A Real Person: In-Home Care And Compassion

What do you think in-home care is like? Well, what does it look like on television?

We think that in some cases, television actually does a good job of portraying home care situations, because it focuses on those social interactions that are so important to seniors living at home. On the other hand, sometimes things look a lot easier and quicker on TV! In reality, it takes dedication to do this job well day in and day out, and really keep the welfare of the elderly in mind. We are up to the challenge – because we believe in what we are doing.

The Daily Routine

Part of the task of being an in-home caregiver is participating in someone's daily routine. For seniors, this often means medication, meals and helping them to take care of themselves and their properties, in whatever ways they can.

The caregiver is key in all of this as a regular visitor to the home. He or she can start to spot problems as they develop, and provide that support for maintaining a certain quality of life in the home. In some cases, nobody else is there to do that!

Logistics and Task Lists

Then there are the actual processes that seniors may need help with. This includes meal preparation and nutritional help. Caregivers are often involved in assessing someone's diet and looking at how they can provide their meals in a healthy way.

Transportation is a big deal, too, for people who need to go to doctors’ offices or anywhere else.

Caregivers may also be involved in assessing housekeeping goals and helping with this result.

But above and beyond this, they are real people who show up in real situations. The social component is beyond important in this type of business, and we know this, so we take care to hire people who understand that need.

Another way to say this is that there is a profound emotional component to caring for seniors. They are essentially stuck in their homes to a certain extent, even if they've made the conscious decision to stay there. As elderly people age, they may lose certain kinds of mobility and capabilities that they previously enjoyed. So the caregiver helps fill the gaps and maintain that quality of life!

Talk to us about what’s best for mom or pop, or any family member or loved one who needs special assistance in their home.

Common Types Of Senior Care Options

Helping aging parents and loved ones make good lifestyle decisions is an overwhelming and emotional task. Often, seniors face a myriad of health, social, and financial issues that prompt changes in living arrangements. Understanding the most common differences between the different types of senior care options will help you and your loved one make the best decision for everyone involved. 

Aging In Place

Aging in place is the term used to describe living in the comfort of your home. Often, modifications to the home must be made so that the aging person can safely live at home over time. Home care services also provide various services to help seniors remain at home, including health care, emotional support, housework support, transportation, and more, creating a support system for seniors and their families. 

Family Caregiving

This option involves utilizing family caregivers rather than professional caregivers or a facility, though it can incorporate a combination of services. For example, a senior may age in place and have a family member visit regularly or sit with them during the night. It also could be when the senior moves into a family member's home and home care services are used as needed. 

Active Communities

An independent senior who wants to live in a home-like environment yet needs social support could move into an active adult community. In active communities, seniors typically live in independent residential housing such as apartments, condos, and townhomes that are rented or owned. While social services and recreational activities are available, active communities do not provide medical services. 

Independent Living

Independent living provides more on-site services such as social and recreational activities, dining, security, fitness centers, and other amenities seniors can enjoy. Seniors who require some assistance yet are capable of living on their own do well in independent living communities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities offer seniors multiple choices of care in resort-style amenities. These communities allow residents to move from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care as their needs change.

Assisted Living

If more hands-on care is needed than independent living provides, assisted residence delivers services seniors need to help with daily tasks but do not have serious medical needs. Assisted living facilities also provide meals and transportation to medical and other appointments. 

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes feature many of the services as other facilities but provide 24/7 skilled nursing to residents. These facilities are regulated with hours for visitation and security for residents in a clinical setting. Nursing homes are best for seniors requiring around-the-clock care in a safe environment. 

Memory Care

With the increase in memory-related aging diseases, memory care facilities are meeting the needs of seniors who may otherwise be healthy yet can not live independently. These care facilities are specifically for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, as their needs differ from those who don't have cognitive impairments. 

Tips For Preparing Your Home To Move Elderly Loved One In With Ease

Often, families must make decisions regarding the living arrangements of an elderly loved one. Many people choose to have their elderly family members move into their homes to assist them in the later stages of life. If you have an elderly family member moving into your home, specific preparations should be made to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some tips that help you prepare your home for your elderly family member. 

