Planning SHERPA
Products to Keep Your Senior Safe
Innovations in technology are helping seniors more every day. We have identified several products that we think have the potential to help your parent(s). Smart Watches- Smartwatches have features like never before. Owning a SmartWatch could allow ...
How can your Senior Parent Participate on Earth Day?
April 22nd is Earth Day! You may ask, what is Earth Day? Earth Day is a day dedicated to reflecting on our impact on our planet. You may be wondering, “how can my senior parent participate on Earth Day?” Easy. Ask your senior's community how they ...
Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month. American Family Care describes Stress Awareness Month as, "a time when healthcare professionals from across the country join forces to increase public awareness about not only the causes, but also the treatments for ...
Four Suggestions to Keep your Senior Hydrated
“Dehydration is a common cause of hospitalization among elderly people,” says the Cleveland Health Clinic. Lack of hydration can have some serious consequences and put your loved one at risk. Read more specifics of the dangers of dehydration HERE. ...
International Waffle Day
March 25th is International Waffle Day! Waffles have been around since the 14th century. Today, there are dozens of different flavors and shapes of waffles. Certain waffle irons can cook waffles into the shapes of popular Disney characters or even ...
Making Home Safe for Mom and Dad
Taking precautions to make home safe for Mom and Dad is one way to show your parents you love them. Paying attention to detail will ensure the longevity of your loved ones. Here are some considerations to make to ensure the safety of your parents ...
Three Benefits of Seniors Owning a Houseplant
Every senior, whether in assisted living or retirement, should own a houseplant. Here are three major benefits of owning a houseplant: Houseplants produce oxygen and clean the air Houseplants are proven to provide sensory therapy Taking care of a ...
Bringing the Cinematic Experience Home
Seniors aren't just sitting around. Seniors want to have fun too. Below are four ways to bring the cinematic experience home, wherever that may be. Set up a TV or projector to view the film Places that sell affordable home projectors: Best Buy, ...
Shopping for Senior Clothing
The task of shopping for loved ones may seem daunting. We have found a great company that is helping seniors at home. Resident Essentials, a company that provides adaptive clothing for seniors, makes shopping for Mom and Dad efficient and ...
The Future of Senior Housing
Ever wondered about innovations and development in senior housing? From clubrooms to dining options, senior living has a bright future. Senior Housing News, a company that covers the senior housing industry, hosted a design contest in 2020 to ...
Celebrating Birthdays in Senior Living
Everyone wants to be celebrated on their birthday. No matter what age. Celebrating Mom and Dad in their community or wherever they may be can be done fun and creatively. Below are some ways to make any birthday special: Make a "Happy Birthday" sign ...
Exercising Wherever You May Be
Whether you’re 22 years old or 75 years old physical exercise is a great way to keep yourself active and healthy. Workout from the comfort of your home using just your body weight. This can be done even in senior living! Doctors at Harvard University ...
You Can Travel the World in a Wheelchair
Wheelchair travelDid you know there are accommodations to travel most anywhere in a wheelchair? Yes, that means flying, cruising the sea, taking a train along the countryside, and more. You may be wondering, why does travel matter with COVID-19 ...
COVID-19 Vaccine: Senior Living
In the United States, vaccines for COVID-19 are beginning to be distributed. While the timeline is not set in stone, the CDC has released a guide on “Who Gets Vaccinated First.” Vaccine distribution: Phase (1a) In the first phase, healthcare and ...
Holiday Meal Plan Gifts
This year has been different and the Holiday season is no exception. Gift loved ones a year of preplanned dinners. Delivered direct to the door with meal plan options are customizable and vary from healthy eats to comfort foods. Mom and Dad will post ...
Virtual New Years
At Golden SHERPA we always come back to caring for Mom and Dad. Our ideas include everyone this New Years’. Surprise your parents in their assisted living community, home, or wherever they are by having food and cocktails delivered! Here are some ...
Ask your community how they plan to ensure your right to vote.
Long-Term care facilities must work with their residents to ensure they can vote. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) suggest the following resources. Absentee voting Facilitate mobile polling Transportation to polling centers ...
Senior Financial Exploitation "the crime of the 21st century".
Taking about money with your aging parent or parents can difficult, but it's important. More and more seniors are victims of Elder Financial Exploitation, but if you know what to watch for you might be able to keep your parents becoming a victim. In ...
10 questions to answer when reading a residents agreement
Before you move in, you or your older relative and the provider must sign the Resident Agreement, a contract that lists the services that will be provided, the fees and the responsibilities of each party. Request a copy of the Resident Agreement ...
Being prepared for surprises
What basic information you want when your parents are traveling or moving for the winter? Planning helps when you're busy. Last week I let a few things drop, got busy at work, hosted parlor games at my house, and then we caught colds late in the ...
Medicare - Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Helps to cover: - inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility - Hospice care - Home health care - Inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health care institution
Tax breaks that reduce in-home senior care costs
There are a number of tax breaks that are offered to help a senior reduce their associated costs. These include tax breaks for adult children who are considered employers. (Source: https://www.care.com/homepay/senior-care/tax-breaks)
Six Tips For Caregiver Burnout Avoidance
Caregiver daughter looking down at father. Caring for your parent can be hard work. TED proposes some steps that allow a caregiver to take care of their own wellbeing. 1. Assemble your own team: This involves having contact with friends, colleagues, ...
Seniors perspective on refusing help
A recent study from the Journal of American Geriatrics Society has examined the reluctance of seniors to accept home-based support. They found 4 key themes why the reluctance was held: 1. Inability to do tasks: It is difficult for anyone to admit to ...
Signs your aging parent needs help
Growing up we see our parents as a superman/woman and consider them invincible. We get to a certain point in life where we realize that they are aging. After that point we come to a time where we realize they may need some extra help. US News ...
Understand financials in senior care
Private pay Costs are covered out-of-pocket. Long term care insurance An insurance policy designed to offer financial support to pay for long-term care services. Medicaid conversion A community which allows switching from private pay to Medicaid ...
Popular Articles
Understand financials in senior care
Private pay Costs are covered out-of-pocket. Long term care insurance An insurance policy designed to offer financial support to pay for long-term care services. Medicaid conversion A community which allows switching from private pay to Medicaid ...
Taking away a seniors smartphone
Senior couple smiling by a tree With cognitive impairment, devices such as cellphones and laptop computers become difficult to use. A senior might say that they are finding a technology difficult to use rather than admitting a memory issue. However ...
Helping you speak senior care
Activities of daily living Activities related to the care for and moving of the body, including walking, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating. Assessment A professional medical overview that covers areas such as medication, ...
Understand The Difference In Senior Living and Care
55+ living A community designed with the needs of aged 55+ as a focus (rather than young couple etc.). Typically gated. Adult family home Home in a residential area licensed for care. A room, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of ...
Downsizing An Option For Retirement
Downsizing is and option for later retirement There comes a time when the family has grown up and moved out, and the parents are left with a massive house. Downsizing is a key option to consider. However it is more important to consider what you want ...