Caring for Seniors: Preventing Slips and Falls in Seniors
April 21st, 2021aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Managing slips and falls at home are some of the biggest concerns for seniors and their families during long term care at home. Fortunately, these incidents are preventable. This post talks about the steps that should be taken to keep seniors from falling at home with tips for family members and caregivers.
See a Doctor
The first step to preventing falls at home is to schedule an appointment with a senior’s doctor. Make sure to cover concerns such as:
– Some medications put seniors at an increased risk for falls. Making some changes may help lessen the risk. Bring a list of medications with you and ask the doctor to review it.
* Discuss any history of falls to help the doctor determine what fall prevention measures can be taken.
* Talk about how you feel when you walk. Do you feel dizzy when you walk, short of breath, have numbness, or joint pain? These can increase the risk for falls.
How to Prevent Slips and Falls at Home
Prevent slips and falls at home by following common-sense rules like wearing the correct footwear. Shoes that have nonskid soles, are sturdy, and fit properly indoors and outside will go a long way towards fall prevention. Wearing good shoes also means moving more because physical activities help prevent falls. Consult your loved one’s doctor and ask if things like tai chi, walking, or working out in water would be beneficial.
Implement Simple Safety Measures
Seniors often slip or fall while engaged in daily activities. Caregivers should conduct a safety assessment to look for potential fall hazards. Recommendations based on that safety assessment might include things like:
– Store things you reach for every day within easy reach.
* Clear walkways of cords, boxes, and newspapers.
* Secure loose carpets with double-sided tape or a slip-resistant backing.
* Use non-slip mats in the bath or shower and use a shower chair while in the shower to allow you to sit.
Watch for Behavioral Signs
Caregivers for seniors may also notice that behavioral changes in seniors that increase fall risk. Difficulty getting up from a chair, holding on to someone else while walking or holding on to walls are all signs that a senior could benefit from physical therapy.
If you’re looking for a caregiver to help a senior avoid falls and manage safety at home, contact Polish Care Services. Our staff of care experts will be happy to assist you. Reach out to us today!
Caring for Seniors: Preventing Loneliness for Seniors
March 2nd, 2021aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Polish Care Services Trademark, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Social isolation or loneliness is a significant problem for seniors. It’s estimated that by the year 2030, 20% of the population is going to be made up of people who are aged 65 and older. 28% of that population will live alone. Isolation is not cheap either. Over $6.7 billion is spent each year on costs that can be attributed to social isolation. This article offers more information on how social isolation impacts seniors and ways it can be prevented or reduced.
Health Risks Associated with Loneliness
Loneliness isn’t simply a statistic. It comes with consequences for a senior’s health. Social isolation increases the risk of premature death more so than other causes like smoking or obesity. It also increases the risk of dementia, heart disease, and stroke. Clients who have heart failure are four times more likely to die if they are lonely, have an increased rate of hospitalization, and visit the emergency room more often.
Furthermore studies on loneliness suggest that older people who are immigrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender may feel lonely more often than other populations due to factors like community differences, language barriers, discrimination, barriers to care, stigma, and family dynamics.
How to Prevent Isolation and Isolation
Keeping seniors active is one way to reduce isolation. Getting exercise three to four days a week is shown to reduce rates of loneliness by 6% to 9%. Having regular social contact with people through in-person visits, if safe, through texts, or video chat is another way to keep loneliness at bay.
Being able to access transportation is another way to increase engagement. This includes public transportation, rides from family members, and caregivers as well as ride-share. Having someone to do activities with like play games, read, socialize, and get active can also stave off loneliness.
At Polish Care Services we offer long-term care services and senior care that includes companion care. Our companion caregivers offer stimulation, socialization, transportation, and other aspects of care that are intended to keep loneliness at bay and keep seniors engaged. Reach out to our caring care team today!
Caring for Seniors: Diet and Nutrition
January 22nd, 2021Caregiver Service, Elderly Care, In Home Care, in home care assistance, Long Term Care, Uncategorized,
Caring for Seniors: Diet and Nutrition
Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is essential for seniors as they age. The human metabolism changes as people grow older. Seniors don’t need to eat as much as they did when they were younger. This makes what they do choose to eat all the more important. Here are some tips to keep in mind about diet for seniors and nutrition.
