While the golden years are a time of reflection and special moments, they are also a time of change and adaption.
It can be disheartening to see your loved ones, whether that be your grandparents, parents or a good friend, struggle with what used to be simple daily tasks.
Thanks to technology though, it doesn’t mean the elderly have to give up on the things that they love. At B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services, we understand that technology plays a key role in making the elderly more comfortable. So, we researched some of the best gadgets out there and here’s what we found.
Smart pillboxes
Forgetfulness and old age go hand-in-hand, which becomes a problem when you have to take daily medication. The Memo Box is a handy gadget that makes sure you don’t forget to take your pills. It’s an intelligent device that keeps your medication organized. It links to your mobile device, giving you reminders, prescription instructions. It’ll even notify you if you leave home without your medication.
The iRobot® Roomba
This sleek and high-quality gadget is perfect for keeping your floors dust and dirt free. The iRobot® Roomba is the smart way to clean your home without needing to bend over to sweep and clean. It’s also perfect for those who are wheel-chair bound. While it won’t stop your furry friends from running mud through your home, it will certainly clean up after them.
Tile Sticker
This is another great gadget to help with forgetfulness. You simply attach a Tile Sticker to your car keys, purse, remote control, and keep track of them via an app on your mobile device. Now that’s handy!
Video Doorbells
Also known as smart doorbells, video doorbells are a great way to help keep the elderly safe in their homes. They use video and two-way speakers which link to an app on your mobile device or to a base set that you install indoors. There are plenty of options out there, with Google’s Nest Cam being a popular choice for many.
Fitbit Charge 4
While it’s great for fitness in general, the Fitbit Charge 4 is also the perfect fitness tracker for the elderly. It provides a wide range of health features on a user-friendly interface. The accurate 24/7 heart rate tracker offers peace of mind for seniors.
Fall detection devices
What happens when the elderly take a fall when no-one is around to assist? Fall detection devices are effective in alerting someone when this happens. The Medical Guardian is a popular option, with various models to choose from.
This is only a few of the many options out there.
Senior care is more than love and compassion, it’s about doing whatever possible to make the lives of the elderly more comfortable. This is especially true when it comes to in-home health care.
Our mission at B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services is to provide seniors and those who need additional help with in-home care in a loving, respectful and responsible way.
Has the senior in your life lost interest in the activities that they enjoyed? Do they often struggle with feelings of hopelessness? Have you noticed that they are finding it harder to get through the day?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then it’s time to consider the possibility of anxiety and depression. Regardless of your loved one’s achievements in life, they can face these two conditions as they age.
Unfortunately, anxiety and depression affect every aspect of life; putting a damper on work, energy, sleep, and even relationships.
There are cases when both you and your loved one may fail to recognize the symptoms of anxiety and depression, thus, fail to get the help that they need.
But not anymore! We are here to shed the light!
Here are the tell-tale signs of anxiety and depression in seniors or the elderly:
Sadness or feelings of despair
It is normal to feel a bit stressed, anxious, or sad every once in a while.
But when your loved one feels sad every single day and experiences an unrelenting sense of hopelessness that will not allow them to enjoy the day, then it may be time to consider depression and anxiety.
Feeling nervous and anxious
When your loved one is not only sad but also has intense feelings of fear and terror, then they are suffering from depression and anxiety.
This also includes worry that is out of proportion and may even affect their physical state.
Sleep disturbance
Getting a good night’s rest is hard enough at times. But imagine being restless and failing to fall asleep most nights. Or even having unsatisfying sleep on the nights that yo9u actually fall asleep.
This is what your loved one goes through when they are dealing with anxiety and depression.
Other accompanying signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in seniors include;
Difficulty concentrating
Easy fatigue
Irritability
Changes in eating i.e. eating too little or too much
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
Inability to relax
Panic attacks
The reality is that many seniors may not know that they suffer from anxiety and depression because it’s not something that is addressed during their lifetime.
When you notice any of these signs and symptoms, the best thing you can do is be patient and get your loved one the help that they need.
Don’t feel hopeless- there’s hope!
B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services
You don’t have to go through anxiety and depression alone. If you are looking for the right support then B’Zoe Home Caregiving services is here for you!
We understand that finding the right care for your loved one is a big decision. That’s why we pride ourselves on quality in-home care for seniors and adults.
Our caregivers are professional, dependable, trustworthy, and kind.
Serving Washington seniors, we are ready to care for adults who need in-home care due to old age, medical, or developmental issues.
