Enhancing Quality of Life with Thoughtful Support

Dementia is a degenerative condition which affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It often leads to confusion, anxiety, and difficulty in performing even the most routine of daily tasks. What was once easy, coming as second nature, can suddenly feel difficult and tedious. Providing sources of comfort and reassurance is essential for the peace of mind and wellbeing of individuals living with dementia.

Comfort items—objects or materials that provide emotional or physical solace—can play a role in brightening the spirit and enhancing the quality of life for dementia patients.

Types of Comfort Items for Dementia Patients

Stuffed Animals and Soft Dolls:

Soft, cuddly objects can evoke feelings of safety and companionship. For some patients, a plush animal or doll may serve as a surrogate for loved ones, offering comfort during times of stress or confusion.

Weighted Blankets:

They provide gentle, even pressure, which can have a calming effect and improve sleep quality. Weighted blankets may also help reduce restlessness and promote relaxation.

Fidget and Sensory Objects:

Items such as fidget blankets, activity aprons, or textured balls are designed for tactile stimulation. These items keep hands busy, reduce anxiety, and can help prevent agitation or repetitive behaviors.

Photo Albums and Familiar Objects:

Personal photos, favorite books, or familiar household items can trigger positive memories and provide emotional comfort. These objects help ground patients in their personal history and identity.

Aromatherapy Items:

Scented pillows, sachets, or diffusers with calming scents like lavender or chamomile can help create a soothing environment. Aromatherapy is known to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in many dementia patients. Aromatherapy can also be used to stimulate appetite. Scents such as ginger and citrus are common appetite stimulants.

Music and Audio Devices:

Personal music playlists, nostalgic songs, or calming sounds can stimulate memories and emotions, which often improves the mood and reduces agitation. Music stimulates the brain and activates skills that would otherwise be forgotten such as dancing to a beat, whistling, humming and clapping.

Tactile stimulation:

Worry stones or other items that can be soothing to hold or touch give seniors a sense of peace and comfort.  Soft stress balls that can be squeezed can release endorphins resulting in calming and pain-relieving effects. These items are physical distractions that help keep the mind off of stressful thoughts. Additionally, the repetitive motion of squeezing these items can strengthen muscles in the hands and improve dexterity.

Familiar clothing items:

A favorite sweater or scarf, shawl or lap blanket may bring reassurance during an anxious time.

Night lights or soft glowing lamps:

Reduce fear and confusion during the evening and nighttime, with soft, comforting light.

Simple crafts:

Easy puzzles with large pieces, coloring books or other craft kits can encourage engagement and provide gentle mental stimulation while fostering a calming environment.

Choosing Appropriate Comfort Items

Not all comfort items are suitable for every dementia patient. Consider the individual’s preferences, stage of dementia, and any safety concerns including choking hazards and allergies. Items should be safe, easy to clean, and free from small detachable parts. Involving the patient in selecting their comfort items, whenever possible, ensures personal relevance and increases the benefits the items will bring to them.

Caregiver Tips for the Use of Comfort Items

1. Observe Responses: Pay attention to how the patient interacts with comfort items. Positive responses include smiling, relaxing, or engaging with the item; negative responses include agitation or refusal.
2. Rotate Items: To maintain interest, rotate comfort items periodically. Introducing new items gradually can also provide novelty without causing overwhelm.
3. Personalize Choices: Whenever possible, personalize comfort items with family photos, favorite colors, or familiar textures and scents.
4. Maintain Hygiene: Comfort items should be washed or sanitized regularly to ensure health and safety.
5. Involve in Routine: Incorporate comfort items into daily routines, such as bedtime or quiet time, to help establish consistency and security.

Thoughtful selection and use of comfort items can make a meaningful difference in the lives of dementia patients and their caregivers, fostering moments of joy, calm, and connection even amidst the challenges of memory loss.

Need more support for your loved one? Book a tour of a Bethesda memory care community near you.

The post How Comfort Items Soothe and Support Dementia Patients first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Some ways to help the transition to assisted living go more smoothly include:

• Deciding what to bring in advance
• Moving belongings into their new home a couple days early
• Encouraging social interaction
• Helping your loved one have a positive emotional transition

1. DECIDING WHAT TO BRING

It’s a good idea to start the packing process well before the move-in date. Find out which personal items are most important to your loved one, but avoid bringing too many of the same item, such as coats. Also keep in mind that unlike the smaller items (clothes, keepsakes, photographs), larger items like furniture will require some planning when moving to assisted living. Ask the assisted living community what furniture, if any, will be provided.

Some families choose to furnish apartments with brand new furniture. However, be sure to bring some familiar items too. This will help your loved one feel more comfortable and establish that feeling of being “at home” in their new apartment.

2. MOVING BELONGINGS EARLY

Find out if it’s possible to move your loved one’s possessions a day or two prior to the actual move-in date. This will give you the opportunity to set up their apartment by unpacking, assembling furniture and running errands. As a result, you can spend their first actual day at the community focused on helping them adjust to their new home.

Assistance may be available from the community to help you with the move-in process. Ask for a floor plan to get an idea of how the apartment should be organized and arranged—this will make setup easier and faster for you, and help your loved one adjust more quickly.

3. ENCOURAGING SOCIAL INTERACTION

A great way to help your senior loved one acclimate is by getting them engaged in the activities offered at the  assisted living community that appeal to them. Focus on the opportunities they will have to make new friends and participate in events. Ask for an activities calendar and find the events that they will enjoy most. Also, help them meet new neighbors by joining your loved one for their first meal in the dining room.

4. HELPING MAKE THE EMOTIONAL TRANSITION A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

Moving is an emotional experience for all of us—but even more so for an older adult. Moving to assisted living can feel overwhelming and daunting, but it can also be an exciting change that should be embraced. Both of you may experience many different emotions throughout the process, but these feelings are normally temporary as everyone works on adjusting to this next phase of life. It’s important to recognize these feelings and find ways to embrace the move.

Let your loved one know that you understand moving to assisted living and navigating the transition may be hard for them, and that you are here to talk and listen. Be respectful, but be upbeat! Positive reinforcement will help your loved one focus on the benefits they will gain from moving to assisted living.

Start your transition to assisted living by booking a tour at a Bethesda Assisted Living community today.

The post 4 Tips for an Easy Transition to Your St. Louis Assisted Living Community first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Before You Get Started

Before you begin, there are a few tips to follow to ensure your crafts are fun and fast:

• Prepare all of the supplies needed for the project before involving your loved one
• Complete any time-consuming, preliminary steps before starting the craft project
• Make sure you have plenty of room to move around comfortably
• Have “extra hands” to help, if needed
• Allow plenty of time to complete the craft, or schedule more than one session to make sure that you finish

1. No-Sew Shirt Sleeve Pumpkin

Photo credit: Home in the Finger Lakes

This adorable and easy to make No-Sew Shirt Sleeve Pumpkin is made with a long-sleeved shirt, some twine and artificial leaves. It’s the perfect pumpkin to display in a room or a common area and one of the most enjoyable Halloween crafts for seniors.

To craft this rustic, country-themed pumpkin, you will need:

• An old long-sleeved shirt (fall colors will look the best)
• Twine
• Rubber bands
• Fiberfill to stuff your pumpkin
• Glue (we recommend Mod Podge)
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Optional: artificial fall leaves

For step-by-step instructions, visit Home in the Finger Lakes.

2. Jewel-Covered Bling Pumpkin

Photo credit: hercampus.com

Who doesn’t love bling? Seniors will love making these jewel-covered pumpkins to decorate their homes and living spaces.

For this sparkly project, you will need:

• Black spray paint
• One plastic pumpkin
• Assorted craft jewels

The key to making this project one of the best Halloween crafts for seniors is by using large gems, which are easier to handle. For the best results, use craft jewels that have adhesive backs to reduce complicated steps. It’s still a good idea to have clear-drying glue on hand, just in case the jewels don’t want to stick to the pumpkin.

Plastic pumpkins are suggested because they can be stored and reused as a decoration for years to come. They also are lighter than real ones. When spray-painting the pumpkins, do so in a well-ventilated area, and remember to lay newspaper down to protect surfaces. Once you have prepped the pumpkin, your loved one can enjoy decorating!

For instructions on how to make this fancy bling pumpkin, visit HerCampus.

