Month: August, 2010

Caring for the Aging: Time to Create a New Model

Blog Post by Mike Brunt
Content is direct text of a white paper written by Paul Hogan, co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care, and one of the nations thought leaders on how to make sure health care reform includes providing for the care of America’s aging population.

Link to full text of Hogan’s white paper:
Caring for the Aging: The Old System is Obsolete, Time to Create a New Model

Introduction

Rational, economical, sustainable reform of America’s healthcare system is a national imperative. There are many parts to achieving reform, but no plan will be complete if it fails to address the issue of providing for the care of America’s aging population.

Indeed, in view of the impending “age wave” of baby boomers that is descending upon the nation, it is not too much to say that senior care must be one of healthcare reform’s highest priorities. The current unstructured system for senior care evolved haphazardly during the 20th century and is hopelessly inadequate to the challenges that lie ahead. For decades, it consisted of what one might call a binary situation: You cared for mom as long as you could, then put her in a nursing home.

Today, a range of options has grown up, from seniors aging in their homes while they are supported by nonmedical caregivers who provide companionship and help with daily chores, to assisted living facilities, to nursing homes – with many choices in between.

Unfortunately, government regulations and financing have failed to keep pace with this dramatically changed landscape. It is necessary, therefore, as part of any healthcare reform plan, to develop a comprehensive national policy for senior care.

When properly done, the policy will maximize the choices that seniors and their caregivers have while keeping costs manageable for all the parties involved. It will insure that the care is safe and well-regulated. It will keep seniors fully informed about their many options. And it will strive to maintain a supply of caregivers that is sufficient to meet the
nation’s needs.

Link to full text of Hogan’s white paper:
Caring for the Aging: The Old System is Obsolete, Time to Create a New Model

1 Comment by Mike Brunt on August 31, 2010
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues

Home Safety for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Other Types of Dementia

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

Last month, a friend referred me to a web site with information and products to enhance the safety and comfort for people with dementia who are still living at home.

http://www.thiscaringhome.org/

My interest was piqued since a good number of my in-home care clients suffer from Alzheimer’s or other dementing illnesses. One of the main questions families have is how to make home a safe place when the aging loved one can’t be relied upon to exercise caution and good judgment.

Dementia victims also often suffer from anxiety and fears that rob them of peace of mind and can contribute to other problems with their physical and mental health (blood pressure, heart issues, depression). I’ve observed that with dementia clients, one of the main goals is to prevent emotional escalations through distraction, re-direction, and also practical tools.

This web site, www.thiscaringhome.org, is full of practical tools to help dementia clients (and their family or professional caregivers) get through the day more easily.

Here are a few of my favorite finds from the site:

  • Bathing Outfit
    • This bathing outfit can restore dignity to the bathing experience while reducing agitation. This special waterproof bathing outfit has a wrap-around skirt and a bib-like top with a Velcro closure. The garment remains on during washing, while you, the caregiver, and the person, wash around and under it. Price is $30 for women and $20 for men.
  • Quilted, Machine-Washable Seat Pads
    • These quilted waterproof pads are made out of nylon and polyester and have a vinyl waterproof backing. Machine washable.May reduce embarrassment and shame that often occurs when regular incontinence pads are used. Available in several colors. This gives you more options to choose a color that also contrasts with the floor color. This make’s the seat more visible to people with dementia, as many have problems with depth perception. Price is $20
  • 5 Common Environmental Triggers for Agitation
    • People with dementia are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. But not everyone is bothered by the same stimuli or events, so the first step is to find out what’s upsetting the person you care for. The next time the person is agitated, take a look at or think back to exactly what happened just before they got agitated. Then you can remove or change the trigger(s) and the associated agitation. You’ll both experience less stress and, hopefully, a calmer day. Here are five common environmental triggers known to cause agitation in persons with dementia… 

 

The site also has tips from experts such as “Sometimes it’s small things, like a grandchild giving a safety product as a gift, that makes all the difference in how well a product is received.”

As a final note, I think this is a great resource that I think will come in handy for anyone working with senior loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementing illnesses.

If you have found other products or tips that were effective for dementia care at home, please comment on this blog post.

2 Comments by Mike Brunt on August 31, 2010
filed in Aging In Place, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Family Caregivers, Technology, Equipment, and Devices
At Home Instead Senior Care, we provide non-medical services to senior citizens in their own homes or apartments. Our services include companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, escorting to appointments, personal care, and dementia care. We help seniors maintain their independence and help them stay safe, healthy, and happy at home, wherever home may be.