Writing can be therapeutic as well as a way to keep track of crucial information. Aging adults can use writing in their journals as a way to delay cognitive decline, promote emotional health, document crucial information regarding their health, and much more. Encourage your elderly loved one to keep a journal so he or she can take advantage of these and many other benefits.
Reduce Stress
Aging can cause anxiety and depression, but keeping a journal is one way to ease or alleviate those emotions. Once your loved one has written his or her feelings down, he or she can later reflect on those experiences and situations. Keeping the journal can help your loved one determine which situations are causing the stress so he or she can develop techniques to avoid those particular stressors. Encourage your loved one to be truthful when journaling, and make sure to tell him or her not to hold back.
Prevent Memory Loss
When your loved one loses cognitive abilities and memories, the effects can be devastating. However, as your loved one’s caregiver, you can suggest keeping a daily journal to boost his or her memory or prevent serious medical conditions such as dementia. If your loved one is experiencing memory loss, keeping a journal is a good way to read about the memories he or she can no longer remember.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Keep Track of Their Health
A health journal can detail illnesses, medications, procedures, and any type of treatments your loved one is receiving. Keeping track of this health information can help doctors determine if current treatments are working or if a new plan should be created.
An accurate journal of health history can help your loved one stay informed and knowledgeable about his or her current conditions and use the information to stay healthy in the future. Seniors who have a better understanding of what makes them sick can take measures to prevent these issues.
Keeping track of their loved ones’ health information can be challenging for family caregivers. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Fremont, CA, Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Manage Nutrition
A food journal can help your loved one keep track of what he or she is eating. Eating plenty of nutrients is important for seniors because it keeps the mind sharp, the body strong, and energy levels high, and it can prevent obesity and medical conditions such as diabetes.
A food diary can also be a record of your loved one’s calorie intake. Your loved one can then eliminate mindless eating and foods that offer no nutritional value. You should have your loved one record everything he or she eats and drinks, including the details pertaining to portion size and number of servings.
If your loved one needs help with preparing nutritious meals and adopting healthy habits, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful resource. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Fremont, CA, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
