Senior Care at Home: Deciding If It’s Right for Your Family

A caregiver from A Place At Home and a senior in a wheelchair are looking out into a garden together.

Watching a loved one age can be a challenging experience, especially when you’re faced with deciding how best to care for them. Compare your options for elderly care. Find out the pros and cons of senior care at home to decide if it’s the right choice for your family and elderly loved one.

How to Know If It’s Time

Noticing signs that a senior needs assistance is crucial. Sometimes the symptoms are obvious, such as a health issue like a stroke or fall. Other situations might be more subtle such as noticing they’re struggling with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, or personal care. Both are indicators that it might be time to consider help. The Mayo Clinic discusses these five warning signs:

  1. Self-care management: If you’re seeing a decline in personal hygiene, an unkept house, or bills going unpaid, it could be a sign of declining health.
  2. Memory loss: Are they forgetting to take medications, misplacing commonly used items like the TV remote, or repeatedly asking the same question? The Mayo Clinic defines all of these as signs of some type of memory loss.
  3. Home safety: Unexplained bruises or injuries is a suggestion that they might be having falls. Is the home safe for your loved one to navigate independently, such as climbing stairs or walking over loose rugs? Are daily items easily reachable, such as dishware? Senior care at home might be necessary if they can’t navigate their home safely alone.
  4. Unexplained weight loss: The Mayo Clinic says unexpected or unexplained weight loss is a sign of mental and/or physical health complications. Struggling to cook on their own, losing their sense of taste or smell, being overwhelmed by grocery shopping, or other health conditions are signs that intervention is needed.
  5. Mood changes: Has your loved one withdrawn from social activities or become increasingly isolated? This could indicate depression, and your senior could benefit from companionship care.

Types of Senior Care

When considering the best care option for your loved one, it’s essential to understand the distinctions of each choice. Let’s explore the social opportunities, medical facilities, and psychological impacts of senior care at home, adult day care, and retirement homes.

 Social OpportunitiesMedical FacilitiesPsychological Impact
In-Home Senior CareAt-home care primarily offers one-on-one interaction between the senior and the caregiver in the comfort of familiar surroundings. Families can easily visit, and seniors can maintain their neighborhood connections. However, it might require additional effort to ensure diverse social interactions.At-home care can accommodate basic medical needs, with caregivers assisting with medications and some therapies. For more specialized medical attention, additional arrangements might be necessary.Staying at home can offer emotional stability due to the familiarity of the environment. However, there’s a risk of feeling isolated if proactive steps aren’t taken to ensure regular social interactions.
Adult Day CareAdult day cares offer group settings where seniors can interact with peers. They often have scheduled activities, games, and group sessions that encourage socialization.Many adult day cares provide basic medical monitoring and have healthcare professionals on-site. They can handle routine medical needs but might not be equipped for specialized care.Attending an adult day care can provide a change of scenery and routine, which can be stimulating. However, the transition between home and the facility might be challenging and tiring for some seniors.
Retirement FacilitiesRetirement homes offer a community setting. Seniors have neighbors of their age, and there are often organized events, clubs, and activities to foster community bonding.These homes can handle a broader range of medical needs, from routine care to specialized attention. Some even have on-site medical facilities.Moving to a retirement home is a significant transition. While it offers a sense of community, it also means leaving behind a familiar environment. It can come with a very challenging adjustment period.

Costs of Senior Care

Senior care costs vary based on the type and duration of services needed. Genworth, a life and long-term care insurance company, created a cost-of-care survey in 2021. Here’s a breakdown of the national median costs for monthly senior care:

  • In-home senior care: (40 hours/week): $4,506
  • Home health aide: (40 hours/week): $4,680
  • Adult day care: $1,690
  • Assisted living facility: $4,500
  • Private nursing home room: $9,034

Senior care at home might seem expensive initially, but it can be more affordable compared to the costs of retirement homes or long-term care facilities. While adult day care is the cheapest option, it doesn’t prevent falls or other medical risks from occurring in your loved one’s home. You’ll have to figure out how to get them to the care facility daily.

