Call Home Instead Senior Care Austin for help with your aging relative living with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Our CAREGivers are trained to help people with memory loss live a better life. Call us at (512) 347-9207.

Many seniors living with Alzheimer’s will believe they are still independent and may resist any kind of help, saying they can do everything on their own. One day you may discover that he/she had gone in the back yard, locked the door behind him/her and spent the afternoon sitting in the sun. if it’s hot and temperature reaches 100 degrees that day, it will be frightening to know that he/she was left alone without food or drink. 

The thought of this happening will frighten most family members. Home Instead Senior Care Austin had a family caregiver once who is a single mother who knows what it’s like to balance many responsibilities, including those she faces as a caregiver for her grandmother while managing a career and caring for her young daughter single handedly.

She once told us her story; I try to use this situation as an example for other caregivers, because it can be reassuring to know that there are others out there going through things just like them. We also try to recommend non-medical assistance programs, like that provided by Home Instead Senior Care or local support groups so they can find others to talk to.

Call Home Instead Senior Care Austin for help with your aging relative living with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Our CAREGivers are trained to help people with memory loss live a better life. Call us at (512) 347-9207.

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS ARE OUT THERE

I work in a busy medical practice as a nurse, which specializes in geriatric care. We see a large number of patients who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who are often accompanied by their caregivers; usually relatives. One thing I always notice is that while each caregiver does have their own unique challenges, they feel so isolated that they believe they are the only ones dealing with the stresses and frustrations that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s bring.

However, in reality, 80% of Alzheimer’s caregivers are family members, often adult children or spouses. Even some public figures know what it feels like to care for a loved one who is suffering from a cognitive disease like Alzheimer’s, one renowned example is former first lady, Nancy Reagan, who cared for her late husband, former President, Ronald Reagan right until he unfortunately passed away.

A caregiver for one of our patients, who is 91 one years old and in the later stages of the disease has provided the following statement that we have used in our practice’s newsletters and other publications in order to let others know that they are not alone with the challenges and fears that they face as caregivers; “Because my grandmother is home alone during the day, I come home over my lunch hour to check on her. Grandmother has been living with me for three years, but still thinks she is visiting.

The number of people living with Alzheimer’s in North America is only expected to grow in the upcoming years, and should be around 11.3 to 16 million people by 2050; with 81 people suffering from some form of dementia by 2040.

As a result, the number of family caregivers will increase and so will the need for services to assist Austin Seniors with the day-to-day responsibilities. I don’t make recommendations to my patients and their families unless I know it’s a service or organization that is reputable, safe, knowledgeable, and generally one of the best in the business; but I’ve seen first hand how Home Instead Senior Care’s services can reduce the stress caregivers and their families deal with, and improve the over all quality of life of those living through Alzheimer’s disease.

Call Home Instead Senior Care Austin for help with your aging relative living with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Our CAREGivers are trained to help people with memory loss live a better life. Call us at (512) 347-9207.

HELP WITH ALZHEIMER’S CARE in AUSTIN - Call (512) 347-9207.

As a geriatric nurse, I have seen first hand how much stress can be incurred when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, especially when 87% are family caregivers who have families, careers, and other responsibilities. With such a large number of people in United States and North America (approximately 5 million across the continent), it is no surprise that these caregivers need help.

Services, such as those provided by Home Instead Senior Care can fill in the gaps and give family caregivers a break, or even provide full-time caregiving services. HISC provides non-medical in-home services from well-trained and educated CAREGivers; they undergo a multi-faceted safety and caregiving education program which features a progressive curriculum.

 They are trained and tested on case studies, senior illness information, tips for coping with stress and learn stimulating activities for seniors and nutritional recipes. There are also training programs specifically geared towards Alzheimer’s care, so individuals can ensure that their loved ones are safe, happy and healthy in their absence.

The “Financial Steps for Caregivers: What you need to know about money and retirement, ”According to the booklet, caregiving often results in financial costs for the caregiver, some of which include decisions to work part-time; decline a promotion requiring longer hours; or pass up a training opportunity requiring travel. To download the booklet http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp.

Other more subtle consequences include lost opportunities for compounded returns on 401(k) matching contributions, a reduction in savings and investments, or an inability to finance home improvements that could increase the resale value of a residence.  One study from the National Center on Women & Aging found that caregivers lose $659,130 over a lifetime in reduced salary and retirement benefits.

There may be options that could keep your daughter from giving up her career.  If you have other family members, discuss with them how they might help.  Oftentimes the caregiving job falls to one adult child when others could shoulder some of the responsibility.

Also consider a company like Home Instead Senior Care Austin.  Our CAREGivers could provide respite care for your daughter while making sure all your needs are met.  Hours are flexible, too – from three hours a week to 24 hours a day.  If you just need a little help, that’s all that you will have to budget for your care.  Not only will you be helping your daughter, but you’ll be making new friends as well.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care call 512-347-9207.

Family Caregivers Should Organize Financial Plan

Many family caregivers are called to help out their aging parents. Most do the caring after work and during the evenings.  But several family members tell us they are thinking about quitting their full-time job in order to more available for their elder. Typically, their own immediate family needs her or his income and caring  puts a strain on their budget.  Before you quit your job to provide full-time care for you aging relative, here’s some advice we give our families.

