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Tag: Aging in Place

What Are Some Common Issues Home Care Can Help Seniors Manage?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Daily life brings some big challenges for seniors, especially when their health begins to deteriorate. Fall risks, cognitive issues, mobility challenges, and more all bring difficulties that can make it tough for seniors to be as independent as they want to be. Those challenges also impact quality of life, affecting mental and emotional well-being. Home care providers can do a lot to address some of these challenges for aging adults.

Increased Fall Risk

Falling is a leading cause of hospitalization and injury for aging adults. As seniors age, their fall risks tend to increase as a result of health issues, cognitive changes, vision changes, and general safety concerns in their homes. If seniors do experience a fall, their risk of falling again increases dramatically, further complicating life. Having elder care providers there with them can ensure that these issues are addressed before they cause seniors to experience a fall.

Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline can occur for a variety of reasons, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These changes in how their brains function can impair judgment, memory, and decision-making abilities. Home care services offer support to seniors who are experiencing changes in how their brains work, making it easier for them to stay safe at home.

Sensory Changes

Seniors may not realize how much they depend on their senses, especially vision and hearing, until those senses start to change. Those changes have a huge impact on how well seniors are able to communicate and may cause them to start isolating themselves. Elder care services offer not only practical support, but also understanding companionship, which boosts quality of life significantly.

Mobility Difficulty

Mobility is another common challenge for seniors. Whether they’re experiencing changes to mobility because of illness or because of other issues, no longer being as mobile as they once were affects daily life. It also makes it difficult for seniors to keep living their lives the way they want to. Home care providers can help seniors to use assistive devices properly and keep them safe while assisting them with daily mobility.

Personal Care Challenges

Difficulty with tasks like dressing, grooming, and bathing might seem to be superficial, but it directly relates to hygiene. Personal care at home is there to offer compassionate assistance with these delicate tasks. Their help ensures that seniors can maintain their dignity while also remaining safe and comfortable.

Transportation Challenges

Driving limitations and lack of access to easy transportation can seriously limit quality of life for aging adults. They may find it impossible to get to vital appointments like meeting with their doctors and socializing becomes much more difficult. Elder care providers can do the driving, ensuring that seniors are safe and able to go wherever they want whenever they need to.

Home care services can be an essential part of ensuring that aging adults are able to face the challenges of growing older with dignity and independence. Some of these issues may continue to worsen over time, and home care is able to adjust and keep up with seniors and their changing needs.

Reference
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-growing-older-home

If you are considering home care in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

The Benefits of Intergenerational Living When Your Mom Has Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV
Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

Your mom has Alzheimer’s disease, which isn’t surprising given that 6.5 million Americans have dementia. But, it’s also a diagnosis that is going to cause some level of fear and sadness. As you start considering her elder care needs going forward, don’t miss the chance to use intergenerational living to provide her with the best possible support.

You Have a Family Care Team in Place

When you work full-time and your mom lives in your home, you could have children at home from college who are willing to share responsibilities watching her. It eases your stress.

One puts on movies and watches them with your mom until you’re back. Another child gives the first child breaks by taking your mom outside for walks or helping her tend her garden, all while making sure she goes back inside when she’s done.

With several people helping out, it lessens the work one family caregiver is doing. You all have time to step away and take breaks. Just make sure you’re not burdening your kids by putting too much responsibility on their shoulders.

Your Mom Has Different People to Socialize With

Some people with Alzheimer’s tend to shut down and not want to socialize. They limit socialization to a few people, but socialization is important. With a home filled with family members of varying ages, your mom has better opportunities to socialize.

As she spends time with you, your partner, your children, etc., she’ll have different interests to try. She might find she loves playing games with your kids or gardening with you. She might prefer to help your partner cook meals and set the table.

The more your mom is involved in daily life, the more it helps her retain some of her cognitive and fine motor skills. Keeping her active is important.

