It's October! Monthly Observances with a Senior Care Spin!

monthly observances October senior care Did you know that each month of the year, there are multiple daily, weekly, and monthly observances for various causes? Some are more popular than others, some are obscure, some are geographically-limited, and so on. We thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the monthly observances for October, and share how they might relate to senior care!

Breast Cancer Awareness

This is one of the more popular observances, mostly because of the funding that is part of the breast cancer cause (Susan G. Komen being one of the largest organizations involved). Here are some statistics from BreastCancer.org about this disease:

Approximately 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1000 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women
In 2015, there are more than 2.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S.

Although treatment for breast cancer has been developed and is generally available, senior care might be appropriate for those elderly patients who struggle to go through chemo, or who opt not to receive it at all.

Domestic Violence Awareness

Sadly, domestic violence is more prevalent than you might think. Exact numbers are hard to come by, because many instances of abuse go unreported. In the same vein, instances of elder abuse can sometimes happen at the hands of relatives and caretakers. This blog discusses how to identify elder abuse, different types, and where to go for help if abuse is suspected. October is a great opportunity to brush up on this information, for families, senior citizens, and caretakers alike.

National Apple Month

On a lighter note, I’ll bet you didn’t know that October is National Apple Month! What is the purpose, according to the US Apple Association? The mission is “to increase apple industry sales, and to enhance consumer awareness and usage of apples and apple products. Its goal is to increase apple industry sales through a fall retail display contest, foodservice promotional contest, to recognize outstanding retailers for their apple merchandising” and more. Be sure to look for specials at your local grocery store or farmer’s market this month! And of course, apples can be an important part of a nutritious meal plan – which is something that a great In Home Care provider can assist you with!

National Physical Therapy Month

Physical therapy is a very important part of recovery from certain injuries…anyone that has ever been in a car accident, or suffered a work or sports injury can probably attest to the importance of proper rehabilitation. The American Physical Therapy Association hosts National Physical Therapy Month every October…one of the past campaigns that you can still check out is #AgeWell…just type that into your search bar, and you can access different resources and tips to age gracefully, healthfully, and happily. As for the senior care aspect, if a previous injury (or just aging) makes it harder to get around and accomplish daily tasks, consider getting part- or full-time In Home Care to assist with ADLs (activities of daily living). This blog will help you compare the costs of In Home Care to other types of senior care.

We hope you enjoyed this quick glance at some of the monthly observances happening this October! If you have questions regarding anything you’ve read, or want to learn more about how Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses can help your family, please contact us today or click on the image below!