For many seniors, a trip to the doctor’s office for a checkup or prescription refill can be a laborious task. Physical limitations, illnesses, aches and pains and lack of access to transportation can make even a routine doctor’s visit a challenge. For these older adults, home visits by a physician can be the best way to get the medical care that they require. Many healthcare agencies around the United States specialize in home doctor’s visits for elderly patients. The staff of these house call organizations are medically trained doctors and nurses, who often have had specific expertise in geriatric care. The idea of in home doctor’s visits is to bring all the medical services a senior would typically receive at their physician’s office, without ever leaving home.

When physician’s and nurses pay house calls to seniors who are homebound, they are prepared to complete routine checkups to assess the elderly patient’s health. They are also able to write prescriptions, manage IV’s, complete lab work, administer x-rays and EKG’s and assess and monitor illnesses.

Medicare does offer coverage for in home medical care for those who receive Part A benefits. In order to receive Medicare benefits for doctor’s visits at home, seniors must be classified as homebound, due to specific limitations that relate to physical and mental capabilities. In some cases, Medicare will provide coverage for patients who are not isolated to their homes, provided their situation justifies in home care by a medical practitioner. Doctors who also specialize in providing house calls to the elderly also mention that Medicare covers services documented due to immobility, the need to assess in home caregiving and safety in the home, and other reasons that may prevent a senior from going to a medical office.

Medicare will not cover home visits by a physician for senior assistance with Activities of Daily Living or for those who are chronically ill. Those who do not qualify for coverage of home visits by a doctor should consider hiring an in home, non-medical caregiver for assistance with the Activities of Daily Living that they’re finding to be too much for them.

Sources: http://www.aahcp.org/homebound.shtml
http://www.seniorresourcesonline.com/articles.iml?category=Medicare
http://www.drshomevisits.com/services.html
http://www.housecalldoctorstexas.com/services.asp

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Q1 – Fact or fiction; seniors are at a greater risk for cancer?
A1 – As we grow old, the risk of developing cancer does increase slightly. The aging process lowers stress tolerance, which can impact the functioning of major organ systems and seniors may have weaker immune systems which puts them at a higher risk for cancer than younger generations. Statistics indicate that the elderly are at a much greater risk for certain types of cancer than younger Americans.

Q2 – Are there specific times of cancer that are more prevalent in seniors?
A2 – The number one form of cancer that elderly women are at risk for is breast cancer. Statistics show that by age 80, 1 in 10 women are likely to be exposed to breast cancer; a great increase compared to 1 in 2,212 at age 30. For every decade of life, the risk of developing breast cancer increases in women. Studies have also shown that men with diabetes are more likely to develop rectal or colon cancer. Since the risk of contracting diabetes increases with age, especially in senior men who struggle with obesity, the risk of colorectal cancer also increases with age. Other types of cancer, like cervical cancer, are actually more prevalent in younger generations; however the risk does still exist for women and seniors over the age of 40, with an increased risk for those struggling with other health problems.

Q3 – Is there any way for seniors to determine if they have risk factors that could contribute to the development of cancer?
A3 – Family history and overall health both play a major role in preventing cancer. Older adults should be aware of their relatives’ history with cancer so a physician can setup appropriate screening. Seniors can reduce their risk factors with diet and exercise; maintaining a healthy weight and keeping their immune system strong. Seniors can reduce the likelihood of cancer with knowledge and healthy living.

Sources: http://www.imaginis.com/cervical-cancer/risk_factors.asp
http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/cancer/a/br_cancer_age.htm
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3701&channel_id=12&relation_id=30096
http://www.springerlink.com/content/l7630l71t816g513/

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Most family caregivers don’t do what they do because they think it will be easy or fun; they provide care because of their love for a senior and concern over their health. Caregivers will have an easier time coping with the challenges, if they have an understanding of what to expect.

