In order to remain in optimal health during older adulthood, Phoenix seniors need to make smart nutrition choices, which includes cooking healthy, balanced meals for themselves. Many seniors who live alone in later life neglect their diet, because they can’t be bothered to cook for one. But, there are simple recipes which taste great, help seniors enjoy their meals, and won’t keep them slaving in the kitchen for hours on end.

Here’s a healthy recipe that Phoenix seniors can make at home with relative ease–although, if you serve it to guests, it tastes so good you can let them think you’ve spent all day cooking!

Lemon Dill Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1 TSP chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425? F. degrees.

Mix all ingredients except chicken.
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread 1/4 of the lemon dill sauce over the bottom of pan.
Arrange chicken breasts on top of sauce in a single layer.
Pour remaining sauce over chicken and spread evenly.
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until chicken is done.

Serve the chicken breasts with green peas, and a half cup of boiled potatoes for each serving. To reduce fat content, or omit use of dairy products, skip the sour cream and use the lemon and dill as seasoning or choose a low fat variety.

Sources:

1. ClevelandAndSeniors.com

2. Nutritionwerks.com

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Q – My elderly mother is in her mid-80’s, and has been in and out of the hospital over the past few years. We’re never sure what to pack for her to make her comfortable while she’s there; what would you recommend?

A – If your mother has a history of medical issues that have kept her in and out of the hospital, it’s recommended that you keep a hospital bag on hand with the items she would need, so when a medical emergency occurs you don’t need to stress over the small details – like whether or not your remembered her toothbrush. Pack a hospital bag and include the following items:

• Clothing – loose fitting, comfortable clothing or pajamas, which allow hospital staff easy access to medical monitors or intravenous lines are recommended

• Documentation – copies of important documentation should be on hand. Including insurance cards, living wills, medicine and contact lists. Keep a pen and paper on hand to record questions for doctors, or information provided by medical staff.

• Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrush, comb/brush, and other non heavily-perfumed items are necessities.

•  Entertainment – bring books, magazines, knitting, and if allowed under hospital policy a laptop in order to help the senior pass the time.

• Other necessities – hearing aids and eye glasses should be packed if needed; along with mementos from home (photos etc), a prepaid phone card and a small amount of cash.

Sources:
3. MedicineNet
4. Inventor Spot Beth Hodgson

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Q – I am a professional caregiver in Phoenix who prepares meals for a senior. I know that a history of osteoporosis runs in her family. Are there any foods that will help to prevent osteoporosis and promote bone strength and health?

A – There are foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals that promote good bone health. Many of these superfoods are readily available at any supermarket, although most people aren’t aware of their benefits to bones so they are overlooked. Next time you go shopping and need meal ideas for your senior care recipient, consider incorporating the following foods into your cooking, because bone health requires more than just calcium!

• Black pepper - contains 4 anti-osteoporosis compounds)
• Cabbage - source of boron
• Cod liver oil - source of vitamins A and D
• Dandelion - source of boron
• Garlic - source of sulphur
• Onions - source of sulphur
• Parsley - source of boron
• Pigweed (source of calcium)
• Arugula - source of vitamin K
• Broccoli - source of vitamin K
• Collards - source of vitamin K
• Kale - source of vitamins K and C
• Swiss chard - source of vitamins K and C, magnesium, and calcium
• Spinach - source of vitamins K and C and magnesium

Sources:
1. Dole Superfoods
2. Project-Aware

Image: jupiterimages.com

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Q – My father was recently diagnosed with dementia. While we all saw it coming in a way, it has come as a shock, especially for him. What can we do to help keep him in positive spirits and cope with the emotional aspects that come with such a diagnosis?

A – While you may have suspected a diagnosis like dementia in your father’s future, actually hearing the words and having your fears reinforced can be shocking for everyone.

At this stage, your father may feel as though his mind and body are letting him down, and he may fear an inevitable loss of independence. In the early stages, your father should seek support from Phoenix community groups for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, and learn as much about his condition as possible. Planning early on for the future can also help ensure that his wishes with regards to care and medical treatment are met, if he reaches the point where he is able to voice what he wants. Encourage your father to create a living will, appoint a future Power of Attorney, and generally get his affairs in order. By researching care options in Phoenix, he can choose the best fit for him if it’s needed in the future. Encourage him to maintain his lifestyle, but refrain from activities that are too stressful or demanding.

Sources:
1. Alzheimer’s Society UK
2. DementiaGuide

Image: Zimbio

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Q – I am an elder care provider, and have a care recipient in Phoenix who has a history of strokes in his family. Since his risk of having a stroke is higher, is there anything I can do to help lower the likelihood that he will have stroke?

A – Since naturally there is no way to change your care recipient’s family history, it’s fortunate that simple changes to lifestyle and diet can reduce a senior’s risk of having a stroke. As a caregiver in Phoenix, there are a number of things that you can do to directly impact the likelihood that your senior will have a stroke, and a number of other things you can help with by offering support and encouragement.

How Caregivers Can Help Prevent Strokes:

• Prepare healthy meals for the senior that are low in salt and saturated fats

• Plan meals based on their specific healthy living needs – serve lower-cholesterol foods and adjust meals for those who struggle with high cholesterol

• Engage in activities daily that keep the senior active – go for a walk around the neighborhood or to the park, or try more vigorous exercise if your senior has the physical capabilities

• Ensure alcohol served with meals is done so in moderation, since excessive drinking can increase the risk of a stroke

Stroke Prevention Through Encouragement:

• Encourage a senior to understand their health, including stroke risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, circulation problems or atrial fibrillation by visiting a doctor

• Encourage a senior to quit smoking

• Be on the look out for signs of a stroke!

