Seniors Home Care Blog

Senior Friendly Activities to Beat the Heat

Ryan Whittington — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:07:00 GMT

Another steamy summer is upon us, but don’t start that three month air-conditioned hibernation just yet. St. Louis offers lots of good times that won’t work up a sweat. These are five of our favorite senior-friendly summer activities.

While a picnic in Forest Park is less desirable in July than it was in May, there’s no need to avoid our beautiful park. Venues such as the St. Louis Art Museum, Science Center and History Museum offer fine escapes from the summer sun. The St. Louis Zoo celebrated the grand opening of its new Sea Lion Sound on July 30^th. Ifyou’re brave enough to fare the heat make sure to visit the refreshingly chilly penguin house. As the summer winds down, catch the 40^th Anniversary of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, September 14-16.

If the massive scale of Forest Park isn’t what you’re looking for, check out the local library. St. Louis’ many neighborhood libraries, serve as more than mere buildings full of books. Events such as the Wednesday Night Senior Film Series at the Hampton Avenue location are an excellent way to get out and about. Nearly every library provides some form of book discussions, readings, movie nights and other social events on a regular basis.

Another excellent activity with locations throughout town is the community Farmers’ Market. While the Soulard Farmers’ Market may be the best known, there are many others worth visiting for fresh, locally-produced goods. Start the weekend by beating the heat and visiting an area Farmers’ Market. Take a trip to the North City Farmers’ Market and follow it with a treat from the landmark Crown Candy Kitchen right across the street.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, located in the beautiful Central West End neighborhood, is a spectacle that will awe visitors of any religious background. Made up of approximately 41.5 million glass pieces, the mosaics that line the walls of the Cathedral make up the largest collection in the world. The Cathedral is open daily from 7:00am to 5:00pm. Guided tours are offered daily between 10:00am and 4:00pm. To ensure a spot, calling ahead for reservations is recommended.

There is never a shortage of live entertainment around town and St. Louis houses many beautiful theaters. The Peabody Opera House is a splendid place to catch a show or take a tour of the newly renovated venue. Similarly, the Fabulous Fox Theater boasts an impressive history and fine entertainment twelve months a year. Like the Peabody, if there isn’t a show that strikes your fancy, the Fox offers tours of their marvelous facility throughout the week.

The list doesn’t have to stop at five. These are only a few of many popular local activities. Feel free to comment and share your favorite summer escapes. Furthermore, if you, or someone you know, dread spending the summers holed up at home but are apprehensive to venture out alone, give us a call. We have a caregiver to help get the most out of your summer.

Missouri Alliance for Home Care Conference

Ryan Whittington — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:01:00 GMT

Home Care Conferences Create a Stronger Client Experience

Alice Endy and Ryan Whittington are attending the 2012 Missouri Alliance for Home Care conference at Tan-Tar-A this year. We are joining our colleagues from across Missouri to discuss common problems and issues related to home care. While brainstorming and learning from other home care providers, we will gain helpful knowledge and best practices.

Two heads are better than one, and this year Alice and I are attending multiple sessions including:

Validation:An approach For Persons With Dementia
Work Smarter with Long Term Care Insurance
Bringing health care Reform into Focus
Communication: How's Your App for That?
VA Benefits: MO Veterans commission Has an App for That!
Helping Clients Manage Medication Routines

Our hope this year is to bring back valuable information to the entire Seniors Home Care staff, and continue to grow as a leading home care company in the St. Louis area.

I am also very excited to announce that one of our caregivers, Leslie Wright, has been chosen to receive a nursing scholarship through the Missouri Alliance for Home Care. We are very excited and proud of her dedication to Seniors Home Care and to serving the elderly.

The conference will wrap up on Friday April 27th with the annual business meeting where we will receive a legislative update on pending home care legislation both in the state of Missouri and nationally.

This conference confirms why so many of us love to serve the elderly and their families.

Thanks for reading.

Seniors Home Care is proud to celebrate its 25th year!

Ryan Whittington — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:17:00 GMT

Kit Whittington - A True Pioneer in Senior Home Care, celebrates 25 years of business.

ST. LOUIS – Over 25 years ago, Kit Whittington was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Kit was the only family available to assist with her care and because she also worked full time, acting as the primary caregiver grew increasingly difficult both physically and emotionally. She knew this was an unsustainable lifestyle and hired an independent caregiver to assist her. She soon discovered that her grandmother was not receiving the level of care she deserved:

“At the end of the day, I checked on my grandmother and to my disbelief, I discovered the caregiver had simply not shown up. My grandmother had missed her doctor’s appointment and much needed meal. It was a debilitating moment; we were both in tears. My own feelings of helplessness and a desire for a higher quality of life for my grandmother drove me to find a better way to care for her. The motivation behind SHC is my own personal experience and I’ve built the company on a solid foundation of 25 years of consistent, compassionate caring for all clients”.

In 1987, Kit started SHC to provide a family support system for older adults at a time when professional services of this type were practically unheard of. She was truly a pioneer in the industry. Today, SHC employs an around-the-clock nursing staff and over 160 caregivers to assist clients and families with achieving their unique goals and needs.

Seniors Home Care is proud of the accomplishments achieved the past 25 years and looks forward to the possibilities of the future. A sincere thank you goes out to all of our loyal clients and dedicated staff. We recognize our success is a direct result of you.

Home Care Habits - Is Your Family Suffering?

Ryan Whittington — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:46:00 GMT

5 Things You Want to Tell Your Home Care Company, But Don’t…and Why

Hiring a private duty home care company to assist in your home can be a big decision. Finding an agency that has the right mix of caregiver personality, skills, trust and reliability are all important and once you find this mix, you may start to overlook key indicators of compromised care.

My Caregiver is Late… Not always late, but there are those times where she is 10, 15, 20 minutes late. I just can’t rely on them.
The caregiver you are sending for my father looks extremely stressed out and distant. Dad is beginning to worry about her.
Every time I turn around, my caregiver is on his cell phone. I don’t want to pay for that.
I found out two days later that my dad fell in the bathroom. Why wasn’t I informed, I want to be the first to know.
The caregiver, who works overnight for us, sleeps every night. I need someone who will be awake all night.

As a home care agency agency, we often find that once our clients have a caregiver for a length of time, a bond is created that becomes very special. Common comments from our clients include “I don’t know what mom would do without Betty” or “We were very concerned with dad accepting having someone in his home. Now, dad will have no one other than Mary!”

As this relationship between your loved one and the caregiver continues to grow, both good and bad habits can begin to form. Good habits such as knowing which food and drinks to choose or how a person wants to be addressed strengthen that bond. Caregivers mean well however it is the agencies responsibility to keep the relationship between the caregiver and client both professional and safe. Bad habits as those outlined above can develop.

If you are feeling, or have had these thoughts about your home care agency, I would encourage you to make a phone call to the company or visit their office. Waiting and letting time pass usually results in frustration and sometimes becoming fed up altogether.

All caregiving situations have the potential to experience these bad habits. Many agencies also experience situations that require office or administrator oversight. Company oversight should be one of the reasons you hired an agency over a private individual. The key to the best of the best agencies like Seniors Home Care is how quickly and appropriately the agency deals with these situations.

For advice or solutions to your concerns, feel free to contact me at 314-962-2666 or on our contact page.

ACO's: Why Home Care Is Essential?

