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Caregiving

Helpful Tips to Assess Care Needs for Elderly

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Helpful Tips to Assess Care Needs for Elderly

Sitting down with your aging Mom and Dad to discuss financial, legal, and long-term care issues is not easy at all. Facing the fact that the people who took a great care of us are now getting older and might need professional care needs is daunting. Broaching the subject is difficult. It’s a sensitive topic, which is why both you and your parents might be reluctant to start discussing in the first place. Helpful Tips to Assess Care Needs for Elderly
Your Mom and Dad worry about becoming a burden or giving up control, and we can’t blame them for that. You, on the other hand, worry about challenging or insulting them. There might be differences of opinion when it comes to whether they need professional care or not, what type of care is needed, who should be responsible for proving the care plan, and so on.
Most seniors usually believe that they can take care of themselves. We can all agree that aging Americans can be stubborn sometimes. Fortunately, there’s a respectful and gentle way to broach this senior living subject. Following are a few useful tips for assessing care needs.

The importance of the approach

Saying “You just have to do this” is a big ‘no’. You’ll lose them. You should try something like: ”Mom/Dad, I’m really concerned about you; seeing you like this makes me worried.”
That’s the approach you need. Share your concerns about their safety and health, and your parents will come around and say yes.

Getting help from others

Forming a caregiving group or getting help from your brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and children to address your loved ones’ needs is also recommended. You can even look outside the family because an unrelated person can present a personal, neutral opinion about the situation and offer their solutions. Also, every person finds it easier to reveal their fears to an outside person.
Who Can Help and Be that Person?

  • Your personal doctor – he can define the medical needs, and moreover, refer you and your parents to other people or professionals who can be of a lot of help when it comes to making care arrangements and care costs.
  • Word-of-mouth – the best way to tackle any problem. Your neighbors or friends might have already been through similar situations, aging in place maybe, so they can advise you.

Assessing personal needs

The elderly are usually into privacy personal independence. If your parents are like this, that means a nursing home is not for them. They should stay home where they can receive minimal home assistance. Others want to hire a professional agency that can organize a comprehensive program. If your parents are planning to rely on an outside agency, a home care directed by agency combined with professional adult daycare is the best solution. Still, some prefer the ease and security provided by residential care facilities, especially if Medicare covers them, even though they don’t need such high care level offered in such institutions. For many people, the senior care cost plays an important role here.
In conclusion, you need to start the conversation early, include every family member, explain the purpose of the discussion, understand the needs of your parents to control their lives, learn what approach is the best for senior retirement, agree to disagree and be patient.

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Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care
Caregiving

Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

If you are an older adult, or caring for an aging senior, the topic of home instead of senior care has likely come up. But, you don’t have to move to an assisted living facility to get the care needed. There are ways to get help with personal issues, meals, and medication while still living at home. Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care

69% of people age 90 or more have a disability, according to government estimates. With numbers like these, it is clear support is needed. Reach out to get the care you need to stay in your home as long as possible.

Home Instead of Senior Care

Make a plan to stay in your home while recognizing that your needs will likely change over time. Get the support you need today. Then, put the right steps in place for future decisions. Bring trusted loved ones and family members into the planning process. Often, it’s helpful to talk to a counselor who is experienced in senior issues, too. They will have a background of knowledge to help you.

Needing Home Support

If you are providing support for your loved one in their senior years, know that there are ways to maximize the experience, both for you and the older adult in your care.
Some concerns include the following:
Safety – Older adults are at a higher risk of being targeted for financial scams. Block their names from telemarketer lists. Secure the home at vulnerable entry points. Some find it is helpful to have an emergency alert system in place as well.
Meals – If you are concerned that, as you age, you are relying on more prepackaged or other unhealthy meals, or if you have a senior you love you are worried is making unhealthy food choices, put a system in place. Look into local community centers to find out if they are serving up healthy meals. Or start scheduling potluck dinners, for example.
Household chores – It is a familiar problem for individuals who move less, due to aging or mobility issues, to need help with housework, their yards, and shopping. Maybe hiring a cleaning service or scheduling regular grocery deliveries would help. Anything to reduce the stress experienced by a senior who is choosing their home instead of senior care should be looked into.

