Adeste In-Home Care - Colorado

In-Home Care in Colorado

Help! I’m a First Time Caregiver

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Caregiving isn’t something you plan. It isn’t something you wake up one day and decide to bring into your life.

Instead, it’s thrust upon you, usually at the most inopportune time. You have a life. You’re busy. And you don’t want this job too.

There’s never a right time to take on the caregiving role. But there are ways to integrate it into your life with less stress. Here’s how.

Start The Conversation Immediately

Caregiving doesn’t just impact you; it impacts the one you’re caring for, and the friends and family around you too. Who is close to this situation? Who will have a part in the process?

Bring them together and start a conversation as early as possible. Listen and respect everyone’s desires. Try and include as much as you can while realizing that not every wish will be possible as you travel down this new path. Above all, keep trying. Every day will be different and bring to light new issues. There will be conflict; talking it out and bringing in help right from the beginning will ensure less stress down the line. [Read more…]

How To Talk With Someone With Alzheimer’s

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Millions of people across the world live with Alzheimer’s, all at varying stages.

If it impacts a loved one, you know just how difficult living with it can be.

While there are many changes to be aware of, one of the most difficult stems from communication. What used to be easy and free-flowing can now be challenging at best. But having Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to stop your conversations. It just means adjusting to what is now possible.

Eye contact is incredibly important when you speak with someone with Alzheimer’s. It helps focus the conversation, establishes connection, and ensures the person you are talking with that you are paying attention to what they have to say.

Use the person’s name frequently throughout the conversation. Using their name establishes the connection that you are indeed talking with them. It helps them pay attention and engage in the conversation that is taking place.

If you are having a deep and meaningful conversation, remove distractions as much as possible. Turn off the television or radio to ensure both parties are actively listening. Move away from loud, noisy areas, especially if children are playing nearby.

Avoid fighting. At times, you might become frustrated with the things a person remembers or forgets. It’s most often the disease that is impacting the conversation; you’ll never win. The best way to deal with a potential argument is to simply walk away.

Be patient. This means you should avoid finishing sentences or come up with the right words when he or she can’t. It is better to refocus the conversation and ask questions that might help him or her remember instead. Always be aware of the point of conversation and try to steer it by asking questions that empower your loved one, not add to their frustration.

At times, a person with Alzheimer’s may enter a different reality. People from their past may suddenly come to life in their minds. Instead of trying to correct them, reflect it in the conversation. It makes it easier if you simply play along. In most cases, it won’t impact the overall outcome of the conversation, and ideas will change from day to day.

Get creative. Instead of relying on pure conversation, introduce stimulates instead. How about a picture book? Or a scrapbook of mementos? Using props can add to the enjoyment of the conversation, and even bring out new thoughts from your loved one.

Be specific. We use generalized terms in our conversations all the time. For most of us, using “it” is just a normal part of our speech. But with someone with Alzheimer’s, “it” can be frustrating when they don’t know what “it” is. Name it instead whenever possible to avoid frustration.

This is a difficult and never-ending process. It’s okay to ask for help and guidance along the way. The important thing to realize is this is a journey, and how you travel from here on out depends on you.

How can you make a difference?

Ask These Questions When You Want To Quit Caregiving

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Caregiving is a job you’ll often find yourself hating. Yet it’s also a job that very few feel they can just up and quit. The very nature of the role is it’s not something you choose, but instead, is thrust upon you.

The work isn’t fun. The stress is unrelenting. It’s difficult being at the top of your game night and day. It can be a tremendous sacrifice.

But it’s also a job that no matter how much we wish, we either can’t or don’t really want to stop. Ever find yourself in this situation? If so, maybe it’s time to ask these questions.

How can I change my expectations?

How often do you set yourself up for failure? Do you rise with a to-do list that rarely is accomplished? Burnout is inevitable when it comes to caregiving. But in many cases, it might be because you are enslaving yourself to a picture that can never be. The larger the gap is between what is possible and what you plan, the greater the pressure you’ll feel. This zaps your energy. Letting go of expectations is difficult and is something you may have to work towards. Take it one step at a time, accepting what is even if it’s for one moment of time per day. [Read more…]

When Was The Last Time You Checked Your Parents’ Credit Report?

