Tag: Assisted Living

Here’s How You Can Find Quality Senior Care When the Time Is Right

May 3, 2023 / admin / 0 Comments

We understand how difficult it is to choose a senior living home or care provider for a loved one. Luckily, we are here to guide you. Here is a resource guide that will help you find practical tools for evaluating options and advice on knowing when “it’s the right time”. Continue reading to learn more!

Here’s How to Manage Difficult Emotions Around Senior Care

It can be extremely difficult and you may be fraught with emotions when you have to decide on your options for senior living homes or in-home care. Here are some of the main contributors to the stress that many caregivers experience:

You will witness a decline in your loved one’s health.
You will see your loved one struggling to maintain independence after they’ve lost a spouse or partner.
You are feeling the strain of balancing your career and family while being a caregiver.

Are you the primary caregiver for a parent or older relative? Then you must also be wrestling with guilt, grief, feelings of inadequacy, or even burnout – especially if you’ve been taking care of the person for a long time.

Being aware of and processing complicated feelings and emotions can be very important. It can help you shape the entire experience. Some tips you can follow to help include:

You can talk to a trusted friend, relative, mentor, or therapist.
You can seek professional support online or in-person.

Signs Your Loved One Needs Support

Apart from dealing with the emotions on your end, keep an eye out for things that may signal a parent’s or relative’s need for support. Some signs may be subtle, however, other times they are quite obvious and can include:

The lack of organization or forgetfulness such as piles of unopened mail or unpaid bills.
The lack of energy or inability to maintain their daily chores and errands such as cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.
Your elderly loved one failing to take their required medications or seek medical help.
Not enjoying or partaking in their usual activities.

Top Steps for Finding Care

Here’s a checklist that you can follow to find the right housing or in-home care once you’ve determined the type of support your loved one needs:

You can start your research online.
You can also consider referrals from friends or peers who have relied on those services.
Try making a list of three to five home care agencies or senior living communities and make appointments for consultations.
You can also interview prospective caregivers or take an in-person tour of the facilities.
Ensure that you are asking as many questions as you can while taking into account your elderly loved one’s needs and requirements.
Make sure to have a proper discussion with your family in order to take their considerations into mind and to make the right choices.

Conclusion

We hope the above-provided guide will help you make the right decision. At Home Instead Senior Care, our CAREGivers are professionally trained to care for your loved ones. With proper care and assistance, our team will ensure your loved ones are active and mentally stimulated so they can enjoy life to the fullest. Call us at (910) 421-2572 for further information.

Coping with Alzheimer’s

November 15, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Alzheimer’s is a terminal illness that shakes families to their core, leaving people wondering how to help their loved ones. This overwhelming diagnosis might make you feel hopeless at first, but the truth is, there are ways to make day-to-day life less of a struggle with senior care. To learn more about how people cope with the disease, read this blog post.

Symptoms

Those who have Alzheimer’s disease exhibit a number of symptoms including: a shorter attention span, trouble recognizing objects they once knew, making choices, and communicating with others. Alzheimer’s sufferers also tend to lose their coordination and physical strength. All these symptoms make it challenging for the sufferer to navigate their own homes, which is why preventative measures must be taken. The disease cripples people’s confidence in themselves, but there are many ways to ease the burden on a daily basis.

Safety First

If your loved one has a caregiver, they can perform safety checks around the home to ensure patients’ safety among their surroundings. There are several general safety precautions that you can take to keep the home ready for anything. First, you should always have emergency contact information handy in each room, so you can be prepared for anything. Because many Alzheimer’s patients wander, another important safety suggestion is to install enough lighting throughout the house to ensure they can navigate safely. Rugs, extension cords, and clutter may pose a dangerous tripping risk, so the clearer the hallways, the better. Another important thing to consider is using childproof locking systems on cabinets that hold medicines and other toxic substances. Handrails throughout the home will allow your loved one the freedom they need to move with ease.

Recreational Activities

Physical activity can improve the overall health of every Alzheimer’s patient, as it helps prevent high blood pressure, strokes, and diabetes. Exercise can also boost patients’ moods, which will help them live with less worry and pent up stress. Depending on the stage of their condition, people with Alzheimer’s can participate in a number of activities like running, swimming and gardening, with some minor accommodations. Walking and other low impact routines are good for patients who have a more developed disease.

Reading and making art are more ways to help Alzheimer’s patients challenge themselves and stimulate their minds. Artistic activities can lower anxiety levels in individuals experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s, and may also stimulate their memory. Self-expression can help boost people’s moods and confidence.

Conclusion

At first, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be devastating, but with some research and extra help, you can help make your loved ones’ life much easier and safer. Those in need of professional Alzheimer’s care can count on us at Home Instead Senior Care, where we work hard to provide our patients with quality of life.

Assisted Living Professionals: HHAs versus HCAs

May 14, 2018 / admin / 0 Comments

As adults begin to mature, performing simple tasks may become increasingly difficult. In an effort to hold on to their independence and pride, families may choose in-home assisted living services rather than a nursing or retirement home.

This option has proven to be a great choice for senior citizens due to the fact that they can maintain a bit of control while still receiving the quality help that they require. Additional aid will also be needed if your loved one is injured or has other disabilities.

While we’ve established that assisted living is an excellent option for your loved one, you may wonder which type of health care professional is best for your senior. Below, we’ll help you make sense of your options!

HHAs

The first type of assisted living professional is known as an HHA or a home health aide. These caregivers do not function as nurses but they are certified and knowledgeable in their field. Their tasks include but are not limited to administering medicine, changing bandages, and checking vitals.

HHAs are usually provided by Medicare affiliated agencies. Because of this, they are required to follow laws put in place by the government. If you’re considering going this route, it is imperative to do your research and ensure that your professional is indeed coming from a reputable agency. Not all establishments are created equal.

HCAs

Secondly, you have HCAs or home care aides. These care providers are different in that they are hired out by the family and not a Medicare certified agency. In this event, it is important that this person can be trusted as if they were a part of your own family. Your HCA will be handling more personal tasks such as hygiene, cooking, finances, and more. Again, it is important to look into your potential candidate’s credentials. Background checking is highly recommended due to the nature of their responsibilities.

Conclusion

Choosing assisted living is a big step that can be hard for many to accept. However, if that is the decision that is best for you and your family, then knowing your options is key. Now that you are armed with the necessary information, you are better equipped to choose the companion that best suits your loved one’s needs. Whether your senior citizen is in need of more or less attention, there’s a caregiver out there for you!

Tag: Assisted Living