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How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

After discovering that your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may have a series of questions about adjusting to day-to-day life. Are they safe? Does my loved one understand what’s going on? How do I communicate with them? All are valid and pressing questions that our knowledgeable team can address. How can the right environment help someone with dementia?
When it comes to in-home safety, there are specific precautions and needed changes to make your environment safe. Dr. Piero Antuono, Silverado Brookfield Medical Director says the living environment plays a crucial role on the lifestyle for a person with dementia. Take in regard a living space that minimizes anxiety and noise, which can also additionally reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, confusion, and isolation.
We’ve also gathered some essential safety tips from Silverado in-home care experts. See if your living environment makes the cut.

  • Register a Bracelet
    The MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program is available for individuals with dementia who may wander off, in which case the registered bracelet will have personalized information such as emergency contacts and health history. The bracelet is registered with local law enforcement to ensure that your loved one will be returned home safely. You can register an individual online through the Alzheimer’s Association.
  • Install Motion Detectors
    Some motion detectors today have video capabilities, and some even have responsive automated voices. Experts suggests installing devices around the house, which helps to have another set of eyes to watch your loved one from wherever you are.
  • Remove rugs
    As they are the number one cause of falls in the home, removing all rugs from teh home can be an important step to make the environment safer.
  • Take No Solicitors
    Consider posting a “No Solicitors” sign at the front door to avoid any unexpected visitors. Also, have other family members pick up the phone, because a person with dementia can often be the victim of telephone exploitation. Keep the phone ringer volume on low and make everyone in the household aware that the phone should be answered in as few rings as possible. This will avoid possible distraction and confusion.
  • Remove Locks
    Consider removing locks from the bathroom in case your loved one locks themselves inside.
  • Emergency Contacts
    Display emergency numbers in every room and next to all telephones.
  • Lighting
    Be sure lighting around the house is adequate, including entryways, corners, hallways, bathrooms, stairs, and outside landscaping. Lights with sensors may also be useful.
  • Electronics
    Prevent fire hazards by keeping electronics on sturdy surfaces, covering unused electrical outlets and clearing any extension cords, which also minimizes the likelihood of trips and falls.
  • Prevent Slips
    Install handles and grab bars around the house as safety grips. The handrail for stairways should extend beyond the first and last steps. To prevent slips, use nonskid adhesives in the tub, toilets, and sinks.

For more videos of dementia specialists answering common questions click here.

How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia? How can the right environment help someone with dementia?How can the right environment help someone with dementia?

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What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?
Caregiving

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When hiring in-home care services for a spouse or family member, you’ll be faced with a number of options. Home care services cover a range of specialty services, along with more traditional forms of care, which include in-home companion care and personal care. What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?
Many families are unsure at first which type of care their loved one may need, particularly when choosing between companion careand personal care. Companion care services are for seniors who live by themselves and could benefit from conversation and a helping hand with housekeeping tasks. If seniors require hands-on assistance with personal activities, then they will need personal care.
If you’re uncertain about which type of care your loved one needs, it may help to know which services can be provided by personal care professional, but not by a companion caregiver. To assist you in selecting the right type of care for your spouse or family member, here is a short guide to the services that come with personal care.

Personal Care Services

Personal care is recommended for seniors with limited strength, poor mobility, physical disability, or chronic health conditions that limit their ability to perform activities of daily living. These are personal activities, like dressing and bathing, which require physical contact between the care recipient and the caregiver.
Given the sensitive nature of these activities and the risk of injury in the event of an accident, personal care should only be performed by highly trained caregivers. In most states, licensing requirements for personal caregivers are much more rigorous than the requirements for companion caregivers. While a personal care professional will be able to perform companion care tasks, it is unsafe and sometimes unlawful for a companion caregiver to perform personal care activities.
Once you’re familiar with the activities that personal care professionals are trained to perform, it’s easier to decide between companion care and personal care. If your loved one requires help in any of the following areas, personal care will likely be necessary.

