by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Feb 10, 2017 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dementia is an illness that slowly robs people of their abilities. For families, it is difficult to witness a person you know and love start to slip away into the grips of Alzheimer’s disease.
What can you do to help protect your loved one’s dignity when they can’t do it for themselves?
Here are five tips you can use to help your senior maintain his or her dignity and quality of life.
Promoting Dignity for People with Alzheimer’s
- Make your senior loved one feel valued. Your loved one might not respond to or even understand the words “I love you” any more, but that doesn’t mean you should stop saying it. Now more than ever, your aging family member needs you and needs to feel that he or she still has your love and affection. Many people with dementia, especially those in the early stages of their disease, still have moments of clarity and awareness. Those moments might be fleeting, but how wonderful for them to know they are loved during those times.
- Help your family member feel safe. Older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia sometimes experience hallucinations. It can leave them feeling scared or otherwise uncomfortable. Be sure to hold their hand when they feel frightened, or go ahead and take a look into that shadowy corner to confirm there’s nothing sinister waiting for them. You might feel a bit silly, but think of how much better you’ll make them feel by your small actions.
- Continue to celebrate your loved one’s life. It’s easy to forget someone’s birthday when even he or she can’t remember what day it is. But that doesn’t mean that you should neglect to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and other milestones in life. In fact, it’s important for you and your loved ones to celebrate the earlier, happier memories of their lives.
- Maintain their quality of life. Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause people to become more and more withdrawn. That doesn’t mean you should remove all of the trappings of their former lives. Keep artwork on the walls, particularly family photographs. It may help to use older photographs that your loved one might be more likely to recognize.
- Make decisions with their best interests in mind. When you are caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is tempting to make decisions based on your own convenience. And while it’s important to maintain your own quality life as a hardworking caregiver, you should also keep your senior loved one’s best interests in mind. Whether it’s deciding upon an assisted living community with memory care or interviewing health care professionals to work with him or her on a regular basis, focus on what is best for them.
It can be difficult to remain optimistic in the face of a battle like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. However, when you witness your loved one living with dignity, it can make a big difference in how well you feel about the job you are doing as a caregiver. We hope these tips help!
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Feb 4, 2017 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
It’s a fact of life that our bodies change as we grow older. Most of us begin to move a bit more slowly than we did when we were younger. Likewise, it might take a bit longer for our brains to process information. However, there is a difference between a minor lapse in memory and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Normal Aging?
As we age, it is normal to experience changes in memory and the way our brain receives information. Sometimes, we forget things. Life can be hectic, after all, so it is easy to forget things like new acquaintances’ names or where we last put the car keys. This type of memory lapse can be annoying or inconvenient, but it is a common occurrence for people stressed out by work and family commitments.
However, when these lapses become more frequent and start to interfere with our daily lives, it could be a sign that there is something more serious happening within our brains.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder in which the brain’s nerve cells become damaged or destroyed over time. It is a form of dementia, which is a term used for the group of symptoms that are the result of various brain disorders.
These disorders can affect any or all of the following:
- Memory – both short-term and long-term
- Language capabilities – including reading, writing, and speaking
- Visuospatial function – the capacity to comprehend things like maps, directions or symbols
- Executive function – which is the ability to complete tasks and problem solve
The Mayo Clinic reports that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of individuals who are exhibiting symptoms of a brain disorder. While Alzheimer’s disease predominantly affects people age 65 and over, cases have been noted among some individuals as early as in their 30s.
The Onset of Alzheimer’s
When memory lapses become consistent or are enough to disrupt work, social lives, or hobbies, it could mean the onset of Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association notes the following as common symptoms of the disease:
- Mood swings
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Misplacing objects on a regular basis
- Confusion
- Difficulty with organization
- Becoming lost or disoriented
It’s important to remember that not everyone who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will exhibit all of these symptoms. Alternatively, people who exhibit any of these symptoms might not be experiencing the onset of Alzheimer’s.
This is where a memory screening will be helpful. A memory screening evaluates an individual’s memory to determine whether it is necessary to schedule a follow-up appointment with a physician or other health care professional.
Specialized Care for People Living with Alzheimer’s
When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, he or she will begin to show a decreased ability to socialize and communicate with others. As the brain disorder progresses, a person will begin to lose the ability to complete by themselves even the most basic of tasks.
