.

Finding respite time isn't all that easy. It's also tough to figure out what to do if you do have respite time. Try one of these ideas.

Constipation is an uncomfortable, yet treatable condition that is common among the older population. Here are a few tips for dealing with this condition.

Medications can solve quite a few problems for your elderly loved one, but they may have side effects that it helps to be aware of, particularly when it comes to nutrition.

Getting your loved one to wear the device may not be easy, but here are some tips that could make them more willing to see it your way.

Here are 5 simple and cost-effective ways your elderly parent can get that youthful glow they want.

One innovative way that you can work to manage your stress and improve your caregiving efforts is by starting a personal blog.

Do you need to find some alternative transportation options for your loved one? These ideas can help you figure out the right solution for your loved one.

Here are just some of the ways that elderly care could benefit your parent through recovery after surgery.

International Day of Friendship is a day for people all over the world to think about the importance of friendship in all of its forms such as between individuals, communities, cultures, countries, and more. 

National Ice Cream Month was first established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 as a way to enjoy this tasty treat that over 90 percent of the population enjoys. 

As a caregiver you are likely already familiar with some of the risks associated with your elderly parent going to the hospital. One issue you may not think of immediately, however, is hospital delirium.

Migraines can cause serious pain for its victim, making it difficult to concentrate on or accomplish any other task.

Keeping your brain active and engaged is important when you're a family caregiver. Here are some ways to do that.

Each year approximately 49 people in the United States are killed by lightning and hundreds more suffer from serious injuries. Here are a few things to know about lightning safety.

June is observed as Perennial Gardening Month to encourage gardeners to make use of these versatile types of plants.

June 3 through 5 are Positive Power of Humor and Creativity Days.

May means Memorial Day and with that comes the unofficial start of summer. Of course that means all of the fun, excitement, and indulgence that this season has to offer.

Becoming a family caregiver for your aging parent can be one of the most challenging decisions that you ever make. Here are a few tips to help.

Keeping your parent's kitchen organized and clean is a critical aspect of protecting their health. Here are a few tips.

Use these tips to ensure that your vehicle continues to give you the service that you need throughout your elder care journey.

One of the best ways to celebrate Drinking Water Week is by drinking more water. Here are a few tips for doing just that.

Pumpkin is packed with amazing nutrition including dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and has a mild, sweet flavor that makes it perfect for inclusion in a wide variety of recipes regardless of the time of year. 

There are few decisions more difficult than deciding how to best care for an aging loved one who is no longer able to care for themselves. Not only does this decision require you to carefully gauge the level of care he or she may need, it also involves the potential for diminished freedom, and they may even feel as though they are losing a part of who they are in the process. That’s where theexpert, compassionate in-home caregivers at SYNERGY HomeCare really set themselves apart.

Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a serious diagnosis that will require you to make major modifications to your elder care plan so that he can live the healthiest and most fulfilling lifestyle possible even after diagnosis.

Use these tips to help you feel more confident with your weather emergency preparations when caring for both your children and your senior loved ones.

Hospitalization is something that you never want to experience in your senior care journey with your elderly parent. Here are a few tips for handling this difficult situation.

If a traditional observance of Passover is going to be a part of your elderly care journey with your parent in April, you will soon be forgoing foods with leavening. 

Home Care in Old Greenwich CT: Are you looking for new places to walk with your loved one? Try some of these ideas.

March 20 is International Day of Happiness, the perfect opportunity for you to let go of all of that stress and simply focus on being happy.

Between the cold temperatures of winter air and the effects of home heating systems, your elderly loved one’s home is likely to be filled with very dry air during this part of the year. 

As your parent ages, you may begin to have concerns about them developing chronic medical conditions and health problems such as cancer.

Dry skin gets flaky and irritated, which can mainly be an inconvenience. It can get much worse, though, so getting a handle on dry skin when it's still in the beginning stages is a good idea. Here is some information that can help.

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, an amazing opportunity for you and your aging loved ones to give an abandoned animal a second chance.

Independence is something that carries tremendous significance to most people, particularly seniors who are already dealing with limitations and challenges that require care and assistance to handle.

