Tag: care

Pets

4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Older Dogs

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4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Older Dogs
Photo by Kanashi on Unsplash

Most dog owners would agree that dogs are a blessing. They bring so much joy and love into any home. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to see them get old.

Unfortunately, as dogs grow old, they tend to start showing symptoms of old age. They may get sick more often, or suffer from arthritis. They may also have less energy.

While this is not fun for the dogs or their human owners, growing old doesn’t have to be a bad experience for dogs. There are plenty of things that you can do to take care of your older dog, and we’re here to discuss them.

Take them to the vet

If your older dog is showing any symptoms of illness or pain, you should take them to the vet immediately. The vet will be able to pinpoint the exact cause of their discomfort, and hopefully, give you suggestions on how to fix it.

Often, this can be something as simple as not allowing your pet to jump on furniture since it can damage their joints. Other times, it may be something more severe, like your pet going on chronic medication or needing surgery. Whatever the cause, a good vet like Paoli Vetcare will be able to assist.

Keep them comfortable

As mentioned, when your pet ages, they will likely have some struggles, so if there’s anything you can do to make life easier for them, do it.

If your dog is losing their sight, for example, you shouldn’t move furniture around as this could confuse them and they could get hurt. You can also carry your dog up and down your stairs so that they don’t need to struggle with steps. If you are adopting an adult dog, be sure to make your house easy to navigate for them.]

Adjust their food

Just as puppies require specialized puppy food, your older dog will need food made specifically for them. This will likely help strengthen their joints and bones and help with their eyesight and hearing.

Of course, you should always avoid foods that are bad for your dog, no matter what age they are. Older dogs often do not have a big appetite, so play around with your dog’s eating schedule to see when they are hungry.

Once you find a food that works for them, don’t change it too often, as this may upset their stomach.

Give them love

The last tip we have is the easiest and also the most important: give your old dog lots of love! People often give dogs a lot of attention when they are young puppies, and as the dogs age, they lose interest in them.

But your old dog still loves you, and you should give them love and affection every day. Growing old can be scary for a dog because they might get confused, so you need to be there for them.

Cuddling a dog is also good for your health, so it’s a win-win situation. Remember that you never know how much time you have left with your dog, so love them while you still can.

Family

Everything You Need To Know About Respite Care

Jayne1 Comment

You are a wonderful soul if you have taken up the responsibility of taking care of an eldery person at your home. But if you have a job to work on and a house to manage, then it might start taking a toll on your mental and physical health both. This is why caregivers are an essential part of each society. They are the best helping hand for people who are unable to manage and multi-task between their house and job chores and proper medical care for an adult. This is where respite care also comes into consideration. You might be confused as to what it is? Well, let’s find out.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is a “temporary” service that is provided to caregivers so that they can take a break from their hectic schedules. It allows them to step back and pay attention to their wellbeing for a little while. A private caregiver is appointed to you, according to the medical condition of your loved one. Respite cares ensure that the healthcare provider, appointed to you, is of the appropriate level that you require and is capable of giving you the right personal and medical assistance. 

Can I get Respite Care at Home?

Yes, you can and this is the key difference between a respite care facility and a retirement home. Respite care longs for 63 days at most. You can decide whether you want the healthcare provider at your place or you want to shift your loved one to a residential place where they are taken care of, for a specific time period. This is only temporary and the respite care ends after 63 days, by all means. 

Thus, it is quite different from a retirement home. A retirement home is a permanent residence for old people and they consider it as their new home. Their loved ones can take them home for some days or go and meet them for a few hours every now and then. However, in respite care, it is similar to hiring a private caregiver for your grandparents or a loved one.

How does Respite Care Help?

So how is respite care helpful? Well, it is one of the best services you can get at home, for your loved ones without having to send them away. Even if you do send them to a respite care home, it is only temporarily and not permanently. This type of care giving service is best for parents or grandparents who are ill for a short time period or have been through an accident or a mishap. 

No matter how great you are at multitasking, there are days when you are worn out and tired. To get a break from the burn out, the option of a respite care is certainly one of the best ones to avail. 

How much does it cost?

