3 Principles For Helping Elderly Relatives With Health Conditions

May 28, 2025 By Anne

There are many wonderful parts of aging that are often under-discussed – the fact that you live with no pretense or the desire to impress anyone, being surer of yourself, having the wisdom of the years behind you, and knowing what really matters in life, like family.

However, it’s true there are downsides, of course. We need not list them here, but the one of note is that health conditions become more common and likely. It’s not unusual for an elderly individual, even with a healthy life behind them, to have one or two conditions that need management. Thankfully, medicines and healthcare appointments exist to keep them on the right track.

It also helps to provide some love and care as their younger relatives. It’s what we would hope for ourselves after all, and so soothing their daily experience can count for a great deal. But what principles can help you in this duty, especially if you have children and a full working life to manage?

Well, let’s explore that.

Medication Management

Keeping track of someone’s meds isn’t hard because the task itself is complicated (even with a fair amount of prescriptions) it’s more that it never really stops, and because of how important it is. If your elderly relative has trouble with their need to to check or reorder or double-check, and if you’re juggling work and kids on top of that, it can be tough. But before you notice pills running low, and want to avoid realizing they missed a dose because the old bottle didn’t have one of those pop-up reminders, there are some measures you can use.

Some people use alarms on their phone, or you may just tape a note to the fridge and go from there. Weekly pill boxes can be helpful too, especially the ones with big writing that show what’s been taken and what hasn’t.

Device Upkeep & Repair

If a device they rely on stops working, it slows everything else down, and you can usually tell something’s off before they even mention it. That might include a hearing aid that’s started to buzz or lose clarity, which can cause a bit of quiet withdrawal, which can happen without anyone really noticing until someone points it out.

Hearing aid repair, or making sure you go for maintenance checks of the device in question, can help. In this case it might be a blocked tube or the battery running low, and a quick clean or part swap sorts it. There are also services that can check the device without needing a full in-person appointment, which helps if getting out is tricky. It’s worth checking every so often, even if they haven’t said anything.

Routine Scheduling & Management

Most people like knowing what their week looks like no matter their age or health, and it doesn’t have to be rigid, just enough structure that there aren’t surprises. But when we’re elderly we care about that more, such as having a repeated morning walk for exercise, lunch at the same time most days, or going for chekups.

Helping them with this can help, like such as swinging by the pharmacy on the way back from a check-up or booking appointments close together to save an extra trip later in the week. And if you can’t make it one day, asking a friend or relative to step in can help. But assisting you relative is very worthwhile in this matter.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Five Ways To Improve Your Gut Health As A Mom

May 20, 2025 By Anne

Your gut health is important as a mom, as is everything to do with your general health and wellbeing. The more you can do to improve your gut health, the better you’ll feel on the inside and outside.

As a mom, you’re expected to always function at 100% regardless of whether you truly feel good or not. So everything you can do to help support your gut health, the better it’ll be for your wellbeing. Here are five ways to improve your gut health as a mom.

Image Source

Get enough sleep

Getting plenty of sleep every night is a great way to improve your gut health as a mom. Adequete sleep is helpful for your gut health because if you’re not getting enough sleep, it messes with your digestion and hormone regulation.

Poor sleep can increase appetite and alter your gut flora. By getting good quality sleep every night, you’ll be able to improve your gut motility as a result, not to mention regulating your hormones so that you feel good in yourself both physically and mentally.

Try to get at least several hours of sleep per night to feel at your best.

Eat fermented foods

Eating fermented foods can be a good way to help significantly lower your gut health and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

With fermented foods, it will also do well to aid your digestion and improve overall gut health in general. These foods like kimchi and yoghurt are all rich in probiotics, so the more you can digest into your diet, the better.

The live microorganisms that are within these fermented foods are excellent to improve the gut microbiome.

Look at bone broth

Bone broth is said to be excellent when it comes to providing your body with all the nutrients it needs from collagen to glycine and glutamine. A bone broth combo pack is definitely worth adding to your diet.

Not only does it help strengthen you gut barrier but it can also soothe inflammation which can often be common for those who have digestive issues and food that doesn’t always agree with them.

Bone broth is also meant to be good for helping with chronic diarrhea and constipation too.

Stress management

We all handle stress in different ways and when it comes to your gut health, it’s good to manage your stress levels where possible.

Stress management is highly important for gut health because it helps to regulate the body’s response to stress. By reducing your stress levels, you’ll be able to improve digestion and decrease a lot of the inflammation that can occur to the gut as a result of stress.

