Tips for Dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. These tips may help in overcoming some of those challenges.

Dealing with the Diagnosis

Finding out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming. As you begin to take stock of the situation, here are some tips that may help:

Ask the doctor any questions you have about AD. Find out what treatments might work best to alleviate symptoms or address behavior problems.

 Find a support group where you can share your feelings and concerns. Members of support groups often have helpful ideas or know of useful resources based on their own experiences.Online support groups make it possible for caregivers to receive support without having to leave home.

Study your day to see if you can develop a routine that makes things go more smoothly. If there are times of day when the person with AD is less confused or more cooperative, plan your routine to make the most of those moments. Keep in mind that the way the person functions may change from day to day, so try to be flexible and adapt your routine as needed.

Consider using home care services  or respite services to ease the day-to-day demands of caregiving. These services allow you to have a break while knowing that the person with AD is being well cared for.

Begin to plan for the future. This may include getting financial and legal documents in order, investigating long-term care options, and determining what services are covered by health insurance and Medicare.

Communication

Trying to communicate with a person who has AD can be a challenge. Both understanding and being understood may be difficult.

• Choose simple words and short sentences and use a gentle, calm tone of voice.
  Avoid talking to the person with AD like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren’t there.
• Minimize distractions and noise—such as the television or radio—to help the person focus on what you are saying.
• Call the person by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking.
• Allow enough time for a response. Be careful not to interrupt.
• If the person with AD is struggling to find a word or communicate a thought, gently try to provide the word he or she is looking for.
• Try to frame questions and instructions in a positive way.

5 Star Home Care can assist you  and your family in your time of need. We have certified nursing assistants that are trained to assist your loved one with their daily activites of living so that YOU the family caregiver can take a break. For more information please call us at 404-250-3248.

In-Home Care vs. Assisted Living

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

For families in Atlanta assisted living at home – The Senior Care Professionals alternative to assisted living facilities for people who would prefer the familiar environment of their own home.

Families choose assisted living facilities for four primary reasons:

• Greater need for care – Families typically start looking into assisted living facilities when there is an incident, such as an accident, that indicates their elderly relative needs assistance with the tasks of daily living beyond which they may already be receiving.
• Desire for coordinated services in one place– Family members want the security of a professionally managed system with numerous resources at its disposal to ensure their elder’s needs never fall through the cracks .
• Desire to overcome social isolation – In assisted living facilities, all meals are eaten together in a common dining room, and other socializing opportunities may exist as well.
• Perception that assisted living facilities are less expensive then in-home care– Assisted living facilities can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 a month, depending on the location and the size of the room. It’s much like a hotel: you can have a single room or a suite of rooms, and the quality of facilities varies greatly.

An assisted living facility can be the right choice for some people. Some additional factors for consideration:

• Your parent or elderly relative may not need the 24-hour level of attention an assisted living facility provides. He or she may need just a few hours a day, or something less than full time care.
• In assisted living facilities, nobody receives one-to-one attention. You need to assess exactly what level of care your family member really needs.
• The social aspect of a facility may seem appealing to you, but it may not agree with your elder’s personality and preference. Do they really want to take all their meals in a cafeteria with other people? Generally there is no kitchen in the private rooms of a facility. If your family member truly has a desire and history of being around a lot of people all the time, an assisted living facility may be ideal. Otherwise, know that there are other options for providing the right level of social interaction.
• Financially, the better facilities, those that are more sophisticated, luxurious, and include care giving, are higher cost than in-home care.

In-Home Assisted Living

For families in Atlanta, assisted living at home is an option with In-Home-Care. We can meet all the needs, and more, provided for at an assisted living facility at a comparable price and enable your parent to live in the comfort of his or her own home.

Our team of professional geratric case mansagers designs a customized care plan for your elder and is responsible for coordinating all aspects of care. Our in-home caregivers are trained and carefully matched to your family member. And our systems and whole-family approach to caregiving ensure that family members stay apprised and up to date on their elder’s care.

