Special Holiday Edition! Elite Life Care Services, LLC Newsletter

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the Special Holiday Edition Newsletter 2020!

This holiday season looks so different from those of the past. Instead of trying to find the perfect balance between work, family time and numerous Christmas parties, we must try to find a safe and healthy balance between holding on to family traditions and observing COVID restrictions.

Elite Life Care Services (ELCS) and Elite Guardian Services would like to wish all a very safe, healthy and peaceful holiday season, and a very happy New Year! To all of our essential workers on the frontlines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. You are all very important to your community and we appreciate your dedication and time!

In the constant turmoil of this pandemic, we are all looking forward to the calmness that I am sure 2021 will bring.

Sincerely,

Troy Kerber
Executive Director
630-470-3893
Elite Life Care Services
Elite Guardian Services
www.elitelcs.com

The holiday season is a time of celebration and happiness. For many seniors, however, it can be difficult to stay positive and happy during this time. To help seniors combat the isolation, lack of activity, and depression that might occur during the holidays, it's important to stay educated and proactive. Below is a guide to what you need to know about seniors and the difficulties of the holiday season, as well as ways to stay upbeat and positive so the holidays can be a more happy, joyous time.

Seniors may find the holiday season less than joyous for a variety of reasons, but here are a few to consider:

Limited mobility: Many seniors cannot move around as they once did, especially with physical limitations. This can make the holiday season less exciting for seniors, with the inability to shop, visit, and celebrate like others limiting the joy of the season.

Loneliness and depression: Depression, anxiety, and isolation are common among seniors, but the holiday season can make these feelings more severe. Whether it's a lack of social interaction, missing family and friends, or remembering what once was, the holidays can make some seniors feel more lonely than any other time of year.

Memories of the past: Many seniors have a hard time accepting that their current life is not like it was in the past. And around the holidays, memories of the past can be especially painful.

Financial burden: The holidays can get expensive. Between presents, food, and everything else, it can take a toll on our wallets. For seniors on a tight budget, the holidays can remind them of their financial stress and limitations.

Home life: For some seniors, the holiday season is difficult because many no longer live with family or at home. For seniors living in a nursing home or assisted living facilities, they may feel a lack of comfort and tradition that comes with the holiday season.

Ideas for Staying Positive During the Holidays

1. Reminisce in a Positive Way

Memories of holidays past can drum up bad feelings during the holiday season for many seniors. But memories are often some of the best things in our life. Instead of dwelling on things that are now different, focus on all the good that has happened. Use the past to reminisce about your favorite things and people. Take out old pictures, sing old songs, and remind yourself what the holidays are all about.

The holidays are the ideal time to remember traditions and friends that have come through your life, reflect on things that have changed, and appreciate things that haven't. Try using the holiday season to create a new photo album or scrapbook full of your favorite memories.

2. Take Control of Finances

While it is common to feel like you need to spend a lot of money during the holiday season, that is a feeling that must be forgotten. The true meaning of the holidays is love and togetherness, and those who truly love you would expect nothing more. Before you become over-stressed about the financial burden of the holidays, get ahead of the game by creating a budget and plan before the season hits. Give yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. Create lists and stay organized when it comes to shopping and purchasing presents for the holidays. Working through the holidays with a budget in mind will help you not only stress less about money, but also refrain from overspending what you don't have.

3. Get in the Spirit with Holiday Traditions

Sometimes all you need is a little cheer to get in the spirit of the holidays. If you're feeling the blues, try reminding yourself about the greater parts of the holiday season, like the food, decorations, and entertainment. Bake cookies and pies, watch your favorite holiday movies, make crafts, and hum along to your favorite holiday tunes. All of these things help remind us of our favorite holiday memories and traditions, putting us in the right frame of mind to celebrate and enjoy the coming holiday.

Try enlisting the help of family members or friends to help you decorate, make homemade presents, or take you to go see lights in the neighborhood. Sometimes, participating in holiday activities can help not only get you in the spirit, but also become a time to connect with the people you love and make memories.

4. Be Honest and Talk It Out

It can be hard to admit when you have feelings of loneliness, depression, or are simply not feeling celebratory this holiday season. This can be especially true when seniors may see the people they love enjoying the holiday season themselves. But the people around you care about you and are there to support you.

That being said, it is important to seek help and be honest when you need it. Seniors are more likely to suffer from depression, but less likely to seek help for it. Talk about your feelings of isolation or loneliness with family, friends, caregivers, or even a licensed professional. All of these people not only provide emotional support but also help you find solutions to the issues you are currently facing. The holiday season is no time to feel alone.

5. Connect with Those Who Matter Most

During the holidays, family, friends, and the people we love are typically the top-priority. It is a time to appreciate the people in our lives. For seniors having a difficult time, connecting with the people you love can be of tremendous help. Providing love and support, your friends and family can help get you through difficult holidays. Call the people you love often or ask them to call you. Technology is a great way to stay connected with loved ones who don't live nearby.