Our goal is to deliver exceptional customer care and allow your loved one to enjoy a high quality of life.
The holidays are a wonderful time, but they can be especially lonely for people with dementia. If your loved one suffers from this condition, they need love, compassion, and consideration.
While friends and family are gathering around the Christmas tree, your loved one may be feeling a sense of loss. They may be sad to see that things are no longer how they used to be.
As such, you should consider the needs of your loved one suffering from dementia during decorations and holiday gatherings.
By adjusting expectations, you will find the most meaningful ways to celebrate together. Here are a few ways to ease the feelings of sadness and ensure that those suffering from dementia will enjoy the holidays:
Create a space that’s safe and calm
Creating an appropriate space for someone with dementia is one of the most important things that you can do. This means toning down decorations. Remember, a lot of blinking lights and displays can cause confusion.
Also, avoid cluttered decorations that will cause you to rearrange a room that was once familiar.
Fasten your tree to the wall and play familiar holiday music. Ensure that the volume is relaxing and not considered distressing to ensure that your loved one is comfortable.
Plan meaningful activities
Involve your loved one in any baking or cooking process, as this will help them feel included in the holiday preparations.
Prepare, read holiday cards and put up decorations together. To keep them relaxed at all times, aim for an intimate gathering that is quiet and relaxed rather than one that is noisy.
Even amidst the celebrations, keep daily routines as normal as possible. In case you are going out, make outings brief and provide rest stops.
Prepare your holiday visitors
Don’t assume that everyone will pick up on dementia. You should let your guests know that your loved one is suffering from the condition so that they will answer all questions asked or understand changes in behavior.
Encourage guests to listen and avoid correcting errors or interrupting when you’re loved one is speaking.
Let your guest know the activities that they will partake in ahead of time and ask them to bring something memorable such as a photo album.
Take care of yourself as a caregiver
If you are a caregiver you also deserve some self-love and care during the holidays. This will help in making the season more enjoyable.
You needn’t do everything; you can focus on the holiday activities that mean the most to you.
Delegation is an important part of the process. Ask other members of the family to address greeting cards and shop for gifts so you can get some time to relax.
Need a Little Help During the Holidays?
You know what they say, a little help goes a long way. If you need assistance from professional caregivers then B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services is here for you.
Our qualified caregivers are not only dependable but will also ensure that your loved one is well-taken care of during the holidays.
They will manage all symptoms of dementia, even those that you may not pick up on. We are exactly what you need to make the holidays more memorable!
Watching your parents age can cause you to overthink their situation. Many seniors require assistance at some point in their lives, and their family is often left wondering when the right time to start is. In-home care is growing in popularity as it provides seniors with the care they need while allowing them to stay largely independent in their own homes. We’ve been contacted by many families concerned about their loved one who ask how they can know when it’s time to hire a caregiver. Here are some of the top signs we often tell people to look for.
Forgetfulness
A very common “side effect” of aging is becoming more forgetful. While this is completely normal and safe once in a while, if it becomes a habit, it might be time to get a caregiver involved. Forgetting where they put something is one thing, forgetting to do daily tasks is another. Is your loved one consistently forgetting to take medication, or are they forgetting if they already took it that day? As we know, medication is crucial to maintaining health, and skipping or adding doses can cause serious problems. If your loved one can no longer remember their schedule on their own, it may be time to call in someone to assist them. Other forms of forgetfulness to keep an eye out for include:
Forgetting to eat and drink regularly
Forgetting how to operate appliances
Forgetting important events that they usually remember
Forgetting words or what they were going to say
And more.
If you notice a severe jump in forgetful tendencies, it’s wise to get your senior to a doctor. Dementia and Alzheimer’s set in later in life most times, so you want to get them checked. When caught early, there are ways to slow the process of the diseases to help your loved one stay sharper longer.
A Lack Of Personal Hygiene
The second thing to watch for is a drop in personal hygiene. Elderly people often find it harder to navigate around and move freely due to joint problems, weakened muscles, and other age-related conditions. This can make it hard for them to properly look after themselves. They may avoid taking showers because it’s too hard for them or they’re afraid of getting hurt. In some cases, seniors may forget to shower together. Laundry can be hard for elderly people to do by themselves because it involves heavy lifting and operating washers and dryers. They may have a hard time getting out to go and get their hair cut or their teeth cleaned. If you notice your loved one taking less care of themselves, try to identify the reasons why. As we’ll discuss in a bit, some seniors suffer from depression and mood changes as they age. Lack of proper hygiene could point to this as well, which would require some professional help to reverse.
