OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDER

Long distance caregiving for elderly parents

OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDERWhen your aging elderly parents are hundreds or thousands of miles away, its a struggle to ensure their proper care. It can be even harder if one of your parents has passed and the other is left living alone. Many people are forced to juggle their demanding full time jobs with becoming the long-distance caregiver of their elderly mother or father. There’s the daily phone calls and the frequent visits that eat up vacation time time spent fixing up a parents home, dealing with bills, doctor visits and getting the estate in order. It’s always nice to spend time with family, but as an aging parents care becomes more and more vital paired with the everyday demands of work and other family, being in two places at once is extremely difficult, not to mention stressful.

An estimated 7 million Americans are long-distance caregivers, according to the National Institute on Aging. Not only that but the annual financial burden is nearly $9,000 for long-distance caregivers, far more than that of caregivers who live nearby their loved one, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and Eldercare.

Help is available, however. Many turn to the expertise of a geriatric care manager, such as offered by Physicians Choice Private Duty in the Omaha area.

A care manager will:

  • Assess the type of care needed
  • Take the necessary steps to start a care plan and keep it functioning
  • Assess the home or living situation to make sure it’s a safe and friendly environment
  • Resolve family conflicts and other long term care issues
  • Conduct ongoing assessments and make sure proper changes happen
  • Oversee direct in-home care
  • Assist with medication monitoring
  • Help with placement into a nursing home and monitor care received in a nursing home
  • Coordinate medical appointments
  • Assist families with decision making
  • Much more

The duties of a long-distance caregiver are many. A geriatric care manager knows this and will help assist family members with all aspects of their aging elderly parents care, making the burden much more bearable.

“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/

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ELDERLY ABUSE

What are the signs of elderly abuse?

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ELDERLY ABUSEThe National Center on Elder Abuse verified nearly 6 million incidents of abuse towards victims age 65 and over. The sad truth is that the majority of elder abuse cases go unreported. In Utah, only 1 in 10 cases are reported, according to Utah Adult Protective Services. It’s safe to assume that similar numbers exist all across the United States. So in reality, there could be upwards of 60 million incidents of elderly abuse each year in the US.

Elder abuse comes in many forms, from physical to mental and beyond. The signs vary and can be as subtle as gradually increasing self-neglect to as obvious as unexplained cuts and bruises.

That’s why it’s important to recognize signs of abuse.

What are the types of elder abuse?

The most common type of elder abuse is self-neglect, where an older person refuses necessary care. Other types of elder abuse include physical abuse from a perpetrator, exploitation (often financial), caretaker neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

Many elder abuse cases go unreported due to the victims fear of losing support from an abusive family member or caretaker. Imagine the dilemma of a victim whose abuser is a beloved family member. An elderly person might fear the removal or possible incarceration of the family member. This is not only an unwanted outcome of reporting abuse, but it could also lead to the elderly person being left alone to care for herself or being forced to live in a nursing home.

Signs of abuse

  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, fractures or other injuries
  • Bruises in multiple stages of healing
  • Low self-esteem
  • Loss of self determination
  • Becoming withdrawn, fearful, passive or other changes in personality
  • Becoming depressed, hopeless or socially isolated
  • Soiled clothing and linen

Signs of neglect & self-neglect

  • Dehydration and malnourishment
  • Soiled or inappropriate clothing
  • Odorous
  • Unclean living environment
  • Improperly medicated
  • Deserted, abandoned, improperly looked after
  • Lack of medical necessities, etc.

Signs of exploitation

  • Missing property
  • Frequent or recent property title changes
  • Frequent or recent will changes
  • Excessive bills
  • Forced to sign over control of finances
  • No or limited money for food, clothes and other amenities

“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/.”

OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDER

Need fast, honest advice about elder care? Look to YouTube

OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDERIt’s never easy when an aging parent or loved one loses their independence. Before you both know it, there are more questions than answers and the answers usually don’t come easy.

In times like these, Physicians Choice Private Duty offers expert advice from certified professionals in providing seniors and their families with a complete understanding of the available options. But even before families feel the need to reach out to us, there are plenty of online resources available to help answer general questions at any time of day or night. With good reason, many turn to popular video site YouTube.

It’s as easy as typing in the question you have into the YouTube search bar. For example, searching for how to make a bathroom safer for elderly brings up a number of helpful videos made by home care professionals across the country.

http://youtu.be/4QvgHtiRjV8

Besides practical advice on topics like home safety, there are numerous videos that can help deal with the stress that’s involved at the many stages of this life-changing journey.

Perhaps the most comforting aspect of knowing theres a helpful video for almost any senior care concern you might have is the fact that theres usually an honest face and voice who made it, someone caring who you know can relate to what you’re going through.

“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/

ELDERLY CARE: 10 MEDICATION TIPS

Elderly care: 10 medication tips

Typically, the older a person is, the more medications he or she is taking. As we all, know, prescription drugs can be dangerous if not taken properly. Sadly, following the doctors orders becomes more and more difficult for many elderly people due to a number of factors. From unexpected side effects from using multiple medications to deteriorating eyesight to arthritis, even the onset of dementia, there are several conditions and sets of circumstances surrounding taking medication that can put an elderly person in harms way.

ELDERLY CARE: 10 MEDICATION TIPS	Oftentimes help is required from a family member or in-home care professional to administer medication at proper times and in proper amounts. Here are some tips for ensuring the continued safety or your aging loved one.

