When parents or a senior loved one begins to have difficulty with every day tasks, there are several options. Our philosophy has always been "Life is Precious, Live it at Home". According to AARP, 89% of people ages 50+ want to remain in their homes indefinitely. There are a number of reasons why mom and dad will have a better quality of life by living in their own familiar environment.
Memories
Familiar Surroundings
Independence & Dignity
Socially engaged with neighbors and friends
Comfortable because its home!
If your loved on is faced with safety issues, isolation, lack of proper nutrition, failure to take medications then Home Care is a great option. In-home caregivers can help with so many things. By selecting a caregiver that has the required skills and who is a great personality match, you may actually see your loved one feel and look better. A caregiver can help with errands, light house work, bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, medication reminders, pet care and so much more. They can help improve the quality of life by incorporating physical activity, exercise, nutritious meals, companionship and social activities. For someone with dementia or physical limitations a Live-In caregiver may be the solution, it is also the most affordable if extended hours are needed. However if your parent can perform the majority of task themselves, and only require a minimal number of hours, In-Home Care can be much more affordable than retirement communities, assisted living facilities, or a nursing home.
Call us today at 770-442-8664 and get started with our Home Care Services.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Most senior patients enter the hospital as a result of a complication of a chronic illness or a serious life-threatening event. Because your loved one is likely to be seriously ill, there may be a great deal of uncertainty with their prognosis. Your loved one may decline and you may be forced to make crucial decisions without their input. There are steps you can take to ease the stress of a hospitalization and to ensure that you remain in control and a part of the health care team.
Basic documents we all need:
Durable Power of Attorney - An individual you have appointed to make decisions about your medical care if you unconscious or can no loner speak for yourself.
Advance Medical Directive - This informs your physician and family as to what kind of care you wish to receive in the event that you can no longer make your own medical decisions.
Living Will - An advance directive that outlines what kind of medical treatment you want to receive in certain situations. This takes effect if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than six months to live, or if you are in a persistent vegetative state.
Do-Not-Resuscitate - Is the decision to have no efforts made to restart the heart after it has stopped. If the decision is made that resuscitation is not what you desire, then a do-not=resuscitate order must be written by your physician. A DNR can be part of your advance medical directive.
Information needed to give to hospital personnel:
Medical history, in writing.
A list of physicians and phone numbers.
A list of current medications and the dosages.
A list of allergies.
Providing this information immediately upon admission to the hospital can save crucial and critical time. Advance directives, living wills, and durable power of attorney forms are all simple documents to complete, and samples may be obtained through your attorney or your state's attorney general's office. Once the forms are completed signed copies should be given to your family physician and kept in a secure place that can be easily obtained if needed.
A hospital sitter is also a great solution to ensure comfort and continuous personal attention is given when family members can't be available. A hospital sitter offers peace of mind and emotional support by ensuring safety and companionship.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
An elderly parent who refuses to shower and take care of basic hygiene needs is a frequent concern for many families. It can be a very delicate and embarassing issue to address with a parent or loved one.
Why won't my parent bath or change clothes regularly?
First, you must rule out depression as the culprit. One of the first signs of depression in a senior is lack of attention to personal care/tidiness and low energy level. It's wise to consult with your loved one's physician if depression is suspected. Treatment for depression could get your senior "back on track".
Perhaps your loved one's memory is diminished and he simply believes that he is keeping up with hygiene tasks. It's easy to lose track of time when the calendar of events is relatively empty; days go by and he may not realize just how long it's been since he last showered.
Additionally, the senses of sight and smell decrease with age. Body odors and dirty clothing are not as noticeable and offensive as they once were. That can be tough on loved ones sharing their company!
Another hindrance could be fear or discomfort. Perhaps your loved one has slipped in the bathroom and fallen. The fear of another fall and injury can be overwhelming for a senior. An extreme case is the elderly person living with dementia or alzheimer's disease. He may be extremely confused by the bathing or dressing process. Water running over the face may be quite terrifying. He may not understand what is happening and may become combative or non-compliant.