Trouble Keeping The House Neat And Clean
Even perfectly healthy young adults have a hard time keeping the house or apartment clean. Imagine how hard it is when you lack mobility, have aches and pains, or are scared of getting hurt due to your age? Elderly people can have a very hard time maintaining their homes as they get older. Bending down and reaching up high can be hard, using step stools and ladders becomes extremely unsafe, and lugging around heaving machines like vacuums, lawnmowers, weed whackers, and more is nearly impossible. Your loved one might let the house go in ways they haven’t previously. If you are noticing more clutter, dirty rooms, and unkempt yards, it might be time to get some help. Many home care agencies will help with light housework, but you may need another team to help with the rest. Hire a landscaper or a nice neighbor down the street to mow the grass. Call in a cleaning company once a week. Bring in people that can still get the job done so that your elderly loved one can enjoy a clean and uncluttered home.
Loneliness And Mood Changes
As your family member ages, they may have a more difficult time getting out and about. This can lead to them missing out on their usual social gatherings like brunch, bingo, book clubs, etc. As we all know from the past year, being isolated at home can really take a toll on your mental health. Seniors who are confined to their homes due to health concerns will grow lonely very quickly. This can lead to foul moods and even depression disorders. You and your family all have jobs, children, and other things to take care of so you can’t spend as much time with your elderly loved one as you might like to. A caregiver can give them the social interactions they need in a one-on-one setting. Many seniors benefit from their caregiver’s friendship because they aren’t family! We all love our families dearly, but it’s nice to have some time with other people once in awhile isn’t it? An in-home caregiver will be that 3rd party, non-family friend that your senior needs. Companionship is one of the most important jobs we do because it keeps clients happy, active, and in good spirits.
Unsteady Mobility
Lastly, if your senior has been losing their mobility, it might be a good idea to look into in-home caregivers. Not only will caregivers help your senior complete tasks they no longer have the mobility to do themselves, but they will also help them get around safely. It’s always a relief knowing that someone is home with your loved one in case they fall or get injured. Caregivers are trained to help seniors brush their hair, get dressed, move around the home, complete basic daily tasks, and more. You would be surprised how many things we take for granted each day. When you age, your joints and muscles don’t work as well as they used to, making tasks that were second nature a true struggle to overcome. Having a caregiver there to assist will put your loved one at ease and can avoid a lot of unnecessary frustration.
Have you noticed any of these signs in your loved one? If so, we suggest setting up a consultation with an in-home caregiving service like B’Zoe Home Care! We have a highly trained team of caregivers that can help seniors in a variety of non-medical ways. We pair clients with caregivers based on needs, personalities, and lifestyles to ensure the relationship is positive. Call us today at (206) 953-4900 to speak with our team and receive a FREE consultation. Learn more about our services at https://bzoehomecare.com/. We guarantee that your loved one will enjoy their visits from our caregivers! We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Seniors in America are lucky enough to have several different long-term care options available to them. For families, this can be a difficult choice because there are pros and cons to all of them. It’s important to weigh these against one another to find a match best suited for your senior. People often ask us what the difference is between our in-home care services and assisted living facilities. Today, the B’Zoe team will help break down the differences to help you make a better-informed decision. Let’s get started!
Services Offered
One of the main differences between in-home care and assisted living is the service capabilities. Common in-home care services include things like bathing, meal prep, getting dressed, going to appointments, companionship, grooming help, and more. These are tasks that should be done daily, that seniors may no longer be able to accomplish on their own. The services performed by in-home caregivers are often personalized and catered to your loved one’s exact needs. They can adapt and change as your senior’s condition does! Assisted living facilities typically handle similar services along with housekeeping for the senior’s room. Assisted living facilities usually have staff on-hand 24/7 in case of emergency, and many have registered nurses. Assisted living allows your loved one to live independently in a building or sector with other seniors. Care is just outside the door when needed, making it a great choice for those with more serious care needs. Keep in mind that most assisted living plans are set and not catered to custom needs. This may be fine for some people, but other seniors require more personalized attention than the facility can offer. 24/7 in-home care is also an option, but it is less common than assisted living. While the service catalogs are quite similar between both senior care options, the two are not created equal.
