New Blog Address

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Ten Absolutes of Alzheimer's Caregiving for Andover, Massachusetts Caregivers

A former employee called me the other day looking for this. We always gave this out to our caregivers. People at the Caregiver Connections Conference in November came back to the Right at Home booth to say that this was the best thing that they had received at the conference. I am not sure where it comes from:

Ten Absolutes of Alzheimer's Caregiving

1. Never argue; instead, agree

2. Never reason; instead, divert

3. Never shame; instead, distract

4. Never lecture; instead, reassure

5. Never “remember”; instead, reminisce

6. Never “I told you”; instead, repeat

7. Never “You can’t”; instead, “Do what you can do”

8. Never command or demand; instead, ask or model

9. Never condescend; instead, encourage or praise

10. Never force; instead, reinforce

Understand Caregiver Stress in Marblehead, Massachusetts

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers. Caregivers tend to experience high levels of stress and anxiety, and it is important to recognize the signs of such stress. Visit us at www.rightathomemass.net if you have any questions, or need help for an aging loved one in the area.

Coping with Caregiver Stress

Alzheimer caregivers report that they frequently experience high levels of stress. Too much stress can be damaging to both a caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s.

If you experience some of these signs of stress on a regular basis, consult your doctor. Ignoring them can cause your physical and mental health to decline.

Symptoms of caregiver stress

Denial

Anger

Social withdrawal

Anxiety

Depression

Exhaustion

Sleeplessness

Irritability

Lack of concentration

Health problems

Be a healthy caregiver

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important ways to be a healthy caregiver.

Know what resources are available. Adult day care, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and Meals-on-Wheels are just some of the services that can help you.

Become an educated caregiver. As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills are necessary. Find information on alz.org or contact your local Alzheimer's Association.

Get help. You are not failing as a caregiver by asking others for assistance. Seek the support of family, friends and community resources. Alzheimer's Association support group meetings are a good source of comfort and reassurance. Or you can join our online community.

Take care of yourself. Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Make time for shopping, lunch with friends or even a golf outing. Take advantage of community services such as adult day care or in-home companion services to care for your loved one while you take a break.

Manage your stress level. Stress can cause physical problems and changes in behavior. If you experience symptoms of caregiver stress, use relaxation techniques that work for you, and consult your doctor.

Accept changes as they occur. People with Alzheimer's change and so do their needs. They often require care beyond what you can provide on your own. Look into care services such as in-home caregiver services and residential care.

Do legal and financial planning. Consult an attorney to discuss legal, financial and care issues. If possible and appropriate, involve the person with Alzheimer's and other family members.

Be realistic. Many of the behaviors that occur are beyond your control and the control of the person with Alzheimer's. Grieve your losses, but also focus on the positive moments.

Give yourself credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can. Don't feel guilty because you can't do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud.

Original content found HERE. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caregiver_stress_lwa.asp

Stay Alert on Alzheimer's Disease in Marblehead, Massachusetts

This is a great article for anyone who is affected, or newly affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, and is trying to understand it’s effects on our loved ones. If you need help with an aging senior in the area, visit www.rightathomemass.net.

Stay Alert on Alzheimer's Disease

By: Barbara Rockwell

The term dementia refers to a brain disorder that demonstrates itself in several ways. A person may easily become confused even in known settings, may ask questions repeatedly, or may neglect such basic things as their own hygiene or basic safety issues. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia linked with old age.

The disease is named after German Doctor Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed variations in the brain tissue of a patient of his that died with unusual mental illnesses and dementia. His study guided him to discover anomalous clumps and tangles of fiber in the brains of those patients who were suffering from this same disease.

Thus, whilst it was common for persons who were older and losing their mental faculties to be dismissed as "senile," Dr. Alzheimer was able to pinpoint the actual breakdown in the brain that led to the loss of their mental faculties.

According to the National Institute on Aging varied test conclusions, there are actual brain changes in persons with Alzheimer's disease. They can find out how nerve cells die in areas of the brain that affect memory and basic abilities. It may seem strange, but everything that we do on a daily basis is because of memory.

We remember that we need to take a shower on a regular basis that we need to shut the door behind us when we leave the house. We don't realize that we're doing these things because of memory, and assume that they just happen naturally. But when those memories break down because of Alzheimer's or any other mental disorder, even the most basic everyday functions begin to be confusing or neglected.

In fact, the brain works by a series of connections between nerve endings, all of which are related. For example, the part of the brain that controls speech sends signals to the nerves that spark the muscles and parts of the mouth when we wish to talk. Of course, all of our mental and physical functions work this way.

With Alzheimer's disease, these nerve signals are disrupted or broken. If the brain cannot continue to make connections in the nerve cells that control memory, all the basic functions are disrupted. The brain can't memorize that it just asked a question, so a person repeats it. They can't remember their own children, so they are now strangers. Alzheimer's can be a very frightening and debilitating disease for the patients and the families as well.

Article Source: http://myeldercarearticles.com

As funds dwindle, elders must wait for home care in Marblehead Mass and other areas.

The Boston Globe just published a story that I think is important information for all seniors and their family members to consider. Especially those families and seniors who have limited resources for home care. Don't wait! Get on the "list". Here's a summary and the link:

Local agencies that serve seniors are warning that state budget cuts will leave many area elders unable to obtain needed home care services.

The state’s 27 elder home care agencies, at the direction of the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs, on Sept. 8 initiated waiting lists for the state’s basic home service, according to Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care, an association of senior care agencies.

Jim Cunningham, executive director of Chelsea Revere Winthrop Elder Services, said his agency’s waiting list for home care already has reached 18 to 20.

Read the rest of the story HERE.