With cellphone and internet usage being so widespread in today’s world, many criminals have developed elaborate scams to get seniors to to surrender their personal information, large sums of money, or both. 

Winter can be tough for seniors. Here are a few simple steps family caregivers can take to help seniors beat the winter blues.

One of the best ways to use leftovers without letting anything go to waste is by making a pot pie. Here are a few healthy swaps to make pot pies more nutritious for your senior loved one.

Who doesn’t love a bubble bath? It is a good thing we have a holiday to recognize the joy that is taking a bubble bath: January 8th - National Bubble Bath Day!

Exercise can help your elderly loved one to improve his quality of life in a multitude of ways.

Being a caregiver for someone with depression is a unique and challenging job. Here are a few tips for family caregivers who are caring for an elderly loved one who suffers from depression.

Celebrating National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day with your parents is a fantastic way to make fun, silly memories with them, their home care provider, and even your children and spouse.

Use these tips to make your senior care journey more meaningful this winter season by donating to shelters throughout your area.

Use these tips to help you feel more confident as you prepare your aging loved ones for the possibility of an emergency evacuation this winter season.

Here are five easy-to-make, healthy dessert treats that seniors don’t need to worry about enjoying day after day.

This holiday season, consider making your caregiver journey less stressful and your celebrations even more meaningful by planning an alternative holiday celebration. This type of celebrations forgoes most of the traditions and rituals of your usual holidays in favor of different activities that still give you all the time you want to bond and enjoy each other while avoiding disappointments, complications, stress, and other negative issues associated with trying to plan a traditional holiday around limitations and challenges. 

Illness and infection can happen at any time of the year, but they reach their peak during the fall and winter season. Understanding the most common of these illnesses and how you can respond to them helps you to devise an approach within your caregiver plan to help protect your elderly loved ones and yourself so that you can enjoy a healthier, stronger end of the year.

November is Family Caregivers Month, the perfect opportunity for you to not only take pride in your role in your senior care journey with your elderly loved ones, but to acknowledge the importance of support and encouragement within the entirety of the senior care community.

Falls are one of the leading causes of severe injury among elderly adults, contributing to tens of thousands of trips to the emergency room each year. For many of these seniors, one serious fall can lead to injuries that dramatically reduce their quality of life and contribute to further problems that can negatively impact the rest of their lives. 

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about this particularly aggressive form of cancer, its risk factors, and what you can do to help your aging loved ones manage the illness if it occurs within your elder care journey.

No one likes to have their home filled with dust, and if you are caring for your aging parents, this unsightly nuisance can actually be a risk to their health. Dust is not just an allergen, it can also contain a variety of potentially hazardous components including dirt, bacteria, fungi, viruses, dead skin, animal dander, and chemical residue.

There is nothing like decorating pumpkins with your family to get you excited about the Halloween holiday. Try this fun and safe way get your house ready for fall.

If you are stepping into the role of being a family caregiver for your aging loved ones and you have older children, it is possible that they can be a powerful resource for you within your care journey. 

This October, make teaching your parents the proper way to use a computer part of your elderly care plan by observing Computer Learning Month.

With all of the benefits that a home care provider can offer your parents, it is easy to become dependent on them and develop your entire care approach around your cooperative relationship with them. There will be times, however, when he or she may not be available and it is essential that you prepare yourself for those times so that you can still give your aging loved ones the care that they need and deserve.

Super foods are those foods that contain high levels of nutrients that improve and sustain ongoing health. These are foods that pack a major nutritional punch with even a serving or two, and that are also surprisingly delicious. Challenging your seniors to find creative ways to add more of these wonderful foods into their diet can help them to achieve more of their health and well-being goals, and can have the added benefit of stimulating their minds with new flavors and textures.

Many people have the idea that getting older automatically means people are going to deal with extensive memory loss and diminished cognitive capacity. They feel that losing their mental acuity and heading into "senility" is an inevitable element of aging and that there is really nothing they as caregivers can do about it.

While there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy being outside together throughout the fall season, it is important to prepare the lawn ahead of time so that it is protected and ready to handle the new challenges of the seasons ahead.

