Problems With Assisted Living

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[title size=”1″]The Problem with Assisted Living[/title]
You’re probably under the impression that assisted living centers are a wonderful alternative to nursing homes.  This may be true in some cases, but on average it can be very much the same.  Assisted living centers are often a part of a large health corporation – and large corporations have the unfortunate habit of looking at people like products.

All assisted living centers, especially large ones, shell out a vast amount of money for upkeeps and employee salaries.  These costs fall on their residents and family members mostly.  But, obsession with the bottom line can often lead to a sub-par care cycle that can be neglectful, and even dangerous, to your loved ones.

[title size=”2″]Common Complaints About Assisted Living Centers[/title]
There are many complaints about assisted living facilities, but some of the most common are:

  • The Expense – The national average for staying at an assisted living center is about $2,000 per month.  This varies greatly from facility to facility, and may even cost as high as $6,000 per month.
  • Rising Prices – Assisted living has a nasty habit nation-wide of raising prices substantially after only a few months.  The reasons they cite for this is raising overhead costs, such as employee salaries and medication rates.  The truth of the matter is, it is usually due to the fact that all of their rooms are full and they no longer need to appeal to new clients.
  • Impermanence – While the manager of an assisted living center may lead you to believe that your loved one will live out the rest of their years in their facility, the truth is that on average a resident is only at an assisted living facility for two to six months before being moved to a nursing home.
  • Neglect – Due to understaffing, a common practice to reduce costs, your loved one rarely gets the level of care they are promised.  This is especially true at night when sometimes only one nurse is on duty to care for dozens of residents.
  • Professionally – While an assisted living center may say that they only hire trained nurses – and this may even be true – some nurses and assistants may only have a few weeks of classes, making them severely under-qualified to care for residents.

As mentioned, these are only a few complaints.  There are many more that range from minor inconveniences to major (sometimes even fatal) neglect and abuse.

[title size=”3″]A Great Alternative to Assisted Living[/title]
In-home health care providers are available to offer their services to your loved ones in their own homes.  In-home providers can offer as much or as little care as is necessary.  Customized care plans encourage your loved ones to remain independent while making sure they are safe and taken care of.

In-home health offices have much less overhead to begin with, which usually makes their services substantially less than other senior care options.  Due to the requirements of home health aides working alone, they usually have much more training than traditional nursing facility staff.

If you have any questions about home senior care, contact Endeavor Home Care today.

Senior Care Options

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[title size=”1″]When it Becomes Necessary to Seek Senior Care[/title]
As we age it becomes more likely that we will lose some portion of our independence.  Though realizing that we can no longer do everything for ourselves can be traumatic, it is a natural and inevitable fact of life.  If you find yourself in need of help to get through your day-to-day activities, don’t be ashamed – it’s likely that we will all find ourselves in that situation one day.

Luckily, there are many options available that can allow you to retain your independence while giving you the care and attention that you require.

[title size=”2″]Elder Care Options[/title]
Nursing Homes – The most well-known option for senior care is the skilled nursing home.  Nursing homes are usually required for fully dependent elderly persons in need of intensive day-to-day care.  Nursing homes provide meals, medications, bathing, and bathroom assistance for people who cannot do any of these things for themselves.

Assisted Living – Another option is assisted living centers.  Assisted living offers a more independent lifestyle while remaining in a clinical environment.   Individualized care-plans in an assisted living center encourage self-care, but keeps a skilled nursing staff on hand to offer most of the care available at a traditional nursing home.

Adult Daycare is an option for elders under the care of family.  These come-and-go environments allow a senior’s guardian to work out of the home while ensuring that their loved one receives the care they need.  Adult daycares vary greatly in the care they can provide, and it is important to speak with the staff about your needs before enrolling them in the program.

Independent Living Complexes, also known as retirement villages, are another great alternative.  Independent living will allow you to live in your own apartment, offering care from professionals on an as-needed basis.  Independent living lives up to its name by allowing as much personal independence as is safe and desired.

In-home Senior Care is a growing alternative to nursing homes and other elder care facilities.  The advantage of home care is that you choose a full-time or part-time nursing aide to come to your home and provide almost any level of care you require which can include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Cooking Meals
  • Cleaning Your Home
  • Medication Delivery & Organization
  • Nutritional Needs
  • Personal Care – Such as grooming and bathing

In home care does not require that you move to a facility.  It allows you to remain in your own home, in your own community, without the strict schedules and ridged policies of a senior care facility.  Another added bonus is this may even be a less costly alternative – it may even be covered in whole or in part by your current insurance plan.

