Author: A Place At Home

Veterans Hope Restored During Battle With MS – Jeff’s Story

Over a year ago, veteran Jeff Wesson began experiencing the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease of the central nervous system. His physical health quickly decelerated and he was soon unable to walk or move his arms.

“My body was completely stiff. I suddenly didn’t have control over my own body and I just felt completely helpless,” Wesson expressed. “I had dedicated my career to helping others and now I could barely help myself.”

According to WebMD, multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a long-lasting disease which disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. MS can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions.

As his life was seemingly falling apart, Wesson found refuge in A Place at Home. “I couldn’t perform basic tasks, I needed consistent help and that’s when A Place at Home stepped in. They provided me with the care and support I needed to be able to stay home,” Wesson said.

Due to Wesson’s debilitating condition, he needed daily assistance but he quickly found himself trapped in a corner when he was unsure how he would continue to afford in-home care. “I absolutely loved the services I was receiving from A Place at Home, but I didn’t know how I was going pay for it all. It just wasn’t something I could sustain for very long without assistance.”

Wesson expressed his concerns with his caregiver, William Chamberlain (now Senior Service Coordinator), who is also a veteran. Having experienced disability himself, Chamberlain knew that Veteran Affairs could help pay for Wesson’s care.

This conversation spurred into A Place at Home’s Client Service Coordinator, Aubre Philips (now Director) reaching out to the MS Foundation and Veteran Affairs which ultimately led to grants and government assistance aiding Wesson in paying for his care.

“Aubre went above and beyond to help me out. I didn’t have to do anything. She just genuinely cared and she did everything she could to ensure I could continue to receive the care that I needed,” Wesson expressed with gratitude.

Since he was able to continue his care, Wesson made major progressions over a six-month time frame. “When we first got Jeff, he was unable to stand or walk – he couldn’t even move his arms,” Chamberlain exclaimed. “But through physical therapy, he not only regained movement in his arms, but, with assistance, he was able to walk again.”

While there is no cure for MS, treatment typically focuses on speeding recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease and managing MS symptoms.

“They helped me achieve things I never thought I would be able to do again. Without A Place At Home, I wouldn’t be able to move the way I can now. They helped me get movement back, but more importantly, they restored my hope,” Wesson said.

A Place at Home is dedicated to providing a continuum of care for seniors across the nation. Our clients are more than clients – they are family. If you or a loved one need assistance, contact us today so that we can help ease the aging process.

A Place at Home: Strongly Rooted, Dedicated to CARE

family tree, tree of life, a place at home, senior 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.

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2018 International Nurse Day

Nurses are an integral part of our lives in general and here at A Place at Home, but often we don’t think about them until it’s an immediate need. In the moment of an emergency, we rely on nurses to care for us, answer questions, and provide us with compassionate care. How often are we thinking of our nurses outside of those emergency situations?

International Nurse Day – A Day to Celebrate all the great nurses in our lives

Sure, we thank them in the moment, but do they receive our thanks the rest of the year? May 12th is International Nurse Day; a reminder to show our appreciation for the care they provide. International Nurse Day became recognized by the White House in 1974; 21 years after the idea was initially proposed. The date of observance was chosen to commemorate Florence Nightingale’s birthday, the founder of modern nursing.

Nursing is of course a career that these professionals voluntarily chose, but what a compassionate profession to choose! It takes a special person to give their all to care for people every day, and these people deserve to be commended.

Here are some ways you can show your appreciation:

A simple ‘Thank You’ goes a long way! Especially if it’s out of the blue
Omaha business owner? Offer a discount for those hard-working nurses that use your services!
Drop off Starbucks cards at your local hospital or nursing home for a little pick-me-up during the 12-hour shifts
Crafty kids? Handmade crafts or drawings can put a smile on any nurse’s face
Volunteer at your local senior care facility or nursing home. Have the residents make cookies and distribute to the nurses
Send catered lunch to the hospital. Short on cash? Bring extra veggies from your garden for an afternoon shift break
Don’t forget about nurses in home care; they deserve special thanks as well!

There are plenty ways to show these individuals your appreciation. For more info about International Nurse Day, visit www.nursingworld.org.

