Almost one-third of people 65 and over fall each year, half of which take place in the person’s home. It can be scary to have a loved one living alone. What if they fall and injure themselves? What if they can’t reach the phone? There are a few ways to get peace of mind for you and your loved one.

One of these ways is a medical alert system. A medical alert system is essentially a small receiver that plugs into your phone line. This receiver connects to a pendant that can be worn around the neck or the wrist. If the wearer has a problem, they can activate the pendant and this sends a call through the receiver to either an operator or 911. A system like this provides a great way for seniors to live independently with a sense of security. Getting one of these systems can be a tough process however.

There are as many as 10 different providers of medical alert systems. Each provider has different features and drawbacks. You should consider what the battery life of the pendent is. If you fall and the battery is dead, you can’t call for help. The range that the pendent can call for help varies from provider to provider. Some cheaper pendants can’t even signal through walls. Make sure to do your research before you pick a medical alert system provider. A personal alternative to medical alert systems is to hire a home caregiver to look after your loved one.

With warmer weather upon us, it’s about that time for all of us to venture outdoors once again and enjoy spring! Spring is a great time for seniors especially to participate in hobbies or activities. Hobbies aren’t just fun – they are important activities for senior citizens. Fun activities are great for our physical and emotional health at any age, but if your loved one has spent a lot of time in front of TV this winter, now’s the time to take up a hobby!

Gardening is a hobby many senior citizens enjoy, and it can be simple and easy! Give your loved one some flower seeds, potting soil and a pretty pot for Easter or Mother’s Day. All they have to do is plant the seeds, water it and give it sun. The growth and beauty of your mom or dad’s new plant can be a fun topic of conversation.

Spring cleaning is also a great spring activity for older loved ones. Help them put away winter clothes and get out spring and summer ones, or get some attractive or fun containers so they can sort out their junk drawers.

With the warm weather, spring hobbies for seniors can be as simple as watching grandchildren or pets play outside or hanging laundry on an outdoor clothesline. The key is to spend time together and enjoy the season!

It was a busy morning, about 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone  would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’ He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, ‘That is the kind of love I want in my life.’

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.  The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.’

We are all getting older, tomorrow may be our turn.

Older adults have to face painful losses such as their spouse, friends or their own independence or health. Grief over these loses is normal but it can also lead to long-lasting depression, especially for those without a strong support system.

Depression is common among the elderly but only a small percentage get the help they need. Depression doesn’t have to be a necessary part of the aging process. Senior citizens can have happy, full lives despite difficult changes. While many depressed seniors may be reluctant to talk about what they are going through or ask for help, you can learn to spot the signs of depression and insure your loved ones’ health – mentally, physically and emotionally.

The major signs of depression in seniors include:

-       Sadness

-       Fatigue

-       Losing interest in hobbies or pastimes

-       Reluctance to leave the house or spend time with friends

-       Weight loss

-       Sleeping too much or too little

-       Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing

-       Increased use of alcohol or drugs

-       Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts

However, some depressed seniors will say they don’t feel sad at all. In fact, physical complaints such as arthritis pain, tiredness or headaches are often symptoms of depression in the elderly. If your loved one exhibits these clues, they may be depressed even if they don’t feel sad:

-       Unexplained aches and pains

-       Hopelessness

-       Helplessness

-       Anxiety and worry

-       Irritability

-       Lack of interest in personal care (skipping meals, forgetting medications, neglecting personal hygiene)

If you feel the senior you love is depressed, it can be difficult to discuss with them. Some older adults don’t believe depression is a real illness or are too embarrassed to ask for help, as they were raised in a time when mental illness was misunderstood.

However, you can make a difference just by offering emotional support. Listen to your loved one with patience and compassion. Don’t criticize feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. You can also help by seeing that they get and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Help your loved one find a good doctor, accompany him or her to appointments, and offer moral support.

Warman Home Care providers can provide your elderly loved one with much-needed companionship. Even if your loved ones are independent, an attentive caregiver to encourage them to get out of the house and do the things they enjoy can transform their quality of life. Learn more about our experienced team of in-home caregivers.

Not too long ago, the only options for seniors with deteriorating physical or mental health were to move to some type of senior residence or moving in with their adult children. The prospect of losing their independence this way can be daunting for many seniors.

There’s a new option now, one that help aging parents continue to enjoy their independence while assuring loved ones of their safety and comfort. Home care is not nearly as permanent or absolute as an assisted living facility or moving in with children, but still addresses needs and concerns that arise as seniors age.

There’s no reason for seniors to lose their quality of life when just a few hours a week of home care can make a huge difference. An in-home caregiver can help with daily tasks from personal hygiene to laundry, as well as provide valuable companionship for outings or meals. Experienced care providers can also provide medical support in case of emergency. Warman Home Care only hires Certified Nurse Assistants who have experience in a hospital or nursing home setting.

Learn more about Warman Home Care and our great caregivers.

You and your siblings have been at odds ever since you were young and stole each other’s toys. Of course, your parents were always there to break up the fights, but now you are adults, your parents have become elderly and suddenly you are the ones in charge. Sibling conflicts don’t end when your parents become dependent on your help, but its important to work together to create a plan for your elderly loved one’s care.

Start fresh. Now is not the time to resurface old grudges or unflattering stories. While it might be hard to leave entrenched roles behind, try to wipe the slate clean and find common ground.

Be flexible. It’s hard to bend when it comes to something as important as your mom or dad’s quality of life, but realize that your sibling feels the same way about your parent, even if they have a radically different opinion. Decide to respect each other’s opinions in decision-making processes.