  • Chronic pain, limited strength, and poor coordination make dressing difficult for many seniors. Whether your loved one needs help with their whole wardrobe or just a few items, a personal care professional can help them prepare for the day.
  • Many seniors find grooming difficult for the same reason they have trouble getting dressed. Moreover, grooming tools can injure seniors if improperly used. Personal caregivers can assist with hair care, nail care, shaving, and other grooming tasks.
  • Oral Hygiene.Healthy teeth and healthy gums play a crucial role in seniors’ well-being. An experienced personal caregiver can help your loved one follow their dentist-recommended oral hygiene program.
  • A slip in the shower or bathtub can result in a life-threatening injury. While grab bars, shower stools, and non-slip coatings reduce the risk of slipping, many seniors still require the assistance of a professional caregiver when bathing.
  • After showers and bathtubs, toilets are the leading cause of injury to seniors. Personal care providers are trained to help seniors use the bathroom safely, offering compassionate and dignified assistance.
  • If your loved one has mobility difficulties, personal care can make life easier both in and out of the home. Personal caregivers can help seniors get from place to place safely and reduce the risk of a mobility-related injury.
  • Individuals who are unable to transfer themselves from one position to another can benefit from personal care services, which can include transfer assistance performed by one or more caregivers.

Do you have a loved one who could benefit from personal care services? If so, we invite you to contact Visiting Angels®. Our team will provide detailed information about our services and can schedule a free consultation with one of our care directors.
Call 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels office directlyto request a free personal care consultation from Visiting Angels.

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

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What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled
Caregiving

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

As the population of Americans over the age of 85 grows dramatically, so too has the need for home caregivers. By the year 2026, demand for home caregivers will grow by another million. This is an alarming prediction, because there is already a serious shortage, which is making it very difficult for seniors and people with disabilities to find the assistance they need. Many overall healthy people have resorted to living in nursing homes and other institutions simply so that they can receive basic help with daily tasks. What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

Causes of the Home Caregiver Shortage

Although it is a quickly growing profession, there are still not nearly enough people interested in working as caregivers in order to keep up with the demand. Caretaking jobs tend not to pay very well; currently, the average home caregiver is paid only $10.99/hour. This is similar to what employees in retail or food service earn. Additionally, caregivers often have inconsistent schedules, part-time work only, poor benefits, and few opportunities for advancement (1).
Moreover, the job comes with a lot of responsibility, and mistakes can result in serious injury, police investigations, and other issues.
Strict immigration policies may also affect the caregiver shortage, as roughly one quarter of caretakers are immigrants.
With all of these factors combined, it is not exactly shocking that home care agencies experience an annual turnover rate of 60% (1).

Impact of Caregiver Shortage on Individuals and Families

The Columbus Dispatch recently interviewed a woman named Kenna Robinett, who is the guardian for her twin nephews, who are both on the autism spectrum. She was able to find home caregivers for her nephews, but they were far from reliable. The caregivers served her nephews frozen hot pockets (unheated), microwaved bread sticks until they were burnt to a crisp, and stored ice cream in a cabinet drawer. On one occasion, the boys’ school called because one of them had arrived with feces on his hands. Another day, Robinett received a message saying that there would be no one available to care for her nephews as of 3p.m. that same day, because the agency was shutting down.
In addition to causing the inconvenience of rapidly finding a replacement, caregiver turnover can be emotionally traumatic. “This is deeply personal, intimate care,” Patty Lyons told The Columbus Dispatch, discussing her 15-year-old daughter, who has several disabilities and health conditions. “She has a G-tube (which delivers food to the stomach), takes 13 different medications. Essentially, she’s nonverbal. She has to be left alone with a provider while I’m at work.”
Lyons’ daughter, Adriana, previously had a private-duty nurse. Then Medicaid policies changed and she was declared ineligible for nursing services, under the assumption that a less expensive care provider could meet her requirements. However, it took Lyons months to find someone who could appropriately care for Adriana(2).

Caregiver Shortage Causes Unnecessary Institutionalization

Although staying in an assisted living center or nursing home is a viable option for some, seniors increasingly prefer to age at home (3). For those with the financial means, this can work very well; 102 year old Leroy Neuberg told the Radio program Bostonomixthat he credits his longevity to his dedicated and qualified home caregiver (4). However, many seniors who are healthy enough to live at home with some assistance are unable to do so due to the lack of available caregivers. People with disabilities have the same issue –even those who are very young.
25-year-old Korrie Johnson has cerebral palsy and limited mobility, but is overall healthy and mentally fit. Her mother used to help her with daily tasks, but is now unable to do so because she was injured in a serious car crash. Johnson had no other choice but to move into a nursing home in order to receive basic assistance.
“This is no place for someone my age,” she told the Star Tribune. Most of the other residents have dementia and other debilitating conditions.
Johnson is far from the only disabled person living in an institution and wishing to be free. In her home state of Minnesota, approximately 1,500 people under age 65 live in nursing homes. With a bit of help, many of them would likely be able to live at home and lead productive lives.

