Author: tony pallota

Elder care is one of the most important services your family can consider when your parents are isolated. That isolation could be a preventative measure to keep your parents healthy. It could be the result of an injury or surgical procedure. If they shouldn’t be or cannot go out, caregivers can help out. Here are four services caregivers offer that helps when older adults are self-distancing or stuck at home.

Check-Ins to Make Sure They’re Okay

Caregivers can stop by to make sure your parents are okay. It’s a helpful way to ensure your parents are still okay and not infected with a virus. If they are sick, the caregiver can alert medical professionals. The caregiver can also alert you so that you know what’s going on even if you live hours away and can’t get to them.

Meal Preparation

You might not want caregivers in your parents’ home cooking full meals. It is safe, however, and one of the best ways to make sure your parents are eating well. They’ll cook meals that meet your parents’ nutritional requirements like low-sodium or sugar-free dishes. Your parents don’t go out and get takeout constantly when they should be self-distancing.

Caregivers are trained and equipped to keep your parents safe. They’ll follow rules that disinfect things coming into the home. They won’t come to work if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or don’t feel well. If that happens, another caregiver is assigned to help instead.

Companionship

Your parents don’t have to be stuck in their house. They can go outside for walks. If they’re not steady on their feet and need someone to walk with them, caregivers can do that. They’ll have a caregiver available for walks and supervision outside.

The fresh air and sun will help with mental and emotional health. You don’t have to worry about your parent falling outside and having no one to help.

Grocery and Prescription Pick-Up

Hire a caregiver to pick up the groceries your parents need. They can also stop at the pharmacy to get prescription refills or purchase over-the-counter medications and vitamins your parents need for allergy season, arthritis pain, or general health. Caregivers can stop at a store to get incontinence supplies, tissues, paper towels, and other household necessities.

Your parents shouldn’t be going out to stores right now. It’s not always easy to tell if someone has coronavirus. If someone does and coughs or sneezes, there’s the possibility that your parents will touch an item with the live virus and end up contracting it. You don’t want that to happen, and that’s why elder care is important.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

As people age, it’s common for them to require additional assistance with daily tasks. Whether it’s due to a medical condition, mobility issues, or simply a decline in physical and cognitive abilities, seniors may need help with tasks such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, and medication management. In-home care services can provide seniors with the support they need to live independently in their own homes. However, introducing seniors to in-home care services can be challenging, especially if they are resistant to the idea. Here are some suggestions for how to introduce seniors to in-home care services.

1. Start the conversation early

It’s important to start the conversation about in-home care services early. Waiting until a crisis occurs can make the transition more difficult for everyone involved. Ideally, you should begin discussing in-home care services with your loved one before they actually need them. This will give them time to get used to the idea and consider their options.

2. Approach the topic with empathy

Many seniors are resistant to the idea of in-home care services because they see it as a loss of independence. It’s important to approach the topic with empathy and understanding. Acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that in-home care services can actually help them maintain their independence by providing them with the support they need to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.

3. Involve your loved one in the decision-making process

It’s important to involve your loved one in the decision-making process. Ask them what their preferences are in terms of the type of care they receive, the schedule, and the caregiver. By involving them in the decision-making process, you can help them feel more in control of the situation.

4. Provide information about the benefits of in-home care services

It’s important to provide your loved one with information about the benefits of in-home care services. In-home care services can provide a range of benefits, including:

• Assistance with daily tasks
• Improved safety and security
• Increased socialization
• Better health outcomes
• Reduced caregiver stress

By highlighting the benefits of in-home care services, you can help your loved one see the value of this type of care.

5. Consider a trial period

If your loved one is still resistant to the idea of in-home care services, consider a trial period. This will give them an opportunity to try out the services and see how they feel about them. Start with a few hours a day and gradually increase the amount of time as your loved one becomes more comfortable with the caregiver.

