Tag: Alzheimer’s disease Philadelphia

Caring for a Senior Loved One: When to Move Closer

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Modern technology has enabled people to work and communicate from any part of the world, resulting in many families scattered around several cities and states. However, there are instances when your physical presence and attention are needed. Taking care of a senior loved one presents specific practical challenges that can’t be managed from a distance. Relocating to a new city can be traumatic for your loved one, and there are times when moving closer is the best option. But what are the telltale signs that the time has come?

Today, NursePartners shares some tips to help you recognize and respond to the signs.  

best home care, best dementia care

Signs Your Senior Loved One Needs You

Parents and close relatives who’ve been leading independent lives may not want children, family, or other loved ones to know they require increased care. You may notice their eyesight is deteriorating, and they’re less mobile and active than before. For example, they may have difficulty with day-to-day tasks, such as driving and cooking. A loss of interest in activities and hobbies they previously enjoyed may indicate they suffer from depression and feel isolated.

Before contemplating any action, take a trip to visit them, and talk to friends and any caregivers. By getting a realistic picture of their current situation, you can make informed decisions on the best plan moving forward.

Taking Steps to Move

One of the primary challenges of moving is finding a new home. The best way to overcome these challenges and avoid an emotion-driven purchase is to rent a property in an area close to where your senior loved one lives to assess the situation.

If you plan to purchase a home, for example, top mortgage lenders can help you. The house you can buy depends on your monthly income and total monthly expenses. It means that you have to add up your monthly expenses and divide the total by your gross monthly income. Some online calculators can assist if you aren’t sure how to calculate your debt-to-income ratio. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, it’s a good idea to get a feel for the market and the prices you can expect.

Lastly, develop a plan to help you prepare for the move itself. Don’t think you need to do everything yourself. You can do yourself a big favor by searching online for “movers near me,” then browsing ratings and reviews to get the best deal.

Getting a jump start on this can make all the difference in the world; the sooner you start making a plan, the smoother the process can be. Sure, there will still be a few bumps in the road, but planning ahead is essential when you’re moving — especially if you’re moving yourself and your business.

Arranging Care for Your Senior Loved One 

Your loved one may experience loss of memory, act impulsively, or lose their balance when walking, which may be indicative of the early stages of dementia. Depending on the level of care your loved one needs and the amount of time you can spend taking care of them, consider using professional caregivers’ services. In many cases, seniors require specialized treatment as their condition advances.

Take Preventative Action

Whether or not to move closer to a senior loved one isn’t an easy decision, as it involves several changes for you and the person you’re caring for. By carefully assessing the situation and determining the actual level and need of care, it can help make a move successful in the long run.

NursePartners provides services to assist someone living with this ever-changing condition to help them live fully in their moment. Call 610-323-9800.

This article was submitted by Donna Erickson.

Advice from Centenarians

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Centenarians have a lot of lessons to share with us!  As our life expectancies increase, it is worth learning from these three individuals, who are still living relatively good lives being 100 years old (or more)!

Some of their advice includes:

  1. Eat fresh food, including preparing it yourself.
  2. Communicate and be open to new ideas.
  3. Reminisce fondly on those who have passed already.
  4. Keep up with the times and adopt technology.
  5. Invest in fulfilling marriages.
  6. Stay independent, but know when to ask for help when you need it.
  7. Be happy and keep in equilibrium.

To learn more, watch the video below.

NursePartners home care team can keep mom and dad functioning at their best.  We help older adults with the activities of daily living, in order for them to focus on enjoying life.  Services range from basic companionship to 24/7 support for all needs.  Call us today to learn more 610-323-9800.

 

Are you Connecting?

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Connecting

Never underestimate how important it is to empathize and communicate effectively with your loved one living with dementia.  All too often they become “different” or “unreachable” as their dementia develops. You might despair that the person you once knew is completely gone.

You may grow tired, frustrated, or even angry with your loved one; and from this position any hope of healthy and effective conversation is lost. The good news is that we are in control of these emotions.  With a little bit of compassion, we can find new ways to say hello and build engagement with our loved ones where it is still possible.

 

How can we learn to understand?

In the early stages, talk to them! Ask simple, genuine questions.  See if they want to talk to you about what they are going through and changes they are noticing.  This is going to require patience, your most important skill going forward.  You might as well begin developing it now!  Remember your body language will need to match what you say.  Want to learn more, read our previous post.

In addition to simple conversation, you may want to consider joining a support group or looking for other resources online.  Some of these resources are authored by those who are experiencing dementia themselves. These will help us understand what a loved one is going through.

