CarePlus

Tag: aging in place

  • Depression in Older Adults

    Depression in Older Adults

    It’s Not Just “Getting Old” – Depression in Older Adults

    May is Mental Health Awareness month, and the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health cautions that, “Depression is a common problem among older adults, but it is NOT a normal part of aging.” This year, the theme is “you are not alone,” and friends, family and caretakers of older adults can support them by learning more about the issue. Understanding the symptoms, some potential causes, side effects of medication, and beneficial treatments are critical to supporting our loved ones who may be suffering needlessly.

    Hiding in Plain Sight – Disguised Symptoms

    As people age, their energy, sleep, attention span, appetite and other factors evolve. This may be a natural progression, or they may be key indicators that someone is suffering from a mental health challenge. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, physical symptoms include “chronic joint pain, limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, tiredness, sleep disturbances, psychomotor activity changes, and appetite changes.” The Harvard Health Blog also notes that “depression can … impair your attention and memory, as well as your information processing and decision-making skills.” If an older person is showing these symptoms, they should have their mental health evaluated for possible treatment.

    Potential Causes

    Depression is a complicated condition, and it has a variety of causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, depression can be a chemical imbalance in the brain brought on by situations, genetics, hormones, other medications and a variety of additional factors. Older adults are particularly at risk for some situational causes such as grief, isolation, and physical pain. Aging itself can be a difficult transition for some people to accept. If an older adult is going through a potential trigger for depression, it’s important to monitor their mental health for signs of depression.

    Side effects of Medication

    Medications seem to be an inevitable part of the aging process. Whether it’s treatment for another condition that has been known to cause depression (e.g. beta-blockers and Parkinson’s medication), or side effects of anti-depressant medications themselves (e.g. sedation), an older adult taking medication should be confirming the potential side effects of their prescriptions, and advising their provider of all medications being taken. Today’s Geriatric Medicine notes that older adults have diminished function of some organs and their immune system, so they need to be particularly cautious about medication.

    Beneficial Treatment

    In addition to medication, there are excellent therapies that can treat depression. Individual and group counseling can have a significant effect on depression as well as introduce an additional trained professional to monitor the situation. Exercise, sunlight, and vitamin D have been shown to help alleviate depression as well. For serious cases, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electroconvulsive Therapy and hospitalization are options. If a person is suffering from depression, they should confer with their medical provider about options and referrals for treatment.

    At CarePlus, our staff are trained to recognize the symptoms of depression, and to support aging adults with medication reminders, meals, exercise, and their healthcare appointments. To get started, call us today at 301-740-8870 or email us at info@careplusinc.com to discuss your needs.

  • Five Reasons You May Need Home Care Nursing or In-Home Care

    Five Reasons You May Need Home Care Nursing or In-Home Care

    According to the CDC, as of 2016 in the United States, there were an estimated 4,600 adult day services centers, 12,200 home health agencies, 4,300 hospices, 15,600 nursing homes, and 28,900 residential care communities. 

    Caregivers are making the difficult choice of placing their loved ones in nursing homes every day. It is a challenging but an important decision to make.

    Certain factors should be considered before putting your elderly loved one in a nursing home:

    1. They are no longer able to take care of themselves: Everyday tasks are no longer possible for them. They cannot feed themselves, use the restroom by themselves, brush their teeth, or do personal hygiene by themselves. They cannot bathe, walk, stand, or lay down without assistance. Additionally, they cannot cook their own meals or keep their home clean. They are sometimes confused, forgetful, and cannot keep to a daily routine.
    2. Constant care can be overwhelming: Caregiving is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year responsibility. It can be emotionally draining for everyone and eventually trigger health issues. Caregiving is added to our own daily responsibilities such as family, career, and community. Even though you love them and want to care for them, the daily caregiving grind is wearing you down and eventually, the exhaustion from juggling all these responsibilities may take its toll as you lose focus and make mistakes in your care of them. Your elderly loved one may also see you in an angry mood and that will adversely affect their mood and health. It is a domino effect, but there are in-home care options for loved ones so you are not alone in caring for them.
    3. You don’t live in the area: You may want to care for them but you live too far away to do it on a regular basis. Your obligations to your family and career get in the way of you being a consistent caregiver in their life.
    4. They need professional care: Elderly patients with serious medical conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s need professional care, 24/7/365. They may also be on certain medications and require nursing care that you cannot provide.
    5. You have tried everything else: Your own caregiving may be helpful and compassionate, but it is not the best solution to your loved one’s unique and, perhaps, complex needs. After researching and asking around, you conclude that in spite of all that you are doing, it isn’t enough. Your loved one needs comprehensive, professional care.

