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Survival Guide for New Caregivers

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Whether you saw it coming or not, caring for an aging parent can be a challenge. Your parent may have been on a gradual decline, giving you the opportunity to plan ahead and implement care strategies a little bit at a time; or your parent may have taken a fall and broken a hip, resulting in the need for immediate care.

Whatever the case, jumping into the role of caregiver can be overwhelming. What steps do you need to take to ensure your parent is properly cared for? How can you fit it into your already full life? Where can you turn for help?

Assess the Situation

Before you jump in head first, step back and decide what your parent needs. If your parent has his/her cognitive functioning intact, consult them to decide what type of care they would prefer and what is needed.

Some questions to consider:

  • Do they need short term or long term assistance? Even if this is a new injury, bear in mind that as we age, it takes longer to heal. Your parent may need help getting to physical therapy appointments, performing certain activities of daily living, etc. for more than a few weeks. I had a client who had a broken hip, that resulted in surgery and three months of recovery. Even after the three month recovery time, a year later, she still lamented about her challenges getting up and down stairs.
  • What type of assistance do they need? Do they need someone to assist with activities of daily living? Do they need food delivered? Do they need transportation to medical appointments or physical therapy?
  • Is their home suitable for them to age in place or do they need to make changes, or explore other housing options?
  • What is your budget? Are there funds available to tap into? If not, are there other family members who can assist and/or help cover costs?

Make a Plan

Once you’ve assessed the situation, you can develop a plan of action. Whether you need long- or short-term assistance, you will need to decide who will do what activities and how frequently. If you are working with siblings or other family members, you should consider all sitting down together to develop a schedule and plan. Just in case, you may want to refer to my sibling rivalry post before having your family meeting.

Here are some things you can do to make caregiving run smoother:

  • Create a shared calendar (Google offers free calendars that you can share) to post medical appointments, physical therapy appointments and any other transportation needs that will require a volunteer or service.
  • Decide who will handle researching services and benefits available to your parent and agree on a timeline.
  • Determine which tasks can be handled by family members and which tasks to outsource and set up a schedule. If you lay out all of the possibilities ahead of time and address expectations, there is less room for confusion and frustration later.
  • Decide how long you will need outside support and how much you will use. If you will be using outside support indefinitely, decide how you will ensure your parent is receiving proper care.
  • If your parent will ultimately need to move into an assisted living facility, work together to decide on timing and how to make the transition easier for your parent.

Common Caregiving Tasks to Discuss

  • Who is purchasing groceries and how frequently?
  • How will meals be handled? Will you use a service or will someone provide meals for your parent?
  • Who is hiring and overseeing hired caregivers? What are the expectations and how frequently will you use outside help? Who will pay?
  • Who is handling bill paying? How frequently will bills be paid and how will your parent can access funds for incidentals?
  • Who will handle cleaning/maintaining your parent’s home?
  • Who will handle transportation needs (either providing transportation or securing transportation)?
  • If your parent needs personal care (bathing, dressing, feeding), who will handle those tasks?

 

You will have many other tasks to consider, this is just a general list to get the ball rolling. If you are in need of long-term assistance, check out my resources page for links to benefits for seniors. Bear in mind that many services take several weeks to start, so the earlier you get the application submitted, the better.

 

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Caregiving

5 Technological Advancements for People with Dementia

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Dementia is a frightening condition that no one can wish to have. The primary symptom is declining memory loss and the overall inability to perform simple problem-solving tasks. It also impacts a person’s ability to think critically and at the same time, affect the language patterns. It is a common occurrence among the elderly in society. Still, the condition is slowly creeping to younger people due to different causes, chief among them being mental illness issues.

Though advancements in science and technology haven’t come up with a cure, several useful innovations will offer some form of reprieve to family members and caregivers as well. These innovations help in reducing anxiety and stress, while at the same time enable in the mobility of the affected person.

That said, here is a list of the top 5 technological innovations for people with dementia.

  • Special Digital clocks

The major problem that faces patients with dementia is time-lapse. They may not differentiate between night and day. These unique clocks help them interpret the time of day and helps them keep to set routine and schedule. It may not be much, but any assistance on dementia patients is a huge deal and helps them lead normal lives. You might also consider using Reminder Rosie, a clock that allows a loved one to record a message to play at set times. This is helpful for medication reminders and other important prompts.