Other Common Needs of Support

Exploring transportation options – While remaining active is important for health, it is not always possible for individuals who are experiencing pain, mobility issues, or health concerns. Transportation options have to be in place for seniors. They also need to be able to secure doctor’s appointments and maintain the ability to purchase daily necessities, such as groceries and medications.
Activities and friends – Human beings are social animals. There is no reason to feel isolated and alone while living at home instead of senior care. Look into new ways to interact with others. Explore local senior center options or find volunteers, from family members to individuals in the community.
Talking through all of these issues, and more, with a counselor can bring relief. Reach out today.
Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care
Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care Choosing Your Home Instead of Senior Care

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Caregiving

10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Providing dementia care for a family member is rarely easy. But it gets easier if you regularly remind yourself about positive aspects of caregiving. The following eleven mantras for dementia care providers offer needed perspective to family caregivers and professional care providers alike. 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers

  1. “I Am Creating Positive Change.”

Caregivers sometimes feel like nothing they do is really making a difference. During tough moments, it can be hard to see the positive impact that you’re having on your loved one’s life. It pays to remind yourself how much tougher those moments could be without your presence.

  1. “Quality of Lifeand Quality of CognitionAren’t the Same Thing.”

When a loved one starts to lose their cognitive abilities to dementia, it can be easy to confuse this with a loss of quality of life. While the two are linked, it is still possible to live a happy, comfortable, and meaningful life in the face of a dementia diagnosis. As a caregiver, it’s important not to lose sight of this distinction.

  1. “My Loved One Needs Affirmation, Not Correction.”

Even experienced caregivers can sometimes fall for the trap of trying to correct or argue with someone suffering from dementia. When your loved one is confused, remind yourself that trying to correct them will only make things more confusing. By affirming their experience — even if it’s mistaken — you will help them feel more comfortable, at ease, and secure.

  1. “Caregiving Missteps Are Learning Opportunities.”

No one has ever provided care for a loved one without making missteps along the way, especially when caring for someone with an illness as complicated as dementia. Remember that mistakes almost always present an opportunity to learn and become a better caregiver.

  1. “There’s Nothing Wrong with Asking for Help.”

Caregivers often take the weight of the world onto their shoulders, feeling like it’s their responsibility to bear the burden. At a certain point, we all need to recognize that we need help from others. That might be from family. It might be from friends. It might be from professional dementia careproviders. No matter who it’s from, it’s crucial that you allow yourself to ask for help when it’s needed.

  1. “Self-Care Is an Essential Part of Caregiving.”

As a caregiver, any moment you spend on your own well-being can feel like an indulgence. “How can I be focused on myself when my loved one’s care needs are so much greater than my own?” But without taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to adequately care for your loved one. And remember: caregiving isn’t supposed to be a case of trading your quality of life for your loved one’s.

  1. “There’s Always Something New for Me to Learn.”

The learning curve never truly ends when you’re providing dementia care for a loved one. Whether you’re learning from other caregivers at a local support group, acquiring information from medical professionals, or taking part in an online community like The Caregiver’s Voice, there are always new perspectives and new information for you to learn.

  1. “Routine and Structure Shouldn’t Be Taken for Granted.”

Routine, structure, and familiarity can be crucial to those coping with dementia. Familiar surroundings offer comfort and security, helping those with dementia manage moments of stress and anxiety. Caregiver’s shouldn’t underrate how important a familiar routine can be to their own lives. Creating a stable routine gives you much less to worry about, allowing you to focus on care responsibilities.

  1. “There’s No Such Thing as The Perfect Caregiver.”

When a loved one’s well-being is in your hands, it’s easy to expect perfection from yourself. But there’s no such thing as the perfect caregiver, and caring for someone with a memory disorder will put you in situations where there’s no perfect solution.