    Now, maybe it’s time to place them in the care of a licensed, trained, and compassionate in-home caregiver or at a nursing home. Please, don’t wait until it is too late.  If you need a safety assessment or have questions about your loved one, call us at (301) 740-8870.

    CarePlus Home Health, Inc. has experienced and compassionate home health caregivers.  We offer home care in Montgomery County, MD and the surrounding areas.

     

  • In Home Care, Part of the Parkinson’s Care Plan

    In Home Care, Part of the Parkinson’s Care Plan

    If your older loved one has Parkinson’s Disease, their need for practical and emotional support will increase over the years. You may be devoting much of your time to caring for them now, or both of you may be wondering about how realistic it is to try to keep them at home. But with the right preparation and planning, home care can be a strong alternative to a group or institutional setting; many people with Parkinson’s remain healthier and safer at home.

    Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disease caused by the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical the brain uses to direct physical movement. Without these cells, the body can’t produce dopamine; without dopamine, the brain can’t tell the body how to move. This eventually leads to tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and impaired balance. It can also cause skin problems, sleep disruption, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and depression.

    The symptoms vary widely from person to person, and there is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease directly. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is based on the symptoms above, the person’s medical history, and a neurological and physical examination. Many of the lab tests and imaging scans that doctors perform when looking for Parkinson’s actually eliminate other possible causes of the symptoms, narrowing the diagnosis down to Parkinson’s.

    A doctor may even prescribe one of the medications used to treat Parkinson’s, carbidopa-levodopa, as one step toward determining if the person has the disease. If the person’s symptoms are consistent with Parkinson’s and tests eliminate other diseases, and if the person improves while taking carbidopa-levodopa, then a doctor will confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

    There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but medications and other therapies can ease symptoms radically and restore the quality of life to a very great degree for many years. Levodopa converts to dopamine if it is introduced directly into the system; carbidopa prevents it from converting too soon. Other medications do not convert, but mimic the effects of dopamine or slow the breakdown of dopamine. Still, others address symptoms like tremors directly. The Mayo Clinic explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of Parkinson’s Disease very simply and clearly on their website.

    The longer a person has the disease, the more pronounced the symptoms become and the harder they are to control. Therefore, the older a person is, the more difficulty their Parkinson’s may cause. When the disease is advanced, the support the person needs can put a lot of pressure on the family and badly tax family caregivers. This is where home care services come in.

    Home care services cover such a range of tasks that they are easily adjusted to the level of need of the care recipient. At first, a caregiver can simply run errands, shop for groceries, tidy up the house, and drive the person who has Parkinson’s to doctor appointments and physical and occupational therapy. They can keep an eye on home safety and help the person get around the house. Once a Parkinson’s plan is initiated, a caregiver can help with walking, stretching, and other prescribed exercises and remind the person when to take medications, as well as plan and prepare healthy meals that strengthen muscles and bones.

    When mobility becomes more limited, a home caregiver can help with routine daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. A skilled caregiver is sensitive to the way that Parkinson’s and other diseases can slow a person’s pace and can help with essentials while respecting privacy and the need for a normal routine. At any level of severity in symptoms, a professional home caregiver can relieve overtaxed family caregivers who need a break or free time to pursue their own self-care.

    In-home care is often a better alternative than assisted living or a skilled nursing facility. First of all, it is home, a familiar and emotionally secure environment. Your loved one’s home may need some minor alterations to make it physically safe for them, such as non-slip pads or double-sided rug tape under the rugs, generous lighting in all entryways, passages, and rooms, secure handrails and second rails on stairways, and grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or tub. But these are routine precautions for many older adults who stay at home and usually are not difficult to adjust. In exchange, your older loved one will be surrounded by the people and things that mean most.