Living Arrangements
As you would imagine, in-home care is the senior care that comes straight to your door! Your loved one can remain in their own home – or in the home of a family member – and still receive the care they need. This is proven to be more comfortable for the senior because they are familiar with the environment and don’t need to change their whole life around. Because they remain in a home, family and friends can come and go as they please without worrying about visiting hours. Let the grandkids sleepover or take your senior out for the day. The rules are yours to make! In contrast, assisted living facilities often have visiting hours. Outside of this time frame, family and friends are not permitted inside. This can be inconvenient for family members that work odd shifts and can’t make it to the facility during the set hours. When you do get to visit, you usually have a set of regulations to follow. Some assisted living centers do not permit the senior to leave the property, even when accompanied by the family. This can restrict what you can do during visits. Most visits occur in communal rooms, so you won’t necessarily get to spend quality alone time with your loved one. That being said, the rooms are very well kept and each senior usually has their own place. Some facilities have full apartments and others are single rooms with bathrooms. It all depends on how independent you want your loved one to be.
Cost
Many people fail to realize exactly how expensive senior care can be. According to The Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2018, the average price for assisted living facilities per month is $4,000. That’s more than many people pay for an apartment! This rate is lower than that of a nursing home, but it’s certainly not chump change. Unfortunately, many health insurance plans do not cover long-term care. That means that just about all assisted living expenses will have to come from the pockets of seniors and their families. It’s important to keep in mind that you are getting very good care for this price, as well as the upkeep of the building, activities, and more. If you’re looking to save some money, in-home care is your best bet. Most caregivers stop by x-amount of times per week for a set number of hours. The less they’re there, the less you pay. Hourly rate for in-home care is often more affordable regardless, but the option to add or remove visits is a nice way to give you some flexibility. Very few health insurance plans will cover in-home care 100%, but several of the most prominent brands do offer some assistance, especially if prescribed by a doctor. This can make the bill even more manageable so that you aren’t spending $48,000 per year on a senior who is relatively independent.
Caregiver/Senior Relationships
We’ve come across many families that didn’t realize the stark differences between in-home care staff and assisted living staff. Home care providers often match you to a single caregiver that will visit every time. This match is based on needs, lifestyle, and personality so that a friendship can blossom. Seniors grow very attached to their caregiver over time because the staff has fewer clients to worry about at one time. They can focus more attention on your loved one rather than running around a facility taking care of 20+ seniors. Assisted living facilities have a more traditional staff that rotates frequently and does different tasks daily. The caregiver your loved one has in the morning is likely not the same one who will take care of them in the evening. This makes it hard for your loved one to build trust and rapport with their caregiver and can make them feel less important and cared for. Think about it in terms of school courses: you’d rather have one teacher with few students so they get to know everyone, right? Huge lectures and rotating teachers are overwhelming and don’t make you feel as valued. The same can happen in large assisted living facilities.
Overall Pros and Cons
Here are a few additional pros and cons that we feel are worth mentioning. Of course, both senior care options are tested and trusted by millions. We encourage you to do research of your own or even reach out to elderly care companies to ask more questions. One of the best ways to determine how reliable a company is is to turn to their reviews or testimonials. Families will not hesitate to let you know how a facility or in-home company is doing. Keep in mind that not all companies are created equally. These pros and cons may apply to the average company, but they won’t apply to every company. Don’t be afraid to look around. Involve your loved one in the search and decision so that everyone is happy with the outcome! Take a look at some pros and cons we often see:
If you’re looking for senior care options for your loved one, consider an in-home caregiver. B’Zoe has been providing top-notch home care for years and we take pride in our staff. Each caregiver must pass strict background checks and meet a standard of training. We can help your loved one age in place happily and healthily. Learn more about us at https://bzoehomecare.com/ or call us at (206) 953-4900 to speak with our team! We look forward to hearing from you!
As our loved ones get older, we may be worried that their home is no longer safe for them to stay in. The good news is that with a few simple changes, most homes can be made much safer for elderly members of the family! In-home care is growing in popularity all the time, and most seniors prefer to age in place whenever possible. The B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services team is well-versed in caring for seniors in their own homes, and we’ve seen the common struggles faced by our clients. Here are a few things you can do to make a home more suitable for seniors.
Remove Clutter
As we age, we tend to get some joint pain or muscle problems that make moving around harder than it was when we were under 65. This limited mobility can make it challenging to navigate a cluttered home, especially in already-tight spaces. Whenever and wherever possible, try to eliminate unnecessary “stuff” from the home. Find new homes for boxes that are often left on the floor, remove a chair or two from the kitchen if they aren’t needed, rearrange the living room to have a wider walking path, etc. You don’t necessarily need to get rid of anything if that’s not okay with your loved one, just relocate it to somewhere that doesn’t pose a tripping hazard. Over the age of 65, falls can be pretty serious. If you can take steps to prevent them now, you won’t have to worry about it later.
