Once families have reached the end of the countdown, and the day has finally arrived when their loved one can leave the hospital, it can be a big relief. But while some celebration is warranted for the progress of a senior’s recovery, families need to start the planning process as soon as they learn of a senior’s potential release date, and that’s where the hard work really starts!

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

National Family Caregiver’s Month got the recognition it deserves this year by the President of the United States, Barak Obama. Family caregivers do so much, and this November, they really do deserve to have their achievements recognized, so the rest of the population understands all that they do. Here are some excerpts from the President’s official Proclamation; recognize, appreciate, and remember to say thank you for those caregivers in your lives.

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

Sometimes caregiving responsibilities feel like they come at us out of nowhere, and when they do, the responsibilities are huge. You don’t have to become a regular caregiver for a loved one to play an important role in care; simply by helping to arrange the care of someone you love, you make a big difference and can call yourself a caregiver. Great, right? Now you have the title, but that just doesn’t make the process any easier; so here are some tips to follow when making care decisions and choosing a home care agency to get you through the process:

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

There is a current petition to develop a stamp that will honor caregivers. These individuals have made great sacrifices in their own lives to provide for a loved one who is in need. Often times, the responsibilities of a caregiver are overlooked, and many people do not realize exactly what a heavy load it actually is to care for another person. Caregivers face the following issues:

• 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

The senior care industry is being transformed before our eyes as more seniors and their families are opting for home care over assistance in a nursing home or other senior care facility. The announcement of the closure of a senior care residence in Los Angeles proves that just not enough seniors want to give up their independence when they can maintain it in their own homes with the help of a caregiver. 78 residences of a long-term care unit and hospital in the San Fernando Valley will be closing by year’s end, according to the operator, the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

This long-term care facility has provided care and residence for generations of aging Hollywood figures, from actors, to directors and producers. But those there now are about to find themselves without a home. To date, there has already been a great deal of conflict and opposition to the closure of this facility, and now that the official announcement has been made, it’s expected that some lawsuits will be filed by some of Hollywood’s people of influence and their families who are being affected by this change.

Our hearts go out to these seniors and their families who are being affected, but this is a prime example of the instability that can come from choosing to use an assisted living facility for care in older adulthood; with home care, seniors are not only offered a greater level of independence, they also receive the benefit of stability.

Via: NY Times

I know when you hear about intergenerational daycares, like ONEGeneration in Los Angeles, you think, but seniors aren’t children; should they be cared for in the same environment as babies and toddlers. That does bring up some good points, but intergenerational daycares aren’t trying to imply that caring for children and seniors are one of the same; what they’re really doing is giving seniors something that they can’t necessarily get anywhere else, like the therapeutic benefits of working with children.

For many Los Angeles senior suffering from dementia or other changes of aging which impact their quality of life and ability to provide for themselves independently, they feel like they’ve lost their sense of purpose and importance in life. But by reading to a toddler or rocking a baby, they regain their confidence and sense of importance. By receiving care in an environment that also has childcare, seniors are safe and provided for, but also avoid the degradation that they can often feel when knowing that they just can’t provide for themselves on their own anymore.

Seniors in Los Angeles, who love to be around children and could use a little boost in confidence, should consider attending an intergenerational daycare like ONEGeneration that will give them an experience far better than just providing for their senior care needs.

Sources:

1. The New York Times

Image: nytimes.com

I know when you hear about intergenerational daycares, like ONEGeneration in Los Angeles, you think, but seniors aren’t children; should they be cared for in the same environment as babies and toddlers. That does bring up some good points, but intergenerational daycares aren’t trying to imply that caring for children and seniors are one of the same; what they’re really doing is giving seniors something that they can’t necessarily get anywhere else, like the therapeutic benefits of working with children.

For many Los Angeles senior suffering from dementia or other changes of aging which impact their quality of life and ability to provide for themselves independently, they feel like they’ve lost their sense of purpose and importance in life. But by reading to a toddler or rocking a baby, they regain their confidence and sense of importance. By receiving care in an environment that also has childcare, seniors are safe and provided for, but also avoid the degradation that they can often feel when knowing that they just can’t provide for themselves on their own anymore.

Seniors in Los Angeles, who love to be around children and could use a little boost in confidence, should consider attending an intergenerational daycare like ONEGeneration that will give them an experience far better than just providing for their senior care needs.

Sources:

1. The New York Times

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

We may think we’re not responsible, but anytime each of us turn a blind eye to the signs that an older adult is being abused or neglected, we are participating in their victimization. Whether we pass a senior in a Los Angeles grocery store who shows signs of bruises and don’t say a word, or we keep our mouths shut while we see an individual verbally battering an older adult in the park; we are sharing in the responsibility of elder abuse. Next time you suspect a senior is being abused, don’t hold your tongue; any of the signs listed below can indicate that a senior is a victim of abuse or neglect, and now’s the time to do something about it.

• The senior is showing physical signs of injury, including bruising, sprains and cuts

• There are bedsores on the senior’s body, which may show signs of neglect

• The senior seems to be tense and argumentative around his or her caregiver

• The senior has withdrawn from many social activities that they once enjoyed

• The senior’s general attitude has changed

• The senior refuses to seek treatment for any issues with drugs, alcohol or depression

• The senior tries to avoid the topic of his/her care

• The senior appears to be losing excessive amounts of weight

• The senior’s caregiver seems “too good to be true”, if you get the impression, that may very well be the case. A good caregiver should be open and honest about their dealings with a senior.

Sources:

1. Planning for Eldercare

Elder caregivers in Los Angeles who are experiencing high levels of stress may develop a series of bad habits which can lead to caregiver burnout, and in extreme cases, even elder abuse. In 15 simple steps caregivers can reclaim time to themselves and prevent the onset of stress and development of bad habits.

1.   Be honest about your bad habits and the amount of stress you’re experiencing so they can be addressed.
2.   Let your care recipient know daily how much you love and appreciate them.
3.   Do something just for you on a weekly basis.
4.   Take a deep breath when things become overwhelming.
5.   Take a few minutes each morning to repeat an affirmation or focus on calmness.
6.   Make time for exercise daily, even a brief, brisk walk.
7.   Find someone who you can listen and vent to.
8.   Allow yourself to be happy.
9.   Acknowledge the bad parts of your day and let them go
10. Relax with a cup of tea, glass of wine or a hot bath
11. Allow yourself to enjoy your favorite music or TV show
12. Look at the positive points in your life
13. Keep smiling.
14. Keep a journal.
15  Try aromatherapy.

For caregivers who require additional help, or are overburdened by their care duties, home care businesses in Los Angeles can help.

Sources:
1. Eldercare ABC Blog

Image: poundlandblog.co.uk

Q – I suspect that my elderly grandfather, who has an elder care provider assisting him in his home in Los Angeles might be a victim of home care negligence. He doesn’t seem to get along with his caregiver and is reluctant to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing, so what are the signs I can look for to determine if he’s a victim of negligence?

A – If you believe that your father in Los Angeles might be a victim of negligence, or doesn’t get along with his caregiver. Don’t hesitate to talk to the caregiving agency about your suspicions and request another elder care expert to provide home care services. However, if you want to justify your concerns, there are other signs that could indicate your father is being neglected.

• Sudden changes in his behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn, depressed or angry

• Physical injuries like bruises, scrapes, cuts, or even broken bones

• The home care provider not allowing seniors to spend time alone with family members for fear something might be revealed

• Pressure sores or signs that restraints have been used

• Sudden, inexplicable weight loss in the senior

Sources:
1. Care Home Negligence
2. EZine Articles