Care For Life » Home care

Can I get help with making plans for my aged parents’ care

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:53:45 +0000

They are reluctantly moving to be close to me near Moncks Corner, SC. They will try living with me and my family they said, but they aren’t too keen on living in a house with teenagers. I think an outside resource they can talk to about their future living arrangements would serve to put them more at ease about coming to SC.
You are wise to seek someone who is a professional eldercare manager to help you and your parents through the planning of their long term residence. Visits are great, but sometimes the elderly like to keep their own schedules and resent having to conform to someone elses’ dinner plans or bedtimes. One of our eldercare advisors and our nurse care manager will consult with them and talk with you so that any compromises that might need to be made are constructively discussed for the best outcome for your parents. Call us today at 843-852-9090. We have experts on hand to talk with you. We have experienced, trained caregivers who are bonded and insured to come into the home to assist with daily living activities, companionship and transportation.

What is Geriatric Care Management? What does it provide that a sitter cannot?

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:53:23 +0000

Care For Life offers Geriatric Care Management and Homecare. Care Management is done by a nursing professional usually in collaboration with Mary Peters, MS, CMC, RG, who has met strict qualifications criteria of a national certifying agency. The criteria is based on education, but also experience in the geriatric field.

Our Nurse Care Manager meets with a potential care receiver and/or his/her family members helping with their care in the place of residence. She assesses the physical and mental capabilities of the person who needs care as well as personal hygiene and home maintenance. She assesses whether the person would be helped by physical or other kinds of therapy. She reviews medications and will talk with physicians and/or pharmacists as needed.

She also assesses the home for accessibility and safety for ease of use by the senior. She observes the interaction of the family with the aged person. Are they communicating well? With the client and family’s input, the CM completes a written care plan to be placed in the home to assure the quality of care and frequency of care the client desires.
Next, an experienced, trained caregiver who has been background checked, bonded and insured by Care For Life is assigned to provide care. Care Management continues as the caregiver is monitored by the nurse, the home care quality assurance coordinator, the scheduler, and the retention manager. Clients and their family members are encouraged to contact management at any time with questions or concerns. The Nurse Care Manager will communicate with family members as often as they prefer updates.

Personal Hygiene and Home Maintenance

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:33:11 +0000

Our Eldercare Advisor spoke with a daughter the other day who had a concern, she said, “Our Dad just isn’t taking care of himself, and the house is a mess. He doesn’t shave and his clothes are always dirty when I go by.”
When seniors who have usually taken pride in their appearance with a routine of bathing, dressing and grooming begin to lose interest or ability, I usually suggest an assessment of their emotional and physical needs and home safety by our nurse care manager.
She objectively assesses personal well-being, hygiene and the home. With a minimum of homecare a week, most of the problems in these areas can be resolved. A trained, compassionate caregiver really helps improve the senior’s outlook and environment by providing a fresh start to each day and encourages ongoing good habits.
Decreasing home maintenance, overgrown grass or ceasing to make necessary repairs to the home are other concerns. Help with light housekeeping to increase home maintenance helps relieve these stressors.
It is best for all concerned to address these concerns as soon as they are observed. Call today for a complimentary consultation with our Eldercare Advisor. 852-9090

Essential Tips for Home Maintenance & Safety

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:26:02 +0000

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Home maintenance is critical to seniors who want to remain comfortably at home for as long as possible. Our nurse’s home assessment will help you decide what you need to do. A fall with injuries can open the doorway to impaired mobility and decreased independence. A head injury can alter your cognition. Any injury that limits mobility can make the body more susceptible to infections.

1. Talk to your doctor home safety. Have a comprehensive home assessment by Care For Life’s nurse to help you with your long term plans for remaining at home.

2. Tell your doctor and your family when your medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded.

3. Install proper lighting throughout your home. Use night-lights in the hallways between the bedroom and bathroom.

4. De-clutter your home. Keep floor and stairs free of clutter & do not use small throw rugs. Check that stairs are in good repair and are slip resistant. If any stairs are broken, have them fixed promptly

6. WEAR PROPER SHOES inside and outside. Use a cane or walker for better balance.

7. Install grab bars in all bathrooms by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower. If you need extra support, get a shower seat. Install a hand-held shower device.

8. Consider getting a Medical Alert System to call for help if you fall

Five things that cause aged adults to fail at home Part III

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:26:34 +0000

The following is Part III in our series on the five things that cause aged adults to fail at home. When families know the signs of decline in their loved one, they can takesteps to solve problems well before they become a crisis

In May, we talked about medication errors as one of the five things that can cause elderly people to fail. The others are nutrition, unaddressed medical problems and home safety & proper hygiene & home maintenance. Our caregivers empower the elderly to remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper hygiene and home maintenance.

“My Dad just isn’t taking care of himself, and the
house is cluttered. He gets upset when I ask to
help him get a bath. I need your help!”

