It is easy to get stressed, busy, and just forget your medications. Most likely, your missed or late dose will not impact your overall well-being in the long run, but for the elderly, medication compliance is imperative for their vitality.
Elderly medication compliance is one of the biggest concerns among healthcare professionals. According to a study by Harris Interactive, over 50 percent of all prescriptions administered are not taken as prescribed or are never filled in the first place. This is an alarming statistic, especially considering the fact that non-compliance can easily be prevented with a little help. In fact, one of the many services provided by homecare companies is ensuring elderly mediation compliance.
Reasons for Non-Compliance
Elderly medication compliance typically fails because seniors:
• Are overwhelmed by the number of prescriptions they have to take each day-sometimes more than once a day
• Fear harsh side effects
• Simply forget or are confused by the physician's instructions
• Fear they will lose what mobility and functionality they have left by taking their medications
• Feel fine and therefore believe they don't need to take their medication
• Want to save money
• Cannot open their medication container or they have difficulty swallowing the medication itself
Risks of Non-Compliance
Not taking medications-regardless of the reason-can delay recovery, worsen symptoms, or even cause death. There are stringent guidelines for dosing by manufacturers and prescription takers are urged to comply with these guidelines. It is estimated that 80 percent of hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions are caused by misinterpreting or ignoring the instructions.
Although most healthy adults discontinue medications once they feel better, it is important for elderly individuals to continue taking their medications to avoid any adverse reactions. In addition, elderly individuals don't always understand or know what they are taking. In these instances, they are at high risk for over-medicating by using nonprescription medications that can react poorly with their prescription medications. These mix-ups are especially dangerous because they can be life-threatening.
How a Homecare Company Can Help with Elderly Medication Compliance
• Creating medication routines: Caregivers can help elderly individuals set daily, individualized routines to help them remember their medications. These routines are designed to ensure medications are taken at the right dose and on-time to avoid over-medicating.
• Utilizing packaging aids and setting timers: Homecare workers can assist elderly individuals by using packaging aids that separate medications by day and time. To help the individual stay on-time, the caregiver can set timers that indicate when it is time to take their medication. This will ensure that there are no accidental missed doses or overdoses.
When people age and can no longer take their medications, it becomes a matter of health and safety rather than comfort. One of the reasons the elderly are often placed in nursing homes is to ensure medication compliance. However, with the help of a homecare company, elderly individuals can maintain their independence and freedom while still ensuring they take potentially life-saving medications. The company's caregivers can monitor, administer, and ensure elderly individuals take their medications, assist them with daily chores, and provide companionship that promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Selasa, 21 November 2017
Minggu, 05 November 2017
Care Agencies: Support for Families of Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Alzheimer's Disease is a distressing and profoundly disturbing illness that attacks some senior citizens and causes huge psychological, emotional, financial and physical damage to the patient. Severe memory loss and inability to function normally, conduct their day-to-day activities and engage socially as they used to previously are some of the features noted in the illness. In later stages, loss of control over body-functions, emotional breakdown and finally coma and death are the features commonly noted.
In such a situation, the burden of care-giving is usually taken on by a spouse, child or close relative of the patient. However, the nature of the illness and the enormous effort it takes to care for a patient can extract huge costs on the care-giver and the entire family. Such care-givers and families may require support and constant counseling to keep their spirits up and allow them to continue to care for their loved one.
Another aspect is that Alzheimer's is incurable and only the symptoms can be addressed, while patient management becomes the most critical aspect of care-giving. Hence, if required, the services of a trained professional care-giver may also be considered to avoid the phenomenon of "care-giver burn-out" among the family and relatives of the patient. Care includes constant contact with doctors, financial and legal aspects, planning for the future and ensuring that the patient lives and dies with dignity and respect.
There are hundreds of professional agencies that offer the services of experienced and expert care-givers who are trained specifically in caring for Alzheimer's patients. Most large towns have support groups and care-giver counseling, information centers, care-giver locators, home-care services, meal services, respite or short-term care, live-in helpers, adult day-care, geriatric care management, counseling and hospice services.
Additionally, there are many government and state funded programs that offer financial and other support to care-givers. In the US, the PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) offers a combination of medical insurance, social services and long-term care costs for Alzheimer's patients and their families.