Solving the Home Caregiver Crisis

Advocates argue that unnecessary institutionalization, such as what Johnson is experiencing, violates civil rights. The Supreme Court “Olmstead” ruling (1999) mandates that states provide their residents with care in the most integrated environment possible.
Even from an economic perspective, home care makes sense. It tends to cost taxpayers less than nursing home care (5).
A critical component of fixing the caregiver shortage is making home caretaking a better profession. Worker cooperatives may help improve conditions for home caregivers, as well as provide training opportunities. Additionally, changes to Medicaid rules could provide caregivers with increased pay and benefits, more stability, and room for advancement (1).
As a society, we must recognize the importance of this profession, and treat home caregivers with the respect they deserve.
Sources

  1. Forbes– The Shortage of Home Care Workers: Worse Than You Think
  2. The Columbus Dispatch– Crisis in care: Lack of quality caregivers, constant turnover tough on disabled, families
  3. The Chicago Tribune– ‘Crisis mode’: As boomers age, a shortage of caregivers
  4. Bostonomix– Demand For Senior Home Care Grows, But Its Pay Remains Low
  5. Star Tribune– Shortage of home health workers forcing young Minnesotans with disabilities into institutions

This guest blog post was contributed by Reiter & Walsh ABC Law Centers.

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

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How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
Caregiving

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When your mom or dad starts to struggle with day-to-day activities, you may find yourself acting as a family caregiver. Caregiving is no small responsibility, and from the outside, most people understand that it’s a lot to handle. But when someone we love requires care, it’s easy to lose perspective and assume we’re the exception to the rule. No matter what happens, we tell ourselves, we can handle it. How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
But caregiving often demands superhuman levels of energy, patience, and positivity. Expecting yourself to withstand these demand, and to provide high-quality care, is a shortcut to failure.
In overestimating our abilities as family caregivers, we endanger not only our own well-being, but also the well-being of our loved ones. Decades of research have highlighted the health risks faced by family caregivers, who experience high rates of physical, mental, and emotional health concerns. By compromising their own health, family caregivers also compromise the quality of care they provide. When this happens, caregiving can have a counterintuitive effect: worsening, rather than improving, quality of life.
Needless to say, if you’re taking on family caregiver duties for the first time, it’s important that you don’t overestimate your own abilities. Here are a few tips on how to prevent this from happening.

How Family Caregivers Can Avoid Unrealistic Workloads

Start Out Small. Whenever possible, family caregivers should start caregiving early. Instead of waiting for your loved one to start showing signs of severe decline, start lending a hand with small, routine tasks like running errands and dishwashing.
Starting early offers benefits for both you and your loved one. By starting out with smaller caregiving responsibilities, you can will reduce the risk of early burnout, develop caregiving skills and routines gradually. This method also lowers the risk that the care recipient will start receiving support too late, when decline has already compromised their health and well-being.
Build Caregiving Skills. Some people carry a mistaken assumption that caregiving is unskilled labor. Ask anyone who’s actually provided care — as a family caregiver or as a caregiving professional — and you’ll hear otherwise. The best caregivers have spent years refining their caregiving toolkits, which include a mix of hands-on talents and emotional skills.
By building up your own set of caregiving skills, you can reduce the risk of becoming overwhelmed. Make a conscious effort to become more effective and efficient at routine caregiving tasks and seek out caregiver resources that can help you become a better caregiver. When you feel more comfortable and capable as a family caregiver, you can start to take on additional roles and responsibilities.
Plan for Self-Care. Self-care is important for everyone, but it’s critical for those of us performing stressful, highly demanding work. Caregiving exacts a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. If you ignore this, you’ll make every aspect of your life more difficult, including caregiving. This makes caregiver all the more taxing on your physical, mental, and emotional health, creating a dangerous feedback loop.
So when you’re starting out as a family caregiver, make sure that you’re setting aside time for self-care activities. Many family caregivers are quick to sacrifice personal time when they start providing care to a loved one. In many cases, it never occurs to them that they need time for self-care. By steering clear of this mistake, you’ll avoid the number one cause of caregiver burnout.
Set Realistic Goals. When you’re volunteering to act as a family member’s caregiver, it’s important that you set realistic goals. Typically, this means a conservative approach to goal-setting. Start with what you think you’re capable of, then cut those expectations by 25% to 50%.
Most people substantially overestimate themselves when they start a new role. That tendency is made worse when you’re caring for someone you love. But just because you want to do it all for your mom or dad, that doesn’t mean you can. Remember that, as a family caregiver, it’s easier to expand your role than to shrink it.
Ask for Support. One of the best ways to avoid becoming overwhelmed is to ask for outside help. Other members of your family might be unable to provide as much support as you can, but that doesn’t mean they can’t provide any support at all. Make sure to get family and friends involved in caregiving early.
If family and friends are unable to lend support, professionalrespite care servicescan help. A trusted home care agency will connect you with professional caregivers who can provide caregiving assistance, relieving the burden placed on family caregivers.
Overwhelmed by caregiving duties? Learn more about respite care services from Visiting Angels®by calling us today at 800-365-4189 or by contacting your local office.

