Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – I am an elder care provider, and have a care recipient in Denver, CO who has a history of strokes in his family. Since his risk of having a stroke is higher, is there anything I can do to help lower the likelihood that he will have stroke?

A – Since naturally there is no way to change your care recipient’s family history, it’s fortunate that simple changes to lifestyle and diet can reduce a senior’s risk of having a stroke. As a caregiver there are a number of things that you can do to directly impact the likelihood that your senior will have a stroke, and a number of other things you can help with by offering support and encouragement.

How Caregivers Can Help Prevent Strokes:

• Prepare healthy meals for the senior that are low in salt and saturated fats

• Plan meals based on their specific healthy living needs – serve lower-cholesterol foods and adjust meals for those who struggle with high cholesterol

• Engage in activities daily that keep the senior active – go for a walk around the neighborhood or to the park, or try more vigorous exercise if your senior has the physical capabilities

• Ensure alcohol served with meals is done so in moderation, since excessive drinking can increase the risk of a stroke

Stroke Prevention Through Encouragement:

• Encourage a senior to understand their health, including stroke risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, circulation problems or atrial fibrillation by visiting a doctor

• Encourage a senior to quit smoking

• Be on the look out for signs of a stroke!

Sources:

1. Healing Daily

2. BBC Health

Image Source: www.verenatay.com

In many cultures, it’s common for aging parents to move in with their children to be taken care of; in a kind of cyclical way that allows children to return the favor by providing a life for their parents, just as their parents did for them during childhood. But until recently, many cultures did not embrace this trend, and suddenly this is a trend that is growing. Today, approximately 43% of adult caregivers in Denver and across the United States live with an older parent or relative; and in the past two years, this is a trend that has increased by approximately 60%.

Although President Obama and Joe Biden both have older generations of family members living in their homes, American families that are choosing to move their seniors into their homes are certainly not doing it just to follow in their footsteps. So why is it that multigenerational homes are a growing trend?

• Families are sharing in caregiving duties and looking out for each other. Whether it’s because a senior in the family needs assistance, because a grandparent is providing care for grandchildren, or because the family is anticipating future needs, families are more focused than ever on providing for each other
• When seniors experience loss or struggle with the emotional effects of a devastating diagnosis, they can use the support of their family so that they don’t become isolated
• The economy is affecting seniors and their families, making it hard to cover basic costs of living. By coming together, seniors and families can share the financial burden of living to ensure that all of their needs are met

Via: Home Instead Senior Care https://www.homeinstead.com/Lists/doclistlib/Attachments/257/Too_Close_For_Comfort_Booklet.pdf

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

After a senior has suffered from a medical emergency or accident, the last thing they need to worry about when returning home from a hospital or rehabilitation center is to worry about how they’re going to manage to take care of themselves and their Denver home. After retuning home from the hospital, Denver seniors need to focus on their recovery, regaining their strength and health so they can get on with their lives; however, this is a process that just cannot be rushed as much as they might want it to be. In order to help seniors with the transition from hospital or rehab to home, Home Instead Senior Care in-home caregivers can ensure that all seniors need to focus on is getting better and that they don’t take on any unnecessary burdens that might compromise their recovery.

Bringing a caregiver into a senior’s home can help them through the recovery process; Home Instead Senior Care’s caregivers can help seniors with dressing and bathing, getting in and out of bed, and can even help them to complete any assigned physiotherapy exercises. Having a caregiver help a senior around the house, also ensures that they don’t need to worry about maintaining there home, since caregivers can take care of those tasks; from light-housekeeping, to laundry, cooking and errand running.

Hire a home caregiver for your aging loved one when they leave the hospital, and know that all they need to worry about is their recovery.

Sources:

1. Caring.com

Image: jupiterimages.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

“How can you call yourself a caregiver when you live so far away?” was the surprising question that greeted me when I introduced myself at a caregiver support group in my local Denver community. I’ve been faced with adversity before when people learn I live across the country from my elderly mother; they assume I’m uninvolved, irresponsible, and sometimes even selfish because I’m not there in person to act as her senior caregiver. However, this wasn’t the kind of reaction I expected from a group who were already familiar with the challenges that come with caring for an aging parent.