Ryan Whittington — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Accountable Care Organizations and Private Duty Home Care

The Health Care industry in the United States is undergoing a transformation in the way in which it operates and the mechanism through which it serves the people. Some of the changes include formation of ACO’s or Accountable Care Organizations that bring together health care providers to provide services for which the reimbursements are linked to quality metrics and the savings in the cost of care for the targeted population of patients. Further, the provision of home health care services like medication reminders, dementia/Alzheimer’s care and continued companionship are slowly changing the way in which health care is provided and managed in the US. Though some of these changes were being conceptualized earlier, the passage of the Affordable Care Act has provided an impetus to drive these services.

The ACO and private duty home care model works on the quality metrics or the savings that results the service provided. It is important to note that provision of any service to patients that reduce the overall costs of providing health care to the patients is a positive outcome. Considering the fact that the ACO and private duty home care industry is estimated to be a $140 Billion business, it is no wonder that the ACO’s are concentrating on improving the home care services aspect.

By providing services like medication reminders, home care of people suffering from dementia and providing trained and compassionate personnel for continued companionship, the ACO and private duty home care providers are creating a win-win situation for the patients as well as themselves. The elderly need someone who they can talk to and also be a source of succor in their old age. And good bedside manners go a long way in improving the chances of recovery for patients. Further, the cost of treating patients at home spread over the patient population that the ACO and private duty home care caters to is substantially less than extended hospital stays.

Medication reminders are a cost effective way of reducing the risk associated with patients not taking their medication on time which might lead to complications and deterioration of their condition. Further, the chances of recovery are enhanced because of the quality of the care provided by the home care providers. By providing dementia and Alzheimer’s care, the ACO and private duty home care providers significantly improve the quality of life that the patient enjoys and hence reduce the chances of hospitalization or accidents arising from forgetfulness and memory loss which is a sign of the condition. By providing continued companionship, the ACO and private duty home care providers increase the well being of the patients by offering much needed psychological and emotional support.

Since ACO’s work according to a business model that ties in their reimbursements to the outcomes of their services, any service that improves the outcomes is indeed beneficial to the ACO and private duty home care providers. With the critical success factor being the accountability to the quality, cost and overall care of Medicare beneficiaries, the ACO and private duty home care providers need to focus on these specific factors.

The provision of medication reminders greatly reduces the need for the patients to visit the hospital frequently and hence lowers the overall cost to the ACO. With the personalized care provided to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, the ACO and private duty home care providers increase the quality of the health care administered to patients. Finally, continued companionship improves the overall care of the beneficiaries and enhances their quality of life.

To conclude, provision of home care services indeed improves the outcomes associated with Accountable Care Organizations.

Home Care Company Morale - 10 Warning Signs Yours Is Dipping

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:00:00 GMT

10 warning signs of low morale ... and 7 ways to boost it

Low morale can easily creep into a company with a mobile workforce without supervisors realizing it. But once it’s there, it’s hard to root out.

Check every day to make sure your employees stay in tune. Here are 10 sour notes to listen for, according to the new book, Leadership When the Heat’s On:

1. Uncooperative attitudes. These are easily detected, even if you can’t immediately tell what’s wrong.

2. Lack of enthusiasm. If they’re bored, they’re not sold on the mission.

3. Absence of commitment. If the leaders don’t believe in it, do you think employees will? Show employees that you’re committed to the team and the mission.

4. Fault-finding. People can find fault in anything, but when they do work they believe in with co-workers they trust, it rarely happens.

5. Increasing complaints. Don’t shrug off any complaints. Nip them before they become a trend … or an epidemic.

6. Growing tardiness and absenteeism. These are grounds for disciplinary action, but they also trigger an alarm for the astute leader.

7. Deterioration in the appearance of the work area. Some people are naturally neat or messy, but you can tell if it gets worse.

8. Breakdown in discipline. Again, the thing to watch for is change.

9. Chronic long faces. You know your people well enough to know whether they’re just having a bad day or suffering through a bad workplace.

10. When low morale becomes a rallying point. If people form a consensus about a complaint and discuss it openly, you’ve got trouble. Don’t let it get this far.

True story: During a flight delay, attendants pulled the curtain but still could be clearly heard renouncing their loyalty to the airline and trying to top each other’s ugly stories. One passenger thought: “Now might be a good time to develop a fear of flying.” The passenger next to him turned out to be a customer service employee for that airline, but said she never passed customer complaints upward because she was instructed not to.

Bottom line: To be effective, you need real feedback and solutions, no matter how painful.

Morale boosters to try now

If you notice a good number of those 10 signals in your workplace, now’s the time to use a little creativity to reach out to workers.

Here are a few ideas from the Harvard Business Review blog:

1. Time. Extend a deadline, cancel a routine meeting or send folks home early.

2. Name recognition. Recognize a standout employee, posting signs with his or her name.

3. Serve it up. Do some special service work for your team, maybe with a surprise breakfast one morning.

4. Memories. Frame a photo from an event and send it, along with a note, to your staff.

5. Rule suspension. Have a rule that everyone doesn’t like? Suspend it for the day or week, or consider eliminating the rule if it’s useless.

6. Handwritten note. Write about how a worker has made a difference, and send it to family members.

7. Convenience. Save employees’ time by bringing in a service, such as a dry-cleaning delivery.

Working in home health care can be a very rewarding yet stressful job. It is common for home care workers to take better care of their clients than themselves. Creating a healthy and positive workforce is not always easy but very crucial to a companies sucess.

Home Care News - Companionship Services Exemption

Ryan Whittington — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Companionship Services Exemption - Review Your Process

In Missouri, among other states, home care workers provide care to clients who are either restricted to their home or have chosen to receive care at home. When long hours are involved, one way many agencies provide this care is by utilizing the caregiver companionship services exemption. To learn what the companionship services exemption is, click here.

If your agency utilizes the Companionship Services Exemption as part of your business model, you will want to be sure your documentation verifying compliance is acceptable for regulatory review.

Below is an excerpt from Mary Schantz, Executive Director of the Missouri Alliance for Home Care.

Companionship Exemption: Contact Your Member of Congress

Some in Congress and the U.S. Department of Labor are looking to modify or eliminate the longstanding definition and application of the companionship services exemption. It is anticipated that changes to the companionship services exemption would reduce the availability of care to the elderly and the infirm and increase the costs of service delivery with no corresponding increase from third party payers, such as Medicaid. For private pay home care, the cost of overtime compensation would need to be passed on to the consumer or absorbed by the home care company

In response to these efforts, Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) introduced H.R. 3066, the Companionship Exemption Protection Act, which would ensure the current definition of companionship services is maintained. We encourage you to help gather support for this legislation by reaching out to your representative’s office and ask your representative to cosponsor the Companionship Exemption Protection Act.

To assist in your efforts, we developed an Action Alert item on the NAHC Legislative Action Network. The Action Alert provides background materials on the companionship services exemption as well as a copy of the Dear Colleague letter Rep. Terry sent to his colleagues in the House of Representatives inviting them to cosponsor H.R.3066. You may click here to send an email to your legislator in the House of Representatives. You may also use this link (Contact Your Elected Officials) to locate contact information for your representative if you would prefer to call.

Eight members have already joined Terry as cosponsors: Reps. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Gregg Harper (R-MS), Jeffery Landry (R-LA), Alan Nunnelee (R-MS), Ron Paul (R-TX), Thomas Petri (R-WI), Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).

