Sometimes, even though families may want to continue caring for their loved one at home, it may be necessary to place them in a nursing facility. Since this decision most of the time is made because of a crisis situation and not a planned effort here are helpful tips to help you in assessing the facilities that you visit. First, ask your doctor for a list of nursing facilities in the area of interest. Also talk to your neighbors and friends to see if they already have a loved one in a nursing home. Bring a list of question to ask. Take notes so that you can remember the differences. First call each facility. How was your phone call answered? Was the person kind and considerate? Did they take their time with you, or were you rushed? Schedule an appointment for each facility. Try to make the appointment toward the afternoon. The residents should by then be well into their day. You can tell by the way they look the quality of care they are receiving. FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT! Forget the pretty wallpaper and decor. Do the residents look well groomed? Do their clothes look clean? Is there any odor in the air. If there is an odor present, the staff is not taking proper care of the residents. It is not the housekeeping. As you walk through each facility, take notice and count the people that work there. They should all be wearing uniforms and name tags so you will be able to spot them easily.. Write it down on your list. Do the staff member look happy to be there? Are they sitting around or attending to residents? Do they look tired? This might clue you in if there is adequate staff provided. Do the residents look happy? Does the facility look warm and inviting, reminding you of a home like setting or a hospital? Use the bathroom. Is there an odor? Does it look clean? Are there paper towels, soap and toilet paper? Do you feel rushed by the representative showing you the facility? Can they answer your questions easily? Change from home to a nursing home will be a difficult thing for mom or dad. How will the nursing home help in the transition of your loved one to life in a nursing home. Make a note of the answer, since this is important. This may be your loved one's home. How a nursing home helps in the transition will tell you how they may care for your loved one's emotional well-being. All nursing homes have a basic charge. Basic charges only cover room and board. Ask what those charges are and what services are extra? What about special needs? What if mom or dad has Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia? Most nursing home charge more in these cases. So make sure you find out the cost. What about the cost of a private room, or semi-private? Are personal hygiene products provided or is this an added expense? What about payment sources. Always ask for an itemized list of ALL charges. How often is the facility inspected? Ask to see the inspection report, that is your right. Are they licensed? Is the administrator licensed? What is the policy of the facility in regards to using restraints? Are all the staff members background screened, trained and qualified? Is the staff respectful, warm and caring towards the residents? Are they warm and respectful towards you? Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they say hello as you pass by? Is there enough privacy for your loved one? Is it a home like setting and can mom or dad decorate their room with personal belongings? How do they ensure safety of your loved one's belongings? Changing a person's routine can make things more difficult. If mom or dad is used to a certain routine, can they keep that routine to ensure an easy transition? If mom or dad likes milk and cookies before bed, can they still have that? What about hygiene? How often will mom or dad be able to shower or bathe? Does your loved one have to go outside the facility for grooming ( haircuts or salon visits) or is there a hair salon on- site? Being well-groomed helps the self-confidence and well-being of your loved one. How often does a doctor make visits? Don't assume a doctor visits regularly. Will assistance be provided by the same caregiver daily, or does the facility rotate the caregivers. This can also be difficult for your loved one. How are emergencies handled? Will you be notified immediately? Does the nursing facility provide dental check-ups? How many assistance are there for each resident? How many are there at night? What is the policy of moving residents to new rooms? Will you be consulted? How do they provide continuous stimulus for their residents? What activities are offered? What does the nursing home do to improve the quality of care for their residents? When you narrow down your list, make a second unscheduled visit to the nursing facility at different times. Once in the morning and once in the evening. The staff in the day may be different than at night. You will be able to notice if any staff are there in the evening as well as daytime meaning they are working double shifts. This may mean that the facility is understaffed. Participate. Have lunch or dinner. This will allow you to sample the food. Talk to other residents. Ask how they like the facility. Ask the residents if they receive enough portions. And what about if they would like more food, can they have a second helping? What about snacks? Are they provided and when? Ask the residents if the activities provided by the facility meet their interest. Can you or your family visit at anytime or only during designated visiting hours? What about laundry? If the facility provides laundry service is there an extra charge? Do the clothes smell fresh and clean? Are they free from wrinkles and stains? Always TAKE YOUR TIME and observe. You have that right. You have the right to ask any and as many questions to put your mind at ease. You have the right to visit more than once before making a decision. Always think as you walk through each facility, would I want to live here? Is this comparable to my loved one's home atmosphere? Can they provide the care that my loved one may need? Remember, you are representing the interest of your mom or dad. How do you think they would feel about the facility? Is this the facility that mom or dad would have chosen if they would have planned ahead? This is a very difficult decision so choose wisely. This may be your loved one's home. If you need any support, guidance or information visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com we will be more than happy to help.
