But here’s the empowering truth: there are practical, effective ways to reclaim comfort and mobility. With the right strategies, you can help someone you care about move through life more comfortably and with less arthritis pain.

The experts at American, Advocate, and Whitsyms In-Home Care offer these seven simple steps to get you started:

• Encourage gentle movement. Staying active is one of the best ways to manage arthritis, even if it seems like movement would make things worse. Walking, swimming, or yoga can ease stiffness and improve joint flexibility. Starting with just a few minutes of movement daily can make a big difference. You can join in to provide support and make it more enjoyable—whether it’s a stroll around the neighborhood or a gentle stretching session at home.
• Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet. The food we eat can have a powerful impact on joint health. Meals rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Including foods like salmon, walnuts, spinach, and blueberries is a great place to start. For an extra boost, try adding turmeric to their diet. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a simple addition that can benefit greatly.
• Try heat and cold therapy. Stiffness and swelling are common with arthritis, but heat and cold can bring relief. A warm compress or heating pad can loosen stiff joints and make mornings more manageable. On the other hand, cold packs help reduce inflammation and numb pain after activity. These are simple, effective remedies that can be done right at home.
• Make everyday tasks easier. Arthritis pain can make simple activities feel overwhelming, but assistive tools can lighten the load. Look into ergonomic utensils, braces, or arthritis-friendly jar openers to take some of the strain off of joints. Mobility aids like canes or walkers can also make a big difference in preserving independence. Check with the person’s doctor for advice on the tools that will work best for them.
• Reduce stress. Stress can aggravate arthritis symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse. Encourage relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or engaging in hobbies they love. Calming activities like gardening, painting, or knitting can reduce stress while providing a creative outlet.
• Find the right balance of activity and rest. While movement is important, rest is equally essential. Too much activity can lead to increased discomfort. Help them find a rhythm that alternates between activity and relaxation, and pay attention to signs that they need to slow down, such as swelling or fatigue.
• Seek professional guidance. A physical or occupational therapist can provide specialized strategies to reduce pain and improve mobility. They can offer tailored exercises, recommend supportive tools, and guidance toward long-term joint health.

A More Comfortable Future Is Possible

By incorporating these tips into a loved one’s routine, arthritis pain can become more manageable, and daily life can feel less overwhelming. Small changes—like staying active, eating well, and using the right tools—can greatly improve mobility and overall quality of life.

The referred care providers at American, Advocate, or Whitsyms In-Home Care are available to help an older loved one better manage arthritis pain through a wide range of in-home care services, such as preparing meals and assisting with other tasks around the home, serving as an exercise partner, offering transportation to medical appointments, and so much more.

Contact us or click the link to the nearest location below to learn more about how a referred care provider can help:

• American In-Home Care – Serving Northeast and Central Florida, Ocala and The Villages
• Advocate In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida
• Whitsyms In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa Bay

State of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 30211751

The post Tips to Relieve Arthritis Pain and Improve Mobility appeared first on Advocate.

But the good news is that these potential problems associated with isolation are avoidable. The cure: simply regular social interaction.

1. Lack of Self-Care

Seniors that live in isolation can more easily fall into a cycle to improper self-care, due to depression and/or lack of physical ability. Everyday tasks like bathing and cleaning become more difficult as we age, and and especially when we age in isolation. Continuous lack of self-care tends to compound on itself, for example, a few missed showers can quickly lead to bed sores that limit mobility even further, making it more difficult to bath. A vicious cycle.

Other issues associated with improper self-care can include major dental issues, more frequent illnesses due to improper germ control, losing important muscle stability due to inactivity and decreased mobility, and unsafe amounts of clutter and unclean living conditions.

2. Unsafe Living Environments

2.8 million seniors are treated for falls every year, that equals a fall roughly every 11 seconds. One of the leading contributors to fall-related injuries is an improperly maintained, or overly cluttered living space. Carpets that are bunched-up on the edge, containers that aren’t in their usual spots, random articles of clothing, anything that is cluttering up the space can pose a major danger to seniors. When seniors live in isolated conditions, it is more common that they allow clutter to accumulate, and without attention this clutter becomes hazardous and will drastically increase the chances of a fall.