  • GPS location and tracking devices

It is a common occurrence for a person who has dementia to forget the way back home. It might seem simple to others, but for these patients, it is a lifesaver. Concerned family members would previously not let a relative with the condition go for groceries without company. Thanks to this innovation, caregivers and family members can track their movement and act in time if they notice wandering patterns.

These devices can be worn on the arm like a bracelet ensuring that the patient’s movement can be monitored at all times. If your loved one is not compliant with bracelets, GPS monitors can also can be worn in a shoe like these GPS SmartSoles.

  • Home care robots

Robots have come in handy for dementia patients. They act as special reminders for tasks that need to be done. Furthermore, they can be great assistants that help reduce the workload around the house. They can clean the home and keep it clean for the entire day. Being robots, they follow set scheduled fed into their computer programs, meaning no medication or food will be skipped.

Moreover, they automatically themselves and therefore you need not worry even when away.

  • CCTV in the home

CCTV is not for nannies only. Home cameras can now be fitted and monitored even from a smartphone. Therefore, you can check on the patient even when away attending to other assignments. You can remind them about taking medication or food through a phone call because you will have seen that they didn’t.

  • Supervision of electrical appliances

If the patient is left home alone and has to cook for him/herself, then caregivers and family members need not worry. Electrical appliances can now be supervised remotely and alert those closest when anything goes wrong. If the microwave is one for more than half an hour, the caregiver will know immediately.

Many other innovations are being rolled out continuously in the market that helps dementia patients have normal lives. But these five are essential and accessible by all. They are not so expensive and will go a long way in making easing the burden not only on the patient but family members as well.

Author Bio:

Holly Clark is a freelance health writer and a career carer. Her writing mainly focuses on elder care and well-being. Right now, she is currently working as a consultant for SureSafe.

 

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Caregiving

Normal Caregiver Emotions

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Guess what? You’re not alone. Anyone who tells you they are happy every minute of every day is probably lying. Not all caregiving tasks are fun and not all moments are pleasant.

Negative Caregiver Emotions

You may feel guilty feeling these emotions, or not want to express them out loud, but these emotions are totally normal and it is highly likely that every caregiver has felt them at one time or another.

Resentment:

Whether you resent the situation (why did my spouse have to get in an accident) or you resent the cause (if my mom didn’t smoke, she wouldn’t have been this sick) or the change to your lifestyle (I used to have time to go out with my friends or travel), feelings of resentment are common.

Accepting these feelings and understanding that they are normal is the first step to feeling better. Once you’ve accepted these feelings, find a way to re-frame your mindset. Instead of thinking, why did my spouse have to get into an accident, think, I’m so glad I still have my spouse in my life. Instead of thinking, why did mom have to smoke and cause these health problems, think, I am going to take better care of myself so that my later years aren’t filled with doctor appointments and illness. Instead of thinking, I used to have a full life and now I am just a caregiver, think of ways to bring joy back into your life. It may not be in big ways like in the past, but find daily ways to feel happy.

Anger:

It is perfectly normal to feel anger when you are dealing with tasks that you don’t want to do or your caree is less than grateful for what you do. You may also feel anger if you are dealing with a financial impact of caregiving. It can be expensive to be a caregiver. Loss of work, out of pocket expenses that are not covered by insurance and paying for conveniences because you are too busy to do things yourself can all add up.

If you feel anger over doing tasks that are difficult or that you don’t enjoy, consider hiring a caregiver to assist with those tasks. Perhaps you bring someone in just for personal care or certain cleaning tasks. Practice shortcuts and cost-cutting tips to help with the fact that you’re bleeding money. And finally, consider keeping a gratitude journal to focus on the things you are thankful for or do some of these three minute stress busters to help blow off steam.

Anxiety:

Anxiety can be a normal emotion for anyone in these crazy busy times. We are expected to be accessible all the time, thanks to smart phones, and life is moving at a faster pace than ever before. Add in the stress of caregiving and the fear of your loved one falling more ill or watching their health decline and it’s no wonder your anxiety levels are at an all-time high.

Try coping techniques to reduce your anxiety. Meditate, go for a walk, take a hot shower or do whatever helps you relax. You can also join a caregiver support group either in person or online to speak to others in the same boat. If your anxiety is unusually high and self-care is not working, see your doctor. You may need to re-set your body through medication. There is no shame in reaching out for help.

