Tools
for Living Senior Style - The Wright Stuff
The
Wright Stuff Caregiver Products - Shop for caregiving
products, disability aids, elderly care products, nursing
home supplies and home medical supplies.
The Wright Stuff (thewright-stuff.com)
is a wonderful resource for health care products and useful
tools, appliances, equipment and rehab products to make daily
tasks less difficult.
If you are struggling to do everyday
things because of pain from arthritis, visit thewright-stuff.com to see the unique products they have to make life easier.
The
Wright Stuff Arthritis Aids - Products that help you reach,
cook, bathe & dress easier.
My favorites are the
ergonomically designed kitchen utensils to help with weak
hands or other hand and finger disabilities.
Folding shopping cart with wheels - Ideal
for carrying groceries or laundry to/from home or auto. Exceptional high quality and durable 4 wheel compact foldable
cart.
Or, an Auto Handy Bar - Provides
secure assistance for getting in and out of a car.
Extensive
selection of arthritis pain management products
They've got lots more. Visit thewright-stuff.com
to see the complete line of products today.
National Assisted Living Week
September
National Assisted Living Week® (NALW) is celebrated every year beginning
on Grandparent’s Day.
ALW week highlights the crucial role assisted living residences play in helping
our nation’s seniors and people with disabilities enjoy a meaningful quality
of life. Caregivers deliver loving care and services to about 1 million residents
who live in an estimated 36,000-licensed assisted living and residential care
facilities nationwide.
On any given day, residents participate in recreational and therapeutic activities,
and visit with family, friends, and fellow residents. Caregiving professionals
provide assistance with basic human needs such as bathing, toileting, dressing,
eating, or taking medicine. People who work in assisted living residences see
their care giving duties as a calling and are trained to maintain a resident’s
right to make his or her own choices about their daily life and routines.
The
nation’s professional assisted living community—the American Association of
Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the Assisted Living Federation of
America (ALFA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)—will continue
its collaboration in celebrating the week in unison for the third consecutive
year. CNL Retirement Corp., a real estate investment trust located in Orlando,
Fla., continues its support of NALW through a corporate sponsorship. CNL is
one of the nation’s leading investors in the seniors housing market, specializing
in the acquisition of premium independent and assisted living communities.
NALW was created in 1995 by NCAL and is a registered trademark.
For more information about previous NALW celebrations, please visit www.nalw.org.
The American Health Care Association and The National Center
For Assisted Living represent nearly 12,000 non-profit and for-profit nursing
facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons
with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Members of AHCA and NCAL
are long term care providers who believe that the individuals they serve are
entitled to a supportive environment in which professional and compassionate
care is delivered in a safe and secure setting.
Grandparents Day - September (USA)
Grandparents Day occurs on the first Sunday after Labor Day (Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in
September).
National Grandparents
Day: The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian
McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation
was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped
to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents
could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents
Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. For
2006, Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 10th. (National
Grandparents Council & National Grandparents Day web site)
Grandparent Quotes
"In youth we learn; in age we understand."
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830-1916); Austrian novelist.
 First
Time Grandparents
Becoming a first-time grandparent is exciting - an event
many people look forward to with great anticipation in later
life. The first snapshot that reaches your anxious hands,
the first time holding your grandchild’s tiny, sweet-smelling
body in your arms.
The first time hearing the long awaited words “grandma,”
or “grandpa” from cherub lips all will make your
heart melt with pride, joy, and love.
 On
Becoming a Grandparent
©2006 Lori S. Anton, editor Savvy-Baby-Gear.com
Whether you live a great distance away, a few towns over, or just around
the block, you can have a very positive impact on your grandchild’s life,
become an important role model, and be of great help to your daughter or son
– new in their role as a parent.
First Things First…the New Parents
To ensure that things get off to a good start it is important
to
consider the following: How much help and advice is too
much? After all,
you don’t want to overwhelm new parents, not yet comfortable
or confident
in their new role as parents. Or make it appear as though
you question
their competence.
To avoid possible offense, it might be best to offer advice
sparingly,
except when specifically asked. Once the new parents understand
that
your motive is genuine, and not because you think they are
not doing a
good enough job, they will relax and better appreciate your
unique role
as grandparent.
It is also a good idea not to criticize the efforts of
your child in
their role as parent – or the efforts of their spouse.
Unless the child’s
safety, health, or emotional well-being is at risk, at which
time
helpful suggestions instead of pointed criticism will produce
better
results. Remember, your goal is to help create a happy and
loving environment
for your grandchild, not one marred by hurt or resentment.
That aside, let’s looks at the many positive ways
you can add to the
quality of your life and that of your grandchild, at the
same time
benefiting the lives of others involved.
Building a Special Bond with Your Grandchild
As a grandparent, you have the golden opportunity to play
a very
important and positive role in their life – now, and
in years to come.
If you live nearby, one way to spend quality time with
your grandchild
is to baby sit, as time and health permit. This not only
provides you
precious moments alone with your grandchild, but new parents
benefit
from time off by themselves. It is healthy for parents to
take a
“breather” every now and then, and what better
person to care for the baby than
you, the grandparent?
