What Does A Home Care Nurse Do?
What Does A Home Care Nurse Do
Home health care offers supportive, loving services in a relaxed and familiar environment where you feel comfortable. It may let you stay in your home for longer before you decide to move to a nursing home. Your family wants to know that you have someone who looks after you, and your comfort gives them peace of mind. If you live in Monterey County or Hollister, CA, your local VNA & Hospice can provide the care that you need.
Getting Nursing Care
A home health care nurse can come to your home to give you hospital-level care. Some RNs prefer to provide top-notch home medical care to people like you. A home health care RN can take your vital signs, clean your wounds, draw blood, give you medication, and help you get around. You can count on your nurse to provide reliable and trustworthy care to satisfy your comfort and medical needs.
- Your nurse can perform skilled services that include changing your dressings, managing your medications, and giving you an IV.
- As an efficient organizer, your nurse coordinates the care that you may need from various health care providers.
- A central source of knowledge about your medical condition, the nurse evaluates your health status and communicates it to doctors.
- You can learn from your nurse how to understand newly diagnosed conditions such as heart issues or diabetes.
Benefiting from Physical Therapy
A home care physical therapist (PT) can improve your quality of life through motion and activity. The aging process can weaken your muscles and cause balance issues that lead to falls. With guidance from a PT, you may find that you can have less dependence on opioids. You can learn a lot about your body and how to use it efficiently. An alternative to an outpatient facility after surgery, in-home physical therapy may suit you perfectly. You can rely on a skilled professional therapist to provide the treatments that you need.
- A physical therapist can assess your risk of falling and design a home exercise plan to help reduce it.
- Recommendations from a PT may include assistive devices or medical equipment.
- Working with a trained PT can improve your strength, balance, and mobility.
- As your health improves through exercise, you may feel safer and more independent.
Letting an Occupational Therapist Help You
A trained professional in occupational therapy can visit your home to find ways to help you lead an active and independent life. By observing your activities during a day, an OT can assess your physical condition and suggest ways to make your life more pleasant. Some things that an OT can do for you include helping you get dressed or move safely around your house. You may enjoy some assistance in preparing or eating a meal. You can count on an OT to design some helpful ways to make your life easier and more enjoyable.
- An initial evaluation of your home environment can help an OT determine how it affects your activities and safety.
- You can receive recommendations for solutions and techniques that increase your independence.
- An OC may identify new ways for you to perform the routine activities of daily living.
- Some suggestions for a home exercise plan can help improve your overall safety through exercises that increase muscle strength and balance.
Improving Speech with Therapy
Communication lets you interact with everyone around you, and a speech therapist can help you cope with events that may affect it. Communication enables you to describe what you need or tell someone about a pain that bothers you. The natural aging process can make your vocal cords feel weak and unable to produce sounds the way you want. Some health events can affect your mouth and throat, limiting the way you talk, eat and swallow. A speech therapist can help you learn to speak again with vocal exercises that improve communication.
- An evaluation by a trained therapist can identify any speech limitations or disorders that you may have.
- Speech therapy can maximize functional independence in communication and swallowing.
- Your risk of aspiration and choking may diminish with treatment from a speech therapist.
- The benefits of speech therapy that can improve communication include helping you think more clearly and remember things more effectively.
Understanding Medical Social Worker Duties in Homes for the Elderly
Your family can gain peace of mind if you need to move to a facility that offers specialized services. Medical social workers can assist you through physical and emotional support. You can get the help there that you need, and your family wants to know that you feel safe and comfortable there. A social worker can help you adjust to your new living arrangement and give you the supportive counseling that eases your mind. As an advocate for your needs and rights, a social worker can represent your concerns in an effective way and perform essential services that matter to you.
- Social workers help you achieve a sense of well-being and advocate on your behalf.
- Your family can rely on a social worker to provide links to community resources.
Letting a Home Health Aide Help You
Personal care can sometimes present difficulties when you have trouble moving around or taking care of hygiene. A home health aide knows how to help you bathe, brush your teeth, use the toilet and get dressed or undressed. You can count on a friendly and knowledgeable helper when you need some assistance.
- Your aide can help you move from one chair to another.
- You can receive personal care that keeps you clean and comfortable.
- An aide can take your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature on doctor’s orders.
Home health care lets you continue to live the way that you want to, and you can stay in touch with friends who may stop by to visit. As a resident of Monterey County or Hollister, CA, you have access to the local VNA & Hospice for the care that you need.
How To Approach Mom or Dad About Hospice Care
Caring for an elderly parent is always difficult, and this task becomes even more of a struggle when they are dealing with an incurable illness.
