Archive for the ‘Senior Safety’ Category

What sort of training is typical of a geriatric care manager?

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012 by aagingbetter

Knowing the credentials of a geriatric care manager (GCM) or geriatric agency can also help explain how a GCM or agency will advocate on behalf of your loved one.  Geriatric care agencies and managers are trained and experienced in one or more fields related to health and long-term care options, including, but not limited to:

  • Nursing
  • Gerontology (the field of elderly, over 65 year olds)
  • Social work
  • Psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care

Plus, professional geriatric care managers and agencies have a combined working knowledge of:

  • Human development
  • Health and psychology
  • Family dynamics
  • Public and private resources and funding sources

Besides older adults and their families, geriatric care management services are appropriate for:

  • A company whose employee is losing work time because of caregiving responsibilities
  • An attorney or trust officer who is managing the estate of an older adult and that elderly individual needs in-home care to remain safely and effectively at home
  • A physician who recommends in-home assistance or monitoring
  • A clergy who would like to arrange assistance for an older adult

Care management embraces a comprehensive range of services, and the role of the care manager or home-care agency manager is multifaceted.  To learn more about geriatric care management services from the perspective of an in-home care agency, contact us at 208-777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls (Main Office) or Hayden Lake areas; at 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas. We serve the greater Coeur d’Alene area and the five northern counties of Idaho.  If you or your loved one needs assistance in the home, we would be privileged to care for them.

 

 

High-Tech Care Coordination for In-Home Care

Posted on: February 20th, 2012 by aagingbetter

If aging in place is part of your senior loved one’s long-term care plan, you want to ensure that he or she can remain at home safely.  Adding newer technology options to your plan can help you coordinate care and maintain a safe environment even when a family or professional caregiver is absent.  There are a number of older and newer devices that can help family members monitor their loved ones at home, such as the following:

  • Web cams & sensor systems like the AttentiveCare and AT&T Remote Monitor systems provide an inside look at the home, so family members or “call center” can watch for any potential accidents an elderly or disabled individual might have at home.  The sensor systems can also send alerts to the appropriate monitoring parties when doors or windows are opened–or even when water is leaking from a faucet in the monitored home.
  • Emergency response pendants like those provided by KMC’s LifeLine program and others give seniors a sense of safety, knowing they can call for help at the push of a button if they fall or otherwise need assistance.  Emergency responders are quick to respond to the call.
  • Telehealth monitors collect readings for a patient’s weight, blood pressure, and other physiological measurements without having to make a doctor’s appointment.  Again, the readings are automatically transmitted to a “call center” that collects the data and forwards the information on to doctor’s offices or other appropriate responders.
  • Automatic pill dispensers remind patients to take their medications by voice message, text, and/or flashing lights, and dispense the right dose at the right time.  Many can even call the family caregiver in the event that the patient misses a dose.

The health care industry has made great strides in technology for in-home care clients over the past decade.  For more information on how to coordinate a loved one’s care at home, contact us or call AAging Better In-Home Care 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.

Planning for Long-Term Care: Things to Consider

Posted on: February 13th, 2012 by aagingbetter

As individuals age, the ability to perform certain everyday activities usually begins to falter in the sixth or seventh decades of life, often to the point that extra assistance in maintaining a home or personal needs become essential to remain safely at home.  For family members, understanding the care needs of older loved ones and what is involved with different levels of care is an important first step in coordinating a long-term care plan.   The activities of daily living (ADLs) are often the first items of care that an elderly person will require help with.  Traditionally, these include but are not limited to:

  • Assistance with Bathing
  • Assistance with Dressing
  • Assistance with Grooming or Personal hygiene
  • Exercise
  • Walking, transfers and repositioning
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Housekeeping–cleaning and laundry

Other non-medical services that may need to be included in a “Plan of Care” for the elderly or disabled individuals are companionship services, as well as respite services that are designed to provide relief and “a break” for a family caregiver who may be caring for a loved one.  In-home care agencies, like AAging Better In-Home Care, are valuable resources for families to consult and discuss what services or accommodations might be needed.  Our agency provides a free in-home assessment to determine the care requirements of each new client and then works closely with the client or family member/s to develop a Plan of Care, provide guidance along the way, and implement and monitor continuing care and services.  As industry experts, in-home care agencies know how to maximize available resources to assure that all needs are met and that the care provided at home ensures a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for the loved one.

