What Can You Do When You Suspect Your Senior Is Malnourished?

January 18, 2018 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

It might be a foreign concept at first, but many elderly family members easily become malnourished. It doesn’t take long to happen, either. Here’s what you can do when you start to worry that she might have a problem.

Home Care in Collegeville PA: What to Do if your Senior is Malnourished

Ask Her Doctor for a Nutritional Screening.

To really determine what you and your elderly family member are up against, it’s vital that you ask her doctor to do a nutritional screening as soon as possible. A series of simple tests can pinpoint exactly what your senior needs in order to get the right nutrients into her body.

Work with a Nutritionist.

Your senior’s doctor may recommend a dietary path for her. While a new diet can be relatively easy to follow, you and your elderly family member might want a little more guidance. This is where working with a nutritionist on an individual level can be really beneficial. The nutritionist can help you to figure out how to help your aging family member adjust to the new eating plan and incorporate foods that she enjoys.

Shop for Her.

Take an inventory of your senior’s fridge, freezer, and pantry. Make sure that you throw out anything that is expired or otherwise inedible. Work with her to put together a menu that she’ll enjoy eating and hit the grocery store for her. Be sure to stock up on healthy staples, snacks, and menu items until you’ve got a good handle on getting her set up with plenty of good food again.

Ask What Else You Can Do.

Talk to your senior about what other help she needs or wants. It could be that standing to cook is too difficult for her now or perhaps she just finds it too complicated to actually cook just for herself. You might be able to offer the perfect solution for her, whether that means taking over the cooking duties or finding home care providers who can come in and cook for her. Your aging family member might not realize that these solutions could be an option until you talk about them.

The key to helping your senior to get past malnutrition is to take action as soon as you realize something is wrong. The quicker you take action the quicker your senior will start to experience positive results.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Collegeville, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

What’s the Best Way to Introduce Technology to Seniors?

January 11, 2018 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

There’s no doubt that modern technology transforms the way we learn and communicate. For younger generations, smart phones, tablets, and computers are just a part of life. But for elderly adults that came of age way before these modern inventions, feeling more comfortable with typewriters and 10-key machines, they often feel as if their relatives and friends have left them behind when it comes to connecting and accessing the wealth of information available in the digital world. Simple first steps, such as a social media account, e-reader, and a smart phone with texting can help aging adults fulfill their needs for communication and entertainment.

Elderly Care in Worcester PA: Introducing Seniors to Technology

Family caregivers should take every opportunity to see how certain forms of technology might enrich their elderly relative’s life. A little technology may be all that is needed in a comprehensive elderly care plan to bring seniors into the modern era.

Evaluating Technology Needs.

Family caregivers need to pay special attention to what kind of device and technology their elderly loved one might be interested in. From smartphones to tablets to laptops, there are all kinds of options. Most seniors would love to communicate with family members more, so setting them up with an email account or a smartphone with texting options might be what they need. Family caregivers can also set up a social media account that most other family members use, and teach their elderly relative how to check it.

Giving an elderly loved one an account for an e-reader and showing them how to shop for books and magazines can change the way they spend their free time. Streaming movies and television shows is easy for lots of teens and kids, but elderly people may need a few lessons on how to do so. When family caregivers spend time really listening to what their elderly relative needs and wants, choosing the right technology option becomes easier. Incorporating technology into an elderly care plan is only going to enrich a senior’s life.

How to Teach Seniors About Technology.

The most important thing that seniors need when learning new information is plenty of patience from their loving family caregivers. They may be intimidated or scared or too proud to admit they don’t know anything about modern devices and how to operate them. However, once they get started and see the immediate benefits of being online in a digital world, they will feel even more motivated to dive right in and keep going.

Family caregivers should plan on introducing the easiest technology first and show their elderly relative step by step. It may be helpful to write the steps down so the elderly person can refer to them easily. When they master some of the simplest things, they can move on to more detailed aspects of the internet. Teaching technology to seniors should blend show-and-tell with lots of hands-on experimentation. In no time, seniors will become more savvy and comfortable with the devices. Some places even provide classes for the elderly, such as senior centers, adult day care facilities, community centers, and more.

When it comes to keeping seniors connected to others and give them access to the digital world, it may take some time. However, the payoff will be worth it.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Worcester, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Source:

What Can Your Senior Do to Keep Her Joints and Bones Healthier?

