Many families anxiously await the day that they are told their loved one will be able to leave the hospital following a recovery period for an injury or illness. However, the time of release is when the real work starts for family members, and they should prepare themselves emotionally and physically; arming themselves with knowledge so that they can ensure their loved one receives the best care. Here are some things that families and caregivers can do to prepare
for a senior’s release from the hospital:

1. Don’t expect too much – release from the hospital doesn’t mean that a senior has recovered; there will be lots of hard work at home for many seniors

2. Ask questions – understand the senior’s diagnosis and their future prognosis. Take notes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions

3. Talk to a hospital discharge planner – a discharge planner can help families determine if a senior will require home care or nursing care after they leave the hospital. They can also advise families on additional supplies and equipment needed

4. Make sure you’re prepared at home – before the senior goes home, purchase any necessary safety equipment; hire a care provider, and make sure you have medications on hand

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – get the contact information of hospital staff who provided care to your loved one, and don’t be afraid to contact them with any questions or concerns after your senior has left the hospital

Via: Caring.com

Image source: sxc.hu

Family caregivers got the recognition that they deserve this year, with an official Proclamation from Barak Obama recognizing the achievement of caregivers and all that they do not only for their families but for society on the whole. Here is a portion of Barak Obama’s official Proclamation; the President is recognizing family caregivers for National Family Caregiver’s Month so make sure you do the same!

The true strength of the American family finds its roots in an unwavering commitment to care for one another. In difficult times, Americans come together to ensure our loved ones are comfortable and safe. Whether caring for a parent, relative, or child, our Nation’s caregivers selflessly devote their time and energy to the well-being of those they look after. During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor the individuals providing essential services to family members who could not otherwise look after themselves.

Every day, family caregivers assist loved ones with tasks ranging from personal care and homemaking, to transportation and financial assistance. As the foundation of America’s long-term care system, these individuals give millions of Americans the peace of mind and security that only family can provide.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to pay tribute and support those who are caring for their family members, friends, and neighbors in need of assistance.

Via: The Family Caregiver

Any family who has been through the process of choosing care for a senior loved one, knows that it’s one of the most difficult decisions they’ll make. Trusting the care of one of the most important people in your life is not an easy thing to do, particularly with some level of distrust regarding elder abuse that has received media attention in nursing homes in particular. But, if you’re going through the process, you can find a suitable home care agency that will ensure that your senior receives the best care; you just have to make sure that you ask the right questions and do your research. Consider these tips when exploring home care options and choosing a home care agency:

1. Know what’s out there – to choose the best option, explore them all. Even if you have home care in mind, visiting a nursing home will only help to reassure you of your decision

2. Ask the opinion of others – the best feedback you will receive on home care places you’re exploring is from other trusted friends and family members who have been through the process

3. Interview someone at the service – before you even meet with a caregiver, interview someone in charge at the home care service about what they provide, and what their specific policies are

4. Ask about licensing – the home care service should have appropriate licenses as required by their jurisdiction; ask about this, and also find out if the home caregivers have any specific level of training

5. Be straight forward – to make sure that that important senior in your life receives adequate care, don’t sugar coat what you’re dealing with. If your loved one is difficult with certain tasks or activities, let them know so they can reassure you by talking about how they’d address these circumstances

Via: Family Caregiver Alliance

Family caregivers are unsung heroes. These are the people that sacrifice things from their own personal lives to take care of elderly and ill family members. These amazing people do not get the recognition they deserve. A campaign is in effect to petition for the development of a stamp that will provide awareness to the general public. It is important to acknowledge that these caregivers go above and beyond, often times sacrificing their own needs to care for another. Some important facts about family caregivers include:

• An estimated out of pocket expense of $5,531 per year which include travel and transportation, medical care co-payments, food and household goods

• These additional expenses result in the cutting of leisure activities, personal savings, vacations and putting off home improvements

• More than a third of caregivers use their own savings to provide for their loved one

• Almost half of current caregivers have had to quit their job in order to keep up with caregiving responsibilities

• The annual estimated expense is much higher for long-distance caregivers

• These expenses increase levels of stress and can have an effect on the over-all health of the caregiver

• The financial burden that comes along with being a caregiver can have serious emotional effects

Sources:

caregiving.org

stanford.wellsphere.com

Q – I’m a professional caregiver for a senior with alzheimers, and I can’t help but notice the new elder care technologies that are constantly being mentioned in the media these days. The most recent one that I’ve seen is the Memo, an assistive robot for seniors with Alzheimer’s. I love my job, and have no intention of retiring anytime soon; but I just can’t help but worry that over the next decade or two I might be without a job because of these innovative technologies.

