My mom has suffered from expressive aphasia since a series of strokes that she’s had over the past 10 years. At first, the changes were minimal; she would occasionally have some trouble forming some words or responding to something that someone said to her. However, over time, these minor changes became something much more serious as she was rendered silent by the condition. I didn’t understand what she was going through at first; I thought that along with her speech, her cognitive skills were going as well. I guess you could say I thought that that when it came to my mother, the lights were off and there was nobody home. It certainly seemed that way for a while, until one day my mother, who had taken up painting, painted a photo of one of her grandchildren with a dog. One that he didn’t have, but had spoken to us about wanting; and suddenly I realized there really was someone in there who was aware of everything going on around her, with no way to express herself, and our family had been treating her like she no longer existed.

I immediately made changes in my communication style with my mother – I started treating her like I always had, even if she wasn’t able to answer back to me when I told her about my day or about the funny things that her young grandchildren had been up to, I knew she was in there listening. But the rest of the family didn’t seem to get it, even when my mom was present in the room, they acted like she wasn’t there; my siblings just couldn’t get it through their heads that my mom was still in there, even if she couldn’t communicate with us.

I had done extensive research on expressive aphasia, and I tried to explain to my family that my mom’s condition had affected nothing more than her ability to access language, and that by avoiding talking to her they were isolating her entirely when she was undoubtedly already feeling lost and alone. As my mother slowly learned to cope with her condition, and started to find other ways to communicate with us – the light bulb finally went off in the heads of the rest of my family, and it dawned on them, that my mom wasn’t gone; she was just trapped in a body without the language skills to make her presence known.

Sources:

1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About

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Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Working in the geriatric ward of a busy Bakersfield clinic, I often field questions from seniors and their families looking for solutions to all of the physical results of aging, and with knowledge of osteoporosis increasing, bone density is one area for concern. Many families have read that decreased bone density isn’t final, that it can be regained with exercise; particularly resistance activities like weight lifting, and while myself, as well as the physicians that I work with do encourage these activities in order to help prevent bone density loss, I feel it’s important to lay all of the facts out on the table. Recent studies have shown that while bone density is improved through regular resistance training, the improvement is only about 3% and the results only last as long as the activities are continued. The results might be minimal, but when it comes to exercise and the prevention of bone density loss and osteoporosis, every little bit helps! However, with resistance training there is also an increased chance of injury, so seniors should speak to their doctor and even a personal trainer to learn proper resistance techniques so they do not do more harm than good when trying to improve their overall health!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic

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Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Q – I’m very active by nature, and so naturally, when I get together with my Bakersfield care recipient who is a gentleman in his 70s who suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s, I try to encourage him to remain active. We’ve found many things that we have in common through exercise, which helps us to bridge the generational gaps, and our varied interests because we are not the same sex. We like to go for a walk in the park near his Bakersfield home to work on our endurance, and to feed the ducks; and since he used to enjoy playing baseball during his youth, we’ve actually started playing catch in the garden outside his home. Someone suggested to me that keeping an exercise journal will have many benefits towards his health and fitness goals; is there any truth to this, and what are they?

A – There are health and fitness benefits to keeping an exercise and nutrition journal for people of all ages, but the benefits are even more pronounced for older adults who have unique needs, and specific health concerns. Here are a few of the benefits that your elderly care recipient will receive from keeping an exercise and fitness journal:

• It allows seniors to record the exercises that work for them, and those that have caused pain, strain or other issues that they want to remember to avoid
• It allows their seniors to record their progress with regards to building endurance, since they will know when and how to increase the duration and intensity of their workout
• Recording meals can help seniors keep track of the calories they’re consuming so they know when to increase or decrease their portions
• Having a journal of regular dietary habits can help doctors and nutritionists understand how seniors eat, and make changes in order to help control diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions
• Exercise journals can help remind seniors to drink enough water everyday and take their vitamins
• Having a record of both diet and exercise habits can help doctors identify and diagnose the causes of medical problems or injuries

Sources:

1. Suite101

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Hiking is a great cardiovascular activity for Bakersfield seniors. It has the same benefits upon their overall health, without the strain of an activity like jogging, and it allows seniors to go at their own pace. Plus, when going out to hike outdoors, there is changing scenery for added enjoyment, which can make exercise a much nicer experience than simply going for a walk on the treadmill.

