It’s no secret that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be life changing for Boston seniors whose worlds as they know it are about to be turned upside down. But the affects of Alzheimer’s don’t stop with those who suffer from the physical symptoms of the disease; it spreads to those around them and can have the gravest impact on their family caregivers.

Caregivers spend day after day dealing with their seniors who are going through the changes that Alzheimer’s brings, and while often the senior is unaware of how they’re changing, family caregivers experience it all. They see how their loved ones skills are declining, they might not be recognized by someone who has been in their lives for decades, and they are forced to cope with the changing moods which aren’t always pleasant. In addition to those affects of Alzheimer’s upon a family caregiver, there are of course the many responsibilities that come with caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s which can be incredibly trying and stressful at times.

In order to reduce the stress that comes with caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, family caregivers should educate themselves about the illness in order to be prepared for what’s to come. It’s also important that they take time out for themselves, so they are in a better emotional state to provide care to their senior. Help is available in Boston for seniors with Alzheimer’s; home care agencies can provide the respite care that caregivers need in order to take the time to care for themselves too.

Sources:

1. Health and Age
2. ProQuest

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

Q – I have thought about home care for my aging mother in Boston; but how do I know when it’s the right time?

A – There is no cut and dry answer for when it’s right to bring home care into the life of a Boston senior like your mother, but there are some life situations that seniors can encounter which makes home care ideal for them.  If your mother finds herself experiencing one or more of the following scenarios, then it may be time to consider home care for her.

• She’s struggling with Activities of Daily Living – seniors who struggle with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, taking their medications, or keeping up with chores around the home are ideal candidates for in-home senior care

• Her mobility is declining – seniors who are having changes with their balance and mobility may be at a greater risk of falling or having an accident in the home when trying to perform ADLs . By hiring a caregiver, safety issues can be addressed and prevented through additional help

• She’s given up driving – seniors who no longer drive for whatever reason, would greatly benefit from the help of a caregiver who can take them to run errands or to appointments

• She doesn’t have family nearby – seniors who have the above problems but do not have family nearby to help them can benefit from in home care when there’s no one else out there to help them

• She’s recently come out of hospital or rehab – after seniors have been released from the hospital or rehab program and are in recovery, it’s better for seniors to have the help of a caregiver so they don’t put too much of a burden on their bodies by trying to care for themselves or their homes

• She suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia

Sources:

1. Elder Issues

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

Q – My dad’s caregiver has suggested digital photography as an activity for them to do together. I am totally on board with this since I know photography was a hobby of my dad’s in his younger days, and it’s great that she’s trying to inspire him creatively. The only problem is the caregiver doesn’t have a camera, and I don’t have one that I can lend him. With his birthday coming up, I’m thinking about buying a digital camera for him, but is there anything specific that I need to look for to ensure that the camera chosen is senior-friendly, especially since his abilities might change over the next few years while he has the camera?

- Stella, 47

A – It’s great to hear that both you and your father’s senior home caregiver are willing to inspire your dad’s creativity through photography! Shop around in Boston to find a digital camera that is a good value, but there are also specific features that you should look for in order to ensure that the choice is appropriate for your dad today, and later on in the future if he continues the hobby of taking pictures on his own or with a caregiver. Think about your dad’s technological knowledge; if it’s limited, choose a camera that has minimal features without all of the unnecessary bells and whistles. A point and shoot style camera is more than sufficient for a senior looking to take on a digital photography hobby. You also want to look for a camera that has relatively large buttons, as his dexterity could decrease with age, as well as a camera with a large display screen. Also ensure that his computer is compatible with the camera before you decide to bring it home!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. eHow

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

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

While it may seem obvious to the family that a senior is in need of help around the home in order to ensure their health and safety is first priority, the obstacle can be convincing a senior that it’s okay to give up part of their independence as they age. For many seniors, the worst thing that can happen to them is to end up in a nursing home or assisted living facility; but just because a little help is required, doesn’t mean that has to be their fate.

Professional caregivers can provide Boston seniors the help that they need so they are not overburdened by the responsibilities of caring for a home and for themselves, especially when it creates a strain on their health. With professional caregivers providing seniors help with just about anything they need; from helping with bathing/dressing, preparing meals, running errands, and even light-housekeeping and laundry, seniors are provided with the option to stay in their homes while maintaining their established lifestyles. While a potential loss of independence may be scary, this is an option that gives Boston seniors the best of both worlds.

Sources:

1. Senior Journal

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

How do you know when it’s time for your Boston senior to seek in home senior care help? While there are a number of ways that a professional caregiver can benefit seniors by helping them out around their Boston homes, there are some seniors that are prime candidates for care who can also benefit the most from the senior care services.

