Rhode Island

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be hard for seniors and their families to cope with and that’s because there is no known cure, and no proven ways to stop the progression of the disease. But, there is new hope as there have been recent discoveries that could bring big changes.

• There is a brain plaque that is detectable in the brain long before any cognitive decline begins to surface

• The plaque referred to as amyloid –beta has been discovered to cause damage when present in certain areas of the hippocampus

• Previously, it was known that the plaque was present in seniors with Alzheimer’s, but it was unknown if it was toxic or if its presence was coincidental

• The presence of the plaque can cause neurons to die, which can be related to cognitive decline

• Since there’s no way to redevelop neurons that have already died, further research is necessary to see if there is a way to prevent the build up of this plaque earlier before it causes irreversible damage

Via: Herald Sun

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-292

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are not nursing homes, despite that common misconception. They offer seniors a greater level of independence that’s more like living in their own home than a more hospital-based setting. However, at an ALF they can receive the assistance that they need in order to maintain the lifestyle they’ve chosen while ensuring health and safety is also a priority.  Unfortunately, ALF services are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, but some private insurance carriers may foot some of the bill – however for some seniors the services and benefits can be more than worthwhile:

1. Living independently – seniors in ALFs are often in one-bedroom or studio apartment buildings, so they have the privacy and independence that they require

2. Safety is offered – ALF apartments anticipate the safety needs of seniors and ensure that they include grab bars, ramps and other essential safety devices. Supervisors are always available to respond to emergencies

3. Seniors don’t need to worry about home maintenance – cleaning services, including laundry can be provided by ALF

4. Activity of daily living services are offered – bathing, dressing, and medication reminders can be provided. There are also special facilities for those who suffer with Alzheimer’s and dementia and designated services

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

The number of seniors living in the United States with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow exponentially over the next 20 years, doubling from today’s 5.1 million seniors. Unfortunately for many of these individuals who find themselves in the hospital, the level of care that they receive is compromised. Not all seniors receive a formal Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and when they enter the hospital for another reason, their cognitive impairment can go undetected, resulting in inadequate treatment. A new approach aimed to improve care for Alzheimer’s patients has been suggested and
is based on the following components:

1. Screening upon admission to the hospital – rather than learning that a senior has Alzheimer’s or dementia retroactively following a medical issue, this approach ensures seniors are screened when admitted to the hospital

2. Education of the nurses and medical practitioners – there are three levels of care depending upon patient needs, but all of them ensure that all medical professionals responsible for the care of a senior are aware of their Alzheimer’s diagnosis

3. Planning for the future – right from the time of admission in this three-tier program, medical professionals talk with seniors and family members about preparing for the future, and arrangements that will need to be made for discharge. For those who require more comprehensive care, follow-ups are conducted to ensure that a senior’s health comes first

Via: Hospitals and Health Networks

Image Source: www.sxc.hu

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Living with someone else is never easy, and adding a senior to your household who has had a lifetime of independence is not an easy process – on you or on them. For some, living together is just too close for comfort; they just get along better when seeing each other only occasionally; others, manage to get on quite well even when in close quarters. Before jumping into any decisions, seniors and their families should all consider if they’re prepared to make sacrifices and changes to their lifestyles. Specific questions that seniors should ask include the following:

• What will my role be in paying for household expenses? Does it sound affordable and reasonable based on the living arrangements determined?

• What specific responsibilities will I have? Will I be expected to contribute to household chores or care for any of the grandchildren in the home? If so, how often and when?

• Will I be provided with my own space to maintain my independence? Will I have a room, or a bathroom that’s off limits to the rest of the family?

• What will become of my assets? How will we handle the sale of my home and finances I have in my bank accounts?

• Can I bring my pets to the home?

• Will changes be made to areas of the home to provide for my comfort and safety?

• Will I be a part of family decisions, such as vacations, travel, and hosting of events in the home? Or will the other family members make these decisions?

• Am I able to invite my friends to the home and entertain? What if I want to use the space without the grandchildren?

• What arrangements will be made if I need care assistance? Will someone in the home be able to help, or will we hire senior home care?

