CarePlus

Tag: inhome care

  • Aging in Place With Alzheimer’s

    Aging in Place With Alzheimer’s

    As an increasing percentage of the aging population elects to remain age in place, issues that arise with aging become an important factor in maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle while remaining at home. Alzheimer’s is a disease that occurs most often in people 65 and older, and its progressive symptoms can have a devastating effect on the life of the person suffering from the disease as well as their loved ones. There are a few important measures that can be taken to make living at home a viable, long-term option.

    Know the Signs of Alzheimer’s

    Rather than being caught in a crisis because the disease has progressed without treatment or other measures to alleviate the problem, people over the age of 65 should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. According to the National Institute of Aging (part of the National Institutes of Health), some of the signs of mild Alzheimer’s include:

    • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
    • Poor judgment,  leading to bad decisions
    • Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
    • Losing track of dates or knowing current location
    • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
    • Repeating questions or forgetting recently learned information
    • Trouble handling money and paying bills
    • Challenges in planning or solving problems
    • Wandering and getting lost
    • Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
    • Difficulty completing tasks such as bathing
    • Mood and personality changes
    • Increased anxiety and/or aggression

    If you or a person you love is exhibiting several of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. An early diagnosis brings a range of benefits, from medical treatment to slow the progression of the disease to additional time and space to cope with the changes that come with dementia and other aspects of Alzheimer’s.

    Prepare the Home for Changing Needs

    Older people with Alzheimer’s don’t all manifest their disease in the same way. However, being aware of the existing or possible symptoms following a diagnosis makes it easier to assess the needs of the person and make changes in the home for increased comfort and safety. Installing safety bars in the bathroom, changing door knobs to levers and thinking strategically about locks, and rearranging closets, storage, and kitchens to make it easier to access regularly used items are some of the adjustments that may take some getting used to. As such, it is better to do them as soon as possible so that the person with Alzheimer’s can get accustomed to the changes. If you aren’t sure about what changes are a good idea, work with a professional to have a home safety assessment.

    Set Up Routines

    For both the person with Alzheimer’s and their caretakers and loved ones, the diminishing capacity to plan and execute on activities of daily living can impact health, safety, and comfort. By establishing routines around medication (sorting out doses and planning when to take it), bathing, eating, and other critical activities, the household becomes a stable environment that can be a source of comfort and familiarity for the person with Alzheimer’s and also makes it easier for primary caretakers to get occasional assistance. Writing down the routines and sticking to them gives the household more time for other activities that bring meaning and pleasure.

    Get Support

    Alzheimer’s is a devastating illness that impacts the life of patients and their loved ones. As the disease progresses, it can become increasingly necessary to help the patient with many aspects of their life. Meanwhile, the cognitive decline and emotional changes in the patient can be incredibly difficult. Families who want to allow their loved ones to stay at home should plan for the challenge by thinking of ways to get support. This can include letting neighbors know about the diagnosis so they can keep an eye out for the patient should they wander off. It can also include seeking respite care – which is available through local government agencies like The Arc Montgomery County or through professional providers with expertise in memory care.

    CarePlus provides a full range of homecare services to people in Montgomery County and surrounding areas. With caregivers trained in memory care, our team is able to offer compassionate, professional care that assures the safety and comfort of a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s. We can begin with a complimentary in-home safety assessment. Contact us today to learn how we can be of service.

  • Six Ways to Practice Fall Prevention During Home Falls Prevention Awareness Week (9/21-25, 2020)

    Six Ways to Practice Fall Prevention During Home Falls Prevention Awareness Week (9/21-25, 2020)

    We have all fallen and, perhaps, scratched a knee or dislocated a shoulder. It wasn’t a serious problem and we recovered. 

    However, for a senior, a fall can be serious, even fatal. Falls can diminish functions, cause loss of mobility, limit activities, fracture the hip, humerus, pelvis, and forearm. Based on CDC 2018 data, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults 65 and older. The age-adjusted fall death rate is 64 deaths per 100,000 older adults, which is an almost 30% increase since 2009. The fastest-growing rate was among adults 85 and older.

    Falls Prevention Awareness Week is September 21-25, 2020. This is the perfect time to decrease the risk of falls by seniors by taking preventative measures that reduce risk factors. Here are several steps you can take during this week:

    1. Home safety measures: Install a stairlift, add more lighting, add motion-activated night light, clap on overhead lights, and motion-activated lamps. Make a risk zone list of places in the home where they may fall then commit these to memory. Stay away from these areas or take fall prevention measures to reduce the risk. 
    2. Install bed rails: Getting in and out of bed can be risky for some seniors. Bed rails reduce the chances of falling and also a way of anchoring them when they are ready to get out of bed. 
    3. Install bathroom safety accessories: The bathroom is the most dangerous place for seniors, especially due to wet floors. The addition of support bars next to the toilet and sink, non-slip rubber mats in the tub and front of the tub will make bathing much safer. 
    4. Walk-in tub: These types of tubs are much safer by allowing seniors to walk in and out without lifting their feet up and over the siding of a traditional tub. They can sit inside the tub and bathe as usual. 
    5. Wear practical shoes: Shoes that are at an angle or sit high can put them at a greater risk of falling. They can be difficult to walk in and are a fall risk. Instead, purchase slip-on shoes with arch support, and can be slipped on while standing or sitting.
    6. Speak openly with family and friends: There needs to be an open and honest conversation with the senior, their family, and caretakers. By setting up a communication system, everyone can work together to prevent falls. Have the grandchildren keep high-traffic areas clean and give the senior a cell phone they can use to contact them quickly. Lastly, the family should stop by as often as possible to check in on them. 

    Fall prevention is a team effort with family, caretakers, neighbors, and the seniors working together so they are safe. Use common sense and consult their physician on all safety measures that can be taken. All it takes are a few equipment installations and creating an efficient communication system to provide a safer home for your aging loved one. 

    CarePlus Home Health is one of Montgomery County, Maryland’s, most experienced home care agencies, providing assisted daily living, skilled nursing, 24-hour care, and stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s care. Our mission is to give professional and compassionate care to individuals, while helping them maintain their independence and quality of life, either in their home or in community settings. Please feel welcome to call us at 301-740-8870 or use our contact form to discuss your home care needs or those of an older loved one.