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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.

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.

 

Caring for a loved one with dementia

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“Please remember the real me when I cannot remember you.”

This quote, sometimes referred to as the dementia creed, speaks to the pain experienced by those on both sides of a relationship with dementia. As memories fade from the minds of the elderly, they experience the loss of those they’ve loved. Meanwhile, their family caregivers do their best to look beyond the disease to the person they’ve known and loved for decades.

Nearly 16 million people in the United States are caring for a family member with dementia, according to figures from the Alzheimer’s Association. It often can seem like a lonely and overwhelming job, but help is always available.

Here are a few tips for coping with daily life as an adult family caregiver of an individual with Alzheimer’s or some other form of memory loss:

Start by learning as much as you can about dementia. Knowing about the details of the disease can help you make sense of the changes that are happening to your loved one. One great way to educate yourself is by attending the Alzheimer Society of Washington’s fall conference on Oct. 13, 2017. This year, the theme is “the changing brain.”

Be realistic about what you can and can’t do. If you’ve had children, try to remember what it was like for those first few years (well, all of them, really). Try as you did, you weren’t a perfect parent, and nor were your kids little angels. When dealing with dementia, know that there will be bad days and good days. Don’t beat yourself up if either of you struggles.

Communicate simply, clearly and positively. Starting with a smile and positive disposition can change the entire tenor of a conversation. Speak simply, with short sentences, and don’t ask complex or open-ended questions.

Love who your loved one is. Yearning for the return of the good old days can lead to dissatisfaction and depression. Instead of wishing that your loved one was like he or she was several decades ago, mourn the loss and meet your loved one in the present. Many caregivers avoid this step because it seems like such a loss. It’s true; it is a loss, and recognizing that can help you move on.

Use technology to your advantage. A number of recent tech innovations have made it easier to know that your loved one can be located should he or she wander off. The Alzheimer Society of Washington uses Project Lifesaver, which outfits those who are prone to wander with a bracelet that emits a special radio frequency, allowing them to be located by first responders in an emergency. The bracelets are free, but the service costs $15 per month for batteries and changing. Other options:

  • Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, which partners with MedicAlert to provide a 24-hour, nationwide emergency response service.
  • MindMe is a GPS personal alarm that also comes with 24-hour emergency service.
  • Instead of being worn like a watch or pendant, the GPS SmartSole fits into a shoe; like other GPS devices for wanderers, it allows the wearer to be tracked from a computer or smartphone.

Seek assistance when needed. Call on family members to provide companionship and other help whenever possible. Join a caregiver support group to seek the advice and solace of others in your shoes. Hire a part-time caregiver to give you regular (even overnight) respite. Take My Hand At-Home Care is a locally owned and operated eldercare provider with years of experience caring for older adults with dementia in Whatcom County.

Hydration, monitoring can help prevent health issues

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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.

How to ensure the people in your life are eating healthy

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As people age, their dietary needs change, and a good selection of proper nutrients becomes all the more important.

Most people are familiar with daily food recommendations. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for people over age 50 recommends a variety of types of foods, such as fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins, dairy and oils.

But as people age, even those who know what to eat can find it difficult to get the nutrients they need. Especially as mobility decreases.

If there’s someone in your life who is in this situation, there are several great options available for those living in Whatcom County.

Have meals delivered: The Meals on Wheels program from the Whatcom Council on Aging is a great place to start. Formerly known as the Senior Nutrition Program, Meals on Wheels helps older adults in Whatcom and San Juan Counties remain healthy and independent by ensuring they have access to nutritious food, education and counseling on healthy nutrition, and the social benefits of community mealtimes. Every year, Meals on Wheels feeds more than 170,000 delicious, nutritious meals to more than 2,000 seniors in the Pacific Northwest.

To be eligible for Meals on Wheels, an individual must be considered homebound, or usually unable to leave home without assistance. They also must be at least 60 years old, the spouse of an eligible person, on the COPES Program or a disabled dependent of an eligible client.

If you know someone who can benefit from home-delivered healthy meals, contact the Whatcom County Meals on Wheels program.