January 4, 2018 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Keeping your elderly family member’s joints and bones as healthy as possible may not seem as easy as it was in the past. The reason for this is that aging and certain health conditions cause bone health to change fairly rapidly.

Elder Care in Wayne PA: Ways to Keep Joints and Bones Healthy

What Happens to Bones and Joints as People Age.

As your senior ages, her bones can become more brittle, either due to malnutrition or to other problems such as osteoporosis. That can leave her open to damage and even fractures from simple bumps. A fall can be truly disastrous. Her joints may be less flexible, too, which can also cause problems with her balance and her ability to save herself from a fall or other injury.

Calcium and Vitamin D are Crucial.

Most people know that calcium is a key component of bone health, but they may not realize that vitamin D is equally important to keep bones strong. Talk with your senior’s doctor about how much calcium and vitamin D are optimal for her. Blood tests can help to determine where your senior has vitamin and mineral deficiencies so that you can be sure that she’s not taking supplements that she doesn’t need.

So Is Exercise.

Weight-bearing exercise does more than help your senior have a healthy heart. It also helps her to keep her bones strong and her joints limber. Again, you need to work with your elderly family member’s doctor in order to determine the right amount of exercise for her. Walking, lifting weights, and dancing are great examples of weight-bearing exercises your senior might enjoy.

Some Activities Make Bone and Joint Trouble Worse.

Some of the things that your senior enjoys, such as smoking or drinking more than a few alcoholic drinks a week, can create problems when it comes to bone and joint health. If you’re concerned about any of the activities that your senior enjoys, make sure that you talk about them with her doctor so that you can get a full picture of which activities to watch more closely.

Work with your elderly family member’s doctor to ensure that you’re doing the right things for her overall health, but particularly her bones and joints.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Wayne, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Setting Your Parent Up for a More Active Lifestyle in the New Year

December 28, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Being physically active is one of the most important elements of achieving and maintaining better health and well-being throughout life. This does not change with age. In fact, encouraging your senior to stay active as they age can make a tremendous difference in their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being, help them to manage illnesses and health challenges, and work to ward off other issues. As the new year approaches, focus your caregiver attention on setting your parent up for a more active lifestyle by taking steps now and making plans for the future.

Senior Care in Villanova PA: Staying Active in the New Year

Use these tips to set your parent up for a more active lifestyle in the new year:

Research your parent’s area to find parks and other locations where your senior can take walks or enjoy other outdoor recreation. Knowing about these locations makes both of you more familiar with them so that you can feel more confident experiencing them together.
Gift your parent simple and accessible exercise equipment such as light barbells, resistance bands, or a seated biking machine that lets your parent pedal while sitting.
Encourage your senior to find an activity that they can enjoy in their community, such as a senior aerobics class, water aerobics class, a dance group, or a tai chi group.
Set up scheduled times that you will enjoy physical activities with your parent. Being there with them is a fantastic way to not only motivate them to stay more active, but also to spend meaningful quality time with you.

Starting senior care can be one of the best decisions that you can make for your aging loved one during the course of your caregiver journey with them. A senior home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a fully customized schedule to ensure that they have continued access to the care, assistance, support, and companionship that they need to manage their individual needs. Not only will this highly personalized care help your parent to address their challenges and limitations in a way that is right for them, but will also encourage your parent to live the lifestyle that is as independent, active, and fulfilling as possible as they age in place. As a family caregiver, this will give you peace of mind knowing that your parent is getting everything that they need to live their highest quality of life both when you are able to be with them and when you are not.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Villanova, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Are You Being Too Hard on Yourself as a Caregiver?

December 22, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Being strict with yourself isn’t necessarily a bad thing overall, but it can keep you from being the kind of family caregiver that you most want to be. Start looking for ways to help yourself to be kinder to you as you go about your caregiving duties.

Caregiver in Dresher PA: Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

You’re Going to Be Angry Sometimes.

Too often caregivers feel as if they shouldn’t ever be angry or frustrated or experience any negative emotions. This is not a good mindset for you to fall into because there isn’t anyone who can avoid negative feelings all day, every day. You’re going to experience those negative feelings and if you penalize yourself for them, you’ll find that they get more powerful instead of going away.

