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Lean In to Caregivers: Elder Care Tips & Tools

When caring for the elderly in places like assisted living facilities there are some techniques available to make the job more enjoyable for caregiver as well as resident. Taking the time to listen and understand how the resident feels about their independence as well as the care they expect can help. When finding an ideal place for a loved one that is elderly it can be wise to visit a chosen facility at different times of the day. As with all places of work there are different things happening on different shifts and familiarizing oneself to each may be beneficial. Several other tips and tools can be found within the blog written here.

Key Takeaways:

  • The best way to get a realistic idea of the quality of care being provided to your loved one is to change up your visit times so you get to experience the facility at different times of day
  • Stylize your approach so that the senior citizen remains as independent and empowered as his or her situation allows
  • Reach out to Elder Care Resource planning and/or the Area Agency on Aging locale closest to you in order to take advantage of professional assistance

“Few people want to be a burden on anyone—particularly family and friends—and they’ll go to great lengths to avoid accepting or asking for help (even if they know they need it).”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/2017/3/23/lean-in-to-caregivers-elder-care-tips-tools

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Considering Independent Living? Consider the Benefits.

Loved ones who care for seniors or seniors themselves may be searching for options when it comes to senior living facilities. While the first option many people go to is either a nursing home or assisted living facility, it is important to explore the benefits of independent living. Independent living allows individuals to have the independence that they still desire, while still having access to care resources that they may need as time goes on.

Key Takeaways:

  • In independent living environments, basic maintenance and upkeep concerns are tended to by others, so senior citizens do not have to shoulder the burden of tasks like raking leaves or making repairs
  • The active social connections and engagement facilitated by independent living setups is not only beneficial to emotional and mental well being, but will lead to greater health physically too
  • Most independent living environments come with ample perks and amenities included as part of the overall package, which give the communities a vacation-like feel

“Today’s senior living communities can vary from quaint and home-like to large and luxurious, but they all have the same goal in mind: to provide a social, healthy place for active seniors to live.”

Read more: http://michelleseitzer.com/eldercareandwritingblog/2017/9/14/benefits-of-an-independent-living-community

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What to Keep Store and Discard When Helping Downsize a Parent’s Home

You want to allow yourself ample time when it comes to decluttering your parent’s home. Try to start downsizing within six months to a year before the actual move in order to give yourself a decent amount of time. Get rid of things like unnecessary paperwork that takes up space, and clothes that haven’t been worn in a long time. Family heirlooms and things your loved ones may have liked to collect are a good idea to store in reliable spaces.

Key Takeaways:

  • Always store important paperwork, and when packing it away, label it with something that says “open first” so that others know it contains important material.
  • A good way to make the process less overwhelming is by sticking to moving just your loved one and their essentials at first, going back to the rest a bit later.
  • Make the time meaningful by asking your loved ones about the possessions and the stories behind them in order to make the situation as fun and comfortable as possible.

“If it’s possible, start decluttering six months or even a year before the move. Shred old canceled checks and other unnecessary paperwork. Donate clothes not being worn. Pare down kitchen items, especially if your parent is moving into a residence that serves meals.”

Read more: https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2017/09/what-to-keep-store-discard-when-helping-downsize-parents-home/

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Busting Senior-Care Myths: Assisted Living Costs Too Much

When a family is in the process of picking out an assisted living facility for their elderly loved ones, they run the risk of encountering many of the popular myths that always seem to circulate by word of mouth or otherwise. Above all else, the number one myth is the idea that assisted living is too costly an option to consider for people who have grown too old or frail to care for themselves on their own. The cost of assisted living facilities will vary from one place to the next, but the median cost is under $4,000. Also, contrary to popular belief, costs are not skyrocketing. In reality, paying for assisted living could actually end up saving a family money in the long run.

Key Takeaways:

  • Assisted living costs vary from place to place, with Alaska costing the highest amounts and Texas costing the lowest overall.
  • While assisted living may seem costly for some, it is important to note that hiring someone for full-time in home care is a lot more expensive.
  • Insurance policies, including state ones like Medicaid, will often pay the full costs of moving a loved one into an assisted living facility.

