You may be caring for someone with Dementia or another illness. Recognizing you matter too is crucial to everyone’s well-being.
Have a game plan – what is your plan for self care?
You will be better able to care for your loved ones if you are taking care of yourself. You deserve to be happy. You matter!!!!! You can’t give what you don’t have!!
Before you reach your limits get help!
Be aware of your own well-being. If you are feeling overwhelmed, tearful, agitated, anxious, or impatient with others. Recognize these signs that you may need help yourself. Avoid the downward spiral of depression, which lowers self-esteem and increases feelings of unworthiness.
Be proactive and get help!! Asking for help is actually a sign of strength!!!! Invest in your own happiness…
Evaluate your whole self. Support your mind, body, spirit, and emotional well-being. Empower yourself. Nourish your soul with hobbies, activities, and friendships. One of the biggest predictors of health is actually friendships. Surround yourself with positive people that encourage and build you up.
Learn how to manage your mind, your thoughts, get counseling, therapy, or Life Coaching. Discussing your emotions is a release and an opportunity for feedback. It is empowering to feel understood and that you are not alone on your journey.
Never make a decision when under a lot of stress. Leave time to be thoughtful about the problems you need to solve and decisions you need to make for yourself and your loved ones.
How do you build reliance – by encouraging others. You get Love when you give Love. When you help others, it uplifts your own soul.
Connect to your higher power.
In many of our other blogs we address the person who is receiving the care but it is just as important to acknowledge those who are giving it. Caregivers are often not taken into consideration when it comes to first responders but the truth is, caregiving takes a lot more dedication than people recognize. As a caregiver, the person you are caring for is often dependent on you. Caregivers have to be alert, responsible, and loving and these qualities are something to be proud of. It takes a special type of person to be a good caregiver and connect with the person they are caring for. The ability to make personal connections helps the relationship between the client and the caregiver, which helps improve care. Just like aging and accepting care is hard, so is providing it to those who are hesitant in accepting it. A good caregiver knows how to handle clients who may be a little bit difficult in providing for but, they stay persistent and true to their work in providing for them no matter what challenges arise. All of these qualities that a good caregiver possesses are something to be proud of whether you are a companion or a hands-on care giver.
Caregiving is an important job. For this reason, there are some things that you should take into consideration as a caregiver that will help you along your journey. An important thing to take into consideration is the thoughts and feelings of the person you are caring for as well as your own. Caregiving can be an emotional experience for both the caregiver and the client so it is important to acknowledge both. The physical aspects of caregiving also need to be addressed. Some clients require full hands-on care and may need to be dressed, bathed, and transferred. We do our best to match the right caregiver with the client based on these physical demands. While aging and having to accept care, many people tend to lose hope. It is important for them to be surrounded by positive people that will help them along their journey and encourage happiness and positivity in their lives.
At Happier At Home Care, we appreciate and take pride in our caregivers. We understand that caregiving can be just as difficult as it is important and we strive to provide you with the resources you need to succeed. If you think you would be a good fit for the job, feel free to contact us.
267- 742- 3209
As people age it can be harder to stay active especially if you are suffering from a physical or mental roadblock. No matter where you are or how old you are, some form of activity should be prioritized. In the world of caregiving, it is common to see people becoming more and more sedentary which can eventually lead to more physical and mental health issues. Most people know that physical activity is important for everyone but many people don't stick to it throughout their lifetime. Now, we are not saying that you should go run a marathon but, some form of activity in your daily routine is important. There are different intensity levels that you can try out and see what is the right fit for you. Whether you walk around the block if you are able or you work on muscle mobility, exercise is important in all stages of life. With this being said, it is just as important to find what is right for you. You don't want to end up pushing yourself past your limits and burning out. There are many different forms of exercise to choose from and you may even be interested in getting someone to come alongside your fitness journey.
The benefits of staying active while you age go on and on. Not only are there physical benefits but also mental and emotional ones. When it comes to the physical benefits, we know that exercise can contribute to staying fit, flexible, and energetic. On the mental and emotional side of things, regular activity boosts serotonin and helps prevent depression.
