It can be hard to find just-the-right present, one that makes them feel seen and appreciated—and that they’ll actually use. Whether you’re shopping for their birthday or a larger holiday, we’ve got just the gift guide for you.

We’ve grouped these ideas into meaningful categories of gift ideas for your senior loved ones to help you find that perfect present. Let’s jump in. 

Support their brain with a game

What about a gift that’s both fun and supportive of their cognitive health? A great gift idea for older parents is a game to help them stay mentally active and enjoy themselves at the same time.

• To inspire socializing as well, consider giving them a board game that requires more than one player, like Scrabble or checkers.
• For an activity to help fill downtime spent alone, more solo-style activities like a jigsaw puzzle or book of crosswords make great gifts, too.

Make memories last longer

Holidays are full of nostalgia to begin with: why not draw out that magical feeling with a gift to make memories last even longer?

• A traditional scrapbook always always brings smiles, and can be a fun gift to get the kids involved with, too.
• There are also plenty of simple ways to transform family photos into gifts—like a digital picture frame or  these custom photo coasters.

Bring nature to them

There’s no doubt about it: time in the natural world enriches our lives. But of course, as we age it tends to become more challenging to engage as actively in outdoors activities. Bring a little of the outside world to your loved one this holiday with a nature-inspired gift.

• Consider hanging a bird feeder outside a window so they can enjoy the flurry of activity.
• If they like to cook, an indoor herb planter makes a beautiful and functional gift.
• Perhaps the simplest idea on our list, low-maintenance houseplants are lovely ways to breathe a little extra vibrancy into your loved one’s home.

Make their lives better with technology

Depending on your loved one’s lifestyle, there may be just the perfect gadget to make their life a little easier or more fun.

• For example, a tablet with integrated accessibility might make browsing the web more enjoyable.
• If they like to get out and about, a fitness tracking watch could inspire them to track their steps and challenge themselves to keep moving.
• And if your loved one leans more low tech, perhaps something more traditional like a new reading light to support their reading habit makes the most sense.

Subscribe them to something special

What about a gift that keeps on giving? No matter what your older parents enjoys, you can find a subscription they’ll look forward to getting every month, guaranteed.

• Try a niche subscription. From flowers to books to wine to ice cream, you can have just about anything shipped to their doorstep each month.
• Don’t forget about more traditional subscriptions, like that magazine you always see them flipping through at the grocery checkout.

Gift them warmth and comfort 

Don’t sleep on everyone’s favorite gifting category: all things cozy.

• Consider something soft and wearable, like a fleece robe, a pair of plush slippers, or a comfy blanket to wrap up in while they relax on the couch.
• If they have plenty of soft wintry clothes and throws, they’ll be sure to appreciate a more interactive gift, like one of these back massagers or an aromatherapy pad they can warm up in the microwave.

Spend time together

Let’s wrap up with the our favorite gift idea for your older parent: time spent together. And by that we mean time together focused on fun, not caregiving.

Since Isolation and feelings of disconnection pose a serious health risk for older adults, gifts that encourage time together can go a long way in supporting the health of your loved one during the holidays and beyond.

Bonus: Making a meaningful gift of time time together can also be absolutely free.

• Consider something simple and casual, like bringing over a box of pre-made holiday decorations (or DIY seasonal decor supplies) and spending the day together making their home more festive.
• Turn time together into a more formal gift, like a one-time cooking class you can both attend or a series of once-a-week art classes you’d both enjoy.

Next Steps

We hope this list of holiday gift ideas for older parents helps you find just the right present for your senior loved one.

If you could use support in another way with your senior loved one this holiday season, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 16 Delightful Gift Ideas for Older Parents (That Support Their Health and Well-Being) appeared first on Benton House.

But did you know that falls are actually the leading cause of unintentional injury and death for those 65 and older?

According to the CDC, 1 out of 4 older adults will fall each year in the U.S., making falls a public health concern. There are many risk factors, including increased inactivity, changes in gait and balance, and prescription medication use.

Falls increase the chances of being hospitalized, setting up further potential health risks in pneumonia and adverse medical reactions.

But there is a lot you can do to reduce the fall risk for your senior loved one.

Let’s look more closely at some reasons older adults are more susceptible to falls, and how to help keep them safe.

