Senior Home Care Ohio

Cleveland Ohio Elder Care

Challenging Flu Season — Be Safe, Be Healthy

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by Kevin K. Johnson, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

By all accounts we are experiencing our most intense flu and infectious disease ‘season’ in quite some time. As I go about my day-to-day activities, I’m paying special attention to taking care of myself and trying to avoid illness at all cost. However, we know that staying healthy is particularly challenging when we also serve as caregivers for seniors. That said, it may be a good time to remind everyone that staying healthy begins at home. Moreover, as caregivers for our elderly loved ones, staying healthy extends to the homes of our care recipients. So, let’s review a bit about “infection control.”

As always, education is a key to warding off possible infections. The more we understand how germs are passed along, how best to protect ourselves from those germs, along with some safety tips, we will all have a better handle on controlling the spread of any infections.

Infections are caused by the spread of pathogens (germs such as viruses and bacteria) coming in contact with our bodies, either internally or externally. These pathogens are spread by any number of methods: contact with bodily fluids, airborne, skin-to-skin contact, or some contaminated objects or foods. With the “easy-to-spread” assumption of many pathogens, it is prudent that you assume that all situations and all people are possible carriers of a serious pathogen, especially during peak infectious times (i.e., flu season). Although we are certainly not trying to make anyone paranoid, it is important that certain precautions be maintained in the home of a senior care recipient (it should be noted that we are only addressing the “care recipient” environment today, but these same precautions should be implemented in one’s private residence, also).

Listed below are some of the more obvious practices for infection control:

  • Wash your hands frequently and for a minimum of 15 seconds, especially after using the toilet, handling food, our working with your care recipient.
  • Use gloves in all appropriate situations.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, etc., especially after working with your care recipient or handling potentially infectious food (i.e., uncooked chicken).
  • Be certain that all food preparation tools and plates are cleaned in soapy water of the correct temperature.
  • Make sure that all work areas are cleaned routinely with disinfectant.

Finally, if you should be concerned about a potential spread of infection to yourself of your care recipient, follow these traditional steps:

  • Always use lots of water and flush the potentially infected site.
  • Flush the area again, this time using warm water and soap, if appropriate.
  • And if necessary, seek medical advice.

Your parents old and worn out phrase, “You can never be too safe,” actually does apply in protecting the work site from the spread of any infectious pathogens. Once you have learned and implemented infection prevention methods, the risks of spreading any pathogen will be greatly reduced. That’s the goal of infection control reduction in the spread of an infectious pathogen.

Through this judicious supervision, we should limit the spread of infection, making the home a safe environment for both care recipient and caregiver.

 

Home for the Holidays!

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by Kevin K. Johnson, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

As we approach the end of 2012, it is our sincere hope that you have found this year’s blogs to be informative and helpful. Aging-in-place is desirable and extremely beneficial to the quality of life that seniors live. We have endeavored to present information on topics that help both the senior and those of us that provide caregiving.

The holiday season is here and there are so many things we can plan for and so many more we never saw coming.

 

This season, as you spend some of those precious moments with Mom and Dad, don’t be blindsided with drastic changes in their everyday demeanor – recognize the subtle signs before the big ones have a chance to rear their ugly heads.

Here’s a short checklist of potential clues regarding Mom or Dad’s health:

  •  Have they lost weight?
  •  Is Mom or Dad still staying busy with outside activities?
  •  Do they call you and/or your children by name?
  •  Is their hair completely combed, Mom’s make-up like normal or Dad completely shaven?
  •  Does Mom or Dad just seem not to be “themselves?” –Children know, trust your instincts.

There are also subtle signs to be aware of too.

  • Are their plants thriving?
  • Do they move with the same vigor you remember throughout the kitchen?
  • Are there any unpaid bills (or bills in random places)?
  • Is their clothing stained, wrinkled or appear worn?
  • Is there any expired foods still being used or saved? –How expired are they?

