Home » Visiting Angels
Tag:

Visiting Angels

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House
Exercise & Fitness

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

At Visiting Angels®, we know how important home is to elderly adults. After all, the very goal of senior home care is to help seniors extend their years spent in the comfort of home. But as recent research has found, spending too much time at home can significantly shorten the lifespan of seniors. How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House
According to results published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors who rarely leave the house have higher rates of mortality than seniors who leave their homes regularly. Meanwhile, seniors who leave the house every day have the lower rates of mortality of all.
These results were true even when researchers adjust for a range of health conditions. This suggests that spending almost all of one’s time at home isn’t just a sign of poor health, but an active contributor to it. That leads to a simple conclusion: spending more time out of the house could increase the average lifespan of elderly adults.
So how can family, friends, and caregivers encourage seniors to spend more time out of the house? Here are a few strategies.

Out-of-the-House Activities for Seniors

  • Have a Cup of Coffee. One of the best ways to get older adults out of the house is to make a cup of coffee at a local café or a lunchtime visit to a favorite restaurant a part of their daily routine. This can be done with a group of friends, a family member, or a professional caregiver.
  • Run Errands Together. Many seniors stop running errands as they grow older, preferring to have family, friends, or caregivers do them on their behalf. An alternative is to do these errands together. That way, seniors have someone with them to lend a hand and take care of any difficult aspects to errands, but they still get to enjoy time out in the community.
  • Take a Short Walk. A short walk around the neighborhood or through a local park is a great way to not only get seniors out of the house, but also to get them active. Even a short, five to ten-minute walk offers cardiovascular health benefits for seniors, and it’s the perfect way to get fresh air in warm weather.
  • Sign Up for Weekly Activities. Local community centers, seniors’ centers, and religious institutions often host a range of weekly activities perfect for seniors. Card games, tai chi classes, and book clubs are just some examples of popular activities for elderly adults.
  • Take Advantage of Community Markets. Many communities have weekly farmers’ markets, many of which are senior-friendly spaces. These markets are a great way to spend time outside, while also picking up healthy fruits and vegetables for during the week. Depending on your loved one’s interests, you might also find success with flea markets or arts-and-crafts markets.
  • Get Fresh Air Close to Home. You don’t need to go far to get out of the house. Elderly adults — particularly those with mobility difficulties — can get daily fresh air by spending time on their porch or in their backyard. Consider adding a birdfeeder, buying outdoor plants, or changing the garden so that your loved one has a reason for spending time outside.

When encouraging seniors to spend time out of the house, there may be limitations or difficulties you need to plan around. Many seniors become housebound due to physical health concerns that make it difficult to leave the home, so family members and friends may need to find activities that are easier to access and enjoy.
Another common issue is who seniors perform these activities with. Socially isolated seniors may not have friends or family available to join them when they leave the home. If seniors don’t enjoy spending time outside alone, it can be difficult to motivate them to get out of the house. Hiring a senior home care service, like Visiting Angels, to accompany your loved one for out-of-the-home activities may be helpful if this is the case.
How Exercise Helps the Body and Brain

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

0 comment
5 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Understand Your Caregiving Options
Caregiving

Understand Your Caregiving Options

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Choosing Between 24-Hour Home Care and Live-In Caregivers

There are a number of reasons why a senior might require round-the-clock care. Severe illness, acute disability, or a memory disorder can all lead to 24/7 care and support. While many seniors and their families choose to make the move to a nursing home at this stage, others prefer to receive care at home, where seniors feel most comfortable. Understand Your Caregiving Options
If you have a loved one who requires constant care, you’ll need to choose between a live-in caregiver and a 24-hour home care service. Each offers its own benefits and drawbacks, and the right service for your loved one will depend on your loved one’s care needs, their living situation, your family’s involvement in your loved one’s care, and a number of other circumstances.
Visiting Angels has been providing seniors with professional, 24-hour home care for nearly two decades. Below, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of 24-hour home care and live-in caregivers, what each of these services offers, and how you can make the right choice for your loved one.

