“How can you call yourself a caregiver when you live so far away?” was the surprising question that greeted me when I introduced myself at a caregiver support group in my local Phoenix community. I’ve been faced with adversity before when people learn I live across the country from my elderly mother; they assume I’m uninvolved, irresponsible, and sometimes even selfish because I’m not there in person to act as her senior caregiver. However, this wasn’t the kind of reaction I expected from a group who were already familiar with the challenges that come with caring for an aging parent.

Maybe you relate to this sentiment; I’m not a caregiver because I don’t live nearby, so why don’t you give me the opportunity to explain myself. I’m not the primary physical caregiver for my elderly mother on a day-to-day basis, but I am a caregiver. I have arranged for my mother to physically receive the best senior care in Phoenix. I assist her in managing her finances and assets, and I am the first one that her caregivers or healthcare providers would call in the case of a medical emergency or for assistance in making a healthcare related decision. I am always ready to fly across the country at just a moment’s notice, and I spend most of my free time learning about how to improve my mother’s care by talking to those who are with her regularly and consulting senior care resources.

Whether or not you’d call me a caregiver doesn’t matter, it’s not about the labels, it’s about providing the best care possible for my mother, even if it’s from a distance. I’m a caregiver, but call me what you’d like.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Aging

2. How to Care

Image: Ucsb.edu

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Q – I know that the 2009 Stimulus Plan revealed that the elderly would be receiving one-time $250 Stimulus Checks, but I haven’t received mine. How do I get one?

A – The 2009 Senior Stimulus Checks are available to seniors who have received any one of the following benefits in November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement or Veterans Benefits. According to United States Vice President Biden, In order for seniors to receive their Stimulus Checks, seniors only need to meet the benefit eligibility requirements, but do not need to apply or engage in any other actions.Home Care Bryan, College Station › Edit — WordPress

Sources:
1. Senior Journal
2. SS Social Security Info

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

When my mother was in her 70’s, we talked her into adding identity theft insurance to her home insurance policy, knowing that the chances she might be a victim of fraud were fairly high in the senior demographic. The policy offered by her insurance policy for identity theft coverage cost nearly $30 extra per month, but after careful research we decided the benefits were worth it. While fraud insurance doesn’t actually cover any financial losses at the result of identity theft, it does provide coverage relating to the recovery process that occurs after such a fraud has occurred, including lost wages and legal bills up to $15,000 per claim.

When choosing to get the identity theft insurance for my mother, I ensured that the whole family understood that we still can’t let our guard down when it comes to managing my mom’s affairs. The same precautions still need to be taken when reviewing her finances and handling important documentation to prevent identity theft and fraud; the policy is only an additional safeguard, but it doesn’t decrease her chances of becoming a victim.

I would recommend fraud insurance to all seniors provided the policy is affordable for their lifestyle and income level, and that appropriate coverage is available. Fortunately, while my aging mom has not yet been impacted by fraud, we know with the insurance, if it occurs, she will manage to recover from it.

Sources:
1. Spam Laws
2. Globe and Mail Joanna Pachner

Image: Rofkahr Consulting

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Q – I have noticed some signs that my elderly mother is struggling to live independently in her own home. While I have some ideas about home care, I do come from a large family in Phoenix and feel it’s important that I involve my siblings and immediate family in the decision making. What’s the best way to go about this?

A – Ask your immediate family to get together in Phoenix so that you can all discuss your concerns about your mother’s health and care. If not all siblings live close by, you can set-up a conference call so that everyone can be involved in discussing your mother’s care requirements. For the first meeting, don’t involve your mother, so you can talk openly about your concerns without upsetting her. Discussing eldercare requirements for a loved one, can be stressful, so keep the following tips in mind when planning your first family senior home care meeting.

1. Establish a goal for each meeting – the first meeting might be about discussing concerns, and making suggestions for how to proceed with home care

2. Invite only close relatives – invite your close siblings or other family members you feel must be involved, but try to keep numbers under 7 people

3. Allow each family member the chance to speak without interrupting

4. Share resources – each family member can bring information about your mother’s specific conditions or local resources that may be able to help

5. Have a moderator – invite a 3rd, impartial party like a counselor or Geriatric Care Manager to help keep the meeting on track if you feel there will be disputes about your mother’s care amongst family

Sources:

1. Elder Care Online

2. Suite101

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Q1 – How can a senior find a doctor?

A1 – The American Medical Association Doctor Finder is a directory of American doctors that includes their history as medical professionals. Find doctors that are located in your local area, but make the final decision based on other important factors.

Q2 – What else should seniors consider when choosing a doctor?

A2 – It’s important to decide whether a general practitioner or specialist is required based on the elderly person’s medical history. For affordability, a doctor that complies with your health benefits or medical insurance plan should also be chosen; and naturally, you want a doctor that has a great track record.

Q3 – How can you tell if a doctor’s good?

A3 – To understand how well a doctor performs, by interviewing them and their office staff.  Find out if they encourage questions, and if they remain respectful. A doctor’s professional history can be reviewed using a number of online directories, including the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory, The American Board of Medical Specialties and The Federal State of Medical Boards.

