How Can You Help Your Senior Determine What Makes Breathing More Difficult?

June 7, 2018 By David Goldenberg

If your elderly family member has lung issues or COPD, then it’s crucial to know what makes her have more problems breathing. When you have that information, you can do as much as possible to avoid those triggers.

Home Care in Bryn Mawr PA: Helping Your Senior Breathe Easier

Look at Common Triggers.

Most people with lung diseases or COPD experience some of the same triggers that make breathing worse. Chemical fumes, cigarette smoke, pollution, and fragrances usually tend to top the list. But your family member might also be sensitive to high humidity or dust and mold. It’s important to note that being stressed or anxious can also be a trigger for breathing problems.

Keep a Breathing Diary.

If you’re starting from scratch with determining your elderly family member’s breathing triggers, a breathing diary makes everything much easier. What you’re going to want to track first is how your family member is breathing at different times of day. From there, track what she’s eating, drinking, and what is happening when she notices that she’s having trouble breathing.

Include Times of Day.

It’s really important to include the time of day when you or your elderly family member updates the breathing diary. You may start to notice that situations that don’t cause problems in the morning are more difficult for your family member later in the day. This could be because she feels stronger and less stressed in the morning, but by afternoon she’s more tired and less able to deal with certain triggers. Time of day can therefore be seen as a trigger of sorts.

Take the Info to Your Senior’s Doctor.

Once you’ve collected a good bit of data, your aging adult’s doctor can use it to look a little more at how her environment is impacting her ability to breathe. Some of that information can also help her doctor to see how well her medications are helping her to breathe. From there, you can develop a better plan to help your aging adult.

Learn How to Avoid Triggers.

The more you understand the triggers that cause worsened breathing for your senior, the easier it is for you and other people to help her avoid them. If cleaning products or dust create issues for your senior, then it might be time to hire home care providers to take over those tasks for her.

Avoiding triggers is so much easier when you are aware of them. Your family member’s triggers may change as her health changes, too, so it’s important to periodically revisit this process. Each time you can learn even more about what helps your family member to breathe better.

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

A Senior Citizen Shares Information on a Part-Time Job Scam Targeting the Elderly

May 31, 2018 By David Goldenberg

To age at home, many elderly men and women rely on the help of caregivers. Some need elderly care services because they can no longer drive. Others need help with harder household chores like laundry and vacuuming.

Elderly Care in Ardmore PA: Part Time Job Scam

While elderly care services are extremely helpful, they can be hard to afford on a fixed income. Some able seniors take small, easy jobs to cover the expense. As one senior found out, even the job market has scammers looking for victims.

The Mystery Shopping Scam.

Mystery shoppers go into stores and critique the customer service, cleanliness, and overall experience. They get paid a fee to do so. Once the report is filed, payment is immediately scheduled. If any purchase was required as part of the assignment, a copy of the receipt is needed to get reimbursed for the purchase.

One senior was offered a job as a mystery shopper. The company gave him the instructions and a very official looking check to cover the fee and money to buy thousands of dollars in gift cards. He was instructed to deposit the check and then go to a store to buy the gift cards. Once the company’s check cleared, the money he’d spent would be back in his account.

As the man had never been paid in advance, he was suspicious. He went to police who admitted the check looked valid. They called the bank on the check and learned it was a fake. Had the senior not questioned the payment, he would have been responsible for bounced check fees. He’d also be out the money he used to buy the gift cards.

This is One of Many Scams.

This is one of many scams seniors face. Any time a request is made to buy gift cards and send them or to wire money, seniors should contact authorities. Make sure your parent knows to ask before they ever send money to a person or business.

If your parent needs elderly care services and isn’t sure how to afford it, talk to an agency. With a mix of caregiver’s help and family chipping in, it is possible to get the cost of elderly care services to a point where your parent won’t have to take a part-time job or have you help out financially. Call us today to learn more about other ways to make home care affordable.

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

How Long Does Stroke Recovery Take?

May 24, 2018 By David Goldenberg

When your aging parent has suffered a severe medical event such as a stroke, your first thoughts are of getting them through the initial risk. You then start thinking about their recovery and how soon they can reclaim their health and move forward with their life. Having an idea of how long it will take for your aging parent to recover from their stroke not only lets you plan care, and gives you something to look forward to, but it can also eliminate wondering how well your parent is responding to care and support. This can let you determine if they may need further care to help them respond better, and get through the recovery more efficiently.

