Take My Hand At Home

At Home Care

Give dad what he really needs this Father’s Day

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Father's day visit with grandson

Ties are great. Wallets are swell. But your dad probably doesn’t need or want those things anymore. If you want to show your love for dad this Father’s Day with something he truly needs, try these three great options:

Time. The circumstances of life can make time a rare luxury as your father ages. Older dads typically have children who are in their busiest years — kids in the home, tons of responsibilities at work, etc. People in this situation are referred to as belonging to the “sandwich generation” of people, typically in their 30s or 40s, who are caring for their own children while also ensuring that their aging parents have the care they need.

While you might have little time on your hands, it remains nonetheless important to spend some with your dad. This Father’s Day, your dad would probably love nothing more than time with his children and grandchildren.

Father's day visit with granddaughter

Attention. If you’re going to spend time with dad, you might as well make the most of it. Ideally, time spent with dad would be quality time, and that means giving him your full attention. Put down the phone (and have the kids do the same) and engage in quality conversation. Perhaps you could play a fun guessing game together, like “my father works in a grocery store,” or listen to an informative senior-focused podcast. Maybe it’s a good time to talk about important documents, such as advance directives and wills.

Giving dad your attention not only will help ensure that you have a great time hanging out with your father, but it also can help you determine whether your dad might need a little extra help. When you get together, pay attention to his wants and needs — and how they’ve changed over time.

Help. The odds are high that your dad doesn’t get by quite as well as he used to. This father’s day (or any time of year), at-home care assistance is an out-of-the-box (literally) gift idea that can improve your dad’s quality of life. If he needs help shopping for groceries, remembering to take medicines or any of a million other activities of daily living, at-home care could be a real blessing. Contact Take My Hand At-Home Care for a complimentary in-home assessment of your dad’s needs.

Help for dad can be a gift for children, too, because it can help lessen the stress of worrying whether he gets all the care he needs to remain safe and happy. If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to Take My Hand At-Home Care.

Simple bathroom safety updates for older adults

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Each year, more than one in four adults 65 or older will experience a fall, with 20% of them resulting in serious injury. This is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also notes that not only can falls cause immediate injury, they can instill a fear of falling, causing people to limit their activities, thus lowering their quality of life. Thus, it’s no surprise that some of the best ways to improve bathroom safety for older adults involve making changes that help reduce the likelihood of a fall.

Below are 10 simple changes anyone can do to help improve bathroom safety for older loved ones.

Clear the clutter. Crowded bathrooms are likely to present a trip hazard. Consider removing rugs, plants, magazine baskets, toilet paper stands and anything else that isn’t strictly needed in the room.

Install grab bars. Strategically placed handholds can dramatically lessen falls in the bathroom. One just inside the room, for example, can provide balance while the other hand is used to shut the door. Note: Do not use a towel rack for this purpose, as they are not designed to support human weight.

Put non-slip decals in the tub. This is especially important if the tub also is used as a shower (and if that’s the case, consider converting to a walk-in shower instead). A porcelain tub is extremely slick when wet and soapy, contributing to falls for even the most sure-footed people.

Install a raised toilet seat. It takes much more effort to position oneself on a lower seat, and of course getting up is that much more difficult, too. A raised seat makes the process easier.

Buy toilet safety rails. Like a raised seat, safety rails can make it much easier to sit on and get up from the toilet. Plus, they help provide balance in case your loved one begins to feel unsteady on the seat.

Get a stool for the shower. A tall stool in the shower will help your loved one rest tired legs while bathing and provide a steadier perch than attempting to stand on a slick, soapy floor.

Lower water heater temperature. The CDC recommends that water heaters be set at 120 F or lower to prevent burns. Even 110 F or 115 F should be warm enough.

Install brighter lightbulbs. Increasing the brightness of bathroom lighting can help older adults better see any obstacles that might be in the room.

Install lever-handle faucets. Knob-style faucets can be difficult to operate for those with arthritis or similar conditions that limit dexterity.

Ensure easy access to and from the bathroom. Check the hallway outside the bathroom for obstructions. Is there an end table there that could be removed? Is the transition from the hall carpet to the bathroom in good repair? Is the hallway lighted adequately, and is the light switch easy to access?

Take My Hand At-Home Care provides loving, attentive home care service throughout Whatcom County. If you’ve tried the above fixes but still aren’t confident that your loved one can navigate the bathroom safely, please give us a call. We would be happy to help.

