If you or a loved one is a senior struggling to maintain mental acuity during this time when sources of outside activity are limited, we have a few tips that may help… 

• A healthy diet can provide your body with the essential raw materials needed for health and optimal brain function. And conversely, poor eating habits can actually worsen both physical and emotional health. Seniors with poor eating habits are more likely to report feelings of depression and listlessness than are those who consume a healthier diet. A balanced diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, high in essential vitamins and minerals. 
• Exercise has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, boost mood, and stimulates the growth of brain cells. If done regularly, even moderate exercise can have positive effects on mood and mental sharpness.  Exercise needn’t be strenuous and can easily be done at home. Ask your physician about creating a safe and effective exercise regimen for you or your loved one. Be sure to mention any physical disabilities or other health issues that might affect exercise tolerance.
• Books, puzzles, games, and brainteasers offer another way to keep seniors’ minds sharp, even in the presence of social isolation. They offer mental stimulation and improve both critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Socializing online is another great way to keep seniors connected and engaged with others. Apps such as Zoom and Facetime let seniors stay connected with loved ones and friends, whether they’re miles away or just down the hall. And they take very little tech savvy to set up and use.
• Learning a new skill can be another way to keep seniors’ minds active,  when they can’t get outdoors. The Internet is packed with tutorials that can help you or your loved one get started in the worlds of crafting, crocheting, collecting, or even learning a new language. 
• Work with an in-home caregiver who can provide critical social engagement to independently living seniors. Routine social interaction promotes mental 

If you or someone you know could benefit from in-home care, contact us today! We’re waiting to hear from you. 

With offices in Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia, 5 Star Home Care serves the Philadelphia metro area, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. Contact us today, and discover what peace of mind feels like.  

The post Keeping Your Mind Sharp When Outside Activity Is Limited appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

Regardless of how much exercise a senior has had throughout his or her life, keeping up with age-appropriate physical activity can make life immensely easier for them and their caretaker as it improves movement, increases strength, and encourages social interaction. Seniors also are likely to suffer from depression, and exercise has been proven to significantly reduce emotional problems.

One of the biggest benefits of regular exercise for elderly individuals is increased mobility. Getting older means common tasks can become more difficult because of aches and pains, which can make it hard to find the motivation to exercise, but it is actually more helpful to move than to stay in one place. Consider low-impact, brisk workouts described below to make exercising easy and fun.

One of the easiest ways to stay active is walking or hiking. Walking is low-impact and doesn’t have to be strenuous, and hiking in nature has numerous benefits for the mind and body. If easy trails are accessible, consider making a hiking day a regular outing in the warmer months. In-home caretakers in Philadelphia can walk with clients, making sure they are safe when they are out and about.

Another activity that is easy on the joints is swimming. It also uses all of the large muscle groups of the body, giving a truly comprehensive workout. For those that don’t know how to swim or can’t swim well, getting swimming lessons are a great opportunity to learn a new skill while getting in valuable movement. If swimming lessons aren’t an option, water aerobics classes are a fun way to get in beneficial activity, so check out local pools and community centers for those offerings.

Weight lifting can be a great way to keep muscles strong and mobile. Elderly individuals can keep workouts simple, and even do them in their own homes with a small set of weights. Keep movements easy and quick, and be sure to involve all major muscle groups. Squats, overhead presses, rows, and push-ups are all great moves to have in a routine. Additionally, a proper warm-up and cool down that includes a variety of stretches can prevent sore or pulled muscles. Aim to warm up and cool down for at least five minutes each.

The post Staying active as a senior appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

1. What is long-term care insurance exactly?

Major medical insurance and Medicare will only cover skilled care. However, long-term care differs from traditional medical care in that you are not necessarily sick. Rather, you require assistance with the basic activities of daily living. Long-term care insurance covers these kinds of expenses in a variety of settings such as nursing homes, assisted living and home care. Agencies like 5 Star Home Care accept long-term care insurance.

2. Won’t I be covered by Medicaid if I can’t pay for long-term care?

This is a common misconception. Medicaid will not pay for long-term care until an individual has used up their assets. Obviously this is not an ideal scenario. Among many potential financial hardships, it also means there will be no inheritance for future generations. It’s also important to note that federal law states that nursing homes only have to accept a certain number of Medicaid patients if they participate. Once they reach their quota, they can refuse Medicaid patients. This can greatly limit your options, and might mean you have to choose a facility far from home. It also puts home care out of the equation for many.

