Tag Archives: Family Caregivers

Evolving World of Long Term Care

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Being in the Long Term Care industry for older adults is a ever evolving and expanding field. A large contributor toward the speed of this evolution is due to the tsunami of Baby Boomers entering retirement. Seventy-six million American children were born between 1945 and 1964, this makes up almost 40% of the United States population. This particular cohort is hugely significant because of it’s size alone! ‘Baby Boomer’ has become the buzz word in the fields of economics, medical science & health, politics, technology, and architecture to name a few. I thought I would share a few developments that I personally find interesting and that are influencing the industry Reliant In-Home Care, LLC is part of.

Technology to help older adults age in place has gone far beyond fall-alert buttons and grab bars. Today, a host of sophisticated products are available on the market, including medication dispensers that can report to a family member when their loved one forgets to take a pill and shoes with embedded GPS trackers to find cognitively impaired wanderers.

  

My grandmother Ruth was practically deaf at 99 years of age and having a enhanced phone was a great success in helping her to keep connected with us long distanced grandchildren! California Telephone Access Program offers free specialized phones that make it easier to hear, dial, and easier to call. It’s also free to those who qualify!

One of the medical science advancements that can greatly decrease hospital re-admissions is the newly FDA approved ‘Digital Pill’.  Re-admissions to the hospital for older adults puts a huge burden on the Medicare system, this new development is designed to help remedy the confusion regarding proper medication compliance.

Studies have shown that 70% of Americans will require long-term care services, writes U.S. News, and as most long-term care is paid for by Medicaid, a swelling boomer population could end up swamping the program in the years to come. A research study done by Fidelity showed that nearly 4 in 10 retiree households do not have sufficient income to cover their monthly expenses. Stats say that half of all Americans have less than $25,000 in total savings, this is not including the value of their primary residence or pension plans. One solution for funding Long Term Care that is gaining popularity is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM Reverse Mortgage.) This is the only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government. According to research by the American Association of Retired Persons, 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age. HECM is a very viable option to ‘Use Your Home To Stay At Home’. I will be speaking about In-Home Care along with a Reverse Mortgage specialist on May 30. *Please tune in to: Real Estate Radio @ ESPN 1700 AM Thursdays 1-2PM with David McElveen to hear more about home care and optional funding!

This is an exciting time in the history of caring and providing for older adults. It’s not just about living longer but innovating new ways to assist baby boomers to thrive as we enter retirement and beyond. For skilled and compassionate home care solutions, let your friends, associates and family know that they can rely on Reliant In-Home Care to assist them in the evolving world of long term care.

 

Reducing Hospital Readmissions

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One of the leading topics in healthcare today is reducing hospital readmission rates.  The National Institute of Health Care Reform’s 2011 report “Physician Visits after Hospital Discharge: Implications for Reducing Readmissions” found that the cost of hospital readmissions is $97 billion annually, $27 billion of which are Medicare expenditures according to Academy Health.

Nearly 1-in-5 seniors who are hospitalized return to the hospital within 30 days. When seniors are readmitted repeatedly for the same ailment, it may indicate a need for the kind of ongoing care and support available at assisted living communities or the home care support

Reforms and Patient Education

New rules passed as part of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aim to reduce the need for readmissions by charging additional fees to hospitals with excessive readmissions. Although it’s still early, this policy seems to have had an effect. A recent New York Times article outlined the efforts of hospitals across the country that have seen success in reducing hospital readmissions by adopting changes to discharge planning including:

  • Identifying patients who are at highest risk of readmission
  • Follow-up nurse visits to patients’ homes
  • Transportation to for patient follow-up appointments
  • Pro-actively ordering patient prescriptions and scheduling follow-ups
  • Patient and caregiver education
  • Culturally specific diet tips
  • Increased monitoring of nursing home patients

In our 8 years of working with families, we’ve found that hospital readmissions for senior patients are indicative of a need for ongoing care and support – the type of support that assisted living communities or home care agencies can provide. For example, seniors who live alone or who do not have adequate support may have difficulty adhering to recommendations regarding self-care, proper diet with hydration and medication administration. Transportation to follow up visits can also be an issue for seniors, particularly for those who don’t drive.

Seniors who have in-home caregiving support receive a number of services that can help keep them healthy and out of the hospital:

  • A formalized care plan
  • Medication management
  • Ongoing monitoring of health and well-being
  • Transportation to scheduled medical appointments
  • Nutritional meals
  • Socialization & stimulating activities
  • Appropriate exercise

If you are in a relationship with a family who needs assistance who is challenged by the responsibility of caring for a elder loved one, we can help. Contact Reliant In-Home Care for more information and a free care assessment.

