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Organizing Care for an Aging Loved One
Caregiving

Putting Your Older Parent in a Home

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

The time has come. You made the decision to put your older parent in a nursing home or assisted living facility. You didn’t necessarily want to do it, but you know deep down inside it’s best. Why do you feel so guilty and sad about it, though? How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home
The answer lies in how you’re dealing with the decision of putting your older parent in a home. Even though it may be the best decision for your mom or dad, it’s what you’re thinking and believing about yourself that matters. How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home

Not Good Enough

Many people who decide to put their older parent in a home feel as though they are just not good enough to care for their mom or dad adequately. They usually don’t have the time or feel they don’t have the skills.
Just because you believe you aren’t good enough doesn’t mean that you’re not. Actually, you probably are giving your mom and dad just the right amount and quality of care needed. You may be too hard on yourself.

Lazy

You may feel as though you are lazy. While you want to care for your older parent, a part of you really doesn’t want the work that comes along with it.
There’s nothing wrong with this because it is a lot of work. Caregiving is demanding – phsysically, emotionally, and mentally.
You are NOT lazy just because you have decided you don’t want to devote all of your spare time to taking care of your parent. You are choosing to protect the relationship you have with your parent, by not ruining it with resentment when you feel as though you’ve had enough after a long day of caregiving.

Selfish

You may feel as though you are selfish. Taking care of your older parent may not fall into your schedule as nicely as you would like it to, so you feel guilty about not doing it. You don’t have to feel this way, and you are NOT selfish.
You are thinking of your older parent when you decide to put him or her in a home. You are trying to provide your mom or dad with a good place for them to live where they will have everything they need. If you were selfish, you would ONLY think of yourself, and wouldn’t care where they lived or how they cared for themselves.
Pat yourself on the back. You’re stepping up and caring for your older parents.

Beliefs

Some people have a belief they MUST care for their aging parents. They believe it makes them a bad person if they don’t do it. This is untrue.
You are not obligated to care for your parents. Sure, it’s a nice thing to do, but finding a safe, healthy home for your parent is also nice.
Not all beliefs people have are warranted. You made up that belief because you felt as though that’s what you should do – it’s not what you need to do. If you can remember that, a lot of the pressure you’re putting on yourself will be relieved.
Are you still feeling bad about putting your older parents in a home? I understand how hard it is for you. That’s why I work as a personal consultant. I help people just like you deal with situations such as this, so they feel better about themselves and their situation in life. Book a session with me now. We can tackle the feelings and thoughts you’re having, so you can feel good about yourself again.
How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home How to Deal with Putting Your Older Parent in a Home

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Caregiving

Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Do These Simple Things to Ensure Your Aging Parents are Safe in their Home

Whether you visit your aging parents weekly or a few times a year, there are certain safety issues you should walk for during your visits. Many times, during visits with family, we spend the entire visit in their living room and don’t see some of the safety hazards in the rest of their home. Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents
While your aging parent may seem safe in his or her home, their mobility or balance can change quickly. Staying on top of their home safety is critical to helping them age in place for as long as possible. Here are some ways to maximize your visits with you aging parents so that you get quality time but also stay on top of their ability to safely live independently. Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

Leave the House

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but I worked with many families who visited their aging parent regularly and had no idea that their parent had a hard time getting out of the house. Whether your aging parent has front steps that don’t have a railing or use a walker that can’t be maneuvered down the steps, there are many hazards that make it difficult for a person with mobility challenges to safely exit their home.
Even if your parent is homebound, being able to exit the home is critical to their safety. What if there is a fire? What if they forget about their limitation and try to go out for a walk or get the mail. Are they able to exit and enter the house from all exits? You never know what situation could arise, so plan ahead to keep your aging parent safe.
While you are checking their ability to safely enter and exit their home, you should also take the opportunity to evaluate your parent’s driving. Perhaps you ask them to drive you to the grocery store or bakery for a treat. Riding in the car with them will give you a better perspective of their driving ability.

