Aging in Place, Home Modifications, Retrofitting: Can Be Foreign to Many | Endless Legacy

Aging in Place, Home Modifications, Retrofitting: Can Be Foreign to Many | Endless Legacy: Aging in Place, Home Modifications, Retrofitting: Can Be Foreign to Many
By Rhonda Caudell on March 6, 2014 in Caregiving, General Information

Aging in Place is mostly referred to as when someone desires to stay in their existing home as they age, along with a desire to remain there until the end of their life. To determine if this is possible allowing for safety and continued function to the highest level is the challenge.

Individual's HEALTH ASSESSMENT for HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Individual's HEALTH ASSESSMENT for HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

TO BE COMPLETED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Individual's  Name and DOB:

Known Allergies: Height: Weight:

Medical history and diagnoses:

Physical or sensory limitations:

Cognitive or behavioral status:

Nursing/treatment/therapy service requirements:

Special precautions:

A. To what extent does the individual need supervision or

assistance with the following?

S=Needs Supervision I= Independent A= Needs Assistance

Indicate the extent to which the individuals is able to

perform each of the activities of daily living.

Ambulation

Bathing

Dressing

Eating

Self Care (grooming)

Toileting

Transferring

Special Diet Instructions

Regular Calorie Controlled No Added Salt Low Fat/Low

Cholesterol

Does the individual have any of the following

conditions/requirements? Please include an explanation

1. 1. A communicable disease, which could be transmitted to
2. others
3. 2. Bedridden?
4. 3. Any stage 2, 3, or 4 pressure sores?
5. Pose a danger to self or others
6. Require 24-hour nursing or psychiatric care?'
7. In your opinion,
8. can this individual's needs be met by this caregiver

ABILITY TO PERFORM SELF-CARE TASKS:

Preparing Meals

Shopping

Making and Receiving Phone Calls

Handling Personal Affairs

Handling Financial Affairs

GENERAL OVERSIGHT:

Observing Well-being

Observing Whereabouts

Reminders for Important Tasks

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS (Use additional page if

necessary):

list all current medications prescribed below

MEDICATION DOSAGE DIRECTIONS FOR USE ROUTE

1.

2.

Does the individual need help with taking his or her

medications

=

PLEASE RETURN TO:  
CARE PROVIDER NAME: 
CARE PROVIDER ADDRESS: 
TELEPHONE NUMBER: CONTACT PERSON:

Advice from Caregivers when asked “What have you learned from your journey that you think every caregiver should know?”

ALZ Connected - Alzheimer's Association: This is a compilation of the advice from  previous threads.  dj okay has  eliminated the replies that did not relate directly to the subject.



Advice from Caregivers when asked “What have you learned from your journey that you think every caregiver should know?” DJ attempted to categorize their responses. These are their words. Multiple statements in parentheses are further comments from subsequent responders.

Book list, this information and all links were active 8/20/2013

"A Common Sense Guide to Alzheimer's Care Kisses for Elizabeth is written for both family and professional caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia’s. It is a practical resource for anyone experiencing difficulty with significant behavioral issues but is also helpful to caregivers who simply want to provide the best possible care.

The author has developed 15 common sense guidelines which address a wide variety of concerns by helping caregivers to solve problems or even prevent them. The guidelines also address negative behaviors such as wandering, combativeness, paranoia and sundowning. The book explains what dementia is, how it affects people who suffer from it and why these behaviors occur.

Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of life

Since one of the best ways to learn is by example, Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of life."

​FYI ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
​

Stephanie is one of my on-line friends.

We are both active on http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx

Stephanie on abuse: READ TODAY

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?tid=2147495522&g=posts&t=2147495517

Another excellent book I quote from often:

Jolene Brackey "Creating Moments of Joy" Perdue University Press.

Stephanie offerred this list, his information and all links are active  8/20/2013

 This is a list of links about information you will need. Most helpful for you right now will be "Understanding the dementia experience" which will give you an idea of what your LO is going through; and "Communication skills"  Which will help you to communicate in ways which will avoid or  decrease your LO negative behaviors.

Understandingthe dementia experience:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580 

Anosognosiaexplains why dementia patients are unaware of their problem http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/reading/Anosognosia.pdf 

Communicationtechniques for dementia caregivers:

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147497924 

Guideto diagnosing and treating dementia: What your doctor should do:http://dementia.americangeriatrics.org/ 

Bathingand Showering   http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147491802 

Helpwith brushing teeth and oral care:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=138 

Urinaryinfections in people withdementia

http://www.disabled-world.com/health/aging/uti.php 

Pickingat skin/scabs:  http://www.alzcompend.info/?p=233 

PainScale to use when your LO is experiencing pain:     

  http://prc.coh.org/PainNOA/Abbey_Tool.pdf 

Eatingproblems  

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147489263 

Caregiverkitchen   http://caregiver.com/kitchen/index.htm 

What causes olfactory hallucinations (phantosmia)? smelling non existent oders

Mayo Clinic

Answers from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.

