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How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care
Aging

How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

As our parents grow older, adult children play a bigger and bigger role in their care and well-being. That can mean playing a bigger role in their physical, mental, and emotional health. Unfortunately, this can be difficult if you are unable to speak with your parent’s physician. So, if you’re starting to play a bigger role in your parent’s elderly care, you will likely want to establish lines of communication between yourself and your parent’s physician. How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care
Talking with an elderly parent’s doctor can be a complicated legal and medical situation. But when you’ve taken the necessary steps, it makes elderly care much, much easier. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to establish those lines of communication, along with some tips for how to engage with your loved one’s physician. How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care

Obtaining Legal Authorization

Physicians are legally obliged to keep a person’s medical information private. While some physicians will share information with a patient’s verbal permission, many feel uncomfortable doing so without written authorization.
If your loved one wants to retain their own medical power of attorney, your loved one can create a document that gives his or her physician permission to share medical information with a specific person or persons. A copy of this document must be supplied to your loved one’s physician. If your loved one wishes to give you or another member of your family medical power of attorney, you will need to follow the proper legal procedure for doing so.
It is always a good idea to let other members of your family know when medical authorization is being granted to another person. This can help avoid confusion about who is handling your parent’s health, and can prevent arguments around important health care decisions.

What to Do on Doctor’s Visits

Taking a leadership role in your parent’s medical care is not a decision you should take lightly. Once you’ve made the decision, you will become an advocate for your parent’s health and well-being. That means attending doctor’s visits with your parent, acquiring all the information you can about your parent’s medical history and current condition, and asking questions on behalf of your parent to get them the care they deserve.
When your parent has a doctor’s appointment, join them and make sure you come prepared. If your loved one has specific medical concerns, take notes beforehand and prepare a list of questions you would like answered. You may wish to speak with other family members or your parent’s elderly care provider to see if they have noticed any changes in your loved one’s condition or behavior.
One of the best things that you can do is start a notebook to keep track of your parent’s medical information. A notebook is an excellent tool that can be used to record things you notice about your parent’s condition at home, write questions for your parent’s physician in advance, and record information given by your parent’s physician.

Common Questions for Your Parent’s Doctor

The best way to get the information you need from your parent’s doctor is to ask smart questions. While the questions you ask will depend on your loved one’s condition and diagnosis, here are a few common and basic questions that you should keep in mind when speaking to your loved one’s physician:

  • Can you explain the diagnosis in more detail?
  • Does my parent need to see another medical professional or specialist?
  • Will my parent need to change their routine?
  • Is my parent at further risk of injury or illness due to their condition?
  • How will this impact my parent’s elderly care program?
  • Are there any specific signs or symptoms we should look out for?
  • How often should medication be taken and in what dosage?
  • What should we do if my parent misses a dose or takes an extra dose on accident?
  • Are there any side effects we should expect from the medication(s)?
  • How soon should my parent have their next appointment?

Share Information with Family & Elderly Care Providers

If you have important information about your loved one’s health, you may want to consider sharing it with other family members and/or elderly care providers. Providing family and elderly care workers with this information can make it easier for them to look after your parent. However, it’s important that you check with your loved one first before sharing private information. There may be information that your loved one doesn’t want shared with family or their elderly care provider. Unless this could put them in danger, it is important to respect their wishes.
Find out about elderly care services in your area by contacting your local Visiting Angels. Get started by contacting your local Visiting Angels office.

How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care

How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care How to Talk to an Elderly Parent’s Doctor About Care

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Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care
Conditions & Treatments

Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Caring for someone with late-stage Alzheimer’s can be a difficult and heartbreaking process, one that’s extremely hard to navigate. Family caregivers often feel like they are left without a roadmap, a situation that can lead to wrong turns and, poor decisions, and unnecessary suffering on the part of the person with Alzheimer’s. Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care
With the right information, though, family caregivers can avoid many of the most common mistakes made during late-stage Alzheimer’s care. To help ensure the comfort and well-being of your loved one, you will want to avoid the following five common late-stage Alzheimer’s care mistakes…