Declutter Your Space

Decluttering your home is an essential first step for your elderly loved one's arrival. Since seniors are often unsteady on their feet, you will need to remove as many potential obstacles and trip hazards as possible. Decluttering and paring down your belongings in your home also helps you create room for your loved one's belongings and space for them to feel comfortable. Remove your personal items from the room that you've designated for your loved one, such as a spare room, guest house, den, etc., so they will have a clean space to move into. 

Designate A Ground-floor Room 

If possible, designate a ground-floor room in your house to be the primary living quarters for your elderly family member. Seniors tend to experience mobility issues that make navigating stairs a daunting and dangerous task. Take safety and logistics into account to determine the appropriate place in your house that affords your loved one easy access to the kitchen and bathroom. Also, consider moving out some of your furniture to accommodate better any of your loved one's favorite things to help them acclimate to their new abode. 

Consider Adding Mobility Aids

Even if your elderly family member does not need mobility aids currently, you should consider adding them to meet their future needs. Some simple mobility aids include handrails in the bathroom and along hallways and an entrance ramp to your house. More advanced mobility aids such as modified toilets, sit-down showers, and stairlifts may be required to ensure your loved one's safety in the home. Please talk with your elderly family member about their needs and note how they move within the space they currently live. 

Home Care Transition

If your elderly family member receives home care services, make sure you meet with the provider well in advance to discuss your plans. In-home elderly care providers can assist you in developing a plan to ensure your loved one transitions to living in your home with ease.

How to Spot Malnutrition in Seniors and How You Can Help?

It’s estimated that around 16% of Americans aged 65 or older eat under 1000 calories a day. This also means that almost everyone in this category is at risk for malnutrition. 

Your body doesn’t require as many calories as it once did as you age. While this is true, it does require more B vitamins, calcium, and protein than it did in the past (along with other essential nutrients). Seniors are especially at risk of malnutrition because their dietary needs differ from younger adults. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of these differences – including their caregivers. 

There is some good news. Caregivers can take some practical steps to help ensure their senior loved one or patient does not become malnourished. 

Signs of Malnutrition in Seniors 

There are a few signs and indications that your senior loved one or patient may be struggling with malnourishment. These include:

• Unintentional weight loss

• Lower body weight

• Muscle weakness

• Clothes that no longer fit well

• Falls

• Lack of energy or depression

• Issues with chewing and swallowing

• Issues with memory

• Old or expired food in the home

• Dry, cracked skin

• Frequent illness

• Not remembering the last time they ate

If you notice these signs, it is time to act and help ensure your senior loved one or patient begins eating a healthy diet that will ensure they get the nutrients they need. 

How You Can Help

Some of the ways that you can help a senior who is malnourished or at risk of this can be found here. 

Prepare Food for the Senior

It’s a good idea to make sure the senior has food ready to eat at all times. You should try to focus on foods that will be easy for them to swallow, like smoothies, yogurt, soups, and other softer food items. 

Pick Up Groceries 

Pick up groceries each week for a senior or arrange to have them delivered to their home. If needed, help them put all the items away. You can also order a meal delivery program for them, which ensures they have everything they need for healthy meals three times a day. 

Ensure They Have Access to Snacks

You should make sure that seniors have access to healthy snacks for in-between meals. This should include things like seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and protein. 

Encourage Friends and Family Members to Visit

If you provide a senior with senior care services, you should encourage family and friends to visit when you aren’t there. Not only will this help with making sure the senior is eating, but also ensure they don’t fall or experience some other type of accident while you are away. 

Making Sure a Senior Doesn’t Experience Malnourishment 

As a caregiver for a senior, it’s your job to help ensure the senior is happy and healthy. This includes making sure they eat enough to avoid malnourishment. Keep the tips above in mind to ensure a senior does not experience this problem.

Four Fall Prevention Safeguards For Seniors At Home

We get it-  mom and dad often want to stay at home, because it's what they know.

 In fact, there’s a broader trend these days for seniors to stay in their own homes, especially if they have some semblance of mobility later in life.