Finally, the In-Home-Care model is comparable in price to the better quality assisted living facilities. If one could have the right care, the right supervision and coordination for a comparable price, wouldn’t one choose to stay in the familiar environment of one’s own home?

How to Care for a Loved One that has Alzheimer’s Disease

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Caring for a loved one with a disease is a very difficult situation. But when they aren’t coherent as to what’s going on around them, it can be even more taxing on you. Alzheimer’s not only affects your loved one, but their family and friends as well. Each Alzheimer’s disease patient is different and each person experiences the disease in a different way, but the most important thing to focus on is communication skills. Whether you’re the caregiver or just visiting a loved one in an Alzheimer’s Care facility, you can benefit from these communication tips.

1. Speak clearly, slowly, and with authority.
Most Alzheimer’s disease patients have difficulty understanding what is being said around them. Be sure to pronounce each word and speak in command form, rather than asking a question. Do not present options, as the decision-making abilities of Alzheimer’s disease patients are limited. Tell them in a polite way what they should be doing, using commands like eat, sleep, drink, sit, etc. Likewise, if you’re considering an Alzheimer’s Care facility, take note of how staff members speak to the residents to see if their communication skills are up to par.

2. Watch for forms of communication besides speech.
Sometimes Alzheimer’s disease patients communicate with their hands to indicate what they want to do. Though their words may be saying one thing, their body language may be saying what they actually want. Do the same thing for them, too. If they cannot understand what you’re trying to express, then use hand gestures or pictures to convey your thoughts. If using an Alzheimer’s care facility, inform the professionals there about any unique or special ways to get through to your loved one.

3. Express your thoughts in a calm, soothing voice.
Oftentimes, Alzheimer’s disease patients cannot understand what you’re trying to say. This is frustrating for both you and your loved one. Instead of getting upset or raising your voice, keep your cool and in a calm voice repeat what you’ve just said. This will keep you from getting upset and prevent your loved one from getting frustrated. Take note of the tone of voice used at the Alzheimer’s care facility you’re considering as well, since your loved one’s comfort is of the utmost importance.

4. Use simple sentences and repeat when necessary.
If you express a thought that is free of unnecessary clauses, you’ll be able to convey what you want in a more understandable manner. Try to keep details to a minimum so that you don’t throw too many facts at the Alzheimer’s disease patient and you say the most vital information. Along those lines, good Alzheimer’s care facilities will establish regular routines to help keep things simple and running smoothly, so try to get a sense of that when exploring your options.

5. Speak somewhere free of distractions.
An Alzheimer’s disease patient can easily become distracted with the things going on around them, such as the television, young children, or the radio. Be sure to communicate with them on a one-on-one basis so they can focus on what you’re saying to them. On that note, it’s important to ask if there’s an adequate amount of staffing at Alzheimer’s care facilities to ensure that your loved one gets the attention he or she needs. Though communication with a loved one who is an Alzheimer’s disease patient may be difficult, there are certainly ways to deal with this in a positive way. Remember to stay calm, clear, and supportive, and if necessary, place your loved one in an environment that does the same. Your support is what will keep you and your family going day to day.

 

The Benefits of Home Care for Seniors

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Why Home Care?

There is growing public demand for health care services that are available to the public in their own homes. The reasons have to do with tradition, with technology, and with cost effectiveness. Home care is the oldest form of healthcare – and it is also the “newest.”

Modern technology has developed to the point where many services that are available in the hospital can be provided at home. There is significant evidence that it is less costly than other forms of care, and that it is the most satisfying form of health care available to the American public. It is an idea whose time has come.

So…WHY HOME CARE?

• It is delivered at home. There are such positive feelings that all of us associate with being home. When we are not feeling well, most of us ask to go home. When we are feeling well, we enjoy the sanctity of our residences and the joy of being with our loved ones.

• Home care keeps families together. There is no more important social value. It is particularly important in times of illness.

• Home care serves to keep the elderly independent. None of us want to be totally dependent and helpless. With some assistance, seniors can continue to function as viable members of society.

