Shopping for the Right In-home Help: Shopping for the Right In-home Help
By Eileen Beal, MA
Home care vs. home health aide
Home care aides provide assistance with housekeeping and chores (meal preparation, shopping, errands, etc); socialization and companionship; and may also provide some personal care (bathing and grooming). In some areas, they are called personal care assistants.
Home health aides – increasingly certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and/or state tested nursing assistants (STNA) – provide medically-related care (check blood pressure and glucose levels, dress dry wounds, empty colostomy bags, etc.); assist with therapeutic treatments prescribed by a physician; supervise medication administration; etc.
“The client’s needs and the aide’s skill-level determine what the aide’s [hourly] fee will be. The more skills the aide has, the higher the cost,” says Debbie Adams, RN, the Director of the Cleveland, Ohio-based Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging’s Community Services and Support Program.
Write a job description
Using the information you’ve gathered from discussing and assessing your loved ones’ needs, write a detailed job description. “Care expectations vary from client to client, so having everything in writing means everyone knows, and meets, expectations,” says Lucy Andrews, the nurse/CEO at Santa Rosa, California-based At Your Service Home Care.
Renting a Stairlift for short periods
Renting a Stairlift for the Holidays | The Intentional Caregiver: Renting a Stairlift for the Holidays
courtesy of depositphotos.com
Christmas is an exciting time, filled with giving presents and simply being together as a family. You want to be able to enjoy the time spent with family and friends and not spend valuable family time worrying about mobility issues.
If you have become less able in recent years, or if you are caregiving for someone who has, it is understandable that you may not have the same holiday cheer you once had. You may find going to visit family and friends a chore as you or your care recipient struggle to climb up their staircase. You may feel like you will be a burden if you or your loved one cannot move freely around their home. You do not want your family to have to work their Christmas plans around any lack of mobility so you may suggest you will stay at home.
What most people do not realise is that if you can rent a stairlift for the holidays! A mobility lift is the perfect answer to all your mobility needs during the busy Christmas period. Perhaps your children live far away and you would like to stay with them before Christmas until the New Year.
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Features of typical rental lifts include:
courtesy of depositphotos.com
Christmas is an exciting time, filled with giving presents and simply being together as a family. You want to be able to enjoy the time spent with family and friends and not spend valuable family time worrying about mobility issues.
If you have become less able in recent years, or if you are caregiving for someone who has, it is understandable that you may not have the same holiday cheer you once had. You may find going to visit family and friends a chore as you or your care recipient struggle to climb up their staircase. You may feel like you will be a burden if you or your loved one cannot move freely around their home. You do not want your family to have to work their Christmas plans around any lack of mobility so you may suggest you will stay at home.
What most people do not realise is that if you can rent a stairlift for the holidays! A mobility lift is the perfect answer to all your mobility needs during the busy Christmas period. Perhaps your children live far away and you would like to stay with them before Christmas until the New Year.
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Features of typical rental lifts include:
- Brand new rail and fully reconditioned seat
- Comfortable padded seating and back rest
- Fold up seat, arms and foot rest
- Remote controls
- Battery powered
- Directional paddle switches
- Digital diagnostic display
- Safety sensors
The MedCottage, also nicknamed "the Granny pod",
Where to put elderly parents - National Green Living | Examiner.com: The MedCottage, also nicknamed "the Granny pod", is similar to a three-room apartment but it is equipped like a hospital room. Its water, electric and sewage systems work off the caregiver's home. It has a kitchenette and laundry facilities and comes in three sizes, 288 square feet, 299 square feet, or 605 square feet. The kitchen has a small refrigerator, microwave, and medication dispenser. One wall has a first-aid kit and even a defibrillator machine. There are safety rails, the bathroom is handicapped accessible, and there are three built-in cameras with one in the ceiling over the kitchen area and one in the floor to provide alerts of falls in the unit. Read the Washington Post article for more pictures of the unit and the story of the first occupant of one.