Ignoring the Alzheimer’s Sufferer

People with late-stage Alzheimer’s suffer from severe cognitive and physical impairments, with many losing the ability to speak, understand language, recognize their loved ones, and move around on their own. In response, some people make the mistake of treating the afflicted person as if they are not there or as if they no longer have feelings. Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care
This is a grave mistake that can lead to serious emotional consequences in the person with Alzheimer’s. Ignoring a person with Alzheimer’s can exacerbate existing feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disorientation, causing great emotional distress. By paying attention to the person with Alzheimer’s and tending to their needs, you can relieve those feelings, making them feel loved and appreciated.
Some of the ways that you can brighten the day of someone with late-stage Alzheimer’s include:

  • Making their favorite foods or playing their favorite music, which can provide sensory pleasure and trigger feelings that were once associated with happy memories.
  • Brushing their hair, gently holding their hand, or spending time next to them, which will offer the comfort and security of human contact.
  • Spending time in green spaces, which has been shown to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety in Alzheimer’s sufferers.

Poor Attention to Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is a crucial part of preventing sickness and infection in those with late-stage Alzheimer’s. Pneumonia is one of the most common complications seniors experience in the diseases later stages, and the risk of pneumonia increases if oral bacteria is not kept in check. It’s therefore important that caregivers take the time to keep teeth, gums, and/or dentures clean. Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care
To reduce the risk posed by oral bacteria, teeth should be brushed after each meal and dentures should be cleaned each night. It’s also important that caregivers be gentle when assisting with oral hygiene, using a soft-bristle toothbrush — or even soft gauze — to avoid scraping or cutting the person’s gums.

Not Changing Their Position

Many Alzheimer’s sufferers lose the ability to move on their own in the disease’s later stages. This leads to hours spent in a single position, causing bedsores, poor circulation, and “joint freezing.” As a result, sufferers experience pain, further loss of mobility, and are put at risk of dangerous infections.
To reduce these risks, caregivers should make sure that those with Alzheimer’s never spend more than two hours in the same position. Gently helping your loved one move to a new position every couple of hours will help them avoid the problems commonly associated with immobility.

Missing Signs of Pain and Discomfort

Late-stage Alzheimer’s robs sufferers of the ability to understand or use language. This makes it incredibly difficult for them to articulate when they are in pain, discomfort, or agitation. This can lead to caregivers missing or ignoring signs that those with Alzheimer’s are in distress and need assistance.
Alzheimer’s professionals believe that missed signs of pain and discomfort lead many of those with late-stage Alzheimer’s to experience unnecessary pain and suffering. With no one noticing their signs of distress, these sufferers fail to receive much-needed treatment that would relieve their pain and ensure they are comfortable through the end stages of their condition.

Lack of Communication with Doctors & Caregivers

When caring for someone with late-stage Alzheimer’s, many families rely on professional support from doctors, nurses, and professional Alzheimer’s care providers. Medical professionals and care workers typically have the information, expertise, and experience needed to handle the challenges of late-stage Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately, many families have a lack of communication with care professionals. When caring for a loved one with late-stage Alzheimer’s, research shows that most families fail to have detailed conversations with doctors about their loved one’s treatment plan and prognosis. This leaves families with inadequate information when making key decisions about their loved one’s care. One common result of this is that families request invasive or painful medical treatments for their loved ones, even in situations where most professionals would recommend palliative treatment.
To avoid these mistakes, families are advised to have detailed conversations with doctors, medical support staff, and care professionals. These conversations should happen at the start of care and at any major change in treatment. Communication should also be maintained throughout care so that you are always aware of your loved one’s condition and treatment options.
If you require late-stage Alzheimer’s care for a family member, Visiting Angels can provide that care in the comfort of your loved one’s home. To learn more, contact your local Visiting Angels office today.
Sources:
https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-late-end-stage-caregiving.asp
http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20091014/late-dementia-suffering-often-unnecessary
Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care

Mistakes to Avoid in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care

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Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents
Health Tips

Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Drug-resistant bacteria are one of the biggest concerns of modern medical science, posing a serious health threat, especially for vulnerable people like seniors. But according to a new study out of Columbia University School of Nursing, many nursing homes are rife with drug-resistant strains of bacteria, such as E. coli. Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents
Based on data from several independent studies around the world, the researchers found that more than a quarter of nursing home residents were carriers of drug-resistant bacteria. The researchers found that this number was even higher in America, with nearly 40% of American nursing home residents considered colonized. Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents
The study sheds light on the higher risk of infection faced by all seniors and has raised concerns over the conditions of American nursing homes, with researchers calling for stricter infection control protocols.

Colonization Rate as High at 59.1% in Some Studies

Published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the Columbia study went over 327 pieces of published research to find studies that met the standards needed for meta-analysis. The researchers found twelve studies that met the criteria for review and eight studies met the criteria for meta-analysis of colonization rates. The final meta-analysis of colonization rates included data from 2,720 nursing home residents from the US, Germany, and Korea. 1,669 of the residents sampled came from the US.
The researchers found that colonization rates varied from study to study. One study out of Germany reported that only 11.2% of residents sampled were colonized by drug-resistant bacteria. Another, out of America, reported a colonization rate of 59.1%. Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents
When the researchers averaged the data, they found that 27% of nursing home residents in the studies were colonized with drug-resistant bacteria. In the American studies, the average rate was even higher: 38%. Across the eight studies, the most common type of drug-resistant bacteria detected was E. coli, but they also detected high rates of bacteria like P. mirabilis, P. stuartii, K. pneumoniae, and M. morganii.

Putting the Results in Context

These findings come at a time when concerns about drug-resistant bacteria are on the rise. According to the CDC, over two million Americans become infected with drug-resistant bacteria each year, resulting in upwards of 23,000 deaths. What’s more, the percentage of bacteria that are considered drug-resistant are on the rise.
Elderly persons are especially vulnerable to infection from drug-resistant bacteria. Factors like advanced age, a weakened immune system, and chronic health conditions increase the risk that seniors will become infected by drug-resistant bacteria. They also increase the risk of mortality when infection occurs.
Seniors in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are already known to be at higher risk of bacterial infection. There are a number of reasons for this increased risk, including the number of vulnerable residents in nursing facilities, poor disinfection protocols, and communal living arrangements. According to the NCBI, the average American long-term care facility resident suffers one infection each year because of this increased risk.
Sainfer Allyu, who headed the Columbia study, says that the study’s results underscore the need for better disinfection protocols in nursing homes. “The results of our study suggest that there is much more to be done with regard to infection prevention within nursing homes, and that increased measures must be taken with elderly patients in regard to [drug-resistant bacteria] colonization.”
The study also comes at a time when Americans are becoming more and more uneasy with nursing home care for their loved ones. Studies and surveys have shown that an increasing number of American seniors and their families wish to avoid nursing home care for as long as possible.
Instead, many seniors receive care at home from family members or friends. In other cases, families delay the need for a move to a long-term care facility by hiring a professional caregiver. By receiving care at home, seniors avoid the risk of infection posed by many nursing home environments.
“Keeping seniors safe and comfortable is what we do. Helping them stay in a place where they can be healthy is part of that,” says Larry Meigs, CEO and President of Visiting Angels, one of America’s largest home care companies. If you are considering home care for a loved one, you can book a free, in-home consultation by contacting your nearest Visiting Angels office. Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents
Sources:
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(17)30085-8/fulltext
https://www.ncbi.com.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3906614/
https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/
Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents

Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 38% of US Nursing Home Residents

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How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
Health Tips

How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

If you help care for an elderly parent or grandparent, it’s important that you’re prepared for medical emergencies. Emergency preparedness can be a literal life-saver, ensuring seniors receive the first aid and medical attention they need when injury, illness, or a health event strikes. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
Proper emergency preparedness comes down to three key factors:How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

  • Knowing what to do when an emergency strikes.
  • Having the materials you need for a given emergency.
  • Experience and training in emergency response.

