Help at Home | Alzheimer's & Dementia Care, LLC: 2018

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Nursing Home Factors to Consider

When it’s time for your loved one to move into a nursing home, one of the biggest factors will be cost. The national average cost for a private room at a nursing home is over $97K a year! To protect yourself and your loved ones wallet, make sure you get everything in writing and watch out for these 5 hidden costs.

Health Assessment – Most nursing facilities do a one-time assessment when your loved one first moves in. Make sure you ask if this assessment is included or not so you can budget for it.Leave of Absence – Sometimes called “bed hold” is when a resident heads to the hospital for surgery or a different facility for other types of care. Nursing homes could charge a daily fee to hold the bed so the resident can return later on. If an agreement is not signed, the nursing home could give your loved one’s bed to someone else. Make sure you ask the facility if a bed-hold agreement is included in their yearly fee so your loved one doesn’t lose their place if they leave temporarily.State Assessment – Some states will add a nursing home assessment on your bill if your loved one is paying with private funds. If your loved one has long-term care insurance, the fee could be covered by the policy. If you are required to pay the additional fee, you may be able to deduct this as a tax credit. Ask the advice of your accountant if you find yourself in this situation.Extra Services – There may be other services that could go on the bill that is different from basic care. Fees such as social and therapeutic services, could be added on your loved one’s bill depending on your state. Always as to see a sample of your bill first to get everything is writing. Each facility may offer something different in terms of the way they care.Cost Increase – Many nursing homes will send a bill prior to the next month which will give you an estimated cost of the upcoming month. If there is an increase, it could be due to the costs of basic services and room and board. Prior to moving into the nursing home, ask how often they raise their rates.

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Help at Home can provide around the clock care for your senior loved ones by providing a stable, positive environment for seniors living with Alzheimer's, helping them to stay active, social, and stay healthy. Located in Greenwich, CT, Alzheimer's and Dementia Care / Help at Home, LLC is proud to be a top rated home health care provider in Fairfield County, CT, Westchester County, NY, Manhattan, NY and beyond. Our clients are our family and we treat everyone with compassion and care. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your loved ones. Email: maryann@alzdementiacare.com Phone: 203-520-0116

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

A Possible Link Between Sleep Deprivation and Alzheimer's

As we age, sleep disturbances become more common and frequent. However, in Alzheimer’s patients – the frequency and severity go up, according to an article on the Alzheimer’s Association website. The article states, “There is evidence that sleep changes are more coming in later stages of the disease… studies have also found them in early stages.”

The NIH (National Institute of Health) has found that there may be a possible link between sleep deprivation and Alzheimer’s. According to an NIH article published in April 2018, a small study showed that, “losing just one night sleep led to an increase in beta-amyloid – a protein in the brain associated with impaired brain function and Alzheimer’s disease.”

A study with about 20 participants each underwent brain scans to see the effects on the Beta-amyloid levels after a good night’s sleep versus going 31-hours without any sleep. The study revealed an increase in the Beta-amyloid levels, especially in the thalamus and hippocampus (areas of the brain vulnerable to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease).

Even though the study was small, the results caused a lot of excitement to continue with a larger audience and a more diverse population. Dr. George F. Kooh, director of NIAAA, quoted in the NIH article, saying “(this) provides new insight and has implications for better identifying the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.” While the NIH article continues to say more studies are needed, the link between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s are thought to go both ways.

Alz.org related that even though this upcoming year (2019), Congress has approved a bill that included a $425 million increase to the NIH for its Alzheimer’s and dementia research. For every $100 the NIH spends of Alzheimer’s and dementia research, Medicare and Medicaid still spend $9,700 caring for people with Alzheimer’s/

If you would like to thank Congress directly for approving this bill and encourage them to continue funding the NIH Alzheimer’s research, link HERE set up by Alz.org.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Tips When Your Aging Parents Won't Listen

You may be dreading the conversation, but at some point, you'll need to have the talk with your parents. No adult child wants to watch their parents struggle, not getting the help they need. But how do you start the conversation that may compromise their independence?

Remember to take a breath before you begin, and follow these 15 tips for a smooth conversation.

Be Persistent – Don't expect that everything will work itself out after one sitting. You may have to continue the conversation more than once, so be patient.

