How to Talk About Aging Care With Your Parents

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Discover how to talk about aging care with your parents

Learn how to talk about aging care with your parents effectively to make sure you’re all on the same page.

Perhaps you recall having “the talk” with your parents about those cringeworthy pre-teen topics. If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for “the talk” with older parents about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care at home! Knowing how to talk about aging care with your parents isn’t easy, for a number of reasons:

  • Your parents may resent what appears to be a reversal of roles or being told what to do
  • They could be in denial that there’s a problem at all
  • They could feel threatened and fearful of losing independence and the freedom to make their own choices

How can you overcome these very valid feelings to come to a place of acceptance about home care services? Try these recommendations as a starting point:

  1. Plan the conversation: what you will discuss, who will attend, where you can best talk without distractions.
  2. Think through what it could be like to be in your parents’ shoes and how you would want the conversation to go.
  3. Resolve to stay calm and respectful through the entire discussion, never trying to parent your parent.
  4. Listen to their concerns with an open mind and without preplanned responses.
  5. Realize there could be more than one solution – and, that it frequently takes more than one conversation to achieve agreement.

Before approaching your parents, practice what you intend to say with someone you trust to give you straightforward feedback. Role-playing is a great way to refine your presentation and words and to help you gain confidence.

When you are ready to talk to your parent, be ready for any outcome. In an ideal world, they will agree with your concerns and be open to having the support of a home care professional. It’s certainly conceivable that they share your concerns, but were unsure how to broach the subject with you. But likewise be ready for resistance, defensiveness, and perhaps even anger.

If the discussion is leading to heightened emotions and you’re heading for an impasse, pause the conversation and try again later. It could be helpful to include someone your parent respects and trusts in a future conversation, such as a close friend or medical professional.

When you’re ready to explore home care options for your parent, contact Generations at Home. We can start off with minimal support, such as meals, transportation, or light housekeeping, and gradually work up to more care once your parents feel at ease with their caregiver.

We know how difficult it can be for someone to accept the need for help at home. Our goal is always to foster an environment of independence in which each individual in our care continues to be as much in control of all of life’s decisions as possible.

You can contact us 24/7 at 727-940-3414 to learn more about our highly customized home care services and for more tips on how to talk about aging care with your parents. We proudly serve St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, and the surrounding areas.

A Sudden Decline in Dementia: Causes and Remedies

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What a sudden decline in dementia could mean (senior Alzheimer's man with adult daughter)

If you see a sudden decline in dementia in someone you love, take action right away.

Wouldn’t it be helpful if there was an Alzheimer’s care manual, with step-by-step details on what to expect at each and every stage of the disease? While there are a few general commonalities during the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is unique. This makes it difficult to know what to expect on any given day.

Even with the unpredictability of Alzheimer’s disease, there are particular situations that are beyond the typical array of expectations to watch for. For example, dementia typically progresses slowly and steadily, so a sudden decline in dementia is cause for concern. This might occur for a plethora of reasons:

  • An underlying illness such as cancer or prion disease
  • Disruption to normal routine from a move, change in caregivers, hospitalization, etc.
  • Sundowning
  • Stroke or a brain injury, such as from a fall
  • Delirium, caused by an infection, hospital stay or surgery, medication side effects, lack of sleep, dehydration, or even constipation

What Are the Typical Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, and as of now, incurable. Therefore, a decline in condition is to be expected. An abrupt shift in the person’s condition, however, is atypical. In general, the condition progresses through the following stages:

  • Early: The initial detectable signs of Alzheimer’s are usually very mild, including short-term memory lapses, forgetting a word, or getting lost.
  • Middle: In the middle stage of the disease, cognitive difficulties progress to the point that the person struggles with independently performing activities of daily living.
  • Late: The last stage of Alzheimer’s, which can take years to reach, involves a lack of response and recognition of both people and the environment, as the body begins to shut down.

If You Observe a Sudden Decline in Dementia…

Seek medical help right away if a rapid decline is noted so that the cause can be pinpointed and addressed.