If you’re concerned about paying for home care costs, here are some methods to manage these costs:

  • Long-term care insurance: If your loved one has this insurance, it might cover some costs of in-home care.
  • Veteran benefits: Veterans might be eligible for home care benefits.
  • Medicaid: Depending on your state, Medicaid might cover some home care services.
  • Personal savings: Setting aside funds for senior care can ease the financial burden when the time comes.

Pros and Cons of Senior Care At Home

In-home senior care offers a more personalized approach compared to other care options. You will be provided with one-on-one attention tailored to your loved one’s needs, ensuring they receive the best possible care in a familiar environment. Plus, your loved one can remain in their own home, surrounded by cherished memories and personal belongings, creating a level of comfort and familiarity. Some in-home care companies, like A Place At Home, offer customizable care plans. So, care schedules can be adjusted based on your family’s needs, whether a few hours a day or round-the-clock care. This allows you and your family to be more involved in day-to-day care and decisions for your loved one.

In contrast, adult day cares provide care during specific hours, often in a group setting. On the other hand, retirement homes offer a more permanent solution with 24/7 care but may require a significant lifestyle change.

Some cons to consider with home care include the cost, space limitations, or potential isolation. Depending on the level of care needed, at-home care can be expensive. Some homes may not be equipped to handle advanced medical equipment or mobility aids. Lastly, without regular social activities, seniors might feel isolated.

Find Help with A Place At Home

Those cons are nothing you should worry about when creating a care plan with A Place At Home. We offer compassionate and personalized at-home senior care services tailored to your loved one’s needs. Find a location near you and take the first step towards ensuring your loved one’s comfort and well-being.

Signs of Dementia to Look for During the Holiday

Signs of Dementia to Look for During the Holiday

The holiday season is the most momentous time of the year as families, both near and far, gather to celebrate and rejoice in the festivities. As we roll from Thanksgiving into the holiday season, more and more time is spent with family. However, while this time may be full of joy and merriment, it can also show apparent changes with your loved ones — changes that may be early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

As we continue to gather with family, it is important to familiarize ourselves with the early signs and symptoms of dementia. Dementia is defined as a loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life — Alzheimer’s being the most common form of dementia. 

Signs of Dementia to Look for During the Holiday 

Memory loss

While forgetting someone’s name from time to time is normal, forgetting important events or recently learned information is a sign of memory loss. Asking the same questions or repeating a story multiple times are signs as well. The primary indicator is if your loved one is unable to recall the information later on. 

Struggle with Familiar Tasks 

Getting lost in familiar areas, forgetting to turn off the stove, neglecting to brush one’s teeth, or inability to recall the ingredients to the famous family recipe show struggle with tasks that were once handled gracefully and with ease. 

Uncharacteristic Distancing

Engaging in conversation, hobbies, and social activities becomes a struggle for those living with dementia, as remembering names or the rules of a game or simply holding a conversation becomes difficult. As a result, a person living with dementia tends to withdraw from social interaction.  

Misplacing Items

Alongside memory loss, losing or misplacing items may become more frequent. For example, a loved one may pick up an item and place it in an unusual or wrong place without being able to retrace their steps. 

Difficulty with Words

The inability to think of the correct word or continue their sentence is often a telltale sign of dementia. You may find your loved one struggling with vocabulary or referring to something with the wrong name. For example, referring to wine as “pressed grapes” or a watch as a “wrist clock.” 

Poor Judgement

As dementia affects logical decision-making, your loved one may experience a decline in judgment, which is a concern for safety. Crossing a busy road without checking to see if it’s safe, falling victim to a phone scam, neglecting to pay bills, or careless spending are significant signs of a decline in judgment. 

Shifts in Personality  

Individuals living with dementia may experience a shift in mood and personality. Your loved one can become confused, anxious, suspicious, and irritable as regulating and controlling emotions become more difficult.

Early detection of dementia is crucial to getting the proper care and treatment for your loved one. A Place At Home has supported families and individuals living with dementia for over a decade. Our professional and compassionate caregivers are empathetic and educated in the mental and physical care needs of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your situation or are seeking senior care, please reach out to us. We are here to help. 