Feeling as though they no longer have the level of independence that they once did can lead your aging loved ones to experience depression, anxiety, hopelessness, embarrassment, isolation, and loss of motivation. Encouraging independence and autonomy in as many activities as possible supports ongoing mental and emotional health, and helps your parents live a higher quality of life as they age. One way you can do this is by integrating dressing aids into your daily elder care plan.

One of the simplest and most crowd-pleasing ways to use an abundance of apples is making homemade applesauce. This recipe creates delicious applesauce perfect for enjoying on its own or in other recipes, and fills your parents' home with welcoming, comforting smells you will want to recreate throughout the year.

Encouraging your elderly parents to engage in ongoing activities with their home care provider is a wonderful way to build their relationship while also adding structure, predictability, and meaning to their routine. These activities support mental and emotional health, stimulate cognitive processing, and encourage stronger memory skills. One truly meaningful activity your aging loved ones can enjoy with their in home health care services provider is writing letters for future generations.

There are many reasons why senior adults may not get the nutrition that they need on a regular basis. By evaluating the reasons and teaming up with the elderly health care services provider to find and implement resolutions, you can help your parents to give their bodies what they need and live healthier, more balanced lives.

Hot, humid days are to be expected during the summer months. For many people, these days are filled with trips to the pool, picnics with loved ones, and going on vacations. These scenarios are much different for the aging population because they are more sensitive to the warm weather, increasing the likelihood of dehydration and overheating. 

As a family caregiver for your elderly loved ones, you spend a considerable amount of time organizing and executing your senior care plan. All of these activities must also fit into your schedule with the care you provide for your children, your marriage, and managing your career. 

The classic toys you enjoyed playing with as a child and may play with with your children now used to be all about having fun. In the context of your senior care plan with your aging loved ones, however, they can offer a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Helping your aging loved ones meet their nutritional needs is one of the most valuable services a home care provider can offer. Beyond just preparing and serving meals, adjusting her care routine and taking the time throughout each day to put measures into place that help your seniors get better nutrition on a regular basis encourages them to stay healthier and enjoy a higher quality of life.

The thought of losing your aging parents is not something that you want to dwell on, particularly when you are trying to focus on fulfilling their daily needs and ensuring they live the healthiest, happiest, and safest quality of life possible. Ignoring this potential, however, can have lasting negative consequences. Truly compassionate elder care is about appreciating your elderly loved ones for the time you have them, but also being ready, and making sure they are ready, for the end-of-life transition. 

The summer might be the season of endless days, carefree fun, and thrilling adventures, but it is also the season of hot and humid weather, sweaty discomfort, and skin irritation. This is particularly true for elderly adults who are more susceptible to heat and whose skin is more sensitive and delicate. During the hottest months of the year it is important to find ways to keep your aging loved ones feeling as cool and comfortable as possible, and to protect their skin from the irritation and damage often caused by exposure to heat and sweat.

June 29 is Camera Day, an amazing opportunity for you to get out, spend quality time with your elderly loved ones, and create lasting memories you can cherish for years to come. Camera Day encourages people to choose cameras that fit in with their photography skills, their lifestyle, their capabilities, and their photography goals, and then head out and start taking pictures of the world around them.

Your physical health and well-being is an essential element of being a safe, healthy, and effective caregiver for your elderly parents. Tasks such as putting groceries away, providing mobility and transfer assistance, bathing and dressing, and even cleaning the home require physical strength, stamina, and range of motion. 

This June 19 through 21, make getting creative with duct tape part of your elderly care with your senior loved ones by celebrating Duct Tape Days. This observation is a fun way to enjoy crafty activities within your elderly care plan and give your seniors a unique way to express themselves. 

Warmer weather means your elder care plan will probably start turning away from the heavier comfort foods of winter in favor of lighter, cooler foods that satisfy without leaving you feeling stuffed and weighed down. When choosing lighter foods for the spring and summer months it is important to maintain your focus on high-quality nutrition so that your loved ones do not miss out on the nutrients they need.

May is National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month and for senior care, any elderly individual who may be at risk of high blood pressure or whose doctor has recommended that they check in on a regular basis may be tempted to simply rely on those public blood pressure machines commonly found at pharmacies, supermarkets, and more venues each and every month.

