indhomecare's blog

More than I expected. To say that I am very happy would be a gross understatement. This agency has done more than I expected. I love everyone that I have come to meet, again my great thanks to all of you. Keep it up.

Tom L., Boston, MA

Independence Home Care, Inc. has partnered with the New England Senior Network to host the Senior Health & Wellness Expo on Tuesday, May 18th from 10AM - 1PM at the Kingsbury Club in Kingston, MA (186 Summer Street).

Come learn about resources available to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities. Free blood pressure screenings will be available as well as information on the "Senior ID" and "Are You Okay?" programs. Participating organizations include:

Independence Home Care, Inc.
Safety Baths of New England
Kinsgbury Club & Spa
Bay State Physical Therapy

1. Do you know what type of Senior Living is most appropriate? Examples: Independent Living (such as a 55+ Community), Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Home, or a Group Home Setting
2. Who and how many people work at these Communities?
How many people are available not just during the daytime but also evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays? What are their qualifications?
3. What is the employee turnover rate? Are the people working there happy?

The VA Aid and Attendance Pension is available and can offer payment for Home Care services for eligible veterans and their spouses. This would include assistance with personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating), meal preparation, ambulation, and medication management. This assistance may help you remain living safely and comfortably in your own home rather than move into a nursing home. The Application for Compensation and/or Pension form needs to be filled out along with proper documentation of your veteran status and finances.

Looking out the window during the winter months can cause conflicting feelings for many people. Yes, the seasons are very beautiful! The glistening newly fallen snow portrays a picturesque New England scene. But, on the other hand, the ice and snow present dangerous conditions for travel whether by car or by foot. Just walking out to the mailbox or the drive way to retrieve the morning paper can be a challenge to your safety. Falls are a common cause for hospitalizations. And they are more common in the winter months!

Some years the Holidays come and you find yourself not feeling quite so joyous. It may be that you have a grievance with a family member and you are not quite sure if you want to be part of the traditional family gathering. It may be that an illness, death or divorce has changed the family dynamics. It may be that these economic hard times are just making life very difficult and you are feeling the strain of whether to purchase gifts or not.

As we age, sometimes we take for granted some of the changes that happen to us as part of the aging process. Sleep deprivation is not a normal part of aging gracefully! Many things can lead to a poor night's rest and as we age, we need to make some conscious efforts to prepare ourselves for a good night’s sleep.

With the winter weather coming upon us quickly, maybe now is a good time to be prepared for those unexpected weather emergencies. Even though our local weather forecasters are usually accurate, there is always that possibility of an unexpected or harsher storm hitting us at any given time. By taking a few cautious steps now, we may be more prepared, happier, and safer for the unexpected!

The Holidays are an excellent time for travel. Whether you are visiting the grandchildren or planning a vacation, travel can be a wonderful opportunity for seniors. Some tips to remember to make the most of your trip include a little preparation ahead of time. The most crowded days for travelling are the Wednesday prior to a holiday and the Sunday after a holiday. Travelling during peak days are more stressful and may expose oneself to many more viruses than travelling during days that are less crowded.

In a perfect world families should be able to all live together and get along perfectly. But that isn’t always what happens when changes occur within the family dynamics of everyday life. Parents age and after all they have done for their grown families, a time comes when the children need to step up and take care of them. The ‘sandwich generation’ consists of the adults that are still working, raising their own children, and needing to assist their aging parents.