A respite care costs vary accordingly. Every respite care authority will state a different price. You can always look out for 2-3 options and then choose the one that suits you the best and is easy on your budget too. Also, insurance does not cover your respite care mostly. Thus, it is always best to check in with your insurance provider, if you are confused about it. 

CONCLUSION:

Respite care workers can be found online. You can research for many and find the ones that suit your needs. Make sure to inquire about their services in detail before hiring a caregiver from them.

Fashion and Style · Health

Hair – Five Ways to Care for Your Mane

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How to Care for your Hair
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

For a lot of us, our mop is something we take for granted. It’s there, on the tops of our heads, an we don’t think about it much beyond washing it and getting it cut occasionally. However, for some people, hair can be a problematic issue and it can cause problem with self esteem. With that in mind, I’ve put together a few tips for things that you can do to look after your mane, to keep it in tip-top condition:

Invest in Good Products

You might be tempted to go for the cheapest shampoo and conditioner you can find, and you wouldn’t be alone in this, but investing in good quality products like Nanogen hair products will help to ensure you’re not using unneccessary chemicals which could damage your hair in the long run. The issue with cheaper products is that they may leave your locks in worse condition due to harmful chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils.

Use Protection

There are so many things that damage your hair on a day to day basis, from the UV rays of the sun to your hair straighteners, so using some form of protection is essential. Get yourself a heat protection spray for use before styling your ‘do, and find a good UV protection product for daily use. The absolute best way to protect your hair from the sun, besides completely avoiding it, is by wearing a hat or cap.

Think About Brushing

While we were once advised to do the whole “100 strokes before bedtime” thing, the current wosdom suggests that you should be brushing your hair twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. This prevents matting and keeps the natural oils of your head distributed evenly through your hair. You should also buy a good brush – a mixture of mylon and boar bristles is currently thought to be the best combination to keep your hair strong and healthy.

Treat Yourself to Weekly Treatments

If style your hair with heat, you will already know the benefits of using deep hydrating treatments to replenish any lost moisture. The same effect can also be achieved by using an oil high in vitamin E, such as olive or avocado oil. To get the best results, gently warm the oil in a pan on a low heat and apply to your whole head. Wrap in a warm towel and wash out after fourth five minutes. The heated oil allows it to be more easily absorbed into the cuticle, boosting its effective qualities.

Turn the Shower Down

Rinsing your head with cold water helps with closing your cuticle after your hair is washed. Open cuticle is good while shampooing or conditioning your hair but after you’re done, you want to seal the cuticle. This way, your hair doesn’t get damaged too easily. If you use cold water for your final rinse then there’s a much better chance that your tresses will stay shiny, healthy and frizz-free for a longer period of time.

Happiness · Health

5 Tips for Getting a Stairlift on a Budget

Jayne2 Comments

It can be a huge worry if you have an elderly parent or relative who is starting to have mobility difficulties and is struggling with their stairs. Getting a stairlift installed could enable them to use their stairs safely again, without the risk of injuring themselves in a fall. However, although buying a stairlift can work out significantly cheaper than moving house or having building work done to adapt the ground floor, the price can still be daunting for people on a low income. Here are some ideas on how to make getting a stairlift more affordable.

1. Consider a Reconditioned Stairlift

Purchasing a reconditioned stairlift can be a much cheaper option than buying a brand new one. Reconditioned stairlifts are second-hand models that have been pre-owned by someone else and then refurbished to ensure they are in full working order. Many stairlift companies sell reconditioned straight and curved stairlifts at a significant discount. With this option you can save money but still get the benefits of a guarantee and professional installation on a new track. A word of caution though – be wary of buying a used stairlift from a private seller, as you will have no guarantee it is safe to use.

2. Look at VAT Relief

Older people aged over 60 can get a stairlift at a reduced rate of 5% VAT (compared to the standard rate of 20%). This can help lower the price. If the person who needs the stairlift meets HMRC’s criteria of being “chronically sick or disabled” and is buying it for their own personal use they may be eligible to pay no VAT at all (0%). To benefit from this saving, it is important to ask the stairlift supplier for a “User VAT Declaration” form before making your payment, to make sure they apply the zero rating.