3. Mummy Candy Cans

Photo credit: HGTV

These spooky-cute little mummies are the perfect treat for trick-or-treaters. Since this project requires pliers, make sure that the cans are prepped for seniors before beginning, and no stray metal bits are sticking out. Once again, when spray painting, make sure it takes place in a well-ventilated area.

You will need:

• Clean, empty tin can (any size will work)
• Black spray paint (matte or semi-gloss)
• Cheesecloth
• “Googly Eyes”
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Pliers

For instructions on how to make these little ghouls, visit HGTV.com.

Get Inspired with More Halloween Crafts for Seniors

The fun doesn’t stop with these three craft ideas. Get together with your senior loved ones this fall to spend time and create Halloween decorations. Find inspiration from Mod Podge Rocks!, visit Bethesda’s blog for more Halloween ideas for seniors, or come up with your own fun ideas to celebrate the season!

Here at Bethesda, fall is a fun time for our senior residents and their families. Learn more and visit a community near you to see what Bethesda has to offer!

The post 3 Easy Halloween Crafts for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Step One: Research the Diagnosis

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are subjects that many people avoid. In fact, according to a national study, more than half of people choose not to pursue an examination even when they believe something might be wrong. They fear such a diagnosis of dementia would equate to the end of their life.

However, facing the possibility of dementia or Alzheimer’s early is important. An early diagnosis means having access to treatments that can improve symptoms and slow disease progression. Also, early diagnosis provides more time for the patient and loved ones to learn about the disease, find support, and prepare for the future.

What is dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?

Dementia is a group of symptoms involving a decline in mental abilities, such as reasoning and remembering, that significantly interferes with daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia, results from the loss of connections between brain cells, which eventually die. Other causes of dementia include Parkinson’s disease, vascular diseases, and chronic drug use.

In most cases, dementia cannot be cured. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and its destruction of cells in other regions of the brain leads to failure in bodily systems which, coupled with advanced aging, are fatal.

Resources for Dementia Caregivers

When dealing with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it is important that you learn all that you can about you or your loved one’s condition. There are many sources of information for caregivers and those who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Two books that can be helpful when caring for a senior with dementia:

• The 36-Hour Day by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins. This is a self-help guide for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other memory impairments.
• Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia by Jolene Brackey. This book speaks about living and creating joy, moment by moment, in the life of a person who has dementia.

For more information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, there is also the Alzheimer’s Association.

Step Two: Foster the Senior’s Independence

As a dementia caregiver, you may feel the urge to do everything for your senior loved ones. However, it is beneficial for seniors with dementia and memory loss to feel independent and continue with any daily tasks they can manage. It is important for the senior’s physical and emotional health to let them to do as much as they can for as long as they can.

Even if your senior loved one is not as self-sufficient as before, while caring for a senior with dementia, give them simple tasks to try on their own. A few ideas include:

• Help your senior loved one order from a menu by making suggestions
• Put out clothing options, so they can choose their own outfit
• Invite the senior to tell stories and share memories

Check out these additional tips from the Mayo Clinic for dementia caregivers.

Step Three: Build a Support System

When caring for a senior with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you will need a helping hand now and again. Don’t be afraid to reach out to family members and friends for help. When they ask what you need, have a list prepared. For example:

• Grocery shopping
• Yardwork
• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Taking your loved one to their next medical appointment

Even having someone sit with your loved one while you take a walk or run some errands can help you recharge and prevent burnout.

Visit the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Missouri Chapter to discover additional support resources.

Step Four: Make Time for Yourself

Serving as the caregiver of a senior with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, especially if you are the only caregiver, can take its toll. If you are suffering from the symptoms below, seek help from a professional or reach out to your support system:

• Sleeplessness
• Reduced ability to concentrate
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Weakened immune system

Caring for a senior with dementia is a hard job no matter how special the person you’re caring for is. There will be times when you will feel frustrated and sad, and that’s okay. Just remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

If you need assistance caring for a senior with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any form of memory loss, contact Bethesda. Our memory support communities in the St. Louis area provide support to caregivers and families of seniors.

Contact us or schedule a tour to learn more.

The post Dementia Caregiver Tips: Four Steps for Caring for a Senior with Memory Loss first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Couple this with the finding that older adults with decreased physical and cognitive ability may be more susceptible to the unintended consequences of prescription medication use, including side effects, and you can begin to understand the challenge of medication safety for seniors. However, with some organization, diligence and education, seniors can avoid self-inflicted medication errors and experience the intended results of their prescriptions.

