10.09.10
Posted in Assisted Living, care at home, Caregiver, dementia, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care at 11:47 am by admin
We have written a lot of articles on this site about the many different forms that elderly care can take. In the past twenty years, the assisted living model has gained incredible momentum and popularity, partly because nursing homes did not fit every senior. It wasn’t a good fit.
Today, there is a new form of elder care that is gaining traction quickly all around the country for the same reason: the traditional assisted living model does not fit everybody. That model includes a large number of seniors living in a complex of some sort, and spending lots of time together. But what if your loved one is not one for crowds? What if he or she is shy? How can this possibly be a good fit? That is where residential senior homes come in to save the day.
What is Residential Care?
Residential care homes represent a new wave in elder care, ant they provide all that traditional assisted living provides in terms of care, but they give it in a family type setting. What could be more natural for a person who has spent his whole life in a residential home?
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How does it work? It is pretty simple, really. It starts when a person or a family decides to open up their home to seniors who need full time care. The caregivers often include a registered nurse, but not always. These caregivers can help the resident with whatever needs he or she has: nutrition, laundry, mobility, you name it.
Caregivers have to be licensed by the state, of course, in order to run a residential senior home. But it still pays for you to do your homework and get references if you want to put your loved one in this type of setting. Prices will nearly always be cheaper than a traditional assisted living environment, thankfully, because some of the more expensive amenities will not be there. There is no cafeteria or ball room… no community garden, and no knitting classes. All of those are things that appeal to many seniors, but they also completely turn off others.
If your loved one needs specialized care for Alzheimer’s or dementia, make sure you look into that, because some residential caregivers specialize in memory care. Just be prepared to pay a lot more money for this. Memory care requires a constant level of oversight that most seniors simply do not need. But the point is this: the kinds of care in residential living will depend on the caregiver. So if your loved one has some sort of unique medical needs, make sure you look around, and you can probably find someone who will be able to meet that need in this setting.
Does Medicare cover residential care? Sometimes. But some caregivers ask families to pay without medicare, at least for the first couple years of care.
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10.08.10
Posted in Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, care at home, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Nursing home at 11:21 am by admin
In the last article, we talked about the feelings of guilt and fear that come with choosing a nursing home for our parents. It is a tough decision to put your loved one in a full time elder care facility, not just because of the things we think could happen (neglect, abuse, etc.), but because we can’t shake that feeling that we ought to be the ones caring for them. After all, they took care of us, didn’t they?
The problem is not a lack of love in most cases. The problem is that, while many of us really would like to care for our parents at home, we have full time jobs. We have kids that need to be shuttled to basketball practice. We are constantly on the go. And if your parents need supervision because of medical problems, you realize that you cannot offer that. Not full time anyway. Your parents might be retired, but you, on the other hand, are swamped.
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I want to present another option to you that you maybe have not thought about before, although we have written on it in the past: adult day care. Now, adult day care is a pretty new phenomenon in the elder care industry, but you can bet it will be growing in the coming years. Here’s how it works: Suppose your mother lives with you in your house. You can help her with her medications at night. You can cook for her, do her laundry, help her stay active. The grandkids can spend time with her and lift her spirits… And then you can go to bed. In the morning, as you are packing up the kids for school, packing your bag for the gym, and sorting out the grocery list, you can bring your mom with you.
After you drop the kids off, you can take your mom to her other caregivers: the adult day care center staff. These care centers are sometimes attached to full time nursing homes or assisted living facilities, but not always. They are often next to parks, or else they have open outdoor leisure spaces, and they will have nurses right there on staff, should you need them.
The staff of the adult day care will make sure your mom is cared for. They will feed her, hang out with her, let her spend time with other seniors who are in the same position as she is. And they will make sure she doesn’t wander off (an important fact for those dealing with Alzheimer’s especially.)
The benefits of adult day care are vast:
- It’s cheaper! Because your mom is not living there, she does not need a bedroom. Which means she does not need a bathroom. Which means she does not need to pay rent. She is living at your house, remember? And that is alot cheaper than paying out massive checks every month to a full time Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility.
- She still gets to be a part of your life
- The Grandkids can spend time with her
- You don’t have to worry about her being lonely
- Your life does not have to end
- You have other caregivers that you can compare notes with, including nurses
- Your mom can socialize with people her age every day
- She feels valued!
