Adeste In-Home Care - Colorado

In-Home Care in Colorado

3 Ways To Help Elderly Parents Stay Independent At Home

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They argue with you. They tell you they are fine. They hide things so you won’t worry. They avoid questions even when you “see” the answers right in front of you.

You don’t want to pull them from their home. But what can you do?

It’s difficult witnessing the deterioration of someone you love. The feelings can be completely overwhelming as you think back to all the care they’ve provided you all your life. And now the situation is reversing. What can you do?

Studies show that over the next 30 years, the number of Americans who will reach 65 and beyond is going to double. The baby boomer generation has finally reached a point where they must be conscious of flipping from caregiver to the one needing care in the coming years. And like anything, it’s one they are going to do in their own ways. They want independence. They want to preserve their active lifestyle.

And as their kids, that can be difficult for you.

The good news is there are a lot of new services popping up that make independent living that much easier. With technology, we can do more with the touch of a button. [Read more…]

What Is In-Home Health Care?

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There are many ways for you to help your parents or loved one remain in their home indefinitely. Not every person is required to move to assisted living and beyond.

Remaining at home gives your loved one peace of mind. However, for you to have peace in your life, it’s important for you to get the required care your loved one needs and not attempt to do it all on your own.

That’s where a lot of people mistake the differences between in-home care and home health care. Both are required. Both offer a variety of options and distinctions.

In-Home Care

In-home care is provided by caregivers who are trained to understand the daily aspects of home care. In-home caregivers provide a wide variety of services usually associated with daily living. In-home care is classified as personal care or companion care, and is considered “unskilled” or “non-clinical”. [Read more…]

A Caregivers Guide To Downsizing A Home

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Moving is one of the most stressful times of your life. Whether it’s moving to another home in your local community, or across the country for new opportunities, there’s a lot you leave behind.

For seniors, that compounds, especially if they leave a family home they’ve lived in for decades.

Tackling the planning, organizing, packing, discarding, cleaning, paperwork, and a host of other chores can be daunting at best.

As we age, moving often signals new opportunities. We find new relationships. We find new positions. We might even make a move for new adventures.

But for many of us, we reach a point where the move is no longer as positive as moves once were. The move may be to make it easier to live – moving from a two story to a single story can make mobility that much easier. Yet the process means there are things we’ll have to give up.

As difficult as it is for your loved one, sometimes it’s even more difficult for you. You may realize it’s the best decision for your spouse. But given different circumstances, you’d never move for yourself. How do you leave it all behind? How do you put a smile on your face and realize it’s for the best? [Read more…]

Providing Care and Moving Parents When They Don’t Want It

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Karen knew it was time to make a change. Her 80-year-old mother had lived alone for years. She was fiercely independent and had many outside activities. But the signs were there. She’d forgotten something on the stove more than once. She’d fallen a few times. She’d had her neighbors call “concerned” about her mother’s behavior. It was time for a decision; one Karen knew would lead to a major fight with her mom.

Like many adult children, the next step is difficult at best. No one likes facing the inevitable. It’s difficult to have to make decisions for your parent. It’s even more difficult when your parent fights you the entire way.

Waiting For An Event

Nobody wants control taken away from them. But sometimes you can ease into it with minor events.

  • Did your mom have a minor accident that would stop her from driving?
  • Did a mild heart attack leave her more willing to ask for help?
  • Did a fall make the decision that she needs assistance?

Sometimes a wakeup call is all your parent will need to be lead to a new way of life. Use events to talk about what’s possible and the best way to move forward. Realize sometimes you’ll have to meet in the middle. [Read more…]

Caregiving Now: When You Don’t Bring The Same Person Home

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Sometimes caregiving brings up all kinds of eye-openers you never expected. Not all of them are easy to take.

When a loved one goes into the hospital, whether for a routine procedure you planned for, or an unexpected visit because of an emergency, you’ll never get the same person in return. The same dynamics no longer exist.

John went in for routine work on his knee. But the rehabilitation took longer than expected. Bouncing back in recovery was a long, drawn out process. Mary was exhausted from the experience of running to the rehab center each day. She couldn’t wait for John to return home. But once he did, she found it was even more challenging. John wasn’t the same as before he checked in.

John was in more pain. Their days were spent dealing with the after effects. More time was spent on personal care; less time on communicating about the things they loved to do together. Their daily walks were out of the question. And all of that began adding to the stress of their relationship.

As a caregiver, the entire process is difficult to take. Change can come so quickly, you barely have time to react. Planning is out of the question. What can you do? [Read more…]

Helping Your Parent Describe Their Pain

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Nothing can be more difficult than caring for a parent in pain. What’s worse is when they can’t talk about it. “It really hurts” is about all you hear.

It doesn’t help that pain is subjective; what hurts for one isn’t how another will feel it. And when doctors don’t take the time to find the root of the problem, it can leave you dealing with long days and nights trying to find relief.