When & Why to Choose 24-Hour Care

If you feel that a loved one cannot live safely without constant care and supervision, some form of 24-hour care becomes necessary. Sometimes it’s possible for family members to share 24-hour caregiving responsibilities. But more often than not, professional assistance is needed. Understand Your Caregiving Options
Some of the most common reasons for choosing 24-hour care include:

  • Memory Disorders. Seniors suffering from advanced forms of dementia can be a risk to themselves without constant monitoring and support.
  • Severe Illness. If a loved one suffers from a serious illness, they may require regular medical or non-medical care to ensure their well-being.
  • Acute Disability. Physical disabilities can make it impossible for seniors to safely perform necessary tasks, like going to the bathroom, without help from a caregiver.

24-hour care will ensure that your loved one has someone around to assist them with activities of daily living at all times of the day. These can include light housekeeping, meal planning, meal preparation, and companionship. It also ensures that your loved one is looked after throughout the day, ensuring a watchful eye to keep them safe, offer guidance, and take action in case of an emergency.

24-Hour Home Care vs. Live-In Caregivers

Round-the-clock home care for seniors is a care option that is offered by a number of home care agencies and occasionally by independent caregivers. Here is what you need to know about both types of care to make the right choice for your loved one:

  • 24-Hour Home Care. 24-hour home care services are delivered by a team of caregivers. These caregivers are scheduled on 12-hour or 8-hour shifts to ensure that someone is always with your loved one. This makes constant-monitoring and assistance possible (as opposed to live-in care, which requires a sleeping period for the caregiver). Shorter shifts also ensure that caregivers are alert throughout their time on duty. With a rotating team of caregivers, communication between caregivers is essential.
  • Live-In Caregivers. Live-in care services are performed by a single caregiver over a 24-hour period. Usually, two caregivers split these duties over the course of the week. With the same caregiver providing care over a 24-hour period, caregivers can more quickly build a relationship with care recipients. Over the course of a 24-hour shift, a live-in caregiver receives an eight-hour sleeping period, which prevents constant monitoring.

Cost can be another factor that differentiates 24-hour home care from live-in care. While 24-hour home care is usually the more expensive option, rates can vary widely between providers. In some areas, it’s not uncommon to find 24-hour home care plans that are less expensive than live-in care.

Choosing the Right Care for Your Loved One

If your loved one requires round-the-clock care, here are the factors that you should consider when choosing between 24-hour home care and live-in care:

  • What are your loved one’s care needs? If your loved one has specialized care needs, that will narrow down the care providers who are able to provide quality care for your loved one.
  • How important is constant monitoring? If you feel that a caregiver should be alert and on duty all 24 hours of the day, then 24-hour home care by rotating caregivers may be necessary. However, some live-in caregivers will make accommodations to avoid care interruptions.
  • How do costs compare in your area? While cost of care is no object for some families, most of us don’t have that luxury. Meet with providers in your area to ensure an accurate cost comparison.
  • How will the care relationship be developed and maintained? Live-in caregivers are often able to develop stronger care relationships with care recipient by spending more time with them, though some home care agencies take steps to ensure a strong relationship between caregivers and care recipients.

Hiring a Caregivers vs. Choosing an Agency

Additionally, it’s important to consider the value of choosing an agency rather than hiring a caregiver on your own. One of the main benefits of choosing an agency is that they will handle all insurance and liability concerns. For example, the agency you choose should be bonded, insured and licensed if required by your state. If you hire a caregiver directly, who will hold the insurance? You or the caregiver?
Home care agencies also manage federal and state taxes or 1099 for the caregiver allowing you to focus on spending quality time with your loved one. When hiring a caregiver independently, you’ll be responsible for managing taxes, 1099 forms and being aware of any changes in regulations. A reputable agency will also run background and criminal history checks on caregivers ensuring they are trustworthy and reliable.
If you’re considering 24-hour home care for your loved one, get in touch with your local Visiting Angels office. Many of our home care agencies offer affordable 24-hour care plans that are tailored to each client’s needs. Your local office will be happy to meet with you for an in-person, no-cost consultation. Understand Your Caregiving Options

Understand Your Caregiving Options

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Caregiving

How to Know When to Bring in a Paid Caregiver

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Not everyone will eventually need family or paid caregivers. Many people are independent and care for themselves all the way up to the end. Some people may just need a little bit of help from their loved ones to keep them independent while others need a lot of help and support as they age.

