family Archives - A Million Lives

August 31, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Surprise your relatives in the United States

United States of America is a land of immigrants, who have travelled there to reach for the American Dream. Some of those very Americans are our relatives, we talk to them on Skype, share our memories and photos, sometimes visit each other during vacations, yet we feel like there is something missing. That is, celebrating holidays together. It is of course best when we are able to see one another during these special moments, alas, often the circumstances pertaining to our lives prevent us from doing so. Nevertheless, we should not forget our loved ones when they need us most. Whether it’s during birthdays, weddings or Christmas, we always have the opportunity to send presents to them, in order to surprise ones we care about at just the right moment. I will share with you some of the key points you should know, before expressing your affection across the ocean.

Take great care of the packaging

This should be self-explanatory, however you would be surprised of just how often valuable gifts are bundled into ill-protected containers and are damaged during their journey to the recipient. It can be truly upsetting for your kinsmen to receive a present from you, only to discover after opening it, that it has been ruined. In order to avoid such mishaps,make sure you use double-corrugated box and sufficient amount of duct tape, so that the contents can be secured. If they’re particularly brittle, do not be avaricious and invest in a triple-corrugated box and some foam, these should guarantee the items safety.

Be prepared to ship items in advance

As you are aware, there is an entire ocean between Europe and America. What this means in practice is that it takes time to deliver packages there, especially during the holiday season, that is because many others are doing the same thing and delivery companies are struggling to cope with demand. Too often do we hear about presents arriving after the celebrations have passed. If you wish to insure yourself from such occurrences, arrange your gifts early and send them days in advance.

Choose the right service for your delivery

Sometimes the joy of gifting is spoiled by sloppy work of courier services, which require from you to deliver packet to particular location for it to be picked up, struggle to explain delays in delivery time, refuse to provide insurance for your items, so on and so forth. That’s why it is especially important to take your time to search for responsible courier, willing to go the extra mile to meet your demands. Try to find a reputable provider offering door to door delivery, free insurance, parcel tracking and easily accessible customer support to deliver your parcel to USA without any hitches!

July 11, 2018 by Greg Underwood

How to Choose an Aged Care Facility

When the time comes for a family member to be moved to an aged care facility, it can be very difficult for everyone. Making a decision on someone else’s behalf is always tough, even when you have their well-being in mind. On the other hand, when people decide to move to such a facility, they have a chance to choose the one they feel will suit them the most. Deciding which facility is the best for you is a practical task, and there are plenty of things on the list that you need to check before you decide, and we’re here to help.

Visit the center

Of course, you’ll need to visit the centers, but try to time your visits so you get the most of them. Stop by at different times of the day so you can get acquainted with the staff better since they’ll change shifts in the morning and afternoon. Try to be discreet in your observations but pay attention to see if the staff look tired, stressed or rushed. These are all signs of an understaffed facility and you should be wary of it. Visit at the weekends as well, because these are the times when management, as well as office staff aren’t usually present and use the opportunity to talk to the staff and ask them about their job.

Ask about the food

You should spend some time during the meals too and take note of the food. Pay attention to the variety of food as well as its quality and quantity. See if everyone is seated comfortably and if there is enough staff to help everyone during the meals. Small details such as if there’s water on the table will tell you a lot as well. Inquire to see if there are other options available if someone doesn’t like the item on the menu and check the menu yourself to see whether you’d like it. The menu should change often to provide a variety of foods as well as keep the residents interested.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

You already know how easy it can be to drop and spill something and how challenging it can be to clean it up. With a lot of aged residents, these facilities have to deal with a lot of spills but that doesn’t mean that these things should be tolerated. Spills on the floor can be dangerous because slipping and falling are dangerous for the elderly. Look around to see if everything appears clean and check for unpleasant smells. Bedrooms in aged care facilities should always have clean linen, bathrooms fresh towels, and male residents should be clean shaven, while ladies should be well groomed.

Daily activities

Just because you move to such a facility, it doesn’t mean you should spend your days watching TV and being bored. Socializing is important as we age, and even when our mobility decreases, our need for company doesn’t. Residents in aged care facilities should have a chance to get to know each other, interact with each other and spend time together. There should also be organized activities for individuals as well as groups to help residents stay active and meet others. Access to computers is important too, because the internet allows us to stay in touch with our family via emails and social media.

