If you’re part of the 40 and under generation, you will most likely recall the famous TV commercial in the 80’s where an elderly woman was lying on the floor calling out for help after she had fallen. Unfortunately, this scenario can be all too real for many of our seniors, striking a bit of fear on those who live alone. There’s not much worse than finding out that your elderly parent or loved one has taken a spill and broken a hip or suffered other injuries. That famous commercial leaves us with the awful mental image of someone we love lying on the floor calling out for help while the world goes on.

One of the most dangerous parts of seniors living alone is the risk for falls. Hip fractures are common among falls in the elderly, and they can be very life-threatening. Our skin becomes much thinner as we age and if an elderly person falls and cuts or scrapes themselves, it can take much longer to heal than the average person. The best way to ensure the safety of your senior loved ones is to make sure they are carrying a medical alert and location device.

Medical alert devices can accomplish several things, not the least of which is calling for help when needed. The device is small and usually worn as a bracelet or necklace. If the user ever has any need at all for medical care, all they need to do is press the button and the monitoring center will be dispatched and the proper care can be sent. These devices are also quite easy to use a landline phone or even a wireless internet connection. Once the button is pressed, the call center is notified and can send an ambulance or other help needed immediately.

To make these devices even more powerful, they are capable of utilizing GPS. This can be a lifesaver for seniors who have dementia and become lost or unfamiliar with their surroundings. Satellites make it easy to track the signal of the device and find the person right away. Social media like Facebook and Twitter have also become powerful tools in locating seniors who have become lost. There are many pictures on these sites of seniors who may wander off and not know how to get home. GPS is a very effective tool indeed when coupled with a medical alert device.

Even a professional caregiver can’t totally prevent the thousands of falls each year by seniors. While there are many things you can do to make your home as safe as possible for seniors, there may come a time when they need help. Imagine the peace of mind you will have, knowing your aging parents need only push a big red button to get the help they need in any emergency. While many falls are not major and pose no long-term physical threat, both you and your senior loved one can have the peaceful assurance that an ambulance, police car or other help can be called upon as quickly as possible, all at the press of a button.

For more information on emergency locator and medical alert devices, call us today!

Did you know that a fourth of people who are retirement age report symptoms of depression? Studies show that when our elderly population visits their doctor for routine physical concerns, the issue of depression often comes up. When depression goes untreated, it can cause the physical problems an elderly person has to become worse.

Depression among the elderly has many causes. Sometimes it’s caused by a disability that has made life more difficult as they decline. Still, others may be taking on feelings of guilt for having to depend on their caretakers. Dementia is also a big cause of depression among our seniors. Each of these causes does have good solutions, so let’s look at them:

• Identifying Depression – Depression can be tough to diagnose, especially when there are more pressing physical ailments. Since the only person qualified to diagnose depression properly is a physician, be sure to provide the doctor with complete medical records and history. Often, the side effects of certain treatments for other medical problems can cause depression.
• Avoid A lot of alcohol – You might not think of alcoholism being a problem among the elderly generation, but it has become more and more serious in recent years. Having a glass of wine with an evening meal is perfectly fine, but often, elderly people use alcohol as a means to cope with more serious physical ailments or other emotional pain. This can easily lead to depression, as can the use of other things such as pain medications.
• Treat Sleep Disorders – Millions of Americans struggle with insomnia and many of these people are senior citizens. Any time elderly people don’t get the REM sleep they need, depression is often the result. Simple measures such as retiring and rising at the same times each day can make a huge impact on sleep.
• Spend Time with Loved Ones – Let’s face it—nobody needs to spend too much time by themselves. Loneliness breeds depression, so if you suspect your elderly loved on isn’t getting enough social interaction, be sure to arrange for friends and family members to stop in and visit regularly. Photo albums and framed pictures can also help seniors feel more connected to the people and memories that mean the most to them.

Depression vs. Grieving

Most people will have lost at least a couple of people who are close to them by the time retirement age comes. In cases of a premature death, the person is often a spouse. It’s important to know how grief can look very similar to depression. If you are concerned that your elderly loved ones are suffering from depression, please get a proper medical diagnosis by taking them to visit their doctor. If you suspect that the depression is from grief, there are many support groups available to ease them through this process. If you are not sure how to find a support group, funeral homes often have lists of people who specialize in doing just this.

