Tag:

Senior Care

10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season

Taking Care of Elderly Parents

by Richard Bitner July 30, 2018

written by Richard Bitner

There comes a time in many people’s lives in which they need to start taking care of elderly parents. For some people, that means setting up services that will come to their parent’s home. For others, it means making changes to the schedule to be available to care for them. If you’re faced with this situation right now, consider these tips to make the situation much easier to handle. Taking Care of Elderly Parents

Tips for Taking Care of Elderly Parents

#1: Learn About Your Parent’s Needs

Before you’re able to care for your parent, you’ll need to know his/her needs. Ask medical professionals he/she has seen recently for recommendations, and always discuss your parent’s needs and wants with him/her. Your parent should always be involved in the decision making process.

#2: Assess Your Situation

You may have a spouse and children, which could make tending to the needs of your parent difficult. Consider the time you spend with your family and how much you have available to take care of your mother or father. Being realistic will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

#3: Decide What You Can Do

Once you know how much time you have to devote to your parent, you can decide on the needs you can fulfill. This may be transporting your parent to medical appointments, helping with groceries, etc.

#4: Find Services for Other Needs

For the needs you can’t fulfill, search for services in your community that can help. Usually, social services, senior centers, and other organizations specializing in senior care will have services available for support.

#5: Listen and Help

Many senior citizens start to feel lonely because their loved ones don’t pay much attention to them, and then when they do speak, they don’t genuinely listen to their needs and wants. Take some time each week (at least) to sit down and ask how he/she is and if there is anything else that’s needed. It may take a few minutes out of your day, but this is one of the needs that senior citizens benefit from and thrive on during this stage of life.
If you’re unable to provide that time to listen to your parent because of other responsibilities, consider using the services of a personal consultant. Kendall Van Blarcom works with the elderly population to help fulfill the need of a human connection in which seniors can express themselves to someone who is actively listening.

Support for Caregivers

As you’re taking care of elderly parents, know that you have needs that must be fulfilled as well. You need to feel as though you’re understood. You have many feelings and thoughts running through you right now, and some of them, you may not even understand yourself. When you consult with someone like Kendall, you get that relief you’re so desperately looking for from other people.
Taking Care of Elderly Parents Taking Care of Elderly Parents Taking Care of Elderly Parents Taking Care of Elderly Parents Taking Care of Elderly Parents Taking Care of Elderly Parents

July 30, 2018 0 comment

Caregiving

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving and Aging

by Kathy Macaraeg July 23, 2018

written by Kathy Macaraeg

There is No Shame in Negative Emotions Tied to Caregiving – It’s How You Respond to Them that Matters

Aging and caregiving have so many emotions tied to them, unfortunately, some aren’t as positive as we’d like. Rather than feel embarrassed about your emotions, or trying to ignore or hide the emotions, it is better for your well-being to understand them and accept them. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
When we ignore our emotions, they just get bigger. You can’t run from your feelings so it is important to explore your feelings and find ways to accept them or cope with the negative emotions.

Sadness:

Both the caregiver and caree can experience sadness during the caregiving journey. The caree may mourn the body or mind that they used to have. It can be difficult to accept that you can’t do all of the things you used to do. It can also be hard to have to rely on your child, or other family members. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
The caregiver can also feel sadness about the person their parent or spouse has become. It is difficult to see a loved one struggle. There is also sadness about the new role of caregiver. Becoming someone’s caregiver is very rewarding, but it is also a huge sacrifice. Free time will become a luxury and the financial and emotional toll is high.

Resentment:

A caree may resent their caregiver for a number of reasons. They can resent that their child or spouse is telling them what to do or handling tasks that they previously handled. They can resent the situation. No one wants to become dependent on someone else. They can also resent that it changes their role in the relationship and how it makes them feel.
A caregiver can also experience resentment that they no longer have the freedom to go away or check out. They may resent that there is so much on their plate and they are under a lot of stress. They can also resent the financial toll or the impact caregiving has on their career or social responsibilities. A caregiver can also resent the toll on their social life, particularly if they have had to make major life changes. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging

Anger:

If someone is experiencing sadness and resentment, it may turn to anger, particularly if it is a long-term lifestyle change. Anger is a common expression of grief, which both caregivers and carees go through as life as they know it is altered.
The caree can become angry over their current situation and take out their anger on the closest target – their caregiver. The caregiver may be angry over their new situation or the toll caregiving takes on their life.