Upgrade the Bathroom
This next tip isn’t always the easiest, but it is extremely important. Bathrooms are very dangerous for seniors with slick tile floors, slippery showers, and minimal room to move. If you can, swap out a bathtub for a senior-friendly shower. Curbless entry showers are ideal, but there are several different options that are suitable for aging in place. A shower seat and handrails are also great additions to help your loved one feel secure. In the past, this was a costly and time-consuming process, but with companies like Bath Fitter, it can be completed in as little as one day. You can convert a bathtub into a low entry or curbless shower complete with shelves, railings, and everything else you’re looking for. Opt for high-traction shower floors or pick up a slip-resistant bath mat. You should also have a non-slip mat outside of the shower so that your senior doesn’t slip on the tile floor. Finish off the bathroom with accessible toilets and easy-to-reach storage and your loved one will be in great shape!
Move Commonly-Used Items To Lower Cabinets And Shelves
You can positively impact your senior’s life without any remodeling at all simply by moving things around. If the kitchen cabinets are too tall to reach, move the items they use most often down to a level they can access. You don’t want them on a step ladder while they’re home alone! It’s generally a good idea to keep things in a similar location, just closer to their level. For example, if the Tupperware is too high (or too low), move them up to a drawer or the countertop. You don’t need to move them to a new area of the kitchen, just move them vertically. Keep in mind that bending down may be harder for your loved one, so avoid the temptation to move everything into the ground-level cabinets. If the home doesn’t have enough built-in storage that is accessible, pick up some new shelving units, storage units, or stylish boxes/bins to leave on the counter. You don’t need to move everything, just the items that your loved one uses all the time.
Make Stairs Easier
One of the biggest challenges in creating a multigenerational home is stairs. Stairs can be tiring even for the fittest young adult, so it will absolutely be hard for elderly members of the family. In some cases, the senior relocates to one level of their house, only heading up or downstairs when family or the caregiver is there to assist. If the home has everything necessary on one floor, this is a great option. Otherwise, you’ll want to consider your options. There are several companies offering stair lifts for residential properties. Of course, certain staircases aren’t eligible for them because they curve too sharply or don’t have the proper environment around them. Generally speaking, however, stairlifts are a reasonable option. If you prefer, you can opt to rent a stairlift unit per month. That way, you don’t have to worry about it if your loved one does eventually need to be relocated to a nursing home or assisted living facility. For outdoor stairs or level changes within the house, consider building or installing ramps. Ramps are obviously a necessity for those in wheelchairs, but they are a safer and easier option for everyone! Seniors are far less likely to trip on a ramp than they are on stairs which can put your mind at ease when you aren’t at the house with them. They get to keep their independence and freedom to move around the home and you can rest easy.
Take a Look At The Floor
Lastly, you want to make sure to look at the floors in your senior’s home. As we’ve mentioned, it’s very common for seniors to trip, slip, and fall on surfaces that they never used to. It’s important to take notice of the flooring materials throughout the home and identify any safety risks they pose. Tiles and hardwood are easiest to maneuver for canes and walkers, but they can get slippery under certain conditions. Rugs provide traction but can cause tripping. Luckily, there are many slip-resistant flooring options available these days. You can replace the floor or add some new flooring on top. Many tips you’ll find about flooring relate heavily to the needs of your loved one. Here are a few:
Try to remove unnecessary carpets when you can, especially if there are walkers or wheelchairs involved.
If you must keep a rug (to cover slipper tile etc), use low pile rugs that reduce tripping.
Make sure all rugs are secure and non-slip. You can even get some with plastic angled edges to prevent the corners and sides from tripping seniors if they shuffle their feet.
Look at the Slip Resistant Value on all new flooring. If the SRV is 36 or higher, your loved one is much less likely to slip!
Look into getting hardwoods finished with anti-slip products. Many companies offer it.
Vinyl and cork flooring are some of the safest options and aren’t too expensive.
