The following article appears in the San Diego MD magazine, Oct/Nov 2009 issue

by Ron Kinder, Owner, Home Care Assistance

Convincing a parent that he needs help at home can sometime be a challenge.  The headline above is exactly what the father yelled at his daughter.  The daughter knew her father needed help – his Alzheimer’s was progressing and he was getting very forgetful of important things – like turning off the stove.

But let’s face it, none of us want to loose our independence or our dignity.  It’s easy to conjure up images of Nurse Ratched, the controlling, sadistic asylum nurse in “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest,” as our domineering caregiver.

Male clients, in particular, often have a harder time understanding that they’ll have more freedom, not less, if someone is helping them with some of the daily chores that have just become more difficult to accomplish.

A good homecare agency can help solve what sometimes becomes a very sore and emotional point between parents and children.  In this true case, our Case Manager discussed the father’s habits and enjoyments with the daughter and found that he liked to go out to lunch every day and occasionally, to a nearby Indian casino to play the slot machines.

She suggested that maybe the Father would be safer with a security guard – and he agreed!  So one of our male caregivers (aka Security Guard Jim), takes care of Ed in his home – and makes sure that he is safe when they go out to lunch – and occasionally, to play the slots at the nearby casino.  Our caregivers have also taken on the roles of tennis players and chefs in order to surmount initial objections.

Studies show that a majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes as long as possible.  Homecare can enable them to maintain the lifestyle and freedom they deserve.

When the icon of college basketball coaches, John Wooden, was asked at age 99, how he had lived so long, Wooden replied, “There’s no answer, but if I had to give one, I’d say life needs balance.  And love.”  Los Angeles Times, Sunday, December 13, 2009, T. J. Simers column.

(see the Home Care Assistance Balanced Care Method on this website)

Basketball Coach John Wooden (99)

John Robert Wooden (born October 14, 1910) is a retired American basketball coach. He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (class of 1961) and as a coach (class of 1973). He was the first person ever enshrined in both categories; only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since been so honored. His 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years while at UCLA are unmatched by any other college basketball coach.  Wikipedia

Ron Kinder is the President of Home Care Assistance of San Diego

Working in the senior care industry, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many seniors about what’s on their wish list this year for the holidays. I understand that whether you’re looking for mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, or any other senior loved one, finding the right holiday gift can be a challenge.  You want to give something thoughtful and practical that will put a smile on the recipient’s face, while staying within a certain budget.  Since many seniors already own things that don’t wear out, this year’s top 10 gifts for seniors includes temporary items and activities across all price ranges that friends and clients have noted would be the perfect gifts to create fond memories and simple pleasures.

Health & Fitness

• Under $250 – Resistance Chair®, by VQ ActionCare. This patented, at-home exercise system allows mature adults at any fitness level to perform a wide range of exercises from a safe, seated position to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and endurance, stave off the effects of common ailments such as arthritis, diabetes and obesity, and accelerate post-op rehabilitation. (Available at www.VQActionCare.com or 877-368-6800)
• Under $100 – Senior yoga, swim or exercise classes. These activities are great for seniors who are mobile and enjoy getting out of the house.  Most 24- Hour Fitness, L.A. Fitness and YMCA locations offer senior-specific classes.

Games

• Under $20 – The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles. Everything is supersized about this book of crossword puzzles, including the print. Available at Amazon.com
• Under $20 – Will Shortz Presents the Little Black Book of Sudoku. Sudoku puzzles are mentally stimulating and entertaining. Available at Amazon.com

Activities

• Under $100 – Tickets for an outing with family or a caregiver.  Think about what the senior is interested in or his/her cherished pastimes, such as going to the zoo or a museum, and purchase gift tickets.
• Under $200 – Passes to a local dinner theater or play.

Loungewear

• Under $50 – Slippers. Toasty toes are a must for seniors.  Look for slippers that that offer warmth, comfort, and durability for inside to outside use.  Check out L.L Bean or Nordstrom for this year’s top picks.
• Under $75 – “Winter Fleece Robe, Zip-front.” A cozy robe is something everyone can use.  The zip-up feature offers extra warmth.  Add a monogram for personalization. Available at L.L. Bean

Sentimental/Personal

• Under $100 – A framed family portrait, taken by professional photographer.
• Priceless – Companionship. The gift of companionship and time spent with your senior loved one is not a gift to be overlooked.  This time can be spent going out to dinner, staying home and cooking, listening to stories, or doing the recipient’s favorite activity together.  If you are not able to spend time with your loved one, consider finding a local senior group or homecare agency that can make sure your senior loved one doesn’t spend the holidays alone.

