Celebrating the Fourth of July is a beautiful opportunity to cherish time with our aging parents and create meaningful memories. This blog post offers ideas and suggestions for adult children to make the 4th of July special for their elderly loved ones, fostering a sense of love, joy, and togetherness.

1. Plan a Patriotic Celebration: Embrace the patriotic spirit by planning a Fourth of July celebration tailored to your parent’s preferences. Organize a backyard barbecue with favorite grilled dishes and traditional American fare. Decorate the space with festive red, white, and blue accents, such as flags, banners, and tablecloths. Consider playing nostalgic, patriotic music to evoke fond memories. Enjoy a family picnic at a local park or beach if the weather permits. Engage your parents in planning to ensure the celebration reflects their desires and creates a joyous atmosphere.
2. Create a Family Scrapbook: Gather old family photographs, capturing precious moments from previous Fourth of July celebrations and other significant occasions. Spend quality time with your parents, reminiscing about those memories, and create a family scrapbook together. In a world where everything is digital, it’s nice to have a tangible keepsake of precious moments. Provide colorful papers, stickers, and pens to make the activity interactive and creative. As you flip through the pages, share stories and anecdotes related to each photo, fostering a sense of nostalgia and strengthening family bonds. The completed scrapbook will serve as a cherished keepsake, reminding your parents of the love and warmth shared within the family.
3. Watch Fireworks Together: Attending a fireworks display is a quintessential part of Fourth of July celebrations. Check local event listings for nearby fireworks shows and take your parents along. If mobility is an issue, explore alternatives such as televised displays or community gatherings that offer a comfortable viewing experience. Bring cozy blankets, snacks, and refreshments to make the outing more enjoyable. Find a vantage point where your parents can comfortably watch the fireworks, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the event. Taking in the dazzling lights and booming sounds will create a memorable experience.
4. Engage in Meaningful Conversation: This may seem obvious, but we often forget to pause and talk with our aging loved ones in the everyday rat race. Amidst the festivities, dedicate time to engage in meaningful conversation with your parents. Ask open-ended questions about their past Fourth of July memories, their experiences, and the significance of the holiday for them. Listen attentively and show genuine interest in their stories. Encourage them to share their wisdom, life lessons, and personal reflections. Such conversations foster a deeper understanding of your parent’s lives, imparting a sense of appreciation and connection. These heart-to-heart discussions create lasting memories and strengthen the bond between generations.

As adult children, we are privileged and responsible for making our aging parents feel loved and cherished. This Fourth of July, let’s embrace the opportunity to create a special celebration that honors their presence, creates lasting memories, and strengthens the beautiful bond between family members. Happy Fourth of July to all!

Remember, special holidays can be a lonely time for many aging parents and can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. If you suspect your senior loved one is struggling, read the following article for tips to fight holiday loneliness.

Presidents Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s presidents and the legacies they have left behind.

The United States celebrates its presidents with a day of festivities.

What better way to celebrate than by getting out and doing something fun?

Seniors are one of the fastest-growing demographics in America, so it’s important that they have activities available to them when they want to get active outside their homes or assisted living facilities.

In honor of Presidents Day, we’ve put together a list of fun activities seniors can enjoy to celebrate.

From watching historical documentaries to taking a scenic drive, these activities will get you in the patriotic spirit! Plus, they’re all great ways to connect with your loved ones and create some lasting memories.

So gather your friends and family and get ready to have some fun!

We hope you enjoy these activities and have a wonderful Presidents Day!

1. Watch documentaries about American presidents: Watching documentaries about America’s past presidents is a great way to learn more about their lives and legacies. You can find many different titles at your local library or online.
2. Visit presidential landmarks: If you live near a presidential landmark, be sure to visit it on Presidents Day! These locations are often open to the public and offer guided tours.
3. Make patriotic crafts: There are many fun patriotic crafts that you can make with your elderly loved ones. Some ideas include making paper flags, creating USA-themed collages, or assembling puzzle maps of the United States.
4. Play trivia games about the presidents: Presidents Day is a great opportunity to test your knowledge of America’s leaders with some fun trivia games. You can find printable quizzes online or make your own questions.
5. Have a picnic lunch: A patriotic picnic lunch is a perfect way to celebrate Presidents Day! Serve foods that are traditionally associated with the holiday, such as hot dogs and apple pie.
6. Go on a nature walk: Take a nature walk and look for things that are red, white, and blue. This is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.
7. Listen to patriotic music: Patriotic music is a great way to get in the Presidents Day spirit! You can find many different albums of Americana music online or at your local library.
8. Read books about America’s presidents: Reading books about our nation’s leaders is a great way to learn more about their lives and accomplishments. There are many different titles available, so be sure to check out your local library or bookstore.
9. Create an art project inspired by one of our presidents: Presidents Day is a perfect time to create an art project that pays tribute to one of America’s leaders. You can make a collage, painting, or sculpture, depending on your artistic abilities.
10. Enjoy a delicious feast: What’s Presidents Day without a big, festive meal? Be sure to cook up your favorite patriotic dishes and enjoy them with your loved ones.