Maybe you relate to this sentiment; I’m not a caregiver because I don’t live nearby, so why don’t you give me the opportunity to explain myself. I’m not the primary physical caregiver for my elderly mother on a day-to-day basis, but I am a caregiver. I have arranged for my mother to physically receive the best senior care in Denver. I assist her in managing her finances and assets, and I am the first one that her caregivers or healthcare providers would call in the case of a medical emergency or for assistance in making a healthcare related decision. I am always ready to fly across the country at just a moment’s notice, and I spend most of my free time learning about how to improve my mother’s care by talking to those who are with her regularly and consulting senior care resources.

Whether or not you’d call me a caregiver doesn’t matter, it’s not about the labels, it’s about providing the best care possible for my mother, even if it’s from a distance. I’m a caregiver, but call me what you’d like.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Aging

2. How to Care

Image: Ucsb.edu

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – What signs indicate that a caregiver might be feeling overwhelmed?

A- A number of bad habits may surface, which may at face value appear harmless but when combined, can indicate that a caregiver is feeling overwhelmed, burdened, or stressed-out by their caregiving responsibilities. A senior caregiver exhibiting these signs who does not actively address their habits can develop future problems which can lead to elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

If you or a caregiver you know in Denver is exhibiting any of the following signs, it may be time to take a step back or reconsider how to effectively manage your senior caregiving duties.

• Trying to do too much, resulting in not getting anything done
•  Doing the wrong thing, regularly
•  Procrastination, everyday
•  Having no clear cut goals
•  Improper or no planning
•  Not completing tasks
•  Negative self talk
•  Guilt trips
•  Lax hand washing
•  Holding in, or offering no support
•  Smoking
•  Drinking too much
•  Junk food, poor diet
•  Emotional eating
•  Too much caffeine
•  Compulsive spending
•  No time off
•  Sleep deprived
•  Constant bad temper
•  Can’t or won’t delegate
•  Disorganized
•  Holding breath
•  Can’t prioritize
•  Time management problems
•  Can’t make a decision

Sources:
1. Eldercare ABC Blog

Image: Home Instead Senior Care

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – I have noticed some signs that my elderly mother is struggling to live independently in her own home. While I have some ideas about home care, I do come from a large family in Denver and feel it’s important that I involve my siblings and immediate family in the decision making. What’s the best way to go about this?

A – Ask your immediate family to get together in Denver so that you can all discuss your concerns about your mother’s health and care. If not all siblings live close by, you can set-up a conference call so that everyone can be involved in discussing your mother’s care requirements. For the first meeting, don’t involve your mother, so you can talk openly about your concerns without upsetting her. Discussing eldercare requirements for a loved one, can be stressful, so keep the following tips in mind when planning your first family senior home care meeting.

1. Establish a goal for each meeting – the first meeting might be about discussing concerns, and making suggestions for how to proceed with home care

2. Invite only close relatives – invite your close siblings or other family members you feel must be involved, but try to keep numbers under 7 people

3. Allow each family member the chance to speak without interrupting

4. Share resources – each family member can bring information about your mother’s specific conditions or local resources that may be able to help

5. Have a moderator – invite a 3rd, impartial party like a counselor or Geriatric Care Manager to help keep the meeting on track if you feel there will be disputes about your mother’s care amongst family

Sources:

1. Elder Care Online

2. Suite101

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Q – Is medical care available to seniors in Denver at home?

A – While many doctors do continue to make traditional health calls to visit seniors who have issues with mobility that make it difficult for them to get into their doctors’ offices, these services tend to be costly and are often not covered by medical insurance programs like Medicare. However, new technologies which are emerging into the home care market for seniors, hope to make medical care available to all seniors from the comfort and safety of their own homes. General Electric and Intel recently announced their partnership and commitment to donate $250 million dollars towards the research and development of home health care technologies for the elderly over the next 5 years. Already available on the market are the Intel Health Guide, which allows seniors to interact with medical professionals using a 2-way video computer and the GE QuietCare; a home monitoring system which allows senior caregivers to keep track of the senior’s well-being remotely.

Over the upcoming years, these two partnered technology giants hope to create health technologies that will allow doctors and nurses to monitor their senior patients’ health, quality of life and diagnose elderly health issues remotely, while the senior remains in their Denver residence. Hopefully, these new technological developments will help more seniors get the medical care they require in a convenient and affordable manner.