For more information on depression in the elderly and how to identify and cope with it, please visit our website or call us today!

The key to choosing the ideal home care agency is knowing the amount of care needed by your mother or father. There are primarily two categories of in-home care: custodial care and professional care. Custodial care includes help with shopping, housekeeping, preparing meals, and also personal care like dressing, feeding and bathing. Skilled care, on the other hand, attends to the medical requirements of the senior. Some companies provide only one type of care while others have both choices.

Listed below are some pointers for selecting a home care agency for your loved one:

You really need to thoroughly evaluate what type of assistance is needed by your mother or father when it comes to their health care, household care and personal care. Do they need aid with home health care like supervising their medications or physical therapy?

• Write a job summarization. After you have analyzed your loved one’s demands, it’s time to write a job description that will help you recognize the most suitable choices for the job. If you’re going to an elder care agency, the job description will also help them in choosing the right caregiver for your mother or father.

• Have a job contract. Your in home care company should be able to draft a contract but it’s very important to make sure all the important details are included.

• Try to find prospective elder care professionals. You can ask around– good friends, acquaintances or perhaps the people you work with– may be able to direct you to a few really good companies or they may know of a caregiver personally. You can also examine online for credible agencies. On a related tone, if your senior loved one calls for specific care, such as if they are dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, you should also ensure that the caregivers you are taking into consideration have the appropriate training and experience in dealing with patients who have these health issues.

• Get ready for the meeting. Once you have selected an agency that utilizes home health aides, it’s time to get ready for the consultation. You need to have a list of questions to ask, not only the caregivers but also the agency itself. Ask how long they have been in the industry, if their caregivers are bonded, if they are licensed, and what kind of training the home care service providers have undergone. Pick an agency that is very helpful in answering your questions. Avoid those who seem too busy to answer your questions in addition to those that do not offer competent answers.

When talking to the caregiver applicants, always make it a point to observe their demeanor and temperament. Invite a family member to take part the interview so you can get a second opinion. Ideally, you also should observe the interaction and communications between the caregiver and the loved one who is requiring elderly care.

A lot of agency workers seem good on paper but may not really be qualified to give care to the elder. You need to look past their resumes and you should truly do your best to learn as much about them and their character before you choose who will take care of your aging mom or dad.

• You should also examine if they have any reports of alcohol or drug use, if they have offenses that present a safety and security risk, and if they have a driver’s license. Find out as much as you can about the company and the caregiver. You want the best potential care for your parent and this begins by giving her or him a caregiver who is knowledgeable and trained to provide the services needed, someone who is thoughtful, understanding and patient, and someone you can trust to look after your parent when you’re not around.

Learn how the caregivers at Home Helpers can help provide the finest possible quality of life at home for your loved one– get in touch with us to schedule your free in-home consultation today.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.

Growing older can be scary, and for many seniors the unknown can be the scariest part. This is especially true if they are becoming more challenged in their abilities physically or even cognitively. Most seniors need structure in their days and begin to feel a bit insecure without it. Therefore, a daily routine they can count on does wonders in providing a sense of safety against the unknowns. A consistent routine also helps the caregiver, so everyone knows what’s coming next.

What Does a Daily Routine Mean?

A solid routine for your senior loved one simply sets in place the same activities at generally the same time each day. Not only does this help the day flow easier, but also ensures that very important things get done without fail, such as medication management, regular nutritious meals, and daily hygiene.

A good example of a morning routine would include waking at a set time, visiting the restroom, brushing teeth, combing hair and having breakfast, at which time the morning medication would be administered, along with coffee and water or juice.

A daily routine for older adults needs to be based on their normal daily activities. As you think through the routine, your goal is to just make it as structured and predictable as possible so they don’t have to wonder what is happening next. This structure will help provide security for your senior loved one.

Here are just a few of the ways seniors benefit from a structured daily routine:

Improved Sleep
The consistency of a routine allows for better rest and deeper sleep. Many studies have shown that seniors are healthier and better rested when they have a good routine in place. Since many seniors struggle with good sleep, a daily routine is one of the best ways possible to help with that.

