Archive for the ‘Dementia’ Category

How to Assess In-Home Care Needs

Posted on: January 23rd, 2012 by aagingbetter

If you or a loved one has made the decision to age in place and receive in-home care, the next step is to assess the level of care that you will require.  There is a classic assessment test called the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, developed to help professional caregivers assess the level of assistance needed in the home.  However, the following is a list of some of the main daily activities that anyone can use to help determine theirs or their loved one’s in-home care needs.

  • Ability to use a telephone: This is an important function for seniors in the event of an emergency.  If the senior can operate a phone, look up phone numbers, and dial a few well-known numbers, he or she may not need assistance in this area.  However, if the senior can only answer the phone, but not dial, or cannot use a phone at all, this is a strong indication that some level of in-home assistance is needed.
  • Shopping: Depending on mobility, some seniors may be able to shop for themselves, while others may need someone to accompany them to the store or to have their shopping done by a home caregiver.  This, along with meal preparation, is one of the primary services we at  AAging Better In-Home Care offer our clients.
  • Food preparation: Proper nutrition is important for aging seniors, and you may find that your loved ones are not maintaining an adequate diet from the meals they prepare for themselves.  If this is the case, they may need assistance with meal and snack preparation.
  • Housekeeping: Daily household chores can be daunting for most frail seniors.  This is an area where many home-care clients require assistance to help maintain the proper upkeep and safety of their homes.  Again, this is one of the primary services we offer.
  • Medication responsibilities: A certain amount of memory loss is common with aging, so many seniors feel the need to have medication reminders.  This is one of the most frequent services we offer to clients in their homes or those already in Assisted Living Facilities.  For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this assistance is particularly important.

Seniors will likely find that, as they age, their need for assistance in many areas of daily living will increase.  Contact Aaging Better In-Home Care for further details about how we can help assess your in-home care needs and to discuss the many different options for care.  Contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

 

Determining the Right Care for Your Needs

Posted on: January 16th, 2012 by aagingbetter

Home care providers offer many services to help meet an individual’s care needs and to help him or her age or recover safely and comfortably at home.  Determining just what services the person requires, however, can be a bit overwhelming.  We’ve broken down some of the main functions and ability levels that we take into account when recommending either limited or full-time home care to help you in researching options.

Minimal to Minor Care at Home:

  • Emergency Responsiveness: The individual is able to negotiate stairs, call for assistance or respond appropriately to someone helping him or her during an emergency.
  • Mobility: The individual is able to walk and transfer himself or herself from a bed or chair independently with infrequent falling.
  • Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.): The individual is able to accomplish most activities with little help; perhaps needs assistance with meals or housekeeping, or reminders about medications, assistance grooming, etc.
  • Mental Status: The individual has little to no mental impairment.

Move to Full-time Care at Home:

  • Emergency Responsiveness: The individual needs definite or major assistance in the event of an emergency.
  • Mobility: The individual is prone to falls and needs either stand-by or full assistance walking or transferring.
  • Activities of Daily Living: The individual needs reminders and/or full assistance with many or all activities of daily living.
  • Mental Status: The individual has mild to moderate memory impairment, becomes disoriented often, and/or exhibits mild confusion.

If the individual is in need of full, round-the-clock assistance, our agency is well equipped to offer this service to families or the individual.  However, if significant dementia or Alzheimers is a large part of the picture, family members may want to consider an assisted living facility.  If your family needs further guidance in determining the level of care for a relative, Aaging Better In-Home Care is happy to help.  Contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

 

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High Tech Home Care Options

Posted on: January 9th, 2012 by aagingbetter

One of the biggest benefits of aging in place in this day and age is that technology can make nearly anything possible!  There are numerous high-tech tools to make the home safer for aging seniors, which, in turn, brings peace of mind to their friends and family.  The following are a few devices to consider for loved ones receiving in-home care:

  • Webcams: Installing webcams throughout the home allows both family members and caregivers the ability to virtually check in on the senior at any time.  Webcams also allow family members who live far way to video chat with their loved ones.  While the issue of privacy is of concern, this technology has proven to be a life-saver in some instances where the loved one has fallen and been unable to get up.  Where webcams have  been installed in instances like this, families have been very happy with the results.

  • Sensor Monitors: In conjunction with webcams, sensors can be placed throughout the home to track movement.  These are particularly handy for seniors with ambulation or wandering issues, such as someone with mild Alzheimers or dementia that is not advanced enough to require institutionalization.   Most sensor systems connect to a TV or computer monitor and an internet connection so that the company monitoring the sensors can detect anything out of the ordinary and contact family members or a response team quickly.