Showing posts with label Senior Home Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senior Home Care. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Senior Care-When the Choice is a Nursing Facility
Sometimes, even though families may want to continue caring for their loved one at home, it may be necessary to place them in a nursing facility. Since this decision most of the time is made because of a crisis situation and not a planned effort here are helpful tips to help you in assessing the facilities that you visit. First, ask your doctor for a list of nursing facilities in the area of interest. Also talk to your neighbors and friends to see if they already have a loved one in a nursing home. Bring a list of question to ask. Take notes so that you can remember the differences. First call each facility. How was your phone call answered? Was the person kind and considerate? Did they take their time with you, or were you rushed? Schedule an appointment for each facility. Try to make the appointment toward the afternoon. The residents should by then be well into their day. You can tell by the way they look the quality of care they are receiving. FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT! Forget the pretty wallpaper and decor. Do the residents look well groomed? Do their clothes look clean? Is there any odor in the air. If there is an odor present, the staff is not taking proper care of the residents. It is not the housekeeping. As you walk through each facility, take notice and count the people that work there. They should all be wearing uniforms and name tags so you will be able to spot them easily.. Write it down on your list. Do the staff member look happy to be there? Are they sitting around or attending to residents? Do they look tired? This might clue you in if there is adequate staff provided. Do the residents look happy? Does the facility look warm and inviting, reminding you of a home like setting or a hospital? Use the bathroom. Is there an odor? Does it look clean? Are there paper towels, soap and toilet paper? Do you feel rushed by the representative showing you the facility? Can they answer your questions easily? Change from home to a nursing home will be a difficult thing for mom or dad. How will the nursing home help in the transition of your loved one to life in a nursing home. Make a note of the answer, since this is important. This may be your loved one's home. How a nursing home helps in the transition will tell you how they may care for your loved one's emotional well-being. All nursing homes have a basic charge. Basic charges only cover room and board. Ask what those charges are and what services are extra? What about special needs? What if mom or dad has Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia? Most nursing home charge more in these cases. So make sure you find out the cost. What about the cost of a private room, or semi-private? Are personal hygiene products provided or is this an added expense? What about payment sources. Always ask for an itemized list of ALL charges. How often is the facility inspected? Ask to see the inspection report, that is your right. Are they licensed? Is the administrator licensed? What is the policy of the facility in regards to using restraints? Are all the staff members background screened, trained and qualified? Is the staff respectful, warm and caring towards the residents? Are they warm and respectful towards you? Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they say hello as you pass by? Is there enough privacy for your loved one? Is it a home like setting and can mom or dad decorate their room with personal belongings? How do they ensure safety of your loved one's belongings? Changing a person's routine can make things more difficult. If mom or dad is used to a certain routine, can they keep that routine to ensure an easy transition? If mom or dad likes milk and cookies before bed, can they still have that? What about hygiene? How often will mom or dad be able to shower or bathe? Does your loved one have to go outside the facility for grooming ( haircuts or salon visits) or is there a hair salon on- site? Being well-groomed helps the self-confidence and well-being of your loved one. How often does a doctor make visits? Don't assume a doctor visits regularly. Will assistance be provided by the same caregiver daily, or does the facility rotate the caregivers. This can also be difficult for your loved one. How are emergencies handled? Will you be notified immediately? Does the nursing facility provide dental check-ups? How many assistance are there for each resident? How many are there at night? What is the policy of moving residents to new rooms? Will you be consulted? How do they provide continuous stimulus for their residents? What activities are offered? What does the nursing home do to improve the quality of care for their residents? When you narrow down your list, make a second unscheduled visit to the nursing facility at different times. Once in the morning and once in the evening. The staff in the day may be different than at night. You will be able to notice if any staff are there in the evening as well as daytime meaning they are working double shifts. This may mean that the facility is understaffed. Participate. Have lunch or dinner. This will allow you to sample the food. Talk to other residents. Ask how they like the facility. Ask the residents if they receive enough portions. And what about if they would like more food, can they have a second helping? What about snacks? Are they provided and when? Ask the residents if the activities provided by the facility meet their interest. Can you or your family visit at anytime or only during designated visiting hours? What about laundry? If the facility provides laundry service is there an extra charge? Do the clothes smell fresh and clean? Are they free from wrinkles and stains? Always TAKE YOUR TIME and observe. You have that right. You have the right to ask any and as many questions to put your mind at ease. You have the right to visit more than once before making a decision. Always think as you walk through each facility, would I want to live here? Is this comparable to my loved one's home atmosphere? Can they provide the care that my loved one may need? Remember, you are representing the interest of your mom or dad. How do you think they would feel about the facility? Is this the facility that mom or dad would have chosen if they would have planned ahead? This is a very difficult decision so choose wisely. This may be your loved one's home. If you need any support, guidance or information visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com we will be more than happy to help.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Staying Healthy Means Staying Active and Social for Seniors
