Home Care CareGivers

Posts Tagged ‘Home Care’

10 Tips To Avoid Prescription Problems In The Elderly Phoenix AZ

Avoiding Medication Problems

Numerous elders are taking numerous medicines, which increases the

likelihood of prescription problems.  Allow me to share some

excellent tips for seniors to reduce the probability of making a

mistake with their medications:
1.    Check the label when you pick up a prescription to be sure

that you have the right prescription. Read back the prescription to

your doctor and pharmacist.
2.    Keep all prescription in original containers.
3.    Be sure to contact your health care provider or pharmacist

if you have any concerns about missing a dosage.
4.    Always fill all medications at the same pharmacy.
5.    Read the patient information that accompanies the

prescriptions.
6.    Notify the pharmacist right away if there is a change in the

shape, color, size or smell of your medication.
7.    You should not share or take another person’s medication.
8.    If you are in doubt about a prescription you are taking, be

sure to consult your doctor.  Always ask about side effects that you

might experience or expect.
9.    Construct a list of the medications you are taking and share

with your Care Giver and family members. The list ought to include

the following information:
- Your name, social security number and your date of birth.  The

Pharmacy needs this information when someone else is going to refill

the prescriptions without the client present.  Your social security

number and your date of birth should be kept on a separate sheet to

protect against identity theft.
- Prescription name (the drugs being taken, both generic or brand)
- The strength (dosage)
- Instructions for using the prescriptions, including how many times

a day and what time of day medication should be taken
- What liquids or foods are being used to take or should be used to

take with meds, for example, water, juice, apple sauce etc.
- Your allergies to certain medicines as well as foods
- Pharmacy and health care providers names, addresses, contact

numbers
- Family emergency contact information

10.    When you are in skilled nursing or a hospital:
- State your name before taking any medications and always show your

wrist bracelet for identification. Ask the doctor or nurse to

identify each medicine by name before you take it.
- Ask your doctor or nurse why your prescription has not been given

at its normal time during your hospital stay.
If your medication was started in the hospital, watch for new side

effects.  If you experience new side effects or your condition is

not improving as it should, tell your nurse.  From time to time

medications need to be changed when they are not performing

properly.
Be sure to ask your doctor how long a particular prescriptions will

be needed.  Oft times prescriptions are added in the hospital or

skilled nursing facility for a temporary problem, but when you leave

the hospital for skilled nursing or your home, the prescription

remains.  A different doctor may be reluctant to terminate a

prescription from another medical doctor.
- Remind your medical doctor if you have any allergies to certain

meds and food, or if you have a condition that may possibly affect

the use of some medications.
1.    Tell your pharmacist if you are taking any dietary

supplements or over-the-counter meds.
2.    Make sure your CareGiver has an up to date prescription log

listing all prescriptions, Doctor’s name, and Pharmacy.
Make sure to only take medications that you really need and check

with your medical doctor why you are taking it, how long you will

require it, what side effects to watch for, and that it won’t

conflict with any other meds you are taking.

In the Phoenix area Care-To-Go, an in-home care agency can assist

you with your prescription organization.  Care-To-Go also provides

complete in-home care elder services.  Contact Care-To-Go at 

www.Care-To-Go.com and for an Elder Travel Companion CareToGoTravel.com

7 Signs It Is About Time To Fire Your Doctor Reported By Scottsdale CareGiver

What should you do if your doctor isn’t listening to you or the person you’re caring for, or not honoring your desires with regards to treatment and medication choices, or recommending prescriptions or treatment options that seem to be inappropriate for older patients. Listed here are several illustrations.

The relationship with your medical doctor is a special one and has to be taken seriously. Many times senior citizens aren’t receiving enough care from their doctor. Is the medical doctor too busy and overscheduled, or there just may be a personality mismatch. Don’t be afraid to search for a new one if you feel you are not getting the attention you require.

