by Amber Kevlin, RN | Apr 13, 2023 | Senior Home Care
How to Care for Aging Loved Ones
By Amber Kevlin, RN
Visiting elderly loved ones can sometimes be difficult to plan, especially if there has been a decline in physical activity since
you have visited them last. Seniors tend to choose activities based on their bodily limitations. Disease, pain, and chronic conditions may alter family plans, but there’s no need to shelve family gatherings yet! If aging family members are seemingly struggling with a rigorous family outing, there are still plenty of activities to engage them and keep them connected with family.
- Engage in sentimental pastimes. Whether it’s baking fresh bread or cookies, building ships in bottles, or watching old favorite movies, everyone loves it when their hobbies can be shared and enjoyed by others. This can improve elderly mental health substantially.
- Reminisce with them. Crack open the old family photo albums or yearbooks, and let your loved one recall long- treasured memories of friends and family past. Even seniors with memory impairment issues may keep long ago memories close to their hearts and can remember certain things with intricate detail.
- Do some research online with your loved one. Even after the visit is over, you still want your family members to remain
engaged and as active as possible to avoid the loneliness and isolation that sometimes come with aging. Help your loved one find a nearby book club or interest-geared groups, such as bird-watching or knitting, or even a nearby veteran’s association.
If you notice a change in your aging family member’s behavior, such as depression or withdrawal from usual activities, consider home care services for companionship. Oftentimes, an in-home caregiver may also help with housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands as well. Aging adults need recreation and social connections to stay happy and healthy, just like everyone else.
Are you or a loved one looking for in-home elderly and senior services? My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon County, Jackson County, and Haywood County in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun County, Towns County, and Habersham County. The counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee County, Pickens County, and Anderson County. Call (828) 200-9000 or visit our website to speak to someone today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Apr 6, 2023 | Senior Home Care
By Amber Kevlin, RN
Being a caregiver is a very difficult position, especially if you are caring for aging parents or family members. The exhaustion that comes with not only being a caregiver, but trying to manage your own life affairs can be a terrible strain on your mind, body, and emotions. As they say, “You cannot pour from an empty cup.” Here are some tips on managing the stress of caring for an elderly loved one in your home:
- Search for local senior resource centers that may be able to help you find adult day programs, where your loved one can spend a few hours engaging in enriching activities led by a volunteer, giving you a few respite hours each week.
- Ask other family members to help out, if possible. It’s hard to ask for help, but taking care of yourself is essential for a healthy balance as a caregiver.
- Spend any respite time you get doing something specifically for you! Enjoy a hobby or outdoor activity, deviating from your usual schedule. Find a local painting class or group yoga, or ask a friend out for a cup of coffee and relaxed conversation.
- Look into speaking with a therapist. A licensed professional can help you navigate confusing emotions, and avoid feelings of resentment and grief that can often come with being a caregiver. Understanding that these feelings are commonly associated with caregiving can also relieve any guilt that may be building up as well.
- Look into local in-home care services for either full-time, part-time, or even just a few weekend respite hours. Knowing that your loved one is being cared for by an experienced caregiver can alleviate any worries you may have when leaving your loved one at home. Many in-home care agencies can not only help with bathing, grooming, and toileting issues, they can also help with running errands, meal preparation, and driving to doctors appointments.
Taking care of an aging loved one is hard, but taking time to care for yourself can sometimes prove to be even harder. Sometimes putting yourself first is needed in order to provide the healthy balance between living your life, and helping someone else live theirs.
My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. Counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson. Visit us or call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Apr 1, 2023 | Senior Home Care
Planning on Aging
Growing older seems to creep up on you until one day, something happens to make you realize you may not have planned on aging. Whether it’s a fall, a chronic health issue, or a decline in memory or mobility, life is sure to throw its share of surprises at you when you least expect it. Below are two of the most important ways to prepare for your aging journey.
Legal Documents
Getting your legal documents in order should be your priority, even before aging. Even if your family members know what you want, these issues
can quickly become complicated, legally and within the family. Getting your advanced directives together can cut down on the confusion of what to do in a situation where you may not be able to make decisions on your own. A POA, or power of attorney, which is usually a spouse or trusted loved one, will act on your behalf in the event of a medical emergency should you not be able to make your own choices. Advanced directives also include written directives and a living will that list your end-of-life wishes, such as whether or not you would like to be put on life-support. These documents are paramount to making end-of-life decisions easier for you and your family.
