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Senior woman patient lying on bed
Conditions & Treatments

Treating Chafes & Bedsores

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Constant exposure to urine, a higher temperature inside the brief, and remaining in one position for a long time may quickly lead to skin irritation.

Symptoms of irritation

symptoms of irritation

  • burning sensation
  • itching
  • stinging sensation
  • feeling of tense skin
  • redness
  • exfoliation

 

In the case of people with limited mobility, and those who are bedridden (especially the people using briefs), the skin should be under constant observation, because its irritation may lead to dangerous chafes and bedsores.

Chafe Bedsore
Chafes develop when something (for example artificial materials) rubs against the skin, or when the folds of skin stick to each other for a long time causing an unpleasant skin condition. Raised temperature, moisture (urine, sweat), and blocked air supply make chafe development quicker. It is skin damage preceded by redness – it is an effect of prolonged pressure on the skin causing skin tissue ischemia. It can affect all the layers of the skin – from the epidermis to the hypodermis, and even down to the bone in the final stage of development.

What to keep in mind?

  • Proper skin care and following the basic rules of hygiene are absolutely crucial when looking after an ill or disabled person.
  • Using absorbent products that are vapor permeable allows the skin to breathe, what diminishes the risk of skin irritation.
  • It is worth to wear breathable underwear and put on clothing made of natural materials which ensure air circulation and reduce the risk of skin irritation.
  • Do not belittle the presence of any signs of irritation – they can soon turn into painful skin conditions which are difficult to cure.

 

Employing bedsore preventive treatment is crucial in the case of people who use absorbent products to manage their urinary/fecal incontinence – it is really important if the person is bedridden. Skincare and observation of its condition play a crucial role.

Learn more about bedsore preventive treatment here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBKnAHDUqc

Provided by Seni, maker of skincare and incontinence products.

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Managing Diabetes in Older Adults
Conditions & Treatments

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults as a Caregiver

If you provide care for an older family member, there’s a good chance you need to help them manage diabetes or their risk of becoming diabetic. More than 29 million Americans are diabetics, and another 86 million are at risk of developing diabetes due to high blood sugar. Diabetes is especially common in older adults – more than a quarter of American seniors are currently managing diabetes. Managing Caregiving Shortcuts to Make Life EasierDiabetes in Older Adults
The good news for caregivers is that by educating yourself on diabetes, you can play an active role in managing your loved one’s blood sugar and their risk of a diabetic episode. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Start with Self-Education

The first thing to do when caring for a diabetic parent is to teach yourself all that you can about your parent’s condition. While your parent may be used to caring for their diabetes, you may find there’s a steep learning curve to helping them manage this condition.
Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for those who care for older adults with diabetes. Start by speaking with your loved one’s physician, who will be able to talk you through their specific diabetes concerns. After that, you’ll be able to find practically everything you need to know online. We suggest starting with the American Diabetes Association, who offer a number of invaluable resources for those learning about diabetes. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Blood Sugar Tests & Medications

If your family member is managing diabetes, they are likely testing their blood sugar one or more times each day. But old age can make testing blood sugar difficult, or can trigger memory difficulties that cause seniors to forget to test their sugar levels. Because of this, you may be called on to assist your loved one with blood sugar testing.
Once again, we recommend speaking with your loved one’s doctor first. Your loved one’s personal physician should be familiar with the type of blood testing equipment your loved one uses and will be able to give you tips on how to test and record blood sugar levels.
Medications are commonly used to manage diabetes in older adults. Some seniors with diabetes are prescribed oral medications, while others use injectable insulin. As a caregiver, you should know which medications your loved one takes, what dosages they are prescribed, and what their medication schedule is. If they require assistance with their medications, your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist can instruct you in how you can help. Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle

Managing diabetes in older adults ultimately comes down to lifestyle. Seniors with diabetes need to treat their bodies right to keep blood glucose within a healthy range. You can help an elderly loved one manage their diabetes by assisting and encouraging them in healthy lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle choices that help manage diabetes in older adults include:

  • Monitoring for low or high blood glucose levels. This not only includes regular blood sugar testing, but also monitoring your loved one for the symptoms of unhealthy blood sugar fluctuations.
  • Healthy diet. Your loved one’s diet will have the biggest impact on his or her blood sugar levels. You can help by planning and preparing healthy, balanced meals and ensuring they have healthy food options around them.
  • Regular Exercise. Light aerobic exercise can help control diabetes in older adults. Encourage your loved one to garden, talk walks, or participate in aquatic fitness classes.
  • Check Feet Regularly. Feet are the most vulnerable areas for a diabetic infection. But older adults with mobility and flexibility issues can find it hard to check their feet properly. You can assist your loved one by checking their feet for them each day, or as often as possible.