 To some extent, people's preservation of their range of motion indicates whether they can stay in a home or whether they need to skilled nursing care facility.

 In any case, here are three important fall prevention considerations for when an aging person is staying in their home.

 Ramp with Rail

 One key fall prevention method is replacing a traditional stairway with a ramp, and making sure that a secure handrail is available to guide seniors up and down.

 One of the best examples is a front door that is elevated from the ground.

 Typically speaking, there is a small set of stairs that people navigate in order to go in and out of the house.

 Many of the best ramps that are placed over the stairways are secure metal designs made with a standard for ADA compliance.

 These can be added to the property in order to protect seniors who are living there.

 Floor Grip Installations

 It's generally recommended that people who are protecting senior family members or others remove loose rugs and runners on the floor of a home (which is usually a one level house.)

 As an additional safeguard, you can install high grip surfaces that help seniors to gain traction as they move.

 ADA Bathroom

 Another of the most vulnerable parts of the house is the bathroom.

 Adding handrails and ADA shower facilities will also help to protect your elderly loved one from falling.

 Stair Climber Lifts

 Stair climbing chairs are a must for multilevel buildings. One of the greatest forests is a full flight of stairs, which unfortunately contains its own significant hazards for anyone with decreased mobility.

 When getting someone to a one level building is impossible, these stair lifts are a workable way to move a senior individual around a building. Some other types of lifts often also have ceiling mounted designs that are useful.

 Ow do you make mom or dad safe at home? Talk to Like Home Care Arizona for help in the state of AZ with senior living plans. Having a plan now can help you to rest easy later, while your elderly loved one stays securely in his or her home. 

Great Tips For Senior Citizens Trying to Keep Their Minds Sharp

As you get older, the number of physical and mental changes you experience will grow. If you have chosen to age in place, then you need to work on staying one step ahead of health problems. Not only do you need to focus on things like diet and exercise to stay healthy, you also need to figure out how to keep your mind sharp. 

Cognitive decline is a problem that affects nearly 13% of the senior citizens in the United States. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to slow this decline and keep your mind firing on all cylinders. If you are trying to keep your mind sharp as you age, consider the great tips in this article.  

Realize the Importance of Sleep

Your mind and body need a few basic things to thrive. One of the main things the human mind needs to stay sharp is the right amount of rest. Ideally, you want to get between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Not only is sleep great for your brain health, it can also help you increase your energy levels during the day. 

If you are struggling to sleep at night, then you need to develop a routine to follow. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can be beneficial. You also need to eliminate any distractions that could prohibit you from sleeping things. Loud televisions and smartphones are just a few of the things that can keep you up at night. Removing these distractions can help you wind down and get to sleep. If you have tried these suggestions with no success, reach out to your primary care physician for some help. 

Assess Your Daily Diet

Did you realize that healthy foods can delay the onset of certain memory diseases? If you are currently consuming a steady diet of junk food and sugar, you need to stop immediately. Instead of choosing unhealthy options, you need to consume more nuts, whole grains, fish and berries. If you are unable to cook meals due to physical limitations, then hiring a home care provider to assist you is a good idea. 

The team at Like Family Home Care can provide you with things like cooking, cleaning, transportation and personal care. With the right help, you can consume healthy meals and give your brainpower a boost. 

Let Your Creative Side Shine Through

Having a hobby or passion you can spend time performing is also important when trying to keep your mind sharp. Creative pursuits like pottery, painting and knitting allow you to give your mind a workout. Letting your creative side shine through can also help you control stress levels. If you don’t currently have a creative outlet, then you need to learn a new skill. There are tons of classes you can attend and online videos you can watch to learn a new creative skill. 

If you are serious about keeping your mind sharp, you need to implement the tips in this article.

Tackle Potential Home Hazards For Elderly Sooner Rather Than Later

Experiencing physical limitations is a natural part of the aging process. Aging can negatively impact a person’s sensory organs affecting smell, taste, hearing, touch, and vision. When any of these sensory changes begin to happen to older adults, their homes can become hazardous to their health. 

