-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: The Best Vacations for Seniors with Limited Mobility
Narration provided by Wondervox.
Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
By
There is often a misconception that your life becomes dull and monotonous as you age. On the contrary, the itch to be a globe trekker only gets stronger with age, as you become eager to cross off items off your bucket list.
You may be discouraged because of mobility issues or, as a caregiver, may feel that the idea of traveling with a loved one with a disability may be more stressful than relaxing. The good news is you shouldn’t refrain from enjoying the beautiful years post-retirement or miss the opportunity to explore new cultures.
While it may require some planning, there is no shortage of vacations for seniors with limited mobility and their caregivers. In this article, we share some of the best vacation spots, along with ideas about how to get the most out of your travels.
Vacation Spots and Ideas to Consider
Philadelphia
A beautiful city with plenty of accessible museums, restaurants, historic sites, hotels, and restaurants, Philadelphia has plenty going for it. When you’re getting around in the city, you can choose to reach your destination via the transportation authority offering wheelchair-accessible buses with lifts and ramps.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: 9 Tips for Helping a Senior Citizen to Develop Digital Literacy
Narration provided by Wondervox.
The following was re-printed with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
By Jaslene Cabello
When discussing the benefits and drawbacks of digital technology, there’s one demographic that’s often left out and taken for granted: that of our distinguished senior citizens. Elderly parents and grandparents are oftentimes stereotyped in humorous memes featuring their cluelessness about technology and how it works.
But the COVID-19 pandemic has shown everyone just how transformative technology is for all ages. When grandparents were forbidden to leave their homes, many were forced to learn technologies like video conferencing, online banking, and how to use delivery apps to meet their needs.
That said, the elderly population remains one of the most vulnerable targets for cybercriminals and scammers. In Singapore alone, the number of senior citizens falling prey to phishing scams tripled from 2020 to 2021. Many seniors also lack the digital literacy skills to spot fake news or fabricated photo or video evidence, which can cause panic and fearmongering within their families and social circles.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: How Do I Get My Siblings To Help Care For Our Aging Parents?
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
Caregiving is rarely distributed evenly. Sometimes everyone pitches in, but often one child does the lion’s share of the caregiving, while others do little or nothing at all.
It’s frustrating and overwhelming, especially if you’re burning out trying to support your parents.
So, how do you change the dynamic? How do you get your siblings to help with care?
While there isn’t a magic phrase that will make them get on board, there are some valuable things to think about and new approaches to take. Some may even get your sibling to help, while others may change the situation in other ways.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: How to Change Your Mindset with the New Year
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
The new year is often a time for reflection and resolutions. It’s a chance to look back on all that’s been and think about what comes next.
Doing this as a caregiver can get a bit overwhelming though.
If you’ve been fully immersed in this role for a while, it might feel like life is just one intense day after another. Or, it might feel like you’re going nowhere, simply spinning your wheels and waiting for things to get better.
Maybe now is the time to do something new.
I know, that might sound like a big ask right now. Stick with me, though, as we’re focusing on a simple idea that can make your life easier.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: What They Don’t Tell You About Hospice Care
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
Hospice care provides important support at the end of life, allowing people dignity and quality of life. Yet, it’s also a topic that’s highly misunderstood.
Part of the problem is that end of life is a scary idea. Many of us avoid talking about it for as long as possible. There are also many myths and misconceptions about hospice, making it even harder to know what’s true.
In this post, we’re looking at some of the less well-known details about hospice. Many of these are positive, but there are some problems with hospice care in the mix as well.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Ways to Reduce Caregiver Holiday Stress and Enjoy the Season
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
It’s surprisingly easy to push caregiver holiday stress aside. Some of us have the idea that the holidays are stressful for everyone, so we have no right to complain.
But, that’s simply not true.
The holidays are harder for caregivers than for many other people, as you have so much on your shoulders. Some caregivers even forgo family holiday activities entirely, as the person they’re supporting can’t participate.
