The Progression of Alzheimer's Disease and the Progression of Daily Home Care Needs

Most have heard the 'frog in a pot of water' theory. If a frog is put in a pot of hot water, it will jump out. If it is put in room temperature water and then the pot is heated, it adjusts until it is too late. This same idea can apply to adult children adjusting their daily care of elderly parents with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive and physical decline associated with the disease may improve for a time with currently available treatments and medications, but the progression curve follows a rate of decline. The next step in daily care of elderly parents is sometimes delayed because adult children providing the care are taking on extra tasks a little at a time, not noticing the risks of trying to do it all.

Typical adult children caregiver scenarios often begin with medical setbacks such as slips or falls. They begin to take over a few tasks to help. Often, only one parent is affected by Alzheimer's or another condition that leads to cognitive and physical impairments that worsen over time. The unaffected spouse may suddenly be overwhelmed with new care tasks that puts their own health and safety at risk. Care often begins in stages with tasks, such as making sure the home is kept clean, helping with budgeting and making sure bills are paid on time. Newly prescribed medications may also require daily reminders.

At some point driving skills of those with Alzheimer's degrades to the point where they are no longer safe drivers. This stage often results in significant conflict due to the desire to maintain the freedom that driving brings and the adult children knowing that safety of parents with Alzheimer's and others on the road takes precedence. Transportation tasks are then taken over by children who are providing elderly parent care. This may also be the time adult children of parents with Alzheimer's realize their elderly parents may need more care than they can adequately provide, and the parents then fear commitment to a nursing facility.

The progression of Alzheimer's at some point in the future may require nursing care. However, that could be quite a long time from when daily home care is a necessity. The disease advances in stages and so should the amount of care given to parents who have Alzheimer's. Daily home care from Visiting Angels in Las Vegas is the next logical step when caring for elderly parents becomes too much for the adult children, but a point where assisted living or nursing home care is needed has not been reached yet.

Visiting Angels can take over many of the daily tasks that need completed and also provide social interaction and assistance with memory loss care, assistance with walking or completion of exercise routines, meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands, transportation to appointments and even overnight care where the caregiver stays awake to offer help as needed. Probably the greatest service is one of companionship where the elderly parent knows that someone is there for conversation and is also ready to help. Daily home care services provided by Visiting Angels in Las Vegas eases the burden and removes the stress of elderly parent care.

Caring For A Loved One With Memory Loss

Even though many people do not mind helping their loved one, being a caregiver can be incredibly stressful. If the person is suffering from memory loss, then caring for him or her is even more difficult. Fortunately, there are many things that caregivers can do that will make it easier for them to care for their loved ones. Below is a list of tips that will help:

Get a Medical Diagnosis

Anybody who is suffering from memory loss should be examined by a physician. In many cases, memory loss is a side effect of a medication. It can also be a sign of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Keep in mind that there are many new medications that can treat Alzheimer's disease and dementia in their early stages. That is why it is essential for people who are suffering memory loss to see a physician.

Create a Care Plan

After your loved one has been examined and received a diagnosis, the next thing that you will want to do is outline a care plan. Take a person's short and long-term needs into consideration when you are creating a care plan. You may also want to ask a medical professional to help you create a care plan. Keep in mind that the care plan is likely to change.

Educate Yourself

It will be a lot easier for you to care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or Dementia if you educate yourself about the condition. Talk to healthcare providers about the condition. Read brochures and books. You can also talk to other people who are caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or Dementia.

Safety-Proof the Home

There are a number of things that you can do to safety proof your home. You need to make sure that medications, household cleaners, knives, sharp objects and sewing needles are kept out of reach of your loved one. You will also need to adjust the temperature on your water heater. Lowering the temperature can prevent a person's chances of suffering a scalding burn.

Additionally, you may want to consider having grab bars installed in the bathtub. This will make it easier for your loved one to get in and out of the bathtub.

Take Some Time to Yourself

It is easy for caregivers to get overwhelmed. That is why they are more prone to high blood pressure and depression. You have to take time for yourself. Try to exercise every day. Include plenty of nutritious foods in your diet. Make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep. Taking care of yourself will help prevent burnout.

You may also want to consider getting a professional caregiver to help your loved one. You can contact Visiting Angels of Las Vegas if you are interested in getting a professional caregiver to help you take care of your loved one.

Is It Alzheimer's Disease Or "Just Getting Old"?