The 3 Top Ways to Prevent Falls in Older Adults

As you can see, there are many contributing factors to why your senior loved ones become more susceptible to falls as they age.

The good news: there are simple solutions that can reduce their risk. Here are our top three recommendations—the primary methods we use at Benton House that we know from experience make the biggest difference for our loved ones.

Help your senior loved one fall-proof their home:

Chances are, your senior loved one spends the majority of their time at home. A regular assessment of the living environment may be the single biggest step you can take to reduce risk and notice changes. Invest time to assess each living area, room by room, and take action to minimize fall risks. Focus on three key areas: lighting, walkways, and bathrooms. 

Lighting: switch to automatic lights where possible and install night lights throughout the home to illuminate main walkways indoors and out.

Walkways and Paths: remove throw rugs, clear clutter, and provide reminders like brightly colored tape on stairs and transitions.

Bathrooms: install grab bars, handrails, bath benches, and other safety and support items.

Encourage your senior loved ones to exercise, with a focus on balance activities:

Older adults need three types of exercise regularly: aerobic activities, muscle strengthening, and balance activities. They’re all important, but a CDC study suggests that an exercise program that includes both balance activities and functional exercise (a type of muscle strengthening) reduces the risk of falls in older adults by 24%.

Read our tips here to help your senior loved one create an exercise program for both physical fitness and fun.

Prioritize the overall health of your senior loved ones:

Our most important tip? Make sure you or someone you trust stays on top of the physical and mental health of your senior loved one. The two most important health areas of focus to reduce the risk of falls for older adults include assessing chronic conditions and managing related medications.

Take advantage of routine doctor checkups

Make sure you or their appointed caregiver attends appointments with your loved one. Many conditions (like thyroid imbalances or dementia) contribute to the risk of falling for older adults, so take full advantage of having an expert in the room to ask the doctor questions or raise concerns. 

Develop a simple system to manage medications

The unfortunate truth: Medication prescribed to treat conditions common in older adults can also raise fall risk when taken incorrectly. Work together with your senior loved one and caregivers to create a medication management plan everyone involved with their health can easily follow. Whatever other methods you use, keep visual reminders like this free medication chart template on their fridge, so everyone on their healthcare team can easily stay on the same page.

Next Steps

Is there one magic pill that can keep your senior loved ones safe from ever falling?

Unfortunately, no.

But fall-proofing their home, encouraging exercise, and managing their overall health go a long way in reducing their risk, so they stay as healthy (and balanced) as possible.

Get Your Free 1:1 Caregiving Support

Would you like personal, customized help reducing the fall risk of your senior loved one—completely free of charge?

Get compassionate caregiving support, including a non-clinical home safety review, in one of these three easy ways.

• Visit our support page and request your complimentary Caregiver Workbook.
• Call our Caregiver Hotline for free custom support at 855-461-2552. We’re here to help.
• Send us a message describing how we can support you. Choose whether you’d like us to reach out: text, email, or snail mail.

Again, there is no charge for these services. They’re simply an extension of our mission to help every family who calls.

The post Reducing Fall Risk: How to Keep Your Senior Loved Ones Safe appeared first on Benton House.

If you’re fortunate, like we are, to spend time with senior loved ones, you know what a treasure their hard-won wisdom is to receive.

We feel selfish keeping it all to ourselves, so this year we asked a handful of our community residents if we could share their answer to this question: “What are your words of wisdom going into 2023”?

Some you’ll want to tuck away to remember, some will make you laugh out loud, and they’ll all remind you of the preciousness of life as you step into this new year. We hope you love these pearls of wisdom as much as we do.

Let’s dive in.

“It’s never too late to start something over.”

—Donna Darby, Benton House of Oakleaf: Jacksonville, FL

 “Be grateful to see a new day and love your family. Just be happy, life is too short.”

—Margaret Brown, Benton House of Staley Hills: Kansas City, MO

“Be mindful of what you say! Words can be hurtful if you are not careful how you use them.”

—Nick Calve, Benton House of Aiken, Aiken, SC 

“Let it all hang out!”

– Emery “Hink” Hinkhouse (age 105), Benton House of Olathe, KS 

“Take it easy a bit, and don’t let the little things become big things. Be more flexible.”