Babies love to be rocked. They also enjoy pleasing sounds;
singing
softly is soothing to a baby, and creates a sense of contentment.
The more
you talk and sing to your grandchild, the quicker they will
learn the
sound of your voice, the sooner they respond with gurgles
and giggles
every time you enter the room.
 The
Joys of Reading
Toddlers and young children love to be read to. Snuggling
down in a
chair with your grandchild, reading, laughing, and giggling
together
builds a closer bond between you and your grandchild. It
also helps the
child develop listening, reasoning, and language skills.
Select interesting, age-appropriate stories, ones with
plenty of bright, colorful pictures. Choose stories that
stress good moral values, and teach life-lessons. After
reading the story, ask your grandchild questions about the
story; discuss what happened, what the character did or
did not do, and why.
Educators frequently emphasize the importance of the first
three years
of a child’s life. The size of their brain grows 90%,
new skills are
learned, and their unique personality blossoms. Engaging
a young child
in conversation encourages them to share their thoughts
and feelings.
Reading to them piques interest in literary works early
in life. Both
facilitate good communication and socialization skills.
Long-Distance Grand Parenting
Even if you live a great distance away you can still have
a big impact on your grandchild’s life. Precious moments
visiting back and forth will feel all too short; but such
visits will be precious and time spent together remembered
with fondness.
When grandchildren do visit, lots of hugs and planning
a special activity together is important. A trip to the
park or playground, playing a game, sharing a banana split
at an ice cream shop all offer the opportunity to talk and
share; filling in the missing months or years between visits.
Distant grandparents can also take advantage of modern
technology; the
Internet, fax machines, and telephones. Cell phones –
especially those
that allow the exchange of pictures – are great and
help bridge the
miles.
E-mailing pictures and messages over the Internet is an
inexpensive,
convenient, and fun way to maintain daily contact. Computer
programs that
allow voice messages and digital cameras for on-the-spot
photo sharing
enhance exchanges and are the next best thing to actually
being there.
At Savvy-Baby-Gear.com, we know that grandparents have
the potential to impact their grandchildren’s lives
in very tangible ways. They also have a marvelous opportunity
to teach grandchildren about family history; linking the
past with the present, giving that child a deep sense of
belonging.
©2006 Lori S. Anton, editor Savvy-Baby-Gear.com
Lori S. Anton has been a published writer
for nearly 30 years. She is founder and editor of Writers
Write Now, offering original professionally written SEO
custom content, quick content, and free content for web
sites. Visit Writers
Write Now.
Lori is also editor for the Savvy Baby Gear
web site at http://www.savvy-baby-gear.com,
your one-stop shop for everything today’s parents of
infants need: clothes, educational and fun toys and activities,
care and safety products, clothing, nursery supplies, and
educational aids for mom and dad. Visit Savvy
Baby Gear - essentials for happy babies and parents.
© Lori S. Anton Savvy Pet Editor
Top
10 Power Foods
According
to a recent article by AARP, avocado, salmon, apples,
and chicken are supercharged sources of health and energy.
Read all about it, and get some yummy recipes at
the AARP web site.
 Spotting
the Spoiled Child
Is your child or grandchild "spoiled?"
That depends on your interpretation of the meaning. For some
medical professionals, the sign of a spoiled child is one
with the "I want, I want" syndrome. Another describes
a .." spoiled kid is someone who sits inside on a cold
day -- sipping hot chocolate and watching TV -- while her
dad shovels snow in the driveway, says Kindlon. He notes that
such children often feel entitled not to have to contribute
to responsibilities. They also usually have parents that emotionally
indulge them -- for example, excusing them from chores because
they already have a tough school schedule." Read
this interesting article at WebMD.com
Grandparents
as Parents
Did You Know?
"According to the US Census Bureau, there
was a 30% increase from 1990 to 2000-from 3.5 million in 1990
to 4.5 million in 2000-of children living in grandparent-headed
households. In 1998, 1.4 million children lived in a household
where neither parent was present and the grandparent assumed
the role of primary caregiver."
Mind
Stretchers
Take this mini-quiz
just for fun to see how sharp you are today - or to beef up
those cerebral cells! More
mini-quizzes - IQ, Personality, Employee Loyalty, MORE!
Pets
- More Than Companions
Dog owners know their pets are more than just animals. In
fact, animals are highly sensitive and experience
emotions and stress just like we do.
Aromatherapy
Try these easy to prepare recipes to ease stress during troubling
times, enhance good feelings, promote wellness, and raise
comfort levels for yourself and your loved ones.
Women
Who Work Out Live Longer
Fitness & exercise can stop your muscles
from wasting away and strengthen bones, plus improve flexibility
and enhance your mental sharpness. Click
to learn more
Benefits Checkup from NCOA
BenefitsCheckUp has provided seniors with
more than 820,000 eligibility reports for federal and state
benefits programs. You could be eligible for funds!
BenefitsCheckUpRx
is a confidential screening tool that is a major expansion
to NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp® Web site. Click
here for full story about this free service
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