We hope this article has given you a few ideas about ways to make a home more suitable for your elderly family members to age in place. Keep in mind that each person is different, and that’s a problem for one person may not be an issue for another. Ask for your senior’s input to see what they’re most comfortable with. If you need more tips, don’t hesitate to research online. If you work with home-care experts like B’Zoe, our team can give you advice as well. We’ve been caring for elderly men and women for years with personalized, one-on-one care plans. Our staff will help you make a home appropriate for aging in place so that you don’t need to worry. If you’re ready to work with a caregiving service that will go the extra mile, contact B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services today! Call us at (206) 953-4900 to speak to our team, or visit https://bzoehomecare.com/ to learn more about who we are and what we do.
In growing numbers, many elderly and senior citizens are opting to stay in their own homes, even if they will be living alone. However, senior isolation can be detrimental to many aspects of their well-being. Fortunately, in-home caregivers can help combat the effects of loneliness.
Social isolation is a real threat to the well-being of seniors receiving in-home caregiving. Experience.care writes, “Social isolation is the lack of contact between an individual and their family, friends, and society which leads to sadness, general boredom, lack of interest, societal withdrawal, and a decline in overall health.” This can include disintegration of personal hygiene, poor eating and nutrition, weight loss, and health declines including cognitive and social abilities.
Isolation and loneliness are not only unpleasant experiences but impactful problems for seniors in-home care. As inherently social creatures, humans suffer without the presence of others, and this can decrease their life expectancy by a number of years. Circle of Care even goes as far as stating that, “The Journal of Aging Life Care tells us that social isolation in the elderly produces health risks of the same magnitude as smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity.”
There are a number of ways you can help a senior in-home care combat isolation, starting with the integration of modern technology. Adaptive technologies like hearing aids and proper glasses can help seniors battle loneliness and isolation, as these aids can help them read body language and better engage in conversation or understand media like television, music, or a phone call. It can also be world-changing for adult in-home care to learn how to video call their family and friends, use social media platforms, or message loved ones.
Use of technology should, as is recommended for anyone, be balanced with time outside and exposure to sunlight and fresh air. Encouraging seniors in-home care to engage in activities like pet sitting, dog walking, or communal gardening can be extremely beneficial to both their physical health and social wellbeing by providing a sense of purpose and connectedness.
This feeling of purpose and social integration can come from other places too, such as religious services. By creating opportunities for seniors to connect to their faith and those that share it, their social lives can flourish even when their cognitive function is declining.
Caregivers and family members can support seniors through this relatively isolated period of life by taking advantage of modern technology, engaging them with activities that bring them joy, and hiring a professional caregiver. All of these options provide an opportunity for connection between the senior in question and the people around them, and they are much more likely to thrive and sustain their wellbeing with regular interaction and connection.
Caregiving can be overwhelming. You want to do everything you can for your loved ones, but there are many things to do and so little time. With infirmities and illnesses that come with the aging process, staying healthy and independent can be challenging for most people in need of in-home care.
In-home senior care is quite flexible with personalized options to meet your family’s needs. They are an affordable option for family members to stay involved while they can stay home.
Adult in-home caregiving is the best option for families who want to care for their loved ones without sacrificing the quality of life. This article aims to educate you about home caregiving so you can make an informed decision when opting for one.
What is Adult In-Home Care?
As the name implies, these services come to your house. Adult in-home care refers to personal care services for adults. It allows recipients to be in familiar surroundings with loved ones nearby.
The nature of adult in-home care helps them with day-to-day tasks and general moving around within the home.
Who Is Eligible for Adult In-Home Care?
There are two main categories of eligible adults:
Seniors
These are the citizens who are 65 years or older living at home. Due to aging, their ability to tackle everyday tasks reduces. Some of them begin to suffer from age-related illnesses.
Introducing senior in-home caregiving allows them to manage their day-to-day activities with ease.
Adults With Chronic Illness or Disability
Adults who are 18+ years that suffer from physical, mental illness or diseases such as diabetes or chronic hypertension that causes prolonged periods of inactivity can also benefit from adult in-home care.
Adult care can also benefit someone whose physical health has declined due to depression or anxiety.
Forms Of Home Care Services
You can tailor your in-home caregiving to fulfill the demand of your target market in need of;
24-hour care
Overnight care
Respite care, and so on.
Types of Home Care Services
General Housekeeping
Daily house chores demand a strong will. This service is for adults and seniors who are unable to handle housekeeping activities. It helps seniors retain their independence and quality of life.
Housekeeping tasks may include:
Cleaning and vacuuming
Laundry
Meal preparation
Mowing lawns and gardens
Car washes
Shopping
A general housekeeping team could consist of:
A maid
Gardener
Groundskeeper
Electrician
Plumber
Whatever the situation, from general cleaning and waste collection to a more specific home care service, these professionals can make keeping you and your family healthy a whole lot easier.