Get Organized

Gather. 

If medications are strewn about the home they can be lost, taken by mistake, or be dangerously out of date. All medications, supplements, vitamins and over-the-counter medications should be collected and reviewed regularly.

The medications should be stored in a cool, dry place (don’t store medications in the bathroom cabinet as they can be susceptible to high moisture levels and heat from running water.) They should be kept together in a clear plastic container so they are easy to see and find. The medication should be kept out of reach of children, grandchildren and pets.

Make a list of the medications you have gathered. The list should include the names of the prescription medications, number of milligrams or milliliters, general dosage instructions, who prescribed them and what they are for, as well as all vitamins, herbs, supplements and over-the-counter medications. Include how frequently prescription medications are taken and any special instructions for their use, and when refills will need to be requested.

Dispose of old medications.

This reduces the chances of taking the wrong medication accidentally. Plus, expired medications can be less effective or leave you at risk for additional side effects.

Set up a written log and tracking system.

List what medications should be taken and when. Include any special instructions (such as “take with food”) that are required.

Leave a place on the list to check off when the medications have been taken.

Make copies of this list for others who may be involved in the care needs of your senior loved one. Also, the list should be brought to all doctor appointments for reference during consultations and possible medication reviews.

Anticipate refills. 

It’s crucial to keep plenty of medications on hand. You can ask if the prescription can be filled for a 90-day period, which will require fewer renewals. Some pharmacies offer automatic renewals and home delivery services for convenience.

Use one pharmacy. 

Using one pharmacy improves the pharmacist’s ability to track a person’s medications, enabling him or her to watch for dangerous drug combinations. Using multiple pharmacies, often prescribed by different specialists, makes it more likely that a possible negative interaction may go overlooked.

Keep the physician informed. 

It is important that a senior’s primary care physician is kept up to date with all the medications, vitamins, herbs and supplements a senior is taking. During a review with the physician, it may be possible to identify medications that will be more effective or substitute medications that are just as effective but cost less. Possible side effects and interactions from the medications the senior is taking also can be discussed at this time. Specialists should also be aware of this information.

Organize the medications in advance. 

Pill boxes organized by date and time of day when a medication needs be taken can be used to avoid the confusion of sorting through bottles and trying to read labels when it is time to take medications.

There are pill boxes that provide visual or audible reminders to make medication safety for seniors easier, and automatic pill dispensers that are programmed to notify the user and release exactly the right amount of medication at the correct time. These dispensers are locked systems, and some models can send a text or other notification to the senior or caregiver if a dose is missed.

Look for signs of medication errors. 

If your senior has some memory or cognition problems, taking medications correctly without help will be more of a challenge. Look for signs that your senior is struggling with medications. These signs may include the presence of expired medications, unused pills, or medications that are missing labels and instructions.

Turn on a light. 

Another way to avoid confusion is to always set up and take medications in a well-lit room.

Share complete information. 

Errors can multiply when several people are involved in the medication process. Everyone needs to know precisely what and how medications are to be taken.

Educate Yourself

Understand signs of side effects. 

Medication side effects could include:

• Dizziness and falls
• Weight gain or loss
• Changes in memory and cognitive ability

Some side effects could mimic other conditions, including dementia. A sudden change in physical or cognitive status with the addition of a new medication could result as well.

Medications can be affected by food and beverages and other supplements, altering the medication’s absorption capability. For example, grapefruit juice can change the effects of certain drugs. Smoking, drinking, dietary changes or viral infections can also affect how the body handles a medication.

It is important to take medications exactly as prescribed, and to consult frequently with a pharmacist and/or physician if there are any questions or concerns.

Also, read the data sheet that comes with the prescription to learn more about possible side effects, and look at the drug facts labels on over-the-counter drugs to be aware of any potential problems.

Actively managing your loved one’s health and safety can be difficult. Find more tips for caregivers on our blog.

The post Medication Safety for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

1. Different Lights Can Help Declining Sight

Many seniors don’t have sharp vision like they did when they were younger, and home lighting can make all the difference. Consider the following:

• Replace old, incandescent light bulbs in dark areas around the house (like under cabinets) with brighter, fluorescent ones.
• Use colored nightlights in strategic locations like hallways and bathrooms (warm, contrasting colors, like red, are seen much easier than colder colors, like blue).