Why In-Home Care May be Right for You in Marblehead, Massachusetts

Why In-Home Care May be Right for You

I found a great article that talks about the many positive aspects regarding the use of In-Home Care for an aging loved one. If you have any questions at all about Home Care in the area, please visit www.rightathomemass.net.

“In-Home Care is rapidly becoming the most commonly asked for service among today’s aging population. In-Home Care involves a network of service providers who deliver personal care and maintenance right to the home. These service providers handle routine tasks including light housekeeping, meal preparation, errand running, mail sorting and a whole lot more. If desired, they can also provide assistance with personal care. “

Continue Reading the article by clicking HERE.

Prepare for the Care of Aging Parents in Marblehead, Massachusetts

Here is a great article for anyone who is starting to prepare for the future care of aging parents and loved one. Visit us at www.rightathomemass.net if you need help in the Marblehead MA area.

Baby Boomers and Aging Parents - Six Tips to Prepare For Their Care

By Katie B. Marsh

Although there is some debate over the exact age range of the Baby Boom generation, the US Census Bureau identifies most Boomers as those who were born between the years 1956 to 1965. In any case, whether you were born within that time frame or fairly close to it, chances are you are beginning to deal with end-of-life issues regarding your elderly parents. Your many considerations run the gamut from the practical to the spiritual and everything in between. So, where do you begin?

Caregivers. Imagine if we ended our lives as babies, completely dependent on a caregiver tending to all of our needs: loving us, feeding us, changing our diapers. Imagine now that we are not as cute as little babies but still have the same need to be cared for gently with love and respect. Who would you want to take care of you in this situation? Who do your parents want to care for them? This question should be posed directly to your parents. Don't assume you know the answer. What they may have said 10 to 15 years ago may not still hold true today as they are closer to facing their mortality.

Finances. As we know, in our society it's considered impolite to ask someone about their finances. Many adult children hesitate to inquire about the exact state of their parents' finances for fear that their parents will think that the real questions is about potential future inheritance money. But it's extremely important to have an honest discussion about finances at this point in life. First of all, you need to know if your parents have long-term care insurance. This is the only type of insurance that pays for future assistance that may be needed in the performance of activities of daily living. And, as the name implies, it helps cover the cost of long-term care usually for an undetermined length of time. Long-term care insurance combined with your parents' net worth, any financial assistance from family, and personal preferences will all factor in to determining where and how your parents live out their final years.

Memoirs. The written word is a way for us to live on beyond this lifetime. Encourage your parents to share their unique stories on paper. My great grandfather actually typed his life story and had it bound in leather and embossed in gold leaf. My brother, sister, and I cherish it and each wish we had our own copy.

Legal Instruments. A living trust is a very important instrument for any family with assets to bequeath. Its main purpose is to avoid probate. Much of a family's estate can be lost through probate; setting up a living trust is a way to prevent such a loss. It is best to hire an attorney to set up a living trust tailored to your family's specific needs.

The next consideration is to find out to whom your parents have given or intended to give power of attorney. Power of attorney assigns power to an individual to act on your behalf to handle all of your legal and business matters in the event that you are unable to do this for yourself.

Lastly, an advance directive is a legal instrument prepared in advance by an individual. It gives health care instructions to your care providers in the event you are unable to conduct such matters on your own. A living will, power of attorney, health care proxy, and Five Wishes are all forms of an advance directive.

Possessions. A Last Will and Testament is the instrument to be prepared by your parents to assign care for their dependents, if any. This can include pets as well. Also, this is the legal mechanism through which they can identify one or more persons to manage their estate and provide instructions for the distribution of their personal possessions. This includes everything from real estate and expensive jewelry to the simplest sentimental items. Funeral and burial instructions can also be outlined here. Although this is a legal document, completing one can give great comfort to your parents, giving them control and certainty over one aspect of their lives.

Final Messages. Encourage your parents to write letters to each of their children if they feel comfortable doing so. Some families even make audio or video recordings of their elders. It can be about anything - a full life story, funny anecdotes, family stories, or loving good-byes to each of their children. My husband's grandmother came to this country from Armenia and she recounted her tumultuous life on CD. He cherishes it and plans to share it with our children when they are older.

Your parents are entering a time of life where many people feel particularly vulnerable. This can be especially difficult for parents who are used to being in charge and may not be comfortable at all with the reversal of roles. Please keep that in mind as you gather information from them and help them create a plan for the future. If done tactfully and respectfully, this time of life can bring you closer to your parents than ever before.

Katie B. Marsh is co-author of The Birth of Dying: A Sensitive Workbook to Help You Broach and Explore End-of-Life Issues with Your Terminally Ill or Elderly Loved One http://BooksForSharing.com/

(c) Copyright - Katie B. Marsh. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_B._Marsh

Safe Home Tips for Seniors to Prevent Accidents in Marblehead, Massachusetts

Here is a great article with easy tips for keeping our seniors safe at home. Visit www.rightathomemass.net if you need help for an aging loved one in the Marblehead MA area.

10 Easy Ways to Prevent Falls at Home

Safe home tips for seniors to prevent falls and accidents

By Gina Roberts-Grey

According to a new report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about one in six Americans age 65 and older will suffer a fall in the next three months, with about a third of those people sustaining serious injuries, such as a broken hip. The critical takeaway point is that most of these falls are preventable.

About half of the tumbles that seniors experience occur in their homes. It only takes a few simple modifications and improvements to your home, however, to eliminate many of the common hazards that can cause such disabling, even fatal, falls. Armed with the pointers below, you (or a caregiver or family member), along with someone who's handy with a few power tools, can accomplish these safety modifications over the course of a weekend. These adjustments can make your home safer for not only an older person, but also for everyone who steps inside — especially grandchildren who often fail to watch where they're going!

Continue reading HERE.