Often Alzheimer's can strike people younger than 65, and in such instances, social security benefits like a Disability Income are also available from the government. There are several insurance programs designed for these patients, as well as many private groups, NGOs and neighborhood care programs available for various kinds of support.
It is essential to remember that the type of care required keeps changing as the illness progresses, hence the nature of care and the types of efforts involved could be different at each stage. Constant contact with your family doctor, education and information gathering are all important to keep yourself up-dated about the latest development in Alzheimer's research.
In such a situation, the burden of care-giving is usually taken on by a spouse, child or close relative of the patient. However, the nature of the illness and the enormous effort it takes to care for a patient can extract huge costs on the care-giver and the entire family. Such care-givers and families may require support and constant counseling to keep their spirits up and allow them to continue to care for their loved one.
Another aspect is that Alzheimer's is incurable and only the symptoms can be addressed, while patient management becomes the most critical aspect of care-giving. Hence, if required, the services of a trained professional care-giver may also be considered to avoid the phenomenon of "care-giver burn-out" among the family and relatives of the patient. Care includes constant contact with doctors, financial and legal aspects, planning for the future and ensuring that the patient lives and dies with dignity and respect.
There are hundreds of professional agencies that offer the services of experienced and expert care-givers who are trained specifically in caring for Alzheimer's patients. Most large towns have support groups and care-giver counseling, information centers, care-giver locators, home-care services, meal services, respite or short-term care, live-in helpers, adult day-care, geriatric care management, counseling and hospice services.
Additionally, there are many government and state funded programs that offer financial and other support to care-givers. In the US, the PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) offers a combination of medical insurance, social services and long-term care costs for Alzheimer's patients and their families.
Often Alzheimer's can strike people younger than 65, and in such instances, social security benefits like a Disability Income are also available from the government. There are several insurance programs designed for these patients, as well as many private groups, NGOs and neighborhood care programs available for various kinds of support.
It is essential to remember that the type of care required keeps changing as the illness progresses, hence the nature of care and the types of efforts involved could be different at each stage. Constant contact with your family doctor, education and information gathering are all important to keep yourself up-dated about the latest development in Alzheimer's research.
Selasa, 24 Oktober 2017
Avoid Issues Related to an Emergency Response System
Elderly parents, grannies, grandpas or the people with disabilities are often unable to move freely. The situation might become fatal if a member of your household falls, or injures himself or herself. For instance, if one falls at the landing between stairs, the situation becomes all the more challenging. Your granny or grandpa might not be able to get up and reach the phone that's placed on the table in the hall below. This is when the significance of an emergency response system comes into the picture. However, there might be problems operating the same. In case of an illness or accident at home, the push button needs to be pressed to alert emergency services. In this article, readers will be educated about avoiding issues with such equipment so that immediate help can be accessed.
Keep the Alarm Attached to Your Attire
When some member of your family suffers a fall, or needs immediate medical attention, the alarm should be able to detect it. Now, the question arises how. Well, the product can be attached to your clothing, or worn around the neck. It will help an ailing senior citizen to press the push button following a fall or injury. You will find tools capable of sensing inertia and these are ideal for people suffering from sudden blackouts, fainting, or an uncomfortable feeling of dizziness.
Recharge, if Battery Operated
When it comes to elderly care assistance, no options should be left unexplored. If the alert system is battery operated, ensure that it is charged on a regular basis. Also, check whether the apparatus warns you when the battery is low.
Flexible Plans
There are some telehealth service providers offering only a one year contract plan. To avoid complications, ensure that you opt for flexible plans as no one is aware of what the future has in store for us. Look for companies that offer quarterly, or month to month agreement options, in case yearly options is not a suiting your family health care needs.
The Person who Receives the Alert Call Should Have Access into Your House
The person who receives the alarm call should be able to get admittance to your residential premises. For example, if you have equipment that alerts your next door neighbor, or friend, just ponder what will happen if that person is not able to get into the room where you have fallen or hurt yourself.
Alternative Responder
What happens, if the person informed by the emergency response system, is out of town, or not able to reach you? This is the reason it's wise to opt for an alternative service provider or responder. This way, the person or service provider, can reach at your place at any time of the day, no matter what the circumstances are. Again, if your loved one has difficulty hearing, opt for vibrating systems.