For those who are not able to see in person, set up a day and time of the week that works for both parties to speak on the phone. Visit family often and let the people in your life know how important those visitations are to you. Find social activities around you to participate in with friends or other seniors. There may be other people having a difficult time as well during this season and will be seeking solace in each other.

This season, take care and fight the holiday blues by heeding the advice given. By taking care of our senior loved ones, the holidays can be a time of celebration, love, and hope for everyone.

When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow. Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops to a dangerous level. Your body temperature can drop when you are out in the cold for an extended time because it begins to lose heat quickly. Older adults are at an increased risk of hypothermia due to changes that happen to your body with aging.

Warning Signs: cold skin that is pale or ashy; feeling very tired, confused and sleepy; feeling weak; problems walking; slowed breathing or heart rate. Call 911 if you think you or someone else has hypothermia.

Note: Shivering is not a reliable warning sign because older people tend to shiver less or not at all when their body temperature drops.

Precautions to Take

• Stay indoors (or don’t stay outside for very long).
• Keep indoor temperature at 65 degrees or warmer.
• Stay dry because wet clothing chills your body more quickly.
• Dress smart – protect your lungs from cold air. Layer up! Wearing 2 or 3 thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing is warmer than a single layer of thick clothing. Think about getting your thermals!
• Essential winter wear: hats, gloves (or preferably mittens), winter coat, boots, and a scarf to cover your mouth and nose.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when your body experiences damage to the skin that can go all the way down to the bone. Not surprisingly, extreme cold can cause frostbite. It is most likely to occur on body parts farthest away from your heart. Common places include your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. In severe cases, frostbite can result in loss of limbs. People with heart disease and other circulation problems are at a higher risk. Cover up! All parts of your body should be covered when you go out in the cold. If your skin turns red or dark or starts hurting, go inside right away.

Know the warning signs of frostbite: skin that’s white or ashy or grayish-yellow; skin that feels hard or waxy; numbness. If you think you or someone else has frostbite, call for medical help immediately. If frostbite occurs, run the affected area under warm (not hot) water.

Injury While Shoveling Snow

It’s one of the evils of winter – snow shoveling. If you choose to shovel, take some precautions. Remember, when it’s cold outside, your heart works double time to keep you warm. Strenuous activities like shoveling snow may put too much strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems with balance or have “thin bones” (osteoporosis). Ask your healthcare provider whether shoveling or other work in the snow is safe for you.

Falls

It is easy to slip and fall in the winter, especially in icy and snowy conditions.

Precautions to Take

• Make sure steps and walkways are clear before you walk. Be especially careful if you see wet pavements that could be iced over.
• Clear away snow and salt your walkways at home, or hire someone to do it.
• Wear boots with non-skid soles – this will prevent you from slipping.
• If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth.
• Consider an ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane for additional traction.

Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

During the winter months, it is common to use the fireplace or other heating sources, such as natural gas, kerosene, and other fuels. Unless fireplaces, wood and gas stoves and gas appliances are properly vented, cleaned, and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide—a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. These and other appliances, such as space heaters, can also be fire hazards.

Warning Sings

• Headache
• Weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

If you think you may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and get medical care immediately.

Precautions to Take

• Call an inspector to have your chimneys and flues inspected – preferred annually.
• Open a window (when using a kerosene stove) – just a crack will do.
• Place smoke detectors and battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in strategic places – especially in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves, or kerosene heaters.
• Make sure space heaters are at least 3 feet away from anything that might catch fire, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture.
• Never try to heat your home using a gas stove, charcoal grill, or other stoves not made for home heating. If there is a fire, don't try to put it out. Leave the house and call 911.

Accidents While Driving

Adults 65 and older are involved in more car crashes per mile driven than those in nearly all other age groups. Winter is an especially important time to be vigilant when driving because road conditions and weather may not be optimal.

Precautions to Take

• “Winterize” your car before the bad weather hits! This means having the antifreeze, tires, and windshield wipers checked and changed if necessary.
• Remember your cell phone when you drive in bad weather, and always let someone know where you are going and when you should be expected back.
• Avoid driving on icy roads, and be especially careful driving on overpasses or bridges. Consider alternate routes, even if it means driving a longer distance, if the more direct route is less safe. Often bigger roads are cleared of snow better than smaller roads.
• Stock your car with basic emergency supplies such as:
• First aid kit
• Blankets
• Extra warm clothes
• Booster cables
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Rock salt or a bag of sand or cat litter (in case your wheels get stuck)
• Water and dried food or canned food (with can opener!)
• Flashlight
• Map (if traveling in new areas)