Winter, much like summer, can be an especially dangerous time for members of the elderly population. While frostbite, and hypothermia are commonly known dangers associated with cold weather, caregivers should also be alert for signs of dehydration. Many people do not realize that, as the weather turns from cool, to cold, that there is an increased danger for dehydration, especially in seniors.
The human body is composed of roughly 70 percent water. Water allows the body to carry on many of the vital processes of life. After the age of 60, the body’s water content decreases to about 50 percent, making hydration even more important in the elderly. Elderly people often lose muscle mass as they age, and gain more fatty tissue. Fat cells hold less water than muscle cells, meaning lower intracellular fluid.
Most caregivers are aware of the dangers of dehydration during the heat of summer, and how it can affect their elderly clients. What some may not know is that dehydration during the winter is very common, and equally as dangerous. Caregivers must be much more alert to the subtle signs of cold weather dehydration. They are not as easy to spot as signs of dehydration in the summer, and thus can turn deadly very quickly.
When the weather is hot the body has a number of ways to send warnings about impending dehydration, such as sweating. When the weather turns chilly some of the body’s natural warning signs shut off.
As a caregiver, one must keep on eye out for the more subtle signs of dehydration during the winter. Should a client start becoming strangely irritable, or confused this may be a sign of dehydration. Other signs to look out for as a caregiver are, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, heavy bags under the eyes, rapid heartbeat, dark urine, and fever.
Severe dehydration may require hospitalization, and can cause a wide array of maladies, including coronary failure. As a caregiver it is very important to watch out for the signs of dehydration in clients during the winter months. Catching the signs of dehydration early can mean the difference between life, and death for a client.
The American Association for Retired People (AARP) applied a survey in which the results revealed that more than 83% of the senior population would rater stay in their home. Due to the fact that these houses are not longer suitable for them or the health condition they might be afflicted with they look for other possibilities. A suitable possibility is to make small modifications that could mean a lot to your loved one. These modifications can make the elderly person self-sufficient while the caregiver or family members are not there. These changes will adapt to lack of mobility or range as well as limited motion problems.
Having a major modification to a house can be a very expensive and uncomfortable situation, but having small changes done to the house can be as effective yet not as expensive and it will improve your loved one living conditions. Here are some of the changes that can make life easier:
Appliances
- Can the client easily get to the appliances?
- Are control buttons marked and in good working order?
- The temperature of the water, is it comfortable for the client? Is it easily accessed if the client requires to make a change?
- Is the air conditioning system easy to access and working properly ?
- Is the freezer handle at a reachable level?
- Are the appliances likely to overturn?
Lighting
- Is the light in every room adequate?
- Do hallways have automatic night-lights?
- Can light switches be reached easily by the client?
- Are electrical outlets easy to reach?
- Are the outlets safely grounded in order to prevent electric shock?
- Extension Leads running from the outlets may cause a fall, are there any that could constitute a fall hazard for the client?
Other
- If there is an alarm system, is the alarm control panel at a level the client can reach?
- Does every room have installed smoke detectors?
- Does the most-lived-in room have a telephone?
- Does the client know how to operate the remote control of the TV?
Home health care provides a client with an in-home medical oriented care. It provides one with a multidisciplinary team that will periodically visit the client providing medical services on a predetermined time-table. Caregivers will help with physical therapy, dressing wounds, monitoring blood pressure and glucose levels, looking after ventilator, feeding tubes and oxygen tanks. This will help the elderly person to stay in familiar surroundings, i.e. their own home and that will avoid for as long as possible the transition to a nursing home or such.
Please let us know if this is the highly specialized kind of service your require.
Apart from the services already mention there are other tasks that could be perform by the caregivers:
- Assisting the client in daily routines such as bathing, or any other hygienic need.
- House chores such as cooking or cleaning.
- Help the elderly to run errands or doing them in their behalf.
Do not confuse home health care with home care services. Even though they might seem like the same type of services, home health services includes a medical aspect that set these two similar programs apart. Home health care programs come with various certified and trained medical professionals who are obviously qualified to assist the client in medical aspects. Home health services are only provided by nurses or therapists and these services can be hired by public or private health departments and home health care agencies which are allowed to provide their services by the state they operate in.
Even though caregivers can actually provide assistance concerning cooking, bathing or running errands under no circumstance are they allowed to offer medical support because they are not certified or train to do so. In many occasions both, home health care agencies and home care agencies will complement each other to meet the client’s need. In other occasions the family will decide to hire this services on a freelance basis, in which case the family should do a thoroughly background check to make sure the applicant meets the requirements and expectations of the family.
If you have to choose a in-home care provider bear in mind that it should be the best one according to your loved one’s needs. Once you have found the ideal company you have to make sure they know important facts that will ensure they are taking good care of your loved one. Although caregivers are well trained before being hired they should also learn about the specific details of the new clients. So it becomes imperative to have a meeting, or to give them notes about the needs or details of the patient, before the job actually starts. That is why we list some of the things family members should tell the in-home care provider.