2. Reduced Touch Can Lead to Injuries

Changes in a senior’s sense of touch are often caused by decreased blood flow, resulting in an inability to detect changes in temperature or pain. As a result, it may take longer for your loved one to notice when they injure themselves from burns or frostbite.

To avoid your loved one getting burned or injuring themselves in the shower, lower their hot water temperature to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, check for signs of frostbite or hypothermia if they have been outside.

3. Hearing Loss Emerges Slowly

Hearing loss occurs when the structures inside the ear begin to change. It’s a slow degeneration, so seniors may not know that they are losing their hearing. The signs of hearing loss include:

• Volume on speakers turned up high
• Having difficulty following conversations
• Asking to repeat words

If your loved one is hard of hearing, activate the closed captioning option on their TV and, if their air conditioning is too loud, hire a professional to soundproof the unit. If your loved one is tech-savvy, consider wireless headphones that block out ambient noise. Doing so will allow your loved one to hear better. Also, turn the ringer volume up on their phone to avoid missed calls.

4. Loss of Smell Increases Fire Accidents

Diminished sense of smell may mean your loved one won’t notice the smell of smoke. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so your loved one can be alerted if something is amiss. Make sure you change the batteries and test the system regularly.

5. Taste Affects Eating Habits

Taste and smell go hand-in-hand. The inability to smell food diminishes its flavor and therefore may not taste as good. Because of this decline, seniors may not enjoy eating as much as they used to and therefore consume less. There is also the danger that they will not be able to detect spoiled foods.

Check the food in the refrigerator and cabinets for any signs of spoilage and promptly throw spoiled food away. Doing so will prevent your loved one from accidentally eating spoiled food and getting sick. Make sure your loved one is eating enough and consider adding new spices to foods to enhance the flavor.

For additional senior home safety tips, check out the Senior Home Safety section of our blog.

The post The 5 Senses of Senior Home Safety first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Or are they?

Not according to Dr. Samir K. Sinha, a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto. He says vulnerable older adults are disproportionately likely to suffer in natural disasters, in large part because they are more likely to face sensory, cognitive or mobility disabilities, social isolation and financial challenges.

Dr. Sinha is a co-chair of the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults project, an initiative by the American Red Cross and the American Academy of Nursing. The goal of the project is to help reduce the impact of disaster on older Americans. In 2020, the group working on the project published a report including 25 evidence-based recommendations targeting an audience ranging from health care professionals to policymakers to caregivers.

Four Steps to Prepare Seniors for Severe Weather

1. Know the Risks.

The first step is to know what risks your loved ones could face, says Jim Judge, former Emergency Management Director for the Department of Public Protection and a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. “The more you understand about the hazards that can affect your area, the more you can plan and prepare,” he says. “One of the best ways to find out what your vulnerabilities are is to reach out to your local emergency manager.”

And when risk becomes reality, you need to stay informed. Experts recommend having a weather radio that receives National Weather Service alerts. The best of these use Specific Area Message Encoding, which lets you program your county, parish, city or marine area into the radio to receive localized notifications. Some weather radios also have integrated strobe lights and bed shakers for people with hearing impairments.

If you are a remote caregiver or your loved one lives in another community, you can still receive alerts. The Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer free iOS and Android apps that let you sign up for alerts from anywhere in the country. The apps also offer preparedness information and, in FEMA’s case, shelter locations.

2. Build a Kit.

Pull together the food, water and other supplies — such as flashlights and a first aid kit — you and/or your loved one would need in an emergency. The goal is to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. You can find a list of important items at the Ready.gov website.

For your older loved one, pay particular attention to health-related items, including glasses or contacts (along with contact solution), a three-day supply of medicine, and other necessities, such as a walker, oxygen tank or spare hearing-aid batteries. If your loved one is diabetic or has other special dietary needs, be sure to take those into account. An emergency shelter may not have appropriate food available.

Dr. Sinha says many emergency preparedness guides omit important information for people with disabilities. “There are a lot of unmet needs and unrecognized issues that don’t make it into standard texts,” he says. “The standard guide works well for the majority of Americans, but it doesn’t really work well for those who are particularly vulnerable, such as seniors.”