Whenever seniors go to their doctor it’s a great idea to bring along with you, a professional CareGiver or a trusted family member. It will serve you well to have someone else there to be sure you understand what the medical professional is saying and if you need to get more in depth information from the doctor, the advocate can facilitate. Occasionally it is simpler for the other person to ask more inquiring questions.

By way of example a doctor may try to make you feel guilty when you ask to do away with a prescription or a procedure from your regimen. You may have prescriptions from a number of doctors and they may conflict with each other. Your physician may be unwilling to stop or change a prescription prescribed by a different health professional. But sometimes the dilemma doesn’t lie in your control; what is wrong is that the physician isn’t listening to you or not taking your loved one’s age or situation into account when making medication and treatment decisions. In many cases, it’s like a bad relationship; communication has broken down and you, your family member or CareGiver aren’t getting what you need.

7 signs it may be time to fire your doctor:

1. You feel the health professional blames, ignores, or criticizes you, your caregiver or the person in your care

2. The medical doctor does not reply to your feedback, or becomes defensive or unpleasant

3. It seems the physician is not taking your family member’s pain or other symptoms seriously enough

4. You discover treatments that can help that the doctor hasn’t told you about

5. The physician doesn’t explain treatment options clearly, resulting in mistakes

6. The medical doctor prescribes medications without comparing to medications prescribed by another doctor.

7. The doctor is reluctant to organize your medication inventory when it comes from various other physicians.

When you aren’t satisfied, the best thing to do is to change doctors, and change to one you can work with to provide the best care. Doctors often say that if a patient is going to change doctors, they’d appreciate hearing it directly rather than suddenly receiving a sneak request for medical records to be sent to another medical professional. However, it’s your prerogative to find a new doctor and ask the staff to fax over the request for records. You’re not obligated to engage in another confrontation.

Either way, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief once you’re dealing with a medical professional who listens respectfully, answers your questions, accommodates your requests, takes your symptoms seriously, and works with you to develop a treatment plan you can all feel good about.

In the Phoenix, AZ area Care-To-Go offers Elder Home Care services and can assist you with doctor appointments and prescription organization. Contact Care-To-Go at 1-800-818-0407 or Care-To-Go.com  For Elder Travel Companion services see CareToGoTravel.com.

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Explains 19 Home Safety Tips For Seniors

Most accidents occur in the home and especially for our seniors.  Even though our seniors are in their own home and in familiar surroundings, they have a much higher accident rate than the rest of us. When you couple failing eyesight, poor hearing and decreased judgment and balance, the senior has a more difficult time moving around and staying safe. If you make the changes yourself or use a personal CareGiver, you may be able to avoid a major fall and injury to your parent.

What can you do to protect an elderly loved one from getting hurt?  Here are some steps to follow:

1. Keep outdoor steps and walkways in good condition and clear of debris. Be sure the hand rails are clean and in good condition.
   
2. Illuminate all stairways and hallways and provide light switches at both ends. Brighter lights are better.
   
3. Use nightlights or bedside remote controlled switches. Yeah the clapper works too.
   
4. Provide handrails in hallways and stairways.
   
5. Keep a sturdy nightstand next to the bed so glasses and other personal items are within reach.
   
6. Put felt or soft material over sharp edges and corners of furniture such as nightstands, tables and shelves.
   
7. Tack down the edges of carpets and rugs; remove throw rugs that slide or can be tripped on.
   
8. Keep pathways clear of furniture and other objects.
   
9. Provide handrails in the bathroom (especially near the toilet, at the entrance to the shower and in the shower) and use non-skid strips in the shower and bathtubs.
   
10. Use a shower seat and shower hose for those unable to stand in the shower.
    
11. Avoid using bath oils or lotions in the bathtub or shower.
    
12. Use kitchen appliances with thermostats and timers. The elderly find appliances with signal lights and buzzers easier to use.
    
13. Clearly mark the “off” position on stoves and ranges so a person with diminished eyesight can immediately tell if the element is off. Try some nail polish.
    