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
 

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How Senior Home Care Can Address a $50 Billion Health Crisis
Caregiving

How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control, the US health care system now spends $50 billion a year on one of the most widespread, most dangerous, and most preventable health risks to seniors: falls among the elderly. How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis
It’s a familiar problem for those of us who work in senior home care. Each year, roughly a third of US seniors suffer a fall of some sort, and falls are the number one reason that seniors lose the ability to live independently. But senior home care providers aren’t just familiar with this issue. We’re also uniquely positioned to help reduce falls among the elderly.
With expanded access to fall prevention programs, the senior home care industry could play a key role in addressing this health crisis, reducing the financial costs of falls and, more importantly, their impact on seniors’ quality of life.

Elderly Fall Prevention & Senior Home Care

In releasing their findings, researchers at the CDC have highlighted the fact that falls among the elderly aren’t inevitable. In fact, falls suffered by US seniors are almost always preventable. The researchers also noted that fall prevention programs have a proven track record of reducing seniors’ risks of falls. Fall prevention programs, which identify and manage fall risks, have been shown to reduce rates of falls among the elderly by nearly 25%.
Fall prevention programs are offered by a range of different providers, including medical organizations and non-profits. However, many of today’s most popular fall prevention programs are offered through senior home care companies. Given the nature of senior home care, providers of these services are uniquely positioned to provide fall prevention assistance.

  • Senior home care services are provided in the comfort of home, where 55% of falls among the elderly occur. Many caregivers also accompany seniors away from home, helping elderly adults avoid falls wherever they may be.
  • Home caregivers are skilled in monitoring and caring for seniors who are coping with frailty, poor balance, reduced vision, and other health concerns that increase the risk of falls.
  • Caregivers are also familiar with the signs of declining physical and cognitive health, increasing the likelihood of early intervention.
  • Senior home care workers can make sure that their clients’ homes are free of many common fall risks, like cords blocking walkways, bunched up rugs and mats, and spills in bathrooms and kitchens.
  • Caregivers can help seniors make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk and impact of falls, including dietary changes and programs of light or moderate exercise.
  • In the event of a fall-related injury, a caregiver can contact emergency services as quickly as possible, greatly increasing the likelihood of survival.
  • Many senior home care agencies offer fall prevention resources to seniors and their family members, including detailed information on how your loved one can reduce their risk of falling by modifying their home environment and lifestyle.
  • Some senior home care agencies provide detailed fall prevention inspections, in which care professionals inspect seniors’ homes for fall risks and provide families with detailed, personalized recommendations about how best to resolve these risks.

Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program

At Visiting Angels®, we’ve long been concerned about the risks that falls pose to American seniors. That’s why we developed ourSafe and Steady fall prevention program. This program was designed to provide elderly adults with the information, resources, and support they need to avoid falls both inside and outside the home.
Visiting Angels takes a multi-faceted approach to fall prevention through senior home care:

  • The Safe and Steady program includes in-home assessments by our care directors. These assessments allow us to spot fall hazards in seniors’ homes and recommend corrective action to mitigate these hazards.
  • The program also includes caregiver education, so that our senior home care providers can identify and address fall risks to their clients, while encouraging lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of falls.
  • Educational resources are likewise provided to our clients and their families, so that they can practice effective fall prevention when our caregivers are not present.

