Home care is not always the best solution for every situation but for millions of American families home care makes the most sense for them. Read here the top reasons we promote in home care for our seniors.

Home care promotes recovery. No matter the duration, hospital stays can be traumatizing. The sheer experience of rapid-fire medical procedures can leave an older adult in a compromised state. If your loved one has recently been discharged from the hospital, home care permits a person to rehabilitate in the comfort of his or her own home.

Home care saves money. While a nursing home sounds like the traditional solution, institutional care comes with a hefty price tag. According to recent data provided by John Hancock Financial, the average annual cost of care in the U.S. for a private room in a nursing home is $85,775 and $75,555 for a semi-private room, whereas home health care average $37,440 annually.

Home care honors your loved one’s dignity and independence. Did you know: Seniors fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than they fear death itself? According to the study, nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their homes.

Home care is flexible and personalized. No one person, lifestyle, or situation is the same. Home care recognizes how essential specialized care is to maintaining health and offers individualized services based on individual needs and preferences. Activities are not pre-scheduled and caregivers can adapt to the wants and needs of their clients.

Home care is safe. Meaning you are faced with the germs and infections of a larger facility. And the one-on-one attention of home care means your loved one receives swift, immediate care – no red tape, no forms, and no bureaucracy. A qualified home care professional can also help make the home environment safer, providing easy fixes such as grab bars and anti-slips rugs.

Read more about our specialized in-home services here.

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By: Marlo Sollitto

“Mom won’t eat.  She’s down to 85 pounds.”

“Dad refuses to cook.  He’s withering away to skin and bones.”

Getting seniors to eat a balanced diet can be challenging.  In fact, getting seniors to eat anything at all is a problem many caregivers face.

There are many reasons why elderly people don’t eat properly, including a reduction in sense of smell and taste that worsens with age, side effects from medication that affect the senses, problems with chewing or a lack of motivation to cook when dining alone.

One way to help ensure your loved one is eating is to make sure there are plenty of ready-to-eat meals and snacks on hand at all times.  Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, recommends stocking up on these quick and healthy foods:

Sodium-free cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium.  And because it’s a soft consistency, it is easily chewed and swallowed.

Canned fruit.  Canned fruits can be every bit as good for you as fresh ones.  Avoid fruits in heavy syrup because they are higher in sugar and calories.  Healthier choices include fruit canned in its own juice or in sugar-free syrup.

Unsalted nuts.  Nuts promote heart health because they lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood.  Walnuts, almonds, pecans and macadamia nuts are all good choices.

Yogurt.  It provides nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, and it also has probiotics, the “good” bacteria of the digestive tract which provide a broad range of health benefits.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a super-healthy whole grain.  It is high in fiber, inexpensive, and can be made into a meal.

Peanut butter.  Peanut butter has more than 30 vitamins and minerals, and it has no cholesterol or trans fat.

Canned soup.  It’s a meal in minutes, but look for the low-sodium variety.

Frozen vegetables.  Frozen vegetables yield high nutrient concentrations, a longer self-life than fresh vegetables, require little preparation and are available year-round.

Community Home Care provides complete in-home care for seniors designed to meet  individual needs. For more information contact us at communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or call us at 781-569-4970.  Visit our website at www.communityhomecarema.com.

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By: Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born

Eating well is important at any age, but even more necessary for seniors because nutritional needs change as we age.  Adequate nutrition is necessary for health, vitality and quality of life.  Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons many seniors are not eating as well as they should, which can lead to poor nutrition or malnutrition, easily being mistaken as a disease or illness.

How Do Our Bodies Change As We Age?

There are many reasons our bodies change as we get older, including physiological, perceptual and general age related conditions – such as gastrointestinal or dental conditions.  These changes all influence the performance of our body as a whole, which in turn, influences our eating, nutritional intake and overall health.

Physiological Changes –

One reason nutritional needs change is due to physiological changes that occur later in life.  Energy expenditure general decreases with advancing age because of a decrease I basal metabolic rate and physical activity, thus decreasing our caloric needs.  Our bodies also begin to experience a decrease in kidney function, re-distribution of composition and changes in our nervous system.

Perceptual Changes –

Perceptual changes later in life can also influence our nutrition, such as changes in hearing, taste, smell and vision.  One of the most common complaints is in regards to the diminished taste in food.  As taste buds decrease, so does our taste for salty and sweet – often times making food taste more bitter or sour.  Diminished or loss of hearing also affects our nutrition and food experience.  The difficulty and frustration from the inability to hold a conversation with our eating partner out at a restaurant or at a social function can limit one’s food experience.  And the loss of smell can also have a huge impact on the types of food one chooses to eat as there is a loss of satisfaction that can lead to poor food choices.

