Gardening is a great way to make your yard look nice, but it’s also much more than that. Gardening is good for the mind and for the body. It’s also a lovely activity to do with your older loved one. The two of you can bond, and you’ll both reap the physical and mental benefits.
Gardening is good, safe exercise. Many older adults do not get enough exercise. They may not be capable of going for a jog or even a long walk, but gardening is an approachable activity, even for adults with limited mobility. If you garden alongside your older loved one, you can let them handle what they can, and then pick up the slack. For example, you can let them put plants in the dirt while you do the more demanding activities — like raking and mulching. If your loved one has an in-home caregiver, you can also suggest gardening as an activity for the two of them to do together. Drop off any supplies they may need, like pots and potting soil. Gardening has other health benefits. In addition to being good exercise, gardening is a great way to get some vitamin D. Deficiencies of vitamin D are common in people of all ages, but especially in older adults who do not go outside very often. In exposing their skin to the sun for just a few minutes a day while they garden, your loved one can raise their vitamin D level. Like vitamins and supplements, this is good for bone health and mental health and it is free! Just make sure you have the right supplies on-hand for safety as you garden. Visit a pharmacy nearby to stock up on sunscreen, first aid kits, and wound care kits. Gardening creates dirty clothing. Your senior loved one’s new gardening habit may create a lot of dirty laundry. Clothing may get soil stains when you’re out playing in the dirt! Sunscreen stains can also ruin your clothing. I always take my stained clothing to the local dry cleaner near me. They know what they are doing when it comes to stain removal! In any case, it’s good idea to have a laundry pickup service take care of your loved one’s laundry. This will take the burden off them and lead to a better quality of life as they age at home. If you are looking for a fun, safe way to get some exercise with your loved one, try gardening. You’ll have a lovely time out in the fresh air, and in the end, your yard will be that much more beautiful. Spring break will be here before you know it! This is the perfect time of year to take an outdoorsy trip. You can plan on camping with the family, doing some hiking, or kayaking on a lake. Regardless of what type of outdoor adventure you are planning, you’ll want to make sure you are well-packed and well-prepared. Here are a few tips to help with that.
1. Stock up on propane. If you plan on cooking on a grill or even heating the cabin you’re staying in, then you’re going to need some propane. Get propane tanks filled well in advance so you don’t have to rush around the day before your trip. If you need a new tank, consider buying two or three smaller ones instead of one large tank. Smaller ones are easier to carry. 2. Go through your first aid kit. Outdoor adventures come with the risk of scrapes, burns, and other injuries. So before you head off, make sure your first aid kit is well-stocked. Shop at a local pharmacy for basics like Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and iodine solution. For an outdoor trip, you’ll also want to pack some sunscreen and insect repellent with your first aid kit. Most pharmacies stock small, travel-size containers of these items, which are perfect to stuff in your backpack. 3. Have your outdoor clothing cleaned. You don’t want to pull on your hiking pants and find they’re still covered in mud from last season. You also don’t want to climb into a sleeping bag that has a musty odor! So, before you head off on your outdoor adventure, take a few minutes to sort through your outdoor items and separate those that need cleaning. If you’re short on time, having a laundry or dry cleaning pick up service come pick up your items can be really convenient! 4. Make plans for elder care. If you care for an older loved one, make plans for their care while you’re away. Consider hiring a home caregiver to make sure they take their medications on time and have other needs met. A caregiver can also give them company and companionship. Spring break is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while kayaking, hiking, biking, or picnicking. If you prepare with the steps above, you’ll truly be able to relax while you’re away on vacation. Spring will be here before we know it! This season represents a fresh new start. The warm air, budding trees, and birds chirping are all so enjoyable after a chilly winter. So, how can you prepare for the arrival of this rejuvenating season? Start with these suggestions. 1. Clean Your House
Spring cleaning is an age-old tradition. And indeed, this is the perfect time of year for a thorough, deep clean. Most people like to go room by room, as this makes it easy to divide the whole-house cleaning across a few days. Some important cleaning tasks to include are:
2. Re-Organize Your Closets How much stuff has accumulated in your closet that you no longer use? Spend a day sorting through your clothing. Donate anything you no longer need to charity, or throw it away if it is torn or stained. This is also the perfect time to take winter clothes out of your closet and put your summer clothing in. Take your winter clothing, coats, and comforters to the dry cleaners before packing them into storage for the spring. 3. Restock Your Medicine Cabinets Go through your medicine cabinet, and get rid of any expired medications. Then, head to your local pharmacy, and purchase items to restock your cabinet. Make sure you have basic medications, such as pain relievers and anti-nausea drugs, on-hand. Stock some basic first aid supplies, like Band-Aids and antibiotic cream, too. You can even pick up your Rx refills at the same time to save yourself a trip. 4. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Spring is also a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Look at the date on the back to see if the device is due to be replaced. Also, change the batteries to ensure that if there is an emergency, the alarm will alert you as intended. This is particularly important if you use propane for heating or cooking at home. The arrival of spring marks a season of renewal and the perfect opportunity for a fresh, new start. With a clean home, an organized closet, a well-stocked medicine cabinet, and safe smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you’ll be well prepared for springtime. Winter is the perfect season to snuggle up inside and watch the snow fall through the winter. But winter also brings some risks associated with the snow and cold. Here are a few easy ways to reduce those risks, keeping yourself and your family members safe. Keep Fire Safety in MindFire is warm and comforting, but also dangerous. If you use a candle to create ambiance, make sure you put it out before you go to bed. Don’t leave a candle burning alone in a room, either.
