Happy Veterans Day…I Have 1,440 Minutes to Celebrate with you!

Happy Veterans Day…I have 1,440 minutes to celebrate with you

Today is a very special day, where we take time to honor and celebrate those who have sacrificed their lives and time with their family to fight for the freedom of our nation and keeping peace in the world. Here in Keeping In Touch Solutions, we are celebrating 1,440 minutes of our day, today, caring for the elderly veterans and recording stories from the veterans.

Veterans and caregivers do have some challenges that keep them sleepless some nights:
Most of the issues are related to health care and financial matters. Do you know where to go for help? Where can you find all the benefits that you heard Uncle Jon is getting in Iowa? Your aging veteran dad and you are in Indiana and you can’t seem to find those benefits?

What can you do right now to help your aging parents who are veterans?

Visit the Veterans Affairs website: The VA operates more than 1,300 facilities caring for veterans including 900 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics, 135 nursing homes, 43 residential rehabilitation treatment programs, 90 comprehensive home-care programs and over 200 Veterans hospitals.

There is one near you! Check out their website for benefits like
Health related care
Education and job training
Home Loan
Counseling
Burial and memorial Benefits
Dependents and survivors’ benefits
Insurance
Veteran’s on limited income
Disabilities

These are just a few that are listed on the website.

State benefits for Veterans: In the State of Indiana we have a separate section on the State’s website devoted to Veterans and helping Veterans sort out the benefits that are applicable to their needs. Their main mission is to help Veterans obtain every benefit and advantage due them under the laws of the State of Indiana and the United States.

The county has certified County Veteran Service Officers. Find out from your state department if they have a division for assisting Veterans. These Certified Officers are available to answer any questions and if you are a care giver to an elderly parent or grandparent who is a veteran, don’t hesitate to contact the state department.

The Veteran’s Administration’s Social Media team: Like any other businesses and agencies in the world today, the VA has gone into social media. This is a great advantage for you to post questions on Twitter or Facebook to the VA’s attention to get immediate help. The government is listening to your need! Ask for help if you need it.

Keeping in Touch Solutions pays attention to the needs of our Veterans…we have been assisting our elderly veterans in the Indiana area by recording their stories all week and giving out information on Veterans’ benefits. We have been doing this for a long time.

If you need more information about Keeping In Touch Solutions care giving services, Veteran’s benefits or just need to touch base with someone who knows about caring for your aging parents or an aging veteran…please give us a call at 1800-788-1280 or send us your email at keepingintouchservices@gmail.com

Do you have a story to share about your experience as a veteran? We would love to hear from you. Here is a link for sharing.

Again, Happy Veteran’s Day!

 

Diana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

Let’s Get Moving and Feel Better

Let’s Get Moving and Feel Better

More and more seniors are finding the benefits of exercise and there is no age limit to moving and having physical activities. Sedentary lifestyle will take a toll for any age group…not just seniors. But breaking away from our normal lifestyle of sitting in front of a TV or just sitting around can be challenging for anyone who has not been active.

Regular exercise and movement have proven to improve our health. However, if we have not been engaging in exercise programs for years, it is best to take precaution when starting a new program.

There are many benefits to having movement and physical activities. It lowers the risk of heart diseases, reduces weight and improves moods and helps fight depression. According to American Heart Association, researchers found that 2 ½ hours of moderate intensity physical activity per week can lower the overall risk of heart disease by 14 percent.

Here are 3 programs that your aging parents and grandparents can start immediately:

Walking: Startwalkingnow.org was started by the American Heart Association to raise awareness of the importance of movement. They have a community of walkers for you to connect with to help with motivation, support, sharing goals and ideas. It is open to any age group and is a great way for your aging parents, your children and siblings to stay connected with an exercise program.

Before starting a program, check with your doctor, start slow and work out the pace as you go along. The most important thing is to stay consistent and enjoy the process. This will help your aging loved ones get out of their homes and enjoy the great outdoors.

Yoga, Dancing and Stretching: All these activities have beginner programs for seniors who are starting out in their programs. These programs offer varieties and require different set of movements and stretches.