Other Aging-Related Changes –

Other changes in body function may impact nutritional intake, such as dentition, or the makeup of a set of teeth (including how many, their arrangement and their condition).  The loss of teeth and/or ill-fitting dentures can lead to avoidance of hard and sticky foods.  Gastrointestinal changes such as chronic gastritis, delayed stomach emptying, constipation and gas may lead to avoiding healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables – the food categories that should be more emphasized rather than eliminated.  These factors alone my contribute to why 3.7 million seniors are malnourished and shed light o the importance of educating caregivers and aging seniors as to specific dietary need options, as well as, catered senior diets and nutritional needs.

Senior Citizens, Malnutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies

Malnutrition is seen in varying degrees in the elderly, along with varying vitamin deficiencies.  Malnutrition is due to under nutrition, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.  Most physicians do not see frank malnutrition anymore, such as scurvy: but more milder malnutrition symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss/gain, general malaise or lack of overall interest and wellness.  Common nutrient deficiencies of dietary origin include inadequate intake of vitamin A, B, C, D, E, folic acid and niacin.  Malnutrition may also be the result of some socioeconomic risk factors such as the following:

Loss of a spouse or family member

Lack of interest in cooking or eating alone

Fear of personal safety (which affects their ability to go grocery shopping)

Financial concerns

Institutionalization or hospitalizations (that do not ensure adequate nutrition)

Clearly nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in older persons.  This is why preventative medicine and focusing on good eating habits is crucial.  It is recommended to follow a preventative health maintenance nutritional program, such as the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans”, 2010 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which describes two eating plans.

The USDA food patterns

The DASH Eating Plan

The USDA food patters suggests that people 50 and older choose healthy foods every day from the following:

Fruits – 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cups

Vegetables – 2 to 3 ½ cups

Grains – 5 to 10 ounces

Protein foods – 5 to 7 ounces

Dairy foods – 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk

Oils – 5 to 8 teaspoons

Solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) – keep the amount of SoFAS small

The Importance of Preventative Health

Ensuring adequate nutrition and proper intake of vitamins and minerals will help keep our aging population feeling more vital and ultimately more healthy, thus using prevention rather than intervention.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE, providing the best care on the South Shore

Contact us at communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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By Diana Rodriguez

Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a slew of medical conditions or poor quality of life.  Getting

older involves change, both negative and positive, but you can enjoy aging if you understand what’s going on with your body and take steps to maintain your health.  Many different things happen to your body as you age.  Your skin, bones, and even brain may start to behave differently.  Don’t let the changes that come with old age catch you by surprise.

Here are some of the common ones:

YOUR BONES.  Bones can become thinner and more brittle in old age, especially in women, sometimes resulting in the fragile bone condition called osteoporosis.  Thinning bones and decreasing bone mass can put you at risk for falls that can easily result in broken bones.  Be sure to talk with your physician about what you can do to prevent osteoporosis and falls.

YOUR HEART.  While a healthy diet and regular exercise can keep your heart healthy, it may become slightly enlarged, your heart rate may lower, and the walls of the heart may thicken.

YOUR BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.  Getting older can cause changes in your reflexes and even your senses.  While dementia is not a normal consequence of old age, it is common for people to experience some slight forgetfulness as they get older.  Cells in the brain and nerves can be damaged by the formation of plaques and tangles, abnormalities that could eventually lead to dementia.

YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.  As you age, your digestive tract becomes more firm and rigid, and doesn’t contract as often.  This change can lead to problems such as constipation, stomach pain, and feelings of nausea; a better diet can help.

YOUR SENSES.  You may notice that your vision and hearing aren’t quite as sharp as they once were.  You may start to lose your sense of taste – flavors may not seem as distinct to you.  Your senses of smell and touch may also weaken.  Your body is taking longer to react and needs more to stimulat e  it.

YOUR TEETH.  The tough enamel that protects your teeth from decay can start to wear away over the years, leaving you susceptible to cavities.  Gum disease is also a concern for older adults.  Good dental hygiene can protect our teeth and gums.  Dry mouth, which is a common side effect of many medications that seniors take, may also be a problem.

