adult children talking with professional

Caring for Elderly Parents: The Benefits of an Elder Mediator

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adult children talking with professional

If you need help caring for aging parents with your siblings, contact an elder mediator!

When caring for elderly parents, even tightknit siblings can struggle to work together to fulfill their parents’ care needs. Levels of stress and emotions are, needless to say, running high. Couple that with your past family history and dynamics, which have a tendency to resurface during difficult times, and it’s not hard to see how difficult this stage in life can be for all of you. Read more

Caregiver talking with senior

How Caregivers Can Help Some Common Causes of Senior Incontinence

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Caregiver talking with senior

Learn how to help an aging adult ease senior incontinence.

For aging adults, reduced bladder control, or senior incontinence, is an unsettling and sensitive issue. It can result in a number of problems, from skin sores to social isolation for individuals who are afraid to leave home in case of an “accident.” Bladder leakage affects more than 25 million Americans, and yet, the condition does not receive nearly as much attention as it needs. With the lack of communication and information about senior incontinence, many older adults and those who provide their care feel as though there is nothing that can be done about it. Read more

Elderly Care in Mesa AZ: Finding the Best Doctor

Finding the Best Doctor for Your Mom’s Changing Health Needs

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As your mom gets older, her medical needs may change. At one point, her visits to the doctor would have been geared toward OB/GYN care and yearly medical exams. Now, she needs to have her bone density checked. She might need memory care visits or help with proper nutrition as she ages. She could be moving to be closer to you and needs a doctor nearby.

If your mom has outgrown her doctor or needs one in a new location, she’s not alone. Moving her to another doctor who specializes in elder care is a big change, but it can be a beneficial change. If you need to make a change, here are some ways to make the transition go smoothly.

 

Read Reviews

Look online for reviews. You can get a feel for a doctor’s personality and skill. Remember that people may emphasize the bad. See if there are follow-up reviews to get a full picture.

Look for patterns. If you find a doctor has dozens of reviews saying there are billing errors, it’s likely that’s true. If there are dozens of reviews calling the doctor friendly and approachable and one that says the doctor is standoffish, it’s more likely that the friendly and approachable aspect is true.

Read reviews in several spots. Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Healthgrades are all places to start. Look specifically for verified reviews that prove the reviewer really did see that doctor.

 

Ask for Referrals

If your mom likes her doctor, ask that doctor for a referral. The doctor may not specialize in geriatric care but knows someone who. Ask friends and family members for suggestions, too. When you have suggestions, start reading reviews.

 

Look at Office Hours

There’s a doctor in the right area who gets great reviews. You look at the office hours and the doctor is only at that location until noon. That might not be convenient if you’re the person who drives your mom to appointments and works during the week.

 

Schedule an Introductory Meeting

Schedule a meeting to meet the new doctor. Your mom can ask questions and make sure she likes the new doctor. If there is a personality clash, it’s better to know before you schedule a full medical exam.

With a doctor you and your mom can trust, a caregiver can cover the aspect of socialization when aging at home. Elder care services like companionship and transportation ensure your mom is able to spend time with other seniors and with someone each day at home.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring elderly care in Mesa or the surrounding area, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Elder Care in Gilbert AZ: Risk for Developing a UTI

Is Your Senior at Increased Risk for Developing a UTI?

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Urinary tract infections are some of the most common infections experienced by people of all ages, but maybe a particular risk for older adults.

As a family caregiver, it is important to identify the particular risk factors that your senior has so you can take steps to reduce these risks and protect your parent from such an infection, and potentially serious consequences that can result.

 

Some of the factors that may increase the risk for your senior to develop a urinary tract infection include:

  • Being a woman
  • Being older, as the risk for suffering a UTI increases with age
  • Diminished mobility such as after experiencing surgery or a procedure that requires extended bed rest
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Use of a catheter
  • Kidney stones
  • Enlargement of the prostate
  • Poor hygiene
  • Dehydration

 

If you are concerned that your aging parent is at increased risk for developing a UTI and want to help them to reduce this risk, starting home care can be a good idea.

A home care provider can be with your parent to help them manage their risk factors effectively and to detect if they may be struggling with a UTI. This can include encouraging them to stay well-hydrated, helping them eat a good diet, and providing support while bathing and managing incontinence. Talk to their doctor about other ways you can help protect your parent from a UTI so you are prepared to take these steps, but also to care for your senior should such an infection arise.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be one of the most meaningful decisions you ever make in your life. It can also be challenging, and even overwhelming. You may find that your senior’s needs are more extensive than you thought they would be, or that your schedule and personal limitations are more influential than you expected. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to give your parent the care they need, or that they will be without this care. Starting home care for them can be a fantastic way to ensure your senior gets access to the care, support, and assistance they need on a daily basis, while also enabling you to participate in their care as much as you can. This eases your stress and promotes better health and well-being for both of you and your aging parent.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Mesa in-home care or care in the surrounding areas, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Elderly Care in Mesa AZ: Parent Cataracts Risks

Can You Protect Your Parent from Cataracts?

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June is Cataract Awareness Month.

As a family caregiver, this is an ideal opportunity for you to take steps to help reduce the risk your parent will suffer from cataracts. While there is no sure way to completely prevent the development of cataracts, taking certain steps can reduce the risk, and can even slow the development of them.

 

Some ways you can help to protect your aging parent’s vision by reducing the risk of cataracts include:

● Encourage your aging parent to visit their eye doctor regularly. Regular visits allow a doctor to monitor your parent’s eye health and detect changes that could indicate the earliest stages of cataracts. This enables them to recommend a treatment and management approach that is right for your senior parent.

● If your parents smoke, encourage them to stop. Smoking increases the pressure within the eye and is shown to increase the risk of developing cataracts as well as other eye health issues. Talk to the doctor about safe and effective ways they can quit smoking.

● Work with your parent to make sure they are managing their other health problems effectively. If they are suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure, for example, their risk for developing cataracts is increased. Not managing these health issues effectively further increases this risk, and can also put them at greater risk of more serious consequences. the personalized services of an elderly care provider can be instrumental in assisting at your parent with proper management of their health issues.

● Make sure your parent wears sunglasses anytime they will be exposed to the sun. Look for sunglasses with broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. Glasses that curve around the sides of the eyes and the feature of large lenses are most effective at blocking rays that may come from an angle or above.

● Encourage your aging parent to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants contained within these foods can protect eye health and reduce the risk of problems such as cataracts.

The low vision that can result from cataracts and other eye health problems can make a dramatic difference in your parents quality of life, health, and safety.

Fortunately, starting elderly care for them can be a highly effective and meaningful way to help your parent cope with these issues. An elderly home care services provider can be in the home with your senior on a customized schedule to provide highly personalized services designed to help your parent cope with diminished vision while still maintaining as much independence and activity as possible. Services such as physical support and assistance, help with personal care tasks and housekeeping tasks, and support in making good lifestyle choices can help your parent to stay safer and healthier even as they cope with eye health problems and vision limitations.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elderly Care in Mesa, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://lasik.ucla.edu

Senior Care in Chandler AZ: Senior Social Contributions

5 Ways Older Adults Can Contribute to Society 

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May is Older Americans Month, a month dedicated to celebrating older adults and the many ways they contribute to the world.

According to President Donald Trump’s proclamation, the month is a time to “recognize and celebrate those Americans who have spent decades providing for the next generation and building the greatness of our Nation. Finding ways to contribute can give seniors a sense of purpose and something to look forward to each day. If your aging relative could use a sense of purpose, below are five ways to get them involved. Contact us at 480-498-2324 for help with senior loved ones.

 

#1 Volunteering

Research shows that older adults who volunteer usually live longer and experience less disability than those who do not volunteer. There are so many needs in any given community that it’s possible to find a volunteer position for nearly any older adult. Some things an older adult could do are:

  • Check out customers at non-profit thrift stores.
  • Rock and cuddle babies in the hospital NICU.
  • Socialize cats or puppies at the humane society.
  • Read with or tutor children.
  • Donate their skills to a Habitat for Humanity build.
  • Serve food at a homeless shelter.

 

#2 Mentoring Young People

Younger people can benefit from learning from older adults with more life experience. You may be able to find opportunities for mentoring through local schools and youth-oriented non-profit organizations. Sometimes churches have mentoring programs as well.

 

#3 Share Information About the Past

Seniors have a unique perspective on the past that younger generations do not. Sharing their stories can be an excellent way for younger people to learn about history. One way they can share the information is by volunteering to give tours at a museum or work as a guide at a living history museum.

 

#4 Teach Fading Skills

Many older adults know how to do things that younger people don’t, such as canning, wood carving, and leatherworking. These are skills that aren’t widely taught but are still valuable. An older adult could volunteer to teach a class or participate in a seminar that shares these skills. Places to do this might be the local library, school, or a community college.

 

#5 Share Their Wisdom

If your aging relative is looking for a less formal way to get involved, simply sharing their wisdom with younger family members is also valuable. This doesn’t mean they have to be bossy or offer unwanted advice, but they could simply take the time to talk to grandchildren or other young relatives about their life experiences.

Home care can assist older adults to engage in activities that allow them to make a contribution. Home care providers can help seniors find fitting volunteer positions. They can also drive the older adult to the places where they volunteer. Home care providers can also help seniors to prepare for activities by assisting them to gather materials they need for classes or seminars or preparing the house for visitors.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Chandler, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call (480) 535-6800.

Sources:

https://oam.acl.gov/

 

Homecare in Phoenix AZ: Time to See a Doctor?

Is It a Rash or Something Else? Tips for Determining if It’s Time to See a Doctor

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Skin rashes are a tricky issue. You don’t want to dismiss it. Your parent doesn’t want to pay for an unnecessary doctor’s visit. They think the rash will clear up. You’re worried. Here are tips on knowing when to see a doctor.

 

Has Anything Changed

Many rashes are allergic reactions to something new. Has your parent changed soaps or skin creams recently? Is the laundry detergent or fabric softener a new formulation or brand? Has your mom or dad started a new medication? Did they eat a food they’d never had before?

If your parent has been gardening, the rash may be from exposure to a plant like poison ivy or bug bites. If the rash has a white center surrounded by a bright red circle, it could be a deer tick bite. Seek medical care in case it is Lyme disease.

With an allergic reaction to new skin care products, detergents, or fabric softeners, try a cream designed for rashes. Benadryl cream is one to try. If the rash clears up, you’ll know it was a reaction. Try to find unscented, mild products designed for sensitive skin.

 

Are There Other Symptoms?

You see the rash, but are there other symptoms? Does your parent have a fever? If so, it could be a disease that needs medical attention. It could also be an infection. Are there blisters or open sores? If so, it could lead to an infection that needs medical attention. Is your parent complaining of pain? It could be shingles and need medical attention.

 

Make Medical Care a Priority

If you can get your parent to see a doctor, it’s better to be safe. In some elderly patients, a trip to the doctor is incredibly stressful. That stress can often be worse than the actual rash.

Call your mom or dad’s doctor for advice. Be prepared to describe where the rash is and if it is blistered or simply just small red bumps. The medical office may suggest you wait a day or two and see what happens. If it worsens, you’d need to seek medical care.

 

It Helps to Know the Situation Leading to the Rash

When your parent lives alone, you might not know what led to the rash. This makes it hard to understand what may have caused the rash. With elderly care services, you have a caregiver around to see what your mom or dad drank, ate, and did. It can make pinpointing a rash’s cause easier.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Homecare in Phoenix, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.

Home Care in Scottsdale: Do You Know Why Your Aging Loved-One Isn't Bathing?

Do You Know Why Your Senior is Avoiding Bathing?

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Many more aging adults than you might think, avoid bathing alone. Your senior might have developed some workarounds that have kept you from noticing that anything has changed. The sooner that you figure out what’s creating the situation, the sooner you can resolve it.

Pain Can Be a Big Contributing Factor

If it’s painful for your aging family member to bend, stand, or sit for too long, then bathing or showering can actually hurt, too. Pain is a big reason that people avoid specific activities. She might not share this information with you because it can be embarrassing to admit that something that she has done for years is now something that she avoids because it hurts too badly.

Fear Is Also a Motivator

As embarrassing as it is to admit that bathing hurts, it can be just as embarrassing to admit that there’s anything about bathing that makes your senior afraid. A fear of falling or of becoming incapacitated when in the shower or tub can make your aging family member avoid bathing. She may also become afraid that she can’t get out of the tub herself or that bathing will be uncomfortable for her.

Bathing Could Simply Be Inconvenient or Exhausting

Depending on your elderly family member’s health conditions, bathing can be inconvenient or even extremely tiring for her. If that’s the case, then she may also become afraid that she could wear herself out in the bath and be unable to get out. For so many reasons, she may simply think it’s better to save her energy and to avoid bathing or showering completely.

Get to the Bottom of the Issue

If you even suspect that your elderly family member is avoiding bath time, it’s time to get to the root cause. You can get help with bathing and other personal care tasks from home care providers. They can also help you to spot the signs that can lead you to the full cause of the issues that your elderly family member is having. It’s not always one cut and dry problem that is making issues. It’s often a combination of situations that add up and create a bigger problem.

Once you know why bathing has become such an issue for your elderly family member, you can start to find solutions that will work for her and for you. Getting used to those solutions might take some time, so remember to be patient and don’t push your elderly family member to adapt too quickly.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Scottsdale, please contact the caring staff at Endeavor Home Care today. Call  (480) 535-6800.