Everything You Should know about Elderly Care Resources

Some seniors might be anxious about their retirements or the idea of nursing homes, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. Turning into an elder opens the door to a calmer, more relaxing world. Many countries appreciate the work of the elders and provide resources to keep them well and safe. If you are reaching this tender age, you might be looking into what this entails and what resources are there for you.

What is Elder Care?

Eldercare assists seniors who have difficulty living independently or have a chronic illness. These services can include daily tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping, errands, transportation, and personal charges such as grooming and bathing. It can also help take medication correctly, deal with other medical needs, and keep track of appointments.

Eldercare is often provided by family members, either unpaid or for low costs. At the same time, the US offers some of these services under the wing of Medicaid. However, it is also frequently performed by professional caregivers supervised by an elder care organization or senior center. The term “elder care” can be contrasted with the term “child care,” which can be provided by family members (especially mothers), neighbors, or other nonprofessional whereas, elder care tends to be more institutionalized and professionals are involved.

What do Elder Care Professionals Do?

Eldercare professionals can be divided into two main categories: home health aides and registered nurses.

Home Health Aides

Home health aides assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and limited housekeeping. They may also refer to themselves as companions, homemakers, companions, personal care aides, or home attendants. Some states require licensing for this position, though not all do.

Aides are also hired to provide transportation for the elderly. They may transport the elder to medical appointments and help them run errands or go shopping.

If you hire an aide to be present in your house 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they may be called live-in workers. These workers can often perform light tasks such as cooking and cleaning, but they may also provide personal care services such as shaving or bathing.

Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) are licensed to prescribe medications, treat injuries or illnesses, and counsel around health issues. These professionals are often required to be on duty 24 hours a day. RNs can be found in private homes, nursing homes, or assisted living residences. They can also work in home health care agencies with other nurses and aides.

Seniors need to receive all the assistance they need without jeopardizing their dignity or safety. Elder care professionals can help prevent chronic illness and mental health problems. They are here to ensure that your senior loved one is receiving the best possible care and support.

Elder Care Resources for Seniors

Resources for senior care are growing everywhere. The US government has set up many services to take care of the retired and make their life easier. This includes health insurance programs such as Medicaid, which helps seniors receive nursing home benefits, or Medicare, which provides health insurance for seniors over 65. it’s vital to notice that Medicare only applies under specific requirements, and often those requirements can be challenging to obtain.

In addition to federal programs, many non-profit organizations aim to support seniors living outside nursing homes. There are also many options available from private companies for skilled home care and long-term care insurance. If you want more information on this subject, check out some of these resources:

Long Term Care Insurance Guide

The Long Term Care Insurance Guide is a complete guide to long-term care insurance for seniors. This guide shows seniors everything they need to know about long-term care insurance and how to use it effectively. Every senior should take the time to learn about this important topic and make sure that they are protected against chronic illness or death if one of their loved ones has these issues and needs help.

Elder Care Locator

The Elder Care Locator is the first reference point for finding elder care services in your state. The US government created this service, so it has links to every possible assistance to help seniors receive support at home. If you want to, check out this site for more information on home care benefits or nursing homes in your area. It’s important to remember that some services are only accessible under certain conditions.

Assisted Living Federation of America

A great resource if you’re looking for short-term assisted living facilities is the Assisted Living Federation of America. This website has a facility locator where you can find all kinds of information on assisted living facilities near you, including contact details and rates for different levels of care.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of resources for senior citizens. Open your eyes, and you will find excellent assisted living facilities in your area. Now that you know the adequate resources, you should be able to find good elderly care services in Hillsborough or near your location. Fortunately, we will save you the research time and direct you to not just good, but the best elderly care services in Hillsborough: No Place Like Home Care. Head over to their website to find out more about elder care resources for seniors.

Tips On Choosing the Right Caregiver For an Older Loved One

According to a study done by the Institute for Health & Aging at the University of California, there are over 41 million Americans who have a chronic health condition that limits their daily activities in some way. What’s more, 12 million Americans are unable to live independently. Similarly, about 20 percent of elders who are over 85 are impaired and need professional assistance or long-term care. These people need daily professional assistance while doing daily simple tasks, like eating, bathing, and dressing.

