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 Loving Arms Elder Care Newsletter | August 2010
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Greetings!
It's hard to believe that the summer will soon be coming to an end and my children will be starting back to school. This year brings a big change to our family and our five year old daughter Jessa. She will be starting full-day kindergarten! My back to school list has increased to a length comparable to the kids Christmas Wish List! It's not until I am knee deep in glue sticks and pocket folders that I realize there is so much more that needs to get done before the big day! Haircuts, new uniforms, new shoes, new morning and evening routines, snack and lunch preferences, the list goes on and on.
The "back to school" season also signals to all of us that the end of summer relaxation and vacation is near and our time available to spend with grandparents and loved ones is once again limited by school and work obligations. Loving Arms Elder Care is here to help fill those empty spots with our comprehensive services that not only meet the unique physical needs of senior adults, but also provide companionship and socialization.
Please let me know how we can help you maintain the active summer lifestyle for you or your loved one.
Aimee Read
Loving Arms Elder Care
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Keeping Your Mind Active
Music Therapy
The
idea of music as a healing influence is not a new concept. Music
therapy is the use of music to promote healing and enhance quality of
life. Music therapy may be used to encourage emotional expression,
promote social interaction, relieve certain symptoms, and for other
purposes. Music therapists may use active or passive methods, depending
on the individual's needs and abilities.
Music therapy uses all
aspects of music to help people to improve their physical, emotional,
and spiritual health. Healthy individuals can use music for stress
reduction via active music making, such as drumming, as well as passive
listening for relaxation. Music is often a vital support for physical
exercise. The sensory and intellectual stimulation of music can help
maintain a person's quality of life. There are no claims music therapy
can cure cancer or other diseases, but medical experts do believe it can
have a positive effect on an individuals health.
All styles of
music can be useful in effecting change in an individual's life. The
individual's preferences, circumstances and need for treatment, and
their goals help to determine the types of music used. Some aspects of
music therapy include making music, listening to music, writing songs,
and talking about lyrics. For more information on music therapy please
visit our web site. |
Keeping Your Body Healthy Range of Motion Exercises: Wrists, Elbows, Forearms & Shoulders
These exercises reduce stiffness and help keep your joints flexible. The "range-of-motion" is the normal amount your joints can be moved in certain directions. If your joints are very painful and swollen, move them gently through their range of motion. You should try to move your joints through their full range of motion every day. Daily activities, such as housework, climbing stairs, dressing, bathing, cooking, lifting, or bending DO NOT move your joints through their full range of motion.
Fingers
Gently bend your hand into a fist. Straighten the fingers again.
Wrists
Rest your arm on a table and hang your hand over the edge. Slowly bend your wrist up and down.
Forearms
Place your arm at your side with elbow bent and tucked in at your side. Turn your hand so that the palm faces up to the ceiling. Now turn your hand so that the palm faces down to the floor.
Elbows
Place your arm down at your side with elbow straight. Bend the elbow and bring your hand up to touch your shoulder.
Shoulders
Shoulder movement, side to side. Raise the right arm out to the side to shoulder level. Raise it upward over your head as far as possible. Bring the arm back down and then swing across the body toward the left shoulder.
Swing the arm back to your side.
Repeat the exercises for both arms.
For more range of motion exercises for this part of your body and for some exercise tips, visit our web site.
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Keeping Your Spirit Alive
Socialization
It's so easy to fall prey to the doldrums or the blues, but have you noticed that when you surround yourself with people you enjoy, it brings out the sparkle in your life. One of the many causes of depression in the elderly is isolation and lack of socialization. Limited ambulation, not driving, or the fear of falling causes many elderly to stay at home rather than socialize with friends or family.
We can help overcome isolation by providing transportation, spending quality time with you or your loved one and by encouraging participation in activities, hobbies or events that may have fallen by the wayside.
One other really important way that Loving Arms Elder Care can encourage socialization, is by assisting with the regular tasks of daily living which may be taking up a large part of your day and not allowing you to do the things you enjoy. We can help with meal preparation, bathing, and errands to allow you the additional time to socialize and enjoy life.
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FREE Hour of Respite Care.
Introductory offer for newsletter
recipients only!
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Offer Expires: October 1, 2010
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