What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice? How to Know What’s Best for Your Loved Ones

We’re fortunate to live in a time when we have several late-in-life care options. In home care services can help our loved ones maintain their independence and remain in their homes longer. For many families, as their loved ones reach the end of their lives, they are faced with a difficult choice between hospice care or palliative care.

Hospice care and palliative care are similar when it comes to the most important issue for people in the end stage of life, they both provide compassionate care.

Let’s explore these two options in order to help you to make the best choice for your loved ones at this difficult and emotional time.

Hospice Care

Hospice programs outnumber palliative care programs. Enrollment in a hospice program begins with a referral from the patient’s primary care doctor, and care is typically administered as a component of in home care services. Care is overseen by a hospice professional, and is provided in the patient’s home. Day-to-day, both the family caregiver and a visiting hospice nurse provide treatment. While hospice can provide around-the-clock care in a nursing home, a hospice facility, or occasionally in a hospital, it is typically provided as in home care services.

Palliative Care

Palliative teams consist of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals often provided at the facility or hospital where your loved one will first receive treatment. This team administers the care that ongoing comfort-care patients will receive. Palliative care can be administered in the patient’s home, but it is typically provided in a palliative care facility like a hospital, nursing home, or extended care facility where the team practices.

Other Considerations…

To be eligible for hospice care, your loved one’s condition must be terminal, or they must be within 6 months of death. There are no time restrictions with palliative care, whether terminally ill or not.
Hospice programs focus on the comfort of the patient rather than aggressive treatment. Because there are no time limits for palliative care, patients can receive comfort and treatment at any stage of disease, whether terminal or chronic.

Costs and the services provided can vary, so you should consult your insurance before making a final decision. Both hospice and palliative care can make your loved ones comfortable at the end of their lives. The final decision rests on the needs of both the patient and their family.

Is My Mom Safe at Home? Five Things to Look for When Determining if Your Parents are Safe

Is my mom safe at home? In Home Senior Care

As parents age, we naturally become concerned about their home safety. At some point, the senior(s) you love may need to move to assisted living care. But how do you know when it’s time to consider such a step? Let our Omaha senior care experts help you make a wise decision about assisted living for your loved one.

How You Got Here: Safety Steps for Senior Care

Over the years, you may have made improvements or accommodations at your loved one’s home to help them stay safe. These include things like grab bars in the bathroom, accessibility ramps for the front porch and more. You may have also arranged for senior home care assistance, or provided it yourself, so your senior could live independently, or reside in your home. Now, you may be worried that these home safety upgrades and part-time senior care are no longer enough to keep your elderly loved one safe. Retirement home living may be the next step in keeping mom safe and improving her quality of life.

When Should We Consider Moving Mom to Assisted Living?

If you notice the following signs, your elderly mother may need more senior care at home–or it may be time to move to an assisted senior care facility. Signs of unsafe home living conditions for your senior parent or loved one include:

Missed meals, or weight loss not otherwise explained.
Unkempt appearance.
Suffering falls or accidents.
Wandering, getting lost or forgetting medications.
Seeming out of touch or becoming isolated.*

*Seniors who spend most of their time alone can become depressed, which affects their physical health and longevity. Seniors with limited awareness, inability to follow instructions, or those diagnosed with dementia may be unable to call for help, or evacuate their home, in an emergency.

Understanding Your Options for Senior Assisted Living

If you think it may be time for an assisted or supervised senior living arrangement, our expert team provides elder care resources that help with your decision. If assisted living is needed, we can help you find senior living facilities that match your needs. We can also help you understand financing and senior care benefits.

When you need help with senior care, A Place At Home Omaha offers you no-charge help understanding all your senior care options, including assisted living. Reach out to our senior living advisors at A Place At Home for free assistance. Contact us today.

Wearable Technology Helps Seniors Age in Place

Technology is revolutionizing and streamlining many industries and walks of life and home health care or in home care for seniors is no exception. Today, there are many high-tech ways to treat and monitor health conditions remotely, with wearable tech and other portable and/or Internet-connected devices. This technology reduces the need for hospital monitoring, and could eliminate or postpone the need for seniors to move to unappealing nursing homes for these types of services.

