Adult Children ask Home Instead Senior Care: Do you think all hospitals are the same or should we shop around? What can we do to help with our aging parent’s recovery?

Family caregivers whose aging relatives are going into the hospital should do their research to ensure a senior loved one is getting the best possible care because not all hospitals are the same. Help at home after an older adult returns from the hospital should be a consideration as well.

Patients have on average a 52 percent lower chance of dying at the nation’s top-rated hospitals compared with the lowest-rated hospitals in the 12^th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, issued by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The study examined nearly 40 million Medicare hospitalization records for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. The study looks at trends in mortality and complication rates, and provides the foundation for HealthGrades’ quality ratings of procedures and diagnoses at each individual hospital.

Overall, in-hospital, risk-adjusted mortality at the nation’s hospitals improved, on average, 10.99 percent from 2006 through 2008. However, the largest annual study of patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 non-federal hospitals found a wide gap in quality between the nation’s best hospitals and all others.

According to the study, while patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined.

It will be to your loved one’s benefit to do your homework about hospitals.  To learn more go to Hospital Can Make a Difference for Senior Loved One.

For more information about the study and to check the ratings of a hospital near your mom, go to http://www.healthgrades.com/cms/ratings-and-awards/2010-Fall-Ratings-Announcement.aspx.

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

Are the youngest siblings the chosen primary caregivers for aging parents?

So who did most mothers pick to care for them when they needed help? She is the one the mother feels closest to and thinks is most similar, Pillmer said. And she is the one who has helped her mom the most in the past.

And that person, according to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care^® network, was often the youngest. In fact, 64 percent of youngest siblings are primary caregivers compared with 57 percent of oldest siblings and 49 percent of middle siblings. Furthermore, 43 percent of youngest children say they have the closest relationship with their parents, while 70 percent of oldest children describe themselves as the responsible ones and 40 percent of middle children as the peacemakers of the family.

The truth is, birth order and parental preferences do impact caregiving situations in families with multiple siblings. Research conducted by Cornell University gerontologist Karl Pillemer found that mothers ages 65 to 75 in the Boston area were perfectly willing to name favorites among their children.

Most mothers have very distinct preferences, Dr. Pillemer said, including one to whom they feel most emotionally close and one with whom they have the most conflict. Parental favoritism is a fundamental part of the family landscape throughout life.

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

Champions for Successful Aging is a new web property created and “Championed” by Home Instead Senior Care. Through strategic partnerships and engagement with “Champions,” this site focuses on building a growing panel of thought leaders on aging. The goal is to impact policy making and bring media attention to the idea of successful aging.

Paul Hogan leads an all-star lineup of experts from the areas of academia, business and non-profit groups, all with the intent to impact key government decisions, educate and create a voice for the aging population in North America and around the world.

Do you need ideas, papers or talking points? Reference this site to help establish yourself, or Home Instead Senior Care, as being a thought leader in your community.

Over the next 20 years the entire planet will undergo a tremendous and permanent change as the population grows older. By 2030 all developed nations will have more people over the age of 60 than under the age of 15 (U.N. forecasts).

This has never happened before in the history of the planet.

This change will impact everything, from how economies operate, services governments provide, and how societies and cultures view older adults and aging.

This site has been launched to foster discussions, conversations, ideas and plans for this new world. Our point of view is that the opportunity is in front of us to create a world where more older adults can live better, longer lives. To be successful, we will need new ideas and thinking about aging and caring for older people.

Initially, the audience we want to reach with this site are  those actively involved in policy making, shaping public opinion, and leading efforts on aging in their communities and otherwise engaged in older adult issues. These are some of the “Champions” we seek.

Source: Champions of Aging

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

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

A common concern for families and siblings are denial and refusal to discuss the fact that aging parents may need more help at home. Caring for aging parents can put siblings at odds.

Denying elder care planning is common within families, nearly half (46 percent) of people surveyed who expect to eventually be caring for an elderly loved one had not taken any action to plan for this care. This survery was produced in a Harris Interactive® poll conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network.  In addition, 70 percent had not spoken with the parent or relative they anticipate needing to care for about what their wishes might be, while 76 percent had not discussed the issue of caring for elderly relatives with other family members.

Denial or sweeping elder care concerns under the carpet is a prevailing emotion and action when it comes to the care of senior loved ones. But refusing to address the issue won’t prevent the unexpected from happening. That’s why it’s important to talk with your parents and siblings as soon as possible and plan for the future.

The first step of letting go denial is to ask your relatives what they would want to do if the time comes for them to need special care in their lives. Ask specific questions such as: “If you fell and were injured, where would you want to go to rehabilitate?” If the answer is “home,” which is where most seniors prefer to be, then look into the types of services that can help your loved ones remain where they live. Discuss whether your parents would benefit from these services now. Many home health care companies are available in communities of all sizes to provide medical caregivers at home.

Oftentimes, a Home Instead Senior caregiver also is well-equipped to help seniors at home. For example, Home Instead Senior Care now has more than 900 offices throughout the world. A Home Instead CAREGiverSM is trained to assist elderly individuals by providing companionship and medication reminders, and help with meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and shopping.

Check out these tips about communicating with family members. And go to www.4070talk.com and www.solvingfamilyconflict.com to learn more.

Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., is one of North America’s foremost visionaries on the age wave, a concept he coined to refer to the aging Baby Boomer population, increasing life expectancy and the declining birth rate. He diligently tracks Baby Boomer demographics and addresses what he calls the “longevity revolution.” He describes this revolution as larger in scope than either the industrial or technological revolutions that preceded it.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1999, 39.6 million citizens were 65 and older-12.9 percent of the population. By 2030, that number will increase to 19 percent, or approximately 72.1 million people. The surge began in 2011, when Baby Boomers born in 1946 began turning 65, and it will continue until 2030. Experts believe another Baby Boom will not happen, so the U.S. median age will rise.

Dr. Dychtwald spoke to approximately 1,200 Home Instead Senior Care leaders from around the world at our 2011 International Convention in April. And his presentation resonated with us because he supports our work in paid in-home non-medical care, or homecare.

This model focuses on what about 90 percent of seniors want according to an AARP survey-to remain at home as long as possible. Today, challenging seniors’ goal to age in place is the fact that 80 percent of them have one chronic health condition, and 50 percent have at least two.

Seniors with lingering illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, will require more care for longer periods, which poses a critical question. How will public and private U.S. healthcare providers deliver care to millions of Americans?

Paid home care is one sensible solution. Independent research commissioned by Home Instead Senior Care revealed seniors with paid home care received an average of 87.9 hours of care per week, compared with 35 hours for those without it. Presumably, more care means better care.

In fact, findings show, on average, seniors receiving paid homecare required approximately 25 percent fewer yearly doctors’ visits (12.5) compared to older adults without it (16.6). Dementia patients with paid homecare averaged 10.2 physicians’ visits annually compared to 19.2 visits, a 47 percent difference. More research is required, but these statistics indicate a noteworthy role for paid homecare.

The stakes are significant. In fiscal year 2008, Medicare expenditures totaled $386 billion, and projections say it will grow by 2018 to nearly $800 billion. In human terms, paid homecare may remove the pressure on healthcare professionals, as well as easing family caregivers’ stress.

The policy-level decision before us is to recognize that paid homecare augments clinical care. When homecare is introduced in the care continuum early, the need for clinical care may be delayed, or even prevented.

Paid homecare deserves the consideration its benefits merit. It’s a commonsense way to redesign our healthcare system in light of the longevity revolution. I urge you to offer this solution whenever public policy discussions include senior care.

Paul Hogan, Chairman & Founder of Home Instead Senior Care Franchise.

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

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 Seniors:

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 at 617.557.4600.

We all have aging relatives in our family. It is important to plan for their safety. Even if the elderly family member is capable of caring for self, you can never be too cautious. The Home Instead Senior Care® network’s Senior Emergency Kit can help ensure that family caregivers like you have fast and easy access to important information about loved ones in case of an emergency call. This toolkit will provide you with all the important information you need in a centrally located file so you are ready for a crisis, day or night. The toolkit materials are available for download here.

Here are other tips to help prepare for emergencies and to keep your senior family member safe.

• Create a communications center – this consists of important information that is needed during an emergency, such as medications, phone numbers of family members and the names of doctors. These lists should be kept near a phone or posted to the side of the refrigerator.

• Create a safety system – this could simply be a scheduled phone call to check on the individual. It could also be an installed monitoring system.

• Make sure to enforce fire prevention – do this by checking outlets, using timers and whistling tea kettles and discouraging the use of any candles.

• General household safety – install non-slip rugs, nightlights, extra lighting to increase visibility and telephones that have large buttons and light up in a dark room.

• Make sure emergency items are available, including medical cards, first-aid kits, and extra batteries, anything that would be needed in an emergency situation.

Source: Life123.com

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

Summer heat can play havoc on aging bodies, especially on days when the temperature and humidity rises. It is important to take steps to make sure that older adults remain safe. U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns us that when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

Family members and the elderly need to prepare thoroughly before spending time outdoors during the summer heat. You need to make sure safety precautions are taken for the aging senior’s care during these blistering hot summer months. Heat can affect health, and exposure to extreme heat. Help your aging loved one be safe, healthy and comfortable. Here is useful information from the U.S. Department of Labor listing facts about heat exhaustion and how to protect yourself and the elderly.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

• Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
• Weakness and moist skin.
• Mood changes such as irritability or confusion.
• Upset stomach or vomiting.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

• Dry, hot skin with no sweating.
• Mental confusion or losing consciousness.
• Seizures or convulsions.

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness

Call 911 (or local emergency number) at once.
While waiting for help to arrive:

• Move the worker to a cool, shaded area.
• Loosen or remove heavy clothing.
• Provide cool drinking water.
• Fan and mist the person with water.”

For more information:

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
http://www.osha.gov
(800) 321-OSHA

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

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

Home Instead Senior Care developed a website to help family caregivers make sure their aging loved one are eating nutritiously. These tips and more are on the www.mealsandcompanionship.com website. Please check it out. This site is designed for anyone who is caring for an elderly person be it a parent, other relative or friend. You will learn why proper nutrition is important and what can happen if your senior loved one doesn’t have good eating habits; simple ways to help your senior loved one shop for good food and eat right; as well as ideas for specific dietary and health concerns.

Nutritious meals are important, but many seniors want to relive a time around the dinner table when they are sharing their lives with the people they love most. Maintaining good nutrition for older adults can be a challenge because many seniors no longer can cook for themselves. What’s more, illnesses and medications can affect their appetites. Companionship is one way to help keep seniors interested in good nutrition.

Senior Challenges to Eating Healthy Meals:

1. Grocery shopping for one
2. Lack of mealtime companionship
3. Cooking for one
4. Eating nutritious meals
5. Eating three meals a day

Seniors Need Good Nutrition