Unfortunately, the elderly are at risk of having at least one of the many causes of incontinence. These include, but are not limited to weakened pelvic muscles, urinary tract infections, an enlarged prostate gland in men, diabetes, high calcium levels within the body, a thinning of the vagina wall in women and an inability to move around. Most elderly people have at least one of the above, if not a combination of them and thus they cannot control their urinary functioning.

There are four different type of incontinence, and the elderly may suffer with all four if their pelvic muscles are particularly weak. They are stress, urge, functional and overflow. The pressure put on the bladder by the stomach muscles when laughing or sneezing usually causes stress incontinence. Functional incontinence occurs when somebody cannot get to the toilet in time but generally has good bladder control. Overflow incontinence predominantly occurs in males with an enlarged prostate, which blocks the urinary tract to the point that bladder actually becomes overly full. All of these occur in the elderly, but the most common form of it is urge incontinence, where the person is not actually given enough warning before they have to go.

Unfortunately, incontinence is not necessarily treatable in the elderly. Younger people who suffer from incontinence can do a series of exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles or practice bladder control exercises. However, it is unreasonable to expect the elderly to do this. Medication is available to help to stem the problem, especially if the senior in question has a bladder, kidney or urinary tract infection, but it is not advisable for diabetics to take it and it may actually make symptoms worse. It is a natural part of aging and should be accepted as such really.

This doesn’t help you if you are caring for someone who suffers from incontinence. You may well find yourself changing him or her every hour or so, which would also create a sense of embarrassment and discomfort for the individual in question. This also runs the risk of getting pressure sores. However, you can purchase incontinence pad that work much the same as nappies, absorbing moisture and sealing it away from the body. Although it may not feel comfortable to wear them, it may certainly be much better than sitting in wet clothes.

Incontinence is an unfortunate problem for many members of the elderly population because it is a result of the body breaking down. It is just a matter of learning how to cope with it without making the senior you care for feel too embarrassed and ashamed. That is totally dependent on the individual. For more information visit us on the web at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

Older family members fear that something bad may happen to them and no would know. How, then, do we help them balance a desire to remain at home measurably independent while ensuring their safety and security.

The answer requires family caregivers to take necessary precautions: making the home a safer place to live: staying alert to con artists and scams: and creating a stronger family and community network of support.
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Reduced communication skills are one of the results of aging, which is something that is beyond your control. However, your ability to identify the source of the problem will consequently determine the steps you need to take in order to resolve them. Solutions can be as simple as finding alternative means to communicate outside of verbal signals, or as intricate as medical treatment.

Cause of Communication Problems

There are various reasons why aging people lose their ability to communicate properly. Here are some of the most common reasons for them:

•             Failing hearing – When people age, they undergo anatomical changes. Reduced hearing capacity is a natural effect involved with the natural aging process. When an elder lacks proper hearing capacity, they do not recognize when someone is talking nor understand clearly the information being relayed. There are hearing aids available nowadays to produce sharper sense of hearing for older people.

•             Vision problems or failing eyesight – Another natural effect of again is failing eyesight. Therefore, older person have difficulty reading written communication. The effects of a failing eyesight can be reduced though using alternative communication devices such as eyeglasses.

•             Effect of medications – This cause for communication problems is reversible. Taking medicines often produce adverse effects on the elders such that they become easily fatigued or confused. Therefore, they find it difficult to understand communicative patterns.

•             Structural or neurological damage – This condition is often caused by other diseases such as brain lesions, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or strokes. Most of these conditions produce permanent results, there are a few coping mechanisms and strategies provided for patient so that they are able to communicate effectively.

Dealing with Proper Communication

If you are faced with communication problems involved in caring for the elderly, then it is important to figure out the proper method of dealing with such communication lapses. Below are a few principles you can apply:

•             Understand the two-way process of communication. An effective communication involves a clear exchange of information between the speaker and hearer, therefore both have to cooperate in seeing results. It is both individual’s responsibility, not just one.

•             Make some communication adjustments. When you notice that problems exist or that you are not communicating properly, take action. Adjust your communication pattern by first identifying where the source of problem is.

Non-Verbal Communication and Aids

Once you have determined the source of the communication problem, you can minimize their effects by enlisting the help of some devices and aids designed specifically to cater to better communication. Here are a few you can try if you’re having problems communicating when caring for an elderly:

•             Eyeglasses and hearing aids: Is recommended for elders who are suffering from failing hearing and eyesight.

