Those who provide care for their Boston spouse face the same challenges as other family caregivers. However, in addition, they also have their own struggles which are unique to their situation. Caregiving for a spouse can cause changes in the relationship, based on reduced intimacy and changing roles in the family; so it’s important that seniors who are establishing caregiver relationships with their spouse maintain communication, try and separate their caregiver relationship from their emotional one, and have a plan for their future.

When caregiving for a spouse, both parties may need to adjust and take on new roles. While one spouse may have previously been responsible for financial matters, the other one may need to step in and take over as part of their caregiving responsibilities. While it is part of the caregiving burden, acceptance and communication during these role changes is crucial; but Boston spousal caregivers also need to make a point to maintain elements of their relationship before they became a caregiver. In order to maintain an emotionally and physically intimate relationship, the relationship shouldn’t be allowed to turn into one of a parent and child. Ensure that you continue to do activities you once enjoyed together, and discuss your sexual intimacy.

Remember to plan financially, and have a backup plan should something happen to the care giver spouse so the care recipient receives the care they require. Both spouses should also understand that a level of caregiving stress is common, so a plan should be in place for respite care when the caregiver needs to step temporarily out of their role.

Sources:
1.    Caregiver-Connect
2.   Revolution Health

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

Bostonians who provide care for their spouse face the same challenges as other family caregivers. However, in addition, they also have their own struggles which are unique to their situation. Caregiving for a spouse can cause changes in the relationship, based on reduced intimacy and changing roles in the family; so it’s important that seniors who are establishing caregiver relationships with their spouse maintain communication, try and separate their caregiver relationship from their emotional one, and have a plan for their future.

When caregiving for a spouse, both parties may need to adjust and take on new roles. While one spouse may have previously been responsible for financial matters, the other one may need to step in and take over as part of their caregiving responsibilities. While it is part of the caregiving burden, acceptance and communication during these role changes is crucial; but spousal caregivers also need to make a point to maintain elements of their relationship before they became a caregiver. In order to maintain an emotionally and physically intimate relationship, the relationship shouldn’t be allowed to turn into one of a parent and child. Ensure that you continue to do activities you once enjoyed together in Boston, and discuss your sexual intimacy.

Remember to plan financially, and have a backup plan should something happen to the care giver spouse so the care recipient receives the care they require. Both spouses should also understand that a level of caregiving stress is common, so a plan should be in place for respite care when the caregiver needs to step temporarily out of their role.

Sources:
1.    Caregiver-Connect
2.    Revolution Health

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

Knowing when your loved one is demonstrating signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s can be one of the first steps to establishing a medical diagnosis and determining appropriate senior care. Read on to determine if the senior in your life could be exhibiting symptoms of dementia.

1.    Memory Loss – everyone has brief memory lapses; it’s not unusual to forget the occasional name or date and remember it later, however, seniors with dementia may forget pieces of information that they are never able to recall.
2.    Difficulty performing familiar tasks – seniors with dementia may forget simple tasks, like how to turn on the stove.
3.    Problems with language – sentences formed by a senior with dementia may be hard to understand, they may forget words or substitute inappropriate ones.
4.    Disorientation – seniors with dementia may get lost when close to home because they are disoriented with time and place.
5.    Poor judgment – seniors may have trouble making decisions, or dress inappropriately for the weather.
6.    Misplacing things in strange places – seniors with dementia may put the milk in the bathroom or their keys in the fridge.
7.    Mood changes – often seniors with dementia have rapid mood swings for no discernable reason.
8.    Problems with abstract thinking – dealing with numbers may be especially difficult.
9.    Personality changes – seniors with dementia may become fearful, suspicious and paranoid or demonstrate behaviors unusual for them.
10.    Loss of initiative – seniors with Alzheimer’s may lack motivation on a regular basis; getting out of bed or getting dressed may require prompting.

Check out this resource for more information on Dementia: http://seniorcare.homeinstead.com/alzheimers-dementia/

Sources:
1.    Northwestern University
2.    Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

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

Q – I’ve been thinking of moving my elderly mother in to the house I share with my husband and children, is this a good idea and what can I expect?

