By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a sampling of Father's Day themed crafts that can either be a fun activity to help put a senior father in a celebratory mood or act as a good gift from friends & family that can also double as holiday decorations. Tutorials use inexpensive & easy-to-find materials, many which can be cobbled together using supplies from around the house, and are suitable for those who may have hand dexterity or strength issues.
Craft Tutorials
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of patriotic crafts fit for Memorial Day celebrations. They are easy-to-do, use inexpensive & easily gathered materials, and are generally suitable for seniors, kids, or the whole family. As well as being a fun activity for the upcoming holiday, these crafts can also pull double duty as indoor or outdoor decorations with craft items such as koozies & sensory toys being able to continue to be used throughout the rest of the year.
Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Here are a selection of up to 14 crafts specially tailored to help spread the love as well as brighten & decorate February 14th. Tutorials have been selected based on how easily they can be completed by those with hand dexterity or strength issues such as those associated with arthritis or essential tremor. Most crafting steps can also be completed by children (with some adult assistance in certain cases) and thus can be an activity for the whole family to enjoy together.
Crafts
By Anna Hazard
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Caregiving Break
One of the best gifts that can be given to a caregiver is the gift of time. As the responsibilities for caring for a loved one is a round-the-clock 24 hour/7 days a week/365 days a year job, any breaks or time away can be considered a mini-vacation of sorts. These small breaks are vital for maintaining a caregiver's own well-being & stress levels as well as helping to prevent burn out or compassion fatigue. This particular present can take the form of a custom gift card that pledges that the giftee will take over caregiving responsibilities for a set amount of time (a couple hours, a day, a few hours per week) which will allow the normal caregiver time to leave the house. If helping out the caregiver in person is impossible or not recommended (ie due to travel distances, lack of ability to do caregiving tasks) than a gift card or pledge to pay for proffessional in-home or respite care can be given instead. |
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Winter holidays such as Christmas tend to be a bountiful time of year when it comes to making crafts with plenty of easy & inexpensive tutorials for seasonal items abounding. These crafts can pull triple duty not only as an entertaining activity for the whole family, but also acting as gifts or holiday decor as well.
Most of the supplies required in the below tutorials are comprised of items found around the house (toilet paper rolls, cardboard, jars, light bulbs, socks) or easily appropriated from a nearby craft or grocery store (ie cinnamon sticks, paint, sea shells, colorful ribbons). Crafts can require differing levels of finger dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination, but most are generally appropriate even for those with a bit of hand strength issues.
Most of the supplies required in the below tutorials are comprised of items found around the house (toilet paper rolls, cardboard, jars, light bulbs, socks) or easily appropriated from a nearby craft or grocery store (ie cinnamon sticks, paint, sea shells, colorful ribbons). Crafts can require differing levels of finger dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination, but most are generally appropriate even for those with a bit of hand strength issues.
Crafts
Advent Calendars
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
This is the time of year when friends & family tend to gather around the dinner table and when it comes to preparing meals suitable for senior loved ones a few guidelines should be kept in mind.
For seniors who have dentures, missing teeth, or other troubles when it comes to chewing or swallowing, food should be on the softer side and kept in small, bite-sized portions. Whips, creams, mousses, smoothies, and other blended ingredients can be used for those with more severe forms of dysphagia.
As many seniors tend to lose aspects of their sense of taste, meals can be compensated by using more seasonings and spices (with salt still being held at a minimum for those who may have high blood pressure). Food meant for older adults who have lessened appetites should also have a high nutritional content to make up for the smaller portions.
Here is a sampling of senior appropriate recipes using tastes, ingredients, and styles that are traditionally associated with Thanksgiving and other autumn meals.
For seniors who have dentures, missing teeth, or other troubles when it comes to chewing or swallowing, food should be on the softer side and kept in small, bite-sized portions. Whips, creams, mousses, smoothies, and other blended ingredients can be used for those with more severe forms of dysphagia.
As many seniors tend to lose aspects of their sense of taste, meals can be compensated by using more seasonings and spices (with salt still being held at a minimum for those who may have high blood pressure). Food meant for older adults who have lessened appetites should also have a high nutritional content to make up for the smaller portions.
Here is a sampling of senior appropriate recipes using tastes, ingredients, and styles that are traditionally associated with Thanksgiving and other autumn meals.
Recipes
Hot Drinks
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
The time for turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkie pies, and gatherings around a laden table grows ever closer, and so in preparation here are a collection of senior friendly crafts that are suitable for decorating the thanksgiving table. All crafts have a thanksgiving, harvest festival, or autumn theme and do not require high levels of hand dexterity or strength. Feel free to make preparations ahead of time for more intricate parts of the tutorials that may require it (such as hollowing out pumpkins or pre-cutting branches).
Crafts
Thanksgiving Napkins
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
What often first comes to mind when the word 'Halloween' is said usually involves mobs of kids with sugary treats & less-than-nutritional candy. Yet that doesn't have to be so. Halloween is a holiday that can be enjoyed by all different ages with more healthy snacks subbed in for those treats that taste good but provide no other benefit.
These particular Halloween themed recipes focus on low to no sugar, natural ingredients, and are easy to serve or chew & swallow and thus quite suitable for seniors that may have hand dexterity or swallowing problems.
These particular Halloween themed recipes focus on low to no sugar, natural ingredients, and are easy to serve or chew & swallow and thus quite suitable for seniors that may have hand dexterity or swallowing problems.
Recipes
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Spooks
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
It's nearly time for ghosts & goblins to take to the streets once more. Halloween is a holiday that can be celebrated by those of many different ages and so here is a mini-guide to crafts appropriate for children & seniors alike. These crafts can perform double duty as both a recreational activity as well as functioning as indoor or outdoor holiday decor once the end of the month has come around. This collection focuses on tutorials suitable for those with hand dexterity or strength issues.
Crafts
Pompom Pumpkins
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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
As the 4th of July grows near, here are an assortment of inexpensive crafts of varying skill levels that are suitable for seniors, children, or others with hand dexterity issues. Those with hand strength problems may wish to skip or receive assistance with craft styles that use breakables such as glass or make use of heavier materials such as buckets or cans.
Crafts are a fun pass time that can pull double-duty as both indoor & outdoor decor to show off your elderly loved one's patriotic spirit during the upcoming holiday or throughout the rest of the year.
Crafts are a fun pass time that can pull double-duty as both indoor & outdoor decor to show off your elderly loved one's patriotic spirit during the upcoming holiday or throughout the rest of the year.
4th of July Candles
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About
News updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care.