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Tag: Family Caregivers

Six Ways Home Care Makes Long-distance Caregiving Easier

Posted on by ltcep2023

Caring for a family member from far away is full of some interesting challenges, but it’s possible. Long-distance caregivers often worry that they’re missing something or that they aren’t helping enough. Having help from home care services can reduce a great many of those difficulties without making seniors feel as if they’re being restricted. Here are some of the main ways home care providers can help.

Check-ins and Updates

It can be tough for long-distance caregivers to check in as much as they really need to, especially in the right ways. Sometimes it’s a delicate balance between just enjoying the senior’s company when talking with them and not wanting to overstep boundaries. When elder care providers are there visiting seniors in person, it’s a lot easier for long-distance caregivers to get an unbiased update about what’s happening with the person they care about.

Addressing Unique Needs

Each senior has a different experience and faces different health issues and other challenges. Senior care providers understand this fact and they are prepared to look at what the person receiving care truly needs. That allows them to help put a plan together that addresses those unique needs as thoroughly as possible.

Coordinating Services

Managing multiple health issues or other challenges sometimes means that seniors rely on a variety of different services or therapies. From afar, it can be really difficult to manage those services. Home care providers can help seniors to stay on target and coordinate these different care options. This makes it easier for seniors to get the care that they truly need.

Promoting Security and Safety

Safety is a huge part of helping aging adults to stay in their own homes for as long as they can. When family caregivers aren’t able to be there in person to ensure safety, it’s helpful to have someone else available to do those checks. Elderly care providers understand what types of safety issues are a huge concern for aging adults, so they’re able to stay on top of safety at home.

Offering Companionship

Depending on health issues, where family and friends live, and many other details, seniors often find themselves battling loneliness. Over time, this can even lead to isolation and bigger problems, like depression. When senior care providers stop in to help aging adults and tackle tasks for them, they’re also offering companionship that breaks through that loneliness.

Offering Flexibility

Above all, seniors need flexibility when they’re staying in their own homes while family caregivers live far away. Being able to access the different types of assistance that they need when they need it is the most important factor to consider. Home care providers can offer that flexibility, ensuring that seniors have just as much help as they need and want.

Adapting to long-distance caregiving can feel overwhelming for family caregivers, but having the right tools and solutions in place helps. Home care services can help family caregivers stay aware of what’s happening with their aging adults while also assisting in all of the ways that seniors need.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Cave Creek, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

9 Tips to Make Long-distance Caregiving Better for Everyone Involved

Posted on by ltcep2023

Long-distance caregiving presents unique challenges for family members who want to provide support and care for their aging loved ones from afar. Distance can make it difficult to be physically present and to stay informed about their well-being and daily needs. However, with careful planning, effective communication, and the help of senior home care services, long-distance caregiving can be made more manageable and rewarding for everyone involved.

Establish Open and Frequent Communication

Maintaining open and frequent communication is essential for long-distance caregivers to stay connected with their aging loved ones. Regular video or phone calls or even emails can help bridge the physical distance and allow for meaningful conversations. These interactions provide an opportunity to check on their well-being, discuss any concerns, and offer emotional support.

Build a Support Network

Creating a support network is crucial for long-distance caregivers. Involve other family members, friends, neighbors, and community resources in the caregiving process. Home care providers are able to offer specific and accurate feedback to help family caregivers know what is going on. Regularly communicate with the local support system to stay updated on the aging adult’s condition and any changes in their needs.

Organize Important Documents and Information

Gather and organize important documents and information related to the senior’s medical history, medications, legal documents, insurance, and emergency contacts. Keep these records in a secure and easily accessible place. This ensures that essential information is readily available in case of emergencies or when communicating with healthcare professionals.

Utilize Technology and Remote Monitoring

Take advantage of technology to enhance long-distance caregiving. Remote monitoring devices, such as medical alert systems or smart home technology, can provide real-time updates on a senior’s activities and safety. The use of technology can be especially helpful when seniors are reluctant to accept help from caregivers.

