Solutions for Seniors

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior's podcast.Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThe last couples' weeks I've been talking a lot about memory loss in our aging loved ones. Memory loss can be cause by so many different things that are curable and others unfortunately are uncurable. Has your aging loved one been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's? I'm sure some of the first things that come to your mind are….. Is dementia and Alzheimer's the same thing? What makes them different between them? Those are totally normal thoughts, so I'll help you understand the difference of the two diagnoses.The difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's is, Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Dementia is not.Dementia overviewDementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementia exist, and many conditions cause it. Mixed dementia is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.Dementia isn't just about simple memory mishaps -- like forgetting someone's name or where you parked. Types of DementiaVascular dementiaDementia with Lewy bodies:Mixed dementiaFrontotemporal dementia (FTD)Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)Huntington's disease: Normal pressure hydrocephalus: Alzheimer's overviewAlzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.As Alzheimer's advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing and walking become difficult. There is no way to prevent, cure or even slow Alzheimer's disease.Though the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's is increasing age, the disease is not a normal part of aging. And though most people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older, approximately 200,000 Americans under 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.Treating Alzheimer's Disease vs. Other Types of DementiaI hope this episode has helped you and your aging loved one with understanding the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia. If you have any questions, you can always reach out for support. Help and support are availableIf you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to millions of people affected by the disease.Call our 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior's podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThis week I'm going to be talking about how to help control confusion in your aging loved one as they age. It is common for family members and their caregivers to notice changes in behavior, and cognitive abilities, over time. But when these shifts happen unexpectedly, a family caregiver might view the behavior as irrational or paranoid. But, for the senior experiencing the confusion, it is very real. Because of this there are many who find themselves getting in family arguments about controlling confusion in their aging loved one. A change in your loved one's behavior could be due to an undiagnosed cognitive impairment. Sometimes these manifests themselves as fears and worries. Or there may be complaints and confusion. In more extreme cases, shifts can be signifiers of dementia.As a family member going through this reach out to a personal counselor and talk through difficulties. You don't have to go through this alone. Discuss issues with a professional and find ways to connect with other caregivers. Find local support groups and encourage other family members to attend with you. Controlling confusion means a group of people are working toward a better situation, together for your aging loved one.Evaluate Cognitive Health of your aging loved one.Focus on Emotional Connections with your aging loved one. Reach Out for Support from others that has been in this position or are going through it currently. If you are concerned about your aging loved one in your life or if you are a caregiver caring for a senior and have seen changes in behavior and personality, know there is help available. Changes in behavior can occur for a variety of reasons. It is important to seek help and find solutions for you and your family. Thank you so much for joining me this week. I know that confusion and anxiety in our aging loved ones can be scary and unpredictable, but following what I've talked about today and finding the personal touch that works with your aging loved one can make a world of difference for you and your aging loved one.  Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.  

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior's podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee What's normal memory loss?  We've all had it happen – forgetting someone's name or not being able to find the right word at the right time. Maybe you've missed an appointment or misplace the TV remote. Some memory loss is only natural with age, but the question is often asked – is this just normal aging, or is it the start of something much bigger? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?While minor memory loss is common with aging, it is not inevitable. Dementia, on the other hand, is generally a progressive condition originating in a specific disease or neurological disorder. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.So, when should we start to be concerned?·       Are they having trouble handling multi-stepped or ongoing tasks? ·       Forgetfulness interferes with their daily life. ·       They can't seem to find the right words. ·       They experience problems retracing their steps. ·       They lose their sense of place and time. It's also important to listen to those closest to your aging loved one if they voice concerns about forgetfulness or mention that your aging loved one has asked the same question repeatedly. Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?Can you do anything about it?1.    Collect detailed information. 2.    Encourage your aging loved one to keep track of changes in their communication, daily functions and memories. 3.    If your aging loved one can accept the diagnosis or is aware of the dementia symptoms, be honest and supportive. 4.    Start small. 5. Tell your aging loved one that you are on their team and that you want what is best for them.  Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has helped you feel comfortable talking to your aging loved one if you notice any memory decline in your aging loved one. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior's podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee With the weather getting warmer every day, there's no doubt that summer is fast approaching. The summer can be a great time for relaxing with family and enjoying the nice weather. But it can also be dangerous for our aging loved ones if we don't take the proper precautions. Summer Safety Tips For SeniorsYour body works hard every day to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat forces your body to work harder than normal, which often is the root cause of heat-related illness. Essentially the heat forces your body to work beyond its limits. For senior citizens, this can be a dangerous – and even deadly – problem.Typically, heat-related illnesses are a direct result of prolonged exposure to the sun. This includes simple sunburns, heat exhaustion and sometimes even heat stroke. There are many different ways to combat this from happening, however, some of which are very simple and easy to do. Here are some of the easiest ways to help our aging loved ones stay safe from the heat this summer:Drink plenty of water. Protect their skin. Limit strenuous activity and exercise. Take frequent breaks to cool down. Check on your friends and family.  Our bodies are over seventy percent water, so the importance of drinking enough H2O goes far beyond cooling down on a hot day or quenching your thirst. The human body needs to be properly hydrated to function. Not enough water can affect things like muscle function, joint and brain protection, immune health, digestion and even mood. 6 Important Reasons to Keep Hydrated this SummerHere are just a few reasons it's important to get your eight* glasses of water a day!1.    Keep Bladder and Kidneys Healthy 2.    Weight Control 3.    The Fountain of Youth 4.    Maintaining Energy Levels 5.    Mood Enhancement 6.     Keeping on the Move Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this week's episode makes your warm summer days more enjoyable for you and your aging loved ones.  Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior's podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a coming challenge we all face while helping out aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

 Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee  Summer is here! Some of us love the warmer weather and some of us are not the biggest fans of the warmer temperature.  But for many people, summer is the year’s most enjoyable season. However, for seniors the extreme temperatures of July and August can represent a serious health concern. Whenever our aging loved ones leave the house, we need to take extra care to protect our aging loved ones against the dangers of heat stress and heat stroke, both of which can be especially dangerous for seniors. Stress & Heat Stroke in Senior There are many reasons why heat stroke is a particular concern among the elderly. Unlike younger adults, our aging loved one’s bodies have trouble regulating temperature. As a result, they can experience heat stress more quickly than others. Seniors also have more trouble detecting changes in their own body temperature, so they often rely on whoever they are with to look out for signs of heat stress. If you are concerned about heat stress and heat stroke in your aging loved one, keep listening I’ll share information to help you keep your loved one protected. Preventing Heat Stress & Heat Stroke in SeniorsPreventing Heat Stress in SeniorsKnow the Signs of Heat Stress & Heat StrokeHow to Treat Heat Stress & Heat Stroke in SeniorsIf you are concerned about heat stress and heat stroke for an aging loved one, but worry that you can’t be there to monitor your loved one during that time they are outside you can ask another family member, neighbor or hire a caregiving service to accompany your aging loved one anytime they spend time outside during the summer months, Heat stress and heat stroke can be very serious, but they are avoidable. We don’t have to keep our aging loved ones in the house during the summer we just need to make sure that we are prepared for the warm weather. I hope this episode will help you feel more comfortable and confident while taking your aging loved one outside during the summer months.  Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee This week we are going to talk about mental health in our aging loved ones, there’s an assumption that mental health problems are a 'normal' part of aging, but most older adults don't develop mental health problems, and they can be helped if they do. While a significant number of people do develop dementia or depression in old age, they aren't an inevitable part of getting older. First thing I’m going to cover is retirement, it’s such a large change in our aging loved one’s life that it can affect their mental health. Getting older and retirement both involve a change in lifestyle for most people and it's important to take care of mental health as well as physical health.Retirement can be a very thrilling time in their, but it may also cause some of our aging loved ones to be depressed. Depression describes a range of moods, from feeling a bit low in mood to feeling unable to cope with everyday life. It can affect anyone, of any culture, age or background but more older people are affected than any other age group. The neurobiological changes associated with getting older, prescribed medication for other conditions and genetic susceptibility (which increases with age) are also factors for depression. Another major mental health that can occur in later life for our aging loved ones is dementia. People with dementia can become confused and some also become restless or display repetitive behaviour. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated which can be very distressing for both the person with dementia and their family and friends. Another mental health issue our aging loved ones could face is alcohol abuse. Although alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all ages, it is more likely to go unrecognized among older adults. Reasons for alcohol abuse in older age include bereavement and other losses, loneliness, physical ill health, disability and pain, loss of independence, boredom and depression, which is also linked to the other factors. The last large thing that can cause mental health in later life for our aging loved ones, prescribed medications. Prescribed medications can cause symptoms associated with mental illness in older people. Mental health in later life can be cause by a number of different reasons. Retirement, depression, dementia, alcohol abuse and medications are the bigger causes. Aging loved ones with dementia often need special support - they may take longer to make decisions, our aging loved ones may need advocate to speak on their behalf and their mental functioning may also vary by day, and time of day. Having an open conversation with your loved one and their doctor can help manage their mental health. Mental health doesn’t not have to be a part of everyday life as our loved ones age. As we help our aging loved ones with their mental health it can be demanding both physically and emotionally on you. Do not forget to take care of your own mental health during this time as well. I hope this episode helps you notice any mental health changes in your aging loved one.  If you have any questions or concerns reach out to your aging loved ones primary doctor right away.  Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeToday I’m going to talk about pet therapy and how our aging loved ones can benefit from it.  Pet therapy is one of the long used treatments for taking control over a range of health problems, depression and mood disorders particularly. But just how effective could it be to renew your health? Mental health challenges, namely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), end of life trauma, and Alzheimer’s disease have been proven to be coped with using pet therapy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also marked the use of animals to reduce the feeling of loneliness, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. How Seniors Benefit from Pet TherapyPet therapy can be given in another form, which is called animal-assisted therapy, with a view to treat and care for those who spend most of their time alone or in a nursing institution. One of the key advantages of animal-assisted therapy is that it takes your mood and energy levels to a different level, which is very useful for anyone recovering from an illness. How Seniors Benefit from Pet TherapyReliability on Animal-Assisted Therapy for Health ImprovementWhat are the Health Benefits of Owning a Pet?How can Pets Improve your Mental Health?Should your aging loved one Own a Pet?How Does Senior Living Get Impacted With Pet Therapy?“Dogs – and other pets – live very much in the here and now. They don’t worry about tomorrow. And tomorrow can be very scary for an older person. By having an animal with that sense of now, it tends to rub off on people,” said psychotherapist Dr. Jay P. Granat.Now, the only concern about pet therapy, especially in a healthcare setting, is safety and sanitation. If you are of the same opinion, this fact should change it: there has been no report of infection due to animal-assisted therapy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention till date. Note that a majority of hospitals and other healthcare facilities ensure that the animals are vaccinated, cleaned, trained and well-behaved for pet therapy by following some strict rules.Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope you learned a lot about how pet therapy can benefit our aging loved ones. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThis week I’m going to be talking about ways our aging loved ones can rediscover themselves as they age. They are navigating through a new time in their life’s. After retirement, our aging loved one may struggle to find purpose in their lives. Many are surprised at their lack of direction without a Monday-to-Friday job. This lack of motivation can have a damaging effect on their well-being. Without this sense of purpose, our aging loved one could slip into a stationary lifestyle. They could find themselves feeling listless, anxious, or depressed. Lack of purpose takes a toll on older adults, mentally and physically. If your aging loved one reports feeling a lack of energy, motivation, and direction. Then it may be time to look into getting an in-home assessment from an in-home care service. When meeting with your potential in home care service make sure your loved one expresses their feelings so the coordinator can really get a feel of what’s needed, and they can help create a plan to help them rediscover themselves. There are many ways that an in-home care service can benefit our aging loved one, each home care service may have special ways and things that are unique to them. Today I’m just going to cover the basic ways an in-home service can help your aging loved one rediscover themselves after retirement. 1. Volunteering2. Taking a Class3. Learning a Skill4. Reconnecting Online5. Telling their Story6. Meaningful Relationships Those are just the basic benefits that having an in home care service can provide to your aging loved one trying to rediscover themselves after retirement. Each in home care provide will be able to meet with you and your aging loved one to help create a personal plan for your aging loved one. Once your loved one starts creating a relationship with their caregivers and start rediscovering themselves, you’ll notice such a positive difference with your aging loved one.  Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has inspired you to have a conversation with your aging loved one and help get them started on the road to rediscovering themselves. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee The last couple weeks I’ve been talking about how to help your aging loved ones decide where to live weather they are able to age in place or move to a care facility. But for many seniors they are unable to age in place, they don’t have family to live with and they can’t afford to move into a care facility. What options do our loved ones have then?For many seniors, they survive on Social Security from month to month. Their retirement years are challenging and enjoying the golden years and living comfortably is only a dream for them. And once they retire, they struggle. They are in survival mode.When seeking care on the limited income of Social Security, there are a few options available for the personal help for our aging loved one or for additional income to pay for care. Here are a few ways we can help our aging loved ones to make that happen.Supplemental Security Income (SSI)MedicaidMedicaid Waivers ProgramIf your aging loved one can still live independently here are some option to help them look into There are many affordable housing options available for low-income older adults, through both the government and the private market, and “affordable” doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality or a great lifestyle. By making the move to an affordable senior housing community, your aging loved one can build new friendships, enjoy the activities they love every day and stay in a community they can call home. Here are six types of affordable senior housing options available to low-income older adults on a fixed budget.Co-Op HousingPublic HousingVirtual Retirement CommunitiesHousing Choice Voucher Program Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyLow-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has helped you and your aging loved one find care on a fixed income.   Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a coming challenge we all face while helping out aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeLast week I talked about all the options for your aging loved one from aging in place or moving to a care facility. If moving to a care facility is the best option for your aging loved one then you and your aging loved one have a lot of things to consider from Staff ratios, certifications, therapists on-staff, and much more. But one of the most important, does the site provide quality care? Today I’ll talk you through the challenges and what to look for, as you and your aging loved one look to select the long-term care facility that is right for them.The first task is to understand what type of facility your aging loved one needs. If your loved one is coming from a hospital or other facility; their doctors and nurses will help direct what care is needed and what facilities local can provide that. If they are not coming from a hospital or other care facility, then you’ll have to start from scratch. Luckily care facilities are very accommodating and can help guide you through their facility and the services they offer. Types of Nursing Facilities I’ll want to investigate. Some services available at nursing facilities differ, though there is some crossover. I’ll just cover the basics. Skilled Nursing Facility Nursing HomeRehab CenterAssisted living Independent LivingMaking the Best ChoiceSince you and your aging loved one are more then likely looking for a permeant or a more permeant living option for them, knowing what your aging loved one’s community has to offer is important. When meeting with local care facilities you can see how well the communication is with them, as communication will be important as your aging loved one will be living there. As a family member and your loved one being a potential resident you have the right to learn how others have rated each facility. You can check the facility’s ratings regarding any special medical needs they might have.If you’re worried about pressure ulcers (commonly known as “bedsores”), check out a facility’s quality status using the Vohra Center of Excellence Finder. Skilled wound care staff means that a facility takes the well-being and safety of its patients seriously.Few things are more important for your aging loved one than selecting the proper facility to meet their long-term needs. Make sure you are equipped with the right knowledge to help make the right decision with your aging loved one. Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThank you so much for joining me this week. Join me next week for another common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThis week I’m going to talk about how you help your aging loved one consider while choosing the best living situation for them. Before any decisions are made about where your aging loved one should live, you need to have an open conversation with them. You can start with what their ideal living situation is and where they see themselves long term. Once you know where they will be the happiest.  Choosing a place to live should be a two-sided conversation. First, consider the services your aging loved one needs and talk it over with them. You might not agree; for example, you might think that your aging loved one needs someone to prepare meals for them, but they might simply be tired of cooking after years of preparing meals for their family. Talking about needs helps ensure you don’t pay for unnecessary services and makes sure that they are having all of their care needs meant. Types of assisted living services:·       Help with self-care ·       Meals·       Transportation to doctor’s appointments·       Housekeeping·       Social activities·       Fitness classes or programs·       Emergency call system ·       Medication monitoring·       Minor health care services Types of nursing home services:·       All services provided at an assisted living facility·       Regular assessment by RNs or doctors·       Treatment for ongoing illnesses of all kinds·       Physical and occupational therapy·       Memory care for dementia patientsTypes of in-home care services:·       Meal delivery·       Help with self-care ·       Medication monitoring·       Minor health care services ·       Medical alert system·       Periodic assessment by RNs·       Housekeeping·       Transportation·       Physical and occupational therapy·       CompanionshipThe services your aging loved one needs and the cost of getting those services might be among the most complex and important factors in deciding between aging in place and moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. However,  don’t forget the following considerations:Your capabilitiesLocationCommunityCentralized servicesThe futureWhether you decide they should move into a care facility, move in with you or age in place, there are plenty of service providers to help you through the process. Once you have these services in place, your loved one can focus on being more social and enjoying their life. Join me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee If you are a caregiver to your aging loved one, you know that you need to be organized to juggle everything on your plate. I’m sure it didn’t happen overnight, but you figured everything out how to manage your work life, home life, personal life and caregiving life for an aging loved one. Did you know that it will be beneficial to everyone involved if your aging loved one is just as organized as you?Unfortunately, many people think that once they retire, they don’t need to be organized anymore. But I’m sure you are noticing while helping your aging loved one that makes everything more difficult. The thing is, if they have appointments and rely on people to assist them, the more organized they are, the better off everyone is. Your aging loved one doesn’t have to have an elaborate organized plan, They just need to figure out an organization system that helps them manage appointments, personal needs, medical needs, all transportation needs and anything else that they rely on you or anyone else to get done.If your aging loved one isn’t used to having a system, they may be resistant. I get it. Some of us are very organized but some of us are not organized at all. Always running late to appointments and forgetting groceries on the first trip to the store. While it may be easier just to do everything for our aging loved one, we should try to get them involved in their own organization. Some organization tips that can help your aging loved one manage their care and life.1.     Keep a calendar.2.     Don’t rely on memory. 3.     Create a daily system. 4.     Make lists and plans. 5.     Make information easily accessible. 6.     Organize the import things7.     Create a medication system. If your aging loved one is resistant to the help of getting organized just remind them that you are just trying to help them live independently as possible and doing these small changes can really help contribute to them living alone and safely for as long as possible. It’s will also help you manage all on your plate and give you piece of mind that all of your aging loved ones needs are meant.The process of getting your aging loved one organized may seem like a huge undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding what works for you and your aging loved one is key. Then you’ll be able to help them get in the habit for staying organized. Remember that they will not be perfect at staying organized at first and may need your help through the begin process.  Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has helped you feel ready to tackle organization with your aging loved one. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Spring is here and what better thing to do then to spring clean and declutter! Aging loved ones in our lives might not nowhere to start when it comes to decluttering or they may not have the energy too tackle such a project alone. Now this might feel just as overwhelming for you, going into a house that is not yours and cleaning and decluttering. I’m here to help! After today’s episode you’ll feel motivated and confident in helping your loved clean and declutter.  Falls are a leading cause of injury-related deaths among Americans who are over the age of 65, and a disorganized home that is filled to the brim with excess stuff can increase the risk of such accidents.If the aging loved one in your life who needs help with organizing and decluttering, you may be unsure of where to start. After all, asking someone to simply throw away a lifetime worth of treasured memories and prized possessions is both unfair and impossible. Good news, though, is that there are plenty of less drastic measures that can be taken to help our aging loved one organize and declutter their homes. Tackle the Living Room FirstConsider What to Do with Excess FurnitureInstall Storage SolutionsTake Care of CablesCreate a System for Dealing with MailClean Out Medicine Cabinets Regularly All and all When it comes to helping your aging loved one organize and declutter, their safety should always be the primary concern. Clutter poses a serious tripping hazard, and it can make it difficult for people with mobility issues to navigate their homes. Decluttering can be difficult, but, by starting with items that don’t hold a lot of sentimental value, you can help them downsize and clear out the excess.Helping them organize is important, too, as it ensures that they know where everything is when they need it. From keeping daily medications close at hand to coming up with a system for dealing with the mail, taking small steps to improve organization can make a big impact in our aging loved one life.With patience and understanding, you can make it easier for your aging loved one to remain in their own home as they age. Follow the tips talked about today. Listen to what the person you are helping has to say. They may have some good ideas to help and going down memory lane will mean a lot to them.Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has helped you feel confident and ready to help your aging loved one clean and declutter their home! Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. Article By Halle Summers

