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Whatcom County resources for older adults and their caregivers

December 6, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

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!

 

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Elder loneliness, Local senior citizen events, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, assisted living near Bellingham, at-home care, Bellingham caregiver, caregiver for older adults, companion care for elderly, elder loneliness, help for caregivers, home health for seniors, living safely at home, long-term care help at home, Lynden Caregivers, resources for caregivers, resources for seniors, respite for family caregivers, temporary respite for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

The holidays are coming ―  Here’s how to include your elderly loved ones.

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

The holiday season ― that wonderful time of fun, friendship and family ― is fast approaching. For the elderly loved ones in your life, the holidays can be special treats, times when they can feel particularly close to family as they reminisce about holidays gone by.

To help ensure that they ― and you ― fully enjoy the holidays, here are a few things you can do to keep your elderly loved ones involved this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Set aside tasks that they can help with. During the holidays, make a special point of creating and reserving tasks that your elderly loved ones can take part in. Baking and decorating, for example, can get them involved while helping them feel useful.

Visit them, wherever they are. The elderly who have trouble getting around or who live in nursing homes often are at the mercy of others during the holidays. Make a special point of visiting with grandpa and spending some time together. Bring some fresh-baked gingerbread cookies and a board game, or just sit and chat, bringing him up to speed on the days since you’ve last connected. More tips for combating elder loneliness during the holidays.

Help them use technology to connect.

Oftentimes there are family members who live too far away to visit in person during the holidays. Set up an elderly loved one with a simple tablet computer and access to the Internet so they can use email and interact with family via video chats. Technology can be overwhelming for the elderly, so keep it simple. Start with one app for email and one app for video messaging.

Pool resources for extra assistance. Another great help for the elderly (and for the rest of the family) during the holiday season is the extra assistance provided by part-time caregivers. If you know you’re going to be busier than usual during the holidays (and who isn’t!), consider pooling resources with siblings to provide additional caregiving for mom or dad. This can free up your time to accomplish additional tasks while ensuring that your loved ones are properly cared for. Take My Hand At-Home Care offers a wide variety of eldercare services.

Take My Hand At-Home Care has been offering top-notch care services for the elderly in Whatcom County for many years. From three-hour visits to 24-hour live-in assistance, our licensed, bonded and insured caregivers offer options to meet nearly every need. Contact us today to get started.

 

Filed Under: Elder loneliness, Long-term care, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, Bellingham caregiver, caregiver for older adults, caregiving at home, in-home caregiver, Long-term care insurance Bellingham, Nursing home comparison, resources for caregivers, Senior citizen activities Whatcom County, Whatcom County elder care, Whatcom County Eldercare, Whatcom County senior citizens

Caring for a loved one with dementia

September 6, 2017 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

“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.

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Long-term care, Memory loss, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Alzheimer Society of WA, at-home care, Dementia Resources, hiring a caregiver, in-home caregiver, Long-term care Whatcom County, Lynden eldercare, memory loss, resources for caregivers, social isolation in senior citizens, Whatcom County elder care, Whatcom County Eldercare, Whatcom County senior citizens, where to get after hours care for seniors

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

Prevent social isolation with these three tips

December 2, 2015 By Take My Hand At-Home Care

Feelings of social isolation and loneliness can be a problem at any age, but those feelings can occur more often as people grow older.

The National Council on Aging estimates that one in six seniors face the risks of
feeling isolation and its repercussions, and that older woman
are at higher risk, representing over 60 percent of isolated older adults.

Jodi and Agnes August 2015For older adults the onset of loneliness can happen gradually, sometimes preceded by specific life events like retirement, the loss of a loved one, a change in driving privileges, or family members moving away. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Elder loneliness, Resources for caregivers Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, Blaine caregivers, Caregiver Burnout, Everson caregivers, Lynden Caregivers, resources for caregivers, social isolation in senior citizens, Whatcom County Eldercare

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Recent Posts

  • Give dad what he really needs this Father’s Day
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