Elder Care in Berwyn PA: How Long Does Stroke Recovery Take?

You likely hope your parents medical team will be able to give you a clear timeline for just how long it will take your parent to recover, as well as individual milestones that they will reach throughout the recovery. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Recovery from a stroke is a very personal experience, and your parent will recover on their own timeline, and at their own pace. Because each person is an individual, and goes into the stroke recovery process with their own health issues, as well as other factors that go into how they will respond to stroke care, the recovery process must be approached in an individual way.

This does not mean that the doctor will not be able to give your senior recovery goals, or help you to understand the basic timeline. It is important to realize, however, that your parent’s individual needs, and their individual pace of recovery should be respected and supported in order for them to get the most benefit from each aspect of their care. The most rapid improvements will likely occur in the earliest hours, days, and weeks after your parent suffers a stroke. After that, improvements will slow down, and they may even experience setbacks. It is extremely important that you stay in close contact with the medical team to discuss each stage of the recovery and, and make sure your parent is making improvements. The doctor may be able to identify other ways to enhance their recovery, and improve their health.

Starting elder care can be one of the most beneficial, effective, and meaningful decisions that you can make throughout the course of your caregiver journey with your senior adult. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider can ensure that your parent gets the support, care, and assistance they need to live the healthiest, safest, and most comfortable lifestyle possible as they age in place while also supporting greater independence. This can be particularly meaningful if your senior has recently suffered a serious medical condition such as a stroke. This care provider can help your parent understand the treatment and prescription guidelines given by their doctor to support compliance, encourage them to eat a healthier diet, support a more active lifestyle, and give them the companionship and emotional care that will help them live better throughout and after their recovery. Starting elder care for your aging parent should be part of your earliest planning after they suffer a stroke. The sooner you integrate this care into your care routine, the sooner your parent, and you, can enjoy the benefits.

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

Source

https://www.strokesurvivorblog.com/

Is There an Ideal Time to Look Into Senior Care Services?

May 17, 2018 By David Goldenberg

Is there an ideal time to start researching your parent’s options? One thing is certain of life. You never know what’s going to get tossed your way. Your parents might be fine today. They’re still full of energy and walk for miles every day.

A week from now, your mom’s memory may start slipping. A year from now, she might be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Your dad could have a stroke tomorrow. You don’t want to think the worst, but you should have a plan in place just in case.

Senior Care in Collegeville PA: Looking Into Senior Care Services

Topics That Plan Must Cover.

Open a discussion with your parents about what they want if their situation changes. Do they want you providing the care they need? Do they like the idea of having to move to a new place? That would happen if they opted for assisted living housing.

Talk about your own life. If you’re providing senior care, what are you sacrificing? Will you have to take hours away from your job or children? If you have to quit your job, can you afford it?

Ask your parents what measures they’d want to be taken if they can’t speak for themselves. Do they have advance directives in place with their doctor and hospital? Who is their medical power of attorney? Do they even have legal paperwork covering that topic? If they don’t, they could have doctors making their life choices for them.

Go Through the House.

Many seniors feel comfortable and safe in their current home. It’s uncommon for a senior to want to pack up and move when health or mobility decline. If your parents feel that way, how safe is their home?

It’s a good time to look over the house and see if any improvements are necessary. Your mom and dad have two bathrooms, but in each one, the bathroom door is only 24 inches wide. What happens if your mom or dad requires a wheelchair after a fall? A wheelchair requires a doorway that’s at least 32 inches. You might need to move or widen the opening. Is that possible?

If your parents can’t handle staircases, can they still get to their bedroom or main living areas? Will they need to have a stairlift installed? Do they have the money for that? Are railings on the interior and exterior staircases sturdy and free of splinters? Are any rugs or carpets loose? Are grab bars installed near the toilet and shower or tub?

Once you have an idea of what your parents want as their abilities decline, you can talk to senior care professionals. They can talk about the process, creating a budget, and how to come up with a suitable schedule. Make the decision for senior care after you’ve gained knowledge and really discussed what your parents want. Call today to get started.