All Time Access
The plan you opt for should help you get instant access to helpline services at any time of the day, even at unearthly hours. Accidents and mishaps wait for no one and don't come informed. Therefore, you should have access to emergency help, be it day or past midnight.
Keep the Alarm Attached to Your Attire
When some member of your family suffers a fall, or needs immediate medical attention, the alarm should be able to detect it. Now, the question arises how. Well, the product can be attached to your clothing, or worn around the neck. It will help an ailing senior citizen to press the push button following a fall or injury. You will find tools capable of sensing inertia and these are ideal for people suffering from sudden blackouts, fainting, or an uncomfortable feeling of dizziness.
Recharge, if Battery Operated
When it comes to elderly care assistance, no options should be left unexplored. If the alert system is battery operated, ensure that it is charged on a regular basis. Also, check whether the apparatus warns you when the battery is low.
Flexible Plans
There are some telehealth service providers offering only a one year contract plan. To avoid complications, ensure that you opt for flexible plans as no one is aware of what the future has in store for us. Look for companies that offer quarterly, or month to month agreement options, in case yearly options is not a suiting your family health care needs.
The Person who Receives the Alert Call Should Have Access into Your House
The person who receives the alarm call should be able to get admittance to your residential premises. For example, if you have equipment that alerts your next door neighbor, or friend, just ponder what will happen if that person is not able to get into the room where you have fallen or hurt yourself.
Alternative Responder
What happens, if the person informed by the emergency response system, is out of town, or not able to reach you? This is the reason it's wise to opt for an alternative service provider or responder. This way, the person or service provider, can reach at your place at any time of the day, no matter what the circumstances are. Again, if your loved one has difficulty hearing, opt for vibrating systems.
All Time Access
The plan you opt for should help you get instant access to helpline services at any time of the day, even at unearthly hours. Accidents and mishaps wait for no one and don't come informed. Therefore, you should have access to emergency help, be it day or past midnight.
Rabu, 11 Oktober 2017
Footing the Bill for Home Health Care - Paying to Keep the Elderly in Their Homes
When you find ways of footing the bill for home health care, it allows your family to stay closer together. It also allows seniors to keep a little bit of their independence and dignity.
We should be proud to look after the elderly. These are people who took exceptional care of us, and now need our support to stay in the comfort of their own homes. They worked hard throughout their life, most raised families of their own, and helped their children to become successful adults. Now, many cannot manage to do the physical or mental tasks that they used to do, but all they need is a little assistance from us.
Instead of going to an assisted living facility, some people today are choosing to stay in their homes. But to do this, most will need financial assistance to help pay their bills.
Paying for home health care allows senior citizens to remain in their homes. In most cases, it costs less than assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The most noteworthy aspect of seniors remaining at home is that they are close to those who love them the most, and they remain in familiar surroundings.
Footing the Bill for Home Health Care - Paying to Keep the Elderly in Their Homes
The biggest question is: how is it possible to pay to keep the elderly in their homes, or in the homes of their children? Here are some workable solutions:
• Life Insurance - There are many life insurance policies that can be converted into home care payments. This allows seniors a way of retrieving some of that money they have been paying all of those years. This applies to Term, Whole, Group, and Universal Life Insurance.
This is possible through Life Care Funding ( http://www.lifecarefunding.com ). It is available in all 50 states, and if your loved one qualifies, it can begin paying for home care immediately. In addition, there is a percentage set aside to pay for funeral costs, and if there is any money remaining, it will go to the beneficiaries.
• Medicare and Medicaid - Medicare and Medicaid help needy seniors to pay for some of their home care expenses. The U.S. government has rules and guidelines to see if your loved one qualifies. Check their websites for more information.
• Health Insurance - It might be possible that there are clauses in your loved one's current health insurance policy that pays for some home care. Have a close look at their policy, and you can also contact their insurance agent or the insurance company for more details.
We should be proud to look after the elderly. These are people who took exceptional care of us, and now need our support to stay in the comfort of their own homes. They worked hard throughout their life, most raised families of their own, and helped their children to become successful adults. Now, many cannot manage to do the physical or mental tasks that they used to do, but all they need is a little assistance from us.
