Summer Heat Awareness

Due to the heat, summer months (particularly July and August) can be a very difficult and uncomfortable time for the elderly. Of foremost concern are aging parents with chronic illnesses and/or those who take certain medications.

The biggest dangers for seniors are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Watch for light headed-ness and symptoms of fatigue.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

— Drinks lots of cool water even when you’re not thirsty. You can dilute water with a 50/50 mix of natural fruit juices if you desire a change. Avoid alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, sports and energy drinks, coffee, cola, and caffeinated drinks. Caffeine is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration.

— Stay out of the blazing sun or heat whenever possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and try to go out early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler.

— Wear a hat and loose fitting, comfortable clothes with materials like cotton, linen, and silk. Avoid synthetic fabrics as they retain heat and may make you more uncomfortable. Also, dark colors absorb the heat – so stay with lighter colored clothing from the wardrobe closet.

— Take advantage of air conditioning or cool places like shopping malls, libraries, movie theaters, etc. A brief rest stop to cool down can be very helpful.

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Danger of Family Denials

When elderly parents, and family members, are in denial…they often put aside and discard evidence pointing to urgent problems. They refuse to accept the real state of health. And, they do not prepare properly and realistically for end of life.

Here are some issues to consider as we all inevitably age…

1.) Have your legal papers in order: Specifically, establish contact points with your elderly parents and family with a designated “Power of Attorney” (POA). Any hospital will request this document, but also the local bank and utility company. It establishes who can speak on behalf of an incapacitated adult.

2.) If family is not involved, then who? When family members are in denial, they can not advocate for elderly parents. This may get turned over to someone outside the family, which can create tension within the family…as well as a financial burden.

3.) Denial can escalate family conflicts. Differences, real or imagined, can produce arguments, tension, and frustrations. A split within the family means that some are picking up all the chores and responsibilities…while others refuse to help. Communication can become strained.

4.) Finances, including net worth and investments, are traditionally private matters. But if older adults are no longer mentally competent, these financials might be mismanaged and losses can result.

5.) Denial can lead to avoidance. And time is a finite resource. Which means family spends less time with elderly parents rather than more time. This is a lost opportunity to create family bonds and memories. Some small interaction may provide a lasting image and memory.

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Elder Denial and Aging

“You don’t need to worry about it…I can do it myself”.

How many times have you heard such a statement from your elderly parents?

The subject of conversation could be almost anything. Have you cut the lawn? Have you had breakfast/lunch or dinner? Are you due for medications? Need help with errands, or laundry, or paying some bills?

Elders may be in denial as to their ability to properly function. And while we don’t want to take these functions away from them – especially if they remain able to complete the task at hand and live with some degree of independence – they may be denying the truth. They will not make themselves lunch. They have not taken their medications.

Seniors can hurt themselves, or others, when they deny the truth. If your loved one tries to do everything as they’ve always done, but in reality they require supervision, they are bound to hurt themselves or others. It could be a fender-bender in the supermarket parking lot; or heat exhaustion and possible heart attack from cutting the lawn. Or confusion from lack of food and too many prescription pills. Finally, if the “well spouse” has memory impairment, and he/she is caring for elderly partner, there may be unintentional harm.

— If a loved one has memory impairment, he or she will more than likely not be eating a healthy and nutritional diet. Poor nourishment, and lack of hydration, can quickly create problems. Meal planning, and grocery shopping, requires time and attention. Not to mention proper food preparation. Always a good idea to scan the food in the refrigerator, and boxes/cans stored in cabinets. Has anything been kept too long?

— Seniors and driving accidents. Elders lose reflexes, hearing, and eyesight. This may result in bumping up over the curb, or scraping another nearby vehicle. But auto accidents can be catastrophic. Pedestrians and innocent bystanders could be hurt. As well as the elderly driver.

— Elderly can overdose on medications. And many times the reason is simple…they can’t remember when or how many pills they took. So they double up on quantities when they do remind themselves about pill time. Increasingly, many elders are ingesting a dozen or more pills over the course of a day. This can be very, very difficult to keep track of for elderly parents and family members.

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Home Care is Most Affordable Option

Re-posting a recent home care industry blog…

For years now, home care has been a more affordable option than any other type of senior care. Compared to the services available in nursing homes and assisted living residences, the cost for home care can be significantly less (although this may vary by state) and more controllable.

As the Baby Boomer generation closes in on retirement age, there is expected to be an increased demand for these types of support systems for growing numbers of seniors. As men and women live longer than ever, they also often face increased health risks, physical limitations, and other challenges.