She May Have Moments Where She Responds Best to Others

Your mom argues with you and refuses to cooperate. She screams at you to go away and never come back. But, if your daughter walks in, your mom’s mood changes. She will do anything her granddaughter asks. That can become a big help as Alzheimer’s progresses.

You’ll Be There For Moments That Create Lasting Memories

From time to time, your mom will have vivid memories that you may never have heard of before. As her memories shift and narrow to specific decades, you’ll hear stories you never knew. Sometimes, a person with Alzheimer’s will remember childhood best or it might be the late teens and early adult years.

You’ll get to learn more about your mom as she shares these stories. If you can, record them to transcribe and share with others.

Rely on Elder Care for Respite Time for Your Family

Elder care services assist your entire family by being there when you need breaks. Learn more about the variety of elder care services, including respite care, that are available in your area.

Reference
https://care.nursing.wisc.edu/2022/03/03/our-house-the-benefits-of-intergenerational-housing/

If you are considering elder care in Las Vegas, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Home Care Helps Seniors Remain Safe and Healthy at Home

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care in Henderson NV
Home Care in Henderson NV

An AARP survey of people 50 or older found that 77% want to age in their current home. Your dad is one of them. He made it clear that he doesn’t want to move.

How do you balance his wishes with your peace of mind? You want him to be safe and healthy as he ages, but he’s not very good at remembering to take his medications, eat a balanced diet, or go for daily walks. Have you considered the value of home care?

His Home Is Clean and Organized

With a caregiver helping out, your dad’s home is cleaned each week. His caregiver can vacuum his carpets, dust, take out the trash, and do the laundry. Once a week, his caregiver can change his sheets and towels and make the bed with clean sheets. New towels are hung for him.

As his caregiver is cleaning his home, surfaces like counters and sinks are cleaned and sanitized. That lowers the risk of foodborne illnesses and the spread of viruses that could make your dad sick.

He’ll Never Forget a Dose of Medication

As your dad’s health changes, it’s normal for him to start needing to take medications. If his doctor determines he needs medication for high blood pressure, he can’t forget to take his pills each day. What if he does?

With a home care aide, your dad has someone to remind him when to take his pills. He also has someone to offer the guidance he needs on how to take them. He might have medications he has to take with milk, water, or a meal. His caregiver can also help him recognize the best time to order refills.

He Has Home-Cooked Meals

With your dad’s caregiver around each week, he’ll have at least one home-cooked meal, but you could make the arrangements to have someone cook meals for him every day. He’ll talk to his caregiver about the things he wants to eat, and they can shop for missing ingredients together.

He Gains a Companion

With home care services, your dad has a caregiver joining him each week. He won’t be as lonely or feel isolated when someone stops by as scheduled. It gives him something to look forward to.

When his caregiver is there, he has company for his daily walks. Your dad’s caregiver can accompany him to stores and when running errands. He won’t have to drive, which is often one of the things older adults hate giving up as they worry about becoming isolated.

Don’t let your dad struggle to complete his daily tasks. With home care aides there to remind him, cook his meals, and clean his home, he is safe and healthy. Call a home care agency to learn more about the prices and services in his area.

Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/home-and-community-preferences-survey.html

If you are considering home care in Henderson NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

How Do You Help Your Mom Maintain Her Confidence as She Ages?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Elder Care in Henderson NV
Elder Care in Henderson NV

What are your mom’s plans as she ages? Almost 90% of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 want to age at home. It’s not surprising if this is also your mom’s answer, but you have to make sure she is confident and secure while living alone. How do you help her achieve her goal?

Assess Her Home’s Layout and Safety

Go through your mom’s home and address any safety issues that will lower her confidence to live alone. She may benefit from a medic alert system, brighter lighting, more floor space to accompany her cane or walker, or a better kitchen layout that makes it easy for her to reach certain small appliances.