– Sharon Martin, Benton House of Olathe, KS

“To love everyone and to be happy and thankful for the blessing of life.” 

—Shirley Dysert, Benton House of Lenexa, KS 

“Stay busy and friendly, it helps with loneliness.”

—Peggy Perdue, Benton House of Grayson, Grayson, GA

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

—Jimmie Mae Sosebee

“Get close to the Creator in this coming year. Emulate love to everyone. If you do this, you will have a successful 2023.”

—Anonymous, Benton House of Florence, Florence, SC

“Treat everyone with kindness and respect others.”

—Margaret Weigler, Benton House of Bluffton, Bluffton, SC

“Prayers for a happy and peaceful world as we enter into the new year.”

—Ms. Margaret Lumpkin, Benton House of Woodstock, Woodstock, GA

“May all the tears of 2022 water the seeds you are planting in 2023.”

—Clarice Dunlop, Benton House of Decatur, Decatur, GA, who follows this with her favorite quote:

“We are all faced with a service of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

—-Chuck Swindoll

 “Pray our country will change and be less selfish.”

—-Joe Dowling (91), Benton House of Augusta, Augusta, GA

 “Be resilient, and don’t get upset with the things you can’t control. Stay close to your loved ones!” 

—-Del Black, Benton House Tiffany Springs, Kansas City, MO

“Behave yourself and take care. Mind all your P’s and Q’s.”

—Carol French-Ward, Benton House of Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO

“Have a ball.”

—A special message from Buddy (Carol French-Ward’s dog) 

 “Life is about adjustments. You either learn to adjust or you lament.”

—Andy Abate, Benton House of St. Johns, St. Augustine, FL

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5&6.”

—Marilynn Moores, Benton House of St. Johns, St. Augustine, FL

“When you have God in your heart, tell people about it. So, wherever you go, sprinkle love and goodness everywhere.”

—-Helen Howington, Benton House of Port Orange, Port Orange, FL

“Be grateful and thankful for everything we have. Also, be kind and nice to everyone around us.”

—-Barbara Lekorenon, The Garden House, Anderson, SC

“I hope that everyone can become closer to Christ.”

—Mary Jo Slice

“Bloom where you are planted.”

—Mary Taylor, Benton House of Raymore, MO 

“Keep a smile on your face always and the world will smile with you.”

—Joan Laurenzo, Benton House of Oviedo, Oviedo, FL

“Be sure and talk to Jesus every day and listen to what he tells you back.”

—Bettye Cochran, Benton Village of Stockbridge, Stockbridge, GA

“Be good to each other. Everyone should try to get along and have peace in the world.”

 —Marjorie Gilmer, Benton House of Douglasville, Douglasville, GA 

Words of Wisdom from Our Senior Living Residents

We hope you enjoyed these pocket-sized pearls of wisdom from our Benton House community. 

Wishing you and yours a beautiful new year.

If you could use support in another way with your senior loved one this holiday season, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post Welcome the New Year With These Words of Wisdom From Our Senior Living Residents appeared first on Benton House.

As our senior loved ones age, we all know family holiday celebrations should adapt to make sure our loved ones still feel cared for and included. But how? Every year can bring fresh challenges, as cognitive and physical abilities change.

Let’s take a look at four simple ways to consider adjusting your holiday celebrations as your loved ones continue to age.

Plan Ahead for the Holiday

If you’re spending the holiday together with your senior loved ones, make a solid plan and do your best to follow through, making sure to adjust as needed for any medical or physical needs they might have. Structure can help reduce any anxiety they may feel about how the various seasonal celebrations will unfold.

If you’re not planning to spend the holidays together, make sure they won’t spend it alone. If they live in a care community, learn what holiday celebrations are happening that they can take part in—and encourage them to participate. If they live at home, perhaps consider seeing if neighbors and friends might be around and open to visiting.

However you plan it, focus on ensuring your loved one feels cared for.

Develop New Traditions Together

Family traditions are one of the most special parts of holiday celebrations. But some traditions become more difficult to participate in as we age. There’s no reason traditions shouldn’t evolve along with us, though.

So as you make holiday plans, perhaps consider integrating new or adapted traditions that are more suited to your senior loved ones’ current cognitive and physical abilities. For example, if they used to host and cook most of the food, maybe offer support so they can still host, but switch to a potluck-style dinner. 