Smart robotic features monitor vital signs, filter air contaminants, and communicate with the outside world. Computers prompt with medication reminders and sensors alert caregivers of problems like the occupant falling and needing help. There are entertainment options for music, literature and watching movies. The state law in Virginia, where they originated, classified them a few years ago as “temporary family health-care structures.” They may not be legal in some states, so get them pre-approved first before buying one.
Smart robotic features monitor vital signs, filter air contaminants, and communicate with the outside world. Computers prompt with medication reminders and sensors alert caregivers of problems like the occupant falling and needing help. There are entertainment options for music, literature and watching movies. The state law in Virginia, where they originated, classified them a few years ago as “temporary family health-care structures.” They may not be legal in some states, so get them pre-approved first before buying one.
Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease |by Elayne Forgie,
Stages of Alzheimer’s
Early Stages – What day is it?
The disease begins in the hippocampus, then spreads to the frontal temporal lobe affecting recent memory, learning of new information, thinking, planning and organization.
Middle Stages – Who are you?
It moves further into the frontal temporal lobe and into the occipital and parietal lobes affecting sensory perception, communication, behaviors, impulse control, judgment and attention to personal appearance.
Late Stages – Who am I?
In the final stages the disease spreads throughout the brain and affects the ability to recognize anyone, including themselves, to control bodily functions and to eat and drink. Eventually, the brain can no longer tell the body what to do.
by Elayne Forgie, President/CEO on Dec 28, 2012 in Alzheimer's Care West Palm Beach ; more information on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or another cognitive impairment, contact Alzheimer's Care West Palm Beach at (800) 209-4342
Early Stages – What day is it?
The disease begins in the hippocampus, then spreads to the frontal temporal lobe affecting recent memory, learning of new information, thinking, planning and organization.
Middle Stages – Who are you?
It moves further into the frontal temporal lobe and into the occipital and parietal lobes affecting sensory perception, communication, behaviors, impulse control, judgment and attention to personal appearance.
Late Stages – Who am I?
In the final stages the disease spreads throughout the brain and affects the ability to recognize anyone, including themselves, to control bodily functions and to eat and drink. Eventually, the brain can no longer tell the body what to do.
by Elayne Forgie, President/CEO on Dec 28, 2012 in Alzheimer's Care West Palm Beach ; more information on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or another cognitive impairment, contact Alzheimer's Care West Palm Beach at (800) 209-4342
States With Filial Responsibility Laws | You May Have to Pay for Your Parents' Care
30states.pdf (application/pdf Object)
States with filial responsibility laws are: Alaska, Arkansas,
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
You May Have to Pay for Your Parents' Care
States with filial responsibility laws are: Alaska, Arkansas,
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Collaboration Trap – The Wrong Way to Innovate | Senior Housing Forum
The Collaboration Trap – The Wrong Way to Innovate | Senior Housing Forum: Two Big Collaboration Problems
Collaboration is a good way to solve well defined problems where there is already a set of possible solutions. It is a terrible way to innovate. There are two reasons why collaboration is an ineffective . . . even impossible path to innovation:
1. Unequal Power – Good collaborative efforts put considerable time and effort into making sure all stakeholders have a voice. The process may even include a framework that allows the minor stakeholders have a disproportionately strong voice. Yet for all of that, some participants will have much more influence than others. In some cases it is strength that comes from position and in other cases, it comes from having a strong charismatic or forceful personality.
2. Accommodation – The word collaboration suggests that everyone has a voice and every voice has value. This means that as solutions begin to emerge there is an innate tendency to make sure everyone has contributed to the solution. That each person can say about some part of the solution “That was my idea” or “my contribution.” This means that ultimately, the solution(s) will regress to the mean, in other words regress to something that accommodates everyone even if not optimal.
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author: Steve Moran
smoran@seniorhousingforum.net
seniorhousingforum.net
916-390-2238
If you like this story subscribe to his email list.
++++++++++++++
Don’t miss a single issue of Senior Housing Forum, subscribe today. It is free! We do not sell or share your contact information. The posts are practical and never too long.