Sources:

1. Healing Daily

2. BBC Health

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Q1 – My elderly mother from Phoenix has been looking into vacation options for seniors. Are cruises a good option for seniors looking to take a vacation? What are the benefits?

A1 – Cruises for the senior demographic are great vacation options for seniors for a number of reasons! Since cruises are typically semi-inclusive, non-luxury cruises for seniors can be very affordable vacation options for those who are retired and on a limited budget. Senior cruises also cater to the specific needs of the elderly; typically there are more accessible rooms for those who are disabled or face mobility issues; there is flexibility to cater to specific dietary needs; on ship doctors keep a supply of medications needed based on the vacationers medical conditions and illnesses; and activities are senior-friendly and enjoyable for the demographic.

Q2 – Do senior cruises depart from Phoenix?

A2 – Departure points vary with the specific cruise line. However, once seniors have chosen their desired cruise, they may need to travel by plane to the departure port.

Sources:

1. Expedia Cruise Ship Centers

2. About

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Romance Thrives in Long-Term Relationships,
Study Reveals

After 53 years of marriage, my wife passed away last year.  We were as romantic with each other as the day we married.  Younger people always looked at us as unusual because of our open affection for one another.  Was that odd?  I miss her very much.

You were very blessed and lucky to have such a wonderful marriage for all those years.  And your relationship certainly represents an example of a healthy situation that is playing out daily in others’ lives as well.

According to a new study that appears in the March issue of Review of General Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association, romance does not need to fizzle out in long-term relationships.  Romantic love (with intensity, sexual interest, and engagement), can last a lifetime and lead to happier, healthier relationships.

First, however, it’s important to define the kind of love we’re talking about.  “Romantic love has the intensity, engagement and sexual chemistry that passionate love has, minus the obsessive component,” said lead researcher Bianca P. Acevedo, Ph.D., then at Stony Brook University (currently at University of California, Santa Barbara).  “Passionate or obsessive love includes feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.  This kind of love helps drive the shorter relationships, but not the longer ones.”

The researchers report their analysis suggests that “romantic love, without the obsession component typical of early-stage romantic love, can and does exist in long-term marriages, and is associated with marital satisfaction, well-being and high self-esteem.”

A 1984 study used by the researchers found that women, aged 50 to 82, in long-term relationships (33 years or more) reported high levels of passionate love (described as a wildly emotional state, with tender and sexual feelings, elation and pain, anxiety and relief), although slightly lower levels than compared with women in shorter relationships.

Couples who reported more satisfaction in their relationships also reported being happier and having higher self-esteem.

One thing is certain:  You shouldn’t suffer from loneliness now that your wife is gone.  Do what you can to get out and reconnect with family and friends.  If that’s not possible, consider professional companionship services.  Home Instead Senior Care employs male and female CAREGivers who are bonded and insured, and can both provide assistance around the house and serve as companions for activities and events.

I’m not an addict, but I know someone who is, and I’m to blame. It’s my fault she’s an addict because I fill her prescriptions, and if I did a better job as her caregiver, she might not be so dependent upon the medications she abuses. The addict is an important person in my life, but it’s not someone you’d expect. It’s not my 16-year old son; it’s not my hardworking husband; it’s not my best friend who is recently widowed; it’s my 87 year old mother, and I’m her senior care provider.

I shouldn’t blame myself; I know the statistics–approximately 70% of seniors aged 60 and older, like my mother, abuse prescription medication. My mother, like many other seniors who misuse prescription drugs, probably doesn’t know she’s an addict.  They think they’re just taking the drugs that they require, but often that’s one and the same.

My mother’s prescription drug abuse started when my father passed away and she was prescribed Valium to help her cope. She started taking it “only when she needed it” which was everyday, and realizing it helped her insomnia, she started taking it again at nighttime. My mother is an addict, because now without it, she can’t get to sleep, but she also takes it all the time which is abuse. Her doctor renews her prescriptions, because she’s older and there’s the perception that she needs it.

It might not be my fault, but my mother is an addict, and I blame myself.

Sources:
1.    Bio-Medicine
2.   Join Together

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

When a family comes together in Phoenix to discuss the care requirements of an aging loved one, it’s a process of decision making that can make or break a Phoenix family, but nonetheless is a process that the whole family needs to be involved with. As soon as one family member notices signs that concern them about their senior’s health or living arrangements, it’s time to call a family meeting.

While a series of meetings may take place as care decisions are being made, the first meeting should only involve those closest to the senior being discussed, such as siblings and immediate family members. However, the senior shouldn’t be in attendance at the first family meeting, so that family members are able to discuss their concerns about the senior’s health and well-being without fear that they’re upsetting their loved one.  During this initial meeting, the family can discuss future plans and discuss the role each of them will play in the care of a senior. It’s important at some stage, once the rest of the family comes together, to involve the senior in meetings so they can share their own wishes with regards to senior care. A third party, like a Geriatric Care Manager may be in attendance as a resource and meeting moderator.

At each meeting, allow every family member involved to share their views on how to handle home care, and try to stick to an agenda to minimize disputes and keep things on track.

Sources:
1.    Elder Care Online
2.    Suite101

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.