• Home care prevents or postpones institutionalization. Few patients choose to be placed in a nursing home, unless it’s the only place where they can obtain the 24-hour care that they need.

• Home care promotes healing. There is abundant evidence that patients heal more quickly at home.

• Home care allows a maximum amount of freedom for the individual. Hospitals and nursing homes offer more regimented, regulated environments. Home care offers a reassuring, individualized setting.

• Home care is personalized care. Home care is tailored to the needs of each individual. It is delivered on a one-to-one basis.

• Home care involves the individual and the family in the care that is delivered. The patient and his family are taught to participate in their health care. They are taught how to get well, and how to stay that way.

• Home care reduces stress. Unlike most forms of health care which can increase anxiety and stress, home care frequently has the opposite effect.

• Home care is one of the most effective forms of health care. There is very high consumer satisfaction associated with care delivered in the home.

• Home care is an efficient form of health care. By bringing health services home, the patient does not generate board and room expenses. The patient and/or his family supply the food and tend to the individual’s other needs. Technology now has developed to the point where many services, once only available in a hospital, can be offered at home.

• Home care is given by special people. By and large, employees of home care agencies look at their work, not as a job or profession, but as a calling. Home care workers are highly trained and dedicated to their work.

• Home care is, in many cases, less expensive than other forms of care. The evidence is convincing that, for many services, home care is less expensive than other forms of care. In general, home care costs only one-tenth as much as hospitalization and only one-fourth as much as nursing home placement to deal with comparable health problems.

• Home care extends life. A study by the U.S. General Accounting Office has established that people receiving home care tend to live longer and have a better quality of life. Home care helps not only add years to life, but “life to years.”

• Home care is the preferred form of care, even for individuals who are terminally ill. There is a growing public acceptance and demand for hospice care, which is home care for individuals who are terminally ill.

Being at Home After a Stroke: Adjusting to the Change

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Going home to the old home or a new one is a big adjustment. For the stroke survivor, it may be hard to transfer the skills learned during rehabilitation to a new location. Also, more problems caused by the stroke may appear as the person tries to go back to old activities. During this time, the stroke survivor and family learn how the stroke will affect daily life and can make the necessary adjustments.

These adjustments are a physical and emotional challenge for the main caregiver as well as the stroke survivor. The caregiver has many new responsibilities and may not have time for some favorite activities. The caregiver needs support, understanding, and some time to rest. Caregiving that falls too heavily on one person can be very stressful. Even when family members and friends are nearby and willing to help, conflicts over caregiving can cause stress.

A stroke is always stressful for the family, but it is especially hard if one family member is the only caregiver. Much time may be required to meet the needs of the stroke survivor. Therefore, the caregiver needs as much support as possible from others. Working together eases the stress on everyone.

Tips for Reducing Stress
The following tips for reducing stress are for both caregivers and stroke survivors.

• Take stroke recovery and caregiving one day at a time and be hopeful.
• Remember that adjusting to the effects of stroke takes time. Appreciate each small gain as you discover better ways of doing things.
• Caregiving is learned. Expect that knowledge and skills will grow with experience.
• Experiment. Until you find what works for you, try new ways of doing activities of daily living, communicating with each other, scheduling the day, and organizing your social life.
• Plan for “breaks” so that you are not together all the time. This is a good way for family and friends to help on occasion. You can also plan activities that get both of you out of the house.
• Ask family members and friends to help in specific ways and commit to certain times to help. This gives others a chance to help in useful ways.
• Read about the experiences of other people in similar situations. Your public library has life stories by people who have had a stroke as well as books for caregivers.
• Join or start a support group for stroke survivors or caregivers. You can work on problems together and develop new friendships.
• Be kind to each other. If you sometimes feel irritated, this is natural and you don’t need to blame yourself. But don’t “take it out” on the other person. It often helps to talk about these feelings with a friend, rehabilitation professional, or support group.
• Plan and enjoy new experiences and don’t look back. Avoid comparing life as it is now with how it was before the stroke.