When designing this senior home care program, we focused on practical ways that our clients and their families can prevent falls. This was possible thanks to more than twenty years of senior home care experience. We provide elderly adults with achievable strategies to prevent falls, helping our clients avoid the number one threat to their independence and the leading cause of accidental death among US seniors.
To learn more about our Safe and Steady fall prevention program, call Visiting Angels at 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels senior home care agency.
In addition, take advantage of the excellent products on Senior.com to help prevent falls in a home. Senior.com is an expert in helping you age in place with the right products.

How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis

How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis

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Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In
Aging

Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

In surveys, the overwhelming majority of seniors express a preference for aging in place. But as we grow older, physical and/or cognitive decline can make aging in place difficult. Support from family caregivers and professional elder care services can reduce those difficulties. But if decline becomes severe, you might need to consider alternatives, like having your parent come live with you. Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In
Having a parent move in with your family can make it easier to tend to their elder care needs and improve their overall quality of life. But it can also lead to issues with personal boundaries. In caregiving relationships, boundaries are key to quality care and healthy family dynamics, so it’s important that firm boundaries are set and respected. Here are five tips on how to make this happen.

1. Create an Elder Care Routine

Caring for an elderly loved one can wreak havoc on your schedule. That’s true when your mom or dad lives separate from you and your family, but it’s an even bigger issue when you’re living in the same space. Without a regular routine in place, caregiving responsibilities can start to dominate your life. If you’re always “on call” for when your loved one needs assistance, or if you’re performing a bunch of small jobs throughout the day, it can start to feel like you never have time to yourself.
To avoid this, develop an elder care routine that allows you to set aside time for yourself. Set firm boundaries regarding your “off hours” and when it’s appropriate for your loved one to ask for assistance outside of their elder care routine.

2. Plan for Personal Space

When your mom or dad moves home for elder care, boundaries around personal space can become as much of an issue as boundaries around personal time. A new family member will dramatically alter the way your home functions. If you haven’t planned for this change, it could create points of friction between you and your loved one and between your loved one and other members of your family.
If you have the square footage to do so, make sure that your loved one not only has their own bedroom, but also their own living space. Usually, this means a comfortable chair, their own TV, and any other items that they enjoy using on a regular basis. This way, you can steer clear of family disputes or resentments over use of common space.

3. Communicate Clearly

Boundaries can’t be respected if they aren’t clearly stated in the first place. That’s something many family elder care providers learn the hard way. Nobody wants to lay down the law with a parent, especially when mom or dad is suffering from poor health. As a result, many family caregivers stay silent — even as they notice personal boundaries erode and collapse.
While keeping quiet can help you avoid short-term awkwardness and discomfort, it will do you no favors in the long run. Failure to set and clearly communicate boundaries will quickly lead to resentment and can result in family caregivers overextending themselves. Relationships break down, caregivers deteriorate, and the quality of elder care suffers.

4. Respect Your Own Boundaries

Most family caregivers worry about whether or not their loved one will respect their personal boundaries around elder care. But when it comes to respecting boundaries, there’s someone else you need to worry about: yourself.
Family elder care providers are notoriously bad at respecting their own self-stated boundaries. No matter how overwhelmed they become, they feel compelled to sacrifice their personal time and privacy at a moment’s notice.
The result, more often than not, is a downward spiral. Family elder care providers develop severe caregiver stress. Their personal well-being suffers, as does the quality of care they provide. Low-quality care causes their loved one’s well-being to suffer, exacerbating their need for elder care, and the cycle continues.

5. Find Elder Care Support

Far too many family caregivers are their loved one’s only source of elder care. In these cases, it’s almost impossible to maintain personal boundaries, especially as your loved one’s care needs increase. To prevent this, try to get other members of your family involved with caregiving. If elder care responsibilities start to encroach on your personal time and privacy, you’ll have other caregivers who can help shoulder the burden of care.
If family members are unavailable — or unwilling — to lend a helping hand, professional elder care services may be a better option. Many elder care agencies provide respite care on a part-time basis, which allows family caregivers to maintain healthy lives away from care. By hiring an elder care agency, you can ensure scheduled private time on a daily or weekly basis: one of the best ways to ensure your boundaries are respected.
If caregiving is making it hard to maintain personal boundaries and privacy? Your local Visiting Angels® can help. Call 800-365-4189 today or find your local Visiting Angels office to learn more about elder care services in your area.
Finding a Home for Grandma and Grandpa

Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In

Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In Elder Care & Personal Boundaries: 5 Tips for When Parents Move In
 
 

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The Complicated Relationship Between Alcohol & Dementia Care
Caregiving

