Hospice Way: CARE During End of Life Stages

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing and in most cases care is provided in the patient’s home.

“At the center of hospice and palliative care is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so,” Aubre Phillips, Director, A Place at Home Omaha.

Aubre understands first-hand what it’s like for a family member to go through hospice. While providing majority of the care for both of her grandparents during their end of life stages – she witnessed just how challenging it can be for the patient and patients family.

“There are families all over the place with a loved one in their last days. It can be incredibly difficult to see someone during this time – many people experience hallucinations, and overall, it’s just a painful process,” Aubre expressed.

Although she realizes the hardships that come with a loved one passing, she doesn’t view death as the end, but rather a new beginning.

“I don’t believe that death is necessarily the end – it’s the passing to the next stage of our life. And I would imagine that that’s really painful and stressful. We need people who can be here helping to support and guide those that are passing on to reassure them that it’s okay and to make sure that they are comfortable when they are on this journey,” Aubre said.

Aubre’s passion for providing end of life care birthed A Place at Home’s Hospice Way – a program dedicated to supporting hospice patients with the compassion and care they deserve.

“A Place at Home has a team of specially trained caregivers that hospice is a passion for them. They understand that the journey is different for everybody, but that their role is to help the person passing on do so in as comfortable and with as much dignity as possible,” Aubre said.

What services are provided?

  • Manages the patient’s pain and symptoms;
  • Provides needed drugs and medical supplies
  • Coaches the family on how to care for the patient;
  • Delivers special services like speech and physical therapy when needed;
  • Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time; and
  • Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends.

Beyond Hospice Care

Our devotion to the seniors we care for continues even after they have passed away. In their loving memory and honor,  we plant a tree through the Arbor Day Foundation. The newly planted tree memorializes the family’s loved one forever, living on to provide future generations an enduring symbol of lasting peace and comfort.

A Place at Home is rooted in CARE.

Join us in expanding our roots by becoming a franchise partner.

5 Tips For Handling Mental Illness in Seniors

According to the Institute of Medicine report, untreated mental health conditions lead to poorer physical health outcomes, higher costs and longer hospital stays. Seniors with untreated depression, for example, are less likely to properly take medications for other problems like diabetes or hypertension.

Having a conversation regarding care for seniors with mental illness may not be an easy feat, but it is essential to ensuring the health and safety of your loved one. If you are unable to care for you senior loved one by yourself, then it may be necessary to bring in a home care agency with professional caregivers. Here are some tips that can help you start a difficult discussion:

Make sure they are taking their medication.

Some older adults struggle to take all their medications properly. Depending on which medications are missed, this can cause serious effects on an older person’s health. Ensure they take their medication on time with an electronic application or with the help of a certified medication aide.

 Choose a time when both of you are calm.

Discussing the state of your loved ones mental health could be triggering for them and emotional for you. For this reason, it’s important that you handle the conversation as delicately as possible. Calmly let them know your concerns, and be sure to hear them out. They may not agree with everything you suggest, so be prepared to compromise.

Take resistance in stride.

When it occurs, shift the conversation to less inflammatory aspects of your concerns. Threats or emotional outbursts will only add anxiety and shut communication down. Remember not to take outbursts personally and know that they often stem from the feat of the unknown.

Take a breath and come back to the conversation

Your loved one may not want to discuss the topic when you first bring it up, the Mayo Clinic advises trying again later. The same goes for conversations that go wrong. If you feel yourself becoming emotional, the best advice is to take a break from the conversation and choose another time to discuss the topic.

Get the paperwork you need to properly care for your loved one.

In cases where an elderly parent is a danger to themselves or others, adult children may want to acquire a medical power of attorney for their elderly parent so they can make medical decisions on their behalf.

Combat Elderly Depression With Quality In-Home Care

Whether your senior loved one is dealing with the loss of a spouse, experiencing the grieving process, struggling with family conflict, or declining health, emotional and physical stress can have a big impact on their mental health.

If untreated, elderly depression can lead to early death and lower quality of life. In-home care provides an excellent remedy to prevent senior depression while improving senior longevity and daily life.

How In-Home Senior Care Helps Seniors Live Better Lives

Prevents Isolation and Loneliness 

In-home care companions provide a symbiotic relationship that enables the senior to thrive. On a social level having friends and companions enables seniors to talk about challenges, express grief, and to find resources to solve problems.

Assistance with Errands and Extracurricular Activities 

Seniors with mobility problems often stay home rather than visiting with others because it’s too much trouble, painful or even impossible for them. An in-home care worker can take them out for errands, to visit others, or just for fresh air.