Hygiene tips for the "non-bathing" senior:
1) Use a Shampoo Cap. These were first introduced in hospitals but are available for the general public as well. Simply place the cap on the head, massage, remove and dry...no water necessary. Check www.Amazon.com for some great values on Shampoo Caps.
2) Try Bath Cloths. These are disposable, microwaveable cloths that contain a cleanser, aloe and vitamin E to clean and condition skin. Seniors have particularly delicate skin that is prone to break down and infection. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is a top priority. Again, no rinsing with water is necessary. Check out www.seniorsuperstores.com for cleansing cloths and other essential bath aids.
3) Keep Incontinence Cleanser On Hand. If your parent has incontinence problems you might need a specially formulated cleanser to clean and protect the skin in delicate areas. Try "Aloe Vesta" brand cleaner which is an easy to use, non-irritating spray formula.
When caring for an elderly loved one, you may need to step back and reconsider your standards. Of course, do all you can to help your elder stay clean and keep up his appearance. However, do not expect perfection. An attitude adjustment on your part may make for a happier, less stressed relationship!
Perhaps your family needs some outside assistance in caring for your loved one?
Call Easy Living Services for expert senior care. Affordable hourly and "Live-In" services are available throughout metro Atlanta. 770-442-8664
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Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Is a loved one in need of more assistance than the hospital staff can provide in a timely manner? Are you overwhelmed with the tasks of making sure your loved one is being properly cared for while in the hospital? Are you and your family members unable to be available around the clock or be with your loved one at all times that assistance may be needed?
Hire a caregiver to make sure your loved one has all of their needs met. You can even hire a caregiver to stay overnight so you can get a good night's sleep. Not only have a good nights sleep, but have peace of mind that everything's being taken care of.
Here are some things that you can expect the professional caregiver to provide for your loved one at the hospital:
Assistance with walking or a transfer to prevent slips and falls
Assistance with toilet needs
Help being fed and with fluids
Assistance with grooming and hygiene
Physical therapy and range of motion exercises
Alerting the family to any vital information
Companionship
A sense of comfort that they are not alone
Atlanta Home Care provided by Easy Living Services can help with your caregiver hospital needs. We are always available to take your call and welcome emergencies. If your loved one needs help, call us now at 770-442-8664.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
"Distributions from a Living Will"
Linda Pike, Vice President
Bank of North Georgia
Living Trusts are a vehicle that will allow you to control who receives your assets after your passing. There are however many more reasons to create a living trust. It can assist your beneficiaries in avoiding expense and delay in the probate process and can also provide you with more privacy than a will. Living Trusts also allow you to avoid certain estate taxes if prepared properly.
There are tree types of living trust beneficiaries:
1 ) Primary: They receive a specific property
2) Alternate: Receive property if the primary beneficiary dies before you
3) Residuary: Receive all property not left to either the primary or alternate beneficiaries.
You may choose anyone of any entity you wish to be your beneficiaries. It is important to remember you cannot designate a guardian for your minor children in a living trust. you should do that through a traditional will.
It is important to provide your living trust documents to your bank to ensure that they title your bank accounts to reflect the appropriate trust titling. The bank will then work with your attorney to ensure that the titling is correct.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Linda Pike, Vice President, Bank of North Georgia, 678-474-1504 or stop into any one of our 41 offices here in metro Atlanta.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
There's no question that evaluating care options for a loved one can be quite overwhelming, not to mention costly. You might be surprised to learn that "Live-In" home care options can be among the best values in senior care.
The term "Live-In" refers to a caregiver that lives with the care recipient for a specified period of time (usually several days), providing 24 hour coverage. "Live-In" care is typically billed at a flat, daily fee with rates ranging from $175 to $185 per 24 hour period. "Live-In" rates are considerably less expensive on a per hour basis than standard hourly care. One qualifier on "Live-In" care arrangements is that the client must sleep on average 7-8 hours per night without needing care. If regular sleep is not possible for the caregiver, an additional Aide will be needed to provide nighttime coverage, on an hourly basis.
