The Top 5 Considerations When Deciding on a Home Care Agency for Mom

When it comes time to choose a home care agency for mom you will want to do your homework. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly or made hastily. Your mother was always there to care for you as a child, and even as an adult, so you will want to make sure she is cared for lovingly and by someone who has the experience necessary to handle different situations that might arise. Below we have compiled five considerations when deciding on a home care agency for mom.

Agency Background

The background of the agency you choose is very important. Find out if the agency is licensed where you live, if it needs to be licensed, and how long it has been operating. Are there any reviews online, either on the agency’s site or elsewhere, that you can find to help make your decision easier? You might even want to consider using the Better Business Bureau to acquire some background information on the agency.

Costs

Even though you would never put a dollar value on your mom’s care, you might not have an endless budget. Because of this, you will need to look into the costs associated with home care for mom. The best way to analyze the costs is to speak with multiple agencies about the services they offer and their pricing.

The Staff

As with any decision involving family, you will definitely want to meet the staff at the agency prior to bringing them onboard. The staff, their bedside manner, experience and ability to handle pressure situations are all important when it comes to finding home care for mom. Find out who is on the staff, such as registered nurses, physical therapists, physicians and other medical professionals. Are background checks performed on all staff members? This is very important as you don’t want just anyone taking care of mom.

Documenting Procedures

Many people like to have a written plan of care for their loved ones so it can be followed perfectly. A written plan of care also prevents mistakes and provides caregivers with a point of reference should they have questions. Find out if the agency will allow you to participate in the creation of the care plan and how they document such things.

Communication

Communication is very important, especially when it comes to caring for mom. Will the agency have multiple people reach out to you or just one dedicated person? Find out how the agency will provide you updates on your mother’s care. This can be done via phone, email, text, written reports and how often this will be done.

If you take these five considerations to heart when looking for a home care agency for mom you should feel comfortable with your decision. Even though you physically cannot take care of your mother, at least you know you will have performed due diligence in selecting her home care agency.

Spring Allergy Season is Here: Some Tips to Keep Your Aging Loved-One Healthy

Spring allergy season has arrived. And this can mean one thing; the pollen is back. Pollen causes millions of people headaches, literally, every spring season. Aside from headaches, pollen can cause sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes, coughing and more. Allergy season is not fun, especially when it comes to aging loved ones. Here are some important tips to keep your aging loved-one healthy during this spring allergy season.

Inform Their Doctor

One of the most important tips here is to inform your loved one’s doctor of their allergy symptoms. Most seniors have other chronic health issues, which can mask allergies to doctors, who might not be able to diagnose them. At the first sign of allergies, be sure to take your loved one to the doctor to have the symptoms evaluated so the proper medication can be administered.

Know the Signs

Since you might not have allergies yourself, you need to know the signs that your loved one is exhibiting this allergy season. It is incorrect to assume that the elderly cannot suffer from allergies. This is a myth that simply is not true. Allergies affect people of all ages. The traditional spring allergy signs/symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, headache, itchy and watery eyes, coughing and sometimes congestion.

Aggressively Treat Allergies

Another important tip is to aggressively treat allergies when administering elder care. Since your aging loved ones could be suffering from other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular issues, allergy symptoms can add to problems already present. For example, congestion or a raw throat can lead to breathing issues for your loved one. This is why allergy symptoms should not be ignored and instead treated aggressively at the first sign.

No Antihistamines

If at all possible, do not let your aging loved one’s doctor prescribe antihistamines to treat the allergies present. These drugs, which are most commonly prescribed to treat allergies, can be very dangerous to the elderly. Antihistamines have side effects that include dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and urine retention. Antihistamines can also cause behavior or mood changes in the elderly while also dangerously interacting with other drugs the senior might be taking.

Avoid Allergens

Even if your loved one’s doctor has treated the allergies, you can still help your loved one avoid allergens on a regular basis when you provide elder care. On days where the pollen count is high, keep all windows and doors closed in their home and use the air conditioning or room fans. Do not hang their laundry outside on a line to dry, but instead hang it on a line in their home or use a dryer. Have visitors remove their shoes prior to entering the home so no pollen is carried in and embedded on the rugs.

Caring for a loved one is important and should not be taken lightly, especially when it comes to aging loved ones and spring season allergies. If you follow the tips outlined in this article you should have no trouble protecting your loved-one from seasonal allergies.

Seniors and Depression: Loneliness is a Key Factor, Home Care Can Help!

It is common knowledge that people of all ages suffer from loneliness at one time or another during their lives. But, did you realize that this is a big problem with seniors? It is not uncommon for seniors to suffer from depression, even if they are still married or live with family members. It is proof that life is not about the number of relationships one has, but the value of those relationships. Loneliness is a major factor in seniors when it comes to depression, but home care can help.

Home Caregivers Can and Will Listen

One of the biggest benefits of having a home caregiver for your senior loved one is that the home caregiver can and will listen. Senior care is vital and those who provide it truly do it because they love to help others. These professionals want to make sure the elderly are properly cared for and this includes being a sounding board for stories, questions and other conversations during the day.

Willing to Learn

One way to make loneliness disappear is for the caregiver to learn from the senior loved one. The caregivers are not there to order the senior around or teach them. In fact, the caregiver should let the senior teach them some things. For example, if your loved one enjoys watching golf or baseball, the caregiver will ask plenty of questions about the sports in order to let the senior teach him or her some pointers.

