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

Date: March 6, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
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.

Medication Management and Medical Reimbursement

Date: February 22, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Caring For Seniors NH, Podcast, Stories & Tips
Medication Management and Medical Reimbursement

This week on Girard at Large, Judy and Rich discuss medication management and medical reimbursement. Whether you are on one medication or twenty-six, you need to take control.

Medication Management and Medical Reimbursement

Medication Management and Medical Reimbursement

 

Some doctors won’t touch any medications prescribed by another doctor. So you have to make your doctors communicate with one another so that you can wean down on unneeded medication.

You also need to become an advocate after a hospital stay. Thirty percent of people will not pick up their medication after a hospital stay. Forty percent of people will have a medication error within the first few days at home.

You can contact doctors about medications, or even call the doctor together and go to the appointment together. Remember, anybody can make a mistake so extra ears and eyes are always helpful.

If for any reason you are not able to be there for your beloved senior, give us a call! We help with medication management and, if allowed, could go to their appointments with them. We can be those extra eyes and ears.

You can hear more of Judy’s shows here.

Judy’s Video Tip 9: Fellowship in South Carolina

Date: February 20, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
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.

Impacting Health-Spans and Fighting Functional Decline

Date: February 17, 2017
Author: Randy
Categories: Caring For Seniors NH, Podcast, Stories & Tips
Impacting Health-Spans and Fighting Functional Decline

Judy and Girard discuss about impacting health-spans and fighting functional decline. Top two concerns for people fifty-five and older is their financial health and their physical health. Some people might not realize that both are tied to each other.

Impacting Health-Spans and Fighting Functional Decline

 

Sixty percent of bankruptcies are due to medical bills. Our physical health has a direct impact on our retirement and finical health. Many people sixty-five and up fall below the federal guideline for activity, which is only two and half hours of moderate activity a week! If you or someone else has been inactive you can always break up the activity time.

After age thirty, our strength declines after one and half percent a year. It doesn’t seem like a lot now but by the time you are seventy you have lost sixty percent of your strength. We loose strength faster than we gain it.

But there is hope, a recent study done on a hundred nursing home residents if different ages, and the residents did an eight week resistance training program and saw a strength increase of over a hundred percent in ninety-year-olds!

See more of Judy’s shows here.

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

Date: February 16, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & 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

Date: February 6, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
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

Date: January 30, 2017
Author: Erynn
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
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

Date: January 25, 2017
Author: Judy
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
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.

Judy’s Video Tip 4: Christmas Cookies

Date: January 25, 2017
Author: Judy
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
Judy's Video Tip 4: Christmas Cookies

Judy’s fourth video tip is about Christmas cookies and creating traditions for your family. Judy shared her family tradition of making cookies and putting them in Christmas tins.

Christmas Cookies

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, December 18, 2016

Judy’s Video Tip 4: Christmas Cookies

 

You can either create a tradition or continue one. These are things that we remember for the rest of our lives. It’s a consistent way to bond with our families.

Judy plans on continuing her Christmas cookie tradition with her granddaughter, Reagan.

When a family member has Alzheimer’s, it’s important to try to include them in these traditions. It can be having them make a small decision like picking a color or what silverware.

If you want to see more videos, check out our Video Tips page on our site. You can also look at our Facebook page, which is where she goes live.

Judy’s Video Tip 3: Sharing Stories

Date: January 25, 2017
Author: Judy
Categories: Judy's Video Tips, Stories & Tips
Sharing Stories

This week’s video tip is all about sharing stories. Judy and Moses braved the cold to talk about sharing stories with seniors.

Sharing Stories

Posted by Seniors Helping Seniors Southern NH & ME on Sunday, December 11, 2016

Judy’s Video Tip 3: Sharing Stories

 

Sharing stories is a great way to connect to a senior. You would be surprised at how small the world can be. You may share a lot of similarities.

Or maybe you will learn something new.

How do you share stories with someone who can’t remember their story? They can’t remember their job, what they did growing up, or old family members.

The thing is, the story they tell doesn’t have to be right. It’s more about connecting. You can use some points in history to see if they recognized what they are talking about. See if something clicks.

The Reagan (Judy’s granddaughter) spotlight of the video is when Judy starts to blow bubbles. She remembers getting bubbles for her own kids and how much joy it brought them.

If you want to see more of Judy’s videos, check out our Video Tips page on our site. You can also check our Facebook page, which is where she goes live.