A dementia care journal is often a very helpful tool, before, during, and after worsening symptoms. Daily journaling can help you keep track of:

  • Sleeping and eating habits
  • What works and what doesn’t work in helping the person manage challenges
  • Medications taken and any side effects detected
  • Any challenging behaviors noted, with particulars on time of day and possible triggers or contributing circumstances
  • The individual’s overall demeanor on any given day

These kinds of details will be invaluable in helping to piece together what might have caused an abrupt change in condition and how to remedy it.

Generations at Home’s caregivers are highly trained and skilled in caring for individuals with dementia and detecting any changes in condition. Contact us at 727-940-3414 and let us walk beside you on your dementia care journey with customized services in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and nearby areas.

Can a Caregiver Get PTSD?

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Can a caregiver get PTSD?

Can a caregiver get PTSD? The answer may surprise you!

If you think PTSD only happens to those who have experienced life-threatening danger, think again. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can arise after any traumatic event or experience. So, can a caregiver get PTSD? It may surprise you to learn that providing care for a loved one is, in fact, among the main factors behind PTSD. Nevertheless, the condition frequently goes undetected, and thus untreated. This is because the individual receiving care is usually the primary focus of both healthcare providers and the family at large.

As a family caregiver, it’s essential to be aware of the red flags of caregiver PTSD – which are distinctly different from other forms of PTSD – and to seek help if you are experiencing them. These include:

  • Anxiety: Heightened anxiety regarding your family member’s health and wellbeing may be especially noticeable at night, and can lead to night terrors.
  • Pain: Both physical and emotional pain can be overwhelming and unrelenting. This can include stomach upset and headaches as well as feelings of hopelessness and anguish.
  • Apathy: You may feel empty, numb, and emotionally detached from loved ones. This can occur in conjunction with compassion fatigue.
  • Flashbacks: Reliving a distressing experience can result in the same degree of emotion as when the event occurred.

Why Are Caregivers at an Increased Risk for PTSD?

There are several factors that can come into play to create the perfect storm for caregiver PTSD, including:

  • Hospitalizations and other emergency situations that arise
  • Grief over a range of losses: watching a loved one’s health diminish, experiencing a relationship shift from simply being a family member to being in a caregiver role, being unable to live life as it used to be, and much more
  • The overwhelming responsibilities involved with caregiving: from day-to-day care tasks to managing life-changing medical and financial decisions on a loved one’s behalf
  • Difficult family dynamics and complex emotions like remorse, guilt, hopelessness, and helplessness

What Should You Do if You Believe You May Have Caregiver PTSD?

The first step should be to talk with your primary care physician to explain the symptoms you’re encountering. You will want to rule out any other medical conditions, particularly if you are experiencing any physical pain.

It’s equally important to locate a therapist who is specially trained in treating individuals with PTSD. There are effective treatment options, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapy, as well as individual, family, or group counseling.

Taking regular breaks from your caregiving role is also extremely important. Let friends and family members know that you’re struggling and that you could use more support. Caregiving should never be a one-person responsibility. Permitting others to step in and help benefits the person you are caring for as well, providing them with additional opportunities for social connections.

How Does Home Care Help?

Generations at Home’s in-home respite care services allow you to take the time away you’ll need for self-care while knowing a loved one is receiving high quality care. Taking care of yourself is key to providing the best care for your family member. Contact us online or call us at 727-940-3414 for additional information.

Follow This Checklist After the Death of a Loved One

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After the death of a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to do next.

After losing a loved one, the last thing you want to do is complete a list of to-dos. The pain and loss alone are overwhelming enough. Taking the time to sort out your grief is very important. Yet there are, unfortunately, a number of tasks that need to be taken care of, at various intervals after the person’s passing.

To help ease this process, we have put together a straightforward checklist and timeline of items to address.

What Do I Need to Do After My Loved One Passes Away?

Just after death:

• Obtain the legal pronouncement of death by a medical professional. In a nursing home or hospital, this will automatically be taken care of. In the case of death at home, call 911 for transport to the hospital for the pronouncement.

• Notify friends and family. Use whatever method is most comfortable for you. You can contact one individual and ask them to spread the word, or it could be more cathartic for you to speak with each individual yourself. Use email or social media if that works for you. There’s no right or wrong way to accomplish this.