Sources:
1.    New York Times  Steve Lohr
2.    Intel & GE Health Care Alliance

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

With the growth of the senior care industry in Denver and with many seniors requiring some form of in-home care or assisted living services, it comes as no surprise that almost everyday there seem to be new developments that surround the eldercare business. The best developments in Denver senior services are those that improve the lives of seniors and ease the stress of caregivers caring for their elderly family members.

1.    In-home monitoring systems – Big Brother style monitoring systems allow family members and eldercare professionals to monitor the safety of a senior living independently through motion detectors, cameras, and vital monitoring.

2.    Safety gadgets – electronic alert devices and personal alarms allow seniors to call for help when they’re in danger. Many come equipped with GPS for locating.

3.    Transportation services – many communities offer free transportation for seniors over a certain age, so they can get around independently.

4.    Exercise information and resources – it’s no longer believed that exercise is bad for seniors joints or their hearts when completed safely. Many gyms offer programs that cater to the older demographic.

5.    Luxury goods – personal care products, like canes and walkers no longer have a sterile medical feel. Seniors can purchase items that fit their style and personality.

6.    Elderlaw – with the number of baby boomers approaching their senior years, Elderlaw is addressing more needs of the elderly with legislation.

7.    Gadgets – technologies cater to senior living, can improve their lifestyle and increase independence.

8.    Resources for family caregivers – support groups, information sources and other resources are available to help family caregivers learn about senior care and connect with one another.

9.    Peer care – caregiving agencies may have older adults on staff to provide care to their peers that might better relate to senior issues, offer companionship and increase a care recipients comfort level.

10.    In-home Care – non-medical senior care is widely available through agencies like Home Instead Senior Care, to allow seniors to maintain their independence at home with the assistance they require.

Sources:
1.    Eldercare ABC Blog http://eldercareabcblog.com/10-hot-trends-in-senior-care-services/
2.    Franchise Prospector http://franchiseprospector.com/franchising-trends/senior-care.php
Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Common bathroom safety techniques, which include the installation of a variety of senior safety devices, can improve Denver senior living but have the tendency to be quite pricey. However, there are some simple bathroom safety techniques that can help ensure that Denver seniors remain safe at home that will not break the bank, which is a bigger requirement at a time of economic uncertainty.

•    Declutter – ensure that there is nothing on the bathroom floor that can cause a senior to trip, slip or fall. This includes towels, bath mats and bathroom garbage cans.
•    Make it bright – install strong wattage bulbs in the light fixtures, ensure there’s a nightlight with a battery backup and use a brightly colored rubber bath mat in the tub so they can differentiate the mat from the ceramic bathtub.
•    Store things in reach –Toiletry items, medications, and even toilet paper should be easy to reach to prevent slips and falls from bending or stretching.
•    Choose safe materials – glass and other breakable items should not be kept in the bathroom, especially if seniors are unsteady; if something gets knocked or dropped it could result in cuts and injuries.
•    Control water temperatures – make sure the hot water temperature is set to a maximum of 120 degrees, so a senior can never scald or burn themselves in the bathroom
•    Remove door locks – should an accident or fall occur, despite the implementation of cost-effective safety methods, a family member or a Denver caregiver should be able to easily access a senior in the bathroom.

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.

Sources:
1.    EZine Articles
2.    Associated Content

Image:  picket news

“Spring forward” “fall back” are statements to remind us to change our clocks at the appropriate time of year, but Daylight Savings Time can make a far greater impact on the lives of Denver seniors in a way that has nothing to do with time. Fire safety experts are encouraging Denver elders to use time changes as the perfect opportunity to ensure that smoke detectors in the home are working properly. So, anytime you go to change your clocks, remember to check and change the batteries in your smoke detectors and test the fire alarms in your residence to ensure that you don’t become a statistic as one of the 3,800 fire related deaths that take place in the United States each year.

To test your smoke alarms at the twice yearly intervals, check the battery power by pressing the “Test” button on the smoke detector, and to ensure that the device remains fully-functional, remove any dust and debris from the battery compartment and mechanics of the electronic. Smoke alarms should also be replaced once every 8-10 years to ensure they are capable of alerting residents of the home about the threat of fire.

More information about fire alarm and smoke detector safety is available at the US Fire Administration website (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/alarms/)

Sources:
1.    USFA
2.    News-press.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care when seeking elder care in Denver. Call us at 303-745-4700.