Also, be careful with space heaters. Make sure you clear anything flammable away from them. If you use propane for heat, make sure your tank is secure. Establish a regular schedule with your propane delivery team, and have your tank serviced periodically to keep it in good shape. Avoid Slips and FallsTo prevent slip-and-fall injuries, make sure you keep your walkways clear of snow. Use rock salt or another ice melting agent to get rid of slick ice. If you have an older loved one, make sure they have winter boots with good traction. Consider having your in-home care provider help you get your older family member in and out of the vehicle on slippery days. Use Medications to Your AdvantageVisit your local pharmacy, and stock up on medications and remedies that are helpful for winter. Get your Rx refills in advance so you don’t run out of medication during a storm. Purchase some skin cream to treat dry skin, which is common due to the dry winter air. It’s also smart to keep some cold medicine on-hand, and to use some capsaicin or menthol gel to ease muscles that are sore from shoveling snow and tackling other winter chores. Dress WarmlyMake sure you and your loved ones have plenty of warm clothing on-hand to protect you from the snow and cold. Consider arranging for a dry cleaners nearby to pick up your laundry items so you can get them cleaned without having to leave your house. This way, you can look your best in clean clothing, but still stay warm. On cold days, it is best to dress in layers. Opt for breathable fabrics, like wool and synthetics, over cotton. Winter is a beautiful season, but it does bring about some risks. With the tips above, you can mitigate those risks and remain focused on the seasonal beauty and family time. It was back in January last year when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the U.S., and in March 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic. We are now one full year into the pandemic. It has been a hard year for everyone, but especially for our frontline workers, the elderly and their caregivers. We may be suffering from COVID fatigue but it is important that we remain vigilant and stay safe. I have some tips to share as we find our way through these difficult times.
Plan for Vaccination Make a plan to get your COVID-19 vaccine, and help older adults in your life make a plan to get their vaccine. Find out if you can get vaccinated at your favorite local pharmacy; many are administering vaccines to at-risk individuals. Your local health department is another good resource to find vaccination sites in your area. If you live in Massachusetts like me, you can go on MA DPH website for clinics/sites that are currently accepting patients for vaccinations. In Massachusetts, vaccines go to those who are most at risk first. Your elderly family members who are 75+ may get vaccinated in Phase 1 and those who are 65+ may get vaccinated in Phase 2. If your loved one has an in-home caregiver through a home care agency, they should be vaccinated in Phase 1, too. Keep Your Home Clean Although COVID-19 is different from the common cold and flu, the same cleaning practices that reduce the spread of those illnesses will also reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wash your bedding and comforters often, and wipe down surfaces daily. If your dry cleaners offer germ-free laundry services, take advantage of them — and consider using a laundry pickup and delivery service to minimize interpersonal contact. Take Care of Senior Loved Ones If you have older loved ones, do their grocery shopping for them so they don’t have to risk catching COVID-19 in public. Pick up their mail, bring them takeout, and run other errands so they can stay home, where they’re safer. Remember to support seniors’ mental health, too. Chat with them on the phone, play games together, or find a new TV show to enjoy together. If you’re feeling burned out caring for a loved one, consider signing up for senior respite care service. Stay Informed Dwelling on the news can be stressful, but you should check the news two or three days a week. This will ensure you stay informed about vaccine plans and safety protocols in your area. It’s a new year! That, of course, doesn’t mean that the hardships and uncertainty of 2020 will disappear. However, we can make a conscious effort to declutter our minds by simplifying our lives. So, to maintain that “New Year, New You” mentality, here are some great tips that are easy to implement. Take Care of Your HealthIf the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to focus on our health and the health of our loved ones. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be as easy as starting to take a multi-vitamin every day, if you don’t already. Talk to your doctor about any nutritional supplements that might be beneficial for your specific health concerns. Your local pharmacy should carry everything you need. And you may even be able to get a nutritional consultation from your pharmacy as well. Don’t Stress About the Little ThingsWe all have daily chores that can get ahead of us if we let them. It’s silly to stress about things like housework and laundry. If clothes are piling up, and it’s just adding too much stress to your life, consider hiring a laundry service. Having someone pick up your dirty laundry, wash, dry and fold them and deliver them back to you can be quite a lifesaver. There’s no reason to feel guilty about spending money on something like that if it’s within your budget. Checking things off your list that add to your stress is a good thing. Make an Effort to Improve the Lives of OthersThere’s no better way to improve your own life than by improving the life of someone you love. This past year has probably been especially tough on your elderly loved ones and neighbors. Be sure to check in on them often. Even if they have a home health aide or caregiver, they may be missing that personal contact from their loved ones. Nothing can replace a phone call from someone you love. This goes for friends with little ones at home too. Parents have played both caregiver and teacher roles for the last year, and it can be incredibly stressful. Just ordering a meal or sending over a gift basket to a mom or dad in your life would be an incredible gesture.
Doing these simple things can lead to a new you in this coming year! |
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