As we age, we have a tendency to slow down. As we age we need to increase our activities to be able to stay healthy and strong. This is very important in our retirement years. Simple stretches and mild exercise with permission from your physician can help you live a longer healthier life. Staying socially in touch with our peers is also very important. For seniors, there are numerous seniors centers in every town to help you stay social, make new friends, and have fun. Senior centers provide a great deal of planned activities for the aging adult. Being involved with your peers and activities can help alleviate depression. The cost to join is as little as ten dollars a year and can provide you with exercise programs that fit your pace, interesting speakers, bingo and other games and special outings. You can always enjoy a great lunch with the friends that you will meet. Once you become a member, you will receive a monthly calendar listing the different activities for each day that are offered at the center. To ease in, you can pick and choose according to the schedule things that are of interest to you. Start by going once a week. For a bingo game for example. Maybe you will enjoy it. You can win prizes as well. If you choose not to drive, or cannot drive you can arrange to carpool with one of your friends that happens to be a member and have them pick you up on the way. There is always a member there that may be going your way. There is always something of interest going on at the senior center. Families should strongly encourage their loved ones to participate and join. Maybe your loved one 
is reluctant to go on their own for the first time. To make it easier, take your mom or dad and visit a senior center in your area for a few hours to see what it's like. You can observe and take a tour. This may help them overcome any fear or anxiety they may have. Staying social is just as important to aging adults as staying physically healthy. It is extremely important to the emotional 
well-being of aging adults. When you feel better emotional, you stay healthier. Hearts of Gold Home Care participates at the Grayslake Senior Center in Grayslake, Il and at the Libertyville Senior Center in Liberty
ville, Il. Every second Tuesday of the month we are at the bingo game in Grayslake, Il. Stop by and say hello, we would love to see you there. Check out the pictures of the wonderful Christmas party we enjoyed
with all the members at the Grayslake Senior Center this Christmas. The entertainment was wonderful. The dinner was delicious and every member received a goody bag with a gift. Barbara Medel who is in charge of the center did an excellent job at putting the whole event together. You can contact the Grayslake Senior Center at 847-543-1041 for more information. The Grayslake Senior Center is located in Grayslake at 50 Library Lane. Please stop in and sa
y hello! If you or someone you know may be in need of assistance visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com/
is reluctant to go on their own for the first time. To make it easier, take your mom or dad and visit a senior center in your area for a few hours to see what it's like. You can observe and take a tour. This may help them overcome any fear or anxiety they may have. Staying social is just as important to aging adults as staying physically healthy. It is extremely important to the emotional 
well-being of aging adults. When you feel better emotional, you stay healthier. Hearts of Gold Home Care participates at the Grayslake Senior Center in Grayslake, Il and at the Libertyville Senior Center in Liberty
ville, Il. Every second Tuesday of the month we are at the bingo game in Grayslake, Il. Stop by and say hello, we would love to see you there. Check out the pictures of the wonderful Christmas party we enjoyed
with all the members at the Grayslake Senior Center this Christmas. The entertainment was wonderful. The dinner was delicious and every member received a goody bag with a gift. Barbara Medel who is in charge of the center did an excellent job at putting the whole event together. You can contact the Grayslake Senior Center at 847-543-1041 for more information. The Grayslake Senior Center is located in Grayslake at 50 Library Lane. Please stop in and sa
y hello! If you or someone you know may be in need of assistance visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com/
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
When The Burden For Care Becomes Overwhelming