No One Can Do it All Alone.

If you’re still trying to do everything yourself, you need to get past that, too. No one can get everything done alone. You’ll need to learn to ask for help and to receive it gracefully. Until you’re able to do that, you’re going to feel overwhelmed and trapped rather than appreciative of this time with your elderly family member.

You Won’t Always Get it Right.

The idea of perfection and getting everything just right can cripple you as a family caregiver. You’re not going to get everything right every single time. In fact, you might find that you’re getting things “wrong” more often than not. But that’s how you learn and grow, both as a person and as a family caregiver. Give yourself permission to not be perfect and accept that you’re doing what you can.

There’s Always Tomorrow.

Even if today isn’t such a great day, remember that there’s always tomorrow. Tomorrow you’ve got another opportunity to have the type of day you want to have with your aging adult. You may find new solutions for your elderly family member, find the perfect senior care providers, or talk to a friend who knows just what to say. Tomorrow holds an entire world of possibilities.

Remember that you’re human and that you have needs, too. When you can do that, it’s easier to accept what you can do and be the best caregiver that you can be.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Dresher, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Building a Care Team for Your Senior After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: Who Should Be Included?

December 15, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

After your parent’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease is a time of decision-making and putting plans into place. Now is the time to start making these important decisions and getting them established because your elderly parent will have their greatest strength of mind and cognitive functioning, which means that they will be best able to make these decisions, and that both of you can feel more confident moving forward as you make decisions and help them to live the quality of life that they desire and deserve.

Elderly Care in Bryn Mawr PA: Building a Care Team

One of the most important decisions that you will make during this time is who will be on your care team. A care team is a selection of people who will help you to give your aging parent the care that they need, and will work together to ensure that your parent’s needs are met in the best way possible as they age in place. Who is involved in your care team is a very personal decision and one that you will need to make along with your parent to ensure that you have built up the team that will be most effective, compassionate, and beneficial both for your aging parent and for you.

You are the center of your parent’s care team.

You will always be the one who is planning and orchestrating their care, and the one who will ensure that all other members of the team know what is expected of them and what they need to do to handle these tasks.

Others who you might consider including in your parent’s care team are:

Family members such as siblings and children.
Friends of your parent who are younger or more capable.
Friends of yours who are familiar with your parent and willing to help.
Neighbors who have become close to your parent and can contribute time and energy to helping them with certain tasks.
Spiritual leaders and those within the spiritual community who can provide this level of support and comfort for your parent.
Elderly care providers who can fill care gaps and ensure that your parent has constant access to care so that you can take the time that you need to also take care of yourself.
Members of their medical team who will help to manage the medical approach to their care and support their wishes for their future.

If you have been looking for ways to enhance your aging parent’s quality of life and ensure that they are getting everything that they need as they age in place, starting elderly care for them may be the ideal solution. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging loved one on a customized schedule that works for them. This means that they will have access to ongoing care, support, and assistance, but you can continue to give them all of the care that you are able and willing to give them. Through a set of highly personalized services, this care provider will help your parent to address their individual needs, challenges, and limitations while also encouraging them to maintain a lifestyle that is as healthy, independent, safe, comfortable, active, and fulfilling as possible throughout their later years. These services can be particularly valuable if your senior is living with health issues and challenges, such as Alzheimer’s disease, that require care and assistance on a regular basis.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Bryn Mawr, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Source:

www.alz.org

Caregiver of the Year

December 14, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Caregiver of the Year – Dawn Banks

Congratulations to Dawn Banks on being named Reliant at Home Care’s 2017 Caregiver of the Year. Dawn is in her 3rd year with Reliant and we are honored to have Dawn apart of our team and know that our clients do too! Below are some of the reasons why we have given Dawn this prestigious award!

She was chosen because:

· She accepts 99% of the shifts that are offered.

· She works EVERY weekend.

· She has never called out.

· She is kind and patient to her clients because of that, her clients love her.

How Home Care Can Help Wheelchair Bound Seniors Beat Boredom

December 7, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Studies show that seniors who lack social interaction and are bored are more likely to suffer from depression. In a study published in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal, researchers studied 55 elderly people to examine how depression, social interaction, and boredom are related. They concluded that being lonely and experiencing boredom were significant factors in developing depression. They also determined that the majority of older adults would prefer to continue participating in social activities.