  1. “I’m Not Alone.”

Memory disorders create confusion and disorientation for those with dementia and their caregivers. When caring for a loved one with dementia, it’s common to feel lost and alone. But there are millions of people who are in your shoes or who have walked miles in them at some point in their lives.
10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers
10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers
 
 
 

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How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment
Vision

How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Poor eyesight is a serious health concern for American seniors. Roughly one in three seniors copes with some form of vision loss or vision impairment. Poor vision is linked with lower quality of life, poor self-care, and increased risk of injury and poor health. One study from 2014 found that, over an eight year period, seniors with poor vision faced a 16% higher risk of mortality compared to those without vision problems. How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment
One way to fight back against elderly vision impairment is through home care services. While home care services can’t restore vision, they can help seniors with poor eyesight in a number of other ways. With home care, seniors with vision loss receive the personal support they need to maintain quality of life and reduce their risk of injury, poor health, and mortality.

Home Care and Poor Eyesight

Vision loss may be linked with lower quality of life and poor health, but these aren’t direct links. There’s almost always something in between.
For instance, seniors with poor vision are more likely to suffer injuries. This isn’t because poor vision causes injuries. Instead, it causes seniors to misjudge their surroundings, which increases the risk of slipping, tripping, or coming in contact with harmful objects. In these situations, it isn’t necessary to correct vision problems to reduce the risk of injury. If someone is there to lend a helping hand and a second set of eyes, it can dramatically reduce the chance of injury.
If a spouse or family member can’t always be there, a home care professional can step in to help seniors with vision problems. Through the support of a home care professional, seniors with poor eyesight can benefit in a number of areas. These include:

  • Social Life. Researchers have found that seniors with poor vision report lower levels of social activity and higher levels of loneliness. A home care professional can make it easier for vision-impaired seniors to get out and meet friends and family. Even if seniors prefer to stay at home, a caregiver can provide them with much-needed person-to-person contact.
  • Self-Care.Poor vision makes mundane tasks more difficult than many people realize. These difficulties often lead seniors with limited eyesight to give up on aspects of self-care. Home care services ensure that someone is there to help perform these tasks, which may include activities like dressing, grooming, day-to-day hygiene, and preparing complete meals.
  • Homemaking activities, as with self-care activities, become more difficult as vision degenerates. Seniors with poor eyesight who struggle with homemaking can benefit from a caregiver’s help with activities like buying groceries, light housekeeping, washing dishes, and doing laundry.
  • Many seniors give up their favorite pastimes as they lose their vision. A caregiver is the perfect partner for hobbies like card games, gardening, model making, or bird watching, providing a companion and a second set of eyes to make these activities enjoyable once more.
  • Accident Prevention.Accident prevention is the most important thing home care can offer to seniors with vision problems. A caregiver’s presence means someone is there to spot dangers that visually impaired seniors can’t, such as slipping or tripping risks on floors, sharp or hot objects, and household chemicals and medications with hard-to-read labels.

If you have a loved one with vision loss or impairment, you should be able to find home care services through a home care agency in your local area. To find home care services near you, we invite you to contact your local Visiting Angels® office

How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment

How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment How Home Care Helps Seniors with Vision Loss or Impairment

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How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy
Caregiving

How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Caregiving can be an emotional situation, one that leads to unexpected feelings and conflicts. One of the more the common feelings felt in caregiving situations is jealousy. How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy
Feelings of jealousy are rarely expected by families who are starting out with caregiving. But anyone who’s seen the way caregiving relationships develop will understand how these feelings happen. Whether care is provided by a family member, a professional caregiver, or a combination of both, caregivers are often the targets of jealousy.
At Visiting Angels®, feelings of jealousy are something we commonly deal with in caregiving situations. Here are a few tips we’ve picked up over the years on how to handle caregiving-related jealousy.