In conclusion, introducing seniors to in-home care services can be a challenge, but it’s an important step in helping them maintain their independence and quality of life. By starting the conversation early, approaching the topic with empathy, involving your loved one in the decision-making process, providing information about the benefits of in-home care services, and considering a trial period, you can help your loved one make the transition to in-home care services with greater ease and confidence.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

Even the idea of home care can be upsetting for some seniors. If you haven’t talked with her about why you’re suggesting this idea, she might fear that you’re convinced that she’s becoming infirm as she grows older.

Talk about What’s Bothering Her

If you and your senior have just been arguing about this idea, you might not realize that you don’t fully understand her perspective. Take the time to talk to her about why the idea isn’t feeling like a good one to her. She may have some valid reasons that you can either explain or work through with her. It’s amazing how validating it can feel to her for you to just listen, if that’s all you’re able to do at this point.

Talk about the Benefits

After you hear your senior out, it might be a good idea to share some of the benefits and reasons for home care services to her. Knowing that she’s safe and secure in her own home might be at the top of your list. There are also tasks that they can take over for her, which can help her to save both time and energy that she can put toward other activities. Lean on those benefits, because that’s going to make the most sense to your senior.

Work Together to Put a Plan in Place

Keeping your senior involved in the plan you’re putting in place is crucial. If you don’t, she’s going to feel as if you’re cutting her out and making decisions around her. That’s never something that you want for her. Talk to your elderly family member about what she needs the most help with right now and what you can do in order to make her life easier. Then talk about how home care can fit into that.

Set up a Time Frame

Something else that can help is to let your senior know that this can be a trial situation. When you set up a time frame, no matter how long or short it is, that helps your senior to know that she’s not stuck with whatever plan you’ve put together with her. If she realizes that she enjoys having some extra help, that’s always something that can be extended.

Just because your elderly family member needs some extra help, that doesn’t mean that she’s feeble by any stretch. Make sure that you share with her how home care services can be empowering for her.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

Companion care at home can be a wonderful solution for seniors who need assistance with daily activities and companionship. However, it’s important to remember that seniors also need to stay engaged and active in order to maintain their physical and mental health. Incorporating activities and hobbies into companion care can be a great way to achieve this goal. Here are some ideas for how to do so:

1. Outdoor Activities: Spending time outdoors is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. Whether it’s going for a walk, gardening, or sitting outside to read a book, these activities can be tailored to the senior’s interests and abilities.
2. Games and Puzzles: Playing games and doing puzzles can help keep the mind sharp and improve cognitive function. It’s also a great way to socialize and connect with others. Consider games like Scrabble, chess, and card games, or puzzles like crosswords and Sudoku.
3. Crafts and Hobbies: Engaging in a craft or hobby can be a great way to tap into creativity and provide a sense of accomplishment. Some ideas include knitting, painting, scrapbooking, or wood crafts.
4. Music and Dance: Music and dance can be a great way to improve mood, reduce stress, and provide exercise. Consider playing music from the senior’s era or organizing a dance party.
5. Cooking and Baking: Cooking and baking can be a fun and engaging activity that provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It’s also a great way to encourage healthy eating habits. Consider trying out new recipes or making old family favorites.
6. Pet Therapy: Pets can provide companionship and emotional support, as well as opportunities for exercise and play. Consider bringing in a therapy dog or cat for the senior to interact with.
7. Technology: Technology can be a great tool for staying connected and engaged. Consider teaching the senior how to use social media, video chat with friends and family, or explore new apps and websites.

Incorporating activities and hobbies into companion care at home can be a great way to improve the quality of life for seniors. It’s important to remember that every senior is different and may have different interests and abilities, so it’s important to tailor activities to their individual needs. With a little creativity and planning, companion care can be both helpful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

In 2019 it is estimated that 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. There are more than 10 million new cases of dementia discovered each year.

