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  ALWAYS THERE IN HOME CARE - 205-248-9822

News & Info

The elderly need a lot of help around the house

2/3/2020

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he elderly need a lot of help around the house, but it is not often that each and every member of the family will be around to help. A typical household will not have a hired nurse, and so it becomes the duty of the homeowner to assist their aged parents or grandparents.

Assistance may range from simple walking, to getting a hard to reach item. The wisdom comes in the form of self-assistance; that is, in the ability for the elderly to help themselves. This can easily be made possible with proper planning and slight adjustment to your daily routine.

Eliminate obstacles around the house. What may seem like a trifle to an agile twenty-year-old may be a gauntlet for a seventy-year-old. These daily obstacles pose threats ranging from mild to critical. For example, glassware and tile pose a very serious threat, while polycarbonate and carpet virtually eliminates any concern. Problems like that can be remedied by practical thinking: eliminate the obstacle, not the object. Outfitting the house to meet the needs of the elderly, while at the same time preserving the homeowner's comfort of living, can be a much simpler task than perceived.

Solutions can be entirely within the realm of practicality, while others involve expenses. The most obvious and time-honored solution is to leave all of their personal affects downstairs, assuming they live inside a house with more than a single story. Doing so will sidestep the most frightening scenario: falling down the stairs. If at all possible, ensure that plenty of necessities remain accessible on the first level, especially a bathroom. As a tip, lay out a non-slip surface inside the tub and showers, as well as bath mats on the outside. Inexpensive and easy to install, they deter the most hazardous of daily household injuries.

By way of expenses, outfit the television with a wireless headset. This way, the volume can be turned up to suit their needs without disrupting the rest of the household. Another measure would be to enable subtitles and captions for movies and television. Other gadgets to consider are audio reminders, which will remind a person of certain tasks via pre-recorded messages. In short, gadgets of all kinds can aid in everyday life just as well as practical decisions. In times of boredom, say, handheld portable gaming systems integrate very well into the lives of the elderly. For example, crossword puzzles and other games that aid in critical thinking and coordination are easily accessible on Nintendo's own DS Lite.

Sometimes the elderly may be at home for hours at a time, alone. The best option would be to organize a lifestyle alongside your aged parents or grandparents, a lifestyle that suits them. This makes it easier for everyone involved, as self-assistance is the most ideal way to retain their freedom and their dignity. Consider using Aways There, In-Home Care to help you make sure your loved one is always safe and sound, even when you can't be there. We provide Home care in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas. Call us today for a free consultation about how we can work together.

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Caring For A Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease

12/16/2019

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The majority of the 4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease live at home, where family and friends provide most of their care. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that not only affects memory, but gradually destroys a person's ability to learn and carry out daily activities, can be emotionally and physically challenging. As memory loss and other symptoms worsen, the amount of time and energy caregivers and families spend taking care of their loved one increases.

The Memories to Treasure program provides people who care for a loved one with Alzheimer's tips on caregiving and information about the disease, while helping them connect with their loved one through the art of scrapbooking. 

"Alzheimer's caregivers have unique needs; Memories to Treasure offers resources to help facilitate interaction with loved ones," says Gail Hunt, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving. "Engaging in meaningful activities, such as scrapbooking, allows time spent together to be more positive and can benefit everyone involved."

While people with mild Alzheimer's disease often experience problems with short-term memory, they may recall memories from the distant past. Looking at old photographs and keepsakes may lead to conversations about people and past events, and can be enjoyable for everyone involved.

"Activities, such as scrapbooking, can be beneficial for families facing Alzheimer's disease," says Benjamin Seltzer, M.D., director of the Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans. "Engaging in meaningful activities with a loved one is only one facet of caregiving; however, it is also important to know that there are treatments available that can help slow symptoms of the disease."