“At the top of our myth list is the common notion that assisted living costs too much to be practical for people who can no longer live alone safely.”

Read more: https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2019/02/busting-senior-care-myths-assisted-living-costs-too-much/

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Shedding New Light On Hospice Care: No Need To Wait For The ‘Brink Of Death’

Hospice care is oftentimes the most important step when it comes to people knowing that their loved ones are being properly cared for with compassionate and quality care in the last stages of their lives. It is important for people to realize that hospice is not to be looked to as a last resort for those facing an untimely death, but it is more of a place for individuals to go in order to seek out ways to improve their quality of life in their last days.

Key Takeaways:

  • The main goal is specifically to ensure that the patient’s last few days, months, or years on earth are as fulfilling as possible.
  • Many people have the misconception that hospice is just a place to die, when many patients are actually sent home because their lifespan widens.
  • Self-referrals are absolutely allowed, whether it be inpatient or outpatient. You have the ability to seek out your own provider or facility.

“In fact, hospice care in Mesa, AZ often makes a considerable difference for those with months to live.”

Read more: http://khn.org/news/shedding-new-light-on-hospice-care-no-need-to-wait-for-the-brink-of-death/

Contact us today at 480-498-2324 to learn more about hospice care Mesa, AZ and the surrounding areas rely on for senior loved ones.

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How Tech Supports a New Concept of Seniors’ Wellness

Technology is making senior citizens of the United States healthier, with wearable fitness technology making it easier to keep track of the exercise seniors get on a daily basis. A lot of seniors can’t exercise like younger people do. Active aging is the concept of seniors taking action to do more around the house so they can function better on a daily basis, using what’s called a “24-hour activity cycle.” Wearable fitness tech is used to track how effective programs that use active aging, and these programs increase life expectancy by about 3 years on average.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Fitbit tracker can be a training tool for a younger person, but it can have age appropriate benefits for seniors as well.
  • A Director of mobility at Stanford U., Center of Longevity, has been studying the impact of physical movement on health, using trackers, like Fitbit.
  • Seniors can achieve wellness goals through small daily activities, chores, walks, that happen in a 24 hour period.

“Data from wearable fitness devices can show the improvement in physical health of the resident.”

Read more: https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/05/tech-supports-new-concept-seniors-wellness/

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Getting to Know Nursing Homes: Some Facts & Myths

Many of us find ourselves in situations where our loved ones have to be put into nursing homes in order to receive round-the-clock care that we are not presently capable of giving them. While many people feed into myths such as nursing homes being equivalent as hospitals, they are actually comfortable living facilities where residents are surrounded by well-trained staff at all hours of the day in order to meet their needs in any way possible.

Key Takeaways:

  • It is important that once you find a reputable nursing home, you make frequent visits and keep in touch regularly with the staff.
  • Many people assume that all nursing homes are involved in some level of mistreatment of patients, but that is not true for every nursing home.
  • It is important to take a tour around the facility and ask as many questions as you can think of in order to familiarize yourself.

“A nursing home is not a hospital, as it often mistaken for, but does have medically trained staff available 24 hours a day.”

Read more: http://www.insideeldercare.com/assisted-living/getting-to-know-nursing-homes-some-facts-myths/

preferred home care for seniors

Three Ways Senior Living Can Customize The Dining Experience

Senior Housing has for some become quite bland. In an effort to attract new Seniors the living conditions are evolving. With so many baby boomers getting close to this age range it is becoming more and more evident that styles must change. Offering new seating arrangements or even a wine program. Wine can be offered at discounted rates and be exclusive to the Housing that is providing it. It is these changes that may make Senior Housing more appealing for many.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senior housing must cater to the more sophisticated palates of baby boomers if they want to attract this demographic.
  • Some senior housing facilities have gone as far as to commission private wine labels and design destination restaurants.
  • The key is to offer options, be it in cuisine, wine, seating or even movable demonstration kitchens.

“As the senior housing population changes and providers make way for the resident of the future, many operators are focusing on amenities to attract this new resident.”