Physical Challenges

• Caregivers may be responsible for most or all of the light and heavy housework, which can become trying especially when combined with their own responsibilities at home

• Caregivers often need to help seniors with limited mobility, which can involve lifting and moving them. If  a caregiver is not physically strong they may injure themselves or the senior

Mental Challenges

The challenges referred to here, are those that a senior’s mental issues may present to a caregiver.
• Caregivers may have to learn new skills to manage medications

• Caregivers often need to take responsibility over a senior’s financing

• Caregivers also need to make adjustments to a home for safety, and plan activities appropriate for the senior

Financial Challenges

• Caregivers may have to take on some form of financial obligation to assist the senior, since often senior’s with health limitations have used a lot of their funds paying for medical costs

• Sometimes caregivers, like their senior, may use a great deal of their savings and financial resources to fund healthcare or other costs related to senior care

Emotional Challenges

• Caregivers may find it difficult to deal with the physical and mental changes that come with a health decline of their beloved family member

• Family caregivers can feel conflicting emotions ranging from affection, frustration, anger, sadness and guilt

• It can also be a big emotional challenge to try and convince a family member to take caregiving help; or deal with the emotions that come with having someone rely on you fully.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Pet Adoption for Seniors – Is it right for you?

Bob’s story reveals both the joys and the heartaches of pet ownership for seniors.  On the one hand, many older adults love the companionship of a pet.  But the issues of aging can make it difficult for some seniors to do pet-care tasks.  Walking a dog, taking an animal to the vet, or purchasing necessary food and supplies are more difficult with arthritis and other changes associated with aging.

Helping seniors with their pets is a valuable service our CAREGivers provide, but one that many people don’t know about.  Our CAREGivers fulfill a variety of functions for seniors who have pets.  They exercise the animals, help with their nutritional and medical needs, and comfort seniors when their pets die.

For instance, when one client’s dog died, her favorite CAREGiver sat with her for the entire day to provide solace.  And another older adult’s pet issues have become regular entries in her Home Instead Senior Care client log (a book we keep in a senior’s home to provide an update of daily activities.)

The fact that animals are so much a part of seniors’ lives is good news, since research has demonstrated numerous connections between pet ownership and health and well-being.  For instance, the Humane Society of the United States has found that having a pet can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce bone loss, improve circulation and increase levels of exercise.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

In most cases, seniors and decision-makers wait too long before addressing the need for senior care.  The result of this is that health may decline either quickly or progressively because the senior may not be taking their medications correctly, eating a well balanced diet or following the orders of their health care professionals.  The other possibility is that they will grow weak and have a fall causing them to be hospitalized.  All of these problems can be avoided if families see the signs of decline and move swiftly to ensure they have the help they need at home.

Two-thirds of seniors report obtaining care after they have what they describe as a “pivotal incident.”  A pivotal incident is commonly defined as a fall or other kind of accident.  However, in most cases the incident is actually the result of a chronic condition sucn as arthritis or dementia that should have been addressed much sooner.

In the course of dealing with chronic and persistent conditions, there is a tipping point where decision-makers decide that care has grown beyond their capacity.  The age of the senior when this tipping point is usually reached may be anywhere between 70 and 90, depending on a wide variety of individual factors.  A relatively small number of seniors, 10 percent are under 70 when they are recommended for senior home care.

Average Age Recommended for In-Home Senior Care:

Age:                          % Recommended:

50-60                        2%

60-70                        7%

70-80                        43%

80-90                        49%

90+                            0%

By working with either an independent care manager or a professional, who understands the changes that seniors go through that lead up to needing either assisted living or assistance at home, families can stay ahead of their seniors needs.  Home Instead Senior Care can conduct in home assessments to help with the process of understanding the maze of options available.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Thirty-three percent of current seniors have accidents each year. The annual number of hip fractures alone is 350,000. But, Baby Boomers are healthier and more active than previous generations. More than 70 percent report good mental and physical health, but precisely because they are more active. Boomers have more accidents than previous generations. Biking, running, skiing and other activities send Boomers to the emergency room far more frequently than previous generations.

And despite the overall good health of their generation, 30 percent of Boomers are already suffering from debilitating health issues that are usually associated with old age, such as Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis.

Arthritis is the most common condition that affects seniors. Another emerging area of concern is obesity. In 2002, 30 percent of Boomers were reported as obese. That number is expected to grow to 42 percent by 2025. Obesity makes daily activities much more difficult and increases the likelihood of other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.