How to Cope with Caregiver Emotions:

While it isn’t easy to move past sadness, resentment and anger, if you are in a long-term caregiving relationship for someone you love, it is critical to your relationship that you do. Once you understand why the person is lashing out or handling the transition badly, it can be easier to not take things so personally.
Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, work together to accept it and create a new normal. For example, if your mother is grieving over the fact that she can no longer prepare her favorite meals and her way of expressing it is to criticize your cooking, have her guide your cooking. Sit together and go over her recipes, or bring her into the kitchen to walk you through her preparations. Yes, it can take more time and we don’t always have a lot of time, but she’ll feel like she has more to contribute and more value.
Try to bring some joy and play into your new situation. Your caree may be focused on all of the negative aspects of his or her health and you may be bogged down in running two families, which can feel depressing. Bringing some fun and humor into your situation will help you both feel better.
Give each other space. You and your parent probably have not spent this much time together in a long time. Your parent has been living alone for some time and you have set up your own life. Blending the lives of independent adults is difficult. Give each other some space. Read a book in your room or set up a TV in your parent’s room. You don’t need to be together every minute of every day.
Respect your parent’s routine. If you have become a morning person but your dad likes to stay up late watching movies and wake up around 11 a.m., don’t go bursting into his room at 8 a.m. encouraging him to join you for breakfast. Obviously, you are not a diner serving up meal at all hours of the day, but prepare something that can keep and leave it for him to enjoy when he is ready. If medication is an issue, discuss his schedule with his doctor to be sure pushing back the day to accommodate his schedule is safe.
Understanding where you are each coming from and respecting each other’s needs can make your caregiving journey run smoothly.

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging

July 23, 2018 0 comment

Conditions & Treatments

Tips on Caregiving after at Hip Fracture

by Richard Bitner July 13, 2018

written by Richard Bitner

This year, over 300,000 U.S. seniors will be hospitalized with a hip fracture — a serious injury for any elderly person. While some seniors recover relatively quickly after a broken hip, for most seniors, hip fracture recovery is both difficult and dangerous. Tips on Caregiving after at Hip Fracture
During hip fracture recovery, non-medical support from senior care providers and family caregivers can make a huge difference. During the recovery period, seniors are unable to perform many basic tasks and are at an elevated risk of a hospital readmission or mortality. Senior care — either by professional caregivers or family members — can help make day-to-day living easier and increase the chance of a full recovery. Tips on Caregiving after at Hip Fracture
If you have a spouse, parent, grandparent, or an elderly friend or relative who has experienced a hip fracture, are some of the steps that you and another caregiver can take to improve your loved one’s chance of recovery:

Start with Doctor’s and Therapist’s Orders

In helping a senior recover from a broken hip, care begins and ends with doctors’ orders. Your loved one’s doctor will have a full understanding of your loved one’s risk factors, the severity of his or her fracture, and the best options for your loved one’s recovery. When discussing your loved one’s recovery with his or her physician, be sure to take detailed notes on care directives and ask questions if there is anything you are unclear about.
Your loved one’s physician and insurer will coordinate physical therapy, which is typically provided in your loved one’s home or in a recovery facility. Therapy is generally performed multiple times a week and is crucial to helping your loved one heal and regain strength. Your loved one’s therapist will likely leave instructions for exercises that your loved one should perform between therapy sessions.
It is important that you make sure your loved one practices these exercises. Roughly 75% of seniors who suffer a broken hip never fully regain the ability to walk. Your loved one’s exercises will increase their chances of being part of the 25% that regain full walking ability and will decrease the likelihood that they will require a walker or wheelchair for the remainder of their life.

Senior Care During Recovery

In the weeks and months after your loved one’s hip fracture, their mobility will be extremely limited. It will be impossible for your loved one to do many daily tasks on his or her own. This is where family caregivers and professional care workers come in.
Non-medical senior care during hip fracture recovery includes assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, hygiene, mobility, transferring, running errands, shopping for groceries, and preparing meals.
Part of providing senior care after a broken hip is also ensuring your loved one’s living place is safe. After a hip fracture, seniors often have balance and coordination issues, increasing the likelihood of a second fall, resulting in a refractured hip. To make your loved one’s home safer, you should consider strategies for how to fall-proof your home. These include improved lighting, removing clutter, keeping cords bundled up and away from walking areas, and installing weight-bearing railings/grab bars in stairways and bathrooms.
Senior care during hip fracture recovery also includes emotional and companionship components. The pain, isolation, and disability of a broken hip can often lead to sadness, despondency, and depression during the recovery period. Family caregivers can help relieve these feelings, whether by offering empathy and conversation or simply by providing a human presence.