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

The decision to move your mom or dad into a care facility is never easy. But this decision gets especially tough when it forces your parents to live apart from one another. This situation is more common than many people realize. Spouses rarely age at the same rate, and many elderly couples are forced apart when one of them requires a high level of care due to physical or cognitive decline. Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care
Separating elderly couples can have terrible consequences. The loss of a long-term spouse is linked with mental health concerns, increased risk of poor physical health, and a lower average lifespan. While separation is sometimes impossible to stop, it is almost always better to keep elderly couples together when possible.
That’s where home care services come into play. Home care services allow many elderly couples to age in place together, even when one spouse develops serious physical or cognitive health concerns. Certain home care providers can even keep elderly couples together when both spouses require different types of care services.
But keeping elderly couples together with home care services isn’t always simple or easy. Sometimes, it requires detailed planning in advance. It could also mean being more selective when choosing a care agency for your parents. Additionally, you may need to start home care services early in order to keep mom and dad together for as long as possible.
While that can be tricky, it’s not impossible. So, if you’re concerned about how you’ll help your parents age in place together, here are some of the things you’ll need to think about.

Plan Ahead and Start Home Care Early

The earlier you begin planning for home care, the easier it will be to keep your parents together and allow them to age in place. Many families avoid discussing care until the last minute, leaving them with few options for care and even less time to choose. By planning for care in advance, you can get ahead of worst-case scenarios and extend the time your parents spend in one another’s company.
One of the smartest steps you can take is to get started with home care early. Most people assume that caregivers help seniors age in place only by helping out after physical or cognitive decline has taken place. This isn’t true. In fact, caregivers can help stave off decline before it occurs. By providing in-home assistance, home care can delay the difficulties that lead seniors to nursing care in the first place.
Many people worry about the costs of professional home care. But care costs are substantially lower early on. Instead of waiting for your mom or dad to become overwhelmed caring for their spouse, you can hire a caregiver for a few hours a week. The caregiver can handle the toughest aspects of care, while your other parent can perform the care tasks that are easier to handle. This way, you keep care costs low, maintain quality of life for one parent, and prevent your other parent from becoming overwhelmed.
Even if you don’t get started with home care immediately, planning ahead offers other benefits. You’ll be able to plan ahead financially, giving you a better sense of what will be best and most realistic. You’ll also get the chance to research local home care providers, so that you have a better idea of your parents’ options for care.

Home Care for Elderly Couples

Another reason home care services are popular with elderly couples is flexibility and customization. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically focus on a certain level of care, or offer a limited number of specialty services. If both of your parents require senior care, but each parent has unique care concerns, they may struggle to find a care facility that can meet both of their needs.
On the other hand, many home care agencies are experienced in providing care for couples — even if spouses have different care needs. Many agencies offer a range of specialty care services, with flexible scheduling and service plans. So, if one of your parents requires personal care due to limited mobility, and the other needs home dementia care for Alzheimer’s, a high-quality home care agency can accommodate both parents’ care needs.
Similarly, a caregiver who you originally hired to care for one parent could eventually care for both your mom and your dad. While many elderly adults are hesitant to request home care services, it is easier for them to get started with care when a professional caregiver is already in their home. An experienced caregiver can also spot signs of decline. So even if your mom or dad believes themselves to be in good health, you’ll have someone there to let you know when they need help.
Wondering where you’ll find high-quality home care services suitable for your mom and dad? We suggest starting your search with your local Visiting Angels. Our home care providers frequently work with couples, helping families keep mom and dad together in the home they love. Call 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels office to learn more.

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

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How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?
Caregiving

How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Assisted Care, Not Insisted Care: Where Do You Draw the Line When It Comes to Proper Care?

Elder abuse has become an unfortunate reality for our aging population. News stories of seniors becoming the victims of abuse or neglect are all too common these days. According to a recent study conducted by the Nursing Home Abuse Center, it is estimated that between one and two million Americans, age 65 and older have been mistreated, exploited or injured by a caregiver. Unfortunately, seniors become targets of abuse because they may not have a real voice or understand what is happening around them. You can prevent your aging family from being abused by following these tips. How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

Be Proactive

If you’re aging family member is placed in an assisted living or nursing home, the first step to take to prevent abuse is to be proactive by checking on your loved one regularly. Regularly visiting the nursing home can help you to spot red flags and address any issues before they become a problem. Frequent visits will also show the staff that you will be observing their activities, which can help to decrease the overall occurrence of abuse.