YOUR SKIN.  With old age, your skin loses its elasticity and may start to sag and wrinkle.  However, the more you protected your skin from sun damage and smoking when you were younger, the better your skin will look as you get older.  Start protecting your skin now to prevent further damage, as well as skin cancer.

YOUR SEX LIFE.  After menopause, when menstruation stops, many women experience physical changes like a loss of vaginal lubrication.  Men may experience erectile dysfunction.  Fortunately, both problems can be easily treated.

Many bodily changes are a natural part of aging, but they don’t have to slow you down.  What’s more, there’s a lot you can do to protect your body and keep it as healthy as possible.

Here are some healthy aging tips that are good advice at any stage of life:

Stay physically active with regular exercise.

Stay socially active with friends and family and within your community.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet – dump the junk food in favor of fiber-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating.

Don’t neglect yourself: Regular check-ups with your doctor, dentist, and optometrist are even more important now.

Take all medications as directed by your doctor.

Limit alcohol consumption and cut out smoking

Get the sleep that your body needs.

Finally, taking care of your physical self is vital, but it’s important that you tend to your emotional health as well.  Reap the rewards of your long life, and enjoy each and every day.  Now is the time to savor good health and Happiness.

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By Chris Iliades, MD

Geriatricians are specialists in senior health, trained in caring for an aging body.  Their knowledge can help keep you happy and healthy throughout your golden years.

As the baby boomer generation enters its senior years, one in five Americans will be over 65.  In fact, seniors over age 85 are the fastest-growing segment of the population.  If you or any of your loved ones are over 65, being treated by a geriatrician can make all the difference.  Geriatricians are primary care doctors who have had additional training in the health care needs of older people.

Seniors have many special medical needs, from addressing the natural aging that goes on within the body to managing multiple medical problems and ensuring social support.  Geriatricians have a deeper understanding of how these issues might affect a senior’s ability to function day to day and how the conditions should be treated.

How a Geriatrician Can Benefit Your Life

Geriatricians are trained to recognize how illness in an elderly person is different from illness in a younger person.  They know the importance of maintaining independent living and social support as well as of using a holistic approach that emphasizes healthy aging and preventive care.

Here’s a look at how a geriatrician approaches some of the more serious senior health issues:

FRAILTY.  Frailty is an inevitable part of aging, but it may affect an elderly person’s ability to function independently at different times and in different ways, such as making them more susceptible to falls and needing more supervision and assistance.  A geriatrician can help anticipate problems and put a care plan in place.

MULTIPLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Many seniors manage multiple medical conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and neurological conditions.  A geriatrician has special training in how these conditions interact in seniors.

MENTAL DECLINE. Some loss of cognitive ability is an inevitable part of aging, but certain symptoms may indicate common conditions such as depression or ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.  Geriatricians are trained to know the difference between the signs of normal aging and those of more serious illness.  They can also provide the appropriate treatment for the condition.

CAREGIVING ADVICE. Being a caregiver for someone with senior health issues can be confusing, stressful, and exhausting.  Seniors may need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, or eating.  A geriatrician can help with finding the right outside assistance and support from professions such as a care manager of a home aide.

Your Healthy-Aging Geriatric Team

Because seniors have complicated health issues, one of the most important services a geriatric specialist provides is to coordinate care.  Multiple problems often require a team approach.  A geriatric specialist’s team may include:

A geriatric nurse

A social worker

Physical and occupational therapists

A registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator

A pharmacist

A geriatric psychiatrist

Finding A Geriatrician

According to the American Geriatric Society, there are only about 9,000 certified geriatricians in the United States.  As a result, locating a geriatrician who is taking on new patients can sometimes be difficult, as there is such a growing need. 

If you think seeing a geriatrician would benefit you or a loved one, ask your current primary care doctor to help with a referral.

Community Home Care is a family owned and operated health care agency.  Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment to help determine the best care for you or your loved one.  We offer a wide range of services customized to meet each  individual’s specific needs.

communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com  or 781-569-4970

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By Mario Sollitto

Myths about the flu are everywhere.  Here are some common myths, as well as facts about the flu:

Flu Myth #1:  Getting a flu vaccine can give you the flu.

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, there is no way that the flu vaccine can give you the flu because injected flu vaccines only contain dead virus, and a dead virus can’t infect you. People mistake the side effects of the vaccine for flu.  While side effects to the vaccine these days tend to be a sore arm, in the past, side effects often felt like mild symptoms of the flu.  Also, flu season coincides  with a time of year when bugs causing colds and other respiratory illnesses are in the air.  It is possible to get the vaccine and then, within a few days, get sick with an unrelated cold virus.

