Terri Murphy

Ideas for Fun with Your Elder on American Family Day

July 20, 2021

| Categories: Family

Back in 1977, Arizona's Governor Raul Hector Castro proclaimed August 7th as being American Family Day. It was signed into law a year later. Since that time, the annual holiday has expanded to many other states and shifted to August 1st. The goal is to celebrate being a family together. An elder care aide could accompany your parent if extra support is needed. When was the last time your family gathered to celebrate your close family bond? Providing you...

Most Common Aging-Related Skin Changes

July 6, 2021

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| Categories: Personal Care Topics

How is your elderly loved one feeling about their skin? Many people experience wrinkles and other skin changes as they get older. This can cause your elderly loved one to feel sad, upset, or a range of other emotions. There may also be things that your elderly loved one is concerned about regarding their skin. If that is the case, you or one of their homecare aides should take them to the doctor. In the meantime, it may be helpful...

Nutritional Benefits of Papaya

June 15, 2021

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| Categories: Personal Care Topics

June is National Papaya Month. But, how much do you know about this nutritious fruit? It's one that people often overlook, but they shouldn't. Papaya is packed with vitamins and minerals that make it a great addition to older adults' diets. One small papaya provides these six nutrients. Home care aides can create healthy foods with this fruit. #1 – Calcium While papayas aren't as good at providing calcium as a glass of milk is, there's still calcium in the...

Understanding the Healthy Diet, Healthy Mind Connection

June 2, 2021

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| Categories: Health

Exercise is excellent for the body, especially the heart. Few people stop to think about the importance of diet when it comes to brain health. Many studies have found that a healthy mind requires a healthy diet. Here are what the studies show and what foods you should eat if you want to take care of your brain for optimal mental health as a family caregiver. What Studies Find About the Healthy Diet, Healthy Brain Connection One of the...

Signs to Look for That Indicate It’s Time to Talk About Senior Care with Dad

April 6, 2021

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| Categories: Senior Care

It may be difficult to talk to your elderly father about certain topics. Senior care might be one of them. Yet, if you are recognizing specific signs from him, it may not just be time, it could well be past time to talk about this potentially sensitive, but vital topic. What signs might those be? Below are a few that you might have witnessed already and, if you have, recognize that the longer you wait, the greater the risk...

Five Signs that You Need to Pay Closer Attention to Your Senior’s Driving

March 15, 2021

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| Categories: Caregiver

Your senior’s driving is something that you’ll eventually need to talk to her about. But is there a way for you to tell that you need to know more now? The clues might be bigger than you think they are. Her Vision Is Changing in General If your elderly family member can’t see, that’s a huge problem in terms of driving. Even if you’re not noticing any other signs of driving difficulties, big changes to your senior’s vision...

How Does Low Humidity Affect Your Senior?

March 2, 2021

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| Categories: Personal Care Topics

Higher humidity levels can be seriously uncomfortable, but at the other end of the spectrum is low humidity. Humidity levels that are too low can also be really uncomfortable and might even contribute to minor illnesses that have the potential to become bigger. Your Senior’s Eyes and Skin Might Feel Dry and Irritated Lower humidity levels can actually pull water from your senior’s eyes and from her skin. For her eyes, that can mean that her normal tear film dries...

Keeping Seniors Active This Winter

February 22, 2021

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| Categories: Exercise, Family, Health

Keeping active is important all year, but when the temperatures drop and snow starts falling, it can be hard for anyone to do so. Especially seniors. While it may be difficult to go outside and move every day, there are a variety of ways to keep your loved one active and moving during the winter months: Indoor exercises. Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body and performing even a minimal amount of daily physical movement can even help...

Boundaries Are Important When You’re Offering Help to Your Parents

February 15, 2021

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| Categories: Caregiver

Caring for your parents is a rewarding challenge. It's a good way to ensure your parents have the help they need from someone familiar. You do need to make sure that you set clear boundaries. If you don't, you could find their demands become overwhelming. What's the best way to go about setting boundaries? How do you make sure they stick to the things you state you can and cannot do? Say No and Stick to It Learn how to...

The COVID-19 Vaccine and Seniors: What You Need to Know

February 9, 2021

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| Categories: Health, Senior Care

After almost a year of battling COVID-19 in our communities, vaccines are finally being distributed. While this seems like a light at the end of the tunnel, especially for seniors who have been social distancing, many still have questions about the distribution process established by the state and about the vaccine itself: How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?There are two different COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna. Both variations of the vaccine require two doses to be given a few...

Author: Terri Murphy

Ideas for Fun with Your Elder on American Family Day

Most Common Aging-Related Skin Changes

Nutritional Benefits of Papaya

Understanding the Healthy Diet, Healthy Mind Connection

Signs to Look for That Indicate It’s Time to Talk About Senior Care with Dad

Five Signs that You Need to Pay Closer Attention to Your Senior’s Driving

How Does Low Humidity Affect Your Senior?

Keeping Seniors Active This Winter

Boundaries Are Important When You’re Offering Help to Your Parents

The COVID-19 Vaccine and Seniors: What You Need to Know

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