You have been trying to tell your mother she should give up those three cats she’s had for years. Not only are they getting older, she can’t even seem to take care of herself in a safe and healthy way. So why should she even consider keeping a beloved pet?

Air Quality Awareness Week is April 26th through May 2nd. For any senior who has difficulty maintaining cleanliness in their house, it’s a good idea to encourage them to consider professional home care services.

The last time you stopped over to visit your aging father, maybe you went over there to check if he needed anything. Perhaps you are stopping by because of some concerns you or other family members have had recently with regard to his ability to take care of himself.

It’s easy to overlook certain aspects of one’s health. That’s especially true when everything seems to be fine, they have no vision problems, they can hear fine, and they could get around their house without any trouble. For aging seniors, physical challenges can become a problem. 

Sleep is important for the health and wellbeing of people of all ages, but many seniors cope with sleeping problems that keep them from getting the rest they need, which has a negative impact on their quality of life during the day. Despite common belief, elderly adults do not actually need less sleep than younger adults.

Spring is here! Say it. Say it out loud and say it with enthusiasm. If you are one of many Americans who just went through one of the toughest winters in recent memory, there’s a good reason why you should want to stand up and shout as loud as possible that spring is finally here.

Our senses tend to atrophy as we age, especially eyesight. Millions of Americans over age 45 suffer from cataracts, which cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy. This cloudiness is the main cause of blindness throughout the world. Poor eyesight can make it difficult for seniors to live independently or drive.

Looking into home care for an elderly loved one could provide you with a number of options and even concerns. One of the most important things is to ensure that the rights of their elderly loved one are maintained as much as possible.

With age often comes vision problems, as many seniors suffer from glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and retinal diseases caused by diabetes. This can make it difficult for seniors to continue living in their home without modifications and changes in their routines. Fortunately, there are things that family caregivers can do to make homes more comfortable for loved ones who have low vision.

The winter season is the best time to catch the flu. Whether you’re a senior citizen or not, germs spread during cold months and anyone could catch the virus. Even though we are all at risk of catching the flu, study after study has shown that people aged 65 and older are at greater risk of having serious complications as a result of the sickness.

Providing care for a loved one is not an easy task. Not only must family caregivers care for their loved one's physical ailments, but they also must be aware of any mental changes. Depression is common among seniors, mainly due to increased isolation. 

Spring may still be a few months away, but with the colder weather keeping us indoors most of the day, now’s a good time to start on spring cleaning. Seniors tend to hold onto things they no longer need, and some of these items are not so great for their health. Here are some things that caregivers should toss from their loved ones’ homes.

For millions of Americans, discussing elderly home care is not a topic they really want to talk about. That’s because far too many people associate their elderly loved ones and the need for assistance on a regular basis with their own mortality. Worrying that a loved one is reaching the end of their life can cause depression and anxiety.

In many cultures around the world, traditional family roles involve older generations taking care of all generations in their family as well as non-family members. Only the younger adult family members will support the older generations. 

Although many people consider becoming the caregiver to their elderly parents an honor and the chance to give back to the parents that did so much for them, not everyone feels the same way. 

There are numerous research studies that have connected obesity and heart disease. A person who is obese is going to be at a significantly increased risk for experiencing some type of heart disease. 

There are over 100 types of arthritis and a common form is called rheumatoid arthritis or RA for short. RA is what is known as an autoimmune disease. A person’s immune system attacks their body’s own tissue which causes inflammation, pain, stiffness in joints and redness of the affected joint areas. 

The first time Jill realized something was wrong with her vision, she was 79 years old. It started out as a slow-progressing problem, and it was something she tended to keep to herself. She was concerned about her vision, but she was also afraid to learn that she might go blind in time.

Learning how to not only hear another person, but really listen to them can be a huge benefit for caregivers. While society has made our means of communication quick and short, learning how to be an active listener can help caregivers better understand their family members or loved ones.

At 81 years of age, Kathy's father has been dealing with a number of health challenges. When he compares his situation to some of his friends who can still drive, play golf, and do other things, he gets jealous, angry, and bitter. Kathy has done a lot to support him over the years since her mother died, but the older he gets, the more help he needs, and Kathy is beginning to feel the pressure to be his full-time caregiver.