Flu Myth #2:  There is no treatment for the flu:

Two antiviral drugs are highly effective against the flu: Tamiflu, in pill form, and Relenza, which is inhaled.  Neither one cures the flu.  But they can reduce the amount of time you’re sick by one or two days and make you less contagious to others.  It is best to take the drugs within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms.

Flu Myth #3:  Antibiotics can fight the flu:

Antibiotics only fight bacterial infections.  Flu is a virus, not bacteria.  So antibiotics have no effect on any kind of flu.

Flu Myth #4:  If you get the flu, you can’t get it again during that flu season.

You can get the flu more than once a year.  Flu infection can happen from more than one strain of virus.  There’s usually Type A and Type B influenza in circulation and both can cause the flu.  It’s possible that you could get infected with one type and then the other.

Flu Myth #5:  If you  are young and healthy, you don’t need to worry about getting the vaccine.

The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old get the flu vaccine.  Healthy adults are susceptible to the flu as anyone else.  If you have an elderly parent at home, your failure to get yourself vaccinated could endanger them.

Flu Myth #6:  Cold weather causes the flu.

Going outside in the winter hatless does not increase your risk of flu.  Some people think there is a connection because flu season coincides with colder months, but there isn’t.  Flu season is the same throughout the whole country: even in warm climates like Florida.  Flu season has to do with the natural cycle of the virus.

Flu Myth #7:  If you haven’t gotten a flu shot by November, there’s no point in getting vaccinated.

The flu often doesn’t hit its peak until February or sometimes as late as March.  So no matter the month, if you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, go get it.  You could spare yourself and your family a lot of misery.

How to prevent spreading the flu

The flu is contagious.  That means it spreads from person to person, often through the air.  You can pass on the infection before you feel sick.  You are contagious for several days after you get sick.  You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes, or if you touch something the virus is on, like a phone or doorknob.

To maintain your own health, the person who you care for and other family members, here are some tips:

Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person, or handle used tissues or laundry.

Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash.  Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

Talk with your health care provider about taking antiviral medication to prevent you from getting the flu.

Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, doorknobs, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.

Do not share eating utensils, dishes or cups with a sick person.  These items do not need to be cleaned separately, buy they should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Wash linens by using a household  laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting.  Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself.

Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

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By Diana Rodriques

Getting enough sleep is important for everyone, but it’s especially vital for seniors. Follow these steps to a better night’s rest.

Many seniors deal with a number of health problems related to aging – one in particular is not getting enough healthy sleep. It’s not the advancing of age per se that keeps seniors from a good night’s rest, but various sleep disorders or sleep disturbances that often come with age. As we get older, our sleep patterns change and, for starters, seniors do not spend as much time in deep sleep as younger people do. Common symptoms of sleep disorders are:

• Having trouble falling asleep
• Waking up very early in the morning
• Inability to tell night from day
• Frequent waking at night

WHAT’S KEEPING YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?

Many seniors have problems sleeping because of health conditions – as well as their associated symptoms and medications. Some common senior health issues that can prevent you from getting healthy sleep include:

• Side effects of prescription medications
• Chronic pain, often from health conditions like arthritis
• Depression
• Alcohol consumption
• Not getting enough exercise
• Snoring
• Alzheimer’s disease or a neurological problem
• Caffeine consumption
• Frequent urination during the night

BIOLOGICAL ISSUES THAT CAN CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEMS

It’s also possible that biological changes in seniors contribute to sleep disorders. One theory is that seniors produce and release less of the hormone melatonin that helps people sleep.

Another problem is a shifting circadian rhythm, which synchronizes various functions of the body, including sleep. This shift makes older people more tired earlier in the evening, so they go to bed earlier and get up a lot earlier, too.

Many seniors also have problems with insomnia, which is often linked to an underlying medical or psychological problem. Not getting healthy sleep can impact a senior’s overall health and wellness, and even impair cognitive functioning.

TIPS TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP

Seniors don’t need as much sleep as younger people do, no more than seven to eight hours of sleep. But that sleep often comes broken up throughout the day rather in one big stretch at night. Here are some suggestions to battle sleep disorders and get a full night of restful, healthy sleep:

• GET TREATMENT FOR ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS. If you’re experiencing depression, painful arthritis, or bladder problems that force you to get up and go to the bathroom frequently at night, seek medical attention to get these conditions under control.
• DON’T JUST LIE IN BED. Try to go to sleep at bedtime, but if you’re still awake after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Do something quiet and relaxing – read, listen to music, or take a hot shower or bath.
• MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES. Adjustments may include eliminating caffeine and not eating a huge meal or a big snack before bedtime. It’s also important for you to exercise each day – make it early in the day rather than in the late afternoon or evening, and definitely not before bedtime.
• GET INTO A GOOD SLEEP ROUTINE. Set a regular time to wake up each morning and go to bed each night to retrain your body for healthy sleep. Try skipping afternoon naps. And other than intimacy, think of your bedroom as just a place for sleeping and rest.

