News Posts

Recent news and updates

Guest Blog: 7 Things for Caregivers to Avoid

pic 1

Many people become caregivers with little or no warning. Unless this happens to be your field of expertise then you will not be ready for the challenges which will lie ahead and how best to deal with them. Even if this is something that you have trained to do and are happy to dedicate your life to caring for others there are some basic things which should always be avoided:

1.      Stealing

This is probably the most obvious statement to make but it is essential to remember that this is one of the biggest fears of many older people. You not only need to not steal, you should also be aware of any situations that might leave you either open to temptation or open to an accusation of stealing.

 

2.      Texting and web posting

Mobile phones are everywhere and you will probably have one with you whilst you are performing your caring duties. However, when you are providing care your focus should be on your patient and not on the latest web posting. The phone should only be used in times of emergency; otherwise leave it alone and focus on your patient.

3.      Services outside the contract

The more you care for a client the more you will become attached to them and this can then lead to ethical problems.  You may wish to help them and are happy to provide additional services for free. It is vital for your professional career to ensure that anything over the original contract is agreed in writing and signed off.

pic 2

4.      Making decisions for the client

Your client is still a person and should be involved in any decision concerning his or her well-being or healthcare requirements. You should never leave them out of the loop when faced with a decision. It may be preferable to limit their choices in order to make it easier for them to make a choice, but you should never rush them to make a decision. You are on their time and they will probably not be worrying about time. It is also essential to accept their decision if your client says no to something you know they should have, such as medication. You will simply need to try a different approach later or speak to your manager concerning it.

5.      Shaming

It is quite possible that as your client ages they will ask you to help them with something more personal. This request may shock you or make you feel uncomfortable. It will probably have been very hard for them to ask you to assist with something that they used to do independently. Always keep a neutral, professional approach.

6.      Stubbornness

It can be tempting to refuse to do something that you do not consider to be your job or that you are not comfortable with. A good caregiver will not be stubborn, but will demonstrate to the client that she is flexible in her approach. This will help you to build a good level of communication, which is essential to providing good care and to learning from any mistakes. Additionally, you will build a relationship with your client which will make your life and theirs easier.
pic 3

 

7.      Not respecting boundaries

Your client will have expectations of what service you are offering and what they expect you to do. You should also have an idea of your role and what behavior and tasks are appropriate and what is not. It is important to define these boundaries and to maintain your boundary even if your client wants more. You need to know what you can do and what you cannot do; this will ensure you provide the best care possible.

By Edward Francis and Foresthc.com!

 

By |2016-03-01T16:56:47-05:00March 2nd, 2016|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: 7 Things for Caregivers to Avoid

Guest Blog: Four Online Resources to Help Choose A Nursing Home

senior-care-central-Senior-adults-having-morning

Choosing a nursing home for a family member can be stressful because there’s so many critical details to consider. You want to be sure you choose an affordable place that can provide the level of care needed, but you also want to be sure it is a place where he or she will be comfortable. Sorting through the information can feel overwhelming.

 

Fortunately, caregivers have online resources that can help them determine which nursing home would be the best fit for their family member. The following online resources provide advice on how to prepare for choosing a nursing home and allow families to compare nursing homes based on user reviews and government data:

 

1.    HealthGrove

HealthGrove is a health news and information website that provides data and research tools, such as its nursing home compare feature. Users can find nursing homes in their area and compare them to others based on the “smart rating,” which is a number calculated based on ratings of health inspections, staffing, quality measures, overall medical care and more.

 

2.    A Place for Mom

This referral website provides details about senior housing options, including independent living, nursing homes and care facilities for people with certain illnesses. Users can search for nursing homes in their area based a variety of amenities, including activities, care services, diet, religion, language and more. They can compare facilities and amenities, read user reviews, see scheduled events and even learn more about pricing options.

 

3.    Health in Aging

The American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation website helps caregivers understand what to look for when searching for a nursing home and provides information on how to pay for nursing home expenses. The site also lists step-by-step guides on how to begin the search and a checklist of questions to guide you in making a decision about a nursing home.

 

4.    Care Pathways

This directory provides statistics about local nursing homes, including occupancy and insurance accepted, and state inspection information for individual facilities. Users can see deficiencies and explanations about each listed in yearly reports and whether or not it was corrected the next year. This website would be most beneficial used in conjunction with other resources.

 

Finding the right nursing home can be time consuming, but diligent research can ensure your loved one is safe and happy. Examine what costs are covered by Medicaid, ratio of attendants to residents and whether they are equipped to provide the care your loved one needs.

About the Author

Sarah Blanchard is the marketing manager for Winburn Bequette, a plaintiffs law firm that represents victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Arkansas and Missouri. Follow her on Google+ and YouTube.