Boredom or Impatience:

It is not strange to feel bored with your new role. You probably had a full-time job where you interacted with people on a daily basis and a full social life. Suddenly, you’re spending the majority of your time with someone who needs your help with menial tasks and not feeling challenged. You may also get impatient with how slowly your loved one moves or their inability to do simple tasks. These are normal feelings.

To cope with the boredom or impatience, find ways to challenge yourself or engage with others. If you can’t get away for several hours, consider online courses or support groups. You don’t need to leave the house to interact with others.

Loneliness:

Caregiving can be isolating. There aren’t enough hours in the day to foster friendships, so you tend to spend all of your time with your caree, who may not be the best company. If you had a full social life in the past, it can be even more frustrating to be left out of your social circle.

If possible, enlist other family members, friends or neighbors to provide you with time away. Whether you get a lunch away or a night in a hotel, just getting out of the house, among others will help with loneliness. You can also reach out to your friends via phone, email or text. Sometimes, they stop reaching out because they don’t know if it’s a good time to chat or what you need. Take the first step. If you are having trouble relating to people from your former life, join a support group either on- or off-line.

While these may feel like terrible emotions to admit to when caring for someone you love, they are totally normal and you should not feel embarrassed that you feel them. Find ways to re-frame them and pull yourself out of the funk. If you feel that you can’t do it on your own, reach out to a counselor for help. You don’t have to live an unhappy life while you are caring for others.

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Caregiving

How to find Caregiving Support for Low Income Loved Ones

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Caregiving isn’t just emotionally and physically demanding. It can get expensive. On average, caregivers spend between $5,000 and $20,000 per year on caregiving expenses.

Between co-pays for medication or medical appointments to caregiving support or devices and equipment, the expenses add up quickly. This isn’t even including general housing and nutritional needs.

If you are lucky, your parent planned ahead or was employed by a company that offered a pension. If not, where do you turn to get assistance with the overwhelming costs?

National Resources For Low Income Seniors

While it may take time to get set up in the federal systems, it is well worth your time to get your parents into the system for support. Caregiving is a marathon, not a race. Most caregivers are in their role for 5 years. Taking the time to apply for programs that provide financial assistance will help you in the long run.

National Council on Aging Benefits Check Up: Visit this site to find out what federal programs are available to your aging parents.

Medicare: Visit this site to find out insurance benefits and programs available to your aging parents.

Department of Health and Social Services: Your local branch will have information on local services available to your aging parents.

Administration on Aging: Your local branch can help you access services in your community.

Meals on Wheels of America: this organization will provide your parents with one meal per day. There is a fee associated with this service, however, they have options for low income seniors.

Local Resources for Low Income Seniors

Once you’ve figured out what federal options are available to you, it’s time to turn to your local community. Every community is different, so there may be more options in your community.

Chamber of Commerce or Senior Center: Reach out to these organizations in your city or county for a list of low cost or volunteer services in your community. For example, I knew of a senior center that did free grocery shopping for the elderly in their community. The client had to pay for the groceries, but not for the shopping fee. My local senior center has a program where volunteers call home-bound elderly people to check in on them. Every community is different. Find out what is available in your community. Just taking one or two items off your list will give you a few hours back every week.

Local Churches: If your parent, or you, are a member of a church, reach out to the spiritual leader with your needs. There may be a group or person within the church who can assist with some of the challenges of caregiving. Even getting help with meal delivery or transportation could impact your budget. That’s one less meal you are preparing or one less ride you are paying for or taking time off work to do.

Local Youth Programs: If there are local service-oriented youth programs in your community, reach out to find out if they provide senior services. Perhaps they can assist with yardwork or errands. You don’t know if you don’t ask.

Your Parent’s Doctor: Reach out to your parent’s doctor’s office if you are struggling with covering the co-pay or prescription costs. There may be ways they can assist. Some pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance. Your parent may also be able to take a generic prescription to lower the cost.

As someone who lives with a chronic condition, I know how expensive it can be to deal with healthcare expenses. Finding financial relief is time-consuming and you will feel like you are banging your head against the wall when you repeat the same information to the 45th person, but the long-term cost savings will be worthwhile. Additionally, bringing in support for certain tasks can free up a few hours here and there in your own schedule, giving you the opportunity to practice self-care, or at least take better care of yourself.

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How to Help a Senior with Parkinson’s
Caregiving

How to Help a Senior with Parkinson’s

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

If you are taking care of a loved one with Parkinson’s, you are not alone. Here are a few suggestions on how to help a senior with Parkinson’s.