According to Mayo Clinic, yoga teaches the art of breathing, meditation and posing are offered and helps in reducing stress, management of chronic health conditions, weight loss and increased fitness. They are now being offered in hospitals, clinics, health clubs some YMCA branches throughout the nation.

There are many types of dances that seniors can engage in. Dancing is often tied to social activities and music and it does bring health benefits like better sense of well-being amongst seniors, increased fitness and movement and having more flexibility. Usually, dancing requires participants to dress up for the occasion and is conducted in a social setting. Your aging loved ones can have time for movement, socializing and time to take care of their physical appearance (like dressing up for the occasion).

Swimming and Aqua activities: Some seniors may prefer water activities. Most YMCAs have an aquatic exercise that caters to seniors that have limited mobility or have disabilities.

As the weather gets colder and the holiday season is coming…are you thinking of ways to help your aging parents stay healthy and create healthy habits? Are you ready to help them start with a program to help them gear towards the holiday season?

Let us know how we can help. For more information about activities, programs and assistance for your aging parents and grandparents please go to www.keepingintouchsolutions.com send us an email at keepingintouchservices@gmail.com.

Diana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

You Can’t Unscramble Scrambled Eggs…

You Can’t Unscramble Scrambled Eggs…

Even though we live in a technologically advanced country, no matter how hard we try…there is no way we can unscramble the scrambled eggs and make it whole again. Likewise, whatever happened in life, whatever is done…you can’t undo. However, you can let go and live in the present and move forward.

Whether you are the sandwiched generation, aging parents, grandparents or even young adults…we have things in our life we wish did not happen. Wouldn’t you agree it is hard to live with guilt or regrets?

How do we embrace the now…the present and move forward?

As we get older, the pile of regrets and ‘should haves’ multiplies and it is no wonder 6 million Americans above 65 years of age are suffering from depression. Depression is not caused by regrets alone; there are many factors that contribute to this disease in the elderly. Some of the causes may be loneliness, lost of a spouse and loved ones, the effects of medication, immobility, multiple illnesses, aches and pains, malnutrition, lack of social interactions, no purpose or just not challenged like before. All become magnified when we are socially isolated, live alone or perhaps housebound.

 

Here are 5 ways to help your aging parents or grandparents embrace the present:

Social gatherings and activities: Spend time encouraging and make plans for them to attend social gatherings and activities for seniors or for people of any age. Places to look for: local library, places of worship, senior centers and places to volunteer. I’ve seen the elderly taking time to serve in the soup kitchen and feel a sense of accomplishment. Play it forward, become a school grandparent or be a classroom tutor or teachers helper to offer one on one help to a struggling child.

Social Media: Pew Report wrote, people ages 50 and above using the internet has increased 88% between 2009 and 2010. Social media is a new way for grandma or grandpa to reach out. Grandma posts photos and looks at photos of family members across the country and can chat live with one of the grandchildren. This is a great way for seniors to stay in touch with old friends and chat with family members all day. Grandma just increased her social network using social media…sharing stories, giving responses and posting photos of grandchildren to her friends. Teach other Grandma’s how to post to social media and show them how to upload photos and sent to family.

Read and attend classes: Internet brings the possibilities of distant learning and online learning. Grandpa or grandma has all the options of taking classes without having to leave home. From book discussions to how to use social media…there are plenty to choose from. Reading and learning will help seniors to stay in the present, stimulate their mind, and give them a sense of purpose. It may be a way for them to meet new friends and start a hobby.

Good night’s sleep: Are the medications keeping grandma or grandpa awake at night? Lack of sleep will cause them to feel lethargic and increases stress. Check with their health professionals about their health and the medications prescribed. A little adjustment in combination of medication may help to reduce sleeplessness. A good night’s sleep will help grandma wake up happier.

Thought Pattern: According to WebMD cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective way to help a person’s thought pattern. Negative dysfunctional thinking affects a person’s mood, sense of self, behavior and physical state. So grandma may need professional help to identify her negative thought patterns and move to a road of better thought. Church friends, senior centers or speaking with social worker may be a starting point.

