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CFO - Senior Care Central, LLC

Guest Blog: When Should Seniors Stop Driving?

On a list of the greatest fears many seniors have, failing health, hearing loss, and falling often rise to the top. One major fear that few actually talk to their families and doctors about though is losing the ability to drive. In fact, a new AAA study found that over 80 percent of older drivers never discuss their safe driving ability at all with their care networks or medical professionals.

For many seniors, driving is the hallmark characteristic that defines independence. Being able to drive allows seniors to travel, to run their own errands, to get out of their house and socialize. Losing that ability to drive doesn’t just strip those things away, but it also requires seniors to ask for help and coordinate transportation, all of which can leave them feeling like a burden on their caregivers.

What is the danger then? Well not only do older drivers who have outlived their ability to safely drive a vehicle endanger their passengers and other drivers on the road, they put themselves at increased risk for injury and even death. Because older adults typically have more fragile bones and higher rates of chronic illness that can complicate an injury recovery, they are more likely to get hurt or even die in a car crash than younger adults.

Talking About Driving with Your Aging Parent

The bottom line is that simply conducting a dialogue about driving doesn’t mean a senior will lose their license or be held back from driving. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Just as using a cane for walking empowers a senior with mobility limitations to keep moving, talking about safe driving can empower seniors to take helpful steps that keep them safe on the road.

For example, the Senior Driving division of AAA offers loads of helpful resources, tools, and information that connect seniors with local refresher courses on defensive road wise driving, help them understand how medicine can affect safe driving, and much more.

If you need to have a conversation with your aging parent about safe driving, experts recommend approaching it from a place of compassion and empathy. Instead of accusing them of being an unsafe driver, confess the concerns you feel about their safety on the road and ask them about their own perspective. Discuss helpful driving tools, safe driving refresher classes, and even consider attending a senior driving expo together.

By |2023-03-01T15:58:35-05:00March 10th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: When Should Seniors Stop Driving?

Guest Blog: How You Can Find the Best Senior Care Centers

Finding the right senior care center for your loved one is a daunting task. With so many different types of care centers available, it’s important to understand the differences between them and to research the options in order to determine which one best fits your loved one’s needs. From residential care homes to assisted living facilities, there are a variety of options to consider.

There are also important factors to consider such as the quality of care provided, the cost of care, and the atmosphere of the facility. By taking the time to understand the different types of senior care centers, researching the options, and considering the factors that are important to your loved one, you can make an educated and informed decision that will ensure your loved one is receiving the best care possible. Top class hospitals also have their own senior care network which can be consulted according to one’s need.

Unlocking the Secrets to Finding the Perfect Senior Care Center for Your Loved One

Finding the right senior care center for your loved one is a daunting task. With so many different types of care centers available, it’s important to understand the differences between them and to research the options in order to determine which one best fits your loved one’s needs. From residential care homes to assisted living facilities, there are a variety of options to consider.

There are also important factors to consider such as the quality of care provided, the cost of care, and the atmosphere of the facility. By taking the time to understand the different types of senior care centers, researching the options, and considering the factors that are important to your loved one, you can make an educated and informed decision that will ensure your loved one is receiving the best care possible.

Types of Senior Care Centers

When you begin your search for the perfect senior care center for your loved one, it’s important to understand the different types of care centers available. Each type of care center offers different amenities and services, and each one is designed to meet the needs of a different type of senior.

The first type of care center is a residential care home, which is a residential home or building that provides care services for seniors. Residential care homes typically provide on-site nursing care and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also provide social activities and recreational activities, as well as meals and housekeeping.

Another type of care center is an assisted living facility, which is a residential community designed to provide care and assistance with daily activities. Assisted living facilities typically offer a variety of services such as meals, housekeeping, personal care, and social activities. They also provide medical care and supervision, as well as help with mobility and other activities of daily living.

Finally, there are nursing homes, which provide more comprehensive medical care for seniors who are unable to live independently. Nursing homes offer a variety of services such as skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, social activities, and more.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Care Center

When you’re considering the different types of care centers available, it’s important to take into account the factors that are important to your loved one. It’s important to consider the quality of care provided, the cost of care, and the atmosphere of the facility.

The quality of care is an important factor to consider when choosing a care center. It’s important to make sure that the care center is providing quality care, and that the staff is experienced and knowledgeable. It’s also important to make sure that the care center is following best practices and is compliant with state and federal regulations.

The cost of care is also an important factor to consider. Different care centers have different rates, and it’s important to make sure that the care center you’re considering is affordable for you and your loved one. It’s also important to make sure that the care center is covered by your loved one’s insurance, if applicable.