A – In my opinion, robots will never be able to replace people entirely, because of that personal touch we have that allows us to really deliver something special to the people that we care for. That being said, the Memo robot for seniors with Alzheimer’s, seems like it can do a lot and could likely be a reliable way for seniors to take some respite, while knowing their loved one is in good hands. This particular device delivers medication reminders, helps seniors find things that they’ve misplaced, and even provides companionship by playing games and engaging seniors socially. Some people may choose to use robotic technology on a permanent basis for a caregiver, but there will always be those that prefer the human interaction!

Sources:

1. Trendhunter

2. DVice

3. Trendbird

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy, as many Minnesota caregivers know. It is so hard to watch someone you love virtually change before your eyes, and oftentimes, even responding to you in an aggressive way. Unfortunately, some level of agitation can occur as part of this unfortunate cognitive illness; but with 6 tips, you can prevent and deal with aggressive Alzheimer’s behavior:

1. Try to narrow down the cause of the behavior – ask “who, what, where, when, why?” and try to find commonalities in the situations when the behavior occurs. This will help caregivers to determine if the changes in behavior could be caused by physical discomfort, over-stimulation, confusing surroundings, complicated tasks, or frustrating situations with communication problems

2. Be prepared to soothe and distract – have a memory box, photo and other familiar items ready to soothe or distract the combative and upset senior

3. Watch for signs – be aware of physical signs that they’re becoming agitated; most will be non-verbal and you might be able to defuse the situation before the senior becomes too upset

4. Move it – move to a different environment or a quieter spot if the senior is over-stimulated

5. Slow down your actions – as the senior becomes more upset, he/she is likely to speed up communication and actions in the agitation. Slow down, talk slowly, and you can have a soothing effect

6. Remove dangerous objects – keep sharp, pointy and other dangerous objects in a safe and secure place. If the senior becomes agitated, he/she might accidentally harm themselves or someone else

Via: Wellington Parc

Image: jupiterimages.com

Minnesota currently has the largest number of uninsured people in their population, and what this means for seniors is that their financial stability and health is always at risk, because when and if a medical emergency occurs; they just might not have the means to keep themselves afloat when they need to scramble to finance their health care and pay their living costs all on a limited budget.  This may sound like a negative, and today, it is. But, as Minnesota is attempting to bring a universal health care program to the state, the financial and health implications of seniors and their families might be an advantage.

With so many people in Minnesota living without health insurance, there is even more urgency to bring in a universal health care program to make sure that residents of all ages receive health care that will prolong their lives. According to studies, due to the costs of preventative medical care, like checkups to monitor existing conditions like blood pressure, seniors avoid stepping through the doors of a doctor’s office or into a hospital until their health presents an emergency situation, and at that point, it’s not just their health but also their finances that are at a greater risk.

By implementing universal health care, seniors in Minnesota should finally be able to focus on living, without worrying about the impact healthcare has on their wallet.

Sources:

1. Associated Content

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Traditional nursing home and assisted living facilities are large institutions that provide basic care, but don’t necessarily cater towards improving the quality of life for Minnesota seniors based on their living arrangements. The Green House Model in eldercare focuses upon quality of life and comfort first, and care elements, while they are a priority, are not the center of being like they are in the large, traditional institutions.

The Green House Model tries to give seniors the comforts of home with the conveniences of having care services around them 24/7. The atmosphere is less sterile and hospital like because they try to provide a warm and welcoming environment where only 6-8 seniors are living. The goal of The Green House Model is to eliminate big institutions and move towards this model that focuses on quality of life to improve overall senior well-being. As more and more seniors are dreading moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility as they get older, the elder care structure is adopting methods that allow for senior independence and aging in place. With this in mind, The Green House Model might just be the future of elder care.

Sources:

1. Eden Alternative

2. NCB Capital Impact

Image Source: pro.corbis.com