One blog that we recommend is My Voyage With Dementia. The blog is a collection of thoughts from a 79-year-old man living with dementia in Canada. The author, Bob Murray, uses his blog to keep his mind active and to fight against decline.  He has created an expansive collection of writings that give us an unfiltered look into what the world is like through his eyes.

Another great read is Dancing with Dementia; a book written by Christine Bryden who was diagnosed with dementia at 46. Dancing with Dementia records Cristine’s experience living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication, and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. Like Bob, Christine’s writing is used as a tool of empowerment and shines a valuable light onto the perspective of a person with dementia.

At the end of the day, the more you are informed about dementia the more you can understand the experiences of your loved one and the better you can care for them. It is important to know the facts, the objective data, the things the doctors will tell you about dementia, but it is also essential to know how to connect emotionally.  How do they really feel?  What does the world look like to them?

 

Work with an expert

NursePartners has been working with older adults since 2002.  We love it so much that it is all we do.  All carepartners are dementia trained by certified dementia practitioners.  Want to know more about how we can help you?  Give us a call today at 610-323-9800.

 

Philadelphia dementia care, Philadelphia home care, best home care Philadelphia
Denise uses the Positive Physical Approach to Care to guide non-verbal client

Visiting a loved one with dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

The relationships we have with others form a central part of our identity. However, these relationships change with someone living with dementia. As the disease progresses, we need to change our approach and still work to mitigate the possibility of social isolation.

Those living with dementia may find it difficult to recall friends and family and the many shared memories created with them. Although they may forget, it is important to continue to visit them as social isolation will still lead to loneliness. Socialization may even slow the progression of dementia.

Here are some tips on how to spend your time together:

 

  • Focus on the present. If you focus on your current environment by engaging them with new tastes, smells, and things to touch.   Do not quiz or force their memory. If conversation is tough, try singing, playing an instrument, or even dancing. You can share a moment without having a long conversation in words.
  • Make them feel needed. Even though they are living with dementia, they still need to contribute. Give them a task to do so they feel helpful rather than a burden.

 

  • Watch your voice tone and connotation. Just because they are living with dementia does not mean they do not have feelings and emotions. If they do not respond, it does not necessarily mean they did not understand what you said. If you hurt their self-esteem or dignity, there may be a backlash.

 

  • Although you want to make them feel needed, keep tasks simple. Focus on one topic at a time. If you are offering choices, try to limit them to two or three. Open ended questions are particularly difficult as the diseases progresses. If they get lost in conversation, you can gently remind them by continuing the conversation instead of pointing out that they forgot.

 

  • Use names with the relationship. For example, instead of just saying “your son” or “Michael”, say “your son Michael” is coming to visit today.

 

  • Watch your body language. This includes your face. Your faces and expressions can indicate that you are not being genuine in your messaging. The person will pick up on this and can react adversely if your overall message is not consistent.

 

  • Minimize external distractions that may exist in the background of your conversation. Spending time together in the right environment can make all the difference when you are visiting a loved one with dementia. Try talking in a comfortable, quiet place, and avoid any other noises which could be coming from a TV or radio. If you position yourself in their line of vision and stay still while you are talking, you will help make the conversation easier to follow.

Remember, the amount of time you spend visiting a loved one with dementia can make all the difference in their quality of life. As we live through quarantine, consider the overall quality of your loved one’s life. Consider companionship options with certified nursing assistants who can assist with care as the disease progresses. Continual social interaction will help improve the quality of life for those living with dementia, with earlier intervention being more rewarding.

Want to learn more about the NursePartners difference?

Call us today: 610-323-9800.

Grandmother with granddaughters Visiting a loved one with dementia

 

Understanding the Progression of Dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Dementia is a progressive condition, worsening over time, eventually leading to death. Many people never are diagnosed, and for others, it might take years to realize something has changed.

As a caregiver or loved one, it is important to look out for these changes, recognize them when they occur, and adapt the level of care as needed. To learn about your loved one’s state of dementia it is important to talk to them about it. Ask them what they are feeling and if they are noticing any differences in their ability to think or to remember things. However, be aware that many people living with dementia may not realize something has changed. If they do not want to discuss these changes, do not press them or show frustration yourself.

Take notice of any patterns of behavior as they arise and be sure that your loved one knows you love and support them as these changes occur. As dementia progresses   it is common for our loved ones to begin to feel guilty about their condition, to feel as if they are a burden on others. If left unchecked these feelings can develop into a serious depression and can add to the stress they are already experiencing. This inability to connect and comfort patients is a persistent problem in the way that a lot of caregivers approach working with someone living with dementia.

