How to support the elderly with stress – blog 3

For the third blog in our series for Stress Awareness Month, we are focussing on our service users, looking at the stress they suffer from and how to support them. Everyone experiences stress, from all ages and all health ranges. But, looking out for our more elderly service users is important so that we ensure their mental health is being cared for as well as their physical health. Stress as you get older When we experience stress, our brain releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to give us the energy and focus we need to get through the situation causing us this stress. However, over time, our brain struggles to produce the right amount of these hormones meaning that we can end up producing too much which makes them harder to shut down. As we get older, we can find stress to be even more overwhelming and may struggle to handle it as well as we once did. Perhaps it’s due to experiencing the loss of an elderly spouse or friend, or maybe living alone and feeling isolated is becoming too much. It might be daunting losing independence, too, with having carers in your home or going into a care home. Physical health limitations can cause stress too, making even everyday tasks more stressful. Signs that someone is experiencing stress As a friend, family member or care giver, looking out for the elderly and their mental health is something we can do to make sure they aren’t suffering alone. Some signs they may be feeling particularly stressed are: Mood swings: increased irritability, sadness, or depression Being forgetful: may be as simple as names or places Lacking concentration Changed sleeping pattern or insomnia Regular tension headaches or heart palpitations Changes in eating habits: eating more or less than usual Not wanting to socialise or participate in activities they used to enjoy What to do if you’re feeling stressed Pinpoint what’s making you feel stressed: It will be a lot easier to work on eliminating your stress if you know what’s causing it. Exercise: It seems cliché but getting your heart rate up is a known mood-booster. Any form of exercise that can release some serotonin will help, and it doesn’t have to be vigorous or intense – especially if you struggle with physical activity. Here is an example of an exercise class tailored to keeping active in later life, doing gentle chair-based exercise to boost circulation, increase mobility and strengthen muscles. Switch up your routine: Try something new. Maybe starting your day off with something different like a walk or a new breakfast, or trying out a new hobby, can help you mix up your day and put your energy into something new. Try stress relief techniques: You may have brushed off the idea of trying meditating, deep breathing exercises, or even yoga, but they are all ways to relieve tension and let go of anxiety. It may help to try a meditation podcast to get started, such as The Daily Meditation Podcast, or to follow a YouTube video for yoga so you can try it in the comfort of your own home. How to support an elderly loved one or service user experiencing stress Encourage social interaction: They may be reluctant to socialise, but with some encouragement and support you may be able to help them get out of their rut and meet people. You could accompany them to a club or help them sign up to do some volunteering. Be a listening ear: Perhaps they feel embarrassed or like a burden to ask you to talk, so offering a listening ear and telling them you want to help might make them feel more at ease. Reassurance: Letting them know they’re not alone and that they’ll be okay may be the reassurance they need. Looking for solutions with them, such as respite care organisations or encouraging them to be positive, may relieve them from feeling powerless. For further advice on how to support the elderly with stress, follow this link.

New Year, New You… New Career?

New Year, New You… New Career? We’re halfway through January now and we’re curious – are you enjoying your current role? Do you feel fulfilled? Do you feel like you are contributing and making a difference? If not, we have a solution! Here at React Homecare, we are open to those who have experience in Care, but also those who don’t. We offer fantastic training when you start your career with us so that you understand the protocols as well as feel competent and confident in delivering the high quality services we provide for our Service Users. There are also other opportunities available such as career development and progress, and additional qualifications such as a gaining a Health and Social Care Diploma up to Level 5. How do I apply? We have Home Care Assistant roles available at most of our branches, so all you need to do is:1) Make sure your CV is updated2) Find your nearest React Homecare branch3) Email recruitment@reacthomecare.co.uk with your CV, closest React Homecare branch and the job title, Home Care Assistant4) Sit back and look forward to hearing from us! If you are a caring and reliable individual, React Homecare is the place for you. Here’s to getting you started with us and making a difference to another person’s life today!

React Homecare Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Society

On Friday 3rd December, staff in the Head Office at React Homecare participated in Elf Day in support of Alzheimer’s Society. All staff dressed up, whether it was the full outfit, a festive elf onesie or just an Elf hat – the efforts were very impressive and kept spirits high! We work hard here at React Homecare in order to provide the high quality services to those who need our help, and it’s great that we have the environment where we can join in in raising money for charities and have some fun with it! We are pleased to announce that we have raised £110.00 for the Alzheimer’s Society and we hope to continue raising awareness about the fight against Dementia. It is a topic close to our hearts as it is one of the services we offer at React Homecare. Thank you for all the support and to the staff we have here who helped make it happen! All donations were made digitally to continue and further ensure safety amongst our staff. If you feel that we can help a loved one of yours who is battling dementia, give your local branch a call and let’s have a conversation about what we would be able to do to help. If you would like more information about the Alzheimer’s Society, please follow the link: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Movember 2021 at React Homecare

This year, React Homecare took part in Movember. Movember is the leading charity who are “changing the face of men’s health”. They raise awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer and in doing so, are also creating a supportive environment for men all over the world to feel that they can speak up in. Since starting the movement in 2003, Movember has funded over 1,250 men’s health projects globally and they’re not stopping there. By 2030, their aim is to reduce 25% of men dying prematurely. So, to support this movement and all the men we have in the offices, as Service Users, as family and as friends, we at React Homecare decided to take part! We had individuals who: Grew a moustache Walked/ran/cycled 60km over the month – this is for the 60 men that are lost to suicide every hour around the world Had a Mo-ment Mo-ed their own way – some individuals set their own challenges such as 100 squats a day/a week to push themselves.   If we can help contribute to raising awareness and funding more men’s health projects that result in saving people’s lives, we’re all for it.   For more information about any topics mentioned above, please see the following links: Movember: https://uk.movember.com/?home Mental Health/Suicide Prevention: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ Prostate Cancer: https://prostatecanceruk.org/ Testicular Cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/