Unsafe living conditions can be remedied by regular visits from a professional caregiver. While regular housekeepers do help keep the home tidy, they rarely understand how to best arrange living conditions for senior safety AND overall cleanliness. Professional caregivers have received proper training and can most reliably maintain a safe living space for aging adults.

3. Slow Emergency Response

In the event of a fall, or a medical emergency, medical response time is typically much slower for isolated seniors. If there is nobody around to actually call in the emergency, or if the isolated senior is unable to get to the phone during an emergency situation, naturally the emergency services won’t know to offer assistance. Tools like the Life Alert system, or a cell phone help in these situations, but aren’t a replacement for daily check-ins and social interaction to make sure everything is alright.

 4. Inadequate Preventative Care

Practicing proper preventative care is important at every age, but as we get older it becomes crucial. A cough that passes after a few nights of good rest at age 40 can easily develop into an upper respiratory infection, or worse, at age 75. It is easier to treat minor health issues in seniors when they are caught early. In addition, maintaining proper medication schedules, practicing smart and healthy nutrition habits, and exercising on a consistent basis are all major aspects of preventative care for seniors.

It can be difficult to identify exactly what someone means when they say seniors should practice better preventative care, and it can be even harder to figure out ways that you can actually encourage your loved one to practice preventative care, especially if they live on their own. Setting up regular visits from an in-home care professional is an increasingly popular solution. Whether it’s a visit twice monthly, or twice weekly; a trained professional can ensure that your loved one is handling their preventative care the right way.

5. Depression

A staggering number of seniors suffer from depression. It can compromise their immune systems, make daily tasks feel like insurmountable obstacles (leading to lack of self-care), and it can have a substantial negative effect on longevity. While depression isn't an issue exclusive to seniors, it becomes more of an issue in the aging community due to isolation and loneliness. People are social by nature, and isolation typically serves to worsen depression, or create it where it never existed in the first place.

Support Your Loved Ones

It can be difficult to figure out exactly how we can help loved ones do things like maintain good hygiene or light exercise. To put it simply, just show up! Spend time with your loved ones, get them out of the house and mobile as often as possible, help them engage their minds. Being socially active naturally combats depression, promotes personal cleanliness, and helps keep a healthy mind. Nothing is more important to mental health than consistent interaction with loved ones.

However, the reality is that regularly visiting senior loved ones is challenging. Maybe you live in a different state, or live across town, or maybe you have such a full plate that visiting more than occasionally is difficult. Luckily, it’s 2019 and factors like time and distance aren’t near as limiting as they were in the past. While physically being present to interact with loved ones is always better, video chats are only a button press away. Checking in nightly, or a few times per week, is an excellent way to stave off isolation and depression, and you can remind your loved one to practice healthy preventative care and self-care while you’re at it.

If you or a loved one are worried about isolation, consider Companion Care services to help with companionship, and light housekeeping tasks. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers who can help with many different services to help prepare your loved one age at home. For more information about our services and coverage area, contact us to speak with a Client Care Liaison.

The post Health Risks of Aging in Isolation appeared first on Advocate.

Most major tech companies, including Apple, Facebook and Google, all have their own video chat devices that make connecting with family easier than ever. With the press of a button, you can quickly evaporate any concept of distance and be looking eye to eye with your loved ones. Seeing a grandchild’s first steps live on a video feed is one of the most incredible feelings in the world.

Interested in Senior Care Services in Jacksonville, FL? Click here to see our locations and service areas.

Video Technology for Seniors

Video technology is not only a fun and personal way to check in with loved ones, it is also bringing a new dynamic to home health care. Video technology makes it possible to regularly monitor your loved ones and their physical and emotional state, and get up-to-date reports from their in-home caregiver at any time right over video chat without missing a beat.

The best part of all is that home video devices are incredibly affordable. Major brands like Google have devices ranging from $40 to $200 for their top-of-the-line technology. Prices look the same all over the industry, and have only trended down in recent years. Companies are so motivated to introduce this technology that holiday sales often reach up to 80% off, so the holidays are a great time to get started in setting up a smart home for your loved ones.

Technology can be a little bit difficult to grasp for seniors, but video chat couldn’t be simpler. All they have to do is press the button to dial and select an image, and the call is connected. Receiving calls looks nearly identical to receiving a call on a cell phone, so as long as they know the basics of handling a cell phone, they already know everything that needs to be known to use a home video chat device.