Repeat Feel-Good Memories

While creating new traditions is beautiful (and sometimes necessary), is there anything that feels more warm and fuzzy than remembering past happy times with loved ones? Like spending time together watching the same holiday movies that you’ve always watched, baking the beloved family cookie recipe, or driving around that one neighborhood where all the houses are beautifully decorated with lights.

Looking through old photo albums is another way to more directly walk down memory lane together. (A digital picture frame so they can witness those memories regularly makes a wonderful gift as well.)

Help with Gift-Buying and Wrapping

Perhaps your senior loved ones don’t drive anymore, or simply feel overwhelmed at the prospect of shopping alone. But that doesn’t mean they don’t still want to experience the joy that comes from gift-giving. You can help them find gifts for family and friends in many ways, from helping them shop from catalogs or online, or taking them to the mall.

Gift-wrapping can also become more of a chore as we age and lose dexterity. Why not make a day of it as well by bringing over some wrapping paper, firing up a holiday movie, and making hot chocolate?

Next Steps 

It can be a challenge to plan holiday celebrations that not only include your senior loved ones, but also make them feel loved and cared for. The good news is that with a little creativity, you can adjust traditions to meet your loved ones exactly where they are.

Hopefully these few tips gave you some ideas to try out this year.

Have questions? We’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

If you could use any more specific guidance on planning for the future, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 4 Ways to Keep Holiday Celebrations Fun With Senior Loved Ones appeared first on Benton House.

Fall seems to always fly by faster than any of us are prepared for. Before we know it, winter arrives. And with it, the potential for winter storms.

If you help take care of your aging parents, fall is a good time of year to help prep their home for storms or extra chilly weather that may sweep in with winter. Here are five simple ways to help make sure mom and dad are ready for the season.

Get Ahead of Medication Management

Ensure your parents have an organized system for medication management—like a simple medication chart that reminds them what to take, and when. If it looks like a storm is on the horizon, it’s a good idea to remind them to make sure they have ample stock of prescription refills as well as their favored over-the-counter medications.

Stock up on Pantry Essentials

Help mom or dad stock up on the most important things to have on hand in case a winter storm knocks the power out: nonperishable food and a few gallons of drinking water. Essentials like canned soups and dried rice and beans are smart, but make sure you also include food that doesn’t rely on refrigeration or cooking to make a meal (like nut butters, jelly, tinned fish, and crackers). Don’t forget a manual can opener.

Gather an Emergency Kit

Besides food and water, help them create a go-to power outage kit that includes first aid supplies, candles, matches, flashlights, a battery-operated phone charger and radio, extra batteries, and a stash of extra blankets.

Install Storm Windows

Storm windows can be installed either inside or outside existing windows. They’re an energy efficient and cost effective way to improve insulation, and therefore keep mom or dad’s house warmer during winter.

Clean the Gutters

It may not be anyone’s favorite chore, but making sure gutters are clean and free of leaves or other debris that could create clogs should be a top priority as you help your aging parents prep for winter. Whether you hop up on the roof yourself or hire someone to clean them, cleaning out the gutters is wise to do before winter arrives, especially in colder climates where snow and ice can make clogs even more dangerous.

Next Steps 

Helping your aging parents prep their home for winter may seem daunting. but hopefully this short list of simple ways to support them gave you a few ideas to get started.

Have questions? We’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

If you could use any more specific guidance on helping them plan for winter, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 5 Ways to Help Your Aging Parent Prepare Their Home for Winter appeared first on Benton House.

Have you mapped out a plan with your aging parents to address what will be done as they move toward their more senior years?

If you haven’t yet, you’re not alone. 53% of adult children anticipate that talking through senior care options with their loved ones will be difficult.

Most of Us Ignore “Getting Old”

Fact: we’re all aging. And the majority of us tend to ignore that reality. While many of us may plan for finances, that’s just a small part of the picture.

Statistically, very few of us set up legal documentation to make sure our wishes are known to our families.

For example, while 76% of people 65+ have a will, just 22.6% of those 35-44 do.

“Aging plans” Are Uncommon

The truth is, “aging plans” are rare. Many assume or even expect that family members will take care of them later in life.