Home Care in Berwyn PA: Helping Wheelchair Bound Seniors Beat Boredom

If you are a family caregiver to a senior, the results of the study might come as no surprise to you. However, if the person is confined to a wheelchair, you may wonder how you can help them to remain involved with other people and avoid boredom. One way is to hire a home care provider to come to their house. A home care provider can be an excellent source of social engagement, enabling wheelchair bound seniors to get out of the house or even to prevent boredom when they are at home. Below are just a few things a home care provider can do with older adults in wheelchairs.

Go on Outings.

Home care providers can take older adults in wheelchairs to the places they enjoy. Whether it be to a museum, restaurant, zoo, or shopping mall, a home care provider can help seniors to get into a vehicle and assist them while they enjoy activities outside the home.

Help with Visitors.

Sometimes having visitors over to the house can be difficult for people in wheelchairs. They may not be able to prepare refreshments or might worry that the house isn’t clean enough. A home care provider can help make food to serve to guests and clean up the house in preparation. They can also greet guests at the door.

Rainy Day Activities.

Of course, your senior family member isn’t likely to want to go out or have friends over every day. But, a home care provider can still help them prevent boredom. Home care providers can play card or board games, help with a jigsaw puzzle, or do a craft activity with a senior. If the senior enjoys using a computer or tablet, a home care provider can help them to use social media to keep up with family and friends.

There’s no reason that being confined to a wheelchair has to stop your senior family member from doing things with friends and family. The above suggestions are only a few of the things a home care provider can do to reduce boredom and improve an older adult’s quality of life. If there’s something your family member enjoys, talk to their home care provider and find out how they can help.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Berwyn, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016701/

When Should Your Senior Avoid Exercising?

November 30, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

As helpful as exercise is, there are some situations in which your aging adult might be better off taking some time away from her workout. Here are just a few of those situations that can lead to some rest time rather than exercise time.

Elder Care in King of Prussia PA: When to Avoid Exercise

Her Doctor Tells Her to Stop.

If your senior’s doctor tells her to give exercise a rest, that’s exactly what he means. There can be an amazing variety of reasons that your elderly family member needs to stop exercising for a little while and all of them are important. If you’re ever in doubt about whether exercise is alright, clear it with her doctor.

She’s Experiencing New Symptoms.

New symptoms can mean that your elderly family member is experiencing a downturn in her health. They can also be completely innocuous, depending on the symptom. But until your senior checks in with her doctor, she may not be able to tell the difference and that might bode badly for her exercise routine. It never hurts to get her doctor’s opinion.

Recent Surgery.

Recent surgeries mean that your aging adult is not at full strength and may need to either modify or completely stop exercising for a while. This depends on her current health, the type of surgery, and the prognosis for after the surgery.

Significant Eye Problems.

Eye problems don’t just interfere with your senior’s ability to see, they can also interfere with how well she can move when she’s trying to exercise. Exercising without being able to see properly can make your elderly family member more susceptible to losing her balance and falling, which is never good.

Fever.

A fever is how your senior’s body responds to some types of bacteria and viruses. It is how the body tries to fight off infections. If your senior has a fever, exercising may not be the best idea. Fever can weaken your elderly family member, increasing her risk of falling.

Any other major symptoms or ailments that cause your senior significant trouble should also be a cause for taking a break from working out. Always talk to your elderly family member’s doctor about exercise when you’re in doubt.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in King of Prussia, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.

Another Great Review From a Satisfied Client

November 29, 2017 By Cerie Goldenberg, MSW, LSW

Another Great Review From a Satisfied Client We have been very satisfied with Reliant at Home Care. As soon as I called them to get care for a 97-year old friend of mine, they were able to provide aide assistance within the time period we needed. They were most gracious in finding the right match for my friend. This was important so the communication and care between the aide and my friend would be a good one. The agency calls to notify me if the aide will be a little late (stuck in traffic or for some other reason). Other agencies I have worked with never did this. Reliant is great with communication and always there to help with whatever may need attention. I would recommend them to anyone who needs assistance at home for the loved ones.

Jan J. Royersford

Reliant at Home Care

Non-Medical Home Care