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Is it possible for you to pull your parents’ credit report?

Absolutely. And there a number of reasons you should do so on a regular basis. Consumer credit reports and credit scores can provide valuable insight into an individual’s financial life. It can alert you to potential problems and help you act fast if something goes wrong.

Before you attempt to review a credit file, however, you should know the rules.

In most cases, you’ll need permission from your parents before pulling personal data. The FCRA – Fair Credit Reporting Act – allows an individual to access a credit report if they have the appropriate authorization. A power of attorney is considered approval.

Once you have authority, you can get the reports directly from either the credit bureaus – TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, or in some cases, banks or credit cards may have a service that allows you to look for free. You will need a legal name, home address, Social Security number, and date of birth to access. In addition, many places will use questions as a hindrance from allowing access to people without proper authority. Questions can range from “What is the name of the bank you had your car loan in 2010,” to “What is your current payment of your home mortgage at X Bank.” Be sure to have a full understanding of your parents’ financial life before you begin, or have them close by to answer questions.

Elderly are often the target for fraud. Zero in on loans and lines of credit that your mom and dad have never signed for. Also look for fluctuating balances or unusually high balances on legitimate accounts.

Thieves often look for unsuspecting elderly with healthy credit lives, but it often stretches beyond unsavory souls. Sometimes people close to your parents can stretch the relationship too far when it comes to money situations. They can convince the elderly to co-sign loans or become joint users of an account. While you can’t control your parents’ actions, finding out problems early can help you point out what has happened, educate your parents, and reverse the problem before it becomes a problem. It can also be used as an education to help prevent future problems.

If you worry your parents are applying for credit cards mailed to their home or are making irrational charges because they suffer from dementia, check the reports regularly for evidence of that as well.

One final thought: Realize credit reports are just one moment in time. It can take weeks, even months for some of the data to change. Credit reports and scores aren’t updated overnight and often contain errors. Think of this as a window of opportunity. Look at your parents’ credit reports on a regular basis, and you’ll begin to see a picture of their financial lives. It gives you the opportunity to jump in where a potential problem may arise, and make changes before the problems become too large. Let the report open the conversation, and be a way to ensure their safety throughout the year.

What Is Anosognosia? Where Do You Go From Here?

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Anosognosia is a symptom of severe mental illness that impairs a person’s ability to understand and perceive his or her illness. And it impacts our society in many ways.

Anosognosia impacts approximately 50 percent of all individuals with schizophrenia and 40 percent of people with bipolar disease. It also is recognized in people that have strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological conditions. There is growing evidence that shows whenever a person suffers from one or more of these diseases, a part of the brain that is involved with self-reflection is impacted in the process. Without the awareness that something is happening to them, they refuse treatment, no matter how clear the need for treatment may be to others around them.

It can be a scary thought. Could we really be living with a disease that impacts our mental facilities and not know it? How would the people around us, the ones we love the most, cope with the issues? [Read more…]

7 Important Steps To Being A Better Caregiver

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Caregiving often starts small and with things you’d rarely recognize as caregiving. A quick errand to the pharmacy. Dropping off dinner several nights a week. A phone call with a request “can you look at this?” and stopping everything to deal with “it.”

And before you know it, it’s a regular part of your weekly routine. You schedule time in your days to “help” out. Their lives become your life in ways you could never have imagined.

But as much as caregiving becomes physical activities, running here and doing this, it’s important to remember that caregiving is more of a mindset than actual activities. The best way to become a better caregiver is to make it easier to do what you do.

Remember The Person You’re Caring For

Your loved one is going through a lot of changes, both physically and mentally. What you see today is probably not how you remember them in the past. And to respond to those needs today means you have to do so with all the love and care you’ve had for the person since the beginning, while taking into account those limitations of today. Your loved one has changed; your relationship has not. They are still the same person on the inside, even if their attitudes and capabilities are different. Always keep that person in mind as you provide care. [Read more…]

Bone Health Alert: Are You At Risk?

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Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass, with a decrease in bone density and an increase of bone spaces. It is associated with porosity and fragility in the bone, which makes bones especially susceptible to fractures.

