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Is Your Mom’s Home Ready To Grow Old In?

July 25, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Watching your mom’s health change can put you on an emotional rollercoaster. You can see her getting weaker. You can see failings start to occur.

Yet how can you pull her away from the house she loves? She’s been there for years – decades – how do you pull her away now?

You might not have to. Too many assume the only path is assisted living and skilled nursing care. Yet in home care is a viable option that many don’t consider, often because they don’t know it exists.

To choose this route, a home has to have easy access, easy functionality. Once that’s in place, in home care can be the solution for “what to do with mom.”

Stairs, Entryways, and Hallways

As your mom’s health changes, one of the first things you’ll face is how she gets around. She may require the use of a walker. She may need a wheelchair. She may need the extra support of grab bars and handrails.

While it may once have been easy to climb stairs and navigate long walkways, you look differently at it through a new set of eyes.

Start from the sidewalk and take a tour. Do you need ramps to get in from the outside? Would a stair lift work to move from one floor to another? Is there a way to make all living space on one level?

You should also look at doorways and hallways and consider the spacing. A doorway needs to be at least 32 inches wide to maneuver a wheelchair through the space. Hallways need at least 36 inches for a comfortable amount of room.

Kitchen

Try navigating your mom’s current kitchen from a sitting position.

How about cabinets and shelves? Did your mom always have a step stool to reach high places? That now puts her in danger if she tries. And with a lot of her kitchen supplies that far out of reach, trying to do things on her own is out of the question.

Aging in place remodeling takes all of this into consideration. Cabinets are brought down to a comfortable level. Pull out drawers and lazy susans are added to make shelving more functional. No longer do you have to climb in a cabinet to get what’s in the back.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are considered one of the most dangerous places in the home. Grab bars should be added for balance and support. Ideally, you’ll want them near the toilet, the shower, the tub.

Also, be aware that different types of flooring can make tripping and falling easier. Hard tile may be beautiful, but it can pack a punch if you fall down. Softer vinyl may be the way to go. And while rugs might be necessary for keeping flooring dry, they are also easy tripping hazards. Consider small rugs that can be added and tucked away as needed.

Need additional tips to help keep your mom happy and safe with in home caregiving?

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: age in place, bringing mom home, caregiving, in home care

Is Aging In Place The Right Choice For You?

September 11, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Aging in place. It’s become somewhat of a buzzword in the industry. They sell it well.

Who doesn’t want to stay in their homes for as long as possible? When we look around our homes, we see warmth and comfort. It’s a place we can be who we are.

Aging in place is more than living in the space we’ve called home for years. Aging in place is also about having the resources necessary to transition to different phases of our lives as easily as possible.

When remodeling a home, different life changes are taken into consideration. Doorways are expanded to handle wheelchair accessibility. Fixtures are upgraded for easy on/off access. Ramps are installed instead of stairs.

But aging in place isn’t just about your home. Aging in place also refers to how well you maintain your lifestyle through all changes of life. It takes into account your personal, practical, financial, and spiritual needs as well. Things like:

Personal – How well are everyday needs met? When a person can no longer perform daily tasks unassisted, who will help? This is often a system of paid and personal help.

Practical – A home always takes work to maintain it. How will you fit weekend chores and “honey do” items into regular routines?

Financial – Aging in place may put a roof over your head, but it doesn’t cover all the incidentals to living. Where will income come from to pay to maintain your lifestyle?

Spiritual – A healthy, happy spiritual life means having a sense of well-being. No matter who you are or what phase of life you’re in, it’s important to have daily routines that provide you with peace and calm.

Aging in place can leave a person feeling a little isolated when they no longer can get out of the house. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you think about all of your options – not just the height of a sink or the width of a doorway – body, mind, and spirit can all be taken care of in the right manner. And aging in place can lead to a happier, calmer life.

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: aging in place, caregiving

Learning To Adapt Daily Care Routines When You’re Caregiving

March 1, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

When you’re in the caregiving role, every day brings on new challenges. What’s easy for you and me may seem to be a big challenge for the one you are caring for.

Disease often comes in stages. Difficulties increase as the disease progresses. Not only do you have to learn to adapt to the challenges of your loved one having the disease, but you also have to adapt your daily living processes to bring this gradual decline of health and abilities into your routines.

Your home living space can increasingly be a challenge People often take a second look at their spaces after a loved one is confined to a wheelchair, but the transition starts long before that. Clear your home and remove obstacles such as:

Floor rugs – as people age, many shuffle their feet, which can make them more prone to falls as they catch themselves on transitions. All floor rugs should be tacked down, and bare flooring should have non-skid surfaces.

Furniture – furniture should be placed far enough apart for wheelchair access, or about 5 ½ feet apart. Ensure all furniture is well built and can take weight if your loved one leans on it for support.

