Dementia

When an Older Loved One is Refusing Help, Try Some of These Tips

When an older loved one is refusing help, it can be extremely frustrating. Emotions are running high, and it seems that everyone, except the ones needing the help, understands the urgency. Many factors can contribute to their needs. For example; a decline in health due to age, disease diagnosis, recent falls, and death of a caretaker spouse could all be why help is now needed. Do you treat them like children because that is how you feel they are acting? Of course ... Read more

Organizing Respite Care

Organizing respite care can be a confusing and frustrating process. Not only is it difficult to decide which type of respite care to use, but couple that with the emotions that are also involved. Respite care is used for those needing a break from caring for a loved one with a condition where they can't be left alone. What is Respite Care? According to the National Institute on Aging, the definition of respite care is as follows: Respite care provides short-term relief for primary ... Read more

Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s or Dementia isn’t Easy.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia isn't easy. It can be one of the hardest, most emotional health care journeys families encounter in their life. It isn't widely known that there are actually 100 different types of dementia. Lewy body and Frontal Lobal are a couple of examples. Regardless of what type of Dementia your loved one is diagnosed with, they present very similar behaviors. One, of course, is memory loss. In addition to memory loss, new behaviors ... Read more

Navigating Home Health Care, and Tips to Help Make the Right Decision.

Navigating home health care can be very stressful.  We get calls from people inquiring about care, community assistance options, or even just guidance. Each individual is treated with respect and dignity.  South Florida currently has plenty of options and finding the right one can be exhausting, confusing, and extremely frustrating.  It doesn't have to be.  How do you know which is the best one for you, and/or your family dynamics? Navigating through home health care, and understanding what sets one apart from ... Read more

Home Care for Aging Parents

  Home Care for Aging Parents Home care for aging parents is the best solution when your parent chooses to remain in their own home. At some point an elder loved one may need some help with caring for themselves and their household.  There are a few choices for care. Most common is the spouse or an adult son/daughter becomes the primary caregiver.  Whether the need for care is physical (stroke, Parkinson, MS, weakness, etc.) or cognitive (dementia, Alzheimer's disease, memory impairment, etc.) ... Read more

Building Your Team

Building Your Team Building your team begins with a diagnosis. Anyone receiving a serious diagnosis needs some time to absorb the news. So do family members and whoever else you choose to tell.  First, take in the news and hear what the physician tells you. It is highly recommended to have a loved one go to the appointment with you or at least be phoned into the meeting. There will be a lot of information to process. Follow-up appointments, tests, treatments, and auxiliary ... Read more

Social Work Based Home Care

Social Work Based Home Care Social Work based home care takes a macro view of a client's needs, family relationships, home safety and an array of resources and benefits.  In-home care, Social Workers typically are with a Medicare Agency. They are one of the "Skills" which Medicare covers. Other skilled professionals are Registered Nurses, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists.  In private duty home care, also known as non-medical it is rarer to have a Social Worker. As is often the case when working ... Read more

Family Decisions for Parental Care

Family Decisions for Parental Care Family decisions for parental care are often difficult. But, sometimes they can be antagonistic and hostile.  Recall the adage; "one mother can raise five children but five children can't care for one parent". Part of this is because caring for an elderly parent is complicated. Family decisions often bring up decades old issues between siblings.  We recommend employing the professional services of a Geriatric Care Manager or Family Mediator. After all, some of the deep feelings involved also include ... Read more

Home Care and Covid-19

Home Care and Covid-19 Home care and Covid-19 during this exceptional time,  means fewer people want a new person in their home. However, illness, Alzheimers - dementia, hospitalizations continue as does spousal caregiving burnout. So much aloneness can exacerbate depression. We all must consider and manage risk.  When you or a loved cannot safely manage on your own, family or friends cannot be there or are not qualified to provide personal care, then hiring an aide is a sensible option. Questions to ... Read more

Holiday Cheer or Stress?

Holiday Cheer or Stress? Holiday Cheer or Stress? Take control this season. The holidays are weeks away but the joy and stress of this season is already being felt. Planning is a key to having cheerful holidays. Whether you are traveling, having visitors or don't have any plans, there is no getting away from the persistent marketing and festivities this season brings. Seasonal schedules, parties, gifts, foods, decorations and family and friends all come together this time of year. Unfortunately, real life isn't ... Read more
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