With less need to see each patient personally, today’s overwhelmed medical services (doctor’s offices, hospitals, etc.) will be relieved of some duties. This new, evolving medical technology also means that, with dedicated in home care for seniors, older individuals can age in place and enjoy an independent life at home well into their old age.

Wearable Devices for Remote Health Monitoring and In Home Care

In-home sensor networks, wearable or implanted biosensor devices include sophisticated vital sign monitoring devices and apps for:

Pulse (heart rate) monitoring
Body temperature measurement and management
Blood pressure readings
Respiration rate
Blood oxygen level and oxygen therapy devices
Blood glucose monitoring for diabetics
Insulin devices
Cardiac monitoring (EKG or electrocardiogram) and CRM (heart rhythm management)
Electronic/digital stethoscopes
Sleep pattern analysis
Walking pace (speed)
Automated reminders to take medications, exercise, see your doctor, etc.
Alerts when irregularities are detected
And more…

In Home Care for Heart Conditions, Diabetes and More

At-home, non-invasive detection and managing of diabetes and heart conditions, in particular, are quickly gaining acceptance due to effective and accurate remote/wearable monitors. Using these high-tech tools, patients and caregivers are effectively managing many serious, chronic conditions at home, outside medical clinic settings.

If adverse/abnormal readings are found, wearable health monitoring devices typically send emergency alerts to medical staff, family or caregivers. In some cases, the devices can then provide corrective action–treating cardiac rhythm problems, for example.

Medicaid – Gov Pays You For Home Care

When you have aging parents or loved ones who need home care, you’re naturally concerned that they receive quality services. And you’re on a budget, so an affordable price is key. In this situation, Medicaid care may provide help paying for senior care in Omaha. If you’ve been unsure where to turn for the best options, we are here to help.

It’s a fact: in-home care for seniors in Omaha is typically much more cost-effective, and more customizable, than nursing home care. Seniors also feel more comfortable, safer, and happier at home–so choosing personalized, home-based senior care can be an ideal solution. To make at-home care payment easier, Medicaid care helps pay for many senior in-home services for those who meet their financial qualifications.

Medicaid Waivers for Home and Community Based Care

The fact is, if home care is viable and safe for your low-income senior parent–when they don’t need long-term hospital-level care–Medicaid can help with in-home senior care payments. Nebraska Medicaid waivers let you substitute in-home senior care services for conventional Medicaid nursing home services.

This Medicaid care waiver for the aged and disabled allows low-income seniors in Omaha to avoid being forced into a nursing home, just to access Medicaid coverage. Omaha residents can get more information from Nebraska’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

How to Ensure You Get High Quality Medicaid Care for Omaha Seniors

No matter who is paying for the senior care that you (or your aging parents) need, be sure to choose your at-home care provider wisely. Award-winning, expert senior care providers in Omaha, like our providers from A Place at Home, offer top quality in-home care for your aging loved ones.

To learn if you qualify for Medicaid senior at-home care, contact Omaha Medicaid. Upon approval, request the “Waiver program” from your assigned Medicaid caseworker–and give the name of your chosen at-home caregiver service, such as A Place at Home. Your caseworker will send us an order, authorizing us as your senior care provider.

For Senior Medicaid Care at Home, Trust A Place at Home in Omaha

At A Place At Home, we will create a customized plan of care based on your senior’s specific needs. To choose us as your senior care service provider on Medicaid–you must first apply, and be approved, for the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver program. To learn more about our services, contact A Place At Home today.

Is It Time for Assisted Living? 5 Signs To Watch For

If you have an aging parent or loved one in your life, you want the very best for them – especially where health and well being are concerned. There may come a time where moving to a senior living community is the best decision. This is often true if you live far from your aging relative, and cannot be in their lives daily to ensure safety. If you are there daily, giving care, and you’re starting to burn out, this can be another situation where your loved one might do better in a supportive living environment.

When Is It Time for Assisted Living?

