One of my new services that has come about because of my clients suggestions and need is a Therapeutic Manicure and Foot Soak. I have put together a kit to take to clients homes and provide this service regularly/weekly. Most people have a large rocker chair that they sit in, the kind my father liked, some are recliners and some are not. I have adapted my service so my client can sit in comfort while I provide the soothing foot soak: basin filled with warm water with added Epsom Salts or Foaming Aromatic Foot Soap. While the feet are soaking I cover the arms of the chairs with towels and start on the manicure. The manicure includes: removal of old polish, finger soak / clean / and trim, with two coats of polish and lotion application on the hands and lower arms. Back to the foot soak now….the feet are dried and calouses worked by hand and lotion applied to feet and legs to the knees. My clients thouroughly enjoy this weekly pampering. This is one of the ways I have been able to customize my in-home services to seniors.
Christmas with Seniors
I am loving all the stories my seniors are sharing with me on my visits about Christmas Past. We were talking about the wonderful window displays that Woodwards and Eatons used to have in their Hastings Street locations. As we all know very well how exhausting Christmas is for us all. Remember that it is magnified in an elderly person. Seniors tire easily. And when they are tired it takes them days to recover from the excitement and all the visiting. So make sure you are aware of their limitations and take them home early and settle them in before you leave.
Hearing Aids for Seniors
I was just at the Hearing Clinic with my 91 year old client for a Hearing Test. It was amazing what they can do these days with hearing tests and hearing aids. I remember my Grandfather with a little box in his pocket and a wire to his ear…that was his hearing aid 50 years ago. Yesterday, I accompanied my client and they had to plug her hearing aids into the computer to adjust the scope to match her hearing level test, and to adjust the volume. There are no little wheels that are volume control anymore! But for an Elderly Senior are they really a help if they cannot clean them properly and have to go into the Hearing Clinic to have the volume adjusted on the computer? Cost for new Hearing Aids $4,000 – $8,000 for the pair….YIKES! Technology for Seniors is a MYSTERY. 🙁
It Doesn’t Take a Lot of $$$
It really doesn’t take a lot of Money to please the Seniors in your care. My client who had a two week stay in the hospital was complaining about the coffee. I checked with the nurses to see if there was any restrictions to her diet, (she takes her coffee black). And once that was determined I went to the coffee shop in the hospital and bought her a “decent” cup of coffee. Cost $1.95. But her reaction was priceless, she really appreciated and enjoyed it. A lot of our Seniors are not used to going to a Coffee Shop. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, The Beanery, Esquires….these are all NEW businesses to a Senior that is 80 or 90 years old. So Remember when you have nowhere to go…..just get them out and go for coffee or tea, and maybe a donut or dessert too. That always makes a nice visit and outing.
Preventing Falling in and Around Your Home
I have to post this article by Health Canada for you all to see. My very dear client suffered a fall and hit her head recently and was in the hospital for 2 weeks as they checked her out from top to bottom. It reminded me of the hazards around our own homes. If you care for a senior or have aging parents please look at these suggestions to help you, help them, make their home safer.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/fp-pc-eng.php
What do your Senior Parents Need?
What most seniors want is VISITORS. And wouldn’t it be nice if we had the time as un-paid caregivers to visit every day? Most people seek companionship so they don’t feel alone. When I visit my clients, (sometimes in the early evening), they welcome me with open arms, because they are lonely AND SEEK HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP. My services help replace family visits, and give caregivers time with their own family. As well as a nice visit, I water and deadhead their plants, clean up the dishes and kitchen, help with laundry. Wouldn’t it be nice to have quality time with your parents, and not have to DO anything in their space? Plus I have a number of other services that can help you relax at work knowing that your parent has a visitor / companion to help make their day easier.