Of course, managing diabetes in older adults can be difficult, especially on your own. If you’re concerned that your loved one needs additional care and monitoring, ask other family members if they can help.
Alternatively, you can hire a care professional. Home nurses can help manage diabetes in older adults by assisting with medications and blood sugar monitoring. If your loved one doesn’t need assistance with medications or blood sugar testing, you might a consider a non-medical home care provider, who can help with meal planning, meal preparation, encouraging exercise, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Managing Diabetes in Older Adults

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Caregiving

Seniors who have Elderly Parents

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

As life expectancy increases, it is more common than ever to find senior citizens who have elderly parents. Ideally, parents remain able to take care of themselves in their own homes. But, it is also true that many senior citizens find themselves either helping care for their elderly parent or choosing a facility that can attend to their needs.

Caring for Your Elderly Parent

For some senior citizens who have elderly parents, the care needed is primarily social. If their parent is able to take care of their own day-to-day needs, care might be a bit of help with errands and appointments or a simple meal together time and again.

But if your elderly parent’s health declines, you may find they are in need of more support over time. In this instance, if you decide to care for your elderly parent yourself, in your own home, be sure you have the right support systems in place. All day, every day, is a lot for one individual. Talk to other family members to see if they can help out. Or, even if you don’t have the resources for full-time help, there could be a part-time hire that would alleviate your stress.

The Caregiving Relationship

When you are in a caregiver and care recipient relationship, there can be pitfalls. Children and parents often have patterns in place. For some parents, they expect to make all of the household decisions and are unable to relinquish that control. For others, it is criticizing the choices of their adult children. If you are in a situation where an aging parent with declining health continues to be overly critical, it can be incredibly difficult to establish new patterns.

If you are taking care of a loved one and they seem to desire control over you and the household, seek help. Talking through issues, and finding ways to set boundaries, can turn around a difficult relationship. Establish what is essential for your own mental and physical health.

Deciding on a Care Facility

Sometimes, a family decides the best option is for an aging parent to move to a facility. There are steps to making this transition easier for senior citizens who have elderly parents.

Although getting the process started can be awkward, you might find everyone is happier once you find a center. First, get the individual who is moving to a center involved. Let them have a say in the decision because it will be their home, not yours. That said, be sure the nursing home or senior center chosen is fiscally responsible. Look into what insurance will cover and if other benefits are applicable, such as veterans’ benefits.

If you are one of the many senior citizens who have elderly parents, know you are not alone. And if you find yourself experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, there is help. Reach out today.

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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

 

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Caregiving

Communicating and Alzheimer’s Disease

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

One of the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is effectively communicating with them. They may have difficulty expressing their needs or the caregiver may not know how to address their changing ability. Caregivers can also get annoyed or frustrated because their caree repeats words or forgets the words for common items.

To make communication go more smoothly, it helps to understand what the common challenges are, and then move forward with solutions. Once you understand the challenge, it can be easier to communicate with them. You realize what they are experiencing is a normal part of the disease, and not them.

I had a client who did her best to hide her communication challenges. She was actually really good at it. She would throw out a random word if she didn’t remember the word she wanted and would change the subject before her children realized she was struggling. They thought their mom was being difficult, because she was so good at it. It took a two week visit for her daughter to realize that her mom was not in a position to live alone anymore – not due to communication, but due to other deficits.