We wish you and your family peace and happiness throughout the holiday season. The safety and well-being of our loved-ones is always a concern for all of us – regardless of what time of year! If we can be of assistance in answering questions or providing caregiving services, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the web link on the right panel of this page, or give our office a call at 216.231.6400.

 

Alzheimer’s Dementia — What About the Primary Family Caregiver?

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by Kevin K. Johnson, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

My September 17, 2012 blog posting titled “Recognize the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease”, discusses what we as caregivers can use to help us work with our elder loved ones suffering from this disease. I recently read an excellent article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Ellen Kleinerman where she discusses the significant personal challenges that family caregivers of seniors with dementia undergo. So often and understandably, the focus is on the “primary” victim if you will, the individual that has contracted the dementia. But let’s be clear, there are other people who suffer right along with the individual that has the dementia. These are secondary victims; those of us who provide family caregiving assistance for the primary victims.

In her article, Ms. Kleinerman mentioned a few planning steps that I found helpful and insightful for those of us that share this challenge. I hope you find her recommendations as useful as I did.

 

She states that, sometimes love, dedication and even guilt push caregivers beyond their limits. Sleeplessness, weight gain or anxiety could all signal a need for change. Here are some suggestions to stay focused and healthy.

Get organized: Keep health records, lists of medications and appointments in one place.

Write down observations: Record changes in behavior in your loved one or questions that surface so you can ask the doctor at the next appointment.

Look around for available resources: Delivery of food or supplies, home health care services or community elderly services may provide respite or needed backup.

Plan ahead: Investigate the next step in care now so you don’t have to do it in a crisis situation.

Accept help: Realize that you should not be doing everything. Find ways for friends and relatives to assist. And don’t be afraid to ask.

Know the stages of illness: This will help you navigate physical or mood changes in the person for whom you are caring.

Be flexible and supportive: Treat your relative with dignity. Focus on what you want to happen, not who is “the boss.” In the end, it reduces stress on both sides.

Schedule “me time” on a regular basis: Going to the gym, visiting an art gallery or having lunch with a friend will refresh you and reduce feelings of frustration. Even gab time on the phone with a friend could serve as a breather.

Develop contingency plans: Have a backup caregiver in case you unexpectedly need to leave the house or change your daily routine if you care for your relative in her home.

Share your feelings: Talking to a close friend or going to a support group should help you explore and verbalize your emotions.

 

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one. Avail yourself of every opportunity to maintain your life, your individual persona outside the realm of primary family caregiver. Too often, we see the mental and physical health of the primary family caregiver deteriorate faster than the senior that they are engaged with assisting. Just something to think about!

Influenza Prevention is Serious for Older Adults

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Kevin K. Johnson, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

Recently I read some striking information from the National Council of Aging (NCOA) regarding the devastating impact that flu has on seniors. I have long regarded “preventative” flu shots as unnecessary. However, as they relate to the well-being of seniors, this article gave me cause for pause.

The National Council on Aging announced that it is spearheading a new initiative to help protect older adults from influenza this upcoming flu season. The educational program, Flu + You, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, aims to educate older adults and their caregivers about the seriousness of influenza, the importance of annual influenza immunization, and available vaccine options.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long recommended that older adults receive an annual influenza immunization as the best way to help prevent the flu, yet immunization rates are still far below public health goals,” said Richard Birkel, PhD, MPA, acting senior vice president of Healthy Aging and director of NCOA’s Self-Management Alliance. “Too many older adults fail to self-identify in the high-risk group for influenza or defer immunization thinking others need the shot more than they do.”

Older adults, particularly those over the age of 65, are urged not to wait and to get their annual flu shot as soon as it is available each year. The body’s immune system and its ability to fight illness decrease with age, which means that older adults are more vulnerable to influenza and its related complications. In fact, each year in the United States about nine out of 10 flu-related deaths and more than six out of 10 flu-related hospital stays occur in people over the age of 65.

Unfortunately, as we age, the likelihood of developing other chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, COPD, and diabetes, also increases, and having one or more underlying chronic conditions further increases the risk of influenza-related deaths in older patients. Nationwide, 91% of adults 65 years of age and older have at least one chronic condition and 76% have two or more chronic conditions.

