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

All posts within: home health care

Monday, May 24, 2010

Random acts of kindness ARE contagious!

You’ve heard that a spirit of kindness and generosity can spread to others, but did you know that it’s actually been proven? A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that for people who have experienced generosity, not only does the spirit of generosity persist in them, but they also pass it on to others. This causes a ripple effect of kindness and generosity, in an ever expanding circle of people.

At Live Free Home Health Care, we believe in random acts of kindness every day! Our top-notch caregivers are carefully selected to make sure they possess special qualities such as patience, understanding, respect, and good listening skills….those we would feel comfortable with in our own home. Give us a call at 603-217-0149 to find out more about our services. In the meantime, take a moment to spread some random joy and generosity and start your own ripple effect for humankind.

Read more about the study in our May Live Free Home Health Care newsletter.

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

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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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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Doctor referrals to specialists are being ignored

A recent study in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice finds that a disturbingly low number of patients referred to a specialist actually see that specialist. Only 71% of the patients referred to a specialist were actually scheduled for an appointment, and only 70% of THAT group of patients actually made it to the appointment. Reasons varied: failure of the primary care physician's office to actually make the appointment, failure of the specialist's office to receive that consultation request, failure to confirm the visit with the patient and also some problems on the patient's end, such as the lack of transportation. If you find yourself or a loved on in a similar situation, understand that a home care agency such as Live Free Home Health Care can make sure those specialist appointments are scheduled and remembered, and that transportation is provided. Read more about this issue in our April Live Free Home Health Care newsletter.

Tags:   eldercare, home companion, home health care, private duty agencies

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Monday, March 15, 2010

So what’s the big deal about home health care, anyway?

It used to be that when the term “home health care” was brought up, visions of doctors with little black bags ringing your doorbell would spring to mind. But of course home health care nowadays encompasses a wide array of services and benefits to individuals.

Did you know that seniors who go to nursing homes or other assisted type facilities are usually not in need of complex medical care but rather are having difficulty taking care of their personal needs…what the industry calls “Activities of Daily Living”? This is the foundation of modern home care….assisting individuals with their activities of daily living. This includes helping people with bathing, dressing, meals, transportation, housekeeping, etc. But that’s not all home care is good for. Check out a few of these other benefits of in-home care and find out what all the fuss is about:

- Home care services are delivered one-on-one, assuring more private attention than in a nursing home or a facility. There is no “waiting for one’s turn” when care is needed. And home care is personalized to the needs of the family and the individual on any given day, whether that need is as simple as company and conversation or more complex, as in needs with personal care.

- A home caregiver can be effective in promoting and ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Home caregivers produce healthy and nutritional meals that appeal to the individual and can also keep a close eye on the amount of food eaten.

- In addition, a personalized daily exercise program can be implemented and followed through, with the added safety of a qualified professional being present.

- In-home care fosters dignity and independence, important ingredients for a happy lifestyle. Home care (in particular, private pay home care) can offer personalized care tailored to the needs of the family and individual on any given day, whether the needs are as simple as companionship or more complex, such as personal care.

- With the additional benefit of accompaniment on transportation to and from various appointments, social activities or errands, home care allows families more free time together.

For more benefits of home care, click here.

Tags:   better quality of life, home care, home health care, long-term care

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