• Contact the funeral home of your choice (or, if final wishes were preplanned, your loved one’s choice) to advise them of the death.

Within a few days:

• Work with the funeral home, the individual’s religious organization, and, if applicable, the Veterans’ Administration, to finalize plans for the service.

• Determine who you would like to assist with funeral-related tasks, such as writing the obituary, helping with thank-you notes, serving as pallbearers, and making arrangements for a post-funeral gathering.

• Lock up any valuables in the home and remove any perishable food.

• Make long-term arrangements for any pets.

• Contact the post office for a forwarding order for the person’s mail.

In two weeks:

• Obtain ten copies of the individual’s death certificate (or, ask the funeral home to manage this for you).

• Close the person’s email account, and either close or memorialize their social media account(s).

• Take a copy of the will to your city or county probate court office to begin the process of ensuring the person’s wishes outlined within the will are followed and that all outstanding debts are resolved.

• Notify the Social Security Administration, bank and financial advisors, life insurance company, a credit bureau such as Equifax, and the DMV. Most of these organizations will need a copy of the death certificate.

• Speak with an attorney to discuss estate settlement.

• Contact a CPA to arrange for a final tax return to be filed.

• Locate the person’s will and determine who the executor is.

• Make a list of all assets and bills, and cancel accounts: electric, phone, internet, streaming services, etc.

Generations at Home is here to assist you through this difficult time, especially if the person leaves behind an elderly spouse. Our caregivers can step in to fill any gaps in care while you take care of the many final tasks and arrangements needed. Reach out to us any time at 727-940-3414 for assistance.

What to Do When a Senior With Dementia No Longer Recognizes You

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dementia-lady-not-recognizing-adult-son

Understanding what to do when a senior with dementia no longer recognizes you is important.

You’ve been taking care of Mom since her dementia diagnosis. You’ve been working through many of the challenging symptoms. However one day, she looks at you and calls you by a different name – that of her husband or younger brother or father. Do you correct her, reminding her that you are her son? Should you let it slide, pretending you didn’t notice the mistake? Or, should you just roll with it, accepting the new identity she has given you?

The loss of recognition is among the more distressing effects of dementia on family members. It is hard to look into a loved one’s eyes and receive a blank stare in return, or even to be called by a different name. It is important to set aside your own personal feelings temporarily, however, as you respond to the person. (We will get back to your feelings in a moment!)

Simple tips to Respond to Alzheimer’s Recognition Confusion

First, realize that your tone of voice and attitude are infectious. If you show alarm at the individual’s memory lapse, they will certainly feel dismayed as well, though they will not specifically understand why. Keep a calm, cheerful countenance during your interactions with someone with Alzheimer’s.

Next, reinforce that you know who the individual is. Use their name in your conversations, according to their sense of reality. If they believe you’re a brother or husband, for instance, call them by their first name instead of “Mom.” Try talking about past, familiar anecdotes. Long-term memory remains in place much longer than short-term memory. As a result, the older adult should be able to take part in discussions about their childhood and young adulthood, even when present-day memories have faded.

Finally, make certain you are prioritizing time to take care of yourself and work through the grief that is inherent in being a caregiver for someone with dementia. Though the person is still alive, the abilities and memories they have lost cause grief to those who love them. Talk to a therapist for assistance, and prioritize pastimes you enjoy.

Watching a loved one experience memory loss, including loss of recognition, is heartbreaking. It isn’t possible to “jog” memories lost to dementia by cajoling, prompting, or any other means. The individual is not able to retrieve these lost memories in the same manner someone who has lost their sight is no longer able to see.

The best strategy is always to focus on the strengths and abilities the individual does still have intact, and celebrate those each day. At Generations at Home, our caregivers are specially experienced and trained in creative and positive dementia care techniques. We are always available to provide you with additional resources and tips to assist you and someone you love. Contact us at 727-940-3414 to learn more about our in-home care dementia services and how we are available to assist you during your caregiving journey.