14. Set water heater thermostats or faucets so water does not scald the skin.
    
15. Install smoke detectors in the kitchen and throughout the rest of the house.
    
16. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.
    
17. Arrange frequently used kitchen items in an easy-to-reach cabinet.
    
18. Install one good lock that can be opened easily from the inside.
19. Keep loose magazines and mail off the floor, seniors tend to accumulate mail clutter.

For a complete home assessment contact Care-To-Go at 480-284-8611 and on the web at http://Care-To-Go.com Are you getting to the point where you need someone to help you shoulder the load taking care of Mom? A Home Care CareGiver will be able to assist your senior with household tasks to be sure they are safe and happy.

Custom Home Care Allows Elders Keep Their Independence in Phoenix 

Nobody likes being dependent on other people. Elders really don’t embrace the idea of

needing other people to assist him or her. Independence and freedom could be among

the qualities that a lot of seniors treasure most-and this is the reason so many elders

wish to stay in their homes. Seniors usually do not want to give up their independent

lifestyle; consequently, they are electing to forego moving to elder care centers and

assisted living facilities and opt for home care.

Because self-reliance is very crucial to the elderly, many elders regularly balk at the

thought of accepting home aid. Elders may feel that they have been handling everything

satisfactorily on their own; thus, elder care isn’t required. Rather regularly, though, the

adult children or other relatives or the friends of the elder may realize that some kind of

home care is necessary–maybe the elder just does not want to acknowledge it or does

not realize it. Since the elder’s major goal may be to hold on to their independence, it’s

always important to introduce the subject of senior care gently.

It could be easier to speak about in-home care with the senior on neutral ground with

an trusted friend present. Meeting with the senior at their doctor’s appointment for a

chat about the subject could be a good idea for some; other people may find it more

comfortable to take the senior out to lunch with a friend of hers who is in agreement

with the idea. Whatever, the focus of the conversation should be about keeping the

senior at ease with the home care and helping her to make decisions.

Unlike what seniors  might think, elder care will truly assist the senior to maintain her

independence. No, perhaps she will not be entirely self-reliant as they were before;

nevertheless, they will no longer have to depend on using taxis to take her to

appointments and shopping trips because their home care caregiver can drive her. Also,

they won’t have to order take-out food if she doesn’t feel like cooking, because her

caregiver can cook a meal for her. Yet she will still maintain her independent life style

because she is still living in her home–not in an elder facility.

It is actually easier for seniors to maintain their independence when they have a hired

senior care companion. Using a home care caregiver makes it simpler for seniors to

complete tasks. This is because the caregiver does or helps with whatever the senior

cannot do, while the senior takes care of other activities. Caregivers provide support

and services that are tailored specifically to the senior for whom they are giving care;

so the senior has the option of choosing what the caregiver does to assist her.

Some caregivers become great friends with the seniors they assist because they spend

a lot of time together. The companions really begin to become almost like part of the

family. The elder won’t think about any loss of independence or freedom at all,she will

simply be content to still be living in her own home, with the help of her home care

caregiver.

For more information on Home Care in the Phoenix area visit Care-To-Go.com For a

Personal Travel Companion anywhere, contact CareToGoTravel.com

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Describes How To Communicate With Somebody With Cancer

One of the most important ways to help your communication is not only to inquire "how are you" but also what are you

feeling?  If you think about it, how are you is one of the most common questions we ask, but it can be a rather

inconsiderate one. The usual answer is fine or OK. It does not allow for a great deal conversation. When you ask, how

are you feeling you are inquiring deeper. Someone who is asked that question will get the notion you want to know how

he really is feeling. It may necessary to ask a few times in different ways to get to the real answers.

When you ask, what are you feeling be prepared to hear almost anything. The person could say they think a whole lot

about passing away or they are apprehensive about what the future holds for the children. Or possibly he is afraid he

isn’t going live a year. Be ready to listen and hear the answer he gives you. You do not have to have a reply, but you

should be set to hear the harsh words the question can provoke.