Don’t accept fatigue and poor sleep as part of getting older. Try these tips for healthy sleep, and talk to your doctor if you still can’t find a way to sleep through the night.

COMMUNITY HOME CARE is a family owned and operated health care agency. Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment to help determine the best care for you or a

loved one. communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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By Jeff Anderson (A Place for Mom)

1. SNOW, COLD and ICE – The most obvious perils of winter are from the weather itself:

FALLS: Slips on ice are a major risk for seniors in winter, so it’s important to wear shoes with appropriate traction.

DRIVING: Snow and ice can present major dangers on the road. Seniors should avoid driving when road conditions are at their worst due to snow and ice, and those who do drive should be prepared for the conditions. Drive slowly. Make sure snow-tires are installed when appropriate, and keep blankets and food in the car should the vehicle be stranded or disabled.

HYPOTHERMIA and FROSTBITE: Cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite. According to Centers for Disease Control, more than half of hypothermia deaths are among seniors. Older adults who do venture outside in cold weather should make sure to dress warmly. Among some vulnerable seniors, hypothermia can even occur indoors if the air temperature in the home isn’t warm enough, so seniors should keep their thermostats above 65 degrees, and seek assistance if they lose heating in an emergency.

2. SOCIAL ISOLATION

The very hazards that we outlined above can lead to seniors becoming socially isolated. If our older loved one has been spending a lot of time alone at home due to inclement weather, try to visit and spend extra time there. You can also arrange transportation to the local senior center, your loved one’s place of worship and to other places where opportunities to socialize are available.

3. FLUE SEASON

With winter comes the flu, which seniors are especially susceptible to developing because of weakened immune systems. The flu causes a significant number of fatalities among seniors each year, and it can also lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia. Seniors should make every reasonable effort to get vaccinated early in the flu season.

4. SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) or “THE WINTERTIME BLUES”

Many people experience a decrease in mood and energy during the winter, which is caused by decreased daytime light in winter. This phenomenon is known as “seasonal affective disorder” or “SAD”. Those who live in northern states (where daytime is shorter) are at highest risk. Open curtains and blinds during winter to let natural lighting in. Light therapy, using full-spectrum lights available at many box stores, can also be used to prevent or alleviate the wintertime blues. Seniors experiencing depression should talk to their doctors.

5. DECREASED DAYLIGHT, DEMENTIA and SUNDOWNING

Seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia sometimes experience sundowners syndrome, which manifests itself as increased memory loss, confusion, agitation, and even anger during the evening hours. Sundowning is often exacerbated during the low-light conditions of winter, because the season’s low light can disrupt our body’s internal day/night clock(known as circadian rhythms).

COMMUNITY HOME CARE, a family owned and operated homecare agency, can provide a no cost/no obligation home visit and family meeting to help determine if your loved one requires in-home care. We offer a full range of services including transportation customized to meet each individual’s needs.

communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com or 781-569-4970

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(Alzheimer’s Association)

If a person has Alzheimer’s or other dementia, it doesn’t mean he or she can no longer participate in meaningful activities such as travel; but it does require planning to ensure safety and enjoyment for everyone.

DECIDING TO TRAVEL

Whether taking a short trip to see friends and family or traveling a far distance for vacation, it’s important to consider the difficulties and benefits of travel for a person with dementia. In the early stages of dementia, a person may still enjoy traveling. As the disease progresses, travel may become too overwhelming. When you take into account the needs, abilities, safety and preferences of the person with dementia, what’s the best mode of travel? Consider the following:

1. Go with the option that provides the most comfort and the least anxiety.
2. Stick with the familiar. Travel to known destinations that involve as few changes in daily routine as possible. Try to visit places that were familiar before the onset of dementia.
3. Keep in mind that there may come a time when traveling is too disorienting or stressful for the person with dementia.

