A Surprising Number of People with Alzheimer’s Disease Live Alone: More Businesses Stepping In to Keep Seniors With Alzheimer’s Safe at Home

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly half of those over age 85 have Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable condition that robs seniors of their minds and eventually their lives. What’s more, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of those with Alzheimer’s disease live alone, according to the Association. With a generation of baby boomers rapidly moving into the senior ranks, more resources than ever will be needed to help those with this disease remain safely at home. The Home Instead Senior Care®network is one organization that has stepped up to the plate with a unique approach to help family caregivers manage the challenges of the disease, allowing more older adults than ever to stay home longer. The specialized training also is helping to grow businesses that can meet the changing needs of an aging society.

Omaha, NE (PRWEB) May 31, 2012

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly half of those over age 85 have Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable condition that robs seniors of their minds and eventually their lives. What’s more, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of those with Alzheimer’s disease live alone, according to the Association. With a generation of baby boomers rapidly moving into the senior ranks, more resources than ever will be needed to help those with this disease remain safely at home. The Home Instead Senior Care® network is one organization that has stepped up to the plate with a unique approach to help family caregivers manage the challenges of the disease, allowing more older adults than ever to stay home longer. The specialized training also is helping to grow businesses that can meet the changing needs of an aging society.

With 60 percent of her clientele suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Home Instead Senior Care® franchise owner Cathy Murphy recognizes the signs. “The issues that may impact seniors in the early stages of the disease include depression and isolation,” she said. “Soon they might confuse their medications and suffer from lack of nutritious meals followed by poor hygiene. Many family caregivers of these loved ones try to make excuses until the symptoms of Alzheimer’s can no longer be ignored.”

In the past, that’s usually when families had to face the difficult truth that their loved ones no longer could live at home. However, there now exists a marketplace that features memory aids, such as clocks with large faces or notice boards for messages, equipment for eating and drinking, safety devices such as gas detectors and water-level alerts, and mobility aids such as walking frames and wheelchairs.

What’s more the corporate office of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network which includes Murphy’s franchise office and is based in Omaha, Neb., has recently rolled out a unique training approach to help family caregivers manage some of the more difficult behaviors of Alzheimer’s disease such as anger, aggression and wandering at home.

There are good reasons to keep seniors with Alzheimer’s disease at home, says Murphy, whose 10-year-old Home Instead Senior Care San Francisco franchise helps older adults stay independent by providing non-medical care and companionship such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and shopping. “In the early to mid stages of Alzheimer’s disease seniors are more comfortable in familiar surroundings and more confident they are maintaining some independence in their own homes where they are more accessible to family.”

The network’s Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging through Research and Education(SM) Training Program employs a technique called “Capturing Life’s Journey®” that involves gathering stories and experiences about the senior to help caregivers manage challenging behaviors. Because people with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty with short-term memory, the Capturing Life’s Journey approach taps into long-term memory to develop activities that can help seniors with the disease manage better.

Murphy is training her Home Instead CAREGivers(SM) in this approach and soon will make the training available free to family caregivers as well. In addition, she has brought in a geriatric social worker to work with her staff, her CAREGivers and clients in their homes to customize care plans.

“The professional community is surprised,” Murphy noted. “The feedback we’ve received is that this truly is different from anything they have ever seen.”

Kathleen McKay, North America Franchise Development Manager for Home Instead, Inc., said that businesses must be poised to respond to the needs of a rapidly expanding aging population. “Services that help older adults stay at home – where surveys typically say seniors want to remain – must be top of mind if the next generation of seniors has the resources they need to cope with the many changes of aging. A goal of Home Instead, Inc. is to ensure that at-home care and companionship franchises are available throughout North America so that no senior is without the help he or she needs to remain at home. Many opportunities still exist for business owners who want to be that resource.”

“From the demographics we’ve seen, the need for in-home senior care is going to explode,” Murphy said. “We must be prepared to educate and to provide quality care.”

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Founded in 1994 in Omaha by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care® network is the world's largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors, with more than 950 independently owned and operated franchises providing in excess of 45 million hours of care throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, Finland, Austria, Italy, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ more than 65,000 CAREGivers(SM) worldwide who provide basic support services – assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, incidental transportation and shopping – which enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. In addition, CAREGivers are trained in the network’s groundbreaking Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education(SM) Program to work with seniors who suffer from these conditions. This world class curriculum also is available free to family caregivers online or through local Home Instead Senior Care offices. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

Additional information about Home Instead Senior Care is available from Erin Albers, local PR and marketing director. Information about senior care business opportunities is available from the Home Instead multimedia brochure.

Erin Albers
Home Instead Senior Care
402-575-5969

Article c/o:
http://news.yahoo.com/surprising-number-people-alzheimer-disease-live-alone-more-070437677.html

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Happy Clients Say Thank You!

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CAREGiver of the Month

CAREGiver of the Month

Congratulations to our CAREGiver of The Month Angela B.  Angela has been with Home Instead Senior Care 2+ wonderful years and we can say with all confidence and  joy, she is one of the best.  Angela has a bubbly personality and is instantly liked upon meeting her for the first time.  In addition she is kindhearted and very nuturing.  Her sense of humor brightens anyone's day and her comforting spirit is indeed her greatest quality.  Her clients have more than loved her.  We'd like to honor Angela B this month for being an outstanding CAREGiver.  Thank you Angela B for all you do and for being a part of the Home Instead Senior Care team.