If you love your parent, and if you desire to care for her, but cannot do it full time, you should look into the prospect of adult day care. I have a feeling you will all be glad you did.
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09.24.10
Posted in care at home, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home alternative at 12:46 am by admin
Sooner or later, most caregivers find they are unable to or uncomfortable with leaving their loved one at home alone long enough to run errands, take a much needed break, or work a part-time job to make ends meet. In times like these, it is impossible or at least extremely difficult to find friends or family members who can step in and help out and stay with your loved one at the times you need. Many caregivers are unaware of a growing service offered to help them out at these times: adult day care.
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Adult day care centers are cropping up all over the nation to offer daytime care for individuals who are unable to care for themselves while their regular caregiver is away from home. The care services are usually offered during weekdays during typical office hours, but times of services can vary by location.
Adult Day Care centers usually offer activities, such as physical exercise classes, snacks and meals, intellectually stimulating activities, and social activities. Many Adult Day Care centers offer specialized care and securlty for patients with dementia, developmental delays, physical ailments, and neurological illnesses. Some offer hightened security for individuals who are prone to wandering.
Caregivers are often at first hesitant to make use of these services for fear of leaving their loved one with strangers in a unfamiliar environment, but visiting several licensed care centers before you find yourself in a bind will help ease those fears. Meeting the staff, checking out the facilities, finding out if they have any specialized care pertinent to your loved one’s condition, and seeing their daily schedule of activities will help you choose which center will best suit your loved one’s needs and safety requirements. Always check to make sure the Adult Day Care Center is licensed, and has a good reputation with both caregivers and clients.
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While many caregivers feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing their loved one to a Day Care, those who have utilized these centers realize they are a valuable service offering much needed help and respite to caregivers. The people who staff these centers recognize how demanding caregiving can be, their purpose is to offer you a helping hand and provide your loved one with a safe place to stay where qualified staff are available at all times to offer assistance. Turning to Adult Day Care Services in time of need might just prevent caregiver burnout, stress, and family friction, allowing you to continue to care for your loved one for as long as possible.
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For other Elderly Care service options check out the home pagewww.elderlycareservices.org.
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09.23.10
Posted in Caregiver, dementia, Depression, Elder Care at 1:13 pm by admin
According to recent studies, seven out of ten elderly citizens have problems sleeping. Whether it is just natural stress or something else, some elderly sleep disorder, will vary on the person, of course. But whatever the cause, one thing is for sure: Sleep deprivation should not be ignored. Many seniors are apt to shrug and insist “it’s no big deal. I don’t need that much sleep anyway.” But this is simply not true.
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Sleep is one of the most essential elements to our lives no matter what our age. For seniors, sleep is a key ingredient to good health. When a senior lacks rest, he or she cannot concentrate well and will be physically worn down. In other words, sleep fuels mental and physical wellness. Take away the fuel, and you will see the negative results. Elderly citizens are already struggling with muscular decay and a dulling of mental faculties often leading memory problems like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. If you add a sleep disorders to the mix, the decline could happen even more rapidly.
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There are two separate issues at hand: having trouble falling asleep and having trouble staying asleep. The first problem is, perhaps, more easily solved than the second. Seniors often have trouble falling asleep for the same reasons the rest of us do: caffeine, ill-timed napping, and overstimulation. For many, the solution is simply a matter of a change in lifestyle. If your elderly loved one is a coffee drinker, encourage them to cut down, starting in the afternoon. It might not be enough to just eliminate coffee after 5 pm. Caffeine can stay in your system and keep you jittery for hours. For others, the problem might lie in their afternoon nap routines. Naps, for many seniors, are a treasured luxury that has finally come after years of working nine to five. But if that afternoon snooze is causing an evening of restlessness, it might be counter productive. They might end up playing catch up every day, and never feel really rested.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments, natural sleep aides can be a real help. Exercise might be the best aid of all, since it encourages a natural tiredness relaxing of muscles, which can quickly lead to sleep. But a melatonin pill can be just as effective. Melatonin might not help for a person who is up and around at midnight and not tired, but it will help those who are already relaxed, in bed, and tired, but can’t sleep, for whatever reason.