Start a conversation with your aging parents or grandparents and find out more about their thought patterns and lifestyle. Is there something that needs an immediate fix with easy solutions or do they need professional help? Keeping In Touch Solutions often provides the first step, a daily call from a concerned care caller lets them know how much they are valued and supported.

Let go of Yesterday….can’t unscramble or undo yesterday, worry, fretting and dwelling on the past only deepens the problems. So pray and keep moving and thinking forward.

Start the day with gratitude.

 

Please let us know how we can assist you in your care giving needs. Our clients tell us that they appreciate their daily check in call because it makes them feel safe, and secure knowing some one cares about them.

 

You can reach us at keepingintouchservices@gmail.com or

Call 1800-788-1280.

Visit our website www.KeepingInTouchsolutions.com

Diana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

Senior Hunger and Malnutrition: True or False?

Senior Hunger and Malnutrition

You heard and watched it on TV, skinny kids with huge tummies and without nutritional food outside the United States. Are you shocked to read about senior hunger and malnutrition in our country?

Feeding America reported, nearly 3 million elderly persons are served by their organization each year and 30% of seniors had to choose between food and medical care and 35% had to choose between food and paying heat or utilities. In 2010, there were 3.5 million senior Americans who live below the poverty line.

As caregivers and children living away from your elderly parents or grandparents, do you see signs of hunger or malnutrition when you visit?  How do you know ?

Sometimes it has nothing to do with money. Many seniors are home bound and have no way of going to the grocery store and have no knowledge of ordering food and nutritional products online.

They may forget to eat or help themselves with a balanced diet each day. Or they have no energy or excitement to cook for themselves because they are only cooking for one (themselves). Or some may be physically incapable of doing the food preparation and cooking. They may just resort to canned food everyday.

Of course, there are those who are lacking in money and living in hardship and not sharing with their loved ones about their financial struggles because of pride or they may not want to add extra burden to their children and grandchildren.

Meals on Wheels of Association of America (MOWAA) did a research on The Causes, Consequences and Future of Senior Hunger in the United States. In their findings, senior hunger is not confined to the poor. Hunger problems also likely to arise from young seniors between ages 60-64, high school drop outs and non-homeowners.

How can you help your aging parents or grandparents avoid hunger and malnutrition?

Have regular conversations with them or hire someone who can call them at least once a day to check on them.

Make a schedule with them or with their caregiver for weekly grocery shopping. If they no longer drive, arrange transportation for a trip to the grocery store and to the local coffee shop. This will be a way for them to get out of the house and engaged in a different activity. At the same time, they can choose the food they like to prepare.

Suggest places of worship or local community organizations with activities for seniors that they can participate and meet other seniors. These organizations may have volunteers or workers that make home visitations or do some volunteer work.

Check with their doctors to find out if there are medical issues that need immediate attention. They may be suffering from a ‘silent’ disease and never complain about it. Keep in mind that depression is a constant threat to the lonely and elderly.

Arrange for food delivery like pizza or from restaurants that set up home delivery system. In this internet age, you can order food from anywhere with your credit card or debit card and get it delivered. Think of it like sending flowers to your loved ones who lives for away. You can make arrangements for food deliveries from their favorite restaurants.

Most importantly, spend time talking to them and find out where they are at financially, physically and emotionally. You can refer to our past blog posts about conversations with your elderly parents.  Keep your eyes open for new resources in your community.   http://wwwRozzisCatering.com in Indiana will soon be rolling out a new individual sized meal program that allows you to pick up your food for the week at their kitchens or you may choose to have them ship it to your door once a week. Just heat and eat –delicious!

 

For more information about getting help for your aging parents and grandparents please go to www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

 

Diana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

Disaster Planning 101

Are you one of the 1 in 8 Americans between ages 40 and 60 who is both raising children and caring for aging parents?

Helping aging parents prepare for emergencies and disaster is probably just as difficult as helping your teen learn to drive. Neither is easy- both are over-confident and want to take short cuts.

Just as you have to learn about how to handle different road conditions, different driving situations – so we must help Grandma prepare for different types of emergencies and disaster. This is a monumental task if Grandma lives many miles away.

 

It is difficult to get excited about disaster and emergency planning…especially when there are so many different kinds of unpredictable situations. Last week, we talked about what you would do if you heard there was a raging wildfire headed your way and you had to leave your home in 4 hours.