Recovery a Long Road for Most

Recovering from a hip fracture is a long and difficult process for most seniors. While your loved one’s fracture might heal within 6-8 weeks, it typically takes 9-12 months before seniors have recovered their strength, balance, and coordination.
During these months, your support, the assistance of other family members, and the help of professional caregivers, therapists, and doctors will be a major part of your loved one’s recovery. As a family senior care provider, you will also play a big role in preventing future falls and injuries.
If you have a loved one who requires senior care after a broken hip, professional non-medical care can make a big difference. At Visiting Angels, our caregivers regularly provide non-medical assistance through our Ready-Set-Go Home program, which provides care for seniors after coming home from the hospital. This program is designed to reduce the risk of complications and injury during recovery.
To learn more about this program and to schedule a free care consultation, contact your local Visiting Angels office today.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4410861/

Tips on Caregiving after at Hip Fracture

July 13, 2018 0 comment

Caregiving

Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

by Kathy Macaraeg July 9, 2018

written by Kathy Macaraeg

Caregivers lead busy lives. Many are part of the sandwich generation, meaning they are providing care for both their own children and an elderly relative and 60% of caregivers are employed full-time. Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier
Keeping up with caregiving responsibilities and the tasks can be overwhelming. How does one person manage the cooking, cleaning, laundry and care for two households, while providing care well? The answer is, one person doesn’t. It takes a village. Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

1. Meals Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

Preparing meals for two households can be a challenge. I find that cooking a big batch of dinners over the weekend helps cut down on the chaos of getting dinner on the table after a long day of work. I spend about 2-3 hours making a few simple meals that can be reheated throughout the week. I typically prepare a pasta dish that will last 2-3 meals and some sort of chicken casserole dish that is loaded with vegetables. We supplement the meals with salad or vegetable sides. It isn’t exciting to eat the same meals throughout the week, but it is efficient and so far, there have been no complaints.
If you are making meals for your family and also need to ensure that your parent(s) are fed in their home, you can always package up some of your meals for them to reheat throughout the week, or try a home delivery service. Meals on Wheels http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ delivers to senior homes. They deliver around lunchtime, but most of my customers saved the meal for dinner, since they preferred to eat their more substantial meal in the evening. If they aren’t interested in the food from Meals on Wheels, there are a number of food delivery services available now that they may prefer. While some provide the ingredients and leave the cooking to you, there are some services geared specifically towards seniors that come fully cooked.
Meal delivery services (outside of Meals on Wheels) can be pricey, so if you can’t afford to have meals delivered to your parents, perhaps you can pay someone to prepare food for them. This is where you get creative. Do you have a friend whose son or daughter is interested in cooking? Does a neighbor have a cleaning person who prepares meals for their family? Is there someone from church who loves to cook but has an empty nest? Think about your “village” and who can possibly fill this gap. Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

2. Grocery shopping

A few weeks ago, I ran into a good friend who is a working mom with twins. We were talking about how hard it is to get everything done on weekends and still squeeze in fun with our families. She shared a tip with me that has literally been life changing. She has been ordering groceries through Amazon Prime Now and they are delivered from her local grocery store in two hours, with no service charge, outside of a tip.
Two weeks ago, we had a super busy weekend and were out all day Saturday and would be out all day Sunday. My husband was leaving town for the week on Tuesday and I had stitches in my neck, so I was unable to grocery shop. I decided to give Amazon Prime Now a try. While I was still in bed at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, I took out my phone and ordered all of our produce, dairy, protein and necessities for the week. Our groceries arrived at 10 a.m., much to my husband’s surprise. He was planning to shop after the kids were in bed at 8:30 p.m. It only cost us an extra $9 for the tip, but was well worth that nominal fee. Life changing.
I also knew of many adult children who didn’t live near their parents set up grocery delivery through Vons.com and Yummy.com. Once you try online ordering, you may never go back to the grocery store!
Of course, if your mom or dad prefers to go to the grocery store and select his or her own apples, bananas and broccoli, you can always outsource the transportation. Many cities offer a City Ride shuttle transportation service that is very low cost and ideal for grocery trips. If your city doesn’t offer a suitable resource, you can consider asking a retired neighbor or stay at home mom if they would be able to take your parent along when they go grocery shopping. I know many of my customers looked forward to grocery shopping because they got out of the house and had built-in socializing.