Finally, the atmosphere of the facility is an important factor to consider. It’s important to make sure that the facility is clean, comfortable, and safe for your loved one. It’s also important to make sure that the staff is friendly and welcoming, and that there are activities and social opportunities available for your loved one.

Exploring Your Options

Once you’ve taken the time to understand the different types of care centers and to consider the factors that are important to your loved one, it’s time to start exploring your options. The best way to do this is to visit the care centers in person and to take a tour. This will give you a good idea of what the care center is like and whether or not it is the right fit for your loved one.

When visiting care centers, it’s important to ask questions and to observe the environment. During your visit, it’s important to ask questions about the quality of care provided, the cost of care, and the atmosphere of the facility. It’s also important to ask about the activities and social opportunities available for your loved one. This will give you a better understanding of what the care center has to offer and whether or not it is the right fit for your loved one.

Quality of Care

The quality of care is an important factor to consider when choosing a care center for your loved one. It’s important to make sure that the care center is providing quality care and that the staff is experienced and knowledgeable. It’s also important to make sure that the care center is following best practices and is compliant with state and federal regulations.

When visiting care centers, it’s important to ask questions about the quality of care provided. You should ask questions about the staff’s experience and qualifications, the types of services offered, and the protocols that are in place to ensure quality care. You should also ask about the availability of medical care and the types of treatments offered.

It’s also important to ask for references from the care center and to speak with other families who have used the care center in the past. This will give you a better understanding of the quality of care provided and whether or not it is the right fit for your loved one.

Cost of Care

The cost of care is another important factor to consider when choosing a care center for your loved one. Different care centers have different rates, and it’s important to make sure that the care center you’re considering is affordable for you and your loved one. It’s also important to make sure that the care center is covered by your loved one’s insurance, if applicable.

When visiting care centers, it’s important to ask questions about the cost of care. You should ask about the fees for services, the availability of financial assistance, and the payment plans that are available. You should also ask about any additional fees that may be associated with the care center.

It’s also important to ask about the availability of discounts or special offers for seniors. Many care centers offer discounts for seniors, so it’s important to ask about these before making a decision.

Atmosphere of the Facility

The atmosphere of the facility is another important factor to consider when choosing a care center for your loved one. It’s important to make sure that the facility is clean, comfortable, and safe for your loved one. It’s also important to make sure that the staff is friendly and welcoming, and that there are activities and social opportunities available for your loved one.

When visiting care centers, it’s important to observe the atmosphere of the facility. You should pay attention to the cleanliness of the facility, the friendliness of the staff, and the availability of activities and social opportunities. You should also take note of the overall atmosphere of the facility and whether or not it is a place that your loved one would be comfortable in.

It’s also important to ask about the security of the facility. You should ask about the safety protocols in place to protect your loved one and to ensure their wellbeing.

Questions to Ask During Your Tour

When visiting care centers, there are a few key questions that you should ask during your tour. These include:

  • What services are offered? • What is the quality of care provided? • What is the cost of care? • Are there any discounts or special offers for seniors? • What is the atmosphere of the facility like? • What activities and social opportunities are available? • What is the security of the facility like? • What protocols are in place to ensure quality care?

Asking these questions will help you get a better understanding of the care center and whether or not it is the right fit for your loved one.

What to Look for During Your Visit

When visiting care centers, there are a few key things to look for during your tour. These include:

  • Cleanliness: It’s important to make sure that the facility is clean and well-maintained. • Staff: It’s important to make sure that the staff is friendly and welcoming. • Activities: It’s important to make sure that there are activities and social opportunities available for your loved one. • Security: It’s important to make sure that the facility is secure and that safety protocols are in place. • Atmosphere: It’s important to make sure that the atmosphere of the facility is comfortable and welcoming.

It’s also important to take note of anything else that stands out during your visit. This will help you get a better understanding of the care center and whether or not it is the right fit for your loved one.

Making an Educated Decision

Once you’ve taken the time to understand the different types of care centers, to research the options, and to visit the care centers in person, it’s time to make an educated decision. It’s important to consider all of the factors that are important to your loved one, such as the quality of care, the cost of care, and the atmosphere of the facility.

Once you’ve taken all of these factors into consideration, it’s important to take the time to make an informed decision. It’s also important to discuss your decision with other family members and to make sure that everyone is in agreement.