3. Do I really need long-term care insurance?

Since no one can predict their health, the best you can do is evaluate the factors most likely to affect your long-term needs.

• Your age and health – Policies increase as you grow older, and some insurers won’t cover certain diagnoses. You may also want to consider purchasing your policy before you turn 64 and qualify for Medicare. With the number of preventative screenings offered, your doctor could uncover a condition that would prevent you from being approved.
• Family history – If you have a family history of certain illnesses that require long-term care, you may want to invest in long-term care insurance before you have to pay more. You may also wish to extend the number of years you’re covered depending on your family’s history. Benefit periods are usually three to five years.
• Your current income and assets – If your income is low and you have few assets when you need care, you might qualify for Medicaid fairly quickly, making long-term care insurance an unnecessary expense. See question 4 for more on this.
• Your support system – Do you have family or friends who could provide care on a regular basis? Are you comfortable with this arrangement, and are they? It’s best to have the conversation early. 5 Star Home Caregivers might be the solution, if family or friends are not able to take on this responsibility.

4. Can I afford long-term care insurance?

Since long-term policies are expensive, they may not be right for everyone. Here are some guidelines excerpted from AARP:

• If premiums are less than 5% or less of your anticipated annual retirement income, it’s likely affordable, just bear in mind that the premiums will go up over time.
• If premiums are 5% or more of your anticipated annual retirement income, make sure your budget can handle the cost, and consider the increases over time.
• If you have over $1.5 million in assets, you may have enough to fund your own long-term care.

5. Can I use long-term care insurance to pay for home care?

Yes. But keep in mind that not all policies pay the same for similar services. Be sure to ask as many questions as necessary to understand your individual policy. For example:

• Is there a waiting period before your benefits begin?
• How long is the benefit period, and when does it begin?
• What is the maximum daily benefit?

If staying in your home as you age is your preference and priority, long-term care insurance may be the right option for you. While thinking about a future where you need help taking care of yourself is the last thing you probably want to do, it’s worth it. By planning ahead you can reduce the stress on your family and give yourself a greater control over your future.

5 Star Home Care serves many clients who utilize their long-term care policy to pay for our services. Contact us to learn more so you can be prepared and make sure home care is an option.

The post 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care Insurance appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

The post Keeping the Bathroom Safe for Seniors appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

We’d like to offer two of the best reasons to consider home care.

Reason #1 – There’s no place like home – You may have lived in your home for years and have many cherished memories. Or perhaps you simply want to retain a sense of control – and living at home represents your independence at a deep psychological level.

Regardless of your motivations, remaining in familiar surroundings is hugely positive for your physical and emotional health. Numerous studies have shown that patients recover faster in the comfort of their own home. Using home care services also allows you to:

• Continue living with your spouse or other loved ones
• Keep all your personal belongings in place (not have to downsize or move)
• Retain relationships with neighbors and friends, who can visit any time
• Keep your beloved pets, often viewed as a part of the family
• Maintain your privacy

Reason #2 – It’s all about you When your caregiver arrives, he/she is completely focused on you. You’ve selected them personally so you are always glad to see them. They know your likes and dislikes, your schedule and all your quirks. Hospitals and nursing homes are more regimented, controlled environments, whereas home care is completely designed by you. Having such a customized experience allows you to:

• Save money by choosing the services and hours of care you need
• Form a one-on-one relationship with your selected caregiver, which creates trust and comfort
• Retain your individual preferences, from how your food is prepared to when you like to have time alone
• Maintain the freedom and flexibility of your own schedule

Need help weighing the benefits and drawbacks of senior long-term care options? 5 Star Home Care can evaluate your situation and see if a home caregiver is right for you or your loved one.

The post 2 of the Best Reasons to Choose Home Care appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

Stay physically active
You can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50% through physical exercise, according to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation. Even if you’ve begun to see some memory decline, adding exercise at any age can slow further deterioration. Try to incorporate these elements:

Challenge your brain
“Brain games” have become popular lately as the rates of dementia increase in the news. Even AARP has a section of their website with games devoted to improving memory, language and attention. But these aren’t the only ways to keep your mind active. Try to mix and match these activities to incorporate skills like communication, organizing and interaction. Keep it fresh and novel.