Elders living alone are less likely to keep a schedule of dressing, bathing, and personal grooming. Widowed spouses often lose all motivation for home cleanliness and personal appearance.
Household tasks are postponed or abandoned.

Care For Life Solution:
A few hours of homecare several times a each week by a trained caregiver can help remedy this problem. Caregivers assist in keeping a routine in place for bathing, dressing and grooming. Light housekeeping assistance will help maintain the home and keep it safer. The aged person’s outlook on life will likely improve with a fresh start each day. Give us a call to discuss care for your loved one at 843-852-9090.

12 Tips To Prevent Falls At Home

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:30:09 +0000

1.Talk to your doctor about falls prevention. Have regular vision and hearing tests.
2. Take prescription and over-the-counter medications correctly . Keep a medication
record and review it regularly with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your medication
makes you dizzy or lightheaded.
3. Install proper lighting throughout your home. Pay special attention to stairs (with a
light switch at both ends) and bathrooms. Use night-lights in the hallways, particularly
between the bedroom and bathroom.
4. Keep your floor and stairs free of clutter (avoid the use scatter rugs)
5. Be sure to have at least one handrail (preferably two) on all stairways and steps in
your home. Ensure handrails are securely attached and in good repair.
6. Check that stairs are in good repair and are slip resistant. If any stairs are broken,
have them fixed promptly. Add a strip along the edge of each step in a contrasting color
to make it easier to see or use reflective anti-skid treads.
7. Take the same precautions for outdoor steps. In addition, arrange to have leaves, snow and ice removed on a regular basis. Use salt or sand throughout the winter months.
8. Wear proper footwear. Shoes, boots and slippers should provide good support and have good soles. Avoid loose slippers or stocking feet.
9. Install grab bars in all bathrooms, by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower. It’s a good idea to have two bars in the tub, one on a side wall and one on the back wall. If you need extra support, consider a bath seat or bench so you can have a shower sitting down.
10. Use a rubber mat along the full length in your tub, and a non-skid bath mat beside the tub.
11. Use walking aids and other safety devices for extra safety. If you use a cane or a walker, check that it is the right height and that the rubber tips are not worn. Install stainless steel prongs (ice picks) on canes for safe walking in the winter.
12. Invest in a Medical Alert System –so that help will be available when you fall!

I take care of my elderly father.

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:58:00 +0000

We had this questions asked recently.
Q: I take care of my elderly father. If he depletes his assets by paying me for his care, will he still have to wait 30 months for Medicaid?
A: Sorry, but we aren’t lawyers and cannot give legal advice. You and your father need to obtain the advice of a legal professional who is very familiar with Medicaid. If your father has impaired cognition, it is vitally important to plan for his long term care and avoid mistakes with money matters. We would definitely refer you to an elder law specialist for legal advice if you call us at 843-852-9090. Sheryl O’Neal, ElderCare Consultant

Care For Life—Specializing in Personal & Dementia Care with Dignity

Please tell me about grants available for home care Charleston SC

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:39:48 +0000

We received a question about grants available for home care in the Low Country.
There are two grants that we try to let everyone know about. The first is from the Trident Agency on Aging. Need-based grants are awarded following application made by contacting their office at 843-554- 2275. The Trident AAA grants include Alzheimer’s patients also.

The Alzheimer’s Association awards grants also. They may be reached at 843-571-2641 to request an application.

‘Grandparents’ scam targets seniors

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:01:05 +0000

Here is a video talking about the latest scam on seniors called the ‘Grandparents’ scam

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Another video about the scam

Is it normal to be angry a lot when living with your elderly mother?

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:26:56 +0000

Got this question from an individual about living with their elderly mother.

Is it normal to be angry a lot when living with your elderly mother?

Anger can take many forms. If you are frustrated and feeling overwhelmed, that is one thing. If you are angry and lashing out verbally or physically then you are on dangerous ground. Get help managing your stress and handling your anger appropriately. Don’t try to “go it alone”.

As our parents age, we might be in denial to all the changes we see in them. It is hard to accept that the person in front of you has regressed to behaviors that closely resemble unruly children. It is important to acknowledge your role reversal status. Unless you accept the likelihood that you will receive the brunt of your parents’ outbursts, negativity and unacceptable behaviors as the primary caregiver, you will suffer even more emotionally.

It might be helpful to make an effort to satisfy the demands of your parents, but know you will have to set boundaries for what you will accept. If your parents have always been angry, it is easier to understand their anger now at losing their independence. If your parents are suffering any degree of dementia, the best thing you can do for them is to assure that they see medical professionals (such as neurologists and geriatricians) who can properly diagnose dementia and prescribe medicines that will help with behavioral issues.

Start getting help today. Talk to an eldercare advisor at Care For Life who will listen to your needs and make every effort to provide resources to help you. It is always wise to participate in a support group with persons in similar situations. Call 2-1-1 for community resources also.