We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Presidents Day with these 10 activities! From watching documentaries to playing trivia games, there is something for everyone.

We hope you enjoy these fun activities and have a great holiday!

​​​​​We hope you enjoyed this blog post! Be sure to check back soon for more content like this. Happy Presidents Day!​​​​​

We’re a trusted coalition of Arizona companies committed to providing your senior loved ones with the best care resources in Arizona, at any age or stage. You can reach out to us for help directly, or submit an application to become part of our trusted coalition.

We offer the best education, information, and all of the local resources needed to navigate the emotionally stressful challenges that occur when dealing with our aging population in Arizona. This includes adult children that are responsible for their senior parents.

Our mission is to provide seniors and their families easy access to the most trusted and professional resources for senior care. Our services will always be free.

Listen to our Podcast on the reason behind creating the coalition that is Senior Resource Connectors.

By Laura Wayman from The Dementia Whisperer

A diagnosis of any cause of dementia symptoms, while life-changing, marks the start of a new chapter and transition. It does not, however, indicate the beginning of an end. Individuals living with dementia symptoms continue to engage in daily life, interactions, relationships, tasks, goals and more. In life’s intricate mosaic, dementia symptoms do not diminish one’s humanity, either.

This fresh chapter is not devoid of transformation. The nuanced interplay of physical, mental and emotional shifts reshapes how individuals navigate life, especially as the disease progresses over time. To navigate this unique chapter with resilience and embrace the evolving narrative is to be “dementia aware.” A passage of notes or musical melody can induce a range of physical and emotional reactions. Being dementia aware is like acknowledging that one can’t change the melody, but you can learn to harmonize with the tune.

Addressing the multifaceted challenges of caring for someone with dementia involves overcoming the communication barriers that arise – to find a semblance of harmony when no one thought it was possible. Being dementia aware requires caregivers to adopt a nuanced mindset, filtering their interactions through a lens attuned to the everyday experiences of the person with memory impairment.

Here are five harmonious approaches to dementia awareness that enable caregivers to navigate challenges and foster positive connections with their loved ones and the people in their care.

1. The power of empathy

Establishing trust with those in your care involves stepping into their perspective and consistently expressing understanding. When you imagine and validate their feelings—whether frustration, fear or misunderstanding—you can magnify their emotional experience. This is not always ideal though. The next time around, soften the experience by connecting with them and acknowledging their internal experiences instead. Share in how they feel on both the surface and heart-string levels to make better connections.

2. Avoid information overload

Excessive details overstimulate and confuse individuals with memory impairment. Simple tasks many people don’t think twice about, like body movement and balance, are more challenging. That’s why it’s important prioritize and limit the information shared to preserve cognitive bandwidth. On some days, a simple cadence is all you need.

3. Lead with action

Prioritize positive action statements for effective communication. Questions can create a barrier whereas these statements act as answers, encouraging immediate engagement. This straightforward approach skips the process of answering questions, replacing it with clear and positive language. For example, instead of asking for help, say, “Let’s make lunch together,” proceeding with the action, followed by some hype.

4. Go with the flow

And avoid asking too many questions. Even seemingly simple inquiries can trigger challenging responses from individuals with cognitive impairment. They may find it difficult to process and responds appropriately, leading to increased frustration, anger and anxiety.

5. Help process information

Individuals experiencing dementia symptoms may face challenges in processing information that others handle routinely. By participating in the thinking process, you can fill these cognitive gaps, providing support that eases their frustration and fear often associated with challenges in grasping and processing information. Some hand holding can make the world of difference in so many ways.