•             Using writings or pictures instead of spoken communication: Doing this will help prevent create frustration on both parties, since the elderly person will be able to comprehend what you are trying to communicate without having to repeat yourself.

When To Get Help?

If you have done all the procedures indicated above and you are still having communication problems with elderly care, then it might be time to seek professional help. Asking for professional help must be done during the following circumstances:

•             When an elderly person have difficulty speaking, understanding, or communicating as a whole.

•             When an elderly person exhibits unusual sound of voice that is neither caused by cold nor flu.

•             When their speech becomes incomprehensible.

•             When they fail to respond clearly.

Visit us on the web at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

Family caregivers face enormous stress in their lives. Taking care of yourself and your own family is difficult enough and then adding the extra responsibility of another person solely depending on you can become overwhelming in any persons life. Home care allows family caregivers to get back to a more normal way of life and ease their stress, worry, guilt and lessen the responsibility that is placed on your shoulders. It seems like when a loved one or a parent becomes ill or disabled, the children’s lives stop. Finding time for yourself becomes a distant memory. When the burden of care becomes an enormous main factor in your life considering in-home care assistance. This can have a profound effect on a family and loved ones life in many positive ways. When children care for their parents, that is the most wonderful sacrifice there can be. But aging adults want to retain their dignity and survive independently of their children in their own homes. This has a great effect on their health and well-being. When mom calls ten times a day, it’s because she may feel isolated or just lonely. Sometimes providing a companion is all an aging adult needs. As a persons lifestyle changes, so do their needs. Addressing the needs at hand and providing assistance early can alleviate so many factors in families lives to be able to maintain a better quality of life. Not just for mom or dad, but more important for the children. This gives our parents a new sense of independence, and freedom in your own life. Providing home care assistance allows you to live your life again and not worry about the safety and well-being of your parents. It allows your parents to also live their life.

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Remember: They’re Still Your Parents

After spending a long period of time dealing with everything from wills, to property, to nursing homes, to insurance coverage, etc., etc., it’s easy to lose track that you’re dealing with people here. Not just people, your parents! Remember that they’re going through a process that’s scary and very humbling, and your love, caring, and attention to them is more important now than it’s ever been.

“Control.”

It’s one of the biggest issues that looms over the whole process of taking care of your elderly parents. Nobody wants to relinquish control over their own well being, especially when they still feel like they can do everything on their own. Ideally you will come to a philosophical decision with your family well before it needs to be implemented so it will be easier to act on when the time comes. Keep in mind that illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s will wreak havoc with your parent’s memory, so they may not remember the decisions you made when they were cogent.

I learned this the hard way with my mother, who now needs around the clock care but can’t remember she signed up for Assisted Living a few years ago. It’s hard being the bad guy some days, but it’s easier knowing that it was what she said she wanted when she still had her memory.”

“Check In With Yourself”

“Growing older is a tough reality, not just for your parents, but also for yourself, as the knowledge that the role of caretaker has suddenly switched places can be overwhelming and oftentimes depressing. So, in the middle of all the day to day care-giving you are now compelled to do, you now also have to come to grips with the fact that you too are getting older. Understanding your own feelings about aging is just as important as taking care of your parents. So make sure you set aside some “Me Time” to think, to relax, to bring perspective to the situation.

The stronger and more confident you are, the better care you can take of your parents, and the better care you can take of yourself.”

Remember, the process isn’t going to be easy. But here are a few first steps to helping you make it easier.

Talk to Your Friends

Every family is different, of course, but this is one instance when getting advice from friends is invaluable. Talk to anyone you know who has gone through the same process and see what worked, what didn’t work, where you should start, and what to expect. By getting in touch with others in the same situation, you are not only getting great firsthand information, you’re also getting a sympathetic ear to which you can turn at every stage.

2. Get Everyone Involved

Don’t feel like you have to take on every decision by yourself. If you’ve got brothers and sisters, uncles or aunts, get them involved in the process.

For more information visit us on the web at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

Is it Alzheimer’s or Dementia? Dementia is a general term used to describe many different diseases.

Dementia is the syndrome of symptoms such as memory loss and decreasing ability to handle the daily functions of life. Dementia is not an early form of Alzheimer’s or some less serious disease, it is simply a catch-all term that describes Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, and other specific diseases. It is frequently used because people may not have a specific diagnosis yet or due to the fact that many of the symptoms are common in any type of dementia. Because professionals often interchange the terms for general discussion purposes, people have become confused about the distinctions. Types of dementia may include Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Disease, Pick’s Disease, Parkinson’s related dementia, and Vascular Dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type, and Vascular Dementia is second most common. Some people suffer from more than one type of dementia.

