Terry Pratchett Gives Dementia Care a Patient’s Face

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The recent passing of Sir Terry Pratchett offers a rare view of dementia care, a view from the patient’s perspective. If you don’t know Sir Terry, he wrote fantasy and science fiction, publishing more than 70 books. He is best known for his whimsical Discworld series, which includes some 40 volumes set in “a flat world perched on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle.” His obituary from the BBC recounts the details of a remarkable life.

dementia care

Terry Prachett wrote poignantly about the effects of dementia.

It is another of his works that provides his unique view of dementia. You see, Sir Terry suffered from posterior cortical atrophy, a rare variant of Alzheimer’s disease which affects vision. He was diagnosed in 2008 and put his fame behind a push for more research. In 2013, he was asked to provide the inaugural entry to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s dementia blog, which is dedicated to telling the stories in dementia patients. He wrote:

“There isn’t one kind of dementia. There aren’t a dozen kinds. There are hundreds of thousands. Each person who lives with one of these diseases will be affected in uniquely destructive ways. . . . Dementia attacks those facets which make us who we are, and it’s a deeply personal attack that defies prediction.”

Sir Terry wrote about the fear the dementia inspires in all of us. “Dementia vies with cancer in an unsavoury battle of the scariest, but it must be said that some lucky people will survive cancer.” That fear infects not only the patients, but their family and friends as well. Those loved ones are the foundation of what he calls “a trained and compassionate care system” which includes family and caregivers working together.

If your loved one has dementia, selecting a caregiver is one of the most important decisions that you will make. Contact us to help you find someone with the training and compassion that your loved one needs.

Best Eldercare Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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eldercare

Just because they can’t drive doesn’t mean they have to lose their independence.

Did Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April) have you wondering whether or not it’s time to take the car keys away from mom and dad? If so, welcome to the club. It’s a common problem that adult children wrestle with each year. On one hand, there’s mom and dad’s need for independence. On the other, there’s the worry that their aging senses will put them and others in grave danger. So keeping that in mind, we’ve put together a few eldercare tips to help our friends, family and community members at large decide what to do:

  • Check the expiration date on mom or dad’s driver’s license and then turn towards your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Many have laws in place that require people 65 years of age and older to either renew their licenses in person or submit to additional testing. The additional testing will help give you peace of mind as well as make the DMV the bad guy, not you, should their licenses need to be revoked.
  • If your local DMV doesn’t offer such services, turn towards your parents’ doctors instead. Ask them to evaluate mom and dad. Afterward, sit down with the doctor and your parents to discuss the results. There may be actions mom and dad can take to improve their vision, hearing and reflexes. Examples include getting laser surgery, exercising, playing brain games and purchasing high-quality hearing aids. If not, the doctors may have no choice but to recommend license revocation.
  • Remember, when it comes time to take the keys away, it doesn’t mean that mom and dad’s independence must end. There are eldercare options available that can make all the difference. For instance, caregivers or agencies may help provide mom or dad with safe, reliable transportation. They may also offer in home care services that will limit the need for traveling outside of the home.

To learn more about them and other eldercare tips for keeping parents safe but independent, please contact us. At Endeavor Senior Care, we will work with elderly residents who’ve had their driver’s licenses taken away as well as those who are still safely on the road.

Are Home Care Services Right For Your Loved One? Consider the Following Questions.

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As your elderly loved one needs increasingly more assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), you’ll likely begin considering which available eldercare options are right for your family. Many elderly people are resistant to change and fear the loss of independence they associate with long-term care facilities. Home care services are an excellent alternative for these individuals. To determine if home care is right for your loved one, consider the following questions:

home care services

If your loved one needs help with chores, and basic medical care, home care may be a good option.

How much care is needed? For those who require around-the-clock care, a long-term care facility is likely a better option than home care. However, if your loved one needs assistance with some activities of daily living, help with chores, and basic medical care, home care is a good alternative.

Where does your loved one prefer to live? This might seem an obvious question to consider, but it’s often overlooked. While most elderly people prefer the familiarity of their own homes, some might desire the companionship of community life in an assisted living or supportive living facility. For those who wish to remain at home and don’t require constant access to care, home care is an excellent option.

Are you feeling stressed out by the amount of care you’re providing to your loved one? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving duties, home care services can help alleviate some of your stress. By having someone else help with caregiving responsibilities, you can focus on spending quality time with your loved one.