How You Can Support a Senior During a Short-Term Stay in Assisted Living

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caregiver-handing-flowers-to-senior-lady

Make a short-term stay in assisted living feel more like home with these tips.

After a surgical procedure or hospitalization, the physician may recommend rehab in a facility prior to when the person returns home. This is usually a short-term period of intensive therapy to promote healing and recovery. However, the idea of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home even for a few weeks or months can be exceedingly hard to accept.

What are the best ways to help a family member through this challenging life event? There are a number of steps you can take to help overcome feelings of anxiety, fear, and homesickness during a short-term facility stay.

• Personalize the room. The facility will provide the bare necessities: a bed, chair, and dresser. Make the space feel more like home by bringing in items such as a favorite pillow and quilt, family photos, and other small memorabilia. Pack their favorite lotion, shampoo, and other personal care items, along with comfortable clothes. Be cautious, however, about bringing any items of special significance or value. This applies to clothing as well, which might get lost or delivered to the wrong person in the laundering process.

• Visit often. You may feel as though the person is receiving all the care they need, and that infrequent or short visits are fine. However, your companionship and presence are invaluable during this period. Pack a sandwich and join the person for lunch. Play games and cards together. Bring a book for the individual to read when you’re gone, and read the same book yourself, so you can discuss it together. Or simply sit with them and invite them to share whatever is on their heart.

• Be a motivator. Your family member will have a regimen of exercises and activities to focus on with their physical, speech, and/or occupational therapist. If the older adult and staff agree, attend therapy sessions along with the person. Find out what is involved in their recovery process, and exactly how you can effectively provide encouragement. For example, they may be encouraged to walk whenever possible. Taking walks together during your visits can provide the motivation they need to reach their goals.

You can also ask the doctor if in-home recovery is an option. If so, Generations at Home is here to assist every step of the way! We can begin by helping to prepare the home for the person’s discharge from the hospital. This can include grocery shopping so there are sufficient amounts of healthy food options available, picking up prescriptions, and performing a safety check to reduce fall risks. Once back at home, we can provide medication reminders, prepare meals, take care of light housekeeping, help with transfers and walking, and much more. Through it all, we’re here with friendly companionship to brighten the process of recovery at home.

Contact us at 727-940-3414 to find out more about how we are able to help with in-home post-hospitalization care services!

Tips for Cancer Care: What NOT to Do During Chemotherapy

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beautiful-lady-with-cancerThe benefits of chemotherapy are indisputable and can save someone’s life. Yet in the process of destroying harmful cancer cells, noncancerous cells may also be in the crossfire, leading to challenging side effects. The physician will provide instructions on what cancer patients need to do to minimize these effects, but it is just as important to know what not to do while undergoing chemo treatment.

What Should You Avoid During Chemotherapy?

  • Strenuous work and exercise: This can include both mentally and physically taxing tasks, which could worsen stress, fatigue, mood swings and nausea.
  • Probiotics: Probiotics contain beneficial yeast and bacteria, but skip them during chemo because of the body’s weakened immune system.
  • Vitamins: A 2019 research study pointed to evidence of a reduction in chemo’s effectiveness and a significant decrease in the desired outcome by people who were taking certain vitamins (including B12, A, and C).
  • Infections: Because the immune system is compromised during chemotherapy, it’s important to stay away from people who are sick.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol can worsen the negative side effects of chemo, even in very small amounts.
  • UV light: Limit exposure to sunlight and stay away from tanning beds, which can have a more severe effect on the skin in an individual receiving chemotherapy.
  • Smoking: Smoking may cause hypoxia (a lack of oxygen) in cancer tumors and other parts of the body, which can impact the efficacy of chemo and worsen side effects.