A – There are many pros to having your elderly mother live with you from a care perspective, especially if she is struggling with independent living. But it will also be a challenging experience for both your mother and the rest of your family, who are not used to co-existing under the same roof.

Pros:
• Having your mother living under your roof in Boston will allow you to care for your elderly parent around the clock
• When living in the same home, you are available should a medical emergency or accident occur with your mother
• Your mother won’t have to worry about maintaining a home (cooking, cleaning); she can pitch in with tasks she’s capable of
• Not having to travel to provide care to your mother will be more convenient for you and your family

Cons:
• Roles in your household could change along with family dynamic
• Your mother may not adjust well to the functioning of your household, and may attempt to interfere with the raising of your children
• You might feel you need to look after your mother full-time when living under the same roof, so the caregiver structure may be more stressful
• There may be disputes over family finances if clear expectations aren’t set

Sources:
1. Associated Content
2. Women Today Magazine
3. US News.com

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

According to a report published by the AARP, in 2007 the economic value of family caregivers would have been $375 billion if they had been paid for their home care assistance. However, it is the value of family caregivers that cannot be measured monetarily that makes a far more substantial impact on the lives of seniors they provide home care for.

Family caregivers sacrifice greatly to provide help to their senior relatives in need. A great majority of family caregivers are men and women with full or part-time careers, which they balance along with their in-home senior care responsibilities and providing care for their immediate family and often, young children. Family caregivers sacrifice in order to better the lives of their senior relatives or parents, by identifying the aspects of home life that seniors are struggling with and providing their assistance; allowing seniors to remain at home with some resemblance of an independent lifestyle that doesn’t require them to live in a community living facility for the elderly.

Sometimes seniors become resentful of their caregivers, and forget to place value upon what they’re sacrificing to improve the senior’s lifestyle, because they are resentful of the loss of independence that has occurred due to the aging process. So seniors asking for help from their families or hiring a caregiver need to remember just how valuable a contribution a caregiver can make to the life of a senior.

Sources:
1.    AARP
2.    National Family Caregiver’s Association

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

Historically, 57% to 75% of family caregivers for seniors have been women of a certain demographic; but as gender roles change, so does the family caregiving structure; and more men are becoming involved in the care of an elderly parent or family member. However, statistics do show that many of these male caregivers aren’t caring for elderly parents; they are providing care for their spouse who is suffering from an illness or injury. When it comes to caring for an older relative, men continue to play a decreased role compared to their female family members; they provide support, but women still spend 50% more time caring for a senior.

However, as many women hold careers that are just as demanding as their male spouses and men are playing a greater role in the care of their children, we might begin to see an increase in the numbers of male family caregivers as the family structure continues to change and adapt. And, according to studies, an increase of male presence in home and community care for seniors will have its benefits. Male caregivers can initiate greater large motor activities, due to physical strength; might encounter fewer workplace injuries due to the strain of lifting senior care recipients; and might be able to handle more strenuous housekeeping duties.

If you know a male that is a family caregiver we would like to hear from you… please send us a comment about your experience and we can post it on our blog.

Sources:
1.    Onkar Caregiver’s Training Institute
2.    Family Caregiver Alliance
3.    MedicineNet.com

With no known cure for Alzheimer’s, the senior healthcare profession is constantly searching for methods to improve the cognitive skills of senior Alzheimer’s patients. Research studies completed by the University of California and other Alzheimer’s experts have discovered not only that music therapy is an effective way to allow seniors to express themselves when verbal communication becomes impossible; music also stimulates the memory which can prevent further development of the cognitively crippling disease.

According to the study completed by the University of California, seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s can listen to music soundtracks of their past to evoke memories and emotions locked away. The pre-frontal cortex, the region of the brain which seems to be responsible for linking music to memories seems to be the least affected by Alzheimer’s, shows the positive affects that music has upon the disease. Senior healthcare professionals hope that by playing seniors music they are familiar with, they can stimulate the memories of seniors with Alzheimer’s and prevent development of the affects of the disease.