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

Tips for Talking to Family About a Senior with Alzheimer’s Disease Before a Visit

May 10, 2018 By David Goldenberg

A family reunion can be a fantastic way to connect with loved ones and spend quality time with them. As a family caregiver, this is also a way you can encourage your aging parent to stay in touch with family, and enjoy the benefits of spending more time with their loved ones. If your senior is struggling with new challenges, such as those associated with Alzheimer’s disease, it may be challenging for family members who have not seen your aging loved one since their symptoms have worsened. Talking to the guests ahead of the reunion is a great way to prepare them, and ensure everyone has the best time possible.

Caregiver in Worcester PA: Talking to Family about a Senior with Alzheimer’s Before a Visit

Use these tips to talk to family about a senior with Alzheimer’s disease:

Be honest. Avoid trying to sugarcoat the situation, or beat around the bush. Being upfront and clear with family members will make them feel more confident, and reduce the chances of discomfort during the gathering.
Be respectful. Remember that your aging loved one is still an individual deserving of respect, dignity, and privacy. Share only the information you think is applicable to the gathering, and emphasize that guests should still interact directly with your parent rather than through you.
Be helpful. Many people feel uncomfortable around those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. They do not know how to act, or what they should say or do. Offer suggestions and encouragement, so that family members can enjoy quality time with your parents and feel at ease.
Be prepared. Understand that even if your aging parent has not been dealing with severe symptoms, or you think they will be able to handle a gathering, their symptoms might worsen and they might experience anxiety or other negative consequences as a result of this change of pace. Be prepared by having a home care provider available to handle care needs as they arrive, and be ready to bring your parent to a quiet, isolated place to calm down if necessary.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be a challenging experience, but it can also be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can have in your life. Introducing home care into your care routine with your aging parent can be an exceptional way to ensure your senior has the level of care, support, and assistance they require to manage their individual needs and limitations, while also giving you the ability to step back, take time to yourself, and focus on other obligations and needs in your life. Through a set of highly personalized services, this in-home care provider can help your parent to meet their needs in the ways that are right for them, while also supporting a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, independent, and fulfilling as possible as they age in place.

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

What Can You Do to Make Feeding Your Senior Easier for Both of You?

May 3, 2018 By David Goldenberg

Feeding your aging adult can feel extremely awkward not just for you, but also for your elderly family member. How you move past the awkwardness is really important.

Home Care in Lafayette Hill PA: Ways to Make Feeding Your Senior Easier

Choose Foods that Are Easy for Her to Eat.

Some foods are likely to be more difficult for your senior to eat than others. Anything that is crunchy or crumbly might be uncomfortable for her, especially if you’re feeding it to her. Talk to your elderly family member about which textures and types of foods are easier for her to eat when you feed her. You might both want to experiment a bit with different foods and textures in order find the right combination.

Use a Bit of Distraction.

One mistake that family caregivers often make when they’re feeding their aging adult is to focus too much on offering the bite and making the entire situation more of a production. Actually, a little bit of distraction can work wonders. Try asking your senior a question or starting a conversation, all while holding the spoon or fork up to her mouth. The conversation will help her to feel less self-conscious about the fact that you’re feeding her and you’ll probably get farther along than you have in the past.

Ask for Tips from People with More Experience.

Talking to your senior’s doctor or nurse can help quite a bit in terms of getting advice about feeding her properly. You might also want to hire home care providers to help you and your elderly family member out a bit. They have experience with feeding aging adults and they can give you some hands-on examples of what works best.

Keep Practicing.

When a situation is awkward or uncomfortable, a normal human response can be to avoid that situation in some ways. You can’t really do that with your elderly family member, though. She still needs to eat and you need to become comfortable with helping her to eat. Keep practicing, even if both you and your elderly family member are feeling awkward about the situation. Learn to find the humor in learning the ropes with feeding another adult and keep on going.

Feeding your senior is a great time for you to interact with each other and to bond. It’s also an important way for your elderly family member to get the nutrition that she needs, so doing what you can to help ensure that it’s comfortable and easy for her to eat is very important.

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

Can Dizziness be a Potential Sign of Parkinson’s Disease?