Combats Caregiver Fatigue

If you’re caring for your loved one solo, the stress harms you, your senior parent and your family. Mom will notice and could feel guilty about caregiver overwork leading to depression or family strife. Our at-home caregivers relieve everyone of troublesome, unhealthy stresses.

Visual Problems and/or Declining Health

Vision problems can go undiscovered when seniors live alone, and depressed seniors may not admit to them. A regularly visiting in-home care worker can uncover health issues or behavioral changes, and alert our care coordinators or family.

Relieves Chronic Exhaustion

Senior listlessness/exhaustion can be a side effect of senior depression or a cause. Seniors may feel too tired to contact others, creating vicious cycles of loneliness, neglect, depression and poor overall health. We find senior parents look forward to our in-home provider’s visits, becoming more enthusiastic and energetic.

Eliminates Reluctance to Burden

Your senior loved one often don’t want to both you with their problems including depression and poor health, so she may hide them. Seniors know the in-home care worker’s job is to help, so they feel less guilt or burdensome

We’re Omaha Senior Care Experts, Ready to Help

Let A Place at Home help you and your family live better, without anxiety and elderly depression. We provide compassionate, friendly, capable, and carefully screened in-home care aides for your senior parent. We also offer care coordination helping you decide which services your parent needs, and help you access all needed services on the senior care continuum. A Place At Home is ready to assist you.

4 Tips for Reducing Alzheimer’s Stigma

Dealing with Alzheimer’s symptoms can be a challenge, and any stigma or discrimination you face adds unnecessary stress.

After all, Alzheimer’s is a medical condition, which nearly 14 million people in the US may develop in the next 30 years. That’s why we’re offering you tips on how to reduce Alzheimer’s stigma.

Communicate

Social connections can help slow disease development. That’s because all of us, no matter our health condition, need to interact with others and maintain close relationships. Back-and-forth conversations show you care and can improve Alzheimer’s patient’s self-esteem. Spending time alone can lead to depression and stress, which can make Alzheimer’s worse.

Get Out and About

Becoming isolated is unhealthy for seniors (and anyone, of any age), so don’t allow this condition to keep your loved one hidden, at home. Include them in social events and outings, as you normally would. This also helps increase awareness for those around you about Alzheimer’s. The more your family, friends, and the public, see (and/or interact with) an individual with Alzheimer’s, the more they realize this is a normal human condition. Your relative with dementia deserves respect, and admiration for their struggle, as everyone does.

Be Respectful and Genuine

Remember, the dementia patient is still a “whole” person, deserving of (and capable of) love, just like they’ve always been. If you treat the person much differently than you did before diagnosis, they might feel they’re “fading away” from society and life. Don’t let this happen.

Don’t Assume

Don’t think that your elderly parent can no longer make decisions, or function independently. Alzheimer’s affects everyone differently, some people are only mildly affected, while others are further along with disease progression. For some, the disease progresses very slowly. Even as their capabilities change, your loved one still needs to stay as involved as possible in the world.

Helping Seniors Live Independently, and Well

When your loved one with Alzheimer’s needs at-home care and social interaction, A Place at Home can help. Our caregivers can help your beloved relative live independently, and improve quality of life for them–and for you. Contact A Place at Home today.

Staffing with CARE

As the Staffing Coordinator, Nick pairs caregivers with local health care agencies who need an extra helping hand.

It’s important to him that the company he works for aligns with his personal values, and A Place at Home does just that.

“I’m able to help people every day and we’re also doing things the right way here,” Nick said.

A fully staffed office or community is critical to the overall care of the patients or residents and to the proper functioning of a facility. Our service provides CNAs and CMAs to senior communities and health offices to fill in when there are staff shortages for short- or long-term needs.

The availability of a certified staff member to step in and understand how to care for clients, be it checking vitals, running medication carts, clothing or bedding changes, dementia care, or bathing, gives peace of mind to families and the facility managers.

A Place at Home: Trust Us for Compassionate Senior Care

At A Place at Home senior care, we know that sometimes you need a break from your caregiving duties. That’s when we step in. Whether you just need a few hours or 24/7 care—we are here to provide compassionate care solutions, where and when you need us. We offer a continuum of care for seniors ranging from in-home care services and care coordination to senior living alternatives. Contact us today for more information.

How New Medicare Advantage Changes Could Affect You

Medicare, in general, is more focused than ever on positive health outcomes, specifically on keeping seniors out of the hospital.

