The Use of Medication Alarms
Medication alarms can be purchased from the local pharmacy and act in a manner that is similar to an alarm clock. The alarm will sound one-time or multiple times per day to indicate that the senior should take the medication at this time. This can be an effective way for the caregiver to maintain the independence of the senior when it comes to take the medication.

Alarms are an effective way to manage the medication of the client, as long the client is aware of the medications which are to be taken at each time and the issue lies within remembering to take the medication on a daily basis. If the client doesn’t have an alarm and would like one this could be done on an outing or shopping trip.

Use Daily Medication Organizers
Daily medication organizers are an effective way to schedule multiple doses of medication per day. These organizers are available at pharmacies, health care solution stores, as well as supermarkets and are available for daily dosages, as well as entire weeks.

Remember, these types of organizers require organization and loading of the medications which are being taken by the patient. The caregiver can assist in the dividing of the medication with the client, or nurses and clients can help to establish the routine and schedule for the dosages available.

Have the Medication Bubble Packed
Pharmacies and health care professionals can make the decision to have the medication pre-packaged in dosages called “bubble packs”. These packages contain enough medication for a week and include dosages for single, even multiple medications per day. Patients that have multiple medications as well as problems remembering to take certain medications, or, have taken incorrect dosages of medications in the past which have been dangerous are often prescribed this technique to ensure that the medication remains stable.

Associate the Dosage with Daily Activities
There are many aspects of the daily routine that can be associated with taking medication. The caregiver can help to attribute these activities with certain times of day when the medication is to be taken. Some medications require that the client eat before, or with the medications, other medications should not be taken within hours of each other. For this reason, associating certain types of medications with certain activities that are completed through the day can be an effective way to avoid forgotten and missed dosages of crucial medication.

Although it can be difficult to remember to take medications on a daily basis when there are multiple doses involved, the caregiver can enable these techniques and ensure that all measures possible are taken to manage correct doses of medication.

So, with the help of our caregivers, our clients and the families of the elderly citizens we look after, be they in their own homes or assisted living facilities, can relax because we are there to help.

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.

Mobility is an important aspect of independence and the loss of mobility can lead to depression, decreased motivation and poor circulation problems. When we care for a client with reduced mobility, we consider it important to take measures to provide as much motivation as possible when dealing with these issues.

First, our caregiver can consider the variant of the mobility issues within the client. Are these issues temporary and require changes for a short period of time or are the mobility issues permanent and lasting changes must be made within the routine? Hearts at Home Senior Care have techniques to assist clients with mobility issues.

After the above answer has been determined our care givers can use the following methods to assist seniors with limited mobility:

1.     For temporary mobility. Our caregivers can be used on a part-time or full-time basis ensuring the senior is able to maintain their livelihood, hobbies and interestests.  Assisting with the preparation of meals and assisting in bathroom and other hygeinic matters also ensures our clients remain mobile.

2.     Full advantage will be taken of tools and equipment available to increase the limited mobility that is evident in many elderly patients. This can include the use of wheel chairs, power chairs, walkers, and ramps as well as many other accessibility options. These can make life easier for care givers and provide support to the senior with limited mobility. There are pieces of equipment available for every aspect of care and for every room in the home.

3.     Mobile items that can be used when the senior choose to run errands and attend family events or community organizations that can ease the stress of the caregiver will be used as much as possible. Compact chairs and walkers that can easily fold and fit into vehicles, as well as seats that can swivel and rise, making it easy to get out of the vehicle can assist the caregiver in removing the client from the vehicle, alone, without the help of others.

4.     Our caregivers will help the client to deal with the feelings of frustration and anxiety that are associated with limited mobility and the loss of independence. Talking to the client, offering information for support groups and hotlines while using tools that can make life easier for the client are all effective methods to reduce these types of frustrations.

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.