Cook Together

You won’t just get to learn your mother’s special pasta sauce recipe, you’ll also be able to see if she is safely able to maneuver her kitchen. Does she have the heavy pots on a high shelf? Help her find a new, easier location to store them. Are the knobs on the stove difficult to turn on/off due to arthritis? Look into new knobs or a hack to help make it easier to use.
While you’re in the kitchen, check the refrigerator for old or expired food and the food supply, in general. Is the refrigerator bare? Why? Does your parent have a hard time getting out to shop or is he/she becoming forgetful about stocking necessities. I once worked with a woman who had dementia who bought soda every time we went to the store, but she never actually drank soda. She had six packs stacked in her pantry. Do you see any oddities that were never an issue before?
Do a little digging to find out why. It may be that your parent struggles with carrying groceries into the house, so isn’t able to buy much. You may want to consider setting up online grocery delivery, or at minimum, delivery of heavier pantry items.

Allow Them to Host You

Sometimes, when we see our parents looking more frail, our instinct is to jump in and do everything. It is a wonderful gesture, but the problem is, you can’t be sure of their capabilities if you don’t watch them operate independently in their own home. Let your parent set the table, turn off the stove, clear the table (with your help of course!).
Watch to see if they are struggling with any tasks. You may be able to come up with solutions together on how to simplify tasks or you may need to consider bringing help into their home.

Get One Step Ahead

While you’re there, look for safety risks or fall risks and work with your parent to address them. You can also take a look at the following household tasks that they may need help with:

  1. Are there any burned out light bulbs? Change them while you are visiting so that your parent won’t attempt to do it on his/her own.
  2. Is the season changing? If so, ask your parent if they have blankets or clothing that is stored up high that they may need help bringing down.
  3. Are tall bookshelves strapped to the wall? You may want to consider using earthquake furniture straps so that they are secure. If your parent trips and grabs a bookshelf to stop their fall, you want to be sure they are nicely secured to the wall and don’t come down on top of them.
  4. If they are reaching for books or items on high shelves, make sure they have a sturdy step ladder with a handrail – and that they actually use it!

What other things can you think of to make a pre-emptive “strike” to ensure your parent is making dangerous decisions?
Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

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Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis
Caregiving

Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

I have spent the majority of my life surrounded by Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 1 million Americans. Both of my parents passed away from complications related to the disease and my sister was recently diagnosed as well. Beyond the debilitating and recognizable motor symptoms (such as freezing), my loved ones also developed Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP), a common aspect of the disease characterized by hallucinations and delusions, and affecting more than half of all people with Parkinson’s over the course of the disease. Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis
PDP is a common, but still very misunderstood, especially for a caregiver. I know firsthand how emotional and frustrating it can be. I’ve since learned that research has shown there is a strong correlation between the onset of psychosis and increased stress by those who care for PD psychosis sufferers.
My father, John, was the production manager on the control panels for the Gemini, Mercury and Apollo Space missions. It made little sense to me when an intelligent man, like my father, said he saw old colleagues from the space program gathered at our kitchen table. It was as if he was re-living an event from over twenty years prior with people who weren’t really in the room with him. As a result of my parents’ illnesses, I elected to move back home to New Jersey to care for them and gave up a dream career opportunity in Nashville. I didn’t regret my decision, but it did change my future path. Caring for my parents was challenging and there were times I felt alone and unsure how to cope. I often second-guessed myself, taking on guilt and regret over the many decisions I had to make on my parent’s behalf.
More recently, my sister, Judy, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014. The disease forced Judy to end her career as an English teacher and social worker, move out of her home, and, like our father, she began to experience PDP. Judy frequently sees snakes on her hand, men in the trees, babies upstairs, dogs at the door, or even barbershop quartets in walls. One day she ran out of the house after a car because she thought she saw her daughter, whom she had been missing, in the front seat. But, like my dad’s episodes, her daughter wasn’t really there. Additionally, Judy has been struggling with depression and as her sister it is very distressing to see your loved one so down. My dear sister had a great sense of humor, but today her delightful personality is overshadowed by hallucinations.
Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to have an outlet to find a balance. For me, that has been raising awareness for PDP and becoming active in the Parkinson’s disease community to help others who may be in the same situation realize that they are not alone.
My experience with PDP gave me the purpose and passion to make a difference. In January of 2016 and 2017, I performed a song I wrote at the Light of Day Winterfest, a non-profit to fight Parkinson’s disease, ALS and related complications. As a songwriter, there is nothing like performing on stage in front of an audience. There is something very special about connecting with your audience – in this case, caregivers or patients – about something you can all relate to.
In addition, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life was the opportunity to testify about the impact of Parkinson’s disease psychosis on me and my family at the FDA hearing in DC to evaluate the first treatment for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease. It was thrilling when the FDA approved the medication for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions just a few weeks later in May 2016. I felt like my participation at that meeting benefitted the entire Parkinson’s disease community.
At its most basic level, advocacy means to help or assist. As I shared my story, I felt comfort and camaraderie among the other caregivers and advocates I’ve met along the way. Through raising awareness of PDP, I am hopeful that patients with PD, like my sister Judy, will have the opportunity to access better treatments that were not available to our parent’s generations ago.
To learn more about PDP and how you can become an advocate, visit National Parkinson Foundation at caremap.parkinson.org.
By Mary Ann Conway
Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis

Caregiver’s Asylum from Parkinson’s Psychosis

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#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Aging

#AgingVoices Building Awareness on Local Senior Issues

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Recently, I launched a campaign called #AgingVoices. It started from discussions in a Facebook group for folks who age at home alone with little support from family. I started the group a year ago thinking there’s got to be others in my predicament–over 55, without adult children and a spouse or partner. I hit a jackpot because people joined in droves. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Every day a new set of concerns and worries become the hot topic/s for the group. And for solo agers, it’s comforting to know there are others like us. So, the group is a comfort for many. Some common worries are affordable housing, transportation, health care costs, work and isolation. Of course there are other worries that individuals share like, “I fear I’ll die alone and no one will notice.” That one is horrific but very real. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Overall, we mostly worry about getting around, staying fit and healthy, and paying our bills.
That’s why I launched a campaign to fight for our aging concerns and needs, and I’m calling it #AgingVoices. The plan is to interview city and state officials and even business leaders asking for their ideas, thoughts and action plans for the “near term” on helping older residents live better. Here are the specific questions: #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Housing – What are city planners doing to increase easy to find housing for seniors and to make that HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE?
Transportation – Seniors need to get around. What are they doing to address this?
Financial – What type of jobs does the area have for seniors, what new ideas/opportunities do older adults have to work?
Social/Activities – What social activities, organizations, etc. are available for seniors to help deal with isolation, become more involved and offer value to the community?
Healthcare – What health care assistance/accessibility plans making it easier for aging in place strategies?
However, if you stop to think about it, these are the same worries every American has no matter the age. It’s the reason so many came out and voted this year. They’re worried sick about keeping a job, paying bills, affording health care, staying healthy, etc. But for older adults, the worries hit home harder. But as the aging population doubles over the next decades, the problems will multiply.
I think we need to take a stand and let our voices be heard — especially about the worrisome issues we face because one day each one of us will be old and probably worried about finding a ride to the doctor’s office.
If you’re game, I’d like to hear from you. What does your #AgingVoices declare? What are the greatest concerns you face? Here’s mine: “I worry that I’ll get old and stuck having little support and access to social connections in the suburbs.” Yes, it’s called isolation and the biggest reason for depression and chronic illnesses.
If this is important to you, please follow #AgingVoices, @Seniorcarequest @Carebuzz, and like us on Facebook. Check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel — the place to watch interviews. Remember, it’s all about making America a better place to age for all, especially the older family members we love and cherish. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