Medicare Advantage plans have been responding to this by adding extra coverage. For the first time, these extras may include basic (non-medical) in-home senior care.

This newly-offered type of care may provide for household support activities for seniors that help them live comfortably and healthily at home. These essential tasks could include light cleaning, cooking, dishwashing, grooming and more. Home safety equipment may also be included. For more detail and background, read on.

About Medicare Advantage

Also called Medicare Part C, the Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and replace Medicare Parts A (hospital), B (doctors, office visits and tests) and sometimes D (drug coverage). You may have a choice of several Medicare Advantage plans, depending upon where you live. If you choose an Advantage plan, you must follow their rules and must typically use their network of doctors.

The private Medicare Advantage insurance plans must cover the same medical care that traditional Medicare does, but may charge more (or less) for specific services. These plans may also impose extra rules, such as requiring a referral to see a specialist, etc. (Referrals are not currently required in traditional Medicare.)

Medicare Advantage may charge an additional monthly premium, over and above your regular Medicare premium ($135 monthly in 2019), and some Advantage HMOs charge no extra premium.

New Medicare Advantage Offerings

For a few years now, Medicare Advantage has been touting “extra benefits” like vision care (optometry and prescription eyeglasses), dental cleanings, hearing aids and/or free gym memberships. They hoped the extras would encourage people to switch from traditional Medicare, to Medicare Advantage.

Recently, the private insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans have been given permission to add even more extras, which vary from one plan and company to another.

What is so interesting for seniors who need home caregivers is this: In the past, seniors could only get limited, skilled medical in-home care from traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. They would not cover any “non-skilled” in-home care that seniors need. Now, these items may be included. Examples of new in-home supportive services Medicare Advantage may cover:

  • At-home custodial care (grooming, meal preparation, bathing, and more)
  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Meal delivery
  • Shower grab bars and other home safety devices
  • Caregiver support
  • Adult daycare
  • And more

Keep in mind that coverage varies significantly by plan, so be sure to read the details before choosing among the Medicare Advantage plans, or deciding to stick with traditional Medicare.

Study Coverage Details and Rules Carefully

This extra at-home coverage is welcome news for seniors and their family caregivers. It’s very important to be aware, however, that different plans will have different specifics, varying rules about accessing these benefits, and limits on the maximum number of home visits allowed. Medicare’s guide to Advantage Plans may help you.

By adding this extra coverage, Medicare Advantage is acknowledging what we have known for so long—that proper in-home care (beyond skilled medical/nursing care) improves long-term health for seniors. This type of care can keep seniors living successfully at home, which saves seniors money and helps the senior to enjoy greater independence, as well as enhanced quality of life. It’s about time, and we hope for even more positive changes in the future.

Transition Care for Seniors

Often times, Medicare does not cover, A Place at Home is here to fill the gaps in coverage and prevent unnecessary readmissions through our Transition Care Management (TCM) program.

Our TCM program ensures a safe and smooth transition home by complying with discharge orders, providing personal care, transportation, helping with errands, follow-up appointments, and light housekeeping.

If you or a loved one are in need of transition care, contact us for more information.

A Place at Home: Strongly Rooted, Dedicated to CARE

Trees hold significant symbolism which represents our strong dedication to compassionate care for seniors in our community. The Tree of Life concept spans multiple schools of thought, running through art, religion, and literature.

In essence, the Tree of Life represents the intertwining of all living things. At A Place at Home, we believe in extending our branches to the senior community – giving them a continuum of loving care throughout the aging process.

Our Mission: Caring for the Family Tree of Life

Like others, we see beautiful, enduring trees as a symbol of the vitality of life, connecting those that came before us, and those that will carry on after we are gone. The tree brings to mind the idea of generations of families and ancestors. It stands for strength, stability, and nourishment.

The term family tree is so appropriate—like natural trees, its branches grow and extend. The leaves rustling in the wind appear similar, yet each has its own uniqueness and texture. Deep roots keep the tree stable and extract nutrients from the earth, helping it to develop, grow, repair and renew. We are devoted to developing the best care plan for our seniors and renewing hope for families.

For A Place at Home Senior Care, Trees Carry Powerful Meaning

The care that we provide to families and seniors in need are the roots supporting the family system–at a time when the added strength is most needed. For us, dedicated senior care is a means to help nourish the lives of loved ones, assisting families when they can’t do it all themselves. We believe that caring, above all else, is the path to ensuring generations can live on, through past, present and future, with hope and happiness.