Personal Care
This service is for people who struggle to perform self-care tasks for themselves. These tasks involve personal grooming, body cleanliness, and essential grooming. A personal care aide can also help in managing your medications and routine health activities.
Short-Term Respite Care Services
This service is for full-time family caregivers. It offers short-term relief from their duties, allowing them to focus on their health. It also alleviates the guilt of being away.
Respite care can be in the form of adult daycare. It is ideal when you are away for prolonged periods and a professional comes in to take care of your loved one’s needs.
Special Needs Support and Therapy
Special needs support provides 24-hour help by trained professionals. These caregivers can handle all aspects of caring for individuals in the most complex situations. Nurses are usually the best fit for this role.
Their role involves:
Assisting with the care of special needs individuals.
Providing life skills training and activities.
Providing emotional and social support for individuals with chronic illnesses and physical impairments.
Conducting physical therapy and massages.
This service is best done by people who have the essential medical training.
Aging in place is becoming more popular by the year. Many seniors say they would prefer to remain at home for as long as they can. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are new environments away from the family, friends, and places that your loved one is familiar and comfortable with. Aging in place with in-home care is a fantastic alternative that allows them to feel independent at home while still providing all the benefits of assisted living. Here’s a quick overview of some of the things B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services can do for your loved one.
Grooming Help
Our team of highly-trained caregivers will keep your loved one looking sharp! We can help to maintain their personal grooming habits including brushing and styling hair, trimming facial hair, and more. If a senior stops taking care of their personal grooming, they can lose self-esteem and begin to feel depressed. Our caregivers keep them in top shape so they always look and feel their best. We can also help apply makeup and skin care if necessary, and we’re happy to learn other aspects of your loved one’s usual grooming routine.
Bathing And Personal Hygiene Assistance
As we age, completing simple tasks can become a challenge. We lose range of motion and our muscles weaken, both of which can make things dangerous for seniors to do by themselves. B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services can help with bathing and hygiene so that your elderly family member stays clean and healthy without putting themselves at risk of a fall or other injury. Bathing, showering, hair care, dental hygiene, and more are all taken care of by our trained caregivers. Seniors may forget or no longer be able to take care of their hygiene needs, so our staff will step in to help. As always, this service is personalized to best fit your family’s needs.
Dressing Aid
Have you ever had a day that you’re so tired or sore that putting on your shoes is a struggle? Seniors have to struggle with getting dressed often. They are not as flexible as they once were which can make bending down to get dressed hard, as well as maneuvering into shirts and jackets. Our caregivers will step in and assist as needed to make sure your loved one is looking great. If needed, we can even pick out outfits! Clients who have worsening eyesight can struggle to find outfits that match, so we’ll take the stress out of those decisions. Wearing a nice outfit can really boost your confidence, so we always want our clients to look their best!
Companionship And Support
Generally speaking, seniors who live at home are likely to feel isolated and lonely. Without social interactions, life can get monotonous and stuffy. Especially with the pandemic, many senior activities have been stopped for the safety of everyone involved. As we briefly mentioned, we make sure to match caregivers to clients based on lifestyle, needs, and personality. Your loved one’s caregiver will form a bond with them and provide them companionship and emotional support. Our staff love to sit down and talk with clients about anything and everything. It’s a nice change for your loved one and an opportunity to speak to someone outside of the immediate family. Having a friend and someone to talk to will keep your loved one’s spirits high, helping ward off depression and frustration.
Dementia Care Dementia patients often need a lot more care than healthy seniors do. Dementia can cause memory loss, leaving those with the disease feeling lost in their own home. Many of our clients suffer from dementia, and our caregivers are there to help them out. Early-stage dementia can be very frustrating to patients as they notice themselves forgetting things that used to be second nature. They may not be able to recall where things are stored, could forget how to operate kitchen appliances, or may frequently go to start a task only to forget what they were doing. Caregivers can help alleviate the frustration by keeping seniors on the right track with what they’re doing. Our staff is all trained in dementia care, so they know how to be patient when needed and they understand why living with the disease is so challenging. With our help, your loved one will feel as independent as ever. B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services can help your senior in all kinds of non-medical ways. Other services include medication reminders, games and entertainment, walks and outdoor time, and more. Please fill out the form at https://bzoehomecare.com/contact/ or give us a call at (206) 953-4900 to get started! We’ll set you up with a free consultation to determine which services would be best for your loved one.