Educate Yourself

When there is a new diagnosis, often families don’t know where to turn. Getting all the information you can may help. Particularly if you are feeling a lack of control. Talk to a health care professional about exercise options, learn about various medications and treatments, and learn about the progression of Parkinson’s, so you will be aware of what changes may occur over time. In addition, reach out to support groups in your area, often there are other individuals experiencing what you are experiencing nearby. They can help lead you to resources.

Take Care of Yourself

Your day-to-day life will change when you are living with someone with Parkinson’s. It’s important you take care of yourself so you can provide the best support for the person you love. Talking through your problems with a counselor can be very healing. Being kind to yourself, and having your own thoughts and feelings heard, is essential to a healthy home environment.

Enjoy Time Together

Parkinson’s affects motor skills and you may not be able to have the lifestyle with your loved one that you’ve had in the past. Do your best to accept and understand that an individual with Parkinson’s is living with a disease that can change daily. There may be days when a walk around the neighborhood is possible, but there will likely be other days when you’ll need to help them with basic tasks, such as getting dressed. So, when an opportunity to do something you enjoy together is possible and available, enjoy it.

Adapt Your Home

It is essential to have your home be a safe place, and to help a senior with Parkinson’s you will likely need to make some adjustments. Open pathways are important and as physical skills deteriorate, walkers or wheelchairs may be needed. Other things to keep in mind is that floor rugs can be tripping hazards along with standing lamps. Also, it is helpful to remove statues and side tables that could inhibit movement. Making adjustments to your home before they are absolutely needed provides more safety and allows everyone to acclimate to the new layout over a period of time.

When to Explore Assisted Living

In the later stages of Parkinson’s, a family might opt for the transition to an assisted living facility. There are many factors that go into a decision to move. When possible, families should try to make a decision that everyone can support. Often, when a facility is found that is trusted and viable financially, it can be a healthy option. It is estimated over half of individuals who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s will, at some point, develop dementia in connection with the disease. For some, it is possible to have home care, perhaps with a professional who can come to help out, but for others, assisted living is the best solution.

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Caregiving

What to consider when choosing an in-home care provider

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

If you are looking into hiring an in-home care provider here are some things to consider:

Service availability

Home health aide schedules vary between agencies. This can impact affordability and convenience when hiring a service.

  • Home for the holidays: Does the agency offer holiday service? Many elderly people celebrate in their own homes, making it crucial for an assistant to be available during these days.
  • Part-time option: Not all seniors need round-the-clock care, so a part-time option helps keep costs low.
  • Overtime service: Family members responsible for primary care may face a late day at the office, bad traffic or any number of factors that could leave them running late. Be sure that a caregiver can remain on site when a complication arises.
  • Respite care: Family caregivers need breaks from time-to-time to tend to their own needs. Home health aides can fill in so that the care recipient remains safe while the family caregiver is away.

Clear communication

Communication between the family of the senior receiving care and the provider organization is critical to creating a comprehensive schedule of services. Slow response times could leave a senior alone, or put them in danger by delaying reports on issues that could impact their health.

  • Health reporting: How often does the service provider give a comprehensive report about the senior’s continued ability to live alone?
  • Schedule changes: For many people, caring for an elderly parent does not reduce other demands on their time, leaving them to schedule around school plays, nights out with friends and work functions. Flexible and emergency scheduling is a must.
  • Live operators: As effective as voice mail can be, waiting for a call back can be nerve wracking. Make sure your service provider routinely answers the phone, rather than responding to messages.

Provider screening

Any time you let someone into your home, you take a risk. The elderly are particularly at risk, so before inviting someone in, it is important that they pass screening and a background check which should be provided by the agency.

  • Background checks: A credit check and scan of criminal history could provide a sense of security.
  • Reference checks: Reference checks are a quick and easy way to find out whether someone has a history of quality performance, and they are also something that many employers neglect to do.
  • Caregiver interview: Instead of simply assigning someone to a case, it is important to allow the caregiver, senior and their family to meet in an informal environment. Compatibility is a foundation for building trust.

Absentee policies

Everyone needs a day off occasionally, so what happens when a caregiver calls out?

  • Immediate notification: Before sending a replacement, the agency should notify you of the conflict. You might prefer to take some time off rather than have a stranger take on the job.
  • Available replacement: If they have a call out, can the agency send out someone else without missing the service window?
  • Permanent replacement option: While occasional call outs are inevitable, repetitive issues with missed work can be a major issue. It is important to know how many you might deal with from a single provider.