    While assisted living and skilled nursing facilities have multiple medical personnel available around the clock, a home care provider may actually be more focused on your older loved one. With only one, or perhaps two, people to care for, a professional home caregiver is less likely to mix up medications, give the wrong dose, miss a dose, or be called away to an emergency before completing a task. A caregiver with one person to focus on is more likely to notice changes in the way medications are affecting an older adult or how long they are lasting. Best of all, a professional home caregiver is easily located and more available to talk with family members about changes in symptoms and emotions that the family notices. The family doesn’t have to leave multiple messages or look around the facility to locate the care provider.

    Finally, a professional caregiver, however much they like and respect the older person in their care, can be more objective exactly because they are professional and because they have not known the person all their lives. A good home caregiver can be a good sounding board for the family’s concerns and anxieties and provide a steadying influence while the family and the older adult adjust to changes and new limitations.

    CarePlus provides comprehensive in-home services for assisted daily living and offers a specialized program for older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Our caregivers can help with lifestyle strategies, nutrition and daily living, physical stability, mobility and exercise, and fall prevention, as well as building confidence and perspective and connecting the older adult with others in their situation and with community programs.

    Helping older adults remain at home is our passion. For the past 25 years, we have taken pride in helping our clients in Montgomery County and the surrounding area age in place with excellent services provided by highly trained, trustworthy and compassionate caregivers. Call us today at 301-740-8870 or email us at info@careplusinc.com to discuss your needs.

  • Living. Independence. Arthritis. We Got This!

    Living. Independence. Arthritis. We Got This!

    The natural progression of aging often results in slowing down in speed, limiting the range of motion, lessening flexibility, and more challenges with everyday tasks. A diagnosis of arthritis may complicate the aging process due to its impact of pain and inflammation. An in-home caregiver may be the solution to the burden of simple everyday tasks, medication management, quality of life, and living independently.

    With arthritis, it may hurt to stand, to walk, to reach for dishes, clean pots, and even open the fridge door. Pain presents difficulties for self-care, including meal prep, bathing, driving, or laundry. In some cases, extra support may be needed for those diagnosed with arthritis to maintain aging in place and living independently. Living independently with arthritis may look a little different, but with the right caregiver and the proper level of support, individuals can maintain their independence and promote their health and wellness.

    Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can be caused by wear and tear of cartilage, which normally acts as a shock absorber as we walk, run, and otherwise move through our daily lives, but it can also be triggered by an autoimmune disease or infection.

    According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis1. The types most likely to affect the older person in your life are Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, a chronic condition in which the cartilage that usually prevents joint bones from rubbing together breaks down, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, an inflammation of the lining of the joints. Both of these types cause stiffness, loss of movement, and pain which can lead to disability.

    There is no cure for arthritis at this time, but there are ways to manage the inflammation and pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some Do’s & Don’ts for better management2. By taking a multifaceted approach to management including drug therapy, physical therapy, exercise, a healthy diet, and proper sleep habits, there is a greater likelihood of reducing pain, improving mobility, and preventing further joint damage.

    According to the Arthritis Foundation, the key to living with arthritis is self-management. The people who are most successful eat a balanced diet with an emphasis on particular foods, engage regularly in low-impact and range-of-motion exercise, practice healthy sleep habits, and manage their pain, not only with medication, but also with non-medical techniques and natural therapies like heat, ice, water, and massage therapies.

    All of these disciplines become more difficult as we age. For those older people contending with memory issues, therapy can be more challenging. Home care service agencies can help set up a program for an older loved one and provide a trained caregiver to ease confronting each and every day.

    People with arthritis need to increase the proportion of fruits and vegetables in their diet, eat more fish and less red meat, and eat more foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Your home care service provider can buy the foods known to reduce inflammation, avoid the foods that increase it, and prepare regular, healthy arthritis-friendly meals that won’t aggravate your loved one’s pain.