Read more: https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/08/16/three-ways-senior-living-can-customize-dining-experience/

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Tips to Make Senior Healthcare More Personalized

In an ideal world, medical care would revolve around you and your own preferences, following your specific needs and wishes – fitting into your itinerary and routine, unhindered by issues such as an unwavering health care provider who sees health care options in black and white. Reality is far from perfect though, and the majority of us often tend to submit to doctors’ orders with no concept that there may be a better-suited alternative, especially when it comes to senior healthcare.

With some education, however, patients can, believe it or not, take a more proactive stance for their healthcare. Known as “person-centered care,” it involves physicians working together with patients and any other members of the family or care providers they determine, taking into consideration the patient’s preferences, values and goals, and using that information as a guide throughout all facets of care.

There are many handy steps we can all take to reach a more individualized level of care:

  • Think through your healthcare goals, and write this information down to discuss with your medical doctors. And, ask that medical personnel integrate these goals into your health records.
  • Become well-informed in your medical conditions and needs, and ways in which they’re having an effect on your everyday life. For instance, are you suffering from challenges with any sort of routine activities of daily living, like taking showers or dressing? Are you struggling with certain types of movements, like lifting or bending? A good assessment tool is available here.
  • Be sure that discussions with medical professionals are two-sided. Fully engage in a dialogue to make sure your concerns are addressed and that you are aware of any potential complications or any other risks of treatment recommendations.
  • If you have multiple physicians (for example, a primary care doctor and one or more specialists in a variety of practices), confirm that communication is happening among all. This could include requesting that documentation be shared between providers, and then following up to ensure that’s been carried out.
  • Involve a trusted member of the family, friend, or professional in home caregiver, such as Endeavor Home Care provides, in all healthcare appointments. Having someone around to jot down notes, answers to questions, and any other relevant information helps make sure that nothing falls through the cracks.

To get more tips, and for a partner in care to help ensure older adults and their loved ones have a voice in their healthcare needs, contact Endeavor Home Care, Arizona’s best home care agency. We can provide accompanied transportation to treatments and appointments, pick up prescription medications and run other errands, prepare healthy meals, and so much more for your senior loved ones in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas. Call us at (480) 535-6800 for assistance.

dangers of dementia

The Dangers of Dementia – When a Loved One Breaks the Law

It may seem astounding – a sweet, elderly, occasionally baffled grandmother with dementia being handcuffed and placed under arrest. But nevertheless, that very scene is occurring at an alarming rate among seniors, more than 100,000 of them, according to the current data – an increase of roughly 30% in the past decade. This dramatic increase in arrests of the elderly might be partially because of the increase in the population of the elderly, as well as the increase in medical diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Along with the anxiety and aggression that can come with Alzheimer’s, as well as other erratic behaviors that might require police intervention, one solution lies in education. Dr. Brie Williams, geriatrician and director of the University of California, San Francisco’s Criminal Justice Aging Project, highlights the necessity for more effective police responses to dementia-induced actions. In short, this involves identifying the answer to, “Is there a medical reason behind engaging in what’s normally regarded as criminal behavior?”

And in addition to criminal concerns, some other situations concerning older adults with dementia are more often requiring law enforcement to step in, such as people with Alzheimer’s wandering off and getting lost, or being asked to check up on the elderly at the request of worried members of the family, neighbors, friends, or medical personnel.

Thankfully, the San Francisco Police Department has taken measures to make certain its law enforcement team is coached in appropriate intervention methods, as well as given helpful information on beneficial services and local resources to help the elderly and lessen the dangers of dementia. With other law enforcement departments nationwide expressing interest in implementing the same programs, the hope is that increased empathy and understanding of dementia will help people better support individuals in desperate need of specialized care to live more full, productive and undisruptive lives.

For professional Alzheimer’s and dementia care, guidelines, and resources, contact the Scottsdale home care experts at Endeavor Home Care. Our fully trained and experienced professional dementia care team delivers patient, consistent care that brings comfort to family caregivers, keeping their loved ones safe at home, helping them engage in mentally stimulating pursuits and physical activity as appropriate, and taking care of daily tasks that require assistance. Beginning with the creation of a customized care plan, that plan is then implemented and adjusted ongoing as needs change. Serving Scottsdale and the surrounding area, call us at (480) 535-6800 to learn more.