Memories to Treasure can be accessed online at www.memories totreasure.com. The Web site offers tips on caregiving, information about Alzheimer's disease and a Memory Checklist to help guide discussion with a physician. Caregivers will also find instructions to create a scrapbook with a loved one facing Alzheimer's disease.

When caring for someone with Alzheimer's, keep these tips in mind to help provide the best care possible:

• Your loved one may become frustrated while bathing, dressing or eating. Try to be calm and reassuring during such moments.

• Keep your loved one involved. Plan an activity, such as scrapbooking, for a time of day when your loved one seems to be at his or her best.

• Take time for yourself and build a strong support network. Let your family and friends know what you need and when you need it.

• Seek information so that you can make choices about care and treatment for your loved one.

Memories to Treasure is brought to the Alzheimer's community by Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc, in partnership with the National Alliance for Caregiving and Creating Keepsakes scrapbook magazine. Dr. Seltzer's participation in Memories to Treasure has been sponsored by Eisai and Pfizer.

Here at Always There, In-Home Care we are familiar with Alzheimer's and understand what you are going through. Let us help. 


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We Provide Care for the Caregivers!

12/16/2019

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​​If you're caring for an aging parent or facing the challenges of assisting a loved one or friend who is chronically ill, disabled or elderly, you are not alone. You are one of the 22 million Americans who care for an older adult. Caregivers provide 80 percent of in-home care, but unlike nurses and home health aids, they are unpaid for their labor of love. 
Always There, In Home Care in Tuscaloosa understands what you are going through. 

"Caregiving is a difficult job that can take a toll on relationships, jobs and emotional well-being," says Dr. Elizabeth Clark, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers. "Those who care for others need to be sure to take care of themselves, as well."

Here are some important tips for caregivers:

• Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help

We tend to wait until we are in crisis before asking for help and consultation. Seek out the help of a licensed clinical social worker or other trained professional.

• It's Not Easy to Tell Your Parents What to Do 

The most difficult thing about caring for a parent is the day you have to tell them they need to have help, they can no longer drive or they may have to move from their home. Discuss long-term care wishes and desires before any decline happens. 

• Take Care of Your Mental Health

It is not unusual to feel frustrated with your parents or children when they refuse your input and help. Seek a referral to a professional who can help you cope with your personal issues and frustrations. 

• Stay Informed

We live in a world of constant change. Medications and treatments are constantly changing and the only way to keep up-to-date is to stay informed with the latest news. Attend local caregiver conferences, participate in support groups, speak with friends and relatives, and talk with professionals in the field of gerontology and geriatrics. 

• Take Time Out

Caregivers who experience feelings of burnout need to accept that occasionally they may need a break from their loved one in order to provide him or her with the best care.

• Laugh

Humor and laughter are tremendous healers.

• Hire Help

The most important thing is to find trustworthy people to provide assistance. Always There, In-Home Care is the help you need and we hire only trustworthy employees that we would use with our own parents. Call us today and let's talk about how we can take some of the burden off of you and your family. Our aim is make your life easier. Let's Talk. Always There, In Home Care in Tuscaloosa is there for you.

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    Providing Home Care for Tuscaloosa Families.

    We take our job seriously and  would like to help you with your labor of love. We know how hard it can be to take care of elderly parents or other family members.

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"Since my beloved wife died a couple of years ago after only 65 years of a very happy marriage, I certainly needed someone to take care of me if I expected to continue living in my own home.  Thank you,  Always There in Home Care for providing  a great way for me to do so.  On a 24/7 schedule your caregivers have made me feel very comfortable and safe  living alone in my own home. I am well fed, the house is very well kept, and they have been useful and good company. In particilar I think of my  three "regulars" (morning, afternoon & evening, and over-night) as sort of extended family.  I simply could not do it without them."
​-  Mr. George xxxxxx

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    • Skilled Home Care
    • Companion Care
    • Transportation Services
    • Short-Term Vacation Services
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    • Alzheimer's & Dementia Care
    • In-Hospital Companionship
    • Safety First
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