Some of these seniors may require a minimal level of care and support at home while others might demand full-time, around the clock care from home care aides, visiting nurses, and other medical professionals.

Home health care can encompass many aspects of care and support, including the aforementioned visiting nurses, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and home care aides. It is designed to meet patients’ needs, and is adjustable based on each patient. There can be several payer sources including private pay, limited Medicare, some specific veteran pension benefits, and long term care insurance.

Home care aides are ideally suited to provide lower cost support and care for seniors and disabled adults. They don’t require medical training and, depending on the agency or other home care provider, they may not require any prior experience, but their physical and emotional support for these seniors is often immeasurable.

Each person is different and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to home care services. With regard to nursing home care and other options, seniors who may only require minimal care could find themselves in an uncomfortable environment that is far more costly than if they remained home, perhaps in a home they’d lived for many years.

More and more seniors are realizing the value of home care support for basic assistance and even companionship, and with private financial sources, they can be relied upon for anything the elderly client may need. It can be ideal for helping the senior get out of bed, to go to the store, or even assistance preparing breakfast, for example.

The cost factor of home care continues to make it a far better option, according to many, than any other type of elderly care.

Market Trends in Aging, part 2

Market trends to be aware of as the life expectancy of our elderly parents continues to change the population demographic in the U.S.

— Financial assets, and debt: According to a recent market report, elders age 75+ average approximately $150,000 in assets. But the average 65-year-old enters retirement years with outstanding debt from mortgages and helping with children educational expenses.

— According to AARP, 117 million Americans are expected to need assistance of some kind by 2020. This is roughly 1/3 of U.S. population.

— Personal Emergency products, such as mobile devices (example, watches or pendents worn by elderly) will begin to combine smart technology (health history) with predictive analytics in an effort to prevent future injury and avoid re-hospitalization.

— Current projections indicate there will be a shortage of care staff or available family members to provide home care services to the tidal wave of elderly in future years.

— Independent senior living communities are increasingly being asked to provide services out of their area of expertise, and much different from their original business offering. More and more seniors are aging in place. And taking care of a frail elderly population requires much more staff support and expense than “independent” living.

— More and more physicians will begin to offer home “visitation” services. In addition, they will utilize “tele-health”, incorporating video conferencing or mobile apps which will enable some level of diagnosis and quick results without the requirement of an office visit.

— Old dogs may need to learn new tricks. To efficiently utilize some technologies to best advantage, many elders will need “training” to keep up with device usage.

— Health Care Reform Act: It may not get any cheaper. Recently, a major health insurance provider announced they were stepping away from this business…due to lack of profits. If big business can’t make a profit, it will lessen the number of players providing services…which will drive up cost and pricing, or simply limit coverage options, for enrolled consumers.

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Trends in Aging Population

Population and demographic shifts…technology improvements…financial restrictions…all are areas effected by our changing marketplace. I will highlight various trends taking shape in my next two blog entries.

– The healthcare industry continues to grow. Some projections forecast greater than 25% growth for next 5 – 7 years, which means various services will expand. It also places a burden on Medicare to cut back, tighten restrictions, and push for efficient care deliveries.

– Technology usage will expand. Data analysis will help patients understand their care options. It will also help provide more efficient care monitoring and staff coverage.

– Registered nurses will remain in demand in the work force. Not only in large population centers, but also regional hubs where communities are partnering to create efficient and timely services and delivery systems.

– The labor force is changing, and the duties are shifting. Nurses may choose an early retirement lifestyle. But the rise of nurse practitioners to assist overburdened physicians will continue. Nurses will be needed to help support duties that were previously handled by physicians.

– The senior population, ages 75 or older, is becoming more and more comfortable with the internet and information access. Many more seniors are comfortable utilizing computers, cell phone, tablets, etc. Also, the delivery infrastructure (browsers, speed, data delivery) continues to improve and simplify.

– Elders aging in place is a necessity. There will never be enough assisted living or nursing home facilities to absorb our ever growing senior population. Further, the services once provided by assisted living have become outdated…because the elderly residents have become much more needy as they have grown old and frail.
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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Cholesterol and Dangers for Elderly

When elderly parents — or any of us — get a blood test for cholesterol, the laboratory takes measures on levels of High Cholesterol (HDL), and Low Cholesterol (LDL). The total combined number for HDL and LDL should, optimally, be below 200 milligrams per a defined unit of blood (deciliter, or dL of blood). Anything above that could indicate high cholesterol. At the same time, the specific numbers are important: having HDL below 40 milligrams/dL for men, and below 50 milligrams/dL for women, can actually increase the risk of heart disease. (Remember, HDL is “good” cholesterol.)