Senior Care - Improve Your Balance

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:48:00 GMT

Improve Your Balance to Prevent Falls: 5 Tips for Seniors

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than one in three seniors over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year. Nearly 1.6 million of these injured seniors require an emergency room visit and approximately 5,000 of these falls are fatal. The NIH also asserts falls are the largest cause of hospital admissions, fracture and loss of vitality or independence for seniors. The loss of balance that accompanies age is a key reason for these unwanted falls and their resulting injuries. Here are 5 senior home care tips to help improve your balance, and quality of life.

Balance Exercises

Performing the correct exercises is the most effective way to improve your balance. Speak to your physician before performing these exercises and use caution to prevent a fall or other serious injury. Simple exercises include simply standing from a seated position without using your hands to shifting your weight from one leg to the other. While you’re waiting in line or using the phone, stand on one leg to help improve your balance. These exercises are most effective if performed daily and over time they will help improve an elderly person’s balance, and quality of life. If you need assistance with these exercises, ask your senior home care company for assistance.

Coordination and Posture

Coordination and posture play crucial role in maintaining balance, especially for persons over 65. To help maintain balance, watch your posture in the standing and sitting position. Stand tall with your shoulder’s square and your head straight forward. Practicing Tai Chi -- a form of martial arts that promotes meditation through slow, fluid motions -- and Yoga are excellent ways to maintain and improve your coordination and balance.

Eye Exercises

Your eye’s ability to communicate information to the brain is crucial to maintaining proper balance. Improve your eyesight, and in turn your balance, by performing a simple exercise 4 to 5 times a day. Remembering to mind your posture, sit in a sturdy chair and choose an object to focus on that is at least 10 to 20 feet away. Keeping your eyes focused on the object, slowly stand from the sitting position and sit back down. Close your eyes and repeat the process of standing and sitting slowly. Use a chair with arm rests if you are having difficulty maintaining your balance during this exercise.

Hearing and Eye Checks

Have you eyesight and hearing checked on a yearly basis to help maintain your balance. Your hearing plays a vital role in balance and should be monitored for any impairments and needs. Visit your optometrist regularly to monitor your eyeglass prescriptions, and update them when necessary. Glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions also effect balance and must be monitored accordingly. Hearing and eye checks are very important. If you are not able to drive, ask a family member or utilize a senior home care service.

More Tips

Check your medications for any potential side effects that affect your balance. Use a cane or walker when necessary and keep your home well-lit to prevent injury. Keep your floors clutter free and pay attention that your rugs and carpets are firmly attached to the floor. Wear wider shoes that feature rubber soles, as these are more stable.

If none of the above-mentioned exercises and tips were helpful, it’s crucial you or an elderly loved one speaks to a physician. There are several tests available to test a senior’s gait, coordination and balance to determine if a medical deficiency is present. One of the main tests administered to seniors is the Tinetti, or Performance-Orientated Mobility Assessment, test. During the exam the senior is placed in a chair and asked to perform various tasks and movements, such as bending and standing, to test his balance and the overall score determines a potential fall risk.

Seniors - Enjoy the Snow and Avoid the Cold!

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:37:00 GMT

Seniors and Winter Weather

Winter is, indeed, a wonderful time for many of us. Children and skiers love the snow and everyone enjoys the holidays. For some, however, the cold weather brings more bad news than good. The elderly, in particular, are extremely wary at this time of year and for good reason. Ice, snow, colds and seniors do not mix.

Slips and Falls

The average slip or fall barely registers on the body of a young child or a reasonably healthy adult. It is an entirely different matter for the elderly. Even a moderate fall inside the home can cause severe bruising and break major bones. Additionally, healing takes significantly longer in the aged. Even more troubling, a fall outside the home can leave an elderly person in a precarious position.

Colds and Seniors

Seniors are justified in their concern about the dangers of colds and pneumonia. Depressed immune systems, late diagnosis and lack of physical activity further exacerbate these potentially deadly conditions.

Colds and seniors are just as problematic. Although a lifetime of fighting and defeating rhinoviruses render the elderly less susceptible to the average cold, the advent of one is extremely serious as they are likely to have picked up a particularly virulent strain.

Home Care Services

A wide range of home care services can help the elderly to eliminate many of the dangers of winter by avoiding them altogether. Some services offered by the home care industry are:

Personal grooming, such as help with bathing or dressing
Cooking or delivering meals
Housekeeping, such as cleaning and laundry
Running errands, picking up medications or trips to a physician
Salting the sidewalk

These services are provided in the home and can alleviate most of the need to leave the home during the winter.

Transportation

Another important area where home health care services are invaluable is transportation. Despite the obvious dangers of cold weather and a slippery landscape, most seniors would like to continue living a reasonably normal life. This includes outings, trips to the store and this fact, obviously, entails leaving the security of their home. Home care services can provide safe, reliable transportation for the more independent minded seniors. Transportation services can be provided in a car the senior may own, or in the caregivers vehicle.

Home care services provide the elderly with a wide variety of services, inside and outside the home. Our professionals can cater to almost every need from ordinary household duties through transportation to licensed health care. The physical, mental and emotional benefits of our services cannot be overstated. In short, home care services can significantly enhance the safety, security and general happiness of an elderly person.

About Seniors Home Care

Seniors Home Care provides assistance in the St. Louis, MO. area for those needing help with services such as medication management, meal preparation and exercise encouragement. For a more complete list of the services we offer, please visit our services page. If you feel that you would like to know more about our services or would like to schedule a complimentary assessment for you or a loved one, please contact us

Prepare for Winter - Top 5 Home Care Recommendations for Seniors.

Ryan Whittington — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:50:00 GMT

Safety Tips for Seniors This Winter

St. Louis summers can be sweltering, but residents know that come December, the temperatures can stay below freezing for days and weeks at a time. The resulting ice, snow and cold weather can be a hazard for people of any age, but those over 60 should take extra caution. Winter weather and seniors just don't mix well. Below are a few things you can do to help you stay safe this winter season:

1. Make use of home care. Fortunately, there are resources all over the greater St. Louis area to help older residents do routine errands so that they can stay warm and safe in their own home. You don't have to be sick to take advantage of home care resources. Your local senior center, church or community aid office can put you in touch with a group to do such things as deliver a hot meal, run to the grocery or drug store, drive you to the dentist's office or do small maintenance jobs around your home. Many of these services are provided by private duty home care services.

2. Dress appropriately. Those high heels or dress loafers may look stylish, but they are an accident waiting to happen when it's snowy outside, even for the most agile person. You should also wear that hat. Those with thinning hair are especially vulnerable to heat loss from a bare head, and even those with a full head of hair lose up to seven percent of their body heat by leaving their head uncovered.

3. Splurge on a snow removal service. Saying that you aren't going to leave the home when it's icy or cold sounds good, but when you need a loaf of bread or one of your kids or grandkids calls, it's difficult to stay indoors. Be ready for icy days by contracting with a snow removal service before the snow starts flying. Many plow operators offer attractive rates for those paying in advance for the whole season. Plus, they usually plow their contract clients' drives first. Make sure that they take care of the walkways as well.

4. Get a Flu and Pneumonia Shot. It's not too late to get your flu and/or pneumonia shots for the year. In fact, the Center for Disease Control recommends both shots for anyone over age 65 or those of any age with a chronic disease like diabetes. Winter weather and seniors is a mixture that can easily lead to pneumonia if you aren't careful. To avoid getting sick, be sure to eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables this winter and wash your hands frequently. If you smoke, you can reap the benefits of quitting at any age, and smoking increases the risk of contracting pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.