2013 is Named the Year of Elder Abuse Prevention

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It is not something most of us want to think about. But according to the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), each year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as five cases go unreported. Elder abuse takes many forms, including financial exploitation, physical abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse. The Year of Elder Abuse Prevention is an opportunity for Americans to take action to protect seniors by raising awareness about this serious issue.

As the AoA suggests here are 10 things that anyone can do to help prevent elder abuse:

Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect.

  1. Call or visit elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors and ask how they are doing.
  2. Provide a respite for a caregiver by filling in for a few hours or more.
  3. Ask an older acquaintance to share his or her talents by teaching you or your          children  new skill.
  4. Ask your faith leaders to discuss with their congregations elder abuse prevention     and the importance of respecting older adults.
  5. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect financial exploitation of   elders.
  6. Suggest your doctor talk to his or her older patients individually about possible abuse.
  7. Contact your local adult protective services or long-term care ombudsman to learn  how to support their work helping at-risk elders
  8. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or home-bound elder in   your community.
  9. Send a letter to your local paper, radio, or TV station suggesting it cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day or National Grandparents Day.
  10. Learn what the signs are of Elder abuse

To learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect. Visit the National Center on Elder Abuse website (www.ncea.aoa.gov) for more resources and information about preventing and raising the awareness of elder abuse. Or call 1-855-500-3537.

Preventing Seniors Returning to the Hospital

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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) offers information to help patients safely transition after hospital care.

According to the U.S. government, one-fifth of patients covered by Medicare return to the hospital within 30 days. The AHRQ tells us that these re-admissions cost about $17 billion each year. Re-admissions can also slow down a patient’s recovery.

As of October, Medicare’s reimbursement rate will reflect the ability of hospitals to prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations. Hospitals with high readmission rates for heart attack, pneumonia and heart failure are now paid less than those with fewer re-admissions.

Older patients are at higher risk of returning to the hospital because they are more likely to be frail and have chronic conditions. Other reasons are more avoidable: Older patients may need help with transportation to follow-up appointments. And they may need extra support when leaving the hospital for home, or when transitioning to a skilled nursing facility.

AHRQ has developed a new guide for patients: Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital, an easy-to-understand plan for what to do when you or a loved one leaves the hospital. The guide can be used by both hospital staff and patients during the discharge process, and provides a way for patients to track their medication schedules, upcoming medical appointments, and important phone numbers. You can download a free copy of the guide on the AHRQ website or order a copy to be sent to your home.

The AHRQ’s Dr. Carolyn Clancy says, “Helping patients improve their health once they leave the hospital is not easy or automatic. The new effort by hospitals to prevent re-admissions is a big step in the right direction. You can help by learning what you should do when you or your loved ones are in the hospital.”

People With Diabetes Should Take Extra Care During Hot Weather

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Extreme heat is especially dangerous to people age 65 and older and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is harder for your body to handle high heat and humidity. You may need to make changes in your medication and what you eat and drink when temperatures heat up.

Hot weather – temperatures of 80°F (about 27°C) or above, especially with high humidity – can affect medication, testing supplies and your health. The heat index, which measures how hot it really feels by combining temperature and humidity readings, advises caution starting at 80°F with 40% humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips:

  • Heat can affect your blood sugar (glucose) levels and also increase the absorption of some fast-acting insulin, meaning you will need to test your blood sugar more often and perhaps adjust your intake of insulin, food, and liquids.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to avoid dehydration. Don’t wait until you get thirsty; it’s a sign you’re already dehydrated. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks such as sweet tea and sodas.
  • If your doctor has limited how much liquid you can drink, ask what to do during times of high heat.
  • Know the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond to symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
  • Wear sunscreen and use a lip balm with sunscreen.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
  •  Check package inserts with medications to learn when high temperatures can affect them. Take medications with you if you will need to take them while you’re away from home, and protect them from the heat.
  • If you’re traveling with insulin, don’t store it in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Keep it in a cooler, but do not place it directly on ice or on a gel pack.
  • Check glucose meter and test strip packages for information on use during times of high heat and humidity. Do not leave them in a hot car, by a pool, or on the beach.
  • Heat can damage insulin pumps and other equipment. Do not leave the disconnected pump or supplies in the direct sun or in a hot car.
  • Get physical activity in air-conditioned areas, or exercise outside early or late in the day, during cooler temperatures.
  • Use your air conditioner or go to air-conditioned buildings in your community.

Understanding Your Senior Living Options

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In the old days, older adults who needed care usually moved in with adult children, or to what was then called a “rest home.” But today, senior living communities provide a wide variety of senior housing and support options. How do you sort through the maze of choices and make the best decision?

“Is it time to move?” Most older adults ask themselves this question many times before they make the final decision. If you or a senior loved one is looking into the options, it may seem overwhelming—especially if a sudden health crisis forces the decision faster than you expected.