When a parent or a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, family life becomes chaotic. Life, as you once knew it is not the same. You live in a routine of stress and anxiety each and everyday. If you also have your own family life and job, the burden and stress is one hundred times greater. And for those that live in another state, it becomes even harder. When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, my mother seemed to conveniently choose not to deal with it. Don't get me wrong, she and my father lived in their own home when he was diagnosed. She decided that she did not and would not place him in a nursing facility. But she also refuse to accept the fact that he had a disease. She was in denial. So dealing with her issues was much harder than dealing with my father's illness. Not only did her being in denial add more stress to the whole situation, she felt that she should handle the whole thing on her own without outside help, placing a lot of the burden on us. She did not want strangers coming into her home to help her with the care of her husband. Since they were my parents, and raised and took great care of me, I knew that I had to help her and my father. So, your own life, and needs go on hold. Just trying to figure out what to do and how to do it as far as care was concerned was overwhelming. Also making sure that they were both safe was a major concern. My father was quickly losing mobility. My mother could not lift him or move him. So it was up to us. Knowing that the state of his health was important, and soon it would be hard to get him to go to the doctor, I knew that I needed to find a physician that made house calls. That was the best decision I ever made. First, now there was a person available to us for any medical needs or in case of emergency. Secondly, it made my mother slowly realize and understand Alzheimer's Disease and its progression. It allowed her to let people in her home. The doctor ordered a hospital bed for my father, which made things so much easier. He also ordered a nurse to come in to ensure he was doing okay. Any blood tests or ultra-sounds were done right in home. He was starting to receive better care than if my mother would have placed him in a nursing facility. He was on his way now, even in this situation living a better quality of life. This also alleviated a lot of our worries as far as the condition he was in at all times. But still, our lives were on hold managing his care. My mother did not leave the house and started becoming depressed. The whole situation at times became overwhelming. Knowing something had to be done, after a little while I managed to talk my mother into in-home care services. I gave her a gift certificate for in-home care for twice a week just to try. At first, she rebelled, but finally she took advantage of it. I took her out to lunch and shopping. This gave her a much needed break, she was able to get out more often and maintain ties with her friends. The caregiver also provided socialization, and my mother looked forward to her visits. She made a new friend. It also allowed our family to get back on track with our own lives, jobs and children. It allowed us to spend more enjoyable, quality times with my father through this very stressful period in all of our lives. My father used to say when life became stressful, "This too shall pass". And, yes it did pass. We made it through and became stronger and closer as a family. When you are faced with any situation, taking control and starting with baby steps will lead you to resolve any issues that may arise. Through my own personal experience I learned that sometimes families just need a plan. They need to be supported and guided. That is why I decided to open my own in-home care agency, in memory of my father, Hearts of Gold Home Care. I truly feel for the families that are going through the same thing our family did. I understand what families can go through on a daily basis. You feel extremely lost and do not know who you can depend on or who you can turn to. But, knowing what to do in a situation is the most important thing. Knowing the decision to make and when to start making them is vital. Knowing that not everyone needs to be placed in a nursing facility is also important. When you pull all the right resources together, aging adults can remain in the comfort of their home. My father did remain in his own home until he passed away. I made sure that he received the best possible quality of care. That was his wish. That was my goal, to make sure his wish was fulfilled. If you, your family or your loved one need support, guidance, assistance or may have any concerns, questions or comments please feel free to contact us for any assistance at www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com If you'd like to share your story with us please feel free to do so. We'd love to hear from you. We put a plan of care together for your loved one and your family that is right for you. We help you find the right health professional and resources to help you manage your life and manage the care of your loved one. We are here for you, because we feel your family is our family.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Senior Home Care: Questions to Ask in Illinois
Home care agencies provide services that range from home support such as cleaning, cooking and running errands to help with transportation to MD appointments and more. To receive quality assistance, it is important to know what questions to ask so that you hire the home care agency that's right for you. To help you sort through your options, ask questions to help you evaluate the services. There are several facets to home care, and asking the right questions up front can help you choose the best agency for your needs.
1. Is the agency licensed by the state? Most states, but not all require
agencies to be licensed.
2. Can the agency provide references?
3. Is the staff experienced and knowledgeable with aging adult issues?
4. What experience does the person have that will be providing care for
your loved one?
5. Is the agency insured?
6. Does everyone seem helpful and friendly?
7. Will the agency work directly with you, your family members
or doctor?
8. How does the agency provide client confidentiality?
9. Does the agency keep you well informed about your loved ones care?
10. Is there a person that is always available to you for any concerns or
questions you may have?
11. If issues arise how quickly will they be resolved?
12. Are the caregivers fully background screened and reference checked
for your loved one's safety?
