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Technology can aid in helping loved ones stay home

August 2, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

“Ah, there is nothing like staying at home,” wrote Jane Austen in her novel Emma, “for real comfort.”

That’s a principle taken to heart by the staff here at Take My Hand At-Home Care.

When parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors need long- or short-term help with daily living needs, the most comfortable and convenient place for them to receive care is at the place with which they’re most familiar: home.

For those who live far away from their loved ones, however, ensuring that they get the help they need can be difficult.

Thankfully, today’s technological age offers several good solutions. From the other side of the city, the state or the world, these three tech tricks can prove invaluable in staying in touch with loved ones and their care providers.

Keep in mind that no gadget can replace the safety, security and personal touch offered by a licensed caregiver, so all of these technologies will work best when paired with an at-home attendant such as those provided by Take My Hand’s 12-hour overnight shifts.

Video chat: Technologies such as Skype, Google Hangouts, Facetime and others can help prevent isolation while allowing you to chat with your loved one. Regular chats provide something for everyone to look forward to while also giving defined intervals for updates and progress checks.

Online monitoring: At Take My Hand At-Home Care, loved ones can log in to the website to see which caregiver is scheduled to be in the home providing care at any given time. Through this safe and secure system, loved ones near or far can monitor caregiver schedules for parents, grandparents, friends or neighbors, allowing them to put a name to the caregiver and a person to contact should questions arise.

GPS tracking: This can be particularly helpful for senior citizens who are especially mobile. When an individual misses a doctor’s appointment, for example, loved ones can track their location via their cell phone or other device to get insight into what might be happening.

Telephone calls: Often overlooked in today’s over-the-top tech world, mobile phones are a revolution in providing an ability for loved ones to stay in touch. Because they’re so mobile, elderly loved ones can keep them nearby at all times, meaning that they (and you) are always just a phone call away.

As mentioned above, no gadget is foolproof; another solid way to ensure the wellbeing of a loved one is via the personal touch of a caregiver.

ake My Hand At-Home Care, Whatcom County Elder Care Provider logo

Take My Hand At-Home Care offers various shifts, from 12-hour overnight care up to 24-hour, round-the-clock assistance, that provide invaluable assistance for individuals during the aging process and peace of mind for their loved ones.

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Elder loneliness, Long-term care, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: active aging, Aging-In-Place, at-home hospice care, Caregiver Burnout, caregiver for older adults, Long distance caregiving, Lynden Caregivers, overnight caregiving, resources for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

Hydration, monitoring can help prevent health issues

July 5, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

Urinary tract infections. They’re surprisingly easy to get, and they can have surprisingly profound effects on the body.

Thankfully, they can be just as easy enough to prevent, as we’ll discuss in a bit.

But first:

What are UTIs, and how do they affect the elderly?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria gain a foothold somewhere in the urinary tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The most likely culprit is Escherichia coli (E. coli), but a number of other bacteria can also cause a UTI.

The bacteria, having gained entrance to the urinary tract, overcome the body’s defenses and multiply — and a UTI is born.

Especially in the elderly, urinary tract infections can cause a number of problems, from painful urination and low-grade fever all the way up to kidney failure.

UTIs also can cause dizziness, confusion, falling and even hallucinations in the elderly; these symptoms often cause a UTI to be mistaken for the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a UTI is usually one of the first things a doctor tests for in elderly patients who seem confused or disoriented.

How to prevent a UTI

The simplest and most effective way to prevent infections of the urinary tract is to drink lots of water. Especially during the summer, when it’s easier to become dehydrated, it’s important to drink water often — from a half-gallon to a gallon a day, unless a doctor says otherwise.

It can also be helpful to have the services of an at-home nursing assistant, someone who can look out for some of the symptoms of a UTI and get help before the infection worsens. An assistant in the home, such as a licensed caregiver from Take My Hand At-Home Care, can notice the signs of a UTI and get in touch with a doctor for a checkup.

Remember: Stay hydrated!

This summer, as temperatures heat up, it’s especially important that the elderly drink plenty of water. It’s good for the body and one of the most sure-fire ways to prevent a urinary tract infection.

if you can’t be around to check on elderly loved ones, consider hiring a licensed caregiver. With Take My Hand At-Home Care, family and friends of the elderly in Whatcom County can be confident that their loved ones are getting the best at-home care possible.

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: active aging, Aging-In-Place, caregiving at home, health tips for seniors, in-home caregiver, Lynden eldercare, resources for caregivers, Whatcom County elder care, Whatcom County Eldercare, Whatcom County senior citizens

Helping older adults stay active at home

July 7, 2016 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

photo-1434119261056-73a0f53c8306Some of the most challenging decisions families face involve whether to place their aging parent into a nursing home. We hear that often from the people we work with.

They are usually worried about their loved one’s safety at home. Sometimes they are worried that their parent is not taking medications correctly, or that they are no longer able to prepare nutritious meals. Often they are concerned their parent may suffer from elder loneliness or that they are too often bored at home. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging in place, Elder loneliness, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: active aging, Aging-In-Place, Lynden Caregivers, resources for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

National Older Adult Month

May 3, 2016 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

photo-1452596954042-4ccc4dfa672cThe month of May is National Older Adults month in America. It’s a time set aside to recognize the contributions of senior citizens who left their mark on the world at a stage in life when others were retiring from work and slowing down.

Here are our favorite inspiring seniors…you’ll surely recognize many of these names. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: active aging, activities for older adults, Lynden Caregivers, National Older Adult Month, Whatcom County senior citizens

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ABOUT US

Take My Hand At-Home Care is fully licensed, bonded and insured and has been locally owned and operated since 2012. It is currently owned by Matt … Read More...

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Recent Posts

  • Give dad what he really needs this Father’s Day
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  • How to reduce stress, avoid chronic disease
  • How to help older loved ones sleep better

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