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The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association posted this video to their YouTube channel yestersday.  It is a PSA that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recorded to promote the Alzheimer’s Association and the need to support family caregivers in particular.

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond is very involved in promoting the activities that raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, including this year’s Memory Walk.  If you’d like to participate, please call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100.

We know that caregivers, whether a family member or a professional, have loving hearts.  But helping them to maintain a healthy heart can often be a more difficult challenge as they so often put the needs of the family member, patient or client first before themselves.

Nearly half of the 80 million American adults (about 38 million) who have cardiovascular disease (CVD) are 60 or older.  So it is important to keep a healthy heart at any age.  Sometimes family caregivers are the Baby Boomers, getting older themselves while taking care of an elderly parent or even grandparent while taking care of their own children who may be college age or even married with children of their own.  It’s often a lot to handle and being a family caregiver can put an extra burden on one’s heart health.

Maintaining a health regimen can be a particular challenge for family or professional caregivers.  Consider the following tips from the American Heart Association:

1. Make the time to take a 10 to 15 minute walk a couple of times a day, even if it’s just around the yard.
2. Choose a space in the house that is your “quiet space.”
3. Schedule your timeouts.  Choose a time when your loved one is typically sleeping, eating, watching a TV program or seems to be at their best during the day.
4. Insist on these moments in a gentle way and reward your loved one when you’ve refreshed yourself.

By remembering these four simple tips, caregivers can maintain a healthy heart while providing exceptional care to their elderly loved one.

And, remember, if you’re a family caregiver who could use an extra pair of hands to help out with the needs of an aging Mom, Dad or Grandparent, simply call Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond at 804.527.1100 anytime day or night.  You’ll be glad you did.

Caring for an elderly Mom or Dad can be daunting. Talk to them about their wishes.

If you have an aging parent, you probably have received advice from friends and experts to start talking with your parent now about issues such as finances, health and safety concerns. 

You know you shouldn’t delay any longer, and you definitely should not wait until a crisis occurs. 

However, it is tough to know how to get started.  You respect your parent’s privacy.  You have had no experience or training for this.  It is downright uncomfortable.

You may be thinking,

How do I find out what my parent really wants and what he/she expects from me?

How do I broach sensitive subjects?

What if they get upset with me?

What if they refuse to talk with me?

It’s important to realize it takes just one event to change your parent’s world and yours.  My mother’s health deteriorated rapidly in a 3-month period due to a viral infection.  A seemingly simple fall can result in a broken hip or brain injury.  An aneurysm can result in a coma. 

None of us can predict the future.  But, we certainly can start the conversations with our parent now.  Let me share some tips.

1. Start with an understanding of how your motivation and your parent’s motivation differ.  David Solie in his book, How to Say It To Seniors, tells us that the primary driver in the elderly is to “maintain control.”  That makes sense when you think about the losses they are experiencing; the loss of strength, health, and friends.  As adult children, our primary driver is “safety”!  We have to learn to assist, not insist.
2. Plan a special visit of 2 or 3 days with your parent.  During this time, just plan to be present, listen and walk beside your parent in their daily routines.  This means putting your laptop, blackberry and phone away.   The first time I did this, I was amazed.  I gained insight into my mother’s world, and the experience also helped me transition from my fast-paced world to hers.  A natural result of the visit was a deepened trust and openness between my mother and me.
3. Broach sensitive discussions with thoughtful wording, such as using the phrase, “What If”.  “What if your arthritis gets worse and you need help in your home” or “What if one day you need full-time care?” If your parent doesn’t want to talk about it at that time, know that you’ve planted a seed.  It also helps to share these conversations with your other siblings (who may live states away from you and your parent). Try to get family members on the same page.  

So, start with a sincere desire to understand your parent, their fears, needs and wishes.  Put yourself in their shoes, and listen, non-judgmentally.  Build a foundation of trust and sharing.  That foundation is what will help guide you through the conversations you need to have with your parent now and in the future. 

Want to learn more about communicating with an aging parent and siblings?

Obtain Dale Carter’s entire Ecourse, “Five Essential Strategies to Help Your Aging Parent Face Change” at http://www.transitionagingparents.com/

About Dale Carter

The above article was written by Dale Carter and published with permission.  Dale Carter is the founder of Transition Aging Parents, providing information and insight for adult children of aging parents so they can “thrive and find joy” in every stage of life.  Besides her blog, articles, and newsletter, she hosts a weekly radio show, interviewing authors and experts.  Her book, “The 6 Steps to Guide an Aging Parent through Change & Crisis” will be published later in 2010.

At Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care has many additional resources to help you with having those often difficult conversations with your aging parent.  There is a 40-70 Rule booklet which you can download at this link:  The 40-70 Rule.  You can also reference the website and book, The Stages of Senior Care.  And, lastly, you can preview our Richmond digital brochure here:  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond.

And, remember, we’re here to help.  Just call our Richmond senior care offices at 804.527.1100 — we’re here for you anytime, day or night, whenever you need assistance.

Home Instead CAREGivers can be there to help elderly loved ones when family can't

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), simply falling at your own home is the leading fatal injury for people 65 and older. Nearly 50 percent of all fall-related fatalities are caused by traumatic brain injury. 

In 2008, nearly 8.6 million Americans of all ages suffered accidental falls. 

Gail L. Rosseau, M.D., AANS spokesperson and a Chicago neurosurgeon, states “Many head injuries occur at one’s residence – whether it is a home or a nursing home facility – and involve falling and bumping one’s head, resulting in mild concussions to severe and even fatal traumatic brain injuries.” 

Among people ages 55 and older, most head injuries were related to flooring, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers. But falls can happen in so many ways — stumbling on stairs, slipping in bathtubs, falling off ladders and step stools, and tripping over garden hoses, dog leashes, and household appliance cord. It’s really easy to accidentally fall — at any age. 

And, you must be extra careful with any head injury. What seems like no big deal can turn out to be something much more. Consider actress Natasha Richardson, who fell during a skiing lesson in March 2009. Her fall was not “big” or unusual, and her head hit snow. Although she did not appear to be injured at the time, she died soon after from a fatal brain injury. 

Some easy changes around the home can help Seniors prevent falls and head injuries: 

• Secure loose electrical cords
• Remove articles on the floor that someone could trip on (rugs, footstools, grandchildren’s toys)
• Buy bath mats and rugs with slip-resistant backing
• Install grab bars and handrails for the frail and elderly
• Improve lighting in the home (this is so very important as vision worsens as we age)
• Check all stair railings and steps
• Wear proper shoes with slip-resistant soles
• Do not wear clothing that can interfere with your vision

Another way to help Seniors avoid falling is through fall prevention programs, which typically include a review of the person’s medications, reduces risk factors in their home and provides safety modifications, education, and an exercise program. Studies show fall prevention programs reduce falls by 30-50%. 

Tai Chi, a martial art using slow movements, also helps Seniors lower the risk of falling. Tai Chi teaches people to relax, slow down, coordinate their mind and body, and improve posture. The strength and balance that Tai Chi and other exercises make seniors feel stronger and more confident as they move.  You can read more about how Tai Chi can help at this article:  Tai Chi May Combat Seniors’ Fear of Falling 

Home Instead Senior Care provides in-home care to Seniors in the Richmond and Northern Neck areas.    While we can’t always be there to prevent a fall, we can help Seniors live more independently by being there when they need a hand, by helping them with meal preparation or light housekeeping so they don’t have to, by driving them to a doctor’s appointment or shopping so that they don’t have to go alone.  

And we can be there when it’s just not possible for family members to be there and that can easily reduce stress on the family caregiver(s).  If you are caring for an elderly loved one — or if you perhaps are a Senior yourself — and you could use an extra pair of caring hands, simply call our Richmond senior care office at 804.527.1100.  We’ll be there when you can’t because…  to us, it’s personal.

What is hospice?  Probably no form of senior care is as little understood as hospice.  People often have misconceptions about it and almost always questions such as:

• Is it a building, like a hospital? 
• Who are the professionals who will take care of my mother in hospice care? 
• How much, or how little, will they do for her? 
• If nursing home costs have impoverished her how will she, or we, pay for hospice care? 
• What role does the family play in hospice care?

Hospice care is sometimes thought of as a synonym for palliative care.  That’s not too far wrong, but hospice care is really a particular kind of palliative care.  Palliative care is a form of treatment that does not attempt to cure the patient’s underlying disease.  Rather it focuses on alleviating the symptoms of the disease, especially reducing the pain.  People of any age can undergo palliative care, among them children suffering from cancer. 

