quality of life and technology Archives ⋆ Cathy Cress

How Do You Create Emotional Quality of Life in Homebound Seniors?

August 14, 2019

Homebound seniors are miserably isolated and lonely with a devastating emotional quality of life.

AARP has estimated the there are 19.6 million in the US. This can be deadly to their quality of life. There are many answers new approaches throughout the US. One is called Virtual Senior Centers. These game-changing idea magically allow older people, who cannot get out, to use technology or the phone to enhance their emotional and physical quality of life. This is a brilliant idea

Senior Center Without Walls, another approach has been around since 2004. Each week, homebound seniors can access ,over 70 groups by phone or online, all from the comfort of home. Nancy Lynn Jarvis a mystery writer living in Santa Cruz reads each of her mysteries, as they are published live on the telephone to an entire group of homebound seniors in the San Francisco Bay area. Isolated seniors can access a wide breadth of fun and games the isolated seniors can find- just by joining

The Virtual Senior Center really opens up the world for homebound senior enhancing their emotional and intellectual quality of life. It also elevates the quality of life of the caregiver because it gives them a respite and the comfort that their loved one is experiencing a program that offers joy- the joy that comes from joining a community, making new friends and learning new things you choose to be part of, an amazing benefit for homebound seniors.

We’re Still Here an art exhibit is presently in Santa Cruz California and will travel to other museums in the state, addresses the plight of lonely and isolated seniors . Art and community organizing about the lives of lonely seniors are the thrust of this exhibit , for the the 70,000 visitors expected to attend this year in its run from April to September. They can to pick cards that offer one lonely senior a visit, a ride a chances to interact with a visitor. This exhibit will travel counties throughout California through other art museums, spreading the message that lonely isolated seniors need help- all through art. The exhibit was spearheaded by Nina Simon who is now world famous museum director and author who builds and teaches community driven museums.

Quality Of Life in Geriatric Care Agencies

Sage Eldercare Solutions a geriatric care management agency is Millbrae , California, developed a brilliant program , called Hummingbird designed by Nina Herndon a geriatric care manager with a passion for quality of life for seniors.The innovative idea engages clients through one-on-one activity sessions, carefully planned outings, and individualized Therapeutic Activity Kits that can be used by family members, care providers, and other care team members at any time to engage clients in a range of meaningful and stimulating activities. Sessions might include memory or sensory games, memoir writing, armchair travel, gardening, creating art or crafts, or special outings to a place connected with a client’s past or special interests.

Lifespan a 35 year old geriatric care agency in Santa Cruz, California recently opened their Well- Being program , another quality of life program that which encourages activities to enhance emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual quality of life for seniors living in the community. Through a Well-Being Assessment of functional, psychosocial and general quality of life, a professional Lifespan Care Manager will identify areas that may promote the older person’s sense of well-being

If you are a geriatric care manager and think of adding a quality of life program that can enhance not just quality of care but the joy you give isolated seniors in your community, check out the quality of life Concierge Companion service included in my Geriatric Care Operations Manual

How Do You Create Emotional Quality of Life in Homebound Seniors?

March 7, 2018

Homebound seniors are miserably isolated. AARP has estimated the there are 19.6 million in the US This can be deadly to their quality of life. There is an answer called Virtual Senior Centers. These game-changing idea magically allows older people, who cannot get out, to use technology or the phone to enhance their emotional and physical quality of life. This is a brilliant idea.

Seniors Center Without Walls, has been around since 2004. Each week, seniors can access over 70 groups by phone or online, all from the comfort of home. Nancy Lynn Jarvis a mystery writer living in Santa Cruz reads each of her mysteries, as they are published live on the telephone to an entire group of homebound seniors in the San Francisco Bay area.Their winter catalog shows you the breadth of fun and games the isolated seniors can find- just by joining

The Virtual Senior Center really opens up the world for homebound senior enhances their emotional and intellectual quality of life for seniors . It also elevates the quality of life of the caregiver because it gives them a respite and the comfort that their loved one is experiencing a program that offers joy- the joy that comes from joining a community, making new friends and learning new things you choose to be part of, an amazing benefit for homebound seniors.

