Consult With Your Parent’s Doctor

Emergency room statistics show that approximately 15 percent of all visits to the ER are due to adverse drug reactions among older adults. Since many seniors visit more than one doctor, it’s important to ensure that there are no contraindication issues with medications. Accompany your parent to his or her doctor appointments to review the full list of medications that are currently being taken and make dosage adjustments, if necessary.

It’s also a good idea to ask each prescriber if there are ways to simplify her medication schedule. If, for example, your father is taking a certain medication four times a day, you may be able to change the prescription to a medication that only needs to be taken twice daily. When consulting with each doctor, be sure to mention any over-the-counter medications your parent is taking.

Track All Medications

After consulting with your parent’s medical team, take some time to make a complete list of all the medications that have been prescribed. The list should include information such as:

• The name of the medication
• The prescribed dosage
• How and when the medication should be taken
• Any special instructions (i.e., take before bed)
• Possible side effects or contraindications

While you can use a pen and paper to track your parent’s medication, there are also many spreadsheets and templates available online to help you organize a medication list. Once you’ve made the list, make sure you always have a copy with you. You’ll also want to provide a copy of the list to any other caregivers in your parent’s life.

Consider Using a Medication Tracking App

If lists aren’t your thing, consider using a medication tracking app like Med-Helper or Medisafe Pill and Meds Reminder. These apps are designed to help patients stay on schedule with their medications and offer convenient features like medication logs, missed medication alerts, prescription refill reminders, and drug interaction warnings. Apps are also a good idea if you need to coordinate your parent’s care with other caregivers.

Keep Medications Properly Organized  

Most people store their medications in a bathroom medicine cabinet. This is not always the best solution, as the humidity from a shower can reduce the effectiveness of the medications. Instead, consider storing your parent’s medication in a place that’s cool, dry, and easily accessible – such as a kitchen counter. The exception to this is if any medications need to be refrigerated. In this case, make sure the medications are stored on an easy-to-reach shelf in your parent’s fridge. Another good way to keep medications organized and accessible is to purchase a pill organizer or timed medication dispenser. These items can be purchased in any pharmacy or through online retailers like Amazon. If you’ve decided to use a pill box, be sure to get one that your parent can open easily. It can also be helpful to use different pill boxes for medications that need to be taken at different times of the day.

Establish a Routine

When it comes to managing your parent’s medication, consistency is key. Your parent likely performs the same tasks at the same time every day, such as brushing teeth first thing in the morning or eating dinner at the same time every evening. Take your parent’s habits and schedule into account when deciding on the best times to administer his or her prescription medications. Establishing a routine will also help you and other family members stay on track with your parent’s medication and prevent double doses.

Managing your parent’s medication doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require some forethought and planning. The above tips should help you stay on top of your parent’s prescriptions and ensure the safety of your loved one. If you need some medication reminders, our caregivers can help with personal care. Please call Priority Home Health at 561-766-1954.

How to Chat With Someone Who Has Dementia

1. Keep It Simple

People with dementia may find it challenging to process multiple topics simultaneously, and they may be overwhelmed by open-ended questions. Keep your communication concise and focused—ask them one question at a time and make it as specific as possible.

For example, instead of inquiring what they want to wear, give them options by asking if they want to wear the red or blue sweater. As their caregiver, you can also apply this technique to discussions about practical tasks and recalling fond memories.

2. Remove Distractions

Some people with dementia are easily distracted and have short attention spans. Before talking, help them focus by addressing them by name and identifying yourself by name too.

When possible, speak to your loved one in a quiet space. If you’re at home, eliminate distractions, like loud music or the TV. If you’re at a restaurant or in a public place, find a quiet area away from noisy crowds.

3. Use Body Language

Dementia can harm the part of the brain that controls language, making it difficult to interpret and use speech. Use nonverbal gestures, like eye contact, nodding, and smiling, while speaking to convey your message.

Observe their body language to see what they may be trying to tell you, even if they can’t find the words. Support your loved one by allowing them to express themselves how they feel comfortable, whether that’s through movement, pictures, or sentences.

The 5 Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

Medical experts typically divide the progression of Parkinson’s Disease (and other forms of Parkinsonism) into 5 stages – with differing degrees of severity, requiring different levels of care.

Stage 1: At this early stage, symptoms are limited to tremor (involuntary shakiness) and changes in posture, facial expression and walking gait on one side of the body. For the most part, these symptoms can be treated with medication and don’t interfere with daily life.
Stage 2: The disease begins to affect both sides of the brain and body, causing stiffness and other movement problems. Living alone is still feasible, but daily tasks like preparing meals are time-consuming and more difficult to perform.
Stage 3: Hallmark symptoms of this stage include loss of balance and slowed reflexes –which greatly increase the risk of injury due to falls. Daily activities like dressing or eating become extremely difficult.
Stage 4: At this stage, mobility decreases to the point where the patient is no longer able to stand up or walk without assistance. As a result, living alone is no longer feasible and potentially dangerous.
Stage 5: The patient is confined to a bed or wheelchair due to extreme stiffness in the legs. Hallucinations, delusions, and dementia are common, and round-the-clock care becomes necessary.