The insomnia problem (the problem of not being able to stay asleep through the night) is generally more complicated. All sorts of things can wake a person up. For seniors, bladder issues often come into play, and of course, this cannot be remedied by an adjustment of a nap or cup of coffee here or there. For seniors who suffer insomnia, there is a simple step they need to take: go and see the doctor. Yes, I know, many seniors hate going to the doctor, and they consider it completely unnecessary for something as simple as sleep deprivation, but they are wrong. Sleep deprivation is already affecting their moods, their energy level, and their general quality of life.
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In short, if you are an elder caregiver of are just worried about your senior, be sure to take elderly sleep disorders seriously. They might not think it is important, but now you know better.
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09.22.10
Posted in care at home, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 9:30 pm by admin
Your senior parents know all about caregiving, because when you were young, they cared for you. More than likely, your father went to work every day while your mother took care of you, fed you and clothed you. Together, they made sure your needs were met, and you were on your way to a life of success. They were doing something more than helping you survive. They were helping you to thrive.
Fast forward to today. Your elderly parents can no longer care for themselves, but you are able to help them. The tables have been turned. Now they need your help. Maybe they need you to look over their shoulder to help them make financial decisions. Maybe they need helpful reminders to take their medication. Perhaps they need help shopping or doing housework. Or, maybe it’s worse than that: maybe your elderly parents need someone to feed and clothe them, and to protect them from the outside world.[ad#ad-1]
Caregiving probably was not something you thought about for a long time. And whatever level of care your aging parents need, it is time to consider the best way for you to help their quality of life. This might seem overwhelming at first. But stop and think about your past, assuming you had a good childhood. What made family life work? What made it happy? What good memories immediately spring to mind? Because in the end, those are probably the things that made your childhood enjoyable. Usually a family’s financial state is less essential to happiness than a family’s own interactive culture: dinner rituals, holiday traditions, family vacations, even board games! Even poor children can have a wonderful childhood if they enjoy spending time together! Some might consider these rituals to be outdated. But I can guarantee this: the elder generation does not. They cherish relational family times. And they cherish memories.
Full time, intensive caregiving is a complicated process that will require some professional input. But there are things you can do no matter what your parents’ level of activity, to make them feel happy. How can you promote their quality of life? Spend quality time with them. Spend family time with them. Here are a few suggestions:
Family dinners: Did you have a special night of the week when you had a special meal? Pizza on Saturdays? Taco Tuesdays? Maybe it is time to bring that back. Or maybe you never did any of that. No problem. You can start that now! I can guarantee that those evenings will become highlighted events on your parent’s mental calendars.
Movie Nights: Get the kids to bed and grab a disk from the local Redbox. And grab some popcorn for mom and dad. If they are like my parents, they will love to watch movies together. Make movie nights a tradition, and be sure to have some time to laugh about it afterwards.
Take Trips: Granted, this might be limited, especially if your parents have health problems. Not everyone lives an hour away from the beach. But I will bet you have city parks nearby. Are there museums? Zoos? Ice Cream parlors? There is something familiar and happy about “going out.” Most seniors enjoy such outings, and it is good for them.
In short, the best way to promote elderly parents’ quality of life is to make more memories. Recreate the old days, and make some new days as well. Rich or poor, healthy or sick, quality family time is sure to make them smile.
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01.19.09
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Referral Service, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 12:03 am by admin
Finding elderly care in your area is quite difficult because facilities can be deceiving. When you arrive at an elderly care facility try to look past the fancy looking lobby and dining room chandelier. Watch how the workers are treating the residents, what kind of food is being served, and ask many questions about the care packages that they offer (bring a copy of our chart off our blog titled “Elderly Care Facilities Choice and Comparison”). Write down what they promise and keep any brochures. If you find an elderly care facility that seems to be what you are looking for, you can request a copy of the state inspection from D.A.D.S. (Department of Aging and Disability Services). According to chapter 552 of the Texas Government code you can request certain records as they should be open to the public. Also when looking for an elderly care facility for a loved one keep his or her interests in mind. Does he or she have a friend that lives at a nearby facility? Does he or she like gardens or activities? Does he or she want you to be close by to visit often? Good luck on your search for the right elderly care.