Put Colors on the Plate
One way to make sure older people eat healthily is to encourage colorful eating. A healthy plate includes foods from different food groups including:
– Whole grains like whole-wheat pasta and brown rice
– Lean proteins like eggs, lean meats, beans, and seafood
– Fruits and vegetables that are green, red, orange, and purple
– Low-fat dairy such as milk, almond milk, and cheese
Know What’s in Your Food
Labels matter when it comes to a good diet. The healthiest ones are foods like produce, dairy, and meat because they are whole and not processed. This is why reading labels matters. Hidden things such as added sugar, higher fat, and sodium lurk in processed foods and can derail the most well-intentioned efforts to eat well.
How to Get Healthy Food For Seniors
Knowing what is in food and the types of food to eat are only one part of proper nutrition. The truth is that many seniors struggle with accessing food due to a lack of ability to get out and shop. But there are several ways to make sure seniors have access to nutritious foods. These include:
Stocking up on healthy foods:
– Boxed, shelf-stable soups
* Almonds and cashews
* Fresh salads
* Dried fruits
* Baby Carrots
* Sliced chicken
* Fresh string beans
Arranging for prepared meals from services like Mom’s Meals or meal kit services like Hello Fresh to deliver ingredients to make meals.
Set up grocery deliveries from services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Shipt. These services can be scheduled days in advance or delivered the same day. Instacart and Shipt offer multiple stores on their platform including Safeway, Target, and CVS.
If you’re worried about your loved one’s diet and nutrition. Reach out to Polish Care Services about setting up long term care services that include meal preparation. Reach out to us today.
Caring for Seniors: Music and Health Benefits for Seniors
December 15th, 2020Caregiver Employment, Caregiver Service, Preparing for the Holiday, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Uncategorized,
Caring for Seniors: Music and Health Benefits for Seniors
Music is beneficial for everyone. There’s always a song that makes each person that hears it feel something. But for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is especially beneficial. It allows them to access parts of their mind that might be unreachable otherwise. Here’s how music helps seniors when they need it the most.
What Music Therapy Does
Music therapy is part of what some experts refer to as entertainment. When people start to listen to music, it allows them to focus on it and feel more relaxed. This facilitates better physical and emotional processing so that everything from medications to feeling emotions is more effective. It’s used in care settings to help bring about change for therapeutic reasons, spiritual ones, or emotional ones.
This is why music therapy is used in a wide variety of care settings including long term care communities, rehab centers, hospice, and in home senior care. It helps people manage conditions like chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease. In Finland, doctors studying its effects found that survivors of a stroke who listened to music every day improved their auditory memory, mood, verbal memory, and focus.
How Music Therapy Helps Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Melody has a profound effect on people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and it is like a medicine for seniors with these conditions. Some studies have shown increased eye contact, communication, and happiness. It’s also shown that elderly people are less fatigued and that music helps regulate sleep, due to higher melatonin levels, if music is listened to regularly. Seniors are more likely to walk further when exercising and keep a better pace as well.
For those in the later stages of the disease, music therapy has shown to decrease stress and agitation while increasing relaxation and responses.
Caregiver Benefits from This Therapy
Caregivers also benefit from music therapy. Listening to songs with seniors who have Alzheimer’s or dementia helps lighten the mood. Plus it creates a connection with the client or loved one and helps the two communicate without needing to use words. Caregivers can use music to make the daily routine they go through with clients or loved ones easier by creating a connection. Most importantly, music helps improve the bond between caregiver and elder that can fray due to stress.
If you or someone you know need help caring for an elder with Alzheimer’s or dementia, contact Polish Care Services. Our team of care experts will be happy to help match you with a caregiver who meets your needs.
How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
November 13th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Caring for Seniors: How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
Seniors are prone to isolation. But the ongoing pandemic has increased the possibility of seniors becoming isolated even more. One way to reduce isolation is to connect seniors with a companion. Here is an overview of how seniors can benefit from companionship and increased engagement from companion caregivers.