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThis week we get to talk about warmer weather coming. Spring is officially here and we can start getting out of the house for a refresher after this long winter. Early spring calls for gardening. Gardening is great for all ages. Being outside on a sunny spring day brings physical, mental and spiritual benefits for gardeners of all ages. Gardening can be great for our aging loved ones. It gives them purpose each day, gets them outside and in the fresh air. But just like any other activity, we can help our aging loved ones to adjust actions to stay safe and healthy. So how do we help our aging gardeners make the most of their outdoor time? Here are a few tips.Bring Their Gardening HigherPace our aging loved onesDress the PartUse Sun ProtectionUse the Right ToolsInvolve OthersChoose the Right Plants These are the top tips for helping our aging loved one’s garden throughout the spring and summer safely. Gardening can greatly benefit our aging loved ones. It also gives us something meaningful to do with our aging loved ones. Gardening can be part of all of our aging loved one’s life no matter what skill level they are currently at. We can get the entire family involved gardening can be good at all ages. I hope these tips help you and your aging loved one be able to enjoy gardening this spring, Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well. 

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Last week I talked about all the different options you and your aging loved one have for in home care options. After talking it over with your loved one now it’s time to make the decision on what care is needed and to hire an agency to provide that care. This may seem like the scary part of the whole thing, but I promise you it’s not. Finding the right fit will do wonders for your aging loved ones care and take some much worry off of you.   If you are looking into hiring an in-home care provider here are some things to consider:What’s their Service availabilityHome health aide schedules vary between agencies. This can impact affordability and convenience when hiring a service.Clear communication and how do they communicate?Communication between the family of the senior receiving care and the provider organization is critical to creating a comprehensive schedule of services. Slow response times could leave a senior alone or put them in danger by delaying reports on issues that could impact their health.Provider screeningAny time you let someone into your home, you take a risk. The elderly are particularly at risk, so before inviting someone in, it is important that they pass screening and a background check which should be provided by the agency.Absentee policiesEveryone needs a day off occasionally, so what happens when a caregiver calls out?CostWhen trying to provide care on a limited budget, the cost can be a major issue. Medicare rarely covers in-home care costs, leaving much of it to be out-of-pocket. You can see what benefits you or your loved one are eligible for by visiting benefits.gov. Long-term care insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance might be viable options to help cover costs.Licenses and insuranceYou will have to check into the state that your loved one lives in to see what the state requirements are for each home agency. Making sure that the company you hire has their own insurance just in case. That can give you and your loved one piece of mind while having people in their house. Now you know what you should ask when seeking the right in home care company. The next step is to call your local in home care companies, you can ask some of your questions over the phone or you can set up in an home assessment to ask your questions and get the care managers option on the level of care needed. Having the input of the care manager or care coordinator is very critical. You can now feel confident while seeking extra help for your aging loved one, Having an in home care team can really help your aging loved one and take a lot of stress off of you and your family,  Again,  I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThank you for joining me this week on solutions for seniors podcast. Join me next week for another common challenge we call face while helping our aging loved ones, Stay safe and well.

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeThis week I’m going to be talking about all the different in home care options we have for our aging loved ones. Most often our aging loved one is going to want to age in place as long as possible. While we want to make sure that we are helping them aging in place, we need to make sure that all of their needs are being met. We can’t do everything ourselves so it’s important we know our options for care in our aging loved one’s community. Today I’m going to be covering the basic in-home care options. While you maybe your aging loved one’s full-time caregiver, having a backup plan in case you are sick or need a break can help take some stress off of you. Also, sometimes it’s easier for our aging loved ones to accept help from an outside person rather than a loved one. Here are the in home care option you and your aging loved ones have.  Home health aidesNursesCare Manager Companion servicesMeals on WheelsCommunity villagesPACE programsEven if you not need any of these programs  currently with your aging loved one it’s good to know that they are out there and what services your loved one care receive while they are aging in place. While looking into hiring any home service make sure that the agency is licensed, bonded and insured. Each state has their own requirement for agencies that they have to follow. You and your aging loved one can ask friends, family and even their doctors for recommendations of local agencies.  Thank you for joining me this week and I hope this episode helped you better know and understand what option your aging loved one has as they choose to age in place.  Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week on another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.  

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast. Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeI’ve been talking a lot how to notice decline in your aging loved ones and how to help manage their care with whoever is in their care team. But this week I want to focus on how we can be the best health care advocate for your aging loved ones. If you have an aging parent, it’s normal to be worried about their health. Moreover, if you recently stepped into the role of the caregiver for an aging loved with a health issue, you’ve also become their health advocate–whether you realize it or not. That’s just as an important role as the caregiver. It’s important to take your role for your aging loved one seriously. Here are 5 ways you can be the best health advocate for your aging loved one. 1. Prepare for Appointments2. Take Notes3. Keep Everyone on the Same Page4. Understand All Options5. Ask For a Full Medication Review AnnuallyThese 5 things can help you be the best advocate you can for your aging loved one. Just talk with your aging loved one and see how they see their care going and what they want. Of course their choices have to be safe for them but as long as they are safe then we need to support them and help make sure that they are getting the care option they want. I hope this episode helps you on your health care advocate journey with your aging loved one. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Thank you for joining me this week, join me next week for another common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved one. Stay safe and well.