Caring for an elderly parent is always difficult, and this task becomes even more of a struggle when they are dealing with an incurable illness. If there is not any sort of cure for the health problem that your parent is facing, they will eventually need hospice care to help ease them through this period of their life. Though it may be a difficult conversation, there will come a time when you need to speak to your mom or dad about hospice care. Many seniors do not want to face the knowledge that their health is failing, but it is important to help your parents make these decisions. Here is what you can do to make the hospice discussion easier for everyone in your family.
Make a Plan Before Having the Talk
Discussing hospice care is a very delicate subject, so it is unwise to spontaneously bring it up. Before speaking to the ill parent, make sure you discuss it with any siblings, your parent’s spouse, and other involved relatives. Look for hospice options in your area so that you can be well informed before beginning the conversation. If you can, try to casually mention the idea a few times before seriously discussing it, so that your parent does not feel like like the idea of hospice is coming out of nowhere.
Wait for the Right Time to Bring It Up
It probably is not best to discuss hospice when your parent is going through a particularly rough moment. Instead, try to choose an opportunity when everyone is calm, conscious, and relaxed. Try to keep the conversation reasonable and cheerful instead of resorting to overly emotional theatrics. A supportive and peaceful environment can help everyone to have this difficult discussion.
Stay Reassuring
No one wants to face their own mortality, and many parents in this situation get frustrated because they feel like their child is giving up on them. During the conversation, keep trying to emphasize the love and support that you want to give to your parent. Explain that the care provided by hospice will help you to focus on spending quality time with your parents instead of dealing with medical issues.
Listen to Their Concerns
Your parent may not be immediately receptive to the idea, so be prepared for some resistance. Instead of trying to argue or convince them to agree with you, stay calm and supportive. Just listen to them and reassure them that you are trying to understand what they are going through. Even though they may be ill, most seniors still desire to feel respected and listened to by their children.
Set Up an Appointment With a Nurse
After you first bring up the idea of hospice, it can be helpful to talk to a qualified medical care professional. They can answer any questions your parent has about hospice and explain more about how it works. Hospice care nurses are trained to deal with delicate subjects, so they may be even better than you at explaining the benefits of hospice.
Give Them TIme
Most seniors will not immediately hire a hospice care nurse after you suggest they start looking into hospice. Give them time to get used to the idea, and emphasize your continued support regardless of what they decide. Hospice is an important decision, so you should not try to pressure your mom or dad. Once they have a little space and time to think about it, they will probably realize that it is the best option.
VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.
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About VNA
When Is It Time For Hospice Care?
When caring for a loved one, it can be hard to determine when is the right time for hospice care. Sometimes family members delay getting help that would benefit a loved one out of fear that turning to hospice care means giving up. However, hospice care is just the opposite.
Hospice care focuses on giving hospice patients the best quality life possible by meeting each patient's physical, emotional, spiritual, and other specific needs. In fact, many caregivers quickly come to realize that hospice care is an amazingly beneficial healthcare service for both patients and their loved ones.
When it comes to deciding when to get hospice care, the best answer is "As soon as possible," since hospice care offers many advantages for both patients and caregivers. There are several signs that can indicate it is time to begin hospice care. Keep reading to learn how to tell when it is time for hospice care.
What Is The Patient's Life Expectancy?
A person, regardless of age, is eligible to receive hospice care after a physician certifies that the person's current life expectancy is six months or less. If the hospice patient lives longer than six month, he or she can still be eligible for hospice care as long as their physician continues to document their eligibility.
Furthermore, since hospice care professionals specialize in end-of-life care, it's a good idea to seek their help during the first stages of a terminal illness. This will allow hospice nurses and staff members to ease a patient's pain and improve their quality of life as possible, for as long as possible.
If a patient has a terminal illness but is not in the final six month stage, it is possible for the patient to benefit from palliative care. Later, the patient can switch to hospice care once he or she meets the general requirements.
Are You Noticing A Decreased Quality Of Life?
Hospice workers strive to ensure each patient receives the highest quality of life as possible. This means that hospice nurses will make sure their patients aren't suffering from any pain or distress. It also means making sure patients are able to spend time with their loved ones in a comfortable environment of their choice. The earlier a patient is able to get hospice care, the sooner the patient can get the medication, supplies, and support they need to maintain their comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.
Is There An Increase In Hospital Visits?
Frequent trips to the hospital are often a warning sign that it's time to consider hospice care. While it's normal for aging relatives to see the doctor more often, it's not a good sign for someone to spend more time at the hospital than they do at home.
As mentioned earlier, hospice care specializes in improving a patient's quality of life. This includes making sure patients are getting the care and support they need in a place where they are most comfortable. For many people, this means getting health care assistance in the privacy of their own home than in a sterilized hospital bed.
