Pamper days are essential for the elderly

I know that some of you are feeling the tension of not having your weekly scheduled hair appointment or your monthly nail and brow touch up, So I know you’ll understand todays topic. Pamper time! .

The older our parents get, the less they are able to do for themselves. Usually taking them for a mani/pedi is a great way for relaxation and also circulation for their feet. Spa days are also a great way to help. But since we are all stuck in #lockdown with #covid19, here are a few home pampering ideas.

1.Fill a dish wish warm water (diabetics do not do well with hot water so make sure it’s a good temperature). Add black vinegar and coarse salt or Epsom salts. This will release tension in their feet, help with any pain and also soften calloused feet. End off with a foot scrub, nail trim and a foot and leg massage. Yes you will get your hands dirty but your parents will love this and appreciate you. 

2.Another way to pamper your parents, is by making sure they take a warm shower (bathing becomes complicated later in the lives of our elderly, unless you have several hands to help you.) Much like with kids your bathroom needs to be “#elderlyproofed”(A conversation for another day). A nice backrub after a shower or bath is like heaven for the elderly, our local “rub rub” or arnica oil or aspercreme works great to relieve joint and muscle pains. If your parent has a heart condition, please check with the doctor before using cremes with anti inflammatory ingredients like voltaren gel.

3.A quick hair wash and blow dry or plait day is another way to pamper your parents, for your dads, please don’t try to cut his hair if you don’t know what your doing, but a quick shampoo and conditioner with a head massage is a winning recipe. .

Always check with a medical professional what is best for the elderly person in your care. 

#elderly #caregivers #elderlycare #elderlylove 

How to break communication barriers and help encourage healthy conversation  with your #parents or #grandparents 

It is often difficult to shift into caregiver mode when your parents are older and view your as their baby. The shift does not come easily. So it’s imperative for you to get on the same page with them. I have found the following ways helpful in creating healthy conversations. We are still learning of course I am the baby so ya’ll pray for me! 

1.Communication cards are a great way to break awkwardness. Yesterday I learned that my mom would rather jump out of a plane than go on a cruise and dad would like to have Abraham (in the Bible) as his dinner guest. It can be really fun and entertaining.

2.Ask your parents about their past & childhood before they got married. You will learn so much about and yourself. 

3.Introduce your parents to who you are as an adult especially if they were not around to see you grow up into adulthood. Share your stories and journey with them. They love to hear and love to see pics. Share those special moments with them.

4.Always be respectful and by all means try not to raise your voice at them or get agitated when they get something wrong. Much like children, the older our parents get the more affirmation they need that they are doing well. 

5.Jokes and teasing are such a great way to engage with your parents. Have fun. .

If your parents don’t live with you, try to implement these steps over the phone or after #covid_19 #lockdown. Time is precious and so are your parents! Make time for them. 

Please share with anyone who may need this. 

#elderly #caregivers #elderlycare #elderlylove

Technology has certainly come along to make our lives easier but helping the elderly with it can be challenging and tricky sometimes. Especially smart phones, if this is not something they are used to using. 

Here are 4 tips to use technology to your advantage to help the #Elderly during #covid19.

1.Download their old favourite songs and switch off the news for a few hours and play their music loud! After my moms stroke I noticed that her memory wasn’t as great as it was before, but playing some of her favourite songs recently has helped trigger memorization. She sings along and remembers the lyrics it’s so amazing. Music is healing!

2.Download some affirmation albums and play them for them every morning. My parents enjoy repeating the scriptures on their affirmation playlist, it always allows for some quiet time in the home and some time for you to have a moment. 

3.Patiently teach them to use WhatsApp/Texting or Voice messaging. Help to put through calls for them to their friends & family. Even if you get tired of explaining the same thing over and over. (as I sometimes do) Do it again. 

4.Download brain games. I use an app called @mindmate which gives different reading activities, games and videos to help keep my parents minds stimulated. .

Hopefully these tips have been helpful. Remember this disaster is something they have never seen before and every news broadcast and WhatsApp forward tells them that they are at risk. Your voice of reason is so important to them in this season. 

You are so needed! Strength and courage to all the #caregivers out there! Thank you for All you do! 

May God be with you!

 #share with anyone who needs to hear this.

Have you checked in with your parents and grandparents amidst #covid19

With #covid19  and  #LockDown it is important that we do our best to check on our #Elderly! 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know that this has become a passion of mine. As a #caregiver to my parents it is my first priority to make sure that I don’t get infected so I have been indoors for the last two weeks and only left out for supplies, but even then made sure I had the right gear on and used the precautionary 1-2 meter rule to make sure I am good. It may seem extreme but do whatever it takes. 

Both my parents are high risk as they are over the age of 75, so it is also my duty to make sure they are well informed and that they stay at home. 

Here are 5 ways to help the elderly today!

1. Call your parents and just talk to them, check on them and ask if they have everything they need. (Food supplies, incontinence supplies, toiletries etc) It is so easy to assume that they are okay, but just watching how my mom washes her hands over and over,I can tell that she has concerns, so I constantly have to reassure her that we are safe here at home and that she is okay. (Washing hands is never a bad thing but make sure they are not filled with anxiousness)

2. Make sure they are able to call you, so send them some air time for those here in South Africa or make sure their phone bill is paid up. Just having the ability to reach out to you and say hello to someone familiar is better than watching the news all day. You may get tired of the 3 or 4 calls in a day but remember this is harder on them than it is on you.

3. Check their medication, make sure their weekly supply of medication and vitamins are prepped and easily available.

4. Add reminders on their cellular devices to eat, take their pills, read a scripture & call a friend. It may sound crazy to you but these simple reminders will help them add some structure to these lock down days. 

5. As you know today is Sunday and church is everything to our folks, try and help them log on for their service or a service online to help them keep a sense of normality. 

I’ll be back with more tips. 

I am learning that patience is everything with the elderly. 

Be patient, be kind be considerate! 

They need you!