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Elderly Volunteer Wins State Honor

Elderly volunteer wins state honor

Rose Eldridge, a 92-year-old Norco woman, is being honored for her community service, including her work at the Norco Seniors and Pets Relief Fund.recognized as the California winner of the Home Instead Senior Care network’s Salute to Senior Service award.

Eldridge is being honored for her community service, including her work at the Norco Seniors and Pets Relief Fund.

The Salute to Senior Service program was launched this year by the Home Instead Senior Care network to honor seniors’ commitments to their causes and communities. As one of 50 state winners, Eldridge earned a spot in the Salute to Senior Service Wall of Fame on the SalutetoSeniorService.com website, where her nomination story is posted.

In her work with the Norco Seniors and Pets Relief Fund, Eldridge spends hours each day loading her truck with food and supplies for seniors and their pets.

“Rose is a valued member of the community and a senior hero to many,” said Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc., which provides non-medical in-home care services for seniors. “She has shown that volunteer opportunities for older adults should not diminish because of age. Seniors such as Rose are making important contributions to their communities through charities, nonprofit organizations and faith communities.”

Kim Hicken, general manager for Home Instead Senior Care in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, also applauded Eldridge.

“We encourage aging adults to stay active in their community to address the needs of others along with keeping their mind, body and soul activity,” Hicken said. “Volunteering starts at a young age and can continue throughout your entire life. Rose is a wonderful example.”

As a state winner, Eldridge was considered for the national Salute to Senior Service award.


Information: SalutetoSeniorService.com

Article c/o: http://www.pe.com

These interactive educational course brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care will give family caregivers instructive information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, valuable insight for providing better care, and techniques to help improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one experiencing memory loss.  Click the link to get started.  http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com

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Recommended Foods that Aid Senior Recovery

We all know that getting proper nutrition and staying hydrated are the keys to leading a healthy life. But what if you have a senior loved one who recently returned home from the hospital and is not well? Are there certain foods that can help speed recovery and help him or her feel better sooner? According to WebMD and other research, the answer is "yes."

Eating the right foods can help your senior loved one prevent complications such as dehydration, and constipation. Among the first suggestions are to include lots of fiber and lean protein in his or her diet.

Fiber will help keep your senior loved one regular and may prevent long-term issues such as intestinal problems and diabetes. High fiber foods include whole grain breads, fresh fruits, vegetables (fresh or frozen), oatmeal and certain cereals. Before purchasing any cereal, make sure to read the label to see that is has high fiber content.

Some fresh fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, apples, broccoli and sweet potatoes, contain numerous vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, iron and other nutrients that are essential for healthy living, bone building and cell recovery. Be sure to include as many of these as possible in your senior loved one's diet.

WebMD's guide, "Healthy Eating When You're Sick" says, lean proteins such as chicken, pork, and fish, are important for helping your senior loved one to build and repair cells, prevent the loss of muscle mass, maintain fluid balance and improve his or her body's ability to heal. Some good non-animal sources of protein are beans, soy products like tofu, and nuts. Jennifer Heisler, RN, writes in an article on About.com titled, "What To Eat During Your Recovery After Surgery," that it is recommended that your senior loved one not eat red meat while recovering because it can cause constipation and is high in saturated fats.

Dairy products are also rich in protein. But it is best to have your senior stick with low-fat dairy products such as skim milk, cottage cheese and yogurt. Yogurt in particular is rich in calcium, and may contain good bacteria, which may help with digestion.

Eggs are another good healthy food option because they have only about 75 calories per serving, and contain 13 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D.

Heisler also recommends, if possible, make sure your senior eats whole foods versus processed products as the latter tend to have much higher amounts of fat, sugar, salt and chemical additives. An orange is an example of a whole food, but orange juice from a carton is not.

Some seniors recovering from illness or surgery may have a hard time eating and thus may not get enough calories. Failing to eat can slow recovery. If chewing is a problem, try to serve your senior a smoothie made with yogurt, milk and some fresh fruits. If getting enough calories is a problem for your senior, exchange cream or whole milk for skim milk; try an avocado over a green salad; or boost the amount of proteins in his or her diet since proteins are calorie-rich.

Use this dietary plan to help plan your loved one's meals when they first return home from the hospital. You can also find many additional resources in theMaintaining Proper Nutrition for Seniors section of CaregiverStress.com.

If you find your senior loved one needs more meal and dietary assistance than you can provide, non-medical in-home senior care providers, like your local Home Instead Senior Care office, offer meal preparation services including grocery shopping, meal planning, and assistance during mealtimes.

For more info: http://www.caregiverstress.com

Free Alzheimer’s e-Learning Course

This interactive educational course brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care will give family caregivers instructive information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, valuable insight for providing better care, and techniques to help improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one experiencing memory loss.

Classes included in this course:

• Understanding Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
• Capturing Life’s Journey
• Managing Behaviors
• Encouraging Engagement
• Safety

Each class can be completed within 5–15 minutes. No preregistration required.

https://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com