Kamis, 27 Juli 2017

Elderly Care - Five Tips in Caring For A Loved One With Dementia

Age progression can be a trying time, especially when additional elderly care is necessary due to the physical and mental changes happening. Loss of strength, loss of function, and loss of memory are some common occurrences that the "sandwich generation" notices in their elderly parents.

This generation is faced with a dual role - one of caring for and raising their own children, and also one of caring for and comforting their aging parents. While it may be difficult to witness those changes happening in your parents, it is often even harder for an aging person to experience those losses, whether they are physical or mental.

Physical and mental fatigue can happen to anyone. There are special concerns, though, when mental fatigue is no longer a short span of time, and other, more prevalent symptoms begin surfacing. When an elderly person is afflicted with dementia, it is as if they are losing a part of themselves.

Elderly Care Tip #1 - Understand Dementia

Dementia involves the loss of memory over time, and it may seem so gradual that dementia isn't even considered as the problem. Perhaps you've heard your aging parent mention that they are starting to forget things. Or, they may seem confused about common, everyday activities. Maybe they are getting frustrated about things that never bothered them before.

There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, memory loss is a beginning problem for Alzheimer sufferers. They also lose their sense of judgment, their ability to function unimpaired and, eventually, their ability to do even the simplest tasks for themselves. It is a slow and painfully debilitating disease for the sufferer, as well as the person providing elderly care for them.

A comfortable, calm, and peaceful setting can do wonders when providing elderly care for loved ones with dementia. The goal is to keep their environment as trauma-free as possible, concentrating on their comfort and needs.

Elderly Care Tip #2 - Look at Life From Their Perspective

Forgetting common things and losing familiar memories can bring out fear and anger in a person. Sometimes, this is manifested in a difficult or ungrateful attitude toward caregivers. They may become argumentative when you question them about their day.

As a caregiver, you need to understand and review with them where they have been, what they were doing, or what they can remember. However, coming from the perspective of your aging parent suffering from this memory loss, it is like being treated like a child in the midst of feeling like an invalid. They are already struggling with their lack of mental alertness, and now they must also deal with their own child checking up on them. This role reversal can be somewhat embarrassing for them, and understanding their perspective can make a difference in how conversations are approached.

Elderly Care Tip #3 - Learn About the Progression of Dementia

What can you expect as the condition progresses? Will you be able to cope with the changes that may come up, and are you aware of symptoms to observe or watch for in advance?

Consult a doctor as well as other caregivers who have looked after someone with dementia. Read everything you can on the subject and stay abreast of any developing findings in medical journals.

Sometimes, an elderly person with dementia may get combative, and you need to be ready in advance in order to handle the situation properly. Other times, they may withdraw, and not respond to any conversation or activity. Being prepared in advance for these types of situations will give you greater confidence in providing elderly care for your loved one.

Elderly Care Tip #4 - Plan Regular Responses and Redirection

A common problem for loved ones with dementia is the lack of short-term memory. Perhaps you heard your aging mother ask what she ate for breakfast more than five times already that morning, but it is important to answer the question instead of brushing it off or giving a belittling answer.

Politely answer the question the way you did the other three or four times that it was asked. While she is thinking over the response, find a different question to ask her, or a small task to involve her in. This distraction helps her get focused on something else, while it also prevents you from getting frustrated with her for repeating herself.

Elderly Care Tip #5 - Resist the Urge to Argue

The person you are caring for has a problem with memory loss. No amount of urging will help your loved one remember something they do not. In fact, using phrases such as, "Oh, you remember, we did this..." may even cause more frustration than not remembering the activity, because now they are being coached that they should have remembered the event.

It takes a great deal of patience to deal with the same scenarios over and over again. Showing your own frustration or anger while providing elderly care is counter-productive. Take a deep breath, smile, and give yourself time to relax before answering the question again.


Rabu, 12 Juli 2017

How Do You Know This Is The Elderly Care Solution For You?

What Is Elderly Care?

Simply put, elderly care is a support service catered specifically for the needs of senior citizens in their own home. It is designed with the purpose of enabling its elderly patrons to live as independently as they are able to, with varying levels of help from care support assistants. With a focus on respect and dignity, care agencies enable the elderly to remain in their own homes, maintaining as much of their routine as possible, with the added assistance of elderly care support.

Ensuring Continued Independence

As the strain and emotional distress of relocating to a residential home can often have a drastic effect on older people, more and more families are turning to elderly care as a viable solution. The importance of maintaining individuality and independence can be vital, with the comfort found in both people's own routine and the familiarity of their own home seen as greatly beneficial. For those living with dementia, the personalised service of one-to-one elderly care is something that even the better residential alternatives struggle to provide, as bonds of understanding and comprehension are developed through familiarity and routine. The benefit on the surrounding family is also evident, as loved ones are free to visit as frequently as they wish to, stay for as long as they can and even help out with household chores such as cooking and cleaning. For those who are unable to look after their elderly relatives full-time, this can be of great solace. Elderly couples who struggle with maintaining their standard of living are able to stay with one another for longer, in the home they have built together, with elderly care, allowing them both the dignity and privacy they deserve.

Enabling Personal Care

Each person has different requirements for an elderly carer. Whereas some might just need help with dressing, bathing or washing, others may need support with varying household tasks, such as laundry and shopping. Medical needs are also considered: care workers are able to support any medication that is required, as well as a nurse-led service that is able to administer more complex medical attention, such as ventilators or insulin. With a system catered to the needs of the individual, a care agency is able to provide the exact assistance required for each person. This enables those with minimal needs to continue living an independent lifestyle, and those that require more significant assistance to get the exact level of support they require.

Does It Suit My Needs?

Whereas some people thrive in the community setting of a retirement home, others prefer the privacy and comfort of the home in which they already live, and are both settled and comfortable in. Whether it is the location, the pets that live there with them or even the beloved garden in which they devote so much time, a home can be of great security to the elderly. With a care assistant, they can continue to live within this environment, with a specifically designed senior care plan catered to their every need. The amount of care can be increased if necessary when required, and an essential continuation of independence, dignity and individuality is maintained. A personalised level of care, with control over daily routines, whilst still enjoying the comforts of your own home is what elderly care assistance can provide, assuring the maximum amount of independence with the required amount of senior assistance.