To connect with someone living with dementia, we need to join their world, not force them to conform to ours. Instead of resorting to antipsychotic medications and confinement, try embracing what they still do well. While there is merit in a lot of the medications being provided today, there is often so much more we can do for our loved ones when we are able to understand and sympathize with what they are experiencing. In other words, patience and compassion can go a very long way when caring for a loved one with dementia.

NursePartners’ approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care is based on The GEMS™: Brain Change Model created by Teepa Snow. NursePartners recognizes the Teepa’s Positive Approach™ to Care as an effective method to provide care for loved ones affected by dementia. This approach categorizes dementia stages with six different gemstones, defined by unique characteristics. Click here for an overview of the classification system.

By being able to identify what stage of dementia your loved one is currently experiencing, you can create a style of care that helps them to feel loved and at ease. For example, patients classified under the Amber gemstone find great pleasure with hands on activities like painting, stitching, or drawing. While doing these activities patients are often observed to be focused, calm, and at peace; and when caring for a loved one with dementia, minimizing anxiety and maximizing these times of eternal peace is a great example of providing great care.

To learn more about NursePartners and the services we are able to provide for you and your loved ones, check out our Services Overview.

 

Free Evaluations for those living with dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Do you have a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? NursePartners is offering a free evaluation that can serve as the basis for their plan of care*. This offer is valid until May 31 if you mention this ad. We are available 24/7/365 at 610-323-9800.

We work with families to weave together an authentic plan of care, incorporating the client’s life histories, preferences, and strengths. This serves as the bedrock for a care plan that focuses on what the client still can do, instead of what they cannot.

NursePartners was founded in 2002 and only cares for older adults. This is because we are passionate about our work and caring for those who have cared for us. Each case is managed by a registered nurse and certified dementia practitioner. They handpick certified nursing assistants to work with each client, based on the employee’s experience, passion, and interests.

Over the years, we have supported clients living with many different types of dementia including:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Frontotemporal
  • Lewy Bodies
  • Vascular
  • Mixed

No two people are the same, and the journey through dementia is different for everyone. We understand this and have worked with many families over the years. NursePartners practices the Positive Approach to CareTM as developed by Teepa Snow. To learn more, click here.

 

 

* NursePartners waives the evaluation free for clients that plan to use the evaluation as the basis for a plan of care with services through NursePartners.  This is confirmed through payment of a deposit prior to initiation of services.  Clients who would like a plan of care for private use may also contact NursePartners.

So, you can do it all by yourself?

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

It is a natural instinct to jump into the caregiving role. What else would you do for someone that you love? If it is a parent, what better way to return the favor for them raising you? If it is a spouse, you vowed to take them in sickness or in health.

Yes, you should pitch in to care for your parent or spouse, but not alone. Unlike raising a child, an older adult has lived a life rich in experiences and has needs very distinct from a child. Also, unlike a child, the care recipient will become more dependent on you over time, which is a different outlook compared to a child who is growing, developing, and becoming ever more independent.

If you are caring for someone living with dementia, it is even more important to prepare yourself mentally for the road ahead. Have you heard of Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to CareTM? NursePartners practices this methodology while caring for our clients. As clients progress through the stages of dementia, we focus on what they can still do, not on what they cannot. There are still ways to connect, even far along in the disease progression.

It is important to build your care team. This can mean you and many family members, a completely private staff, or a combination of family and private. Never underestimate the value of having certified nursing assistants in the home, overseen by a registered nurse.

Without a care team, both the carepartner (you) and the care recipient are left with a bad situation. The carepartner is unsupported and operates in a high stress environment, often neglecting their own needs. Over time lack of self-care not only hurts the carepartner, but becomes reflective in the care delivered. Care becomes more routine and less focused on creating meaningful interactions. These meaningful interactions are important for someone living with dementia, especially as their way of communicating evolves over time.

Want to add us to your care team? Call us today to learn more about how NursePartners can better support your loved one at home, or wherever home may be: 610-323-9800.

 

Philadelphia home care, Philadelphia dementia care, Devon home care, Devon dementia care

Dementia during the Holidays: Emerald

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Brain Change Model

This is the continuation of our series about connecting with a loved one, living with dementia, during the holiday and winter season.

In the previous article about Diamonds, we discussed someone exhibiting the first signs of dementia. About half the time, the person and/or their loved ones, may not know they are living with the disease. During the Emerald stage, the signs become more obvious.