Cost

When trying to provide care on a limited budget, the cost can be a major issue. Medicare rarely covers in-home care costs, leaving much of it to be out-of-pocket. You can see what benefits you or your loved one are eligible for by visiting benefits.gov. Long-term care insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance might be viable options to help cover costs.

  • Daily charges: Is there a daily maximum on charges?
  • Hourly charges: Hourly charges can rack up fast, particularly for those that need round-the-clock care.
  • Extra therapy charge: If the primary aide only helps around the house, but is supplemented with a physical therapist or nurse, is there an additional charge for these occasional services? There almost always is.

Article provide by ConsumerAffairs.com

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Caregiving

Types of home care services

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

Home health aides

Home health aides are professionals who can help with self-care, housework, cooking and more. They might also perform some basic medical tasks. Home health aides sometimes have medical training, so they might be certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). However, there aren’t any specific standards requiring a home health aide to have particular training or certification. If you’re looking for someone to help with any medical-related tasks, ask about certifications when choosing your provider. Medicare or Medicaid might pay for help from a home health aide.

Nurses

Home care nurses often handle the basic medical needs of those aging in place, like tracking their vitals, giving them IV medications and changing bandages. These professionals could either be licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). The higher level of care a person needs, the more likely their nurse will be an RN. Sometimes, a nurse will visit a patient less frequently but will manage a team of home health aides that visits the person every day. Medicare or Medicaid might pay for help from a home care nurse.

Geriatric care managers

Geriatric care managers are professionals that help caregivers figure out how much care their loved one needs and what living situation might be best for them. They also help caregivers and families navigate the medical system and figure out how to pay for care and hire appropriate home care professionals. Geriatric care managers often have backgrounds in gerontology, social work, nursing, psychology or another related field. You’ll often have to pay out-of-pocket to hire a care manager, but it could be worth the investment if they help you save money in other ways.

Companion services

Companion services vary a lot. Companions might just be someone who keeps your loved one company, or they might also offer transportation and housekeeping services. Companions don’t handle any medical tasks, and they don’t usually help with bathing, grooming or other activities of daily living (ADLs). Because these individuals don’t provide medical care, Medicaid and Medicare won’t pay for them. You may be able to find a community service organization, like Volunteers of America, that provides these services for free.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a national organization that operates in most communities in the United States. It works with local businesses and volunteers to serve meals to people over 60. The organization delivers meals to people in their homes, and the volunteers who drop meals off provide some companionship to seniors. The group also serves meals in local community centers, so people who can drive can get out of the house to socialize. These services are free or low-cost, depending on where you live.

Community villages

Villages are non-profit organizations designed to help people age in place. Villages coordinate volunteers and paid workers to organize social and educational activities. Villages typically offer transportation services and limited in-home assistance as well as discounted services from health professionals. Each village is independently operated, so the services offered in your area will vary. To find out about a village near you and learn more about these organizations, visit the Village to Village Network’s website.

PACE programs

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, is a part of Medicare and Medicaid. The programs provide as much care as feasibly possible to people in their own homes. For example, someone in a state with PACE might be eligible for in-home care, social work counseling and many other services.

Programs in different parts of the country have slightly different offerings, but the overall goal is to keep people in their own homes as long as possible. These programs currently exist in just over 30 states, but they don’t necessarily cover the entire state. To find out about PACE programs in your area, visit the PACE page on the Medicare website.

Article shared by ConsumerAffairs.com

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Caregiving

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home vs. Home Care

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

How to choose the right living situation for your aging parent

You have to consider several factors (finances, health care needs and preferences) when choosing where your aging loved one should live. Although seniors have many different living options, most people choose an assisted living facility, a nursing home or in-home care.

Before making any decision about where your loved one should live, talk to them. Find out what they want their daily life to look like and what would make them happiest. Their ideal situation (retiring to Hawaii, for example) might not be feasible, but having an honest conversation about their preferences will reassure your loved one they still have control over their life. Research shows people are more likely to be happy with their surroundings in a care facility if they had some control in the decision to move there.

After talking to your loved one about their preferences, you can make a decision together based on the types and costs of the services your loved one needs.

Compare senior housing options

Choosing a place to live should be a two-sided conversation. First, consider the services your loved one needs and talk it over with them. You might disagree; for example, you might think mom needs someone to prepare meals for her because she’s started ordering a lot of takeout, but she might simply be tired of cooking after years of preparing meals for her family. Talking about needs helps ensure you don’t pay for unnecessary services.

