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

All posts within: eldercare

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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Thursday, July 08, 2010

Miles and Miles of Piles – How to Sensitively Help a Hoarder

Seniors are prone to hoarding. Just why that is, is a matter of conjecture. To date, there aren’t any conclusive studies on the subject. However, hoarding is often associated with dementia, and appears to increase along with the severity of the dementia. Additionally, approximately half of older adults who hoard also display mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Compulsive hoarding may also stem from a struggle for control and/or the tendency among those who lived during the Great Depression to hold onto things. The most commonly saved items include newspapers, old clothing, bags, books, mail, notes and lists.

There are different levels of hoarding, but any level can constitute a health threat. In fact, a study of elderly hoarders found that hoarding constituted a physical health threat to 81% of them, including threat of fire hazard, falling, unsanitary conditions, and inability to prepare food. So as you can see, those miles of piles of costume jewelry, furs from the 50’s, and stacks of newspapers dating back to World War II are not something to tsk tsk about. They could be the cause of a broken hip.

Helping people who hoard understand how their problem interferes in living the life they desire can be a powerful motivator when attempting to correct a hoarding situation, especially as it pertains to being able to live independently.

Live Free Home Health Care has trained home care aides who also can help with de-cluttering and organizing a home to create a safer environment for home care. For more tips to sensitively help with hoarding, click here.

To listen to an excellent interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Randy Frost and Gail Steketee, the writers of “Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things”, click here.

Tags:   caregiver tips, eldercare, home safety

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Thursday, July 01, 2010

Six Subtle Signs Indicating More Care at Home May Be Needed

It’s not easy to admit you need help, and when it comes to personal care needs, it can seem downright embarrassing. Couple this with a fear of losing your independence and it isn’t hard to imagine why many seniors keep their needs to themselves. This is why watching for signs that could indicate extra assistance is needed oftentimes falls on family, friends, or advisors. If there is a frail senior in your life that you suspect may be hiding a home care need, take note of the following:

1. Has there been a noticeable weight loss?

2. Has personal hygiene and general appearance been deteriorating?

3. Is the home no longer being neatly maintained?

4. Does the senior seem safe in the home and in good spirits?

5. Is the senior having increased difficulty getting around?

6. Has the senior been exhibiting forgetfulness or inappropriate behavior?

To learn more about how to recognize a need for home care assistance, click here, or for a free in-home care needs/safety assessment, call Live Free Home Health Care at (603) 217-0149.

Tags:   eldercare, home care

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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 18, 2010

How to set the stage for a good night’s rest

As we get older, our circadian clocks get off….making it difficult to obtain a solid night’s rest on a regular basis.

Here are some tips to encourage your body to get a healthy sleep:

· Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends.

· Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.

· Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool.

· Sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress and pillows.

· Use the bedroom only for sleep.

· Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before bed.

· Exercise regularly—just do it a few hours before bedtime.

· Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime.

Contact Live Free Home Health Care to find out more information on how to get a healthy, restful night’s sleep and to learn about respite care and how we can help a family caregiver avoid the complications of sleep deprivation.

Tags:   caregiver tips, eldercare, in-home care providers, long-term care

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