Music therapy is a common treatment used upon senior patients; music therapy can help seniors communicate, even eliciting physical responses in seniors with late stage Alzheimer’s. It can also reduce agitation, coordinate motor movements, and create positive interactions with others. There is no doubting the positive benefits of music on memory and senior well-being, and with these positive developments; home caregivers and medical professionals are using music therapy as a common treatment method for seniors with Alzheimer’s.

Sources:
1.    prnewswire.ca
2.   The Telegraph: Richard Alleyne
3.    Music Therapy Association of BC

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

At approximately $174,000, the average lifetime cost for senior Alzheimer’s care, the disease can take a toll on the finances of seniors and their families. There are two major aspects of Alzheimer’s and finances that seniors and their families need to consider; advance financial planning, to prepare for a stage when the senior may be unable to be involved in their own financial decisions; and understanding the costs associated with Alzheimer’s care.

Elderly costs for Alzheimer’s care do vary dependent upon the progression of the disease; but can average around $18,000 per year for early Alzheimer’s care, $30,000 for a senior with moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms and $36,000 during the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 75% of the costs incurred are due to Alzheimer’s care required in the home, while the other 25% of average Alzheimer’s costs relate directly to health care. Since costs of Alzheimer’s care are so significant, often seniors are unable to support the costs self-sufficiently, and family caregivers may become responsible for medical and care costs.

Seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s, may also become physically and mentally unable to manage their finances self-sufficiently, so during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease it’s important for seniors to establish a living will, appoint a Power of Attorney, and ensure that all bills and financial documents are consolidated.

With appropriate planning and consideration of the costs implications of Alzheimer’s, seniors and their families can put greater emphasis upon health over finance.

Sources:
1.   Alzheimer’s Association
2.   About.com

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

Senior depression is an unfortunate reality of getting older for many seniors. After witnessing many drastic changes and tragedies throughout the later years of their lives, it’s no surprise that seniors may struggle with their morale. However, that doesn’t mean that we as friends, family members, and caregivers of seniors have to stand by idly and let a senior suffer with depression in silence; we can step in and help boost their morale by making a positive impact on their lifestyle.

4 Ways to Boost Senior Morale:

1) Encourage physical activity – exercise releases hormones which can help stave off depression. Instead of sitting around at home during a visit with a senior, go out for a walk or pick another activity that’s well suited to the senior’s physical capabilities.
2) Create social situations – the best way to boost senior morale and prevent loneliness is to get them involved in social situations. Invite your senior to a party or encourage them to join a social activity.
3) Help maintain a healthy diet – studies have proven that a well-balanced diet can prevent depression, so keep your senior’s fridge well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.
4) Offer support – if your efforts just don’t seem to boost your senior’s morale or they continue to struggle with elderly depression, make sure they know you are willing to listen to anything on their mind. If they aren’t comfortable talking with a friend or family member, encourage them to speak with a counselor or join a support group for seniors.

Sources:
1. Senior Journal: Kara Gavin
2. Everyday Health

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

As a family caregiver, one of the best ways to prepare for the safety and comfort of your aging family member is to think about caregiving proactively. Many in-home accidents occur when families and seniors exercise reactive versus proactive thinking. Instead of reacting to potential hazards after accidents have already happened, caregivers need to think proactively and anticipate potential dangers to seniors that are present in their home, by installing safety equipment, removing tripping hazards, and evaluating the day-to-day tasks that are difficult for a senior independently.

However, proactive thinking by a caregiver doesn’t have to stop at home safety; even before your elderly family member reaches a stage where home care, family caregiving or residence in a long-term care home is needed, family members can be proactive and begin to discuss the senior’s wishes with regards to care assistance. When involved with the care decisions of an elderly parent, you can learn what role they would like you to play in a crisis and you can assist them in preparing the necessary legal paperwork required for making senior medical decisions. As family caregivers and concerned family members, it is our job to help plan for our seniors’ futures; by arming ourselves with knowledge and thinking proactively, we can ensure that they receive quality caring throughout their elder years.

Sources:
1. StrengthforCaring.com

2. Answers4Families.com

3. AARP: Olympia Dukakis

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