Does your loved one forget to pay bills or take medications? If your loved one forgets to take medication, is late to pay bills, or neglects personal hygiene, a home caregiver can help ensure that these ADLs and other responsibilities are takencare of in a timely manner.

Is your loved one isolated socially? As getting out of the house becomes more challenging for elderly people, feeling isolated from the outside world is often the result. Home care provides the opportunity for your loved one to have regular companionship and social interaction.

These are just a few of the questions to consider when deciding if home care is right for your elderly loved one. For more information regarding home care services, please contact us anytime.

Memory Care You can Use to Connect with Your Loved One

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memory care

Enjoying activities like painting, drawing, and playing music, can help strengthen memory.

When an older family member struggles with memory loss and dementia, we often lose the ability to communicate with them in a way that is satisfying to both of us. Although there is a caregiver in the home so we don’t worry about their safety or health, and we know that trained aides use memory care techniques to sustain our loved one’s cognitive abilities, we want to do something ourselves to hang onto the bond we have with our loved ones.

Trained workers use Reality Orientation, Fantasy Validation, Music and Art Therapy with other techniques to connect with elderly clients, but there are some things you can do too, using the same principles, to maintain the bond with your elderly family member. Playing music, making art and cooking together are all great ways to connect with loved ones who are limited in their communication. Besides that benefit, studies show that these therapies can reduce pain and discomfort in the elderly.

When you play songs from their youth, you stimulate memories that can foster your loved one’s ability to connect with you. They often reminisce, and you may even learn something about your past from engaging them at that level. Research also shows that the mind uses organization tasks to process the music and that can help people reinforce cognitive abilities. When you introduce rhythm and respond to it by moving or dancing with your loved one, you further tap into that organizational element.

Drawing, painting or coloring with an impaired elderly person enables connection by accessing emotions and pleasure areas that the person has trouble verbalizing. When language begins to slip away, emotions are still strong; drawing, using color and texture can activate those emotions and the memories that rise with them.

Even cooking with your loved one is a powerful tool. Food, in its preparation and in the eating of it, is so important to family life and to who we are as individuals( especially women). Simple recipes like scrambled eggs, cakes and cookies, even making a peanut butter sandwich together, can bring back those emotional memories of family that connect us to our loved ones.

For more information on how to enrich your loved one’s life, or to find out how a live-in aide can give you peace of mind,contact us. Together,as a team, we can keep your family ties stronger, longer.

Does Your Loved One’s Dementia Care Take Scientific Research into Account?

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In February 2015, The American Journal of Psychiatry presented review results that in the future, may just make diabetes management a part of dementia care. The article titled, “Modifiable Predictors of Dementia in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, highlighted an unmistakable connection between the two health problems. It also provided suggestions on what should be done about it. Currently on the researchers’ table are recommendations to adjust at-risk seniors’ diets and improve chronic disease management on all fronts. Early screening for MCI and other mental health conditions is also being suggested by some members of the medical community.

dementia care

We take ongoing dementia and Alzheimer’s research very seriously, and incorporate new findings into our practices.

At Endeavor Senior Care of Scottsdale, we take ongoing Alzheimer’s disease research seriously. Consequently, we pride ourselves on informing Arizona’s families of any advancements that may help improve the lives of their loved ones. Our caregivers are trained to utilize a proven dementia care management system known as AlzBetter® and details about the program may be found here. In addition, registered nurses and occupational therapists are essential parts of our home care team.

Our registered nurses can help dementia care patients manage their diabetes medications. They can also work with other medical professionals to ensure that patients’ comorbidities don’t unnecessarily contribute to dementia driven, cognitive decline. Nutritional care plans that address patients’ increased folate needs and provide other interventions that may enrich their quality of life can be formulated as well. Why?

We let the unique, personal needs of our dementia care patients and their families take precedence. So no matter what advancements in dementia home care come down the pike, we’re poised to help Arizona’s families live better lives. To learn more about Endeavor Senior Care’s dementia care program and what our staff can do to help families now, please contact us. Our corporate office is in Scottsdale but we serve locations throughout the Phoenix Valley. The list includes, but isn’t limited to Fountain Hills, Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson, Sun City and Paradise Valley.

Eldercare Home Care: Gardening Together

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So, you have arranged for eldercare home care for your loved one, but you really want to stay involved in his daily life. He is safe and he has someone who does activities with him, but you want to be there for your loved one as well. Well, spring is nearly upon us and, if your loved one once enjoyed gardening, why not turn the soil together?

eldercare home care

If your loved one once enjoyed gardening, why not turn the soil together?