3. Laundry Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

I’m sorry. There aren’t many laundry shortcuts, outside of outsourcing. Trust me, if there was a shortcut, I would be implementing it. It amazes me how much laundry a family of four can produce!
While there aren’t many shortcuts, one thing I have found is I prefer doing laundry at my condominium complex than at my parent’s home. Why? At my complex, we can do four loads at one time – a huge timesaver!
If you don’t live in a multi-unit building with several machines, you can always pack up your laundry and take it to a laundromat. I used to do this when I lived in an apartment that never had available units and it was a huge timesaver. You can wash as many loads as you need to in less than two hours. This could double as your “me” time, since while the laundry is in a machine, you have nothing to do but sit and wait. Take a book, take your bills or listen to your favorite music.
If your parents don’t have a lot of laundry, or you don’t want to sit at a laundromat, you can outsource to a fluff and fold service. Many dry cleaners offer fluff and fold, priced by weight, so you may want to do the sheets and towels at home and outsource the clothing.

4. Bill paying and mail pile up

If you haven’t already set up online bill pay, drop everything and do it now. Even if you have bills that fluctuate, you can set up the payee and when the bill comes, put in the amount due and set up the payment date. You can set this up on your bank’s website and it takes very little time to set up and costs nothing.
You can set up bill pay for your bills and your parents’ bills, reducing the amount of paper you need to touch every month. I don’t know about you, but we get mountains of paper and if we don’t stay on top of it, we feel like we’re drowning.
On the paper mountain note, you can set up your bills for electronic billing and opt out of junk mail to reduce the amount of paper coming into your home. Here are some resources I came across that can help reduce the paper clutter: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0262-stopping-unsolicited-mail-phone-calls-and-email, National Do Not Mail List http://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/ and Catalog Choice https://www.catalogchoice.org/. I admit, I have not embarked on this task yet, but it is on my to do list.
These little tweaks to your life can give you back a lot of extra time. Take that time to practice a little bit of self-care or spend quality time with a loved one. Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life Easier

July 9, 2018 0 comment

Aging

How to Handle Changes in Aging Parents

by Kathy Macaraeg July 5, 2018

written by Kathy Macaraeg

Helping Your Aging Parent Remain Safe at Home

Whether you live near your aging parents or across the country from them, it can be difficult to see signs of aging. Your parents have always been the family leaders and suddenly, you notice that they’re not able to manage certain aspects of their life. They may also be working very hard to make sure you don’t see physical or cognitive changes. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
I worked with many elderly clients who intentionally hid their health issues from their children. They kept phone calls short or used all of their energy during visits, only to collapse from exhaustion after the visit was over. The only way their adult children got a peek into their actual physical and cognitive conditions was to visit for extended periods.
If you can’t schedule an extended visit to your aging parent, there are things to watch for to assess their well-being. Changes in your aging parent’s behavior or cognitive abilities may be a sign that you need to consider stepping is as a caregiver, even if you are stepping in as a long-distance caregiver. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
If your aging parent is intentionally hiding his/her well-being, it may be hard to recognize signs that they need caregiving assistance.

How to Evaluate Your Aging Parent’s Health

If you haven’t visited your aging parent in a while, there are some signs that you can look for to determine whether they are in good health. In addition to the signs below, you should also look for signs of malnutrition, which can be common with the elderly.

Weight Loss or Weight Gain: Has your aging parent experienced an unexplained change in weight? It could be due to eating habits, but it could also be related to a health condition.
Bruising Or Other Signs of Falls: Has your aging parent sustained frequent injuries from falls? This could be a safety issue related to common fall risks, but it could also be related to medical issues. Note – if possible, consider video calls so you can actually see them. I had many clients who hid pretty significant falls from family since they lived far away and didn’t have the opportunity to visit.
Inability to Communicate Clearly: Is your aging parent struggling to follow conversations or forgetting things that are part of their everyday life? You may need to set up an appointment with his/her physician. Note – if your aging parent is always rushing to get off the phone, this could be a sign that he or she doesn’t want you to notice changes in communication.
Changes to Household: Is your aging parent’s home suddenly unkempt, particularly if they are normally very neat? Are bills going unpaid? Is the refrigerator empty? These changes may mean that they are overwhelmed or unable to do these tasks independently. It may be due to physical or cognitive changes.
Changes in Appearance: Does your aging parent suddenly dress differently or appear sloppy? If your elderly mother used to wear makeup daily and clean, ironed clothes and is suddenly wearing dirty or stained clothing and looks unwashed, there may be a problem with her physical, emotional or cognitive well-being.
Isolation: If your aging parent has recently lost the ability to drive or has lost friends who live nearby, they may become lonely. Loneliness accounts for both physical and emotional health challenges. It can be hard to make new friends as you age, but it is critical.