The decision about where to live can make a huge difference in quality of life and well-being for seniors and family alike. Today there are more senior living options to choose from than ever before. Here is an overview of retirement housing choices:

Senior Housing refers to any type of housing limited to people over a certain age.  It may be subsidized for lower-income seniors. The emphasis is on independent living, with few, if any, services offered.

Retirement Living Communities offer independent senior living in apartments, town homes or detached homes. They serve seniors who are generally in good health and do not provide personal care or health assistance. Many offer services such as housekeeping, dining, transportation and activities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer a full range of care, ranging from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care, all in one complex or “campus.” Some CCRCs charge a straight monthly rental. Others require an up-front “buy in.”

Assisted Living usually includes a private apartment and services which include help with personal care needs, some health care services, housekeeping and a recreation program.

Adult Family Homes are single-family homes licensed by the state to provide room, board and support services, on a short-term or long-term basis.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (nursing homes) provide extended care for frail or chronically ill seniors who require a high level of skilled nursing care and medical supervision.

Services for Aging in Place

Many seniors want to stay in the comfort and independence of their own home, apartment or condo, even as their health needs change. Support services for these seniors include home modifications, home-delivered meals, senior transportation, adult day centers, and in-home care. Home care services include housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and personal care, such as help with bathing and grooming. Home health care, provided by nurses or aides, ranges from simple medical procedures, all the way to skilled medical services and rehabilitation services in the home.

Rules of Thumb for the Savvy Senior Living Shopper

  1. Begin the search early and take your time.
  2. Get the facts you need to make an informed decision.
  3. Begin with a realistic evaluation of your needs—both current and looking to the future.
  4. Visit potential senior living communities and talk to current residents.
  5. Don’t make the decision alone. Talk it over with family and professionals (your doctor, financial adviser, geriatric ).

Eating Well, Even on a Budget

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Four grocery shopping tips to protect your health and your wallet

Concerned that rising food prices are leading Americans to pinch grocery pennies by skipping healthful vegetables and fruits, experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recently outlined four ways shoppers can make budget-friendly choices without sacrificing health at the supermarket. “Shoppers can still choose a wide variety of vegetables and fruits and keep their budget lean,” said Alice Bender, AICR Registered Dietitian. “By comparing prices, doing a bit of meal planning and staying flexible, Americans can fill up their grocery carts with healthy foods—and save money while they’re doing it.”

AICR’s advice for making low-cost but healthy choices is based on recent data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service comparing the cost of vegetables and fruit on a cup-for-cup basis.

Get them fresh, frozen or canned—but get them

Plain frozen vegetables and fruits are often cheaper than fresh and are quick and easy to prepare. For instance, fresh green beans cost $1.03 per cup, while frozen whole green beans ring up at only $0.57 per cup.

Frozen vegetables can be steamed in minutes with little preparation. Frozen produce is as nutritious as fresh and will keep in the freezer for several months without going bad.

“Canned vegetables and fruits can cost even less,” says Bender, “but be sure to look for those packed in juice or water, not high-sodium brine or calorie-rich syrups.”

Shop sales and seasons

Imported or unusual foods and out-of-season produce can hike up the grocery bill. An imported kiwi fruit will cost $0.82 cents per cup, while a seasonal U.S. grown apple costs only $0.28 cents per cup.

Take advantage of weekly and seasonal specials to stretch your fruit and vegetable dollar. Spring is a great time to look for fresh strawberries but wait for mid-summer for fresh blueberries or melons.

Plan and prepare

A grocery list means you’re less likely to fill the cart with impulse purchases and unhealthy choices. Plan your week’s menu with some staple recipes and think in general terms. For example:

  • Monday: Bean and veggie chili, cornbread
  • Tuesday: Baked potato topped with leftover chili and side salad
  • Wednesday: 3 oz. fish, steamed vegetables, rice
  • Thursday: Stir-fry veggies with lean beef or chicken and leftover rice
  • Friday: Low-sodium canned minestrone soup with added frozen vegetables and whole-wheat bread and reduced fat cheese

Use your list, but select the specifics when you’re at the store so you can take advantage of specials.

Another tip: Try cooking a few dishes from scratch to stretch a buck. For example, frozen french fries cost $0.41 per serving. For half that price you can have a fresh potato ready to eat in minutes. You’ll save fat, salt and money. And when you do cook, double the recipe and freeze meal-sized portions of leftovers to save time and money.

Lighten up on meats

Choosing leaner meats and substituting plant sources of protein can mean serious savings. For example, a high fat sirloin steak averages $5.67 per pound, while lean boneless chicken breast costs $3.21 per pound. Compare that with $1.25 per pound for dried kidney beans, and you can muscle up your protein dollars.

Bender says you can make these savings add up even more—and reduce your risk of many cancers—by following AICR’s “New American Plate” way of eating: Let meat take up 1/3 or less of your plate and fill 2/3 or more with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.

