Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's can be incredibly challenging. As the disease progresses, it often becomes necessary to consider alternative care options, such as live-in home care or a memory care facility. Each choice has its benefits and challenges, and the decision largely depends on the individual’s needs, safety, and quality of life.
Live-in home care provides one-on-one assistance in the comfort of your loved one’s home. Caregivers reside in the house, ensuring 24/7 support. This option is ideal for seniors who prefer staying in a familiar environment but need constant supervision.
Memory care facilities are specialized residential settings designed to support individuals with cognitive impairments. These facilities offer structured programs, professional staff, and a secure environment.
When deciding between live-in home care and a memory care facility, it’s essential to evaluate the following:
Assess the progression of your loved one’s condition. Do they require constant supervision, medical assistance, or help with daily activities?
Live-in care works well for moderate memory issues where one-on-one attention suffices. However, a memory care facility might be better for individuals with advanced conditions requiring specialized, round-the-clock supervision.
Does your loved one’s current living environment support their safety? Issues like wandering, fall risks, or difficulty managing medications are significant concerns.
Memory care facilities are purpose-built with safety in mind, offering secure spaces, emergency call systems, and trained staff to handle behavioral challenges.
Think about what will make your loved one happiest. Do they thrive in a familiar setting or benefit from engaging with peers in a community?
Socialization opportunities in memory care facilities can enhance quality of life, but some individuals may feel more comfortable at home with one-on-one care.
Many individuals with memory issues benefit from staying in a familiar environment, which can minimize confusion and agitation.
However, if remaining at home becomes isolating or unsafe, a memory care facility offers a structured environment that can enhance emotional and physical well-being.
Compare the costs of live-in care and memory care facilities. Remember to factor in home modifications, transportation, and additional services. Some families may qualify for financial assistance or insurance coverage to offset costs.
Consider how involved family members can be in caregiving. Live-in care allows families to stay more hands-on and maintain close relationships.
Memory care facilities, while less reliant on family support, relieve caregiving responsibilities, allowing family members to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones.
The Happier at Home Care Carefinder Program is a personalized guidance service that helps families find the best senior care option for their loved ones.
We offer compassionate support, expert advice, and tailored recommendations to ensure your loved one receives the care they need to thrive. Our mission is to empower families to make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
Our experienced team at Happer at Home Care helps you assess your loved one’s needs, preferences, and financial situation to determine the best care solution. Here’s how we can support you:
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll create a path toward greater comfort, safety, and happiness for your loved one.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
Hospital readmissions are an all-too-common occurrence for seniors. In fact, research suggests that the 30-day hospital readmission rate in seniors is 5.18%, and 41.4% of these are potentially unavoidable.
The repeated hospital stays can be attributed to exacerbation, reactivation, or progression of a previously existing disease.
Fortunately, a live-in caregiver offers a practical solution—providing seniors with personalized support at home to help prevent avoidable readmissions.
Learn how continuous care through live-in care can help improve your loved one’s health and prevent complications that can lead to hospitalizations.
The reasons behind the high readmission rates among seniors are multifaceted, especially for those suffering from chronic conditions. Some of the most common causes include the following:
Many seniors are discharged with complex medication regimens, including new prescriptions and dosage instructions.
If they don’t fully understand or remember these instructions, they risk taking incorrect doses or mixing medications improperly, which can lead to adverse reactions or ineffective treatment.
After a hospital stay, seniors often need help with daily tasks, wound care, or physical therapy. If they lack adequate support at home, their recovery may be compromised, increasing the chance of readmission. For seniors who live alone, this need is even more pressing.
Many older adults manage chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Without diligent follow-up and monitoring, these conditions can worsen after a hospital discharge, leading to a return trip to the hospital.
Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring recovery, adjusting medications, and managing symptoms.
However, some seniors struggle with transportation, forget appointments, or lack support to keep these crucial follow-ups, leading to health setbacks.
Physical weakness or frailty after a hospital stay makes seniors more prone to falls, which can lead to injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Even if they avoid falls, a decline in mobility can worsen their health by reducing activity levels and weakening muscles.
Surgical wounds or other post-procedure sites can become infected if not cared for properly, leading to sepsis or other severe complications. These infections commonly cause readmission, particularly in seniors with weaker immune systems.
Recovery can be mentally challenging, especially for seniors dealing with conditions like depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline. A negative mental state can impact their motivation to follow post-hospital care plans, contributing to further health deterioration.
Live-in care is a type of home care service in which a trained caregiver lives in the client’s home and provides continuous, around-the-clock support and assistance.
A live-in caregiver can cater to various patients and family needs, such as:
Live-in care is especially beneficial for seniors who need help with daily activities, have complex medical needs, or require consistent supervision but prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
Live-in care is a comprehensive type of support that can address the primary causes of hospital readmissions for seniors. Here’s how:
Medication mismanagement is a leading cause of hospital readmissions, particularly among seniors who may have complex medication regimens.
Fortunately, a live-in caregiver can assist seniors with medication adherence, ensuring they take the right doses at the correct times. Live-in caregivers can also coordinate with healthcare providers to keep medication lists updated and monitor for any side effects or adverse reactions.