Many people are sensitive to certain smells, but in an olfactory hallucination (phantosmia), you detect smells that aren't really present in your environment. 

The odors detected in phantosmia vary from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. They can occur in one or both nostrils and usually can't be masked by food. 

Phantosmia most often occurs as a result of a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It can also be caused by temporal lobe seizures, sinusitis, brain tumors, migraine, Parkinson's disease and stroke. 


Because phantosmia can in rare cases be an indication of a serious underlying disorder, consult your doctor if you experience such symptoms. 

Search Senior Housing Forum - Senior Living Industry Information & Commentary

Why We Voluntary Blue Ribbon Industry Standards: Sunrise Assisted Living Attacked ProPublica Style - Senior Living Industry Information & Commentary:   February 26, 2014 by Steve Moran



Steve's recommended  Gold Standard


He is convinced that ALFA, LeadingAge and AHCA need to convene a blue
ribbon panel of large, medium and small operators to create some
guidelines (maybe even a certification process like The Eden Alternative
has) for assisted living.  It should include things like:

• Initial training
• On-going training
• Staffing ratios
• Medication guidelines
• Satisfaction surveys
• Emergency call response times

<If the> industry are unwilling to do this you can be sure there
will be more lawsuits, more regulations and the whole industry will be
damaged.

Seniors Helping Seniors - in-home care services.

Seniors Helping Seniors - Home

Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services.We make life a little easier for you or someone you love by providing services in the home — companionship, light housekeeping, cooking, gardening, transportation and more.
All of our helpers are seniors themselves.  They have a warmth and understanding that comes from experience and wisdom  gained over the years. They are all loving, caring compassionate people who bring joy and companionship to everyone with whom they work.  That’s why our seniors often become life-long friends with those who receive our services.
We can help out with as much or as little support as you need. Use this web site to find out about our services, delivered to you in your home from seniors who understand you, anytime you need them — day or night.

http://www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/metrowest/

 We offer help in many non-medical capacities, including:
    Cooking
    Light housekeeping
    Companionship
    Personal grooming and dressing
    Shopping
    Doctor visits
    Transportation
    Yard work
    Mobility assistance
    House maintenance/repairs
    Overnight stays (24-hour care)
    Long-distance check-ins
    Respite care

metrowest/ call us at 508-485-1765 or cell 508-808-1090 or e-mail us at kindnessworksllc@gmail.com to schedule a FREE consultation at your home.


On Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 11:43 AM, Doug Peck, CSA <kindnessworksllc@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for contacting us.
I have attached some information that I think you will
find helpful.  We do have a new website that is coming online in the
next few weeks that should be easier to navigate. 

To answer your questions, I am licensed by the state so all my
people are W2 employees, fully insured and CORI background checked.

I have 30 years prior experience in human resources and recruiting

I do all the interviews and references myself.  I also do all the client
assessments and scheduling so I can carefully match caregivers with
clients.

We do not do drug screening.

All of my employees are local seniors, many have lived in the area their whole lives and many of their references are ministers, pastors, etc.  They are very reliable and do
what they do because they really do want to work with other seniors.

My basic rate is $25 per hour with a 2 hour per day minimum. 
There are no minimum days and I have clients that I work with only once a
week.
I do charge $.50 for mileage should they drive and pass that
completely through to the driver.  I have a copy of the drivers
insurance and their driving record.

Personally I am a Certified Senior Adviser, a board member of
the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce

Please feel free to give me a call if you would like additional information or you would like to meet at some point.

 There are many resources for older adults and those who care for them.

Doug Peck, CSA

 

Ask Me 3 | National Patient Safety Foundation

Ask Me 3 | National Patient Safety Foundation:

 Ask Me 3 is a patient education program designed to improve communication between patients and health care providers, encourage patients to become active members of their health care team, and promote improved health outcomes. The program encourages patients to ask their health care providers three questions:

What is my main problem?

What do I need to do?

Why is it important for me to do this?

Ask Me 3 Resources 
AskMe3_logoHealth Literacy Reference Resources   
The materials shown on this page http://tinyurl.com/kw82a8s are available to download free of charge in PDF format.



Note: Organizations that are members of the Stand Up
for Patient Safety Program can receive complimentary, production-ready
Ask Me 3 materials and have permission to cobrand them with their
organization’s logo. For more information, contact standup@npsf.org or visit the Stand Up Member section of the website to learn more [login required].


