Judy’s Video Tips

Judy’s Video Tip 14: Caring for Seniors During Moving Day

Caring for Seniors. Moving Day.

It’s been a while since Judy did a video tip. But as you can see, she is surrounded by boxes. She’s moving and thought it might good to use this opportunity to talk about caring for seniors during moving day.

Caring for Seniors. Moving Day.

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Tuesday, May 9, 2017

 

Caring for Seniors During Moving Day

 

Moving is always an emotional experience, you can be stressed out by the amount of work you have to do, or maybe it’s the thought of going through everything from years of living. Judy admits to getting emotional while going through her children’s and her parent’s things. Now, imagine if you were being moved out of a house you lived in for 50 years. That’s a lot to deal with right?

Well, there are words to describe the physical and emotional toll that moving can cause, Relocation Stress Syndrome or Transfer Trauma.

The stress can cause change in blood pressure, change in appetite, depression, and anger. Sometimes when moving an elderly person, they don’t play a huge role, everyone else is making their decisions for them. This can make them feel even less independent than before. They lose their identity, especially when they move into a new community, no one knows who they are. To retell their story can be exhausting.

You can help ease this stress by talking to them, letting them in on the decisions. Make sure to bring things that will make them feel at home in their new home. Consider how often you or anyone can visit them. Could someone come in your stead to help ease the transition? Last but not least, try to support and be patient with them. It’s a hard time for you both.

You might be wondering about the teacup on Judy’s right, well that’s for Reagan. Judy plans on saving it for her.

Judy’s Video Tip 13: Getting to Know the Person You are Caring For

Judy's Video Tip 13: Getting to Know the Person You are Caring For

Judy’s Video Tip 13: Getting to Know the Person You are Caring For is all about how to start a conversation. Sometimes it can feel difficult to connect to someone when they are much older than us.

Getting to know you. Housekeeping in the 1950's.

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, April 23, 2017

Getting to Know the Person You are Caring For

 

If they are our parents, we might think we heard all the stories. If they are born in the 1930s, they might have been dressed like Judy as they are waiting for their husband to come home. It doesn’t matter what they did, it’s important that we learn to connect with them. We need to understand what the world was like when they were growing up, raising a family, working because it affects their personality. If you learn enough to start a conversation, then it will be easier to care for them.

Check out Judy’s other videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 12: Reduce Fall Risk! Start Now!

Judy's Video Tip 12: Reduce Fall Risk! Start Now!

Judy’s video tip 12: Reduce fall risk! Start now! shows how Tai Chi can reduce fall risk. Tai Chi for arthritis rehabilitation does exist and the CDC endorses it for reducing your fall risk. People with arthritis are seven times more likely to fall than someone who doesn’t have it. Arthritis is the number one chronic disease in America for people thirteen and older. Can you believe it? Only thirteen!

Reduce fall risk! Start now!

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, March 26, 2017

 

Judy’s Video Tip 12: Reduce Fall Risk! Start Now!

 

Tai Chi is an internal martial arts originating from Qigong, China in the 1670s with the Chen style. There is also the Young Style that began in the 1800s and the Sun Style beginning in the 1900s. The Arthritis rehabilitation mixes all three styles. It’s all about hard and soft, high and low. It can also be adapted to be standing with a walker or a parallel bar, and even sitting. It’s all about slow movements.

And for Reagan, Judy showed off a small rocker that she used as a child. She looks forward to Reagan using it.

You can see more of Judy’s videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 11: Feed Your Brain!

Judy's Video Tip 11: Feed Your Brain!

March is still National Nutrition Month, and Judy’s video tip 11: Feed Your Brain! focuses on probiotics and prebiotics.

Feed Your Brain!!!

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, March 19, 2017

Judy’s Video Tip 11: Feed Your Brain!

 

Probiotics are the things that create good bacteria in our stomach and foods that are considered as such are bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, and artichokes. Prebiotics is what preps the stomach to receive the good bacteria. Probiotics include aged cheese, yogurt, pickled foods, and sauerkraut. They work best together.

Check out Judy’s video next week to get recipes to use both types of food in a delicious meal.

See more of Judy’s videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 10: March is National Nutrition Month! Are You Feeding Your Brain?

March is National Nutrition Month! Are You Feeding Your Brain?

It’s never too early or late to improve brain health. March is National Nutrition Month! Are you feeding your brain?

Are you feeding your brain? National Nutrition Month

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, March 5, 2017

March is National Nutrition Month! Are You Feeding Your Brain?

 

We all love to eat right, we love munching on snacks. But what if you can improve more than just your physical health with the right foods?

One factor contributing to memory loss is inflammation in the brain. Refined sugar, this means white sugar, honey, any packaging that say dextrose or maltose sugar, sodas, can cause inflammation not only in the brain but in the body and joints as well.

What you want to do is find food that is anti-inflammatory that way it counterbalances the affects of refined sugar, foods like cinnamon, turmeric, sage, thyme, brown mustard, rosemary, berries, walnuts, almonds and best of all… dark chocolate!