The age-related decline in the immune system also affects the body’s response to vaccination. Recent studies have shown that the traditional flu vaccine might not work as well for people 65 years of age and older. As the immune system weakens, fewer antibodies are produced following vaccination to help protect the body against infection. Antibodies are the soldiers of the immune system helping to respond and protect against infection when exposed to the virus.

The flu vaccine still offers the best defense to protect against influenza. Adults aged 65 and older have two vaccine options available – the traditional flu shot, as well as a widely available higher dose flu vaccine designed specifically for this population to address the age-related decline of the immune system. The higher dose flu shot triggers the body to produce more antibodies against the flu virus than would be produced by the traditional flu shot.

Both the traditional and higher dose flu shot options are among the vaccines recommended by the CDC for adults 65 years of age and older. Medicare Part B covers all influenza vaccine options recommended for this age group with no copay, including the higher dose option.

“Too often, the particular health needs of older Americans are overlooked,” said Dr. Birkel. “As a national voice for older Americans and the community organizations that serve them, the Flu + You initiative seeks to improve influenza immunization rates among older Americans who are most vulnerable to influenza and its complications. Our objective for Flu + You is to help older Americans understand why their age makes influenza a serious health threat and to empower them and their caregivers with information about vaccination and the immunization options available to them.”

I’m late! To date, only one of my parents, both in their 80’s, have had their flu shot. Last year I recall my mother not feeling very well for almost a week after her flu shot. I’ll speak with her primary care doctor about that during her upcoming appointment. It’s quite likely that he will hold the line and insist that this preventative flu shot is worth a possible of week of not feeling well, when taken into consideration the information in the NCOA article.

Thanks again to the National Council on Aging for helping all of us keep on top of critical issues faced by older adults.

But, as for me, I’m not getting a flu shot. Maybe in another 5-years, or after a serious bout of the flu, I’ll break down and start taking preventative flu shots. But not just yet!

 

Recognize the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Kevin K. Johnson, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

September is National Alzheimer’s month; September 21st is Alzheimer’s day. If possible, please wear purple on September 21st and show your support for the millions of people around the world who suffer from this regressive disease.

When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia, family members need to understand how the disease progresses over time. Additionally, you need to know how to adjust your methods in order to best communicate with any individual that suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease passes through different stages of communication loss. Recognizing those stages may help you know what you can expect next, and help you to communicate at each stage.

STAGE ONE

  • Words and events may be forgotten at this stage.There are long pauses between words and sentences.
  • Resist the temptation to fill in the missing words or complete a sentence. Be patient.
  • Forgotten words may be replaced with different words.
  • The care recipient may try to hide the communication problem with a joke. The care recipient may lose track or ramble.
  • The care recipient’s understanding at this stage is related to a decreasing attention span. Keep conversations brief and to the point. A
  • An important point to remember is that patients with Alzheimer’s pick up easily on a caregiver’s mood.

STAGE TWO

  • At this stage, recall and word recognition decrease.
  • Attention span is shortened and digressions increase.
  • Closely related words are substituted for forgotten words. If you cannot understand what the care recipient needs, point to the object and ask a simple question, “Do you want your sweater?”
  • The care recipient will have difficulty understanding and following directions.
  • Keep sentences short and clear.

STAGE THREE

  • The care recipient will lose almost all ability to communicate or understand.
  • Continue speaking warmly to the care recipient.
  • Pat or stroke the care recipient.
  • Always smile.

Ten Steps to Improve Communications (as adapted from the Caring for the Caregiver, by Parke-Davis, 1994.)

  1. Get the patient’s attention.
  2. Speak clearly, in short, direct sentences – use one-step commands.
  3. Be willing to repeat and rephrase.
  4. Don’t use slang.
  5. Keep your tone warm and empathetic.
  6. Ask simple questions.
  7. Avoid baby talk.
  8. Avoid pronouns – use names for clarity.
  9. Write big, clear messages and post them.
  10. Praise and encourage your care recipient – show affection.