Memory Loss: An Inevitable Part of Aging?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

“I’ve lost my car keys…I must be getting Alzheimer’s disease.” “I can’t remember the name of the restaurant…I am having one of those ‘senior moments.’” How many times have you heard friends and family members utter these statements? How many times have you said the same things? People used to think that memory loss and confusion was a normal part of aging. Now, however, scientists know that most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take longer to remember things. Memory is a function of learning and recall. Everyone experiences some forgetfulness as they age. Memory complaints are common for people by the time they are in their 30’s and 40’s. Age-associated memory impairment is defined as a condition of someone over 50 who has a memory impairment demonstrated by at least one standard memory test and believes that they have experienced some memory changes. It is estimated that 40% of all people in their fifties have this condition, 50% in their sixties, and over 70% of people who are 70 and older have age-associated memory impairment. Without some form of intervention (brain exercises or, if needed medical evaluation and treatment), age-associated memory impairment could eventually lead to mild cognitive impairment. Those with mild cognitive impairment have problems with memory, language, or another mental function severe enough to be noticeable to other people and to show up on tests, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life. People with mild cognitive impairment have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease with each year that passes. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are things we can do to maintain our brains and memory. This includes eating a healthy diet, remaining socially involved, staying physically active, and staying mentally active.  If you feel that your loved one may be experiencing some cognitive imparment you can always use homecare to assist in caring for you aging loved one and to help provide social and mental stimulation.

Home Care Services: What type of services can a Home Care Agency Provide?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Home Care may be the right option for you and your family, many different services are offered in the comfort of your own home. Each client’s care needs are unique. Providing effective care in different circumstances demands different caregiver experience, skills, training, and even personality characteristics. Home Care services  should be tailored to match the right caregiver to the situation.

General Care & Living Assistance

Caregivers will provide assistance for the “activities of daily living” (sometimes known as ADLs). Assistance with these types of needs gives family members the ability to spend quality time with loved ones when they are together. Activities of daily living include:

• Personal care – bathing, grooming, dressing, meal-time assistance, medication reminders, toileting and incontinence care.
• Companionship and recreation – attending events, visits with friends, lunch and dinner outings, shopping and exploring hobbies and interests.
• Transportation and mobility – attending doctor’s appointments, errands to grocery, drug or other stores, light exercise and walking outdoors.
• Household tasks – light cleaning, changing of linens and making of beds, assistance with pets, and laundry.

24-Hour, Live-In Assistance

For our clients whose circumstances require 24-hour, live-in care, we typically provide our most experienced caregivers. There are two different options for live-in care.

• The first option is the most common whereby a caregiver spends 24-hours in your household with a full 8 hour overnight sleeping break and intermittent breaks throughout the day. The caregiver is available on an emergency basis during their sleeping break.
• The second option provides “awake and alert” care around the clock whereby a caregiver is available at all hours (with the exception of standard breaks). This care is typically handled in shifts of two (sometimes three) caregivers for clients that need frequent and constant attention throughout all hours of the day.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia requires a special understanding of these diseases to ensure safe and effective care. Our caregivers have Alzheimer’s and dementia care experience and training to ensure their preparation for the demands these circumstances place on both the individual receiving care and their family. 5 Star Home Care follows guidelines set forth by the Alzheimer’s Association and creates a Plan of Care that incorporates their training and recommendations for care.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease robs an otherwise healthy individual of the motor skills to perform their normal activities of daily living. Our care focuses on helping our clients maintain as much independence as possible in their normal daily routines by assisting with these tasks. Maximizing mobility and mental stimulation assists in keeping one’s quality of life intact to the greatest extent possible given the limits of the disease’s progression. If desired, our caregivers can work with client’s physical or occupational therapists to facilitate the exercises and movement that improves overall well being. Of equal importance, respite care for a family caregiver can restore energy with the rest required to meet the mental and physical challenges caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s.