April 26, 2018 By David Goldenberg

Becoming suddenly dizzy or feeling dizzy when standing up can be frightening. For an elderly adult it can be particularly dangerous, potentially leading to a fall that can result in a serious injury. There are many reasons why your aging parent might experience some dizziness or feel faint when they first stand up from a chair. Certain medications can make it more likely that they will experience dizziness or feel faint, possibly even passing out. Your parent might also experience these feelings if they are dehydrated or have not eaten enough or enough of the right foods. They might also experience these feelings if they suffer from low blood pressure. While virtually everyone has moments when they feel dizzy or times when they stand up too fast and feel as though they might faint, if this happens to your aging parent frequently, it might be more than just these issues. This could be an indication of Parkinson’s disease.

Elderly Care in Dresher PA: Can Dizziness be a Potential Sign of Parkinson’s Disease?

Feeling dizzy or fainting are among the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease. This symptom is caused by low pressure that is frequently related to PD. If your aging parent experiences dizziness or fainting regularly, it could be dangerous. These feelings increase the chances that your parent will experience a fall, which could lead to a very serious injury, such as a broken hip. Seniors who fall, particularly those who are already living with a serious issue such as Parkinson’s disease, can suffer very severe consequences, including diminished quality of life, decreased mobility, and even increased risk for death. If your parent is struggling with these symptoms, attentive support from you and from an elderly care provider can reduce the impact and help keep your parent safer.

If you have been looking for a way to enhance your aging parent’s quality of life as they age in place, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting elderly care for them. An elderly home care services provider can be in the home with your senior on a customized schedule that is right not just for their needs, but also for the amount of care that you give them on a regular basis. This means that they will have access to all of the care, support, and assistance that they need while also easing your stress and ensuring that you can focus on the other aspects of your life as well. These services can include safe and reliable transportation, medication reminders, assistance with personal care tasks, support for activities of daily living, companionship, meal preparation, and more.

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

Source

http://parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-warning-signs

Are There Ways You Can Help Your Senior to Be More Independent?

April 19, 2018 By David Goldenberg

A big part of growing older involves staying as independent as possible. For your elderly family member, that might mean finding some alternatives to the way that she used to do certain things.

Senior Care in Berwyn PA: Encouraging Independence

Arrange for Deliveries Whenever Possible.

So many companies and services offer delivery options. Many of these may not be obvious unless you ask. Talk to your senior’s pharmacist, for instance, and see if they can deliver. Other options for delivery services could be your local grocery store or dry cleaner. With Internet shopping being what it is, you might be able to order more of what your senior needs and wants online than you might think at first.

Check for Mobility and Safety Issues at Home.

If your senior has mobility issues, staying independent may seem like a dream to her. But there are ways for you to account for mobility problems. The biggest way to do this is to make sure that she’s as safe as possible at home. This means checking for tripping hazards, keeping up with home maintenance, and installing safety devices as needed.

Enlist Some Assistance on a Regular Basis.

Having some extra help for all sorts of routine tasks can help your elderly family member to conserve energy. When she’s got senior care providers who can help her with laundry, cleaning, and other tasks, your aging adult has the energy to devote to self-care. Look for other ways that senior care providers and you can help your elderly family member to conserve her energy.

Consider an Alert System.

Personal alarm systems give your senior a way to reach out for help if she finds herself in a bad situation. Some even offer services such as fall detection, which can be incredibly helpful. Depending on your elderly family member’s needs, these types of wearable alarms can help her to feel more secure when she’s out in public, too.

Regularly Talk to Your Aging Adult about Her Independence.

It’s tough to know what your senior considers important about her independence. That’s why you need to talk to her about it rather than trying to read her mind. Set aside time for these conversations and listen to what she’s sharing with you.

Keep in mind that independence can mean different things to different people. Your elderly family member could be in a situation in which she’s unable to drive and needs help with personal care tasks and yet still feels independent because of the tools that she has at her disposal.

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

Help Aging Relatives Write Poetry

April 12, 2018 By David Goldenberg

Elderly adults can flex their creative muscles during National Poetry Month with the help of family caregivers and elder care assistants. Even if they’ve never done much with poetry before, seniors will not only appreciate poetry as a storytelling art form but can get inspired to write their own. Family caregivers and elder care aides can provide opportunities for seniors to write meaningful poetry for themselves and for their posterity.

