Columbia Aged Care

Your loved one can derive many benefits from children and young people visiting them. Whether it is their own grandchildren or children from a local school, your loved one will enjoy the companionship and it will help them to develop a feeling of purpose in life.

eHow has provided a few benefits your loved one may gain from having children pay them a visit from time to time.

Companionship:
Whether it is a day trip to the park, shops or library, playing board games or cards, these activities allow the children and your loved one to bond as well as breaking your loved one out of their daily routine.

Your loved one may also have the chance to tutor or share a bit of their knowledge with a child on a particular school project. This will not only help with bonding but it will also provide your loved one with a sense of purpose and self worth.

Bringing gifts:
Having a child bring your loved one a gift – whether it be slippers, a book, a blanket etc. allows your loved one to not only feel the joy of receiving a surprise gift but it also provides them with the feeling of being loved, valued and remembered.

Making sure your loved one feels valued and remembered is important, especially if they live alone, in a nursing home or live far away.

Sharing experiences:
Your loved one will have so many experiences and stories to tell children. Having your loved one sit with a child or a group of children and share their knowledge or a story about something they experienced (e.g. historical events) is a fantastic way to not only teach the children or child something new but also give your loved one a sense of pride and importance.

Having a child or group of children visit your loved one is a great opportunity to break up your loved one’s daily routine – especially if they do not get regular visitors. If your loved one lives alone, creating a sense of self worth and making sure your loved one knows you care is extremely important.

Read the full article here.

Your loved one can attend a concert, a swing night, a Senior International Fiesta Day or even a bush tucker cooking class during 2011 NSW Seniors Week, taking place next week.

This is the 53rd annual event and has a great variety of activities, many of them taking place in locations around Sydney. The theme for the week is ‘Live Life!’ encouraging seniors to remain active, social and part of the community.

2011 NSW Seniors Week, which will run from 20 to 27 March, will feature more than 900 events around regional and metropolitan NSW. Activities include:

• The Premier’s Gala Concert Series and the Seniors Week Achievement Awards.
• Bush Tucker Cooking Classes – NSW Seniors Week Ambassador Beryl Van-Oploo shows how to add a touch of bush tucker to favourite dishes on Tuesday 22 March at Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training in Darlington.
• Step Out and Get Active – a range of outdoor activities for all ages and fitness levels at the Royal National Park on Friday 25 March.
• Twilight Hot Swing Night at Darling Harbour with the Kings of Swing and NSW Seniors Week Ambassadors Mary Schneider and Jenny Kee on Friday 25 March.
• The Senior International Fiesta Day – a cultural tour to all corners of the globe on Saturday 26 March.

This is the largest program of events for older people in the Southern Hemisphere and is a great opportunity for your loved one to celebrate with friends and family.

Find out more information here.

Dating at any age is nerve-wracking, but seniors can have additional concerns if they decide to start dating for the first time in a few years or even a few decades. Not only may dating etiquette have changed, but being unsure about where to go and what to talk about can be very daunting.

Sharon O’Brien has provided some tips on About.com which will help your loved one overcome the anxieties associated with meeting and dating new people.

• When deciding where to go, think about an activity that encourages conversation. Your loved one won’t get to know their date by sitting silently in a film or play.
• Your loved one should tailor a first date to include a common interest so that it has meaning for both parties and helps establish a connection.
• If the first date is to be a meal, plan for lunch rather than dinner. Making conversation over dinner can create a lot of pressure, while lunch can be more casual.
• If the first date doesn’t go well, focus on the positives. Your loved one may not want a second date, but they have still practised their dating skills and learned more about what they want from a new partner.

For young and older alike, the best way to enjoy a first date is to keep an open mind and have a good time. If your loved one wants to date again, be supportive and positive, and try to alleviate their concerns.

Read the full article HERE.

As your loved one grows older it is important that they maintain contact with friends or make new ones to avoid them becoming lonely. Group activities can be a way to see and learn new things, laugh with people and stay happy and healthy.