By |2016-01-22T11:53:02-05:00January 22nd, 2016|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: Four Online Resources to Help Choose A Nursing Home

Suggestions for Problems with Toileting in Persons with Dementia

Nursing Home Care

Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. Helping the person be free from incontinence (or “accidents” related to bladder or bowel issues) can be increasingly hard as the disease gets worse. In the severe or later stage of the dementia, the person will eventually lose control of bowels and bladder. However, each person should have an individualized plan of care related to maintaining bowel and bladder continence and function for as long as possible. Here are some general approaches to toileting that can be helpful.

Ensure that toilets are visible.
Keep bathroom doors open.
Place signs/pictures as visual cues.
Keep paths to the bathroom clear.
Systematically assess voiding and bowel patterns.
Offer toileting frequently.
Use incontinence pads/briefs, as needed.
For persons who can still toilet, use “pull-up”-type protective products if needed.
Provide adequate fluids during the day.
Limit fluids at bedtime.
Avoid beverages with caffeine.
Ensure adequate fiber in diet.

Adapted from Schwartzkopf, C. E. & Twigg, P. (2014). Nursing management of dementia. In K. L. Mauk’s (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Used with permission.

Adapted from Schwartzkopf, C. E. & Twigg, P. (2014). Nursing management of dementia. In K. L. Mauk’s (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Used with permission.

[call_to_action title=”Free Download” tag_line=”Suggestions for Problems with Toileting in Persons with Dementia (PDF)” arrow=”yes”][/call_to_action]

By |2016-11-26T18:47:10-05:00November 11th, 2015|News Posts|Comments Off on Suggestions for Problems with Toileting in Persons with Dementia

Suggestions for Problems with Bathing in Persons with Dementia

Problems with Bathing in Persons with Dementia

Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. Helping with bathing and personal hygiene can be increasingly hard as the disease gets worse. The person with dementia may be resistant to bathing or getting dressed. Each person should have an individualized plan of care related to bathing and maintaining good personal hygiene. Here are some general approaches to address resistance to bathing.

Remain calm.
Use a soft voice.
Choose a time when the person is most rested and least confused.
Consider the person’s lifelong preferences:
Shower vs. bath
Morning vs. evening
Maintain a leisurely pace. Avoid rushing the person.
Give pain medications at least half an hour before bathing if pain with movement is an issue.
Allow the person to wear underwear or a loose-fitting housecoat/duster/gown if desired.
Avoid spraying water directly on the head or face.
Pantomime the desired hygiene activities.
Use distraction: conversation, snacks, or music.
When complete, give praise for clean appearance.

Adapted from Schwartzkopf, C. E. & Twigg, P. (2014). Nursing management of dementia. In K. L. Mauk’s (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Used with permission.

Problems with Bathing in Persons with Dementia

By |2016-11-26T18:46:36-05:00November 10th, 2015|News Posts|Comments Off on Suggestions for Problems with Bathing in Persons with Dementia

Suggestions for Problems with Eating/Feeding in Persons with Dementia

bigstock-daughter-helping-her-senior-mo-25835828

Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. Negative behaviors often arise during meals. Care for behavioral symptoms of dementia needs to be individualized based on examining the entire picture of personal and environmental factors (such as living situation and what is going on around them). However, some general approaches to managing certain behaviors can be helpful. Here are some suggestions for issues with eating or feeding.

Thoroughly prepare meal trays (open cartons, cut food).
Offer small, frequent meals and snacks.
At meals, provide one food and one utensil at a time.
Provide nutritious finger foods.
Provide nutritional supplements, if indicated.
Offer fluids in containers that can be self-managed (“sippy” cups, sports bottles).
Request speech therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT) services, if needed.
Provide adaptive utensils, if indicated. An OT can order these as needed.
Assist the client to feed self, rather than feeding, whenever possible.
Use “hand-over-hand” feeding (your hand guides theirs).
Gently cue the person to continue eating, chewing, and swallowing. Make your cues short by breaking the process into small steps.
Avoid making comments about manners or messiness.
Provide the person with dignified protection for clothing.
If agitation develops during feeding, stop and retry a little later.
Avoid force feeding.
Reassure the person that his or her food has been paid for (a common concern).
Monitor body weight to detect gains or losses.

Adapted from Schwartzkopf, C. E. & Twigg, P. (2014). Nursing management of dementia. In K. L. Mauk’s (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for Care. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Used with permission.

[call_to_action title=”Free Download” tag_line=”Suggestions for Problems with Feeding in Persons with Dementia (PDF)” arrow=”yes”][/call_to_action]

By |2015-11-09T10:16:23-05:00November 9th, 2015|News Posts|Comments Off on Suggestions for Problems with Eating/Feeding in Persons with Dementia
Go to Top