Patients who receive hospice care at home are able to focus on enjoying their remaining time with their loved ones instead of having to constantly travel back and forth between home and a hospital bed. Furthermore, patients and caregivers alike will not feel overwhelmed by hospital bills. Fortunately, most hospice care providers except many forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Are You Noticing Signs Of Caregiver Burnout?
Caring for a dying loved one is a difficult and emotional process. Caregivers can easily succumb to caregiver burnout. Especially if a caregiver is not able to get the support and assistance they need.
Caregiver burnout is a constant state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Furthermore, caregivers can start to exhibit signs of anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for burned out caregivers to lose their positive outlook on life and succumb to a more gloomy, downtrodden viewpoint.
Since caregivers are constantly caring for a loved one, they can find it difficult to pry themselves away long enough to attend to their own needs. This can cause damaging effects to a caregiver's health.
Common symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Lost of interest in favorite activities
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Change in appetite
- Unusual weight loss or gain
- Weakened immune system
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Dependency on sleep medications
- Irritability
- Feeling hopeless and/or helpless
- Emotional, mental, and/or physical exhaustion
Thankfully, hospice care can give caregivers the much needed rest they deserve. Hospice nurses and staff members can alleviate duties the caregiver would normally be in charge of. This gives them time to take care of their own unique needs.
How Do You Begin Hospice Care?
Are you noticing any of the signs mentioned above? It may be time to get hospice care for yourself or your loved one. Do you live in Monterey County or in Hollister. If so, you are elgiable to recieve hospice care from VNA & Hospice. Their team members are available 24/7 to ensure all citizens get the quality hospice care they deserve. Simply contact VNA & Hospice at 831-375-9882 to take the first step.
5 Essential Benefits of Hiring an Outside Agency
When you're seeking care for elderly loved ones, you have several different options to explore. One of those possibilities is to work with an outside home health care agency. Considering the benefits of doing so can help you to understand why looking more into this option is a useful step.
Services Tailored to Your Family's Needs
A home health agency can help your loved ones to receive the services that they need. Individuals who enroll in a home health care program are quite diverse as are their needs. Therefore, a representative can sit down with you and your family to determine what services are the most appropriate for your loved one. Also, these services can be set up on a schedule that makes sense.
In other words, your loved one might require care around the clock. Your relative might need supervision for a few hours per day while the rest of the family is out. Furthermore, you might be attending work, school, grocery shopping and other tasks. Another benefit here is that home health care agencies might offer services that you didn't even know existed. By speaking with a representative, you can learn about a host of possibilities that can significantly better the life of your loved one.
Medical Services
When enrolling in a program with a home health care agency, some individuals need monitoring. For example, they may have conditions that render them a hazard to themselves. As a result, they are in need of supervision during the day or night. Other individuals are in need of a companion or a person who can help to take them out during the day. Still, other cases require medical services. A home health care agency should have a staff of individuals who are trained in providing medical care. This care could be for a certain condition, or the staff members could help to provide at-home treatment for the clients.
At the current time, your loved ones might not have medical needs that elicit outside assistance. However, you should take into account the fact that situations can change. Selecting a home health care agency means that you are preparing for the future. In the event that your loved one does end up needing medical care in the future, you don't have to switch providers. Instead, you can simply add on services from a provider that they are already familiar with, which can bring a sense of comfort.
Varied Payment Plans
As you are researching options to provide care for your loved ones, you are likely focused on obtaining the highest quality of assistance possible. However, it is difficult to quell the sounds of financial concerns ringing through your mind. Financial worries should not stifle you from receiving high-quality care for your relatives. Home health care providers can help calm some of these fears. Many home health care providers have a variety of payment option that they accept.
For example, you may very well not have the cash to pay for all of the services out-of-pocket. Even if your relatives have been saving for all of their lives, they might not be able to afford the sums either. Therefore, you can speak with the home health care provider about options for going through insurance. In the event that you discover that your relative's insurance is not going to cover the entire amount of the treatment, you should speak further with a representative from the home health care agency. You may discover that payment plans are available so that you can pay off the services on a monthly basis. Doing so can be far less overwhelming than dealing with one huge bill.
Engaging Treatment
As you are researching different options for treatment, you might become worried about the mental and emotional health of your loved ones. In other words, you may have concerns that bringing in a home health care agency could make them feel as though they are incapable of taking care of themselves. This environment is not one that a professional team of providers wants to create, so you can have a sense of confidence that you and the staff members are on the same page.