Questions to Ask About Caregiver-Related Jealousy

Jealousy toward caregivers can occur in a number of different ways, and the best way to address feelings of jealousy will depend on the specific situation. Key factors include who is providing care, where jealous feelings are coming from, and the severity of the situation.
Who’s Providing Care?When a caregiver is the target of jealous feelings, who’s providing care makes a big difference. If a family member is providing care, existing family dynamics will need to be considered when addressing feelings of jealousy. If care is provided by a professional caregiver, the lack of pre-existing dynamics could make it easier to resolve feelings of jealousy or — if necessary — bring in a new caregiver.
Who’s Feeling Jealous?Jealousy toward caregivers can come from different people, and sometimes comes from multiple people at once. Usually, jealous feelings are coming from someone in one of the following categories:

  • The Care Recipient.Sometimes, the person receiving care can become possessive of their relationship with their caregiver. They may feel jealous that the caregiver is spending time with other clients, their own family, or taking care of themselves.
  • The Recipient’s Spouse.Some of the most powerful feelings of jealousy come from spouses of people receiving care services. Spouses start to feel neglected or unwanted as their partner is cared for by someone else.
  • The Recipient’s Children.Care recipients’ children sometimes experience feelings of jealousy similar to those felt by spouses. They may feel that a family caregiver has become favored by the person being cared for, or they may feel like a professional caregiver has replaced them in their role of supporting their parent.

How Severe Is the Situation?How you approach feelings of jealousy in a caregiving situation will depend on how severe those feelings are. The more jealous a person is, the more sensitive you may need to be in handling the situation. You may also need to take mental and cognitive health factors into account. Cognitive decline and mental health challenges can make it difficult to address these situations directly. In such cases, it is better to manage and accommodate jealous feelings rather than tackle them head on.

Addressing Jealousy Toward Caregivers

“Anytime you’re trying to address feelings of jealousy, it’s important to be sensitive to everyone’s feelings,” says Larry Meigs, CEO and President of Visiting Angels and a twenty-year veteran of the caregiving industry. “Emotions run high in these discussions. So, a confrontational approach is rarely constructive.”
Larry says that when feelings of jealousy are coming from a care recipient, it is often important to help the person receiving care see things from the caregiver’s perspective. “Sometimes, seniors don’t realize the expectations they’re placing on caregivers and how those expectations impact caregivers’ lives. It’s easy for jealous feelings to crop up without thinking through why a caregiver might need to spend time with other people.”
In cases where jealousy is coming from a spouse or another family member, Larry suggests framing the discussion around what’s best for the person receiving care. “Ultimately, we all want what’s best for our loved ones. So, if you can help someone see that their loved one needs their caregiver to age happily and comfortably, that can help defuse jealousy feelings.”
If feelings of jealousy can’t be resolved, Larry says that a change of caregivers may be necessary. “Home care agencies know that a change of caregiver can sometimes be positive,” he says. “That might mean bringing in a professional caregiver so that a family member is no longer the target of jealousy. Or it might mean changing your loved one’s home care professional.”
At Visiting Angels, our Select Your Caregiver® program has helped families find the right caregiver for their loved ones. By focusing on both the physical and emotional needs of clients, this program has made it easier for seniors to find a care provider that they — and their family members — are comfortable with.
If you’re currently looking for a caregiver for your loved one, we invite you to learn more about our Select Your Caregiver program onlineor to contact your local Visiting Angels office.
How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy How to Handle Caregiving Related Jealousy

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Organizing Care for an Aging Loved One
Caregiving

