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Today, prepare for tomorrow’s healthcare decisions

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Planning ahead isn’t always an easy task. But it’s almost always an important one.

When it comes to making preparations for caring for your aging loved ones — or yourself, for that matter — the sooner you get started, the better. National Healthcare Decisions Day is coming up on April 16, so let that be a motivator for you to begin the process of planning for old age.

The first step in the preparation process is to make yourself aware of the various options available for eldercare.

At-home care: It should be no secret that we at Take My Hand At-Home Care are big fans of care that takes place in the comfort of home. Every single time our caregivers step foot in a client’s home, we see the immense value of care that takes place in a familiar environment. For starters, at-home care can be less expensive than living full-time in a long-term care or assisted-living facility. Aging in place also can allow for greater comfort and flexibility, both for the elderly and for their loved ones. The National Institutes of Health has wonderful tips for growing old at home, including tips on meals, money management and getting around.

Regular or occasional support from a licensed and insured caregiver can help the elderly stay in the comfort of home while alleviating some common worries, such as how they’ll shop for groceries, get to doctor’s appointments or even get dressed. TMH caregivers can help with all of that and more, and it’s a wonderful option for those who want long-term care at home in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

Assisted living and long-term care: When staying at home is not an option, for health or other reasons, long-term care away from the home remains a good option. One thing that Take My Hand At-Home Care always tries to do in our free, in-home consultations is offer advice for what seems like the best level of care. We do offer 24-hour care, but in situations where TMH is not able to help, we try to recommend alternative options, such as long-term care in a separate facility. If you’re curious what might be the best option for you or for an aging loved one, feel free to set up a complementary home consultation with Take My Hand.

As you’re thinking about this topic, you might want to reach out to other local services that provide assistance to the elderly. Whatcom County is home to numerous wonderful resources.

Four ways to say ‘I love you’ to the elderly

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Search Pinterest for quotes about love, and you’re likely to come across some version of the following statement: “There are a million ways of saying ‘I love you’: ‘Watch your step.’ ‘Get some rest.’ ‘Put your seatbelt on.’”

It’s true; there are myriad ways of showing your loved ones exactly how much you care. With that in mind, we thought it would be nice — it is the month of love, after all — to offer a few ways of saying “I love you” to the elderly in your life.

Essentially, they all come down to one thing: time. When it comes to gifts, physical presents typically aren’t ideal — they often just clutter up the home. Instead of things, here are some time-based gifts you can share with the elderly in your life:

Cook and serve a meal. More even than the food, which itself can make a large impact, the benefit to cooking and serving a meal to an elderly loved one is that you simply took the time to do it. Loved ones will enjoy spending time with you as they try out a new dish or enjoy an old favorite. After the meal, be sure to clean up and wash the dishes!

Look through old photos together and chat about memories. Once you’ve done this, you’ll probably be asking yourself why you haven’t done it more often.

These reminisce-and-gab sessions can be a treasure, and they’ll probably also lead to stories you’ve never heard before about family history.

Take them for a walk and/or help them run errands. Let’s face it: Moving around gets harder the older we get. Without someone to help, we can lose trust in our ability to walk without falling. Helping loved ones enjoy the great outdoors — and maybe accomplish a few tasks while they’re at it, like picking up a prescription or buying groceries — can really make their week. Give it a chance, and it’ll probably make yours, too!

Set up a complimentary in-home assessment with a licensed caregiver. A no-obligation, completely free consultation with an at-home care provider like Take My Hand At Home Care can help loved ones discover areas to make life more enjoyable. A typical assessment will cover a number of topics, including:

  • Home safety: Is the home safe for your loved one to age in place?
  • Daily routines: What does your loved one like to do on a daily basis, and what are his or her personal preferences? What are your loved one’s personal background, interests, family and hobbies?
  • Medical needs: What medications are being taken, and what other medical information is important? Does your loved one need assistance with doctor visits?
  • Service cost: What is the cost of at-home care services, and what insurance will cover it?

For more information, contact the licensed caregivers at Take My Hand At Home Care in Lynden.

 

How to prevent those with memory loss from wandering off

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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.

 

Whatcom County resources for older adults and their caregivers

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Occasionally, we sit back and think about how fortunate we are to have such amazing resources available in Whatcom County for senior care. Truly, there are wonderful support systems in place in Bellingham and throughout the area.