As baby boomers continue to age, the influx of aging adults 55 years and older into our society is expected to put a financial strain on our state. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s in San Diego alone are expected to nearly double by 2030. This projection by the California Alzheimer’s Association means that these next 20 years will be a time of great trials for our medical and health care institutions. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are among the most widely spread diseases that rob our aging adults of their independence in a time when their health is most fragile and care is most important. Although researchers of these diseases find themselves hopeful for future treatment and possible reversal of the disease, it is fair to say that until a significant discovery is made, the future looks grim for adult care in California. Most families who would otherwise turn to a nursing home for the care of their aging parents will turn to their families and hourly in home care to watch over their older family members when they cannot.

According to a University of California San Francisco’s Institute for Health and Aging study, it currently costs nearly $97,000 annually for a patient living in a nursing home. This number is expected to grow significantly with the rise in health care cost due to the rising number California’s elderly and our state budget cuts. Many people do not make this amount of income in 1 year, and with the high cost of living in San Diego, it is expected that the future of adult care in San Diego lies with in-home care with the recipient’s family members.

When dealing with the decision of what to do with an aging family member, planning ahead of time can help to avoid confusion and can make the process easier. By getting together with the entire family to discuss the matter, you can discuss who will care for the individual, where they will stay, and how each member of the family can make themselves responsible for helping. While one member of the family can care for the individual’s meals, another can take charge of maintaining their home, including chores such as mowing the lawn and other chores aimed at keeping the home safe. A trusted family member must also be placed in charge of the finances once the aging adult is no longer able to do so themselves. This will include creating a list with the person’s social security number, insurance policy numbers, bank accounts, and monthly bills that must be taken care of. In addition, a medical list must also be created and kept handy listing medications, allergies, doctors and other healthcare providers.

Someone must also be in charge of communicating and overseeing that the adult is always supervised and not left alone to fend for themselves. Adults with Alzheimer’s and severe dementia are known for suffering with bouts of paranoia and delusions. Leaving them alone can lead to them hurting themselves or can lead to them forgetting to take their medications. Hourly in home care is also available from trusted home care providers to help in the times when nobody in the family is able to help. When making this decision, practice good judgment to ensure your family member’s safety.

When choosing in-home health care assistance, be sure to do your research to make sure you are getting a qualified person who is experienced in dealing with elderly, especially if the in home healthcare recipient suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Check the website and referrals for the company providing the in-home healthcare worker to make sure their service is trusted and that their employees are qualified. Speak with the person who will be caring for your aging adult and ask important questions regarding to their past experience and what they would do in a worst case scenario. Leave the elder’s daily medication laid out in a schedule pill box or in a detailed time scheduled list so that the aid worker can easily provide the medication to the adult without risking accidental overdose or accidentally missing dosage. Finally, be sure to leave all of your emergency contact information with this person, in case something comes up in which they require further assistance.

If it is your first time using a company for in home care or if you are not sure about the service this person can provide, be sure to stay for a while with this person to see how they handle themselves and your aging parent before stepping out. You will be able to see how they handle the job and you can provide immediate advice about how you feel they should handle specific tasks. Do this until you are comfortable with this person being alone with your family member. Once you are comfortable you will feel good about leaving them in the care of a stranger. Be sure to call often and speak with this person to build a relationship with them. They will be able to provide you with important information about the health of your family member.

With the rising cost of nursing home care, in-home care is the way of the future for families who cannot afford to place their family members in a nursing home. At a fraction of the cost, families with limited budgets are most likely to subscribe to hourly in-home care for their aging parents as a supplement to their family caring for their aging parents.