Many of these foods listed have even more benefits than just being anti-inflammatory.

Get our your cookbooks and start cooking!

For more information, go here.

Judy’s Video Tip 9: Fellowship in South Carolina

Fellowship in South Carolina

This week Judy escaped the snowy New Hampshire and went to a fellowship in South Carolina to meet a fellow Seniors Helping Seniors owner, Lisa Stewart.

Fellowship in South Carolina

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, February 19, 2017

Fellowship in South Carolina

 

They have been praying and putting their heads together on how to improve their businesses not only for themselves but for their clients.

Lisa brought Judy to her church and the service was all about living by the “Repair Rule” which says if you make a mistake, we will help you. The two words “We help” really stuck out for Judy because that describes the church. family, and Seniors Helping Seniors.

At SHS NH, we come together to help others. So if you or anyone else you know is struggling to care for a senior, please contact us because we will help you.

See more of Judy’s videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 8: Emergency Winter Storm Safety Tips

Judy's Video Tip 8: Emergency Winter Storm Safety Tips

With storms that have been bombarding us here in New Hampshire, this week Judy discusses great emergency winter storm safety tips for the young and elderly alike. She also plays fetch with Moses and makes a snow angel for Reagan.

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, February 12, 2017

Emergency Winter Safety Tips

 

Staying safe during storms is a mix of common sense. Think of all the “what ifs” and making sure you have plenty of supplies.

Here’s a recap of Judy’s tips.

  • Be ready to be out of power, whether from heavy snow or high winds, power can easily go out.
    • Have plenty of flashlights and batteries nearby. Candles are a fire hazard and smoke does accumulate.
    • Make sure that your cell phones are charged in case of emergency. You could even invest in a portable battery charger for it.Have plenty of blankets to keep warm.

 

  • Have 3-6 days worth of food and water. Make sure you have a hand crank can opener!

 

  • Make sure to have enough gas in your car.

 

  • If you do loose power you can contact your local police and fire department to see if they can get the elderly to a hotel and stay nice and warm.

 

  • Finally, if you do care for a senior and you are able to, try to stay with them through the night that way if they do loose power they are not alone. We at Seniors Helping Seniors NH set up a few twenty-four hour shifts to make sure that both our caregivers and are clients are safe and comfortable.

Judy’s Video Tip 7: Reminiscing is Vital when Caring for a Senior

Reminiscing is Vital when Caring for a Senior

Go Pats! On this week’s video tip Judy talked about the Superbowl and reminiscing with Seniors. Reminiscing is vital when caring for a senior.

Reminiscing is a vital connection when caring for seniors. Super Bowl Sunday!

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, February 5, 2017

Reminiscing is Vital when Caring for a Senior

 

A great tip is if they are interested in sports, google some fun facts about sports and ask them about it. Sometimes while even suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s they might be able to remember something from their past with a prompt.

This could also work for music, movies, and even politic if that is what you beloved senior would prefer. Give it a try!

See more of Judy’s videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 6: Cold Weather Tips for Seniors

Cold Weather Tips for Seniors

The latest of Judy’s Video Tips talks about cold weather tips for seniors. These tips can be very helpful with being in, not only New Hampshire, but all of New England.

Cold Weather Tips For Seniors

Cold Weather Tips For Seniors

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, January 29, 2017

Cold Weather Tips for Seniors

 

This is especially important for the elderly because they are more susceptible to Hypothermia. People over 65 are 50% of the Hypothermia cases seen in emergency rooms. Even medications can increase their chance for Hypothermia, as can Dementia because they can feel they are uncomfortable and not know why.

In case you missed any of it, here are some of the tips.

  • Make sure your beloved senior has plenty of layers on. They should have a warm scarf, fuzzy hat, and gloves to keep their fingers warm.

 

  • Make sure their boots have the right tread because it is slippery out!

 

  • When inside, have them change their shoes in case there is ice still on the bottom of the boots. The ice will melt, causing slips inside.

 

  • And if you can, try to visit your loved one a little more in the winter. It might make the Winter Blahs go away for both of you!

See more of Judy’s videos here and here.

Judy’s Video Tip 5: Fun in the Snow

Fun in the Snow

In Judy’s Video Tip 5: Fun in the Snow, Judy plays in the snow with Moses. She talks about how fun in the snow can bring back memories for seniors. Moses loves being in the snow.

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, January 8, 2017

Judy’s Video Tip 5: Fun in the Snow

 

But it’s not all fun and games. Judy takes the time to discuss mindfulness. Studies have shown that mindfulness can lower a family caregiver’s stress level. It’s also been shown to slow down memory loss and decrease bad behavior.

Behavioral changes is a common symptom of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Mindfulness is all about being in the moment. Not worrying about your future, but enjoying the moment. Even a minute long mindfulness exercise can work. It doesn’t need to be a long meditation.

To practice mindfulness, focus on your breathing, the weather outside, the wind, anything that is happening in that moment. You can even try to relax your muscles.

As for something for Reagan, Judy showed off her childhood sled and went down the hill for her.

See more of Judy’s videos here and here.