3. Create a Plan.

Draw up a list of contacts and designate someone to check on your loved one during an emergency. Make a plan for where he or she should go if severe weather strikes and what to do if evacuation is necessary. Also, find out about local emergency agencies and other groups that could provide help, if needed. Make sure your loved one has this information readily available.

Create a care plan that details your loved one’s health conditions, medications, advanced directives, and other wishes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a handy care plan template on its website, or you may be considering the help of a Care Manager, such as those under Bethesda’s Care Management Program, for a professional and personal approach.

The CDC also recommends having this kind of documentation along with the care plan:

• Contact information for family members, doctors, pharmacies and/or caregivers
• List of allergies to food or medicines
• Copies of medical insurance cards
• Copies of a photo ID
• Durable power of attorney and/or medical power of attorney documents, as appropriate

You and your loved one should both have a copy of the care plan, and it’s a good idea to keep one in the emergency kit, ideally in something waterproof.

4. Get Registered.

Many communities maintain voluntary registries of residents who have special needs, functional challenges or who lack transportation. In the event of a disaster, local officials can check on those people and move them to designated special-needs shelters if necessary. (There’s no guarantee, however, so people should still be prepared to shelter in place.)

Dr. Sinha says Toronto’s home-care registry paid off several years ago during an ice storm. “We were able to use our data systems to quickly pinpoint who were the ones we needed to call and visit first,” he says. “We didn’t have a single death because of that.”

Of course, if your loved one lives in a senior-living facility like Bethesda’s communities across the St. Louis, MO area, much of the planning is out of your hands. These communities are required to have emergency procedures and emergency power plans. If you have concerns, Judge recommends asking the staff to show you their plans. “They will know right away that they have an educated consumer, and it’ll keep them on their toes,” he says.

To keep your senior loved one safe all year, find more senior home safety tips on our blog, and contact a Bethesda community near you to learn more about our emergency procedures.

© Next Avenue – 2025. All rights reserved.

Originally published on April 8, 2019 by Mark Ray for Next Avenue.

The post How to Prepare Senior Loved Ones for Severe Weather and Emergencies first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

But for our senior loved ones, outdoor summer parties can turn stressful and even dangerous if we’re not careful. It’s important to think ahead before we take Mom or Dad to an outdoor event to ensure that a good time can be had by all.

Things to consider before taking a senior loved one to a summer barbecue:

Are they up for a party?

Ask yourself if your Mom or Dad are both physically and mentally fit to attend a crowded outdoor gathering. Seniors are more susceptible to heat exhaustion in the warm summer weather and, while it’s important they have a chance to socialize and have some fun, some seniors find large, noisy crowds to be upsetting. Are they genuinely excited about going or are they going because you want them to? If the stress isn’t worth it to them, maybe they’d be better off doing something else instead while you enjoy the party. It might be be a good time to seek out respite care so you can take a well-deserved break from your caregiving responsibilities knowing they are in good hands.

Is the party up for them?

Seniors have a variety of needs younger folks might take for granted. Is the site of the party accessible for older people with mobility issues? Is the host prepared to make accommodations for senior loved ones, or are they more likely to be engrossed in the party themselves? Will there be other older people there, or will your senior loved one feel out of place and without someone to visit with? Are the restrooms easy to get to? It’s a good idea to ask these questions before you go.

Have a seat

It’s also a great idea to check ahead with the host to make sure that your senior loved one has a place, preferably indoors and in air conditioning, where they can take a break. Older people often can’t stay on their feet as long as their younger family members, so it’s important they have a chance to sit down. It’s worth having a conversation with the party host.

What’s on the menu?

Does your Mom or Dad have a special diet? If so, you should check ahead to make sure that there’s something being served that they can eat or if food needs to be brought for them. Also, common party drinks like soda, alcoholic beverages, and iced tea contain things like sugar and caffeine that many seniors can’t tolerate well. Make sure they have plenty of their drink of choice and something tasty that they can eat so they don’t feel left out of the party. If they require extra assistance with their food, like cutting their meat or removing their corn from the cob so they can eat it more easily, you probably want to do that discreetly in the kitchen. It can sometimes be embarrassing in the mind of our senior loved ones to have people see you cut their food at the table for them.