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

When you hire a professional senior caregiver to take on responsibility for an elderly loved one, you trust that they’ll do more than just the basics that are required of them. Everything that home care franchises and their caregivers do should be focused around protecting those that they care for. When you’re looking to hire someone, make sure that they are willing to address the following areas:

1. Be aware of changes – seniors who are experiencing health changes, financial difficulty or other problems might begin to act differently. Often seniors who are experiencing problems might not be open about them due to embarrassment, but caregivers can speak with other family members if they notice anything unusual while spending time with their senior clients

2. Help address financial need – while it’s not a caregiver’s responsibility to pry into a senior’s finances, they can identify problems. If stacks of mail are piling up or collections calls are being received in the senior’s home, it’s possible bills aren’t getting paid. Again, a caregiver can approach this issue gently with the senior’s family, and suggest that a Power of Attorney be used if the issue appears to be that bad

3. Dispose of sensitive information – assist seniors by suggesting that they shred bills or other information that could compromise their safety

4. Know who is making healthcare decisions – caregivers should ensure that they have the contact information on hand for the family member or other individual for making these important decisions in case of a medical emergency

5. Suggest an advanced directive or living will – to help seniors secure their future wishes, suggest an advanced directive or living will so that their medical needs are fulfilled according to what they want

6. Determine how expenses will be paid – if the caregiver will be responsible for household purchases on behalf of the senior, it should be determined how this will be managed. Signed checks can be provided, seniors can open an expense account that the caregiver has access to, or if all expenses will be paid in cash provided

7. Be wary of strangers – caregivers should be wary of new friends that come into senior’s lives, especially if they are from a different generation. Seniors can become victims of scams because they are anxious to curb their loneliness with new social opportunities. With this in mind, caregivers should also work with seniors to investigate any charitable organizations or other causes seniors are thinking or donating to before a transaction is made

8. Provide a safe environment – in all circumstances, senior caregivers from a franchise should be responsible for identifying potential hazards in the household and ensuring that they are addressed to put their senior care recipient’s safety first.

Via: Keeping Seniors Safe

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

I work in a busy Rhode Island medical practice where we see a large number of senior caregivers that work professionally or provide care for a family member. Recently, our doctors have been receiving a lot of inquiries from these individuals about when and if a Swine Flu vaccine will become available. An interesting trend about the caregivers inquiring is that they’re less worried about protecting their own health, but more concerned with protecting themselves so they don’t pass any viruses along to their vulnerable elderly care recipients. If this sounds like you, but you haven’t wanted to ask your health care professional, here are some details about the Swine Flu vaccine to ease your mind:

• Availability – the H1N1 vaccine should be available in fall of 2009 in order to combat formal flu season. Specific dates have not yet been released as they are based on manufacturing

• Production – a Swine Flu vaccine is currently in production, and before being offered to the public, will be involved in clinical trials

• Combined vaccines – the Swine Flu vaccine will be separate from the seasonal flu vaccine. It can be administered at the same time, although since the H1N1 vaccine is likely to be available later in the season, seniors are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine first

• Age for priority vaccinations – studies have shown that H1N1 is more likely to affect people aged 25 to 64, or those with compromised immune systems due to health issues. The vaccine will be available to these people initially, and older adults over 65 can receive the vaccine after

• Locations – the Swine Flu vaccine will be available in locations that aren’t just your doctor’s office. Vaccination programs will take place in offices, schools, pharmacies, and other private settings

• The 1976 vaccine – the Swine Flu pandemic of 1976 also had a vaccine developed to fight the spread of illness, however, even those vaccinated then should receive the new H1N1 vaccine as the disease is not likely the same

Via: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Image Source: hubpages.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Caring for a loved one can be stressful enough, without even having to worry about any external factors like where to gain access to the resources and information you need to deal with legal, medical and financial factors. Here are 3 ways you can help you and your senior to learn about their rights and the resources that are available to you and your family caring for a senior in Rhode Island.

1. Find out what local eldercare services are available in your area – contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 so you know what’s available near your loved one’s Rhode Island home and how you can get in touch to arrange services.
2. Know which services your senior qualifies for – NCOA has developed an online questionnaire which allows caregivers and seniors to take a survey that helps them determine which services and benefits that they may qualify for. Visit www.benefitscheckup.org to learn about eligible benefit programs for prescriptions, utilities and health care.
3. Understand seniors rights and know how to get assistance – whether you are helping a parent or senior loved one prepare a will, dealing with a situation where a senior has been abused or neglected, or simply want a professional to help explain the legal rights of seniors, knowing where and how to get legal assistance is crucial. Many organizations provide pro bono legal representation for seniors. Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging or use the Eldercare Locator to find other resources.