Reputation

Last but not least, you should pay attention to the facility’s reputation. Ask around to see what other people have to say about it and ask the facility for references. See if it would be possible for you to talk to families of people who are already staying there and some of the residents because that’s one of the best ways to get reliable information. There are also accreditation reports which can be useful but don’t underestimate word of mouth.

Trying to decide when the time is right for you to move to an aged care facility is tricky, but once you set your mind to it, you can start dealing with practical issues. Fortunately, there are many providers on the market, and you have a better choice today than people did decades ago. Start early, put together a list of important things to look out for, and find the facility that’s best for you and your needs.

June 8, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Four Steps to Take to Aid Your Loved One Through Illness

Becoming sick is no big deal. Being sick means your body has a short battle with a virus that it can easily overcome on its own with the help of a few over-the-counter meds. Having an illness, on the other hand, can completely change your life for the worse. Illnesses are long-term, and may often require specialized medical attention. How do you help a loved one whose very body is either battling against them? These steps can give you some pointers.

Learn About the Illness in Question

You cannot help your loved one if you do not understand what is going on. Though you will never be able to completely empathize, understanding and anticipating what is wrong can go a long way. If, for instance, you know the side effects of the treatments you can better prepare and take care of them. Similarly, if you know the common causes of pain or issues associated with their illness, you can better prepare to help them at a moments notice. You can only do this by learning all that you can, but remember to take what you learn online with a grain of salt. Always get your information from your loved one’s doctor, and have a list of questions on hand so that you can get as much information as possible, as soon as possible.

Follow Doctor’s Advice

Their doctor will have advice on how to take care of your loved one when at home. Always follow their advice, but watch how your loved one is responding. Following a treatment regimen when things only seem to be getting worse could mean that there is an unforeseen complication in your loved one’s health. Keep their doctor updated and press for changes if you don’t think that their treatment is working.

Help Them Improve Their Baseline Health

One of the ways that you can help them at home, particularly if all treatments occur in hospital, is to help them improve their baseline health. The human body is incredibly good at healing itself, but if it isn’t at its best its ability to heal will be limited. As such, the best way to help your loved one go through treatment or to adjust to a life-long disease is to help them improve their nutrient intake and to help them get the regular exercise that they need. Combined, this can improve their immune system, which in turn will help them combat or manage their disease.

Take Care of Them Right at Home

Not all health issues will be treated in hospital. For those with more chronic conditions, treatment should be done at home. Thankfully, programs like CDPAP exist that allow long-term Medicaid recipients to choose and even nominate who takes care of them. This means that you can be trained and even paid to take care of your loved one. Simply contact FreedomCare to enroll.

Above all else, you have to remember your own health. When you take care of your loved one you will be putting a lot of time and energy into it, which means that your own health can suffer. Take some time to mentally recuperate and to eat healthily and get your regular exercise. You can only provide the best care, after all, when you yourself are at your best.

April 26, 2018 by Greg Underwood

How To Find The Right Assisted Care Living Facility For Your Loved One With Dementia

Does your loved one suffer from dementia or another late-in-life cognative condition? Here’s how to choose the right assisted care living facility for them.

As of 2015, approximately 14.9 million people were caretakers for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Long-term caretakers such as these often experience profound stress.

Yet, moving your loved one to an assisted-care facility can be a nerve-wracking and guilt-inducing experience. Even when you know it’s time for your relative to go, it’s still hard to actually do it.

You want to find the perfect new home, where they will receive quality care by a friendly staff. Above all, you want them to be happy.

How do you do it? How do you find the right assisted care living facility for someone with dementia? What should you be on the lookout for, and what questions do you need to ask? In this article, we’ve got you covered.

What is an Assisted Care Living Facility?

Assisted living is also called board and care, adult living, or supported care. It is a long-term care option providing a bridge between living at home and entering a nursing home.

Individuals residing in assisted care living facilities generally receive:

Housing
Meals
Supportive Services
Healthcare

Seniors in adult living communities may have a private room or share space in an apartment. Often they have the opportunity to take part in social activities. They also have access to transportation.

Assisted living works best for seniors who are still active but need some help with everyday activities. If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, assisted living might be an ideal environment for them.

Not all assisted living residences have the resources to care for patients with dementia. Therefore it is important to ask when choosing a residence.

It is also important to think about the progression of the disease. The services your loved one needs today may not be the same ones they need six months from now.