5. Plan ahead. Since we know that winter weather and seniors are not a good combination, avoid having to venture out in snowy, cold weather by keeping a stockpile on hand of food and other supplies you use frequently. Besides, buying a six week supply of things you use when they are on sale is a great way to save money on food and drug store items. In addition, set up your prescriptions so that they are mailed directly to your home. This will save you a trip to the drug store in cold winter.

Winter in St. Louis can be an enjoyable time for seniors as well as younger residents...with a little advance planning and precautions. Don't be afraid to reach out to area resources to help you stay safe and warm this season.

Seniors Home Care is a premier provider of private duty home care services in the St. Louis area. For more information, please visit our website at www.seniorshomecare.com or call 314-962-2666. Celebrating 25 wonderful years in 2012!!

Home Care Expo - Top 3 Reasons To Visit our Booth

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:10:00 GMT

Senior Care Information - Where to Start?

If you are like me, you like to talk face to face with a person to make sure you are hearing the information clearly. This Sunday, October 30th 2011, you have an opportunity to visit with over 50 exhibitors and attend eight informative seminars related to services for seniors, all in one day.

Seniors Home Care will be participating and will be located at booth # 313.

The expo takes place this Sunday, October 30, at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, located at 2 Millstone Campus. Dr. in Creve Coeur. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A printable flyer is available below.

So, now for the top three reasons to visit our booth on Sunday:

Our services could quite possibly change your life. Don't take my word for it, check out these testimonials.
Learn about the dedicated employees who work for Seniors Home Care and why they make us the best company to work for.
Express Club - Home Care Services with no schedule requirements.

Oh yea, and a bonus number 4...its FREE and we have candy!!

Click on the image below to view the expo flyer.

Alzheimer ’s Disease - Home Care Keeps You Comfortable

Alice Endy — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:29:00 GMT

Senior Home Care for Those with Alzheimers

Seniors with dementia and diseases such as Alzheimer’s can often be prematurely placed into nursing homes. Senior home care is an often overlooked alternative to nursing care facilities. This disease will eventually take your loved one away, and is painful to watch. There are many different stages.

One of the first noticed symptoms is often a slight forgetfulness that is often attributed to old age. This can range from not being able to remember dates, names, or where they put things. This stage often needs no medical assistance, and can last for years. Family members often care for seniors during this time.

Alzheimer's disease will begin to cause severe confusion, and large chunks of memory loss. These range from not being able to remember who their children are, or wandering around in a different year or both. Family members will often decide to place their loved one into a nursing care facility. Senior home care is an option that is not widely advertised for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s.

When you choose to have Senior home care come and care for your family member, it can lessen the mental stress upon them. When you put patients with dementia in nursing care facilities, they can sink into depression, and not remember why they are there. When you choose to have them cared for in the home they are around familiar surroundings. Most importantly they get to remain with their loved ones.

The average yearly cost of a nursing facility can be over $250,000 per year, while hiring a senior home care company can cost you less than $100,000/year. This can be a heavy burden to bear, both mentally and financially. Long Term Care Insurance Companies can help cover home health care costs for Alzheimer’s patients, depending on levels of care needed.

You can never tell how long a family member will need to be cared for. The progression of dementia is different from patient to patient. While the need for nursing care can last for 10-15 years, it is common that only the last 2-3 years need to be in a nursing care facility. Not only can you save money in choosing senior home care, but you can help your loved one stay at home, with those who love them the most.

Seniors Home Care provides assistance in the home for those needing help with services such as medication management, meal preparation and companionship/stimulation. For a more complete list of the services we offer, please visit our services page. If you feel that you would like to know more about our services or would like to schedule a complimentary assessment for you or a loved one, please contact us.

If home care is an option you are considering, use these helpful tips when choosing a home care company.

Congestive Heart Failure - Have You Considered Home Care?

Alice Endy — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Congestive Heart Failure Among Seniors

As adults age their hearts start to wear out. One of the complications they can suffer is congestive heart failure. While most people develop this slowly over time it can happen suddenly without warning. There is no cure, only management of this chronic long term heart failure. Often heart failure is caused by other problems such as coronary heart disease, infections, and cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that your heart is beginning to fail, and should be taken seriously.

Irregular heartbeat/pulse
Swelling of the abdomen, feet and ankles
Shortness of breath with minimal activity/cough
Loss of appetite

As in a lot of other medical conditions the symptoms of congestive heart failure can mimic other problems. You should make an appointment to be seen by your doctor immediately if you observe several of these symptoms. There are several different tests to confirm that your heart is failing.

A physical examination will be done and the doctor will check your heart and lungs for irregular sounds. If anything makes the doctor suspect congestive heart failure, he will send you off for one or more tests. Tests that can diagnose heart failure include:

Chest x-rays
Echocardiograms
MRI’s and CTscans of the heart
Cardiac stress tests
heart catheterization

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with heart failure, the treatment may consist of medications, a proper diet, and exercise schedule.

Taking the proper medications on a daily basis can include ace inhibitors, and diuretics. Ace inhibitors work by opening up the blood vessels in the heart of those who suffer from congestive heart failure. Diuretics are used to remove extra fluid from the body, which can collect around the lungs or in the legs, ankles, and feet. Maintaining a healthy diet is as important as taking medications on a daily basis.

Exercise helps keep patients at a healthy weight, and the heart strong and less strained from pumping blood. Eating foods that are low in sodium or have none at all is important to keep fluid retention down. If ever you are retaining a lot of fluid, or do not feel well it is important to rest with your feet up.

Congestive heart failure can be managed in the comfort of your own home, as long as you have the proper care. Having someone in the home with them preparing healthy meals, and keeping them on their medications can be the difference between life and death. Having someone in the house also provides company, socialization and keeps a person engaged in everyday life.

Cell Phones for Seniors - A Home Care Ally

Ryan Whittington — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:56:00 GMT

As a leading St. Louis home care company, we are always looking for ways to help our clients and their families. A cell phone can be a helpful tool to both caregivers and clients. Text and video messaging can allow a caregiver to talk with a senior on a very personal and confidential level.

Features on cell phones, such as voice command, make it easier for seniors and those with disabilities to continue to communicate with their family.

For additional information on Technology for the Elderly, see our past blog articles.

Tips to help children and grandchildren buy a new cell phone for Grandma or Grandpa

By: Michelle Groves

With cell phones being the most common way we stay in touch with our loved ones, families may be considering purchasing a new cell phone for their parent or grandparent to help them stay connected. More and more older Americans are using cell phones to enhance their lives, so when it comes time to decide on a new phone for a parent or grandparent, it’s important to make sure the phone fits their needs, interests and lifestyle.

There are several things to consider when buying a cell phone. Here are a few topics to discuss before making the purchase.

Find the value –Adding a parent or grandparent to a family plan is an easy and affordable way to give the gift of wireless. Prepaid options are also appealing for those on a budget. To pick the right plan, U.S. Cellular associates provide a needs assessment for each customer to determine how they will use their phone and help them select a device and plan that fits those needs.

