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Brenda Critell
Assisting Angels Home Care

Here is a collection of “helpful” comments that caregivers hate to hear:

• “Wow, you look worn out!”"

Uh, this is what sleep deprivation plus worry plus fear look like, thanks. You’re gorgeous, too!

• “Oh my mom/sister/brother/grandfather had that, and it was awful!”

Hard to say which inspires more gorey stories, caregiving or childbirth. Which is ironic, considering that they both have sweet sides. I don’t need to be scared; I need to be empowered.

• “I don’t think that’s the way you’re supposed to do it…”

But I’m doing it. See?

• “I can tell you’re stressed…you’ve put on a little weight.”

Don’t. Tell. This. To. Anybody!

• “How long does he have left?”

Show me your magic wand and I’ll show you my crystal ball. Let’s change the subject to something less depressing.

• “Do you worry that you’ll get it too?”

Alzheimer’s/cancer/Parkinson’s/COPD/pneumonia/most diseases of old age aren’t contagious, like the flu. Let’s cope with one case at a time, please.

Heard any doozies yourself? Add to our list — or share how you respond to unhelpful comments.

 

The holidays can be especially difficult for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The constant stream of activities and changes in routine can be upsetting and exacerbate symptoms such as repetitive speech, paranoia and confusion. Here are a few tips and activities to help keep seniors with Alzheimer’s engaged in the holiday fun without becoming overwhelmed.

• Keep it low-key. While the holidays are a time for celebration, remember that too much noise and distraction can disturb people with Alzheimer’s. If opening presents is too much for the senior to take, try opening a few gifts at a time instead of all at once.

• Keep it small. Parties with lots of people and rambunctious children can create confusion. Instead, host small get-togethers stretched out over several days.

• Create a soothing atmosphere. Playing classic holiday music can create a soothing yet festive environment for seniors with Alzheimer’s.

• Stick to routines. Make sure to follow the senior’s daily routine as much as possible, allowing celebrations to fit into the daily schedule.

• Enjoy simple, repetitive activities together. Repetition, while tedious for most of us, can be soothing to those with cognitive impairments and can often invoke feelings of accomplishment and pride. Try stringing garlands with popcorn and cranberries, which can be hung outside for fun bird-watching. Creating paper chains or making orange and clove pomanders are also great activities.

Assisting Angels understands the needs of the frail as well as the hectic schedules the holiday season often demands. We can help coordinate home care services to give a family caregiver a needed break. We currently serve the Treasure Valley (southwest Idaho) and Magic Valley (south-central Idaho). Call us toll free at 855.860.7979 to learn more about how we can help.

Being a family caregiver is hard work, and like any difficult job, a break from the task every now and then is essential. Respite care allows for relief from the daily responsibilities of caring for someone who is ill, injured or frail. When a caregiver’s own needs for nurture, reassurance, support and respite are met, that is when caregiving is most effective and sustainable.

Here are a few basic tenets of respite care

• Respite from ongoing care responsibilities ensures loved ones still receive the attention they deserve.

• All approaches to respite care provide caregivers with care that is planned, temporary, intermittent and substitute.

• Time required for respite varies from part of one day to ongoing scheduled routine relief.

Although in-home respite care is the most typical and least disruptive type of respite care, it doesn’t always have to be at home. A family caregiver could experience some respite by bringing a senior to an adult day center once or twice a week. Respite care can also take place in a vacation setting.

Assisting Angels Home Care offers daily or weekly in-home care services and respite care to provide family members with some time off and peace of mind knowing that their family member is being well cared for. This allows for a more healthy family relationship and time for the caregiver to focus on his or her own personal needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist in Boise,  and the entire Treasure Valley, and Twin Falls and the entire Magic Valley.

When you are a family caregiver, it isn’t difficult to overlook that you need caring for as well. In order to be the best caregiver for your loved one, it is important to pay attention to your needs as well. Here are a few reminders to help empower yourself as a family caregiver:

 

• Believe in yourself: Trust your instincts. Usually they will lead you in the right direction.

 

• Protect your health: Your loved one’s wellbeing depends on it.

 

• Reach out for help: Family caregiving is a job for more than one person.

 

• Caregiving is a job, and respite breaks are something with which you deserve to reward yourself.