There are also a number of types of foods to steer clear of during chemo treatment, including:

  • Foods from bulk bins
  • Raw honey
  • Raw or soft-cooked eggs
  • Hard, sharp foods such as potato chips, cookies, crackers, and granola
  • Blue and other moldy cheeses
  • Raw fish and shellfish
  • Seville oranges and their juice
  • Spicy and acidic foods and condiments
  • Fresh salsa and salad dressing
  • Raw nuts
  • Grapefruits and grapefruit juice

Chemo To-Dos

While steering clear of the items above, the following action items can be beneficial during chemotherapy:

  • Reduce the risk of infection by washing hands frequently, avoiding large crowds, and getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations (if approved by the physician)
  • Protect the skin from dryness and sensitivity through the use of gentle soap and moisturizing the skin often, wearing sunscreen, and selecting loose-fitting clothes and a hat when outdoors
  • Lessen fatigue by arranging for transportation to and from chemo appointments and designating both the day of as well as the day after chemo as days of rest
  • Mitigate appetite problems by eating smaller, more frequent meals (including plenty of protein), drinking at least 8 – 12 cups of water each day, and staying as physically active as you can to help increase appetite

Bear in mind that support is very important during cancer treatment. Build a solid network of friends and family and include a professional caregiver to ensure all needs – physical, emotional, and spiritual – will be met throughout this challenging time.

Cancer care can be complex. Let Generations at Home’s fully trained and experienced care professionals help. Contact us at 727-940-3414 for a complimentary in-home consultation today.

Creating Purpose: The Significance of Meaningful Activities for Seniors

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happy-grandchildren-with-grandmotherWhat is it that gets you out of bed each morning? If you’re a member of the sandwich generation, providing care for both older and younger loved ones, your list is probably quite long! As the nest empties, however, it becomes vital to redefine our identity and learn new ways to bring meaning to each day.

The effects of continuing to live purposefully for a lifetime are even more far-reaching than we once believed. A recently available research study released in JAMA Psychiatry uncovered that seniors with a strong sense of purpose displayed more robust walking speeds and hand grips, which are two key determinants in how quickly we are aging.

The reason? Patrick Hill, assistant professor of psychological and brain studies at Washington University, explains, “Purposeful individuals tend to be less reactive to stressors and more engaged, generally, in their daily lives, which can promote cognitive and physical health.”

How Can You Help Cultivate Purpose for the Seniors You Love?

A feeling of purpose, of course, looks different for each person. A good place to begin is by making a list of what a senior loved one likes and what skills they have. Then think through ways these can be connected into a meaningful outlet. For example, perhaps a retired carpenter who loves animals could volunteer at the local pet rescue shelter, repairing or building a storage shed. An individual who enjoys reading and kids could volunteer at a local elementary school.

Even setting and achieving minor goals is incredibly helpful, or participating in simple acts of kindness: starting and maintaining an herb garden, baking cookies for the neighbors, taking a class, or taking care of the grandkids.

How Can Home Care Help?

One key way in-home care can help is by providing the motivation together with the means to cultivate and implement ideas for a more purposeful life. Our caregivers serve as companions for the individuals we serve. We get acquainted with each individual personally, learning about their likes, dislikes, and interests, supplying the springboard to brainstorming ideas for meaningful activities together.

We also offer transportation and accompaniment anywhere a senior would like to go, which makes it very easy to follow through and turn an idea into a reality.

Not just that, but it’s always more fun to attempt something new with a buddy by your side to cheer you on every step of the way. A caregiver from Generations at Home is the perfect support for seniors to offer the encouragement needed, along with a comprehensive variety of care services to help conquer any barriers to trying something new.

For further ideas and hands-on help with implementing them, reach out to Generations at Home at 727-940-3414. We’re always available to help!

How to Help Elderly Parents Be More Social During the Holidays

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senior-man-sitting-at-dinner-tableHold onto your hats…the holidays are here! Though there are many people who flourish on the frenzied pace of parties and celebrations, there are an equal number of us who cringe at the idea of stepping outside of our comfort zone and into more intensive social requirements. It might simply come down to one main difference: extroversion vs. introversion. And it is important to know which category the seniors in your life lean towards more, so you can ensure the right type of socialization to help them feel most comfortable.

What Is the Difference Between Extroverts and Introverts?

The reality is none of us are entirely one versus the other. Imagine a continuum with introversion on one side and extroversion on the other. We all fall at one point along that continuum. The key characteristics of introversion include a more reserved, quiet, and internally-focused perspective, whereas extroversion involves a more outward focus: sociable, talkative, and action-oriented.