Safety first

There are plenty of hazards at a summer barbecue, including a hot grill, coolers and tote bags strewn across the ground posing tripping hazards, plus the possibility of heat stroke, sunburn and other risks. Make sure you keep yourself available to your senior loved one and that you have the things they need close at hand. Also, try to be strategic when settling them in for a fun day. Wherever they choose to hang out should be away from potential hazards like running children and the smoky and scorching barbecue pit, and in a place that’s cool and shady.

Planning Ahead

It can take plenty of preparation to make sure Mom or Dad is comfortable at a barbecue, especially if they have memory care needs, anxiety or other conditions to navigate.

If your senior loved one would enjoy some tasty grilled fare with friends in the backyard, maybe consider planning a party yourself that will be perfect for them to celebrate the warm summer days. Invite some of their friends and family members so they’ll have lots of people to visit with, consult with them about the menu so you know their favorites will be included, pick a time or a date when the temperature is likely to be cooler and a place where they’re familiar with the facilities, then throw the perfect party they’re sure to enjoy!

For more summer safety tips, visit Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.

The post Keeping Summer Barbecues Safe and Enjoyable for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

It is essential that seniors get enough water because they typically have less body mass than younger people. Generally, they have a smaller reserve of fluids, and therefore dehydration can sneak up on them quickly, especially in the warmer months of the year.

Potential Consequences of Senior Dehydration

Not drinking enough water can be the catalyst for several life-threatening health issues specific to older adults, which makes hydration for seniors even more crucial. Here are a few of the most dangerous health ramifications of dehydration in seniors:

• Kidney issues are common for seniors that don’t drink enough water. Without enough water in their system, the blood won’t be properly filtered–which can cause confusion, lethargy and, in some cases, kidney failure.
• Seniors who suffer from diabetes are especially susceptible to diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that causes naturally occurring acids in the body to build up, potentially causing organ failure, coma or death.
• Dehydration can lead to heart attacks or heart failure. Lack of water in the body causes the blood to thicken, forcing the victim’s heart to work much harder than usual to circulate blood throughout the body.
• Dehydration can cause damage to the brain. A deficit of water in the body can lead to seizures and headaches. In addition, if a senior citizen who is seriously dehydrated drinks too much water too quickly, it can cause their brain to swell, potentially causing permanent damage and, in rare cases, brain cells rupturing as they expand.

How Much Water Should a Senior Consume?

Seniors should drink eight or more eight-ounce glasses of water a day, following the standard suggestions for water intake. Here are a few helpful tips about how to make sure the loved one you care for is getting enough fluids and to help inspire them to stay hydrated:

• A good idea is to find a 64-ounce pitcher, fill it with water and keep it iced on your kitchen table or in your refrigerator. Every time you walk past, stop to take a drink. When you’ve finished off the pitcher, you know you’ve had enough to drink—and you don’t have to remember how many individual glasses you’ve had.
• Flavor enhancer concentrates help make drinking water more enjoyable. Some seniors also like to drink water infused with fruit to make their daily water intake a little tastier. Anything that ensures you drink enough water can help but be mindful of added sugars.
• Fruit such as melons often have high water content and can help senior hydration, although water from fruit is difficult to measure and track.

Warning Signs that Seniors Aren’t Drinking Enough Water

Dehydration often gives early warning signs before it causes permanent damage. But caregivers have to be alert for the symptoms and be prepared to act quickly if they start to appear.

• Seniors who are dehydrated have to relieve themselves less often. If your loved one isn’t going to the bathroom at least once every two hours when they’re awake during daytime hours, they might not be drinking enough.
• The darker a person’s urine, the more highly concentrated the waste is, and that’s a sign that there isn’t enough water in their body. Whenever a person’s urine is darker than usual, it’s a good time to drink some water.
• When you don’t have enough fluid in your body, your mouth is one of the first places to show signs. A dry, sticky mouth is a sign that there isn’t enough fluid in a senior’s body.
• A severe, throbbing headache is often a sign of dehydration. Headaches caused by a lack of fluid can happen throughout the brain – the front, the top, the back – and are often aggravated by bending over, standing up or exerting yourself. If your senior has a headache that you believe may be caused by dehydration, ask them to cease any activities they’re doing and gradually increase their water content, offering about 8 oz. of water every 15-20 minutes until their symptoms are relieved.

