Looming large among issues facing seniors with memory loss is medication management. The opioid epidemic has affected the elderly community in a serious way. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has reported that between 2010 and 2015, elderly emergency room visits relating to opioid over-use have jumped 74%.
Continue readingWhile there is no recipe for knowing exactly when the time is right to add in-home care to help a loved one, some indicators can serve as strong signals. Memory loss caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s can have an unpredictable progression. Planning for eventualities will insure that putting elder care into place is more fluid.
Continue readingMany 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.
Continue readingMaking 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.
Continue readingFamily 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.
Continue readingAfter 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.
Watch the “Mom’s Been Diagnosed With Dementia” video below.
Loved ones caring for people diagnosed with dementia will want to know about the diagnosis itself—whether Parkinson’s Lewy Body or Alzheimer’s. Progressions of diseases can vary, so it’s important to get educated about treatments and new medications. Routines will probably need to be altered, and more support may be needed.
That’s where Kansas City Home Care comes in—we are a locally owned, Kansas City metro area in-home care provider here to give answers to all of your questions.
Click here for more Alzheimer and dementia care videos.
For more information about Kansas City Home Care visit the Kansas City Home Care website.
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.
Continue readingIf you’re growing older and have decided you could use some extra help at home, or if you’re caring someone who needs some additional assistance, it may be time to start looking for a Kansas City home health agency. But where should you start? Here are some things to consider:
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Overland Park, KS – When you live many miles away from your loved one with dementia, the separation complicates caregiving. Concerns about the person’s safety, nutrition and health can be overwhelming at times.Here are some strategies to manage long-distance caregiving.
If the person with Alzheimer’s disease lives alone, he or she may have difficulty managing daily tasks. Identify what kind of help he or she may need to remain independent in the home for as long as possible. When you visit you loved one, observe the following:
Building a list of contact people and resources can help you coordinate care from a distance.
Make the most of visits
Few long-distance caregivers are able to spend as much time with their loved one as they would like. The key is to use your time wisely :
Considerations before moving a loved one into your home
There will come a time when your loved one will no longer be able to live alone. One of the decisions you might consider is moving the person into your home. Here are some things to think about:
Moving a person with Alzheimer’s disease from familiar surroundings may cause increased agitation and confusion. Talk with your loved one’s physician or a social worker and call the Alzheimer’s Association for assistance before making a decision. In some situations, an assisted living or a residential care setting may be a better option for the individual.
Resolving family conflicts
Caregiving issues can often ignite or magnify family conflicts, especially when people cope differently with caregiving responsibilities. Family members may deny what is happening, resent you for living far away or believe you are not helping enough. There may also be disagreement about financial and care decisions.
To reduce conflicts, acknowledge these feelings and work through them.