When choosing a San Diego homecare assistant, be sure to research the company they work for and their past references to ensure you are employing a quality assistant whose primary interest is the care of your parent. Avoid hiring a person who you do not trust as they will have access to your parent’s home and belongings, and most importantly, the health of your family member. If possible, have family members stop by to check up on your home healthcare provider to make sure things are running smoothly and don’t forget to as for feedback from the home care recipient as they will be the ones most likely to give you the best and most honest feedback. Choosing the right help may be one of the most important decisions you can make for your family, be sure to practice good judgment when picking the right person for the job.

In a time of great medicines, a higher standard of living and new sense of health-consciousness, people are living longer than ever before.  With an aging population comes the necessity for a greater amount of in-home care because even though the elderly are living longer, it does not mean they can live an independent life.  As much as you may love your dear, older relatives, you have your own life to lead.  If you live in the San Diego area with elderly parents or other relatives, now may be the time to look into the possibility of having San Diego elder home care arranged.

The most convenient kind of elder care comes in the form of San Diego home health care.  By utilizing this form of elderly care system, your loved one benefits from the convenience of being able to stay in their own home.  Statistics show that seniors who are permitted to live out the remainder of their lives in their own homes rather than a nursing home end up living longer and happier.  With elderly home care San Diego, you can spend quality time with your elderly family members instead of only having time to care for them.

Since providers of elderly home care in San Diego understand that there are many different possible situations with elderly care needs, the agency you work with can put together a San home care package that will suit your needs the very best.  Everything from visiting weekly to three or four times a day may be options for you to consider.  As the situation of your elderly family member changes, flexible agencies can shift your plan to give you a greater level of support when you need it.

There are a vast number of reasons you may want to employ the service of a San Diego elder care agency.  Perhaps your loved one suffers from a physical disability.  Elderly home care San Diego makes life in a wheel chair more manageable.  A disability of the mind is common as well, like Dementia, Alzheimer’s or a number of other ailments.  You could utilize San Diego home care to help your loved one with everything from shopping and cooking to bathing and assisting with taking medication.  The peace of mind and lack of guilt you can feel when utilizing San Diego home health care is the number one reason people look into getting such a service.

San Diego Home Care Assistance is a national home health care provider. Our San Diego office provides an excellent service to the residents of San Diego and the surrounding cities. We take the time to understand the scope of assistance required by our clients. Please give us a call to find out how we can create a program that is unique to your needs. For more information please visit our website www.sandiegohomecareassistance.com

Health care is a hot topic today and never more important as our society is getting older and older.  The average adult in the US is expected to live to well into their eighties.  San Diego Caregivers provided by San Diego Homecare Assistance understands the need for dignified care for this aging generation.  As your parents or grandparents move into retirement age, providing them a way to maintain their independence while still ensuring they keep their doctors appointments or take their medication on time can be difficult, especially if you are maintaining your own career.

San Diego Home Care can help you and your loved one get the care they need. In home care provides a wonderful opportunity for them to remain in a familiar environment while the details about taking care of their needs are still met.  Your loved one may only need a few hours a day, or they may need a twenty-four hour caregiver.  Either way a caregiver can be there to tend to all of their needs.  They are professional and reliable and will keep you informed as to the progress of your families aging process.  Each of our San Diego Caregivers is bonded, insured and thoroughly trained. The caregiver can maintain the medications for your loved one and even take them to their doctor’s appointments.

As your loved ones age there are difficult decisions to be made, particularly in the cases where dementia or Alzheimer’s is concerned.  Many people in early stages are capable of taking care of many of their own needs.  But as the situation progresses, subtle problems can crop up.  With San Diego Home Care Assistance Services for Seniors, there is a trained professional who can immediately recognize symptoms which may suggest needed changes in care or updates the doctor should be aware of.  There are many different services a caregiver San Diego can provide including: companionship and conversation, monitoring diet and eating habits, mental awareness, respite care, answering the door, signing for deliveries/checking the mail, helping to chose and put on clothing, reminding about appointments and even care for houseplants.

The list goes on but this shows a caregiver is not just a nurse at your loved ones home to take care of medical needs.  Rather, they are someone there to tend to all the needs of the aging.  In most cases they become a dear friend, practically a member of the family, providing the love, attention and care your aging loved one needs in his or her twilight years.  Caregivers San Diego not only help the aging, they can help you understand and cope with the entire process.