Home Layout
- Security: how to lock doors, windows or set an alarm system
- Where to find operating manual for electrical devices: dishwasher, washing machine, etc.
- Where would they find the household supplies.
- Where to find the things needed when cooking.
- Where to find phone lines in the home.
- Where to find clean bedding, towels, etc.
In Case of an Emergency
- Phone number and address of the client’s GP
- Which hospital to go in case of an emergency, phone and address.
- Family members, friends or neighbors’ contact information: phone numbers, address.
Information about the Client
- The diet they have to follow or food allergies.
- Their preference concerning food, activities or even clothing.
- Where to find the patient’s clothing, shoes, etc.
- If needed, information about devices that will help the client’s mobility, such as wheelchairs.
- Information about any pre-existing medical condition.
- Let the caregiver know what the client is not allowed to do unassisted; go out own their own, cooking or bathing.
- Their need for eyeglasses, or contact lenses and information or instructions about them.
- Things they should do; exercises, or any daily routine they need to follow.
- Any other information the family think is important to let the caregiver know beforehand.
A number of elderly people experience some sort of mobility issue that makes of going out a challenging experience. Since not a great percentage of seniors can drive they have to rely on other transportation solutions. We would like to share some of these alternative methods and the providers.
The situation one would expect is that the caregiver could run the errands or transport your loved one to his/her appointments. The reality for many of us is that the chance of hiring a caregiver provider is slim due to the costs and family members do not always live close enough. So that is why seniors should know about their options when it come to find transportation assistance. Also, if your loved one is fortunate enough to have a caregiver, there could be times when they want to have some freedom and go out on their own.
Volunteer Drivers
There are some non-profit institutions, or churches, that have volunteers that are willing to assist seniors concerning their transportation issues, whether is to run an errand or a visit to their physician. This kind of assistance might consist of one-way trips or multi-stops schedules. The cost might vary from a donation up to a minimum price per mile. Be aware that if you decide to go for these kind of services you will have to make a reservation in advance.
Paratransit Agencies
Agencies, whether the are private or public ones, will offer transportation services to a small number of people with mobility issues. The kind of vehicles will be vans or minibuses and you will usually have to share the ride with up to 25 people. In most cases these vehicles are suited for people with lack of mobility and accessible for handicapped people. The price will be a fixed one independent of the distance traveled. This service will drop their client and then pick them up at a given time. Since this service has got a lot of demand you should also book their service in advance.
Public Transportation System
Public buses, metro or trains are part of the public transport and they are also an option for seniors to use, but you should be aware that these services are better for elderly people that can get around on their own. There are some benefits for senior citizens that use the public transportation system; discounted fairs or coupons are some of the benefits they might have.
We have all been through a bad sleeping period at least once in our lives. Any changes in our daily routine might make us lose our internal balance. Nowadays our lives are becoming more hectic which will cause stress or lead us to bad diets. The former will contribute to keeping us awake during the night.
The same reasons explained before can affect the senior population, but they are much more sensitive to changes that could affect their sleeping process. Even the smallest change; a change in the way furniture was arranged, a new doctor or medication can be the reason why they are experiencing insomnia. On the other hand, there are more dangerous reasons why this might be happening to your loved one such as depression or dementia.
We would like you to know what a caregiver or even members of the family should take into account if their loved one is experiencing sleeping issues.
Thinking about a simple reason.
There are numbers of ordinary reasons why this might be happening. Feeling uncomfortable is one of them. Elderly people might not feel comfortable when the bedding is to rough or if it makes them feel itchy, the pillow might not be good enough, the mattress might be lumpy , the room temperature might be too hot or too cold or maybe their caffeine intake during the day is too high.
Digestive problems
When they are not having a good and balanced diet, in other words if they have eaten something they should not have this issue might lead to various stomach problems: heartburn, indigestion, constipation, acid reflux or stomach pain. These problems will keep them awake at night.
Stress related issues
Senior might worry about the things to be done, errands or the may feel nervous due to a doctors appointment coming soon. They may be feeling a bit sad if they have recently lost a loved one. So a good suggestion is to talk to them and try to find out what is bothering them, by doing this caregivers or family members could help the client to find a simple solution and get their daily routine back to normal.
As we grow older our bones may become weaker due to a low level of calcium, which is in charge of keeping our bones strong and healthy. This deficiency may be caused because of the normal process of aging or due to the intake of certain medication, this issue may be also aggravated if there ever was an injury or trauma.
You have probably heard of Osteoporosis or Osteopenia which are the two bone problems that can affect an elderly person. Osteopenia is the initial stage of bones getting thinner, this issue will inevitable lead to Osteoporosis which consist of very thin and porous bones. The former leads to a great risk for the elderly person of having a broken bone. This condition is commonly detected after an accident the requires medical advice.
Women are more likely than men to experience any of these conditions. After the menopause it is more common for patients to start experiencing symptoms. Due to menopause women stop producing estrogen, a hormone responsible for the maintenance of healthy and strong bones. For men this condition might show itself after they are 75 at this age it is more likely for them to develop it. Long periods of inactivity or lack of mobility constitute a risk factor.