Find Out What Health Issues She’s Facing

How is your mom’s health? If she has any chronic health conditions, she needs to be eating the right foods, taking her medications, and getting the amount of exercise recommended by her physician. If she has a hard time with any of that, it’s time for her to have someone available to remind her.

She may need to see a physical therapist each week. Or, she may need to go to her doctor’s office for frequent blood tests or health checks. Make sure she has the support she needs to do all of this.

See Where She Feels She Needs Help

Ask your mom where she has the hardest time. She may struggle to prepare meals for one after so many years of cooking for a family. If that’s an area she struggles with, find the best ways to help her. She might still want to cook and benefit from meal subscription boxes. She may be sick of cooking and enjoy the thoughts of someone taking over.

Is she lacking confidence in going to the basement laundry room? Does she have a garage laundry area, but she’s scared going down those stairs as the garage is dimly lit and there’s no rail? Some of her concerns can be addressed by adding brighter lights and rails.

Does she feel confident walking outside without someone with her? How about vacuuming her stairs or carrying a vacuum to her bedroom? All of these areas may be problems for her.

Does She Feel Unsafe When Driving?

Is she less confident driving now? If she finds it hard to react as quickly to sudden obstacles in the road, it’s time for her to let someone else drive.

She can have someone drive her to her appointments and area stores. If she has errands to run, someone can join her. The inability to drive doesn’t mean she’s stuck at home. Make sure she knows that.

Arrange elder care services to ensure your mom is confident and secure, even if she lives alone. Her elder care aide is there to provide just enough support without making your mom feel like she’s become useless in her home. A caregiver helps your mom age confidently and enjoy her independence.

Sources:
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/older-adults-preparedness-age-place

If you are considering elder care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Your Elderly Mom is Hoarding. What Do You Do?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care Assistance in Henderson NV
Home Care Assistance in Henderson NV

Caring for an elderly parent is never easy, and you may face challenges you did not expect to face. Elderly loved ones may hoard or cherish things that belong in the trash. However, you can’t just go through your seniors home and start throwing things away. Hoarding is a disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of items, often considered to be of little or no value, and difficulty in discarding these items, even if they are no longer of use or have no sentimental value. And believe it or not, this is a real disorder and needs to be handled with care.

Home care assistance may not want to help your parents when their living situations are too dangerous. It can put the caregivers in a dangerous situation and impact how well home care assistance gives professional care. So, before you have anyone else in the house, it is crucial to go through the house with your senior and eliminate anything unnecessary. However, this isn’t always so simple, so here are some tips to help you start.

Understand the Why?

There are so many reasons why a senior would hoard things, and some of them may surprise you. Understanding what your loved one holds value to them can help you go through their stuff easier than if you don’t understand the why. Some things may provide a senior a sense of comfort and security that other things do not give them. Also, hoarding can be a way to cope with the signs of aging because it provides them with some form of control.

Can Hoarding Be Medically Treated?

When you think of treatments, you automatically assume a doctor needs to diagnose your mom or dad, and then they get medication. That may not be fully true. A senior can go to a doctor, and the underlying condition may be treated to help the hoarding indirectly. However, there is no magical cure for physical things, which is something you should keep in mind. They also may need to see a therapist on top of a doctor to figure out any mental illnesses and to work on them for mental health.

How to Help a Hoarder?

The first thing you need to do is sit and talk to them. When you understand what they are and are unwilling to give up, you can create a plan. Explain that you’d first like to get rid of the trash they don’t need and let the senior help you! This is their house, and they should always get the final say. You may be surprised that a lot of the trash is still there because a senior didn’t have the means or any way to get rid of the stuff they held onto.

Always keep your seniors involved with the plan. For example, if they have a box of stuffed animals, encourage them to donate or even give to the dementia ward in a hospital! Finding ways to offload stuff in a meaningful way will help your senior feel good about getting rid of the stuff. But remember you should be listening to all of their feelings as the plan progresses.

