Care Link USA

Taking A Closer Look At Assisted Living

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it, people get old and sometimes they need help moving about the daily routine. This is a fact of life and something many families have to deal with, but it’s tough. Whether it’s your mother, your father or any other loved one, no one wants to make the decision that could send them away to an assisted living home. You might have even tried to add to your home to make the need for such a decision obsolete, adding things like home security systems, special ergonomic chairs or even implements to help people sit and stand. Before you know it, you have changed your entire life for this person, but it’s not enough.

Not only can you not be there all the time for your ailing loved one, you can’t be expected to shoulder the entire responsibility and get on with your life. That is why there are assisted living homes to help with this kind of situation, but you need to do your research. For every assisted living home you might be considering, you should plan to take a trip and see the place for yourself. Get a feel for the staff and make sure the place is both safe and respectful to the residents. That way you can have the peace of mind knowing your loved one is in safe hands.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that is devastating to the patient and the patient’s family. This disease affects many people emotionally and physically. Treatment can be started if the illness is detected early, and this is possible if you know what to look for. The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, not normal memory loss, but a loss that disrupts day to day life. The patient may demonstrate a problem planning things or solving problems, a difficult time with familiar tasks at home and work, confusion about a time or place, they start having problems understanding what they are seeing, problems following a conversation or speaking, misplacing things and unable to retrace steps, poor judgement, socially isolated and a change in their personality. If someone that you love is suffering from any of these signs, even if it is just one, talk to their doctor about it. If this disease is caught during the early symptoms, it may be possible to treat it with medications. Letting the illness continue without intervention will cause the patient to not be diagnosed until it is too late to treat with medications. Don’t let symptoms go unchecked no matter how small it may be.

Volunteer at an Assisted Living Facility

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are plenty of volunteer associations out there for those of us who want to give back to the community in which we have flourished. What better way to give back than to lend a helping hand to our elders. They have built our communities from the ground up, they have paved the way for us. Now they need our help. Volunteering at an assisted living facility is one of the most rewarding things imaginable. You get to help these people through their last few years of life. You get to indulge in their wisdom and stories of the old days. Most of all, seeing them might help you realize just how much they have done for you. They may be complete strangers, but the elderly have built this world for us. They took nothing and turned it into the world that we take for granted everyday. We also take for granted the ability to care for ourselves, seeing what these elderly people need help with, can’t do on their own, might make you realize how lucky you are to be young, vibrant and healthy. So, find an assisted living facility near you and tell them you want to volunteer.

Assisted Living for Younger Individuals

admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Assisted living facilities are not just for older adults. There are facilities for young individuals as well. The facility is basically the same as for adults, but there are different rules that young people must follow. They are not allowed to have cell phones or gaming devices unless the facility allows them. Assisted living facilities are divided into rooms, and residents share a room with another person of the same sex. Both men and women live in the facility.Confused? Here ‘s a little help . It is similar to a nursing home, but for young adults. Meals are served three times a day. Residents can eat in their room, or they can go to a dining room and eat. For residents who are at the facility for an extended period of time, they may bring their own furniture. A bed can be placed in the room if a hospital bed is not required, as well as a dresser, television and clothing. Residents who live in an assisted living facility can wear their own clothes, and they can take a shower either on a schedule set up by the facility or as often as they wish, depending on the rules of the facility. Visitors are allowed so that the residents can keep in touch with family and friends.

What to Do First When Caring for a Loved One

admin — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If your loved one is placed under your care it can be stressful to figure out what they might need. With the help of their physician here are a few things to check out as soon as you’re deemed responsible for your elderly loved one.
Their vision. Many elderly people neglect going to an eye doctor out of fear or cost concerns so take them to an ophthalmologist right away. Here you can find out if they need glasses or treatment for serious conditions like glaucoma or cataracts.
Their hearing. Get a free hearing test for your elderly loved one to see if they need a hearing device. There are so many options nowadays including digital hearing aids and invisible hearing aids you’re sure to find something to fit your needs.
Their diet. Talk to your loved one about what they’re eating on a daily basis. Often, cost concerns can mean a limited diet so try to find ways to incorporate healthy items and produce into your loved one’s meals.
These are just a few of the ways to start on the right foot when you begin caring for a loved one. Talk to your doctor about others.

