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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!

 

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

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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.

 

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.

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.

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.

Ways to reduce a return trip to the hospital

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Going to the hospital is no small matter. But having to go back because of complications related to your first visit? That’s unfortunate.

It’s one reason that the federal government has been penalizing hospitals with high readmittance rates. The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program links what Medicare pays to hospitals to the number of people who have to return within 30 days.

The good news, of course, is that there are simple ways ― both for hospitals and for patients ― to help reduce costly and unnecessary return trips. These are the primary ways that HRR works to reduce readmittance:

  • Improved coordination of care and communication among providers, patients and caregivers.
  • Improved discharge planning, education and follow-up for patients.
  • Improved continuity of care using electronic medical records.

After they leave the hospital, patients need to pay close attention to discharge planning and follow-up care. This can be a lot to manage especially when you’re not feeling well after a procedure or illness. Hiring a caregiver to manage the post-hospital care such as wound dressing, medication management, mobility aid and doctor communication can make all the difference between smooth post-op recovery and a return to the hospital if things go south.

Take wound care, for example: According to a 2015 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, surgical-site infection was the leading cause of unplanned hospital readmission after surgery. Having a trained person at your home to help with wound dressing and care can make a major difference.

Assistance with mobility, too, is key. Because falls ― especially after hip or knee replacement surgery ― can be large factors for readmission, many hospitals encourage patients to have caregivers or family members on hand to help with therapy and to assist in mobility. The protocol encourages patients to move around as soon as possible, but it also asks that they don’t do it without the aid of a nurse or caregiver.

At-home aides also can assist in communication with doctors on therapy plans, fall-prevention programs, medical needs and other important topics, relieving another burden from patients and acting as a critical liaison to reduce misunderstandings or missed information.

Take My Hand At-Home Care provides licensed caregivers who help individuals with post-discharge support throughout Whatcom County, including Lynden, Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas and Birch Bay. Their hospital discharge planning services help older adults safely return home ― and stay there ― after surgery or illness.

 

Should I take my parent out of assisted living during COVID-19?

Assisted living can be a wonderful way to ensure that loved ones get the care they need as they age. Many assisted living and skilled nursing centers offer a robust level of care while also doing what they can to ensure that those who live there are able to retain some independence and live life as “normally” as possible. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered how assisted … [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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