From Symbolism to Imagery: Our Tree Logo and Living Memorials

The A Place At Home tree represents our commitment to improving the lives of all that we serve. Our devotion to the seniors we care for continues even after they have passed away. In their loving memory and honor,  we plant a tree through the Arbor Day Foundation. The newly planted tree memorializes the family’s loved one forever, living on to provide future generations an enduring symbol of lasting peace and comfort.

A Place at Home is rooted in CARE.

Join us in expanding our roots by becoming a franchise partner.

When To See A Doctor: Parkinson’s Disease

April is National Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and we realize that many of our readers, or their loved ones, are affected by the disease.

PD (Parkinson’s disease) is typically not diagnosed until age 50 or older and is currently incurable, but not fatal. However, its complications, like pneumonia, can be life-threatening. This makes an early diagnosis, close medical monitoring, and supportive senior care crucial for those with PD. Please review these important facts about PD and learn how to recognize early signs.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

PD is a neurodegenerative disorder, causing gradual nerve cell deterioration in the brain region known as the substantia nigra, over a period of many years. The brain cells affected are dopamine-producing neurons. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, helps coordinate body movement— turning thoughts about moving into active motion. Dopamine also regulates emotional responses, helps you to pay attention, learn, and more. Parkinson’s is 50 percent more common in men and the cause of the disease is currently unknown.

When to See a Doctor: Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Parkinson’s symptoms vary from person to person and progress at different rates. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, see your doctor for an exam. The symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions, so you must see a doctor for a diagnosis. Doing so quickly will help you maintain good health and reduce stress (on you as the patient, and your loved ones).

No matter what the cause of your symptoms may be— early diagnosis provides the very best chance for successful treatment and a bright future. Most people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed after age 50. As individuals age, PD can lead to PDD (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia). 

PD symptoms may include increased levels of:

  • Tremors in hands and other body areas
  • Arm and/or leg stiffness
  • Slowed movements, known as Bradykinesia
  • Balance problems, difficulty walking

Early PD signs to watch for, especially if these are new or have no reasonable explanation:

  • Poor posture, sitting or standing stooped over
  • Sad or blank expression on the face
  • Horse or quiet voice
  • Poor sense of smell
  • Difficulty moving, stiffness
  • Micrographia, small or crowded handwriting
  • Sleep problems
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness

Living with PD

To maintain the highest possible quality of life, individuals living with Parkinson’s disease must be regularly monitored by their physician, usually a neurologist. Physical therapy is commonly prescribed early on— and regular exercise is known to delay worsening of symptoms. There are a number of medications used to help manage PD.

For the best prognosis, patients should have the understanding and support of family members and/or caregivers, as needed, so that they can overcome the challenges of Parkinson’s disease. 

The actor Michael J. Fox is a well-known individual living with Parkinson’s, (diagnosed early, at age 30), and Alan Alda recently revealed he has PD, diagnosed about four years ago, at age 78. Both provide examples of, and valuable insight about, living well with PD.

How Common is Parkinson’s Disease? 

Parkinsons.org states that approximately one million people will be living with PD by 2020, with 60,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The aging population with Parkinson’s is creating an increasing need for senior care options and supportive services. Medical research is ongoing–to find better medications and treatments to counter symptoms, and potentially discover a cure for PD. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) has published an outline of promising Parkinson’s research in progress. 

We’re Here to Help

For seniors living with Parkinson’s disease, and their loved ones, A Place at Homeprovides customized in-home senior care options. Contact us for more information.

Paying for Long Term Care: Will You Need More than Medicare?

About 70 percent of today’s seniors will need some type of long-term care.

Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover everything that a senior may require. Let’s look at some places where Medicare falls short so you can successfully prepare for future health care needs–and avoid unwelcome surprises.

Medicare Limitations and Senior Care Options 

Important limits, and costs to be aware of are bolded or linked:

  • Basic hospital coverage: Medicare Part A hospital coverage comes with a big deductible of over $1300 per benefit period, plus $335 daily after the 60th day through 90th day.  After 90 days, you enter Lifetime Reserve Days, of which you have 60.

  • Doctor visits and outpatient care: Medicare Part B has a monthly premium and a yearly deductible, then provides 80/20 coverage for medically necessary doctor’s office care, lab testing, certain medical equipment, and specific preventative screenings.

  • Prescriptions: Medicare Part D has a monthly premium, often in the $20 to $50 range per month, depending upon the plan selected. You also pay a co-pay for each Rx, depending on medication category. Coverage for brand name drugs may be 50 percent or less.