How to Evaluate Your Aging Parent’s Safety

If you are concerned about your aging parent’s safety, you’re in luck. Safety issues are much easier to fix. A few changes to the home can make it much easier for your aging parent to age in place. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, it will be easier for long-distance caregivers to monitor their aging parent’s safety.

Elder Abuse: Elder abuse isn’t just physical. If you notice a new “friend” in your aging parent’s life who limits your access to your parent or seems to have control over your parent, you may need to be on high alert.
Fall Risks: While some fall risks are medical, there are ways to make your aging parent’s home safer to limit their falls. They can also take a balance class through their local senior center or as part of physical therapy to help with frequent falls.
General Safety Around the Home: Do they have proper lighting at their front door (or entry door)? Is there a railing for your aging parent to hold onto when climbing stairs? If your parent uses a walker, is there a ramp? It is really difficult to use stairs with a walker.
Stranger Danger for Grown-Ups: An interesting thing I learned when working with my elderly clients is that they answer the phone whenever it rings and opens their front door to anyone who knocks. Unfortunately, unscrupulous fraud artists know this and take advantage of the elderly by phone or by coming to their front door.

It can be overwhelming to watch your aging parent decline and realize that you will need to step in as a caregiver. The good news is, in most cases, caregiving is a process. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
Your assistance may only be needed for simple tasks like making their home safe or having meals delivered. In many cases, the caregiver role is gradual. Don’t panic. You can do it. And if you aren’t able to do it yourself, there are resources available to get your aging parent help. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
Just remember, this is the person who took care of you for many years. If they need your help, there are ways to get them help or help them yourself without drowning. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent

July 5, 2018 0 comment

Conditions & Treatments

How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

by Silverado June 21, 2018

written by Silverado

After discovering that your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may have a series of questions about adjusting to day-to-day life. Are they safe? Does my loved one understand what’s going on? How do I communicate with them? All are valid and pressing questions that our knowledgeable team can address. How can the right environment help someone with dementia?
When it comes to in-home safety, there are specific precautions and needed changes to make your environment safe. Dr. Piero Antuono, Silverado Brookfield Medical Director says the living environment plays a crucial role on the lifestyle for a person with dementia. Take in regard a living space that minimizes anxiety and noise, which can also additionally reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, confusion, and isolation.
We’ve also gathered some essential safety tips from Silverado in-home care experts. See if your living environment makes the cut.

Register a Bracelet
The MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program is available for individuals with dementia who may wander off, in which case the registered bracelet will have personalized information such as emergency contacts and health history. The bracelet is registered with local law enforcement to ensure that your loved one will be returned home safely. You can register an individual online through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Install Motion Detectors
Some motion detectors today have video capabilities, and some even have responsive automated voices. Experts suggests installing devices around the house, which helps to have another set of eyes to watch your loved one from wherever you are.
Remove rugs
As they are the number one cause of falls in the home, removing all rugs from teh home can be an important step to make the environment safer.
Take No Solicitors
Consider posting a “No Solicitors” sign at the front door to avoid any unexpected visitors. Also, have other family members pick up the phone, because a person with dementia can often be the victim of telephone exploitation. Keep the phone ringer volume on low and make everyone in the household aware that the phone should be answered in as few rings as possible. This will avoid possible distraction and confusion.
Remove Locks
Consider removing locks from the bathroom in case your loved one locks themselves inside.
Emergency Contacts
Display emergency numbers in every room and next to all telephones.
Lighting
Be sure lighting around the house is adequate, including entryways, corners, hallways, bathrooms, stairs, and outside landscaping. Lights with sensors may also be useful.
Electronics
Prevent fire hazards by keeping electronics on sturdy surfaces, covering unused electrical outlets and clearing any extension cords, which also minimizes the likelihood of trips and falls.
Prevent Slips
Install handles and grab bars around the house as safety grips. The handrail for stairways should extend beyond the first and last steps. To prevent slips, use nonskid adhesives in the tub, toilets, and sinks.

