Vol. 2 Issue 4 - December 2009
Families Coming together with HomeCare
Discover the loving care and the peace of mind Synergy can bring
It doesn’t have to be just the holidays when a family comes together to celebrate. Year round, family traditions can be full of joy, fond memories and warm feelings that we remember and cherish always. But if you are personally caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease, family gatherings can sometimes become difficult and stressful.
Celebrations and gatherings can also be a time that your loved one may show frustration, distress or even agitation because of changes to well known routines. And this can be just as hard on you and the rest of the family. As a result, many caregivers often elect to skip family celebrations altogether.
But you don’t have to miss the memories and joy of the family being together; home care can be a way to find the reassurance and support that will allow you to enjoy time with family and friends. Gatherings for holidays and events are one of the few times during the year that adults and their elderly parents spend quality time together, so enlisting the support of home care can be an important step to making the time enjoyable for everyone.
People are recognizing the additional role that home care can play in providing stand-by assistance during family events and celebrations. With safe, caring support from Synergy, everyone can join in the moment. Our home care services can be a way for you to enjoy those precious times that will become life-long memories for the whole family to share.
For more information contact your local Synergy HomeCare office.
Emotional Care
Tips for Emotional Support
For someone with Alzheimer's, emotions often outlive language, memory and understanding. Here are some tips to provide emotional support for your loved one.
1. Alzheimer’s behavior can be fueled by emotions.
The confusion that your loved one may be experiencing very often can have an underlying emotion, such as fear or apprehension, which drives the behavior. Experts suggest that you look at ways to shape your environment, as well as your own expectations, to set up an everyday world that is calm and reassuring.
2. Keep your own emotions in check.
Emotional reaction can outlast the memory of what triggered your loved one feel that way in the first place. If your loved one explodes with emotional outbursts, remember that she may still be feeling strongly about something she can’t recall or talk about. This can be a challenging moment, so it is important to your own emotions under control. Your loved one may have no idea why they are upset, so stay calm as you work through the moment together.
3. Join in the moment, don’t correct.
Correcting your loved one may simply make him feel frustrated or even frightened. Don’t correct him, join in the moment. Not only will you make him feel like himself and in control, you’ll enjoy each moment together with less frustration.
4. Tap the power of touch.
Whether it's a sympathetic pat on the back or a nice long hug, the body collects emotional information through touch, even if nobody speaks a single word. Not every Alzheimer’s patient will respond in the same way to touch, but often the power of touch can go a long way in adding to the emotional care of your senior.
Testimonial
Dear Synergy,
I wanted to write you a quick note to say thank you for setting up care for my parents so quickly. The two ladies that you selected for my parents are WONDERFUL!! I know my father is comfortable when he can finally go in and take a nap. That is HUGE!!
The BIGGEST thank you is from me. Knowing that I can be home and take care of my family and also run my business is a wonderful comforting feeling.
Your company is truly a wonderful find.
Sincerely,
June J. (New Jersey)
Pet Therapy
Animal Therapy and Seniors
Pet therapy can improve the quality of life for seniors. The benefits are physical, mental and emotional. Pets of all breeds, shapes and sizes are providing the companionship, security and stimulation so many aging adults need.
Seniors often suffer from depression secondary to isolation and loneliness. These complications may quickly deteriorate the physical health of your loved one. But advocates say that pet therapy is a big step forward and researchers have discovered it to be especially effective with seniors suffering from cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
There are several types of pet therapy, each with different benefits:
Visitation Therapy: This popular approach involves animals – typically cats or dogs – being brought to homes or care centers to visit with residents and patients. Seniors get lots of loving attention from the animal without needing to provide ongoing pet care.
Ownership Therapy: Pets can be valuable as a prescription and doctors and therapists often encourage seniors to adopt a pet for the mental and emotional benefits. Be careful, however, to consider the needs and requirements of the animal when choosing a pet.
Animal-Assisted Therapy: This is a more intensive therapy where patients in need of significant rehabilitation are paired with incredibly sensitive animals as part of a therapy regime to build confidence and refine physical skills.
Be sure to consult your doctor to discuss how pet therapy can benefit your loved one. One thing is clear, however, the relationship between a therapy animal and a patient extends far deeper than simple companionship:
Physical Benefits
- Increased mobility from brushing, petting and walking an animal.
- Increased exercise from caring for the demands of a pet.
- Lowered blood pressure and reduced stress.
Emotional Benefits
- Reduced loneliness; many animals instinctively nurture ailing humans.
- Increased self esteem; a pet loves unconditionally.
- Decreased anxiety and depression; forming a nurturing bond.
Mental Benefits
- Improved memory stimulation.
- A greater sense of purpose.
- Mental stimulation and entertainment.
For more information about pet therapy contact the Humane Society or call your local Synergy office.
She’s My Mommy Too!
Are you a member of the "sandwich generation,” a growing segment of society squeezed between the needs of your aging parents, your own needs, and the needs of your own children? Consider the story of Allyson, a married working mother in her 40s. Allyson is busy raising a family of three children and she holds down full time job as a manager for a regional bank. Allyson and her husband also spend much time each week at her parents' home caring for her elderly father and mother.
But the story doesn’t end there. Allyson’s youngest son, Austin has begun having difficulty in school. He’s not concentrating on his school work and was recently sent to the principal’s office for having an emotional outburst in class. Naturally, Allyson became concerned and left work early to meet with the school counselor. During the meeting Austin became upset about all the time grandma and grandpa were taking away from his mother. “She’s my mommy too!” cried Austin, as he broke down in angry tears.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. And if you feel guilty and stressed out, it’s okay. Sixteen million Americans find themselves "sandwiched" between two generations -- caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children. One way to battle the stress is to engage home care for your senior loved ones. Our respite care services provide a break for family members who are taking care of their loved ones; allowing them to catch their breath, reorganize, or spend some much needed quality time with their own children.
For more information visit our website at www.synergyhomecare.com or call your local Synergy office.
Resources
www.usa.gov/topics/seniors.shtml – USA.gov for seniors: View topics about and for senior citizens, including retirement, health, housing, taxes, and travel.
www.dana.org/resources/seniors – A glossary of web sites related to brain health, education and general information for older adults.
portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/information_for_senior_citizens – Looking for housing options for an aging loved one? This is a resource to determine what kind of living arrangement you need, what your health insurance might cover, and what you can afford.
seniorliving.about.com – Senior living information and advice for older adults including senior dating, senior sex, retirement, senior health, senior housing, entertainment, Social Security, and more.
www.seniornet.org - SeniorNet provides nonprofit computer and Internet education for older adults and seniors; bringing technology access and education to seniors to enrich their lives and enable them to share their wisdom.
www.seniordrivers.org – From the American Automobile Association; a website for senior drivers, their families, traffic safety professionals, and alternative transportation providers.
Inset
Join the Synergy HomeCare recipe club and share your favorite recipes for easy and delicious meals. E-mail your recipes to recipe@synergyhomecare.com for inclusion in an upcoming Synergy Star and to be featured in the special edition “Synergy HomeCare HomeCooking” cookbook. Don’t miss the mouth-watering fun!