Avoid Power Struggles – Don't push, nag or harass your parents. Don't make ultimatums or argue. You don't want to damage your relationship or cause further tension.

Be Sensitive – Criticism and judgment can also put your parents on the defense – let them know that you feel concerned about them, be honest that you're worried.

Timing Is Everything – Find a day or time where everyone is relaxed and calm. If you pick a day to talk, make sure you but your worries and anxieties aside – it will only make the matter worse.

Stay Calm – At some point, your parents may already be aware that they are changing. State your concerns calmly, speaking with love and tenderness can help reassure to them that everything is ok.

Seek Outside Help – You're not alone – plenty of adult children have gone through this conversation. It's ok to find support groups or talk to someone who can help guide you through this process.

Spend More Time With Them – Life gets busy, but be sure to make time with your parents. As they grow older, they'll need more attention from you. Plus, it will help keep the relationship and bond strength.

Ask Questions – Instead of talking at your parents, try asking open-ended questions. Such as, "why did you want to go to this particular store?" This could be a clue as to why your parents may need help or a change.

Coming Up With Solutions – If you feel your parents are concerned about ending up in a nursing home, try suggesting an alternate solution. Take time to do research on different senior living option. Take them to open houses. Show them that there are many other alternatives that can meet their needs.

Focus On Benefits – If your parents require around the clock care, find a place that meets their needs, as well as their hobbies and interests.

Bring In Siblings – Caregiving is a big responsibility, you shouldn't have to do it alone. If you have siblings, ask them to speak to your parents as well. It's important everyone sees eye-to-eye.

Enlist Support of Friends – Consider setting up a family meeting that includes close friends or neighbors. It can be easier to hear the truth from someone outside the family.

Talk To Their Doctor – Try talking to your parent's doctor. Let them know your concerns about their wellbeing. In the end, a medical professional may the advice your parents only listen to.

Outline Consequences – If your parents still demand to drive alone or live alone, remind them of the possible consequences of their actions.

Don't Count On Change – In the end, there may not be much you can do to change their mind. Remember – your parents are grown adults who have the right to make their own decisions. Sometimes all you can do is let go and accept the situation.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Top 5 Vitamins Actually Worth Taking

We all know the importance of taking vitamins as we age – but out of all the available choices, which ones should your elderly loved ones focus on?

Vitamins Impact on Senior Health

As we reach over 50, nutrients become more important to our well-being and overall health. Many medications that are prescribed to adults begin to deplete vitamins such as Magnesium, B1, Calcium, Vitamin K, CoQ10, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc, Beta-Carotene and B12. With the loss of so many essential nutrients, try giving your loved on a daily multi-vitamin or add vitamin-rich foods into your diet.

More Is Not Always Better

As we age, it’s important to remember that “more isn’t always better” – Some vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Iron can be toxic when consumed in heavy doses. Be sure to speak to your doctor first about any effects they could have on your health.

Five Supplements Worth Taking

With all the vitamins available to us, it can be hard to choose the right one for you and your loved ones. Here are five recommended vitamins for optimal senior health.

CalciumCalcium is essential for women to prevent bone loss which can lead to osteopenia. It is also important for men, who can also experience bone loss later in life. Try taking Vitamin D to maximize absorption, and also adding dark green leafy vegetables – like spinach and kale – to your everyday diet. It is recommended to take 1200 mg of Calcium daily through food and supplements, more than younger adults.

ZincZinc is essential for enzymatic reactions throughout the body. It plays a critical role in immunity, wound healing and proper taste and smell. It can also ward off depression by helping neurotransmitters travel better to the brain. Zinc can also serve as a treatment for arthritis by reducing inflammation throughout the body.

MagnesiumMagnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels, and can be a helpful treatment of type 2 diabetes. Many senior medications inhibit the absorption of magnesium, so it’s important to include magnesium rich foods, such as seeds, nuts, and whole grains into your diet.

Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells health. It also plays a vital role in preventing anemia and memory loss.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: EPA and DHAOmega-3’s has been shown to reduce dry-eye symptoms, reduce the pain and complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis and reduce depression. Having low levels of DHA has been linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, but very high levels of 800-900 mg per day have actually been shown to reverse memory loss and aid in verbal recognition, according to an article in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: A Journal by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Help at Home can provide around the clock care for your senior loved ones by providing a stable, positive environment for seniors living with Alzheimer’s, helping them to stay active, social, and stay healthy.

