This spring, we are delivering and setting up patio/deck vegetable gardens for many of our clients. The planters are small, but will produce pounds of tomatoes, vegetables and herbs during the coming months.
Because the planters are 44″ high, they are easy for our senior clients and their caregivers to maintain and harvest.
Nutritious food, physical exercise and mental stimulation are all part of our Balanced Care Method program to promote total health and independence for our senior clients.
The following article appears in the San Diego MD magazine, Oct/Nov 2009 issue
“No way, I’ll throw her out of the house – I don’t want a caregiver”
by Ron Kinder, Owner, Home Care Assistance
Convincing a parent that he needs help at home can sometime be a challenge. The headline above is exactly what the father yelled at his daughter. The daughter knew her father needed help – his Alzheimer’s was progressing and he was getting very forgetful of important things – like turning off the stove.
But let’s face it, none of us want to loose our independence or our dignity. It’s easy to conjure up images of Nurse Ratched, the controlling, sadistic asylum nurse in “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest,” as our domineering caregiver.
Male clients, in particular, often have a harder time understanding that they’ll have more freedom, not less, if someone is helping them with some of the daily chores that have just become more difficult to accomplish.
A good homecare agency can help solve what sometimes becomes a very sore and emotional point between parents and children. In this true case, our Case Manager discussed the father’s habits and enjoyments with the daughter and found that he liked to go out to lunch every day and occasionally, to a nearby Indian casino to play the slot machines.
She suggested that maybe the Father would be safer with a security guard – and he agreed! So one of our male caregivers (aka Security Guard Jim), takes care of Ed in his home – and makes sure that he is safe when they go out to lunch – and occasionally, to play the slots at the nearby casino. Our caregivers have also taken on the roles of tennis players and chefs in order to surmount initial objections.
Studies show that a majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes as long as possible. Homecare can enable them to maintain the lifestyle and freedom they deserve.
As baby boomers continue to age, the influx of aging adults 55 years and older into our society is expected to put a financial strain on our state. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s in San Diego alone are expected to nearly double by 2030. This projection by the California Alzheimer’s Association means that these next 20 years will be a time of great trials for our medical and health care institutions. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are among the most widely spread diseases that rob our aging adults of their independence in a time when their health is most fragile and care is most important. Although researchers of these diseases find themselves hopeful for future treatment and possible reversal of the disease, it is fair to say that until a significant discovery is made, the future looks grim for adult care in California. Most families who would otherwise turn to a nursing home for the care of their aging parents will turn to their families and hourly in home care to watch over their older family members when they cannot.
According to a University of California San Francisco’s Institute for Health and Aging study, it currently costs nearly $97,000 annually for a patient living in a nursing home. This number is expected to grow significantly with the rise in health care cost due to the rising number California’s elderly and our state budget cuts. Many people do not make this amount of income in 1 year, and with the high cost of living in San Diego, it is expected that the future of adult care in San Diego lies with in-home care with the recipient’s family members.
When dealing with the decision of what to do with an aging family member, planning ahead of time can help to avoid confusion and can make the process easier. By getting together with the entire family to discuss the matter, you can discuss who will care for the individual, where they will stay, and how each member of the family can make themselves responsible for helping. While one member of the family can care for the individual’s meals, another can take charge of maintaining their home, including chores such as mowing the lawn and other chores aimed at keeping the home safe. A trusted family member must also be placed in charge of the finances once the aging adult is no longer able to do so themselves. This will include creating a list with the person’s social security number, insurance policy numbers, bank accounts, and monthly bills that must be taken care of. In addition, a medical list must also be created and kept handy listing medications, allergies, doctors and other healthcare providers.
Someone must also be in charge of communicating and overseeing that the adult is always supervised and not left alone to fend for themselves. Adults with Alzheimer’s and severe dementia are known for suffering with bouts of paranoia and delusions. Leaving them alone can lead to them hurting themselves or can lead to them forgetting to take their medications. Hourly in home care is also available from trusted home care providers to help in the times when nobody in the family is able to help. When making this decision, practice good judgment to ensure your family member’s safety.
When choosing in-home health care assistance, be sure to do your research to make sure you are getting a qualified person who is experienced in dealing with elderly, especially if the in home healthcare recipient suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Check the website and referrals for the company providing the in-home healthcare worker to make sure their service is trusted and that their employees are qualified. Speak with the person who will be caring for your aging adult and ask important questions regarding to their past experience and what they would do in a worst case scenario. Leave the elder’s daily medication laid out in a schedule pill box or in a detailed time scheduled list so that the aid worker can easily provide the medication to the adult without risking accidental overdose or accidentally missing dosage. Finally, be sure to leave all of your emergency contact information with this person, in case something comes up in which they require further assistance.
If it is your first time using a company for in home care or if you are not sure about the service this person can provide, be sure to stay for a while with this person to see how they handle themselves and your aging parent before stepping out. You will be able to see how they handle the job and you can provide immediate advice about how you feel they should handle specific tasks. Do this until you are comfortable with this person being alone with your family member. Once you are comfortable you will feel good about leaving them in the care of a stranger. Be sure to call often and speak with this person to build a relationship with them. They will be able to provide you with important information about the health of your family member.
With the rising cost of nursing home care, in-home care is the way of the future for families who cannot afford to place their family members in a nursing home. At a fraction of the cost, families with limited budgets are most likely to subscribe to hourly in-home care for their aging parents as a supplement to their family caring for their aging parents.
When choosing a San Diego homecare assistant, be sure to research the company they work for and their past references to ensure you are employing a quality assistant whose primary interest is the care of your parent. Avoid hiring a person who you do not trust as they will have access to your parent’s home and belongings, and most importantly, the health of your family member. If possible, have family members stop by to check up on your home healthcare provider to make sure things are running smoothly and don’t forget to as for feedback from the homecare recipient as they will be the ones most likely to give you the best and most honest feedback. Choosing the right help may be one of the most important decisions you can make for your family, be sure to practice good judgment when picking the right person for the job.