High cholesterol in the blood has no symptoms. People don’t generally experience any symptoms from high cholesterol in and of itself, therefore many people don’t even know their cholesterol is too high. For seniors, it’s particularly important to get screened for high cholesterol. Cholesterol levels rise as we age. Particularly, women’s LDL levels tend to increase after menopause.

Old age is one of many risk factors. People who smoke cigarettes, or have high blood pressure, or a family history of early heart disease can also affect LDL levels. For older adults with high cholesterol, it’s critically important to work with a physician to determine a goal for lower LDL and healthy lifestyle habits.

Lowering cholesterol has a huge effect on cardiovascular health. High levels of LDL (“bad”), combined with some of the above mentioned risk factors, can increase the likelihood of heart disease or heart attack. At the same time, appropriately high levels of good (HDL) cholesterol can help protect against heart attack, stroke and even dementia.

There are some prescribed medications which can help to lower cholesterol levels. But, with or without medications,a healthy lifestyle and regular screenings are key to maintaining desirable cholesterol levels.

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Cholesterol

What is cholesterol? And why should we all pay attention?

We all carry cholesterol, which is a waxy, fat-like substance – made by the liver and found in some foods – that circulates in the bloodstream and is vital to the body’s healthy functioning.

A high level of cholesterol is unhealthy, but most of the time there are no symptoms. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 102 million American adults have cholesterol levels above the healthy range. This can be a silent killer for many.

Too much cholesterol in the blood can be dangerous to your heart and blood circulatory system. A diagnosis of high cholesterol levels may be a significant risk to our vascular health, and possibly put your body at risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. This waxy substance can build up in arteries and veins, and clog blood flow and circulation.

There are two kinds of cholesterol.

— High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is also called “good” cholesterol, and it actually helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries, as well as helping protect against heart attack and stroke.
— Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, is the main source of high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol has two sources. The body produces about 75% of blood cholesterol, and the other 25% comes from food sources — primarily animal products. The cholesterol produced by the liver is enough to support bodily processes like digestion. However, some people inherit genes that cause their bodies to make too much cholesterol.

High cholesterol can be detected with a simple blood test, and it is generally a good practice to have this test done at your annual physical. Our elder population is a “high risk” segment for circulatory problems, and may be advised to test more frequently.

Efforts to reduce or lower cholesterol may require lifestyle changes, including:

— Regular physical activity
— Weight management
— Not smoking
— Heart-healthy diet
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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Ten Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Re-posting a blog post from ElderCare Matters. I hear this question frequently, and this is a quick and simple explanation…
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What are some early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are often confused as being the same, but they’re not. Dementia describes a set of symptoms that include degraded memory, reasoning, and thinking. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes dementia, but dementia can also be caused by other conditions.

One of the challenges with identifying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is that memory problems naturally increase with age. It’s important then to distinguish age-related memory changes from memory problems that interfere with daily life.

Here are ten early warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

— Uncharacteristic changes in mood and personality
— Withdrawal from work or social activities
— Decreased or poor judgment
— Misplacing things, unable to retrace steps
— New problems with words in speaking or writing
— Trouble understanding visual signs
— Confusion with time or place
— Difficulty completing tasks
— Challenges in solving problems
— Memory loss that disrupts daily life

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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

Prepare for Elderly Transitions

Are you ready to care for your aging parents?

According to a recent poll, almost half of our population have taken no steps, and made no plans, to care for elderly parents or family members. Take notice…the time will arrive for all of us. Realistically, this results in an emotionally charged scramble as a reaction to a parental emergency.

Take some time to prepare for an elderly parent and health issues. Get a handle on legal documents, bank accounts, savings and investment and professional contacts who can help the family gain access to your parents’ financial planning.

Is there a trusted financial advisor who has worked with your aging parents? Most investment strategies will change after retirement. Get an understanding as to resources, and any investment vehicles which may provide retirement income. Investments and stock portfolio, 401(k) or Roth IRA funds, veterans benefits, social security, long-term care insurance and government assistance such as Medicare and Medicaid, are all possible resources to investigate. Last week, I attended a seminar on long term planning…and there are certainly some creative annuity products in the marketplace to assist in generating retirement income.

Can your parents remain in their own home? Or are they interested in moving into a senior community? Once you understand the type of living situation and care level needed, you can set a budget and find sources of income to help pay for elder needs.

Get your family talking and develop relationships with the professionals who can make this otherwise difficult life transition a confident and positive one.
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– John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at: (781) 378-2164; email: jdmiller@homecarepartners.biz ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com