What Companion Caregivers Do
The main thing that companion caregivers do for seniors is to socialize with them. They provide in home senior care on set days of the week, giving their clients something to look forward to during the week. Companion caregivers can assist seniors with household tasks like paying bills, caring for pets, and preparing meals, assist with transportation, and provide medication reminders. But it is the social aspect of their job that cannot be understated.
Companion caregivers provide a connection to the outside world, and for seniors who have difficulty leaving their house due to physical limitations or conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, this is important.
Making Connections and Engaging
Companion caregivers help connect with seniors by engaging them in activities like taking walks together, reading together, playing games, and simply having conversations about life and family. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that taking the time to do these things matters. Care workers at nursing homes in the United Kingdom were given care champion training to help them engage residents with dementia in conversation for at least one hour a week. The care workers were given prompts and cues to help elicit conversation.
Over time, researchers found that the seniors who participated in the study had a better quality of life and were less agitated compared to using medication to reduce it. Other studies have found that creating individualized care plans and teaching seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia how to do certain tasks saw their activities of daily living go up.
Benefits of Staying Active
Engaging with seniors by using conversations and activities has shown that seniors live longer and improve memory and executive function. Companion caregivers can also provide long term care and emotional support that connecting with family and friends would normally bring and make them feel joy.
If you’re searching for a companion caregiver for your elderly loved one, reach out to Polish Care Services. We’ll match a companion caregiver to a senior that meets their needs. Reach out to us today.
Caring for Seniors: Card and Puzzle Games Benefits for Seniors
October 27th, 2020aging in place, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver Service, Elderly Care, In Home Care, in home care assistance, Long Term Care, Meditation, Polish Care Services, Senior Care Services,
Exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body. This is especially true as people get older. One way to keep the mind active while having fun is to play board, card and puzzle games. Here’s how such games help the mind stay sharp and entertained simultaneously in long term care.
Come Together
Card and puzzle games are activities that bring people together. Being able to play a game with a friend or family member brings a sense of purpose to the gathering and can help seniors feel less isolated and alone. They’re able to connect to other people, share stories with one another and build on relationships. Such games also have the impact of reducing anxieties about social situations.
Improving Brain Function
Studies show that seniors who participate in activities like playing cards and doing puzzles regularly can improve their brain function because it engages memory, reasoning, and mental speed.
Games to Play
Call to Mind is a card and board game that focuses on communication. It was developed for people in the early stages of dementia. Its purpose is to help seniors remember things from their past and strengthen those memories. It’s also one way to get to know other people.
Jigsaw puzzles utilize multiple parts of the brain which is why they are beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. They require creativity and logic to solve and help to exercise short-term memory. Simple pictures with distinct shapes are recommended. Puzzles can even be made of pictures from a person’s favorite memories.
PicLink is a type of puzzle and card game. It uses tiles with photos on them to help encourage conversation and memory building for people who have dementia. It’s a simple game so it may be too simple for some seniors. But it’s one of the very few options out there for people who can’t do complex tasks.
Shake Loose a Memory is a type of card game. Players keep cards if they have a memory listed on the card like gardening. Then it asks a specific question about that subject. It encourages players to share memories and stories they haven’t thought about for a while. The game encourages seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia to communicate more.
If you’re searching for in home senior care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, reach out to Polish Care Services. Our dedicated care team will match you with a caregiver to meet your needs.
Caring for Seniors: Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 During Cold
September 28th, 2020aging in place, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Dementia Care, Disability Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Long Term Care, Meditation, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Spring Activities,
COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, until there is an effective and safe vaccine. As the pandemic considers, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep seniors safe during long term care as we head into the colder months. Here is what to keep in mind when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Covering Your Bases: Basic COVID-19 Spread Prevention
It is best to reinforce what is already known, wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times when outside the house and encourage everyone you live with to do the same. Keep one in your car or bag if you accidentally leave it behind. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Keep six feet of distance between yourself and others when outside the home. Avoid large gatherings with friends, and groups and observe social distancing and mask-wearing precautions if you do. Do not touch your face and monitor your health daily by going through the common symptoms. Stay home if you feel ill.