Before you dismiss "Live-In" care as too costly, consider how comprehensive the care is for the money. Besides "hands on", personal care services such as bathing, dressing, mobility assistance and companionship, caregivers serve as Household Managers. Consider the tasks listed below that are rolled into the job of "Live-in" caregiver:
Household cleaning & laundry services--- a $540 per month ($135 per week) value
Personal Meal Planning/Shopping/Preparation Services--- a $450 per month value (30 homecooked, nutritious meals)
Pet Care (feeding/walking)---a $270 per month ($9 per day) value
Errand & Transportation Service---a $320 per month value (2 local outings per week)
These extra services, of course, are in addition to the priceless benefit of one-on-one personal care and companionship in one's own home. "Live-In" care is especially economical for couples or those requiring significant levels of personal care.
A word of caution---some might be tempted to search for a "Live-In" caregiver on their own. Everyone wants someone fantastic like "Alice" from the Brady Bunch to come and take care of their loved ones. "Alice" handled it all. She was a cleaning lady, a chef, babysitter, counselor, mediator, bookeeper and nurse wrapped up in one perfect package. There was something strange about the situation, however. Why didn't Alice ever leave? Didn't she have her own home? Why was she willing to give up everything to stay with the Brady's? Now, I do not want to impugn Alice's character but I really have to question her motives. You should also question the motivation of people who claim they will move in on a permanent basis to care for all of the needs of an elderly person. Caregivers are real people with families, homes and their own interests. A professional, skilled caregiver will NOT be willing to move in permanently and give up their own lives. Be skeptical of those who are willing to accept room/board and tiny salaries in exchange for a loved one's total care. Many seniors have fallen prey to dishonest "caregivers" who take advantage of the situation.
Instead, consider retaining the services of a professional In-Home Care agency. Agency personnel will handle the screening and make certain that the caregiver sent to care for your loved one is skilled, professional and has a solid track record. Agencies also guarantee coverage if your primary caregiver must miss work. Agency caregivers receive regular breaks so that when they return to care for your loved one; they are refreshed.
Do you think "Live-In" care might be right for your family? Call Easy Living Services to learn more...770-442-8664. We're here to help!
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
If you or a loved one is recently recovering from a stroke or heart attack, you may need Home Care assistance until you are back on your feet again. There are so many chores that a caregiver can do to to lighten the load and to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. Having someone shop, run errands, prepare meals, do light housekeeping and laundry can allow for time for healing and recuperation.
Heart disease is the top killer of both women and men in the United States. The most common sign of a heart attack in both sexes is chest pain. Women often report additional symptoms such as shortness of breath and nausea. Here is the latest word from The American Heart Association on what to do to keep your heart in fighting form.
CHOLESTEROL Should be less than 200. One way to keep your number in check is fiber! Pick whole fruits over juice.
BLOOD PRESSURE Should be below 120/80. Reduce blood pressure by lowering your daily sodium intake.
SUGAR LEVEL Should be less than 100. Cut back on sweets and reduce alcohol intake.
SMOKING Don't start or quit! Go to www.heart.org for how-to help.
BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) Should be less than 25. Use this iPhone app. to calculate: BMI Calculator, FREE, APPS.USA.GOV
EXERCISE Pump it up! Get at least 2 1/2 hours a week of activity
HEALTHY DIET Eat at least one fruit or veggie at meals or with snacks and don't forget the whole grains.
To receive Free information about "Living Heart Healthy" or to find out how Home Care can help you or a loved one on the road to recovery, call us today at 770-442-8664.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
The New Year is fast approaching! It seems like a great time to take a moment and consider who has made a difference in your life. Why not reach out and express your gratitude now?
Like wisdom, appreciation and gratitude can take years to acquire. Seniors are uniquely qualified to give the gift of gratitude to their friends and family. Many people are uncomfortable revealing and expressing their true feelings; many opportunities are missed to thank the important people in their lives.
Common roadblocks:
Everyone already knows how I feel. Our words and actions over the years do convey a great deal but much is still left unsaid. Most people will never know the depth of your gratitude.
I'd be uncomfortable. Nervousness is understandable but is manageable. Take time to reflect and plan what you will say. Jot down notes and refer to them during conversation. Proper planning can ease nerves.