Stay connected and engaged
This may not seem as important, but it’s just as much a priority as eating well, exercising and challenging your brain. The benefits of in-person, face-to-face communication cannot be matched for keeping your mind sharp. People who stay socially and intellectually engaged are less at risk for dementia. Here are a few ideas for combining these brain-healthy tips together:

What can you do today to keep your mind sharp?
Need help to plan healthy meals, get more exercise, or stay in touch with friends and family? 5 Star Home Caregivers can give you the support you need to keep you physically and cognitively strong well into the future.

The post How to Keep the Mind Sharp as You Age appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

Here are 10 signs that your loved one may have depression:

7. Loss of Concentration
Losing concentration or focus is a classic sign of depression. In older adults, this may be dismissed as a natural part of aging, but that’s not always the case. If your loved one is exhibiting several symptoms of depression, treating the depression may also resolve memory and focus problems as well.

The post 10 Warning Signs of Depression in Older Adults appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

If you are a spousal caregiver, ask yourself these four questions to make sure your spouse’s needs are met — but yours are too.

3. Are you doing too much for your spouse, things he/she could do?
Many spousal caregivers fall into the trap of thinking that they need to handle everything and be a super-husband or wife. This is not only unnecessary, it can be dangerous – for your health and your spouse’s. After you’ve been your spouse’s caregiver for a while, it’s easy to take on more and more roles, when it might not even be necessary. Enabling hurts both of you. Your spouse feels less capable, which hurts self-esteem and physical capabilities over time. Plus, you’re likely to build up resentment by taking on too much – and possibly having it taken for granted. Communicate regularly about your spouse’s abilities and the most balanced distribution of responsibilities possible in light of their illness.

Make sure your spouse is doing everything he/she can do to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Being the primary caregiver for your spouse is very demanding and stressful, there’s no way around it. If you need more support, 5 Star Home Care has caregivers who can come to your home once a week, every day or as needed. You could just take a little of the pressure off, or have a full-time caregiver so you can take better care of yourself.

The post 4 Questions to Ask Yourself if You’re a Spousal Caregiver appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

Since it’s summertime, we wanted to highlight some of the ways that home caregivers offer more than just the necessities – they provide fun, friendship and quality of life!

Take in a show
Summer is the time the for blockbuster movies and popcorn! Or, perhaps a local play might be more up your alley. Whether it’s professional actors or your granddaughter’s recital, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the cultural opportunities in your community with a home caregiver by your side. They can help you find exciting shows to check out, take you there, enjoy it with you and come home to chat about it for days after.

Let’s Go Down the Shore
If your extended family is heading out on their annual week down the shore, on a cruise, or other vacation, you or your loved one can pack up your umbrella and sunglasses and join them – with your home caregiver. He/she can do everything they do at home, just in a different place. Don’t miss out on family memories. With some advance planning and your caregiver there to help, you can enjoy your travels.

This list is just the beginning – our caregivers’ goal is to improve quality of life – however that looks for you. Contact 5 Star Home Care for more information about how we can customize a plan for you or your loved one.

The post Summertime Fun with Your Home Caregiver appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

There are many choices:

• Assisted living facilities
• Nursing homes
• Care at home by family
• Caregivers provided by agencies
• A combination of family and caregivers at home

With so many choices, and so much at stake, many families struggle with the decision.

However, the task can be made easier by employing a specialist such as a social worker that specializes in geriatric care management to help you decide what is best. Hiring an Elder Specialist has several benefits.

• They Are Neutral – As a third party, you’ll know that their assessment won’t be skewed toward a particular solution. (i.e. No kickbacks from a nursing home for new admissions)
• They Know The Senior Community – From senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living communities, meal delivery programs – they are in touch with all resources available to seniors, so you’ll have a wider range of choices to create a plan that suits your loved one.
• They Can Evaluate Cost – They can create a cost analysis, comparing different options. Plus, they know the criteria for accessing various funding options. They can help you apply quickly and efficiently to get the plan underway.
• They Have Training in Aging Related Issues – Most importantly, an Elder Specialist can help you spot things that you may have overlooked related to memory loss or physical impairments. They make their recommendations based on best practices for senior safety.

The guidance of an Elder Specialist can give your family peace of mind that you’ve considered all the options and designed a plan that really works for your senior loved one. The best place to start is with your local Area Agency on Aging. They can advise on how to find an Elder Specialist.

The post How an Elder Specialist Can Help Seniors Evaluate Their Options appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.