Encourage them to Talk to You

If your elderly family member is being abused, they may be embarrassed or unsure what to do if about the situation. This is why it is so important to keep the lines of communication open, so they will feel more comfortable talking to you about potential issues. If they do ever express concern, talk to them seriously and investigate accordingly. Unfortunately, all too often, we dismiss their complaints as being nonsense or untruthful, which can lead to the abuse continuing.

Keep an Eye out for Warning Signs

According to National Center on Elder Abuse neglect is the most common form of elder abuse, followed by physical abuse. If you notice any of the following physical or emotional issues, it may be a sign that your loved one is being abused.

  • Sudden weight loss
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Unexplained changes in mood or behavior
  • Bedsores
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Unexplained bruises or cuts

If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial that you address it immediately.

Immediately Report Abuse and Neglect

If you believe that your loved one isn’t receiving the care they need and deserve, it is imperative to report it immediately. The sooner you report it, the sooner you can begin to make the appropriate changes to protect your loved ones. If you feel like your loved one might be in danger, don’t hesitate to call 911 and report the abuse immediately. If you uncover abuse or neglect, you may want to seek legal help with abuse in assisted care facilities to discuss your legal options.
If you suspect the nursing home or assisted living facility where you’re loved one life is abusing or neglecting them, it is up to you to stop it. Always be vigilant and take concerns seriously. Elder abuse has become a real issue, and you have the power to stop it and prevent it from happening to anyone else.

How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care? How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

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How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care
Conditions & Treatments

How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Bilingualism is widely regarded as a uniquely valuable skill. Learning a second language can help you travel the world, explore new cultures, and improve your career. And according to a recent wave of research, bilingualism has another, previously unsuspected benefit: reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s. Multiple studies have found that bilingual individuals develop Alzheimer’s at a far lower and slower rate than monolingual individuals. How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care
These findings could reshape how Alzheimer’s care is provided to bilingual individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s. More importantly, they give Alzheimer’s care professionals a new tool for combatting the disease in at-risk individuals. Given the enormous social, emotional, and financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease — cases of which are projected to triple by the year 2050 — increased bilingualism could have a huge impact on American senior care.

Studies on Bilingualism & Alzheimer’s

For decades, researchers have touted the cognitive benefits of learning a second language. When individuals speak more than one language, they perform better on a wide range of tests designed to measure cognitive function. These include tests that measure activities unrelated to language, like the ability to sort objects based on color and shape, or the ability to avoid distractions when focusing on a given task. In study after study, bilingualism has been linked with stronger cognitive function.
When it comes to the specific relationship between bilingualism and Alzheimer’s, the research is more recent. The most important studies have all taken place in the past ten years. These studies have also been relatively small, which points to a need for more research. Even so, the early findings from these studies are overwhelmingly positive from the perspective of Alzheimer’s care and prevention.

  • A 2010 study from York University in Toronto found that bilingual individuals developed symptoms of Alzheimer’s 5.1 years later than monolingual individuals.
  • A 2011 study conducted at the University of California, San Diego, found that the more fluent a person was in both Spanish and English, the later that person developed symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • A 2017 study of German and Italian speakers, conducted at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, found that bilingual study subjects developed Alzheimer’s disease 4.5 years later than those that only spoke one language. Individuals who switched languages most frequently showed the strongest benefits.

Bilingualism and Alzheimer’s Care

Now that we’re aware of the link between bilingualism and Alzheimer’s, how can we use this information to improve Alzheimer’s care? And how should we apply this information to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease in future generations?
While existing research has focused on Alzheimer’s prevention, these findings could impact the way that caregivers approach Alzheimer’s care for bilingual individuals. If bilingualism can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, it may also slow the development of the disease. Bilingual individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s may benefit from Alzheimer’s care programs that encourage bilingual activities.
Family caregivers who also speak two languages could switch back and forth between these languages at home. Caregivers can encourage a mix of media — TV shows, music, reading materials, etc. — in both languages. When hiring Alzheimer’s care services, families may choose to seek out caregivers who are themselves bilingual.
Do you require Alzheimer’s care services for a loved one? To find Alzheimer’s care in your area, contact Visiting Angels® at 800-365-4189 today or connect directly with your local office.

How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care

How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care How Bilingualism Could Reduce the Need for Alzheimer’s Care

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