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Age-In-Place

Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Most of us want to age-in-place. But can we? Affordable, accessible and well-located housing affects the quality of life for all ages, but it’s most significant for older adults. In a report released by The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University and AARP, it claims that the three key points are the cornerstone to comfort and security. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
Housing is the single largest item in most budgets and its costs and expenses directly influence financial security. The home’s location and accessibility are essential to health and safety, to stores, services, and transportation. Without the three components, older adults may experience inactive, non-productive, and isolated lives. If an individual lives with a disability or chronic disease, they will suffer since local supports and services could be difficult to find and access. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
Whether one chooses to remain independent and to grow older at home is up to individual and their loved ones to know if the home will allow them to age-in-place. Start early when assessing your preferences, the readiness of the home, and the community it’s located. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
I’ve listed suggestions and tips that will make the home safer. Consider these and adapt accordingly.

  • Numerous safety and fall hazards exist in everyone’s homes. What needs fixing is determined not so much by specific hazards, but by observing a person’s ability to maneuver (walk and transfer) safely in the home. For example, extra handrail support becomes a priority for balance.
  • Hire help for difficult talks. Many older adults have fallen off ladders or roofs doing home maintenance. It might be worth hiring someone instead. Keep the home clean by hiring a housekeeper.
  • Home technology helps and keeps people living with chronic illness to have healthcare in the home. While most people will think about physical space modifications, the most underutilized trend is the simple use of technology.
  • Adopt wearable or simple sensors which connect the older consumer with family, emergency support services, and detect falls, allowing family or caregivers to identify issues before they escalate and exacerbate.
  • Think of the future every time you make a change to a room. Every renovation should consider future need or ability to retrofit. Select lever handle faucet and add lighting options in dark hallways and bathrooms. Are studs in place for grab bars?
  • Use the assistive devices that are available to you-canes, walkers, hearing aids, etc. Look critically at how you use your space and what changes would make it easier for you to maneuver in your house. Get an evaluation from a physical therapist.

Think ahead. When considering retirement, some gravitate toward a place in the countryside, which feels like a good idea when active and able. However, there are real advantages to having neighbors, friends, and family close by.

How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

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Take Steps to Organize your Care
Caregiving

Take Steps to Organize your Care

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

A recent column discussed the significant legal paperwork and the long-term care options. Research says, most of us deny that we will ever need long-term care but reality shows differently. Take Steps to Organize your Care
Today, let’s look at the steps that help you plan for a medical event if one should occur. It’s always best to “prepare in advance” long before you need help. By waiting for the last-minute, it could put you or the other person at risk of stress and in a position of not finding the best care. Take Steps to Organize your Care

  • Find a support community and network. The members offer valuable advice and by connecting with those in the similar situations will comfort knowing you can count on their experience.
  • Organize legal documents — select a trusted relative, friend, or professional as the power of attorney and the health care proxy, but make sure they understand your wishes.
  • Keep a list of contacts with names and phone numbers of the bank, lawyer, pharmacist, physician, hairdresser, yardman and others who help. Add neighbors, church connections, friends, and family. Don’t rely on memory for details.
  • Add local resources — religious and faith-based groups are reliable support. Consider local groups like Meals-on-Wheels and the Area Agency on Aging.
  • Obtain a home safety assessment — have the home assessed for safety to determine whether you or another will be safe and secure. The plan will recommend immediate, short-term and long-term solutions.
  • Start discussions with relatives and siblings — have care conversations with the family and make a plan. Consider each person’s natural talents–some are not comfortable giving baths, perhaps they can cook, clean, and run errands.

Turn to your doctor first

Medical issues to discuss with your doctor:

  • If you’ve fallen in the past 6 months
  • If you take 5 or more medications

Identify cognitive and functional abilities:

  • Do you need help with bathing, dressing, shopping, and paying bills?
  • Do you feel sad?

Identify your social support:

  • Who could help you in a crisis?
  • Do you have a long-term care policy?

Create a care and treatment plan with the medical staff.

  • Take advantage of delivery services for medications and food. Utilize home care if you need help with activities of daily living.

Make safety and fall prevention a priority.

Tell your doctor if:

  • You have trouble driving. Let the medical staff know if you experienced accidents or if you’ve gotten lost while driving.

Create a close bond with your medical team by

  • Developing a relationship with your primary care physician and staff
  • Learn their 24-hour call service
  • Learn if the hospital where your physician works has a 24-hour call service
  • Know nearby Urgent Care Centers
  • Some emergency rooms have fast track lines to help those unsure if it is a real emergency

Sign up for my newsletter – send an email to Carol@Seniorcare.com and write “sign me up” in the subject line.

Take Steps to Organize your Care

Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care

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Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services
Aging

Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Discussing home care services with an aging loved one is difficult conversation – but it’s particularly difficult if your parent or relative is resistant to home care. As a leading home care services provider, Visiting Angels is more than familiar with seniors who initially resist a helping hand around the home. Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services
When a relative continuously rejects home care services that could improve their quality of life and extend their years living in the comfort of home, there are a number of strategies that you can take with them. Most important of all is to have respectful conversations, carefully listening to and acknowledging your loved one’s points of view.

Strategies for Discussing Home Care Services

When discussing home care services with a resistant parent or relative, there are a number of strategies you can use to help your loved one see the benefits to home care services. Here are some strategies you may wish to use:

  • Plan for Multiple Conversations. It’s unlikely that you’ll change your loved one’s mind about home care services during your first talk. Plan ahead for a discussion that unfolds over several conversations.
  • Approach the Topic Sideways. If your loved one is resistant to home care services, start conversations on a different, but related note. For instance, if your parent or relative has age-related strength issues, ask them if there are any activities that you can give them a helping hand with.
  • Listen Carefully. Understanding where your loved one’s resistance to home care services is coming from is important. They might feel that home care services are a threat to their pride, security, or independence. Understanding their concerns makes it easier for you to seek solutions that overcome these worries.
  • Avoid “Crisis Conversations”. Emotions run high immediately after an accident or close call. Avoid bringing up home care immediately after an age-related incident. Instead, give your loved one time to process the event by waiting a few days.
  • Turn to Family. Family members can be helpful when you discuss home care services with your loved one. Privately voice your concerns with other members of your family and bring them into the fold during your conversations. However, be careful not to appear as if you are “ganging up” on your loved one.
  • Start Small. Even if you feel that your loved one could benefit from a full care plan, it may be best to start small. Having a caregiver stop by for a few hours once a week allows your loved one to take home care services for a kind of test drive. As they come to enjoy the benefits of home care services, they may ask you to expand their care plan.

Choosing a Home Care Services Provider

If your loved one agrees to home care services, it’s important to find a home care services provider who your loved one feels comfortable with. This means choosing the right company and the right caregiver.
While some home care services assign caregivers to clients on their own, others like Visiting Angels take a more flexible approach. To make seniors feel more at ease, the agency you choose should have caregivers meet with seniors and their families before starting care. That way, you can make sure the right fit exists before starting home care services.
Do you have a loved one who could benefit from home care services, but remains resistant to care? Contact your local Visiting Angels to learn more about our services and how we can help you ease your loved one into home care.

Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services

Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care ServicesHelp! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services
 

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