Gardening is a healthful activity but it also can let some pleasurable memories surface. You and your loved one can reminisce as you work. How do you garden with someone who has some debilities and needs extra care? Here are some ideas to make spring gardening a great pastime for both of you.

As we age, our vision changes as the eye lens thickens. Distinguishing blues and greens is harder. We may not have good depth perception either. Paint all your gardening tools in bright colors. Make sure garden paths are well-marked and free of obstructions, too.

People generally lose strength and flexibility as they age. Now, before gardening season is here, raise flower beds to sitting-height and add substantial edges where your loved one can rest while working.

Remember that older people don’t adapt to temperature changes the way younger people do. Hats are a must, as are light jackets if it is cool. Take a spritzer bottle of water outside with you if it is hot and use it frequently on necks and faces. Be sure to take breaks with your loved one and drink lots of water.

If your loved one has a chronic illness or another condition that precludes his working outdoors, bring the garden indoors. Plant container gardens you can bring inside to work.

The important thing to remember is that this is an activity for the two of you to enjoy. Be consistent in your gardening visits and allow your loved one to take ownership of the project, planning what to plant and when to plant it if possible. It is important, however, to choose plants that don’t require a lot of care. When your lettuce or peas come in, be sure to have a victory meal and enjoy them together.

For more ideas on how to remain engaged with your elderly loved one, contact us. We’re here for both of you.

Elder Home Care Agency in AZ Embraces Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

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eldercare home care

Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks that are difficult for those undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.

Do you or someone you know suffer from colorectal cancer? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures, the disease negatively impacts the lives of more than 130,000 people each year. Subsequently, the United States government has once again set aside March 2015 as the month to remind people of the deadly disease and its consequences. As such, all of the people associated with our eldercare home care are embracing the initiative too.

Arizona residents diagnosed with colorectal cancer don’t have to go it alone. Our elder home care agency can provide comforting, important services to them while they undergo potentially lifesaving treatments, like radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. For example, all three treatments are known to drain a person of energy and leave them unable to complete basic tasks. Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks, like running errands, picking up the mail, washing the bed linens and preparing a bowl of soup.

We can also stay on after the treatments are over and provide additional, supportive care that colorectal cancer patients and their families may need. For instance, the person may want someone to walk with them as they build their strength back up. They may also crave someone to talk to, drive them to follow-up appointments, pick up colostomy supplies or just hold their hand at particularly rough times of the day.

To learn more about the wide variety of home care options available to elderly people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, please contact us at Endeavor Home Care today. All of our home caregivers are rigorously screened, trained, bonded and insured to meet Arizona’s regulatory standards. Plus, with our team, customized care plans are the norm, not the exception. So, Arizona’s families can rest easy that their loved ones will receive high-quality, individualized care year round.

Your Homecare Agency and You: Super Heroes

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homecare agency

The homecare agency depends upon your help and proper hearing and vision tests to keep your loved one happy and well.

You check in on your elderly loved on regularly, and you have arranged for  live-in care through a homecare agency. He loves the aide who fixes his meals, reads with him and takes him on outings and to appointments. You are confident he is taking his medications correctly and is well cared-for. Lately, though, you have noticed he seems confused when you take him out to eat or to other family get-togethers and you wonder if perhaps he needs a higher level of care. One question may give you the answer. Has your loved one had a vision and hearing evaluation recently? The homecare agency depends upon your help to keep your loved one happy and well. Together you are the superheroes that do what your loved one cannot do for himself.

Nearly half of all people 75 years old and over have some degree of Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. It is a gradual, progressive condition that affects both ears equally. The hearing loss may be more acute in crowds, and your loved one cannot communicate if he doesn’t hear the conversations. Hearing aids can greatly increase the hearing of most individuals, though they may have to be adjusted as the loss increases.  Vision, too, may change as we age. People over 65 are three times more likely than younger people to have impaired vision. Glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts are the greatest causes of vision loss in the elderly, and yet we sometimes forget to have our elderly loved ones examined regularly to make sure they are seeing and hearing well. The homecare agency depends upon your help to keep your loved one happy and well. If you believe your loved one cannot afford to get hearing aids or glasses, you can go to the website healthfinder.gov to find assistance programs.

