Tag: Philadelphia dementia care

Understanding Fall Risks

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Falls are a common and serious problem affecting many older adults. Individuals suffering with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia however, are twice as likely to experience annual falls and fractures. This varies from a range of factors including medication, night waking, shuffling, weakening musculature and balance. The first step in protecting your loved one from a serious injury associated with a fall is understanding the risk factors.

 

senior care Philadelphia, fall risk Philadelphia, dementia care Philadelphia

The following are common causes of falls:

Health Conditions

While everyone is at risk for falls, older adults are at the greatest risk due to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, low blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other cognitive impairments. While some individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s are in excellent physical condition, many others seem to develop difficulties before cognitive impairment even begins. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can cause lack of coordination, muscle weakness and diminished joint flexibility.

Reaction Time

As we get older, the nerves that carry information to and from the brain deteriorate. This slows reaction time and the ability to navigate around obstacles. This can be hazardous as seniors do not react as quickly in dangerous situations.

Medication

Many medicines also have side effects, causing dizziness, drowsiness and impaired vision.

Environmental Hazards

Many times, falls can happen because of environmental factors and hazards found throughout the home. These include everything from wet or slippery floors, poor lighting, to tripping hazards such as loose rugs, uneven floors, and trailing wires.

Visual-Spatial Problems

Because Alzheimer’s disease can affect the visual-spatial abilities, an individual can misinterpret and misjudge steps, uneven terrain, shiny areas on the floor or changes in floor color.

What you can do:

  1. Identify the risk factors for your loved one. Many people with Alzheimer’s and dementia suffer from poor eyesight, shuffling gait, muscle weakness and generalized frailty.
  2. Minimize or avoid medications that have been linked to falls. People with dementia are also more likely to fall when taking sedatives, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics.
  3. Exercise is important in preventing people from falling, especially if it includes balance and strength exercises. Ask the doctor about leg strength, gait, and balance evaluations. These tests help can determine physical risk factors.
  4. Consider a physical therapist or occupational therapist. These experts can work with your loved one to develop exercises strengthen joints.
  5. Make sure your loved one has eye tests regularly. Low vision is a huge risk factor for falls, and many vision problems come on gradually but steadily.  NursePartners’ use of theGEMTM methodology will also alert us towards changes in vision.
  6. Finally, get a home-safety assessment. Carepartners routinely perform these and can target danger spots and suggest easy improvements. This assessment can focus specifically on the needs of your loved one.

If you or a loved one is thinking about home care assistance, our team would love to help. Contact us today.

 

Sources:
Heerema, Esther. “Common Causes of Falls in People with Dementia.” Verywell.com. N.p., 31 Dec. 2015. Web. 30 May 2016.
 Perkins, Chris. “Dementia and Falling.” Continuing Medical Education 35.1 (2008): n. pag. Web. 31 May 2016.

Responding to Pacing Behavior in Dementia

Posted on by NursePartners

As a caretaker or family member, you may notice that sometimes a loved one with dementia can display signs of pacing. He or she may become restless, causing a need to move around. They might wander back and forth – sometimes to the point of exhaustion. Individuals who walkabout, may also feel agitated and take on repetitive moments.

When an individual with dementia starts to behave differently, this can often mistakenly be seen as a result of Dementia. It’s important to see beyond the behavior itself and think about what may be causing it. Looking at the underlying factors might help you identify the needs of your loved one and reduce these behaviors. Try to evaluate whether the pacing is problematic, or if you as a carepartner can alter your response to their behavior.

Rather than dismissing it, it is important to think about how to preserve their independence, dignity and safety.

 

img slide 3 Responding to Pacing Behavior in Dementia

So what causes pacing in Dementia?

  • Restlessness (as a symptom of dementia or a side effect of medication)
  • Relieving pain and discomfort
  • Boredom
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Feeling lost (searching for something familiar)
  • Responding to anxiety and stress
  • Need for the bathroom, hunger or thirst
  • Disorientation or confusion

Here’s how you can respond to pacing behavior:

  1.   Your loved one might wander or pace in response to basic needs like human contact, hunger, or thirst. Ensure that their basic needs are met, and that he or she is not in pain.
  2.   If night time walking or pacing is a particular issue, your loved one may have sleeping difficulties. Monitoring caffeine and alcohol consumption in the evenings, as well as avoiding daytime napping can reduce restlessness and pacing.
  3.   Constant pacing may also reveal that your loved one is not getting enough physical activity. Encouraging them to incorporate more exercise in their daily routine can reduce the spare energy exerted during restlessness.
  4.   New surroundings can trigger feelings of confusion and uncertainty. If you find that your loved one’s behavior has worsened due to a new location or surrounding, showing them familiar items can assure them that they belong. Your loved one may also need extra help finding their way about. It may be helpful to provide signs to familiarize them with their surroundings.
  5.   Offering meaningful activities that engage your loved one can relieve boredom and diminish pacing. Being occupied can provide them with a sense of purpose, keeping them mentally engaged and physically active.
  6.   If your loved one appears to be constantly distressed or the pacing worsens, call a physician to ask about possible medications that can help.