Eliminating Pain

Palliative care does not preclude other medical care.  It is possible, for example, to have one team of doctors alleviating the pain of a child with leukemia, in other words, practicing palliative care, while other specialists focus on curing the child’s disease.

In contrast, hospice care is limited to those who are judged by medical professionals to be at the end of their lives, generally, but not exclusively, the elderly.  The purpose, as with other forms of palliative care, is to eliminate or at least control pain and suffering. 

The promise to the individual who is placed in hospice care is that she will be able to spend her final weeks and days with as much dignity and as little pain as possible.  Hospice care professionals assist the patient with the emotional and spiritual aspects of death as well.

SUMMARY:  Hospice Care and Palliative Care:  What’s the difference?

• Palliative care is designed to alleviate symptoms, especially reducing pain.
• People of any age can receive palliative care, including those who simultaneously receive healing care.
• Hospice is a particular kind of palliative care, limited to those who are judged by medical professionals to be at the end of life but are still in need of pain relief and comfort.

While in hospice or palliative care, your elderly loved one may need companionship care or personal care during this difficult time.  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide those services and more so that you can have a few less things to worry about.  Simply call our Richmond office at 804.527.1100.  We serve Greater Richmond and Northern Neck, too.

Excerpted from the book, Stages of Senior Care:  Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions by Paul & Lori Hogan.  Also, credit to National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Caring for an elderly Mom or Dad who has even early stage dementia can be a challenge. Let Home Instead offer you easy solutions.

Probably not a surprise as we’ve been hearing so much in the news these days about dementia and Alzheimer’s, but it’s true.  After age 85, nearly half of all seniors will have some cognitive impairment or dementia, typically Alzheimer’s disease.  This brain disorder makes it difficult for people to remember, learn and communicate and over time makes it increasingly difficult for seniors to take care of themselves. 

Victims of dementia suffer symptoms such as memory loss, a decline in the ability to perform routine tasks or learn new ones, and a loss of language, judgment, and planning skills.  Alzheimer’s can even bring about personality changes — for instance, in the case of a formerly social senior who might stop going to parties, church and other events.

Dementia can interfere with the care of a loved one in a number of ways.  People with dementia may eat poorly and irregularly and ignore exercise and social activity, all functions that would likely improve their health.  Family caregivers are usually the first to recognize that dementia may be developing and should seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms are recognized.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common — and often heartbreaking — form of dementia, afflicting only about 5 percent of seniors between sixty-five and seventy-four.  But nearly half of those over the age of eighty-five may be affected.  The disease usually begins slowly with mild memory loss and develops gradually into crippling brain damage with symptoms that can include paranoia. 

Alzheimer’s victims typcially live for eight to ten years after being diagnosed with the disease and sometimes for as long as twenty years.  So far, no medication or treatment has been successful in reversing or stopping Alzheimer’s, although medications are available that may help delay progression of some of the symptoms.  It remains perhaps the most difficult condition to come with in a family setting.

This information has been provided to you through the recent book written by the founders of Home Instead Senior Care, Paul and Lori Hogan, specifically chapter 15 on Complicating Ailments and Issues.  The book is entitled Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions. 

If you’re ready to take the next step with caring for your elderly loved one now, then simply call Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and we’ll be glad to review your home care needs with a free, professional in-home assessment.  We give you many ways to contact us including any time by phone, 804.527.1100, or through our website at http://HomeInstead.com/Richmond-VA.  We serve the entire greater Richmond area, including Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan and more, along with the Northern Neck as we have a second office in Tappahannock.

It's important to make sure that seniors get the nutrition they need

So how do you know if your senior’s diet fits the bill? These 10 warning signs are red flags that may signal a potential problem:

1. Loss of appetite: If your senior has always been a hearty eater but no longer eats as he or she used to, it’s time to find out why. Underlying illness could be the root cause.
2. Little to no interest in eating out: If your loved one has always loved eating out at a favorite restaurant but no longer shows interest, dig deeper to determine the problem.
3. Depression: Change in appetite is a classic sign of depression. Be sure to follow up with a physician if you suspect depression may be a problem.
4. Sudden weight fluctuation: A weight change — losing or gaining 10 pounds in six months — is another sign that something could be amiss.
5. Expired or spoiled food: Check the refrigerator for expired or spoiled food. Seniors could be saving food until it’s no longer safe. Make sure that all food is labeled, with the date, in large letters and numbers.
6. Skin tone: Observe your senior’s skin tone. If she is eating properly, her skin should look healthy and well-hydrated.
7. Lethargy: If your loved one has regularly been active and enjoyed taking walks but suddenly becomes lethargic, encourage him to see a doctor. Poor nutrition could be to blame.
8. Cognitive problems: Seniors who live alone might forget to eat. Dementia and cognitive problems can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Quick intervention is vital.
9. More than three medications: Medication can influence both appetite and weight. Check with your senior’s doctor to find out if his medications could be the culprit.
10. A recent illness: Illness or a hospital stay could make a senior stop eating. Keep tabs on your loved one’s recovery, making sure she has reliable help at home.