Messaging made easy – Older Americans are increasingly adopting text messaging as another way to communicate with family members, especially grandchildren. If your parent or grandparent likes to text, or is open to trying it, consider purchasing a device with a QWERTY keyboard that makes texting easier. The LG Attune has a full QWERTY keyboard, as does the Samsung Character. Be sure to have your parent or grandparent test out the keyboard before making the purchase.

Is it time for a smartphone? – More than four million older Americans are currently staying connected using smartphones. The technology is appealing because it provides a way to simplify and organize your life. With a smartphone, you can access email, social media, send text messages and make phone calls.

Reliable Network – Having a high-quality cellular network is essential to make communicating with your loved ones easy. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier, and all devices are backed by the carrier’s high-speed nationwide network.

Many carriers, like U.S. Cellular, offer a trial period, so you can ensure the phone you chose best meets your needs. You can also use this time to make sure that the wireless carrier has excellent network coverage where the phone is used most often.

If you have any questions throughout your cell phone buying experience, we encourage you to stop by any of our stores in the St. Louis area, and one of our associates would be more than happy to help. For more information, please visit www.uscellular.com.

Michelle Groves is U.S. Cellular’s director of sales in the St. Louis area. U.S. Cellular is a national wireless carrier with 34 retail locations in the St. Louis Region. U.S. Cellular was recently named a J.D. Power Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and was also recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s 2010 “Most Trustworthy Companies.” To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp

Choosing Home Care Caregivers

Ryan Whittington — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:33:00 GMT

Professional Caregivers - Who are you leaving your loved one with?

When choosing a home care company, you should be looking at the caregivers who they employ. The person you talk to on the phone or at a trade show may do and say all of the right things, but how do you know your loved one will receive the best care.

Rightfully so, I am often asked to describe our caregivers. I frequently use words such as caring, trustworthy, dependable and capable - the same words our clients use in their testimonials.

Training and orientation of caregivers in the state of Missouri and nationwide goes somewhat unregulated. There are no specific guidelines or regulations that exist when it comes to training home care caregivers in the home setting. It is very important to Seniors Home Care that we belong to national organizations such as the National Private Duty Association. The NPDA sets and implements guidelines for its members to follow including best practices when hiring employees.

Questions You Should Ask Potential Home Care Companies:

What qualifications do your caregivers have?

How do you train your employees?

Are your employees bonded?

At Seniors Home Care, we realize that to provide the best possible home care, we must employ the best possible caregivers. One phrase commonly heard by Kit Whittington, SHC founder, is that "we can teach a caregiver skills such as making a bed, using a hoyer lift or monitoring diabetes but we cant teach them to be compassionate, honest and trustworthy."

If you are considering hiring a home care company, I would encourage you to download our Professional Caregivers Form to use as a reference tool.

Click the image below.

Sad, Confused and Tired - Depression Among the Elderly

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT

The Effects Of Depression on Seniors

When people begin to age and become unable to take care of themselves, it can take over and quickly become depression. The rate of elderly people in the United States is growing rapidly making healthcare for senior citizens one of the highest medical costs. Depression and seniors is not a good mix, and it can cause a lot of other problems all over their body and can even cause premature death.

When a loved one becomes depressed people often urge them to seek help, and medication. People often do not think of the elderly becoming depressed, but it happens more frequent than you think. As we age we become unable to drive, cook, clean, and become very lonely. When depression in seniors takes over they are less likely to stay active, take their medications, and often do not eat properly. To a normal person these issues might not make a huge difference, but senior citizens bodies are fragile.

When an elderly relative or friend becomes less active they can often stay in bed, or in the same chair on a daily basis. Their skin is so thin that too much pressure can cause the tissue to break down, causing bed sores. Often people only think of these issues with geriatric nursing home patients who cannot walk. If depression and seniors is severe enough, they can lay in bed in the same position only moving to use the restroom or grab something to eat. This continuous pressure on the same area can cause bed sores. Bed sores are hard to heal, very painful, and can cause severe infections that can be fatal.

Medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart problems are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for senior citizens. They need to be taken as prescribed or else they will not work effectively endangering their life. Sometimes depression in seniors can lead them to forgetting to take their medications for days, even weeks at a time. This means that conditions go untreated, and for patients with high blood pressure, and diabetes this can be fatal within a few days.

Everyone needs to eat to keep up their weight, and remain in good health. This is no different for elderly people, and like with younger adults depression can cause a lack of appetite. Senior citizens rely heavily on food for energy, and will become very weak without the proper hydration and nutrition.

Depression and seniors is extremely bad, so if you have an elderly loved one in your life it is best to watch for the signs of depression.

These signs of depression include:

Staying in bed for long periods of time.
Lack of appetite.
Soiled clothing and unpleasant odors.
Home has fallen into disrepair.
Lack of socialization.
Confusion and Anxiety

Ways to work towards a solution for depression include:

Introducing a caregiver on a regular basis for socialization
Make a doctors visit for a checkup
Arrange to speak with a professional geriatric psychiatrist
Consider hiring a professional home care agency to perform home care tasks such as medication management, personal care and light housekeeping.

Talk to your senior and tell them you would like them to consider these things. As a compliment to the above recommendations, you may consider having a professional evaluation from a psychiatrist. In many cases, this evaluation is paid for by Medicare and can be performed in the home. While you won’t be able to prevent them from being depressed, you can help them get out of it.

Senior Care - Who Will You Call In Case Of Emergency?

Ryan Whittington — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:49:00 GMT

In Case of Emergency: Your Cell Phone Can Be a Valuable Tool

By: Michelle Groves

During these hot summer days, it’s important to avoid the heat by staying in an air-conditioned environment and drinking plenty of water. Ice helps to keep our drinks cold and our bodies hydrated, but there is another kind of ice that can help individuals during an emergency situation. By programming “ICE,” or “In Case of Emergency” contacts in your cell phone, it can help save your life by storing crucial information for first responders.

If an accident or injury takes place, and you are unable to respond to emergency personnel, the paramedics are trained to look at the contacts in your cell phone for phone numbers listed under the acronym “ICE.” These are the individuals you choose as your emergency contacts who paramedics can call for your medical information and history.

To program ICE contacts into your cell phone, simply type in the letters ICE and then follow it with the person’s name, such as “ICE Sheila.” Be sure to let the individual know they are your emergency contact and ask them what number to save that is the best way to get a hold of them. While the cell phone number is the most common because people usually have their mobile devices with them, it’s a good idea to ask. It’s also recommended to include multiple ICE contacts in your device just in case someone is not available to take the call.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing an ICE Contact:

Your ICE contact should have some knowledge of your medical conditions so they know what to tell the paramedics.
They should be aware of your allergies, current medications and insurance information.
ICE contacts should live nearby in case they need to be onsite to provide further assistance.

Cell phones can be a convenient way to keep in touch with family and friends, but they also provide a sense of security for seniors. Cell phones can be a lifeline, and ICE contacts are just another tool that they can offer. If you need help programming ICE contacts into your cell phone, our associates are here to help you. Feel free to stop by one of the 34 U.S. Cellular retail locations in the St. Louis area to learn more about ICE contacts and how mobile devices can help make your life easier and more organized.

Michelle Groves is U.S. Cellular’s director of sales in the St. Louis area. U.S. Cellular is a national wireless carrier with 34 retail locations in the St. Louis Region. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. U.S. Cellular was recently named a J.D. Power Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and received PC Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

For more information on how seniors and the elderly can be prepared for emergencies, visit the Ready.gov website. Seniors Home Care provides senior care services to the St. Louis area. For more information please contact SHC.