Plan Visits Strategically

When possible, plan in-person visits strategically to spend quality time with aging adults. These visits offer an opportunity to assess their well-being, discuss care plans, and address any issues that may require attention. Coordinate visits with other family members to ensure regular support and to avoid overwhelming the person receiving care.

Explore Local Resources

Familiarize yourself with local resources and services available in your aging loved one’s community. Look into senior centers, meal delivery programs, transportation services, and support groups. These resources can provide additional assistance and social engagement for aging adults in addition to the help they receive from senior home care.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Long-distance caregiving may require flexibility and adaptability. Seniors’ needs can change over time, and unexpected situations may arise. Long-distance family caregivers need to be prepared to adjust care plans and support as needed and be willing to seek additional help when it’s necessary.

Foster Open Dialogue

Encourage open dialogue with seniors about their preferences and wishes regarding their care. Respect their autonomy and involve them in decision-making as much as possible. Regularly check in with them to ensure that their needs are being met and to address any concerns they may have.

Practice Self-care

Long-distance caregiving can be emotionally demanding for family caregivers. Taking care of their own well-being is essential in order to keep the system working. Make time for self-care activities that help reduce stress and maintain overall health.

Long-distance caregiving presents its challenges, but with thoughtful planning, effective communication, and the use of available resources, like experienced senior home care services, it can be made better for everyone involved.

Reference
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/long-distance-caregiving

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Scottsdale, 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

Posted on by Craig Bass

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!

5 Tips to Make Help More Appealing to Your Senior

Posted on by Craig Bass

Bringing up the idea of extra help to your senior might get you a surprisingly negative reaction from her. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t need help, of course, but it does mean that you need to approach the conversation about home care assistance carefully.

Let Your Senior Know You’re Concerned and Want to Help

A common issue for aging adults when it comes to the topic of help is often that they don’t want to burden the people that they love and they don’t want to upset anyone. So what happens is that they refuse offers of assistance and muddle through on their own, to varying degrees of success. What matters is that your senior understands that you genuinely want to help her, so share that with her in a way that only you can.

Be Clear that You’re Not Trying to Take Over

While you’re talking through all of this with your aging family member, you need to be very clear about the fact that you’re not trying to take over. Many aging adults experience assistance as a code word for losing independence and having no choices offered to them. That is not a healthy situation for your elderly family member to be in and it’s not a healthy way for you to be a family caregiver, either.

Talk about What Types of Help You’re Considering

It can be very helpful to talk with your senior about the types of help you’re considering and why. If she bristles at the idea of home care assistance, for example, she needs to understand how that type of care is going to be helpful for her and for you. Home care providers can handle a great many tasks that make your senior’s life easier and safer, which is your ultimate goal for her. Go over the ways that you’ve found this type of help can benefit her the most.

Make Options Available Instead of Ultimatums

If you tell your senior that home care assistance is coming in and she has no choice in the matter, that’s probably not going to go over well. Instead, offer options as much as you can. Make home care assistance a trial option, for example, with your senior having a say in whether she truly does find their help useful. Giving your elderly family member ultimatums may get her to agree with you, but at the cost of your relationship with her.

Don’t Be Afraid to Be a Bit Vulnerable

It can be so scary to be a family caregiver. Don’t be afraid to share that with your elderly family member. She may find it helpful to understand why you’re campaigning so hard for some extra help, for instance. And understanding that you need help and time away to handle other responsibilities can help her to see that home care assistance is truly something that makes everything better in the long run.

It isn’t easy to ask for help or even to accept it at times, and that’s definitely true for your senior. Don’t give up on the conversation if she’s still digging in her heels but try to understand where her feelings are originating so you can compromise.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Phoenix, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

How Can Home Care Assistance Help You With Self-Care?

Posted on by Craig Bass

It’s estimated that there are 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. helping an older adult. Of those, 89% are helping an older relative. More than half of the unpaid caregivers in the nation are helping an aging parent.

Here’s the problem with being a family caregiver. Almost six out of ten family caregivers feel that they don’t have a choice. Some quit jobs and forgo the income, retirement benefits, and healthcare coverage. Others reduce the number of hours they work.