 

• If you are feeling depressed and without hope, don’t wait to get professional help.

 

• Learn about your loved one’s condition and find out how to effectively communicate with his or her doctors.

 

• Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.

 

• Grieve for what may be lost, but then allow yourself to dream new dreams.

 

• Seek support from other caregivers in your situation, whether that is through an in-person or online support group, or just coffee with friends. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.

Assisting Angels Home Care can provide in-home respite care for family caregivers when needed, including companionship, personal care and homemaking services. We can also help coordinate community resources and services, broadening the scope of care so that aging in the comfort of home can be a long-term sustainable option. Contact us today at 208.344.7979 in Boise, 208.733.2550 in Twin Falls, or call toll free at 855.860.7979 to learn more about how we can help.

 

Ric Elias had a front-row seat on Flight 1549, the plane that crash-landed in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009. What went through his mind as the doomed plane went down? At TED, he tells his story publicly for the first time.

 

I hope you get as much from this as I did. It really changes one’s perspective on life – what is important and what is not. Please enjoy this inspirational video clip.

Ric’s story here…

Elder care can be a difficult topic to discuss with aging parents, but it is important for adult children to know and understand their parents’ needs and wishes when it comes to their long-term care. When talking to your parents about their long-term care plans, there are some important questions you need to ask.

• What are your assets? It is important to establish roughly how much money your parents have in cash, investments, and Social Security when figuring the cost of care versus their savings.
• Do you anticipate needing financial support? Since the average life expectancy continues to lengthen, more and more people are outliving their retirement savings. Ask your parents whether they have enough to sustain them for he rest of their lives. If they do not, help them determine how much support they will need.
• What types of insurance do you have? Do you have adequate health, long-term care, and/or life insurance? Knowing how much your parents’ insurance covers can save time and money in the care planning process. Plus, if there are any gaps in their insurance plan, planning early can mean the difference between being eligible or not for certain policies.
• Who are your beneficiaries? If your parents have life insurance or 401(k) plans, note the heirs that are listed on their policies. Make sure their beneficiaries are updated before there are any questions of competency.
• Will you share your passwords and account numbers? Ask your parents for a copy of all important account numbers and passwords, along with the contact information for their financial advisers and lawyers. If they have a safety deposit box containing any valuables or estate plans, make sure you find out where the key is stored. This will make it easier to sort out their affairs in the event of sudden illness or death. If they are not comfortable disclosing this information with you, make sure that an estate and trust attorney or a family attorney has all the information needed.
• Have you assigned a power of attorney? Make sure your parents assign a power of attorney in the event of a medical emergency.
• Is your will up to date? If your parents do not yet have a will, urge them to draft one, regardless of how small their estate is. This will minimize the chances of any arguments that may arise regarding their possessions.

Because the subject of long-term elder care can be tricky, make sure to broach it with respect and compassion. Let your parents know that you want to help ensure they are well taken care of for the rest of their lives. Contact  Assisting Angels for help in long-term care planning for your loved ones.

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The choice to age at home is often the most comfortable for seniors and family members as it allows for health and companion care in the comfort and familiarity of the person’s own home and can often be more affordable than receiving long-term care in an assisted living facility. If you determine that aging at home is right for you, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different home care options available in order to choose the appropriate level of care.

• Respite Care. Oftentimes, family members will choose to care for their aging loved ones as much as they possibly can. When a family member needs a break or has to be out of town for an extended period of time, respite care services can be hired to allow for continued care. Community organizations, healthcare staffing services, or residential facilities may offer respite care services.

• Adult Day Services. Adult day services or eldercare programs provide vital socialization and activities for aging adults. Many adult day service programs provide transportation to services to help adults maintain an active and mentally engaging lifestyle.

• Home Care Services. Commonly, those who choose to age at home require personal daily assistance including bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating. Home care provides assistance with meal preparation and household chores as well as transportation, medication reminders and companionship.

• Home Health Care Services. Home health care includes skilled nursing services at home, along with help with medications and medical equipment and physical therapy.

At Assisting Angels, our experienced caregivers provide non-medical in-home care services for seniors in Boise, Idaho and the entire Treasure Valley area. Contact us today for more information.

