Exercising out minds with challenging activities is imperative to maintaining cognitive function at any age. This is especially important during advanced age, when mental capacity begins to decline. As with any other part of the body, if the mind is not exercised or challenged on a regular basis, it begins to get soft and not function as well as it once did. Coupled with other mental conditions that often plague the elderly, this can be extremely detrimental to their overall health. To keep this from happening, there are some simple ways that caregivers can mentally engage their elderly charges to keep their brains stimulated. When we provide home health care here are a few examples of activities that our caregivers try.

Word association

This is a very basic game with a simple concept, but it can be very useful in improving mental function. The way to play it is for one person to say a word and the other person says the first word that comes to their mind. For example, a caregiver might start the game by saying tree and the elderly client may answer leaf, to which the caregiver may reply autumn.

Matching games

Matching games, although very elementary, are great ways to improve short term memory. Memory games are usually comprised of a deck of cards, matched in pairs. The cards are mixed up and placed face down on a table. Players take turns turning over two cards at a time until they find a matching pair.

Counting games

Games that employ counting skills as well as sorting skills can be very beneficial in strengthening the body’s mental faculties.

Strategy games

Games of strategy are also a good way of maintaining cognitive function. The planning involved in playing the game challenges players to use more of their brains, thereby increasing the benefits it provides. An example of an easy, but effective game of strategy is checkers.

Home health care needn’t be a case of being visited, made sure you are ok and then left alone…. our caregivers want to engage you in conversation, play games with you and see what it is that you would like to do during your time together.

Destination

Is the family planning to take their elderly loved ones with them or will they have to rely on local and state level evacuation plans implemented by government officials? If the family is planning to take the elder with them, have they secured a place for them? If the elder is going to have to be evacuated by an agency, have they pre-registered the senior with that agency to assure a spot on the roster?  Care providers can be utilized for liaising with the relevant authorities or agencies.

Care requirements

If the senior has special medical conditions or health concerns that require medical treatment on a regular basis, how will those needs be met during an evacuation? Does the family have the means to do so? Are medical services included in the governmental agencies’ evacuation plans? Does the senior have or have access to an additional week’s supply of any prescribed medication in the event of an evacuation?  Due to the closeness and familiarity with the senior, care providers can help provide ‘checklists’ for the family to use when making their plans.

Emergencies

Will the senior be in close proximity to a hospital during the evacuation to ensure they receive medical treatment in the event of a life-threatening emergency?

Important documents

Have the senior’s important documents been secured in a waterproof container and clearly labeled? Does the container include all important paperwork such as deeds to homes and vehicles, insurance policies, banking information, medical charts and information, and personal identification such as social security cards?

Personal belongings

Does the senior have a bag packed with at least a week’s worth of clothing and personal care items such as toiletries? What about extra batteries for hearing aids? An extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses for those with impaired vision? Have arrangements been made to secure the senior’s home while they are away or to provide care for any pets that they may have?  Again, due to the familiarity with the home and the elders needs, care providers can help in putting together luggage and belongings for the journey that lies ahead and the period during which they wont be able to return home.

The home care provider is an essential part of this visiting process. Communication between the doctor and the patient, as well as possibly liaising with family members is an important role as is providing support and companionship during the visit. There are some instances when the caregiver will assist the patient through the process of the physician’s appointment and can take notes about the aspects mentioned through the visit.

In the case that the senior is visiting the doctor independently, the care provider can ask for notes which can be delivered to the family and support group. This way, the notes can be an accurate depiction of the visit in the chart or the case of the patient.

There are times when the caregiver will be solely responsible for getting the patient to the office of the health care practitioner. It is important that any care provider be sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early and plan for any scheduling issues that may occur between the office of the physician and the patient.

The care provider should take measures to ensure the comfort of the client while waiting. Bring a book, magazine or knitting to do through the visit to occupy the patient and reduce the anxiety which is associated with waiting. Provide companionship for patients that are anxious about their appointment or about test results that may be displayed and listen to any concerns that the patient may have.

A caregiver that is willing to act as part of this team will see more success when it comes to their career and more importantly the well being of the senior under their care. Here is a summary of the techniques caregivers can use to ensure the most success with the client:

• Be attentive and listen to the concerns of the client, ask the client if he or she would like these concerns relayed to the doctor.
• Take notes if you are included in the doctor’s visit and have these notes or progress reports ready to give to family members and other members of the support team.
• Draw the client’s attention away from any anxious thoughts before an appointment through distraction, conversation and other activities. 

Why Should Caregivers Avoid Giving Medication to Clients?

Caregivers should avoid giving clients medication, as it not within the boundaries of the care that is provided by the traditional caregiver services. Although the caregiver may be aware of the medications that the client is taking, the caregiver may be unable to determine if there will be an interaction between the medications which are being administered and the medications which are taken on a daily basis.

Aside from any obvious legal ramifications of a caregiver in an elderly care situation administering drugs there will always be the chance that there could be a fatal errors made due to lack of professional training.

What Should a Caregiver do if the Senior Requests Medication?

In the case that the client requests medication from the caregiver, it can take a simple phone call to the doctor’s office, or nurses that are offering home care. The nurse can then give advice that can be dispensed to family members that can administer the medication to the client.

As an alternative, the caregiver may contact the family members or support system directly and allow the family members or friends to consent to the request, contact the physician or nurse that is responsible for the medication.