Be honest. In generations past, one sibling often assumed the role of caretaker for aging parents. However, adults today usually have demanding jobs and fast-paced lifestyles that are harder to adapt to full-time parent care. Communicate honestly with your siblings about your personal limitations and offer potential alternatives, such as in-home senior care.

Find a way to communicate. With many families spread all over the world, it can be hard to find time when all of your siblings can sit down together to discuss your parents’ care. Instead of trying to squeeze these difficult conversations in over holidays and family gatherings, plan to talk on the phone via conference call, or use email. Technology can bridge gaps and make it easier to communicate on a more regular (and relaxed) basis.

Know when to ask for help. By bringing in a home care provider, you and your siblings can alleviate the anxiety over your parent’s health and safety. An in-home caregiver can help your parents with all their personal needs as well as provide companionship and help around the house up to 24 hours a day. It will also help you and your siblings to have a knowledgeable, neutral third party to refer to on tough decisions.

Warman will match your senior with the perfect caregiver for them. Read more about Warman Home Care’s excellent caregivers.

As our loved ones grow older, discussions may begin of moving them to safer or healthier environments. However, many of them will object, wanting simply to stay at home. And this is exactly what “aging in place” refers to.

There are benefits to staying in home. One of the most important is the sense of independence maintained by elders. Another is comfort; we all know that there is no place like home. it is the epicenter of friends and family, and an undeniable source of pride, especially for older generations.

However, there will be risks. These include the possible inability to move up and down stairs, quick exits in case of emergency, and accessibility to restrooms.

However, home modifications can be made, and with the help of a qualified caregiver, these risks become almost eliminated. So have open ears when your parent or loved one talks to you about wanting to stay at home. There are options and steps that can be taken to help them remain comfortable.

Read more about home modifications. Find out about our caregiving options.

Some 57% of adult caregivers have reduced their work schedule, changed jobs or careers or otherwise adjusted their work lives to accommodate the caregiver demands on their schedule. David Wingate, a DC area based elder law attorney at Senior Life Care Planning, LLC wrote a blog post about this, and recently we at Warman Home Care thought was worth highlighting.

He brought together information from studies and professionals in this space that point out how adult children are grappling with new demands on their time and how most employers do not yet accommodate this fact of life. Mary Rose McBride, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Lifespan, pointed out that we need to get to the point that employers appreciate elder care as they now understand child care issues.

As the population continues to age, these issues will only increase. Wingate mentions a growing scenario where adult children leave work and are compensated by their parents instead to act as a caregiver. But unless this relationship is formalized, the monetary “gift” can work very much against you: “The consequences are terrible for your parents, if they enter the nursing home, they will be penalized, that is denied Medicaid, for a time period, calculated by, dividing the amount gifted by $6800 (average cost of nursing home in Maryland).” Talk about unintended consequences! Find out more at Senior Life Care Planning’s blog.

Learn more about how Warman Home Care makes caring for elderly loved ones easier.

According to research conducted by the non-profit National Private Duty Association, or NPDA, less than one-third of adult children who have senior parents are familiar with in-home non-medical care services. The percentage of familiarity is just slightly higher for in-home medical care. Even the most caring adult children cannot be there every time their parents need support.

Studies also show that most seniors would prefer to live at home as long as possible. Adult children really need to understand the myriad of home care options – and the pros and cons of each. Here are just a few of the most common facts people don’t realize about non-medical or “private duty” home care:

- “Home” can be an assisted living facility – non-medical care can be provided so seniors do not need to make the move to a nursing home.

- You can have someone help for as little as 2 hours a day.

- There is no long term commitment necessary – you can give it a try and see how it goes.

- Caregivers not only take care of personal care, but can do housework, prepare meals, even provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, shopping or other social outings.

- A good home care company will take great care to match you with a caregiver that fits your needs and your personality.

- Private Duty caregivers are not covered by Medicare, so the cost will be out of pocket.  If you have Long Term Care Insurance, most policies do cover this type of assistance.

Beware of home care deals that sound too good to be true. Look for quality, not just the best deal. Warman Home Care may appear more expensive than some options because they hire each caregiver as an employee, taking care of all insurance, taxes and carefully screening each caregiver.  A company not following these guidelines may seem like a great deal, but they could leave you and your family open to great potential liability. Click for more information.

We’ve certainly covered this topic before, but I was recently struck again by the careful, thorough process required to successfully match caregivers and clients. I overheard a Warman “Care Coordinator” on the phone with someone exploring their options; someone who just learning how home care could work for their loved one. The Warman representative really needed to ask a range of questions to even begin to recommend the level of care and support required, from medical conditions, to medications, mobility, lifestyle, expectations, and more.

Even when it appears to be a good fit, a Warman representative, usually a registered nurse, will first visit the home, meet the client and further assess their needs. They are primarily working to match the ideal caregiver in terms of skills, experience – and personality. But they are also making sure that additional, skilled care is not warranted. At the same time, they often also make simple, but important recommendations on how to make the home environment safer and easier for a senior, regardless of their decision on home care support.

If you are inquiring about care, you should be concerned if a provider is NOT this thorough. It is common for adult children beginning their research to want to “cut to the chase” and hone in on the bottom line cost – but I submit that a little patience with an initial conversation will give you far more of an indication of whether a home care provider is a good fit for your Mom or Dad. Click for more on the unique approach Warman Home Care or discover a few tips on when it’s time to consider home care.