Some statistics:

27% expect their spouse to care for them

20% expect other family members to

17% expect to use a professional, paid in-home caregiver

16% expect to move to an assisted living community

10% expect to move to a nursing home

4 Reasons We Avoid Planning for Our Future

The question is, why do so many of us avoid thoughtful planning for our older years?

Here are four common reasons people often don’t plan well for aging:

• Lack of education around what retirement options exist 
• Not finding a financial institution or intermediary that they feel comfortable with
• Conflicting priorities, like balancing long-term needs with more immediate ones
• Getting stuck in a do it yourself mentality and not asking for help or delegating

Medicare Isn’t Always the Answer

Many people incorrectly assume they can rely on Medicare as their safety net.

While it’s true that Medicare plays an important role for ages 65+, there is quite a lot it doesn’t cover. This can leave many people caught off guard when it doesn’t cover a particular situation.

For example, Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital stays and some home health care, but there are strict income and asset restrictions.

And while Medicare can be a useful means to pay for long-term care for low-income seniors, it does not pay for assisted living.

Veterans Are Eligible for Some Support

If you have an aging parent who is a Veteran, good news: they’re eligible for certain types of support and care.

While the VA does not pay for room or board anywhere, your parent may receive some at-home services depending on their eligibility criteria, like level of disability or income.

For example, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has a program called VA Aid and Attendence, designed to help Veterans and their surviving spouses defray costs. This program includes a range of benefits, from financial compensation to disability pension, which all have specific criteria which must be met in order to qualify.

It’s recommended to start the application process with the Veterans Administration as early as possible, so you can work with your parent to determine which services they may be eligible for. 

Companionship Care versus In-Home Health Care 

So what can you do as you’re considering how best to help plan with your aging parents.

First, it’s important to know there are two main types of support you may want to look into: in-home companionship and in-home health care. Let’s take a look at how they’re different.

Companionship care, like a personal care aide or care companion, is helpful for older adults who simply need extra help to live safely at home, but who don’t need additional medical services.

In-home health care, on the other hand, offers monitoring and basic medical care from a trained aide. This is important for seniors who need help with ADL (activities of daily living) such as eating, bathing, and dressing. You can hire a caregiver directly as an employee, or find one through an agency.

In-Home Care Versus Senior Housing

Once you’ve established it’s time for your aging parents to get some extra support, you’ll need to discuss whether it’s best to have in-home help, or if it’s the right time to find a senior living option that feels good to them instead.

There are many things to consider, from how much medical support they require, to whether they’d enjoy the companionship of a senior living community.

If senior housing is something you’re considering, it’s a good idea to start researching and calling around sooner rather than later, because senior living communities tend to have high occupancy rates.

Next Steps 

Helping your aging parents map out a plan for the future may seem intimidating.

But once you start taking small steps, and learning together, you may find it both rewarding and comforting to develop a plan together.

Have questions? We’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

If you could use any more specific guidance on planning for the future, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post Helping Your Aging Parents Plan for the Future appeared first on Benton House.

But it’s also the season for something less celebratory: higher risks of dehydration in the elderly

Of course, not getting enough fluids isn’t good for any of us, but seniors are particularly susceptible to becoming dehydrated. And while it can happen any time of year, hot weather often reminds us to make sure the elderly in our care are getting enough fluids.

Let’s take a look at how to support mom and dad in feeling their best and enjoying the season.

Is dehydration in the elderly really a concern?

Short answer: yes. Dehydration is definitely something to pay attention to if you’re involved in caretaking a senior.

Let’s take a look at some stats. Depending on how it’s defined, between 6% and 30% of people 65 years and older who are hospitalized are dehydrated. While it’s the primary cause in only 1.5% of those cases, the fatality rate is as high at 50%. Suffice it to say, supporting your loved one to maintain a healthy fluid intake is part of supporting their overall health.

Why are seniors at a higher risk for dehydration?

The truth is, both appetite and thirst tend to decline as we get older. So while mom’s body may be yearning for a cool sip of water, she may not realize it. Obviously, this can lead to your loved one drinking less than she needs to remain healthy.

And beyond not realizing they’re thirsty, seniors actually experience a diminished ability to conserve water due to declining muscle mass and kidney functions.