To help you communicate clearly with both your parent’s doctors and be a more effective advocate their needs, use this question list and record what’s happening each day.

Where is the pain located?

How would you describe the pain? Is it a sharp stab? Is it a dull throb? Is it steady or does it come and go?

How would you rate the intensity from 1 to 10?

What makes the pain feel better?

What makes the pain feel worse?

Does it come on suddenly or is it a gradual process?

How long does the pain last? Does it go away on its own or do you always need mediation?

How often does the pain occur?

Does it prevent you from doing normal daily activities? Can you eat? Sleep? Walk?

Record your answers every day. Then bring your notes with you when you meet with your parents’ doctors. The more they know, the more they can pinpoint the problem. And hopefully, take action to alleviate the conditions.

Learning To Adapt Daily Care Routines When You’re Caregiving

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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?

Caregiving Doesn’t End When Your Loved One’s Living Arrangements Change

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When most of us think of aging, we think superficially about the transitions that take place. We think about grandparents we visited in nursing homes. We think about friends who talk about putting parents into assisted living.

But when we face the situation head-on, the concepts become more challenging to grasp.

What happens when your loved one no longer can navigate life on their own? Can they remain at home with care? Do they need assisted living? Do they need nursing care?

There are also transitions that aren’t as permanent, such as when your loved one goes into the hospital. They may require a few weeks at a rehab center. They may be released back home, albeit in a different condition when they went in.

Throughout these processes, your role as a caregiver doesn’t end. Instead, it changes. You suddenly have different requirements and different expectations. How do you manage this new situation? How do you cope with your feelings about the transition? How do you deal with the new way of life?

Stay active, especially in the first few days/weeks. It’s important for you and your loved one not to feel abandoned. Even if your loved one is active with therapies or activities, make sure you are part of the process. [Read more…]

How Will Your Loved One Survive Rehab After A Hospital Discharge?

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After a serious health event that requires hospitalization, the days and weeks that follow can be strenuous at best. Many people need rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, or speech therapies. Some may even need nursing care until they are fully recuperated.

For families, this time frame can be life-changing. The realization that things are changing and may never be the same becomes a stark reality. You may discover that your loved one doesn’t have a voice in the process, which can leave you even more stressed as you scramble to determine what’s next.

Your best bet at this time is to find your voice. Ask questions. Then ask them again.

Because the answers will change all the time.

Create a hospital discharge plan

This guides you to decide what’s next. You should start this process from the moment your loved one enters the hospital. Questions will become your best sense of direction.

  • What’s next?
  • What therapies will we need?
  • What services will health insurance or Medicare pay for?
  • Who handles personal tasks such as dressing or bathing?
  • How safe will my loved one be every hour of the day?
  • How much support will they need to do everyday tasks?
  • What problems can arise?
  • What is the average length of recovery?
  • What side effects should I watch for?
  • What do I consider an emergency?

One question leads to another. And even when you backtrack and ask the same question again, you may get a different answer. Be sure to take it all in and write it down. This tool will become invaluable as you navigate each new day.

Consider Your Resources Carefully

All rehabilitation programs are not the same. And many rehabilitation programs have waiting lists trying to get in. As early as possible, start doing research and creating a tentative schedule of what your loved one will need next. Then start making calls to find out where they will best fit.

Many people are not aware that different therapies can be given in different ways. It’s up to everyone to decide the best route for your loved one. Some can be in home processes; some need skilled nursing care in order to receive the best help.

Look at the assistance your loved one requires from every angle. Will they need an advocate to ensure they are getting proper care every hour of the day? How much can they handle on their own? Again, the answer to this question can change daily. Be sure you revisit it on a constant basis.

Get Better Yourself

Most people only push to do what’s best for their loved one without stepping back and doing what’s best for themselves. This can be a heavy burden for some people, especially if they are dealing with health problems of their own.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to take the time you need to do what’s right for you. Your questions shouldn’t always be about the best care for your loved one; also ask questions for your state of being. Find out what counseling options are available to you to ensure you stay healthy through this transition. Not addressing feelings can be detrimental to the entire process.

This is a time of transition for everyone involved. Take the steps necessary to build a solid life plan from this day on.

How can we help you during this time in your life?

Hydration Affects Your Hospital Stay

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Dehydration occurs when a person loses more fluid than they bring in. If a body doesn’t have enough water in its system, it can’t carry out normal functions.

It’s especially important that seniors pay attention to hydration because a lack of fluids can lead to things like delirium, infections, or worse.

How much water do you need?

There are a lot of factors that go into determining how much water a body needs, such as gender, weight, and body fat. Bodies in motion need more than bodies at rest.

As we age, our bodies tend to hold less water. Even sitting can drain a body of much needed fluids quickly. That is why seniors inevitably have more problems with dehydration.

Older adults also lose their perception of thirst. When dehydration sets in for us, we quickly become parched. Not so with seniors, so they might not know they need an intake of fluids until the signs of dehydration set in. [Read more…]