At AAging Better, we take pride in helping families coordinate long-term care for their aging loved ones.  To find out more about our services, 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.

 

 

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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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.

The More You Know: Alzheimer’s Awareness

Posted on: November 14th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, and the older we get, the worse it seems to get. Mild forgetfulness is not something to be overly concerned with usually, but when memory loss begins to interfere with daily activities, it may be time to see a doctor.

Knowing more about the disease and its warning signs can help family members and caregivers know when they are dealing with normal memory loss and when it might be something more serious.  Alzheimer’s disease typically begins after 60, and the risk increases with age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are ten warning signs for Alzheimer’s:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

  1. Trouble in planning or solving problems
  2. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  3. Time and place confusion
  4. Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
  5. New problems with speaking or writing
  6. Misplacing things, inability to retrace steps
  7. Decreased or poor judgment
  8. Withdrawal from work or social activities
  9. Changes in mood or personality

If you notice a senior loved one who exhibits any of these warning signs, notify his or her doctor.  AAging Better In-Home Care’s experienced caregivers and staff have worked with many Alzheimer’s patients and their families.  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.

Making Sense of All the Different Types of Flu Shots

Posted on: September 26th, 2011 by aagingbetter

 

There are several different options for annual flu shots, but which one is right for seniors?  Here are some tips to stay  updated on the latest information:

Standard flu shot: The standard flu shot contains inactivated virus and is safe for ages 6 months and older who have not experienced contraindications to the vaccine.

LAIV: The live, attenuated influenza vaccine contains live but weakened influenza virus and is sprayed into the nose.  This vaccine is NOT recommended for persons over 50 years of age.

High dose influenza vaccine (Fluzone): This season, seniors can choose a higher-dose vaccine that is designed specifically for people age 65 and older.  Fluzone high-dose vaccines contain four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) found in regular flu shots.  Because aging decreases the body’s ability to have a good immune response after vaccination, the additional antigen is intended to create a stronger immune response and thus better protection against the flu.  Learn more at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm.

Fluzone Intradermal:  This vaccine was licensed by the FDA for use in the United States for the 2011 – 2012 flu season and is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.  The intradermal shot uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot, and requires fewer antigens to be as effective as the regular flu shot.  However it is NOT recommended for adults age 65 and over.

Each of these flu shots protects against the H1N1 virus strain and no additional shot is necessary.

At AAging Better In-Home Care, we strongly encourage all our staff and clients to obtain their flu vaccinations and we facilitate getting the proper age-appropriate vaccinations for our clients as a part of healthy aging at home.  To learn more about the services we offer 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 River areas,  or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.

Learn the Basics about the Shingles Virus

Posted on: September 19th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Have you ever had the chickenpox?   If you have, then you may be at risk of developing a case of  shingles.   Shingles, also called zoster (from the herpes zoster virus), is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.  The risk for shingles increases with age, with as many as one half of all adults contracting shingles by age 80.

Shingles often develops as a painful rash of liquid-filled blisters on the skin in bands that correspond to nerve pathways called dermatomes.  This is why the blisters most often appear to run in horizontal lines along the chest, back or face.  Additional symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea and chills.  Although the blisters almost always occur on just one side of the body, they can be scattered in patches or form a continuous band on the skin.  The rash ranges from irritating or itchy to extremely painful and typically lasts up to 30 days.  For most people, the pain associated with the rash lessens as it heals.

Having shingles cannot cause another person to contract shingles; however, a person with active shingles can transmit the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox—causing that person to come down with the chickenpox disease.  The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the blisters–not through sneezing or coughing–and a person is not contagious before the blisters appear or after the blisters have developed crusts.

Importantly, the CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for anyone age 60 and over, regardless of whether or not they previously had chickenpox.

At AAging Better In-Home Care, we strongly encourage our elderly clients to get a shingles vaccine and, like getting their flu shots, we also help facilitate getting them the age-appropriate vaccinations as a part of healthy aging at home.  To learn more about our home care services 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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