Our advice is taken from the National Family Caregiver Support Program resource room at http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp. It is called, “Financial Steps for Caregivers: What you need to know about money and retirement,” is a booklet prepared under a grant from the Administration on Aging and distributed in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A).

Please refer to this weblink prior to giving your notice to leave your job. This booklet, which will provide valuable information to help you and your family make decisions about the best way to proceed.  

Home Care Austin  (512) 535-6194

Fall Risk Higher in Women Who Sleep Less

The risk of falls among women age 70 and older is greater in those who sleep five hours or less per night, a new study shows. The study also found that the use of sleep medications doesn’t seem to influence the link between amount of sleep and fall risk.

Researchers from the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute of San Francisco measured sleep, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping) and frequency of falls in nearly 3,000 women 70 and older. The women averaged 6.8 hours of sleep per night, Health Day reports.

The average number of falls one year after collection of the sleep data was 0.84, but 18.4 percent of the women had two or more falls. The study found that women who slept five hours or less per night were more likely to have two or more falls than those who slept more than seven hours a night.

Researchers also found that women with a sleep efficiency of less than 70 percent were 1.36 times more likely to have a fall than women with a sleep efficiency of 70 percent or more. Women with 120 minutes or more of wake time after sleep onset were 1.33 times more likely to fall than those who were awake less than 120 minutes after sleep onset. 

This study reinforces the benefit of a full night’s sleep and may be useful information for family members.

Helping Seniors stay home - Home instead Senior Care - 512-347-9207.

It’s usually a crisis that begins family conversations. Families with seniors who have emerging needs, those not yet facing more serious age-related problems, are sometimes reluctant to seek help; communication is often the barrier.

Here are more suggestions from the Communication Expert Jake Harwood, Ph.D. at the University of Arizona:

5) Maximize independence

Always try to move toward solutions that provide the maximum amount of independence for a parent or senior loved one. Look for answers that optimize strengths and compensate for problems.

6) Stay tuned in

If, for example, your dad dies and soon afterward your mom’s house seems to be in disarray, it’s probably not because she suddenly became ill. Rather, it’s much more likely to stem from a lack of social support and the loss of a life-long relationship. Make sure that your mom has friends and a social life.

7) Ask for help

Many of the issues of aging can be solved by providing parents with the support they need to help them maintain their independence. Resources such as Home Instead Senior Care, Area Agencies on Aging and local senior centers can help provide those solutions.

The 40-70 Rule Guide features communication tips, as well as role-playing situations that can help family caregivers know what to say and when. For a free copy of the guide, just contact your local Home Instead Senior Care franchise office or download a PDF of the guide from the 40/70 Talk web site.

If your aging parent(s) needs home care help, please call Home Instead Senior Care at (512) 347-9207.

It’s usually a crisis that begins family conversations. Families with seniors who have emerging needs, those not yet facing more serious age-related problems, are sometimes reluctant to seek help; communication is often the barrier.

Here are some suggestions from Home Instead Senior Care and University of Arizona Communication Expert Jake Harwood, Ph.D.:

1) Get started

If you’re 40 or your parents are 70, it’s time to start observing the situation and gathering information carefully and thoughtfully. Talk with your parents (see the next tip, below), and gather information with an open mind. Until you’ve done so, don’t reach any conclusions or try to decide on potential solutions.

2) Talk it out

Approach your parents with ideas for a conversation. Discuss what you’ve observed and ask your parents what they think is going on.

3) Sooner is best

Talk sooner, rather than later. Don’t wait for a crisis to occur. For instance, if you know your loved one has poor eyesight or has trouble driving at night, then begin addressing those issues before a problem arises. However, while sooner is better, it’s never too late to start.

4) Forget the baby talk

Remember that you’re talking to adults, not children. Patronizing speech or baby talk will put older adults on the defensive and convey a lack of respect for them. Put yourself in your parent’s shoes and think how you would want to be addressed.

7 Ground Rules for Talking about Independence Issues with Seniors

Austin Home Instead Senior Care knows that, unfortunately, it is usually a crisis that begins conversations. Families with seniors who have emerging needs, those not yet facing more serious age-related problems, are sometimes reluctant to seek help; communication is often the barrier. “When there’s not yet a crisis, it’s a slower process for families trying to engage their senior loved ones,” he said. “We see families going back and forth trying to make a decision about what to do.”

“Adult children often over-analyze these situations, it’s easy for them to start thinking that their problems are unique. Home Instead Senior Care’s “40-70 Rule” campaign really affirms for families that these types of awkward situations, where people have difficulty talking with their loved ones about sensitive subjects, are normal. These conversations are part of a process that all families need to go through.”

Home Instead Senior Care research revealed that independence, including a senior’s need for assistance, often is the source of these sensitive subjects. “In about 30 percent of the cases we see, these types of decisions are made very slowly,” said Chicago-area Home Instead Senior Care Franchise Owner Mike Melinger.

“Starting a conversation about independence issues is like planting a seed. The idea, at first, might be totally unacceptable to the senior,” he noted. “But after several months, and several more conversations, I’ve seen the idea germinate. That’s why these types of conversations need to start before a crisis occurs.”

Certain ground rules should apply before beginning any conversations with seniors. We will talk about the ground rules on Wednesday.