Aging Senior Needs - Home Care Resources in the Community

Ryan Whittington — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:32:00 GMT

Senior Support Organizations and Resources

Finding resources in your community can be a challenging task. Ask a family member caring for a loved one, and they will tell you there are times they feel as though the chips have been stacked against them and they just needed help. As a home care provider, Seniors Home Care regularly helps seniors in the community connect with reliable resources in a attempt to improve the quality of live for seniors in need.

With appropriate help and assistance in your home, independent living or assisted living you can lengthen your independence. At Seniors Home Care we want seniors and loved ones to enjoy dignified, independent, guilt free, safe and harmonious lives.

The list of resources available can be endless. Below I have gathered some helpful contacts. Some resources are available nationwide while others are local to St. Louis, MO. You can use this as a starting point in gathering information.

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over. AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service. Active in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP celebrates the attitude that age is just a number and life is what you make it.

Phone: 1-800-424-3410
www.aarp.org

Administration on Aging

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is the Federal agency responsible for advancing the concerns and interests of older people and their caregivers.The mission of AoA is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.

Phone: 202-619-0724
www.aoa.gov/aoa/pages/state.html

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. The Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Phone: 1-800-272-3900 or 312-335-8700
www.alz.org

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

A Federal agency within the U.S. Department of health and Human Services. Programs for which CMS is responsible include Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program, HIPAA and Clinical Labratory Improvement Amendments.

Phone: 1-877-267-2323; TTY: 1-866-226-1819
www.cms.hhs.gov

Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services. Services include home-delivered meals, legal assistance, transportation, housing options, adult day care, and home health services.

Phone: 1-800-677-1116
www.eldercare.gov

Family Caregiver Alliance

The Family Caregiver Alliance is a forum for caregivers to provide information and communicate with peers and professionals on caregiving issues. Resource information includes stress relief, hands on care, and dealing with family dynamics.

Phone: 1-800-445-8106
www.caregiver.org

Hospice Association of America

The Hospice Association of America (HAA) is a national organization representing thousands of hospices,caregivers and volunteers who serve terminally ill patients and their families.

Phone: 1-202-546-4759
www.hiaa.org

Meals on Wheels Association of America

The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. Territories. There are many local chapters serving the St. Louis area.

Phone: 1-703-548-5558
www.mowaa.org

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers is a non- profit professional organization that provides contact information for Geriatric Care Managers accross the United States. These geriatric care managers can help older clients and families with counseling, assessment and treatment.

Phone: 1-520-881-8008
www.caremanager.org

The National Center for Assisted Living

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). NCAL is dedicated to serving the needs of the assisted living community through national advocacy, education, networking, professional development, and quality initiatives. This website helps explain what Medicare and Medicaid will or will not cover.

Phone: 1-202-842-4444
www.ncal.org

The National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

The Center's objectives are to enhance the skills, knowledge, and management capacity of the State programs to enable them to handle residents' complaints and represent resident interests (individual and systemic advocacy). This site provides direct links to ombudsman programs for every state. Ombudsman can help provide ratings of the facilities in your area and the level of care they provide.

Phone: 1-202-332-2275
www.ltcombudsman.org

United States Department of Health and Humans Services

Provides information concerning agind safely, wellness, diseases and other medical conditions, resources, caregiveing, etc.

Phone: 1-877-696-6775
www.hhs.gov

Additional Questions?

Weight Loss Among the Elderly - Is It Due to Depression or Dementia?

Ryan Whittington — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Preventing Unconditional Weight Loss

At Seniors Home Care we empower our caregivers and staff by providing ongoing training programs. This information is also helpful to family caregivers who may have noticed a loved one's weight loss.

Unintentional weight loss is a common problem among individuals recovering from illness or injury, and especially the elderly. This is regardless of whether are in assisted living, independent living or at home. An estimated 40-50% of elderly persons in hospitals and long term care facilities suffer from malnutrition, resulting in unintentional weight loss. Unintentional weight loss can cause serious physical problems, such as decubitus ulcer formation, and lower immunity, which can cause infection. It may also result in loss of muscle mass, which can lead to falls and injury.

Reasons for low food intake:

Depression
Dementia
Dental Problems
Disease
Dietary restrictions
Difficulty feeding self
Poor appetite
Medications
Environmental conditions

How you can help:

1. Frequent weighing can help to identify a problem before it gets too far out of hand. This includes accurate documentation.

2. Recording food intake. Write down the amount of food eaten immediately instead of trying to remember at the end of the day. Studies have shown that it is most common to overestimate the amount of food eaten.

3. Avoid "empty calorie" snack foods such as chips, and cookies since these do not provide adequate nutrition.

4. Whenever possible include the family members when someone is having a hard time eating. Input from family members regarding food likes and dislikes is extremely helpful in encouraging the senior to eat.

5. Add nutritional supplements to the diet. Products such as Ensure, when eaten between meals can help to maintain a proper weight. Many times these products are also available in the form of pudding, ice cream or shakes.

Searching for Help

As a private duty home care company, a primary services we offer is meal preparation and monitoring. If you or a family member have tried some of the above solutions and find yourself struggling still, reach out to us here or call 314-962-2666.

Put Your Feet In the Water; Not Your Phone - Keeping Electronics Safe

Ryan Whittington — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:00:00 GMT

As a professional providing Private Duty Home Care , I am reminded more and more that we all rely on technology in every day life and business. With just a phone call away, phones and electronic devices can allow family members who care for their relatives and loved ones, to enjoy the many pleasures the warmer weather brings. Summer time in St. Louis is a great time to enjoy the many water parks, lakes and streams we are so fortunate to have. Just dont forget to protect those items in your pocket.

Wet Wireless Tips for the Summer

By: Michelle Groves

Many area seniors and their families will head to lakes and pools to enjoy the summer with sunscreen, towels, a cell phone and other waterside must-haves to keep them protected and connected. It’s helpful to know the tips that might help the phone survive a dive. Your cell phone can help manage your life so you want to keep it safe. Even today’s cutting-edge devices like U.S. Cellular’s HTC Merge and mobile tablets aren’t immune to water damage.

A little prevention can go a long way. It is recommended that you avoid any wet cell phone woes by placing it in a secure waterproof or plastic bag. However, accidents happen, and U.S. Cellular has some simple tips that can help improve your chances of reviving you cell phone if it gets wet.

Step 1 – If your phone doesn’t turn off when it gets wet, power it down immediately. Once the power is off, remove the battery.
Step 2 – Grab a towel and remove as much excess water from the phone as you can. You should remove any skins, covers or faceplates. If you have a flip phone, you should open it up so air can reach the keypad.
Step 3 –The best thing to do is to leave the phone powered off for a few days to give the internal circuitry a chance to dry out. Over the course of a few days, turn the phone over several times so that any water trapped inside can make it to the surface.
Step 4 – It is very tempting to try and speed up the drying process with things like hairdryers, microwaves, space heaters, ovens, etc. However, the intensity of the heat may cause further damage to the phone’s internal circuitry. Placing your phone by a fan is a much better alternative to help the phone dry out.
Step 5 – Once you replace the battery, push the ON button. If the phone turns on, you can breathe a sigh of relief, though it may be only temporary. Moisture damage signs may take time and symptoms might appear several weeks or months later. Check your keypad, as keys that stick or don’t work all the time are signs of permanent damage.
Step 6 – Remember that your service provider’s technicians might be able to help. U.S. Cellular customers can always bring their phones into any location for assistance and service. U.S. Cellular stores also hold regular device workshops for anyone to come in and ask questions and to learn more about their phones.