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When You Feel Lonely
Aging

When You Feel Lonely

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

What to Do When You Catch Yourself Saying “I Am So Lonely”

Loneliness is a hard feeling to deal with at any age, especially during retirement. Throughout your life, there were probably times when you wanted some peace. You may have had so many people around you that you yearned for time to yourself. At that time, loneliness would have been a welcomed retreat from life. When You Feel Lonely

Now, loneliness is something very different. It feels wrong and uncomfortable. You want to be fine with it, but you cannot and that is unnerving. What can you do when you find yourself saying, “I am so lonely?” Keep reading. When You Feel Lonely

What to Do About Loneliness

A certain amount of loneliness is good for you. It should help you collect your thoughts and plan for the days ahead. It should allow you time to dream, which can make you feel great about yourself and life. Loneliness becomes a problem when you start feeling despair. Despair means you want to be around people, but there is no one around you. In addition, you do not know what to do to bring people in your life or you do not think you can. This can make you feel defeated.
The following tips can help you fight the loneliness you feel.

  • It is time to expand your social circle. Meeting new people can be difficult when you get older. There are not as many opportunities to do that as there were when you were younger, but that does not mean there are no possibilities. The best way to find new people to spend time with is to engage in activities you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy bowling, you should see about joining a league. If you enjoy playing golf, see if there are groups or clubs at a local golf course. Since you already enjoy doing those activities, you are already half way to not feeling lonely.
  • Find new activities to enjoy. You have probably been doing the same things for years. It may be time to find new activities to spark your enthusiasm. Search the Internet for crafts, projects, etc. that you believe would be fun. Depending on your personality, you may want to find little things to do or projects that take more time that you can work on for days or weeks. Find what works for you and if it takes you a few tries of different crafts and hobbies to find what you love, that is okay.
  • Come up with a schedule. Loneliness comes from boredom. To prevent feeling bored, come up with a schedule to follow each day. Start with when you wake up and plan something to do throughout the day. If you cannot think of enough things to do, start adding things such as the crafts, hobbies, and social time.
  • Become more active. Taking walks is an excellent way to keep yourself healthy AND use up some of that time that you are feeling lonely. Check with local gyms and senior centers to find out if there are any walking groups. If there are, join one. If there are none, go ahead and see if you can start one.

As you know, when you are presented with a situation you do not like, it is important to do something about it. If you do nothing, you will continue to feel the same way.
If you need additional help for your loneliness, contact Kendall Van Blarcom. He is a personal consultant who works with senior citizens and their caregivers. He can help you find out why you feel this way, and how you can keep yourself from feeling that way in the future.
When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely

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Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
Caregiving

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

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

Coordinating with Family

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

Managing the Comfort Zone

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

Medical Obstacles

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

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

 

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You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Caregiving

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Stepping in as a caregiver for a loved one is noble. It is selfless and kind and compassionate. Caregiving is also incredibly isolating. Caregivers get so stuck in the day-to-day care that they struggle to keep it all together and rarely have time to find support and reach out. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
While it is difficult to figure out what caregiving support you need and reach out to family and friends for help, it is critical to your mental and physical health. Don’t try to carry the whole burden of caregiving yourself. You need to speak out and ask for help. Sometimes, people don’t know what help to offer, so they don’t jump in. If you are clear with your needs, it can be easier for others to help.
In order to build a support network, you will need to know what activities you can get help with and who can share the load. Make a list of the activities you do in a day and week and what can be done by someone other than yourself. It may feel like you are the only person who can provide care, but there are many things someone else can do that won’t alter your loved one’s care. You don’t need to be the one to grocery shop or drive them to the senior center. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Here are some areas where you can bring in support:

