Adeste In-Home Care - Colorado

In-Home Care in Colorado

Financing In Home Care: A Better Option Than Assisted Living

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Something needs to be done with mom. She can’t live on her own anymore. Maybe assisted living is the answer.

Has your world revolved around those statements these past few weeks? Many adult children find themselves in that place where a decision about what to do with mom becomes front and center in your life. And an assisted living facility (ALF) seems like a good choice. Many ALFs are popping up all over town; they appear to be the right choice for so many.

Many adult children say yes to ALFs. And they do so with the right intentions. Assisted living facilities seem to offer:

  • A safe place to live
  • Lots of companionship
  • Less worry for you

That’s win/win, right? Well …

For many adult children who move mom into an ALF, that’s when the real problems begin. Because that’s when you start realizing your assumptions about the place are way off base.

You thought it was a safe place for her to live. But safety is relative. Sure, she might not have a smaller space to navigate, and have a helping hand only a press of a button away. But you’ll quickly find the safety features are limited at best. And if you want something, you’ll pay. And pay and pay – most things are “extras” on their ever-growing a la carte list.

You may have figured mom would be happier with a group of people her own age. But she doesn’t know the people near her. They tend to stay to themselves, locked up tight in their rooms. Some of them have medical conditions that prevent them from taking an active role and getting to know their neighbors. Mom may become lonelier than she was before.

You thought you’d worry less with her in a safe place. Now you worry more. Is she getting the proper care? How much more will you have to pay to get the level of care you desire? Will your mom be forced out as her chronic illness progresses? How long can this go on?

ALFs … they aren’t all they are cracked up to be. In fact, as in home caregivers, we continue with a lot of our patients as their adult children move them from their homes into an assisted living facility. Why?

Because in home caregiving is personalized service. It’s one on one care – something you’ll never get in an ALF.

For a lot of adult children, they discover there is a better way than putting mom into assisted living. In home care allows your mom to stay in the comfort of her home and get the care she needs in a personalized way.

And you can do that easier than you think.

For many, they sell mom’s home to afford assisted living. But what if you could pay for care while mom still lives at home? It’s called a reverse mortgage. For many families, it’s the best of both worlds. It allows mom the care she deserves. It allows you to have peace of mind knowing she’s safe and out of harm’s way.

At this critical point in your family’s lives, it’s essential to gather all the information you need before you make your final choice. If you want a second opinion or to learn from our years of experience in the caregiving industry, give us a call. We’re here for you and your family.

The Trouble With Most Assisted Living Facilities

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Most adult children find themselves in a caregiving role quickly. They go from nothing to all-in in a relatively short period of time.

There’s no training for it. There isn’t a mandatory class you have to take to learn the ins and outs. In fact, in most cases, it’s a little more like sinking rather than swimming.

It starts with a phone call. Maybe your mother slipped and fell. Or your dad was found wandering the streets. You may have noticed issues here and there, but suddenly it’s glaringly obvious something needs to be done.

Is assisted living the answer?

Assisted living facilities are being built all over town. There must be a good reason for them, right? Maybe that’s your answer. But before you head in for your first tour, keep a few things in mind.

According to a recent Forbes article, there are a lot of problems with ALFs – assisted living facilities.

Unlike skilled nursing facilities, ALFs don’t fall under the same regulatory requirements. They are regulated only at the state level, and that can change significantly from place to place.

There are enormous differences in payments. They also differ in the kinds of benefits they’ll fund.

There are questions about safety. One report showed turnover in personal care aides at more than 37 percent in one year.

They can force out your parent once they need more care. (They rarely tell you that on the initial tour.)

Even defining the term “assisted living” comes into question. Does it mean skilled nursing, or simply a place with minimal services at best?

And unfortunately for you, your parents’ caregiver, the only way you find out about the weaknesses is after you’ve paid the money and your elderly parent is living there. Then the weaknesses become glaringly obvious.

A better way is in home care.

In home care allows your loved one to remain in their home with personalized, one on one attention.

Is Your Mom or Dad Healthy Enough To Get Behind The Wheel?

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In 2009, 33 million licensed drivers were over the age of 65. By the year 2030, that number is expected to increase to 70 million.