Related Articles: 
The Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures
The Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease – Dr. Reisberg
8 Ways to Help a Loved One With Alzheimer’s
4 Tips for Reducing Alzheimer’s Stigma
9 Signs Your Loved One Needs Memory Care
Understanding the Potential Link Between Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease
10 Tips for Navigating the Holidays and Alzheimer’s 

2021 National Caregiver of the Year: Molina Schebell

At A Place At Home, we believe that our caregivers are the most essential part of our business – after all, they are the reason we’re able to provide professional, compassionate care to seniors in their homes across the country. Each year, we receive nominations for caregivers across our system to be awarded as our National Caregiver of the Year. This year, that award went to Molina Schebell, a caregiver for A Place At Home – Orange Park.

To be considered for the award, the caregiver must consistently demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to delivering care to clients, as well as their families. On top of that, candidates must continually operate within A Place At Home’s core values of C.A.R.E. They must be Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical in all of their actions and interactions at all times. According to Chris Adams, owner of A Place At Home- Orange Park, Molina not only fits within these parameters, but she also goes above and beyond at all times, personally driven to devote her time to helping those in need.

“She’s a wonderful person to work with because she changes people’s lives the way she treats them and approaches them.”

In Chris’s submission letter, he spoke of the positive response Molina receives from clients from the moment she first walks in their door – they immediately trust her because she exudes peace and comfort. We were fortunate to meet Molina in person and experience first-hand the truth of Chris’s words. To receive her award as National Caregiver of the Year, Molina was flown to Omaha, Nebraska, to attend our annual award ceremony, which happens once a year at our annual convention. Her all-expenses-paid trip included a spa day, as well as a plaque and a check for $1,000. She was interviewed about being selected while in Omaha, and her empathy was evident in every interaction with her. When asked how she felt about winning, she said it came as a complete shock. Winning the award genuinely humbled her.

“The closer it got to me flying to Omaha, it really sank in that I had won this award for just being myself.”

When she says, “just for being myself,” she means it. For Molina, caring for others comes naturally; winning an award for something she does effortlessly seems surreal to her. She says she’s always been the sort of person to give of herself when others have a need. Unbeknownst to her at the time, that mindset is what set her on her path to caring for others professionally. About 13 years ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. At the time, Molina had never been a caregiver in any official way. At this point in her career, she was the manager of a busy auto shop. Molina enjoyed the job, but her love for her nana and her own empathetic nature kicked into high gear. She decided to resign from her position. She moved in with her grandmother to care for her full time. She wanted to keep her from moving from her home and into a nursing home. She was determined to ensure her nana had the best quality of life and care.

She immediately started learning everything she could about dementia and how to give the best possible care to someone living with the disease.

Over the next five years, Molina was her grandmother’s primary caregiver. Through the state of Florida, her grandmother qualified to receive respite care. A professional caregiver came in three days a week for four hours a day. Those hours were the only time that Molina had for herself. She was the full-time caregiver the rest of the time, seven days a week. It was far from easy for either of them. Molina put her life on hold during that time, and her grandmother suffered from every possible complication that could occur with dementia. On three separate occasions, Molina had to resuscitate her grandmother, who would then have to be life-flighted to a hospital where she would stay for a month, only to return home and go through it again. Even still, Molina wouldn’t trade that time for anything in the world. She was so grateful to be able to be there with her and for her.

“We had the best memories. For five years, we had memories that nobody can take.”

While caring for her grandmother, Molina realized that something that comes naturally to her – caring for others – had become a passion. After her grandmother passed away, she knew that caregiving was her calling. Her experience served to deepen her understanding of what others go through when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia and expanded her empathy to encompass their family, as well. She says, “From the outside, you can’t really see what’s going on behind closed doors, the struggles that family members go through.” This perspective allows her caring nature to reach beyond her clients to the spouses, children, and siblings that love and care for someone with dementia. Molina knows first-hand – she was both the granddaughter and the caregiver. The gravity of being a family member and a caregiver is something that she doesn’t take lightly.

“It’s hard for everybody, not just the individual.”

Now, years later, the ripple effect of realizing her calling through the experience with her grandmother is ongoing. Molina’s compassion and empathy have allowed her to gain the trust of the individuals and families in the Orange Park community. “This is what I’m supposed to do. This is what I get up for, and it’s something I’m excited about.”

Since she started working with A Place At Home, Molina has participated in specialized training to become CARE Certified in Dementia and Fall Recovery. In the future, Molina plans on furthering her career in the medical field, specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia, though she says she’ll always work and care for people in their homes. She believes that when people receive care in their home instead of a senior living community, it’s a better experience for them. And, she can’t really imagine doing anything else.