An estimated 83 percent of family caregivers in the U.S. and 76 percent in Canada help with groceries or other errands; 65 percent in the U.S. and 53 percent in Canada assist with meal preparation.

More information can be found at the Food for Seniors website.  Or, you can download a brochure entitled, “Cooking Under Pressure,” that provides both seniors and caregivers with great nutrition tips and recipes.

And, remember, if you need help with meal preparation, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide caregivers who do just that, as well as help with medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation and companionship too.  Simply call our office anytime at 804.527.1100 for a caring consultation.

Help ensure seniors stay warm in the winter months with an extra blanket, a warm coat, scarf and gloves if they must go outside.

Freezing temperatures in Florida. Artic air sweeping down to Cuba. Snow in Mexico. Even snow and cold temperatures here in the Greater Richmond area.

Much of the country has been in the grip of a surprisingly cold winter this year. Cold weather is hard on everyone, but it can be especially hard on seniors. It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors when it is so cold.

In general, it is best to encourage Seniors to just stay out of the cold. Ice and snow can be dangerous for those with poor eyesight or balance, and broken bones can be seriously detrimental to a Senior’s health. Help Seniors by running errands for them — like picking up groceries and prescriptions. If they must get out, volunteer to drive, and help them safely in and out of their destination. Add rubber tips to walkers and canes to increase stability.

Another problem for Seniors is frostbite and hypothermia — elderly people are more susceptible to hypothermia because they don’t always realize they are becoming cold. Seniors should keep their home well heated and dress in layers to stay warm, and add a hat and gloves to their jacket if they must go outside. Symptoms of frostbite include numbness and a white cast to the skin. Hypothermia is signaled by confusion, sleepiness, reduced breathing and heart rate, and extreme shivering.

Other tips to help Seniors include keeping space heaters at least three feet from furniture and draperies, and making sure railings are secure. It can be hard to drink water when it’s cold, but Seniors should try to remain well-hydrated at all times.

If you need assistance caring for a senior especially during the winter months when the cold weather can be a challenging time for staying warm and safe, please call for a free no-obligation consultation with Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond at 804.527.1100.  Our CAREgivers can help check on your elderly loved one and can help run errands, set medication reminders or simply help them get around both in and outside the home.

The CEO and co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care, Paul Hogan, appears on Fox News’ Road to Retirement show and discusses how hiring non-medical caregivers can help keep an elderly loved one in their home longer, or even provide in-home care at an independent living or assisted living facility, so that the Senior can retain — or,  in some cases —  regain their independence as his own grandmother did back in the 1990s. 

Paul & Lori Hogan, co-founders of Home Instead Senior Care and authors of Stages of Senior Care

Paul and Lori Hogan just recently released a new book entitled Stages of Senior Care:  Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions, which is an excellent guidebook for anyone dealing with the decisions and care needs of a senior or elderly loved one, particularly a mother or father. 

The just-released Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide for Making the Best Decisions

Today, there are so many choice in senior care and homecare providers that it can often be difficult to make the right choices for your loved one.  Check out the video of Paul’s segment on Fox News and you can also download a helpful senior care options guide by clicking here.

Many seniors could stay in their homes longer and live more freely and independently but they often need just a moderate level of assistance on a day-to-day basis.  Often that means someone to call them and remind them to take their medicine at a certain time, perhaps provide transportation to a doctor’s office or church, or someone to just check on them personally and provide companionship, reminisce about the past or help them with day-to-day activities, even light housekeeping or meal preparation.

If you are looking for an alternative to assisted living facilities for your Mom or Dad, then consider Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond.  Simply call us at 804.527.1100 to schedule a free no-obligation assessment of your needs and how we may be able to help your senior live comfortably and independently, often staying right in their own home for years to come.