Your loved one can easily join in with an existing group activity, or organise their own. Group activities can ease loneliness and depression, bringing physical and psychological benefits. Old Age Health Tips have provided some great ideas:

• Meeting friends. Your loved one will feel cheerful after even a short chat with a friend. Maintain old friendships by meeting regularly for a cup of tea or a walk.
• Explore the world – or just the city. Join an organised tour with a friend or by yourself. Your loved one might find pleasure in exploring a new country, or even just a nearby town or garden.
• Senior dancing. Your loved one may like to learn a few dance steps – and they will be sure to share many more laughs.
• Clubs. Encourage your loved one to join a hobby group that matches their interest. There are endless types, like golf, church, singing, exercise, craft and book clubs.

Group activities will help your loved one surround themself with old friends and new ones, and maybe even find a new interest or skill.

Read the full article HERE.

 Essortment have provided us with some simple tips to follow when travelling with a senior citizen to ensure you have a successful journey.

Most elderly love to go on trips, some just to get out of the house and others just want to have people to talk to. What ever the reason it can be a fun and enjoyable time if a few steps are taken. A trip to the beach, to view the foliage, historical places, sight seeing, apple and berry picking, Christmas lights is one of my favorites, farms, parks, mountains, hay-rides, zoo, fairs, home town events and yard sales are just a few.

Below are a few steps to take to make your trip with the elderly or what some call our senior citizens a success.

Plan
Plan your trip well, know how to get to where you want to go. Keep a map in the car or van. Know where rest-rooms and restaurants are located. Keep an eye out for Hospital signs in case of emergencies. Know the times of special events that you want to see. Be sure to gas up the night before. Have a safety inspection on your car or van.

Flyer
Plan ahead, give your elderly plenty of notice about your trip. A fun way is to give them a flyer or invitation. Make an appointment card for reminders, give a small calendar with the date marked. What ever you decide on be sure to have the date, time and place you will be going and any important information that is needed.

Handicapped
Parking in handicapped zones will require a handicap pass. When making arrangements for activities be sure to inquire about handicapped accessibility for parking, bathrooms, exits, elevators, ramps and if need; make sure that there are wheelchairs available.
 
Notebook
Keep a notebook or small tablet handy for important information. Write each persons name, address, phone number and emergency numbers and physician.

Helpers
Be sure to bring help with you. There will be times when the elderly will need help to the restroom, especially in a unfamiliar place. Some may have to be waited on, others may need help with their meals and some helped in and out of car or van. If you have any elderly in wheel chairs, you will need helpers to push the wheelchair. Some may just want to sit on a bench, so you will need someone to sit with them.

Family
There may be times when you will have to let their family members know where you are going, the time you will leave and return and the place you will be visiting if possible.

Roll Call 
Take roll call every time you get in or out of the car or van. Be sure to count heads, ask who is missing. Never let an elderly person go anywhere alone while on your trip. Be sure that you go in a group or a helper is with an individual.

Clothing
The elderly tend to get cold even when others are not. Be sure that they bring along a jumper or jacket. Remind them to wear comfortable shoes if you will be walking any distance. A sun hat may be advisable. Keep a lap blanket in the car or van.

Medicine 
Most elderly are on some kind of medication. Remind them to bring their medication along in case it is needed while away. Especially in cases where you may not return on schedule. Write in your notebook each persons name, medication, amount to take and what time it is to be taken. Keep an Emergency kit and First Aid kit in the car or van.

Money
Be sure your seniors know ahead of time any expenses that they may incur during their trip such as tickets, passes, gifts, souvenirs and of course food.

You may have to inquire before leaving to make sure they have their money with them. It’s easy to forget when trying to be ready on time. Remember that some elderly are on fixed incomes, so be sure your trips are inexpensive but exciting.

Food
Remember when stopping to eat that some elderly are on strict diets. Be sure to know of any food allergies, diabetics and any special foods that they may need. Be sure to bring crackers, cookies, candy, orange juice and water in case it is needed. If possible make reservation at a place you know would be suitable. Stop at restaurants that are clean, safe and inexpensive.

Restroom
Some elderly may want to make occasional pit stops along the way. In order for them to be more comfortable make frequent stops without asking. Be sure to advise everyone that if they need to stop to let you know also.

Reminders
The night before and in some cases; the morning of the trip you may have to call as a reminder. Let the person know what time you will be there.

It may not be as important as to where you go as it is that you have fun. Following some simple rules makes for a safe, pleasant and rewarding time. Have fun and enjoy your trips with the elderly.