However, most people want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. For these people, especially if they are impaired, home caregivers and home health in Seminole are the best options available. Home care services are provided by professionals who know how to properly take care of your older loved ones.

Unfortunately, most people who need some kind of home care rely on their relatives or friends. However, more and more seniors understand the benefits of hiring professional caregivers. Agencies for elderly home care in Pasco help seniors live in their own homes for longer, in comfort and safety. These professional services also give families the much-needed peace of mind. What’s more, many states and the federal government provide financial assistance to people who otherwise would not be able to afford this type of service.

Let’s take a look at the best tips on how to choose a caregiver for your older loved one:

#1 – Determine your home-care needs

Before choosing the right caregiver, you should evaluate the type of help that is needed in health care, household care, and personal care. Try to answer several important questions:

• Do you need home health care, such as medication management or physical therapy?
• Do you need help with house cleaning, home maintenance, shopping, or running errands?
• Do you need non-medical personal care, such as eating, getting dressed, toileting or bathing?
• Are you looking for a companion or a sitter?

#2 – Write a short job description

Try to write out a simple job description based on the type of help you need. Make sure to include these things:

• the type of health care training needed for the service you want (there are various qualifications for this type of service, like Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Certified Nursing Assistant)
• driving – do you need a caregiver that knows how to drive – this is important if the caregiver has to run errands
• ability to operate special equipment or do special tasks

Are you looking for caregivers and home health in Seminole? Make sure to hire the best agencies for elderly home care in Pasco.

#3 – Draft a job contract

Usually, this is done by the agency you will work with. However, if you want to work with an independent caregiver, you should have a job contract. The contract should be based on the job description and should include:

• the wage – how much, when, and how the payment will be made
• the working hours
• the employee’s Social Security number (this is needed because you have to report the wages paid to the caregiver to the Internal Revenue Service)
• the job description
• unacceptable behavior – such as tardiness, abusive language, or smoking
• termination – how is the termination handled, how much notice should be provided, the accepted reasons for termination without notice
• dated signatures for both the employer and the employee

#4 – Know where to look for the right caregiver

Identify the main home care providers in your area and contact them. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, or anyone that knows home health care providers in your area. Similarly, if you belong to a church, ask your minister or pastor for relevant prospects. Also, look online for the best caregivers in your area.

#5 – Prepare for the interview

Try to prepare a list of questions to ask potential candidates and home health care agencies. Create a list for any applicant, referral source, reference, or caregiver agency that you may call during your research. If you don’t know what questions to include on your list, contact a local caregiver agency – they will likely be helpful because you are essentially a prospective customer.

#6 – Interview the applicants

The first step is to screen the applicants via phone interview. If your experience during the phone interview was good, it’s time to interview in person the people who sound acceptable. Ask a friend or a family member to sit in during the interview to have a second opinion. If possible, include the elderly person who will be receiving care. Pay special attention to the interaction between the caregiver and the person who will be receiving care.

If you want to work with a caregiver agency, ask to interview the caregiver yourself. Many agencies look very good on paper, but they have many employees, and some won’t be a good fit for you. The reasons are multiple – religious, social, or cultural. Make sure you know the caregiver before you actually sign the contract.

Are you looking for caregivers and home health in Seminole? Make sure to hire the best agencies for elderly home care in Pasco.

#7 – Check references

The home care business is very personal, so getting reliable references is important. Make sure to talk to as many people as possible and pay attention to what they have to say about the services. Look for someone who is reliable, dependable, as well as someone who is qualified to do the work.

#8 – Get a criminal background check

People who are paid by public funds must pass a criminal background check. In this case, pay attention to convictions that would concern you or be a safety risk for your elder loved one. These convictions may include drug use, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving without a license or insurance. If you are hiring a home care agency, ask them to do the criminal background check. Ask for a report, to make sure that the caregiver is safe.

Loud and Clear: Strategies to Address the Signs of Hearing Loss for Older Adults

Hearing loss is common in seniors. Unfortunately, it cannot be seen, it’s usually noticed as a change in behavior. A senior may often ask you to repeat what you are saying, may turn the TV really loud, or complain that you are always mumbling. If this occurs just a few times, it’s not a problem. However, if this occurs constantly, your older adult may suffer from hearing loss.