Go to the main page of Senior Housing Forum and on the top you will see a link to our subscription sign-up page. You will receive notification when a new article is posted. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Collaboration is a good way to solve well defined problems where there is already a set of possible solutions. It is a terrible way to innovate. There are two reasons why collaboration is an ineffective . . . even impossible path to innovation:
1. Unequal Power – Good collaborative efforts put considerable time and effort into making sure all stakeholders have a voice. The process may even include a framework that allows the minor stakeholders have a disproportionately strong voice. Yet for all of that, some participants will have much more influence than others. In some cases it is strength that comes from position and in other cases, it comes from having a strong charismatic or forceful personality.
2. Accommodation – The word collaboration suggests that everyone has a voice and every voice has value. This means that as solutions begin to emerge there is an innate tendency to make sure everyone has contributed to the solution. That each person can say about some part of the solution “That was my idea” or “my contribution.” This means that ultimately, the solution(s) will regress to the mean, in other words regress to something that accommodates everyone even if not optimal.
--
author: Steve Moran
smoran@seniorhousingforum.net
seniorhousingforum.net
916-390-2238
If you like this story subscribe to his email list.
++++++++++++++
Don’t miss a single issue of Senior Housing Forum, subscribe today. It is free! We do not sell or share your contact information. The posts are practical and never too long.
Go to the main page of Senior Housing Forum and on the top you will see a link to our subscription sign-up page. You will receive notification when a new article is posted. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Caregiver Cards
Communication Is Important
Communication is considered a shared responsibility. However, in dealing with persons affected with Alzheimer’s and dementias, the responsibility for understanding and being understood lies squarely with the caregiver.Communication is quite simply the act of conveying or sharing information. Alzheimer’s and related dementias eventually create a barrier to effective communication, mostly dealing with the language part of communication.
Caregiver Cards was founded off of the idea that not only are persons living with Alzheimer’s entitled to supportive and the best possible care, so are the caregivers. We understand so well, because we have cared for our loved ones too.
žCommunication is considered a shared responsibility. However, in dealing with persons affected with Alzheimer’s and similar dementias, the responsibility for understanding and being understood lies squarely with YOU the caregiver.
žYou, the caregiver, will be in charge of handling Caregiver Cards, and helping your loved one find their voice with a new style of communicating.
How to Interact with a Person with Dementia in Distress |
Tips for Families & Volunteers on Visiting the Person with Dementia
MindStart - Puzzles, Games, and More for Persons with Memory Loss
Tips for Having a Good Visit
Individuals with dementia can have difficulty with recent memories and with communicating, making it harder to maintain relationships with others on their own. Often, their friends, neighbors, and extended family members do not know how to handle this, so stop visiting or calling. Offer these tips to decrease the fear and make the visit successful.
Choose a quiet calm location
Introduce yourself, as needed
Keep focus on the person, using eye contact and patience
Avoid correcting; instead offer reassurance and praise
Avoid open-ended questions; instead use yes/no questions or questions where 2 choices are given
Monitor body language and facial expressions of the person
Enter their world. Talk about what they are thinking about at the time.
Reminiscence is a wonderful tool. Talk about past interests or significant life events.
Use adapted Alzheimer activities to form a connection and have fun together.
Individuals with dementia can have difficulty with recent memories and with communicating, making it harder to maintain relationships with others on their own. Often, their friends, neighbors, and extended family members do not know how to handle this, so stop visiting or calling. Offer these tips to decrease the fear and make the visit successful.
Choose a quiet calm location
Introduce yourself, as needed
Keep focus on the person, using eye contact and patience
Avoid correcting; instead offer reassurance and praise
Avoid open-ended questions; instead use yes/no questions or questions where 2 choices are given
Monitor body language and facial expressions of the person
Enter their world. Talk about what they are thinking about at the time.
Reminiscence is a wonderful tool. Talk about past interests or significant life events.
Use adapted Alzheimer activities to form a connection and have fun together.
Don't know what to do when visiting with the person with dementia?
This is the perfect 'kit' to have a variety of activities that work for different stages of dementia.
Includes your choice of one 26 piece puzzle, various level re-usable word searches, and lacing card in a handy binder.