You mom or dad may complain about the road, how everyone seems to be in a hurry. And studies show that younger drivers are more aggressive. But aging impacts driving in different ways.

Arthritis can make the impact of turning the wheel, or turning your head to look over your shoulder, a difficult thing to do.

Medications can impact judgment.

Limited mobility might cause a foot to slip from the accelerator to the brake, with slower reaction times to correct the situation.

But then, you might know all of this. You might be witnessing it with your mom or dad. Maybe you’ve seen dents and scratches on their car. Maybe you’ve followed them, wincing a time or two as you watch them head into a busy intersection. Maybe they’ve said things that have made you cringe.

Should you take away the keys? That’s not as easy as it seems. They may fight you. And they may win. What should you do? [Read more…]

Coping With Elderly Parents

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As your parents age, you start stepping in and taking on more responsibility. You might check in on them frequently to ensure they are eating properly. Or make a few phone calls on their behalf as they seem to get easily confused.

You’re helping them. A “thank you” or at least a smile might be nice. Instead, all you receive is rage.

Have you ever felt like your parents are driving you crazy? Have you ever thrown your hands into the air and asked what you’re doing and where you should go from here? Caregivers everywhere have felt like that a time or two.

People are people. And while some of it might be who your parents are as people, you also have to keep in mind that your parents are changing. In some cases, this isn’t who they are; it’s their health that’s causing them to act out.

Rage is one of the most common emotions a caregiver will face. And when you think about it, it makes sense. Your parent might not feel the best. That might have felt that way for a long time. And when they deal with someone daily who asks what they can do for you, eventually it takes its toll. So they yell and scream. They’re irritable. You have to look past the rage and identify the root cause. Chronic pain can be difficult to live with. If it’s Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, they may not be fully aware of their behavior. Once you identify what’s causing the rage, it’s easier to step aside and overlook the impact. [Read more…]

6 Steps To Make Long Distance Caregiving A Little Easier

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When you live far away from your parents, you’ve probably established a routine. A phone call one day a week to check in. You share everything that’s happened during the week. You assume they do too.

But then you start noticing subtle changes. They become vague. They aren’t as willing to share.

Then you visit and find expired food in the fridge. Maybe a small dent on the car.

Then things escalate quickly. You receive a call about a minor car accident. Or a call from one of their friends saying they are in the hospital. And suddenly your world escalates out of control. You have a new job on your hands and it’s anything but exciting. What do you do now?

Change your line of communication

As you start to discover little things, it’s easy to put them aside and ignore them. But when you live hundreds or thousands of miles away, you don’t have that luxury. Bring up the things that concern you. Bring up things that seem out of place. Even if your mom or dad push it aside and won’t open up, it sets the dialog for the future. It gives you a chance to show your support.

Find your allies

When you visit, will your loved one allow you to go to doctors appointments? Can you attend the meetings and events they go to on a regular basis? Find allies in the people closest to your parents. Leave your contact information with people that will help you stay in the loop. Your mom might leave out the fact she was in an accident. But a trusting neighbor might give you the heads up as to how bad it truly was.

Put together a care book

The next time you visit, put together a file or notebook filled with the most important information in your loved one’s life. Add in medical information, financial advisers, lawyers, friends, and neighbors. Include all prescription information, including the pharmacies they use, and the dosage of each medicine. Gather all information about your parents’ income and assets, including where they bank, what credit cards they have, insurance policies, even passwords they use to complete phone and online transactions. The more information you have on your end, the easier it will be to handle any situation as it arises.

Get authority

Are your parents willing to let you have power of attorney? Are they ready to release all information to you and allow you to help in certain situations? This is something that may have to grow over time. Start small. Talk about it frequently to get your parents comfortable with the idea.

Coordinate with the rest of the family

Do you have siblings that also share in responsibility? Or maybe another family member that can take on part of the responsibility? It’s important to have a family meeting and decide who takes care of what. Nothing can be more frustrating to all of you, including doctors and other professionals, is having to repeat yourself again and again. Who will be in charge of what? You should also set up regular meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page. Can’t agree between yourselves? Find a mediator who can help.