    Exercise relieves stiffness, reduces pain and the fatigue it causes, and increases muscle and bone strength. Appropriate exercises may include low-impact aerobics, strength training, and range-of-motion exercises. If surgery like a knee replacement or hip replacement is recommended, a home care provider can be available to assist with housekeeping tasks during pre-surgery preparation or a transition from the hospital, and help with simple exercises that support an older person to recover and regain mobility.

    Sleep is also important for joint health and pain management. A home care provider can help make and maintain small changes that support sleep like keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet, helping an older person avoid evening exertion that might keep them awake, or helping an arthritis sufferer into a warm bath before bedtime.

    Home care services include many other ordinary tasks that remain too painful for an older person with severe arthritis to do. These include:

    • Bathing
    • Dressing
    • Personal Hygiene
    • Housekeeping and laundry
    • Transportation and escorts to appointments
    • Coordination with various providers and agencies

    In addition, a home care service provider introduces a new source of companionship and emotional support, not only for the older person with arthritis, but also for their family.

    Also, as one ages, the risk of falling increases. According to the CDC, each year over 300,000 older people—those 65 and older—are hospitalized for hip fractures3. Thus, taking extra precautions around the home to avoid falls is essential. A caregiver can help to remove fall risks for families including clutter, rugs, clearing walkways, especially to the bathroom for evenings, tripping over cords and assess proper shoes. 

    We want to make our clients more comfortable physically and provide fall prevention.

    If you have questions about home care for an older loved one with arthritis or if you are looking for a home caregiver in Montgomery County, feel free to contact us at (301) 740-8870. Or use the contact form on this web site.

    References:

    1 https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/understanding/types-of-pain.php

    2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20046440

    3 https://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adulthipfx.html

     

  • Elder Care, Assisted Daily Living, and Aging in Place

    Elder Care, Assisted Daily Living, and Aging in Place

    You may have begun to wonder if your older loved one needs professional elder care. They often don’t answer the phone, even when you’re certain they’re home, and when they do, they seem confused. They miss medications and doctor’s appointments. They don’t seem to cook much anymore, and they leave dishes in the sink too long.

    If you work or you don’t live with your loved one, you may not feel that it’s safe for them to spend too much time alone. And if you’re there most of the time, there may be limits to what you can do yourself. What will it be like to have people outside of the family inside your loved one’s home? How can you prepare?

    There’s a lot you can do to make daily life safer and healthier for your loved one while you research elder care options. Spring is a great time to start house cleaning and home renovations that will make it safe for your loved one to move around the house.

    1. Clear the way for your loved one to move. Ensure that there’s a 36-inch passage through all parts of the house. Both outside and inside doors should open all the way. Talk to your loved one about decluttering and discuss respectfully anything you think is ready to go.
    2. Help prevent falls. Secure rugs with non-slip pads or double-sided rug tape. Make sure all entryways, passages, rooms, and the garage are properly lighted. Make sure that all handrails are secure, and have second railings installed on the stairways. Have grab bars professionally installed near the toilet and in the shower or tub, install non-slip strips, and remove soap build-up frequently. Check out agencies in your area to see if there’s a fall prevention class, and talk to your loved one about taking them to it so that they can be more independent about ensuring their own safety. The Mayo Clinic provides simple tips to prevent falls as well.
    3. If cluttering has turned to hoarding, get professional help (also available at CarePlus). Hoarding is an illness that is not helped by throwing everything away.
    4. Prepare for emergencies. Place a lamp and a telephone near the bed. At least one window, as well as the door, in every room, should be easily reachable in case of fire.
    5. Do a reality check about driving. If your loved one still drives and you’re doubtful, talk about changes in their driving skills. Are they reluctant to drive at night or on the highway? Are they no longer comfortable making left turns? If a discussion or a doctor’s visit suggests that it’s getting time for them to give up driving, help them plan ahead. What transportation is available and which do they prefer? How will they get to each place they need to go?

    Once you’ve done all you can, professional home care providers can help with daily chores. Consider home care. It allows your loved one to continue living the life they want in their own home and provides an additional source of emotional support.

