aging loved one Archives - Ella Home Care

October 22, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

6 Signs That an Aging Adult May Need a Professional Caregiver

It can be hard to come to terms with the fact that an aging loved one may need the help of an in home caregiver to assist them with essential daily tasks. We all want to believe that our parents, or other extended family will always be capable of caring for themselves and living independently, safely. Unfortunately, that is often not the case.

Sooner or later it’s likely that your loved one will need some form of professional care to remain in their home as long as possible. And it’s in everyone’s best interest to see they get the help they deserve early, before an accident or worse could take place. Let’s explore some of the most common signs that this time has come.

They are unable to keep up with their hygiene.

When you visit your loved one, you likely take notice of their appearance and personal hygiene. Do they appear to have recently showered? Are their clothes clean? How do their hair, skin, and nails look? If any of these appear below the standard of care you would wish for them, this is where a professional caregiver, even just a few days a week, can step in to be of assistance.

The house is becoming unkempt.

Again, another thing to note when you visit is the state of their home. A little clutter here and there is perfectly natural (for all of us). But should you start to notice things like dishes piling up, expired food sitting out, excess dust and dirt on surfaces, or strange odors, it may be time to talk to a professional home care company about your options. More than just hiring a housekeeper to keep things neat, a professional caregiver can assist with these tasks, plus care for the mental and emotional wellness of your loved one.

They are showing signs of forgetfulness.

Forgetfulness is common as we age. Minor things here and there are hardly cause for concern. Where it does become concerning is when important, and potentially dangerous, things are being overlooked. For example, missing a doctor’s appointment repeatedly can have serious health consequences, as can forgetting to take medication as prescribed. Additionally, forgetfulness can lead to dangers like forgetting to turn off the stove, or checking food for expiration dates. This is where the extra eyes and hands of a professional caregiver can really help.

Accidents and injuries are becoming more frequent.

Life should not be spent waiting for that next dreaded phone call that your loved one had an accident and it resulted in a broken bone, or major injury. When such incidents appear to be coming on more frequently, it’s time to take immediate action. It is well worth being proactive and seeking professional care to assist your loved one throughout the day so that your heart doesn’t sink every time your phone rings.

They express loneliness.

Let’s talk about the emotional side of caregiving for a moment. Even if your loved one appears perfectly fine to care for themselves physically, how are they doing emotionally? Do you they receive regular face-to-face interaction from other people? Do they have the ability to get out of the home and enjoy activities? No one wants to feel shut in their own home. This leads to depression and an overall pool quality of life. With the help of a professional caregiver, your loved one will have regular social interaction and assistance to get them out of the home when desired.

You worry about them often.

Finally, and most importantly, if you feel like hours of your day are spent thinking – and worrying – about your loved one, then it’s time to put a system in place to give you back peace of mind. Knowing your loved one is being seen regularly and receiving professional care will allow you to be fully present in your own life, and enjoy the time you get to spend with that loved one.

Do you or someone you know show one or more of these signs? It might be time to have a conversation with a home care agency who can offer you advice and options.

Contact Ella Home Care today!

March 13, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

8 Springtime Activities for People with Limited Mobility

For most people, warmer spring weather brings with it the opportunity to get outside and get active – enjoying activities like running, biking, and hiking. But for people with limited mobility, such activities bring challenges and limitations.

If you have an aging loved one with physical limitations, just know that there are still many springtime activities that can keep them active and bring joy to their lives – you just have to get creative! Take a look at some of our favorite springtime activities for people with limited mobility.

Fresh Air and New Scenery

Among the biggest joys of spring is simply fresh air and new scenery. As the weather warms, this provides the opportunity to get outside – but it doesn’t have to take you far! For those with limited mobility, driving to a local park and finding a nearby bench will still offer the fresh air and new sights, without the demands of physically walking there. Another alternative is enjoying outdoor time on your own property by setting up chairs on your porch or in your backyard.

Counting Wildlife

One activity that will let you enjoy nature, even if you can’t get outside, is counting wildlife. The best way to enjoy this activity is to install a bird feeder near a window. As your wildlife friends pay a visit each day, get to know them. Make note of the birds and squirrels who stop by, what they look like and possibly even give them their own names. Journaling this activity will give you a fun memory to look back on.

Coloring Springtime Pictures

When spring showers hit, you’ll need some activities that can take place indoors – which is great for people with limited mobility. One of the biggest trends right now is adult coloring books. These coloring books feature beautiful, intricate images which you can then color with colored pencils. This season, look for springtime inspired coloring books that capture the beauty of nature, even if you’re stuck indoors.

Flower Arranging

If your aging loved one is experiencing limited mobility and can’t get outdoors, offer to bring a small gift of spring to them. Grow and purchase a variety of flowers (loose, not in a bouquet) and as part of your visit, arrange these flowers in a vase. Work together, taking turns, to place a flower wherever you want it. The collaboration of styles will create a fond memory your loved one can enjoy for weeks to come.

Visual Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a great activity to get people up and moving, but for those with limited mobility, a visual scavenger hunt can be just as enjoyable. Help create a list of creative (even tricky!) items that you’re likely to see out the windows of your loved one’s home. Be specific, so instead of just “bird” say “Robin.” This will help to keep the activity lasting longer and will provide your loved one with someone to fill their time, and get them gazing outside, for hours.

Spring Cookie Decorating

Are you looking for an activity that will also result in a delicious treat? Cookie decorating is the perfect idea! You can choose to bake your cookies in advance and bring them over, or make baking part of the activity. Then, enjoy slowly decorating each cookie with a variety of colors and elements that turns each one into a springtime masterpiece! Be sure to remember the coffee or tea, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor together.

Reading Together

This is another great activity for a rainy, spring day. Read together! Your loved one may do a lot of reading on his or her own, but how often do they get to share this joy with someone else? Take turns reading their favorite short story, or a chapter from a book aloud. This activity will create a wonderful memory and also stimulate them mentally.

Spring Greeting Cards

As a final activity you may wish you try with an aging loved one with limited mobility, consider making spring greeting cards. Think of family, friends, or neighbors who may enjoy such a card and work together to create a unique springtime design on the front. Then, complete it with a sweet message from you both. Allow your loved one to sign, seal, and stamp the envelopes. Then place them in the mailbox.

What activity will you try with your aging loved one this spring? Or do you have another idea to share? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment!

March 6, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Tips for Helping Senior Adults Manage Their Finances

The management of finances is critical at every part of our adult lives. With each new season, we must learn to budget, save and spend in responsible ways to ensure all of our needs are met and that we are planning for the future. As an aging adult, financial matters can become more complicated with retirement and a fixed income, and the possibility of mental limitations that create a whole new set of challenges surrounding financial matters.

The good news is there is much help available for seniors and financial planning/managing. You just need to know where to look and have help to plan ahead! Here are our top five tips for senior adults who need assistance managing their finances.

Have a clear understanding of your financial situation.

To start, you must give all of your financial matters a fresh look. This includes everything from income, assets, and investments, to expenses and debt. It’s important to have a clear picture before you can properly move forward with planning out your finances long-term. Also, this gives you the opportunity to audit any expenses that could be eliminated or reduced. You will never regret the regular review of your finances – and the money it can save you in doing so.

Automate things as much as possible.

Now with a clear understanding of your financial situation, you should work to automate things for your loved one’s accounts, such as payments. Most banks and utility companies will allow you to connect accounts or do online bill pay to simplify monthly bills and expenses. The more you can automate these items and take them off your plate, the more peace of mind you will have that things are being paid correctly and on time, even if you or your loved one cannot manage them on a weekly or monthly basis.

Ensure accounts and documents are up to date.

Another important tip is to assess each account (bank, utility, wills, deeds, etc.) to ensure they have the appropriate names, addresses, and executors assigned to each. You might be surprised by the last time you did this! Going forward, make it a priority to keep these important items up to date. Setting a calendar reminder is a great tool to make sure this task doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Have checks and balances.

If you are overseeing the finances of an aging loved one, it’s important that you have checks and balances in place so everything is on the up-and-up. This will protect both you and your loved one. For example, assign at least two people as administrators of a bank account – you and another trusted family member. Because you will both then receive regular bank statements, you will have the transparency, and peace of mind of all activity taking place. Apply this same principle for every type of financial account your loved one has.

Seek outside help.

The simple truth is, there are many, many things in life in which we will need the help of someone else. Financial matters are no different. If you, or an aging loved one, are struggling to properly manage finances, there is no shame in seeking outside help from a professional. A CPA, tax attorney or lawyer can help you in a variety of ways when it comes to overseeing your finances, estate, wills, and other important documents. They will help keep things up to date and take any worry off your mind, so you can enjoy time spent with family – not worring about finances!

What tip do you find most useful for helping senior adults manage their finances? Do you have another tip to offer? Share your insight by leaving a comment below!

February 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

Both technology and healthcare are changing at rapid rates for our country. With these changes come opportunity for growth and development, especially for in-home care. As we move into 2019, there are some important new trends that are sure to change the way we view and use in-home care. The good news is these trends are likely to make in-home care more accessible for our aging loved ones so that they can fulfill their desire to age gracefully and comfortably in their home. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Embracing the Use of “Wearables”

Home monitoring devices or “wearables” will increasingly provide a broad range of health care options for older adults, their caretakers, and their health care providers. Beyond basic medical alert devices, like Life Alert, technology has advanced into the monitoring of chronic conditions. For example, EKGs have been implanted in smartphones and can be activated along with pocket-sized electrodes when patients begin to experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Additionally, diabetes monitors can provide patients with real-time glucose levels. Technology is now looking to expand into a next level of sensors that may provide physicians with information about diet, activity levels and stress to provide a complete picture of a patient’s condition.

Interacting with Technology

With the recent surge of in-home, interactive technology such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, more and more seniors are benefitting from the use of this technology. Through a variety of apps, they can track and record their own daily health notes, have easier access to call a family member or alert 911 in a time of need, and can use the device for entertainment. While technology will never replace the need for interaction with other people, Alexa and Google Home can provide just one more way aging adults can feel connected to the world around them, even if they may not be able to get out as frequently as they would like.

Increasing Value for In-Home Care

Hospitals and health systems now, more than ever before, have realized the extreme value that in-home care provides. Patients who have the support of in-home care are less likely to have an accident or medical emergency when they have the oversight of regular in-home care. In return, this reduces the patient’s risk of needing to receive emergency care from a hospital. Even when a patient does need to seek care from a hospital, upon return to their home, they have a better chance of smooth recovery with help at home. For these reasons hospitals and health systems realize the value in-home care plays in the full spectrum of continuing care.

Growing Demand for Caregivers

And with the increased value of in-home care, demand is on the rise as well. As a result, the demand for professional caregivers is also growing. This demand is sure to re-shape in-home care as organizations who provide such care must change the way in which they recruit and retain quality caregivers. Additionally, for those passionate about pursuing a career as a caregiver, there will be more opportunity to work in this field and help serve others.

Combined, these trends stand to have a large impact on in-home care both now and well into the future. As technology continues to change at a rapid rate, and other health systems as well as individuals recognize the value that in-home care provides, there is room for substantial growth for the home health industry. Regardless of where the future leads us, what’s most important is that all organizations and industries who serve our aging community seek collaborative solutions to increase the quality of life for our senior adults.

What trend do you find most promising or interesting?