Assisted Living Discussion Tips/Talking Points

www.carelinkusa.com — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The decision to place a loved one in the care of another can be a difficult subject to broach, whether talking to the individual in question his or her self, or another family member with whom the matter concerns. Yet, in many cases, finding an alternative care solution is in the best interest of all parties. Such major life decisions should not be made without adequate discussion between all parties involved. How do you start the conversation? Here are some tips to ease the process.Open Communication Channels Early On You will need to allow time for the entire family to come to terms with the options at hand. This means introducing the idea of a nursing home into the equation long before the time comes for decisions to be made. Also, conversing with a loved one who may ultimately need to be placed into such care before the move is impending will allow them to process the information with a clear, rationale mind.Highlight the Advantages While a move to assisted living may result in less total time spent with loved ones, many assisted living facilities offer opportunities unavailable at home or without supervision. Depending on the facility, assisted living may actually result in more freedom for the person placed into care as well as his or her family, including expert care, private rooms, varied dining options, chaperoned outings and social interaction, among many more.Consider Everyone’s Best Interests A family is more than a collective unit of individuals. Such decisions should be made with the family’s best interests in mind. Stress that you want each member to be comfortable with the decision and don’t place a deadline on the choice unless absolutely necessary.Outline/Commit to a Visiting Schedule Often times, the hardest part of the assisted living discussion is the idea of saying goodbye. By providing a tangible, structured visiting plan, such concerns can be alleviated, helping all members of the family to embrace the change as one of the better.

Hospice: A Comforting Resource in the Final Days

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:42:24 +0000

If you have been taking care of a loved one who is approaching the end of their life, there are many things to consider in their last days. Whether to continue pursuing last-resort treatment, how to comfort someone in pain, as well as whether to keep a person in a care facility or bring them home to spend their final days in peace are all questions you will face. Hospice is an organization that provides care focused on increasing the quality, not quantity, of your days at the end of life. Because it runs primarily on donations and volunteers, Hospice services are covered by Medicare, which comes as a great comfort during this difficult time.Hospice uses as combination of doctors, nurses, volunteers, and clergy to help ease pain of the patient and assist a family during the death of a loved one. The policy of this organization is usually to begin assistance when there is less than 6 months life expectancy. A doctor can recommend the services of hospice, who will then assess the needs of the situation. Hospice care can be provided in a person’s home, at a nursing home or at a hospice center. It is the policy of Hospice not to “hasten or postpone” the dying process, but simply to provide comfort and peace during this time. Because service is usually covered through some sort of Medicare program or with donations to the organization, the families of patients cared for by Hospice often will encourage donations be made to their local Hospice chapter in lieu of flowers at a funeral. Donations can also be made online. You can also use the website to locate a Hospice program near you as well as a number of resources that help during the death and bereavement period.