Ask Me 3 is a registered trademark licensed to the National Patient Safety Foundation.

When Medicare Will Pay for Skilled Nursing or Physical Therapy - Howard Gleckman

When Medicare Will Pay for Skilled Nursing or Physical Therapy - Howard Gleckman:



 http://howardgleckman.com/author/hgleckman/



Two weeks ago, the government updated the Medicare manual—the
official guidelines for providers. And it has begun an extensive
educational campaign to help them understand the rules. Yet, it is
important that consumers know about this new interpretation as well.


What does this mean? Imagine you have a severe stroke. Before Jimmo,
most people thought Medicare would pay for physical therapy only as
long as that PT was helping you get better. For instance, Medicare would
pay if therapy helped increase the number of steps you could walk
without assistance. Now, Medicare will pay for PT even if it only helps
you maintain your current ability to walk

other restrictions still apply. For instance, Medicare will only pay for skilled nursing care after a patient has been hospitalized for at least three days. And, at least for now, a patient who is in a hospital for observation but has not been formally admitted does not qualify. Medicare will pay for no more than 100 days of skilled care after a hospitalization. And Medicare will not pay for skilled care if needed services can be provided by the patient herself, her family, or by home health aides.

scribes have entered the scene in hundreds of clinics and emergency rooms - NYTimes.com

A Busy Doctor’s Right Hand, Ever Ready to Type - NYTimes.com: Without much fanfare or planning, scribes have entered the scene in hundreds of clinics and emergency rooms. Physicians who use them say they feel liberated from the constant note-taking that modern electronic health records systems demand.





 A study
published jointly in October by the American Medical Association and
RAND Corporation found that electronic health records were a major
contributor to physician dissatisfaction, as doctors negotiate a cranky
truce between talking to and examining the patient, and the ceaseless
demands of the computer. And a recent article
in the journal Health Affairs concluded that two-thirds of a primary
care physician’s day was spent on clerical work that could be done by
someone else; among the recommended solutions was the hiring of scribes

Hallucinations vs. Delusions , & Confabulations

Hallucinations vs. Delusions in Alzheimer's from http://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-hallucinations-and-delusions.aspx It is important that Alzheimer's caregivers understand the difference between a hallucination and a delusion. Each of these symptoms can affect your loved one in different ways:

Delusions. Delusions are false beliefs caused by the deterioration of cognitive processes in the brain of the Alzheimer's patient, and are often influenced by misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Patients might think they are being followed, or might accuse a family member of stealing from them or plotting against them.

Hallucinations. These involve false perceptions, and are also caused by changes in the brain due to Alzheimer's. Patients can literally “sense” — see, hear, smell, taste, or feel — something that isn't there. They might see and talk with old friends who aren't there, or watch ships floating through the sky outside the window, or smell foods they enjoyed as a child.

Confabulations are a major annoyance — when listeners take everything at face value, no matter how false their statements. The danger is when banks, adult protective services, police, friends, family, and other listeners take everything our loved ones say at face value and react based on the statements. Know that confabulating is distinct from lying because there is no intent to deceive. The statements can be coherent, internally consistent, and reasonable.

Be aware there are similarities between confabulation and delusions; e.g., both involve unintentional false statements. Realize delusions are frequently observed in Alzheimer’s patients may include beliefs about theft, the patient’s house not being his home, a spouse, is an impostor, belief an intruder is in the house, abandonment, spousal infidelity, and paranoia. visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation

Confabulating is distinct from lying because first there is no intent to deceive, second the person being unaware that the information is blatantly false. Confabulating can be coherent, internally consistent, and reasonable...despite clearly contradicting evidence. Your challenge: is what they say true?

we all Confabulate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation]. We make..verbal statements and/or actions that inaccurately describe history, background and present situations... {Confabulating is distinct from lying because there is typically no intent to deceive...} being unaware that the information is false... blatantly false information can also be coherent, internally consistent, and relatively normal...despite evidence contradicting it...

IMHO we all Confabulate make..verbal statements and/or actions that inaccurately describe history, background and present situations... {is distinct from lying because there is typically no intent to deceive ...} the source is unaware that the information is false... Blatantly false information can also be coherent, internally consistent, and relatively normal...despite evidence contradicting it...

How do Alzheimer’s and dementia cue cards help communication? Video content included. « Caregiver Cards Caregiver Cards

How do Alzheimer’s and dementia cue cards help communication? Video content included. « Caregiver Cards Caregiver Cards: Caregiver Cards Communication Cues for Alzheimer's & Dementia Care
"Let's Continue the Communication"