Instead of going to an assisted living facility, some people today are choosing to stay in their homes. But to do this, most will need financial assistance to help pay their bills.
Paying for home health care allows senior citizens to remain in their homes. In most cases, it costs less than assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The most noteworthy aspect of seniors remaining at home is that they are close to those who love them the most, and they remain in familiar surroundings.
Footing the Bill for Home Health Care - Paying to Keep the Elderly in Their Homes
The biggest question is: how is it possible to pay to keep the elderly in their homes, or in the homes of their children? Here are some workable solutions:
• Life Insurance - There are many life insurance policies that can be converted into home care payments. This allows seniors a way of retrieving some of that money they have been paying all of those years. This applies to Term, Whole, Group, and Universal Life Insurance.
This is possible through Life Care Funding ( http://www.lifecarefunding.com ). It is available in all 50 states, and if your loved one qualifies, it can begin paying for home care immediately. In addition, there is a percentage set aside to pay for funeral costs, and if there is any money remaining, it will go to the beneficiaries.
• Medicare and Medicaid - Medicare and Medicaid help needy seniors to pay for some of their home care expenses. The U.S. government has rules and guidelines to see if your loved one qualifies. Check their websites for more information.
• Health Insurance - It might be possible that there are clauses in your loved one's current health insurance policy that pays for some home care. Have a close look at their policy, and you can also contact their insurance agent or the insurance company for more details.
Selasa, 26 September 2017
In Home Care Services Provide Respite for the Sandwich Generation
Generation X has grown up to become the "Sandwich Generation" caught between trying to support their children while also caring for an elderly parent. Millions of American adults between the ages of 40 and 59 fall into this personal and financial pressure point that can be exacerbated by rising college expenses and the impact of the recession. Add the demands of career and marriage, and life can quickly become stressful. If parents live a long distance away, the stress and guilt can be even greater.
Quality In Home Care Support
As the Baby Boomers have moved into their elder years, support services have grown to meet their needs and the needs of those caring for them. Many older adults want to remain in their home where they are comfortable and can maintain more independence. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with this situation such as not being able to handle an emergency, forgetting to take medication, and letting personal grooming or good nutrition fall by the wayside. In home caregivers can handle many of these necessities, help provide transportation and companionship.
A caregiver who is the right match for the older adult will encourage them to stay active both physically and mentally. Care at home can range from an aide who provides non-medical care and helps with the Activities of Daily Living to a skilled home health nurse. Having the right level of care for the aging parent provides peace of mind to the family.
Initially, a senior adult may only need a little extra help. It may not be feasible for a family member who lives close by to stop in daily, and of course, this is impossible for the adult child who lives far away. Having a caregiver for half a day a couple of times each week can relieve the stress of cooking, grocery shopping, driving to the hairdresser, and other routine activities.
Caregiver Respite
Even if an elderly adult is being taken care of full-time by a family member, in home care can provide a necessary respite for the family. It is vital that family caregivers find time for themselves to recharge for the emotional demands of caring for others. Trained and screened caregivers can provide a range of services including caring for those just getting out of the hospital or a rehab facility and even tending to those with Alzheimer's or dementia.
It may be difficult to broach the subject of bringing someone new into the home. Approaching this issue with sensitivity and patience is key.
Quality In Home Care Support
As the Baby Boomers have moved into their elder years, support services have grown to meet their needs and the needs of those caring for them. Many older adults want to remain in their home where they are comfortable and can maintain more independence. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with this situation such as not being able to handle an emergency, forgetting to take medication, and letting personal grooming or good nutrition fall by the wayside. In home caregivers can handle many of these necessities, help provide transportation and companionship.
A caregiver who is the right match for the older adult will encourage them to stay active both physically and mentally. Care at home can range from an aide who provides non-medical care and helps with the Activities of Daily Living to a skilled home health nurse. Having the right level of care for the aging parent provides peace of mind to the family.
Initially, a senior adult may only need a little extra help. It may not be feasible for a family member who lives close by to stop in daily, and of course, this is impossible for the adult child who lives far away. Having a caregiver for half a day a couple of times each week can relieve the stress of cooking, grocery shopping, driving to the hairdresser, and other routine activities.