If you have an aging loved one who isn’t able to remain independent, it can be overwhelming and stressful, no matter how strong your relationship is. Once you add in the stress of managing your own life, particularly if you are still working or are also parenting children, being a family caregiver is not for the weak.

Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have siblings who you can share responsibilities with, or a strong caregiver network, you are already ahead of the game. You can also outsource some tasks like cleaning or even meal preparation. But sometimes, even with support and delegation, you may still need to hire a paid caregiver.

How do you know when it’s time to hire a paid caregiver?

Signs Your Aging Parent Needs a Caregiver

First and foremost, know that your parent needs a paid caregiver if providing care to your loved one is affecting your physical or emotional health. Don’t feel guilty about this. You can’t care for others if you don’t care for yourself. Maybe you need a break a few hours a week or you need to take two weeks off. Find the right person and step away to take care of yourself. You’ll be a much better caregiver if you put your needs first.

Here are other signs it maybe be time for a paid caregiver:

  1. Physical Changes: If your aging parent has lost a considerable amount of weight or has taken a lot of falls, you may want to hire a paid caregiver to prepare meals and ensure your parent is safe at home.
  2. Decreased Mobility: If your aging parent has a difficult time moving around his/her home, you may want to hire a paid caregiver to ensure he can safely move through his home. Decreased mobility may mean that your parent can’t safely bathe on his/her own or prepare meals. A caregiver can help with those things, as well as help your parent improve mobility through an exercise or strength building routine established by a physical therapist.
  3. Decline in Hygiene or Grooming: If your normally well-groomed parent is suddenly slacking on hygiene or grooming, it may be because he/she is unable to bathe/handle grooming. A paid caregiver can come in to assist with these tasks.
  4. Dirty or Cluttered Home: If your aging parent normally kept a neat home, they may be struggling to keep up with normal household chores. Perhaps they aren’t able to push the vacuum or get too tired standing at the sink for a long period of time. A paid caregiver can come in for a few hours a week to help them keep up on these chores.
  5. Sick or Weak: If your parent is battling an illness or isn’t physically strong, you may want to hire a paid caregiver to take care of some of the standard home chores that they need help with, as well as provide help with standard activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, grooming).

 

While some of these tasks can be delegated or divided amongst family members, sometimes it is important to bring in the pros – particularly when they need assistance with activities of daily living. Your aging parent may be embarrassed to have their adult child bathe them or assist with toileting or dressing. Bringing in a paid caregiver can help them preserve their dignity.

Paying for a Paid Caregiver

If part of your hesitation in bringing on a paid caregiver is the cost, there may be resources available to your family. If you haven’t done so, check out my Resources page for links to government programs available to seniors and caregivers.

Your parent may qualify for in home caregiving. I had a client who was very low income who was able to have a caregiver in her home for 20 hours per week through a federal program. You should also check with caregiving agencies. Some of them lower the hourly rate based on the amount of time you need a caregiver. So, for example, the rate may be $37 per hour but if you book 4 hours it can drop to $28 per hour.

If you haven’t already done this, reach out to your local senior center and Administration on Aging office. They may know of programs in your parent’s town that provide caregiving support to people like your parent. And of course, if your parent is a veteran, reach out to your local Veteran Administration office to find out if they have programs that provide caregivers.

There are options, but you may have to do a little digging to find them. It is definitely worth it to do your research.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
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

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Caregiving

How to choose a home care provider

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

1. Write down all the care services needed

Start by making a complete list of all the tasks you or your loved one needs help with. Once you have this list, you can decide whether you need one provider or a few with different specialties.