Common Communication Changes with Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Inability to name objects
  • Difficulty in finding the correct word for objects, places or people
  • Inability to recognize a word or phrase
  • Using a general term instead of specific words and descriptions are vague
  • Becoming stuck on ideas or words and repeating them over and over
  • Easily losing their train of thought
  • Using inappropriate, silly, rude, insulting or disrespectful language during conversation
  • Increasingly poor written word comprehension
  • Gradual loss of writing ability
  • Combining languages or returning to native language
  • Decreasing levels of speech and use of nonsense syllables
  • Reliance on gestures rather than speech

 

Studies show that people with Alzheimer’s disease retain a strong desire to communicate, despite their challenges.

Communication Techniques for Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Distraction or Redirection: Attempt to engage them in a different conversation or activity.
  • Address the Underlying Feeling: Inquire about feelings – “You sound like you miss your mother,” or “Are you worried about your mother?”
  • Ignore the statement: It may not always add value to respond. Sometimes the most helpful response will be no response.
  • Bend the truth: While we’ve always been taught that lying is wrong, sometimes, it makes sense when speaking to someone with Alzheimer’s disease. They may still believe their mother is alive and when you tell them the truth it can be upsetting. Sometimes, accepting their reality that their mother is still alive is easier for them than upsetting them. If lying is the only way to relieve distress and no other measures have been successful, then it may be justified.

Components for Simplifying Communication with Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Patience
  • Show your interest in the subject
  • Offer comfort and reassurance
  • Listen for a response
  • Avoid criticizing, correcting or finishing their thoughts
  • Avoid arguing
  • Offer a guess as to what they need
  • Limit distractions
  • Encourage non-verbal communication
  • Be calm and supportive
  • Focus on feelings, not facts
  • Pay attention to your tone
  • Identify yourself and address the elder by name
  • Speak slowly and clearly
  • Use short, simple, familiar words and short sentences
  • Ask on question at a time
  • Allow enough time for a response
  • Avoid pronouns (he, she, they) and negative statements
  • Use non-verbal communication such as pointing and touch
  • Offer assistance as needed
  • Be flexible and understanding

 

I have worked with many clients who had Alzheimer’s disease and am a Schmieding Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver. I have used all of these techniques in communicating with my clients and found them to be useful. As an outsider, it can be easier to communicate with someone with Alzheimer’s disease, versus their family who knew the person they were. Hopefully, these suggestions will make communication easier for your family.

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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.

 

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Combat the Isolation of Caregiving
Caregiving

How to Prevent Caregiver Loneliness

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Combat the Isolation of Caregiving

Caregiving can be incredibly isolating. Between managing two households and family obligations, there isn’t much time left for socializing. Unfortunately, social isolation can be just as detrimental to a caregiver’s health, as it is to your caree. Loneliness has been linked to both physical and emotional health problems. Combat the Isolation of Caregiving
Unfortunately, not all caregivers start their caregiving journey in good health. Even caregivers who start out healthy can experience health problems as a result of ignoring your own well-being for an extended period of time. The last thing caregivers need is to struggle from health challenges because they are lonely! Combat the Isolation of Caregiving
Even if you have the ability to get out and see friends, sometimes you just don’t want to. Maybe your friends don’t understand your situation. Maybe you feel so far out of the loop because you are so focused on your caree that you haven’t checked in with friends for a while. It can be a downward cycle. Too tired to see friends, sad that you don’t get to see your friends.

5 Tips for Improving Caregiver Socialization

If you are struggling to get back out in your social scene, here are tips to get out there and reconnect with friends, or make new friends.