Psychologists believe we grow more introverted as we grow older, in a phenomenon referred to as “intrinsic maturation.” So just because a senior you love once really enjoyed and drew energy from highly social settings, you may notice they shift towards feeling more self-contained and satisfied with small, intimate social scenes or even just spending more time alone.

Knowing that socialization is essential to a senior’s health, how can you help a more introverted senior enjoy time together with family and friends, not only during the holiday season, but all year long? These strategies can help.

  • Stay near the perimeter. Instead of encouraging the older adult to be front and center in a social environment, find a quieter spot at the edge of the group, where they can visit with one or two people at a time.
  • Designate a buddy. Having one close and trusted family member, friend or caregiver to remain near the senior adds an amount of comfort and familiarity to what may seem like an overpowering setting.
  • Decide on a specified exit time. Talk with the senior about how much time might feel comfortable for visiting. If they prefer to stay for just an hour, for example, be sure to respect that decision and be prepared to leave when they are.

How Can a Caregiver Help?

A caregiver from Generations at Home offers the ideal opportunity for the one-on-one socialization that more introverted people need. Some of the numerous ways we can help include:

  • Attending holiday gatherings with the senior to ensure all of their needs are met in the most comfortable setting
  • Providing companionship at home for discussions and activities that are fun for the senior
  • Offering transportation and accompaniment to a small-group class or to learn a new hobby they’ve always wanted to try
  • And much more

Call our care team at 727-940-3414 to find more tips to help someone you love enjoy the greatest possible quality of life, and to find out how partnering with a professional caregiver can help.

Health Conditions That Cause Mood Changes in Elderly Individuals

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concerned-senior-couple

Negative mood changes are a common response to several common, treatable health conditions impacting seniors, or could be a response to exasperation, pain, or confusion.

We all have good days and bad days, and we are all entitled to a bit of negative thinking or crankiness occasionally. If you are taking care of a loved one who appears to have fallen into a routine of ongoing complaining and negativity, however, it is worth exploring whether a health problem may be the culprit.

The following are several common reasons for ongoing negativity, and how you can help resolve mood changes in the elderly.

  • Urinary tract infections. A UTI’s classic symptoms of pain, burning, and urgency to urinate may include additional effects for older adults, including angry outbursts, confusion, and irritability, along with other modifications to behavior or mood. Speak with a physician to rule out a urinary tract infection if you notice these types of uncharacteristic behaviors.
  • Pain. A recent research study revealed that participants who have been experiencing chronic pain reported an increase in negative moods, including fatigue, anger, tension, depression, anxiety, and much more. Furthermore, it’s worth discussing any of these mood changes with the doctor, as these types of mood shifts can actually impact the effectiveness of pain management treatments.
  • Medication side effects. A wide range of medications – including those intended to help with mood, such as antidepressants – may cause troublesome mood swings. Medications for hypertension, inflammation, and seizures can cause personality and behavioral alterations in some individuals. Again, consult with a doctor and review all of the prescribed and over-the-counter medications to determine if the problem is due to one medication, or possibly the interaction of multiple meds together.
  • Dementia. Mood and personality changes are common among those with dementia. It’s important to understand that these changes are a symptom of the physiological changes in the brain, and are not a reflection of the person’s own choices and decisions. There are both medicinal and natural treatment options that can help the person feel calmer and less agitated that you may wish to explore.

Negativity can arise from loneliness or boredom, too. Whatever the cause, persistent negativity can wear on a caregiver’s own sense of peace and wellbeing. It is important to enable yourself to step away from your caregiving role on a regular basis, and to make this time away a top priority. The older adult in your care will also benefit from the opportunity to spend time with different friends, family members, or a professional caregiver. These breaks are a healthy component of your caregiver/care receiver relationship – for both of you.

The professional caregivers at Generations at Home are excellent companions to help brighten the mood of the families we serve. All of our care staff are fully trained, background checked, and accomplished in a wide range of home care services for seniors. Contact us at 727-940-3414 to learn how we can help someone you love with elderly care in St. Pete Beach and the surrounding areas, while allowing you the time needed to rest and rejuvenate.