  • Look into adult day care centers, respite care centers and other community services that could give you a break from your caregiving duties. If these options are too expensive, you can consider a trade with a fellow caregiver or enlist a friend or family member.
  • Ask a friend or neighbor for help with shopping or running errands. Perhaps they can pick up items for you while they are on their own errands. If you don’t ask, they won’t know you need them.
  • Join a support group where you can discuss ideas and frustrations with other caregivers. You may meet someone to do care trades with, or just have the opportunity to speak with people who understand exactly what you are going through. If you can’t go in person, there are online support groups you can join.
  • Seek out community resources that might give you a break.
  • Have a back-up person and plan in the event that you are sick or away. Once you have a back-up person, take a little time for yourself to make sure your system works, and to get much-needed respite. Even if you just stay one night in a local hotel, it will do you a world of good.
  • Set up a transportation system. You don’t need to be your caree’s personal taxi service. There are a number of options from friends and family to community options and private services like Taxis, Uber, Lift and local services. Figure out the types of transportation your parent needs and who can provide rides. For example, many senior centers have a free shuttle for residents. There are also city transportation services for things like trips to the grocery store or bank. If you set up a network of options, you will take a huge load off your plate.
  • Are there younger family members who you can include in the caregiving role? They can help with laundry or entertaining their grandparent. I knew a family who had their high school age daughter stay with grandma during school breaks. They cooked together, did puzzles and enjoyed each other’s company. It was wonderful for both of them.

Get creative. Think of what gets done in the day and how you can delegate some of the tasks or find shortcuts.

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

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How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency
Caregiving

How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Annually, more than eight million U.S senior citizens receive paid long-term care and it is estimated that by 2050, over 27 million elders will require such services. Yet another report revealed that nearly 70 percent of senior Americans aged 65 years and above will require long-term care at some point in life.

The senior home care sector is a dynamic service industry that is expected to grow owing to the increase in demand, convenience, and affordability. Moreover, home care helps in avoiding the high costs involved in hospitalization for seniors with chronic health issues and those recovering from accidents or illnesses.
The home care industry is highly fragmented with numerous players offering a wide range of senior care services in the form of medical and caregiver assistance. The increasing demand and number of service providers entering this market make it highly lucrative, and hence competitive. With more than 13 thousand home care agencies all over the country, it can be tough to decide which one will offer you the best service for your senior’s enhanced health and longevity.
The decision to choose a home care agency for your senior will affect everyone involved, emotionally and financially. Therefore, when you consider placing the responsibility of your beloved senior in paid caregivers’ hands, it is crucial to screen home care agencies before you go ahead.
Here are seven tips to bear in mind when selecting the right home care agency for your elder.

1. List Your Senior Care Priorities

Sit with your elder and other family members and note your senior’s care requirements. Your elder’s health condition and age will determine whether he/she requires help with activities of daily living (ADL), transportation, medical assistance, mobility training, speech therapy, special meal preparation, counseling, and/or rehabilitation.
For instance, if your senior lives in Albuquerque and needs to visit his/her doctor regularly, look for a home care agency that specializes in offering elderly care in Albuquerque with special facilities such as an escort service and a mode of transportation for your senior, especially when you aren’t around.
Determine whether you need a licensed medical caregiver or a skilled non-medical personnel who can attend to his/her basic health needs such as taking blood pressure, testing blood sugar, providing wound care, or managing a feeding tube. If that is the case check with the home care agency whether they offer home healthcare services too.
Numerous home care agencies offer both, non-medical home care and home healthcare services based on the requirements of their clients. Owing to the increasing prevalence of memory disorder in seniors, numerous agencies offer long-term skilled nurses who specialize in memory care, catering to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Home healthcare is generally prescribed by a medical practitioner when he/she deems it necessary for your senior to receive medical assistance at home. Non-medical services are not prescribed by a medical practitioner; however, you can avail them when you need support. A licensed agency is equipped with a team of professional in-home caregivers who can provide care based on your senior’s requirements.
Listing your elder’s requirements will help you choose a home care agency that offers the most relevant services for him/her.