Social isolation is one of the many concerns affecting their lives and well-being of seniors. Many elderly people who feel lonely or who stay secluded experience mental illness and emotional imbalance.This isn’t good for their health. They start to become aloof and avoid meeting with people and socializing. It is not just the seniors, but society too adds to their isolation.

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of a healthy life. More sleep means a better immune system, an improved memory, and better concentration throughout the day. That’s because a lot happens when we sleep: memories are processed and stored, vital organs are able to rest, sore muscles or ailments are able to heal. When you’re caring for an elderly parent, often you think sacrificing sleep is okay to have time for all that you need to do.

The leading cause of injuries for older Americans is falling – every year nearly one of three adults over 65 years will fall. Part of this is due to the role that frailty plays in the decline of strength and fortitude in older adults. Researchers at both Columbia and Johns Hopkins Universities have found that activity plays an integral role in the fight against frailty. Are you worried that your parent will take a fall that could change their life? Read on to find out what causes frailty and how best to avoid it well into the golden years.

Penny was 85 years old and didn’t have any family living in the area. Her best friend lived next door and recognized the fact that she was struggling at home. Her best friend mentioned that she should consider hiring home care services, but there was an issue for both of them: Penny had a lot of pets.

Are you an elderly care provider? If you are, then you may be trying to determine what type of activities you can encourage the patient to take part in. Despite what far too many people believe, elderly individuals who require any assistance, or any type of elder care services, can still take part in a variety of activities.

With advancing age, activities that were once done easily can become increasingly difficult and even impossible at times. When the regular and basic tasks of daily life start to become challenging, hiring trained professionals to provide care in the home itself will allow your loved oneto continue to live a qualitylife with minimum stress as there would be someone to assist in anything for which help is needed.

October is Seafood Month and while we tend to think about summer as being the time to enjoy lobster, shrimp, and scallops, this is a food that is great all year long. There are some things to be concerned about when it comes to someone who may rely on senior care.

Many family members providing elderly care have injured their back as a result of improper lifting. Having to move a loved one from place to place or get him or her up and down or in and out of bed requires using the right lifting techniques to protect your back.

If your senior loved one has been complaining about being bored lately, here are some activity ideas for them to try. Feel free to adapt each activity to the abilities of your favorite senior.

One of the main reasons why I had my mother move in with me was so that I could care for her. At first, she was reluctant to pack up and move more than an hour away from her home, but she understood that she couldn’t care for herself properly any longer.

Relying on senior care for some may seem as though it’s a sign that they’re losing their independence. Some elderly patients believe that when senior home services begins working with them, it means that they have to accept whatever they say and that they don’t have a voice of their own.

If you are reading this article because you are a caregiver experiencing stress and need to learn how to get rid of it, you’ve come to the right place! As well as massage, there are some other things you can do as well to lower the stress levels in your life. 

I am 56 years old and for most of my adult life I have watched my younger sister, who is 52, take advantage of our parents. She has been irresponsible with her relationships and her money and it has cost my parents much of their life savings.

When caregiving for an elderly loved one, your own life can sometimes fall by the wayside. You do not want that to happen. You can’t care for someone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself first.

It can be very difficult for a senior adult to give up some independence. It’s a natural human need to want to be independent, so seeking assistance or admitting they can no longer do something they have been doing for years can be a big challenge for aging loved ones.

Janice never liked the idea that her younger brother had agreed to be their father’s caregiver. Throughout her life, her brother Tim, who was 8 years younger than her, had always been getting into trouble. He would lie and steal from their parents, he would cheat at school, and since he graduated, he had moved back home more than a dozen times, even well into his thirties.

As a family caregiver who spends a lot of time and uses a lot of energy looking after your aging loved one and juggling the other things in your life, you could really use the relaxing and healing influence of music in your life. 

The moment that you realize your mother’s house is not as safe as it could be for her, then you will likely be doing one of two things: encouraging her to move, either in with you or to a safer place, or you will try to find out what can be done to improve the safety in her home.

There are several misconceptions and myths about home care services that affect the decision of the elderly and family members. Unfortunately, misunderstanding the truth about home care services can lead families to make the wrong decision.