Via: The University of Vermont

Image: pro.corbis.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Finding the right doctor can play a major role in providing for a senior’s health, while location and ease of accessibility may seem like a major factor in determining which physician to see; many other things come into play which seniors might not think about.

1. Does your insurance or health plan cover your physician choice? Often doctors need to be plan-approved or affiliated with a specific group in order to be covered by health and insurance plans.

2. What kind of doctor do you need? Consider whether a general practitioner to manage your overall health is what you require, or if you need a specialist to address a specific aging health issues.

3. Can your doctor practice at your local hospital? In case of senior medical emergency, you may need your doctor to treat you at the hospital of your choice. Ensure the doctor you choose has the authority to do so.

4. Have you checked out his/her reputation – if possible, choose a doctor who comes highly recommended by friends, family or other people in your network who have seen the doctor. You want someone who will listen to your concerns, is respectful and answers questions.

5. Check their qualifications – all general practitioners must be board certified, having completed a medical residency. Specialists must have additional training.

Use Administrators in Medicine to learn of any disciplinary actions taken against the doctor of your choice, as well as the Federation of State Medical Boards and the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory to grasp the history of your chosen medical professionals.

Sources:

1. Seniors for living

2. MedicineNet.com

Image Source: www.transitionagingparents.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

When it was time to approach my mother about getting some help for her at home, I was so worried that telling her that she was getting too old to take care of herself would be devastating both to her and our relationship. I knew from previous conversations that the last thing my mom wanted was to end up stuck in a Rhode Island nursing home and assisted living facilities, so before I even brought up the subject, I did some research on what the options available in the area were. I came across professional in-home care as an option and immediately landed on it as the best choice; allowing my mother to maintain her lifestyle and independence while taking away some of the physical and emotional burden of struggling more and more with the care of a home and herself.

When I finally decided it was time to have the conversation, my mom was surprisingly receptive. I approached her saying that I felt that taking care of the home was getting to be too much for her, and I wanted to get her some help to take the stress away. I let her know that taking her away from her home was the last thing I’d suggest for her, because I wanted her to keep her life. Because she knew only her best interests were in mind, and because I’d clearly taken her specific needs and wants with regards to senior care into account, she agreed almost immediately. If I could suggest anything to another adult child trying to talk their loved one into accepting help, it’s to make sure you use the right approach that’s sensitive to the senior’s needs so you don’t insult or degrade them, and make it clear you’re making the suggestion to better their lives.

Sources:

1. Senior Journal

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

When choosing a Rhode Island home care agency to provide care for an aging loved one, it’s important that families know exactly what they’re getting themselves into. There are a significant number of agencies out there that can place senior care specialists in the home of a senior, and they come at all price points. However, don’t be fooled by some of the home care agencies that promise the world at a lower price, because you’ll encounter more complications than its worth in many cases that can compromise the level of care received by your loved one.

Many home care registries operate in Rhode Island and around the country; but they’re not to be confused with licensed home care agencies. These home care registries hire their senior care specialists as private contractors rather than employees which can be convoluted when it comes to dealing with the taxes and legalities surrounding hiring a caregiver from a registry. While some of these home care organizations charge less strictly for connecting families with caregivers, families may be responsible for paying taxes, workman’s compensation and other aspects. Some home care registries do cover these costs, but since caregivers under their wing are licensed contractors only, there can be some serious legal and financial repercussions which can drain the family of all resources if a workman’s compensation claim is made after the caregiver has had an accident or injury on the job.

By hiring a caregiver from a licensed home care agency like Home Instead Senior Care, all caregivers are employees of the company, categorized as “nurses and other healthcare workers who travel”. Based on this categorization, fees might be higher, but Home Instead takes care of all of the dirty work; paying all taxes and fees, with no repercussions to the senior’s family should the caregiver have an accident.

It may be tempting during times of financial crisis to pinch pennies in all areas of life, but when it comes to senior home care, you get what you pay for; so if you want quality care with no legal ramifications, go with a licensed home care agency, and you’ll have no regrets.

Sources:

1. Gilbert Guide

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.