For more videos of dementia specialists answering common questions click here.

How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia?How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

June 21, 2018 0 comment

Caregiving

Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

by Kathy Macaraeg June 15, 2018

written by Kathy Macaraeg

How to Juggle Caregiver Tasks When You Work Outside the Home

According to the National Caregiver Alliance and AARP, 60% of the approximately 43.5 million caregivers in the U.S. are employed, and most of them work outside the home full time. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
Between work, caregiving tasks and maintaining their own household, it’s no wonder the majority of caregivers report that they experience physical and emotional stress. Between work and caregiving, they are putting in at least 60 hours a week!

Shortcuts to Balance the Caregiver/Employee Roles

If you’re not able to cut back work or caregiving hours, how can you balance the two? Shortcuts, hacks and letting things go is a good start. Here are my best timesavers and hacks that I’ve used during extremely stressful and busy times.

1. Eat as well as I can:

I’d love to say, hey, get your 5 servings of vegetables and fruits in every day, but let’s face it, when you’re busy, the easiest food to eat is usually junk food or processed food. When I’m super busy, I try to make sure we’re stocked with portable healthy snacks such as granola bars, string cheese, yogurt, bananas, tangerines and apples. Aside from the yogurt and cheese, I can throw them in my bag or leave them in my car. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

2. Cook in bulk:

It isn’t the most exciting way to eat, but I usually cook two or three large meals at the beginning of the week and we re-heat throughout the week.

3. Sunday or Monday plan:

I once read an article about a woman who keeps her Mondays appointment free so that she could prepare herself for a successful week. Monday doesn’t work for most people who have a full-time job, but for me, Sunday evening is a great time to plan for the week. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
I personally prefer a paper calendar for planning, although I keep an electronic calendar so that I have it on my phone as well. For planning, I look at both and go through the days of the week and make sure we are covered for any appointments and activities. I bought a dry erase decal for my refrigerator that I use for any appointments that affect more than one person so my husband and I are on the same page.
If you are scheduling yourself and your parent, you may want to color code your schedule. One thing that tripped up a lot of my clients and their children was backing up times to allow for transportation. There were many times where they would accidentally leave for an appointment at the time they were supposed to arrive. One of my clients who was an executive assistant in her career had a great idea of putting her pick up time in pen and underneath, she would write the appointment time in pencil. I am hooked on these Bic four color pens since I can easily color-code without having to have multiple pens. They last forever. I have been using the same one for 2 years now. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

4. Schedule maintenance:

If you are so busy that you are barely getting through the day, making sure the little things continue to run is important, but challenging. Go ahead and put your car maintenance on your calendar ahead of time so that you don’t forget. The last thing you need is an expensive car repair. Are there other things you need to maintain? Think about what needs to be done to keep your life running smoothly and put it on your calendar before you forget – both for your home and your parent. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

5. Maximize your work day:

If you have to be in an office for eight hours a day, use your lunch or breaks to get some tasks done. During your planning time, list out any appointments you need to make (with phone numbers and any background info), shop for groceries online and do any other task that you don’t need to do in person. If you have your list and all the details ready to go, you can blaze through your list. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
If you don’t sit at a desk or don’t work at a computer, you can still take your lunch break to make any calls, set up appointments, etc. You can also shop on Amazon Prime Now from your cell phone.

6. Find off-hour service providers:

While most doctors only operate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., there are some dentists and even medical imaging centers that are open late or on weekends. I once had an MRI at 9 a.m. on a Saturday. Try to find providers that operate when you have more time for you and your parent so that you don’t need to use all of your time off for routine care.