These signs can mean you should consider assisted living for senior care:

Increasing care needs: If the senior’s care requirements are getting beyond your ability, you should admit this, and consider moving your loved one along the continuum of care – to a supportive living arrangement.
Cleanliness and organization issues: Is your loved one living in a less-than-clean home, no longer keeping up with housecleaning? Is the senior looking disheveled and not dressing themselves neatly or possibly not bathing often? A new living arrangement can help them keep up–and feel much better.
Isolation: Is your loved one spending most of their time alone? More social interaction, which comes with a quality senior living community arrangement, will greatly improve their physical and emotional well being.
Safety risks: Is your senior parent having trouble navigating their two-story home? Does he or she leave the kettle or stove on, risking not only burned food, but a house fire? In a supported living environment, your loved one could receive help with meals and mobility, keeping them out of danger.
Caregiver burnout: If you or other family caregivers are suffering increased stress when caring for a senior loved one, the cared-for person will likely notice. Your aging relative could then suffer stress and begin worrying about you. Also, if you’re burned out, or simply have less time to care for your loved one (due to longer work commutes, kids who need care, etc), the senior may thrive in a well-run assisted living situation.

Get Help with Assisted Living and Senior Care Options in Omaha

Sometimes wanting the best, and doing your best, means getting experts involved. We can to help you transition to a senior living community (for yourself or a loved one). If you’re unsure about options for senior living – or confused about next steps – get experienced support. Contact A Place at Home today!

5 Easy Ways to Manage Your Parents Medication

When you have an older parent or relative who lives (or spends time) alone, medication management can be a big worry. You are likely concerned that your loved one takes their medication as scheduled, in the correct amount, and without accidentally taking a double dose. You may also worry that prescriptions are not being refilled. Here are some expert senior care tips to help banish your medication concerns as a caregiver.

Medication Management Tips for Seniors

Make a list: Note dosage, time to be taken, whether food is required or empty stomach, and the purpose of the medication. Put in a central location (on the fridge, for example) for reference by you, other caregivers and your elderly loved one. Also list vitamins and supplements below the main list. (Supplements can interact with Rx medications, so make sure the doctor has ok’d all supplements.)
Use one pharmacy: This way, you can avoid any double-fills and order all refills conveniently from the same store. Also, the pharmacist may proactively notify you of any potential drug interactions if she/he fills all of your prescriptions. Don’t depend upon that, however. Always ask questions about any medication issue, or call the doctor. Grab the master list (see above) and take with you to the pharmacy and doctor appointments, so experts can double check appropriateness and drug interactions.
Get a daily pillbox: This helps your senior to recall whether they’ve already taken their meds for the day. Make sure the box can be easily opened by your senior, but not so easily that all the pills end up on the floor. Keep pill bottles.
Be sure meds are properly stored: Bathrooms can be humid–and medications often require a cool, dry storage spot or even refrigeration. Store away from children and pets, if any.
Double check if refills look different: Your pharmacy may simply be using a different manufacturer (for generics), but there’s a chance the prescription may have been filled with the wrong dosage or medication.

Get Help with Medication Management in Omaha

As a full service senior care organization, A Place at Home has RNs on staff, who can manage your parent’s medications. If you need additional assistance with other senior wellbeing concerns, we can design a program of elder care services to fit your needs. For expert advice and compassionate assistance with senior care issues, including medication management, contact A Place at Home today.

Senior Living Alternatives

When it comes time for the next place to call home.

It happens. At some point, you realize it is time to move out of your home. This move can be due to health, finances, or simply because it feels like the right time. Finding the right community that suits your needs can be a confusing and time-consuming task, but it doesn’t have to be.

A Place at Home’s Senior Living Alternatives program is a free, personalized service that helps seniors and families identify the senior care community that fits their needs – whether it’s independent, assisted, memory, or long term care.

We’ve already done the legwork.

Our Senior Living advisors are experts when it comes to identifying a senior living community in our service area that works for you. We’ve not only visited and placed our clients in these communities, but many of our Caregivers already provide services at these locations.

With a thorough understanding of the amenities, costs, available care services, activities and layout and design at each community, our advisors can easily narrow down the options based on your criteria and arrange for private tours so that you can feel empowered to make the right decisions.

Knowing that you or your senior have a trusted advocate makes transitions much easier.