When a Nursing Home is the Best Option

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:20:08 +0000

As sad and unfortunate as it may be, there are many instances in an elderly person’s life when a nursing home is their best possibility. Rarely do people enter assisted living facilities simply because they want to. They do so because they (or their families) believe it is the easiest and safest option. If your parents have reached a point where living alone no longer seems to be a feasible option, you understand the confusion and turmoil that goes into making a decision about assisted living.If your parent suffers from poor health to an extent that requires nurse’s care, you should consider placing them in a home. Home nursing care is a possibility, but it is relatively expensive and not widely available. Common ailments associated with old age such as mental health problems , strokes, Alzheimer’s, and various other handicaps can be managed more easily in an assisted living facility.Another common reason for choosing the move to a nursing home is loneliness. Now, more than ever, families are moving away from home and starting lives of their own. Visits to mom and dad may be extremely rare, leaving elderly parents to fend for themselves. Additionally, neighbors and communities are not as close knit as they used to be, so reliance on anyone outside of your home is usually hard to come by. As time goes by, people get older and inevitably pass away. This means elderly parents must deal with the loss of friends, spouses, and loved ones more and more frequently. In nursing homes, there are age appropriate events and community meals so loneliness is not as much of an issue.Apart from physical and emotional reasons, moving to a nursing home can also be a more fiscally responsible option. Caring for a home or apartment is strenuous on the wallet and the body. Cleaning, cooking, and paying bills become difficult, especially when there is no household income.

What are your Options as a Caregiver?

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:18:49 +0000

The options available to you as a caregiver are many, but the option that is right for you depends on the situation. If your elderly family member suffers from severe illnesses and needs constant care, an assisted living facility is going to be your best option. In less severe cases, there are less dramatic options available that will hopefully make life easier for both you and your loved one.The most important consideration is going to be where the elderly parent should live. This decision depends on the conditions of the elderly parent and the caregiver’s lifestyle. Most full time employees prefer their parents move in with them. This allows them to go to work then come home and spend time with their families as well as take care of their elderly parent. If the parent’s condition is not stable enough to leave unattended, there are adult day care centers where healthier elders can go and socialize with other people their age. The sound of a ‘day care center’ sounds childish, but most find it to be a good alternative to sitting home alone every day. If the parent’s condition is too poor for the recreational centers, there are other day care center options that provide health care. These serve as a medium between a full fledge nursing home and your house. Another useful medium is the home care option. Though there aren’t as many social benefits involved, a nurse who is hired to care for your loved one at home while you’re away at work will ensure the health and safety remains intact. This tactic can get very pricey very fast, so it might be better to enroll in a full time nursing home if your parent’s condition needs constant assistance. A cheaper option, if the health of your parent permits, is to ask a neighbor or friend to come over for an hour or so each day and keep your parent company for lunch or cleaning.As depressing as it may be, everyone has to face the issues associated with aging parents eventually. If you know your options, it will be easier to deal with it when the time comes.

Look out for Caregiver Burnout

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:17:59 +0000

Let’s face it; caring for elderly loved ones is stressful. You love your parents and hate to see their health deteriorating, but at the same time you have your own life to lead. Trying to balance these two on one plate can easily become too much for one person to handle. The now common term ‘caregiver burnout’ refers to the negative physical, emotional, financial, psychological, and social consequences of trying to care for an elderly parent and handling other day to day stresses. If you reach this point in your care giving status, it is unhealthy for both you and the person you’re caring for.To prevent getting burnt out, make sure you are getting the help you need. Don’t try to tackle everything on your own. Allow regular breaks for yourself and ask for assistance. Friends or family should be happy to help you look after your elderly parent so you can run errands or simply take a breather. If you’re feeling overwhelmed even with the help of friends and family, we recommend enlisting in services such as adult day care centers, home health aides, home-delivered meals, or skilled nursing. In addition to physical support, you’re most likely going to need a sturdy network of emotional support. Seeing a loved one close to the end, losing the qualities you love about them, is a tough and trying experience. Be sure to share what you’re going through with at least one other person. Don’t let the burden of caring prove to be too much for you. Try turning to a trusted friend or family member, a support group, or even a counselor or therapist. Faith can also help you find strength to carry on, so join a church or synagogue if you’re not already an active member.Always remember that taking care of yourself is equally, if not more important as taking care of your parent. If you have a mental breakdown or burnout, it will be impossible for you to care for your loved one. Don’t let the world rest on your shoulders. Go out and have fun with friends and be sure to openly communicate with your care receiver. If either of you is unhappy, let the other know in a way that is respectful and honest. It’s going to be tough, but you can do it.