Your conversation with your loved ones should be direct and on an adult level.  The last thing an elder person needs

with a serious affliction is for you to be patronizing or treat them like a kid. The senior needs straight talk constantly

being compassionate and kind. Here’s a opportunity for caring support from your loved ones and their friends.

People with cancer and serious diseases frequently need to get the opinions of those around them regarding their

health problems, medications, and treatment outlook. Stay straight forward, but don’t attempt to answer questions

that you don’t know the answers to. A senior with cancer will be able to sense your honesty and be thankful for it.

While having their illness, seniors with a serious disease might express frustration and anger to friends or family.

Remember that our seniors with serious diseases pass through quite a few stages including denial, negotiation anger,

and acceptance. During the denial and anger levels, their communication could upset relatives and friends, but it can

help to bear in mind that seniors often shift their feelings onto people close to him or her. They seem to do it because

the people closest to them are safe to talk to. They realize that you will still be there for them, especially if they act

terribly and create tension. Frequently, the person is frustrated and angry concerning the cancer or disease and the loss

it brings, but that is hard to discuss. The senior may take out their angry feelings on family, friends, or anybody that

happens to be around at the time.

Remember, they will open up to you only if and when they trust you. Always be a good listener first and express

compassion and love.  Seniors usually talk themselves through the stages knowing that you are there to support them

all the way.

When using a caregiver, be sure the caregiver is trained to handle conversation with your senior.

For more information on senior care and home care in the Phoenix area contact Care-To-Go.  Senior Travel Companion

service is available at CareToGoTravel.com

Home Care Services Provide Happiness For The Elderly in Phoenix, AZ

The secret to happiness for most seniors is for them to keep living in their own homes. The thought of moving from the

familiarity of their homes and switching to assisted living is quite impossible. Given that many elderly people gradually

begin to lose functioning ability or have other health issues, they usually require help as they grow older. Because of

these issues, it truly is vital for these seniors to have caregivers which are capable of providing suitable in-home care.

Home care for seniors should involve a number of types of caregivers. Most of the time, the first caregiver might be a

family member or close friend who either lives with the senior or regularly cares for the senior. Some social workers and

clergymen may also be involved in some cases of elder care in the homeThere are agencies that could be contacted to

help with home care of the elderly, such as CNAs, home aids and caregivers.

Personal caregivers can be contracted on either a regular basis or on a part time basis. Short-term care is usually called

respite care and is normally used when the caregiver who supplies the home care needs time away. Respite care allows

the regular caregiver take a break without being concerned about care for the senior.

Caregivers that are hired to help with home care for the elderly provide important services in the lives of seniors they

care for. Caregivers often become companions and beloved friends. They can do activities with the seniors, such as

playing cards or helping with household tasks. They also take the elders to doctors or shopping. They also help take

care of the home where the senior can not, such as doing the house cleaning and laundry.

The services provided by personal caregivers are individualized and should be customized to fit the elder’s specific

needs and wants. Therefore, it can take a good deal of searching to find the right home care agency and caregiver. It is

important to assess the elder’s needs and requests before beginning care. 

When interviewing potential caregivers, it is important to do so in two parts. First, interview the agency and caregiver

alone, without the senior present. This is useful because it offers an opportunity to speak frankly and clearly about the

senior’s requirements, without the worry of embarrassing the senior. Next, it is essential to involve the senior to take

part in choosing the caregiver. Having the senior citizen involved in the caregiver decision making process provides an

opportunity to start a healthy relationship between the caregiver and elders.

If you choose a personal caregiver, a family member, a visiting nurse, or anyone else providing home care, choosing the

appropriate home care is essential for keeping seniors happy and well cared for.

One Phoenix area home care agency, Care-To-Go provides complete information on caregiving services. 

Care-To-Go.com can also provide a caregiver or a personal travel companion.

