9 minute read
STAY ACTIVE AT ANY AGE l
Stay active at any age: your mindset matters!
BY DR. MACIE SMITH
Is mindset the key to staying active as you grow older? SYNERGY HomeCare gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith explains why shifting how we think about aging is vital to staying active at any age.
As a society, we don’t embrace aging. In fact, we seem to do anything we can to resist it. But the reality is that aging is natural. It is an essential component of living. Accepting aging can go a long way in making the most of your entire life—not just the “young” years. Going one step further and being intentional about aging can make the difference between just existing and really living.
COMING TO TERMS WITH AGING
Unfortunately, coming to terms with aging is easier said than done. We have ingrained ideas about what it means to get old. We go along with these ideas because we don’t give ourselves permission to think differently.
That brings us to mindset. Do we lose strength as we age? Sure. Do our laugh lines get more pronounced? If we keep laughing, they certainly do. Do we have to take some medications to keep our motor running smoothly? Probably. We need to view these developments as blessings some people don’t get to experience. Shifting how we think about aging is an important step in not letting the “idea” of old keep us from living the way we want to live.
LEARNING TO ADAPT
So you don’t have the stamina to play 18 holes of golf anymore. Do you still love golf? Then think differently about how to keep playing.
There’s no shame in using a golf cart or a caddy, playing nine holes or practicing your short game. You can even take the children in your life to play mini golf. There are so many benefits to engaging with the younger generation!
YOU DEFINE WHAT AGING MEANS FOR YOU!
You may be familiar with the observation that people get so busy working “in” their business, they forget to work “on” their business. The same idea can apply to aging. You can simply pass the days getting older or you can work on your aging process while you are aging. Think about what you want aging to look like for YOU and go with that. Remember, you define aging; don’t allow aging to define you.
Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith, go to https://synergyhomecare.com/blog/.
AGING WITH INTENTION
Your aging process reflects your active state of mind, not the number of candles on your birthday cake. Dr. Macie Smith shares these three steps to help you be more intentional about aging:
1. Make a list of the things you are passionate about.
2. Put a plan in place to pursue those passions.
3. Journal about the experience so you can be aware of how you are defining aging for you.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOUR LOVED ONE AGES
For more great information from Dr. Macie Smith, check out her new SYNERGY HomeCare series “What to Expect As Your Loved One Ages.” She addresses topics like caregiver stress, fall prevention, caring for a loved one with dementia and so much more! Scan the code to view more from Dr. Macie.
Two Army Veterans Connect Through Their Service
When SYNERGY HomeCare of Leesburg, Va., owner Felix Gbee (pronounced Bay) met Chester “Chet” in 2021, it was the start of a great friendship.
Chet is a retired Army Colonel who served in leadership positions around the world including Germany, Ethiopia and Vietnam as well as in Washington, D.C. Upon his retirement in 1984 from the uniformed Army, he served in federal executive roles until 1997, when he retired from civil service. He and his wife Leona have been married for almost 65 years.
A few years ago, Chet’s daughter Laura started to notice that he needed some help. She and her husband Oliver and their son Jake live across the street from her parents, and over the years they noticed that Chet, who is 90, was needing more and more assistance from his wife. Laura reached out to SYNERGY HomeCare to learn about how in-home care could help Chet and Leona focus more on their relationship as husband and wife than as caregiver and recipient. That’s when they met Felix.
“As you can imagine, it was tough for Leona to relinquish any care for her husband, but she came to the realization that it was time to accept help,” recalled Laura.
Felix arranged for a caregiver to come for a few hours each day to help, but when an infection landed Chet in the hospital, he lost strength in his legs and needed help walking. Chet now receives around-the-clock care from SYNERGY HomeCare. The overnight care is especially important so that Chet has assistance getting ready for bed, as well as help getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
As someone who was very active, this lack of mobility affected Chet’s mood and morale, but his spirits are lifted thanks to the companionship his caregivers provide. “They are top-notch,” affirmed Chet.