On top of their bodies changing, there is another contributor to senior dehydration: medications that increase dehydration risk.

Taken together, you can easily see why this means that by the time mom or dad realizes they’re thirsty, they may already be experiencing low essential fluids.

Ideas to help your senior loved one stay hydrated

So how can you help remind mom and dad to get enough fluids daily?

Support with water-rich snacks

An excellent way to help mom and dad stay hydrated is to support them in keeping water-rich foods at home, maybe helping with meal prep so they can always easily grab a healthy and hydrating snack. Watermelon is an obvious one, but most fruits and veggies are wonderful for hydration, from cucumbers to salad greens to berries. And to feed two birds with one scone: these are all healthy, nutritious foods.

Get them a water bottle

Because keeping water around and accessible, of course, helps us all drink more of it! While it’s easier to fill up a glass when they walk into the kitchen before lunch, it’s likely harder to remember it’s time to drink water if they’re out for a walk or playing tennis with a friend. Bonus: a refillable water bottle less single-use plastic, too.

Make them spa water

The truth: drinking plain water can get a little bland. What about spa water? The possibilities are endless. Pinch off a bunch of mint from the garden and drop it into a pitcher of water for the simplest version. Other tasty add ons include lemon, cucumber slices, berries, or even a splash of pure fruit juice.

Drink, Rinse, Repeat

We all do better when we integrate habits into our daily routines. Supporting mom or dad to remember, for example, to drink a glass of water after they brush their teeth each morning, or before their stretches each day, can boost the likelihood they’ll remember to make it happen.

Next Steps: Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly

Could you use more tailored guidance for helping support mom, dad, or another senior in your care to stay hydrated? 

Simply call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime. We’re always here to support you.

The post How to Prevent Dehydration in the Elderly appeared first on Benton House.

On average, about 1,200 tornadoes are reported each year in the United States. In 2021, 1,376 touched down in the US, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

While many aren’t deadly, 2021’s twisters claimed about 100 lives. Which means It’s a good idea to talk with your loved one about how they can best prepare in the event of a tornado in their area.

In this article, you’ll learn how to help your loved one know what to look for, how to best prepare their home, and what to do if a tornado actually touches down in their area.

Let’s dive in.

Tornado Safety for Seniors: Know What to Look For

If your loved one lives in an area affected by tornadoes, make a plan ahead of time with them for what to do if there is a tornado alert. Here are some tips to consider.

When is the tornado season for different areas of the United States?

While tornadoes can happen any time of year, here are the times they’re most likely for different areas of the US. For the southern Plains, peak tornado season is May through early June. On the Gulf, it’s early in the spring. For the northern Plains and upper Midwest, tornadoes are most likely in June or July.

Know the difference: tornado watch versus tornado warning

A tornado watch means there is a good chance one will touch down nearby, and usually includes many counties and lasts for several hours.

A tornado warning, on the other hand, means severe weather is already present. If a tornado watch is issued for their area, it’s time to immediately seek shelter and put your tornado response plan into action.

Know what tornado conditions look like

Help your loved one understand tornado conditions: dark, greenish skies, large hail, dark and rotating low-hanging cloud formations, and a loud, train-like roar.

Make sure your loved one’s smartphone receives Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

The Wireless Emergency Alert system allows authorized national, state, or local governments to send public alerts — including tornado alerts — to participating wireless carriers. Most smart phones are set up to automatically receive WEA alerts, but not all providers necessarily opt in to using this voluntary government service, so we recommend checking with your carrier.

Understand tornado warning signals for their area

Make sure your loved one knows where a tornado watch or warning could come in. Besides WEA, severe weather warnings are issued through outdoor warning sirens, local and cable television, local radio stations, smartphone apps, and NOAA weather radio.

What to prepare in case of a tornado

While you can’t know how any home will fare during a tornado, here is how to keep your loved one as safe as possible if a twister does touch down in their area.

Designate a go-to safe area at home, or nearby

Identify a place for household members and pets to gather during a tornado: according to the Red Cross, good choices include a basement or small room on ground level like a bathroom or closet with no windows

In a high-rise, find a hallway in the center of the building, in case there isn’t time to get to the lowest floor. Mobile homes are unsafe for tornadoes, so designate a nearby building instead.