By being Dementia Aware, we can foster cognitive, physical, spiritual and psychological well-being in a secure, supportive and loving environment.

To learn more about Laura, and what she does, click here.

If you’re an adult child in need of a trusted referral, advice or senior-centric resources of any kind, contact us at Senior Resource Connectors today. Our services come at NO COST to you.

Sometimes it can be tricky to realize whether you are suffering from caregiver burnout, especially if you are so enveloped in your duties with little to no personal time. The below article sheds much-needed light on identifying and managing caregiver burnout. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Why is caregiver burnout so common?

Research conducted by the TransAmerica Institute (The Many Faces of Caregivers: A Close-Up Look at Caregiving and Its Impacts: 2020) notes the following:

• 1 in 5 caregivers report high physical and financial strain (burnout) due to caregiving duties, yet only 24% of employers recognize that caregiving directly impacts workers’ performance.
• 69% of caregivers surveyed have NO paid help in caring for their seniors. Despite the increasing complexity of the conditions they need to care for (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, etc.).
• In a nutshell, caregiving duties continue to be highly demanding, while help or resources to ease the burden are absent. Furthermore, one out of five caregivers of adults feels alone and unsupported.

These are only three reasons that illustrate the challenges faced when being a primary caregiver for a senior loved one or parent. For some families, the reasons are more complex. They can even be a mix of reasons such as lack of finances for professional in-home care, feelings of extreme guilt on the part of the family, and an unwillingness to recognize that professional help from trained professionals is needed.

What are some of the signs of caregiver burnout?

• Increased social isolation: If you make excuses to avoid seeing friends and family if you otherwise really enjoy socializing with them, it may be an early sign that you’re headed for burnout.
• Fluctuating appetite: If you start noticing that your appetite increases or decreases rapidly, it may be a telltale sign that burnout is inevitable. The same goes for using food as a pacifier when you feel stressed or overwhelmed, or completely losing your appetite for days on end could be an early warning sign.
• Severe exhaustion: Still feeling knackered after a whole night’s rest? Can’t seem to get your energy levels up or stay up all night without ever getting tired? Both these instances can be an early indicator that burnout is around the corner.
• No longer enjoying things that used to excite you: If you find yourself asking ‘what is the point?’ to something that used to bring you a lot of joy, you may be headed for burnout. Unfortunately, overwhelming negative thoughts can also be a sure way to tell whether burnout is on the horizon.

Top tips to avoid burnout

Block out time in your week to focus on yourself, whether this means being quiet and switching off your phone and other electronic devices, reading a book in the sunlight, or just going for a solo walk. Setting a calendar reminder can help to keep you accountable, even if you manage 30 minutes to yourself. Charity starts at home, and you can only serve others when your tank is full.

Accept help when it is offered to you. This can be in respite care services or another family member who offers to take over for a couple of hours. Remember, you don’t have to be a hero. Accepting help does not mean you have given up or cannot handle the task of being a caregiver. Instead, it means you know that balance is an integral part of life and care.

Get in the habit of forming healthier habits. Practicing discipline does not come naturally to a lot of us. This is why you have to try and be consistent when developing new habits that bring joy and balance to your life. Think of it as a tiny muscle that you need to get better at flexing. At first, it will be challenging, but after a while, it gets more manageable, and before you know it, a new habit has formed and become part of your routine.

Make an effort to learn about local resources in your area. This is where Senior Resource Connectors can help. Our trusted network of vetted companies can assist you in virtually any caregiving sector. So whether you need to help your senior loved one sort out some legal documents, allow them to arrange an upcoming move, or even provide them with options for financial advisors, we can help with a trusted local referral.

Join a local or online support group. Sometimes, knowing you are not alone can be exceptionally comforting for caregivers on the verge of burnout. Hearing the experiences of others can help to validate your own and make you feel understood on a different level. If in-person support groups aren’t your thing, there are tons of online resources and support forums you can join and anonymously speak your truth.

Be stress-free knowing your aging loved ones are being taken care of by our trusted coalition of senior living businesses in Arizona.

Our coalition of trusted Arizona companies answers critical care questions and provides the appropriate services, plans, and products for the elderly and their families in need of guidance. Whether families need financial services, legal advice, moving assistance, or in-home help, Senior Resource Connectors is here to help.