What’s normal? Normal aging can cause some minor changes in memory or learning, but not in a way that affects functioning. If you know someone who repeats questions frequently, has trouble following their daily routine, frequently cannot find the right word, or is disoriented to time and place, these are signs of Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia—not normal aging. It is important to get a good diagnosis, because there are some reversible causes of these symptoms. Depression, medication misuse or side effects, thyroid problems, and vitamin deficiencies can all present symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s. It is important to get a thorough medical workup if you identify these symptoms. See below for warning signs compared to normal age related changes.

Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Senior Home Care USA is a good place to start if you have concerns that a loved one might have some form of dementia, or if your loved one has been diagnosed. A care manager can help in the early stages by coordinating medical professionals, securing a good diagnostic workup, walking you through what to expect and options, and planning ahead. Often, families have trouble because their loved one does not wish to acknowledge there is a problem and they do not know how to get them to accept help, or even go to a doctor for an evaluation. A care manager can be invaluable in strategizing ways to work through these challenges. Our services are customized to work with just these types of situations.

As the disease progresses, your care manager can be your caregiving coach and resource partner. Our job is to anticipate needs and issues and help you plan, as well as to be a sounding board to your frustrations and concerns. There are many issues that may arise: the need for in home help, wandering,driving concerns, knowing when it may be time to consider a care facility.

Warning Signs of Possible Alzheimer’s or other form of Dementia:

 1.   Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.

 2.    What’snormal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

          Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks including personal grooming and household management. Individuals maylose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game.

 3.   Problems with language. People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for “that thing for my mouth.”

 4.   Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

 5.   Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers. What’s normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time

 6.   Problems with abstract thinking. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.

 7.   Misplacing things. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

 8.   Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.

9.   Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically.They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.

10.Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.

We encourage you to seek a diagnostic workup if you see these signs in yourself or a loved one.Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services. These warning signs and other information can be found through the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

We would love to help answer your questions and help fill your caregiving needs. Contact us at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

It is meant to be a way to improve the communication gap that may exist between adult children and their senior parents.  The condition of aging commonly shocks family caregivers profoundly, because of the many difficult situations that come up during this phase of life.

Sometimes it can be very hard to talk to your dad about him crashing the car against a pole, or to ask your mom if she is taking all her medications as the doctor prescribed, or to find the way to tell your parents that they need more help at home.  This is challenging even for families where communication is open and trusting, and in many cases what happens is that people decide to not say anything at all, leaving many situations unresolved.

Adult children have to learn to talk to their senior parents sooner than later, before a serious crisis is just around the corner or has already taken place, and this is what the 40-70 rule is all about.  It helps families with senior loved ones deal with sensitive topics and difficult conversations right on time.

Basically, the rule is that if you are 40 and your parents are 70, you have to start talking about certain senior matters.  This rule is based on the fact that 1/3 of adults in the United States have problems talking to their parents because of the prolongation of the parent-son role.  Yes, many parents continue to have a very controlling relationship with their children, even after they become adults, making certain conversations quite difficult.

Do not wait until your aging parent is partially or totally bedridden, cannot understand you, or requires the help of a bariatric mattress to prevent bed sores; because sadly, this happens too often, and you end up regretting not having had the opportunity to discuss their wishes and expectations with them.

Get more information  and get the help you and your senior loved one need. Contact http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

www.volkner.com  the original source

Caregiver Name:  _______________________________

Arrival Time:__________   Departure Time:  _________

Health & Hygiene

Transfer from bed to chair

Bathroom Visit Assistance

Catheter Care/Diaper Change

Shower/Bed Bath

Hair care

Skin Care/Lotion

Nail Care

Dental Care

Medication Reminder

Exercise Routine

Nutrition

Grocery Shopping/Meal Plan________________________

Meal Preparation_________________________________

Set-up Meal

Assisted with Feeding

Feeding Tube Care

When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, my mother seemed to conveniently choose not to deal with it. Don’t get me wrong, she and my father lived in their own home when he was diagnosed. She decided that she did not and would not place him in a nursing facility. But she also refuse to accept the fact that he had a disease. She was in denial. So dealing with her issues was much harder than dealing with my father’s illness. Not only did her being in denial add more stress to the whole situation, she felt that she should handle the whole thing on her own without outside help, placing a lot of the burden on us. She did not want strangers coming into her home to help her with the care of her husband.

