Orlando Home Care

Care for You: Tips for Family Caregiver Empowerment

hcharpentier — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:39 +0000

Family caregiving is rarely a role that a family member is fully prepared to take on. However, when a loved one is in need, someone has to step in and take charge. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first, but there are ways to empower yourself as family caregiver and take control of your new role instead of letting it take control of your life. Just remember these core steps:

Believe in yourself: Trust your instincts.
Protect your health: Your loved one’s well-being depends on it.
Reach out for help: Family caregiving is a job for more than one person.
Speak up for your rights: It doesn’t have to be this hard.

It’s never easy watching a loved one lose abilities with age or illness, and things will be difficult from time to time. Here are some other tips to remember when providing eldercare for a family member:

Reward yourself with respite breaks.
Seek help when experiencing signs of depression.
There’s a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
If you need to transfer a loved one, learn how to properly lift him/her in order to protect your back.
Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.

As a family caregiver, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and that there are resources within your reach that can help take some of the weight off your shoulders when you need it. Partners in Healthcare is one of those resources. Our caregivers can provide you with helpful information and respite care to ensure you and your loved one are living life to the fullest. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your family.

Caregiver Burnout: It’s Not Just YOUR Problem

hcharpentier — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:15:28 +0000

In a society constantly on the go, it isn’t a stretch to start thinking of stress as a normal part of everyday living. This is especially so if you are a full-time family caregiver. The stress of caregiving can take a toll on a caregiver’s mind and body, often leading to depression and an overall decrease in health. But caregiver burnout isn’t just a problem for the caregiver. Prolonged caregiver stress has potentially stressful implications for the care recipient as well, as stressed out caregivers are more prone to angry or emotional outbursts.

It is important to recognize if you are in danger of experiencing caregiver burnout and seek outside help if needed. Take a look at some of the questions below to help determine if caregiver burnout may be in your near future:

Have you given up favorite activities or hobbies?
Are you developing back pain, headaches, daily fatigue, and/or depression?
Are you getting sick more than usual?
Is your temper shorter than normal in public or with friends and family?
Do you lash out at your loved one when he or she behaves erratically or becomes difficult?
Are your other emotions more touchy than usual? Are you experiencing despair or crying for little or no reason?
Have you gained or lost weight unintentionally?
Do you suffer from lack of sleep or chronic insomnia?

If you answered yes to several of the above questions, you may be in danger of caregiver burnout and it is time to seek help. Respite care from professional caregivers, like those at Partners in Healthcare, can give you the break that you need to rest and recharge your caregiving batteries, while ensuring that your loved one is safe and well cared for. Contact Partners in Healthcare to learn more about how to avoid caregiver burnout and keep balance in your life.

The Gift of Care for Mother’s Day

hcharpentier — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:00:05 +0000

Mothers are such special, caring people in our lives. With Mother’s Day approaching, it’s time to think about how to honor these important ladies. Flowers and brunch are always nice, but have you thought about how to relieve stress for the mother(s) in your life?

Statistics show that 67% of family caregivers are women and 68% of care recipients are female, which means that many caregivers are daughters caring for their mothers. In many cases, this is a role for which they are not fully prepared. Social workers are reporting that the majority of family caregivers are not prepared for many aspects of their aging relatives’ care, including the financial burden, the amount of time it takes to provide care and the emotional toll it can take on their own nuclear family.

Too often, family caregivers get run down and even sick because they have not taken time out for themselves. Help them by sharing that taking a break is not an act of selfishness. It is actually an act of great giving.

Effective, sustainable caregiving depends on meeting a caregiver’s needs for nurturing, reassurance, support and respite. By accepting respite care from an in-home care agency, women can better concentrate on also being a daughter, a mother, and a spouse.

As a Mother’s Day gift this year, encourage your wife, mother or friends to accept outside caregiving help. The caregivers at Partners in Healthcare are on hand to provide the mother in your life with the gift of respite care. Contact us today to learn more.

Money Talks: The Financial Aspect of Long-Term Care Planning

hcharpentier — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Is privately funded care affordable? How does an adult child know if his/her parents can afford their possible need for long-term care? Understanding how your parents will fund their long-term care is a vital aspect in the planning process. Below are some questions designed to help adult children get a handle on their parents’ finances:

What are their assets? It’s important to establish roughly how much money your parents have in cash, investments, and Social Security.