However, when hiking there are some simple safety tips that seniors can implement to make sure that they aren’t injured, lost out in an area far from civilization where they can’t call for help. This is a risk for all individuals who go out for a hike, but naturally, with age, the chances of injury increase. So to prepare for a safe hike, here are some things that Bakersfield seniors can do:

• Never hike alone – hiking with a friend, family member or caregiver ensures that there is someone there to help in an emergency. A hiking buddy can also help a senior get up steep slopes, or provide support over uneven terrain
• Plan ahead – study maps of the hiking area, and if taking a longer trip, leave a copy of your route with someone not attending the hike. Also check to make sure that the weather conditions will be good. Even bad weather days before the hike, like rain, can cause danger as there is likely to be slippery rocks or mud that can cause falls
• Dress appropriately – seniors should have sturdy hiking shoes appropriate for gripping the terrain. The hiking shoes or boots should be properly fitted to ensure that they provide added support and stability to a senior. Dressing in layers will also help to ensure comfort, regardless of weather or temperatures
• Pack a bag – water should be packed, and drank regularly throughout a hike. Extra clothing, bug spray, sunscreen, a snack, and a first aid kit are recommended

Sources:

1. Associated Content
2. Suite 101

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Q – My dad  is from Bakersfield and would really like to join a gym or fitness center, because he’s really motivated to start improving his physical fitness after an accident that made him believe he’s no longer in good physical health. He is, however, on a very limited budget. I know he could try to do physical activities outside for free, but he’d really like to make use of traditional fitness equipment as a part of his workout. Are there any places that offer discounted rates for seniors or at more affordable costs?

A – You might find that many Bakersfield fitness centers do offer discount rates for seniors, but even these can be costly on a limited budget. Instead, try Silver Sneakers, it’s a fitness center specifically for seniors, so it can cater to his specific needs and he will workout in comfort with other people in his demographic. The best part about Silver Sneakers, is that provided he has Medicare or a supplement plan, he can actually get a membership to this senior’s fitness center for free! A membership with Silver Sneakers gives him access to all of the amenities at a Silver Sneakers fitness center, including fitness equipment, a pool and sauna. He’ll also receive advice from a Senior Fitness Advisor, and can attend classes for seniors and seminars on health education.

Sources:

1. Silver Sneakers
2. Suite101

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

As a child, I saw my grandparents only a few times a year, so every visit was incredibly special. Anytime I was in their home, I idolized them and wanted to mimic their activities as a way to bond with them. One of my best memories of spending time with my grandmother was watching her knit; as we’d sit there and chat she would constantly be working away, often making clothing for my dolls and my toys. I tried to memorize her technique, mesmerized by the motion of the knitting needles and the brightly colored yarn. When my grandmother caught on that I was so interested in what she was doing, she decided to teach me how to do a few stitches, and I’d sit there in anticipation waiting for her to pass the knitting needles over to me so I could make my contribution. I’m sure the second I was out of the room she would unwind my flawed rows, but she’d still remind me of the involvement I had in creating whatever it was that she had been working on. One year, she sent me home with what was left from a ball of yarn that she had finished with, and one spare knitting needle. I didn’t have enough experience to knit by myself, but for years of my childhood I held on to the craft items, pulling them out once and a while to think of my grandmother and the memories that we had created together.

While the time we spent doing this art together was short-lived, it’s one of my fondest childhood memories of spending time with my grandmother, and I would encourage art as an activity to bring together the generations to anyone who’s struggling to bridge the gap.