5 podcasts for senior wellness 

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The vast array of podcasts – i.e. internet radio shows – in today’s world is enough to make anyone’s head spin. From true crime storytelling to politics and health, there’s a podcast out there for practically any topic, taste or age range. If you’re of a certain adult age – or have a senior family member – it might interest you to know there’s plenty of podcasts that promote senior wellness.

Aging not just gracefully, but safely and healthily, is part of Take My Hand At-Home Care’s mission. With that in mind, here’s a sampling of some terrific podcasts with the senior set in mind:

“Aging in Full Bloom” – Hosted by Lisa Stockdale, this senior-focused podcast features a wide range of topics and guests, including an episode featuring Alzheimer’s caregiving advice from Patti Davis, daughter of President Ronald Reagan.

With engaging 15- to 30-minute episodes about everything from elder law to retirement advice and heart health, “Aging in Full Bloom” is a friendly, engaging choice for listeners.

“Better Health While Aging” – Another podcast with practical advice health advice both for seniors and those who care for them, this show is hosted by Dr. Leslie Kernisan, a board-certified geriatrician. On the show, Dr. Kernisan discusses such topics as when to know if your aging parent needs help and how to discuss it with them.

More than 100 episodes of “Better Health While Aging” are available, so there’s no shortage of knowledge to consider here, whether the topic is bladder health or how to survive the holidays with several generations of family.

AARP’s “The Perfect Scam” – Hosted by Bob Sullivan, the podcast shares stories of people duped by scammers, including a woman who donated land to a disabled veteran’s charity only to learn it wasn’t real.

Part of the AARP Fraud Watch Network, “The Perfect Scam” includes interviews with fraud experts, scam victims and even some of the professional con artists who perpetrate them, providing insight into how these grifters operate.

“Stay Wealthy” – A Forbes Top 10 retirement podcast hosted by Taylor Schulte, a certified financial planner, “Stay Wealthy” provides a variety of episodes focused on what seniors need to financially live their best retirement.

Topics in each 15- to 30-minute episode include how to reduce tax liabilities, make smarter investments and conduct other retirement income strategies. All information is delivered in a relatively easy to understand way.

“New Tricks for Old Dogs” – A podcast aimed at engaging the fun part of the baby boomer brain, this show co-hosted by veteran comedian Paul Menzel and voice actor Jim Conlan is a celebration of senior living. Each episode is chock full of fun conversation about aging challenges, not only, but also features such elements as offbeat news items, adventuring tips, and interviews with seniors staying engaged in life.

And of course, there’s no shortage of shameless humor. The “New Tricks for Old Dogs” podcast website also features a ton of great website links for seniors, including everything from daily laughs to travel savings to healthcare.

With the plethora of great podcasts aimed at seniors, the medium offers an excellent way for older adults to stay up to date on health, wellness and lifestyle trends. We hope you find something on this list you enjoy. And if you want to recommend a wonderful senior-focused podcast that’s not on this list, please let us know!

How to reduce stress, avoid chronic disease

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Isn’t it ironic that stress has such a strong relationship with disease? The more stressed we are, the more chronic diseases can attack our bodies — which, naturally, tends to stress us out even more.

“Your body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors,” writes the Mayo Clinic in an article about stress management. “Such threats are rare today, but that doesn’t mean that life is free of stress. On the contrary, you likely face many demands each day, such as taking on a huge workload, paying the bills and taking care of your family. Your body treats these so-called minor hassles as threats. As a result, you may feel as if you’re constantly under attack.”

That feeling, in turn, can lead to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, digestive problems, depression, memory impairment and more.

That’s enough to stress anyone out, right?

There is good news, however. You can fight back.

Here are four things you can start doing today to reduce your stress:

Take care of yourself physically. Engaging in regular exercise, getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet will set your body up for success. Are you or an older loved one having trouble sleeping? Here are some tips to improve your sleep.

Take care of yourself mentally. Practicing mindfulness techniques can help break the “cycle of worry,” says one expert, which in turn can put you back in control over your life. What’s more, mindfulness can lead to cognitive improvements and other benefits, especially in older adults.

Pursue your passions. When you take time for hobbies and other things you enjoy, you are lowering your stress level. The Annals of Behavioral Medicine found during one study that when pursuing hobbies, participants’ moods were more positive, and they had lower stress and heart rates. What’s more, stimulating social and mental activities are known to keep our brains sharp as we age.

