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Guest Blog: Caring for a Parent with Dementia at Home

Dementia is a progressive illness that causes a decline in mental abilities. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding, and changes in mood or behavior.

One of the most important things to remember is that your parents are still the same person they have always been, even if their condition is changing. Be sure to talk with them, spend time with them, and continue to involve them in activities they enjoy.

Caring for a parent with dementia can be difficult. With proper planning and support, it is possible to provide them with the care they need. By following these tips, you can make life easier for both of you.

Tips to Help my Elderly Parent with Dementia

There are many things you can do to make caring for a parent with dementia at home easier. Here are some tips:

Make a daily routine and stick to it as much as possible. It will help your parents feel more secure and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Another thing you can do to keep your parents safe is to ensure that their living environment is as safe as possible. Remove or keep any tripping hazard out of reach like cords and wires, and install safety rails in the bathroom.
Create a comfortable, safe environment where your parents can relax and feel at ease. Remove loose carpets or rugs that could cause falls.
Ensure that your parents are eating healthy foods and drinking enough fluids. Proper nutrition is essential for keeping your parents healthy.
Encourage your parents to get regular exercise, even if it is just a short walk around the block. Exercise can help improve mood and cognitive function.
Make sure your parents get plenty of sleep. Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being.
Regularly communicate with your parent’s doctor to ensure they have the best possible care.

Helpful Tools for Caring After Demented Parents

If you find it difficult to care for your parents on your own, many helpful resources are available. Local support groups can offer advice and emotional support, and home health care providers can provide additional assistance with tasks such as bathing, grooming, and medication management.

One of the most common symptoms of dementia is wandering. This can be dangerous for your parents and others, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them from wandering. One way to do this is to keep a close eye on them and ensure that they are always in a safe place. If they do wander off, make sure to have a plan in place to find them quickly. MedicAlert bracelets or ID tags can help emergency personnel identify your parents quickly if they are found wandering.

One important resource to consider is MedicAlert Safe Return, a program that provides identification and emergency notification services for people with dementia or other cognitive conditions. If your parent wanders away from home, caregivers can use the 24/7 hotline to locate them quickly and ensure they receive the necessary medical attention.

How to Cope with a Parent with Dementia

The experience of caring for a parent with dementia can be difficult and emotionally taxing. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members. There is no shame in admitting that you need help. Here are some tips for coping:

Seek out support from friends and family members. Talking about your experiences can help you feel more understood and supported.

Join a support group or online forum specifically for caregivers of people with dementia. This can be a great way to connect with others who understand what you are going through.

Look into respite care, which can provide temporary relief from caregiving duties. This can allow you to take a break and recharge while knowing that your parents are in good hands.

Talk to a therapist or counselor about the emotions you are experiencing. This can help you deal with the stress and sadness of this situation.

By Jim|2024-04-23T11:17:28-05:00June 20th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Starting the Conversation: How to Talk to Your Parents About Senior Care

Contributing Author: Christopher Norman, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

An inevitable process has begun: Your parents are growing older. Maybe they are struggling to keep up with their personal needs, or they have worsening physical limitations. Whatever the reason, you realize it’s time to talk with them about senior care. If you are nervous about initiating this conversation, you are certainly not alone.

Seniors often resist this conversation for a variety of reasons. Transitioning from giving care as a parent to receiving care from others can be a difficult adjustment. Additionally, many seniors resist accepting help because it means acknowledging the passage of time and the loss of independence.

Regardless of why your parents are hesitant to acknowledge their need for help, the way you approach this conversation can make a huge difference in the way they respond. Below are a few tips you can use in navigating this difficult topic together.

Start By Listening
Not sure where to begin? The secret ingredients for a constructive conversation on the topic of senior care are empathy and active listening. Before you begin to share your point of view, ask open-ended questions to uncover what they think, feel, and believe about aging and senior care.