Extreme temperatures can also be harmful to your phone, so don’t leave it in your car on a hot day. As you return to your car and turn on the air conditioner, the change in temperature could also create condensation within your phone. That kind of moisture or heavy sweating can hamper the computer inside your phone.

By taking these tips into consideration, your cell phone will keep you connected instead of being a poolside distraction.

If you would like to have more information on the many services Seniors Home Care provides to the elderly, click here or call 314-962-2666.

Smart Phone Apps: Proactive Care for Seniors

Ryan Whittington — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Cell phones helping older Americans live more engaged lives

By: Guest Blogger - Michelle Groves

May is National Older Americans Month, and while the nation celebrates the contributions of its seniors, the Administration on Aging is taking a look at the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives. Technology is ever-changing, and today’s seniors are quickly learning how the latest innovations, particularly in cell phones, can help stay them connected with family, friends and the information that is important to them.

With the many activities young people are involved in, it can sometimes be a challenge for grandparents to stay in touch with their children and grandchildren. To make it easier, many seniors are taking advantage of text messaging, the preferred way of communicating among young people. According to ComScore, Inc., 42 percent of adults 50 and older now send one text message a day, underscoring the fact that the older generation is becoming more acclimated to this evolving technology.

Beyond text messaging and voice calls, cell phones can also access social media sites like Facebook, providing older Americans with an easy way to reconnect with friends, post and view pictures of grandchildren and take advantage of the all the other benefits of social networking sites. While many may think that young people are driving the social media trend, many older Americans are also using Facebook and Twitter. According to Pew Research and American Life Project, half of Internet users age 50 – 64 and a quarter of users 65 and older now regularly use social media sites.

In addition to positively impacting seniors’ social engagement, cell phones are also useful for managing some health issues. If a senior is using a smartphone, they can download an application that gives them a reminder to take the right medication at the right time. The HealthAssist application on Blackberry® phones, and the Med Minder application on Android™-powered devices are easy to download and set-up medication schedules. Dozens of other applications, or “apps” as they are more commonly known, can help them answer general questions about their health, track their fitness activities and plan meals for the week.

At U.S. Cellular, we have a variety of cell phones to choose from to best meet each person’s needs, and our associates are available to help with any questions. St. Louis area seniors are invited to learn how to get the most out of their cell phones through one of U.S. Cellular’s free device workshops. These workshops, which are open to the public, are designed to help smartphone users learn the basic and advanced features of their device. Check out the locations, dates and times of the upcoming device workshops listed below and plan to join us for one. In little time, you can learn how your cell phone can enhance your life and make communicating with friends and family easy.

Upcoming U.S. Cellular device workshops

Saturday, May 21

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at its location in St. Louis Mills Mall

Saturday, May 28

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at 3825 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Peters

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at 3481 Nameoki Road in Granite City and 654 Wesley Drive in Wood River

Michelle Groves is U.S. Cellular’s director of sales in the St. Louis area. U.S. Cellular is a national wireless carrier with 34 retail locations in the St. Louis region. U.S. Cellular was recently named a J.D. Power Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and was also recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s 2010 “Most Trustworthy Companies.” To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

Elderly in Jeopardy During Heat Wave

Alice Endy — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:53:00 GMT

Understanding how the Elderly Respond to Extreme Heat

Summer, and Summer heat waves pose a very real danger to the elderly. Normally, our body controls and regulates elevated
temperature by allowing heat loss through the skin and
by evaporation.

As we age, our ability to control the body's temperature
is diminished. Aging causes a decrease in the body's
ability to adjust to heat and to sense temperature
extremes.

The elderly are more susceptible to heat related
disorders and react to sudden changes in temperatures
by loosing the ability to cool down.

Those with the following chronic health conditions
are at greater risk:

** Heart Disease

** Kidney Disease

** Lung Disease

** Obesity

** Diabetes

Certain medications interfere with the body's ability to control temperature. Medications can inhibit the ability to perspire or may increase electrolyte loss.

Heat Wave

Temperatures greater than 90 degrees for more than 48hours and humidity of 80% or greater.

Heat Cramps

Muscle pain and cramps caused by loss of water and salt from over-exertion. This condition usually affects arms, legs and abdominal muscles.

Treatment:

Stop activity

Give fluids

Massage the affected muscle.

Heat Exhaustion

A form of heat-related illness that develops after several days of elevated temperatures and inadequate fluid intake. Heat exhaustion also develops when people over exert during heat and loose the fluids through profuse perspiring.

Signs:

**Flushed or red skin

**Skin cool and pale

**Nausea

**Vomiting

**Dizziness

**Exhaustion

Treatment:

**Replenish fluids

**May need to seek medical care.

Heat Stroke----Sun Stroke

Life threatening heat - related illness. Body temperature rises
Body unable to sweat and cool itself.

Signs:

** Skin is red,hot and dry

** Dizziness

** Nausea

** Throbing headache

** Pulse rapid

Treatment:

**Call 9-1-1

**Move person to a cool area.

**Body must be cooled rapidly-use ice packs, cool water,

**Wet towels or sheets, shower or hose.

**Do not use alcohol.

**Monitor for breathing difficulty.

Prevention of Heat Related Conditions

** Increase fluid intake-check with your doctor.

** If going outdoors, take water with you at all times.

**Stay indoors during heat of the day.

**Close curtains or blinds during the mid- day heat if you have air conditioning.

** Limit outdoor activity to early AM or PM

** If you have no air conditioning--open windows for cross ventilation, use fans, take frequent cool showers, go to mall, theater, restaurant, or library during heat of the day.

**Contact emergency management to locate heat relief shelters.

**Clothing -- light weight, light colors, loose fitting. Wear a hat.

** Exercise--if you must exercise be sure to drink 2 to 4 glasses of water hourly and take frequent rest periods.

**Avoid alcohol, caffeine and reduce sugar-free drinks.

**Meals- light and frequent.

**Do not use salt tablets without consulting doctor.

Special considerations when working with the frail elderly:

** Many elderly will not turn on air conditioning as they are often cool and do not always realize that the heat is extreme.

** Many elderly rarely drink the normal 8 glasses daily. It is often difficult to get them to increase fluid intake without lots of encouragement.

**If your elder is living on a limited income they are not likely to use the air conditioner.

**Many elderly without air conditioning may be very reluctant to open windows due to safety concerns.

The frail elderly are at extreme risk during heat waves and need daily monitoring. Be sure someone is visiting them 2-3 times a day. Do not rely on just talking on the phone as you need to be able to monitor their fluid intake and recognize changes in their condition.

Alice Endy is a Registered Nurse with advanced certification as a Gerontological Nurse.

In her role at Seniors Home Care, Alice has helped thousands provide care and support to their family members while experiencing the end of life sadness and joys. Alice cared for her mother who suffered from the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alice knows only too well the problems families face as they journey through the final stages of life.

Weight Loss: Underlying Factors Among the Elderly

Ryan Whittington — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:15:00 GMT

Promoting Good Nutrition: Preventing Unintentiounal Weight Loss

John, age 85, is receiving home care after a recent fall and fracture of the hip. Over the last year since his wifes death, he has experienced a large weight loss. Johns doctor feels that the weigh loss contributed towards his fall and something needs to be done. John admits to not having the appetite he used to when his wife was alive, "She used to make me a snack every night before bed. I always knew that she cared."