In the case that the client has taken it upon themselves to take medication that has not been prescribed, the caregiver can note this on the chart of the client which is prepared for the home care company. This information can be relayed to friends and family members and if this medication is seen as dangerous, it can be removed from the environment of the client to prevent further unauthorized usage. 

How Can Caregivers Assist with Medication?

When dealing with the elderly, care must be taken regarding the reminding for medication to be taken. The use of medication holders which can determine which and how many pills should be taken each day can be used, as well as charts and reminder notes or alarms which are set to coincide with the schedule that the medication will be taken. Using these tips, the caregiver can take an active role in the care of the client, including the health without putting the caregiver, or the company that the caregiver works for in direct danger of acting unlawfully.

Still Unsure?

If you have any thoughts or questions after reading this please don’t hesitate to call our office to clear up any doubts you may have.

There are many benefits to choosing Hearts at Home, here are just a few:

• Our caregiver not only provides the patient with high levels of support for daily activities such as bathing, cooking and chores within the home but they can also provide companionship. This companionship that will develope cannot be rivaled by the ten to one ratio that is found in traditional care homes.
• Caregivers employed with Hearts at Home Senior Care can become an essential part of the care team and allow the patient to feel secure that they are surrounded with a team of individuals that can easily be in contact with one another and become an invaluable liaison between the client and members of the family or the family and the health care professionals involved in the care of the patient.
• Familiarity of the home is one way to prevent the early onset of many cognitive disorders. When the client is removed from the home the possessions and stability of the home are often reduced and therefore the client has nothing to rely upon for memory triggers when the memory capabilities begin to decline. Choosing to opt for in-home care can reduce the loss of these possessions and stability and lead to increased cognitive and mental awareness, as we age.
• In-home caregivers are available to provide support when family is unable to make time due to constraints on their schedules. Families may be unavailable through the day because of obligations at their job, therefore, through-the-day care can be provided by in-home caregivers and the family members can offset this care through periodic visits through the week, into the evening.

These are just a few of the benefits which Hearts at Home bestows upon its clients.  Covering Houston, Cypress, Spring, Katy, Friendswood, The Woodlands, Tomball, and Pearland we await your call.

1. Ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive and Insured

This is a requirement for any outing that will include the senior traveling in the car of the care giver. The car will have up to date insurance and be safe to drive throughout the entire process. Hearts at Home caregivers are given a very thorough motor vehicle background check.

2. Have Equipment Required for Mobility

Does the client require a walker or another device to assist with their mobility? If this is the case these items would be brought along for the outing to ensure that safety guidelines are adhered to.

3. Have an Itinerary for the trip

Does the client need to run any specific errands? Our caregiver will determine which areas of the community the client needs to attend (be it in Houston, Pearland, Spring, Friendswood, Katy, Cypress) – whether they need to pay bills, pick up some groceries from the supermarket or they simply require a quick visit to the pharmacy.  A complete itinerary that can save time when going out into the community, making the most of the trip will then leave time for leisure activities that the senior enjoys, such as a trip to the local café.

4. Determine any precautions that should be taken before leaving the Home

Does the senior require oxygen or any special medication which must be taken into account when leaving the home? If so, even if leaving the home for only a short while, our care givers will help remind the client that these are necessary and should not be left within the home in case the medication, or oxygen is required.

5. Avoid High Risk Situations that could potentially Danger the Client

Depending on the state of health of the client, it may be medically necessary to avoid situations such as extreme hot or cold weather. Avoiding these situations is essential and would be considered before running errands or completing an outing.

Hearts at Home caregivers ensure that all of these factors are adhered to and will enable a safer relationship between the client and the care givers. Hearts at Home is an organization that allows safe practices for outings for all clients involved in programs at home.

In this type of situation, our caregiver can act as a companion to the senior, decreasing the chances that the senior will suffer from depression, with regular visits from the Hearts at Home caregiver. Traditional care homes can expedite the depression process.  Are seniors placed in an unfamiliar environment that risks depression?

It is important to know the risk factors which are associated with depression. Risk factors include a decrease in the mobility of the client, as well as a decline in cognitive processes. Often, medical problems that have developed or the illness or death of a spouse can trigger depression. Knowing these risk factors can help to assess the risk of the client for the onset of depression. Caregivers working with Hearts at Home in Houston can help to identify the symptoms of depression in clients and can help to avoid the onset of the dreadful feelings.

Aside from being aware of the risk factors that are associated with depression in the elderly, it is important to be aware of the steps that can be taken with the client to reduce the chances of the onset of depression, these include:

Using Hearts at Home caregivers to ensure that personal grooming, food intake, medications and illnesses are under control. This can reduce the chances that depression will develop and lead to an illness becoming out of control.

Ensuring a proper diet is followed that includes a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This can reduce the chances of depression developing, or depression becoming out of control due to the increased amounts of sugar and processed foods within the diet.

Avoiding depression in seniors can be as simple as getting out into the community. Hearts at Home covers the Houston, Pearland, Spring, Katy, Friendswood, Clear Lake and Cypress areas.  Our caregivers can help visit local community events which are offered in these areas and arrange a schedule that allows the senior to take part in these activities.

Helping the senior to maintain responsibilities within the community. This may include volunteer responsibilities once or twice per week that can motivate the senior to get out of the home and take part in something.