Also, you can speak about your concerns with the representative. You may discover that many of the clients like spending time with their home health care aides or nurses because they provide a level of companionship. After losing a spouse or when living with family members who have work and school, many elderly individuals become lonely. The home health care provider can make these individuals feel happy and comfortable in their own homes again. They might go for outings, or they may sit inside and play puzzles or games when the weather is chilly.
Professional Reputation
You might feel overwhelmed by the options when you are trying to find home health care providers. In fact, you might have met with some in the past and did not feel comfortable with what they were offering. Fortunately, professional outside agencies are available. Consider the benefits of working with an agency that decades of experience in the field. By doing so, you are getting the chance to hire professionals who know about a host of different scenarios and who are also up-to-date on the latest methods and technologies.
As you are checking out and researching the different possibilities, make sure to look into the reputation of the facility. You may want to speak with your relatives' doctors for recommendations and ask relatives and friends what facilities they have used. When you are reading reviews online, just do so with a cautious eye. Sometimes, people are paid to write fake reviews, so you do not want to fall prey to them. Knowing that professional entities are available can help to encourage you to pursue this route.
When you need to hire assistance for your loved ones, you might feel overwhelmed by the possibilities. What's good to know is that reputable home health care agencies with the right services are available for you.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
What Is Hospice?
When you or someone close to you suffers from an illness or condition that does not come with any type of cure, you may want to consider a type of care known as hospice care. If you are not familiar with hospice, this is a type of care aimed at assisting individuals who are estimated by their doctor to have six months or less to live. You might be considering obtaining hospice care for a loved one or someone close to you. It's important that you're aware of what this care entails and the types of services provided with it. Additionally, this may include home health care.
What Is Hospice?
Hospice is a type of care that is provided to people who only have a short amount of time to live. The goal of hospice is to make sure that these individuals receive proper care and are as comfortable as possible in the time that they have left. Patients receive individualized care. These care plans can address a wide range of issues that include physical, spiritual, and emotional pain.
Provided assistance is available whenever necessary to the family caregivers of the patient in question. Hospice refers to this as bereavement support. In the event the patient has passed away, availability remains offerable. Most hospices believe that the overall quality of life provided for a person is as important as their length of life.
Types of Services Offered With Hospice Care
Most reputable hospices follow guidelines set forth by Medicare on how to take care of an individual and manage their illness. The myriad of services provided through hospice care include:
- Physical therapy as well as occupational therapy
- Short-term care in a home or inpatient setting
- Short-term care offering a respite to family caregivers having emotional difficulties brought about during care
- Counseling for the patient as well as their loved ones
- Counseling on how to maintain a healthy and effective diet
- The provision of medications for the relief or management of symptoms caused by the terminal illness
- The administration of a wide range of medical equipment that includes bandages, walkers, and wheelchairs
There are also some hospice services available for you to select but aren't covered by Medicare. Something that you should be aware of. Generally, Medicare doesn't cover treatments that can cure your illness or are completely unrelated to that specific terminal illness. Administered care in an emergency room or nursing home is also not covered.
Eligibility For Hospice Care
When attempting to determine whether or not you or someone you know is eligible for hospice care, there are a variety of factors to take into account. In order for you to fully qualify for the services provided through hospice, a standard physician, as well as a hospice physician, will need to certify that you meet the necessary criteria for obtaining these services. The primary criteria require patients requesting hospice care to have a life expectancy that is set at six months or less. In the event that the condition or disease progresses as it's been diagnosed.
In some cases, an individual may live past the original six months. If this occurs, hospice generally extends its coverage. Specifically, if their condition causes the decline in their overall health. If their health improves, and it appears as though the original life expectancy is substantially longer than believed, it's possible for the patient being discharged from hospice. Hospice care remains available in the event of being discharged from hospice but your condition eventually declines again.
Hospice Solely for Cancer Patients?
Many people believe that hospice specifically accepts individuals diagnosed with cancer. This is not always the case. There is a range of additional diseases and conditions that hospice patients may have. This may range from dementia and lung disease to heart disease. Anyone diagnosed with an illness or disease that is life-limiting will likely be eligible for this care.
Is Hospice Provided At Home?
When you are thinking of obtaining hospice care, you may be wondering where provided care occurs. In the majority of situations, it's possible to receive this type of care from the comforts of your own home. The hospice team will be able to assist with a wide range of everyday tasks. This also includes household chores that you may be unable to complete yourself. If you or the individual close to you suffers from a substantial amount of pain, the control and management of this pain can be a priority for the hospice team.