To encourage John to eat, the home care staff created a plan of care that included nutritional shakes and snacks in the evening in an attempt to make things seem more "normal" for John. Eventually John did gain weight and overall strength.

This example shows how collaboration between a physician who cares and home health aides with a proper plan of care, can dramatically increase a persons quality of life and health.

Why Malnutrition is a Big Deal

Weight loss is common among those recovering from illness or injury and the problem becomes much worse when dealing with the elderly. Nearly half of all elderly in the hospital or long term care facility have experienced malnutrition.

Unintentional weight loss can lead to problems such as disease and infection through ulcers, as well as overall loss of muscle mass which can lead to falls and balance issues.

Reasons a person my not eat properly:

Depression - Treatment normally results in increased appetite.
Dementia - Simply forgetting to eat.
Dental Problems - Tooth issues and denture problems lead to discomfort and pain.
Medications - Several medications can lead to decreased appetite.

What Can Be Done To Help?

A person who has experienced an injury or is recovering from an illness will greatly benefit from regular monitoring and interaction with family or a professional agency. A general rule is to document everything. Weight, type of food being eaten and frequency of meals is very important.

Regular weighing can help catch a weight loss problem before it becomes extreme. Be sure to document the weight records and make them available to a physician or doctor at visits. If weight loss is observed, notify the physician or home health company immediately.

They type of food being eaten is important. Well rounded meals or snacks are important. If a person is eating snacks and meals high in fat or salt, this can be equally detrimental. Consult a physician or dietitian for a comprehensive diet to follow based on your situation. Following a meal or snack, document exactly what has been eaten, not what was on the plate. It is important to document this at the time. Most times when trying to recollect what was eaten at a later time, we overestimate on calories and overall consumption. This can lead to a false sense of the facts.

If you observe that a person is having difficulty chewing or seems to be in pain, as them when was the last time they saw a dentist. This may be a sign of infection in the mouth or dentures which are not fitting properly.

Following the guidelines above can help reduce the amount of unintentional weight loss a person experiences.

SHC Express Club - Are Your Home Care Needs Ever Changing?

Ryan Whittington — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:35:00 GMT

What would you do if you could no longer drive? Or you were unable to get to your doctor's appointments, see friends at social outings, or even go grocery shopping?

Yesterday I spoke with a family caregiver regarding transportation assistance for her mother. Her mother (87 years old) is in great health, very social, and has always been an active participant in the community. She is used to her friends picking her up and taking her places; however, recently her friends have not been able to do so:

"My mom needs assistance from time to time when she needs to get to the doctors office, church, social events, etc. What we really need a 'backup plan' for when her friends cannot help. Do you have a service like this?"

It was clear that her mother's health and independence did not necessitate a regularly scheduled caregiver - just someone who is dependable, trustworthy, and they could call in a short time's notice for help.

The Solution

For clients who do not want a regularly scheduled caregiver, Seniors Home Care offers the Express Club program. This program includes any regularly scheduled in-home services with only a 48 hour notice:

Companionship
Light Housekeeping
Personal Care/Bathing
PT/OT Exercise Assistance
Medication Reminders
Prescription Pickup
Meal Preparation
Nursing Home Visits
Transportation
Hospital Visits
Accompany to Doctor

Our clients tell us they sign up for Express Club when their home care needs are uncertain or ever changing. All Express Club clients receive the same benefits of SHC's traditional home care services with no weekly schedule requirements:

Registered Nurse Assessment and Care Plan
Accurate and Timely Scheduling
Assistance in the convenience of their home.
"Best of the Best" Caregivers.

For the family of our clients, Express Club offers peace of mind in assuring that there is backup in place and available when regular situations are not. Express Club is perfect for any family needing unforeseen help/backup and also who does not want the expense of a full time caregiver. SHC realizes that it is not simply a matter of getting to the doctor, seeing friends, etc., but it's about maintaining a quality of life our clients are used to having and well deserve.

If a clients needs become more than Express Club can address, regularly scheduled traditional private duty home care services are available from Seniors Home Care.

Seniors Home Care Blog

Senior Friendly Activities to Beat the Heat

Missouri Alliance for Home Care Conference

Home Care Conferences Create a Stronger Client Experience

Seniors Home Care is proud to celebrate its 25th year!

Kit Whittington - A True Pioneer in Senior Home Care, celebrates 25 years of business.

Home Care Habits - Is Your Family Suffering?

5 Things You Want to Tell Your Home Care Company, But Don’t…and Why

ACO's: Why Home Care Is Essential?

Accountable Care Organizations and Private Duty Home Care

Home Care Company Morale - 10 Warning Signs Yours Is Dipping

10 warning signs of low morale ... and 7 ways to boost it

Morale boosters to try now

Home Care News - Companionship Services Exemption

Companionship Services Exemption - Review Your Process

Senior Care - Improve Your Balance

Improve Your Balance to Prevent Falls: 5 Tips for Seniors

Balance Exercises

Coordination and Posture

Eye Exercises

Hearing and Eye Checks

More Tips

Seniors - Enjoy the Snow and Avoid the Cold!

Seniors and Winter Weather

Slips and Falls

Colds and Seniors

Home Care Services

Transportation

About Seniors Home Care

Prepare for Winter - Top 5 Home Care Recommendations for Seniors.

Safety Tips for Seniors This Winter

Home Care Expo - Top 3 Reasons To Visit our Booth

Senior Care Information - Where to Start?

So, now for the top three reasons to visit our booth on Sunday:

Alzheimer ’s Disease - Home Care Keeps You Comfortable

Senior Home Care for Those with Alzheimers

Congestive Heart Failure - Have You Considered Home Care?

Congestive Heart Failure Among Seniors

Symptoms

Treatment

Cell Phones for Seniors - A Home Care Ally

Tips to help children and grandchildren buy a new cell phone for Grandma or Grandpa

Choosing Home Care Caregivers

Professional Caregivers - Who are you leaving your loved one with?

Questions You Should Ask Potential Home Care Companies:

What qualifications do your caregivers have?

How do you train your employees?

Are your employees bonded?

Sad, Confused and Tired - Depression Among the Elderly

The Effects Of Depression on Seniors

These signs of depression include:

Ways to work towards a solution for depression include:

Top 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing Home Care

Senior Care - Who Will You Call In Case Of Emergency?

In Case of Emergency: Your Cell Phone Can Be a Valuable Tool

Other Things to Consider When Choosing an ICE Contact:

Aging Senior Needs - Home Care Resources in the Community

Senior Support Organizations and Resources

AARP

Administration on Aging

Alzheimer's Association

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Eldercare Locator

Family Caregiver Alliance

Hospice Association of America

Meals on Wheels Association of America

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

The National Center for Assisted Living

The National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

United States Department of Health and Humans Services

Weight Loss Among the Elderly - Is It Due to Depression or Dementia?

Preventing Unconditional Weight Loss

Put Your Feet In the Water; Not Your Phone - Keeping Electronics Safe

Smart Phone Apps: Proactive Care for Seniors

Elderly in Jeopardy During Heat Wave

Understanding how the Elderly Respond to Extreme Heat

Heat Wave

Heat Cramps

Treatment:

Heat Exhaustion