Assisted living facilities

Types of assisted living services:

  • Help with self-care (bathing, grooming and dressing)
  • Meals
  • Transportation to doctor’s appointments
  • Housekeeping
  • Social activities
  • Fitness classes or programs
  • Emergency call system (similar to a medical alert system)
  • Medication monitoring
  • Minor health care services (checking and tracking vitals, assisting with oxygen tanks, prostheses or other self-administered medical devices)

 

Cost of assisted living: $40,000-$50,000 per year

Nursing homes

Types of nursing home services:

  • All services provided at an assisted living facility
  • Regular assessment by registered nurses (RNs) or doctors
  • Treatment for ongoing illnesses of all kinds
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Memory care (including architectural design, food choices and more) for dementia patients

 

Cost of nursing homes: $85,000-$95,000 per year

In-home care

Types of in-home care services:

  • Meal delivery
  • Help with self-care (bathing, grooming and dressing)
  • Medication monitoring
  • Minor health care services (checking and tracking vitals, assisting with oxygen tanks, prostheses or other self-administered medical devices)
  • Medical alert system
  • Periodic assessment by RNs
  • Housekeeping
  • Transportation
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Companionship

 

Cost of in-home care: $10-$30 per hour

Other considerations

The services your loved one needs and the cost of getting those services might be among the most complex factors in deciding between aging in place and moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. However, you shouldn’t discount the following considerations:

Your capabilities
If you’ll be the primary caregiver, think about your capabilities. Ask yourself whether you can provide all the care they need, long term. It may be difficult to admit to yourself and your loved one that you can’t fully take care of them yourself, but doing so will be better for everyone in the long run.

If you and your loved one decide they should age in place or move in with you, remember to care for yourself too. Use respite care services when you need a break, join a support group for caregivers and consider talking to a counselor to get emotional support for yourself.

Location
Consider how far you live from your loved one and whether they’re willing to relocate to be close to you. If they live far away and don’t want to move to a new city, then a care facility might offer a safer environment simply because of the supervision it provides.

If your loved one lives near you and is moving to a facility, make sure distance won’t prevent you or other friends and relatives from visiting them regularly.

Community
Talk to your loved one about their social life. If they feel isolated or lonely, moving into a care facility might help them feel more connected since these facilities have regular social activities for residents.

If your loved one is highly involved with their existing community or social groups, discuss ways for them to remain involved, even if they move into a facility. Depending on the facility’s rules and your loved one’s health, they may be able to keep a car at the facility so they can drive themselves to social events. Depending on location, they could also use public transportation or a rideshare service to get around.

Centralized services
The more care your loved one needs, the more complicated their home care is for you to manage. For example, you may have to call separate providers for problems with housekeeping, meal services and healthcare. If all of these things were a problem while they were living in a care facility, you’d probably only have to contact one person. Having a centralized service may lessen the stress for both you and your loved ones.

If you and your loved one decide they should remain in their own home or live with you, consider hiring a geriatric care manager. These professionals can help you find qualified providers, understand health care costs and better address your loved one’s needs.

The future
It’s important to remember that as your loved one ages, they’ll need more advanced care. Your initial conversation on what arrangements they prefer is a good time to discuss long-term care if they get dementia or become otherwise incapable of making their own choices in the future.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have senior apartments, assisted living facilities and nursing homes all on the same property. If your loved one expects to eventually need nursing home care, moving into a senior apartment at a CCRC might make more sense than renovating their home to age in place.

Bottom line

Figuring out where someone you love should live as they grow older can be emotionally draining, and not knowing what’s going to happen often feels scary. Both you and your loved one will feel better when you make a choice together and proceed with your plan.

Whether you decide they should move into a care facility, move in with you or age in place, there are plenty of service providers to help you through the process. Once you have these services in place, your loved one can focus on being more social and enjoying their life.

by Jami Barnett, Ph.D.
ConsumerAffairs Research Team

Jami Barnett, Ph.D., is an experienced researcher, and she believes consumers have a right to clear and honest information about products. In her role at ConsumerAffairs, she thoroughly researches products and companies by interviewing experts, reviewing research studies, reading governmental regulations and investigating customer service responses. Her work gives consumers the information they need to make smart purchasing decisions.

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Elderly woman visiting sick husband
Conditions & Treatments

Bedsores preventive treatment

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

What is a bedsore?

