A drama about caregiving for aging parents on YouTube

A drama about caregiving for aging parents on YouTube

	 A drama about caregiving for aging parents on YouTube“Ruth and Erica,” a new drama showing only on YouTube, gives those caring for their aging parents something to relate to. The show stars veteran actors Lois Smith and Philip Baker Hall as Ruth and Harry Rappaport, a couple who resist the suggestions of Erica (Maura Tierney), their only child, that they move to a retirement community following Harry’s decline into dementia. And with Michael C. Hall involved behind the cameras, it’s safe to say that the series has some star power and the production is of professional quality.

Each episode of the 13-part series will run approximately eight minutes. “Ruth and Erica” follows the characters over the course of a year as they grapple with the decisions forced on them by aging.

Amy Lippman created the series and directed all 13 episodes. Lippman told the New York Times, I decided to write about something I was experiencing, and all my friends were experiencing — parents who’d been independent and self-sufficient, but were beginning to need more support and guidance. It seems to have come as a shock to all of us.

In the show, Erica struggles to balance the long-distance care of her aging parents with the events in her own life. Erica must also face what will become of her in old-age as, she has no children of her own.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/

Music aids with transition to dying

Music aids with transition to dying

Music aids with transition to dyingAs Growthouse.org points out in a recent article, for most people music as a comfort starts with a lullaby when they are still just babies. Thus, for a very long time, the healing power of music is believed to be real.

Aristotle and Plato wrote about their beliefs in the healing power of music, and during medieval times, a monastic chant for the sick developed. In fact, the Benedictine Order supported their sick or dying members with formal musical rituals.

In 1944, Michigan State University offered the first actual college degree in music therapy.

Creativity in Healthcare points out some benefits to patients who listen to music:

  • Significant decrease in pain.
  • Improvement in mood and anxiety, and decrease in discomforts.
  • Increase spiritual well-being. Many times people with end-of-life conditions request spiritual or religious music.  One study measured spirituality with the 18-item Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), completed by patients after each music therapy session. Analysis showed a significant increase in SWBS scores on the days music therapy was provided.
  • Enhanced quality of life. Interestingly, the more music therapy sessions patients received, higher quality of life is experienced even as their physical condition declined. The quality-of-life tool used in this study was the Hospice Quality-of-Life Index-Revised (HQOLI), a 29 point questionnaire completed by patients.
  • Cass Jendzurski, a therapeutic harpist, offers some advice on providing music for the sick or dying:
  • Music at the deathbed should not be constant. Silence is also needed for those who are dying and for those processing the death of their loved one.
  • It helps to know the patient’s musical preferences. When possible, Jendurksi suggests that activity directors complete a music questionnaire with residents. Studies on therapeutic music not surprisingly show the benefits of using music preferred by the patient.
  • Both familiar and unfamiliar music should be used. Unfamiliar music is defined by Jendurski as instrumental, wordless and relaxing, but not recognized as a familiar song. This type of music is proposed as good for pain, restlessness and agitation for those who are dying. Familiar music is also good for those who are dying when we know it is appropriate. Familiar music is believed to help with fear of the unknown and can act as a security blanket.
  • Deathbed music should have the four Ss. Meaning it should be soft in volume, soothing in pitch/range (low, not high), slow, and have spaces in it (arrhythmic, not rhythmic).

The end of life journey is different for each individual. As difficult as it may be, try talking with your loved one, as well as their caregivers, you can ensure that they are as comfortable and happy as possible.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/

Physicians Choice Private Duty

Real Stories

Physicians Choice Private DutyTodays post features real-life stories of how Physicians Choice Private Duty helped an elderly person and their loved ones through a tough decision-making process that ensured each persons individual care needs were met. Names have been changed to respect privacy.

Lucille

Although not fully recovered from a recent accident, Lucille’s early discharge from the hospital was imminent. Her family brought in Physicians Choice Private Duty to work with the hospital to delay the discharge until an acceptable rehab facility could be found, as Lucille was not yet able to return home safely.

Bud

Physicians Choice Private Duty was asked to come in and assess a patient, an elderly man named Bud, suffering from dementia. While initially it was thought Bud might need respite hours, it became clear, very quickly, that he was near the end of his life. Our staff was able to make a recommendation for hospice and the gentlemen passed away within a week — peacefully and safely.

Kenneth

Kenneth, a morbidly obese patient, temporarily lost his primary caregiver due to a sudden illness. Since Kenneth needed assistance with daily living, Physicians Choice Private Duty was contacted for help. After an assessment, we appointed our professional staff to provide quality daily care for Kenneth while his primary caregiver recovered. After two weeks, his caregiver returned, happy to find him safe and well-taken care of.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system.All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/