BrightStar Care in Jupiter FL Offers These 5 Helpful Tips on Eye Care for Seniors

Taking Care of Your Eyes Can Add Years to Quality of Life

Eye Care Is a Huge Issue for Seniors.  Some Wise Advice

There are many things you and your elderly loved ones can do to keep eyes healthy and ensure optimal vision. With the sun continuing to shine brightly this month, it is important to wear sunglasses and use other necessary precautions.

Fighting Against Macular Degeneration through Eye Care

With UV rays at their worst, eyes are vulnerable and especially seniors. And according to the MayoClinic, risk factors like certain lifestyle choices and obesity can contribute to chronic eye diseases like macular degeneration  According to the National Eye Institute, here are a few ways to keep your eyes safe:

1. Have a comprehensive eye exam.
   This is the only way to be sure your eyes are healthy. Many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs.
2. Know your family’s eye health history.
   Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.
3. Eat right to protect your sight.
   You’ve heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark, leafy greens is important to eye health as well. Also, eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and halibut, is a good way to keep your eyes happy.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
   Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
5. Wear protective eyewear.
   When playing sports or doing household activities, don’t be afraid to wear protective eyewear. This includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for a certain activity. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics.

Don't Let Your Caregiver Role Turn into Your Own Death Sentence

Stress, Exhaustion, Depression Arising out of Caregiving for Family Members Can Result in Deteriorating Health for the Caregiver.

If you are over 40, you are very likely to have one or more family members who are experiencing declining capabilities.  And it is even more likely that you are going to be dealing with multiple family members in various stages of their end game.  Somebody is going to have to help them get through their seniors years as joyfully and pleasantly as possible. 

If you are the sister or child of this older relative who will take on the responsibility in part or in full, you are likely as unprepared for this process as you were for marriage or parenting.  To make matters worse, you are potentially very much still needing to nurture a spouse, kids, grand kids, and most elusive of all, yourself.  How will you deal with all of this, and not end up a basket case or worse?

According to a recent article in New America Media, America’s Growing Caregiving Crisis Spans Generation,"In 2009, more than 42 million Americans provided family care to an older adult with at least one physical or mental limitation... The article goes on to say:

For many family members, the crushing weights of responsibility and isolation are so overwhelming a kind of “caregiving paralysis” sets in.

“A lot of times they‘ve been so isolated, they don’t know what to do when they get a break,” said Michelle Nevins, executive director of the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, which serves 13 counties in Northern California.

A recent Washington state report estimated the rate of “severe depression” among caregivers was 50 percent. Other common ailments include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension--even dental decay, which can lead to malnutrition or signal underlying heart disease, for those who stop taking care of themselves.

In turn, the responses to stress become extreme. Caregivers often won’t ask for help until they are so overwhelmed they finally snap, threatening to place their loved one in a long-term care facility, or in some cases abandoning them.

“If they are completely overwhelmed, they’ll just take them to the hospital and say ‘I can’t do this anymore,’” stated Nevins.

We aren't reporting this here to make you even more anxious and depressed, but only to sound a warning and a alert.  You can get help.  Trained professional aides, nurses, and companions are available to help you with whatever you can't handle. 

We provide all levels of home care for Jupiter and surrounding cities in Florida.  We have received the gold seal of approval from the Joint Commission.  We can provide you with almost unlimited references. 

9 Secrets to Increase Joy in the Senior Years

 

How Do Senior's Finish Strong? Joyous Living!

In this time of endless self help books and articles that purport to tell us how to be happy, here are nine lifestyle approaches that are likely to bring us joy. 