Official Site of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, LLC
Official Site of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, LLC: The newest component of the NCCDP is the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week Tool Kit.
The Tool Kit is available at www.nccdp.org. The Tool Kit and the declaration by the NCCDP Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14th to the 21st was developed and implemented to bring awareness to the importance of staff educators being trained and certified in dementia care and to provide education by means of face to face interactive classroom environment and to provide comprehensive dementia education to all healthcare professionals and line staff. NCCDP recognizes the important contribution that Nurse Educators and Staff Educators provide to health care professionals and line staff and in honor of this week the NCCDP is seeking nominations for Nurse Educator and Staff Educator of the Year.
Currently there are no national standards for dementia education. The regulations are different from state to state. The NCCDP recommends at minimum an initial 8 hours of dementia education to all staff. Through out the year, additional dementia education should be provided that incorporates new advances, culture change and innovative ideas.
The tool kit includes:
In addition to facilitating the Train the Trainer programs, The NCCDP promotes dementia education and certification of all staff as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP®).
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The Tool Kit is available at www.nccdp.org. The Tool Kit and the declaration by the NCCDP Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14th to the 21st was developed and implemented to bring awareness to the importance of staff educators being trained and certified in dementia care and to provide education by means of face to face interactive classroom environment and to provide comprehensive dementia education to all healthcare professionals and line staff. NCCDP recognizes the important contribution that Nurse Educators and Staff Educators provide to health care professionals and line staff and in honor of this week the NCCDP is seeking nominations for Nurse Educator and Staff Educator of the Year.
Currently there are no national standards for dementia education. The regulations are different from state to state. The NCCDP recommends at minimum an initial 8 hours of dementia education to all staff. Through out the year, additional dementia education should be provided that incorporates new advances, culture change and innovative ideas.
The tool kit includes:
- Free Power Point / Over Head In-services for Health Care Staff, Tests and Answers, Seminar Evaluation and Seminar Certificates.
- 97 Ways To Recognize Alzheimer’s and dementia Staff Education Week
- 20 Reasons Why You Should Provide Comprehensive Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training to Your Staff by A Live Instructor
- Dementia Word Search Games & Interactive Exercises
- Movies and Books About Alzheimer’s You Don’t Want To Miss
- Proclamation & Sample Agenda for Opening Ceremony & Sample Letter to Editor
- Contest Entry Forms- Staff Education week
- Alzheimer’s Bill of Rights & Alzheimer’s Patient Prayer
- Nurse Educator / In-service Director of The Year Nomination F
In addition to facilitating the Train the Trainer programs, The NCCDP promotes dementia education and certification of all staff as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP®).
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Incontinence: Why You Shouldn’t Be Embarrassed
Incontinence: Why You Shouldn’t Be Embarrassed:
It’s a topic most people don’t want to talk about, but it’s too important to avoid: incontinence. As we continue to educate our readers throughout Alzheimer's Awareness Month, it's important to shed light on the tie between dementia and incontinence.
Unfortunately, many people faced with worsening dementia are dealt a second, unexpected blow when incontinence begins to happen regularly. It may be an uncomfortable topic, but it’s incredibly common; as dementia progresses, incontinence becomes almost inevitable, according to a 2006 study. Another reason to deal with this care issue head-on is that it is the most common reason a person with dementia is institutionalized.
>>>>
It is also a reason many must stop attending Day Care
DLMifm
It’s a topic most people don’t want to talk about, but it’s too important to avoid: incontinence. As we continue to educate our readers throughout Alzheimer's Awareness Month, it's important to shed light on the tie between dementia and incontinence.
Unfortunately, many people faced with worsening dementia are dealt a second, unexpected blow when incontinence begins to happen regularly. It may be an uncomfortable topic, but it’s incredibly common; as dementia progresses, incontinence becomes almost inevitable, according to a 2006 study. Another reason to deal with this care issue head-on is that it is the most common reason a person with dementia is institutionalized.
>>>>
It is also a reason many must stop attending Day Care
DLMifm
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