The expertly trained staff at Endeavor Home Care are standing by now to help answer any questions you may have about in-home senior care options.

What Is In-home Senior Care

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[title size=”1″]What is In-Home Senior Care?[/title]
There are many options open to anyone searching for senior care.  You may be uncomfortable with the thought of placing a family member under the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, and rightly so.  Though some situations require intense, round-the-clock care, these are not the only choices available to you.

In-home senior care is a quickly growing alternative to traditional senior care centers due to it’s ability to provide medical and personal care while encouraging a higher level of independence.  Another obvious advantage of in home care is that it allows a senior to stay in their home without having to sacrifice their safety.

[title size=”2″]Some of the Many Benefits of At-Home Senior Care[/title]
Providing health care in a senior’s own home improves their confidence and overall happiness, leading to a longer, more fulfilling life.  There are many horror stories out there about nursing facilities and assisted living centers, and while they may not be true for all but a few of them, it is still a chance that is not worth taking when it comes to the ones you love.

In-home senior care can provide as much or as little care as needed.  The staff of an in-home nursing office creates highly individualized care plans for each senior under their care that encourages independence while offering the help and comfort they require from certified nursing professionals.  These nurses can be in the home for only a few minutes a day or take shifts for 24-hour care.

If you’d like to learn more about in-home senior care, please feel free to give us a call today.

Assisted Living vs In Home Care

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[title size=”1″]Assisted Living vs. In Home Care[/title]
If your loved one has become unable to live independently due to age or disability, you’re probably looking into options to provide them with the care they need. The two options for people who need periodic help in their everyday life – as opposed to needing serious, long-term monitoring and intensive care regiments – are assisted living centers and in home care.

This article is intended to help you educate yourself on the differences between assisted living and in home care so that you can choose what is best for your loved one’s situation.

[title size=”2″]Assisted Living Centers[/title]
In most assisted living centers, the person in need of care is given a private room (or shared room in some cases) in a clinical facility. While not as intensive as a skilled nursing home, assisted living centers offer immediate care whenever it is needed. It also usually includes daily, nutritionally balanced meals, medications, and laundry services.

The major drawback of assisted living centers is the expense. Most assisted living facilities offer a wide variety of care options and services that are included in the base price whether your loved one is making use of them or not – making it overall more expensive, than in home care, in most cases.

Residents of assisted living centers also must adhere to the policies of the facility. This usually includes limited visiting hours, limited out-of-facility time, and strict schedules. Your loved one might also not be pleased with the fact that under most circumstances, they will not be able to cook or clean for themselves, which unnecessarily takes away from their independence.

[title size=”3″]In Home Care[/title]
In-home care allows skilled nurses and aides to care for your loved one from their own home. This can be a major benefit to your loved one’s quality of life. In-home care providers will work to preserve any and all independence that your loved one has, and can be there full or part time to assist.
In-home care is also more affordable than assisted living in most cases. Because the staff of an in-home health provider is only there when they need to be, the cost of their services can be custom tailored to fit your budget. However, they can still help with other day-to-day factors of living, such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and bathing.

In-home providers are also available at a moment’s notice in case of an emergency, even if they are not scheduled to be in the home at the time. This makes in home care a very safe and reliable source of care for the semi-independent and moderate-dependent.

The skilled and trained staff of Endeavor Home Care can answer any questions you have about senior care in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Contact us today.

Caregiver Tool Kit: Packing a Day Bag for Your Aging Loved One in Paradise Valley, AZ

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As a home care provider for an aging loved one you probably already know that being prepared makes a major difference in how well you are able to provide care for your loved one. Making sure that you have everything that your loved one may need will give you both peace of mind, particularly if you plan on being away from the home.

Consider the following items when packing a caregiver day bag:

  • Any prescription medications that your loved one takes along with copies of the prescriptions. Make sure the medications are in the official prescription bottles
  • Any over-the-counter medications that your loved one might need throughout the day such as pain relievers, antacids, stomach relief, eye drops, cough drops or allergy pills
  • An extra pair of eye glasses along with a case or reading glasses, depending on your loved one’s needs
  • Hard candy or gum
  • A non-perishable snack such as granola bars, trail mix or dried fruit
  • Medical information such as allergies, medical conditions and emergency contact information
  • First aid supplies including triple antibiotic cream, bandages, tweezers, and alcohol pads
  • Antibacterial gel and wet wipes for fast hand cleaning and germ control
  • Tissues
  • A paperback book, crossword puzzle book or other entertainment
  • Medical supplies for any chronic condition that your loved one may have such as diabetic testing supplies, insulin, portable catheters, incontinence supplies or oxygen

Keep all of these items in a lightweight canvas bag or messenger bag so that they are all easily accessible. Having these items at hand will help you to address needs as they arise with your aging loved one. By having these things readily available you can feel more confident about running errands or taking day trips with your aging loved one. Your loved one will also feel more relaxed knowing that he can enjoy his outings with you without worrying that he doesn’t have something that he will need. Don’t hesitate to talk to your loved one about things that he might want to include that you might not have thought of when putting together your day bag. Also remember to throw in a few things for yourself so you feel prepared for your own needs as well!