What to Do in the Fall
Flu shots are available starting in September. Experts recommend getting one starting in October so that it lasts for the entire season. Arrange for your elderly loved one to get one as well. Some medical providers or services may come to the house to give one for a fee if your loved one or client doesn’t already have home health care nurses seeing them.
How to Care For Clients or Loved Ones at Home During the Colder Months
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 during fall, winter, and spring relies upon following many of the same basic precautions for in home senior care. Both the care provider and the elderly person should be wearing masks while the care provider is in close proximity. Minimize indoor conversation and stay six feet away from any other family members or pets in the house. Minimize conversations indoors and clean surfaces touched as you go. If possible, increase ventilation indoors without making the room too cold. Encourage others in the home to clean surfaces after you leave as well.
If you have supplies such as gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer, keep the supplies in a sealed container in the home to use only when you’re there.
Finding a trusted care provider to help your loved one is a challenge. Polish Care Services will answer the call. Reach out to us to learn how our caregivers help the elderly receive quality in-home care.
Caring for Seniors: Caring for Seniors During Changing Seasons
September 7th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Home Care, In Home Care, Preparing for the Holiday, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
As we head into another time of the year, start thinking about long term care for seniors at home during each season. Every time of the year has unique challenges for the elderly population. Keep reading to learn how to care for seniors during season change such as autumn, winter, spring, and summer.
Care During Autumn
Autumn is the season to prepare in-home care clients for the winter ahead. The flu season officially begins in October. So start asking your client’s family or nurse to arrange for a flu vaccine in September or early October. Go through the client’s over-the-counter medicines and get rid of any cold-related medication or supplies that have expired. Replace the expired supplies and stock up on other things like tissues, cough drops, and nose spray if applicable.
Fill the pantry with cans of healthy soups and find recipes for warm dishes that can be put in the crockpot for easy meals. Fix any drafty spots in the house.
Don’t forget to go through existing cold weather clothes and replace anything that’s no longer wearable. Make sure the client has enough socks, sweaters, warm pajamas, and blankets to keep them cozy.
Care During Winter
Winter is the coldest time of year and can present the most risk to seniors at home with increased fall risks and household risks. One of the most important steps to take is to prepare the home for winter. Caregivers should notify the client or their family of any potential hazards around the home such as a lack of fire extinguishers around the fireplace, stairs that present a fall hazard when wet, or carbon monoxide detectors in need of batteries.
Make up an emergency kit with a flashlight, warm blankets, a radio, backup batteries, water, and nonperishable food to last for several days in case in-home visits cannot be made. Install non-slip mats under rugs and in any room where the client may slip and fall. Keep shoes on mats inside the house to keep puddles from forming on the floor if they’re wet. Finally, keep areas well-lighted as it gets dark to prevent clients from falling over objects.
Care During Spring
Spring is a season of fresh starts and is a time for caregivers providing in-home senior care to reassess things in the home. Examples of this include making sure that the medication list for the client is current and has all prescribed medications as well as vitamins or supplements. Any expired or discontinued medications should put in a separate location until a family member or client’s home care nurse can look at them or disposed of if possible.
Evaluate the rooms used by the client for any repairs or improvements to be made. Consider installing grab bars and non-slip mats in the bathroom, putting appliances and dishes within easy reach in the kitchen, and installing a nightlight in the bedroom. Move clothes and grooming items within reach for the client to use and make sure they can reach the phone or medic-alert devices from the bed.
Lastly, secure cords out of the way and get rid of clutter in the home that presents an ambulation hazard.
Care During Summer
When the weather begins to heat up, seniors face new challenges. Heat can put added stress and pressure on the elderly. It’s best to keep them cool and indoors. Avoid any strenuous activities. If the client wants to do a physical activity like take a walk, it’s best to do it early in the morning while it’s still cool. Keep them hydrated throughout the day with water and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in it. Encourage wearing light layers and keep the home cool by running a fan or using solar curtains.
Prepare meals that are light and healthy like salads and avoid heavy meals. Stock up on popsicles or other frozen items that help keep clients hydrated and cool. Offer a cool shower or bath to help beat the heat and use a cool washcloth on the back of the neck when sitting to help alleviate feeling hot.