Most Common Conditions Impacting Senior:

10% General Dementia
3% Parkinson’s Disease
12% Orthopedic Condition
12% Depression
12% Alzheimer’s Disease
30% Multiple Sclerosis
12% Arthiritis
23% Other

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us 617.314. 9873.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Today we are presenting some more information that came out of the largest study that was conducted on the state of senior caregiving in America.  These results just came out recently and if you would like a full copy of the report contact us to receive an electronic version.

The Importance of Home was another factor they looked at and the study found that an overwhelming majority (86 percent) of elderly want to be cared for at home for as long as possible. This is consistent with several other studies, including an AARP survey that found 89 percent of elderly would prefer in home care as opposed to assisted living or nursing homes.

The Home Instead survey also examined the views of family decision-makers about the desirability of their relatives continuing to age in place. The study found a strong correlation: 76 percent of decision-makers believe it is important for their loved one to be able to stay at home and to have in home care when the time comes that they need extra help.

So why are so many elderly people moving from their homes or being advised to move from their homes into Assisted Living Communities?  We would love to hear your thoughts on this question – please leave us a comment.

Source:  When the Age Wave Hits: The State of Senior Caregiving in America by Home Instead Senior Care, January 2009.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Home Instead Senior Care recently compiled the results of the largest survey ever conducted on the state of senior caregiving in the United States. Some interesting findings were determined and are summarized in posts on Carebuzz this week.

At Home Instead Senior Care we often receive calls and are questioned about “who pays for in home senior care?” – “Does medicare or an insurance policy cover these types of services?”

When a patient is discharged from a hospital, the doctor can request that a home health attendant come to the patients home for 2 hours at a time for up to 3 visits/week. Usually this is available for 6 weeks and medicare will pay for it.  The home health attendant can help prepare a meal, assist with bathing and perform some light housekeeping in the patient’s room. While these services may be helpful, patients usually can not specify the time of day or possibly can not choose the person that they would prefer to come into their home and assist them with very personal matters.

For a patient who would like a schedule that is a better fit for their routine, this type of service may not be ideal.  We also find that although having these medicare funded services are helpful they may not be enough for someone who needs more assistance throughout the day or night. There may be some overlap between the tasks that home health aides and home care workers or CAREGivers perform so it is important for a family member to be clear about what they expect each person to do if Medicare funded home health aides are coming into the home.

Many people are surprised to find out how affordable CAREGiving services can be. Each Home Instead Senior Care office is independently owned, so prices will vary, but the average across the US is $18/hour.

Who Actually Pays?:

- 25% Of seniors pay for their own care

- 19% Is paid for by The primary decision-maker – the person responsible for making key health-care decisions when it is not the senior

- 17% percent of seniors make use of long-term care insurance

- 10% Is funded by State and volunteer/community contributions

Source: When The Age Wave Hits: Home Instead Senior Care Annual Reports

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Welcome to our Home Care in Boston, MA. information blog. Have you had a tough conversation with your aging relative lately? It’s hard, isn’t it? They’re suppose to be the adult, right? You’re the child, right? How do you adjust to the changing roles? If you think it’s hard on you, imagine how difficult it must be for an aging person who feels their independence fading away. Most seniors elect denial of losing their capacities and who can blame them?

What about you? How are you dealing with the reversed role? Please tell us your recent experience, what eventually helped you both to adjust? Or are you in the middle of struggle? Please leave you comments below. We have readers who want to learn how to bring up the talk about home care and other concerns with aging relatives.

A list of topics that may be difficult but need your attention:

- Needing to leave home
- Losing driving privileges… ah, the tables have turned!
- Money & Finances
- Health

Some things that keep us from having the critical conversation with our aging loved one:

- Continuation or Parent/Children role
- Parent refuses to talk
- You, the family member, feels unprepared
- Distance
- Fear

If you are struggling in any way with having a critical conversation, just know there’s support and resouces to help you regarding communicating with your senior parent or loved one. Here are a few:

Home Instead Senior Care Boston providing non-medical companionship, and home care services for aging adults.