Learn more: Activities to support brain health and memory in seniors

Get the help you need at home. Among the people we talk with regularly here at Take My Hand At-Home Care, a major stress point is the care of older loved ones. Family caregivers bear an enormous amount of stress in ensuring that their mom or dad are getting the support they need as they age. Contracting with a company like Take My Hand can help reduce the burden of stress through trustworthy, reliable care at home. We work in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and throughout Whatcom County to help families lower their stress and ensure their loved ones are well cared for.

Call us today to get the at-home help you need.

Learn more: Is now the right time to choose at-home care?

How to help older loved ones sleep better

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Good sleep is critical for people of all ages, given its importance to weight loss, concentration, heart health, healthy metabolism, mental health and more. 

As we age and our health needs change, a good night’s sleep remains a critical need, as proper sleep has significant positive impact on concentration, memory and immune health among the elderly. In addition, a poor night’s sleep can lead to debilitating fatigue throughout the day, making it difficult to perform regular activities of daily living. 

What’s more, when our elderly loved ones sleep poorly, they aren’t the only ones affected. Poor sleep can not only negatively impact their health, but also the health of the family caregivers who perhaps lose their own sleep because of it. 

What can be done to improve sleep among the elderly? 

While many elderly with nightly sleep issues end up with a prescription drug aid, doctors say drugs usually are not the best solution. Instead, doctors recommend making simple lifestyle changes — improving “sleep hygiene” — to boost sleep. 

Sleep hygiene improvements can help ensure that time in bed is more fruitful; among them are sticking to a regular bedtime, avoiding screens before bed, bathing before bedtime, getting plenty of exercise throughout the day (but not within four hours of bedtime), and avoiding afternoon caffeine and spicy foods. 

Hiring an at-home caregiver can help an elderly loved one manage many of these important tasks. A caregiver can assist with walks and other activities and can help with bathing and timekeeping tasks to ensure that bedtime can be consistent. A caregiver also can help manage food and drink in the afternoon to ensure that loved ones can keep consistent. 

If nighttime pain is preventing sleep, a caregiver also can help with medication management, ensuring proper and timely dosage. 

Caregivers also can monitor other potential causes for sleep interruptions and work with the family to find solutions to specific issues, such as sleep apnea, a sleep disorder marked by repeated interruptions to breathing. Caregivers also can help family members in determining, with guidance from the family doctor, what changes to sleep patterns are a part of normal aging. 

Take My Hand At-Home Care works with families throughout Whatcom County to care for their elderly loved ones. Whether you need four hours in the afternoon to help prepare for bed or a 12-hour shift to assist with bedtime activities and monitor sleep, Take My Hand can help. Just give us a call to discuss your needs. 

Gathering with family? Here’s how to spot whether older loved ones need assistance

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With the holiday season is in full swing, you might be visiting older loved ones for food, fun, and frivolity. 

Perhaps it’s the first time you’ve seen your loved ones in a while, and they’ve changed as they’ve grown older. You will want to be on the lookout for ways to help or for signs that your older loved ones might need additional assistance in their day-to-day lives. 

Here are some things to look for: 

Physical ability 

It’s no surprise that as we age, our ability to do things for ourselves diminishes. Walking without assistance, for example, can become a difficult or even dangerous task. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year, one in four older adults will experience a fall, making falls the leading cause of injuries and death from injury among the elderly. 

What to look for: Watch your loved ones walk across the room. Are they shuffling or dragging their feet? Are their feet spread far apart to aid balance? Does it take a long time? Are they steady walking and sitting down? According to the AARP, these can be signs that a loved one might need assistance walking. 

What you can do: Take steps to prepare your loved one’s home for aging in place, including removing barriers and simplifying the furniture arrangements. Call an at-home care provider such as Take My Hand for assistance with daily activities and mobility. 

Mental health 

Like physical decline, cognitive lapses can occur with regularity among older adults. According to the CDC, subjective cognitive decline affects roughly one in nine people. As you gather with your loved ones this holiday season, there are things you can do to gauge whether dementia, Alzheimer’s or a similar brain decline might be at play. 

What to look for: Increasing forgetfulness, difficulty understanding directions and increases in impulsivity can be signs of cognitive decline in an older loved one. 

Read more: How to spot brain decline among the elderly 

What you can do: Reach out to Dementia Support Northwest in Bellingham for a memory screening. The organization has a mobile unit that can travel anywhere in Whatcom County. Contact Take My Hand or another at-home care provider for assistance. Caregivers can devote as little or as much time as is needed to ensure the proper amount of attention and support for loved ones in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and elsewhere in the county. 