3. See if You Can Get a Disabled Facilities Grant

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are means-tested grants for home adaptations that are provided by local councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The amount of money that the stairlift user might get as a grant towards the cost of a stairlift will depend on their household income and savings. Not everyone will qualify for a DFG and you will need to contact your relative’s council to apply. If they live in a rental property, they can request that their landlord applies on their behalf. Bear in mind there are certain conditions to being awarded a DFG and it can take several months to find out if your application has been approved or not.

4. Investigate Financial Assistance from Charities

Another source of financial aid that you may be available to your relative is a grant from a charitable organisation. Turn2us is a nationwide charity that can check which welfare benefits your relative is entitled to and help find any grants they are eligible for to finance a stairlift. There is a useful Grants Search tool on their website. Other charities that can help those in financial need include Independence at Home and the ACT Foundation, so you may also want to contact them for advice.

5. Consider Renting a Stairlift

In some situations, it can be more economical to rent a stairlift rather than buy one. Several companies offer rental stairlifts for which the user is charged a monthly fee. It really depends on your circumstances as to whether hiring a stairlift is a cost-effective option. Generally, renting a stairlift only works out cheaper if the user will only require a stairlift for a short time, such as during recovery from an operation or illness.

A stairlift can make a big difference to a user’s independence by enabling them to move freely between the floors of their home and keeping them safe on the stairs. As you can see, there are various ways to reduce the cost of installing a stairlift for people on a tight budget. If you’re concerned about an elderly relative struggling with the stairs, it is worth exploring all the options to see if a stairlift is an affordable solution.

Family

Senior Care Center’s Things to Remember When you are a Caregiver

Jayne3 Comments

Caregivers often have a lot of work on their hands. It can become tiring, but there are ways to get through each day without feeling so stressed and overwhelmed. You should know that many resources are available.

Senior Care Center have a lot of experience in the area of care giving and they have come together with us to create a piece of content on caregiving.

Make Sure You Have Support

There is no reason to handle the caregiving alone when you have loved ones that do not mind helping out when they can. While you do not want to depend on loved ones to do the job for you, you can expect to receive some assistance from time to time from your siblings, children, and possibly even some of your closest friends. If you feel like you do need extra help, you can always search for a company that provides in-home care services or contact a Senior Care Center for the elderly and the disabled as they’ll have the benefit of top home care management software at their disposal. These professionals can handle some of the tasks that you would normally need to take care of, such as doing laundry and making meals.

Getting Help from Long-Distance Relatives

While long-distance relatives may not have the ability to do much because they are living several hours away, they can always call your elderly loved one to talk to him or her. Simply making a phone call and having a good conversation could make a huge impact on an older person.

Apply for Welfare

The government offers different programs that would make various services much more affordable or possibly even free for the elderly. You can find out more information about the benefits that are available before applying for them.

Be Prepared Before Heading to the Doctor’s Office

Always make sure you are attending appointments with your aging loved one. You can prepare ahead of time by writing a list of medications that your loved one is currently taking while also writing down a list of questions that you might want to ask the doctor. Always listen to what the physician has to say because then you can relay the information to your aging parent if he or she does not understand everything during the visit to the doctor’s office.

Be Careful

Unfortunately, there are some scams out there. Some of these scam artists prey on the elderly and the disabled. You do not want your loved one to lose out on his or her hard-earned money, so always be careful and do extra research before making any investments or joining any programs that claim to be useful for seniors.

Get a Good Insurance Policy

Finding a good insurance policy is a must. It will give your aging parent peace of mind while providing a bit more financial security.

Encourage Healthy Eating and Exercise

Try to engage in physical activities with your elderly loved one, such as going for brisk walks in the morning or doing some light yoga at home. Participating in these activities gives you a chance to spend some quality time with your loved one while making sure that he or she is staying active, especially since exercise helps to keep people feeling both physically and mentally healthier. You should also focus on preparing healthy meals that are good for your loved one to eat rather than providing fast food or unhealthy food that is greasy and loaded with empty calories.

See What the Community Has to Offer

Most communities have organizations where they are offering different resources to help patients who need it. Some of these programs include providing transportation for the elderly when they need to get to appointments, dropping off meals, and even helping individuals understand the paperwork that they receive in the mail. Make use of these resources because they can benefit the person that you are providing care for each day.