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.

We want to share the following 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.” 

This story resonates with what so many baby boomers are experiencing today with their elderly parents. May this 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. 

Valentine’s Day is a holiday to recognize love of all types.  However, it can serve as a sad reminder for senior citizens about a loved one who has passed away.  If you have an aging loved one in your life you suspect will be feeling lonely and sad on Valentine’s Day, below are some ways you can help them to feel comforted and gently remind them of the many others who love them. Valentine’s isn’t just a day for couples, it’s a day set aside to show our love for each other, and it’s a holiday that everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate. Regardless of the stage of life you are in, you deserve to have the chance to feel extra loved this Valentine’s Day.

Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day activities you can do with your aging loved one!

Match The Famous Couples

Create a list of 10-20 famous couples (fictional and real) for your residents to match up. Some examples: Romeo and Juliet; Fred Flintstone and Wilma; Prince William and Kate; John Lennon and Yoko Ono… you get the idea! Give each person a list of the names scrambled in 2 columns and have them match up the couples, one point for each correct answer. The winner gets a prize!

Watch Romantic Movies or Rom-Coms with your Senior

Some of your residents may like to revisit an old-time classic like Casablanca (1942) or It Happened One Night (1934), while others may enjoy more modern classics like The Notebook (2004) or Forever My Girl (2017). Search online for “Top Romantic/Comedy Movies” for more ideas.

Simply Be There

Most importantly, your time and presence can add a lot of happiness to a day that might have otherwise been lonely. Sometimes the most powerful and most needed form of love is just being present and being a listening ear. Take the time to show your love for your senior friends this holiday by visiting them or participating in fun activities. Simple acts like these can make a big difference in the lives of your loved ones.

Spend Valentine’s Day Outdoors

Taking your senior loved one out on Valentine’s Day will bring them enjoyment and excitement. You can visit a local attraction like a museum or a stately home or go for a walk in the park. Even better – you can ask your family member if there is anywhere in particular that they’d like to go.

Getting out of the home and spending time with loved ones will help your senior focus less on what they’ve lost and more on what they have now, reminding them that life is good and they are still loved and valued.

Write DIY Valentine’s Day Haiku Poetry

February is the shortest month. No wonder it’s also National Haiku Month, celebrating the shortest form of poetry. A DIY haiku writing workshop is one of the best Valentine’s Day activities for seniors. While haiku doesn’t rhyme, poems follow this format:

Line 1 – 5 syllables
Line 2 – 7 syllables
Line 3 – 5 syllables

Name That Love Song

Who doesn’t love song trivia? Start by making a playlist with some of the greatest love songs (old and new), and play the first couple of bars before allowing your senior loved one to guess the artist or song title. Remember to be very generous with points. The idea is to have a lot of fun without being too competitive.

Remember, if you need advice, guidance, or resources to assist with an aging loved one – Senior Resource Connectors is here to help. Get in touch via email, or give us a call today!

For some, finding a thoughtful festive gift for each and every member of the family is a natural skill; without even trying, they know just the right thing to get for specific people. For most people, though, finding the perfect Christmas gift can be a little more stressful – particularly when it comes to seniors. Gifts for grandparents and seniors? That can be the most difficult of all. After all, the last thing you want to do is give an older person a gift they feel they’re not able to use or have to go out of their way to return.

Below are some of the most thoughtful festive gifts for seniors, complete with gift options that also make staying connected with our older relatives easy, despite social distancing. No matter what the special senior in your life is interested in, any of the below gift options would be appreciated.

10 Thoughtful Festive Gifts for Seniors

1. Digital photo frame – When you set up one of these Wi-Fi digital photo frames in your parents’ house, you can upload pictures from your phone directly to the frame without them having to do a thing. (Such frames make especially good gifts for elderly people in nursing homes.) Some models even include motion sensors that turn the frame on to display the most recent photos when someone enters the room. View this product here.

2. Recordable Book from the Grandkids – This is a personalized gift for grandparents that they will cherish forever. Very young children (most books are meant for those under five) can record a story in their own voices and have it playback when Grandma or Grandpa opens the book. View this product here.

3. Vibrating Alarm Clock – Help make sure your senior loved one doesn’t oversleep. Clocks that rely on vibrations rather than sounds for the alarm can be very useful for hearing impaired seniors. Some models fit under a pillow, while others attach to a wrist. View this product here.

4. Automatic Jar Opener – Presents that make everyday tasks easier often make for the best gifts. For a senior with osteoarthritis, opening jars can be agony. A device that can do the task for them will be much appreciated. View this product here.

5. Key Finder – This is one of the most thoughtful festive gifts for seniors who constantly misplace their house keys. Ranges vary, but some models work up to 300 feet away. Seniors who have smartphones may appreciate a finder that uses Bluetooth technology; those who are more old school may prefer the radio-frequency-based devices. View this product here.

6. Arm Rest Organizer -Help your senior easily find the gadgets they use all the time. To avoid clutter, this handy organizer can hold TV remote controls, magazines, books, earphones, phones, glasses, flashlights, tissues, and other items. The caddy is an especially lovely gift for a senior in a nursing home who doesn’t have a lot of furniture. View this product here.

7. Magnifying Glass – This is more of a magnifying page! The glass measures 4.5 x 7 inches, so it covers a lot of areas, and the reader doesn’t have to keep moving their hand across the page. The SMD LED lights can be controlled by a dimmer and weigh just six ounces. View this product here.

8. Chair Exercise Set – Maintaining wellness is an essential part of senior care and the healthy aging process. Physical exercises play an indispensable role. Staying strong will improve your senior loved one’s quality of life. This workout set contains everything they need to get a safe and easy workout. It comes with a printed exercise guide. This means that all the exercises are low impact and safe to do, even for absolute beginners. View this product here.

9. Speed Boiler Kettle – At a temperature of 160 or more, water kills almost all bacteria and pathogens living within it. Boiling water can make it safer to drink, especially important if you’re traveling away from the advanced, industrial-level purification systems of developed countries. You know when the water boils since it will automatically shut off, and you can use it immediately. A great gift if your Grandparent or senior loved one is a tea drinker. View this product here.

10. Window Bird Feeder – Made from high transparency, see-through acrylic so you can study the beautiful markings of each bird. It makes bird watching fun and easy from the comfort of your own home while relaxing in your favorite chair, working at your desk, making dinner in the kitchen, and more. Kids and pets also love to watch the birds sitting inches away from their faces. An ideal gift if your senior is a bird enthusiast. View this product here.

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.

This week, Scott has the privilege of sitting down with Randi & Robert Sobel from WeedWorks for another informative and progressive episode that focuses on how medical cannabis can alleviate some of the more unwanted symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as agitation, anxiety and even sometimes insomnia.

They share an incredible video about cannabis and the positive effect it has on seniors with dementia, and they explain why it is still beneficial to get a medical cannabis card. If you’re an adult child navigating the care of an aging loved one with dementia – and you’re considering more education around medical cannabis to help, reach out to Senior Resource Connectors today.

Our services are 100% FREE to families.

Call Us: (602) 698-9720

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

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/