Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

Ensuring a safe, comfortable and organized environment for seniors.

Most elder loved ones feel the safest and most comfortable in their own homes, but we must consider the risk factors involved for Aging Adults suffering with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For these older seniors, home is not always the safest as it once was, since their illness. To ensure seniors are happy and well-adjusted, you must establish a safe and comfortable environment for them.

Making appropriate changes to an aging adult’s home environment so it is safe and supportive, is not easy but is vital for an elder living with Alzheimer’s. The family of an a senior citizen can help in making suggestions in establishing a positive environment for their elder loved one. Maintaining these safety guidelines increases a senior’s ability to function and decreases difficult behaviors. This is an important issue that should not be overlooked concerning the aging population showing signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Aging adults may have had things the same way for more than 50 years and do not want change. A physical environment can greatly impact a Senior’s life. If well-done, surroundings can enhance what’s happening every day. On the other hand, a disorganized or unsafe physical environment can acutually inhibit the activity of everyday life and leave an elderly who lives with Alzheimer’s in turmoil.

Some suggestions to consider:

-Increase lighting levels
-Add bright accents and paintings
-Declutter the rooms, especially walkways
-Install lever type doorknobs
-Install secure railings on both sides of stairways
-Declutter closets - organize clothes by day
-Use safety latches on drawers and doors
-Chairs should have arm rests and be at elbow height

Your loved one’s physical environment can greatly impact their lives. Keep their homes organized and safe.

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

Interview Questions Dr. Devere

Q: Dr. Devere, you are a doctor in Austin who specializes in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Neurology.  May we ask you some questions about health care that we are often asked and have often heard answered poorly by others?
A: Yes, you may.

Q: Regarding Trends in Health of the Elderly: In addition to good nutrition, a multi-vitamin, and proper hygiene, what are some additional tips that Senior citizens can use to stay healthy throughout the year?

A: To maintain Brain Health, it is important to exercise physically and keep your brain active by reading, gardening, games and socialization.  Be sure you don’t have untreated high cholesterol, high blood pressure or early diabetes.

Q: Regarding Symptoms and Diagnosis: One of the most commonly asked questions that our readers ask is, “What are the symptoms of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s?”  We want to ask a greater question: What at-home, non-professional tools can we use to recognize symptoms of numerous elder related illness, disease, and disorder?  How will we separate true health issues from basic age-related decline?

A: If caregivers or friends recognize that a person’s memory is abnormal and especially if it interferes with Basic Daily activity, which is not normal,  they should be evaluated by a physician.  Not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s.  Most conditions causing memory loss are treatable, including Alzheimer’s

Q: Regarding Later-life Housing: The statistics say that a fraction of people pass away suddenly/unexpectedly; it is far more likely that we will all have a normal, healthy decline.  This means that people will likely spend their waning years at home or in some form of skilled nursing or assisted living institution.  AARP tells that people have a preference to stay in their homes; not a surprise to anyone, but as living one one’s own becomes increasingly difficult, what steps can they take to age in place successfully?

A: People with physical and/or cognitive abnormalities will likely need help from their spouses or family.  Help with basic home Activities and meds can be obtained by hiring aides through Home Care and Companionship Service Agencies.  Assisted Living facilities with or without a spouse are available.  Nursing Homes really should be a last resort if the above considerations fail.

Q: Thank you Dr. Devere.  May our readers continue to ask questions of you?
A: Yes, Absolutely.  They can reach me at 1200 Lakeway Dr # 8, Lakeway, TX 78734 and (512) 261-7909

There’s no denying that family caregivers have a tough job. Managing life with caregiving can be a difficult balance to attain. You may feel as though you are obligated to care for your aging loved one forever since you have committed to care for them for a time, however, sometimes it’s just better to let someone else take over. You need to consider a number of factors, relating to the health of the senior, your relationships and your lifestyle. Take a look at the following points below, to learn why caregivers step down and it if might be time for you to do the same.

Health

• The caregiver is beginning to feel under qualified in their caregiving duties, since the senior’s medical needs are growing
• The caregiver feels overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and is having problems keeping up with the demands; the senior may not be fed on a regular schedule, changed when required, or brought medications on time
• The overall condition of the household has declined since the caregiver started taking responsibility

Relationships

• The caregiver and care recipient have had problems with adjusting to their role changes. For example, an adult child providing care for a mother may find that her mother cannot accept that she is now under her daughter’s care.
• The relationship between caregiver and care recipient is becoming tense
• The caregiver may feel like he/she has lost the family relationship with the senior he/she once had; it could feel more like a business relationship than a family bond
• The caregiver’s relationship with other family members, like a spouse or children have been impacted negatively by the caregiving responsibilities

Lifestyle

• The caregiver can no longer find time for his/herself
• He/she has no opportunity to relieve stress or relax doing enjoyable activities
• The caregiver is unable to accomplish goals and dreams because of the overwhelming responsibilities
• The caregiver is becoming resentful or blames the senior for the drastic lifestyle changes

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder home health in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Borrowed Eyes

Living at great distance from aging parents can be nerve wracking; you never know if they’re doing okay, and rely on what they tell you which might not always be accurate. Friends and neighbors who are close to a senior can act as your eyes and ears when you are away. These people can detect changes in your parent’s behavior and routines, and can visually detect if something does not appear right with the older adult. 

