Companion Care at Home in Summerlin NV Archives

Are There Signs of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Seniors?

Posted on May 10, 2024 by ltcep2023

Humans are social beings, although the individual needs do vary in terms of how much socialization is right for each person. When aging adults aren’t getting enough social interaction, there are signs, even if they might seem a bit subtle. Family caregivers can stay alert for these indications, which then allows them to put solutions in place, like bringing in companion care at home to spend time with seniors.

Physical Signs

Sometimes physical signs are the easiest ones to spot in aging adults. Seniors might experience changes in appetite or weight loss that they didn’t intend. Unfortunately, changes in eating habits can quickly lead to malnutrition, so this needs to get addressed quickly. Other physical signs might include reduced energy levels or fatigue. Some seniors may also start to neglect their personal hygiene or their appearance might change.

Cognitive Signs

For some seniors, loneliness and social isolation cause cognitive symptoms. That might look like confusion or forgetfulness that have increased over time. Or seniors might have trouble concentrating, making decisions, or solving problems. Sometimes seniors don’t realize they’re not getting enough social engagement and start to worry that these signs are related to true memory problems or cognitive illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Resolving the emotional issues, like the loneliness, helps to reverse these symptoms.

Emotional Signs

Many aging adults experience the emotional symptoms of isolation and loneliness. Some of these look very much like depression, including persistent sadness, irritability, or mood swings. Seniors may also appear less interested in hobbies or activities that they usually love engaging in. These signs often appear because seniors are frustrated by how they’re feeling and how much they miss social interactions.

Tips for Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are already doing so much. In fact, it’s so easy to overlook some of these signs when family caregivers are balancing caring for seniors with other obligations, like a career and caring for others. Taking the time to regularly communicate with seniors and really stop to listen can help. Non-verbal cues may say a lot more than seniors will verbally, too. It can be tough for anyone to admit that they’re lonely and that they need more companionship.

Companion Care at Home Can Help

Home care services are a great way to offer seniors hands-on assistance with tasks. But if what seniors primarily need is companionship, then companion care at home is the better solution. Companion caregivers drop in to visit with aging adults, spending time with them engaging in hobbies, building meaningful connections, and just talking with seniors. This is a powerful way for seniors to get the emotional support and social engagement that they have been missing. These visits can happen on a timetable that suits the aging adult, making it convenient for them and their needs.

Recognizing that there’s something missing is the truly important first step in solving the problem of social isolation. Companion care at home offers personalized emotional and social support, helping seniors to reduce their loneliness and isolation and promoting a fulfilling life.

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.

Understanding Anosognosia

Posted on August 18, 2023September 1, 2023 by ltcep2023

Anosognosia is a complicated condition in which a person is unaware of or denies their illness or disability. Even though it is usually caused by nerve conditions like strokes, head injuries, and some mental illnesses, it can also happen to people with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to support seniors when this occurs. This can happen through having companion care at home and truly understanding what’s happening.

A Deeper Look at Anosognosia

In the case of Alzheimer’s-related Anosognosia, seniors may not realize their memory and thinking skills are worsening, even if there is objective evidence or feedback from others. This lack of acceptance can make it hard to deal with the changes that the disease brings. For example, seniors with Anosognosia caused by Alzheimer’s may refuse to get medical help, reject that they need help, or forget to take safety precautions.

It’s very important to tell the difference between Anosognosia and denial. Anosognosia is not just caused by ignorance or not trying hard enough. Instead, it is thought to be caused by changes in the brain’s nerve cells that come with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers aren’t sure what causes Anosognosia in Alzheimer’s, but a theory involves an issue with parts of the brain that are in charge of self-awareness and understanding.

Anosognosia can be upsetting, making giving seniors the right care and support difficult since they may refuse help or not realize their limits. Anosognosia can also be frustrating and upsetting for loved ones, who may struggle with how to support their loved ones best. With companion care at home, they can discuss their concerns openly, and the entire team can work toward a solution.

Healthcare workers and companion care at home use different methods to help people with Alzheimer’s deal with Anosognosia. Education and communication are two of the most important ways to help seniors understand their disease and how it affects their everyday lives. Companion care at home can also help them understand their limitations by giving them consistent comments in a kind and understanding way. Anosognosia can be hard to deal with, but getting help from the health care team and support groups can be very helpful.

Anosognosia Research

Researchers are also looking into ways to treat and help people with Alzheimer’s who have trouble remembering things. Techniques for cognitive rehabilitation, like reality orientation therapy and external cueing tactics, may help seniors understand their cognitive problems and become more self-aware. Also, pharmacological interventions that target specific brain parts involved in Anosognosia are being looked into, but more study is needed in this area.

When seniors have Alzheimer’s and Anosognosia, it can be hard for them and their loved ones to know how to help and care for them. It requires understanding, patience, and a personalized approach to support and care. Having companion care at home can help everyone with Alzheimer’s-related anosognosia deal with their condition and stay as healthy as possible by promoting education, communication, and using different strategies. Seniors and their loved ones who are concerned about the possibility of Anosognosia should talk with their medical providers.

Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22832-anosognosia#
https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/key-issues/anosognosia
https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-is-anosognosia

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.

What Can Your Senior Expect with Companion Care at Home?

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Craig Bass

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.

4 Ways to Help Your Senior Prevent Illness

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Craig Bass

Companion Care at Home in Summerlin NV

Food poisoning, skin infections, UTIs, and influenza are four of the most common infections in the elderly. It’s possible to reduce the risk through a few routines. If your dad is slowing down and having a harder time taking care of himself, these are the areas to help him with.

Home Cleanliness

Your dad’s home needs to be cleaned. If he struggles to wipe down faucets, doorknobs, counters, and sinks, someone else needs to clean these surfaces for him. Vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floor surfaces, and doing the laundry also help prevent the spread of germs.

Personal Care

If your dad cannot bathe without some assistance, make sure he has the help he needs. He might need support getting in and out of the shower, but he’s okay bathing himself. It could be that he cannot reach areas when he’s washing himself and needs help with lathering all of his body.

Arrange to have a professional caregiver helping him with personal care and grooming. If he needs help cleaning up after using the toilet, make sure someone is with him to help out.

Meal Preparation

Proper storage of raw foods is essential. When your dad purchases groceries, meats need to go into the refrigerator or freezer as soon as he’s home. They shouldn’t sit out on the counter for hours. If they are in the car for that long, make sure he has insulating grocery bags or a cooler with ice packs.

Once cooked, many dishes need to be consumed within two or three days. If leftovers don’t get eaten in that time frame, they should go into the freezer with a label explaining what the item is.

Check regularly for food recalls and safety issues. The FDA is a good place to start looking for these recalls. If your dad has an item that is part of a recall, remove it from his refrigerator, freezer, or cupboards and return it to the store for a refund.

He shouldn’t risk eating it unless the recall involves an allergen that won’t affect him. For example, some recalls are for products where the ingredients didn’t declare they contain nuts. If he has no nut allergy, he won’t have to worry.

Hire Companion Care Services to Help Him at Home

Choose companion care at home to ensure your dad doesn’t risk his health to an infection. With a caregiver helping with meal preparation, housework, laundry, and personal care, many common infections are avoidable.

Learn more about companion care at home by talking to a specialist in home care. Call and ask about prices, services, and schedules.

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.

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