Chealsea here with solutions for seniors podcast.Before I get started toady I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one lives in the Kankakee or will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com This week I’m going to be talking about how to spot functional decline in our aging loved ones. Functional decline is the decrease in physical and/or cognitive functioning and occurs when our aging loved one is unable to engage in activities of daily living. ADL’s or activities of daily living is a term used to collectively describe fundamental skills that are required to independently care for themselves such as eating, bathing and mobility. After a certain age, some level of decline should be expected year after year. In your forties and fifties, this decline is gradual. It happens slowly, and while it can affect our physical and mental performance, most are still able to live their lives comfortably. But in our sixties and beyond, decline begins to speed up and can become a little more noticeable. Eventually, our aging loved ones can reach a point of functional decline, where care is required for our aging loved one to live comfortably and safely. Unfortunately, it can be hard to spot functional decline. While decline accelerates in seniors, it still happens gradually enough that functional decline can go unnoticed. As a result, our aging loved ones who require elderly care in some form — either from family caregivers, in-home elderly care professionals, or facility living — end up without the support they need. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors. To determine whether or not your aging loved one may need elderly care or another senior service, you need to know the signs of functional decline. Keep in mind that functional decline relates to physical and cognitive function, so you need to be aware of the signs of decline for both. To help prevent this from happening, family members should be making a conscious effort to monitor their aging loved ones and track changes in their functional abilities. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in SeniorsOne strategy is to take stock of the things your loved one has difficulty with over the course of a typical week or month. You can do this mentally, or you might consider taking private notes. This will allow you to compare how your loved one is functioning now compared to the past. Gradual changes become much more visible if you can compare how well they’re doing now to six months or a year ago.Should you determine that your loved one is suffering from functional decline, you may wish to explore what extra care they will be needing now and in the future as their function declines. Finding recourse in your loved one’s budget and community can seem overwhelming but I’ll be posting a podcast here soon to help navigate through that. Thank you so much for joining me this week. I hope this episode has helped you know what signs to watch for in your aging loved ones. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you are your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode on a common challenge we face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast.Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com/KankakeeOn this week’s episode I’m going to be talking how to share caregiving responsibilities with another family member. Weather you share the responsibilities with a grandparent, parent, sibling, cousin or even a family friend its possible. Today for reference I’m going to be talking about sharing the responsibilities with a sibling while helping your aging parents, but you can use this for whatever your current caregiving situation is. Are you suddenly in a position where your aging parent needs care and you and your siblings are struggling with how to manage caregiving duties? While it can be difficult to figure out a system that will work for your family, once you create a plan that includes everyone, the burden will be lighter for all involved. Getting organized with a schedule will help avoid your aging parent going without any care that they are needing, it will also help avoid any conflict with your siblings. Caring for an aging loved one should not negatively affect any relationships in your life with your parents, siblings or family. Define the Caregiving Tasks. Let’s face it. There is always going to be one sibling who lives closer or has more free time – or can makes more free time – who will more than likely take the leadership role. That doesn’t mean that person has to do everything all alone. If you don’t stop to figure out what needs to be done, you’ll always be plugging holes. So, first thing, stop and make a list of everything that needs to be done for your parent. You should set up a timeline that you, your siblings and parents should revisit the list of care needs to that you are making sure that all care needs are being met whether big or small. While you make take some task and your sibling may take other tasks, make sure to have open communication and access to any hired service’s just in case you or your sibling cannot be available. Choosing Your Caregiver Roles, this is the hard part. Everyone wants to take on the “easy” tasks like booking appointments or managing meal services, but you’ll all need to do some of the dirty work. The good news is many hands equals less work on each person. There is no right or wrong way to work together for your parent’s care. Do what works best for your family. And remember, you are family. While it can be difficult working together and old rivalries tend to resurface, remind yourself that you are family and are doing this for your loved one. There will come a time when your services will no longer be needed, and your siblings will be the family you have left. I hope this helps you and your siblings make the best caregiving decisions for your aging parents and yourself.Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Thank you so much for joining me this week. Come back next week to talk about another common challenge we all face while helping an aging loved one. Stay safe and well.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast.Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com/Kankakee This week I’m going to be talking about what it really takes to be a caregiver for an aging loved one. Being a caregiver for an aging loved one can be very demanding and more then you expected. Being a caregiver to an aging family member can be rewarding for you, but it can also take a toll on your emotions, your finances and your family. While you may feel like you have no choice, but you do have a choice. There are resources that you can get in touch with if you don’t feel like caregiving is the right choice for you at this point in your life. Keep in mind, It doesn’t have to destroy your family bond if you are unable to take on the full time caregiving role. Even if you don’t take on the full role of caregiver, you can still have a strong, active role in ensuring your aging loved one is safe and healthy. If you have siblings or other family members you can rely on, you can all work together to find the best solution for your aging loved one. No matter what you decide, you shouldn’t feel guilty about your decision. Becoming a family member’s caregiver alters the relationship. It increases stress and it impacts your finances since you will likely have to step back from work or cover costs of necessities not covered by insurance. Of course, there are also many benefits to caregiving. You will strengthen the bond you have with your aging loved one. You will have the comfort of knowing you did the best you could for the person you love. You will get to spend quality time together at a time where there may not be much time left.Each year, many men and women take on the role of caregiver for an aging loved one. Caregiving can be challenging, yet it can be very rewarding. You will need to learn how those challenges could impact your mental, emotional, and physical health. Before jumping into caregiving, consider these questions. Answer them honestly and if in the end, you don’t think you can become a full-time caregiver, decide how much you can do and work with other family members to ensure your aging loved one is cared for and you are all in it together. Here are some factors to consider before you step into the role of family caregiver. Q: Can You Accept Your Loved One’s Old Age?Q: Can you stay positive in the face of decline?Q: Do you like this person, not just because they are family?Q: Can you adjust to having a different role?Q: Are you overburdened?Q: Are you physically able?If you do decide to proceed as the caregiver, be sure to care for yourself in the process. You won’t do anyone any good of you don’t first care for yourself. Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming at times. However, the challenges of caregiving don’t have to be faced alone. I hope this podcast helps you in your family caregiving journey. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs, you can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com/Kankakee Thank you for listening this week join me next week for another topic we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay Safe and well.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast.Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com/KankakeeThis week I’m going to be talking about what concerns our aging loved ones have in the aging process. Many times, we get so wrapped up in making sure that our loved ones are being taken care of that we forget that our aging loved ones have fears and concerns. They are entering unknown territory, and no one knows what to expect in the future. After many years of working with seniors here are the top concerns that aging seniors have as they age.Health and financial security is a prime concern to seniors. In a survey sponsored by the National Council on Aging, found that financial security comes ahead of staying involved with family and friends and that women are even more vulnerable than men to financial matters. The top 3 financial concerns for our aging loved ones.1. Financial Predators 2. Financial Security 3. Health Care Costs Financial concerns are just the surface of our aging loved ones worries as they age. Here are the other main concerns they face each day. Changing social climate Loneliness Physical Aging Disease Transportation Physical Assistance Abuse or Neglect And the last major concern is being a burden on their family members. Many of us resist the idea of being dependent on others. We like being able to find our own way and make decisions ourselves. This becomes even more prevalent as our loved one’s age. More than that, they don’t want to burden the people around us. Our aging loved ones often become increasingly resistant to the idea of accepting help from anyone, especially from their own family. Having family members provide support can be demoralizing and frustrating, especially when those family members have full lives of their own.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast.Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee On this weeks episode I’m going to be talking about denial in out aging loved ones. Elderly decline is a natural, but unfortunate part of life. Decline in physical and cognitive function is an inevitable part of growing older, making day-to-day life increasingly difficult for our aging loved ones. It can come to the point that decline makes it unsafe for our aging loved ones to continue living without support, either from a senior home care agency or a family caregiver. Decline often goes hand-in-hand with denial. Declining in our aging loved ones is stressful for them and on their families and many of us use denial as a coping mechanism. But we need to be careful, although denial about decline in our aging loved ones care needs is common, it’s also dangerous. To avoid this, we need to start by understanding denial and senior care. None of us are immune from denial about our aging loved ones decline and the care that they are needing. Denial can affect their spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and friends. denial from a single person is what undermines senior care. Other times, an entire family is in denial, creating a particularly difficult situation. While denial is difficult to overcome, with a greater awareness of how denial works can make it easier to recognize denial in ourselves or others. Here is some information that may help you better understand denial, how it relates to elderly decline, and how it can compromises senior care efforts for our aging loved one.· Denial occurs when a situation is too distressing for a person to accept. By minimizing or ignoring the problem, the person can avoid its emotional consequences.· Short-term denial can be healthy, as it gives a person time to emotionally process traumatic information. For instance, it may give an elderly adult the chance to subconsciously process the fact that they won’t be able to live on their own without assistance.· Denial becomes unhealthy if it continues long-term, or if it prevents urgently needed action. In cases of elderly decline, it can mean that a person does not get senior care services they desperately need.· Signs of denial include ignoring signs of a problem, treating signs of a problem as insignificant, or rationalizing reasons not to worry about signs of a problem.· It is extremely difficult for a person to recognize that they are suffering from denial or to convince them they are in denial, but the condition is often obvious to outsiders.Have you noticed signs of denial about elderly decline and the need for senior care in your loved one, a family member, or even yourself? If so, there are strategies you can use to overcome it.When dealing with another person in denial, it’s important to avoid anger or judgment whenever possible. Although denial can be tough to overcome it is possible. Getting care to our aging loved one as soon as we see decile is important for their safety and health.Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast. Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-4401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at homehelpershomecare.com Are you looking for different activities to keep your aging loved one active during these cold wintry months? You’re in the right place, keep listening.. On last weeks episode I talked about things we can go in the winter to help keep our aging loved ones safe from the different dangers winter brings, this week I’m going to be talking about things our aging loved one can do during the winter to keep busy and safe. Finding senior friendly activities is especially challenging when the weather has been cold and harsh for months and we are all cooped up in the house. Depending on what your loved ones mobility and health, the idea of staying active during months of snow, ice and cold weather can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry I have some creative, safe and meaningful activities they’ll love and you’ll enjoy too. 1. Knit, crochet or quilt2. Cook together3. Make “blessing bags” 4. Exercise5. Video chat with family and friends 6. Join a book club I hope these idea’s help you and your aging loved ones make these winter cold days a little better each day. Thank you so much for joining me this week while I talked about winter safety, join we next week for different winter activities for our aging loved one. Again, I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the will or Kankakee county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527, for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakeeJoin me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Hi Chealsea here with solution for seniors podcast.Before I get started, I want to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-4401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee On this week’s episode of solutions for seniors I’m going to be talking about 7 winter safety tips for our aging loved ones. While it is important to keep them safe, we can use this tip to keep ourselves safe as well. During the winter months, ice, snow and cold temperatures can make life challenging for anyone. Slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses, especially for older people. Weather you help your aging loved one on a regular basis or your loved one has help hired into their home. Regular help can help keep them safe during any season. Let’s talk about tips for preventing common cold weather dangers to our aging loved ones. 1. Avoid slipping and falling on iceIcy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall. "Unfortunately, falls are a common occurrence for senior citizens, especially during the winter months, Often these falls cause major injuries such as hip and wrist fractures, head trauma and major lacerations. When we are younger, we often recover relatively quickly from such injuries, while our aging loved ones face complications. 2. Dress for warmthIf our loved one stay in the cold temperature to long it can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, a condition in which the body temperature drops too low. 3. Fight wintertime depressionIt can be difficult and dangerous to get around, so our aging loved ones will have less contact with others during cold months. 4. Check the car While driving during the winter can be hazardous for anyone. But it is especially dangerous for our aging loved ones. They may not drive as often anymore or their reflexes may not be as quick as they once were..5. Prepare for power outagesEspecially when our aging loved ones live alone we need to prepare them. Winter storms can lead to power outages. Make sure your older loved one has easy access to flashlights and a battery-powered radio in case the power goes out. 6. Eat a varied dietBecause are aging loved ones spend more time indoors they will eat a smaller variety of foods. That can cause nutritional deficits, especially vitamin D deficiency (which has been associated with health concerns like cognitive decline, depression and osteoporosis, among others) And lastly, 7. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoningEnsure your loved one's safety by checking the batteries on their carbon monoxide detector and buying an updated one if you need to. Using a fireplace, gas heater or lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. The most important tip to keep in mind during the colder months is to encourage our aging loved ones to ask for help. Whether they need to clear their property of snow and ice, or stock up on groceries, they should feel free to ask a family member or neighbor or hire a professional. Wintertime certainly poses challenges for older adults, but with a bit of planning and awareness, they will stay healthy and experience the joys of springtime soon enough.Thank you so much for joining me this week while I talked about winter safety, join we next week for different winter activities for our aging loved one.

On today’s episode I’m going to be talking about how to be a long distance for an aging loved one. Whether you live across the state or across the country, caring for an aging loved one from a distance has many challenges. Before your aging loved one needed care, it was easy to stay connected between phone calls, visits and video calls. But once they begin to need care, it can be difficult to know what they need and how to get proper help when you aren’t nearby – especially if your aging loved one doesn’t want to accept that they aren’t as independent as they were in the past. You’re not alone. According to the Long Distance Caregiver Project, there are approximately 3.3 million long distance caregivers and many live approximately 480 miles away from the people for which they care. Great, you’re not alone, but how can you manage the challenge of caring for an elderly loved one from 480 miles away?While it can be difficult to care for your aging loved one long distance, there are so many new senior service providers popping up that it can definitely help bridge the gap when you aren’t around.Here are steps to staying informed and effective as a long-distance caregiver and tips for putting the measures in place.Establish accessHaving good information channels and legal authority to make financial and health-care decisions is important for all primary caregivers, but it's even more so for those handling care from a distance. Try to arrange as much as possible during an in-person visit, when you can work with your loved one to locate, organize and fill out necessary paperwork.Create a teamWhile you can handle plenty of important tasks remotely, such as paying bills and ordering prescriptions, you'll need others to be your eyes, ears and sometimes hands. It's natural as a long-distance caregivers to feel guilty about delegating certain jobs, but don't try to do it all, especially if your loved one has more serious or complicated health issues.Find a local coordinatorA local care manager who can supply local knowledge and help.One option is to hire a reputable caregiving professional, often called a geriatric care manager. These professionals, often licensed nurses or social workers, also can be valuable mediators or sounding boards when family members disagree on care decisions or you're facing tough choices, such as whether it's no longer safe for your loved one to live at home.Stay in the loopEstablish ways to communicate regularly with your local team and loved one, whether through organization apps, group emails or social tools like FaceTime and SkypeMake the most of visitsNothing replaces an in-person visit. When you can manage one, come with a list of things you need to know or discuss.Try to stretch the visit so you can spend time with your loved one and also schedule key face-to-face appointments related too their well-being. Sitting down to chat with someone is far more personal and revealing than a phone call ever can be.Thank you so much for joining me this week while I talked about how to be a long distance caregiver. I covered a lot in this episode and if you have any questions you can email them to me at solutionsforseniors@outlook.com. Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you our loved one are in the will or Kankakee county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershome.com/kankakee

Hi everyone Chealsea here with solutions for seniors podcast. Before we get started today I would like that thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-201-5527 for all of your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee This week I’m going to be talking about how to make the most of each visit and how to make it feel special for you and your aging loved ones. Next week I’m going to talk about how to be a long-distance caregiver. It can be ever difficult but I have some helpful tips. If you are a long distance caregiver, or just don’t live close enough to visit your aging loved one on a regular basis, you may not have enough time to evaluate how they are doing. Here are some ways to maximize your visits so that you get quality time but also check in on their ability to safely live independently. How to Maximize Home Visits with Aging Parents Leave the HouseCook TogetherAllow Them to Host YouGet One Step AheadWhile you’re there, look for safety risks or fall risks and work with your loved one to address them. You can also take a look at the following household tasks that they may need help with:· Are there any burned out light bulbs? Change them while you are visiting so that your loved one won’t attempt to do it on his/her own.· Is the season changing? If so, ask your loved one if they have blankets or clothing that are stored up high that they may need help bringing down.· Are tall bookshelves strapped to the wall? You may want to consider using earthquake safety straps so that they are secure. If your loved one trips and grabs a bookshelf to stop their fall, you want to be sure they are nicely secured to the wall and don’t come down on top of them.· If they are reaching for books or items on high shelves, make sure they have a sturdy step ladder with a handrail – and that they actually use it!· Have they suddenly be-friended someone new who seems to be over-involved in their lives? Do you notice money or valuables missing? Don’t just look for physical safety risks, evaluate their fraud risk as well.Unfortunately as our loved one’s age they become targets for predators. While you are spending time with your loved one don’t forget to enjoy time with them. Don’t make the entire visit about you worrying about their safety. Yes, there health and safety is the most important thing, you don’t want to make that your whole relationship with them. Our loved ones want to keep their impedance as much as possible. Join me next week when I talk about how to aid your aging loved one if you do notice issue during your visit.Thank you so much for joining me this week for how to maximize your visit with your aging loved one. Stay safe and well.

Family relationships are important at every stage of life. But they’re important for different reasons at different ages. As we grow older, our circumstances change and the things we need from our family change with them. Strong family relationships give our aging loved ones a much-needed support system as age makes them increasingly vulnerable. These relationships are often essential to our aging loved ones emotional and mental well-being. They’re also associated with positive health outcomes, meaning a strong relationship with family can literally extend our aging loved ones life. Why Family Relationships are Important for SeniorsAging comes with a number of unique circumstances and challenges. Growing older can make daily life more difficult. As a result, our aging loved ones tend to rely on their family members more and more as they age. Other changes also make it difficult for our loved one’s to maintain a health social life outside of family.Retirement can be a major disruption to our aging loved one’s social life. Many older adults don’t realize how much they rely on their coworkers for human interaction and how lonely it can feel to spend the workday at home. Strong family relationships provide our aging loved one’s with a safety net for meaningful interactions and human contact.Physical or cognitive difficulties can make day-to-day living difficult for our aging loved one’s. If seniors have strong family relationships in place, they can rely on their family members to help them with things like housekeeping, errands, and personal interactions. In their older years, many of our loved one’s find it harder and harder to maintain a healthy social life outside of their family. Mobility concerns make it hard for them to go out to meet friends, or make it hard for friends to go out and meet them. As friends pass away, social circles can become more restricted.Of course, some seniors aren’t able to maintain strong family relationships. In other cases, they maintain a strong emotional relationship with their family, but they live far away. This could be because children moved for a job or relationship, or because our loved one relocated for retirement. As a result, they can’t rely on family for some of the things that other seniors would.This isn’t always as bad as it seems. Some evidence shows that strong social relationships are just as effective as family relationships in terms of seniors’ health and well-being. While it can be tough to maintain these relationships in old age, many seniors manage thanks to strong social circles, organized clubs and activities, and involvement in their local community.There are also senior services that offer many of the things that seniors rely on their families to provide. Non-profit organizations provide healthy meals and transportation. Companion care services can give isolated seniors much needed human interaction. And personal care workers can help seniors cope with age-related physical decline and disability.A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.Thank you for joining me this week and I hope this week helped you and your aging loved one understand the importances of family relationships. I would like to thank home helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the will or Kankakee county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527, for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.

Chealsea here with Solutions for Seniors Before we get started today I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-450-8126 for all of your Home Care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Hi everyone! Happy Thanksgiving week 2020. As the weather is getting colder and the snow is sure coming soon, I want to talk about things we can do to prevent our loved ones from having a winter fall. It’s no secret that slips, trips and falls are especially dangerous for everyone but especially our loved ones who are seniors. According to the CDC, nearly three million American seniors suffer from a fall every year. Even more terrifying is the rate of seniors who lose their lives to unintentional falls is climbing year after year. Some of us live who live in the ice and snowing states, there’s no more dangerous time of the year for slips, trips and falls than during the winter. So, while keeping our loved ones safe from slips, trips and falls during the winter we can also protect yourselves and our families. It’s always important to prevent slips, trips and falls during the coldest months of the year. Here are some of my biggest strategies for preventing slips, trips and falls during the winter. Shovel Snowy WalkwaysSalt and/or Sand Icy SurfacesWear Proper FootwearStop Indoor PuddlesTurn to a Helping HandPractice Year-Round Fall PreventionEven though winter is the most risky time of year for slips, trips and falls, that doesn’t mean the risk doesn’t exist during warmer months. It’s important to practice fall-prevention year-round, taking steps like keeping risky areas well-lit, maintaining leg strength and balance. If you are not able to help your loved one with snow removal you can always call local companies to set up those services. I have seen in my town a lot of those companies offer discounted rates to seniors. I hope this steps help avoid any slip, trips or falls for you and your loved ones this winter. Thank you for joining me this week. Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved ones are in the Kankakee or will county area, call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee Join me next week for another episode on a common challenge we all face while caring for our aging love ones. Stay safe and well.

Chealsea here with Solutions for SeniorBefore we get started today, I would like that thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for senior’s podcast. If you or your loved one live in the Kankakee or will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/KankakeeHi everyone, on todays episode I’m going to be talking about way to help our loved ones with dementia feel connected to the holidays. The holidays can be a wonderful magical time of year but it can also be stressful and lonely for some. With the hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings, family members with dementia can easily slip to the sidelines. This may have us feeling disconnected with our loved one but most importantly this can make our loved one feel disoriented and disconnected. When our loved ones have those feelings can potentially cause our loved ones to have a behavior or even disconnect further. While all family is visiting remember to remind everyone to resist the urge to correct our loved one with dementia. Correcting them offers no positive effect; run with what they are saying, that will create a meaning conversation for our loved one. In a conversation, the connection is what’s important, rather than the exact content of what’s being said. Having photos can provide amazing opportunities to facilitate a meaningful conversation. Photos can spark emotions and feelings associated with the particular point in our loved ones life. You can structure some conversations around an old family photo, rather than asking a specific question. Questions like ‘ What year was this taken?, Do you know where is photo was taken?’ Can confusing our loved one can they can get overwhelmed. Rather make observation about the photo such as, ‘ wow, I really like how the sun was shining that day or’ You always loved this photo.’ You can always aid your loved one by labeling the pictures with names of people, the place and the year. We can always have our loved one help with food preparation. The kitchen can be a great place to enable our loved ones with dementia to take part in holiday preparations, helping them feel important and purposeful. Different foods and smells can also be very therapeutic, in addition to providing a nice positive memory trigger. Giving our loved one something simple to do – like, stirring provides a good range-of-motion activity. Having equipment ready and measure recipe ingredients in advance when cooking with our loved one can set you and your loved one up for success! Music can have a way of magically connecting families. Watch a seasonal movie that’s part of your tradition and enjoy it as a family. Grab a blanket, get everyone comfortable, and watch the movie together.We need to make sure our loved one has enough to eat and drink. Our loved one with dementia who is hungry might become agitated or emotional. If you’re in a new place or your loved one is having a hard time remembering because they haven’t been there in a while monitor for non-verbal signs that your loved one is having a hard time finding the restroom and consider pointing out where the bathroom is or placing a sign on the outside of the door.During all of the holiday hustle and bustle don’t forget to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Enlist family to help weather it’s with the cooking or taking care of our loved one. If everyone is running on empty cups, then try making the holidays simpler by ordering a meal that’s already prepared. You can order the whole meal, or you can order the main parts of the meal and only have to worry about the smaller sides. Through it all don’t forget how special the holidays are and enjoy them.

Hello Everyone, Chealsea here, with Solutions for senior’s podcast. before we get started, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs, you can also visit their website homehelpershomecare.com/Kankakee is it just me or can anyone else not believe that we are only 15 days till thanksgiving and 43 days till Christmas 2020. Our holidays may look a little different this year due to COVID-19. However you are your loved one decide to celebrate the holiday season this year make sure to enjoy it. On this episode I’m going to be talking about 10 warning signs to watch for while spending extra time with our aging loved ones this holiday season. Weather you are physical together or spending some extra time on video chat with your loved ones during this holiday season here are some thing that maybe a warning to dementia. Spending time with loved ones during the holidays means it’s easier to spot all of the small changes in behavior that could mean the early stages of memory impairment. While this can cause initial feelings of worry and panic, taking the time to understand the situation is the first step in providing family member the best care possible.1. Memory lapses that disrupt daily life. 2. Problem-solving and planning difficulties3. Difficulty carrying out familiar tasks. 4. Locational/temporal confusion. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. 8. Decreased or poor judgment. 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. 10. Changes in mood and personality. The 1st thing to do if you notice 1 or more of these signs is to no panic. Start with having the conversation with your loved one. Tell them what you have noticed while spending time with them. Every one of our loved one’s will take this differently. Some will say that they have notice the same thing, but others will not be happy and disagree. The next step is to make an appointment with their doctor. Then you can let the Doctor know what you have been noticing. Then the doctor can run some tests and get to the root of the problem.

On today’s episode I’m going to talk about what’s called 5 wishes. I’m going to be diving into what 5 wishes is, when it’s time, how it works, how to do it and even what states offer the 5 wishes. The five wishes advance directive was created by the national non-profit organization, Aging with dignity. They are a leader in advocating for the needs of elders and those who care for them. Jim Towey founder of Aging with Dignity created five wishes alone side doctors, nurses, lawyers and many other experts in end-of-life care. While volunteering he learned that people are the most concerned about maintaining their comfort and dignity when they are very sick. This is why he created the five wished advance directive with addresses personal, emotional, and spiritual needs of a person, not just the medical and legal needs. An advance directive like five wishes allows our loved ones to guide us to make important medical care decisions that might be made if or when they get seriously ill. Giving our loved ones peace of mind they their wishes will be granted and giving the family peace of mind knowing that all of their final wishes will be granted and you or other family will not have to make last minute medical decisions. Expressing our wishes in advance directive like five wishes helps empower our families, friends and doctors to make the best decision when the time comes, and help with any family or friend disagreement about what to do with medical care. Never assuming that your loved one has expressed their wishes with their doctors. The best time to fill out the five wishes advance directive is now, before your loved one faces a health crises. While helping your loved one file out their advance directive it’s also a good idea to fill out one for yourself. Life is unpredictable, so it’s best to be prepared. Anyone who is 18 years or older can use the five wishes advance directive. If your loved one has already filled out five wishes advance directive, it might be a good idea to have them review it to see if they need to make an updates. Once we experience significant life events make us reconsider their wishes. While having a form of advance directive it’s still allows are loved ones to make their own health care decisions if they are able to talk with their doctor and have the understanding what’s going being said. The five wishes advance directive only takes effect when we are too ill to communicate. The five wishes advance directive is a legal document. It was written with the help of The American Bar association’s commission on law and aging. With that being said it does not meet the legal requirements in all 50 states, it does meet the legal requirements for 44 states. If you live in most states or the district of Columbia, you can use the five wishes advance directive and have the peace of mind to know that it meets your state’s legal requirements. If your loves one lives in one of the 6 remaining states (Indiana, New Hampshire, Kansas, Ohio, Oregon or Texas) they can still use the five wish advance directive but may have to take an extra step. If you live in Indiana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon or Texas there is an additional step you will need to take to ensure your loved ones five wishes meets legal requirements. After your loved ones is done completing, signing and witnessing their five wishes(following all the instructions) they will need to fill out and attach their state’s form to their five wishes with a not saying: see attached five wishes.” I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs, you can also visit their website homehelpershomecare.com/Kankakee

Chealsea here, with Solutions for seniors podcast. before we get started I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs, you can also visit their website homehelpershomecare.com/KankakeeI’m going to explain in a little depth what hospice is and what it mean to have a loved one on hospice care.Hospice is a specialized care that focuses on providing patients with terminal illness comfort and dignity as their disease takes its course. Once our loved one is placed under the care of hospice this means that treatment will no longer be focused on curing the disease but providing comfort through the disease. Many families feel as they are giving up on their loved one when they do call hospice, but that is not the case at all. While it is easy to think that, understanding all of the services that hospice provides not only to the patient, their families and the disease process itself can provide new perspective on hospice care. There are many positive reasons why accepting hospice is a positive thing for our loved ones, ourselves and our families. In some cases continuing treatment for a terminal illness can be stressful and very uncomfortable. Hospice will ensure a more comfortable path to the diseases eventual conclusion. A study Published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (March 2007) - said they believe in some cases, that the reduction of strain and stress can actually give patients more time. Hospice can provide resources and extra help to the family, allowing us to better use the time we have with our loved one and reduce some financial burdens of care.Hospice programs are focused on dignity in death, meaning that the last memories of our loved one can be much happier and peaceful. Although the concept of hospice care has been around for centuries, it is still an area of medical practice that many people today aren’t aware of. Hospice provides comfort and support during the final stages of one’s life. It does more than just meet the physical needs of patients. In many cases, patients require more than just physical comfort. It may be that the patient has spiritual or psychosocial needs that could be fulfilled before their passing. Hospice offers many resources and programs to meet these needs and ensure the patient has dignity and is at peace at the end of their journey. Here are 5 common hospice questions and answers to them: What is the purpose of hospice?Hospice is a change of focus from curative treatments to a different set of goals – new goals are comfort and quality of life. Does insurance cover hospice costs?Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by most individual insurers. How does hospice care start?When a physician makes a prognosis that a patient has six months or less to live they may place an order for hospice care. At this point, a hospice provider can be contacted to start the hospice admission process. Will hospice make my loved one die sooner?The goal of hospice is to provide comfort as the natural process of dying takes its course.Does a patient have to go to a hospice facility in order to receive care?Hospice services can be provided at any number of locations, including most retirement and assisted living facilities. After these 5 questions and answers I hope that you have a better understanding of hospice and how beneficial it can be to you and our loved ones. November has been declared National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), a time to help build awareness of comfort-based care among those it may benefit.

On today’s episode I’m going to be talking about 8 projects to make your loved one’s home safer as they age. Around 90 percent of seniors plan on living in their own home for at least 5 to 10 years after turning 65, according to the AARP. In turn, the number of remodeling companies doing aging in place upgrades has increased. Aging in place is cheaper and more comfortable than going the assisted living route for many people. A typical assisted living home is pricey, costing around $50,000 a year. In contrast, the national average of remodeling a home for aging in place is only $10,000. If you or your loved ones are looking into remodeling keep listening to hear some helpful project to help your loved ones age in place. Its never to early to start planning and preparing to age in place yourself. Small changes over time can help with cost and make sure you are prepared. 1. Install grab bars2. Add outdoor ramps3. Install a bathroom heat lamp 4. Upgrade your smart home technology5. Replace your faucets6. Update your flooring7. Improve your lighting8. Replace your doorknobsWith these 8 DIY helping your loved one age in place can be affordable and assessable for everyone. Doing small adjustments to your own home can help you as you age in place as well. If you or your loved is unable to do this DIY yourself, you can also call a local handle man or remodeling company. Remember to include your loved one on all updates and changes, so they feel in control of their own care. Thank you for listening and I hope these DYI;s help you are your loved ones. Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais of sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. If you are in the Kankakee county or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for your home care needs for your loved ones. You can also visit Home Helpers website homehelpereshomecare.com/Kankakee Join me next week for another episode of solutions for senior’s podcast for another common challenge we all face while helping care for an aging loved one. Stay safe and well.

Hello everyoneChealsea here with Solutions for seniors Before we get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais of sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. If you are in the Kankakee county or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for your home care needs for your loved ones. You can also visit Home Helpers website homehelpereshomecare.com/KankakeeOn today’s episode I’m going to be talking about some solutions for common problems our loved ones may face while aging in place. Here are some things that we can do to help set our loved ones to age in place safely and comfort. 1. Set up a house keeping service for the deep cleaning. 2. Get a lawn care service 3. Grocery delivery or meal plan kits4. Medication Delivery from pharmacy. 5. Do any home modifications needed6. Make sure their home is well light 7. Make all essential rooms on 1 floor, if possible. 8. Hiring a service for transportation9. Do checks in monthly to make sure that everything in their house is working.10. Line up help with money management11. Add a ramp at front of home12. Add grab bars throughout the house at needed areas More seniors are opting to age in place than ever before. This trend is driven in part by the rising costs of long-term care, coupled with the rapidly growing senior population as the Baby Boomer generation ages – a generation that’s enjoying a more active, vibrant lifestyle than previous generations. Technology and wider availability of services, such as home meal delivery services, are making it easier for older adults to remain in their own homes independently, as well. Many older adults have spent decades raising families in their homes and want to remain in the home where they’ve created so many cherished memories as long as they can. Others opt to age in place because the cost of retirement communities, independent living, and assisted living is daunting. While it may not be possible for an older adult to live independently forever, there are many changes that can be made to a home to make it safer and more functional for them to remain in their own homes longer. By implementing home modifications that support aging in place, today’s seniors are able to maintain their independence, and in the long run, may save a substantial amount of money on senior living. As this list of things may seem to add up to do quite the expensive, it’s still normally cheaper then moving into an indp, assisted or nursing home. To help cover the costs of modifications here are something you and your loved one can look into. 1. Find out of your PACE is available in your state. 2. Factor in your deductions. 3. Bear in mind that labor may not be covered by insurance, loans or grants. 4. Consider a reverse mortgage. 5. Explore both public financing options. 6. Veterans have specific grants intended for their use. 7. Consider refinancing8. Check local public housing agencies or banks for help9. Look into Charitable organizations. Helping our loved ones age in place can be a large undertaking but very well worth it. I hope that this podcast helps you and your loved one on their aging in place journey. Stay safe and well.

Chealsea here with Solutions for seniors Before we get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais of sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. If you are in the Kankakee county or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for your home care needs for your loved ones. You can also visit Home Helpers website homehelpereshomecare.com/Kankakee On today episode going to talk about the 5 biggest reasons for our loved ones to age in place. The center for disease control defines the term “aging in place” as ‘the ability to live in ones own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.As the age old saying goes, ‘Home is where the heart is’. That holds true for most of us and our loved ones. But it holds particular meaning for seniors. According to the data from the AARP, nearly 90% of American seniors wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible. Even when faced with many age related difficulties, most older adults believe aging in place is still very important. Home care has been helping our loved ones age in place for over 30 years. Our loved ones prefer to aging in place rather then, move to a facility, downsize or move in with a child or other family member. Here are the 5 biggest reasons why our loved ones value aging in place.1. Comfort & Familiarity 2. Difficultly moving3. Don’t Know Where to Go4. Financial Considerations5. Friends & Family If your loved one wishes to age in place, but is starting to struggle with independent living, Start looking into getting them set up with home care services. Home is our comfort and staying there is most often the goal for our loved ones. Of course there safety and care are always a top concern for us, there are ways we can help them age in place safely. I hope this episode helped you understand our loved ones desire to age in place. Thank you so much for listening.Join me next week for another episode of solutions for seniors podcast for another common challenge we all face while helping care for an aging loved one. Stay safe and well.

Hello everyone,Chealsea here with Solutions for seniors Before we get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais of sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. If you are in the Kankakee county or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for your home care needs for your loved ones. You can also visit Home Helpers website homehelpereshomecare.com/Kankakee Today I’m going to be talking about picking the right Home Care agency for your loved one. Most of the time we don’t think about in-home care for our loved one until a major event happens, such as a fall, a stroke, or some other serious injury or condition. When we are in crisis mode, we tend to rush onto a partnership with the first available Home Care Agency, even if they may not meet our loved ones wants and needs. Finding the best agency for your loved one can take time, careful research and conversations about home care preferences. The best option can look different for each family. The first thing I suggest is talking with your loved one and deciding what is most important to them when it comes to hiring an agency to come into their home. Opening up the conversation with your loved one and having their input will make them feel in control of their own care and make them feel heard. That normal makes the transition into getting help a lot easier. Then the conversation will give you a starting point when looking into local agencies. Each State has their own laws and regulations for Home Care agency to follow. Make sure that all agencies are up to date on their license’s and training. Hiring an unlicensed agencies or persons can be very dangerous for your loved ones. I always encourage families to not hiring an individual caregiver, because of the dangers that could be involved. They do not have any workers comp insurance on themselves, so if an injury were to happen in your loved one’s home, they could sue your loved one or their homeowner’s insurance. There is no back up if they need a day off or vacation. There is no supervising of the care from a care manager or care coordinator. They could be providing care wrong and not even know that they are doing anything wrong. When we are hiring an individual ourselves, we are also not able to vet the caregiver as an agency can. The safety of our loved ones is always our main priority When looking for agencies we can use our resources to help find a reputable and experienced in-home care agency. Look online for reviews, ask friends and family about recommendations or ask your loved ones primary Doctor for recommendations. Then you will be able to call the agency and ask questions and set up an in home assessment with your loved one, so you and your loved one will know what that agency offers and how they can help your loved one. Here are the things I would suggest asking during your home assessment. 1. What is the vetting process for staff? Background check? Drug testing?2. Is the agency licensed and bonded?3. Agency minimum of hours? Most common is 3-4hours per shift. 4. Can the level of care change as the need changes?5. Do they offer any other services? Fall sensors? Medication management?6. How will the care be managed?7. Who is the contact person within the agency?8. Can the office be reached just during office hours?9. How is this paid for? Out of Pocket? long term ins? Medicare/ medicaid Thats my top 9 questions while having your in home assessment.

Hello everyone,Chealsea here with Solutions for seniors Before we get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais of sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. If you are in the Kankakee county or Will county area call Home Helpers at 815-401-5527 for your home care needs for your loved ones. You can also visit Home Helpers website homehelpereshomecare.com/Kankakee On this episode, I will be talking about things we need to be looking for with our aging loved ones. When do you step in? How will you know when they need help? Is it too early to intervene? Those are just a couple of the questions all be answering for you today. How will we know when are loved ones is a need of extra help? One the that is almost certain: Our loved one will not be the ones who tell us that they need a helping hand! Admitting the need for help and accepting assistance is not easy for anyone and it doesn’t get easier as we age. It may become even harder. The responsibility often falls on the family members to recognize the signs that an aging loved one might need some support with completing activities of daily living. Also known as their ADL’s Our loved ones have a strong desire to remain independent and in control of their own lives for as long as possible. Sometimes, our loved ones can experience a traumatic event precipitating the realization that they need assistance. Maybe a fall, an overdose of medication, getting lost and unable to get back home. Because as an adult Child we are often unable to participate in making care decisions before a crisis takes place, the added emotional stress of a sudden hospitalization or fall further complicates this process. One thing we can do to avoid this is to start regularly monitoring your parents physical and mental abilities and researching and knowing all of the care option in your loved one’s area and budget. This will ensure that you are prepared should your loved one begin to show signs of needing help. Warning signs that our aging loved one needs some help in their home. How do you know if its time for help in their home or an increased level of care?1. Difficulty performing Routine Activities of Daily living.2. Changes in their physical Function or Appearance that would indicate a need for assistance. 3. Changes in behavior or mental status 4. Physical Clues that your aging loved one is neglecting household responsibilities 5. Warning signs that your loved one might be developing a cognitive impairmentIf you believe your loved one is experiencing one or more of the indicators I have talked about today, ideally the next step would be to talk to your loved one about their care needs in a way that they are able to participate in identifying the problem and helping come up with a solution. If these signs are present, it doesn’t necessarily mean move your loved one into an assisted living or nursing home is required. However, these red flags do indicate that daily supportive care is needed. For many families, hiring an agency to help, allows our loved one to stay in the comfort of their home as long as safely possible. Come back next week while I go over how to pick the right Home Care agencies for your loved ones and everything you need to know, when looking into Home care. Thank you for joining me this week on solutions for senior’s podcast. Join me next week to talk about all the things we need to know while helping an aging loved one. Stay safe and well!

On today’s episode of Solutions for Seniors I’ll be talking about Alzheimer’s disease and communicating with our loved ones. One of the challenges we face caring for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease is effectively communicating with them. In an effort to make communication go more smoothly, it helps to understand what the challenges are, and then move forward with solutions that help both you and your loved one. Once we understand the challenge, it can be easier to communicate with your loved one. We need to realize what they are experiencing is a normal part of the disease, and not them. Common Communication Changes with Alzheimer’s Disease· Inability to name objects· Difficulty in finding the correct word for objects, places or people· Inability to recognize a word or phrase· Using a general term instead of specific words and descriptions are vague· Becoming stuck on ideas or words and repeating them over and over· Easily losing their train of thought· Using inappropriatenlanguage during conversation· Increasingly poor written word comprehension· Gradual loss of writing ability· Combining languages or returning to native language· Decreasing levels of speech and use of nonsense syllables· Reliance on gestures rather than speech Studies show that people with Alzheimer’s disease retain a strong desire to communicate, despite their challenges.Simplifying Communication with our loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease· Patience· Show your interest in the subject· Offer comfort and reassurance· Listen for a response· Avoid criticizing, correcting or finishing their thoughts· Avoid arguing· Offer a guess as to what they need· Limit distractions· Encourage non-verbal communication· Be calm and supportive· Focus on feelings, not facts· Pay attention to your tone· Identify yourself and address the elder by name· Speak slowly and clearly· Use short, simple, familiar words and short sentences· Ask one question at a time· Allow enough time for a response· Avoid pronouns and negative statements· Use non-verbal communication· Offer assistance as needed· Be flexible and understanding I have worked with many clients who had Alzheimer’s disease I have used all of these techniques in communicating with my clients and found them to be useful. As an outsider, it can be easier to communicate with someone with Alzheimer’s disease, versus their family who knew the person they were and seeing them struggle is difficult to cope with. Hopefully, these suggestions will make communication easier for your family.Thank you for joining me this week while I talked about communication with our loved ones suffering with Alzhiemers. Oin me next week for another episode on a common challenge we all face as our loved ones age. Stay safe and well.

Hello Everyone, Chealsea here, with Solutions for seniors podcast. before we get start with episode 3, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors.On todays episode I’m going to be driving into all of our care option we have during this pandemic. Picking the best care option for your loved one is hard enough but with all the new obstacles, the choice can be even harder. Covid-19, coronavirus, plain old “corona’- whatever you want to call it, its a pandemic with serious ramifications. However, there is already a lot of misinformation swarming to web and media. As good natured as some of this information may be it’s not correct. I always suggest going straight to the source and visiting the CDC website for the most up to date information. That website is cdc.gov. One thing is that we are hearing that does stand true, is the older adults are among the groups most at risk of both catching the virus, and suffering fatally. That is why I’m recording this episode to talk about the best ways to help them With all the information flying around, I’m here to give you a crash course on the best things to do to help our aging loved ones or anyone with a compromised immune systems. This crash course has less to do with the disease, and more with the conditions of quarantine.

Introducing you to Solutions for seniorsHi my name is Chealsea and I’d like to introduce you to Solutions for Seniors podcast. Before I get started I’d like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring Solutions for Seniors. Home helpers is an in home care service that helps seniors age in place wherever they call home. On this episode I’m going to introduce what solutions for seniors is and how I can help you with the challenges you face when helping an aging loved one. I’m starting this podcast because I know what it’s like to try and navigate through helping a loved one age. As our loved one face new challenges and obstacles in their life, they might not know how to ask for help or even want to ask for help. They might say that they don’t want our help, when we know that they do need help. You are not alone, We all face similar problems when helping a loved one. Solutions for seniors is here to help. I have personal and professional experience working with aging seniors. I have spent the last 5 years doing in home assessments helping senior get the level of care needed and assist with getting their home safe. I have completed my certified dementia practitioner course. Being a certified dementia practitioner I have received comprehensive knowledge in the area of dementia care and can share the latest up to date information with you. Join each week for different topic based on common challenges that you may face while caring for an aging loved one.If you have a specific topic you would like me to talk about please email me at solutionsforseniors@outlook.com.

The first thing is you can do is look out all the side effects of the medication being taken both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. They can make you feel dizzy or sleepy. Either can lead to a fall. Being aware of the side effects and how the medication effects you can help eliminate or reduce the risk of falling. Consult with your primary physician with any concerns to side effect medications causes.The second thing you can do is remove clutter. As you may see if your loved ones we start to hang on to everything. I will cover hoarding an another episode. You may notice old magazines, newspaper or mail piling up. Extra clutter in the house can cause slips, trips or falls. Extra clutter can cause confusion or block a safe walkway. Along with removing cutter you can remove rugs and electrical cords. Trust me I know that know one wants to give up throw rugs, but throw rugs do pose a large risk for slips, trips and fallsThe third may take a little more work but the pay off is reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls. Relocating all items to reachable shelves, not having any household item too high or too low. If items are too high to reach we tend to climb on furniture or grab a step stool, both of those are not ideal situations when we are trying to avoid slips, trips and falls. Having everything we needs reachable and assessable will stop the risk on any climbing or breaking out the step stool. The forth thing you can do is add grab bar to any area of the home that is concerning. Starting in at the bathroom, having grab bars around the toilet and in the shower, are very important. If your loved one is already suffering with limited mobility adding a toilet riser will help make the bathroom a lot safer area. You can add grab bars down a long hallway or in stairways. The fifth thing you can do is add a rubber mat or some sort of slip resistant in the shower or bathtub. The shower can be very dangerous because the water makes everything so much more slippery. You can also add a shower bench or chair so you don’t have to worry about your loved one having to stand for the entire shower.The sixth thing you can do is make sure that your loved one has easy excess to turning the lights on at night. If they getup in the night to use the bathroom or get a drink and its dark, they can misstep very easily. Having a light on the night stand or even a flashlight on the night table to help with light. The seventh thing we can do to help keep our loved ones from falls, is helping them stay active. Just like the saying ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’. You can look into your local gyms,YMCA’s or park districts for senior group, activities and even outings. Keeping active can help keep our loved ones for any slips, trips or falls. The eighth thing you can do is make sure that your loved one has well fitting and comfortable shoes to wear both inside the house and outside the house. Comfortable shoes with good arch support can make all the difference. The ninth thing you can do is have your loved ones vision and hearing check. Seeing a hearing and vision specialist regularly is very important as we age. The final tip I have for today is having a cane or walker ready of if your loved one is feeling unsteady on their feet. Bring a cane or walker when you have to walk longer distances than normal.Thank you so much for listen today and I truly hope that these 10 tips to help avoid slips, trip and falls help you and your loved ones stay safe and fall free. Please remember that if your loved one does fall to let their primary doctor know right away even if they don’t think they are hurt, we can always see the damages caused by a fall.