Asking questions can eliminate any problems up front. You can see a list of services we provide at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com/ if you require care for you or your loved one in the Lake or McHenry County Illinois area.
1. Is the agency licensed by the state? Most states, but not all require
agencies to be licensed.
2. Can the agency provide references?
3. Is the staff experienced and knowledgeable with aging adult issues?
4. What experience does the person have that will be providing care for
your loved one?
5. Is the agency insured?
6. Does everyone seem helpful and friendly?
7. Will the agency work directly with you, your family members
or doctor?
8. How does the agency provide client confidentiality?
9. Does the agency keep you well informed about your loved ones care?
10. Is there a person that is always available to you for any concerns or
questions you may have?
11. If issues arise how quickly will they be resolved?
12. Are the caregivers fully background screened and reference checked
for your loved one's safety?
Asking questions can eliminate any problems up front. You can see a list of services we provide at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com/ if you require care for you or your loved one in the Lake or McHenry County Illinois area.
The Importance of Home
As you watch your parents enjoy their retirement years, allow them to continue that experience for the rest of their lives in the comfort of their own home. Your home is the place where memories are made. Where families gather, children are raised and we always seem to find solitude and comfort. I our retirement years, it is the place that we hope we can remain, in that comfort. Everyday families are faced with the responsibility and worry about the emotional and physical well being of a parent or loved one being able to reside safely in the comfort of their home. They face the overwhelming responsibility of care provider. With factors of failing health, disability, safety or mobility issues too many adults are being prematurely placed into nursing or assisted living facilities. Transition in an individuals lifestyle can cause depression and loneliness. The most important factor in a better quality of life for an aging adult is to be able to retain their independence. Just the feeling of being still in control of their own life and decisions can improve the over-all well-being of an individual. Providing assistance to a loved one early on can help eliminate or delay the sometimes premature placement into a facility. Moving out of your home can cause stress, anxiety, depression and disrupt their whole life. Sometimes placement is necessary for families, but sometimes it is premature.
Family caregivers face enormous stress in their lives. Taking care of yourself and your own family is difficult enough and then adding the extra responsibility of another person solely depending on you can become overwhelming in any persons life. Home care allows family caregivers to get back to a more normal way of life and ease their stress, worry, guilt and lessen the responsibility that is placed on your shoulders. It seems like when a loved one or a parent becomes ill or disabled, the children's lives stop. Finding time for yourself becomes a distant memory. When the burden of care becomes an enormous main factor in your life considering in-home care assistance. This can have a profound effect on a family and loved ones life in many positive ways. When children care for their parents, that is the most wonderful sacrifice there can be. But aging adults want to retain their dignity and survive independently of their children in their own homes. This has a great effect on their health and well-being. When mom calls ten times a day, it's because she may feel isolated or just lonely. Sometimes providing a companion is all an aging adult needs. As a persons lifestyle changes, so do their needs. Addressing the needs at hand and providing assistance early can alleviate so many factors in families lives to be able to maintain a better quality of life. Not just for mom or dad, but more important for the children. This gives our parents a new sense of independence, and freedom in your own life. Providing home care assistance allows you to live your life again and not worry about the safety and well-being of your parents. It allows your parents to also live their life. www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com
Family caregivers face enormous stress in their lives. Taking care of yourself and your own family is difficult enough and then adding the extra responsibility of another person solely depending on you can become overwhelming in any persons life. Home care allows family caregivers to get back to a more normal way of life and ease their stress, worry, guilt and lessen the responsibility that is placed on your shoulders. It seems like when a loved one or a parent becomes ill or disabled, the children's lives stop. Finding time for yourself becomes a distant memory. When the burden of care becomes an enormous main factor in your life considering in-home care assistance. This can have a profound effect on a family and loved ones life in many positive ways. When children care for their parents, that is the most wonderful sacrifice there can be. But aging adults want to retain their dignity and survive independently of their children in their own homes. This has a great effect on their health and well-being. When mom calls ten times a day, it's because she may feel isolated or just lonely. Sometimes providing a companion is all an aging adult needs. As a persons lifestyle changes, so do their needs. Addressing the needs at hand and providing assistance early can alleviate so many factors in families lives to be able to maintain a better quality of life. Not just for mom or dad, but more important for the children. This gives our parents a new sense of independence, and freedom in your own life. Providing home care assistance allows you to live your life again and not worry about the safety and well-being of your parents. It allows your parents to also live their life. www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com
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