But friends and neighbors are not always available to help out or check in on an aging relative even though they may live door. When you live at a distance from mom, and you don’t trust mom to give you the truth.. not because she wants to lie to you - but instead she does not want to worry you, that’s where we come in.

Home Instead Senor Care Austin has been working with elders and seniors in Austin for over 5 years. We are reliable and can be your second set of eyes - on a consistent basis which is important to a family member living away from an elderly loved one.

It can be beneficial to establish this support network for your parents whether they live independently in their own home, or in a community living environment, because in addition to offering you reassurance and being a local emergency contact; we can provide companionship to your loved one.

Our professional CAREGiver can stop by on a regular basis, just to check in and also let them know they have support.

Over the holidays, when celebrating with your parents, remember to extend your gratitude to the companion or caregiver for all that they do.

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing the most trusted elder care in America! Call us today at (512) 347-9207.

Alzheimer’s Home Health Care - Helping Families Cope in Austin

Alzheimer’s Home Health Care Requires Good Communication to Smooth the Process

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can cause a person to act in different and unpredictable ways. Some individuals with Alzheimer’s become anxious or aggressive. Others repeat certain questions and gestures. Many misinterpret what they see or hear.

These types of reactions can lead to misunderstanding, frustration and tension, particularly between the person with dementia and the caregiver. It is important to understand that the person is not acting that way on purpose.

The physical, emotional and financial effects of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease can be serious threats to a family caregiver’s welfare, especially as stress and pressures mount.  If you need home health or assistance with your loved one living with Alzheimer’s in Austin, please call us at 512.347.9207.

When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, the damage to his or her brain can make it difficult to recall or to understand words. Attempting to recall or decipher words can be overwhelming and result in frustration. The person may become agitated or repeat one word or a question over and over – a true test of your patience and understanding.

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.

Home Instead Senior CAREGivers know the value of patience and helping Alzheimer’s clients do what they can on their own.  This often involves maintaining a regular routine, and using a series of easily understood cues and prompts.  The Home Instead Senior Care approach is to encourage ongoing communication between CAREGiver and client – for instance, emphasizing short, simple sentences; regular eye contact; and appropriate body language.

CAREGivers are even trained to help clients with Alzheimer’s disease when these individuals are moved to nursing facilities or to Alzheimer’s special-care units.  A CAREGiver helps add structure to an Alzheimer’s resident’s day and helps minimize the time this individual will spend alone. 

More importantly, a CAREGiver’s presence can help reduce wandering and creates a safer environment for the person.  In addition, CAREGivers recognize when clients have had too much stimulation and may be about to have what we refer to as “catastrophic reactions.”  They can then adjust their approaches to help calm and reassure these clients.

Home Health in Austin, Texas - delivered by Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Call today (512) 347-9207.

Caregiving and Alzheimers Home Health in Austin TX. When seeking home care or non medical home care in Austin call (512)347-9207.

This week in Austin, we are very focused on Alzheimer’s, as it has been the main topic around our Home Instead Austin office due to the Memory Walk that we participated in Saturday. I will write more on that later, but for now, I thought it would be helpful to let caregivers in on some tips that can be helpful when caring for a client with Alzheimer’s.

• Try to plan activities around the part of the day when your client is at his/ her best.
• Always keep a safe environment. Remove anything that could hurt them.
• Keep activities simple and familiar.
• Keeping up an exercise routine, along with good nutrition is important!
• Label items and drawers so that the client will know where they put things.
• Try to create a sense of accomplishment for the client when they complete any activities.
• Most importantly, take care of your needs and make sure that you get plenty of rest. You are not helping the client if you are not feeling well, so be good to yourself!

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, hopefully with these tips, and a positive attitude, the experience will be rewarding for both you, and the client.

Michelle Kosusnik, Recruiter/ Retention Coordinator/Blog Contributor
Home Instead Senior Care Austin, Texas

Helping Loved Ones Cope with Alzheimer’s Disease in Austin

While sometimes it may seem quicker and easier to do routine tasks for them, it is important to keep someone suffering with Alzheimer’s involved even if it means setting up a situation for them and using cues and prompting. You can place a razor in their hand and tell them to shave, demonstrating the action with visual cues.

A patient at a later stage of the disease, may still be physically capable of performing a number of tasks, but may have difficulty recalling the function or use of an object. Caregivers must also remember to exercise patience when allowing someone with Alzheimer’s to complete a task; provide them with whatever direction is required, but then step back and allow them the time they need to get it done, regardless of the time that elapses. These are a few tips that will help seniors with Alzheimer’s maintain some independence which increases their self-esteem and overall well-being, it can also be a great way to decrease the stress level in the caregiver and care recipient relationship.

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 AND DECREASED INDEPENDENCE

I work as a geriatric nurse in busy long-term care facility. I deal with a number of Alzheimer’s patients and understand the challenges they face as their disease progresses to the later stages; many suffer from frustration and low self-esteem because they are aware of their mental impairment and their decreasing ability to perform tasks they were once able to complete with ease.

Each patient seems to cope with the disease differently, some accept their fate passively, others are angry, and all exhibit signs of depression at some point. Family members need to understand the challenges their loved ones are facing and do what they can to help the individual maintain some sense of autonomy.

People with Alzheimer’s are easily overwhelmed and distracted when faced with too many options; caregivers should allow them to make their own decisions, but limit their options when doing so. For example, ask whether they’d prefer lemonade or coffee or lay out a couple of wardrobe options for the day.

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.

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.