A bow-down position or the decrease in height are warning signs and the reason why people look very different to what they looked like when younger. If an elderly person has an accident, i.e. a broken bone one should know that the recovery period is going to take a while due to the slow healing process. As soon as the patient has recovered from the fracture family members and the caregiver should help the patient to become active again, hiring a physical therapist is a good idea. The less physical activity a senior has after having a fracture the more probable it is to suffer accidents in the future, because the lack of activity softens and weakens the muscles and bones.
These are more important questions you should ask home health care agencies you want to hire.
What does the agency do when an employee is absent?
If the caregiver is absents from his/her work it is important to know what the agency is going to do about it. Make sure to find out if the absent caregiver will be replace for another one or would the agency wait until the caregiver is back.
How long has the home health care agency been in business in the community?
The period of time an agency has been in business will either indicate a good or a bad performance. New agencies have not got the chance to accumulate enough feedback so for you to decide whether it is a good agency or a bad one.
Does the agency create a plan for each client’s care?
Tailored plans for each client shows the interest of the agency to meet each client’s needs, showing the individuality of each case as unique. On the other hand, agencies that do not follow a specific plan for each client might overlook important aspects that should have been taken into account which can have negative results in the care of the elderly person.
Does the agency have a current license to operate in their state or city?
This is an issue that is not commonly taken into account but still a very important piece of information to investigate. People might think that only because an agency is operating as such it is a certified one. In some cases agencies might have had a license to operate as such but due to some complications it might no longer have one. Making sure the agency your are planning to hire has got a license is a key point to make your decision.
How does the agency handle liability issues?
If a client under the care of a caregiver suffers an injury whether it was an accident or intended. Is the agency responsible for it? Agencies which state full responsibility in black and white are more selective when it comes to hire and train employees.
Boardgames have been played for many years by many people. Surely you and all your friends and family have played a kind of board game. You must think they are intended to have fun and you are not mistaken but they are also a learning tool; a way to exercise your mind. So they a useful tool for seniors.
Board games will improve our cognitive skills since they stimulate our mind and they are a fun way of thinking. Mental illness like Alzheimer’s or dementia can be restrained by being part of these fun activities. Studies show that elderly people who partake in such activities reduce the risk of being affected by these diseases by 75%.
Depending on the level of cognitive skills they require some board games might be better than others. Caregivers that know their clients, their likes and dislikes, can easily find a suitable game for them which they will enjoy. For instance Scrabble can be perfect for someone who likes word games or Black Jack if they like card games. It is very important to know what are the senior’s preferences and here are some games and come of their characteristics:
Scrabble
Since the left side of our brain deals with words these kind of games are known as left-brain games. They involve the use of semantic skills and short-term memory.
Chinese Checkers
Sequencing and problem solving are the main characteristics of this simple game. By the activities that have to be performed this is also a left-brain game.
Card Games
Depending on the level of difficulty some card games might be more beneficial than others as long as cognitive skills are concerned. Some well known games are Poker, Spades or Hearts or Black Jack, but there are more possibilities when cards are involved such as matching games. Matching games can be play with all sorts of cards; containing numbers, pictures or words. The way you play this game is by putting the cards face down, then everyone plays takes turns to flip over two cards until they find a match. This exercise of remembering where the right cards is one of the best mental exercises for seniors.
Deciding for someone else to take care of an elderly person is a very difficult and stressful experience for the family. Family members may feel guilty for not being able to take care of their loved ones and that is why they seek the best care possible. It is important to have a plan and to stick to it so the senior gets what he/she needs from qualified caregivers.
To thoroughly interview home health care agencies may help to dissipate any doubts they might have. It is essential to know important question to ask them and what answers to expect. The former will help you to decide whether or not the home health care agency meets the standards you are looking for.
Here are some suggestions on what should be asked to a home health care agency.
How do you select and train your employees?
It is imperative to know that your loved one is going to be taken care of by a qualified caregiver. How is the selection process to hire their staff? Are applicants’ background checked? It also important for agencies to stay up-dated on the latest methods while training their employees to provide clients with the best home care possible. Some other agencies keep their staff permanently attending training courses, but this might not be the best option since they may not offer the best care possible when compare to a better trained caregiver. The choice will be yours.
How is quality control monitored and ensured within the home care agencies?
To avoid accidents, poor care or even abuse is why agencies should be periodically monitoring the employees services. Through this monitoring process home health care agencies can ensure that elderly people under their care are well cared for.
Can you have access to a list of references to know more about the agency?
If so, are they also willing to present you with the information once you ask for it? You have to know that as much information they are willing to share with you the more you can find out about that specific agency. Any agency with a bad background, such as a history of complaints, might not be willing to show you information since that can turn you away as a new client.
In the end the decision of which home care agency you choose is down to you, trust your instincts and of course look for the basic niceties in the staff – polite, well dressed, educated, etc.
Tags: care provider, caregiver, in home care