When researching options for caregivers in Paradise Valley, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing caregivers in Paradise Valley, AZ.

Home Care Services and the Flu

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While providing home care services for an aging loved one, you will hear a considerable amount about the flu. You will hear that it is exceptionally dangerous and can cause incredibly serious consequences for seniors. Hearing this, however, does not necessarily prepare you to provide appropriate care for your aging loved one. If you are considering hiring home care services for your aging loved one it is critical that you are fully educated on influenza and can share this information with the in home care provider to ensure that your senior loved one is receiving the level of care that he needs throughout the dangerous flu season.

Here are some important facts about the flu:

  • Up to 20% of the population will get the flu each year
  • Each year more than 200,000 people end up admitted to the hospital due the flu and around 36,000 will die
  • The flu spreads primarily through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread when a person touches a surface that has been contaminated with the virus
  • The virus can be spread for up to a day before the symptoms even develop and up to five days after they appear

It is important to keep these things in mind when preparing for the flu season with a home care services companion because the health of the companion will be vital to the health of your aging loved one. It is vital that the in home care provider does not come to work if she has been in contact with people that are infected with the flu or is feeling any symptoms.

Symptoms of the flu include:

  • High fever
  • Chronic headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dry cough
  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Runny nose
  • Stuffy sinuses
  • Achy muscles and joints
  • Nausea and diarrhea

It is also important to keep track of any of these symptoms arising in your aging loved one so that prompt medical attention can be sought. Though most home care services companions are familiar with potential complications related to the flu, it is important that you discuss them with the companion to ensure she understands your expectations regarding the care of your loved one should he contract the flu.

Complications can include:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Dehydration

When researching options for home care assistance in Chandler, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Keeping the Family Involved in Elderly Care

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It is no longer the norm for all members of the family to live within close proximity of one another. Instead, relatives are far-flung throughout the country and rarely have the opportunity to be together. This can make providing elderly care for aging loved ones extremely difficult. The adult children that are not living close to home can feel disconnected and ignored in the decisions that are made regarding their parents, while the ones that are living close to the parents can feel pressured and overwhelmed by the responsibility. Keeping the family involved in elderly care can help maintain bonded family relationships and in sure that your aging loved ones receive the highest level of care possible.

The first step in keeping the entire family involved in elder care services is having a meeting with all of the members of the family that will be a part of the elderly care arrangement. Generally this is all of the siblings being involved in the care of aging parents, though other family members are known to provide care as well. Getting together for such a meeting can be virtually impossible, but thanks to technology it is possible to bring everyone together in the form of a video chat or instant message chat room. Make sure that everyone is available and that each person has the opportunity to discuss his feelings regarding the elderly care of his aging parents so that these opinions can be taken into consideration.

Once it has been decided which siblings desire to be involved in the elderly care of your aging loved ones, devise a plan for their involvement. This can include daily phone calls, weekly video chats or ongoing letter writing correspondence with your parents. You can also request that your siblings provide ongoing financial support or help out by being responsible for arranging physician appointments and keeping up with the schedule. Though keeping all members of a long-distance family involved in elder care services can be difficult, it can also be extremely fulfilling and ensure that family relationships are kept close.

When researching options for in home care in Paradise Valley, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Protecting Your Marriage While Providing Senior Care

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Providing senior care for an aging loved one is an incredible undertaking. You are dedicating your time, energy and effort to making sure that this senior is able to enjoy the highest quality of life possible and that his daily physical, medical and cognitive needs are addressed in a safe, effective and efficient way. While providing home care for an aging loved one, however, it is important to remember that you are still an individual with a life of your own. Many caregivers report feeling as though there personal relationships, particularly their marriages, suffer once they take on the responsibility of being a home care provider for an aging loved one. It is essential not just for your own personal health, but also the relationship that you maintain with your aging loved one that you don’t allow your role as a caregiver to completely overtake your life. You must continue to focus on your marriage, and allow this relationship to give you strength, confidence and stress relief as you face the challenging and often overwhelming realities of being a family caregiver.

