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How to prevent those with memory loss from wandering off

January 4, 2018 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

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 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

Long-term care at home

May 4, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

It’s one of the most difficult family conversations there are: “What are we going to do with mom and dad when they’re no longer able to live alone? How can they live best in their elder years?”

Inevitably, the discussion comes down to a choice between In-Home assessment for Whatcom Countyhelping mom and dad keep living in their own home or transitioning to a nursing home or assisted living center when they need long-term care.

We have seen many times over the years, that there truly is no place like home for growing old.

Yes, when it comes to long-term care, there are great assisted living facilities in Whatcom County. But there’s nothing like receiving care in the family home, surrounded by comfortable, familiar surroundings.

Your parents have worked hard all their lives to provide for themselves and their family. They deserve to grow old in the familiar surroundings of the home they’ve built with love over a lifetime. At-home care by licensed nursing assistants allows for much greater levels of privacy and personal attention; private, in-home caregivers can truly transform your parents’ ability to enjoy their sunset years.

Receiving long-term care assistance at home also has the benefit of keeping your parents near the people they’ve grown to love. In addition to the familiar surroundings, friends and family can stop by to visit anytime instead of only during visiting hours, which is extremely important for many older adults.

Take My Hand At-Home Care offers all levels of caregiving at home, from part-time help to 24-hour long-term care. You only pay for the level of service needed to allow your dad or mom to receive long-term care in the comfort of their home.

No two people are the same, after all, and everyone’s needs are different. For every client, Take My Hand conducts a confidential, complimentary in-home assessment to help everyone involved make informed decisions about the level of care needed. Some care recipients only need part-time assistance – four hours a day, two or three days a week — and some need more robust, 24-hour long-term care. Take My Hand’s caregivers have the experience to handle it all.

With the right help your parents can receive long-term care in the comfort of their home. Our licensed Whatcom County caregivers can make meals, provide accompaniment to doctor visits, help with medication monitoring and much, much more.

For more information, just give Take My Hand a call or send an email. We provide affordable eldercare services in Lynden, Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County.

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Long-term care, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, at-home care, caregiver for older adults, hiring a caregiver, in-home caregiver, overnight caregiving, Whatcom County elder care, Whatcom County senior citizens

Rest up with overnight care!

January 4, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

How much sleep do you need?

Odds are, it’s a little more than you think you need.

And it’s a lot more than you’re getting.

Recent research states that getting just six hours of sleep per night can, over time, be as bad as not getting any sleep at all.

So what’s a caregiver to do? When you’re responsible for another human life overnight, you can’t just decide to get more sleep. You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, getting more desperate with every busy, sleepless night.

But there are solutions. If you’re struggling to get enough sleep every night, it’s time to re-evaluate your daily routines. Sleep is incredibly important for the human body. Here are a few things to try:

Daily exercise can help increase your ability to sleep. In addition, it’s great at reducing depression, which can sneak up on unsuspecting caregivers who are deprived of sleep and overburdened with work. Try not to work out too close to bedtime, as that can get your body too amped to sleep.

A regular bedtime routine can remind your body that it’s time to settle down for the night. Consistent, calming activities such as knitting, reading a book or taking a bath can — especially when done at the same time every night — be a massive help in preparing your body for downtime. Equally as important is getting up at a consistent time, too.

As much as possible, your room should be cool, dark and quiet. Not only will that help your body settle down for sleep, but it’ll prevent unnecessary waking during the night.

Cutting down on late-day meals or drinks laden with sugar or caffeine also can help. Ideally, you should be neither full nor hungry when you go to bed. And the less you drink right before bed, the less likely you’ll need to get up at night.

But sometimes there just isn’t time in the day to find exercise or consistent, quality downtime for your body. In situations like this, you have to be proactive and make time. This is where Take My Hand At Home Care can be a huge help. We offer eight-hour, overnight respite shifts so that you can sleep while we care for your loved one.

Does your mom wander at night? No problem, we can handle it. Does your spouse need frequent help at night going to the bathroom or taking medication? Don’t worry, we can take care of it.

Just give us a call, and we’ll chat about what you need and what Take My Hand can do to help you out. Hiring an overnight caregiver, even two or three times per week, can help you catch up on sleep so you’re rested and recharged for the day’s activities.

Filed Under: Caregiving, Long-term care, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Caregiver Burnout, caregiving at home, overnight caregiving

Hiring an overnight caregiver for your parents

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

According to AARP.org, sleep is essential to health—it rests the body, renews the brain and produces higher levels of certain beneficial hormones. Gentleman photo

Unfortunately, getting those often-recommended seven to eight hours of sound, restful sleep (night after night) can be hard if you are the primary caregiver for an older adult.

Hiring overnight in-home care means that a licensed caregiver is there, awake and ready to help as needed. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Long-term care, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, caregiver respite, Lynden caregiving, overnight caregiving, Whatcom County elder care

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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
  • Simple bathroom safety updates for older adults
  • 5 podcasts for senior wellness 
  • How to reduce stress, avoid chronic disease
  • How to help older loved ones sleep better

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