 

What do you take with you in case of emergency? Is there a game plan in place for your family home and what about your aging loved one’s home?

What kind of “stuff” will you need before an emergency and what will you need after to reconstruct your life and your home?
Is there a common denominator with wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, snow storms and ice storms? Yes, the common denominator is your important paper documentation. There will be a check-list for you to share with your loved one as well as for your own family home. Having your important papers together is just as important as having enough auto insurance to cover your teen driver.

 

So get started today > Print off the attached paper inventory forms (pdf) and get one to every aging loved one you know ….it may save them timeless amounts of grief and suffering after an emergency – many times assistance is denied if you don’t have the necessary paper work……..

 

If you don’t have a mental or fireproof file folder box….get one ASAP! Starting at around $10 at most from retailers or discount places like Walmart or Big Lots. This is serious!

 

Disaster Planning 101- Check list for inventory of essential papers.(Click here for PDF)

 

Next week will be devoted to Communications

Setting up Your family communications network.

If you have a question, email us your question at keepingintouchservices@gmail.com.

Diana and HopeDiana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

Are you Ready for the Change of Season and a Time to Plan Ahead?

Are you Ready for the Change of Season and a Time to Plan Ahead?

Many parents in our country are sending kids back to school after Labor Day weekend. The Labor Day celebration usually marks the end of summer and the changing of season is also the beginning of sporting events and the preparation of harvest and new things to come. Daylight will get shorter and nights will get colder…

After a whole summer of resting, playing, vacationing and maybe time with grandparents, our children are ready to face new friends, new teachers and new classes for the year. Like most parents, you probably were shopping this past week for school supplies and new school attires for your children. You were preparing them for the new school year.

As you are sending your kids off to school, are you feeling like “I’m here and my aging parents are there”?

Have you been struggling with the issue of how can you help your parents when they need you?

They are so far away and you have enough on your plate with the demands at work and home.

Seniors often feel like they can’t do things for themselves because they feel the task is too big. They are overwhelmed with some basic tasks and responsibilities. They are often seeking for help…but where are their help coming from?

Distant care giving is a problem for many who have aging parents…should I be here with my kids while they need me or should I go to my aging parents? How do you address these issues? How do you prepare yourself and your parents for this season?

With the recent hurricane in unexpected places like the North East States and the Earthquake scare in the same area, many citizens; young and old are shaken with unpreparedness. Nightly news on TV and even Twitter have live streams showing shoppers going into stores to get their food supplies and essentials before the storm came.

Wouldn’t it be less stressful if we were more prepared?

Many seniors are not prepared for emergencies and disasters because they don’t know where to start? Once, a long time ago, your parents were the ones who taught you ‘how to fish’. Is it time to teach your parents the same skills they taught you years ago?

Those are hard truths…yet lack of communication or the separation because of distance may be the blocks to helping your aging parents stay prepared and care for.

I’ve seen seniors in my town, on wheel chair in grocery stores, driving their scooters with a little basket in front. There is not much that can fit into the little basket. Some will be pushing their shopping cart walking slowly or with a caregiver helping them with their shopping needs.

Am I describing your aging parents?

You, the daughter living in Indiana, and your aging parents living in Florida by themselves… are they occasionally getting help from outsiders that you don’t even know?

While you are taking on your everyday tasks with work and family responsibilities, we would like to help you by sending you a checklist on how to prepare your aging parents for emergency and disaster.

What is your first step in helping prepare your aging parents?

We started Keeping in Touch Solutions because we see the need of aging parents and we want to make our services available to you at an affordable price, so that caring for your aging parents will not be compromised.

We are your first step in helping your loved ones stay independent and in their current living environment longer. Nothing helps more than to know that they are safe in their own home and in a familiar place.

Do you know that by helping your aging parents prepare, you are actually giving them a gift. No gift is more important than the gift of preparation and assurance.

Starting this month, we will be sending out a different checklist each week to help you prepare your aging parents for an emergency or natural disaster. We want to help you plan ahead.

Like the Chinese Proverb said: “Dig you well before you are thirsty.” Grab our first checklist today!