Be Prepared to Offer Solutions
As you transition to a discussion about specific senior care options, your parents will likely be much more receptive to your input if you take the role of a knowledgeable advisor. If you research ahead of time, you can be prepared to lay out their options and work through any barriers, whether real or perceived. Two of the most important topics to read up on are:

● Finances. One of the older generation’s chief concerns is finances – how to pay for the care they need will most almost definitely be a point of concern. Prior to broaching the topic of senior care, learn about the different payment options and financial assistance available for the various levels of senior care, such as in-home care and assisted living.

● Aging in place. Many seniors prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible – also referred to as “aging in place.” Be ready to discuss the need for in-home care and the need to find or adapt a home with “Universal Design” principles, such as no-step entryways, walk-in bathtubs, and wide hallways. Another key component of safely aging in place is assistive technology such as a medical alert system, which provides access to immediate help in an emergency. Research the costs and options available from different companies, and consider adding a home security and automation system as well.

Keep Your Final Goal in Mind
It is difficult to predict exactly how the conversation about senior care will be received by your parents, but as long as you listen, empathize, and are prepared to answer questions, you can make this difficult transition easier on everyone. You can then move forward together to find a senior care option that gives peace of mind to both you and your parents, with the ultimate goal being their safety, health, and happiness.

By Jim|2024-02-01T14:32:03-05:00March 2nd, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

How Can You Tell if Your Elderly Family Member Needs Home Care

Accepting the need for assistance is not easy for adults as they get older. So, how will you determine when your elderly parent needs home care? One thing is sure: your parents are not likely to be the ones who tell you.

Older adults have a desire to remain independent and be in control. Usually, a senior will hide any issues out of fear of being a burden or because they are embarrassed or ashamed. However, until a sudden decline in their overall health makes it obvious, they need assistance. Since adult children don’t come up with a care decision plan before the crisis takes place, the stress of an unexpected hospitalization complicates things even more.

One way to avoid this problematic scenario is to start regularly monitoring your aging parent’s mental and physical abilities. Make sure he knows this is not an accusation but instead a way to help him maintain his independence for as long as possible. It is not easy to see a loved one’s health decline, but you can help them avoid any medical crisis if you know the signs. To determine whether your parents need home care, keep an eye on the following essential signs:

Essential Signs that Your Elderly Family Member Needs Home Care

1. Difficulty Getting Around
As many experts agree, most people over the age of 70 need some help to go about their routine. However, your family member may not feel comfortable telling you that he needs assistance. Over time, vision and hearing loss may become severe enough to limit your loved one’s ability to move around the house without help. Your parents will also need some help if they begin having problems with balance or coordination.

2. Difficulty Taking Care of Themselves
While it is normal for older adults to deal with medical issues eventually, it is not normal for them to not take care of themselves altogether. It is one of the most obvious signs that your loved one needs help. When you notice that they are unable to take care of their hygiene or clean up after themselves, you have to intervene.

3. Physical Decline
As the years’ progress, most elderly adults will experience a gradual decrease in physical fitness and mobility. However, some older adults experience a sudden decline in health that is too rapid to be recognized by any family member. Once this happens, they can’t regain their full strength and mobility before they are forced to seek home care assistance.

4. Cluttered Home
In most cases, older adults take pride in the appearance of their homes. Over time, they will likely develop a tidy and clean appearance. However, this will start to change as they get older. In addition to the usual clutter created over time, it is essential to keep an eye out for signs that your elderly family member needs home care due to cluttered spaces.

5. Loss of Memory or Confusion
An alarming number of elderly adults suffer from some degree of memory loss or confusion. As a result, they may fail to remember important dates, events, and conversations, while some may become disoriented while trying to get ready for the day or do other routine tasks. These are warning signs that your elderly parent may have developed dementia.

6. Frequent Falls
As the year’s pass, seniors tend to have a greater chance of falling. As a result, they may need assistance getting up from a chair or moving around to get to the bathroom without damaging themselves. These falls occur gradually over time in most cases and do not require any immediate attention from you or your family. However, if you notice that your loved one is falling more frequently or becoming unstable while moving around the house, you should consider calling for a senior home care service.

7. Reduced Appetite and Sudden Weight Loss or No Gain in Weight
A sudden and unexplained loss of appetite or inability to gain weight is a possible sign that your loved one needs home care. Such problems may be linked to some form of pain or discomfort that he is unable to self-diagnose. When this happens, it is time for you to step in and intervene.

