A Happy Family

Elder Care That Actually Cares

>> Jul 4, 2018

Elder Care That Actually Cares

A Frightening Problem

As of late, it seems that there have been more and more cases of elder abuse at certain homes for seniors. Considering that these seniors often require additional care that their family members are unable to provide, the abuse is even more startling and wretched. Because of this taint that has spread surrounding elder care homes, you may be unsure of placing your loved one in one of these facilities. However, there are still senior homes out there who actually provide excellent service for their residents. From offering a home health aide to actually providing a room and medical care for your loved one, you should consider the services of Arcadia.

image:www.arcadiahomecare.com/Blog

Care At Home

One of the best services that Arcadia has to offer is their At-Home Non-Medical Care. Sometimes, you and your family are too busy or live too far from a loved one to be able to assist them in the way that they need. That's where Arcadia comes in to help. They can look after your loved one and make sure that they have the help and company that they need. Too often, seniors don't actually want to leave their homes. In many cases, there isn't really much of a reason to so long as they have occasional help here and there. Arcadia can provide a trained, sympathetic, and compassionate member to be that companion and caregiver your loved one needs.

In cases of illness, the familiarity of home can help a senior to heal faster and more effectively. Being outside of the home can be a jolting experience for their immune system. As such, it's often better to have them stay in their homes and live independent lives for as long as they can. Arcadia team members can wash your loved one, help them get around the area, ensure their house is clean, prepare and serve their meals, provide companionship, and make sure that they're receiving adequate amounts of exercise. Rest assured with Arcadia.

Why You Should Buy These 3 Essential Oils For Your Home and Family

There is an essential oil to treat just about any ailment or unfortunate condition you may find yourself in! Whether you are trying to sleep better or just looking for a quick mood booster, they always manage to come in handy.

image:pixabay.com/en/essential-oils-oil-fragrance-bottle-2918183

Although I keep a full stock at all times, there a few essential oils that my family uses more often than others. Ditch your first-aid kit and toxic cleaning supplies and grab these 3 charms!

1. Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is easily one of my favorites! I start most mornings off with a cup of lemon water, but if I am in a rush, it's lemon oil to the rescue! Try swapping your morning joe for a cup of water with a few drops of this oil for an incredible energy boost, while also strengthening your immune system.

Lemon oil carries a very fresh, stimulating scent; it is very calming in nature and we can all use a little more zen. Adding a few drops to your bath water can calm your mental fatigue and anxiety by giving your mind an overall recharge! This will keep your family revived during stressful exams and busy days at the office.

This one is for the primary home cleaner. Though you may find many effective cleaning products on the shelves, most of them contain harmful ingredients and should not be inhaled long term. It's probably time that you start making your own cleaning agents. Lemon oil is a natural disinfectant as well as an antibacterial and antifungal. Just add about 12 to 15 drops to a spray bottle of equal parts vinegar and water, shake well and you have found yourself a practical, all-purpose cleaner!

2. Lavender Oil

I doubt there will ever be a time that I will run out of lavender oil! Diffusing this herb will keep your family feeling stress free as it is commonly used as an antidepressant and pain reliever. It has been studied extensively for its ability to relieve stress and physical pain, with impressive results for both conditions.

It is also an excellent mild sedative that can be incredibly helpful when dealing with insomnia. Quick story: I gave my sister a bottle a few years ago for her son's first birthday, and I gave her lavender for a very specific reason. She was going through a difficult time because he not only only hated naps, but he also happened to be a night owl! I told her to diffuse some in his room the next time he didn’t want to go to sleep but she didn’t listen to me right away.

A weeks passed and one night she called me asking for advice to get him to sleep and I reminded her to use the oil (and diffuser) I gave to her. I told her to do it right away and I stayed on the phone and within 10-15 minutes, he was fast asleep! Even better, he slept through the whole night!

3. Peppermint Oil

If you have a headache, suck on a peppermint - or better yet, just grab some peppermint oil. Peppermint essential oil is a powerful headache reliever and pain reducer. Massaging it directly to your muscles and joints will keep the chiropractor away.

My husband suffers from "chronic stuffy nose syndrome". Yes I totally made that name up. But, if this sounds like a familiar condition, try inhaling a some peppermint oil to unclog your sinuses the quick, natural way. It never lets me down.

Final Word

Essential oils are incredible household hacks that can be used to tackle a bunch of problems and issues the average household faces. Whether it’s a stuffy nose, a stressful day or insomnia, there’s an essential oil that could come in handy and lemon, peppermint and lavender are the best ones to start with.

Things to Do When You’re Running Low on Self-Esteem

Everyone’s had one of those days when you want to throw all of your clothes out the window and hole up in your bedroom alone with no makeup and the covers pulled all the way up. The thing is, most of us can’t just get back into bed and spend the entire day shutting the world out. Instead we have to get dressed anyway and go do the same things we do every other day. So how do we push through those low self-esteem days and make ourselves feel better? Take a look at these five easy things you can do to instantly give yourself a boost and feel more positive about your body and yourself.

image:pixabay.com/en/window-view-sitting-indoors-girl-1081788

Put on clothes that you feel comfortable and cute in

You’ve all heard the phrase, “beauty is pain” but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. When you’re feeling down on yourself, try choosing an outfit for the day that you feel comfortable in. Throw on your favorite comfortable, supportive bra, like the ones made by True and Co. and a flowy top. Maybe try that new t-shirt dress you’ve been meaning to try out but haven’t. You will still look adorable but won’t have to be focused so heavily on how uncomfortable your pants are or your bra straps digging into your shoulders.

Try out a mindfulness app

Mindfulness is a hot topic right now and after trying it out, it’s easy to see why. Take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to get better attuned to your own feelings and how you’re experiencing the world around you. It does wonders for quieting down the negative thoughts and puts your mind at ease. There are so many fantastic apps for this available right now.The Calm app offers an introductory set of mindfulness meditations that can really ease you into the practice.

Take a break from social media for the day

According to New York Behavioral Health, “as people use social media sites in their everyday life, they risk overexposure to upward social comparison information that can have a cumulative negative effect on their well-being.” In short, frequent use of social media lowers self-esteem. So on those days when you’re already feeling low, take a break from the constant rotation of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, repeat and instead leave your phone in your pocket or in a drawer for a few hours.

Write down your accomplishments

Taking the time to write down the things you’ve done for the day, week, month, or year can do wonders for how we feel about ourselves. So often people tend to shy away from talking about their accomplishments and instead focus on the things they did wrong or failed to do. In actively thinking about the things you have done that you’re proud of and putting them onto paper, you are giving yourself a visual representation of your accomplishments and allowing yourself to feel good about them.

Those low self-esteem days can be so difficult to get through. But most of the time, hiding away is not an option. When those days come around, it can be so helpful to have a stockpile of ideas that will get you over the hump and feeling better about yourself.