Because we depend upon all our senses to keep us in touch with our environment, even minimal loss of vision and sight can disorient us. Hearing loss can affect balance and coordination, making  loved ones fearful of going outside. Studies show that losing those senses can also lead to cognitive difficulties, depression and anxiety.

So, the confusion your elderly loved one exhibits at family gatherings may be the result of poor hearing or sight. He may not be able to tell you what he is experiencing, and that is why regular examinations are important to your loved one’s quality of life. You have taken the step of getting live-in care to assure he is well cared for and has companionship; regular vision and hearing tests will assure you that he has the highest quality of life you can provide.

For more information on how you can help keep your loved one happy and healthy, contact us.

Finding the Best In-home Care For Your Loved One: Questions to Ask Potential Candidates

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home care

Make sure to ask the right questions when choosing a home care provider.

Choosing an in-home care provider for your loved one is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. You want to make sure you’re picking the right person for the job– someone you feel confident will provide your loved one with top-notch care. With this in mind, you’ll want to be thoroughly prepared before interviewing any potential caregiver candidates. Below we will list some questions you should consider asking when interviewing an in home care provider:

Why are you interested in this caregiving position? Open-ended questions like this one allow the candidate to give more information than a simple yes or no question. Of course, you’re hoping to hear that the candidate enjoys working with the elderly, or likes being in a nurturing role.

Do you have any caregiving experience? Ideally, the candidate will have previous in-home caregiving experience working with the elderly. However, you might also want to consider candidates who have other types of caregiving experience, such as nurses or nannies. You’ll want the candidate to demonstrate that he or she has previous experience in a nurturing role, if not a direct caregiving role.

Are you comfortable handling my loved one’s mental/emotional state? Of course, this isn’t relevant in every situation, but it’s important to ask up front if your loved one is suffering from dementia, depression, anxiety, or even just moodiness. Being up front about your loved one’s state of mind will help ensure that the caregiver you hire is comfortable handling tough situations.

I’ll be running background checks on all strong candidates. Is there anything I should know before running the check? You want candidates to know in advance that you’ll be running a background check. Invite them to disclose and explain any charges on their record prior to running the check.

What types of training or certifications do you have? It’s important to know if candidates have any caregivingcertifications. Consider asking specifically about CPR and first aid training.

Do you have any other jobs or responsibilities that might interfere with the designated working hours? You want to ensure that the candidate you hire is reliable and will always be there during working hours. Additionally, you might consider asking if the candidate is available to stay later occasionally, if you’re delayed in getting home.

Do you have a driver’s license and clean driving record? Chances are, an in home caregiver will need to drive your loved one to appointments from time to time. You want to be sure that the person you hire is a safe driver.

For additional information about interviewing an in home care provider, please contact us.

Home Health Care Services: Elder Depression, How To Help

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Home health care services may not be thought necessary if an elderly loved one simply seems uninterested in going out, or is listless. However, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression in retirees is “a major public health problem.” And, depression is a biological and medical–as well as a psychological–illness.

home health care services

Offering daily assistance to a depressed loved one can be incredibly helpful.

The WebMD describes depression’s commonness, and its symptoms:”Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older.” Seniors may complain of general aches and pains, and that they don’t sleep well, instead of the sadness and irritability typically attributed to depression.

Who is most at risk for depression? The WebMD lists seniors who are “female, single, lack a supportive social network,” and who have suffered “stressful life events.”–like the deaths of family and friends, or one’s own health problems.

White men ages 80 to 84 are more than twice as likely as any other demographic to commit suicide due to depression.

Older adults who’ve had strokes, cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, previous depression episodes, family histories of depression–and who are taking certain medications–are also more vulnerable to depression.

What can we do for older family members who’ve been diagnosed as “clinically depressed?” Try to help them past the stigma that seniors typically connect to mental health treatment. “Many doctors recommend the use of psychotherapy in combination with antidepressants,” explains the WebMD.  In addition, “most depressed people find that support from family and friends is helpful.”

Psychotherapy often nudges seniors to “mentally reframe” their current circumstances.  For example, the counselor may suggest, “Moving to a condo is not the most difficult change you’ve encountered. Think of the strength you mustered when you moved overseas for your husband’s job.”

If family members can’t offer daily assistance to older adults who need extra time and attention–or who want to get out of the house and shop, attend community functions or visit peers–please call contact us.  We can help mothers and fathers follow their medication and therapy schedules, and escort them to activities that will improve moods and brighten spirits!