“I think this comes naturally to me – to care for people. It makes me feel happy to know that I’m providing for somebody how I would want my family to be cared for.”

At A Place At Home – we take our C.A.R.E. standards seriously. If you’re a caregiver – or are intrigued by the idea of a career that directly improves the lives of others – apply to work with us today. And if you or someone you know needs compassionate, professional care, we can help.

A Place At Home Honors First-Ever National Caregiver of the Year

The 2020 Caregiver of the Year went the extra mile in providing exceptional care.

The 2nd Annual A Place At Home Franchise Convention was held in late September. This event marks a time for franchisees to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the past year. This year also marked the first-ever recognition of the National A Place At Home Caregiver of the Year. Franchisee’s submitted nominations from all over the country for one caregiver that went above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to delivering quality care to clients and their families and lives the “We are CARE” philosophy. 

“We received many nominations from all over the country and each one was inspiring. It was difficult to choose just one winner,” said Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home.

However, there was one nomination that painted a detailed picture of how one person went above and beyond the call of duty. The nomination read:

“Dave came on with A Place At Home after decades of working in the insurance business. He wanted to do something more “rewarding” in his 60s. He got his CNA/CMA and began working to make people’s lives better. 
Dave treats all clients like family. He creates a unique bond with each client he works with. He is always on time, never calls out, and makes sure everything is done to his best ability. 
Dave has worked for the past year with a very high acuity client. He instantly bonded with the young client (49) who due to a rare set of circumstances went from a successful businessman to a barely communicative paraplegic overnight. 
He has spent countless hours working as the main caregiver for this client and his family. Not only does he transport the client to his MANY weekly therapy appointments but works one on one with him in his home. Dave is consistently cheering this client on to make his next personal best in his daily bike exercises and always makes notes when a personal best has been reached. 
Dave has worked with therapists at Madonna to learn this client’s individual therapies and continues them at home as well as trains other caregivers working there in how they can help him gain strides. 
When he heard their anniversary was approaching, he took it upon himself to plan a romantic dinner out so the client could surprise his wife. He took the client out to get a card, made reservations at a nice restaurant, planned for a special dessert, and took time out of his off time to transport them over there in the client’s wheelchair van so they could surprise the wife. 
Dave does everything he can to try to relieve some stress off the wife who is also a mother of four and a doctor. Life for her is crazy and Dave makes sure there is always one less thing for her to worry about in his care for the client. Dave’s level of commitment to not only the client but also to our company goes above and beyond anyone I have ever seen.”

Dave walked into A Place At Home – Papillion shortly after they opened their doors in 2019. Dave interviewed for a CNA position and said he was looking for something that would fill his heart. He had retired from insurance and was now searching to do something more meaningful with his time.

“I remember thinking where the heck did this guy fall out of the sky from?” said Rick Perkins, Owner of A Place At Home – Papillion. 

Dave was placed with Don in August of 2019 and the two found an instant connection. They not only share common interests but are also from the same town and attended the same college. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that brought these two together. But citing six degrees of separation,  Dave said, “There are no coincidences. I’m blessed to be a part of Don’s life.”

As blessed as Dave feels, Don and the A Place At Home team consider themselves equally fortunate to have Dave fulfilling his personal mission: to touch as many lives as possible as a caregiver. 

Dave is firm in his belief that you must have a servant’s heart to work in this industry; you must have empathy, and be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s this mindset that awarded Dave Caregiver of the Year. While he was happy to be awarded this honor, it’s his internal compass that drives his actions.

“At the end of the day, I lay my head on my pillow, and I know I made a difference.” 

American Stroke Month

American Stroke Month exists to create awareness of the risk factors for stroke and educate the public about preventing their own risk.

Each year in the US, almost 700,000 individuals will experience their first stroke. While a stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, the risk for women is much higher than that of men. One in five women will suffer a stroke in their lifetime, and stroke itself is the number four leading cause of death in women in the United States. While the number of individuals who will experience their first stroke is large, someone who has had one stroke is at risk of suffering another one in the future. 

