All Home Care Matters

Episode 29 - 

On this episode we will be discussing how a UTI can affect a senior with dementia differently than a younger and healthier individual. We will also be discussing tips to help reduce and prevent the chances that they contract a UTI and what to look for if you think they may already have one.

If you have a loved one who is dealing with dementia you may already know that having a urinary tract infection or UTI can have a worse effect on them than if a healthy person contracts a UTI.

Episode 28 -

We recently did an episode talking about hospice and during that episode we mentioned Palliative care and how the two are similar, yet different. On this episode we are going to discuss Palliative care and what it is and how it is different than hospice. There are many good benefits and supportive resources that Palliative care provides not only for the patient, but also for the family.

Episode 27 –

We wanted to take some time and discuss a topic that can be scary, confusing, emotional, overwhelming, and misunderstood and that’s hospice. So, today we are going to answer the question “What is Hospice?”

We will be going through the most common questions that come up when discussing hospice that we feel will help in explaining better what hospice is and help dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that families sometime have.  

Episode 26 -

On this episode we are going to discuss a topic that everyone can relate to and that’s nutrition and hydration. This topic is especially important for seniors. The importance of eating healthy, drinking enough water, and living a healthy lifestyle isn’t something that is done periodically or on certain days, but everyday.

This is especially true for seniors. The food that they eat has an impact on their bodies and can affect their quality of life and their longevity. The National Institute of Health reports that those who have a balanced diet in their Golden Years’ experience a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even certain types of cancer and recent studies have even suggested that good eating habits can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Episode 25 -

The topic we are going to be discussing on this episode is one that is critically important to the safety of our loved ones and that’s Fall Safety. Having a Fall Safety plan is crucial in helping to prevent our aging and elderly loved ones from having a fall.

Did you know that Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in our older population and that every 20 minutes an older adult dies from a fall in the United States per the CDC, that is a grim statistic but it also shows how serious the risks are. For those that suffer an injury after having a Fall they are now at risk for what’s called post-fall syndrome. For too many of our seniors Post-fall syndrome can lead them to a dependance on others, a loss of their autonomy, confusion, depression, immobilization, and further restrictions on being able to perform their ADL’s.

Episode 24 -

In a recent AARP study it showed that 76% of adults 50 years old and older preferred to stay in their homes as long as possible. Now, with more and more seniors deciding to stay in their homes and age in place it has become more important than ever to ensure that they can do so safely. We will be discussing 5 tips so that they can age in place safely on this episode of All Home Care Matters.

Episode 23 - 

If you have a loved one with dementia then this episode may be far too familiar to you. We are going to be discussing how to prevent your loved one from getting lost. This is a very real fear and reality for many families who have loved ones with dementia. It could be that your loved one wanders and when you’re not looking they go out the front door and start wandering down the street or maybe they wander at night and it’s hard to rest knowing that they may leave the house at some point during the night. 

If this sounds far too familiar with the situation that you are facing we hope that this episode will provide you with information and resources to help keep your loved one safe.

Episode 22 - 

On this episode of All Home Care Matters we are going to be talking about safe and fun activities that a senior with limited mobility can enjoy doing. As our loved ones age their needs can increase and their physical abilities decrease. This is hard to watch and can lead to other issues for them as well like depression, loneliness, isolation, and a feeling of helplessness. We are going to share some safe and fun ways for them to stay active and engaged. 

Episode 21 -

On this episode of All Home Care Matters we are going to discuss a topic that is more common than not for families and that is long distance caregiving. Trying to maintain any relationship or obligation when you’re doing it from a long distance is challenging enough, but when you’re trying to care for a parent or a loved one long distance the challenges are even more difficult.

If you’re living out of state or several hours away from a loved one who needs your care you may already know the challenges that you have to face or maybe you’re wondering what you can do to best help them and make sure they are cared for.

Episode 20 - 

Today we wanted to take some time and talk about Adult Day Care Programs. If you aren’t familiar with what an Adult Day Care program is that’s ok. It is not always one of the first options that families are either told about or consider when looking for either respite care for themselves or as an option when their loved one may no longer able to be by themselves.

They are also not that common depending on where you live. We are in Metro-Detroit and I know of 3-4 Adult day centers that are in the metro-Detroit area. These centers are a great resource for families and also their loved ones. However, as we mentioned there isn’t an overabundance of them available like nursing homes, home care providers, and assisted living facilities are. This is because certain types of adult day care programs only offer certain services and the services that each of the adult day care locations offer can vary widely and their criteria for who would be a good fit and qualify to use their services can vary as well.

Adult day care programs are a wonderful resource for not only families, but also their loved ones. But, then why aren’t they common place like all the other long-term care and senior assistance options that we hear about daily? This is because families tend to refuse this option and worry that their loved one will resent being a part of such a program and others feel guilty dropping off and leaving their loved ones with someone else.

When a family does finally decide to try the program if even for a day. However, more times than not their loved one develops friends with other participants and their family or the person that has been responsible for their care is able to enjoy the respite that the adult day care has provided to them.