For more information on senior living professionals, please visit our website or give us a call today. We would be happy to help you find the right solution for your needs.

Hello baby boomers!  This month’s blog is dedicated to you. Why? Because it could help make your life less stressful and much more peaceful by understanding the importance of an aging plan – for you and possibly the senior loved one you’re supporting in some way right now.

Its fascinating that most of our boomer peers have a retirement plan detailed down to the penny, along with a perfectly timed exit strategy.  Trust and estate plans are buttoned up and good to go too.

Medicare and long-term health insurance? They’re on it.  But when we ask our family and friends this question, “What’s your aging plan?” we get almost no response. Crickets. That deer in headlights kind of look.  Or we get this answer. A lot. 

“Well, I’m not going to live in an assisted living facility. That’s for sure!” Or, “I’ll just hire someone to take care of me. No problem.” 

But, as we know, life doesn’t always work out that way. A health crisis hits us out of the blue. An elderly person falls and breaks a hip. Dementia seeps in over time. Cancer comes back. These are scenarios we see play out every day. And that’s why you need an aging plan to be better prepared to navigate through these challenges.  It’s all about finding a network of trusted resources, people, and services seniors and those taking care of them need as they age. From medical care to downsizing a home and transitioning to an assisted living setting.  Finding an advocate to help you navigate the health care system.  Researching legal advice for insurance coverage and other changing medical needs.  It can be an overwhelming and stressful process.

That’s one of the reasons Senior Resource Connectors was created.  We’re a resource networking platform designed to provide the appropriate resources to help baby boomers on the cusp of your “next chapter” of aging. And we’re here to help adult children dealing with issues related to aging parents as well.

Senior Resource Connectors co-founder Kevin Craig experienced this firsthand.  

So, we want to share his story with all of you.  See if you can relate.  

“My sister and I didn’t plan on caring for our mother when she was in her late 80s. So, therein lies the problem – we didn’t have a plan. We’re your typical adult children caring for an elderly parent. If you also have an elderly parent, this story may sound very familiar. 

We were fortunate to be raised in a nuclear family by two loving parents. I clearly remember my mother speaking to me when I was about 10 years old and asking me to please have patience with her when she was old. Fifty-plus years ago I was very confused by this request. Why would I not have patience? Today, her request makes perfect sense and continually echoes in my head as we struggle to make decisions that affect her, and our own quality of life. 

Nine years ago, our mother successfully battled two forms of cancer at the same time. Our father was a great caregiver for Mom. He was, and always will be, my favorite superhero. Shortly after our mothers’ recovery from multiple surgeries and radiation therapy, our father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. My sister and I instantaneously became our mother’s care givers. 

Our father was a planner. He planned for their golden years with a solid financial strategy and left Mom financially secure. He had their affairs securely in a trust, and he even purchased his and her burial plots. The only detail he apparently didn’t consider was an aging plan. Our father was not negligent. An aging plan is clearly a contingency that is often overlooked. We never considered where Mom would live when she was no longer independent. Who will administer her medication when she can’t recall if she’s taken her meds or not? Who will take her to doctor’s appointments when she can no longer drive? Who will take notes at the doctor’s office when mom’s comprehension and memory are fading? Who will shop for her when she is no longer able to walk without assistance? And who will prepare her meals and take care of a myriad of other daily requests? 

We’ve learned that not having a plan for these things means that we figure things out as we go. This equates to a lot of complex scheduling and an extra helping of stress. Who needs more stress these days? I now think back to that conversation fifty years ago regarding patience and Mom’s words suddenly become prophetic. I also flashback to wise advice from my father who told me. “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. Please take some free advice from two typical adult children – establish an aging plan for your parents before it’s needed. Your parents will have a higher quality of life and so will the rest of the family.” – Kevin Craig Co- Founder Senior Resource Connectors.

Kevin’s story resonates with what so many baby boomers are experiencing today with their elderly parents. May his story inspire all of you to reflect on your next steps—designing your own aging plan.  And remember, Senior Resource Connectors is here for you every step of the way. 