Elder care services in Lynden and Whatcom CountyHire a caregiver to prepare meals (and do myriad other things): As part of the 12-hour home assistance package, nurses from Take My Hand At-Home Care prepare nutritious meals (and even shop for the groceries needed). Not only do they ensure that those in their care are eating well, but they also provide a good mix of just what they need. TMH’s at-home care caregivers are careful to determine the unique food preferences and dietary needs of each client so that they can tailor the meals they prepare.

To get started, contact Take My Hand At-Home Care for a personal, in-home assessment.

In addition to healthy meals, licensed caregivers from Take My Hand provide such benefits as companionship, assistance with personal hygiene, medication monitoring, light housekeeping and much more. Truly, they make it possible for the elderly to maintain their independence and age in place in the comfort of home. Take My Hand At-Home Care provides 12-hour shifts (including meal preparation) throughout Whatcom County, including Lynden, Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas and Birch Bay.

Top 3 caregiving tips for spouses

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Caring for a spouse can provide tender and enjoyable moments. It can also be an immense challenge.

Based on our experience as a licensed caregiving company in Whatcom County, here are three tips for making the best of caring for a loved one:

  1. Choose to see the situation for what it is. It can be easy for spousal caregivers to focus on negatives and play the “what if” game. Instead, choose to be positive, to be realistic. Take a step back, assess the situation and find opportunities to be thankful. Getting to spend extra time with your spouse, for one thing, is a treasure ― even if you don’t always feel that way.

Tip: When you’re feeling less than positive, chatting with another person in your situation can sometimes make a difference. Northwest Adult Day Health, for example, offers a Caregiver Connection group in Lynden, and local senior centers often offer support groups for caregivers. A five-minute phone call to a friend or family member also can be an immense help.

  1. Find ways to enjoy the time together. What do you both love? Maybe it’s listening to music, going for walks, watching a baseball game or planting geraniums. Scheduling time each day for activities that you both enjoy can help remind both of you how much fun life can be with a partner.

Tip: Take time for yourself, too, to do what you love. Read a book, cook a special dinner, work on a crossword puzzle… Even if you feel you don’t have much time in your day to relax, a few minutes here and there can help.

  1. Take extended breaks. When a few minutes’ rest isn’t enough, schedule a longer break. Caring for a spouse can be a 24/7 job, but it doesn’t have to be. Find someone who can give you periodic breaks to rest, recharge and step out of the house.

Tip: Two eight-hour breaks each week can help. Regular, scheduled time off allows caregivers to rest from the pressure of caregiving and to get some other tasks done.

The licensed caregivers at Take My Hand At-Home Care offer a wide array of respite services for Whatcom County caregivers. Give us a call today to learn more about the benefits of hiring a caregiver for spousal respite. (And ask us what else we can do to help, such as make dinner or handle light housekeeping while you are taking a break.) Take My Hand also offers overnight care, for those times when you need to be away or just need a full night’s sleep.

We are here to help!

 

How to help your parent recover from surgery

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dependent-441408_960_720Surgery can be a challenging and traumatic experience for older adults, but what happens in the days and weeks after the surgery is often challenging.

Picture this: Your mom or dad is at a follow-up appointment but can’t remember what questions to ask. There are piles of medicines at home that they can’t remember to — or don’t want to — take. Around every corner is the possibility of a bad fall. And then they have to remember to cook food that matches post-op dietary needs. Heck, they have to be able to cook food that matches their dietary needs. That’s a lot to worry about.

Related: 6 tips for caregiving at home after a hospital stay

And if you can’t be around to help, post-operative time is probably just as overwhelming for you. [Read more…]

Help Veterans pay for caregiving services at home with these tips

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Are you a Veteran living in Lynden, Bellingham, Ferndale or other parts of Whatcom County? First of all, we thank you for your service.Senior_Day-62

We want you to know that resources and assistance, earned while you served our country, may be available to you.

Did you know that the current Veteran population consists of those born as early as the 1920’s and continues to grow with each subsequent generation?

People are living overall healthier lifestyles and access to healthcare keeps improving which means our Veterans are living longer too. [Read more…]

So, your parents have refused help. Now what?

As our parents and other elderly loved ones age, it’s common for us to increase in concern for their well-being. Perhaps we’re nervous about their ability to drive safely, or we’re careful to ensure that they attend all necessary appointments with their doctor. Our concern is one of the biggest reasons we begin suggesting that our parents start thinking of assistance — we want to be sure they … [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.