Vol. 2 Issue 1 - December 2008
Is Home Care Right for You?
Quality care in comfortable and familiar surroundings
Home care is a great option for individuals needing supportive non-medical care in the home. Often, home care can make a significant lifestyle difference by allowing seniors to maintain their quality of life and independence, providing working parents with child care, or supporting people of any age who are recovering from illness or injury. Rather than requiring a more formal or institutional setting, home care provides quality care in familiar and comfortable surroundings.
Family and friends often serve as primary caregivers, but the pressures of a demanding job and other responsibilities at home often put loved ones in a stressful bind. It may be time to hire a professional caregiver to help, but determining the right type and level of assistance is a challenge.
The following list will help you to define the various levels of assistance your loved one may need.
My loved one...
- Is recovering from illness or surgery
- Needs assistance with bathing, toileting or other personal care needs
- Needs assistance with everyday tasks
- Needs companionship
- Is not getting the proper nutrition
A professional home care provider can serve as a kindhearted companion supporting the social, emotional, and physical needs of each client. For more information please visit www.synergyhomecare.com or call your local Synergy HomeCare office.
Family Caregivers Need Time Off to Remain Healthy
Respite care rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is a round-the-clock job that can tax the body, mind, and spirit. More than 80 percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers report that they experience high levels of stress, and nearly half say they suffer from depression. Too much stress can be damaging to caregivers as well as the person with Alzheimer's and many caregivers don't recognize their own needs or simply don't know where to turn for help.
Without relief, the health and quality of life of any caregiver can be greatly affected. Respite care from Synergy HomeCare is a great option to provide much needed support for family caregivers and their loved ones allowing them to run errands, go shopping, or just get some much needed rest. Respite care is more than "time off"- it is crucial time spent allowing caregivers to rejuvenate their minds and hearts.
As the population of aging adults continues to increase, the need for respite care is also on the rise. Contrary to what one might assume, it’s not just the senior population that is fueling this demand; according to famlies.com, 80% of married couples in America today are dual-income earners and often dependent on outside help for those at home. The daily care of a person with Alzheimer's disease can be challenging and require many personal sacrifices to ensure a loved one remains safe and comfortable. For more information on respite care, visit our website at www.synergyhomecare.com or call your local Synergy office.
Testimonial Story
Dreams Come True at Synergy HomeCare
Concerned about a loved one? Stop right here at Synergy HomeCare. It is one of the best phone calls we ever made.
My mother-in-law is ninety-two. She is very independent and it means a lot to her that she lives in her home, keep her friends and her activities. She has not wanted help, but shopping and getting around town can be very hard on her. All four of her children are in different states and cannot be with her on a day-to-day basis, so we worried a lot... until we found Synergy HomeCare.
We interviewed the home care agencies in the area by telephone and Synergy HomeCare stood out from the rest right away. They make sure to understand their clients, the family, needs and requirements so they can do the best job possible and make good personnel matches.
One week later, we haven't heard mom this happy in ages. We all thank Synergy HomeCare from the bottom of our respective hearts. Their care and kindness, our relief and mom's joy is priceless.
H. G.
September 25, 2008
Indian Wells, CA
Caregiver Hub
What can you do if you find yourself in the “Sandwich Generation?”
Rob and Sarah, a married couple in their 40s, are busy raising a family of three children and working two jobs. They also spend much of their free time at their parents' homes doing yard work, running errands, and caring for mom and dad. Rob and Sarah are members of the “Sandwich Generation” – people caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children.
Sixteen million Americans find themselves "sandwiched" between two generations. What can you do to survive this mid-life tug of war? Here are three quick tips that can help:
Tip 1 – Establish a durable power of attorney. Urge your parents to name a durable power of attorney. This grants legal authority to a named person to manage their bills and finances if both parents become disabled. It must be signed by both parents prior to becoming disabled.
Tip 2 – Take inventory of your parents' assets and consolidate accounts. Get all financial records into one place and consolidate accounts when you can. This way, everything is easy to access and you’ll have less confusion with multiple accounts and paperwork. Be clear about your parent’s financial situation, where the documents are and what their wishes are.
Tip 3 – Seek help from social, elder law and financial services. Use local support services such as an elder law attorney who keeps track of laws affecting Medicaid and Medicare and the qualifications needed for coverage, or from financial planners who tailor specific programs for seniors and family trusts. A number of government and non-profit agencies provide valuable advice and support. See “Resources for Seniors” on page 3.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer's is a brain disease that leads to the loss of mental and physical functions. Most patients with Alzheimer's are over 65 years of age and while some change is normal, the warning signs of Alzheimer’s are more than simple lapses in memory. How can you know if your loved one shows signs of something more serious?
The Alzheimer's Association has developed a checklist to help you recognize the warning signs:
- Memory loss – forgetting recently learned information
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks – loosing track during activities
- Problems with language – forgetting simple words
- Disorientation to time and place – getting lost or forgetting the day
- Poor or decreased judgment – odd behavior and attitude
- Problems with abstract thinking – difficulty performing mental tasks
- Misplacing things – putting things in unusual places
- Changes in behavior – rapid mood swings
- Changes in personality – confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent
- Loss of initiative – very passive or excessive sleeping
To better understand and react to warning signs of Alzheimer’s it is good idea to meet with a physician for a thorough evaluation. Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, treatments are available to alleviate many of the symptoms.
Senior Health
Seniors face a number of challenges, and with family and friends not always available to help, you may often feel that you face these challenges alone. Fortunately, there are many national and local organizations that can be very helpful by providing a variety of educational resources, counseling and referrals; as well as a sense of community. Support groups are especially important and provide an opportunity to meet with others who are facing similar concerns. You will learn from their experience and be comforted by the fact that you are not alone.
Some prominent national organizations include the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Parkinson Disease Association. Other lesser-known and local resources are available as well. Check your local newspaper and phone directory, and refer to our “Resources for Seniors” section for more tips and ideas.
Local church groups also offer valuable aid and assistance. The services are often free and can include a variety of programs and events that can provide welcome education and support as well as wonderful social opportunities. Many churches present classes and seminars on topics like senior health and financial planning which are presented by fully-trained volunteers from the community.
Remember, you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to these caring and helpful organizations; they will be happy to point you in the right direction and lend a helping hand.
Resources for Seniors
www.fraud.org – Since 1992, the National Fraud Information Center has been fighting telemarketing and internet fraud. Log on for information and help if you feel you’ve been a victim.
www.seniornet.org – SeniorNet provides computer classes designed for adults ages 50 and older. Classes are held in senior centers, libraries, and schools nationwide. Log on to find a class near you.
www.pdhca.org – The Private Duty Homecare Association is a trade association of home care providers dedicated to helping the ill and disabled remain in their own homes.
www.aarp.org – AARP is a nonprofit membership organization for people ages 50 and over dedicated to enhancing the quality of life as we age. A number of member benefits are available.
