With money still tight as the economy sputters to life, giving your senior family member a gift that “connects” may be the perfect choice this holiday season.

Such gifts focus on things you can do rather than items that must be purchased. They can include:

• setting up a home computer for easier viewing and use,
• combining multiple TV remotes into a single unit,
• programming telephone speed dials to make calling simpler, and
• helping seniors with their own online gift shopping.

This idea is discussed in detail in the latest episode of the Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME, titled Episode 17 — Holiday Gifts That Connect.

You can listen to the episode at www.livhome.com/podcast.

For Healthy Aging Month (September), Mary Beth Hardy, LivHOME’s Midwest Regional Director, explores nutrition for seniors. She discusses the importance of good nutrition and how caregivers can help achieve it, addressing topics such as: understanding physical changes related to aging that can make food less palatable; improving nutrition by paying attention to rituals at mealtime and the types of foods served; and some of Mary Beth’s recommendations for both good tasting and nutritionally sound meals.

To listen or to request a free CD visit www.livhome.com/podcast

“Interdependence is all about giving and taking, or having seniors accept help with grace while creating opportunities for them to reciprocate.”

As Independence Day approaches, Steve Barlam, MSW, LCSW, CMC, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, discusses the idea of independence as an aspiration for seniors. He explains just what seniors mean when they say they want their independence, and points out that what they actually need is interdependence. Steve offers advice for family members seeking to introduce this idea and explains that there is a lesson in this for all who serve as caregivers and friends to seniors.

To listen, visit: www.livhome.com/podcast

We just put out our 10th podcast episode on brain aerobics. You will find some quick and easy things you can do to keep your brain active and engaged.

Visit our podcast page to listen.  Here’s a short summary:

Mary Beth Hardy, LivHOME’s Regional Director, Central Region, in this episode discusses the practice of Brain Aerobics and the great value it can have for seniors.  She explains how caregivers can help work Brain Aerobics into a senior’s everyday life and how it can be beneficial in addressing the decline in brain function that often comes with age.  She provides interesting, real-life examples of Brain Aerobics activities seniors and their caregivers have developed and used.

The Internet is clearly the future of communications, and weve been working hard on our LivHOME site to make sure we remain on the cutting edge.

Over the past 6 months or so, we have been adding content and making technical improvements. Here are our newest items:

The Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME. This is our audio show consider it Internet radio which you can either listen to on our site or download. There are 9 episodes available now with lots more to come. Click here to listen.

LivHOME Blog. Our blog is the home for all thats new and interesting at LivHOME. Its where youll find the newest content we produce all in one place. Please feel free to subscribe via email or RSS. Click here for the blog.

Acquisitions Page. Many company owners reach a point where they want to merge with a larger provider, and LivHOME has done quite a number of these acquisitions over the past several years. On our new acquisitions page, youll find all the information you need to see if LivHOME is the right partner for you. Click here for the page.

In addition, there are a number of other sections of the site that are quite interesting and informative. You can view our summary LivHOME video presentation, learn about our services, take our assessment quiz, and see who our Care Managers are.

Of course, if your have any thoughts or suggestions for the site, please feel free to leave a comment.