While it is difficult to see a loved one experience cognitive decline, a senior living community that specializes in memory care will help your friend or family member continue to live with the dignity he or she deserves.
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Feb 2, 2017 | Healthy Aging
You can’t turn on the television or pick up a magazine without hearing how a well-balanced diet is the key to good health and a better quality of life. But what might surprise you is how many people in this country suffer from malnutrition. And our seniors are among them.
Older adults are at high risk for malnutrition for many reasons. If you are a caregiver for a senior loved one, it’s important that you learn more about nutrition and how to recognize when an older adult isn’t getting the vital nutrients they need.
The Effects of Malnutrition
A poor diet can lead to a host of health complications for seniors, including a weaker immune system, slower healing capabilities, and muscle fatigue. The Alliance to Advance Patient Nutrition reports that 1 in 3 patients admitted to the hospital suffer from malnutrition.
Individuals who don’t have access to good nutrition are three times more likely to develop an infection after surgery than their peers who eat a healthy diet. This puts them at a high risk for being readmitted to the hospital.
Recognize the signs of malnutrition
The most basic cases of malnutrition involve either too little food or a diet that is devoid of nutrients and full of empty calories. However, the Mayo Clinic reminds us that food isn’t the only culprit when it comes to malnutrition. A combination of physical, social, and psychological issues can lead to poor eating habits for seniors:
Older adults who have health problems may eat an improper diet. For example, individuals living with dementia can forget to eat or have trouble preparing proper meals for themselves. A senior with a health issue like diabetes or heart disease may be placed on restricted diets by their physician. While this is necessary, they might not understand what foods they can safely eat so they end up not eating much as a result.
In our society, food is often enjoyed in the company of friends and family. Single seniors might find that eating alone is not very enjoyable. Or they might lose interest in cooking for themselves, and eat convenience foods which are typically high in sodium and low in nutrition.
There are many causes of depression in older adults. Some of the more common ones include grief, loneliness, and poor health. These factors are known to diminish a person’s appetite.
How to Help a Senior Loved One Prevent Malnutrition
If you know a senior loved one is at risk for malnutrition, here’s how you can help:
- Sign up for a meal program. Meals on Wheels is a program that ensures older adults are receiving proper nutrition each day. Call your local agency on aging to learn more.
- Register for food benefits. Seniors who need help paying the bills may be eligible to sign up for government food benefit programs. The AARP Benefits QuickLINK makes it easy for individuals to see for what benefits they are eligible.
- Consider a move to senior living. If a senior loved one is struggling to maintain a healthy diet, another option is to consider a move to a senior living community. Three well-balanced meals and nutritious snacks are typically included with monthly rent.
A nutrient-rich diet is one of the basic building blocks for good health. Ensure that your senior loved one has proper access to healthy food so that they can enjoy their best quality of life.
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jan 28, 2017 | Caregiving, Uncategorized
Many seniors choose to downsize their homes during their retirement years. Downsizing might mean moving into an independent senior living community in Michigan or relocating from a larger house to a smaller one. Either way, downsizing one’s home and belongings can be a challenging process.
Here are some tips that can help your senior loved one as they downsize and prepare for a move.
10 Tips to Help a Michigan Senior Downsize
1. Get rid of clutter
World-renowned organization expert and author Marie Kondo says if your belongings don’t “spark joy,” then it’s time to say goodbye to them. Encourage your loved one to start making lists of what belongings they will keep and what will need to find a new home.
2. Sell or donate unwanted items
It’s tempting to throw away things that your loved one no longer wants or needs, but there’s probably someone else who can use them. The Internet makes it easy to sell things online, and anything that doesn’t sell can likely be donated. Many charities will even arrange to pick up the unwanted items, making the process of downsizing a bit easier.
3. Start packing sooner rather than later
Unfortunately, houses can’t pack up themselves. Unless the move is being completed in the midst of an emergency, try to take time to carefully go through belongings. This will help you decide what goes and what stays—without breaking or misplacing anything of importance to your senior loved one.
4. Secure prized possessions
There are certain things your family member won’t be willing to give up, whether because of sentimental reasons or monetary value. Consider moving anything that fits either of those categories to a secure location so that it is not lost or accidentally discarded during the move.