Feeling Safe and Secure
Often, senior adults don’t like to be surprised by things that throw off their schedule. A daily routine lets them feel in control of their day. If the day makes sense for them, everything feels more stable. This is especially true if there are issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Daily structure will help these patients feel much more confident.

Less anxiety and stress
Seniors who have perhaps suffered from stroke or other cognitive impairments often feel quite stressed and worried. They may worry about their caregivers and being a burden, or they may worry about how they will just get through the day with a sense of purpose. Helping them to know exactly what is coming next is one of the best ways to restore a sense of dignity and security.

Routines during the day will produce a sort of muscle memory for them and this cuts down greatly on stress and anxiety. Writing the routine down can also be helpful so they can always look ahead and know what’s coming next.

Keep in mind that your senior’s quality of life is greatly improved when a daily routine is put in place. However, don’t feel the need to get so rigid that the routine itself causes any stress. It’s meant to help, not to frustrate. There will be times of illness or special events that will interrupt the routine, so always allow flexibility.

The main thing to remember here is that a daily routine can bring peace and predictability to your senior adult’s life, thereby reducing overall stress. For the caregiver, this is also great because both of you can ease through the day knowing what is next, helping your loved one to be heathier, happier and have better sleep.

For more tips on caring for your aging loved one or for help with care, call Home Helpers or click here to visit our website.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.

No one wants to think about their aging loved one’s end-of-life. Many view bringing up the subject as tacky or disrespectful. Some equate it with appearing greedy or trying to edge out other family from the decision-making process. Others even see it as bad luck.

But planning ahead for seniors’ final time on earth is critical to making sure that their wishes are honored. Sure, having this conversation is hard, but it’s also one of the most important things you can do for your loved one. And yet, most people struggle with how to approach the topic, while others simply put it off indefinitely.

Denial doesn’t help
We all know that, at some unknown time, we will all face our end-of-life. But many of us just can’t face it happening to those we love. Denial won’t make it go away. We can ignore death, but death will not ignore us.

It’s impossible to know the wishes of a senior unless you ask. Be ready to accept the answers, if you are willing to ask the questions. Often, the wishes of a loved one may be surprising or even upsetting to you. The important thing is that your senior’s wishes are honored, not that you agree with them. Be sure to have your loved one put these wishes in writing to avoid any confusion later on.

Being proactive about an end-of-life conversation can protect not only your senior, but your family as well. The last thing you need while dealing with the death or approaching death of a loved one is the stress and uncertainty of deciding (or arguing about) what your loved one would want.

What, exactly, is end-of-life?
End-of-life is more than the actual end of a person’s life. It’s to do with the care and support we will need or agree to receive as our physical bodies move toward death. How long this will take depends on many factors such as age, type or severity of illness or injury, etc.

When talking to loved ones about their wishes, you will need to know things like:

• Whether or not to continue certain medicines or treatments
• Where do they want to spend their final days
• What types of treatment they want to receive
• What sort of palliative and/or hospice care they want to receive

Starting the conversation
As with all difficult things, the first step is usually the hardest to take. Seniors and their loved ones alike have a hard time starting an end-of-life conversation. Usually fear of how the other will react to the subject matter prevents talking about it. Don’t be timid. Broach the subject. After all, it’s more important for you to protect your loved one than for you to be unafraid.

But how to actually broach the subject? You can seek wisdom from your pastor or doctor, or even from a trusted friend who has been through the same situation. You can even search the web for ideas.

The Conversation Project is a non-profit organization which helps people talk about end-of-life wishes. Visit their website for a great free guide. It’s called a Conversation Starter Kit. This tool can make it easier for you and your senior to have a thorough and successful end-of- life conversation.

The nitty gritty
None of us knows when end-of-life will happen. We only know that it will happen. So if you are a beloved senior and have not told your family your wishes for end-of-life, get on with it. You will ensure you get the care you want and protect your family at the same time.

If instead, you a family member of a senior and have no idea if your loved one has even thought about end-of-life, much planned for it, make time to discuss it with them while they are still able to choose what is to happen to them when the time comes.

Browse our blog for more caregiving tips. For professional assistance in caring for your loved one, please call Home Helpers today.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.

Family Caregivers vs. Denial
When family members refuse to face the fact that their aging loved one needs help, they can create anger, stress, and frustration for family caregivers. Whether it’s a mental or physical need, or both, it’s crucial that their seniors get the care they need.