As they spend more time helping their parent, these caregivers often push aside their needs to socialize, visit the doctor and dentist, and take care of themselves emotionally, mentally, and physically. Does this sound familiar to you?

Home care assistance is one of the best ways to ensure you have the bandwidth to take care of yourself. These are the things professional caregivers can do to ensure you focus on self-care.

Lessen Your Daily Chore List

Every day, you’re busy getting your kids to school, cleaning your home, driving to your dad’s house, and getting him showered, dressed, and ready to eat breakfast. While he waits at the table, you cook his breakfast.

After that, you have to wash dishes, put them away, and take your dad and his dad for the first of their daily walks. You have the carpets to vacuum, a bed to make, and sometimes the laundry needs doing.

It might be an errand day where you take your dad shopping. He might need to refill his prescriptions at the pharmacy. Back at home, you put things where they go.

There’s lunch to prepare, another walk to complete, and dinner to get ready. Once he’s eaten, you have to go home and cook for your children and help them with homework. It’s exhausting.

Home care aides can help lessen your load. You could hire a caregiver to help your dad at home while you run errands. The caregiver could do the housekeeping chores while you take your dad for a walk. You’ll have less to do, and that gives you more time to spend with him doing things that you both enjoy.

Respite Care Services

Have you taken a week off? You don’t have to go on vacation, but you should have a week to yourself. Sleep in late. Catch up on the pile of books you want to read or the movies and shows that have been building up in your queue.

Spend that week with your friends and family. While you’re doing things you enjoy, you don’t have to worry about your dad. He’s getting the help he needs from his home care aide.

Home care assistance is one of the best ways to have enough time for self-care. Instead of being the only person your dad can rely on, hire professional caregivers to help out. Get a list of questions from your dad and close family members and call an agency to discuss home care assistance today.

Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2021/05/caregiving-in-the-united-states-50-plus.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.022.pdf

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Tempe, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

Make “Let It Go” Your New Motto

Posted on by Craig Bass

What do you do each day? You’re probably up and at your parents’ house before they get up. You have breakfast started so that you’re ready to help them with showers and grooming. After they eat and take their daily pills, you clean the kitchen and start the housework. There are beds to make, laundry to do, carpets to vacuum, and surfaces to wipe down. You have sinks to clean, the tub/shower to scrub, and floors to sweep and mop. The tasks seem endless. Before you experience caregiver burnout, learn how to make “let it go” your motto. Bringing in home care providers to help lighten the load is one of the best places to start.

Find Ways to Release Stress

Ease stress through meditation. Put on beginner Yoga or Tai Chi videos and work out to them. If your parents want to join you, let them. These exercise routines are good at strengthening muscle, improving balance, and easing stress.

Journaling, meditation, and dance are all ways to ease stress. Crank up some music and dance around the house while you take care of routine chores like mopping and vacuuming. Your parents may want to join in, which helps improve everyone’s mood on a dreary day.

Get outside and let the power of fresh air and sun help ease stress when you can. A brisk walk around a park or neighborhood can help reduce stress and clear your mind. If there are nature trails nearby, studies show that time spent in nature is the best way to improve your mood.

Set Time Aside for Fun Activities

One of the best ways to avoid caregiver burnout is by making sure there is time for fun activities each day. Set aside an hour or two to do things you and your parents enjoy. They love musicals. Rent a new or old musical, make popcorn, and get some drinks ready. Have a lazy movie afternoon together.

Plan one day a month to go to a local museum or historic site for an afternoon. Stop at a café for lunch and tour the attraction together. When the weather cooperates, you could tour a botanical garden or zoo.

Have fun at home after purchasing some craft kits. Purchase kits to make stained glass suncatchers, embroidered wall hangings, or papercrafts. Work on them with your parents when you have some free time.

Have Home Care Aides Help With Housework

How do you free up some time for fun? Stop trying to do everything on your own. Hire professional home care providers to help with some of the daily chores. While you prepare your parents’ meals, caregivers could do the laundry and housework.