If you do notice these signs and symptoms, try to visit the doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment, as soon as possible. If left untreated, hearing problems can evolve much quicker, can increase the risk of dementia, and causes mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and stress. What’s more, hearing loss will make seniors feel lonely and apathetic. Because of these risks, ear health is routinely monitored in facilities offering senior citizen health care in Seminole. Similarly, caregivers for seniors in Seminole provide support for seniors who suffer from hearing loss.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is a gradual or sudden decrease in how well a person hears. It is one of the most common conditions affecting patients living in senior citizen health care in Seminole. Studies show that about one in three people between the ages of 64 and 74 suffers from some form of hearing loss. The numbers go up for people over the age of 75, where half of the seniors experience symptoms. Hearing loss makes it difficult to understand what other people are saying, understand a doctor’s advice, respond to warnings, and hear alarms or doorbells. These problems may lead to embarrassing, frustrating, or even dangerous situations.

Signs you have a hearing problem

Here is a short list of questions that will help you determine whether you are experiencing hearing loss. If you answer YES to three or more of these questions, you may suffer from hearing loss and you will have to see a doctor and get a professional test:

• Do you feel embarrassed when meeting new people because you can’t hear what they are saying?
• Are you frustrated because you can’t hear what other people are saying around you?
• Do you feel limited or restricted by a hearing problem?
• Do you find it difficult to hear someone whispering?
• Do you avoid religious services because you can’t hear the sermon?
• Do you have trouble watching TV or listening to the radio? Do you usually turn the volume up?
• Do you have trouble hearing your family or friends when you are out together at a restaurant?

What should you do if you have trouble hearing?

Hearing loss can be serious. Try to contact a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms associated with this medical condition. Luckily, there are many professionals who can help you. For instance, you can start by contacting your primary care physician. Depending on the type of hearing problem you have, you may be directed to an audiologist, an otolaryngologist, or to a hearing aid specialist. Each of these professionals has a different type of expertise and training. Similarly, you can ask caregivers for seniors in Seminole who can direct you to the best specialists.For example, an otolaryngologist is a doctor who is specialized in treating diseases of the nose, ear, and throat. He or she will try to determine if you have hearing loss and what type of treatment is ideal for your case. If necessary, the otolaryngologist will direct you to an audiologist, who is specialized in determining the degree of hearing loss you experience. Some audiologists can help you choose and fit hearing aid. In some cases, you may be directed to a hearing aid specialist, who will perform several detailed tests to determine which hearing aid is ideal for your case.

Why are you losing your hearing?

Hearing loss can be caused by multiple factors. Usually, people lose their hearing slowly, as their age. This is the most common condition associated with hearing loss and is known as presbycusis. Unfortunately, doctors do not know precisely the cause of presbycusis, but there seems to be a genetic factor behind many cases. Another common factor that causes hearing loss is loud noise. People that are exposed to loud noise often suffer from hearing loss – farmers, construction workers, airport workers, tree care workers, and musicians. In some cases, hearing loss can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, and fungic infections, tumors, strokes, or certain medicines. Talk to professional caregivers for seniors in Seminole if you experience hearing loss.

What type of treatment is available?

There are many types of treatments that are available for people suffering from hearing loss living in senior citizen health care in Seminole. Some work better than others, depending on the type of hearing loss. Here are the best treatments available right now:

• hearing aids – they are small electronic devices that are worn in or behind your ear; they work by making the sound louder, so you can hear them; unfortunately, things often sound different when you wear a hearing aid; a good audiologist can help you pick the right hearing aid for you; ideally, you should go through a trial period before picking your hearing aid;

• cochlear implants – these are very small electronic devices that are surgically implanted in the inner ear; they help people who are experiencing serious hearing loss or are nearly deaf; cochlear implants can be done in one ear or in both ears, depending on the type of your hearing loss;

• assistive listening devices – these are small devices that are attached to telephones, smartphones, tablets, audio systems in enclosed spaces (like theaters, places of worship, or auditoriums) that help people hear better; these are often used when the audience consists of senior citizens;

• speech or lip-reading – this is a special skill that can help people suffering from hearing loss; it is especially helpful if you want to follow conversational speech and works better if you already know the people and how their lips move when speaking.