Locate a local emergency shelter

What if your loved one must evacuate their home? The Red Cross offers a free shelter program, with an interactive map so you can help find them a nearby safe place.

Put together a tornado safety kit

Include food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight (with extra batteries), matches and candles, cash and credit cards, and instructions on how to turn off the home’s utilities.

Consider a medical alert device for seniors

These systems can contact emergency services if a disaster happens, to get your loved one help when it’s needed.

Help your loved one know what to do during a tornado

If a tornado does touch down where your loved one lives, here is what the CDC recommends to do to stay safe during a tornado.

If they see warning signs, take immediate shelter

Make sure your loved one knows their safe place, and that a tornado warning means it’s time to immediately seek their designated shelter. For added protection, they can get under something sturdy, like a workbench or heavy table, and cover their body with a blanket or even a mattress, especially their head.

Seniors with limited mobility can protect themselves by covering up

If your loved one is in a wheelchair, or can’t move without assistance, they can protect themselves from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.

Keep pets indoors

They should gather any companion animals and keep them close by and under control in the safe space.

Bring indoors items that could be picked up by strong wind (only if there is time)

If there is advance warning of an approaching tornado, it’s a good idea to bring outdoor items like grills, trashcans, lawn furniture — anything that could become a flying object in high winds — indoors.

Next steps: tornado safety for seniors

If your loved one lives alone in an area with a tornado season, you want to do the best you can to help them prepare. While severe weather can be scary, knowing how to prepare their home in the event of a tornado can help calm nerves, and even save lives.

If you have any more specific questions about how to keep your loved one safe in the event of a tornado, please reach out by calling us at  855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime. We’re always here to help.

The post Tornado Safety Tips for Seniors appeared first on Benton House.

As caregivers, we know this question all too well.

Using a medication chart template may seem tedious, but the overlapping realities of old age, numerous ailments, and multiple medications means seniors are particularly susceptible to safety incidents surrounding medication.

In fact, between 75% and 96% of older patients acknowledge making frequent mistakes with their medication.

And when memory loss comes into play, supporting your loved one in taking medication properly becomes even more important.

If you’re asking us, a chart will always come in second to setting expectations, taking time for yourself, and seeking help. That said, whether your role is reminding your loved one to take their medication, or you’re personally responsible for giving it to them, a tangible tracking system is invaluable.

That’s why we’ve developed the following three tailored medication chart templates for seniors. We use these at Benton House, and recommend them to all the caregivers we work with.

Tips for medication management using these templates

• Print out a handful of copies at once for each category, using double sided paper if you wish.
• Keep them in the kitchen of your loved one, where they’ll be visible. The refrigerator is a popular spot, but a basket on the counter can also work well.
• Write out the date for the current week at the top of each page, in case you need to refer back.
• For each template, write in the name of the medication and how often (and when) your loved one is meant to take it.
• Fill out the chart as a timeline in order of a day. For example, if your loved one is meant to take one dose at 8 am, with breakfast, and then another at 6 pm, with dinner, give each dose its own line so that it shows up twice. That way you (or they) can easily check off both their am and pm dose.
• Each time a medication is taken, write an “x” underneath the corresponding day of the week.
• Keep filled out charts in a folder or binder together for a while, both to track yourself and share with a physician if any questions come up.

Over the Counter Medication Chart Template

Use this chart to track over the counter medicine taken regularly.

This category may include vitamins and supplements that can be picked up at the grocery store, or over the counter at the pharmacy.

Benton House Over The Counter Medication Chart Template

PRN Medications / As Prescribed Chart Template

Use this chart to track medications that have been prescribed by a doctor for a short period of time.

Sometimes, this may need a prescription, but this chart can also be used for over the counter medicines. The key is that it’s medicine that has been prescribed.

For example, this may include a temporary recommendation to take Advil as needed to recover from a surgery.

Benton House PRN Medication Chart Template

Routine Medications Chart Template

Use this chart to track medications that have been prescribed by a doctor to take routinely.

This could include anything from antibiotics to probiotics to medicated ear drops that are prescribed.

Benton House Routine Medication Chart Template

Next Steps

We hope these charts help you support your loved one in taking their medications safely.