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Explains How To Talk With Someone With Cancer Or Other Serious Diseases

One of the most important ways to help your communication is not to ask "how are you" but also what are you feeling If you think about it, how are you is one of the most common questions we ask, but it can be a rather thoughtless one. The expected answer is OK or good. It does not lead to much discussion. When you ask, "What are you feeling?" you are digging deeper. Someone who is asked that may get the notion that you want to know how they are doing.

When you ask, what are you feeling be ready to hear anything. The person could say he thinks a great deal about death or he is worried about whatever the future has in store for the children. Or perhaps he is fearful that he won’t survive a year. Be ready to pay attention and hear the reaction he tells you. You do not have to have a response, but you have to be ready to hear the pain and anguish that the inquiry may provoke.
Communication with your loved ones must be direct and on an adult level.  The last thing an elder wants with a serious affliction is for you to be condescending or treat them like a kid. Your loved one needs straight talk constantly being empathetic and kind. Here’s a opportunity for caring support from their loved ones and their friends.
Elders with cancer every now and then need to get an opinions of those near to them on their illness, treatment, and treatment outlook. Stay open and honest, but don’t endeavor to respond to questions that you don’t know a good answer to. A senior with cancer will sense your honesty and appreciate it.

While having their illness, the elderly with cancer and serious diseases may express frustration and anger to friends and family. Remember that seniors with serious diseases pass through quite a few stages including denial, negotiation anger, and acceptance. Within the denial and anger stages, their conversation can offend families and their friends, but it can help to bear in mind that elders frequently shift their feelings onto friends and family close to him or her. Your loved ones do this since the people closest to them are safe. They know you will still be there for him or her, even if they act badly or create tension. Often, the senior is really frustrated and angry concerning the illness and the losses it brings, but that is hard to discuss. So they could take out their feelings on family, friends, or anyone else that happens to be near by at the time.

Commonly a high quality caregiver helping in the home can be a bridge for communication among family members.
More help for seniors posts can be found on Care-To-Go.com

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Reveals 12 Ideas for Elderly Vision Loss–How to Reduce the of Dangers at Home

Probably the many overwhelming physical conditions associated with ageing years is the loosing of eyesight because of conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.  Because this occurs it becomes apparent how necessary eyesight is to our seniors.  In later life our loved ones spend increasingly more time looking out the window, watching Television or reading. A personal caregiver can assist with making home safe.

Here are a number of tips to consider which could reduce the likelihood of this leading to problems in the home:

Security At Home
1.    Eliminate anything your loved one might trip over, for example small coffee tables, toys on the floor, small rugs.
2.    Ensure that there are clear pathways within and to each room.
3.    Paint doors and door trim colors that contrasts with the wall colors, so they will stand out more. Do the same with stair rails.
4.    Put yellow and black strips on the edge of all steps and also at the start and end of ramps.
5.    Install safety bars for the tub and shower.
6.    Ask your senior and let them let you know what type of help, could be appreciated.

Patients and Wellness Issues
7.    Try to be as understanding as possible through the adjustment time, because frustration and anger could be forthcoming.
8.    Studies have found that eating great quantities of some carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to rise and then fall rapidly could have a better chance of developing central eyesight reduction while they age. Some examples of these foods are: white bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, sugar and corn syrups.
9.    Encourage your senior to get with a support organization, where others in exactly the same state share their feelings about and strategies to cope with vision loss.
10.    Encourage your loved one to take part in eyesight treatment programs, and then accompany him or her to several. This will teach you what your senior can do independently, enabling you to support his or her successes.
11.    Encourage your loved one to get help from someone trained in dealing with vision concerns, either individually or in groups.
12.    Many seniors with vision loss are advised to discontinue smoking, because smoking will double the chance of developing macular degeneration, one of the main causes of vision loss in our seniors. Persuade your senior to get help to stop smoking.