Home Planning
Being able to live independently in your own home is what everyone wishes for, but is not the reality for many. If certain planning is not put into place, an aging adult may face the decision of having to move due to financial reasons, or because their home is not set up to accommodate the limitations of growing older. Larger homes become unmanageable, stairs
become impossible to climb, and bathtubs and showers become dangerous areas. Modifications can be put in place, such as no-slip mats, shower grab bars, and stair chairs, but having someone either in the home or close by to help can keep seniors and aging adults in their homes for much longer. Searching for local resources such as home-care services can help provide relief for seniors and respite for loved ones and caregivers, and help to maintain the home. In-home care services can include housekeeping, meal preparation, and errand running, among many other services.
My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood County in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham. The counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson. Call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone or contact us today if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 14, 2023 | Senior Home Care
Depression in Aging Adults
Losing social connections is a regrettable part of the aging process, as certain challenges arise. Loved ones move away or spouses and friends pass away, and bodily limitations or chronic illnesses can compound on the alienation that comes from losing these connections.
Feelings of isolation and loneliness are unfortunately common in the elderly population, and depression can affect seniors
just as any other person, with possible physical ramifications as well as causing emotional distress. Signs of depression can be the same across the board no matter the age, such as withdrawal from favorite activities and social situations, weight loss or weight gain, either sleeping too much or too little, and a depressed mood.
However, seniors are especially at risk because statistically, 80% of elderly persons have at least one chronic health condition, and half of the aging population have at least two or more. Seniors are also sometimes misdiagnosed, due to physicians attributing depression symptoms to the natural decline that comes with aging, and also because seniors are less likely to seek out medical attention for mental health issues than younger people are.
In-home care services can be very beneficial in many cases where companionship can help a senior feel less alone, and housekeeping or domestic services can be provided as well to those with physical limitations. Oftentimes, seniors may develop a friendly relationship or bond with their caregivers, and having someone to listen to and talk with can help alleviate the feelings of isolation that come with depression.
If you or someone you know may need help with depression, speak with your primary care physician as soon as possible. There are many medications that can help with depression symptoms, as well as a change in lifestyle. Your doctor may recommend a change in diet or a more regular exercise regimen. If you or someone you know are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call 911 immediately, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained
counselor.
Are you or a loved one looking for in-home elderly and senior services? My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon County, Jackson County, and Haywood County in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun County, Towns County, and Habersham County. The counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee County, Pickens County, and Anderson County. Call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today or contact us if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
by Amber Kevlin, RN | Mar 10, 2023 | Senior Home Care
Detecting Alzheimer’s
Memory loss is a very normal part of the aging process, but there are signs that everyday problems may be something more than just “forgetfulness.” According to The Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 signs to look for when detecting Alzheimer’s.
While Dementia is an umbrella term that signifies significant decline in a person’s ability to recollect information that also affects other cognitive abilities, Alzheimer’s is the most common disease diagnosed, and recognizing the symptoms can mean all the difference in early detection.
- The first symptom is memory loss that interrupts daily life, like forgetting important dates and appointments, and asking
the same questions frequently.
- Problem solving and planning also becomes difficult with Alzheimer’s, such as following a recipe or being able to correctly read an analog clock.
- Performing familiar tasks may also present a challenge, such as driving to the grocery store that they have been visiting for years, or dialing phone numbers they have memorized.
- Being unable to recognize their surroundings, or what time it is, or who the president currently is, is a tell-tale sign of severe cognitive decline.
- Some people with Alzheimer’s suffer from challenges in spatial relationships, where driving may also become very dangerous as judging distances become more difficult.
- Recalling words may become difficult. A person with memory impairment may stop in the middle of speaking, and get confused about what they are talking about, or may spend a long time trying to remember a specific word.
- Losing items frequently, and not being able to remember the last place they were can become an issue. Items may also end up being found in odd places, such as car keys in the freezer.
- Someone with memory impairment may forget that it’s been more than a week since they last showered, or brushed their teeth, so grooming and personal hygiene may fall by the wayside.
- Someone with memory issues may feel embarrassed by being unable to hold a conversation, and will begin to
withdraw from social activities they once enjoyed doing.
- Changes in behavior will also be a more noticeable sign of cognitive decline and memory impairment. Some people may become confused, agitated and upset when out of their comfort zone.
If you feel that you may be experiencing one or more of these issues, or a loved one is displaying signs of decline, please speak to your primary care physician as soon as possible, or call:
The Alzheimer’s Association Hotline
24/7 Helpline
800.272.3900
Are you or a loved one looking for in-home elderly and senior services? My Choice Home Care is a senior care service that serves clients in Macon, Jackson, and Haywood Counties in North Carolina. Counties served in Georgia are Rabun, Towns, and Habersham County. The counties served in Upstate South Carolina are Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson County. Call (828) 200-9000 to speak to someone today or contact us if you or a loved one would like to enjoy the benefits of living independently in your own home.
Recent Comments