We can undermine some of the negative consequences of aging on a loved one’s lifestyle by being proactive. Tackling specific challenges before they become issues will allow us to provide the best quality of living and safety for our elderly family and friends. One of the most helpful ways you can impact an aging loved one’s life is by addressing the possible hazards in their home early before they cause frustration or injury. 

Falls are the number one cause of an older adult’s injury that potentially leads to a diminished quality of life. You can help keep at-home falls and accidents at bay by implementing a few changes in your aging loved one’s home. 

Secure Or Remove Loose Rugs

Rugs are essential for warmth and comfort within a home as they provide a soft, insulated surface over cold, hard flooring. However, rugs are also potential hazards for aging people as they can easily slide and bunch up if not appropriately secured to the floor. Ensure all the rugs in the house are secured in place and remove any. You may consider replacing small flimsy rugs with more oversized heavy rugs to decrease the chances of slipping. 

Keep Stairs Clear From Clutter

It is easy to use stairs as waiting areas for items we need to take on our way or down. As we age, navigating stairs becomes trickier and, thus, more dangerous. To be safe, remove any items from stairways so that your loved one is less likely to be tripped up on their ascent and descent. This also means securing or removing stair runners to ensure sure footing. 

Rethink Kitchen Organization

While most aging people cook less and less at home, they spend ample time preparing meals and snacks for themselves in their kitchen. Many accidents happen in the kitchen due to overreaching, overextending, and becoming off-balance. Take time to reorganize the kitchen, remove unused items out of the way, and place most used items within easy reach. The less mess in the kitchen to maneuver around is better for the safety of your aging loved one. 

Start Home Care Services Earlier Rather Than Later

Many of us consider elderly home care services reserved for when a person can no longer safely live at home by themselves. However, you can extend the amount of time your aging loved one remains happily in their home by employing home care services earlier rather than later. Consult your professional home care services agency to see what services they offer and how these services can help your aging loved one thrive. 

Tips to Protect Your Senior Loved One from a Fall

It’s estimated that one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. In fact, falls are the top cause of nonfatal and fatal injuries in seniors. 

Falls often cause head injuries, broken bones, hip fractures, and other issues. Also, falls without major injuries may cause an older adults to become depressed or fearful and prevent them from remaining active. 

While falls can be devastating for some seniors, there are some tips you can use to help protect your senior loved one from a fall. Keep reading to learn more. 

Find Out Their Concerns 

It’s a good idea to ask your senior loved one if they are worried about falling. Some older adults know falling is a risk, but they don’t think it will happen to them, or if it does, they don’t think they will be hurt – even if they have fallen before. 

If your senior loved one is worried about balance, dizziness, or falling, talk to their doctor. They can assess the risk and make suggestions on services that can help. 

Talk About Underlying Health Issues 

It’s important to find out if your senior loved one has any issues managing their health. For example, do they forget to take their medicine? Are they having side effects? Is it more becoming challenging for them to do the things they used to? 

You should also make sure they take advantage of the preventative benefits offered by Medicare, like Annual Wellness visits. Make sure they are comfortable speaking openly with their doctor about any issues or concerns they have. 

Find Out When Their Last Eye Checkup Was 

Does your older love one wear glasses? If so, be sure they have a current prescription and that they use their glasses as recommended by their eye doctor. It can be dangerous for them to use a tint-changing lens when going from outside to inside. Bifocals may also be problematic for use on stairs, which means it’s important to stay cautious. If your senior loved one is dealing with vision issues, it’s a good idea to consult with their eye doctor to see what options are available for them. 

Notice if They Have Trouble Walking

Have you noticed your senior loved one is holding onto walls, furniture, or someone else when they walk? Do they have trouble moving or getting up from a sitting position? 

If so, these are signs they may need to go to a physical therapist. With this medical service, your senior loved one can start to improve their gait, strength, and balance. 

Preventing Falls for Your Senior Loved One

If you want to make sure your senior loved one doesn’t fall or suffer an injury, be sure to keep the tips and information here in mind. Doing this will pay off and help ensure your family member stays as safe as possible. Be sure to keep the tips above in mind; they will pay off and provide you with peace of mind.