    1. For an older loved one who is still ambulatory, a home care provider will make the meals, wash the dishes, tidy the house—removing obstacles and reducing the risks of falling—do laundry and other light house cleanings, remind your loved one when it’s time to take medications and drive them to appointments, grocery stores, and social activities.
    2. Some care providers can help your loved one with strength, stamina, and range of motion exercises that will help them stay stronger, longer.

    Your loved one may need more advanced assisted living services and physical support to remain at home.

    1. Home care can include helping your loved one eat, as well as preparing the meal, helping them in and out of bed or lifting them to change position in bed, bathing and dressing them, and assisting with difficult issues like incontinence.
    2. Agencies like CarePlus, Inc. can expand all these services into 24-hour assistance. Staying overnight in your loved one’s home allows caregivers to respond to sundowning episodes and track changes in thinking or behavior.

    Turning this work over to professionals actually gives your older loved one more dignity and clears the way for you and your loved one to focus on the personal relationship rather than practicalities.

    CarePlus, Inc. has been providing excellent home-based elder care services to Montgomery County and the surrounding area for the past 20 years. We take pride in the highly trained, trustworthy and compassionate caregivers who work with us. Contact us for more information!

  • Putting Families First: 24 Hour Programs for Montgomery County Seniors

    Putting Families First: 24 Hour Programs for Montgomery County Seniors

    Who’s going to care for your loved one around the clock? CarePlus is here to help.

    Our 24 Hour Care Program provides care for individuals who need around the clock care.

    Guy B. shares his experience at CarePlus Home Health:

    “I’m living here and my wife is here with me. She’s ill and she’s being taken care of by CarePlus, which I’m very happy about. They have done such an outstanding job for me since I was here.

     I’ve had my wife in two or three different places, to be taken care of and they never took care of her like you folks do. So I’m just excited about the fact that she’s happy and she seems to be getting along. This disease she has, mental disease, is not curable but she seems to be happy in her whereabouts and so that makes me happy.

    My life has changed ever since I came into your care, with CarePlus. It’s made me realize that there are decent people around who can take care of sick people and do a fantastic job like you do.”

    At CarePlus Home Health Inc., home care is our passion.  At CarePlus we recognize all our clients and value the importance of the service we provide. It is imperative to make the right fit for your family.  For the past 20 years, we have provided our clients in Montgomery County, MD and the surrounding areas with excellence, compassion and understanding. Our mission, to provide professional, compassionate care to individuals, while maintaining their independence and quality of life, in their home or community settings.

    If you are interested in learning more about our home care services including:  assisted daily living services,  bathing, companionship, dressing, exercises, grocery shopping, housekeeping/laundry and live-in support – please contact us at (301) 740-8870 or info@careplusinc.com.

     

     

  • Putting Families First: Home Care Assisted Daily Living for Gaithersburg Seniors

    Putting Families First: Home Care Assisted Daily Living for Gaithersburg Seniors

    Home care services may include assisted daily living, advanced care and special programs for families who have a family in need. The trend in care for independent living and aging in place, is to provide compassionate, responsive and dependable care for seniors in their home. 

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It is the trend as many seniors prefer staying in their home where it is safe, familiar and comfortable.”    

    Our own home care resident, Ann Hill, shares her feedback.

    “My name is Ann Hill. Agartha is my aide, and she is very, very helpful. I really like working with her. She’s pleasant, and helpful, and does many things for me such as: give me a shower, do the laundry, clean up the bathroom.”

    At CarePlus Home Health Inc., home care is our passion.  At CarePlus we recognize all our clients and value the importance of the service we provide. It is imperative to make the right fit for your family.  For the past 20 years, we have provided our clients in Montgomery County, MD and the surrounding areas with excellence, compassion and understanding. Our mission, to provide professional, compassionate care to individuals, while maintaining their independence and quality of life, in their home or community settings.

    If you are interested in learning more about our home care services including:  assisted daily living services,  bathing, companionship, dressing, exercises, grocery shopping, housekeeping/laundry and live-in support – please contact us at (301) 740-8870 or info@careplusinc.com.