Bedsore is a skin condition arising from the exposure to the following factors:

  • Pressure causing local ischemia – cells which are deprived of oxygen die, and repeated periods of skin affecting pressure lead to inflammation – that can quickly lead to developing a bedsore.
  • Friction – rubbing peels the epidermis, making the skin weaker or even damaged. Skin irritation or damage promotes bedsore development.
  • Maceration – occurs when the skin is constantly exposed to moisture, what softens it, making it easy to get infected.

Agents causing macerations are:

  • sweat
  • urine
  • wound exudation

 

What promotes bedsore development?

  • Limited mobility – confinement, physical disability, etc.
  • Epidermis injury or abrasion
  • Improper skin care
  • General health problems – malnutrition, deficiency of protein, electrolytes and blood compounds
  • Atherosclerosis, diabetes
  • Prolonged exposure to wetness, which can be caused by choosing wrong incontinence management products
  • Too high ambient temperature causing excessive perspiration and skin chafes
  • Garments and bedclothes made of artificial, skin irritating materials
  • Internal seams in clothes, buttons, food bits on the mattress.

The most common places where bedsores occur

5 stages of bedsores

Bedsores are rated in stages – there are 5 depending on the level of development:

STAGE I – redness, which fades after eliminating the pressure; there is no skin damage.

STAGE II – redness which does not fade after relieving the pressure; surface swelling, skin erosion; painful epidermis injury.

STAGE III – deep skin damage reaching to the dermis (deeper skin structures); visible, swelling, rash; the bottom of the wound may be covered with dissolving tissue (yellow mass) or red granulation.

STAGE IV – the damage reaches down to the bone, skin necrosis occurs; dead tissue is present, and the bottom of the wound may be filled with black necrotic tissue.

STAGE V – this is the most advanced stage – necrosis reaches down to the muscles, what may lead to sepsis.

Bedsore preventive treatment

Healthy people, who are able to control their muscles, and are able to react to discomfort caused by pressure never develop bedsores. Their development in the case of people with limited mobility can be considerably reduced by following the rules of bedsore preventive treatment.

Do not ignore the symptoms

Skin redness, which doesn’t disappear after relieving pressure, blisters developing in the area under pressure, damaged epidermis – these symptoms should alert the carer. Constant skin observation is a crucial element of bedsore preventive treatment.

Try to eliminate risk factors

  • Body repositioning should be carried out regularly every 2–3 hours.
  • Decrease the pressure on the skin if bedsores start to develop the person you look after should not sit or lie on the body part affected by the changes.
  • Remember to separate the legs with a pillow when positioning on one’s side.
  • Get rid of rubber underpads – they tend to crease and fold – this puts pressure on the skin and blocks the air circulation.
  • Bedclothes should never be wet – if the person you look after wets the bed you should change the bedding.
  • Prevent injuries – this also includes scratches – clip your loved one’s nails short and file them.

Use special bedsore preventive equipment

  • Pressure reducing (anti bedsore) mattress
  • Anti bedsore pillows
  • Special bed underpads and mattress covers
  • Slip mats and sliding equipment used to reposition the person on the bed.

Try to activate your loved one as much as possible

  • Encourage the person under your care to do as many activities as possible.
  • Try to work on increasing mobility.
  • Do not relive the person you look after from every activity.

Use skin care

  • Delicately cleanse the skin using special cosmetics.
  • Avoid using products which affect the skin too much. Also avoid using powder with greasy products such as oil or rich cream.
  • Remember about intimate hygiene of the person you look after – cleanse these parts with delicate products and apply protection in those areas.
  • Check the skin condition every day – react promptly if you come across something disturbing.
  • Activate the skin through massage.

Ensure healthy diet for the person you look after

  • Daily diet should supply the organism with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
  • The diet should include cereals, dairy products, legumes, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
  • If bedsores start to develop it is advised to introduce a diet high in protein for some time.
  • Sweets, animal fat and salt consumption should be cut down or avoided.

If bedsores develop you need to consult a doctor immediately to plan the treatment. Treatment of bedsores takes time. It is a difficult process, however if you follow the doctor’s advice, it is possible to cure them.

 

Remember: the sooner you start to employ proper action, the quicker and more effective will be the treatment. Remember that it is easier to prevent, than cure.

 

You can find more information the best products to prevent bedsores at Senior.com.

-Provided by Seni, maker of skin care and incontinence products.

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