Exercise

Finally, exercise. It’s a wonderful thing for your body to receive not only for your physical health but your mental wellbeing also.

When it comes to exercise, you should be making use of it in order to improve your gut health. Every effort that’s made to exercise, will hopefully reduce your stress levels and any inflammation. It also does well to strengthen the muscles in the digestive tract for efficient waste removal.

These tips will help greatly to improve your gut health as a mom.

Anne

How Working Moms Make Smart Decisions About After-School Hours

May 19, 2025 By Anne

Managing the after-school hours can feel like a juggling act for working moms. Between wrapping up the workday, starting dinner, and checking in with the kids, it often feels like time disappears fast. That’s why planning ahead for those afternoon hours can make a big difference in keeping everything running smoothly.

When kids are cared for and occupied during that window, it’s easier for moms to stay focused without the added stress of last-minute changes. Finding the right balance often means combining support, structure, and a little flexibility.

Source: Unsplash (CC0)

Choosing reliable care that fits the family

One of the first decisions many working moms face is how to cover the gap between school pickup and the end of the workday. For some families, after-school programs offer structure and social time, while others choose to find a nanny who can provide more personalized care at home.

The best option often depends on the child’s age, energy levels, and what works best for the family’s daily routine. Having someone trustworthy in place, whether it’s a caregiver or a family friend, brings peace of mind and gives kids a dependable rhythm to their day.

Building a routine that supports both work and home

A consistent after-school routine helps everyone feel more grounded. Kids know what to expect each day, and parents don’t have to scramble to adjust plans when something unexpected pops up. It also opens up time for meaningful check-ins later in the evening.

Balancing your career with your family isn’t about being perfect at both. It’s about knowing when to focus on work, when to unplug, and how to carve out time that feels right for everyone involved.

Encouraging independent activities and downtime

Kids don’t always need highly structured time to stay happy and busy. Quiet activities or simple routines they can manage on their own, like reading, drawing, or playing outside, can help them wind down after a full school day.

Parents can support this by offering a few easy choices and staying consistent with expectations. These habits build confidence and help kids feel more in control of their time while giving everyone a little space to breathe.

Finding ways to keep kids active and engaged

After a long day at school, some kids need to move, explore, or let out energy. Choosing activities that keep kids engaged after school might include dance class, music lessons, cooking, or joining a local sports team.

The key is finding something that fits their personality and gives them a chance to learn something new without pressure. These types of activities boost confidence and help make the afternoons more enjoyable.

Staying flexible when plans change

Even the most organized schedules can fall apart sometimes. When a meeting runs late or school is dismissed early, having a backup plan helps everyone stay calm. That might mean keeping a list of trusted contacts or having snacks and a quiet activity ready at home.

Being kind to yourself during these moments matters too. The goal isn’t to have every hour mapped out–it’s to build a rhythm that works most of the time.

Anne

Why Getting Outside More Might Be Exactly What You Need

May 15, 2025 By Anne

When everything feels a bit much because it’s all so noisy and chaotic, it’s often the simplest solution that can really help – and that’s to go outside. That’s it. You don’t need a complicated plan, you probably just need a bit of time outdoors.

Perhaps it sounds too easy, but the fact is that stepping away from your usual four walls and giving yourself room to breathe, move, or just be somewhere different can have a powerful effect on how you feel, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more about why getting outside more be exactly what you need.

Photo by Summer Stock

It’s Slower Outside

Inside, we’re constantly tuned in because we’re using screens, there are notifications all over the place, there’s background noise that we don’t even notice anymore – it’s always there, pulling us in ten different directions. Outside, everyone calms down a bit, and you’ll hear birds, the light is natural, and time feels different. It’s not exactly slower, but it’s a lot less stressful.

Even a short walk can feel like a reset, and remember, you’re not trying to solve anything – you’re just walking, looking around, and moving your body, and that’s usually enough. Of course, you don’t have to go on a massive long hike or a big day out – sometimes just stepping outside your front door for a moment and taking some deep breaths can help.

Fresh Air Does More Than Clear Your Head

There is some science behind it, of course, and that’s why it’s such a good thing to bear in mind – literally. The fact is that fresh air, natural light, and even a change in temperature can impact mood, energy levels, and stress, and that’s a very positive thing indeed. Actually, you’ve probably felt it already – after a walk, or after sitting in the garden for a bit, or perhaps after choosing to eat lunch on a bench in the park instead of at your desk, you’ll feel so much better.