Caregiver Respite
Even if an elderly adult is being taken care of full-time by a family member, in home care can provide a necessary respite for the family. It is vital that family caregivers find time for themselves to recharge for the emotional demands of caring for others. Trained and screened caregivers can provide a range of services including caring for those just getting out of the hospital or a rehab facility and even tending to those with Alzheimer's or dementia.
It may be difficult to broach the subject of bringing someone new into the home. Approaching this issue with sensitivity and patience is key.
Senin, 04 September 2017
How to Legally Take Control of Your Elderly Parents Finances
Elderly patients and parents alike need to be handled with care. Elderly people tend to be more sensitive and touchy regarding even the smallest of things. When it comes to finances and management of daily expenses especially, several elderly people are either fleeced or spend more than necessary on basic things. This is primarily a result of dwindling mental strength and lack of attention.
As grown adults, it helps to take control of your parent's finances especially if you notice that they are not being able to manage it properly. Besides making sure that you do so legally, it is also important to ensure that you do it without harming their sentiments. For instance,
Assess bank details
In most families, parents add their children to hold a joint account with banks to ensure safety of funds. However, over the years you may forget who holds the control of which account and to what extent. Before you think of taking complete control of your parent's finances, try to assess the present bank details. If you are already named a nominee or hold the account jointly, it will be easier to change or modify control.
While doing so, discuss the details and your problem with the bank manager. As a financial expert, he will be in a better position to advise you on how to better manage your parent's finances on their behalf.
Some experts may advise you to have your parents hand over total authority to you while others may advise a part control norm. Either way, weigh your options before you plan the next step.
Speak to your family lawyer
Chances are that your parents have already planned their estate distribution and will way before. When you notice that your parents are suffering from age related issues, start talking about your worries with your family lawyer.
The lawyer will be able to guide you and tell you what would be a better way to control or manage finances. If you are worried about your parents losing money due to lack of attention or control in general, it is better to be a signing authority for every financial transaction they make. However, if your concern revolves around just keeping the finances safe for the future even though they are not really wasting money or being fleeced, you may as well take authority in a different way.
Weigh your options
When parents become old, they may suffer from physical problems or mental issues. This is when they need the stable support of a trusted family member. Explore the option of being a power of attorney in this case so you can sign off for any transaction or expense your parents need.
There are several ways to legally manage funds on behalf of someone. You can set up a trust or simply add yourself as a controller to their bank account. Based on the current situation, see what suits your need best.
As grown adults, it helps to take control of your parent's finances especially if you notice that they are not being able to manage it properly. Besides making sure that you do so legally, it is also important to ensure that you do it without harming their sentiments. For instance,
Assess bank details
In most families, parents add their children to hold a joint account with banks to ensure safety of funds. However, over the years you may forget who holds the control of which account and to what extent. Before you think of taking complete control of your parent's finances, try to assess the present bank details. If you are already named a nominee or hold the account jointly, it will be easier to change or modify control.
While doing so, discuss the details and your problem with the bank manager. As a financial expert, he will be in a better position to advise you on how to better manage your parent's finances on their behalf.
Some experts may advise you to have your parents hand over total authority to you while others may advise a part control norm. Either way, weigh your options before you plan the next step.
Speak to your family lawyer
Chances are that your parents have already planned their estate distribution and will way before. When you notice that your parents are suffering from age related issues, start talking about your worries with your family lawyer.
The lawyer will be able to guide you and tell you what would be a better way to control or manage finances. If you are worried about your parents losing money due to lack of attention or control in general, it is better to be a signing authority for every financial transaction they make. However, if your concern revolves around just keeping the finances safe for the future even though they are not really wasting money or being fleeced, you may as well take authority in a different way.
Weigh your options
When parents become old, they may suffer from physical problems or mental issues. This is when they need the stable support of a trusted family member. Explore the option of being a power of attorney in this case so you can sign off for any transaction or expense your parents need.
There are several ways to legally manage funds on behalf of someone. You can set up a trust or simply add yourself as a controller to their bank account. Based on the current situation, see what suits your need best.
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