Alzheimer's-Dementia Care | Kansas City Home Care

Planning the Best Visit with a Loved One Who Has Dementia

Many clients have asked us over the years for advice about connecting with a loved one who has dementia. In this video, Tim Tholen, CEO and Founder of Thoughtful Health Care and its affiliates in Kansas City, talks about how to maintain a relationship with a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia. 1. The Time You Have Is Precious We all know that nothing lasts forever, even the current stage of your loved one’s dementia. When you can to listen to happy stories, or reminisce about times past, you are connecting with a part of the loved one that is still present. Go with it. Strive to soothe, not ruffle feathers. When you see visual or verbal cues of irritability, back off, or […]

Enjoy an Outing with a Loved One Who Has Dementia

Why Plan Outings? Making an effort to keep a loved one socially engaged can keep him or her feeling upbeat and joyful. Since people who have dementia tend to suffer from isolation and depression, an outing can provide a loved one with something to look forward to, and it livens up the day-to-day routine. In the “Planning an Outing” video, you’ll find helpful tips and ideas for getting your loved one out and about in a safe way. The How’s of Planning an Outing “Proper Planning Prevents Problems.” This phrase makes all of the difference when preparing for an outing with a loved one who has dementia, says Tim Tholen, CEO and Founder of Thoughtful Health Care and its affiliates in Kansas City. Here is […]

Living with Dementia and Preparing for the Future

Family members and loved ones who care for a person who has dementia can feel overwhelmed by the changes that are associated with dementia’s progression. That’s why Tim Tholen, Founder and CEO of Kansas City’s Thoughtful Healthcare and its affiliates, brings his expertise to a video about preparing for the progression of dementia. In this video, we outline steps to take to help manage the moving parts: from creating a routine for your loved one with dementia, to getting the family communicating about the future. Once the diagnosis of dementia has been given and the family begins to learn about the disease, it’s important to understand that dementia progresses at varying– and sometimes unpredictable– rates. Making plans for eventualities is very important for families with […]

After the Initial Diagnosis of Dementia

After a diagnosis of dementia, it’s natural to want answers to all of the questions that follow the news. It can be overwhelming, and there is a steep learning curve. This is why Thoughtful Healthcare and our affiliates have created a video specifically for new caregivers, to help them understand the steps to take once a diagnosis of dementia has been given. Every family has different needs, and no two cases of dementia are alike. But Tim Tholen, Founder and CEO of Thoughtful Healthcare, lends his the experience, walking viewers through the discovery process, giving answers for questions that families living in Kansas City might not have considered to ask about living with dementia. Loved ones caring for people diagnosed with dementia will want to […]

6 Ways to Kick the Holiday Blues: Tips for Seniors

Got a case of the holiday blues? Rest assured you’re not the only one who doesn’t feel joyous when the holiday decorations go on display and the festive music begins to play in every Kansas City store and on every radio station. Many seniors feel sad around the holidays. Maybe you’re facing your first holiday season without your spouse. Or your kids and grandkids are unable to visit, and you don’t want to travel alone. Or you don’t have money for travel or gift giving. Whatever your reason for feeling sad when the holidays roll around, there are some ways to kick those holiday blues. Here are some tips: Start a new holiday tradition. Sometimes, people feel depressed around the holidays because new family dynamics […]

Holiday Travel Safety for Seniors

Older people often hesitate to travel during the holidays, especially if travelling alone. But if children and grandchildren have made new homes outside of Kansas City, the idea of not seeing them at Christmas can sometimes lead to holiday depression. If you’re nervous about holiday travel, taking measures to ensure your safety may alleviate your anxiety. Here are some suggestions: Get your meds in order. Before you travel, update your medication list. You’ll want to take it with you in case of emergency. It’s also a good idea to take the list to your pharmacy, and ask if there are any potential medication or food interactions. Keep your medications in their original bottles, and make sure you have enough of each to last two or […]

The Warning Signs of Stroke

The faster you’re treated after a stroke, the more likely you are to survive. Early detection and treatment can also minimize brain damage and lower your risk of long-term disability. So it’s important to recognize stroke symptoms when you see them. Here are the common symptoms of stroke. Since you need to act quickly in the event of a stroke, the acronym FAST can help you remember them: FACE. When smiling, does one side of the face droop? ARMS. After lifting both hands, does one drop back down? SPEECH. Is speech slurred or otherwise odd? TIME. If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, it’s TIME to call for help. Remember, every minute counts. So you’ll want to dial 911 instead of taking […]

Caring for Someone Who’s Not Very Nice

It’s tough being a Kansas City caregiver. Even harder to take care of someone who doesn’t seem to appreciate what you do for them, criticizes you, and/or is verbally or physically abusive. Sometimes, people who require 24-hour senior care become angry and frustrated by their limitations, which causes them to lash out. People who have Alzheimer’s (or other form of dementia) tend to become verbally or physically aggressive, particularly during the later stages of illness. And some people are just plain mean to begin with. Here are some tips that can help smooth things over: Be patient. Try to determine the source of the anger. Is it frustration? Fear? Instead of fighting back, ask questions to see if you can determine why your loved one […]

Managing Bladder Control Problems

Bladder control problems (also known as urinary incontinence) are common in older adults. Many people view them as a normal sign of aging and figure they just have to live with them. But that may not necessarily be the case. There are three common types of urinary incontinence: Urge incontinence: When you have frequent urges to run to the bathroom, but don’t always get there in time Stress incontinence: Leakage of urine when you laugh or sneeze Overflow incontinence: Frequent (or constant) leakage of urine There are ways to manage (or even eliminate) all of these bladder control problems. So if you find your incontinence has confined you to your Kansas City home, or has otherwise interfered with your normal activities, it’s time to go […]

Healthy Aging Tips for People in Kansas City

If you’re heading toward your twilight years, there are a number of things things you can do to stay as healthy as possible as you age. And Kansas City is a great place to be; there are tons of resources that can help. Here are some tips for healthy aging in Kansas City: Nourish your body. Your body needs certain nutrients to maintain optimal health, and the best way to get them is through the foods you eat. You need lots of fruits and vegetables, plus lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. And almost every Kansas City suburb has a farmers market each summer where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. The city also has several Whole Foods Markets where you can buy […]

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Alzheimer’s-Dementia Care