Watch for the warning signs of dehydration and follow these tips and guidelines to make sure your loved one is aware of the importance of hydration for seniors during the summer months.

Get more tips for senior wellness on Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.

The post The Importance of Hydration for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

A streaming subscription could be a great gift for your senior loved one, not only offering them an endless supply of entertainment, but helping to stimulate their mind and senses and give them something to discuss with friends and family.

In addition to being able to watch what they want when they want, online streaming allows people who are physically separated to virtually watch movies at the same time, just as if they were sitting in a theater together.

Here are some highly recommended shows your senior loved ones might like to consider:

Scripted shows

Contrary to vintage programs that seemed to cast anyone with a few gray hairs as frail or out of touch (or both), these programs feature relatable senior main characters!

• Grace and Frankie (Netflix) — A comedy starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda about two senior women who bond under unusual circumstances.
• The Kominsky Method (Netflix) — A comedy featuring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. It’s a story about a flash-in-the-pan actor who goes on to become a well-regarded acting coach.
• Hot in Cleveland (Paramount+) — A comedy starring Wendy Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Betty White about four women from Los Angeles who decide to move in together in Cleveland.
• Homeland (Hulu) — A critically-acclaimed, award-winning drama starring Mandy Patinkin and Claire Danes about the adventures of a counterterrorism team.
• Trust (Hulu) — A dramatic series starring Donald Sutherland about the abduction of John Paul Getty III.

Period pieces

Modern takes on historical events and eras, these shows are big productions with lavish sets and costumes.

• The Crown (Netflix) — A drama centered around the life of Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family spanning from the 1940s until the present day.
• Downton Abbey (Amazon Prime Video) — A drama set in early 20th-century United Kingdom, starring Maggie Smith.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video) — A comedy set in 1950s New York, featuring Rachel Bresnahan and Tony Shaloub.

Games and reality programs

Decades worth of archives are available online, allowing people to relive the golden era of television game shows.

• The Great British Baking Show (Netflix) — A popular reality baking competition.
• Wheel of Fortune (Youtube TV) – In production for five decades, you can watch archived episodes of what remains one of the most popular game shows on TV.
• The Big Flower Fight (Netflix) — A competition among florists.
• Forged in Fire (Hulu) — A competition show challenging blacksmiths to make swords and other objects in a cutthroat contest.
• Jeopardy! (Youtube TV) — One of the most popular and enduring gameshows in history.

Documentaries

Great examples of captivating shows and movies for seniors about historical figures and events.

• The Toys that Made Us (Netflix) — A nostalgic show about popular toys through the years, which as an added bonus may remind seniors of toys they had growing up.
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Apple TV+) – The story of Fred Rogers and his iconic children’s program “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which aired for more than 30 years, starting in 1968.
• The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (Apple TV+) — Directed by Ron Howard, this program let’s viewers take a trip back in time to 1964, when the Fab Four created Beatlemania.
• The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Youtube TV) – The show’s namesake, actor Jeff Goldblum, delves into topics including the history of ice cream, tattoos, jewelry and sneakers.

Blockbusters

Full-length movies for seniors that feature senior characters or senior-friendly themes.

• Gran Torino (Apple TV+) – A drama starring Clint Eastwood about a Korean War vet who is struggling to accept how the world is changing around him.
• The Bucket List (Apple TV+) – Comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman about two terminally-ill men who flee the hospital for an epic adventure.
• Boynton Beach Club (Apple TV+/Peacock) – Comedy featuring Len Cariou and Brenda Vaccaro about human resilience and the possibility of finding love at any age.
• Grumpy Old Men (Apple TV+) – Comedy starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret. Two feuding neighbors really have something to fight about when they find themselves in competition for the romantic attention of their new neighbor.
• On Golden Pond (Amazon Prime Video/Peacock) – Drama starring Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda about a senior couple and the cottage where they’ve spent the summers of their marriage.

While everyone’s taste in what to watch differs, when it comes to television streaming services for seniors, there’s something for everyone. And the next time your senior loved one settles in for a relaxing night, they’ll have plenty of options to keep them entertained.

Find new ways to spend time with the senior in your life on Bethesda’s blog.

The post Streaming TV Shows and Movies for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.