1. Let it go - over the last 60 years or so, almost everyone has accumulated a list of mistakes, woes, hurts, enemies, losses, and other negative things.  None of it matters anymore.  If there are still unsettled issues, settle them.  Your life will double in joy if you can leave all that stuff behind.
2. Forgive - 75% of all emotional illness is tied to a failure to forgive others.  Your failure to forgive someone is unlikely to be impacting their life at all.  But it might be making you sick.  You don't need to contact them to forgive them.  Just decide you are no longer going to carry that brick around.
3. Pay it forward - Did you see the movie.  If not, rent it!  You have had many, many good things in your life as a result of others doing things for you out of the kindness of their heart.  Now you can use the gifts, talents, wealth, or other benefits that you have derived to help others.  Do it and find joy.
4. Stay connected - We are social beings, but it is easy to shut all that down.  Relationships take time, emotional work, can result in hurts, and will all eventually end.  Accept those facts and keep in touch with relatives and make new friends. Almost everyone you meet could use another friend. Spread joy.
5. Keep up - The world is changing faster and faster, and it may seem impossible to stay on top of all the new technology, fads, politics, and even your favorite personal pastimes.  Don't let that negative talk in your head stop you.  There is great joy in learning and achieving results.  Take a risk.
6. Keep laughing - You will live longer, happier, more joyfully if you take time to sing, dance, and laugh.  What can you do today to create a few full out belly laughs.  At the very least you can learn the technology to watch some cat videos on your smart phone or iPad. Then help someone else laugh.
7. Practice optimism - Every study shows it.  Optimistic people are more joyful, healthier, and live longer.  Worry never changed a thing.  Pessimistic expectations are wrong more often than optimistic thinking. Changing from negative thinking may be a major effort.  The joy will be worth it.
8. Be thankful - Make lists of things to be thankful for.  Therapists get paid $100's per hour to give that advice.  I just gave it to you for free.  Be thankful for that!  Next, write down the things about your spouse, children, grandchildren, best friend, and others that you are thankful for.  WOW!
9. Ask for help - You might think you are being a burdon to others when you ask for help.  And some folks will give off that vibe.  The truth is that most of us are happy to be asked and to be of help.  Instead of wasting time with senseless unmet needs, ask someone for help and share some joy.

Studies: Amazing Evidence of Decline in Incidence of Dementia

Dementia Rates Are Declining According to Two Studies.  Outcome Predicted by Some

Watch Researchers See Decline in Dementia, Offering Optimism on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

 Partial Transcript.  For the full transcript go to:  Researchers See Decline in Dementia, Offering Optimism for Power of Lifestyle

GWEN IFILL: New research suggests there may be some good news in the struggle against dementia.
Two recently released studies show severe memory loss declining among healthier and better educated populations. In England and in Wales, dementia rates over the last two decades have dropped by 25 percent among those 65 and older.

And in Denmark, the percentage of elderly whose cognitive abilities were severely impaired also dropped between 1998 and 2010.
In the United States, about five million people have Alzheimer's disease, but that number is expected to rise sharply as baby boomers age.

>>> If you are a caregiver of an individual and need help with any aspect of their care, from companion care to skilled nursing in the home, give us a call at Bright Star Care - Jupiter

Unique Care Together System Helps Care Givers with Daily Life

Social Media for Seniors!

The BrightStar Healthcare team has put together a social media network called Care Together geared towards seniors and their family members so that they can all be connected. Each account can be made by an adult child of a senior and use the services to keep all family members involved with their seniors.  Keep track of appointments (doctor visits, family night out, knitting class…etc) with our easy scheduling and custom task manager. Let your family know how the picnic in the park went with our easy to use journaling and photo sharing. Incorporate your activities with your other social media networks (face book, twitter…etc).

If you are in use of BrightStar’s services with CAN’s or nurses, you can use Care Together to inform your family members when our next caregiver is scheduled to come or inform them of any changes that have been made. Best of all, Care Together is a completely free service to you, whether or not our Lifecare services are used.

Please feel free to visit our site and register for free at www.care-together.com

This is just one example of the many ways that http://brightstarcare.com/jupiter is reaching out to help your family with the day to day issues surrounding home health care needs of families in Jupiter and cities around Jupiter.

If we can be of any assistance in helping you with decisions you need to make or services you need to find in the caring for your loved one, consider us your first and closest resource. 

Senior Activity Idea for Jupitor FL - Two Hour Cruise

Take Grandma and Grandpa out for a Local Cruise Around Jupiter, FL

Whether you are in the mood to take a glimpse into the glam and glitz world of the rich and famous of Jupiter Island, or just to take a relaxing boat cruise with your friends. The Manatee Queen is the place to be.
Join us as the Captain narrates and navigates on the calm, beautifully blue waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
There's no better way to see the magnificent estates of Jupiter Island than from the water.!
Family fun for all ages! Unwind, relax and cruise with us through paradise!

The Manatee Queen sightseeing tour boat has been providing scenic boat tours in Jupiter, Fl since 1988.  Recently purchased in October 2012, by DDMB Tours LLC. the new ownership has updated a lot of things to make your time with us as enjoyable and safe as possible.
The 40' Manatee Queen is a United States Coast Guard inspected vessel that is wheelchair accessible with a capacity of 42 passengers. There is also a  working marine head. On board we offer chip,snacks,soda, and bottled water for sale. However please feel free to pack your picnic baskets and coolers and  bring whatever you would like.
In addition to the being the best sightseeing boat tour in Jupiter, the Manatee Queen is also available to charter for your next private function. Please visit the home page for more details.