Line up home services

For many adult children, they rarely learn about their options before they need them in an emergency situation. Assisted living or nursing care is usually all they understand. But there are many options out there that can help your loved one stay strong and independent for as long as possible. In home care gives your loved one the individualized attention they deserve while staying in the comfort of their home. It also gives you peace of mind.

What questions can we answer for you as you go through this new phase of life?

What If You Care Too Much?

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Feeling tired physically and emotionally? Facing burnout but struggling with the knowledge you can’t? Can’t quite put a finger on why you feel the way you do? You might have compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is described as having physical and emotional exhaustion mixed with extreme decreases in your ability to empathize with the one you are caring for. It’s a form of traumatic stress, resulting in the build up of stress through helping or wanting to help those in need.

Compassion fatigue is often referred to as burnout. But they aren’t the same things. Burnout happens over time. Compassion fatigue is less predictable and comes on suddenly without warning. How do you know if it’s happening to you?

First, get educated

Caregiving is as much an education for you as it is for the one you’re caring for. The most common signs of compassion fatigue include: [Read more…]

How Much Do Your Feet Reveal About Your Health?

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How do you know if you have a health problem? It turns out, your feet might alert you to many of your problems.

Have you ever noticed dry, flaky feet? Tried everything to stop the peeling; even moisturizer won’t work? It might be a thyroid problem. When your thyroid stops working, it doesn’t produce the correct amount of hormones your body needs. This affects many things in your body, including tissue growth, blood pressure, and your nervous system development. If your dry skin has settled in around your feet, or if it’s worsened with cracks that won’t heal, it’s time for your doctor to check your thyroid and ensure it’s working properly.

Have your toes suddenly gone bald? It could signal poor blood circulation. Peripheral arterial disease – or PAD – is a buildup of plaque in the system. Its signs include thin or shiny toes, a decrease in hair on and around your feet and ankles.

Do you suddenly have numbness in your foot? It’s usually a sign of low blood flow. You’ve probably experienced this from time to time; it happens if you sit at a weird angle or sat in a position for too long. We often say our foot has gone to sleep. But if it happens regularly, don’t ignore it. It can be a sign of peripheral neuropathy that’s related to type 2 diabetes. [Read more…]

How Smart Homes Can Help Caregivers

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We live in a world filled with new technology. And some of it offers exciting opportunities to help you out with your day to day chores. Want a quick way to add to your grocery list? There’s an app for that. Want to keep up with family and friends? There’s an app for that too.

If you provide care for a loved one, there are many ways technology can lend a helping hand. Even if you can’t physically be present in their home, technology can give you the next best thing.

How about home security video monitoring?

Companies are rushing to market each day with a wide variety of options. In most cases, you can find small, inexpensive cameras that will allow you to easily connect up with your loved one no matter where you are. But before you start, ask one simple question.

Is the person you are caring for willing to be watched? [Read more…]

How To Encourage Your Loved One’s Independence

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As a caregiver, it’s easy to jump in and do everything your loved one needs.

But jumping in and doing too much can create its own set of problems.

For example, if you’re mother has mild dementia, you might assume taking over many of the household duties will help her out. Cooking dinner several nights a week, straightening out her living area, even helping her plan out her days can seem like a good idea. You’re a loving daughter, and you want her to stay as independent as possible for as long as she can.

She sees it as interference. You’re in her personal life, and she doesn’t like it.

And she lets you know it.

How do you find balance? You know without help, she could never remain on her own. Yet helping her too much causes stress on your relationship. Where do you draw the line? [Read more…]

In Sickness and in Health – A Caregivers Journey

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Marriage – It’s something we do willingly when we’re young and in love. We take our vows with the thought of a long and happy life. The idea of growing old together fills us with joy. We picture ourselves traveling in our retirement years until eventually, we come to rest in matching rocking chairs on the porch of our home.

The picture is vivid. Until it all is thrown out the window due to sickness.

Suddenly the picture you’ve painted no longer exists. One of you needs care, and the other is “forced” to give it. You didn’t ask for the job. You don’t really want it. But you do it out of love.

Unfortunately, there is never an opportune time for caregiving. It isn’t something you plan for or schedule on your calendar. It happens, and you deal with it. It changes everything, often in a split second. [Read more…]