Most people tend to breathe differently when they’re outside, and they definitely notice things they hadn’t seen before. That can all help you feel a lot more present in your own life, and that’s going to calm you, re-set your mind, and help you face the rest of the day, no matter what challenges you might come across.

Nature Doesn’t Need Anything

This might even be the best part of all when you think about it – the outdoors doesn’t need you to do anything, and it doesn’t ask you to be productive or get anything done. You just have to be there and enjoy it – that’s so freeing, and it can be the thing that keeps you motivated in the end.

So what can you do? Well, you can sit on a log and do absolutely nothing, you can lie in the grass, you can climb a hill and get some exercise, and so on. The point is, there’s no right (or wrong) way to be outside, and that kind of freedom is wonderful, so it’s right to take advantage of it whenever possible.

You Don’t Have To Go Far To Feel It

You don’t have to book a holiday and time off work to really feel what nature has to offer – you can just go to a local trail, a nearby park, or perhaps the coast that you’ve not visited before – any of these, and many others, can do the job fine. The key is to make it part of your routine, even if it’s just in small ways. Just find a place that feels open and let yourself stop thinking for a bit.

If you drive, it might be worth considering heading somewhere you don’t usually go, and if your vehicle’s kitted out for it, even with something as simple as all terrain tires so you can handle all the uneven roads you might need to go on, you can enjoy a bit of an adventure at the same time, and make your time outdoors even better.

Final Thoughts

The more time we spend outside, the clearer it becomes that going out there and breathing in the fresh air in the natural light is good for us, and that’s why it’s so important to include it in our daily routines. It doesn’t have to take up lots of time, and it doesn’t have to be all that exciting, but it will help you feel better, and that’s crucial, so why not try it?

Anne

When Life Hits Your Wallet: Unexpected Expenses and What to Do

April 22, 2025 By Anne

Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Much of the time, an unexpected financial setback is seen as a teachable moment; you find yourself in a cash flow crisis and someone – potentially you – sees it as a chance to lecture you. “This is why we plan”, goes the logic – as though you haven’t been planning. Sometimes, despite the best-laid plans, you still find yourself in a financial pickle. Because life doesn’t play along. The stars do not reward careful planning, and life isn’t fair – so being ready for those moments means accepting that you can still end up needing help.

The boiler breaks or the roof leaks

Or both, because sometimes it doesn’t rain – it pours. Home repairs have a nasty habit of arriving unexpected and uninvited, and they generally can’t wait until payday. If there’s a hole in your roof, it needs to be fixed now whatever your bank balance may be. The first thing to do is consider whether you have household insurance; if you do, it will usually cover emergency call-outs. If the boiler is still under warranty, you may be able to arrange a repair at no cost.

But if none of these failsafes apply, you may need to fund it out of pocket; get at least two quotes before committing to a contractor, and in the meantime call your bank. They may be able to extend a temporary overdraft to cover emergency costs.

Car trouble when you can’t afford it

Whether a failed MOT, a breakdown out of nowhere, or a break-in that has done damage, sometimes situations arise that put your car out of commission for the immediate future. And if you rely on your vehicle to get to work, or get the kids to school, the cost becomes urgent. In these moments, having some financial flexibility can make all the difference. If your contingency fund has been tapped dry, you may be looking at a $500 loan now to get things back on track. What matters is that you make a calm, informed choice and check all the terms ahead of signing up.

Vet bills that can’t wait

Pet emergencies are never welcome. Humans may have free options for healthcare, but for pets the costs can be significant – and yet who among us could bring themselves to do anything but the best for our furry family members? Many vet practices offer payment plans or staged billing, so do ask about these at the time of treatment. It helps if you can fund some of the cost out of pocket right away and this may allow you some room for negotiation on the terms of any plan.

Emergency travel

Having to be somewhere else in a hurry isn’t a pleasant situation: you don’t have many options as to how to get there, you have to pay the price that you’re given, and you don’t really have time to think. Emergency travel usually arises in an emotionally fraught time: family illness, bereavement, or an intractable situation that requires you to be “on the ground”, so our reaction is usually along the lines of “Whatever it takes”, which usually translates as “However much it costs”.

As well as weighing up whether you have the money in savings, can borrow from a friend, or need to consult a lender, speak to the travel provider. Some carriers offer compassionate fares for people in family emergencies, which can represent as much as a 50% reduction.