Our team at Priority Home Health is pre-screened for potential infections or exposures before being hired or assigned to patient’s care. We have also established an ongoing monitoring policy to provide safe and reliable care during these times.

We utilize continuing education to ensure Priority Home Health providers are trained on the best practices for maintaining proper hygiene, social distancing, and infection spread mitigation. Our care team is kept up-to-date on all the safety and health protocols during this changing situation.

Priority Home Health providers are all equipped with company provided masks and gloves to be worn during each service visit. We strictly adhere to this for safety reasons. To further enhance the safety of our patients, we have limited the number of patients each Priority is responsible to provide service visits.

While aging is a part of life, the experience presents different joys and challenges. Some things get easier with the wisdom that comes with age, but other aspects of life become harder. Deciding how to face these difficulties involves making lifestyle choices, hopefully at a time when the matter is practical without being urgent. Many older adults wonder where best to live out their golden years. One option is to “age in place.” This phrase has come to mean planning, preparing, and adapting a home to make it a safe, healthy place to reside.

What are the Alternatives?

Just as it sounds, aging in place implies that an older adult will choose to remain in an independent, private residence, whether it’s a long-term home or a relocation. In contrast, a vast assortment of living arrangements is available, including retirement communities and assisted living. These locations were developed and built with the likely needs of aging adults in mind, so they offer amenities to the residents. From meals to entertainment, health care to accessible design elements, these places provide services, structure and community.

Why Age In Place?

The benefits to aging in place include the comfort of home, the familiarity of a long-term community, proximity to friends, family, and other support systems built during a lifetime. Moving can be disorienting and particularly difficult for older adults whose resilience is impacted by physical and mental health issues. In addition, the cost of relocation as well as the ongoing fees associated with aging adult facilities and communities can be prohibitive for some people.

What Does it Take to Age in Place?

Aging in place requires some adaptation to the realities of growing old. Most homes will require some renovation, which can be as simple as installing grab bars in the bathroom and rearranging cupboards so that frequently used items are easier to reach. Other alterations can be more substantial like widening doors, adding ramps or installing a full bath on the ground floor to allow for single floor living. Furniture can be rearranged to be easier to move around with a walker or other assistive device. In addition to these space transformations, aging in place involves some planning for existing or eventual needs:

• Finding alternative transportation when driving becomes unwise
• Getting help around the home with basic housekeeping, cooking, cleaning, and shopping
• Tending to health and hygiene needs as these become harder to manage

Finally, isolation can be a real challenge for older adults. In the event of an emergency, a plan should be in place to contact help. Regular interaction is important for mental and emotional health as well as providing a second set of eyes to make sure that everything is safe and comfortable.

According the AARP, 70% of Americans 50+ would prefer to age in place. It may not be for everyone, but this increasingly popular option is feasible with some planning and help. Priority Home Health has some of the best experience caregivers that make aging in place both feasible and enjoyable for older adults in Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River Counties.  We begin our relationship with our clients with a thorough assessment of their specific situation and needs, and we can offer custom solutions to allow them to continue to live at home. Contact us today for information about our FREE in home safety assessment at 561-766-1954.

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR HOME HEALTH ADMISSION?
 

• Be essentially home bound, but not necessarily bedridden, and needing assistance when leaving home.
• Needs at least one of the following: intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language therapy or continue to need occupational therapy that are medically reasonable and necessary.
• Be under the care of a licensed physician who decided that medical care at home is necessary and will assist in making a plan of care for the patient at home.

WHO NEEDS HOME HEALTH CARE?
 

Patients meeting the home health admission criteria listed below (but is not limited to):
 

• Chronic illnesses like (diabetes, hypertension, cancer *non hospice, congestive heart failure, COPD, etc.) who needs follow-up   and management with medication regimen.
• Newly diagnosed illness or conditions who needs education, monitoring and follow-up.
• Recovering from a stroke/CVA.
• Recovering from surgery (orthopedic, cardiac, neuro, etc.) or other disabling event needing follow up rehab and monitoring in the home.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HOME HEALTH CARE? 
 

• Physicians find many patients recover sooner and more comfortably in the familiar surroundings of their home. We coordinate with hospitals and nursing homes to help people return home as quickly as possible and resume their normal activities.
• Families tend to stay more involved in their loved one’s care and patients feel more independent at home.
• Home care gives patients the opportunity to be reunited with family and friends in familiar surroundings and still receive the care they need.
• Professional staff work closely with a patient’s personal physician to tailor care treatment plans to their individual needs.
• Home care prevents or postpones institutionalization.

Every member of Priority Home Health family has made it their mission to put patients first, prioritizing the safety, security, and personal well-being of each and every patient in our care.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Harriet Tubman

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