Below, the elderly care experts at Visiting Angels have outlined key steps that family caregivers can take to prepare for elderly medical emergencies. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

Become First Aid Certified

Learning first aid is something every family caregiver should take seriously. The first few minutes following a health event are often crucial. If a person has suffered a serious event, like a heart attack or stroke, first aid can be the difference between life and death. First aid can also make a big difference when responding to less serious medical emergencies — like broken bones — improving the chance of a quick and full recovery.
Many organizations provide first aid classes, and you should be able to find a class near you. If possible, take the most advanced first aid course available to you, since this will help you prepare for a wider range of emergencies than basic first aid courses. Remember that first aid certification requires renewal every 12 to 36 months, depending on the certification in question.

Build an Emergency Response Kit

Your emergency response preparedness will be compromised unless you have the right materials, equipment, and information on hand. To properly prepare for medical emergencies, you will need a fully stocked home first aid kit in both your home and your car. You can buy pre-packaged first aid kits or build your own using first aid kit guidelines like those offered by the American Red Cross.
When building your first aid kit, you should also include any information and additional materials you may need in case of an emergency. This will include a complete contact sheet for emergency centers, doctors, nurses, relatives, and friends you may need to contact in the event of an emergency. It may also include medications taken by your loved one along with items that you may need in an emergency, such as spare keys, cash, phone chargers, a flashlight, or bottled water.

Run Emergency Drills

One of the best ways to prepare for an emergency is to make a practice run. While some people feel silly running drills in their own home, there’s a reason why emergency response drills are used in workplaces across America: they work. By putting yourself in a real-time simulation of an emergency, you can make sure that you know how to respond when an emergency actually strikes.
If you need assistance caring for a loved one at home, contact your local Visiting Angels today to learn about in-home elderly care options. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies

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Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care
Diet & Nutrition

Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Cooking for seniors is a big part of elderly care. But many family caregivers find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when cooking for an elderly parent or relative. In cooking for older adults, it can be a struggle to follow healthy eating directives from doctors and health professionals. That’s especially true if your loved one’s taste buds are becoming less and less responsive to flavor, a common problem for the elderly. Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors
At Visiting Angels, our elderly care professionals are regularly called on to plan and prepare meals for our clients. Over the years, we’ve collected a number of tips for cooking for the elderly, including how to strike the right balance between health and flavor. Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors
Below, we’ve listed our top healthy substitutes when cooking for seniors.

Swap Spices & Fresh Herbs for Salt

Salt is a natural flavor enhancer, but high salt consumption is linked to cardiovascular problems. In old age, many seniors are told to cut back on their salt intake to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease risks.
This can be a challenge since salt is one of the first flavors that seniors lose sensitivity to. In response, many seniors add more and more salt to their foods to try to make them more flavorful.
If you’re cooking for an elderly loved one, we suggest choosing recipes that rely on fresh herbs and spices to enhance food’s flavor. This will ensure your loved one can taste the added flavor while avoiding the risks associated with heavy sodium intake. Get ideas for which herbs and spices to use here.

Swap Acidic & Naturally Sweet Ingredients for Sugar

Along with salty flavors, seniors quickly lose their ability to taste sweeter foods. Like salt, sugar is a cheap and easy way to make food taste better. And like salt, sugar is linked with an array of health issues.
One solution to this issue is to shift from recipes that focus on sweetness and instead choose dishes with a more citrusy and acidic profile. You’ll still want a little bit of sweetness in these dishes, so rely on naturally sweet foods like fruits, peppers, and sweet potatoes.

Swap Healthy Oils for Unhealthy Fats

Fats are an essential part of any diet, but it’s important to eat the right fats. Saturated and trans fats — such as those found in butter and red meat — can contribute to a range of health problems. But unsaturated fats can have a range of health benefits and often include healthy elements like omega-3 acids.
Some of the best sources of healthy fats include olive oil, canola oil, nuts, soy products, and fatty fish, such as salmon. These foods can contribute to healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
If you’re having trouble cooking healthy foods for an elderly loved one, consider hiring a professional elderly care provider. Professional caregivers, like those at your local Visiting Angels, can attend to a range of elderly care needs, including meal planning and preparation. Contact your local Visiting Angels office today to get started.

Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors

Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors

Healthy Substitutes When Cooking for Seniors
 

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How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain
Conditions & Treatments

How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Joint stress and pain are problems for many seniors. Roughly one in five seniors suffer from arthritis, and many others report joint pain due to other conditions. Many seniors also report difficulty managing their symptoms. Whether you’re suffering from arthritis, age-related inflammation, or a condition such as fibromyalgia, it can be tough to reduce pain and stress in your joints. But if you’re one of the millions of American seniors who suffers from joint inflammation, there’s good news. There are a number of ways that you can reduce joint stress and manage the pain and inflammation in your joints. How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain
Below, the team at Visiting Angels has collected six of the most effective way to limit joint stress and reduce the pain caused by arthritis and other joint issues. How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain

Change Footwear

If you suffer from significant pain in your knees, hips, or spine, your condition will be exacerbated by walking or standing. This is especially true if you wear improper footwear. Choosing shoes with soft, cushiony insoles will give you the padding you need to reduce joint stress and pain when walking and standing.

Low-Impact Exercise

While exercise can trigger joint pain, it is one of the most effective ways for preventing further joint deterioration. To reduce pain and inflammation while exercise, consider low-impact activities that will improve the strength of muscles around joints. One of the most popular low-impact exercises is swimming. Your doctor or physical therapist will be able to recommend the best activities for your particular joint issues. Please consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Reduce Weight

These days, the majority of Americans suffer from weight issues. Along with a host of other health concerns, excess weight puts added stress on joints. This can lead to wear and inflammation over time and can be compounded by issues such as arthritis. Studies have shown that reducing your weight by as little as 5% can alleviate joint pain and disability. For a 200 lb. person, a 5% reduction is only 10 lbs. — an achievable goal with dedication and guidance from your physician. Please consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss program.

Quit Smoking

There are already so many good reasons to quit smoking. Reducing joint pain is just one more. Smoking has been linked to increased pain and inflammation in those who suffer from arthritis. It also contributes to reduced bone health, making joint pain worse in those with age-related wear and tear. By quitting, you will make managing and limit joint issues much easier for yourself. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs.

Heat and Cold

Many seniors find that hot and/or cold treatments are an effective way to control and manage their joint pain. While hot packs and cold packs only provide temporary relief, they can be a major help when you’re experiencing acute instances of joint pain or stiffness.

Pain Medication

Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can be an effective relief for those with joint pain. Because of the risks associated with pain relievers, it is usually best to try managing pain through other strategies first. It’s important that you take any pain relief or anti-inflammation medications safely. Follow doctors’ orders and always use medications according to the label.
Your home caregiver from Visiting Angels can help you reduce joint stress and pain by providing non-medical assistance with your inflammation management program. If you would like a free care assessment, contact your local Visiting Angels office today. How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain

How Seniors Can Reduce Joint Pain

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Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
Caregiving

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

As the general population grows older, more and more seniors require at-home care. For the majority of seniors, that care comes from family members — their spouses, children, and grandchildren. In other cases, it comes from professional caregivers. But for some seniors it comes from friends and neighbors. Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
According to data from the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 1 in 10 seniors who receives at-home care considers a friend or neighbor their primary caregiver. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it most often occurs either because family members live too far away to help or because a senior is without immediate family to care for them. Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
Some friends are close enough or comfortable enough with one another that care comes naturally. But in many cases, the transition from a friendship to a care-focused relationship can create challenges for both parties. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common challenges when friends become caregivers and how seniors — whether they’re receiving care or providing it — can manage those concerns.