5. Think about life in the new place
Remember, when downsizing from a house to a condo or apartment, certain chores like shoveling snow in the winter and yard work in the spring will be eliminated. Encourage your loved one to have a yard sale to clear out that garage or storage shed. Then watch how quickly someone will snap up an unwanted lawn mower or snow blower at a good price!
6. Stay organized
Downsizing and preparing for a move can be a long process. Your loved one might have to put some items in storage for a while. Be sure to label boxes clearly and create a master list of what is in each box. When moving day comes, it will make it much easier to find everything.
7. Consider the layout of the new home
As your loved one downsizes his or her belongings, remind them to keep the new home’s layout in mind. Will it hold all of his or her current furniture? What is the storage space like? Creating a floor plan of the new home will help in deciding which things will fit and which ones won’t.
8. Try not to buy anything new – for now
This, of course, doesn’t apply to food and basic living necessities, but it does refer to things like furniture, appliances, and home décor. Encourage your loved one to save any shopping sprees until he or she is settled into the new place so as not to add to the packing duties.
9. Take a trip down memory lane
Packing for a move often means going through old photos and belongings that may evoke powerful memories. Allow your loved one some time to reflect on the past, particularly if the memories are happy ones.
10. Focus on what matters most
As a retiree, your loved one now has more time to focus on hobbies and other interests. Keep this in mind as you help them downsize. What might seem like a box of dusty old books to you may be a source of great joy to your loved one. Remember to keep their interests in mind—not yours—when packing for the big move.
Your senior loved one might be leaving behind some wonderful memories in their old home. It may be necessary to remind your family member that new adventures await them!
Photo Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jan 24, 2017 | Caregiving, Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna,
My mother is 82 years old and living at home. We have recently begun discussing assisted living and other senior living community options in case she needs them in the future. Mom is currently in good health, and she has stated that she would very much prefer to stay in the same house she has lived in for the past 50 years.
I want to make sure she is both happy and comfortable when it comes to her future living arrangements. I’ve heard of the phrase “aging in place.” Can you explain what that means, and whether it might be an option for my mother?
Sincerely,
Debra in Dearborn
Is Aging in Place a Viable Option
Dear Debra,
I’m glad that you and your mother are being proactive about her future needs. It’s always a good idea to start early when exploring senior living options in Michigan—even if though your mom’s goal is to remain living in her own home.
The Centers for Disease Control define the term “aging in place” as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
Many seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes during their retirement years, as the familiar environment provides a great deal of comfort to them. This could very well be a viable option for your mother, provided you give some thought to a few important issues.
Is her house senior friendly?
You mentioned that your mom is in good health, which can make it much easier for her to stay in her current location. However, it’s important to consider that there might come a day when she is not as healthy or as mobile as she is now. If she lives in large, multi-story home, it will make moving around much harder than if she were in a single-level home or perhaps an apartment or condo. This is why many seniors opt to downsize their homes during their retirement years, choosing smaller layouts that allow for better accessibility.
If your mother doesn’t like the idea of giving up her home, then take a realistic look at her current residence. It might be possible to make some home renovations that will make living in the same space both easier and safer for your mother, such as installing a shower instead of a tub in the bathroom for more accessible bathing.
Do family members live nearby?
Aging in place becomes a much more viable option when your loved one has a support network nearby. If you or other family members live in the area, then it might be possible for you to take turns checking in on your mom on a regular basis.
If family doesn’t live nearby, you may be able to enlist the support of an in-home care aide to visit your mother for regular wellness checks. It might also be a good idea to hire a housekeeping service to help with keeping your mother’s home clean and organized.
Additionally, a local church or nonprofit organization might have volunteers willing to help out with things like shoveling snow or running errands.
What type of budget does your mother have?
Keep in mind that the expenses associated with providing all of these services can add up to be more than it would cost for your mother to move to a senior living community. So it’s important that you have an open and honest discussion about finances when you are creating a plan for the future.
Aging in place can be a good option for seniors, provided there is enough support in place to make staying at home a convenience rather than a burden. I hope this information is helpful, Debra! Good luck to you and your mom.
Sincerely,
Donna
