Having a pet automatically makes you part of a special community of people who share the experience of loving and caring for their animal companions. Pets provide entertainment, acceptance and focus on something other than yourself. Research shows owning a pet brings a number of benefits both for physical and mental health. Pet ownership allows seniors, in particular, to reap…
One of the great challenges for those with dementia is the loss of short-term memory, while older memories are easy to access. To engage with those struggling with dementia, try to provide new activities that can tap into old and happy memories. Here are several ways you can keep the spirits high for those dealing with dementia. Pets While a…
You've just received the dreaded news. Your parent suffered a stroke. Your priority is to go to the hospital and get an update on your parent's condition. You have no idea what will happen next, the severity of the stroke, or if there will be a permanent disability. It is important to know that there is hope after a stroke.…
Individuals who serve as a primary caregiver for an aging loved one bear many responsibilities, such as assisting with daily living activities (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.), household chores, errands, medication reminders, and medical appointments. One equally important way caregivers help aging loved ones is by promoting and providing a healthy and nutritious diet. However, cooking often requires time and energy…
Individuals of all ages have experienced feelings of loneliness and isolation at some point in their lives. They commonly arise when there is a lack of social interaction with other people, whether it's with friends, family, or the surrounding community. As a result, there are both physical health and mental health side effects that come from these emotions. Though someone…
COVID-19 has done more than upend our normal daily lives. It has also changed the way we socialize. Unfortunately, the same older adults that have been disproportionately affected by the virus have also been victimized by the changing social landscape. Many older adults that live alone, as well as those in senior living communities, are dealing with isolation and loneliness. …
At Assisting Hands Home Care Arlington, we have continued to provide in-home care to seniors in the Northern Virginia area during the COVID-19 outbreak. While many things have changed over the past month impacting nearly every aspect of our normal daily lives, one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that many seniors in our community require assistance with basic…
The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has already affected millions of people across the world. The outbreak reportedly originated in Wuhan, China and quickly spread to other Asian countries, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Seniors and those with underlying medical conditions are at the highest risk to suffer complications. As a result, many seniors are alarmed…
Sneezing, coughing, blowing of noses…the familiar sounds of winter. The flu is running even more rampant than usual this year, and it’s spreading quickly! When everyone around you is sporting a drippy nose or running a fever, how do you protect yourself against colds and flus? Wash Your Hands After you shake hands, touch surfaces, use the restroom … there…