Lamps – table lamps should be secure enough that they don’t easily tip over. Make sure someone can reach lamp switches and cords without discomfort, whether seated or standing.

Decorations – any free-standing objects such as vases, statues, even side tables can be difficult to navigate around. Make sure they are away from well-traveled routes.

Outlets – all outlets should be updated and include Ground Fault Interruption. This gives added protection against electrical shock for a person trying to plug something in, especially if their hands or feet are wet.

Locks – remove locks from rooms, especially from bathrooms, to avoid the potential of not being able to get to your loved one quickly.

Faucets – be sure all fixtures are easy to grab and easy to turn on and off. For memory decline, it may be necessary to paint or use color to distinguish the difference between hot and cold.

Dressing – helping with the dressing process can be difficult for both parties. Whenever possible, replace buttons and zippers with Velcro tabs. Loose fitting clothing is easier and more comfortable to get into. Make sure to allow enough time to be able to slow down through the process.

Eating – replace your eating utensils with padded or built-up handles to make the process easier. Depending on the condition, many have difficulty chewing or swallowing. Allow plenty of time and ensure you take in meals that are easier to eat.

Avoid overstimulation – only you know what your loved one can handle. Learn when to say no, and how to put breaks in throughout the day to give you both a chance to calm. Independence often comes with adding more time for each activity you do. If you increase your time limits, frustration doesn’t have a chance to grow.

What tips do you have as a caregiver?

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: caregiving, daily care routines

Aging In Place Technology: Coming Soon To Your Life

January 11, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Can you imagine leaving home without your devices? Smartphones, tablets, even the Apple Watch has become a fixture in our lives.

And while your loved one might not be as tech savvy as you are, there are ways you can use technology to help you in your caregiving roles.

Technology changes daily. And with that, apps, programs, and products are being developed that make our jobs as caregivers just a little easier. Here is what we’ve found.

Pillo

We all know artificial intelligence is coming on strong. And though this handy little gadget isn’t quite available yet, you’re going to want to be notified when it is. Pillo gives you a smart way to control the medications your loved one takes. It uses voice and facial recognition to control the medication supply, and sends reminders and alerts via mobile notification. Even when you can’t be there, you know your loved one will never miss another dosage.

Propel Health

Aging in place is important to all of us. There is nothing any of us wants more than to stay safe and secure in our own homes; a place we love and know well. Propel Health aims to keep people in their homes longer by creating smart technology that allows caregivers and aging insight into their own personal health and wellness. It helps with chronic illness management, post-discharge wellness, and active aging at home.

ElderCheck Now

If you use iPhone and Apple Watch, you’re going to love ElderCheckNow. Install the app on both of your devices, and you can maintain contact with one another throughout the day in a simple, intuitive way. And the best part? No subscription fees after your initial purchase. Caregivers can check in as much as they want, and the simplicity of the system means even the most tech-averse person will find they can handle this app easily.

Rendever

Have you played with virtual reality? While we as caregivers may have pulled on a headset to play games with our kids, there’s a new way to use virtual reality for your aging parents. Rendever is trying to fix the statistic that shows over 50 percent of assisted living residents will experience depression and isolation. With Rendever, a person can relive some of their most treasured memories by revisiting their homes, a favorite park, or a memorable place. They can have new experiences by hiking up Macchu Picchu or take a walking tour of Paris. All from the comfort of their chair.

VRPhysio

Physical training and rehabilitation take time and effort to all parties involved. But what if you could get more training, enhanced experiences, and real-time data analytics to help you recover quicker? That’s the idea behind VRPhysio. They have a selection of virtual reality programs that help you with everything from performance evaluation to cognitive training and psychological assessment.

How can today’s technology help you with your caregiving needs?

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: Aging In Place Technology, VR technology for caregiving

Why Baby Boomers Are Staying In Their Homes As They Age

May 19, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Why Baby Boomers Are Staying In Their Homes As They Age

It’s one of the most common request an adult child will hear from a parent: I never want to end up in a facility, I want to stay at home.

Yet when parents’ health begins to fail, and the worry begins causing problems in a variety of ways, adult children often feel the only option is to move a parent to a facility, where they know they will be kept safe, and they can have peace of mind.

But is it always the best choice?

There’s no denying that Baby Boomers are changing the approach to aging. And with that, we are also changing our concept of what it means to slow down. Staying at home, no matter what type of healthcare is needed, can provide a lot more freedom and flexibility to both an aging parent, and to you, a child worried about safety and security.

Maybe the best choice truly is keeping them at home.