There are several key factors when it comes to the risk of stroke:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High Cholesterol
  • Artery and heart disease
  • Sleep apnea
  • Excessive drinking
  • Physical inactivity

The situation may seem dire, but in actuality, 80% of all strokes are preventable.

This is excellent news, considering the often devastating effects of a stroke. Depending on the side of the brain the stroke occurs on, an individual can experience paralysis, issues with vision, speech, and language, changes in their behavior, and memory loss. It’s less common, but a stroke that occurs on the brain stem heavily impacts both sides of the brain. In these cases, a person can be “locked in.” This means they aren’t able to speak and lack the ability for movement below the neck.

In general, strokes fall into two categories – ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke happens when a vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked. There are two types of ischemic strokes:

  1. A thrombotic stroke is often caused by diabetes or high cholesterol and usually occurs in older people. Symptoms may come on slowly over days or hours and may be preceded by a TIA or “mini-stroke.” 
  2. An embolic stroke usually happens rapidly without warning signs and is often the result of heart disease and, in some cases, heart surgery. Debris from a blockage elsewhere in the body travels to the vessels of the brain. 

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs due to bleeding on the brain or the space between the brain and its protective membrane. This type of stroke also causes irritation and swelling around the brain, leading to further brain damage. Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 15% of all strokes. 

 There are two categories of hemorrhagic strokes:

  1. An intracerebral hemorrhage is when the vessels in the brain are weak and bleed. High blood pressure is often the cause of this weakness. This type of stroke usually happens suddenly with no warning signs and can be severe enough to lead to a coma or death. 
  2. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is what is commonly known as an aneurysm. This happens when there is bleeding in the space between the brain and the membrane that covers it. 

Life post-stroke can be confusing, depressing, and overwhelming. 

In quite a few cases, life after a stroke will look drastically different. Everyday tasks such as using the restroom and getting dressed may no longer be possible to do on one’s own. However, you may not think of other things, for example, not being able to roll over or readjust yourself in bed because one side of your body doesn’t respond to your commands. Holding utensils and communicating with your loved ones. Difficulty sleeping, memory deficits, and emotional effects such as anxiety and depression. 

However, recovery from a stroke is possible.

Beginning as soon as possible is integral to making as much progress as possible. Generally speaking, the maximum recovery takes place over the first three to six months following a stroke. It’s essential to begin as soon as possible. Rehabilitation happens on several fronts. Physically, one will work on motor skills, strength, and coordination. Mobility using aiding equipment and re-learning how to walk is a significant part, as well as forced-use therapy and range of motion exercises. 

In recent years, more technology has played a part in the recovery process. Wireless technology has come into play recently. Activity monitors can help track and increase an individual’s activity level and frequency. Electricity is used to prompt muscles to contract through a technology called Functional Electrical Stimulation. Robotics can help regain the strength and function of impaired limbs, and virtual reality allows one to interact in a simulated environment.

Physical rehabilitation is not the only focus for improvement post-stroke. 

One’s cognitive and emotional state following a stroke needs to be attended to as well. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral struggles all need to be taken into account. Occupational and Speech therapies help address processing, social skills, judgment, speaking, writing, comprehension, and more. Counseling and support groups will benefit stroke survivors and their families. Often, a family needs as much emotional and mental support as their loved one following a significant health event. Resources for both patient and caregiver support can be found here and here. 

A Place At Home can provide support in the home following a stroke.

A Place At Home has a stroke-specific program to support individuals recovering from a stroke and provide respite to familial caregivers. This program is designed to address the specific care needs of individuals recovering from a stroke. It may be appropriate for individuals that have had a stroke in the past, as well. Caregivers supporting individuals enrolled in the Stroke Recovery program are CARE certified. They are educated to address the specific needs of this type of recovery. You can learn more about this program here. 

Taking heed of the risk factors for stroke is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Take the time to educate yourself on how you can help prevent a stroke from affecting your future and quality of life. That’s what American Stroke Month is all about. 

May 6th 2021 – National Nurses Day

May 6th, 2021, is National Nurses Day – the start of National Nurses Week.