We know that staying active can be hard for many people especially as they age but there are resources that you can take advantage of to help you on this journey. At Happier At Home Care, we worked with the client's loved ones and health care professionals to create a care plan that most often includes some sort of physical activity. We understand the importance of staying active and make it part of our mission to allow our clients to do that safely and effectively.
Despite knowing the day will come for all of us, many people do not plan ahead when it comes to the aging process. Whether it's denial or procrastination, many people are not properly prepared for their future in aging. One of the first things you need to do is establish your wishes with your loved ones. Unfortunately, we have heard countless stories of families placing their loved ones in nursing homes against their wishes and this is something that we would like to prevent. It is important to tell your family where you want to be while you are aging and make sure it happens. Putting your wishes into writing and selecting a trusted family member or friend is an important step to ensure that your wishes are respected. In the process of aging, comfort is important and your decision should be made known.
The legal and financial aspects of aging aren't something that everyone likes to think about. The truth is that it is something that you should get a start on sooner rather than later. Many people make the mistake of underestimating how much planning and money they will need after retirement and through the process of aging. Things like long-term care insurance and elder law protection plans are very helpful and important to have.
There are those who plan ahead and those who procrastinate. Becoming someone who plans ahead will make your future and the process of aging much more comfortable and less stressful. If you are someone who is choosing to age in place and receive care at home, private duty care might be the right choice for you. All of these requirements and things to avoid will seem overwhelming to many but, you are not alone. There are many resources including elder care lawyers and financial advisors to help you through the process.
Here, at Happier At Home Care we work with you and your loved ones to create a care plan that is specialized for you and your needs. Our goal is to help you age in place in your own home. Whether that be a few hours a week or live in care, we can meet your needs and respect your wishes.
Call our office and speak to an expert today: 267-742-3209
When choosing the right type of care for yourself, live-in care may be a good option for you. With live-in care you have a dedicated caregiver providing 1 on 1 care. Because of this, you get the extra attention, continuity and consistency that you deserve as well as learning your preferences and routines. Little things really can mean a lot. Another benefit of live-in care is the cost. Depending on the amount of care needed, a live-in caregiver is often more cost effective than hourly. There is a sense of trust and peace of mind for you and your family knowing that there is someone there for you night and day. All of the benefits of live-in care often lead to quicker and more comfortable recovery. Live-in care can be provided as a short term or long term basis. Having care in your home around the clock also reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness. At Happier At Home Care we pride ourselves in matching the client with a compatible live-in caregiver that caters to their specific needs. We offer meet and greet with live-in caregivers before they start your care so you can become familiar with each other.
At Happier At Home Care we are not only dedicated to our clients physical needs, we also care for their social and emotional needs as well. Our caregivers go to great lengths to enhance their client’s quality of life. Whether it be taking them to appointments or social events outside of their home or with activities within their home, our caregivers engage with their clients on a personal level, thus helping them to live Happier At Home!
Social frailty is defined as being at risk of losing or having lost sufficient social support, activities or resources required to fulfill basic social needs. Social frailty contributes to older adults vulnerability.
Recent studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between older adults Social Frailty and their physical frailty. For example, if an older adult is isolated in their home with no access to outside help or support it increases their risk for falls, disability, hospitalization, nursing home placement and an earlier death.
In the United States there has been an increased interest in how an older adults social life influences health outcomes. It shows a need for a fuller picture of our seniors life circumstances so as to prevent further decline. Adults over the age of 75 are most vulnerable to social frailty.
Oak Street Health, a division of CVS Health, is trying to broaden the picture of older adults vulnerability in their 169 Primary Care Centers. At least three times per year their patients are asked about loneliness, social isolation, transportation issues, utility services, food insecurity, finances and housing.
Oak Street Health combines these findings with their client’s medical information to categorize each patient into a risk category from very high to very low. Based on which category an individual falls under Oak Street Health then determines which services are needed including both social and medical interventions.
This approach to senior care, considering not only the patient’s medical frailty but also their social frailty shows promise in improving our geriatric population’s overall quality of life.
