Getting In-home Assistance care for your loved one

April 14th, 2012

When you are caring for a relative who is unable to care for themselves, it can become quite stressful at times as you try to juggle every day tasks along with your added responsibilities. When the needs of your loved one exceed your care giving abilities, it may be time to consider in-home assistance.

Many people are not quite sure what in-home assistance consists of, and may have reservations about bringing a stranger into their home, but it’s important to understand that it is okay to ask for help. And, by dealing with a professional, ethical company, you can ease both the daily stresses of caring for a relative as well as alleviate concerns over having someone else take care of them when you are not there.

When choosing a company for caregiver services, look for one that includes experienced medical professionals, as well as offering families the ability to reach someone 24 hours a day should any questions or concerns arise. It’s also important to look for a company that can provide caregivers who are licensed and bonded, and who are passionate about what they do.

Once you are able to see the difference an experienced caregiver can make, you may soon realize that not only are you seeing the positive impact, but your loved one will greatly benefit as well.

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Making a home safer for someone with Alzheimers

January 2nd, 2012

Realizing your parent has Alzheimer’s is hard for anyone, and trying to understand the type of care they will need can be overwhelming. It’s important to remember that your parent will want to retain as much of their independence as is possible. One way to do this is to continue living in their same home.

During the early stages of the disease, most patients are capable of still living on their own with a few key alterations to their environment. Here are some things which can make it easier for your parent to continue living alone.

  • Pick a few, key places to post lists of emergency phone numbers (on the fridge, next to the person’s bed)
  • Make sure all smoke alarms are functional and have fresh batteries. If possible, purchase electrical appliances with automatic shut-off functionality, as people with Alzheimer’s sometimes forget turning an appliance on.
  • Install night lights in hallways and bathrooms for better visibility
  • Use labels for drawers and cabinets to help them remember where things are kept.
  • Arrange furniture so moving around the house is as easy as possible. Once you have done that, try not to move furniture again as this can confuse people with Alzheimer’s. It’s much easier on them if things stay in the same place.

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Best way to prevent caregiver stress

December 12th, 2011

Anyone who cares for an elderly relative can easily fall victim to caregiver stress. Just dealing with the emotional toll alone can be damaging to your health as well as the relationship you have with the person for whom you are caring. Ideally, recognizing the symptoms of caregiver stress early on is the best way to prevent them from escalating into something more serious.

Taking care of yourself as a caregiver is one of the most important ways to stay healthy. Here are a few ways to accomplish this:

  • Become an educated caregiver. As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills are necessary. Find information on alz.org or contact your local Alzheimer’s Association.
  • Take care of yourself. Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Make time for shopping, lunch with friends or even a golf outing.
  • Give yourself credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can. Don’t feel guilty because you can’t do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud.

One of the most important things to remember is that there IS help available. You are not failing as a caregiver by asking for assistance. Taking advantage of the services offered by a professional home care company can often be the ideal solution.

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Who is the Senior Resource Group of SC?

October 14th, 2011

The Senior Resource Group of South Carolina is a group of elite professionals assisting families to navigate through the medical and financial challenges of aging.

The panel is made up of leading professionals experienced in home care, assisted living, home health care, Veterans administration, estate planning, long term care and a commercial insurance broker. This group of experts is here to advocate both for our seniors and for their friends and families. We want you to get to know us before you need us.

This resource group believes that planning and preparation are key. Everyone has a story to share and all have a common theme. People say, “If I only knew I would have done xy and z differently”’ or “I do not know where to go or what to do”.

The Senior Resource Group is here to arm you with information. So when you have to make tough decisions for a loved one you have an arsenal of knowledge to assist make the best choices for your loved one.

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