Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

All posts within: better quality of life

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Overcoming objections to an in-home caregiver

“I don’t want a stranger coming into my house and going through my things!” “I’ve been doing my own cooking and cleaning since before you were born. I can manage just fine.” “I’m a great driver. I’ve never been in an accident.” “Why can’t you help me with these things?” Are these the sorts of comments you encounter when bringing up the subject of in-home care with your aging parent? You aren’t alone.

It is common for people needing assistance with home care to feel uncomfortable or even reject the idea of accepting the help of an in-home caregiver. Admitting a care need can make a senior feel vulnerable and afraid of losing independence. But there are ways to help. Experienced senior care agencies such as Live Free Home Health Care know how best to handle these situations and can not only help with finding a perfectly matched caregiver but can offer helpful advice to overcome objections to a home helper as well.

Contact Live Free Home Home Health Care today to find out how we can help gently introduce a perfectly matched caregiver into the home. We service Concord New Hampshire, the rest of the Lakes region and central New Hampshire. Below are some further tips to help ease the transition:

Introduce the caregiver to the senior before care begins, so the caregiver is not a stranger.

Find a caregiver with a personality and temperament that complements the senior’s personality.

Frame the situation so it’s about you rather than the senior. An example would be saying, “I know you are very independent and don’t feel you need extra care at home, but I worry a lot about you and this would help me not to worry so much when I’m not able to be here.”

Start small, and ask the senior to “give it a try.” Present the idea as a trial. Have someone come in for one day a week for a few hours, just to vacuum, take out the trash or wash clothes, and then build up to more care if needed.

Sympathize and understand the fear and vulnerability associated with the transition. Have serious, compassionate talks with him or her, and realize the first time may not work. It could take a few months before the senior feels more comfortable with the situation.

For further transition tips, click here.

Tags:   better quality of life, communication tips, eldercare, home care

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

The phenomenon known as universal design

So just what is “universal design”? It is an increasingly popular home remodeling request to allow for comfort and safety regardless of the homeowner’s age. Two-thirds of all remodelers have seen an uptick in requests for aging in place remodels. And with the population increasingly going gray with the baby boomer generation, this is projected to be the most important issue affecting the remodeling industry over the next five years. The National Association of Home Builders, in conjunction with AARP even created a new program called the Certified Aging in Place Specialist program (CAPS) designed to teach professionals how to modify homes for aging in place. Since 2002, more than 2,200 people have completed the CAPS program, making it one of the fastest-growing educational programs at NAHB.

Aging in place modifications most frequently purchased by homeowners include:

 Adding grab bars

 Installing higher toilets

 Upgrading to a curb-less shower

 Widening doorways

 Constructing ramps or lower thresholds

 Enhancing lighting and task lighting

As a full service home health care agency, Live Free Home Health Care not only provides traditional l in-home care offerings based on each client’s needs, but can also recommend local contractors who are experienced in home renovations for seniors or disabled persons. For more links to information on universal design tips, click here.

Tags:   better quality of life, home safety

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

How to win the tug of war between independence and safety

Most people prefer to age in their own homes, not simply because it feels most familiar and comforting, but because it helps them maintain a feeling of independence. But as eyesight starts to fail and mobility falter, oftentimes a tug of war begins between wishing to fulfill a parent’s desires to remain home and believing the parent may be unsafe at home.

However, there are ways to win both sides of this argument. A few home modifications and a little extra care from a compassionate, experienced caregiver can make all the difference. What should a home contain to age in place?

 A master bedroom and bath on the first floor

 A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang

 Lever-style door handles

 No change in levels on the main floor

 Bright lighting in all areas, especially places like stairways

 A low-maintenance exterior

 Non-slip flooring at the main entryway

 An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area

 Handrails at all steps

These are just a few tips. To read more, click here, or for a free in-home safety assessment, call (603) 217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, home safety

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The connection between Alzheimer’s and night restlessness

Sundown syndrome—also called sundowning or sunsetting—is a behavior common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It describes the episodes of confusion, anxiety, agitation, or disorientation that often occur at dusk and into the evening hours. The episodes may last a few hours or throughout the night, which is very draining not only on the caregiver, but on the person with Alzheimer’s disease as well.

While the exact reason why people with Alzheimer’s are more susceptible to sundowning is not known, there are ways to help ward off an episode:

· Schedule the day so that the more difficult tasks are done early in the day.

· Restrict sweets and drinks with caffeine to the morning hours and try serving a late afternoon snack or an early dinner.

· Keep the house or room well lit. Close the drapes before the sun goes down, so the person doesn’t watch it become dark outside. Even keep the room partially lit when going to bed, to reduce agitation that occurs when surroundings are dark or unfamiliar.

· Plan more active days. A person who rests most of the day is likely to be awake at night.

· Seek medical advice. Physical ailments, such as bladder or incontinence problems, could be making it difficult to sleep. The doctor may also be able to prescribe medication to help the person relax at night.

· Change sleeping arrangements. Allow the person to sleep in a different bedroom, in a favorite chair or wherever it’s most comfortable.

For more information on sundown syndrome, click here. Nighttime doesn’t need to be a time to dread. An experienced care partner you trust will allow you to rest easy, knowing your loved one is safe and secure.

Tags:   Alzheimer's Disease, better quality of life, home health care, memory loss

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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Caring for others while sleep deprived = caring for others while drunk

Studies have shown clearly that the mental impairment of someone with extreme sleep deprivation is equal to the mental impairment of someone who is legally drunk. As a family caregiver, it is so important (and sometimes that much harder) to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. Without it, your body doesn’t have a way to recharge and revitalize. Organs and systems are forced to work when they should be resting. This gives the body no time to heal itself in preparation for its next work period. Constant stress on the mind and body affects our overall health and wellbeing, resulting in pretty devastating consequences, some of which include:

· Poor concentration

· Inability to perform tasks or process information easily and quickly

· Decreased perceptual skills

· Increased risk of coronary heart disease and other major illnesses

· Decreased muscle strength

· Disruption of insulin production and sugar metabolism, increasing risk of diabetes

· Weakened immune system

To read more, click here. Bringing some outside help into the home can be done whenever there is a need. Try using a caregiver from a professional agency at night so you can get a good night’s sleep and awake refreshed and ready to tackle another day.

Tags:   better quality of life, home care, home health care

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