Sources:

1. Seniors for Living

2. MedicineNet

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

According to a recent study completed by the Center for Disease Control and Preventions, seniors in Phoenix should limit their sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day to help decrease the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. While salt added to food can be a source of increased sodium levels, that majority of salt consumed in a senior’s diet comes from processed foods, like TV dinners and ready-mix sides. In order to reduce the amount of sodium they consume and maintain adequate nutrition, the elderly in Phoenix should consider the following suggestions:

1.    Choose fresh foods – fresh fruits, vegetables and meats contain less sodium than processed, pre-packaged foods. Frozen foods may also contain less sodium, but be sure to read the packaging carefully!
2.    Read labels – choose products that say “low-sodium” on the packaging.
3.    Remove salt from recipes (except in baked goods)
4.    Limit condiment consumption – ketchup, salad dressings and other condiments contain sodium
5.    Use salt substitutes
6.    Substitute herbs, spices and other seasonings is place of salt
7.    Avoid sports drinks
8.    Switch to kosher salt – it’s coarser, so you will use less!
9.    Slowly reduce sodium intake – to reduce your salt cravings, start by mixing salted snacks with no-sodium ones (i.e. salted with unsalted peanuts to help cut down!)
10.    Keep other seasonings in your salt shaker!

Sources:
1.    MayoClinic
2.    Magic Kitchen
3.    Seniors for Living

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

I’m not an addict, but I know someone who is, and I’m to blame. It’s my fault she’s an addict because I fill her prescriptions, and if I did a better job as her caregiver, she might not be so dependent upon the medications she abuses. The addict is an important person in my life, but it’s not someone you’d expect. It’s not my 16-year old son; it’s not my hardworking husband; it’s not my best friend who is recently widowed; it’s my 87 year old mother, and I’m her senior care provider.

I shouldn’t blame myself; I know the statistics–approximately 70% of seniors aged 60 and older, like my mother, abuse prescription medication. My mother, like many other seniors who misuse prescription drugs, probably doesn’t know she’s an addict.  They think they’re just taking the drugs that they require, but often that’s one and the same.

My mother’s prescription drug abuse started when my father passed away and she was prescribed Valium to help her cope. She started taking it “only when she needed it” which was everyday, and realizing it helped her insomnia, she started taking it again at nighttime. My mother is an addict, because now without it, she can’t get to sleep, but she also takes it all the time which is abuse. Her doctor renews her prescriptions, because she’s older and there’s the perception that she needs it.

It might not be my fault, but my mother is an addict, and I blame myself.

Sources:
1.    Bio-Medicine
2.   Join Together

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Fifth of All Medicare Patients Readmitted to Hospital

Q.  My 85-year-old mom was sent back to the hospital after being discharged home soon after recovering from a serious illness.  Is this common and what can be done about it?

It’s more common than you know.  One of five Medicare beneficiaries discharged from the hospital is readmitted within 30 days, and half of non-surgical patients are readmitted to the hospital without having seen an outpatient doctor in follow-up, according to a Commonwealth Fund-supported study in a recent New England Journal of Medicine.

Those statistics added up to a whopping $17.4 billion for Medicare in 2004, the study says.  The study, “Rehospitalizations Among Patients in the Medicare Fee-for-Service Program,” by  Stephen Jencks, M.D., M.P.H., Mark V. Williams, M.D., and Eric A. Coleman, M.D., M.P.H., highlights the costs and health impact of rehospitalization. It also details the key reasons for rehospitalizations, and highlights gaps in patient management that may be contributing to the high rates.

Surprisingly, most patients were rehospitalized for conditions other than those for which they were originally hospitalized.

The rehospitalizations were so rapid that these conditions should probably have been the focus of discharge planning in many cases.  Overall, 73 percent of patients who were initially in the hospital for surgery were readmitted for medical diagnoses such as pneumonia, heart failure or bacterial infections.

The study also showed that a history of rehospitalization and prolonged length of hospital stay were stronger predictors of rehospitalization than age, gender, race, poverty or disability.  The authors suggest several steps to reduce rehospitalizations including:

• interventions to better educate patients about self-care in the hospital discharge process;
• helping hospitals better understand their comparative performance on readmissions by providing them readmission data for their patients including those who were rehospitalized elsewhere;
• collaboration between physicians and hospitals to ensure patients get follow-up care; and
• follow-up care from a primary care doctor as well as a surgeon for surgery patients.

At-home non-medical assistance also could be of benefit.  Home Instead CAREGivers often handle tasks around the house such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and medication reminders, which can help seniors devote their energy to recovering.

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Living in Phoenix, with spring in the air, it’s time for seniors to start getting outside! While traditional outdoor activities like gardening, walking, or feeding the ducks are all great ways for seniors to enjoy the nice weather; the elderly don’t need to engage in typical outdoor activities when outside. This spring, if you are a home care provider; try taking indoor activities outside to bring your senior the best of both worlds!

Setup a folding table outside if there is no patio or picnic table to complete a puzzle together or play an entertaining board game to get some fresh air and sunshine. Encourage a senior to sit outside with their knitting or other crafty hobbies instead of sitting on the couch indoors missing the gorgeous weather in Phoenix this spring. Instead of serving a meal at the kitchen or dining room table, enjoy the outdoors with your senior by setting up chairs, and even a table and bring out newspapers, crossword puzzle books, or novels to pass the time in the fresh air and sunshine!

When providing home care, not all springtime activities need to be elaborate; the changing seasons can be enjoyed simply by bringing indoor activities outside!
Sources:

1.    Suite 101 Janienne Jennrich
2.    Disabled World
Images: www.dkimages.com

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.