TIPS FOR A SAFE TRIP

1. Changes in environment can trigger wandering. Even for a person in the early stages, new environments may be more difficult to navigate. Keep the person safe by taking precautions, such as enrolling in MedicAlert, Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, Comfort Zone or Comfort Zone Check-In.
2. Have a bag of essentials with you at all times that includes medications, your travel itinerary, a comfortable change of clothes, water, snacks and activities.
3. Pack necessary medications, up-to-date medical information, a list of emergency contacts and photocopies of important legal documents.
4. Create an itinerary that includes details about each destination. Give copies to emergency contacts at home. Keep a copy of your itinerary with you at all times.
5. If you will be staying in a hotel, inform the staff ahead of time of your specific needs so they can be prepared to assist you.
6. Travel during the time of day that is best for the person with dementia.

DOCUMENTS TO TAKE WITH YOU WHEN TRAVELING

1. Doctors’ names and contact information.
2. A list of current medications and dosages.
3. Phone numbers and addresses of the local police and fire departments, hospitals and poison control.
4. A list of food or drug allergies
5. Copies of legal papers (living will advanced directives, power of attorney, etc.
6. Names and contact information of friends and family members to call in case of an emergency.
7. Insurance information (policy number, member name).

AIR TRAVEL

Traveling in airports requires plenty of focus and attention. At times, the level of activity can be distracting, overwhelming or difficult to understand for someone with dementia. If you are traveling by plane, keep the following in mind:

1. Avoid scheduling flights that require tight connections. Ask about airport escort services that can help you get from place to place.
2. Inform the airline and airport medical service department ahead of time of your needs to make sure they can help you. Most airlines will work with you to accommodate special needs.
3. If appropriate, tell airport employees, screeners and in-flight crew members that you are traveling with someone who has dementia.
4. Even if walking is not difficult, consider requesting a wheelchair so that an airport employee is assigned to help you get from place to place.
5. Allow for extra time.

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Elder Care, South Shore, MA

 as stated by Jolene Brackey in her book Creating Moments of Joy

• routine – A routine is very important for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. If you have a loved one with this disease, make a point to write down who they are. Our bodies remember routine, so when an Alzheimer’s sufferer feels something they’re used to, their body relaxes. For example, if they always wake up, have a cup of tea, and then get dressed, write it down so it can continue regardless of who does the care giving. Routines can let caregivers relax when situations get stressful.

• visits – When visiting with friends of family members who suffer with Alzheimer’s, recognize that open-ended questions can be very stressful. Asking questions that require recall, like “What did you do today?” or “How are you doing?” can put your loved one in a stressful position when they can’t remember.

Additionally, during visits your loved one may ask you questions that don’t have an easy answer. For example, your friend or family member might ask, “Where are my kids?” Responding with, “Sally lives in Alabama and Joe is in Connecticut,” can cause a lot of anxiety, because your loved one may not remember that they’ve grown up and moved. Instead respond with, “They’re at a friend’s house.” Even if this is not true, it will make your loved one feel better and reduce their stress level. It is very important to hear them and respond in their truth.

• recognition – One of the toughest parts of dealing with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s is their failure to recognize friends and family members. Alzheimer’s sufferers lose more and more short-term memory, but they keep getting younger in their mind. They may see themselves as being only 20 or 30 years old. This may be why individuals with dementia may not recognize their husband or adult child. Jolene Brackey recommends starting out by talking to them from outside the room. They will know your voice before they can identify your face. They still remember, but they don’t recognize.

• leaving – Similarly, when your loved one with Alzheimer’s asks to go home, the home they’re asking for is likely one from the past. If this situation comes up, the best thing to do is delay and suggest ways to keep them where they are. Tell them you can’t take them home yet because it’s time for breakfast. If they bring it up later, say that you just made coffee. If it comes up again, tell them they need to get dressed first.

Sometimes our loved one my want to leave for other reasons, like going to work. In this scenario, come up with reasons why they can’t do what they want to do. For example, if they say they have to go to work, tell them it’s Saturday. If they used to be a farmer and want to go out to the field, tell them it rained two inches last night.

Wrap-up – Ultimately, there are many ways to create moments of joy for our loved ones. Jolene also shared that music can really help calm situations. If your friend or family member seems to have had a hard day, think back to ways they used to make you feel better in the past. Most of the time, the way they cared for you is the way you can care for them.

If you would like more information about Community Home Care services, please call 617-462-9384 or email communityhomecarenorwell@gmail.com. We provide a vast array of services to seniors in Massachusetts including Home Health Aides, 24 Hour Care, Transportation, Respite Care and Alzheimer’s Care.

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