If you or a loved one would like help figuring out communications, or you are interested in a consultation to see which in-home care services would be right for your loved one, we can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers who can help with many different services to help prepare your loved one for the future and keep them home, including Senior Care Services in Jacksonville, FL. For more information about our services and coverage area, contact us to speak with a Client Care Liaison.

The post Using Video Technology to Keep in Touch with Family appeared first on Advocate.

Knowing about Aid & Attendance is the first step. As many as 25% of all U.S. seniors are veterans (and their surviving spouses) who might qualify for Aid & Attendance, but fewer than 500,000 veterans were actually receiving Aid & Attendance at the end of 2017. Are your parents missing out?

Navigating the Aid & Attendance Application Process

The next step is deciding whether or not to apply to the program. Here are some things you should know before applying:

1. Total number of wartime veterans in the US as of September 2018: 15,180,741
2. Average age of a US veteran: 64 years old
3. Estimated number of seniors in the US who could be eligible for Aid & Attendance: 1 in 4 seniors
4. Estimated number of eligible seniors in the US who have claimed their Aid & Attendance benefits: 1 in 7 seniors
5. Average time is takes to be approved for Aid & Attendance: 9 months
6. Amount of money that can be awarded from Aid & Attendance:
   1. Up to $1,830 per month (Aid & Attendance + basic pension for a single veteran)
   2. Up to $2,170 per month (Aid & Attendance + basic pension for a veteran and spouse)

The application process requires many forms to fill out, as well as a long list of required documents to submit, including:

• A certified copy of a veteran’s marriage certificate
• A letter from a veteran’s doctor explaining the type of daily care he or she needs
• A veteran’s original discharge papers
• Proof of all of a veteran’s assets and income

Do you think you or someone you know might qualify for the Aid & Attendance program? The application process can be complicated, but we can help you navigate the application process. Contact us to speak with a Client Care Liaison directly.

What the Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans Provides

A qualified veteran or their surviving spouse who is 65 or older can get Aid & Attendance to help pay for long term care in a facility or at home. Recipients can also use their benefit to pay an adult child who’s acting as their caregiver, but not a caregiving spouse.

Eligibility factors include:

• A medically documented need for daily help
• A monthly income and assets below the limits set by the VA
• An honorable discharge
• Service during wartime

It is important to note that the VA also pays retroactive benefits once approved. When the VA approves you or your parent’s application, they will send a lump sum that covers the time from the day you filed the application until the day it was approved. Then you or your parent parent receives their monthly payments going forward.

Resources to Apply for Veterans Aid & Attendance

We can help you learn more about the veterans Aid & Attendance benefit and to help you apply. Contact us directly and ask to speak to a Client Care Liaison about veterans benefits!

Other helpful resources include:

• The American Legion
• The Veterans Benefits Administration
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars
• VA-accredited claims specialists and attorneys (be sure to check the Better Business Bureau, references and reviews before you sign any financial agreement)
• Your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs

This Veterans Day, take a few minutes to see if your parents may be eligible for Aid & Attendance and how you can help them claim a benefit they’ve earned.

_________

Source: www.aplaceformom.com/blog/valuable-benefit-for-veterans/

The post Veterans Aid & Attendance: What You Need To Know appeared first on Advocate.

The role of music in helping to treat and relieve symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease is one of the newer and more notable treatments to help seniors that are suffering. The incredible transformations of music therapy has been shown to completely turn around the quality of life of many seniors living with Alzheimer's.

Does your loved one have Alzheimer's disease or dementia? Live-in care in Orlando is a care option to help minimize their symptoms and increase their comfort.

Tailored Lighting as Alzheimer's Therapy 

Lighting Intervention acts in the same way as music therapy for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine undertook a multi-year study involving 43 seniors suffering from neurological diseases in several different living environments to discover the importance of lighting in relation to sleep, mood, and behavior.

Individuals with Alzheimer’s typically suffer from sleep problems, aimless wandering, and general irritability that can present night or day. Utilizing specifically tailored daytime lighting patterns, researchers attempted to improve on these behavioral and sleep issues.