The path is different for everyone

The previous article defined dementia. It is important to remember that although there is a general disease progression, the path will be different for everyone, primarily for two reasons:

  1. There are different types of dementia. A dementia is defined by at least two parts of the brain with larger accumulations of insoluble tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques protein molecules. The brain is subdivided into many parts, specializing in different functions. If some parts are more compromised than others, this will impede upon a person’s daily existence in a unique way.
  2. We are all different. Our personalities and life histories will play their role. Repressed desires or family conflicts may reappear as the person loses the ability to filter their words, put their feelings in context, and control their actions.

 Seeing the glass half full, engage with your Emerald

  • The person living with dementia will still feel capable and independent, and usually has a very limited awareness of any change in their ability to complete most tasks. Allow them to participate as much as possible in their routine daily activities. Remember to do with instead of for them.
  • There will be times when your loved one appears much more lucid. They will remember and then forget. Look for changes in their cognitive reasoning skills and ability to perceive others’ feelings. Anticipate faulty logical trains of thought and help steer them towards better decision making, by including them in the process. If they appear inconsiderate of your feelings, it is not their fault, but cause of the disease. This is especially common in frontotemporal dementia types. Do not take offense.
  • Their ability to understand language is changing. Begin to introduce other visual and touch cues while speaking. Change the way you speak but remember not to be condescending. If you speak to them as a child, they will pick up on this and your relationship will worsen. We recommend speaking slowing and repeating the same words in your sentences to convey singular thoughts.
  • They will repeat themselves. Although this can become exhaustive to the listener, try to avoid stating the obvious, that they already said the same thing before. They will not be able to help it or remember not to say it again. Insisting on logic in these situations will only further tire the caregiver and recipient.
  • Notes, along with other visual and touch cues, will help them complete a daily routine. The more consistent the routine, the better muscle memory will guide them through their day.
  • Do not insist on awareness of the correct time, place, and situation. Meet them wherever they are and make the best of that moment. If they are packing for a childhood vacation, pack the suitcase, and use this as a time to talk about their favorite childhood memories. You can often spin these situations into others that allow you to bond with your loved one.
  • Beware of strong emotional reactions. These are often based on fears, desires, or unmet needs. Your loved one will become increasingly incapable of verbally expressing themselves, so find refuge in other senses, such as smell, taste, and sounds. These can serve as emotional outlets in times of frustration.
  • They will look to you to fill their day with meaning. They are either on the go and cannot unwind, or the opposite, not being able to begin their day without you. The more you emphasize a routine, the better they will feel. Show gentle guidance and assist, remembering to include them in the process.

You will need a team

If you have not started building your team, now is the time. Your loved one is beginning to depend on you for their daily routine. If you are the only one, as their dependence grows to include physical needs, you will also be the natural provider.

Remember, someone living with dementia does not have needs that are met at your convenience. Increasingly they circadian clock will not match yours. They may lose ability to perceive your own frustrations and sleep deprivation. They will begin to not parse words or practice tact in conversation. If you are the only caregiver, under a lot of stress, this quickly leads to a deterioration of your relationship, and subsequently the health of both the caregiver and recipient will suffer.

Assessments at no cost

NursePartners has decades of experience constructing care teams to support older adults. If you reference this article, we will provide your loved one a wellness assessment at no cost. Call us today at 610-323-9800.

Dementia during the Holidays: Sapphires

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Brain Change Model

NursePartners’ approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care is based on The GEMS™: Brain Change Model created by Teepa Snow. NursePartners recognizes the Teepa’s Positive Approach™ to Care as an effective method to provide care for loved ones affected by dementia. This approach categorizes dementia stages with six different gemstones, defined by unique characteristics.

This approach to care serves as an effective method for understanding and meeting the needs of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.  To learn about all the GEM™ levels, explore here.

Other methods of dementia classification might use numbers or levels of severity to describe the progression of dementia. However, we at NursePartners speak in GEMTM levels. It is not enough to simply describe the stage of dementia, we need to emphasize how to connect with your loved one, wherever they are in the disease process.

During the holiday season, you may see changes in an older adult. This article series is meant to help you reconnect with them.

Sapphire

The first GEMTM level is Sapphire, the only level that describes the absence of dementia. This is included because we must remember to always investigate other possible causes for forgetfulness, confusion, poor concentration, personality changes, apathy, and inability to do everyday tasks.