If you are considering home care assistance in Henderson, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

How Do You Care For Your Parent Without Taking Over?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Senior Home Care in Henderson NV
Senior Home Care in Henderson NV

You’re the main family caregiver in your household, and your dad’s mobility is changing. He needs help, and you’re in a good position to help out. How do you help your dad out without taking over? Here are a few ways to support your dad without becoming the parent, and how senior home care can help.

Talk to Him and Establish a Care Plan

Be upfront with your dad and talk about his need for care with his desire to also remain independent in his home. Make sure he knows that you want to ensure this is possible.

By involving your dad in his care plan, he’ll feel that he’s making the decision. That ensures he feels at ease when you do have to help him. That’s the ultimate goal. You want him to be comfortable with asking for help.

Ask His Doctor For Guidance

What are your dad’s health concerns? His health has to take priority, so you need to make sure you know what his doctor says he needs to do each day. Does he have medications to take? Does he take them on time and the right way?

Ask your dad’s doctor about the things he’s supposed to do each day, whether it’s exercise, diet, or pills. Take notes and verify with your dad that he is prioritizing his health. If he needs help remembering to take his pills, shop for low-sodium foods, or walk every day, make sure you help him.

Let Your Dad Try First

Let your dad try first and then step in and help out if he can’t do something. Let him ask when he needs assistance. For example, he needs to change his sheets. If he wants to do it, let him try and help out only when he asks.

Or, he wants to make soup for dinner but he has a hard time chopping vegetables due to arthritis in the joints. You could prep the ingredients for him and let him do the rest.

Accept Criticism Without Getting Defensive

When your dad criticizes how you did something, don’t get defensive. What he says may upset you, but don’t get defensive. If you do, the situation may only escalate into a big argument. If possible, consider what he said and see what is feasible to change to make him happier.

Bring In Senior Home Care to Offer the Care He Needs

Are you finding your dad is argumentative and uncooperative when you’re trying to help out? This is more common than you might think. He may not be comfortable having his child help out. Hire senior home care aides to assist him.

Senior home care aides are there to ensure your dad maintains his independence, so he’ll feel that he’s in control. That makes him happier and eases your stress. Talk to a senior home care specialist to learn more.

If you are considering senior home care in Henderson, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Does In-Home Care Really Boost Your Mom’s Independence?

Posted on by Craig Bass
In-Home Care in Las Vegas NV
In-Home Care in Las Vegas NV

Independence is critical to older adults. They do not want to feel like they’re a burden on their families, and moving into a retirement community isn’t always a desirable option. Have you considered how in-home care can boost your mom’s independence?

She’s Able to Shower and Dress With Ease

Your mom may have a hard time showering and dressing, but her caregiver can help her. Her caregiver is there to help her choose an outfit that suits the weather forecast. Her caregiver helps her get dried off completely and can assist with moisturizer if needed.

Your mom has help buttoning her shirt and pants, zipping zippers, and tying shoes. She won’t have shoelaces to trip on or be partially dressed because her fingers can’t manipulate the small buttons and fasteners.

She No Longer Struggles

When your mom has in-home care aides helping out, she no longer has to struggle to complete her daily tasks. Her caregivers can clean her home, doing only the cleaning chores your mom cannot do on her own. They can cook meals, do the laundry, change the sheets, and sweep or vacuum floors.

Her caregivers are also able to accompany your mom on walks, get her mail, and help her organize the junk mail from the bills. If she needs help remembering to pay bills on time, deposit checks, or dispute a bill, her caregiver can help. Caregivers can also remind her when it’s time to take her prescription medications.

She Has Friends

How social is your mom? Some older adults are simply unlikely to socialize as friends have moved to other states seeking warmer weather. Your mom’s caregivers become family friends. She has people around to talk to each week. If she likes having company while she watches a movie, she has it. If she wants a caregiver to play cards with, that’s an option.