Dorothy Sutherland called for a day to recognize nurses in 1953. At the time, Nurses Week was in October, in commemoration of Florence Nightingale’s mission in Crimea. “National Recognition Day for Nurses” was changed to May 6th in 1981. This day kicks off a week of celebrating nurses for the contributions they make each day in their communities. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has been an especially poignant reminder of the energy and sacrifices nurses make each day to care for those in need. 

The first of the frontline workers over the last year, Nurses Day and Week is a perfect time to thank a nurse in your community. Several organizations are showing their support for nurses this year by offering discounts and deals throughout the week:

  • Dunkin’ Donuts: May 6th, nurses can get a free medium hot or iced coffee at participating locations.
  • Chipotle: Now through May 31st, the restaurant chain is gifting free burritos to healthcare workers. You can place an order here.
  • Under Armor: The clothing line offers 40% off online and in-store purchases for nurses and others working in healthcare through May 9th. Visit their website, and confirm your identity here. 
  • GO-Clip: This company sells mask clips that attach to hats or other headwear. Through Nurses Week, use the promo code GONURSES to get two mask clips when you purchase one. 

Whether in schools, hospitals, clinics, or the home, each day in the community, a nurse can be found making an impact. 

At A Place At Home, our nurses provide a necessary service – Care Coordination, helping clients and families navigate an often complex healthcare system. Not only that, but they develop personalized care plans to help keep seniors in their homes longer and oversee a team of caregivers. Our nurses ensure that each client receives the compassionate and professional care that they need and deserve. 

Whether they are caring for children in schools, patients in hospitals, in the home, or those in hospice care, nurses make a difference in thousands of lives each day. This year, take a moment to thank a nurse in your life. If you or someone you love can benefit from Care Coordination or any of our other senior-focused services, reach out to us today. We would be honored to help. 

Omaha’s Caregiver of the Month: Jojo Agbeve

Caregiver of the month Jojo Agbeve has been in Omaha for just two years.

She’s been with A Place At Home for about seven months. Originally from Maryland, Jojo moved here with her parents, who wanted a quieter life. She’s currently a nursing student and works as a CNA and CMA for A Place At Home. Her goal of nursing stems from watching her mother, who is also a nurse.

“I’ve always loved medicine.”

We spoke a bit about her ambition to be a nurse and where she thinks she’ll work once she graduates. Her interest is in psychiatric nursing, though she says she doesn’t want to work in a facility or community setting. She appreciates working in homes with seniors, stating, “In facilities, you don’t have time to build a personal connection with your patients. When I’m working in the home, I’m like a guest in your home who’s there to help.”

Jojo prefers to be a caregiver where she can make that connection with her clients.

Jojo started with APAH just as Covid-19 was ramping up here in Omaha. She shared that at first, she was scared but soon took the position that none of it was in her hands. She said she’s just grateful to be a frontline worker, pointing out that there are many people out there who lost their jobs or weren’t able to work. The seniors she’s been serving have been at the forefront of her mind the entire time. “I just think, if this is scary for me, what are my clients feeling?”

She shared a story about a particular client who she helped last minute to get him to the grocery store during a snowstorm just before Christmas. Once in her car, they realized that they enjoy the same music. He told her that he didn’t get to see his family at Thanksgiving because of the pandemic and that sharing that time with her, jamming to the same music, really made him feel better about things.

At A Place At Home, we honor and value that empathy in our care team. It’s no wonder that Jojo is Caregiver of the Month. As far as working at A Place At Home, Jojo shares that she likes it a lot. She appreciates the flexible scheduling and takes ownership of her role and how significant it is.

“We are the face of A Place At Home – we represent the company.”

If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding career in an industry built on helping others, apply to work with us today

We Stand Greater Than Diabetes

November is American Diabetes Month. As declared by the American Diabetes Association, this year’s theme is “We Stand Greater Than Diabetes.” The association chose this theme to highlight that when we stand together to support the research efforts, legislation, and a healthy lifestyle, we can be greater than the threat of diabetes.

There are three main types of diabetes: Gestational, Type I, and Type II. Type I and II are the most common. Most of the time, patients can successfully manage their diabetes, no matter which kind. Managing this condition can be done through diet and exercise, and in some cases (always, in the case of Type I), medication.

But what is the difference between Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes?