Arguably, the most important aspect of planning for long-term care is understanding the costs of the care you will need. The MetLife 2010 Market Survey of Long-Term Care showed increased costs for nursing home, assisted living and adult day services, while home care costs were unchanged from 2009.

If you or your loved ones are leaning toward long-term care in a nursing or assisted living facility, it is extremely important to research the costs involved beforehand. According to a National Center for Health Statistics report, the average length of stay in a nursing home is not a few months, but 2.4 years. At an average daily rate of $229, the average nursing home stay costs over $200,000, making it virtually unaffordable for most Americans. In addition, Medicare covers a very limited amount of nursing home costs and not over an extended period of time.

In many cases, home care can be a more affordable option for people. Keep in mind that long-term care insurance, worker’s compensation and some armed services funding may cover private duty/private pay services at home.

According to the American Society on Aging, after age 65, a full 70% of Americans will need some form of long-term care. Many of the people who require long-term care don’t fully understand the risks and costs involved, and many assume that government programs will provide the care and assistance they need. Because of these common misconceptions, it is extremely important to understand and plan for your long-term care before it is needed.

What is long-term care?

Long-term care is the assistance needed when you are unable to provide self care due to a prolonged illness or disability. This type of care can range from daily home-based activities like bathing and dressing, to skilled medical care in a nursing or assisted living facility.

Why should you plan now?

Long-term care services are becoming a significant issue for baby boomers and their parents who are now in their 70s and 80s and will likely be facing many of the issues that require long-term care.

A first step in planning for your care should be to take stock of your abilities and needs through an assessment by a qualified professional who is familiar with solutions such as in-home care, alternative housing, payment and reimbursement options and local/regional resources.

Before the need for long-term care arises, make sure to take time to explore your care options and make the proper plans for your future care needs. Assisting Angels can help you with your plans. Contact us today.

Reading a book, watching television, writing a letter, preparing a meal…these seemingly simple activities can present major challenges on a daily basis for those suffering from low or reduced vision. Additionally, statistics for the frail elderly who are also visually impaired report an increased risk of depression. Unfortunately, one disturbing trend noted in recent years has been a tendency in our society to overlook or neglect the vision correction needs of elderly citizens.

Even though many people suffer from the effects of decreased vision (approximately one person in three has some form of vision-reducing eye disease by the age of 65) a loss of vision doesn’t need to mean sinking into depression or suffering a loss of independence. There are many ways to continue enjoying favorite hobbies and carry on with the daily activities of living, and low vision devices and outside assistance are readily available.

The most common causes of vision loss among the elderly are:

-       Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by the loss of central vision

-       Glaucoma, resulting in optic nerve damage and visual field loss

-       Cataracts, a common cause of vision impairment among the elderly where surgery is often effective in restoring vision

-       Diabetic retinopathy, which may be observed in the elderly at the time of diagnosis or during the first few years of diabetes

When trying to decide what kind of support would benefit the visually impaired person, it’s helpful to begin listing the day-to-day difficulties the person is experiencing. Make note of which difficulties are specifically related to vision loss, so as to better find appropriate solutions.

It is always important to keep a person’s feelings in mind when preparing to assist someone who is sight impaired.  People coping with vision loss may be battling a cacophony of fears, including a reduced sense of control over their lives, fear of decreased independence, loss of privacy, and concern that others may view them differently. Remaining sensitive to these fears rather than dismissing them will make a significant impact.

Enhancing independence can be as easy as simple home modifications that make activities safer and more convenient. Evaluating and modifying the home does not have to be expensive or difficult. The key things to keep in mind are to reduce clutter and pay special attention to the basic concepts of lighting, color and contrast. Many useful adaptations are as straightforward as installing more and brighter light bulbs, reducing glare, marking edges of steps with brightly colored tape and using innovative labeling techniques for everything from medications to clothing.

There are many useful specialty products for people who have low vision as well. These products can enhance a person’s independence through simple assistive means. Adaptive equipment can help make a telephone with large numbered buttons easier to dial, help one to manage finances through adapted wallets and large print check registers, or read favorite books with the help of compact electronic magnifiers.

Following are some informative links to aid people in coping with low vision.

• Assistive Products for Those with Vision Impairment
• Home Modifications for Persons with Vision Impairments
• Lighting Considerations for Persons with Low Vision