• Seniors who struggle with Activities of Daily Living – seniors who struggle with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, taking their medications, or keeping up with chores around the home are ideal candidates for in-home senior care

• Seniors with declining mobility – seniors who are having changes with their balance and mobility may be at a greater risk of falling or having an accident in the home when trying to perform ADLs . By hiring a caregiver, safety issues can be addressed and prevented through additional help

• Seniors who have had to give up driving – seniors who no longer drive for whatever reason, would greatly benefit from the help of a caregiver who can take them to run errands or to appointments

• Seniors who don’t have family nearby – seniors who have the above problems but do not have family nearby to help them can benefit from in home care when there’s no one else out there to help them

• Seniors who have come out of the hospital or rehab – after seniors have been released from the hospital or rehab program and are in recovery, it’s better for seniors to have the help of a caregiver so they don’t put too much of a burden on their bodies by trying to care for themselves or their homes

• Seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia – safety may be an issue for seniors who struggle with their memories

Sources:

1. Elder Issues

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

It may not be a common topic of discussion, even among senior care providers and those involved in the elder care industry, but elder abuse is taking place all around us in Boston and across the United States. It’s been estimated that between 5%-10% of older adults suffer from abuse or neglect, often at the hands of their own care providers; however, since many of these cases go unreported it’s hard to get a grasp on exactly how many seniors find themselves victims. Of course, the lack of reporting regarding elder abuse also has additional consequences; seniors, unwilling or unable to speak up about their abuse, suffer in silence and allow the situation to continue. As a result, it’s important for family and friends to be on the look out for signs that a senior might be a victim of abuse, and if they’re detected, to speak up and give the senior a voice.

• The senior is showing physical signs of injury, including bruising, sprains and cuts

• There are bedsores on the senior’s body, which may show signs of neglect

• The senior seems to be tense and argumentative around his or her caregiver

• The senior has withdrawn from many social activities that they once enjoyed

• The senior’s general attitude has changed

• The senior refuses to seek treatment for any issues with drugs, alcohol or depression

• The senior tries to avoid the topic of his/her care

• The senior appears to be losing excessive amounts of weight

• The senior’s caregiver seems “too good to be true”, if you get the impression, that may very well be the case. A good caregiver should be open and honest about their dealings with a senior.

Sources:

Planning for Eldercare

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

One of the top ways that Boston seniors can beat the inevitable stresses of aging is to form a reliable support network and stay connected with them. A support network can consist of close family members and friends who provide fun and conversation during times of minimal stress, and love and support so seniors who feel that they’re under pressure. A support network, isn’t like a support group that is usually moderated by a mental health professional or organization; it doesn’t bring together people with similar problems, it simply forms a network of people who seniors can trust and rely upon.

Having a formed support network can have the following benefits for Boston seniors:

• It forms a sense of belonging – having a support network makes seniors feel like they’re not alone, which goes along way to fending off stress

• Results in an increased sense of self-worth – when people call seniors a friend, it makes them feel like they belong, and that they’re a good person to be around

• Creates feelings of security – by reaching out and getting to know others on a personal level, seniors get the reassurance that if they’re beginning to exhibit signs of depression or anxiety, someone will reach out and encourage them to get the help and support they need

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic
2. The American Institute of Stress

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

Everyone in Boston and across the nation is feeling the strain as a result of the economic recession; but American seniors in particular struggle with the repercussions of the financial crisis as it takes a much graver toll on them emotionally and physically. Take this checklist to find out if an important senior in your life is at risk for serious health complications as a result of the stress caused by financial uncertainty.

• The senior lives on a fixed income, with limited finances available

• The senior is not receiving a good return on investments or from retirement savings programs

• The senior would struggle to find the financing to fund the medical care required following a serious medical emergency

• The senior fears that due to interest rates going down the toilet, losing his/her home is a real possibility

• As a result of stress and worrying the senior has a weakened immune system demonstrated by an increased number of colds and viruses

• The senior is demonstrating signs of anxiety or depression, with more emotional highs and lows, and/or an unwillingness to participate in activities they he/she once enjoyed

Sources:

1. The American Institute of Stress

2. The Mayo Clinic

Image: pro.corbis.com

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

Everyone deals with stress in their lives, regardless of age. We worry about finances, family, jobs and more. While chronic stress and chronic worrying can have a detrimental affect on people of all ages, seniors in particular are at particular risk for complications as a result of inadequate stress management. Worrying may be a normal part of life; it’s okay to have concerns. But it’s not okay when chronic worrying leads seniors to face their mortality before their time. Stress doesn’t just have emotional effects, beyond the potential for anxiety and depression, stress can have physical repercussions upon the health of a senior.

Effects of Senior Stress

• Anxiety and depression

• Cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke

• Gastrointestinal problems

• Loss of appetite

• Headaches

• Insomnia

Psychological Effects of Chronic Worrying

• Feelings of helpless

• Difficulties with decision making

• Difficulties concentrating on everyday tasks

• Panic attacks

Sources:

1. SeniorJournal.com
2. Associated Content
3. The American Institute of Stress

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

The decision to become a family caregiver for an aging parent in the Boston area can be one of the most challenging and rewarding choices you’ll ever make. Naturally, when taking a dive into elder home care you want to ensure that your senior loved one receives the best care available; so how do you prepare to become a caregiver? Start by arming yourself with information; use the internet, like you are now, and other home care resources to learn how to deal with the emotional aspects of caregiving.  Seek out additional resources within your local Boston community; including caregiver support groups, transportation services, adult day cares and local medical centers. Whether or not you and your senior will require some of the services today, it’s wise to have an understanding of what’s available when you need them.

It’s also important to work with your parents to have all the legal and financial documentation prepared and available should you need to assist them in managing their affairs. Ask them to put together a list of important account numbers and contacts and keep it in a safe and secure place. You don’t need to be savvy to the information today, but it’s a good idea to have it available. You should also ensure that your parents have a living will prepared, so that you can ensure their medical wishes are carried out appropriately if at some point they are unable to speak for themselves.

Sources:

1. Associated Content

2. Adsense Blog

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