2. Screen over the phone first

Next, call the companies that advertise the services you need and confirm that their employees can do everything needed. Use the list of questions from Eldercare.gov to ensure your loved one will receive quality care.

3. Interview in the resident’s home

If a provider meets your standards after talking to them on the phone, have an in-home interview with the people who will work with your loved one. Make sure you and the care recipient feel comfortable and confident.

4. Call the provider’s references

Anyone who will be working in your loved one’s home should be willing to give you a list of references, including current clients. Call these people to learn more about the provider and ensure they’re someone you want to hire.

5. Run a background check

Run a background check on each individual who will be helping your loved one in their home.

Article from ConsumerAffairs.com

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
Caregiving

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When someone you love requires senior care, it’s important that they receive care from a provider who puts seniors first. The sudden boom in America’s elderly population has made senior care one of America’s most lucrative industries. While many owners of senior care agencies and facilities are getting into the industry for the right reasons, too many others only see dollar signs. Instead of putting seniors first, they’re prioritizing the bottom line. Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
At Visiting Angels®, we’ve been focused on seniors’ well-being for more than twenty years and have become one of the most trusted names in the senior care industry. We know that a profit-first approach to senior care is not the right answer. What’s more, we believe in giving families the information they need to find trustworthy care for their loved ones.
Here’s why. As a business-owner, the bottom line is always a concern. There’s a simple reason. If you’re losing money, you can’t stay in business. And if you can’t stay in business, you can’t provide care to the seniors who need your support. But if maximizing profits is a bigger priority than optimizing quality of care, that’s a problem.
Nothing has underscored this more clearly than a New York Times report on American nursing homes published this January. Reporters discovered heartbreaking stories of malpractice and mistreatment in a series of nursing homes engaged in shady business practices. It turned out that the owners were buying services and supplies from companies they owned separately from their nursing homes. By making these purchases at artificially high prices, the owners were able to mask how much money they were actually making.
Thankfully, these transactions are unlikely to occur in the at home care industry.

Choosing a Trustworthy Senior Care Provider

The good news is that there are still senior care agencies and facilities that put seniors first instead of focusing solely on profits. Here are a few tips on how to steer clear of senior care agencies and nursing facilities that put profits ahead of the seniors in their care.

  • During your initial consultations with care providers, gauge how flexible they are with regards to your loved one’s care concerns, personal preferences, and scheduling requests. High-quality providers understand the unique needs of their clients and customize their services accordingly.
  • If possible, research their reputation within the community. A quality provider will happily provide references from past clients. Online reviews can be an excellent resource, particularly for well-established agencies and care facilities.
  • When a provider is part of a national brand, pay close attention to the wider reputation of that brand. Different brands hold their locations to different standards and operate according to different values. Trusted names, like Visiting Angels, are trusted for a reason.

For home care services that put seniors first, contact your local Visiting Angels. Call 800-365-4189 or contact your local office to get detailed information on our senior care services or to schedule a free in-home consultation with your local director.

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay
Caregiving

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

One of the most challenging experiences for seniors and caregivers can be managing the recovery process after a hospital stay. Often, it’s not the hospitalization that is most difficult, but the specialized follow-up care that many seniors require to avoid complications or readmission into the hospital.

This follow-up care, called post-acute care, is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. It’s also one of the most misunderstood and difficult to navigate parts of our healthcare system. Seniors who receive high-quality post-acute care after an injury or illness experience better, faster recoveries and have lower out-of-pocket healthcare. Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

Usually, your healthcare provider will inform you of the follow-up care you or your loved one will need upon admission to the hospital. Sometimes, however, you may not find out what services are needed until it’s time to leave the hospital. For these time-constrained and stressful situations, it’s important that you make an informed decision for optimal recovery. Patients are often assigned a case manager who can guide you through the post-acute care process and coordinate recovery as you or your loved one transitions from the hospital back to their home. The case manager can be a great resource to discuss post-acute care options.