Most individuals want to remain at home in their final days. This is why most hospice services tailor to this expectancy. The hospice team in charge of your care can consist of additional professionals. This may include massage therapists and dietitians, which allows you to obtain the level of care that you deserve. Many of these individuals will also be able to provide you with friendship and companionship. All of which is especially important for people who live alone.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
5 Important Tips to Help You Select Home Health Care in Monterey
When you were young, your parents cared for you, and the time has now come to care for them. The decision to procure home health care is not always the easiest one. It can indicate to you that your parents are aging. Also, your parents themselves may initially resist this care. Therefore, having all of the tips that you can to make the selection process run smoothly benefits you all.
Choose a Knowledgeable Provider
While it may seem obvious that you select a provider that is knowledgeable in the industry, more important is that you know how to gauge this criterion. When choosing home health care, take a good look at the entity's website. A strong provider is likely going to post resources on its website so that you can read about topics related to home health care.
As you're having discussions with representatives from the agency, note how quickly and efficiently they answer questions. Representatives who have to constantly look up the answer to your inquiries should cause some level of skepticism. You can also gain a sense of how proficient the agency is by reading reviews from families who have used or who are currently using the services. Do exercise caution with online reviews as they could be fraudulent. Instead, find out if the agency has actual references available, or speak with your relatives to see what providers they used.
Look for Different Levels of Assistance
As you're researching providers in home health care, look into the levels of care that are offered. In other words, not all home health care is the same. For some situations, you might need a nurse to live with your ill relative. In other situations, you may need an aide to come to the house for a period of time each day while you are at work. You want to make sure that the facility offers the kind of care that your family needs.
It's also important to choose a facility that offers multiple types of care because your family's needs can change. For example, if your loved one has a degenerative illness, you may need more care and coverage as the ailment progresses. Keeping your relative within the same care system can help to offer a level of comfort during a difficult time.
Select a Program with Medical Care
You may think that your elderly relative needs only a companion right now. Of course, having a companion is extremely powerful, especially for people who are feeling lonely or abandoned. You might consider selecting a program where an aide comes to the home to spend time with your loved one. Regardless of what your relative's current needs are, you must prepare for the future too. In other words, you should select an agency that hires individuals who are trained in medical fields.
Your loved one may have suffered from a medical event or needs someone to administer medications on a regular basis. You would want to have professionals who are trained in these areas there to handle the situation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you work with a home health care facility that offers medical assistance. When you are speaking with representatives, you will likely need to discuss your relative's specific medical needs.
Review the Experience
Using the latest methods and having current knowledge in the field are both quite important attributes of a suitable home health care provider. However, you also want to ensure that the entity has a strong reputation in the community over a long stretch of time. While you might be able to gauge the short-term success of a new agency, you do not know what the long-term effects are. When you hire an agency that has decades of experience, you can better see the products of the services.
Also, when elderly individuals are aging and are ill, unpredictable situations can arise. At the least, these situations can seem unpredictable to you. Hiring a company with experience in the field means that the staff members are likely trained to handle an array of scenarios. Instead of constantly having to worry about whether or not the nurse or aide will know what to do if a serious situation arises, you can have a strong sense of confidence that the situation will be handled in a smart manner.
Involve Your Relative
Once you've started to go through all of the options for home health care, you can become quite caught up in the process. In fact, you may forget that you need to select an option that makes sense for your relative. Of course, you are probably cognizant of the individual's physical and medical needs, but you must remember that this individual is a person. Simply being told that home health care will start soon is likely a frightening experience for many individuals. They may feel as though you are taking over their lives.
Work to involve your loved one in the process as much as possible. For example, you can browse brochures and websites of different facilities together. Also, you can talk about what makes sense in terms of services for your loved one. When you speak with representatives, let your relative be present and ask questions. Feeling alienated from the process can have serious consequences. Your loved one might resist the home health care services even more than you originally thought. Ask your relative for opinions on the situation. This person needs to feel comfortable with the home health care situation too.
As you enter onto this sometimes difficult journey, you might feel overwhelmed. You are trying to choose the best care for your relatives, and you want to keep them happy as well. While you should speak with your loved one's doctor about specific medical needs, you do have some criteria to start with. These criteria can help you to narrow down the many options that are available for home health care.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
Could Your Parents Benefit From In-Home Care?
Aging can cause a variety of physical and mental changes in the body. That is why most people will need home care at some point. Home care allows people to receive the help that they need without leaving their homes. There are a number of telltale signs that one may need home care.
Forgetfulness
Memory loss is a common sign of aging. People who are forgetful may frequently misplace things. They may also have difficulty recalling important information such as times, names and places. Additionally, they may neglect to pay their bills. It is common for people to forget things sometimes. However, it is not normal for anyone to be forgetful all of the time. If your parents have trouble recalling things, then it may be time for them to get home care.