  • Type I Diabetes: With this type, the body doesn’t produce insulin at all. This type cannot be prevented but can be addressed with medication and insulin therapy. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help manage Type I as well.
  • Type II Diabetes: Though Type II is preventable, it is the most common type. It often occurs in aging adults. Someone who has Type II diabetes can produce insulin, but their body doesn’t use it properly. One can manage this type successfully with diet and exercise, but in some cases does require medication.

While there’s no cure for diabetes, managing the disease can ensure most people diagnosed will live long, healthy lives. However, complications from the disease can arise if it is not taken care of properly. If left unchecked, this disease can lead to underlying conditions that cause further complications and stress on the body.

Some of these complications are seen frequently in older adults and can require regular medical attention and care.

When diabetes is not managed appropriately, neuropathy (a condition affecting the nerves that can cause a loss of feeling and weakness in the area affected) and poor circulation can occur. This can quickly lead to diabetic wounds and ulcers, often seen on the feet and lower extremities. Not only that, but uncontrolled diabetes can cause other, severe conditions. Examples are heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, issues with vision, and some skin conditions. And of course, some of these can require frequent hospitalizations and multiple new medications.

If you have diabetes, there are things you can do to prevent further complications.

 You must keep track of any prescribed medications or insulin therapies. Ensure you’re tracking your blood sugar regularly, if necessary. And of course, maintain a healthy diet and get as much exercise as possible. If your diabetes has already caused complications, it might be a good idea to reach out to an in-home care company that can help you manage a healthier lifestyle. Having caregivers in your home can help ensure that you’re following a proper diet, can help with medication reminders, and, in some cases, medication management. You can also have the peace of mind of having oversight to address any further complications that might emerge.

If you’re an aging adult with diabetes or know someone who could use assistance managing the disease process, reach out to us today. Our professional and trained caregivers can help.

November 2020: Recognizing Family Caregivers

November is National Family Caregiver Month. This month, we recognize the importance of those that serve as caregivers for their loved ones. 

In 1994, the Caregiver Action Network dubbed November as the month to recognize and honor those Americans that give their time and energy to care for the ones they love. This year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock,” and for a good reason. 

Of the 53 million adults who identify as a family caregiver, 40% of them live with the person they care for full-time. 

Being a family caregiver is no small feat. Caring for another person can be a full-time job. Given that most Americans require two incomes to support their households, most family caregivers juggle careers, children, and life in general. Whether you’re an adult child caring for a parent, or a spouse caring for your other half, caregiver burnout is a real thing. The pandemic doesn’t make things any easier. The CDC is now recommending that family caregivers be assessed regular mental health assessments in the future. 

Currently, almost 40% of those caring for a loved one are experiencing anxiety and depression directly related to COVID-19.

Some of that anxiety is from the everyday stress of juggling life and caring full-time for another adult. But some of this stress comes from situations we’ve never seen before in our lifetimes. For example, the decision to keep a parent home versus moving them into a senior living community. While the idea of being around one’s peers and having the socialization that communities can offer, the pandemic has many people choosing to keep their loved-ones home, where it’s safer from the risk of infection. For some, their loved ones were living away from home when Covid hit the US. Now, the concern is the isolation that their loved-ones are facing while visitors are no longer allowed into facilities. 

Whatever the situation, family caregivers are facing unparalleled levels of anxiety and stress.

National Family Caregiver Month is an excellent time to remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re a family caregiver, you must take care of yourself first, no matter how counterintuitive it may feel in the moments of everyday life. Taking care of yourself looks like getting enough sleep, exercise, and yes, even time away from the person you’re caring for. 

It can be challenging to decide what you can remove from your plate when caring for someone you love. Start with small doses. For example, managing your loved one’s medications can be a daunting task. Have an agency come in and take over this task for you. It takes an hour or less a week, but the weight off of your shoulders is invaluable. You can also hire an agency to provide respite care. Respite can give you the much-needed opportunity to step away and take time for yourself. Having someone you trust to take care of your loved one while you take care of yourself is also invaluable. 

You may feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but having the time to fill your cup will make huge strides in your quality of life. And that will positively impact the quality of time and care that you’re able to provide your parent, spouse, or other family members. If you’re a family caregiver and struggling with caregiver burnout, reach out to us. A Place At Home offers both respite care and medication management, among other services. Our priority is caring for your loved one so that you can care for yourself.