To ensure that you select the best post-acute care for your condition, it’s important to understand the different options and identify what best suits your personal needs. There are four main types of post-acute care – each provides unique services in different settings.

4 Types of Acute Care:

  1. Home health care agencies send medical professionals to patients’ homes to receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services without having to go to a separate facility. Common services provided through home health care are wound care, physical therapy, and help with medicines, such as injections.
  2. Skilled nursing facilities are residential healthcare facilities for patients who no longer need to be in a hospital but who require a higher level of medical care than can be provided at home. Common services provided include physical/occupational rehabilitation, speech and language therapy, and complex wound care.
  3. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are residential healthcare locations that provide intensive hospital-level care for patients with complex conditions such as spinal cord diseases or traumatic brain injuries. Common services provided through inpatient rehabilitation facilities include intensive physical therapy and stroke rehabilitation.
  4. Long term care hospitals offer the same level of round-the-clock care as traditional hospitals or intensive care units, but over a longer period of time (usually a month). Common services provided at long term care hospitals include ventilator care, intravenous therapy, and dialysis.

 

After determining the type of post-acute care provider best fits your needs, there are some other important factors to consider before making a decision.

  • Meet with a medical professional to understand medical needs and determine the best post-acute care options. If you have a specific medical condition (diabetes, chronic disease, Alzheimer’s), you can narrow down your search based on specialty services offered through the provider.
  • Verify insurance coverage to make sure that the post-acute care facility is within your insurance network and that the treatment is covered under the insurance policy.
  • When evaluating healthcare providers, it’s important to compare Medicare quality data and other key information such as patient/family reviews and health inspection reports.
  • Talk to staff members at the provider to discuss patient care plans, how patient needs will be addressed, and how they handle different situations. If possible, visit the location and talk to current employees and residents about their experiences. Evaluate the facility’s cleanliness, amenity options, and medical specializations.

 

Navigating follow-up care is a challenging and emotional process, especially for seniors who have just gone through a major medical operation or hospitalization. If you’re a caregiver or family member supporting your loved one in the transition, be patient and understanding throughout the decision-making process. There are many online communities and discussion forums to find out more about post-acute care and learn from others’ experiences to make the most of the recovery journey. Remember, leaving the hospital is just the first part of the road to a happy and healthy recovery!

Ryan Miller is a recovering healthcare policy wonk and co-founder of repisodic, a health technology company that helps seniors, families, caregivers and healthcare professionals find the highest quality, personalized post-acute care. He was previously Director of Policy and Strategy for Siemens Healthcare, one of the largest medical device companies the world, but now enjoys building up and providing free profiles of health providers as well as guides and articles on a variety of senior healthcare topics. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and dog. www.repisodic.com

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology
Tech Support

5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

These days, digital devices are an essential part of almost everybody’s life. With a smartphone in every pocket, a tablet in every living room, and computers powering seemingly every business on the planet, it’s clear we’re living in a digital world. But for many seniors — even those who are used to some older technologies — the rate of change in modern technology is too much, too fast. 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology
That can make it tough to teach seniors how to use new phones, new computers, and the array of apps and services that might improve seniors’ lives. But with patience, smarts, and maybe a little bit of help, it’s possible to teach your mom or dad how to use these new technologies.

1. Choose Intuitive Devices

While digital devices used to be designed for power and functionality first, there has been a trend in user-friendly design over the past several years. One result of this trend has been a rise in intuitive technologies. Intuitive devices and apps are designed so that users can usually guess how things work, without the need for instruction. While most seniors will still need coaching with intuitive devices and apps, you can remove many stumbling blocks by choosing technologies they feel more comfortable using.

2. Don’t Overwhelm Seniors

One common mistake that people make when teaching seniors how to use technology is to overwhelm them. This can happen when you teach your parent how to use a phone or tablet, but don’t spend as much time teaching them how to use specific applications. The best thing to do is to teach your parent one use for their device at a time, and not go overboard with too many applications for them to keep track of.