Our carepartners are dedicated to improving quality of life.  If your loved one need home care assistance or relief, our team would love to help: Contact Us Today.

NursePartners becomes the second SAGE-certified Pennsylvania home care company

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

SAGE Care LGBT Cultural Competency Training - 2017 Bronze

NursePartners, Inc. is proud to be the only home care company in Philadelphia that is SAGETM certified for LGBT Seniors.  As an Independence Business Alliance (“IBA”) member and sponsor for many years, we know that aging LGBT seniors face a unique set of challenges when it is time to receive personal care.  If they move into an assisted living community or nursing home, they may have to hide their identities or not participate in favorite activities.  This forced change is not only difficult, but it is one that should never happen.

 

We sought to make a difference by training 25% of our employees to better understand how to connect and care for the aging LGBT community.  The training taught employees the intergenerational and racial nuances that apply to LGBT older adults. We learned how respond to bias behavior, incorporated new vocabulary, and received an overview of federal protections.

Previously these same employees completed the GEMTM training, a 7.5-hour training module that refines approaches for working with clients living with dementia.  This training involves role playing with a dementia coach and working through challenging behaviors.  Many of the techniques in Teepa Snow’s Positive Physical Approach to CareTM can also be applied to clients not living with a diagnosis of dementia.  This is because we focus just as much on our approach as the quality of care delivered.

We are prepared to service older LGBT adults in the Philadelphia region.  The following are some of the tasks our carepartners can complete:

  • Bathing, Grooming, and Hygiene
  • Mobility Assistance
  • Transferring and Positioning
  • Feeding and Diet monitoring
  • Toileting and Incontinence Care
  • Meal Preparation
  • Laundry
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Grocery Shopping/Errands
  • Grocery Delivery Coordination
  • Transportation in private vehicles or public transportation
  • Medication Reminders

All clients receive a care of plan uniquely made for them.  These plans are developed by a registered nurse and adjusted accordingly as conditions change.

NursePartners values the relationship with the client as much as with their family.  We know that the journey may be challenging and we are here to offer support.

Effective Communication Strategies

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Tomorrow Angela Geiger will present on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. Angela is a certified dementia practitioner, registered nurse, and founder of NursePartners, Inc. We have been servicing older adults living with a diagnosis of dementia since 2002.

Effective communication is crucial for establishing a good relationship between the carepartner and the care recipient. You will learn new ways to “say hello” and connect as the disease progresses. Angela will show us how to incorporate the Positive Physical ApproachTM into daily interactions to make them more meaningful and successful.

She will also explain how we can connect through each of the senses. As the disease progresses, some senses are heightened. We will also learn how to use visual cuing over verbal cuing. Often those living with dementia invent words to communicate. We should anticipate these changes and react accordingly. By knowing the care recipient’s history, we will increase the odds of our success.

It is also important to ensure that the care recipient still feel competent and involved in their own care. We can make this possible by simplifying the decision process. This is done by minimizing distractions and communicating directly with the care recipient.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home at 2pm.

The address is 2701 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154.

Connecting through meaningful activities

Posted on by NursePartners

One of the common mistakes we make as caregivers is to eliminate the very activities that give older adults a sense of purpose.  Our first inclination is to “entertain” instead of giving older adults a “job-related” activity.  However, older adults also need to feel needed and seen by others as productive members of society.  For many of us, productivity equates to the feeling of importance.

Assigning tasks requires creativity.  It is most successful upon taking the time to understand an individual’s unique history and personality.  For someone living with dementia, traveling back in time is common.  We can anticipate some of possible job-related activities by knowing what our clients did for work 20,30, or 60 years ago.  We piece this puzzle together through a thorough initial assessment and continued conversations with family and friends.

Sometimes job-related tasks can be accomplished by involving the client with their own care. Depending on their GEMTM level and living arrangements, clients may even want to take part in activities for other residents.  In the Diamond and Emerald stages, we need to take care to control for external stimuli that might distract from the schedule or make unnecessary changes.  For later GEM stages, we will then have to adapt tasks to ensure that the client continues to successfully complete them.

We welcome the opportunity to tell you more about our dementia care services.

Why Choose Us?