If you want an expert to evaluate whether your loved one needs extra assistance, please reach out to us at Take My Hand At-Home Care for a no-cost and no-obligation evaluation. You can reach us at 360-543-5777 or info@takemyhandathome.com. 

We can help in many areas, including medication monitoring and reminders, help with ambulation to prevent falls, light housekeeping, personal hygiene, cooking, grocery shopping and much more. 

Caregivers: nursing home vs. at-home care

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Of the 1,000 adults polled in a recent survey, 75% said they would prefer recovering at home instead of in an institutional setting after a serious health event. 

According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has only solidified this opinion: “As consumers live through the ongoing public health emergency and read about the dangers of facility-based care, many are hoping all health care shifts into the home.” 

This is great news for the at-home care industry, not only, but also for the many caregivers facing a decision between finding a job in a medical facility or in an at-home care setting. As more and more seniors choose to enjoy care in the familiar comforts of home — whether help recovering after surgery or ongoing assistance with activities of daily living — opportunities for caregivers will continue to grow. 

But the growth of at-home care and its advantages for long-term job security isn’t the only benefit for caregivers. Here are a few more reasons to choose to work in at-home care: 

  • The at-home setting can be calmer and more relaxed. In at-home care, workers can generally choose more flexible hours and work at a slower pace. In each home, there typically is just one person needing care. Instead of rushing from bed to bed, caregivers can focus their time and attention on one person — getting better acquainted with the person’s needs, not only, but also with the actual person, building lasting relationships that are so important for well-being. 
  • The flexibility of the at-home care setting also means that services can be better customized to the needs of each individual. Some people might simply need a companion to help with cooking and groceries, while others might need help remembering to take medications, getting dressed and attending doctors’ appointments. 
  • The home setting is more comfortable and familiar for those receiving care. Many long-term care facilities attempt to replicate for residents the feeling of living at home, but there is nothing like the real thing. At-home living is much more comfortable for residents — which can make at-home caregiving a more pleasant experience, too. 
  • Restrictions due to COVID-19 aren’t as broad. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restrictions have been placed at the county and state levels on long-term care facilities, restricting such things as who can visit and when. In at-home care, caregivers have more flexibility to care for clients according to the clients’ wishes. 

Further reading: Why work in at-home care? 

If you are a nursing assistant or caregiver looking for fulfilling employment in Whatcom County, please consider Take My Hand At-Home Care. 

Founder retires, transitions ownership of Lynden caregiving company

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Longtime Lynden caregiving company Take My Hand At-Home Care has a new owner. 

Matt Obermueller, owner,
Take My Hand At-Home Care   

Matt Obermueller, a Whatcom County native, assumed ownership of the company in late September and has been managing its affairs since then. Sue Sorensen founded the business more than a decade ago, in 2010. 

Obermueller lived in Whatcom County for 47 years before leaving to operate a Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in the San Diego area, which he has done since 2015. Seniors Helping Seniors is an in-home care business similar to TMH, with locations throughout the country. 

“I am excited to have a residence in Lynden again and to be back in Whatcom County on a regular basis,” Obermueller said, “helping local seniors and their families stay happy and healthy.” 

Though he will primarily have a management role in the company, Obermueller plans to help with the caregiving as needed. He has served as a caregiver in San Diego, and he also gained experience and insight guiding his parents through the aging process a few years ago. 

“Caregiving is a state of mind,” Obermueller said. “It’s giving of yourself for the benefit of others. It’s a very rewarding job, and it’s challenging, too.” 

Previously, Obermueller worked for Sterling Health in Bellingham for roughly 11 years. His work there focused on senior insurance and Medicare. 

Sorensen’s daughter-in-law, Heidi Sorensen, will continue to manage much of the day-to-day operations of the company. 

“I am thrilled to be working with Matt to serve the clients we have here in Whatcom County,” Sorensen said. “Sue started Take My Hand At-Home Care because of her love for the elderly, and I am glad that they and our staff will continue to be in such good hands.” 

Sue Sorensen, too, said she is excited for the future of the company. 

“Operating Take My Hand At-Home Care since 2010 has felt like a calling,” she said. “There is no greater work than to help individuals and families transition through the final phases of life. I know in my heart that Matt feels the same.” 