  1. Squeeze in Self-Care: It can be hard to spend time with others when you feel like you barely have a second to breathe. If you focus on small bursts of self-care, you may feel less overwhelmed, making you more interested in spending time with others.
  1. Bring Gatherings To You: I know, I know, the house is a mess, there’s no time to clean, I don’t have time or energy to cook, etc. That being said, true friends won’t care about the mess. Trust me, I have never cared and am trying to remind myself of that when my own home is a mess. As for food, you can do a potluck or purchase pre-cooked food, order takeout or gather at a time when food isn’t necessary. Your real friends won’t care about your hosting abilities. They just care about spending time with you.
  1. Reach Out: If you don’t tell people how overwhelmed or lonely you are, they won’t know. We’re all selfish and busy, so sometimes, we don’t see that a friend is struggling unless they reach out. That doesn’t make us bad people, it just means that we all need to speak our needs more often. People who aren’t caring for an adult loved one don’t know how much time or energy goes into caring for another adult. They may just assume you do a few things here and there and are busy with life, not realizing you’re drowning. Tell your friends you are struggling. Good friends will rise, bad friends will sink.
  1. Find Alternatives: If you can’t find a meeting time or place to get together in person, can you do phone calls, text each other regularly or email each other for support? My preference is always in person because I hate talking on the phone, but for some people, in person isn’t always the way to go, especially if your closest friends don’t live near you. My best friend doesn’t live far, but we are both too busy to get together as often as we’d like. Our communication of choice lately is Instant Message/Texting during the week. We can keep up with each other’s lives and support each other even if we can’t get together. Distance doesn’t have to be a deterrent. You’ll just need to get creative.
  1. Find New Friends: Sometimes, in crisis, we realize that we don’t have as many true friends as we thought we had. If you’re feeling a little left out or down about a lack of friends, consider making new friends who know exactly what you’re going through. Check with your local medical provider or senior center to find support groups for caregivers or people with the same ailment as your caree. If getting to a support group is difficult, consider finding online support. There are many Facebook groups for caregivers as well as many people on Twitter who tweet about caregiving and several are actual caregivers themselves. Combat the Isolation of Caregiving

All of these suggestions require a bit of effort on your part, however, once you get out there, you’ll probably be happy you did. There are very few times when I’ve gone out with friends on a day where I wasn’t feeling well or was tired that I’ve actually regretted getting out. Even reaching out via text or email has always made me feel better.

Don’t assume that they are avoiding you or are bad friends. Assume that they are busy and don’t realize how challenging being a caregiver can be. Unfortunately, if you’re the first in your circle of friends to go through this challenge, you don’t have people ahead of you who understand the difficulty. Combat the Isolation of Caregiving

Combat the Isolation of Caregiving

Combat the Isolation of Caregiving

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Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes
Health Tips

Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Medications are a crucial part of life for most seniors, helping them stay healthy and manage chronic conditions. But for all the good they do, medications also represent a risk for older adults. Making mistakes when taking medications can lead to serious — even fatal — consequences. So, it’s important that seniors and family caregivers alike do all that they can to avoid medication mistakes. Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes
As America’s choice in non-medical home care, the team at Visiting Angels knows how important it is for seniors and their families to avoid medication mistakes. To help, we’ve listed some of the most common medication mistakes made by seniors, plus strategies that seniors and family caregivers can use to prevent these mistakes from occurring.

Common Medication Mistakes by Seniors

Medication mistakes by the elderly may be more common than you think. According to at least one study, conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, there is one serious, life-threatening, or fatal prescription drug event each year for every 50 seniors taking medications. Of those serious drug events, over 40% are preventable.
Here are some of the most common ways those mistakes can occur:

  • One of the most common — and most serious — medication mistakes among seniors is overdosing. Overdoses are the number one cause of medication-related fatalities. They can be caused by seniors taking too much medication all at once, or build up over time because seniors take their medications too often.
  • Drug Interaction. Certain medications are dangerous when taken together, when combined with alcohol, or when combined with certain foods such as grapefruit. Seniors may forget about interactions they need to avoid. In other cases, a lack of communication between doctors/pharmacists can mean seniors aren’t aware of dangers.
  • Forgotten Doses. Forgetful seniors may fail to take their medications regularly. If medications are important — such as medications that help regulate healthy blood flow — failure to take them on schedule can be dangerous.
  • Medication Mix-Ups. Some medications look similar or carry similar names to one another, making it possible for seniors to mix up one of their medications for another. This can lead to overdose, missed dosages, or dangerous drug interactions.
  • Misread Labels. Poor eyesight can make it tough for many seniors to properly read their medication labels. As with medication mix-ups, this can easily lead to an overdose or dangerous drug interaction.