Attending follow-up appointments is crucial for post-hospitalization care. With live-in care, seniors have assistance scheduling, preparing for, and attending these appointments.
Caregivers can arrange transportation, provide reminders, and accompany seniors to ensure they receive necessary medical guidance.
Live-in caregivers play a critical role in monitoring seniors' health daily. Caregivers can identify early warning signs by observing changes in behavior, physical condition, or symptoms. This proactive approach allows seniors to receive timely interventions, which can prevent minor issues from escalating into serious complications that require hospitalization.
Daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, can become challenging after a hospital stay.
A live-in caregiver ensures that seniors receive support with these essential tasks. This assistance not only reduces the physical strain on seniors but also helps prevent falls, dehydration, and malnutrition—all of which can contribute to hospital readmissions.
The mental and emotional well-being of seniors significantly impacts their physical health. After a hospital stay, many seniors feel isolated or experience anxiety about their recovery.
Live-in caregivers provide companionship and emotional support, which can improve seniors' overall outlook and help them maintain a positive mindset during recovery.
While preventing hospital readmissions is a primary benefit of live-in care, there are additional advantages, such as:
At Happier at Home Care, we understand that the comforts of home play a crucial role in the healing process and in maintaining independence.
Our mission is to provide compassionate, highly qualified home health caregivers dedicated to helping you enjoy the best quality of life right where you feel most comfortable—at home.
If you’re concerned about a loved one’s recovery or want to learn more about the benefits of live-in care near me, reach out to us.
Contact the best home care in Bucks County, PA, today.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
Happier At Home Care, LLC highlights the critical need for education and support for individuals affected by all forms of dementia and to promote overall cognitive health in the general population.
Most people don't realize that there are 8 types of Dementia:
There are many common symptoms associated with the different types of Dementia. That is why it is crucial to speak with a physician and get testing to identify the type of Dementia your loved one is experiencing. Some similarities are memory loss, word-finding difficulty, mood changes, and changes in behavior, difficulty making decisions and performing tasks. In the later stages of dementia, people usually need assistance with daily tasks, care, and supervision for safety.
Importance of Brain Health
Maintaining brain health is essential not only for reducing the risk of Dementia but also for overall cognitive function throughout life. Key factors that contribute to brain health include:
Conclusion
Happier At Home Care would like to shine a light on the challenges faced by those living with Dementia and emphasize the importance of maintaining brain health. By fostering awareness, and promoting healthy lifestyles, we can work towards a future where Dementia is a preventable and treatable condition. At Happier At Home Care, we recognize the importance of specialized care for those living with different types of Dementia and assure you that your loved ones will be paired with a caregiver trained in caring for individuals with dementia.
A Guide to Caring for Home Care Clients with Mental Illness
In the realm of home care, catering to clients with mental illness requires a unique blend of compassion, patience, and specialized knowledge. The challenges are diverse, ranging from understanding the intricacies of various mental health conditions to creating a safe and nurturing environment within a client's home. In this blog post, we'll explore key aspects of caring for home care clients with mental illness and delve into strategies that promote overall well-being.
Understanding Mental Health:
To provide effective care, it's crucial to have a foundational understanding of common mental health disorders. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia can manifest differently in each individual. Knowledge about symptoms, triggers, and coping mechanisms is essential for tailoring care plans to meet the unique needs of each client. The Owner, Lisa Morvillo has been a medical Social Worker for 30 years and has vast knowledge of these issues. Happier At Home Care prides itself on finding a great match between caregiver and client.
Building Trust:
Establishing trust is fundamental when caring for individuals with mental illness. Many clients may feel vulnerable, and a positive caregiver-client relationship can significantly impact their mental well-being. Take the time to listen, communicate openly, and show empathy actively. Consistency and reliability in our caregiving approach contribute to a sense of security for our clients.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment:
When helping clients with Dementia and mental illness we pay attention to the physical environment, ensuring it is organized and clutter-free, to promote a sense of calm. Caregivers establish routines to provide structure and predictability, which can be particularly reassuring for individuals helping clients feel safe and secure.
Tailoring Care Plans:
Every client is unique, and so their care plan should be as well. Happier At Home Care collaborates with other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, physical and occupational therapists to create personalized strategies for managing symptoms. Happier At Home Care incorporates activities that align with the client's interests and abilities, fostering a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Educating and Involving Families:
The involvement of family members in the caregiving process is often vital. Educate them about their loved one's mental health condition, potential challenges, and effective communication strategies. Encourage open dialogue to address concerns and coordinate efforts to provide holistic care.
Promoting Independence:
While providing support is crucial, it's equally important to empower clients to maintain a level of independence. Work collaboratively to set achievable goals that enhance their sense of self-efficacy. Encouraging engagement in activities that bring joy and satisfaction can improve mental well-being.
Caring for home care clients with mental illness requires a holistic and person-centered approach. By combining empathy, education, and a tailored care plan, caregivers can create an environment that fosters mental well-being. As we navigate the delicate landscape of mental health, it is through understanding, patience, and unwavering support that we can truly make a positive impact in the lives of those in our care.
Happier At Home Care takes pride in specialized care for clients who are suffering from mental health issues. If you know someone who requires this specialized care call the office at 267-742-3209 to inquire about our services.
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.