When your mom has caregivers stopping by each week or every day, her social circle grows. It helps her socialize more. As she socializes, she’ll gain confidence, which may make her more likely to explore options like volunteering and joining community groups.

Her Caregiver Does the Driving

Your mom isn’t supposed to drive anymore, but her caregiver can. This enables your mom to get out of the house as often as she needs. Her caregiver can bring her to her appointments and wait in the waiting room with her. Her caregiver can take her shopping and help her run errands. If your mom wants to go on a scenic drive, she just needs to ask.

Learn More About In-Home Care

It’s time to make the arrangements your mom needs to maintain her independence. Talk to an in-home care specialist about your mom’s home life, health issues, and care needs. You’ll get answers regarding prices and schedules.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/keeping-seniors-safe-in-their-own-homes

If you are considering in-home care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

What Can Your Senior Expect with Companion Care at Home?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Companion Care at Home in Summerlin NV
Companion Care at Home in Summerlin NV

There are lots of different types of caregiving assistance available, including companion care at home. This type of care offers your senior the chance to build a relationship with friendly caregivers who are able to spend time with her talking or engaging in a variety of activities. For many seniors, this type of care is really beneficial. But what can your senior expect when you sign her up for this caregiving experience?

General Conversation and Companionship

Having someone to talk to for a couple of hours, even just once a week, can do so much for your elderly family member and her emotional well-being. Often seniors find that they are spending more and more time at home on their own, without as much contact with other people as they might have had in the past. This can lead to isolation, which can be a big emotional problem for your senior.

Social Engagement During Meals

Some aging adults find that it’s a lot more difficult to eat alone than it used to be. Having someone there with her during meals can ensure that your senior is eating regular meals and that she’s getting the nutrients that she needs. Just that one change can make a big difference for your senior’s overall well-being.

Encounters that Boost Quality of Life

Companionship does a lot to just enhance your senior’s overall quality of life. Social interactions seem to be light and inconsequential on the surface, but they meet some deep needs that every person has. When caregivers stop by and offer a friendly ear to your elderly family member, they’re helping to meet those needs and boost your senior’s quality of life.

Partnership During Recreational Activities

If your elderly family member enjoys activities like playing cards or board games, she might find that they’re a lot more enjoyable when she has someone there with her. Caregivers are able to spend time with your senior, help her to set up and play games, engage in crafting activities, or offer countless other types of support during recreational activities. This is also a great way to ensure that your senior is getting this type of cognitive enrichment.

Updates to Family Members

It’s also really important that you and other family members are getting accurate information about how she’s doing. This is even more crucial if no one lives near your senior to see what life is like for her firsthand. Companion care at home can help you to stay informed about what is happening so that you can make accurate decisions based on facts instead of guessing.
Every senior’s experience with companion-based caregiving is going to be different because every person’s needs are different. If your elderly family member does need a little more hands-on help, home care may be a better fit. Your elderly family member still gets the benefits of having someone there with her, but she also has the support that she needs in order to have a safe and happy life as she ages in place.

Reference
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/making-home-care-work

If you are considering companion care at home in Summerlin, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Can You Really Help Your Senior to Maintain Her Independence?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care Assistance in Summerlin NV
Home Care Assistance in Summerlin NV

What does independence mean for your aging adult? That might be a question that you and she need to sit down and answer together. As your elderly family member grows older, she may fear that she’s losing more of her independence every day. This fear can cause her to become hyper-independent, making decisions that can lead to dangerous situations for her. But can you really help your elderly family member to maintain her independence?

Answer Safety Questions First

Anything that compromises your elderly family member’s safety is automatically a threat to her independence. Working with home care assistance can help your elderly family member to ensure that she’s addressing safety concerns before they become emergencies. Knowing that your senior has help available for safety issues helps you to feel more secure as well.