Develop a Plan to Defeat Loneliness

The caregiver providing senior care to your loved one can develop a plan to defeat loneliness. This is done by asking the senior about their interests, both from years past and now, and then helping the senior enjoy those activities. If the senior is not medically homebound, the caregiver can take them to senior activities throughout town such as dances, bingo nights, craft fairs and even help them shop for groceries and other items.

It’s the Thought That Counts

A senior care professional can explain to family members of the senior that it’s the thought that counts. A simple 20-minute phone call a couple times per week by a grandchild, adult child or friend could make a world of difference in the senior’s life when it comes to loneliness.

Foster Relationships

A senior care professional also has the experience to help foster relationships between their senior patient and the patient’s youngest relatives. It can be difficult for younger generations to bond with the elderly, even if it is their own family. When generations separate the elderly and the young, there is a generation gap. A home caregiver can help alleviate that gap and build a better bridge.

Loneliness is a leading cause of depression in seniors, but it does not have to run their lives. Home care can help get rid of loneliness in various ways. Consider acquiring a senior care professional to aid in your loved one’s life.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, Learn How Family Caregiving Causes Stress

People anticipate the month of April because for most it means spring season will soon be in full swing and that leads to the summer months. But, for others, April is all about managing stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month. There are so many things in life that cause stress; money, work, school, friends and even caregiving. Caregivers are not immune to stress. In fact, caregiving can be one of the most stressful things someone can do in their lifetime.

Caregiver Stress

Being a family caregiver can cause an incredible amount of stress. Not only are you responsible for a sick, disabled or elderly family member, but you also must keep your life up and running at the same time. This can be unbearable for some. From running errands for yourself and your loved to paying two sets of bills to answering phone calls and talking with doctors; being a family caregiver is time-consuming and overwhelming.

Signs of Caregiver Stress

The signs of caregiver stress include the following:

• Trouble sleeping
• Depression, anxiety, and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Worsening or new health issues
• Increased feeling of resentment
• Change in eating habits
• Smoking or drinking
• Feelings of being run down and tired
• Minor nuisances cause overreactions
• Neglecting your responsibilities
• Leisure activities no longer important
• Neglect own needs
• Constantly tired, even if able to sleep
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Little satisfaction gained from caregiving
• Impatient and irritable with patient

Take a Break

If you truly are burned out or stressed from providing home care to a loved one, you need to take a break. Whether it is for one day, one week or an extended period, a break can help refresh your body both physically and mentally. Emotions play a big role in stress, so be sure to focus on your emotional health while on your break.

Use a Home Care Agency

Most people who are family caregivers tend to take on the responsibility because they feel compelled to do so or they do not have the budget for a professional. But, because of this, family caregivers can become overwhelmed emotionally and physically, causing severe levels of stress. If you do not deal with stress early, it could manifest itself into serious health issues.

A home care agency can take all the stress of caring for a loved one off your hands. These professionals are trained, licensed and know how to handle difficult situations. They can administer medicine, deal with doctors and become friends with their patients, providing them the care and love they so desperately need.

April is the Start of Home Improvement Time – Learn What Changes Keep Seniors Safe at Home

With the spring season upon us, many people start their home improvement projects in the month of April, leaving them plenty of time to complete them prior to the heat of the summer months. Most seniors do not want to move once they reach a certain age. They have become comfortable in their surroundings, including their home and neighborhood, and would like to remain there for as long as possible. Here are some changes you can make to keep senior loved ones safe at home.

Bright Lighting

It is not uncommon for the elderly to suffer injuries from a fall, even in the most recognizable locations, such as their home. One way to prevent your senior loved one from falling is to install bright lighting throughout the home. As the elderly experience sight loss or other eye issues, dim lighting can cause them to miss steps or trip over rugs. Make sure nightlights are in every hallway, stairway, and all bathrooms. You can install battery-powered motion lights for closets and pantries.

Update Flooring

You can easily avoid falls by updating the flooring in your loved one’s home. This includes taping down carpet that is sticking up or removing it altogether if it is very old. Any cracked tiles in the bathrooms or kitchen should be repaired immediately to avoid cuts in bare feet. The kitchen and bathroom floors should also have non-slip mats installed to prevent tripping if the floors should get wet. Make sure there are clear pathways throughout the house, which means no clothes on the floor and all extension cords tucked behind furniture.

Anti-Fire Methods

As seniors age, forgetfulness can become a problem, especially for those who live alone. Many fires are started in the kitchen of an elderly person’s home because they simply forget to turn off the burner they were using. This can be avoided by installing a system that automatically turns a stove off should it be left active. If the memory issue is dire, the stove can be removed from the kitchen. The senior can still cook or heat their food using a microwave, which is much safer than the stove.

Medical Alert Device

Consider purchasing and installing a medical alert device. Your loved one can wear it as a necklace or a bracelet, but it should be on their person at all times when alone in the home. Some devices even have buttons that can be installed throughout the home, such as in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedroom.

Upgrade the Bathrooms

It is a good idea to upgrade the bathrooms in the home. The bathrooms should have guardrails, handrails, a high-rise toilet and even a seat in the shower. If a seat in the shower is not possible, consider remodeling that portion of the bathroom completely to install a walk-in tub so your loved one does not have to climb over a sidewall.

Keeping seniors safe at home is important, especially if they live alone. These upgrades can be performed at their home or yours, but make sure their primary residence is taken care of first.