Topics on caregivers
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→
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.
Names of Different Kinds of Living Facilities for Elderly
Posted by: | DateFound this information from Tenet Health 5 Web Article Feb 2010 on the different kinds of living facilities for Elderly.
There are many types of out-of-home care options for the elderly, depending on the level of care required. These may include:
· Assisted living facility (ALF)
ALFs provide maximum independence for elderly persons who remain relatively active and healthy. Typically, a healthy spouse and an impaired spouse can live together in an ALF. Most ALFs feature apartment-style living, including individual kitchens, and many services for the elderly, such as 24-hour security, transportation, and recreational and social programs.
· Residential care facility (RCF)
RCFs are for those who are no longer able to live alone and independently, but do not require skilled nursing care. At an RCF, the elderly person can receive assistance with personal hygiene, grooming, and/or other activities of daily living, as well as bedside care for minor and temporary illnesses. Typically, RCFs offer rooms, not apartments, and provide some recreational and social services for the elderly.
· Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
SNFs are also known as nursing homes, convalescent centers, and rest homes. At SNFs, elderly patients receive continuous nursing services under the care of a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse. SNFs can provide more extensive care services than assisted living or residential care facilities. Such services include intravenous feedings, blood pressure monitoring, medication injections, and care for patients on ventilators. SNFs often provide recreational, rehabilitative, and social programs for residents.
· Others
Special care centers are available for persons with particular medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. For patients displaying violent or disruptive behaviors or presenting a danger to themselves or others, special psychiatric facilities may be an option.
Professional Geriatric Care Management in the News
Posted by: | DateJanuary was a big month for increasing awareness of geriatric care managers and NAPGCM, which was featured in these different national articles:
Good Housekeeping
How to Help Your Aging Parents Without Going Broke
U.S. News and World Report
Family Caregivers: Exhausted, Stressed—and Abusive?
4 ways caregivers can avoid actions they’re not proud of and enjoy caring for a person they love