What they found is incredible. While it’s not an instant “flip of the switch” like music therapy can sometimes be for Alzheimer’s patients, tailored lighting often led to equally staggering results. Compared to standard and inactive lightning conditions, seniors saw significantly decreased issues related to sleep disturbances, depression, and overall anxiety.

“Here we show that if the stimulus (lighting) is carefully delivered and measured, it can have a strong impact on sleep, depression, and agitation,” said principal investigator and lead author Mariana Figueiro, PhD, a professor and director at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. “Depression was a secondary measure, and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive impact of the light treatment on depression scores.”

What Did the Study Involve?

The study involved a total of 43 seniors that had been positively diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Each individual was exposed to an active and inactive tailored lighting for 4-week periods, followed by a 4-week period. The tailored lighting program was added to locations in which the seniors spent most of their time when awake (i.e. the living room), and actively ran until 6 pm. Personal light meters monitored light exposures for each senior. Measures of sleep, mood, and agitation were taken weekly based on several indexes.

The abstract from the tests and overall research results are publicly available in an online supplement of the journal Sleep.

Results

Presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, the researchers saw substantial improvement in the patient's sleep, mood, and agitation levels. The largest improvements came in the form of improved sleep schedules.

What it Means for Alzheimer’s Patients

By far the most important takeaway from the study is that Alzheimer’s patients can realistically have restful nights of sleep without heavy drug intervention. Severe lack of sleep and overall irritability contribute to neurological decline in Alzheimer’s patients, so lighting therapy could realistically slow the development of the disease. Heather Snyder, Ph.D., the Senior Director of Medical and Scientific Operations for the Alzheimer’s Association said:

"This is sort of a low-tech way that really could address some of these symptoms that are so troubling and difficult for people to sometimes manage, it’s not just turning the lights on longer. It's actually changing the type of light as well as the duration -- during wake-hours, you have more exposure to this type of light.”

Put simply, controlling intensity and type of light being used in a care facility or at home can result in major improvement in three major measurables (sleep, mood, and agitation) related to Alzheimer’s. Changing light bulbs leads to a higher overall level of happiness, greatly improved sleeping habits, and significantly less irritability.

In the future, this could lead to “prescription” lighting solutions. But in the here and now, it serves as an excellent reminder that light is a major synchronizer for our circadian rhythms. If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s it is important to ensure they are getting ample amounts of light during their waking hours.

If you would like to explore lightning therapy as an option for your loved one, or if you are looking for a provider for live-in care in Orlando with experience caring for individuals with Alzheimer's, American In-Home Care can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers that are matched directly with your loved one's personality and needs. We can refer care providers that specialize in Alzheimer's and dementia care, and who have training and continuing education in this area to ensure they provide the highest quality of care to your loved one, and that you and your loved one are in the best hands.

The post Tailored Lighting is the Newest Alzheimer's Therapy appeared first on Advocate.

August is Immunization Awareness Month. Senior vaccinations and immunizations are incredibly important for maintaining health as we age, yet many seniors still go without these important shots every year.

Influenza, or the flu, is responsible for 30,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations in seniors annually. Pneumonia causes between 350,000 and 620,000 hospitalizations in the 65+ age bracket every single year, with most of the cases surfacing in fall and winter. Alarmingly, 90% of all deaths associated with these two illnesses occur in the population of 65 and older, and many of these deaths could be prevented with proper vaccinations.

After a hospitalization from a serious illness, many seniors required continued care at home. Learn more about our live-in care in Orlando and other Florida counties.

Why Are Senior Vaccinations Important?

Fall and winter weather brings stuffy noses, colds, and sickness every year. Between the months of September to February, seniors are far more likely to contract everything from the flu, to shingles, to meningitis and pneumonia. That’s why Immunization Awareness Month was created in August to serve as an annual reminder to get vaccinations in preparation for the coming fall and winter months.

Seniors typically account for the majority of contracted preventable diseases. This is because they are the most at risk population for illnesses that that attack weak immune systems. However, CDC data shows that only 66% or two-thirds of seniors are actually immunized against the flu, and only 60% are immunized against pneumonia. This means that many of the deaths and hospitalizations related to these diseases could have been prevented with proper vaccinations. The importance of preventative medicine can’t be stressed enough in the senior population. Avoiding illnesses that are preventable can extend seniors' longevity and keep their health intact for longer.