  • Private Medicare insurance option: Medicare Advantage (Part C) may have a monthly premium, (in addition to the monthly $135 Medicare premium amount), although some HMOs require no extra premium. Plans substitute for Medicare Parts A, B and sometimes prescription part D, but may charge different out-of-pocket amounts than Medicare, and have different rules. Some plans offer extra perks, like prescription eyeglasses, rides to doctor appointments and more. Unfortunately, some are unclear about the specifics of the extra perks. 

  • Residential board and care or skilled nursing facility: Medicare Part A covers only 20 days with no co-pay. You must pay $170.50 daily for days 21-100. End-of-life hospice care is covered if you meet the stated conditions.

  • In-home skilled medical care: Medicare offers coverage for 21 days, if ordered by a physician. The covered care must be skilled medical care, such as nursing or physical therapy. (Medicare does not currently pay for home health “custodial care” services, like senior grooming assistance, laundry, cooking meals, etc. 

Options to Fill Medicare Gaps

  • Medigap insurance: Some Medicare A and B recipients choose to buy optional, private Medigap insurance, which covers your share (of Medicare approved bills only), for a monthly premium, depending on the plan. You must purchase during a special Medigap enrollment period to avoid being charged for pre-existing conditions. 

  • Private long-term care insurance: Policies can be expensive. However, most people will require long term care, which Medicare does not cover, so insurance may be worth considering.

  • Affordable at-home senior care: Setting up compassionate, supportive at-home care, rather than a residential rest home, may reduce stress on the senior and save money.

Note: Dollar amounts apply to 2019 benefits, which may increase yearly.

Get Reliable In-Home Care for Omaha Seniors

Let A Place at Home in Omaha help. We will work with you to create a custom plan for in-home, long-term or respite, senior care. Contact us today.

Understanding the Potential Link Between Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening type of dementia that causes issues with memory, thinking processes, and behavior.

The symptoms generally start slow and gradually worsen over time and increasingly interfere with the patient’s day-to-day tasks and relationships.

Studies into the causes and cures for Alzheimer’s has been ongoing for decades, and while no single cause has been determined, recent studies have uncovered some things that can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. One of those things is stress.

Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the first studies into the linking of stress and Alzheimer’s began in 2012 by the University of Southhampton in the United Kingdom. Members of that research team undertook a three-year study investigating how chronic stress impacts both people with ongoing mild cognitive impairment and people of a control group that had no reported memory issues. 

A more recent study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine has determined that stress connected to both traumatic childhood and adulthood experiences can cause the brain to age more rapidly than that of a person without a history of such negative experiences.

The results of the study were presented at the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and the research itself covered 1,300 individuals in their 50s and their performance on a variety of memory and thinking tests. The conclusion determined that stressful events could age the brain by at least four years. 

The Basics of What is Stress

Stress occurs when a person’s body is forced to respond to a situation the mind deems dangerous. Common symptoms of stress include tense muscles, increased sweating, and pounding heart. While these immediate symptoms generally fade once danger passes, some individuals may continue to experiences feelings of stress.

Such ongoing feelings and symptoms are known as chronic stress, and as studies have shown, chronic stress can be very serious and have severe, permanent effects on the individual mentally, physically, and emotionally.

How Stress Causes Physical Changes to the Brain

The hormone that causes many of the symptoms of stress is known as cortisol, often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’. Cortisol is one of the primary hormones involved in a body’s ‘fight or flight’ response and when it’s released due to stress, it’s what causes those symptoms of increased blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.

A person who has chronic stress has chronically high cortisol levels which is what research has shown to be associated with high blood pressure, anxiety, and memory loss.

Physical Changes to the Brain Stress Causes:

  • Lost brain cells
  • A reduction in brain size
  • Decreased activity in the pre-frontal cortex
  • Disruption of certain synapses that regulate social skills and cognitive functions
  • Increased activity in the brain area that regulates anxiety

Taking Control Over Lifestyle Factors

While studies have certainly provided enough evidence to show that memory loss and dementia-specific diseases like Alzheimer’s have a connection to stress, particularly chronic stress and stress related to traumatic events—there has been no definitive evidence showing a direct linkage.

However, what has been shown is that taking control of certain lifestyle factors can reduce a person’s risk of developing such ailments. Therefore, it is in your best interest to minimize stress-inducing activities and assist your senior loved ones with lowering their stress.