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08.29.08
Posted in Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Nursing home, Taking Care of a Loved One at 11:00 am by admin
Facing Death is a fearful thing and it is important that the family and friends are around. If you have a loved one that is facing death be there for that person. Don’t withdraw yourself. Talk to him or her no matter how fearful or awkward it is. Even if it appears that he doesn’t understand you. Keep him comfortable. He may need help turning in bed and getting comfortable. Help him. Don’t leave him alone unless he is getting overwhelmed with visitors. Give him a chance to say what he wants to say. Tell him what you need to tell him, whether it’s getting something off your chest or sharing God’s love and salvation with him. No matter how long he has been in your life if you have not shared Christ with him now is the time. Do it before it is too late.
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07.28.08
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 1:01 pm by admin
So you put your parent in an assisted living facility. You purchase a care package that provides the amount of care that your parent needs. You see your parent quickly declining and you wonder if the facility is providing the care they say they are. You can be sure of it with a hidden camera. You can purchase a nanny camera then set it up at the far wall of your parents room facing the door. You can watch the tapes and see how often a care taker enters the room and how long they stay.
If you can’t afford a nanny camera, you can show up unannounced to visit your parent and look around the room for dirty clothes, see if the bed is fixed, check the soap in the shower and depends to make sure they are being used up. Keep the assisted living facility in check. You purchased a care package and they must provide it, no excuses.
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06.23.08
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Senior Citizen Fathers, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 11:20 am by admin
Work is getting overwhelming and you are looking forward to a vacation. You start surfing the web for great vacation spots. But wait don’t forget about mom! Your parents could very well need a vacation too. Your parent’s needs might have changed over this past year making it seem impossible for them to go on a vacation. Plus it may not be a very relaxing time for you if it’s a full time job to care for your parents. But think about this, many people hire a nanny when they go on a vacation to help with their kids. Hiring someone to care for your parent on a vacation is not much different and may be a good option. Also there are assited living facilities that can accommodate your parent for short periods of time such as a vacation. Say for instance you are going to San Antonio. You could book a room at an assisted living facility for the week for your parents nearby where you are staying (there are many assisted living facilities in San Antonio) and pick them up when you are going site seeing, out to eat, or boating on the river. They would certainly enjoy that.
Make Sure Your Parents Needs are Met
If you are hiring a care taker for the trip remember to stay at places that are handicap accessible to make it easier for your parent. If you are booking a room at an assisted living facility be sure that they know your parent’s needs.
Have a good and safe vacation!
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05.29.08
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Referral Service, Assisted Living Safety, care at home, Caregiver, dementia, Depression, Dimentia, Elder Care, Elderly Care, forgetting to take medication, Home Health Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 6:05 pm by admin
Do your mother and/or father need to be moved from home to an assisted living? Do they need to be moved from an assisted living to a nursing home? Or are they at a facility that you are not happy with? Moving your parents can be the best thing that you can do for them, but it can also be the worst thing.
Moving is a dramatic change for an elderly person, especially one with Alzheimer’s disease. A move from home to a nursing home may be the best option but look into getting care at home. Moving can confuse and depress an elderly person. If your mother or father is able to, let him or her be a part of the decision.
When an elderly person is familiar with a facility or the staff at one assisted living or nursing home it’s usually best to keep him there. An elderly person is more likely to willingly receive care and feel comfortable with care attendants and nurses that he or she knows as opposed to a stranger. Also when elderly people are familiar with a facility, such as knowing where the dining room, medicine, activities, and their apartment is, they are usually emotionally stable longer than if they are moved from facility to facility and getting disoriented and confused.
However, when you see your loved one needing more care than what the facility gives, you need to act quickly. There are nurses that come to where your parent is and give care to him. Some facilities have care packages that start at minimal care (such as reminders to come to meals and take medicine) and maximum care packages (such as bathing, transferring from bed to wheelchair and feeding). If the facility that your loved one is does not offer more care and getting a nurse to come and care for him or her is not an option you should not leave him or her there, moving would be a must in that situation.
If your parents are at a facility and you are not happy with the care that they are receiving, talk to the management about your complaints. They may not be aware that your parent is being neglected. Also talk with the care staff and let them know that you care about your parents and want the best care for them. Politely tell the care staff your complaints (i.e. moms hair needs to be brushed, I noticed dad lost his dentures). Visit your parents often. Keep the care staff accountable by making visits at different times of the day or maybe spend a night there if possible. If the quality of care still does not improve make a complaint to DADS (Department of Aging and Disabilities Services) and move your parents to a more quality facility.
Most importantly make sure your parent is taken good care of and is happy.
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