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

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Q – My grandmother’s 87th birthday is coming up, and we are wondering what to do to celebrate this milestone. A big gathering isn’t really for her, she would rather spend time with her closer family or friends; so what can we do to make it really special and memorable for her?

A – The pleasure of your company will be the best thing that you can give your grandma for her 87th birthday. Bring the immediate family together so she can see her legacy; including her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren if there are any. Just having you all in one place will mean so much to her. Pick an activity that you can all do together that will help to remind her of her childhood and allow the younger generations to enjoy themselves too. Just creating an opportunity for your grandmother to watch the children in the family play and interact together will really make her appreciate the time together

1. Suite 101
2. Helium

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Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Fishing is a great pastime for Bakersfield seniors who want to retreat to the great outdoors and escape the trials and tribulations that can come with getting older. Although it is a stress free activity that can be done on even a limited budget, there is some pre-planning required to ensure that seniors have the right equipment on hand.

Before purchasing any fishing gear, seniors need to decide the type of fish that they’ll be fishing for, and where they’ll be fishing because the specific requirements can vary. Overall, equipment needed includes a rod and reel, hooks and lures, a fishing net and a tackle box. If seniors are unsure of what specific equipment they require, an individual who works in a fishing or outdoors store should be able to point them in the right direction.

Once they have the right gear, it’s also important to plan for the weather whether seniors are fishing from shore or out on the lake in a boat. Since weather can be unpredictable, both sun and rain should be planned for. Rain gear should be available along with sunscreen, loose cool clothing for hot weather, and a plentitude of water to keep hydrated.

Sources:

1. Today’s Senior Hobbies
2. Let’s Go Fishing
3. Fishing Gear 101

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Many Bakersfield seniors enjoy crafts, and for those who have never tried sewing or quilting should be encouraged to give it a try by their family members or caregivers. Lessons are available at a variety of craft stores, fabric stores, and community centers in Bakersfield and many of them cater specifically to seniors; addressing specific needs of the demographic including adjusting to or coping with vision impairments during crafting activities, and overcoming limitations in dexterity. These classes can teach seniors the basics, including walking them through the materials that they’ll need, additional items they’ll need to invest in to continue working on their craft projects at home, and basic stitches involved with creative sewing and quilting. Subsequent classes can teach seniors how to make specific items, many of which surround holiday themes of the season.

There are a number of benefits to seniors who take sewing or quilting lessons including:

• Seniors are able to exercise their creativity
• Learning various stitches and skills requires them to use their memories, therefore strengthening their minds
• Seniors are able to gain a sense of accomplishment from completing a long-term project
• Classes allow seniors to socialize in a lively environment with others of the same demographic
• They can create items and gifts for grandchildren and other family members
• Seniors can pass on what they learn to other loved ones

Sources:

1. Austin Stitching Studio
2. Senior Leisure Activities

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

As a senior caregiver in Bakersfield, I find that one of my greatest challenges when spending time with my elderly care recipients day after day, has nothing do with the physical aspects of care or even the emotional effects; it has to do with finding activities that we both enjoy. Especially with the generational gap, it can be a struggle to find things in common, particularly when we spend so much time together; but I want to make the most of it so I make an effort to find activities that we’ll enjoy.

Someone suggested quilting to me as a fun activity that would help pass the time, and because it’s an activity that is ideal for seniors with limited physical mobility as well. When I suggested it to my care recipient, she was very excited about the idea, because she enjoys long-term projects where she’s working towards a goal. So as the start to our new endeavor, we took a day trip out to a local fabric store to pick out some materials and some tools that we’d need. The clerk at the fabric store suggested a few items that would help cater to a senior’s specific needs when quilting, including table leg risers so that we wouldn’t get sore backs leaning over the low table; she also recommended a needle threader with built in magnifying device and an additional crafting magnifying glass.

Since we took on this hobby, we both look forward to every afternoon when we sit down, chat and work towards our mutual goal.

Sources:

1. Associated Content
2. FabricLand

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.