Falls and Unexplained Bruising
Falls are one of the top causes of death in people who are over the age of 65. In fact, half of fatal fall accidents occur in people who are over the age of 75. A fall is a clear sign that one may need home care. Because a fall may occur when you are not around, it is important for your loved one to have around-the-clock supervision.
You will also need to look out for unexplained bruising. This can also be a sign of a fall. It may also indicate that your loved one bumped into the furniture at some point.
Driving is Becoming an Issue
It gets more dangerous for a person to drive as they get older. Seniors are more prone to vision problems. They also have slower reaction times. In fact, the average 65-year-old has a reaction time that is 22 times slower than a person who is under the age of 30. This can make it difficult to make maneuvers.
If your loved one has gotten into an accident, then it is time to consider home care. You may also want to consider home care if your loved one has had multiple traffic violations. Additionally, you should look out for scratches and dents in the car. A home health care provider can make sure that your parents safely get where they need to go.
A Lack of Self-Care
Self-care is essential for staying healthy. Anyone who is neglecting self-care needs home care. Long nails, dirty nails, poor hygiene, body odor and unkempt hair are signs of a lack of self-care.
Not Eating Regularly
People who do not eat regularly put themselves at risk for becoming malnourished. This can put them at risk for developing serious health problems. Home care is needed if your parents are having trouble putting together meals. If you suspect that your loved one is not eating enough, then you should look in the refrigerator.
You may notice that there is not a huge selection of food. You may also notice that there is outdated food.
Mood Swings
It is normal for everyone to have mood swings at some point. However, frequent mood swings may be an indication of cognitive decline. A loss of interest in activities, depression and a loss of energy are some of the signs of cognitive decline.
Missing Medication
It is estimated that 75 percent of seniors take at least one medication. Eighty percent of the seniors who are on medication take more than one. Many people need this medication in order to manage a chronic condition. If your parents are taking medication, then you will need to make sure that they take it properly.
If your parents are skipping doses or taking more than they need, then it is time to call home care. Home health care professionals will make sure that your parents take their medications properly. It is important to note that if medication is not taken properly, then hospitalization or death can result.
A Lack of Home Maintenance
It can become more difficult for one to take care of their home as they get older. If you notice that the home is unkempt, then it is time to get home care. You may notice that the laundry is piling up and the trash is overflowing. You should also pay close attention to the lawn. If the grass is not being mowed and the lawn is not being cared for, then this is a sign of yard neglect.
Not Making Sound Decision
People who are suffering from cognitive decline may become a danger to themselves and others. For example, they may leave the stove on after cooking. They may not know how to make the right decision in an emergency situation.
Mobility is Declining
Mobility problems can easily lead to a fall. You should look out for the signs of mobility problems. This includes things such as going up and down the stairs, dizziness and walking unsteadily.
Being Reluctant to Leave the House
Being reluctant to leave the house is a sign of anxiety or depression. Your parents may not want to visit their family members or friends if they suffer from depression. They may also sleep for long periods of time and lose interest in their hobbies.
Missing Appointments
There are several reasons a person may miss an appointment. They may forget about their appointment. They may not be able to drive to get to their appointment. Additionally, they may not want to go out alone. Home health care workers can make sure that your loved ones make all of their appointments.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
How To Talk To Your Parents About Hospice Care
Parents try their best to give their children the best life possible. From the moment their child is born, parents are prepared to do whatever they can to make sure their child is well cared for. Perhaps, that’s why it’s only a natural response for adult children to want to return the favor of loving care and provide support for their aging parents. However, when it comes to end of life care, discussing hospice care with your parents may seem overwhelming.
After all, many people regard hospice care as a place where one goes during their final days of life. However, this is a common hospice myth. In reality, hospice care is not a place but a philosophy that focuses on providing patients with the care, comfort, and dignity they deserve. Furthermore, hospice care happens in environments where the patient would benefit most. In many cases, patients receive the support they need, including skilled nurse care, within the comfort of their home. Best of all, hospice care is affordable to many families. Hospice care services are covered 100% by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal and Medicare.
After doing their research, many adult children with aging parents realize that hospice care services are exactly what their parents need to live a full and rewarding life. This is regardless of the amount of time they have left. They often feel a sense of relief knowing that their mom or dad will be well taken care of. Furthermore, since hospice care takes a family-centered approach, it is common for the family and caregivers to experience the benefits of hospice care alongside the patient.
However, even with all of the positive care and benefits hospice care provides, starting the end-of-life-care discussion with mom or dad can still be difficult. Sometimes, people delay discussing hospice care because they are worried it will upset their parents. However, when it comes to the safety and well-being of aging parents, hospice care is a conversation that cannot wait. Remember, your parents cannot receive the benefits of hospice care if they don’t know the option is available.