Home care aides make it easy to let some things go. You don’t have to be the only one caring for your mom and dad. Enjoy spending quality time with them by having home care aides handle some of the time-consuming daily chores. Call to learn more.

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Scottsdale, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

What Is Long-distance Caregiving?

Posted on by Craig Bass

You might worry that if you and your senior live in different areas that you won’t be able to be there for her in the ways that she might need. But as her long-distance caregiver, you may be able to offer so much more help than you believe you can. What you really need to do is to be thoughtful about the help that you can truly offer, and find answers for the things you can’t help with yourself.

Caring from Afar

In its simplest form, being a long-distance caregiver simply means that you’re providing care for your elderly family member from wherever you are, even if that’s far away. So many caregivers find themselves in this situation and it can be overwhelming at first. What helps is to be as organized as possible and to make sure that you and your senior have as much support as possible.

Understand the Challenges

What challenges are the biggest concerns for your senior? It’s crucial for you to have as full an understanding as possible about what your senior is up against in terms of her health and general life issues. Research her health issues so that you know what is happening. Talk with her doctor and talk with your senior about what you need to know.

Find Solutions

Once you know what your senior is facing, it’s a lot easier for you to find solutions for her that actually meet her needs. One solution you should consider for a variety of concerns is bringing in in-home care providers. Caregivers are going to be able to be your eyes on the scene to understand even more about what she’s facing. In-home care is also able to be there for your senior in the practical ways that are more difficult for you.

Continue to Re-evaluate

Over time, your senior’s needs are likely to change. That’s especially true if your elderly family member has health issues that are chronic or progressive. Continue to talk with your elderly family member and with anyone else involved in her care about what she’s experiencing, what she needs, and how you can most offer assistance from wherever you are.
Being a long-distance caregiver is much easier than a lot of caregivers worry that it will be, especially with the right help. What matters most is that your senior has ways to ensure that she’s going to be able to have the quality of life that she wants to have.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Mesa, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!

How Can You Talk to Your Senior about Your Concerns for Her Health?

Posted on by Craig Bass

When you’re concerned about your senior’s health, particularly an issue that she doesn’t want to talk about, you have to address the situation carefully. These tips might help.

Open the Topic, but Let Her Guide the Talk

You might have been waiting a while for your elderly family member to bring up the topic of her health or of a specific health issue. If that doesn’t happen, though, you’ll need to bring it up yourself. The thing is, once you get the ball rolling, it’s important to let her guide how the talk goes. If now really turns out to be a bad time, you may have to try again another time. Maybe talking about her health or the idea of elderly care providers is difficult for her, so it could take several tries to get the conversation started.

Try not to Argue

It’s really important that you avoid arguing with your senior as much as you can. The purpose of this talk isn’t to start a fight, it’s to find a solution. There’s something that you’re concerned about, and you want to help. Whether you’re trying to suggest bringing in elderly care providers or you want your senior to talk to her doctor about health concerns, arguing isn’t going to do what you want.

Be Careful with Advice

You might think offering advice is a great idea, but it might go over worse than you expect. That’s especially the case if your senior hasn’t asked you for any advice. Try to be very careful with offering opinions and advice that you know your elderly family member isn’t going to like. Phrasing it as a question or mentioning it as an option may be a better approach.

Make Sure Your Senior Is Involved in Decisions

One of the reasons your elderly family member might not be too happy about discussing health issues can come down to independence. If your habit is to leave your senior out of the decision-making process, she’s more likely to balk. Give her choices and work with her to make those choices ones that meet her needs.

Take Notes so You Don’t Forget What You Decide Together

The worst thing that could happen after you and your senior do hash out a solution together is for you to forget what you both decided. It’s much better to take notes and to rephrase the final decision to your senior to make sure you both understand what you’ve worked out. This can help to avoid hurt feelings and mistrust later.

It doesn’t have to be a battle to share your concerns with your senior about her health. If you can work together, that’s much better for both of you. Making future decisions, especially about elderly care, takes a well thought-out plan and consideration. Knowing how elderly care can help with health issues for your parent before your conversation starts can help the two of you plan ahead.

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring elderly care in Tempe, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!