Sorensen will continue living in the Lynden community and is available to Obermueller in the weeks and months ahead to help ease the business transition. 

Obermueller said that no changes are planned for the company, and business will continue as usual. 

Is now the right time to choose at-home care?

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For most of us, there will come a time in our lives when our parents – the reliable and strong adults who took care of us as children – will need care of their own. It might be short-term, such as after surgery or a hospital stay. Or it may be longer-term, as parents face aging in place challenges like needing help with personal care or household tasks that have become harder with time.  

Although the thought of bringing in a caregiver from outside of your family might initially bring up some uncomfortable feelings, exploring some level of at-home care might be important for your loved one’s well-being. 

While you or a parent might be resistant, choosing at-home care assistance in meeting your loved one’s needs can relieve you or other family members of full-time caregiving burdens while preserving privacy and dignity by leaving care to a trained, non-related professional. 

Take My Hand At-Home Care provides help at home from licensed Whatcom County caregivers for elderly or disabled individuals. Services are customized to each client’s needs.  

Hospital discharge planning, which provides post-op care for those who’ve recently left Bellingham’s PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, is another great service Take My Hand caregivers offer. 

Caregivers can help with a variety of non-medical care, including meal preparation, medication reminders and prescription pickups, personal hygiene and supervised mobility. In addition, light housekeeping can include such tasks as cleaning laundry, washing dishes and changing bed linens. Take My Hand caregivers also can tackle household errands, grocery shopping and pet care, and they even can assist in social hobbies such as light gardening, crafts or holiday decorating. 

At-home care benefits also extend to the bank account, as hourly care can be less expensive than a higher level of care offered at assisted living or long-term care facilities. When working with at-home caregivers, clients pay only for the level of care they need. 

If this type of care sounds like something you or a parent could benefit from, Take My Hand offers complimentary and confidential home care assessments at no obligation. These at-home care assessments help determine what level of care may be needed while ensuring that Take My Hand is a good fit.  

While beginning at-home care is another of life’s transitions, it doesn’t have to be an overly burdensome or stressful one, and its benefits can leave you and your loved one feeling more at ease during an important life phase. 

Aging is something each of us will face, and there’s no need for shame or guilt if a little extra help is needed. Contact Take My Hand to learn more. 

Surgery coming? How to plan your recovery

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If you have the luxury of knowing that a surgery is coming — maybe you’re having a planned hip replacement, for example — it is important that you help ensure a successful recovery by planning ahead.

Many people choose to recover at home after surgery. That can be a wonderful option for recovery, provided that your house is ready and that you have adequate post-op care.

Here are some areas to consider:

Remove or plan around obstacles. Take some time to look around your house at potential hazards. Stairs — up to a bedroom or even onto a porch — can be difficult to manage. Bathrooms and kitchens, especially when surfaces are slippery, can present trip hazards. It also may be difficult to get into and out of bed. 

What to do: Spend some time cleaning potential hazards, such as stacks of magazines or loose-lying electrical cords. Consider renting a hospital bed that can be placed on the first floor, if necessary.

Plan your meals and other food. After your surgery, you probably won’t have time (or be able) to shop. And will you be mobile enough to cook your own meals?

What to do: Before your surgery, ensure you have your needed supplies on hand. Stock your refrigerator and pantry and make a plan for who will cook your meals. Consider calling on friends and family or hiring outside help.

Prepare for safety and security. Depending on the nature of your surgery, you might need help around the house to ensure you have the care you need and that someone is able to help if you need it. Falls can be common after certain surgeries, for example — what would you do if you fell and needed help?

What to do: Make sure you have phone numbers (and a phone) handy for calling people can help. Let some friends and family know what’s going on, and ask them to check in on you. Consider hiring an at-home caregiver who can be with you during the days or nights while you recover.

Get the scoop on rehab and medication. Depending on the type of surgery you have, your doctor likely will give you instructions for medications, rest and activities to help you recover.

What to do: Before the surgery, ask your doctor what might be involved and determine whether you will need help at home or some other accommodations.

Read more: Before and after surgery: Why you might need help at home.

Give dad what he really needs this Father’s Day

Ties are great. Wallets are swell. But your dad probably doesn’t need or want those things anymore. If you want to show your love for dad this Father’s Day with something he truly needs, try these three great options: Time. The circumstances of life can make time a rare luxury as your father ages. Older dads typically have children who are in their busiest years — kids in the home, tons of … [Read More...]

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