7. Get creative:

I worked with a family who had a creative strategy for medical appointments. They hired us to transport the father to and from his appointment, but the daughter met him there, attended the appointment and went back to work. She only needed to take one hour off of work, versus 3 hours if she was providing transportation.
Can you find ways to be present without doing everything? Can you schedule appointments early in the morning so that you only miss an hour of work. Is there someone you can split the load with? Do you have a friend, neighbor or community member who has more free time and can assist with some of the manageable tasks like grocery shopping or errands? Is there someone you can hire to help with the errands? I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve heard of sites like Task Rabbit, where you can hire someone to do errands for you. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
You can’t do it all, so finding shortcuts or getting help can help take some of the stress off your plate. How can you find a few extra hours? Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

June 15, 2018 0 comment

Caregiving

Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

by Kimberly Johnson June 5, 2018

written by Kimberly Johnson

CONGRATULATIONS! In honor of your upcoming wedding anniversary, your spouse just surprised you with a romantic week-long trip. You know you are supposed to be thrilled but, there is no way that you can go. You are the primary caretaker for your aging parents, and a vacation is impossible. Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

Who will take care of Mom? Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation
Who will look in on her in the afternoons?
How will she get to the doctor? Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation
Who will set up her medications? Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation
And… what happens if there is a real emergency? Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation
These are the exact reasons that you NEED a vacation. Being the primary caretaker for aging parents is challenging and demanding, and it takes its toll on you. You need this for your heart and mind. Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

Before you start packing for your romantic getaway here are some options to keeping your aging parents safe and well, while you are relaxing by the beach!

Home Care

The preferred option for your aging parents is to remain in the same environment. Remaining at home creates the least disruption, especially for seniors dealing with memory loss or if they require specialized medical equipment.
Ask a relative or a sibling can assume the primary caretaker duties and stay over at your parent’s house while you are away. If this is not an option, ask the daytime caregiver if they can work extra hours. A home health care r egistry can provide personalized service from regular calls throughout the day, to night shifts or if your aging parents requires it, complete 24-hour care. Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

Residential Care Facilities

Although not ideal, if it is impossible for your aging parent to remain in their accustomed routine at home, rest assured they will be well taken care of at a residential facility. ARCH National Respite and Resource Center, provides a wealth of information and a national locator tool that can help caregivers find respite services in their community.

Assisted Living Residence

This is ideal for independent seniors that require less help. The expectation is that your parents are mentally alert and can dress and feed themselves. Your parents can live in their own apartment while sharing communal living and dining areas.

Nursing Home

These facilities are intended for seniors with greater personal and medical requirements. Care is available day or night and constant nursing can be provided if it is deemed necessary.

Stress Busters

In order to go on vacation safe with the knowledge that your parents will be comfortable and safe until your return, start planning early. Depending on their mental capacity try and involve your parents in the decisions related to their care.

Finances

Understand the finances.
Add the costs of elder care into your vacation costs.
Research veterans benefits, Medicaid, foundation grants, and state funding.

Paperwork

No matter where your parents will be staying, organize a folder containing important paperwork.

List of primary and secondary emergency contacts
List of family contacts
List of physicians- with phone numbers and addresses
List of preferred hospital and pharmacy
List of all medications and which doctor prescribed them
Important documents: power of attorney, living will, advance directives, DNR orders
insurance cards

Enjoy Your Vacation

Relax! You are ready to enjoy a stress-free vacation. You have made arrangements for your aging parents and you have seen to the last detail. Now, is your time to take a break from the stress of being the primary caretaker.
Focus on the milestone of your wedding anniversary and enjoy the romantic getaway. BON VOYAGE!

BY YOCHEVED FEINERMAN

Y.Feinerman is the digital marketing manager for Family First Home Health Care. Yocheved is passionate about family and is known to be the “go to person” for family life cycle events and FUN!

Family First Home Health Care is a consumer directed private care registry, with the purpose of putting our client in control. We are comitted to referring those caregivers who can provide high quality, innovative care and who strive for excellence. Caregier screening and referral care our business. Each of the caregivers on our registry unergo a rigorous background screening and a credetial verification. Click Here and F1HH will be in touch with you within 24 hours.

Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation Setting up Care for Aging Parents while on Vacation

June 5, 2018 0 comment

Aging

Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents

by Kimberly Johnson June 4, 2018

written by Kimberly Johnson

Planning Your Perfect Vacation

The key to creating fun family moments and special memories is by planning ahead.

Where do you want to visit?
Where will you stay?
What mode of transportation will you use?

After you have decided your destination, you are ready to start the process of accommodating your aging parent’s individual needs. Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents

Air Travel With Aging Parents

For those planning on traveling by airplane, make every effort to set up a direct flight. When booking a flight, notify the airline, if special arrangements like a wheelchair or an escort are needed.

