Hello community. As you know, our caregivers are our biggest asset. Having said that, we really enjoy catching people doing the right things right. When we catch them, we are proud to give them rewards that encourages more of that same behavior. Today, we handed out 10 gifts to 6 different caregivers. TB, DC, PGT, TI, CR and DB thank you for making our clients lives just a little bit easier. Your clients love and appreciate your work. And as we say in your gifts, “We heart you at Golden Heart”. Thank you for going over and above.
Month: February 2023
What Is Social Anxiety?
Getting your mom to leave the house and go to social functions is proving impossible. She used to be more comfortable visiting family and attending gatherings with friends, but that’s changed. Have you looked at social anxiety as the reason this is happening? Social anxiety affects about 7% of the population, and it usually appears around the age of 13. It may not seem likely to happen in older adults, but it can, and it often goes hand-in-hand with health issues like dementia. People with dementia are likely to withdraw and become very anxious in social situations. Here are a few things to consider about social anxiety and how home care can help.
Understanding the Realities of Social Anxiety
When a person has social anxiety, they’re constantly in fear of what other people are thinking or saying about them. They live in fear of being judged, doing something wrong or foolish in front of others, or saying the wrong thing.
A person with social anxiety may reflect on something that was said months or even years ago and be filled with shame. Rather than go through this, it’s often easier to avoid social situations. Withdrawing from public events, family gatherings, or reunions is common behavior with social anxiety.
People with Alzheimer’s disease are often easily agitated, and this is due to anxiety. As memories, names, and facial recognition diminish, it’s easy to become anxious in large gatherings. There’s too much activity, noise, and conversation to be comfortable.
Helping Your Mom Deal With Social Anxiety
Your mom’s memory care doctor is a great source of information on how to help with Alzheimer’s-related anxiety issues. Sometimes, medications can help ease anxiety, but that’s just one option.
Prepare your mom in advance for gatherings. Pick and choose the ones to attend, and try to stick to small events where your mom will be very familiar with people.
Make sure that people know your mom has Alzheimer’s. They need to know some tips for keeping her from feeling awkward or anxious. If she asks a question over and over, they should just keep answering it without saying she’s already told them that.
You might want to consider having business cards printed up that have Alzheimer’s tips printed on them. Your mom sees you slipping someone a business card and won’t think much of it. If you speak up and say she has Alzheimer’s where she can hear it, she might feel self-conscious and that can worsen the situation.
Follow Your Mom’s Cues
How can you help your mom when she’s experiencing social anxiety? Don’t push her into situations that make her uncomfortable. If there is a gathering that she must attend, make sure it’s on familiar ground, such as her home, where she has a safe place to go if she feels uncomfortable.
It may be best to stop pushing her into social events with family and friends. If she’s scared and anxious, let her stay home while you go. A home care provider can offer your mom one-on-one companionship at home that may make her feel more comfortable than being in public. Home care aides cover all of her care needs and provide you with a chance to go out and have fun.
Sources:
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Apache Junction, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Guide to Home Care
Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult and challenging journey, not only for the person affected but also for their family and loved ones. With the right care, however, it is possible to make the experience more manageable, comfortable, and even enjoyable. If you are considering caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home, this article will provide you with actionable advice and tips on topics such as Alzheimer’s home care, dementia care at home, companionship, safety in the home, and personal care at home.
Alzheimer’s Home Care: Understanding the Disease
Before we dive into the specific steps you can take to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home, it’s important to understand the disease itself. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. As the disease progresses, the individual will experience increasingly severe memory loss and other cognitive impairments, as well as changes in mood, behavior, and physical abilities.
It is important to remember that every individual with Alzheimer’s experiences the disease differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care. That being said, there are some general tips and best practices that can help make the experience of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home more manageable.
Dementia Home Care: Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment
One of the most important aspects of caring for people with dementia, is creating a safe and comfortable environment. This will help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and also make your loved one feel more at ease. Some tips for creating a safe and comfortable environment include:
- Removing trip hazards such as rugs and electrical cords
- Installing grab bars in the bathroom and other areas where your loved one may need support
- Making sure all walkways are well-lit
- Keeping a clear path to the front door in case of an emergency
In addition to creating a safe physical environment, it’s also important to create a safe emotional environment. This can include:
- Being patient and understanding when your loved one is confused or frustrated
- Encouraging your loved one to be as independent as possible
- Encouraging your loved one to participate in activities they enjoy
- Allowing your loved one to express their feelings and emotions, even if they are negative
Dementia Care at Home: Providing Personal In-Home Care
As the disease progresses, your loved one with Alzheimer’s may need more assistance with personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. These are also called Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs. Providing personal care at home can be a challenging and sensitive task, but with patience and understanding, it can also be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your loved one. Some tips for providing personal care at home include:
- Allowing your loved one to do as much as they can for themselves
- Speaking in a calm, reassuring tone
- Using a gentle touch
- Allowing plenty of time for each task
Home Care Companionship: Staying Connected and Engaged
One of the most important aspects of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is companionship. It’s important to stay connected with your loved one and help them stay engaged in activities they enjoy. Some tips for providing companionship at home include:
- Spending time together doing activities your loved one enjoys
- Encouraging your loved one to participate in activities that stimulate their mind, such as reading or doing puzzles
- Going for walks or participating in physical activities together
- Listening to music or watching movies together
Safety in the Home: Monitoring and Managing Wandering and Agitation
Wandering and agitation are common behaviors in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to monitor your loved one and take steps to prevent wandering and manage agitation. Safety should be a part of every care plan. Some tips for safety in the home include:
- Keeping the front door locked or installing a door alarm
- Installing a GPS tracking device on your loved one to help locate them if they wander
- Creating a safe outdoor area for your loved one to spend time in
- Keeping a routine and predictable schedule to reduce agitation
- Engaging your loved one in activities that they enjoy to reduce restlessness
Staying at Home: Hiring Home Care Services
If you are unable to provide the level of care your loved one with Alzheimer’s requires, you may want to consider hiring a home care provider. A home care provider can provide respite care for the family caregiver, and also assist with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation, as well as provide companionship and emotional support. Some tips for hiring a home care provider include:
- Researching different home care agencies and providers
- Checking references and credentials
- Interviewing potential providers to ensure they are a good fit for your loved one
- Creating a clear agreement on the services that will be provided
Conclusion
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be a challenging experience, but with the right health care services, medical care, and in-home care, it can also be a rewarding one. By creating a safe and comfortable environment, providing personal care, engaging in companionship, and monitoring and managing wandering and agitation, you can help make the experience of caring for an aging loved one a positive and rewarding one.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Ahwatukee, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
Aging Gracefully At Home
Hello Senior Community. I just read some facts from a LM Hurley and Associates that I would like to share. Assisted living just hit its highest quarter ever with a 1.1 percentage point gain in the 4th Qtr of 2022. This indicates that 80% of all available nursing home beds are taken. Memory Care saw it’s highest pace move in in the 3rd quarter of 2022. Having said all of this, it is still the view of Golden Heart Senior Care that people thrive in their own environment. It is our goal and focus to help seniors age gracefully and safely at home. If you would like more information or a free in-home assessment for your loved one, please contact us at rodney@goldenheartscottsdale.com. We want you to be happy, healthy and safe.
Visiting with Clients Makes for a Great Day!
Hello Senior community. As I’ve said many times, helping seniors is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. My favorite thing is getting out to see clients. Today is a fantastic day.