If the client wants to go out, go to places with air conditioning like a library, coffee shop, or mall.
Every season has its care benefits and care challenges. The most important thing to remember is to prepare in advance. The more prepared a caregiver is for each season, the less stressful it will be for the senior. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and prepared caregiver, contact Polish Care Services. Our staff will be happy to match our caregivers to your loved ones.
Caring for Seniors: Providing Care for Seniors During COVID-19
August 25th, 2020Caregiver Employment, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Homecare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, in home care assistance, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning,
COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. There are measures that caregivers can and should
take to protect themselves and the people they care for. This article discusses how these measures
protect everyone involved and keeps those in need of care from contracting COVID-19.
Understanding COVID-19 Spread
COVID-19 spreads between people in proximity to one another, less than six-feet apart via
respiratory droplets. When one person coughs, sneezes, or talks to another, the droplets produced
from that will land in the other person’s mouth and nose. The virus can spread from someone who
is infected but not showing symptoms.
How to Stay Safe
Hand washing is one of the main ways to help keep caregivers and those who need care safe. It
should be done frequently, especially after:
– Using the bathroom.
– Caring for someone who is sick.
– Leaving a public place.
– Blowing your nose.
– Changing a diaper.
– Touching your face, eyes, or mouth.
Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
Maintaining distance from others is another way to stay safe. Stay away from people who are sick
in your household. If you provide long term care at a facility or at a person’s home, limit
unnecessary close contact as much as possible.
Wear a mask when you are outside the house. A mask protects others from getting sick. This
includes while you are working with your care client. Gloves are also recommended when working
closely with someone else.
Keep disposable supplies like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other things specific to your care
client in a container at their home or at your facility for your use only.
Clean Frequently
Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently while you are working. This is also a good practice to
implement at home.
Stay Healthy
Be aware of the basic symptoms of COVID-19. These include fever, cough, and shortness of
breath. If you think you have any of these, take your temperature. Don’t take it right after
exercising or taking medication. Consider keeping a symptom diary to track any time you are
feeling unwell during the pandemic.
If you experience any of these symptoms or others, let your client know and plan for alternative
care, and get a COVID-19 test if symptoms are not going away.
Caregivers at Polish Care Services are committed to keeping clients safe during COVID-19.
Moreover, one caregiver to one patient in an in home care setting helps to minimize the risk of spread.
Contact us at 860-255-8278 to learn more about how we provide safe in home senior care.
Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances
July 28th, 2020Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Disability Care, Hire CNA, In Home Care, in home care assistance, Long Term Care, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Spring Activities,
Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances
Care is an expensive part of getting older. Everyone will need some type of long term care in their senior years. This knowledge does not make planning for these financial eventualities any easier. Long-term care insurance is one option that helps with the cost of care as people age. This article provides an overview of what this insurance option is and what it covers.
What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance covers services that help seniors as they get older. It helps with the cost of having assistance for activities of daily living or ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and transferring. Traditional health insurance doesn’t cover such costs. This insurance can cover:
– In-Home Care
– Home Health Aides
– Care at an Assisted Living Facility
– Care in a Nursing Home
Long-term care insurance is an option that some seniors choose because they may not want to use a loan, property sale, or to depend on family to help out if care is needed.
The Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance can help pay for in-home senior care and seniors can stay at home longer. The insurance will typically begin covering services when assistance is needed with two or more ADLs. Because it covers in-home care, a senior can have caregivers come into their home and help them with ADLs along with things like cooking and cleaning.
The costs of moving to assisted living or to a nursing home has a monthly rate starting at $6,000 on average excluding the cost of medical care. If you are a senior in need of care, the cost is typically less expensive to stay at home with care.
What to Keep in Mind About Long-Term Care Insurance
The best time to buy long-term care insurance is between the ages of 50 and 65. Waiting longer may mean an increase in cost, especially for those with an existing condition. Insurance premiums are not cheap but for those who can’t afford care out-of-pocket and are not considered low-income, long-term care insurance is something to think carefully about.
If you’re in need of in-home senior care, reach out to the staff of Polish Care Services 860-255-8278 or [email protected]. We can help walk you and your family through the options for in-home senior care.