Jupiter Island Tour

A 2 hour narrated tour where the Captain explains some local history of Jupiter before making his way up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway alongside the incredible Jupiter Island highlighting the homes of the rich and famous. See the single most concentration of wealth in America.

Schedule

Departs Daily at 12:00 PM
2 Hour Tour
Year Round
Additional Cruises may be added during peak season Jan -April

Rates

Adults $26.00
Child $15.00 Ages 4-11
Child 3 and under FREE

Sunset/ Evening Cruise

 1 ½  hours in duration, our evening cruise is a condensed version of the afternoon Jupiter Island tour. The main focus of this trip is Jupiter Island. The Captain will narrate and point out the homes of some of the wealthiest individuals in America. There's no better way to wind down after a long day at work, the golf course, or day at the beach than on the Manatee Queen.

Schedule

Departs at 5:00
1 ½ hour long
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Departure times may very slightly with Seasonal changes
Adults $26.00
Child $15.00 Ages 4-11
Child 3 and under FREE

Rates

Adults $26.00
Child $15.00 Ages 4-11
Child 3 and under FREE

We know that as the primary caregiver for your senior family member, you are always looking for new ways to make the sunset years fun and memorable for everyone in the family.  All ages enjoy getting out and seeing stuff.  So we will continue to bring you ideas on this blog.  You may want to subscribe to the blog so that you get all of our updates. 

Then, if you need home health care in the Jupiter area for your loved one, give us a call.  We care enough to provide you with helpful ideas.  We care just the same about seeing to the daily needs of any member of your family who has chosen to enjoy living from home, but needs a bit of help.

100th Birthday Party Ideas

Celebrating a 100th Birthday Is a Very Big Deal

After much searching of the internet, I have been unable to find a statistic that shows how many folks will turn 100 in 2013.  However, from evaluating the statistics that were available, I can say without fear of contradiction that at least 6,000 US residents will become Centenarians in 2013.  Most of those will get a birthday letter from President Obama, and most of them will be surrounded by family and friends giving them a rousing celebration.

If you are in charge of helping to celebrate a 100th birthday party, we at http://BrightStarCare.com/Jupiter would love to share a few ideas with you for making that day very, very special.

Start by considering the love language of the person being celebrated.  Are they more inclined to appreciating gifts, words of adoration, just your time, or do they thrive on physical touch.  Almost everyone is more likely to feel appreciated more through the gift of one of those as compared to the others.  If you aren't sure which applies, talk to other relatives or close friends and see if they know.  Don't hesitate to ask the birthday boy or girl.  By age 100, most folks have dropped their pretenses.
How can you weave the day around that love language?

• Lots of things to unwrap for the one who loves gifts
• Letters or videos of appreciation from loved ones for the one who  appreciates such
• A party a day for a week with different groups attending each party for the one who wants time with friends and family
• For the one whose love language is physical touch, spread the word ahead of the party, so folks will know to hold her hand, or sit in Poppy's lap.

Pull out the pictures.  Blow some up to hang around the room.  Create a 100th birthday scrapbook from others.  Or you might feel like putting together a slide show using old or new technologies.  Accumulate some of the best old videos or Super 8's.  

Call the media.  They will always show up for a 100th birthday party.  If you tell them well enough in advance and send a picture, they will commonly run a story in the print edition of the paper, and put it online, too.  The print version is a great addition to the scrapbook.

Don't assume the POTUS staff knows about this birthday.  Make the white house aware, so you will be sure to get the letter.

Of course, as with so many occasions the birthday cake will generally be a major centerpiece of the event.  Maybe this year you use three cakes to show the number 100.  Could the cake be shaped in some way to call attention to the crowning achievement of the persons life?  How about a picture cake showing all the living relatives?

Carefully consider the routine of your guest of honor.  Should the party be broken into two parts around a nap?  Is an hour already a long day for her?  Or can grandpa still love a party that goes well into the night?

Even with over 6000 such events per year, the celebration of a 100 year birthday is something you are likely to participate in once or twice in your lifetime.  Take the time to make it memorable for every involved.

If your one-hundred year-old or her younger brother needs home health care or a companion, please be sure to give us a call.

Bright Star Care of Jupiter/Martin County FL
725 North A1A, Suite E-104
Jupiter, FL 33477
561.741.1200