8. Feelings of Worthlessness and Hopelessness
If you notice that your elderly parent is experiencing a change in their attitude, it might signify that they feel worthless or hopeless about something. You can tell if your loved one is unhappy with their life when he starts complaining about things more often than usual and becomes more irritable than normal. It may help to write down thoughts about these feelings or speak to a counselor for some guidance.

9. Shift in Personality
It is normal for older adults to become more irritable as they age. It could be due to any number of reasons, including pain or medication side effects. However, if your elderly loved one changes significantly in personality, it may be a sign that dementia has set in. For example, most people who experience memory issues will occasionally forget to pick up their medication or lose important documents. But if your loved one forgets things regularly, you must consider consulting a physician.

Hiring Home Care for Elderly Family Member
Once you notice any signs that your loved one may need care, the best way to help them maintain their independence is to hire senior home care services. These agencies offer caregivers who are trained to assist the elderly with various activities. They can provide assistance with daily living, including bathing or getting dressed, as well as other activities depending on the needs of your loved one.

The ideal way to start your search is to ask yourself, “Are there any great senior care services near me that can address my parent’s needs?” To ensure that the agency will provide the most effective service, look for reviews and ratings online. Ask friends and relatives if they have had similar experiences with specific agencies and services. You can also ask family members and friends if they know of individuals who would be good candidates for home care.

All in all, these are some of the most common signs that you may need to hire senior home care services for your family member. If you notice any of these indicators, it is never too late to consider hiring assistance.

Author Bio
I’m Andrea Gibbs, Born, raised, and still living in New York. I’m a work-at-home mom with a background in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. I’m a blog contributor at Serenity Senior Care to motivate other parents about how they can enhance their elderly loved ones quality of life.

By Jim|2023-11-20T17:13:13-05:00November 30th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: Money-Saving Tips for Senior Living and Care

Many people are looking for ways to save money these days, especially for senior living and care. Many seniors live on a fixed income that may not cover all their expenses at home or assisted living facilities. This article will provide you with some helpful tips to help you save money while also giving your loved one the best possible care.

Stay Informed about the Costs of Senior Living and Care

By staying informed, you can help to save money. For example, if your loved one is considering a care facility or an assisted living community, be sure that they have researched costs. If possible, try to get as many competing bids as possible before deciding where your loved one will live. This way, you will find the best care and living situation at a price that fits your budget.

Keep Track of All Essential Expenses Related to Senior Living and Care

A critical element of saving money is keeping track of all expenses related to senior housing services, such as meals, hygiene products, or other needs. For example, it might be helpful to create an excel spreadsheet with columns where essential items can be tracked so that there are no surprises when bills come in each month. Include sections for medicine since many seniors need prescriptions regularly. They may also have high costs attached depending on what medications your loved one requires for their health.

Do Not Overlook Small Necessities that are Often Forgotten about When Budgeting for Senior Care Expenses

Often, there might be small things like a magazine subscription or basic cable television service. Most seniors will not consider including them when budgeting their monthly expenses because they do not see them as necessary. However, these costs can add up over time, and you want your loved ones to have everything they need at an affordable price.

Supplement with Home-Delivered Meals and Other Services that can Help to Save Money on Senior Living Costs

Consider home-delivered meals or help with daily activities like bathing, cooking, and cleaning. These types of services might be too expensive for you. But if your loved one already has these items included in their monthly expenses, or they will pay extra. You can help them save money by having a local service come to the house instead of taking your loved one out for food each day. This way, they will not have additional transportation costs attached, which could cut into their budget. If possible, try looking around locally since it may cost less than other options depending on where you live geographically.

Find Additional Savings Opportunities by Volunteering at a Local Senior Living Facility

One way to save money is to find ways where you can help for free. One option might be to volunteer at local senior living facilities each week or month in exchange for helping the staff complete their daily tasks, such as cleaning rooms, organizing supplies in storage closets, or assisting with administrative work like filing paperwork. Thus, they may allow you access to amenities that would need an additional fee if paying customers were using them. This could include swimming pools, hot tubs, or other entertainment options that residents enjoy during some of their downtimes.