Located in Greenwich, CT, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care / Help at Home, LLC is proud to be a top rated home health care provider in Fairfield County, CT, Westchester County, NY, Manhattan, NY and beyond. Our clients are our family and we treat everyone with compassion and care. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your loved ones.

Email: maryann@alzdementiacare.com

Phone: 203-520-0116

Friday, October 5, 2018

Autumn Safety Tips

Just as quickly as the leave are changing, so could an elderly loved one.

It's important to keep in mind continuous safety precautions and have regular home checks as the season's change. Fall home maintenance can be difficult for an aging loved one living along – here are some tips to stay safe.

WINDOWS – Be sure to check all windows to make sure they open and close easily. Your loved one may want to have fresh air on a warm day. If the windows are difficult to manage, try taking a wax candlestick on the inside of the windowsill to make the window pane move easier.

HEAT – Make sure any areas with a draft occurs is sealed off and secure. Check the homes heating system to make sure it doesn't need any repairs. If there is a fireplace or chimney, have it cleaned prior to any fires. Be prepared for cold weather by having a stockpile of wood ready when needed.

LEAVES – Keep walkways, sidewalks, and stairs clear of leaves. As leaves begin to pile and get wet, they can become a slipping hazard. Also be sure to clear all drain pipes of leaves and other debris as well.

CLOTHING – Be sure that your older loved one's clothing is weather appropriate. During the transition between summer and fall, it's best to keep a few lighter clothing items out when needed.

SPACE HEATERS –

Having a space heater can be a great way to warm up on a chilly fall evening, but it's vital to read the instructions prior to use. If the space heater requires venting, be sure to have it placed near where it can get outdoor venting. Also, never use your oven or stove for heating a home.

SMOKE ALARMS –

When we change our "clocks back" it's a good reminder to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace any home fire extinguishers in your loved ones home – especially if they're expired.

HOME CARE – It's also a good idea to hire a home care assistant to help check-in on your loved ones when you're not able to. At Help at Home, we offer a wide variety of services that can fit the needs of you and your family.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Activities For Your Loved One

As our loved one's age, it can be difficult for them to travel or participate in certain events. Here are some activities that are easy and enjoyable to share with your loved ones.

1. Exercise - Being physically active is one of the best activities someone in their later years can do. Exercise (along with diet) serves as the foundation for a healthy body and mind and should always be a priority even in a senior's later years!

2. Puzzles or Board Games - As you age, it's normal to experience some level of cognitive decline including processing speeds or education in attention span, which males it important to actively engage in various types of mentally stimulating activities to help keep sharp.

3. Arts and Crafts - Creating art, whether it be in the form of paintings, sculptures, jewelry or even knitting can be a great activity as it allows for creativity and stimulation of the senses including sight, touch and sound.

4. Visit a Pet Shop - Many studies have shown that animals like cats and dogs can help induce calmness, relaxation and feelings of well-being for seniors. It can also reduce anxiety and depression.

5. Movie Night - Movie nights can be a great way to bring family and friends together to enjoy a classic film and entertainment for a couple hours. They provide the opportunity to have discussion before and after the movie to build excitement and "recap" parts of the film everyone enjoyed which is mentally stimulating.

Email: maryann@alzdementiacare.com

Phone: 203-520-0116

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Ways to Get Loss of Appetite Seniors to Eat

We worry about our grandparents and the older adults in our lives that refuse to eat or have lost their appetites. Of course, it doesn't make family and friends happy to hear of these issues with their senior loved ones but we try our best to guide them to eat healthy, nutritious meals again. At times it isn't due to medication side effects, health complications, or dental issues as to why seniors have lost their interest in eating. By experimenting in various ways and with small changes in their diet, seniors will learn how to eat again. Here are some helpful tips:

Smaller portions of high nutrient foods – can be beneficial to seniors who feel overwhelmed and intimidated with the larger plate of food. Rather than serving a larger plate of food, smaller portions are key! Instead of serving three large meals a day, your older adult can eat five or six smaller meals. Some healthy calorie boosters include olive oil, eggs, avocados, softer cheeses like cottage cheese or ricotta, meat, peanuts/various nuts and so forth. A great time saver is to cook the meals in larger portions and store them in individual, smaller containers that can be easily reheated later.