Post Hospitalization/Surgery Recovery

It’s very common for seniors to have challenges with the activities of daily living that stem from surgery or other hospital stays. Many times these clients are used to taking care of themselves and view caregiving as an intrusion into their private lives. Our caregivers understand these frustrations and work diligently to provide the right care that maintains a client’s independence and mobility, while respecting their privacy and need for control over their environment. Assistance with meal preparation, bathing, grooming and transportation to frequent doctor visits helps ensure a speedy recovery to a more normal life after surgery.

Hospice-Related Care

Our clients often need to supplement the hospice care covered by Medicare with care from 5 Star Home Care in the remaining months of a loved one’s life. This more frequent care which can be performed on an hourly or 24-hour basis if necessary, provides family members with the comfort of knowing someone is present at all times with their loved one.

Aging Parents: Home Care vs. Assisted Living Facilities

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Home Care vs. Assisted Living Facilities

By 5 Star Home Care

Which is the best choice for your loved one?

Well all that may depend on your parent’s willingness to leave their home. It also may depend on the level of care that they may need.  The key is to get an assessment from both a reputable homecare agency and an assisted living facility; the key is to do as much research that you can so that you can help make the best decision for them. Find out what services that both can offer your parent. Then it would be time for you to make your own basic assessment to see which setting would be more suitable for your parent.

This may be one of the most important decisions that your parent will make in their lives. Where should they spend their Golden Years? In my experience it would seem clear to keep them in their own home as long as you possibly can. Your loved ones are always happier  at home and definitely more comfortable. Most home care agencies are able to provide care from a minimum of 4 hours per day up to 24 hours per day, depending on the clients needs. The good thing about the homecare setting is that your parent will receive the one on one care that they deserve.

Homecare providers are allowed to help with all activities of daily living from dressing, bathing, grooming and toileting to meal preparation, light housekeeping and running errands.  The assisted living facilities can provide the same care with the exception of the one on one personalized care. They may have ratios 1 caregiver to every 10-15 residents. That is definitely something to keep in mind before you make your decision.  Although there is no perfect solution relating to senior care homecare stands to be the most comprehensive approach.  For more information contact one of our 5 Star Home Care staff members at 404-719-4118.

 

Home Care in Atlanta

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County. 

Home care is a cost-effective service for individuals recuperating from a hospital stay and for those who, because of a functional or cognitive disability, are unable to take care of themselves. However, it should be noted that cost-effectiveness is not the only rationale for home care. Home care reinforces and supplements care provided by family members and friends and maintains the recipient’s dignity and independence, qualities that can be lost even in the best institutions. Home care also allows patients to take an active role in their care.

Respecting the Desire to Live Independently

5 Star Home Care brings the resources to our clients to ensure their needs are being met. Whether a few hours a day or long-term care 24 hours a day, a caregiver can assist you. All caregivers are thoroughly screened, extensively trained, insured and bonded, matched to your preferences, professional and reliable.

5 Star Home Care offers a wide variety of services, which may grow to include activities and support that are unique to you and your elderly loved one’s needs. Senior Services include the following and more – all tailored to meet your needs:

Companionship Social Activities & Life Engagement Projects Bathing, Dressing, Grooming Medication Reminders Transportation to Personal Appointments

Assistance with Errands & Shopping Meal Preparation Light Housekeeping & Laundry Range of Motion Exercise

All of our home care services are available on an hourly or live-in basis throughout the Atlanta area including Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Gwinett County. Let 5 Star Home Care help you keep your loved one independent, happy and in optimal health. For a free in home assessment please call us at 404-719-4118.

What is Respite Care for the Elderly?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Respite care is the provision of short-term, temporary relief to those who are caring for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home.

The term “short break” is often used in some countries to describe respite care.

Even though many families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without some support, such as respite. Respite provides the much needed temporary break from the often exhausting challenges faced by the family caregiver.

Respite is the service most often requested by family caregivers, yet it is in critically short supply, inaccessible, or unaffordable regardless of the age or disability of the individual needing assistance. While the focus has been on making sure families have the option of providing care at home, little attention has been paid to the needs of the family caregivers who make this possible.