Houseplants for the Elderly--Practical Gift Ideas for Seniors

6 Houseplants for the Elderly

Having a houseplant (or two, or three) is healthy for every human being. They purify the air and provide emotional and visual gratification. So why wouldn't the elderly benefit from some live greenery as well?


Actually, caring for a plant can help elders have a sense of purpose. For those who have spent their lives caring for a spouse, children pets, etc. and who are now alone, a plant can still feed those nurturing instincts without requiring too much expense or physical exertion.

Someone who spent a lifetime gardening outdoors, but can no longer do so, may still need that connection to nature. Making things grow and thrive is rewarding, and having the plants in the house to see all the time can be a mood booster. 


Here are few plants that make great gifts for seniors, and some additional tips for making sure you give a plant that is an enjoyable, healthy gift:

How to Win An Elderly Person's Trust--Tips from and Elder Companion (Guest Post)

Sometimes the elderly have a reputation for being a bit irritable. This trait can manifest itself quite strongly when seniors are placed in the hands of new caregivers, companions or medical staff. 

Care providers may face a tough first week (or longer) being met with distrust, dislike, and ill-temper from their new patients. So, how do you break the ice and make friends with the seniors you've come to help? 

Today's guest post talks about just that. Leah has worked with seniors for over 20 years, as a home health worker, nursing assistant, and personal companion. She gives her best tips on winning the trust of the elderly below: 

What Caregivers Should Know About UTI's In the Elderly

UTI's can be deadly for senior citizens. Caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms. 

Urinary tract infections, also called UTI's, in the elderly are bad news.  For the average person, a bladder/kidney infection can be nothing more than a brief nuisance, or it can cause major discomfort and require medicine and rest.


For the elderly, a UTI is an emergency that requires immediate treatment. The elderly are at higher risks of developing UTI's, but don't exhibit the same symptoms as younger sufferers. Because of the apparent lack of signs and symptoms, the entire body can be affected before an infection is even suspected and diagnosed.


Here are some things caregivers should know about UTI's, and how they exhibit themselves in seniors.

Caregiver Respite for Peace of Mind (Guest Post)

Respite care for caregivers can provide peace of mind.
Photo courtesy of author

Caregiver respite is the topic of today's guest post, and its a very important subject. Not enough caregivers take time to care for themselves. The result is a struggling caregiver who is spread too thin to take care of any of his or her responsibilities safely and efficiently. 

Jacqueline Hatch of Seniorly.com shares some options for overworked caregivers below: 

Elderly Caregiving--Who Are The Medical Professionals?

A guide to medical professionals who care for the elderly. 

From surgeons to Home Health Aides, from family caregivers to psychiatrists--the field of geriatrics is broad and often confusing.


If you are embarking on the journey of caregiving for an elderly loved one, it may be surprised how many medical professionals you will get to know. They all play a special part in caring for your relative, and many will be there to support you as well.


But at first, it may be confusing. Who are all these people? Do you need them? How are you supposed to which person is the right one to tell about each issue or concern?



To help, here is a quick look at some of the many health care workers you may meet while being an elder caregiver:

Newbie Caregiver Guide to Different Types of Elder Care Facilities and Services

Guide to Different Types of Senior Care Facilities. 

Respite Care or Skilled Nursing Care--What is the Difference?

Are you a new caregiver? Are you a bit overwhelmed by the many different types of elder care facilities and services you see advertised?

You aren't alone. Even seasoned caregivers sometimes get confused when it comes time to choose the most appropriate place for their elderly loved one.

In this guide, I hope to clarify the basics of the many types of senior care options available to you. From here, you can choose to research the most relevant services for your individual situation.

Happy Easter From Elder Care Issues

May everyone have a wonderful holiday filled with fun, chocolate and precious memories to cherish. 

Don't forget to include the elderly, and always remember...you can never take too many photos. 

Happy Easter!

Is Telehealth the Solution for Rural Caregivers?

Telehealth is a growing trend in modern healthcare. This form of remote medical care could soon improve the lives of thousands of elders and caregivers.


Isolation is not a new issue for caregivers. With the majority of caregiving responsibilities falling on one person, it can quickly lead to problems. Sadly, not all caregivers have access to respite care, home health aides, and other means of temporary relief.


What does this do?

Managing Healthcare for Your Elderly Parent

When you take on the role of caregiver, managing a senior's healthcare becomes a full-time job. 

If your elderly relative can't make decisions for themselves, then you may be doing everything from scheduling appointments to making sure that two prescriptions are safe to take together.


Getting organized from the beginning can help make these new responsibilities less stressful. But before you get in too deep, here are some things to consider and some tips.

Helpful Terminology for New Caregivers

A helpful guide to caregiving terms and abbreviations. 

Have you just taken over the role of family caregiver? If so, you may soon find yourself bombarded with hundreds of unfamiliar words and confusing terms.


If you aren't a medical professional, then you can be quickly overwhelmed with you see these words  appear on paperwork. (and there will be a lot of paperwork).


The following guide won't make you an expert overnight, but it will give you a quick introduction to some of the most common terms you will hear and read as a caregiver: