Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Other Forms of Dementia

Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related conditions can be challenging for families.  These progressive brain disorders make it difficult for a person to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, and to take care of themselves.  In some cases, individuals experience mood swings as well as changes in personality and behavior. Work with your loved one to take these steps to achieve goals:  

At the Caregiver.org website, tips are available for learning how to communicate better and more effectively deal with a family member suffering from dementia.  One of their first suggestions is to “set a positive mood for interactions.”  They explain that how you interact with the person sends a message, and approaching them in a pleasant, respectful manner conveys caring and affection.  Another suggestion is to limit any distractions and noise when you want to get the person’s attention.  Address them by name, remind them of your name, and look directly in their eyes to help keep them focused.

Be sure to speak slowly and clearly using simple words and short sentences.  Try and keep the pitch of your voice low and repeat the message if they do not understand the first time.  If you are asking a question, frame it so they can answer with a simple yes or no.  When possible, show them the choices and help guide a response.   

They also recommend changing up the environment if a loved one is upset.  Try taking a walk or suggest another activity that you know they enjoy.  Always do your best to be positive and to respond with affection and reassurance.  Humor and patience can go a long way when dealing with someone with dementia. 

If you have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, SYNERGY HomeCare can provide the help you need.  We serve Central Texas with a broad range of non-medical, versatile and extremely flexible home care services.  Our compassionate, trained caregivers provide families with peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving the level of care they need. 

**This blog is intended for informational purposes only.  Always consult your health care provider regarding all medical decisions. **

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the San Antonio area’s most trusted agencies for non-medical home care.  We provide families with affordable, reliable and compassionate services that include everything from short term wellness visits to live-in care.  Please contact us to discuss the range of services we can provide for your loved one. 

Source: caregiver.org/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors

Want to Age Comfortably in Your Own Home?

For many elderly adults, retaining a level of independence and privacy in their own home is extremely important.  It may be very doable with just a few modifications and some outside assistance, but first take the time to plan out what you sort of help you will require to ensure your continued safety and comfort.  

Many home modifications are relatively inexpensive and can help to make your home safer and more accessible.  Things like grab bars in the tub, grip mats in the bathroom and the addition of ramps to avoid stairs can make a difference.  Also although a more expensive modification, installing a new bathroom on the lower level floor can be helpful.

Furthermore, while you may have a supportive family and rely on them for help from time to time, in the long-term, you may want to consider looking into professional home care services.  Home care providers such as SYNERGY HomeCare, located in Central Texas, offer a broad range of services that you design around your specific needs.  If it is transportation that is a problem as you no longer feel comfortable driving but still need to get to and from doctor appointments and running errands, we can safely get you there. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by housework and having a hard time keeping up, SYNERGY HomeCare also offers light housekeeping services.  For anyone having trouble with personal daily care activities such as dressing, bathing, feeding, or meal preparation, we can offer a helping hand.  In addition our flexible, compassionate services include care management, recovery assistance, live-in or 24-hour care, recovery assistance, companionship and respite for family caregivers.  Contact us to learn more about how we can help. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies for non-medical home care in the Greater Austin area.  We provide families with affordable, reliable and compassionate services that include everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Please contact us so we can offer your family peace of mind knowing you are getting the best professional home care available in Austin.    

Caring for an Elderly Parent

As many seniors are now living well into their 70’s and beyond, more adult children are faced with making decisions regarding the kind of care their elderly parents need.  And to further complicate matters, families with multiple siblings do not always necessarily agree on the course of action to take when parents require assistance to ensure their continued safety and wellbeing. 

When this happens, the experts advise families to thoroughly discuss the various care options available before the situation reaches a critical stage.  Neal Cutler, PhD, dean of the American Institute of Financial Gerontology and the executive director of the Center on Aging for the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Woodlawn Hills, CA, suggests families "Anticipate that these are decisions and choices that are best made before a crisis happens."  He further adds, "Sit down with everyone together, and talk about what you want to do, whether it's a financial issue or geographical issue. The key is conversation rather than crisis management."

    

The WebMD site has several tips to help families plan for the care of an aging parent.  If possible they recommend starting a discussion regarding long-term care with a parent while they are still in good mental and physical health.  In addition this is an ideal time to talk about appointing a health care proxy and creating a living will. 

If one family member is going to act as the primary caregiver for the parent, the rest of the siblings will need to figure out how they can provide support - be it financial, by doing paperwork or to help with the physical care.  Keep in mind that there are many excellent home care agencies such as SYNERGY HomeCare that provide a broad range of physical care services available on a daily basis or as often as the need arises.    

   

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.

Source:webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/role-reversal-caregiving-for-aging-parents?page=3

Helping Seniors to Cope with Grief

For our aging parents and relatives, the loss of a spouse, siblings and friends is an all too often occurrence.  While we understand that death is a part of life especially for the elderly, Barbara Moscowitz, a social worker at the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Senior Health program, reminds us to think about how we would feel if we were attending funerals for our friends at the same frequency as our elderly parents. 

Her advice is to allow a parent to talk about their losses and refrain from offering platitudes such as “I know how you feel,” or, “It’s for the better.”  Moscowitz explains that, “Those people are part of their history, their legacy,” And she adds, “If we send a message that we don’t want to hear about it, it says: That person is not worth remembering.”  Also remember that while grief is a universal emotion, we all grieve in our own way and on our own timetable.  For some, it the grieving process may take months, and for others, it may take years.   

Do watch for signs that a person is experiencing more than the normal stages of grief.  Type of things to look for include: not feeling any better as time passes, extreme difficulty in getting on with the tasks of daily living, taking no pleasure in favorite activities, and any talk or thoughts of suicide.

  

An article on HelpGuide.org offers good advice for coping during the grieving process.  One of the first things to remember is that while it is difficult to go through, with time, things will get better.  Also you do not always need to be strong.  It is normal to show emotions and to accept them as a part of the grieving process.  Do reach out to family, friends and spiritual advisors.  It may also be beneficial to find a support group or to see a grief counselor. 

Furthermore, do not neglect your physical and emotional health.  It is important to exercise and get outside as well as to eat well and get enough sleep.  In addition it can help to start a journal or to put together a scrapbook of your loved one.  It may also help to contact an in home care provider such as Austin’s SYNERGY HomeCare.  Our extensive services include things such as providing assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation and companionship. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most respected agencies in Central Texas for non-medical home care.  With three offices located in the greater Austin area, we provide senior care, recovery assistance and respite for family caregivers as well as assist clients dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, Parkinson’s and more. Please contact us to discuss our range of options for providing your family peace of mind with professional home health care.

Sources:newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/words-for-seniors-facing-loss/?_r=0

familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/caregiving/helping-older-adults-deal-with-life-changing-events.html, helpguide.org/articles/grief-loss/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm 

Good Nutrition is Important for Seniors

We know that good nutrition is essential for children’s growing bodies but did you know it is just as important for aging seniors?  In fact HelpGuide.org, a non-profit organization that deals with mental health and well-being issues, explains that eating well provides numerous benefits for adults over 50.  They state it can help with “increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems.” 

Studies have shown that a nutritional diet can make a difference in seniors’ mental outlook and aid in reducing the risk or to better manage conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, bone loss, certain cancers, and anemia. A healthy diet can also help to reduce high blood pressure and lower high cholesterol.

As seniors age, health conditions often limit the amount of physical exercise they get, and thereby, require fewer calories to maintain their weight.  This makes it is even more important that the food they do consume is enriched with colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.  In addition many of these foods contain more fiber, which aids in digestion and helps to boost the immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important nutrient and can be found in brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, and fish and nuts. Some studies indicate omega-3 fatty acids can help your focus and decrease your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.   As we age, our need for calcium increases and can help to preserve bone health and lower blood pressure.  Also seniors should limit their sodium content and be sure to drink plenty of water. 

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we provide Austin area families’ reliable and compassionate care that allows your loved one to live safely and comfortably at home.  Our range of nonmedical services includes meal preparations, daily personal care, and transportation.  SYNERGY HomeCare services are versatile, flexible, and customized for your comfort, peace of mind and well-being.

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.    

**This is for informational purposes only and is not to be used in place of advice from your health care provider**

Sources:

helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/eating-well-as-you-age.htm

nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html