Despite this, humans are resilient. Caregivers even more so. We know how to find out feet again, to get back up and keep going. We’ve learned, too, how to celebrate the good things. How to look for the bright small moments that make all the hard work easier.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: How to Increase Energy Levels in Men as they Age
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
It’s no secret that energy often decreases as people age. Getting up in the morning gets more difficult and you get tired faster at the end of the day. While some energy loss is due to age, there are also ways to increase energy levels in men as they age.
In fact, seniors can stay much more fit and active than many people assume. Age doesn’t need to stop you from being mobile and enjoying life. The following areas are all ways to increase energy levels and get back to your life.
Check Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D is synthesized in the presence of sunlight. Simply getting sun regularly is often enough. But, your ability to make vitamin D decreases with age. You may not be able to get your levels high enough from sunlight alone.
This makes vitamin D one of the few supplements that most seniors would benefit from. In fact, vitamin D supplements are often prescribed.
There are many symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, one of which is lower energy levels.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Coping with the Role Reversal when Caring for Aging Parents
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
The term role reversal often comes up when talking about caregiving. It’s a logical idea, right? Suddenly you’re the one telling your parents what they need to do, trying to cajole them into a doctor’s visit, or even helping them out in the bathroom.
How do you cope with this role reversal when caring for aging parents?
There are plenty of approaches that you can take to support yourself as a caregiver, including self-compassion techniques and learning to set boundaries.
But, there’s something even more critical to talk about.
To put it simply – caregiving isn’t a role reversal.
Sure, the situation can feel like a role reversal at times, like when you’re trying to prevent yet another incontinence accident. Yet, there are also some clear differences, ones that need to considered.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Sleep Medication Risks and Alternatives for Seniors
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
Many people struggle with sleeping, for a wide range of different reasons. These issues often get worse with age and with any chronic health problems.
In some cases, the solution may be as simple, such as following healthy sleep practices, ensuring that bedtime is roughly the same each night and avoiding bright light in the evening.
However, many seniors find that sleeping problems persist, even if they had no such issues in their younger years. This pattern often leads to sleeping medication. Such medication can be effective in the short-term. But, only be considered when no other options are available, as there are multiple risks and side effects.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: What to Expect from Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
As you get older, it’s important to take control of your health through routine and preventative care. One way to do this is through a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). This is free to all individuals on Medicare, with or without an advantage care plan or ‘supplement.’ Some seniors get confused about how it differs from a physical and what’s covered. We’ll try to clear this up in this brief post.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Checklist for Elderly Living Alone – What to Look for When You Visit
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
Many seniors live alone without any problems. However, this isn’t always the case. Aging brings with it many challenges and a person’s ability to care for themselves may decrease over time, to the point that living alone becomes dangerous.
This is why it’s so important for you to have a checklist for elderly living alone. Adult children can use such a checklist to make sure their aging parents are still doing well and taking care of themselves.
A good checklist will highlight critical areas for you to keep an eye on, ones that you can look at discreetly. For example, a fridge full of out-of-date food may suggest memory issues. If the senior appears to be eating some of this out-of-date food, their health may be even more at risk.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Powerful Types of Self Care Journaling for Caregivers
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
At its most basic, journaling involves recording your thoughts and feelings, often by making an entry each day. The habit is one that most of us have tried at least once before – and many have given up on. Yet, self care journaling is more powerful than you might realize. It offers a way to connect with yourself, to reflect, and to grow.
Journaling can also be critical to self care, especially for caregivers.
One reason is that journaling gives you the chance to reflect. It takes you out of the moment and lets you look back on the situation as a whole. Doing so matters, as caregivers can often get swept away with the tasks of the day. A journaling habit also helps you to start picking out the good things that happen, to hold onto them.
-
Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: How to be a Caregiver for a Diabetic Patient – The Ultimate Guide
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
Whether you’re a family member to someone with diabetes or are a direct care worker, being a caregiver for a diabetic patient can get overwhelming fast. You may be juggling multiple visits to specialists, constantly taking inventory and restocking a long list of diabetes care supplies, checking lab work results online, or trying to follow their doctor’s insulin therapy protocol.
Images from Kapok article You may have many questions. Can they eat that piece of pie? What do you do when they feel dizzy?