2. Keep Your Senior’s Budget in Mind

After you have penned down the services required by your senior, determine who will pay for them. If your senior is going to fund his/her home care service, you must ensure that his/her budget can provide for it.
In case your senior is financially incapable or hasn’t planned for his/her senior care, consider buying a medical insurance policy that covers the costs. The healthcare/medical services offered to your senior can be covered by medical insurance policies like Medicare or other private medical insurance firms. However, non-medical services aren’t covered by medical policies.
Insurance firms generally cover up to 35 hours per week of elder care. Talk to your insurance advisor before buying a policy and choose the one that helps you cover most of the senior care costs. We will discuss more about your insurance options in the latter half of this post.
In case your senior needs non-medical home care and is unable to provide for it, assess your family’s financial situation and list down the possible sources of funding his/her care. Corporations generally cover care for aging parents when recruiting an employee as part of their employee health insurance scheme. Check with your/your siblings’ firms for the insurance benefits offered to their employees.
You can also seek financial assistance from senior associations, healthcare foundations, and mission and veteran organizations.

3. Research on the Type of Senior Care Offered

Your elder deserves the best-quality care from trained, responsible, and experienced professionals. Before you make a choice, research the quality of care offered by the caregivers hired by home care agencies.
Make a list of senior home care agencies in your area and inquire about their services, fee structure, and skill sets. For instance, if you are a citizen of Albuquerque, look for an agency that offers senior care in Albuquerque and check if their services cater to your requirements.
The home care agency must have adequate experience and expertise in the senior care domain. Caregivers should be able to customize their care options based on your senior’s medical condition. For instance, if your elder has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the caregiver must be qualified and experienced enough to take care of him/her and offer the relevant care to manage the basic symptoms of this movement disorder.
Caring for Someone with Advanced Parkinson’s
Visit the home care agency and meet the management and the team of caregivers. When talking about your requirements, study their behavior and personality. Take your senior along and spend time understanding their work ethos and principles.
Empathy plays a key role in the senior care domain. If the management is trying to push you into making a decision without listening to your requirements, they are merely interested in making money, not in understanding your concerns.
Pay attention to the size of the caregiver’s team too. A larger agency will be able to send a replacement staff, in case the assigned caregiver doesn’t turn up. That way you always have a backup plan ready in cases of an emergency.

4. Enquire about the Reputation of the Agency

The number of years for which the senior care agency has been around is a fair indicator of their sustained track record and satisfied clientele. Check when the agency was started and meet the team personally to understand their approach towards senior care.
Reputed senior care agencies are extremely choosy about the caregivers they hire/recruit. Their recruitment process involves screening caregivers and nurses for certifications, educational qualifications, background checks, and experience in this field. They also conduct regular training sessions to upgrade their caregivers’ caregiving skills. Ask the management to share details and supporting documents on whether their team is adequately trained and qualified for the job.
You can assess the reputation of a senior care agency by verifying with references from clinical professionals, friends, and co-workers.
A reputed home care agency will not shy away from sharing the list of their clientele. Contact a few of their clients and check whether they are satisfied with the services offered. You can also check for online reviews and ratings on the agency’s website or on review websites. For instance, you can do an online search on ‘home health care Albuquerque’, and look for agencies that have earned maximum star ratings and positive customer reviews, for their exceptional senior care services.