Having a loved one that is in need of hospice care can obviously be a difficult thing for someone to accept as they come to the realization that their loved one is potentially entering the last stages of their life, when Curative Care is no longer an option. Hospice care is often associated with many negative things but what many people fail to recognize is the benefits that it provides. It is important to understand that being on hospice care is not a death sentence. Though many people are put on hospice when they are only expected to live 6 more months or less, some people do eventually recover. It is understandable that many people wait to put their loved one on hospice because of the negative stigma surrounding this type of care but many professionals would agree that it is better to put the patient on hospice sooner rather than later. It is common for the family to put their loved ones on hospice in their later stages of life and then blame the death on the patient care team. Because of this, we recommend agreeing to hospice care sooner rather than later. Another concern about hospice care is the cost. One benefit of working with a hospice agency is that medicare pays for medical care such as pain management, medication, a social worker, and emotional support to families through bereavement up to 12 months after the death of their loved one.
Hospice care can include attending to the patient's physical, mental and spiritual health in order to make them as comfortable as possible. Hospice gives patients the opportunity to receive the care that they need in the comfort of their own homes instead of being taken care of in a hospital or Nursing Home. This provides a better quality of life, better care, and more comfort. It also provides the opportunity to be surrounded by loved ones as well as be in a familiar environment. You can eat the food that you like, keep up with your activities, and more. It is important for the patient to be matched with a caregiver that makes them as comfortable as possible while also meeting their needs. At Happier at Home Care, we select a variety of caregivers with hospice experience and match the client with the right caregiver. We work with experienced hospice agencies providing nurses who help with pain management and medication while our caregivers help with the quality of life and ADL care. This care includes bathing and dressing patients, keeping their environment clean, changing bed linens, and more. Our caregivers follow hospice care plans designed individually for each hospice patient in order to meet their needs and provide dignity and comfort care. Our caregivers are at each client’s side in their time of need not only as a caregiver but also as a companion and even a friend. It is our mission to do what we can to ensure the comfort and dignity of each and every client.
For many people, the aging process and the realization that you are growing older can be very hard. The process of aging comes with new experiences that can often be unexpected and it can be overwhelming for most people. While working in health care you may encounter people who try to deny the fact that they are aging and may not be able to do the things that they once did. Whether someone accepts the realization of aging or denies it, the process is different for everyone. As an aging person, it is important to know that it is not all bad. Just like with the process of maturing, aging also comes with good things such as wisdom and new opportunities.
From the perspective of someone aging, this process can be very scary and intimidating. Where will I go, and who will take care of me? It is important to understand that you are not alone in the process. There are many options and resources that you can take advantage of along the way. Reach out to family and friends to help connect you with resources.
Not only is the person aging affected by this process but so is their family and the people taking care of them. Having an aging parent or family member can be both a positive and negative experience like anything else. As your family member ages, your experience and relationship also develop. You realize you have strengths you never knew existed. As healthcare professionals, we encourage you to take advantage of the time you have together and use it to enhance relationships.
One more perspective on aging can be that of the caregiver. Whether you are family, a friend, or a professional, it is important to help the aging person through the process. Help the client feel more comfortable with the aging process in a physical, mental, and emotional way. You may be able to do this by helping them with complete activities safely, reminiscing about their youth or help them find new hobbies to enjoy.
Whether you are a caregiver, family member, or the aging person yourself, there are many different ways to approach the process of aging and the denial or acceptance that may come with it.
Bringing outside help into the home can help ease your burden. Allow Happier At Home Care to assist you with this life transition. Call us now to find out how we can help
267-742-3209
September is not just the change of the season or the kids going back to school. September is also Self-
Care Awareness month!
Self-Care involves taking time and action to improve both your physical and mental health. Put down
your cell phone. Shut off the tv. Constant stimulation often causes stress and anxiety. Over time these
stressors can manifest into physical and mental ailments. Eliminate all distractions and let your mind
rest.
Here are just a few things seniors can consider as Self-Care:
It may take some investigation to identify if and what their needs are.
Here are some suggestions:
If there is a doubt in your mind, follow your instincts and investigate.
Offering some assistance could make a big difference in safety and quality of life. If your investigation raises concerns your loved one may benefit from some assistance.
Call us for a FREE In-Home Evaluation.
Owner Lisa Morvillo, LSW has 26 years experience caring for seniors and will personally come out to your loved ones home for an assessment.