  • Medical Alert Pendants: These handy devices are becoming increasingly popular with seniors and disabled individuals as this technology continues to be updated to increase their effectiveness.  They are worn by the subscriber and a button is pressed in the event of a fall or other emergency, connecting the senior to 911 or another emergency response service.  The cost is usually around $25-$30 per month for subscribers.  Kootenai Medical offers this technology via its Lifeline Program in Coeur d’Alene.  A call to this office can get an appointment for a technician to come out to the subscriber’s home and set up the call pendant.  It does require a land line (phone), however.   Currently, this technology does not work with cell phones.

  • Automatic Pill Reminders/Dispensers: These are perfect for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  An alarm in the pill dispenser goes off, alerting the senior to take his or her medication by voice message, and dispenses the correct dosage.  If the senior misses a dose, an alert is sent to the caregiver after 90 minutes.

Technology is increasing the level of independence that seniors can experience in their homes.  For more information on these home care options, contact AAging Better In-Home Care online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

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Options for In-Home Care

Posted on: January 2nd, 2012 by aagingbetter

The choices for in-home care are virtually limitless; there are several different models and payment options depending on the type and amount of care an individual or a loved one requires.  So how do you know what kind of care is right for you or your relative?  Some of the main models of in-home care providers include:

  • Private Duty Care: Private duty services are typically “non-medical” services that include housekeeping, transportation, laundry, meal preparation, shopping for groceries or personal care services, such as assistance with dressing, bathing or grooming.  It can also include care of those with dementia, like Alzheimer’s, or respite care for those family caregivers that need a little time away from caring for their loved one.  Private duty care services are usually paid for directly by the client or his or her family.  Some services may be covered by long-term care insurance, workers’ compensation, or armed services (Veterans Affairs) funding. An important thing to note, however, is that private duty services are not covered by Medicare.  Private duty may be covered by Idaho’s Medicaid Program but the individual would have to contact the Eligibility Department in Coeur d’Alene to determine if they qualified for Medicaid services.  It’s usually a fairly long process to become approved.

  • Home Health Care: Home health care is skilled nursing care that is usually required in the home for treatment of an illness or injury – wound care, injections, diabetes or blood pressure monitoring, and other treatments that require nursing skills.  Home health care can also provide physical, respiratory, occupational or speech therapy.  Unlike private duty care, many home health services are covered under Medicare when it’s in conjunction with a discharge from the hospital, providing that specific conditions are met.
  • Geriatric Care Management: Geriatric care managers handle the details of an individual’s life or estate that fall outside the realms of direct care providers, such as financial and estate management. They can also coordinate care for an individual, mediate family communications, or assist with moving to another living arrangement or closing up of a household. Geriatric care management is traditionally an out-of-pocket expense.

  • Hospice Care: Hospice care is a special type of in-home care, designed to provide comfort and support for patients who are nearing the end of a terminal illness. Hospice provides a range of services, including nursing, mental health, and spiritual advising. Coverage for hospice care is typically offered by most private insurance providers and through Medicare.

For more information about the different models of in-home care and what type of care is right for you, contact AAging Better In-Home Care online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

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How to Better Communicate with Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on: November 28th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Alzheimer’s disease makes many aspects of life difficult for patients and their family members, but it can make communication a particular point of frustration.  Dementia and Alzheimer’s can make expressing thoughts clearly very difficult, and can cause difficulty understanding others as well. To help communicate clearly with a person with Alzheimer’s, try the following tips:

  • Speak in a “kind” voice – slow, low, and smiling.
  • Always make sure to speak clearly.
  • Orient yourself to the person and call him or her by name.
  • Always approach the person from the front so as not to surprise him or her.
  • Ask one question at a time.
  • Use short words and sentences.
  • Avoid quizzing the person or asking “Do you remember” questions.
  • Focus on the feelings, not the facts. Often, the emotions being expressed are more important.

Know that Alzheimer’s disease can often make communication a negative experience, particularly when the individual cannot recall people or events that were once important.  Remember that this is a side effect of the disease and not something that should be taken personally.  Having worked with many Alzheimer’s patients throughout the years, the caregivers at AAging Better In-Home Care are happy to help you learn better ways to communicate with your loved ones. To learn more about our home care services for Alzheimer’s disease or to schedule a free in-home assessment, contact us or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Hayden Lake, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest Lake areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.

 
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