Hardest Most Rewarding Job is Caregiving

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Whether or not your job includes working outside enduring the elements or seeing others suffer with no ability to change their situation, caregiving for a loved one possibly could be the most difficult job of all. Why, because it is a job from the heart and not one easily left behind once you leave the job site. Hardest Most Rewarding Job is Caregiving
How do you leave loved ones who are unable to go out and do much else for themselves without a saddened tug on your heart? Your heart wants you to know to that it is alright to do for yourself, but you feel torn as you see the loneliness in your loved one’s eyes. Then you feel selfish because, in your pit of despair, you desperately fear what is going to be left of your own life after years of caregiving to another. You cause sheer inner hatred by thinking of what the future might bring once the hardest job of your life is over. Do you talk about your feelings? Very little, as only those who have gone through what you are living through have the ability to understand. Of course, you want to run. But where? Your nerves, if you have any left, are shattered.
The fear cemented deep within your soul is your lifeblood of comfort you as you watch time flying forward for both you and your loved one. You wonder whether or not there ever will be a day that you don’t live in fear of what is going to happen the next day or even the next minute. Say “hello” to your loved one on a beautiful day in a wonderful mood that not even you think could be broken. Then a feather drops and causes your temper to flair with words you know that one day you are going to wish you had never said. Being able to forgive and forget what both do or say during heated times possibly is how to save yourself when handling the painful job of being a caregiver. In addition, if you are a caregiver, you must allow yourself to give and take love and positive strokes for of from each of you.
Too frequently you cling to your hurt feelings because anger often becomes the mode of exchange with your love one. I can become angry with myself because I wonder how I would be reacting if I were watching my own body fall apart. How would you like to watch your body fall apart? This answers the question as to why caregivers often cry themselves to sleep. The crumbling of a body is not an easy thing to watch. As you hold your tears back, you do all that you can to emotionally distance yourself. In reality, all that is left to do is hope that you are being kind enough to the person who is deteriorating before your eyes. You allow yourself to cry when you leave because your tears are for them. Their eyes tell the story of the sorrow that only one losing the use of his or her body could feel.
Run home, it is ok. Go cry, it is ok. You need to relieve yourself of your feelings of sorrow and fear that only caregiving can produce. If you understand the words describing the emotions of this caregiver, I think that both of us are learning the meaning of the word “caregiver.”
As a caregiver, I find that I am unable to offer you an exact definition. Caregiving could mean loving enough to visit frequently. Or caregiving might mean that you are your loved one’s leaning post. You could be his or her full-time caregiver. Caregiving often is defined as being able to help someone who is unable to care completely for herself or himself without assistance. Be sure to remember that the word “care” is combined with the word “giving.” You are giving a part of yourself to care for someone you love during her or his time of need. No matter how difficult the caregiving job may be, there is no more rewarding work in existence. Hardest Most Rewarding Job is Caregivins
By Sandra Speer
Ms. Speer is living her passion of using her education (BA, MAOM, Ph.D., abd), life, published articles, and 30+ years of work experience toward eliminating institutionalized elder/disabled individual abuse by writing for and speaking to organizations and individuals throughout the world. With each story or speaking engagement, her goal is to become closer to helping all understand the process of aging and that “Institutionalized Abuse” does not have to be a part of an aging or disabled individual’s life. Her heartfelt message is for all ages because learning to respect and protect our elders is key to teaching that abuse of human beings never leads to lasting success.

Hardest Most Rewarding Job is Caregiving

Hardest Most Rewarding Job is Caregiving

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Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
Caregiving

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Tips for Continuity of Care

Finding the right fit between a senior and his or her caregiver is the biggest part of any successful care relationship. So, when a senior has been receiving care from the same caregiver for years and finds out that caregiver is about to retire, switch jobs, or move to a different location, the news is a big deal. Seniors and their families often fret during this time, worried they will never find another care provider who can measure up to their care standards. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
At Visiting Angels, we know how hard the transition from one caregiver to another can be for some seniors. In nearly two decades of caregiving, we’ve helped many families with continuity of care. Below, we’ve outlined some of our best advice for when you’re switching care providers. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Take Action as Early as Possible

Seniors have little control over when they are notified that a caregiver change is upcoming. But once you are notified, it’s in your hands to start planning for the change as early as you can. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
If you receive care through a care agency like Visiting Angels, you will want to reach out to an agency director as soon as possible to start discussing your options. In most cases, a care director will have previous experience in transferring a client’s care from one caregiver to another. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
While procedures can vary from one agency to another, the director of your local agency will generally be your best resource during this time. They will know which caregivers at their agency are available for your care schedule, which have the skills and personality to meet your needs, and what steps you can take to ensure a successful switch.