Denial is often the coping mechanism used to gain time to adjust to a loved one’s decline. People often feel anxiety or fear when trying to face changes in a senior’s condition. Or denial is used as a way to avoid taking responsibility or becoming an active caretaker for that senior. Here are some tips on how to deal with a relative’s denial.

Remain calm and take the high road
Even though you may want to respond to family members’ denial about your parent needing care by dropping a brick on their heads to encourage clarity of sight, it’s best to take the high road and stay above any agitated or argumentative response. Do your best to be calm and understanding with a person in denial. Any sarcastic or angry posture or remarks will only reinforce their stubborn or resistant attitude.

Knowledge is power
Sometimes the root of a relative’s denial is a lack of understanding the situation. Offer them comprehensive educational materials that explain what their senior is facing and what care they will need. For instance, you can ask your parent’s doctor for pamphlets or other materials. You can also find good information on the web and then share the web addresses with your relatives.
Having access to doctor’s reports and really understanding the nature of your loved one’s condition will help relatives avoid stereotypical myths and focus on what is actually needed — like well-deserved help for your senior and for you!

Seek expert advice
Some family members refuse to acknowledge the need for help. As long as they don’t admit there’s a need, then, for them, there isn’t one. Maybe they won’t believe you entirely or, perhaps, not at all. Often, family members think caregivers are exaggerating the situation or campaigning for unneeded help. Or they might just refuse to believe whatever information you give them, but be willing to believe an impartial expert, instead.

Try to meet together with a credible expert that understands the situation such as your parent’s doctor or minister, or an elder mediator or care manager. An expert may just reinforce what you’ve already said but, for whatever reason, be perceived as more credible to a sibling or other family member. Don’t take it personally if that happens. Just be grateful that it worked and that your senior will get the care they need.

The bottom line
Is it fair for you to have to be both mediator and caregiver all by yourself? No. Try the suggested techniques to convince relatives that your senior (and you, too!) require more help. If you are unable to help family members out of their denial, then take them out of the equation and move on. If nothing else, you’ll have the relief of no longer banging your head against their denial.

For professional and compassionate assistance caring for your loved one, please call Home Helpers or visit our website today.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.

Senior care can be challenging: whether it’s a parent or a patient, the difficulties that arise can vary day to day, and it could get to the point that you are physically and emotionally drained. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some suggestions on how you can make the situation less difficult for you and the elderly person you’re caring for.

Set Boundaries
It’s tempting to do everything when it comes to elderly care for parents and loved ones, but unless you set boundaries you’re going to suffer from physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. If you’re going to do whatever they ask all the time, you’re health will give way. As a caregiver you have to set boundaries on what your responsibilities are as well as those of the rest of the family. You must accept that you have needs that must be taken care of.

Be Flexible with Your Schedule
Having stated the above, you need to be flexible: you never know when one of your parents might suffer a stroke or the patient you’re caring for requires a medical emergency. In cases like these you have to set aside your boundaries and take appropriate action. Caregiving for the long term also means the elderly’s needs will change and you must be prepared to adopt.

How to Cope with Resistance – Causes
One of the hardest things you may face with in-home care is resistance from the senior. The first step towards helping someone who doesn’t want it is to understand the cause.

If your loved one requires care, it is most likely due to a disability resulting in mental loss, physical loss, etc. The resistance stems from the fact they fear giving up their privacy and independence. This could result in your loved one feeling angry or afraid, or they could feel guilty because they are becoming a “burden” to you and the rest of the family.

Another possible reason is a mental health condition, or perhaps they think that asking for help is an indication of weakness. Another possible reason is their concern over the cost.

The Right Approach
Home health aides can tell if a person is resistant to assistance, and if that is the case with your loved one, you have to take the proper approach to avoid worsening the situation.

