All posts within: in-home care providers

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Outdoor Precautions and Community Monitoring

At Live Free Home Health Care, we want to share additional ideas for outdoor monitoring that may offer peace of mind and safety for those deciding to age in place—in the comfort of their own homes. Family caregivers, with their finger on the pulse of their loved one’s needs, can apply the following simple home modifications and establish appropriate relationships with community officials to ensure wellbeing.

• Motion-sensitive lighting. Install lights that automatically turn on when there's any movement near them. These are a deterrent for intruders, plus if one forgets to turn on the lights before he/she leaves during the day, the lights will be on when he/she returns home.

• Lights on timers. Install timers for outside lights and a light in the bathroom so they’ll turn on and stay on throughout the night. Timers are inexpensive and easily installed by plugging them into electrical outlets.

• Keys and the neighbors. If a senior lives in a neighborhood, the neighbors may be friends. If not, identify someone trustworthy to have an extra set of keys to the house. Exchange phone numbers so if there is a concern—the phone is not being answered or the mail is piling up—that identified person can check out the situation.

• Getting into the house. The path to and from the house should be clear of obstacles. If there is a garage but no automatic garage-door opener, have one installed. Wherever the car is parked should be well lit, which can also be controlled by remote control as the driveway is entered.

• Friendly local police. Find out from the local police if there is a neighborhood watch group in the area and let that group know the living arrangements and that some monitoring is needed.

• Friendly postal carriers and utility meter readers. Most mail carriers work the same route every day and get to know a neighborhood quite well. The U.S. Postal Service has a program to alert the Area Agency on Aging if the carrier believes there is a problem. Utility companies do the same.

Live Free Home Health Care of Concord, New Hampshire is here to offer further guidance and options that can give you the choice to age in place. If you're looking for a partner in home care in the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make your life a little easier.

Tags:   home health care, home safety, in-home care providers

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Stress Management for Family Caregivers

Managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. Stress management also involves changing the stressful situation when possible, changing reactions to the situation when it cannot be changed, taking care of your health, and making time for rest and relaxation.

While peaceful meditation, exercising and enjoyable activities are great outlets for stress relief, the greatest protection against stress is a strong support network for when times get rough. It’s important to allow others to help alleviate some of the responsibilities and pressures. With trusted friends, family members, and a caregiving team such as Live Free Home Health Care, life’s pressures will not seem as overwhelming.

Also seek out community support groups for caregivers:

 People meet in a given place each week or month.

 You get face-to-face contact and a chance to make new friends who live near you.

 The meetings get you out of the house, get you moving, provide a social outlet, and reduce feelings of isolation.

 Since the people in the support group are from your area, they'll be more familiar with local resources and issues.

For further information on care support, click here .

Live Free Home Health Care of Concord, New Hampshire is here to offer further guidance and home care options that can give you a well-deserved break. If you're looking for a partner in care in the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact us today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make your life a little easier.

Tags:   family caregivers, home care, in-home care providers, private duty agencies

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Need for Respite: Recognizing Caregiver Stress and the Effects of Overload

Family caregivers often find themselves running in emergency mode, and eventually the mind and body pay the price. Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. In fact, raised stress levels can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and can speed up the aging process.

Take this quick quiz to determine if you are in control of stress or if stress is controlling you:

 When I feel agitated, do I know how to quickly calm and soothe myself?

 Can I easily let go of my anger?

 Can I turn to others to help me calm down and feel better?

 When I come home at night, do I walk in the door feeling alert and relaxed?

 Am I seldom distracted or moody?

 Am I able to recognize upsets that others seem to be experiencing?

 When my energy is low, do I know how to boost it?

Feeling frazzled and overwhelmed is a key indicator that it’s time to take action to nurture your nervous system. You can protect yourself by learning the following signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects. When under pressure, behavior can present as:

 Talking too fast or too loud

 Yawning

 Fiddling and twitching, nail biting, grinding teeth, drumming fingers, pacing, etc.

 Bad moods: irritability, being critical, overly sensitive replies, anger and irrationality

 Making less realistic judgments

 Inability to concentrate

 Being more forgetful

 Making more mistakes

 Disorganization, confusion and worry

 Neglect of personal appearance and personal hygiene

Live Free Home Health Care of Concord, New Hampshire is here to offer further guidance and options that can give you a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities. If you're looking for a partner in home care in the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact us today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make your life a little easier.

Tags:   eldercare, family caregivers, home care, in-home care providers, private duty agencies

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Friday, August 26, 2011

How to Develop an Open Line of Communication with Your Physician

Communication is a key to any successful relationship. When it comes to doctor/patient relationships, communication is also key to receiving the best healthcare possible. However, it is not always easy for patients to talk to their physicians, especially for older Americans – though the older people get, the more important it is for them to nurture an open, honest, communicative partnership with their healthcare provider.

Knowing that your time with the doctor is limited, there are some basic ways to help maximize this time. Preparing beforehand and then asking questions during the appointment are vital to achieve the best level of healthcare possible.

Before the Appointment

• Jot down everything you'd like to ask your physician.

• Note any changes in appetite, mood and/or body.

• For each, note the date that the entry is made, what it is about, and the changes noticed.

• Also write down changes in health since the last doctor’s visit.

• Bring a list of all your prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal remedies or supplements, as well as dosage information and side effects, if any.

Medical Testing 101

If medical tests are ordered during a visit to the doctor, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends finding out the following information:

• Name of test

• Reason for test

• What the test involves

• What the test will attempt to reveal

• Cost/health insurance coverage

• Dangers/side effects

• When the results will be ready

Diagnose the Diagnosis

To assist in understanding information while visiting the doctor, ask the following questions about a diagnosis:

• What is the name of my condition? How is it spelled?

• Why do you think I have this condition? What may have caused it?

• How long may this problem last? Will it be forever?

• What is the prescribed treatment?

• Is there a specialist who I need to see for further information or a second opinion?

Home care agencies, such as Live Free Home Health Care, can also be important advocates for a senior’s health and wellbeing. Among numerous skills and services, we can assist with scheduling and transportation to and from a doctor’s appointment, and in making certain that medications are taken as prescribed. Providing in-home care services in Concord, New Hampshire and the rest of the Lakes region and Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today to learn more about how we can assist.

Tags:   communication, communication tips, home care, home companion, home health care, in-home care providers, medication management, private duty agencies

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Respite Care for the Sandwich Generation

Caring for a frail or disabled loved one requires a mountain of patience, energy and commitment. Too often caregivers get run down and even sick because they have not taken time for themselves. Taking a break is not an act of selfishness. It is actually an act of great giving.

Caregivers should:

Spend time—even ten minutes a day—“checking-in.” This should be protected time to read, listen to music, exercise, etc.

Laugh at the funny things in life.

Take time to be “in” their marriage.

Listen to their body. If the body is saying slow down, or that something is not right, medical advice should be sought. Too often we do not listen to our bodies no matter how loudly they may be talking to us.

Live Free Home Health Care works with families in Concord and Central New Hampshire and the Lakes region to provide respite care solutions for any particular situation. If you know a primary caregiver who needs a break, contact Live Free Home Health Care today.

Live Free Home Health Care can step in and provide reliable respite care so that a primary caregiver can take essential time to care for herself. Whether for a few hours a day or as an ongoing relief, whenever respite is needed, Live Free Home Health Care can be there.

Tags:   home care, home companion, home health care, in-home care providers, private duty agencies

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