Elder Care in Collegeville PA: Writing Poetry

Step 1: Read Poetry for Inspiration.

Many of the greatest stories in Western literature come from poems, and most people are quickly enchanted by great poets like William Shakespeare, Emily Dickenson, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and many more. Seniors can join a reading group or attend poetry readings at local venues like the community arts center. They can also check out books of poetry from the library and read them aloud or ask their elder care aide to do so. The more exposure to poetry they have, the more inspiration they will get to write their own.

Step 2: Learn About Different Types of Poetry.

Most people assume that good poetry must rhyme and that seems to be a big challenge for beginners. However, narrative poetry and free verse poems are quite unrestricted and give elderly writers lots of freedom. Of course, it’s helpful to learn the different types of rhyming patterns if seniors want to go that direction as well. Many libraries and communities have book clubs, writing groups and poetry clubs that seniors can join.

Step 3: Explore Different Subjects.

Poetry is a way to capture intense emotions in just a few verses, so elderly adults that want to write about their lives in poem form can delve into their own memories for topics. Elder care assistants can help seniors with details of their personal stories by asking questions and prompting them to talk and write about them. From their family life and school days to historic events they witnessed, elderly adults have a lifetime of stories.

Step 4: Write, Write, Write.

It may be a little intimidating to finally put the pencil to the paper or to start writing poetry on the computer. However, elderly adults can push themselves to new creative heights by writing a little every day. Some days will be more productive than others, but they need to think about writing as an exercise and they will improve the more they do it. Elder care assistants can help elderly adults with their goal by setting a schedule with some time set aside for uninterrupted writing. If possible, they can also join a writing club in the area and rely on the elder care aide to transport them to meetings.

Step 5: Share the Poems With an Audience.

Poetry is a deeply personal creative task, but eventually they should be shared. Aging adults can ask family members, elder care aides, or their writing group for honest feedback and genuine feelings. Other audience venues are local talent shows, submissions to the local newspaper, starting a blog or website, or posting to social media for friends and family to read.

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

Source:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-m-raab/start-writing-poetry_b_7005194.html

The Benefits of Respite Care for a Caregiver of a Senior with Alzheimer’s Disease

April 5, 2018 By David Goldenberg

In your journey as a family caregiver for a senior who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you will encounter a wide variety of challenges and difficult situations. As their needs and challenges increase with the progression of their disease, they will require more assistance and support, and this means that you will feel more pressure and demand. Even as you are caring for your parents, however, the other obligations and challenges of your life will not go away. This means that you will constantly feel as though you have more on your to-do list and may get overwhelmed. This is where respite care can make a tremendous difference. Respite care is a form of home care that allows a caregiver to step in on a temporary or occasional basis to continue your parents normal care routine and give you additional time off.

Caregiver in Ardmore PA: Respite Care for Caregivers of Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Some of the benefits of respite care for a caregiver of a senior with Alzheimer’s disease include:

Allow you to handle other tasks in your life, such as caring for your children or fulfilling work obligations.
Ensure that you have time to yourself to rest and relax, preventing burnout and exhaustion.
Allow you to take time off as needed if you get ill or need to care for another ill family member.
Give you the opportunity to step away from your care tasks when you are overwhelmed or simply need a break.
Give you the opportunity to go on a getaway with your partner to reconnect and rest, even if this is only for a weekend.
Ensure that your parent gets their continued care even when you are not available, preserving their routine and reducing the chances of anxiety or other negative consequences.
Allow you to handle emergencies that might come up without worry that your parent will be without the care that they need.
Allow you to continue with family traditions such as vacations or outings that your parent cannot attend without worry that your parent will be without the care that they need.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be stressful and challenging. Fortunately, home care can be there for you to ease this stress and make the journey easier and more fulfilling for your aging parent and for you. A care provider can be in the home with your parent on a schedule that is customized to your parent’s needs as well as the time that you are able to devote to caring for them so that your senior has access to the level of care that is right for them. Through these highly personalized services a care provider can ensure that your parent has the support, care, and assistance that they need to manage their daily needs, fulfill activities of daily living, maintain medication compliance, manage their health challenges, and stay as independent and active as possible as they age in place. This can help them to maintain a higher quality of life throughout their later years and support a better lifestyle for you as well.

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

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