Here are some guidelines:

• Assess what type of help is required. Speak with family members and figure out the best form of assistance or service they require.
• Talk with the person when they are relaxed as it will make things easier and allow for both to speak your minds. While you’re discussing the subject, ask about their personal preferences and if you can work out an arrangement.
• Do not hesitate to ask for help. Even professional caregivers need assistance whether it’s caring for a family member or someone else. Do not hesitate to tell them you are tired and need help. Caring for the elderly is stressful and will take its toll if you keep it to yourself. Don’t let it reach the point you take your frustrations on the person you’re caring for.
• While you’re the caregiver that doesn’t mean you have to do this alone. Other family members can pitch in while you’re talking a break or better yet, talk to them so you can come up with a solution where everyone helps. The point is even a caregiver needs help.

Be Knowledgeable
Know what condition is affecting the person you’re caring for can simplify your duties. Is it dementia? Did he/she suffer a stroke? Learn as much as you can about their medical condition –symptoms, treatment, causes, – and you will be better off for it. You’re not trying to replace their doctor, but knowing the facts is going to go far in terms of easing your daily routines. As any professional caregiver can tell you, the more informed you are the better you and your loved one will be.

Home health care has improved significantly the past few years, but in the end it’s the human touch that the elderly need. By being informed and patient, you can develop the right approach in caring for them without sacrificing your health or well-being.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.

As a responsible adult, part of your responsibilities is to make sure that your parents are alright as they grow older. So you need to be observant about the state of their health, so that you can provide the appropriate assistance when they need it. As they grow older, they become more susceptible to injuries and to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. You should be ready to provide some elderly care when it becomes necessary.

Determining the right time to provide in-home care for your parents requires careful observation on your part. So you have to ask yourself the following questions:

• Has their appearance become noticeably sloppier? Signs of poor hygiene are often the first indicators that your parents can benefit for a few hours of home care each day. The caregivers can make sure that your parents can bathe properly, and that they can dress and groom themselves appropriately.
   
• Does it seem like they have lost weight? When their weight loss becomes more apparent, this may be a sign that they’re not eating right. They may not be eating the right nutritious food items. They may not be able to buy food at the market because they’re no longer fit to travel that far. Or they may even forget to eat sometimes. With the proper senior care, you can set your mind at ease with the assurance that your elderly parents are getting enough nutritious food at the right time.
   
• Have you seen any signs of injuries? Many elderly people may sport bruises, and that’s often the result of falls that are common among the elderly. Others may even have recent burn marks which indicate that they’ve suffered a mishap in the kitchen. With the right home health care, you can have home health aides helping your parents move from place to place. And you can also have them take care of the cooking chores.
   
• Is there something wrong with the house and the surroundings? When you notice something wrong when you visit your parents at home, this may mean that there’s something wrong with your parents. A dirty living room may mean that they’ve become unable to clean the house as often as necessary. New carpet stains may mean that they’ve become prone to dropping things. Burn marks in pots and pans indicate that they’ve left food on the stove burning. And the smell of urine may be a sign of incontinence.

  A home caretaker can help your parents with their household chores. They can do some simple cleaning chores and make sure that everything in the kitchen is safe.

  You should also look for signs right outside their home. A yard that looks overly messy may mean that your parents may no longer have the energy to maintain the yard. New scratches and dents in their car may mean that they shouldn’t be driving anymore.

  A home caregiver can have people take care of the yard. And they can also drive your parents around so they’re safer and their automobile doesn’t get damaged.
   

• Have their prescriptions gone unfilled? You have to check this for yourself. A Canadian study in 2014 found that older patients were more likely to follow doctor’s orders. People who were taking multiple medications were also more likely to fill prescriptions. So if your parents’ prescriptions are unfilled, something must be wrong. They may be unable to buy the medicine or they may keep forgetting to take the medicine.

  A caregiver can drive to the drugstore and get the right medicine. And they can also make sure that your parents take all their medications with the right dosages at the right times.
   

• Are they paying their bills? The more common reason for unpaid bills isn’t that your parents don’t have the money. It’s more likely that they simply forgot to pay their bills. They may even have forgotten to open their mail.

  This forgetfulness can lead to rather troublesome results. If they don’t pay their credit card bills, they may owe more in interest charges and their credit scores may suffer. They may even have their utilities suspended until they pay up.

Whenever you’re with your parents, always ask yourself these questions. If you get the wrong answers, then it may be time for your parents to get some form of in-home care.

If you have any further questions regarding providing care for your loved one, please contact us at your convenience.

Home Helpers of DuPage Suburbs is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Downers Grove, Addison, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Chicago.