Some assisted care living facilities have what’s called a Special Care Unit (SCU) or a special Memory Care Unit. These are designed specifically for individuals with dementia. Let’s explore them in the next section.

Memory Care

Memory Care Units (also called Special Care Units) are residences intended for people with dementia. A Memory Care Unit might be a specific wing in a traditional adult care home. Or it could be a stand-alone facility like Seasons Memory Care.

Either way, the staff at these Units is well-trained to meet the needs of seniors with dementia and impaired cognition.

They also have extra security and safety measures (think locked doors) to protect the residents. Outdoor areas are locked and secured, enabling the residents’ access to outdoor activity.

Memory Care Units also encourage residents to take part in activities designed to slow down the progression of the disease. Some of these may include music, games, and arts and crafts.

Often these Units have visual clues placed throughout the building. These help jog the memory of the residents, allowing them to move throughout the home with ease.

Stand-alone Memory Care Units are able to provide more services than those in traditional assisted care living residences. Many of them are architecturally designed to accommodate the needs of their special population.

For example, some Memory Care Units are built in a circular shape. This way, the residents can stroll the hallway without feeling stressed or getting too lost.

Assisted care living homes are suitable for people with mild or the early stages of dementia. If your loved one is in a later stage of the disease, memory care might be a better option.

Choosing a Home For Your Loved One. What Do You Need to Know

Placing your loved one in an assisted care living facility can be hard for everyone involved. To help find the ideal home, consider the following concerns and/or questions.

1. Visit the Home Many Times, Even During Odd Hours

When choosing a memory care home for your loved one, you need to do more than just read the description and take a single tour. It is important to visit numerous residences and visit each more than once.

In addition, make sure some of your visits are unannounced and at random hours like nights or weekends. When you show up unexpected, you get a real sense of the home. Look for the following things:

Is the home clean?
Do the residents seem well taken care of? Are their needs being met, or are they calling out for help?
Are there enough staff members?
If you are there during mealtimes, how does the food look? Does it taste good?

It is only with more than one visit that you can make an informed decision for your loved one.

2. Ask about Staff Ratio and Staff Turnover

Staff ratio is an important factor when considering a memory home because of the level of personal care required. Memory care facilities should have a single staff member for every five residents.

If the number is less than this, your loved one could end up spending a lot of time in front of the television.

Inquire also about staff training. How much training does each staff member receive and what kind? Staff members should have initial as well as yearly training. This way they update their knowledge with the latest evidence-based practices.

Finally, make sure to ask about staff turnover. Clearly, staff members who feel valued stay longer in their jobs than those who don’t.

What’s more, individuals with dementia need to feel a strong connection with consistent and kind caregivers. Staff members are also better able to help your loved one if they develop a relationship with them.

3. What Is the Adult Care Home Doing to Keep the Residents Occupied and Happy

It is important that the memory care center has daily routines but that they are not strictly enforced. Your loved one shouldn’t be bored.

There have to be everyday engaging activities designed to lessen cognitive impairment. Research shows that music, for example, slows dementia down. Your loved one deserves access to those kinds of pursuits.

Furthermore, people with dementia often wander and may seem distracted. For this reason, there should be some latitude in rules and schedules.

Lastly, the staff has to be available during the evening and at night. Many people with dementia are active and need help during unusual hours.

4. How Will the Staff Respond to Aggressive Behavior?

Sadly, people with dementia experience personality changes. Many have challenging behaviors and can become aggressive.

You need to ask how staff handles anti-social behaviors. No one wants their loved one receiving antipsychotic drugs or to be locked up.

Staff members must also be able to identify when these actions result only from basic unmet needs. A person with dementia may be hungry or tired and unable to express this problem. A good memory care home has staff trained to spot those kinds of issues.

Finally, residents have to be able to wander or roam freely in a safe space. You don’t want your relative in an enclosed and locked room because the staff doesn’t know what to do with them.

Memory Care for Your Loved One

Now you know what to look for in an assisted care living home. Moving your relative to a home or a memory center can be hard. But it is often the right thing to do. This is especially true as their cognitive impairments grow, and they are less able to take care of themselves.

If you found this article helpful, you might find other useful information on our website. For example, caretakers often neglect their own health. Maybe the article Cycle Your Way to Health could help you change that situation!

We have information on how to get motivated or how to pamper yourself as well as a host of other topics. Why not check out our site today?