Ask About Additional Senior Living and Care Options to Save Money on Expenses

Another way of finding additional savings opportunities is to ask about senior living options beyond what your loved one currently has in their current budget. For example, if they are paying for meals but do not need them. Why? Because they have friends or family that come over every day that provide food, you could inquire with the staff at the facility about moving into a private room instead. Thus, your loved one can save money by having more space without needing another person sharing it with them all the time. Alternatively, if an assisted living environment is too expensive, your loved one needs help because of chronic pain or difficulty moving around. Then you could ask about having a private nurse come by to assist them instead of hiring someone on staff at the facility.

Make Sure Your Loved One is Receiving All Senior Care Benefits Which Are Available to Them

Even if they have already moved into senior living services. For instance, you can consult with an estate planning law firm in Los Angeles for assistance. Additional benefits may include property tax exemptions, energy assistance programs, and financial planning services available through local government agencies. This could help your loved ones save money on their monthly expenses, even if it’s not something that they need at the moment. You may take advantage of these benefits for them by helping with paperwork or verifying eligibility requirements before filing a claim form so that there are no delays in receiving assistance when needed later down the road.

Final Thought

One of the best ways to save money as a caregiver is by being proactive and continuing to look around. Whether asking new questions about their senior living options, check with local government agencies for additional financial relief programs. There are always more opportunities out there waiting to be discovered to allow them to live comfortably without breaking the bank.

By Jim|2023-09-30T17:18:11-05:00October 8th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: Adult day programs giving a new life to the adults

Those who had enjoyed a considerable amount of independence in their youth, the time has come when they need help from others as they were migrated to old age. Life is never static, and it keeps on changing from time to time because change is the integral and inherent part of life. Once you cross the fancy days of your youth and step into adulthood, life becomes more challenging than ever. It took a big leap when you get older and started calling by the people as elderly.

The adult day care homes came up as a hope for many adults who are living a lonely and concise life. They have given them many reasons to enjoy their adulthood, keeping aside all their worries and tensions of life. Many daycare homes in the USA have gone to the extent of providing a friendly and composite environment that even doesn’t get in their homes. The adult day programs in Atlanta offer a welcoming environment to the adults by connecting them back to mainstream society and expanding their outreach. They provide support and a needed break for someone who cares for a loved one who is no longer independent.

Every adult is welcomed in an adult day care home.

The adult day care homes take care of every adult regardless of their religion, race, and ethnicity. Caregivers in the Atlanta adult day care homes are not the ordinary people infect they are the one who is not doing this just as a job but it’s is their passion and nature to help elders and share their pain and joy. All the adults staying in the adult day care homes spent their day with loads of fun and doing meaningful activities.

It is not that adult daycare homes only provide emotional or medical support to the adults; they also facilitate adults by organizing musical events and taking them to cultural festivals. Some of them hold weekly performances by local musicians and local entertainers. They also give them the opportunity for interactions with pets and children, cooking projects, take them to nature walks, games, parties, and yoga classes.

Who joins adult day care homes?

Adults in their 50s – 90s with some physical or cognitive behavioral problems.
Older adults who don’t wish to stay home alone all through the day.
Older adults can benefit from social interaction and a structured environment.
Adults who are abandoned by their family and they are forced to live alone.
Adults whose children are not living with them because either for work or study, they have to live outside the town or country.

Loads of Surprises

It is not that the adults living in the Adult Daycare homes are entirely cut off from their families and friends. This is not the case with every adult day care home because many Adult daycare homes provide surprise adults’ by suddenly calling their family members and close friends for a quick meet up or gathering.

As much as adults miss their family members, their family members also miss them equivalently.

Learn and earn schemes

Money adult Daycare homes also provide learning and earn schemes to the adults who want to do something big in their life. It doesn’t mean that if you are elder or older, your professional life is over. Many adults are still willing to work after their retirement from their professional life. The adult Daycare homes provide equal opportunities for adults.

By Jim|2023-05-30T11:50:14-05:00May 30th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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