Do they anticipate needing financial support? We’re living longer than ever, which means more people are outliving their retirement savings. Ask your parents whether they have enough to sustain themselves for the rest of their lives. If not, how much support will they need?

What types of insurance do they have? Do they have adequate health insurance? Long-term care insurance? Life insurance? Understanding their policies can save you time and money in the long run.

Who are their beneficiaries? If they have life insurance or 401(k) plans, make a note of the heirs listed on the policies.

Do they have an up-to-date will? If not, urge your parents to draft one, regardless of how small their estate is. This will minimize the chances of petty squabbles erupting over their possessions.

Finances can be a touchy subject, but the expert staff at Partners in Healthcare can help your family get the conversation started, and help get your parents on their way to a long-term care plan that works for their needs. Contact Partners in Healthcare in Orlando, FL to learn more about ways to pay for in-home care.

How to Determine if Home Care is Right for Your Parent

hcharpentier — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:50:15 +0000

Most older adults prefer to age in place in the comfort and familiarity of home, but it’s important to determine if in-home care is the right choice. There is a classic assessment test called the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, developed to help professional caregivers assess the level of assistance needed in the home; however, here is a list of some of the main daily activities that anyone can use to help determine in-home care needs.

Ability to use a telephone: This is an important function for seniors in the event of an emergency. If your parent can only answer the phone, but not dial, or cannot use a phone at all, he or she may need some assistance at home.
Shopping: Depending on mobility, some seniors may be able to shop for themselves, while others may need accompaniment to the store or to have their shopping done by a caregiver.
Food preparation: Proper nutrition is important for aging seniors, and you may find that your loved ones are not maintaining an adequate diet from the meals they prepare for themselves. If this is the case, they may need assistance with food preparation.
Housekeeping: Daily household chores can be daunting for frail seniors. This is an area where many home care clients require assistance to help maintain upkeep of their homes.
Medication responsibilities: A certain amount of memory loss is common with aging, so many seniors feel the need to receive medication reminders. For parents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this assistance is particularly important.

When you are helping your parents plan their long-term care, a professional in-home assessment can help you determine whether home care is the right choice or if movement into a care facility is preferable. Contact the caregivers at Partners in Healthcare in Orlando, FL to schedule an in-home assessment and get your loved one’s long-term care plan started today!

Long-Term Care Options Defined

hcharpentier — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:45:10 +0000

There’s no one way to plan for long-term care, but there is a right way for your loved one! Finding the type of care that best suits his or her needs and wishes can be overwhelming, however, as there are several options available. To help your family make informed decisions when planning care, we’ve defined the following care options:

In-home care: Individualized assistance in a home, either the frail person’s or a family member’s home. Can be non‑skilled, like companion-housekeeper assistance, or, depending on state licensure, can be a CNA or a nurse. Usually paid out of pocket, through long‑term care insurance or by Medicaid.

Medicare home health: Is generally called “Home Health Care” and is a term used to refer to Medicare‑certified agencies that provide services which are paid for by Medicare. Medicare is not, and was never intended to provide, long‑term in‑home care. It is “reimbursement driven”, meaning that the patient has to fit into a specific category for which care is reimbursed by Medicare.

Adult day care: A planned program of activities designed to promote wellbeing though social- and health-related services. Adult day care centers operate during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, in a safe, supportive, cheerful environment. Nutritious meals that accommodate special diets are typically included, along with an afternoon snack.

Assisted living: For those needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

Retirement home: Retirement center/congregate care facility: large group real estate developments offering variable non‑medical and medically assisted lifestyle packages.

If you would like to further discuss the options for long-term care, or learn more about the in-home care services Partners in Healthcare provides, contact us in Orlando, FL to learn more. You can also follow us on Facebook at HomeCareOrlando.

Tips for Creating a Long-Term Care Plan

hcharpentier — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:00:21 +0000

For many healthy adults, the need for long-term care seems miles down the road. However, many adult children of elderly parents understand just how vital having a long-term care plan can be. The following tips can help your family take charge and have a plan in place when the need for care arises.

Assess independence levels

Normal aging, disease, and hospitalization can contribute to a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, walking, housework etc. The information obtained from a professional assessment can assist in creating a plan of care that might include in-home services such as meal preparation, nursing care, homemaker services, personal care, or continuous supervision.

Consider the care options

Options when care is needed are to stay at home with assistance or to move into either a care facility, nursing home, or the home of a relative. In-home care can be made available from a few hours a day to 24 hours. Before thinking of moving elsewhere, check into the availability and costs of home care agencies, like Partners in Healthcare, in your area

Plan first steps

A first step in assisting with care needs might be simply home monitoring through remote means combined with a few hours of care three times per week. Assistance with shopping, cooking and cleaning may be all that is necessary initially to promote a safe and independent lifestyle. The in-home care assessment will help determine possible first steps in creating a long-term care plan.

Waiting to develop a long-term care plan means leaving some important aspects of your loved one’s health up to chance. The professional caregivers at Partners in Healthcare can help your family develop a plan of care that best meets his or her long-term needs. Contact us today in Orlando, FL to learn more. Follow us on Facebook at HomeCareOrlando for answers to all your home care questions.

When Mom Lives With You and You’re At Work, Is She Safe?

hcharpentier — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:15:51 +0000

When considering bringing an elderly parent into your home, there are more things to think about than just space. Caring for another person takes patience, physical and mental strength, support from other family members and friends, and occasionally outside assistance from a home care agency like Partners in Healthcare. If you are considering caring for an older parent in your home while working full time either at home or outside the home, it’s important to consider whether or not your parent will be able to navigate your community on his or her own and how he or she will manage while you are away or unable to assist.

Ask yourself, “While I am working…”

Can mom shop independently, or will she need help?
Is there a danger that mom might leave the house on her own and get lost?
Can mom prepare and serve meals for herself? Or will she need to have meals prepared and served?
Can mom drive or navigate public transportation on her own? Or will she need transportation assistance?
Will mom need someone to talk to or to help her participate in mind-stimulating activities?

This article from The Washington Post offers more important aspects to consider when inviting an elderly parent to move in with you. Partners in Healthcare can help alleviate some of the responsibilities and pressures of family caregiving, even when your loved ones have moved in with you. Contact us to learn more about our in-home care and respite services.

Assessing Care Needs for Aging Parents When You’re Miles Away

hcharpentier — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:00:22 +0000

Mom and Dad live in another state. How will I know when they need help? Caring for parents when you live at a distance can be a challenge. Oftentimes, older parents won’t admit to needing care when they really need it, but there are a few ways you can assess their needs even when you’re miles away.

Assessment from a Distance

While having a plan in place will help your family prepare for the future, it can still be difficult to know how your parents are actually getting along day-to-day. When you can’t travel regularly to visit with your parents, the following tips can help you get a better assessment of their health and possible care needs:

Maintain communication with your parents’ physician to stay apprised of any changes that might indicate a need for assistance. Keep in mind; you’ll need to sign a HIPAA Release of Information Form with your parents’ physician in order to discuss conditions openly.
Check in regularly with your parents via phone or even Skype.
Have a network of trusted friends or family members in your parents’ area who can visit with them from time to time, and let them know how to reach you should any issues arise.
Stay in touch regularly with this network of friends. They can often help you recognize health issues as they arise

When you can’t be with your parents, Partners in Healthcare can provide the care and assistance they need. Our expert team can help you by:

Doing an in-home assessment
Monitoring your parents on an ongoing basis to identify changes in health or behavior
Provide in-home care services based on your parent’s needs – light housekeeping, medication reminders, bathing/grooming assistance, transportation, meal planning, etc.
Assisting with medication management
Acting as a moderator or liaison for your family
And more

Contact Partners in Healthcare today to find out how our in-home care services can help.

Caught in the Middle: Are You Stretched Too Thin?

hcharpentier — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:00:19 +0000

The sandwich generation consists of approximately 42 million American women who are “sandwiched” between the caregiving and financial needs of their children and their aging relatives. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin because caregiving is often a one-person show. It’s important to know that there is help available when you need it. Here are a few tips to find assistance:

Hold a family meeting

Discuss the many different caregiving tasks that need to be accomplished each day or week. Set mutual expectations of how the many tasks of caregiving will be accomplished.

Get the facts and avoid surprises

Discuss what financial plans have been made if your parents become ill or incapacitated.

Ask for assistance

Call resources such as the local Area Agency on Aging, a hospital social worker, a physician, or another trusted advisor. Home care agencies, like Partners in Healthcare, can also help by providing some much needed in-home care or respite care when you need it most.

Our care team will work with you to discuss your needs and the needs of your loved ones in order to create the best possible plan of care for your particular situation.