January 3, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

With the start of the New Year, everyone’s minds naturally shift to thoughts of how they can make improvements to their life with this fresh start. One of the most common themes is adopting healthier habits like adding in more exercise and swapping out junk food for fruits and vegetables. While these good habits are a smart choice for people of all ages, there are some additional healthy habits that are particularly beneficial to our aging adult population. Learn what they are and how they might help you or a loved one improve the quality of your life in 2019!

Exercise your brain.

Staying healthy as you age goes far beyond your physical health, mental health is just as important! For this reason, you want to be sure you incorporate mental exercise into your daily routine. What’s mental exercise? It’s more obvious than you might think, and maybe you’re already doing it! Things like puzzles, word searches, IQ challenges and more all help to exercise your brain, keeping you more alert even as you age. Best of all this is low-cost or no-cost. Look for a puzzle book the next time you’re at the dollar store or search for any of the various free apps that may be available on your phone right now.

Never miss a check-up.

Life is busy, schedules fill up and then all of a sudden we realize we haven’t kept up with our regular doctor check-ups. When you’re feeling good, it’s easy to push these things off. But if you go too long without a regular check-up from your doctor, bigger issues could arise that could really have a negative impact on your life. It’s so important to stay ahead of any health issues that may be building up, especially as you age. Make it a point this year, and all years moving forward, to never miss a check-up.

Create a healthy routine.

If you’re like most people out there, healthy habits come easier when you develop them into a routine. Look at your daily routine right now. What are some areas that could be improved upon by swapping out unhealthy habits for healthier ones. For example, if you find you never have enough time for a balanced breakfast in the morning, consider prepping your food overnight so it’s a seamless part of your day. Or if you have trouble sleeping and spend too much time late at night on your phone, you can set a timer on your phone to turn off by a certain hour so that this isn’t a temptation. These simple swaps in your daily routine today will lead to long-term benefits in your health.

Stay educated.

Staying educated goes beyond the “mental exercise” we talked about in the earlier point. This also helps you to stay apprised of the latest health trends and findings that might allow you to improve your health. When it comes to personal health, you must be your own advocate. Reading the latest news articles on health-related topics will keep you educated on these issues and allow you to have a productive conversation with your medical provider.

Try new things.

At first you might wonder how trying new things will enhance your health as you age. The connection is that when you try new things you require your brain to work in a new way. This also requires focus and concentration, two other important things you want to preserve as you age. Finally, trying new things is fun and fulfilling! In addition to enhancing your physical and mental health, it will add to your quality of life!

Revisit old memories.

Revisiting old memories is one of the best ways to stay mentally sharp, especially as you age. There are many different ways you can do this, too. You can organize old photos into a scrap book. You can keep a journal and write down the stories and milestones you remember from each stage of life. You can also invite friends and family into the activity by asking them to share their photos and stories with you too.

Invest in relationships.

The correlation between strong relationships and happiness is undeniable. Especially as you grow older, you want to invest in your relationships with friends and family. It’s never too late! More than any material possession, it’s relationships that you’ll remember and appreciate the most. Make this the year that you reconnect with old friends, set a monthly lunch date with a distant loved one or host a family gathering to bring everyone together again. This is one New Year’s resolution that is fun to keep – and one you will never regret.

Listen to your body.

Finally and most importantly, make this the year that you tune into your body. Listen to what it’s telling you day-to-day. At the peak of busyness in our lives, we can sometimes forget how to calm down and find rest, especially as we age. If today your body says it needs rest, allow it to have rest. Tomorrow you may find you have more energy and want to tackle an activity or hobby. Also, if your body shows a new sign or symptom, don’t ignore it. Monitor how you feel in a daily journal and look for new trends that could alert you of a concern. Then, make sure you speak with someone about it soon!

Here’s to making 2019 your healthiest – and happiest year yet!

6 Signs That an Aging Adult May Need a Professional Caregiver

8 Springtime Activities for People with Limited Mobility

5 Tips for Helping Senior Adults Manage Their Finances

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

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