If you have been wanting to discuss hospice care with your parents, but don’t know how to begin the conversation, you are not alone. Keep reading to learn several ways you can approach your parents and begin the conversation about hospice care services.
Make Sure Everyone Is On The Same Page
Before you sit down with mom or dad, gather with your siblings to discuss your ideas. It’s important that you all share the united goal of recommending hospice care.
Don’t try to bring up the subject of hospice care if one of your siblings is having a rough day. This can cause unnecessary stress and delay getting your parent the care he or she needs. Instead, wait for a calm day when you and your siblings are relaxed. Then have an open to having an important discussion. Share with them all of the research you have gathered on hospice care.
Share meaningful articles and important information that you’ve discovered with your siblings so that they too can reach an informed decision. Once everyone one is in agreement, you can work together to plan the right moment to bring the conversation to your parents.
Make An Appointment With A Hospice Nurse
Sometimes the idea of hospice care can seem scary simply due to the patient of family member not having enough information about what hospice care really is. Making an appointment with a hospice nurse or hospice care provider is a great way to discuss your concerns. It gives you and your siblings a chance to talk to someone who is extremely experienced in all matters related to hospice care.
Speaking with a hospice nurse makes it easier to visualize what your mom or dad’s new daily routine might look like. The hospice nurse can use her years of experience to give you additional guidance for approaching your parents. Many hospice care providers are more than happy to answer your questions. Take advantage of this information to get the insider information you need to help your parents..
Don’t Forget To Listen
When you are able to find a peaceful moment to sit down with mom or dad to discuss hospice care, there’s a lot you’re going to want to say. Remember, it’s important you give your parent time to absorb all of the new information you share. Let them respond and ask questions. Acknowledge and empathize with any emotional response your parent has. Let them know their feelings are heard and understood.
Remind mom and dad that it is ultimately their decision to make. Make it clear that there’s no obligation for them to start hospice care before they are ready. It’s very important that you reassure both your parents that they will always have your love and support. No matter what decision they make.
Top Reasons Seniors Prefer Home Health Care
It is common for children of an aging parent to worry about their parent's safety. However, In a survey conducted by AARP, it was discovered 90% of senior citizens prefer staying in their homes as they age versus entering an assisted-living home. In addition, while many will need help taking care of daily tasks, such as cooking meals, bathing, and running errands, at least 82 percent said they still wish to remain at home.
Moreover, seniors fare better when they receive emotional support from their family and friends. They feel safe when surrounded by loved ones. The more they interact with those whom they love, the less likely they are to become withdrawn or depressed.
Bringing in a home health care worker can really improve your parent's life. Caregivers provide individual attention and care in your parent's home. So, your loved one receives personal contact and much needed support. Your parent's basic needs will be met, and they can create a connection. Over the long term, there are many reasons staying at home and receiving in-home care are a great option for them and your peace of mind.
Create Comfort
Very few of us like change. And the older we get, we tend to like it less. As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz told us, "There's no place like home." Feeling safe and comfortable leads to good mental health. We all want our parents to feel happy as they age, and staying at home is a key to maintaining that state of wellbeing.
Alleviate Anxiety
Fear of the unknown can make anyone anxious, but seniors are especially prone because aging is frought with unknowns. Knowing you can at least stay in your own home can help ease those fears. On another level, knowing your surroundings and "making it on your own" builds confidence. An unexpected illness can add stress to your senior's life and cause a long term negative effect. A home health care worker is trained for such a situation. Together, you and the caregiver can ease your loved one's anxiety.
Online Resources
If your parents aren't tech savvy, perhaps you can help lead them to the numerous resources available online. Grocery stores deliver and meal delivery services are everywhere. Even pet products can be purchased online, as well as housekeeping and yard work. Many items they need can be brought to their doorstep. The in-home care giver can help with this as well.
Reduce Stress
Being a caregiver to anyone is more stressful than you might imagine. And when it's your parent, other challenges come in to play. When your parent is able to remain in their home, it can make it easier when you have discussions about finances and medical decisions. Furthermore,with an in-home care giver, you have another resource who understands seniors and can help mediate discussions.
Curb Isolation
Your parent is less likely to feel isolated or unhappy if they are in a familiar ad comfortable setting. When you're not able to be there, the in-home care giver can offer much needed company. Your loved one can show off their old family albums and talk about the glory days, which are great for feeling connected.
Save Money
Advisers from the AARP calculate the average cost of a nursing home or assisted-living facility as more than $50,000 annually. It might be helpful to sit down with your parent and create a budget. You may be surprised when you weigh the pluses and minuses of living at home versus in a nursing home. In addition, home health care services cost less than nursing home care, so your parent will have a win-win.