Self Help, a remarkable senior agency for Hollacast victims in New York City, put an extraordinary Virtual Senior Center together by partnering with Microsoft.. They have grown since their beginning to spread to many other cities.. Classes are led by a volunteer, like an opera class lead volunteers from a NYC opera company-.

One of the participants talks about the sense of community they feel, Marie says. “When we see each other, we say, ‘how are you?’ And if someone is missing you wonder if he or she is sick and you find out. We have a nurse who is knowledgeable and whom you can ask health questions when you see her in the class. She connects us with information she’s learned from the Mayo Clinic.”

The Virtual Senior Center really not only opens up the world for homebound senior but enhances their emotional and intellectual quality of life and downright joy in every day

SelfHelp has loaned many VCS participants all-in-one, simplified touchscreen computers with a senior-friendly interface, as well as providing free access to VSC programming and technical support, and internet access. new participants can join from all over the country and check up the website for further information.

If you are a geriatric care manager think of adding a personal assistant program that can enhance not just quality of care but the joy you give through quality of life care.

Six Areas to Cover in a Whole Family Assessment

June 2, 2013

Using the whole family approach with an aging family means doing a psychosocial assessment. In this approach you are generally focusing on two or more people in the family- your elderly client and their primary caretaker (whether doing hands on care or managing the caregiving). What are the areas you must probe in this psychosocial assessment of a whole family ?

•Past trauma– family history

•Sandwich Generation issues

•Religious and cultural issues

•End of life issues

•Quality of Life issues –

•Relationship to money

10 Easy Gift Ideas for Grandma On Mother’s Day

May 11, 2013

10 Gift Ideas for Grandma On Mother’s Day- Most cheap , priceless and fast. You have one day left

I am an expert as I have 10 grandchildren from 27 to twin boys just 2. I would love any and all of these items.

1) Get adult siblings together to send her on a trip- big or small. It could be with a community group (Life Long Learners) to local museums or gardens. A bigger one might be with Road Scholar. Just make the call today and write the gift on your card. Simple.

2) )Trip gear like rolling luggage or multiple medication medisets to take along. At, 68 I travel all the time.So do most Grandmas.

3) Gardening tools. Find out what she does not have. Kneeling stools for gardening are great for aging knees. Plants –or plant garden art.

4) Custom made art pots. My daughter and grandchildren paint pots for me and they are my treasures.

5) Technology- Like I said before Jitterbug — – I love this phone- goole and order on line

6) Free printable cards from Huffington Post –

7) Book that cover says “We Love You Grandma-“ with messages written from all the grandkids plus pictures. Cheap, fast and irreplaceable.

8) Handprints of babies/toddlers/kids in plaster of paris. I made one for my Mom is school in kindergarten (1948) and I recall how thrilled she was. You can also just take a good piece of paper, use a non- toxic, colored ink and put handprints on, write something sweet , date and buy a frame. Better than anything you could buy (except have to buy frame)

9) Promise of time with Grandma. Make a calendar for a month when each grandchild (or adult child_ will visit for an hour or two. You decide what to do- like lunch, a game , gardening ,tech 101_ Time is precious as you age – give time.

10) Technology – Tablet that will do Skype or Face time. The best gift is a visit from family on a regular basis. If you live long distance ,this is a great way to visit. Arrange and pay for someone to teach her how to use. It

How Do You Create Emotional Quality of Life in Homebound Seniors?

April 29, 2013

The Virtual Senior Center really not only opens up the world for homebound senior but enhances their emotional and intellectual quality of life and downright joy in every day

If you are a geriatric care manager think of adding a personal assistant program that can enhance not just quality of care but the joy you give through quality of life care.

10 Easy Gift Ideas for Grandma On Mother’s Day

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