  • We focus on what our clients can do, not what they cannot.
  • There is a no cost, collaborative health and wellness assessment.
  • 24/7 availability, including holidays and weekends.
  • We are staffed with Certified Nursing Assistances (“CNA”s), not Home Health Aides.  All of our CNAs have years of geriatric experience and exhibit a passion for caring for those with progressive diseases.
  • Regular visits by licensed clinicians to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Carepartners are employees of NursePartners, not subcontractors.
  • We seek to engage our clients in meaningful activities; we seek to exceed your expectations.
  • Our standards are higher than those set by the healthcare industry.

 

Study to evaluate the impact of a cancer fighting drug on slowing neurodegenerative disease progression

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

This NPR article discusses how Nilotinib seems to work by eliminating toxic proteins that build up in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The drug seems to activate a mechanism in brain cells that acts like a sort of garbage disposal.  Read the entire article on NRP.

Currently Georgetown University is looking for participants for a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the impact of low doses of a cancer fighting drug on slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Learn more about the study.

NursePartners does not advocate for any specific type of medication.  Our holistic approach seeks to connect before providing care.  For clients with advanced forms of dementia, we explore different ways to say hello and communicate.

Our carepartners follow the Teepa Snow’s positive physical approach to dementia care.  Through extensive training, carepartners learn how to deescalate situations and build meaningful relationships with our clients.  We do not promote a purely medicated method for working with clients living with dementia.

West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care

Posted on by NursePartners
Home Health Care
West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, Elverson, and Delaware Counties.

Home Health Care in West Conshohocken, PA

We at NursePartners are dedicated to providing the best West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care with peace of mind for you and your family. Below is a listing of typical in-home services. West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care services can be added or modified as needs change.

West Conshohocken, PA Personal Care

  • 5Bathing, Grooming, and Hygiene
    NursePartners Certified Nursing Assistants help clients look and feel their best.  These services enhance clients’ mental and physical well-being, helping them feel positive about their appearance.  Bathing not only cleanses the skin but will provide relaxation and stimulate circulation.
  • Mobility Assistance
    We will assist clients as needed with mobility to help them maintain the most active lifestyle possible.  Being able to get out and about offers both physical and mental health benefits to seniors.  Physical health benefits of activity include increased energy, a strong heart, lower blood pressure, improved digestions, and restful sleep. Generally, activity improves mood, relieves stress, and increases alertness.
  • Transferring and Positioning
    Our Certified Nursing Assistant’s expertise lies in caring for the aging population.  We are experienced to move and place clients in correct posture position to promote health, safety, and the proper functioning of the body’s many systems.  Proper transferring and positioning from or into beds and chairs eliminate pressure areas on the skin, reduce weakening and stiffening of muscles, and facilitate proper breathing, digestion, and elimination.
  • Feeding and Diet monitoring
    NursePartners’ staff will enable clients to eat a well balanced diet that provides the energy needed for active living and nutrients for disease prevention. Adults may need help feeding themselves for a variety of reasons. They sometimes find it difficult to accept this loss of independence. We understand this and make every effort to ensure that mealtime is both enjoyable and social.
  • Toileting and Incontinence Care
    We are sensitive and compassionate in helping each client maintain self-esteem and dignity as they receive assistance with toileting and personal hygiene.  Through our caring approach. NursePartners’ staff decreases clients’ anxiety and the embarrassment that accompanies the loss of independence and need for toileting assistance.

West Conshohocken, PA Companion Care

  • Philadelphia Home Care Meal Preparation
    We ensure that your loved one receives hot, delicious, and nutritious meals. We strive to include care recipients in the planning and preparation of these meals. Care partners share meals, making mealtimes a social activity.
  • Laundry
    The washing, dying, ironing and storage of clothing can be done either in the client’s home or the laundromat. We involve the client to make sure laundry is done to preference.
  • Light Housekeeping
    NursePartners’ light housekeeping services include dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, organization, changing linens, and performing other maintenance chores.
  • Grocery Shopping/Errands
    We are happy to shop for groceries and run errands. Clients may choose to stay home or accompany us.  Participating in errands is a great way to stay active!
  • Transportation
    NuresPartners staff are insured privately and by NursePartners to personally transport the client in either our vehicle or a privately insured vehicle.  We accompany the client to other care services, including medical appointments, shopping trips, barbershops, and beauty salons.
  • Medication Reminders
    Although Certified Nursing Assistants cannot administer medication, we will help ensure that clients take medications as prescribed.  We can assist with opening medication containers and reminding the client when it is time to take doses.

Best West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care

Each clinician that we employ possesses experience with the aging population and has an understanding and respect for each client and individual.  We will work diligently to assist, achieve, and maintain the maximum level of independence that is so important to older adults.

*** West Conshohocken, PA Home Health Care may be called Home Health Aide, Home Health Agencies, Respite Care, Caregiver, Elderly Care.