Topics on Home care
Elderly at Risk for Hip Fractures
Posted by: | DateElderly at Risk for Hip Fractures by Sheryl O’Neal, Eldercare Advisor, Care For Life, Inc.
Of the approximately 350,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S., due to hip fractures alone, a strikingly high ninety percent (90%) are the result of falls. Among the elderly, only one in four recovers completely and/or sufficiently enough to return to their usual routines.
Forty percent (40%) will require skilled nursing facility care and may never return to their former lives or activity levels. Fifty percent (50%) will need a cane or walker to support ambulation and increase safety when moving about. The death rate for hip fracture patients is higher than for other people of the same age who do not sustain the injury. The grim statistic is that 24% of those over age 50 will die within 12 months of the injury. Read More→
Can I get help with making plans for my aged parents’ care
Posted by: | DateThey 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.
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
Posted by: | DateOur 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