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How to prevent those with memory loss from wandering off

January 4, 2018 By Take My Hand

Wandering is a not-uncommon feature of memory loss and dementia. When our loved ones get confused or disoriented, when they fail to recognize where they are, or when they forget what they’re doing, they might start to wander in search of something they do recognize or remember.

Stats show that six in 10 people with dementia are prone to wandering.

The good news is that it’s a well-known phenomenon, and there are strategies that we can employ to keep our loved ones as safe as possible. Here are some ideas:

Maintain routine. An established routine of certain activities at certain times — especially during those times your loved one is most prone to wander, such as in the evenings — can go a long way toward preventing spontaneous exits.

Discourage exit. Wandering isn’t a well-planned activity, and thus placing a few cognitive barriers can reduce the likelihood of wandering. For example, locks on exterior doors should be placed out of sight. Car keys, too, should be kept somewhere safe, not on the kitchen counter where a loved one might spot them and leave during a moment of confusion. The Alzheimer’s Association maintains a helpful home-safety checklist full of great advice.

Use technology. Devices are available that can help to track your loved ones if they leave the house. The local Alzheimer Society of Washington, for example, has a program called Project Lifesaver through which it hands out free bracelets that can be worn by wanderers. The bracelets use radio frequency to keep tabs on a person’s location. The bracelets are free, but there’s a $15 monthly fee for the batteries and changing. Other tech options also are available, and some combination of various ideas might be best for you.

Rely on others. Wandering can be especially dangerous at night, when the rest of the house is asleep. That’s one reason why Take My Hand At-Home Care offers overnight and even 24-hour shifts, so loved ones can sleep while our caregiver companions watch the home and ensure everyone is kept as safe, healthy and happy as possible. We’re a locally owned and operated eldercare provider seeking to help the people of Whatcom County live their best lives.

Remember that wandering can be common among loved ones with dementia, but with planning and support from those around you, it’s manageable. For additional guidance and support, feel free to contact Take My Hand At-Home Care.

 

Filed Under: Caregiving, Long-term care, Memory loss, Resources for caregivers Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, alzheimer’s care, assisted living near Bellingham, at-home care, at-home hospice care, Bellingham caregiver, caregiver for older adults, Everson caregivers, Ferndale at home caregiving, help for memory loss, help with wandering, home health for seniors, living safely at home, Lynden Caregivers, Lynden eldercare, overnight caregiving, respite for family caregivers, Sumas caregiving, temporary respite for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

Technology can aid in helping loved ones stay home

August 2, 2017 By Take My Hand

“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

On Medicare? Where to go for urgent care in Whatcom County

February 1, 2017 By Take My Hand

Let’s face it: Life rarely goes as planned. That’s why it’s good to be prepared for the unexpected. It’s why we practice fire drills, keep savings accounts and pay for car insurance.

But do you know what you would do if you’re on Medicare and encounter an urgent health need?

As always, if it’s an emergency, drop everything and call 9-1-1. For many needs that aren’t emergencies but are still time-sensitive, it’s a good idea to contact your primary care provider first; same-day appointments often are available for immediate health issues.

If that’s not possible, though, or if it’s after your doctor’s normal hours, there are a number of urgent-care clinics in the Whatcom County area that will see patients on Medicare.

If you’re a current patient of Family Care Network, Sea Mar Community Health or Unity Care Northwest, you can get into their clinics and pay with Medicare.

If you’re not a patient of one of those organizations, your options in Whatcom County are the Walk-In Health Clinic on Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham, Village Family Health Clinic in Fairhaven, Bellingham Internal Medicine in Fairhaven, the PeaceHealth Same Day Clinic on Squalicum Parkway in Bellingham and the nearby emergency room at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital.

Before you go, please confirm times with the clinics, as hours may change.


These clinics take Medicare: 

  • Walk-In Health Clinic: Located in Bellingham; open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • PeaceHealth Same Day Care Clinic: Located in Bellingham; open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Room: Located in Bellingham; open daily, 24 hours.
  • Village Family Health Clinic: Located in Fairhaven; open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Bellingham Internal Medicine Walk-In Clinic: Located in Fairhaven; open Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

These clinics also take Medicare, but you must be a current patient: 

  • Family Care Network Urgent Care Center: Located in Bellingham; open from 1 to 9 p.m. on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on holidays.
  • Sea Mar Community Health Clinic – Bellingham: Located in Bellingham; open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
  • Sea Mar Community Health Clinic – Everson: Located in Everson; open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours (until 9 p.m.) on Thursday.
  • Unity Care Northwest – Bellingham: Located in Bellingham; open from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. On the first Thursday of each month, the center opens at 8:45 a.m.
  • Unity Care Northwest – Ferndale: Located in Ferndale; open from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. On the first Thursday of each month, the center opens at 9:15 a.m.

These clinics do not take Medicare: 

  • Care Medical Group

If you know of any other urgent-care clinics in Whatcom County that are currently accepting Medicare, please let us know so we can add them to this list and share them with Whatcom County senior citizens.

Filed Under: Caregiving, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: 24 hour clinics near Bellingham WA, after hours clinics near Bellingham, after hours healthcare for seniors, at-home care, at-home hospice care, Bellingham caregiver, Bellingham walk in clinics that take Medicare, caregiver for older adults, Everson walk in clinic, home health for seniors, Lynden Caregivers, Lynden eldercare, medication monitoring service, walk in clinics in Whatcom County, Whatcom County Eldercare, where to get after hours care for seniors

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ABOUT US

Sue Sorensen became involved with Whatcom County eldercare and aging-in-place services in 2009. She launched Take My Hand At-Home Care in January 2012 … Read More...

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Recent Posts

  • How to spot cognitive decline in a loved one
  • How to practice thankfulness — and how it can improve your life
  • Does your elderly loved one need a healthcare advocate?
  • ADUs can be part of cost-effective option for eldercare
  • Should I take my parent out of assisted living during COVID-19?

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