Depression can share many of the same side effects as dementia. Older adults can feel isolated, especially during the winter months. They may struggle to fill their days with meaningful activity and social interaction. The Sapphire level is “a true blue” color for this reason.

Depression severity varies and may require pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention, but we can do little things to help our loved one, even if it is in conjunction with these other treatments. Even if we are pursuing other solutions simultaneously, the causes of depression are often complicated and persistent. It helps to make real and consistent changes to our daily life in order to combat the effects of depression.

Three Ways to Combat Depression

  1. Fill their world with meaningful activity
    • If they do not have a schedule, make one. The schedule does not have to be arduous, but there should be a reason to get out of bed each morning, dressed, showered, and out in the world.
    • Choose activities that are aligned with their interests and personality. Just because someone is an introvert, does not mean they cannot visit the craft store or volunteer at the local animal shelter.
    • All activities should make the person feel loved and needed. When someone feels as a contributing member in society, mood generally improves.
    • Involve them in the decision making. If they cannot decide, switch up your approach. Try presenting a few options versus proposing open-ended questions.
    • Ask them to help you. Do you need help wrapping presents, meal prep, or picking up the kids from the bus stop? Request their assistance. This helps them feel needed while helping you get everything done.
    • Don’t forget to schedule time for your visits! As you help build their schedule, do not be surprised if they become “too busy” for your visits.
  2. Exercise
    • Start with moving more around the house and then take it outside, weather permitting.
    • If your loved one benefited from a program designed by a physical therapist, continue those exercises even when the physical therapist sessions end. The adage “move it or lose it” applies here.
  3. Boost their Diet
    • What are they eating? Sometimes vitamin deficiencies are the culprit. Try enriching their diet and involving them in the process. Start slowly, by adding a few new options each week.
    • You can teach them how to use these new ingredients but bringing them a freshly baked meal instead might persuade them quicker. They may be surprised that eating well can also taste good.

Bring in an ally

You can enlist the help of professionals to kickstart a change in lifestyle.  The advantage of working with a certified nursing assistant is that they can be your eyes and ears on the ground.  While you are at work or with your family, they are helping mom or dad out of bed and into the world.

There are additional benefits you might not have expected:

  • Constant and ongoing fall risk mitigation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Meal preparation and socialization
  • Performing and assisting with personal care activities
  • Home exercise program support
  • Detailed family updates
  • Familiarity and rapport
  • Coordinate grocery purchases and deliveries
  • Medication management

Older adults are not children.  They have lived a life rich in experiences.  It is unrealistic to think that one adult can take care of all the needs of another.  Enlist help to optimize the results for both you and your loved one.

Want to talk more or schedule a wellness assessment?

Call us at 610-323-9800.  Expect you call to be answered by a member of our administrative team, never a call center or third party.  Mention this article and receive the wellness assessment completed by a registered nurse, free of charge.

Debunking common myths about hospice. Why you should seek hospice benefits sooner.

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

When is the right time for hospice? Many families wait too long to take advantage of this free benefit that complements home care services.
Below we debunk a few of the common misconceptions:

1) Your relative is actively dying. False. Two physicians must determine that your loved one has less than six months to live, if their illness would run its normal course.

2) There are no additional treatments. The client receives palliative care, that considers all aspects of their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. They may continue taking most medications, just cannot seek “extreme remedies”, such as chemotherapy. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Clients in the later stages of dementia, “Ruby” or “Pearl”, are usually eligible for hospice benefits.

3) Hospice is only for the client. The family also receives emotional and spiritual support.

4) All hospice clients die. Clients have “graduated” from hospice if their condition improves.

5) You lose benefits after six months. If clients survive for more than six months, they must seek eligibility again. We have also worked with clients who have used hospice services for many years.

6) You will have to get special medical equipment. Hospice is constantly evaluating the needs of your loved one. Almost anything that is needed can be provided by hospice and paid by Medicare. This is one of the best benefits!

7) Hospice must be provided at home. Although many families would prefer hospice services be given at home, hospice goes anywhere.

8) You must relinquish your other home care services. Hospice works best as a compliment to other support services. There is a maximum amount of hospice services per day, usually around two. Clients eligible for hospice usually also benefit from 24/7 care. Hospice aides and home care certified nursing assistants can work together to care for clients, especially with transferring those unable to get out of bed.

We always recommend that clients explore hospice service options, sooner rather than later. Hospice is a great resource to support the client and their family.

Want to learn more about home care services or hospice options?

Call us today at 610-323-9800.

 

hospice care Philadelphia, home care Philadelphia