Taking Inventory Checklist

We would like to send you a checklist. Please send us your name and email and we will get it out to you as soon as we can. Our email address is keepingintouchservices@gmail.com.

Look forward to helping you prepare!

Diana and HopeDiana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.

 

How to Plan Ahead for the Conversations With Your Aging Parents

None of us grew up thinking that one day we might have to care for our aging parents. Along with our own sets of commitments and responsibilities, many of us (especially between the ages of 35-55) are seeing the need to give a helping hand to our aging parents or grandparents.

How can we find the time and ways to help them while we may be struggling ourselves? It is not easy being a daughter or a son who is being called on to step up and be the parent in the situation – after all, they have parented us for all these years. Plus, we are torn by emotional and financial issues attached to the situation.

The fact of the matter is, not all parents are created equal! Just knowing this can make our planning a bit more effective and less confrontational.
I’m sure you’ve seen them:

  1. Perfect victims- cannot make decisions and always rely on you to help out.
  2. Controllers and manipulators- want to make all decisions and they are always right and you are to listen and do what they want.
  3. The one in between- they are the sweet, caring and cooperating parents who will help themselves and are willing to receive help.

Do you know what type of aging parents you have? Thank heavens most of us are blessed with the “in betweens”. When you know this about your aging parent or relative, it is easier to start the plan and the conversation – always asking the questions “what comes next” or “what is the next step.” Keep thinking forward and moving forward!

One of the many books we reviewed here at Keeping in Touch Solutions was The Parent Care Conversation, by Don Taylor, dealing with conversations that most of us will be forced to face as our loved ones age or fall victim to Alzheimer’s. This is a good read for anyone who is a practicing caregiver.

It isn’t easy for our loved ones to think about losing their independence and freedom. But it isn’t easy being the son or daughter of a frail or ill parent living in another community – just waiting for the other foot to fall!

Starting the conversation ASAP is imperative. This is the first in weekly posts related to “money matters” – since most issues are involved with money!

Is it time for you and your aging parents to sit down and talk about any financial issues – in a non-judgmental way – they are facing at the current time? Are they in debt? Do they have cash all over the house? Do they have a right structure for all their financial portfolio and needs? Where and what are their bank accounts information and investments information? Do they have all legal papers regarding money in one location? Do they have all necessary paperwork signed and documented legally and correctly? Where is it? Can we get everything together and in one place – a box, desk drawer, etc. – and then review?

It is not easy to start such conversations since all along they are the ones who gave you the advice about money. But you can’t help unless you know what they want!

There may be a role switch going on here- which could be very emotional. While in these conversations, it is important to identify in a non-judgmental way which type of aging parents you are conversing with today. However, these are crucial times to ensure smooth moves or transitions for you and your aging parents. Don’t let it be too late.

Plan ahead with your siblings and aging parents to have the money talks. By initiating conversations that consult and partner instead of taking over…we like to call it, coming alongside your aging parents. That will reduce all defenses, intimidations and tensions.

Are you facing this situation right now?

Are you postponing the ‘talk’ with your aging parents?

Are you planning ahead with your aging parents for their needs in the near future?

We would love to hear your stories about how you started the money conversation with your loved one.

We, at “Keeping in Touch Solutions”, are here to serve. Our daily check-in call and medication reminder can brighten the day for your home bound loved one – you’ll feel better, too knowing they have connected with the outside world today.

Leave us your questions and comments. Let us know how we can serve you.

Diana and HopeDiana Beam is an entrepreneur with a vision and a heart for the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, long term care administrator, home health care pioneer, senior real estate specialist and owner of Keeping in Touch Solutions. Her passion is to see working women and men with elderly parents set free from guilt of not having time or proximity to their aging parents and helping the elderly with their aging needs and transition challenges. Diana lives in Indiana with her husband Ron and they have 3 grown children, 2 grandsons and a golden retriever named Hope and a calico cat named Ms Dottie. Grab her free report, 7 ways to provide maximum support to your parents, today. If you’d like to learn more about Diana and how she helps elderly clients through Keeping in Touch Solutions, check out her website at www.keepingintouchsolutions.com.




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