In the beginning stages of dementia, you may notice your loved one becoming more forgetful or they may do things like get lost in unfamiliar places. By the middle stage, the signs begin to be more pronounced such as forgetting people’s names, having more difficulty with communication, and exhibiting behavioral changes unlike them. By the late stage of dementia, memory disturbances are serious and can include seniors becoming aggressive, having difficulty walking, and the inability to recognize relatives and friends, even those very close and whom they see on a regular basis.

It can be upsetting and even devastating to some family caregivers and loved ones who help their senior on a daily basis when they forget who they are. It is difficult to handle and sad to think that the person that you are with every day, often times a parent, no longer has the ability to recognize the huge part that you play in their lives.

If your senior parent or loved one receiving elder care has recently shown signs that they are approaching the late stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, or if they have already been unable to recognize you or other key members of their life, here are some ways to cope:

Get support

If this is new territory for you, it may be helpful to seek out others who can help. There are support groups online and in your community that you can join so that you can get tips from others and have people to listen to you when times get particularly hard.

Research

Knowledge is power, so do some research on the stages of dementia so you know what to expect. It may be helpful to know beforehand what you might experience with your senior so that if it happens, you can be more prepared and less caught off guard wondering how to handle it or if it is normal.

Take a break

If your senior or loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s is showing signs of aggression or other behavioral changes that are upsetting to you, it’s okay to take a break. Your mental health and well-being is important so know that if you need to step out of the house or even have a professional caregiver come in from time to time, that is perfectly acceptable.

Don’t take it personal

As upsetting as it is, try and remember that nothing can erase the lifetime of happiness and moments shared with your parent or loved one and that them not remembering who you are or events that have happened in their life is not personal and is just a really hard and sad effect of a terrible disease.

source:
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

 

As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes, and unfortunately, one of the most common changes that occur is an increased risk of falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four adults aged 65 and above will fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among seniors. However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and there are ways to reduce the risk. In this blog, we will discuss some strategies for managing fall risk for seniors.

1. Exercise regularly: Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce fall risk among seniors. It helps to improve strength, balance, and flexibility, all of which can help seniors stay steady on their feet. Seniors should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and cycling are great options.
2. Check your vision: Vision problems can significantly increase the risk of falls among seniors. Therefore, it’s essential to have regular eye exams and ensure that your prescription glasses or contact lenses are up-to-date. Seniors should also make sure that their homes are well-lit, and they have enough lighting to see clearly in dimly lit areas.
3. Modify your home: Making some changes to your home can help reduce the risk of falls. Seniors should remove any clutter, loose rugs, and electrical cords from the floor, and ensure that their home is well-lit. Installing grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on stairs can also provide additional support and stability.
4. Review your medications: Certain medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects that can increase fall risk. Seniors should review their medications with their doctors and ensure that they understand the potential side effects. Seniors should also avoid taking medications that make them feel unsteady or dizzy.
5. Wear appropriate footwear: Wearing proper footwear can also help reduce fall risk. Seniors should wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles. Shoes with high heels or slick soles should be avoided.
6. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, which can increase fall risk. Seniors should make sure that they are drinking enough water and other fluids throughout the day.
7. Take your time: Finally, seniors should take their time and avoid rushing. It’s essential to move slowly and carefully, especially when getting up from a chair or out of bed. Seniors should also be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces or in areas with poor lighting.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.

Anger is a really common emotion for seniors to experience, especially if their health has taken a nosedive recently. The problem is that often the only target on which your senior may be able to safely vent her anger is likely to be you. That’s not a good situation for either of you.

What’s the Cause?

You may feel as if there’s no real cause for your senior’s anger. And that could be true. But it’s highly likely that her anger is about more than just one thing. As she ages, your senior is experiencing small losses constantly. She might be frustrated about her health or about abilities she’s lost along the way. Regardless, even if you can’t see it, there is definitely a cause. She might even share with you some of what she’s feeling.

