WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF CAREGIVER BURNOUT?

If you are acting as an in home caregiver for your loved one, you must be sure to take care of yourself as well in order to avoid in home caregiver burnout. Being a senior in home caregiver can be demanding, exhausting, and confusing. Family members who provide homecare assistance to loved ones can begin neglecting their own needs in favor of meeting those of their loved one.

Watch this video to learn about the early warning signs of home caregiver burnout. Three experienced senior in home caregivers discuss their experiences providing homecare assistance to clients.

If you are ready to hire a professional home caregiver near Gilbert, AZ, come see us at Endeavor Senior In Home Care. We provide experienced, talented in home caregivers to families with a variety of needs and goals. To schedule an appointment or ask questions, call us today at (877) 584-6162.

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S REALLY LIKE?

Despite the best intentions to provide in home care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, struggles to understand what the disease is really like can lead to frustration. In this video, see what happens when someone providing home care for a loved with Alzheimer’s disease finds out what it is really like to experience the symptoms.

By simulating the mental confusion of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as vision problems and arthritis that are common in seniors, this son who was caring for his mother with the disease experienced the challenges and isolation himself. Researchers are able to provide these experiences to those providing elderly home care to increase understanding and reducing frustration.

At Endeavor Senior In Home Care, we can help your family provide the compassionate senior in home care in Phoenix, AZ, that he or she deserves. Find out more by calling (877) 584-6162.

Scottsdale Home Care Experts Help Families Recognize Signs of Elder Abuse

To most people, abusing or neglecting an elderly person is an unthinkable act. Still, according to the Administration on Aging, hundreds of thousands of seniors are abused, neglected, and exploited every year. Elder abuse can come in many forms, from physical to emotional, and many victims are frail, vulnerable individuals who depend on others to meet their most basic needs.

Because elder abuse is often a silent problem, with victims rarely reporting their own abuse due to fear or cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia, it is very important for families and friends of seniors to be aware of the signs and symptoms of elder abuse in order to protect their elderly loved ones. Our Scottsdale home care experts have compiled some of the telltale signs that may indicate elder abuse.

Physical Abuse:

  • Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two sides of the body
  • Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
  • Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly (a prescription has more remaining than it should)
  • Broken eyeglasses or frames
  • Signs of being restrained, such as marks on the wrists
  • Family member’s refusal to allow the senior to be seen alone

Emotional Abuse:

  • Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that is witnessed, such as:
    • Yelling at or threatening the senior
    • Humiliation or ridicule
    • Ignoring the senior
    • Isolating the senior from friends and family
  • Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself

Neglect:

  • Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
  • Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
  • Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
  • Being left dirty or unbathed
  • Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather
  • Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)
  • Desertion of the senior at a public place

It’s important to remember that, at first, you might not recognize the signs of elder abuse. They may appear to be symptoms of dementia or signs of the elderly person’s frailty, or a caregiver may explain them to you that way. Family members should make a point to call and visit their elderly loved ones often and be on the lookout for any changes in a senior loved one’s personality or behavior. If any signs of elder abuse are witnessed or suspected, they should be reported immediately.

Contact Endeavor Home Care today to learn more about how we can provide the best care for seniors in Scottsdale and many other Arizona and provide much needed respite to family caregivers to protect against abuse. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened and trained and are supervised by nurses.  We also provide helpful, consistent communication to the family members of our clients through regular reporting of care goals, technology to connect you with your loved one via FaceTime or video chat, as well as 24/7 online access to care information through our Family Room portal to ensure that you always know how your loved one is doing.

A FAMILY’S GUIDE TO DEMENTIA BEHAVIORS

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When you are providing in home care for a loved one with dementia, it is natural to find his or her behavior confusing at times. Knowing how to deal with common dementia behaviors can relieve stress for both you and your elderly loved one. Here is a look at some common behaviors that people with dementia display and how you can cope as a caregiver.

Agitation

Agitation is a common problem even in early stages of dementia, and it often gets worse as dementia progresses. It is frequently triggered by fear, fatigue, and restrictions that makes sufferers feel as though they are losing control. Agitation may manifest as sleeplessness, irritability, and both verbal and physical aggression. These behaviors are particularly common during the evening hours and are referred to as sundowning when they occur at this time. You can keep agitation under control by reducing stimuli that could be irritating, such as high noise levels, and cutting sugar and caffeine intake. Encourage as much independence as possible, and try to stick to a routine. Soft music, walks, and gentle touching can help ease agitation.

Paranoia

People with dementia may become convinced that someone is stealing from them or that there are other conspiracies planned to harm them in some way. Avoid arguing about accusations, and remind other family members to resist doing so. You can ease paranoia by helping your loved one look for missing items or ensuring he or she keeps a small amount of money in a specific place that he or she can check frequently.

Wandering

People with dementia wander for a number of reasons, from boredom to attempts to stave off hunger and thirst. Because wandering can be especially dangerous, consider fitting doors with locks that need keys to be opened from the inside or adding a home monitoring system. Consider daily exercise to help your loved one feel less restless.

The home care providers at Endeavor Senior In Home Care are trained to recognize and respond to dementia behaviors safely and with compassion. Find out how we can help you meet your needs for in home care in Mesa, AZ, by calling (877) 584-6162.

HOW ENDEAVOR CAN ASSIST YOUR FAMILY

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Meeting the home care needs of a loved one is challenging for families. Fortunately, Endeavor Senior In Home Care is here to help. We provide qualified, in-home assistance for a variety of care needs, from dementia care to companionship. If you are looking for senior care assistance in the greater Phoenix area, here are some of the services we offer that could meet your Scottsdale in home care needs.

Companionship Care

Loneliness is a serious health concern for seniors, but family members aren’t always able to be as present as they would like because of other responsibilities. Our senior companions can stop by and visit your loved one each day to help with things like meal preparation, transportation, and light housekeeping. They can even provide medical reminders and grooming assistance and participate in your loved one’s favorite hobbies. Companionship care is offered as a standalone service or can be combined with other in home care services as needed.

Dementia Care

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming, but help is available. Our dementia caregivers are trained in meeting the specific needs of these patients and can provide both care and emotional support to sufferers and their families. With our help, your loved one can maintain as much independence as possible, which eases agitation and paranoia, while family members can concentrate on enjoying their loved one instead of feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of dementia care.

Post-Surgical Care

The transition from the hospital to home after surgery can be difficult, and proper care during this period is an essential part of recovery. Our aides provide post-surgical care to help your loved one focus on getting well after a surgical procedure without the need for family members to take off from work or worry about leaving a loved one home alone when his or her mobility may be reduced.

Endeavor Senior In Home Care offers these services and a range of others so that families can put together the appropriate Scottsdale in home care assistance and beyond for their loved one’s needs. Contact us today at (877) 584-6162 and learn more about in home care.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VA AID AND ATTENDANCE PROGRAM

Elder Person

Seniors who are veterans may be able to take advantage of the VA Aid & Attendance Program to cover the costs of a number of in home care needs. This VA pension benefit pays for basic in home care, in-home assistance with daily needs—such as meal preparation and housekeeping, and in home care for dementia and Parkinson’s disease. This pension benefits also applies to spouses of veterans.

To qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance Program, you or your spouse must be over 65 and have served in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or the Gulf War. The VA approves all benefits independent of care agencies, but once they are granted, veterans and their spouses can use these benefits to pay for up to 20 hours of care services per week as well as expenses related to care.

Endeavor Senior In Home Care is pleased to take part in this important program for our nation’s veterans. For a free assessment of your eligibility for this benefit for in home care in Phoenix, AZ, call us today at (877) 584-6162.