Stop using utensils – some seniors become frustrated with using a fork, spoon, or knife and they may not want to eat at all; to help them eat easier, why not serve food that can be eaten without utensils like avocado toast, steamed/raw vegetables like broccoli, cucumber pieces, slices of bell pepper with hummus, and carrot sticks.

A daily meal and snack schedule – is important to ensure that your senior eats at approximately the same times everyday to help their bodies become acclimated to eating at those designated meal and snack times. Please do not rely on the senior's ability to feel hungry as it declines with age and maintaining a regular meal schedule is the best way to ensure that your older adult is eating.

Be prepared with easy to eat snacks – for some seniors they prefer to graze throughout the day rather than to eat larger, full meals in one sitting. That's great and okay that your adult seniors want to eat delicious, healthy, and easy to eat snacks. Some examples include peanuts or other nuts like cashews, almonds, walnuts, whole chocolate milk, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and wheat crackers, fresh fruit in bite-size pieces, whole milk yogurts, whole milk cottage cheese and if your senior has health complications, try to stay away from foods with high in fats or cholesterol.

Liquid foods including soups, milkshakes or smoothies – are a great option for your seniors who have difficulty chewing or if they find that solid foods are too tiring to manage at the moment. Liquid foods are all the rage when chewing or eating becomes a challenge. Some suggestions include full-fat milk; enriches nutritious soups with olive oil, puréed meats, and veggies. When it comes to healthy smoothies one can add, full-fat yogurts, veggies like spinach, kale, avocados, and carrots. Hot cocoa with full-fat milk and milkshakes are also great liquid snack alternatives; milkshakes with the good quality ice cream is better than not eating anything at all.

It is challenging to get seniors who have lost their appetite but by taking notes or keeping track of what the senior enjoys eating/snacking, what they do not like, and any foods that may be causing an upset stomach. Tracking what times your seniors are more willing to eat or when they have a better appetite. It is a good mindset to be patient, continue to experiment with various foods, don't be discouraged, be creative and stay positive while figuring out your seniors' meals and snacks that will ultimately give them the nutrients that they need.

Email: maryann@alzdementiacare.com

Phone: 203-520-0116

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Living with Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Care Tips for Patients & Caregivers

Living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of late-stage dementia can be a challenge not only for the patient, but also for their loved ones and caregivers. The disease has its ups and downs and this instability can be emotionally taxing on everyone involved. However, there are things that can be done to improve the quality of life to ease the strain of living with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to put life on hold—here are a handful of tips for living and growing with the condition.

Care Tips For Alzheimer’s Patients
Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia can be a disconcerting experience, but you can improve your life by taking the following into consideration:

Accept Change — Alzheimer’s can make simple tasks like managing money or sticking to a schedule seem difficult. Though the change may affect you and your loved ones emotionally, you can combat associated stress by accepting the fact that these symptoms are part of the overall condition. Learning to live with the condition will allow you and those around you to adapt to what’s best for everyone.
Identify Challenging Tasks — You may come to discover that certain tasks are overwhelmingly challenging compared to how they once were. Identifying these and communicating with your caregiver will help to reduce potential issues going forward.
Avoid Multi-tasking — Frustration can often result for Alzheimer’s patients who attempt to multitask. Stick to one task at a time, which will allow you to engage with complete focus.
Care Tips For Caregivers
Caregivers are up against a multitude of challenges when providing Alzheimer’s support. You can lessen the load by incorporating the following into your day:

Create a Daily Routine — Routine is one of the most important things to consider when caring for an Alzheimer’s patient. You can do a great deal of good by helping the patient settle into a routine that stays more or less the same each day, always making it clear when and why shifts in the norm will occur.
Join a Dementia Support Group — There are a great deal of support groups available to those who are living with a friend or family member who is living with dementia. Joining a dementia support group is a great way to lose the sense of isolation that can sometimes come along with being a caregiver.
Focus on Financial Security — Any considerations that can be made to improve the financial stability of your patient are worth looking into.
Don’t let Alzheimer’s or dementia get in the way of living your life, whether you’ve been diagnosed or are caring for someone who has. If you and your family need financial assistance due to your condition and you currently own a life insurance policy, our FLAG program may be able to help you live life comfortably without financial stress.

Source: Living with Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Care Tips for Patients & Caregivers