Making an educated decision about the care center for your loved one is an important responsibility, and it’s important to take the time to make sure that you’re making the right decision. By taking the time to understand the different types of care centers, researching the options, and considering the factors that are important to your loved one, you can make an informed decision that will ensure your loved one is receiving the best care possible.

Conclusion

Finding the right senior care center for your loved one is a daunting task. With so many different types of care centers available, it’s important to understand the differences between them and to research the options in order to determine which one best fits your loved one’s needs. By taking the time to understand the different types of senior care centers, researching the options, and considering the factors that are important to your loved one, you can make an educated and informed decision that will ensure your loved one is receiving the best care possible.

By |2023-03-08T12:53:35-05:00March 8th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: How You Can Find the Best Senior Care Centers

The Role of the Rehabilitation Nurse

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You may have heard of rehabilitation nursing, but are you familiar with what rehabilitation nurses do and their essential role in health care? According to the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN), there are four major domains within the new competency model for professional rehabilitation nursing (ARN, 2016) that can help us understand what rehabilitation nurses do.  In this blog, we will look at the ARN model from a layperson’s viewpoint to help explain the role of the rehabilitation nurse. Rehabilitation nurses:

Promote successful living

Rehabilitation nurses do not only care for people, but they promote health and prevent disability. This means that rehab nurses engage in activities that help patients, families and communities stay healthy. Proactively, you might see rehab nurses helping with bike safety (such as promoting the wearing of helmets), car seat fairs (to keep children safe from injury), or stroke prevention through community screenings and teaching about managing risk factors. As rehab nurses, we also help patients towards self-management of existing chronic illness or disability, teaching them how to be co-managers with their health providers so they can maintain independence and have a good quality of life. Another key activity is facilitating safe care transitions. This means that rehabilitation nurses have a special skill set to know which setting of care is best for the patient to move to next and how to make this happen smoothly. For example, if Mrs. Smith has had a stroke and finished her time in acute rehabilitation in the hospital, but she lives alone and is not quite ready to go home, what is the best care setting or services for her to receive the help she needs?  Many errors, such as those with medications, happen when patients go from one place to another in the health system. Rehabilitation nurses can help persons successfully navigate these complexities and be sure that clients get the continuity of care they need and deserve.

Give quality care

The interventions or care that rehabilitation nurses provide to patients and families is based on the best scientific evidence available. Part of being a rehab nurse is staying current on the latest technology, strategies for care, and best practices. This is to ensure that all patients receive the highest standard of care possible. We stay current in many ways, including reading journal articles, attending conferences, obtaining continuing education, and maintaining certification in rehabilitation. Research shows that having more certified rehabilitation nurses on a unit decreases length of stay in the hospital. In addition, all of rehab care focuses on the patient and family as the center of the interdisciplinary team. To this end, rehabilitation nurses teach patients and families about their chronic illness or disability across many different areas including: how to take medications; managing bowel and bladder issues; preventing skin breakdown; dealing with behavioral issues that might be present with problems such as brain injury or dementia; coping with changes from a disabling condition; sexuality; working with equipment at home; and ways to manage pain.

Collaborate with a team of experts

Rehabilitation nurses are part of an interprofessional team of physicians, therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, and many others who work together for the best patient outcomes. For persons who have experienced a catastrophic injury or illness, the work of this team of experts sharing common goals will provide the best care, and rehab nurses are the ones who are with the patient 24/7 to coordinate this process. Through effective collaboration, excellent assessment skills, and communication with the rest of the team members, rehab nurses ensure that patient and families are getting well-coordinated care throughout the rehabilitation process. Remember that rehabilitation takes place in many settings, whether on the acute rehab unit, in skilled care, long-term care, or the home. The nurse’s role is to be sure that the holistic plan of care is followed by all staff and that the physicians overseeing medical care are continually informed of patient progress for the best decision-making possible.

Act as leaders in rehabilitation

 Not only do rehabilitation nurses provide direct patient care, they are also leaders in the rehabilitation arena. You might be surprised to learn that rehabilitation nurses advocate at the highest level for legislation surrounding funding and policy for those with disabilities and chronic illness, talking with Senators and Congressmen about key issues. ARN has professional lobbyists that continually watch health policy movement in Washington and keep rehab nurses informed. Rehab nurses help patients to advocate for themselves in holding government and communities accountable for needed care services. Lastly, rehab nurses share their knowledge with others. This is done in a variety of ways through conducting and publishing research, presenting at conferences, serving on local and national committees, and serving in public office. All of the leadership activities done by nurses in rehabilitation are to promote the best quality of care for patients with chronic illness and disability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By |2023-03-01T15:58:16-05:00March 8th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on The Role of the Rehabilitation Nurse

Essential Tools for Seniors with Parkinson’s

A senior couple. The wife is caring for the husband.