Increase Physical Activity

If your elderly family member is finding that she’s moving less and less than she used to, she may want to talk with her doctor about how much physical activity is okay for her. By becoming more active, your elderly family member increases her strength, her endurance, and her ability to remain as independent as she can. The key to sticking with any movement plan involves finding a physical activity that your senior enjoys doing so that she wants to keep going.

Keep Your Senior Socially Engaged

Social engagement is another key component of keeping your senior as independent as possible. As she grows older, it may be more difficult for her to stay as socially active as she used to be. Finding ways to make that easier for your senior to do on her own terms is essential. Elder care professionals can offer hands-on help while also making socializing easier and offering companionship themselves.

Help Her to Keep Her Brain Active

Finding ways to keep your senior’s brain firing also helps to preserve her independence. You can accomplish this goal in any number of different ways ranging from taking classes to reading more, playing games with friends, and staying social. Whatever keeps your elderly family member’s brain engaged is good for her, so find ways to incorporate more of those things into her daily life as much as possible.

Establish Routines That Support Your Senior’s Needs

Everyone has routines, even when they don’t realize they do. Your elderly family member may need to pay more conscious attention to routines as she grows older. Doing so is going to help her to hit all of her goals and targets, which is an important part of maintaining her independence. Home care assistance can be a crucial part of establishing and sticking with routines for your senior.

Remember that independence does not have to mean that your senior always does everything completely by herself. No one is completely independent, and that is true for your elderly family member, too. Having the help that she needs, when she needs it, is one of the biggest ways to help her to keep her independence for as long as possible.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/news/20220413/americans-over-50-want-to-age-in-place-at-home-but-many-arent-prepared-poll

If you are considering home care assistance in Summerlin, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

How Valuable Can Home Care Be for Your Senior?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care in Las Vegas NV
Home Care in Las Vegas NV

Home care is an essential service designed to help older adults age at home without risking their safety. It includes services that ensure the things your mom needs to do every day aren’t overlooked. Have you ever thought about the value of home care?

Your Mom’s Home is Clean and Organized

As her mobility changes, your mom is doing some routine household chores less often. She used to sweep her dog’s crumbs and fur each day, but now she’s waiting a week or two. You often do it when you’re there just to make sure it gets done.

Caregivers can dust, vacuum, and disinfect surfaces. They can water her plants, take out the trash and recyclables, and organize the mail. Her caregivers can also change her dirty sheets, make the bed with new ones, and do the laundry. Once clothing and items are clean and dry. They’re folded and put away, too.

Meals Are Prepared for Her

A recent news article came out stating that frozen pizzas are one of the worst dinners for people. The sugar content in the pizza sauce, processed ingredients in the crust, fat in the cheese and meats, and nitrates in items like pepperoni and sausage make it a poor choice. Yet, older adults also find pizza is a very easy food to make on their own.

If your mom has a hard time cooking meals for one and relies on frozen dinners, pizzas, and canned soup, it’s time to address her eating habits. Find out what she’d like to eat and arrange to have a home care aide make these meals each week. Caregivers can also plan her menu, take your mom shopping, and put groceries away.

Your Mom Isn’t Alone

Your mom often complains about feeling isolated and lonely. With her friends all moved to different areas to be closer to family, your mom’s social circle is non-existent. She relies on you and your sister to keep her company, but you both have jobs and families of your own.

Instead of leaving your mom alone all week, have home care aides stopping by to keep her company. While there, her caregiver can clean her home, cook meals, do the laundry, or take her out.

Your Mom Has Help Running Errands

Grocery shopping, post office trips, and pharmacy visits are hard to do for some people, and with your mom’s changing vision, they’re impossible. She can’t read paperwork, nutritional labels, or other important documents without help. A home care aide can join her and read forms aloud when needed.

Now that you see how home care helps your mom maintain her independence while aging, make sure she has the help she needs. Caregivers can support her by offering rides to stores, cooking meals for her, or cleaning her home. Talk to a home care specialist to get prices and a list of services in your mom’s town.

If you are considering home care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.