Coordinating with Family

When you’re the primary caregiver for a friend or neighbor, one of the biggest challenges can be coordinating care with that person’s family. You may find that your friend/neighbor’s family members are quick to ignore your input when it comes to care decisions. In other cases, you might find that their family members take your assistance for granted, assuming you’re always available or willing to take on any responsibility they see fit.
One way to avoid these problems is to develop lines of communication early between yourself and your friend/neighbor’s family members. Let your friend or neighbor know that you’d like to exchange contact info with their family members and introduce yourself as a precaution in case of a future emergency. A quick call or email will allow you to introduce yourself, explain your relationship with the care recipient, and outline how you are becoming involved in their care. This can help open avenues of communication, making it easier to coordinate care with family members and reduce the likelihood of conflicts down the road.

Managing the Comfort Zone

Depending on the situation, becoming a caregiver for someone can push you far out of your comfort zone. That’s particularly true if you are caring for a non-family member like a friend or neighbor. If the care recipient requires assistance with personal tasks, such as dressing, bathing, or going to the bathroom, you might find these aspects of care unsettling or uncomfortable to perform.
While you shouldn’t force yourself to perform tasks that violate your personal boundaries, allowing your sense of compassion to overrule your sense of discomfort ensures that your friend or neighbor receives help that he or she truly needs. Remember that if you feel hesitant performing a task, it’s unlikely that your friend or neighbor would be asking for help if they did not absolutely need it.
If you find that the care your friend or neighbor requires has become too much for you to handle or you simply can’t get comfortable with some of the tasks required for care, it may be time to consider bringing in help from a professional caregiver. At home care agencies, like Visiting Angels, can provide assistance with a wide range of non-medical tasks and offer respite care that helps the caregiver find relief.

Medical Obstacles

One of the biggest challenges as a caregiver for a friend or neighbor can be managing the health care system. While family members have certain privileges when it comes to medical information and medical records, friends and neighbors have no such privileges. This can make it difficult to manage care for a friend or neighbor if that person suffers a major medical episode, such as a fall, stroke, or heart attack.
A simple way to remove this obstacle in advance is to have the care recipient sign an authorization that allows you to access medical information and — if needed — make medical decisions on his or her behalf. If you live in a state governed by the CARE Act, you can also have yourself listed as a person’s primary caregiver. This way, you’ll be automatically notified when the person is discharged from the hospital.
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who requires at-home senior care? If so, your local Visiting Angels can help. Call your local office today to schedule a no-cost care needs assessment.

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

 

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Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care
Healthy Living

Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

In the world of senior care, the mental and emotional health of seniors is too often overshadowed by the physical challenges of aging. But in recent years, those in the senior care community have sought to broaden the focus of senior care to account for the overall well-being of seniors. One result of these efforts has been the rise of art therapy for seniors in care. For those of us who care for seniors and support the elderly in our communities, art therapy has become an indispensable tool in reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, and managing disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care
If you’re a senior (or someone who cares for one), here’s what you should know about art therapy for seniors:

What Is Art Therapy? Art Therapy for Seniors

Art therapy is a wide-ranging term the covers an array of therapeutic activities. Most often, art therapy harnesses the power of artistic expression to spark creativity, relieve tension and stress, and encourage cognitive function. Some popular forms of art therapy for seniors include: Art Therapy for Seniors

  • Dance
  • Painting and drawing
  • Sculpture
  • Needlework
  • Music therapy

Art therapy for seniors can be performed one-on-one, but is popularly performed as part of a larger group or class. Therapy sessions can be performed in the comfort of home, in a senior center, or even outdoors.

Benefits to Art Therapy

Art therapy first attracted attention in the senior care community as a therapy method for managing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Studies have shown that art therapy encourages cognitive function and slows memory decline in those suffering from dementia. More importantly, this form of therapy is effective in limiting stress, agitation, and aggression in those suffering from memory disorders. It’s also one of the few forms of therapy that remains effective even into the later stages of dementia. Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care
But with all of the added attention, art therapy has moved beyond the treatment of dementia and other memory disorders. Studies have shown that art therapy’s benefits extend to the majority of seniors, no matter their risk of dementia. As a result, senior centers, professional caregivers, and independent seniors have increasingly begun to rely on art therapy. Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care
Some of the benefits of different types of art therapy for seniors include: Art Therapy for Seniors