With the new year approaching, many are thinking about how to make positive changes in life (and in the lives of those in their care). These resources can help. Here are a few we often rely on at Take My Hand At-Home Care:

Northwest Regional Council: The NWRC is the hub of the wheel when it comes to resources for senior citizens in Whatcom County. Begun in 1971 as a collaboration among Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom County elected officials, NWRC focuses on providing services for adults with disabilities and the elderly. As Northwest Washington’s Area Agency on Aging, it provides a host of services for everyone needing long-term care. With information both for the aging and for their family caregivers, NWRC is a lifeline for those who need it. Just give them a call to see what options might be available for your unique family situation.

Whatcom Council on Aging: The WCOA, an independent nonprofit serving local senior citizens since 1964, offers a number of services for area adults, including the Meals on Wheels and More program, Bellingham Senior Activity Center and Bellingham at Home, a virtual community for area seniors.

Elder Service Providers: Speaking of support for caregivers, Elder Service Providers does wonders in Whatcom County for those who care for others including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, caregiver agencies and more. Their mission is to build up the community of caregivers in Whatcom County, and they do it in a number of ways, including monthly luncheons and an annual caregiver conference.

Alzheimer Society of Washington: Those caring for individuals with dementia or other memory issues can benefit greatly from the Alzheimer Society of Washington, which is based in Bellingham. In addition to a number of support groups for caregivers and support groups for individuals with memory loss, the Alzheimer Society provides Staying Connected classes to provide ongoing support for those with early memory loss and dementia-related diseases.

These are a handful of Whatcom County organizations that provide wonderful support both for caregivers and for their loved ones. Of course, you may always contact Take My Hand At-Home Care for more information; we can help guide you through the process of caring for an elderly loved one at home. We are here to help!

 

Technology can aid in helping loved ones stay home

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“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.

How to communicate with a person who has memory loss

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photo-1475465947535-d2f39785dddcIf someone in your life has begun to show signs of memory loss, you know how incredibly difficult it can be to communicate. Those with memory loss often seem off in their own world, remembering decades-old events like they were yesterday, and forgetting everything about today.

Imagine how hard life is for that person, when everything that’s true to them is being argued against, or when people they don’t think they know are constantly asking, “But don’t you remember me?”

Caring for a loved one with dementia or memory loss can be difficult, but a few simple tips can make these occasions less frustrating and more enjoyable for all.

[Read more…]

The talk: Hiring a caregiver for your parents

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So you’re worried about having “the talk” with your parents.

No, not that one. The other one.hands-578917_960_720

Maybe you’ve known for a while that your mom isn’t quite as independent as she used to be. Or maybe you drop by your dad’s place for a visit and discover that it’s not as clean as it usually is. Maybe it’s even a little dangerous, with various fall hazards strewn throughout the house. [Read more…]

Caring for a loved one with dementia

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If you’re concerned that your mom, dad or other loved one might be experiencing memory loss, here are a few things to be on the lookout for. woman-208723_960_720

Earlier this year, Healthline published 10 early signs of dementia that you can be on the lookout for if you think one of your parents is headed toward Alzheimer’s or another memory loss disease. Check out the full list here.

Similarly, the Alzheimer’s Association has compiled a list of 10 signs of Alzheimer’s. Some of the symptoms are summarized below. [Read more…]

Summer safety tips for older adults

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grandparents-1054311_960_720Let’s face it: We’re pretty fortunate to be living in Whatcom County. Especially during summer, when there is no shortage of gorgeous weather or things to do. But when you’re out and about, especially as an older adult, it’s important to be prepared.

Here are a handful of our favorite summer safety tips for senior citizens: [Read more…]

Five simple ways seniors can lower cholesterol

Many of us, during our regular checkups with our doctors, are told we need to lower our cholesterol. LDL cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, as opposed to HDL, or “good” cholesterol) can increase our risk of heart disease or stroke because it sticks to the insides of our blood vessels and restricts blood flow. As we get older, our bodies tend to produce more cholesterol, so our … [Read More...]

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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Phone: 360-543-5777
Fax: 360-255-7564
*If you need immediate assistance for a loved one please contact us by phone.