Since they were my parents, and raised and took great care of me, I knew that I had to help her and my father. So, your own life, and needs go on hold. Just trying to figure out what to do and how to do it as far as care was concerned was overwhelming. Also making sure that they were both safe was a major concern. My father was quickly losing mobility. My mother could not lift him or move him. So it was up to us. Knowing that the state of his health was important, and soon it would be hard to get him to go to the doctor, I knew that I needed to find a physician that made house calls. That was the best decision I ever made. First, now there was a person available to us for any medical needs or in case of emergency. Secondly, it made my mother slowly realize and understand Alzheimer’s Disease and its progression. It allowed her to let people in her home. The doctor ordered a hospital bed for my father, which made things so much easier. He also ordered a nurse to come in to ensure he was doing okay. Any blood tests or ultra-sounds were done right in home. He was starting to receive better care than if my mother would have placed him in a nursing facility.

He was on his way now, even in this situation living a better quality of life. This also alleviated a lot of our worries as far as the condition he was in at all times. But still, our lives were on hold managing his care. My mother did not leave the house and started becoming depressed. The whole situation at times became overwhelming. Knowing something had to be done, after a little while I managed to talk my mother into in-home care services. I gave her a gift certificate for in-home care for twice a week just to try. At first, she rebelled, but finally she took advantage of it. I took her out to lunch and shopping. This gave her a much needed break, she was able to get out more often and maintain ties with her friends. The caregiver also provided socialization, and my mother looked forward to her visits. She made a new friend. It also allowed our family to get back on track with our own lives, jobs and children. It allowed us to spend more enjoyable, quality times with my father through this very stressful period in all of our lives. My father used to say when life became stressful, “This too shall pass”. And, yes it did pass. We made it through and became stronger and closer as a family.

When you are faced with any situation, taking control and starting with baby steps will lead you to resolve any issues that may arise. Through my own personal experience I learned that sometimes families just need a plan. They need to be supported and guided.  I truly feel for the families that are going through the same thing our family did.

I understand what families can go through on a daily basis. You feel extremely lost and do not know who you can depend on or who you can turn to. But, knowing what to do in a situation is the most important thing. Knowing the decision to make and when to start making them is vital. Knowing that not everyone needs to be placed in a nursing facility is also important. When you pull all the right resources together, aging adults can remain in the comfort of their home. My father did remain in his own home until he passed away. I made sure that he received the best possible quality of care. That was his wish. That was my goal, to make sure his wish was fulfilled. If you, your family or your loved one need support, guidance, assistance or may have any concerns, questions or comments please feel free to contact us for any assistance at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

Family members and friends may suddenly find themselves thrust into the role of care givers-providing for the physical and emotional needs of the family member that has become ill. They may have to prepare special diets, nourishing meals, supervise medications, arrange transportation back and forth to the Dr, write letters, entertain people that visit, Often times these tasks have to be crammed into an already busy schedule. As the patient’s condition deteriorates the work of Care giving becomes even more demanding. Washing and feeding, emptying urine bags, cleaning up vomit, changing diapers, taking temperature and vitals every hour.

The quality of the care that your family receives will depend to a large extent on the ones providing the care. Yet the feelings and needs of those who look after the sick are often overlooked. If Care giving merely was a result of sore backs and strained shoulders that would be difficult enough But, as most care givers will confirm. Care giving carries a high emotional cost.

It is one of the most difficult things to cope with says Sue. Caring for your loved one can be a very frightening experience. Wondering if you will have the strength or ability to meet your families needs is a tremendous challenge.

Grief is a normal experience when caring for your loved ones. You may grieve for the way things used to be. You may grieve knowing that you are losing your soul mate or your best friend. You are very sad at this moment and may wonder why did this have to happen to me and why other family member are not doing more to help. This may cause you to be filled with anger. Then comes Guilt on the heels of anger. All these different emotions may drain you to the point that you feel you cannot go on. Even tho you may be doing all you can you still feel that perhaps you have neglected other responsibilities that need the same amount of attention.

Obviously there is a desperate need for support especially after the death of your loved one. Unspoken feelings could be damaging to both care giver and patient. What then can you do to cope with these feelings? And what can others -family members and friends -do to help. I will share this with you in my next article. Visit us on the web at http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com