If you or someone you care for has Parkinson’s disease, you may encounter a wide array of symptoms on a day to day basis from tremors to muscle rigidity to slowed movements, balance problems, and speech changes. Non-physical symptoms can accompany the disease as well including trouble sleeping, mood changes, urinary urgency, constipation, even loss of smell.

When it comes to managing this type of chronic autoimmune condition, in addition to a comprehensive treatment planned laid out by your doctor, assistive equipment can go a long way in simplifying daily life:

Adaptive Utensils
Advancements in science and technology have made their way into the kitchen market providing relief to people who may otherwise have difficulty feeding themselves. Adaptive utensils are specially designed to help counteract tremors someone with Parkinson’s may have in their hand when holding a fork or spoon, for example.

Other helpful dining aids may include weighted cups and bowls (that are less likely to tip over), and plate guards or high-rimmed plates that prevent food from falling out.

Bedroom Equipment
People with Parkinson’s are at increased risk of falling so supportive equipment around the bed can definitely make this fall-prone environment safer. Install bed rails to aid seniors with limited mobility or try a super pole that stands fixed beside the bed or a pull strap that connects to the end of the bed and makes it easier to sit up.

Bedside commodes can also simplify the task of night time toileting, especially for Parkinson’s sufferers with incontinence issues.

Dressing Aids
As dexterity and finger nimbleness falls prey to the contracture of muscles and joints in the hands, getting dressed on your own can become difficult. This key marker of independence may be retained in some respects with dressing aids that allows a person with Parkinson’s to dress themselves. Tools like button hooks, zipper pulls, one-handed belts, dressing sticks, and shoe horns can all go a long way to promoting self-reliance even as the disease progresses.

Bathing Tools
Maintaining personal hygiene has the ability to improve your sense of confidence and your mood, no matter what Parkinson’s brings your way. Equipment that makes bathing safer and reduces the risk of falling includes shower transfer chairs, grab bars (inside and outside the shower), and non-slip bath mats. Additional bathroom tools may include weighted holders for toothbrushes, razors, etc. as well as removable shower heads and long-handled bath sponges and scrubbers.

By |2023-03-01T15:58:00-05:00March 6th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Essential Tools for Seniors with Parkinson’s

Guest Blog: Tips on Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia

Dementia is a chronic or progressive syndrome that affects a person’s thinking, memory, comprehension, orientation, language, learning capacity, judgment, and calculation. People with dementia slowly lose their cognitive abilities, which leads to a decline in their social behavior and emotional control. Dementia develops when the brain is injured or damaged, such as what happens to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over five million Americans are currently dealing with Alzheimer’s dementia. An estimated 80% are seniors aged 75 and up. If proper care, attention, and medication are not prioritized, the total can balloon to 13 million by 2050. Medical and health facilities are doing every means possible to address the situation.

If your senior family member has dementia and living at home or is under assisted living care, your best contribution is to care for your loved one properly. Here are tips to help you out.

 Ask simple questions.

Someone with dementia will find open-ended questions confusing and intimidating. Instead of asking “what” questions, try to rephrase them to “yes-no” questions. For example, instead of asking, “What time would you like to take a bath today?” try asking, “Would you like to take a bath at 4 pm?”

Keep your words simple and clear.

 Allow your loved one to help with daily tasks.

When dementia progresses, your loved one may find it difficult to remember and focus on tasks. You can help him or her maintain daily activities and skills and stay active. Allow him or her to assist you with simple activities such as setting the table, making the bed, and gardening. Help your loved one remember tasks and things by placing memory aids, such as signs and labels, all over the house.

 Take your loved one to lunch.

Keeping senior loved ones with dementia socially active is essential. Have lunch together at his or her favorite restaurant. Go to a place where he or she used to frequent when communication wasn’t yet a problem. Make your loved one feel special and important.

 Hold and touch your loved one.

Your touch is very powerful and reassuring. Hold your loved one’s hand or stroke his or her face now and then. Let him or her feel your love and support.

Most important of all, ask for help. Talk to a caregiver or get in touch with an assisted living care facility.

About the Author

 Melissa Andrews is the Content Marketing Strategist for Paradise Living Centers, an assisted living center for seniors with locations in Paradise Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and going on hiking trips with her siblings and cousins.

By |2023-03-01T15:57:36-05:00March 4th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: Tips on Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia
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