5. Check Whether the Agency Is Licensed

The agency you choose will assign a caregiver to your senior who will be directly responsible for his/her well-being and quality of life. Therefore, the caregiver must be an expert in his/her field, compassionate, and trustworthy.
Licensed home care agencies have to comply with the state or federal standards to ensure the safety of elders and deliver quality care to them. They are accredited by a national body and are subject to periodic inspections by law enforcement authorities. They take personal responsibility for their caregivers and review their performance regularly to meet their clients’ requirements. It is, therefore, wise to check if the home care agency possesses a valid license.
Check if the agency is hiring an independent home care provider. If yes, consider your liabilities with respect to his/her taxes, insurance, medical expenses, and other obligations. An agency that hires independent caregivers based on a contract pays them without officially documenting the income. In that case, if the caregiver defaults on his/her tax obligations, it could lead to a legal issue affecting all those involved, including you.
Another factor to consider is the injury caused to the caregiver when attending to your senior. Caregivers are at a huge risk of falls, injuries, and/or disabilities when bathing, lifting, or transferring your senior. In such cases, licensed agencies cover the medical and disability expenses of their caregivers.
Licensed home care agencies recruit their caregivers as direct employees, offering them all the above-mentioned benefits. They are responsible for conducting background checks and testing them for drug/alcohol addiction and diseases like AIDS and tuberculosis. They also offer adequate worker’s compensation, backup coverage, and appropriate training to their team.

6. Explore Your Insurance Options

Long-term senior care costs can put a huge pressure on your family’s financial security. Therefore, consider your insurance options that can pay for the services offered by the home care agencies. Buying a medical and long-term care insurance policy will help you cover most of your senior’s healthcare and in-home care expenses.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private medical insurance policies cover skilled nursing services and therapies. These include administering medications (oral or injectable), ventilator or catheter management, tube feeding, wound care, speech and occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
Medicare also covers other aspects of your senior’s healthcare, such as medical social services, medications, and medical supplies and devices. For instance, if your senior has been diagnosed with a psychological disorder such as schizophrenia, Medicare pays for the psychiatrist’s consultation and counseling sessions.
If your senior is injured due to a fall or an accident, Medicare will pay for his/her wound dressing and other medical supplies. For senior medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and toilet aids, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount.
A few non-medical home care services such as assistance with bathing and using the toilet are also paid in full by medical insurance policies. However, if you choose only personal home care services (non-medical) for your senior, you do not qualify for medical insurance benefits. Home healthcare is usually prescribed by a physician who deems it necessary for your senior’s well-being, comfort, and fast recovery.
Long-term care insurance policies offered by private insurance firms typically cover services that aren’t paid by Medicare. However, the premium for such policies increases with age, so it is wise to buy them as early as possible.
Before making a decision, gain information on the fee structure of the home care agency and talk to your insurance advisor to select the most suitable insurance plan for your senior.

7. Ask about the Elderly Companion Care Services

Social isolation can impact your senior’s well-being and outlook towards life. In fact, numerous studies have proven that the lack of social support coupled with loneliness can hamper a person’s mental and physical health and his/her quality of life.
With advancing age, your senior may possibly lose connection with his/her social circle, owing to the loss of spouse or close family members and the lack of outdoor activity. However, if your senior can receive a little primary emotional support and companionship from a caregiver, it can bring him/her immense comfort and psychological support.
You do not want your elder to end up spending his/her time reading or watching television all alone. Therefore, choose a home care agency that can assign a caregiver who not only provides hands-on care but also offers respite to the family caregiver and encouragement to your senior. This way, he/she will not feel isolated and have a positive outlook towards life.
Your senior may want to socialize, visit parks or supermarkets, or even go for a movie. Talk to the agency about his/her emotional and social requirements, and check if it offers companion care services to help your elder stay connected. Most home care agencies offer a different pricing package for such services, so it is wise to research before making a decision.
When selecting a home care agency, keep your senior’s interests, comfort, and safety in mind, in order to retain his/her quality of life and dignity. No one can care for your senior the way you do, which is why he/she deserves the best, especially when he/she is aging. Choosing an ideal home care service provider for your elder can be a challenging task. The aforementioned tips will help you select the perfect home care agency for your senior, helping him/her retain his/her independence.
By Evan Thompson of Senior.one
Senior.one provides information on housing, medical professionals, financial planning services, and lifestyle options. Agency How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency

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Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home
Caregiving

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

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

Going Out for Lunch

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

Senior Exercise Classes

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

Game Nights & Events

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

Bring Social Interactions Home

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

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

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

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