The CDC has released an easy-to-read list, split by impairments and age groups, to help seniors identify exactly which vaccines they should be getting this year. It can be accessed here, or referenced below in our quick cheat sheet for senior vaccinations. And schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your specific health circumstances.

Seniors Should Get These Vaccines:

If you or a loved one would like help preparing for vaccinations, or you are interested in a consultation to help set up appointments and doctors’ visits, we can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers who can help with many different services to help prepare your loved one for flu season, including live-in care in Orlando. For more information about our services and coverage area, contact us directly to speak with a local Client Care Liaison.

The post Senior Vaccinations: Protect Your Health! appeared first on Advocate.

Traveling can be complicated at any age, from packing the right clothes to printing flight tickets to making a schedule that everyone enjoys. Traveling as a senior has even more complications. Seniors have the added stress of needing to remember medications, packing important emergency documents, ensuring they get the proper care while they're traveling, packing and managing medical equipment, and taking special considerations based on their condition and their destination.

That being said, there is absolutely no reason why we can’t enjoy travel as we continue to age. As a matter of fact, it’s likely the best time of our lives to travel as often as possible. In the spirit of making senior travel simple without sacrificing any important health and luxury comforts, we put together this list.

Respite care is a useful service when traveling as a senior. Find out more about the services we offer, and the respite care Tampa families and Florida residents trust.

Packing Medications

Medications should be the first thing packed before any trip. Make sure that all of your prescriptions are filled, and you have enough medication to last the duration of the trip, with some extra for emergencies or delays. The last thing you want is to be stranded without important, potentially life-saving medication on hand.

Medication should be packed in the original pill bottle (with the prescription label). If for some reason bringing the original bottle isn’t reasonable, having the proper label is still a necessity. If something happens and you need to refill a prescription away from home for any reason, you will need proof. And TSA requires proper identification of your medications as well as you move through the airports.

Don’t Forget Important Documents

Important documents that seniors should never go on an extended trip without include things like: a medication list, full contact information for your primary care doctor in case of emergency, and an allergy list to be used in the event of medical treatments. It is also always advisable to travel with an additional paper copy of your photo id and passport, just in case you lose the originals.

Be Careful with Medical Equipment

Even simple medical equipment requires special consideration when packing for an extended trip. If you wear hearing aids be sure to replace the batteries before leaving home and bring additional spares. If you don’t already own a carrying case you should consult your doctor so you have somewhere safe to put spares.

If you rely on oxygen you should be sure to have a medical professional check your tank before leaving home. A leak or problem with the nose piece could put a serious damper on your trip, so it’s always best to make sure that problems never even present themselves.

It is also important to make sure you have spares and care supplies for more minor medical equipment like glasses and dentures. While it wouldn’t be a trip-ender, not having dentures for an entire trip wouldn’t make for a great time. It is recommended to bring two sets of anything you can, that way you always have a back up in case of emergency.

Airport vs. Car Travel

There is a substantial difference between traveling as a senior in the airport versus by car. Both come with a unique set of advantages and challenges.

The greatest advantage of traveling by airplane is...

1. The overall time of travel between point A and your destination (point B) is much shorter.
2. Cutting down on travel time is a great way to minimize the inherent risks of long trips
3. Shorter travel time typically results in a much more comfortable journey
4. Seniors also have access to restrooms for the majority of flights, so no pulling over for pitstops, and no discomfort from holding it in.
5. Traveling by plane is safer overall. Car traffic-related incidents happen significantly more often than flight-related incidents.

Traveling by airplane does come with a set of disadvantages as well, however:

1. Potential severe discomfort some seniors can feel when rapidly changing elevations.
2. The shift in air pressure can cause pain, especially in individuals that have sinus issues.
3. Pressure shifts have even been known to cause issues with pacemakers.
4. Flying for extended periods also inherently means sitting for extended periods, if you are the type of person that needs to stretch every-so-often, or is prone to blood clots, flying may be a no go.
5. The largest disadvantage is transporting medical equipment if you need to. Traveling with oxygen, spare batteries, additional electronics, or even pacemakers can cause trouble not only with TSA but also with your equipment.

