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.

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.

Newest Alzheimer’s Research Now Says Disease May be an Autoimmune Disorder

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caregiver-comforting-senior-ladyDiscovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease has become as tangled as the tau threads that have long been considered to be the root cause of the disease. Yet now, research workers may be drawing one step nearer to untangling the mystery of Alzheimer’s disease by using another train of thought. The latest studies are leaning towards the potential of an inflammatory response in the brain, which raises the question: could Alzheimer’s disease really be an autoimmune disease?

Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers know all too well the repercussions of a hyperactive immune system. In a perfect world, our immunity shields us from viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that need to be eliminated. With an autoimmune disease, however, antibodies attack non-invasive, healthy cells, generating inflammation and other unpleasant effects.

In earlier Alzheimer’s disease research, those infamous amyloid plaques have been the focus. Yet we also know that even in healthy brains, these plaques are present and are thought to carry out some form of helpful purpose. The immune system concentrates on these plaques, destroying them as well as potentially healthy cells in the process: suggestive of a potential autoimmune response.

This unconventional new strategy to researching and formulating treatment options for Alzheimer’s has earned lead author of the study, Don Weaver, MD, PhD, of the Krembil Brain Institute, the 2022 Oskar Fischer Prize, which “recognizes innovative ideas in Alzheimer’s research that look beyond prevailing theories.”

For the rest of us, it provides hope that a cure for the disease that impacts a multitude of people could be around the corner. Until then, turn to Generations at Home for compassionate, creative, and skilled Alzheimer’s care services that help those with Alzheimer’s disease continue to live to their fullest potential in the homes they love. Our caregivers are adept in helping those with dementia and the families who love them to better deal with some of the more disturbing aspects of the disease, such as:

  • Wandering and asking to go “home”
  • Agitation, aggression, and other difficult and strong emotions
  • Increased discomfort in the late afternoon and evening hours (sundowning)
  • Repetitive conversations and behaviors
  • Memory loss
  • And much more

We will work together with your family to provide as much or as little care as needed to provide you with the breaks from caregiving you need for your own health and wellness. After all, caring for a loved one with dementia is never a one-person undertaking, particularly as the disease progresses. Taking time away to care for yourself and to recharge is extremely important for you and your family as well as for the individual with dementia. A well-rested care provider is more patient and better prepared to supply the level of care a senior with dementia needs and deserves.

Call us at 727-940-3414 for additional helpful dementia care resources, and to arrange a free in-home consultation to learn more about how our dementia care experts can help improve quality of life for a person you love.

Your Guide to Starting Family Caregiving: How to Best Care for Someone with a New Diagnosis

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family-caregiver-talking-with-senior-womanIt may have been suspected, or maybe broadsided you out of the blue. Mom has just received the official diagnosis for a progressive disease that is going to make independent life difficult. While there are a number of unknowns, one thing is for sure: she’s adamant about remaining at home – meaning you will have some decisions to make on how to provide for the care she’ll need and what starting family caregiving looks like.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with what to expect next, these tips can certainly help.

  • Learn as much as you’re able in regards to the disease. The older adult’s physician can provide you with resources and educational materials to help you know what to anticipate and also to increase confidence in your family caregiving role.
  • Prioritize organization. Create a folder to keep important paperwork: prescription details, test results, contact information for doctors’ offices together with the pharmacy, and any other pertinent medical information. Start a journal to help monitor any changes in condition or concerns that arise, as well as the details surrounding those changes.
  • Put aside past hurts. A new diagnosis could cause old family dynamics to resurface. If unsettled issues are interfering with your ability to provide the best care, turn to the support of a professional therapist to work through them.
  • Establish boundaries together. Talk to the senior about how much and what sort of assistance would be beneficial. It is normal to want to step in and take control, nevertheless, it’s vital for the senior to maintain as much independence and control as possible.
  • Take proper care of yourself, too. Your personal health and wellness are incredibly important. And, the level of care you provide can be compromised if for example, your own needs are not being met. Prioritize and designate time each day for self-care by seeking out and accepting help from others.

It is vital to know about the risk for depression and caregiver burnout, and to take the appropriate steps immediately if you begin to experience red flags including:

  • Increased anxiety, agitation, and irritability
  • Retreating from social interactions
  • Lack of interest in once-enjoyed pastimes
  • Resentment
  • Lack of appetite
  • Issues with falling or staying asleep
  • Challenges with focus and concentration
  • Fatigue

Locating a dependable care partner provides time to see the doctor for a checkup to rule out any other potential health issues, to talk with a therapist to effectively work through the numerous emotions involved in caregiving, and to relax and recharge.

The caregiving team at Generations at Home is here with additional resources for family caregivers, in addition to skilled, dependable respite care services that enable for a healthier life balance. Contact us for a free in-home consultation to find out more about home care in Tarpon Springs and the surrounding areas.