  • Make sure all prescriptions are current.
  • Read the labels of each medication for proper use.
  • Properly dispose of expired prescriptions (Tips from the FDA on how to do that).
  • Don’t mix different prescriptions together in the same container, rather use a pillbox that easily organizes and differentiates each type of medication.
  • Bring an up-to-date list of all current prescriptions to each appointment with a doctor.
  • Bring the same list to the pharmacist when refilling or getting new prescriptions.
  • Make sure you know what each prescription is for.
  • Know the generic names of prescriptions.
  • Have a family member call or physically monitor the taking of medication.
  • If necessary, set alarms for for reminders when its time to take medication.

If you fear your elderly parent is unable to take her own medication safely, set up a consultation with the professional staff at Physicians Choice Private Duty.

“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/

OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDER

Elderly care: Keeping them healthy

OMAHA’S LEADING IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDERWith the growing generation of elderly people in the U.S. today, pressure is increasing for their family members to meet their newfound needs due to illness, injury or other factors that take away their independence. This care is often provided first hand by family, a visiting in home care service, a long-term care facility or a combination of the three “ as each persons set of needs are different.

Even in the face of these new challenges, there are ways to make sure quality care leads to the continued happiness of an aging parent or loved one.

Physicians Choice Private Duty is staffed by registered nurses and social workers. We consult with families and help them map out a plan for their elderly loved ones quality care.

Still, before or after consultation, there are ways to help your aging loved one stay as healthy as possible. Here are three recommendations:

  1. Make note of sudden changes in health or behavior. If one week your fathers short-term memory seems faulty but back to normal the next, it could be a sign of a greater problem on the horizon, or simply a side effect from a new medication. Take notes for the next visit to the doctor, as the more your fathers doctor knows, the better the chance that he’ll be properly diagnosed.
  2. Be familiar with prescriptions and medicine cabinet. Know what your mother is taking as far as prescription drugs and be familiar with what they are for. Many drugs have side effects that could be the root cause of a change in behavior. Make sure all prescriptions are up to date and doctor approved.
  3. Emotional health is just as important as physical health. Don’t only react to health issues that are physical. Depression is common amongst the elderly, especially if a parent is living alone without a partner. Help your parent regain companionship by introducing them to a new friend or taking them to senior-friendly activities.

“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

WHAT ARE THE THE SIGNS OF ELDERLY DEPRESSION

What are the the signs of elderly depression?

Depression is a common problem for elderly people. It’s not always easy to remain optimistic as we face decisions and certainties of aging — retirement, the death of loved ones, increased isolation and declining health. That being so, keep in mind that depression is not inevitable as we age and there are ways to prevent and treat depression in the elderly.

WHAT ARE THE THE SIGNS OF ELDERLY DEPRESSION

Health magazine provides these suggestions for dealing with elderly depression:

  • Don’t dismiss symptoms such as losing interest in activities that used to bring them joy or losing their appetite.
  • Listen to your loved one. One of the best ways to determine if your mom or dad is suffering from depression is to listen and be involved in their lives.
  • Look for subtle signs rather than confirmation. A person suffering from depression may deny that they are clinically depressed. However they might frequently wring their hands or get agitated or irritable.
  • Don’t impose terminology. If someone insists that they are not depressed it might be useful to remove the word depression when speaking of your concerns. Suggest that they should seek a doctors opinion on ways to help them sleep or gain appetite instead.
  • Recognize that depression is an illness.
  • Don’t take over a depressed persons life. Depression can cause symptoms where the person suffering does not want to perform routine tasks and they may not want to even get out of bed. Taking over routine tasks for them will only allow them to withdraw and help them avoid seeking help.

It’s important not to ignore depression in older adults. If your elderly parent or loved one is suffering from depression, seek help. According to an article in Health Magazine senior citizens have the highest rate of suicide in the country.

Keep in mind that Physicians Choice Private Duty is always a resource for you as your loved one ages. Our in-home assessments will provide you with a comprehensive plan. We also work directly with your doctor(s) and other care providers to create a clear picture of the current situation. When we present our findings, we show where the senior is today and what help will be needed to care for them in their own home.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..

Elderly care: preventing falls

Elderly care: preventing falls

Elderly care: preventing falls

A number of statistics provided by the Center For Disease Control bring to light just how dangerous falls can be for the elderly. Falls can bring a range of consequences from head trauma to fractured hips and even increase the risk of early death.

According to CDC statistics compiled for 2008, over 19,700 older adults died from injuries caused by unintentional falls in that year.

Sadly, falls are a health problem that is mostly preventable.

Preventing falls can help keep your loved ones out of long-term care facilities. The CDC statistics reveal that people age 75 who fall are four to five times more likely than those age 65 to 74 to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.

Elderly parents generally prefer to remain at home, so it’s best to evaluate the home of your elderly loved one to help prevent falls.

To monitor if your elderly family member is safe and managing in his her home here are some suggestions:

  • Visit often and at different times of the day and night
  • Make sure to note daily activities that appear challenging
  • Remove rugs that slide
  • Remove furniture with sharp edges
  • Set the water heater at lower temperatures
  • Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning
  • Install grab bars near the toilet and shower and consider getting a shower stool or chair

If you are unsure of everything that needs to be done to make the home safe for your aging loved one then consult a professional service such as Physicians Choice Private Duty. In addition, some companies specialize in home remodeling and accommodation for seniors.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

Physicians Choice Private Duty

Physicians Choice Private Duty

OMAHA’S PREMIER IN HOME ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDER

Physicians Choice Private Duty created this blog as a resource for families engaged in the many stages of senior care. We know this life changing journey can be challenging and full of tough decisions, as the needs of every individual are different.

Here, we’ll examine real world stories of people just like you and your family, as well as offer expert advice on the various aspects of providing proper care for seniors in need.

About us

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 challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..