Traveling by car, on the other hand, is a great way to make sure you can be fully packed and supplied for any journey. Some benefits of car travel as a senior are:

1. It is easy to pack spare medical equipment and ensure that it is well taken care of since it’s sitting a few feet away from you. You can also pack other comforts that you might have had to leave behind when packing light for a flight.
2. Changes in elevation and air pressure are far more gradual when traveling in a car as well, so they are a non-issue.
3. You can also stop and stretch your legs as often as you’d like, so the stiffness or blood clot dangers involved with long flights aren't an issue when driving.

Then again, trips in cars do have some downsides:

1. Traveling by car takes substantially longer than flying to your destination.
2. Seniors often require frequent pitstops, and the amount of time spent driving without interruption is much lower.
3. Longer trips mean amplified levels of risk of health issues developing and overall discomfort.

At the end of the day it is up to you and your family to decide which travel option is best for you and your specific needs.

Pack for Your Destination

Packing for your destination is valuable travel advice for anyone, regardless of age. Seniors should especially make sure they are properly packed for the weather where they are traveling. Check annual weather patterns and check the weekly forecast before packing to ensure you have clothing packed for the full range of potential temperatures. The last thing you want to do is step off the plane in Florida ready for fresh fall weather, only to discover there is a warm front and the temperatures will be up to the 90s again, and all you have is sweaters! Not only is it generally uncomfortable, it can be downright dangerous for seniors.

If you or a loved one would like help preparing for travel, or you are interested in a consultation to gauge travel readiness, we can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers who can help with many different services to help your loved one feel safe and happy when traveling, including respite care in Tampa. For more information about our services and coverage area, contact us to speak with a Client Care Liaison.

The post Traveling as a Senior: Helpful Travel Tips appeared first on Advocate.

After a hospitalization or stay in a medical facility, older adults often need additional care in order to have a full recovery. A successful hospital discharge, and subsequent in-home care support, helps older adults stay on track with their their recovery, and regain health and independence.

So what does being discharged really mean for someone’s health? We have gathered some information to help you understand what a successful discharge is, why many seniors aren’t prepared to leave the hospital, how a discharge checklist improves recovery, and how to get seniors to accept the continued help they need.

What does a hospital discharge really mean?

When someone is discharged (released) from the hospital, or a short-term stay in a facility, it means their doctor (and/or nurses) have determined that they’ve recovered enough to no longer need hospital-level care. It doesn’t mean they’re fully recovered.

Even though the older adult is able to leave the hospital or facility, they will still need additional care at home to recover. They might even need an intense level of care for weeks or months.

Depending on the needs of the older adult upon discharge, and the doctor’s plan of care, an in-home care company can match your loved one with a care provider(s) to come to their home and assist them with recovery.

Why aren’t some seniors well prepared for a hospital discharge?

A successful discharge means that the older adult leaves the hospital and continues their recovery without any major problems or returns to the hospital. This should be the goal of every discharge.

However, hospital discharge nurses are often loaded with many cases, meaning they are unable to spend a lot of time helping patients and families understand everything they need to know about post-hospital recovery.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you and your elderly loved one have all the necessary information before leaving the hospital. It is also important to find an in-home care company that you trust to become your advocate during this time and to assist with transition and recovery.

How can a discharge checklist help your loved one recover?

During your loved one’s stay at the facility, their doctor and staff will work with you to plan for their discharge. You can use this checklist to prepare. Talk to your loved one’s doctor and the staff (like a discharge planner, social worker, or nurse) about the items on this checklist. Check the box next to each item when you have completed it, skip any that don’t apply to your loved one’s situation, and take additional notes as necessary. An in-home care provider can help you with many of these items, and to make sure the transition out of the facility goes smoothly.

Your Discharge Checklist:

What's Ahead?

◊ Ask about care options after discharge. Make sure in-home care is an option.

◊ Prior to discharge, contact the in-home care company to get a care provider that is right for your loved one’s needs. Make sure you have help arranged BEFORE discharge.

Your Loved One's Health

◊  Ask about problems to watch for and what to do about if they arise. Get an emergency contact at the hospital.