You Might Want to Talk to Her Doctor

If you’re still not sure what’s going on with your senior’s moods, it might be time to talk to her doctor. There may be side effects from medications or even from health issues themselves that are contributing to how your senior is feeling right now. Her doctor may be able to shed some light on what’s happening so that you don’t continue to feel as if you’re stuck in the dark.

Try not to Take it Personally

There may well be ways that you’re frustrating or upsetting your senior. But even if you are the one making her angry, it’s important that you avoid taking her anger personally. If you let it chip away at you, that’s going to affect your ability to keep being the best caregiver you can be. And if you’re not the source of her anger at all, you definitely don’t want to bear the brunt of it.

Remember to Take Care of You

All of that said, you have got to take care of yourself throughout this process. As a caregiver, you need to take time away to deal with your own emotions and to help you to recharge yourself. If you’re not taking respite time already, you need to start. Home care providers can take over for you while you’re gone and ensure that your senior has what she needs until you get back.

If your elderly family member is angry more often than not lately, there are reasons. You may not understand them just yet, but the more that you try to understand and to help, hopefully the more she’ll feel comfortable accepting your help.

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide. 

 

Dementia affects older adults in many ways. One thing it can cause is a lack of judgement. Seniors with dementia might mistake dangerous items for food, misuse appliances, or harm themselves with certain objects. Keeping a senior with dementia safe in their home requires some planning and making adjustments. It can be difficult to determine what items might be dangerous for someone with dementia. Below are 5 things to keep away from your aging relative with dementia to help keep them safe.

1: Weapons

Dementia destroys the memory of older adults, making them sometimes forget who the people around them are. It can also make them feel confused and fearful. As a result, an older adult with dementia might mistake someone they know for an intruder. Having a weapon in the house where the senior has access to it can put family caregivers and others at risk. If there are weapons in the home, keep them in a locked cabinet. You may also want to put sharp knives out of reach, too, including the ones in the kitchen.

2: Magnets

Some people keep colorful magnets on the refrigerator that can resemble food or candy to a senior with dementia. This could cause them to swallow the magnet, which could cause them to choke. Swallowing a magnet can also lead to damage in the stomach or intestine, especially if the senior swallows more than one. The magnets may attract one another through different loops of the intestine and cut off blood flow or puncture the intestine. If this happens, the senior will need emergency surgery to repair the damage.

3: Decorative Foods

If the home is decorated with decorative items that look like food, such as a bowl of waxed fruit, it’s a good idea to put it away. Older adults may mistake the fake food for real food and try to eat it.

4: Detergent Pods

You may have heard of children accidentally swallowing detergent pods and becoming seriously ill or even dying. Unfortunately, the same has happened with seniors who have dementia. The brightly colored pods look like candy, making them attractive to dementia patients. If you use detergent pods, keep them in a locked cupboard or in a high up cupboard that the senior cannot reach.

5: Some Appliances

Some kitchen appliances can be dangerous for seniors with dementia. Older adults may turn on a stove burner and forget to turn it off, causing a fire. Or, they may put something in a toaster slot that could cause electrocution. To prevent such things from happening, take steps to keep them away from the appliances. Put small appliances away in cupboards. Take the knobs off the stove, so it cannot be turned on.

While it’s wise to take steps to keep some items away from older adults with dementia, it’s not a completely fool proof way of keeping your aging relative safe. Elder care can offer the kind of supervision the seniors with dementia need to continue living safely at home. Elder care providers can keep an eye on your loved one to prevent them from making dangerous errors. In addition, an elder care provider can see to the needs of the older adult that might lead them to do things they shouldn’t, such as hunger. Elder care providers can prepare meals for the older adult and help them to eat. They can also keep the senior occupied with other activities.

Sources
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20041026/swallowed-magnets-are-dangerous
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/laundry-pods-killing-dementia-patients-fd.html

When you are in need of care for a senior loved one, consider caregivers provided by Golden Heart Senior Care. We have offices nationwide.