Other ways to cut your food budget while maintaining your healthy eating habits:

  • Plant a vegetable garden for inexpensive vegetables in your back yard all summer long.
  • Pack a healthy snack to avoid the temptation to buy pricy, often less healthy, commercial snacks.
  • Eat first. Grocery shopping on an empty stomach increases the chance that you’ll impulsively buy more food than you need.
  • If you’re planning to shop at the local farmers market, wait till the afternoon when the sellers may cut a bargain on produce.

Visit the AICR website (www.aicr.org) for information on healthy eating, to find healthy recipes, and information about the AICR’s award-winning “New American Plate,” which helps consumers “redesign” their meal planning to reduce the risk of disease.

‘Beat The Heat’ word puzzle

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Summer is here!

Most of us enjoy the warmer weather, but don’t forget that seniors are at higher risk of health problems during extreme heat. Find a seat in the shade and try your hand at the “Beat the Heat wordfind”  puzzle!

18 things having to do with hot weather safety are hidden in this puzzle. Can you find them all?

                       Click the picture below to print out your copy! :

Involved Grandfathers Experience Less Depression

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Reliant In-Home Care just exhibited at the Living Well Summit 2012 last Friday. The overriding emphasis was about ‘Inter-generational’ programs that are sprouting up in the San Diego community and nationally. We at Reliant thought this article was timely! Just yesterday the day before Fathers Day I was driving in my car and thinking about how many fathers I new who have been blessed to now be Grandfathers. So here’s to all of you Fathers who will hopefully reap the many benefits of being Grandfathers someday!

Grandfathers who are more involved with their grandchildren have fewer symptoms of depression than grandfathers who are less involved, according to the new study “Grandfather Involvement and Aging Men’s Mental Health,” published in the American Journal of Men’s Health.

Researchers Alan C. Taylor of East Carolina University and James S. Bates of South Dakota State University co-authored the study, which found that grandfather-grandchild relationships influence aging men’s mental health. They report that family relationships help prevent depression, and increase feelings of happiness and joy.

“There have been very few studies investigating the mental health of aging men,” said Alan Taylor, “and this study contributes important insights into how relationships between grandfathers and grandchildren are valuable to men’s mental health.”

Taylor and Bates said the findings suggest the men who have limited interaction with their grandchildren have the highest risk for developing depressive symptoms. The effect may also be cyclical: grandfathers who are experiencing depression are less likely to initiate social interaction, and may thus further isolate themselves from grandchildren and other family members.

This Father’s Day, remember that bringing the children to visit Grandpa can be a real mood boost for him. If you can’t visit, take time for a phone call, Skype chat or email with photos. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Source: College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University (www.ecu.edu/che/).

Is Professional Home Care Needed?

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As the owner of Reliant In-Home Care, as expected I help families all the time with their elderly love ones needs. Today I am faced with a different reality. Here I am once again, after assisting my own parents when they were alive in their last years, I am now the care manager for my dear Mother In-law. Just today while sipping my morning coffee, I received the call that she fell once again in the Residential Board & Care home, where she is living. I went over to the B&C but the ambulance had already taken her to Tri-city Medical Centers Emergency room. After going over to the ER, talking with the nurse, social worker, ER doctor and doing all the important work of filling them in on her history, medications, and recent changes; she is know being admitted into the hospital. I can tell you that my professional emotional equilibrium doesn’t apply when it comes to my own family member. It is just clearly a draining and demanding on your emotions when your caring for a family member.  Unfortunately the board & care doesn’t have the staff to supervise my Mother In-law during the night if/when she decides to get up unattended. So like what has know happened, she is put in danger of falling.

It is just very different when you are working as a care manager or caregiver for someone you don’t personally know. There’s just no way you can maintain the emotional detachment that is cultivated when working as a professional on a job. This experience I’m going through as my Mother In-laws care manager, even though I’m not doing the full time caregiving, is again such a pointed reminder of the toil caregiving does on a family member caring for a loved one.

I highly encourage family caregivers to get professional home help so you can avoid potentially harmful situations and depleting yourself emotionally & physically. In-home elder care services typically charge by the hour and though the rates seem steep, consider the reasons for the high rates. Not only are Reliant In-home Care professionals bonded, insured, supervised and background checked but with an employee status their withholding’s are managed and their paid weekly. As professionals they are not just ordinary people who happen to like caring for elderly or disabled but they are highly trained and capable for providing personal care and can be counted on to respond to different medical emergencies appropriately. Having professional assistance in the home, even on a minimal basis can ease the burden. We’re praying my Mother in-law returns to her home soon but were also reading ourselves to handle the new level of care she will require. The reality is that I usually step in and manage the emergencies regarding my Mother In-law but as a professional business owner, it would be impossible to be her full time caregiver.