With modern medicine evolving as rapidly as it is, many diseases are being studied and cures are being researched. There’s an especially strong emphasis on treating and curing dementia, a life-changing disease that destroys the memory of the patient. Dementia is most common in seniors and older adults and can be hard to cope with. Today, we want to go into more detail about the disease to help you understand it a bit better. The B’Zoe Home Caregivers are trained in dementia care, and this is just a brief overview of the things they have to learn.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia isn’t really a disease in itself but is rather a broader term to group together various memory loss diseases. Older adults and seniors with dementia loss memories, reasoning skills, and the ability to complete daily tasks. There are over 6 million Americans with dementia today. The large majority of these cases have Alzheimer’s Disease, an incurable form of dementia and by far the most common. There has been nonstop research on Alzheimer’s and dementia for decades, but the final breakthrough has yet to be made. Luckily, dementia can be identified much earlier than in the past, and there are some proven treatment methods that lessen the severity of the disease. Dementia usually affects people ages 65 and older, but there are cases of what’s called “early-onset dementia.” Over time, the person remembers less and less long-term things including how to care for themselves. There are different stages of severities of dementia, each affecting the senior differently. Sadly, dementia is a terminal disease that progresses to a point that can be fatal. In addition to memory loss, late-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s can lead to the patient losing control of their muscles, including those that regulate internal processes.
What Are The Symptoms?
Some people are under the impression that dementia is a normal part of aging. It is a disease that is very common but by no means normal. Seniors do tend to become more forgetful with age, but not to the extent of a person with dementia. Here are some things that are common with old age:
Forgetting recent events
Misplacing items and finding them later
Forgetting a word in conversation
Not remembering the name of someone they recently met or someone they don’t know well
In contrast, here are some symptoms of dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease:
Getting confused or lost in a setting that is familiar to them
Forgetting words of common objects and replacing them with words that don’t make sense
Forgetting the name of close family and friends
Having a hard time recalling long-term memories
Forgetting how to complete tasks they used to do regularly
Frequently misplacing items, especially when they’re found somewhere that makes no sense (ie. keys in the fridge)
As you can see, dementia symptoms involve forgetfulness with more serious things. We all forget an appointment or a name now and then, but a person with Alzheimer’s will do so often. Communication may become hard for them, and they may lose their train of thought more than usual. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to set up an appointment with your senior’s PCP.
What Are The Treatment Options?
While dementia sadly does not have a cure at this time, work continues to find one. Treatment for dementia often includes medications and therapies that are proven to slow the progress of the disease. Along the way to finding a cure, several versions of treatments have been developed. Certain medications have been found to slow the disease while also boosting memory and brain activity. If caught early, many dementia patients can avoid severe symptoms for years when they take these medications regularly. Therapy can help seniors manage emotions as well as master simple tasks that are commonly forgotten with dementia. A therapist or professional caregiver cna help you make your home safer for seniors, and can teach you all ways to simplify tasks for them. Something as simple as modifying the home to remove clutter can make a world of difference. If you remove all the baking materials from the kitchen drawers, your senior won’t need to go hunting for the fork they need. The easier it is for them to get what they need, the faster they can do it, and the less likely they are to forget their task midway through. With combined treatments, many patients have seen improvements and maintenance of the disease.
How In-Home Care Can Help.
If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or if you notice them getting worse, it’s time to start thinking about ways you can help. When daily tasks become too challenging for seniors to do on their own, you can look into care options. Aging in place with in-home care is the most popular choice because it allows your loved one to stay at home but still receive the attention they need. B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services has helped hundreds of seniors maintain their freedom through dementia. Our highly-trained caregivers travel to your senior’s home and will assist them as needed. We offer light housekeeping, companionship, meal prep, dressing assistance, and more! In-home care allows dementia patients to remain in an environment they are familiar with which can help keep the disease under control. Our caregivers will handle the tasks that are too much for your loved one, and they’ll play a major role in slowing the progress of the disease. Our caregivers are trained specifically for dementia care, and they are very comfortable with therapy practices, decluttering, and more. Most importantly, our in-home caregivers will ensure that any and all medication is taken on time every day so they can work as well as possible.
If you’re looking for dementia care for your senior, call B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services. We are a woman-owned business that has helped hundreds of seniors stay comfortable and happy at home. We arrange consultations with you to determine which of our caregivers would be the best fit. Call us today to get started at (206) 953-4900. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