Communication Leads to Quality Care

One of the best ways to ensure a seamless transition from an old caregiver to a new one is through communication. Care is always personal, tied to the needs and preferences of the care recipient. Even a highly experienced caregiver will take time to get to know a new client. If possible, ask if you can have a new caregiver shadow your old caregiver for a time.
Shadowing is not a standard practice at all senior care agencies, so you may be asked to pay an hourly rate for both caregivers to make shadowing possible. That said, if you have the resources at your disposal, the improved quality of care will make it a worthwhile investment. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Get Involved with Caregiver Selection

When a new caregiver is being appointed for your care or the care of your loved one, you should play an active role as much as possible in selecting your caregiver. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
The amount of say you’ll have in the caregiver will vary from agency to agency, but a quality agency will always keep seniors involved in choosing a care provider. Whether that’s by having clients meet potential caregivers before starting care or giving clients final say in who their permanent caregiver will be, a good agency will work with you to make sure that your replacement caregiver is a good fit.
At Visiting Angels, our approach is to let you Select Your Caregiver®. We do this whether we’re setting up care for a first-time client or helping a longtime client find a new care provider after their previous caregiver has moved or retired.
If you’re looking for a caregiver in your area, contact your local Visiting Angels office today and get started with a free, no-obligation care consultation. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

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10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season
Caregiving

Taking Care of Elderly Parents

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

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

Tips for Taking Care of Elderly Parents

#1: Learn About Your Parent’s Needs

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

#2: Assess Your Situation

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

#3: Decide What You Can Do

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

#4: Find Services for Other Needs

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

#5: Listen and Help

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

Support for Caregivers

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

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Aging without Family for Support
Aging

Aging without Family for Support

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

In the aging process, an older person can adapt and handle the physical and mental challenges of decline if they have some form of nearby support. But not every older American has access to a family member or a friend to give occasional help. Aging without Family for Support
There’s an unseen group of seniors that the health care industry has recently noticed. It’s the community-dwelling aged who are socially and/or physically isolated, without an available known family member or designated caregiver.
They’ve been in plain sight for years but since boomers are entering the 60 plus population, the demographic will intensify, due to the group’s known status of having the highest divorce rates and childless marriages. And in a matter of a few decades, the chronic diseases will put a heavy burden on the medical care providers.
What’s needed from the medical care teams and the local community-based support services is a better process and a way to track and assess the risks. The individuals need education, support, and guidance to prepare for becoming frail and dependent. But more importantly, they need to receive a thorough screening for the high risks of aging alone.
Some requirements would include:

  • To learn what’s needed in designing the advanced directives
  • To select a trustworthy healthcare proxy
  • To learn how to set up a care plan far in advance of needing acute care.
  • To learn how to prevent avoidable hospital admissions
  • To find services that help with medical, functional, social, and safety needs
  • To locate social services, adult protective services, and senior agencies
  • To learn the health strategies that help them avoid negative events
  • To build a support group

To better help all seniors, not just the people who live without support in the household, the aging industry and service professionals should become aware of the risks that endanger older adults lives.

  • Social support – Low social support links to both poor physical and psychological health and an increased risk of mortality for the elderly population. Moreover, decreased social interaction that can stem from this lack of support which correlates with low effect and arousal, poor cognitive and social skills, and altered mental functioning.
  • Isolation and loneliness – Isolation is the state of having minimal contact with others, whereas loneliness is the feeling of being socially alone and isolated. Both of these states are identified as risk factors for physical, and cognitive decline.
  • Childlessness – Living without the support of family caregivers is an important risk factor for social isolation. Many studies have shown that childless adults often do have support networks, usually consisting of relatives, friends, and neighbors. However, these networks are less likely to provide the long-term commitment and comparable high level of support that children offer.
    Here is another great article about choosing a location to live if you are a “Solo Ager.”
    Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support

    Aging without Family for Support

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