Some of the ways that you can protect your marriage while providing senior care for an aging loved one include:

  • Take the time every few hours to send your spouse a text message or make a brief phone call. Often just a short message is enough to ease tension and help you feel better
  • Write each other love letters and hide them in the car, by the coffeemaker or anywhere else where you know the other will find them
  • Hire home care services for one night per week so you can spend some time just focused on your spouse
  • Create plans for special outings or trips that you can look forward to. Make a commitment to hire respite care for this time so you’re able to enjoy your special plans together
  • Agree not to use your spouse as a “vent”. Don’t take your frustration or anger out on your spouse. If you feel as though you need a place to let out tension or frustration, find a therapist that will listen to you and help guide you in coping techniques.

When researching options for in-home senior care in Mesa, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Sharing Elder Care Responsibilities with Siblings

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Providing elder care for an aging loved one is a tremendous responsibility that requires not just the dedication, but also an incredible amount of time and energy. If you are facing the prospect of providing elderly home care for your parents, you may find that fulfilling the role of an elder care provider may require you to neglect other areas of your life such as your relationship, your children, your career and yourself. By sharing the responsibilities of providing elder care for your parents with your siblings, you are not only giving your parents the opportunity to spend time with all of their children and your siblings the opportunity to provide care and support for your parents, you are giving yourself the freedom to take care of other responsibilities in your life without feeling as though you are neglecting your parents.

If you are considering sharing elder care responsibilities for your parents with your siblings, it is important that you engage in careful planning and establish open lines of communication from the very beginning. Start by gathering your siblings and parents together for a meeting at which you will discuss with the arrangement and how the responsibilities will be shared. It is important that each sibling agrees to specific responsibilities and that everyone involved is aware of the responsibilities of everyone else so that each of you can be held accountable for upholding your end of the agreement.

Sharing elder care responsibilities with your siblings could mean splitting the week up so that each of you is responsible for providing care on specific days, or identifying specific responsibilities that each sibling will fulfill.

These responsibilities include:

  • Grocery shopping for your parents
  • Verifying in picking up prescriptions
  • Bringing your parents to doctors’ appointments and treatments
  • Cleaning the home
  • Doing laundry for your parents
  • Preparing meals
  • Participating in entertainment or recreational activities with your parents
  • Bathing and grooming considerations
  • Shopping for clothing and other necessities
  • Managing finances

Though it may seem too formal for the cooperation of siblings, writing down the division of responsibilities within your elder care arrangement help ensure everyone involved is in agreement. This also organizes the arrangement so that it can be easily work referred to if there is any confusion or conflict in the future.

When researching options for Mesa senior home care or elder care throughout the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Elderly Care for Arthritis in Phoenix, AZ

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Most people providing elderly care for an aging loved one will encounter arthritis as one of their loved one’s chronic complaints. The term arthritis simply refers to joint inflammation, and is actually a blanket term applied to over 100 different diseases the impact all of the joints in the human body. All of these diseases share the effect of causing swelling, tightness and even pain in the joints. The most common effect of arthritis is limited mobility. Among seniors, the most common of the arthritic diseases is osteoarthritis. It is estimated that more than half of aging adults over the age of 65 experience chronic osteoarthritis and at least one of the joints of their body. Elderly care for seniors suffering from arthritis will have a primary goal of easing the negative effects of the disease so that they can be properly managed and the senior can continue to enjoy an active and productive lifestyle.

Some of the ways that an elderly care provider can help an aging loved one manage symptoms of arthritis include:

  • Many seniors with arthritis find relief from the pain and stiffness of the disease through application of either cold or heat. Some even use both alternately. Heat can come in the form of a heated blanket, a hot tub, taking a warm bath or using a heating pad, while cold is generally applied with an ice pack
  • Symptoms of arthritis are often made worse by getting cold. Encouraging your aging loved one to sleep in warm pajamas or use flannel sheets or extra blankets can help his body stay warm and ease symptoms
  • Though it may seem as though moving around will make the pain and stiffness worse, exercise that has been approved by your loved one’s doctor can help to reduce stiffness and improve range of motion
  • If your aging loved one is overweight, reducing the weight by even 10 percent can take a huge amount of strain off of the joints, thereby reducing pain and encouraging greater flexibility
  • Exercising in the pool is generally much less stressful and less painful for seniors suffering from arthritis. The water helps to support the body and reduce strain on the joints so that your aging loved one can participate in more activities without suffering worse pain.

When researching options for elderly care in Phoenix AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Phoenix AZ.