More help for seniors tips and articles are available at Care-To-Go.com   Home Care CareGivers in the Phoenix area are available for Senior assistance

Phoenix CareGiver Discusses Choices for Seniors Including More than Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Seniors prefer living arrangements that offer socialization and an active lifestyle. Staying with families may not be the only option for some elderly persons. To keep independence and remain in the familiar surroundings of a senior’s own home is usually the best option. As seniors begin to need assistance, a Phoenix caregiver can provide part-time assistance. As the level of assistance required increases, the caregiver schedule can be increased to fit the needs of the senior to allow the senior to remain in their own home as long as possible.
Some elderly people prefer not to live in the same house with grown children and their families because different lifestyles. Other seniors may require extensive caregiving to assist with daily living activities, and supervision during the day, making it difficult to live with family members. In these cases, a Phoenix caregiver can provide the required assistance up to the point where the senior needs more help than can be provided at home.

Among the choices for senior living are; Retirement Communities, Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Care Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Nursing Homes. Some facilities include all of these levels in one place.

More Residential Living Choices for Seniors

Not all elderly people have families. Some of those older people that do have family prefer not to live with adult children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. Some of these choices require the senior to purchase their home and others may rented on a month-to-month basis.

Here are a few ideas for elderly living:

• Retirement Communities. Some regions dedicate entire residential communities to senior living. For example, Sun City West is Arizona’s finest golf retirement community. Sun City West is a newer version of the original Sun City. Located near Phoenix, this fabulous resort-style setting is inhabited by golden age seniors who aren’t ready to slow down. The community is entirely self-contained and self-governed.
• Assisted Living Facilities. Apartment style living offers independence, yet elderly clients can request assistance with meals, housekeeping, and transportation within a radius from the facility. Transportation may include trips to grocery stores, malls, or medical facilities. These facilities usually include a dining room for meals and many recreational activities. Assisted living facilities may or may not offer nursing or other medical services. Most offer a hair salon and other personal services.
• Residential Care Facilities. RCFs for the elderly are designed for people who cannot live alone but want to maintain some measurable control over their lives. Help with personal care is provided as well as assistance with meals and other daily living tasks. There is a staff on call around the clock, but no skilled nursing.
• Skilled Nursing Facilities. Skilled nursing facilities are equipped to administer medical care such as giving medications and providing other services within the realm of nursing duties. Some facilities may provide rehabilitative therapies.
• Nursing Homes. Nursing homes provide medical care for people who cannot manage medical or personal needs at home, but who do not need hospitalization. The staff can provide medical care, as well as speech, physical, and occupational therapies. There might be a nurses’ station close by. Other nursing homes try to be more like home. They try to have a neighborhood feel. Often, they don’t have a fixed day-to-day schedule, and kitchens might be open to residents.

Selecting a Housing Facility for a Senior

The selection of the appropriate residential living situation can be a complicated issue.  First, most seniors want to be at home (usually alone).  The first choice is to try caregiving at home.  After that a choice must be made to accommodate the senior and meet the actual needs of the senior. there are several services available to help families make the right choice for mom or dad.

Phoenix Care-To-Go CareGiver points to article on Flue Shots

A recent comprehensive review of clinical trials suggests that there has been LITTLE evidence to demonstrate the flu vaccines used in the past 40 years are safe to use to prevent flu effectively in people aged 65 years and over.

Ironically, elderly people are among the most vulnerable and they are in the priority group to receive flu vaccine as the medical industry and government health agencies keep telling them that flu vaccine is the best preventative against flu.

Tom Jefferson of the Cochrane Collaboration in Rome, Italy and colleagues conducted a thorough search of studies based on previous vaccine trials.   Of the 75 studies reviewed, the researchers were able to identify only one recent randomized controlled trial with "real" outcomes.  All the other studies in the review except one were considered of low quality and open to bias, Wiley-Blackwell, the journal publisher says in a press release.

Read Complete Article

Contact Care-To-Go for Phoenix Home Care CareGivers and Phoenix Travel Companions for Seniors 800-818-0407