Taking Care Of Elders During The Pandemic

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc in the United States. With millions of cases, our country is the most affected region in the world. According to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 80 percent of coronavirus-related deaths have been adults 65 years of age and older. These statistics don’t lie – older adults are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from a coronavirus infection. Because of this, it’s imperative for family, friends, and other people to care for their elders and to take extra precautions when in close contact with older adults.

Elder care assistants and caregivers for elders should take adequate protection measures when working with older adults. Unfortunately, this task is not without challenges, particularly for the caregivers who work in close proximity to the patients. Everyone who works close to an older adult should be careful and know specifically how to do it is very important. How do we care for our senior parents and grandparents? How do we make sure they are not infected with this terrible new virus strain? Let’s try to answer these questions:

Start by limiting your own risk for the new coronavirus strain

The best way to help your grandparents or parents against COVID19 is to make sure you don’t have it. After all, the new coronavirus that causes COVID19 is extremely contagious. It’s easily transmitted from person to person via minuscule respiratory droplets. To avoid contamination, everyone, including you, should take adequate precautions. Don’t venture out in public settings, especially indoor areas where there are a lot of people. This is particularly important for elder care assistants who often work indoors, where many people are present.

Simple precautions, like being aware of the virus and its risks, are very important. Don’t expose yourself to people who are sick and don’t attend gatherings, concerts or other types of meetings. Here are other safety precautions, as suggested by doctors and other healthcare professionals:

• wash your hands frequently, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds – the old fashioned soap and water can help you immensely against the new coronavirus; make sure to wash your hands before and after visiting your parents or grandparents; also wash your hands if you touched public surfaces, doorknobs, windows, and other items;

• avoid public settings, crowds, and other events – preferably, avoid all public settings; this includes public transport, crowded supermarkets, conferences, and any type of meeting; if you do need to attend this type of gathering, make sure you keep your high-risk elderly loved ones safe when in contact; try to maintain a 6-foot safety distance when visiting your parents or grandparents; wear a face covering to prevent further exposure;

• disinfect and clean surfaces regularly – do this both in your home and the home of the senior you go for a visit; focus on the kitchen countertops, tables, doorknobs; disinfect the medical equipment and the items often used by your elder loved ones, like handrails, walkers and canes;

Practice social distancing everywhere, but don’t forget the risks of isolation

Social distancing has become the buzzword associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone knows about it, and everyone should practice it. Social distancing is the main thing you will need to focus on if you want to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. It’s the way we keep at-risk individuals safe and healthy during this difficult period. Also, restricting and limiting in-person visitations is very important. However, social distancing, when implemented excessively and improperly, can cause social isolation. It’s important to know how to care for seniors while practicing social distancing, but without increasing the risk of psychological stress associated with isolation. There must be a healthy balance, but how can elder care assistants do it?

• use modern technology – virtual communication platforms are hugely beneficial during this period; they are the saving grace for caregivers for elders across the world; they preserve healthy human interaction in a virtual setting, which is perfect during the pandemic; although navigating through and using the new technology can be a little tricky for older people, they can be very helpful; make sure to provide them with the instructions they need, and assist them with the setup;

• schedule a virtual visitation – create a routine for you and your parents or grandparents; schedule a regular virtual meeting every week or every day; this can help you monitor their needs without relying on in-person interaction; you also enjoy better communication with your loved ones; it’s about spending quality time with your loved ones, even during the pandemic, and technology is what makes it possible;

• postpone unnecessary visitations – it’s perfectly normal to want to visit your grandparents or parents, but try to limit visitations; don’t visit too often in order to limit the risk of infecting them with the new coronavirus strain; limit their exposure to the virus or other germs; similarly, ask them to postpone doctor visitations or other interactions with other people;

• encourage seniors to keep in touch – encourage them to talk on virtual platforms to other people as well, like neighbors, friends, or extended family; seniors have their own social network and have to keep in touch with the people they care for, just like us; caregivers for elders should be able to assist elders set up the devices and software used for this type of communication;

• set up emergency contacts and speed dials – this is critically important for any senior citizen – try to identify a person who lives nearby or can come quickly to the senior if he or she needs it; this is important if you live far away and are not easily reachable; make sure you put the contact numbers in the speed dial on the phone; also, add the COVID-19 emergency helpline numbers to their speed dial function;