3. Create Cheat Sheets for Common Problems

Typically, seniors will have one or two problem areas that crop up when they learn how to use a new device. One way to get around these is to create handwritten cheat sheets that explain how to resolve specific problems. (After all, even with their shiny new laptop, most seniors will still find pen and paper useful).

4. Take On Tech Support Duties

If your mom or dad are trying to get the hang of a new technology, make sure they know you’re willing to help them out when they need it. Too often, parents feel embarrassed asking questions, or children become impatient with seniors who are just looking for honest answers. So let your parent know that you’re just a call away if they find themselves stuck or frustrated, and take care to answer their questions with kindness and patience.

5. Hire a Technology Helper

At Visiting Angels, one program that’s become increasingly popular in recent years is our Social Care Program. This program teaches seniors how to use social technologies, including cell phones, email, Facebook, Skype, FaceTime, ecommerce sites, and more. This way, seniors have a knowledgeable helper around the home on a regular schedule.
If you think that your loved one could benefit from a helping hand with modern technology, your local Visiting Angels will be happy to help. Contact your local Visiting Angels office today to learn more about how we help seniors learn and use digital technologies.
5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology

5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology

5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology 5 Strategies for Helping Seniors with Technology
 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Caregiving After a Stroke
Caregiving

Home Care Options

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Study Finds Seniors Need In-Home Medical Care — But Face Few Options

At Visiting Angels, we know the importance of in-home care, and we know that for millions of American seniors, it is important that care comes to them and not the other way around. Thankfully, the market for non-medical in-home care is bigger than ever. Now, housebound or mobility-limited seniors are able to get much of the support and care they need in the comfort of their own homes.

But when it comes to doctor’s visits, it’s a completely different story. These days, it’s almost impossible for seniors to receive an in-home visit from a physician — something that would have seemed unthinkable mere decades ago.

According to a new study, American seniors have almost no options when it comes to in-home medical care. This has left housebound, frail, and mobility-limited seniors — a number researchers estimate may be as high as four million — incredibly vulnerable in terms of their personal health. Home Care Options

Fewer than 1% of Doctors Offer Routine House Calls

There was a time in America where you didn’t go to the doctor — instead, the doctor came to you. As recently as the 1960s, house calls made up 40% of all doctor-patient visits. But nowadays, few physicians will even make a house call, and even fewer offer house calls as a regular part of their routine.

According to Medicare data compiled, analyzed, and reported by researchers from three institutions (the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins, and UCSF), fewer than 1 out of every 100 American physicians offers routine house calls. This leaves housebound or mobility-limited seniors with few options for in-home medical care — if any at all.

In fact, the researchers found that the majority of housebound seniors live more than 30 miles from a physician who performs regular house calls. This means that they are more or less out of reach when it comes to regular check-ups and medical care.

The study’s authors say that their findings reflect a major shortcoming of the health care system. The researchers say this not only puts housebound seniors at risk but also contributes to ballooning health care costs. The authors argue that increased house call availability would reduce the emergency calls placed by housebound seniors, who make up many of Medicare’s costliest patients. Home Care Options

Non-Medical In-Home Care Readily Available

Ironically, while medical in-home care is now near-impossible to acquire, there is currently a wealth of non-medical in-home care options for American seniors. At Visiting Angels alone, our caregivers serve the non-medical needs of thousands of American seniors every day.

But as America’s choice in home care, we’re also aware that senior health and well-being depends on high-quality medical care for our clients, many of whom suffer from mobility limitations or disadvantages.
“Non-medical in-home care services go a long way toward keeping seniors comfortable and healthy — but high-quality medical care is essential,” says Visiting Angels President and CEO, Larry Meigs. “It’s our hope that the type of care needed by our clients becomes more readily available in the coming years.”

The authors of the study agree. Aaron Yao, the lead author of the study, says that expanding house calls by physicians would not only be cost-effective, it would also have a positive impact on quality of life.

Visiting Angels non-medical in-home care services are offered in communities across the United States. Get in touch with us today to connect with your local provider.

Home Care Options

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts