10 Best Resources for In-Home Care Help

These services, groups, and individuals can solve problems and cut your stress.
By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
Last updated: November 03, 2011

Most people don't start as caregivers knowing the ropes. To the contrary, most caregivers tend to learn as they go along, with a fair amount of wrong turns and struggles. What helps: knowing where to find reliable help.

The following ten organizations and individuals can help you meet your responsibilities, make you feel less alone, and cut your stress if you're helping someone who's receiving care at home.

1. Companion care services

What they are: Companion care providers do just what the name says: provide company for older adults, especially those who are shut-ins because of frailty or a dementing illness (such as mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease), or who live alone. Sometimes called "elder companions," these aides keep a watchful eye, dispense daily medications, drive to haircut appointments, safeguard someone unsteady on his or her feet, read aloud, play cards, prepare light meals and snacks, and otherwise function as an extra set of hands, eyes, and feet for your loved one. Companion care is a growing subset of in-home care services.

How they help: Companion care is ideal for someone who would otherwise have to spend part of the day alone and who requires some light assistance. Family members can work or handle other activities knowing their loved one isn't left alone. Companion care also provides a valuable social benefit, decreasing isolation and improving mood. Warm relationships are often formed when a consistent companion is on the job.

How to get started: You can find companions on your own in much the same way you'd find a babysitter: by talking to neighbors, friends, or family members. Or use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to seach for in-home care agencies by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

2. Personal care assistants
What they are: In addition to providing companion care, personal care assistants offer assistance with all kinds of activities of daily living, from grocery shopping to such nonmedical personal care as toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing. They can also provide temporary respite care for families.

How they help: Many families enlist personal care assistants -- hired independently or through in-home care agencies -- to solve problems in their home care situation, such as a small woman hiring a strong aide who can lift a spouse for bathing, or a son concerned about privacy hiring a woman to bathe his mother. Personal care assistants can arrange for meal preparation, escorts to doctor visits, and any other type of nonmedical assistance your loved one may need in order to live at home longer. If you need to get away for a few hours a week or overnight, in-home care can ease the worry, especially if the in-home caregiver is familiar to your loved one because he or she provides regular services.

How to get started: You can find personal care assistants on your own by asking friends and neighbors for referrals. Or use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for in-home care agencies (most provide personal care assistants) by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

3. Adult day services

What they are: Adult day services -- also called adult day health services, adult daycare, or respite care -- provide care and supervision outside the home for older adults with physical or mental limitations. Many provide limited health services, mind and body exercise, social activities, meals, transportation, and other support services. Most offer a safe, supervised environment -- even for those with dementia or who are so frail they'd otherwise have to be cared for in a skilled nursing facility. Adult day services often operate as stand-alone centers or in connection with senior centers, churches, hospitals, or residential care facilities.

How they help: Adult day services provide an important option to families who can't afford full-time, in-home care and need some way to keep their loved busy and engaged in a safe, supportive, supervised place. Adult day services also provide caregivers with much-needed temporary relief, whether the services are used for a few hours a week or more extensively.

How to get started: It's a good idea to tour possible adult day services providers to get the best fit. Two good places to find leads:

• Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for adult day services by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.
• Contact the staff at your local Area Agency on Aging and ask for a referral.
  

4. Home health agencies

What they are: Home health agencies are the go-to source when your loved one needs a higher level of care, including minor medical care. Certified nursing assistants have more medical training than elder companions or personal care assistants and must pass exams to receive certification; they usually work under a supervising registered nurse.

How they help: If your loved one is going to be discharged from a hospital stay, having someone around the house who can change bandages or check vital signs can provide peace of mind. Home health agencies are sometimes recommended for certain kinds of in-home rehabilitation, such as physical therapy. You may also welcome these services if your loved one needs personal care or health care that the family is uncomfortable providing or is unable to provide, such as ostomy or wound care, incontinence care, insulin management, or other medical services.

How to get started: Talk to your doctor if you'd prefer to work with a specific home health agency. Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for home health agencies by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

5. Your local Area Agency on Aging

What it is: Your local Area Agency on Aging is a government-mandated clearinghouse for general information about nearby eldercare services. These agencies offer free referrals to local services that provide transportation, meals, adult day services, in-home caregivers, legal assistance, home-based training programs for caregivers, and other forms of help -- all the kinds of services that can help you keep a loved one at home longer. The names of these agencies often vary by community. But the services they refer to are usually free or low-cost, and calling the agency is free.

How it helps: Calls to area agencies on aging are among the best first actions a caregiver can make to learn the local lay of the land on eldercare: what kinds of programs, facilities, and expertise are available in the community. Staffers can answer common questions and refer you to resources that are most likely to match your family's specific needs -- speeding your research process and perhaps making you aware of resources you never knew existed.

How to get started: Contact the staff at your local Area Agency on Aging.

6. Geriatric care managers

What they are: Geriatric care managers, or GCMs, assess needs and identify and coordinate resources for older adults. Geriatric care managers can take over nearly all aspects of eldercare in some cases. Some local government agencies and charities offer geriatric care consulting services free or on a sliding scale. If hired privately, expect to pay a GCM $75 to $250 an hour.

How they help: Geriatric care managers are best at helping you organize care needs when there's a change in situation, such as when your loved one is moving in or has had a health crisis. They can also manage complicated ongoing care, such as cases in which a number of doctors and therapists are involved. Working caregivers and long-distance caregivers find their support cost-effective.

How to get started: Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for geriatric care managers by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

7. Senior move managers

What they are: Senior move managers help plan and manage a move of any distance, such as from a longtime home or to a communal living situation. They will hire and supervise movers, help sort and pack belongings, and unpack at the new home.

How they help: Senior move managers don't just handle the time-consuming (and often backbreaking) logistics; they have expertise in navigating tricky emotional terrain that's involved with someone who has accumulated a lifetime of possessions. Caregivers who work or whose older loved ones live far away find such services especially useful. You can also hire a senior move manager to help downsize possessions if a loved one is moving in with you, to accommodate multiple generations under one roof.

How to get started: Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for senior move managers by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

8. Elder law attorneys

What they are: Elder law attorneys are lawyers who specialize in legal and financial matters that are especially relevant to older adults -- and to their families --including estate planning, trusts, and documents to ensure that medical wishes and financial wishes will be honored.
How they help: Getting documents in order that ensure your ability to communicate with doctors and banks will streamline your ability to be an effective advocate and caregiver. Among the legal documents you need for your loved ones: an advance healthcare directive, a durable power of attorney for healthcare, a revocable living trust, and a will.
How to get started: Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for elder law attorneys by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

9. Family mediators

What they are: Family mediators are lawyers, social workers, or other professionals with special training in the fine art of negotiation and compromise. They work with families to solve problems that are often highly emotional and polarized. "Elder mediators" specialize in matters concerning aging parents or partners, including questions of guardianship, living situations, charges of favoritism, and stepfamily tangles.
How they help: Unfortunately, not all crises bring families together; sometimes issues crop up that pull them apart. A good family mediator can be an impartial third party who can cut through old grievances and childhood pigeonholes to resolve tough situations. Aging parents may welcome this service to bring a strained family back together. Mediators can also get siblings on the same page, help far-flung families see eye to eye, help formulate care plans -- and curb the stress levels of hands-on caregivers, who often feel smack in the middle of family disagreements.
How to get started: To find a family mediator, ask a local geriatric care manager or elder law attorney. Many mediators are themselves GCMs or attorneys, although the person you use should be an impartial third party to all involved. Try for someone with a lot of experience working with elder concerns; look for the moniker "elder mediator."

10. Senior home remodelers

What they are: Senior home remodelers are builders and home-repair services that specialize in retrofitting homes to make them safe and accessible; many also create new construction with eldercare needs in mind. As a fairly recent subset of the home building industry, they're experts at assessing danger spots and inconveniences in existing homes, making safe upgrades (such as installing grab bars, widening access for wheelchairs, building ramps), and designing new living spaces. They apply universal design principles to create a house you can live in forever.
How they help: Whether a loved one is moving in with you or aging in place in his or her own home, getting an assessment from a senior home remodeler is useful for identifying dated fixtures and designs that put the person at risk for falls and other mishaps. Given that an increasing number of families are becoming multigenerational households, senior home remodelers can also make suggestions for altering an existing structure to give everyone privacy.
How to get started: Use Caring.com's Senior Living Directory to search for senior home remodelers by city or zip code -- and to see ratings and reviews.

http://www.caring.com/articles/more-top-resources-for-in-home-care-help-2


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Myths About Exercise and Older Adults

WebMD Feature
By R. Morgan Griffin
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
Have you given up on exercise? A lot of older people do -- just one out of four people between the ages of 65 and 74 exercises regularly. Many people assume that they're too out-of-shape, or sick, or tired, or just plain old to exercise. They're wrong.

"Exercise is almost always good for people of any age," says Chhanda Dutta, PhD, chief of the Clinical Gerontology Branch at the National Institute on Aging. Exercise can help make you stronger, prevent bone loss, improve balance and coordination, lift your mood, boost your memory, and ease the symptoms of many chronic conditions.

Here are some common myths that stop older people from exercising -- along with some expert advice to get you started working out.

Exercise Myth: Trying to exercise and get healthy is pointless -- decline in old age is inevitable.
"There's a powerful myth that getting older means getting decrepit," says Dutta. "It's not true. Some people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s are out there running marathons and becoming body-builders." A lot of the symptoms that we associate with old age -- such as weakness and loss of balance -- are actually symptoms of inactivity, not age, says Alicia I. Arbaje, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Exercise improves more than your physical health. It can also boost memory and help prevent dementia. And it can help you maintain your independence and your way of life. If you stay strong and agile as you age, you'll be more able to keep doing the things you enjoy and less likely to need help.

Exercise Myth: Exercise isn't safe for someone my age -- I don't want to fall and break a hip.
In fact, studies show that exercise can reduce your chances of a fall, says Dutta. Exercise builds strength, balance, and agility. Exercises like tai chi may be especially helpful in improving balance. Worried about osteoporosis and weak bones? One of the best ways to strengthen them is with regular exercise.

Exercise Myth: Since I'm older, I need to check with my doctor before I exercise.
If you have a medical condition or any unexplained symptoms or you haven't had a physical in a long time, check with your doctor before you start exercising. Otherwise, go ahead. "People don't need to check with a doctor before they exercise just because they're older," says Dutta. Just go slowly and don't overdo it.

Exercise Myth: I'm sick, so I shouldn't exercise.
On the contrary, if you have a chronic health problem -- such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease -- exercise is almost certainly a good idea. Check with a doctor first, but exercise will probably help.

"Exercise is almost like a silver bullet for lots of health problems," says Arbaje. "For many people, exercise can do as much if not more good than the 5 to 10 medications they take every day."

Exercise Myth: I'm afraid I might have a heart attack if I exercise.
We've all heard about people who had heart attacks while exercising. It can happen. However, the many health benefits of exercise far exceed the small risk. "Being a couch potato is actually more dangerous than being physically active," says Dutta. "That's true for the risk of heart disease and many other conditions."

Exercise Myth: I never really exercised before -- it's too late to make a difference in my health.
It may seem too late to atone for a lifetime of not exercising. "That's absolutely not true," says Dutta. Studies have found that even in people in their nineties living in nursing homes, starting an exercise routine can boost muscle strength. Other research shows that starting exercise late in life can still cut the risk of health problems -- such as diabetes --and improve symptoms. "It really is never too late to start exercising and reaping the benefits," Dutta tells WebMD.

Exercise Myth: Exercise will hurt my joints.
If you're in chronic pain from arthritis, exercising may seem too painful. Here's a counterintuitive fact: studies show that exercising helps with arthritis pain. One study of people over age 60 with knee arthritis found that those who exercised more had less pain and better joint function.

Exercise Myth: I don't have time to exercise.
This is a myth that's common in all age groups. Experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. That might sound like a lot. Actually, it's only a little over 20 minutes a day. What's more, you don't have to do it all in one chunk. You can split it up. For instance, take a 10-minute walk in the morning and pedal on a stationary bike for 15 minutes in the evening -- you're done.

Exercise Myth: I'm too weak to start exercising.
Maybe you just recovered from an illness or surgery and are feeling too weak even to walk around the block. Maybe you only get out of the chair each day to go to the bathroom. If so, start there. Decide today to get in and out of your chair 10 times. As you do it more, your strength will increase and you can set higher goals.

Exercise Myth: I'm disabled, so I can't exercise.
"A disability can make exercise challenging, but there really is no excuse for not doing some sort of exercise," says Arbaje. If you're in a wheelchair, you can use your arms to get an aerobic workout and build strength. Even people who are bedridden can find ways to exercise, she says. Talk to a doctor or a physical therapist about ways you can modify exercises to work around your disability.

Exercise Myth: I can't afford to exercise -- I don't have the budget to join a gym or buy equipment.
Gym memberships and home treadmills can be expensive. Still, that's no reason to skip exercising, Dutta says. You can exercise for free. Walking doesn't cost anything. Look into free demonstration classes at your local senior center. If you want to lift weights at home, use soup cans or milk jugs filled with sand. Use your dining room chair for exercises that improve balance and flexibility. If you have a health problem, insurance may cover a few sessions with a physical trainer or an occupational therapist, says Arbaje. There are lots of ways to get fit at low or no cost.

Exercise Myth: Gyms are for young people, not for me.
"The gym scene can be intimidating for older people," says Dutta. Look to see if gyms in your area have offerings for seniors or people new to exercise. If you're retired, try going in the middle of the day, so you can avoid the before and after-work rush. "Find an environment where you feel comfortable exercising," says Arbaje.

Exercise Myth: Exercise is boring.
If exercise is boring, you're not doing it right. Exercise doesn't even have to feel like exercise.
Remember that any physical activity counts. Whether it's catching up with a friend while you walk the mall, or taking a dance class, or chasing your grandchildren, or bowling, or raking, or gardening, or volunteering at your local school system or park, it's physical activity.
"Don't forget sex," says Arbaje. "That's good exercise too."

The key is to figure out something you enjoy doing and do that. When you get tired of it, try something new. "The type of exercise doesn't matter," says Arbaje. "The best exercise is the one that you actually do."

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/nutrition-world-2/exercise-older-adults?page=1


"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Austin, Texas

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Austin, Texas area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

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Don't Slip On Icy Surfaces This Winter

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 04 Jan 2012 - 8:00 PST

Each year around 1 million individuals fall - with winter officially here, take precautions in order to avoid falling on slippery sidewalks. Approximately 20,000 adults die every year as a result of fall-related injuries according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Furthermore, around 15% of job-site accidents are due to injuries from falls, amounting to nearly 15% of all workers' compensation costs.

Mike Ross, author of "The Balance Manual" and exercise physiologist at Gottlieb Center for Fitness, part of the Loyola University Health System, explained: "Many falls can be successfully avoided or the impact minimized by applying a few basic strategies."

At Gottlieb, Ross teaches individuals, mainly those over 50 years, balance classes year-round. As individuals age, unavoidable bodily changes might affect the persons' safety. Ross states: "Balance deteriorates as we get older due to the weakening of muscles and change in sensory perception, especially in the ear structure." The brain and inner ear primarily determine equilibrium, or balance.

Ross explains:

"As we age, our eardrums often thicken and the bones in the middle ear and other structures are affected. It often becomes increasingly difficult to maintain balance. Aging also breaks down cells in the nervous system, which can often result in a delay in reflexes that can lead to susceptibility to injury."

In order to take control and prevent injuries from falls, Ross provides eight tips how to avert slips and falls this winter.

• Make sure your shoes and boots have good grip as better traction can help keep you more stable on slippery surfaces. If the traction on your footwear is worn, it's time for a new pair.
• Make sure railings leading to your house are sturdy enough to support you if you slip.
• Keep a shovel and salt in your house so you don't have to walk on a slippery sidewalk rather than the garage, as this defeats the purpose.
• If the sidewalks are icy slow down rushing will more likely cause you to fall than taking it easy.
• Carry a cell phone with you when leaving the house in case you fall and find it hard to get up.
• Have a plan. When leaving the house, ask yourself "if I slipped and fell here, what would I do?"
• Exercise regularly to keep your leg muscles strong. Strong leg muscles will make it considerably more easier to get back up. Do a set of 10 squats out of chair a couple times per week, or walk up and down the stairs repeatedly.
• Ask individuals around you for help. The majority of people are more than happy to help an older person navigate a slippery sidewalk.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239907.php

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8 Warning Signs an Older Adult's Finances Are Off Track Keep your eyes open for these red flags

By Stephanie Miles, Caring.com senior editor
Financial problems can easily spiral out of control if older adults don't tackle them quickly. And if they're tight-lipped about their finances or fearful of losing control over their money, they may be less likely to confide in a caregiver or family member about any money difficulties they may be experiencing -- giving problems time to snowball.
Even if you're not privy to the details of their finances, if you pay attention you'll see early indications that problems are brewing. Here are some of the warning signs that their finances are off track:

1. Mail is piling up unopened in their house.

Take a look around the kitchen or mail area. Are there stacks of unsorted mail? What about piles of statements from mortgage or credit card companies, utilities, notices from the Internal Revenue Service, or other unopened envelopes that appear to be bills?
As people get older, the monthly chores of paying bills may become mentally or physically overwhelming, especially if money is tight because they're on a fixed income or if they're slowing down physically. Stacks of unopened mail -- especially bills -- can be an important warning sign that something is amiss.

2. They seem to be mishandling money or forgetful about cash.

When you're out to eat, does the person you're caring for open his wallet, only to be surprised that he doesn't have enough money to pay for something? Do you see undeposited checks or unopened mail from pension funds, insurance companies, or Social Security hiding in piles of paperwork or lost amid household clutter?
These can both be early signs that he isn't paying close attention to his money situation. He may be physically unable to make the daily or weekly trips to the ATM or bank branch to deposit checks and take out cash, or he may be getting increasingly forgetful about his day-to-day financial dealings.

3. Creditors are showing up in the phone logs.

The phone offers a quick and easy way to check to see whether creditors are contacting -- or harassing -- the person in your care. Check the caller ID logs and keep track of any increase in phone calls from new numbers that may be bill collectors. You may also notice repeated phone calls from credit card companies or household help, such as gardeners or housecleaners looking for back wages.

4. The house is filling with new purchases, or those in your care have acquired expensive new hobbies.
Take a look around the house. Does it look like they've been doing heavy-duty damage to their credit cards? Do you see lots of new and expensive purchases around the house, like furniture, art, knickknacks, or fancy appliances such as flat-screen TVs? Or maybe they've been traveling more than usual or taken up some other costly new habit like weekly golf outings to the most expensive course in town.
No one begrudges older adults the right to an occasional splurge -- especially if they're retired and finally relaxing after years of hard work. But a sudden uptick in purchases or expenses can be signs that they're overextending themselves and developing a compulsive spending habit.

5. They're gambling more often or for higher stakes than usual.

Many people -- especially older adults -- enjoy organized trips to local casinos or weekly bingo or bridge games at the senior center. Gambling cruises and bus trips are a popular weekend excursion for many groups, and there's no reason to panic over the first train ride to Reno, bus to the Jersey shore, or gambling cruise to the Bahamas. But if these activities increase significantly over time, you have to face the possibility that they may have a gambling problem -- and if that's the case, gambling-related expenses could easily blow up in their faces at any time.

6. You see or hear evidence that they're falling victim to financial scams.

Take another look at the mail pile and caller ID logs. Do you see many junk-mail catalogs from unfamiliar companies, sweepstakes mailings, solicitations for investment schemes, or vacation home offers? What about frequent or repeated phone calls from unfamiliar numbers? Or has someone you're caring for excitedly told you about a surefire, can't-miss investment scheme he heard about from a neighbor?
Older adults can be especially vulnerable to scam artists and shady telemarketers -- or even well-meaning friends who have already fallen prey to this kind of scheme -- not only because they often have significant assets but also because they may be lonely or may welcome the attention.

7. They're complaining about not having enough money.

Does the subject of money come up in conversation more than it used to? Do they make more passing references to the high costs of living expenses like gas, electricity, and groceries? You may also see more subtle signs that money is tight -- they may decline invitations to go out to eat with friends because of the cost, make fewer car trips because of high gas prices, and skip home fixes like house painting and furnace or appliance repairs. All of these can be signs that their expenses are too much for them to deal with on their own.

8. They seem physically unable to complete daily tasks like banking and bill paying.

Tasks that once seemed mundane can become unmanageable if their physical or mental state is deteriorating. The weekly trip to the ATM may be no big deal to you, but if they have vision problems that prevent them from driving or health issues that keep them from long walks, it may be hard for them to make it to the bank on a regular basis.
Likewise, paying bills by mail can become burdensome if arthritis makes writing checks and addressing envelopes painful. Pay attention to their general health, and you'll likely be able to keep tabs on their financial health as well.



"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Austin, Texas

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Austin, Texas area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

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Is The Safe Sodium Limit Higher Than Previously Believed?

Below 3 grams (3000 milligrams) of sodium per day is linked to a higher incidence of congestive heart failure.

For years doctors have warned that too much salt is bad for your heart. Now a new McMaster University study suggests that both high and low levels of salt intake may put people with heart disease or diabetes at increased risk of cardiovascular complications.

This is good news for olive lovers. Looking at a 19 oz bottle of pitted Greek Kalamata olives I see it has a total of 8.4 grams of salt in the 140 olives, presumably more in the water. For someone who eats very little in the way of processed foods and who has few other sources of sodium in their diet it seems quite safe to eat, say, 20 olives a day since that will be only 1.2 grams of sodium. This study found that eating below 3 grams of sodium per day appears to increase the risk of congestive heart failure. Since I don't even manage to eat 20 olives per day I'm thinking more ketchup might be called for. Gotta get that sodium somehow. A quick check shows that the dark chocolate from Trader Joes has no sodium in it. So can't get it that way.

Moderation is best. Yet again. How frustrating for the extremists among us.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) today, found that moderate salt intake was associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular events, while a higher intake of sodium was associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular events and a low intake was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for congestive heart failure.

Most people still probably eat too much processed food and therefore this report isn't a license for most people to eat more sodium. But if you do manage to cut back your fast food and other processed food consumption it might be time for some supplementary olive eating or use of ketchup on baked potatoes.

So are current guidelines too low? One can't be sure from a single study. But the case against moderate sodium consumption has been weakened by this result.

Compared with moderate sodium excretion (between 4 to 5.99 grams per day), the researchers found that sodium excretion of greater than seven grams per day was associated with an increased risk of all cardiovascular events, and sodium excretion of less than three grams per day was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for congestive heart failure.
The findings call into question current guidelines for salt intake, which recommend less than 2.3 grams (or 2,300 mg) per day. The guidelines are mostly based on previous clinical trials that found blood pressure is lowered modestly when sodium intake is reduced to this level (which was also found in the present study). However, there are no large studies looking at whether such low levels of sodium intake reduce the incidence of heart attacks and stroke.