Hotel Accommodations With Aging Parents

After solidifying your flight arrangements, begin to book the hotel. Inquire about handicap accommodations (if needed). Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents

Pay careful attention to challenges with staircases, doorways
Your aging parent may need larger bathrooms equipped with safety rails for easy walkers/wheelchair access.
Try and reserve a room that is away from traffic and noise. Your parents may wish to take an afternoon nap and noise may be disturbing.
Check that there is handicap parking or easy access for them to get in and out of their room or building.

When Renting a Car

Your aging parents will be more comfortable in a rental car with extra leg room and trunk space..

Medical Equipment

It is difficult to travel with bulky medical equipment. Research local suppliers and arrange to rent durable equipment such as wheelchairs, lifts, transfer/tub seats and backup oxygen tanks. Senior.com regularly ships medical supplies and equipment to vacation locations for convenience. Order early and the items can be waiting for you.

Get Help:

Geriatric Care Manager

Hiring a geriatric care manager can reduce burdens and alleviate the stress of traveling with elderly parents.

Assist with making travel arrangements.
Make phone calls and organize extensive legwork.
Assist you during the actual vacation

A vacation is an occasion for all to enjoy and not the time to take on additional responsibilities.
Avoid bitter battles and resentment by proactively assessing your aging parent’s needs. They will require the same amount of assistance on vacation as at home. Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents
What level of care is your elderly parent accustomed to having at home or in an assisted living. This will determine the type of arrangements for care during your vacation.

If possible, bring your private caregiver. However, if that is not an option you can arrange home health care.
Caregivers can assist with personal hygiene, dressing, and bathing. If your parent requires special treatments, dressing changes, injections, glucose monitoring, cauterizations or other skilled care you can schedule a nursing visit by an RN or LPN.

Planning Your Itinerary

Most attractions are handicap accessible but double check. Research the places that you want to visit or call before hand. Remember seniors will tire out more easily and may need a break in between.
Organize a separate itinerary for your parents. Ask them what they would like to do. Depending on their needs, schedule in afternoon naps. Use that time for sightseeing or enjoy an afternoon spa treatment.

Aging Parents and Medical Clearance

Contact your parent’s doctor and inquire if they are clear to travel. Use this conversation as an opportunity to review with the doctor your parent’s conditions and medications. Ask for a referral for another doctor in the area you will be visiting.

Packing For Your Parents

Can your parents pack for themselves?
Will they be able to carry their own luggage?
What items need to be on hand at all times?

Accessible at all times should be quick snacks, antacids, vitamins, and other over the counter medications.
You may find Valerie Grubb’s Summer Packing Checklist to be helpful.

Medications

Bring all their medications.
Label medications with current dosages and times.
Make a copy of all medications and keep it with you at all times.

By Car

Allow for a few extra rest stops, and have drinks, snacks and medications and other necessities accessible. Aging parents may need to stop earlier for the night.

By Plane

Those traveling by airplane should remember that older people need more time to move around the airport.

Paperwork

Prepare medical records, physicians orders, current care plans, signed consent/insurance forms in advance. Preliminary paperwork can reduce demand on the vacation itself.

Know How to Communicate

Create a communications plan. Alleviate stress by making sure you and your parents will have access to a phone so they can reach you or call emergency services.
Quick dial your phone number, emergency services and the caregiver’s number.

Stress Busters

Plan in advance, so you can have less stress.
Take your time.

Should medications be forgotten contact the physician immediately upon your destination arrival to request prescriptions to be called into a local pharmacy.
Keep a loose schedule.
Elderly parents need extra time, you don’t want to rush or feel rushed.

Set clear expectations

Involve your parents.
Let them voice an opinion.
Ask them if they are enjoying their day.
Focus on the present, instead of bringing up old issues.

You’re Ready

You have planned the perfect vacation with your aging parent in mind. Proper preparation, organization, and flexibility are the secrets to a successful vacation. Your efforts will ensure that your aging parents will enjoy the trip. And you too!

Take the time to relax and enjoy your vacation by getting the necessary help.
What are your secrets to vacationing with your aging parents?

By Julie Feinerman

Family First Home Health Care is a consumer directed private care registry, with the purpose of putting our client in control. Our mission is to offer access to referrals of caregivers with different skill levels, so that clients always have access to an appropriate caregiver, even as a client’s needs change. You can individually select your caregivers.

Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents

Tips Planning Vacation with Aging Parents

June 4, 2018 0 comment

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