If you are getting up there in years, your memory may not seem quite as sharp as it used to be. Then again, your memory may be starting to slip in some rather unusual ways. For many aging adults, the fear of being victims of Alzheimer disease is a very real concern. But, do not panic if you cannot remember important dates or if you forget which grandson's birthday it is. Some of these annoying slips and skips in memory are nothing more than perfectly normal signs of aging. Sometimes it is a sign that you just need to challenge your brain to be more active. If you believe you are experiencing serious problems with your memory, here are a few ways to tell if Alzheimer's disease may be to blame.

Chronically Repeating Requests for the Same Information

One of the signs of Alzheimer's disease is seen when a person constantly asks others to repeat the same information over and over again. If this happens once in a while, it may simply be a sign that they are a little forgetful; however, when it is a chronic occurrence, it suggests that something more serious may be going on upstairs. People who suffer with a chronic state of looping requests for the same information may not even know they are doing it. From their perspective, each time they ask will undoubtedly seem like it is the first time they are asking.

Misplacing Objects

It is normal for an aging person to visit a friend and walk out the door without their keys. They may even forget where they put their keys or parked their car. In the case of a person suffering with Alzheimer's disease, this problem is a lot more advanced. Instead of simply forgetting where a person has placed an object, the misplacing of objects get stranger and more frequent. They might leave their socks in the kitchen sink and hang their tie on the deadbolt slot near the front door of their home. To the average onlooker, these types of associations involved in the misplacement of objects will tend to be obviously uncommon or out of place.




Misunderstanding the Function of Objects
Another common sign of Alzheimer's disease is when people appear to misunderstand how to use a common every day object. If a person tries to shave their face with a phone receiver, or attempts to answer their electric shaver, then you may have a classic Alzheimer's patient on your hands. On the other hand, if a person simply needs help figuring out how to program their digital clock, use the remote to their television or set their microwave to the right setting, this is more likely an age-related slip in memory function.

The Loss of Time and Spacial Confusion

When a person gets older, it is common to forget what day it is. It is also common to take a wrong turn and get lost while driving. Often, with a little thought and effort, these mistakes will be easily corrected by a person with a properly functioning mind. On the other hand, if a person starts to notice large gaps in time are missing, this could tend to be a more classic sign of Alzheimer's disease. Another classic sign is when an elderly person all-of-a-sudden becomes very confused as to where they are or how they got there. Such skips in spacial memory suggest that the memory pathway outlining the steps being covered from one moment to the next are not being held in short term memory. If this occurs often, then chances are that Alzheimer's may be to blame.

Conclusion
Growing old will inevitably bring with it a senior moment or two. It is normal to experience some trouble getting the aging neurons in one's brain to fire off like they used to do. Although it can be frustrating to learn that your mind is not like the steel trap it used to be, this does not necessarily imply that you are in danger of Alzheimer's disease; however, if you start to experience genuinely strange lapses in memory, it may be time to be checked out by a physician.

The Truth About In-Home Care Services!

One of the most difficult issues a family may have to deal with can occur when an elderly loved one is no longer able to tend to their daily needs by themselves. This type of situation can happen because of old age, illness or other medical conditions. While the elderly family member may realize they cannot take care of themselves, they generally will not want to leave their home and move into an assisted living facility. This can often create a problem for the rest of the family.

Most family members would prefer to handle the care for their loved one on their own. However, they may have other obligations, which can make this impossible. In these types of circumstances, hiring a homecare provider may be a great alternative. Homecare services are designed to help families and their loved ones cope with these types of situations.


Unfortunately, many people are hesitant to use this type of service due to some of the negative information they may have heard about them. Since the majority of this information is based on myths, it can help to know the real facts.

Homecare Service Myths, Busted!

Myth 1 – An Elderly Person will lose his or her Independence

Many elderly people may not want assistance in their home for fear they will lose their independence. They may fear that by allowing someone to help them take care of their needs, they will lose their right to do things for themselves or even make decisions.

This is generally not true at all. The agency or homecare worker will work for the family or the elderly individual directly. They must conform to their wishes. In addition, generally by having assistance in the home an individual will have more independence and freedom. He or she will be able to move about the home without worries of falling and no one being there to help. By having a homecare worker tending to some of the household tasks that are too difficult for a senior to handle, many times he or she will have more energy to do things that are more enjoyable.