Learning how to communicate with a senior with dementia can go a long way to save you unnecessary frustration, stress, and disharmony so you can focus on more critical aspects of care for your loved one. Communicating with a senior with dementia can be challenging and can often leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. Successful conversations with dementia patients take a lot of trial and error, along with respect, patience, and practice. Remember these do’s and don’ts when communicating with seniors with dementia:

Do’s when communicating with a senior with dementia

1. Speak in short, simple sentences that are to the point.
2. Try to respond to the feelings rather than the words.
3. Smile often and use facial expressions to convey your point without being insincere or condescending.
4. Lower yourself to meet your senior at eye level.
5. If you feel a confrontation coming, leave the room and allow emotions to cool off.
6. Introduce yourself and make your intentions clear. Example: “I am here to take you to your appointment.”

Don’ts when communicating with a senior

1. Talk with complex words, significant phrases, or unnecessarily complex sentence structures.
2. Utter things like: “Don’t you remember us talking about this?” “I just told you that,” and “How could you forget that, we spoke about it just yesterday?!”
3. Wait for a response in silence and without eye contact.
4. Take on a dominant stance and physically tower over them during a conversation.
5. Argue with them and try to convince them why they are wrong.
6. Make judgment-filled statements like: “What do you mean – who’s your daughter? I am your daughter,” if they’re confused about why you’re present.

Additional Tips to Keep in Mind when Communicating with a Senior with Dementia

Speak to your senior in a calm, pleasant, encouraging, and respectful way to set a positive mood for communication. Be affectionate, use facial expressions, and speak with a cheerful voice.

Limit distractions such as TV and radio. Only offer one topic of conversation at a time and avoid bombarding your senior with multiple thoughts or mental threads simultaneously.

Avoid asking questions that rely on short-term memory, such as asking what they had for breakfast. Instead, ask general questions about your senior’s distant past and fond experiences you’ve shared.

Suppose these tips do not give the desired result, and you’re still unsure how to communicate with a senior with dementia. In that case, we recommend contacting our clinical concierge, who can refer you to some of Arizona’s best-rated senior resources specializing in dementia care. Whether you need assistance moving your senior to a memory care facility, advice on how to get Medicare activated to help cover the costs, or even get hold of a mobile pharmacy to save you time rushing to get prescriptions filled – Senior Resource Connectors is here for you.

We’re honored to welcome Jodie Khotim from the Alzheimer’s Association® for this week’s episode. Jodie shares some sobering statistics about Alzheimer’s disease and talks about how this impacts not only the sandwich generation but their loved ones, too, as the domino effect continues.

Jodie offers practical insights into the adult-child dynamic, particularly how it evolves when Alzheimer’s becomes a factor, providing a valuable perspective for our listeners.

Lastly, Jodie shares how hard caregivers can be on themselves, especially as 1/3rd of caregivers are daughters, upping the ante in terms of burnout and depression. For more valuable tips, sound advice, or a trusted referral, contact Senior Resource Connectors today. Our services are free for families.

Call Us: (602) 698-9720

Visit Us Online: https://seniorresourceconnectors.com/

This week, Scott chats with Bina Colman from Compassionate Callers. ☎️

Bina’s business is focused on ensuring that seniors are cared for via the simple act of a telephone call – which can be requested up to 5 times a day to ensure Mom or Dad is being reminded of vital medication or that there’s simply a patient ear who is happy to keep them company if you, the adult child, cannot.

Bina further explains how Compassionate Callers started and how the pandemic created a clear calling for her business.

If you’re an adult child in desperate need of trusted resources, a professional referral, or credible advice, contact us at Senior Resource Connectors today at NO COST.

Call Us: (602) 698-9720

Visit Us Online: www.seniorresourceconnectors.com

This week, Scott chats with Lane Hamm from AZ MediQuip about some of the excellent senior safety and medical equipment that can improve the lives of our aging population.

Maintaining independence as we age becomes very important for most people, and if given the choice, almost everyone would prefer to age in place. But how do you ensure you remain safe in your own home? Watch as they discuss safety tips for seniors and provide helpful info on staying independent in your home for as long as possible with the help of their specialist products catering to seniors.

If you need advice, trusted resources, or a vetted referral, Senior Resource Connectors is your go-to for all things senior living and care. 

In the second episode of our latest Webinar series, we bring our co-founder, Scott Fischer, along with some of Maricopa County’s best-rated senior-friendly businesses.

In this episode, Scott is joined by Edward Givens from Health Markets. Edward explains how you can pay for senior care using Medicare and warns about some common pitfalls families struggle with when accessing this benefit.