Felix is also very involved in Chet’s care. A veteran himself—Felix joined the Army in 2002 and served several tours in Iraq as a Platoon Sergeant before serving in the Army Reserves—he is passionate about caring for veterans.
“Felix is in constant communication with the entire family and responds instantly no matter when I reach out,” said Laura. “And the caregivers have been wonderful: so punctual, so kind, so knowledgeable. They all feel like an extended family and they have my complete trust. We are truly fortunate to have them in our lives!”
According to Laura, Felix’s experience in the Army is an invaluable bonus as he is sensitive to her father’s persona and mindset as a former member of the military. Chet regularly remarks how privileged he feels that the owner of the company comes to visit and see how things are going.
“I’m passionate about serving veterans because I know it can be hard for us to ask for help,” said Felix. “I joined the Army to make a difference and my new career in home care allows me to continue to make a difference. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Reliable and Flexible Home Care Assistance for Veterans
Whether you need a little help or a lot, you can count on SYNERGY HomeCare. From a few hours a day to around-the-clock care, here are some of the many ways we proudly serve veterans:
• Companion care • Personal care / assistance with daily activities • Disability assistance • Recovery support for illness, stroke or surgery • Memory care • Light housekeeping, errands and transportation • Respite care for family caregivers
Scan the code to learn more.
877-432-2692
Call us to find the home care solution that’s right for you.
Four Steps to Person-centered Care for Your Loved One Living With Alzheimer's
Research shows that when you take a person-centered approach to caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, it enhances quality of life not only for the person living with Alzheimer’s, but for the entire family as well.
A person-centered approach means focusing on the individual—not their condition. It supports the unique needs of the person receiving care so that they can take part in the things they enjoy.
While there’s no one-size-fits all approach to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the following guiding principles to person-centered care can help optimize quality of life for both you and your loved one.
PICK UP ON CUES
Think about the activities that keep your loved one engaged and try to find hobbies that relate to it. Activities as simple as reading or bird watching can double as great methods of maintaining a highly functioning memory. Encourage your loved one to keep pursuing these passions and display interest in these activities yourself.
LIMIT CHANGE
Repetition is key to strengthening memory at any age, and for that reason, it’s important to limit sudden changes in the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s. Try to establish or stick to a routine that is as similar to the person’s pre-diagnosis habits as possible. It helps them feel comfortable,
establish reasonable expectations and stay in control of their daily activities.
Limiting change also applies to the living environment. Stay on top of clutter and keep decorations and furniture as familiar as possible. A simple yet calming environment can go a long way in preserving the wellbeing of someone living with Alzheimer’s.
SUPPORT AGING IN PLACE
Families often assume an Alzheimer’s diagnosis means they have to quickly move their loved one out of their home and into a facility that provides continuous monitoring. Today, remaining at home with appropriate support is a viable alternative, and the continuity and stability it provides makes it a beneficial option, too. If you can’t find the time to assist a loved one yourself, professional in-home care services are a great resource. Home care services can allow your loved one to age in the place they know best, while also ensuring they receive proper care and attention.
PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE
Most people with Alzheimer’s are still highly functioning early in their diagnosis, so allowing them to maintain their independence is important in building trust in your relationship. Let them do the things they love and that they are familiar with, while gradually easing into a more hands-on role in their lives.
It’s important to maintain a sense of independence as long as possible. While you can assist with some things, allow your loved ones to make decisions for themselves so they don’t feel like they’re now dependent on the people around them. Encourage them to dress and wash themselves, listen to their suggestions for meals and be supportive when they conquer a task that might have been challenging.
SYNERGY HomeCare’s Memory Care Program:
When your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia, understanding the condition and identifying the right resources and support can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Rest assured, SYNERGY HomeCare is here to help you navigate through uncharted waters and create peace of mind in caring for your loved one. Our person-centered Memory Care program focuses on your loved one’s unique needs. We also provide education and support to help family members meet the care needs of their loved one while also caring for themselves.
Call us to speak to a Memory Care Specialist today or scan the QR code for more information, including a link to our FREE Memory Care guide. Visit our Memory Care Program to learn more.