Every person has an individual peak bone mass that is dependent on your lifestyle and genetic factors. People reach their peak bone mass sometime in their early thirties and from that time forward, a loss of bone mass can occur. The more rapidly you lose bone mass, the higher your risk of fracture, with hips, wrists and the spine being at greatest risk.

There are many factors associated with being at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, with the most common being:

  • Women over the age of 50
  • Early onset of menopause
  • Family history
  • Thin and small body frame
  • Prior bone loss related fractures
  • Smoking
  • Insufficient physical activity
  • Vitamin C and D deficiencies
  • Certain anti-cancer treatments
  • Thyroid and arthritis conditions
  • Use of blood-thinning agents

Bone loss associated with osteoporosis is a preventable condition. While it’s never too late to alter the course of the disease, the sooner you start, the better.

  • Exercise every day, with the focus on weight-bearing activities such as walking, hiking, dancing and strength training.
  • Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
  • Increase your intake of plant-based foods, including cruciferous vegetables, nuts, and soy products.
  • Make sure you get an adequate level of vitamin D. In a sunny climate, 30 minutes of sunshine 3 times per week without sunscreen will be adequate. The current recommendation is 1000-2000 IU per day of an active vitamin D supplement.
  • Make sure you get an adequate level of calcium, with is currently advised at 1000 mg per day.
  • Prevent falls by using handrails and walking aids if necessary.

8 Ways To Create Simple Joys In Your Life

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Caregiving can be a mind-numbing experience. Every day brings more of the same, until you’re sure you’re going to crack under the pressure.

While routine may be a good thing for the person you are caring for, it doesn’t mean that you should accept more of the same every day. Small changes can do wondrous things for your attitude. Simple joys can give you a new lease on life.

Turn off the news, television, and computer

Television has become a full time babysitter, especially for those that stay close to home. But how many more cooking shows can you truly watch? Why not put what you’ve learned into practice instead? Pick up a cookbook and give a new recipe a try. Experiment with different recipes to find the best in a category – the best eggplant parmesan recipe, for example. Give the person you are caring for a chore or two. Whether it’s mixing and chopping, or simply enjoying the food, you’ll both enjoy a few hours doing something new.

Take a class

Everyone has a hobby or something they are interested in. When was the last time you picked up your knitting needles? Or tried your hand at scrapbooking? Now is the time to actually do it. Take the plunge and take a class. In some cases, you won’t even have to leave home. A quick search can bring up a wealth of information on any subject you can imagine. You can also search sites like Udemy to learn a new skill online.

Have lunch with an old friend

The Internet has made it easier than ever to get in touch with people from your past. This includes the person you are caring for. Is there someone you would both enjoy visiting and having lunch with? Even if you live far away, try having lunch through technology – Skype, Facetime or Google makes it easy to chat from anywhere in the world. [Read more…]

Spring Cleaning For Caregivers – Did You Remember?

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The concept of spring cleaning was born many years ago, when our houses weren’t as secure and well built. Spring cleaning was a way of removing the dark, sooty grime that built up from using candles, kerosene lamps and wood stoves throughout the winter.

Even though our heating practices are much safer and secure in today’s world, the idea of spring cleaning is still engrained in our society. The idea of bringing fresh, clean air into our homes is exciting. Putting away blankets and quilts and making room for beach towels instead can bring instant gratification.

Even as we age, we can benefit from spring cleaning throughout our homes. And as a caregiver, spring cleaning can shed light on how your loved really is doing.

Cabinets, drawers, and files

Start with the desk. If your loved one has a computer, help them organize files and photographs. Check email and clean out inboxes. You can also delete items in the trash. [Read more…]

A Life After Caregiving

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I read a recent article on the effects of Alzheimer’s on a caregiver. And while the statistics are shocking, they aren’t unexpected. Anyone in a caregiving role understands.

According to The Alzheimer’s Association:

  • Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
  • Alzheimer’s is the 5th leading cause of death in people over the age of 65
  • By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million

Here’s something else to think about. Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. Without more advancement in research, Alzheimer’s will continue growing by leaps and bounds. And it will impact families at far greater rates.

Which also means the impact on caregivers will escalate too. [Read more…]