Need more tailored advice or have a specific worry? Let us help. Call or send us a message to get your caregiving at home questions answered.

The post Medication Chart Template For Seniors: Keep Mom’s Health On Track appeared first on Benton House.

Make sure she (consistently) takes her medicine…

Run to the grocery store to stock up on nutritious food she’ll actually eat…

Sound familiar?

If you’re taking care of elderly parents at home, there’s likely nothing you wouldn’t do for them. But no matter how long the to-do list, we each still get only 24 hours in a day — and at least a third of that should be spent sleeping!

So how do you keep all those plates spinning, while keeping yourself sane?

You’re Not Alone

Today, about 1 in 6 Americans are caregivers for a friend or family member 50 years or older. ^[1]

That’s 41.8 million adults who provide unpaid care for family, friends, and neighbors who need help because of health or functional needs.

Which means you’re not alone. But it can often feel that way.

At Benton House we understand the patience and devotion being a caregiver of a senior asks of you. We’re launching this blog to be a resource you can count on. A place you can come time and again for friendly support and expert guidance for taking care of elderly parents at home.

For our inaugural blog, we’re zeroing in on our top three most important tips for caregivers. We’ve honed these over the more than two decades we’ve spent growing alongside our incredible community of seniors.

You may be surprised to discover that none of our top tips include things like medication specifics, how to senior-proof your bathroom, or how much physical exercise is recommended for seniors.

While the above are all important pieces of the puzzle, we’ve found that prioritizing the three tips below is the basis to a successful caregiving relationship that leaves you both as healthy and happy as possible.

Let’s dive in.

Tip #1 — Set Expectations

Set realistic expectations for you and your loved one. How much support can you provide, and what does it look like in reality?

Wondering where to start? First, get clear with yourself. How much can you reasonably commit to taking on? It’s impossible to develop clear expectations with others if you’re not sure what they are yet yourself.

It’s helpful, too, to consider why each expectation matters to you. Why do you need Thursday evenings to yourself? Why is it best to delegate grocery shopping to another family member? Knowing the why behind expectations can help both parties honor and respect boundaries.

Last, writing out expectations can be enormously helpful. From weekly calendars to last-minute medication pickup to when to hire a nurse, having at least a rough idea of day-to-day expectations helps keep life running as smoothly as possible for you and your loved one.

Tip #2 — Take Time for You

The biggest demand when it comes to caregiving? Time.

And take it from us — as our loved ones age, the time required to care well for them only increases.

Which is why it’s important to start as you mean to go on. Take time for you and other members of your family. Failure to do so can result in feelings of resentment from all sides.

It can be tough to remember — or even feel like you have permission — to enjoy a movie with friends, go for a stress-soothing walk, or sit down for a relaxing meal yourself.

But in order to show up as your best self for your loved one, it’s vital to carve out that time.

Consider this your permission slip. Taking time for you and your other family and friends is an essential part of being a caregiver.

Tip #3 — Seek Help

If you take just one thing with you from reading this blog, take this: You don’t have to be in this alone. Ask for help!

There are wonderful resources available to provide assistance in a number of areas. Your doctor, pastor, social workers at hospitals and rehabilitation centers, even professionals like geriatric care managers can offer resources.

And of course, like this blog, the team at Benton House is ready to assist with all your caregiving questions.

Have specific questions? Give us a call or send us a message any time. We’d love to connect you with specific help available in your area.

How Much Time Are You Spending?

If you’re unsure how much time you’re spending on caregiving, consider rolling through this Caregiver Time and Focus tool to get a clear sense of your current baseline. Then, try re-assessing with our top three tips to create a schedule that works as smoothly as possible for your loved one and you.

Remember Your Own Needs When Taking Care of Elderly Parents

Notice a trend? Our best (hardwon) advice for you as a caregiver centers around making sure you’re taking care of yourself, first.

Because at the end of the day, staying healthy yourself is the best way to ensure you can keep showing up for your loved ones.

Next Steps:

Need more tailored advice or have a specific worry? Let us help. Call or send us a message to get your caregiving at home questions answered!

^[1] Full report on caregiving in the United States – AARP.org

The post Our Top Three Tips for Taking Care of Elderly Parents at Home Might Surprise You appeared first on Benton House.