Tips for Preventing Medication Mistakes

As a caregiver for a parent or grandparent, you can play a big role in helping your loved one avoid medication errors. Here are some of the ways you can help your loved one stay safe when it comes to taking their medications:

  • Use a Pill Organizer. A pill organizer is one of the best ways to prevent medication mistakes by seniors. Family caregivers can help seniors fill their pill organizers once a week or once a month.
  • Double-Check Labels. Avoid mistakes caused by poor eyesight or reading errors by double-checking your loved one’s medication labels for proper usage.
  • Offer Helpful Reminders. Family caregivers can help seniors take their medications at the right times by offering reminders. Even if you can’t be there in person, you can give your loved one a call for a quick daily chat and medication prompt.
  • Speak with Medical Professionals. If you are able to, speak with your loved one’s doctor and/or pharmacist about any medications your loved one is taking. If you have concerns, make sure to ask detailed questions to get the answers you need.

While our professional caregivers provide only non-medical care assistance and cannot dispense medication to seniors, they can help in a variety of other ways to help keep seniors safe and secure. If you’re considering hiring an in-home caregiver for your loved one, we encourage you to contact your local Visiting Angels agency today.

Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes

Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes Helping Seniors Avoid Medication Mistakes

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Caregiving

Sharing Caregiving With Siblings

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Does your parent suddenly need care and you and your siblings are struggling with how to manage caregiving duties? While it can be difficult to figure out a system that will work for your family, once you create a plan that includes everyone, the burden will be lighter for all involved.

Define the Caregiving Tasks

Let’s face it. There is always going to be one sibling who lives closer or has more free time – or makes more free time – who will take the leadership role. That doesn’t mean that person has to do everything all alone. If you don’t stop to figure out what needs to be done, you’ll always be plugging holes. So, right now, stop and make a list of everything that needs to be done for your parent.

Here are some ideas you may forget about. It doesn’t mean that the person responsible has to actually do the task, but they need to be in charge of hiring a provider and overseeing the tasks.

  • Schedule appointments
  • Research providers and manage application processes
  • Review and pay medical bills
  • Track medical situation
  • Manage housekeeping
  • Manage meals
  • Manage grocery shopping
  • Handle finances
  • Provide transportation or find a transportation provider and oversee the service
  • Manage personal care (including hair appointments and personal care needs)

 

Depending on your parent, there may be much more, including social activities. While maintaining your parent’s social life seems like something that should be relegated to the bottom of the to do list, remember that loneliness in the elderly can cause a host of physical and emotional problems.

Choose Your Caregiver Roles

This is the hard part. Everyone wants to take on the “easy” tasks like booking appointments or managing meal services, but you’ll all need to do some of the dirty work. The good news is, many hands equals less work for all.

Sit down together and realistically discuss what each of you can handle. If someone lives far away, make that person handle the research and financial tasks. While research may not seem time-consuming, trust me, it is. There isn’t a one-stop spot to find all of the services available and the application process for many government programs can be extremely time-consuming with many phone calls and follow-up.

An example of a workable responsibility split is, if there are two siblings who live close to your parents and one who lives farther away, the sibling who is farther away handles finances and research and one of the close siblings handles grocery shopping and meal preparation while the other handles transportation to medical and dental appointments and personal errands. Consider your schedules and other responsibilities and find ways to make it work for everyone.

If you all work full-time and can’t take time away from work, decide how much your parent and each of you can contribute to fund outsourcing services. I have also known families who pay the family member with the lowest income to quit their job and become the caregiver.

Caregiver Communication

If you can, decide on roles from the start so that there isn’t confusion, balls aren’t dropped and no one is stuck scrambling at the last minute. While you are deciding on roles, also decide how you will all communicate caregiving updates.

Will you share a Google drive account so that appointments are all on a master calendar and you can share a contact sheet? Will you exchange information via email, phone or text? Will you have a binder at your parent’s house with all of the details? It doesn’t matter how you share the information, it is just important that you have a consistent system so that anyone can find what they need easily.

You will also need to discuss how you will handle big decisions such as when to hire a caregiver, whether your parent should live alone, medical care, etc. I worked with a family who handled big decisions like a business. They would discuss the pros and cons and vote. Of course, there were three of them so they always had a tie-breaker.

There is no right or wrong way to work together for your parent’s care. Do what works best for your family. And remember, you are family. While it can be difficult working together and old rivalries tend to resurface, remind yourself that you are family and are doing this for your loved one. There will come a time when your services will no longer be needed and your siblings will be the family you have left. This is a season of your lives that you are all living through together.

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