 ◊  Create a drug list for all prescriptions, over-the-counters, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Share this with hospital staff and caregivers.

◊  Ask if your loved one is ready to do these activities. Circle the ones they need help with:

• Bathing, dressing, toileting
• Climbing stairs
• Cooking, food shopping, house cleaning
• Getting to doctors’ appointments
• Managing prescription drugs

Recovery and Support

◊  Ask if you’ll need medical equipment (like a walker). Who will arrange for this? Get a contact in case you have questions about equipment.

◊  Ask the staff to give your care provider a detailed plan of care and written discharge instructions for your loved one.

◊  Ask the staff to show you any tasks you might be able to perform yourself to help your loved one remain comfortable.

◊  Ask to speak to a social worker if you’re concerned about how you and your family are coping. Write down information about support groups and other resources. Social workers can also help you understand your payment options for in-home care.

◊  Create an appointments page to write down any appointments and tests your loved one will need in the next several weeks. Bring the drug list and discharge instructions with you to all appointments.

American In-Home Care and our sister companies can help you or your loved one prepare for a hospital discharge, and be comfortable during the transition. We have a special package called the Welcome Aboard package that specifically assists patients who are discharging from a hospital or facility, and are on their way back home. Contact us today for more information.

The post Preparing your Senior for a Hospital Discharge appeared first on Advocate.

It’s a time-honored tradition, every spring the closets get emptied, the trash bags and storage boxes come out, and the house gets turned upside down - spring cleaning. It’s a great way to welcome the warmer months with a fresh start and a clean house.

Spring cleaning is especially important as you age. Removing clutter and preventing your home from becoming overly crowded has an important impact on seniors' mental health. The positive mental effects of being in control of your surroundings should never be discounted.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin spring cleaning either for yourself or with an aging loved one:

1. Remove trip hazards

Many aging adults have spent their entire lives collecting various odds and ends, and they were often taught growing up to never throw out anything that might be useful. This mentality results in homes that can be stuffed to the brim and cluttered with potential trip hazards, especially for seniors that have a hard time getting around. A stray lamp wire, an extra lazy chair, or multiple rugs on the floor can easily cause a fall, which is one of the most dangerous risks to seniors. Any potential obstacles that aren’t easily navigated should be removed to make the home less dangerous to move around in.

2. Clean out the medicine cabinet

Another important task is cleaning out medicine cabinets and pill boxes. Also check anywhere else in the house that prescription medications could be kept. Medication that is no longer actively prescribed or that is expired should be disposed of immediately. It is hard enough for most seniors to sort through their daily medication without having to thumb through extra pill bottles and check expiration dates.

3. Go through the kitchen

Next step is to go through the refrigerator and kitchen cupboards. Throw out any expired foods or drinks to prevent potential issues with mold and bacteria. Organize the cupboard so that foods are easy for seniors to reach and to find. Also take this opportunity to make sure your loved one's kitchen is stocked with the proper nutritious foods.

4. Organize personal effects

Help your loved one go through their personal effects, keepsakes, mementos, and other important objects that they have kept over the years. As you sort through, enjoy reliving the memories together, and then create groups of the items, organizing the items into a group that your loved one would like to keep, and a group that they can give away to friends and family or sell. With the things they want to keep, go one step further and help them organize the items either to display safely in the home, or to store neatly in boxes that are labeled in a storage area.

5. Do the general cleaning routine

As you are going through the home, open and clean out as many cupboards and cabinets as possible, and remove as much general clutter as you can. On top of that, make sure that all of the smoke detectors have fresh batteries, store winter decorations and clothing, and go about all of the other standard deep cleaning activities.

Unfortunately, spring cleaning, like most physical activities, only gets harder as we age. That’s where a licensed care provider could come in handy. Professional care providers can help with various housekeeping and cleaning tasks including laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and most other simple requests. Plus, who better to assist you with disposing of old medication than a licensed professional? Professional care providers also understand how to best organize homes for maximum safety.

If you would like to explore additional assistance as an option for your loved one, American In-Home Care can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers that are matched directly with your loved one's personality and needs. Contact us today at 1-844-505-0004 to discuss your care needs.

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Our latest issue of the Age in Place Magazine features stories and content about Healthy Aging. Contact us if you would like to schedule a consultation!

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