Myth 2 – Services are only for the Seriously Ill

Sometimes elderly people or their family may think homecare is only designed to help those people who have serious illnesses.

This is not necessarily accurate. Some services, do only deal with patients who have medical conditions that make homecare more of a necessity. However, there are also services that focus primarily on helping a senior deal with the activities of daily living. This can include things such as the following:

• Meal preparation
• Hygiene assistance (including bathing or showering) and dressing assistance
• Ambulatory or transferring assistance
• Providing transportation or running errands
• Doing light housework
• Acting as a companion including engaging a care recipient with memory loss in mental or physical activities.

Myth 3 - All Caregivers Operate Independently

Fortunately, a family can choose from a number of different types of homecare options. This can make it easier to find a caregiver who will fit the needs of the family and their loved one.

Many services are run by an agency that hires caregivers as employees. They screen and perform background checks on all the caregivers before they are hired or sent to a client's home. The agency makes sure they are well trained and have any certifications they may need as well. The client deals with the agency about their requirements in a caregiver and the types of tasks they wish performed. If there are any changes to this or issues with a particular caregiver, the agency will deal with the problem. This can be a great choice for the client since they do not have to worry about any type of employee issues.

Some people may prefer to hire a caregiver directly. In this type of situation, the caregiver will be the employee of the family or the elderly person. There will be payroll taxes to worry about, insurance, worker's compensation and more for the family or senior to deal with. In addition, if the employee is not doing their job well or needs time off for this will also have to be dealt with by the senior or their family. This can often be more work than a family may be able to handle.

A third option is an independent caregiver. These people run their own business for the most part, even if they are the only employee. They set their own rules and working conditions. They do handle their payroll taxes and workers compensation. They will not be covered by liability or bond insurance unless they purchase it on their own. If there is a problem with an independent contractor, the family or the senior will need to speak to the caregiver directly about the issue. The family should obtain background or criminal history checks. However, they must see to them on their own.

Myth 4 – People Working in Homecare Services Do Not Care about their Clients

This is definitely not true. Most homecare services are staffed by very caring and compassionate people who want to make things easier for a senior and his or her family. Many times these workers become so close to their clients, they are treated almost like close family. While there are some people who may not work well together, most agencies will quickly remove the caregiver and provide a different worker to handle the job.

Myth 5 – Homecare Workers Treat the Elderly Badly

Many people are worried they might hire someone to help their loved one and they will become abusive to them. This is not an accepted practice. When hiring a service, they diligently screen their staff to ensure they are not hiring people with any type of history of these types of actions. In addition, a service often has supervisors and managers who make random visits to their client's homes to make sure the elderly person is getting the care he or she needs. While there are some situations where abuse has occurred, most caregivers are honest and care about the people they help.

Myth 6 – Agencies decide who will be sent to the Home

In most situations, an agency representative will first meet with the family and/or elderly person to discuss the type of person they would prefer having in the home. With this information, the agency will screen caregivers until a good match can be found. If an issue develops with the chosen caregiver, most agencies will do everything they can to correct the problem quickly and efficiently. The goal of most agencies is to make sure the family and the elderly person are comfortable with those in their home and they do what they can to achieve this.

Myth 7 – Only People who need Around the Clock Care can hire a Service

This is generally not the case at all. When it comes to dealing with helping elderly patients, most services realize they may not need care all the time. Many times, a person may only need assistance when they first get up in the morning. They may need help bathing, dressing, preparing a meal and doing some housework. After these tasks are completed, they may not need any assistance again until it is time for them to go to bed.

Most services will work with the senior and his or her family to set up a schedule, which provides care when the senior needs it but also gives them as much time as they wish to be on their own. In most cases, a quality service will not have limitations or minimums on the amount of time their services are needed.

Myth 8 – In Home Care is Expensive

Fortunately, many homecare services have very affordable options for elderly people and their families. In most cases, hiring a homecare service is much more economical than a daycare facility or assisted living facility might be. However, the actual cost of care will vary depending on several factors such as:

• Hours Required – This includes the number of hours the service is needed in the home on a daily or weekly basis.
• Tasks Performed – Costs for some services may be more than others are. For instance, transportation to and from appointments would include a mileage rate.

Myth 9 - Homecare is not needed because the Senior Lives with Family

Many people may think having their family around makes hiring a homecare service unnecessary. This is generally not the case. Today many people are very busy in their daily lives. With jobs, kids and other commitments they often do not have enough hours in the day to tend to their own needs. Having a family member who needs extra help can often be too much. While there are times when they can handle all the responsibilities well, other times they may need help from a home care service.