I'm too busy. Expressing gratitude can be a profound and life changing event and can be accomplished in a simple letter, card, phone call or conversation. Your time investment can be as few as 15 minutes.
I don't know where they are. Social networking sites make it easier to track down long-lost friends and colleagues. The process of searching and reconnecting can be great fun. Seniors without internet access can recruit family members to do the searching.
Gratitude is important for healthy aging! Seniors who describe themselves as feeling grateful to others tend to have higher vitality and more optimism, suffer less stress and experience fewer episodes of clinical depression than the population as a whole. Out of excuses? Take the time to thank someone special today!
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Your loved one has been discharged from the hospital. How do you get them reacclimated to home life?
Many older Americans do not successfully manage the transition from the hospital to home and as a consequence, end up returning to the hospital again. Studies show that 1 in 5 medicare patients is readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Nearly 50% of the readmissions are linked to emotional problems, failure to follow proper treatment protocols, skipping physician follow-up appointments and lack of in-home support.
Planning ahead and getting organized in advance can ease the transition home and greatly improve chances for a complete recovery. Consider the following issues when planning for discharge from either a hospital or rehab facility:
- Order necessary equipment and supplies in advance. Check with the hospital's Discharge Planner for recommendations on appropriate items such as: hospital bed, shower chair, portable commode, oxygen system, disposable gloves, and skin care items.
- Temporarily move out items in the home that could pose fall risks such as rugs, electrical cords, and clutter.
- Create a system to record and track important information such as phone numbers and medications with dosing times. Identify symptoms that should not be ignored and should be reported immediately to the attending physician. A notebook or white board could work well.
- Purchase any special food items that may be needed during recovery such as "Ensure". Consider lining up nutritious food delivery services or recruit friends/neighbors to provide meals during the transition period.
- Develop a schedule for "checking in" on your loved one with family members and/or friends. If this is not possible, consider retaining the services of an in-home care provider to check in at regular intervals and to provide feedback on your loved one's progress.
Bringing a family member home from the hospital can be quite overwhelming. You will likely feel stressed over all that must be done prior to discharge. Planning during the early stages of hospitalization can make all of the difference in a successful transition home.
More Transition Tips
Need some additional help at home following discharge?
Contact Easy Living at 770-442-8664 to learn how In-Home Caregiver Services by certified professionals can ease your burden and promote a full recovery.
Call us. We're here to help.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services
Learning that you have cancer is a difficult experience. After your cancer diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and you may feel that your life is no longer within your control. For many people, regaining a sense of control begins by learning as much as they can about their cancer and its treatment.
Even though your needs are greater when you have cancer, it can be hard to ask for help to meet those needs. No one needs to face cancer alone. When people with cancer seek and receive help from others, they often find it easier to cope.
When helping others, people feel good. Your family and friends want to be helpful but they may not know what to say or do. They will feel more at ease when you ask them something specific to do for you! Family and friends can run errands, provide transportation, prepare a meal and help with around the house chores. Learn to accept help from others during this difficult time.
Talk to other people who have cancer. It may help to talk to others who have been in your situation. Other cancer survivors can share their experiences and give you insight into what you can expect during and after treatment.
A great way to connect with other cancer survivors is through support groups. Cancer support centers offer individual and family counseling, educational information, practical help and support for not only you but for your entire family. An excellent support center in the Atlanta area is the Wellness Community which is affiliated with Northside Hospital, www.thewellnesscommunity-atlanta.org. Another great resource is the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network, www.csn.cancer.org.
Finding a source of spiritual support will help you stay positive and stay emotionally healthy. What comforted you through rough times before your cancer was diagnosed is likely to help ease your worries now.
Getting caregiver service from a Home Care company may be an option to consider at this time. Just as you need time for yourself, your family members may also need time to rest, have fun, and take care of their other duties. Caregivers can provide temporary assistance with housekeeping, meals and so much more. Should you or a loved one need temporary relief or assistance call us at 770-442-8664.
Home Care for Atlanta Seniors | Easy Living Services