Staying in the home allows for maximum freedom. Remaining at home allows a person to engage in daily routines they are accustomed to, provides a less restrictive environment, and allows a person to receive only the care they truly need. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: baby boomers, eldercare, in home care, staying in the home

The Most Forgotten Room In The House For Aging In Place: The Bedroom

September 18, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

The Most Forgotten Room In The House For Aging In Place: The Bedroom

Chances are we you started caring for your spouse, loved one or parent, you quickly realized a few things needed to be done around the house. You may have even decided to make a few changes and upgrades to ensure your loved one could remain in their home for as long as possible – as safely as possible.

Yet when most people look at making changes in the home to make things safer, they look towards the kitchen and bathroom first. After all, those are the rooms where the action occurs. And the rooms where a lot of accidents do occur.

If you fall into that category, you’re off to a great start. Now take another look at the rooms in their home and one of the least thought of rooms to upgrade and improve for safety will be the bedroom

The bedroom has always been a safe haven – one can sleep, relax and curl up with a good book after a long day. Yet in the life of an elderly person, that extends to also dealing with medical conditions, limited strength and balance. Which makes even the simplest of chores – getting out of bed – difficult.

What can you do to help? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: aging in place, bedroom safety for seniors, caregiving tips, home security

Design Trends For Aging In Place

June 11, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Design Trends For Aging In Place

Memories.

Walking through your home, every room spurs a different recollection. The kitchen table where you celebrated birthdays and holidays. The backyard where you watched the kids play.

As we age, it isn’t leaving home that matters most; it’s leaving the memories behind. We love being comforted by each thought, and moving to a facility just isn’t the way we pictured it to be.

Which is why more people are turning back to their homes, and using design trends to allow aging in place for as long as possible.

Your home is your castle.  As people age, some choose to relocate to a smaller castle.  They typically are looking for a place without a moat that needs maintaining or towers that mean constantly traversing stairs.  But what if you are attached to your castle?  What if you don’t want to downsize?  Here are a few current design trends that will help keep you castle fit for you as you age.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: Design Trends For Aging In Place

The Role of Occupational Therapy in In-Home Support Services

November 17, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Guest Post by Nancy Dillinger

The aging in place movement has fueled a fast-growing industry—in-home support services—that are gaining popularity as a low-cost alternative to expensive assisted living programs.  In-home support services offer similar services as assisted living programs including bathing, toileting, medication reminders, transportation, housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry services.  They represent a less expensive way to support older adults who wish to stay in their current homes (Wick & Zanni, 2009).

Another critical factor to supporting individuals who want to age in place begins with planning to modify the living space with safety features and accessible design elements.  Planning an effective home modification requires a thorough knowledge of the needs and abilities of the client.  Occupational therapists understand that a comprehensive evaluation of the client’s abilities, impairments, needs, and desires is critical to designing the best solutions for that client (Heywood, 2004).  Occupational therapists are carefully trained in functional assessment and the performance of daily activities.  They have experience in assessing homes for hazards and making home modifications (Cumming, Thomas, Szonyi, Salkeld, O’Neill, & Frampton, 1999).  The most important outcome from a home modification assessment is the affect of the modifications on the client’s participation in desired activities (Golant, 2003). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: aging in place, elderly, in home support services, occupational therapy, staying in your home

Different Housing Options for Adults Over 50

March 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

For adults over 50, life is beginning to change.  Kids are growing up and moving out and retirement is getting closer each day.  As many adults face this change in the season of life, they may find themselves considering a change in housing situations.  After all, if the kids are gone, you no longer really need that two story, four bedroom, way-to-much-cleaning home.  So what housing options are available for adults over 50?

1. Independent living options – Many healthy adults over 50 are simply looking to downsize space and home responsibilities.  Condos, town homes, or smaller single family homes can often provide these individuals with the freedom and independence they desire without many of the duties associated with home ownership. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: Different Housing Options for Adults Over 50, downsizing, moving tips, selling a home

How To Age In Place Gracefully

January 5, 2011 by admin 1 Comment

How To Age In Place Gracefully

Growing older is not something we look forward to – it just happens. No one wants to age and become dependent on others for care. Yet for many, it happens anyway.

Aging often leads to failing health and fragility. While the elderly may feel young inside, their bodies speak a different story. Giving up their independence and moving into a long-term care facility is something that they do not want to experience. Fortunately, there are ways that family, friends and in home care services can help someone age gracefully in the comfort of his or her own home.

Pulling together as a team – When you recognize a need, jump in when you can. If you see your loved one can’t keep up with the house cleaning chores, make it a Saturday afternoon task with a few family members. Enjoy a dinner out afterwards, and it can quickly turn a dreaded task into one you’ll all look forward to. Or schedule sessions throughout the week a little at a time. If everyone can pitch in an hour a week, you’ll ensure everything is completed efficiently. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Aging In Place Tagged With: age in place, colorado in home care, eldercare, How To Age In Place Gracefully, in home elder sitter, in home senior sitter

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  • Is Your Mom’s Home Ready To Grow Old In?

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