Myth 10 – It is Risky to Receive in Homecare

Some people worry about the health risks involved in receiving any type of homecare. However, many times a person will do much better physically and mentally when they are in their own familiar settings. In addition, a homecare worker will provide one-one-one care to the senior. This makes it possible for the worker to get to know the person and they can notice any subtle changes in the actions or abilities of the elderly individual. Many times the worker can alert the family so a medical professional can examine the person.

Myth 11 - Homecare is just for Elderly People

Most people who request homecare are seniors or those who are sick. This does not mean that homecare is not available for anyone over the age of 18. There are many other situations where using homecare may be a wise choice. For instance, a family may have a disabled adult child who needs some assistance.

Myth 12 – People who are unable to Care for Themselves Should be in a Facility

Some elderly people feel that if they cannot handle all their own daily living activities, they should be in a facility. As people age they will naturally begin to lose certain abilities, whether it is strength in their hands, eyesight, hearing or other issues. This is all a normal part of the aging process. It is true they may be unable to do certain household tasks or handle some personal grooming issues on their own. However, there is still much they can contribute to those who around them. By having help with the mundane tasks, they will be able to focus on the important ones.

Myth 13 – It is not safe to have Strangers in the Home

There are some cases where a homecare worker has been caught stealing from the person they are supposed to be helping. However, if background and criminal checks have been run on a potential worker, the likelihood of this happening is much less. Most agencies are very cautious about these issues and make sure their workers are supervised and held accountable while they are working in a client's home.

Myth 14 – Seniors who need Around the Clock Care are not eligible for Homecare

A homecare service will generally be able to accommodate any type of hours or schedule an elderly patient needs. This is because they have a staff of workers who can take various shifts around the clock to ensure the person is never alone if this is requested.

Myth 15 – You have to know what type of Services an Elderly Person Needs before Contacting an Agency

It can be a good idea to have an idea of what services an elderly person will need. However, most agencies will be able to make changes as things progress. Often the best way to determine what type of help a person needs is by having someone there with them through their routines. If there are areas where the individual needs help, these can be added to the overall care plan.

For many people who have aged family members trying to find their loved one the assistance they need may seem like a daunting prospect. By using homecare agencies or workers, this issue can be much easier to handle than one might think.

Tips for Caring for a Elderly Parent

Caring for an elderly parent can be one of the most taxing experiences you'll ever go through in life. This type of work requires patience, understanding, money, and your own time, and it is going to become clear to you rather quickly whether or not you are cut out for it.

If you've found yourself in the position to need to care for your loved one, knowing what to do might come so easily.

These are several tips that should help when it comes to caring for your elderly parent.

Make a Care Giving Budget

Because caring for your aging parent is essentially the equivalent of making a lifestyle decision that will directly affect your or their finances, you'll need to keep the budget sensible and under control. Be sure to factor everything you can possibly think of in such as medications, food, home supplies, bills, etc.

Familiarize Yourself with Medicare and Public Benefits

There are many resources available that can make your job incredibly easier. For example, the National Council on Aging offers a checklist style resource that helps you narrow down which benefits your parent is eligible for. Additionally, Medicare/Medicaid should be checked into if your parent is not already enrolled.

Safeguard the House

You should constantly make sure that the home your elderly parent is staying in is "fall-proof." This means you should stabilize loose carpets that can easily slide around, clear hallways, consider hand rails, and more. You'll want to be sure that the house is well-lit, and don't forget to invest in a few night lights for distributing throughout the home.

Don't Expect Praise

Especially in cases with parents who have dementia or any similar conditions, it's important that you do not expect some sort of praise or recognition for what you've done. In these situations, your parent's brain is not functioning normally, and therefore, they are unable to appreciate your efforts for the time being. Always be patient and understanding with your parent.

Remember to Take Breaks

Care giving is a strenuous and emotionally taxing process. Don't forget to reserve time for yourself to get away and get your mind off of everything every once in awhile. Enlist the help of other family members to help when you need a break.

Consult Visiting Angels

Overall, the best solution for caring for an elderly parent is to leave it in the hands of a professional agency. Visiting Angels is a network of agencies that provide quality in-home care and peace of mind. Contact Visiting Angels today to see how your family can be helped!