  • Helping seniors cope with stress, trauma, or depression
  • Improving seniors’ moods and mindfulness
  • Encouraging cognitive engagement and creative thought
  • Reduced inflammation and joint stiffness

Incorporating Art into Senior Care

If you think that you or a senior in your life could benefit from art therapy, it’s easy to look up art therapy opportunities in your area. Consider checking out local community centers and senior centers in your area, which often hold group art therapy sessions or classes that offer many of the same benefits as art therapy. You can also look up local art therapists through the American Art Therapy Association.
If you prefer to do things on your own, you can bring many of the benefits of art therapy into your home all by yourself. Whether you enjoy learning new dance moves, love listening to music, or have always wanted to try your hand at painting, bringing art into your life can be a great boost to your mental and emotional wellbeing.
At Visiting Angels, our home care providers can help you or a loved one make art a part of senior care. Contact your local office today to learn more. Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care

Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care

Art Therapy for Elders in Senior Care

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Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home
Caregiving

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Do you have an aging parent or grandparent who rarely leaves the house? If so, you may be worried about the emotional, mental, and physical toll that social isolation is taking on him or her. Social activity has a range of benefits for seniors, and seniors who isolate themselves often suffer from their lack of social interactions. Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home
According to data by the NIH, seniors who have social interactions more frequently are consistently healthier than more isolated seniors. Other studies have backed up these findings. Studies of highly social senior communities show that seniors who live in these communities are more mobile and more likely to practice healthy behaviors. Meanwhile, further studies have shown that social activity slows cognitive decline and lowers the risk of developing disabilities.
With so many benefits tied to social interactions for seniors, it is important to encourage social activity in the elderly. Looking for ways to get a senior loved one out of the home? Here are some suggestions and strategies you can try, with advice from Visiting Angels President and CEO Larry Meigs:

Going Out for Lunch

One way to get a senior loved one out of the house is a weekly lunch date. You could suggest organizing a regular lunch date between your loved one and their friends. If your loved one’s friends can’t make a weekly commitment, you can take the initiative of taking your loved one out for lunch yourself each week. Or you can organize taking turns with family members.
“While it might seem like a small thing, a weekly meal with friends or family at the local coffee shop can be enriching seniors — especially for those who rarely leave their homes,” says Meigs. “Being out of the house and around other people helps relieve feelings of isolation, and the weekly routine of a meal and a chat can become a valuable touchstone for isolated seniors.”

Senior Exercise Classes

Senior exercise classes are more than just a great way to get seniors out of the house, offering a range of physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. “Light exercise is key for seniors, and senior exercise classes are a great way to keep seniors active,” says Meigs.
Popular senior exercise programs include dance classes and water fitness. In addition to the exercise benefits offered, these classes are a fantastic place for seniors to meet other seniors. “These classes are an excellent social hub for the elderly because they’re specifically targeted at seniors,” says Meigs.

Game Nights & Events

“Many times, your local community center is your best ally in getting an elderly loved one socially active,” says Meigs. These centers often host game nights, like bingo games, which are a great way for an isolated senior to spend time among others. These centers also sometimes host special events that are put on for elderly community members, such as dances, dinners, and speaking series. Centers sometimes even schedule day trips or short group vacations for senior community members.

Bring Social Interactions Home

Often seniors who find themselves cut off socially aren’t isolated by choice. “Many of the seniors we care for at Visiting Angels are housebound as a result of disability or age related challenges,” says Meigs. “In cases where seniors can’t leave the home, social interactions need to be brought to them.”
If you help care for a housebound loved one, there are a number of ways that you can encourage social activity. Speak with other members of your family about visiting your loved one more frequently, or contact your loved one’s friends to have them come over once a week.
Alternatively, you may might consider care from a local home care agency. Home care services, such as those offered by Visiting Angels, offer a way to bring daily companionship into an elderly loved one’s life, along with support for activities of daily living. For a free in-home care consultation, contact your local Visiting Angels office.

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

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