Freedom
Imagine the comfort you would feel, and the comfort your parent would feel, walking freely through their own home. Even if the home care worker has to help them fix a snack or use the bathroom, your loved one still can rest in their own bed or on their own couch. Seniors who move to an assisted-living facility feel as though they've lost their independence. Living at home gives them freedom, which builds confidence and promotes well-being.
Maintain Safety
When your parent lives in their own home, they are less likely to become a victim of elder abuse and/or neglect. You will help them select an in-home caregiver, and you can drop in to check on them at any time, and not be subject to a facility's schedule.
If you are able to keep your loved one at home, and provide them with in-home health care, it will be a benefit to them and you. You can find many trustworthy and well-established home care providers that provide 100% in-home care. We all want to keep our parents safe, comfortable and happy. That includes enabling them to live in their own home and bringing in skilled, humane caregivers. This option can be a blessing to your loved one and leave you feeling confident they are receiving the best care possible.
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Stroke
Strokes have been negatively affecting the general population’s health for decades. In fact, almost 800,000 Americans experience a stroke each year. If you break it down, that’s about one stroke happening every forty seconds. While strokes can cause death, it is possible to be a stroke survivor. However, many survivors continue to struggle with the lasting physical damage and negative side effects strokes can cause.
A stroke is a very serious medical emergency. With the possibility of happening at any age, place, and time, strokes are a danger to the old and young alike. However, you don’t have to live your life in fear of an impending stroke.
This month, take control of your health by learning how to prevent a stroke from happening. While there are some stroke risk factors you can’t control, there are ways to reduce your chance of having a stroke. In fact, 80% of strokes are preventable. Keep reading to learn how you can reduce your risk of stroke. Pay close attention, what you learn here could help save a life.
Lower Your Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, you are doubling, even quadrupling your risk of stroke. It is important that your work with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and get it under control. Ideally, you want to maintain a blood pressure that is less than 135/85, or in some cases less than 140/90.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of increased stroke risk in both men and women. Treating elevated blood pressure is one of the best things you can do to minimize your risk of stroke while simultaneously improving your vascular health.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, including:
- Reduce your salt intake to no more than 1,500 mg a day. That’s approximately half a teaspoon of salt.
- Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, like fatty meats, refined grain products, and saturated fats.
- Eat 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Consume 1 serving of fish 2-3 times every week.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.
- Quit smoking.
Following these healthy habits will lower your blood pressure and your risk of stroke.
Quit Smoking
Not only is smoking bad for your lungs, it can also accelerate clot formation. Smoking thickens your blood and causes plaque buildup to increase in the arteries. Ending your smoking habit is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of stroke.
You can achieve your goal of smoking cessation by doing the following:
Consult with your primary doctor to figure out the most best way for you to quit.
Use effective quit-smoking aids like nicotine pills, medicine, or counseling.
Never give up. It takes many tries for most smokers to successfully quit. Each try is a step closer towards your goal of a healthier, longer life.
Exercise More
Adding exercise to your daily routine is a fantastic way to minimize your chances of having a stroke. In fact, it’s a great way to achieve a number of health goals. Not only does it help lower your blood pressure as previously mentioned, exercise also acts as an independent stoke reducer. Research shows consistent moderate exercise can reduce your risk of stroke by a whopping 27%.
The American Heart Association advises adults to get at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense exercise a week. Or, at the very least, 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. Here are some activities you can try to increase the amount of exercise in your weekly routine:
- Start a fitness group with friends.
- Exercise to the level where you are breathing hard, but are still able to talk.
- Add more movement in your daily routine, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Take a stroll through the neighborhood after breakfast or during your lunch break.
- Swim some laps at the local pool.
- Explore local hiking trails.
Doing any of these activities on a regular basis is a smart way to meet your weekly exercise requirements.
Lose Weight
Being overweight can lead to a series of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased chances of having a stroke. Losing as little as 10 pounds can have a huge effect on your stroke risk. Speak with your primary health care physician to discuss a weight loss strategies and realistic, achievable weight loss goals. Once you start shedding those extra pounds, you’ll also start shedding your risk of stroke.
As you can see, there are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of stroke. You can decrease your chances of experiencing a stroke by living an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, and making health-conscious decisions. Protect yourself and the health of your loved ones practicing these healthy habits. Make sure to share this vital information with your friends and family. Together we can eliminate the threat of stroke in our community.
Want to learn more ways you reduce your chances of stroke? Speak to your local health care provider to address any questions or concerns you may have. If you live in Monterey County, consider reaching out to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice. Their award-winning nurses are ready to help you achieve your health goals and reduce your chances of stroke.